I got a new LG P999 (I think that's the G2X). I'm new to Android but I'm not sure if I should root/mod or not.
Is there really any significant benefits from modding (like speed or stability) or it's just to make your Android flashier?
Also, what mod would be best to go for? And if someone could link me to a beginner tutorial on how to mod (with simpler terminology; I only found some with terminology like NANDroid, clockwork recovery, etc... which I don't really understand), that would be much appreciated.
Hope someone can help, thanks!
kefloxin said:
I got a new LG P999 (I think that's the G2X). I'm new to Android but I'm not sure if I should root/mod or not.
Is there really any significant benefits from modding (like speed or stability) or it's just to make your Android flashier?
Also, what mod would be best to go for? And if someone could link me to a beginner tutorial on how to mod (with simpler terminology; I only found some with terminology like NANDroid, clockwork recovery, etc... which I don't really understand), that would be much appreciated.
Hope someone can help, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, rooting/modding gives you every benefit out there. Battery life, speed, options, features, the list goes on. Flashing ROM's is basically 99% the reason why people root or install a custom recovery on their phones. NANdroid, Clockwork MOD, etc are basically the basis and the stuff that you need to know about rooting. Since you're new I suggest you read a lot first and get to know what those terminologies are. ClockWork is a custom recovery that enables you to flash a custom ROM onto your phone.
Here is the G2x Bible. That's a reference guide to most, if not everything, that you need to know.
Here is the NVFlash method that you need to do to install Clockwork onto your G2x. You don't really need root for the G2x, just install Clockwork via that guide and you'll be good to go.
Remember: Read, read, and read.
Thanks for your reply! Those links helped me a lot. A few questions though:
1) If I don't have an external SD card, will I be able to put an external SD card without problems later? And can I re-flash for the external SD card support if desired?
2) Once I'm in the ClockworkMod Recovery, how do I put the ROM on my phone? (Flash is the correct terminology if I'm not mistaken).
3) Which ROM or mod should I go with? From the looks of it, a lot of people use CyanogenMod, but is there one that's most stable/fast?
Thanks again for your answer.
Here's another guide on NVFlashing.
These are my 3 favorite ROM's. And I'm sure most of the G2x people would agree as well.
Eagle's Blood: Based on LG's stock 2.3.3 Gingerbread.
Weapon G2x: Again, based on LG's stock 2.3.3 Gingerbread, but with Whitehawx's many tweaks and features.
And of course, CyanogenMOD 7 Nightlies: It's based on Google's AOSP, but the CM team has added in hundreds of tweaks that makes the user experience the best you can ever get on Android.
My favorite is CM but I suggest you try all 3 to see which one you like the best.
Yes, you can slip in an SD card after you've flashed if you want. Just follow the instructions carefully on how to NVFlash, there's even a YouTube video on how to do it.
Once you're in CWM, I suggest you do a NANDroid backup to backup your current ROM. Then do the following steps.
1. Wipe Data
2. Wipe Cache
3. Wipe Dalvik Cache (within Advanced)
4. Then go into mounts and format your /system
5. Then proceed to flashing your desired ROM.
Here's a quick video on how to flash a ROM.
But note; that video is how to flash a ROM on a myTouch 4G, just ignore the ROM's I showed in that video as it's for the MT4G. But the Clockwork MOD that you see there is just like the one for the G2x, except now the letters are blue. Do as I did in that video by wiping everything. Only thing I left out is formating /system since it wasn't needed on the MT4G. So don't forget to do that on your G2x.
Also, do you have Froyo or Gingerbread right now?
If you need any help with your g2x just drop me an email at [email protected]. I will be happy to help with any questions you may have.
Sent from the fastest g2x in the world
Thanks again for your awesome reply mackster248.
To answer your question, I'm currently running Froyo and I'm not actually with T-Mobile. I'm in Quebec with Videotron but I read it's the same phone. The phone model I have is LG P999DW.
I think I'll go with CM V7.1.0.1 as my first ROM (the nightlies may not be as stable as I want them to be). Do you think that would be an okay ROM as a first?
So just to confirm, this is what I will be doing as a whole process:
First, I will follow the NVFlashing guide which will allow me to use ClockworkMod Recovery. Next, I'll do a backup with NANDroid (which I assume is an option in CWM). Following that, I follow the wiping steps you listed (same as your video). Is that correct or am I missing something?
Thanks again!
EDIT: So I followed the NVFlash steps and it worked fine until I tried to boot in Recover by holding Vol Down + Power, but it doesn't seem to do anything... I can boot up the phone fine normally by holding the power button though. Is there a reason booting into recovery wouldn't work?
EDIT 2: Ah, nevermind. It works after I took out the battery and tried again.
EDIT 3: I haven't wiped my data yet in the recovery, but it seems I need an SD card so I can load the zip of the ROM I want. Is there a way to load the ROM from my computer or will I need to get an SD card first? Also, I would like to know if I should root as well? Does it make a difference? If not, why do people root before flashing?
Do you mind making a video of all the steps you did in exact order? also people root because most phones just use ROM manager to flash clockworkmod right from ROM Manger, but we are using NVFlash so we dont technically need it. Also new to the G2x, from (wind Mobile, i believe its the same one as the videotron P999-DW)
but im so scared to flash lol i had a vibrant i9000-m die on me before :3
Well, I can't make a video of what I did since I don't have a spare camera. All I did up until now is follow the NVFlashing guide to get ClockworkMod Recovery. It's not very hard to do actually.
I'm apparently supposed to wipe data, etc. now but I don't want to do that because steps later say that I need to flash from the SD card which I don't have. So I need to know now whether I need an SD card to flash a ROM on the phone? I've ordered an SD card which might take a while to get but after I get it, I also would like to know whether I need to root to flash? (since ROM manager says I need to root to use it, maybe I need to root to flash a ROM via CWM as well?)
I downloaded ROM manager and it says I need to root my phone for it to function. I also tried "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" via the ROM manager which gives me an error as well.
So if someone could let me know whether 1) I can flash without an SD card and 2) whether I need to root to flash via CWM, that would be much appreciated. Thanks!
The newest version of CWM Recovery requires a physical SD to put the rom backups on. Go get yourself one. The smaller capacities are very inexpensive now, but it is nice to have a larger one if you can afford it. Each backup is very large, so a small card would run out of space quickly if you don't offload them to your computer or another storage medium. If you want to backup to the internal sd then install the older version (4.0.1.5) of CWM that support internal sd only, then you don't need a physical sd card. That is why TGA_Gunnman put that version back into his flasher.
With the latest CWM and a g2x and NO sd card, I was able to root, and flash roms. Just select the flash zip from internal SD option in CWM. I did not backup though.
hesher said:
With the latest CWM and a g2x and NO sd card, I was able to root, and flash roms. Just select the flash zip from internal SD option in CWM. I did not backup though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't the flash zip be deleted after you wipe the data, etc.?
Also, do I need to root for flash via CWM to work?
No just place it in the root.
kefloxin said:
Wouldn't the flash zip be deleted after you wipe the data, etc.?
Also, do I need to root for flash via CWM to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're saying that if I place the ROM on the root of the phone, it won't be deleted once I wipe data, wipe cache, wipe dalvik cache and format my /system?
I would just like to make sure as I don't want to be stuck without a phone until I get an SD card and no backup.
Thanks
kefloxin said:
So you're saying that if I place the ROM on the root of the phone, it won't be deleted once I wipe data, wipe cache, wipe dalvik cache and format my /system?
I would just like to make sure as I don't want to be stuck without a phone until I get an SD card and no backup.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were factory resetting a Samsung the internal SD is also wiped; but thankfully, LG does not do that. When you do a factory reset on the P999 all it does is wipe the data and cache partitions. The internal sd is left alone. So yes you can place the zip package on the internal sd, reset and then flash it. It also doesn't have to be on the root. In CWM if you select install zip from sd card, you can then choose external or internal sd and navigate to any folder and zip file you want to flash. Have fun!
I was able to install the old CWM with internal SD card support and I used that to make a backup and flash the ROM successfully. Everything seems to be awesome so far except that I can't use USB mass storage from the O/S. I turn on USB mass storage and my computer doesn't detect it. The only way to make it work is going to CWM and mounting the USB. Anyone know how I would be able to make it work through the O/S again?
I also can't install Swype without an external SD card, but I'll have one soon so that's not a big worry.
Aside from those things, I think it's pretty cool.
Thanks to everyone who helped.
Have fun bud. No phone is perfect, but the G2x is pretty awesome.
Powered by a G2x
Yeah, it's awesome. But anyone know why USB mass storage doesn't show the removable drive on my computer? I have to go into CWM and mount it to make it work, but I would prefer to be able to do it via the O/S.
Thanks for all your help though guys, you guys are awesome
kefloxin said:
Yeah, it's awesome. But anyone know why USB mass storage doesn't show the removable drive on my computer? I have to go into CWM and mount it to make it work, but I would prefer to be able to do it via the O/S.
Thanks for all your help though guys, you guys are awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install the LG Gingerbread drivers. Let me find a link.
Edit: I had the same problem as you, but this fixed that.
http://www.lg-phones.org/t-mobile-g2x-usb-driver.html
Powered by a G2x
It doesn't seem to work. I installed the drivers via the download link in the link you provided. Didn't work, then I tried to update following the instructions using the LG mobile support tool, and it still doesn't work either. (I've tried on 2 computers btw.)
I'm not sure why it only works via CWM, any other suggestions?
kefloxin said:
It doesn't seem to work. I installed the drivers via the download link in the link you provided. Didn't work, then I tried to update following the instructions using the LG mobile support tool, and it still doesn't work either. (I've tried on 2 computers btw.)
I'm not sure why it only works via CWM, any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be USB connection type is set wrong internally. See if there is some setting in CM7 for it. On a stock rom you can go into LG Hidden menu and set USB to automatic.
A buddy suggested posting this here instead of dev 'cuz my problem seems possibly more general
When I Odin flash CWM 5.0.2.6, CWM is never able to see, mount, or format my sdcard.
I'm stuck at square one. Without being able to mount or see the sdcard I can't actually use CWM for anything. I've tried several combinations of repartitioning and formating the sdcard in CWM (can't format it since it wont mount), in Android and in Windows, but no matter what I try CWM can't access the sdcard. Otherwise, I have no indication that there's anything actually wrong with the sdcard.
I should say it's an _internal_ sdcard as I have no external, if this is relevant. Any help is appreciated.
I'm using CWM 5.0.2.6 as there doesnt seem to be a newer one floating around (that's Odin flashable anyway)
edit: fix0red -- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=22401881#post22401881
Originally Posted by skrambled
Flash the latest cwm using ROM Manager (5.0.2.7). There are advanced options there like Backup to Internal SD Card, Advanced Restore from Internal SD, etc.
I was having the "unabke to mount sd card" problem with the Odin flashable cwm, but this fixed it. I can do nandroid backup and restore again.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA App
Used your method, got 5.0.2.7 on there, but same problem/behavior ;(
edit, almost same thing if I try to install the rom from recovery app, was timing out after it rebooted, but eventually started installing the ROM. so, it worked, though I still don't trust CWM >_<
thanks for the input
Hello XDA Developers,
First off let me say thank you for all the information always found on your forums, however I've run into a snag with my phone (HTC EVO Shift 4g) and need some help. I was doing a factory reset of my device using the tool in the Clockwork Mod Recovery (v5.0.2.0) and I went to wipe some additional data off my SD card, and inadvertently chose to format the /system, and pretty much every directory in the storage menu, which I later realized I probably shouldn't have done as now I can't get my phone to boot. Where the snag falls into here, I had made a backup of all my data on my SD card but have misplaced my full backup made through the clockwork mod. When I try booting my phone it simply comes up with the white boot screen with the "htc" logo in green. I have tried about everything I could possibly think of to get my shift working again, since it won't fully boot, the only option I've been able to try have been trying to get a ROM to install from a .zip, but I keep running into errors, did I manage to wipe out some sort of critical data when I did those formats?? Any help you guys can offer me will be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thank you in advance for your expertise and input on this.
NOTE: I have tried to download one of the STOCK RUU's that you guys have posted, I have yet to find one that will actually download or resolve my issue!
Sounds like you wiped and formatted everything.. Including your sd card.
Download a ROM to your pc - In clockwork go to mounts and storage - plug your phone into your pc and select mount usb. Transfer the ROM onto your sd card, unmounted your sd, wipe then flash.
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
Alright man all that happened was when you hit format system, you wiped the ROM from the phone, so download any ROM of choice go into recovery then mount as a storage device and transfer the ROM to the SD card, unmount then format system,data,cache and dalvik cache and flash the ROM and you will be fine
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk
Ok but does anyone have a stock RUU Rom I can download to do this? I'd kind of like to revert to stock in this process and I can't find one that works properly, thanks!
Khaezarn said:
Ok but does anyone have a stock RUU Rom I can download to do this? I'd kind of like to revert to stock in this process and I can't find one that works properly, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you boot into clock work recovery? That's all you need.
If I want to do a clean wipe of my rooted tablet is it just a matter of clearing the cache and re-installing the ROM?
That wont clean the sd card will it?
Thanks in advance.
zedsded said:
That wont clean the sd card will it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It won't.
To completely wipe all user data from your gTablet, boot into CWM (remove any external microSD cards first) and
a) Repartition the (internal) SD card, and
b) Format cache.
There's no need to re-install the ROM. If you do those 2 steps, above, your ROM will go back to looking like a fresh install.
Here is a link to a thread detailing the installing and running of CWM. I haven't used this particular thread yet, but will be in the next few days. I am going to install the newest gtab modified FrankenTAB build from PixelRider
So After I Installed CM10 My Transformer Got Crazy
Somehow The mnt/sdcard Now Called mnt/sdcard1
I Cant Play Games Or Download Apps
Oh And A New Folder Created "storage" And Removable Now Contain MicroSD , SD .USBDisk1 , USBDisk2
I Got Only MicroSD And Yes I Tried To Install Backup It Wont Work
Help
eazyscript said:
So After I Installed CM10 My Transformer Got Crazy
Somehow The mnt/sdcard Now Called mnt/sdcard1
I Cant Play Games Or Download Apps
Oh And A New Folder Created "storage" And Removable Now Contain MicroSD , SD .USBDisk1 , USBDisk2
I Got Only MicroSD And Yes I Tried To Install Backup It Wont Work
Help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you asking how to get CM10 working correctly? Or just how to get your TF101 working fine again? If the former, I can't really help you there, and that's just going to be difficult because CM10 is still in development, so there could be a host of problems. If you just want to get it working again, I would suggest finding a different (preferably STABLE) ROM and flashing it onto your device. That should work.
Also, if you're flashing a completely different ROM onto your device (not an upgrade or root, or whatever else,) I would go by the general rule of ALWAYS wipe your system, dalvik cache, normal cache, and if you're flashing files from an SD card, be sure to wipe your internal memory too. This will ensure that none of your previous files conflict with the new ones.
This happened to me when i ran one of the JB roms and then tried to nandroid back to revolver. By default the mounting for /data/media/ which is the internal memory is supposed to be at /sdcard/, but for some reason it got switched to /storage/sdcard0/. Nandroiding back to Revolver didn't help as the change was to something before the rom, so even twrp was acting funny because the mountings were present there also.
After some confusion i flashed superwipe lite and all was well. I ran lite since its supposed to leave /data/media/ alone, while reparitioning the rest of the system, so i thought that at some point its got to change the mountings back to the way it was supposed to be in HC and ICS.
Now if i could only remember where those mountings were originally saved i can just go in there and edit the file directly if this happens again.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2
But If I Super Wip My File Will Be Gone No?
And Im Trying To Get My TF101 Back To Work In ICS Rom Too
By The Sorry For My English
eazyscript said:
But If I Super Wip My File Will Be Gone No?
And Im Trying To Get My TF101 Back To Work In ICS Rom Too
By The Sorry For My English
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What recovery manager are you using? And are you loading your flash packages on a MicroSD or the internal memory?
If you are on jb and want to restore an ics rom you cant...from jb to ics yoj couldnt... but from ics to jb yes
Enviado desde mi Transformer TF101 usando Tapatalk 2
I'm Using Clockwork
I Restored To My Old Mega-tron ICS Rom And Nothing Changed
I'm Loading Form Internal Memory
Help I Need To Finish School Project But I Cant Access To The Files
eazyscript said:
I'm Using Clockwork
I Restored To My Old Mega-tron ICS Rom And Nothing Changed
I'm Loading Form Internal Memory
Help I Need To Finish School Project But I Cant Access To The Files
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's what I would suggest (assuming you have a microSD card):
Load your ROM of choice onto a microSD card and Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP) to your internal memory. Reboot into recovery and flash the TWRP .zip to install it, and then reboot back into recovery. After that, go to "Wipe" and run Wipe Cache, Wipe Dalvik Cache, Factory Reset, and System, and DO NOT REBOOT Then go back and choose "Install" from the menu and make sure you're viewing "using external SD," and there should be your ROM .zip. Flash it and reboot.
Let me know what happens or if you have any questions.
In TWRP My Touch Want Work
eazyscript said:
In TWRP My Touch Want Work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a TF101 we're talking about, right? You didn't just flash that onto a different model of Transformer?
Yes a TF101
eazyscript said:
Yes a TF101
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, well, I'm not sure why your touch would't be working if you're using a TF101, but here's my last idea: Go here and do this. Make sure to read it carefully, as that basically just wipes your drive COMPLETELY and reinstalls the STOCK firmware. If you can't figure out how to do that, then I have no idea how else I can help you. I'm sorry.
enterflux said:
Alright, well, I'm not sure why your touch would't be working if you're using a TF101, but here's my last idea: Go here and do this. Make sure to read it carefully, as that basically just wipes your drive COMPLETELY and reinstall the STOCK firmware. If you can't figure out how to do that, then I have no idea how else I can help you. I'm sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Got Him Working The Problem Was With My Fingers I Just Ate Potato
I Wipped And Installed ICS Rom(Megatron) From External But I Got No File Manger And My Cable Kind Of Broken How Can I See If Some Think Changed
eazyscript said:
I Got Him Working The Problem Was With My Fingers I Just Ate Potato
I Wipped And Installed ICS Rom(Megatron) From External But I Got No File Manger And My Cable Kind Of Broken How Can I See If Some Think Changed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you not just download a file manager app from the Play Store? There's several out there...