Database Info

to sbf before rom install or not?

im hoping to generate a consensus from this post. i see some ppl like to sbf before each new rom install and other not. is it necessary and why>?

From my understanding of the ROM development for the android platforms that still have to have proprietary frameworks, ie: Motoblur (droid2/X) and Touch Wiz (Galaxy S) you are not wiping and installing a whole new operating system like you do when you flash a HTC phone. So youre really just adding onto what you already have as a base. So it would be like taking a car and taking out stock parts and swapping for performance parts like exhaust, intake, etc.
This is just my understanding, it could be wrong. But my opinion and preference is when you change development teams like team defuse to say Jrummy16 roms, I like to SBF to stock to have a clean base. Sure its a PITA, but it keeps things from going horribly wrong.
gammaxgoblin said:
im hoping to generate a consensus from this post. i see some ppl like to sbf before each new rom install and other not. is it necessary and why>?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

SBFing before installing a new ROM is something I would recommend. I have had slight problems such as the clock keeping the color from the ROM before it, and just minor stuff like that. I really don't think its needed but I would say if you plan on keeping the new ROM for a long amount of time it would be better to SBF first just so you know that everything is going to be okay.

I would also advice to sbf back to stock, reroot and then insstall the new custom rom you want to run.
the only reason is since the roms are all diffrent then one another and have to generall base (besides stock) then flashing (sbf) to stock is a good idea to have the rom running at the fastest most stable potential.

I done goofed, need some advice.

Hey guys,
I got my first real smart phone about a week ago, it was a USC Samsung Mesmerize. Yesterday I stumbled upon rooting when trying to figure out how to remove useless pre installed apps. All I really want is a slim & fast version & to be able to keep my navigation.
I've had experience with flashing; Xbox 360 & PSP's. So I kind of jumped into this and ended up bricking my phone. Or damn close.
From looking at the back of my phone it says Galaxy S, so I went in that section and downloaded/flashed this originally (caused brick):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=940671
I did everything up to step 7, except it wouldnt boot past the splash screen.
So then came panic time...
I eventually reflashed with a new rom for the correct phone, This one to be exact:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=944671
My question is:
What have I really done now that I run on this rom?
I still cant uninstall preloaded software.
I would be willing to flash a new rom so I can have a faster phone.
But really no one makes it clear enough in there guides about how this process actually works.
my best guess is after I flashed with that rom I will be able to upgrade to a better rom?
What is FROYO EA11?
What is voodoo?

First off, consequences will never be the same...
You are now running a STOCK (leaked) 2.2 ROM, with a stock kernel and USCC App Bloat.
If you want a fast Android 2.2 with stock apps removed, do this:
1. Flash the EA11 + recovery via Odin, following the steps here.
2: Download the EA11 voodoo kernel found here and flash.
3: Boot into recovery and run update.zip (this will push you to a red clockwork recovery)
HINT: If you aren't familiar with clockwork recovery, the controls are slightly different. You use still use the volume buttons to navigate, but the power button is now used to execute selections and the search softkey to go back.
4: select install .zip from sdcard
5: select the voodoo .zip and confirm
This will install the new kernel and replace your recovery (which used to require booting into the Samsung recovery before making your way to the clockwork recovery by installing update.zip from sdcard) with a clockwork recovery that will look identical to the one you had after running update.zip, but can enable your newly acquired lagfix.
6: enable voodoo lagfix, and rejoice!
6: Optionally install the Pick and Pack ROM found here. (I WOULD!)
(Credits to MesmerizeUser for these steps, I copypasta'd and edited.)
Good luck with your back-tracing! Let us know if any steps are unclear.
Also, the payed version of Titanium Backup will let you "freeze" stock apps, so they don't appear in your menus, and they won't run, but you can "thaw" them whenever you like.
PS - FROYO EA11 is a leaked Android 2.2 ROM for the Mesmerize. Google names Android releases after deserts, like Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, etc.
Voodoo is a name of the kernel which changes your EXT2 partition (old school) to EXT4 (new school), and makes your file system much faster.

uselessmidget said:
Hey guys,
I got my first real smart phone about a week ago, it was a USC Samsung Mesmerize. Yesterday I stumbled upon rooting when trying to figure out how to remove useless pre installed apps. All I really want is a slim & fast version & to be able to keep my navigation.
I've had experience with flashing; Xbox 360 & PSP's. So I kind of jumped into this and ended up bricking my phone. Or damn close.
From looking at the back of my phone it says Galaxy S, so I went in that section and downloaded this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=940671
I did everything up to step 7, except it wouldnt boot past the splash screen.
So then came panic time...
I eventually reflashed with a new rom, This one to be exact:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=944671
My question is:
What have I really done now that I run on this rom?
I still cant uninstall preloaded software.
I would be willing to flash a new rom so I can have a faster phone.
But really no one makes it clear enough in there guides about how this process acctually works.
my best guess is after I flashed with that rom I will be able to upgrade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, first of all, welcome. You've come to the right place to do several things. The first of which is to learn. Don't freak out. You're phone is in good hands here in this forum. Unless you really try hard, you can't do much to actually bork it up so bad that we can't fix it.
So, what you have done up to this point is update your phone to the leaked 2.2 firmware. It's not a ROM, it's actually the full firmware. If you want to remove bloat, the easiest way is to now install my EA11 Pick-n-Pack ROM, which already probably lighter than you want it. The good thing, is that it also has an addons pack that you can download to put anything back on that you want. Everything is there in easily flashable zip files. You just have to look inside if you don't see the actual name of something in particular. (ie. calendar is in SamsungandTouchWiz.zip) Now if you want faster with your new light weight ROM, go with the EA11 Voodoo kernel to help boost you up as well. This isn't a final build, as we don't have source code yet so understand this is just a small improvement on the stock kernel. Now, if you want to get all the way back to stock 2.1, might I suggest this thread to help with that. And for some help getting to know a little about everything, pop over to the irc channel in my signature and talk to anyone that happens to be there. We're here to help. If they don't answer, they've probably stepped away. Some of us hang out there and leave the computer idle while we're doing other things.
Again, welcome aboard. I hope some of that info helped you out.

first off...welcome...second if i would have done that i think i may have left a mess in my pants...but seems like you got it running good again plz trust me when i say listen to phidelt82, he will not give you any wrong advise...because of him and a few others, my phone kicks ass and im actually trying to learn how to make themes and roms (dont know much but learning), so yea...you came to the right place to make your phone truly your (with there software...lol)

Yoder808 said:
First off, consequences will never be the same...
You are now running a STOCK (leaked) 2.2 ROM, with a stock kernel and USCC App Bloat.
If you want a fast Android 2.2 with stock apps removed, do this:
1. Flash the EA11 + recovery via Odin, following the steps here.
2: Download the EA11 voodoo kernel found here and flash.
Voodoo is a name of the kernel which changes your EXT2 partition (old school) to EXT4 (new school), and makes your file system much faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off thanks for the quick and acurate responses guys.
About what you said here though:
The "kernal" I loaded claims to be EA11 Stock, you are telling me I need EA11 voodoo Kernal, its called voodoo because its modified. -would this statement be correct?
Yoder808 said:
6: Optionally install the Pick and Pack ROM found here. (I WOULD!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would only be used for installing specific preloaded apps, correct?
phidelt82 said:
So, what you have done up to this point is update your phone to the leaked 2.2 firmware. It's not a ROM, it's actually the full firmware. If you want to remove bloat, the easiest way is to now install my EA11 Pick-n-Pack ROM, which already probably lighter than you want it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically this is a light rom with the ability to add the removed pre-load apps?
phidelt82 said:
Now, if you want to get all the way back to stock 2.1, might I suggest this thread
Again, welcome aboard. I hope some of that info helped you out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There most likely is no reason to go back to stock 2.1, correct? My shot in the dark is the reason you would want to is to not get usc on your back and larger selection of stable roms and kernels?
Thanks, you guys f***ing rock.

uselessmidget said:
First off thanks for the quick and acurate responses guys.
About what you said here though:
The "kernal" I loaded claims to be EA11 Stock, you are telling me I need EA11 voodoo Kernal, its called voodoo because its modified. -would this statement be correct?
This would only be used for installing specific preloaded apps, correct?
So basically this is a light rom with the ability to add the removed pre-load apps?
There most likely is no reason to go back to stock 2.1, correct? My shot in the dark is the reason you would want to is to not get usc on your back and larger selection of stable roms and kernels?
Thanks, you guys f***ing rock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the voodoo kernel is modified with a lag fix. it will speed up your phone a bit. there is a program in the market called quadrant. run the full benchmark and you will get an idea of how your phone stacks up against others and will also give you a base score for your phone. if you do not have voodoo kernel installed your score will be around 800-900, after voodoo your score will be up around 1500.
the pick-n-pack rom lets you addon via the pnpaddons file, stuff you want on your phone prior to flashing. you pick what you want and flash it.
yes it is "a light rom with the ability to add the removed pre-load apps"
the leaked froyo and the voodoo kernel are very nice, i wouldn't go back to eclair 2.1 unless you needed to return the phone to uscc for whatever reason.
good luck and happy flashing.

Just an update guys, Thanks to phidelt82 I am now running 2.2 PnP w/ Voodoo Kernel.
The diffrence is night and day, used to get slow w/ a little lag every now and then. Now its always fast. Thanks again.

Special_opps said:
run the full benchmark and you will get an idea of how your phone stacks up against others and will also give you a base score for your phone. if you do not have voodoo kernel installed your score will be around 800-900, after voodoo your score will be up around 1500.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet 1506 here.

and dont forget for roms you may flash... you can not UNINSTALL phone apps..... via the 'manage applications' menu.
you have to use a program like Root Explorer and physically DELETE them from the /system/app folder along with other folders they reside in.
only Cyanogen (i think) allows for uninstalling for actual phone programs.

v_lestat said:
and dont forget for roms you may flash... you can not UNINSTALL phone apps..... via the 'manage applications' menu.
you have to use a program like Root Explorer and physically DELETE them from the /system/app folder along with other folders they reside in.
only Cyanogen (i think) allows for uninstalling for actual phone programs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also un-install stock apps with Titanium Backup.
Also, it seems like you're rushing into this a little bit.
Relax getting into the dev community is like getting into a slightly chilly pool, you need to ease in.
That said, welcome, and I look forward to seeing you around.

vluhd said:
You can also un-install stock apps with Titanium Backup.
Also, it seems like you're rushing into this a little bit.
Relax getting into the dev community is like getting into a slightly chilly pool, you need to ease in.
That said, welcome, and I look forward to seeing you around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's about the best words of wisdom I've heard... I think that should be posted in huge letters for every new person Registering to the site... And possibly it should flash across their screen until they're 10th post along with the other new Rules!!!
Oh and welcome aboard to OP!!! Hope you enjoy your NEW & Improved phone

Yoder808 said:
Voodoo is a name of the kernel which changes your EXT2 partition (old school) to EXT4 (new school), and makes your file system much faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It takes changes your partitions from RFS to EXT4.

elijahblake said:
That's about the best words of wisdom I've heard... I think that should be posted in huge letters for every new person Registering to the site... And possibly it should flash across their screen until they're 10th post along with the other new Rules!!!
Oh and welcome aboard to OP!!! Hope you enjoy your NEW & Improved phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What we should do is edit the top of the post for "Getting your phone back to stock" to say "Don't Panic" in huge blue letters. lol

Yoder808 said:
First off, consequences will never be the same...
You are now running a STOCK (leaked) 2.2 ROM, with a stock kernel and USCC App Bloat.
If you want a fast Android 2.2 with stock apps removed, do this:
1. Flash the EA11 + recovery via Odin, following the steps here.
2: Download the EA11 voodoo kernel found here and flash.
3: Boot into recovery and run update.zip (this will push you to a red clockwork recovery)
HINT: If you aren't familiar with clockwork recovery, the controls are slightly different. You use still use the volume buttons to navigate, but the power button is now used to execute selections and the search softkey to go back.
4: select install .zip from sdcard
5: select the voodoo .zip and confirm
This will install the new kernel and replace your recovery (which used to require booting into the Samsung recovery before making your way to the clockwork recovery by installing update.zip from sdcard) with a clockwork recovery that will look identical to the one you had after running update.zip, but can enable your newly acquired lagfix.
6: enable voodoo lagfix, and rejoice!
6: Optionally install the Pick and Pack ROM found here. (I WOULD!)
(Credits to MesmerizeUser for these steps, I copypasta'd and edited.)
Good luck with your back-tracing! Let us know if any steps are unclear.
Also, the payed version of Titanium Backup will let you "freeze" stock apps, so they don't appear in your menus, and they won't run, but you can "thaw" them whenever you like.
PS - FROYO EA11 is a leaked Android 2.2 ROM for the Mesmerize. Google names Android releases after deserts, like Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, etc.
Voodoo is a name of the kernel which changes your EXT2 partition (old school) to EXT4 (new school), and makes your file system much faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to bust your balls but its really rfs not ext2. Ext 2 is faster than ext 4 actually.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Thanks for the help, opinions, arguments over file systems. Good stuff.
Btw is battery life a problem for anyone else? Luckly I have charging availible most of the time. I work as a production manager and starting at 7 by 8:00 the phone is at 89%
no programs running according to task manager, ram cleared, about 4 5mins calls

uselessmidget said:
Thanks for the help, opinions, arguments over file systems. Good stuff.
Btw is battery life a problem for anyone else? Luckly I have charging availible most of the time. I work as a production manager and starting at 7 by 8:00 the phone is at 89%
no programs running according to task manager, ram cleared, about 4 5mins calls
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people have had battery issues with 2.2, some haven't.
I personally did, so I flashed back to 2.1

dcow90 said:
It takes changes your partitions from RFS to EXT4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correction noted!

[Q] Clean Rom

Hello everyone,
What exactly does Clean Rom do? How is it different from what comes with the phone stock? Will Clean Rom mess with the updates that are pushed to our phones? Any big differences between layout?
Sorry for all the questions. I'm just not familiar with modifying my phone.

Must read more. Spend as much time as you can reading in the dev section. Clean ROM removes all of the ATT bloat and adds functionality like the FM radio and remapping the 3 dot menu button that takes up screen real-estate to the recent apps softkey. The recent apps can be accessed by holding down the home button, like we're familiar with. It also has performance and battery tweaks (says so in the changelog, haven't been using it long enough to notice). I flashed it the day before yesterday and I'm liking it.
Sent from my HTC One X

Clean Rom doesn't use profane language, think of it as the Will Smith of Roms...
Sent from my HOX running WCX

Did you bother to go to the Development forum, and read the CleanROM threads? They very well describe the features of each version of CleanROM.
You don't ever want to install an OTA update once on a custom ROM. It won't be compatible. Either it won't install, or it will remove root, or it will totally bork the system. The devs typically keep their ROM updated to the newest firmware base, and often long before the OTAs go out. So there is virtually never a benefit to updating via OTA (even if it did work).

Most custom ROMs prevent you from even getting an update pushed in the first place. Kind of a non-issue there.
To the OP, if you want to flash custom, just do it. Spend a few days on Clean, try out Smokin's ROM, too. Just find something you like. Worst that can happen is you RUU back to stock.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

SoberGuy said:
Most custom ROMs prevent you from even getting an update pushed in the first place. Kind of a non-issue there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on the device, and I believe the carrier (and maybe the custom ROM as you mentioned). I've gotten OTA notification, and even able to download OTA (didn't install it, just to see if it would actually download . . . some have said custom ROMs will prevent that too) on 2 previous HTC devices on custom ROMs. But one was a Canada Bell phone used on AT&T, and the other was the WiFi-only Flyer tablet. So it may be that AT&T somehow directly blocks OTA to rooted phones.

redpoint73 said:
Depends on the device, and I believe the carrier (and maybe the custom ROM as you mentioned). I've gotten OTA notification, and even able to download OTA (didn't install it, just to see if it would actually download . . . some have said custom ROMs will prevent that too) on 2 previous HTC devices on custom ROMs. But one was a Canada Bell phone used on AT&T, and the other was the WiFi-only Flyer tablet. So it may be that AT&T somehow directly blocks OTA to rooted phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think att can see your on a custom ROM, it has to do with if the developer is able to include that ability or not.

Thank you for the replies!
I'm trying my best to understand how Clean Rom works. Is it the same thing as rooting a phone? Any disadvantages of using Clean Rom?
I'm just curious about how it works because I tried jailbreaking my iPhone and that made it very crash prone. It's a bad example but it's the reason why I never tried using custom software again but I'm interested in giving this a try. I only get about 2 hours screen time and about 12 hours of screen off time for my phone to die.
I did the HTC battery test and my phone went down to 92% so I'm pretty sure it's not the battery that's wrong with the phone.

RPTheLefty said:
I'm trying my best to understand how Clean Rom works. Is it the same thing as rooting a phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears you need to do more reading to get a better understanding or root, ROMs, etc.
Root is just a change of permissions on your phone. It allows the user and apps access to system files that are normally restricted. Nothing more, nothing less.
Clean ROM (or installation of any custom ROM) is a total replacement of the firmware or operating system of the phone (also called a "ROM"). Clean ROM in particular is mostly based on the latest stock firmware version, but cleaned up to remove bloat, optimizations to make it faster and smoother, and some cool added features. There are 3 different versions of CleanROM. Just read the threads for each version to learn the differences.
I don't really keep up with iPhone stuff. But my understanding is that jailbreaking adds functionality, but makes the system less stable.
Whether a custom ROM on Android makes the phone more or less stable depends on the ROM. Some are ported from other phones, to give new UI look or functions, but can be a bit buggy at first. But any good ROM will be stable once it reaches "maturity" and the bugs are worked out. They can be very stable, and even more stable and smoother than the stock ROM. Which is one of the points of running a custom ROM.
CleanROM in particular is based on stock firmware, just cleaned up. So its very stable. Just as stable as stock, a bit smoother in some places, and with some awesome added features. Any disadvantages? Not really. But you need to unlock the bootloader to install any custom ROM, which voids the warranty. nd flashing anything to the phone has the risk of damage if you don't follow the instructions properly. Thats the only downsides I can think of (for any custom ROM, not just for CleanROM).

Redpoint had an excellent summary.
If you're looking for battery life improvement, there are significant advantages to a custom ROM. Some will allow you to adjust the clock rate for the processors. So you can turn the up a bit (overclock) to get incredible performance, or you can turn them down a bit (underclock) to get better battery life.
If that's your main goal, I personally suggest Sick Sense from Smokingl337. He has incorporated this into his ROM, and the reports I've seen have been positive. I had used his ROM before, and I did like it. The day I flashed CleanROM due to a minor bug, Smokinl337 updated his ROM to fix that bug. Figures! But I'll be going back to Sick Sense pretty soon, I'm sure.
Hopefully you can find something that works for you.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Different kernel or different radio may also help battery life.
But you need to root, SuperCID, and unlock bootloader to do any of these things (including flashing custom ROMs). So head over to Development and start reading:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1671237

There is also a clean rom developers edition that takes out most of the HTC sense... there is the cm9 alpha 4 rom that seems very stable...
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

OP, I was in your shoes last week. New to android/roms etc. I rooted, unlocked the bootloader and flashed Clean Rom. Just follow the instructions in the associated threads and you'll be fine.

Please help solve software issues w/ Captivate i896. Advice on installing custom ROMS

Hello everybody,
I´ve got a Rogers Captivate i896 with Firmware version 2.2 (stock Rogers firmware(Canada), flashed 1 year ago, upgrading from 2.1 stock)
Kernel version 2.6.32.9
Modem version UXJL1
Rooted, unlocked and 1 click Lagfix
I´m on Rogers network.
Problems:
1) Many applications stop working once updated. IM+ version 4.xx works, anything higher crashes on start. Same story happens with LOTS of apps from Playstore, so I´m forced to be careful when updating apps. This is becoming super-annoying.
2)Recently, installed DROIDVPN and TUN.KO installer to use Dell voice on an Unlimited Mobile Browsing plan(crippled data for WAP browsing). It worked beautifully for 1 day, now starting DROIDVPN or TUN.KO makes the phone restart.
3)I´d like to get rid of built-in garbage, most of which I do not use, to have more control over running apps, especially those that hang themselves into start-up.
4) I´d like to get better battery life. I use my phone more and more, I´ve got 2 batteries and and external charger, and yet i sometimes have trouble getting to the end of the day without my phone dying/I]
Solutions.
I imagine that the only explanation for apps that simply refuse to work is that they are designed for newer Android systems. This happened with Skype that didn´t work with Eclair, but does work with 2.2.
Should I upgrade to ICS?
I have some experience flashing, yet I´m far from an expert. What´s the most fail-safe plan of actions? Would the following work:
1)Backup everything using TitaniumBackup
2)Install custom bootloader that would allow me to flash install.zip from external SD card
3)Choose a custom ROM based on user feedbacks, like Cyanogen MOD.
4)Restore all the apps
5)Experiment with different modem firmware to see which gives me best performance
I no longer have time to tinker around in the dark, so I´d like to have a plan before I get started. Any input on the possible solutions to the problems I´m experiencing?
Thank you in advance.

All the info you need on how to flash (specific to Canadian / Rogers version of Captivate):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1350266
Modems for specific region:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1227717
Just a question: why haven't you upgraded to Rogers official GB?
And BTW, ICS is a massive improvement over 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3.
I have a great experience with this ICS Rom:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1522881
But there are others that are just as good I'm sure.

My 2 cents:
Stay away from ICS. It has the ability to damage your SD card.
Use this post to upgrade to gingerbread. Then use the utility in my signature to get root and cwm. Then choose a GB based ROM that suits your needs. May I suggest Legend?

¨Use this post to upgrade to gingerbread. Then use the utility in my signature to get root and cwm¨
Wouldn´t it be wiser to get clockwork mod before any upgrading just in case things go bad? I vaguely remember using clockworkmod last time I dealt with flashing, isn´t it a loader that allows you to load install.zip from SD card? Or would flashing a new system wipe out the mod as well?
How exactly can ICS damage SD card. Are you talking about the external SD or the built-in SD storage in the phone?
I´ve read partially the threads on Legend and Android Open Kang Project - captivatemtd - Milestone 6. Both sound pretty good. As far as you guys know, which rom is known to give best battery life?

If you're going to upgrade to a custom rom that is Gingerbread or Higher, you will need the Gingerbread bootloaders. That is why I say to go to stock Gingerbread first.
ICS can cause the Encryption Unsuccessful bug as seen here. It will cause you to lose all access to the built-in SD storage. It doesn't happen to everyone, but when it does, you'll wish you had heeded my advice.

Lifecycle of ROM's posted here - Alpha, Beta, offcial?

Hello,
I have a general noob question on the custom [ROM] threads.
Do custom ROM's posted go though an alpha, beta, official release stages? I see some [ROM] threads marked with an alpha or beta... while some others are not.
thanks!

U r right, alpha means something major is broken, beta its the "refinig" stage, and final its the complete rom
sent from the gray stuff inside my skull

demonoid phenomenom said:
U r right, alpha means something major is broken, beta its the "refinig" stage, and final its the complete rom
sent from the gray stuff inside my skull
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this process that is true for all ROMs that are posted? I see a few ROMs that don't say alpha or beta. Does it mean they are release grade?

gcretro said:
Is this process that is true for all ROMs that are posted? I see a few ROMs that don't say alpha or beta. Does it mean they are release grade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no such thing as release grade. Everything should be considered at least developmental in some form or fashion.
The terms of alpha and beta do not mean what most people think they do in here.
Even the ones marked alpha and beta can still be daily drivers, just take a look at the first post of each ROM you are thinking about and see if the bugs will "bug" you like for instance any of the CM based ROMs here have issues with camera and video and few other small bugs.
Any ROM based off of "stock" will have less/no bugs and therefore not marked as beta or alpha, since they are not compiled.
It all depends on your personal needs as to what you are comfortable with and if you can deal with certain things not working right out of the box, or that you might have to make a work around for.

I call mine "alpha" or "beta" depending on bugs and/or how much more work I expect to put into it... and my mood at the time
Jim explained it well... it's all subjective to the dev and the end-user..
Best to just make a good backup, know how to restore it, and slap a new ROM on your phone to try it out for yourself.
That being said, be on the lookout for a gamma version of Numa ... (j/k - it's been a long time since I was back on ICS)
Sent from my paranoid phone's mind

alteredlikeness said:
I call mine "alpha" or "beta" depending on bugs and/or how much more work I expect to put into it... and my mood at the time
Jim explained it well... it's all subjective to the dev and the end-user..
Best to just make a good backup, know how to restore it, and slap a new ROM on your phone to try it out for yourself.
That being said, be on the lookout for a gamma version of Numa ... (j/k - it's been a long time since I was back on ICS)
Sent from my paranoid phone's mind
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Regarding making a good back up, Should I just follow the CWM thread? I found this link in the newbie thread. However, there was little explanation on it's use.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19355021&postcount=1
- Does using the CWM recovery to create a back up have any per-requisites? Can I use it on my stock AT&T Atrix2 that is still on GB?
- If I understand correct, this is used to dump an entire image of the phone (firmware, OS, apps, files etc...) to an SD card? And one can later restore back from.
- I am planing flashing the NUMA Rom. If I take a back up using CWM, I assume I can restore everything to they way it was (i.e. back to GB) without risks?
thanks

gcretro said:
Thanks.
Regarding making a good back up, Should I just follow the CWM thread? I found this link in the newbie thread. However, there was little explanation on it's use.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19355021&postcount=1
- Does using the CWM recovery to create a back up have any per-requisites? Can I use it on my stock AT&T Atrix2 that is still on GB?
- If I understand correct, this is used to dump an entire image of the phone (firmware, OS, apps, files etc...) to an SD card? And one can later restore back from.
- I am planing flashing the NUMA Rom. If I take a back up using CWM, I assume I can restore everything to they way it was (i.e. back to GB) without risks?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, you need to get ICS on your phone if you want to flash Numa. You must be on 4.0.4 firmware to flash any of the ICS and/or JB based ROMs. The choice is yours on how to get there... please search thoroughly, as it has been covered an insane amount of times.
But, to try and answer your questions:
-Yes, the pre-requisites are that you need to be rooted, and have a custom recovery installed on your phone.. and an sdcard. You can do it on your rooted GB phone, but you cannot restore a GB backup while you are on ICS (for the only way to have the option to return to GB from ICS, you need to look here and here - but some will say there's no reason to go back to GB.. maybe nostalgia )
-A backup will backup your current system, data, and sometimes cache - and it will usually make a new folder, named by date, with a few .tar files inside of a "clockworkmod" folder on your sdcard. And yes, those are what you restore (when restoring, you choose the backup by date/folder name).
-No, you can not restore a GB backup from Numa (see above comments.. again) - also see here for a note on compatibly between different custom recovery options (might be easiest/safest to use BMM, I think you can flash all ROMs with that now..)

So if I understand all that correctly, here is my summary of steps to install Numa. Appreciate if you can correct my steps in-line if I am wrong. [Current state of my phone: Atrix2 on stock GB (AT&T). Only thing I have done is uninstalled/removed unwanted apps.]
Steps:
1. First get on ICS leak-1 following Jim thread. [OR OTA to the official/final ICS. But if I do this, I lose the option to return to GB? or will I loose that ability regardless since Numa itself is based on final ICS OTA?]
2. Install CWM A2 bootstrap recover from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19355021&postcount=1
(No point taking a backup now I suppose since going back to GB isn't an option after Numa.)
3. Then follow the install instructions under the Numa Rom thread.
4. Once I have Numa up & running, I suppose I am limited to putting only those ICS/JB based roms that don't require me to be on leak-1?
On a side note, I hate how they have removed the "contacts" tab, "Only show contacts with phone number" option etc... from the Dialer app in ICS and replaced it with the People thingy . I like GB dialer. Also, In ICS they seem to have removed the data saver option that was available in GB.
Thx

gcretro said:
So if I understand all that correctly, here is my summary of steps to install Numa. Appreciate if you can correct my steps in-line if I am wrong. [Current state of my phone: Atrix2 on stock GB (AT&T). Only thing I have done is uninstalled/removed unwanted apps.]
Steps:
1. First get on ICS leak-1 following Jim thread. [OR OTA to the official/final ICS. But if I do this, I lose the option to return to GB? or will I loose that ability regardless since Numa itself is based on final ICS OTA?]
If you uninstalled any stock apps, the installation of the update will probably fail, and you will either need to fix your system by replacing everything (very carefully).. or just FXZ back to stock GB<--post is a bit out-dated. [Yes, if you ota to final ICS, you can not return to GB ever. It doesn't matter what the ROM you flash is based on, they basically only change your /system partition (and data) - the problem is the new bootloader in final ICS.
Make a full backup of your stock ICS if you want to go back to it (see below - probably best to use BMM to backup)
2. Install CWM A2 bootstrap recover from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19355021&postcount=1
(No point taking a backup now I suppose since going back to GB isn't an option after Numa.)
You could use that, or BootMenu Manager (I heard that it works to flash roms now - it used to not - and I personally have not tested it recently.. so, not sure - and we also have Safestrap, but not sure of the status on that - still a wip, I think). Either way, you will loose it once you flash Numa... you will need to reinstall it to flash a different rom or make a backup (I recommend using BMM to make a backup since it's compatible with the CM10-based recovery, and since it is easy to uninstall)
3. Then follow the install instructions under the Numa Rom thread.
Yup.. maybe a bit outdated also, but wipe data/factory reset, dalvik-cache maybe, then install zip..
4. Once I have Numa up & running, I suppose I am limited to putting only those ICS/JB based roms that don't require me to be on leak-1?
You can put any ICS/JB rom available for our phone, if you wish - or restore the backup you made of stock ICS before installing Numa
On a side note, I hate how they have removed the "contacts" tab, "Only show contacts with phone number" option etc... from the Dialer app in ICS and replaced it with the People thingy . I like GB dialer. Also, In ICS they seem to have removed the data saver option that was available in GB.
There are other ways to get from dialer to contacts in ICS (underneath the favorites tab, scroll down.. or is that only jb?)
Thx
No prob. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See in-line..