Database Develop

Questions before diving in

Hello folks, I know ill have no problems flashing the phone to a new rom (not worried about bricking it) but one thing after searching these forums I havnt found is how hard is it to go back to stock if you dont like said rom
I dont even know why I am flashing it, my phone works great, seems snappy enough but im one of those types of people that just has to toy with things.
So id just like some information for you guys first what i asked above but also why do you use custom roms does the phone work better, all I read about is apps not working? is there an added benefit to flashing?
Most important to me though is how hard and the steps to revert back to stock
Thanks alot

sprockets2000 said:
Hello folks, I know ill have no problems flashing the phone to a new rom (not worried about bricking it) but one thing after searching these forums I havnt found is how hard is it to go back to stock if you dont like said rom
I dont even know why I am flashing it, my phone works great, seems snappy enough but im one of those types of people that just has to toy with things.
So id just like some information for you guys first what i asked above but also why do you use custom roms does the phone work better, all I read about is apps not working? is there an added benefit to flashing?
Most important to me though is how hard and the steps to revert back to stock
thanks alot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, all you need to do is download the stock RUU which will return your phone to it's original factory settings. There have been a few people who've encountered an error running this utility to retorn to stock but it has been very rare and has only affected a small percentage of the population of hero owners. Worse-case scenario, you can try and get a warranty replacement or use your TEP plan if you are enrolled in it.
I find I enjoy the phone more with a custom rom for several reasons. It feels more responsive and usable, also I am a true gadget-head and tweaking customizing and playing around with my phone is just in my nature. Android as a platform is well suited to this kind of mentality and is even encouraged.
Of course there is also the current situation we are in that we are able to run a newer version of android than what is available from the manufacturer at this time.
Then you can get into custom themes etc etc.

Want to Root but need some help...

I'm pretty new to this rooting thing and to the Android OS as a whole. I've been searching around the forums trying to find out what all I need to do to root and the different ROMs that are out there. Basically, it's like reading Chinese.
I'm not new to smartphones or anything like that. I've jailbroken my iPod touch multiple times and have run custom ROMs on my old BlackBerry 8330, but it seems like Android is a whole new ballgame for me.
I'm very computer savvy so I can understand most things that are needed to do the whole rooting process, I just need some help, I guess, picking out a good ROM.
What I really want is for my HERO to be wayyyy faster. It seems quite slow right now and I'm not eligible to upgrade to the EVO until December and I don't feel like switching to my BlackBerry again, since the HERO has so many more features that I love.
So, any advice is helpful here, but please give me some input on good rooting methods and ROMs that won't mess my HERO up!
THANKS!

Probably the best way to go right now if you want Sense (The stock Hero UI, that some people swear grinds their phone to a halt) would be either DamageControl or Fresh.
If you don't mind not having sense, then DarchDroid 2.7 is the way to go.
Of course, you should read all of the info in the first post or two so you know exactly what you're getting into.

I'm up to try new things. I don't mind Sense but I know it slows down my phone. I don't mind trying a new UI. Just some guidance towards what ROMs are stable and fast.
I want more control, so to speak, over my phone. It seems like it can just do things whenever it pleases. Whether it be restarting the homescreen or just not recognizing my touches. Less lag.

[Q] Best Froyo Rom

Ok guys, I am a new android user and I do want to upgrade to Android 2.2
But it seems like there are 1000 versions of it! Can somebody explain the differences and good things and bad things about them. Or, at least just tell me which one is the best to install!
Thanks...

Honestly, the best way to find out what you like best is by flashing them and deciding for yourself.
That said, the majority of rom pages have listed what is included or removed as well as the dev's personal tweaks.
Personally, i am running the latest cognition, but i have flashed just about everything on here probably.
Test a few out, get comfortable with the process, and make you own well informed decision
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Best Rom
Thanks, but Cognitive group is giving a new version almost every other day! this way you can not install any app! I was thinking if there is any comparison between ROMs. I dont know some benchmark, like how fast is one , how accurate the GPS is , how much original code is used in the ROM or similar things...Is tehre any place that I can find a list of all the ROMS and at least some brief information about each one?

aminj said:
Thanks, but Cognitive group is giving a new version almost every other day! this way you can not install any app! I was thinking if there is any comparison between ROMs. I dont know some benchmark, like how fast is one , how accurate the GPS is , how much original code is used in the ROM or similar things...Is tehre any place that I can find a list of all the ROMS and at least some brief information about each one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You backup your apps with titanium back up. When I flash a new cog 15-20 minutes tops from flash to final setup.
As far as what is best is an opinion. I will say this though, some are for more advanced users, so you better read and be sure of yourself.
I have only flashed cog roms and knock on wood I have avoided catastrophic mistakes.
Captivate
Cog 2.2

Any of the i9000 ROMs are the best.
Cognition is the easiest to install.
Your choice.

None of the cooked roms are perfect for you, rather you are looking for one that meets most of your needs, just as stock is meant to satisfy the masses and as such it stinks.
That being said, if you are just starting out try cognition as it is easy and you can find all your questions answered in that thread if you read. And you don't have to flag every version.
You will likely find though that there are many other alternatives depending on what you are looking for, hsupa, bt voice, oc,/uv, on and on, and flashing can become an addiction.
swyped from a captivate running doc's jpo+setiron kernel

As an android newbie cognition had allowed me to flash roms without blowing my phone up. They are a major upgrade over stock and do not require a degree in com sci to install .
Captivate
Cog 2.4

Right. My best advice is to learn how to flash, learn clockwork mod, and learn adb terminal commands. Once you are familiar with these three things you will have a better understanding of what it is you are looking for.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I can offer one bit of advice, I was a noob to android before the captivate and i can tell you, before you get flamed, always do a search before posting any questions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I agree with MikeyMike. I love the I9000 ROMS, but start out with the easy stuff first. The I9000's are a usually more involved with flashing kernels and modems, hsupa, oc/uv, lagfixes and the like are definately not for beginners. I used Cognition in the beginning because it was easily packaged and in a noob friendly package. The more I read the more I experimented with things, I am now a flash junkie. Read the development section of the forum, that's where all the goodies are. Get familiar with Odin, ClockworkMod Recovery and Titanium Backup, they are a flashers best friend. Learn about kernels, modems, and ROMS, understand what they are an what they do to your phone, read the threads before flashing and you will find everything you need to know, any trouble you may encounter and how to recover from problems. Welcome aboard!

[POLL] Which rom?

Hey Yall, I'm a longtime cappy user,
Have had a couple already but I have moved on to the Atrix, great phone btw,
But the cappy still holds a special place for me. Anyhow, I would like to get everyone's help in deciding roms for my Dad and Wife, Which I'm giving cappy's to as presents.
Now The main reason is that I would like to keep in touch using the gtalk voice application. (I travel alot and this is very usefull when I'm abroad).
So , in you guys oppinion, what would be the best ROM for people who don't mess with the phones and just want them to work and being able to use 2.3+
Thanks
Gabe

its all about personal preference. cant really have a 3rd party tell em whats best for them. threads like this gets closed quickly.wth that said already, there's stock 2.3.3 KF1 for i897. i think stock is best for non-phonemodders

Yeah, I tend to agree with that stock would be best. But the thing is that I think google talk voice and video capabilities are dependant on it being 2.3.4 or +.I'm not sure,
Basically I would like to know about the roms that aren't as jumpy as other. Because As I Agree with it being a personal user problem, whn my fam have phne problems it usually falls in my lap.
Thanks,
PS: I hope this tread dosen't get closed as fast as you say, I figure it's the Q/A forum, if it cant be posted here, where can it, right?

gabloco said:
PS: I hope this tread dosen't get closed as fast as you say, I figure it's the Q/A forum, if it cant be posted here, where can it, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are looked down upon. Each developer puts their own time and hard work in to their roms. And having whoever say this one is best and that one sucks is not called for. Because everyone has their own opinions and no two are the same. Same for every rom they have their differences. which people may like and may not like.
Is why i look down on best rom threads.

I respect that.
I have hoped to have worded differently where What I meant was:
The ROM that has been toughly tested, and isn't dependent of users expertise on CPU OC, Configuration Files, Knowledge of ROOT explorer, SQL Browsers, ETC. (under the hood stuff)
Something that doesn't necessarily offer all the configurations options, that might get someone in trouble, that also offers the current latest android subversion.
I guess it's too much of a complicated question for a just simple yes or no.
So I guess I'll just find myself content in have asked.

I ment no harm in my comment but,
If you don't want them messing with so so or having this or that as an option then just leave them on stock like CremeFraiche had said (And maybe with lag fix kernel, if its still around) or teach them (if they are willing to learn) what stuff means, dose, and how it works. They in turn can decide on what they would want to suit them best.
I hope some of this can help you out

gabloco said:
Hey Yall, I'm a longtime cappy user,
Have had a couple already but I have moved on to the Atrix, great phone btw,
But the cappy still holds a special place for me. Anyhow, I would like to get everyone's help in deciding roms for my Dad and Wife, Which I'm giving cappy's to as presents.
Now The main reason is that I would like to keep in touch using the gtalk voice application. (I travel alot and this is very usefull when I'm abroad).
So , in you guys oppinion, what would be the best ROM for people who don't mess with the phones and just want them to work and being able to use 2.3+
Thanks
Gabe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think a great fit for ur Dad and wife would be Cognition 5 v1.00
Based on the leaked I897UCKF1 Gingerbread 2.3.3

MIUI definately!!!!!
Sent from my I897 using XDA Premium App

I would say Apex 8.2 or Serendipity 7

As far as GB ROMs go, I've only tried Apex. I liked it, it has good performance and runs pretty smooth. I haven't gotten around to trying out the other GB ROMs yet so I can't say anything about them. However a rooted ROM might not be the best to go with for them. Both of my parents got Captivates so I could be their goto guy for instruction and debug. I think giving them a Rooted phone is just asking for additional trouble. I think a stock ROM with a nice theme (if you want them to be a little different) is the way to go for them.

Am I rockin the best phone I can?

Hello xda. I've been a big selfish user of the stuff provided here for a while, as have many. I own an XPERIA X8 and it's the best phone I've ever owned (ehem.. perhaps because it's the first smartphone I've ever owned). I just wish it was a little better. I enjoyed the stock stuff for a while until my internal storage filled up too much, then I rooted and upgraded it to an easy to install Froyo ROM as it was my first time doing such things (as good as I am with programming PC's, I thought I would surely screw that up). It was great and had kept me happy for over a year, but I didn't realise how old Froyo was until I heard about Jellybean and 'Project Butter' and how it even outperforms old versions of Android. I've been limited in Froyo to relatively basic stuff anyway so I thought since I'd basically installed an android version only one step up from the stock Eclair, there'd be a lot of better versions out there.
This is where my nightmare begun. Since I already had xRecovery, I thought the process would be as simple as "download rom, install in xRecovery". A bit too ambitious, I ended up "soft bricking" my phone and having to fix it by going back to Eclair. Then, somehow, I could not even root the damn thing under the guidance of any tutorial. It's like it suddenly caught an immunity. After ages of meddling I managed to do so and get to the next step. Then the problem occurred that Superuser wasn't kicking in and allowing anything root access. I also had problems getting a new kernel on the phone and ended up only managing to install some random kernels I wasn't even sure supported the rom I was trying to install. I had some more problems trying to install CWM and it was around then I noticed another occurring problem. Apparently for installation of Jellybean, I needed to unlock bootloader, which apparently can't be done on devices with a certain version of motherboard. Mine is 11W41. I heard that this sometimes doesn't matter depending on the specific version, but after all the problems and reading up how hard it would be to recover from a problem if it occurred. So after a long time not finding alternate solutions, I decided to go for something lower.
Ice Cream Sandwich apparently had a similar problem, but I didn't spend long looking (by that time it was really late at night and I just wanted to at least get rid of Eclair again). Eventually I installed Gingerbread, which managed to work well... the second time I tried. The first time I mucked something up and ended up going back to Eclair yet again. Well, now I at least have the GingerXperia Revolution V3 rom installed, but I'm still wondering if this is the best I can do according to the X8. So yeah, that's the rant of my nightmarish story, but this is, ehem, a Q&A... so my question is, before I get too settled with my current phone set-up, is there any better option for my phone? Have I misunderstood some things and I actually do have a way of updating my kernel in order to install a better rom? From a rom, I obviously just want a well-packed version of android (Froyo was way to simplistic, having very few options to improve the experience), which is fast and suitable for every day use. As a bonus I would like it to be swappable so I can increase the RAM with SD memory and increase internal storage size (even with the ability to move apps to the SD, the phone fills up way too fast). I'd be very surprised if I've managed to pick the best way to upgrade my phone.
I know this heavily depends on opinion, so I just want to hear it. If there is better things I can do to it, I could do with a point in the right direction!

i honestly read that long post. welcome to xda mate.
tbh, i haven't tried that particular rom yet. so i can't tell you rom is "better" (which is subjective, if you ask me), so i'll try to answer the other points in your post.
since you have a locked bootloader, we're limited to roms, apps, and tweaks. a different kernel would do wonders to your phone, but since that's out of the question i think the best way to go is how to improve performance using other methods. please note that whatever i write here is my opinion. other users may think differently.
apps: i use mounts2sd for swap and a better alternative to our native app2sd feature. greenify is another app that is getting great reviews, though i try to not use task killers as much as i can. if you're into mobile gaming chainfire 3d is another app you could use.
tweaks: crossbreeder and v6 supercharger. i've personally used (using CB right now) try them and see. remember to make a backup to be safe.
that's all i can think of in short notice. i'm sure there are others and you just need to look in xda more. also, try a couple of roms before you get settled on one.

Deji666 said:
Hello xda. I've been a big selfish user of the stuff provided here for a while, as have many. I own an XPERIA X8 and it's the best phone I've ever owned (ehem.. perhaps because it's the first smartphone I've ever owned). I just wish it was a little better. I enjoyed the stock stuff for a while until my internal storage filled up too much, then I rooted and upgraded it to an easy to install Froyo ROM as it was my first time doing such things (as good as I am with programming PC's, I thought I would surely screw that up). It was great and had kept me happy for over a year, but I didn't realise how old Froyo was until I heard about Jellybean and 'Project Butter' and how it even outperforms old versions of Android. I've been limited in Froyo to relatively basic stuff anyway so I thought since I'd basically installed an android version only one step up from the stock Eclair, there'd be a lot of better versions out there.
This is where my nightmare begun. Since I already had xRecovery, I thought the process would be as simple as "download rom, install in xRecovery". A bit too ambitious, I ended up "soft bricking" my phone and having to fix it by going back to Eclair. Then, somehow, I could not even root the damn thing under the guidance of any tutorial. It's like it suddenly caught an immunity. After ages of meddling I managed to do so and get to the next step. Then the problem occurred that Superuser wasn't kicking in and allowing anything root access. I also had problems getting a new kernel on the phone and ended up only managing to install some random kernels I wasn't even sure supported the rom I was trying to install. I had some more problems trying to install CWM and it was around then I noticed another occurring problem. Apparently for installation of Jellybean, I needed to unlock bootloader, which apparently can't be done on devices with a certain version of motherboard. Mine is 11W41. I heard that this sometimes doesn't matter depending on the specific version, but after all the problems and reading up how hard it would be to recover from a problem if it occurred. So after a long time not finding alternate solutions, I decided to go for something lower.
Ice Cream Sandwich apparently had a similar problem, but I didn't spend long looking (by that time it was really late at night and I just wanted to at least get rid of Eclair again). Eventually I installed Gingerbread, which managed to work well... the second time I tried. The first time I mucked something up and ended up going back to Eclair yet again. Well, now I at least have the GingerXperia Revolution V3 rom installed, but I'm still wondering if this is the best I can do according to the X8. So yeah, that's the rant of my nightmarish story, but this is, ehem, a Q&A... so my question is, before I get too settled with my current phone set-up, is there any better option for my phone? Have I misunderstood some things and I actually do have a way of updating my kernel in order to install a better rom? From a rom, I obviously just want a well-packed version of android (Froyo was way to simplistic, having very few options to improve the experience), which is fast and suitable for every day use. As a bonus I would like it to be swappable so I can increase the RAM with SD memory and increase internal storage size (even with the ability to move apps to the SD, the phone fills up way too fast). I'd be very surprised if I've managed to pick the best way to upgrade my phone.
I know this heavily depends on opinion, so I just want to hear it. If there is better things I can do to it, I could do with a point in the right direction!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why made you think that you needed to post that bolded part?
just read....read....read...the rom threads and use the search button

CnC-ROCK said:
why made you think that you needed to post that bolded part?
just read....read....read...the rom threads and use the search button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I was feeling sociable and friendly and wanted to share my story? Why made you think that you needed to quote and bolden it?
And what do the threads and search functions have to do about anything? Im asking for help specific to my phone and what I've done to it, so unless you're gonna help I just dont see the logic in going into all this effort to reply to my topic. I mean really, don't bother, I'm not worth it...
@cascabel
Installed that mounts2sd but on launching it I got a message about root permissions not being granted. It's a common problem I'm noticing. Only some apps achieve root access. I think the problem might be to do with an outdated SU binary, but the topic for the ROM said not to update it after installing. I updated it beforehand but the ROM must have its own binaries or something.

Deji666 said:
Maybe I was feeling sociable and friendly and wanted to share my story? Why made you think that you needed to quote and bolden it?
And what do the threads and search functions have to do about anything? Im asking for help specific to my phone and what I've done to it, so unless you're gonna help I just dont see the logic in going into all this effort to reply to my topic. I mean really, don't bother, I'm not worth it...
@cascabel
Installed that mounts2sd but on launching it I got a message about root permissions not being granted. It's a common problem I'm noticing. Only some apps achieve root access. I think the problem might be to do with an outdated SU binary, but the topic for the ROM said not to update it after installing. I updated it beforehand but the ROM must have its own binaries or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you asked for some help...but did you search or read other people's posts before that?
that was my point...:silly:

if you're using superuser, try switching to supersu. the update the binaries. it should work then :thumbup:
btw, i'm not sure but i think swap is only for custom kernels. my bad.

cascabel said:
if you're using superuser, try switching to supersu. the update the binaries. it should work then :thumbup:
btw, i'm not sure but i think swap is only for custom kernels. my bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, swap works only on custom kernel
work hard, play hard

CnC-ROCK said:
you asked for some help...but did you search or read other people's posts before that?
that was my point...:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, asking for help, not info. The help would be specific to my phone, rom, lack of bootloader unlock etc
I did manage to flash a new kernel with flashtool but only certain ones work and im not sure why.
However I installed crossbreed as suggested and it was successful, so thats nice. I'll try some more suggestions later.