Database Info

Post Root Thread

I'm going to start compiling a list of instructions all in one place for our new rooters out there who have questions. After surfing through tons of forum posts on the bamf roms and questions in Q&A there are a lot of people who still don't know how to necessarily wipe there devices correctly, install radios, the difference between .apk's being installed on your phone, versus a ROM or a patch to a rom that has to be installed in recovery. I think in the end this will make all our lives easier and when someone has a question about how do I install this radio or what is hboot we can just point them here. I'll probably start compiling instructions (and videos) during my morning break at work.
Im posting this here
1. as a place holder
2. do you think this should go into android development once it is completed and up and going. I think it should because that is where most people will look for it, but just want to get feedback from the community.
To all the developers out there thank you for your had work. I wish I understood the code writing so I could help you, so this is the best way I can think of giving back.
Disclaimer: This is here as a guide, I am not responsible for any damage that happens to your phone. If you have questions or run into any problems feel free to post in this thread of contact me. Thank you.
So Your Rooted, What do yo do next?
First if your TBOLT isn't rooted yet please go here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=996616) and follow Jcases great instructions on how to get your device rooted.
Definition of Terms
Stock: When people referring going back to stock, they are referring to the default android operating system that is being pushed by Verizon and HTC. Think of stock as Verizon and HTC's ROM for the Thunderbolt.
Recovery: This is where you go to back up and install roms, as well as wipe your data.
Bloatware: Extra software that HTC and/or Verizon puts on your phone that slows it down, drains battery, and just overall makes your device not as good as it should be.
ROM: A custom version of android that our awesome developers have made for you. Roms have a number of benefits besides just looking pretty. Some of the major benefits of flashing a custom ROM include, no bloatware, faster processing, better reception (with custom radios) and most importantly better battery life.
Super User: An application that allows you to grant other applications access to the system properties on your phone.
HBoot: This is the white screen you boot your phone into when powering your phone on using the power and volume down combination. From here you can flash leaked radios, as well as enter CWR manually.
Radio: This is the software on your phone that tells your phone how to communicate with Verizon.
Files on the "root" of your sd card: These files need to be placed directly on your sd card, and not in a folder in your sd card.
Rom Manager/Clockwork Recovery
So the first thing I would highly recommend after rooting your device is go and download Rom Manager (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.koushikdutta.rommanager&feature=search_result). Rom Manager is going to allow you the easiest way to flash clockwork recovery on your device. Clockwork recovery is the most essential component you will need in order to backup your current ROM and install a new one.
In order to install Rom Manager follow the link above or just search for it from the android market from your phone and download it. After it installs and opens your going to get a pop up that says Super User at the top informing you that Rom Manager is asking for permissions. When this happens click on remember (if its not already checked) and allow. At this point you you will see a number of different options, but for now the top one will be the most important. The very first box will say "Flash Clockwork Recovery" check this box and if it asks for any confirmation or permissions say yes.
After this completes congratulations you now have recovery on your device.
Once Rom Manager is done flashing the first thing you will want to do is back up your current stock OS. One mistake I've noticed many people do is immediately wipe their data and flash a custom ROM. If for some reason the install is bad, its makes life a lot easier to know you have a backup you can restore, versus HAVING to get that install you just tried to work.
Backing up with Rom Manager/Clockwork Recovery
Ok so we are still sitting at our Rom Manager screen with a ton of different options (I have the paid donated version so the screens may appear some what differently if you don't.) The very first box is the "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" that we already did, right under that is the "reboot into recovery" option. This will be the method I will recommend but for now lets look at our other options.
The next section is titled Rom Management and for now we can skip that one and head towards backup and restore. Now Backing up and restoring your current ROM is as easy as as pressing one of those two options. When using these two options CWR (clock work recovery) runs a script that will do the following:
Auto(scripted) backup
If backing up your current ROM, CWR will turn your phone off and reboot it into a recovery screen. Once in the recovery screen the backup will automatically start, and once it finishes, it will once again turn your phone off and reboot it all the way back to your load screen, and just like that you have your first backup.
This method does work, and (if after I go through the steps to do the backup manually) you don't feel comfortable doing it manually this is a solid way to backup your OS. I personally, however, prefer to do all my backup and recoveries manually in CWR versus running the script.
Manual backup (through CWR)
Ok now to talk you through how to do your backup's manually (which is my preferred method). In Rom Manager the second option from the top of the screen is reboot into recovery. Press that and a pop up box will appear asking if you are sure you want to reboot into CWR, press ok.
If it is the first time doing this you may get another superuser prompt, once again click allow and remember. Your phone will now begin rebooting and you will end up with a orange screen that says ClockworkMod Revocery and then the version number.
Now if it is your first time in here take a minute to look at the number of options, for the most part your options are self explanitory
1. reboot system now
2. apply sdcard:update.zip
3. wipe data/factory reset
4. wipe cache partition
5. install zip from sdcard
6. backup and restore
7. mounts and storage
8. advanced
If when you start looking at these options and you see the wipe/data, don't freak out. It is nearly (if not impossible) to do a data wipe accidentally which you will see why later in the tutorial. For right now lets focus on the sixth option listed which is backup and restore. To maneuver around the options is fairly simple you do this by pressing your volume buttons. Volume up goes up and volume down well goes down. If you are at option number 1 you can press volume up to go all the way to the bottom. Using your volume keys go and highlight backup and restore. Once there you will select it by either pressing the "home" key.
After you select it you will see "nandroid" in white letters at the top left of the screen and only three options.
1. Backup
2. Restore
3. Advanced restore
All you need to do now is select backup (it should be selected by default) and press your home key, and the backup process will start. This can take a while depending on the number of apps that you have on your phone. During the process you will see 6 categories that have been backup-ed or or are in the process of. The categories are:
Boot image
recovery image
system
data
.android-secure
cache
During each section being backup-ed you will see a yellow status bar showing the percentage of the backup that has been completed. Realize that this is for each section, not for the entire backup. After the "backing up cache" completes you will see a message "no sd-ext found. skipping backup of sd-ext" this is normal don't freak out. Next you will see a "generating md5 sum" followed by backup complete. Once the backup completes you will be at the initial screen of CWR, reboot system now is selected by default, for now press the home key and let your phone reboot.
Renaming backups
After it reboots I would recommend going to your app tray and opening up Rom Manager one more time. Under the section "Backup and restore" click on the manage and restore backups button. In here you will find all the backups that you have on your phone. If you just did your first backup you will see it listed as a time stamp (yyyy-mm-dd.xx.xx.xx.xx) if you press this once a window will appear with three options:
restore, rename and delete. If you accidentally press restore or delete dont panic, a second pop up window will appear asking you to confirm the operation, just hit cancel and all is good with the world again. If you press the rename button, however, a pop up box will appear and you have the option of renaming the backup from the time stamp name to whatever you would like it. My first backup on my phone is simply called stock_no_bloat. Rename them whatever you would like, but I would advise changing them from the time stamp format.
Congratulations your first CWR backup is complete.
Restoring a backup
Warnings
First and foremost before you go any further in this guide MAKE sure you have a CWR backup on your phone. Any steps you follow from this point on without one, will make it a lot more difficult to get your phone working again then it has to be.
Also never leave a PG05IMG.zip file on the root of your sd card (we will go over what this file is and does later in the guide). If this file is on the root of your sdcard you will need to either have a sd card reader, or another phone you can use to move the file if your phone is not booting.
Manually booting into CWR
So before I go into how to install a custom ROM, I want to first address how easy it is to restore a backup. Many people will freak out because they get stuck into some sort of boot loop or their phone will freeze after a bad install. This is EXTREMELY easy to remedy if you just have some patience.
So for the sake of a hypothetical lets say you just installed your first custom ROM, and something has gone screwy on your phone. You turn it on it starts to boot and either restarts or just hangs. Don't freak out that handy backup you have sitting in your phone is about to save the day.
I would like to point out that you could also restore a backup just because you like an old rom better, or the current one you have is just to buggy for you. If you have a working phone that boots you can enter recovery as we did earlier by using Rom Manager and selecting "reboot into recovery" However, If you are reading this guide for instructional purposes I would recommend you read the following instructions as well,so you know what to do in a worst case situation.
1. if you are stuck in a boot loop or your phone is frozen, pop the back off of the phone and pull the battery.
2. put the battery back in your phone and turn your phone on by holding the power key and volume down button.
3. if for some reason you had a PG05IMG.zip file on the root of your sdcard, your phone will automatically begin loading this file. Eventually
it will give you the option of (volume up installing update) (volume down canceling update) press your volume down key and after that
do a battery pull (once again assuming you cannot get your phone to boot). Once your battery is pulled you will either need a sd card
reader or another phone you can put your sd card in and move the PG05IMG.zip file of of your root directory.
4. If you didn't have a PG05IMG.zip file on the root of your sd card HBOOT will load as normal, and you will see the following options
Fastboot
Recovery
Factory Reset
Simlock
Hboot USB
System INFO
Image CRC
5. using your volume down button select recovery, press power, and then your phone will booth into CWR.
Do not proceed with the actual steps unless you have a current working backup. The following steps will delete all the data from your phone
6. Once in CWR the first thing we are going to want to do is wipe all the data off your phone, so we can do a clean restore. Using the vol keys highlight wipe data/factory reset and press the home key. On the next screen use the vol keys again and select Yes and press home, CWR will no begin to wipe all the data on your phone.
7. Do this 2 more times for a total of 3 data wipes.
8 (I prefer to do this also) Now manually go to wipe cache partition (it is wiped during the factory reset but it wont hurt) verify you want to wipe the data and do this three times as well.
9. After you are done wiping the cache go down to advance and select it. Then highlight and select wipe davlik cache and do that three times.
10. Once all your data wipes are complete go to backup and restore and select it. Next select restore (not advanced restore) and on the next screen select the backup you want to restore. At this point your phone will begin restoring your backup and it will take roughly the same amount of time it took to do the backup initially. After the backup is complete reboot your phone and all should be well with the world again.

an decent introductory to terms with corrisponding directory/path placement, would be welcome.
I've been working compuers since the commodore, but with this as my first android, I found myself straining under the wieght of Full threads I had to read to get an idea of what is really going on.

get the how to backup with CWR complete would like feedback thanks.

Tutorial: How to upgrade Huawei Ascend from Android 2.1 OS to 2.3

Tutorial:
How to get Android 2.3 Operating System(OS) on your Huawei Ascend (For Newbies)
Android 2.3
Z4Root
Google Apps
Metro Backup
Ok, to start things off, You need to move all of the files that you downloaded to your phone’s SD Card, you will also need a Application Installer, You can download one from the android marketplace for free, there’s tons of them. “AppInstaller” is the one that I personally use.
1)First you must root the phone by installing the Z4Root file. Open your application installer and find Z4Root where ever you placed it onto your SD Card, install the Z4Root. The phone will restart on its own. The phone is now rooted.
2)Next you need to download clockwork recovery from the android marketplace. There is a Free version and a Paid version. The free version works just fine . After downloading the app, open it and under the 2nd tab of the app choose the reboot into recovery option.
3)The phone will restart itself and a black screen with blue/green text will appear, it is recommended to create a backup before installing anything new. Next, Choose the “wipe data/factory reset” option and click yes. Then choose the “wipe cache partition” option and click yes again. Lastly, click the “advanced” option then scroll down to “wipe Dalvik Cache” and choose yes again.
4)Once you have wiped the three files, choose the “Install From Zip” option, then the “choose Zip from SD Card” option. (You should have the Android 2.3, gapps and Metro backup Files on your zip already, If not, put the two files onto your SD card then repeat the last step). Then scroll down to the “Cm7-Ascend-05142011” option, the new operating system will now be installed onto your phone.
5)After that, choose the “MetrOFF.v1.1-MMS-[GB]-[CM_AOSP]” option. This fixes a bug that caused users to not send multimedia messages properly.
6)Now choose the “gapps-gb-20110307-signed-1.zip”, this installs all of the google apps onto your phone
6)After installing the Gapps file, choose the “reboot system now” option. Your phone now has Android 2.3 Operating system!
7) Yay!

clockwork recovery is not in market is there another program or someplace else to find it

It's called ROM Manager.
Sent from my Droid using XDA Premium App

would i still be able to send mms (text messages), and recieve service?

Need for Cricket
Do you or any one have the links to the same as above but for a Cricket Huawei Ascend?
Thanks for any help you can give.

Hello
If I got OS 2.2 already on my huawei, have I go through the same steps as update from 2.1 ?
There is no Z4Root file on android market.
---------- Post added at 09:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 PM ----------
Do I need to install superuser? Can you tell me for what is it for?
After update to 2.3 OS there is no problem with taking pictures(camera) and mms?
Is there any way to come back to 2.2 OS if I won't like 2.3 ?

what would the benefit be of going from 2.2 up to 2.3 since the major benefits hit at the 2.2 mark in my opinion any ways

trickfitt said:
clockwork recovery is not in market is there another program or someplace else to find it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Handy Ascend Download Links
peteisme said:
would i still be able to send mms (text messages), and recieve service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you're on Cricket. If you're on Metro, you need to flash the metroff mms fix zip with CWM.
Qeutua said:
Do you or any one have the links to the same as above but for a Cricket Huawei Ascend?
Thanks for any help you can give.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Handy Ascend Download Links
samsimon said:
If I got OS 2.2 already on my huawei, have I go through the same steps as update from 2.1 ?
There is no Z4Root file on android market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same, but use Gingerbreak to root instead.
samsimon said:
Do I need to install superuser? Can you tell me for what is it for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Superuser keeps track of and grants permissions to apps to root access. When you use Z4Root or Gingerbreak, it is installed automatically. And yes, you need it.
samsimon said:
After update to 2.3 OS there is no problem with taking pictures(camera) and mms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only problems are that with Metro you need the metroff fix flashed, and you can't use the camera with apps. For instance, you can't use a barcode or QR code scanner. If you need a QR scanner, you have to take a pic of the QR code first with just your camera, then open something like QR Droid, and read the code from the pic you took.
samsimon said:
Is there any way to come back to 2.2 OS if I won't like 2.3 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. Just look at this thread. You'll have to flash back to 2.1, then get the OTA update to 2.2.
wtfdissux said:
what would the benefit be of going from 2.2 up to 2.3 since the major benefits hit at the 2.2 mark in my opinion any ways
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PlayfulGod has really maximized what the Ascend is capable of. I haven't heard anyone saying that his CM7 ROMs aren't faster and better. His latest overclock to 710 and 748, depending on if you have a lazy Ascend or not, and have a2sd integrated into the ROM. It's faster, beefier, and just plain better. IMO anyway.

AndroJordan said:
Tutorial:
How to get Android 2.3 Operating System(OS) on your Huawei Ascend (For Newbies)
Android 2.3
Z4Root
Google Apps
Metro Backup
Ok, to start things off, You need to move all of the files that you downloaded to your phone’s SD Card, you will also need a Application Installer, You can download one from the android marketplace for free, there’s tons of them. “AppInstaller” is the one that I personally use.
1)First you must root the phone by installing the Z4Root file. Open your application installer and find Z4Root where ever you placed it onto your SD Card, install the Z4Root. The phone will restart on its own. The phone is now rooted.
2)Next you need to download clockwork recovery from the android marketplace. There is a Free version and a Paid version. The free version works just fine . After downloading the app, open it and under the 2nd tab of the app choose the reboot into recovery option.
3)The phone will restart itself and a black screen with blue/green text will appear, it is recommended to create a backup before installing anything new. Next, Choose the “wipe data/factory reset” option and click yes. Then choose the “wipe cache partition” option and click yes again. Lastly, click the “advanced” option then scroll down to “wipe Dalvik Cache” and choose yes again.
4)Once you have wiped the three files, choose the “Install From Zip” option, then the “choose Zip from SD Card” option. (You should have the Android 2.3, gapps and Metro backup Files on your zip already, If not, put the two files onto your SD card then repeat the last step). Then scroll down to the “Cm7-Ascend-05142011” option, the new operating system will now be installed onto your phone.
5)After that, choose the “MetrOFF.v1.1-MMS-[GB]-[CM_AOSP]” option. This fixes a bug that caused users to not send multimedia messages properly.
6)Now choose the “gapps-gb-20110307-signed-1.zip”, this installs all of the google apps onto your phone
6)After installing the Gapps file, choose the “reboot system now” option. Your phone now has Android 2.3 Operating system!
7) Yay!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update this method by using the latest CM7 and gapps 20110613 found in Prepaid Android Wiki. Just know that if you try to flash the ROM with the 748 OC kernel, and your phone won't boot after a couple attempts, you probably have a lazy Ascend and need to flash the ROM with the 710 OC kernel.
If you're on 2.2, it will still work, except root with Gingerbreak instead of Z4Root.

i did all the steps but when i go to install from zip thru the recovery screen it says its unpacking then failed and gets aborted.. Any help?

Derp, wrong info here, deleted...

No rom manager
I have the Huawei Ascend and have been trying to get rom manager but t is now only for 2.2 and up I have 2.1 Please can anyone help out. And just so you know...I tried to load CWM recovery on boot up but it doesn't work. Debugging alow user all that stuff was done. I have been working on this for days now. Everytime I try and boot up CWM it fails...I updated drivers for my phone and all but when it turns on in boot mode it only shows the android 2A boot sceen with 4 options...reboot...load SD card (does absolutely nothing) wipe data and lastly wipe cashe. Long story short rom manager is for 2.2 and up but there are people out there posting 2.1 to 2.3 upgrade soo???? Is it possible? Thanks

Give me an hour and I'll show you how to do what you want to, on the road atm.
Sent from one pimped out DroidX2
---------- Post added at 06:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:30 PM ----------
Spikebob21 said:
i did all the steps but when i go to install from zip thru the recovery screen it says its unpacking then failed and gets aborted.. Any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're holding volume up and end call (the rightmost one) instead of volume up and send (leftmost one).
---------- Post added at 06:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:15 PM ----------
experymental said:
I have the Huawei Ascend and have been trying to get rom manager but t is now only for 2.2 and up I have 2.1 Please can anyone help out. And just so you know...I tried to load CWM recovery on boot up but it doesn't work. Debugging alow user all that stuff was done. I have been working on this for days now. Everytime I try and boot up CWM it fails...I updated drivers for my phone and all but when it turns on in boot mode it only shows the android 2A boot sceen with 4 options...reboot...load SD card (does absolutely nothing) wipe data and lastly wipe cashe. Long story short rom manager is for 2.2 and up but there are people out there posting 2.1 to 2.3 upgrade soo???? Is it possible? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To install CWM:
First, make sure Unknown Sources and USB Debugging are both checked.
Make sure you have the Ascend drivers installed.
Then, if you haven't rooted your phone, do a permanent root with Z4Root. If you're going to flash CM7 (Android 2.3.4) grab the CM7 and gapps zip files from Prepaid Android Wiki and put them on your sdcard now.
Plug your phone into your computer via USB.
Then grab Clockwork Mod 3.0.2.8, unzip it, open the folder, and run these files (make sure you use the versions for the OS your computer is running, Windows for instance)
adb
fastboot
install recovery
Unplug the phone, pull the battery for several seconds, put it back in.
Hold volume up and send button (leftmost button along bottom) and hit the power button. Don't let go of the buttons until you see recovery.
To flash CM7:
Make sure to BACKUP APPS AND CONTACTS!
Grab the latest version from Prepaid Wiki along with the gapps zip there
Copy both zips to your sdcard (don't unzip them!)
Boot into Clockwork Mod
Wipe data/factory reset
Wipe cache partition
go into advanced
Wipe dalvik cache
back out to main menu
go into mounts and storage
Format boot
Format system
Format data
Format cache
back out to main menu
Install zip from sdcard
Choose zip from sdcard
select CM7 zip
select gapps zip
back out to main menu
Advanced
Fix permissions
back out to main menu
Reboot system now.
Wait for a little bit. If it gets stuck at the boot screen for more than ten minutes, and you tried the 748 OC kernel, try it all over again with the 710 OC kernel.

Scur827 said:
Wipe data/factory reset
Wipe cache partition
go into advanced
Wipe dalvik cache
back out to main menu
go into mounts and storage
Format boot
Format system
Format data
Format cache
back out to main menu
Install zip from sdcard
Choose zip from sdcard
select CM7 zip
select gapps zip
back out to main menu
Advanced
Fix permissions
back out to main menu
Reboot system now.
Wait for a little bit. If it gets stuck at the boot screen for more than ten minutes, and you tried the 748 OC kernel, try it all over again with the 710 OC kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm hoping I'm just missing something. I tried these steps earlier but no matter which CM7 ZIP I tried, i get stuck at the "Ascend" screen during boot. I have CWM 3.0.2.8, tried the following MODs:
PlayfulGod CM7.2-Ascend (09122011) (748 OverClock defaulted to 710)
PlayfulGod CM7.2-Ascend (09132011) (710 OverClock defaulted to 710)
PlayfulGod CM7.2-Ascend (09132011) (710 OverClock defaulted to 600)
Always seem to get stuck on the Ascend screen. I'm rooted. Originally had 2.2, rooted via Gingerbreak and when I couldn't get it going, I tried going to Metro PCS stock 2.1, used Z4 to root, then tried the exact steps above, even the extra formats and the permissions fix at the end. Waited 15 mins during each boot and it's stuck on the Ascend screen (before the CM7 boot screen).
Any ideas?

Odd that you keep getting stuck at boot, maybe you have a super-lazy Ascend that doesn't like the kernels. When it's stuck at the screen like that, I could sneak into a too-high-for-my-phone kernel by tapping or holding rhe power button when it seemed stuck.
Personally, I would run this by the guys at androidforums.com. They're still fresh in this phone, and it's probably something obvious that I'm not seeing.
Sent from one pimped out DroidX2

Another thought. When I was flashing my Ascend all the time, there were lots of times I had to reflash with fresh downloads multiple times. I remember at least twice I it took 4 flashes to take. Granted, those were early versions of CM7, but I never called it unsuccessful until I tried to flash a ROM 3 or 4 times.
Sent from one pimped out DroidX2

Thanks Scur. I posted on AndroidForums.com. I tried Bobz's last build and that loaded. Maybe it's just PlayfulGod's mods. I'll do it a few more times and see, but at least I know I have one build that works. Thanks again!

Yeah, so I did litterally EVERYTHING this wanted me to do, and in the end I got black screen with blue letters. I only had 4 options:
Reboot now
Upgrade SD
Wipe factory
Wipe cache
Someone please help? I have the CM7 downloaded into my SD card i think, just someone please try to help.

JonJon927 said:
Yeah, so I did litterally EVERYTHING this wanted me to do, and in the end I got black screen with blue letters. I only had 4 options:
Reboot now
Upgrade SD
Wipe factory
Wipe cache
Someone please help? I have the CM7 downloaded into my SD card i think, just someone please try to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the factory stock recovery. You didn't install ClockworkMod recovery.

[GUIDE] How I Root, Recover and Optimize Stock 2.1

Hey guys,
Dont get me wrong, im pretty much a noob myself Nowadays alot of developement is going on with the new ROMS, till they are finished I needed a stable ROM and I have to admit nothing is better than good old stock 2.1, but to get it in useable condition you do have to do some tinkering. This guide is aimed at people who have just rooted their phones and want to know what they can do, or for people who want new ideas if they are going back to stock 2.1. Its just a collection of things I do, when I flash stock 2.1.
Please be aware, that although these instructions are accurate to my knowledge, sometimes there are problems, so do not try this if you dont feel comfortable with any of the instructions.
1. Which SBF?
The stock cincinnati bell 2.1 is the most current and the most updated version of all the SBF's. Unless you are uprading to a new ROM which require another type of base SBF this is the way to go for 2.1. It makes no regional differences that I know off, you may have to put in your APN settings. Reasons for using this SBF is, first its the most updated, most stable and reportedly has best camera quality of all the SBF's, plus it is set to 720 MHZ by default. The SBF code is:
Code:
STR_U2_04.1E.1_SIGNED_USASHLSTAB14P2XAPCNCBW039.0R_NACBW_P011_A006_HWp3_1FF.sbf
2. How to Root?
Once you have flashed your SBF, using either RSD lite in windows or sbf_flash in linux, the easiest way to root is using the universal androot app. Install the app on your phone, open the app and click the root button. A little heads up here, you need to be connected to either wifi or the data network before you use the app because to root the phone the app uses an exploit which requires wifi to be toggled. If it isnt on, it will not work. With the wifi on, press root and you're done. The newest stable UniversalAndroot can be found at this link.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/32033772/UniversalAndroot_1.6.1.apk
3. What can I do after rooting?
First of all you can install Open Recovery + Androidiani Recovery. What these are, are custom recoveries with which you can make nandroid backups, wipe reset your phone and cache and apply neat tweaks to make your phone work better on 2.1. To install open recovery download the openrecovery.apk from the following link.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/32033772/OpenRecovery.apk
Install the openrecovery app. And reboot your phone once. After the reboot, connect your phone to the PC and create a folder called nandroid and inside that creat a folder called openrecovery. And place it into the root of the SD card.
Code:
nandroid>>openrecovery
Disconnect your phone from the PC. Now open the openrecovery app. And press install recovery. A superuser request will appear. Allow it and open recovery will install on your phone and create the neccessary folders on your SD card. Now connect your phone to the PC its time to install androidiani recovery. Download the Androidiani recovery here.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/32033772/OpenRecovery-3_3.zip
Unzip the file. You will see one folder and one update file. Copy the folder and paste it into the root of your SD card. You will notice that the computer will prompt you because there is already an open recovery folder in your SD card. Allow the computer to replace, the old folder with the new one that you are pasting. Then copy the update.zip and just place it in the root of your SD card. You are all set and have installed openrecovery.
What can I do with Androidiani?
Turn off your phone. Now press the volume up button and keep it pressed, while pressing the power on button. The phone will boot into androidiani recovery. Use the volume keys to navigate up and down in the menu and use the camera button to select an option. You will see numerous options in androidiani. The first thing to do is go in the Eclair Modding menu.
I usually do the following things.
1) Install memhack: This moves your /cache folder and allow for lots of apps to be installed so your 173 mb app space will not limit you, which is usually why people want to move to froyo in the first place.
2) Install JITV7
3) Eclair Kernel Modification: This installs busy box and increases functionality.
4) Zipalign Apps. This allows less ram to be consumed when you use apps. I usually zipallign system wide.
Reboot your phone normally, after mods are complete.
4. System app removal?
Useless system apps can safely be removed to make space for more apps. I install titanium backup from the market and use it to uninstall apps. Here is the list of apps I usually remove safely.
1. Gestures.apk (Motorola sign gestures, useless app never used it)
2. Corporate Calender
3. Corporate Directory
4. Quickoffice Trial
5. Kickback
6. Soundback
7. TalkBack
8. MotoAccuweather.
5,6,7 are accesibility apps which can easily be redownloaded from the market. Accuweather isnt accurate and I have the stock AOSP geniewidget which is so much more sexier. Ill give the links to those.
GenieWeather & News 2.1: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/32033772/GenieWidget2.apk
Another app I install is the desk clock which is missing in 2.1:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/32033772/DeskClock.apk.
Okay once system apps are removed. What rooted apps can you use. There are many. Ill just state what I use when I newly Flash.
1) Root explorer, very good for navigation etc.
2) Market Enabler, i use it to install google+ and other apps not avaible in my country.
3) Battery Calibration, everytime you flash a new ROM its good reset your battery Stats.
5. Finally
You can just use your phone as usual. If your phone number format is different because of the US SBF, just choose a different language in keyboard and locale. Itll fix your dialer format.
I choose to not overclock. With wifi on 24/7 and autosync. A few odd phone calls, sms's, 1 hour of GPS when I walk, some gaming, and 2 hours of music. I get an average of 1.5-2 days battery life with this setup. My SD card is formatted completely to FAT32. After installing all my apps, and games. I have 102 MB remaining internal memory.
Hope this has been useful to anyone. Please feel free to make additions.

this is good. something ive been looking for. was on stock rom for a month rooted. very stable but was itching to try out cm6 so i did. ive tried deleting voice dialler with titanium backup but it was kind of not supposed to be deleted because android kept telling me "voice dialler force closed" and i couldnt do anything else so i restored it back. i dont need or want voice dialler. and it also keeps running as a service. any way to stop it?

eejin2 said:
this is good. something ive been looking for. was on stock rom for a month rooted. very stable but was itching to try out cm6 so i did. ive tried deleting voice dialler with titanium backup but it was kind of not supposed to be deleted because android kept telling me "voice dialler force closed" and i couldnt do anything else so i restored it back. i dont need or want voice dialler. and it also keeps running as a service. any way to stop it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you ever delete any system apps, you should use TB to freeze them first and see if once you do it causes any ill effects. If not, then uninstall but you can always back up so if you ever want it back, Viola there it is.

Installing new rom/firmware

I'm trying to figure out the best way to install a new rom/firmware. Here is the process I have been using to date but I'm sure there must be easier way then doing all this.
1. Reinstall firmware/rom.
2. Check recovery to see if it still works. If it doesn't reinstall it.
3. Install su through recovery if necessary.
4. Install a file manager if necessary.
5. Install titanium backup.
6. Install Apps2SD
7. Install 10 apps at a time (so memory doesn't fill up) then use apps2sd to link to SD card.
8. Check to see if everything is running smoothly. If it's not do a wipe at this point and go back to step 4.
This is a time consuming process and I'm looking for ways to improve the process. Especially at step 7. It takes forever to load the apps then link2sd. Is there another way to do this part so memory doesn't fill up? Even when I check the option to auto link it doesn't auto link when installing apps from titanium.
I don't use nandroid. I've tried it in the past and the restoration usually ends up being pretty buggy. I've spoken to a few friends and they don't do it either. i'm not sure if it's possible that I will brick my phone without doing a nandroid backup but I haven't yet.

Micromax a70 rom
I bought this mobile on 10th of this month... And installed applications named ninjamorph...
It said with that we can change the notification bar colour... Tried with it and rebooted the phone,
and it doesn't boot up now... Pls help me, when tried to reflash it with the service center, they
are responding negative that they couldn't install the software... Can you pls guide me to install the
stock rom back... bcoz the boot screen and all is working perfectly... pls help me out sir...
Thanks,
Sanjeev. A

Loading First ROM

Hey guys,
I'm very new to Android and I have a few questions. I used to install custom OS's on my blackberry and I jailbroke my iphones so I'm some what used to this stuff but every operating system is obviously different. So I've had my S3 for about 6 weeks and I finally rooted a couple days ago. To root I followed this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1875914. I rooted, unlocked the bootloader, and installed clockworkmod recovery. Now I have been wanting to load a jelly bean ROM. I kind of wanted to load the Synergy ROM found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1792499. So am I ok to just download from that thread and drag and drop to my phone on my PC and just follow the directions? I don't have an external SD Card is just fine to use internal storage? Like I said all I have done is rooted from that first link. I just kinda wanted some verification before I go and brick my phone, thanks for your help.

Piece of cake. If you scroll down to the second post of the Synergy thread, you'll see the very first question in the FAQ:
Q: How do I install this ROM?
A: Download the ROM from the "Download Links" section above, place the file on your phone's external SD card, and then flash via your recovery. First boot after flash takes a wee bit longer than usual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, download the ROM (using either your phone (take note of where it saves it) or computer). If using your computer, connect your phone and drop that sucker somewhere on the SD card (external or internal -I use internal). (I create a folder in the root of my internal SD card called Files to Flash, in which I keep everything I flash, so it doesn't get scattered about, but do what you want )
Use Titanium Backup to back up all your apps and data to restore later (when you do restore, since you're going from ICS to JB, don't restore any System Data as it will cause many issues (apps and app data is fine)).
Reboot into recovery using Rom Manager, as mentioned in the rooting tutorial you followed.
Use your volume keys to navigate to "backup and restore" and select it using either the home or power button.
Select "backup" and wait for your nandroid backup to complete.
Next, navigate back to the original menu and select the "wipe cache/factory data reset" option.
Once that's done, select the "wipe cache partition" option.
(side note: Instead of doing those two things, I like to go into the "mounts and storage" option and select "format /system" "/data" and "/cache". Both ways work - BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO FORMAT SDCARD AND EXTERNALSD IF YOU USE MY METHOD...bad joo joo).
Select the "advanced" option from the initial menu and "wipe dalvic cache".
Now you're ready to install.
In the first menu, the second option is "install zip from sdcard." Select it.
Select "choose zip from sdcard" and navigate to where you saved the ROM and select it.
Scroll either up or down, passed all the "no"s and select "yes" and let it do it's thing.
Once it's done, navigate back to the menu you first started at by selecting the "Go Back" option, then reboot and profit.

letinsh posted pretty much the most concise instructions to follow. In addition, I'll suggest to backup your IMEI prior to flashing anything.
Info here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852255

So I can just go to this website from my phone and go to the download link and download directly to my phone? Is that easier/faster? Thanks for responding

Good call, Snoop.
I totally forgot about it because I did it once and have flashed dozens of times since
Naganalf - as far as downloading via fone or computer, it's really 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Whichever makes you more comfortable. Keep in mind that it is HIGHLY recommended that you check the md5 sum of your download before flashing, to ensure you have a good download. I have an md5 sum checker on both my computer and fone, so I can do either fairly easily.
This is the one I used on my computer
and I use MD5 Checker by Fabien Thalgott (play store) on my phone.
Having just looked at the Synergy thread, they don't post md5's for their nightly's, so don't worry about that step for them, although, it typically is good practice to check (I hardbricked my S3 the third day I had it by pushing a corrupt file using Odin that would have been caught if I had checked the md5). (Got it JTAG'd back to life, so no worries - everything is recoverable from except physical damage )

Thanks for your help snoop and letish, after this first flash I will be much more comfortable. I am downloading now so when it gets done I will give it a whirl and let you know how it goes.

Naganalf said:
Thanks for your help snoop and letish, after this first flash I will be much more comfortable. I am downloading now so when it gets done I will give it a whirl and let you know how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, dude. I agonized for days before I rooted and flashed my first ROM on my OG Droid back in the day - had one of the founders of DroidForums (synik4l) on G-chat while I did the deed...I was so chicken
Good times, though. Just do your research, understand what it is you're doing, mitigate any risks (by doing your research...) and go to town! Most of the bugs in the process have been ironed out by jokers like me testing and hard-bricking along the way . At this point, the processes are very user friendly and reliable:fingers-crossed:
Enjoy!

How'd it go?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Getting ready to try it now, I will let you know.

when i "Reboot into Recovery" from Rom Manager i don't have a "backup and restore" option. it only has "reboot system now", "apply update from external storage", "wipe data/factory reset", "wipe cache partition", and "apply update from cache"
am I missing something?

Naganalf said:
when i "Reboot into Recovery" from Rom Manager i don't have a "backup and restore" option. it only has "reboot system now", "apply update from external storage", "wipe data/factory reset", "wipe cache partition", and "apply update from cache"
am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you haven't selected any options yet then just go back into your rom. You need to download EZ Recovery from the Play Store so that you can flash a custom recovery (ClockworkMod or TWRP) through that app.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I'm sorry but I'm a little confused. Why is it only giving me those options when I reboot into recovery from ROM Manager? The first time after I rooted I'm pretty sure there was an option to "Backup and Restore". Also, why can't I just go into ROM Manager and select "Install ROM From SD Card" and select my ROM that way? sorry but I do appreciate your help.

Naganalf said:
I'm sorry but I'm a little confused. Why is it only giving me those options when I reboot into recovery from ROM Manager? The first time after I rooted I'm pretty sure there was an option to "Backup and Restore". Also, why can't I just go into ROM Manager and select "Install ROM From SD Card" and select my ROM that way? sorry but I do appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good questions. The recovery you rebooted into is the Stock recovery that comes with the phone. Your OP in this thread says that you installed CWM recovery. It looks like it didn't stick. Two options - Use the program Snoop suggested, or open up Rom Manager and hit the "Flash Clockwork Mod Recovery" option.
From there you can continue as previously explained.
EDIT - I've never used the ROM Manager's install ROM from SD card option, so I can't speak to it. I know I like having the control (or perceived control ) of doing everything by hand in recovery.

ok I have loaded android version 4.1.1 build number SynergyROM Nightly JB(r111) so I guess i did everything correctly. now i'd like to get my phone kinda back to how i had it lol. if I run titanium backup will my home screens all be restored the way I had them? and when i run titanium backup i ONLY want to run "restore missing apps with data" right? not "restore missing apps + all system data" just want to make sure. thanks

Naganalf said:
ok I have loaded android version 4.1.1 build number SynergyROM Nightly JB(r111) so I guess i did everything correctly. now i'd like to get my phone kinda back to how i had it lol. if I run titanium backup will my home screens all be restored the way I had them? and when i run titanium backup i ONLY want to run "restore missing apps with data" right? not "restore missing apps + all system data" just want to make sure. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, don't restore the system data. Now, if you want your txt messages back, you'll see a yellow Messages backup (with a TiBu logo). If you restore that (the only option available is Data, I think), you'll get your txts back.
Remember that you'll prolly need to reboot after the restore, then use ROM Manager to Fix Permissions, then restart again. You'll be off to the races!
As far as getting your home screens back, I don't know if that'll be possible, although they're both TouchWiz launchers....might be alright, then
I run Nova launcher regardless of ROM, so all I have to do is restore the Nova app, then used the built in Nova backup/restore to get my home screens back. Let me know how the Titanium restore works! As a side note, if I have any doubt about whether I'll be able to get my launcher set back up (or I'm switching launchers to try them out), I'll take quick screenshots of all my screens and use that as a reference to set them back up

well i think im all set, thanks again for your help guys. I went ahead and installed nova launcher so i can back up my home screens like you said. so if I want to try a different ROM do i need to flash back to stock first? or just do it like i did this time?

Naganalf said:
well i think im all set, thanks again for your help guys. I went ahead and installed nova launcher so i can back up my home screens like you said. so if I want to try a different ROM do i need to flash back to stock first? or just do it like i did this time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nahh, just as simple as putting the ROM you want on your ex SD card or internal one which ever you prefer, wiping system/data , and wiping your cache, and then flash your new ROM . You can also "dirty flash" if say you are just moving from r111 of synergy to a newer one. Typically on the forum you will see if anyone had any problems dirty flashing. I always go with a clean flash just to avoid any problems to begin with.

Naganalf said:
well i think im all set, thanks again for your help guys. I went ahead and installed nova launcher so i can back up my home screens like you said. so if I want to try a different ROM do i need to flash back to stock first? or just do it like i did this time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HoudiniJr said:
Nahh, just as simple as putting the ROM you want on your ex SD card or internal one which ever you prefer, wiping system/data , and wiping your cache, and then flash your new ROM . You can also "dirty flash" if say you are just moving from r111 of synergy to a newer one. Typically on the forum you will see if anyone had any problems dirty flashing. I always go with a clean flash just to avoid any problems to begin with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he ^ said. You can go from ROM to ROM. I, also, like Houdini said, like to flash clean each time. Try it both ways and see if you have problems
I just threw out Nova as an example - there are several good launchers out there...Nova, Apex, Go Launcher (I'll probably catch flack for mentioning it), Trebuchet (from CM). Most if not all have the ability to backup your settings. Try 'em each and figure out which one works best for you :good:
Glad it worked, buddy. Welcome to the flashing addiction :highfive:!

letinsh said:
What he ^ said. You can go from ROM to ROM. I, also, like Houdini said, like to flash clean each time. Try it both ways and see if you have problems
I just threw out Nova as an example - there are several good launchers out there...Nova, Apex, Go Launcher (I'll probably catch flack for mentioning it), Trebuchet (from CM). Most if not all have the ability to backup your settings. Try 'em each and figure out which one works best for you :good:
Glad it worked, buddy. Welcome to the flashing addiction :highfive:!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for Nova Apex is also pretty good. Like lentinsh said, most if not all have the ability to back up your settings, making flashing from ROM to ROM that much easier :good: Cant go wrong with Nova though :laugh:

App Restore
Hey peeps,
I have been able to flash a few new ROMs but can't quite get my Apps Restored. I have/had Titanium Back up installed and backed up. With each ROM I install I don't quite get how to restore the Apps I had installed, Titanium Back up gets dropped when I flash to a new ROM.
I'm going to search the Forum for App Backup 101...
OK so I found a link to App Backup and Restore in GPS, on a different thread looks like it is what I need
thanks for any tips...