Rooted my Xoom 3.2...now what? - Xoom Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Let me start off by stating that I'm not totally new to rooting android devices. I own a EVO 4G and have been messing around with root for a while on it. The DEV community is huge and there are a overwhelming amount of options available.
Like I said, I already rooted my stock 3.2 Xoom and have d/l all the essential ROOT apps like Titanium, MyBackUp Pro and a few others. However, I'm not quite sure where to go next. There doesn't seem to be too many options in term of ROMS and I'm not quite grasping what the ROMS have over rooted stock.
I'm not asking this in a nasty way, I genuinely want to know what the next logical steps are to maximize the use of my Xoom.
Besides that general question I have a few more specific questions:
1. Can I download ClockWorkMod Recovery through the app?
2. Can I overclock using SetCPU?
3. Haven't put a MicroSD card into this thing yet but am I able to save apps to the SD with rooted stock?
Sorry for the noobiness!

SantinoInc said:
Let me start off by stating that I'm not totally new to rooting android devices. I own a EVO 4G and have been messing around with root for a while on it. The DEV community is huge and there are a overwhelming amount of options available.
Like I said, I already rooted my stock 3.2 Xoom and have d/l all the essential ROOT apps like Titanium, MyBackUp Pro and a few others. However, I'm not quite sure where to go next. There doesn't seem to be too many options in term of ROMS and I'm not quite grasping what the ROMS have over rooted stock.
I'm not asking this in a nasty way, I genuinely want to know what the next logical steps are to maximize the use of my Xoom.
Besides that general question I have a few more specific questions:
1. Can I download ClockWorkMod Recovery through the app?
2. Can I overclock using SetCPU?
3. Haven't put a MicroSD card into this thing yet but am I able to save apps to the SD with rooted stock?
Sorry for the noobiness!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No. You have two choices and you can find them by looking here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1074979 and here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1235170
2.Yes, once you are rooted and have installed either a Tiamat rom or kernel or Rogue kernel. You will find them in the Xoom Heaven thread in the begining of the General section.
3 Not without doing 2., above. That's one reason to root and mod. FYI, most Honeycomb apps aren't initially setup to write to the external sdcard and require a bit of fooling with, and most, if not all apps need to be run from internal storage (sdcard). I couldn't do without the external sdcard though...I use it to flash fliled, backup nandroid, and have TB backing up my apps and data to it, as well as playing my music, and video collection from it.

Related

[Q] CWM,Vegan,etc What order do I do these things?

(I've spent a long time reading and I don't want to waste your time, so if the answers to this have been posted before please just tell me to keep searching.)
New G tablet arrives in 3 days. I have very little tech knowledge, but I enjoy the journey. Would someone mind please putting the following in the CORRECT order for me?
1. Fully charge G tab and turn it on
2. Install Titanium Backup on G tab (is this done like I would install an app on an iphone, or do I download to my PC and move it to the g tab?)
3. Backup stuff (everything)? To where? My PC?
4. Install clockwork as per instructions here (I think I'll use G tab's internal SD card)
5. Use clockwork to repartition internal SD card (2048 and 0)
6. Use clockwork to delete data and cache
7. Install Vegan 5.1 as per instructions here.
8. Install Flah and Market capability as per instructions here.
9. Install ADW launcher (not sure what this is, but it looks good on youtube). How do I install it? Is it like an iphone app installation, or...?
10. Some of the posts I've read mention a need for a file browser. Do they mean on my PC, or on the G tab? How do you get one on the G tab? Through Market?
11. Calibrate touch screen as per instructions here.
12. Anything I've forgotten?
Thanks for your help and understanding for a complete novice.
This has all been posted before as you thought.
I would not worry about backing up when you first get it as there will be nothing really on it but the stock rom.
if you goal is to load a Rom like TNT or Vegan from day one.
Root
Clockwork Mod
load Rom
and away you go.
There are directions all over the place to the above.
Once you get the rom loaded and all setup then get titanium backup installed and do a backup. Save yourself hours and pay for the pro version, it will allow you to run batch backup/restores and not touch your tablet while it runs.
Hope that helps now go read and search while you await your Gtab and have FUN! that is what it is all about.
Chances are you wont even have to root first.
Install Clockwork
Partition
Install Vegan
thebadfrog said:
Chances are you wont even have to root first.
Install Clockwork
Partition
Install Vegan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys. I like the sound of these 3 simple steps, but what do you mean "chances are..."? Is it a random thing?
goog64 said:
Thanks guys. I like the sound of these 3 simple steps, but what do you mean "chances are..."? Is it a random thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my first Android device but I'm good with PC's.
Anyway, I fired it up from new installed clockwork, did the partition 2048,0 as suggested and for me installed tnt-lite and all is good. It was probably stock for about 10 minutes of its life.
Thanks Stuggy. That's what I'll try (except with Vegan, I think).
goog64 said:
Thanks guys. I like the sound of these 3 simple steps, but what do you mean "chances are..."? Is it a random thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For some reason I had to root first when I installed the update after the 3389 update. I think it was just me but it was just another step. Installed z4root, got root, and moved on
Thanks badfrog.
Just to give you an idea where I'm at.....I had no idea what 3389 is so I searched for it. Many pages came up, but they all assume a certain level of background knowledge that I don't have. Please tell me, is 3389 the ROM that comes with the G tab?
If so, why would you be updating that if you had a different ROM already installed (Vegan, TNTlite, etc)?
Other pages I've seen have said that installing Vegan or TnTlite IS rooting, whilst still other pages have said that installing clockwork mod is rooting? Is this correct?
I can't find out what rooting actually means because every page I find assumes the reader already knows what rooting is. I will keep searching for a site for android dummies (and stop wasting your time).
rooting a device is basically changing system permissions so that you have full access to read, write and manipulate all files on the device. In Linux if you are root you have total control over the system. I believe that I read somewhere that the GTab is already set so that you have total control. Other devices you would use an app like z4root and it would change the security settings so that you had root access.
hmmm....the plot thickens. Thanks Sm0k3d 0ut, I'm looking forward to confirmation of that to clear up my confusion!
Hello - New user here and planning to do the same. My tablet arrives today but my SD arrives next week.
Can I use an 128MB micro SD to do the Clock mod before the larger card arrives?
Thanks.
bevbeng said:
Hello - New user here and planning to do the same. My tablet arrives today but my SD arrives next week.
Can I use an 128MB micro SD to do the Clock mod before the larger card arrives?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check this thread on clockwork
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
goog64 said:
Thanks Stuggy. That's what I'll try (except with Vegan, I think).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try them both, they are both great roms and you will become more comfortable the more roms you flash.
Most important tools are this site and titanium backup "PRO"
copc said:
Try them both, they are both great roms and you will become more comfortable the more roms you flash.
Most important tools are this site and titanium backup "PRO"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks copc. I also read somewhere that backing up can be done with Clockwork. Is that true? If so, does a novice like me really need titanium backup?
Also, one more question: in case I ever want to restore to the stock ROM that the G tab comes with, do I need to do anything special BEFORE I install Clockwork and the new ROM? Or can I just change back to original no matter what I do now?
(G tab arrives tomorrow. Can't wait!)
goog64 said:
I also read somewhere that backing up can be done with Clockwork. Is that true? If so, does a novice like me really need titanium backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still haven't received my Zpad yet, so can't talk from experience. But from what I have read it seems that titanium backup backs up the apps (and maybe data?) and clockwork makes a ROM image of you Tablet (or something similar to that). So I think they are different types of backups and you should probably do both.
But I could be horribly wrong.
SnakeManJayd said:
I still haven't received my Zpad yet, so can't talk from experience. But from what I have read it seems that titanium backup backs up the apps (and maybe data?) and clockwork makes a ROM image of you Tablet (or something similar to that). So I think they are different types of backups and you should probably do both.
But I could be horribly wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are spot on, Titanium Backup allows you to back up and restore individual apps and data (you can also use it to sideload apps you have already installed on another Android device). CW will make a backup of your entire system (internal SDCard) so you can restore if something goes awry.
goog64 said:
(I've spent a long time reading and I don't want to waste your time, so if the answers to this have been posted before please just tell me to keep searching.)
New G tablet arrives in 3 days. I have very little tech knowledge, but I enjoy the journey. Would someone mind please putting the following in the CORRECT order for me?
1. Fully charge G tab and turn it on
2. Install Titanium Backup on G tab (is this done like I would install an app on an iphone, or do I download to my PC and move it to the g tab?)
3. Backup stuff (everything)? To where? My PC?
4. Install clockwork as per instructions here (I think I'll use G tab's internal SD card)
5. Use clockwork to repartition internal SD card (2048 and 0)
6. Use clockwork to delete data and cache
7. Install Vegan 5.1 as per instructions here.
8. Install Flah and Market capability as per instructions here.
9. Install ADW launcher (not sure what this is, but it looks good on youtube). How do I install it? Is it like an iphone app installation, or...?
10. Some of the posts I've read mention a need for a file browser. Do they mean on my PC, or on the G tab? How do you get one on the G tab? Through Market?
11. Calibrate touch screen as per instructions here.
12. Anything I've forgotten?
Thanks for your help and understanding for a complete novice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1,4,5,7,8, and 11 in that order will get you in business. Titanium Backup should be installed after you get Vegan installed, as there is really nothing to back up in stock. Data and cache will be deleted as part of the partitioning process (that's how I've understood it), and a file browser is already installed with the Vegan image. #9 is just fluff, ADW is a great launcher, but is not necessary to get up and running. If I recall correctly, it will install like an app - you should be able to find it in the Market.
#12 - Though it is not necessary, Root Explorer is a real handy app to have if you are going to tear around with Android's inner workings. Less than $5 on the market, but I found it worth every penny so far.
You will find many different thoughts on the process laid out above, this is just worked for me when I was starting out. The most important thing is Clockwork. Do. That. First.
bevbeng said:
Hello - New user here and planning to do the same. My tablet arrives today but my SD arrives next week.
Can I use an 128MB micro SD to do the Clock mod before the larger card arrives?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did mine (CW .8 and TNTLite) from a 256MB card, and there was still plenty of room - a 128MB card should do you fine. In fact, if you are doing it from a PC (I can't confirm for Mac as I don't have one), you can install CW off of the card, use CW to partition the tablet storage, connect the tablet to your PC, and then use CW to mount the tablet as USB storage so you can copy over the ROM image to the tablet and install.
As far as CW, use the .8 version. I have heard of problems from others using newer versions, and it seems that .8 is what the devs recommend. You can find a link to it in here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
BigJohn
Thanks BigJohn. I REALLY appreciate the time you took with that answer, and you explained it very clearly. My tablet arrives today (I hope), and you have given me a lot of confidence.
goog64 said:
Thanks BigJohn. I REALLY appreciate the time you took with that answer, and you explained it very clearly. My tablet arrives today (I hope), and you have given me a lot of confidence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to MOD-dom, it's awesome.

Should I root?

I just bought a wifi only xoom and I'm loving the awesomeness of the device. I don't think I'm a noob, I've rooted all of my android devices but I'm a alitle hesitant. Besides that small eclair update I can't remember the last time we had an unfinished os. Don't get me wrong I still love this device and won't trade it for anything but is is worth rooting just yet? Once we get the next honeycomb update can we update with root? I don't think you can but will will the root process for any updated version be quite easy because of the nature of the xoom? Just a a few questions, thanks...
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
I haven't rooted either. My phone is rooted and rommed but I'm hesitant with my Xoom
YES!
There have been a lot of threads with that question:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1008674&highlight=root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1039304
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1036185
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1017223
There are other threads that have helpful information embedded so just search for "root" and you will find a lot of stuff!
First off the fact that you are on XDA leads me to believe that you will eventually root your Xoom. There are not really any clear cut advantages of leaving it stock. There will be an update in the future to enable the SD card and being stock may make that easier to apply, but you probably know as well as the rest of us that we ROOTED users will see that update in a flashable .zip file. The advantages of Rooting are pretty clear however, Superuser permissions to remount the system folder as R/W in order to add more features, such as Ad-hoc network connectivity. Over Clocking which in my opinion not terribly important but it's nice to have the option. We can flash a custom recovery to make nandroid backups as well as aid in further customization. We can enable USB host mode and use 3rd party accessories. And last but not least we have SD card usage before everybody else. So there you are, there are lots of reasons to Root your Xoom. It's super easy and the sooner you do it the better because unlocking the bootloader will wipe your storage. Have fun and please reply back if you decide to root it.
mr_wrong_0 said:
There will be an update in the future to enable the SD card and being stock may make that easier to apply, but you probably know as well as the rest of us that we ROOTED users will see that update in a flashable .zip file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has there been any indication of when that update will come out? I am personally thinking it will be easier for me to wait and root my Xoom after we get that (and then it should be possible to use an update.zip type root). On the other hand, if it's still several months away it might be time for me to take the plunge

[Q] First android, very overwhelmed. A Question about SD cards.

This is my first android and only my second smart phone. My first was iphone 3GS.
I've had the phone for just a few days now and I'm beginning to understand things but I still have a bunch of questions. I'm sure it's answered in a guide somewhere already but I'm having trouble understanding the lingo to understand the guide...
So this phone obviously doesn't have an SD card port. But does that mean there is no way to create a virtual SD card? Is there one already on the phone that I don't understand how to access it?
In apps that require other files stored on an SD card it often brings up a browser with the location /SD card/. Is this an actual folder location? How can I access it and how can I put files there?
I apologize in advance because I probably will not be able to understand your directions since I just don't understand android talk yet.
I have no idea what sort of info you guys might need so here it all is.
HTC One X
AT&T 4G LTE
USA
Rooted using [ROOT] 1.85 One Click Root! - ACT NOW, MAY NOT LAST FOREVER! (I'm not sure how I did this or if I was supposed to. Just following instructions...)
I have no idea what a bootloader is, just that it can be unlocked. Should I do this? What does that mean?
I have a vague idea of what a rom is and i'm running the vanilla stock one. Any advice of what the advantages are of changing my rom and how to do it? Again I looked at the guides but I can't understand it...
I have no idea what a kernal is.
PhatCrits said:
This is my first android and only my second smart phone. My first was iphone 3GS.
I've had the phone for just a few days now and I'm beginning to understand things but I still have a bunch of questions. I'm sure it's answered in a guide somewhere already but I'm having trouble understanding the lingo to understand the guide...
So this phone obviously doesn't have an SD card port. But does that mean there is no way to create a virtual SD card? Is there one already on the phone that I don't understand how to access it?
In apps that require other files stored on an SD card it often brings up a browser with the location /SD card/. Is this an actual folder location? How can I access it and how can I put files there?
I apologize in advance because I probably will not be able to understand your directions since I just don't understand android talk yet.
I have no idea what sort of info you guys might need so here it all is.
HTC One X
AT&T 4G LTE
USA
Rooted using [ROOT] 1.85 One Click Root! - ACT NOW, MAY NOT LAST FOREVER! (I'm not sure how I did this or if I was supposed to. Just following instructions...)
I have no idea what a bootloader is, just that it can be unlocked. Should I do this? What does that mean?
I have a vague idea of what a rom is and i'm running the vanilla stock one. Any advice of what the advantages are of changing my rom and how to do it? Again I looked at the guides but I can't understand it...
I have no idea what a kernal is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has an internal sd card, you can access it with es file explorer, or any explorer app, but es is recommended. And when you plug your phone into pc it will pop up with the option to charge or mount as mass storage.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
PhatCrits said:
This is my first android and only my second smart phone. My first was iphone 3GS.
I've had the phone for just a few days now and I'm beginning to understand things but I still have a bunch of questions. I'm sure it's answered in a guide somewhere already but I'm having trouble understanding the lingo to understand the guide...
So this phone obviously doesn't have an SD card port. But does that mean there is no way to create a virtual SD card? Is there one already on the phone that I don't understand how to access it?
In apps that require other files stored on an SD card it often brings up a browser with the location /SD card/. Is this an actual folder location? How can I access it and how can I put files there?
I apologize in advance because I probably will not be able to understand your directions since I just don't understand android talk yet.
I have no idea what sort of info you guys might need so here it all is.
HTC One X
AT&T 4G LTE
USA
Rooted using [ROOT] 1.85 One Click Root! - ACT NOW, MAY NOT LAST FOREVER! (I'm not sure how I did this or if I was supposed to. Just following instructions...)
I have no idea what a bootloader is, just that it can be unlocked. Should I do this? What does that mean?
I have a vague idea of what a rom is and i'm running the vanilla stock one. Any advice of what the advantages are of changing my rom and how to do it? Again I looked at the guides but I can't understand it...
I have no idea what a kernal is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome...I'd advise for you to head over to youtube and just search for any questions you might have. That way you get to see it. Even if it isn't for your phone alot of the same basic principles apply. ie. search youtube for android basics or something like that i'm sure you'll find a lot of info to get you started.
PhatCrits said:
This is my first android and only my second smart phone. My first was iphone 3GS.
I've had the phone for just a few days now and I'm beginning to understand things but I still have a bunch of questions. I'm sure it's answered in a guide somewhere already but I'm having trouble understanding the lingo to understand the guide...
So this phone obviously doesn't have an SD card port. But does that mean there is no way to create a virtual SD card? Is there one already on the phone that I don't understand how to access it?
In apps that require other files stored on an SD card it often brings up a browser with the location /SD card/. Is this an actual folder location? How can I access it and how can I put files there?
I apologize in advance because I probably will not be able to understand your directions since I just don't understand android talk yet.
I have no idea what sort of info you guys might need so here it all is.
HTC One X
AT&T 4G LTE
USA
Rooted using [ROOT] 1.85 One Click Root! - ACT NOW, MAY NOT LAST FOREVER! (I'm not sure how I did this or if I was supposed to. Just following instructions...)
I have no idea what a bootloader is, just that it can be unlocked. Should I do this? What does that mean?
I have a vague idea of what a rom is and i'm running the vanilla stock one. Any advice of what the advantages are of changing my rom and how to do it? Again I looked at the guides but I can't understand it...
I have no idea what a kernal is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to the world of Android!
Our phone's file system is as follows:
2gb for Apps (in the /data location)
10gb for User Data (known as the "sdcard", in the /sdcard location, basically a virtual sd card)
4gb for system files and such.
Use any file explorer to acces the files in /sdcard. However, you can only edit the other "partitions" (as they are called, basically the other parts of the file system as described above) with root.
Root is basically giving you access to those other parts of the system so that you cant usually access so that you can modify your system
Bootloaders are the things that load the device firmware. If you unlock them, you can write custom things to boot the system up, such as custom recoveries (used to install custom ROMs, back your system up, etc) and custom kernels.
If for now you aren't going to use any custom ROMs then don't worry about Bootloader Unlock. If you want to use custom ROMs then you will need to unlock your bootloader and install a custom recovery.
Custom ROMs really come in two different types: ones that remove extra crap that AT&T/HTC install on there but are still very stock looking and give you a faster stock experience, and also those ROMs that completly deviate from stock and have an entirely different look and feel.
The second category of ROMs also can be broken up into two categories. One of them is AOSP (Android Open Source Project) ROMs that give you the vanilla look of what Ice Cream Sandwich is supposed to look like (look up screenshots of a Galaxy Nexus to see what it looks like). An example of ROMs like this are CM9 and AOKP. They both give you extremely high customizability. There are also ROMs that deviate from the standard type of different ROMs, such as the MIUI ROM. These give your phone a completely different look and feel like the AOSP Roms except they aren't trying to mimic AOSP. Check out screenshots of the MIUI ROM to see what I mean of a different ROM.
Ask any more questions you have.
rohan32 said:
Welcome to the world of Android!
Our phone's file system is as follows:
2gb for Apps (in the /data location)
10gb for User Data (known as the "sdcard", in the /sdcard location, basically a virtual sd card)
4gb for system files and such.
Use any file explorer to acces the files in /sdcard. However, you can only edit the other "partitions" (as they are called, basically the other parts of the file system as described above) with root.
Root is basically giving you access to those other parts of the system so that you cant usually access so that you can modify your system
Bootloaders are the things that load the device firmware. If you unlock them, you can write custom things to boot the system up, such as custom recoveries (used to install custom ROMs, back your system up, etc) and custom kernels.
If for now you aren't going to use any custom ROMs then don't worry about Bootloader Unlock. If you want to use custom ROMs then you will need to unlock your bootloader and install a custom recovery.
Custom ROMs really come in two different types: ones that remove extra crap that AT&T/HTC install on there but are still very stock looking and give you a faster stock experience, and also those ROMs that completly deviate from stock and have an entirely different look and feel.
The second category of ROMs also can be broken up into two categories. One of them is AOSP (Android Open Source Project) ROMs that give you the vanilla look of what Ice Cream Sandwich is supposed to look like (look up screenshots of a Galaxy Nexus to see what it looks like). An example of ROMs like this are CM9 and AOKP. They both give you extremely high customizability. There are also ROMs that deviate from the standard type of different ROMs, such as the MIUI ROM. These give your phone a completely different look and feel like the AOSP Roms except they aren't trying to mimic AOSP. Check out screenshots of the MIUI ROM to see what I mean of a different ROM.
Ask any more questions you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Rohan and Kleeman.
So I'm gonna keep asking if you don't mind. It seems to me that if I were to keep the stock rom then I would not be getting all I could out of the device. I think cleanrom is for me, but would I be missing out on features by sticking with SenseUI? Could you point me in the direction of a very very very dumbed down way to unlock it, preferably device specific? Simple google searches brought guides but not one I could follow. Oh, and when should I backup and how?

[Q] Paranoid newbie questions re replacement ROM

I have a Galaxy Gio GT-S5660V (Australia) with a 16GB SD card, having (currently) a 500MB ext2fs partition in addition to the FAT32 partition. I've rooted the phone with universal_gb_root_v20.zip and moved everything that can be moved to the SD card.
But I have installed some 42 additional apps (on top of those that came built-in), and despite uninstalling some built-in apps (using Titanium Backup Root Pro), am forever running out of storage. To the extent that I now can't update some storage-intensive apps (like Google Maps).
I know this is a developers' forum, and I'm not a developer. But it looks like the best place to come for the advice I need. I'm a raw beginner (this is my first and, so far, only smartphone), and am fearful of doing something to the phone that would reduce its usefulness or (worse) stop it working completely. So because the solution to my problem probably involves replacing the stock ROM code with a 'special' ROM, and those ROMs are so poorly documented, I have heaps of questions before I'm confident to proceed.
I've read the 'Big thread For New Users (Rooting, Flashing, Firmwares, Mods, Tips, Tricks)'. I've installed Odin 4.42, and think I understand how to download a new ROM to the phone (but of course haven't tried it yet!!). I looked for a GT-S5660V specific forum, but couldn't find one.
1. If I install a custom ROM, what happens to all the built-in apps that came with the phone? [Some of these are vital to me!] Obviously the basic phone/SMS/data, Bluetooth and WiFi functions must continue to operate correctly.
2. What happens to all the additional apps I've bought and installed?
3. I don't especially want to change the 'look and feel' of my phone. I just want to free up internal storage by using the SD card as an 'extension' to internal storage, so I can continue adding and updating apps without running out. So which ROM is likely to achieve this on the GT-S5660V (I'd particularly like to hear from any Australians who have ROMmed their GT-S5660V with this feature, since I've read warnings about ROM versions that are for the GT-S5660 but NOT the GT-S5660V)?
4. In case the custom ROM doesn't work for me, how do I backup my current ROM so I can reinstall it?
Sorry for the long (and paranoid!) post, and I hope someone here can help me. Many thanks.
PS: I enjoyed the 'Noob Video' - very professionally made!
Daniel
(Gerroa, Australia)
DanielFFF said:
1. If I install a custom ROM, what happens to all the built-in apps that came with the phone? [Some of these are vital to me!] Obviously the basic phone/SMS/data, Bluetooth and WiFi functions must continue to operate correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing you'll have are what comes with the ROM you flash. That, of course, includes phone/SMS/data, Bluetooth and Wifi. If you run Astro (the free version is enough) you can save an apk file of any app you absolutely need, just to be sure it's available after you flash a ROM. (Then install Apk Installer, and it can install the apk file in the new ROM.)
2. What happens to all the additional apps I've bought and installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See #1. You should have the apk files for all the apps you need (free, paid and original) saved to your laptop/desktop or somewhere.
3. I don't especially want to change the 'look and feel' of my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The look and feel is the apps. The "desktop" is the launcher. You may find some that you actually like better than the stock one.
I just want to free up internal storage by using the SD card as an 'extension' to internal storage, so I can continue adding and updating apps without running out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With CM you can use up to 1GB on the SD card as internal storage. (Making the partition larger than 1GB in CM seems to cause problems. There's at least one ROM that can take a larger partition, but there's no version for your phone.)
So which ROM is likely to achieve this on the GT-S5660V (I'd particularly like to hear from any Australians who have ROMmed their GT-S5660V with this feature, since I've read warnings about ROM versions that are for the GT-S5660 but NOT the GT-S5660V)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NEVER flash a ROM that's not for your specific phone. At best it won't work. At worst you won't be able to recover the phone and you'll have to buy another one.
4. In case the custom ROM doesn't work for me, how do I backup my current ROM so I can reinstall it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Nandroid backup in the recovery boot. (And save the backup to your computer - the SD card will get wiped.)
Re: Paranoid newbie questions re replacement ROM
Many thanks, Rukbat, you reply has been very helpful. But as with any learning process, your answers have raised new questions!...
Rukbat said:
The only thing you'll have are what comes with the ROM you flash. That, of course, includes phone/SMS/data, Bluetooth and Wifi. If you run Astro (the free version is enough) you can save an apk file of any app you absolutely need, just to be sure it's available after you flash a ROM. (Then install Apk Installer, and it can install the apk file in the new ROM.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had Astro File Manager before, but uninstalled it when I started running short of storage, as I didn't think it offered anything that I couldn't do with ES File Explorer and Titanium Backup Pro. Do I really need to reinstall it, or will the backups from Titanium Backup do?
Rukbat said:
See #1. You should have the apk files for all the apps you need (free, paid and original) saved to your laptop/desktop or somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe Titanium Backup Pro backs up user apps and data, so once I reinstall Titanium with the new ROM, I should be able to recover my previous apps, yes?
Rukbat said:
With CM you can use up to 1GB on the SD card as internal storage. (Making the partition larger than 1GB in CM seems to cause problems. There's at least one ROM that can take a larger partition, but there's no version for your phone.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing that 'CM' is CyanogenMod? I'm still looking for a version specifically for the GT-S5660V. It worries me (I really am paranoid! ) that so many versions are 'unofficial', and so poorly documented.
Rukbat said:
NEVER flash a ROM that's not for your specific phone. At best it won't work. At worst you won't be able to recover the phone and you'll have to buy another one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what worries me most, as there are very few ROMs and such specifically made for the GT-S5660V – quite a few for the 'generic' Gio (GT-S5660), but few for the 'V' specifically. I read somewhere that the main difference is probably in the 3G frequencies used in Australia, and that some people had tried a 'generic' Gio ROM and lost some of their telephone functionality. Some mention of flashing the Modem code separately, but that just confuses me more!
Rukbat said:
Use Nandroid backup in the recovery boot. (And save the backup to your computer - the SD card will get wiped.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked up Nandroid backup, and it seems to get this I need to install ClockworkMod Recovery. ROM Manager is also recommended as an adjunct, so I've already installed v5.0.2.0 of that. Just need to find a GT-S5660V version of ClockworkMod Recovery now! I guess since it doesn't affect telephone functionality, a version for the generic Gio should be OK, such as http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1421650
It's so confusing for a beginner like me, with so many different versions around!
But I really appreciate your help so far, and hope you can continue to enlighten me.

[Q] Couple basic rooting questions for a noob

Hello all-
About a month ago I picked up an S3 with Verizon. While I did have an Android before, I never knew what rooting was until I was doing some basic research on the S3. I see some pretty good stuff, so I am thinking about making the plunge. I have answered a lot of my own questions, but I still have a couple.
I have found the correct procedure for rooting my S3 (already got the JB OTA) thanks to open1your1eyes0 here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046439
Seems pretty straightforward...
My questions are:
1. Using open's procedure, after rooting will my phone looks exactly the same as now? I thought I had read somewhere that Verizon apps such as My Verizon mobile VZ navigator etc are gone with this procedure?
2. With this procedure I will not lose any installed apps, contacts or photo's correct? (Unless I want to put on a different ROM)
3. I am a little concerned about this binary count I have read about.... is there an easy go around?
4. Finally, rooting as above, will this allow me to put apps on my SD card rather than the internal memory, or are there additional things I have to do?
Thanks to all in advance who contribute to this site!!!!!
godogs24 said:
Hello all-
About a month ago I picked up an S3 with Verizon. While I did have an Android before, I never knew what rooting was until I was doing some basic research on the S3. I see some pretty good stuff, so I am thinking about making the plunge. I have answered a lot of my own questions, but I still have a couple.
I have found the correct procedure for rooting my S3 (already got the JB OTA) thanks to open1your1eyes0 here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046439
Seems pretty straightforward...
My questions are:
1. Using open's procedure, after rooting will my phone looks exactly the same as now? I thought I had read somewhere that Verizon apps such as My Verizon mobile VZ navigator etc are gone with this procedure?
2. With this procedure I will not lose any installed apps, contacts or photo's correct? (Unless I want to put on a different ROM)
3. I am a little concerned about this binary count I have read about.... is there an easy go around?
4. Finally, rooting as above, will this allow me to put apps on my SD card rather than the internal memory, or are there additional things I have to do?
Thanks to all in advance who contribute to this site!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Your phone will be the same just with root access.
2. You will not lose your apps until you flash a custom ROM.
3. There is an app called triangle away that will take care of that.
4. You might have to install an app to do that.
jmxc23 said:
1. Your phone will be the same just with root access.
2. You will not lose your apps until you flash a custom ROM.
3. There is an app called triangle away that will take care of that.
4. You might have to install an app to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So all the Verizon specific apps will stay as they are?
Thanks so much
godogs24 said:
So all the Verizon specific apps will stay as they are?
Thanks so much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem if the verizon apps did disappear you can find them in the play store.
You can't put apps on the sdcard unless you create and run a script that in essence tricks the phone into thinking that the extSdCard is the internal sdcard
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Jarredw said:
You can't put apps on the sdcard unless you create and run a script that in essence tricks the phone into thinking that the extSdCard is the internal sdcard
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some ROMs have that script. I think it requires busybox or some other app that can run scripts.
Good a place to ask as any I guess.
If you just want root to de-bloat the phone, do you need to do the boot chain switching and install a custom recovery? I'm still confused on that part. Or can you just superuser via odin and leave it at at that?
jmxc23 said:
Some ROMs have that script. I think it requires busybox or some other app that can run scripts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Busybox gives the phone the ability to run certain commands that the android os doesn't contain natively I think. Then gscript is a good program to run the script. I'll try and do a search for it and post it back here.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

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