Newbie needs to learn this: ROM and Rooting?

[MamaBear2014]

Hi all,

I've posted a few times in these forums, so far. Background: At age 66, this is my first smartphone, but I'm a former Electronics Research & Development Technician with an ASEET ( Associate in Science in Electronics Engineering Technology ) from 1969 ( really ) and intermediate computer user, though with no coding yet.

OK, I'm in the Denver area and got my S5 from Verizon. My work presents the need to record both sides of all my calls on this phone, but after trying some apps like ACR and Total Recall, I found out that Verizon apparently covered their backsides ( they sell phones all over, where it may not be legal to record calls - here in Colorado it is ) and blocked it. ( blocked recording channels, or something? )

So I mentioned it to a colleague at a meeting tonight, and he said that I need a custom ROM. OK, from my background, I know what a ROM is ( Read Only Memory ). I Googled some, and found 10 Best Custom ROMs For Samsung Galaxy S5: A Unique Phone ( my colleague mentioned Exposed and Wanum, but I dunno - I'm a newbie...)

At that page, it says:
Prerequisite
In order to install any custom ROM, you’ll need a rooted Galaxy S5 so you should root your device first.

Um, OK, I'm baffled.

Or do the people who sell these ROMS tell you how to do this first? OR is it something that I have to get Verizon to allow me to do?

Confused in Colorado
...

OK, I just Googled some more and found:
http://www.bullguard.com/bullguard-...ity/mobile-threats/android-rooting-risks.aspx

Now do I HAVE to BUY their anti-virus or are there free ones, or lower cost ones that are AS good?

Next question: Is it possible to open up those recording channels without rooting OR a custom ROM? Like maybe Verizon can send a simple command for me?

 

[Golfdriver97]

Rooting procedures can be found in many places. XDA developers, the Unlockr, etc...Verizon often makes it more complicated by encrypting the bootloader.

Roms are usually free, the developers typically ask that you donate if you would like to.

 

[MamaBear2014]

Rooting procedures can be found in many places. XDA developers, the Unlockr, etc...Verizon often makes it more complicated by encrypting the bootloader.

Roms are usually free, the developers typically ask that you donate if you would like to.

I thought a ROM was a physical chip that had to be installed?

 

[wizzrah]

I thought a ROM was a physical chip that had to be installed?

In simplest terms ROM = OS

Many developers create custom ROMs. It is software, not hardware.

 

[MamaBear2014]

Ah, thanks!

My colleague writes software, he probably figured it out. Maybe I should ask him.

I'm just concerned about the "voiding the warranty" part, and security risks part. If there was some way to get Verizon to just enable the recording channels...

OR, if I can learn how to "root" this and install a custom ROM, will it be secure again after that?

And do they have these ROMs that wouldn't void the warranty?

I have the extended warranty on this thing - I could drop it under a car and they'd send me a new one.

 

[sandersj80]

Anytime you root a phone and use a ROM, its a possibility that you will lose the warranty. Even an extended warranty which is an extended time of the standard manufacturers warranty. The point is that you can return the phone to its normal manufacturers settings but only if you are able to set the phone up as stock again. To flash a ROM on a phone, you must make sure that you have a recovery setup on your phone. This will help if you have trouble flashing an incompatible ROM. This way you can revert back to a previous as long as you have saved the original configuration. Also, XDA is a fabulous website with all the info that you could ever want regarding info on your phone. You should definitely give it a try.

 

[MamaBear2014]

Anytime you root a phone and use a ROM, its a possibility that you will lose the warranty. Even an extended warranty which is an extended time of the standard manufacturers warranty. The point is that you can return the phone to its normal manufacturers settings but only if you are able to set the phone up as stock again. To flash a ROM on a phone, you must make sure that you have a recovery setup on your phone. This will help if you have trouble flashing an incompatible ROM. This way you can revert back to a previous as long as you have saved the original configuration. Also, XDA is a fabulous website with all the info that you could ever want regarding info on your phone. You should definitely give it a try.

I looked at XDA's site but it was so technically over my head.

 

[Golfdriver97]

I looked at XDA's site but it was so technically over my head.

What questions do you have?

 

[MamaBear2014]

What questions do you have?

I don't even know what to start asking, with questions. Like I said, this is my first smart phone.

From this thread, I'm getting that I should somehow backup my phone's system first, then I have to "root" it, somehow ( haven't a clue yet ) and then install a ROM, which is software, not hardware like the old ROM's I used to burn, when I built hardware electronics. That's it. That's all I know.

AND if I do this, I should probably cancel the $10 a month extended warranty? EVEN AFTER the phone is safely changed over?

 

[Golfdriver97]

You can't back up the ROM without a custom recovery. Often you can't install that until you are rooted.

 

[MamaBear2014]

Yesterday we stopped at a Verizon store and asked about the call recording channels - if they could be turned on. The guy called tech support and was put on HOLD. So he promised to email me when he found out, but never did.

I was trying to do some of this last night, before starting this thread, but it wouldn't work.

Then today, the phone said it needed a software update, and I let it.

Now, I went to use the video recorder and it's telling me "unable to record videos during call", BUT there's no call going on. I'm also not getting sounds anymore, when I tap the screen, though it's set to.

This is getting me nervous.

Update: Never mind this. I Googled and found that when you enable Google Voice, it inhibits the sounds and video cam. Apparently that update today enabled Google Voice. Thanks a lot, Verizon?

 

[MamaBear2014]

I'm getting ready to just go ahead and do this, per the instructions at How to Root Verizon Galaxy S5

My only concern would be that it might open up the security of my phone, and allow it to be hacked, with someone gaining access to my home wireless network through it. If that's not an issue, I'm gonna go for it.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Your scenario is possible, but rather unlikely. I would go a head an do it if you are sure that is what you want to do.

 

[MamaBear2014]

Going to, thanks. I talked to that colleague and he said that he's had a AV program before & after rooting, because he said that Android isn't as secure as I-phone anyway. ( I have no idea about that. )

 

[MamaBear2014]

OMFG. I followed the instructions at How to Root Verizon Galaxy S5
ALL the way up to tapping "Make it Ra1n", and it tells me this phone is not supported!

 

[sandersj80]

If you have the time and patience, read the forums and learn the terminology. It may sound too hard to understand but if you devote the time and effort, it will get easier.

 

[MamaBear2014]

I just followed the instructions there. It says it works for this phone and it doesn't.

 

[MamaBear2014]

 

[Golfdriver97]

Can you show a screenshot of your phone info? Go to Settings>about phone. To take a screenshot I think is volume down and home at the same time.

I'd like to see the Kernel version please.

 

[MamaBear2014]