These Qs probably have been answered many times, but my searches did not return meaningful answers
I'm running stock ROM and do not want to change at the moment until Sprint ships WM 6.5. SO I have 3 issues that have been bugging me big time:
1) How do you force applications to use WiFi? The only way I can make it work is to disable the Phone in Communications tab. There must be a way to do it w/o flashing a new ROM, right?
2) I always thought having a sliding screen lock is a matter of finding the right setting. Well not really. I know and tried the free program called S2U2. However I did not like the interaction it had with the phone and my hands free. Things were slower and the additional layer did not add to better user experience. So is there a way to get the sliding screen lock on this phone w/o flashing non-stock ROM?
3) The call answer slider. Who came up with this? The split nature of that slider bar puts your chances of successfully answering a call at 50/50. I like my chances better with the old style on my original TP. Any way to get that back w/o flashing a new ROM?
Pardon these simple questions, folks, but the have been nagging me for weeks now
The slide to unlock feature is stock on WM 6.5, unless you use a third party app like S2U2 I don't know of a way to get the enhanced locking feature. Try pocketshield, it work better for me than s2u2. However it did glitch sometimes and sleep/lock when opening apps. Flashing is not as scary as all the warnings posted by Rom devs. Unless you have to remain with a stock rom, I suggest trying one. Slide to answer is another story. Hope I helped.
As far as wifi goes, if your wifi is on, your carrier data is off. Most apps should be able to use wifi for net purposes but some use triangulation of cell towers to determine your relative location (goog maps , etc). Without cell data active these apps wont work.
Yes, this helped. Thanks!
I was able to figure out and test my wi-fi connection and amazingly enough it works as you described i.e. transparently. I simply checked device's IP address via an extrernal site and it did change when I turned my wi-fi on/off.
I'm not as much scared as I'm still suffering from rippling effects of bricking my previous phone - Touch Pro. I lost all of my contacts (my own fault). So while I could have done hard reset and bring the unit back, Sprint gave me an option to upgrade to TP2 for free. I took it, of course. This is a much nicer phone! Just those little things ...
Ok noob alert..just a prelude I've done alot of searching and reading, and *think I have some answers, but if some kind soul were to take a quick look and maybe verify what I've found, I'd be eternally grateful. I used to have a LG Optimus and easily rooted/upgraded to CM7 by reading this forum and didn't have to ask any questions.
Now I've gone and signed up for WIND (Canada) and picked up an XT720. It's my budget and I'm not overly concerned about whether or not I have ICS immediately. I'd rather have something stable and $$ saving.
OK so I'm noticing a serious difference in the way the XT720 handles the WIFI/mobile data situation compared to the LG: it doesn't. First off, there's no easy way to turn off mobile data. Secondly, enabling WIFI gets me a connection to my router, yes, but browsers and apps that require a connection just refuse to use the WIFI unless: 1. there is 3G data connection - in other words, it ain't using WIFI 2. I put the phone in Airplane Mode, and turn WIFI back on. Great, but now no phone calls or SMS. Not a viable workaround. Option 3 involves hard resetting the phone with a battery pull which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.
From scouring around various sites, this seems to have been a common problem with 2.1 and this model of phone. And thus the workarounds I tried were also employed by others.
From what I know of all versions custom ROMs etc from 2.2 onward for other models of phones, though, this wasn't an issue, and also in 2.2 and onward you can switch off Mobile Data which will force the WIFI connection if turned on.
So is this something that I will see an improvement on if I install say CM 6.3 onward or whatever? I'll get the ability to turn off mobile data, right? And then there theoretically shouldn't be a conflict, right?
That's my biggest issue. I don't get enough 3G signal in my house to just use the mobile data connection, I absolutely have to be able to use WIFI and receive phone calls/texts at the same time, so if custom roms aren't going to help me, I'd best return the phone.
Some other things I'm curious about:
- do most of the normal functions of the phone work with CM 6.3? HD recording, camera, HDMI out etc? Anything I've missed?
- I see quite a bit of talk about people running out of RAM and using sd swapping etc is this a common problem? Even with about 20 or so apps and CM7 on my LG Optimus I was still able to maintain about 110 mb RAM free at all times by judicious use of installing apps on SD card...will I be ok?
- Probably the biggest question before I root/install...most of the guides I'm reading talk about installing various stock sbfs etc etc...I'm coming in from a WIND stock rom so I don't *THINK* I need to do this, right? I should be nandroid'ing, Open Recovery, flash custom rom....right?
Here's my specs
Xt720 Wind Canada
s/w STR_U2_05.1F.2
f/w 2.1-update1
f/w config GAS_NA_NAWIND_P012
Baseband 3GSMEPU91A_U_91.075EI
kernel 2.6.29-omap1
I realize that some of this is covered in other threads. To be honest tho some respondents/contributors aren't English first language and I just want to make sure I haven't misunderstood anything. Anyone who has done similar to what I'm trying to do, especially coming from a WIND perspective, lemme know your thoughts, please and thanks alot!
acrobat69 said:
Now I've gone and signed up for WIND (Canada) and picked up an XT720. It's my budget and I'm not overly concerned about whether or not I have ICS immediately. I'd rather have something stable and $$ saving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've picked up the XT720 myself from Wind a few days ago at the clearance price ($150 outright, no plan). They even told me there are no guarantees with the phone with its stock ROM and seemed glad to hear that I was gonna use it with a custom ROM. I knew what I was getting into and the only reason I still bought the phone is this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1300246
We are extremely lucky to get Gingearbread on our phones, so don't even think of ICS at this moment. As you noticed already the stock 2.1 is useless and I flashed mine the 1st day.
acrobat69 said:
That's my biggest issue. I don't get enough 3G signal in my house to just use the mobile data connection, I absolutely have to be able to use WIFI and receive phone calls/texts at the same time, so if custom roms aren't going to help me, I'd best return the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ROM I linked above (the only 2.3, actually CM 7.1 available for XT720) works as you'd expect with wifi and 3g, that is it uses wifi when connected to both. Any decent ROM will do that.
acrobat69 said:
- do most of the normal functions of the phone work with CM 6.3? HD recording, camera, HDMI out etc? Anything I've missed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HD recording - not yet (you don't lose much anyway, the camcorder quality would be crappy, check reviews with the stock OS)
camera - yes (pretty good quality)
HDMI - not yet (I'm guessing it will be fixed very soon, the devs are working on exactly this)
everything else - yes
acrobat69 said:
- I see quite a bit of talk about people running out of RAM and using sd swapping etc is this a common problem? Even with about 20 or so apps and CM7 on my LG Optimus I was still able to maintain about 110 mb RAM free at all times by judicious use of installing apps on SD card...will I be ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one is tricky, the phone only has about 225mb usable RAM, there's not much multi-tasking you can do with that amount but it's workable. There are some performance tweaks you can do (overclocking, CM settings, V6 SuperCharger, etc.) to make it decent. Moving apps on sd card is a good idea in order to save storage space on the phone (another limited resource at only 174mb) but has nothing to do with RAM.
acrobat69 said:
- Probably the biggest question before I root/install...most of the guides I'm reading talk about installing various stock sbfs etc etc...I'm coming in from a WIND stock rom so I don't *THINK* I need to do this, right? I should be nandroid'ing, Open Recovery, flash custom rom....right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been wondering the same thing, what's up with all the SBFs people are talking about left and right? The answer is don't worry about them, you don't need any SBF. They are just that, stock ROMs, all 2.1. You would only need one (the Wind version) if you wanted to take the phone back for servicing and wanted to return to the original non-rooted state. Apparently even if you take a full nandroid backup with your stock ROM now and restore it later, the phone will still be rooted and this is where a stock SBF would help. I'm not gonna bother, even if I do take it back (highly doubt it, with the custom ROM it's a very good phone for $150 outright), I'm just gonna restore my stock nandroid backup.
So what you need is:
1. root the phone (personally I used SuperOneClick, google for the latest version)
2. install OpenRecovery: http://modmymobile.com/forums/563-m.../531599-open-recovery-v1-46-11-21-2010-a.html
I can send you the file you need if you pm your email address. I HATE it when I have to register on some forum just to get 1 stupid file. And you absolutely CANNOT get that stupid file anywhere else on the face of the Earth/internet.
3. install this mod for OpenRecovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1242259
4. go to the ROM's thread, dl the latest build linked in the 1st post, copy the zip file to your sdcard\openrecovery\updates, reboot into recovery mode, apply update, format data&cache, reboot. Done. Enjoy!
BuddyBud said:
2. install OpenRecovery: http://modmymobile.com/forums/563-m.../531599-open-recovery-v1-46-11-21-2010-a.html
I can send you the file you need if you pm your email address. I HATE it when I have to register on some forum just to get 1 stupid file. And you absolutely CANNOT get that stupid file anywhere else on the face of the Earth/internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an OpenRecovery apk floating around here to install ther OR bootstrap, no need to register at ModMyMobile.
:Edit:
Woodrube has it attached to this thread. Install the apk from the sdcard, reboot, then run the apk & install OR. (Now you can switch out the OR files with Mioze's modded OR)
here you go
I knew that thread would come in handy one of these days. Plus Buddy and Acro there are other handy APKs in there too.
Mioze actually have all the necessary Open Recovery files linked in his CM6.3 topic
that's the most updated version
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to James and everyone who has responded so far - even going so far as to direct link me to files I'll need? You guys are the best!!.
I really appreciate the encouragement. I think tonight's the night.
I'll try and log my procedures and steps and make note of anything I run into for future noobs like me I might be able to help..that's how community works, right?
Wish me luck!
Good luck
One more tip: If you find that Market keeps crashing after you flash fjfalcon's ROM, flash this updated Google Apps package - gapps-gb-20111216 (dl link here).
It worked for me. Put the zip file on the sdcard right next to the ROM file and flash it just like the ROM file.
PS: Who's James?
Ah BuddyBud sorry, there is another Canadian Wind guy named Biker Bob (real name James) who was posting about his experiences in another thread, and I mixed the two of you up..
About to try this...couple questions
Has anyone watched/used Reverend's tutorial video? Results?
I don't need to unlock the phone first, right? Please tell me no, I just got it! lol
The Revs videos are a good reference & if you are talking about a sim unlock that's not necessary.
Yes Revs videos are good to show.a visual of what you should do. Don't worry about it. I know it is scary the first time but once you do it, it will become second nature. Don't forget to wipe cache, dalvik and factory reset. If you bootloop, that is probably why.
No you don't need to be unlocked. That just deals with carriers and not ROMs.
Im on the edge of the decision precipice..am not too nervous about doing this, as in fact I'm pretty technically proficient..it just seemed that this process was a bit more convoluted than the one I picked up on easily for the LG.
Decisions decisions...6.3 or go all the way to 7.1
I think I need stability...and I'm not sure I want to get into a whole bunch of swapping locations etc. I noticed The Reverend mentioned he didn't bother with swaps. Mind you, I don't even think he made an ext partition either, which boggles my mind, I was almost sure you had to make at least one for any custom ROM. I might be showing just how little I know here! lol
Is it just that 7.1 is more of an ongoing thing, or by now are most of the +/- s of both pretty much on par? I know, I should be reading all 78 pages of the damn thread, right??
Oh boy, I just read through the Bravo thread...and the LED notification sounds SOOO tempting. No LED notification bugged the hell outta me on the LG. Hmmmm...
Ok...have settled on the ROM in this thread (Bravo):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1332410
I just want to make sure of one thing...the VERY helpful steps that you all have outlined ie BuddyBuds...they stay the same up to step 4 (ROM + update) no matter what ROM I choose, pretty much.
Brians instructions are just a slight bit confusing in that Im not sure if I have to apply just the most recent update for LED ie v1.6...or if I have to install ALL the updates from the start on up (I think there are 4 of them). To me it would seem logical that each new version would be cumulative ie include the stuff from previous versions...but I just want to make sure!
One more thing..I didnt notice any mention of gapps in the download in that thread (nor did I see a gapps apk in the files I unzipped, but might have missed it..)...if not, Ill need to apply that too, right..any special version to useÉ
Ok so...
I went with Brian's BRAVO. I followed some of the steps provided in this thread, coupled with Reverand's video. I used his OpenRecovery install method (ie original from the Dexter build, copy new over top that) because I've never installed OpenRecovery before and it just seemed confusing on other threads.
To root, I used UltimateAndroot, in order to have the ability to unroot the machine (you'll see why...)
The first thing I checked, of course, was the pull down power/status bar to see about turning off various connections (ie Wifi, Bluetooth, Refresh, Mobile Data, etc). Unlike other 2.2 Froyo's I've used, specifically..LG..there is no pull down/status bar. Damn. Went thru every Setting imaginable, but won't work. This isn't looking great.
Next thing I tested was my 3G/Wifi issue. To my dismay...the issue remains. Browser and apps are still trying to use 3G first and foremost, as far as I can see. How do I know? Because if I leave Data Network Settting to "Allowed", browser/apps work, and *seem to be using the WiFi, but the second the 3G signal fades or is dropped, I get connection issues, and WiFi is still on. If I turn Data Network Setting to "Not Allowed", it might/might not use the WiFi for a bit and then pretty consistently stop. When I mean "stop", I mean the phone is still showing connected to WiFi yet there are data connection errors on all browsers/apps that need data etc. Sometimes, if the 3G signal returns, I get the pop-up asking me to Allow the data, and if I say yes it works for a bit (but then, because of the 3G signal issue, it cuts out again).
The fix - again - turn on Airplane mode, which disconnects all connections, turn on WiFi, then go back into Call Settings and search for the Home Network again. This is crazy, I can't do this every time, and eventually it craps out again and I have to do it all over.
The other really frustrating thing is I powered it down to do a full recharge overnight...when I booted back up it didn't find my Home Network at all and I had to rescan for it. Testing that out, sure enough, rebooting the phone I have to reselect the Network. Argh.
Any thoughts? The whole necessity of being able to turn 3G data off is so I can avoid this very problem. Basically, I walk in my front door, turn off data over the mobile network, and let my WiFi do it all while I'm home. I wish I could do this as effectively as with my LG on 2.2 (and later, CM7)
acrobat69 said:
Ok...have settled on the ROM in this thread (Bravo):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1332410
I just want to make sure of one thing...the VERY helpful steps that you all have outlined ie BuddyBuds...they stay the same up to step 4 (ROM + update) no matter what ROM I choose, pretty much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you get to step 4 inn Buddy's list check out this. It will explain it a little bit better. Brought someone back from the brink on this thread. Where is says Dexter, just replace that with Bravo.
Brians instructions are just a slight bit confusing in that Im not sure if I have to apply just the most recent update for LED ie v1.6...or if I have to install ALL the updates from the start on up (I think there are 4 of them). To me it would seem logical that each new version would be cumulative ie include the stuff from previous versions...but I just want to make sure!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Per Brian's OP the v1.9 has all the patches.
v1.9,A new Nandroid IMG backup,All patches included(20111217).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more thing..I didnt notice any mention of gapps in the download in that thread (nor did I see a gapps apk in the files I unzipped, but might have missed it..)...if not, Ill need to apply that too, right..any special version to useÉ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gapps is for CM builds. Bravo is a 2.2 build.
Side note: If you are going to partition it is up to you. I and a few other don't but it is really a personal preference. When I did, I used MiniTool Partition Wizard and it worked like a charm.
A few things though:
1: Your partitions must be set up this way---> Fat then EXT2/3 then Swap (if you choose-I don't and never did-requires you to fastboot a custom kernel and since this is your first experience, I would not suggest it)
2: Sizes. Many noobs will set their EXT2/3 partition to 1gb. That is way too big and you are just wasting space. I find that somewhere between 350-400mb is more than enough.
3: Do not convert your Ext partition to EXT4 unless the ROM you choose supports it. If/when the time comes, use MZ's open recovery utility to do it and not GPArted or MiniTool. The creat a Hugefile that has to be deleted and is a PITA.
4: If you do decide to partition, you will have to boot up fully, then go into your root explorer and in the SD-ext, you will need to create a folder called App (not apps-no S) so it will look like this sdcard/sdext/app. Then reboot and your apps will auto-install there.
Sorry for the long post and good luck.
---------- Post added at 11:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:42 AM ----------
acrobat69 said:
Any thoughts? The whole necessity of being able to turn 3G data off is so I can avoid this very problem. Basically, I walk in my front door, turn off data over the mobile network, and let my WiFi do it all while I'm home. I wish I could do this as effectively as with my LG on 2.2 (and later, CM7)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you click on WIFI it should take over as your primary source of data. Not sure why unless I think I might have figured it out. Go into settings>wireless>tick your WIFI and once your router pops up leave it alone and hit your menu button. Set your WIFI sleep policy to NEVER and I bet that takes care of it. Pretty sure that is toggling off your WIFI when 3g is present.
Other solution is Widgetsoid and Elixir both have a widget to toggle off data (so does Beautiful widgets too for that matter). You can use those but I really think the above solution should work for you.
Woodrube said:
Per Brian's OP the v1.9 has all the patches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, figured..however when I go into LED Notification, it says "revision 1.6" (or some wording to that effect) at the bottom. Maybe that's just an error, but I just used that to gauge whether or not I had installed the latest revisions etc.
LED Notification works for text messages. I haven't seen it work for calls yet, but maybe I'm doing something wrong. I call the phone, the screen lights up that there's a call, and then ultimately closes when noone answers it. It was at this point that I'd assume the LED notification would come on. Screen is out, so LED, right?
Woodrube said:
Gapps is for CM builds. Bravo is a 2.2 build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I guess I goofed then, because I tried to update with Gapps after I installed Bravo. One thing I noticed is that I wasn't prompted to sign up/into my Google accounts or set up the phone when I rebooted following the Bravo ROM + Gapps install..that had always happened on my LG when I did CM installs...your explanation makes sense!
But...isn't CM6 basically 2.2 and Bravo basically 2.2? Or maybe I misread that.
At any rate, the real reason I updated Gapps is because I wanted the "new" Market look. I don't like the old one very much, really like the My Apps function. Is there way I can just patch this in to Bravo?
Woodrube said:
Side note: If you are going to partition it is up to you. I and a few other don't but it is really a personal preference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do people partition? I did it on my LG, but never used it. Partitioning has nothing to do with installing user apps to the SD card, right? I can do that anyways, true?
Speaking of which..in CM there is the ability to set the default install location. I searched to find something similar in Bravo, to no avail. Is there a way to do this?
Wait...I think you just gave me the answer to both these questions...duh me..
Woodrube said:
4: If you do decide to partition, you will have to boot up fully, then go into your root explorer and in the SD-ext, you will need to create a folder called App (not apps-no S) so it will look like this sdcard/sdext/app. Then reboot and your apps will auto-install there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I do in fact want to partition, then. I can't imagine how one wouldn't want to, I mean you don't want apps clogging up internal memory, right?
Woodrube said:
Sorry for the long post and good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never apologize for long posts...I'm the worst at it and I love pouring over every single last detail. I'm sure there are lurkers who appreciate also, I know I really did when learning on my LG. Thanks a million!!
Woodrube said:
Once you click on WIFI it should take over as your primary source of data. Not sure why unless I think I might have figured it out. Go into settings>wireless>tick your WIFI and once your router pops up leave it alone and hit your menu button. Set your WIFI sleep policy to NEVER and I bet that takes care of it. Pretty sure that is toggling off your WIFI when 3g is present.
Other solution is Widgetsoid and Elixir both have a widget to toggle off data (so does Beautiful widgets too for that matter). You can use those but I really think the above solution should work for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DOHHHHH!!!! I knew I had forgotten something about past settings that made my LG work so well.. I have modified the Wi-Fi sleep policy and hopefully it will work better now! One constant in all the issues I was having, now that you've mentioned this, is that the screen was sleeping/timing out while things were going on. I'd bring it back up, and be all "like, wtf" when my browser wouldn't work or apps that were downloading hung, etc. Mind you, it probably should have reconnected by itself, but whatever, if it doesn't, there's no harm in using Never Sleep for WiFi. I'm not that much of a stickler for battery usage. I go to bed, I charge the phone, I wake up, repeat. I don't need 4 days battery life and if I ever am in a situation where I do, I'm camping or somewhere remote ie no WiFi hence this doesn't apply as I'd just toggle WiFi off completely anyways.
You're right, I could use a Widget to manage my connections and I managed to grab Beautiful when it was 10 cents..but those reside on the screen and I would love to get that pull-down bar back, just so handy to drag down no matter what app/screen you're in...I know, I'm picky
You know what? I got a Notification Toggle app on my PC at home that I'll upload here tonight. I just remembered it while I was at lunch. It is from an older ROM so not sure it will work but worth a try. Usual directions. Push it to /system/apps reboot. It should be just what you are looking for if it works. Might not though so you'll just have to see.
CM6 is 2.2 and so is Bravo only Bravo was made from the official Korean update that was handed down and Mioze has created the CM6 from source. So yes they are both 2.2 but very different.
Edit: I have the latest Market.apk too. It is floating around here somewhere but I can't find in for some reason. I'll upload them tonight.
acrobat69 said:
Decisions decisions...6.3 or go all the way to 7.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try them both first, then see which one you want to use as your daily driver.
i personally like the 6.3 better because it runs the fastest even on stock speed 720 Mhz
you can use Open Recovery to do a full backup, and switch back and forth between 7.1 and 6.3 until you decide which one you like best
7.1 has more themes to choose from and is more up to date, but... less free resources vs. 6.3 which is indirectly related to why it feels less quick than 6.3
7.1 feels similar to the speed you get on the stock ROM from Wind, 6.3 feels like a brand new device