Root ROM vs. Theme

[dragonbro]

Hi All~ I am a noob to the Moto Droid X, I've had it about a week now coming from the HTC Eris. The Eris was a nice little android phone and I was very comfortable with flashing new ROM's, running gscripts, backing up nandroids, etc... The main reason I started was to get better battery life I would like better battery performance with the X too.

So now my love affair starts with the Droid X, now this is how a smart phone should be!!! I have easily run the Z4root and bootstrap recovery, put LPP back on, have Titanium Backup installed (free), SetCPU w/profiles enabled.....just the basic stuff.

I would like to try a custom ROM or Theme, but I don't really understand the difference between the two.....does a Theme compliment a specific ROM? Can I just install a Theme over the stock rooted 2.2? (black notification bar). What is a popular beginner ROM/Theme that is most stable? I have downloaded the SBF, but I really don't want to have to use it.

On the Eris I always had to wipe data/cache before every new ROM, do we have to do this on the X as well? My understanding is to boot into recovery and select the "Mount" menu and then "Format data/cache", but I don't see that as part of all ROM instructions.

I am enjoying reading through the posts & sticky's here, thanks to all. It is apparent the Droid X takes a little higher education than the Eris...I'm sure I will catch up soon.

 

[dhoffman1421]

Some ROMs have themes that can be overlaid. Some don't. Some themes can be used without a ROM at all. Using a theme not designed for a ROM can cause problems or that's been my experience anyway. I have used the Chevy SSX ROM and loved it. Worked flawlessly, there are no themes for it specifically though.

I am now running RubiX 1.6 Focused (blurless) with Sinful Green theme and after some issues it's now working perfectly and is faster than Chevy SSX. I used both slightly overclocked.

Shortly I am going to try out Fission 2.1 and will add a ttheme once I get it dialed in.

For me Chevy SSX was a perfect place to start with ROMs.

Before that I was using themes only, 928 Black Glass and Big DX Serenity, also good places to start.

Hope that helps, good luck!

 

[jloya]

sorry for this very bare post in advance but im at work

so theme just changes the way certain things look, colors icons etc

ROM actually changes the way the device operates

think of it like changing your exhaust on your bike...a slip on sounds good but doesnt do much but just that...sound good and look good (theme)

if you did a full exhaust sytem thats a performance upgrade (rom)

there are certain themes that are specific to each ROM, not every theme will work on every ROM

as far as themes and roms go you have to root your phone

once rooted then you can start applying roms and themes

I personally love the Rubix ROM - it runs insanely quick and better life is great - check it out here : Often imitated, never duplicated! Focused 1.8.6

a good theme for rubix, comes in blue and green (im running green) http://www.droidforums.net/forum/drod2169-x/95545-theme-black-juice-rubix-focused-1-6-final.html

as far as wiping data and cache before installing each ROM that depends on the way the dev set it up, if he requires it it will be listed in the installation instructions within that roms specific thread

 

[dhoffman1421]

I forgot to articulate the basic difference, thanks for clarifying!

 

[jloya]

I forgot to articulate the basic difference, thanks for clarifying!

no worries i was actually typing that out as you posted yours so when i posted mine i saw you had already replied lol

 

[dragonbro]

Thanks guys! I love the comparison to the exhaust system....now your speaking my language!

I just wasn't sure if you could apply a theme independent of a ROM. I'm most concerned that I have only rooted with the z4root and installed bootstrapper, do I need to Format data/cache before trying a new ROM?

I will take a look at the chevy ROM, and I like the feedback I have seen on Rubix. I guess I will just have to try it to figure it out. All else fails I have a nandroid of how my phone is setup today Thanks all....keep the replies coming!

 

[Tmose04]

Whenever i put a new rom on i make a nandroid then wipe date and cache a few times in clockwork then just install from sd and it works just fine.

 

[jloya]

lol i figured the exhaust thing would work after lookin at ur pic (i ride a naked 03 sv650)

there are some themes that do not require a rom, for example 928 black glass

you can also install onix black bar mod from rom manager on stock rooted 2.2

I would recommend wiping data/cache before installing rubix

 

[esemes]

lol i figured the exhaust thing would work after lookin at ur pic (i ride a naked 03 sv650)

there are some themes that do not require a rom, for example 928 black glass

you can also install onix black bar mod from rom manager on stock rooted 2.2

I would recommend wiping data/cache before installing rubix

i currently have black glass (love the look) and am wondering if it would work with rubix.....

anyone use them both?

SMS

 

[jloya]

i currently have black glass (love the look) and am wondering if it would work with rubix.....

anyone use them both?

SMS

I do not believe black glass will work with rubix - it may or may not but when I installed revolution on rubix it took I just received random reboots 5-6 times a day

since installing the approved black juice theme (link above) its working greattttt (personally i think it looks better than 928's)

edit: headed to the beach for the rest of the day wont be back to check up on this until tomorrow

 

[Steven58]

ROM- basic operating system
Theme- pretties up the system with colors and widget/application color modification.

Rom is like the window
Theme is like the curtain for that window.

 

[Airmaxx23]

ROM- basic operating system
Theme- pretties up the system with colors and widget/application color modification.

Rom is like the window
Theme is like the curtain for that window.

or window tint.....

 

[Steven58]

or window tint.....:d

Bwah hahahahaha!

 

[dragonbro]

Okay.....just installed ApeX as instructions show and my phone keeps rebooting......it will run for a minute or 2 if I'm lucky. I'm trying to get bootstrap reloaded so i can go back to my nandroid back up, not very impressed so far with ROM installation

 

[dragonbro]

And is it normal for all of the apps to try to download at the same time? I go to market and menu...all my apps are trying to download at the same time?


EDIT: Okay...was able to load my backup nandroid, wheew! Maybe I will look for a different ROM to start with, ApeX sure didn't like my phone. BTW my phone is a week old, came running 2.2.

 

[dhoffman1421]

Thiis is why I encouraged you to try Chevy SSX. Very few issues that I have read about getting it running. ApeX sounds great but maybe need a bit more sophistication if you run into trouble.

 

[Steven58]

almost sounds as if you had it set to overclock on reboot.. big no no with droid x.

 

[dragonbro]

almost sounds as if you had it set to overclock on reboot.. big no no with droid x.

Thanks for the tip. I never had a chance to set or unset anything. I just flashed back ASAP.

 

[dragonbro]

Thiis is why I encouraged you to try Chevy SSX. Very few issues that I have read about getting it running. ApeX sounds great but maybe need a bit more sophistication if you run into trouble.

I will look for that ROM, thanks for the suggestion....honestly I went with ApeX because it was getting such good comments and seemed like it had all the latest improvements baked in.

 

[Steven58]

I will look for that ROM, thanks for the suggestion....honestly I went with ApeX because it was getting such good comments and seemed like it had all the latest improvements baked in.

so far I've found apex to be very very stable, but I haven't tried chevy.

 

[jloya]

I will look for that ROM, thanks for the suggestion....honestly I went with ApeX because it was getting such good comments and seemed like it had all the latest improvements baked in.

honestly, give rubix 1.8 a shot - Often imitated, never duplicated! Focused 1.8.6 - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum

support for the ROM is awesome, the ROM itself is the best ive tried.