nOOB questions for someone new to rooting/roms/etc - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

so. the other night, i got alot of help from teh roxxorz...and im now successfully running 2.3 gingerbread on CM7. only 2 things i have to do is get the radio update previous to the current one, and flash it...as well as go back to version 1.5.2. of facebook.
im computer smart, but rooting/rom flashing stupid atm lol...soon to change.
questions:
1. how often do CM7 updates come out?
2. are there more stable, 100% undoable, ROMs out there that are better than CM7? if so what are they and are the steps the same as unrevoked3+CM7 flashing?
3. whats the best app launcher? or app launchers? also how to install em.
4. as far as themes go, should i venture out and try to create my own using templates (giving credit to the one(s) who created the template ofc)...or download ones off the forums? And of those ones (such as those here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=948109 ) are they all cut n dry as far as puttin em on the Evo? or no?
I didnt kno where to put this particular thread since it encompasses a multitude of areas, so i apologize if it needs moved.
thanks.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=948109http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=948109

please close this thread. i'm placing it in the proper area. thanks.

Related

How to?

My daughter has HTC Hero from Sprint running the latest 2.1 version and I wanted to upgrade her phone to 2.2 with all of sprint features like TV etc.
I started to read the forums, looks like there are too many way methods to do things.
Can someone just create a sticky, step by step to newbes on what to do in order to bring the Sprint Hero from 2.1 to 2.2.
which distribution is recommended?
will the upgrade causes a problem with the service?
Get the AOSP Rom, push the sprint apk's using adb.
Its easy..
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
First off you have to root your phone (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=804296), then install a custom recovery (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4898505&postcount=1), then flash the ROM .zip in the recovery (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=782320), then flash a kernal in recovery (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=756774). This is no easy task since froyo was never released for the hero. good luck and if you have any questions...ask. Once you get that working then you can worry about sprint apps
First you want to do this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=694572
That is called rooting your phone, it's a process which sort of "breaks" the security on the phone, which allows you to do alot more things than usual to your phone. The one thing you want the root to do is allow you to flash a custom ROM (Which is basically a new Operating System for your phone).
If you want a nice, fast, and unthemed 2.2 operating system, than you want to flash this rom on your phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=782320
This is pretty much the OS you want.
Unfortunately you can't do this without a rooted phone. Sprint has left us CDMA users in the dark providing us with no good updates (with the exception of a few bug fixes once in a while), so the Dev's at xda-deelopers have blessed us by creating there own ROM's (Operating Systems) so that we can enjoy the benefits of newer Android Operating Systems.
And if you need a guide to flash a new ROM to your phone, its right here.
http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/27/how-to-load-a-custom-rom-on-your-htc-hero/
Good luck man, it looks overwhelming at first, but it becomes very easy once you get it down.
EDIT ** To answer your question, no it doesn't mess up your Sprint service. In fact, theres a thread somewhere that has a new radio that gives somewhat better signal.
Next time lets learn to read, im not trying to be a **** or nothing but this section is for ANDROID DEVELOPMENT ONLY, i see no dev'ing going on here. Theres seperate sub-forum called "Questions and Answers" just for things like this. Also if you would have search theres tons of stickys for "Noobs". But reason it bothers us the most is theres a sticky up there that says STOP posting non-development crap here and people come do it anyways. Im bothered by it because were all adults here....well most of us....and we have trouble reading.

[Q] ROM for Captivate.

First, my phone info as reported by Settings/About Phone:
Model: Samsung-SGH-I897
Firmware: 2.1-update1
Baseband: I897UCJH7
Kernel: 2.6.29 [email protected] #2
Build Number: ECLAIR.UCJH7
I have visited the ROM section and I probably dont need to tell you that it is just a little bit confusing (for me anyway)as to which ROM to use.
I would like to flash a new ROM to bring me up to FroYo and I "think" I want to use the Andromeda ROM. I have a couple of questions though.
First, (for the Devs) should I go ahead and flash to FroYo or wait for am Android 3.0 ROM (assuming one is forthcoming)?
Second, is the difference between the "themed" and "un-themed" ROM just cosmetic? Do they both function the same?
There are a few "how to" threads on flashing. They are very detailed and take you step by step. I'd suggest you read or watch the videos.
The questions about Andromeda are well covered in the thread. You just need to read through it. Flashing now or waiting is purely up to you. There's not a GB ROM that's stable enough to run day to day. There's only one that I know of and they are still working a lot of problems out of it.
Thank you.
TayzGpa said:
Second, is the difference between the "themed" and "un-themed" ROM just cosmetic? Do they both function the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, just prettier (in some cases that is).
I'm really looking for a ROM that is as close to "stock" Froyo as possible that will work well with my U.S. phone. I understand Cognition is built on the just released Rogers build, but should I use a Canadian build on my U.S. phone?
I'm using Cognition and find it really nice. No Canadian phrases coming out of it.
If you are going to flash your first rom make sure you read through the forums and figure your what you need to do. Everything that you need are in them. I just flashed my first rom this weekend. Forums are very helpful!!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897. Using Cognition, Firebird, and JL2 modem.
TayzGpa said:
I'm really looking for a ROM that is as close to "stock" Froyo as possible that will work well with my U.S. phone. I understand Cognition is built on the just released Rogers build, but should I use a Canadian build on my U.S. phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Canada and use an American captivate using the cognition ROM and it works just fine.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897
Serendipity 5.x is by far the best Captivate ROM out there, in my opinion. Fast, clean, stable, bloat-free, and tastefully themed.
I just flashed the un-themed version of Andromeda, needless to say I was and am still very pleased with it. It was my first time flashing a ROM and went very smoothly, I guess I just got sick of AT&T jerking around.
I might make a quick video comparing Andromeda 1.0 on the captivate to a stock captivate (my bro's). That is if there is any interest in one.
Btw does any one know when the over clocked kernels will be released, I'm pretty anxious to try them out.
How do you like Andromeda? I started with cognition, then used phoenix for a while and liked both of them. I switched to serendipity last week and it has been rock solid to be honest, but I am always wanting to tinker with this thing. I flashed the KNP1 modem today to see if I get the better data speeds people are reporting and am hoping to gain a little battery life.
I guess everybody has thier own favorite ROM. I am kind of leaning toward either Cognition or Phoenix but cant decide which one. I want as close to "stock" 2.2 (or 2.3) as possible and it looks like Cognition might be the way to go. I have read through the Cognition Wiki and cant determine which flavor of Android (2.2/2.3) Cognition 3.04 is based on (unless I missed it). Anyone know?
TayzGpa said:
I have read through the Cognition Wiki and cant determine which flavor of Android (2.2/2.3) Cognition 3.04 is based on (unless I missed it). Anyone know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2.2
10char
There are some videos on you tube that walk you trough the flashing process that I found to be really helpful for my first flash. I also had a written walk thru up from this site. I had no problems with my first using these 2 restorers. Good luck. And andromeda looks very cool. There are also rom reviews on you tube that show you what the rom does. Good luck
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
jferg5 said:
There are some videos on you tube that walk you trough the flashing process that I found to be really helpful for my first flash. I also had a written walk thru up from this site. I had no problems with my first using these 2 restorers. Good luck. And andromeda looks very cool. There are also rom reviews on you tube that show you what the rom does. Good luck
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=877652
If you haven't already please read through the guide in my sig.
ademarne said:
If you haven't already please read through the guide in my sig.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read through the guide "Guide for choosing the right rom for YOU" that you link to in your sig; and i see nothing about choosing the right ROM For me.
The title suggests that there is a guide to choosing a ROM - maybe a matrix of features, or a questions list to help someone decide. Instead the closest thing i find is one sentence "Go to the Android Development Section and read through different [ROM] threads to see what features will work best for you. I have also found it useful to read through the last couple of pages to see what other users think about the current version of the rom"
Did i miss something? Where is the guide to choosing the right ROM for me?
alphadog00 said:
I read through the guide "Guide for choosing the right rom for YOU" that you link to in your sig; and i see nothing about choosing the right ROM For me.
The title suggests that there is a guide to choosing a ROM - maybe a matrix of features, or a questions list to help someone decide. Instead the closest thing i find is one sentence "Go to the Android Development Section and read through different [ROM] threads to see what features will work best for you. I have also found it useful to read through the last couple of pages to see what other users think about the current version of the rom"
Did i miss something? Where is the guide to choosing the right ROM for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Something like "answer these 20 questions and here's the ROM that most matches what you want" would be great. I am still trying to figure it out.
What I am looking for is, if AT&T (or Samsung for that matter) were to finally release FroYo, here is what it would most likely look like and how it would probably perform. I'm still thinking Cognition is the closest since it was based on the Canadian FroYo release but *MAN* can it be confusing.
alphadog00 said:
I read through the guide "Guide for choosing the right rom for YOU" that you link to in your sig; and i see nothing about choosing the right ROM For me.
The title suggests that there is a guide to choosing a ROM - maybe a matrix of features, or a questions list to help someone decide. Instead the closest thing i find is one sentence "Go to the Android Development Section and read through different [ROM] threads to see what features will work best for you. I have also found it useful to read through the last couple of pages to see what other users think about the current version of the rom"
Did i miss something? Where is the guide to choosing the right ROM for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The point of that is so that you figure out what is best for you, not that I am telling you what to do. I am simply trying to GUIDE new users on how to go about making informed decisions on which ROM they choose. Too many people rely solely on what others say instead of trying things for themselves, which is why I created that post encouraging people to discover new things.
If you have questions about a certain rom, post in the ROM thread in the dev section. If you don't have 10 posts yet and still have questions, then post in the Q&A section, not captivate general.
What I don't think new users understand is that almost every person has a different preference about what ROM, kernel and modem combo work best. Me personally, I love di11igafs ROMs, but many other people prefer different things. Its pretty much like asking a group of random people, "what is the best car on the market and what options would get with said car?" Almost everyones answer will vary slightly.
TayzGpa said:
I agree. Something like "answer these 20 questions and here's the ROM that most matches what you want" would be great. I am still trying to figure it out.
What I am looking for is, if AT&T (or Samsung for that matter) were to finally release FroYo, here is what it would most likely look like and how it would probably perform. I'm still thinking Cognition is the closest since it was based on the Canadian FroYo release but *MAN* can it be confusing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like you, I recently started trying to figure this out after getting an AT&T Captivate and I agree about the need for a better listing for features (or lack of) for each ROM. A good matrix to compare would be nice, but I fear there are so many people working on these things and it all moves so fast, it would be a full-time job just to keep it up. Reading through all this stuff is quite overwhelming. However, I honestly think it's not bad once you figure out the basics and understand the ropes. By the time you get the things to load on your phone, with Clockworkmod Recovery, Odin and some other tools, life is pretty simple--the devs have done all the hard work, you're just flashing the stuff and figuring out what you like best.
Here is what I can tell you that may help and like I said, I'm pretty new at this, so someone *please* correct me if I'm wrong. I would not want to mislead anyone:
1. Cognition is an "Americanized" version of the Rogers 2.2 Captivate release. If you want 2.2.1 you have to use another custom ROM. Everything with Cognition appears to be well done, stable and smooth. I spent a couple hours trying to get wireless tether to work only to figure out MobileAP is built in and works
2. Look up the videos on YouTube by MobileTechVideos. They are very good and well produced, plus he looks at all the different ROMs. There is a 3-part video on loading Cognition on a captivate. I used it to load 3.04 on mine in almost real time right with the video. The only thing I would caution you on is if you use Titanium Backup to restore apps, be careful about "select all" like he says you can do in the video. I'm not sure if I had backed up system data and accidentally restored it or what--didn't go back that far to check, but after I did my restore I thought everything was fine and I could not make outgoing calls the next day. I reloaded from scratch following the videos again and this time use TB to restore one app+data at a time and was very picky about what I did and it worked wonderfully.
3. Once I got everything working I started to get curious about kernels. Once you have your ROM loaded, you can flash a new kernel (has to be same version as the ROM) and you can get enhancements with speed and other things by doing so. However, I loaded Firebird and did not notice in the thread that Bluetooth doesn't work yet, so I'm trying to figure out if I can go back or if I have to start over. Not a big deal to start over since I know what I'm doing now, just want to push the limits a little cause that's how I roll For some reason after Firebird I also seen duplicate photos on my SD card, even though there were only singles. It's like thumbnails were duplicated or something. I moved the pics off to my PC and it left blank thumbnails behind. I deleted them from the gallery and put the pics back and everything cleared up. I've seen stranger things--no biggie.
4. Battery life was fairly bad at this point, dropping 10-15% or more per hour. My phone came with the JH7 modem (last digits of your Baseband version in Settings -- About Phone). Cognition 3.04 comes with JL1 and many others were reporting great battery life with JL2 so I flashed it and everything seems to be much better so far. I haven't reset the battery stats and such, but I will at some point. Looks like a lengthy process that may or may not help.
5. I see a lot of "do I have to flash to stock first" questions posted and from what I understand, it's best practice to follow the instructions and don't ask why--just do it. Learn how to backup and restore apps+data (not system data) using TB and it's no big deal.
6. I read a lot about different builds of the Captivate--lots of posts about 1006, 1007, 1008's so I was concerned about the issues discussed. I'm guessing these were the early releases. I got mine at the end of January and it's a 1012. Look under your battery right under the serial number.
I suppose once I have this part of it working well and figured out, I will probably start looking into themes and digging deeper. It's pretty addictive so once you start, you just keep wanting more and more and making it better and better. Thanks to all the devs out there. I plan on making a few donations soon, especially to Designgears since his stuff is mostly what I've worked with so far.
My advice is to take a day or two and read *A LOT*. The old carpenters saying is "Measure twice and cut once" and that is pretty much how I look at this stuff. After you figure out how the puzzle pieces fit together, you lose the fear.
Hope this helps and if I would appreciate it if someone more advanced can confirm my statements or correct me.

Where should I start? Roms

Okay I have had my captivate for a few weeks and I'm just getting into the customizing part now. I downloaded the adw launcher ex from the marketplace earlier and it's pretty cool but it has me wondering what else I can do. I've herd people using different roms, the only problem is that I don't know where to find any of them at, or how to get it on my phone. Do I have to use so computer or can I download it directly from my phone? Also where is the best place to get them from. Basically looking for a 101 on roms. Thanks for the help.
Lol so much to explain. Pm me ill help you
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk
Or everything u need to know is here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=877652
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk
Reading and doing some searches will lead you to the answers you seek. Start by checking out the stickies at the top of this, the Q&A and Development subforums. It isn't rocket science, but you should be familiar with the procedures and the possible consequences before you jump into flashing ROMs.
Yes for the love of all that is pure please do some research before you attempt anything. Read, Read, and read some more to make sure you have it down or we will see another "Oh No I have a brick and cant fix it" thread.
It is not that hard as long as you read the threads first. To many watch a video and do as it says without knowing what they are doing and that leads to a bricked device.
jamezz23 said:
Okay I have had my captivate for a few weeks and I'm just getting into the customizing part now. I downloaded the adw launcher ex from the marketplace earlier and it's pretty cool but it has me wondering what else I can do. I've herd people using different roms, the only problem is that I don't know where to find any of them at, or how to get it on my phone. Do I have to use so computer or can I download it directly from my phone? Also where is the best place to get them from. Basically looking for a 101 on roms. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should start out by killing a man with your bare hands and seeing if you enjoy the thrill. If not, then maybe rom flashing will be a little too intense for you. Best to stay away until you're ready.
Either that or you can just peruse the stickies and dev section for a while.. either option is good.
Once your rooted and have clockwork mod installed on your phone, roms are easy!
You just head on over to the dev section of the forums, pick a rom, and put the zip on your phone's storage. Then you boot into recovery mode, and use clockwork to flash the zip. Voilia your done.
It's just getting things setup before hand that is the important part, once you get that all done, you can flash until your hearts content.
The Captivate is my first smart phone.So I did my research before flashing. I have tried several roms currently on Apex 5.1. Everything you need to know is on XDA.
Just research and read all of a thread not just parts.
MobileTechVideos on youtube has amazing tutorials on how to do just about everything. His first three vids are a walkthrough in flashing. He is known as connexion2005 here on the forums.
my fav Rom ive used so far is the ULTIMATE ROM.
I'm using a 5xx version and they are on 8, but i love my V 5 so much I dont see a reason to leave it any time soon.
my vote is for firefly.
it offers over-the-air updates, which is kinda awesome.
My vote is for massive amounts of RESEARCH. That and the mobiletech videos.
I am using pheonix ultimate and it works great! Jq1 modem and latest suckerpunch work great for me. Beware....flashing is very addicting!!! Try what u like best, after the first flash the rest are downhill from there.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

[Q] What is your favorite Custom ROM...For the Samsung Captivate?

I'm sorry MODs if this is in the wrong place, but what I've found throughout the forums is alot of polls that show neither of the Custom ROMS I've used..... and at the rate these polls are made, 3 to 4 new custom ROMS come out either daily or weekly... Like I said before MODs, if this thread is in the wrong place I apologize.
Now to my phone... I currently have Lime-Light (GB 2.3.3 with boot-loaders for Samsung-19000) and I have to say, the visuals and speed have been speed up.... Quick boot-loading after a few restarts, which I do every night. Battery life is awesome as well, music player on while playing Angry Birds RIO for about an hour and lost maybe 15% battery life. I have used Froyo (Stock Update), Serendipity6.3,Phoenix Unleashed, Apex 6.0 (Second Favorite), Firefly 2.9, Gingerbread Stock (2.3.3 from Samsung-19000), and I would have to say out of all, Lime-Light (2.3.3) AKA Purple_Licious is the best to me which you can find here if you like http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1060153.
Tell me, whats your favorite Custom ROM?
Some advice, if your going to try the Gingerbread Stock 2.3.3 for Captivate from 19000 I recommend following every instruction to the TEE.
Here's the location of the files and instructions, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1045734
there have been MANY theads about this
EVERY ONE gets closed!
and usually [Q]uestions go in Questions and Answers...
each rom has its own features and objectives,
each user has their own preferences as well so its all oppinion and not necessary.
next each GB rom right now has their own install directions.
yours that you posted will only confuse the already mixed situation.
and we also know where to find the roms we dont need links to them.
if we dont, we shouldnt be flashing.
thread closed
10, 9, 8...
i started counting at 5.. but then edited it out, as i thought it sounded TOO cocky...
Definitely GR-12. Very fast and smooth. Love the new email app.
TRusselo said:
there have been MANY theads about this
EVERY ONE gets closed!
and usually [Q]uestions go in Questions and Answers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If only zelendel moved em and kept this place clean. captainkrk or something is our mod but he is always in vibrant. That's what he owns and devs on. We need a mod.
Sent from a super smooth captivate running andromeda
GR-11 and beyond!!
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
my favorite one is the one that i put together.
3,2,1. Thread closed.

Need a 101 in flashing MIUI Please (Coming from Infused 2.3.3)

So I know, bits and pieces have been posted in the 20 threads or so, but I'm curious if someone can explain a couple things. I'm wanting to get away from Infused because I've had the slow network performance and lag many people have discussed, but the devs don't seem like they're interested in working those issues, which is a shame, because the whole "4G" on a "4G" speed phone is somewhat important, heeh.
I am on Infused 2.3.3 (so it's already converted the file system to the ext4 or whatever), and I'm on the latest UCKI3 radio.
1) How would I go about upgrading to MIUI? Since I've done all the steps to get Infused on, do I need to go back to the factory stock and then flash MIUI, or what's the best method of doing it? I want to make sure I get the full benefit like the network speed, etc.
2) What radio is built into the ROM? Do I also need to re-flash a radio?
3) Regarding kernels, I see some comments that I'd need to flash a new\better kernel to take full advantage of the network speeds and phone's features. Can I get a brief explanation and advice on this?
I wish there was a "MIUI 101" thread like most of the other ROMs have... makes it really easy to open and see the steps to install from the various methods and points from which it'd be installed, as well as FAQs to address questions like the ones I've posed above.
Thanks all for your help!
Bella
Hi Bella. There already is a FAQ for MIUI thread on this forum. There's already a MIUI Q&A for Infuse thread. You can head over there and leave your question there as it's more likely more people will view that thread than this one. Some people consider may consider this question "out of place" and won't even bother read/glance through/answer you're question.
I simply flashed MIUI like any other ROM. No need to go back to stock and then to MIUI.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA App

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