Root Noob to Droid X, want to take my phone to the next level

[gaucholax]

Hey fellow droid lovers, I just got a droid X a few weeks ago and I'm beginning to learn that there is a lot more that I can do with this powerhouse than comes "stock"
I'm a bit worried, however, about warranty issues or about possibly bricking my phone. Back in the day I got really into my blackberry and messed that thing up with some leaked OS. I was good enough with that phone, however that I could restore a bricked phone no problem.

This new device is completely new and mysterious to me. I just rooted it today using z4root and added the wireless tether I have been lusting after for a while.

I want to get into different ROMs/Themes (how are those different?) but im worried about a couple things

I watched a couple of tutorials on installing ROMs and it appears that you need to wipe all data before installing. Is this right? How can I back up my information so that its not lost? Also my contact back up onto my gmail account hasn't backed up any of my old numbers transferred from my old phone, instead it only backs up the new ones I have added since I got the Droid X. How can I fix this?

I am concerned about not being able to receive new OS OTA when having different ROMs installed. Is a problem or will I be able to install them/hear about them from android forums? If I am using a ROM do I even want the new OS's?

Hopefully I will get some support as this is my first post, and thank you in advance for helping out a newbie, I'll be sure to pass it on.

 

[gmenfan83]

Hey fellow droid lovers, I just got a droid X a few weeks ago and I'm beginning to learn that there is a lot more that I can do with this powerhouse than comes "stock"
I'm a bit worried, however, about warranty issues or about possibly bricking my phone. Back in the day I got really into my blackberry and messed that thing up with some leaked OS. I was good enough with that phone, however that I could restore a bricked phone no problem.

This new device is completely new and mysterious to me. I just rooted it today using z4root and added the wireless tether I have been lusting after for a while.

I want to get into different ROMs/Themes (how are those different?) but im worried about a couple things

I watched a couple of tutorials on installing ROMs and it appears that you need to wipe all data before installing. Is this right? How can I back up my information so that its not lost? Also my contact back up onto my gmail account hasn't backed up any of my old numbers transferred from my old phone, instead it only backs up the new ones I have added since I got the Droid X. How can I fix this?

I am concerned about not being able to receive new OS OTA when having different ROMs installed. Is a problem or will I be able to install them/hear about them from android forums? If I am using a ROM do I even want the new OS's?

Hopefully I will get some support as this is my first post, and thank you in advance for helping out a newbie, I'll be sure to pass it on.

welcome friend!,,,ok first off unless you really mess up with the help of knowledgeable folks around here we will be able to recover your device
yes to install most roms a data wipe is required but that data for apps and such can be backed up with an app called titanium backup found in the market and any app itself and your system will restore itself through the google cloud after signing in for the first time after rom install/data wipe
although i dont recommend restoring app data as you wipe it for a reason and can be harmful imo to your new rom "think clean install"...so i just let my apps restore through google after sign in and start data fresh(some will agree others wont)
as far as your google contacts not coming through they should all be there,,,are you sure your google sync is on?if not you can find the settings in menu>settings>accounts>gmail
your warranty will be void and now is just from you rooting but there are ways to fully restore to bone stock if need be which you will learn about in due time
the difference between a rom and theme
rom-changes system performance and aspects of the device
theme-changes icons ,colors,aesthetically pleasing stuff,,,,this is called the frameworks more or less
and you will not be able to recieve an ota while on a rom,,,my advice is to download the bootstraper app for $4 from the market now and make a backup before you dive any further,,,this backup is your life vest !!and way out!!
im sorry if i have confused you and i know you will have plenty of questions so welcome and keep them coming as they help us both learn
heres a little reading material for you as well
http://androidforums.com/droid-x-al...ide-root-unroot-backup-rom-sbf-overclock.html

 

[chacen.droid]

Before you get to installing ROMS you need a couple things.

- Droid X Bootstrapper
This is an app that you will use to install ROMs and themes but more important than that this is where you will make a 'nandroid backup' this my friend is what you need if you hose your phone a nandroid is a full "picture" of how your phone was at whatever time you created the backup you will make one of these before and after doing anything that could screw your phone up (flashing ROMs, new themes etc.) Also this will take care of you when a new OTA comes out because if you make a nandroid of your stock setup you can restore your stock nandroid and be ready to receive the update

- Titanium backup
This is what you will use to backup your apps so that you can move them from ROM to ROM anytime you need to wipe your data.

ROM Manager -
I use this to manage my nandroids it will let you delete ones you don't need anymore and rename ones that you make so that you know what exactly your restoring..

An aftermarket launcher -
This is optional but most of of these have an option to backup your homescreens so you can move the layout from ROM to ROM anytime you have to wipe your data.. I use and recommend ADW EX or the free version ADW Launcher.

SBF/RSD Lite -
RSD Lite is a program for your PC that you can use to flash what's called an SBF onto your phone if you hose your phone to the point where you can't put yourself into a position to restore your nandroid this is your life saver to get your phone back up and running. You should definitely read read and re read some of the many guides to SBFing that are located throughout the forum and in the sticky at the top of the page.

Don't be scared as long as you follow directions you shouldn't have a problem and even if you do there's always a way to unbrick some are just a bit more difficult then others.

Also I suggest that you search the forums and read up on the maderstcok.zip (that's not a typo when you search spell it just like I did)

And don't be afraid to ask questions everyone here is more than willing to help

 

[mocruz1200]

I learned the hard way you have to do a datawipe... I was suck in a bootloop...luckily gmenfan83 helped me out with that!
while I can't help you out with the insight these guys have,i can tell you its ridiculously easy to do, and you will be more than satisfied with the finished product.
PROTIP: keep all the files to sbf on your computer, so when you do brick, they are ready to rock and roll.they are kinda large files....

 

[gaucholax]

Thanks for all the great responses.
Im going to download the bootstrapper and the titanium backup today and Ill be back on tonight around 8 PST to try out some ROMs. Liberty was looking pretty freakin sweet.
Thanks Again
-MW

 

[chacen.droid]

Liberty 1.5 is definitely the ish... just know that Liberty does not retain any of the motoblur options so if you like some blur I reccomend APEX..... both are nothing short of spectacular its just a matter of personal preference.

 

[RWil85]

i've heard this and that about 'motoblur'...can you be specific about what you'll actually lose if you go with a 'blur-less rom' like liberty as compared to stock?

thanks!

 

[Ace of Bass]

hey man, i heard you were saying to install the rsd lite for a last ditch restore of your phone, but i dont know which version to download. anybody got any ideas?

 

[Raptor912]

4.8