some questions before i buy this tablet... is it easy to install custom rom on it e.g. as easy as on an htc desire via clockworkmod? Do i need to worry about anything when buying it? (e.g. some models with unlockable bootloader something like that)??
Modding is relatively easy, especially if your already familiar with android and cwm. But there are quirks to the gtab, so you have to read and be aware of them. For example there are 2 different bootloaders out there and you need to use different versions of cwm for both. But overall it's not that hard to figure out. No worries about getting a locked down device. Plus the thing is basically un-brickable.
This site will get you up to speed http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com/
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Hello everyone,
most recently I have updated my Hero to the new ROM supplied by the fellows at HTC (the 2.73... I think). Then I remembered that on my HTC S710 I used to have a rom that came from here. So, I took a look. I have a couple of questions. Oh, let me also tell you that I have rooted my phone (I think, with Instant Root).
So these are my questions:
What do you think is the best rom available?
And why? What are its advantages to a 'normal' HTC Rom?
As a beginner, I can look over this forum for hours (I did!) but still miss out on this answer!
there is no answer to this question, that's why.
It's like asking which is better, up or down?
Everyone will prefer a different ROM for different reasons. get your device flashed to the new recovery image and then you can try all the ROMS and decide for yourself what the 'best' one is.
Personally i stick with the generic ROMs and haven't used the modaco custom ROMs yet as i am happy with the way the device works and not in need of all the hacks that other people want as i rarely use them.
you may be different.
try them all and decide for yourself.
Hm. Yes, I like the way you are thinking - and heck, it is the second time you've given me a great reply! I'll go out and tinker with the world, and more specific: with ROMs! Although I have no idea what flashing my device to a new recovery image means, I do remember having to do something similar with my S710. And I am sure I will find an explanation here! Who knows, pherhaps in a short while, I will answer my own questions!
There aren't many customised ROMs for the Hero yet, partly because the source code isn't available yet from HTC, so the ones that do exist are based on versions of the HTC ROMs.
Use Flashrec and install the awesome modified cyanogen recovery image, then you can flash one of the ROMs. I chose the stock UK ROM pre-rooted, from MoDaCo's site (not the MoDaCo customised ROM though).
It's convenient because it is pretty much the stock experience, except it's pre-rooted which makes some other things possible.
dekraan said:
Hm. Yes, I like the way you are thinking - and heck, it is the second time you've given me a great reply! I'll go out and tinker with the world, and more specific: with ROMs! Although I have no idea what flashing my device to a new recovery image means, I do remember having to do something similar with my S710. And I am sure I will find an explanation here! Who knows, pherhaps in a short while, I will answer my own questions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I upgraded from a S710 to a Hero as well. I'm very happy with having done that as the Hero is such a better phone!
Anyway. Flashing a new recovery image is one one of these 'tinkering' things you/we have to get used to when playing with ROMs. Essentially the recovery image is a very basic control on the phone that you can reboot into, from where you can update the ROM or do total system backups. You can read about how to do this in MoDaCo's custom ROM thread in the android development section. Flashing a new recovery image and new ROM isn't too hard really; took me at most a couple of hours.
There have been many topics on which is the 'best' Android phone, but that's exactly what I'm looking for.
I'm looking to purchase an Android Phone for the purpose of building Android from source and install it on the device. So I want a device with minimal hacking before I can get started.
The Android Dev phones come to mind, but it seems every device can be rooted and the boot loader unlocked. So I'm not sure I see the advantage of getting one of these as opposed to other retail ones and modding those. The only difference to me, is how easy it is to find documentation in rooting and unlocking (NexusOne having a lot of information).
Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks in advance.
I'm new to Android (I'll have my Atrix tomorrow), and hearing all this concern about the locked bootloader has me questioning what an unlocked bootloader would actually get us. On a PC or Mac, a bootloader would let you install multiple OS's to your system and load any of them at will. It's useful, but I wouldn't be upset if I couldn't do it. I think I must be missing something. On Android how does this differ? I noticed there's already at least one custom ROM (GingerBlur) available and working on the Atrix, which means we can already run custom ROMs... What else is there? If the bootloader were unlocked, what more would that actually get us?
that rom, from my understanding (fairly new to android and waiting for my atrix too) is only a pseudoROM that doesnt actually change the OS only edits the framework of the current one. a locked bootloader means we cannot run custom/vanilla versions of android and so we are stuck waiting for AT&T or Bell or motorola to decide when we can update to the latest version of android.
without a locked bootloader we are stuck being a pawn in 3 big companies' game of chess.
Kernels my friend. Allow us to toggle art" 4g" manually. And others like enable hardware to use features like 1080p record. And able to get (which is currently limited to 2 points of recognition touch) ore like 5 or 10 ( to use the hardware fully)
Kernels, which are the meat of any good rom. It allows us to make ROMS that allow for overcpocking, wiping the slatefor a fresh, lean build, and many other things.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App
like has been said, basically you are correct, in that it lets us load custom OS's and ROMs
as someone above me said the ROM released now is only a pseudoROM, and only edits existing framework. an unlocked bootloader would allow us to load fresh version of Android without any bloat and allow us to overclock the already impressive processor in the Atrix.
Basically - unlocked bootloader = unlocked near infinite potential for the Atrix.
When you think of the possibility of an unlocked bootloader combined with the Atrix hardware it's easy to forget what you already have in hand. I don't think that there is any phone out (custom rom or not) that is ALL AROUND better than the Atrix is right out the box. The bootloader will get cracked but until then enjoy your 3k quadrant scores, great GPS, screen, and webtop.
Hello all. I'm about to bombard you with a few noob questions that I'm really hoping someone could help me out with.
I'm currently using a Galaxy S2, but after reading a bit about custom ROMs and the ability to possibly increase battery life among other features, I have decided to delve a bit deeper. I do have a few questions though.
- What is the difference between rooting and using a custom ROM?
- Do I need a specific Kernel version or build number in order to use a custom ROM on my Galaxy s2 or does none of that matter when installing a new ROM?
- It is to my understanding that custom ROMs cannot use Kies. So, in the event that Android 4.0 comes out, will I have any problems being able to get it onto my phone with a custom ROM? Will it cause any interferences between the ROM and the new operating system?
I'm very interested in trying this out, however with the firmware I am currently running, there is no replacement to be found. In the event that I want to revert back to factory, it probably will not be possible to find this specific firmware that I am using (already searched).
Thanks a ton in advance for the help
Rooting gives you access to aspects and features on the phone that you otherwise couldn't get to. Installing a custom ROM wipes out the software on your phone and replaces it with software someone other than the OEMs developed.
You need to unlock your bootloader in order to install a custom ROM, and the process for this differs from phone to phone. Other than the different steps, it doesn't really matter what your phone has to start out with.
I don't know anything about Kies.
Honestly, I would highly recommend rooting your phone... just make sure you maek a backup as soon as you get root access (but before you install a custom ROM) and you're good to go!
roboedar said:
Hello all. I'm about to bombard you with a few noob questions that I'm really hoping someone could help me out with.
I'm currently using a Galaxy S2, but after reading a bit about custom ROMs and the ability to possibly increase battery life among other features, I have decided to delve a bit deeper. I do have a few questions though.
- What is the difference between rooting and using a custom ROM?
- Do I need a specific Kernel version or build number in order to use a custom ROM on my Galaxy s2 or does none of that matter when installing a new ROM?
- It is to my understanding that custom ROMs cannot use Kies. So, in the event that Android 4.0 comes out, will I have any problems being able to get it onto my phone with a custom ROM? Will it cause any interferences between the ROM and the new operating system?
I'm very interested in trying this out, however with the firmware I am currently running, there is no replacement to be found. In the event that I want to revert back to factory, it probably will not be possible to find this specific firmware that I am using (already searched).
Thanks a ton in advance for the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's probably a for for the GS2, where you can find details for your phone. Some methods of rooting on some devices do require a specific version of firmware. Give or take carrier issues I heard the GS2's were getting ICS in an update...
The main reasons to root your phone are to do things you can't do without root. For example using a VNC server you typically requires root, but it allows connecting to your phone via VNC. Custom ROMs are usually rooted; installing a custom ROM doesn't always need root (e.g. nvflash) but it helps eventually.
No idea what Kies is and I'm to cold to Google it. If it's in the market, check it in a browser to see what versions they support.
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Moving to Q&A
Hi,I bought a atrix 1 month ago and I want to put a custom rom,I researched a lot,but I found a lot of outdateds topics.
The question is:
What topic is good to teach me how install a custom rom.
PS:I'm a new android user,so I dont know how root my atrix or unlock my boot loader.
If anyone know,what is the diference between atrix USA and atrix EU/UK ? I have a Eu/Uk atrix.
Thanks.
If you're really that much of a noob, then there are two possible solutions: either read and learn and teach yourself everything you don't know, or let someone else do this for you. The tutorials and guides are all out there, very detailed, and just because a guide is older than you'd expect doesn't mean it's outdated. A lot of guides on this are still very much valid. There are also threads and guides designed especially for n00bs, so definitely go over those too.
The whole process has been outlined countless times (you could've done some searching yourself), but here it is again:
Unlock the bootloader - keywords: pudding, ihop
Flash a custom recovery - keywords: cwm, twrp, romracer
Flash a custom ROM of choice - keywords: too many to mention
(Notice that rooting is not mentioned here, if you're going to install a custom ROM rooting is irrelevant.)
The process assumes you have Motorola USB drivers, the moto-fastboot utility, and the Android SDK fully installed and operational.
There is no physical difference between USA and UK Atrixes, only the software. Also been covered many many times already.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE use search, and then use it again.
Thank you,I will search and learn a lot,what custom rom do you indicate me?cm 10 ,cm 7 or other? I dont matter for webtop and fingerprint. See you
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It would depend on what you want from your device. If you want ultimate stability and don't mind a somewhat outdated platform, then I'd recommend CM7. If you want the latest OS version and don't mind slight instability and lack of functionality, then CM10. There are also the "blurry" variants - modified stock GB ROMs, stock and modified ICS (based on the leak)...