newb (sorry). several questions

[port13]

I recently rooted with the goal of de-bloating. That exercise seemed to be less satisfying that I had hoped. I am wondering if I should have bothered. I really like this phone. I came from the BB Storm, where I was able to install hybrid OS without too much trouble. For some reason, I don't seem to get the Android process.

Anyway, I would like to get the latest OTA update, but am not sure if there is a ROM out there that does this. I would like to stay debloated (including not wanted stuff from ROM developers). I enjoy Sense, so don't want this taken away. Is there a ROM out there that fits. I have downloaded the 1.6 BAMF, but hesitant to pull the trigger as i don't know if this includes the OTA update, and it seems to have lots of extras. .

Finally, I have a lot of back up programs. I like Titanium (bought the pro version) but it also seems complicated. Several batch options which I have run. I am not sure which one is the "right" one that will keep apps/settings correct without bringing over system files from old ROMs.

Any help would be appreiated. I did read and search the forums and had several questions answered. This is what was left. . .

 

[PsYcHoNeWb]

I recently rooted with the goal of de-bloating. That exercise seemed to be less satisfying that I had hoped. I am wondering if I should have bothered. I really like this phone. I came from the BB Storm, where I was able to install hybrid OS without too much trouble. For some reason, I don't seem to get the Android process.

Anyway, I would like to get the latest OTA update, but am not sure if there is a ROM out there that does this. I would like to stay debloated (including not wanted stuff from ROM developers). I enjoy Sense, so don't want this taken away. Is there a ROM out there that fits. I have downloaded the 1.6 BAMF, but hesitant to pull the trigger as i don't know if this includes the OTA update, and it seems to have lots of extras. .

Finally, I have a lot of back up programs. I like Titanium (bought the pro version) but it also seems complicated. Several batch options which I have run. I am not sure which one is the "right" one that will keep apps/settings correct without bringing over system files from old ROMs.

Any help would be appreiated. I did read and search the forums and had several questions answered. This is what was left. . .

First of all welcome and congrats on upgrading to your Thunderbolt, its an awesome phone!

I was in your same shoes about a month ago. I got my Thunderbolt about 2 weeks after it launched to hear some reviews and see what development will come for it. After buying it I looked at the rooting process and said that it didn't seem worth it. After about a 2-3 days, I decided to root my phone and remove the bloat VZW/HTC put on there and just kept the stock OS since I do like the Sense UI. I really wanted to put a custom ROM on here since usually they only make the phone run better and make the most out of it but I was hesitant as well. Yesterday I just installed DasBAMF 1.6.2 and so far I have NO complaints. This makes the phone run so much better, faster, and more efficient in regards to battery life.

The OTA update contains only one important thing, the updated radio. Personally I have not updated my radio but you can download and install the new radio either here or pick up a different radio version over on XDA. I know someone posted the RUU somewhere with it. I don't live in a 4G area yet so the radio doesn't bother me since I turn off my 4G. BAMF does have some extras but they only make the experience better and most of them, if not all can be disabled. It puts extras on, but takes off a lot that will bog down your phone compared to what comes on it out of the box. Once the "official" update comes to more people, there will be ROMs that incorporate it, and I believe there are some out there now.

As far as Titanium Backup goes, really all I do is run the schedule to backup all user installed programs and save data along with those and when I boot the phone back up after load that up and start installing again. Yea its a pain, but believe me once you get everything up and running with DasBAMF you will not look back I promise you that.

 

[SF DINC]

First of all welcome and congrats on upgrading to your Thunderbolt, its an awesome phone!

I was in your same shoes about a month ago. I got my Thunderbolt about 2 weeks after it launched to hear some reviews and see what development will come for it. After buying it I looked at the rooting process and said that it didn't seem worth it. After about a 2-3 days, I decided to root my phone and remove the bloat VZW/HTC put on there and just kept the stock OS since I do like the Sense UI. I really wanted to put a custom ROM on here since usually they only make the phone run better and make the most out of it but I was hesitant as well. Yesterday I just installed DasBAMF 1.6.2 and so far I have NO complaints. This makes the phone run so much better, faster, and more efficient in regards to battery life.

The OTA update contains only one important thing, the updated radio. Personally I have not updated my radio but you can download and install the new radio either here or pick up a different radio version over on XDA. I know someone posted the RUU somewhere with it. I don't live in a 4G area yet so the radio doesn't bother me since I turn off my 4G. BAMF does have some extras but they only make the experience better and most of them, if not all can be disabled. It puts extras on, but takes off a lot that will bog down your phone compared to what comes on it out of the box. Once the "official" update comes to more people, there will be ROMs that incorporate it, and I believe there are some out there now.

As far as Titanium Backup goes, really all I do is run the schedule to backup all user installed programs and save data along with those and when I boot the phone back up after load that up and start installing again. Yea its a pain, but believe me once you get everything up and running with DasBAMF you will not look back I promise you that.

Agreed.....the radio is somewhere around here....I flashed it, and I actually flashed back to the stock radio as i works better for me.....I am running BAMF 1.6.2 REMIX and I love it....you will have to mess with all the different ROM's & Kernals out and find what you like best....this is why the Android platform is leaps and bounds above the iPhone....you can get in an really make it YOURS to your specificaitons....this community is great at getting your questions answered or pointing you in the right direction....good luck and congrats!

 

[bipolarbear187]

Radio thread: [RADIO] The Obligatory Thunderbolt Radio Thread - xda-developers

Thanks to adrynalyne for this...

Remember, you flash the radio in HBOOT. I'm sure there is a guide around here somewhere...Basically, power off then power on holding to vol down button to get into HBOOT with the radio file named PG05img.zip in the root of the SD card. (Feel free to correct me if any of that is incorrect, but I believe that's the simple explanation of the process.

EDIT: Also, for a list of all the ROMs available, check out this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1027706

 

[Comineeyeaha]

Radio thread: [RADIO] The Obligatory Thunderbolt Radio Thread - xda-developers

Thanks to adrynalyne for this...

Remember, you flash the radio in HBOOT. I'm sure there is a guide around here somewhere...Basically, power off then power on holding to vol down button to get into HBOOT with the radio file named PG05img.zip in the root of the SD card. (Feel free to correct me if any of that is incorrect, but I believe that's the simple explanation of the process.

EDIT: Also, for a list of all the ROMs available, check out this thread: The Official Thunderbolt ROMs and Kernels Listing (Updated 5/7/11 11:30 AM CST) - xda-developers

You are correct, sir.

 

[itsdollar]

Coming from running plenty hybrids and leaks myself I understand where you are. BAMF has a debloated version and the OTA radio update is already included since that was leaked weeks ago. I would say reread everything again (HBOOT, Flashing in recovery, etc) and even watch a youtube video on loading ROMS if you still feel uncomfortable. Please make sure you do a Nandroid backup before you load any ROMS so you can always go back if you don't like it. Also make sure you deleted that zip file from your sd card (forgot the name-maybe P5IMG or something) after you rooted. Welcome to the Thunderbolt and you won't miss that Storm. This forum will help with any questions.

 

[port13]

thanks for the tips everybody. I took the plunge yesterday, loaded the BAMF 1.6NTE as well as the two patches (wasn't sure if 1.6.2 included 1.6.1). Was easier than I thought. I restored with Titanium which seemed to over-right the ROM so started over and restored with My Backup Root. Since then, everything has been working great. I don't noticed any major improvement in performance, and too soon to know about battery. I do like the extra UI tweaks, and now that I know the process is pretty painless, I will likely experiment some more. Thanks again.

 

[port13]

hmm, seems there is no visual voice mail with this ROM. Is there a simple way to get this back?

 

[nate44]

try this: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites! flash via cwr

 

[port13]

try this: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites! flash via cwr

that did it. thanks!

 

[broadwayblues]

that did it. thanks!

Have you looked into using Google Voice for voicemail?

It is free and IMO is much better than VVM.

Just my two cents!