Pros and Cons of Rooting?

[illwood]

I have decided to switch from Sprint Lovers to CyanogenMod 7.0.3.1 (stable version, not the nightlies). I am going to download it onto my computer and try to upload it to my phone. I have done a backup of the Sprint Lovers ROM as well as backing up my apps via Titanium Backup. Is there anything else I need to do before I download the new mod? Is there anything I would need to do after I download it before I use it? Is there a guide on the forums to help me out?

When you say that you backed up the Sprint Lovers ROM, did you backup just the zip of the ROM? If so, you should reboot into recovery and do a Nandroid backup.

There is nothing special that you need to do before you flash the new ROM. You should probably download the Gapps zip so that you can flash it immediately after you flash the ROM so that you will have the Android Market and you can install the rest of the Google apps (Maps, GMail, . . .).

Last thing, don't forget to wipe you caches before you flash the ROM. Not wiping is the most common cause of a boot loop occurring immediately after flashing a ROM.

 

[redhawk24]

When you say that you backed up the Sprint Lovers ROM, did you backup just the zip of the ROM? If so, you should reboot into recovery and do a Nandroid backup.

There is nothing special that you need to do before you flash the new ROM. You should probably download the Gapps zip so that you can flash it immediately after you flash the ROM so that you will have the Android Market and you can install the rest of the Google apps (Maps, GMail, . . .).

Last thing, don't forget to wipe you caches before you flash the ROM. Not wiping is the most common cause of a boot loop occurring immediately after flashing a ROM.

1. I hit "Backup Current ROM" on ROM manager, so I have whatever that does

2. Is doing a Nandroid backup easy? EDIT: I rebooted into recovery mode and did a backup

3. Noob alert, how do you wipe caches? EDIT: While in recovery mode, I stumbled upon my answer here

4. Now, how do I flash a ROM again?

 

[illwood]

Good to hear that you got mostly there.

ROM Manager should have a way to clear the caches and flash a ROM, but I do not use it, I do everything from recovery.

If you want to do it from Recovery, make sure you have wiped your caches (it doesn't hurt to do it again) and then after that is done, go back to the main Recovery menu and select "Flash from zip" or something like that. Then use your volume keys to navigate to the folder where you ROM exists, select it and confirm with the power button.

Last thought, did you verify the MD5 of the ROM after downloading it? I'm not sure if ROM Manager checks, but that will allow you to verify your download so you don't run into any problems from a corrupt zip file.

 

[redhawk24]

Good to hear that you got mostly there.

ROM Manager should have a way to clear the caches and flash a ROM, but I do not use it, I do everything from recovery.

If you want to do it from Recovery, make sure you have wiped your caches (it doesn't hurt to do it again) and then after that is done, go back to the main Recovery menu and select "Flash from zip" or something like that. Then use your volume keys to navigate to the folder where you ROM exists, select it and confirm with the power button.

Last thought, did you verify the MD5 of the ROM after downloading it? I'm not sure if ROM Manager checks, but that will allow you to verify your download so you don't run into any problems from a corrupt zip file.

The MD5 was verified, but it has been stuck in the loading screen for about 10 minutes after I flashed the ROM and gaaps. What should I do?

Update: I pulled the battery, did a factory reset, then rebooted the phone and the new ROM works!

 

[Joe G]

I just rooted my phone this afternoon after having all the same questions you all have and reading every thread about it on here. I must say... I tried a few "non-Sense" ROMs and didn't like not having Sense because I wasn't used to it and I felt as though my phone wasn't "connected" enough. (Such as Facebook contact pics, etc...)

Anyways, I just got done installing Myn's Warm TwoPointTwo RLS 5 (Post on XDA-Dev) and the updated radios combo pack ([ Radios ][ 5-6 ] All EVO Radio, WiMAX, PRI, NV & HBoot versions @ XDA-Dev) and I'm in LOVE with it!

Everything the Sense UI didn't have but I wanted, Myn added into Warm TwoPointTwo! Plus, with the updated radio pack, I can now connect to 4G while indoors whereas before it would never connect unless outside.

Definitely highly recommended by me, but it's really up to you in the end.

Now I just need to read up on kernel's... I really don't understand the pro's and con's of changing to one like netarchy yet... but it's only my first day rooted, so my brain is about to explode as it is.

Just remember: Once you get your setup to where you like it, run ROM Manager and backup... I'm a newb myself and the last thing I want to do is get stuck going back to something and having to do hours worth of work over again...

P.S. I like the Gingerbread Lock animation... is there a way you can mod a ROM's lock animation?

 

[jamesrshaffer3]

Joe G, please keep my name readily available.. I am the same as you.. first day rooted & love warm 2point2.. I am curious as you to what I can do now.. like apps.& lock animations! Keep me updated & I as well!

 

[Joe G]

Joe G, please keep my name readily available.. I am the same as you.. first day rooted & love warm 2point2.. I am curious as you to what I can do now.. like apps.& lock animations! Keep me updated & I as well!

PM'd...

Sent from my EVO 4G using 2 cans & a string