Database Develop

Returning back to stock while keeping root

Hi everyone!
This is my first post, since I never had any trouble toying around with my device. I have a rooted Incredible S, that ran MIUI perfectly. I want to return back to stock (this is imperative) and use the official ICS by HTC. I tried putting back my nandroid backup, which didn't work (perhaps an incompatible radio? I have no idea...). That's when I downloaded a stock, cracked ROM from a thread I found here. This is a Gingerbread ROM with Sence 3.0 I think. Obviously, I can't get the OTA to work. I think the issue here is that my recovery is still CWM, and that OTA only works with the stock recovery (this is what I concluded from research).
This is where I'm having trouble. A RUU doesn't seem to recognise my device, so that's not an option right now. Windows recognises my SD card when I hook up my phone through USB, so I can install ROMs just fine. Is there any way to get the stock recovery and the stock ROM without using a RUU, while keeping my device rooted? I really want all of this to be stock, so no mods, hacks or tweaks. I want my phone to be in the same state as when I bought it and rooted it, before installing custom ROMS. Is this possible?
Many, many thanks in advance!

gladii said:
Hi everyone!
This is my first post, since I never had any trouble toying around with my device. I have a rooted Incredible S, that ran MIUI perfectly. I want to return back to stock (this is imperative) and use the official ICS by HTC. I tried putting back my nandroid backup, which didn't work (perhaps an incompatible radio? I have no idea...). That's when I downloaded a stock, cracked ROM from a thread I found here. This is a Gingerbread ROM with Sence 3.0 I think. Obviously, I can't get the OTA to work. I think the issue here is that my recovery is still CWM, and that OTA only works with the stock recovery (this is what I concluded from research).
This is where I'm having trouble. A RUU doesn't seem to recognise my device, so that's not an option right now. Windows recognises my SD card when I hook up my phone through USB, so I can install ROMs just fine. Is there any way to get the stock recovery and the stock ROM without using a RUU, while keeping my device rooted? I really want all of this to be stock, so no mods, hacks or tweaks. I want my phone to be in the same state as when I bought it and rooted it, before installing custom ROMS. Is this possible?
Many, many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mate, official welcome from me Second welcome from me today lol
I would advise against going s-on and fully stock.
You cannot run a ruu or ota with a custom recovery/root.
So the easiest way to get the stock experience you want is by flashing one of tpbklake's rooted stock roms. They are basically stock roms with root and can run on a custom recovery. No tweaks or anything
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1773520
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1756500
The link above (top one) is based off a newer ruu from asia, although there is not much difference
I would also suggest to try ARHD 3.0.x for the stock optimised rom
Also which bootloader version do you have?

gladii said:
Hi everyone!
This is my first post, since I never had any trouble toying around with my device. I have a rooted Incredible S, that ran MIUI perfectly. I want to return back to stock (this is imperative) and use the official ICS by HTC. I tried putting back my nandroid backup, which didn't work (perhaps an incompatible radio? I have no idea...). That's when I downloaded a stock, cracked ROM from a thread I found here. This is a Gingerbread ROM with Sence 3.0 I think. Obviously, I can't get the OTA to work. I think the issue here is that my recovery is still CWM, and that OTA only works with the stock recovery (this is what I concluded from research).
This is where I'm having trouble. A RUU doesn't seem to recognise my device, so that's not an option right now. Windows recognises my SD card when I hook up my phone through USB, so I can install ROMs just fine. Is there any way to get the stock recovery and the stock ROM without using a RUU, while keeping my device rooted? I really want all of this to be stock, so no mods, hacks or tweaks. I want my phone to be in the same state as when I bought it and rooted it, before installing custom ROMS. Is this possible?
Many, many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes there a some ROMs in the Development section that are completely stock that you can flash through recovery.
The original GB 2.3.3/Sense 2.1, the GB 2.3.5/Sense 3.0 and the latest ICS 4.0.4/Sense 3.6

markj338 said:
Hey mate, official welcome from me Second welcome from me today lol
I would advise against going s-on and fully stock.
You cannot run a ruu or ota with a custom recovery/root.
So the easiest way to get the stock experience you want is by flashing one of tpbklake's rooted stock roms. They are basically stock roms with root and can run on a custom recovery. No tweaks or anything
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1773520
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1756500
The link above (top one) is based off a newer ruu from asia, although there is not much difference
I would also suggest to try ARHD 3.0.x for the stock optimised rom
Also which bootloader version do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to sell my device so I need it back the way it was. I want to keep it rooted though, so that the next owner can decide for himself what he wants to do with it. If he he's no techie, he can enjoy the device in stock (including OTAs, or can this be done like you mentioned?). If whe wants to toy with it, he can do that too. If it's easier to just go back to stock entirely, that's fine too.
It seems that I can no longer get into hboot now? After installing that hacked gingerbread, my device just boots into Android when pressing volume down and power??
tpbklake, I'll try to flash one of those when I can get back into recovery

Weird.. Taking out the battery fixed my recovery issue. I'll flash that ROM
Btw I seem to have hboot 6.13.1002 and radio 3805.06.03.03_M. Is this the info you need?

gladii said:
Weird.. Taking out the battery fixed my recovery issue. I'll flash that ROM
Btw I seem to have hboot 6.13.1002 and radio 3805.06.03.03_M. Is this the info you need?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
But since you want stock it won't matter
You CANNOT have both root and ota updates
Either one or the other unfortunately
You have to make a choice a rooted stock ROM will be identical to the official ota from htc but you will be able to keep root, but can't get ota updates
but unfortunately I think sense 3.6 4.0.4 is the last update
But, I have been proven wrong before
Sent from my Nexus 7

K then in my case a full stock device would be best. How do I get started with this? First install a stock ROM, then the stock recovery and then put It back in S-OFF? Which ROM should I install (would prefer the stock 2.3.3)? And where can I find the recovery? Sorry for the basic questions but those lists of ROMs can get a bit complicated..

Still getting nowhere If I flash a stock ROM in CWM, my recovery won't go back to stock, will it? Shouldn't I try to get the stock recovery first and then use a RUU? Problem is that I can't seem to find a stock recovery anywhere. And when I extract the ROM from a RUU, it's only about 180 MB, so that can't be right, can it?

gladii said:
Still getting nowhere If I flash a stock ROM in CWM, my recovery won't go back to stock, will it? Shouldn't I try to get the stock recovery first and then use a RUU? Problem is that I can't seem to find a stock recovery anywhere. And when I extract the ROM from a RUU, it's only about 180 MB, so that can't be right, can it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which ruu? Here's a good guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1359555 but I find it faster to flash the alparev then run the ruu, 2 steps and done.

Nonverbose said:
Which ruu? Here's a good guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1359555 but I find it faster to flash the alparev then run the ruu, 2 steps and done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the late reply. I've been busy with exams. I've tried the RUU RUU_IncredibleC_Verizon_WWE_1.22.605.0_Radio_1.00.03.04.06_release_161493_NoDriver (but I don't actually have a Verizon, could that be the problem?).
I really have no idea what all the info in the filename means, so it's difficult to find one that fits my needs. I'll take a look at your link right now and report back!

gladii said:
Sorry for the late reply. I've been busy with exams. I've tried the RUU RUU_IncredibleC_Verizon_WWE_1.22.605.0_Radio_1.00.03.04.06_release_161493_NoDriver (but I don't actually have a Verizon, could that be the problem?).
I really have no idea what all the info in the filename means, so it's difficult to find one that fits my needs. I'll take a look at your link right now and report back!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DO NOT attemtp to flash that one!!!! The Verizon DINC2 is a CDMA device and the radio is not compatible.
Please read the post that nonverbose referenced for you. That tells you all you need to do.

tpbklake said:
DO NOT attemtp to flash that one!!!! The Verizon DINC2 is a CDMA device and the radio is not compatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, good thing it didn't succeed! How about this one:
RUU_Vivo_Gingerbread_S_HTC_ARA_2.30.415.1_Radio_20.2808.30.085AU_3805.06.03.03_M_release_199399_signed.exe
(download link: http://www.filefactory.com/file/c0af340/n/RUU_Vivo_Gingerbread_S_HTC_ARA_2.30.415.1_Radio_20.2808.30.085AU_3805.06.03.03_M_release_199399_signed.exe)

gladii said:
Wow, good thing it didn't succeed! How about this one:
RUU_Vivo_Gingerbread_S_HTC_ARA_2.30.415.1_Radio_20.2808.30.085AU_3805.06.03.03_M_release_199399_signed.exe
(download link: http://www.filefactory.com/file/c0a...5AU_3805.06.03.03_M_release_199399_signed.exe)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What region of the world are you in? I would recommend the HTC WWE 2.30.405.1.

tpbklake said:
What region of the world are you in? I would recommend the HTC WWE 2.30.405.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Belgium (Brussels), western Europe. I bought the device here so it should be pretty local... I'll try that one. What does the WWE mean? (Just for the info)

gladii said:
Belgium (Brussels), western Europe. I bought the device here so it should be pretty local... I'll try that one. What does the WWE mean? (Just for the info)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
World Wide English with support for most European languages

gladii said:
Belgium (Brussels), western Europe. I bought the device here so it should be pretty local... I'll try that one. What does the WWE mean? (Just for the info)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, perfect! Canceled my download, but there's a 20 minute interval before starting a new one, so it'll take me at least an hour to download it.

I've encountered this issue before, but randomness seemed to solve it back then: a fastboot command just displays "<waiting for device>" and then keeps hanging there. "fastboot devices" returns an empty line, so that's consistent. Phone is in fastboot USB mode, so I'm not sure what could be the issue?
And then I have a question. In that guide, it says that I should extract HBOOT.img from the rom I installed. In my case, my rom only contains a file named "hboot_1.13.0000_CRC_8a731c6e_0401.img" (along with others of course, but I assume they are redundant in this step); will that one do?

gladii said:
I've encountered this issue before, but randomness seemed to solve it back then: a fastboot command just displays "<waiting for device>" and then keeps hanging there. "fastboot devices" returns an empty line, so that's consistent. Phone is in fastboot USB mode, so I'm not sure what could be the issue?
And then I have a question. In that guide, it says that I should extract HBOOT.img from the rom I installed. In my case, my rom only contains a file named "hboot_1.13.0000_CRC_8a731c6e_0401.img" (along with others of course, but I assume they are redundant in this step); will that one do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like it may be a port issue, cable issue or driver issue on the PC.
Have you tried different ports or a different cable? Do you have HTC Sync running in the System Tray on the PC?
As for the hboot file, yes that is the one.

gladii said:
And then I have a question. In that guide, it says that I should extract HBOOT.img from the rom I installed. In my case, my rom only contains a file named "hboot_1.13.0000_CRC_8a731c6e_0401.img" (along with others of course, but I assume they are redundant in this step); will that one do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought you wanted to go to stock ICS? Hboot 1.13 it a gingerbread hboot. If you just flash the vivo_downgrade.img then run the ruu, there will be no need to extract and flash the hboot from the ruu.

Nonverbose said:
I thought you wanted to go to stock ICS? Hboot 1.13 it a gingerbread hboot. If you just flash the vivo_downgrade.img then run the ruu, there will be no need to extract and flash the hboot from the ruu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I wanted it back the way I wanted it. Rom, recovery,... all stock. But surely I'll give ICS a testdrive via OTA

[Q] Info before I root and install custom rom

All,
I decided that I do not want to wait for HTC to roll out the 4.2.2 update on my HTC One Dev and install a custom rom. I really tried to stick with stock because I was sick and tired of constant flashing and just want something that is stable and for work. But my itch is coming back and would just like to get a stable stock like rom ie Android Revolution HD 12. (Opinions for stable and stocklike?)
Anyways, since I have the Dev Edition, just want to make sure I'm doing this right, and have a couple of questions:
Since I'm bootloader unlocked, all I need to do is root, install a custom recovery ie CWM or TWRP, and flash a rom?
What do I do with firmware and radios? I know I should flash these seperately, but can anyone give me advise on which to flash? Again, I have the Dev Edition on At&T network.
Thank you all for any advice you can give me.

Nutzzer said:
All,
I decided that I do not want to wait for HTC to roll out the 4.2.2 update on my HTC One Dev and install a custom rom. I really tried to stick with stock because I was sick and tired of constant flashing and just want something that is stable and for work. But my itch is coming back and would just like to get a stable stock like rom ie Android Revolution HD 12. (Opinions for stable and stocklike?)
Anyways, since I have the Dev Edition, just want to make sure I'm doing this right, and have a couple of questions:
Since I'm bootloader unlocked, all I need to do is root, install a custom recovery ie CWM or TWRP, and flash a rom?
What do I do with firmware and radios? I know I should flash these seperately, but can anyone give me advise on which to flash? Again, I have the Dev Edition on At&T network.
Thank you all for any advice you can give me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no real reason to flash either firmware or radio. but Install a recovery, which will root the phone for you, make a nandroid backup and flash to your heart's content.

I think you should read next link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2365506
@vomer posted a detailed guide to achieve Firmware upgrade, S-OFF and other stuff. If you want to go with stock experience, then go with ARHD 12.1.
You need S-OFF to upgrade the firmware (which is recommended). If you have 1.54 HBOOT, you will not gonna be able to flash a custom firmware and you will have to use the full firmware package which I'm not sure if Vomer included in his guide, but you can always look for Mike's firmware compilation topic

:No-Frost: said:
You need S-OFF to upgrade the firmware (which is recommended). If you have 1.54 HBOOT, you will not gonna be able to flash a custom firmware and you will have to use the full firmware package which I'm not sure if Vomer included in his guide, but you can always look for Mike's firmware compilation topic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a little off.
If you have 1.54 hboot, you are already on the most recent firmware. But because of that, you can't s-off and flash future firmware updates. You're limited to flashing custom roms at the moment.

How can I tell what version of hboot I'm on?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

Nutzzer said:
How can I tell what version of hboot I'm on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're on 1.44 because your phone is still stock on 4.1.2. So you're okay.

iElvis said:
This is a little off.
If you have 1.54 hboot, you are already on the most recent firmware. But because of that, you can't s-off and flash future firmware updates. You're limited to flashing custom roms at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right lol... I was working on something and I went almost full retard for a second xD
Nutzzer said:
How can I tell what version of hboot I'm on?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To know this, all you need to do is go to the bootloader. As your bootloader is already unlocked, I will assume you know how to get here...
Anyway, you can just reboot the device while keeping the Vol Down key pressed and you will enter bootloader.

hboot 1.54 can't boot to recovery.img

Hi,
I had my phone replace the camera because of the purple-tint problem, HTC upgraded my phone to HBoot 1.54 and android 4.2.2 without informing me . Anyway.
After receiving my phone, I unlocked my phone again by the official method, then I wanted to make a clean backup of my rom, so I tried to boot my phone to third party recovery image by "fastboot boot some_CWM.img", my phone just hung there. I was frustrated, if I flash the CWM.img to the phone, would I brick my phone? Before the upgrade, my phone could be booted in the same CWM image file, can I use third party CWM after upgrade my HBoot to 1.54?
Any idea? please

Since you have HBOOT 1.54, you cannot boot into recovery using fastboot anymore, you have to flash the recovery and then backup the ROM.
You flash the recovery by "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img"
I also recommend TWRP, its so much easier to use and if you cant find it ill attach it here if you want!
EDIT: **** This will replace your stock recovery by CWM or TWRP ****

HTC One 1.54 bootloader, flash recovery.
Hey guys, new member, and thanks for the extensive information provided on the forum!
I have a related question to what the OP posted...possibly pertinent info about the phone itself:
I have an HTC One with 1.54 bootloader, it used to be a 4.1.2 with 1.44 bootloader AT&T device, which I rooted, S-OFF, CWM etc. I then realized I couldn't take OTA updates and was stuck either on 4.1.2 or a custom ROM, so I downloaded a 4.4 stock google edition RUU and installed it. Everything is good so far, but I cannot do a full backup anymore because it has the stock recovery.
My question is, can I just flash the CWM recovery, backup the phone, and flash back the stock recovery? My goal is to get best of both worlds, get OTA updates from google as well as do a full back-up of my phone.
Please advise, and thanks in advance for your input!
PS: Since the 4.4 RUU update, my phone still says "unlocked" and "S-OFF", if that matters at all.

Krish_1 said:
Hey guys, new member, and thanks for the extensive information provided on the forum!
I have a related question to what the OP posted...possibly pertinent info about the phone itself:
I have an HTC One with 1.54 bootloader, it used to be a 4.1.2 with 1.44 bootloader AT&T device, which I rooted, S-OFF, CWM etc. I then realized I couldn't take OTA updates and was stuck either on 4.1.2 or a custom ROM, so I downloaded a 4.4 stock google edition RUU and installed it. Everything is good so far, but I cannot do a full backup anymore because it has the stock recovery.
My question is, can I just flash the CWM recovery, backup the phone, and flash back the stock recovery? My goal is to get best of both worlds, get OTA updates from google as well as do a full back-up of my phone.
Please advise, and thanks in advance for your input!
PS: Since the 4.4 RUU update, my phone still says "unlocked" and "S-OFF", if that matters at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure you can but the stock recovery is only needed for OTA and they don't come that often.
and your phone has to be stock with stock recovery (no apps removed).
most people just ruu back to stock for the ota... not run custom recovery just long enough to backup.

Thanks for the quick response! I think what you're saying makes sense, though I don't have a stock AT&T RUU. I'm guessing I can download it with similar firmware so I can switch as needed. Thanks again!

Krish_1 said:
Thanks for the quick response! I think what you're saying makes sense, though I don't have a stock AT&T RUU. I'm guessing I can download it with similar firmware so I can switch as needed. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here's all the ruu's you should ever need
http://www.htc1guru.com/downloads

Awesome, thanks again!
I looked around the site before posting this, didn't find anything specific. I have a Nandroid backup of the stock phone before I started messing with it. If I do a recovery of that image using CWM, is it the same as downloading and flashing one of the stock RUUs? I'm guessing not, but would like to know for sure. Is the difference that RUUs have firmware, radio etc, while a Nandroid backup is of the OS and SD card?

Krish_1 said:
Awesome, thanks again!
I looked around the site before posting this, didn't find anything specific. I have a Nandroid backup of the stock phone before I started messing with it. If I do a recovery of that image using CWM, is it the same as downloading and flashing one of the stock RUUs? I'm guessing not, but would like to know for sure. Is the difference that RUUs have firmware, radio etc, while a Nandroid backup is of the OS and SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well for one thing when you unlock the booloader it deletes some system files when it wipes the phone.. so your stock backup is already flawed (not true stock). and like i said to take OTA you must have a complete Stock phone. the only real Stock phone comes from RUU. I hope this clears it up for you. And no your sdcard is not backed up in the Nandroid

clsA said:
well for one thing when you unlock the booloader it deletes some system files when it wipes the phone.. so your stock backup is already flawed (not true stock). and like i said to take OTA you must have a complete Stock phone. the only real Stock phone comes from RUU. I hope this clears it up for you. And no your sdcard is not backed up in the Nandroid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes perfect sense, thanks again for the super quick responses!

Hi guys, sorry in advance for digging up an old thread!
I have an AT&T HTC One, installed the Google Edition 4.4.2 with this group's help, rooted etc.
I received an OTA update from google today (4.4.3), and while I tried installing it, it crashes with a "SET_METADATA_RECURSIVE" something failed etc. I tried it with both the recovery.img that I have from the Google Edition ROM as well as the CWM recovery.
I've searched for stuff in the forum and the only thing I found is that I may need the latest version of clockworkmod, but I think I already do...I have 6.0.4.3, which is the HTC One AT&T one. Also, since I installed the Google Edition ROM, I haven't removed or uninstalled any system apps..so my phone is pretty stock as far as Google is concerned.
Can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks!
---------- Post added at 07:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:17 PM ----------
I figured it out...I had to get the recovery.img from the 4.4.2 RUU, fastboot flash the bugger into my phone (CWK didn't work), and I was able to download and install the 4.4.3 with no issues. Pissed away a few hrs trying different things, hopefully this update is worth it!!!
Krish_1 said:
Hi guys, sorry in advance for digging up an old thread!
I have an AT&T HTC One, installed the Google Edition 4.4.2 with this group's help, rooted etc.
I received an OTA update from google today (4.4.3), and while I tried installing it, it crashes with a "SET_METADATA_RECURSIVE" something failed etc. I tried it with both the recovery.img that I have from the Google Edition ROM as well as the CWM recovery.
I've searched for stuff in the forum and the only thing I found is that I may need the latest version of clockworkmod, but I think I already do...I have 6.0.4.3, which is the HTC One AT&T one. Also, since I installed the Google Edition ROM, I haven't removed or uninstalled any system apps..so my phone is pretty stock as far as Google is concerned.
Can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] AT&T HTC One (m7) on Offical Jellybean updating to KitKat

I currently have a AT&T HTC One (m7). I have my phone rooted and my recovery flashed with TeamWin. I'm still on Jellybean and haven't upgraded. I'm confused what direction I should take. I want to update to the official Kitkat image for AT&T and have my recovery flashed still with teamwin and rooted. I currently have S-ON.
Here's a few questions that I tried finding answers for in old thread post, though I'm just confusing myself more.
Should I take S-Off? Since I'm still on Jellybean and I hear it's easier... can I revert back to my phone looking stock if I do this?
If so how do I do it on Jellybean?
How would I revert back to stock, S-On, stock recovery, no root from Kitkat, S-off, rooted, flashed recovery?
Can I upgrade from Jellybean, with flashed recovery and root to Kitkat without losing all my data? How would I do this?
Thanks for any support you can provide with any of these questions. I've been trying to answering them though the more I read the more confused with a direction I should take. Thanks for your time read thru this, if you need me to explain anything further please let me know.

Yes Do SOFF now, if you can.
Then all you need is stock recovery and stock ATT JB system. IF you have modified the system/removed pre-installed apps, you may run into issues with OTA.
Best case scenario will be to SOFF and then move to US DEV, this will remove ATT bloat, while Keeping the sense. Ofcourse more work.

Finally Rooted My HTC One M7, Now What....

Well I've finally rooted my HTC One M7 after months of saying I'll do it soon, I've also flashed the latest CWM recovery on there but now my question is what do I do now? I've downloaded some apps that need root permissions but nothing great. What I want is an OS that uses minimal RAM and battery. I've seen LiquidOS but that runs Android KitKat, are there any that run on Android Lollipop?
Thanks

AJHylton said:
Well I've finally rooted my HTC One M7 after months of saying I'll do it soon, I've also flashed the latest CWM recovery on there but now my question is what do I do now? I've downloaded some apps that need root permissions but nothing great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normally you only root a phone if you need to use something that requires root privileges. Its like saying: I finally managed to open that locked door to access this room where there is nothing inside that I really need... now what?
What I want is an OS that uses minimal RAM and battery. I've seen LiquidOS but that runs Android KitKat, are there any that run on Android Lollipop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to flash a custom rom, you don't need to root, only need to unlock the bootlaoder and flash a custom recovery (like you already did in the process of rooting). Most custom roms are pre-rooted anyway. There a lot of lollipop roms out there, check in the development section of this forum (Sense 6/7 + Lollipop or GPE lollipop). What will be the best rom for you? Its hard to tell, test a few one yourself, its the best way to find out. If you want something stripped down then probably a GPE rom will fit your needs otherwise if you prefer to have a more "complete" experience I would say go with Sense (6 or 7) rom.

alray said:
Normally you only root a phone if you need to use something that requires root privileges. Its like saying: I finally managed to open that locked door to access this room where there is nothing inside that I really need... now what?
If you want to flash a custom rom, you don't need to root, only need to unlock the bootlaoder and flash a custom recovery (like you already did in the process of rooting). Most custom roms are pre-rooted anyway. There a lot of lollipop roms out there, check in the development section of this forum (Sense 6/7 + Lollipop or GPE lollipop). What will be the best rom for you? Its hard to tell, test a few one yourself, its the best way to find out. If you want something stripped down then probably a GPE rom will fit your needs otherwise if you prefer to have a more "complete" experience I would say go with Sense (6 or 7) rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to add - change recovery to TWRP as it's recomended for most ROMs out there

Thank you, I think I'm going to go for ViperOne by Team Venom (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2334294)
This is the first time I'll be doing this so any tips or anything you'd advise me on doing?
Thank you

AJHylton said:
Thank you, I think I'm going to go for ViperOne by Team Venom (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2334294)
This is the first time I'll be doing this so any tips or anything you'd advise me on doing?
Thank you
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Click to collapse
yep,
Do a Nandroid backup of your current setup before flashing anything so if something goes wrong, you can simply restore that backup and use your phone. Better to save the backup your computer so if its wiped from the phone accidentally, you still have a copy.
read the OP of the ROM you want to flash twice before proceeding
Newer Sense roms (lollipop) requires a recent firmware on your phone to work properly (a 7.xx.xxx.x version). Confirm that before flashing the rom using "fastboot getvar all". The version-main number is your firmware version.
Ask questions if you are unsure about something, better than bricking your phone
You might also want to check if there is a RUU to return your phone back to stock in case you need to in the future. (your version-main will tell you the RUU version you'll need)

alray said:
yep,
Do a Nandroid backup of your current setup before flashing anything so if something goes wrong, you can simply restore that backup and use your phone. Better to save the backup your computer so if its wiped from the phone accidentally, you still have a copy.
read the OP of the ROM you want to flash twice before proceeding
Newer Sense roms (lollipop) requires a recent firmware on your phone to work properly (a 7.xx.xxx.x version). Confirm that before flashing the rom using "fastboot getvar all". The version-main number is your firmware version.
Ask questions if you are unsure about something, better than bricking your phone
You might also want to check if there is a RUU to return your phone back to stock in case you need to in the future. (your version-main will tell you the RUU version you'll need)
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Click to collapse
Thank you very much I think I'm ready to do it I just need to flash TWRP recovery on as I have CWM, the only 2 questions I have are;
Do I need to do anything with the bootloader, its currently unlocked but I've read on other forums some of them require the bootloader to be locked but S-Off or something? There's nothing about this in the Viper install instructions I'm just wondering if it's relevant?
Also an RUU, is that basically a recovery file with an OS? If so would I still need to look into this if I've already done a Nandroid backup?
Thank you for all your help.

AJHylton said:
Thank you very much I think I'm ready to do it I just need to flash TWRP recovery on as I have CWM, the only 2 questions I have are;
Do I need to do anything with the bootloader, its currently unlocked but I've read on other forums some of them require the bootloader to be locked but S-Off or something? There's nothing about this in the Viper install instructions I'm just wondering if it's relevant?
Also an RUU, is that basically a recovery file with an OS? If so would I still need to look into this if I've already done a Nandroid backup?
Thank you for all your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need S-OFF to flash a custom rom, only an unlocked bootloader with a custom recovery.
A RUU is a factory image. It can reflash the software and firmware back to stock if needed. Its useful to know if there is one for your phone just in case you can't restore your phone using your backup for whatever reason. Tell me what your version-main is and I'll tell you if there is a RUU somewhere.

alray said:
You don't need S-OFF to flash a custom rom, only an unlocked bootloader with a custom recovery.
A RUU is a factory image. It can reflash the software and firmware back to stock if needed. Its useful to know if there is one for your phone just in case you can't restore your phone using your backup for whatever reason. Tell me what your version-main is and I'll tell you if there is a RUU somewhere.
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Click to collapse
Apologies this is a really noob question but how do I find that out because I've been looking at it says about using fastboot in a command window but all I get is "Waiting for device"
edit: apologies I just realised I had to actually be in fastboot mode *duhh* my version main is - version-main: 7.19.401.30
Thank you

AJHylton said:
Apologies this is a really noob question but how do I find that out because I've been looking at it says about using fastboot in a command window but all I get is "Waiting for device"
edit: apologies I just realised I had to actually be in fastboot mode *duhh* my version main is - version-main: 7.19.401.30
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no RUU for 7.19.401.30 but there is one for 7.19.401.22 which can be used on your phone if needed in the future. :good: