[FAQ] Q & A on Rooting/ROMs/Methods

[Paul627g]

Ahhh ok well it don't mind using odin just wondering what would give better results...

For example...like when it comes to upgrading windows or doing a clean wipe. I always prefer to do a clean wipe...

If your coming upgrading from Eclair 2.1 (DI18) to Froyo DK28 then it won't matter. The update.zip (SD card method) or Odin method of installing Froyo will both give you a clean fresh install.

If your talking about doing a clean re-installation of Froyo when your already upgraded to Froyo then I still recommend using Odin to restore to factory Eclair 2.1 then upgrade back to Froyo which ever method you chose.

 

[futbolplayer]

If your coming upgrading from Eclair 2.1 (DI18) to Froyo DK28 then it won't matter. The update.zip (SD card method) or Odin method of installing Froyo will both give you a clean fresh install.

If your talking about doing a clean re-installation of Froyo when your already upgraded to Froyo then I still recommend using Odin to restore to factory Eclair 2.1 then upgrade back to Froyo which ever method you chose.

Well I just had to odin it back to eclair because I wasn't able to get my gps to lock on. Sooo I was just trying to find what method would be best for the phone.

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[Paul627g]

@futbolplayer, no problem.. Both ways accomplish the same thing.

 

[sinic]

Keeping data through root

So is there a link to a site with a comprehensive guide to which processes (root, flash, etc) will wipe all your phone's data and which will keep them in tact? As I said in my intro post I'm interested in doing something to my phone to help improve the GPS, improve battery life, make better use of the phone's hardware and be able to use the tether functionality. It would also be nice to be able to use Flash on the phone as well.

Thing is, I have a bunch of info on my phone that I don't want to get rid of... contacts, media and aps. Is there a way to make these changes while still preserving the data on the phone? Is there a way to backup the stuff currently on the phone, root/flash and then bring all the previous data back? What about the RFS to EXT4 conversion? Can data be migrated through that?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[eerongal]

Rooting will not clear your data. Flashing a new rom will.

There are ways to backup your apps/data, i think the most recommended apps for that here are MyBackup and Titanium Backup. You should be able to find them in the app market. I use MyBackup Root and backup to the SD card, which is for rooted phones. I've never had to restore with it (fingers crossed), with so i dont know exactly how painless the process is.

You can also get App Brain and store a list of all installed apps, and load that on to a fresh phone and have it install all apps you had previously installed automatically.

I'm not sure about the RFS to EXT4 conversions, never done it myself.

 

[Paul627g]

So is there a link to a site with a comprehensive guide to which processes (root, flash, etc) will wipe all your phone's data and which will keep them in tact? As I said in my intro post I'm interested in doing something to my phone to help improve the GPS, improve battery life, make better use of the phone's hardware and be able to use the tether functionality. It would also be nice to be able to use Flash on the phone as well.

Thing is, I have a bunch of info on my phone that I don't want to get rid of... contacts, media and aps. Is there a way to make these changes while still preserving the data on the phone? Is there a way to backup the stuff currently on the phone, root/flash and then bring all the previous data back? What about the RFS to EXT4 conversion? Can data be migrated through that?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Thi is correct. Your best option would be to root your while on stock Eclair. Then backup with MyBackup and then you can upgrade to Froyo and whatever rom you like. Only thing is from your backups we recommend you do a Data only restore on your apps due to conflicts that can arise. More info on all this is available in the Rooting/ROMs/Hacking section. Check the stickeys. Also check out my FAQ link in my signature for more common questions and info.

 

[jd195]

From my experience with Rooting/upgrading to 2.2/Flashing a new ROM, only some data will be salvageable.

Contacts, SMS, media, and call histories transfer over well. I would also recommend putting your contacts on your google acct to have that backup as well. I think appbrain may be your best bet to re-collect any free apps that you want to keep. The issue is that you're reallynot going to be able to salvage a lot of data from your apps that is saved on the phone itself. When I did it using MyBackup Root, I was able to back up everything, but restoring it wasn't pretty. One of the pieces of advice I later learned was that whenever you do a version upgrade as big as going from 2.1-2.2, expect to lose some app data.

If you're just looking to root and not put a custom ROM on or upgrade to 2.2, you should be able to keep all your data, but if you go to upgrade to 2.2, convert from RFS to EXT4 (required for the procedure I followed), or add a custom ROM, there's a chance you'll lose some app data.

EDIT: Also, listen to Paul (posted while I was writing this). One of the most helpful people I've seen on this topic.

 

[Windfrenzy]

Look around in the rooting, ROMs, and hacks section at the top of the Epic forum. I rooted using Z4 and am playing with MyBackup Root & Titanium Backup Root. Came in handy the other day when Slacker lost my recently played stations. I just restored the data and was back to normal. Shootme will take screen shots, if that helps. Contacts and calendar should be backed up via Google unless you've turned off synching. Oh, and calendar is only backed up on the Google cloud if you set each appointment to your Google calendar vice the phone calendar (arrg).

 

[trooper54]

You can obtain a temporary root using the app "z4 root", you can then back up your apps with titanium or your choice of backup.

You can export your contacts to the sd card as vcf format, but keep in mind most should be backed up via gmail. You can check by going to your gmail and clicking on contacts.

As for the sms and other data. I would not restore these, especially if your considering going to a new version of android or file system. Restoring old data is the No. 1 best way to mess up your newly flashed rom.

Also a cool little tid bit, if you want to keep your app locations and home screens the same between switching roms. Use something like Launcher Pro. You will have to set it up the first time, but in the preferences there is an option to back up your configuration, and then restore after you switch ROMs.

 

[Paul627g]

Yes as LiquidJesus had mentioned when switching from Eclair to Froyo if needed I would only do a Data only restore. Reason being your switching OS's and by restoring apps using MyBackup or Titanium there will/can be problems. Even Data only can cause conflicts so only do it if necessary.

 

[sinic]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Sorry for posting in the wrong forum to start with. I read Paul's sticky and saw the stuff in there about keeping data and whatnot through a root.

So I guess my other question would be would it be useful to install Odin and CWM even if I don't intend to flash the phone right away? Are there good Eclair ROMs or is all the development for Froyo? The reason I ask is because in the FAQ there's a mention that Froyo will burn through battery which I'd like to avoid. So are there no underclocking/undervolting ROMs for Froyo?

 

[trooper54]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Sorry for posting in the wrong forum to start with. I read Paul's sticky and saw the stuff in there about keeping data and whatnot through a root.

So I guess my other question would be would it be useful to install Odin and CWM even if I don't intend to flash the phone right away? Are there good Eclair ROMs or is all the development for Froyo? The reason I ask is because in the FAQ there's a mention that Froyo will burn through battery which I'd like to avoid. So are there no underclocking/undervolting ROMs for Froyo?

Official froyo is supposed to come out in a 2 weeks or so, so watch for a bunch of froyo magic then

 

[sinic]

How firm is the "in 2 weeks or so" date? I mean I've been hearing that song and dance since I got the phone in October...

 

[Paul627g]

How firm is the "in 2 weeks or so" date? I mean I've been hearing that song and dance since I got the phone in October...

Well out of all the other "claims" to official Froyo coming out this one has a snapshot of the About Phone screen under Settings.

Shows the Baseband version as S700.0.45.EA17
Shows the Build number as FROYO.EA17
Hardware version D700.0.4 (Developers phone)

That is some pretty solid evidence compared to everything else in the past.

I guess we will see come Feb. 21

 

[epstew]

New Guy, Hello And Epic Question.

Hello all,

Yes im the new guy here.
Just picked up my epic this weekend.
The wife has an Iphone and I hate the proprietary snobbery that apple has.
They make it so hard to do things on it. I know how to jailbreak it
so its not that big of an issue but I still hate it. I find Android much easier.

Ok, I have just rooted the Epic, though I had alot of trouble with USB ADB interface drivers. Once I somehow got that sorted out, I used the one.click.root.exploitv2.5.5 and now I am rooted. Woohoo!!!

So, now what?

I have read here and there that I should make a Full NAND back up before I do anything. Is this needed or if I screw up the phone is it fixable without it? If I do need the backup, I need the know how and expertise of you fine people here.

I want to remove the sprint bloatware off to clean her up a bit. Once I do this, is there any suggestions of what I should do to the phone? It has 2.1 and as I have read, we will wait till it gets cold in the lower regions before they come out with 2.2.

Im guessing I want to use something to:
1. overclock a bit and also slow it down in standby to save juice.
2. unlock my wifi access so other devices can connect to the internet though it.
3. After that, I dont really know what to do. Yes Im new to Droid and Loving it so far!!!

Thanks for any input you can give me. I have done a little searching here before posting this but I figured a direct question would help me get the exact and direct answer needed.

Its a pleasure to be here

 

[Paul627g]

First welcome to Android and the Samsung Epic 4g!

Answer your questions best I can.


1) You can make a backup of your current setup using either MyBackup or Titanium Backup. Both available from the Market for root users. This is all your choice to do this but it can save you from future headaches.

2) You can also use the Nandroid Backup in the ClockWorkMod recovery that was installed when you rooted your phone with OneClickRoot v2.5.5

You can boot into CWM (ClockWorkMod) by shutting down your phone completely. Then press and hold volume down+camera+power. From there you can flash ROMS, Kernels, Addons, themes etc.. Make you Backup and Restores with NANDROID.

3) Seeing how your looking to overclock your phone and get better battery life I would suggest you check out Baked Snack ROM. Its probably one of the most popular and dependable ROMs on the Eclair 2.1 OS.

ROM ALERT: Baked Snack v1.6 [update6]

Any other questions feel free to ask.

 

[DroidXcon]

5 words .......build prop hall of shame

Well out of all the other "claims" to official Froyo coming out this one has a snapshot of the About Phone screen under Settings.

Shows the Baseband version as S700.0.45.EA17
Shows the Build number as FROYO.EA17
Hardware version D700.0.4 (Developers phone)

That is some pretty solid evidence compared to everything else in the past.

I guess we will see come Feb. 21

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

[ragnarokx]

Apparently that build has been verified from other sources as well. But will it be the official/final build? Don't know...

 

[Kikoshi]

First welcome to Android and the Samsung Epic 4g!

Answer your questions best I can.


1) You can make a backup of your current setup using either MyBackup or Titanium Backup. Both available from the Market for root users. This is all your choice to do this but it can save you from future headaches.

2) You can also use the Nandroid Backup in the ClockWorkMod recovery that was installed when you rooted your phone with OneClickRoot v2.5.5

You can boot into CWM (ClockWorkMod) by shutting down your phone completely. Then press and hold volume down+camera+power. From there you can flash ROMS, Kernels, Addons, themes etc.. Make you Backup and Restores with NANDROID.

3) Seeing how your looking to overclock your phone and get better battery life I would suggest you check out Baked Snack ROM. Its probably one of the most popular and dependable ROMs on the Eclair 2.1 OS.

ROM ALERT: Baked Snack v1.6 [update6]

Any other questions feel free to ask.

stupid question Paul and i've possibly have done this just not knowing its named Nandroid, but how do i reach this option if you could in some way visually demonstrate it? or explain it some how

thank you n.n

 

[Paul627g]

stupid question Paul and i've possibly have done this just not knowing its named Nandroid, but how do i reach this option if you could in some way visually demonstrate it? or explain it some how

thank you n.n

When you boot into CWM and use the backup/restore feature. There is your "Nandroid backup". That's it.