To root or not to root

[Gato]

I'm seriously considering it now. But before I take the plunge I need to know if it's even still possible. I used the download posted for the update to 2.1. I also used the posted link for the MR4 update. My current values are this:

Firmware = 2.1

Baseband = 2.42.01.04.27

Kernel = 2.6.29-8a03cb9a
htc-kernel@and18-2 #1

Build number = 2.37.605.4 CL185970 release-keys

Software = 2.37.605.4

Browser = Webkit 3.1

PRI = 2.11_002

PRL = 51920

ERI = 5

drumroll......

HBOOT = 1.47.0000
Radio = 2.42.01.04.27


So is root possible? If so what is the current favorite preferred rom?

 

[willdogs]

Yes, Root. Everyone with an Eris can root now, doesnt matter your current HBOOT or Software.

Go here and enjoy a new phone!

http://androidforums.com/all-things-root-eris/127861-universal-eris-root-dummies.html

 

[surgeon0214]

Or here http://androidforums.com/htc-droid-eris/125436-detailed-leak-root-tutorial.html

 

[Gato]

So I lose Sense.....no great loss. What else do I lose of any note? Don't cluck and sigh....I've followed some but not all of these threads. Also What Roms should I try first? I actually don't really hate stock .... I'm wanting to get used to this process because now that the writing is on the wall for this phone I have a feeling I'll be doing it frequently.

 

[wamsille]

The loss of Sense UI depends upon the ROM you select. If you go with a Sense-based or Sense-friendly ROM, many of those features will still be intact.

When you root your Android Device, you get SuperUser access. With that access come a fair amount of privileges as well as some personal responsibility. You are now able to modify your experience on the device and custom tailor it to fit your needs. You can remove some system applications and additional programs that you normally couldn't, but only if those applications aren't required for your phone to operate / operate properly. If the kernel supports it, you can use overclocking utilities to speed up your device beyond the stock ~500mhz. (Usually 710mhz is right around the sweet spot)

Before you flash a recovery image to your phone and a rooted ROM, ask yourself why you need root in the first place.

You need a faster device? Better stability? Don't want Sense UI at all? Want to try Froyo?

Personally, Eris Lightning Bolt 2.8 is the best vanilla ROM I've used. (Sorry Ken) With the stock MMS app working you really don't need to install extra applications on the phone unless you want to. It's quick, it's stable and just works.

I recently flashed stock 2.1 on my device because I figured if I was going to be using a 2.1-based ROM that there was really no point remaining rooted - I can do that without root. Once a 2.2 ROM matures and is rock solid on the Eris I may root again, but only after stock apps are working.

 

[Gato]

One huge reason why I want to root is Apps2sd. I'm really stunned that this isn't possible stock. Or that I recall reading about. I like the idea of trying out a new UI if the desire occurs.

I'm a 30 year IT loser. I understand the theory and practice of SU and root. Not a complete idiot. Just slow.

 

[DDustiNN]

Apps2SD was one of my biggest reasons as well. Now I won't go back

 

[xliderider]

You can root and even replace the locked bootloader, if you are on a leaked 2.1 rom, and still run the stock 2.1 rom. That is how I have my wife's Eris setup.

 

[copestag]

if you want to keep the stock look and feel but get the advantages of things like a2sd, overclock, wireless tether, etc......... there are a few Sense roms you can use and still play around with other things as well.....

Im personally using plainjaneT2 and love it........ this rom is basically stock 2.1 with the extra features added in

 

[Gato]

So what is the best backup tool to use pre-rooting? What's the potential for loss and what do I lose? I understand that Apps in and of themselves aren't really an issue.

 

[DDustiNN]

So what is the best backup tool to use pre-rooting? What's the potential for loss and what do I lose? I understand that Apps in and of themselves aren't really an issue.

Google will backup your contacts and calendar. Apps you'll just have to reinstall. SD card will remain untouched (photos, music, etc). You will lose your call history and your text messages.

 

[wamsille]

One huge reason why I want to root is Apps2sd. I'm really stunned that this isn't possible stock. Or that I recall reading about. I like the idea of trying out a new UI if the desire occurs.

I'm a 30 year IT loser. I understand the theory and practice of SU and root. Not a complete idiot. Just slow.

Never thought you were slow. Even Windows Mobile allowed you to run applications stored on external memory - I was shocked Android didn't allow this from the onset as well.

Personally, I think apps2sd is great but when you are trying out different builds on the fly not so much. Most of the apps in the market are small. I really only use productivity apps, such as Evernote and Dropbox. Right now on my stock device I have Dropbox, Evernote, The Weather Channel and the Zedge app. (OK, the last one really isn't a productivity app) Usually I have a bible app and Rhapsody but I haven't installed those back yet.

Honestly - that is all I use on my device. And based on that, I don't need root access in my opinion.

 

[alprazolam]

Rooting your phone won't hurt you. You can try it, try different ROMs and settinsgs, and if you don't like it, you can go back to stock as quickly as you rooted. There are plenty of Sense ROMs and you may find, as I did, that you fall in love with Vanilla ROMs. I swore by Sense. In fact, there is even a file that Jcase created in which you root your current ROM without losing settings.

As long as you do a NAND backup each time that you get a new ROM set up, you can have an endless number of ROMs that you can jump back and forth between until you find what you like.

My final thoughts on root are this: there is no reason to debate about root anymore, since it's so absolutely simple to do and to undo.

 

[xliderider]

So what is the best backup tool to use pre-rooting? What's the potential for loss and what do I lose? I understand that Apps in and of themselves aren't really an issue.

Use the Backup Tool in Astro, it does not require root. It will backup the apps but not the data in the apps, like settings and your data.

 

[copestag]

titanium backup will backup EVERYTHING...... so what will you lose....... as mentioned earlier call history etc...... and youll have to put stuff back on your desktops.......... for me the only drag about switching roms is having to redo my desktops each switch

 

[Frisco]

To root, or not to root; that is the question.

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageously dismal signal strength,
Or to take arms against a sea of Verizon morons,
And by opposing end them?

To message, to make calls;
No more; and by a phone call to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand dropped calls
that the Eris seems prone to,

'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd.

To message, to call;
To get an answer on the other end, and to
have them hear me,
perchance to dream?

Ay, there's the rub;
For in that silent call of death
what clients may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil
without them hearing us,

This gives us pause:
there's the respect for a working phone
That makes calamity of so long life
For us who would bear the whips and scorns of HTC reps!

The carrier's wrong, the proud man's purchased enemy?

So, yes, to root!
..or not to root..

That is the question.

 

[surgeon0214]

To root, or not to root; that is the question.

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageously dismal signal strength,
Or to take arms against a sea of Verizon morons,
And by opposing end them?

To message, to make calls;
No more; and by a phone call to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand dropped calls
that the Eris seems prone to,

'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd.

To message, to call;
To get an answer on the other end, and to
have them hear me,
perchance to dream?

Ay, there's the rub;
For in that silent call of death
what clients may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil
without them hearing us,

This gives us pause:
there's the respect for a working phone
That makes calamity of so long life
For us who would bear the whips and scorns of HTC reps!

The carrier's wrong, the proud man's purchased enemy?

So, yes, to root!
..or not to root..

That is the question.

That. is. awesome.

 

[copestag]

Frisco is VERY bored

 

[Frisco]

Frisco is VERY bored

On the contrary, boredom causes inaction, lethargy and, finally, in its advanced stage, a sort of jealous projection.

 

[Rossco_Pee]

He must have thought that during those many months sitting on his rocking chair WITHOUT tasting Eclair....

 

[Frisco]

I'm sure most here know that I was having fun paraphrasing a portion of Shakespear's great act 3, scene 1 of Hamlet, the very famous, "To be or not to be" speech.

 

[n0ct3m]

I just rooted last night myself and I already love it. At first I tried following the instructions in the Stock to Root 2.1, but for some reason, every turn there was a nightmare. Finally I used the Universal Root for Dummies and was shocked at how easy and painless it was. I'm running the newest WW now and love it. A2SD is just an awesome feature. I'll spend days figuring out what else I can do now.

 

[mikey517]

Now that surge has taken the time to do that excellent step by step for us Mac users, I've been shopping for a ROM. I'm looking for the overclock, wifi tether, and 360 rotation. I've downloaded WHITE WIDOW and EVIL ERIS 3.0.

Then, I thought I read in another thread that you can root, but there is no need to flash a rom (I love that kinda talk!), and you can still overclock and have the wifi tether. Is that true??

 

[surgeon0214]

Now that surge has taken the time to do that excellent step by step for us Mac users, I've been shopping for a ROM. I'm looking for the overclock, wifi tether, and 360 rotation. I've downloaded WHITE WIDOW and EVIL ERIS 3.0.

Then, I thought I read in another thread that you can root, but there is no need to flash a rom (I love that kinda talk!), and you can still overclock and have the wifi tether. Is that true??

Both evil eris and kaos are roms that have all 3 of what you need

 

[surgeon0214]

And yes you can overclock and have wifi tether with a stock root rom