Root ?'s on root,kernals and roms - search has me lost

[Drew5150]

hey guys, I need some help with some questions before I go ahead and root.

I have done some searching and feel slightly overwhelmed with all the different versions and methods out there. So I have decided to post here to get a few of my questions answered in one place. Please forgive me if some of this has been asked a billion times over.

What I am looking to get out root? Basically I want to be able to customize more and maybe gain access to apps on my sd card. I wouldn't mind losing some sprint apps and possibly gain wifif tether. I would also like to keep things working as close to stock as possible, camera's and 4g and what not.

ok here we go.

1: kernels, what are kernels actually? why do I need one? or why do I need to flash a different one? what should I look for in one? is it just I need specific kernels for specific roms?

2: ROOT general: I don't need instructions here I know where to find them. But really what are the differences in all the different methods? which ones give me more/less/better access or control? I'll state I'm not very interested in the unrevoked method, I would prefer full root. I am not afraid of the instructions, just I feel lost on which one to pick. Or which is the most updated version and the most compatible. I am assuming toast, but feel the thread was before the OTA update. I see the simple root with OTA, but then read the damage control requires toast method for everything to work - is this correct?

3: ROMS: oh my! lol not sure anyone can answer this for me. but which one runs the best, ease of use, compatibility, has the OTA applied(or is this within root). froyo vs 2.1 - I think I will stick with 2.1 just sounds better for my first rom. any advantages/disadvantages in using stock rom vs a 3rd party developed rom?

4: Backup: ok yeah I would like to back up. I have read using titanium backup, but this requires root. will rooting clear my phone? do I need to back up before root? I tried this method SDKs, drivers and roots - Oh, my! | Android Central but I get 0 files pulled and 0 files skipped. I am able to see my device through the command promt and I was able to change my boot animation. am I missing a driver? or should I just go purchase backup pro from the market? or is there a better backup app out there?

5: Reverting back to stock: I have read this is possible, is it? I read to flash RUU, what is RUU and where do I find it? I understand that rooting voids warranty, can flashing back to stock still be warrant-able or is there a way to see digitally that the phone was rooted at one time? I have insurance and a back up phone to connect, so I could always just claim I lost my phone so no biggie I just would like to know. anyone have links to tutorials on how to flash back to stock?

I have downloaded the latest OTA to 1.47.651.1

PRL is 60667 - I believe there is a new PRL out, should I update this? does it matter before or after root/rom flash?


Ok I think that's it... for now

Thanks in advance for any help/input you can give.

 

[HopeofCarter]

hey guys, I need some help with some questions before I go ahead and root.

I have done some searching and feel slightly overwhelmed with all the different versions and methods out there. So I have decided to post here to get a few of my questions answered in one place. Please forgive me if some of this has been asked a billion times over.

What I am looking to get out root? Basically I want to be able to customize more and maybe gain access to apps on my sd card. I wouldn't mind losing some sprint apps and possibly gain wifif tether. I would also like to keep things working as close to stock as possible, camera's and 4g and what not.

ok here we go.

1: kernels, what are kernels actually? why do I need one? or why do I need to flash a different one? what should I look for in one? is it just I need specific kernels for specific roms?

I would think kernals are like custom sewer systems, help you allow to control the flow of things. Can slow them down(underclock) or can speed things up ( over clock). At least thats the impression I got. I flashed a new kernal on my phone and have almost 60fps all the time (54-55fps).You guys are locked at 30. Its not a big deal to some but its very noticeable how buttery smooth everything is. Also the the kernal help me save a ton of battery. Phone is 63% charged with almost 24 hours on it. I barely used it though and just flashed a rom so I'm sure it would be higher.

2: ROOT general: I don't need instructions here I know where to find them. But really what are the differences in all the different methods? which ones give me more/less/better access or control? I'll state I'm not very interested in the unrevoked method, I would prefer full root. I am not afraid of the instructions, just I feel lost on which one to pick. Or which is the most updated version and the most compatible. I am assuming toast, but feel the thread was before the OTA update. I see the simple root with OTA, but then read the damage control requires toast method for everything to work - is this correct?

I believe simple root is based off toast or just the same thing. All simple root does is packet everything into a little program so that you can just sit back and watch the magic happen. Some would suggest do actually do all the steps to get some knowledge, which is perfectly fine. You might be a little lost when it comes to terminology but you will catch it up fast. If you do simple root you will have full root. You will be able to flash roms,kernals ect.

3: ROMS: oh my! lol not sure anyone can answer this for me. but which one runs the best, ease of use, compatibility, has the OTA applied(or is this within root). froyo vs 2.1 - I think I will stick with 2.1 just sounds better for my first rom. any advantages/disadvantages in using stock rom vs a 3rd party developed rom?

Well you said you want everything close to stock as possible. All the froyo roms from what i know have a broken cam. I personally use Fresh 1.0.1. I hear good things about damage. I guess I haven't tried it out due to laziness. Fresh 1.0.1 has everything working. Most of the bloatware is gone but you can install things that you want from the bloatware if you want, he gives you a folder with all the goodies such as sprint tv/nav ect.

4: Backup: ok yeah I would like to back up. I have read using titanium backup, but this requires root. will rooting clear my phone? do I need to back up before root? I tried this method SDKs, drivers and roots - Oh, my! | Android Central but I get 0 files pulled and 0 files skipped. I am able to see my device through the command promt and I was able to change my boot animation. am I missing a driver? or should I just go purchase backup pro from the market? or is there a better backup app out there?

I believe rooting will clear your phone, I dont remember exactly. You want to have all your stuff saved then yes you should back up with something like back up pro? I'll leave this question for those more informed on the subject. I rarely had time to mess around with my phone besides rooting it, so I don't really have a lot of things worth saving .

5: Reverting back to stock: I have read this is possible, is it? I read to flash RUU, what is RUU and where do I find it? I understand that rooting voids warranty, can flashing back to stock still be warrant-able or is there a way to see digitally that the phone was rooted at one time? I have insurance and a back up phone to connect, so I could always just claim I lost my phone so no biggie I just would like to know. anyone have links to tutorials on how to flash back to stock?

From what I know there is no way to see if the phone is rooted if you flash back the ruu. I know its somewhere here EVO 4G Android Development - xda-developers I just can't find it atm. I'll leave this for someone who knows more about it.

I have downloaded the latest OTA to 1.47.651.1

PRL is 60667 - I believe there is a new PRL out, should I update this? does it matter before or after root/rom flash?

Does not matter. I usually notice my speeds get a lot slower when I update my prl >.> so becareful if you're ocd about that sort of thing

Good luck and happy rooting
Ok I think that's it... for now

Thanks in advance for any help/input you can give.

Pokeage to the max

 

[Drew5150]

thanks man

another question is I am a little confused on is the order of things. after simple root should I then perform this nand back up with nandroid or is this for after flashing a rom.
edit: found my answer - nand backup before rom flash

also how about the radio flashes? damage instructs you will need to flash them but I am unclear if I should flash before or after the rom flash or if it matters. does the fresh rom need to also have the radio's flashed? and is this radio flash i keep reading about just for 4g?

 

[HopeofCarter]

thanks man

another question is I am a little confused on is the order of things. after simple root should I then perform this nand back up with nandroid or is this for after flashing a rom.
edit: found my answer - nand backup before rom flash

also how about the radio flashes? damage instructs you will need to flash them but I am unclear if I should flash before or after the rom flash or if it matters. does the fresh rom need to also have the radio's flashed? and is this radio flash i keep reading about just for 4g?

For me ( I have fresh) i flashed the rom then the radios. In order for 4g to work with fresh you have to flash both the radio and wixmax. Don't be too nervous about it though just follow How To: Flash a Radio Update Geek For Me – Sprint Evo 4g & CDMA Hero

Radio is for 3g i believe, but you also need the seperate wimax radio. If you need like immediate help just send me a p-m. I tend to forget to check this part of the forum

 

[edriggers]

thanks man

another question is I am a little confused on is the order of things. after simple root should I then perform this nand back up with nandroid or is this for after flashing a rom.
edit: found my answer - nand backup before rom flash

also how about the radio flashes? damage instructs you will need to flash them but I am unclear if I should flash before or after the rom flash or if it matters. does the fresh rom need to also have the radio's flashed? and is this radio flash i keep reading about just for 4g?

I just flashed my radio over my ROM, not sure if you can do it before. Your phone has two radios, one for 3G and one for WiMax. The newest Fresh ROM (1.0.1) does not install the newest radios. I would suggest updating them, though I'm not sure if it's mandatory.