Database Info

Stock G-Tablet MOD Thread

This is not knocking our heavy-duty modders and developers, but it seems like in lots of threads folks ask questions and the answer always is to go to the custom ROMs. (Yes, I know they are good and do a lot!)
Could we maintain this, or another thread -- or could the admin set up a section for folks who have stock G-Tablets who want to improve and get the most out of them without ROMs?
I got my tablet 11/25 and when I turned it on, the first thing it did was download two updates. I have not had a lot of the really bad problems some of you earlier adopters had. So I would like to try a stock machine with program improvements before deciding whether to go custom ROM.
That said, I would like to install the Google Market, Contacts, Gmail, Calendar, etc. I am willing to root the tablet if that is needed to get all the software working.
Any suggestions -- references to non-ROM upgrades -- recommendations on how to accomplish the above will be appreciated. And I suggest there probably are a lot of other folks out there who would like to do the same thing. (If I'm right, post and speak up so the people with knowledge will know helping us is worth their time and effort.
Rev
P. S. -- Sorry this got so long. If a different thread is needed to get this done, someone feel free to get it started.

I don't find the stock g-tablet as horrible as many are reporting. It is not the same as an Android phone, and I guess that is what most people object to. I have installed the ViewSonic 1.01 update.
Here is what I have done:
1) Root it using Z4root. You can find it here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833953
2) Installed Android Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209
EDIT: This version of Market does not work on the firmware update version 4349. For that use the package that Roebeet has supplied to us:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12939008&postcount=40
It is installed as an update package, where you first unpack it, then place it into the /sdcard folder. Reboot holding both the Power and Volume+ button. Then select "Apply Internal update.zip", using the volume rocker to select, and the power button to enter the selection.
3) Do the Market fix to get access to all apps:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845175
4) Also install the AndRootFile app, available here:
http://www.getjar.com/mobile/39778/androotfile/
5) Install LauncherPro or ADW.Launcher
EDIT: This is no longer needed, as there is now a "Classic" home screen in the firmware update. But it can still be done if you want to try it.
6) Install Flash:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9172522&postcount=2058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842040
7) Install OpenGL fix, so then you can install Angry Birds from Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=846463
This is no longer needed. The OpenGL update is included in the firmware update.
I think that is about it. If I think of something else, I'll add it.

wasserkapf said:
I don't find the stock g-tablet as horrible as many are reporting. It is not the same as an Android phone, and I guess that is what most people object to. I have installed the ViewSonic 1.01 update.
Here is what I have done:
1) Root it using Z4root. You can find it here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833953
2) Installed Android Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209
3) Do the Market fix to get access to all apps:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845175
4) Also install the AndRootFile app, available here:
http://www.getjar.com/mobile/39778/androotfile/
5) Install LauncherPro or ADW.Launcher
6) Install Flash:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9172522&postcount=2058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842040
7) Install OpenGL fix, so then you can install Angry Birds from Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=846463
I think that is about it. If I think of something else, I'll add it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not giving you a hard time but for someone who doesn't mind the stock interface everything you have done is pretty much the same as just installing TnTLite...

It may be true that "Waterhead" had done most of the same things some of the ROM mods do ---- BUT, he didn't have to flash anything like TNT or cwm, etc.
For those who don't want to flash, what he has provided here is a less risky path to decent performance.
Or for those who are less experienced and want to start out "lite" on their modding experience, this gives them a chance with less opportunity for making a fatal mistake.
I think there probably are a lot of folks who will own G-Tablets who will fall into this category.
And with a route to learn modding and work their way up to really serious modding, I think we will have done them a big favor.
Thanks for the posts. I think we have started a good thing in this thread. And thanks to you more experienced folks who are willing to help get those folks started.
And......it just could be that if we provide an opportunity for the unexperienced folks to make their tablet right -- more people will buy them. IMHO.
Rev

Sprdtyf350 said:
Not giving you a hard time but for someone who doesn't mind the stock interface everything you have done is pretty much the same as just installing TnTLite...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I did is no different than what a person does to a PC. You install the needed programs and drivers. And maybe customize your desktop.
As a long-time Linux user, I am fully capable of installing from scratch. I just see no need to do that with the g-tablet. I actually like the weather app as a homepage.

So you have the TnT UI (Stock 3 Homescreen UI) and Launcherpro/ADW? If people are going to go this route, then I would suggest installing home switch app from the market.

xmr405o,
Two things:
(1) My model with updates has a three-screen "Home" already -- one with weather/clock/news, one with "To-Do" lists, and a third I use so little I have forgotten what is on it.
(2) I have installed Launcher Pro and when I choose a task that will require launching, my firmware gives me a choice of the regular "Home" or LP to do that job.
What would the app you are recommending do beyond this??? More info??!!
Rev

Seriously, what is so intimidating about installing a rom? You cannot brick these things, it's impossible to do.

Thanks for this thread.
My wife picked one of these up at Office Depot the other day. She knows I have been waiting on Adam and thought I might like this instead. I have yet to open the G Tablet until seeing what the supposed Dec 19th update brings. I am new to android and hesitant to start at the deep end of the pool with modding a $399 toy on day one.
From all the reviews it sounds like a solid piece of hardware and that most issues are with TnT and the lack of Google support for tablets. Do you think this device will get Gingerbread and full support from Google eventually?
My only other concern is the LCD, which is turning out to be hard to judge without having seen the demo unit.
Ideally I just want a clean Android 2.2 experience with the ability to install and use the typical apps (gmail, flash, twitter, facebook, angry birds, etc). If this thing can be made into a solid purchase maybe I would just skip Adam and wait for a next gen tablet like Eve which should be on Tegra3/honeycomb.

rayden25 said:
Seriously, what is so intimidating about installing a rom? You cannot brick these things, it's impossible to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is true, that's awesome!

This quote from an earlier post answer the question asked as well as I ever could:
"I am new to android and hesitant to start at the deep end of the pool with
modding a $399 toy on day one."
I've already said I have no problem with the people who want to go the ROM flashing direction.
But there are people who would like to be more conservative while they learn something new.
Would it be such as bad thing to just help them?
Rev
P. S. -- And, personally, the first computer I ever built I soldered and put evey part together. I have been doing hardware and programming since 1979. But still, I am new to Android....and the documentation is lacking...and somethings are not explained well in the threads....so like the person I quoted I would like to move a little slower and not take chances until I am ready. And eventually I may get a second G-Tablet I can afford to mess up. But right now I want improve my tablet without the risk. IMHO.

jfholijr said:
If this is true, that's awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing is impossible.. We just haven't found the person to do it yet
It is pretty forgiving though. And I have been able to get going again every time I have gotten into a crazy spot.

butchconner said:
This quote from an earlier post answer the question asked as well as I ever could:
"I am new to android and hesitant to start at the deep end of the pool with
modding a $399 toy on day one."
I've already said I have no problem with the people who want to go the ROM flashing direction.
But there are people who would like to be more conservative while they learn something new.
Would it be such as bad thing to just help them?
Rev
P. S. -- And, personally, the first computer I ever built I soldered and put evey part together. I have been doing hardware and programming since 1979. But still, I am new to Android....and the documentation is lacking...and somethings are not explained well in the threads....so like the person I quoted I would like to move a little slower and not take chances until I am ready. And eventually I may get a second G-Tablet I can afford to mess up. But right now I want improve my tablet without the risk. IMHO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said in my earlier post... I am not trying to give anyone a hard time and understand people wanting to keep them stock. You should be able to and have a useful tablet. When they first came out it wasn't so easy, and still isn't. Programs would not install because of memory mapped wrong, wifi disappeared after waking from sleep, time would reset every boot. The latest Viewsonic update has fixed some of those things, but not all. I flashed mine because I knew I was driving a Z06 Corvette with a Vega motor in it that had power windows that didn't work. I wanted the capability I knew was under the hood and the only way to get it was to flash a new rom. Or wait, and hope that Viewsonic eventually did it in an update.
I picked up my tablet back when they first came out. Seems like a long time ago but was really only a month. I read read all the pages in the original huge thread that existed before the G Tablet received a home of its own here. I would read what people were doing, read what they were breaking, and then when I felt comfortable enough that success was a possibility I would give it a shot. I have worked with computers myself since the early 80's and am comfortable building, installing, breaking, etc. Android is definitely different, but mostly to have fun with your tablet you don't have to know much more than how to flash a rom. Back before there was a recovery path things were pretty spooky and I did a lot of reading and waiting to see what worked. Things have progressed now to where if you can unzip a rom package to your internal SD card so you end up with an update.zip file, and a recovery folder all that is left is to hold the volume up button while pressing the power button and about 2 minutes later you are all done. And your Z06 will actually have power windows, and the right engine..
The specs on this tablet are probably the best out there right now. The software chosen just doesn't properly utilize most of it. Maybe the December 19 update being talked about will make it right out of the box. I hope so...
And no matter which path you take, stock, or modded... If trouble comes the answers so far have all been here in the forums...

xmr405o said:
So you have the TnT UI (Stock 3 Homescreen UI) and Launcherpro/ADW? If people are going to go this route, then I would suggest installing home switch app from the market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only installed LauncherPro. When I want to bring up the original TapnTap UI, I use the icon in the app list.
If you install both LauncherPro and ADW, then the home switcher app would be a good idea.

rayden25 said:
Seriously, what is so intimidating about installing a rom? You cannot brick these things, it's impossible to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a ZT-180, and have flashed it several times. You had to mess with it just to get it to a useful state. But eventually you want to stop re-installing things and just use it. The stock g-tablet is wonderful compared to the stock ZT-180.
I guess that I come to this with a different perspective.

Great post! I've done exactly what you've done and am pleased with the result.
Thanks

z4padroot
trying to root g tablet with z4padroot.1.3.0.apk, answer: could not parse.
please advise.

I don't know about the program you used, but I used z4root as mentioned in the second or third post in this thread. It installed flawlessly and all I had to do to root was click one icon! Good luck!
Rev

wasserkapf said:
I don't find the stock g-tablet as horrible as many are reporting. It is not the same as an Android phone, and I guess that is what most people object to. I have installed the ViewSonic 1.01 update.
Here is what I have done:
1) Root it using Z4root. You can find it here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833953
2) Installed Android Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209
3) Do the Market fix to get access to all apps:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845175
4) Also install the AndRootFile app, available here:
http://www.getjar.com/mobile/39778/androotfile/
5) Install LauncherPro or ADW.Launcher
6) Install Flash:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9172522&postcount=2058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842040
7) Install OpenGL fix, so then you can install Angry Birds from Market:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=846463
I think that is about it. If I think of something else, I'll add it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you very much, have you tried vimeo?

jae-v said:
thank you very much, have you tried vimeo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is vimeo?

[Q] Anyone root the ViewSonic g-tablet?

Anyone root their ViewSonic yet. I have been googling about looking for Android 2.2 root methods and just wondering if I risk totally bricking this device. It seems that getting root and installing busy-box *should* work.
Any and all help greatly appreciated.

UH...
don't mean to sound rude, but this is like walking into starbucks and asking if they have coffee!
Check the development forum one level back, and you'll see several pinned posts with instructions to replace the software with something much better!

Life in LA said:
don't mean to sound rude, but this is like walking into starbucks and asking if they have coffee!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, that's funny as hell! Though I have walked into Starbucks and they were out of coffee, and I live in Starbucks central (Seattle)
@the original poster - This is the thread that I used to put CyanogenMod on mine:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=851657
There's also a "Super Simple One step root" out there.

nink said:
Anyone root their ViewSonic yet. I have been googling about looking for Android 2.2 root methods and just wondering if I risk totally bricking this device. It seems that getting root and installing busy-box *should* work.
Any and all help greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow the G Tablet Super Thread. It gives you everything you want for a new start-up: market Fix, Rooting,etc...

nink said:
Anyone root their ViewSonic yet. I have been googling about looking for Android 2.2 root methods and just wondering if I risk totally bricking this device. It seems that getting root and installing busy-box *should* work.
Any and all help greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow! I guess I could ask if anyone has taught you to read yet.... Try it, it really works.

Thanks folks. Being my first rooting efforting in android, I hope I succeed.

nink said:
Thanks folks. Being my first rooting efforting in android, I hope I succeed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be ok. Just read up and follow the directions. This tablet is pretty forgiving. And it is really nice once all the stock stuff is gone.
Have fun

Not Starbucks, but same idea
Life in LA said:
don't mean to sound rude, but this is like walking into starbucks and asking if they have coffee!
Check the development forum one level back, and you'll see several pinned posts with instructions to replace the software with something much better!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Our local Burger King ran out of burgers once. Only had chicken and fries. Kinda false advertising. ;P Bad management issue, I had heard.

Funny story, I spent this past summer in Beijing, China, and the one time my friends and I decided to try to go get some fried chicken at a Kenny Rogers Roasters. All they had was half a chicken left lol Well, I never got that fried chicken in China
But, yeah, the forum is easy to READ and find instructions how to root/install custom roms

I don't think I even used the stock build on this tablet - first boot everything fc'd on me. Rebooted and installed TnT lite in pretty much one go.
Sent from my GTablet-TnT-Lite using Tapatalk

billmarquette said:
I don't think I even used the stock build on this tablet - first boot everything fc'd on me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Proud to say I have never seen the default ui on this device! The first time I booted it was to mod it, lol

Life in LA said:
don't mean to sound rude, but this is like walking into starbucks and asking if they have coffee!
Check the development forum one level back, and you'll see several pinned posts with instructions to replace the software with something much better!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROFLMAO
@OP
Missed the dev forum didya?
(I had problems with the News app/widget thing in the 1.0 version of TnT, then I had problems with the weather app/widget after the 1.01 OTA update for TnT, at which point I dumped TnT for TnT lite 2.0.2 ... if the sw had worked well, I wouldn't have minded the shipped "launcher" too much... but TnT apparently needs ALOT more dev time as it seemed to be beta quality at best, if not alpha...)

Well I rooted successfully. Remounted certain system folders as rw. BEFORE I installed the TNT 2.20 I used the stock recovery tool , I made a backup to sdcard and copied that to my Linux box.
So far so good. At first I was a bit miffed to find the /system or /etc mounted ro, but got around that with busybox sudo..
Now my task is to tinker a bit around with the user-space services.
I am finding, that unlike a system-V (/etc/rc?.d with init.d), user-space tweaking in the sense of auto starting apps or whatever is not as simple as: write shell script, place in proper location, re-boot.... seems I need to write an actual app that listens for "ACTION_BOOT_COMPLETE". I sure wish it was simpler.
Oh, is the titanium backup worth it? Or is the system backup I created using the "power-on+volume-up" method just as good. Seems the method provided by ViewSonic is fine enough. However, I did not see any mention of it in the forum (my system seems to have been created on 11/22/2010, based on the system directories date before I TNTed my tablet).
Again, many thanks to those who pointed me in the proper direction. I really appreciate your input.

nink said:
Well I rooted successfully. Remounted certain system folders as rw. BEFORE I installed the TNT 2.20 I used the stock recovery tool , I made a backup to sdcard and copied that to my Linux box.
So far so good. At first I was a bit miffed to find the /system or /etc mounted ro, but got around that with busybox sudo..
Now my task is to tinker a bit around with the user-space services.
I am finding, that unlike a system-V (/etc/rc?.d with init.d), user-space tweaking in the sense of auto starting apps or whatever is not as simple as: write shell script, place in proper location, re-boot.... seems I need to write an actual app that listens for "ACTION_BOOT_COMPLETE". I sure wish it was simpler.
Oh, is the titanium backup worth it? Or is the system backup I created using the "power-on+volume-up" method just as good. Seems the method provided by ViewSonic is fine enough. However, I did not see any mention of it in the forum (my system seems to have been created on 11/22/2010, based on the system directories date before I TNTed my tablet).
Again, many thanks to those who pointed me in the proper direction. I really appreciate your input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know about all the other stuff but Viewsonic did not have a recovery option. Had to be something you installed while rooting, or whatever. The system backup in Clockwork is great for times when your tablet won't work because of something, or a program that went wrong. Titanium is great for when you have a zillion apps installed and want to install a new rom, or reload a clean version. Titanium will then let you put all your apps back without having to download them from the market, or sideload them all again. It is also useful when you have an app you can't find but it may be on your phone. You can backup the app on your phone and then move it to your tablet to install.

Sprdtyf350 said:
[...]recovery option[...]Had to be something you installed while rooting, or whatever. The system backup in Clockwork
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I think you are right. My first effort in the rooting process was to install the clockwork, but I thought it failed. However, it must not have as when I run the backup (and pay attention) I saw the "ClockWork...... msgs". Definitely a nifty tool.

FYI troops:
I was quite successful, with much thanks to all of you and your wonderful efforts.
- got market place working (however have not needed it yet at all)
- installed groomdroid (a php aware webserver)
- installed php-cgi so that groom processes ".php" web pages.
- installed php-cli program for command line php capabilities.
- installed TitaniumBackup (need to use it, probably soon)
- installed adobe flash, and it works just fine
Now to:.
- browser that is truly html5 capable (this may be dreaming as most have various parts of html5 disabled, such as the "<video>" element. However, there is a new Opera browser available that is *supp5osed* to be <video> capable. FYI: some webkit browsers, such as the QT-webkit have the html5 video element capability disabled on purpose.
- autostart apps of my choosing (I have a feeling I will be writing droid apps to accomplish this)
Again, many thanks folks.
When I get my device set up as I need it, I will post how I did it. I am trying to document the process as best I can.

I thought this was a hilarious thread, and I was going to make a joke at the OP just for fun, but I am REALLY happy that despite the doofus thread opening that nink has figured it out and has joined the ranks.
Hope you have happy flashing and have fun (and don't worry all of us were pretty lost when we began)

TNT 3588 Enhancement Pack: Gapps with nVidia Drivers

Hello,
I've had my GTab for quite awhile now and have tried quite a few custom ROMs. Some I liked a lot and some I didn't. Finally had to stick with TNT 3588 because on all the custom ROMs debugging was automatically enabled and every time I would connect via USB it would crash my laptop. It differs for everyone.
So I broke open a couple of ROMs, supplements and Gapps (google apps) I liked and cherry picked until I put together a stable enhancement package of the following:
Google Apps plus Google Market
Angry Birds
GMail
Google Services Framework
Live Wallpaper
Live Wallpaper picker
Maps
Street
Vending
Visualization Wallpaper
Voice Search
Youtube
System Framework
Google Android Maps
nvidia Display
nvidia graphics
The nvidia display/drivers were critical to getting rid of some of the bad viewing angles. My screen is incredible. This package allows you to still receive VS updates however you can access google market and connect usb as normal. Does not take away the original TNT stock - contacts, gallery, calendar, weather, etc. You can load AW launcher or Launcher Pro and all other apps with some improvements including Flash 10.2. Youtube runs best in browser for me. However, the newer "stand-alone" version will work too.
This is basically a 3588 "Enhancement Pack"
Run your updater to update to 3588 if you are not already running it and then...
Install clockwork mod 8 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1008245&highlight=clockwork+mod)
Hold in power button while pressing up volume key to you see loading recovery kernel, let go, rock volume down, up, until you get into clockwork mod.
It should say at the top of the screen ClockworkMod Recovery 0.8.
From clockwork mod 8, use volume up key to go down the list until you see
-mounts and storage
then hit your home key (the little house under the search symbol on the upper right-hand side of GTab)
-mount /system hit home key again to unmount
Then move down once more and press volume up key to go to
-mount /data, again hit home key to unmount
Next, go down to the last icon on GTab, the arrow key, to return to first menu to
Find (4th down from reboot option)
-install zip from sdcard, hit home key, hit volume up once more to
-choose zip from sdcard, hit home key again
Find the folder from the file listing you put the file in. (It helps if you create a folder beforehand for all your ROMs or xda files in one folder so you can easily pan down the list having all files in one place).
Go to in your folder, hit the home key, and let the file run.
TNT 3588 Gapps nVidia Drivers download here
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?my4ohg6afnl12p3
Afterwards return to the first menu in clockwork mod by pushing the arrow key, the last key on the upper right-hand side of GTab, until you see -reboot system now. Use volume up key, go down two lines to
-wipe data/factory reset hit home key again, let run until it goes back to the clockwork mod
Then
-reboot system now menu and hit home key to reboot.
Special Note: You will have to run the market fix. First sign into market using your info, completely finish that process. You should see some apps. Go to settings, applications, system applications, Google Services Framework-force stop, clear data. Market-force stop, clear data, exit and reboot. Sometimes you have to reboot twice, but, it worked on the first try for me.
Re-open and use. This isn't the newer version, but, it does give you access to all the apps, only difference is GUI. The other version was problematic in this enhancement pack.
This Enhancement Pack is for those who may want to ease into modifying their GTab or who may want to keep the Viewsonic Stock OS until VS issues another update. Plus, have access to Android Market and Nvidia display enhancement & drivers.
As with all ROMs, supplements, enhancements, firmware or modifications, use at your own risk, should not cause any problems unless you did something terribly wrong.

edirector said:
The nvidia display/drivers were critical to getting rid of some of the bad viewing angles. My screen is incredible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call me skeptical, but how can drivers of any kind improve the viewing angles? I was under the impression that the capacitive layer on the screen is what causes the viewing angle problem. Am I missing something?

lostpilot28 said:
Call me skeptical, but how can drivers of any kind improve the viewing angles? I was under the impression that the capacitive layer on the screen is what causes the viewing angle problem. Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question but I stated display & nvidia drivers. The drivers are for the tegra 2 . And those improved the overall system.

Has anyone tried this?
Also, Where did you get the drivers from? Would you be so kind and provide us with a video showing off how the screen was improved?

I think this is going to be exactly what I'm looking for. Going to to try it out as soon as my tab gets in.

edirector said:
Good question but I stated display & nvidia drivers. The drivers are for the tetra 2 . And those improved the overall system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, technically, your post stated that the drivers improved the viewing angles. I'm just wondering how they do that since the viewing angle problem isn't bad because of the software...it's the screen itself.

lostpilot28 said:
Well, technically, your post stated that the drivers improved the viewing angles. I'm just wondering how they do that since the viewing angle problem isn't bad because of the software...it's the screen itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, the drivers came from the devs on this site. I've tried quite a few supplements, ROMs and enhancement packs TNT 2.4, 3.14, 4.23, 4.24, 4.25 and Gapps xtra. The last two 4.24 and 4.25 was extremely fluid. Inside the 4.24 was a system/framework folder and inside the framework folder were these two files: com.nvidia.display & com.nvidia.graphics.
I cannot use the other ROMs because of the auto debugging permanently left on which crashes my laptop which I've only had a about 2-3 months and it is painful to see it go down. So I noticed when I ran 4.24 marked overall improvement with G Tab. While everyone else is saying they see issues with the screen I'm saying I don't. I have to really have it at an odd angle I wouldn't normally view anything at to see distortion. My screen is popping, mostly eye candy. I have a 3D LED laptop display and use both simultaneous and notice very little difference between the two displays. Both have nvidia chips.
Some on this website (see the why is everyone complaining about viewing angle thread) say that it is possible those who got a later model of GTAB (2011 oppose to 2010) might have gotten one with a improved screen. I can not answer that you will have to ask Viewsonic.
Try the enhancement and tell me what you think. That's all I can say too you, and you can ask the devs why they put those two files in that ROM and what purpose they think they serve. Most times manufacturers (since they say nvidia) issue drivers, firmware and such for purpose of improvement.

Is it possible to install this update by using standard recovery?
I like the classic stock 3588 interface. I would like to get market and maps.
Could you let me know if these updates can be installed by using standard recovery.

Edirector,
I vaguely remember roebeet et al were talking about increasing framerate or something like that, and I'm pretty sure that tweak made it into some of the newer ROMs, so maybe that's why you're seeing improvement?
Jim

lostpilot28 said:
Call me skeptical, but how can drivers of any kind improve the viewing angles? I was under the impression that the capacitive layer on the screen is what causes the viewing angle problem. Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Add me to the list of skep...
I do not think the market will be complete without build.prop edit..

edirector said:
Some on this website (see the why is everyone complaining about viewing angle thread) say that it is possible those who got a later model of GTAB (2011 oppose to 2010) might have gotten one with a improved screen. I can not answer that you will have to ask Viewsonic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
def gonna think about this. Kind of a newbie and still very excited for my GTab from Woot. But this doesnt seem to bad. I hope there is some sort of screen update for the 2011 Gtabs. that would be great!

P00r said:
Add me to the list of skep...
I do not think the market will be complete without build.prop edit..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take it up with the developers of this site, no just joking. It works I'm using it. Also, I ran the package by Roebeet before I posted it. He stated it was an enhancement pack. All it is allowing you to do is keep the VS stock, plus, add market and the nvidia drivers, nothing more, or, nothing less. You can still get your updates from VS. Perhaps, it is not for you. That is Ok but there are a lot of upcoming new GTab owners who want to mod, but maybe not totally stray from the stock OS or ease into it.

quake101 said:
Has anyone tried this?
Also, Where did you get the drivers from? Would you be so kind and provide us with a video showing off how the screen was improved?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using it now and I can install apps from google market from the app or browser. I've bought a few, both ways. All the build props and such were there, they are from the site devs. I ran the package by Roebeet before posting.
Just trying to make it easy on the new GTab owners not more difficult. I went through serious trial and error so I know how that feels, also, I have basic computer skills A+ Certification. Mainly with computers the hardware and software need to work in concert. If you listen to this enhancement package you can hear the music playing sweetly. lol

P00r said:
Add me to the list of skep...
I do not think the market will be complete without build.prop edit..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't played around wth this pack yet, but you shouldn't require a build.prop change (I think). I make the following changes in the build.prop, Market related:
1- the mahimahi change (to add more apps)
2- the T-Mobile change (again, to add more apps)
3- The setupwizard Disable.
That last one is the only one I might have to test - if you do a data wipe, the SetupWizard will likely pop up. I'm not sure if it will actually work or get stuck at the first screen - honestly, I disabled it so long ago that I don't recall anymore. Too many tablets and mods.

OK, my GTAB is a dev unit so it's always getting flashed. So I looked it over.... kind of strange being a user for once!
It's exactly as stated - an "Enhancement Pack" for build 3588. It has the additional apps and drivers mentioned. I'm not sure where the Nvidia drivers originated, but they are not from build 3991.
Market works. Solid instructions there.
No standard recovery, as the updater-script is written in such a way that only clockworkmod can run it (I tried standard recovery first). My only concern there is my usual nervousness with having clockworkmod for future patching.
Nenamark scores are in the 28fps range
Quandrant is ~1800
(those match up with 3588 stock norms, tmk)
Angry Birds causes an FC (that's normal when you try to drop it in /system)
Not rooted (edirector never claimed that it was, but just be aware of that)
Overall, a good first try imo and thanks for doing this! Suggestions: Angry Birds should be removed since it can't live in /system, and although the Nivdia drivers were altered I don't personally see a difference anywhere. I know my screen angles like the back of my hand by now and they look the same to me, post-installation.
Thanks again! If anyone wants just the Market and Gmail / Maps / YouTube, this is a good firmware to use. And the lack of a build.prop is a good thing - it could conceivably run on older ROMs like 3389 (not tested of course, so stress the "could" part). Future ROMs we obviously don't know about, yet.

roebeet said:
EDIT: Data wipe was OK, it actually goes into the GTablet setup screen and not the Google setup screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So did you walk through the rest of the package and check it out? I really didn't alter from what you were offering just included the nvidia drivers with gapp. Some of those xtra programs in the gapp were causing conflicts so I took it down to bare bones.
I liked what you did with TNT 4.25 that was really smooth until I connected the usb cable from my laptop to GTab and crashed it. I gave away my old equipment. Might have to pick up a test dummy on the cheap off ebay for such purposes. I like using the different ROMs. But since I am planning on buying another tab with a different operating system no point in buying another GTab. Thanks, for checking it out!

edirector said:
So did you walk through the rest of the package and check it out? I really didn't alter from what you were offering just included the nvidia drivers with gapp. Some of those xtra programs in the gapp were causing conflicts so I took it down to bare bones.
I liked what you did with TNT 4.25 that was really smooth until I connected the usb cable from my laptop to GTab and crashed it. I gave away my old equipment. Might have to pick up a test dummy on the cheap off ebay for such purposes. I like using the different ROMs. But since I am planning on buying another tab with a different operating system no point in buying another GTab. Thanks, for checking it out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I updated my dup post, above yours.
I saw some of the early responses so I wanted to put in my two cents -- I hope I wasn't going over the line, I tried to review it as a any other user. It's surprisingly hard to do that, which is quite bizarre in itself.

roebeet said:
OK, my GTAB is a dev unit so it's always getting flashed. So I looked it over.... kind of strange being a user for once!
It's exactly as stated - an "Enhancement Pack" for build 3588. It has the additional apps and drivers mentioned. I'm not sure where the Nvidia drivers originated, but they are not from build 3991.
Market works. Solid instructions there.
No standard recovery, as the updater-script is written in such a way that only clockworkmod can run it (I tried standard recovery first). My only concern there is my usual nervousness with having clockworkmod for future patching.
Nenamark scores are in the 28fps range
Quandrant is ~1800
(those match up with 3588 stock norms, tmk)
Angry Birds causes an FC (that's normal when you try to drop it in /system)
Not rooted (edirector never claimed that it was, but just be aware of that)
Overall, a good first try imo and thanks for doing this! Suggestions: Angry Birds should be removed since it can't live in /system, and although the Nivdia drivers were altered I don't personally see a difference anywhere. I know my screen angles like the back of my hand by now and they look the same to me, post-installation.
Thanks again! If anyone wants just the Market and Gmail / Maps / YouTube, this is a good firmware to use. And the lack of a build.prop is a good thing - it could conceivably run on older ROMs like 3389 (not tested of course, so stress the "could" part). Future ROMs we obviously don't know about, yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you hit the google market through the app it will automatically recognize it and ask you to update it. You are correct about angry birds. So you don't have to remove it, if you don't want to, just go to the market app and let it do the work.
Thanks, for the encouragement. It's your work essentially, I just mixed a straight cocktail no tonic mix. Some of us are learning. Also, I didn't think to put cwm in there, because I usually side-load it on after flashing. A very good point and noted.

Edit/ answered my own question, nice write up!

How do I include the Google Calender with this pack? Already have the pack installed, then realized the Calender was missing. Thanks.

SuderMods - a Wooters Tale (formerly Tail)

I receive my GT in a day or so an plan to go to work on it immediately. I will post my steps and experiences here . sort of my own personal wiki. It will be part historical notes to myself....part useful info for y-all...part ***** session.
I will start with my Shipping experiences:
Ordered on the 23rd (like all wooters) around 4:30 pm Pacific
Got my Tracking number yesterday, 29th, around 12:30. Clearly part of the 2nd or 3rd tranche.
FedEx first showed info around 10pm last night.
Mar 29, 2011 2:27 AM - Left FedEx origin facility - Austin.
I've seen others where it goes from Austin to Huchins ... hope mine doesn't have that extra stop..unless that's a plane .
I've done some reading in here on ROMs and bootloaders and recovery...sounds like an AA meeting.
The Tools
NVFlash : utility written by NVidia to facilitate changing the partitions in the memory structure.
ADB : a generic utility used to facility communication between a computer (your PC) and an Android device (your GT).
Apparently, getting ADB running for the GT is a little different than for our phones.
Here is an ADB Guide for windows users I found that has stuff for W7 x86 and x64.
Here is an NVFlash guide for window users...also has x64 stuff.
on Recovery
I've read a couple different posts relating to recovery...to Clock or not to Clock? I've read many posts on how to install Clockwork, other posts that say do NOT install Clockwork. The issue seems to revolve around the fact that Clockwork does NOT modify the bootloader, while the Stock Recovery can. However, Clockwork allows you to clear user data but Stock does not. I think that gAdam ROM has both.
From what I can gather....the bootloader is sort of like the BIOS of your computer. It sort of sets up your GT tab for whatever you're running on it. Some ROMs use different memory partitions in different ways, and the bootloader needs to match it.
roeBeet's post on Recovery has great info.
The recovery issue is confusing. The second post in the above thread indicates to not install the Clockworkmod app...only install bekit's .8 recovery...of which there are two versions...read the post. I've read it 4 times and am still confused.
Firmware
3389 - first batch of woo-Tabs
3588 - most common version
3991 - potential next step from Viewsonic
What do these number represent? I think it's firmware version...which is different than bootloader. I haven't got a good sense of it yet .
I read in the Shipping receiving thread that someone got 3588. Maybe the second batch is different. That would be good...almost worth the wai.....naw....
The first "version" post for the wooters was This one.
"shipped with version 1.1-3389"
On page 2 of that thread roeBeet writes :
"It's not a requirement, but I think it's a good idea to flash to 3588 first. The reason is that you'll get the latest bootloader and recovery, which ROMs like VEGAn don't touch.
Recovery is the one that concerns me, as 3588 recovery seems to be a kind of "gateway" recovery that might (and I stress "might") be needed to get you to a future firmware level. So, imo, I would flash to 3588 first, THEN start using ROMs if you want. It's a safer bet, again imo."
Update: I saw this post in the Shipping Thread:
"Just got mine! Not sure what firmware i started with, but as I turned on wifi I was prompted to update to 3588."
So, it looks like you will be updated to 3588 as soon as you enable wifi....RoeBeet says this is the best starting point...so I guess everything should work out as we need it.
On ROMs & Kernels
Here's a sticky post with links to Video Reviews of All ROMs.
Personally, I will try some other ROMs....but Culkulin had the most stable stuff back in the TouchPro2 days. and I've read great reports on his v1.1 ROM. I will give that one a run early.
Kernsls are different than ROMs. Honestly I don't have a complete grasp on it all ....but I'm pretty sure the ROM runs on top of the Kernel. You can run different Kernels on the same ROM and it will run differently. I think the kernel may control the I/O between the ROM and the hardware.
What I've Done
Initial steps
Well it finally came yesterday.
1. Hooked up to Wifi
2. OTA Update immediately loaded...I obliged
I mistakenly turned on the TNT desktop...what a mistake...i just didn't like it.
So now I'll just load clockwork. But wait we said we weren't suppose to. I honestly didn't see any way around it. I needed to load a ROM but couldn't get the thing into the standard recovery mode. I was short on time and really needed to get a ROM in there fast.
I used the Stick Post as a guide. I had some issues at first. I could see recovery being installed, but I could never get CWM to come up. 5 times I pressed Power- Volume+ and it would just boot. Then I started looking at the folders and files and figured it out.
The instructions are to pick internal or external memory install type and download the proper file. I picked external and dropped it on SDCard. duh.
There are two SDCard folders!
SDCard is the internal ROM
SDCard2 is my card.
Once I figured that out, everything's been jake.
CWM is working I loaded a ROM and am rockin the house!
I'm running Culkulin's 1.1 and love it. I know this guy's roms from the TouchPro2 days. I always built very solid kitchens and I would always use his ROMs. So I'm doing it again. Thanks Cullie!
Tablet's need HC
However, it won't be good enough. I've run Honeycomb on my Nook Color and love it. I will put up with a little performance hit to have that great interface. I just like always have some navigation ON THE BOTTOM. Seriously, if you haven't seen HC, check it out.
So now I'm going to try to find an HC ROM and compare it with Cully's ROM.
I will also try CM7.
However, all this will have to wait. I have a big Boy's Ski Weekend in Tahoe this weekend....I'll be back next week.!
Ginger requires some getting used to : (Updated 4/6/2011)
I loaded up a CM7 build and got lost at first....maybe it's just the recovery I'm using..
Froyo ROMs like Culkulkin, have the memory in the device as SDCard....the external card is SDCard2
Gingerbread ROMs like CM7, have the memory in the device as emmc...the external card is SDCard.
Now, switch between these can be interesting, because, all the browsers put downloaded files....like kernals or gapps, in the download folder on SDCard. Recovery, also looks to SDCard when you want to "apply a zip".
So, If you were on Froyo, everything is great...download from apps in the device and recovery all look at the same place.
BUT in Gingerbread, you have to move the zip file, from SDCard -> emmc....before you go into recovery....so that recovery will see it.
This is probably because of the version of recovery I'm using. But to me, it's a small price to pay.
I haven't tried going back to Froyo from GB, so I'm not sure how it will work....

Useful Links - I'll try to keep this updated.
Apps
New App List Site to share your apps and experiences
XDA Thread on working apps
ROMs
Culkulin : v1.1 | beta link removed..it was for the ROM listed
Vanilla AOSP Gingerbread
Corwin : Tweaked CM7 RC4 | Using this now....like the full time status bar of the CM7 builds.

Cool Stuff You Can Do
NAV System
I have an old bluetooth GPS receiver that i hadn't used in like 3 years....I read some posts about how you can use them...see below.
Well I'm happy to report that it works GREAT!
Install Bluetooth GPS Provider on your GT,
Set up -> Applications -> Development : Allow Mock Locations
You should be good.
It worked great for me in Google Maps.
4x4 Backcountry Nav System
I haven't tried this yet...don't have my GT yet....but THIS looks useful
Use your external bluetooth GPS device on your GT. BlueGPS4Droid
You need Mobile Atlas Creator to create your offline Maps
Along with TrekBuddy... Or Orux .. you got yourself a nice 4x4 nav system.
Accessories
I'm probably going to be picking up this keyboard case from Amazon for $28
Here's some nice picks and review from Android Central forums

ROM Reviews
Here I will discuss my ROM and Kernal changes and what I found.
Speed : Quad scores along with general feel
Solidness : force closes and stuff
Useability : what apps install and work, also how it is moving around in it.
1. Stock 3288?
Sucked...sucked hard....lasted about 30 minutes before I ran to my nearest Recovery.
2. Culkulin v1.1 : (3/30)
This ROM was very very solid and FAST. like 2600+ QuadScore fast. Clemsyn's v9 helped even more with this...WOW, this rom is fast.
Hulu : When I first loaded it Hulu worked. Then i did something and it stopped working.
Market : market was pretty limited. even the "build.prop" fix, didn't seem to help much.
ChromeMarks complained I wasn't using stock launcher so I couldn't drop shortcuts to the desktop.
Speed : 8.5
Solidness : 8
Useability : 6
3. Corwin's Tweaked CM7 RC4 : (4/5)
Not as fast : Quadscore at 1800. I loaded Clemsyn's v9 and it bumped it up to around 2000...so do that for sure.
Hulu : no workie here....I'll try to custom Flash and see if that helps...it does...hulu is up now. to clarify...I set the default browser to Agent: ie6.
Market : everything under the sun...it's what you want. just about everything shows up .... just about everything installs and works..
ChromeMarks let me drop shortcuts to the desktop.
I really like the full time, bottom status bar on this rom...makes it so easy to move around apps and stuff...really really useful.
Speed : 7
Solidness : 8
Useability : 9
4. VeganTab 5.1 : (4/6)
I was a bit scared loading this ROM coming from Corwin's Tweaked. But someone asked me to do it....so I did.
The vegan thread says it will completely erase my emmc internal memory. We shall see....looks like it just renamed it back to sdcard
Hate the giant keyboard. This is a slate right? why the huge keyboard?
This does NOT have the fulltime status bar like Corwin's has...isn't just a restyled top bar
Market set up OK...did not show Dolphin browser, similar to Culkulin...so I assume it's similarly hampered.
Good Quadrant scores : 2200 - 2400
Speed : 8
Solidness : 8
Useability : 5
Back on Corwin now...easy transition....just couldn't get into the Vegan.

lol, is this a joke? 4 threads reserve to mod a gtab?

You know, there is so much information on this forum already...if someone is looking for a certain 'how to' all they need to do is search. Don't really need a step by step when there are already stickies on the majority of the mods/issues.
Each to his own though...

i think hes too accustomed to his droid 2 forum where the people who create roms post this way, however, that information isnt stored in 20 other threads so its a little more needed, this is like someone thinking them modding their device was so important it needed its "own personal wiki" rofl

The purpose here is to consolidate knowledge to a useable form for others. Even if it's just a narrative. The info is VERY scattered...and it constantly changes...Thanks for you helpful comments!

I think this is a very good idea. Thanks for taking the initiative. I appriciate any kind of action forward in this forum, naysaying gets us nowhere. Suggestion, maybe make an unboxing video and a video showing steps to find release version. I think it would add to the complete experience your trying to capture for all of us here. Or you could link good YouTube vids. Keep it up! Can't wait to see more from you. Oh and it wouldn't hurt to link the nvflash thread in development forum

Mantara said:
Oh and it wouldn't hurt to link the nvflash thread in development forum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done...keep the suggestions coming!

sudermatt said:
The purpose here is to consolidate knowledge to a useable form for others. Even if it's just a narrative. The info is VERY scattered...and it constantly changes...Thanks for you helpful comments!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that a consolidated and **up to date** source of installation / modding
info would be great - but it's a huge job.
Last night I was bitten by rom manager - led to the dreaded "magic number
mismatch" semi-brick. Turned out this was a "known issue" as I found
out *after*. I did not think to search for "magic number" prior to the
incident for some reason ... go figure

albright said:
I agree that a consolidated and **up to date** source of installation / modding
info would be great - but it's a huge job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just sharing my experiences...and what I find during my wRooting journey.
albright said:
Last night I was bitten by rom manager - led to the dreaded "magic number
mismatch" semi-brick. Turned out this was a "known issue" as I found
out *after*. I did not think to search for "magic number" prior to the
incident for some reason ... go figure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to here that.
are you a wRooter? can you tell us :
1. Where you were (device state) when you started.
2. What you were trying to accomplish.
3. Steps you took.
4. issues that arose.
5. What you've done to back out / resolve?
Thanks,

I read the title for this thread, and am still waiting to hear his story about how he came to have a tail...

sudermatt said:
1. Where you were (device state) when you started.
2. What you were trying to accomplish.
3. Steps you took.
4. issues that arose.
5. What you've done to back out / resolve?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No - I bought mine from tigerdirect.ca.
I had installed google earth and got it working a few days ago; but
then thought I'd upgrade to a clemsyn kernel. I had already
installed tnt lite 4.2.5. That worked, but when
I tried to start google earth I got a crash and reboot. System then
would not start (stuck at android splash screen).
I should have wiped out everything before the upgrade I think.
I then tried to restore a backup using rom manager + clockworkmod.
Turns out that's a bad idea (rom manager problem - some post here
I found out later warns about this) and when I rebooted to the
restored tablet I got a "magic number mismatch" error.
Then it was time for nvflash.
That worked and I now have everything back to working.
Except I cannot get google earth to work anymore. Don't know
why.

Updated the OP
"Ginger requires some getting used to : (Updated 4/6/2011)
I loaded up a CM7 build and got lost at first....maybe it's just the recovery I'm using.."
Also updated Cool Things Post
NAV System
I have an old bluetooth GPS receiver that i hadn't used in like 3 years....

Added the following section to page one.
ROM Reviews
Here I will discuss my ROM and Kernal changes and what I found.
Speed : Quad scores along with general feel
Solidness : force closes and stuff
Useability : what apps install and work, also how it is moving around in it.

@suddermat
I think you did a good job. Thank you for your post. I would like to see your review on the Vegan 5.1 and TnT roms, with and with out different kernls. Keep up the good work. Thanks.

Check first page for new review
4. VeganTab 5.1 : (4/6)
I was a bit scared loading this ROM coming from Corwin's Tweaked. But someone asked me to do it....so I did.

albright said:
I then tried to restore a backup using rom manager + clockworkmod.
Turns out that's a bad idea (rom manager problem - some post here
I found out later warns about this) and when I rebooted to the
restored tablet I got a "magic number mismatch" error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ran into this same problem myself but was able to resolve it with a different approach. First off a reboot and flash the proper friendly version of cwm. Then repartition the drive to wipe everything out. Went to the mounts and storage to mount the ext usb and plugged into the desktop. Drop the update.zip onto the now empty drive, disconnect the desktop and unmount. From the main menu go factory reset, apply update.zip, and another factory reset. Then you should be able to reboot and be in business.

Nice, reads like a good review. keeps others from having to do some of the same experimenting.
You might consider these if you want a more honeycomb like experience:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1002000
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1007455
Also, the VTL-Launcher:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1017451

Suggestions for wonderful experts helping us noobies

Yes, I definitely mean “wonderful” and “experts.” It is astonishing how much time, effort, and expertise the people who write the ROMs, etc., do for others, just to help us enjoy our cellphones. So, it is with no disrespect that I offer these comments on the instructions the experts give to us noobies to help us try to make our phones work better when they post “complete” instructions about how go to about this.
#1 – Odin.
There’s lots of advice to get Odin, but there are lots of Odin versions out there. Usually (generally in the computer world) what works when there’s a recommendation to get a program is to find the latest version. Even if a forum posting has a link to get a program, we figure that was the latest version available when the post was made and it still makes sense to get the currently latest version. That doesn’t work here. The latest Odin version I found was Odin 4.28. 4.28 totally fails to recognize my Samsung Droid Charge. But, if I use the ones referenced in the postings here (e.g. Odin3 v1.85) it recognizes my phone immediately. I understand the feeling that if we’re noobies we should just follow the directions exactly as written, but a little footnote about how this is different than everything else with computers would help.
I’m sure it isn’t true, but Odin seems to come from a mystical cloud location without any existence in our 3 dimensional universe. So, there seems to be no home website to explain that the latest version shouldn’t necessarily be used by everybody. And, there seems to be nobody on the forum who takes credit for upgrading Odin. Very mysterious.
Also – there’s at least three ways I’ve seen adamantly expressed as the proper way to connect a phone to Odin. #1 – simply attach the phone to the computer in the usual “download” mode, and Odin will find it.
#2 – Take out the phone battery for 5 seconds, replace it, then boot into recovery mode by holding down the up-volume, power, and home keys until “Samsung” flashes twice.
#3 – Take out the battery and don’t return it. Plug the phone into the computer, booting into recovery mode like #2.
As far as I can tell, #2 and #3 were needed for prior versions of Odin. Still, we noobies do Google this process, and it’s scary getting these conflicting directions about how to proceed. So, since you are obviously trying to make things less scary and confusing for us, you could mention this too.
Part of the problem is that there are various “Here’s how to replace your stock ROM with a better one” postings. Maybe each of them works perfectly, and there are many paths to enlightenment. Still, it’s worrisome for a noobie to try to figure out which of these paths to bet our phone on. (Of course, it’s also difficult for people trying to actually achieve spiritual enlightenment to decide on a path, so maybe this confusion is just an inevitable part of human experience.)
(cont. below)

#2 – CWM – Clock Work Mod.
I’m still confused about the need and timing of this one. Some sources say it’s entirely optional, just allowing other cool stuff done later. Others seem to say it’s important to install (flash through Odin) this before installing the new ROM. And, then there seem to be some ROMs that Odin can flash that do it all at the same time. And, then, there’s the issue of what order things are to be done in. If we just use Odin to flash a new Gingerbread ROM, can we, or should we, use Odin to flash in CWM?
As a noobie, I’m inclined to the “the less I mess with, the less chance I have of screwing everything up.” So, I think I’d like to skip the CWM while installing my new ROM, and wait to use CWM until I find some additional cool feature I can’t add without it.
#3 – ROM’s.
Where’s Consumer Reports when we need them? There are apparently various ROM’s we could use to improve our phones (e.g. Samsung Droid Charge). They are listed with somewhat cryptic explanations. Those explanations are probably perfectly explanatory for experts, but as a Noobie I don’t get a clear sense of direction from reading them. For example, Android 2.2 ROM’s (Froyo) are still listed, along with 2.3 (Gingerbread). Why would anybody want 2.2 if 2.3 is available? I assume there’s some reason I should be considering, but have no idea what it is. Among the 2.3’s, there’s also the “bloated” vs. “debloated” versions. Many of the unremovable (until rooted) stock apps seem to be both useless and resource drainers. But, I don’t know if I’m ready to give up all of them. And, the “debloated” versions are written by programmers, not people who want to devote their lives to writing up detailed commentaries about what is, and is not, debloated and why. Is there any reason not to just keep all the stock apps, and freeze or uninstall them with Titanium Backup later, as I identify the ones I do not want?
I feel anxious when I read somebody’s post about their newly released ROM, with lots of compliments, then comments that some feature now isn’t working. It’s hard enough to get answers about how to deal with the stock ROM.
I’m also confused about the difference between the “kernal” and the “ROM”. My impression is that “kernal” is which version of Android we use. “ROM” is broader, including extra’s like CDM and CDW, and Voodoo, etc. Or, not?
Part of the problem, obviously, is that the ROM writers have to do a different version for every [email protected]#$%^&*! phone that is made. Apparently even with the Samsung Galaxy family, there are enough differences that the ROM’s are customized for each one. (My prior phone was a Vibrant.) I am grateful that we have choices, and that these ROM’s are available, at all, but it would help to get a little more commentary (i.e. recommendations) about which ones are best for those of us just wanting a better ROM.
#4 – Voodoo. This is like the other issues. It seems like a great thing, to make the file system more efficient and do things like improve the sound system. But, it’s also confusing about when/if to install it in relation to the general ROM update.
So, maybe one of the wonderful experts will clarify these things here, or tweak their general instructions, for the benefit of noobies. Regardless, I again express my appreciation for all they’ve done for us.

There's a whole lot of "it depends" in this.
#1 - Odin may be up to 4.28, but Odin3 is newer than Odin. That's pretty self explanatory on its own.
#2 - You need CWM. Period. But, if you are flashing a full Odin ROM, it already comes with it, so you won't have to go into it unless you want to flash a theme or a new kernel. If you are installing a CWM ROM image, you need to flash CWM first.
#3 - Froyo (2.2) is still the only offical release for this phone. Gingerbread (2.3) is coming, but it's still in beta, and not officially released. The only GB releases we have are leaked and are not official final builds, therefore, they are not guaranteed to be of the quality or stability of Froyo, and, more importantly for us, there is no source available for the GB releases yet, so we don't have a lot of the cool tweaks available. So, it really does depend on what you are after.
#4 - All the current ROMs pretty much support it out of the box. If you are going with a stock ROM instead, you need a Voodoo enabled kernel to activate it. If you're ever in doubt of whether you have it and if it's enabled, install Voodoo Control and look at the lagfix section of the app.

I built a web page that has compiled all of the software you need to root, kernel update, ROM, and recover your Droid Charge with direct links to all of the software in one place.
http://www.toms-world.org/android
Plus it comes with very detailed instructions on how to do any one the activities mentioned above.
For those experts who do know how to do all of this, I'd like to see some collaboration and opinions on my directions. I'm only one person so I can't think of everything that could be added as far as a tutorial.
My idea is that a lot of us that know how to do this stuff should start a place where people can find the information they need for the Droid Charge all in one place without having to go from thread to thread, page to page, etc. Having it all in one place would benefit the Droid Charge community greatly.

Thanks for the replies.
Also, answering my own questions,
Not only is CWM necessary, but the remove battery 1st instructions, at:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14692818&postcount=1
are correct. The other instructions I found that didn't include this stop didn't work -- Odin just sat there.
Also, at about page 11 of that xda thread, it says (correctly) that after ODIN says it's done, it's OK to unplug your phone, despite the large, brightly colored screen that says "Downloading... Do not turn off Target!!!"
Also, the kernal is different than the OS. So, first we find and install a rooted kernal (I guess this is like the most fundamental part of the phone's operating system), then pick a ROM (i.e. version of Android) to install.
Yes, now that you pointed it out, I agree it should have been obvious that ODIN3 is a later family version of ODIN, so no matter how high the version of ODIN we find, it's not going to be up the ODIN3 level. ...sigh

In the case of loading GummyCharged, you don't need to pick a kernel. The GummyCharged package contains an already rooted kernel (iMoseyOn's Lean Droid Charge Kernel) so basically if you load GummyCharged you have a kernel flashed along side it.
The only time you have to flash a new kernel is if you want to run a different kernel than the one contained in your ROM. Or if you want to update the kernel to a newer version of the kernel.
The kernel is the heart and soul of an operating system. It does all of the work in coordinating memory and process allocation. Think of it as a traffic cop.

trparky said:
In the case of loading GummyCharged, you don't need to pick a kernel...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Your description of the kernel is much better than mine.
Another bit of noobie confusion:
The GummyCharged thread at
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1163123
says to install through CWM, after rooting. So, I already installed a new kernal, so I could have root.
As I understand better, now, I hope -- even with GummyCharged -- I had two choices, as there are two GummyCharged versions available. One is the two-step process (new kernal, then new OS). The other is to do both at the same time, through ODIN, which would have been easier.
I did install a new kernal, through CDW, seeing that path more clearly.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1104634
Just a note that when my phone rebooted, Titanium Backup said I did not have root privileges. On a hunch, I just rebooted again, and that solved the problem. TB is happy, and so am I.
Then install a new OS through CWM.

Another thread that might have some useful information for you can be found here -> http://rootzwiki.com/showthread.php?4643-HOW-TO-quot-Clean-quot-install-GummyCharged-FE-2.0. Theres a lot there (maybe too much?) but if nothing else there are a number of useful links. I hope it helps!
Off topic: trparky I tried to send you a pm yesterday but my computer was acting up - not sure if you got it or not.

Thanks for all the help. Everything seems to be fine. This is just sort of a summary & wind-up post of another noobie's experience and successful quest for cellphone happiness.
First, there seem to be three ways to do scary things to the e-guts of my cellphone.
#1 -- Odin3 (a.k.a. Odin, but Odin3 v.x is the one that works for Samsung/Verizon Droid Charge [SDC]). Odin3 runs on the computer, with the cellphone properly tethered to the computer, and can insert stuff, like CWM. So, mostly the first step is to use Odin3 to insert CWM (superseding the stock recovery program). From some post it seemed it's possible to skip this step and do everything from Odin3, but that post also said that approach wasn't for noobies, even though it seemed easier to me. Odin3 is an elegant program, but you have to find somebody's Betty Crocker instructions for how to use it.
#2 -- Use the ordinary SDC file tethering to put .zip files onto the SDCard, because CWM uses those to install things like kernels and OS's (versions of Android). Sometimes the kernel and OS come bundled. Sometimes not. I ended up flashing a kernel first, then an OS with a bundled kernel, and everything seems fine.
#3 -- there's some other program, starting with an "H" that can also work like Odin, I think, but I ended up anxious enough figuring out #1 and #2, so didn't want to learn a whole other approach that might, or might not, somehow have been better, so I ignored this approach.
After I had my new root kernel, I used Titanium backup to freeze the bloatware. At that point I sort of chickened/burned out because there were too many choices of which version of Android to flash. I decided I didn't really need any of them, since my phone would be efficient enough without the bloatware running to give me everything I needed. What originally got me to start flashing my Android phone was when I would (repeatedly) receive calls on my old Samsung Vibrant, but the phone was so busy doing some [email protected]#$%^&*! thing that it wouldn't let me answer the call. With a more advanced phone (my new SDC), and frozen bloatware, I was confident I wouldn't have that problem, so just stopped there ... ... ... until I was horrified to receive another call which my SDC told me about but was too busy doing some [email protected]#$%^&*! thing that it wouldn't let me answer the call. OMG, it's happening again! At that point the choice of which version of Android to use because less important, because I was sure that nobody's custom Android would let that happen. So, I went with the GummyCharged Froyo [GummyChargedFE_2.0.zip]. At this point, I'd worked with CWM enough that it was all easy. Downloaded the file, copied it to my SDCard, booted to recovery, erased files & Dalvik cache, flashed the GummyCharged, and restarted. Lovely.
One nice aspect I'd not anticipated was that somebody has thoughtfully improved the process, so immediately my phone started re-downloading and installing the apps I had before. It's kind of a hassle to have to re-do all that manually, so special chops/thanks to the GummyCharged team for that feature. My phone works fine. I've tried, and happily failed, to make it too busy to let me answer a call.
What's left? I have to make donations to the Gummycharged people, whose software I now use, and the person who tweaked CWM that I use. It feels like I should make a donation to the Odin3 trolls, but haven't seem a request for that, nor have any who they are or how to do that.
I'll also be keeping my eye on the developing Gingerbread kernels, occasionally, until it looks like those are so mature that there's no reason to not confidently install & flash (through Odin or CWM, both of which I not feel fairly comfortable with) the upgrade.
On the off chance that anybody's still reading this, I do have one last question:
Can I delete the GummyCharged .zip file from my SDCard. I remember, back when I flashed my Vibrant, that I later deleted a seemingly useless .zip file called "update.zip", and that caused a problem. File isn't huge, so except for my mild OCD, no big problem in just leaving it there.
Thanks, again, to the wonderful experts who've helped me and so many others through this.

angelsix said:
...
#3 -- there's some other program, starting with an "H" that can also work like Odin, I think, but I ended up anxious enough figuring out #1 and #2, so didn't want to learn a whole other approach that might, or might not, somehow have been better, so I ignored this approach.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the program is called Heimdall - this is more often associated with Mac users, as ODIN is a Windows program.
angelsix said:
...
One nice aspect I'd not anticipated was that somebody has thoughtfully improved the process, so immediately my phone started re-downloading and installing the apps I had before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not positive, but I believe this to be more of a Google thing. Whatever apps you've downloaded from the market are linked to the google account used on the phone, so once you sign back in on your phone post-flash, those apps (whatever ended up being stored as downloaded-by-you by google at least) start getting pushed to your phone.
angelsix said:
...
On the off chance that anybody's still reading this, I do have one last question:
Can I delete the GummyCharged .zip file from my SDCard. I remember, back when I flashed my Vibrant, that I later deleted a seemingly useless .zip file called "update.zip", and that caused a problem. File isn't huge, so except for my mild OCD, no big problem in just leaving it there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can delete the file, but this is essentially the installer file - if you ever have need to re-install it later on, you will need that (or a more up-to-date one if such a thing exists) file again. I tend to be an electronic pack rat myself, but you can delete the file from your SD card without any immediate adverse effects. If I remember right, the "update.zip" of old was associated with some earlier variants of CWM - without it you would not be able to get to the "custom" recovery (i.e. CWM) to flash things. Seems like such things are no longer necessary anymore, at least not with the recent versions.

dwitherell said:
I'm not positive, but I believe this to be more of a Google thing. Whatever apps you've downloaded from the market are linked to the google account used on the phone, so once you sign back in on your phone post-flash, those apps (whatever ended up being stored as downloaded-by-you by google at least) start getting pushed to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct, and it's something that I strongly dislike, as I have installed plenty of things from the Market that I have since uninstalled and no desire to restore. If you skip account setup when you are first setting up the phone, and then manually go into Settings->Accounts & Sync, it will skip this, which is yet another reason to like aftermarket roms, as the stock roms will not allow you to get to the launcher until you set up a Google Account.