[mmarz]

Well, congratulations! If you are like most people reading this thread, you've just bought yourself a fancy new LG Optimus V Android phone, and you are eager to jump into the "hacking" scene. Easy there tiger! There are a few things you need to know before you start.

Every mod from this guide will void your warranty. While an unscrupulous person will hide the fact that they modded their phone and request an in warranty exchange in the event of bricking, we know that your are too honest of a person to try such a thing. Realize that bricking and crying may result from any one of these mods. Just check out Mr. Frowny Face with his broken phone. This could be you. If you depend on your phone, consider the consequences of making your phone inoperable.

Before you can apply most mods, you need to "root" your phone. "Well, what the heck is that?" Excellent question!! Think of your phone as a computer where you are logged in as "guest". As guest you can use most of the programs, but are limited to the privileges allowed to guest accounts. A "root" account, on the other hand, has ultimate control over the computer (like the Administrator account on Windows). It can install anything it wants, and more importantly, it can delete anything it wants. All manufacturers lock you to the guest account because they consider you to be too stupid or malicious to have access to the full system. It is also very insecure to be logged in as root. If you get a virus that installs with root privileges, it can do whatever it wants. Using bugs in the operating system, we can force our way into having a root account on Android. To strike the right balance, when you "root" your phone, you install a program (usually Superuser) that acts like a gateway for root type actions. It is logged in as root, and you are still a guest user. If you need to use a root privilege, Superuser will ask you, via a pop-up, if you want to allow the root action to take place. Rooting alone will void your warranty.

Getting started:
I have condensed everything you need to know about adding modifications to your Optimus V into a guide. Read this to get you started on rooting, roms, recoveries, and kernels: http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...new-phone.html
Here is a quicker guide for those not interested in the details: http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...overy-rom.html

When you finish those guides you will be familiar with the basic tools needed to modify your phone. At the very least, your phone should be rooted and ready to go.

Gingerbreak Apk: Alternative Rooting Method |
http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...-platform.html
http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...ot-ubuntu.html
http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...ay-around.html
http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...ecoveries.html





Custom Recoveries:
A custom recovery acts like a mini operating system that you can fall back to if something goes wrong. It can backup and restore your entire system. The backups are stored on the micro sd card. This is usually the first thing you flash after rooting your phone, but it can be changed at any time.

Recovery: 
Developer: 
Summary: Has advanced formatting ext options.

Recovery: Xionia Clockwork (CWMA)
Developer: zefie
Summary: Works with both Amend and Edify scripting

Recovery: 
Developer: 
Summary: Only works with Edify scripting. Recommended recovery for aosp's CM7.

Roms:
(note: all roms come with a default kernel attached)
A rom contains all the visual elements of your system plus all the apps that are to be preinstalled. Because roms are bundled with kernels, they are technically everything you need to have a brand new system. However, the kernel can be changed after the fact to improve performance for almost all of the roms.

Froyo - Android 2.2.x

Rom: Stock
Developer: asadullah via LGE
Summary: You can flash this if you have no heart and want the stock system back.

Rom: Stock Virgin Mobile + Xionia Kernel
Developer: RevolutionRed
Summary: This will increase your speed and improve battery life while keeping most items stock. The is the rom that "birthed" most of the other Froyo roms.  

Rom: 
Aphrodite Extra Pure Edition 
Aphrodite 1.X
Aphrodite 2.X
Developer: LeslieAnn
Summary: A series of roms based on the idea that the stock rom wasn't so bad. All the bloatware has been removed and small tweaks added. The main difference between the roms is the kernel. The pure edition is based only on the stock rom, while the other two are descendants of RevolutionRed's Stock Virgin Mobile + Xionia.

Rom: Harmonia
Developer: LeslieAnn and picasticks
Summary: Basically the stock rom on crack. It takes the stock rom, removes the bloat, creates a new kernel from LGE's source code, and makes android its *****.  (censored *****es!)

Rom: Bumblebee
Developer: obijohn
Summary: Like Harmonia, the kernel for this rom was created from LGE's source code. It has some advanced features that are worth a test drive, and of course, the bloatware has been removed.

Rom: Rodimus
Developer: mmmark111
Summary: One of the first roms in the Optimus V scene. It is yet to be outdone, both in performance and battery savings. It uses a modified Optimus S Kernel.

Rom: Mobius
Developer: BiafraRepublic
Summary:  A decent rom with some more advanced tweaks added to it.

Rom: Wait that ain't sense
Developer: asadullah
Summary: A very nice rom that looks awesome! 

Rom: slide
Developer:  asadullah
Summary: Even more awesomeness from asadullah. Seriously, take a peak at the photos.

Rom: Rom-2-2-2-Weekend Project
Developer:  asadullah
Summary: This is the newest stock rom from VM with some mods by asadullah. 

Rom: Harmonia + BumbleBee + Init.d
Developer: Takenover83
Summary: This is a rom hack job that ended up very nicely. It combines Harmonia rom with the BumbleBee kernel and adds init.d support so that you can run your own scripts at boot. There are also some nice taskbar themes included. 

Rom: Reborn ROM for OV
Developer: Nick7 and KSmithInNY
Summary: A very awesome looking and colorful rom, packed full of enhancements. This was originally made for the S, but this package is modded to work on our phones.  

Gingerbread - Android 2.3.x

Rom: Zefie's CM7
Developer: zefie and modded by icemank121 for the OV
Summary: A very nice Gingerbread rom that is based on the Scott Pilgrim Optimus S rom. This project may be abandoned. You may be able to create your own port of the Scott Pilgrim S rom by following the guides posted in the Advanced Mods/Extras section.

Rom: 
Developer: 
Summary: The latest and greatest Optimus V Gingerbread rom ported from the CM7. 

Rom: Zefie's CM7 mmarz port
Developer: zefie and modded by mmarz for the OV
Summary: Newer edition of Zefie's CM7 with an attempt to make MMS work.

Rom: ath3nos's Unofficial CM7
Developer: ath3nos and modded by mmarz for the OV
Summary: Another Gingerbread rom that was created for the Optimus S and has been ported over to our phone. This has MMS working unlike Zefie's CM 7 for the OV.

Kernels:
(if compatible, you can flash these over your favorite rom)
Kernels are the core of your phone. They control how your hardware behaves. They can have a drastic impact on performance and battery life....if configured incorrectly .

Kernel: Xionia 
Developer: zefie and modded by mmarz for the OV
Summary: Based on the Optimus S source code. This was the only overclocking kernel for a while. It has been ported over to our system by yours truly with the help of LeslieAnn. 

Kernel: Picasticks
Developer: picasticks
Summary: Based on the Optimus V source code. It's a WIP, so check out the link to see the features.

Kernel: BLUEsphere 
Developer: BiafraRepublic
Summary: Based on the Optimus V source code. It's also a WIP, so check out the link to see the features.

Kernel: Bumblebee
Developer: obijohn
Summary: Based on the Optimus V source code. It's also a WIP, so check out the link to see the features.

Kernel: 
Developer: 
Summary: This is used by the stock aosp CM7 rom. I posted it in case you want to revert back to it after testing a different kernel.

Advanced Mods/Extras:
(all of these are confirmed to work on the OV)

 
By adding the Sprint PRL, you are able to use the entirety of Sprint's network instead of the small subset that VM limits you to. This drastically increased my 3G reliability and overall signal coverage. This is one of the few mods that you do not need root access to pull off. I highly recommend it!

http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc-...y-android.html
http://forum.androidcentral.com/lg-o...libration.html
Either of these will fix your battery gauge if it is all wonky from multiple rom changes.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...-features.html
Tool to input adb shell commands for you.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/lg-o...-nandroid.html
Backup and Restore your phone through ADB without using a recovery at all. 

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...ware-keys.html
Remap your hardkeys and pick which ones wake your phone.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...ay-around.html
An alternate way to root your phone.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...on-combos.html
How to access the hidden modes of the Optimus V

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...safe-mode.html
This might come in handy if you can't boot.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...26-2011-a.html
Advanced tweaks that you can use to speed up the performance of your phone.


There is a bug that effects most Android Phone systems. It causes the phone to report the Time Without Signal to be exactly 50% of the up time. There are also claims that it is connected with poor battery life. This work around toggles airplane mode which disables the bug for most people and changes the Time Without Signal to a value other than exactly 50%.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...ls-work-v.html
Getting an Optimus S rom to work on an Optimus V
These guides will help you convert an Optimus S rom into an Optimus V rom.


This is an online kitchen that lets you create your own themes.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...optimus-v.html
[MOD] Script to toggle the keylights (Part II) - Android Forums
Adding a notification light to the phone.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...t-link2sd.html

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...icasticks.html
Three different approaches to moving your applications to a second partition on your micro SD card called the ext partition. With a fast micro SD card, this can increase your system speed and it also allows for apps to be installed than would otherwise be possible on the phone's limited storage space.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...scrolling.html
Changing the name in the notification area. 

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...osts-file.html
Read the entire thread to find two different ways to modify your host file to block most ads. 

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...rag-about.html
Calculate your phone's estimated battery life for a single charge.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/virg...optimus-v.html
http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...-part-2-a.html
Series of tests exploring battery conservation techniques and the efficiency of the various roms.  

http://forum.androidcentral.com/virg...e-battery.html
How to setup different firewall profiles to block app from access to the internet when you are not using them. This can cause battery savings in that it prevents them from running you battery hungry Wifi antenna or your 3G.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...nimations.html
Remove all bootanimations with a single prop value.


Easily change and/or backup your boot animation with this app. 

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...nels-roms.html
Info about problems with the stock wifi drivers on the Optimus V.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...rage-woes.html
Steps for transitioning to a larger micro SD card without losing your stuff.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...-5-2011-a.html
Sign your own zips so that they pass signature verification. 

[HOWTO] Edit PPP and M.IP to enable Data on Different Carriers
Enabling Data if you migrate your phone to another carrier. 

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...royo-only.html
Malware patch/work around.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/virg...een-os-ov.html
Discussion about the true differences between the Optimus S and the Optimus V.

Installing a recovery through terminal emulator 
Shows you how to flash a new recovery when you don't have access to a computer.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...tml#post873614
Shows you how to edit the ramdisk bootanimation. This is the bootanimation that loads before the rom bootanimation.zip. 

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...affs2-arm.html
Handy tools for the advanced modder. 

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...ot-ubuntu.html
Ubuntu!

How to: Return your Optimus V to Stock(Tested working)
This will get you back to square one. You must have the drivers from the rooting guide installed on your computer.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...ory-reset.html
http://forum.androidcentral.com/opti...ping-mtd8.html
If you have run the factory reset from the Settings -> Privacy menu, you will need to do one of these before you can flash another rom.

Best method for free unlimited voice call within the US: http://forum.androidcentral.com/virg...groove-ip.html

If you have problems with your Virgin Mobile service, contact them using this info for the best results: http://forum.androidcentral.com/virg...ml#post1070098


If you have any questions, ask them in the relevant thread. Only ask questions here if none of the one thousand links I just posted answers them.

Enjoy!

[moto_android_mick]

"Haha Mr. Frownie Face" Thats me

[Kiernon]

Simply *amazing* reference and wish this thread existed when I was learning about my options of modifying my phone.

If you are a new(or just finally ready to take the plunge!) Oppy user, bookmark and research away!

mmarz is the man. Never doubt this fact.

-K

[Takenover83]

mmarz, awesome post! This needs stickied. Also, add BumbleBee's kernel to the kernel section.

[mmarz]

mmarz, awesome post! This needs stickied. Also, add BumbleBee's kernel to the kernel section.

Thanks! Added!

[takehull]

Awesome resource!

Sent from my VM670 using Tapatalk

[PetGhost]

Nice collection you have here. Only thing I would recommend is to add Aphrodite to the ROMS section. It is definitely seperate from Harmonia.

EDIT: Nevermind. I'm dumb. Derp.

[x_magus_x]

Thank you - I was hoping somebody would create a topic like this.

So basically, if I want an issue-free/fully-compatible ROM, I should stay away from the Gingerbread ROMs, for now at least, right? One thing that I need that still doesn't seem to work is Bluetooth headsets...

EDIT: Also, isn't Gingerbread 2.3.x, and not 3.x.x? I thought the latter referred to Honeycomb.

[TekOne]

Damn, what else can be ask.. 5 Stars all the way.. Sticky.. sticky bady

[RavenSEAL]

Well worth the sticky, great job mmarz!

[thexxoffspring]

i feel cool a thread i started is up there xDD lol

[moto_android_mick]

i feel cool a thread i started is up there xDD lol

Ha so is mine forever immortalized..

[JerryScript]

This is exactly what was needed! Great work condensing all the info into an understandable work.

[takehull]

i feel cool a thread i started is up there xDD lol

Same here. Pretty good

Sent from my VM670 using Tapatalk

[dcannoli]

Thanks so much for this lesson. Its people like you and LeslieAnn who help us noobs get used to the Android system in general, then tweak it to our own personalities.

[prime0025]

Does adding the Sprint PRL give you faster 3g speeds or just better coverage?

[mmarz]

Does adding the Sprint PRL give you faster 3g speeds or just better coverage?

Just better coverage which CAN lead to faster speeds. If you are in a major city, you'll never get away from the network congestion which is the primary reason for slow speeds on 3G in well covered areas. If you live out in the middle of nowhere, connecting to a closer/more reliable tower could lead to faster 3G speeds.

[prime0025]

OK thanks for the answer. Another question, step 19 on the instructions says:

Under "Preferred Roaming Enable" choose "Browse..." and select the 60677.prl or 61677.prl file.

Which of the two files (60677.prl or 61677.prl) would be the better choice and why?

Also, It is known that while roaming calls, messaging, and data will not work. Would I ever come across "roaming" by doing this or would choosing home only as the roam preference eliminate that?

[prime0025]

Oh and would this have to be done every time a new rom and/or kernel is flashed or is this a one time thing?

[mmarz]

I don't think it makes a difference which file you use. The home setting eliminates the possibility of accidentally roaming. The PRL stays the same no matter what you wipe or flash.

[prime0025]

Thanks a lot. Everything went fine. Is there any way to make the speaker louder? I'm running aosp cm7 and feel the speaker volume is not loud enough.

[JerryScript]

Thanks a lot. Everything went fine. Is there any way to make the speaker louder? I'm running aosp cm7 and feel the speaker volume is not loud enough.

That should really be asked in an aospCM7 thread, or a thread dealing with speakers/audio issues.

That way, others with the same issue as you can find information via your postings, rather than having a hodgepodge of various ROM questions in this thread.

[prime0025]

That should really be asked in an aospCM7 thread, or a thread dealing with speakers/audio issues.

That way, others with the same issue as you can find information via your postings, rather than having a hodgepodge of various ROM questions in this thread.

Well this is not necessarily a rom question as I don't think the speaker volume changes within different roms. I was wondering if there was a mod that can boost the speaker volume so I posted here since this is all about mods/hacks. Starting a new thread would have gotten more responses but it would really have been a useless thread as it is not an issue. My speaker works perfectly fine and is plenty loud. I just wanted to know if it can get any louder.

[riggerman]

If you are running aosp go to your apps and open DSP Manager. It is a nice equalizer app that wil let you tweak settings for both your phone speaker and your headphones. Once I kicked up the settings I saw an increase in volume on both.

[hfl12]

guys, i am new here. I have did some research, but still confused. What is the advantage of custom firmware over stock? Are are the features available on custom firmware that stock firmware does not provide?thanks