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I'm new to this whole WM stuff. I'm getting my first WM phone tomorrow (Verizon XV6800). I've been looking over a lot of posts about themes and ROM and about everything i guess. The question I have is, before installing themes, should I flash the phone? And what does that involve? I see that there are different ROM's out there. Are there any i should stay away from and will one affect certain themes? And I've read something about Radio and Kitchen. Not sure what those are about either.
I guess I need to know what the first thing I need to do to my phone before I start "playing" with it?
Thanks for helping a NOOB!
keep reading and searching keep an eye on dcd's roms they are the best
Scrawnyb has a nice guide for VZW users that walk you through the flash process step by step... recommended - quite painless if followed closely...
http://ppc.stoleyour.net/xv6800/
infernoman said:
I'm new to this whole WM stuff. I'm getting my first WM phone tomorrow (Verizon XV6800). I've been looking over a lot of posts about themes and ROM and about everything i guess. The question I have is, before installing themes, should I flash the phone? And what does that involve? I see that there are different ROM's out there. Are there any i should stay away from and will one affect certain themes? And I've read something about Radio and Kitchen. Not sure what those are about either.
I guess I need to know what the first thing I need to do to my phone before I start "playing" with it?
Thanks for helping a NOOB!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to use the GPS for other apps like TomTom, Google Maps, Live Search then flash DCD roms with the 3.42.XX Radio roms. I use .50 as I don't really see a big difference between them. If you don't use the GPS or would be happy with paying Verizon to use VZNavigator then use the MR1 stock rom update. I personally like to customize my ROM with other OEMs so the application is apart of the ROM. I also like to use my GPS for all the apps above and also GeoScout, a geocaching GPS application. I also hear that DCD's ROM are the most stable and clean for maximum memory free and performance. Keep doing your homework on how/what to flash. It is pretty easy but follow the instructions carefully.
Thanks all of you for your advise. I just got my phone and getting ready to play with it. When I flash it, does it get flashed to the phone itself or the memory card?
infernoman said:
Thanks all of you for your advise. I just got my phone and getting ready to play with it. When I flash it, does it get flashed to the phone itself or the memory card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will flash to the internal ROM, so once it is flashed it stays static all changes or new software would be in RAM or SD Card.
Thanks all for your help. I got everything up and running. Got some themes on there that i was playing with until i got an HTC Home theme that locked everything up. Ended up havin gto do a hard reset. The way to learn i guess. Looks like for now, i'm sticking with windows. some good things out there, but ALL seem to have bugs.
Hey I just got the touch for Verizon and have a few rookie questions.
I read a lot about changing the ROM but am a bit confused. What is flashing? Is this necessary? I see that it is really dangerous and irreversible for Verizon. I see general instructions, but are there Verizon specific ones around anywhere?
Also I downloaded this Valhalla gps cab to get GPS working. After I resetted, I downloaded google maps and tried the gps with no luck. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?
Also I'd like to get that Manilla 2d on my phone. What's the best route for this? Am I risking getting rid of the cube?
I know I am asking a lot of questions, if you can answer one I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
Zack
zfly9 said:
Hey I just got the touch for Verizon and have a few rookie questions.
I read a lot about changing the ROM but am a bit confused. What is flashing? Is this necessary? I see that it is really dangerous and irreversible for Verizon. I see general instructions, but are there Verizon specific ones around anywhere?
Also I downloaded this Valhalla gps cab to get GPS working. After I resetted, I downloaded google maps and tried the gps with no luck. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?
Also I'd like to get that Manilla 2d on my phone. What's the best route for this? Am I risking getting rid of the cube?
I know I am asking a lot of questions, if you can answer one I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
Zack
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great switch! I had to ditch my i760 too !
Flashing is the term used to basically say your upgading your ROM. It's not necassary, but once you do it, you'll be much happier with the overall performance.
Other vocab to know:
ROM: Read-Only Memory, all your system files, your OS.
Radio: This is for your phone, and GPS, you need a v3.XX for GPS functions.
RUU: ROM Update Utility, the application used on your PC to flash the new ROM.
Bootloader: When flashing, this will be the screen you need enter, you can enter it by pressing and holding the Power & Camera buttons, then soft reset. You only need to enter this when checking SPL versions, and for flashing.
Kitchen: The set of files used to cook a ROM.
Cooking: Another term for creating a ROM.
You need to read as much as you can before you decide to flash a new ROM. When you do, you'll see those terms thrown around quite a bit, so know you won't be as confused, I hope. Those are the ones I could think of off the top of my head.
For now, flashing the xv6900 is irreversible, so if you decide to do it, make sure you are fully aware of what you are doing, and be prepared in the event something goes wrong. But, if you can successfully update the ROM, you'll be happy with the end result. Trust me, it looks confusing, but when you're done you'll see it was really a piece of cake !
The reason your GPS does not work is because you have the stock Radio, it must be updated first, but as I said before, be sure to have a good knowledge on what you are doing.
If you want the Manilla 2D, just install the .cab file from its thread. It will not remove your cube, since they are two different "apps." But, my suggestion is to get rid of it, since it's quite useless, just search around, once you find the other great developments here, you'll want to ditch it ASAP.
For extras, see my Tips & Tricks thread, link in my sig.
What rom do you recommend? I am ready to flash it. I am looking for threaded text as well. I'd really like to use GPS as well. And I though there was a ROM with Manilla 2d, maybe I am confused. Anyways, please recommend a popular rom, and where I could find some instructions.
Thanks so much.
I e-mailed you, but I then figured I should make it public
zfly9 said:
What rom do you recommend? I am ready to flash it. I am looking for threaded text as well. I'd really like to use GPS as well. And I though there was a ROM with Manilla 2d, maybe I am confused. Anyways, please recommend a popular rom, and where I could find some instructions.
Thanks so much.
I e-mailed you, but I then figured I should make it public
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There really isn't a "popular" ROM in the sense each one is different and better suited for different people. 99% of the ROMs available will have the updated Radio as a mandatory step, so GPS will be included, and threaded SMS is a default for WM6.1, also a standard in most ROMs. I think there are a few Manilla 2D ROMs available, but all it really means is, it's included with the ROM.
When you flash the new ROM, you update all the system files, so after a flash, if you were to do a hard reset, you will not go back to the original VZW ROM, but the new one you flashed. So, with that in mind, do some browsing around to find what's included in the ROMs available.
All the ROMs you find will be different, they will have different apps, tweaks, and graphics. Just think what you would prefer, a fast ROM, lots of included apps, or one with more storage memory?
After your first flash, the Radio will be updated, and the device will remain unlocked. So unless you need a new Radio version, which I highly doubt, you can flash any ROM of your choice, without having to unlock the device or update the Radio. You'll probably go through a few to see which one you like the best.
Also, make sure you have read everything possible, thinking about this logically, you've got a 50% chance to do this wrong, nothing personal. Just be sure your confident you have read enough, and know you can fix it if there is a problem. As you know, it's irreversible, before you flash, ask yourself if you have a spare $300-$400 just in case.
Happy Flashing !
just discovered this, which is what ive been looking for which should help you.. its in the wiki tab but heres the link
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Flashing Guide
thanks champ
thanks champjt your post was informative
Wow 50 percent chance? I don't like those chances. Is there a clear step by step instructions link somewhere, so I can increase my chances?
Also it says to delete your partnership with activesync. I'd like to keep all my contacts and datebook. Is this necessary?
Also, is it possible to just update the radio? Just to get GPS? And if so, how risky is this?
imdarkside said:
thanks champjt your post was informative
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No prob !
zfly9 said:
Wow 50 percent chance? I don't like those chances. Is there a clear step by step instructions link somewhere, so I can increase my chances?
Also it says to delete your partnership with activesync. I'd like to keep all my contacts and datebook. Is this necessary?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not always 50%, but there are really two options, it works or it doesn't, which is why I say it like that. I've got a link to a really good guide in my Tips thread.
zfly9 said:
Also, is it possible to just update the radio? Just to get GPS? And if so, how risky is this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updating the Radio and flashing are pretty much the same, considering you need to flash the new Radio for a new ROM, for the GPS enabled ones at least, which is almost all of them. Once you have unlocked your device and updated the Radio, flashing the ROM will be done almost in the snap of your fingers, the ROM is the easiest and most painless part. The first two, the Radio and unlocking, are the ones you need to pay the most attention to, and you should only really need to do those steps once for any ROM flashes ever on this device.
I recomment OMJ's bell ROM's, you can find them on ppc geeks. What's nice if you decide to install the manilla 2d today plugin it seems to work near perfect with his roms.
TheChampJT said:
Great switch! I had to ditch my i760 too !
Flashing is the term used to basically say your upgading your ROM. It's not necassary, but once you do it, you'll be much happier with the overall performance.
Other vocab to know:
ROM: Read-Only Memory, all your system files, your OS.
Radio: This is for your phone, and GPS, you need a v3.XX for GPS functions.
RUU: ROM Update Utility, the application used on your PC to flash the new ROM.
Bootloader: When flashing, this will be the screen you need enter, you can enter it by pressing and holding the Power & Camera buttons, then soft reset. You only need to enter this when checking SPL versions, and for flashing.
Kitchen: The set of files used to cook a ROM.
Cooking: Another term for creating a ROM.
You need to read as much as you can before you decide to flash a new ROM. When you do, you'll see those terms thrown around quite a bit, so know you won't be as confused, I hope. Those are the ones I could think of off the top of my head.
For now, flashing the xv6900 is irreversible, so if you decide to do it, make sure you are fully aware of what you are doing, and be prepared in the event something goes wrong. But, if you can successfully update the ROM, you'll be happy with the end result. Trust me, it looks confusing, but when you're done you'll see it was really a piece of cake !
The reason your GPS does not work is because you have the stock Radio, it must be updated first, but as I said before, be sure to have a good knowledge on what you are doing.
If you want the Manilla 2D, just install the .cab file from its thread. It will not remove your cube, since they are two different "apps." But, my suggestion is to get rid of it, since it's quite useless, just search around, once you find the other great developments here, you'll want to ditch it ASAP.
For extras, see my Tips & Tricks thread, link in my sig.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow TheChampJT! I wish i have seen this inmy earlier days, when i started tweaking my vogue! Thanks, this is a great contribution... Maybe worth a sticky?
socrate007 said:
Wow TheChampJT! I wish i have seen this inmy earlier days, when i started tweaking my vogue! Thanks, this is a great contribution... Maybe worth a sticky?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL! Happy to help! Its not finished yet but i have a tips and tricks thread, link in my sig.
hey guys ive had a look through a number of rom forums and other stuff like that and i cant seem to get the answer im looking for. so let me tell you my story so you guys can understand what im looking for:
ok so i first got into xda forums and all that because i bought my legend, and it was awesome and what not, and then i get to uni and oh wtf i cant connect to the internet. so then i did some research into proxy settings and one thing led to another and i found out about these roms and rooting and whatnot.
anyways after playing around with a lot of roms and mods and yeah i found indigo bean to be the best rom for me, it would be that cyanogenmod but thats outdated and the camera doesnt work, and it would be azure if not that but azure doesnt let me connect to my uni network at all and yeah. oh and the proxy only works for browsers so its not 100% working.
ANYWAYS ive come to realise after unrooting and rerooting and back and forth that i prefer the original rom ie htc sense and all that, everything stock. however if i go stock it means i have the proxy issue again. now i found out about this "transproxy" app which from my reading actually allows you to use not only the browsers but also apps such as google maps, andorid market etc. however this still requires root access i read as well.
so now my main question is:
what is the most updated, stock rom with like apps to sd and you know all those standard features people like to have with root access which will let me use this "transproxy" app??
if someone could give me a clear answer or maybe some info on transproxy or any other help with my problem that would be awesome
thanks
EDIT: i just realised that im not meant to ask questions in this area of the forum.. its still related to development though lol
um well if its in the wrong place i guess one of the admins can move my question then? cheers
maybe trying this?
http://android-proxy.blogspot.com/2010/09/proxy-settings-android-application.html
only thing you have to do is rooting, afterwards you can install stock rom
yep thats the app i was talking about. the "transproxy" thing
ok so ive put this rom on
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=735299
and ive also installed the transparent proxy app
so tomorrow ill check to see if proxy works and if it does then well that was pretty easy and i probably didnt even have to post this thread
im back to square one i think, well not quite
this rom im using is kinda dodgy
like its stock, but its not stock stock
like theres a number of things that are annoying me
so uhhh yeah i reckon i might have to find another close to stock but rooted rom
curto said:
im back to square one i think, well not quite
this rom im using is kinda dodgy
like its stock, but its not stock stock
like theres a number of things that are annoying me
so uhhh yeah i reckon i might have to find another close to stock but rooted rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the detailed, easy to follow statement there.
You could try "cooking" your own ROM. It's actually quite easy. If you find the HTC-WWE 2.03 ROM (shipped-roms.com) for the Legend, and look into dsixda's kitchen (here) you can just put the stock ROM in, just add the rooting thing ("2. Add root permissions") and then build and flash that; you'll have the latest (ish) stock ROM with root access. Nothing else changed.
TheGrammarFreak said:
Thanks for the detailed, easy to follow statement there.
You could try "cooking" your own ROM. It's actually quite easy. If you find the HTC-WWE 2.03 ROM (shipped-roms.com) for the Legend, and look into dsixda's kitchen (here) you can just put the stock ROM in, just add the rooting thing ("2. Add root permissions") and then build and flash that; you'll have the latest (ish) stock ROM with root access. Nothing else changed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh thats interesting.. ive cooked my own before but that was only with other peoples roms. i didnt know you could grab one of those stock roms you find on that site and turn it into a .rar thing. well obviously you can do that i realise now but yeah nah thats pretty cool. ill play around with it, thanks
I put this together because I thought it would be nice to have a step by step how to on root, without all the confusing options. This is how I rooted, and I'm not saying it's the only way, but IMO the simplest.
I also put all the common ROM info in one spreadsheet. I put some of the common things people need to know on there, like is it a 2.2 or does it have sense. Feel free to add or edit your favorite ROM on the list. Or if you have anythings I should add let me know.
http://sites.google.com/site/rootingguide/
thanks,
-Keith
Not bad at all. I really like the format you used, simple and concise. Each ROM seems to have it's own instructions but they all pretty much say the say thing. I would recommend your instructions to anyone.
Are you open to suggestions? One thing you might want to add is an FAQ or troubleshooting section. When I first learned about rooting and installing new ROMs I was always running into little issues that most of us now take for granted.
Sent from my FroShedYo.V7 using XDA App
Just got my Desire Z today & as much as i love it I hate sense. I'm using ADD.Launcher atm to try & hide it but I still get there crappy apps.
So my question is, which is the best ROM to flash my phone to get to Vanilla Android?
Thanks in advance
Sent from my HTC Desire Z
cyanogenmod rom... Its amazing... has probably the most support cause there are soo many users
Try Cyanogen. Check out the thread in the G2 dev forum, where there's loads of activity (the thread on the DZ side is pretty dead).
I've used Cyanogen before on my G1 & its good but it never felt like stock to me. Just wondering is it possible to flash the G2 Rom onto the Desire Z?
Sent from my HTC Desire Z
KarlosTheJackal said:
I've used Cyanogen before on my G1 & its good but it never felt like stock to me. Just wondering is it possible to flash the G2 Rom onto the Desire Z?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to Cyanogen it's still not a totally stock build. But if you use gfree to get full radio S-OFF, you should be able to flash the G2 ROM. Do not try this with just S-OFF from the engineering hboot.
steviewevie said:
According to Cyanogen it's still not a totally stock build. But if you use gfree to get full radio S-OFF, you should be able to flash the G2 ROM. Do not try this with just S-OFF from the engineering hboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
'Radio S-OFF' *confused look on face* I am very confused as to what you mean.
What is 'Radio S-OFF'? And what's 'engineering hboot'? Think I need to read up a bit more before I even consider rooting this device, if you could point me towards the best place to start I would be greatfull!
Edit:Spelling errors lol
Sent from my HTC Desire Z
I have not seen stock Android running, only with Sense on my Desire Z, and I've not been able to find a simple list of what specific features Sense has added over vanilla.
Could someone point me to somewhere which might tell me whether I might prefer vanillia Android, as I'd hate to switch to an otherwise better ROM only to find lots of features that I liked have suddenly vanished...
Andre
KarlosTheJackal said:
'Radio S-OFF' *confused look on face* I am very confused as to what you mean.
What is 'Radio S-OFF'? And what's 'engineering hboot'? Think I need to read up a bit more before I even consider rooting this device, if you could point me towards the best place to start I would be greatfull!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look through the dev forum, you will find lots of custom ROMs. There are some custom ROMs based on the stock G2 ROM, and you may want to try one of those our (or possibly more than one of those).
What you need to do is to get permanent root on your phone (I recommend using the "rage" method, documented in the dev forum). Then you need to get S-OFF (Security Off) so that you can flash unsigned (i.e. custom) ROM images.
Originally there was a sort-of S-OFF using an "engineering" version of the bootloader. This was ok but kinda risky. We now have a much safer method, described in the stickes on the dev forum, using a program called "gfree". It now is clear you haven't used the engineering hboot, so just forget I ever mentioned that lol.
What I recommend you do is read up on "rage" and the new "gfree" S-OFF, read some more, ask questions if you're not sure, then only finally once you're clear, go ahead and do those procedures. Before you try another one, install ROM Manager from the Market, use it to flash Clockwork Recovery (it's an option inside ROM Manager), and then use it to do a full backup of your ROM - so that will mean if you don't like the new ROM you can very easily restore to what you have now.
andrewilley said:
I have not seen stock Android running, only with Sense on my Desire Z, and I've not been able to find a simple list of what specific features Sense has added over vanilla.
Could someone point me to somewhere which might tell me whether I might prefer vanillia Android, as I'd hate to switch to an otherwise better ROM only to find lots of features that I liked have suddenly vanished...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll lose all the HTC apps. So if you like any of them, maybe you won't like a stock Android ROM ?
Have a look at HTC's spec sheet on the DZ, which does list all their add-on apps and widgets too, that should give you an idea - http://www.htc.com/uk/product/desirez/specification.html
But you could always do a Nandroid backup of what you have now, flash a new ROM to try it, then you can easily go back if you don't like it.
steviewevie said:
But you could always do a Nandroid backup of what you have now, flash a new ROM to try it, then you can easily go back if you don't like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
Also want to point out that HTC's enhancements go beyond the apps, rosie-launcher and the widgets...
The T9-based dialler is theirs, as is the camera, the deskclock (with world cities), the music player, etc...
Oh and lots of little things like the icons/black statusbar etc.
I generally don't like having to use Sense, but I wish Google would up their game with regards to the dialler and camera especially. They're just terrible at the moment (which is why Cyanogen went to the trouble of practically making his own camera app).
Hopefully for Honeycomb...
catachresistant said:
This.
Also want to point out that HTC's enhancements go beyond the apps, rosie-launcher and the widgets...
The T9-based dialler is theirs, as is the camera, the deskclock (with world cities), the music player, etc...
Oh and lots of little things like the icons/black statusbar etc.
I generally don't like having to use Sense, but I wish Google would up their game with regards to the dialler and camera especially. They're just terrible at the moment (which is why Cyanogen went to the trouble of practically making his own camera app).
Hopefully for Honeycomb...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to say that I'm a Sense fan. I can't fault it over stock Android (aside from the slight performance overhead, which is a non-issue if you overclock).
Vanilla Android - awful camera, contacts, dialler, ugly as hell, launcher looks nice but is plain annoying cos it doesn't fling more than a few lines, you don't get the Sense weather animations which I think are awesome eyecandy for showing off your phone to other people, Sense widgets are all generally pretty, the list goes on...
But ultimately that is MY preference, and the awesome thing about Android is you can customise it to fit your preferences. Try vanilla out - you have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain
steviewevie said:
If you look through the dev forum, you will find lots of custom ROMs. There are some custom ROMs based on the stock G2 ROM, and you may want to try one of those our (or possibly more than one of those).
What you need to do is to get permanent root on your phone (I recommend using the "rage" method, documented in the dev forum). Then you need to get S-OFF (Security Off) so that you can flash unsigned (i.e. custom) ROM images.
Originally there was a sort-of S-OFF using an "engineering" version of the bootloader. This was ok but kinda risky. We now have a much safer method, described in the stickes on the dev forum, using a program called "gfree". It now is clear you haven't used the engineering hboot, so just forget I ever mentioned that lol.
What I recommend you do is read up on "rage" and the new "gfree" S-OFF, read some more, ask questions if you're not sure, then only finally once you're clear, go ahead and do those procedures. Before you try another one, install ROM Manager from the Market, use it to flash Clockwork Recovery (it's an option inside ROM Manager), and then use it to do a full backup of your ROM - so that will mean if you don't like the new ROM you can very easily restore to what you have now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for all of that! A lot of help & explained enough for me to start learning
You sir have my first ever 'Thanks' on here.
steviewevie said:
If you look through the dev forum, you will find lots of custom ROMs. There are some custom ROMs based on the stock G2 ROM, and you may want to try one of those our (or possibly more than one of those).
What you need to do is to get permanent root on your phone (I recommend using the "rage" method, documented in the dev forum). Then you need to get S-OFF (Security Off) so that you can flash unsigned (i.e. custom) ROM images.
Originally there was a sort-of S-OFF using an "engineering" version of the bootloader. This was ok but kinda risky. We now have a much safer method, described in the stickes on the dev forum, using a program called "gfree". It now is clear you haven't used the engineering hboot, so just forget I ever mentioned that lol.
What I recommend you do is read up on "rage" and the new "gfree" S-OFF, read some more, ask questions if you're not sure, then only finally once you're clear, go ahead and do those procedures. Before you try another one, install ROM Manager from the Market, use it to flash Clockwork Recovery (it's an option inside ROM Manager), and then use it to do a full backup of your ROM - so that will mean if you don't like the new ROM you can very easily restore to what you have now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quick question for you, Why do you recommend the 'rage' method over other methord's such as 'visionary'?
This topic http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=857390&highlight=gfree talks about using 'gfree' & 'visionary' & seams like a very easy & straight forward way of gaining root access.
n/m: Kinda kept reading over topics & found that some people have been having problems with visionary with partitions etc. Ill pass on it just in case!
Well i followed your advice, read up on every thing & i am know running [ROM] NO SENSE: 11/Nov 1.22.531.8 r1 - HTC Vision (G2/Z) Stock & am loving it!
Thank you so much! I have stock Android XD <3
KarlosTheJackal said:
Quick question for you, Why do you recommend the 'rage' method over other methord's such as 'visionary'?
...
n/m: Kinda kept reading over topics & found that some people have been having problems with visionary with partitions etc. Ill pass on it just in case!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, a lot of people seem to run Visionary and end up stuck in a boot loop or similar. I've never seen any problem like that with rage, the worst that seems to happen is it just doesn't work (but the phone is still fine), and that's usually because a command hasn't been typed in correctly or an error message came up and the user didn't realise it was important.
KarlosTheJackal said:
Well i followed your advice, read up on every thing & i am know running [ROM] NO SENSE: 11/Nov 1.22.531.8 r1 - HTC Vision (G2/Z) Stock & am loving it!
Thank you so much! I have stock Android XD <3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent ! Well done