New F3 on the way...tell me where I'm wrong with my plan, please

[rootabaga]

So I've been contemplating it for a while and pulled the trigger as I got a great deal on a new F3 for VM to replace my aged Optimus V. I know it's not the latest and greatest, but it is more than I need anyway. (Truth to tell, the Optimus V probably is, too, but it has a few aggravations and the screen is a bit small).

I've read lots of threads already, and thank you all for the invaluable information already here, as that helped me make the decision. As I have ordered it ($60 on Amazon in case anyone else is interested) and have a few days before it shows up, I thought I'd float my ideas for input and insults (as the case may be).

My plan, right out of the box (both figuratively and literally!), is not to activate it, but rather just enable WiFi, and then root it via saferoot, install CWM, and then install and configure Link2SD. Assuming it is all rocking and rolling at that point I will nandroid it and then try killing off some bloatware (small changes so I can restore if I brick it) before I activate it and add my favorite apps (not many, I'm not an app hound).

I think all of that makes sense...but I do see a potential fly in the ointment. The F3 has been out for a long time and to my knowledge they are not making them anymore, so I'm guessing that the phone will be NOS (new, but old stock) -- and I'm "assuming" that there is probably at least one VM system update for it. Is that a reasonable assumption? From what I've heard the system updates are useful and not damaging, so in that case I'd be better off activating it and installing the update before rooting, etc.

Your thoughts, input and consideration are appreciated.

 

[masterchief3k]

If you stick with the V5 roms you're less likely to have issues. V6 and V7 didn't add anything but 'security' measures (more for the carrier liability, really)

 

[jamstewonline]

If you root first then the updates will either fail as they did on mine and phone worked as usual but keep getting annoying update message. Or update will try to succeed and you will get a soft brick and will have to un brick the phone and start all over.

If you update first then root the phone should work just fine and no other problems with messages or security.

 

[willmon22]

I have had no problems with the phone whatsoever stock with it rooted. I think the phone is great by itself. Of course I forgot about the phone having little to no storage space and doesn't have a way to expand the amount of space with the sd card through the clockwork mod recovery at all. As well as not being able to even install or move the apps to the sd card with it being stock. So really that is the main issue I find troublesome with the phone and wish they would have addressed this issue and fixed it.

 

[bkttk2]

I have had no problems with the phone whatsoever stock with it rooted. I think the phone is great by itself. Of course I forgot about the phone having little to no storage space and doesn't have a way to expand the amount of space with the sd card through the clockwork mod recovery at all. As well as not being able to even install or move the apps to the sd card with it being stock. So really that is the main issue I find troublesome with the phone and wish they would have addressed this issue and fixed it.

If you are rooted I would suggest partitioning your external SD and using Link2SD.

BACKUP EXTERNAL SD AS PARTITIONING WILL WIPE(FORMAT)