Database Users

General and Hero Q&A

I present to you a FAQ for newcomers or the generally uninformed to find quick answers.
General
Q: What is a ROM?
A: A ROM is a complete system image of the Android operating system. For much more detailed info, read here.
Q: How do I install a ROM?
A: ROMs can be flashed once you have rooted your phone and flashed a custom recovery image. After that, you can apply a rom zip via the recovery menu. Detailed info here.
Q: Where can I find more info about ROMs?
A: In the two links above.
Q: What is Apps2SD and how do I use it?
A:Apps2SD is a script that will do exactly as it implies so you are no longer limited to your phone's internal storage. First you must be running a custom ROM that supports it and secondly you need to format your SD card as FAT+ext2. Once that requirement is met, the rest will be automatic. Alternative you could install a2sd on stock rom manually if you wanted to for whatever reason. Warning: Formatting your SD card will erase ALL of the data on it. If you want to keep it, make a backup.
Q: All the Market downloads are stalling. How can I fix this?
A: Sign into Gtalk. The two are closely related even though you'd never guess. For an in-depth discussion head over to this thread.
Q: How do I sign my zip or apk?
A: First you must have java installed on whatever OS you're running. Windows users download the Win-sign.zip attachment. Linux users download Linux-sign.zip attachment.​
HTC Hero Specific
Q: How do I root my Sprint CDMA Hero?
A: You've got a few options concerning this. There's the auto-root, flashrec method, and asroot2 method.
Q: How can I remove pre-installed apps?
A: Head on over to How remove apps thread for detailed instructions.
Q: How can I get rid of ringtones and notifications I've downloading from showing up in the Music app and use them without downloading a Market app?
A: Create a folder in the root of your SD card called "media" and a folder called "audio" inside that one. Inside the "audio" folder, create a "notifications", "ringtones", or "alarms" depending on your needs and place the files in the desired folder. Example: media>audio>ringtones>custom-ringtone.mp3
Q: How can I tether my Hero to my PC?
A: You've got several options here. There's Wifi Tether, EasyTether, PDAnet, or without any app! You can read up respectively on each of the apps listed about to learn more about which might be best for you. Now, here's how you can tether without any of that stuff.
Step 1: Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable and make sure all other forms of internet are disconnected.
Step 2: Install HTC Sync.
Step 3: On your phone go to Settings>Wireless controls and enable Mobile networking sharing. Your PC will try to recognize your phone and install proper drivers and will probably fail. So do it manually using the drivers from HTC Sync located in the directory you installed it. PC should be recognizing your phone now if done properly.
Step 3: Within the Wireless controls menu go into Mobile network settings and change Mode of operation to 1x only.
Step 4: Go back one menu to the Wireless controls and turn off the Mobile network. Now, turn Mobile network back on and enable Mobile network sharing as quickly as possible.This may take a couple of tries. If you did this fast enough you'll get a message saying HTC sync is disable but you won't get Error 67.
Step 5: Change your Mode of Operation back to Hybrid and enjoy.​
Leave a suggestion if there's something you think should be added.

Me likes.
Though I think that this would work best as a Wiki so that other informed users can add to it as things come up and we dont have to rely on just one user/dev to maintain it.
Thanks for taking the initiative on this, I am getting quite tired of all the useless threads and continuous thread hijacking over issues that have already been covered 20 times. I dont have all day to read through all the BS that has been filling up the threads lately.

Almost 200 views and no suggestions?

I don't know if this is up you guys' alley, but if any Cricket folks could put together a step-by-step on how to flash to Cricket, especially how to flash with sms/data working, that would be so helpful.
Something else that I can't find good and thorough instructions for is the Cricket broadband workaround, where (if I understand correctly), you use your Cricket USB Broadband modem for all data on the Hero via proxying into it. All I really find on the latter is vague directions to use Anycut/Bettercut and no details about what to do in either program or how to input proxy settings. The most detailed guide I was able to find seems to actually be for a different model phone, since the instructions either only relate to WM or a GSM Hero.
I am trying to figure this out, and if I do before anyone else straightens it out, I'll write something up. I know how annoying it is to get the same questions over and over in these forums. (I've tried my best to help out the Axim x51v community at HTCGeeks with these kinds of things.)
At any rate, it would be awesome to see some more Cricket Hero chatter, even if it isn't revelations, on this thread. I know we're out there lurking, appearing to be Sprinties.

theresthatguy said:
Almost 200 views and no suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this would be great for all people that take time to read before posting.but most the post are people not caring enough about their device to read the great info already provided for them. I'm goin to pm u a crazy idea I have.

This is a great idea, whether it is a wiki or a thread.
One question though, don't you need to put a blank "nomedia" file in the ringtones folder?

watzone69 said:
This is a great idea, whether it is a wiki or a thread.
One question though, don't you need to put a blank "nomedia" file in the ringtones folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope. I have lots of random mp3s and stuff i use for ringtones and notifs and i do exactly like above and none of it shows up in the music app.

theresthatguy said:
nope. I have lots of random mp3s and stuff i use for ringtones and notifs and i do exactly like above and none of it shows up in the music app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is the same. Im just organized, just now realized that it is like that lol.
watzone69 said:
One question though, don't you need to put a blank "nomedia" file in the ringtones folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use that 'trick' to hide certain pics from the album.

Negrito said:
I use that 'trick' to hide certain pics from the album.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go on...
Can you explain this album trick?

thedudejdog said:
Go on...
Can you explain this album trick?
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Click to collapse
The trick is create a file any directory, that want to hide from Music & Gallery, called ".nomedia".

To make a .nomedia file, just take an empty .txt file and rename it.

How about a Q&A on how to sign an .apk

thedudejdog said:
Go on...
Can you explain this album trick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See Below. Then, personally, I hide the folder severals folders deep in the most random place i can think of in the file directory.
gu1dry said:
The trick is create a file any directory, that want to hide from Music & Gallery, called ".nomedia".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly.
watzone69 said:
To make a .nomedia file, just take an empty .txt file and rename it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what i did, but it didint work on my MacBook, so i did it at work on my Win98 box.

derekstory said:
How about a Q&A on how to sign an .apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deal.
edit: windows or linux?

I have a notifications and ringtones folder on the root of the SD card and works, but some people prefer just 1 folder that contains both I guess.

theresthatguy said:
Deal.
edit: windows or linux?[/QUOT
Windows for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

theresthatguy said:
Deal.
edit: windows or linux?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
derekstory said:
Windows for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Linux for me!
I literally just installed Mint on an old PC of mine.
If you're short on time though, windows would be good enough (and much appreciated).

No Mac love? Wait, can it even be done in OS X?

Negrito said:
No Mac love? Wait, can it even be done in OS X?
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Click to collapse
haven't come across a single bit of info of rom cooking/dev work on mac.
edit: plus i don't own a mac and pretty much have never used one.

theresthatguy said:
haven't come across a single bit of info of rom cooking/dev work on mac.
edit: plus i don't own a mac and pretty much have never used one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think this is because (almost) EVERYONE that owns a mac also owns a iphone...annnd a ipod....and a macbook....and a ipad....and don't need to develop android software because they have something with a shiny apple on it.
nothing against you, Negrito but most people (that i know...personally) who use macs are completely nuts for apple. hardcore apple fanboys.
my "friend" won't even hold my hero, i think he thinks it will convert him...and he knows that i know this...

[TIP] How To Get A More Stable Xoom Startup From Lockscreen [Updated: 9/4]

Hi there! I'm sure a lot of the frequent Xoom posters know me by now. If you don't, you will see my name a whole lot around these parts of the XDA forums.
Anyways, I am here to put up my second helpful tip for the Xoomers out there. I use this method myself and it works great. I mentioned it a few times in other people's threads, but now I want to turn my info into another helpful tip thread of mine for all to see. Then I'll add it onto my Xoom Heaven thread under my personal threads section.
The Instructions:
Also short, sweet, and to the point, just like my last tip. Does your Xoom seem to wait around at boot up for processes to load before you can use the OS? Would you like to just boot up and go with little to no waiting around? Here's what you'll want to do to achieve that:
Non Root Users: Download the app called Autorun Manager. This app actually has options for both non rooters and rooters alike. The app is free, so I would suggest it for anyone to use.
Root Users: Download the app called Autostarts. This is my favorite app, as it is specifically for the root users only. It is a paid app, but is well worth the little bit of money it costs to purchase it. This gives you complete and full control over every aspect of apps booting up during specific tasks.
The App Downloads:
Autorun Manager
Autostarts
Here's what I said in one of the other threads about the boot time:
"A lot of times, apps will attach themselves to the startup list even though they do not need it, such as a game. Why would you want a game booting up with your Xoom? I wouldn't, that's for sure. It's pointless, takes up memory, and it makes the boot time worse.
For the most part: Wipe out every single one of the startup apps that are not a part of the system, or as many as you need to. If you disable the user startup apps, you will have a more solid boot time no doubt. Almost none of the apps you install will ever need to boot up with your Xoom, unless you want it to. For me, I keep only a select few apps at startup such as: Equalizer, AdFree, and SetCPU. And chances are, if you have a ton of apps... your startup list will be massive, to say the least when you load up the app for the first time."
So basically: Download one of the 2 apps I have listed for you above, and remove any or all of the user installed apps that have placed themselves into your startup list. Only disable apps from the startup list that you know are useless to you, otherwise just leave them enabled if you have a use for them. After doing so, you should notice that when your Xoom boots up that you will be able to start using it immediately. No more waiting around for those useless hidden resources and processes to gather themselves.
If you like my tips, please let me know. I will cook up a few more threads here soon with these same kind of helpful tips if this is what the people want. They will all be available on Xoom Heaven so that they will always be there for everyone to see.
And as always, if this information was helpful to you: Don't forget to send a thanks my way.

thx for ur tip =)

diablo2224 said:
Autostarts:
And as always, if this information was helpful to you: Don't forget to send a thanks my way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I grabbed autostarts paid from the market but which start up list do you use... i noted there was a couple.. during start up or after startup...
during start up i have: calander and contacts storage
after start up i have: A MILLION THINGS lol

joshndroid said:
I grabbed autostarts paid from the market but which start up list do you use... i noted there was a couple.. during start up or after startup...
during start up i have: calander and contacts storage
after start up i have: A MILLION THINGS lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one with a million things in the after startup list. Good luck!

cheers mate i thought that may be the case but because it was 'after boot' i also thought it may be the necessary stuff that starts once boot had finished

joshndroid said:
cheers mate i thought that may be the case but because it was 'after boot' i also thought it may be the necessary stuff that starts once boot had finished
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's definitely the correct one as the other startup managers list the same exact apps upon startup. You can double check that in the basic mode of Autorun Manager as a cross reference.

I don't notice any difference (using Autorun Manager).

Vistaus said:
I don't notice any difference (using Autorun Manager).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changed thread name to fit appropriate for what it does. You still get a better boot time, just not from the initial dual core logo to lockscreen. Sorry for the confusion. It was late and I confused myself. This tip still works wonders. This tip will help you to get up and go from the lockscreen. Virtually no waiting around for anything to boot up before you can start using the OS. Once your screen comes up, you can start going.

this is exactly what I was looking for, TNX

Definitely be care with this, since it is easy to misunderstand why an app is loaded at boot. For example, you might wonder why an alarm app needs to, where actually it needs to schedule alarms at boot time.

Does anyone know whether it is safe to disable the Mobile Data service on a wifi only tablet? I cannot really see why it should be activated in the first place.

jondwillis said:
Definitely be care with this, since it is easy to misunderstand why an app is loaded at boot. For example, you might wonder why an alarm app needs to, where actually it needs to schedule alarms at boot time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. For the most part though, junk apps will appear in the startup list that have no purpose at all so they can be disabled. If there is a particular app that you know has a purpose for something you use, then by all means let it be. For example: I leave SetCPU on the startup list so that I can keep my settings on both the clock speed and undervoltage values just so I won't manually have to activate it later.
Theme Ishere said:
Does anyone know whether it is safe to disable the Mobile Data service on a wifi only tablet? I cannot really see why it should be activated in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this on my 3G Xoom, which is not activated, and there is nothing to worry about. No problems at all. If you don't use mobile data at all ever... I say disable it from the startup list just as I have, especially since it's the Wifi model.

[Q] Map buttons in rooted Nook

Hi, I have been searching but could not find a related thread.
I'm using the NY Times for Android app on my rooted Nook Touch, but touch scrolling simply doesn't work. It'd be wonderful if I could use the hardware buttons to scroll up and down, but it does not work.
Does anybody know of a way I an coax the hardware buttons to initiate a scroll in the NY Time app or any other app where they don't natively work on a rooted Nook?
Thanks!

I haven't done this yet myself (I'm gonna!) but you should be able recode your hardware buttons using info from this theard.
Edit: In fact this has been put in the new Nooters here and here and here. I just have not updated to 1.1 yet cuz I'm lazy. Once you do just go into the NookTouchTools and you can change the hardware buttons as you want.

Thanks; I gather that somewhere (everywhere?) in those three links is the answer to my question, though they all assume a certain level of pre-existing knowledge about this whole rooting process, and I can't follow along.
Essentially, I now have two nooks:
a)Mine. It still has the 1.0.0 and I rooted it many months ago, and it has the aforementioned issue with not being able to scroll within my NY Times app.
b)My mom's. Bought a week ago, has 1.1.0. From the factory; not rooted yet.
I want them both to be rooted, ideally with the most current version of the rooting that enables me to scroll around in my NY Times app.
Do all 3 links you posted provide the same rooting, just different installation methods, or are they different end-products?
Can you suggest a method (or two methods, one for each device)?
Thanks a million; if this works, I'm a happy camper.
Jon

I suggest you my method use the X files for the Xorzone's mods that with the app NookTouchTools have the ability to remap buttons.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1346748

I get that you want me to use your method.
Maybe I'd do that, but...
-Would this work on both of my Nooks (in particular the one that is already rooted)?
-Without a translation into "layman" or an easy set of instructions for:
"use the X files for the Xorzone's mods"
it does not seem like the best way for me to go!
Jon

jbr950 said:
I get that you want me to use your method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't got much interesit on you using my method, I'm not paid for this...... just trying to help , but read the latest posts (2 or 3 pages) on each thread to make your mind.
jbr950 said:
Maybe I'd do that, but...
-Would this work on both of my Nooks (in particular the one that is already rooted)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again read the post, you just need to be on the 1.1 update. (Allthough I recommend a restore and reset, if you want to find out how to do it, search or go to the manual rooting thread on my sig, into uninstalling)
jbr950 said:
-Without a translation into "layman" or an easy set of instructions for:
"use the X files for the Xorzone's mods"
it does not seem like the best way for me to go!
Jon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, search a bit: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1289894
Then, whell.... this is written just behind that: "that with the app NookTouchTools have the ability to remap buttons"
Then, if someone gives you a thread, take a look at it at least if you dont look at the post which I pointed you, and find the step by step explanation easy with also the explanation of each type of file.
what can I say?

Cool; looks like it's one of the steps in the instructions. Thinking I'll give it a try next weekend on my mother's nook when I get home. I don't know what a usb vs wifi adb means, so i'll randomly go with wifi (that's the xw option).
Thanks-

jbr950 said:
Cool; looks like it's one of the steps in the instructions. Thinking I'll give it a try next weekend on my mother's nook when I get home. I don't know what a usb vs wifi adb means, so i'll randomly go with wifi (that's the xw option).
Thanks-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's just the way to acces adb interface (if you dont need it, get the U zips, as on the W the adb is enabled all the time on the wifi connection, so it could, in theory, be a security issue).

keep getting a weird popup, only on this web page....

See attachment, only happens when I come to this web page, please help!

It's hard to see on my phone but it looks as if your ie is trying to download a java source file as indicated by the .js extension. With that being said, it probably has to do with your java configuring settings in ie. In other words, your browser is supposed to automatically use that information to display something on your screen but instead is just downloading the source file for it.

RS7JR said:
It's hard to see on my phone but it looks as if your ie is trying to download a java source file as indicated by the .js extension. With that being said, it probably has to do with your java configuring settings in ie. In other words, your browser is supposed to automatically use that information to display something on your screen but instead is just downloading the source file for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I blew it up a little bigger, does that help? Should I try updating java as well?

Tex_Norseman said:
Sorry I blew it up a little bigger, does that help? Should I try updating java as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, upon further investigation I have determined that it is a rogue adware popup. See here...
http://blog.qisupport.com/core-insightexpressai-com-popup-remove-popup-ad-windows-mac-os-x/
The reason your browser gives you the option download may be for security reasons. I wouldn't worry about java being out of date on your pc. Just make sure to never run it. Unfortunately, I can't answer the part about why it would come up on a developers forum of all places. Guess you gotta take precautions everywhere now.

RS7JR said:
Okay, upon further investigation I have determined that it is a rogue adware popup. See here...
http://blog.qisupport.com/core-insightexpressai-com-popup-remove-popup-ad-windows-mac-os-x/
The reason your browser gives you the option download may be for security reasons. I wouldn't worry about java being out of date on your pc. Just make sure to never run it. Unfortunately, I can't answer the part about why it would come up on a developers forum of all places. Guess you gotta take precautions everywhere now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Know the best way to remove it?

Tex_Norseman said:
Know the best way to remove it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I gather, it seems like it's not on your system. It's making an attempt to popup in your browser and install itself. In other words, as long as you don't click to open or run it in the prompt, it shouldn't be on your system. Seems like it'll just be something that will have to be a minor nuisance until xda gets rid of the popup.

"Lil Chupacabra" update...wth?

Whether you want it our not, if you're still on stock you WILL be getting this weird update, more geared towards developers than users. But then again,. this is Ouya, so nothing new.
No visible benefits (but annoying menu changes) and a very funky "changelog". https://www.ouya.tv/chupacabra_mini_update/
Boy...do I ever regret being so naive to think this would be a real Android device with real original development.

Ipse_Tase said:
Whether you want it our not, if you're still on stock you WILL be getting this weird update, more geared towards developers than users. But then again,. this is Ouya, so nothing new.
No visible benefits (but annoying menu changes) and a very funky "changelog". https://www.ouya.tv/chupacabra_mini_update/
Boy...do I ever regret being so naive to think this would be a real Android device with real original development.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally I'm happy with the update. It might not be a huge update but there's some nice changes. The fact that they're reaching out to devs will benefit the user in the long term with more games so I see that as a plus also.
I'm curious what you mean by a real android device with real original development.

Would this update change the settings that we had before? Like root and all the sideloaded apps?

AA27 said:
Would this update change the settings that we had before? Like root and all the sideloaded apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You lose root. If you used the one click root method the app will still be on your OUYA and root is just a couple clicks away. All settings are saved. If you had the play store then you will have to open the xposed app and install the framework again, don't update, reboot and should be good.
Let me know if you have anymore questions or need help. One of my ouyas didn't like the new update at first but was easily fixed wirh latest update and all settings saved.

Ipse_Tase said:
Whether you want it our not, if you're still on stock you WILL be getting this weird update, more geared towards developers than users. But then again,. this is Ouya, so nothing new.
No visible benefits (but annoying menu changes) and a very funky "changelog". https://www.ouya.tv/chupacabra_mini_update/
Boy...do I ever regret being so naive to think this would be a real Android device with real original development.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see how being able to sideload apps easier than ever before is no visual benefits...

I save my Generic.kl file to help with updates. Just update, tell CWM to disable recovery flash, reroot, and paste my generic.kl file back into system, then restart and im golden. Takes about 5 minutes tops to do all this, no that big of deal, the GF can do it from me guiding here over the phone, easy as pie. I tried CM11 and the enhanced rom but didnt like the issues and random kinks so i stuck with the stock rom. I like some of the ouya games and only use it for xbmc beside the occasional party game I use to use nova launcher so that way everyone knew how to use it even if they never have before since it was like stock android, now i just use the normal ouya launcher. The upload APKS thing makes no difference to me, i just copy the apk link and paste it into the apk downloader site the download the apk right onto the ouya. install it with file manager. I also favorite all my frequent apps so theyre in the play menu instead of the make menu.

lscheres said:
I save my Generic.kl file to help with updates. Just update, tell CWM to disable recovery flash, reroot, and paste my generic.kl file back into system, then restart and im golden..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good idea, thanks for the tip re generic.kl.