Hello all, and good evening. The name is Mr. G., long time stalker, but just recently, a commenter. I've seen a lot of threads asking various questions about reasons for rooting, how to root, how to deodex, how to theme, et cetera...but at the same time, asking for a centralized thread where all of this information can be found. The sticky at the top of the Droid X All Things Root forum is a good start. A GREAT start, I dare say. But I'm going to expound a bit on the things I mentioned in the beginning, as a centralized post paraphrasing the massive amount of Google-Fu I had to do to get from stock to my current setup can be mind-boggling for some, so I'm going to just start from the beginning.
Before I go any further, I'd like to give thanks to Phoxus, Fabolous, Peter Alfonso, P3 Droid, Koush, Beesley, Mr. Birdman, Chevy No. 1, ChainsDD, and all the other developers who have taken the modding scene from risky and dangerous to essential for unlocking a device's full potential. Also huge thanks to the crews that run the sites for AndroidForums, Droid-Life, XDA, RootzWiki, DroidForums, and Limitless Droid for keeping a guy informed and armed with the proper files. If I forgot anyone else, it's only because I've only been experiencing Android since the OG Droid, and am now on an X, so I am still relatively new to the scene.
Reasons for Rooting:
On an X, it gives you Superuser Permissions, which for me basically was the ability to install a variety of new programs for various purposes, such as drocap2 for taking screenshots, deodexing (required for theming or installing custom ROMs), wireless tethering, overclocking, and Droid X Bootstrapper, which is required for advanced tinkering with your phone. The Droid X Bootstrapper in particular allows you to boot into a custom recovery console, which in turn allows you to make backups for your system, very important if your quest for the perfect ROM doesn't pan out on your first try. Additionally, it allows you to to go completely back to stock, though for the life of me I can't imagine why anyone would want to (other than for having to return the phone for some purpose). Being able to run scripts is another good reason, albeit one I do not take much advantage of. I am sure there are other reasons as well for those more technically inclined...but that is not my target demographic here, as you are probably already running a setup full of esoteric lights and dials and meters the likes of which I will never, likely understand. Another good perspective from The RootzWiki Team can be found herei: Why Root?
Reasons Not to Root:
There really isn't a single one I can think of. Now that there is a full 2.2 SBF, there is literally no way to brick a DX without brute physical force. You can SBF your way out of any situation that can be gotten into at this point. I wouldn't have been able to say that yesterday, but thanks to Saint Murray from XDA, it is now impossible to brick your Droid X. Have no fear, adventurers. If you're lost in a world of brickery and can't find your way out, just rub the furry wall at RootzWiki and take this to get sober: Droid X Full 2.2 SBF
How to Root:
First, I downloaded the 2.2 OTA. Made sense to me to start from a common point that everyone else was. Plus, while doing my research on how to get from point A to Z, I wanted my damned Flash, Chrome to Phone, and louder ringer/speaker (though the loudness factor here is a failboat for me even now...if anyone knows how to remedy this, please let me know). From there, I found a very modest, simple writeup at DroidForums that got me rooted very easily: How to: Root DROID X Running Official Android 2.2 - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog
HOWEVER, it was brought to my attention by poster #2 that there is a One-Click method that works better. I do not know who created it or who gets credit because I haven't used it, but the buzz is that it works. Read about it here: http://androidforums.com/droid-x-all-things-root/199172-superoneclick-root-anyone-try.html and if it feels good, do it! Much simpler than the above process it would seem.
Monkeying Around:
Now, getting your Droid X Bootstrap should be your next priority, unless you're perfectly satisfied with having Wireless Tether and drocap2 as the only fruits of your labor, and don't want to go any further. Not that you'll need this program for your trip, but once you get locked into a serious flashing addiction, the tendency is to push it as far as you can. This will help you on your way, and if you've read this far, we've likely got the same destination in mind. Thanks to the mighty Koush (high-five to you if you watch Adult Swim and laughed just now), installing a custom recovery console and saving your own backup images is possible, all because of this program. The download for the Bootstrapper is at the following link, along with instructions: My Brain Hurts: Droid X Recovery (and Droid 2 too!)
Deodexing:
You must do this next to install custom ROMs and themes. By far, the easiest way to do this is to install an update.zip that leaves you with a deodexed, rooted, themed version of 2.2, which is themeable or just peachy the way it is for some folks. But the real kicker is the fact that it is deodexed that simply, without any work on your end! 928droid's process can be found at DroidForums with the file download here: 928Droid Black Glass X Droid X OTA2315 DeOdexEERR Theme - DeOdex and Theme w/1 Zip!! - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum
To Customize or Not to Customize:
Again, you are at a crossroads. For your purposes, 928droid's Black Glass theme might just be the bees' knees. It was for me, for quite awhile. But, I got the itch for something new. Even though I mostly use my phone for email, web, and NBA Jam with a wireless Wiimote Classic (yes, it's possible, one Bluetooth controller with all buttons that works with Droid X), I found the Blur to be intrusive, to the point where I'd rather not go in and delete things manually but rather start from blank canvas. And what I decided on is something relatively new, actually. It's a Droid X ROM built completely from source called ApeX, and it's fast. Extremely fast. I've tried others, such as flyX, Tranquility, ZapX and RubiX, but for my purposes, ApeX did the job. Links to every one of these ROMs can be found in the sticky at the top, or most likely on the first two pages of the Droid X All Things Root forum. I think ApeX trumps them all, but they all have their various advantages and disadvantages depending on how you use your device. After all, that's the best thing about our community...the freedom of CHOICE.
Theming:
When I saw the awesome Bioshock-esque Art Deco font of Fabolous's NexTheme, I had to have it and nothing else. The black-cents on the status bar, notification window, Gmail, and other various apps may seem too dark for some, but personally I believe it provides better contrast and readability. A cousin of it, REVOlution, has a thinner font that I don't enjoy as much, but is also very nice. If you're coming from an HTC and miss Sense, Webster's SenseX 2.2 could fit the bill. There's something for everyone...but if you're not satisfied and if you're willing to do a bit of research and trial and error, you can combine ROMs together, pulling various .apks that you like from some apps, deleting others you don't, until you build something amazing. Android is your oyster, and there's plenty of Legos lying around on the interwebs.
Lastly:
Do yourself a favor and install this at some point. It's a modification of build.prop by Beesley that has a gaggle of customized settings for the general good of the phone, including ringer time, shortening delays, making the hard keys stay lit when the screen is on, and other goodies. I'd recommend going with the updated build.prop toward the bottom of the post for best results, but you can install the LCD density mod by installing one of the modifications included in this post, all in one informative place here at home sweet home, AndroidForums: http://androidforums.com/droid-x-all-things-root/164447-mod-lots-build-prop-edits.html
Thanks for reading. I welcome any comments, questions, and/or input on how I can do better next time, because with your help, I can!
Mr. G.
Before I go any further, I'd like to give thanks to Phoxus, Fabolous, Peter Alfonso, P3 Droid, Koush, Beesley, Mr. Birdman, Chevy No. 1, ChainsDD, and all the other developers who have taken the modding scene from risky and dangerous to essential for unlocking a device's full potential. Also huge thanks to the crews that run the sites for AndroidForums, Droid-Life, XDA, RootzWiki, DroidForums, and Limitless Droid for keeping a guy informed and armed with the proper files. If I forgot anyone else, it's only because I've only been experiencing Android since the OG Droid, and am now on an X, so I am still relatively new to the scene.
Reasons for Rooting:
On an X, it gives you Superuser Permissions, which for me basically was the ability to install a variety of new programs for various purposes, such as drocap2 for taking screenshots, deodexing (required for theming or installing custom ROMs), wireless tethering, overclocking, and Droid X Bootstrapper, which is required for advanced tinkering with your phone. The Droid X Bootstrapper in particular allows you to boot into a custom recovery console, which in turn allows you to make backups for your system, very important if your quest for the perfect ROM doesn't pan out on your first try. Additionally, it allows you to to go completely back to stock, though for the life of me I can't imagine why anyone would want to (other than for having to return the phone for some purpose). Being able to run scripts is another good reason, albeit one I do not take much advantage of. I am sure there are other reasons as well for those more technically inclined...but that is not my target demographic here, as you are probably already running a setup full of esoteric lights and dials and meters the likes of which I will never, likely understand. Another good perspective from The RootzWiki Team can be found herei: Why Root?
Reasons Not to Root:
There really isn't a single one I can think of. Now that there is a full 2.2 SBF, there is literally no way to brick a DX without brute physical force. You can SBF your way out of any situation that can be gotten into at this point. I wouldn't have been able to say that yesterday, but thanks to Saint Murray from XDA, it is now impossible to brick your Droid X. Have no fear, adventurers. If you're lost in a world of brickery and can't find your way out, just rub the furry wall at RootzWiki and take this to get sober: Droid X Full 2.2 SBF
How to Root:
First, I downloaded the 2.2 OTA. Made sense to me to start from a common point that everyone else was. Plus, while doing my research on how to get from point A to Z, I wanted my damned Flash, Chrome to Phone, and louder ringer/speaker (though the loudness factor here is a failboat for me even now...if anyone knows how to remedy this, please let me know). From there, I found a very modest, simple writeup at DroidForums that got me rooted very easily: How to: Root DROID X Running Official Android 2.2 - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog
HOWEVER, it was brought to my attention by poster #2 that there is a One-Click method that works better. I do not know who created it or who gets credit because I haven't used it, but the buzz is that it works. Read about it here: http://androidforums.com/droid-x-all-things-root/199172-superoneclick-root-anyone-try.html and if it feels good, do it! Much simpler than the above process it would seem.
Monkeying Around:
Now, getting your Droid X Bootstrap should be your next priority, unless you're perfectly satisfied with having Wireless Tether and drocap2 as the only fruits of your labor, and don't want to go any further. Not that you'll need this program for your trip, but once you get locked into a serious flashing addiction, the tendency is to push it as far as you can. This will help you on your way, and if you've read this far, we've likely got the same destination in mind. Thanks to the mighty Koush (high-five to you if you watch Adult Swim and laughed just now), installing a custom recovery console and saving your own backup images is possible, all because of this program. The download for the Bootstrapper is at the following link, along with instructions: My Brain Hurts: Droid X Recovery (and Droid 2 too!)
Deodexing:
You must do this next to install custom ROMs and themes. By far, the easiest way to do this is to install an update.zip that leaves you with a deodexed, rooted, themed version of 2.2, which is themeable or just peachy the way it is for some folks. But the real kicker is the fact that it is deodexed that simply, without any work on your end! 928droid's process can be found at DroidForums with the file download here: 928Droid Black Glass X Droid X OTA2315 DeOdexEERR Theme - DeOdex and Theme w/1 Zip!! - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum
To Customize or Not to Customize:
Again, you are at a crossroads. For your purposes, 928droid's Black Glass theme might just be the bees' knees. It was for me, for quite awhile. But, I got the itch for something new. Even though I mostly use my phone for email, web, and NBA Jam with a wireless Wiimote Classic (yes, it's possible, one Bluetooth controller with all buttons that works with Droid X), I found the Blur to be intrusive, to the point where I'd rather not go in and delete things manually but rather start from blank canvas. And what I decided on is something relatively new, actually. It's a Droid X ROM built completely from source called ApeX, and it's fast. Extremely fast. I've tried others, such as flyX, Tranquility, ZapX and RubiX, but for my purposes, ApeX did the job. Links to every one of these ROMs can be found in the sticky at the top, or most likely on the first two pages of the Droid X All Things Root forum. I think ApeX trumps them all, but they all have their various advantages and disadvantages depending on how you use your device. After all, that's the best thing about our community...the freedom of CHOICE.
Theming:
When I saw the awesome Bioshock-esque Art Deco font of Fabolous's NexTheme, I had to have it and nothing else. The black-cents on the status bar, notification window, Gmail, and other various apps may seem too dark for some, but personally I believe it provides better contrast and readability. A cousin of it, REVOlution, has a thinner font that I don't enjoy as much, but is also very nice. If you're coming from an HTC and miss Sense, Webster's SenseX 2.2 could fit the bill. There's something for everyone...but if you're not satisfied and if you're willing to do a bit of research and trial and error, you can combine ROMs together, pulling various .apks that you like from some apps, deleting others you don't, until you build something amazing. Android is your oyster, and there's plenty of Legos lying around on the interwebs.
Lastly:
Do yourself a favor and install this at some point. It's a modification of build.prop by Beesley that has a gaggle of customized settings for the general good of the phone, including ringer time, shortening delays, making the hard keys stay lit when the screen is on, and other goodies. I'd recommend going with the updated build.prop toward the bottom of the post for best results, but you can install the LCD density mod by installing one of the modifications included in this post, all in one informative place here at home sweet home, AndroidForums: http://androidforums.com/droid-x-all-things-root/164447-mod-lots-build-prop-edits.html
Thanks for reading. I welcome any comments, questions, and/or input on how I can do better next time, because with your help, I can!
Mr. G.