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First Android device, need some help

Hello people of xda-developers
I got my first Android phone, which is an LG G2X 2.3.3 Gingerbread.
I have been searching around and found out you can root your phone which is kinda like jailbreaking an iphone.
I still don't completely understand how to do it though. I've seen a couple of threads that tell you how to root your Android device with something called SuperOneClick, but from what I understand, this doesn't work with the new Gingerbread.
Now from what I understand, you first have to root your phone, then flash it with CWM Recovery with NVFlash right?
Could someone please lead me to the threads that explain how to root a G2X with Gingerbread, and how to flash it with CWM Recovery.

hope this helps
Joseg1320 said:
Hello people of xda-developers
I got my first Android phone, which is an LG G2X 2.3.3 Gingerbread.
I have been searching around and found out you can root your phone which is kinda like jailbreaking an iphone.
I still don't completely understand how to do it though. I've seen a couple of threads that tell you how to root your Android device with something called SuperOneClick, but from what I understand, this doesn't work with the new Gingerbread.
Now from what I understand, you first have to root your phone, then flash it with CWM Recovery with NVFlash right?
Could someone please lead me to the threads that explain how to root a G2X with Gingerbread, and how to flash it with CWM Recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
although someone did post a way to root the gingerbread rom its pretty complicated for a new user.
the oneclick methods of rooting for the 2.3.3 dont exist.
if you want to be able to flash custom roms(which you do) than follow this link and it will walk you through what to do.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1056847
that will get you where you need to be. but it will not root the rom you are currently using youll need to flash a custom rom for that. in the development section youll see several roms either from source. or that are based on the 2.3.3 release and xboarders is the 2.3.3 with root only thats the only change.
good luck.

Okay I flashed CWM via NVFlash. Now I have a question. How can I backup my apps before flashing a rom. I tried to use Titanium Backup, but that doesn't work because my phone isn't rooted. If I boot into Recovery, do I have to wipe data before I install for ex. CM7 onto my phone? But wouldn't wiping the data delete all of my apps?

Joseg1320 said:
Okay I flashed CWM via NVFlash. Now I have a question. How can I backup my apps before flashing a rom. I tried to use Titanium Backup, but that doesn't work because my phone isn't rooted. If I boot into Recovery, do I have to wipe data before I install for ex. CM7 onto my phone? But wouldn't wiping the data delete all of my apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes wipe everything. Here's a step-by-step method of flashing new roms:
1. Wipe Data/Factory
2. Wipe Cache
3. Wipe Dalvik
4. Wipe Battery stats - HINT. Always flash new ROMs with 100% battery to get the best battery life
5. Format/system
6. install zip from SD card
7. Fix permissions
8. Reboot and Enjoy!
All your paid apps will come again when you login to your Google account and set up your market. In Market, just press the menu button and hit My Apps and you should be able to re-install all your paid apps.

Joseg1320 said:
Okay I flashed CWM via NVFlash. Now I have a question. How can I backup my apps before flashing a rom. I tried to use Titanium Backup, but that doesn't work because my phone isn't rooted. If I boot into Recovery, do I have to wipe data before I install for ex. CM7 onto my phone? But wouldn't wiping the data delete all of my apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have Clockworkmod successfully flashed then you CAN now root without flashing another rom. Download the zip (theres one that roots, and one that unroots should you ever want that) file from the OP of this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1255214. Save it to your sdcard, boot into recovery and select to install zip from sdcard. Navigate to the zip file and install/flash it. Reboot and you have rooted your system with all your files and apps in place.

phburks said:
If you have Clockworkmod successfully flashed then you CAN now root without flashing another rom. Download the zip (theres one that roots, and one that unroots should you ever want that) file from the OP of this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1255214. Save it to your sdcard, boot into recovery and select to install zip from sdcard. Navigate to the zip file and install/flash it. Reboot and you have rooted your system with all your files and apps in place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this. My phone is now rooted, but I ran into a problem. I tried flashing CM7 through ROM manager, I cleared cache and Dalvik and then flashed the CM7 Rom, but when I go to reboot, the phone freezes at the "T-Mobile G2X with Google" animation.

Joseg1320 said:
I did this. My phone is now rooted, but I ran into a problem. I tried flashing CM7 through ROM manager, I cleared cache and everything and then flashed the CM7 Rom, but when I go to reboot, the phone freezes at the "T-Mobile G2X with Google" animation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try it without rom manager. Power your phone off and then boot into recovery by holding power + volume down until you see the recovery splash screen. Do a full wipe and then flash cm7 again. After successfully installing cm7, or any rom for that matter, your first reboot may take several minutes while it builds the dalvik cache. Subsequent reboots will be MUCH faster.

phburks said:
Try it without rom manager. Power your phone off and then boot into recovery by holding power + volume down until you see the recovery splash screen. Do a full wipe and then flash cm7 again. After successfully installing cm7, or any rom for that matter, your first reboot may take several minutes while it builds the dalvik cache. Subsequent reboots will be MUCH faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah okay, I didn't know the first reboot takes longer. I'll give it a try from CWM Recovery.
Just wondering, which ROM is the most stable/popular?

Joseg1320 said:
Ah okay, I didn't know the first reboot takes longer. I'll give it a try from CWM Recovery.
Just wondering, which ROM is the most stable/popular?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Popular? Its really about personal preference but I'd say cm7, xboarders stock tweaked, miui, weapon, and eaglesblood are right up there at the top. If you want a more stock experience go with xboarders. Cm7 is fairly stock looking with a lot of useful features added. Miui is the opposite end of the spectrum, a very different kind of android indeed lol.
As for stable, any of the ones I mentioned are good, and probably others as well. Cm7 nightly builds are certainly useful enough to be a daily driver, but they have a few issues, but what else would you expect from nightly builds. They are development versions, not final releases.
Try a few and find what you like. Just make sure to keep a good working backup in case you fubar your phone lol.

Alright I got CM7 working and flashed google apps.
Now I have another little problem Before I flashed CM7, I used Titanium Backup to backup some of my game apps. After I flashed CM7, I go to Titanium Backup and none of my apps are there to restore. I connected my phone to my computer and I opened the Titanium Backup folder and the zip files and the PROPERTIES files are all there. How come I'm not able to restore my apps using Titanium Backup if all of the files are there?
I have the .apk files for the apps and I can just install them again, but I'm going to lose my save data.

Joseg1320 said:
Alright I got CM7 working and flashed google apps.
Now I have another little problem Before I flashed CM7, I used Titanium Backup to backup some of my game apps. After I flashed CM7, I go to Titanium Backup and none of my apps are there to restore. I connected my phone to my computer and I opened the Titanium Backup folder and the zip files and the PROPERTIES files are all there. How come I'm not able to restore my apps using Titanium Backup if all of the files are there?
I have the .apk files for the apps and I can just install them again, but I'm going to lose my save data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never had success with Titanium Backup. Just reinstall your apks clean and forget about the old data. A clean install is better. Think about doing a new Windows installation. Do you want to import the crap that messed up your Windows in the first place? Android is the same way. Better to not import your old data and start new.

I have never had success with Titanium Backup. Just reinstall your apks clean and forget about the old data. A clean install is better. Think about doing a new Windows installation. Do you want to import the crap that messed up your Windows in the first place? Android is the same way. Better to not import your old data and start new.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait no! Don't do that you can salvage ur save data.
What happens when you install CM7 is that the sdcard directory now points to your external sd card rather then the internal that comes with the phone.
the internal is now at /mnt/emmc
Get root explorer and you will see what I'm talking about.
Once you have root explorer just copy the titanium backup folder from /mnt/emmc to /sdcard and you should be able to restore all user apps with data... however DO NOT restore system data from stock to CM7... big headaches.
Hope this helps!

thanasisc4 said:
Wait no! Don't do that you can salvage ur save data.
What happens when you install CM7 is that the sdcard directory now points to your external sd card rather then the internal that comes with the phone.
the internal is now at /mnt/emmc
Get root explorer and you will see what I'm talking about.
Once you have root explorer just copy the titanium backup folder from /mnt/emmc to /sdcard and you should be able to restore all user apps with data... however DO NOT restore system data from stock to CM7... big headaches.
Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too late, lol.
I deleted the Titanum Backup folder from my phone.
Oh well, nothing GameCIH can't solve.

Titanium backup goes to you internal sdcard. so you connect to you computer find the folder named TitaniumBackup or something like that, then move that folder to your sd card. Its just a matter of keeping same folder structure that titanium looks for (ie the correct folder name), and puttin the files in there, on the correct external sd card
---------- Post added at 10:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 PM ----------
oh also most of the time replacing the app doesn't work, just replace the data and it will work (unless of course you are actually trying to change the app in that case good luck).

Internal Memory Issue

I recently was getting the low internal memory msgs. So I went through and got rid off all the crap apps that I don't really use. Then I went and used Titanium to get rid of a lot of bloatware. I was back up to around 100mb of internal storage.
Then I flashed AntonX's SGS4G kernel with a twist (include Voodoo lagfix, BLN, among others. I'm pretty sure it was right after I flashed this kernel I was literally right back to having low memory. Is this normal? Is there a way to free up more internal mem, besides just deleting apk's and bloatware? Also I recently tried to flash a ROM and it came back with an error could that be because of the lack of memory?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

Stock rom with custom kernel?
You can move apps to the sdcard from manage apps then select sdcard/usb storage. There should be boxes that you can check and it will give the option to move to sdcard. Move as many apps as possible however apps that have widgets, the widget will not function properly if at all.
If you are wiping the partitions like you are suppose to then a custom rom will install. There is a chance you have a bad download tho that will give errors.

eollie said:
Stock rom with custom kernel?
You can move apps to the sdcard from manage apps then select sdcard/usb storage. There should be boxes that you can check and it will give the option to move to sdcard. Move as many apps as possible however apps that have widgets, the widget will not function properly if at all.
If you are wiping the partitions like you are suppose to then a custom rom will install. There is a chance you have a bad download tho that will give errors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, just about ask my apps were moved to the SD card. I'm just kind of an app junkie and had a huge collection. So I still got low mem warnings.
Although I am still a "noob" to this, so no I didn't know to wipe partitions. Could you explain how to do that, or point me to a thread that will? Thanks man.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

Do you really need all the apps? I mean do you use them enough daily/weekly to warrant keeping them installed? If not use something like Titanium Backup to install and remove them when you need them.
As for wiping the caches, I suggest doing some searching and reading before doing this. I can explain it but honestly you need to learn it from reading. Because my explanation will not be as informative. If you have no understanding of what your doing and why then it wont make sense.

eollie said:
Do you really need all the apps? I mean do you use them enough daily/weekly to warrant keeping them installed? If not use something like Titanium Backup to install and remove them when you need them.
As for wiping the caches, I suggest doing some searching and reading before doing this. I can explain it but honestly you need to learn it from reading. Because my explanation will not be as informative. If you have no understanding of what your doing and why then it wont make sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you're right I really don't have a need for ALL the apps. So that's what I did I got Titanium and just backed up the non-essential apps, the uninstalled them.
As for the wiping caches, I have an idea of what I'm doing. I'm learning. I will do some more research on it then. Quick question though, is it done through CWM with the option, "wipe cache" or is it more complicated than that?
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

Use titanium backup. There is a function under batch operations. Clear all user and system cache. It will free space and help keep your system in tip top shape. I usually do it once a week. It is normal for your status bar and network your disconnect. It will come back a minute after the batch finishes.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda app-developers app

AOKP M6.4 OS : Link2SD app won't let me create script. Any ideas? I created partition back when I was on GB but it worked before on ICS. Something just doesn't seem right...
sent from The Backwoods in South Texas

Proper way to upgrade a ROM

Hey, so this could be a completely stupid question, but what is the 'correct' way to upgrade a ROM? At the moment I reboot into Recovery and then select 'Install .zip from SD card' and just pick the new ROM.
However, in the thread, people are saying to use a command or something? I used an all-in-one tool to remove the bootloader/root my phone (International One X) so I don't know if that command is for people rooting it via Command Prompt or what have you.
I have no idea which way is better, so I thought I'd ask here to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong.

samsaBEAR said:
Hey, so this could be a completely stupid question, but what is the 'correct' way to upgrade a ROM? At the moment I reboot into Recovery and then select 'Install .zip from SD card' and just pick the new ROM.
However, in the thread, people are saying to use a command or something? I used an all-in-one tool to remove the bootloader/root my phone (International One X) so I don't know if that command is for people rooting it via Command Prompt or what have you.
I have no idea which way is better, so I thought I'd ask here to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your method should be fine. You do need to check with the developer though as some updates require a full wipe first in order to prevent any bugs. Use titanium backup or some similar backup program so you can easily restore your apps and settings after a full wipe.
Sent from my S3 on Tapatalk.

RJFrank33 said:
Your method should be fine. You do need to check with the developer though as some updates require a full wipe first in order to prevent any bugs. Use titanium backup or some similar backup program so you can easily restore your apps and settings after a full wipe.
Sent from my S3 on Tapatalk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah ok, thanks for clearing it up!

i wasn't sure on that one either, so now i know it's nothing wrong with installing from sd card. i have one question still, where can i find sony ericssons firmware, something like http://www.sammobile.com/firmware/ for samsung.

You can have some stability issues if you don't do a full wipe

I always full wipe and clear cache and dalvik cache before and after install. Overkill probably but never had a problem.

I'd do a full wipe every time but recently the ROM I'm using has been putting out updates every few days, restoring with Titanium each time is such a hassle, definite first world problem.

Your way should work but sometimes when i update without a full wipe some programs FC(force close) and i lags.

I use 4ext for recovery. It has a script that will format and wipe everything that needs to be wiped (except the SD card) then I use Titanium Backup. I bought the pro version which is less of a hassle when restoring.
-place newer rom on your sd card
-backup current rom just incase you need to go back
-use titanium backup to save your apps and app data
-wipe everything, then do it again just to make sure
-install your newer rom
-enjoy
I know this seems like a hassle everytime to update a rom but I usually flash roms 2-3 times a week and I have never had a problem with a rom that wasnt developer related. Hope this helps

Recovery Wars Showdown

Scott originally said he liked TWRP better than CWM, so I posted this in his thread (sorry Scott, didn't mean to clutter)....
Ok so here are my concerns... I've always used CWM since my last phone (orig droid inc) so I have been using it on this phone. When I first rooted and installed it I made a backup of my stock rom (on ext SD card) and after I installed this ROM I made a backup of it before installing KCM and dirty tweaks (on internal SD card) (I wanted to see if there was a difference in speed saving to ext vs internal and it seemed internal was faster). At the time I didn't know about blobs and didn't know that I couldn't just move my backup from internal to external (at least I'm assuming I can't), and I like it better when the backups are more portable. Does TWRP have more portable backups than CWM?
Also, is there a way to convert CWM backups to TWRP or would I have to load my backups with CWM then use EZ Recovery to flash TWRP and then re-save them as TWRP? Or would it just be better to keep those 2 backups as CWM (since I can just use EZR to reflash CWM) and just use TWRP for new ones?
Finally, what about Kinda Crap Mods... Since using it, i'm kind of liking it but it doesn't seem to be supported with TWRP, right? But then again I guess I could just use EZ Recovery to flash CWM to install KCM and then flash back to TWRP and there shouldn't be any issues right?
Haha sorry it's so long but I think it's useful info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any answers to my questions above?
So what do you guys like/dislike about TWRP/CWM? Which one works better for you and why? I know it's all a matter of opinion and preference but examples would help others decide which one they want to try.

If you want 100% (for the most part) stability - use CWM.
If you want to play with the newest, easier to navigate recovery, which has been reported to not wipe properly - use TWRP.
I exclusively used TWRP on my Nex. On my S3, I have little bits of other nandroids creeping into my restores - if that makes sense. For example, restoring a TW backup after running CM -- I would find CM apps in my app drawer. Additionally, my phone was running like poo. Went to restore a different backup, only to find they were all corrupted.
That ended my dance with TWRP on the S3. Just MY results....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I am used to CWM so I don't really think its that difficult to navigate. The only thing that is new for me are these silly blobs... As stated above I did a backup to internal SD and a backup to external SD to see which one is faster, but now I just want to have both of them on my external but with these blobs i'm not sure if that is possible is it?

I've used Clockwork recovery since my OG Droid days, and its never failed me so i've always stuck with it. Never had any major issues with it or any issues at all while using it.
But you have to realize a lot of the 'issues' people post are user error and not the recovery itself. i am NOT calling out anybody, but its true, most errors are user errors, how else could something work perfectly fine for 999 people and only mess up for 1 person.

I used this touch based cwm on my gnex and loved it, it uses Swype gestures and the dev has ported it to the sgs3.
http://rootzwiki.com/index.php?/topic/32975-Touch-Based-ClockworkMod-Recovery

Neverendingxsin said:
I've used Clockwork recovery since my OG Droid days, and its never failed me so i've always stuck with it. Never had any major issues with it or any issues at all while using it.
But you have to realize a lot of the 'issues' people post are user error and not the recovery itself. i am NOT calling out anybody, but its true, most errors are user errors, how else could something work perfectly fine for 999 people and only mess up for 1 person.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. Have always used cwm an has always done the job.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

In Clockwork 6.0.1.2 you can change the backup format to tar to eliminate the "blobs".
Backup and Restore > choose backup format
Not sure about lower versions.

grin0048 said:
In Clockwork 6.0.1.2 you can change the backup format to tar to eliminate the "blobs".
Backup and Restore > choose backup format
Not sure about lower versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are the blobs even for?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

SlimSnoopOS said:
What are the blobs even for?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the blobs folder is where 99% of your data is stored. the reason its stored there is so when you make more than one backup it won't backup data that it already has. Its a way to save space, so instead of having a bunch of huge backups, it'll only backup data that has either changed or was never there. Just don't EVER mess with the blobs folder.

Neverendingxsin said:
the blobs folder is where 99% of your data is stored. the reason its stored there is so when you make more than one backup it won't backup data that it already has. Its a way to save space, so instead of having a bunch of huge backups, it'll only backup data that has either changed or was never there. Just don't EVER mess with the blobs folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aight, here's a couple more questions:
1) Why doesn't CWM 6.x properly date the backups? All mine end with the year 1970. My last device, Droid Incredible, dated CWM backups properly. Is renaming them fine in relation to the blobs?
2) Should I only delete backups via CWM since they would theoretically delete the blob files corresponding to them?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

SlimSnoopOS said:
Aight, here's a couple more questions:
1) Why doesn't CWM 6.x properly date the backups? All mine end with the year 1970. My last device, Droid Incredible, dated CWM backups properly. Is renaming them fine in relation to the blobs?
2) Should I only delete backups via CWM since they would theoretically delete the blob files corresponding to them?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely yes on #2. That's what I came in here to say.
CWM hasn't dated a backup correctly in who knows how long. Lol.
And I know scrosler loves TWRP (and we all love scrosler and CleanROM) but I've seen other devs mention the same kind of thing I said about TWRP -- as well as other users.
I personally prefer TWRP, so the fact that I'm recommending CWM means I don't use the former for a reason.
Finally, don't worry about moving backups. Just restore the ones you have on internal, make a new backup to external, then delete the internal one from recovery. Bye blobs, hello sdcard.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

TWRP is a faster and easier recovery, the only bug I have encountered is the faster of my backup being incorrect unless I set a name. I perfer the touch and simplicity of TWRP.
Sent from my Cocaine White S3.

[Q] Recovering Applications on the samsung galaxy tab 2 10.1

Please bare with me since I am still learning about android and so my question is, how can I recover my applications from my tablet after I have rooted it.
I flashed cyanogen 9 to my SGT2.10.1 and it was successful, although I am stuck on trying to recover my applications from the partition internal memory. Of course I have done a variety of steps to recover them and some of the steps I took are:
1. I tried using the spk tool - I really do not know how to use it and I am having a hard time figuring it out
2. Trying to delete and reformat the internal memory - was not successful since it only erased of what I currently had on the rooted and partitioned memory, thus my original/stock application are still within the internal memory.
3. I tried using applications such PC36IMG-AmonRA-3.07-gnm.zip - I changed the name to PC36IMG but flashing it lead to installation fail/aborted
4. I tried recovering them with titanium back up - but the application couldn't see my original/stock applications
5. Also tried using Astro File manager - Same results as TBU
6. Deleting the files from my pc via usb- it does not give me an option to reformat it
Any suggestions? this is the final step that I need to complete to finally enjoy my retarded galaxy tab 2

Hi. I always use titanium backup and never had problems with it - what do you mean by "couldn't see my original applications"? Did you make a backup of the applications prior to flashing CM? If you did so and you didn't format the sdcard (the "TitaniumBackup" folder" resides by default on the internal sdcard), you should still have all your backups there, and you should be able to restore them.

Are you trying to get the same apps you had on stock prior to flashing CM9? If so, did you back up prior to flashing?
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

it is recommended that you dont use titanium back up to restore your apps. you will have to reinstall from scratch. that is on the cm9 instructions.
just for future reference, you will need to download tbu from the market, install it then try to use the back up to reinstall your apps. or you can create a zip file from within tbu which you can install using cwm but do it after your rom is working

behemot24 said:
Hi. I always use titanium backup and never had problems with it - what do you mean by "couldn't see my original applications"? Did you make a backup of the applications prior to flashing CM? If you did so and you didn't format the sdcard (the "TitaniumBackup" folder" resides by default on the internal sdcard), you should still have all your backups there, and you should be able to restore them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not back it, I also did not delete them before flashing CM which i truly regret. Since my stock applications/original applications take up 8 gigs of my internal memory out of 13. The 8 gigs of memory/apps, I have no access or whatsoever.... I succesfully rooted and flashed CM and GAAP the only thing is left for me is to restore this applications or delete them so I can finally utilize my tablet.
Please help me
any suggestions are all welcome as long as my tablet not end being brick.

reply
sloosecannon said:
Are you trying to get the same apps you had on stock prior to flashing CM9? If so, did you back up prior to flashing?
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes sir that is exactly what i am trying to do. Although I did not back up prior to flashing...i really really wish i did. I miss that part since it did not mentioned on the instructions that I read it from on flashing CM9.

KMoracle said:
yes sir that is exactly what i am trying to do. Although I did not back up prior to flashing...i really really wish i did. I miss that part since it did not mentioned on the instructions that I read it from on flashing CM9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... Well I hate to say this but I think they're gone... You sure those 8 gigs aren't something else?
Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk HD

Impossible
sloosecannon said:
Hmm... Well I hate to say this but I think they're gone... You sure those 8 gigs aren't something else?
Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Impossible, im pretty sure those 8 gigs can only be my stock applications? what else can it be? I mean you do not actually think cyanogen 9 is worth 9 gigs? I have nothing in my current OS.
They cannot be good since I can fully see the memory being occupied, I am just having a difficult time accessing and recovering those stock applications.
I can't believe no one knows how to do this in this thread....