Root xtrROM or xtrSENSE ??

[jhewit22]

I'm a very newly rooted user (tonight)...all is well so far!! I'm looking to take the plunge into a custom rom without getting in over my head the first time!

What are the major differences between xtrROM and xtrSENSE??

From what I understand, these are two very popular roms for n00bs to start with.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Thanks!!

 

[VA_Joe]

Check out the developer's pages:
xtrSense http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=726467
"xtrSENSE has been built as an everyday HTC Sense ROM that is configured for performance and reliability. It has features such as a simple yet elegant theme to full support of cache2cache, apps2sd, built in overclocking, and built in memory management. For those that frequent the forum I keep a copy of this build in addition to xtrROM (Vanilla feel using the HTC framework) on my phone (plus a few others from other devs

) because sometimes I just feel like the splendor of the HTC launch screen and integrated widgets. If you would like a "pure" Vanilla 2.1 AOSP experience then be sure to try Vanilla2.0."

xtrROM http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=694472
"Version 4.x of xtrROM is a fast reliable feature rich ROM that you as the user can customize to enhance your HTC Android experience! Checkout the change log for a full list and details. This ROM has a Vanilla feel but is based on the core HTC framework to embrace the data synchronization options and closely coordinated apps offered by HTC (e.g. the music controls build into the lock screen). I am reliant on my phone at work so stability and a consistent and fast user experience are the top priority for xtrROM. If folks continue to enjoy this configuration then I will look to carry on my quest as a new Android developer and add features and enhance this fast reliable everyday ROM. If you like the HTC Sense experience then be sure to check out xtrSENSE and if you would like a "pure" Vanilla 2.1 AOSP experience then be sure to try Vanilla2.0."


I've been running xtrSENSE for over a month and the Eris performs better than ever.

 

[Podivin]

It really depends on how much you like the Sense UI. If you want your phone to look pretty much like it always has then go with xtrSense. If you want a different look, or you've already been using a different launcher program, then go with xtrROM.

 

[kobel1up]

I would say go with the XtrRom 4.2.1 first, try a rom without sense you may love it. There is less clutter and once you learn what it has and doesn't have you will enjoy it. Hear is an example, on a sense rom you will have a window that you put all your favorite people in that you call the most, no sense you create a shortcut then direct dial of the person you call the most. I use ADW launcher and only have 3 screens, took a while to get used to, but it is worth it.

 

[doogald]

What are the major differences between xtrROM and xtrSENSE??

Executive summary: xtrSENSE looks and works like a perfected, stock 2.1 Eris. xtrROM is a perfected 2.1 Eris with the Sense launcher removed. So, no laggy Sense launcher, but no Sense widgets, either. There are free, third party launchers and widgets that can replicate much of what the Sense and the widgets can do.

 

[bddfc]

I'm also a fairly new root user here are my experiences so far:

My first rom was xtrSENSE and it was awesome. Very responsive, no more laggy dialer and the best thing was the battery lasted FOREVER. I was extremely happy with this rom and will probably go back to this one after I try out some more. Being a sense based rom it's like having a stock phone only way better.

Next was kaosfroyo which didn't work out well for me. Lots of lag and such. That's just my experience it could perform very well for you. It's probably worth a trying out some of the froyo roms just to see the difference. This comes with ADW launcher which I didn't get along with too well but you can always switch to LP or something else of your choosing. The beauty of root.

Next up and my current rom cyanogentazz 6.0 which has been working pretty well so far. I get a little dialer lag but overall pretty good and snappy battery life is very good here as well. This is also my first experience with Launcher Pro and I like it very much.

I haven't tried xtrROM yet but I plan on doing it today. Just because I can. It feels good to be free. xtrSENSE was so good I feel the need to try this one as well.

I would say the one thing that I miss most from sense is the pull down lock screen. I'm sure there's a way to put that on these other roms but I haven't figured that one out yet. There are other unlock options. For instance hitting the end button and then menu which is what I do now. I've also never messed with any over clocking and have left most of the settings alone on these roms. Most are over clocked from the beginning and you can feel the difference right away.

If you can do without the large email and text widgets in sense you should be fine without it. Also if you think you miss the clock and weather widgets on the home screen try beautiful widgets there are tons of skins to choose from and you can make it look pretty much just like the sense version.

If you are going to be switching roms regularly I would suggest paying for the donate version of titanium backup it's like $3.99 or something. Great for backing up all your apps and settings and also makes it very easy to rid your self of some bloatware ie. amazon mp3 and the like. Get astrid or root explorer to make managing your roms and zip files easy.

 

[Praetorian]

Titanium backup rocks when switching roms. I just had to comment because my biggest reason for wanting the froyo rom was to get away from the pull down lock screen as I always found it a bit annoying (just me I guess). The froyo rom's are already pretty slick but they are just a little too buggy for me so I ended up back with xtrROM which I completely love. Once you get used to not having sense you find you don't even need it anymore and without it much of the lag goes away as well. If you do try xtr (either) I recommend the 4.2.x version as opposed to the 4.5.x version. This may be confusing but both of these versions are "up to date" but 4.2 uses a different kernal which I find to be more stable on my phone. Good luck.

I'm also a fairly new root user here are my experiences so far:

My first rom was xtrSENSE and it was awesome. Very responsive, no more laggy dialer and the best thing was the battery lasted FOREVER. I was extremely happy with this rom and will probably go back to this one after I try out some more. Being a sense based rom it's like having a stock phone only way better.

Next was kaosfroyo which didn't work out well for me. Lots of lag and such. That's just my experience it could perform very well for you. It's probably worth a trying out some of the froyo roms just to see the difference. This comes with ADW launcher which I didn't get along with too well but you can always switch to LP or something else of your choosing. The beauty of root.

Next up and my current rom cyanogentazz 6.0 which has been working pretty well so far. I get a little dialer lag but overall pretty good and snappy battery life is very good here as well. This is also my first experience with Launcher Pro and I like it very much.

I haven't tried xtrROM yet but I plan on doing it today. Just because I can. It feels good to be free. xtrSENSE was so good I feel the need to try this one as well.

I would say the one thing that I miss most from sense is the pull down lock screen. I'm sure there's a way to put that on these other roms but I haven't figured that one out yet. There are other unlock options. For instance hitting the end button and then menu which is what I do now. I've also never messed with any over clocking and have left most of the settings alone on these roms. Most are over clocked from the beginning and you can feel the difference right away.

If you can do without the large email and text widgets in sense you should be fine without it. Also if you think you miss the clock and weather widgets on the home screen try beautiful widgets there are tons of skins to choose from and you can make it look pretty much just like the sense version.

If you are going to be switching roms regularly I would suggest paying for the donate version of titanium backup it's like $3.99 or something. Great for backing up all your apps and settings and also makes it very easy to rid your self of some bloatware ie. amazon mp3 and the like. Get astrid or root explorer to make managing your roms and zip files easy.

 

[bddfc]

Titanium backup rocks when switching roms. I just had to comment because my biggest reason for wanting the froyo rom was to get away from the pull down lock screen as I always found it a bit annoying (just me I guess). The froyo rom's are already pretty slick but they are just a little too buggy for me so I ended up back with xtrROM which I completely love. Once you get used to not having sense you find you don't even need it anymore and without it much of the lag goes away as well. If you do try xtr (either) I recommend the 4.2.x version as opposed to the 4.5.x version. This may be confusing but both of these versions are "up to date" but 4.2 uses a different kernal which I find to be more stable on my phone. Good luck.

Thanks for the tip I actually already have xtrROM 4.2 downloaded on my phone waiting to be flashed. I had similar experiences with froyo so far. It's ok but after trying xtrSENSE I feel the need to try xtrROM.

I guess my thumbs just don't like the slide to the right lock screen.

Does xtrROM have the pull down lockscreen?

 

[doogald]

Does xtrROM have the pull down lockscreen?

It sure does.

 

[jhewit22]

Thank you all for the help- I'll buy Titanium Backup and maybe flash my first rom tonight...any other suggestions?

 

[doogald]

Thank you all for the help- I'll buy Titanium Backup and maybe flash my first rom tonight...any other suggestions?

If you want to keep a record of your SMS messages, SMS Backup & Restore is great. It can back up your messages on a schedule. (Unfortunately, it does not yet backup or restore MMS messages, if you use them.) While Titanium can backup and restore text messages, I try to avoid it for that - if you go between 2.2 and 2.1 ROMs, you will likely get force closes in the Messaging app. See SMS Backup & Restore - Android app on AppBrain

The same developer has a Call Log backup and restore app, too, if you want to save them between data wipes. Call Logs Backup & Restore - Android app on AppBrain

 

[Denakisland]

I've been running xtrROM for about 3 weeks. I love it. I thought I missed Sense so I flashed xtrSense yesterday and it turns out I really don't. It's a battery hog. I went from 100% battery at 7am to less than 20% by 10am and I wasn't even using any apps, wifi, bluetooth or gps. Nope, didn't miss that at all. I flashed back to xtrROM not even 24 hours of flashing xtrSense.

 

[jhewit22]

What is the easiest way to flash xtrROM?

 

[doogald]

What is the easiest way to flash xtrROM?

You can get it from here: [ROM][GPL][9/22/2010] xtrROM4.2.1 & 4.5.2 [cache2cache,apps2sd,jit,lwp,oc,flash10] - xda-developers

I suggest 4.2.1 over 4.5 at this point; Zach, the developer, said that a 4.6 is coming within days.

Basically, it's just like installing any other ROM:

- copy the .zip file for the ROM to the SD card (not in a folder - in the top, or root, directory.)
- if you use Titanium Backup, do a backup before you shut down your phone.
- Restart the phone in Recovery
- Do a Nandroid backup, just in case
- Go to the wipe menu, wipe data/factory reset. Wipe ext as well if you have used apps2sd
- From the main menu, flash the .zip file for xtrROM.
- Restart the phone. First boot takes a while
- Set up your Google account when prompted, and either go to the market to install all of your apps, or install Titanium Backup, run it, and restore your apps from backup.

 

[jeffgman]

You can get it from here: [ROM][GPL][9/22/2010] xtrROM4.2.1 & 4.5.2 [cache2cache,apps2sd,jit,lwp,oc,flash10] - xda-developers

I suggest 4.2.1 over 4.5 at this point; Zach, the developer, said that a 4.6 is coming within days.

Basically, it's just like installing any other ROM:

- copy the .zip file for the ROM to the SD card (not in a folder - in the top, or root, directory.)
- if you use Titanium Backup, do a backup before you shut down your phone.
- Restart the phone in Recovery
- Do a Nandroid backup, just in case
- Go to the wipe menu, wipe data/factory reset. Wipe ext as well if you have used apps2sd
- From the main menu, flash the .zip file for xtrROM.
- Restart the phone. First boot takes a while
- Set up your Google account when prompted, and either go to the market to install all of your apps, or install Titanium Backup, run it, and restore your apps from backup.

Version 4.2.1 is running the Zanfur kernel which is the original HTC kernel with a patch to allow overclocking. The 4.5 series is using a newer kernel called the CFS kernel. That kernel is not necessarily designed for the Eris. Some people find the CFS kernel to run very well for their Eris. Personally I think the Zanfur kernel is running better. Zach also thinks so and all future versions with 4.6 forward will use the Zanfur kernel for xtrROM and xtrSENSE. He will include links to the CFS kernel if you choose to install that one, but by default it will run the Zanfur.

Personally I think Zach's roms are great. I am currently running xtrSENSE and have been for a little while now. I am thinking of trying xtrROM either tonight or tomorrow. I might wait until he releases 4.6 though so I just have to flash once.

Jeff

 

[jhewit22]

Maybe I'll wait for 4.6 also, how long before that comes out?

 

[doogald]

In his post Zach said that 4.6 is due in the next few days. I'd suggest waiting at least 24 hours after it's posted to see if others report any issues with the release.

 

[Podivin]

In his post Zach said that 4.6 is due in the next few days. I'd suggest waiting at least 24 hours after it's posted to see if others report any issues with the release.

That is a fine suggestion for any newly updated ROM. After a ROM I'm interested in is updated I follow it both here and on XDA to see what kind of bugs people are finding, and determine if those bugs are something that would bug me. I always wait at least a day, generally 2 or 3, before I flash to a new version.

 

[jhewit22]

Alright, maybe I'll flash 4.2.1 today to learn how to do it, fall in love with it, then upgrade to 4.6 in a few weeks after bugs have been worked out! Thanks for the suggestion!

Now I just have to build the courage to flash my first rom!!

 

[kobel1up]

Alright, maybe I'll flash 4.2.1 today to learn how to do it, fall in love with it, then upgrade to 4.6 in a few weeks after bugs have been worked out! Thanks for the suggestion!

Now I just have to build the courage to flash my first rom!!

If you don't use titanium backup like me just make sure you keep track where files go and save them to your desktop. If you make a lot of ringtones just remember where they go on the sdcard and put them back after the flash. All of your apps can be found in the market just press menu and downloads, most of them will be there. I run pretty lean when it comes to apps, I found one that caused me some big problems I couldn't send text messages. So if you find any problems delete apps first not reflash.

Flashing Roms is fun and you get to see how other devs build their roms, Xtr is the best in my opinion.

 

[Podivin]

Alright, maybe I'll flash 4.2.1 today to learn how to do it, fall in love with it, then upgrade to 4.6 in a few weeks after bugs have been worked out! Thanks for the suggestion!

Now I just have to build the courage to flash my first rom!!

Flashing a new ROM is easy, but the first one does make you sweat a bit.
Just remember to do a nand backup now before you flash the ROM, that way you have a fall-back in the very off chance that something goes wrong.
You may have created a nand as part of your rooting process. If so you don't NEED a nand now, but you may still want one. It depends on if you'd like the ability to go back to the way your phone looks right now, or the way it looked just after you rooted. You create and store multiple nands, so you can go back to many different points in time on your phone (or back to different ROMs, if you find that you end up liking more than one)

 

[kobel1up]

It sure does.

You do have the option to flash the nexus clear lockscreen. Thats my favorite.

 

[jhewit22]

Flashing a new ROM is easy, but the first one does make you sweat a bit.
Just remember to do a nand backup now before you flash the ROM, that way you have a fall-back in the very off chance that something goes wrong.
You may have created a nand as part of your rooting process. If so you don't NEED a nand now, but you may still want one. It depends on if you'd like the ability to go back to the way your phone looks right now, or the way it looked just after you rooted. You create and store multiple nands, so you can go back to many different points in time on your phone (or back to different ROMs, if you find that you end up liking more than one)

How do I know if I created a nand in root process. I used the 1-click apk, does that create a nand backup?

 

[kobel1up]

How do I know if I created a nand in root process. I used the 1-click apk, does that create a nand backup?

Its pretty simple to do, Power down the phone. Next hold vol up and power button at the same time and wait till you see the 3 skateboarders to release the buttons. You will see the custom recovery screen, it has a green color to it, I think. Anyways look for backup restore or nand back up then click it. Then click on nand backup. Then it will take 2 min or so to finish, when done go back to main screen and reboot. You can check it by hooking up your phone to your computer and looking at your files, you will see a new folder that says nandroid.