[Q] Going to buy Captivate.. Few questions - Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Ok, so after having a long battle in my head about whether I should buy the iPhone 4 or the Captivate, I decided to go on ahead and buy the captivate.
I recently found out about something called "rooting" and have been reading up about it for the past few days.
I learned that people like to root especially for tethering and installing android rom updates that have not been released yet by their carriers. However, I would probably NOT use tethering because I am planning to get the $15 per month, 200mb per month, data plan.
I have installed custom Roms before on my Sony Xperia X1, so I know the general risks of installing them. However, I am new to android, and I have a few questions about rooting.
What exactly does rooting allow you to do?
I remember reading that you must root your phone in order to sideload apps (install non-market apps, right?). This was the main reason I wanted to root. However, I found this : http[:]//www[.]androidcentral[.]com/sideload-android-apps-all-you-want-sideload-wonder-machine (sorry, can't post links yet)
This program seems to solve that problem.
Next, I want to be able to install themes, like Launcher Pro especially. Is it possible to do this without rooting by sideloading the app or must I root my phone?
Third, I know that another great advantage of rooting your phone is that you can overclock to 1.2 GHZ. Does this feature really give you that much of a power boost? Also, does it, in any way, decrease your device's lifespan? If so, is it worth it?
I don't really mind the at&t bloatware, and their censorship of the market is easily passed by turning on wifi and putting your phone in airplane mode (I think).
Now, let's say that I DO decide to root my phone. If I do, I would use the "1 click to root" program, in order to minimize the risk of bricking.
Once I root my phone, I would probably go ahead and install this : http[:]//forum.xda-developers[.]com/showthread.php?t=751934
However, there are two things I am confused about: How do I make a nandroid backup so that I may restore my phone to stock and then unroot it after installing a custom rom? Also, what the hell is "odin"?
Thanks in advance, guys.

Root is a linux term, or a unix term. On older systems the root user is like the admin in windows. On some modern distributions you can't log in as root but can use the root permissions with use of a root password and a sudo command (super user do). so the term super user and root are interchangeable.
To root your phone grants you root permissions via an app that grants or denies permissions to individual apps, no password required. By adding a terminal interface you can do nearly anything that can be done on a pc with linux. It is needed for many mods and having it and knowing what to do with it can be very satisfying.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

Odin is a computer application to re flash your phone. Most mods can be done on a captivate without it but get it just in case you do something stupid! I did!
The overclock is pretty safe. It doesn't really hinder battery life much because if it goes to full speed it gets the task done faster so its back to being throttled sooner. Its stock voltage and there is likely more to come with over and under voltages. The hummingbird has a bit more potential than that. That said the phone runs great without it.
I believe a nandroid backup can be done in clockwork recovery. And my phone didn't need to side loss launcher pro. I was already rooted but I don't think root is needed either. The search on the marker doesn't always find it. Also try adw. And do the lag fix. To see what your phone can really do in quadrant.
I used the over clock with unleash the beast and the lag fix, then I set a replacement lockscreen wrong and locked up my phone, I decided to reflash it. Now I use SRE and the lag fix. But it doesn't include the wireless teather app that comes with unleash the beast.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

NeoXer0 said:
Ok, so after having a long battle in my head about whether I should buy the iPhone 4 or the Captivate, I decided to go on ahead and buy the captivate.
I recently found out about something called "rooting" and have been reading up about it for the past few days.
I learned that people like to root especially for tethering and installing android rom updates that have not been released yet by their carriers. However, I would probably NOT use tethering because I am planning to get the $15 per month, 200mb per month, data plan.
I have installed custom Roms before on my Sony Xperia X1, so I know the general risks of installing them. However, I am new to android, and I have a few questions about rooting.
What exactly does rooting allow you to do?
I remember reading that you must root your phone in order to sideload apps (install non-market apps, right?). This was the main reason I wanted to root. However, I found this : http[:]//www[.]androidcentral[.]com/sideload-android-apps-all-you-want-sideload-wonder-machine (sorry, can't post links yet)
This program seems to solve that problem.
Next, I want to be able to install themes, like Launcher Pro especially. Is it possible to do this without rooting by sideloading the app or must I root my phone?
Third, I know that another great advantage of rooting your phone is that you can overclock to 1.2 GHZ. Does this feature really give you that much of a power boost? Also, does it, in any way, decrease your device's lifespan? If so, is it worth it?
I don't really mind the at&t bloatware, and their censorship of the market is easily passed by turning on wifi and putting your phone in airplane mode (I think).
Now, let's say that I DO decide to root my phone. If I do, I would use the "1 click to root" program, in order to minimize the risk of bricking.
Once I root my phone, I would probably go ahead and install this : http[:]//forum.xda-developers[.]com/showthread.php?t=751934
However, there are two things I am confused about: How do I make a nandroid backup so that I may restore my phone to stock and then unroot it after installing a custom rom? Also, what the hell is "odin"?
Thanks in advance, guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root if you need to - if nothing you want to do requires root, then don't bother.
You can install (sideload) apps without root. Again, root access is NOT required to sideload. The wondermachine does it by using the Android SDK (they baked it in); but you can just as easily download the Android SDK, unzip it, go to the tools directory and use the ADB tool to install apps. USB Debugging mode is required for this or the wondermachine (it is a checkbox you click on the phone).
Rooting will let you sideload directly on the phone without connecting to a pc, but you need to do more then root, you need to change a db file.
Other launchers are installed without root, so you don't need root for this.
You do need root for nandroid backup, but since it will backup your present state, a restore will still be a rooted phone.
So if you want to restore to factory fresh - the ODIN one click is the way to go. It has the ROM and Odin all in one package. Other version of Odin allows you flash different ROMs.
Nandroid and RomManager are used to switch ROMs and restore all on the phone - so you can install a new ROM, but then rollback to the old with all your configuration intact - this requires root.

That 200mb plan is going to be tough to stay within on the Captivate. The background syncing with google and mail app activity will chew up alot more than you think.
Your first concern with this phone will be how to control data, not whether or not to root.
I do think controlling the data use will be easier on the Captivate than it would be on the iPhone4.
For simplicity, I think SRE 1.2.1a does the best job of "remodeling" the phone.

Ok, thanks a lot for your answers guys, cleared up a lot of things.
I decided I wanted to root just so that I could make backups and install custom roms.
Also, about the data problem, I plan to have wifi on and 3g off most of the time. I don't really find 3g to be a necessity.
Also, is there a way to roll back to your previous ROM and keep all your apps? Or would you have to reinstall them fresh?

alphadog00 said:
Root if you need to - if nothing you want to do requires root, then don't bother.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, this is much like there is a sexy girl in your room and people tell you to do nothing!!! People here tells you a lot of cool stuffs with being rooted, that changes "what you want to do"
PS: In my case I decided to wait until the 2.2 comes out. From now on, I just read this forum . However, I did root my phone and flash back to stock using Odin, just to see whether it is like original afterward (and it seems to be!). I believe I still have warranty with the phone then (can anyone confirm about that again for me???)

NeoXer0 said:
Ok, thanks a lot for your answers guys, cleared up a lot of things.
I decided I wanted to root just so that I could make backups and install custom roms.
Also, about the data problem, I plan to have wifi on and 3g off most of the time. I don't really find 3g to be a necessity.
Also, is there a way to roll back to your previous ROM and keep all your apps? Or would you have to reinstall them fresh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium backup, and maybe samsung kies, I know kies works for contacts, and media and synching to outlook. I thought it works for apps but I may be thinking of htc sync, I never really use either.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

cppc said:
Well, this is much like there is a sexy girl in your room and people tell you to do nothing!!! People here tells you a lot of cool stuffs with being rooted, that changes "what you want to do"
PS: In my case I decided to wait until the 2.2 comes out. From now on, I just read this forum . However, I did root my phone and flash back to stock using Odin, just to see whether it is like original afterward (and it seems to be!). I believe I still have warranty with the phone then (can anyone confirm about that again for me???)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flashed back to stock no one knows you rooted so your warranty is safe.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

NeoXer0 said:
Ok, thanks a lot for your answers guys, cleared up a lot of things.
I decided I wanted to root just so that I could make backups and install custom roms.
Also, about the data problem, I plan to have wifi on and 3g off most of the time. I don't really find 3g to be a necessity.
Also, is there a way to roll back to your previous ROM and keep all your apps? Or would you have to reinstall them fresh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clockwork mod will let you create rom backups along with you app data
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Related

This may be odd

But i rooted my N1, but i am completely happy with the way it is now and i dont want to flash a custom rom on it, so what can i really do now, for instance would i be able to install wired tether and have it work? or do i need to install a custom rom for that
I am just wondering if there is any benefit of your the N1 so far without having to flash a custom rom
yes, you should be able to install wired and wifi tether. but i would suggest giving other roms a shot, if you dont like it. just do a nand restore
can you still install apps2sd with no custom rom?
also newb question. doesn installing a custom rom after root give a noticable perfomance boost? like feeing up more ram and rom as well?
most custom roms have the himem enabled, so that will double the available ram for you to use. and apps2sd only works well with the custom rom they came with
i am running cyanogen, and it works really well, better than stock for sure.
But when you go to the download page of wired tethered it says i need a rdnis enabled kernel and i dont think the nexus one comes stock with it, but thats mainly just a guess not an actual fact of knowledge
I don't blame you the N1 already performs great even when it's stock, but since you're already rooted, I suggest you flash Amon's recovery, do a nandroid back up, and try out the available ROMs, you will get everything the stock ROM has and A LOT more, it gives you more memory, speed boost, battery savings, and the option to save aps to SD. If you aren't happy with it you can always restore it.
I'm running Enomther's ROM right now, and trust me you wont get disappointed.
Good Luck!
michaelo147 said:
But i rooted my N1, but i am completely happy with the way it is now and i dont want to flash a custom rom on it, so what can i really do now, for instance would i be able to install wired tether and have it work? or do i need to install a custom rom for that
I am just wondering if there is any benefit of your the N1 so far without having to flash a custom rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry another question.
If i decide to root. could i backup all my current apps and recover them once i root. I have mybackup pro and will i be able to just run restore apps in a custom rom with mybackup pro?
And with rooted phones, all over the air updates by google must be manually installed right? instead of ota right?
I'm not sure how backup pro works but I think it'll restore your aps coz that's what its for also when you flash a new ROM, the first time you open your downloads list from the market, all the apps you have installed from your previous ROM will be available for download. Note that this only works the first time you open market, so make sure you don't exit the market until your done installing all, or you won't see them again.
Yes you wont get OTA updates when you're rooted, but this is not a big deal since the devs update their ROM as soon as Google releases an update, often, they even get the leaked versions and incorporate it in their ROMs, so you'll be running the updated version of the N1 way before the stock N1's get it.
inhuman5000 said:
sorry another question.
If i decide to root. could i backup all my current apps and recover them once i root. I have mybackup pro and will i be able to just run restore apps in a custom rom with mybackup pro?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GuerillaZhou said:
yes, you should be able to install wired and wifi tether. but i would suggest giving other roms a shot, if you dont like it. just do a nand restore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is actually incorrect. The kernal needs to be updated to be able to use ether of the tethering apps. With the stock rom, there isn't much you can do with a rooted phone. In fact, its almost a waste to root unless your going to run a custom ROM. I use and trust Enomther's ROM's. VERY stable and capable of using tether apps, apps2sd, has the hacked kernal that allows the full use of the 512Mb of RAM etc. etc. Check it out here.
rjhay22 said:
I'm not sure how backup pro works but I think it'll restore your aps coz that's what its for also when you flash a new ROM, the first time you open your downloads list from the market, all the apps you have installed from your previous ROM will be available for download. Note that this only works the first time you open market, so make sure you don't exit the market until your done installing all, or you won't see them again.
Yes you wont get OTA updates when you're rooted, but this is not a big deal since the devs update their ROM as soon as Google releases an update, often, they even get the leaked versions and incorporate it in their ROMs, so you'll be running the updated version of the N1 way before the stock N1's get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks alot man.
inhuman5000 said:
sorry another question.
If i decide to root. could i backup all my current apps and recover them once i root. I have mybackup pro and will i be able to just run restore apps in a custom rom with mybackup pro?
And with rooted phones, all over the air updates by google must be manually installed right? instead of ota right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about backup pro, but I think it should do what you need... atleast thats what ppl have said... i personally never used it..
Most cooked ROMs disable OTA updates... but if u hv stock rooted, you will get the OTA updates, but it'll most likely disable root if a new boot image is part of the OTA...
Daily people post about this. Why un-lock the bootloader (thus VOIDING your warranty) to keep a stock rom? Makes absolutely no sense. Cyanogen and Emon are trusted people that WILL NOT RELEASE ANYTHING THAT WILL BLOW UP YOUR PHONE!! There is a disclaimer for idiots that may not pay attention. If you follow directions you will never have a problem. If you end up with a problem (bootloop or alot of FCs) hop on #cyanogenmod on freenode IRC. Those guys are always willing to help you through problems, Even noobs usually.
Hardware defects will happen on stock just as they will custom ROMs. So don't waste your time un-locking, if you don't plan on running a custom ROM.
YOU CAN'T BRICK YOUR PHONE FLASHING CyanogenMOD/Emon ROMS!!! ONLY RADIOS AND SPL's!!!!!!!!
dude chill there questions i rooted my g1 and i thought it was a fun experience and i just bought a nexus one and i wanted to see if i could root it, but i really enjoy the way my nexus one runs now, its all i wanted to know

[Q] Best method to root, lag fix, remove AT&T crap and side load?

Hi All,
I've seem several all-in-one methods to root, lag fix, remove AT&T crap and side loads. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me which method is the best and safest method.
I'm also still hesitant on rooting my Captivate. Not sure exactly why I would want to do this in the first place. But I am so tempted to do the Lag fix. I'm also wondering if I should wait until froyo comes out than root and apply the lag fix?
Mike
follow the steps here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=735482
and when it comes to rooting it, dont.
just go flash the unleash the beast rom and it also tells you how to enable sideloading which will let you download applications from outside the market
Unleash the beast is the first thing I do after a flash.
Then there are a few addons (like market access) from that pdf that are nice.
What is the market access for?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
mets3214 said:
follow the steps here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=735482
and when it comes to rooting it, dont.
just go flash the unleash the beast rom and it also tells you how to enable sideloading which will let you download applications from outside the market
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why wouldn't he want to root?
SuperRooter does everything and the kitchen sink, but works for JH2 and JH3 firmware.
If running stock ROM from the store, Unleash the Beast works great, but doesn't address lag fix (unless it has changed since last week).
does anyone know definitively if i unlock att's locked marketplace, and enable side loading will those be reverted back to stock when i do a factory reset. i'm going ot have to do a warranty exchange within 30 days or my purchase date, but i just want to make sure that i can do these and still revert it back to stock, then reroot it for the return. i already know about being able to reroot it, but i just need to know if my device can be recrippled for the return. thanx in advance
yes you can unroot totally, back to stock with all bloatware and everything.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=731989
go there read up and it is really easy actually. good luck
p.s.... i did method 4. i did not see the phone and computer screen like it shows but it does work if you do it just like he says
I used unleash the beast, and all it unleashed was force closes. I had to reflash to stock. Then I rooted only to remove the att bloatware, with Titanium Backup. As others have noted, I find value in some of the bloat, so I prefer to uninstall myself. I then flash the circle battery mod type D. Then I do the lagfix. I use taytanna (?) Lagfix ext4 version. Then I put on the fonts (there is one central font post that links to the vibrant post with 30+ fonts. I don't enable sideloading, other than the fonts there isn't anything I want that isn't in the market. I use the sideloading application from android central. Then I am good to go.
I guess I prefer to do a lot of that myself. I like to be in control, and customize it the way I want. I climbed over the wall to leave Steve's garden because I want control in the first place.
Sent from my Samsung Captivate via XDA app

[Q] SRE or UTB

Hello,
I'm quite new to android and after reading around the forums for the captivate, I was wondering exactly which is better, SRE or the Unleash the Beast?
I come from HTC Fuze and I am really excited about the Captivate I just got. And like most new owners, I'm concerned about what exactly I am doing with phone. Please help me.
SRE all the way
SRE provides way more options. Sideloading enabled by default, overclocking, disabled GPS logging, mobile access point, usb tethering... definitely the way to go until BuglessPete ever comes back (if he does)
I've been reading up on the SRE thread and it seems I have to do a nandroid backup and titanium backup but doesn't those 2 require the phone to be rooted?
What exactly is sideloading? I've been trying to figure it out but all people said that it let non-market apps to be installed to the phone but how would I install the unit?
I like SRE.
Sideloading is exactly what you said it is. Instead of installing via the Market, you just transfer a .apk file to your phone, open it with a file manager and it will install.
Seems like the SRE is the popular choice to go, but do I have to do those backups like the nandroid and titamium back up before I do SRE even though I need to root?
agegsg said:
Seems like the SRE is the popular choice to go, but do I have to do those backups like the nandroid and titamium back up before I do SRE even though I need to root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will root for you no worries.
I've used both and I prefer SRE, I ran UTB for a month and after all the bugs were out of SRE I flashed it and it is awsome. Then get Ryna's one click lag fix in the Market and install it, you'll get rid of the lag and it posts quad scores over 2400, stock is between 800-900.
You won't be able to use Nandroid or Titanium without Root.
glio1337 said:
I like SRE.
Sideloading is exactly what you said it is. Instead of installing via the Market, you just transfer a .apk file to your phone, open it with a file manager and it will install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.androidcentral.com/sideload-android-apps-all-you-want-sideload-wonder-machine
This is the best choice for sideloading apps. Very simple to use and it does the work for you. No need for an ADB shell or any of that, easier on noobs like me.
First off, Thank you guys for your post. I decided as suggest to do the SRE. Am I suppose to notice any difference when I finish up the SRE?
Also, any recommendation of apps I should get now that my phone has freedom?
change form UTB to SRE
I just received my Samsung Captivate and used UTB first, but am thinking I may want to try SRE, do I need to do anything before I run SRE, and can I just do this over UTB. I have not flashed any roms or anything like that. Thanks for your assistance.
skipper86 said:
I just received my Samsung Captivate and used UTB first, but am thinking I may want to try SRE, do I need to do anything before I run SRE, and can I just do this over UTB. I have not flashed any roms or anything like that. Thanks for your assistance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you really should read through as many (all) the pages of SRE as you can, but since I've been keeping up with it I'll help you out. According to DesignGears and several others, if you're running UTB you can just flash over it and it won't matter.
just put update.zip on your SD card, boot into recovery, reinstall packages
skipper86 said:
I just received my Samsung Captivate and used UTB first, but am thinking I may want to try SRE, do I need to do anything before I run SRE, and can I just do this over UTB. I have not flashed any roms or anything like that. Thanks for your assistance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would do all of your backups and then flash back to the stock ROM and apply SRE.
If I recall correctly, you are recommended to flash to stock, but I read in their forums you can just do it over the UTB. Here is a link to their thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=751934
SRE all the way! I'm about to do mine!
agegsg said:
If I recall correctly, you are recommended to flash to stock, but I read in their forums you can just do it over the UTB. Here is a link to their thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=751934
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed SRE over UTB and had no problems whatso ever..enjoy SRE its awesome being overclocked and stable @ 1.2GHz!
i flashed to SRE last night, coming from JM5 i9000 rom, this thing is smokin now.
I'm about to stay reading up on SRE, but can anyone tell me if this will affect any ota updates, I'm on jh3 now with UTB and that's about it. Also am I going to have to re-load anything after I flash this over Utb?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I was forced into flashing to stock when I did something--still not sure what--to get a blank screen after boot, so I decided, what the hey, instead of just rooting, go with SuperRooter (which I assume is being called SRE now) and get lots of goodies with it. I'm a true believer, what with a truly open market, no more bloatware, ext4 file system, etc.
I didn't do Nandroid or Titanium Backup...didn't know how at the time. But since I had been using AppBrain, reinstalling all my apps took longer than it would have using Titanium and I lost my app settings, but it wasn't anything to cry about. So if you're not using Titanium yet then I'd recommend you go to AppBrain, sign up, download the app, and run it before going this route.
It worked just fine for me. If there's a problem, just get Odin and a ROM to reflash the phone (instructions are available all over the place on how to do this, particularly at the top of this very forum). It seems to take a lot to brick your phone, so don't be scared to jump in. Learning new stuff is fun! Just keep a cool head if you blow it...you can most likely fix it in pretty short order.

Unrooting my captivate to get AT&T 2.2?

I rooted my phone (I think) using I897UCJF6-final-OCD-REV0.exe (I think). Looking at the phone with SUPER MANAGER the ENABLE ROOT function is NOT checked off. Does that mean my phone is not rooted? Is there another way of telling if my phone is rooted? I read somewhere that you need an unrooted phone in order to get the AT&T froyo 2.2 which hopefully will be released any day now. If I need the phone unrooted to get the update is there an easy way to unroot it that will not wipe out my programs and data?
Thanks for any help.
panflute said:
I rooted my phone (I think) using I897UCJF6-final-OCD-REV0.exe (I think). Looking at the phone with SUPER MANAGER the ENABLE ROOT function is NOT checked off. Does that mean my phone is not rooted? Is there another way of telling if my phone is rooted? I read somewhere that you need an unrooted phone in order to get the AT&T froyo 2.2 which hopefully will be released any day now. If I need the phone unrooted to get the update is there an easy way to unroot it that will not wipe out my programs and data?
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that exe you are referring to is stock 2.1... there is nothing rooted about it
you are not rooted
Rooted
OK. I probably did not run that program. But how can I tell if a phone is rooted or not? And is it true that your phone has to be unrooted in order to update to 2.2? thanks
panflute said:
OK. I probably did not run that program. But how can I tell if a phone is rooted or not? And is it true that your phone has to be unrooted in order to update to 2.2? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummmmm did you or didn't you run that program while in download mode? If you are unsure about that then I suggest you stop trying to mod your phone for a while and do some reading.
As far as being unrooted, no one knows. But I can tell you I plain don't care about an official release from att. I will continue to use roms that are developed by folks around here. they are better than anything that att can put out.
Sent from my GT-I9000
Pirateghost
Pirate, I have been a member here for a long time, & been doing a lot of reading since I got this phone. I have never seen so many people get bricked and that scares me. I tried to root the phone just in order to make backups....I am a backup freek and for good reason. My last phone was the DASH 3G (still have it). I got the HTC Windows phone but only kept it a couple of weeks before realizing how far it has to go. The Captivate is definitely a lot better than anything i have ever had and it does not seem necessary to flash it in order to get all the nice apps running. I will be happy with the AT&T update if it ever appears. I have spent the past few weeks customizing the Captivate and will post my homescreen and a list of apps I am using.
panflute said:
Pirate, I have been a member here for a long time, & been doing a lot of reading since I got this phone. I have never seen so many people get bricked and that scares me. I tried to root the phone just in order to make backups....I am a backup freek and for good reason. My last phone was the DASH 3G (still have it). I got the HTC Windows phone but only kept it a couple of weeks before realizing how far it has to go. The Captivate is definitely a lot better than anything i have ever had and it does not seem necessary to flash it in order to get all the nice apps running. I will be happy with the AT&T update if it ever appears. I have spent the past few weeks customizing the Captivate and will post my homescreen and a list of apps I am using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have the SuperUser App in your APP drawer? If so you are rooted.
super user
I have SUPERUSER PERMISSIONS.....some of the apps listed inside it are:
titanium backup
rom manager
root explorer
sqlite editor
one click lag fix (I dont think that one worked)
So do I need to UNROOT in order to get the AT&T update to 2.2?
Just odin one click and master clear.. then hook up to kies...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
master clear
Is there a way to unroot that will not erase all of my work?
How did you know its coming any day now.
first of all, 2.2 is not coming soon....
second of all, you ARE rooted
third of all, doesn't matter if you "unroot" (although you dont really seem to be a candidate for rooting anyway)...because once you're rooted or once you change the existing software (which you did with the program you listed in the first post between the "i thinks"), you negate the ability to recieve over-the-air updates from at&t
not that ANY of this matters, because the second those firmwares hit at&t phones it will be here and available to flash
not to mention we already have 2.2 available unrooted (the leaked version (might be different))
if you want me to send you the one-click ODIN file to flash stock 2.2 let me know
So it's a confirmed fact that rooted phones can't get the OTA updates?
nope only that some people have reports that they have not been able to update after they try and use atts update....
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
2.2
whitesox311 said:
first of all, 2.2 is not coming soon....
second of all, you ARE rooted
third of all, doesn't matter if you "unroot" (although you dont really seem to be a candidate for rooting anyway)...because once you're rooted or once you change the existing software (which you did with the program you listed in the first post between the "i thinks"), you negate the ability to recieve over-the-air updates from at&t
not that ANY of this matters, because the second those firmwares hit at&t phones it will be here and available to flash
not to mention we already have 2.2 available unrooted (the leaked version (might be different))
if you want me to send you the one-click ODIN file to flash stock 2.2 let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whitesox
Thanks for your offer! I would love 2.2. Someone on this board said he works for AT&T said the update was coming on the 19th....guess not ))
I need to ask a few questions about applying the update:
1. Does my home screen get reset?
2. Do I have to download all of my apps again?
3. If so, does the phone remember which apps I downloaded from Marketplace?
4. I assume that any backups i did would not apply to the new 2,2
4. Anything i should know as far as what is and is not included in the update?
thanks whitesox....I'll be keeping a eye on this thread.
Sorry Whitesox - I'm REALLY REALLY BORED at work today - hence all the forum spamming today
I need to ask a few questions about applying the update:
1. Does my home screen get reset?
Yes
2. Do I have to download all of my apps again?
Unless you had them backed up somehow (say using Titanium Backup) - then yes.
3. If so, does the phone remember which apps I downloaded from Marketplace?
Possibly - but if your using a Custom ROM? I've found that only those I have purchased show up under the Market and I had to hunt them all down again.
4. I assume that any backups i did would not apply to the new 2,2
Not necessarily true - for Apps/Data you should be fine restoring. But I wouldn't recommend restoring any type of System Data as it would conflict with the update.
5. Anything i should know as far as what is and is not included in the update?
As in? Froyo specs means you will have additional functionality - the biggest one is Flash for websites. That and you will be able to run more applications from the Market vs. your current Eclair 2.1 ROM.
backups
avgjoegeek said:
Sorry Whitesox - I'm REALLY REALLY BORED at work today - hence all the forum spamming today
I need to ask a few questions about applying the update:
1. Does my home screen get reset?
Yes
2. Do I have to download all of my apps again?
Unless you had them backed up somehow (say using Titanium Backup) - then yes.
3. If so, does the phone remember which apps I downloaded from Marketplace?
Possibly - but if your using a Custom ROM? I've found that only those I have purchased show up under the Market and I had to hunt them all down again.
4. I assume that any backups i did would not apply to the new 2,2
Not necessarily true - for Apps/Data you should be fine restoring. But I wouldn't recommend restoring any type of System Data as it would conflict with the update.
5. Anything i should know as far as what is and is not included in the update?
As in? Froyo specs means you will have additional functionality - the biggest one is Flash for websites. That and you will be able to run more applications from the Market vs. your current Eclair 2.1 ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AJG
Thanks for the response. I have titanium backup, as well as SUPER MANAGER which also does backups. Also have ROm MANAGER but I am sure that will not apply....As for my installed apps & widgets I have a list of everything installed. Looking forward to 2.2 and FLASH 10 WHITESOX!
The official Froyo update has been coming "any day now" since September.
Just personal preference to run Titanium Backup - I know it works and I can use the free version to do everything I want or need.
Yea - I had forecasted we would see the Froyo OTA update from ATT with Source before Christmas - It does appear we won't see this update until sometime in 2011 - like um never?
At this point your stuck with either the OTA JH7 Update 2.1 Eclair - or you can get the Leaked Froyo (not recommended stock) or your plethora of Custom ROM's in the Dev forum.
I swear I think the Captivate has more custom roms then a room full of bunnies. I look at the other Galaxy S line and I see a few - but not as many to choose from here. This is the one major plus of owning a Captivate I guess
which one to get?
OK you and whitesox seem to know what you are doing. What is the best & most stable version to get?
Tinyboss said:
The official Froyo update has been coming "any day now" since September.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lolololololol!!! Your right
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

[Q] Rooting The Bionic, ROMs and other questions.

I have had my Bionic for a while now and have been thinking about rooting it. I finally got the ICS update but have been using GO Launcher too much to even notice it. Anyway, like I said, I want to root my phone. I am current on all updates. For some reason it's running at a tenth of it's memory tho not much is running that I can see. This leads me to believe there's things running in the background that I can not see. I am reluctant to get rid of all my apps, but I also don't want anything that's eating all my resources either. I kinda want to start new but kinda don't. I guess I just don't like letting go of anything.
I know this is selfish of me, but I am hoping that this thread will stay clean of others chiming in asking about their issues. I just don't want the thread to lose focus since this is about what I hope to get from my phone.
Ok, so here are my questions or favors to ask:
Since my phone is fully updated, do I need to do some other updated steps for rooting my phone or is rooting always the same no matter the build or version?
When I go to root my phone, I back up everything first and then I get it back, right?
I read somewhere that it's possible to brick the phone. What precautions should I take to avoid that?
Can I get all the benefits of a rooted phone without a ROM?
Are ROMs really that awesome that I should get one, or three?
I am interested in a ROM after some posts and pages I read. I was attracted to CM at first but so is everyone else probably at first. Does CM even work on the Bionic? And if it does, does everything work like the camera and Bluetooth?
As I said earlier, I use GO Launcher. One of the things I really like about it is the folders I can make in the App Drawer. Now CM is based off of ADW Launcher, but no options to make folders in the app drawer? Is it possible in any way if I choose CM as my main ROM?
Is CM overrated? Liberty and Eclipse look nice too. I also read a little, very little, about AOKP. Any suggestions? I want to get rid of a lot of extra processes and bloatware but I don't want to lose some of the apps pre-installed like Google Maps and Navigation, etc. Unless there are other, much better replacements that anyone knows of.
I know most of this is personal preference but I am hoping to find a comprehensive way at figuring out what's best for me.
I had more questions but I will wait and ask more as the thread continues.
Oh, I don't really need answers in step by step unless I ask. A simple link would suffice unless it's not covered anywhere.
Thanks for reading this, I hope I am not frustrating anyone as I am sure similar posts have been made.
You're basically asking to have this entire forum summarized into one post...
Spend some time reading, then ask smaller, more concise questions.
Not trying to sound like a ****, but i could spend an hour answering all of that. Half of those questions could be answered with some reading of the ROM specific threads.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
Ok, I know that SOME of the questions are answered somewhere else. The thing is that after I read one thread only to find it unsolved, I read others that are are 50 pages long going nowhere as well. I haven't seen anything about my phone being fully updated and I am not going any further until I know for sure from someone like a DEV that I can.
Some of these questions are yes/no questions, which wouldn't take long at all to answer, maybe even less time it takes to write a complaint about my post. I certainly don't expect one person to write for an hour on every topic I asked about. I thought it would be a collective effort.
I guess I will take this slowly.
Since my Droid Bionic is updated to the current versions, do I need to do this differently than others have used in the past to root this phone?
Where is the best method to do this?
Before I start, I have to backup everything, right? If so, what's the best way to go about backing up everything?
I read somewhere that there are 3 things you should do to make sure you avoid bricking. I have since lost it. Does anybody know a surefire way to do this.
Please be gentle.
CycoPuppet said:
Ok, I know that SOME of the questions are answered somewhere else. The thing is that after I read one thread only to find it unsolved, I read others that are are 50 pages long going nowhere as well. I haven't seen anything about my phone being fully updated and I am not going any further until I know for sure from someone like a DEV that I can.
Some of these questions are yes/no questions, which wouldn't take long at all to answer, maybe even less time it takes to write a complaint about my post. I certainly don't expect one person to write for an hour on every topic I asked about. I thought it would be a collective effort.
I guess I will take this slowly.
Since my Droid Bionic is updated to the current versions, do I need to do this differently than others have used in the past to root this phone?
Where is the best method to do this?
Before I start, I have to backup everything, right? If so, what's the best way to go about backing up everything?
I read somewhere that there are 3 things you should do to make sure you avoid bricking. I have since lost it. Does anybody know a surefire way to do this.
Please be gentle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st question . No, your phone is not special since it is updated what worked for others will work for you.
2nd follow this link and the instructions to the letter http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/4026-samurihls-house-of-bionic/
3rd . Since you are stock. I would suggest using Verizon's back up services. TiBu requires root. IMHO I wouldn't bother because Google automatically backs up contacts and most roms require you to do a full data wipe.
There is no magic formula to keep from bricking your phone. Just follow directions and if you can't tolerate the risk don't do it.
From my EVOLVED bionic
Obsidian_soul said:
1st question . No, your phone is not special since it is updated what worked for others will work for you.
2nd follow this link and the instructions to the letter Can not post links
3rd . Since you are stock. I would suggest using Verizon's back up services. TiBu requires root. IMHO I wouldn't bother because Google automatically backs up contacts and most roms require you to do a full data wipe.
There is no magic formula to keep from bricking your phone. Just follow directions and if you can't tolerate the risk don't do it.
From my EVOLVED bionic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That link no longer works
Also I found an article named "Learn How-To Root, Custom Recovery, Backup, And De-Bloat Your DROID BIONIC" while searching around for ROM ideas and such. Anyway, after reading this, it almost seems as if I don't need to do factory reset. Is this ok?
CycoPuppet said:
That link no longer works
Also I found an article named "Learn How-To Root, Custom Recovery, Backup, And De-Bloat Your DROID BIONIC" while searching around for ROM ideas and such. Anyway, after reading this, it almost seems as if I don't need to do factory reset. Is this ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just last week I started with a stock ICS Bionic and followed this guide to root: http://droidbionicroot.com/droid-bionic-root/how-to-root-ics-on-droid-bionic-and-motorola-android/
That went very well. I wanted to try out JB 4.2.2, so I installed SafeStrap and an official CM 10.1 nightly. The net result was that I had a very unstable phone until I did a factory reset . As of this writing, however, it's behaving extremely well. YMMV.
Ratamacue said:
Just last week I started with a stock ICS Bionic and followed this guide to root: Can not post links
That went very well. I wanted to try out JB 4.2.2, so I installed SafeStrap and an official CM 10.1 nightly. The net result was that I had a very unstable phone until I did a factory reset . As of this writing, however, it's behaving extremely well. YMMV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so you flashed the ROM, didn't work so well, then you did a factory reset. Doesn't a factory reset wipe the phone? If that's the case, doesn't it wipe out the ROM?
Oh one more thing. Following this link, does this wipe the data from my phone? Anything I should back up before doing this? Should I do any updates before flashing CM 10?
CycoPuppet said:
Ok, so you flashed the ROM, didn't work so well, then you did a factory reset. Doesn't a factory reset wipe the phone? If that's the case, doesn't it wipe out the ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, a factory data reset doesn't wipe the ROM, but it does require running the initial setup (as if you were setting up a brand new phone).
CycoPuppet said:
...one more thing. Following this link, does this wipe the data from my phone? Anything I should back up before doing this? Should I do any updates before flashing CM 10?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You definitely want to back up everything you're not willing to lose. I ran a backup the very first thing after installing SafeStrap, and it was a good thing because with all my messing around I managed to bork my stock ROM to the point that it wouldn't boot. Fortunately, all I had to do was restore it from a backup.
My phone on CM 10.1 had enough issues with freezing and crashing that I decided this morning to try a different ROM. So far, I've had really good results with Icarus HD (a custom ICS ROM). I really don't know if my experience with CM 10.1 was typical.
OK, so I want to root. Now does rooting wipe any data? Regarding Safestrap, I install that first before rooting?
Rooting doesn't wipe any data. Root first, then install SafeStrap.
Okay, I will be rooting and installing safestrap when I get home for work today. I will still have more questions I am sure. I do have a few before I actually start rooting or right after.
I know safestrap makes a backup/recovory, but is it full recovery only or can I recover portions, like say my Dolphin browser with the settings and bookmarks?
I read that when making a backup of stock ROM, use sdcard, I'm sure that means external but when flashing a ROM, will that wipe data from the external card?
When setting up slots for multi booting ROMs, gernally how much storage do they need?
If I have two different ROMs, does it act like user accounts in Windows, would I have to download the same app on each ROM or do both ROMs have access?
Can one ROM have stuff I don't want the other ROM to have visible?
CycoPuppet said:
I know safestrap makes a backup/recovory, but is it full recovery only or can I recover portions, like say my Dolphin browser with the settings and bookmarks?
I read that when making a backup of stock ROM, use sdcard, I'm sure that means external but when flashing a ROM, will that wipe data from the external card?
When setting up slots for multi booting ROMs, gernally how much storage do they need?
If I have two different ROMs, does it act like user accounts in Windows, would I have to download the same app on each ROM or do both ROMs have access?
Can one ROM have stuff I don't want the other ROM to have visible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. SafeStrap is full recovery only. Use Titanium Backup for backing up apps and data.
2. Flashing a ROM won't do anything to your external SD card.
3. When you set up ROM slots, you'll be asked how much room you'd like to allocate for data. The choices are 1, 2, or 3 GB. I started off allocating 3 GB to the stock ROM slot and was never able to load more than 3 separate ROMs before I ran out of room. I'd start with just using 1 GB for data.
4. Each ROM is an island. You have to download the apps separately (unless when you go through the initial setup you tell the system to restore apps and settings from the Google servers.)
Cool. I rooted and got safestrap but it's version 3.05 and not 3.11. Some ROM I was interested in said must have 3.11, which I am assuming that's the newest one so far. I did watch a tutorial about getting the current version, so no question there.
So the ROMs are separate islands and during flashing they can be in slots allocated up to 3GB. Does that mean that's the only amount of storage I can have when running that ROM? Say I like taking lots of photos and didn't save them to my external card, could I essentially run out of space or is the storage allocation just for the ROM itself and any updates it may have?
Sorry about these series of questions, just want to make sure I am doing it correctly in case I might make a mistake for future's sake.
The storage allocation is for the ROM, apps, and data that haven't been assigned to the external SD card. You can definitely run out of space if you load several ROMs and don't save any of your data to the external SD card.
Also, keep in mind that when VZW sends the OTA update to 4.1 next week, the only way to keep root is to root in ICS and use Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper to protect root before you take the OTA. If you flash the system image, you will lose root, and there is no known working root exploit for the Bionic JB release.
Lost Root
Hey, I used Voodoo before flashing the 4.1 update, but forgot to update the binary beforehand, and therefore lost root. Anyone have any luck yet with an exploit for the OTA?
And there's no working FXZ before this now, correct? This software is now the earliest version I can FXZ to?
auglove3rd said:
Hey, I used Voodoo before flashing the 4.1 update, but forgot to update the binary beforehand, and therefore lost root. Anyone have any luck yet with an exploit for the OTA?
And there's no working FXZ before this now, correct? This software is now the earliest version I can FXZ to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not root exploit yet for bionic JB. And if you try to FXZ back to an earlier version, you will brick your phone.
OK, so I rooted, got safestrap tho still not updated to 3.11, got TBU (free), got Voodoo. I had to race the clock today cuz it was updating android, or at least downloading the update. The root process I used gave me SuperSU and didn't tell me the version for the SU binaries. I searched around and all I could find was info on SuperUser in regards to backing up root. I uninstalled SuperSU, kinda. I just told it to use a different SU cuz when I used SuperUser and updated the binaries, SuperSU wanted to update them, then I opened SuperUser and the binaries reverted back. I was worried so I just told SuperSU to use a different SU. Was that ok? I didn't update to JB yet. Has there been luck with the Bionic using voodoo and keeping root after the JB update?
All this back and forth means I'm making a full image backup, then trying various ROMs. I've tried CM10.1, too many issues (no car dock, trouble installing lots of apps, no speakerphone). Next is... Whizzed Bean?
EDIT: Seems Speakerphone issue was fixed in the 0420 nightly. Will have to try it again.
AND I copied all the backups to my PC, so I can restore them at will (provided the phone still boots, that is... )
If I can't find a JB ROM I like I guess I can do HouseofBionic reflash (which did NOT cause me to lose data, as I upgraded to ICS that way) then allow the JB OTA to go through.
*sigh*... So much bull**** in these updates.
Hope someone sees my question above. I still haven't updated to JB yet. Once I do I will be flashing ROMs. I am interested in CM, Liquid Smooth, Icarus Hd and Wizzed Bean or Synergy (executioner ) Both WB and Synergy look indentical. What is the differences.
CycoPuppet said:
Hope someone sees my question above. I still haven't updated to JB yet. Once I do I will be flashing ROMs. I am interested in CM, Liquid Smooth, Icarus Hd and Wizzed Bean or Synergy (executioner ) Both WB and Synergy look indentical. What is the differences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WB is a fork of CNA (codename Android) 4.1 JB (which is itself based on AOSP)
while Synergy is a fork of the standard Moto ICS (.246).
Yes, they look identical because they both used the Samsung UI elements.

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