Hello again. I have been flirting with the idea of flashing a custom ROM, but never could bring myself to do it, mostly because, up until now, I didn't have a mainstream phone (Milestone X with nTelos). Now that I have a Nexus 4, I know that it's completely feasible. But, I have several questions before I do. Most of them are about comparisons, but some are about topics that I just don't understand. I know that probably every question has been answered on here somewhere, but the problem with finding the answers lies in sifting through hundreds of pages of threads and topics, where people are talking about a hundred different things. It's quite the overwhelming task to even know where to start. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask those questions here.
1. What are the 3-4 major, stable custom ROMs available for the N4?
2. What are the benefits, or highlights of each ROM when compared to the others?
3. As long as I have a current Nandroid backup, I really have nothing to fear, correct? I could always go back?
4. What are the really technical things I see people talking about (radios, baseband versions, I think), and do those apply to flashing a custom ROM? Will I have to know anything about them?
5. Will any app downloaded from the Play store work on any custom ROM? The two I'm most concerned with are GV and Messaging + GV.
6. Will my phone operate just as it does now, or will I have to input a lot of settings to get it to work with my carrier?
What I'm really looking for in a custom ROM isn't completely the ability to customize every last detail and setting. Rather, I'm mostly interested in something that just 'pops'.. something that looks and feels awesome compared to a stock ROM. Beauty, speed, responsiveness and most of all, battery life, are what I'm after.
Speaking of responsiveness, I've learned that this community is A+ when it comes to assisting those of us that seek more Android knowledge, so, allow me to say 'thanks' ahead of time!
Btw, obviously, I'm running stock 4.2.2, am unlocked and rooted, and have TWRP recovery.
Regards.
wvcadle said:
Hello again. I have been flirting with the idea of flashing a custom ROM, but never could bring myself to do it, mostly because, up until now, I didn't have a mainstream phone (Milestone X with nTelos). Now that I have a Nexus 4, I know that it's completely feasible. But, I have several questions before I do. Most of them are about comparisons, but some are about topics that I just don't understand. I know that probably every question has been answered on here somewhere, but the problem with finding the answers lies in sifting through hundreds of pages of threads and topics, where people are talking about a hundred different things. It's quite the overwhelming task to even know where to start. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask those questions here.
1. What are the 3-4 major, stable custom ROMs available for the N4?
2. What are the benefits, or highlights of each ROM when compared to the others?
3. As long as I have a current Nandroid backup, I really have nothing to fear, correct? I could always go back?
4. What are the really technical things I see people talking about (radios, baseband versions, I think), and do those apply to flashing a custom ROM? Will I have to know anything about them?
5. Will any app downloaded from the Play store work on any custom ROM? The two I'm most concerned with are GV and Messaging + GV.
6. Will my phone operate just as it does now, or will I have to input a lot of settings to get it to work with my carrier?
What I'm really looking for in a custom ROM isn't completely the ability to customize every last detail and setting. Rather, I'm mostly interested in something that just 'pops'.. something that looks and feels awesome compared to a stock ROM. Beauty, speed, responsiveness and most of all, battery life, are what I'm after.
Speaking of responsiveness, I've learned that this community is A+ when it comes to assisting those of us that seek more Android knowledge, so, allow me to say 'thanks' ahead of time!
Btw, obviously, I'm running stock 4.2.2, am unlocked and rooted, and have TWRP recovery.
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No
2. No
3. Lots to fear. Can go back though.
4. Search, read, & learn a bit before you start flashing. You need to know EVERYTHING about everything ahead of flashing.
5. Apps are OS version / phone / country dependent.
6. Yes
You have a bit of searching but l o a d s of reading ahead of you.
Good luck!
Vangelis13 said:
1. No
2. No
3. Lots to fear. Can go back though.
4. Search, read, & learn a bit before you start flashing. You need to know EVERYTHING about everything ahead of flashing.
5. Apps are OS version / phone / country dependent.
6. Yes
You have a bit of searching but l o a d s of reading ahead of you.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I'm not understanding your answers to numbers 1 and 2. Are you saying you can't answer those questions, or that you won't.
As for the rest, thanks, really. But although I generally always appreciate brevity, it doesn't really help me here. I have done a lot of reading on the topic, but the problem is that everyone that's talking about this custom ROM or that one already knows quite a bit, and is discussing some quite technical (like flashing this radio or that one). Another main problem I have is that I'm not sure which ROM I'd like to flash. If I could narrow it down by features, pros and cons, then I could narrow my attention to that particular ROM, and save myself a lot of trouble.
wvcadle said:
1. What are the 3-4 major, stable custom ROMs available for the N4?
2. What are the benefits, or highlights of each ROM when compared to the others?
3. As long as I have a current Nandroid backup, I really have nothing to fear, correct? I could always go back?
4. What are the really technical things I see people talking about (radios, baseband versions, I think), and do those apply to flashing a custom ROM? Will I have to know anything about them?
5. Will any app downloaded from the Play store work on any custom ROM? The two I'm most concerned with are GV and Messaging + GV.
6. Will my phone operate just as it does now, or will I have to input a lot of settings to get it to work with my carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Google have yet to release their Binaries to AOSP so many of the AOSP based ROMs are still unstable / nightly
2. This CNET article is a good starting point (here)
3. Maybe ADB backup is better to backup your app APKs and data, and an ADB sdcard pull is better to backup your sdcard. Nandroid is good if your restoring a ROM back to an earlier snapshot, but can become messy going from, say, CM10.1 back to stock
4. search and read, read, read
thats all I got. Good luck.
wvcadle said:
I guess I'm not understanding your answers to numbers 1 and 2. Are you saying you can't answer those questions, or that you won't.
As for the rest, thanks, really. But although I generally always appreciate brevity, it doesn't really help me here. I have done a lot of reading on the topic, but the problem is that everyone that's talking about this custom ROM or that one already knows quite a bit, and is discussing some quite technical (like flashing this radio or that one). Another main problem I have is that I'm not sure which ROM I'd like to flash. If I could narrow it down by features, pros and cons, then I could narrow my attention to that particular ROM, and save myself a lot of trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only you can answer them.
Start with a simple rom, with few modifications so you don't get overwhelmed.
____________________________
I was reading for a week before I rooted and flashed a rom on my n1, can guarantee you many if not most in here started like that.
You want to have it all answered in a thread & spooned to you?
I'm sorry to say but you're starting wrong.
Vangelis13 said:
Only you can answer them.
Start with a simple rom, with few modifications so you don't get overwhelmed.
____________________________
I was reading for a week before I rooted and flashed a rom on my n1, can guarantee you many if not most in here started like that.
You want to have it all answered in a thread & spooned to you?
I'm sorry to say but you're starting wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe me, I'm not asking for anything to be spooned to me. I mean, if I could at least get some help in figuring out which ROM I'd like to flash, that would be appreciated. I could certainly do the leg work if I could just get help deciding on which ROM. I stated in my OP the type of things I'd like to have in a custom ROM. Didn't what I posted put one or two in your head? If so, may I ask which ones? Even with your opening sentence of this reply, you said to start with a simple rom. Any examples?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2009561
At least he has an op that explains a fair bit.
Roastgoat said:
1. Google have yet to release their Binaries to AOSP so many of the AOSP based ROMs are still unstable / nightly
2. This CNET article is a good starting point (here)
3. Maybe ADB backup is better to backup your app APKs and data, and an ADB sdcard pull is better to backup your sdcard. Nandroid is good if your restoring a ROM back to an earlier snapshot, but can become messy going from, say, CM10.1 back to stock
4. search and read, read, read
thats all I got. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are more stable than you think, i wouldnt call some of the better ones unstable or nightlies. i've been running aokp for a few months now and it's very stable no major bugs over stock rom for me.
wvcadle - It's hard to say what the best roms are since that's mostly personal taste but some of the more popular roms are ParanoidAndroid, AOKP, Xylon and slimbean. There is a questions section that has lots of threads comparing roms.
neotekz said:
They are more stable than you think, i wouldnt call some of the better ones unstable or nightlies. i've been running aokp for a few months now and it's very stable no major bugs over stock rom for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried PA and CM10.1, both of which I liked but some minor issues have me back to stock and waiting for stable releases. I think personally I would go CM10.1 once stable.
Test several ROMs, then decide which one better fits your expectations. Nobody can tell which is the best.
I have tested 3 or 4, then I went back to stock and just added some tweeks to it. But hey, that's me!
JanusDC said:
Test several ROMs, then decide which one better fits your expectations. Nobody can tell which is the best.
I have tested 3 or 4, then I went back to stock and just added some tweeks to it. But hey, that's me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I'm going to try Modaco's ROM first. Do you know what Kernel it uses? Is it the stock kernel? I'd like to flash Franco's kernel, as I hear it has improved battery life.
wvcadle said:
I think I'm going to try Modaco's ROM first. Do you know what Kernel it uses? Is it the stock kernel? I'd like to flash Franco's kernel, as I hear it has improved battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't jump into kernel flashing so fast. I'd try a couple of ROMs first.
irishman103 said:
I wouldn't jump into kernel flashing so fast. I'd try a couple of ROMs first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I just flashed my first Custom ROM. I'm pretty stoked! Even though it's one of the simpler ROMs, it's still pretty cool. Hopefully I don't get hooked!
So, is flashing a custom kernel more dangerous than ROMs? I heard Franco has an app he created to flash his kernels.
I wouldn't say its dangerous. There's just more things to tweak and mess with. Voltages, gamma, CPU speed, etc. I'd just get comfortable with flashing ROMs and finding what you want first. And yes, flashing is an addiction. You will now flash hundreds of times only to find you want to flash a hundred more.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
irishman103 said:
I wouldn't say its dangerous. There's just more things to tweak and mess with. Voltages, gamma, CPU speed, etc. I'd just get comfortable with flashing ROMs and finding what you want first. And yes, flashing is an addiction. You will now flash hundreds of times only to find you want to flash a hundred more.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will the other ROMs not work right out of the box, or would I need to tweak all of those settings to get them to work?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
All the ROMs will work out the box. Developers will not turn over incomplete ROMs to the end users. Like now I'm using Paranoid Android...works beautifully, but there are tons of settings built in to mess with. Other ROMs don't have some of its features and vise versa. With kernels, I use the stock kernel with it. I've flashed other kernels but in MY opinion, I like the stock one. So read up on some ROMs, back up and flash some to see what you will like
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
TBH it will take you some time to learn everything. All the questions you need answered will come in time with you learning Android. Its best to learn by LOTS of reading but you also need some trial and error. You will learn what Roms work best for you and which dont. You will see that you dont always need a custom kernel, and perhaps your screen only needs to 2 more clicks of saturation to have 2.2 gamma while others need to tweak across the board. Once again you gain that knowledge over time. You will get in trouble from time to time, not have help and possibly brick badly, but you learn to fix and work it out, and THAT is really where you learn lots. When you hit a roadblock READ and you will have your answer and in the process gain the knowledge you need.
Good luck and enjoy the hobby!
irishman103 said:
All the ROMs will work out the box. Developers will not turn over incomplete ROMs to the end users. Like now I'm using Paranoid Android...works beautifully, but there are tons of settings built in to mess with. Other ROMs don't have some of its features and vise versa. With kernels, I use the stock kernel with it. I've flashed other kernels but in MY opinion, I like the stock one. So read up on some ROMs, back up and flash some to see what you will like
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've been a great help. Really. And I appreciate it. I just realized there was a 'Thanks' button on this forum, so you've got my first one.
One last question, and I'll leave you be... promise (I think!): The three things I'm most concerned with in a ROM deal with power consumption, speed, and, yes, beauty. I can safely say I will never try to overclock my phone, or change any really deep settings. Do those three items bring any specific ROM or two to mind that you can point me in the direction towards?
Thanks again!
wvcadle said:
You've been a great help. Really. And I appreciate it. I just realized there was a 'Thanks' button on this forum, so you've got my first one.
One last question, and I'll leave you be... promise (I think!): The three things I'm most concerned with in a ROM deal with power consumption, speed, and, yes, beauty. I can safely say I will never try to overclock my phone, or change any really deep settings. Do those three items bring any specific ROM or two to mind that you can point me in the direction towards?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. Glad I could help.
And your last question is the ultimate question...lol. It's all about how you use your phone. One ROM might be more efficient for you than it would be for me. You might watch a lot of videos and don't have good reception. That could drain your battery. I'd go with ROMs that have a good thread. Read and read about the ROM before you flash it. Read the first pages and the last. I personally like Paranoid Android and AOKP ROMs. Look in the original development section and read up on Liquid Smooth, AOKP, and Paranoid Android. They are really great out the box and no overclocking or "deep settings" needed. If you have any questions about the two I like I'll be more than happy to answer any questions. Just PM or email me.
Ok, MoDaCo on my N4 and PA 3.0 on my N7!
Yes, flashing custom roms is becoming a hobby!
Related
It seems like most of the threads about rooting are from back in July. I want to root my phone. I'm pretty sure I should use the Cyanogen ROM. Should I use stable? Experimental? Nightly? I want 2.2 for sure, beyond that I don't really know what the differences are I should be looking for.
So, using Windows 7 what should I do starting from square one, and in which order should I do it?
I would like the ability to un-root and return to stock, if possible.
Thanks for any helpful replies.
911jason said:
It seems like most of the threads about rooting are from back in July. I want to root my phone. I'm pretty sure I should use the Cyanogen ROM. Should I use stable? Experimental? Nightly? I want 2.2 for sure, beyond that I don't really know what the differences are I should be looking for.
So, using Windows 7 what should I do starting from square one, and in which order should I do it?
I would like the ability to un-root and return to stock, if possible.
Thanks for any helpful replies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you posting this in the appropriate sub-forum. Here is a link in the Development sub-forum that explains all of the steps you need to root your Aria and prepare for loading custom ROMs.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=788737
As for a Froyo 2.2 ROM, you have CM 6.0/6.1 or Liberated FRxx Series. The Liberated FR series has the familiar HTC Sense interface that came on your Aria, but it is built on Froyo 2.2 instead 2.1.
Regards,
Tom
Thanks for the reply Tom, although I'm still hesitant. It seems like every thread I've seen with instructions has quite a few posts afterwards from people having issues. The instructions are also usually about as clear as mud. It seems like the people writing the instructions are writing them for people who have rooted in the past, because they use terminology that a new user like me doesn't understand. I have lots of computer experience (used to design websites in the 90's with Notepad - ha!) but I have zero Linux or smartphone experience, so maybe I should just forget the root thing. It's just that I love Photoshop and would really like to be able to use those skills to customize the look of my phone much more than I currently can.
911jason said:
Thanks for the reply Tom, although I'm still hesitant. It seems like every thread I've seen with instructions has quite a few posts afterwards from people having issues. The instructions are also usually about as clear as mud. It seems like the people writing the instructions are writing them for people who have rooted in the past, because they use terminology that a new user like me doesn't understand. I have lots of computer experience (used to design websites in the 90's with Notepad - ha!) but I have zero Linux or smartphone experience, so maybe I should just forget the root thing. It's just that I love Photoshop and would really like to be able to use those skills to customize the look of my phone much more than I currently can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you know what I did when i rooted my phone? I watched a youtube video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjgg__m-KHc
911jason said:
Thanks for the reply Tom, although I'm still hesitant. It seems like every thread I've seen with instructions has quite a few posts afterwards from people having issues. The instructions are also usually about as clear as mud. It seems like the people writing the instructions are writing them for people who have rooted in the past, because they use terminology that a new user like me doesn't understand. I have lots of computer experience (used to design websites in the 90's with Notepad - ha!) but I have zero Linux or smartphone experience, so maybe I should just forget the root thing. It's just that I love Photoshop and would really like to be able to use those skills to customize the look of my phone much more than I currently can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well 922jason, I think we are both going through exactly the same thing. I bought my Aria already rooted by the seller, and so I missed out on the learning curve of rooting and the terminologies involved. Think I'm more of a learn it on the job kinda fella and now I have to read all these texts.
Anyway, I just did the most daring thing today. I was running Liberated Aria R12 few hours ago and decided to get hands on. Downloaded FroYo Cyanogen, made nandroid backup (yes it's such a noob thing) & flashed (sounds fancy) Cyanogen. Anyways, I found out that it didn't suit me at all because:
1. I can't find my ALL my installed and backup-ed Apps anywhere
2. The familiar Market isn't anywhere in the phone
3. ALL my contact list are gone
4. I couldn't find any application that lets me access my SD card
5. There were wayyyyy too many options to customize in Cyanogen that gave me a headache instead
Now I realize that the pros would bombard me with comments and advice to sort out those problems, and they certainly would know better what to do than me. But as a new user to Android in the smartphone era, I'm just plain confused.
So I restored the nandroid backup and I'm back to the state before I installed Cyanogen
BUT, I'm not done yet. I'm now downloading Liberated Aria Froyo FR007 and want to try it out. Just don't chicken out at getting hands on with this cos I wanna get the most out of my Aria. So good luck!
The people at XDA are really helpful and you shouldn't worry about getting lost. Thanks guys!
Thanks for the link Zervic, I'll check that out.
I also appreciate the info Emigre, glad to know I'm not the only noob on XDA! =)
Root yet or still having problems?
Noz85 said:
Root yet or still having problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm waffling big-time!
I just read through the huge CM6 thread and seeing all those different problems posted gives me the willies. Going to read through the Sense/Froyo thread next and see if it looks any safer.
Dont worry so much with any of the roms here theres a very small chance to brick your phone. If you like how your phone looks now then Liberated is for you. If you want to customize everything them go with CM6.
Your choice but dont over think it lol.
if you need help just ask.
Hey man, I really appreciate that... I like the idea of all the customization possible with CM6, but all of the bug reports in that thread scare the crap out of me.
Thats mostly for the nightly roms. CM6 and CM6.1 RC1 are very stable, I didn't have any major problems with them. Just make sure to fallow all the instructions when installing to avoid any problems with any roms you chose.
Noz85 said:
Thats mostly for the nightly roms. CM6 and CM6.1 RC1 are very stable, I didn't have any major problems with them. Just make sure to fallow all the instructions when installing to avoid any problems with any roms you chose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would agree. Both CM 6.0.2.1 and CM 6.1 RC1 have been very reliable for me. As has been mentioned in other posts, most of the 'bugs' are about the nightly CM builds which are truly 'experimental'.
There are a few caveats with CM 6.x that you won't run into with the Liberated ROMs. Number 1 is read the wiki instructions completely. Once you flash the CM 6 you then need to flash the Google Apps so that you can access the Android Market. Number 2 is that the CM 6.x cannot read any contacts you have stored on your SIM card, so you should export them from the SIM and sync them with your GMAIL account.
Regards,
Tom
Okay, anything I need to set aside for doing this? Will the stock 2gb SD card work fine? How long does the process take, from start to finish?
i too am on the learning curve of all this rooting and whatnot. before i got the aria just this last wednesday i had the hero cdma with Alltel. which apparently was a B* to root and whatnot, cuz alltel isnt popular for devs ive noticed. when i first got the hero it was really new for alltel, and there were people working on the root process. I too get pretty nervous when i read stuff that i could do to my phone but could brick it.. but then i found out about the recovery mode and nandroid backups.. and OMFG they help a lot when you change a setting to be incompatible and get a boot loop. that was VERY often with that hero.
When i found out that i was getting the Aria cuz of the Alltel to AT&T transition, i kept an eye on the aria threads. day one of getting the aria, i plugged it right in running unrevoked and it went real quick, however thats just the root process of course. you havent installed any roms at this point, just got the privileges.
thats when you boot the recovery mode, do that nandroid backup and copy that backup somewhere safe on a computer or something.. then of course after that then you follow the steps for whichever rom you choose that you want.
IMO- i prefer the Liberated series, i had my chance with CM6.1 on the hero and enjoyed it a bit, but got tired of it and went to the Fresh Hero ROM. so since i knew i liked fresh hero, i knew i wanted liberated series, and most especially because its 2.2 FroYo with the HTC Sense UI (the "stock look" that was mentioned earlier)
and to answer your questions:
1. make sure you have the right usb drivers, youll know if you read the tutorials. the nandroid backup would be somewhere between 200-350MB so make sure you have enough free on the sd.
2.the stock 2gb will work just fine. in the future look into upgrading with a class 4 or class 6 speed MicroSD for even better performance.
3.once you get the drivers and software downloaded, the unrevoked root process takes probably around 5 minutes, if that.. it seemed really fast to me. the nandroid backup process will be fast if you dont have many apps installed now. should only take a few minutes as well. im guessing it takes me like 10-15 minutes sometimes cuz of apps and such, (sometimes i lose track of time). then after nandroid, the wipes are like instant, then flashing the rom, (like i said im bad with time sometimes) and i believe that takes about 5-10 minutes.
So it seems like after I root my phone, I should boot back into the stock ROM and download Titanium to back-up my apps and app data. Is this correct? I don't want to lose access to the apps I have purchased. Is that the best way?
the purchased apps you can obviously re-download, but yes. titanium backup is really useful for saving app/app-data. however, if needed, you can always nandroid the custom rom, restore your stock backup and pull info from that, then restore back to the custom.
joachim123 said:
the purchased apps you can obviously re-download
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found quite a few threads around the internet about people losing their paid apps after rooting and flashing a custom ROM. Wasn't sure if there was some step I needed to take to ensure that I can retrieve my paid apps. There aren't many, I've only had my phone for a few weeks, but still... I'm cheap!
1. You can use titanium to back up your apps, though that isn't 100% necessary because, as previously mentioned, you can re-download your purchased apps.
2. Once you get the ROM installed (if it happens to be cyanogenmod) you need to also install gapps, which includes the market app. If you don't flash the gapps package, obviously, there will be no market.
3. Keep in mind that if you install CM, there will be no more HTC Sync.
4. If you follow the directions in 1, the video i posted for you or 2, any of the threads that explain this process the possibility for you to brick your phone is slim to none. -- as attn1 said "If you manage to brick your phone with this ROM from there, you are a dumb ass of unimaginable proportions, and I absolve myself of any responsibility whatsoever. "
There were a few other things I wanted to mention but I gotta run...
oh haha, well as far as im concerned, the purchases should be saved in the google database as long as you use the same gmail account to log in to the phone. ive been fine every time. even from goin thru the transition of different cell providers and phones. there is an app that im not sure if its allowed to be posted but ill message a link to you. its helped a lot lately even tho i just found it out like two days ago.
zervic said:
There were a few other things I wanted to mention but I gotta run...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh that's just great... reminds me of the teases for "News at 11 - The critical info you need that could save your life"... meanwhile, it's 4pm, what do I do until 11 to stay alive?!?!
I've had the phone for 2 months now and I think it's an awesome phone. Couple of questions I have.
What is the difference between this and HTC Desire with Sense? What is sense? Does it suck that we don't have it?
I want to reset the phone to OEM factory state then OC this phone. Where do I begin? How do I do it?
What's all this talk about ROM's and all CW7 and stuff?
I don't wanna try anything that will potentially brick my phone but I do have experience with rooting phones and linux based commands. I had a Nokia N900 and did heaps of stuff with that phone so this shouldn't be that much of a problem.
Thanks for answering any questions of mine!
monkey hung said:
I've had the phone for 2 months now and I think it's an awesome phone. Couple of questions I have.
What is the difference between this and HTC Desire with Sense? What is sense? Does it suck that we don't have it?
I want to reset the phone to OEM factory state then OC this phone. Where do I begin? How do I do it?
What's all this talk about ROM's and all CW7 and stuff?
I don't wanna try anything that will potentially brick my phone but I do have experience with rooting phones and linux based commands. I had a Nokia N900 and did heaps of stuff with that phone so this shouldn't be that much of a problem.
Thanks for answering any questions of mine!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sense is skin that HTC put over stock android. It gives you a lots of cool features and eyecandy. If you get your phone rooted you can flash the virtuous rom which is a custom sense rom.
CM7 is widely regarded as the as the best custom rom, it doesn't offer the eye candy or the features of sense. But is stock android with some awesome tweaks and is fast and smooth and has loads of customization options
Have a look here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916431 for walk throughs about how to root your phone, flash custom ROMs, OC you phone and loads of other cool stuff. If you have experience using linux based comands you will have no problems modifying your phone.
Bit of advice as your new to the forums, read then read again. And make sure general questions are posted in Q&A section. People get un happy when non development questions get posted in the dev section.
Welcome to the forums.
Sent from my awesome DZ
oh whoops! Sorry about posting it here. I didn't know! Thank you for all that information you have been very helpful
monkey hung said:
oh whoops! Sorry about posting it here. I didn't know! Thank you for all that information you have been very helpful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry wasn't clear. This question was fine posted here. I was just giving a warning about posting in the dev section
Sent from my awesome DZ
monkey hung said:
I've had the phone for 2 months now and I think it's an awesome phone. Couple of questions I have.
What is the difference between this and HTC Desire with Sense? What is sense? Does it suck that we don't have it?
I want to reset the phone to OEM factory state then OC this phone. Where do I begin? How do I do it?
What's all this talk about ROM's and all CW7 and stuff?
I don't wanna try anything that will potentially brick my phone but I do have experience with rooting phones and linux based commands. I had a Nokia N900 and did heaps of stuff with that phone so this shouldn't be that much of a problem.
Thanks for answering any questions of mine!
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Click to collapse
rooting with gfree/rage is very easy and as long as you don't fubar the adb commands, you won't have trouble. I even screwed up the first time I did it (overlooked a typo) and ended up fine.
after you've rooted, you can certainly use the factory ROM and overclock, but be careful with which kernel you use.. they don't all work on the stock ROM. I would recommend baconbits as it's from the very trustworthy cyanogenmod team and has been used by many a DZ/G2 owner. I did stock rom/baconbits for a while before the gingerbread roms started rolling out... when an official gingerbread rom rolls out for our phones, that's what I'll be going back to (depending on how awesome Gingervillain 2.0 is )
sense is way overloaded, but that's just my opinion. check out some screenshots/videos of the different available roms to get a feeling for what they might be like before you install them on your phone.
Where can I find these screen shots and videos? Is there a certain list on this site? Or do I have to manually search it via Google and Youtube? I don't know the names of all the mods....haha
there is no better friend than google. Depending on what kind of person you are.. if you genuinely care about why stuff works.. how it works... then you must read the entire Vision Wiki from top to bottom...its got great stuff in it. http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision If you dont care about why or how things work just go for broke and root it and pop a rom on and play with it. Whatever floats your boat.
just look through the stickies empirical http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=801206
do not do anything to your phone without making sure you have fully read the wiki...just dont rush into anything, enjoy your time enjoy each detail because the joy is in learning why things are the way they are.
Sense and CM and Vanilla...... ford...chevy...dodge... pepsi or coke... macintosh or windows... pizza burgers or fluffernutters... whatever floats your boat. no ifs and or buts about it, land of the free and rooted
Wow, he's a virgin. Lol. Welcome to the club bro. Unlockr.com has many easy videos n directions too.
G2 with meXdroid GingerMex Habanero
I have a Desire Z, and therefore started with Sense and was on the stock ROM for about 2 months. Having switched to CM7, I have to say I don't miss much about Sense. Sense has some nice widgets, but nothing that can't be done with market apps, for the most part. The only thing I miss is the Sense camera. It has a really nice look and layout, and focuses on any point on the screen by touching it. Sense is a resource hog, and my phone seems faster and smoother without it.
ROMs are the operating system software for the phone. Custom ROMs are ones that are tweaked by users here, who are awesome enough to do all the hard work and share it with us. Custom ROMs add functionality, sometimes improve performance, and often strip out a lot of the "bloatware" that your carrier likes to put on the phone. CM7 is a custom ROM, and one of the more popular ones. Its based on stock Android (CM6 is Froyo and CM7 is Gingerbread) and packed with lots of extra features.
If you are comfortable with rooting, you are really most of the way to flashing a custom ROM. After you root, download ROM Manager from the Market. You can use ROM Manager to backup your current ROM, download many of the popular custom ROMs, and install them, just with a few clicks.
Why do you want to return to factory condition? You can OC without doing that. You just root and flash a new kernal, then install SetCPU or similar.
Somebody already posted the "Stickies" guides. Start reading, all you need to know is there.
So i have the att version of this phone, and I found the Diet ICS rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1732195
and found the Root with no flash counter: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426
But don't know wehre to start?? Which roms are the best?? Diet? What other roms are available that are "good"? I've checked the roms that I've found, however I dont really understand the differences between all these roms. Nor do I understnad what steps I need to take and what exactly I need to do? I've read the "everything att s3..." thread, but it doesn't make sense to me on what I need to do to load a new rom.
Do I need to follow the root without flash counter thread?? Do I just follow a new rom thread?
What kernel/rom would be best to load for better battery life?
thanks!
Have you read the step by step guide for rooting? If not then start there.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
I did check it...but in the guide I don't see where it says to load your custom rom at. I'm reading the rom guide that doesnt add the flash counter.
Also, which rom/kernel is better for more battery life? Or should I wait for CM9?
you don't need to be doing anything to your phone at this point. READ, READ, READ, before you eff up your phone!
ReggieTee said:
you don't need to be doing anything to your phone at this point. READ, READ, READ, before you eff up your phone!
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Absolutely true. The place to start is always with reading, not with posting more random clutter to the forums. All of the information is out there, and forums come equipped with a search.
+1 Go slow, read once you have root you can do a lot of things without the need to flash a custom rom right away. You gain ability to block ads with Adfree from the market. Also you can use titanium backup to backup your phone. Remember back Up! back up! back up! IT will save your butt.
Ballgum
All the above is Gospel! You need to read and then read some more. Rooting gives you freedom and the ability to choice a rom if u want. Roms are a choice u make. Everyone has different likes and dislikes so no one can say use this rom over that rom. YOUR choice. As far a things like battery life again each rom can give each person a different experience based on usage apps etc. Everyone above has given u good advice read read read. I have seen to many peeps who rush into things and find they have an expensive paper weight. After u have read more try rooting and then a rom or two.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
well, i'm not a complete newb. I had a Note that I completely tore down and reloaded numerous times with different roms, odin, etc etc...
I guess my question shouldve been is there any specific rom or kernel that is battery optimized? And also any idea when CM9 comes out? I could just optimize battery and wait for CM9 if its coming out soon.
I'm not going to just go hurry and load a rom. But once I know WHICH rom/kernel I need to load then I can go from there on how best to do that
Idk, when i read about each individual rom its not clear to me what the differences are between the different roms if that makes sense? Like they all kinda say the same thing "de-bloated, optimized, etc etc". I just want a bug free, clean rom that works well for battery really and i dont see that criteria listed on the rom descriptions
I realize theres an amount I need to learn to to get this thing loaded, my question more is whats a "popular" "less buggy" rom that works well with battery life and is CM9 supposed to be the bees knees or what?? haha
actually looks like not many roms available yet. i may wait until there's more to choose from and for now just battery optimize and remove att crap
There are no good roms for this phone so I would root and wait hopefully they start coming out soon but it maybe a few months or longer or never since the international version is getting all the developer love only. I want MIUI or CM9/10 then we can talk.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
sabre31 said:
There are no good roms for this phone so I would root and wait hopefully they start coming out soon but it maybe a few months or longer or never since the international version is getting all the developer love only. I want MIUI or CM9/10 then we can talk.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
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ok thanks man, thats exactly what i was looking for. i guess i'll wait until something good comes out.
but i did find the "cpu sleeper" script to conserve battery, so I may root for that. depending on how much it saves?
Hi everyone,
Time to retire my EVO 4G and ditch Sprint. New S4 coming today. If it has MDL, I plan on rooting it. My question is this:
Since I'm porting my phone number from Sprint, can I leave the SIM card out and root it before it has been provisioned, or do I have to insert the SIM card and wait until I have At&t service before rooting?
Thanks. Looking forward to flashing a custom ROM...but I sure am gonna miss my OG EVO!
The phone does not have to be provisioned so leave the card out and turn off wifi. Then not only root, but also freeze/delete the three files used to update our put a custom recovery and rom on. The three files are something like at&t software update, FWupdate, and localFOTA. They're apk's
when the device arrives, before opening it, look on the packaging and locate the firmware version. it will be with the IMEI number, etc. if its MF3, i'd take it to at&t for an exchange (you have 14 days). then i probably would have the clerk search the inventory until they found one that had MDL on the S4 box. haha. the red S4's werent terribly popular so there might be a few MDL versions of them left.
when you get home, do as jd1639 said and freeze those apks if you're not going to flash a different ROM entirely. cheers
xBeerdroiDx said:
when the device arrives, before opening it, look on the packaging and locate the firmware version. it will be with the IMEI number, etc. if its MF3, i'd take it to at&t for an exchange (you have 14 days). then i probably would have the clerk search the inventory until they found one that had MDL on the S4 box. haha. the red S4's werent terribly popular so there might be a few MDL versions of them left.
when you get home, do as jd1639 said and freeze those apks if you're not going to flash a different ROM entirely. cheers
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"If you want to avoid the update, you should root your phone and freeze the following three apps using titanium backup or some similar app.
1. AT&T Software update Vxx_x_xxxx_x_x
2. FWUpgrade x.x.x
3. LocalFOTA vx_xxxx_x_x"
Got my phone... I'm ready to root
Got home from work today to find my shiny new 16gb black s4 waiting for me. Ordered it from amazon.com for $149 with activation. I must say that I am impressed at the speed of delivery...ordered it Thursday night at 6PM and got it today (Saturday) at 11:30AM. It's MDL, so I am charging up the battery and downloading casual. Once I get root, I will kill the OTA and then provision the phone. After that, any suggestions on a stable ROM with everything working? Coming from Sprint and HTC, I have a lot of learning to do although I have experience with rooting and flashing on the Epic.
Thanks all!
pipefitter said:
Got home from work today to find my shiny new 16gb black s4 waiting for me. Ordered it from amazon.com for $149 with activation. I must say that I am impressed at the speed of delivery...ordered it Thursday night at 6PM and got it today (Saturday) at 11:30AM. It's MDL, so I am charging up the battery and downloading casual. Once I get root, I will kill the OTA and then provision the phone. After that, any suggestions on a stable ROM with everything working? Coming from Sprint and HTC, I have a lot of learning to do although I have experience with rooting and flashing on the Epic.
Thanks all!
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The best thing to do is go to the development and original development sections and read through the OP's of each ROM to see which has the features you want. They are all good so you will need to decide for yourself what is good for you. Good luck.
scott14719 said:
The best thing to do is go to the development and original development sections and read through the OP's of each ROM to see which has the features you want. They are all good so you will need to decide for yourself what is good for you. Good luck.
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C'mon now. I've been on xda for 4 years and I have read that very same answer dozens of times. I'm coming from the HTC Evo 4G. I've flashed dozens of ROMs and I can tell you which ones I prefer. But I'm new to the S4 and I don't even know everything it can do. I guess I will settle on root & recovery for now, disable OTA, debloat what I find I can do without, and then get to know the device before I decide on a custom ROM.
I would, however, appreciate your (and anyone else's) honest opinion on specific ROMs based on speed, battery life, aesthetic appeal, etc.
Thanks again.
pipefitter said:
C'mon now. I've been on xda for 4 years and I have read that very same answer dozens of times. I'm coming from the HTC Evo 4G. I've flashed dozens of ROMs and I can tell you which ones I prefer. But I'm new to the S4 and I don't even know everything it can do. I guess I will settle on root & recovery for now, disable OTA, debloat what I find I can do without, and then get to know the device before I decide on a custom ROM.
I would, however, appreciate your (and anyone else's) honest opinion on specific ROMs based on speed, battery life, aesthetic appeal, etc.
Thanks again.
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That's all fine, but you seem to be missing the fact that what I like, you may not. I can not tell you which ROMs you will like and what is fast and stable for me isn't for others. It's ALL opinion. You can tell me which of the other dozens of ROMs you have flashed you might like, but you can not tell me which ones I might like and I can not tell you which ones you will like.
Because you are new to this particular phone and forum, you will find that "best" or "favorite" threads are not allowed for the very reasons I listed above. You might not like the answer, but if you want to know what ROMs works best for you, you will have to try them (or at least read about them) for yourself.
scott14719 said:
That's all fine, but you seem to be missing the fact that what I like, you may not. I can not tell you which ROMs you will like and what is fast and stable for me isn't for others. It's ALL opinion. You can tell me which of the other dozens of ROMs you have flashed you might like, but you can not tell me which ones I might like and I can not tell you which ones you will like.
Because you are new to this particular phone and forum, you will find that "best" or "favorite" threads are not allowed for the very reasons I listed above. You might not like the answer, but if you want to know what ROMs works best for you, you will have to try them (or at least read about them) for yourself.
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I understand that. However, I didn't ask for what you think I would like, but rather what YOU like based on your experience with the S4.
Belive me, I have read the entire development section and many pages deep into each individual ROM. Been reading them for weeks. Since I am unfamiliar with the device, I have nothing to compare to the custom ROMS. Everyone appreciates a little guidance when they are new to anything. It seems that it would be more of a waste of the forums time if I had flashed every ROM and then asked what everyone thought of each particular ROM, trying to justify my choice.
But as I stated previously, I will be happy for now to have r & r...which gives me complete control over my device.
Thanks again for your time!
pipefitter said:
I understand that. However, I didn't ask for what you think I would like, but rather what YOU like based on your experience with the S4.
Belive me, I have read the entire development section and many pages deep into each individual ROM. Been reading them for weeks. Since I am unfamiliar with the device, I have nothing to compare to the custom ROMS. Everyone appreciates a little guidance when they are new to anything. It seems that it would be more of a waste of the forums time if I had flashed every ROM and then asked what everyone thought of each particular ROM, trying to justify my choice.
But as I stated previously, I will be happy for now to have r & r...which gives me complete control over my device.
Thanks again for your time!
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If you haven't seen this post, it might help you a little in separating available ROMs into categories such as Stock or Source based...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2312444
Source based tend to not have extra features such as gestures or other Samsung sourced features. Good luck
I'm finally upgrading my phone tomorrow from a GN to the S5. I've been perusing the development forum, and reading the threads about the various ROMs, but I'm really pretty clueless when it comes to the ROM options for this phone. I'm interested in keeping the SHealth functionality, but other than that, I'm pretty open to suggestion. I've been using SlimROM almost exclusively on both my current phone and my Nexus 7, if that helps.
So, thoughts? Thanks!
bbernardini said:
I'm finally upgrading my phone tomorrow from a GN to the S5. I've been perusing the development forum, and reading the threads about the various ROMs, but I'm really pretty clueless when it comes to the ROM options for this phone. I'm interested in keeping the SHealth functionality, but other than that, I'm pretty open to suggestion. I've been using SlimROM almost exclusively on both my current phone and my Nexus 7, if that helps.
So, thoughts? Thanks!
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I am running a heavily debloated rom by elliwigy and really, there is no better ROM out there if you want a lean, smooth and fast ROM (my opinion of course). I know initially the developer removed all the "stuff" needed to run SHealth, but I think he put it back in after version 2 or 3, you can go here and check out the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2799747. Like I said, it is a fantastic ROM.
The only other ROM I have tried is the WizzleWom and it too is a great ROM, just not as debloated.
jpcalhoun said:
I am running a heavily debloated rom by elliwigy and really, there is no better ROM out there if you want a lean, smooth and fast ROM (my opinion of course). I know initially the developer removed all the "stuff" needed to run SHealth, but I think he put it back in after version 2 or 3, you can go here and check out the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2799747. Like I said, it is a fantastic ROM.
The only other ROM I have tried is the WizzleWom and it too is a great ROM, just not as debloated.
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Part of me REALLY wants to go to Elli's ROM, but the thought of having to back up and flash, ugh.. I hated it before, I may hate it now. I debloated my phone an awful lot, and like it how it is. But maybe, just maybe, I will do it. That or Alliance.
kprice8 said:
Part of me REALLY wants to go to Elli's ROM, but the thought of having to back up and flash, ugh.. I hated it before, I may hate it now. I debloated my phone an awful lot, and like it how it is. But maybe, just maybe, I will do it. That or Alliance.
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Well, you're going to have to (highly recommended anyway) backup and flash no matter what ROM you flash. What I like about Elli's ROM is the leanest of it and how fast and smooth it is not to mention the great battery I and other life users are experiencing. And, unlike some ROMs, everything works (data, GPS, camera, phone, WiFi, Bluetooth etc.).
My recommendation is read all the rom threads as much a you can and experiment by trying them out. "Best of" rom threads are frowned upon because it generally discourages people to read and learn. I am going to close this and trust you will be able to find what you are looking for with some diligence and have fun trying. Thats what makes this site great!:good: