Database Users

Where to start?

I've had the HTC Hero since launch in October and I've loved it. But three things have really bothered me about it. One is the fact that they are constantly delaying the new firmware and the second is that my battery life has gotten worse and I've tried all that I can to fix it. The third thing is the lag that can happen, especially when I want to make calls, can be frustrating. So I've heard about the use of custom ROMS and I feel like finally transitioning over to them. What I want to know is what exactly I have to do in order to be able to load up a custom ROM? This might be a noobish question but the last thing I wanna do is brick my phone by making a stupid mistake.

PawkChop said:
I've had the HTC Hero since launch in October and I've loved it. But three things have really bothered me about it. One is the fact that they are constantly delaying the new firmware and the second is that my battery life has gotten worse and I've tried all that I can to fix it. The third thing is the lag that can happen, especially when I want to make calls, can be frustrating. So I've heard about the use of custom ROMS and I feel like finally transitioning over to them. What I want to know is what exactly I have to do in order to be able to load up a custom ROM? This might be a noobish question but the last thing I wanna do is brick my phone by making a stupid mistake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the FAQ's and wikis posted at the top of the forum. Once you get passed those you should be able to ask the 'right' questions
Basic steps are:
Root phone
Install recovery image
Flash rom
The wiki has steps for those...and I seriously recommend reading through the thread of whatever ROM you choose.
And before you ask: The choice of ROM is up to you. They all have good points and bad points, so don't create a thread asking which is the best...it's pretty subjective.

Damageless' great set of instructions.
Here is an excerpt from his instructions:
I have compiled this guide from the other one posted on this forum, the discussion therein, and my own knowledge. If you have any suggestions on making it better or to correct any mistakes I may have made please let me know.
This guide is intended for Windows and includes detailed instructions. It will cover the steps necessary to root, flash the new recovery image, create a full backup. This will work with software versions 1.29.651.1 and 1.56.651.2. I am not responsible for any damage done to your phone using this guide. Root at your own risk.
I have put to together a video on YouTube for you to follow along as well.
Links are attached in the .txt file.

I have used the Fresh and Damage ROM's and they are very good. Everything does seem snappier, but I still get the phone keypad lag which is very, very troublesome and not noticeably different from the stock. Others have claim no lag, and so YMMD.
There are many neat things about the modded ROM's, but there doesn't seem to be much to be done about the phone lag. Not good, since first and foremost I expect the Hero to be a *phone*.

smw6180 said:
Read the FAQ's and wikis posted at the top of the forum. Once you get passed those you should be able to ask the 'right' questions
Basic steps are:
Root phone
Install recovery image
Flash rom
The wiki has steps for those...and I seriously recommend reading through the thread of whatever ROM you choose.
And before you ask: The choice of ROM is up to you. They all have good points and bad points, so don't create a thread asking which is the best...it's pretty subjective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks everyone. Dont worry, I wanted to do my own research on the ROM's anyways.

bnbaldwin53 said:
Here is an excerpt from his instructions:
I have compiled this guide from the other one posted on this forum, the discussion therein, and my own knowledge. If you have any suggestions on making it better or to correct any mistakes I may have made please let me know.
This guide is intended for Windows and includes detailed instructions. It will cover the steps necessary to root, flash the new recovery image, create a full backup. This will work with software versions 1.29.651.1 and 1.56.651.2. I am not responsible for any damage done to your phone using this guide. Root at your own risk.
I have put to together a video on YouTube for you to follow along as well.
Links are attached in the .txt file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didnt mean to double post but doesnt the first link already cover the second link because I found a nandroid file after rooting

[Q] Full backup of Acer Iconia A500

Please dear God help me out with this, I am so lost! So I bought an Acer A500 tab, and I want to root it. But before that! I want to save the current firmware and the CWM due to me having a two year warranty on the device, and I'm a afraid if I were to return the device with issues clearly it'll void the warranty since I've rooted the device. So please can anybody help me out? I am in huge need of help!
Thanks in advance!

To help you I need first some information about your tab. First,what android version is installed on your tab? The best backup will be with CWM but then you need root.
Of course you could connect your tab to the PC via USB and copy everything to your HDD. But I think here you need root as well to be able to see the system folders... .
m.

Mkami said:
Please dear God help me out with this, I am so lost! So I bought an Acer A500 tab, and I want to root it. But before that! I want to save the current firmware and the CWM due to me having a two year warranty on the device, and I'm a afraid if I were to return the device with issues clearly it'll void the warranty since I've rooted the device. So please can anybody help me out? I am in huge need of help!
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A paradox.
You can't save your current rom in it's native form unless you root. And you can't save it, unless you install a custom recovery. And even then, you're saving a modified OS that if you restore, will be modified. So a paradox.
So if you want to root, and install roms, you'll just have to suck it up like everybody else
Fortunately, lots of methods to revert back to stock in case needed.
So, you either take the plunge, or stay stock.

Not only that but most Big Box stores dont have a clue and rarely look at it anyway ,unless you tell them its something you did (which would void the warranty) . But for me personally I void warranty within a few hours on everything I get , if its electronic they always take it back , I wouldnt worry about it , run a bunch of stress tests for a couple days if the components are sound ,it will complete them no problem , then root away and have fun!

Thank you all!
Thank you all for your replies! I can honestly say, I can happily root my device without a worry now. But I have a couple of things I'd like to ask, for one. What is a cpu ID? Also say for example I rooted my device and want to revert back to the original OS is that possible or not? Here is my current information.
Android Version
3.0.1
Kernel Version
2.6.36.3-00001-gf991e5d
Build number
Acer_A500_1.016.05_COM_GEN1
That's my current information. IF anybody of you guys call tell me I would like to root my device but with ICS not with Honeycomb since at the moment that's what I currently have. Also I have 2 year warranty.
Cheers! And much appreciation!

First, this is an excellent post about CPUIDs, why you need them, and how to get them posted by dibb_nz ... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25429111#post25429111 this will really give some direction on why it's important and how you can get it.
If you want to root an ICS rom I recommend reading this post from Civato on how to upgrade your bootloader to v6: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425 I recommend the Automated Flashing tools for ease, but the manual version is good if you want to know more about what you're doing on the tablet.
Then pick a ROM, I personally use Flexreaper Extreme, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22964651&postcount=1 but there are several out there to choose from, I recommend putting several on your MicroSD card before you start any portion of the process and that way you have several to choose from, test between them, and don't "over customize" until you make your decision.
Finally, I'll remind to you, as many others will do, BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP!
Good Luck, and most importantly, have fun!
-DB

Deltabear said:
First, this is an excellent post about CPUIDs, why you need them, and how to get them posted by dibb_nz ... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25429111#post25429111 this will really give some direction on why it's important and how you can get it.
If you want to root an ICS rom I recommend reading this post from Civato on how to upgrade your bootloader to v6: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425 I recommend the Automated Flashing tools for ease, but the manual version is good if you want to know more about what you're doing on the tablet.
Then pick a ROM, I personally use Flexreaper Extreme, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22964651&postcount=1 but there are several out there to choose from, I recommend putting several on your MicroSD card before you start any portion of the process and that way you have several to choose from, test between them, and don't "over customize" until you make your decision.
Finally, I'll remind to you, as many others will do, BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP!
Good Luck, and most importantly, have fun!
-DB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You freaking rock bro! I have a question, since I already have Honeycomb on my Android by default, would I need to root first before I update it to the newer version of the ICS? OR would I just have to manually update it first and then begin the process of rooting the device? I as well admire Flexreaper Extreme. I also noticed there are special mods for the device to change the skin etc...Would you know where I can get the tutorial on that? I know I'm jumping too much, but I'm too darn excited to do this. Hahaha.
Cheers!

Mkami said:
You freaking rock bro!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
Mkami said:
I have a question, since I already have Honeycomb on my Android by default, would I need to root first before I update it to the newer version of the ICS? OR would I just have to manually update it first and then begin the process of rooting the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to start the process by going through the steps in Civato's post on how to change your Bootloader, make sure you have a ROM on the MicroSD before doing this, and then follow the steps to install the ROM you choose.
Mkami said:
I as well admire Flexreaper Extreme. I also noticed there are special mods for the device to change the skin etc...Would you know where I can get the tutorial on that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the OP for Flexreaper there are discussions about how to install the customizations, Civ wrote a great beginners guide to modding that might help, posted here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1648162
Mkami said:
I know I'm jumping too much, but I'm too darn excited to do this. Hahaha.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, it's a good thing to be excited about...I enjoy changing ROMs, testing apps, and generally "messing" with my tablet all the time.
Good Luck, Have fun, and don't forget to BACKUP!!
-DB

Deltabear said:
Thanks!
You should be able to start the process by going through the steps in Civato's post on how to change your Bootloader, make sure you have a ROM on the MicroSD before doing this, and then follow the steps to install the ROM you choose.
In the OP for Flexreaper there are discussions about how to install the customizations, Civ wrote a great beginners guide to modding that might help, posted here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1648162
No worries, it's a good thing to be excited about...I enjoy changing ROMs, testing apps, and generally "messing" with my tablet all the time.
Good Luck, Have fun, and don't forget to BACKUP!!
-DB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heyyy I finally rooted my iconia! XD Thank you so much for the help! I appreciate it! One thing now....after I booted my device it's stuck on the Acer logo.... :X any solutions?? Sorry again for the trouble!

Mkami said:
Heyyy I finally rooted my iconia! XD Thank you so much for the help! I appreciate it! One thing now....after I booted my device it's stuck on the Acer logo.... :X any solutions?? Sorry again for the trouble!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like it didn't install cleanly. Double check the checksum, try redownload, wipe everything and reinstall. If that doesn't work make sure that your bootloader and Rom match.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium

Deltabear said:
Sounds like it didn't install cleanly. Double check the checksum, try redownload, wipe everything and reinstall. If that doesn't work make sure that your bootloader and Rom match.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! Thanks for your reply I have successfully rooted my device after hours of research I had to reinstall everything from scratch, unfortunately my build for my tab isn't the same as the the build I had it when I bought it, oh well...So now I have HC 3.0.1
So now I want to flash the device, is that possible? I want to get that ICS look without updating it to the ICS. I was wondering what would you advice me to do? haha, I know I'm asking way too many questions in this single form, I have an excuse for that I'm a noob, hahaha. But seriously your help is very much appreciated!

I will suggest rooting your HC ROM first, then install recovery for example via acer recovery installer. Make a backup then!
After that you can use AFTEROTA to upgrade the bootliader and recovery. When finished install an ICS ROM of your choice. With the help from AFTEROTA you can all ways go back to stock HC version.
m.

[Solved] Thank you every that helped me
Thank you guys for your help and advices! I have successfully updated and rooted, and flashed my device after hours of reading and going through posts, hahaha. Of course I did do a full backup of everything and now I am good to go! Again thanks again guys, much appreciation!
Cheers! Moe Kami!

[Q] How to get ParanoidAndroid Rom?

Sorry for dumb question but I am not able not excerpt the important steps of all these help and guide threads to install a Rom on my brand new nexus 7 without 3g. Hopefully someone can give me a guide
thanks in advance

SENSATION_XE said:
Sorry for dumb question but I am not able not excerpt the important steps of all these help and guide threads to install a Rom on my brand new nexus 7 without 3g. Hopefully someone can give me a guide
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to unlock boot loader, flash custom recovery and then flash roms.
Its best to search and learn for yourself to be honest. If you are fed the information on a plate, you will learn nothing whatsoever.
There are plenty of guides and help resources on Google.
This isn't me trying to be ignorant, it really is the best way as when or if you mess up, you will then need 1 to 1 help which ends up consuming massive amounts of peoples time.

Would someone please post a step by step guide to flashing a custom ROM?

Now that the loki method has come out and people are successfully flashing their ATT SGS4s with custom Loki'd ROMS that are available, can someone please post a step by step guide to help out new people to this whole process? I've read a bunch of different posts and I have a general idea of what to do, but I see that there are specific steps that must be followed, etc, can anyone please help me (and I'm sure many others) flash their first ROM?
As I understand the defacto standard is something like cyanogenmod, but I see other ROMS in the original android section. How do we install these? I understand that there we need to first install something like CWM, then flash the loki'd rom, but a step by step guide would be really useful! Also, setting up LTE after flashing, google apps, etc, seems like theres a lot of information floating around about that. Also, how to recover with Odin or some application in case we mess up?

frostrambler said:
Now that the loki method has come out and people are successfully flashing their ATT SGS4s with custom Loki'd ROMS that are available, can someone please post a step by step guide to help out new people to this whole process? I've read a bunch of different posts and I have a general idea of what to do, but I see that there are specific steps that must be followed, etc, can anyone please help me (and I'm sure many others) flash their first ROM?
As I understand the defacto standard is something like cyanogenmod, but I see other ROMS in the original android section. How do we install these? I understand that there we need to first install something like CWM, then flash the loki'd rom, but a step by step guide would be really useful! Also, setting up LTE after flashing, google apps, etc, seems like theres a lot of information floating around about that. Also, how to recover with Odin or some application in case we mess up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your kidding right? In the dev section there is a complete noob package that holds each noob by the hand with complete instructions...its really idiot proof to.
Good luck sir.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292932&page=2
You mean this thread? They mentioned they would work on guides in one of the posts, do the included read me files give step by steps?

frostrambler said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292932&page=2
You mean this thread? They mentioned they would work on guides in one of the posts, do the included read me files give step by steps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, strart there, in that same forum, is ALL the info to get you:
Root
Bootloader fix
each thread has detailed instructions, if someone just says do this, you will never learn, if you have questions on a certain item, read, then post in the forum that is giving you the issue. I am not slamming you, it is a good working start.

[Q] VZW G2; where to go from this point

I've read half of all of the ROM threads in the development forum, and am still unsure of where to go from here, so I am trying to get a direct answer here.
My situation:
VZW G2
Rooted
Stock ROM
VS98011A
TWRP 2.6.3.3 (updated to this version using FreeGee)
I have the OTA popping up constantly and I want to get rid of it by flashing the appropriate ROM.
Can I simply download a ROM and flash it using TWRP? Or am I going to get stuck in one of the many loops I am seeing people post about?
I would love to create a wiki with various starting points for people, but it is so hard to find information here. Searching for one thing leads to an explanation that, while helpful, involves five other steps or topics that one must also research, and I've often found people's step-by-step instructions to be incomplete or have a step that they assume everyone knows but is quite complicated.
THANK YOU to whomever replies, even if it just a link to something helpful, because I will gladly do the reading myself. I just often don't know what these people's starting points are when they are asking questions.

Most of the ROMS I have downloaded have flashing instructions in the OP. All you have to do though is factory reset before flashing, and then flash your ROM + GAPPS and then wipe cache/Dalvik Cache several times and yes you should be good to go
In regards to your wiki idea, I think it is a wonderful one. These forums are terrible for finding concise information. Often it is hard for me to find the information I am looking for.

jmilacek said:
I've read half of all of the ROM threads in the development forum, and am still unsure of where to go from here, so I am trying to get a direct answer here.
My situation:
VZW G2
Rooted
Stock ROM
VS98011A
TWRP 2.6.3.3 (updated to this version using FreeGee)
I have the OTA popping up constantly and I want to get rid of it by flashing the appropriate ROM.
Can I simply download a ROM and flash it using TWRP? Or am I going to get stuck in one of the many loops I am seeing people post about?
I would love to create a wiki with various starting points for people, but it is so hard to find information here. Searching for one thing leads to an explanation that, while helpful, involves five other steps or topics that one must also research, and I've often found people's step-by-step instructions to be incomplete or have a step that they assume everyone knows but is quite complicated.
THANK YOU to whomever replies, even if it just a link to something helpful, because I will gladly do the reading myself. I just often don't know what these people's starting points are when they are asking questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to flash a ROM to get rid of the OTA popup. Just root, install Titanium Backup, and freeze the app called "Software Update MUC".

My Recommendation
jmilacek said:
I've read half of all of the ROM threads in the development forum, and am still unsure of where to go from here, so I am trying to get a direct answer here.
My situation:
VZW G2
Rooted
Stock ROM
VS98011A
TWRP 2.6.3.3 (updated to this version using FreeGee)
I have the OTA popping up constantly and I want to get rid of it by flashing the appropriate ROM.
Can I simply download a ROM and flash it using TWRP? Or am I going to get stuck in one of the many loops I am seeing people post about?
I would love to create a wiki with various starting points for people, but it is so hard to find information here. Searching for one thing leads to an explanation that, while helpful, involves five other steps or topics that one must also research, and I've often found people's step-by-step instructions to be incomplete or have a step that they assume everyone knows but is quite complicated.
THANK YOU to whomever replies, even if it just a link to something helpful, because I will gladly do the reading myself. I just often don't know what these people's starting points are when they are asking questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My advice, 2 options:
Stay on 11a
Stay rooted
Stay w/TWRP 2.6.3.3 (freegee)
Flash CleanRom 1.0
Flash 12b modem
Install Xposed
Install G2xposed
and Prosper!
OR
Install Digital Dream 2.1
Take 12b update
Reroot using IOroot 1.6+
Install Freegee (TWRP)
Install DD 2.1
Install Xposed
Install G2xposed
and Prosper!
* Always make a nandroid backup of stock rooted and move it to the PC * Get familiar with ADB commands * Read threads past the 1st ten posts or last ten posts *Thank those that have helped you * If I can't BRICK it neither can you * Enjoy!