So Freaking tempted

[tschecter]

I had a whole post written, and my computer ate it. maybe better off.

Anyway- someone convince me either TO ROOT or NOT TO ROOT.

I am really tempted, as I see everyone saying their rooted phones (with voodoo etc) are going much speedier... plus then there's the more cosmetic stuff like changing the boot screen... (totally a minor thing, I want the speed)

But, I am intimidated by 2 things- first, my sister (not a true techy by any means, but she worked for 2 years for sprint on tech support first line and heard no end of horror stories) is adamant that rooting is actually the root of all evil (pun intended). second, I KNOW that there are many things that can go wrong with the wrong setting... and I am a bit nervous about hitting the wrong setting on something...

so... somebody- convince away.

I am, by the way, a bit techy, but not sure if I fall in the "knows enough to be dangerous" category or the "knows enough to know WHAT is dangerous" category just yet.

 

[Frisco]

Several weeks ago I rooted my Fascinate just days after purchasing it. I was happy to once again (having rooted my previous Eris) remove the kiddie apps and other junk/compost/crappola and tweak things to my liking.

However, I noticed not one bit of performance advantage over my stock Fascinate, which is very fast, even with live wallpapers running, etc.

I unrooted and ran it for two weeks that way, then rooted again and came to the same conclusions.

For this device, with it's great processor and graphics handling, it is my opinion that rooting is over rated.

Ymmv.

 

[saps]

Well as Frisco says there is no disadvantage to rooting. The advantages are basically being able what you want to do with your SF the way you wanna do it. Certains apps require root. If you wanna improve your filesystem's speed with voodooEXT4 you need root, Overclock and or undervolt the cpu you need root. ClockworkMod which is required for flashing most of these ROM's, zips and kernels needs root. And of course removing the bloatware requires root. Honestly, arguably the most impactful change I made to my SF was to give get of TouchWiz launcher and of course that requires root too.
For me and the way I use my SF root is beyond mandatory. It in and of itself root does nothing for performance. But being rooted unlocks the door to all the goodies mentioned above, which have a massive effect on performance.

 

[nitsuj17]

yeah, you dont *need* to root with how fast phones are these days to make up for serious performance issues that you might have seen on a droid eris or something, but to me android=root.

i cant fathom not immediately rooting my device. we pay hundreds of dollars for these things are for verizon to say "hey enjoy this crap you can't uninstall" well no thanks.

i usually recommend rooting to everyone with an android device (and have rooted a few at work ) but caution is obviously the word when rooting. dont do something you dont understand.

if you're happy with your phone great. in my case i need overclock, crapware removal, custom status bars/full themes, roms, free tether, no ads, lagfixes...etc, etc.

it seems like a lot of time that many of devote even to the most minor of things (and many non-root people spend plenty of time making some awesome homescreens, icons, docks etc ) but to me the phone isnt just a phone/browser but entertainment as well. if i wasnt spending hours talking about/modding my phone id be doing something else along those lines.

 

[Moonfire]

I believe by knowing that you can royally screw up puts you in the second category, and you're plenty capable of avoiding it. Reading up on everything you're doing and asking questions, and your chance decreases even more.

Reasons to Root:

Spoiler

- [In reference to the screenshot] Note two things I really love: First, the battery percentage meter. It requires no outside apps, and therefore no extra processing/battery power to run. Second, it's currently overclocked to 1.2GHz, and I love it. I know there are higher frequencies coming out, but I'm waiting for them to be tested more before flashing a new one.

- Titanium Backup: One of my favorite apps. Backs up any and all apps, system data (preferences and such), and has the ability to Freeze apps. Essentially uninstalling them, but you're able to thaw them out so you can get OTA updates, or if something gets messed up.

- Wireless Tether: Yes, there are some apps out there that don't require root, but I like this one better. Granted, I haven't really had a chance to use it (almost did last week when the power went down, but the dang thing came back five minutes before I got home from work), but still.

In my opinion, TB, OCing, and the battery stat make it worth it. Also, I would bet a good amount of money that the ROM community will see Froyo before those that wait for OTA will.

 

[nitsuj17]

good use of illustration when making a point mf

 

[Moonfire]

good use of illustration when making a point mf

Sure, let's go with that! And definitely not because I'm starting to catch ShootMeitis from saps.

But thank you, lol.

 

[Deleted User]

Rooting the Fascinate was a fairly straightforward process, and really simple. Voodoo was a bit more in depth, but not hard if you pay attention to detail.

My number one reason for rooting was to get rid of the crap apps bundled with the phone. It annoys me beyond reason to have things on my phone that I don't want and can't get rid of. The overclocking was just a bonus.

My old Eris was rooted so I could put a Froyo ROM on it. When Froyo ROMs start coming out for the Fascinate, I'll consider it essential to have root.

For information purposes, my tech level is about 7 out of 10... I build and repair computers and (used to) train people to use them, but I don't code at all.

 

[Kabob]

Why not?

 

[saps]

Sure, let's go with that! And definitely not because I'm starting to catch ShootMeitis from saps.

But thank you, lol.

Two questions for ya:
1]How do you hide the pic?
2]Why you running 200Mhz for your min?

 

[saps]

When Froyo ROMs start coming out for the Fascinate, I'll consider it essential to have root.

Truer words have never been spoken

 

[Moonfire]

Two questions for ya:
1]How do you hide the pic?
2]Why you running 200Mhz for your min?

1) Put hide and /hide in brackets before and after the image tags. (I always just copy/paste the image url into img /img brackets instead of using the buttons.)

2) I had it set to 100ms, but it was freezing or having a major delay when I woke the phone up and, say, scrolled through homescreen pages. I'd probably turn it down if I was trying to stretch the battery, but not really an issue for me lol. Heck, I remembered earlier today that I accidentally left it set to 1200/1200ms for half a day - didn't notice battery-wise!

 

[saps]

1) Put hide and /hide in brackets before and after the image tags. (I always just copy/paste the image url into img /img brackets instead of using the buttons.)

2) I had it set to 100ms, but it was freezing or having a major delay when I woke the phone up and, say, scrolled through homescreen pages. I'd probably turn it down if I was trying to stretch the battery, but not really an issue for me lol. Heck, I remembered earlier today that I accidentally left it set to 1200/1200ms for half a day - didn't notice battery-wise!

Spoiler

I see which kernel are you using?

 

[NOsquid]

I do the same but I have 100-800 "screen off" profile

For me I can't even remember if I noticed lag on opening or not, or if it was a widget that caused the lag, or whatever. Just playing with my phone

 

[saps]

I missed that there is a new version of setcpu out today getting it right now.

 

[tschecter]

For information purposes, my tech level is about 7 out of 10... I build and repair computers and (used to) train people to use them, but I don't code at all.

this is a really good way to decribe techiness, I like it. I could not think of a way to explain... but this is pretty much where I am (though I have only done basic repairs and have not built a computer from scratch- and I don't code code, but I do code web pages.... or at least, my own, lol... just enough to know how to serach and find out what something means if I don't know.


And thank you all for the answrs.

To me- when I think of rooting, I am automatically thinking of voodoo with it and yes, the talk of Froyo roms when they come out is a part of it too. bloatware also is a serious consideration- I would love to get rid of the junk.

you know what is a little ironic? My husband is the official tech guy in my house... he has a bs in computer science, and is in IT for a job. BUT, I am the one with the high tech phone- he is a dumbphone flip phone- and does not have any interest in a higher tech one- and does not see why I would want to have one, or why I would want to improve it even further. heh... I think even though he has a degree in being techy (programming to be exact, even though ie is in IT now) I may be the techier person at home.

 

[saps]

this is a really good way to decribe techiness, I like it. I could not think of a way to explain... but this is pretty much where I am (though I have only done basic repairs and have not built a computer from scratch- and I don't code code, but I do code web pages.... or at least, my own, lol... just enough to know how to serach and find out what something means if I don't know.


And thank you all for the answrs.

To me- when I think of rooting, I am automatically thinking of voodoo with it and yes, the talk of Froyo roms when they come out is a part of it too. bloatware also is a serious consideration- I would love to get rid of the junk.

you know what is a little ironic? My husband is the official tech guy in my house... he has a bs in computer science, and is in IT for a job. BUT, I am the one with the high tech phone- he is a dumbphone flip phone- and does not have any interest in a higher tech one- and does not see why I would want to have one, or why I would want to improve it even further. heh... I think even though he has a degree in being techy (programming to be exact, even though ie is in IT now) I may be the techier person at home.

Yeah sometimes you just need to get away from the grind. Its like a chef who doesnt like to cook when he/she gets home. You need to unplug sometimes.

ts just remember rooting is like walking into the house. voodoo is a room, kernels are another, unbloating is another, ROMs yet another. So you dont per se have to rush out and do it all at once. You can go at a pace comfortable for you. Unbloating might be the best place to start quite frankly

 

[II Kings 9:20]

Is there a place for Root For Dummies. WTH is overclocking and bootloader? I too would like to get rid of the VZW crap but I like TouchWhiz and love the phone stock (except for the VZW crap). Since I don't hve that junk on any screens I really don't know that it is there so who cares if there is stuff I neither want nor need- I downloaded a few apps like that on my own.

 

[saps]

Is there a place for Root For Dummies. WTH is overclocking and bootloader? I too would like to get rid of the VZW crap but I like TouchWhiz and love the phone stock (except for the VZW crap). Since I don't hve that junk on any screens I really don't know that it is there so who cares if there is stuff I neither want nor need- I downloaded a few apps like that on my own.

Doesn't get better than this. Its a lot of links to click and a lot of reading but its truly all there
http://androidforums.com/samsung-fa...-13-october-2010-4-07am-central-u-s-time.html

 

[II Kings 9:20]

Thanks for the links Saps- I am still waiting for 2.2 before rooting, I'll likely stick with stock. Were we talking putting a Borla exhaust on my Alfa then I would be all over it. My only issue with this phone is that the Nav volume is too low. To my suprise, the Nav seems to work quite well.

 

[saps]

Thanks for the links Saps- I am still waiting for 2.2 before rooting, I'll likely stick with stock. Were we talking putting a Borla exhaust on my Alfa then I would be all over it. My only issue with this phone is that the Nav volume is too low. To my suprise, the Nav seems to work quite well.

And honestly thats a fine call. Really, we're talking about probably only a few more weeks waiting for Froyo and then let the magic begin, Our SF probably wont see 2.3 Gingerbread for at least 6-9 months given the time it took for us to get Froyo so there should be some stability there with that

 

[Bob-o]

I have a question for you rooters out there. I found on the market an app called GST(Galaxy S Tweaker) and was wondering if anyone has seen or used this? I have my first smart phone, and I too, am hesitant about rooting it. I have HORRIBLE battery life. 100% at 6 am to 50% at 11 am. I herd rooting helps with battery life. I dont want to flash or anything else. I just want to "freeze" the crap I dont want or use. Also do I have to unroot to get the 2.2 ota update? Should I just wait until it comes out and then root? Does the GST app really work and do what it says by rooting your phone from an app? Thanks in advance!

Bob

 

[nitsuj17]

I have a question for you rooters out there. I found on the market an app called GST(Galaxy S Tweaker) and was wondering if anyone has seen or used this? I have my first smart phone, and I too, am hesitant about rooting it. I have HORRIBLE battery life. 100% at 6 am to 50% at 11 am. I herd rooting helps with battery life. I dont want to flash or anything else. I just want to "freeze" the crap I dont want or use. Also do I have to unroot to get the 2.2 ota update? Should I just wait until it comes out and then root? Does the GST app really work and do what it says by rooting your phone from an app? Thanks in advance!

Bob

dont use the galaxy s tweaker....i read on xda a few fascinate users have issues with it. it cannot root your fascinate, there is no non-computer root method for us (and im anti-phone only 1 click roots, but thats me)

fyi most things made for the galaxy s dont apply to us. when they say galaxy s they usually mean the i-9000 thats sold several million copies (more than all 4 us carriers versions combined)

if you just started using your phone in the last 2 days, dont worry battery life gets better. for whatever reason (and im not getting into why batterys do what) it take a few charge cycles to break in. you should get a full days use out of the fascinate...it has great battery life...hang in there

rooting in and of itself is not difficult and poses little risk
How to Root - Android Forums

its in the modding of the phone you have issues. tis better to freeze apps then delete them entirely. titanium backup in the market does this. (i believe you have to buy the full version to freeze apps)

 

[Bob-o]

Which samsung driver do i want? 32 or 64 bit?

Will I have to unroot to get the ota 2.2 update as well?

 

[nitsuj17]

Which samsung driver do i want? 32 or 64 bit?

Will I have to unroot to get the ota 2.2 update as well?

depends what computer you have 32 bit or 64. if right clicking on my computer doesnt say it, go into C: drive and look at program files. if you have 2 sets, 1 of which labeled Program Files (x86) then you are 64 bit.

you *shouldnt* have to unroot to pull the 2.2 ota (like 99% of the time) however if you freeze apps with titanium backup you must restore them. dont delete and vzw apps or you will definitely not pull the ota.