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Root Newbie - What is rooting and why should I do it?

I understand the wanting to remove Bing as the default search engine and getting rid of the bloatware, but those are just annoyances to me. Not something I'm willing to brick my SF over.

So, I'm asking, what exactly are you doing to the phone when you root it and are there any other advantages to rooting other than getting rid of annoyances?


Thanks in advance.

Cuda
 
I understand the wanting to remove Bing as the default search engine and getting rid of the bloatware, but those are just annoyances to me. Not something I'm willing to brick my SF over.

So, I'm asking, what exactly are you doing to the phone when you root it and are there any other advantages to rooting other than getting rid of annoyances?

Thanks in advance.

Cuda

Rooting is gaining permission / ability to have access to all of the things that the operating system has access to. This is done via a program called "su" (i.e., super-user). In conjunction with the su program is an app called SuperUser that helps you manage which applications you would like to give root/superuser permissions to.

One big thing is that you'll be able to install applications that you normally would not be able to. For example, drocap2 (screenshot saving app) or wi-fi tethering. Both of these apps require root access--i.e., special permission from the operating system (Android, in this case) in order to do things that are normally restricted.

Additionally, in some phones, you'll have the ability / option to overclock (although the O/S kenel must support this) to make the phone run faster Also, if the bootloader is not locked, you might be able to install custom ROMs (i.e., replace your operating system that might have features you desire).

Hope this helps. Cheers!
 
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Rooting is gaining permission / ability to have access to all of the things that the operating system has access to. This is done via a program called "su" (i.e., super-user). In conjunction with the su program is an app called SuperUser that helps you manage which applications you would like to give root/superuser permissions to.

One big thing is that you'll be able to install applications that you normally would not be able to. For example, drcap2 (screenshot saving app) or wi-fi tethering. Both of these apps require root access--i.e., special permission from the operating system (Android, in this case) in order to do things that are normally restricted.

Additionally, in some phones, you'll have the ability / option to overclock (although the O/S kenel must support this) to make the phone run faster Also, if the bootloader is not locked, you might be able to install custom ROMs (i.e., replace your operating system that might have features you desire).

Hope this helps. Cheers!


wtf is this drocap2 app about? i installed it and when i click start it just clicks off numbers...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and just keeps going.....and then theres no pictures of screenshots in my picture gallery afterwards. the shake option force closes the app......what a piece of junk!
 
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wtf is this drocap2 app about? i installed it and when i click start it just clicks off numbers...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and just keeps going.....and then theres no pictures of screenshots in my picture gallery afterwards. the shake option force closes the app......what a piece of junk!

Are you rooted? :thinking:

After you start it and see the numbers, switch to the screen / app you want to take a snapshot of and then (gently) do the shake.

drocap2 requires root access and I've had no problem with it on my Eris or my Droid X...
 
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wtf is this drocap2 app about? i installed it and when i click start it just clicks off numbers...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and just keeps going.....and then theres no pictures of screenshots in my picture gallery afterwards. the shake option force closes the app......what a piece of junk!

Assuming your device is rooted, apps for various rooted Android devices may not work on every model; some that work on Nexus One and Captivate won't work on Acclaim, Fascinate or Eris, etc.

That's why there is a trial period on many of the paid apps, so that an uninstall will signal Market and/or the seller to refund automatically.

We try them out, then we decide if they're useful to us. ;)
 
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Are you rooted? :thinking:

After you start it and see the numbers, switch to the screen / app you want to take a snapshot of and then (gently) do the shake.

drocap2 requires root access and I've had no problem with it on my Eris or my Droid X...

ah, i was using it wrong....it should really come with a little instruction....or something on the screen to prompt the user cause im sitting there watching the numbers waiting for something to happen and shaking the phone...and nothing is happening.........lol

you have to press the back button then navigate to the screen you want and shake your phone

thanks....they dont make that obvious
 
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Interesting info guys. I think Ijust want to remove crap off the phone and use Launch Pro, add google nav and search apps and that's it. I am pretty tech savy but still unsure about the root. I am running a stock D1 and pretty happy with Launcher Pro. I like the idea of rooting for the wifi tether without having to pay VZW that ridiculous monthly fee (much like my free Google text running stock Android). If I root, opinions please on what you guys run on rooted phones e.g LP or ADW or other. Xscope or Dolphin. I know many of these can run without being rooted. NE1 usng other systems?
 
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ah, i was using it wrong....it should really come with a little instruction....or something on the screen to prompt the user cause im sitting there watching the numbers waiting for something to happen and shaking the phone...and nothing is happening.........lol



thanks....they dont make that obvious

I prefer shootme
So do I. I grabbed drocap2 thinking it could capture frames from video which it does with mixed results. But for stills far and away ShootMe is my app of choice as well
 
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Also, if the bootloader is not locked, you might be able to install custom ROMs (i.e., replace your operating system that might have features you desire).

Hope this helps. Cheers!
Great answer.

ROMs. Good enough reason for me to root and it might be reason for you too. I'm really diggin' the MIUI ROM and looking forward to get it once it's ported over to the Fascinate. Now, I'm even more appreciative still that I chose the Fascinate as it has an unlocked bootloader. DX will probably be unlocked, I don't know, but it feels good to know right off that bat that the SF is already unlocked for stuff like this.

YouTube - MIUI ROM for Original Motorola DROID
 
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Great answer.

ROMs. Good enough reason for me to root and it might be reason for you too. I'm really diggin' the MIUI ROM and looking forward to get it once it's ported over to the Fascinate. Now, I'm even more appreciative still that I chose the Fascinate as it has an unlocked bootloader. DX will probably be unlocked, I don't know, but it feels good to know right off that bat that the SF is already unlocked for stuff like this.

YouTube - MIUI ROM for Original Motorola DROID

Quite a bit of the functionality and ease of use stuff comes stock with the Fascinate, and can also be added with launchers like launcher pro. Not quite as much or as in depth, however.

I like the lock screen for sure.
 
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I have been reading and reading and reading stuff on rooting for weeks and I still don't get it. I would really like to use the original Android 2.1 (and eventually 2.2) on my phone without the Samsung UI overlay. And, of course, I'd also like to get rid of the silly bloat ware whose very existence makes my skin crawl (it's so microsoft circa 1999). I have gathered from my reading that rooting will allow me to accomplish some, if not all, of these goals, and I understand that there are safety valves that will allow you to revert back to the version of the software that was on my phone when I opened the box. But what will my phone be running when I root it? If I want plain old 2.1 running on my phone, will it be the Google-written version, or a file that one of you genius developers out there created that just looks like 2.1? And if it is the latter, are these files the same thing as these ROMs that I'm reading about?
If you've read or written another piece that answers all of these questions, please feel free to send them my way rather than penning a long detailed response. Thanks.
 
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But what will my phone be running when I root it? If I want plain old 2.1 running on my phone, will it be the Google-written version, or a file that one of you genius developers out there created that just looks like 2.1?

If you just root it, your phone will still be running the same 2.1 that is currently on it - it's just you have access to everything now. One way to think of it is that currently you're using a PC running Windows under a general user account. You can still use the phone for most purposes, install third-party apps, browse parts of the file system (in Windows, stuff in Documents; in the phone, your SD card) and even install themes (phone: LauncherPro or ADW). However, you are still locked out of some areas of the deeper-down files.

BUT
once you root it, you are now the admin (in Linux/Android, called root), and have complete access to everything, like the stuff in system32. You can now tweak the lower-level stuff. Some apps on the phone like Wifi Tether and Titanium Backup require this access. It is worth noting that just like being a Windows Admin, being the root user does take a bit more responsibility. You wouldn't go into system32 and start randomly deleting/editing files, same with root. Although nothing stopping ya from taking a look around and figuring out what specific files do!

Also, if you need specific instructions on how to change the launcher (or as you called it, the overlay) and/or remove bloat, please feel free to ask. The apps LauncherPro and ADW (they do the same thing, and are free, so might as well try them both to see what you like) change the launcher's looks, without needing root. LauncherPro (and maybe ADW, I don't know) can even hide any apps - it doesn't remove them at all, just hides them in the Application list.

And if it is the latter, are these files the same thing as these ROMs that I'm reading about?

ROMs are a bit different, although they require root access to install them. They are basically an entire operating system for your phone. Just like there're four billion different flavors of Linux out there, there tends to be a lot of ROMs out for a phone. You can test them out and see what you like best. Although I think there's only a couple out for the Fascinate so far.

If I've missed something, or you have more questions, please feel free to ask!
 
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Interesting read, I am brand new to the smartphone thing as well as the android thing. I think I am going to get a little more comfortable with the whole idea before I take the plunge.

One question though, could I upgrade to the newer version of android before verizon decides to release it to the masses?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Interesting read, I am brand new to the smartphone thing as well as the android thing. I think I am going to get a little more comfortable with the whole idea before I take the plunge.

One question though, could I upgrade to the newer version of android before verizon decides to release it to the masses?

Thanks in advance.
Prudent. Once you get the hang of it its pretty easy but until you do just read and learn.
Bookmark this: Fascinate Android Development - xda-developers Its a educational as it gets.
Also yes, the xda dev's will likely push Froyo 2.2 out to us weeks before Verizon does
 
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