Database Develop

Noob question: can you explain me ROMs, Kernels, Radio, Mods, etc ?

Hi all,
I'm quite new to this android stuff, and especially modding. And I have to tell that I feel a bit lost.
After a few days browsing this forum and other places on the internet, I think I know what a ROM and rooting are. But here I see things like kernels, radio, bootloaders... could someone explain me what those are and how they are related together? Or show me an url that explains all this.
Thanks a lot!

Bricolo_fr said:
Hi all,
I'm quite new to this android stuff, and especially modding. And I have to tell that I feel a bit lost.
After a few days browsing this forum and other places on the internet, I think I know what a ROM and rooting are. But here I see things like kernels, radio, bootloaders... could someone explain me what those are and how they are related together? Or show me an url that explains all this.
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not real sure how to explain all this stuff in great detail but i will try and tell you all that i know. I think a kernel has to do with the drivers and things like that. A radio has to do with the everything that uses connections, i guess you would call it. Like your phone's network, wifi, bluetooth, etc. And for the bootloader i don't really know how to explain it but press and hold the power button and the trackball at the same time. thats the bootloader.
This should help some... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=619153

Bricolo_fr said:
Hi all,
I'm quite new to this android stuff, and especially modding. And I have to tell that I feel a bit lost.
After a few days browsing this forum and other places on the internet, I think I know what a ROM and rooting are. But here I see things like kernels, radio, bootloaders... could someone explain me what those are and how they are related together? Or show me an url that explains all this.
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Bricolo!
Welcome to the forums!
I'll help you out here, but you're going to have to do some work too.
How about I do two, and you do two?
[Google]: android "what is a rom"
http://forum.androidcentral.com/hacking/6037-general-rom-faq.html
If you’re new to the Android platform (don’t be bashful, all of us were not too long ago), you’ll see terms floating around the forums that you might not be familiar with. “ROM” is one of those terms. A ROM image is a data file that contains information used on a Read Only Memory chip. For our purposes, that means a complete system image of an Android device. Each Android device has it’s own ROM image that contains files and code needed to boot the device up and run Android on it. But this is only part of a ROM. A ROM also contains a GUI (graphical user interface), required and useful applications, support files for those applications and the kernel. Let’s have a look at the parts that make a ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-general-discussions/37418-what-rom.html
"ROM" is just a generic term for the software that makes up the OS, and a bit of a misnomer. This term could easily be changed to "OS sofware" or "system software". It does mean Read Only Memory, but ROM likely comes from that part of the system memory, since you dont want to be able to write over the system files (easily).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[Google]: android "what is a kernel"
http://androidforums.com/developer-101/62548-what-kernel.html
A kernel is basically the bridge between applications and the data processing at the hardware level. It serves as a level of abstraction for communication.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.applematters.com/article/how-long-will-apple-keep-the-mach-microkernel/
The easy answer is a kernel is the core of any operating system. DOS, Windows, UNIX, OS X and Linux all have some type of kernel. The implementations change but the basic concept remains the same. A kernel interfaces directly with the system’s hardware and is the lowest level of software. There are two types of kernels, micro-kernels and monolithic-kernels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[Google]: android "what is a radio"
Your site(s) here.
[Google]: android "what is a bootloader"
You can do it!
[Google]: android "what is a X"
Google: It really is that easy

Good stuff Paul, it's refreshing to see someone go out of their way to help a newbie every once in a while

There are more polite ways to respond to this guy. Some people learn through interaction. I'm glad someone went out of their way to explain things to this guy. It's a shame how cut throat this community can be sometimes.

I agree, the attitude and lame jokes are really immature at times. Thanks paul for putting a lil effort and explaining few of the key points than cracking the usual radio is a fm/am joke here, the extreme nerdism almost kills me! lol.

As for the cutthroat and "nerdism" out there in this community, you have to remember, most of us that are regulars are ones that have been on this forum for a loooooooong while and not just in the Nexus One sections. I have migrated from WM to Android and see these posts time and time again.
There are Stickied "Noob" guilds galore, there is a search feature, there are TONS of resources out there for someone who puts in a MINIMAL effort can get this BASIC information.
When I first came here, I didn't just open a new post on "what is a ROM and ..." I read, I researched and when something wasn't clear and needed more information that wasn't out there, THEN I posted.
Those of us that may seem like we have an attitude aren't mean people, we don't expect everyone to come here with all the answers an NO questions, we just have an expectation that they at least put forth a LITTLE effort on figuring something out.
Paul did a great job in searching, but you have to wonder why the OP didn't even TRY and google anything or search here?
The impression I got is that it is not worth the OP's time to even try, so they put up a post asking these questions and expected the community to do all the work for them and compile some massive resource into a post that the OP most likely won't read and then start asking questions that were already answered in replies or links.
I have seen this happen time and time again on this board and others, so yeah, I am a bit of a jerk when someone puts forth no effort of their own.

Thanks a lot, Paul and the guys that helped
About me asking, and being new here... I DID search on this forum, but didn't find everything I needed. I used the search function, read the sticky threads, googled... After this, I still had questions, meaning that the information I got was not sufficient and that the additional information I was seeking wasn't accessible enough here. So that's why I asked.
If you don't like new people asking questions, but only expect new members to be experienced ones that will arrive with software/tricks/roms/etc "gifts" for you,you should reconsider your lifes. Maybe as sultans or something similar I agree with the remark about nerdy attitudes. Do you really think this is needed? If my topic is unwanted here, some people called moderators will lock or delete it, it seems it hasn't happened so far...

Back to the initial topic...
Well, maybe I did not make things clear enough. I'm not a complete computer noob. I know what a ROM is (not being specific to android devices), what an OS is, how to write a few lines of code, etc...
From what I understood, the bootloader can be see as the bios in a PC. It can execute a few tasks (diagnostics, rom flash, starting the OS...). The ROM contains the OS, software, config, etc...
As I said, what I don't really see is how all the things are related to each other. On this forum (and other places) I see a lot of alternative ROMs. I do understand what they are and their use. However I also see topics about kernels and radios, and that got me a bit lost. Aren't they already included in the ROMs?
Also, I'd like to learn a bit about how alternative ROMs are created. When additional features (applications?) are added to a ROM (features that were existing on other devices), is it "simply" the application files that from the other device that have been included to the ROM? When new features are added (not coming from other devices, like trackball led), how is that made? I assume it is added to the code somewhere, so is all the code available?
Thanks for helping

I'm going to move this thread to the Q&A section, and also clean up the noob bashing. Remember, not only is bashing discouraged throughout the entire site, but doing it in the Q&A section will likely earn you a short vacation from XDA.
Thanks,
NATF

[Q] ROM on 2x?

Hello!
I'm kinda noobish with this ROM thing that everyone talking about (I have my 1st smartphone 2 days now) so I would like to ask you why do you update ROM? If I do it, can I lose warranty?
Also, without cracking the phone (or buying products), can I use word/excel/powerpoint?
For my new stupid (but for me important questions) I'll ask soon
Hope for fast answer, wanna use the best out of this OMG-SO-GOOD phone!

zlxmasta said:
Hello!
I'm kinda noobish with this ROM thing that everyone talking about (I have my 1st smartphone 2 days now) so I would like to ask you why do you update ROM? If I do it, can I lose warranty?
Also, without cracking the phone (or buying products), can I use word/excel/powerpoint?
For my new stupid (but for me important questions) I'll ask soon
Hope for fast answer, wanna use the best out of this OMG-SO-GOOD phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, installing custom roms does break your warranty, and to be quite honest if you don't know what the point of doing it is then its probably something that you will be better of not doing, especially since this is your first time using a smartphone.
btw this is not the correct forum for questions like this, you should have posted it in the general section, that would probably have resulted in a lot more answers.

Huh TNX, but if I dont learn it now I wouldnt know it later either (like general section), so I'm going to post it on general, maybe someone who has tima and will will tell me

zlxmasta said:
Huh TNX, but if I dont learn it now I wouldnt know it later either (like general section), so I'm going to post it on general, maybe someone who has tima and will will tell me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well thats right i suppose, just keep in mind that rooting/installing a custom mod can brick* your phone if your not careful, which is why I don't recommend that you do it unless you are somewhat experienced with android.
*note:bricking is when your phone becomes as useful as a brick... in other words not useful at all, the o2x can actually be recovered from a bricked state in most cases but the recovery procedure is rather complicated and not something i would recommend for someone with little computer/phone knowledge.
PS: when I said you should post it in the general section I meant the o2x general section not the global general section, I guess I should have been a little more specific on the exact forum, sorry If i confused you.

Well its had to be experienced if you don't start somewhere.
To answer OPs question, installing roms, can greatly increase your phones perfomance, and it's also a fun past time.
Just play around with it, you don't need to be an expert at anything, just follow instructions

[Q] Should I root my Note?

Hi XDA,
Before I put my query here, I must say this is a Kick-ass site I have come across in the recent years . From the Noods video to the 'Similar threads' feature that I see when I am about the write this post. Cool stuff and during my 2 hours reading threads, I see Dr.K is the most awesome and patient guy in this forum. Keep up the good work, I guess I will do my part from today too
Now coming to the point...
I am confused if I have to root my phone. I am actually very happy with my phone and its feature except for the fact that I get annoyed whenever I run out of credits while playing games like Contract Killer, Gun Bros etc on my mobile. When I Googled, I came across a few tricks which requires access to the root.
Now I need a little help here to convince myself to root my mobile. Please guys I did read a lot of forums but my only reason to root is for games. Should I or should I not.
btw my Kernel version ends with LB2.
Please advice

Pendy said:
Hi XDA,
Before I put my query here, I must say this is a Kick-ass site I have come across in the recent years . From the Noods video to the 'Similar threads' feature that I see when I am about the write this post. Cool stuff and during my 2 hours reading threads, I see Dr.K is the most awesome and patient guy in this forum. Keep up the good work, I guess I will do my part from today too
Now coming to the point...
I am confused if I have to root my phone. I am actually very happy with my phone and its feature except for the fact that I get annoyed whenever I run out of credits while playing games like Contract Killer, Gun Bros etc on my mobile. When I Googled, I came across a few tricks which requires access to the root.
Now I need a little help here to convince myself to root my mobile. Please guys I did read a lot of forums but my only reason to root is for games. Should I or should I not.
btw my Kernel version ends with LB2.
Please advice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can refer this link for similar kind of post!!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1558650

Its not difficult anymore. There are PC odin rooted roms in dev section, it won't change your custom binary counter.
Here you go
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1535025

Pendy said:
I am confused if I have to root my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when you'll be ready to root, you will know it

rooting means you can do much more things with your phone, and more free stuff

[Q] {V} Clock Work Mod & More

Hello!
Upgraded my ZTE Blade to a Xperia V. I made a major leap in technology . But the development front seems to be at a stand still. Maybe the phone is to new or to unpopular. Anyhow I guess that in time we will get more custom ROM's to our phone. But CWM was a easy way to install new roms. I used it on my ZTE. Anyhow, is it possible to use this in our phones? And the tutorial for rooting the device is too cluttered ( Thinking about this thread ) for inexperienced users. How do I even come in to service mode to be able to upload my new rom/kernel?
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
Sweden

First its to new and second we in Sweden are one of few countries where V has been released so far. Most countries wont get V until next year.

bylund said:
First its to new and second we in Sweden are one of few countries where V has been released so far. Most countries wont get V until next year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah that makes sense. So we will have to wait a while (months maybe a year) until any development will a cure. I thought they where pretty much alike (T,TL,V) so I could use their roms but that seems to be wrong, I guess that they don't have LTE support.
I can't post in the developers forum because of too few posts. But have anybody here tried the CyanogenMod that's posted there?

swefos said:
I can't post in the developers forum because of too few posts. But have anybody here tried the CyanogenMod that's posted there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmmm, you need a lot more reading before you can start posting.
If you mean my thread is to cluttered, it is not, there is a lot of information to take in and therefore done time is needed to read it.
Secondly, after a bit of reading you will learn there is no built in recovery in Sony phones, you have to instal it yourself.
Thirdly, read the threads about rooting, and unlocking, all the information is already out there
Sent from my LT30p xda premium app.
How do I customise the signature on xda premium app?
EDIT, Now i am at my pc I can see you did not mean my thread, but championshipswimmers thread is very straigtforward.
My point still stands.
Before I flashed anything on my ohne I spent several days reading up on things, and since you are new to sony I recommend the all in one thread. Follow my signature ink to find it.
Read it, try to understad it, then ask questions in that thread on what things mean.
A few days reading to understand things wont stop you being able to customise your phone the way you want it, but it maystop you bricking it.

Hello, I'm new!

Hello,
I'm new here and I've never done something like flashing a CustomROM.
I have a LG P970 with cracked screen and malfunctioning power button and USB port (they share the same connector which I [kind of] fixed).
My phone is currently running CynagenMod (one of the stable ones I think) but I don't know much more. (I didn't do anything to it, I got it like this)
I am looking forward to play with my phone while I wait for the OPO to be widely released.
My main idea was to put KitKat on it because I heard of the RAM optimization and so on, but I'm not sure if an inexperienced user like me should go that far, should I?

nonlosoproprio said:
Hello,
I'm new here and I've never done something like flashing a CustomROM.
I have a LG P970 with cracked screen and malfunctioning power button and USB port (they share the same connector which I [kind of] fixed).
My phone is currently running CynagenMod (one of the stable ones I think) but I don't know much more. (I didn't do anything to it, I got it like this)
I am looking forward to play with my phone while I wait for the OPO to be widely released.
My main idea was to put KitKat on it because I heard of the RAM optimization and so on, but I'm not sure if an inexperienced user like me should go that far, should I?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1111771
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1487105
Read through the above links thoroughly. Then come back and ask questions. These are both awesome resources to new users, and many users have asked many of the exact same questions you'd like to ask.
You need to develop a general understanding of both the Android operating system and the methodology and tools used by "hackers" to enhance their phones. Once you get this knowledge, questions are more direct and specific.

androcraze said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1111771
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1487105
Read through the above links thoroughly. Then come back and ask questions. These are both awesome resources to new users, and many users have asked many of the exact same questions you'd like to ask.
You need to develop a general understanding of both the Android operating system and the methodology and tools used by "hackers" to enhance their phones. Once you get this knowledge, questions are more direct and specific.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's an amazing help!
It's going to take a while but I'm downloading my first customROM, hopefully I'll soon understand better the process and feel confident enough about it.
There is so much stuff to read!
Thank you!