HTC Hero user, dilemma, Root or Upgrade to 2.1? Might be long.

[Whiteicedmstech]

I posted this in the Sprint HTC Hero section per the link below and after some feedback, it was suggested I come to this forum for further assistance.

Basically, I have never rooted before and would like to do so to gain full potential of my phone. I would like to be able to get rid of some of the Sprint bloatware to free up some space. I would like to be able to change the default look of the Sprint Hero (Guessing that would happen if I used a ROM?)

I would also like to be able to use the basic capabilities of my phone such as making/receiving phone calls, texting, emailing via my google account, surfing the web on occasion, using the Sprint GPS program when on the road if need be, as well as have access to the market to download apps in the future.

Anything that might allow me to be able to extend my battery life with the phone as it sucks in general as well as just to be able to use it and have it function "smoothly" instead of lagging up here and there.

I am on the Sprint Firmware 1.5.

Below is the link to my original post and a small part of what I copied and pasted at the end of the post before I posted here looking for help.

Thank you,
Whiteice

http://androidforums.com/sprint-htc...-root-upgrade-2-1-might-long.html#post1656689

Well you can root and stay as close to stock as you want, you can remove the Sprint bloatware and that will open some space up for you, but keep in mind
the main access to rooting is to have full control of your phone, install a custom ROM depends on the needs you have, there are many out there that will meet your needs and they are not complicated, keep in mind, once rooted you can back up your image and play with as many ROMs as you want and still go back to your original backup fairly easy, read this, To anyone that is considering rooting..., If I were you I would post in the all things rooted section, post your needs and what you are looking for, and I am sure you will get more responses from already rooted peeps, good luck, keep us posted


Quote:
Originally Posted by Whiteicedmstech
I must say that I am now more confused then I was when I first started.

I have read the different one click methods, and the kitchen one seemed to be the simplest. But with following the thread and trying to obtain the files, some of the files are no longer available.

From watching videos on other one click methods, it seems that I may need to have some programs installed on my SD card to begin with?

Basically what I am asking for is some help if someone doesn't mind taking the time.

What programs do I need to do this? I just want to start off at the beginning and get rid of some of the Sprint bloatware on my phone to clear up space.

I don't want to jack up my phone and that is what I am scared of with the confusion I have run into now.

Thank you,
Whiteice

​

 

[ccapasso]

I don't have time this morning to read through everything you have there, as I am in a rush to get to work, but considering you are looking to root and are on 1.5, I highly, highly, highly suggest you start here:

http://androidforums.com/sprint-hero-all-things-root/38911-guide-root-rom-faq-tutorial-1-5-a.html

That thread contains step by step (with pictures for some) of what to do. It also answers many FAQ and tells you what all you need. Take your time, read it, re-read it, then read it again. Watch the video, re-read, and then give it a shot.

If you need help, there are more than enough people here who are able to. I would offer my assistance of helping you step by step, but to be completely honest, I am very limited on time right now.

 

[DonB]

Keep in mind his process is not your one click process, but they are both effective, one is just a little more dummy proof than the other, but both have step by step process for you, as long as you are loading a CDMA file and not GSM then you can always fix it if you mess up

 

[jen8112]

The video I posted didn't help? That's how I did it, followed the steps exactly. Honestly I pushed play and paused it after each step. Was done in like 20min.

 

[DonB]

Jen I don't think his issue is with the root process, his worry is the Rom image process and some of the issue that come after you install a new Rom, we all know he can keep in stock with root access. I am sure he will make the plunge soon, he just has to pull the trigger when he is ready, especially if he is thinking of getting an IPhone then he has nothing to loose, he can always unroot and stock it back

The video I posted didn't help? That's how I did it, followed the steps exactly. Honestly I pushed play and paused it after each step. Was done in like 20min.

 

[Whiteicedmstech]

The video did in fact help Jen, thank you. Provided me with information I didn't know.

The problem is, I think I may have watched to many videos on different methods, and that combined with some of the links that didn't work on some of the one click methods that didn't allow me to obtain the programs suggested just confused me a bit.

I also decided not to go with the new iPHONE. I keep forgetting just how darn expensive AT&T is compared to my Sprint bill every month. Plus, where I live, a lot of people I have run into (mostly at work) say the AT&T service sucks. So I just ordered a 4g iPOD Touch instead.

But I am still wanting to root my phone and become familiar with it and what it can do.

Whiteice

 

[DonB]

Let me ask you this, you are wanting to root because you are having issues with your phone, or just because you want to try it, if it is because of lag issues, try the latest HTC update and if that doesn't make you happy, then you can always flash the .6 build and root from there, and then make a decision whether you want a custom Rom or not

The video did in fact help Jen, thank you. Provided me with information I didn't know.

The problem is, I think I may have watched to many videos on different methods, and that combined with some of the links that didn't work on some of the one click methods that didn't allow me to obtain the programs suggested just confused me a bit.

I also decided not to go with the new iPHONE. I keep forgetting just how darn expensive AT&T is compared to my Sprint bill every month. Plus, where I live, a lot of people I have run into (mostly at work) say the AT&T service sucks. So I just ordered a 4g iPOD Touch instead.

But I am still wanting to root my phone and become familiar with it and what it can do.

Whiteice

 

[Whiteicedmstech]

Let me ask you this, you are wanting to root because you are having issues with your phone, or just because you want to try it, if it is because of lag issues, try the latest HTC update and if that doesn't make you happy, then you can always flash the .6 build and root from there, and then make a decision whether you want a custom Rom or not

A little of both honestly.

In regards to the phone and upgrading to 2.1, I am afraid with the bluetooth issues that it will not work with my Parrott Car system I have installed.

As for trying it out, yeah I want to get into it and see what its about and see what I can do with having the phone rooted. I just want to get more hands on and exposure.

I enjoyed going through the process of jailbreaking my 3g iPOD Touch and seeing what you could do with it. I wanted to see what I could do with my phone when rooting it, and being able to free up some memory by getting rid of some of the Sprint bloatware crap and kind of making the phone more of what I want it to be.

 

[DonB]

Well for your info, I am not rooted either and have not decided to pull the trigger either so you are not the only one in that boat, in my case it is because I have tweaked my phone and is working good, I am not using the Sense UI and am using LauncherPro as my launcher and have noticed a large difference, much less lag, I also use a cache leaner twice a week, and do a daily morning reboot, Knock on wood I have not had any issues with by BT has worked since day one. So if you want to root, make it simple to start, use the one touch, and simply stay rooted as if for a week or so, remove the Sprint Bloatware, do not load any custom Roms, get a feel for the phone, then you can decided weather you want to explore more, remember once rooted, do a backup, and if you install a custom ROM and you do not like it, or you are having issues, simply restore your back up.

A little of both honestly.

In regards to the phone and upgrading to 2.1, I am afraid with the bluetooth issues that it will not work with my Parrott Car system I have installed.

As for trying it out, yeah I want to get into it and see what its about and see what I can do with having the phone rooted. I just want to get more hands on and exposure.

I enjoyed going through the process of jailbreaking my 3g iPOD Touch and seeing what you could do with it. I wanted to see what I could do with my phone when rooting it, and being able to free up some memory by getting rid of some of the Sprint bloatware crap and kind of making the phone more of what I want it to be.

 

[Whiteicedmstech]

Well for your info, I am not rooted either and have not decided to pull the trigger either so you are not the only one in that boat, in my case it is because I have tweaked my phone and is working good, I am not using the Sense UI and am using LauncherPro as my launcher and have noticed a large difference, much less lag, I also use a cache leaner twice a week, and do a daily morning reboot, Knock on wood I have not had any issues with by BT has worked since day one. So if you want to root, make it simple to start, use the one touch, and simply stay rooted as if for a week or so, remove the Sprint Bloatware, do not load any custom Roms, get a feel for the phone, then you can decided weather you want to explore more, remember once rooted, do a backup, and if you install a custom ROM and you do not like it, or you are having issues, simply restore your back up.

Thanks for the feedback Don.

Let me ask you this, what exactly is LauncherPro? I searched for it on the market, but I just find LauncherPro icons? The sense UI is the interface that I use on the phone for swiping to different screens and what not, is that correct?

What is it that LauncherPro does that sense UI doesn't that has "Tweeked" your phone for you?

That is one of my main things, I would love to be able to make my phone run and act smooth if possible.

Whiteice

 

[DonB]

This is LauncherPro it does the same as Sense UI, but has many more features and feels much more stable to me, it is in the market, you may not be seeing it because you are still on 1.5 I think, and yes that is correct on the swiping part, but you would do the same with LP. If you decide to upgrade to 2.1, then you can download LP, and then also download Homeswitcher, that will allow you easily make either Sense UI or LP default, and @ a simple click you can go back and forth between default, otherwise everytime you click on your screen to do something it will ask you which UI you want to use. Check the video below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S4PjPTCueQ

Thanks for the feedback Don.

Let me ask you this, what exactly is LauncherPro? I searched for it on the market, but I just find LauncherPro icons? The sense UI is the interface that I use on the phone for swiping to different screens and what not, is that correct?

What is it that LauncherPro does that sense UI doesn't that has "Tweeked" your phone for you?

That is one of my main things, I would love to be able to make my phone run and act smooth if possible.

Whiteice

 

[DonB]

Here something else for you to read, Click HERE