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Root Difference between Rom and theme

Y

YamiR6

Member
I was on xda and i seen a theme i liked but then the same ppl have a rom created as well. What is the difference and do i need both?

I am new to rooting. btw.
 
A ROM is an entire, sometimes modified, android system. It has all the files required to be a complete, bootable system. Your phone comes with a ROM. It would be useless without it. It is the OS, kernel, etc. basically. So, basically, some developers have taken it upon themselves to take out certain system files, and modify them as they see fit. This can include theming, making things more efficient, changing kernels (which can be done separately), or any other countless number of modifications to the system. Note that a ROM can include a theme. Look at myn's warm, for example (there are many others). It is a ROM that has a lot of modifications on the stock ROM, and one of them is a theme. ROM developers basically take their modified files and package them back up with all the system files.

A theme is basically the same concept, where a developer modified system files in some way. But in this case, they modify only files necessary to change the look and theme. When they do so, they package up only the files necessary, which then replace files in an already existing ROM.

Does that help clear it up?
 
No problem. So, let me clear one other things up. In order for you to flash a theme, you need:

1) A ROM compatible with the theme. Most themes change only a handful of files, and require that the system already meet the requirements for compatibility with whatever is being modified. As you can see from the thread at xda, a compatibility list is given:

YOU MUST BE ON A 3.70 ROM FOR V13!!!!

Confirmed Roms
Myns RLS5
AzraelX 3.0
Calk's 1.7.5
Sprint lovers 3.70
Redemptive Revolution 2.2
Click to expand...

2) A deodexed ROM. I won't go into too much detail, but basically, if you're on stock, do not attempt to flash a theme. It won't work. Changes need to be made to the system in order for theme changes to make the necessary changes to system apks. Just flash a custom ROM of your choice, then you should be able to flash any theme as long as it meets the other compatibility requirements.
 
so for that theme if i do myns that would be great. just download a rom from rom manager? I am tired of the old boring one i have. i purchased launcherpro but that gets boring as well. need to make the phone more customizable.
 
nandroid back up is done in recovery right? like go to rom manager reboot into recovery then select a back up which then creates a back up on my sd card correct? then once that is done follow the instructions on rooting for dummies on how to flash it right.
 
That's correct. That way you can go back what you have now exactly the way it is. If you'd like to transfer your apps, you must make a backup with titanium backup, then restore once you flash the new ROM.
 
on titanium back up you can do a batch backup or do them 1 by 1, The prefered method is to do them 1 by 1 and restore 1 by 1, but I do batch and have never had a problem. So press menu is TB then choose batch, and then run backup all apps and data, then after you flash the new rom, go back into TB and choose batch again, this time run restore all missing apps + data.
 
oh sorry, yes do the TB back up first, then the nandroid backup. Since the nandroid backup is done in recovery, when it finishes go ahead and wipe cache and davlik cache (as well as factory data wipe ONLY if your flashing a rom) and then choose install zip from sd card, and flash away, then reboot :)
 
Yep, that's the process breakdown. Once it's all done, you can then restore your apps using titanium backup. You can try doing a batch restore of all apps and settings, but I recommend you restore apps only, and restore only the apps you need. You will avoid potential conflicts that way. If you decide to do a batch restore, make a nandroid backup first.
 
My only difference with this post is I have a Captivate, though that has no bearing on this subject.

I don't have nandroid but have TB and RM. I am running Phoenix 4.1 ROM and want to install different theme. (that's what brought me here) So I do I install the new theme to the ROM? Theme choice is VA GREEN (below). I reall don't understand how to flash this to the ROM. My guess is mount sd drag file from computer to internal....... Then what?
 
tomween1 said:
My only difference with this post is I have a Captivate, though that has no bearing on this subject.

I don't have nandroid but have TB and RM. I am running Phoenix 4.1 ROM and want to install different theme. (that's what brought me here) So I do I install the new theme to the ROM? Theme choice is VA GREEN (below). I reall don't understand how to flash this to the ROM. My guess is mount sd drag file from computer to internal....... Then what?
Click to expand...
Normaly, the first post where you found the theme, (or the developer's first post introducing the theme) will have the full installatin instructions.

What do you mean "you don't have nandroid?" Always be sure to make a nandroid backup before making any changes! It would probably be a good ideea to post in the Captivate forum, where folks that are very familiar with your phone will be better able to assist you, and provide suggestions for customizations, etc. :)
 
Hey im trying to install the "red hot synergy" rom on my EVO 4g. Since im new, I cant post links but could u help me on how to install it please, I'm running gingerbread 2.3.3 Aman ra recovery and on stock evo. Please, I can send u the link so u can see specifics via email . Please and thank you , name is dilan btw
Email:bluedemonde@hotmail.com
 
Sorry for the ignorance, but which synergy Rom would i get? How do I know which one is the right one? I've been flashing roms and ive tried to flash the red roms ans NONE of thwm have worked, my EVO just hangs on the sprint startup screens it keeps rebooying :(, what are the steps to flashing a rom and then a them? Can we use the "red hot synergy" Rom as the example please? Thank you
 
bluedemonde said:
Sorry for the ignorance, but which synergy Rom would i get? How do I know which one is the right one? I've been flashing roms and ive tried to flash the red roms ans NONE of thwm have worked, my EVO just hangs on the sprint startup screens it keeps rebooying :(, what are the steps to flashing a rom and then a them? Can we use the "red hot synergy" Rom as the example please? Thank you
Click to expand...

I'm on my phone right now, but you should read the dummies guide to rooting the gingerbread edition. It had a guide on how to flash a rom and themes. Also you have to read the post for the theme as it should tell you which synergy rom it will work on.
 
bluedemonde said:
Sorry for the ignorance, but which synergy Rom would i get? How do I know which one is the right one? I've been flashing roms and ive tried to flash the red roms ans NONE of thwm have worked, my EVO just hangs on the sprint startup screens it keeps rebooying :(, what are the steps to flashing a rom and then a them? Can we use the "red hot synergy" Rom as the example please? Thank you
Click to expand...

ok so after you read the dummies guide, here are the basic steps:
here is synergy i would recommend the universal. my phone never liked godmode, but that is up to you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1144447

and i think that this is the theme you want:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1189975&highlight=mik

1.download the rom and the theme
2.move both files over to the sd card
3.in recovery make a nandroid backup
4.wipe dalvik cache, cache and data
5.(if you are on amon ra for recovery) flash the vr superwipe
6.flash the rom
7.boot up and sign in making sure that the flash went well. the first boot will take awhile especially with synergy so be patient. for me it took like 35 min!
8.go back into recovery and make a nandroid backup
9.wipe dalvik cache and cache
10.flash the theme.

hope that helps.
 
bluedemonde said:
damn thank you!!! Ima flash it and see. So when I see a post, how do i kno if it is a Rom or a theme??
Click to expand...

well it will depend on where you go. i would use either the http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/284413-roms-kernels-download-page.html in one of the stickies at the top of this forum or you could go to EVO 4G Android Development - xda-developers. both places you can go to get roms.

for themes on the op of the rom their maybe links to themes for that rom. or you could go to EVO 4G Themes and Apps - xda-developers. there are tons of themes and mods there as well. main thing is to do some resaerch first before trying something that is a good way to brick your phone.
 
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