Where to start? - Vega General

After a lot of reading I've just bought a Vega which has Vegacomb already installed - it hasn't arrived yet so I'm trying to learn a bit more before I start. My first tablet, my first android device, nothing like the windows / windows mobile stuff I've been using. I've already ordered a bigger sd card, and I'm really looking for any advice on where to begin. I plan to keep Vegacomb on it for a while - once I'm a bit more android-literate I'll no doubt be trying other ROMs to compare, but for now any advice on the way to go to get the most out of the Vega would be appreciated.
Should I be making a backup before I start?
Essential apps?
What to do with the sd card?
I don't even know the questions to ask!
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hi!
Welcome to XDA.
It's hard to answer such a broad question.
Android has virtually limitless possibilities.
I've heard that VegaComb ROM is pretty amazing so you might not even need to work with other ROMs.
First I would suggest that you start up Android Market and start browsing for some apps and games.
Which apps?
That is all up to you what are your needs and what works for you.
If you're still clueless what to install / use on your tablet, I would suggest finding some good answers from your best friend Google.
Try typing in: top android tablet
And it will automatically suggest apps, games, browsers and you can then find some great articles.
First two weeks should be reserved for you to get used to the tablet and then you might consider more in-depth tweaking (tweaks, hacks, ROMs,...).
Have fun with your new tablet!

There are a few things you need to do (or that I would do)
1. Download clockwork mod from market (this may already be on your machine via vegacomb, if so you access this from the start menu selecting reboot to recovery', or similar text)
2. Us this to partition your SD card. This will give you two spaces on the card one for data and one for apps. I use 1gb for the partition size which I find is plenty.
3. Download link2sd. This allows you to link apps to your SD card effectively extending the size of your machines internal memory. If you set up in the options every new app will be stored this way.
4. Make sure you get some anti virus, plenty of free ones available from market.
5. Download Vega tools. You can find this by searching on modaco forums. This is really good when loading new ROMs for the first few times. Its also very good in making sure your drivers get on to your PC (note, if using windows then you need to delete pre loaded drivers or you will never get a new from on).
6. Read, read, read........... you will be an expert in no time any questions just ask people round here are very nice.
Stokesy
Sent from my Vega using Tapatalk

Just want to add to stokesyblack's no.4 that if you'll be using antivirus software to try avast! Mobile Security.
It has tons of features!

Brilliant!
Thanks to all who replied. Stokesyblack, that's exactly the sort of step-by-step I was hoping for - to avoid the sort of stupid mistakes / omissions that mean I end up starting from scratch 2 days later!

No problem happy to help.
Sent from my Vega using Tapatalk

Related

[Q] New User...couple of questions

Hello,
Just got my Elocity A7 and so far my feelings on it are mixed. When it does what I want it to, I love it! But I am having a couple of issues....
1. How do I copy files from the sd card to the internal memory? I am trying to get the Nook app to recognize some epubs I have loaded on to the sd card. It does not see them at all. I was thinking the solution would be to get the files copied to the nook\mydocuments folder the app created in the internal memory but I cant figure out how to move the files. I tried connecting the A7 to my PC but when I do the PC does not recognize it at all. I tried running terminal, thinking I could just move the files that way, but when it opens, how to you type? Do you need an external keyboard?
2. Every USB storage device I have connected to the A7 just says "checking for errors" and that never seems to go away so it doesnt seem to be mounting the USB devices correctly.
3. Is it normal for this device to have a very limited wifi range? I have several other wifi devices, including the original nook, a media player and a laptop all of which work fine throughout my home but the A7 does not. However, I applied dexter's mod and then did the new official update and that seems to be a bit better now.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated! I have about 12 days left before I can no longer return it so I really want to make sure I can get these issues resolved before then since after its going to be a lot hard to return if I want.
Thank you!
Chris
Re. 1 - I don't have an A7, but it should have a file explorer apparently, and you should be able to use that to copy. For term, try pressing the menu button, or longpress to see if a keyboard or input method menu appears.
Jim
****** All below is from my experience using Dexter's Mod 1.1 ******
1) OI File Manager should be in your list of available mods. Open it, click on the SD card icon at the top. You are not at the sd card level yet, but the A7s symbolic sd card. Go down and find sdcard-disk0 as this is your actual SD card, click on it to open the sd card. Continue to find the desired file. Long hold on the file and a menu appears select copy. Now transverse your way to the desired spot to drop the file (Not in the folder, but to where you can see the folder -- you may not have write permisions to drop a file in some folders -- using a program such as Root Explorer will let you see if you have the right permissions). Long hold on the destination folder, and a menu will appear again. Select copy. Reasons this may not work...permissions and ownership. Linux/unix is particluar about these things.
2) More than likely your USB device is not formatted FAT/FAT32 must be to be able to utilize that type of device.
3) My range isn't extremely strong, but it is not bad. I use it in sever environments from sitting on top of the access point to being down a hall in a brick building with several walls between the A7 and the AP (lots of other devices) and it seems to work. My co-worker has an iPad and it is as strong as the iPad.
Hope that helps!
Dale
EDIT: Thought maybe I should add the following. I have tried several Droid Tablets/Pads and sent them back. Without Dexters mod, this one is not bad. With Dexter's mod it is near perfect (multi-touch would be nice). I am planning to develop software on it and use it as a organizational tool. I have DesktopToGo for editing office products and that works really good. PDF's rock. Music is pretty good (although my Archos 705 has my entire music collection on it with room for a lot more and several movies). I am using compiled help files (have extensive collection of ebooks in PDF format and CHM format) and those are awesome. I can tether this with my Droid phone and it in effect has 3G with no additional expense. I can VNC into my home computers and work computers and have full SSH access to all my servers. Several interesting games are awesome and I can keep up on Facebook and Twitter including playing a couple FaceBook games (and search for my previous posts and you can find out how to update Facebook). The face to face video/front facing video is not a huge item I would use, but it would definitely be adequate. Volume from the speakers is low, but works. Battery life is fine. I guess I am not sure what more I could want to do with it that I haven't been able to figure out. So for me, and mostly because of Dexter's MOD, IT IS A KEEPER!
I am about to try Dexter's mod at version 1.2 when I get home from work tonight.
So far I was on the fence about this device. I think for me I really wanted 3.0 on it and I did not have the patience to wait until 3.0 was released and there was some time for tablet makers to catch up. So in part my dilemna with this device is my own fault for being impatient. That being said I think there was some mis-information out there in regards to the touch screen which is one of the reasons I bought this device for future upgrade.
Now I see for $100 more I can have all I wanted in the newer device about to be on pre-order feb 15th. Of course $300 was a stretch for me so $400 is out of the question. I thought of returning this and getting a nook but the Tegra is so snappy and I just do not know if the Nook will be as responsive as the Elocity is but at least I know someone has already put 3.0 on that device.
My thinking is that there are so many talented and genius type developers who love to tinker and Dexter is one of those who I am so impressed and grateful to that at some point they will figure a way to get 3.0 on here some how!!
However, as you stated so well in your post as it is right now this device really is very nice. It does a heck of a lot and does it pretty well.
I have been thinking despite its shortcomings and unless you spend a lot of cash most of these devices have some shortcomings that I will say almost it is a keeper!! She is so close!!
I am hopeful that when I get Dexters Mod I will be equally happy and it may just lean the tipping machine in favor of the Elocity.
Rob
If you want Honeycomb for $300 or less, I don't really see any other options than the Nook Color.

[Q] Newbie needing advice please

Wow, talk about confusing, the A7 is a whole new world to me.
I've had computers for years, currently I have two running XP & 7, plus I have two laptops running XP & 7. I understand a lot when it comes to computers, but the A7 is so different.
I've downloaded & printed the User Manual and I have read it several times. I've read numerous posts on this forum and now I'm confused. I feel so dumb. Too many words that I don't understand. I want to learn everything I can about running every aspect of this tablet, but it's like just as I learn one thing, the next time it doesn't work that way.
I need more reading material. Whether it be links to posts, books to read, anything to help me understand what I am doing. I make notes of things I have read so that I will remember what to do next time. Post something to help me, PM me or even email me.
I will be so greatfull for any help given.
Thank you
The user manual you can download on elocity's site is useless because there is a lot of things that were never edited out to match the actual release version of the tablet.
As far as computer knowledge and relating it to the a7 or android in general, windows knowledge will not get you very far. A good working knowledge of Unix/Linux will give you a much better idea of what's going on behind the scenes since android is based on Linux (loosely, in my opinion) but still functions very similarly.
If you have any programming or web design experience, I would recommend downloading the android sdk and do some playing around with simple programs. Also with the sdk you can make a virtual android device to monkey around with without fear of messing up your new $300 toy I use eclipse as my development environment in Linux, not sure what a good windows alternative would be, but the structure of an android app is pretty easy to follow. There are example programs and source available on the android developer site developer.android.com if I remember correctly (same place to get the sdk). And the language itself tends to be pretty similar to writing a Java app.
I've probably missed the mark completely on the information you were trying to find, but if you are anything like me, you'll find hours (years if it gets you going down the Linux/Unix path lol) of obsession with just this info.
Hopefully it gets you on the opensource band wagon (the reason I love Linux/Android)
Wow...where to start? Well, you got that you turn it on and slide the lock to the dot to unlock. Then you are in a "home page". There are 5 of them. there are dots at the top of the screen showing which home page ur on. Usually the center one. Touch the screen and slide one way or the other to move the home pages.
If you touch the square whitish pad at the right of the screen with a bunch of darker squares in it, it takes you to your apps - the programs that do what you want.
If you touch an app it runs. Touch the return arrow just to the right of the screen to close the app and go back. It always takes u back.
You have to "root" the machine to get the good apps. Usually with Dexters mod. This is easy. You download the file, rename it to upgrade.zip, place it on a micro SD card, and go to settings/About Device/System Updates/ then touch update device.
The home button at the right side of the screen always takes you to the center home page. - It DOES NOT close the app you have open at the moment.
you should get an app closer to close all of the un-closed apps for you.
Oh yea, android market place is the app you want to add all of the apps you want.
You get it with Dexters Mod (4.1 right now)
and there is tons more...............
Based on Linux ... now I understand why this is confusing to me. I've never worked with it before, but I understand from fellow users, they like it better than Windows OS.
I've never done any programming or web design, but maybe it's not too late to learn something new.
I thank both of you for your info and appreciate everything you have said.
mrpete2u I really appreciated the details of your instructions. I know I'm a dummy at this, and I'm sure there are more of you guys out there to help.
Thanks
mrpete2u said:
You have to "root" the machine to get the good apps. Usually with Dexters mod. This is easy. You download the file, rename it to upgrade.zip, place it on a micro SD card, and go to settings/About Device/System Updates/ then touch update device.
you should get an app closer to close all of the un-closed apps for you.
Oh yea, android market place is the app you want to add all of the apps you want.
You get it with Dexters Mod (4.1 right now)
and there is tons more...............
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another newbie jumping in....and trying to figure this out. To "root" the machine do I need to update the firmware from the elocity site or can I jump to Dexters right away. If so, where do I find that?
Thanks for your advice.
your a7 is rooted already with dexters mod or elocity firmware.
My Kernel version is 2.6.32.9-svn2514
[email protected]#1
And Build # PBJ8000.2.0124
And ECv is 0.14
Would you mind explaining what these numbers mean, please?
Thank you
koalaw said:
My Kernel version is 2.6.32.9-svn2514
[email protected]#1
And Build # PBJ8000.2.0124
And ECv is 0.14
Would you mind explaining what these numbers mean, please?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are one version in the rear, version now is 2.0133, most member her are running Dexter Mod 1.41 include myself an entirely different beast, stock Roman won't let me load Asphalt5 game so Dexter it is...A7 come from factor rooted Don't think any other tablet come out already root...
Your saying I need to upgrade one version
and that my A7 is already rooted??
Thank you for the answers.
koalaw said:
Your saying I need to upgrade one version
and that my A7 is already rooted??
Thank you for the answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
look here for Dexter mod forget about the stock rom ....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=890042
I have now updated to 2.0.0133
Now I need to figure out how to get the market icon so I can start looking for more apps & games. Tried downloading earlier and it keeps telling me that I have downloaded to my phone? I don't have a fancy phone to download to.
Here I am again confused, but what's new about that!!
There is a thread in the device section on adding market to stock rom.
Or you could just run elocitymod by Dexter.
I did run the elocity mod 1.41 and my firmware was updated to 2.0.0133
When I am on market.android's site, they want my phone number so they can download the app to my phone.
I'm trying to download the app to my tablet.
Am I confused or what
Thanks for answering me.
koalaw said:
I did run the elocity mod 1.41 and my firmware was updated to 2.0.0133
When I am on market.android's site, they want my phone number so they can download the app to my phone.
I'm trying to download the app to my tablet.
Am I confused or what
Thanks for answering me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, yes you are lol
For all intents and purposes (as far as Google is concerned at least) your tablet is a phone.
Install market enabler on the a7 and fake a cell provider. The a7 should show up on the Google market website after that.
You didn't install dextermod and then apply eLocity update over it did you? Just want to be sure.
Your laughing at me .... that's ok ... right now I'm so new at this, I really don't care, in fact I am laughing at myself for being so dumb.
I went to dexter's site and downloaded a file called elocitymod1.41 and renamed it to update.zip and that is what I installed.
OK I will install market enabler
Thank you again for helping this dummy .... LOL
From the perceived tone of the post prior to my last one, I thought you were already at the laughing stage. I thought I was just laughing along, sorry for the mix up.
Sounds like you are doing everything right. I just wanted to make sure that we were dealing with a clean install of elocitymod, and not something mixed together by trying to ally another update on top of it.
Needless to say ... I am still confused.
Installed the market enabler, but I am not getting anywhere.
Why I try to install an app I get a message telling me there is no phone attached to this account and they want me to log in with another account. When I try creating a new account, there is no place to give a phone number and I get all those stupid messages again.
Just wondering if I am too dumb, because you all make this seem so easy, that maybe I should give up and figure out other ways to get apps and leave the android market site alone???
Sorry if I have frustration in my voice, but I guess I thought this would be easier.
koalaw said:
Needless to say ... I am still confused.
Installed the market enabler, but I am not getting anywhere.
Why I try to install an app I get a message telling me there is no phone attached to this account and they want me to log in with another account. When I try creating a new account, there is no place to give a phone number and I get all those stupid messages again.
Just wondering if I am too dumb, because you all make this seem so easy, that maybe I should give up and figure out other ways to get apps and leave the android market site alone???
Sorry if I have frustration in my voice, but I guess I thought this would be easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not just use market from the tablet? I wouldn't stress so much about trying to get it to work and remotely install from the web site.
Each time I go to the site, I am on my tablet. Mainly because it has a direct install button and not a download, so I want to be on the tablet to install on it.
koalaw said:
Each time I go to the site, I am on my tablet. Mainly because it has a direct install button and not a download, so I want to be on the tablet to install on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are you hitting the Market icon (opening the Market app) or are you trying to open http://market.android.com/ in the web browser?

Android Tablet Newbie

So after some extensive searching and not really finding a solid reference, I wanted to ask you guys some things. First off, I have been using Android for a couple years now, with my first phone being a Hero (which I absolutely hated) and my latest phone being an Evo 4G. Well, I just sold my iPad for the Xformer and I don't regret it in the slightest, only problem now is I feel like I'm not getting the full potential of what this device is capable of handling. That's where I wanted to come here. Can anyone recommend some sort of Beginners guide to Must-Have apps, widgets, and other things for honeycomb? I'm just looking to get the most out of this. Also, I'm not opposed to paid apps or widgets.
Second, does anyone know of a simple, easy way of sharing files or pushing things between two android devices? With having an android phone and tablet, there are things I'll find on my tablet, for instance the apk for the new market, that I wish I could just easily push the link similar to chrome to android? Also file sharing. I find Bluetooth works simply but what about over wifi? Any ways to do this. I normally just email myself files and open them on the other device, but i feel theres gotta be a better solution.
I appreciate any and all help and if I missed something already posted, I apologize but please do share ANY advice. Thank you.
smackinisaiah said:
Second, does anyone know of a simple, easy way of sharing files or pushing things between two android devices? With having an android phone and tablet, there are things I'll find on my tablet, for instance the apk for the new market, that I wish I could just easily push the link similar to chrome to android? Also file sharing. I find Bluetooth works simply but what about over wifi? Any ways to do this. I normally just email myself files and open them on the other device, but i feel theres gotta be a better solution.
I appreciate any and all help and if I missed something already posted, I apologize but please do share ANY advice. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried DropBox?
You can share between Android devices, and any other device...
First question : depends on what kind of apps and widget you want.
Second question : you can install an ftp server/client on your devices. For exemple file expert can access files via network, be it smb or ftp. Just do a search on the market for these apps.
Hope that helps.
I use WIFI File Explorer to transfer files to and from my TF via the laptop...I'm sure that it would work the same between two android devices.
I use DropBox (from the app store) on three computers, an Android phone, and my Transformer. My son has it on his iPad, his computer, and his Android phone and I keep one folder in my DropBox that I share with him. I also use the free Asus webstorage on my main computer, Transformer, and phone (it's in the app store). Both of them work really well for me. - sheureka
I would certainly recommend looking at the initial post in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1068593. I found the Tips and tricks link in that post particularly helpful when I was starting out.

[Q] Acer a500/ Android Newbie! Help me get started!

Hi,
I am new to the world of Androids, I posses a Acer a500 Tab and a Nexus S phone. I know the basics like how to download apps and navigate trough most of the basics stuff but I am new to all the more ''advanced'' stuff. So I had a couple of questions and if you want to give me any tips on the apps that I should get let me know as well!
1) Root - What are the main reasons you need to root your tablet for, from what I understand it gives you extra permissions to change your setting but does it give you free apps as well like jail breaking?
2) Can you un-Root your tablet if you ever need to bring it back?
3) From what I understand you can link your computer, your phone and your tablet all together so what is the best way to do that and what does that let you do?
4) What is the best internet browser to download? ( I have downloaded both firefox and opera so far)
5) When people are speaking about the ROM does it mean the '' hard drive'' of the tablet?
6) I heard of this website on a another forum: tegraowners.com
What does it do? It looks like it could be usefull to me and do you need to be rooted to use it?
7) Finally, any apps most have suggestions ( I downloaded the most popular one like : Pulse, TED, Skype Barcode scanner etc... I also find wizz bar and wizz widget pretty cool apps)
Thank you for your patience and to making me less newb!
I'm also new with Android. I have had my a500 for about 2 weeks, but I have learned a lot .
1/ Root mean giving yourself full control of the tablet (well, with right software, you can control everything, cpu clocks, voltages, which stock apps you want to keep, much more). With root, you can install/ apply bunch of useful tweaks like ah-hoc support, 3g dongle support.
If your "free app" means "free paid app" or simpler "pirated app", well, pirating is not good, but that's your choice. You don't need root to pirate. Just uncheck an option in setting\application then you're good to go. Download the apk, browse to it with file browser then install.
2/ From what I read, it's possible. Even when your tablet is bricked, you can still manage to install stock ROM before send it to service.
3/ For mobile storage, Dropbox seem very good. There are also many app to share folders between Android devices and with PC via Wifi.
4/ Personally, I use Opera Mobile and sometimes, default browser and Opera Mini (it's very powerful to have access to forbidden websites, like Facebook in my country). I heard that Dolphin Browser is also good, but I haven't tried yet.
5/ Well, ROM stands for "Read-Only Memory" . Just imagine you buy a PC with pre-installed Windows, like that. You can install another version yourself, can re-install it if it got broken. You should think about it like an image of customized windows. You can choose which is suitable for you and install it. It stands as system partition on our device. When people talk about ROM, they care about which customizations that ROM has.
6/ tegraowners.com is the site of legendary thor . He is a good modder. We own him a lot for his work on a500. Some problems about the source code of his amazing kernel stop him from posting here, it's rumor . So you have to visit that site to get his ROMs and Kernels. His forum is also very good, you can see many of XDA members there .
You need to root to install custom ROMs. Yes, root it, and try Thor's ROM v14, it's really sweet.
7/ I recommend QuickOffice HD Pro, Temp+CPU, Thumb Keyboard, Titanium Backup Pro, Pimp my CPU/ SetCPU (only if you want to show your tablet who is the boss ), don't forget to get BetterBatteryStat. JustPicture is also good for browsing photos, for comic, I prefer Perfect Viewer. File Manager HD (honeycomb) is also very good. If you love analog clock, you can get Analog Clock Collection, very handy and lightweight.
WOW
yes lots of Questions...
Well answered above.. only issue is rooting alone will NOT allow you to overclock your Kernel needs to be one from a custom dev or a cooked rom with custom kernel..
Just please read read and understand whats going on before you start flashing.. To avoid bricking your device and causing headaches..

[Q] Need minimal ROM for ATM like project

I need some info on getting a project going. I have been tasked to create an ATM type of application for the A500. It needs a minimal OS with only my program running, which uses a USB card reader and WiFi. The power is always connected and it is securely mounted. It's not, but think ATM.
I have read there are minimal OS source builds that we can get for this purpose. I haven't found where to get them, or what to Google for. Searching has found ROM's for other devices people have created. I have basically finished the program and now just need to get the system ready for install without a user being able to press the Home button or back button to get out of the program.
I'm too new to post in the dev forum, but I'm not a novice programmer. Ive done embedded dev, just not on android.
thanks
You could also PM some of the devs, they might be able to help you...
PMs
I hadn't thought of that, but I am too new on here to know who would be good to PM. Besides, I didn't want to bother busy people. But I'll continue to read up on the posts and see who seems to know what they are talking about.
Most decent Rom "modders" can strip most stuff out of the system. Heck, you can do it yourself with a little trial and error and a lot of time and patience.
Example, my newest mod in beta, has 2 services running at boot. Google services, and Keyboard. That's about as bare bones as one can get, and still maintain functionality and be called a tablet. Note that most apps, will have to be downloaded.
Anything past that, and you would need something like an old ASOP rom.

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