Database Users

Where to start?

I've had the HTC Hero since launch in October and I've loved it. But three things have really bothered me about it. One is the fact that they are constantly delaying the new firmware and the second is that my battery life has gotten worse and I've tried all that I can to fix it. The third thing is the lag that can happen, especially when I want to make calls, can be frustrating. So I've heard about the use of custom ROMS and I feel like finally transitioning over to them. What I want to know is what exactly I have to do in order to be able to load up a custom ROM? This might be a noobish question but the last thing I wanna do is brick my phone by making a stupid mistake.

PawkChop said:
I've had the HTC Hero since launch in October and I've loved it. But three things have really bothered me about it. One is the fact that they are constantly delaying the new firmware and the second is that my battery life has gotten worse and I've tried all that I can to fix it. The third thing is the lag that can happen, especially when I want to make calls, can be frustrating. So I've heard about the use of custom ROMS and I feel like finally transitioning over to them. What I want to know is what exactly I have to do in order to be able to load up a custom ROM? This might be a noobish question but the last thing I wanna do is brick my phone by making a stupid mistake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the FAQ's and wikis posted at the top of the forum. Once you get passed those you should be able to ask the 'right' questions
Basic steps are:
Root phone
Install recovery image
Flash rom
The wiki has steps for those...and I seriously recommend reading through the thread of whatever ROM you choose.
And before you ask: The choice of ROM is up to you. They all have good points and bad points, so don't create a thread asking which is the best...it's pretty subjective.

Damageless' great set of instructions.
Here is an excerpt from his instructions:
I have compiled this guide from the other one posted on this forum, the discussion therein, and my own knowledge. If you have any suggestions on making it better or to correct any mistakes I may have made please let me know.
This guide is intended for Windows and includes detailed instructions. It will cover the steps necessary to root, flash the new recovery image, create a full backup. This will work with software versions 1.29.651.1 and 1.56.651.2. I am not responsible for any damage done to your phone using this guide. Root at your own risk.
I have put to together a video on YouTube for you to follow along as well.
Links are attached in the .txt file.

I have used the Fresh and Damage ROM's and they are very good. Everything does seem snappier, but I still get the phone keypad lag which is very, very troublesome and not noticeably different from the stock. Others have claim no lag, and so YMMD.
There are many neat things about the modded ROM's, but there doesn't seem to be much to be done about the phone lag. Not good, since first and foremost I expect the Hero to be a *phone*.

smw6180 said:
Read the FAQ's and wikis posted at the top of the forum. Once you get passed those you should be able to ask the 'right' questions
Basic steps are:
Root phone
Install recovery image
Flash rom
The wiki has steps for those...and I seriously recommend reading through the thread of whatever ROM you choose.
And before you ask: The choice of ROM is up to you. They all have good points and bad points, so don't create a thread asking which is the best...it's pretty subjective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks everyone. Dont worry, I wanted to do my own research on the ROM's anyways.

bnbaldwin53 said:
Here is an excerpt from his instructions:
I have compiled this guide from the other one posted on this forum, the discussion therein, and my own knowledge. If you have any suggestions on making it better or to correct any mistakes I may have made please let me know.
This guide is intended for Windows and includes detailed instructions. It will cover the steps necessary to root, flash the new recovery image, create a full backup. This will work with software versions 1.29.651.1 and 1.56.651.2. I am not responsible for any damage done to your phone using this guide. Root at your own risk.
I have put to together a video on YouTube for you to follow along as well.
Links are attached in the .txt file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didnt mean to double post but doesnt the first link already cover the second link because I found a nandroid file after rooting

Backup HD2 ROM

Where could I find some instructions/tools to back up my T-mobile HD2 ROM?
I need to back up it before updating the newest one.

jinwen said:
Where could I find some instructions/tools to back up my T-mobile HD2 ROM?
I need to back up it before updating the newest one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
or you could just use one of the stock roms in teh tmous stock roms thread as your backup....
dumping a rom and rebuilding it into a bootable format is not easy, and would require hspl to be loaded. (Your phone wouldn't see it as genuine) whereas the ones in the official roms thread will be seen as genuine by your phone, making them easier to install should all go wrong.
(You would need to use one of the stock roms as a base to rebuild your dump anyway, lol, so may as well just use the stock. )

samsamuel said:
or you could just use one of the stock roms in teh tmous stock roms thread as your backup....
dumping a rom and rebuilding it into a bootable format is not easy, and would require hspl to be loaded. (Your phone wouldn't see it as genuine) whereas the ones in the official roms thread will be seen as genuine by your phone, making them easier to install should all go wrong.
(You would need to use one of the stock roms as a base to rebuild your dump anyway, lol, so may as well just use the stock. )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you missed the question completely. I think he's asking about a way to backup all your ROM settings before flashing another one since every time you flash you're forced into a factory reset and it's a pain to get everything back.
I'm interested too for the above reasons.

Never mind.

jubeh said:
I think you missed the question completely. I think he's asking about a way to backup all your ROM settings before flashing another one since every time you flash you're forced into a factory reset and it's a pain to get everything back.
I'm interested too for the above reasons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too am wondering if there is something similar to "Nandrioid" for WinMo?

heres a tip for u wateva u install on ur device save the installer to the sd card that way u can reinstall it if u changed roms or wateva but the cooks are now adding xda xc to there roms

Can I safely upgrade my G1 to Android 2.1?

I'm very new to Android (just got an HTC G1 with Android 1.6 from Craigs List) and I was wandering if there is a way to safely upgrade to Android 2.1.
I truly appreciate your help.

It's perfectly safe if you read and understand all the instructions before you do anything. If there's any part where you aren't 100% sure what you're doing and what the aim of it is, do more research before you press a single key. All the information is in the wiki here (link up top) and the wiki at cyanogenmod.com

One must realize that NOT ALL INSTRUCTIONS are correct. SOME instructions can brick your phone.
Using this is brick-proof: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=717874
HOWEVER, your phone needs to be set up to work with it (the setup is safer for preparing for this than most others).
Installation of 1.33.2005 SPL aka "DEATHSPL" is the most dangerous step anyone puts in their instructions. The above link DOES NOT require 1.33.2005. It works with all SPLs, including all of the "perfectly safe" SPLs -- 0.95.x000 and 1.33.2003.

Thank you for the great responses.
I read a couple of instructions and looks like I have a lot more learning to do before I can touch anything. For example there are terms like rooting, flashing and other terms that I have no idea where to start from.
Do you know of any video that shows all the process?

geora said:
Thank you for the great responses.
I read a couple of instructions and looks like I have a lot more learning to do before I can touch anything. For example there are terms like rooting, flashing and other terms that I have no idea where to start from.
Do you know of any video that shows all the process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS9l2XVG0iY
i cant verify the files, as i just used the wiki and understood from past flashing experience =]

lbcoder said:
1.33.2003.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And to add if you use this SPL.. and then decide that (after more reading debugging ect.) it would be easier to use dangerSPL; its a simple mater of using fastboot to flash 1.33.2005 and any future radios without the risks in most peoples instructions.
Information on 1.33.2003 is in CONFIRMED!! BRICKS: Radio and SPL + New SAFETY theory read a few pages around that post to ensure you understand what you are doing and what you want to install.
The important thing is to understand the importance of compatibility between radio->SPL->recovery if you want to flash these without (most) of the risk..
The other thing is to keep focused when flashing a bootloader (spl) and don't get side tracked, of start flashing other things since you last verified the state of your phone. If you can't do this best stick with what works now.

geora said:
Thank you for the great responses.
I read a couple of instructions and looks like I have a lot more learning to do before I can touch anything. For example there are terms like rooting, flashing and other terms that I have no idea where to start from.
Do you know of any video that shows all the process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I absolutely DO NOT RECOMMEND videos.
The processes you need to follow are NOT CONDUCTIVE to being learned through videos and the PEOPLE who make the videos, by and large, are RETARDS.

Unfortunately there isn't a safe method to update G1 to 2.1 ROM. You will have to change SPL and propably a radio and when doing this you can brick phone. However, there is no chance to brick phone other way. You can try to flash as many ROMs as you want, you can do what you want, there is always recovery when you can just wipe and flash a new ROM.

raven_raven said:
Unfortunately there isn't a safe method to update G1 to 2.1 ROM. You will have to change SPL and propably a radio and when doing this you can brick phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) while it may take more foot work you can flash a 2.1 rom without spl/radio changes
2) not safe well this depends.. is it safe to walk on a trail next to a cliff without a gaurd rail.. maybe not if you are blind but for most people it is... the problem is many people are blind in the android world.. and thus fall off the cliff.. frequently feeling they did everything correct without realizing they forgot the most important part..

[Q] New User of Magic, Rooting Query...

I have a new Magic (32b Google/Vodafone Ed) and I am hoping this is an ok question to ask... Any help, is much appreciated!
I've been searching through forums and seeking help wherever I can and not getting anywhere fast with information I'd like.
Firstly, when I bought the phone (2nd hand) it came with Cyanogen on it.
But there were all sorts of issues and so I had to do some fast learning, to fix it.
I managed to find out how to flash the phone, and reinstall the Restore functionality on the phone......
Once that was done, I was loving it and started installing apps.
I thought I had it perfect, so decided to install a theme (I didn't know it was untested) so when I flashed it, it locked the phone into a boot loop.
I spent 24 hours trying to understand how to 'fix' it as I restored a NAND backup which wasn't mine, and ended up with the phone back to it's factory default Vodafone Android 1.6 version with the old owners picture lock code!!!
A friend ended up 'fixing' it, I believe by getting a good copy of the default OS and flashing it with the fastboot menu.
After he did that, Vodafone here released an over-air update, so the phone is now running the default HTC Android version, but on 2.2.1
What I would like to know, is before I embark on the rather terrifying task of trying to put Cyanogen back on, is what are the benefits to rooting the phone vs the risks?
I understand that the risk of 'bricking' the phone is very real, and if I screw it up, I could basically destroy the phone, but do the benefits outway the risk?
I now have been given the Goldcard, plus install files for Cyanogen the original owner used to root the phone, so I am reasonably confident that it will work fine - as it was running Cyanogen beautifully (other than a couple minor glitches) when I got the phone.
If I root the phone and install Cyanogen, what benefits do I get over the stock 2.2.1 install?

IMHO the real true benefits from rooting is the complete freedom and the ability to really make the phone your own.the question you asked has been asked so many times and truthfully the real reward comes with actually rooting the phone yourself.
1. itll free up ram on the phone allowing you to do things faster(this depend on what rom you get too)
2. you can put apps on a part of your sd card which will keep your phone going fast just dont over do it
3. overclocking and underclocking to speed it up even more
4. the themes! me personally i dont care too much for themes people complain so much about them but its whatever.
5. the customization is really endless
the real reward comes with finally exhaling that breath after you first start rooting your phone lol.

thisishoot said:
the real reward comes with finally exhaling that breath after you first start rooting your phone lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... now that I know I'll get for sure!!! As I know how rough it was when I broke it hahaha
As for the rest, you aren't able to change things like themes without rooting??
Pretty girly I know, but that's one of the main things I really want to do with it!
Being faster would be a help too as I have found over the past few days, that sometimes it can be quite slow..... Would Cyanogen speed it up a bit?

thecharmed01 said:
Well... now that I know I'll get for sure!!! As I know how rough it was when I broke it hahaha
As for the rest, you aren't able to change things like themes without rooting??
Pretty girly I know, but that's one of the main things I really want to do with it!
Being faster would be a help too as I have found over the past few days, that sometimes it can be quite slow..... Would Cyanogen speed it up a bit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most stable ROM's will help with performance, CyanogenMod being one of them. The myTouch has a CPU rated for 576 MHz(if I recall correctly), but it comes from the factory underclocked at 384 MHz. Most ROM's have an OC kernel in them and will just require that you install SetCPU to control the CPU speed. As for your worries about bricking your phone, nowadays you don't even have to have a Goldcard. You can simply root with one of the many one-click root programs, use ROM Manager to flash a custom recovery (I prefer Amon Ra, but you can also use ClockworkMod) and create a backup of your untouched ROM, and then flash a new ROM from there. It's really all quite simple now IMHO, unlike when I originally rooted my phone using the Goldcard method.

hmm, is there a tut for that somewhere? As the only tutorial I have atm is the Cyanogen one which requires a Goldcard, dropping back to an older version, then rooting the phone?
I'd love to see another way of doing it?

Here's one and there's also the z4root app. You used to be able to use Universal Androot, but the exploit it used was patched in that 2.2.1 update you got.

Do you have any idea if the HTC Magic is compatible with that? As if it is, it is looking most intriguing!

thecharmed01 said:
Do you have any idea if the HTC Magic is compatible with that? As if it is, it is looking most intriguing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All three of the methods I mentioned will work for the Magic. The one I linked should work fine.

Recommended way/ROM to revert to a stock Sense build?

Hi
I recently switched my rate plan and yesterday the new billing cycle started but now the data won't work. I've been on the phone with about 7 T-Mobile reps and none have been able to fix it. So I'd like to just go to the T-Mobile store, hand them my phone, and just let them fix it.
However, I'm running CM7 Stable and if they see that, of course they'll say that's the cause and blame it on that. So I'd like to flash a Sense build. What's the easiest route I can take to get back to a Sense build without losing root or S=OFF? (ie ROM recommendation -- there are just so many!)
I see all the ROMs here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=866175
Which one would be the best option for a quick flash (using CWR 3.0.0.0) so that I can take it to the T-Mobile store? (And then restore CM7 afterwards)
Thank you
[Edit]: Edited title and post for clarity

You can just restore from your stock Nandroid, provided you have one (which you should).
Sent from my DeLorean using a Flux Capacitor

ELBdelorean said:
You can just restore from your stock Nandroid, provided you have one (which you should).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't. But I want a clean build anyway.
Can anyone answer the question above?

Paul22000 said:
I don't. But I want a clean build anyway.
Can anyone answer the question above?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya I will answer it for you but the guy above me already answered it for the most part. You can just restore a stock nandroid. Tiger13 has a post of a nandroid you can use in the dev section. It is also in the Resource bible. You can also pick one of the stock type of roms in the dev section such as Orange Glacier or Royal Glacier (Allthough it looks slightly different than stock)
Oh, and not sure why you would ask what one is easier to flash. They are all the same when it comes to that. You need to download and flash it. None are easier or harder than the other. My suggestion is to restore a nandroid and see if you data comes back. Me thinks it might.
And BTW you have severel guides in your sig I noticed. Maybe you should think about making one on following directions and smart practices like making a stock nandroid after you root your device.

TrueBlue_Drew said:
Ya I will answer it for you but the guy above me already answered it for the most part. You can just restore a stock nandroid. Tiger13 has a post of a nandroid you can use in the dev section. It is also in the Resource bible. You can also pick one of the stock type of roms in the dev section such as Orange Glacier or Royal Glacier (Allthough it looks slightly different than stock)
Oh, and not sure why you would ask what one is easier to flash. They are all the same when it comes to that. You need to download and flash it. None are easier or harder than the other. My suggestion is to restore a nandroid and see if you data comes back. Me thinks it might.
And BTW you have severel guides in your sig I noticed. Maybe you should think about making one on following directions and smart practices like making a stock nandroid after you root your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, thanks. I clicked on Tiger's thread for the stock nandroid in that huge list of links and read through it. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845756 Looks good, I'll try that one. That's exactly the type of help I was looking for, just a pointer in the right direction, thanks. The guy above just worded it poorly.
Yeah, it was hard trying to write a title that captured what I actually wanted to say. But I didn't mean "Which is the easiest to flash?" but rather "Which ROM should I use to get back to a rooted sense build (so I can reflash CM7 after T-Mobile fixes it)?"
(In other words, what is the easiest method of CM7 -> Stock Sense but keep Root while at the T-Mobile store -> back to CM7 afterwards.)
I was thinking of making some guides but to be honest, this isn't my phone; it's my GF's I wouldn't feel right making guides for a phone that I don't have access to 24/7.
[Edit]: Edited thread title for clarity

Paul22000 said:
Ah, thanks. I clicked on Tiger's thread for the stock nandroid in that huge list of links and read through it. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845756 Looks good, I'll try that one. That's exactly the type of help I was looking for, just a pointer in the right direction, thanks. The guy above just worded it poorly.
Yeah, it was hard trying to write a title that captured what I actually wanted to say. But I didn't mean "Which is the easiest to flash?" but rather "Which ROM should I use to get back to a rooted sense build (so I can reflash CM7 after T-Mobile fixes it)?"
(In other words, what is the easiest method of CM7 -> Stock Sense but keep Root while at the T-Mobile store -> back to CM7 afterwards.)
I was thinking of making some guides but to be honest, this isn't my phone; it's my GF's I wouldn't feel right making guides for a phone that I don't have access to 24/7.
[Edit]: Edited thread title for clarity
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No prob and please dont think I am busting your balls or anything. I am not sure why 2.5.1.2 recovery is needed to flash the nandroid in tigers thread, but a nandroid like that will give you the stock look for sure. Most all the other roms have at least a few small visual tweaks.

TrueBlue_Drew said:
No prob and please dont think I am busting your balls or anything. I am not sure why 2.5.1.2 recovery is needed to flash the nandroid in tigers thread, but a nandroid like that will give you the stock look for sure. Most all the other roms have at least a few small visual tweaks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah crap, ok, didn't realize 2.5.1.2 was required. Which ROM is the closest to stock then that still preserves root? The reason I ask is because there are 50 ROMs, but all have tweaks. I don't want to be at the T-Mobile store and have some tweak pop-up and then they say "hey wait a minute, did you hack your phone, get outta here!" etc.
Also, as we've found out, not all of them are compatible with CWR 3.0.0.0. So that's why I was asking. If someone knows a quick ROM that I can flash, that would be really helpful

couldnt i just take the [ROM]Glacier_TMOUS_1.17.531.2_Radio_12.28b.60.140e_26.0 3.02.26_M_release, posted by football, and throw it in the kitchen and add root permissions and super user and then he have everything he wants? if so i can do it as i have it already downloaded and in the kitchen so any devs, just let me know if my theory is correct and i will get it out there for him...

Easiest way is to make sure you got the latest clockwork(try Rom Manager and see if you got the latest clockwork), then boot into recovery, make a nandroid backup of your current setup. get the PD15IMG file from the Dev forum thread, boot into hboot and flash the stock image from there. that will make the phone stock except S-off will stick. Once done with t-mo, re-root with visionary(temp, then permanent), reboot a couple times and make sure root sticks and s-off is still there, go into recovery, wipe everything except the SDCARD and restore the nandroid backup, everything will be there from before. I've rooted/unrooted so many times lately that the process is not even hard anymore.