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

[kstar12droid]

adding a custom rom for the first time

i just got my epic and heard about all the great things you can do with android. I was wondering what do i need and how to you add a custom rom to your phone for the first time? Sorry, i'm a newbie

 

[TorelliB]

Installing new ROMS

I just needed to clear a couple things up. I have stock eb13 on my epic. Rooted courtesy of ragnarox i believe. And i was was iffy on installing and running a new rom. I was looking at syndcate but im not sure about all the finer details like ext4 and whatnot. I did a manual back up on clockword MOd(2.5.1) which...i dont know if its the current version or not. so as far as installing a new rom..Do i just drop the .zip on my SD card and boot into recovery and install the zip? and thats it? what about kernals and such? or is that all included? sorry many questions here but i just wanna understand and get to it. thanks guys!

 

[Paul627g]

I just needed to clear a couple things up. I have stock eb13 on my epic. Rooted courtesy of ragnarox i believe. And i was was iffy on installing and running a new rom. I was looking at syndcate but im not sure about all the finer details like ext4 and whatnot. I did a manual back up on clockword MOd(2.5.1) which...i dont know if its the current version or not. so as far as installing a new rom..Do i just drop the .zip on my SD card and boot into recovery and install the zip? and thats it? what about kernals and such? or is that all included? sorry many questions here but i just wanna understand and get to it. thanks guys!

In order to flash custom ROMs, you will need to upgrade to a deodexed version of Froyo EB13 and convert to EXT4 filesystem.

Seeing how your already rooted with CWM 2.5.1.0 installed you can download the deodexed version of stock Froyo EB13 and then convert to EXT4.

Follow the directions at this link


Or you can take a different route and get an all in one package that will put you in the seat of a deodexed Froyo EB13, prerooted and CWM3.0.0.6/EXT4 in one installation. Then all you have left is to choose and flash your ROM of choice.
Froyo EB13 Pre-Rooted, Deodexed, with Clockwork - RFS & EXT4

Choose the "Stock EB13 Deodexed EXT4 + CW 3.0.0.6". version and follow Ragnarokx's instructions.

 

[Possum15]

Need root help

I don't know the difference in rooting, installing froyo etc. I just need my phone rooted so I can use the Roam Control. I live on the fringe of Sprint coverage but Verizon is much better at my house. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[robomav]

Go here: http://forum.androidcentral.com/epi...c-4g-official-froyo-eb13-w-optional-ext4.html

that has info and help for rooting. post your questions there and people will be able to help you

 

[Maezorg]

Rooted EB13, should i convert from RFS to EXT4? what roms should i test out?

Alright so i was up until 4am last night reading and reading and reading about rooting. After a few failed attempts i am successfully running froyo EB13 but i am still using RFS. I am new to this stuff but learning really fast after hours of continuous reading but i still have a few basic questions...

1. should i convert to EXT4
2. What roms should i play with?
3. if i do indeed decide to try out a new rom, can i go back to my current rooted EB13 by simply booting up clockworkmod and choosing backup/restore restore since ive already did the power,volumedown,camera and backed up my phone?

 

[big_bake]

1. I never saw a reason not to. Most of the ROMs are ext4 with only a few on RFS to my knowledge. I noticed a pickup in performance just converting.

2. I'm running SyndicateROM 1.0.1 and like it. Try out ACE, Bonsai4all, midNight. CyanogenMod 7 is even in alpha right now if you want to play around with that.

3. Make a Nandroid backup (in CWM) so that you have something to restore to if a ROM flash goes bad. This step is always recommended before flashing anything.

 

[Maezorg]

i was actually just about to try out syndicate 1.0.1 lol and since ive heard nothing but good things i have to try it. getting ready to convert to ext4 right now.

well thanks for the info i will test out all of these roms you suggested!

 

[Paul627g]

EXT4 is the way to go. Its what all the of the ROMs use now. RFS setup is good for those who want to root their phone to do backups with Titanium or MyBackup or flash a battery mod, simpler things.

 

[thebullfrog]

I just backed up, wiped, reflashed ACE, and restored. Phone runs FLAWLESSELY now, I frakin love it. Interestingly, even being back on Genocide 0.3 my keyboard lag is still fixed . So yeah, no more compaints from me, this thing is perfect now thanks for the help getting it all put together. It'll likely stay as is for a good long while now.

EDIT: I meant to put this in the ACE thread, but I guess it works here lol

 

[krispy521]

Help with steps to root and put a Rom on wife's Epic

Could you guys please help me to root and put a custom Rom on my wife's Epic? She is constantly *****in about how much that phone sucks. I have an Evo that is rooted, rom'd, and kerneled and I love it. What I need is a list of the steps that I need to do to make it painless. This is phone is still running Eclair.

Looks like I'm going to be using the ACE 1.7 rom since it seems to be the most stable in all the reviews that I read.

Thanks for any help.

 

[traumahawk]

this post contains all you need for downloads and info. in first post it explains difference in rts/ext4 filesystems, and has download link for odin (the program used on computer to reprogram phone). step by step instructions on how to install a pre-rooted version of froyo (go with the ext4 version. simply put- better file system than rts). the ONLY change in what it should say is how to get phone to boot into download mode. 1- turn phone off. 2- push "1" button on keyboard and then power device on. turn odin on. plug into computer. . . and from there on you can follow the instructions on that post. its the best explanation on how to root an epic. its where i learned to do it for the first time. good luck!

 

[traumahawk]

*and once you put a rooted version of 2.2 on her phone... all you do is boot into cwm (clockworkmod, push camera+vol down + pwr same time), wipe data/cache/dalvik cache 3x, "install zip" pick the zip from your sd card (yea, forgot to say that. copy the file for the rom/theme/kernel etc you want to your sd card before booting into cwm). flash it all. reboot. presto! an Epic that actually lives up to its name! haha. good luck again >.<

 

[Paul627g]

Could you guys please help me to root and put a custom Rom on my wife's Epic? She is constantly *****in about how much that phone sucks. I have an Evo that is rooted, rom'd, and kerneled and I love it. What I need is a list of the steps that I need to do to make it painless. This is phone is still running Eclair.

Looks like I'm going to be using the ACE 1.7 rom since it seems to be the most stable in all the reviews that I read.

Thanks for any help.

Go to the following thread below, this is the easiest and least involvement from you to get her rooted and running ACE.

Froyo EB13 Pre-Rooted, Deodexed, with Clockwork - RFS & EXT4

Select the option for "Stock EB13 Deodexed EXT4 + CW 3.0.0.6" (This will root and all in one package)

Follow the instructions to flash the setup mentioned above.

Once you are finished you can download and ACE ROM and place it on the sdcard and boot into CWM and flash ACE ROM.


Any other questions, please feel free to ask.

 

[krispy521]

Is it safe to assume that both of these methods will wipe the phone? I ask because on my evo, the root is independent so, I root and then get titanium backup, backup apps, then go to town with the flashing.

Also, what about the SD card, do I need to back it up before I do this?

Thanks guys.

 

[Paul627g]

Is it safe to assume that both of these methods will wipe the phone? I ask because on my evo, the root is independent so, I root and then get titanium backup, backup apps, then go to town with the flashing.

Also, what about the SD card, do I need to back it up before I do this?

Thanks guys.

Yes the phone would be wiped when using Odin.

Your sdcard will remain safe. Odin and rooting does not erase anything on your sdcard.

Edit: There is another alternative method but its alot longer draw out process. You could root the phone first, then use Titanium as you stated and backup your apps/data then run the described methods and then restore DATA only after redownloading your apps. If the Epic is on Eclair 2.1 then I wouldn't recommend restoring data or apps once you convert to Froyo.. Different OS and filesystems, etc.. Conflicts will arise.

Only real safe way is to do the "update.zip" method from the post below to upgrade to official Froyo EB13 and that would leave the device apps/data intact. Then you could root as I talked about above and backup your data then move onward to doing as I originally described using the "Prerooted/deodexed CWM3.0.0.6/EXT4" package. Then restore your Data.

Sprint's Samsung Epic 4g Official Froyo EB13 [Official Update Pulled!!]

Just let us know the route you want to take and we will get you there... Pick your poison as everyone likes to say.. LOL.

 

[krispy521]

I'm downloading Stock EB13 Deodexed EXT4 + CW 3.0.0.6.rar now. Where do I get Odin? is it in the rar? or do I need to download it separate.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[robomav]

it should be included in the file you are downloading

 

[traumahawk]

odin is included in the rar you download. (and "both methods" are actually links to the same page. Paul just spelled things out a little clearer than I did >.<)

 

[Paul627g]

I'm downloading Stock EB13 Deodexed EXT4 + CW 3.0.0.6.rar now. Where do I get Odin? is it in the rar? or do I need to download it separate.

Thanks again for all the help.

Odin needs to be downloaded separately. Its a quick download the link to it should be on the same page link I sent you to get the prerooted version your trying.