I got a new LG P999 (I think that's the G2X). I'm new to Android but I'm not sure if I should root/mod or not.
Is there really any significant benefits from modding (like speed or stability) or it's just to make your Android flashier?
Also, what mod would be best to go for? And if someone could link me to a beginner tutorial on how to mod (with simpler terminology; I only found some with terminology like NANDroid, clockwork recovery, etc... which I don't really understand), that would be much appreciated.
Hope someone can help, thanks!
kefloxin said:
I got a new LG P999 (I think that's the G2X). I'm new to Android but I'm not sure if I should root/mod or not.
Is there really any significant benefits from modding (like speed or stability) or it's just to make your Android flashier?
Also, what mod would be best to go for? And if someone could link me to a beginner tutorial on how to mod (with simpler terminology; I only found some with terminology like NANDroid, clockwork recovery, etc... which I don't really understand), that would be much appreciated.
Hope someone can help, thanks!
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Well, rooting/modding gives you every benefit out there. Battery life, speed, options, features, the list goes on. Flashing ROM's is basically 99% the reason why people root or install a custom recovery on their phones. NANdroid, Clockwork MOD, etc are basically the basis and the stuff that you need to know about rooting. Since you're new I suggest you read a lot first and get to know what those terminologies are. ClockWork is a custom recovery that enables you to flash a custom ROM onto your phone.
Here is the G2x Bible. That's a reference guide to most, if not everything, that you need to know.
Here is the NVFlash method that you need to do to install Clockwork onto your G2x. You don't really need root for the G2x, just install Clockwork via that guide and you'll be good to go.
Remember: Read, read, and read.
Thanks for your reply! Those links helped me a lot. A few questions though:
1) If I don't have an external SD card, will I be able to put an external SD card without problems later? And can I re-flash for the external SD card support if desired?
2) Once I'm in the ClockworkMod Recovery, how do I put the ROM on my phone? (Flash is the correct terminology if I'm not mistaken).
3) Which ROM or mod should I go with? From the looks of it, a lot of people use CyanogenMod, but is there one that's most stable/fast?
Thanks again for your answer.
Here's another guide on NVFlashing.
These are my 3 favorite ROM's. And I'm sure most of the G2x people would agree as well.
Eagle's Blood: Based on LG's stock 2.3.3 Gingerbread.
Weapon G2x: Again, based on LG's stock 2.3.3 Gingerbread, but with Whitehawx's many tweaks and features.
And of course, CyanogenMOD 7 Nightlies: It's based on Google's AOSP, but the CM team has added in hundreds of tweaks that makes the user experience the best you can ever get on Android.
My favorite is CM but I suggest you try all 3 to see which one you like the best.
Yes, you can slip in an SD card after you've flashed if you want. Just follow the instructions carefully on how to NVFlash, there's even a YouTube video on how to do it.
Once you're in CWM, I suggest you do a NANDroid backup to backup your current ROM. Then do the following steps.
1. Wipe Data
2. Wipe Cache
3. Wipe Dalvik Cache (within Advanced)
4. Then go into mounts and format your /system
5. Then proceed to flashing your desired ROM.
Here's a quick video on how to flash a ROM.
But note; that video is how to flash a ROM on a myTouch 4G, just ignore the ROM's I showed in that video as it's for the MT4G. But the Clockwork MOD that you see there is just like the one for the G2x, except now the letters are blue. Do as I did in that video by wiping everything. Only thing I left out is formating /system since it wasn't needed on the MT4G. So don't forget to do that on your G2x.
Also, do you have Froyo or Gingerbread right now?
If you need any help with your g2x just drop me an email at [email protected]. I will be happy to help with any questions you may have.
Sent from the fastest g2x in the world
Thanks again for your awesome reply mackster248.
To answer your question, I'm currently running Froyo and I'm not actually with T-Mobile. I'm in Quebec with Videotron but I read it's the same phone. The phone model I have is LG P999DW.
I think I'll go with CM V7.1.0.1 as my first ROM (the nightlies may not be as stable as I want them to be). Do you think that would be an okay ROM as a first?
So just to confirm, this is what I will be doing as a whole process:
First, I will follow the NVFlashing guide which will allow me to use ClockworkMod Recovery. Next, I'll do a backup with NANDroid (which I assume is an option in CWM). Following that, I follow the wiping steps you listed (same as your video). Is that correct or am I missing something?
Thanks again!
EDIT: So I followed the NVFlash steps and it worked fine until I tried to boot in Recover by holding Vol Down + Power, but it doesn't seem to do anything... I can boot up the phone fine normally by holding the power button though. Is there a reason booting into recovery wouldn't work?
EDIT 2: Ah, nevermind. It works after I took out the battery and tried again.
EDIT 3: I haven't wiped my data yet in the recovery, but it seems I need an SD card so I can load the zip of the ROM I want. Is there a way to load the ROM from my computer or will I need to get an SD card first? Also, I would like to know if I should root as well? Does it make a difference? If not, why do people root before flashing?
Do you mind making a video of all the steps you did in exact order? also people root because most phones just use ROM manager to flash clockworkmod right from ROM Manger, but we are using NVFlash so we dont technically need it. Also new to the G2x, from (wind Mobile, i believe its the same one as the videotron P999-DW)
but im so scared to flash lol i had a vibrant i9000-m die on me before :3
Well, I can't make a video of what I did since I don't have a spare camera. All I did up until now is follow the NVFlashing guide to get ClockworkMod Recovery. It's not very hard to do actually.
I'm apparently supposed to wipe data, etc. now but I don't want to do that because steps later say that I need to flash from the SD card which I don't have. So I need to know now whether I need an SD card to flash a ROM on the phone? I've ordered an SD card which might take a while to get but after I get it, I also would like to know whether I need to root to flash? (since ROM manager says I need to root to use it, maybe I need to root to flash a ROM via CWM as well?)
I downloaded ROM manager and it says I need to root my phone for it to function. I also tried "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" via the ROM manager which gives me an error as well.
So if someone could let me know whether 1) I can flash without an SD card and 2) whether I need to root to flash via CWM, that would be much appreciated. Thanks!
The newest version of CWM Recovery requires a physical SD to put the rom backups on. Go get yourself one. The smaller capacities are very inexpensive now, but it is nice to have a larger one if you can afford it. Each backup is very large, so a small card would run out of space quickly if you don't offload them to your computer or another storage medium. If you want to backup to the internal sd then install the older version (4.0.1.5) of CWM that support internal sd only, then you don't need a physical sd card. That is why TGA_Gunnman put that version back into his flasher.
With the latest CWM and a g2x and NO sd card, I was able to root, and flash roms. Just select the flash zip from internal SD option in CWM. I did not backup though.
hesher said:
With the latest CWM and a g2x and NO sd card, I was able to root, and flash roms. Just select the flash zip from internal SD option in CWM. I did not backup though.
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Wouldn't the flash zip be deleted after you wipe the data, etc.?
Also, do I need to root for flash via CWM to work?
No just place it in the root.
kefloxin said:
Wouldn't the flash zip be deleted after you wipe the data, etc.?
Also, do I need to root for flash via CWM to work?
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So you're saying that if I place the ROM on the root of the phone, it won't be deleted once I wipe data, wipe cache, wipe dalvik cache and format my /system?
I would just like to make sure as I don't want to be stuck without a phone until I get an SD card and no backup.
Thanks
kefloxin said:
So you're saying that if I place the ROM on the root of the phone, it won't be deleted once I wipe data, wipe cache, wipe dalvik cache and format my /system?
I would just like to make sure as I don't want to be stuck without a phone until I get an SD card and no backup.
Thanks
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If you were factory resetting a Samsung the internal SD is also wiped; but thankfully, LG does not do that. When you do a factory reset on the P999 all it does is wipe the data and cache partitions. The internal sd is left alone. So yes you can place the zip package on the internal sd, reset and then flash it. It also doesn't have to be on the root. In CWM if you select install zip from sd card, you can then choose external or internal sd and navigate to any folder and zip file you want to flash. Have fun!
I was able to install the old CWM with internal SD card support and I used that to make a backup and flash the ROM successfully. Everything seems to be awesome so far except that I can't use USB mass storage from the O/S. I turn on USB mass storage and my computer doesn't detect it. The only way to make it work is going to CWM and mounting the USB. Anyone know how I would be able to make it work through the O/S again?
I also can't install Swype without an external SD card, but I'll have one soon so that's not a big worry.
Aside from those things, I think it's pretty cool.
Thanks to everyone who helped.
Have fun bud. No phone is perfect, but the G2x is pretty awesome.
Powered by a G2x
Yeah, it's awesome. But anyone know why USB mass storage doesn't show the removable drive on my computer? I have to go into CWM and mount it to make it work, but I would prefer to be able to do it via the O/S.
Thanks for all your help though guys, you guys are awesome
kefloxin said:
Yeah, it's awesome. But anyone know why USB mass storage doesn't show the removable drive on my computer? I have to go into CWM and mount it to make it work, but I would prefer to be able to do it via the O/S.
Thanks for all your help though guys, you guys are awesome
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Install the LG Gingerbread drivers. Let me find a link.
Edit: I had the same problem as you, but this fixed that.
http://www.lg-phones.org/t-mobile-g2x-usb-driver.html
Powered by a G2x
It doesn't seem to work. I installed the drivers via the download link in the link you provided. Didn't work, then I tried to update following the instructions using the LG mobile support tool, and it still doesn't work either. (I've tried on 2 computers btw.)
I'm not sure why it only works via CWM, any other suggestions?
kefloxin said:
It doesn't seem to work. I installed the drivers via the download link in the link you provided. Didn't work, then I tried to update following the instructions using the LG mobile support tool, and it still doesn't work either. (I've tried on 2 computers btw.)
I'm not sure why it only works via CWM, any other suggestions?
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Could be USB connection type is set wrong internally. See if there is some setting in CM7 for it. On a stock rom you can go into LG Hidden menu and set USB to automatic.