Database Users

Looking for best practices for moving from one ROM to another. Any easy way?

With all the great new ROMs out there, I am trying to figure out the best way to go about backing up and restoring my apps and all of my settings.
I do Nandroid backups, and those work find as a "snapshot" of my Hero. But is there any easy way to back up and restore all of my apps or settings in one fell swoop, without affecting the installed ROM?
I'm trying to find the best way to move from one DamageControl ROM to another, for instance. My current procedure would be to back up the phone, wipe it, then flash the new ROM. From there, I would have to use AppMonster or something to restore my apps. The downside is that that would have to be done manually, and plus I would still be without all of my custom settings.
So is there any easier way to go about this? I have tried flashing a newer DC ROM on top of an older one without wiping, and this seems to work okay sometimes, except for I tend to have a lot of quirks with the new installation then -- force closes and things of that nature.
Anyway, I'm sure you guys have developed some pretty smart ways to go about switching from one ROM to another without having to manually set things up each time, and I'm just trying to find out what's most efficient.
Thanks for your time!

I use titanium backup, I believe it lets you backup personal data as well not a 100% but pretty sure.

I just wipe each time, and install whatever ROM is the flavor of the moment.
I have a couple of Nandroid backups on my computer though.

Thanks for the info. I might give Titanium Backup a try...

imekul said:
With all the great new ROMs out there, I am trying to figure out the best way to go about backing up and restoring my apps and all of my settings.
I do Nandroid backups, and those work find as a "snapshot" of my Hero. But is there any easy way to back up and restore all of my apps or settings in one fell swoop, without affecting the installed ROM?
I'm trying to find the best way to move from one DamageControl ROM to another, for instance. My current procedure would be to back up the phone, wipe it, then flash the new ROM. From there, I would have to use AppMonster or something to restore my apps. The downside is that that would have to be done manually, and plus I would still be without all of my custom settings.
So is there any easier way to go about this? I have tried flashing a newer DC ROM on top of an older one without wiping, and this seems to work okay sometimes, except for I tend to have a lot of quirks with the new installation then -- force closes and things of that nature.
Anyway, I'm sure you guys have developed some pretty smart ways to go about switching from one ROM to another without having to manually set things up each time, and I'm just trying to find out what's most efficient.
Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mybackup works great for backing up contacts and some settings as well as your apps. You get 30 days free trial I think.

if your using Damage's latest, you may want to avoid Titanium as it seems to be breaking the audio....

Check out a program called Android Commander it backs up apps to your computer. I really like the ease of use, plus it makes editing the phone files easy. Check it out!

partition your SD card and get a rom with Apps2SD(A2SD). Than when you flash a new rom the app .apks will still be on your sd card data (unless you cleared ext3 partition in which you should mount your phone via usb and make a copy of the ext3 folder on your sdcard that you have from partitioning ur sd card via RA and have apps2sd running, now to the app that makes all this come together is this simple app i found on the market called "installer" download this one app from market and launch it, what this app does is scan's your sd card for every single .apk file and puts them in a nice neat list(with icons) than you can simple click on it and choose to install. this is a must have!

I'm using TitaniumBackup on fresh's newest and it works amazing for me.

PlagaDeRock said:
I'm using TitaniumBackup on fresh's newest and it works amazing for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried it going from a 1.5 rom (Fresh 1.1 in this case) to a 2.1 ROM (Fresh 2.0d)?
I tried it on my wife's phone last night. After the restore sense was stuck in an FC loop and I had to wipe and start over. I ended up restoring her 1.5 nandroid so she would stop giving me evil looks and contemplating my death.

smw6180 said:
Have you tried it going from a 1.5 rom (Fresh 1.1 in this case) to a 2.1 ROM (Fresh 2.0d)?
I tried it on my wife's phone last night. After the restore sense was stuck in an FC loop and I had to wipe and start over. I ended up restoring her 1.5 nandroid so she would stop giving me evil looks and contemplating my death.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah I've been on 2.1 since the eris leak lol. But were you restoring everything? try doing apps first and see if that works, then one by one doing the data it might be something you can pin point and avoid.

PlagaDeRock said:
Nah I've been on 2.1 since the eris leak lol. But were you restoring everything? try doing apps first and see if that works, then one by one doing the data it might be something you can pin point and avoid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I did my phone I had no issues...I was like you and was on 2.x from the Eris leak. My wife though doesn't like her phone to be 'tinkered with' (I wonder if that has anything to do with me cursing and screaming when I first bricked my phone with the RUU? But I digress), so she's coming from 1.5 (Fresh 1.1). In any event I tried what you suggest already...the apps install fine. It's when I restore the app settings (only the app settings, not system) that everything goes boom. She's got 120 apps. I'm not going through them one by one, so I'll probably just tell her she's got to live with a nuke and pave if she wants to upgrade. Since she'll likely have the same problem if/when the official Sprint release comes out, I doubt I'll have much trouble convincing her to let go of some of her crap.
My major issue is restoring her text messages at this point. I know that the 1.5 ROMs uses a different database format than the 2.x series. So I'm going to take a guess that I won't be able to save those.

smw6180 said:
When I did my phone I had no issues...I was like you and was on 2.x from the Eris leak. My wife though doesn't like her phone to be 'tinkered with' (I wonder if that has anything to do with me cursing and screaming when I first bricked my phone with the RUU? But I digress), so she's coming from 1.5 (Fresh 1.1). In any event I tried what you suggest already...the apps install fine. It's when I restore the app settings (only the app settings, not system) that everything goes boom. She's got 120 apps. I'm not going through them one by one, so I'll probably just tell her she's got to live with a nuke and pave if she wants to upgrade. Since she'll likely have the same problem if/when the official Sprint release comes out, I doubt I'll have much trouble convincing her to let go of some of her crap.
My major issue is restoring her text messages at this point. I know that the 1.5 ROMs uses a different database format than the 2.x series. So I'm going to take a guess that I won't be able to save those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
120 apps! Lol, but I might be able to help with the text messages thing, I just found on the market an app called SMS Backup. It actually backs up all your sms to your gmail account in thread form. Its pretty sweet and runs in the background each time you get a message it just uploads it to your gmail account silently. I had the same issue I was just getting sick of everytime I flashed I would loose all my messages at least now I have them backed up somewhere and better yet its in a place where I dont have to worry about running outta space. So overall it might be a better option I read alot of people saying they arent paying attention and a threaded sms reaches 2k+ then their phones start to lag and it wont delete them. Just an option, but its a pretty kick ass app you should check it out.

PlagaDeRock said:
120 apps! Lol, but I might be able to help with the text messages thing, I just found on the market an app called SMS Backup. It actually backs up all your sms to your gmail account in thread form. Its pretty sweet and runs in the background each time you get a message it just uploads it to your gmail account silently. I had the same issue I was just getting sick of everytime I flashed I would loose all my messages at least now I have them backed up somewhere and better yet its in a place where I dont have to worry about running outta space. So overall it might be a better option I read alot of people saying they arent paying attention and a threaded sms reaches 2k+ then their phones start to lag and it wont delete them. Just an option, but its a pretty kick ass app you should check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll take a look at it. But if I understand what it does, it will only get new stuff that comes in, and won't be able to be restored to the messaging database, right? If that's the case she won't go for it. She's 'purist' about her phone (she's great, and I love her to death, but a tech geek she isn't. She just wants it to work, work like it's stock, and not give her problems...a viewpoint I can understand, honestly ).

smw6180 said:
I'll take a look at it. But if I understand what it does, it will only get new stuff that comes in, and won't be able to be restored to the messaging database, right? If that's the case she won't go for it. She's 'purist' about her phone (she's great, and I love her to death, but a tech geek she isn't. She just wants it to work, work like it's stock, and not give her problems...a viewpoint I can understand, honestly ).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, I understand. I haven't tried restoring to be honest but I think theres another one similar out there called sms backup and restore or something like that that dumps all the sms into an xml file and allows you to restore it again. Not sure I haven't used it, just read about it in passing and looked it up on the market. But thats always another option.

PlagaDeRock said:
Lol, I understand. I haven't tried restoring to be honest but I think theres another one similar out there called sms backup and restore or something like that that dumps all the sms into an xml file and allows you to restore it again. Not sure I haven't used it, just read about it in passing and looked it up on the market. But thats always another option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet. I'll take a look. Thanks for the tips

[UPDATED 17/01/2011] [Collection] The Perfect Hero Setup (New Market/Keyboard/Kernel)

Thread updated 17/01/2011 (d/m/y) to include FlyKernel 12a and a download for AngryBirds 1.3.5 for those who needed it. thread has also been cleaned up and old content removed. Instructions have been updated accordingly. Please let me know of any bugs or tweaks that need to be made.
Install for fully working Android Gingerbread Keyboard and newest Market at the bottom of this post!
This is a collection of packages that can be found around these forums that I believe amounts to the perfect Hero Setup. I am NOT a developer (although I have been known to make some themes and do some graphics work in the past), and I do not claim to have created any of this content. Instead what I am bringing you is a kind of gathering of the choicest picks from the Hero development forums, as well as the CyanogenMod 6.1 Final base. Most of this post is entirely optional, so this will allow you to build your own device, based on your preferences. Leave out things you feel you do not want, or add in extra steps if you feel you need them. Either way this will allow granular control of your Hero, for you to set it up just the way you want.
If nothing else this should be treated as a learning experience, if however you are unsure, and the post below looks a little daunting, you should consider flashing Floyo (created by the very talented erasmux) which is a complete packaged ROM. A lot of the content here has been taken from offerings that he has made available.
I take no responsibility for you destroying your phone. But for ME, my Hero is now the fastest it has ever been, with much better signal (and hugely faster browsing speed) with a theme I really love. So, presuming your Hero is already rooted, do a FULL wipe of everything, and then:
1) Flash Cyanogen Mod 6.1 FINAL in recovery (no need to reboot yet).
2) Flash Cyanogen Google Apps Addon.
3) Reboot your phone, log in and go through the initial setup. Once this is completed, reboot into recovery again.
4) (UPDATED) Flash Flykernel 12a (HUGE thanks to erasmux, this kernel is amazing). The version linked here is the one I have found to work best with this particular Hero setup (352-576, as such this is not overclocked, but performs exceptionally on my hero and doesn't have the annoying wake up issue, info on how to rename the file to overclock the kernel can be found at the erasmux flykernal post if you wish to do so). NOTE: Do NOT use the "-noatime" switch as this caused reboot loops for me in CM6.1.
5) Flash this notifications fix (provided by erasmux) which should fix some slightly hinky notification issues (jogball etc). This should now not be required with the newest Cyanogen build, I will do more testing and completely remove this section if this is confirmed.
6) Boot phone and let it get to the homescreen.
7) Reboot into recovery for the final time.
8) Flash The Latest Radio from this thread.
9) Reboot the phone (this may take a while after the radio installation).
OPTIONAL SETTINGS!
10) If you like using the HTC_IME mod, you can install it by manually installing the Clicker and then THIS version of the HTC_IME mod created using the AMAZING theming tool provided by gIMpSTa. I have created a theme that suits the feel of this CM6.1 based ROM using his tool, and it is working perfectly on my phone.
11) Enable JIT by going in to Settings > CyanogenMod Settings > Performance Settings > TICK "Use JIT" - And then reboot your phone (You can turn this off if you have issues with it turned on). In the latest Cyanogen 6.1 FINAL JIT is working perfectly, so unlike with RC1, I would now recommend having this turned ON!.
12) If you have issues fixing GPS sats, or if GPS does not update correctly when using it to navigate etc then you can try flashing THIS FIX (GPS libraries taken from FroydVillain and provided by erasmux as a fix for his Floyo ROM). If you are having issues actually fixing satellites you can also try flashing either the Europe, US or Asia sat-packs which can help GPS lock speed in your continent (if everything is already fine, you might want to avoid flashing these). Personally, I DO NOT use GPS on my device, so I can't comment on how well any of this works, but erasmux really knows his stuff, so I'm sure it will work if you are having problems.
13) CM6.1 comes with the NEW (official) Apps2SD built-in. However, the app needs to support this method or it will not allow you to move the app to the SD card. For those of you that prefer to use the OLD STYLE Apps2SD you can download it and flash it separately to enable this feature on this build of CyanogenMod.
That's the main setup sorted. You MAY have an issue with the Market following the radio installation (I did). If this happens, follow the instructions in this thread, the first fix (clearing the data) worked for me.
OK! Now on to apps. There are a few apps that really are a must if you want your Hero to both look and feel smooth as silk. So head over to the market, and download the following:
1) LanucherPro (Cyanogen comes with ADW, but I MUCH prefer LauncherPro). I use the XTG mod created by signals23 which has much more attractive widgets (if you have purchased the LP-Plus edition (I strongly recommend you do). You can, of course, use ANY homescreen, but LP is definitely my choice for beauty and speed. I actually DELETED ADW using: adb shell - rm /system/app/ADWLauncher.apk once I had LauncherPro installed, so it was no longer on the phone at all.
2) Beautiful Widgets - You have to pay for this, but trust me, it is absolutely worth the small amount of money. Once you have it, you can install any clock theme you like, such as SwirlClock made by yours truly
3) SMS Popup. Seriously, this app is amazing. Go into the default messages app, and turn off notifications. then head into the SMS Popup settings, and go into additional settings, turn ON "Quick Reply" and turn OFF "Screen on for Popup".
3) Youlu Address Book. I no longer recommend DialerOne on the Hero, as I find it too slow, especially when using the T9 "Dialer Search" function to call contacts using the numeric keypad. I find Youlou to be much faster, with a nice interface with an easy to navigate tabbed UI.
4) Advanced Task Killer. Once installed, open it up, turn off the notification bar icon in settings, and add your most frequently used apps to the ignore list (so the killer always leaves them running for speedy access). I usually leave: Messaging, Email and DialerOne in the ignore list.
5) SyncMyPix. Lets you properly sync your facebook contacts pictures so that they show up in DialerOne and LauncherPro.
6) Facebook app, or, whatever
7) Photoshop Express. I only add this here because there is no way of uploading multiple images to Facebook using the standard "Gallery" app, but you can do this using Photoshop Express, pretty nice little app, but this feature makes it worth having.
8) THEME! If you want to change the stock theme from white to black, go to: Settings > CyanogenMod Settings > User Interface > Tweaks Extras > Select a Theme and change your theme to STOCK_Black and then reboot your phone. This makes all of the theme a very nice gloss black effect WITHOUT having to flash a seperate theme ROM over Cyanogen (which is a much better way of doing things, as you are not replacing the newer .apk's with older, themed ones... Yes, I know the browser icon kinda sucks, but you can always download the nicer icon .png from here
9) Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) Keyboard. If you want to install this keyboard, it will overwrite the existing Android 2.2.1 Keyboard (and currently there is no way of going back). The Gingerbread keyboard is FULLY FUNCTIONAL, this version now has working dictionary and autocorrect. You CAN still use the HTC_IME keyboard with this installed though, so if you hardly use the stock Android keyboard anyway, there shouldn't be much harm installing it and giving it a shot. HERE it is for those of you that just can't wait
10) The newest Android 2.2.6 Market. Flash in recovery, tested working great on my Hero, very lovely interface and nice and fast
11) (NEW) Angry Birds 1.3.5. for those of you who were wondering how I got angry Birds to run pretty well on the Hero, use this version rather than the latest one available on the market
DONE. Of course, you can modify this in any way you like, but after completing all of this you will have your own, pieced together ROM, without any strange extras or crap you don't really need. On top of this, you can head in to the ROM manager that comes with Cyanogen and install ClockworkMod recovery (if you are still using an older Amon-Ra or something), which is nice and easy.
Also, I'm not joking. It's fast... The screenshot below is with common apps (messages, emails, dialerone) running, and I still have 86mb of free memory. The battery life is fantastic, signal is great, call speed, wifi locking etc all seem faster than I have had them before. So, let me know your results (I have not tested GPS!).
And there yo go, your own freshy squeezed Hero, complete with all the trimmings. Baste lightly in your own choice of apps and serve.
Zeb
This post will be updated as newer packages are released.
</walloftext>

interesting, thanks. There's also an ADW-remover script on the Floyo page.
I didn't realise people were theming LauncherPro widgets to that extent, will have to investigate!

m8 you have done about 90% of the changes that i have put to my hero.
definitely is the perfect setup for me too.

Can I just flash this kernel over VR12 ? And do I have to flash radio if I flash new kernel? What radio really does? thanks
p.s. great work

Dark Emotion said:
Can I just flash this kernel over VR12 ? And do I have to flash radio if I flash new kernel? What radio really does? thanks
p.s. great work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are coming from VR12 you will have to do a FULL wipe of everything (nand, battery setting, dalvik etc) in recovery before flashing all of these packages. So make sure you have backed up everything you want to keep before starting! I have no idea what effect flashing this stuff over an existing ROM will have as I did it all from scratch with a blank phone.
The Radio is possibly the riskiest aspect of this setup, and you can choose to leave it out alltogether if you wish, but for me this made possibly the largest difference, as everything from connecting to Wifi, switching back to 3G/HSPDA is much faster. Signal is better, and small things like initialising the dialler (the time it takes from me choosing to call a contact, to it actually ringing) feels much speedier, so I personally do recommend it! You don't need to use this Radio to use Flykernel 11c, so feel free to leave it out if you wish.
Zeb
Edit: I just noticed, do you mean, can you use Flykernel on it's own with VR12 without any of the other stuff? Yes, I believe you can, check you the Flykernel thread for more information, but I think it works for most ROMs.

Dark Emotion said:
Can I just flash this kernel over VR12 ? And do I have to flash radio if I flash new kernel? What radio really does? thanks
p.s. great work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash only the kernel, you don't need to do anything else - No wipe at all necessary. Updating the radio is not related to the update of the kernel but still recommended as usually it also improves the hero experience and if there are problems you can always go back

I just received my refurbished hero (the digitalizer was dead) and am trying your setup. So far everything on the setup side was fine though I had a random reboot after flashing the kernel.
I will update with my feelings on this setup, thx for the guide!

I like this post ... what are the advantages of elelinux or floyo over the standard CM 6.1 release though? I tend to go for one of those instead for some reason!

mdon874 said:
I like this post ... what are the advantages of elelinux or floyo over the standard CM 6.1 release though? I tend to go for one of those instead for some reason!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that the authors of these releases make modifications to the kernel, as well as making theme changes, adding packages of their choice etc. Some distributions are modified more than others (and not ALL of them use Cyanogen as a base I believe). You'd have to look at the specifics of those other ROMS to see exactly what is different (sometimes it's small things, such as the way the jog-ball flashes or how the LED behaves, and sometimes it's bigger, like having hacked settings, or adding otehr keyboards like the HTC_IME mod (which Cyanogen doesn't have as standard, but I prefer the android keyboard anyways). You can always add these things in yourself later if you know how, which is what I have chosen to do using this setup. this way you have complete control over what is added to your phone.
Also, Flykernel, and the Radio mentioned here have serious performance benefits over other offerings as far as I am concerned. you COULD just flash those two over the ROM of your choice, but doing things the way I have mentioned above just gives you a larger level of granular control, if thats what you really want that is
Also, I have wanted to use Cyanogen as a base for a while to see how it was, but I found it very hard to find decent documentation on how to set it up correctly, that is why, once I worked it out, I decided to post the method I used here for other people to try.
Zeb

thanks for the quick reply I kinda like flashing and starting from scratch on a clean install and adding things bit by bit so I'm guna follow ur guide and set my hero up myself.... also thanks for pointing me in the direction of the alternate launcher pro mod ... looks pretty cool!

mdon874 said:
thanks for the quick reply I kinda like flashing and starting from scratch on a clean install and adding things bit by bit so I'm guna follow ur guide and set my hero up myself.... also thanks for pointing me in the direction of the alternate launcher pro mod ... looks pretty cool!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problemo! Just as a side-note, the kernel that COMES with Cyanogen 6.1 seems good enough, but I had problems with waking the phone up (sometimes I had to push the power button 3 or 4 times to get to the unlock screen). This is a pretty standard issue with a lot of kernels where the minimum clock speed is a little too low and the phone doesn't quite rev up enough when waking up. So, if using CM6.1 as a base (as posted above) Flykernel is a must (using the clockspeeds I posted above), as it removes this issue entirely and boosts overall performance.
Zeb

agree for the configuration, is the best(for now )
however,instead of sms popup i use handcent sms, the application is very similar to the application of the iPhone, and has a built-in sms popup...try it!

magokh said:
agree for the configuration, is the best(for now )
however,instead of sms popup i use handcent sms, the application is very similar to the application of the iPhone, and has a built-in sms popup...try it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice addition, thanks! I have used ChompSMS before, but I really like the messaging app in Android 2.2, so I prefer to stick with that and use SMS Popup to handle the quick reply (which is an awesome feature). Also, the theme I posted skins the SMSPopup notification screen to fit with the rest of the device, to it looks extra good and as though it was really all put together into a proper ROM package.
I haven't tried Handcent myself but I have heard good things about it, so yea, probably worth a try if you aren't keen on the stock SMS app!
Zeb

Thread moved to General.

thanks for this, very useful especially the sms popup thing

Hello to all and thank you for the great topics on whatever is needed to tweak the Hero to full potential. I would like to flash a new rom (from VR12). Should i flash CyanogenMod 6.1.0 RC1 or wait for a custom rom based on CM 6.1 like Floyo or Elelinux's ROM. What would you suggest?

HTC_ime simply does not work. every time i try to to start it it force closes. I followed instructions as i usually did every single time before. help?

marcinr said:
HTC_ime simply does not work. every time i try to to start it it force closes. I followed instructions as i usually did every single time before. help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, I don't use HTC_IME mod so I haven't even tried installing it! I will try tomorrow and let you know if I make it work.
Sent from my HTC Hero using XDA App

vladsk8 said:
Hello to all and thank you for the great topics on whatever is needed to tweak the Hero to full potential. I would like to flash a new rom (from VR12). Should i flash CyanogenMod 6.1.0 RC1 or wait for a custom rom based on CM 6.1 like Floyo or Elelinux's ROM. What would you suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I much prefer this method! That's why I made this thread! Give it a try, if you don't like it you can always wipe the phone nice and easy and install Floyo!
Sent from my HTC Hero using XDA App

Settings
Any chance you can add some of the settings you use, like cyanogen or spare parts settings? I followed your guide completely and its pretty fast but i think enabling JIT might help but im too afraid to try. Thank you

[Q] silly question?

id there anyway to keep ur home screens organized between wiping and flashing roms? im sooo sick of redoing it.. im going to cry if i have to do it again.. thats 15 whole minutes of my valuable life.

I know ADW lets you do two backups within its settings, one for home screens and the other for your general settings (grid layout, dock, swype actions).
So you restore your user apps with titanium, install ADW, and restore those settings. Certain widgets effectively get broken links, but the layout is still there and you re-add the one to three that have an issue. The sweeping majority work and it is all pretty quick to set up.
Other launchers probably have the same thing. Also, Titanium backup will backup your launcher data itself, but I don't endorse doing that since doing so has confused market in the past.
Another option is to try your luck with not wiping data between updates, and hope features like Market Doctor will save you. I like my way though.
Swyped w/ XDA App. A clean tie attracts the soup of the day.

Soba hit it on the head....ADW will restore it, but if you have fancy widgets; you will have to restore them regardless. If it's a bunch of icons then you will be fine.

Launcherpro will backup and restore as well
Sent from my rooted froyo Fascinate

[how to] have a lighter and faster stock rom!!!

First of all, please allow me to express that this method is not taken from somewhere else or not required any expertise to implement. This is just based on to remove heavy TW applications, and find better replacements for them. Mainly, this is not a mod at all
I am sharing this method because it is tried by lots of people and they conveyed their appreciation for overall performance and battery life increase.
As a start, either Flash a fully Stock odexed Rom or flash a TW based Custom Rom.
Then root it, and flash a performance kernel. Preferably H.O.C Hello World Kernel v1.3.7b.
Make a Full Nandroid Backup including /preload partition. I bear no responsibility for any lost info or broken device. (Actually it is impossible to break the phone by implementing this method but who knows
Then install Titanium Backup. Backup all user and system apps.
These are all kind of prerequisites. There we start now
First thing to be done is to get rid of TW Launcher. IT is hell of a burden for whole system. Best replacement for me is Nova Launcher. You choose your own. After you settle with new launcher and rest assured that it is OK, freeze TW via TB. Thanks to this step we have gained more than 50 mb of RAM
Second thing is to get rid of is Gallery. Due to Facebook, Picasa, G+, etc. integration Gallery is always working background and pushes system very hard. Best and fastest replacement is stock Android/Google Camera and Gallery. Here is the link: http://db.tt/L1ip1Inp Flash it via Recovery. This will install system folder. You can find preload variations on the net.
After you install the zip, set video recording resolution to 480p. Otherwise it gets stuck. When you confirm that media scanner is completed and Camera is working including whole features, then you can freeze and/or delete stock gallery and camera apps.
The other wise thing to do to lighten the rom would be deleting some bloatware, actually all bloatwares . Start with ad apps, and continue with live wallpapers and live wallpaper chooser. After that, you can delete Samsung scloud agents. If you are not using them, it will be wise.
Other apps to be deleted could be FM Radio, Google Play Music, etc. The ones you are sure that you are not using. Actually to give a complete and proper list is unfortunately impossible. Cause it is dependent to tastes and choices. For example, I don’t use All Share and Group Play, so I even deleted them. On the other hand, you may be using them. So even if I tell you what I have deleted, it may not work for you.
You can also delete some widget apps like Favorite Apps, contacts, etc. They consume RAM. Get rid of them. If you are not using stock keyboard, then get rid of Samsung IME, swype. Also you can delete street view, double clock, digital clock, etc. You decide it. There are lists floating around in which you can find the app safe to remove.
Any app not essential for system can be deleted. If you are hesitant whether an app is obligatory for system working or not, then just freeze it So that you can defreeze it later on if you face any problems.
I would strongly advise you to get rid of Play Store, Hangout, Play Music, Play Services. If you need GTalk, here it is: http://db.tt/6NKHZMvV (Replace it with Hangout apk (don’t know the name) and set the permissions. If you cannot find a replacement for Play Market, try 1Mobile. It is free. No warez either. Afterwards you won’t need Play Services. System will be free of another heavy duty as well
Now, we set our Rom according to your taste and needs. System is a lot lighter now. It is time to implement some mods.
Search for Direct Injection tweak on xda. Flash it via CWM right away. Let the phone boot.
Then, install Seeder from xda also. Choose all 3 options, set it to moderate and Turn it ON. Reboot the phone again.
After, install No Frills CPU from 1Mobile (we deleted Play Store ). Set governor as HYPER, and scheduler as row. Max Freq: 1,2GHZ; Min:200 MHZ. Tick applying settings on boot. Then activate your Battery Saving Mode.
Finally, go to recovery. Wipe Cache and Dalvik Cache. Let the phone reboot and settle for 30 minutes.
Enjoy the fastest Rom ever
Please do not report battery life before 3 full cycle.
Regards.

Nice guide. Cause you did more than me. But for the launcher, if you don't use widgets and just want ultimate simplicity get Sicksky launcher https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sicksky its the next generation zeam launcher. For me nova launcher still takes up a lot of space due to its number of features. So after reading the whole thread I realised that stock android is the best.

Juhan Jufri said:
Nice guide. Cause you did more than me. But for the launcher, if you don't use widgets and just want ultimate simplicity get Sicksky launcher https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sicksky its the next generation zeam launcher. For me nova launcher still takes up a lot of space due to its number of features. So after reading the whole thread I realised that stock android is the best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reply and advise.
Though I need weather, mail and calender widgets. I dont know if I can use thim with SickSky but if they dont work with it, then sorry
Actually my RAM usage is around 550-650. Itmeans there is a lot of room for Nova Even if you limit background processes via Developer Options by three or two, you will se a noticable RAM usage decrease. Try it now
But still, there may be lots of additions to this. So whoever comes up with a new advise is more than welcomed
This should be a contribution thread, I hope.

I actually love TW starter but will try other things you said.
nice guide though:good:

TW Launcher is the best, I tried almost all launchers but the satisfaction and ease I get with TWL none can provide even if its a little heavy on ram but really not that heavy to make your system laggy.
Overall your motto to keep the rom lite and fast looks good to me but removing Play Store is a crime don't do that. lol

v4uluv2004 said:
TW Launcher is the best, I tried almost all launchers but the satisfaction and ease I get with TWL none can provide even if its a little heavy on ram but really not that heavy to make your system laggy.
Overall your motto to keep the rom lite and fast looks good to me but removing Play Store is a crime don't do that. lol
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It is not working where I live
Google doesn't allow us to use it unfortunately.
Are you saying google is commiting a crime

I think rather than cut down every feature on your phone easier to pick up a nice Nokia 3600 or something like that going back to 20th. century.

straycat said:
I think rather than cut down every feature on your phone easier to pick up a nice Nokia 3600 or something like that going back to 20th. century.
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Click to collapse
I don't cut here, just replace.
I mean, there is nothing missing here for me as a smart phone. And whenever i need, lets say all share, i can defreeze and use it.
Nothing is missing on my end.
Cheers.

Question on Titanium Backup.

Hey guys, have a quick question here, i have recently started using titanium backup.. and i tutored from a couple of youtube videos which helped a lot. Have a couple of questions about how you use it.
1. What i want to know is, is does encryption feature slow the process of the backup? Although most of the people schedule the backup at night, but i dont want the phone to be running for extended hours thus heating up the device etc.. if encryption does slow the process down.
2. Do you backup on a daily basis, or just weekly?
3. Does the backup happen in the background, and you can continue using other features of the phone while backup is running. Asking this, cos what if the titanium backup is running late at night and a phone call comes in or a message that i have to retrive? Or if et all.. I plan to surf or something late at night.
4. Whats an ideal "Max Backup History", currently i have set it to default one.
5. Do you keep compression or have disabled it, cos i know for sure this one surely slows down the backup process.. but surely it will compress the backup to retain space on the dropbox/sdcard... what do you choose ideally?
6. Dropbox better or Google drive?
I guess thats it for now.
I'd really appreciate your responses.

2. Only when I need to.
3. Yes, just click on the home button and you will see in the status bar that it is working.
4. Just use what you need. If you have use for more than one backup, then use more.
6. Both are good. But on my laptop I have an extension for Chrome which gives me the option to save a picture to Drive after right clicking it.

RollsReus said:
2. Only when I need to.
3. Yes, just click on the home button and you will see in the status bar that it is working.
4. Just use what you need. If you have use for more than one backup, then use more.
6. Both are good. But on my laptop I have an extension for Chrome which gives me the option to save a picture to Drive after right clicking it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your replies..
Now a few more remaining.. still looking for replies.

1. Encryption requires extra processing power. I don't think it's a lot and if you are storing your backup in the cloud it is probably worth it so the good people at the NSA aren't reading through your personal life on their lunch break. Or if someone gets into your account.
2. I only back up when I have everything set up how I want it and before I switch ROMs (not yet on this phone obviously lol).
3. For the most part, the backup can happen in the background. However, once in a while I have noticed it crash or freeze when I'm doing other stuff, but rarely.
4. I keep my max backup history at 2 because once and a while an app will release a crappy or broken update and I want the old version back.
5. If you have a lot of free space to spare, skip the compression.
6. I've been using Dropbox forever and need to give Google Drive a try.

I back up daily. But this comes from being a serial rom flasher and wanting the most up to date saved always. I do new app updates mon, wed and Fri. Do new data backups Sundays and Thursdays.
I only upload to the cloud rarely. Use a 64GB SD card instead. Holds fine.
Sent from my GlaDos Baked Potato

Legato Bluesummers said:
I back up daily. But this comes from being a serial rom flasher and wanting the most up to date saved always. I do new app updates mon, wed and Fri. Do new data backups Sundays and Thursdays.
I only upload to the cloud rarely. Use a 64GB SD card instead. Holds fine.
Sent from my GlaDos Baked Potato
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Legato, thanks.. i like your idea.. pretty sensible way of doing it. Do you mind sharing your screenshot of the "Schedules" tab.. this way i can also try to set up mine.. i am pretty new to TiBu.

MANswers said:
Legato, thanks.. i like your idea.. pretty sensible way of doing it. Do you mind sharing your screenshot of the "Schedules" tab.. this way i can also try to set up mine.. i am pretty new to TiBu.
Click to expand...
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Have you watched the videos of wwjoshdew? You'll learn much useful stuff by watching his tuts on TB.

RollsReus said:
Have you watched the videos of wwjoshdew? You'll learn much useful stuff by watching his tuts on TB.
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thats where i learnt to configure and setup TiBu, but he does not give out tips on scheduling etc.

MANswers said:
thats where i learnt to configure and setup TiBu, but he does not give out tips on scheduling etc.
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The scheduling is kind of up to yourself and whatever suits you. But I'd recommend to schedule at night so it makes backups while you might be charging your phone and not using it. Also weekends are good.
And the same goes for the rest. It's about what suits you the best.
And about encryption and compression, you might want to check TB Wiki (I believe they have) or their forums if they have.

Yeah scheduling is based on your usage and style. I'm a 3rd shifter. I run mine at 5pm. I'm almost always asleep then except on weekends.
I back up frequently because I'm used to flashing custom roms all the time. So having current back ups is nice. Since we won't be getting roms anytime soon cause they have to boot strap us first, I'm cutting back to like 2x a week. Just enough to cover myself in the event my phone bricks or whatever.
How many backups to keep us up to you and how much space you want to use. I do two. So in the event an update sucks I can revert.
Sent from my GlaDos Baked Potato