Root Rooting, backup and ICS

[Potetsjokolde]

hello, I realy want to root my phone to get ICS, but I am kind of new to the rooting world and such, so i was realy wondering if you guys could have helpt me about some questions and so on. (I want to prove to my friends that ICS is better than iOS5)

1. Which program do i use to take backup of my OS now? So i can unroot it later and still have warranty

2. How do i install kernel and so on? Was planning to use this one

forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1343361

3. Is it anything else i have to do. And what is all this ClockworkMod?

I want my warranty and my backup (inc. apps if possibel )

Ty

 

[Xyro]

hello, I realy want to root my phone to get ICS, but I am kind of new to the rooting world and such, so i was realy wondering if you guys could have helpt me about some questions and so on. (I want to prove to my friends that ICS is better than iOS5)

1. Which program do i use to take backup of my OS now? So i can unroot it later and still have warranty

2. How do i install kernel and so on? Was planning to use this one

forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1343361

3. Is it anything else i have to do. And what is all this ClockworkMod?

I want my warranty and my backup (inc. apps if possibel )

Ty

I'll preface this by saying that ICS on the Desire HD is very much a work in progress. It lacks a few basic features such as the camera, and the performance isn't fantastic at the moment.

Don't get me wrong, I've been using ICS daily for a few weeks now, but bragging about how great it is with this beta build may backfire

1: You need to find the ROM Update Utility (RUU) for your current firmware. RUUs are windows files that wipe the phone clean and install official firmware, so having the corrospoding one to the firmware you have now will allow you to return to stock. If you go to About Phone >> Build Number, that will tell you which RUU you need, and you may find it here.

2 & 3:

ClockworkMod is a custom 'recovery menu'. The recovery menu is the interface where you flash roms/kernels/etc and also allows you to do complete backups of your current firmware (called nandroid backups).

To install ICS from that thread, you'll need to do a nandroid backup, do a factory reset and then tell it to flash the ICS .zip file.

If you download 'ROM Manager' from the market, you will be able to tell the phone to reboot to the recovery menu and backup, reset and flash all in one go.

 

[Potetsjokolde]

So do i take backup from my phone as it is now? Or do i have to root it first? And is it posibel to unroot it so i can have my warranty?

Sry for bad english.

 

[Xyro]

I know what you mean Unfortunately you cannot backup a phone that is not rooted; you can only create backups after rooting. Therefore you cannot simply restore a backup to unroot your phone.

However, if you need to unroot your phone for warranty purposes, you can simply use the RUU to overwrite the phone completely and start your phone from scratch. That will allow you to claim under your warranty. There are a few more steps to the process that I can show you if you want, but that's the basic method.

 

[D-U-R-X]

You are limited in what you can back up before rooting. It is possible to back up your SMS messages or your call log using apps available in the market. You can back your contacts up (by syncing with your gmail account (this is a good idea, in case you either loose your phone or want to change phones as, when you link your new phone to your gmail account).

 

[Xyro]

If you're lucky, you'll also be able to transfer all of your apps too. It depends what your build number is, which will decided whether or not you have to factory reset the phone before rooting.

 

[D-U-R-X]

Although ICS is nothing to write home about at the moment, there are plenty of other ROM's out there that are worth putting on your phone... with the customisations possible on Android, it is much better than iOS5

 

[Potetsjokolde]

Although ICS is nothing to write home about at the moment, there are plenty of other ROM's out there that are worth putting on your phone... with the customisations possible on Android, it is much better than iOS5

Like which one ? Do u got a picture i can look at ?

 

[Potetsjokolde]

I know what you mean Unfortunately you cannot backup a phone that is not rooted; you can only create backups after rooting. Therefore you cannot simply restore a backup to unroot your phone.

However, if you need to unroot your phone for warranty purposes, you can simply use the RUU to overwrite the phone completely and start your phone from scratch. That will allow you to claim under your warranty. There are a few more steps to the process that I can show you if you want, but that's the basic method.

So i have to take backup after i have rooted it? i found the RUU...

So now i have to root and then take backup?

or can I root it, install custom rom and then if i want to unroot it just overwrite the RUU?

 

[D-U-R-X]

Like which one ? Do u got a picture i can look at ?

I currently have CyanogenMod 7.1 on my DHD. I keep changing between Go Launcher and ADWLauncherEx. I don't have any pics that I can put up at the moment though.

CM7 is vanilla Android, not like the stock Sense based HTC ROM... more like what runs on the Nexus (not the new Galaxy Nexus, which is ICS). It is very slick... I prefer it to Sense based ROM's.

So i have to take backup after i have rooted it? i found the RUU...

Yes - you can only back your current setup up once you have rooted.

So now i have to root and then take backup?

Yep

or can I root it, install custom rom and then if i want to unroot it just overwrite the RUU?

You could do that, but if you root, it is ALWAYS worth doing a backup before you do flash any ROM, in case there is any problem.

The RUU would (in effect) take your phone back to stock, with stock recovery image and radio (as if it had not been rooted)... there would be one other step to take it completely back to stock, but we will go in to that later for you.

 

[Potetsjokolde]

I currently have CyanogenMod 7.1 on my DHD. I keep changing between Go Launcher and ADWLauncherEx. I don't have any pics that I can put up at the moment though.

CM7 is vanilla Android, not like the stock Sense based HTC ROM... more like what runs on the Nexus (not the new Galaxy Nexus, which is ICS). It is very slick... I prefer it to Sense based ROM's.



Yes - you can only back your current setup up once you have rooted.



Yep



You could do that, but if you root, it is ALWAYS worth doing a backup before you do flash any ROM, in case there is any problem.

The RUU would (in effect) take your phone back to stock, with stock recovery image and radio (as if it had not been rooted)... there would be one other step to take it completely back to stock, but we will go in to that later for you.

How do i take backup?

So u mean i shouldent root for ICS yet?

 

[Potetsjokolde]

And how do I install Clockworkmod? Is it on my PC or is it on my phone?

And how can I unroot it when USB mouting doesent work + how do i update my rom? Do i loose my apps and so on when i install a new ROM?

 

[D-U-R-X]

You would have to root and install ClockworkMod Recovery in order to be able to back your phone up - by this, I mean make a nandroid backup. This is actually done in Clockwork.

There is an All Things Root roundup sticky that has a link for a one click tool that does all the hard work for you (roots, installs Clockwork and gets you S-Off - this gives the ability to flash custom ROM's)... I haven't used the tool, as I rooted in April (before it existed), when the whole rooting procedure was a lot more complicated.

Have a look at the roundup I linked above... that should answer a couple of questions.

ICS is only available as a beta version for the Desire HD. Although it is really slick, it still have teething problems, as they haven't completed porting it over as of yet.

As Xyro said, there are still a number of things that don't work properly... if you were wanting to root, to flash ICS and show off to friends with iphones, then it isn't time yet.

Like I said, there are other ROM's out there that ARE worth showing off with... I use CM7, but there are others.

 

[Potetsjokolde]

I saw a youtube video that let you switch ui with just a little click.

Do i loose everything if i flash again and again?

 

[D-U-R-X]

Right... I have managed to get a pic of my main homescreen for you...

This is CyanogenMod7, with ADWLauncherEx... the top has a power widget, then google search, then Facebook, Google+, Shazam Encore and a DroidStats widget (which shows how many minutes/data I have used this month), then a direct dial, Camera Zoom FX, Gallery adn Google Maps. On the Dock is Dailer, Messaging, App Drawer, Market and Gmail.

The wallpaper was just something I saw on a poster in a pub.

 

[D-U-R-X]

When you say switch UI, what do you mean?

If you go from CM7 to Android Revolution HD, you would need to set your phone up, as it would be a new system but, with Titanium Backup, you are able to back up app data and your apps are auto-backed up with your google account. If you really wanted to have your texts and call history, you can even back that up with an app too.

 

[Potetsjokolde]

I think ICS looks kewl, so i'll wait for it to be done. Some more questions:

1. Does ICS have mobile data so you can se how much u have used and such? If so, is it correct and precise?

2. Do i loose everything if i flash to another rom?

3. How long do you think before most of ICS is done for DHD?

4. Is it usable now? cos' their fixed the 3D and 2D

5. Will it run smooth on DHD?

6. Is it posibel to have CM7.1 for ICS? Cos' I want it to look as much "normal" as posibel ^^

7. How does ICS run on the latest version of the ROM? And how can I update ICS when USB mounting is ****ed?

8. Is the ICS a rom? Or is ROM just the thing u have?

9. Can you guys please explain some of the words for me? It is kind of confusing with all these hightech words.

You guys are very kind, i thought u would delete this thread because it is so noobish, i realy appreciate it.

Love you <3

 

[Potetsjokolde]

10. If i take backup and so on, does it screw up my HTC Sense account?

 

[D-U-R-X]

I think ICS looks kewl, so i'll wait for it to be done. Some more questions:

1. Does ICS have mobile data so you can se how much u have used and such? If so, is it correct and precise?

Mobile data is 3g... you have to get something like DroidStats (that I have in the photo) to show your minutes/data... I have it set up to show how much I have used, but you can set it up to count down from your limit (showing how much is remaining)

2. Do i loose everything if i flash to another rom?

If you mean apps, app data, contacts, then no. Apps are backed up to your google account (the one you used to buy the app), contacts can be sync'd to your gmail.

3. How long do you think before most of ICS is done for DHD?

The devs are working on this... they are working as hard and fast as possible... it shouldn't be long, but I cannot say. Just keep checking the net (you'll know if you check here, as I am sure that there will be a LOT of talk about it when it does land)!

4. Is it usable now? cos' their fixed the 3D and 2D

2D & 3D are "fixed" but they are really hacks to get it to work...

5. Will it run smooth on DHD?

So far, so good!

6. Is it posibel to have CM7.1 for ICS? Cos' I want it to look as much "normal" as posibel ^^

CM7 (CyanogenMod7) and Ice Cream Sandwich are two different roms... CM7 is a custom version of Gingerbread (Android 3.x) ICS is Android 4.X

7. How does ICS run on the latest version of the ROM? And how can I update ICS when USB mounting is ****ed?

ICS is the latest version of Android... and I don't know what you mean about USB mounting... (please bear in mind this is a family friendly forum... everyone from Grandparent to kids can, and do, sign up... please use family friendly language... this includes putting *** in the place of bad language.

8. Is the ICS a rom? Or is ROM just the thing u have?

Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) is the version of Android. CM7 is a ROM (which is based on the Gingerbread Android platform). The people that make CM7 (CyanogenMod) are in the process of making a ICS based version of their ROM (which I believe will be called CM9).

9. Can you guys please explain some of the words for me? It is kind of confusing with all these hightech words.

I hope I have explained a little better for you - I've tried to answer your questions as best as I could - if you don't understand anything, feel free to post again, asking specific questions and I will try to help!

You guys are very kind, i thought u would delete this thread because it is so noobish, i realy appreciate it.

No problemo - this place is all about sharing information... we wouldn't delete your thread, as it helps you to understand things a little better and, hopefully, will help other people in future!

Love you <3

Awww... thanks!!

Like I said before... if you need any more info, feel free to post and we'll do out best to try and help you... it is a little past my bedtime though (just after mid-night here) and I have an early start, so I may not be able to get back to you much this evening!

 

[D-U-R-X]

10. If i take backup and so on, does it screw up my HTC Sense account?

By Sense account, I guess you mean the HTCSense.com account you would have set up when you got the phone? Screw it up how?

If you back up your phone, then all you have is a copy of EXACTLY how your phone is @ the time of backup.

If you mean would you be able to use your Sense account with a custom ROM... I'm not sure about if you use a Sense based ROM, as I haven't had a Sense based ROM in months... definately wouldn't be able to if you have a Vanilla Android ROM.

 

[Potetsjokolde]

I know ICS has 3g counter integrated with ICS ^^^

I havent bought any apps from market, but do i loose like pictures and music when i flash to another ROM? Cos' i think i'll root my phone for ICS tomorrow (CET) and i want to update it when it comes out ^^ and then i dont want to loose everything :C

So all my apps are synced with Google?

So all the data and apps will be synced when i log into ICS on my "new phone"??

 

[Xyro]

I think ICS looks kewl, so i'll wait for it to be done. Some more questions:

1. Does ICS have mobile data so you can se how much u have used and such? If so, is it correct and precise?

2. Do i loose everything if i flash to another rom?

3. How long do you think before most of ICS is done for DHD?

4. Is it usable now? cos' their fixed the 3D and 2D

5. Will it run smooth on DHD?

6. Is it posibel to have CM7.1 for ICS? Cos' I want it to look as much "normal" as posibel ^^

7. How does ICS run on the latest version of the ROM? And how can I update ICS when USB mounting is ****ed?

8. Is the ICS a rom? Or is ROM just the thing u have?

9. Can you guys please explain some of the words for me? It is kind of confusing with all these hightech words.

You guys are very kind, i thought u would delete this thread because it is so noobish, i realy appreciate it.

Love you <3

1: Yes it does track this automatically. However, the exact methods that each carrier uses to figure out your usage can vary, so I don't think it's 100% accurate.

2: Switching from official firmware to a custom ROM is tricky. Switching between two custom ROMs is a bit easier. I backup & restore my SMS messages and my apps, and my contacts and email is automatically transfered via google's servers. Once I've restored my backups, all I need to do is setup the basic android settings again.

3: A lot of it depends on sudden break troughs, so it's hard to say. I think in a month or two from now we'll have a pretty decent version of ICS on our hands though.

4: Yes, it's usable. The two big obvious missing features are the camera and USB mounting, but that hasn't stopped me using it 24/7 for the last few days.

Although the developers do say that 2D and 3D hardware acceleration aren't working properly yet, they are just 'hacked' in. So performance can get sluggish sometimes.

5: When it's a stable release, it looks like it will run really well. Hardware acceleration can make a big difference, and ICS is the first version of android to have it.

6: Cyanogen 7 is specifically gingerbread only. Cyanogen 9 is ICS, and that forms the basis of the one you linked to. But yes, cyanogen 9 will be look like vanilla ICS, just like cyanogen 7 looked like vanilla gingerbread.

7: If you go to the recovery menu, which you'll have to do when flashing a rom anyway, you can mount your sdcard then.

8: ROM ("Read Only Memory), is basically used as another word for firmware. Custom ROM = custom firmware. ROM's real meaning is a little different, but in this context it means firmware.

So the ICS that you linked to is an ICS based custom ROM, yes.

9: Are there any in particular you don't know? I know it's an awful lot of new info to take in if you haven't rooted before.

10: You'll be able to use your HTC Sense account on any firmware running HTC Sense. (HTC Sense is the user interface - when you described cyanogen as normal, HTC Sense is what makes your phone not normal).

But yes, if you're running firmware that has HTC Sense, you'll be fine. On firmware without it, like any cyanogen firmware or the current ICS firmware for the DHD, you won't be able to connect to HTC Sense at all.

However, it will work fine again should you ever switch back.

 

[D-U-R-X]

I didn't know that about ICS having an intergrated data counter... you learn something every day!

Yes - there is a record on your google account of any apps you buy.

To backup app data, you need to download Titanium Backup there are both free and paid versions. The paid version is not expensive and definately worth it... it allows you to batch restore/backup (in multiples instead of individually).

Your music and pictures are saved on your SD card... if you are worried, you could always make a folder (called SD backup) on the desk top of your computer and copy all pics/music in to it... that way, if anything did go wrong, you could just restore them from there!

 

[Xyro]

It's pretty cool, it gives you a break down of how much data each app is using too. Plus it lets you narrow down the time period you're looking at, to help diagnose sudden spikes in data use and so on.

 

[Potetsjokolde]

on XDA they say that "Sdcard mounting on pc" doesent work, what is that?

And is it posibel to transfer my apps that i have now into ICS? Or can i just copy the data

I dont have so many apps that i use.