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I'm as green as it gets when it comes to Andriod and all of these custom roms for it and the phones. I am extremely technical, senior dev for 10 years. I know a bit of *nix as well, so command shells aren't new to me and the concept of mounting. I've loaded lots of ROMs (and donated!) on my Windows Mobile device (Touch Pro), so that I have licked fine. Just, now I have an andriod device...
But for the like of me, I am having a hard time finding simple basic instructions on how to load a ROM. All I see are things like "boot to RA". Yes, I've searched and searched with VBulletin's limited forum search (used google to crawl the site too, nada).
What does "RA" mean, and how to do I get to it? LOL See my delima! Does it mean "Root Access", and does that mean I have to root my phone (I am assuming that?). Just don't want to brick my brand new phone!
I just picked up a Sprint Hero and want to load Fresh ROM on it. I have not even activated it!
OS is: 2.27.651.5 I assume this is the "2.1" that people are talking about?
So, if this is the 2.1... Does that mean I cannot root it? And therefore, I cannot load any custom ROM on it?
For example, here are the instructions to load Fresh ROM (and my questions):
•Download and copy the zip to the root of your sdcard
Ok, no problem. The zip is on my flash card. But, do I need to expand it?
•Reboot to RA and do a data wipe / factory reset (REQUIRED)
Again, Reboot to... "RA" what? Root Access?
Also, in the rooting instructions, I don't see anything about "data wipe / factory reset" from whatever this "RA" is.
•You may also need to wipe sd:ext if you are having troubles booting.
How do I do that?
•If you are running Fresh Toast and ext4 then you’ll need to partition back to ext3 if you want to use apps2sd
Say what? How do partition, ext3? ext4? What are those? apps2sd?
Yeah, very new...
The rest of the instructions seem easy enough.
Thanks in advance guys!
You need to root your phone first.
After that the RA everyone is talking about is rebooting into recovery. If you have the android sdk loaded you can send a command like adb reboot recovery or you could also turn on the phone while holding the home button. Then you can do all the wiping and loading of ROMS(just make sure they are for a CDMA hero)
You will need to go into settings -> About phone -> Software Information and look at your firmware version. If it is 2.1 then you can't do anything until an exploit is found. If you are 1.5 then you can root your phone. The easiest way is with fresh kitchen. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=655225
Thank you centran! Fresh Kitchen looks super clean. I'll give that a shot (when I can...).
Humm. The phone came with 2.1-update1 as the firmware.
So I guess that means I am SOL?
yep. sorry
Is there a way to use the normal HTC Utility and flash the ROM to an older version? Sprint has pulled the older versions of the ROM from the site. But, I am sure there's one floating around here somewhere.
Thanks again!
Nope, HBOOT fails to flash, and even though we maanged to bypass HBOOT, main version check still fails.
Looking forward to the hack when it's accomplished! Thanks!
Hahahaha... And as soon as I give up hope, handed it to the wife and said, "Sorry, we can't hack it at this time", I see on xda's homepage that the Hero 2.1-update1 has been rooted!!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=694572
Now, does this mean I can snag any of the custom ROMs here and slap it on it? Or, do I need to/should wait for an RUU-hacked version?
Yep, just Root it and then flash away. No need to wait for anything.
Thanks again for the reply!
Hi guys I just recently did the "How to Root Sprint 2.1 Release for CDMA Hero" in the developers area and I need help choosing rom. I mostly use my phone to surf the net/update my FB/ check my gmail/ download music from music junk etc. I want to be able to do everything I normally do on a normal 2.1 updated hero minus the usesless nascar apps/footprints etc. I want to be able to have live wallpaper and be able to tether as well as save apps to my SD card.
Can you guys suggest me at least 3 separate roms that will allow me to do this? Each one I click seems tempting and really considering giving them a shot. I hear everyone saying do a NANDROID backup what is that exactly? Where do I go to see how to do this? I definitely need help. I also want to know how can I go back to my stock 2.1 sprint rom if in the end I just don't end up liking any of these modified roms (doubt it). I will try and keep browing and reading. Thanks guys for helping me out.
Try them all. It's the only way.
But how it's my question I don't see tutorials...I just wanna make sure I don't f up my phone. i have insurance but still i'm cautious about it. I was thinking this one
ALOYSIUS 2.1
Crown510 said:
But how it's my question I don't see tutorials...I just wanna make sure I don't f up my phone. i have insurance but still i'm cautious about it. I was thinking this one
ALOYSIUS 2.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just responded to your PM
I used the 1.5 Versions of Aloysius, it was good. Haven't tried the 2.1 versions.
Crown510 said:
I want to be able to do everything I normally do on a normal 2.1 updated hero minus the usesless...apps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question is, do you like Sense? If not, go for DarchDroid. (Unless you use MMS, then go for Ic3Rom). If you like sense, go for DamageControl.
Damagecontrol is a great Rom. Very stable and has built in UI program for disabling Sprint apps, launcher, live wallpaper or even sense all together. There's also apps2sd, JIT compiling, memkiller adjustments, dalvik to SD and swapping options. Just be cautious you don't change a setting without prior research to see what effects it will have on your system. I've been on DC for about a month now and can say this Rom is killer.
And as ALWAYS...do a nandroid backup before making any changes.
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Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
To do a nandroid you will need a program that can flash a recovery image (allows you to boot up your phone without your OS). I have ROM Manager. But there are others. Once you have flashed a recovery image, backup your OS. This will do a complete backup of your device, so you can always restore where you previously were. I would also recommend making a copy of your backup to your computer HD for safe keeping. Android Police has a couple excellent tutorials on accomplishing this.
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Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
Personally, I recommend Fresh. Simple, it's got everything you need, and it just seems to work better than DC on my device. DC had some issues with su and felt slow to me.
Hey all,
So I'm am effing fed UP with Samsung. My Captivate is a hardware powerhouse, and with the stock Eclair firmware and all their bloatware, it's laggy, bogged down, and just not the device I wish it was. And with the talks that the Galaxy S phones are virtually unbrickable, I have decided to seriously consider ROOTing my phone and flashing the Cognition 3.02 ROM. I have watched a lot of videos, done my research, but I still have a few lingering questions for those of you out there who have recently flashed this ROM, preferably for those of you that this is the first or near-first ROM you've flashed. I know how the process works, but some specifics are bugging me and holding me back.
Ok, so I've listed some of my major questions below. Feel free to answer some or all of them if you've got the time, or DM me if that's easier. lf I think of any other Qs I have I'll post them in subsequent replies.
1. First and foremost, what process did you use to root and flash cognition on your Captivate? I've been looking at the MobileTechVideos three part tutorial on youtube which most people seem to recommend. Is this what you used? Was it as easy as simply following the instructions word-for-word? Did you run into any problems along the way?
2. I know to use Titanium Backup to backup my apps and stuff, but I've read a lot of places that I should only use it to restore those apps, and not to backup and restore user data like settings and contacts. How did you do it? My major concerns are about my contacts/phone book, which I have synced to my google account, but I also have syncs to my facebook and twitter accounts, and my phonebook is nicely linked and everything across all three. I'm afraid to forfeit this organization, so I just want to know that I'll be able to get everything back the way it was without too much trouble. I know you can export your contacts to your SD cards, and I could presumably import them from their after flashing, but I just want to be clear on how that all works.
3. Do you use your phone as a digital music player? I do, and I use iSyncr to sync it to my iTunes. If you do as well, did flashing screw any of this up? Playlists, etc? Will I need to re-sync or will it all be there once the phone scans my external SD (which wont be wiped since I'll remove it beforehand)?
4. In your first few days of use, what are the biggest improvements you see in the Cognition ROM as far as daily use is concerned over the stock firmware? Any problems you've come across? What's the selling points here, in layman's terms.
5. Do you have any regrets about flashing?
Thanks guys, and any other advice you think would be helpful that wouldn't come under any of the questions would also be GREATLY appreciated.
4. No problems for me. Phone is smoother and faster now.
5. Not at all.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
1. manually rooting is overrated. most, if not all, custom roms automatically root your phone for you, so there really is no need for you to do it yourself. except the first time: root your phone using the one click since it's simple, grab rom manager from the market and use it to download an update.zip containing clockworkmod recovery for the captivate and leave that update.zip on your phone and never change it or delete it. it makes flashing new roms so much easier and there is really no need to ever remove or change it. boot into recovery, reinstall packages twice, install zip from sd card, and pick your rom. also, you will never need to use rom manager again unless you lose that update.zip.
2. I use titanium backup in batch mode (hit the menu softkey and hit batch). click backup all user apps and system data, but uncheck everything that is in red text, therefore backing up only things in green text (useful system settings, contacts, calendar, messages, etc) and white text (user installed apps). then run batch operation. install new rom, use batch to restore all missing apps and system data. to re-backup newer settings, app data, or updated apps, use backup all new apps and newer versions, and then either redo old backups or forced redo of all backups.
3. yes, but I just copy and paste my music files over instead of syncing them. also your internal sd is never wiped unless you use master clear on odin, which I have never done, nor do i ever wish to, because in my opinion there is no reason to. therefore both your playlists and your music would not be wiped whether you put them on the internal or external sd. (unless of course, you decide to use master clear)
4 & 5. I agree with faroid.
Be sure you have the correct odin set up and recognizing your phone on your pc. Eventually you will need to use it for one reason or another. The most common is the odin3 one click jf6 but some newer builds cannot be flashed to firmware older than jh2.
1. To root i use one click root/ unroot vary simple plug in and press root then install clockwork recovery from the market its free with clockwork recovery you can flash your cognition
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
4. The best thing is froyo 2.2 then lagfixes and overclocking
5.no regrets, expect when i bricked my phone but the jig method fixed that
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
yokozuna82 said:
4. The best thing is froyo 2.2 then lagfixes and overclocking
5.no regrets, expect when i bricked my phone but the jig method fixed that
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you use the full MobileTechVideos method when your phone got bricked? Or did you flash without reflashing to stock and wiping everything?
newter55 said:
Be sure you have the correct odin set up and recognizing your phone on your pc. Eventually you will need to use it for one reason or another. The most common is the odin3 one click jf6 but some newer builds cannot be flashed to firmware older than jh2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how do I know which one I should use? Is it based on the ROM I flash, or my hardware (Captivate)?
Which odin stock firmware is based on the build (four digit number under battery such as 1006) and what version your phone came with when new, such as jf6 or jh7.
newter55 said:
Which odin stock firmware is based on the build (four digit number under battery such as 1006) and what version your phone came with when new, such as jf6 or jh7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you by chance know which one I'd need off hand? I'm at work and don't feel like pulling my phone apart, but I can tell you that I bought my Captivate the day it came out, so presumably it came with the oldest firmware the Captivate ever came packaged with.
1. No need to root. That's an extra step you don't need. My method, get the update.zip for clockwork mod, just search the Dev section, no need to even install Rom Manager or anything. Take that update.zip and put it on the root of your internal SDcard (just the normal phone storage, not an external SD. Then using adb or button method reboot into recovery, choose reinstall packages. The phone reboots into stock recovery. Choose reinstall packages again and this time you get Clockwork. Wipe data, install zip from SD, choose zip file, pick Cog, install and done.
2. I use titanium for user apps only, ie, things I got from market. All my contacts are synced with google, so once I add my google info under accounts they are back. Sorry, i don't mess with facebook or twitter so i can't answer that. As far as settings, you just have to manually do that, ie, ringtones, wireless networks, etc.
3. Yes I do. And I also use iSyncr. No problems whatsoever. As long as you don't do a MasterClear. That option under Odin will wipe your internal SDcard also. The Wipe Data under Clockwork recovery just wipes out installed apps and settings but leaves your internal SD intact.
4. Honestly, it's just a much better experience overall. The phone is faster, smoother, and more responsive. Plus DG has taken the liberty of removing all the ATT crap and un-needed apps.
5. Not one.
My only advice would be to "be prepared". My sure you have button recovery available ahead of time. Check your Rev version of phone, ie, the date under the battery. It seems newer Revs require a different version of stock Odin One-click. Some people have had issues running the original One-click. If you have any doubts about your phones ability to go to download mode, in case you need to go back to stock, spend the $1 on building a USB Jig.
You will find that flashing is easy. Recovering from unexpected errors can be easy if you are prepared.
bobbylx said:
1. No need to root. That's an extra step you don't need. My method, get the update.zip for clockwork mod, just search the Dev section, no need to even install Rom Manager or anything. Take that update.zip and put it on the root of your internal SDcard (just the normal phone storage, not an external SD. Then using adb or button method reboot into recovery, choose reinstall packages. The phone reboots into stock recovery. Choose reinstall packages again and this time you get Clockwork. Wipe data, install zip from SD, choose zip file, pick Cog, install and done.
2. I use titanium for user apps only, ie, things I got from market. All my contacts are synced with google, so once I add my google info under accounts they are back. Sorry, i don't mess with facebook or twitter so i can't answer that. As far as settings, you just have to manually do that, ie, ringtones, wireless networks, etc.
3. Yes I do. And I also use iSyncr. No problems whatsoever. As long as you don't do a MasterClear. That option under Odin will wipe your internal SDcard also. The Wipe Data under Clockwork recovery just wipes out installed apps and settings but leaves your internal SD intact.
4. Honestly, it's just a much better experience overall. The phone is faster, smoother, and more responsive. Plus DG has taken the liberty of removing all the ATT crap and un-needed apps.
5. Not one.
My only advice would be to "be prepared". My sure you have button recovery available ahead of time. Check your Rev version of phone, ie, the date under the battery. It seems newer Revs require a different version of stock Odin One-click. Some people have had issues running the original One-click. If you have any doubts about your phones ability to go to download mode, in case you need to go back to stock, spend the $1 on building a USB Jig.
You will find that flashing is easy. Recovering from unexpected errors can be easy if you are prepared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do I not need to be rooted to use Ti-BU? I thought I saw that under the product description in the marketplace.
Also, under #1, when you say "Wipe Data" you are referring to an option in the Clockwork Recovery menu, not an Odin MasterClear, right? Will this wipe my internal SD?
If you got the phone on release you likely have a 1006 build with working 3 button recovery and can safely use the odin3 one click jf6.
Sent from my Liquid Metal using XDA App
TiBu needs root. I rooted using one click, then backed up user apps and data (used built in contact export to save contacts and smsbackup for texts).
Then I just ran the update.zip for CWR and flashed Cog - was my first flash too and pretty painless. TiBu returns your apps as if you never changed them.
Make sure you can access recovery and dl mode though.
GerStud101 said:
So do I not need to be rooted to use Ti-BU? I thought I saw that under the product description in the marketplace.
Also, under #1, when you say "Wipe Data" you are referring to an option in the Clockwork Recovery menu, not an Odin MasterClear, right? Will this wipe my internal SD?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, forgot you would want to backup before installing a new ROM. Yes, to use Tibu on your current ROM you will need root.
As for wipe data, yes it's a clockwork option. Like I said in #3 wipe data just removes user installed apps, and changes all settings to stock, but all data on your internal store will stay there, pics, music, etc.
Master Clear is the Odin option, which I never use by the way, that will completely delete everything on your internal SD, bye bye music, pics, etc.
This is all EXTREMELY helpful by the way.
Quick question about USB Jigs--is it easy to build one myself or should I splurge on the ~$15 one MobileTechVideos sells? There's seems pretty fancy, and I can't afford to be phoneless as I putz around trying to jimmy myself a jig.
I can't speak from experience but there's a thread here in QA that makes it seem easy. Just get 3 x 100kohm resistors, wire them in series, twist it to look like a horseshoe, there you go. If you have a radioshack or other electronics store near you it's worth a shot. Like I said, I think all 3 resistors cost may $1 total. You can also test it on your phone to make sure. Touch the jig to the 2 leads, if it goes into download mode instantly you did it right. Pull battery and reboot and all is well.
Edit. Jig link,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=889128
bobbylx said:
I can't speak from experience but there's a thread here in QA that makes it seem easy. Just get 3 x 100kohm resistors, wire them in series, twist it to look like a horseshoe, there you go. If you have a radioshack or other electronics store near you it's worth a shot. Like I said, I think all 3 resistors cost may $1 total. You can also test it on your phone to make sure. Touch the jig to the 2 leads, if it goes into download mode instantly you did it right. Pull battery and reboot and all is well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I saw that thread, I'll have to try my hand at it before I do this process. Better safe than sorry. Thanks.
Ok, so, the plan = build working jig and DL proper Odin just in case, one-click root, Ti-BU, move clockwork update.zip and cognition zips to my root folder, reboot in recovery, reinstall packages/flash clockwork, then wipe and flash cognition. This sound correct?
That sounds about right. Really the only thing different i do is on the root of my storage I create folders for ROMs. So I have a Cog folder with the rom in it. Once you have Clockwork installed and you are choosing to flash, it will let you navigate to different folders. That's just my preference because I don't like to have too many individual files on my SD. Minor thing, just thought I would mention it.
bobbylx said:
That sounds about right. Really the only thing different i do is on the root of my storage I create folders for ROMs. So I have a Cog folder with the rom in it. Once you have Clockwork installed and you are choosing to flash, it will let you navigate to different folders. That's just my preference because I don't like to have too many individual files on my SD. Minor thing, just thought I would mention it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, appreciate the advice; I like a little organization in my life as well.
Sounds like you've flashed a few different ROMs. Have you ever bricked your phone to the point where you needed a jig? Or has it always been smooth sailing?
I guess I'm just trying to figure out why one person's phone would brick and anothers wouldnt. It kind of makes me assume that if you brick your phone, you've done something wrong, and if you just do the process right, everything should go smoothly. But maybe that's naive of me.
i downloaded and have been running asops 2.2 rom but i just changed my phone number with sprint and I cant figure out how to update the msid. obviously sprint cant help me since im not using stock rom. anyone know where to look or an app i can download, because under settings: about phone: phone status: shows my old phone number, and i cant make calls or send msgs because of it.
they kept giving me ## codes but they wont work it just tries to dial the number.
Sorry woulda responded sooner, been busy. You need to flash a sense rom to use dialer codes our have sprint modify the phone or account info tied to it.
ugh... ok can you recommend a quick and simple rom so i can do that real quick
hate flashing it takes forever without a highspeed usb. anyways, downloading a sense rom now. thanks
arrg! ok i downloaded and flashed over to herocs 2.2 sense rom, tried doing the ## codes and nothing happens.
anyone??? im kinda screwed here.. cant use my phone until i get the prl updated
If all you need to do is update prl, and you have a sense rom flashed, you can do that from phone settings. I believe it is under "about phone".
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Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Ginger-on-Hero action here!
user7618 said:
If all you need to do is update prl, and you have a sense rom flashed, you can do that from phone settings. I believe it is under "about phone".
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Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Ginger-on-Hero action here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it should be, but its not. under about phone, this is what i have :
network
phone identity (no update option)
battery
hardware information
software information
legal information
MyHerox25 said:
it should be, but its not. under about phone, this is what i have :
network
phone identity (no update option)
battery
hardware information
software information
legal information
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use LiquidSense to update it.
what is liquidsense?
this is the rom i flashed to for temporary purposes
It is a 2.1 Sense ROM that can be found in the Development section.
well i guess no need to worry about this anymore, the charging dock on my phone is now broken or something because nothing will charge my phone.
Try a different battery. Or a different usb cable.
Root/Hack-Mod_Always*
ok i was in panic mode earlier being without my phone and all...
got liquidsense, updated all info. all good there. however when i flashed back to aosp rom its suddenly really glitchy, i cant get passed the "touch the android" set up screen!
attempting to reflash and see if that helps any...
nope....man this is a nightmare. btw gave thanks to everyone who replied in this post.
well... i flashed back to LS and even that one glitches out at the set up menu. so im still nowhere with my phone.
**UPDATE**
i found a backup copy of aosp rom that i originally downloaded in another folder on my sd. everything is working just fine now couldn't have done this without your help (all of you)
MyHerox25 said:
well... i flashed back to LS and even that one glitches out at the set up menu. so im still nowhere with my phone.
**UPDATE**
i found a backup copy of aosp rom that i originally downloaded in another folder on my sd. everything is working just fine now couldn't have done this without your help (all of you)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you got it up and running.
First Just for your future reference so your not crappin all over yourself.lol (Been there) If you haven't already make a nadroid of the LS Rom or sense Rom that you used.
Second,I believe alot of the people around here that flash between sense and CM and AOSP do a factory rest or wipe from fastboot(look in this guide for instructions on this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1063843 by forum memeber il Duce )the reason being is that (from what I've read) is that sense roms leave bits and pieces of files behind that can corrupt a flash,or make you phone wonky after it boots up.
P.S. If you ever have to RUU or unroot when you re-root makea nandroid of that after you root and keep it some where safe so you can go back to it.
Yes, wipe data, cache, and dalvik every time you change roms. Especially between sense and aosp. The only exception us when flashing an update to the rom you're currently running. Even then, it may require a cache and dalvik wipe. Wipes are not necessary when restoring a nand. Also, keeping a sense nand is a good idea, as out makes it quicker when prl updates are needed.
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Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Ginger-on-Hero action here!
Hello everyone,
Not quite sure where else to put this, but I can't reply in the android dev thread since I am a new member.
I flashed (using SafeStrap 3.05) the newest stable Avatar rom for D3 (using CM 10.1 and android 4.2.2 I think) and it booted ok, mostly everything seemed to work fine (except for camera but that seems to be expected) however I have absolutely no cell service. Not even just data, but the basic cell service for texts and calls isn't on. I tried doing the Verizon activation call, but it would tell me to turn airplane mode off, (which I did, but it either seemed to turn itself back on or not matter if it was on or off anyways).
Has anyone else had this problem and has a work around for it?
Thank you
apefist said:
Hello everyone,
Not quite sure where else to put this, but I can't reply in the android dev thread since I am a new member.
I flashed (using SafeStrap 3.05) the newest stable Avatar rom for D3 (using CM 10.1 and android 4.2.2 I think) and it booted ok, mostly everything seemed to work fine (except for camera but that seems to be expected) however I have absolutely no cell service. Not even just data, but the basic cell service for texts and calls isn't on. I tried doing the Verizon activation call, but it would tell me to turn airplane mode off, (which I did, but it either seemed to turn itself back on or not matter if it was on or off anyways).
Has anyone else had this problem and has a work around for it?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a sim card in the phone? This was an issue with some Jellybean/ICS roms. It happens to me as well. For some reason when placing a sim card in the phone(it doesn't need to be active) it allows your phone to get reception.
pandam00nium said:
Do you have a sim card in the phone? This was an issue with some Jellybean/ICS roms. It happens to me as well. For some reason when placing a sim card in the phone(it doesn't need to be active) it allows your phone to get reception.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
So this actually worked, thanks for the heads up!
step by step
apefist said:
Hello everyone,
Not quite sure where else to put this, but I can't reply in the android dev thread since I am a new member.
I flashed (using SafeStrap 3.05) the newest stable Avatar rom for D3 (using CM 10.1 and android 4.2.2 I think) and it booted ok, mostly everything seemed to work fine (except for camera but that seems to be expected) however I have absolutely no cell service. Not even just data, but the basic cell service for texts and calls isn't on. I tried doing the Verizon activation call, but it would tell me to turn airplane mode off, (which I did, but it either seemed to turn itself back on or not matter if it was on or off anyways).
Has anyone else had this problem and has a work around for it?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, Glad u got your issue resolved..
i am getting my first Android phone (Droid 3 XT862 Gingerbread 2.3 ) and i want to install a custom rom the same way u have..... i was wondering if you or anyone else on the forum could give me step by step guide on how to go about installing the custom rom with the ability to revert back to my original stock OS wen i need to......
i had posted a thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2378162 and i got some good advise so far:
you or anyone here could reply with the instructions i need or at least send me a link to a tutorial .... as i said this is my first Android so i really dont want to make any mistakes while doing this..
THANX MUCH !!!!!!!
Tha slayer said:
Hey, Glad u got your issue resolved..
i am getting my first Android phone (Droid 3 XT862 Gingerbread 2.3 ) and i want to install a custom rom the same way u have..... i was wondering if you or anyone else on the forum could give me step by step guide on how to go about installing the custom rom with the ability to revert back to my original stock OS wen i need to......
i had posted a thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2378162 and i got some good advise so far:
you or anyone here could reply with the instructions i need or at least send me a link to a tutorial .... as i said this is my first Android so i really dont want to make any mistakes while doing this..
THANX MUCH !!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, so this was my process.
First, I made sure that the stock software on the phone was up to date. I did this since that way if you have to go back to stock, you are on the latest version, and you can confirm that you are using the correct rooting application. The root tool I link to below will work on 5.7.906 which I believe is the latest.
Second, root your phone. You will need to go HERE to download the tool. Follow the instructions on the page, and it should go fine. The phone will reboot several times during the process, this is normal. Once the program says it is done, you can go check for the Superuser application in your app drawer (it might be SuperSU or something similar, I can't quite remember).
After you have root access on your phone download the safestrap application for Droid 3 HERE. Make sure you get the one that is specifically for Droid 3. Transfer that file (should be called Droid3Safestrap-3.05.apk) onto your phone.
There are a few ways to transfer files onto your phone. You will also need to do this later to transfer the .zip of whatever ROM you decide on). If you have a micro-sd card that you can put into your computer, that works. Or, you can have the phone on and plug it into the computer and transfer it that way. I believe you can transfer to either the micro SD or the internal memory. I prefer micro SD since you might want to wipe the internal memory to fix things or switch ROMs.
After the .apk is transferred find where you put it using a file manager (I personally use Root Explorer but I think Astro or stock will work), and install it. Go to the new app and run it and it should request root access, which you grant, and it should flash the recovery.
Once you have the recovery installed you can install whatever custom ROM you want, pretty easily. Safestrap is great because even if you screw up the ROM somehow, you can always just boot back into Stock.
Here is where you'll have to chose what custom ROM you want. Now as far as I know, the Droid 3 is fairly limited in its ROM selection. It does have a Cyanogen Mod 10 version, but it is not a stable version and in my experience, doesn't run super great. If you want to try Cyanogen Mod 10, I actually suggest you get the Avatar Rom variant HERE, but keep in mind that apparently you do need a SIM card inserted for the cell signal to work at all. Overall it did seem to run fairly choppy but they are still releasing newer nightly versions (July 20th was the last) so it might have gotten better. One thing to know about these ones is that the camera does not work at all, so if that matters to you just skip these.
Now those two (CM 10 and avatar) are ROMS that will bring the droid 3 up to Android 4.2 Jellybean. If you don't care about getting up to the latest version (Jellybean actually isn't the latest anymore but still pretty darn close), then there are a few other Gingerbread ROMS out there that work a bit better.
HERE is a list of a few other droid 3 ROMs, my favorite Gingerbread one that worked overall really well and stable was Steel Droid. Otherwise, you can just look around and see what's available or what other people are suggesting. Choose your ROM (or several, it's fairly easy to install them so try a few!), and download it. You should get a .zip that is approx. 150-170 MB in size. As an aside you will probably also want to download the corresponding GApps package HERE and put that on the SD card as well. I think some ROMs have that included, but if you boot into a room and it doesn't have the Play store installed, you need to go back into safestrap and install the GApps package over it. You don't have to delete and recreate the rom slot, just go back into install and install it over. When I say corresponding, the different packages go with different versions of Android so for example the one labelled 20110307 would go with Android 2.3.4 which is Gingerbread, the version that Steel Droid uses.
For whichever one you choose, the install process is mostly the same. Reboot your phone, and after the Motorola Logo comes up, you should see the Safestrap splash screen. To get into the recovery menu you have to hit the "Menu" soft-key (the one all the way on the left) within 10 seconds so keep an eye on it.
From the recovery menu go into "Boot Options" You should see 5 options, rom-slot 1-4 and Stock. When you want to switch what ROM you are booting you select on the corresponding slot, and hit activate, then you can reboot through the menu option and it will start that ROM.
To install you will go into "Boot Options" chose whichever rom slot you want (most likely #1). You will have to create that slot, which can take a few minutes. After the slot is created, back out of boot options, and go to "Install". Find the .zip of whichever ROM you chose, and select that to install, and then you can install the corresponding GApps package.
After the install is complete, you can reboot (make sure it says rom slot 1 is selected up to), and it should boot into the Setup process of the ROM. If you ever need to go back to stock, just reboot, go back into Safestrap > Boot options, activate the "Stock" one and boot into that.
A few notes, if you want to switch ROMs, or install multiple ROMs you can do that using the different rom slots with a few exceptions. The Cyanogen Mod 10 and the Avatar Rom (most Jelly bean ones I think) have to be installed in rom slot 1, so if you're doing those and another like Steel Droid, put the Jellybean one in rom slot 1 and the Gingerbread on in rom slot 2. Also if you want to install a different ROM, it's generally best to just completely erase the rom slot and recreate it, then install the different ROM in the newly created rom slot. You can always create backups with Safestrap and restore them with Safestrap. Oh and make sure your phone has a decent charge before doing a lot of the safestrap stuff (I would say at least 60%) you can also have the phone plugged in while doing this stuff, but I'm not always confident it is charging so try and get it charged up before hand.
Finally, if you ever mess up to the point where you're worried that you broke the phone, (boot loops or it is stuck on the Motorola Logo) you can download this restore tool HERE. This should completely wipe and restore the stock software on your phone. It will bring it back one version previous though, so be sure to go through the standard update process to bring it back to 5.7.906 so that the root tool will work. This tool has saved me a few times and is pretty easy to run.
Sorry, I know that is a lot of stuff and looks pretty scary. It really is just a few steps that you should research and make sure you are comfortable doing.
1: Get Root access on the stock software on the phone
2: Install safestrap and flash the custom recovery
3: Boot into recovery and install whichever custom ROM you want
If you have any questions feel free to ask!
Much appreciated !!! ..... i will try these steps as soon as i get my phone..... hope it doesnt make a difference if my D3 is an unlocked GSM phone because all service providers in my country uses GSM
Tha slayer said:
Much appreciated !!! ..... i will try these steps as soon as i get my phone..... hope it doesnt make a difference if my D3 is an unlocked GSM phone because all service providers in my country uses GSM
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if you are using gms you may need Rom version with a modified build prop, most of the roms threads will have a modified version for GMS, in the OP or somewhere in the thread. if you can't find it just ask in the original rom thread
also some good how to videos here https://sites.google.com/site/tomsgt123/all-videos/videos-page-4