Need specific recommendations for me

[dpawl31]

Hey guys, I have NEVER rooted, and NEVER flashed a ROM obviously.

I really want to speed up the phone, mostly by removing sprint bloatware and saving some space.
I want to keep full functionality (like, not lose WIFI or something like that)
But it would be nice to gain some new features, like apps2sd or live wallpapers or custom lock screen etc.

Build # is 2.32.651.2
Firmware is 2.1 -update1

1) What method of rooting is best to this date and where do I get it?
2) What folders should I save on my SD card to backup my data?
3) What ROM would you recommend and where do I get it?
4) Do I lose my phone setup, ie phone #, have to call sprint etc?

Thanks for the help, it's much appreciated as I just don't have time to figure this all out working 80+ hours a week in this economy trying to keep a family business alive!

 

[LBPHeretic]

Hey guys, I have NEVER rooted, and NEVER flashed a ROM obviously.

I really want to speed up the phone, mostly by removing sprint bloatware and saving some space.
I want to keep full functionality (like, not lose WIFI or something like that)
But it would be nice to gain some new features, like apps2sd or live wallpapers or custom lock screen etc.

Build # is 2.32.651.2
Firmware is 2.1 -update1

1) What method of rooting is best to this date and where do I get it?
2) What folders should I save on my SD card to backup my data?
3) What ROM would you recommend and where do I get it?
4) Do I lose my phone setup, ie phone #, have to call sprint etc?

Thanks for the help, it's much appreciated as I just don't have time to figure this all out working 80+ hours a week in this economy trying to keep a family business alive!

I used Z4Root to root my Sprint HTC Hero. There are other methods that are tried and true like Universal Androot, and Super One-Click. If you want Z4Root it is available here: z4root.1.3.0.apk - 4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download .

I am not sure what data you want to backup. If you want to backup apps and data, you can root your Sprint HTC Hero and then back all of them up with Titanium Backup. Your contacts are automatically saved via your GMail account. Your pictures and MP3 songs are saved on your microSD card.

I would recommend an AOSP ROM to start out with. There are other ROMs like CyanogenMod and a very good Android 2.1 ROM like Liquid Sense 2.1 if you want to stay with the HTC Sense UI experience. I would recommend AOSP Android 2.2 version 9.9.2 to start with because it is stable and that is available here: http://androidforums.com/sprint-her...d-v0-9-9-2-aosp-2-2-1-froyo-12-10-2010-a.html .

You do not lose any setup with Sprint. You keep your phone number and do not need to call Sprint at all. You can reinstall the Sprint Visual Voicemail app on custom ROMs and use that. I recommend switching to Google Voice for voicemail if you plan on switching ROMs more often as it involves less fuss.

 

[dpawl31]

Soooo I just flashed to AOSP 2.2 as was recommended to me as a first ROM.

Seems to run great, and am in the middle of flashing gapps.

My home button does not function at all!
How can I get this to work? I use it ALL the time...

 

[dpawl31]

Nevermind, google apps flashed and it's working again!

 

[dpawl31]

Thank you very much, it's taken me since you posted to get rooted and flashed, ADB was not working because of adb move to platform tools, which didn't exist in the sdk I had, so stupid.

Anyway, I z4root like you said, first time didn't work, sencond time thought it did, third time worked, ironically I verified it with Universal Androot lol, which also seems to work well. Then I installed clockworkmod via rom manager. The need to install a 'recovery' tool eluded me till today, then I finally figured it out.

That was what took me so long!

Also, lost HOME button and all google apps and market, realized I needed to get GApps from the cyanogenmod website, (at least that's where I found it) and low-and-behold, home button came back!

Thanks again.
Live wallpaper and app2sd is amazing. So far, only limited live wallpapers work, but having apps2sd work and everything being so smooth is making me VERY happy in pants! lol.

 

[DonB]

Glad your rooted now, but if you would of simply come to the all things rooted and posted your issues we would of had you resolved in minutes, that is where you post your issues from now on, also AOSP has a Gingerbread Rom that is out now and really kool, when ready and if you have any other questions don't take so long to ask, that is what we are here for. saves a lot of time.

Thank you very much, it's taken me since you posted to get rooted and flashed, ADB was not working because of adb move to platform tools, which didn't exist in the sdk I had, so stupid.

Anyway, I z4root like you said, first time didn't work, sencond time thought it did, third time worked, ironically I verified it with Universal Androot lol, which also seems to work well. Then I installed clockworkmod via rom manager. The need to install a 'recovery' tool eluded me till today, then I finally figured it out.

That was what took me so long!

Also, lost HOME button and all google apps and market, realized I needed to get GApps from the cyanogenmod website, (at least that's where I found it) and low-and-behold, home button came back!

Thanks again.
Live wallpaper and app2sd is amazing. So far, only limited live wallpapers work, but having apps2sd work and everything being so smooth is making me VERY happy in pants! lol.

 

[DonB]

I would also post in the all things rooted section from now on that you are rooted, some of us rooted peeps don't always check this section, glad you got it working

Nevermind, google apps flashed and it's working again!