Hey, I'm a novice when it comes to phones but I've been talking with a friend about rooting my phone and I want to do it now.
HTC Desire Z (Non Branded)
Android 2.2.1
Build Number: 1.72.405.2 CL296256 release-keys
He gave me the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=905261
and said to ask on here, if that is the right guide to follow and well I have no idea what ROM's are ideal for me, there are too many roms to choose from and because there is a load of jargon what quite frankly confuses the hell out of me.
I just kinda want a rooted one with less junk and more options (like the rooted apps to install) maybe? I'm a lost puppy
Any help would be greatly appreciated, I don't know how I can thank you if you can help me
Use the wiki to get root and the added extras (subsidy unlock),... then you'll be good to go flashing ROMs.
As for which ROM, I recommend Cyanogen 6. 1 for stability . But as a new user I do think you should try a sense ROM for a while.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Just root your phone and then you will be able to install apps that require root, and you can remove apps you don't want.
Stay on the stock ROM then you can get used to it, and you'll be in a better position to learn which custom ROM might suit you.
Sent from my HTC Desire Z
My recommendation is CyanogenMod (6.1.1 for stability, as suggested above).
I have been using CyanogenMod since the G1 (two years ago) and haven't looked back. The development team is constantly striving to improve, and add features. The thing is rock solid stable, and has MANY MANY more options and goodies then stock rom.
Use that wiki to get you Rooted, then head over to the Cyanogen Wiki (link in my signature) to get his rom, and instructions on how to install it.
The HARDEST part, will be the physical rooting of your phone. After you have rooted, the SIMPLEST thing to do is to download "ROM Manager" from the android market. Use it to install the Clockwork Recovery (VERY EASY, all done through the app). Once you are rooted and have a custom recovery, popping on a Rom is a piece of cake.
The very FIRST thing you should do after rooting and getting a custom recovery, is to BACKUP (usually referred to as nandroid backup). This will make COMPLETE backup of your phone, as it is now (boot/system/apps/contacts, etc etc, EVERYTHING). Then if during the process of putting on a rom or mod, something messes up, you can always restore your backup. Make this a COMMON practice.
If you do decide to go with Cyanogen, some things to remember. One is to get the "gapps" package, so you will have your market, and gmail, etc etc.... That step is included in the instructions on the wiki, so you shouldn't miss it. Just install gapps, after Cyanogen.
Now, if after all that, you feel confident (and by this point you probably should), you could look at getting a OC/UV (overclocked/undervolted) kernel. This is also done with ROM manager, and is VERY easy. Id suggest using pershoots kernel, for CM 6.1.1 (froyo)..... This will not only improve the performance of your phone (with the app SetCPU), but will also save battery life.
It may sound like a lot, and maybe it is, but again, once you get past the Rooting, and flashing a custom recovery (most common is Clockwork), the rest is a piece of cake, comparatively.
Is it worth all that hassle you may ask? YES, DEFINITELY. Once you get used to CyanogenMod (or whichever mod you choose), you will have a hard time ever going back to a stock rom. When i purchased and received my G2 (US version of the Desire Z), i literally had it out of the box, booted up for 5 minutes to login, shutdown, and began rooting it. I simply HAD to have my Cyanogen.
If you just want a rooted one with less junk and the option to install rooted apps, maybe you should just root your phone but continue using the stock ROM? You can still get a great deal of customization on stock just by using market apps like launcher replacements, root explorers, tasker..
I'd suggest watching videos of the ROMs on youtube so you know what to expect from each. Personally i'm using Virtuous ROM but that's because i like the look and feel and added functionality of HTC Sense (camera, facebook tagging, dlna, etc).
Related
Just wondering I usually just use the stock rom....but what's the point if rooting so I want to start flashing some custom ones....just wondering with there being soo many different roms out there are there any requirements that u should be looking for b4 I go and just flash a rom such as screen type or kernal, or whether I'm using froyo or just if I'm on 2.2 or not as much detail would be helpful
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
the requirements are mostly up to you.
since you are rooted you can flash any rom. All roms come with some type of kernel. if you are going to flash a custom kernel you will want to make sure it is ok for your rom. this mostly comes into play with 2.1 v 2.2 and asop v sense. these are not interchange able.
My recommendation is to figure out what you want (ie if you need 4g working or if you are looking for speed or battery power etc)
once you have this list of things you want to make sure you have start flashing roms and see if you like it. once you have it set up and play with it for a bit nand back up it and then try the next. that way if you want to go back you can easily do so.
Most people find a rom they love and tend to always go back to it even after trying other roms.
Here is a good list of the top 5 roms in my opinion ( no specific order)
Damage Control (Sense)
CyanogenMod 6 (ASOP - no 4g)
Fresh (SENSE)
Evio (SENSE)
Baked Snacks (SENSE)
For kernels The only thing you have to worry about for the most part is if the rom is ASOP (really only CM6) or sense (pretty much everything else) the 2 main sense kernels (netarchy and kingsx) both work for almost every sense rom and work with epson and nova screens
anyway good luck and happy rom hunting.
Thank you very informative, kudos too you boss....now the only other thing that concerned me is that from what I can understand when I use certain roms (or might be kernels) I was reading may downgrade my prl- along with similar issues , and also what I've gathered from that is with some/most its a ***** too update again so if there are any guidelines for these kind of"issues" I as well as I'm sure most others new to android would love some guidance.....ohh and one of viruses roms says "your warrantee is now void".......this doesn't do anything other than explain that if you leave your phone flashed with anything other than an official android software and haven't reset back too s-on....your warrantee is void by htc/sprint ...but going back from what I understand is easy as using unrevoked s-on and downloading and flashing the latest official 2.2......just tying up loose ends..... Thank you all.
when you unlock nand the engineer boot changes your PRI to 1.34. I believe someone has a method using unrevoked forever and a custom img to prevent this but i have not done a lot of research on it since i have been rooted since i got my phone.
There are several methods to get back to 1.4 pri. For many the PRI made no difference to performance in few areas people report increased speeds (they also noticed these speeds differences right after they rooted). The most common method is to dial ##768# and then reset yuor profile (you will need your MSL code) once thats done wipe dalvik and cache and then cross your fingers. the pri is sometimes downloaded and installed during the over the air activation.
For some it is quick and painless and others like me took over 100 tries over several weeks. I have no actual benefit that i can tell but i like knowing i have everything up to date.
As for the warranty issue you are correct. If you can boot your phone it is relatively easy to get back to an unrooted phone. If your phone is rooted they say your warranty is void. so just dont give the phone back to them with out unrooting. the method you listed above is correct.
I don't know how to give you credit....but thank you....how does this work: +10
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Last thing lol with themes dies the rom have to support them or if I'm on stock rooted rom can I install a theme and of not can I alter a stock rooted rom to be able to support them
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
it depends on the theme. A majority of the themes for 2.2 will work on stock rooted as well as the sense 2.2 roms. If using and ASOP rom (ex CM 6) you will want to make sure the theme says it works with it.
some common ones for 2.2 sense are the Aloysius themes, riptide themes, and manups themes. there are lots of others depending on your taste so check them out.
if you are unsure i would nand back up before you apply the theme and if something looks funky once you install it just revert back.
Probably shouldn't have said "last question" but adb is giving me problems "error: device not found" and when I get it working I can't delete apps (sprint bloatware) it says "read only file". And I tried to install a theme but it just made my evo boot into what looked like an optical illusion....which was cool for a second...but compleatly un-functional....it was that revolutionary theme that was updated on 8/30 any suggestions?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
i mailed you a lot of the response to this before i saw you posted it as well. I'm not going to retype everything but i will update to let you know that i installed the theme on my phone (i currently have evio 1.2 rom) and it went as expected. I did not try installing all the custom options but the main theme itself installed and didnt come up with an optical illusion type effect so i am confident we can get this working once you get back to me on some of the information.
Hey everyone,
I'm really new to android modding, and don't know much about all this. I'm good at modding but never been on android before. I went through the stickies and full desire guide etc threads, but its really getting confusing for me.
I've come to know some things: (correct if wrong)
1) You have some custom ROMs which you can flash after rooting the phone.
2) Most ROMs have pretty much everything working, but some things don't work on some ROMs (like camera for some)
3) Rooting voids warranty.
Seeing the vast amount of ROMs in the development section, I'm confused which one to look for. Can anyone suggest me which would be the best (stable and everything working) ROM for me? I basically need APP2SD or APP2SD+ (NOT the froyo one because its useless, I'm talking about the custom one) and minor tweaks like changing the homescreen etc.
Which would be the best suited ROM for above description? Basically, what criteria decide which ROM to put on the phone?
@Moderators, sorry if its the same old story. I'm really confused and so HAD to make a thread.
Hi and welcome. A couple of points I can help you with:
There are loads of roms to choose from, I am using this rom atm:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=768703
Everything on this particular rom works fine and is very fast and stable. I generally find if roms have several revisions then are are generally very good. i.e. are having continuous support and developement.
As for rooting voiding warranty? Well this is no longer an issue as rooting can easily be reversed )
Hope this helps
LEWY
thehrushi said:
Hey everyone,
I'm really new to android modding, and don't know much about all this. I'm good at modding but never been on android before. I went through the stickies and full desire guide etc threads, but its really getting confusing for me.
I've come to know some things: (correct if wrong)
1) You have some custom ROMs which you can flash after rooting the phone.
2) Most ROMs have pretty much everything working, but some things don't work on some ROMs (like camera for some)
3) Rooting voids warranty.
Seeing the vast amount of ROMs in the development section, I'm confused which one to look for. Can anyone suggest me which would be the best (stable and everything working) ROM for me? I basically need APP2SD or APP2SD+ (NOT the froyo one because its useless, I'm talking about the custom one) and minor tweaks like changing the homescreen etc.
Which would be the best suited ROM for above description? Basically, what criteria decide which ROM to put on the phone?
@Moderators, sorry if its the same old story. I'm really confused and so HAD to make a thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do indeed need to Root the device before flashing, the only ROM that don't have 'things working' is the Desire HD ROM. I am not sure if that has been fixed or not yet though. All the other AOSP and Sense based Desire ROMs have everything working just fine. Rooting will void your warranty but it's super easy to reverse so there is nothing to worry about.
The most popular ROMs by far seem to be the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) ROMs (Non-Sense ROMs), all of them will have APP2SD built into them, the Sense ROMs also have APP2SD built into them.
LeeDrOiD is by far the most popular Sense based ROM, RCMixHD is the Desire HD based ROM, which I think still doesn't have the camera working.
And by far the most popular Desire ROM overall is the ASOP Cyanogen based DeFrost.
To get the most out of APP2SD you will need to download ROM Manager and create an EXT3 partition on your SD card so the ROM will place all of the Froyo compatable apps into the partion and not your internal memory.
Being brand new to the desire, I've flashed every Rom available in the last 2 weeks.
Leedroid is a very good sense Rom. I prefer having a Rom with sense right now because this is my first HTC.
Right now I'm running the Aurax sense Rom, solely because it has its own setCPU built in.
The hd roms didn't impress me that much, not yet at least, with a little more time they will be awesome though.
The MIUI roms are also amazingly pretty, if you don't mind the iPhone feel. My only problem with it though, and I've been told this hardly happens, my battery life was pathetic.
At the end of the day though, apart from the hardware, it is android and all the available apps that make our phone so great.
All the custom roms do add a lot of speed to the phone though, you have to do a quadrant after you flash so that you can see how awesome the Rom makes your phone run. They also add additional functionality compared to the stock Rom.
Honestly, I can't see why anyone would keep any Android device stock when there are such amazing roms around. At the end of the day its all down to your own preferences and what functions you like. You'll love any Rom you flash.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Thanks for such amazing replies. Meanwhile, I've also been through many ROMs and their descriptions. The terminologies are kinda new for me, but I can understand many things now....
The only thing I care about right now is App2SD because I found FroYo's move to SD doesn't help much. Also second thing is that I'm not having MY desire yet, its my friend's device m gonna try out everything on! So I'd be taking some extra care!
One big relief is that rooting is reversible. That'd be cool.
What are the odds of bricking your phone while flashing or applying mods?
thehrushi said:
Thanks for such amazing replies. Meanwhile, I've also been through many ROMs and their descriptions. The terminologies are kinda new for me, but I can understand many things now....
The only thing I care about right now is App2SD because I found FroYo's move to SD doesn't help much. Also second thing is that I'm not having MY desire yet, its my friend's device m gonna try out everything on! So I'd be taking some extra care!
One big relief is that rooting is reversible. That'd be cool.
What are the odds of bricking your phone while flashing or applying mods?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is honestly impossible to brick a desire. I bricked my MOTO backflip, there was no coming back from that. With the desire I flashed something that didn't work, but pressing volume down and power gets you right into the hbooot menu, from there just mount as usb and copy over a new Rom to flash.
The one thing you need to remember, when flashing new roms the first boot takes a while, never pull the battery thinking there's nothing happening, that will destroy your phone and there's no coming back from that.
Before every Rom you flash make sure to do a factory reset in the recovery menu, that ensures that the new Rom will work to its full capability and minimizes the chances of experiencing problems.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
thehrushi said:
What are the odds of bricking your phone while flashing or applying mods?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can brick your device flashing Radios, but you can always send it back to HTC, pay them an extortionate amount and they will revive it for you. But overall, the chances are slim to none in my experience.
Just make sure, after rooting, you make a Nandroid backup of the OS. Then you can do whatever you like to the phone and it will be reversable.
I keep a Nandroid of my DeFrost ROM, and one of my PaysROM, and I have one of my MoDaCo R8, you can switch between them just using Recovery, as the mood takes you, absolutely everything will be exactly as it was everytime you load the backup back onto the phone, I just wipe the cache, Dalvik Cache, factory reset the ROM then reinstall whichever ROM I want to use (DeFrost, PaysROM etc etc) from the SD card and then backup from the Nandroid.
Depending on the age of your desire, you shouldn't need to flash a radio though. I've never needed to flash a radio, but that's because my desire came with the latest radio, thankfully it still has the amoled screen.
If you do need to replace the radio and somehow brick it, if its still under warranty HTC will replace it for you because there is no way that they can prove you bricked the device.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Kalavere said:
Just make sure, after rooting, you make a Nandroid backup of the OS. Then you can do whatever you like to the phone and it will be reversable.
I keep a Nandroid of my DeFrost ROM, and one of my PaysROM, and I have one of my MoDaCo R8, you can switch between them just using Recovery, as the mood takes you, absolutely everything will be exactly as it was everytime you load the backup back onto the phone, I just wipe the cache, Dalvik Cache, factory reset the ROM then reinstall whichever ROM I want to use (DeFrost, PaysROM etc etc) from the SD card and then backup from the Nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that means you install a ROM, make settings you want, put in your data (phonebook etc) and then take a full backup. Switching between them is as easy as restoring a backup!
Is that right?
Initially, I'd be trying out ROMs, and would stick to the one which suits me best. I just can't wait before my desire arrives this monthend!!
thehrushi said:
Wow that means you install a ROM, make settings you want, put in your data (phonebook etc) and then take a full backup. Switching between them is as easy as restoring a backup!
Is that right?
Initially, I'd be trying out ROMs, and would stick to the one which suits me best. I just can't wait before my desire arrives this monthend!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It saves everything, app data, messages, settings, the lot. Although when switching ROMs I still factory reset, wipe the caches and reinstall the ROM I want to use before loading the backup of that specific ROM. I am not sure things will go so smoothly if you just reload the backups without factory resetting and reinstalling the ROM first, but it won't hurt to try.
Kalavere said:
It saves everything, app data, messages, settings, the lot. Although when switching ROMs I still factory reset, wipe the caches and reinstall the ROM I want to use before loading the backup of that specific ROM. I am not sure things will go so smoothly if you just reload the backups without factory resetting and reinstalling the ROM first, but it won't hurt to try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly!
So, I have been rooted for ages.
I liked rooting because it was simple to follow the instructions on what to do (it was just like installing any old application on a PC if I remember). I haven't exactly explored the full features of rooting as I am just an average user but now I am finding I want more apps than the phone will allow, so it's time to get a new ROM.
Here's Some Information:
HTC Desire - Unbranded (UK)
Rooted with Clockwork Mod
S-Off Status: Don't know
Android: 2.2
Software: 2.29.405.5
Why Do I Want to Get a New ROM?
Space issues really.
I am nearly constantly warned these days about low space. I've been running with about 30Mb to spare, but now when I update various apps, it moans at me. It also means I am limited to what I can now install, even though I may only use the app once every few months.
My battery life is good (well, 2-3 days) and everything else is fine, it's just the space issue that I need to solve.
What ROM's Have I Looked At?
Starburst:
Seems to be to be the one I need, although I perhaps am being narrow minded with the whole "I want sense" and "I need the DATA2SD" thing.
CyanogenMod:
Seems nice, but no Sense? Maybe I can pull away from Sense as really I only use the clock/weather, the larger weather, calendar, a little bit FriendStream, but I am happy without FriendStream and HTC Peep I could install by itself or go without it (I can just text Twitter). There are many calendar apps and again, it might be possible to install it as a stand alone app, or I might find one that is simply better.
Someone else suggested LeeDroid which I've heard a lot about too, although I haven't really looked into it.
So, I have a few questions now:
Should I be looking to upgrade to Gingerbread?
Is Sense 3.5 a good way to go?
Is there a ROM that has the DATA2SD with Sense 3.5?
I have read that Titanium Backup will allow me to save all the apps and their data/saved games somewhere and then it's just a one-touch-install to have them all back again, is that correct?
Will some ROM's allow me to delete/choose not to install things like Teeter?
If I install a new ROM, I can put it back to a standard stock ROM correct? Just so when I come to sell the phone on, it's back to what it was.
When I've installed a custom ROM, I can still use the Market/App Brain to update apps correct?
I think that's it.
I don't really want to be installing one ROM, then deciding it's rubbish so installing another, then another, I'd just like an informed view. I think my main aim is ease of install. I'm not very confident with adb, although I can obviously follow "type this and that" step by step guides.
If anyone has any other suggestions then that would be great.
Thanks
I don't know all the answers, but I'll try to answer some. I had the same problem as you did.
Is Sense 3.5 a good way to go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found that Sense 3.0, Sense 2.1+3.0 hybrids were very slow(I guess this applies for Sense 3.5 since it's newer than 3.0)
I have read that Titanium Backup will allow me to save all the apps and their data/saved games somewhere and then it's just a one-touch-install to have them all back again, is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
Will some ROM's allow me to delete/choose not to install things like Teeter?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most Sense ROMs are pretty stripped of crap like that. However if you do have it you can uninstall it afterwards.
If I install a new ROM, I can put it back to a standard stock ROM correct? Just so when I come to sell the phone on, it's back to what it was.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do a backup before flashing a new ROM! That way you will have your old ROM. However I'm not sure about how to unroot, but it is possible.
When I've installed a custom ROM, I can still use the Market/App Brain to update apps correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
P.S. My first try was CyanongenMod, and I haven't regretted it since. Almost every Sense app/widget can be replaced by apps in the market.
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
Man, I thought this forum was busy and there'd be loads of recommendations.
Seems not :/
I believe Sense 3.0 is good enough since Sense 3.5 ROM is not yet stable.
Cool3d / Aurora has good performance. But you need to S-OFF your phone first. It's very important before jumping into ROM that requires ext4 and CM7
Hi guys.
Obviously I am new, and noob so this might sound silly, but is it worth rooting?
I mean, I have been having stock Desire Z for, I dunno, almost 2 years, and it's been working perfectly, but since HTC and Google are moving on, leaving me on 2.3 and without any new updates, I was thinking of moving on on my own.
The thing is, I am as noob at rooting as I am in here, and bricking scares the **** out of me. Also, I don't know what ROM to chose, if that is the only thing to chose after rooting. I've stumbled upon cyanogen mod, and there are quite detailed step-by-step description on how to downgrade/root/install CM7, but CM7 looks like crap - I don't like it really.
I do like this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1546915http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1546915 thou,, but since it's still beta, I don't want to end up with half working phone when I need it the most.
So, should I go for it, or stick with my guns?
and thx for replying or even reading :good:
I can't really comment on Sense roms (never cared for them, too bloated in my opinion). But I would prefer either Mimicry 1.3.1 or EliteMod ICS (which I'm using now), in regards to ICS (4.0.*).
Far as guides. Some like the Cyanogenmod one can be 'easier' to read, but the XDA wiki has a lot more information.
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=HTC_Vision
Since you're on gingerbread now you would go the Desire-Z Gingerbread route for unlocking/exploit before proceeding to root it. (but on the plus side sticking with a Desire-Z hboot will ensure your /system size is big enough to play with the Sense roms).
With ICS some things to keep in mind is that the most common issues tend to be :
1) Camera isn't "fully" working, in some cases like on mimicry and elitemod (or other non-Sense ICS roms), you can take a picture, you can record a video, but usually only with the stock camera app and usually won't have features like 720p recording or special effects.
2) Graphical glitch with the text can happen on an app, although rarely occurs, is easily fixed by closing the app or restarting (tends to stay with one app when it happens).
Those are probably the two most common issue you'll see with just bout every ICS rom out there for DZ/G2.
By the way some of the Sense roms are incorporating the 3.0 kernel from the Virtuous Infinity Preview (Full Sense 4.0), as such they're getting a decent camera with filters, but course there are still some bugs. (Previously Sense 4.0 roms had no camera functionality at all).
Edit
To clarify, even if you use the CM Wiki to unlock/root you do not have to install Cyanogenmod 7.2 afterwards, you can pretty much install any compatible rom once you've gotten it unlocked and running with a custom recovery (though I prefer 4EXT over clockworkmod).
I am sure it is worth ... i was just like u ..satisfied with my GB but i was so curious and so on so i followed this guide: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/HTC_Desire_Z:_Rooting and now iam rooted at the moment iam running Elite ROM ice cream sandwich and its ********* fast .... when you have root and you try new rom you will never want to stop of course there are some risks but I think that if you will have any kind of problem here on XDA is so many great people willing to help you ... my advice is to do it go step by step according to that guide and if you dont understand something just ask here on xda Best of luck....
back in the g1 days a friend of mine rooted his, i was astonished what could be done to phones now adays. i quickly rooted my g1 and began learning a ton about everything mobile, just like many before and after me i was hooked. even if you never found a better rom than stock the learning process is well worth it. even if you dont use most of the new features available to you at least having them is worth it. and unless you dont research/read first, or are mostly stupid/have bad luck, you wont brick your phone. i have rooted 50~60 phones and tablets, maybe more and never had a hard brick, sure when i first started out there was some close calls but with a little common sense you will be fine, also know you are now part a large community eager to help
so follow the xda or cyanogen wiki and downgrade and root your phone, move on to the rom compilation (found in the developers thread here) try a few roms and see what you prefer. you will be happy you did
on and one last point; the best reason to root your phone right when you get it, if there ever is a problem it is much easier to fix a rooted phone with software/firmware problems then an unrooted one. the only drawback could be if you need to send it back for warranty... but how likely is that, and the phone you have now im sure has little/no warranty left
happy flashing!
follow kbeeize's advice on how to root and try a few roms out
PS: One of the major advantages of having a custom recovery, is the ability to perform a backup of your currently installed rom. If you screw something up, you need only go back into recovery Wipe (factory-reset/cache/etc) and restore the backup to get right back to where you were. And you can have several backups too if you were trying out several different roms.
So basically the process of rooting/unlocking offers a safety net once you're up and running, be it in the recovery , or apps like Titanium Backup. Getting there is mainly the intimidating part.
kbeezie said:
Mimicry 1.3.1 or EliteMod ICS (which I'm using now), in regards to ICS (4.0.*).
Far as guides. Some like the Cyanogenmod one can be 'easier' to read, but the XDA wiki has a lot more information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you would recommend EliteMod & Cyanogen guide for starters?
kbeezie said:
Since you're on gingerbread now you would go the Desire-Z Gingerbread route for unlocking/exploit before proceeding to root it. (but on the plus side sticking with a Desire-Z hboot will ensure your /system size is big enough to play with the Sense roms).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhhh... What?
kbeezie said:
With ICS some things to keep in mind is that the most common issues tend to be :
1) Camera isn't "fully" working, in some cases like on mimicry and elitemod (or other non-Sense ICS roms), you can take a picture, you can record a video, but usually only with the stock camera app and usually won't have features like 720p recording or special effects.
2) Graphical glitch with the text can happen on an app, although rarely occurs, is easily fixed by closing the app or restarting (tends to stay with one app when it happens).
Those are probably the two most common issue you'll see with just bout every ICS rom out there for DZ/G2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can deal with that. Really, camera for me is one of the most useless apps. So stock app will do just fine
kbeezie said:
To clarify, even if you use the CM Wiki to unlock/root you do not have to install Cyanogenmod 7.2 afterwards, you can pretty much install any compatible rom once you've gotten it unlocked and running with a custom recovery (though I prefer 4EXT over clockworkmod).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, rooting won't delete everything from my phone, it will just be unlocked, so I could install some ROM apps that would do the rest of the work for me?
jumptoin said:
when you have root and you try new rom you will never want to stop of course there are some risks but I think that if you will have any kind of problem here on XDA is so many great people willing to help you ... my advice is to do it go step by step according to that guide and if you dont understand something just ask here on xda Best of luck....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is changing ROM deleting all my apps, messages etc., and is it doing so every time I change it. I've spent quite a lot of time and care to set the whole thing up, so I don't thing I would swap the ROMs so easily as you say
demkantor said:
back in the g1 days a friend of mine rooted his, i was astonished what could be done to phones now adays. i quickly rooted my g1 and began learning a ton about everything mobile, just like many before and after me i was hooked. even if you never found a better rom than stock the learning process is well worth it. even if you dont use most of the new features available to you at least having them is worth it. and unless you dont research/read first, or are mostly stupid/have bad luck, you wont brick your phone. i have rooted 50~60 phones and tablets, maybe more and never had a hard brick, sure when i first started out there was some close calls but with a little common sense you will be fine, also know you are now part a large community eager to help
so follow the xda or cyanogen wiki and downgrade and root your phone, move on to the rom compilation (found in the developers thread here) try a few roms and see what you prefer. you will be happy you did
on and one last point; the best reason to root your phone right when you get it, if there ever is a problem it is much easier to fix a rooted phone with software/firmware problems then an unrooted one. the only drawback could be if you need to send it back for warranty... but how likely is that, and the phone you have now im sure has little/no warranty left
happy flashing!
follow kbeeize's advice on how to root and try a few roms out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THX! :good:
kbeezie said:
PS: One of the major advantages of having a custom recovery, is the ability to perform a backup of your currently installed rom. If you screw something up, you need only go back into recovery Wipe (factory-reset/cache/etc) and restore the backup to get right back to where you were. And you can have several backups too if you were trying out several different roms.
So basically the process of rooting/unlocking offers a safety net once you're up and running, be it in the recovery , or apps like Titanium Backup. Getting there is mainly the intimidating part.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it's like making an image file of the whole windows OS with all the programs preinstalled and restoring it when things go bust?
StipeP said:
So you would recommend EliteMod & Cyanogen guide for starters?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EliteMod ICS isn't really for everyone, something like Andromadus Mimicry would be an easier start if you wanted ICS.
StipeP said:
Uhhh... What?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile G2 hboot (0.76.200) has a /system of ~400MB, /cache of ~200MB and /data of ~1.3GB, but 400MB is not big enough for a Sense rom. So if you were following the cyanogenmod wiki for exploiting/rooting, you would need the Desire-Z Engineering hboot (0.84.2000) which has a /system of ~550MB, /cache ~300MB, /data 1GB. Otherwise you would have to avoid Sense roms or roms that say you need a DesireZ hboot.
Since you said you had a Desire-Z you may not even run across that issue.
StipeP said:
I can deal with that. Really, camera for me is one of the most useless apps. So stock app will do just fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then that's all good then.
StipeP said:
So, rooting won't delete everything from my phone, it will just be unlocked, so I could install some ROM apps that would do the rest of the work for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on how you root, and if your phone needs to be downgraded/exploited. Which most of the time it does (i.e.: to get ENG S-OFF), which will of course erase the existing data on the phone so backups is suggested.
StipeP said:
Is changing ROM deleting all my apps, messages etc., and is it doing so every time I change it. I've spent quite a lot of time and care to set the whole thing up, so I don't thing I would swap the ROMs so easily as you say
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's where root tools like Titanium Backup come in very handy. You can flash a band new rom, open up Titanium Backup, and then restore all your apps along with their settings/etc.
StipeP said:
So it's like making an image file of the whole windows OS with all the programs preinstalled and restoring it when things go bust?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normally once you get an initial rom setup, you can do a backup in recovery. If things go bust, you just reboot into recovery, wipe/factory-reset and then restore from the backup which will put the phone at the exact same state as you backed it up.
But yea I guess it's kind of like taking a Ghost image of your hard drive, which is stored on the SD Card at /clockworkmod/backup
Dear StipeP,
Greetings!
I bought my Desire Z, my very first android mobile in April 2010 and since then I was thinking 'O my God! what the **** people are talking about rooting their mobile!!!'. It was not that I was not curious, it was the difficult looking procedure and always lingering fear of bricking my set . At that time, I was a toooooootal noob . Then HTC pushed gingerbread update. All was well before ICE rolled out and some other mobiles were getting it while desire z was no where in line. I decided I should give it a try but still I preferred some 'one click root' methods over the detailed one given at XDA (it seemed too intimidating). But every such method could not root a desire z on android 2.3.3 (they could have when I was on Froyo). Then I finally made my mind to take the bull by horn and started reading as much as possible about rooting the hard way. Finally, I went for the XDA-wiki and also stumbled upon a guy named Strawmetal's wonderful effort of putting all the necessary files and instructions at one place. One night, I sat after dinner just rooted it (though I remembered all possible Gods at some steps like matching the MD5 sums:fingers-crossed. I was so excited that I didn't sleep the whole night!
Now, question was which ROM to install ( I hated to be back on Froyo). I started fiddling with some gingerbread ROMs and then shifted to ICS ROMs. There are problems as mentioned by others. I would mention below some pros and cons (those matter to me) of these ROMs:
1. Gingerbread ROMs are generally quite stable. Some excellent examples are Virtuous Glite v2.01, EliteMod120316 (this is awesome!) etc. I found BeatMod Bliss Sense hybrid to be too heavy (it's a Sense 3.5 ROM).
2. Camera works fine with Gingerbread ROMs generally (It was good in EliteMod120316).
3. ICS ROMs are faster. Even browser there seems faster to.They give a lot of customization options (Rightnow, I'm on EliteMod 120728 and believe me, it would just enthrall you with its beauty and customization options).
4. For me, ability to read Hindi fonts is a bonus and ICS ROMs do this.
5. Regarding Camera on ICS ROMs, it is true that they are not good. But the Camera on EliteMod 120728 is working well. Only you cannot record 720p video:crying.
6. I'm yet to try some other good ROMs like CM9 unofficial so cannot say much about them.
7. One issue that I faced was that I could download from Play Store when using a gingerbread ROM but could not when using ICS ROMs. It was giving "error 403". Finally, resolved that today (of course, with help from others).
One thing that I should mention here is that after rooting and trying some ROMs, I felt frustrated and thought is there any way to go back to stock gingerbread rom without loosing root. Main issues was Camera (I use it a lot). But more I read and kept finding/trying new ROMs, more the desire to revert to gingerbread subsided. Finally, when I got EliteMod 120316, I was more than content. And now am using EliteMod 120728 (an ICS ROM).
Last but not least, I believe that the biggest advantage of rooting my desire z is not ability to run custom ROMs but the learning process and getting an opportunity to mingle with extra-ordinarily helpful XDA-guys.
Now, you have to take a decision about taking the plunge
Best of luck
Right, enough courage; time to get cracking.
I will go process by process, slowly following this: wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=HTC_Vision
If I get stuck, all my hopes are on you guys.
Wish me luck
StipeP said:
Right, enough courage; time to get cracking.
I will go process by process, slowly following this: wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=HTC_Vision
If I get stuck, all my hopes are on you guys.
Wish me luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the Best...
p.s.: take your time and better take notes of steps. It would help in bringing clarity. And make sure to copy your commands and outputs from ADB to a notepad. It would be of help if, God forbid, anything goes wrong. If you have already downloaded and setup the ADB, just try the msm_rotator command (adb shell cat /dev/msm_rotator). If you get following output, you are ready to go: /dev/msm_rotator: invalid length
Hi,
Another Android rooting NOOB, but experienced with Linux, including embedded (that's the day job )
Looking to root my HTC Desire Z, as is being discussed here.
From all the threads, it seems you have to downgrade to a very old stock ROM before starting. Several talk about being able to take a backup from Clockwork Recovery after you've rooted the phone in case things go wrong, but obviously by then the existing phone build will be gone.
What I'd really like to be able to do is to take a full backup of the stock Gingerbread setup I've currently got, so that if either (a) things go wrong or (b) I don't like the end result I can get back to where I am now.
None of the threads I've found so far (here, here, here and possibly others, I've been surfing around a lot the last couple of days!) talk about any way of doing this, some talk about using Titanium Backup or MyBackup Root to backup Apps, Call Data, SMS logs etc, but these presumably aren't a full OS backup.
Is there a relatively easy way of doing this from the fre3vo temporary root? Presumably 'dd' against the various /dev/block/mmcXXXX partitions will get most (all?) of the data? Are there sections that aren't available from Android device files as root?
One more (hopefully minor) thing - having worked down the start of this downgrade thread[URL], for now I've skipped the "Changing Version Number to Allow Downgrade and Gaining SuperCID with a Goldcard" section and tried the "Temp-Rooting to Backup" section (from my understanding of these two sections, I don't think anything from the section I skipped is relied upon in the backup section). I seem to find that the /system/bin/su file keeps getting corrupted or deleted. Is this HTC trying to stop me doing this, or is it one of the applications (SuperUser?) trying to protect the file and getting it wrong? In case it's making a difference, I also have Better Terminal Emulator Pro installed, which I'm using the "bash" from for some of the steps, as it has proper Linux auto-complete etc. which makes life easier.
I think I've managed to make a usable backup with MyBackup Root, but obviously can't easily test this without going further.
I'd really like to be as sure as possible that I can get back to where I am now before I start the downgrade to Froyo process...
Thanks in advance for any advice on this
Michael
I am worhtless.
Right now I am downgrading GB folowing CGmod guide wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/HTC_Desire_Z:_Firmware_Downgrade_(Gingerbread), and I am stuch at step 6. On the computer, open terminal and run the following commands:
Erm, what terminal????
btw, I extracted and copied the downloaded files into ADB install folder. That is the right one?
what terminal ? .... u just click start run and type in "cmd" ,,, or find command promt
says: adb is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
I am sorry to bother you, but I would be very grateful
so you downloaded adb from the sdk package right? you need to either change directories in cmd or change the path in enviromental variables
easiest thing to do would be hold shift and right click in the folder adb and files are in and choose open command here. then the path is chosen
also make sure debugging is turned on (in phone)
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
demkantor said:
so you downloaded adb from the sdk package right? you need to either change directories in cmd or change the path in enviromental variables
easiest thing to do would be hold shift and right click in the folder adb and files are in and choose open command here. then the path is chosen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did as you said but still the same problem: adb is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
If only I could post screenshots here for you to see what exactly am I doing (wrong)
what does it say when you open the cmd?
C:/user......?
is that the folder adb.exe is in?
are you using windows 7, vista, xp? mac, linux?
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
demkantor said:
what does it say when you open the cmd?
C:/user......?
is that the folder adb.exe is in?
are you using windows 7, vista, xp? mac, linux?
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have ADV Manager.exe and SDK Manager.exe
No adb.exe
This is what I have downloaded and installed developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
(Win7)
ok, you may need to open sdk and download adb from there, otherwise you can check if you did without knowing it. go to your harddrive (C) and see if there is an android folder or android sdk or something like that, look for I think platform tools in there and see if there is a program called adb
if you can't find this try search in computer
or just open the sdk manager and download the tools in the first chunk, specifically platform tools
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
Here you go.
Hey all,
So as it says in the title, I'm new to custom ROMs, kernels and all of that stuff. I've had my G3 since it came out, and with the G4 around the corner, I thought it couldn't hurt to start experimenting a bit with my G3 and see what more I can get out of it.
I've been on LGs stock ROMs since I got the phone, I've been too scared of bricking it or voiding the warranty to try flashing a custom ROM. But, digging around the dev section for the G3, I'm seeing all these custom ROMs and how well they're improving peoples performance, and I figured I might as well ask how to go out switching to one.
I had an old Google Nexus S (Yes, I know VERY old) that I had running stock with a custom kernel, but I only used that to toy around with. My G3 is my phone, it's my daily driver I use it for everything from my Music to communication, social networking, gaming, pretty much everything. But lately, a few factors have been driving me closer to wanting a different experience, namely:
- I seem to only have around 1.1GB of RAM free (I'm on the 3GB/32GB D855 Variant) after booting up, and after a few hours I get down to around 600MB free. This isn't ideal, and lag is a player after I open a few apps up. I'd like to get rid of the bloatware that comes with the phone that I can't force-close in the task manager.
- Battery life (Yes I know it's a QHD screen but still, I'm seeing people doubling their SOT with custom ROMs, and I'd like to be one of them!)
- General performance (The stock ROM is only so good)
- A few niggles I have with the stock ROM, just things I find personally annoying.
Now, basically what I want to know is the following:
- What's a good ROM to start off with and try on my device? I've heard good things about BlissPop v2.2, CloudyG3 2.2, ChupaChups ROM, and a few others but they're the main ones I'm interested in. I'd prefer a ROM that comes without all the bloatware on the phone, as I don't want to root to have to do this myself if possible.
- Do I have to root to do this? I'd MUCH prefer to not have to root my phone myself (even though I'm aware there's some good tweaks for the phone that lengthen battery life etc. but one step at a time, lets just start with a custom ROM) but I'm unaware if I need to root to install a custom kernel or ROM if it's needed for the phone (The Nexus S was given to me from a friend who'd already rooted it, I just wiped it and played around with it). If there's a ROM that requires root but can do it itself on install, that would work for me. (CloudyG3 has something like this I believe)
- How easy is it to keep the ROM/ROMs up to date? Is it like updating the stock ROM? Can I do it just by downloading the new version of the ROM and flashing it to the phone without having it wipe all my data (Like you do when updating the stock rom (From like V20A - V20B) Or do some ROMs have a built-in update feature ( think ChupaChups ROM has a built-in OTA update feature)?
- Is there any chance of me bricking my device and it being unrecoverable if I do this?
- Is there a guide to how to move from the Stock ROM to a Custom ROM somewhere here on the forums, or is it specific for each ROM? Mainly for the reason above, I want to avoid making my phone unusable so I want a good, solid guide if they're available.
- When I sell my phone in the future, am I able to restore the stock ROM and Kernel? Mainly worried about the kernel here, I know I can just factory reset and flash the stock ROM but not sure how I'd go about flashing the original kernel. If I could completely backup the original kernel and everything and then save that to my computer for later on, that would work well, I've saved backups of all my .kdz's for each ROM version.
- Is there a complete guide for backing up everything that is stock on the phone (ROM, Kernel, Userdata, etc.) and then starting over from scratch (Like a step-by-step process)
- *Optional* Does anyone know if I could restore my app data from the stock ROMs built-in backup tool in settings to the custom ROM if it supports it?
So that should be pretty much it, I'm really just looking to move to something more from my phone, and there's some good options out there, I'm just concerned regarding the things above. A huge thank you to anyone that's able to offer me help, you'll be doing me a HUGE favour. I don't think I'll be able to afford the G4 when it comes out I'm looking to get everything I can out of my G3.
Thanks!
I can't take the time for all the answers, but to get you started, look for the LG one click root thread in one of these sections.
Sent from my VK810 4G
Some guides >> http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/help/help-thread-lg-g3-question-t2947298 <<