I have read and seen a lot about the ROM for the XDA2 but still can't understand everything abopuut it.
I understand that it is the Memory in the device that loads when you give it a hard reset. So what are the differences between the different ROM's around and is there one that stands up better than the rest?
Also how do you go about changing the ROM? And is it a safe procedure. Can I save the ROM I have and put it back with ease if a new one does not work for me?
All these questions I would love to know the answers to but could not find the answers directly here, is there anywhere I can point my navigator to to find out in simple non geekie language?
I wish I was a Geek but my brain will not cope with too much techkie stuff at one time and shuts down
Adam
Butler,
I understand your pain! But you have to begin somewhere...
Changing ROMs is a dangerous process that can lead even the most experienced " geek" through a lot of frustration and wasted time. It is however, in the nature of us, who are never contented with the normal out of the box" oftenly" flawed solutions, to tinker and experiment with the devices and create customized versions containing only the best for what we want to do.
The ROM is the software that makes your XDA work, the OS(operating system) for your device. It contains all the programs and applications needed to run the phone and PDA aspects. It also contains what is called a Radio Stack, which is what runs the Radio/ Phone version of the device.
Sometimes, these carriers will take the OS and make modifications such as installing their own time measuring/ messagin applications.These apps often cause a lot of issues in regards to performance and memory leaks and etc.
Our devices have an Operating System provided by Microsoft :twisted: and based on the Windows CE ( Compact Edition), which itself has many versions. The latest of these versions is what is called Windows Mobile 2003.
There are many ROM and Radio Stack versions ( like OS's) each with features and functionalities which work best for certain phone providers.
The XDA, MDA and XDAII are manufactured by a company called HTC ( called an OEM- Original Equipment Manufacturer) for many of our carriers.)
So playing with your ROM means potentially lobotomizing your unit :roll: , which is a thought that scares some and excites some! It is a great feeling to bring back a unit that was non-functioning or DEAD and have it working the way you want it to work...
My recomendation is that you read the posts in this and other boards before you decide to do an upgrade or tweak your XDA. Good Luck! 8)
Thanks for that Great Information. I had guessed a few of the things you wrote but it's nice to know these things from a real understandable Geek.
I love to mess with these things as well as long as I have an escape plan. Is there a way to save your exixting ROM on a PC and try others out, and if they don't work or I just dont like them put it back. I am sure there is but I have no idea how. How do you extract and load a ROM?? Also if the new ROM fails and the device does not start up can you still connect the XDA2 to a PC to put back your origional of another ROM. That is the bit that sounds scarry to me.
I use the O2 ROM that came with the phone and it really needs a bit of improving. There are several issues with it that could be looked at. Do you know of any great Radio Stacks out there???
Thanks again
Adam
By the way I am a photographer working for AP based in London and use my phone all the time to transmit my pictures back to the office. The phone does not work as well as a nokia in reliable GSM conections and GPRS and is slower have you any ideas about it?
I wanted to post on another thread, but since I haven't got a post count, I can't.
(member for almost a year though)
I currently have a Samsung i9000, which is purely for dev & test purposes.
(I just bought a HTC Desire S for daily use).
I will also have a HTC Hero as soon as a new battery arrives. (on order)
I am willing to to test anything, from custom roms to apps, nightlies etc..
I've a fair bit of experience in beta testing of PC software, and used to be a windows dev myself.
I know how to write bug reports
For now I'd like to focus on testing on the Hero and the i9000, as I need a working phone for daily use. (and I haven't played with the Desire S enough to not screw it up)
On the i9000 I can flash any ROM you want me to test apps on (official ones: 2.2, 2.2.1, 2.3.3, 2.3.5, 2.3.6), ICS, Cyanogen or MIUI.
The Hero I haven't been able to try anything yet, since I can't boot without a battery.
I'm seriously interested in this one for instance:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1518731
I'm using a dedicated macbook for playing with this, which dual boots into win7.
Let me know if there is anything I can add, thanks to reading this forum I've learned a lot about android and the tutorials are excellent!
(hence me being a member for so long, without questions...)
Cheers & thanks for this great resource, it's time to give back!
Max
(sorry if in wrong forum, i think its correct though)
hi, ive had an HTC EVO 4G for almost 2 years now, and rooted for 3/4 of that. it is currently rooted with AOKP milestone 5. Ive flashed dozens of roms, used UOT, and played with different scripts and such, but lately I can't stick to one rom that I like. so now I would like to create my own rom. i am in the process of installing linux ubuntu 12 on a VM on another partition (250 gb, and truecrypting it, personal reasons), and dsixida's android rom. now I was wondering if this would be the best for a beginner or not. also i created a github, dev-host, java, dedicated email account, and the xda account for it. I've been looking through several posts and guides on xda and other websites, and wondering where I should start. I would prefer to create my own AOSP 4.0.4 rom, but if need be ill start with modding an OTA, or 2.3.x AOSP, or cyanogenmod 7 or 9. Because all I want is somewhere to start and build up my know-how on building roms, and get to the more advanced stuff as soon as I can. and besides the evo (with a 16 GB SD card), I also got a new nook tablet (16GB+8GB), and im using an acer aspire 5552, which is quad-core 2.2GHZ, with 4GB of RAM and a 640 GB hardrive, and my wifi is 25-30 mb/s wireless, and 45-50 mb/s wired (dont use that computer, parents), so hardware is not my problem, and I have several hours a week to work on it, so all i need is what software to use and setup, and how to use it. Also if possible, I would like someone to personally mentor me and start me up, and possibly work on projects with me. thank you to however reads my long and rambling post (im tired and its late), and please help me if you can.
evodev said:
(sorry if in wrong forum, i think its correct though)
hi, ive had an HTC EVO 4G for almost 2 years now, and rooted for 3/4 of that. it is currently rooted with AOKP milestone 5. Ive flashed dozens of roms, used UOT, and played with different scripts and such, but lately I can't stick to one rom that I like. so now I would like to create my own rom. i am in the process of installing linux ubuntu 12 on a VM on another partition (250 gb, and truecrypting it, personal reasons), and dsixida's android rom. now I was wondering if this would be the best for a beginner or not. also i created a github, dev-host, java, dedicated email account, and the xda account for it. I've been looking through several posts and guides on xda and other websites, and wondering where I should start. I would prefer to create my own AOSP 4.0.4 rom, but if need be ill start with modding an OTA, or 2.3.x AOSP, or cyanogenmod 7 or 9. Because all I want is somewhere to start and build up my know-how on building roms, and get to the more advanced stuff as soon as I can. and besides the evo (with a 16 GB SD card), I also got a new nook tablet (16GB+8GB), and im using an acer aspire 5552, which is quad-core 2.2GHZ, with 4GB of RAM and a 640 GB hardrive, and my wifi is 25-30 mb/s wireless, and 45-50 mb/s wired (dont use that computer, parents), so hardware is not my problem, and I have several hours a week to work on it, so all i need is what software to use and setup, and how to use it. Also if possible, I would like someone to personally mentor me and start me up, and possibly work on projects with me. thank you to however reads my long and rambling post (im tired and its late), and please help me if you can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Send me a PM, I think I would be able to help you.
Gl m8!!
Sent from my SGS2 powered by cm9 love
lithid-cm said:
Send me a PM, I think I would be able to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
messaged
its taken care of. if a mod can please lock this it would be appreciated
I have a Nook Tablet 8gig that I rooted about 10 months ago with no problems. I have had no complaints so I have not mucked around with it, but now I am wondering about updating a bit. The issue is that I want to be able to use an external keryboard dock with my NT, and I read that it was only possible with CM7 (not sure if that means CM7 and above). I rooted the NT using the great instructions and files recommended in the developers thread, but to be honest I have no idea what my nook is rooted with- it works well so I have not messed with it.
I am essentially looking for instructions on how to re-root my NT after I re-set it to factory, or how to alter my current root to run CM7. My screen is half wonked, and I may take it back since I got the extended warrenty, especially if I have to re-root it for this anyway.
Also...what is CM7? Is that an Android version?
As a side note: Can anyone confirm that you can use an external keyboard with CM7 or above?
What do you want to do first?...do you want to return to stock so that you can return your nt...or do you want to flash cm7? (cm7 is a ROM by the way a version of Android os)
Sent from my Dark Unicorn Resurrected v.2.5 using xda premium
systems6 said:
What do you want to do first?...do you want to return to stock so that you can return your nt...or do you want to flash cm7? (cm7 is a ROM by the way a version of Android os)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ultimately what I want to do is run an external keyboard, and the information I have is that they will run on CM7. I will probably (assuming my warranty will cover this) be getting this one fixed to replaced soon, so I will need to re-root when I get it back, but for now I don't see the need to re-root if I don't have to.
What does it mean to "flash" cm7?
drworm73 said:
What does it mean to "flash" cm7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your nook is broken already, why bother doing anything to it? Just get it fixed then address the things you want to address. And while you are waiting for the replacement see the next line.
After reading above quote along with your original post you honestly need to read...A LOT. You need to learn at least the basic lingo before you even make an attempt to do anything. Failure to have even an iota of understanding will only lead to failure, complaints, and frustration. Spend a few hours going through the posts on here. There are several new user guides. Read them. Re-Read them. Read them again. Learn to understand what people are talking about when someone says something like "Flash x, y, or z".
As for the keyboard question, I am fairly certain that it doesn't work on ANY rom. They are working on getting the OTG portion of the kernel ironed out. While it is called a tablet it is a glorified E-Reader. The devs have done an awesome job making the Nooks into what they are today (for those of us that have modified them),
SlowCobra96 said:
After reading above quote along with your original post you honestly need to read...A LOT. You need to learn at least the basic lingo before you even make an attempt to do anything. Failure to have even an iota of understanding will only lead to failure, complaints, and frustration. Spend a few hours going through the posts on here. There are several new user guides. Read them. Re-Read them. Read them again. Learn to understand what people are talking about when someone says something like "Flash x, y, or z"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any good links to layman information sites or tutorials? I was able to Root it easily (it is pretty simple), but I will admit that some of the android specific terminology does go over my head.
As for the keyboard question, I am fairly certain that it doesn't work on ANY rom. They are working on getting the OTG portion of the kernel ironed out. While it is called a tablet it is a glorified E-Reader. The devs have done an awesome job making the Nooks into what they are today (for those of us that have modified them),
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read several places where cm7 has allowed keyboard use for users. They are not expensive, and I would really like to try.
As for getting it fixed...well I love my nook and use it every day, so I have been loathe to take it in. I suppose that is silly.
drworm73 said:
Any good links to layman information sites or tutorials? I was able to Root it easily (it is pretty simple), but I will admit that some of the android specific terminology does go over my head.
I have read several places where cm7 has allowed keyboard use for users. They are not expensive, and I would really like to try.
As for getting it fixed...well I love my nook and use it every day, so I have been loathe to take it in. I suppose that is silly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will love it more when it works completely and isn't "wonky". You will survive without it for a little bit. Trust me you won't die. Also because CM7 allows for a keyboard doesn't mean every device running CM7 will. Search the forums for more information. I know that some of the developers have been working on it for CM10 but I don't recall seeing any posts saying that they have it working definitively.
As for specific sites or tutorials. Just visit the various android boards and look for the Noob guides. Search google for more details on subjects you want to know about.
SlowCobra96 said:
You will love it more when it works completely and isn't "wonky". You will survive without it for a little bit. Trust me you won't die. Also because CM7 allows for a keyboard doesn't mean every device running CM7 will. Search the forums for more information. I know that some of the developers have been working on it for CM10 but I don't recall seeing any posts saying that they have it working definitively.
As for specific sites or tutorials. Just visit the various android boards and look for the Noob guides. Search google for more details on subjects you want to know about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank, I just took it back to Best Buy and they replaced it with an HD. I thought about an HD+, but I use my nook for reading more than anything (lots of comics, some novels), and the 9" is much less comfortable for that. Now I need to root this bad boy, and I don't have to monkey around with roms other than rooting because the HD already has support for an external keyboard.
This can be closed, as far as I am concerned. Thanks.
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
I'll look into it tonight. I will try and tell about what happens tomorrow-ish.
Cool. Good luck.