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Root I want to root, but is a different rom right for me?

MusicAddict

MusicAddict

Member
So I'm a android newbie but a linux user for some years. I LOVE my new Evo but hate the stuff that runs without me wanting them to and want to remove the darn Sprint apps. So, I know I wanna root. (runnin' 2.3.3 so I'm waiting like everyone else)

Generally I'm happy with what HTC has shipped so I don't need to flash the phone but I dig things like Rockbox and like to tinker. :)

One of the things that would push me to try is some sort of increased security in other roms. (cyanogenmod comes to mind)

Can you guys give a newb some pros/cons and maybe links to things to read? (im reading over the great forums here already)
 
MusicAddict said:
So I'm a android newbie but a linux user for some years. I LOVE my new Evo but hate the stuff that runs without me wanting them to and want to remove the darn Sprint apps. So, I know I wanna root. (runnin' 2.3.3 so I'm waiting like everyone else)

Generally I'm happy with what HTC has shipped so I don't need to flash the phone but I dig things like Rockbox and like to tinker. :)

One of the things that would push me to try is some sort of increased security in other roms. (cyanogenmod comes to mind)

Can you guys give a newb some pros/cons and maybe links to things to read? (im reading over the great forums here already)
Click to expand...

Welcome to AF Music!!! First and foremost I strongly recommend you read ROOTING For Dummies + Extra's (if you haven't already) and HTC Evo 4G Rooting Essentials Here!, they will bring you up to speed if you're new to rooting.

The reason I rooted (pro's) originally was for the free wifi tether (who doesn't want to save $30/mo.), but that quickly evolved into wanting to experience the complete control I had over my Evo. I started flashing custom ROM's and modding my phone almost immediately after joining this forum! The biggest pro IMO is the support the Evo receives and the Dev's dedicated to making so much available to us. I mean, we have Sense 2.1/30 ROM's that we can flash that we wouldn't see unless we purchased the Evo Shift or 3D! Not to mention that we typically have updates available to us a few days prior to them officially being released.

You've made the right decision in wanting to root, and you definitely won't be disappointed. As for the con's....There are none IMHO.
 
One con comes to mind......once I rooted my Evo and my friends with the stock ones saw it, they were bugging me to root their's too. :D
 
@frenchy714: Thanx for the info. I have a couple more questions.

  • What ROMs do you recommend trying once us 2.3.3 users and get root?
  • Is there anything that can tip off Sprint that I've rooted my phone?
  • Are there any apps you consider "must haves" once I have root?
  • It looks like "Unrevoked" is the tool to use for rooting but what is 2-on/off? I've seen some info on it, but don't quite understand it.
  • Lastly, plan was to root, flash with new rom and set things up, then unroot. Bad plan?

Cheers.
 
MusicAddict said:
@frenchy714: Thanx for the info. I have a couple more questions.

  • What ROMs do you recommend trying once us 2.3.3 users and get root?
  • Is there anything that can tip off Sprint that I've rooted my phone?
  • Are there any apps you consider "must haves" once I have root?
  • It looks like "Unrevoked" is the tool to use for rooting but what is 2-on/off? I've seen some info on it, but don't quite understand it.
  • Lastly, plan was to root, flash with new rom and set things up, then unroot. Bad plan?

Cheers.
Click to expand...

1. well you can go to the http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/284413-roms-kernels-download-page.html sticky for a list of the current and popular roms that are out. i would start with mikg and just go from there.

2.only if you take your phone in or if you flash your phone onto verizon's network. eventually if your roaming data is huge, sprint will see that and could kick you out. but other then that, they have no idea that you are rooted.

3.titanium backup for me is a must. some people like the tethering app as well. other then that there is not many root only apps that i use.

4.yes unrovoked does three things for you 1)turns s-on to s-off ( the s is for securities of your phone) 2)gives you a custom recovery (clockwork mod) 3)flashes a stock rooted rom

5.yes that is a bad plan, because when you unroot it erases everything and reverts it all back to stock. so once everything that you have is set all you have to do is go into recovery and make a nandroid backup. a nandroid backup is like a save point in a game. if you mess up your phone or if you try a theme and you do not like it, you can always do a restore go and go back to one of your backups.

here are a couple of threads you should read:
You Cant-Root-Your-Gingerbread-2-3-3-evo-yet
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/194918-rooting-dummies.html
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/129648-quick-intro-rooting-those-new-rooting.html
these are the stickies at the top of this forum
 
@ocnbrze: Thank you very much for your concise answers. I have seen the stickies but am still trying to digest the wealth and amount of info contained in them.

All feels a bit like when I 1st got into linux. Like I'm drowning, just barely keeping my head above water. :)


I have also seen the ROM list and wow. TONS more out there than I thought. :) See, w/linux, I tend to install very lean systems with cruft removed, optimized and then I add apps I like.

With that in mind, is there a ROM that is well optimized for speed, security, no cruft Sprint apps and with HTCs latest SenseUI? (i kinda dig what they do atm)
 
MusicAddict said:
@ocnbrze: Thank you very much for your concise answers. I have seen the stickies but am still trying to digest the wealth and amount of info contained in them.

All feels a bit like when I 1st got into linux. Like I'm drowning, just barely keeping my head above water. :)


I have also seen the ROM list and wow. TONS more out there than I thought. :) See, w/linux, I tend to install very lean systems with cruft removed, optimized and then I add apps I like.

With that in mind, is there a ROM that is well optimized for speed, security, no cruft Sprint apps and with HTCs latest SenseUI? (i kinda dig what they do atm)
Click to expand...

yep check out mikg 2.3. super fast, stable, and smooth. mik has always been at the top of my list as far as devs go. anything new from him i always have to try them with no questions asked.

really the main thing is to become a flashaholic like many of us here and start flashing roms. you will soon learn which and who the devs you like. kings is another dev team that i like though sometimes the theming is just too much for me.

edit:i understand that the wealth of info out there can be overwhelming, but that is why we have this awesome forum. so if you have any more questions please feel free to ask.
 
ocnbrze said:
yep check out mikg 2.3. super fast, stable, and smooth. mik has always been at the top of my list as far as devs go. anything new from him i always have to try them with no questions asked.

really the main thing is to become a flashaholic like many of us here and start flashing roms. you will soon learn which and who the devs you like. kings is another dev team that i like though sometimes the theming is just too much for me.

edit:i understand that the wealth of info out there can be overwhelming, but that is why we have this awesome forum. so if you have any more questions please feel free to ask.
Click to expand...

Thanx again. I'll give mikg 2.3 a look when my Evo is finally cracked. ;)

"Flashaholic". Sounds like me trying new linux distros. There's always a new one. Thank goodness for VMs. :)

Do you recommend a particular ROM manager? Or am I mixing up my terminology? Using a new ROM is always "flashing", right?


Cheers.
 
MusicAddict said:
Thanx again. I'll give mikg 2.3 a look when my Evo is finally cracked. ;)

"Flashaholic". Sounds like me trying new linux distros. There's always a new one. Thank goodness for VMs. :)

Do you recommend a particular ROM manager? Or am I mixing up my terminology? Using a new ROM is always "flashing", right?


Cheers.
Click to expand...

never use rom manager. i do not recommend it. it tends to be buggy create a lot of issues more then it is worth. also i would research into recoveries. a custom recovery is what allows you to install(flash) roms, kernels and other .zip files. i would really recommend amon ra2.3. i have seen and experienced too many issues with clockwork mod recovery. here is where you can get them along with some explainations and directions on how to install it:http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/259446-clockwork-amon-ra-pc36img-files.html

and flashing is just another term for installing a .zip file which can really be anything (rom, kernel, mods, ..etc).
 
You won't look back after rooting. I waited 11 months, thinking I don't need root. Now, I am a flashaholic and I don't sleep or watch TV anymore (except Netflix on my phone, haha).
 
So to make sure I have this straight (after reading a bit) After rooting, I can then install a different kernel and ROM.

Are their other pieces to add? Seems kinda like the normal Linux/DE (GNOME on top of a Linux kernel) kinda thing.

Right now it looks like I want root->kernel->ROM. (correct?)


***MusicAddict hopes THIS is good news for 3vo users later. (holds breath)
 
MusicAddict said:
So to make sure I have this straight (after reading a bit) After rooting, I can then install a different kernel and ROM.

Are their other pieces to add? Seems kinda like the normal Linux/DE (GNOME on top of a Linux kernel) kinda thing.

Right now it looks like I want root->kernel->ROM. (correct?)


***MusicAddict hopes THIS is good news for 3vo users later. (holds breath)
Click to expand...

Almost 100% correct....You'll want root->ROM->kernel. If you flash a custom kernel first, then the kernel that comes w/ the ROM you choose, will replace the kernel you flashed prior to flashing the ROM (hope that made sense); which is usually a stock HTC kernel.
 
MusicAddict said:
So to make sure I have this straight (after reading a bit) After rooting, I can then install a different kernel and ROM.

Are their other pieces to add? Seems kinda like the normal Linux/DE (GNOME on top of a Linux kernel) kinda thing.

Right now it looks like I want root->kernel->ROM. (correct?)


***MusicAddict hopes THIS is good news for 3vo users later. (holds breath)
Click to expand...

the other thing i like to add to frenchy's post is that as of right now we do not have any custom gingerbread sense kernels. but the source code was released today so the devs should be able to cook up some custom kernels soon for gingerbread. also here is a great guide that has terms you will need to know when shopping for kernels:[GUIDE]
 
frenchy714 said:
Almost 100% correct....You'll want root->ROM->kernel. If you flash a custom kernel first, then the kernel that comes w/ the ROM you choose, will replace the kernel you flashed prior to flashing the ROM (hope that made sense); which is usually a stock HTC kernel.
Click to expand...

Gotcha.

So once I have root, I should be all ready to grab Cyanogenmod? (which will have a custom kernel of it's own)

I wanna try that and something with HTCs Sense UI. Really the more I tinker with my phone I want something that I can really fine-tune permissions (i hate things running when I don't want them to) and remove cruft. Even as fine as app-specific. (some apps just want too much)
 
+1 tiamat. when i was on cm7/tiamat combo i was getting anywhere from 18-35 hrs of moderate to heavy usage! man i miss those days. lol
 
Hey all!
I wanted to stop in on this thread and introduce myself. I am moving here from Ascend city since upgrading and loving this phone! (wife went to the epic cause of the keyboard but is regretting it and keeps stealing mine especially on trips :) ) I have turned into the local "go to" guy for droid phones when they mess up around here but I must bow to this wonderful community for being my secret weapon!

So now that i'm back to noob status with the evo, i wanted some advice on roms/radios/kernels for the evo. I understand the whole ymmv bit but want "insiders" advice on what might be best to run.

I am currently running cm7 rc1 @1152 (cause 1228 was eating way to much batt) on the performance gov, tiamat 4.06sbc, w/ amon. I used the ported cm7 on the Ascend and thought it was the end all on that phone, but not as happy with it on the evo. One because the stable ver has not been updated for a bit, and two because the GPS doesn't seem to work right all the time. I use the gps-fix and that works for a while but then it goes back to not functioning correctly and I have to reapply it. I'm not a fan of the nightly's (never used them) cause I want some piece of mind that when I go out on the road (since i'm a driver) that I have a functioning phone.

I want to thank you in advance for any info/advice and for the read!
 
masterchief. said:
Hey all!
I wanted to stop in on this thread and introduce myself. I am moving here from Ascend city since upgrading and loving this phone! (wife went to the epic cause of the keyboard but is regretting it and keeps stealing mine especially on trips :) ) I have turned into the local "go to" guy for droid phones when they mess up around here but I must bow to this wonderful community for being my secret weapon!

So now that i'm back to noob status with the evo, i wanted some advice on roms/radios/kernels for the evo. I understand the whole ymmv bit but want "insiders" advice on what might be best to run.

I am currently running cm7 rc1 @1152 (cause 1228 was eating way to much batt) on the performance gov, tiamat 4.06sbc, w/ amon. I used the ported cm7 on the Ascend and thought it was the end all on that phone, but not as happy with it on the evo. One because the stable ver has not been updated for a bit, and two because the GPS doesn't seem to work right all the time. I use the gps-fix and that works for a while but then it goes back to not functioning correctly and I have to reapply it. I'm not a fan of the nightly's (never used them) cause I want some piece of mind that when I go out on the road (since i'm a driver) that I have a functioning phone.

I want to thank you in advance for any info/advice and for the read!
Click to expand...

have your tried cm7.1 yet? i think that evo deck gingerbread is also a good rom. i have not tried vaelpek's aosp rom yet, but that is on my long list of roms to try.

there are also many sense 2.1 and sense 3.0 roms that are out now that are just amazing. try the synergy rls2 and mikg2.41 roms. they are pretty sweet also kinged kingdom and synergy-kingdom nightlies are also amazing(they are pure sense3.0). however, there is no custom kernel yet for these sense roms yet. htc just released the source code today so soon we will have them. but you will have to wait for the devs to cook up some custome kernels.
 
So in this new "rooted" world I (and many others) wait for what apps do you guys consider essential? (besides Titanium Backup)

I'm dying to use CIFS Manager. Anyone mounting SMB/NFS shares on their phone? I'll search the forums as well.
 
MusicAddict said:
So in this new "rooted" world I (and many others) wait for what apps do you guys consider essential? (besides Titanium Backup)

I'm dying to use CIFS Manager. Anyone mounting SMB/NFS shares on their phone? I'll search the forums as well.
Click to expand...

the other app you might want to take a look is setcpu. now that we are getting custom kernels thanx to htc releasing the source code yesterday. kernels basically communicate with the hardware and software of your phone and providing power to each accordingly. and setcpu allows you to underclock and overclock your phone. here is a guide:http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/210253-setcpu-guide.html. also here is a guide to kernels. [GUIDE]
 
Hell yea!! Got Root. Been tinkering with it so now it's time to flash. :)

I wanna try CyanogenMod but which to use? Stable, Experimental or Nightly?

Is there a step by step for flashing? I see this info about wiping, so, I guess the guide should mention this?

Something like: Download ROM, Make backup, Wipe phone with X app, boot up X way, Select X option. Something like the guides to rooting. I searched quickly but most of the results were for Adobe Flash. Ill keep looking.
 
MusicAddict said:
Hell yea!! Got Root. Been tinkering with it so now it's time to flash. :)

I wanna try CyanogenMod but which to use? Stable, Experimental or Nightly?

Is there a step by step for flashing? I see this info about wiping, so, I guess the guide should mention this?

Something like: Download ROM, Make backup, Wipe phone with X app, boot up X way, Select X option. Something like the guides to rooting. I searched quickly but most of the results were for Adobe Flash. Ill keep looking.
Click to expand...

the stable always work for me, but you can try the nightlies as well i hve not tried those.

as far as flashing goes i added a how o flash section to the guide. check it out.
 
Does "Stable" have some issue with the GPS? (i thought i read that)

Also, looks like "flashing" pretty much equals "installing" as its pretty much the way everything is done.

Ok, so looks like I "flash" CyanogenMod, then flash the Google apps (or do I use one of my backups from a Titanium backup?) then add my apps back?

Also, there's supposed to be a modded version of Gtalk that lets us do video. Anyone seen that?

Im gonna try CyanogenMod7, mikg 2.3 and something with latest Sence. 3.0 is latest right?

Lastly, if someone cares to, compare your top couple of ROMs and talk about strengths/weaknesses. Do any of them have a radical new UI?
 
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