Related
why flash the rom on your phone?
which custom rom does what?
any specific rom for specific purposes?
and finally, what is the best place to start learning about how to do this...
Dan
pierhogunn said:
why flash the rom on your phone?
which custom rom does what?
any specific rom for specific purposes?
and finally, what is the best place to start learning about how to do this...
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get certain things that stock ROMS don't have. Like: Speed, not loaded with Carrier crap.
The ROM post should have info about what is included and what isn't.
Some are made to have more RAM some are made to run Smoother.
Wiki.
I might be wrong, but that is what I have learned overtime.
pierhogunn said:
why flash the rom on your phone?
which custom rom does what?
any specific rom for specific purposes?
and finally, what is the best place to start learning about how to do this...
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who is your carrier?
Good Question
I am glad you asked this because I have been wondering the same thing.
I have the VZW Touch Pro and was reading a LOT on unlocking and then flashing ROMs. I didnt know really what the benefits were besides speed and making it smoother. Does the ROM allow you to have better themes?
Eventually (sooner than later I think) they will be able to unlock the GPS on VZW as well.
I really wish somebody could post a video or something on YouTube on either how to go about the process or what it looks like after flashing a custom ROM.
Cranemachine said:
I am glad you asked this because I have been wondering the same thing.
I have the VZW Touch Pro and was reading a LOT on unlocking and then flashing ROMs. I didnt know really what the benefits were besides speed and making it smoother. Does the ROM allow you to have better themes?
Eventually (sooner than later I think) they will be able to unlock the GPS on VZW as well.
I really wish somebody could post a video or something on YouTube on either how to go about the process or what it looks like after flashing a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROM"s are highly varried. You need to try them out.
I created a Custom ROM that allows you to stay with the 100% stock look, MUCH MUCH faster than ROM that came with phone.
Lots of others add a bunch of crapware and bloatware to the ROM. I didint do that to this one. I left it stock. It runs very fast.
Custom ROM"s also remove some securuity features like when youa re installing an app you are not questioned if its what you really want to do... Etc...]
Custom ROM's can also c ome with differnt themes like you inquired. They can com completly set up or come completely base. It all depends on what you want to download.
My Carrier is Sprint,
I am fairly happy with the phone as is
My only gripes are that:
it is not as responsive going from app to app as I would like
some of the apps I will never use, like the Sprint music store...
I love to diddle and play with my hardware
I do like touch-flo 3D, I think it's a nice UI, I just wish it was a bit more responsive
Dan
scrosler said:
Custom ROM"s are highly varried. You need to try them out.
I created a Custom ROM that allows you to stay with the 100% stock look, MUCH MUCH faster than ROM that came with phone.
Lots of others add a bunch of crapware and bloatware to the ROM. I didint do that to this one. I left it stock. It runs very fast.
Custom ROM"s also remove some securuity features like when youa re installing an app you are not questioned if its what you really want to do... Etc...]
Custom ROM's can also c ome with differnt themes like you inquired. They can com completly set up or come completely base. It all depends on what you want to download.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the information scrosler! I also read your other thread about the custom ROM you made. I am very thankful for you taking the time to do this for us VZW allies. I am a first to admit that I am a noob at unlocking and flashing ROMs. I dont doubt that I could simply follow the detailed instructions that you have given us. I just want to make sure that the payoff is worth it.
Is there anyway (this really may be asking too much) that you could post a video so we could see exactly what your ROM looks like and the increased speed. Or even a video of the process? Maybe even some screen shots.
I know I will end up unlocking and flashing any day. I have my phone set up just the way I like it with many beneficial programs installed, but it is not fast enough or responsive enough. I personally don't use the Touch Flo (as sexy at it looks) just because the WinMo UI works a lot better for me and is more responsive.
Again, thank you for being so kind and sharing your knowledge and not demeaning us or being rude for all the questions we ask I greatly appreciate the time and dedication it takes to create something like this and I respect it!
Cranemachine said:
Thank you so much for the information scrosler! I also read your other thread about the custom ROM you made. I am very thankful for you taking the time to do this for us VZW allies. I am a first to admit that I am a noob at unlocking and flashing ROMs. I dont doubt that I could simply follow the detailed instructions that you have given us. I just want to make sure that the payoff is worth it.
Is there anyway (this really may be asking too much) that you could post a video so we could see exactly what your ROM looks like and the increased speed. Or even a video of the process? Maybe even some screen shots.
I know I will end up unlocking and flashing any day. I have my phone set up just the way I like it with many beneficial programs installed, but it is not fast enough or responsive enough. I personally don't use the Touch Flo (as sexy at it looks) just because the WinMo UI works a lot better for me and is more responsive.
Again, thank you for being so kind and sharing your knowledge and not demeaning us or being rude for all the questions we ask I greatly appreciate the time and dedication it takes to create something like this and I respect it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cant do a video, lack the ability, hehehe... I can however tell you this:
It looks and actis identical to the Stock ROM from VZW except is was built on a new CE OS. Its considerably snapier than the stock ROM in everything from boot up to touchflo scrolling.
Its 99.99% stock. The only differnece is the speed, IE 6, ICS, and Net CF 3.5 is all cooked in. It, unlike all other custom ROM's, has all stock VZW apps and the VZW touchFlow. Its a straight rip from a stock VZW leaked ROM. The details ont he ROM and the kitchen used are in the new thread.
Its just to easy to do.
Download file A, run it. Download file B, run it. Its not that much harder in all honesty.
pierhogunn said:
My Carrier is Sprint,
I am fairly happy with the phone as is
My only gripes are that:
it is not as responsive going from app to app as I would like
some of the apps I will never use, like the Sprint music store...
I love to diddle and play with my hardware
I do like touch-flo 3D, I think it's a nice UI, I just wish it was a bit more responsive
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread will make your day.
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44583
Also see this one.
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=42730
Have fun.
Very Useful
cforster said:
This thread will make your day.
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44583
Also see this one.
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=42730
Have fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome Link!!! I just wish they had this same thing for the VZW Version!
Another stupid question...
Well I think this would be the appropriate thread to ask this.
I was wondering if there was any way to put 2 today screens into one instead of having to switch. Basically I am wanting a Touch Flo today screen at the top and the bottom half I would like to have a WinMo today screen with the two quick buttons at the bottom. Is this possible or am I just wanting too much? It seems like the themes for the Touch Flo look much better and I LOVE the black themes.
Any info. would be much appreciated!
Some months ago I rooted my Vibrant, and realized that was all I had done...rooted it. I had no idea where I was going after that point, so I unrooted and went about my day. I am taking a new approach, I would like some advice in rooting. Pros and cons (other than by rooting I have the chance of REALLY messing things up...i know that thanks.)
I would like to know what exactly rooting does for me, and if there are any articles anyone can point me to I would greatly appreciate the links.
ALSO I am dipping my toes into app development. the best way I could think to do so was with Google Labs App Inventor, but I think ive read that it limits you as far as developing and then sharing through the market, if someone could set me straight on that I would appreciate it, but this also goes in hand with rooting, I have read that alot of people who develop have rooted their phones.
I appreciate any help that you can give me.
Gore
Pro : Access to all the amazing ROMs this community has to offer.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
................................
Shortbus-Driver said:
................................
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, that was helpful...thanks. next?
First off if u didnt want to deal with something u could tinker with u could of gotten a iphone but u didnt? Androids are open source so u can tweak it the way u want it to be, leave it stock or u can add themes to ur stock froyo and make it look like u want it to. But if u want to go all the way and realy make the phone live up to its potential u can root it and do so many amazing things with it once its opened to the power of the Superuser. U can make ur phone run so much faster and once it runs that fast and smooth ull wonder how u lived with that dull slowness of ur phone before. And dont forget all the cool colors u can add to ur phone that dont come with just stock, ginger red theme, high voltage blue and so many more. And then theres the mods that u get with ur phone that the brilliant developers port from other phones. Theres just too many reasons to root and none not to. now u know...LOL
Let me count the ways...
You can install applications that need root:
* AdFree - block in-application ads
* Titanium Backup - backup/restore applications AND their data, and with the paid version you can also backup to your dropbox account
* Root Explorer: Lets you manage files that aren't in your user partition, including the files for the annoyingly loud T-Mobile jingle that plays on boot. Sometimes you do need to start up your phone discreetly, without letting everyone in a 50m radius know you're a T-Mobile customer.
You can also UNinstall applications that you don't need. Don't want T-Mobile TV cluttering your applications list? Gone. Don't want Slacker Radio? Byebye.
Also, you can flash ROMs (or just kernels) that are much faster than the stock, unoptimized Samsung one. There is a thing called the Voodoo lagfix that makes your storage access cached, so applications aren't held up by slow writes when they need fast reads. Some also come with kernels that support Voodoo Sound which makes the audio output sound much better by increasing the sampling rate on the DAC and tying the DAC to the clock to reduce jitter. Definitely a must whether you're an audiophile with $10k cans or just plugging the phone into a sound system.
Let's see, what else. With root, you can also add on wifi tethering without having to shell out more money to use T-mobile's version. You can also install Clockwork Recovery and use it to make a complete backup of your phone, so in case you break it and get another one, just root it, install clockwork recovery, and restore the image and you're back to your old configuration.
So yeah... hopefully at least some of this stuff interests you. If not... well, yeah there's really no point in rooting.
Root becuse your mom told you not to
Not to be rude but if you don't know why you should root then you shouldn't.
OP, if you want an answer to your question, read my Vibrant Guide (why root) and then the Noob root (detailed steps) guide if you need help doing it.
If you read anything on this forum...and still cant figure it out...then give up...you'll never understand
OP, rooting is for those who are not 100% satisfied with there phones. Samsung has given us an amazing device, but fell short in delivering in some areas. Rooting helps us add more functionality & personalization options. If you are happy with the phone and no issues using the way Samsung gave you the phone. Then I do not see a reason for you to root. But if you are like one of us, Then you need to get on the Root train and follow the wonderful guide maintained by "s15274n".
Statutory Warning: Rooting & flashing an android device is a serious addiction. Might lead to serious domestic and or job related issues.
Why shouldn't you?
Unless you want to become a flash junkie with an obsessive need to mod, update, enhance or customize; jonesin’ to flash something every few days, suffering from withdrawals if you ever have to ODIN back to stock due to error (has yet to happen to me, though), scrounging XDA daily for your next hit, do not concern yourself with something like AOSP. Simply turn away and do not look back.
rooting your hpone basically gives you Admin privalages.
You can install custom apps and ROMs with awesome features!
nomadrider123 said:
Not to be rude but if you don't know why you should root then you shouldn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not to be rude but if you didn't have anything helpful to say then why say anything at all?
Thanks to most!
I thanked those who gave me some helpful advice. I do appreciate the insight. I guess i'll give this another crack.
By the By, with the exception of the handful of mildly entertaining comments, if you didnt have anything helpful to say, why say it? No one should discourage anybody from trying anything. Weighing my pros and cons was just a way to decide if its something I really wanted to mess with again.
SO again, thanks to all who did help, and thanks was given
^ I can't vouch for everyone, but the one you quoted I am confident didn't mean it negatively. Way too hard to decipher words on the Internet.
If you want additional features, you should root. If you are content, do not.
gorealmighty said:
not to be rude but if you didn't have anything helpful to say then why say anything at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thing was, nomad had a point. If you genuinely don't know why you should root--and a Vibrant, of all phones--you probably shouldn't. You mention the con of messing up the phone in your original post, and if you don't know the advantages of applying custom ROMs and kernels to the Vibrant, there's a decent chance you may well brick the device.
The Vibrant is a great phone, but tends to be so only after it's rooted and customized. Without the rooting and customization, there are problems with lag, gps, battery life, and myriad other functions.
By rooting and customizing, you're essentially updating the software in various ways that will help ameliorate those issues. My Vibrant was unusable to the point that I upgraded to a Nexus S. However, with the Nexus S, I got comfortable with rooting, unlocking bootloaders, adb, and flashing ROMs and kernels. It became rather routine.
It became routine enough, in fact, that I ended up going back to my Vibrant, because I was comfortable enough to experiment and attempt to make it better than it had been.
But if you don't know that you have to root to correct the lag, say, you may well be better off getting a more midrange Android phone that's more feature than super. You don't want to bork anything, after all.
Just do yourself a favor--understand that rooting and customizing are individual things, and that the forum is great for technical help but less so when you want to know things like which ROM is "best"; there's no such thing. If you root, play with the device, and play with the different ROMs. Give yourself a week where every day you use a different one so you can get a feel for which one's your favorite.
willentrekin said:
Thing was, nomad had a point. If you genuinely don't know why you should root--and a Vibrant, of all phones--you probably shouldn't. You mention the con of messing up the phone in your original post, and if you don't know the advantages of applying custom ROMs and kernels to the Vibrant, there's a decent chance you may well brick the device.
The Vibrant is a great phone, but tends to be so only after it's rooted and customized. Without the rooting and customization, there are problems with lag, gps, battery life, and myriad other functions.
By rooting and customizing, you're essentially updating the software in various ways that will help ameliorate those issues. My Vibrant was unusable to the point that I upgraded to a Nexus S. However, with the Nexus S, I got comfortable with rooting, unlocking bootloaders, adb, and flashing ROMs and kernels. It became rather routine.
It became routine enough, in fact, that I ended up going back to my Vibrant, because I was comfortable enough to experiment and attempt to make it better than it had been.
But if you don't know that you have to root to correct the lag, say, you may well be better off getting a more midrange Android phone that's more feature than super. You don't want to bork anything, after all.
Just do yourself a favor--understand that rooting and customizing are individual things, and that the forum is great for technical help but less so when you want to know things like which ROM is "best"; there's no such thing. If you root, play with the device, and play with the different ROMs. Give yourself a week where every day you use a different one so you can get a feel for which one's your favorite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with the initial quote in mind, I understand. But thank you just the same because this is in fact the kind of feedback I was looking for. DID get my phone rooted btw, now im just fighting with rom manager. I'm on my way though
gorealmighty said:
with the initial quote in mind, I understand. But thank you just the same because this is in fact the kind of feedback I was looking for. DID get my phone rooted btw, now im just fighting with rom manager. I'm on my way though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well good luck with it. It's a totally fun, very empowering process. And XDA is the Android equivalent of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; the users here are so knowledgeable and helpful, there's no reason to panic, ever. Pretty much everything you do to your phone will be mostly harmless.
had an Infuse for about a year. loved it and was suprised as to what i was able to learn. i was actually able to trouble shoot some of other peoples issues. most of it was people not following OP correctly. some of them you would think they were scoring with a girl for the first time in high school. they just plug it in and blow their load.
However, day after thankgsiving AT&T had some incredible deals for a refurbed Note. cant beat $31.
I have been learking here for almost a month and reading as i did on the Infuse. trying to gain the confidence i need to take the leap and root.
one thing i am noticing or think i am noticing.....or maybe i dont understand.
stock rooted? you can root phone but not necessarily have CWM ?
Infuse had an all in one package.
from what i am gathering.....when i flash, do i need to flash rom, modem and kernal on 3 different flashes? trying to peice a package that works best? cant say that i notice in descriptions (as with Infuse) ex ; "Joe Blows ROM
UCLB3 modem
super nuclear kernal with OC/UV
i am sure this is in the Super Everything Thread, but sometimes my brain pan does not absorb everything. thats why i read read read and i will read some more. again responses from the more experience give me confidence.
probably my hugest issue is, it seems no matter what rom i look at the main issue is random reboots or phone just shutting down. to me does this almost negate some benefits of rooting?
everybody said the Infuse was unbrickable? for the most part i beleive that, usually somebody not following directions was the problem. regardless, super easy to unbrick and return to stock.
However, when i hear, Do you have a jig? or sending phone out to have fixed, makes me wonder if the Note bricks easier and harder to unbrick. I know that if I try, i can REALLY eff something up.
dont want to do that.
i know every phone is different and every rom works differently on those phones, so i know not to ask which rom is better for me. if i decide to, i will find which rom I like the best.
my Infuse HAS grown up to be a Note and i am happy to climb aboard this forum
To root this phone you flash a kernel to the stock rom. But to do this you have to flash a replacement recovery, and that is done with a pc using Samsung's software named Odin.
i am familiar with Odin. i have used it on many occasions and am comfortable with that. however even in the reading i have done this is the first i have heard of a "replacement recovery".
this sounds as if flashing the new kernal to the stock rom is what will root the phone?
i thought the tar file is what did this.
i will keep reading until i come up 2 threads or suggestions of rooting that sound as if the process is the same.
dont misunderstand, i am not saying that anybody is wrong. i am sure all of these methods work. again, if i want to i can really screw something up. i am sure some of these different methods are some different terminology. mainly i want to feel confident and have my process firmly embedded in my mind and act it out properly.
check this post out if you want a super easy way to get started...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=35499256&postcount=4
Its explained very well here. Step by step
http://rootgalaxynote.com/galaxy-no...y-note-sgh-i717-icsgingerbreadeasiest-method/
Sent from my Samsung-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
The stock recovery doesn't let you flash anything. So you flash the replacement recovery with Odin. You are replacing the stock with either CWR or TWRP.
Then, using the new recovery you flash the rooted kernel, or any rom you like.
As for your Super Everything Thread .. Here it is: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28040353
Also we have a Stupid Question Thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=32925977 just in case you have the need.
Welcome to the Note.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Bubbajoe40356 said:
Also we have a Stupid Question Thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=32925977 just in case you have the need.
Welcome to the Note.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am sure i will be getting plenty of use out of that one.
appreciate your help. both you and the captain explained it very plainly and simply, eliminating any confusion.
thank you both.actually very similar to Infuse.
now i just have to decide whether i would benefit from it.
hmmmmmm
Installing the recovery is worth the trouble. Besides the romantic flashing, you can change modems, install mods, make a backup.
rangercaptain said:
Installing the recovery is worth the trouble. Besides the romantic flashing, you can change modems, install mods, make a backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, and i have done all that with the Infuse. other then mods, tweaks and themes, what else did i benefit from?
Infuse was on Froyo and had a multitude of ROMS and interfaces to choose from. GB, ICS and JB. i am already ICS and JB is the only step up. actually with the similarities between the two, how much am i really gaining or what am i changing?
im kind of shopping some ROMS and looking for something to catch my eye. i am not seeing too many differences. i do have a bigger screen though and i did like the tablet mode of PA. only that and CM10 were the only ones that had tablet mode there.
im really not in any hurry and there is the rumor of official JB for the Note, but i know how that went with GB for the Infuse. the pushed it out too quick and had many problems. unofficial releases were more reliable and theming was pretty cool.
once again, i appreciate the input there Ranger.
All this, but no where has it been said that you have indeed a i717 Note. This, I think is how most people find themselves with a brick. Being in the wrong device section of the forum. Trivial and redundant as it sounds no one can afford to get this confused.
:screwy:Never mind, see it now, just had to run my big mouth, didn't I ?:banghead:
BLACKSTAR XI -SGH-I717 xda-developers app SAMSUNG done right
Yeaaaah, ooops. Well there's another use for the Spen and a place to store it.
But you are correct, I have witnessed the destruction of at least ten notes and some S2's by being in the wrong forum.
This is dangerous business.
Hello everyone,
First of all i am new here and new to android so all of these silly questions you are about to hear are a product of my ignorance in such matters..
I have purchased an international HOX+... Yay! i think..
I was persuaded to go android instead of my old iPhone because you can have customs roms ect so the customization is close to an infinite number of possibilities and that is great for me.
However that there is so much information on this subject and it all varies so much that now i have no idea how to go about putting one of these on my phone.. The Cyanogenmod and Viper ones interest me most.
So my question is this..
From a stock international HOX+ (On Vodaphone if that makes a difference) how do i put either Cyanogenmod or Viper on my phone?
Trust me i have looked on google and this site as much as i can and without someone spoon feeding me this information i fear i will never quiet grasp it.
Welcome to the world of Android
I would say you can find the info in the Venom-Thread what you have to do... Usually you can find the necessary info on the first page of a ROM. But don't forget, you can easily leave the original ROM as it is, you are not forced to change it! The HTC ROM is very good, so maybe you can live with it and read on until you are used to Android?
Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2122390
Installation (out of this Thread):
Unlock your bootloader via HTCDev.
Download Venom mod of TWRP Recovery and flash it using Venom Flasher.
Download the ROM and place it on your virtual SD card.
Download boot.img and flash it using Venom Flasher.
Go into recovery and install the ROM.
Reboot the device and enjoy!
Please read everything you possibly can about Android and the flashing process before you do anything to your phone. Android is a different beast from iOS and the more educated you are the less problems you'll have. To me it sounds like you don't really know what the benefit of a custom ROM is, you just know iPhone's can't do it. I suggest you use your phone normally and get to know Android inside and out, and once you have a need for a custom ROM then take the leap.
Remember, at some point you WILL break something and you WILL rely on the community to help fix your problem. We can't help fix your problem if you have no idea what you did, so please read read read before you do any tweaking.
That being said, welcome to Android.
Thank you both, i followed as you said and i am now running viper.. it is far beyond anything i thought my phone could do and i am very impressed. Simple and easy to do, following those instructions. I was wondering, as before i was using Chrome and Play Music pretty much all day everyday but now it says Chrome, Firefox and Play Music are not supported by my device, is that because of the custom ROM and something we put up with? not that i mind of course, being a linux user i can understand it but just want to make sure im not missing something before i go for Opera or something.
Waffles12 said:
Thank you both, i followed as you said and i am now running viper.. it is far beyond anything i thought my phone could do and i am very impressed. Simple and easy to do, following those instructions. I was wondering, as before i was using Chrome and Play Music pretty much all day everyday but now it says Chrome, Firefox and Play Music are not supported by my device, is that because of the custom ROM and something we put up with? not that i mind of course, being a linux user i can understand it but just want to make sure im not missing something before i go for Opera or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look at your devices DPI. That can affect app availability. Also tell the dev of the rom your using, maybe he changed something in the build.prop which is making thoes apps show as incompatible.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using Tapatalk 2
I have done as you asked and my DPI (Screen density i believe) is set at 320
320 is default. I wouldn't start changing it much as its been reported that it gives Sense FC's.Enjoy viper. It's a great rom
First, and foremost, hello. I am new here, and I'm glad to be a part of the forum. Secondly, I'd like to apologize if I am posting this in the wrong section.
The topic I'd like to ask you a few questions about today is ROM Flashing, and the steps I should be taking to stay safe. I originally started playing around with Android devices around a year ago, but I recently started to delve deeper. I am the proud owner of an AT&T ZTE Z998 Mustang, and I have rooted it successfully. While in the process of rooting, I saw all of the warnings of how I should do a NANDROID backup, so that was my first instinct. I tried installing Clockworkmod, but to my dismay, they did not have an official version for my phone. I did happen to get lucky and find a version someone ported on their own. I attempted for a whole night before falling prey to error after error, and decided to give up. I went on without any backups, fiddling with my device. Luckily, I did not mess anything up, except for "accidentally" deleting the AT&T startup animation. (Haha.) Tonight, though, I happened to get the urge again, so I made some more attempts. After receiving the same error, I decided to look that error up word for word, and found that I did not have enough room on my Micro SD. I managed to clear enough room, and jumped in joy when I saw that I could delete an app, then restore and have it be back again. It was quite a big accomplishment for me. I've decided that I want to try flashing a custom ROM. The ROM I have chosen is the MIUI ROM. It seems quite popular, and I enjoy the iOS-esq feel of it, as well as its seamless theme changing. The only problem is, there is not an official release for my device. In fact, I have yet to find any ROM with an official release for my device. That is why I am coming to you guys.
My Questions:
Can I use a ROM that has not been specifically made for my device?
Will I still be connected to the AT&T Network?
If so, can I expect errors?
Am I truly safe with this newly acquired backup?
Anything you think I should know?
I'd like to thank you for any help in advance.
BrendonButton said:
First, and foremost, hello. I am new here, and I'm glad to be a part of the forum. Secondly, I'd like to apologize if I am posting this in the wrong section.
The topic I'd like to ask you a few questions about today is ROM Flashing, and the steps I should be taking to stay safe. I originally started playing around with Android devices around a year ago, but I recently started to delve deeper. I am the proud owner of an AT&T ZTE Z998 Mustang, and I have rooted it successfully. While in the process of rooting, I saw all of the warnings of how I should do a NANDROID backup, so that was my first instinct. I tried installing Clockworkmod, but to my dismay, they did not have an official version for my phone. I did happen to get lucky and find a version someone ported on their own. I attempted for a whole night before falling prey to error after error, and decided to give up. I went on without any backups, fiddling with my device. Luckily, I did not mess anything up, except for "accidentally" deleting the AT&T startup animation. (Haha.) Tonight, though, I happened to get the urge again, so I made some more attempts. After receiving the same error, I decided to look that error up word for word, and found that I did not have enough room on my Micro SD. I managed to clear enough room, and jumped in joy when I saw that I could delete an app, then restore and have it be back again. It was quite a big accomplishment for me. I've decided that I want to try flashing a custom ROM. The ROM I have chosen is the MIUI ROM. It seems quite popular, and I enjoy the iOS-esq feel of it, as well as its seamless theme changing. The only problem is, there is not an official release for my device. In fact, I have yet to find any ROM with an official release for my device. That is why I am coming to you guys.
My Questions:
Can I use a ROM that has not been specifically made for my device?
Will I still be connected to the AT&T Network?
If so, can I expect errors?
Am I truly safe with this newly acquired backup?
Anything you think I should know?
I'd like to thank you for any help in advance.
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Bump.
Hi there. Welcome to the forums!
Unfortunately, the bad thing about phones that aren't very popular in the grand scheme of things means less people have them = less people making stuff for it. Developers often end up picking phones that are going to have more support from the manufacturer and more people will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labors. This of course, is a general rule, and of course there are exceptions, but your phone doesn't seem to be one of them. Companies like ZTE aren't concerned about putting out the source code for phones like this means that it is hard, to almost impossible, to make a really custom rom work correctly due to driver issues among other things.
So to answer the questions:
1) Sometimes, but very dependent on the models, carriers, and which software updates. General rule of thumb is that if it isn't based off the same chipset, it won't have a chance of working. But there are lots of other things to consider to, like radio versions, bootloader status, partition layout, etc. Long story short, there's no easy answer and there are lots of caveats.
2) + 3) See above.
4) You SHOULD be safe if CWM told you that the nandroid was completed successfully, but just like any other software based things, things happen.
Best way to be safe is to be able to reflash the original firmware for the phone back to it, but not even sure if that's an option for you - which goes back to ZTE not giving a $^!* about these cheap little phones for small prepaid companies. They save money by not doing any extra work like providing firmware, updates, source code, etc.
The only forums I know that mess with these kinds of things are:
http://unleashedprepaids.com/forum-1491.html
Not for your phone specifically, but similar ones:
http://androidarea51.com/zte-phones/
So yea, slim pickings.
es0tericcha0s said:
Helpful Info.
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First, thank you! I was waiting all day. I was a little disappointed with the answer, though. v.v Do you know if there are any ROMS that will work with ANY device? Like even bare minerals versions of AOSP ROMS that have yet to be touched?
Also, I am slowly saving for a 64GB Black Nexus 5, so I shouldn't be stuck but more than a month or more so.
BrendonButton said:
First, thank you! I was waiting all day. I was a little disappointed with the answer, though. v.v Do you know if there are any ROMS that will work with ANY device? Like even bare minerals versions of AOSP ROMS that have yet to be touched?
Also, I am slowly saving for a 64GB Black Nexus 5, so I shouldn't be stuck but more than a month or more so.
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No, sorry. It's just not possible. Your best hope would be to use the debloated rom in the unleashed prepaids forum and use the Xposed Framework.
http://unleashedprepaids.com/thread-8769.html
http://unleashedprepaids.com/thread-8771.html
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/framework-xposed-rom-modding-modifying-t1574401
http://repo.xposed.info/module-overview
I have the Nexus 5 (don't think they come in 64 - only 16/32) but it's awesome and there are so many roms that it'll make your head spin. lol
es0tericcha0s said:
No, sorry. It's just not possible. Your best hope would be to use the debloated rom in the unleashed prepaids forum and use the Xposed Framework.
http://unleashedprepaids.com/thread-8769.html
http://unleashedprepaids.com/thread-8771.html
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/framework-xposed-rom-modding-modifying-t1574401
http://repo.xposed.info/module-overview
I have the Nexus 5 (don't think they come in 64 - only 16/32) but it's awesome and there are so many roms that it'll make your head spin. lol
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Oops, sorry, yeah, that's what I meant. xD
But, I can not wait for it!
Just some final thoughts and questions:
I do have Xposed installed already, but have yet to look around in it due to the hundreds of modules. Do you have any suggestions about which I should look at for cosmetic needs? I have tried to use Gravitybox, but it force closed upon entry every time I used it, so I deleted it.
I understand that the limitation is very high because of the fact that it is a closed sourced company, but many ZTE Devices are listed to have compatible ROMS, such as MIUI ROM. If I try to use a ROM specified for a different phone, do you know what could happen? I feel that it may not even open, or if it does, it'll have tons of errors and not work upon entry, or even work but have certain things like the camera that will not connect. I'm only worried about high margins of fatal breakage. If it is some silly error that I won't have to "worry" about, I'm okay with fooling around.
If I do try to install a new ROM, but want to go back, will it affect anything on my previous backup? I know backups copy EVERYTHING, but I'd just like to make sure I won't do serious damage.
Lastly, thank you for all the help. It means a ton.
BrendonButton said:
Oops, sorry, yeah, that's what I meant. xD
But, I can not wait for it!
Just some final thoughts and questions:
I do have Xposed installed already, but have yet to look around in it due to the hundreds of modules. Do you have any suggestions about which I should look at for cosmetic needs? I have tried to use Gravitybox, but it force closed upon entry every time I used it, so I deleted it.
I understand that the limitation is very high because of the fact that it is a closed sourced company, but many ZTE Devices are listed to have compatible ROMS, such as MIUI ROM. If I try to use a ROM specified for a different phone, do you know what could happen? I feel that it may not even open, or if it does, it'll have tons of errors and not work upon entry, or even work but have certain things like the camera that will not connect. I'm only worried about high margins of fatal breakage. If it is some silly error that I won't have to "worry" about, I'm okay with fooling around.
If I do try to install a new ROM, but want to go back, will it affect anything on my previous backup? I know backups copy EVERYTHING, but I'd just like to make sure I won't do serious damage.
Lastly, thank you for all the help. It means a ton.
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Gravity Box wouldn't work because it is for more AOSP based things. As far as theming goes, you can try HK Theme Manager or Ex Themer. For the idea of trying to install a rom for another ZTE phone, well, best case scenario is that it doesn't flash at all. Worst case is that it does flash, and you lose something like your IMEI, baseband, or one or more of your other partitions and all of those are potentially unrecoverable, no matter what kind of backups you have. This wouldn't be one of those, "Oh, shoot, that didn't work, I'll just factory reset or restore my backup and be good to go..." kind of situations.
es0tericcha0s said:
Gravity Box wouldn't work because it is for more AOSP based things. As far as theming goes, you can try HK Theme Manager or Ex Themer. For the idea of trying to install a rom for another ZTE phone, well, best case scenario is that it doesn't flash at all. Worst case is that it does flash, and you lose something like your IMEI, baseband, or one or more of your other partitions and all of those are potentially unrecoverable, no matter what kind of backups you have. This wouldn't be one of those, "Oh, shoot, that didn't work, I'll just factory reset or restore my backup and be good to go..." kind of situations.
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Oh, wow! Thanks! I'm glad you pointed that out before I tried. So, I should be okay as long as I flash that ROM from the Unleashed Prepaid page? Now I am afraid, but curious.
Also, thank you for the theme modules names, I will kindly note them.
Should be fine. It's 95% stock and I'm sure they only had one version of android for the phone so should be pretty close to what you have now. Benefits would be the unsecured boot.img which is easier for root and other things to stick, init.d which allows you to run scripts (everything from being able to mount a partition of an SD card to use for extra space for apps to memory management stuff like V6 Supercharger), and a bit easier to theme and debloat.
es0tericcha0s said:
Should be fine. It's 95% stock and I'm sure they only had one version of android for the phone so should be pretty close to what you have now. Benefits would be the unsecured boot.img which is easier for root and other things to stick, init.d which allows you to run scripts (everything from being able to mount a partition of an SD card to use for extra space for apps to memory management stuff like V6 Supercharger), and a bit easier to theme and debloat.
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Thank you.
I'll look into it tonight. I will try and tell about what happens tomorrow-ish.
Cool. Good luck.