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Hey guys, I was thinking of installing cm7 on my motorola defy but the problem is that its a t-mobile uk version that has been unlocked using an unlock code. Right now I can use any sim with this phone but after installing cm7 will the phone lock itself back to t-mo? I don't have the unlock code for this phone so it would be really disastrous for me if it were to lock itself. should I be worried?
I found a tutorial here that un brands the motorola defy, does that mean the phone would be unlocked? My phone is currently running android 2.2.2 official uk build with baseband epu_93_00.59.02 kernel version 2.6.32.9 and build number jorem_u3_3.4.2_179-6.1.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Sent from my MB525 using XDA
Yes it should be safe.
I haven't done it myself, but here's why I say so:
1- during the process of updating to a custom rom, everyone should create a full nandroid backup of their current stock rom right after installing 2nd-Init. That way, if things don't work out with custom rom [or for warranty purposes] one can easily return to that original setup with a nand restore [and un-rooting];
2- there is a thread regarding sim unlocking the Defy here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=22227859 but I bet you will not even have to deal with it...But if you do, it's there for you and you'll find help from others users I'm sure.
Don't waste anymore time and give a shot at CM7; I'm sure that you'll never go back to stock rom afterwards ;-)
Cheers
Ok one last question. My baseband is greater than the version listed on that thread. It is .02 and I have heard that downgrading your baseband is usually not safe?
Sent from my MB525 using XDA
that shouldn't be a problem either.
In fact, Maniac103 just recently changed the way we set baseband on cm7; no more dedicated apk.. it's now all done through Device Settings.
If you're still worried [and To be on the safe side, in addition the the nand backup before installing a custom rom], also make a copy of this whole folder (current radio files) from your stock rom:
system/etc/motorola/bp_mvn_default
so that you can revert to them (make a flashable zip w them) if needed.
Anyhow, no big risk involved if you do it that way.
Good luck and have fun.
Thank You for your help!
as far as I know unlock is retained no matter what rom u are on...
not 100% sure...
let us know how this works out...
Sent from my MB526 using xda premium
SBFs on Motorola Defy
I read the Motorola Defy beginners guide but I don't understand some stuff. I am already on the latest SBF deployed by T-Mobile UK i.e JOREM_U3_3.4.2_179-6.1 as shown in settings Build Number. When we install Custom ROMs lets say CM7, do these ROMs change the SBF? If yes, then how do I know if it is a Fixed SBF or a Full SBF? If I want to come back to the official build of which I would be making a backup in case I need to get warranty (I still have 6 months of warranty) then do I need to again install the Full SBF taken from the link Zephyrot posted?
If CM7 does not modify or change the SBF then I think I would be pretty much safe in just restoring the official 2.2.2 froyo build without worrying much about SBFs, unroot the phone using SuperOneClick and taking it back to the service center. Right?
And lastly I have the SOC Defy, checked it using CatLog. Does the stable build downloaded from the CynaogenMod website of CM7 work OOB? Zephyrot suggested that sometimes you need to do additional stuff for everything to work correctly.
To go back to stock state, there are two options: 1) you restore a nand backup and like you said, you have to remove SU and unroot. This ain't so easy to do, but is sometimes the only option for people not having their stock sbf available. 2) access STOCK recovery and wipe everything and then flash their stock sbf.
Once rooted and 2nd init installed, I still recommend to create a nand backup of your stock/current state before using a custom rom anyway.
Could be useful if you ever need to go back (outside warranty) to stock rom with all your apps still installed...
Sbf is stock firmware; custom rom replace and build upon that software. I think you meant kernel? But anyhow, I suggest you to first go with ghe latest Maniac103 latest build as it includes boot.img and devtree; no need for anything else and it is rock solid and lightning fast.
Get it here: https://github.com/maniac103/android_device_motorola_jordan/downloads#download_187690
It works superbly
Thanks guys, everything works superbly. The phone didn't lock and it feels like a dead man has been given a life back again!
This will probably be really easy to answer:
I've just downgraded my friend's Arc from .62 to .42 standard ROM, and rooted it.
I read that I could then OTA upgrade back to .62 and keep root. OTA upgrade with sim card inserted tells me I have the latest software.
PC Companion is offering me 4.1.B.0.431, which is ICS - correct?
Is there any way I can upgrade this phone back to .62 GB, whilst keeping root? Can I flash a .62 ROM with Flashtools, or will that lose my root?
Any other suggestions?
If this isn't possible, then can someone tell me the positives and negatives of going to ICS on this phone, vs .42?
It's not mine, and I don't want to give back a phone with any (worse!) bugs than it already has. Also I don't want to unlock the bootloader. The reason for the root in the first place is purely because the owner wants rid of the camera sounds. The ROM it had before did not have the option to turn off the shutter sound.
Ah, don't worry - the phone has offered me 4.0.2.A.0.62 OTA now, problem solved!
Incidentally, I just want to get my facts straight - if I now delete some bloatware, that means that if this phone (rooted, but locked bootloader) ever needs to be updated again (to ICS), then it will have to be done by flashing a clean .ftf rather updating OTA/via PC Companion. Is this correct?
If my friend inadvertently tried to update it herself then the update would just fail - it wouldn't brick, since it still has a locked bootloader - correct?
btw its not .62 ROM its a firmware on GB... flashing .62 on flashtool will make you lose your root so you have to do an OTA update on your phone to .62
.62 and .42 are practically the same, on the other hand upgrading to ICS is not any better... scrolling is laggy, the OS itself is not smooth (ICS) unless you wanna use MooDeD 90.5 on your phone
which is fast and not laggy and this ROM doesnt require a unlocked bootloader because its based on stock ICS
---------- Post added at 08:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:01 AM ----------
Well if you have a locked bootloader and no custom ROM flashed on your phone, you can use PCC to upgrade to ICS but i always flash through flashtool
Once you have got root suggest you install cwm and do. A complete backup before removing any bloatware.
This way if something goes wrong you have a clean system to go Back to.
Sent from my LT15i using xda premium
Hi, I've been running stock 2.3.3 on my UK phone for sometime now and want to upgrade to the latest official rom.
When Ominus was doing a free unlock via testpoint method, I did it but now I cant upgrade the official way.
What's the safest way to upgrade my rom now? Dont mind loosing all the settings and programs but if I can keep them that's a bonus.
Any help would be appriciated, BTW I've not been into flashing for quite some time so keep it simple.
Thanks
mcfly666 said:
Hi, I've been running stock 2.3.3 on my UK phone for sometime now and want to upgrade to the latest official rom.
When Ominus was doing a free unlock via testpoint method, I did it but now I cant upgrade the official way.
What's the safest way to upgrade my rom now? Dont mind loosing all the settings and programs but if I can keep them that's a bonus.
Any help would be appriciated, BTW I've not been into flashing for quite some time so keep it simple.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a no-go I'm afraid. If you unlocked your bootloaded VIA that method you cannot re-lock your bootloader.
See here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14943322&postcount=1
Besides, official ROMs are bloated and crappy. Why would you want to revert? If anything, reflash a stock Kernel/FTF, or update via FTF to the latest version using FlashTool.
You can download the latest FTF for the R800i here: http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=9390350787562963052
Spizzy01 said:
That's a no-go I'm afraid. If you unlocked your bootloaded VIA that method you cannot re-lock your bootloader.
See here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14943322&postcount=1
Besides, official ROMs are bloated and crappy. Why would you want to revert? If anything, reflash a stock Kernel/FTF, or update via FTF to the latest version using FlashTool.
You can download the latest FTF for the R800i here: http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=9390350787562963052
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using an official rom now, so I wouldnt be reverting, back in the day when I had an Sony X1 I had all sorts of headaches with custom roms (sleep of death ect) I know I would loose loads of nice features that I wont get with an official rom, but they just work 99% of the time.
I know I cant use the official method to update, so your saying FTF it? Sounds simple enough, but do they come with a kernel ect?
Cheers for the reply buddy.
Edit: just realised.. stock/official meant the same thing to me, when you say stock do you mean "un-bloated" ?
As far as I know it flashes everything.
Stock ROMs will still have all the Sony apps and any extras that come with it. Most of these are pointless though and takes up internal space, 3rd party ROMs are usually a lot less bloated as well as being faster with improved battery life. I moved from the stock lates UK 2.3.4 Sony ROM to AuroraPlay 0.8 (and above) and it made a hell of a good difference to it, everything feels much smoother.
I'm sure this has been asked many times before, but I just wanted to make absolutely sure I'm ready before I flash, so I don't brick my phone. I have been reading the forums for a few days now. I have an S3 (i747M) with Fido. I'm not totally sure which ROM to go with. From what I understand so far, I'm thinking StockMOD or Dandroid. I want a fairly minimalistic OS, latest version (4.3 vs 4.4?), so I can play the occasion game on it and get good idle battery life. I believe I have rooted my stock rom and I have disabled some of the bloat through the "Application Management" option under settings. Any advice on flashing? I have spent many years building, modding and generally tinkering with windows pcs but I haven't done anything with phones, android or linux. Any advice? Obviously do the backup of my current phone with the app mentioned on the related ROM installation page. I assume I can restore my phone back to this stock ROM is the new one fails? After the backup, do a full phone wipe and default restore. Then hook the phone to my PC via USB and use the related program to flash the phone? Thank you for any and all replies in advance. :good:
Kwijybow said:
I'm sure this has been asked many times before, but I just wanted to make absolutely sure I'm ready before I flash, so I don't brick my phone. I have been reading the forums for a few days now. I have an S3 (i747M) with Fido. I'm not totally sure which ROM to go with. From what I understand so far, I'm thinking StockMOD or Dandroid. I want a fairly minimalistic OS, latest version (4.3 vs 4.4?), so I can play the occasion game on it and get good idle battery life. I believe I have rooted my stock rom and I have disabled some of the bloat through the "Application Management" option under settings. Any advice on flashing? I have spent many years building, modding and generally tinkering with windows pcs but I haven't done anything with phones, android or linux. Any advice? Obviously do the backup of my current phone with the app mentioned on the related ROM installation page. I assume I can restore my phone back to this stock ROM is the new one fails? After the backup, do a full phone wipe and default restore. Then hook the phone to my PC via USB and use the related program to flash the phone? Thank you for any and all replies in advance. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in my opinion or anyone will say that 4.3 is the most stable right now, and 4.4 is only available for CM based roms.....Samsung Touchwiz will always be the last to update their devices to 4.4 while custom roms AOKP, SLIM BEAM, PAC ROM, BEAN STALK, CM, PARANOID, ETC they will always have nightlies on latest the Android version but will take sometime for stable roms to be released
1st before you think of flashing please research and know what you're getting into
2nd read all the info. ROOT your i747m with cf-auto root (i recommend it cuz its the simplest, easiest, safest way to root)
3rd install custom recovery there are two that i know of but am confident and comfortable with clockworkmod recovery....u can try TWRP
4th yu can either wish to stay stock touchwiz, 2types of stock
-one that comes from samsung all bloated and no tweaks and
-the one that is taken by devs debloated, modded, customized, xposed mod, minimalistic, faster and better.
--OR you can go completely Android vanilla stock, which has nothing but the normal google staff (ITS LIKE A NEXUS DEVICE from Google) you dont have any bloatware, or features/addons just plain stock
5th Once yu know the basic, the universe is yours, with Android comes endless customization and possibilities just like Microsoft Windows, Linux, ubuntu or even OSX
6th wish to become a DEV its your choice, wish to modify, play with the filesystem its your choice but without knowledge of what you're doing bricking is easy as just deleting a file yu think its not important
7th help the rest with android as you do with PC
PS am learning to code now but one thing at a time so am starting with Web design, plan to learn some computer languages, hacking, etc computer science :laugh: maybe yu can help me out
everything you need to know about what i said or root http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1725839
Thanks for the reply. It's been a while since I originally posted this. I decided to hold off on a custom ROM at that time but I find myself back again, still wanting to customize my phone (especially now that my contract is about to expire). I figure that if I do brick my phone beyond repair, I'll just get another phone anyways so not so worried about it now.
Anyways, one concern I have about flashing a custom ROM on my S3 is can I go backwards in Android versions? I can confirm that I am running the stock (Rogers / Fido) Android 4.4.2 which I believe is Kitkat? I am very interested in going either StockMOD or Dandroid, which as far as I can tell are 4.3 Jellybean? Can I do that?
Yes, you can run a 4.3 rom on your phone as long as you do not try to downgrade the bootloader.
You can go back to completely stock Rogers by using Odin to flash as stock kk rom from sammobile.com.
audit13 said:
Yes, you can run a 4.3 rom on your phone as long as you do not try to downgrade the bootloader.
You can go back to completely stock Rogers by using Odin to flash as stock kk rom from sammobile.com.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Regarding the bootloader, the versions of Android I'm looking to install say they need the 4.3 bootloader. How can I check which bootloader I am running on my phone?
If you're phone is running stock Rogers kit kit, you have a kit kat bootloader which you can't downgrade.
If the rom needs a 4.3 bootloader and since you have a newer bootloader, you can probably load the rom.
Kwijybow said:
I'm not totally sure which ROM to go with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using the most recent build of the most popular ROM has it's advantages.
cm-12.1-20150807-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip
fast, light, stable, secure, supported
Hi,
I'm having problems with space and the general speed of my Xperia Arc S so the time has come to finally upgrade from Sony's version of Android 2.3 in hope that it will improve things.
I've kind of avoided this so far as I don't really know the best way to back-up things.
I want to back up to my computer - not to the internet.
I am guessing that for the applications that I would like to back up I would need to back up both their APK files and whatever their setting files are. I guess there are also some system settings to back up (but then these are less important).
A problem I have always had is space on the phone - it has very little storage space and although I try and move everything to the SD card, a lot of it doesn't seem to be able to be moved.
Things like simply the Google Play services take up loads of space! I don't even really have that much on there - mainly just whatsapp.
The phone is stock although I have checked in the service menu and it says that I can unlock the bootloader. Part of the reason I didn't upgrade to Sony's version of Android 4 was because I heard that it locks the bootloader and I didn't know if this was bad.
What is the bootloader unlock for? Is it for loading custom roms? As i thought you could do this even if it was locked? Or is it for rooting?
So yer, I guess I am looking for recommendations for a CFW to suit my needs. Priorities are that it works and i'm guessing the latest android version possible would be best as this will help with performance etc. Or is that a misnomer as newer android releases are generally geared for phones with higher specs? I've heard that some CFWs have problems with wifi etc so i'd like to avoid those as I certainly need that.
Overall there seem to be so many even on this forum that I don't really know which would be a best fit for my needs or this phone.
I also have an original San Francisco (zte blade) to update but will save that 'till I've done this one.
Hopefully I can get an understanding as to how all this CFW / Rooting / whatever business works and the best / latest way to do things, as as with everything, it all rapidly changes and you can find yourself looking out lots of outdated and now incorrect or superseeded information.
All a bit overwhelming really, which is why i've put it off so long!
Thanks for your time and help!
1. Q : For backup on ICS 4.0.4, right?
A : Unlock bootloader first -> root -> flash cwm - now u can backup everything from ur phone.
2. Q : Little storage, right?
A : After backup, reboot system.
Partition ur sdcard -> install link2sd. (google it for how to)
Link what do u want to link (google it for how to)
3. Q : Unlockbootloader, right?
A : It's for using custom kernel (google it for how to)
There's too many tutorial from all your question.
Read it again and again :good:
Abigail said:
1. Q : For backup on ICS 4.0.4, right?
A : Unlock bootloader first -> root -> flash cwm - now u can backup everything from ur phone.
2. Q : Little storage, right?
A : After backup, reboot system.
Partition ur sdcard -> install link2sd. (google it for how to)
Link what do u want to link (google it for how to)
3. Q : Unlockbootloader, right?
A : It's for using custom kernel (google it for how to)
There's too many tutorial from all your question.
Read it again and again :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have android 2.3 - is this a problem?
I thought that the Sony ICS 4.0 update made it so you could not unlock your bootloader?
Hmm if you unlock your bootloader, it will also root the phone, correct?
But it seems that using the Sony tool will wipe my phone developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/
So i saw there is the S1tool but then people said that it does not work with the Arc S.
Is this still the case? What is the reason? is it impossible?
So, you say that in order to back up my applications and things, i need to unlock my bootloader. The official way seems to wipe my phone though - so then i can't back up :S
Hmm, see, i am confused about the order i should do things. Also i've heard that if you use the Sony tool then you cannot use OTA updates which seems like it could be problematic? Mind you i guess CFW cannot use OTA either - so how do you update? You must check for updates on your PC and reflash your phone regularly? Or are there ways for Stock android CFW to support OTA updates?
So, does the Sony ICS update stop you unlocking the bootloader?
I guess there are 2 options. Update using that and then install helium OR root and then use titanium backup.
Not sure which to try.
Thanks!
1. Unlock bootloader is only affected by the phone manufacture date, check the battery compartment and see if the date is before 12W11. Any date after this means the phone can't be unlocked.
2. Software does not affect the unlocking of bootloader, like I mentioned earlier check the battery compartment.
3. Unlocking your bootloader does not mean you have rooted your phone. It just means you can flash custom kernels onto your phone.
4. It's not that S1tool doesn't work, if I told you the entire process of doing it you wouldn't want to do it either.
5. Sony last stopped the update at 4.0.4, no need to concern yourself with future updates.
6. If you use CFW, refer to the thread for instructions on how to install updates.
7. Like I mentioned, ICS update does not affect bootloader unlock, only the manufacture date does. Furthermore, if you update from stock to a CFW, you will not be able to restore your data from the old software. You will have no choice but to start with a clean slate.
I am on Sonys 2.3, build 4.0.2.A.0.62 and i read that i cannot root this version.
I can't use backup software as i can't root to use titanium and helium doesn't support 2.3.
Sony back also apparently doesn't support my phone.
Basically, my apps are outdated due to me not having enough space to update them.
I think that updating to Sony's ICS update might enable me to use these programs and root so that i can backup, then unlock the bootloader and use cfw. (i checked and my s# is older than 12W11 so that's fine).
However, i am worried that if i try to update to Sony's ICS update that i will either lose my applications or the data that is stored with them (whatsapp history, game saves, app config etc etc) - particularly as they are not up to date.
Is this the case? Is there anything i can do?
Thanks
oneNight1 said:
I am on Sonys 2.3, build 4.0.2.A.0.62 and i read that i cannot root this version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look at the tool namend one click root (this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2219781), your build should be root-able, just read carefully and decide if you wanna try...
I used this tool on stock sony ics 4.0.4 build and it worked nicely, haven't tried it on stock sony gb 2.3 build though.
Good luck! :good:
BadGround said:
Take a look at the tool namend one click root (this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2219781), your build should be root-able, just read carefully and decide if you wanna try...
I used this tool on stock sony ics 4.0.4 build and it worked nicely, haven't tried it on stock sony gb 2.3 build though.
Good luck! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip! It worked!
If you do it twice it relocks your phone. Took some google translate to find out what the chinese was saying hehe.
I'm now on stock 4.0.3 (4.1.A.0.562).
Doesn't seem a great deal better than 2.3, i guess i need to find out what a good lightweight CFW is really. Firefox for android constantly crashes so i tried naked browser and that does too. Wish there was a good selective script blocker for mobile browsers - that would help a lot. Noscript for firefox would be a possibility but the problem is it crashes a lot even with javascript disabled.
So yer not sure where the problems are coming from, maybe due to the low RAM in this phone. That's why i was thinking a lightweight CFW might help matters but not sure if it's best to go with a 5.1 one that breaks 720p recording and has issues with things like turning off GPS.
Or it might be better to go with the latest type that doesn't break anything. I'm guessing that is a 4.0.4 CFW? Or maybe 4.4? I know stock only goes up to 4.0.4 but i think i read something about being able to get CFW based on stock so HDMI, FM radio, 720p recording etc etc won't be broken?
Thanks anyway!
oneNight1 said:
Or it might be better to go with the latest type that doesn't break anything. I'm guessing that is a 4.0.4 CFW? Or maybe 4.4? I know stock only goes up to 4.0.4 but i think i read something about being able to get CFW based on stock so HDMI, FM radio, 720p recording etc etc won't be broken?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I haven't tried 5.1 so far, only following the 5.1-threads to see how it's going on.
HDMI is only working up to 4.0.4 roms, FM radio is working in 4.1 roms too, and you'll get 720p recording also in 4.4.4 roms. If you want all things working your phone is able to you will have to use roms based on stock GB or ICS. Therefore I'm using a stock based ICS rom most of the time (T-Rom).
By T-Rom for Arc S, i assume that you mean this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746508
Or if not then this port of it? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239187
Sounds like something worth trying to see if it helps!
Thanks!
oneNight1 said:
By T-Rom for Arc S, i assume that you mean this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746508
Or if not then this port of it? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239187
Sounds like something worth trying to see if it helps!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Arc S the first link is the matching one. I think it's the most recently updated ICS rom for our device :good: