Root Things I've learned while rooting

[xmike]

This is just a list of things I've been learning over the past year since first rooting my phone. I'll add to it as things come to me:

1) Always have a nandroid backup before doing anything.

2) Know how to and be prepared to SBF.

3) Titanium Backup is my #1 and only really needed paid app. Rom Mgr #2 but the free version works just fine.

4) Always have a full or nearly full battery before starting.

5) Always read and follow directions to the letter when installing anything.

6) When stuck in bootloop; reboot into stock recovery and wipe data. Hold down home while powering up. When triangle appears hit the search (on Froyo) or both volume keys (on Gingerbread).

7) Always wipe data and cache when installing a new rom.

8) Run fix permissions and battery calibration after each new rom flash.

9) Patience is a virtue.

 

[scary alien]

Great thread, Mike!

One thing I would add is something that I don't see mentioned often enough is to validate the MD5 checksums of the files you might use (flash) in custom recovery.

Even if ClockworkMod does do a signature check of a signed ROM or update.zip type of file, finding out that you've got a truncated file when trying to flash is the worst possible time, eh? Having to re-download a 100MB (or larger) file is not always fast or convenient either.

Keep in mind that unsigned files can only be checked with a checksum or a direct compare with a known good file (signed files inherently contain whole and individual file checksum information, but if the custom recovery doesn't check signatures, its all for naught).

Always using "safe eject" in Windows and double checking your file once its on your phone (or tablet) are good ideas, too.

Cheers!

 

[xmike]

Great point scary alien. That's one i'm still learning. Lol