Related
Getting a bit confused about all this, so am wondering if i've got it right. A rom is the whole thing, it includes a kernel and so forth? So a Kernel is a part of the rom right? And you can flash kernels individually without flashing a whole new rom? But what is a firmware then? Just another name of a rom?
Also on the Galaxy S2 can you flash custom roms, like Lite'ning, without getting root first? Or do you need to get root before flashing custom roms? If you can flash custom roms first without rooting, will the custom rom then give you root as long as it includes it?
And you also got recovery, which is a separate thing again? Galaxy S2 comes with a very basic one if i've understood correctly, but there is others out there that you can install, which also gives you the ability of flashing roms straight from the microsd/phone storage?
So have i gotten any of this? Hope am not to far off
Edit: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1246131 looks like most of my questions where answered there, though am still a bit unsure if it's possible to flash a custom rom before you root?
ROM's and FIRMWARE: The ROM or Read Only Memory is the internal flash memory where the core operating system resides. The Firmware is a device specific part of the ROM that controls various hardware components. So the firmware is contained in the ROM but in the context of Android the terms are often used interchangeably.
KERNELS: Different kernels offer different advantages, some are fast, some are light weight on the battery and some are a mix, so yes you can in most cases flash a different kernel with a ROM, and then your phone will be running the custom ROM you picked with the new kernel you flashed.
Rooting: You must have a rooted phone inorder to flash a custom rom, but rooting in my opinion seems really safe and it really easy to do on the SG2
There are things that allow you to flash from your SD card and you do that by entering clockworkmod revovery, apps like rom manager also allow you to flash from sd card, but you can always use odin, which is safe and fast
hope this helps
Thanks, and very nicely explained =) Another question then, what is the reason one need root before you can flash custom firmwares? As i heard Galaxy S2 doesn't really have any safety measures put in to stop things, like HTC do with their bootloader. Another thing is that i checked the thread for the Lite'ning rom, and saw the installation procedure, and it doesn't mention anything about having root before starting, so am getting a bit confused there.
You don't need to root before flashing a custom ROM as long as you can enter download mode (power up with volume down, home and power button pressed) and can flash the ROM via Odin.
If the ROM is flashable only via ClockWorkMod recovery (a zip that you copy on your phone) then you need to flash something that includes that recovery before flashing the rom (like CF-Root or any kernel that includes CWM).
Lite'ning ROM that you mentioned earlier is flashable via Odin so no problem.
Every ROM includes a Kernel, the only thing they sometimes don't include is the modem like in VillainROM, you have to flash it separately. And also, if a ROM is announced as rooted, when you flash it, you will have root regardless of the state before flashing
Thanks once again =)
Another question, if one want to get back to stock, flashing one of these "official firmwares": http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278 well revert everything right? Even if i got CWM recovery, after flashing on of those "official firmwares" will give me back the original recovery as well?
Edit: Also you mention "modem", if one ROM don't include one, do you have to flash it separately for the ROM to function at all? Or will it just use the modem that's already on the phone or something? Checked out the VillainROM thread and it doesn't say anything about a modem.
Nitrius said:
Another question, if one want to get back to stock, flashing one of these "official firmwares": http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278 well revert everything right? Even if i got CWM recovery, after flashing on of those "official firmwares" will give me back the original recovery as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will revert back everything
Nitrius said:
Edit: Also you mention "modem", if one ROM don't include one, do you have to flash it separately for the ROM to function at all? Or will it just use the modem that's already on the phone or something? Checked out the VillainROM thread and it doesn't say anything about a modem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you dont flash a modem it will just use the one you had before. They talk about it in the old thread and also in the new but not in the firsts posts, you'll have to do a search.
Plus Modem Kernels are interchangeable .
KH3 Firmware with KI4 modem and KH1 kernel .
Guide
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125282
jje
I've had bluetooth streaming problems with EVERY ICS custom ROM that I've tried before and after 3.11.605.22, and while on the stock RUU itself. I want to get back to a GBE based ROM, on stock firmware but I wonder how it's going to work after having flashed the 3.11.605.22 RUU.
Has anyone gone back? Is it even possible to get back to the previous firmware, or am I SOL?
I assume that a simple nandroid restore is now out of the question (and probably won't fix the bluetooth problem) given the firmware changes with the RUU
nukeboyt said:
I've had bluetooth streaming problems with EVERY ICS custom ROM that I've tried before and after 3.11.605.22, and while on the stock RUU itself. I want to get back to a GBE based ROM, on stock firmware but I wonder how it's going to work after having flashed the 3.11.605.22 RUU.
Has anyone gone back? Is it even possible to get back to the previous firmware, or am I SOL?
I assume that a simple nandroid restore is now out of the question (and probably won't fix the bluetooth problem) given the firmware changes with the RUU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it actually is just that simple, flash your GB nandroid and/or ROM the GB kernel.
you will need to flash this file after flashing back to your nandroid/ROM in order for rom to see SD card.. same fix was applied with old firmware to have sd seen on ics roms. its just doing the reverse.
http://www.mediafire.com/?3b1t2y9i11onm41
andybones said:
it actually is just that simple, flash your GB nandroid and/or ROM the GB kernel.
you will need to flash this file after flashing back to your nandroid/ROM in order for rom to see SD card.. same fix was applied with old firmware to have sd seen on ics roms. its just doing the reverse.
http://www.mediafire.com/?3b1t2y9i11onm41
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Similar situation. Completely unacceptable power draw is frying my battery on the leak. I'm afraid I'm going to cook my phone, and USB charge can't keep up with the drain unless I put it in airplane mode. I have good nandroid backups of the current OTA release (released February, I think?) but I don't know where to get suitable GB kernel or how to install it. Can you explain?
andybones said:
it actually is just that simple, flash your GB nandroid and/or ROM the GB kernel.
you will need to flash this file after flashing back to your nandroid/ROM in order for rom to see SD card.. same fix was applied with old firmware to have sd seen on ics roms. its just doing the reverse.
http://www.mediafire.com/?3b1t2y9i11onm41
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'll have to give it a try. So you say I should flash a previous backup / ROM from recovery, then flash the kernel (if it doesn't flash as a part of the ROM installation)
nukeboyt said:
Thanks. I'll have to give it a try. So you say I should flash a previous backup / ROM from recovery, then flash the kernel (if it doesn't flash as a part of the ROM installation)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea do the exact same thing you would do as if you are on still on the old firmware.
the ONLY thing you do differently, is flash the .zip file I attached in my other post anything AFTER flashing the new GB ROM/ and/or old backup.. and kernel(in hboot) if not included in ROM.
There are a lot of roms out there, which ics rom is the best? Which GB rom is the fastest?
The only one stable enough and with good UI to be usable is this (GB based):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1465144
All the rest are eternal alphas with important features not working or just experiments.
Sent from my YP-G70
Not true. I have used GenericGinger for 3 months with maybe 2 crashes total. It's quite stable and fast, and the UI is much better than that one (of course, I use Go Launcher with any ROM), especially because it has an ICS theme (although it says beta, I've had no issues).
Sent from my YP-G70
ive tried to flash eyrigit rom's 3.5 version but evrytime i flash it the wifi doesnt work? when i turn on the wifi it just says error?
What rom has 100% working functions?
Sent from N7000 with paranoid 0.1
SirRhor said:
The only one stable enough and with good UI to be usable is this (GB based):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1465144
All the rest are eternal alphas with important features not working or just experiments.
Sent from my YP-G70
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree. I've been testing this rom for a couple weeks and everything works like the stock rom did, if not better. It has awesome features. GenericGinger is also perfectly stable with the ice cream theme and has other features but not as much.
As soon as someone helps to fix the ice cream kernel I'm sure we will have allot more stable roms to choose from.
Newbie Question
Forgive me if this is a dumb question:
Does Eryigit's Custom ROM GingerBread-2.3.6 G70ZCKPA Release 3.5 INCLUDE Entropy's Kernal ??
or must you 1st install Entropy's Kernal BEFORE you install Eryigit's Custom ROM GingerBread-2.3.6 G70ZCKPA Release 3.5 ?
Thanks in advance.
beeewell said:
Forgive me if this is a dumb question:
Does Eryigit's Custom ROM GingerBread-2.3.6 G70ZCKPA Release 3.5 INCLUDE Entropy's Kernal ??
or must you 1st install Entropy's Kernal BEFORE you install Eryigit's Custom ROM GingerBread-2.3.6 G70ZCKPA Release 3.5 ?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It comes with the kernel. Since you are using entropys kernel im guessing you are from the US meaning your stock is 2.3.x meaning the kernel is the correct format for the rom anyway so if for some strange reason it does not come with the kernel then you will be safe from brick in theory. And you can put entropys kernel on afterwards. You can check to see if it is there by going into cwm and if it isn't there then your on stock kernel (unless you all ready have another kernel on already)
But I am pretty sure that it comes with the kernel in.
Sent from my Motorola Xoom
You can't be too careful
Thank you Samwes.
I am from the US with stock SGP5 Model YPG70CWYXXA and I dread the chance of bricking, so I'm doing lots of homework by looking at and trying to understand various postings here.
KIES is working on my Windows PC, so my plan is to root via SuperOneClick and install Eryigit's latest tar file via the latest version of Odin. I read in the install instructions that you are supposed to:
(in Clockwork recovery mod : wipe cache partition ---> OK; Wipe data/factory reset --> OK;
advanced - wipe dalvik cache --> OK; after that install new rom , You must do it , clean installation.)
The stock version does not have Clockwork recovery mod, so do I need to do the Odin install twice? e.g. The 1st install to GET the Clockwork recovery mod feature, then go into Clockwork recovery mod to do the above "wiping", and then repeat the install via Odin again ??
Actually, once you've got Entropy's recovery mod installed, you can just use that to install other roms. Just copy the new rom file over (in a .zip) to your device, boot into recovery mode, and choose the right options. (It's fairly intuitive)
You say you dread the chance of bricking your device; if you're not prepared to accept and live with the possibility of doing so, perhaps terminally, then I suggest you not do it.
What, exactly, do you hope to gain by rooting and flashing a different ROM? Does the stock ROM lack some specific functionality that you want/need, or is it only for experimental purposes?
If you're just looking to gain the experience, then that's a perfectly valid reason to explore the flexibility of Android, but you must be careful in what you do, and realize the consequences of error.
Just do a backup in recovery before you flash..i did not now anything before i flash it and i brick it but people here help me to unbrick it and since then i know how and i flash almost every rom from here for testing.
Sent from my YP-G70 using XDA
beeewell said:
Thank you Samwes.
I am from the US with stock SGP5 Model YPG70CWYXXA and I dread the chance of bricking, so I'm doing lots of homework by looking at and trying to understand various postings here.
KIES is working on my Windows PC, so my plan is to root via SuperOneClick and install Eryigit's latest tar file via the latest version of Odin. I read in the install instructions that you are supposed to:
(in Clockwork recovery mod : wipe cache partition ---> OK; Wipe data/factory reset --> OK;
advanced - wipe dalvik cache --> OK; after that install new rom , You must do it , clean installation.)
The stock version does not have Clockwork recovery mod, so do I need to do the Odin install twice? e.g. The 1st install to GET the Clockwork recovery mod feature, then go into Clockwork recovery mod to do the above "wiping", and then repeat the install via Odin again ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bricked my first device months ago because I didn't have any experience flashing stuff, I made a mistake, but now I know better.
Don't be afraid, just try it, but be informed first, now there's a lot more information about anything related to this device.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Yeah I should of researched more I was stupid, when I tried flashing a from with Odin it would work, so I reset the device and then when it rebooted I came up with the picture with the phone and then dots connecting it to a computer and then that didn't work with Odin either, so I was stupid and let the battery run all the way out because I though it would fix it but no. It got hard bricked and it now doesn't turn on. Hope any of you never make the mistake I did, and now I'm trying out a USB jig because I know its charging so there is still chance, if that doesn't work then I will have to take off the back plate and remove the battery and I will go from there, but for now I'm awaiting for my USB jig to arrive, it sucks.....
hi
About 8 months ago i got my Ace (first Android-phone) and since then have been waiting for cyanogenmod to be released for Ace. Now we have an Official RC3 and i wanted to try it. I rooted my phone some time ago and just installed CWM.
I know how to install a new mod/software but their are still some question left for me:
1.) If I install a complete new Software, why is a specific android version needed to install? (in case of CM7.2 its 2.3.X). What happens "behind the scenes" of an installation. It seems very different from installing a new OS on my desktop PC.
2.) This also results in the question, why do i have to roll back to a stock rom to flash a new rom? (most devs say "Stock rom X.X.X is needed")
3.) And this also results in the question, how do i install a new version of a mod?
For example: the nightlies for CM7.2 for ace. I read that i can just flash them over their predecessor, but a "clean" installation is recommended. Does that mean to flash a stock rom, and reflash a new nightly?
I hope that are not to much questions. They might be a bit redundant but i hope i could make my points
So far a good night (or whatever timezone your living in)
A Gingerbread 2.3.X baseband is required to flash any of the CM ROM and tweaks. You need to wipe data, cache and dalvik using CWM before installing a new ROM but you don't need to go to stock and reinstall everything. It is safe to flash another ROM after installing one...
Sent from my WAREZ impulses.
1.Behind the scenes---Format System to ext > Extract System Files > Install System > Flash kernel> Done!
2.Who said you need to roll back to stock every time you want to install a custom ROM?
3.For same type of ROM(same developer, same thread) just wipe cache and you're good to go or wipe data if bootloop occurs.
So my friend, just do the wipes correctly before installing new ROM and you have wrong info that you need to revert back to stock to install new ROM. ususally GB baseband is required. Nothing else
If the system partition is still formated, why is a (e.g.) 2.3 an installation requirement? OR it just this Baseband version on the phone that is important? AND is a mod also compatible with an already "moded" version from e.g. Vodafone? because this has another versionnumber (in my case S5830XWKP6).
It seems that i have a completely wrong imagination of the working principles of my phone. i always thought it might be like installing a new OS to my desktop.
I know that i have to wipe some things in order to install a rom (even though i also read a how-to post anywhere, that said it is unneccessary, but still doing it doesnt hurt.), nothing important on my phone what couldnt be backed up via USB (pictures, etc...)
@abhibnl: "GB baseband" => Great Britain?
because of bootloader/baseband. all custom rom is based on gingerbread, thus if u coming from froyo u need to flash with gingerbread stock rom first via odin to get the bootloader/baseband. but if u already on gingerbread theres no need to reflash stock rom. just wipe data, flash via clockworkmod recovery and u good to go.
btw gb=gingerbread
so if i install CM7 MIRACLE, do full wipe, i can install CM7.2 (official) just over it?
well...sounds a bit too easy if i see all those howtos how to unbrick your phone
CJCord said:
so if i install CM7 MIRACLE, do full wipe, i can install CM7.2 (official) just over it?
well...sounds a bit too easy if i see all those howtos how to unbrick your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Just do a full wipe before installing CM7.2 official.
CJCord said:
so if i install CM7 MIRACLE, do full wipe, i can install CM7.2 (official) just over it?
well...sounds a bit too easy if i see all those howtos how to unbrick your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is easy...just that some careless people scare you unnecessarily..
In order to go back to stock from CM9/7.2 or orther custom roms, why do you need to flash it with ODIN?
astral2k5 said:
In order to go back to stock from CM9/7.2 or orther custom roms, why do you need to flash it with ODIN?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have any other way of doing it? Or read it somewhere else about it? C'mon share with us.
abhibnl said:
You have any other way of doing it? Or read it somewhere else about it? C'mon share with us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was asking why is it necesary to flash with Odin from CM9, 7.2 to stock ROM; isn't there other way ?
would it be possible to get back to stock by using KIES?
i know many people hate it due to high memory requirements (dont care. 4GB installed awaiting use!), but all it does is flashing official roms, right?
curious because i never used it because i have Vodafone software and they...well: new releases + Vf = ´nuff said
Kies won't recognize your phone foro flashing if it's on custom roms (or even stock roms from other regions).
Odin does practically the same process of Kies at a considerably lower memory cost.
Another method of going back to stock is if you have a cwm backup of a stock rom, but before restoring the backup you have to convert your file System to rfs. almost All (if not all) custom roms use ext4 file System cuz its faster (native to Linux).
Sent from the other side... of the screen
dxppxd said:
Kies won't recognize your phone foro flashing if it's on custom roms (or even stock roms from other regions).
Odin does practically the same process of Kies at a considerably lower memory cost.
Another method of going back to stock is if you have a cwm backup of a stock rom, but before restoring the backup you have to convert your file System to rfs. almost All (if not all) custom roms use ext4 file System cuz its faster (native to Linux).
Sent from the other side... of the screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you convert the system file to rfs back ?
astral2k5 said:
How can you convert the system file to rfs back ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many ways, search the Forum. I've used the ext4 App (included in many roms with cf-root applied)
Sent from the other side... of the screen
Remember it dudes, only way of getting back to stock is ODIN or restore a backup converting partition to rfs.
Let me start off by saying I have been reading these forums for a couple days and I am just getting more confused.
Currently I have root, S-On, and no other mods or ROMs. I am getting the popup notification to update literally every time I turn on the screen. I can select defer and set a date about a week in the future from whatever day it is, but the popup comes back within the hour. A few times it even began downloading on its own (while on 4G as well, ~100 mb of data used up every time).
All I would like to do is somehow get my phone to be as if I were complete stock and accepted the OTA, keep root, and not have to wipe any data (or be able to restore a full nandroid). I am getting very frustrated with everything and once I think I understand it, someone throws out something new to me.
If anyone is willing to take some time to help me with this I would gladly make a donation, either to them or another party of their choosing
Spaded21 said:
Let me start off by saying I have been reading these forums for a couple days and I am just getting more confused.
Currently I have root, S-On, and no other mods or ROMs. I am getting the popup notification to update literally every time I turn on the screen. I can select defer and set a date about a week in the future from whatever day it is, but the popup comes back within the hour. A few times it even began downloading on its own (while on 4G as well, ~100 mb of data used up every time).
All I would like to do is somehow get my phone to be as if I were complete stock and accepted the OTA, keep root, and not have to wipe any data (or be able to restore a full nandroid). I am getting very frustrated with everything and once I think I understand it, someone throws out something new to me.
If anyone is willing to take some time to help me with this I would gladly make a donation, either to them or another party of their choosing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can simply flash a stock rom that has the update & flash the newer stock kernel that goes with it but you wont be able to update the radios. You wont lose any info this way unless something goes wrong.(always backup everything just in case something goes wrong).
As for backup, you will only be able to backup aps & data with titanium backup or some sort of program like that because If you do a nandroid backup and then restore after applying the update, you would be restoring your old rom basically over the new one and lose most update enhancements.
You should just follow the thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2155069 and go S-Off. I know you will have to restore everything because you will wipe your phone when you do this but its only gonna make things easier for you in the future.
Do a nan backup and save it in case you want to use it in the future and go back to what you had. Once you have S-Off, you can flash kernals, radios, & roms and put in any version you want.
Thanks for your response Jrocker,
So it looks like the best way to do this would be to backup my apps with Titanium, get S-off, install a stock ROM with the update, flash the kernel and radio, then restore from Titanium.
Step 1. Make nandroid
Step 2. Backup apps with Titanium, copy backup along with pics and video to PC
Step 3. Get S-off
Step 4. Flash Stock ROM - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2149095
Step 5. While still in recovery, flash stock kernel http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2149951
Step 6. Flash stock radio http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2155915
Step 7. Restore apps and pics.
Does that look correct? Do I have to worry about flashing a boot.img or modules(don't know what those are)?
Spaded21 said:
Thanks for your response Jrocker,
So it looks like the best way to do this would be to backup my apps with Titanium, get S-off, install a stock ROM with the update, flash the kernel and radio, then restore from Titanium.
Step 1. Make nandroid
Step 2. Backup apps with Titanium, copy backup along with pics and video to PC
Step 3. Get S-off
Step 4. Flash Stock ROM - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2149095
Step 5. While still in recovery, flash stock kernel http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2149951
Step 6. Flash stock radio http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2155915
Step 7. Restore apps and pics.
Does that look correct? Do I have to worry about flashing a boot.img or modules(don't know what those are)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you unlocked the bootloader? (this step is usually done in connection with rooting the phone at the htcdev.com website). If you have an ulocked bootloader, then you can flash an alternate recovery (eithe cwr or twrp) and do a nandroid backup.
Then follow the steps to get s-off. Note: the step where you have your data wiped is unlocking the bootloader, not obtaining s-off. If you already have an alternate recovery, and root, then s-off generally will not wipe your phone. But do an nandroid backup in cwr or twrp just in case Although a nandroid won't backup pictures etc.
Once you have s-off, flash the stock (but rooted) rom you linked to in step 4. This step SHOULD flash the stock kernel if the .zip file was prepared properly. If you boot into the rom and have flickering or wifi issues, then you will need to flash the stock 2.04 kernel (in fastboot). You can also verify if the new kernel was installed when the rom is booted by looking at the Settings:About:Software Information:More (baseband, kernel etc). You should see there kernel version 3.4.10. The baseband (radio) should be 1.01.01.0110 once you have updated the radio (see the step below). The kernel file is the boot.img file you were asking about. The modules will already be built into the stock rom.
While in fastboot (not recovery) you can flash the updated radio files (that will make the baseband referred to above be 1.01.01.0110.
The time when you need to worry about flashing a kernel (boot.img) and modules is if you are s-on, or if you are s-off and the zip file was prepared as you were s-on. When you flash a "kernel", it consists of a boot.img file, along with some extraneous files (the module). When you are s-off, these can both be flashed together while in recovery. When you are s-on, the boot.img file must be flashed from fastboot (or else an alternate method using an app like Flash Image GUI). Because until recently, most DNA's were s-on, the kernel developers prepared their files for s-on devices, with instructions for s-on devices.
When you flash a rom that uses a different kernel than the one you are using, if the .zip file is prepared for a s-off device, then there are no additional steps necessary.
You may want to do a factory reset when you flash the updated 2.04 rom. I think it would be wise. As I said earlier, you shouldn't lose your /sdcard partition UNLESS you haven't already unlocked your bootloader. s-off doesn't reset your device.
Wow, all I can say is thank you so much! That was an awesome, detailed answer. It makes so much more sense when someone fully explains everything all at once, instead of me trying to piece everything together myself from various threads.
Yes my bootloader is unlocked. So you are saying once the bootloader is unlocked wiping data won't touch the SD card partition, just as if I had an actual SD card? When I rooted my Thunderbolt and did subsequent factory resets on that, it never touched the SD card. When I rooted my DNA it wiped everything. Either way I will always make backups and copy those to my PC.
I will be trying this later today and I will report back with the results. Seriously, thank you so much.
Spaded21 said:
Wow, all I can say is thank you so much! That was an awesome, detailed answer. It makes so much more sense when someone fully explains everything all at once, instead of me trying to piece everything together myself from various threads.
Yes my bootloader is unlocked. So you are saying once the bootloader is unlocked wiping data won't touch the SD card partition, just as if I had an actual SD card? When I rooted my Thunderbolt and did subsequent factory resets on that, it never touched the SD card. When I rooted my DNA it wiped everything. Either way I will always make backups and copy those to my PC.
I will be trying this later today and I will report back with the results. Seriously, thank you so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was looking for this exact solution as well. This was before we had s-off. For a while my solution was to freeze a couple apps in TB so the OTA pop up would stop popping up. I think it was HTC DM 1.0.2219251543..... and HtcDm 1.0.221982913.... Looks the same but they are different.
I like stock but I eventually flashed ViperDNA. It looks like stock but you are able to customize the $h!!t out of it. Its an awesome ROM that I highly recommend. Although you might want to wait until he comes out with 1.2 (the new version with the latest firmware) becuase you have to wipe data. Data wiping isn't a big deal if you use TB.
Ether way you go - Stock ROM or ViperDNA - The recommended way to wipe your device is this way:
(I'm using TWRP but CR should be similar, might be in different menus)
Backup everything using TB
Backup Pics and other docs on internal SD card (JUST IN CASE)
Make Nandroid Backup in Recovery
Wipe Menu-> Wipe Dalvik Cache (some like to wipe 3 times others think its just a waste of time)
Wipe Menu-> Wipe Cache (Factory Reset wipes cache but I like to wipe cache anyway just for completeness )
Wipe Menu-> Factory Reset
Wipe Menu-> System
Don't Format Data and Don't wipe Internal Storage. You will loose SD card contents.
Once you install your ROMS, flash your kernals, flash radios...whatever you want to do...You can restore apps and data from TB
As always, follow the ROMS instructions on their page for more information.
Only Restore User Apps and Data
Never restore any system apps in RED. May not be compatible with new ROM
You can however restore system Data that is in Yellow or Green (DATA ONLY)
Thanks devilsaces
Once I get everything updated and get a good nadroid of the newest firmware with all my apps I will definitely give ViperDNA a shot. I tried a few custom ROMs on my Thunderbolt, and while they were great to customize, they weren't always stable. Like I said I use my phone for work all day so I really need something dependable, and so far stock hasn't let me down.
Thanks again everyone, a lot of great info in this thread. Hopefully this will be useful to others as well.
Spaded21 said:
Thanks devilsaces
Once I get everything updated and get a good nadroid of the newest firmware with all my apps I will definitely give ViperDNA a shot. I tried a few custom ROMs on my Thunderbolt, and while they were great to customize, they weren't always stable. Like I said I use my phone for work all day so I really need something dependable, and so far stock hasn't let me down.
Thanks again everyone, a lot of great info in this thread. Hopefully this will be useful to others as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I had the same problem on the Thunderbolt, nothing stable. Viper however feels great. I would definitely freeze the HTC apps in Titanium Backup to get rid of the annoying pop ups. I noticed Viper has them uninstalled.
About to start, few more questions. The stock ROM I linked to (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2149095) says it doesn't have the new firmware, is that different from kernel or anything else? Do I need to flash that as well?
Spaded21 said:
About to start, few more questions. The stock ROM I linked to (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2149095) says it doesn't have the new firmware, is that different from kernel or anything else? Do I need to flash that as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually running that rom right now.
You don't need to flash the radio if you don't want. If you are happy with your cell reception, and battery life, as well as wifi, then you can stay on the original radio.
Or if you'd like to try the new radio, you can flash that (once you have s-off) with this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=38197525
I'm not sure if there is a radio flash prepared to go back to the original radio. Generally speaking, once to are s-off, you can change radios at will.
From what I understand, if you flash the rom you linked to, and the radio above, then you will have everything from the update, except the updated hboot. I haven't bothered changing my hboot. changing hboot won't affect the day to day operation of the phone, but it can change the fast boot commands that are available. Until I see a good reason, I am not going to worry about my hboot.
FYI: about changing radios, from what I understand, the radio file is the code that tells the phone how to communicate with the towers. It tells the phone how to adjust the power output of the radio according to the strength of signal from the cell. This can be very aggressive, leading to better signal, at the expense of battery life (increasing power output of the phone radio takes more power from the battery), or it can be conservative, with a little lower quality signal, but conserving battery life.
It seems that the engineers at the carriers are constantly tweaking the radio code to find a sweet spot between signal quality and battery life. Different carriers may tweak the radio for the same phone with a different priority. Sprint may prioritize signal, while verizon prioritizes battery. So each carrier may have a different radio file for phone that is in the same phone family. And then each carrier may have multiple radios. On the thunderbolt there were about 6 or 7 I think, but it is generally believed that newer radios work better than older ones.
Some people on xda will often experiment to see which radio file works best for them, depending on where they live and work.
I always try to be careful to only flash redid that others have reported to work with my device, rather than experimenting personally. I would think that you can brick your phone flashing the wrong radio file.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2
Is that ROM deodexed? Or would I be better off using this one? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2080200
Spaded21 said:
About to start, few more questions. The stock ROM I linked to (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2149095) says it doesn't have the new firmware, is that different from kernel or anything else? Do I need to flash that as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firmware is the Android system. The Droid DNA is on on 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean). That version has not changed in the new OTA update so I don't know why that ROM even mentioned it.
The Kernal is the interface that alows the software to access the hardware. A more detailed explanation can be found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=ROM-VS-Kernel
HBOOT is 'kinda' like your BIOS in windows. It is the bootloader. It is the first thing that is loaded on your phone. This too I believe has not changed with the latest OTA update.
This is the change log for the 2.04.605.2 710RD update
Bluetooth connectivity and volume level for specific models have been improved
Enhanced reliability and stability of the Contacts List have been made
Enhanced Recent Apps functionality has been improved
Incoming messages display with the correct timestamp
Improvements to Hotspot connectivity have been made
Improvements to Audio Quality for wired headsets and earpieces have been made
Improvements to default browser for zooming capability have been made
User can load videos on HuluPlus
Wi-Fi Connectivity has been improved
As you can see it is mostly stuff related to your radio so the radio is the main part you would want. I personally just updated my radio and din't worry about anything else.
---------- Post added at 12:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:56 AM ----------
Spaded21 said:
Is that ROM deodexed? Or would I be better off using this one? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2080200
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it is deodexed otherwise it would tell you. I think deodexed is good if you want to theme.
I'm using the first one, which isn't deodexed. But I'm keeping my rom close to stock this week
Next week, when the Viper rom has been updated to 2.04, I'll be flashing that, and probably a theme.
You indicated that you aren't currently running any mods or themes. Unless you are looking to change, I would suggest you flash the first rom you linked, which is stock, except for the root capability being added to it.
The de-odexed rom you asked about will have been modified, deleting the .odex files so that the rom can further be customized by themes etc. When a phone boots a rom that is missing the .odex files, it will take longer to boot because it will essentially create the missing .odex files on the fly while booting. But when you are modding your rom, adding themes etc., existing .odex files get in the way, so that is why developers remove the .odex files, even though the rom will take longer to boot. Once the phone is booted, whether the rom was odexed or not becomes irrelevant.
For now, if you are looking to be on the latest radio and HTC rom, I suggest you get s-off, then flash the basic 2.04 rom (the one you linked to first), and the updated radios. Hopefully HTC will soon release the updated source files for the 2.04 kernel, and then we will have more customization.
If you are looking to customize now, I would get s-off, then flash the updated radios, but stay with a rom based on the original released rom and source (like Viper). The latest Viper rom (with updates to 1.1.3) has modifications so that you won't have to worry about getting bugged to update your ROM for 2.04. If you decided to go with Viper, it is a little confusing when viper is updating from 1.1 to 1.1.1 to 1.1.2 to 1.1.3, because it uses an over-the-air (OTA) update process similar to the stock OTA update. So you may see notices for updates - but the updates would be for Viper. Once you have gotten your phone s-off, you don't need to worry about updates causing problems.
Spaded21 said:
Is that ROM deodexed? Or would I be better off using this one? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2080200
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so I have done everything, S-off, deodexed stock ROM, 3.4.10 kernel (it flashed with the ROM), and updated radio. I'm able to boot up but I don't have wifi.
Edit: Flashed the boot.img from the zip and it's working now.
Spaded21 said:
Ok so I have done everything, S-off, deodexed stock ROM, 3.4.10 kernel (it flashed with the ROM), and updated radio. I'm able to boot up but I don't have wifi.
Edit: Flashed the boot.img from the zip and it's working now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congrats!
I think that rom you used wasn't set up properly to flash the boot.img from recovery, so that is why you had to do it manually. As time goes on (and there are more users with s-off), I think most new roms will be set up properly, so you shouldn't run into that again.
The whole process wasn't that hard, and using TiB made it really easy to get everything back.
So how do I go about removing bloatware now that I have S-Off and I am deodexed?
Although there are several ways to start removing bloatware, one of the easiest ways is to go into TiBu, and freeze apps. Make a nandroid backup first, and start slow.
Some apps have dependencies, you freeze one, and another might not work, like contacts and dialer.
After you have frozen an app, and are confident that it isn't necessary, you can delete it if you want.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2
Spaded21 said:
Let me start off by saying I have been reading these forums for a couple days and I am just getting more confused.
Currently I have root, S-On, and no other mods or ROMs. I am getting the popup notification to update literally every time I turn on the screen. I can select defer and set a date about a week in the future from whatever day it is, but the popup comes back within the hour. A few times it even began downloading on its own (while on 4G as well, ~100 mb of data used up every time).
All I would like to do is somehow get my phone to be as if I were complete stock and accepted the OTA, keep root, and not have to wipe any data (or be able to restore a full nandroid). I am getting very frustrated with everything and once I think I understand it, someone throws out something new to me.
If anyone is willing to take some time to help me with this I would gladly make a donation, either to them or another party of their choosing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would highly recommend using the OTA blocking zip to kill the update messages. I'm not very handy with posting zips yet but search the threads for the disable OTA. I am on the Viper DNA rom also but I put the OTA blocking on just in case. If I were on my PC instead of my phone I could have posted the zip file for you. I'm sure with each rom the developer has added a file to make sure the OTA is killed but you can never be too sure.
Easiest way to get 2.04 OTA for rooted DNA phones
Hat-tip .Torrented from our discussion here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2152993&page=12
Get Facepalm S-Off: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2155069
Download stock recovery from: http://goo.im/devs/Flyhalf205/DNA/dlx_recovery_signed.img
Flash the stock recovery using:
fastboot flash recovery dlx_recovery_signed.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you are on stock recovery, and assuming you're on stock kernel, it allows you to take the OTA update!
After you take the ota just flash the custom recovery of your choice again. CWM Touch is a good option: http://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager
Flash the superuser-busybox.zip to root.
This gives you a completely clean "factory" upgrade to 2.04, without losing any of your data (YMMV - so pls always take a backup before you do this).
It worked for me - yippee!!!
Software number: 2.04.605.2 710RD
Kernel version: 3.4.10-ga02d2c6
Baseband version: 1.01.01.0110
Whole procedure took less than 15 minutes
zanyguy said:
Hat-tip .Torrented from our discussion here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2152993&page=12
Get Facepalm S-Off: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2155069
Download stock recovery from: http://goo.im/devs/Flyhalf205/DNA/dlx_recovery_signed.img
Flash the stock recovery using:
Once you are on stock recovery, and assuming you're on stock kernel, it allows you to take the OTA update!
After you take the ota just flash the custom recovery of your choice again. CWM Touch is a good option: http://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager
Flash the superuser-busybox.zip to root.
This gives you a completely clean "factory" up to 2.04, without losing any of your data (YMMV - so pls always take a backup before you do this).
It worked for me - yippee!!!
Software number: 2.04.605.2 710RD
Kernel version: 3.4.10-ga02d2c6
Baseband version: 1.01.01.0110
Whole procedure took less than 15 minutes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks zanyguy for the procedure and process outline. I have a question regarding my current format and was wondering if going to a stock rooted version would work for me. Since every end user is different then there are different things they want of course. For me the process is very simple. I like a very lean system. I also like to try and achieve many things to look as close to AOSP as I can get and keep functionality. My current setup has the phone unlocked, rooted, s-off and running Viper 1.1.3. My radio is the OTA update radio of 1.01.01.0110 and my kernel is the same 3.4.10-ga02d2c6. What I wonder is this. Should I even bother trying to flash the stock Rom? Is there any benefits to doing so? And if I do give it a spin should I just restore the Viper DNA rom or re flash anew?
Thanks