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Just recieved my replacement G1 and it had the 1.5 update already on the phone,I have been trying to root the phone and it will not take it. I tried to load the 1.0 software and it won't take it eaither.
How can i root my phone?
FenderGuy said:
Just recieved my replacement G1 and it had the 1.5 update already on the phone,I have been trying to root the phone and it will not take it. I tried to load the 1.0 software and it won't take it eaither.
How can i root my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You weren't able to flash the dreaimg.nbh file through bootloader?
DOHCtor said:
You weren't able to flash the dreaimg.nbh file through bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IM me me
AIM: Breakthecycle2
DOHCtor said:
You weren't able to flash the dreaimg.nbh file through bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope did everything to load it
Oh my, you aren't the first person to have this issue. This is scaring me! o.o
wondering if t-mobile "perfected" the phone?
Can anyone help?
Has the phone been updated to CRC1?
Problem solved but now a huge new problem
I formatted the card to fat32 issue solved realized it was a differnet 1gb memory card i put in ....now another phone seems bricked?
http://theunlockr.com/2009/06/21/how-to-save-apps-to-your-sd-card-on-the-g1/
after going through the process of rooting and loading a new rom from the above link , my last step to was to save the apps to my sd card, followed steps and set the part to 297.3 and then my phone stays on the G1 bootup screen does not want to boot up, has this step claimed another phone? a little annoyed at the moment
Could we get a developer's take on this issue?
ok followed steps to reload JF update on phone and its back to its normal state. I wont be follwoing the above links anymore...
Can someone point me to a better apps to sd link?
Hi guys, I'm new to the whole rooting scene. I have a G1 and i want to root my phone. However, whats holding me back is that I dont have any data plan with the phone. Once I root and do a wipe, do i have to activate my phone again? or is there a way i can skip the activation and go to the home screen to turn on wifi then activate it?
Thanks.
lakersFan88 said:
Hi guys, I'm new to the whole rooting scene. I have a G1 and i want to root my phone. However, whats holding me back is that I dont have any data plan with the phone. Once I root and do a wipe, do i have to activate my phone again? or is there a way i can skip the activation and go to the home screen to turn on wifi then activate it?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you use the one click method in my sig you have an adp based rom when you boot up the phone and can skip the activation process. if you downgrade to rc-29 you have to use jesusfreke's method of skipping activation( sorry don't have link)
then after you set the phone up and cut on wifi you can log into google then
david1171 said:
if you use the one click method in my sig you have an adp based rom when you boot up the phone and can skip the activation process. if you downgrade to rc-29 you have to use jesusfreke's method of skipping activation( sorry don't have link)
then after you set the phone up and cut on wifi you can log into google then
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is Cyanogen roms and adp rom?
I don't have a data plan either, and I've never had to sign in to google using data (apart from doing the RC9 downgrade, which you won't have to do as we have 1-click method now).
Roms that don't require you to log in via data-
All Cyanogen ROMs
All Hero ROMs
All JesusFreke/JF ADP (not US or UK, only ADP) ROMs
And others that I haven't tested.
You can always ask in the the reelease thread of a ROM to double check, chances are you can skip activation. There's also guides on how to us adb (the android debug bridge) to enable wifi so you can register without 3G/edge/gprs.
AdrianK said:
I don't have a data plan either, and I've never had to sign in to google using data (apart from doing the RC9 downgrade, which you won't have to do as we have 1-click method now).
Roms that don't require you to log in via data-
All Cyanogen ROMs
All Hero ROMs
All JesusFreke/JF ADP (not US or UK, only ADP) ROMs
And others that I haven't tested.
You can always ask in the the reelease thread of a ROM to double check, chances are you can skip activation. There's also guides on how to us adb (the android debug bridge) to enable wifi so you can register without 3G/edge/gprs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I'll give it a shot tomorrow.
I am fairly new to rooting, but thanks to this great website and all your inputs I have learned so much over the past month.
I first rooted my G1 using the 1-click method which was great, but now my earpiece has blown I will be receiving a new handset next week. So I learned how to properly downgrade and install stock firmware for my old handset.
When I receive my new handset, I decided to take the plunge and root the traditional way for 2 reasons.. 1- to learn a different way and 2- its possible the security hole may be patched by then rendering the 1-click useless.
Anyway, after reading all the varying posts on how to downgrade/root/flash custom rom I am still left with a little confusion so hopefully someone can clear this up for me.
When actually rooting, I have seen methods to type various things in the telnet window, and another method to just rerun the .apk and select "protect root". What is the difference between these two methods? Do they both accomplish the same task of making a permanent root? One method actually said to download the JFreke rom to fix permissions to root, bo no other method mentioned that. Is that even necessary?
Also, I know that with Cyanogen Roms I do not really need to flash to "hard spl" if I decide to stay with cm roms, and cm recovery also allows the use of nandroid backup as well. The only other argument I have seen is that a hard spl would potentially allow someone to "unbrick" a bricked phone, but from everything I have read, most people have bricked trying to flash the hard spl.
If I am going to stay with cm roms, is there any real benefit to a hard spl other than increasing the brick chance? If I do upgrade the spl, am I correct that it would be done last, after a potential radio update (assuming my replacement handset does not come with the latest radio)?
Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance for your help.
This is the best guide I found.
I have done 4 phones using this method with only 2 minor differences.
1) I format the sd card using a microsd card reader instead of the phone.
2) when it says What To Do Now That You Have Root don't download any of the builds listed there, just download the latest cyan stable rom.
This is the guide hehe forgot to link
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=442480
Oh and don't worry about swap or apps2sd partitions until after you root and verify that the rom is working with no problems, this will limit the number of variables in case you have troubles.
Thanks for the input.
So do you install hard spl according to that guide or do you skip that and just install the cm rom?
I love the auto apps2sd of cm roms. My phone is currently back on stock cupcake and I miss having all my apps on my 500mb ext 3 partition!
yea you need HardSPL. and use the recovery linked in the guide. Install cyan's recovery later.
This to me is the easiest step by step visual rooting process have done 3 G1 with full success. The newest G1 I had would not let me do the 1 click rooting method.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOo2V9qCauc&feature=related
maybeoneday said:
This to me is the easiest step by step visual rooting process have done 3 G1 with full success. The newest G1 I had would not let me do the 1 click rooting method.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOo2V9qCauc&feature=related
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I figured the new handset would most likely be patched. What was the result when you tried the 1-click. Would the new phone just not let you install the 1-click apk?
One thing I might add is you can't brick your phone by flashing Hardspl. It's the "danger" spl that has the potential of bricking your phone. Just follow the traditional guide that fingerlickin provided and your good to go.
Thanks for the help!
Anytime.......
Nope sure wouldn't just kept telling me install aborted. I don't no why. It could be some kind of patch. But I went to old faithfull step by step you tube install. Its really a nice video. You can pause the video and root your phone right along with guy doing the video. he also gives you links on the side bar to all files needed in the rooting process.
oh I'm sorry, I actually have one more question.
After flashing the HardSPl, would there ever be a reason to revert back to the original g1 spl? For instance if I had to send a phone back to t-mo, would they know that I am using the hardspl if all I did was reload the dreaimg.rbh rc-29 downgrade, or does that also reflash the spl back to the original?
Yes you would want to unroot phone before sending it to Tmobile, they do not warrenty a rooted phone
Unrooting
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=491350
dcorrea said:
oh I'm sorry, I actually have one more question.
After flashing the HardSPl, would there ever be a reason to revert back to the original g1 spl? For instance if I had to send a phone back to t-mo, would they know that I am using the hardspl if all I did was reload the dreaimg.rbh rc-29 downgrade, or does that also reflash the spl back to the original?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldn't ever have to go back. T-mo would prolly never check it. Many people have sent there phones in with root access and different things installed. But if you do get paranoid and ever have to do it, just flash RC29 and it will put everything back to stock.
maybeoneday said:
Yes you would want to unroot phone before sending it to Tmobile, they do not warrenty a rooted phone
Unrooting
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=491350
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I turned my phone in with root access and custom splash screen and they didn't say anything. You don't want to make it known that you have done anything to it, but they won't check. When they are sent in they just hook it up with jtag and reflash everything.
supremeteam256 said:
You shouldn't ever have to go back. T-mo would prolly never check it. Many people have sent there phones in with root access and different things installed. But if you do get paranoid and ever have to do it, just flash RC29 and it will put everything back to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks that is what I figured. I actually just unrooted my phone yesterday from cyanogens rom, but I never flashed the SPL (did the 1-click thing originally), but now that I am going to do the original method I wanted to be sure.
I can't wait for my replacement phone to get here next week, because using the stock cupcake rom sux!
Anyway, thanks to everyone who gave their input and helped me learn even more about the process! You all rock!
supremeteam256 said:
I turned my phone in with root access and custom splash screen and they didn't say anything. You don't want to make it known that you have done anything to it, but they won't check. When they are sent in they just hook it up with jtag and reflash everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, thats music to my ears. I have often thought it would be a pain if something broke on the phone and I had to try to unroot it before I sent it in. uhhhh like a bricked phone
I work in an electronics repair company and I agree with supremeteam256 about sending your phone in rooted. Our techs don't check for tampering, they just plug it in and use the programs my department writes to test and reflash the devices. Of course our devices are much more complicated but the same NON-Communication between customer service and technicians still exist.
I think the biggest reason for this is because the techs just aren't interested in explaining the technical details to a customer service rep because all they ever get is "huh? wtf is a bootloader?"
Disclaimer:
I'm not claiming that HTC or TMobile will not check or notice that you have rooted your phone. Just illustrating that the repair techs don't want to talk to customer service anymore than you do and would rather just fix the phone and move on to the next one.
Fingerlickin said:
I work in an electronics repair company and I agree with supremeteam256 about sending your phone in rooted. Our techs don't check for tampering, they just plug it in and use the programs my department writes to test and reflash the devices. Of course our devices are much more complicated but the same NON-Communication between customer service and technicians still exist.
I think the biggest reason for this is because the techs just aren't interested in explaining the technical details to a customer service rep because all they ever get is "huh? wtf is a bootloader?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice breakdown.
i dont have a data plan now so i cant activate the phone and i cant use adb cause its not working on win7 for me..is there anyway i can just flash spl and radio and skip the recovery image? I tried someones sim but it just says error when i try to register.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.. or Confirm this is correct. but..
If you're on an official rom you're out of luck, but if you can update to an ADP rom no login will be required. It's not a SPL or radio issue, purely rom based.
sonikamd said:
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.. or Confirm this is correct. but..
If you're on an official rom you're out of luck, but your can always update to an ADP rom. No login required on those. It's not a SPL or radio issue, purely rom based.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im not sure wat ADP is..but im trying to root and i followed the guide for one click root from unlockr, is there anyway for me to use a ADP rom?
What phone are you using on what network? Was the other person's sim card on the same network? did they have an android data plan?
ADP means Android Developer Phone.
sonikamd said:
What phone are you using on what network? Was the other person's sim card on the same network? did they have an android data plan?
ADP means Android Developer Phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh both sims were tmobile US, and the other phone was a moto zn5 so it wasnt a g1 plan.
So I'm *assuming* you're on a G1. You basically have three choices, either goto a t-mobile store and beg one of their techs to let ya use their data to register, find someone else with a g1+data and ask to use their sim card or go adp.
The downside of going with an adp rom is you'll loose the t-mobile branded stuff like tmo ringtones, the myfaves app, ?youtube? (not sure on this one, you should do some reading first or hope someone else chips in).
If you really need your phone now, and are able to install custom roms the adp version of donut can be found --here-- Note: I run the official roms so am not too well versed in ADP vs. AOSP+ADP but it looks like you may actually want the latter(AOSP+ADP)
sonikamd said:
So I'm *assuming* you're on a G1. You basically have three choices, either goto a t-mobile store and beg one of their techs to let ya use their data to register, find someone else with a g1+data and ask to use their sim card or go adp.
The downside of going with an adp rom is you'll loose the t-mobile branded stuff like tmo ringtones, the myfaves app, ?youtube? (not sure on this one, you should do some reading first or hope someone else chips in).
If you really need your phone now, and are able to install custom roms the adp version of donut can be found --here-- Note: I run the official roms so am not too well versed in ADP vs. AOSP+ADP but it looks like you may actually want the latter(AOSP+ADP)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont have root i just installed dreaimg.nbh then flashed cupcake via home+end the press alt+l then alt+s.So i dont have any custom recovery images on my g1.
what guide did you follow? I'm confused, i thought the dreaimg.nbh was part of the rooting/testkey part...
sonikamd said:
what guide did you follow? I'm confused, i thought the dreaimg.nbh was part of the rooting/testkey part...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this first:
http://theunlockr.com/2009/07/05/how-to-unroot-your-t-mobile-g1/
im up to this but at setup screen:
http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/22/how-to-root-the-mytouch-3g-or-g1-in-one-click/
can i rename the recovery image to update.zip the load it in recovery mode?
No, no renaming the recovery image.
Ok, so let me get this straight. You unrooted a rooted phone, to install the official cupcake so you could "one touch" root it which installs a custom recovery image @ the same time?
this is starting to hurt my head...
sonikamd said:
No, no renaming the recovery image.
Ok, so let me get this straight. You unrooted a rooted phone, to install the official cupcake so you could "one touch" root it which installs a custom recovery image @ the same time?
this is starting to hurt my head...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i never rooted before i was just following the instructions because i had 1.6/donut on my phone.all i wanted to do was install a hero rom and the one click is the shortest way i knew.
Gotcha, headaches gone but unfortunately it looks like your stuck. It appears this process *assumes* you have a data connection(for the login process) and without this most guides out there are going to be useless, especially at this point.
I'd say add data for a month or w/e then remove it if you must once done doing what you're doin... or go back to looking for someone with data that can help ya get logged in. Bout the only ways out I can forsee atm.. Wish I could be more help...
sonikamd said:
Gotcha, headaches gone but unfortunately it looks like your stuck. It appears this process *assumes* you have a data connection(for the login process) and without this most guides out there are going to be useless, especially at this point.
I'd say add data for a month or w/e then remove it if you must once done doing what you're doin... or go back to looking for someone with data that can help ya get logged in. Bout the only ways out I can forsee atm.. Wish I could be more help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the help
I was gonna get flex-pay at Tmo since i hate being tied down to contracts and it can have a g1 data plan added.
alright, cool. Ya, i just got it from someone else wiser than I that without data you've got a long road ahead of ya getting your phone back up n running.
You can always do it the old-fashioned way... Just downgrade to RC29, login with WiFi. Then do the root process that way. Only takes 15min at most.
h.nocturna said:
You can always do it the old-fashioned way... Just downgrade to RC29, login with WiFi. Then do the root process that way. Only takes 15min at most.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i cant use wifi since icant get in to settings since im at setup screen
Ace42 said:
i cant use wifi since icant get in to settings since im at setup screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a way to bypass it with rooted ROMs, of which RC29 is one. You can. There's a whole guide on how to do it.
i bought a used g1 on ebay for $40 and when i click on various settings it states a gmail email address but it doesnt let me change it, only enter the previous users password. how do i delete his account? should i just reset the phone to factory default? if so how do i do that? also Wifi is available right now, if i reset the phone will the wifi become locked? i dont have a data plan just prepaid plan. thanks for you help in advance
You have to reset it first. Then You will need to setup Your own google account details. You will be able to set your own wifi settings and turn off data if Your pay as you go plan not include it. Read forums and download manuals as it can save a lot of stress and money for You. Enjoy Your google device
Sent from my LT15i using XDA App
im on pay as you go, so will my wifi be disabled once i reset? also how do i access the android marketplace on android 1.6? do i need my own gmail account and where do i find the android store?
zanbeak said:
im on pay as you go, so will my wifi be disabled once i reset? also how do i access the android marketplace on android 1.6? do i need my own gmail account and where do i find the android store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you need a gmail account to use any google app, and the app is called Android market. Just look around the phone and you should figure stuff out eventually...
zanbeak said:
im on pay as you go, so will my wifi be disabled once i reset? also how do i access the android marketplace on android 1.6? do i need my own gmail account and where do i find the android store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes your wifi will become disabled, but here's a way to turn it back on:
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/Google_Login_via_a_WiFi_Connection
http://androidforums.com/g1-support/6564-activate-stock-g1-over-wifi.html
Choose whichever is more understandable for you
BTW, this will downgrade you to 1.0, so if you want to use newer firmware you're gonna have to root and flash a custom ROM.
I can walk you through it, if you don't know how.
that whole guide is just to enable wifi? why the hell has htc even locked out wifi???? also since your guide downgrades me to 1.00 isnt it easier for me to just install custom android firmware that gives me access to wifi,etc?
zanbeak said:
that whole guide is just to enable wifi? why the hell has htc even locked out wifi???? also since your guide downgrades me to 1.00 isnt it easier for me to just install custom android firmware that gives me access to wifi,etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wifi isn't accessable until after you sign into google... I just got my g1 too, but mine only cost 3 weeks of begging a friend! Without data, it's a PITA. I borrowed a friends sim card (with data) to sign in to google, and once past that, turned on wifi and switched back to my sim. Much easier if you have the option.
Sent from my T-Mobile G1
zanbeak said:
that whole guide is just to enable wifi? why the hell has htc even locked out wifi???? also since your guide downgrades me to 1.00 isnt it easier for me to just install custom android firmware that gives me access to wifi,etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes they just want to force a data plan on you
And to install custom android firmware, then you'd need to start with 1.00
After you do the wifi thing and sign in, you go on to rooting and flashing a custom recovery. Then the rest is easy peasy. If you want to I can help you. You should install Froyobylaszlo.
im worried about bricking the device, plus on some of these guides i clicked the terminology is unclear or not explained such as "terminal", etc
I've messed with my dream so much and never bricked it
And I just rooted my first mytouch 3g slide today...
Only the first time is scary
But if your worried, then just do a lot of research and make sure you become familiar with it all
Sent from my HTC Dream using Tapatalk
Trying going to settings>account or something like that and remove the account
Sent from my T-Mobile G1 using xda premium
IIRC that's not possible
But yeah, it won't kill ya if you check
Sent from my HTC Dream using Tapatalk
Oh the old jesusfreke bypass hack.,thats my most favorite one. It looks complex but its so awesome and simple
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire
Try to follow the Cyanogen's Wiki
Here's how to setup an google account with a Wi-Fi connection:
http : // wiki . cyanogenmod . com/wiki/Google_Login_via_a_WiFi_Connection
These steps will only work if you haven't added an account yet, and you're on RC29 system software
Here you have instructions to install RC29 system software, in section "Downgrading the Firmware":
http : // wiki . cyanogenmod . com/wiki/HTC_Dream:_Rooting
If you've an GSM data plan you can just do a wipe, and then login with your data plan.
To wipe, power off your phone, turn it on while holding the "Home" button. You'll see an triangle with an "!" inside, just press Alt+L, and then Alt+w. Reboot your phone and login with your GAccount!
Complete info about all this on Cyanogen's wiki for HTC Dream:
http : // wiki . cyanogenmod . com/wiki/HTC_Dream
Just remove spaces from the links!
hey i followed your guides above and i have installed rc29 and i setupd a google account on my wifi network. im on android 1.0.
so i go to the Market in my phone and i click list all applications or games and it cant find any except solitare. where are the thousands of android apps?????
are they not available on android 1.0??? do i have to upgrade my firmware to access the full android market? is so how do i upgrade? can i upgrade normally without hacking the phone again? how did the original G1 upgrade originally? basically i dont care what firmware i have i just want to have access to the thousands of apps on android market. how do i do that? thanks in advance
zanbeak said:
hey i followed your guides above and i have installed rc29 and i setupd a google account on my wifi network. im on android 1.0.
so i go to the Market in my phone and i click list all applications or games and it cant find any except solitare. where are the thousands of android apps?????
are they not available on android 1.0??? do i have to upgrade my firmware to access the full android market? is so how do i upgrade? can i upgrade normally without hacking the phone again? how did the original G1 upgrade originally? basically i dont care what firmware i have i just want to have access to the thousands of apps on android market. how do i do that? thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.0 doesn't have many apps
There's a way to upgrade...
Look it up.
I can't right now.
When I get to a computer ill post a link if you haven't found one by then
But I really recommend rooting and installing a custom rom...
the OTA update doesnt happen on wifi. im guessing this rc29 i installed is already a custom rom. so what is the best custom rom for the G1 right now? i dont want anything that will slow down the phone. what do you recommend? any easy guides? will this be easier than the other guides u posted? thanks
First, flash the original RC29 G1 firmware, it's a DREAIMG.NBH file that's flashed from the bootloader.
The market thing is kinda simple to solve. Don't use the categories and these things, use the "Search function" (Menu > Search on market).
Then, you have 2 options from here:
1. Flash the cupcake upgade OR...
2. Flash an alternative recovery from telnet.
I really recomend the second option, shorter and less MiBytes to download.
Then, the idea is to update the radio and from here you can install the new SPL/Radio combo for 14 MB extras on RAM, or the combo that you prefer. Till' here all the hard part is done, the thing that lefts to do is a wipe (recommended one from fastboot), and flash the rom/kernel that you prefer.
If you want step-by step guidance, you can follow this guide: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/HTC_Dream:_Rooting
Do all the process till' the "Flashing Radio" section (do the flash radio thing, but don't do more steps).
From here, you must decide what SPL/Radio combo you prefer, the 2708+ radio and 1.33.0013d SPL is a good combo cause it allows to the phone to use 14 MB extras on RAM. The only thing is that this SPL/Radio combo is problematic with android 2.1.x and earlier, special kernels are needed and they aren't so easy to find. But if you're planning to install android 2.2.x or later, then this SPL combo will be one of the bests.
For guidance to flash radio/spl/rom/kernel and these things after following cyanogen's wiki, you can post here. Also, there are lot of threads here in XDA that guide you to do these SPL/Radio and other things, but be really carefull with them, you can harm your phone in a irreversible way.
i dont understand most of the terms you are mentioning. i downgraded to rc29. now what is the highest level of android available for the G1 that is an Official download from tmobile or htc. how do i install it?
http://androidandme.com/2009/10/beg...the-official-t-mobile-android-1-6-on-your-g1/
is that guide correct or do you have a better easier guide?
also what is the best unofficial rom to download for the G1? android 2.2? android 4? i dont know what spl is or radio,etc, what is the easiest guide for noobs? there are so many rom threads in the forum i dont know where to start. what is hands-down without a doubt the best rom available for the G1 right now, official or unofficial and a guide for it? let me know thanks. also are there any chances or bricking the phone?
zanbeak said:
http://androidandme.com/2009/10/beg...the-official-t-mobile-android-1-6-on-your-g1/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About that link, better that you don't try it. You may have serious problems with so many written commands.
I'll be putting this as simple as i can
Respecting to the ROM and SPL and Radio and all those, just a few questions to decide about it:
You'll like features as share internet via WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, install aplications from market that require newest versions of Android, block ads on web pages and aplications, transfer files via bluetooth, they're kinda good stuff to try a larger guide for you? Or you won't those functions and prefer a shorter way?
Be adviced that with the shorter way you'll suffer all the T-Mobile limitations, with the larger one you'll have tons of capabilities and posibilities.
So, decide about this.
And some questions, to recommend you a ROM that adequates to your needs...
You would like the rom to be fast? To have a good look and apperance? To be stable and work apropiately and don't give you troubles/malfunction? To simply have the latest android operating system? To play games nicely? To have lot, lot of aplications installed? In resume, what will you need/require from a ROM, what are the specifications by what you'll definetively decide for them?
You have a T-Mobile G1, a Roger's/Orange one, or a Android Dev Phone 1 (this is shown when you power up the phone, the first screen tells you that)?
Your SD card is of how much gigabytes...? What class is your SD card?
And finally, yes, you've many changes to brick the phone by only doing little things bad (like 4 bad, bad clicks on your phone and you'll be done with it). So, please be carefull and patient, this will assegurate that your phone will be well configurated and don't give any trubles.
Waiting for your answers to give you more and more detailed and non harmfull steps
If you have a doubt of why so many questions, you can ask freely, I'll give you the reasons why does them matter. And... it would be faster if you answer them and ask at the same time