Root I've been on the fence for too long...

[MadlibTheBadKid]

...so I'm going to man up, ask the questions I need to ask and hopefully not be annoying. And then if I see what I want to see, I think I'll root tonight.

Btw, a lot of the guides and threads I see are pre-ota2.2....so i dont know if thats the safest way.

So..I am going to root using the D2 method here. As I take it there isn't an easier method for the DX right now.

Then from there I...

1. Select bootstrap recovery
2. Reboot Recovery
3. When the recovery loads, move down and select "backup/restore"....select backup.
4. Press camera button after backup to reboot.
5. Find a theme. Put on sd card.

Right?

Do I need to select bootstrap recovery everytime i want to install a new theme before I hit reboot recovery?

I know I need rom manager regardless, is it better to backup on RM or Koush? Or both?

Titanium backup will save all my apps, even paid apps correct? Is there anyway my titanium backup can be erased?

And so all my contacts are automatically backed up to my gmail account or do I do that myself?

And so...if I root, do backups, recovery and install the 928droid deodex theme do I really need to worry about bricking my phone? As long a I stick with credible themes. Or can anything go wrong at any given time?


I know I'm asking too much but this would pretty much clear all the fog above my head.

Thanks if you have the patience to answer.

 

[AndroidX2.2]

These are all the same questions I have but I already have:

1. Rooted 2.2
2. Deodexed
3. ClockWork BootStrap Recovery installed (not used yet)
4. Titanium Backup Installed (not backed up yet)

I have been reading numerous threads and confusing myself, I hope someone clears this up for us....

 

[MadlibTheBadKid]

These are all the same questions I have but I already have:

1. Rooted 2.2
2. Deodexed
3. ClockWork BootStrap Recovery installed (not used yet)
4. Titanium Backup Installed (not backed up yet)

I have been reading numerous threads and confusing myself, I hope someone clears this up for us....

I know what you mean, I've read so many things from many forums. I trust this forum the most because it seems like the most helpful.

 

[Outlaw71]

Sorry nobody has been along to help you guys out yet. I can't answer your questions unfortunately, but I can tell you that I followed the instructions in this section to sucessfully root my DX. And this was my first time doing anything like this, so I was pretty excited once the little ninja guy popped up on my screen requesting superuser status!

This is the only advice I can give you... be patient and persistent. The method I used did not work the 1st time... it didn't even work the 4th time! I don't think everything went smoothly until the 5th or 6th time I tried to push it onto the phone. I was just about to give up to tell you the truth. Every time I attempted it I got these visions of my phone getting caught in a black screen and never getting out of it.

Had I quit before I finally achieved my goal I might be posting on here that you guys are wasting your time or something along those lines. But I can vouch for it working, and for it being really cool having superuser status. So many doors open up for you once you're rooted. Not that the DX is worthless without being rooted, but rooting unlocks some kick ass possibilities. Such as freezing all that ridiculous bloatware VZ sends it to you with.

You will be thankful you decided to come down off the fence, I'm sure of it... once someone comes along and answers your questions anyway!

 

[GregTard]

So..I am going to root using the D2 method here. As I take it there isn't an easier method for the DX right now.

There are no one-click gui root methods for the 2.2 OTA currently. All methods involve some use of adb.

After you install bootstrap you do as you stated except one thing...
1. Select bootstrap recovery
2. Reboot Recovery
3. When the recovery loads, move down and select "backup/restore"....select backup.
4. Use the back button to get back to the reboot system selection if needed
5. Press camera button after backup to reboot.

You can also do this from ROM Manager which will let you name the backup, boot into recovery, create the backup, and then reboot automatically. You still have to install bootstrap recovery and press the bootstrap recovery button before making the backup though.

When you find a theme or ROM you like, download it and follow the instructions provided with it exactly. Do not deviate unless you want to be bricked. You still may brick even following the instructions though.

Always make a new ROM backup before applting any theme, ROM, or other mod.

Do I need to select bootstrap recovery everytime i want to install a new theme before I hit reboot recovery?

No, the bootstrap recovery button installs the files needed to boot the recovery. You do however need to do it again after every theme install to make sure none of the files were overwritten.

I know I need rom manager regardless, is it better to backup on RM or Koush? Or both?

ROM Manager is an interface that allows you to download ROMS and themes that are available within the app and will automate the boostrap process. Backing up with ROM Manager is the same as backing up with bootstrap, just automated.

If you download a ROM through ROM Manager, it will allow you to backup your current ROM and wipe data and cache if you want to (always backup) and then apply the ROM and reboot. It also allows you to install a ROM from your sdcard. It just automates the whole process to make it easier. Any ROMS or themes that require you to mount or format partitions will still need to be installed through bootstrap though.

Titanium backup will save all my apps, even paid apps correct? Is there anyway my titanium backup can be erased?

Your backups from Titanium are on your sdcard so if something happens to it, you will loose them. I back mine up to my computer regularly as well to have them in multiple places.

And so all my contacts are automatically backed up to my gmail account or do I do that myself?

It is automatic, but can manually be done. Depending on your sync settings, it may not update the gmail copy for awhile so it is possible to loose a change you made that was not synched prior to you installing a ORM or theme.

And so...if I root, do backups, recovery and install the 928droid deodex theme do I really need to worry about bricking my phone? As long a I stick with credible themes. Or can anything go wrong at any given time?

There is always a possibility that you will brick your phone when doing any mod, but as long as you have the sbf, you will be able to recover.


I will make anothe rpost with more info that might be helpful.

 

[GregTard]

THINGS to remeber for recovering 2.1, 2.2 OTA, moving to 2.2 OTA from 2.1, or modding your phone

If you want to go to the 2.2 OTA, are currently on 2.1, and have modded your phone in any way, start by flashing the SBF to avoid potential problems.

Check this out to get ROM Manager, Bootstrap, and everything needed to recover from pre-2.2OTA issues and prepare to go to the OTA.

For 2.2 OTA issues, go here or get the Team Black Hat app from the app store to be able to recover your phone if you have problems.

To root 2.2 OTA, use the Droid2 method in "The Bomb" or the semi-one-click from DroidLife (I prefer the Droid2 method but the other is there if you have issues with the Droid2 one)

Install ROM Manager and Bootstrap Recovery from "The Bomb" or the Android Market

Make a backup with ROM Manager so you have a restore point

To deodex, you can use 928Droid's Deodexing deodexing theme or you can deodex manually with this tutorial.

You can also use P3's Tranquility 2.3.7 or drod2169's rubiX Focused 0.3 which are blurless ROMs that will deodex you as well (2 for 1).

 

[Piiman]

...so I'm going to man up, ask the questions I need to ask and hopefully not be annoying. And then if I see what I want to see, I think I'll root tonight.

Btw, a lot of the guides and threads I see are pre-ota2.2....so i dont know if thats the safest way.

So..I am going to root using the D2 method here. As I take it there isn't an easier method for the DX right now.

Then from there I...

1. Select bootstrap recovery
2. Reboot Recovery
3. When the recovery loads, move down and select "backup/restore"....select backup.
4. Press camera button after backup to reboot.
5. Find a theme. Put on sd card.

Right?

Sounds good but you may want to put the theme on your sd card and install it after the backup. It just saves a little time not having to reboot and then just go right back in to install the theme.

Do I need to select bootstrap recovery everytime i want to install a new theme before I hit reboot recovery?

I know I need rom manager regardless, is it better to backup on RM or Koush? Or both?

Actually you don't need ROM manager but it has some nice features and can automate some task. You will need the bootstrap its a must have.

Titanium backup will save all my apps, even paid apps correct? Is there anyway my titanium backup can be erased?

Sure, they are saved on your sd card just delete them if you want. Is that what you mean?
If your worried about sometime erasing them then the only way is if your sd card gets corrupted or you accidentally format sd card instead of format system (Like I did once)

your paid apps are always marked as purchased in the market and you can re download them.

And so all my contacts are automatically backed up to my gmail account or do I do that myself?

Its automatic (as long as you have sync enabled. )

And so...if I root, do backups, recovery and install the 928droid deodex theme do I really need to worry about bricking my phone? As long a I stick with credible themes. Or can anything go wrong at any given time?

As always if it can go wrong it usually will Seriously not a whole lot to worry about. The biggest thing now is once you go to the OtA 2.2 don't try to use the 2.1 SBF ever again. Follow directions carefully read trem and you should be good.
Also get the 2.2 system only sbf from TBH to fix any problems you may get after 2.2 OTA and you should be safe. But I'm making no promises.

I know I'm asking too much but this would pretty much clear all the fog above my head.

Thanks if you have the patience to answer.

No problem Have fun!

 

[MadlibTheBadKid]

You guys are awesome. This is why I come here. Just wish I could help people too....one day perhaps.
So I'm rooted, have a nan backup, titanium backup, and my contacts are synced.
I also downloaded root explorer and paid versions of rom manager and titanium backup.
I think I'm ready to theme.

Thanks again to all

 

[MadlibTheBadKid]

One more question...do I need to wipe data and cache everytime I install a theme?

 

[GregTard]

One more question...do I need to wipe data and cache everytime I install a theme?

Only if the instructions for the theme or ROM say to do so.