Hello,
I recently bought an used Desire Z (euorpean version) and it had a Cyagenmod on it, but I don't like that and wanted to install a Stock rom. I've downloaded this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1169004 (the second one) started the phone in Bootloader, went into recovery, wiped all caches and data, installed the zip from the zip and restarted it. It loaded but couldn't pass the htc screen, so I thought it could be a good idea to flash the boot.img via fastboot but that also didn't help (I waited about 30minutes but nothing happened).
I already rooted a Samsung S5something, a htc Desire HD and a htc evo 3d but I'm really stuck with this one.
Here are the infos from the bootloader:
Vision PVT ENG S-OFF
HBOOT-0.84.2000
MICROP-0425
RADIO-26.02.01.15_M2
eMMC-boot
Sep 8 2010,15:56:38
System Info:
SN-SH16MRT00535
LCD-SO
Touch Panel-Atmel224_20aaY
Commit-adbd7a75
OS Ver.-1.19.531.1
IMEI-352212049096410
CID-11111111
eMMc-samsung 2151MB 4407295sectors
Is it bricked? If yes can I repair it or should I trash it?
Is here maybe someone from europe whom I could send this phone to flash the newest stock rom on it? I really love that phone and always wanted to have one (this special one is in nearly perfect condition).
Please help me cause I'm helpless :crying:
I doubt you are bricked, it was probably just a bad flash or a bad download as that ROM should work fine for you. And being you are s-off you don't need to flash the kernel from fastboot
Just do a full wipe/format and flash the ROM again or try another, all links found here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2348266
Just pick a gingerbread sense ROM and it will be a rooted version of stock. Just be sure to wipe all partitions in either recovery or fastboot
Best of luck!
I tried 3 different Roms now:
Virtuos Sense Gingerbread
WWE_2.42.405.4 Rooted StockROM
T-Mobile G2 Stock (OTA 2.16.531.5) Rooted
This time I didn't flash boot.img via fastboot and none of them will load. The phone is stuck in the htc screen allthough the setup always says that it was completed successfully.
I never had so many problems with a phone before.
If it matters the phones uses ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.1.0
I just realised I have a G2 and not a Z.
Could some please post me a stock Gingerbread Rom that works 100% with the G2 in europe? Cause I'm really really frustrated and desperate (sitting here around 4 hours and nothing works).
Don't worry about G2 vs DZ ROMs, it wont matter just he preference
Grab the latest 4ext recovery and format all partitions in recovery then flash away
I forgot how to do this (i had 4ext touch on my Desire HD and Evo3D) and here I can only find apk files, could you please give me a link to a file that I can flash onto the G2? Or tell me how to install the apk without an OS.
See the thread I linked you prior
There is a section on recoveries and if that wont help see the section on fastboot
THX alot, I figured it out and I managed to get it starting.
Now I've got only one last question.
Where can I get a 2.42.405.5 or at least 2.42.405.4 for my device, I'm asking because mine says all the time that is an update (but updating fails, I know -> S-OFF)? The only things I've found here are 2.42.405.4 (which i cant download for some reason) and 2.42.405.4 (WiFi doesn't work).
I'm not sure really as I couldn't stand the stock ROMs for this phone, especially with so many superior custom ROMs to pick from.
Maybe just grab a stock based ROM, it will be much more stable, better battery life etc and you won't even have to remove any of the bloat. But of course that's your choice
Related
Hi!
please help
I did today the s-off succesfully. it did boot properly and i could normally use the phone.
after that, i read this kindofa tutorial..
I tried it with the n1table hboot from the alpharev site.
after that, its stuck on the Why so serious bootscreen.
Recovery works fine, fastboot also. I tried flashing back the stock hboot, but nothing helps.
Of course, i wiped everything besides the sdcard.
Anyone with any experience or knowledge on how to get it back up running?
Why did i even start doing that?
- low storage
You have to be using a ROM that is made to work with the N1 Table. What ROM are you on? Chances are you're using one that needs the original table to work
CyanogenMod 6.1 RC
Is that compatible with the N1Table?
According to This it does.
Does anybody know what the last original RUU is that is supported by unrevoked?
The one in my signature
Hi, I have posted this before but it got deleted because I very stupidly posted it in the wrong place.
My question has been answered before due to searching but no one else happens to be in my EXACT situation and I don't want to mess up my phone.
Basically my Desire HD is rooted etc and I want to flash the Android Revolution ROM, but I havent flashed any ROM's since my OLD G1 and now everyone talks about S-OFF etc and I don't understand these, on my G1 it was simply rooting and flashing a Recovery and then flashing a ROM, so basically what do I need to flash this ROM
My situation:
I am running the stock ROM (permroot on 1.32.405.6)
I have stock radio
I have Clockwork mod 3.0.0.6
and Buzz Sense 1.3 + OC (OC'd 1.6Ghz) kernel.
(+Ever since I downgraded from 1.72 I have lost wi-fi, it connected to my wi-fi but I get no internet access through it, its definitely a problem with the phone and nothing else because I have tested my router etc, all my other devices have connectivity through my router)
We all were in your exact situation. The Desire HD employs an extra level of security to prevent users messing with their handsets, S-ON.
You need to turn this off, Ideally ENG (Engineering) S-OFF, before you can make persistent changes to your system.
Have a read through the very helpful guides in the Dev section. They also contain the tools you need. Turning S-OFF should be a one time process only, i.e once you've done it there is no need to repeat it to flash another ROM.
Hope that helps.
andyharney said:
We all were in your exact situation. The Desire HD employs an extra level of security to prevent users messing with their handsets, S-ON.
You need to turn this off, Ideally ENG (Engineering) S-OFF, before you can make persistent changes to your system.
Have a read through the very helpful guides in the Dev section. They also contain the tools you need. Turning S-OFF should be a one time process only, i.e once you've done it there is no need to repeat it to flash another ROM.
Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I forgot to mention that I have SHIP S-OFF and I'm unable to get ENG S-OFF because when I used the Easy S-OFF tool it can only give me SHIP S-OFF for some reason, I cant do anything now since its incompatible with my kernel as well. Can I flash a ROM with just SHIP S-OFF? I don't want to flash any radios because I bricked my G1 about 4 million times when flashing radios.
It you run a 1.32 WWE RUU and revert back to stock you can then reapply ENG S-OFF. A bit of a ball ache I know.
Most ROMs will work just fine with SHIP S-OFF but ENG is usually preferred.
To flash a radio you need Radio S-OFF another beast entirely. However there is a very good too to do it with. No bricks so far and your DHD will then have super CID and be SIM unlocked.
didge3 said:
Sorry I forgot to mention that I have SHIP S-OFF and I'm unable to get ENG S-OFF because when I used the Easy S-OFF tool it can only give me SHIP S-OFF for some reason, I cant do anything now since its incompatible with my kernel as well..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tick the "I have radio s-off" box and it becomes compatible with everything.
follow my guide in the sig and skip to eng s-off and radio s-off part, or skip to whatever comes next if you've already done them
Tried that, I get a "Connection Error", I have made sure its fully connected as "Disk Drive" and I allow the Super User request when I do it, but it still doesn't work, plus the radio tool just says "Incompatible kernel" - or something like that.
I mainly want to know, can I flash Android Revolution in my current situation, can I flash with just SHIP S-OFF and my current kernel, or do I have to go back to stock kernel, flash the ROM and then flash my kernel back?
and why should I have ENG S-OFF, if it makes a lot of difference I will give it ago, but I mainly want to just flash this ROM to see if it fixes my wifi issue and my camera doesn't drop so many frames! (known issue in 1.32, fixed in 1.7X)
Disk Drive. Yeah, read the guide again more carefully, mate... And change the tool, why are you using easy radio tool!? It won't give you ENG S-OFF. My ENG S-OFF tool will give you that. And it most definitely will not say incompatible kernel if you just tick the box I talked about.
You can flash ARHD now. Do not mess around with it's kernel after flashing, because it comes with the best kernel out there. The kernel has been made to fit ARHD's needs.
jkoljo said:
Disk Drive. Yeah, read the guide again more carefully, mate... And change the tool, why are you using easy radio tool!? It won't give you ENG S-OFF. My ENG S-OFF tool will give you that. And it most definitely will not say incompatible kernel if you just tick the box I talked about.
You can flash ARHD now. Do not mess around with it's kernel after flashing, because it comes with the best kernel out there. The kernel has been made to fit ARHD's needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the same as every other time, downloads the Easy S-OFF tool, "Pushing stuff to SD" Phone says "Unknown has been granted su access" and then the tool says "Error: Connection Problem!" - I get this every time, I have tried re-downloading this software every time, removing the "Unknown" in super user and then re-allowing it when it asks, I still get the same error...
Does it matter that I'm using Windows 7 64-bit?
EDIT: I think I've done it now, I downloaded the latest 2.3 SDK (I had 2.2) which updated my ADB drives, I didn't get the error this time, will boot into H-BOOT and check now.
Are you still using that disk drive mode? Because you should not.
THANKS
I have thanked everyones post, I can confirm my H-BOOT Now says PVT ENG S-OFF, one last thing, I'm all good to flash now? I can just put the ROM (sense version) on my SD card and flash it in CWM, with my current kernel, even though it will over write it with the one included for Android Revolution, I dont have to go back to stock kernel or anything first right?
Thanks again
Have you flashed ClockworkMod Recovery yet? If not download ROM Manager from the Market and flash it from there.
Once that is complete, download ROM, put on SD Card, Recovery, Wipe, Flash, Enjoy.
didge3 said:
Hi, I have posted this before but it got deleted because I very stupidly posted it in the wrong place.
My question has been answered before due to searching but no one else happens to be in my EXACT situation and I don't want to mess up my phone.
Basically my Desire HD is rooted etc and I want to flash the Android Revolution ROM, but I havent flashed any ROM's since my OLD G1 and now everyone talks about S-OFF etc and I don't understand these, on my G1 it was simply rooting and flashing a Recovery and then flashing a ROM, so basically what do I need to flash this ROM
My situation:
I am running the stock ROM (permroot on 1.32.405.6)
I have stock radio
I have Clockwork mod 3.0.0.6
and Buzz Sense 1.3 + OC (OC'd 1.6Ghz) kernel.
(+Ever since I downgraded from 1.72 I have lost wi-fi, it connected to my wi-fi but I get no internet access through it, its definitely a problem with the phone and nothing else because I have tested my router etc, all my other devices have connectivity through my router)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
andyharney said:
Have you flashed ClockworkMod Recovery yet? If not download ROM Manager from the Market and flash it from there.
Once that is complete, download ROM, put on SD Card, Recovery, Wipe, Flash, Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note the very first post "Clockword mod 3.0.0.6" so in answer, yes.
Your good to go then, happy flashing.
I need the help of an expert!
I did the unrevoked root, which I misread (apparently) thinking that it did a backup of my current rom. Then I tried to flash pre-rooted stock 2.2 and upon reboot it's stuck at carrier screen (Alltel).
I decided to reload stock, but as I said I was apparently mistaken about unrevoked doing a backup.
Is the device bricked? Any rom I try to flash doesn't work. I can boot into recovery, i can mount usb, but that's it.
My ultimate goal would be to put rooted (or unrooted then root afterward) 2.2 on the phone. At this point I'd settle for 2.1 so the phone... works...
I aint no expert I'm afraid, but just a thought...
did you do a factory wipe/cache wipe/dalvick wipe before you flashed?
On my first attempt, I forgot and ended up stuck on the bootscreen.
I had a similar problem before, can't mount as usb, sd card does not work. You may want to try out the steps from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=691639 . This worked for me.
Thanks,
I did do a data wipe, cache and dalvik wipe prior to flashing. I've gone through the full process a couple of times including battery pulls after reboot and hang.
I have usb mount through recovery (whatever recovery unrevoked placed on it). I can access my sd card through usb, I just don't know how to get this phone back to stock. I would be happy with almost any daily use rom at this point...
If you want to go back to stock you need to look for the RUU (stock Rom) for your carrier.
If you search this forum there is a thread somewhere which lists all the new RUU's
here it is http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695667
Here's some phone info (in case it helps)
BRAVOC DVT2 SHIP S-OFF
HBOOT-0.98.0000
MICROP-051e
TOUCH PANEL-SYNT0101
RADIO-2.05.10.00.11
If you find the correct RUU for your carrier then follow these instructions to revert back to stock
http://theunlockr.com/2010/06/07/how-to-unroot-the-htc-desire/
Thank you. Was not aware of RUU's for download, searching now.
Do you know if a Verizon RUU would work with Alltel? I only ask because I'm not finding the Alltel RUU... Perhaps my search terms could be better? I'm searching "Alltel Desire RUU"
Update-RUU
Ok, I found an RUU file, for my Alltel CDMA HTC Desire....
But it's exe? And the instructions I read tell me to plug my usb and (in the android interface) select "htc sync" for how it should connect. I don't have any UI, because I don't have an OS! Thoughts on how I could use this file or should I keep looking for a zip to flash?
When it says HTC Sync, it means the program you download from HTC. The one for syncing your phone. Go to the HTC site and you will find it on the download page.
Edit: Ah I see what you are saying! Not sure on what to do if you can't select HTC Sync on your phone. Maybe try running the RUU.exe and see what happens?? Sorry if this doesn't help
Just a thought, the ROM's you are trying to flash, they are for CDMA Bravo and not the UK ROM's ?
Yes CDMA Bravo
thanks though.
Maybe take a look at this thread. It tells you how to remove the ROM from the RUU so that you can put it on to your SD card and flash it from recovery. (at least I think that is what it does?
Edit: Sorry!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10509780&postcount=102
I also read somewhere that if you put the phone into Fastboot , then connect to your PC and run the RUU.exe, it should work if you are S-OFF
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842703
THAT SOUNDS AWESOME.. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Would you post the link though?
Perfect! This extracting the ROM worked! Tried everything again with newer version of unrevoked (had one downloaded to hhd, idk why it didn't occur to me to check for updates). Now running Cyanogen 6.1
Now if I can just figure out how to get the auto-backlight adjustments to not be so dim most of the time...
Excellent, glad you got it working again
Once you've played with CM6, you should try CM7, its good enough for daily use. In fact I use the nightly's (this ROM flashing becomes a bit addictive after a while)
Hi I have a branded virgin media htc desire which i rooted with unrevoked 3 thanks to the people on here.
Being going fine for few months but I tried to install a sound boost file using a zip from sd card and now my phone just loops to htc desire screen and reboots.
I tried factory reset but that never helped.
I dont have a copy of my original rom however I bought 2 phones at same time and my wife is using the other which is fine and hers is rooted too.
both the phone were just the stock roms that we rooted
Is there anyway I can reflash my phone to get it working again?
Can I copy anything off my wifes phone to reflash mine
Or am I screwed
BRAVO PVT4 SHIP S-ON
HBOOT-0.93.0001
MICROP-051d
RADIO-5.11.05.14
Aug 10 2010
There are a few things you could do.
1. Create a nand backup on your wife's phone and restore it on yours.
2. Create a goldcard using this method (only use the part for making the goldcard) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=831734 And then flash any stock ruu you want from this site. (by putting your phone in fastboot and running the ruu) http://shipped-roms.com/index.php?category=android&model=Bravo
You will need an equal or newer version then that you are currently using.
3. Downgrade your rom and then download a virgin rom from the site from above. Instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=696189
I would go for solution 1. But it's your choice
What have you learned today? Always make nandroids before flashing anything
ps maybe because you are rooted you can just download a virgin rom and flash it, but I don't know that for sure because I never tried it (But you will lose root, use this as last resort )
After full wipe inc dalvik etc does it still happen? Did you have any sort of backup? Nand or manual? Can you flash a custom rom?
Why dont you just flash one of the brilliant custom roms available under the development section?
thanks for the advice i took option 1 and all going good again
lesson learned!
Hi,
soon, I will get my ordered HTC Desire from Amazon Germany. Hope it's not a Desire with Hboot Version > 0.92. Amazon descriped it as an Android 2.1 version. Is it possible that Android 2.1 comes with a non rootable bootloader > 0.93, worst case version 1.06 ?
For example. Hope I will get a Desire with a 0.92 Hboot and root it successfully, what will happen when the phone is rebooting. Is it updating automatically to Android 2.2 after it get connected and maybe lost the root access. Have read about this in some boards.
I think I have to flash a custom rom after rooting the device before I go online? Maybe these questions are stupid but I need to know the right steps to get the full potential out of my new phone.
Which custom rom is preferable? LeeDrOiD V3.0.2, CyanogenMod-7 ..?
Thank you in advance
shredman
Sup Shredman
I got a Desire with HBOOT 0.93, I can assure you it is completely rootable, I rooted with unrEVOked and the 1st ROM I tried was StarBurst, very awesome ROM.
I assume you want a gingerbread ROM, thus your asking for a deciding factor between CyanogenMod7 Or LeeDrOid 3.0.2, my advice is this if you like Sense UI, LeeDrOid if you don’t CyanogenMod7.
Check out Desire Android Development and check out the other options available.
Hope This Helps
1.06? Where did that come from? As far as I'm aware at least the bootloader only goes up to 0.93.1 which is prob rootable and S-Offable. If you do have a stupid bootloader, just use an RUU then root but I doubt you will have to worry about it. You will be fine. All you need to do is you can update from Eclair to Froyo and then root, it does not matter at all. Also, when I got my phone with Eclair, it came with bootloader 0.80.
You are worrying for no reason. All you need is to just download Unrevoked, the lastest one (if that doesn't work get the previous version). Don't forget the drivers either if your on Windows
1.06 bootloaders are only on CDMA Desires, not GSM. So far, all GSM Desires are rootable.
Is there a way to root with a 1.06 bootloader?
Sent from my PB99400 using XDA App
Not yet. Follow Unrevoked's site, they'll put up an update if possible.
seclm193 said:
Is there a way to root with a 1.06 bootloader?
Sent from my PB99400 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's my fear that I could get a Desire Phone from the stock that has this 1.06 bootloader. I read about it in some other forums that Desires are delivered with this newer bootloader, maybe htc did that to prevent (for a while) such rooting and flashing custom roms?
My Desire is on way now, hope I will get a rootable device tomorrow. As far as I know, I need to do the following
1. Unrevoke the Desire with linux or windows. I use linux.
2. Load a custom rom
How can I backup the entire image that comes out of the box before I start to root the desire ?
Regards
frank alias shredman
shredman said:
That's my fear that I could get a Desire Phone from the stock that has this 1.06 bootloader. I read about it in some other forums that Desires are delivered with this newer bootloader, maybe htc did that to prevent (for a while) such rooting and flashing custom roms?
My Desire is on way now, hope I will get a rootable device tomorrow. As far as I know, I need to do the following
1. Unrevoke the Desire with linux or windows. I use linux.
2. Load a custom rom
How can I backup the entire image that comes out of the box before I start to root the desire ?
Regards
frank alias shredman
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to worry to receive CMDA Desire with 1.06 unless you are from the USA If you are from Europe you should deffinitely be ok
And you don't need to backup too, you can later flash official RUUs, the original Desire firmware...you can however use the nandroid backup once you root your phone, to backup your current rom if you deceide to test a new one
I'm relieved to hear that. I've only one question about the roms. I want to flash a fast and stable rom that don't need app2sd to move application to the sd card. I think it's integrated in rom version > 2.1 (froyo) ?
Regards
Frank
cyanogen cm7
but im with rcmixs v07.
shredman said:
I'm relieved to hear that. I've only one question about the roms. I want to flash a fast and stable rom that don't need app2sd to move application to the sd card. I think it's integrated in rom version > 2.1 (froyo) ?
Regards
Frank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO, you shouldn't even be thinking about rooting until you know what you're doing. Sounds like you don't know a lot about Android at present so read a lot and ONLY ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU CAN'T FIND AN ANSWER. Chances are everything you will need to ask has already been answered
Just enjoy the phone first and worry about the rest later
Help, the phone is now in bootloop ???
What a damn ****. Got my phone, rooted it with linux and the first problem is that nandroid backup is not starting. I startet it manual, then backup the phone and now it wont start anymore. The phone is in a boot loop. What a fu...
Here the data of my desire.
Bravo PVT4 Ship S-On
HBOOT-0.93.0001
MICROP-051d
Touch Panel-SYNW0101
RADIO-5.11.05.27
AUG 10 2010
I believe that I got one from this new hardware revision that is not rootable. I'm really pissed of now, what can I do. I don't know how I can recover it to shipped off version. Hope I can recover it to send it back. What is wrong with this thing?
Regards
Frank
I have the same HBoot and am rooted
You've not got full root or else it would be S-Off. Have you flashed a recovery? Easiest way to get a nandroid back up. Either AmonRa 2.0.1 or CWM 2.5.1.8 (I think, other earlier version don't work with your HBoot, and stay away from 3.0.0.5 for now). Then you need to alpharev to get S-Off. Troll the forum you can find all this info, but you do have to go cautiously with this HBoot, only specific methods work imo.
AmonRa 2.0.1 | PVT4 40000 S-Off Alpharev 1.8| HBoot 0.93.1000 | Radio 5.17.05.08 | LeeDroid 3.0.2 (A2SD) | HTC Desire A8181 | UOT Kitchen Mods
Hi ghalalb,
now, I successful restored the nandroid backup with the installed clockwork mod 2.5.0.7. Vol - and Powerbutton, switch to Recovery, then clockwork mod came up .. restore, reboot, ok.
The Desire is alive. Is it real rooted (or not ) ? Thats the question ? The supervisor icon is available. First, I saved the content from the original sd card with (clockwork mod an backups), then partitioned the card with gparted to 2,2 GB fat32, 1,5 ext4 and restored the content back to the fat32 partition.
What now ? Is it not possible to flash a custom rom like clock hd-v10 with the installed clockwork mod ? Do I need to change the clockwork mod with AmonRa 2.0.1 ? The nandroid backups are not compatible with the AmonRa tool !
If something goes wrong, a restore of the old clockwork mod backups is not possible. I don't know what I have to do now. I don't want to make a mistake that is not reversible.
Regards
Frank
Hi Frank
You seem to be confusing your self as you don’t really know much about what your getting your self into. If you root your device with unrEVOked it should by default install clockwork recovery, once this is installed you don’t need Amon RA as a recovery as clockwork does the same thing and it is merely a matter of preference. Clockwork recovery backups cant be restored with Amon RA and vice versa. I am using clockwork recovery and I flash a new ROM every 3 to 4 days just to try different things and to see which ROM does what I need it to do. I usually end up back on ReflexTSense as I feel this ROM suits my user needs.
You seem to be getting used to using recovery and flashing ROM’s, you can use clockwork to flash any ROM. You have partitioned your card correctly and for apps to SD so now all you need to do is flash a ROM.
I recommend you try AuraxTSense as a first ROM, its very stable and blazing fast.
After you download the ROM put it in the root of your SD, the root of you SD means, not in a folder just in the SD when you double click on the removeable disc/SD in my computer (don’t know what its called in linux) that is the root of the SD. Once that is does, reboot your device into recovery, make a nandroid backup of your current working ROM.
Then follow the steps
• Go to wipe data/factory reset – select using trackball and let it do its thing
• Go to install zip from sdcard – select using trackball
• Go to toggle signature verification – select using trackball – NOTE: on your screen it should say “Signature Check: Disabled – If its says enabled make sure it says Disabled
• Go to choose zip from sdcard – select using trackball
• Go to AuraxTSense – select using trackball
Now its going to install the ROM and once its done its going to bring you back to a screen that says “reboot system now” - select using trackball. Don’t worry about installing the latest radio as your phone came with it installed.
Your phone should reboot and the ROM will now install and this take 5 to 12 mins before its complete if not just be patient, you know it has been a success when you get the white hTC screen with the with the green hTC logo followed by a white hTC screen with green dots that says “hTC quietly brilliant” in black it will sit on that screen for a while and the screen will go dull. When it is done the screen with go bright and boot into Android.
I hope this helps you to get your 1st ROM installed and running, I’ll check back every now and again and post your progress as I am committing my self to help you through this.
i am also going to buy a Desire, i would like to root it. so any hboot or android version should i be aware of? what should i look out for?
i am new in android so pardon my noob question.