Database Users

Common Misconceptions About the DX.

So after seeing many things that is said with the DX I thought I should write a post like this. This is just to clear up confusion so users can have the knowledge to use in the future.
Every ROM for the DX is AOSP
I have seen this said many times and it bugs me that people think that all ROMs are AOSP. As of now, there are actually only a few AOSP ROMs for the DX, cvpcs' Tanzanite/Obsidian, Cobalt, and blackdroid's Ultimate Droid. Other ROMs like rubiX, Liberty, ApeX, and Fission are basically Motorola ROMs with the blur applications replaced with AOSP applications. Now this does not actually make it AOSP. It has features from AOSP, but there is much more to it than the applications. These blur-based ROMs actually have other AOSP-like features, such as lock screen music controls and a few others. Now that also doesn't make it AOSP, those are just a few features that were originally modifications to AOSP to add more functionality to a ROM. That doesn't mean these ROMs are bad in any way. They are actually very good. The only downfall of them is the fact that they are limited to what can be done.
There can't be AOSP ROMs without a custom kernel.
Another statement I have been told or have seen several times. It is considered AOSP if it comes from Google's source. A kernel won't affect the fact that it was built from source. Although it would be ideal for a custom kernel with AOSP, it isn't needed.
A custom kernel is needed.
This is another incorrect statement. It would be nice to replace the kernel, but it isn't needed. The kernel that is provided to us from Motorola includes basically everything the end user would need. Also there is overclocking(although it isn't the easiest implementation) by adding a temporary module to the kernel that is erased after the phone is powered off.
Gingerbread won't come to the DX until Motorola releases a new kernel with their Gingerbread update.
Incorrect. What the original concern was that Gingerbread would not boot with a .32 kernel(the kernel the DX has.) and that it needs a .35 kernel. This was later proven wrong with D1. The D1 has been running Gingerbread for a bit now with a .32 kernel. Now I know people will say it is is a different kernel or something along those lines, but that doesn't matter. Gingerbread will boot on it without needing to replace the current kernel.

this is something that should be posted on every forum about the DX. Great info

Would getting building GB on the DX give us the new garbage collector too? I'm so tired of waiting for memory to clear after PewPew (makes a TON of objects).

Trongable said:
Would getting building GB on the DX give us the new garbage collector too? I'm so tired of waiting for memory to clear after PewPew (makes a TON of objects).
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Don't think GB would do anything different with it.

Moved and stuck. Thanks Matt! Please add info as it strikes you, this could be really helpful to the newer folks.

I feel like this info is either wrong or irrelevent.
I'm leaning towards irrelevent. Why don't we have Gingerbread yet if it's possible? I feel like you are saying technically we can have 2.3 w/ the X's current kernel, but it looks like realistically we will never see 2.3 until Moto steps up.
edit: I was mainly referring to your last point

sciulli999 said:
I feel like this info is either wrong or irrelevent.
I'm leaning towards irrelevent. Why don't we have Gingerbread yet if it's possible? I feel like you are saying technically we can have 2.3 w/ the X's current kernel, but it looks like realistically we will never see 2.3 until Moto steps up.
edit: I was mainly referring to your last point
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First off, please don't bash on the devs that work so hard to give us new material for a phone that everyone expected to be impossible to do anything on...
2nd, gingerbread is possible, but you can't just take a release (even when possible) and dump it on a phone. It needs to be recompiled with the appropriate modifications to allow it to work on the X's hardware. Droid2169 is currently working on this, and has made some progress, he is working out usb drivers/connectivity I believe.
I understand waiting can be frustrating, but please don't bash on the devs who help us out.

thanks for the info

misconceptions
misconception?---do i really need to "deodex" my droid x before flashing a custom rom? i was under the impression that installing a custom rom would deodex the phone, and deodexing only has to be done manually before theming.

ernesttatum said:
misconception?---do i really need to "deodex" my droid x before flashing a custom rom? i was under the impression that installing a custom rom would deodex the phone, and deodexing only has to be done manually before theming.
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Odexing is a process that optimizes the java code. most carrier roms are odexed. It is possible to de-odex a rom. also, if you build an aosp rom, it is not odexed, but can be if you wish.
you cannot apply a theme to an odexed rom.
Definitely something that applies to the rom, not the phone.
Sent from my Incredible using XDA Premium App

Your kernel statement seems wrong. If the current Moto ROM has kernel # 1.2, but the newest version of Google's AOSP rom is kernel #1.4, there is no way for us to update to the newest AOSP kernel. Sure we can update the apps and whatnot from the newest version, but strictly speaking without the same kernel it is not AOSP.
Also I dunno where you get the idea that everyone think all DX roms are AOSP. If it has any sort of blur, it's not and many roms do.

aldo37 said:
Your kernel statement seems wrong. If the current Moto ROM has kernel # 1.2, but the newest version of Google's AOSP rom is kernel #1.4, there is no way for us to update to the newest AOSP kernel. Sure we can update the apps and whatnot from the newest version, but strictly speaking without the same kernel it is not AOSP..
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The best example of this is probably coming up soon. If Netflix's app require's DRM api calls that are only supported in the 2.3+ kernels then you are SOL if you can't mess with your kernel. You lose features and any kernel fixes/optimizations.

What do kernels do?

I've been flashing different roms but I don't flash kernels can you guys tell me what flashing one of them will do?

rcraig617 said:
I've been flashing different roms but I don't flash kernels can you guys tell me what flashing one of them will do?
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What most use them for is to (overclock) their tabs and other features. Make sure you get the one for the rom you have installed.

Kernels are the simple codes written to utilize the hardware. They make available all the functions of hardware with system calls. Some of the kernels are also called micro kernels as they use very little codes to use all the functions of hardware and are thus very small in size. But coding becomes a little bit typical. Well simply, when you are changing your rom most of the time your kernel also change as different dev's use different kernel for there rom. You need not to worry to change kernel if you dont know much about it. Kernel are also responsible for increasing the speed of your tab as they change the way hardware is implemented.
One very good outcome of changing kernel you must have noted is that of overclocking.
Try to use the kernel which is stable.

[Q] Most Stable ROM

Short Story: I need a very Stable & Capable ICS or JB ROM
Long Story: I have yet to flash my first custom ROM on the Acer a500. I updated to the official ICS then rooted and installed a custom recovery. The problem is that there are so many bugs in the stock ROM that get quite annoying. i.e. the screen flickers from time to time in apps, and the tablet has to be restarted. To fix them, I'd have to do a factory reset, but if Im going to lose my data, might as well Flash a new ROM.
I need it to be able to run the top games like Nova 3 Gta 3 Modern Combat 3, Shadow-Gun etc. as well as be able to run Office Applications. I understand you guys can't guarantee that they will work, but please let me know which ROM you found capable of running most apps smoothly. I use this tablet for work and entertainment, thus stability is important.
Thanks. :laugh::good:

Look in my signature, there is the most stable JB ROM but it is stll in testing!
The best ICS ROM is here:
MOD EDIT: Link Removed. Providing direct links to roms containing non-GPL kernels are against XDA rules.
In that forum you will find also Civato`s ICS ROM, it is also to find here on xda
m.

Just some info;
Posting links to roms containing non-GPL kernels are prohibited as per XDA rules. This is something most people know about already.
XDA has stable roms. However, if one chooses to install a non-hosted rom, one can't expect much support in the forums. Support would be better served at the authors site.
Cheers.
MD

bobiscool07 said:
Short Story: I need a very Stable & Capable ICS or JB ROM
Long Story: I have yet to flash my first custom ROM on the Acer a500. I updated to the official ICS then rooted and installed a custom recovery. The problem is that there are so many bugs in the stock ROM that get quite annoying. i.e. the screen flickers from time to time in apps, and the tablet has to be restarted. To fix them, I'd have to do a factory reset, but if Im going to lose my data, might as well Flash a new ROM.
I need it to be able to run the top games like Nova 3 Gta 3 Modern Combat 3, Shadow-Gun etc. as well as be able to run Office Applications. I understand you guys can't guarantee that they will work, but please let me know which ROM you found capable of running most apps smoothly. I use this tablet for work and entertainment, thus stability is important.
Thanks. :laugh::good:
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First off, I would suggest installing the Unlocked V8 bootloader along with the most recent Recovery. This makes it easier for a lot of things.
Civato's ICS roms seem to be the most popular as far as ICS for the A500.
Waydownsouth's CM10 also seems to be okay as well, but is still inwork as with most CM10 roms.
Both roms will use the Godwarrior OC/UV kernel, so if you need more framerate, it's there.
Also, you can flash one of the stock rooted/deodexed versions and OC/UV kernel.
EZTerry also has an OC/UV kernel as well which runs good.
It all boils down to how the rom runs on "your" tablet. Contrary to popular belief, not all A500's are created equal. Some have different revision hardware.
My advice is to try a couple. See how they run.
MD

@moscow desire,
" XDA has stable roms. However, if one chooses to install a non-hosted rom, one can't expect much support in the forums. Support would be better served at the authors site. "
So why do you think, I posted the link from the authors side??
Definitely not to make you angry!
Diversity can only exist if you don't use only one information source!! Diversity and variety are necessery for free decelopment... .
m.

meduza2 said:
@moscow desire,
" XDA has stable roms. However, if one chooses to install a non-hosted rom, one can't expect much support in the forums. Support would be better served at the authors site. "
So why do you think, I posted the link from the authors side??
Definitely not to make you angry!
Diversity can only exist if you don't use only one information source!! Diversity and variety are necessery for free decelopment... .
m.
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It's OK Mate. Sent you a PM.
The problem with doing support with a "non-hosted" rom, is that, due to the fact Thor uses non-GPL kernels, And some other encrypted things, a lot of people are unfamiliar with what issue it's been known to cause. Whereas most users here, use what XDA hosts, or they compile from GPL and Apache sources. Especially when it comes to kernels.
Which is why, if you run Thors rom, you will get better support at Thors site. Plain and simple. It's not that some people here will not try and help. I've done it myself, and quite successful depending on the issue. It's just that his roms are a bit different.
MD

[Q] Benefits of using custom kernel?

I've just flashed the latest version of paranoid android, loving it so far but was wondering about kernels and their benefits? What changes can you make and how exactly does it make the device any better?

joeyh51 said:
I've just flashed the latest version of paranoid android, loving it so far but was wondering about kernels and their benefits? What changes can you make and how exactly does it make the device any better?
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Read the OPs of the kernel threads to get an idea of what they offer and decide which features you're looking for. Many offer the ability to over/underclock (not sure why you'd want to overclock when we're already running at 1.7, but to each his own I guess), others address the thermal throttling issues, but in general they usually include general improvements over the stock kernel. Make a backup and flash a few to see how they run.

Kernel VS Not. Difference?

Good day
Anyone can show the differences between a Kernel ROM and NOT?
I'm currently running on SuperStock-Rom V2.4 and planning to flash SuperStock-Kernel.
Want to know the Advantages and Disadvantages.
Thanks

One is a full ROM with different software and various interface differences, depending on the ROM you choose.
A kernel is the base operator for any OS. This tells your hardware how to work and potentially unlocks features the standard kernel does not allow.
Not sure if this explains them well in non technical terms.

riso123 said:
One is a full ROM with different software and various interface differences, depending on the ROM you choose.
A kernel is the base operator for any OS. This tells your hardware how to work and potentially unlocks features the standard kernel does not allow.
Not sure if this explains them well in non technical terms.
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Click to collapse
That helps, thanks Man! But from your opinion. Which one is better? Kernel or Not?
Want to know more about difference between the two. Heheh. Much better from DEVs. Hehehe.
Thanks!

I think i had the wrong question here.
I was actually thinking the Kernel is a different ROM that comes with Kernel version.
So Kernel is a add-on to flash on top of a ROM. Right?

Harvie Almighty said:
I think i had the wrong question here.
I was actually thinking the Kernel is a different ROM that comes with Kernel version.
So Kernel is a add-on to flash on top of a ROM. Right?
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Yes. The two are totally separate things. You can be rooted on a stock ROM and use a custom kernel.
Likewise, you carbon be in a custom ROM with a stock kernel.
To ask which is best wouldn't make sense as they are two totally different parts of a phone\OS.

riso123 said:
One is a full ROM with different software and various interface differences, depending on the ROM you choose.
A kernel is the base operator for any OS. This tells your hardware how to work and potentially unlocks features the standard kernel does not allow.
Not sure if this explains them well in non technical terms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
riso123 said:
Yes. The two are totally separate things. You can be rooted on a stock ROM and use a custom kernel.
Likewise, you carbon be in a custom ROM with a stock kernel.
To ask which is best wouldn't make sense as they are two totally different parts of a phone\OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my case, I'm currently in a custom ROM right now which is SuperStock-Rom V2.4, can I flash the SuperStock-Kernel V2.0.1?
Thanks

depends rom might conflict with kernel since kernel moght set flags the rom woukd freak on. A good kernel can make a stock rom fly. But a stock kernel cant help even the most optimised rom. Kernel is what gives it the horse power.

Just make sure you have a flashable backup of your current kernel so you can revert if you run in to any boot issues, then you should be good to go.