Okay, I'm really on the fence here. I've got ADB working, I've read the warnings, I've flashed my previous WinMo phones about a hundred times. I am also getting annoyed at the missing market apps and the incredibly awful 3G uplink speed of the 2.2 test build in my area. My phone looks in no way shape or form likely to crap out, needing the warranty. So the round is in the chamber, hammer is cocked, finger is on the trigger.
Only thing holding me back is the idea of the official 2.2 update coming out tomorrow (or really any point in the first half of the week), and having to reverse everything I did (unlocking aside, I get that it's permanent, for now at least). Which all revolves around extra work. I'm not looking to flash other ROM's at the moment, just get access to tweak a few things.
So...3 questions
1) Since I'm just going to root the stock ROM, and edit a few things in build.prop, do I need to disable the online app and info backup? I'm 99% sure I read somewhere that unlocking the bootloader wipes the phone, but that's not a concern as I could just let the thing boot after unlocking it and pull my info from the cloud. This is for AFTER I root (though if you're responding, you probably already know that).
2) Any way to backup a complete system image, so that I can revert to that when the official 2.2 comes out?
3) Which SU/Rooting method do you, the knowledgable and expert [insert additional groveling] reader, suggest for FRF50? I've seen Cyanogen's and the one on Modaco ( http://android.modaco.com/content/g...-erd79-frf50-superboot-rooting-the-nexus-one/ ) I'm guessing this is a "doesn't matter," but I figure why not ask.
Was this the wrong section for this kind of thing?
I'm no expert, just have had my n1 for a couple of weeks but:
1. Can't help you there, no idea, sorry.
2. nandroid backup.
3. I've read a lot about this and I'd go with Cyan's method and amon_ra's recovery. It seems like they do the job well. Plus if you search around, you'll see instructions on going back to stock recovery from amon_ra's, but I'm not sure about the other recovery image (or whether it would be the exact same procedure)
1. I really don't understand the struggle here. Why you would want to disable app backup in the first place? It's not like Google is persecuting people who unlock bootloaders that they might cut you off if they see you're rooted. Just leave it running so you don't have to install everything manually. Unlocking does wipe everything, so it'll be convenient.
2. Well yeah... Make a nandroid the way your phone is now and go back to it whenever you like. And if you like, you can restore just the system.img from fastboot.
3. I prefer the cyan method with .34 kernel. There were some people complaining that Froyo was really slow for them, but I haven't noticed that at all.
^
1) Was because of things I've read, that if you do X, you should turn off backup syncing to keep from screwing things up. I certainly have no desire to turn it off. I love it.
2)Thanks.
3) Thanks
EDIT: Done. That was stupid-fast. From installing the fastboot drivers to installing SU was 90 seconds. Add 20 more for AmonRa's recovery.
Titanium backup installed.
build.prop edited to allow protected apps and fixes to the missing ril info.
Glad it turned out okay!
I'm so glad to be rid of Twitter!
Thanks you for your input.
so I got a samsung galaxy s captivate SHG-I896 from rogers and I really want to root it, i have z4root installed, but im hesitating. because i dont want to brick my phone, i have had an apple device, jailbroke a bunch, no problems of brick but android is a whole different story, so i would appreciate a few pointers, sorry for posting such a noobish question
Not sure about the Rogers version, but with the 897, if anything goes wrong, ODIN will return it to factory.
I have the Rogers Captivate as well, I was a little hesitant before I did it too but myself and a bunch of my friends that have the phone have done it with no issues at all. Do the permanent root, if it freezes then just pull the battery, reboot and try again. It took me at least twice to root it but it's remarkably easy. If anything really major goes wrong you can always boot to recovery and wipe data but I seriously doubt you'll need to. I'm just speaking from experience so don't blame me if anything buggers it up but to be honest it's not as easy to brick it as you might think.
Just go for it.
just rooted it
i just rooted my captivate with z4root, can any one give me any like tips/warnings/shoulds/shouldnts
Should:
- Get Titanium Backup and batch backup everything. This app will make your life so much easier and hassle free.
- Also, just be careful and don't go crazy with installing stuff you don't know about. Do your due diligence before flashing anything or installing any app or lag fix. Figure out exactly how it's done before you do it. This might sound basic and common sense but from the short time I've been here I've seen a fair few people complain of bricking their phone just because they didn't follow directions that were pretty clear from the onset.
Enjoy!
how to flash
im looking around the forums so, i copied this from the darky rom post:
HOW TO FLASH
1. Place the ROM on the root of your SD card.
2. Backup your apps using Titanium Backup.
3. Open ROM Manager (Downloadable from the market)
4. Choose "Install ROM from SD card". If after you flash and you have problems like force closes and you can't receive calls, wipe data/cache.
5. Let the phone sit for 5-10 minutes after booting.
6. Have fun!
is that all u have to do? no holding buttons and booting into some menu?
also will these roms work for 2.1 rogers version captivate? Because i checked on the wiki for the captivate rogers version and it said something about "optionally change the model in the update-script from SGH-i897 to SGH-i896"
I'm not the best person to ask about this unfortunately but from what I've read this is definitely one way to flash a new rom. Whether you're currently on 2.1 seems to be irrelevant as the rom will act as your new version of Android as it were.
A few things I've read, make sure you have access to both recovery and download modes, if anything happens you'll probably need to flash back with Odin so learn more about that before you proceed.
Best to start here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884364
And finish by reading the remaining stickies and make sure of any special instructions for whatever rom you want to install.
I haven't flashed because, and this sounds strange, I don't actually have access to a computer at my house so I can't use Odin as easily to fix any issues that might occur so I haven't tried yet.
I'll step out and let someone else handle your flashing questions.
If you read the Q&A sticky it would've answered your questions.
I have a Sprint HTC hero with original everything.
I've been wanting to do a mod but that brings up a few questions.
1) A lot of places say the CM7 mod from here is great for this phone but I clicked around and can't find a list of things it changes/improves. Why would I install a mod and will most things continue to work (market places, email, phone utilities, purchased apps).
2) All roms have those warnings that they void warranty. How often do they brick the device? Is this something I should worry about?
Sorry for the noobish questions but I am looking towards modding the hero but I want to make sure I don't make it worse.
1.) well basically MOD's are roms that people cook themselves from the scratch android or from a base like for example the DesireHD android base. They can do things varying from the look and feel of android to adding elements like being able to browse Privately on your browsers. i know that CM7 allows you to do that. Being able to flash different roms opens up a even bigger Android World.
2.) I have been flashing back and forth for a long time and not once have i bricked the device. Besides not like a little system restore wont fix anything. Also if you happen to send you device into maintenance or repair just restore you phone back to factory settings. All of it is reversible. When i first started out it helped me to really read NOOB forums so i didn't do something i would regret, but you should have nothing to really worry about.
reply from a still nearly noob, although i read alot about roms already and flashed my sgs2. ill just attemt to help you a little here.
1) i now flashed lite'ning rom on my phone as there is no cm7 for it yet. once realeased i will also flash it as i also read that it is the most widely used rom with best support. within a thread of the specific rom there should be a list of improvements/major changes or what will be added if you flash the rom. these and mostly more battery life and/or more speed are the reasons people flash roms. after flashing the phone you will have all the things still working, sometimes even better. for apps it depends on the rom. mine for example didnt require a wipe that delets all you data on the phone. others (as i think cm7 also) require a wipe of all you on-phone personal data apps and so on (not sd card if im not mistaken, please correct me!)
2)yes, you void warranty if you flash a custom rom, root or do sth else on the firmware not published by the manufacturer. when i flashed and overflashed my phones rom for several time already i haven't had any problems. and as i read all over the net/xda there is just a very little chance to brick your phone and even there you might have possibilities to revive it, i think. but im not sure on this, cosider others informations first!
hope i could help you a little from noob to noob and enjoy flashing roms. oh and of course have a look in the htc hero android development section for roms!
cheers!
IQHU
Damn - too late, and didnt recognize until now...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Go to this thread and start reading some of the linked threads. All your answers can be found there.
sorry i searched a lot but couldn' find help as info is sprayed out.
I want to flash a custom rom (zip). my device is rooted, have Odin mobile.
what to save/backup and how ?
what to wipe ? how to ?
then how to flash the rom ?
thx a lot, i'm a big noob on android, i'm from IOS
I am also a newcomer to custom ROMS and would like to try an alternative ROM/Kernel - but I would like to be able to do a complete backup so I could restore the phone to how it is at the moment - just in case!
I am now very confused as I don't really understand what the difference is between a ROM and a Kernel. Some posts say don't use ODIN whilst posts like the previous one seem to be using it. I have also read concerns about "Radio" versions and concerns about the "flash counter". I thought Nandroid was for backup/restore so what is the difference between it and CWM? What is "Busybox" and why do many posts mention it?
Multiple ROMS/Kernels seem to appear everyday and when I try to find a guide for Noobs like myself, they seem to have been posted some time ago and later events and software make me doubt that I could restore if I wanted to.
If I understand correctly, I could do a simple ROOT and then install CWM (ClockWorkMod) to make a complete backup - but I don't know if that is correct.
Then I read about critical memory areas that could be corrupted that contain encrypted phone data unique to my phone (IMEI number etc.) and that by rooting I could brick my phone!
It seems a shame that expert devs are doing things that some of us Noobs would like to try but they seem to forget that some of us are at the start of a steep learning curve when it comes to rooting and installing custom roms or Kernels.
Is there an up to date step by step guide for Noobs like me that explains things in simple language?
UPDATE Well I took the plunge after reading the AndroidNZ guide at http://www.androidnz.net/2011/11/at-your-own-risk-video-guide-for-new.html and the Chainfire thread at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=19030747#post19030747 I have now rooted my Note, made a backup and installed the Titanium Backup app (pro) from the market. Hopefully all is now backed up for experimentation!
htc6500uk said:
I am also a newcomer to custom ROMS and would like to try an alternative ROM/Kernel - but I would like to be able to do a complete backup so I could restore the phone to how it is at the moment - just in case!
I am now very confused as I don't really understand what the difference is between a ROM and a Kernel. Some posts say don't use ODIN whilst posts like the previous one seem to be using it. I have also read concerns about "Radio" versions and concerns about the "flash counter". I thought Nandroid was for backup/restore so what is the difference between it and CWM? What is "Busybox" and why do many posts mention it?
Multiple ROMS/Kernels seem to appear everyday and when I try to find a guide for Noobs like myself, they seem to have been posted some time ago and later events and software make me doubt that I could restore if I wanted to.
If I understand correctly, I could do a simple ROOT and then install CWM (ClockWorkMod) to make a complete backup - but I don't know if that is correct.
Then I read about critical memory areas that could be corrupted that contain encrypted phone data unique to my phone (IMEI number etc.) and that by rooting I could brick my phone!
It seems a shame that expert devs are doing things that some of us Noobs would like to try but they seem to forget that some of us are at the start of a steep learning curve when it comes to rooting and installing custom roms or Kernels.
Is there an up to date step by step guide for Noobs like me that explains things in simple language?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a newbie at this area too. However, through some tough adaptation to this "expert" environment, my note is running custom ROM with custom kernel now. It's been tough, but it was fun
I have had my Bionic for a while now and have been thinking about rooting it. I finally got the ICS update but have been using GO Launcher too much to even notice it. Anyway, like I said, I want to root my phone. I am current on all updates. For some reason it's running at a tenth of it's memory tho not much is running that I can see. This leads me to believe there's things running in the background that I can not see. I am reluctant to get rid of all my apps, but I also don't want anything that's eating all my resources either. I kinda want to start new but kinda don't. I guess I just don't like letting go of anything.
I know this is selfish of me, but I am hoping that this thread will stay clean of others chiming in asking about their issues. I just don't want the thread to lose focus since this is about what I hope to get from my phone.
Ok, so here are my questions or favors to ask:
Since my phone is fully updated, do I need to do some other updated steps for rooting my phone or is rooting always the same no matter the build or version?
When I go to root my phone, I back up everything first and then I get it back, right?
I read somewhere that it's possible to brick the phone. What precautions should I take to avoid that?
Can I get all the benefits of a rooted phone without a ROM?
Are ROMs really that awesome that I should get one, or three?
I am interested in a ROM after some posts and pages I read. I was attracted to CM at first but so is everyone else probably at first. Does CM even work on the Bionic? And if it does, does everything work like the camera and Bluetooth?
As I said earlier, I use GO Launcher. One of the things I really like about it is the folders I can make in the App Drawer. Now CM is based off of ADW Launcher, but no options to make folders in the app drawer? Is it possible in any way if I choose CM as my main ROM?
Is CM overrated? Liberty and Eclipse look nice too. I also read a little, very little, about AOKP. Any suggestions? I want to get rid of a lot of extra processes and bloatware but I don't want to lose some of the apps pre-installed like Google Maps and Navigation, etc. Unless there are other, much better replacements that anyone knows of.
I know most of this is personal preference but I am hoping to find a comprehensive way at figuring out what's best for me.
I had more questions but I will wait and ask more as the thread continues.
Oh, I don't really need answers in step by step unless I ask. A simple link would suffice unless it's not covered anywhere.
Thanks for reading this, I hope I am not frustrating anyone as I am sure similar posts have been made.
You're basically asking to have this entire forum summarized into one post...
Spend some time reading, then ask smaller, more concise questions.
Not trying to sound like a ****, but i could spend an hour answering all of that. Half of those questions could be answered with some reading of the ROM specific threads.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
Ok, I know that SOME of the questions are answered somewhere else. The thing is that after I read one thread only to find it unsolved, I read others that are are 50 pages long going nowhere as well. I haven't seen anything about my phone being fully updated and I am not going any further until I know for sure from someone like a DEV that I can.
Some of these questions are yes/no questions, which wouldn't take long at all to answer, maybe even less time it takes to write a complaint about my post. I certainly don't expect one person to write for an hour on every topic I asked about. I thought it would be a collective effort.
I guess I will take this slowly.
Since my Droid Bionic is updated to the current versions, do I need to do this differently than others have used in the past to root this phone?
Where is the best method to do this?
Before I start, I have to backup everything, right? If so, what's the best way to go about backing up everything?
I read somewhere that there are 3 things you should do to make sure you avoid bricking. I have since lost it. Does anybody know a surefire way to do this.
Please be gentle.
CycoPuppet said:
Ok, I know that SOME of the questions are answered somewhere else. The thing is that after I read one thread only to find it unsolved, I read others that are are 50 pages long going nowhere as well. I haven't seen anything about my phone being fully updated and I am not going any further until I know for sure from someone like a DEV that I can.
Some of these questions are yes/no questions, which wouldn't take long at all to answer, maybe even less time it takes to write a complaint about my post. I certainly don't expect one person to write for an hour on every topic I asked about. I thought it would be a collective effort.
I guess I will take this slowly.
Since my Droid Bionic is updated to the current versions, do I need to do this differently than others have used in the past to root this phone?
Where is the best method to do this?
Before I start, I have to backup everything, right? If so, what's the best way to go about backing up everything?
I read somewhere that there are 3 things you should do to make sure you avoid bricking. I have since lost it. Does anybody know a surefire way to do this.
Please be gentle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st question . No, your phone is not special since it is updated what worked for others will work for you.
2nd follow this link and the instructions to the letter http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/4026-samurihls-house-of-bionic/
3rd . Since you are stock. I would suggest using Verizon's back up services. TiBu requires root. IMHO I wouldn't bother because Google automatically backs up contacts and most roms require you to do a full data wipe.
There is no magic formula to keep from bricking your phone. Just follow directions and if you can't tolerate the risk don't do it.
From my EVOLVED bionic
Obsidian_soul said:
1st question . No, your phone is not special since it is updated what worked for others will work for you.
2nd follow this link and the instructions to the letter Can not post links
3rd . Since you are stock. I would suggest using Verizon's back up services. TiBu requires root. IMHO I wouldn't bother because Google automatically backs up contacts and most roms require you to do a full data wipe.
There is no magic formula to keep from bricking your phone. Just follow directions and if you can't tolerate the risk don't do it.
From my EVOLVED bionic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That link no longer works
Also I found an article named "Learn How-To Root, Custom Recovery, Backup, And De-Bloat Your DROID BIONIC" while searching around for ROM ideas and such. Anyway, after reading this, it almost seems as if I don't need to do factory reset. Is this ok?
CycoPuppet said:
That link no longer works
Also I found an article named "Learn How-To Root, Custom Recovery, Backup, And De-Bloat Your DROID BIONIC" while searching around for ROM ideas and such. Anyway, after reading this, it almost seems as if I don't need to do factory reset. Is this ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just last week I started with a stock ICS Bionic and followed this guide to root: http://droidbionicroot.com/droid-bionic-root/how-to-root-ics-on-droid-bionic-and-motorola-android/
That went very well. I wanted to try out JB 4.2.2, so I installed SafeStrap and an official CM 10.1 nightly. The net result was that I had a very unstable phone until I did a factory reset . As of this writing, however, it's behaving extremely well. YMMV.
Ratamacue said:
Just last week I started with a stock ICS Bionic and followed this guide to root: Can not post links
That went very well. I wanted to try out JB 4.2.2, so I installed SafeStrap and an official CM 10.1 nightly. The net result was that I had a very unstable phone until I did a factory reset . As of this writing, however, it's behaving extremely well. YMMV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so you flashed the ROM, didn't work so well, then you did a factory reset. Doesn't a factory reset wipe the phone? If that's the case, doesn't it wipe out the ROM?
Oh one more thing. Following this link, does this wipe the data from my phone? Anything I should back up before doing this? Should I do any updates before flashing CM 10?
CycoPuppet said:
Ok, so you flashed the ROM, didn't work so well, then you did a factory reset. Doesn't a factory reset wipe the phone? If that's the case, doesn't it wipe out the ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, a factory data reset doesn't wipe the ROM, but it does require running the initial setup (as if you were setting up a brand new phone).
CycoPuppet said:
...one more thing. Following this link, does this wipe the data from my phone? Anything I should back up before doing this? Should I do any updates before flashing CM 10?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You definitely want to back up everything you're not willing to lose. I ran a backup the very first thing after installing SafeStrap, and it was a good thing because with all my messing around I managed to bork my stock ROM to the point that it wouldn't boot. Fortunately, all I had to do was restore it from a backup.
My phone on CM 10.1 had enough issues with freezing and crashing that I decided this morning to try a different ROM. So far, I've had really good results with Icarus HD (a custom ICS ROM). I really don't know if my experience with CM 10.1 was typical.
OK, so I want to root. Now does rooting wipe any data? Regarding Safestrap, I install that first before rooting?
Rooting doesn't wipe any data. Root first, then install SafeStrap.
Okay, I will be rooting and installing safestrap when I get home for work today. I will still have more questions I am sure. I do have a few before I actually start rooting or right after.
I know safestrap makes a backup/recovory, but is it full recovery only or can I recover portions, like say my Dolphin browser with the settings and bookmarks?
I read that when making a backup of stock ROM, use sdcard, I'm sure that means external but when flashing a ROM, will that wipe data from the external card?
When setting up slots for multi booting ROMs, gernally how much storage do they need?
If I have two different ROMs, does it act like user accounts in Windows, would I have to download the same app on each ROM or do both ROMs have access?
Can one ROM have stuff I don't want the other ROM to have visible?
CycoPuppet said:
I know safestrap makes a backup/recovory, but is it full recovery only or can I recover portions, like say my Dolphin browser with the settings and bookmarks?
I read that when making a backup of stock ROM, use sdcard, I'm sure that means external but when flashing a ROM, will that wipe data from the external card?
When setting up slots for multi booting ROMs, gernally how much storage do they need?
If I have two different ROMs, does it act like user accounts in Windows, would I have to download the same app on each ROM or do both ROMs have access?
Can one ROM have stuff I don't want the other ROM to have visible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. SafeStrap is full recovery only. Use Titanium Backup for backing up apps and data.
2. Flashing a ROM won't do anything to your external SD card.
3. When you set up ROM slots, you'll be asked how much room you'd like to allocate for data. The choices are 1, 2, or 3 GB. I started off allocating 3 GB to the stock ROM slot and was never able to load more than 3 separate ROMs before I ran out of room. I'd start with just using 1 GB for data.
4. Each ROM is an island. You have to download the apps separately (unless when you go through the initial setup you tell the system to restore apps and settings from the Google servers.)
Cool. I rooted and got safestrap but it's version 3.05 and not 3.11. Some ROM I was interested in said must have 3.11, which I am assuming that's the newest one so far. I did watch a tutorial about getting the current version, so no question there.
So the ROMs are separate islands and during flashing they can be in slots allocated up to 3GB. Does that mean that's the only amount of storage I can have when running that ROM? Say I like taking lots of photos and didn't save them to my external card, could I essentially run out of space or is the storage allocation just for the ROM itself and any updates it may have?
Sorry about these series of questions, just want to make sure I am doing it correctly in case I might make a mistake for future's sake.
The storage allocation is for the ROM, apps, and data that haven't been assigned to the external SD card. You can definitely run out of space if you load several ROMs and don't save any of your data to the external SD card.
Also, keep in mind that when VZW sends the OTA update to 4.1 next week, the only way to keep root is to root in ICS and use Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper to protect root before you take the OTA. If you flash the system image, you will lose root, and there is no known working root exploit for the Bionic JB release.
Lost Root
Hey, I used Voodoo before flashing the 4.1 update, but forgot to update the binary beforehand, and therefore lost root. Anyone have any luck yet with an exploit for the OTA?
And there's no working FXZ before this now, correct? This software is now the earliest version I can FXZ to?
auglove3rd said:
Hey, I used Voodoo before flashing the 4.1 update, but forgot to update the binary beforehand, and therefore lost root. Anyone have any luck yet with an exploit for the OTA?
And there's no working FXZ before this now, correct? This software is now the earliest version I can FXZ to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not root exploit yet for bionic JB. And if you try to FXZ back to an earlier version, you will brick your phone.
OK, so I rooted, got safestrap tho still not updated to 3.11, got TBU (free), got Voodoo. I had to race the clock today cuz it was updating android, or at least downloading the update. The root process I used gave me SuperSU and didn't tell me the version for the SU binaries. I searched around and all I could find was info on SuperUser in regards to backing up root. I uninstalled SuperSU, kinda. I just told it to use a different SU cuz when I used SuperUser and updated the binaries, SuperSU wanted to update them, then I opened SuperUser and the binaries reverted back. I was worried so I just told SuperSU to use a different SU. Was that ok? I didn't update to JB yet. Has there been luck with the Bionic using voodoo and keeping root after the JB update?
All this back and forth means I'm making a full image backup, then trying various ROMs. I've tried CM10.1, too many issues (no car dock, trouble installing lots of apps, no speakerphone). Next is... Whizzed Bean?
EDIT: Seems Speakerphone issue was fixed in the 0420 nightly. Will have to try it again.
AND I copied all the backups to my PC, so I can restore them at will (provided the phone still boots, that is... )
If I can't find a JB ROM I like I guess I can do HouseofBionic reflash (which did NOT cause me to lose data, as I upgraded to ICS that way) then allow the JB OTA to go through.
*sigh*... So much bull**** in these updates.
Hope someone sees my question above. I still haven't updated to JB yet. Once I do I will be flashing ROMs. I am interested in CM, Liquid Smooth, Icarus Hd and Wizzed Bean or Synergy (executioner ) Both WB and Synergy look indentical. What is the differences.
CycoPuppet said:
Hope someone sees my question above. I still haven't updated to JB yet. Once I do I will be flashing ROMs. I am interested in CM, Liquid Smooth, Icarus Hd and Wizzed Bean or Synergy (executioner ) Both WB and Synergy look indentical. What is the differences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WB is a fork of CNA (codename Android) 4.1 JB (which is itself based on AOSP)
while Synergy is a fork of the standard Moto ICS (.246).
Yes, they look identical because they both used the Samsung UI elements.