UKseagull

I bought my Desire earlier this year from CPW, it's an unbranded UK phone. I've just checked and the bootloader shows as 0.93.0001, it's the Amoled version.

I'm very happy with the HTC Sense interface, but I just wish I had more space for apps. The Froyo apps to sd feature isn't really of much use.

I've looked at numerous posts about rooting and to be fair, I get a bit lost.

I'm reluctant to risk ruining my pride and joy (I couldn't get away with buying another), but the lack of app space bugs me so I think I'm going to have to consider rooting at some point.

Is it possible to root with my hboot version?
Can I continue to use my current HTC Sense?

SUroot

Read both the faqs on my sig

__________________

Eris Ed

Lack of space was THE ONLY reason I chose to root. Tried to avoid it but the constant low storage messages became a real pain. Do your homework and look at rooting with unrEVOked3 first, then read about replacement ROMS. There are some really good ROMS based on 2.2 with Sense, with the benefit of vastly increased storage and a number of useful additional features.

__________________

UKseagull

Thanks for the replies guys.

So, with my hboot I can use Unrevoked and it's not an issue? That will get me rooted, but I need to flash another rom to get the app2sd+ feature, I can't just install app2sd+ to my current original HTC Sense rom?

SUroot

Not easily. Definitely best option is custom Rom.

Teppics Rom is very close to standard

droidzone

Leedroid too? I just looked at the screenshots. Havent used it yet. Been on Aurax most of the time and loved it

__________________

I dont subscribe to every thread I reply to, so post in relevant official threads for a speedy response. Alternately use the official Supernova forum

UKseagull

A quick question regarding the ext3 partition, 512mb seems to be the recommended size, is there any reason for not making it larger, say 1gb for extra app space?

flyte

I was wondering the same thing. I think the short answer to not going above 512MB is that ROM Manager doesn't give you an option to do it > 512MB. You would have to do it manually, and as danfrance has suggested in another thread to me, this seems to be a more advanced task.

I still would like to do it I think.. I have rooted, installed teppic's ROM w/ Apps2SD+, installed not very many apps, yet I only have 60 MB of internal left.

droidzone

512 Mb should be enough for most people.

However, if you want to take it above that, though it may be dubbed advanced, the process is simple enough.

You need a partition software. I'd suggest a bootable LiveCD called Gparted. You just have to burn the cd image you download to a cd, and boot system with usb plugged in. You just choose your USB from the graphical menu, choose one FAT32 partition (major) and one more partition-ext2, ext3 or ext4 (depending on the support by the ROM you choose). Don't go over 1.5 Gb though for the ext partition because there seems to be some issues over that size.

Once you do it, it's very simple.

Another option is to partition with a Windows tool like Partition Magic/Paragon. Yet another is to use a Linux LiveCD like Ubuntu. Gparted comes built in.

Last edited by droidzone; November 22nd, 2010 at 10:55 PM.

EddyOS

It's a LOT easier to flash AmonRA instead of Clockwork Mod when rooting with unrEVOked as that has it in it's recovery menus to set the EXT partition. I set mine to 1GB cause I have a 16GB card so it makes no difference to me

__________________
HTC Sensation (Z710e)
ROM: 3.32.401.5 EUR (IML74K) | HBOOT: 1.27.0000 S-OFF | Recovery: Clockwork Mod 5.0.2.0 | Radio: 10.58.9035.00U_10.15.9035.02_2 | Kernel: Stock

flyte

I followed danfrance's Apps2SD+ FAQ and installed the ROM he suggested if you wanted to keep Sense (teppics ROM), and I have no doubt that this was the best thing I could have done for my Desire.

Yes, it is kinda scary, but in the end you will be pleasantly surprised on how easy it really is.

An unexpected (HUGE) benefit in flashing with teppic's ROM was flashing the optional power saving mod. This has improved my battery life (remember to re-conditioning the battery after doing your wipe + ROM install).

Increased internal storage (although I feel that I should have more than 512MB) and improved battery life, (plus the option to change the boot animation!) were enough for me to take the plunge.

Do it, you won't regret it.

UKseagull

Only 60mb! Can anyone explain why that would be?

Some questions:

• Which is generally considered the best option ext2 or ext3? I seem to recall that this may have impact on SD card life, or am I mixing that up with flash drives?
• How do you flash the extras, i.e app2sd+, is it done through a menu after rooting?
• Is there a guide to 'unroot'?
• I've downloaded the RUU Bravo_Froyo_HTC_WWE file (just in case) and it's only around 10mb in size, the Teppic's zip I have is around 150mb. Why such a large difference in file size if they're both ROM's? Is is a difference in file type?

Last edited by UKseagull; November 23rd, 2010 at 10:05 AM. Reason: extra question added

GrenW

Pretty sure that RUU file size sounds wrong. Last time I downloaded one (just before rooting) it was about 95mb.

It did take me a couple of attempts as the first site (linked to on XDA)kept ending the download after about 10-15mb. No error, just stalled and then ended - this was on a pc not via phone.

I'd find another site and try to download it again.

SUroot

App cache can take up internal memory too. Things like email etc. It's nor just for apps

Ext3 is newer and faster than 2

UKseagull

My ROM isn't listed on XDA and I forget where I got the faulty RUU from.

I need to find

Build number 2.10.405.2
Baseband 32.44.00.32U_5.09.05.30_2

I'm glad I found this out now.

UKseagull

I'm downloading a rom which I think is the correct one for my phone, it helped to search for 'Bravo' and not Desire!

RUU_Bravo_Froyo_HTC_WWE_2.10.405.2_R_Radio_32.44.0 0.32U
_5.09.05.30_2_release_142828_signed.exe...

Does the latter part of the file name have any relevance, my phone doesn't show that part?

release_142828_signed.exe...

Last edited by UKseagull; November 23rd, 2010 at 12:26 PM.

UKseagull

This file now shows as being around 88mb, does that still sound too small? I don't think there are any md5 checksums.

SUroot

Thats a generic unbranded european rom. Not the latest mind. Was your phone branded?

Yeah could be about right.

Link to all desire roms in my faq. Site called shipped roms.

UKseagull

Yes my phone's unbranded, bought from Carphone Warehouse in York. I'm downloading the file again just to compare. The earlier 88mb file downloaded is from Shipped Roms.

Thanks again to all for the advice so far.

SUroot

Yes you can use that RUU. But may aswell get the 2.29 latest version.

UKseagull

Is that also on Shipped roms, I didn't spot it? Is it the same radio as my current one?

My 2nd download had finished at 42mb in size, I don't trust either of the roms that I've downloaded today. Does anyone know of an alternative 'reliable' source?

Edit: I've installed a different Firefox download addon, that shows that the file size should be 166.84mb. Time for another go.

Last edited by UKseagull; November 23rd, 2010 at 02:27 PM.

SUroot

It's in eddy OS's Sig.

UKseagull

Thanks again danfrance.

What benefits does the newer rom have over my version and does it also need the newer radio as shown in EddyOS's sig? It seems that flashing radios can be a risky business.

Last but not least, what exactly is the best method to unroot after using Unrevoked? Is it simply (simple is good) a case of having the correct rom for the phone on the pc, starting up HTC Sync and then double clicking on the rom?

I apologize for all the questions, I'm just trying to gather all the info I need to reduce the risk of cocking up somewhere down the line.

SUroot

Ruus are official so minimal risk. It comes with radio. If you have a sense Rom, yea. If not from off hold back and press power to get to fast boot and do It that way.

It's the only.way to do it

UKseagull

OK, is that with the rom on the SD card?


btw, I've finally managed to download the 166mb HTC rom! I got it using Google Chrome, Firefox failed on each attempt.

SUroot

No the ruu is an exe. You always run from pc

Is it FireFox.beta?

UKseagull

It's Firefox 3.6.12. I've been having other issues with Firefox recently, quite often I get the 'not responding' message and the browser hangs for a bit. (Win 7 64 bit)

ianb11

I'm in the same boat as the OP.

Rooting is in all honesty completely over my head. I'm not really interested in doing much else apart from trying to gain more space for apps & maybe trying to increase battery life a little.

I've read the FAQ's in danfrance's signature which is very helpful but I'm still really apprehensive about the whole process.

I need to so something though cos I'm down to about 25MB free with pretty much everything that I can moved to the SD card.

Eris Ed

I know what you mean, I was just like you! I read everything I could about rooting and A2SD+ on the forums, and asked questions. It seems very difficult and scary but over time things start to make sense and your confidence will build.

Actually rooting and flashing is a very simple process, it's the planning and preparation that takes time. Plan it properly and you avoid all the problems that people report.

droidzone

It's your decision though..You've read it all. If you've got any specific queries about some part of the process, let us know..

ianb11

Cheers.

The only real question I have at the moment is that I run LP.

If I do root do I have to download a ROM & then put LP over the top of it much as I do now with Sense?

GrenW

Assuming the rom you choose does not have LP built in then you'd treat it just as you always have done - install and run LP.

UKseagull

OK I appear to have rooted using Unrevoked, installed Rom Manager and Titanium Backup. I ran recovery/backup and it said the file would be saved to my SD card. I don't see anything Nandroid on my SD.

ianb11

I guess I've just proved my own point - I didn't know you could get ROM's with LP built in

UKseagull

I've just tried again from within Rom Manager and it seems to have worked this time. So is that called a 'Nandroid' backup?

I've backed up my apps with Titanium.

Is it best to flash the rom by rebooting into recovery, or is it fine to flash using the Rom Manager menu?

Using this guide.
http://www.droid-den.com/phone-guides/phone-guide-how-to-install-rooted-android-2-2-on-your-htc-desire

Last edited by UKseagull; November 25th, 2010 at 01:48 PM. Reason: Added detail

UKseagull

Not to worry, I've flashed the rom now.

UKseagull

I've flashed the same rom twice now and I'm still getting errors, they happen when the initial setup starts and also when I try and setup my apn. Any ideas?

"Sorry! The application settings (process com.android.settings) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again."

Update

I've restored my backup so I'm back to the Sense that came with my phone, phew. A question, how would I go about adding app2sd+ to my current rom?

Last edited by UKseagull; November 25th, 2010 at 05:11 PM.

droidzone

Do these happen after restoring Titanium, or before?

droidzone

If the ROM supports it, you dont have to anything about it. If it doesnt, I dont think you can manually add it yourself, other than modding it yourself (advanced). Correct me if I am wrong..

UKseagull

They happen both before and afterwards. Thanks.

SUroot

If its before, sounds like the wipe you performed in recovery didnt actually wipe everything. Try again but wipe twice to make sure.

droidzone

Hmm..Backup your APNs using APN Backup and Restore app, Try another A2SD+ ROM (maybe Aurax?), reboot once more after the initial boot after flash, then work with it a while before installing anything..

Proceed in a step by step manner watching for problems at any stage:
As Dan said, Rewipe again from Recovery. Then try installing major apps using the apks manually without Titanium..Use them and see if they work..If all works fine, finally install Titanium and restore third party apps alone without data (without system apps). Try if it works. Then rerestore third party apps with data this time. Work a bit it and see again. If again no problem, then restore only the data of Sense system apps (without restoring the system apps themselves. Try again. It may also be possible that you have backed up some system app from Titanium, which is actually been removed from the custom ROM because it was unnecessary. In this case, the system app restore can create problems. Another thing to try is to fix permissions from within Root Explorer.

At each step as you go along, you should be able to narrow down your problem to one of the following:

1. Ineffective wipe
2. ROM,
3. Third party apk
4. Third party app data
5. System app data
6. System app
7. Permissions
   

Elimination of the problem depends on identification of the stage of problem

Last edited by droidzone; November 26th, 2010 at 12:36 AM.

UKseagull

Would it do any harm to run unrevoked again? Just to make sure that everything worked? The phone did reboot 2 or 3 times when I was rooting.

Pays instructions
I didn't flash the radio as I already have a '5' radio.

I'm puzzled by the wipe battery, wipe rotation?

Last edited by UKseagull; November 26th, 2010 at 11:36 AM.

SUroot

its the xx.48.xx bit to look at, in regards to which is newest. no idea what the 5.xx means, but forget all that for now.

No point running unrevoked. Your recovery clearly works. Try format data as well. Try redownloading the rom. Try a different rom. Restore nothing.

see if that works.

Probably means wipe battery stats (sort of understandable) but rotation? No idea.

Last edited by SUroot; November 26th, 2010 at 12:17 PM.

UKseagull

Ok I'll give it another go. Thanks.

SUroot

did you check your ext partition was fully functional before flashing the rom btw?

UKseagull

Titanium showed that the partition was there and showed that some of it was being used. How do I check that the partition is fully functioning?

SUroot

If titanium says its working, its working.

UKseagull

I tried downloading the Pays rom again, flashed, wiped, wiped flashed again but still exactly the same errors. I finally gave up on it and flashed LeeDroid just to see if that would work and it did! No errors at all (so far).

ianb11

unrevoked

Most of this thread is going over my head TBH

Stupid question - the guide above seems to say I can just follow the instructions, I'll be rooted & then I can just continue to use the phone as normal.

Is it really that easy?

Will everything I have still be there after running this procedure?

I'm confused