Develop Bugs

considering buying an evo

Hi all,
Considering picking up an EVO to replace my touch pro2. If not evo, then an epic.
I was just wondering if there's a good intro link i should read up on, especially as far as installing custom rom's etc goes. I believe i need to get root access on the phone to do that, correct? is there a beginners guide on how to do that? Or a guide on available custom ROM's?
thanks

merkk said:
Hi all,
Considering picking up an EVO to replace my touch pro2. If not evo, then an epic.
I was just wondering if there's a good intro link i should read up on, especially as far as installing custom rom's etc goes. I believe i need to get root access on the phone to do that, correct? is there a beginners guide on how to do that? Or a guide on available custom ROM's?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just peruse the development forums for the Evo- each link is either a custom rom available, or a root method. Read through the root methods on how to go about rooting and nand unlocking the evo.

Check the wiki first - it will point you to all of the roms, radios, tutorials, etc.
The best place to get all of that info is the wiki, the stickies, and this thread, which benchmarks over 40 kernels and will help you choose the ones you want to try. If you don't quite understand all of the data in that thread (and the website it point you to), it will make more sense once you go through the wiki and stickies.
some quick answers - you do need to be rooted to flash a rom, which may or may not come with a custom kernel that breaks the fps cap, and may or may not be over/underclocked. If you don't like the kernel the rom comes with, try another, until you find a combo that works best with your phone (because not all evo's are created equal).
Most important thing to know is nand backup (with either amon ra, or clockwork/rom manager) before flashing ANYTHING.

nand backup? does that backup the original rom of the phone in case i muck something up and need to restore it? or should i just go RTFM before i ask more questions?

merkk said:
nand backup? does that backup the original rom of the phone in case i muck something up and need to restore it? or should i just go RTFM before i ask more questions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and yes.

merkk said:
nand backup? does that backup the original rom of the phone in case i muck something up and need to restore it? or should i just go RTFM before i ask more questions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol, yeah, do your reading so you understand everything before you actually do anything. One of the subpages has a sticky on common misconceptions. It's pretty good, and someone posted a set of questions in that thread that you should be comfortable answering before you attempt root.
As far as nand goes, it backs up the current state (like a restore point in windows) of the phone at that time - so do one right before you flash anything, weather its a new Rom, kernel, radio, etc. That way if you run into bootloops or something, you can always go back to a working version of your Rom.
Sent from my blah blah blah blah

rugedraw said:
Yes, and yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true. It doesn't back up your original rom, just whichever one you have on it when you back it up.
IE you can't do a nand backup of a completely stock unrooted rom. You have to root in order to install the custom recovery which will allow you to back up
There are a few posts that explain how to unroot. The easiest way I have found is to run the first part of SimpleRoot then run the RUU program that you can find in various places in the forum.
Also a good habit to get into is wiping before you flash. It's a pain for having to backup settings, but I've had to unroot and reroot a few times because my 4g would get borked and stuff like that.

ok - one last question, i promise (maybe). Does the method of rooting change significantly from phone to phone? i.e. if i get an epic instead of an evo, will that make much of a difference? My guess would be no since they are running the same OS. I'm still not sure if i want an evo or epic. Gonna try and take a look at them both when i head out for lunch.

FattySparks said:
Not true. It doesn't back up your original rom, just whichever one you have on it when you back it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OP is new; not new to planet Earth. Obviously it's going to back up whatever you have on it.

merkk said:
ok - one last question, i promise (maybe). Does the method of rooting change significantly from phone to phone? i.e. if i get an epic instead of an evo, will that make much of a difference? My guess would be no since they are running the same OS. I'm still not sure if i want an evo or epic. Gonna try and take a look at them both when i head out for lunch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they can vary. like for the evo all you have to do is click a button now and your are rooted. go to the epic forums to see how they work. there are a lot of complaints w/ the epic for data uploads and gps. but then again the evo had problems when it first came out too. (now it's awesome )

rugedraw said:
The OP is new; not new to planet Earth. Obviously it's going to back up whatever you have on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the OP said will it back up your original rom. No it does not. It backs up the custom rom that you put on in order to root.
The OP may not have known that, and I really don't appreciate your snide remark when all I'm trying to do is help someone out.

rugedraw said:
The OP is new; not new to planet Earth. Obviously it's going to back up whatever you have on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LoL. Thanks. And yeah - i meant it would back up whatever is currently on the phone when you run it. Obviously if i need to root the phone before using that particular backup utility, it wont be backing up the original rom.

FattySparks said:
the OP said will it back up your original rom. No it does not. It backs up the custom rom that you put on in order to root.
The OP may not have known that, and I really don't appreciate your snide remark when all I'm trying to do is help someone out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate both your comments. I wasn't aware that that backup utility required the phone to be rooted first before using it. So I assumed i could install it unrooted, and use it to backup the phone. I do realize though that it's not going to be able to backup something that''s already changed before i install the backup program.

FattySparks said:
the OP said will it back up your original rom. No it does not. It backs up the custom rom that you put on in order to root.
The OP may not have known that, and I really don't appreciate your snide remark when all I'm trying to do is help someone out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, then let me put it another way:
In order to create a nand back up, your phone is already rooted with nand unlocked one way or another. In which case, the "original" rom is not even on the phone. If the original rom was on the phone, you wouldn't be able to back it up anyway, so by definition, what I said is correct.
I assumed the OP meant whatever rom he was on before he started experimenting with roms. I wasn't trying to be snide; my apologies if I came across that way. Maybe next time I'll put a smiley face next to my comments so they aren't taken out of context.
merkk said:
I appreciate both your comments. I wasn't aware that that backup utility required the phone to be rooted first before using it. So I assumed i could install it unrooted, and use it to backup the phone. I do realize though that it's not going to be able to backup something that''s already changed before i install the backup program.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently, both FattySparks and I were wrong. lol Yes, your phone needs to already be fully rooted to back up a rom, because it requires reading/writing from/to the system. However, once you root the phone and unlock nand, the back up you create will not be the original rom anymore. The original rom is available (called an RUU) if you search the Evo development section.

ok got it - thanks for the info/explanations

Best phone I have ever had, by far...love it.

Just got the phone yesterday and so far I like it. I really don't like the on screen keyboard though . but the speech to text kind of makes up for that
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

[Q] Purpose of each step.... Kinda confusing

Just got the Evo. I want to Root it. However, I am trying to understand what each step does.. for example.
All I really have is contacts and few photos that I really don't care about.
At what point in the process do I back up my current image or "Rom" so in case I FuBar I can got back to an Out the box state?
What does Rooting do? Is this like unlocking the phone?
**I know, baby steps but I'll get it*****

drewgo said:
Just got the Evo. I want to Root it. However, I am trying to understand what each step does.. for example.
All I really have is contacts and few photos that I really don't care about.
At what point in the process do I back up my current image or "Rom" so in case I FuBar I can got back to an Out the box state?
What does Rooting do? Is this like unlocking the phone?
**I know, baby steps but I'll get it*****
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your contacts automatically sync with your gmail account and the photos are stored on the memory card, so those should be safe. The ROM you can restore at anytime but you will want to make a nandroid for your 4G keys as soon as is possible.
Once rooted your phone will be fully unlocked for you to do anything you want with.

Jon, I replied to your PM.
What is a Nandroid? and how do I make that?

drewgo said:
Jon, I replied to your PM.
What is a Nandroid? and how do I make that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, not really easy for the noob to learn at first, but get this.
Nandroid is well, u can find the definition on google, and to nandroid backup your 4g keys and such is part of your Amon RA Recovery 1.80 when you root your phone, you're able to make backups of your nandroid and restore them to a backup time where 4g has broken after the time being or whatever keeps the phone from operational mode to your liking.
Hope that helps.

And rooting is not like unlocking. It lets you make changes or totally alter your phone's system, as well as let you have superuser (or developer) permissions. Reeeeealy worth it. I would flash myns rom right away.

alekosy said:
Okay, not really easy for the noob to learn at first, but get this.
Nandroid is well, u can find the definition on google, and to nandroid backup your 4g keys and such is part of your Amon RA Recovery 1.80 when you root your phone, you're able to make backups of your nandroid and restore them to a backup time where 4g has broken after the time being or whatever keeps the phone from operational mode to your liking.
Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it does... I've spent countless hours reading, viewing and learning about this. It's my first Android phone.
dkdude36 said:
And rooting is not like unlocking. It lets you make changes or totally alter your phone's system, as well as let you have superuser (or developer) permissions. Reeeeealy worth it. I would flash myns rom right away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on it...

[Q] Newb questions about rooting/roms

So i have an HTC Evo with the latest OTA update 3.70.651.1. Completely stock, non rooted. I know very little about both rooting and roms other then what i quickly went over in a few Q&A's here.
Im not sure what to do, if anything, so i thought id ask here. Primarily id like to be able to delete unwanted stock apps/bloatware and backup the entire phone (like making a recovery image). Itd be nice to be able to wirelessly tether but this isnt necessary. Other then that id like to keep it the same.
Is it possible to root but use the stock rom? if so what does this accomplish?
Is there a risk free way to accomplish my goals?
Thanks

Im not sure what to do, if anything, so i thought id ask here. Primarily id like to be able to delete unwanted stock apps/bloatware and backup the entire phone (like making a recovery image). Itd be nice to be able to wirelessly tether but this isnt necessary. Other then that id like to keep it the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need to root to do this.
Is it possible to root but use the stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. Thats what I do. The only reason I rooted was for wireless tether, and titanium backup. Other than that, I didnt want another rom, I love the stock one.
if so what does this accomplish?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what you just asked for in the previous paragraph.
Is there a risk free way to accomplish my goals?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. There is ALWAYS a risk when doing anything in life, and rooting your phone in no different. However, it is actually quite difficult to completely brick your phone. Most of the time, if you follow the directions, you will be fine. But if you do screw up, you can usually just flash a stock ruu and redo it.

Thanks for the information. Is there anything the free version of titanium backup doesnt backup? What does a nandroid backup save?
Also will rooting alone allow me to delete any app on the phone?
Lastly what would be the recommended way for someone new like me to root my phone (or resources i can use to pick a method)? Is there a way to restore my phone back to stock if i need to?
Thanks again. As i ask these questions im also digging into the forums looking for specific answers

Hey welcome to XDA.
I don't know when you received your phone, but it seems very brand new to me, I would say your best luck is to try to look for the details of your main specs in your phone, when you start to root your phone, you look for instructions here to setup properly on How to do the root process with the same exact phone detail specs of it.
I was rooted with an older OTA at first, but I see these new OTAs are up on new EVOs but It's kinda fishy to think of how to root it with the latest OTA on the old leet legit methods that toastcfh had...you know...The Manual Professional way, without the risk of bricking your phone completely, if you had the chance to root successfully with idiot proof instructions, I say that was quite a day for me then.

Actually ive had my Evo since release, ive just been too scared to risk bricking it til now lol.
i currently have:
hboot 2.10
software 3.70.651.1
hardware 0002
i took down some other info but idk if it matters for rooting directions.
So far from my searches it appears the only option for hboot 2.10 + 3.70.651.1 is a pretty lengthy/difficult for beginners method. Is that accurate?
Also my primary concern is deleting bloatware/included apps, does rooting alone allow me to delete these?
Also none of the guides ive seen detail how to backup your phone before the root, is there an easy way to make like a backup image of the stock stuff + data,sms,phone log, etc?
Thanks again everyone, still digging but your help will make it go much more smoothly

So ive pretty much discovered that my 2 options are do it the "hard" way or wait for unrevoked to update their stuff for the newest evo software/hboot. Im probably going to wait.
In the meantime i want to make sure of a few things, deleteing apps, backup, wireless tether. How would i approach each of these; can i use the built in app manager to delete apps? the built in wireless tether to tether? what exactly does nandroid backup compared to titanium backup?
Does the stock rom support netfilter?
Is there any scenario in which ota updates wont break root?
Thanks again

ctbenk said:
In the meantime i want to make sure of a few things, deleteing apps, backup, wireless tether. How would i approach each of these; can i use the built in app manager to delete apps? the built in wireless tether to tether? what exactly does nandroid backup compared to titanium backup?
Is there any scenario in which ota updates wont break root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To delete apps, you will want to use Titanium Backup. After removing stock apps, some of them still stay indexed, so you will need to boot to recovery and wipe your cache and dalvik to clear them from the apps list.
You won't be able to use the built-in wireless tether to tether unless you flash a new rom that unlocked that feature. Once rooted, there is a an app on the market called Wireless Tether for Root Users that will accomplish what you are looking for.
Titanium Backup will also allow you to backup your apps and data so that in the event you do flash a new rom, you can restore them without losing anything.
Titanium Backup is designed to backup your apps and data, Nandroid(recovery) will backup your entire ROM, so if you do flash a new rom, you can always revert back to your stock setup exactly how you left it.
OTA updates will always break your root, but at the same time don't offer much in the terms of upgrading. Plus 90% of the time the dev's here release a rooted version of the OTA update very shortly after it goes live.

backing up before root s off

Firstly I've searched the FAQ's and browsed the associated threads n cant find a satisfactory answer, so I'm not just being lazy n opening a new thread, so now thats outta the way......
I'm trying to find a way of backing up my original rom/software to allow me to return to it after rooting and flashing a new rom if its not suitable.
I've found a few apps etc but most need rooted to use, I plan on titanium back up pro once rooted, but its the initial one before rooting i need help with.
Please dont say google, i have that, cocntacts etc all ok, I'm trying to save the rom/software to allow me to return to it if desired.
I'm S-off.
Anyone help please?

Ron173 said:
Firstly I've searched the FAQ's and browsed the associated threads n cant find a satisfactory answer, so I'm not just being lazy n opening a new thread, so now thats outta the way......
I'm trying to find a way of backing up my original rom/software to allow me to return to it after rooting and flashing a new rom if its not suitable.
I've found a few apps etc but most need rooted to use, I plan on titanium back up pro once rooted, but its the initial one before rooting i need help with.
Please dont say google, i have that, cocntacts etc all ok, I'm trying to save the rom/software to allow me to return to it if desired.
I'm S-off.
Anyone help please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
install a recovery, and make nandroid backup ?
OR run a root script, that can be found on index thread, then install app like titanium backup and make backup, BUT it will only backup your apps and its data, not the whole rom.... maybe a first option is better ...

Definitely just do the recovery and then nandroid backup. Then root
sent from my android powered tank using xda premium B-)

I agree with b02 on this...
The best thing to do is install ClockworkMod recovery and make nandroid backup.

[Q] What to backup before flashing CM10?

Just got an S3 and I absolutely hate the unpolished and laggy Samsung skinning of Android. I want to flash CM10, but would like to know what I should back up first in case some critical information gets lost. This is a virgin phone, no apps or user data need to be backed so no need to worry about that. However, I would like to know how to back up IMEI, device ID, etc. Is it enough just to back up the /efs partition? If not, what else should I be backing up?
Thanks in advance

loonieryan said:
Just got an S3 and I absolutely hate the unpolished and laggy Samsung skinning of Android. I want to flash CM10, but would like to know what I should back up first in case some critical information gets lost. This is a virgin phone, no apps or user data need to be backed so no need to worry about that. However, I would like to know how to back up IMEI, device ID, etc. Is it enough just to back up the /efs partition? If not, what else should I be backing up?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read this and this.
It was pretty overwhelming for me at first, but get through it best you can.
It's easier to do the preventative backup rather than the post repair.

themadproducer said:
Read this and this.
It was pretty overwhelming for me at first, but get through it best you can.
It's easier to do the preventative backup rather than the post repair.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I've got experience flashing custom kernels and ROMs, so I should be ok. The only thing is that with every phone model what you need to back up is different, so I wanted to make sure I had the right stuff backed up from my stock S3 before I did anything to it.
So is an IMEI back up via QPST the only thing needed? What about device ID, and other details? Do those need to be backed up and how?

loonieryan said:
Thank you! I've got experience flashing custom kernels and ROMs, so I should be ok. The only thing is that with every phone model what you need to back up is different, so I wanted to make sure I had the right stuff backed up from my stock S3 before I did anything to it.
So is an IMEI back up via QPST the only thing needed? What about device ID, and other details? Do those need to be backed up and how?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as your IMEI is backed up you should be OK. When I first flashed CM10 I made a Nandroid and backed up my IMEI. I have not had any issues with my IMEI or anything but I know people that have.

WattB006 said:
As long as your IMEI is backed up you should be OK. When I first flashed CM10 I made a Nandroid and backed up my IMEI. I have not had any issues with my IMEI or anything but I know people that have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so I'm clear, you:
1) Flashed CWM recovery
2) Did a Nandroid backup of the stock ROM and backed up IMEI
3) Flashed CM10
Right?

loonieryan said:
Just so I'm clear, you:
1) Flashed CWM recovery
2) Did a Nandroid backup of the stock ROM and backed up IMEI
3) Flashed CM10
Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ever since i got my s3 never had to do anything do the IMEI... If you like wasting time i guess you can.. but if your smart with your phone you wont have to consider that extra step.. MAKE SURE U FLASH SGH-I747 roms only!!! and i mean ONLY... (tmo roms work too just make sure you change the apn settings) dont flash any other variants because they have different hardware. you will **** up the bootloader by flashing anyother variant.. Anyway back to the subject. I backup nandroid, then i use ultimate backup (like titanium backup just faster) its by jrummmy and thats it and im good to go to flash custom roms

amzi said:
Ever since i got my s3 never had to do anything do the IMEI... If you like wasting time i guess you can.. but if your smart with your phone you wont have to consider that extra step.. MAKE SURE U FLASH SGH-I747 roms only!!! and i mean ONLY... (tmo roms work too just make sure you change the apn settings) dont flash any other variants because they have different hardware. you will **** up the bootloader by flashing anyother variant.. Anyway back to the subject. I backup nandroid, then i use ultimate backup (like titanium backup just faster) its by jrummmy and thats it and im good to go to flash custom roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Offense Amzi,
but I only flashed STOCK OTA rom upgrades and some mods SPECIFIC to my i747m and I lost my IMEI a few months ago. I have tons of Android Flashing experience, and I did a lot of reading before I did my first S3 flash. My heart sank when it happened. When it happens, you lose your data connection and that's what tipped me off. And from all I have read up till now...no one knows why it RANDOMLY happens. So I would HIGHLY ADVISE to backup those files as per the link(s) I provided.