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[Q] NB Question regarding removal of crapware

I am new to android world. just got HTC TMOUS sensation. i read about root your phone and S-Off etc. looks intimidating to a newbie like me. what I want to do is just be able to permanently remove crapware and just have clear device. i was able to do it temp-root method ,and used Titanium backup to uninstall crap. but if by any chance phone reboots , then i have to do it all over. So my question is
1) how can i achieve permanent removal of extra software (bloatware, crapware) without flashing any ROM? If that not possbile , then
2) is there any script or automated option for Titanium backup to unistall all the crap in one go, instead of doing it one by one?
Thanks in advance.

abachhan75 said:
I am new to android world. just got HTC TMOUS sensation. i read about root your phone and S-Off etc. looks intimidating to a newbie like me. what I want to do is just be able to permanently remove crapware and just have clear device. i was able to do it temp-root method ,and used Titanium backup to uninstall crap. but if by any chance phone reboots , then i have to do it all over. So my question is
1) how can i achieve permanent removal of extra software (bloatware, crapware) without flashing any ROM? If that not possbile , then
2) is there any script or automated option for Titanium backup to unistall all the crap in one go, instead of doing it one by one?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
start here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1200403
do some reading youll feel more comfortable with things
Go to this thread and get S-Off. Its very simple if you follow it step by step and there is plenty of people out there willing to help. (hell send me a PM if you need help)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192300
Then your going to want to update your radio using this thread, another easy one just put latest file on sd card. shut off phone and boot using power and down volume. itll automatically ask you to flash it. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1178143
Then get on the latest and greatest rom. youll have speed, stability, and better battery life. Download InsertCoin 2.3.4

thanks 4 quick reply, gathering some courage. what is the best way to backup all my app setting? (titanium backup ?) i have temp-rooted the device.

If you don't want to flash any ROMs you can just get S-OFF using Revolutionary, acquire root (follow the guide), and then use Titanium Backup to fully uninstall the crap you don't want. That will be permanent.
I would go ahead and get S-OFF and ditch Temp-Root as that is pretty obsolete at this point. It's easy if you read beforehand, follow the guide, and ask for help if needed.

abachhan75 said:
thanks 4 quick reply, gathering some courage. what is the best way to backup all my app setting? (titanium backup ?) i have temp-rooted the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
titanium is the way to go to backup stuff if your temp-rooted. Id reccommend just batch backup of USER apps not system ones because the custom roms youll be installing will have a lot of updates to system apps.
Good luck man any questions shoot me a pm or raden^ he knows his **** and is helpful as hell too

thanks friends, i will try over the weekend. now it is time to go ...

Id seriously reconsider S-OFF if you DONT want ROMs! It aint easy to get S-ON again in the event a button falls off your phone or some other random warranty related incident occurs. If you send back an S-OFF phone to Tmobile or HTC, they MIGHT accuse you of voiding your warranty.
If you just want to stop bloatware, go the temp root method and FREEZE (Not delete) the thing you dont want. Then, you can reboot and no longer be rooted and still be S-ON.
I say to FREEZE and not DELETE because Tmobile or HTC may become suspicious as to where their bloatware went when you send them your phone. If you simply froze it, you can temp root, then UNFREEZE what you did and then reboot to remove the traces of an obvious root.
Alot of people here are irresponsibly pushing S-OFF on people when they REALLY need to find out if that is what they TRULY need!
I dont want to flash ANYONE's ROMs, but plan to get CM7 a shot.
Matt

mrg02d said:
I say to FREEZE and not DELETE because Tmobile or HTC may become suspicious as to where their bloatware went when you send them your phone. If you simply froze it, you can temp root, then UNFREEZE what you did and then reboot to remove the traces of an obvious root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would agree with this. Don't delete anything without a backup or use the Freeze method with Titanium Backup. That way if something goes wrong, you're not up a creek!
mrg02d said:
Alot of people here are irresponsibly pushing S-OFF on people when they REALLY need to find out if that is what they TRULY need!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree'd again. Don't jump into S-OFF if you aren't comfortable with it or don't plan on flashing custom ROMs. If it's just bloatware you wish to remove, use Titanium.
Good luck!

now i am bit more confused as they say at wall street, it is a risk-reward balance you have to consider.

i have installed launcher EX, i like it so far, can i uninstall sense altogether using titanium backup app?

Making sure I understand all this rooting stuff

Hi, I am waiting for my HTC Sensation to arrive from eBay. New to android and have been reading about rooting. Just want to make sure I am getting this clear:
So, to root, I'll need to to the S-off thing with revolution, then clockwork recovery, then SU to actually root it right?
I am not sure whether I need to root it, but I am interested in unlocking it for SIM and I read there's a way to do it if the phone is rooted. Also, I probably don't need some of the T-mobile apps and want to delete it. However, do I have necessarily have to flash a custom ROM after I rooted it? Can I just use what came with the HTC?
However, if I do this, I guess I can't update through HTC/T-mobile anymore right? So I'll have to flash some ROM, but does it have some modify ROM, or can I use the ROM that's official from HTC?
Can someone please correct me if I misunderstood the process? And also, can I reverse all this if I decide I just want to use it the way it was shipped except simunlocked, and be able to update newer version of the OS from HTC.
Thanks

Sensation rooting
I was just like you about a month and half ago. im new to android aslo but i'll help you. first- your right about using the revolutionary method and installing clockwork and super user. as for unlocking it for a SIM you might need super cid check this out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192300
to remove some tmobile apps use titanium backup (it's in the market)
As for roms im using stock but it's rooted. but before you root please update to 2.3.4 because it really improve your phone but yes you would have to flash update roms after you root. but you can find the official one's here if you look for them as soon as they come out.

pretty much yes to your questions...even if you root you can stay with your stock rom and just use titanium backup to delete all the junk u dont want. Also, even if you cant get updates officially, devs here are nice enuf to post the newest stock roms for you to flash so dont worry. so i suggest you read these three threads to start off and have fun (just read directions very carefully)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192300
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1137311
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1232107
edit: ah, i guess someone else was replying too

darryll4sh0 said:
I was just like you about a month and half ago. im new to android aslo but i'll help you. first- your right about using the revolutionary method and installing clockwork and super user. as for unlocking it for a SIM you might need super cid check this out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192300
to remove some tmobile apps use titanium backup (it's in the market)
As for roms im using stock but it's rooted. but before you root please update to 2.3.4 because it really improve your phone but yes you would have to flash update roms after you root. but you can find the official one's here if you look for them as soon as they come out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. So I can only remove some t-mobile apps if it's rooted right? I was thinking of updating to the newest version before considering rooting. I think I will be kinda in the same situation as you....so when you say stock rooted rom...it's basically the same ROM as what t-mobile has with SENSE etc...but can be apply to a rooted phone without losing root right?
Finally, since you're not using any custom ROM and stuff... do u find it worthwhile rooting? what other advantage have you notice if you're using the stock ROM?
Thanks again!

rooting sensation
My rom is the same one that comes when you first get the phone. the only expectation is that it's updated to 2.3.4 instead of 2.3.3 and that it's rooted. When you root imagine like it's a window's pc and instead of using the guest account where stuff is limited, your now able to use the administrator account which lets you do anything.
As for advantages, i wanted to improve it's speed and battery life. the update helps but you'll find out that tmobile has alot of apps running in the background which slows it down and uses more battery and they also included useless app or two of the same kind of app. Right now im looking at other roms because im kinda tired of sense but i wish i could keep it's widgets.

darryll4sh0 said:
My rom is the same one that comes when you first get the phone. the only expectation is that it's updated to 2.3.4 instead of 2.3.3 and that it's rooted. When you root imagine like it's a window's pc and instead of using the guest account where stuff is limited, your now able to use the administrator account which lets you do anything.
As for advantages, i wanted to improve it's speed and battery life. the update helps but you'll find out that tmobile has alot of apps running in the background which slows it down and uses more battery and they also included useless app or two of the same kind of app. Right now im looking at other roms because im kinda tired of sense but i wish i could keep it's widgets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great. I think I'll just stick with the 2.3.4 firmware for now before considering flashing any custom ROMs etc.
So just so I am clear, I should update the unrooted phone to 2.3.4 when I get it. then I can perform the S-off, clockwork, superuser to get it rooted and just leave it as it is and use the existing ROM as it came with the phone. Until I need to update to a higher version, I will then flash a rooted version of whatever t-mobile came out with from here. Is that the deal?
Finally, what's superCID? Do I need that?
Thanks again.. you guys been a great help! I can't wait to play around with this when I get the phone this weekend

Rooting
Yep your correct....
As for super CID is something like a carrier unlock. This has something to do with updates i think. but by adding this you can flash any carrier's rom onto your phone. for example vodafone and orange are both 2 different europe phone companies and they both include different apps on their roms just like tmobile give there special apps. With super-CID you can put anyone of those carries rom on you phone regardless if it's a europe, usa, or asia sensation. but you don't need- i haven't put it on either.

[Q] Is it safe to assume...

First off, let me apologize for being a NOOB. I hate myself. HOWEVER, I watched the video and I'm following the rules. So go easy...
AFTER having ready TONS and TONS of post and threads, I have still not found a definitive answer to my question.
Is there a copy of the stock ROM (or RUU) for the HTC Doubleshot (aka myTouch 4G Slide) that is readily available?
I have had my phone for about a month and am now wanting to root. I would like to have a stock backup for warranty reasons (obviously). I have never rooted an Android. I have "jailbroke" many iPhones and in the begining I always had a backup just in case. Is this not a possibility right now for the HTC Doubleshot?

XigntCrcmstnc said:
First off, let me apologize for being a NOOB. I hate myself. HOWEVER, I watched the video and I'm following the rules. So go easy...
AFTER having ready TONS and TONS of post and threads, I have still not found a definitive answer to my question.
Is there a copy of the stock ROM (or RUU) for the HTC Doubleshot (aka myTouch 4G Slide) that is readily available?
I have had my phone for about a month and am now wanting to root. I would like to have a stock backup for warranty reasons (obviously). I have never rooted an Android. I have "jailbroke" many iPhones and in the begining I always had a backup just in case. Is this not a possibility right now for the HTC Doubleshot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't hate yourself, everyone starts somewhere. Welcome to android, where a stock, un-rooted device is capable of much more then a jailbroken i-anything.
There are a couple of ways to go about getting a backup - click the link to backup guide in my signature to see how to go about making backups of your data (both through ADB and CWM).
If you want to grab a ROM file from the dev section, supposing you don't have your own backup:
In the dev section:
De-odexed stock repack
Stock - equivalent of a factory reset on a fresh device
And also, Undeadk9 made a stock version that is de-odexed, has root and so forth, check it out:
Stock - rooted, busybox, etc...
Also, once you get from S-ON to S-OFF there really is no way to go back, but it won't have any impact on your warranty or exchange ability if needed.

Thanks. I am looking forward to this. If you are referring to the Stock ROM uploading by UndeadK9 or PaulObrian ( i think those were the names) I have already kind of glanced over those. The DEVs made sure to mention that they weren't 100% stock and It was "flashing" at my own risk. I don't mind this. I am just worried that if I mess up somehow I won't be able to take it back to T-Mobile to get a new one because they will see that it has been rooted... I

The one that is the equivalent of a factory reset on a fresh device is what you would want to use, if you wanted to go back to stock, with an odexed ROM, and all.

Thank you for the help. I am reading the Backup Guide link in your signature right now...

I was following instructions on how to use the Revolutionary Method to root my phone. ALL that I did was download Revolutionary, The HTC Fastboot Drivers and I obtained my beta key from the website. I hooked up my phone on charge only with USB Debugging enabled. The program ran fine and it said successful. The next step was to power down and then do an HBOOT. HOWEVER when I hit selected power down, my phone shut off AND IT WONT TURN BACK ON! Help!
What do I do? Please help me... Did I just BRICK my phone that friggin easily?!?!?! =(... I could cry....

Turn your phone back on it should resume revs picks up where it left off normally. If it doesn't hit power and volume down at the. Same time that will bring you to hboot (skating androids) verify you have s off in the upper right it should say s off. Then reboot.
You should be fine. And if it won't turn on as in power up you may want to check your battery
Sent from my Crack Injected Doubleshot using xda premium

[Q] Keeping root when updating Frodo to GBread

I am moving my question to a new thread here in the hope it will get more attention:
OK, Firstly, when do I need CWM?
Secondly, I have downgraded my Desire Z from Gingerbread to Frodo and obtained root, S-OFF, etc, using gfree. I know I can upgrade back to gingerbread and want to do this but only if I can do it without losing root. I've seen lots of posts saying gingerbread can't be rooted and one or two saying it can, and others that deal with the upgrade but simply don't say if root will be lost. I assume that if I just install the OTA update offered by HTC, that will undo everything I just did in downgrading and getting root. If I understand correctly, having root is mostly a property of the bootloader and its configuration, so is it possible to re-install gingerbread but without overwriting the bootloader so as to keep root? Is RUU relevant to what I am asking? I hope its OK to post this here, as my only other option seemed to be to start a new thread. Thanks, THANKS!

CWM stands for clockwork mod.It is a custom recovery that replaces the standard recovery,and has much more options than the original.The recovery is like between the bootloader and the actual OS.It allows you to install custom ROMs,partition your SD card,and lots of other stuff that can't be done within the OSor the bootloader.I don't know about your phone in particular,but most HTC'S have Gingerbreak,which allows you to root on Gingerbread,even if it is s-on(although needs an unlocked bootloader though).
Keep this thread updated.

CWM & Gingerbreak.
SunnyChrono6 said:
CWM stands for clockwork mod.It is a custom recovery that replaces the standard recovery,and has much more options than the original.The recovery is like between the bootloader and the actual OS.It allows you to install custom ROMs,partition your SD card,and lots of other stuff that can't be done within the OSor the bootloader.I don't know about your phone in particular,but most HTC'S have Gingerbreak,which allows you to root on Gingerbread,even if it is s-on(although needs an unlocked bootloader though).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will read up on Gingerbreak and see if it can help with the GB upgrade. My bootloader is unlocked and I have S-OFF, but I only heard about Gingerbreak from you. Is it a tool produced by an xda-developer?
I assume CWM is only for the OS and bootloader and I would still use my Titanium backup for Apps, or can CWM do both? On a completely stock/standard HTC phone can I use CWM first [before doing anything else] to back up the stock HTC ROM that the phone came with? [That would be great if I can!] Is it the best tool for specifically this? Thanks again.

CWM takes a Nandroid backup to your SD card,which is the OS,kernel,apps,data on internal memory,etc.It's better than Titanium backup in this regard,because even if you mess up your phone you can just revert to this backup.It's the best app I know of for this.Only drawback is that it can't operate within the OS,but even then you can use ROM manager which you'll install anyway to boot into it.I think Gingerbreak is developed by a XDA developer,that's where I saw it when I was rooting my Wildfire S.

Keeping root when updating Frodo to GBread
SunnyChrono6 said:
CWM takes a Nandroid backup to your SD card,which is the OS,kernel,apps,data on internal memory,etc.It's better than Titanium backup in this regard,because even if you mess up your phone you can just revert to this backup.It's the best app I know of for this.Only drawback is that it can't operate within the OS,but even then you can use ROM manager which you'll install anyway to boot into it.I think Gingerbreak is developed by a XDA developer,that's where I saw it when I was rooting my Wildfire S.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again, last night I took 3 hours to search xda-developer and read what I could about Gingerbreak. Here are my conclusions which may or may not be right:
Everything I read was to do with using Gingerbreak to root a phone that already has GB running on it. As I understand it, it works for some phones running gingerbread, but not all phones. I did not read anywhere that any one has used gingerbreak to root GB on an HTC Desire Z.
I would love to hear from anyone who has tried out gingerbreak on a Desire Z. I think someone more knowledgeable than me, who knows how to get themselves out of trouble if gingerbreak doesn't work should try this. For me I think its not wise at my present level of knowledge.
There are many places in xda-developer [some even with a 2012 date] which say that a Desire Z running GB cant be rooted without downgrading to Frodo. Some of these appear to be knowledgeable developers that would have surely considered the gingerbreak oprion. So I submitt that this strongly suggests that gingerbreak doest work in this case. However it would be great to have this confirmed - perhaps from someone who has tried it.
So I return to my original question:
I know I can upgrade my Desire Z back to gingerbread and want to do this but only if I can do it without losing root. I've seen lots of posts saying gingerbread can't be rooted [on a Desire Z and some other phones] and one or two saying it can, and others that deal with the upgrade but simply don't say if root will be lost. I assume that if I just install the OTA update offered by HTC, that will undo everything I just did in downgrading and getting root. If I understand correctly, having root is mostly a property of the bootloader and its configuration, so is it possible to re-install gingerbread but without overwriting the bootloader so as to keep root? Thanks.

1)Most phones running Android 2.3.3 work(my Wildfire S worked running 2.3.5)
2)I think if it doesn't work it will just say 'Exploit failed' or something of the sort,it's highly unlikely that it would mess the phone up,and even if it did,you could just restore the nandroid backup.
3)You haven't read about Gingerbreak on the Desire Z probably because most people don't stay with the stock ROM after they root it.
And even if Gingerbreak fails,you have a s-off bootloader.So there should be loads of other ways to root it,although they may be complicated.I'd say just try your luck,take a nandroid backup if you're scared,and try Gingerbreak.There's an 80+% chance that it will work,as the desire z runs 2.3.3 AFAIK.

A better idea would be to root, s-off, unlock bootloader at whatever (so in your situation froyo), then flash CWM, and finally flash a ROM. There's a 99% chance somebody made a working ICS ROM for the desire z which was a very popular phone
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium

gagdude said:
A better idea would be to root, s-off, unlock bootloader at whatever (so in your situation froyo), then flash CWM, and finally flash a ROM. There's a 99% chance somebody made a working ICS ROM for the desire z which was a very popular phone
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point,but I think he wants to upgrade to the stock GB.....otherwise why does he need to root it again,as there are MANY gingerbread custom ROMs,let alone ICS.If he wanted to do that,it would be easy for him as he already has s-off and root now all he would need is CWM and a good ROM.

Keeping root when updating Frodo to GBread or choosing a good rooted ROM
Thanks for all your replies. OK here is where I;m at: I have 2 phones, the Desire Z and the MT4G slide. They were both running stock GB unrooted when I got them. I have downgraded the Desire Z to Frodo to get root and S-OFF having read that was the only way to root it. But I would like something later than Frodo [or GB] as long as I can keep root and it is more functional. I have been searching xda for nearly 4 weeks to see if there are any ROMs with full functionality for these phones. A ROM based on ICS or JB would be great, but in every case that I look into I run into problems. Some have issues with camera or video not working, some with leds or the keyboard back light. One says the audio doesn't work. Other ROMs sound really good but they don't explicitly state they work for either of my phones. As all these things work with GB I don't want to go to ICS/JB if it means I'm loosing functionality. It is only for this reason that I asked about returning to GB for the Desire Z whilst keeping root. Root is essential to me as I have a lot of plans that involve running SSH, Telnet, VNC, etc. There seem to be some great ROMs out there for the MT4G but I am told that my MT4GS is completely different and they wont work on it.
Part of my problem is I don't always understand what I'm reading because of terminology. There are references for example to the Glacier or the Sensation, but I haven't yet worked out whether a MT4GS is the same as Glacier or if Glacier refers only to MT4G, in which case does MT4GS have another nickname? I searched the WIKI for HTC phones, but the MT4GS isn't even listed there.
I'm new to Mob phones and Android, but have been programming and a Linux user for a very long time, which has taught me to be cautious and research well before jumping in. Hence my posts for advice / help here. There's nothing better than finding someone who has done it before who can tell you how successful it was. Appreciate any light you can bring even to just one of these matters. Thanks.

HTC mytouch 4g is glacier. HTC mytouch 4g slide is the doubleshot.
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium

canopic said:
Thanks for all your replies. OK here is where I;m at: I have 2 phones, the Desire Z and the MT4G slide. They were both running stock GB unrooted when I got them. I have downgraded the Desire Z to Frodo to get root and S-OFF having read that was the only way to root it. But I would like something later than Frodo [or GB] as long as I can keep root and it is more functional. I have been searching xda for nearly 4 weeks to see if there are any ROMs with full functionality for these phones. A ROM based on ICS or JB would be great, but in every case that I look into I run into problems. Some have issues with camera or video not working, some with leds or the keyboard back light. One says the audio doesn't work. Other ROMs sound really good but they don't explicitly state they work for either of my phones. As all these things work with GB I don't want to go to ICS/JB if it means I'm loosing functionality. It is only for this reason that I asked about returning to GB for the Desire Z whilst keeping root. Root is essential to me as I have a lot of plans that involve running SSH, Telnet, VNC, etc. There seem to be some great ROMs out there for the MT4G but I am told that my MT4GS is completely different and they wont work on it.
Part of my problem is I don't always understand what I'm reading because of terminology. There are references for example to the Glacier or the Sensation, but I haven't yet worked out whether a MT4GS is the same as Glacier or if Glacier refers only to MT4G, in which case does MT4GS have another nickname? I searched the WIKI for HTC phones, but the MT4GS isn't even listed there.
I'm new to Mob phones and Android, but have been programming and a Linux user for a very long time, which has taught me to be cautious and research well before jumping in. Hence my posts for advice / help here. There's nothing better than finding someone who has done it before who can tell you how successful it was. Appreciate any light you can bring even to just one of these matters. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right,ICS and JB ROMs aren't too stable,although the cyanogen mod alpha 6 for the doubleshot seems kind of stable,look here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1644084
(Take a nandroid backup of gingerbread though,in case you come to a time where you can't take any risks with your phone)
EDIT : CM9 is listed as stable here in the cm download centre http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?device=&type=stable
And for the desire Z, there seem to be stable cm7 ROMs.Just take a nandroid backup of froyo,you can't go wrong with that.
(P.S.You probably saw these already,but just in case you didn't.)

Rooting problem

Hi folks,
There was this wonderful guide on how to root a phone. Well, I'm stupid. I admit it.
I have NO idea what flashing means or what ROMing does...
regardless, my sole aim & purpose here was to figure out a way HOW to get my phone in a state, where i can delete ANY APPLICATION tmobile puts on my bloody phone that i don't want or need. much like getting a new HP laptop...i buy my own OS and delete everything and start from scratch...
so first i got my unlock code from tmobile...so my phone is unlocked...but i still can't delete any app
so guy next to me who i know and writes apps for android says i should root my phone
well i think i'm rooted...but can't confirm...
regardless, going through this process of rooting...it cleared out phone contents...which i knew it would...you know SD data, sim card data...photos, etc etc...
lol...well now i forgot what gmail ID i used to store all my phone contacts that sucks for me...
So HOW do i get my phone to a state where i can delete anything i want on my phone?!! Thx

Unlock bootloader, flash recovery e.g twrp (v 2.3.3 recommended, higher versions have problems) flash super user then download system tuner and delete the bloat or stuff u don't want under system tab
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app

This guide makes it pretty easy.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24478083
Follow the steps to unlock bootloader, get a new recovery, and a custom Rom.
Customs Roms don't come with all that tmobile bloat. If you like Sense, try Viper One S.
Goodluck and enjoy the wonderful world of xda.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

npiper05 said:
This guide makes it pretty easy.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24478083
Follow the steps to unlock bootloader, get a new recovery, and a custom Rom.
Customs Roms don't come with all that tmobile bloat. If you like Sense, try Viper One S.
Goodluck and enjoy the wonderful world of xda.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what a ROM is
But yes, I don't like ANY of the Tmobile bloated software...my INTENTION is to delete all the apps it puts on and just put my own on.
I also don't know what new recovery means.
I'm a guy that pretty much has used Win7 for ages & ages..this is my "realistically" first smartphone, because the "actual 1st" had a broken screen and didn't play with it much. All of this Android stuff is pretty new.
So yeah, I just like clean slates...I pretty much just want my phone to play the music I add on it, my Pandora & watch a few TV shows that I add to the phone via USB from my PC.
As a side question, is it OKAY to ask about "cracked" apps...meaning finding apps that are free but are normally billable..thanks.
Earlier this morning I did go to one of the threads here to start "rooting" but I don't know if I'm done or not...how do I know?

get to know xda, not just these threads--ck out the wiki
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Main_Page
i read and searched everything when i started
you cannot discuss cracked apps as the are illegal
if you are rooted you can dl and use apps like titanium backup and root explorer from market
all this takes time but effort like everything else we do
enjoy the advantages of being rooted
and once you are make a backup (nandroid) asap and a copy of your sdcard. put both on pc also