hey guys, I need some help with some questions before I go ahead and root.
I have done some searching and feel slightly overwhelmed with all the different versions and methods out there. So I have decided to post here to get a few of my questions answered in one place. Please forgive me if some of this has been asked a billion times over.
What I am looking to get out root? Basically I want to be able to customize more and maybe gain access to apps on my sd card. I wouldn't mind losing some sprint apps and possibly gain wifif tether. I would also like to keep things working as close to stock as possible, camera's and 4g and what not.
ok here we go.
1: kernels, what are kernels actually? why do I need one? or why do I need to flash a different one? what should I look for in one? is it just I need specific kernels for specific roms?
2: ROOT general: I don't need instructions here I know where to find them. But really what are the differences in all the different methods? which ones give me more/less/better access or control? I'll state I'm not very interested in the unrevoked method, I would prefer full root. I am not afraid of the instructions, just I feel lost on which one to pick. Or which is the most updated version and the most compatible. I am assuming toast, but feel the thread was before the OTA update. I see the simple root with OTA, but then read the damage control requires toast method for everything to work - is this correct?
3: ROMS: oh my! lol not sure anyone can answer this for me. but which one runs the best, ease of use, compatibility, has the OTA applied(or is this within root). froyo vs 2.1 - I think I will stick with 2.1 just sounds better for my first rom. any advantages/disadvantages in using stock rom vs a 3rd party developed rom?
4: Backup: ok yeah I would like to back up. I have read using titanium backup, but this requires root. will rooting clear my phone? do I need to back up before root? I tried this method SDKs, drivers and roots - Oh, my! | Android Central but I get 0 files pulled and 0 files skipped. I am able to see my device through the command promt and I was able to change my boot animation. am I missing a driver? or should I just go purchase backup pro from the market? or is there a better backup app out there?
5: Reverting back to stock: I have read this is possible, is it? I read to flash RUU, what is RUU and where do I find it? I understand that rooting voids warranty, can flashing back to stock still be warrant-able or is there a way to see digitally that the phone was rooted at one time? I have insurance and a back up phone to connect, so I could always just claim I lost my phone so no biggie I just would like to know. anyone have links to tutorials on how to flash back to stock?
I have downloaded the latest OTA to 1.47.651.1
PRL is 60667 - I believe there is a new PRL out, should I update this? does it matter before or after root/rom flash?
Ok I think that's it... for now
Thanks in advance for any help/input you can give.
I have done some searching and feel slightly overwhelmed with all the different versions and methods out there. So I have decided to post here to get a few of my questions answered in one place. Please forgive me if some of this has been asked a billion times over.
What I am looking to get out root? Basically I want to be able to customize more and maybe gain access to apps on my sd card. I wouldn't mind losing some sprint apps and possibly gain wifif tether. I would also like to keep things working as close to stock as possible, camera's and 4g and what not.
ok here we go.
1: kernels, what are kernels actually? why do I need one? or why do I need to flash a different one? what should I look for in one? is it just I need specific kernels for specific roms?
2: ROOT general: I don't need instructions here I know where to find them. But really what are the differences in all the different methods? which ones give me more/less/better access or control? I'll state I'm not very interested in the unrevoked method, I would prefer full root. I am not afraid of the instructions, just I feel lost on which one to pick. Or which is the most updated version and the most compatible. I am assuming toast, but feel the thread was before the OTA update. I see the simple root with OTA, but then read the damage control requires toast method for everything to work - is this correct?
3: ROMS: oh my! lol not sure anyone can answer this for me. but which one runs the best, ease of use, compatibility, has the OTA applied(or is this within root). froyo vs 2.1 - I think I will stick with 2.1 just sounds better for my first rom. any advantages/disadvantages in using stock rom vs a 3rd party developed rom?
4: Backup: ok yeah I would like to back up. I have read using titanium backup, but this requires root. will rooting clear my phone? do I need to back up before root? I tried this method SDKs, drivers and roots - Oh, my! | Android Central but I get 0 files pulled and 0 files skipped. I am able to see my device through the command promt and I was able to change my boot animation. am I missing a driver? or should I just go purchase backup pro from the market? or is there a better backup app out there?
5: Reverting back to stock: I have read this is possible, is it? I read to flash RUU, what is RUU and where do I find it? I understand that rooting voids warranty, can flashing back to stock still be warrant-able or is there a way to see digitally that the phone was rooted at one time? I have insurance and a back up phone to connect, so I could always just claim I lost my phone so no biggie I just would like to know. anyone have links to tutorials on how to flash back to stock?
I have downloaded the latest OTA to 1.47.651.1
PRL is 60667 - I believe there is a new PRL out, should I update this? does it matter before or after root/rom flash?
Ok I think that's it... for now
Thanks in advance for any help/input you can give.