new to android

[chaoschink]

I am wondering if anyone can help

i been reading and researching in this forum for the whole day today, I understood some stuffs, but i was unable to find what i need.

currently the phone is running on
firmware 2.1
baseband 897uc h7
kernel 2.6.29


I have to unlock the phone, so first i have to root it correct?
then which firmware is most reliable for the captivate? should i update it then try rooting it or the other way around
then which ROM or kernel should i use

i did the iphone jailbreak and unlock myself after 30 mins of researching on internet. i had no idea it was so complicated with androids


thanks in advance

 

[konazxiii]

I never thought Androids to be hard. Granted I had zero experience with Android before getting my Cappy and still have zero experience with Apple. However, I was under the impression that Apples are the tough nuts to crack. I could be wrong, obviously.

The thing is, this late in the Captivate game, there are a metric asston of ROMs spanning pretty much all versions. From 2.1 Eclair, to current leaked AT&T 2.3.5 Gingerbread, etc.

The best thing to do is to look at the Captivate Development section of XDA, pick what has the features and looks that you like/prefer, and following the install instructions that are usually in the first post of the ROMs thread.

If from there, you get stuck or have a question from that point, they at XDA and we here are here to help you.

 

[chaoschink]

Thanks for the response, but I still don't know which one to pick,
I guess the problem for me is that there is only a couple of recommended methods to jailbreak on the iOS(for average users anyways).
But for androids, i have to decide to run on froyo or honeycomb, then there are so many different rROMs to choose from. Reading forums can be informative, but there are also a lot of personal opinions/mix reviews, which led to more confusion.
The more I read the more questions I have. Which ended up with more researching and the result was "personal preference" or "depends on the situation"
Is it because I am trying too hard? The tutorial in the sticky doesn't look too hard, should I just pick one and do it and see the result?

 

[konazxiii]

Fair enough. It can be daunting.

Let's do this another way-

What would you like to do that your current setup isn't providing?

Name something attractive about a version that your doesn't do.

'Know what I mean?

 

[chaoschink]

YWell i cant use it as a phone until i unlock it, so i am really stuck here haha.
Well i guess i would care about relibility and consistency more than extreme performance or personal customization. So something with the least bugs
I would need features like being able to stop and uninstall some att apps, being able to download private app, internet tethering, and of course being able to unlock.


Do you have any suggestion



Btw, thanks for ur patience and help

 

[konazxiii]

Please clarify "unlock" for us.

The Android equivalent to "Jailbreaking" is called "rooting" (root, rooted).

Technically speaking you can flash new software on your phone w/o ever rooting it.

 

[chaoschink]

I use a different gsm carrier, so i need to make it so my sim card would work on the phone.

I also travel alot, so i often switch sim cards from different countries

Thanks f

 

[konazxiii]

I use a different gsm carrier, so i need to make it so my sim card would work on the phone.

I also travel alot, so i often switch sim cards from different countries

Thanks f

SIM unlocking should be fairly straightforward. You should be able to download or install an app that will tell you the unlock code of your phone- then it's just a matter of placing a non at&t SIM card in the phone and it will automatically prompt you to type in the code.

I've never had the need to do it, personally.

Here's more info:

http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-vibrant-captivate-sim-unlock-codes-are-hidden-phones

[REF] How to unlock/unfreeze all SGS Models [NOW WORKS ON Vibrant 4G][Updated 4-9-11] - xda-developers

https://market.android.com/search?q=galaxy+sim+unlock&so=1&c=apps

 

[chaoschink]

Wow man thanks for being super patient with me. It looks like i will have to root the phone as i expected it.
My friend told me to go with cyanogenmod since its the most common one so i guess that took care one of the problem
But now i have to decide if i want to use eclair or froyo. The tutorial says that the clockworkmod wouldnt load on froyo and that seems like a important tool for rooters, and some users report the the leaked gingerbread is buggy, so is it better for me to stay on eclair then?

Sorry for my endless questions lol

 

[konazxiii]

No worries man, I didn't know squat when I got this phone, and I sure wish there had been more patient people around to answer questions...it's much like IT though- some things seemingly so simple that you could end up thinking 'everyone would/should know that'.

CM7 is ok. MIUI is based off of CM7 and the levels of customizing (like CM7) is astounding.

CM7 will be (usually) based of the most recent Android version. Right now that's 2.3.5 Gingerbread (soon to be 2.3.6, I'd bet).

Personally, I'd go 2.2 or better. Though there are a few custom 2.1 ROMs deep in the XDA forums, they aren't supported and are missing features that come from the OS updates.

 

[chaoschink]

But the clockworkmod does not run on 2.2 correct? Isnt it a important tool for rooters? And i thought its needed to load ROMs?
If i do a system update right now, i would on the 2.2?

 

[nbell978]

But the clockworkmod does not run on 2.2 correct? Isnt it a important tool for rooters? And i thought its needed to load ROMs?
If i do a system update right now, i would on the 2.2?

Right, the only "official" update right now would take you to 2.2. I'm running the 2.3.5 "official leak" version of gingerbread, and it is basically bug free. Clockworkmod isn't the only way to flash roms, I personally prefer Odin, mainly because it's the only method I've ever used. Lol

 

[konazxiii]

The next system update from at&t will be Gingerbread 2.3.x.

CWM (aka clockworkmod) will work fine on 2.2. They just added an extra, but defeatable step. Once you get a custom ROM on your phone it wont much matter as they are all pre-rooted and have CWM injected into them as well.

Most times, people use Odin one click to flash to stock JF6 (the version of at&t 2.1 just prior to the JH7 you're currently running) in between flashing a new 2.2.x ROM that is already rooted and w/CWM.

^ This is what I'd do if I were you- assuming you don't want a Gingerbread ROM. There are different steps to take with GB ROMs. I'd jut flashing 2.2 ROMs at first and once you get comfortable with the process, how to back up and restore with Titanium Backup, how to recover from bootloops, what jigs are for, etc. before moving to Gingerbread.

 

[chaoschink]

Thanks guys,
just want to double check before i do anything, right now i should
1. Root the phone with super one click
2. Get cwm
3. Download and install the cynogenmod rom

Did i understanf correctly?

 

[konazxiii]

Pretty much, yep.

[NIGHTLY][ROM] CyanogenMod 7 for Samsung Captivate (captivatemtd) - xda-developers

 

[chaoschink]

you been super helpful konaz! Thanks a lot

so i dont need to do an os update from att because the cyanogebmod rom is also that right?

 

[konazxiii]

Yeah, Cyanogenmod is way past at&t right now. I was mistaken earlier about 2.3.6....2.3.7 will be available soon.

CM is pretty much bleeding edge Android. They scoop up and integrate the latest Android versions before pretty much anyone.

 

[chaoschink]

Just want to thank you again for the countless hours you help me saved!

 

[konazxiii]

Any time. Enjoy. It can be addicting.

(hitting the "Thanks" button on any helpful posts is cool but not at all mandatory )

 

[chaoschink]

I dont see a thanks button, maybe its cause im using the mobile version?