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Please help a n00b...

I have read for hours on this site trying to find out how to root my phone. So, I come across the JH2 ROM, the Unleash the Beast v.02 root, the
ODIN3 One-Click (still not sure what that does), And then I start reading about Titanium Backup, ADB (or P, whatever), no idea what that does either, although I believe you have to have a rooted phone to use it) and then I see that you need some things for root, (make sure you have the correct drivers), etc., etc., etc. How about something that explains what some of the major things do and the sequence in which they should be applied, and how to apply them?
- Busybox
- Clockworkmod recovery
- ADB
- Nandroid backup
- Titanium Backup
- Unleash the Beast v.02
- JH2/JH3 ROM flash
What do the above have to do with the phone and with each other?
Don't forget, all of you were new at one point in time and didn't know how to do this stuff either, so a little patience on your part would be welcome.
I think that some of you are so familiar with this stuff that it doesn't even occur to you that there may be people that don't know how to do what you've been doing consistently for months.
My biggest question is this: What do I use to back up my (currently unrooted) phone, so if I need to restore it to factory, I can do that?

follow the steps here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=735482
and when it comes to rooting it, dont.
just go flash the unleash the beast rom and it also tells you how to enable sideloading which will let you download applications from outside the market

Jim_C said:
I have read for hours on this site trying to find out how to root my phone. So, I come across the JH2 ROM, the Unleash the Beast v.02 root, the
ODIN3 One-Click (still not sure what that does), And then I start reading about Titanium Backup, ADB (or P, whatever), no idea what that does either, although I believe you have to have a rooted phone to use it) and then I see that you need some things for root, (make sure you have the correct drivers), etc., etc., etc. How about something that explains what some of the major things do and the sequence in which they should be applied, and how to apply them?
- Busybox
- Clockworkmod recovery
- ADB
- Nandroid backup
- Titanium Backup
- Unleash the Beast v.02
- JH2/JH3 ROM flash
What do the above have to do with the phone and with each other?
Don't forget, all of you were new at one point in time and didn't know how to do this stuff either, so a little patience on your part would be welcome.
I think that some of you are so familiar with this stuff that it doesn't even occur to you that there may be people that don't know how to do what you've been doing consistently for months.
My biggest question is this: What do I use to back up my (currently unrooted) phone, so if I need to restore it to factory, I can do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go here and read up on this...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=751934

Okay, one of the first instructions on the above thread says, 'Do a Nandroid Backup first. So, I looked up a Nandroid Backup, and the first thing it says is, 'Nandroid is a set of tools that will enable anyone who has root on their Android device to make FULL system backups, in case something goes wrong or you want to try out that new experimental ROM/theme.' So, I already have to be rooted to make a back-up? What if I want to restore my original ROM? Not saying I will, but what if
I need to, for whatever reason? This is the kind of thing that I find confusing. I have to be rooted BEFORE I can backup my phone? That makes absolutely no sense to me.

Jim_C said:
Okay, one of the first instructions on the above thread says, 'Do a Nandroid Backup first. So, I looked up a Nandroid Backup, and the first thing it says is, 'Nandroid is a set of tools that will enable anyone who has root on their Android device to make FULL system backups, in case something goes wrong or you want to try out that new experimental ROM/theme.' So, I already have to be rooted to make a back-up? What if I want to restore my original ROM? Not saying I will, but what if
I need to, for whatever reason? This is the kind of thing that I find confusing. I have to be rooted BEFORE I can backup my phone? That makes absolutely no sense to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first link that was provided will get you started and answer all your questions. The jist of it is that you need to root first if you want to perform backups to restore the phone to any given point. You can do a nandroid backup from within rom manager, which was the first app I installed after rooting. It may be a bit overwhelming at first but once you get going, you realize how easy it is with the tools provided in this forum.

Does Nandroid Work with Inspire 4G?

Hi,
I'm sorry for the noob question, but I want to be very safe. I was previously an iPhone user, and the challenge I'm facing with Android is that there are so many versions, and it's hard to find a device specific answer.
I want to start messing with system files, and as far as I could find, Nandroid seems to be the easiest solution for backup. But, its thread is rather outdated. So, I don't know if it's safe to use it with Inspire 4G.
If not, I would love to know the best and easiest way to make a nand backup with Inspire 4G.
Thank you so much in advance.
GT

Yes you can do nandroid backups, but the catch-22 is you need to have root first. After you've performed root, install ROM Manager, flash clockwork mod recovery and then you can make full nandroid backups through cwm. There's a stock RUU floating around as well that will take you back to stock if you run into too much trouble though

Thank you. You are very kind (I see you helped me in other posts too). I am installing ROM manager as I type this. Rooting wasn't as hard even though I was spoiled with one touch GUI from my iPhone days lol.

Rooting, Flashing, Backing up And Installing New Boot Loader

Hi guys,
I just got a SGS4G about a week ago and I would like to tweak it a little bit but I do have some concerns. This is my first android smartphone
Here are my concerns:
I would like to do a Backup of my ROM in case I ever want to go back to it. How could I do that? Do I need to install a bootloader other than the one that comes with the phone? if yes which one should I install?
I have rooted my phone and would like to get rid of a bunch of apps but was reading that if you remove some of the apps it could cause the phone to malfuncion. Is there a compiled a list of apps that should not be removed? or this is just not true?
When I'm ready to install a Stock ROM how do I do that? Via Odin? (I can look for some guide if it's via Odin)
Can anyone tell me what would be the benefit of installing Deodexed instead of using the Stock ROM?
Will i always me able to come back to my Stock ROM once i figure how to create a backup ROM?
Am I missing any important point that I should know about?
I would really appreciate if you can help clarify this doubts that I got before i try to do anything.
Thanks

i'm new to all of this too but ill try to answer some questions. Although, I think this thread should NOT be in development and should be in general. I personally have read through a lot of threads to get the answers that I was seeking for.
As far as backup goes, I think its possible through Odin via dump option? don't quote me on that, I have not had to do that before, nor have I read up on it. bootloader as far as i see, i did not need it.
there is a thread in here with virgin rom request, LOOK for it.
There is NO compiled list of apps that you can or cannot delete, but if you read, there is a dl for BLOATWARE, use that as a template to what you want deleted.
Right now, ODIN is the only way that you can flash your phone, and use the two roms listed in this development thread.
From what i read a deodexed rom just helps with file system and structure. I think?
you will always be able to go back to stock, if you have the virgin rom.
Imo, you should read up/skim through every thread in here to see what is available, problems people are having and the fixes for them. I know there is alot of information in here and it maybe overwhelming, but there were 172 views of this thread without any replies because us noobs need to READ/SEARCH. Thats the answers we'll get if we continue to make new threads. Just fyi if your new to forums.

Moved as not android development.

As newbie you should first read and use search
then if you dont see question you want, you just ask it
And about Roms , well i tried that deox v2.2 and didnt like it , switched to stock with removed bloat and love it more but thats for different thread

Well thanks for you answers and I do apologize for posting this here. I didn't know. I think i will go with what you have done. Stock ROM without bloatware. Did you flash the Stock ROM from this forum? or did you just deleted the apps one by one?
I will do the fota fix as well.

moshe22 said:
Hi guys,
I just got a SGS4G about a week ago and I would like to tweak it a little bit but I do have some concerns. This is my first android smartphone
Here are my concerns:
I would like to do a Backup of my ROM in case I ever want to go back to it. How could I do that? Do I need to install a bootloader other than the one that comes with the phone? if yes which one should I install?
I have rooted my phone and would like to get rid of a bunch of apps but was reading that if you remove some of the apps it could cause the phone to malfuncion. Is there a compiled a list of apps that should not be removed? or this is just not true?
When I'm ready to install a Stock ROM how do I do that? Via Odin? (I can look for some guide if it's via Odin)
Can anyone tell me what would be the benefit of installing Deodexed instead of using the Stock ROM?
Will i always me able to come back to my Stock ROM once i figure how to create a backup ROM?
Am I missing any important point that I should know about?
I would really appreciate if you can help clarify this doubts that I got before i try to do anything.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ClockWorkMod is the preferred way to backup your ROM, but it does not seem to be working on the SGS4G currently. I was messing with it one night and actually think I got it to backup the Rom one time but I cannot guarantee that I did because I was working on a supposed fix and did not get a chance to copy the backup file to my computer before it got wiped off my SD card. The process is called nandroid backup. If you have a virgin phone and want a clean backup of your ROM you might want to wait until the fix comes out for CWM.
Once you root your phone you can install Titainum backup. That allows you to backup your apps/Data/System settings. At least that’s what it says it does. From what I’ve read, the best way to backup your apps is with ADB which is part of the Software Development Kit. You can also use Android Commander which uses ADB to Pull your apps to your computer and make a backup there. Check http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1010006 for info on SDK and ADB commands. There is also a direction to making new apps install to your SD card natively. This link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1001202 also shows that command and how to Reverse/Check status of settings.
The Noobs guide to Oden covers the basics to flashing your ROM fairly well: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1001759
The [ROM-ODIN]T959VUVKB5 Stock + Root and [ROM-ODIN] Deodexed KB5 Enhanced v2.2 are the two ROMs that are working now for most people. The first is Odexed the second is Deodexed. Odexed is how it comes stock and takes up less room but making modifications or taking apks from other roms is hard, While Deodexed allows modders to work on the apks & easily change stuff like themes. (Description Taken from Damage's DamageControl Thread) My suggestion is to have some patience and wait for ClockWorkMod to be updated and working for the SGS4G before you dive in too deep. Take some time to look around the 4g posts and read as much as you can to get familiar with what is working and what is not. Check some of the threads with locks on them to see what not to do. There is a wealth of information in these pages.

ClockWorkMod is the preferred way to backup your ROM, but it does not seem to be working on the SGS4G currently. I was messing with it one night and actually think I got it to backup the Rom one time but I cannot guarantee that I did because I was working on a supposed fix and did not get a chance to copy the backup file to my computer before it got wiped off my SD card. The process is called nandroid backup. If you have a virgin phone and want a clean backup of your ROM you might want to wait until the fix comes out for CWM.
Once you root your phone you can install Titainum backup. That allows you to backup your apps/Data/System settings. At least that’s what it says it does. From what I’ve read, the best way to backup your apps is with ADB which is part of the Software Development Kit. You can also use Android Commander which uses ADB to Pull your apps to your computer and make a backup there. Check http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1010006 for info on SDK and ADB commands. There is also a direction to making new apps install to your SD card natively. This link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1001202 also shows that command and how to Reverse/Check status of settings.
The Noobs guide to Oden covers the basics to flashing your ROM fairly well: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1001759
The [ROM-ODIN]T959VUVKB5 Stock + Root and [ROM-ODIN] Deodexed KB5 Enhanced v2.2 are the two ROMs that are working now for most people. The first is Odexed the second is Deodexed. Odexed is how it comes stock and takes up less room but making modifications or taking apks from other roms is hard, While Deodexed allows modders to work on the apks & easily change stuff like themes. (Description Taken from Damage's DamageControl Thread) My suggestion is to have some patience and wait for ClockWorkMod to be updated and working for the SGS4G before you dive in too deep. Take some time to look around the 4g posts and read as much as you can to get familiar with what is working and what is not. Check some of the threads with locks on them to see what not to do. There is a wealth of information in these pages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man! Really helpful. I will read into these threads and probably will wait for the clockwork to work for SGS4G.
I really don't see the advantage of flashing to Deodexed. Maybe i'm missing something?

Rooting

It is likely that the answers to my questions are to be found in several threads on the forum already so my apologies for not being able to track them down - it is a bit confusing.
I have a Xoom which started out as a UK wifi only model which I recently flashed to a US GED model using the guide written by Simon Stuart. As a result I am running 4.04.
I am now considering rooting the device and moving to JB however I am not sure about the following:
Easiest/simplest method for someone who hasn't done this before,
Which ROM is most suitable,
What are the differences between ROMs
And finally
When I did the GED conversion I discovered that my Apps backup didn't work and I had to reinstall everything again. What is the best way to avoid having to do this? - Sorted. Did an App backup with Astro and then copied the Backup folder to my back up drive in the house and to Google Drive.
Thanks in advance.

If your bootloader is not already unlocked, you are going to need to unlock it before rooting/flashing a custom rom and you'll be losing all your apps/data/anything again.

Rooting and then recovering to stock - How to?

I am thinking of rooting my note 10.1 (GT-N8010). I understand how to root it, since I have read through a few threads about that, but my question is about when, or IF, I'd want to return the software to stock. I have never done this before, so I need practically all help and tips regarding reversing the rooting.
1. What must I do BEFORE rooting the tablet?
2. After I have rooted it and installed a rom, How do I unroot the tablet and install stock android?
Again, I need all tips and please don't use abbreviations. Thank you

Sari95 said:
I am thinking of rooting my note 10.1 (GT-N8010). I understand how to root it, since I have read through a few threads about that, but my question is about when, or IF, I'd want to return the software to stock. I have never done this before, so I need practically all help and tips regarding reversing the rooting.
1. What must I do BEFORE rooting the tablet?
2. After I have rooted it and installed a rom, How do I unroot the tablet and install stock android?
Again, I need all tips and please don't use abbreviations. Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you make a nandroid backup right after you install your custom recovery going back to stock is as easy as flashing the nandriod any time you want to go back.Alternatively,you could download the stock rom from http://www.sammobile.com and flash the md5 file in odin to get back to stock.Read up on this stuff in the 10.1 general and development forum threads because there is way too much information to type it all in this post.You will find everything you need to know in these threads including walk through videos.