Related
I have been less than pleased with my verizon Titan ever since I have had it. It runs very slow. At least twice a week, I have to remove the battery to unfreeze. The other day, I was in a patients room and noticed that her husband had a phone just like mine. I asked him if he liked it and he said that he loved it. I expressed some of my frustrations and he directed me to this website, telling me that he had installed a new radio and kitchen etc and that it now worked great. Looking at some of the websites, I have only become confused and a bit scared to try and tweak my phone. I do not know where to start.
Will somebody give me or direct me to simple idiot proof instructions on how to unlock/unleash the powers of this phone? I need instructions written for someone who knows nothing about altering smartphones.
Thanks in Advance
Not to be rude, but did you even read the stickies on the forum? Plz read the wiki's gather as much knowledge as you can about the subject and then take the plunge. You will find that the wiki's are most helpful. I would update to DCD's latest ROM and get the latest radio.
You will also find out that alot of basic apps don't come with his ROMs. Make sure you get a list of what you need on your phone before you take the plunge. Get a backup program like PIM backup.
Do searches. Research on your own. nobody here is going to do that for you. People created these wiki's for a reason. USE THEM.
In all truthfulness you should not hack your phone unless you know what you are doing. The wikis and threads are very daunting even to those who have some knowledge of what is going on.
Not trying to be rude, but maybe you need a different phone. One that works the way you want it to work right out of the box.
Best case scenario, even if you manage to fumble your way thru the wikis and then later flash your rom, are you going to be able to recover if you get stuck in the bootloader?
The wikis have the info that you need. But like learning medicine you have to apply yourself.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=392133
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Titan
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=dcdtitanroms
http://ppckitchen.org
You may want to try this one first, to see what all this cooking stuff is all about
gc14 said:
Yes, this is the official sprint 6.1 update with 3.42.02 radio. Non sprint customers can use it to flash the radio only (if you can't via sd card), but again CAN'T let customizations run. Non sprint customers will have to wait until the custom rom is released.
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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=402887
There are different methods to flash your rom, and different choices for rom updates. Read up on all of them. Trust me, you will need the info sooner or later.
Like it says in the DCD thread you need to unlock your phone, you need a rom, radio, and a carrier. I just flashed my sprint titan for the first time and just about cried when it got stuck in the bootloader.
oh looky what I just accidentally found in the forums.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=403866
Boomstick said:
oh looky what I just accidentally found in the forums.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=403866
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What an amazing concept, you read the forum.
Unfortunately that many guides offer what I feel to be short-cuts. It may be fine if everything goes perfectly, but the problem with such simplifications is that new people can find themselves stuck in unfamiliar territory.
People should be take the time to be aware of background to what they are doing to their phones. Personally, I'd rather recommend taking care to understand the Wiki as myself and others have made the effort to cover many possibilities and recovers when flashing.
Hysterical that the poster identifies himself as a trauma surgeon. Lets hope that if any of us is ever unlucky enough to find ourselves on the other end of the scalpel from this joker, that he isn't standing at the table saying "how do you do this?", and might have taken the time to read up first.
There is no correlation between Surgeon and Computer literacy. My wife's cousin in finishing up Med school and is as bright as they come yet not computer savy beyond common tasks.
As for the actual question he needs not to worry. Using the link with Step by Step to the Verizon upgrade will go easy for you. I only suggest doing the radio via SD card and Rom via USB.
Big Dawg 23 said:
There is no correlation between Surgeon and Computer literacy. My wife's cousin in finishing up Med school and is as bright as they come yet not computer savy beyond common tasks.
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Its not the correlation, its the attitude.
Interesting attitudes here
I will start of first saying thank you to those of you who actually are trying to help. For the rest of you, yes I did search the forum and yes I did read the Wiki. I still did not feel like I understood things well enough to run the risk of "bricking" my phone. (That is new lingo for those of us who don't spend all of our time on computers) Of course I could spend 10 or 20 hours or more, learning more about the phone, which would mean that some time in October I might have it figured out. My job simply does not give me the time to spend hours and hours trying to tweak my phone. I am in the hospital 110 to 120 hours a week (not a month). I feel lucky when I get a few minutes with my wife and kids. But rest assured, when you crash you car and you are bleeding to death, I am there for you just as I am for everyone else. So for the rest of you who are too cocky and to much of a smartass to help someone else out, I ask what in the world are you doing in this forum anyway. I would predict that you are only in here to take what others are here to give OR just here to try and belittle or make others feel stupid.
traumasurg, well aren't you special?
(That is new lingo for those of us who don't spend all of our time on computers)
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Get off your high horse, exceptional ego, relax, and take the time to respectfully learn. Only a single comment here may have generalised and only slightly went over-board, but none were as bad as your absolute swipe against this community -- your second post to XDA.... ebb pegged it, as you do have a horrible attitude. You may have made a far better first impression by not posting your introduction to the forum as a request for a short-cut to flashing your phone without also stating that you had paid notice to the Wiki and current threads concerning flashing guides.... If you had trouble understanding, then why did you fail to state exactly where you went out-of-depth? If terminology is "new lingo" to you then did you at least cover the basics of basic in our Wiki's Titan for Beginners?
You come in here looking for help yet some of us were quite polite, accurate and specific in warning that you should not rush forward with short-cuts before being aware of what you are doing and how to recovery. Links to help were provided to you before in between your two posts. Your phone is possibly your critical property so you should avoid messing with it if unsure upon ensuring that you can maintain its function.
Warning for you in the future -- don't join a tech forum insult all as shut-in computer geeks who owe our life to you. This is an anonymous forum, and therefore all are potentially equal here. What distinguishes members is their decorum of respect and a display of an effort to learn.
Keystone said:
Warning for you in the future -- don't join a tech forum insult all as shut-in computer geeks who owe our life to you. This is an anonymous forum, and therefore all are potentially equal here. What distinguishes members is their decorum of respect and a display of an effort to learn.
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Look, I in no way implied that everyone in here is a shut-in computer geek, although I have no doubt that some are. If you look back over the replies to my original post, there were a couple of members who showed anything but respect. In fact, two of them even posted twice to my original question without any useful information and replied only to in effect say "look how stupid this guy is." If you were on the other end of that reply, what would you think of those here in this forum? There were however several other responses, yours included, that were helpful. Yes I did read through the Wiki and I also had previously looked at two other websites given me by my patient's husband. It was mostly greek to me. That is why I posted.
I must say, I have been in several different forums, dirtbiking, cycling, climbing, trauma, as well as other computer forums and I have never met such attitudes that I met in here this week.
I'll probably just get an iphone next week.
traumasurg said:
I am in the hospital 110 to 120 hours a week (not a month)
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sucks to be you...
and since there is only 168 hours in a week and you say 120 of it is for work... that leaves you with 48 hours of sleeping time... which would be a little less than 7 hours of sleep a day... how do you eat? how do you shower? how do you get laid? no wonder the attitude... if no one else understands... I do
It is tough for some to answer the same questions that are (I promise) explained in the wiki. The hope is that most people would understand and be able to follow through with the instructions, but this is not for anyone, similar to HAM radio and FTA satellite.
I encourage you to go for the iphone, it seems more your speed.
Alright traumasurg, I can understand being a noob sucks. So here is a breakdown of what you should do if you want to get your phone with a new rom and gps radio.
That stock rom wont work with GPS radio. You need a non-stock rom for it to work.
Get this rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=402920
Get this radio: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=403280
use this as a guide: http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=TitanRecentHome
Once the rom is installed assuming you have verizon, run the carrier cab.
Get carrier cab here: http://www.lifesnotsogood.com/dcd1182/carriers/dcd Verizon Carrier 20080706.cab
Remember you will need to install the new boot loader first. Then do the rest according to instructions there.
Also, make sure you have another phone handy or a land-line handy for when u call verizon. To get it re-authenticated. You will need to do this whenever u go from a non-gps radio to a gps one. (I reccomend doing this during business hours so u dont freak and wont be able to contact them until they open in the morning)
Oh yeah make sure you backup your contacts to outlook(activesync) or use Pimbackup or your gonna be pissed off.
I would appreciate some guidance with my question. I have a G-TAB that is running the Android 2.2 OS. I am aware that there are better OS systems available for the G-TAB with more capabilities, but I have heard that some of them disable FLASH and the CAMERA capabilities? I was wondering if there was a better OS upgrade out there in the development world that would not disable some of the origianl G-TAB features? Also, since I am a novice in this area, is there a service available that will perform this OS upgrade for me for a price? Please advise as I would like to move forward with the suggested upgrade. Many thanks!
There are some good froyo roms such as brilliant corners, mountain laurel, And a couple more that don't lose any functionality. There are plenty of guides to follow to change roms. Just read them carefully and follow the instructions. Don't pay someone to do it.
I'm more than happy to do it but I'm expensive. Considering that it costs 200+ more to buy a unit with Linux on it, I would charge the same for any possible version of Android. The majority of the price is the liability and time. I can fix anything, that's not the problem. The real problem lies in how we're forced to upgrade devices. It's a pretty straight forward process but if anything goes wrong it could take hours of research to figure it out.
If you're willing to pay $200 and ship it to me with a return label, I'm more than happy to help you out. Honestly you could do the same things I'm going to do if you put a little time into the research here on XDA and the other forums out there. If you're too busy or not technically inclined I can understand that. Daddy needs a new pair of shoes as they say...
PM me if you still need someone to help.
I'm not aware of any real service for flashing tablets. But we aware that if you pay someone to flash a new ROM you'll have no knowledge of how to fix it when things go wrong. And things will eventually go wrong. If you want to run anything other than stock, it's absolutely necessary to understand at least the basics of modding android devices. Check out http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com/ to get started. Good luck.
seiously, these topics are getting OLD quickly...
READ
READ
READ
READ
READ
READ
READ
Patience yoda we have a young padawan among us
kieso said:
Patience yoda we have a young padawan among us
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Obviously not an illiterate one, though.
Does anyone ever read first, then ask questions anymore?
I know that it can get confusing, but really. Before I got my Gtablet back in April, I read just abotu every thread on here, and watched just abotu every youtube video available.
Was I fearful when I flashed my first rom? Absolutely. Did it work flawlessly? Absolutely. Did I read, re-read, watch videos, re-read, read step by step as I was doing it, then read again when I was done to make sure I didn't skip a step...YOU BET YOUR BIPPY I DID.
The reason that I get blunt when I see these questions is because this tablet has been available for almost a year. There is more information available for this device on several forums that there should be no reason to ask questions that have been answered at least 50 times.
If you seriously need a "service" to flash a rom for you, then you REALLY should have bought an iPad, and have been stuck with whatever Apple provides.
FORUM RULES:
1. Search before posting.
Use one of our search functions before posting, whether you have a question or something new to share, it's very likely someone already asked that question or shared that news.
WOOO. After 3 days of playing around, I've got a fully rooted P769 running AntonX's CM10.1 with an unlocked bootloader. I got it 8/5/13 from Amazon for $150, and it's a freaking sweet phone for the price. I wanted a backup phone to play around with, and I couldn't have asked for a better device (well... debateable).
*As of 8/19/13, it's priced at $179 from Amazon versus $240 from T-Mobile.
Obviously, it goes without saying that this thread is completely unnecessary. This thread could be completely ignored by everyone else and I wouldn't mind, because it'll be my own one-stop shop for when I have to redo everything in the future.
I'm going to detail my process and experience, and link all the relevant files and images. I had to do the entire process with about 5 to 7 different XDA threads up and it got extremely annoying trying to maintain a semblance of order. I'll be linking to original threads/posts, but I fully intend on putting all the necessary information here in this post so people don't go thread hopping. Of course, credit will be given where credit is due, which is a lot of people.
Finally, it's nice to finally make an XDA post. This is my first! The community here is fantastic. Maybe someday down the road I'll fork a CM build or something, but for now I'm content.
DISCLAIMERS: I did not read all the XDA posts related to this device. Thus, I may have skipped over some super easy methods to doing things. This is just my own experience and interpretations of the posts I did read.
I am not the most experienced person when it comes to Android development. I'm just extremely organized and like clear and precise instructions. Because this post will be written from memory, I can't guarantee that there aren't any mistakes. I will, however, reinstall a stock ROM, unroot, etc, and do it all over again. I can't relock my bootloader, but I should still be able to test the whole 30 minute wait thing.
NOTE THAT I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW ANY INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN MY POST.
As I mentioned in the disclaimer, I may have missed out on some easier methods of rooting, recovery installing, etc. PLEASE provide different methods or links, simply so I can keep track of it and so other people who may be following my methods can live life easier.
Updates/Timeline:
8/19/13: Outlined the general process, went into specifics about the introduction/requirements and SIM unlock. Began discussing the bootloader.
8/8/13: As I am currently at work (taking a break), I won't be fully completing this post out until later this evening (EST) or weekend. I did, however, want to let it be known that I am available to help assist anyone that needs help via PM's or replies to this thread.
Process
Requirements
SIM Unlock
Bootloader Unlock
Rooting
Recovery Installation
ROM Install
Introductions/Requirements
These instructions are for the T-Mobile P769 variant of the LG Optimus L9. If you are not rocking this device, thanks for browsing my post anyways. I wholeheartedly recommend it if you're looking for an entry-level Android device with greater capabilities than standard prepaid smartphones. My device came stock with V20D.
I did everything with a 4GB microSD card installed. This is necessary for when we move apk's, ROMs, zips, and backups.
Make a backup of your ROM. If you aren't using the device as your backup/play-around like I am, please, please, please make a backup (for those of you with rooted and CWM already). For me, I'm fine re-installing stock ROMs and going through the process of unbricking. If you're on the stock ROM, there might be some apps available to back up settings that you can restore later on (someone please suggest something good if you're familiar, I've always used recovery backups).
I use Windows 7 for everything. This may be an absolute requirement, I'll have to check the application compatibility.
There will be programs and files that you need. I will list and link out in the next update. For now, the bootloader has links to required files.
SIM Unlock
SIM unlocking should be the first thing that you do if you anticipate using non-T-Mobile services. SIM unlocking only works on T-Mobile ROMs, though my eBay code worked via a Wind ROM as well.
Obtaining your unlock code:
If you bought your device directly from a T-Mobile store (may need your receipt), then you are entitled to the SIM unlock code directly from T-Mobile. Call customer service and mention going abroad on a trip, etc. Or just demand it. Be nice.
If you purchased it from a store like Walmart, Amazon, or Radioshack, then you will need to purchase your unlock code elsewhere. Please note, there is no "official" seller of such codes. However, codes are determined using algorithms that depend on your device's IMEI, so plenty of people provide them via eBay, websites, etc.
I can CONFIRM that the seller via this link provides working SIM unlock codes. Please note that it is NOT an eBay listing, despite being on eBay. It uses a frame within the eBay posting that redirects you to purchase directly through PayPal. I received both instructions and the code within 24 hours, as advertised.
Using your unlock code
The easiest way to use the code is to pop a spare micro-SIM from another carrier into your phone. When you attempt to use the phone, it'll prompt for a code. Input the code and it will confirm success.
The alternative method for those without a spare SIM card is to pull up the SIM unlock menu. Dial 2945#*769# from the dialer, then select Network Unlock. Input the code and it will confirm success.
Bootloader Unlock
Please note, that there are some details that I am somewhat fuzzy on (the exact version of the V20B ROM that I used, for example). I will go into as much detail (and confirm/edit them when I/others try it again).
The main source of headaches when playing with this device. I'm going to provide a general background and introduction on the process and provide important links. There's a lot of detail to go into this section that I won't be able to fully finish this for a day or so. But I can start pointing people in the right direction.
To learn about the KDZ flashing process until I fully explain it, visit @cmahendra’s excellent post on it. Please thank him.
The process I originally followed to unlock the bootloader was from this post. Make sure you thank @pinoyto.
My instructions for this will actually combine the both the KDZ and the bootloader posts/instructions into one. In order to provide the simplest and clearest instructions, I will type up the process tomorrow night while performing it on my phone. Again, I don’t want to misdirect people and have them viewing multiple pages in order to perform the process. So if you’d like to get started immediately, by all means follow the original instructions that are excellent.
Appreciations
Some quick thank yous until I can properly finish this thread:
@cmahendra: For filling my eyes and mind with your words the past 3 days. I think I've read all your threads on this phone now.
@pinoyto: For your post from March. I'm pretty sure you helped me unlock my bootloader. I need to redo your guide on my phone to confirm it.
@carloswii5: For your video and files. Obviously, I went at this like a noob first.
@Lelus: For being a HUGE part of the thanking chain. And your touch screen fix.
@AntonX: For your build of CM10.1. For an unofficial experimental/nightly, this build is FAST and STABLE.
I'll probably keep throwing in names as I finish this thread.
This isn't a bad phone to have if one has taken the plunge and root/unlock bootloader, or don't install many apps. Things don't get bad until space runs out lol.
Sent from my LG-P769 using Tapatalk 4
Sounds great! How's the battery life btw?
AntonX's CM10.1 makes a huge difference all around.
Sent from my Pokédex
Mensarius said:
Sounds great! How's the battery life btw?
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I'm in the process of restoring a stock ROM on it so I can carrier unlock the device and use my AT&T sim to test it. Unfortunately, until I get that wrapped up, I won't be able to comment on the battery life. It's been great so far, but the extent to which I'm using it is simply WiFi and the screen. I can say this though: I leave it on overnight uncharged, wifi on, with all my apps downloaded and syncing if necessary, and it drops about 5%. So idling for about 6-8 hours, those numbers aren't so bad.
Looking forward for your guide!
T-Mobile just tried to sell me this phone. I found your thread and went to Amazon. Thanks guy, you saved me 70 bucks and I'm sure the wife will love her new phone. I'm looking forward to your guide & for her to stop nagging about her old (first generation Samsung galaxy) phone (I'm sure there will be other things for her to move on to now.. lol).
Just so you know AntonX's CM10.1 doesn't have the space issue!! he found the solution so our phones see the sd card seamlessly as storage space on the phone and also with app2sd enabled so give it a try.
Very interested in your guide, hope you post it soon.
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
queboy89 said:
I'm in the process of restoring a stock ROM on it so I can carrier unlock the device and use my AT&T sim to test it. Unfortunately, until I get that wrapped up, I won't be able to comment on the battery life. It's been great so far, but the extent to which I'm using it is simply WiFi and the screen. I can say this though: I leave it on overnight uncharged, wifi on, with all my apps downloaded and syncing if necessary, and it drops about 5%. So idling for about 6-8 hours, those numbers aren't so bad.
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I'm looking forward to your instructions. I am fed up with all the bloody forums and threads and out-dated and contradictory information, not to mention the appalling English, which often makes things very ambiguous and difficult to understand.
My USA T-Mobile LG Optimus L9 P769 is rooted (I used the very simple LGpwn.apk method) and I have also installed the ClockWorkMod (CWM) using the L9RecoveryInstaller APK (v1.5.0). My bootloader is still locked, though, so I am limited with what I can do. I have already SIM-unlocked it (that was the first thing I did, since I travel internationally).
What I really bought the phone for was to use as a portable hotspot. I live in Australia where, like most of the world, wireless tethering is FREE and a simple matter of ticking the ON box. I have used my jailbroken iPhone 5 as a portable hotspot on my USA T-Mobile SIM card before and if worked fine. But this Optimus L9 just won't let me tether successfully. Any of the apps in the play store that successfully set up a mobile hotspot are useless, because I simply get redirected to T-Mobile's info page telling me I need to pay for tethering.
So I am hoping a new ROM might be faster and also help me get around my tethering issues.
Once again, I'm looking forward to your guide
Really sorry about the delay in getting the guide up. My girlfriend just left for a 10 month teaching trip in Macau, so I've been spending time with her and handling some other things.
I'll be working on the guide tomorrow night, I have some free time.
I think I'll be doing a couple different things. From browsing around on the newer posts, there have been a few newer methods with regards to rooting and installing CWM/recoveries. I'll list out the exact steps I took (which honestly consisted of slightly more manual methods). In any case, it seems like unlocking the bootloader is the most difficult part at the moment. I will definitely elaborate on that part.
queboy89 said:
Really sorry about the delay in getting the guide up. My girlfriend just left for a 10 month teaching trip in Macau, so I've been spending time with her and handling some other things.
I'll be working on the guide tomorrow night, I have some free time.
I think I'll be doing a couple different things. From browsing around on the newer posts, there have been a few newer methods with regards to rooting and installing CWM/recoveries. I'll list out the exact steps I took (which honestly consisted of slightly more manual methods). In any case, it seems like unlocking the bootloader is the most difficult part at the moment. I will definitely elaborate on that part.
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Thanks for the quick reply! 10 months is a long time - I hope you get the chance to go and visit her in Macau/Hong Kong
Yeah, some of the older methods for gaining root access were pretty time consuming and dangerous. Using the method of installing LGpwn.apk was soooo simple - any novice could do it. Same with getting CWM v6.? installed. Main issue for me is he locked bootloader. I'm looking forward to reading about that Cheers :good:
Finally someone is compiling a complete guide on getting CM on a p769 :good:.
I love my phone from a hardware perspective but don't like the T-Mobile stock rom. I tried getting CM 10.1 (or really any custom rom) onto the phone, but most threads I have read either are incomplete, outdated, and/or simply wrong. I ended up settling with rooting the phone, but I still am dying to get CM 10.1 on the phone.
Can't wait to see your guide . Best of luck!
SomeGuyInOz said:
Thanks for the quick reply! 10 months is a long time - I hope you get the chance to go and visit her in Macau/Hong Kong
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Thanks! I'm planning on a trip during the Christmas holidays and at the end of her trip. It'll be tough, but there's so many ways to keep in touch today that we can actually have some fun with it.
I managed to get started on the post. My real life tendencies to blab on and on are starting to show. Heh.
Started talking about the bootloader. It'll be easiest to detail/list/number the process when I sit down with my phone some night and do it. For the time being, I've linked the original instructions I followed so people can get an idea of what's to come.
@queboy89 you really have your hands full with this one. Please include all of the things that can go wrong while flashing with R&D Tool and how to correct them.
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
First Issue I have is having to Post 10 times before I can post in some Other tread. Totally annoying. My Atrix has been having issues for a while now. For months it would just shut it's self OFF. That stop and changed to Restarting it's self about 1-2 months ago. About a Month into the when it did restart I would get the dang modem Error I'm trying to fix thru http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=991072&page=1. But all the Dang Links are Out of date/broken links. When I tried to post I get you new. you need 10 or more posts. IE this post.. 1 down 9 more to go.
Thing is I really like my Atrix and would love to fix it. I'm also a total N00B when it come to Smart phone fixing of this sort. So I need detailed directions. I don't want to SCREW anything up.
Please Help me out here.
Oh I found a Link to Files but heck if I know which on I need to download. Again total Dummy here. Not really just never done this before and don't wanna screw up. http://www.filefactory.com/folder/89f588286a560e39, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26301285
reafon ckedgon
More Info. Okay I've done nothing to this phone that was not AT&T, or Motorola Directed. So I'm not sure what all the Lingo means so Please talk to me on a more day to day basis of someone who has limited knowledge. Not saying I'm dumb (5 years of Computer Security Specialist College) so I do know about computer more then the average person. When it comes to Cell phones.. Well Till Learned how to dot he whole turn on my 4G and push the volume button I did not know Android was a Linix program.
I'm trying to get my 10 posts.
Okay read some more Posts. I'm AT&T and in the USA. So this might make things a little better.
This is not a very good way to get your 10 posts. In fact it's a very bad way. Please use "edit post" to add additional information.
The 10-post limit is there for a good reason, and I for one am glad it's there. This doesn't belong anywhere else, certainly not in a development thread, so I don't see a problem here.
As for your problem, I'm not sure what to say as I'm not quite sure what exactly you've tried so far. I'd recommend trying to flash a full system SBF. Don't bother looking for SBFs here though, all the links have been removed (on purpose). Instead search for das8nt on google. As for the instructions, there are other threads with detailed instructions so go read those. Generally, flashing a SBF is potentially a very risky and dangerous process, but you should be fine so long as you carefully follow the procedure.
I am a new Xperia Ultra owner and whilst not planning to do any flashing just yet I thought tonight I'd take a quick look at threads discussing steps that would be involved in doing this.
Let me qualify what I'm about to say by stating that I appreciate people on this site who develop tools which allow us to hack our devices so we can make better use of our phones. They are incredibly skilled, gifted and generous with their time. I would love to be able to spend the time learning how to do this but I simply don't have the time. So please don't take what I am about to say as a criticism but more as an observation, considering the effort contributors put into this it would indeed be incredibly foolish of me to criticise anyone here.
I can probably safely say that none of the contributors are also trained technical writers and a fair number do not have English as their first language. Its my first and only language and I often have difficulty getting the meaning across succinctly not to mind getting the spelling right . And I know even for large software houses support documentation is not a priority.
I want to approach hacking my phone with confidence this time round. In the past I've reflashed several phones for myself and friends and simply followed steps and not really understanding completely what the hell I was doing. Lordmanhattan I know I sent you an email regarding a contradiction on your thread. And you very kindly got back to me very quickly.....amazing, thank you. And then there is the "TA partition", WTH is that? I did very briefly google this to find a quick answer but no joy....grrrr (also looked in the XDA Wiki acronyms) I'm sure if I looked hard enough I'd find it. It's mentioned everywhere but nobody seems to be offering an explanation what it is or what it does or why it's important or what it stands for !!!!
Very often I find threads on here describing how to do something hard to follow and this is often for the following reasons:
It could be that there is more than one way to achieve something so its a case of different people offering varied procedures, this can be confusing
A process may be described but then to the newbie the author seems to miss out on a step that to the experienced is obvious
The level of English used leads the reader to scratching their head wondering ...did he/she mean this or that
Threads not being updated or corrected even after feedback
Okay I won't go on.
So I have decided my time might be well spent doing some background research before delving into messing about with my Xperia Z Ultra and saving you guys from having to deal with daft questions from me.
Now does this mean I have to spend time reading through threads and trying to piece it all together to find the best way through and possibly getting the wrong end of the stick or reading superseded posts?
OR
Are there a couple of sites that will get me up to speed understanding the terminology, hardware, memory management, etc for my phone?
I have a feeling it's going to be a bit of both......your suggestions please
Oh, I stumbled across XDA University but got the impression it wasn't being maintained???
Some of the pages I visited....
A New User’s Guide to Android.......unfortunately none of the images for this page loaded
Video guides .................................had flash presentations which didn't load
Ferg8080 said:
I am a new Xperia Ultra owner...
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A good and detailed post, and it's not just the dev's and support that could take note. Some of the people that ask questions really need to read your post and think about what they are trying to say, get help with -- we aren't mind readers either.
I always try and help anew user by using as few TLA as possible in a reply to them. I also try to do the steps as #'d lists with as many steps as possible.
I do think LordManhattan's guide needs a little love as a few things are a little out of date - but it is as comprehensive guide as you could get, and most vagaries are covered in the thread.
TA = trim area, where your unique DRM keys are stored, and god only knows what else.
Thanks for your well written post! First I want to say - like Blueether just did, that we are not mind readers, so we can't possible know people's skill level or what they want to do. That's why I've started to ask them straight up what they want to do and where in the process they are. That way it'll be easier for me to help the other person, and hopefully write a short but complete step by step guide. It won't happen that often, but if I got some time to spare, why not.
My guide is a little out of date now, and I have planned to update it for quite some time, but things are moving so god damn quick around here that even I will get outdated if I take a short break. I recently sent my Ultra in for repairs, and 12 days later when I got it back and ready to get back in the game, a new firmware had been released with a new rooting method. I knew everything one day, and nothing on the other. It's really hard to balance real life and being kept updated at all times. Don't forget that you must be sure about what you know and write when you make a guide, because you don't want to brick people's devices. One slipup and the consequences might be ugly.
There are (of course) one or four ways of doing things around here, and you'll probably get different ways of doing things if you ask me or blueether about rooting or flashing custom ROMs. I guess it's just the way it is. New methods also pop up once in awhile, so some people will adopt these new methods while some other people will stick with the old school method, thus making things a little more complicated for new people who are looking for reliable information.
The TA partition is, like blueether already said, your device's unique DRM keys which makes X-Reality (and other minor things, I guess) work. It's important to make a backup of this partition since you'll lose it when you unlock the bootloader. Why would you unlock the bootloader? You have to unlock it if you want to flash custom ROMs, or if you want to make rooting easier. The problem is that you need to be rooted to back it up, so you'll have to spend some time reading and researching before you start.
Just keep your Ultra stock for now, and just casually read and soak up stuff from different threads around here. Walk around like you do in a new city and check out the locals and see what they do and say. You'll pick up a few things here and there and things will start rolling from there.
Sent from my C6806_GPe using Tapatalk
blueether said:
A good and detailed post, and it's not just the dev's and support that could take note. Some of the people that ask questions really need to read your post and think about what they are trying to say, get help with -- we aren't mind readers either.
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LordManhattan said:
a new firmware had been released with a new rooting method. I knew everything one day, and nothing on the other. It's really hard to balance real life and being kept updated at all times. Don't forget that you must be sure about what you know and write when you make a guide, because you don't want to brick people's devices. One slipup and the consequences might be ugly.
some other people will stick with the old school method, thus making things a little more complicated for new people who are looking for reliable information.
Just keep your Ultra stock for now, and just casually read and soak up stuff from different threads around here.
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Yes you can see some people just rush in with questions without giving serious thought to what they want to achieve. I think its people who don't often understand the process properly, haven't thought it through and are following what seems like a straightforward step by step process. Understanding what you are doing requires patience and TIME.
XDA I think is an unrivalled repository of amazing contributions from amazing people on a technology that is constantly evolving. Its also a jungle. One doesn't go into the jungle unprepared
Thanks for the fantastic advice guys and I will heed but I can't promise I might come out with some corkers
One last thing, how on earth do you find the time to lead a normal life? You obviously love what you are doing. It might be easy to assume everyone who contributes here is in IT. I imagine there are plumbers, electricians, mechanics, office workers, retired folk.....