Root What can ROMs and Kernels do for me?

[Chongman]

I'm pretty knowledgeable with computers and technology.
I recently got my captivate and I'm pretty impressed, I was going to get the iPhone 4 but I figured that an Android phone would serve me better. and apparently the captivate was the best Android phone that Rogers had to offer.

So really, I am not totally impressed with it. don't get me wrong, it's a great phone, I think the app store is lacking though to be honest, maybe lacking isn't the right term, but the layout isn't very impressive. Everything just isn't quite as smooth or functional as the iPhone mighta been.

But, If I root, What great things can I do with kernels and ROMs?

 

[Jack45]

What great things can I do with kernels and ROMs?

Free yourself from Samsung's indifference to its users while experiencing speed, stability, rapid attention to fixes (if needed), periodic improvements, and first-class, custom ROM-specific support.

Other than that...not much.

 

[Chongman]

Free yourself from Samsung's indifference to its users while experiencing speed, stability, rapid attention to fixes (if needed), periodic improvements, and first-class, custom ROM-specific support.

Other than that...not much.

so lemme get this straight.
Basically fixes for any problems or bugs with the device?

 

[Jack45]

so lemme get this straight.
Basically fixes for any problems or bugs with the device?

Basically, yes. Except for GPS. No fix for GPS. Only tweaks.

 

[pac0naut]

Free yourself from Samsung's indifference to its users while experiencing speed, stability, rapid attention to fixes (if needed), periodic improvements, and first-class, custom ROM-specific support.

Other than that...not much.

Bingo!!!!!

 

[Mide]

Yup the Captivate sucks without a custom ROM. I recommend Cog or Serendipity. Makes everything better except GPS.

 

[irungood]

Yup the Captivate sucks without a custom ROM. I recommend Cog or Serendipity. Makes everything better except GPS.

I was on stock froyo for the last month and just flashed to serendipity 6.3 last night. It was probably the best decision I made for my phone. My phone is much faster, cleaner (no bloatware!), my phone doesnt randomly shut off anymore and just looks darn cool. Hell, even my gps locks on much faster. OP, flashing would be the best thing as stock got nothing on custom roms from what I see.

 

[jetpuck73]

+1 ^

 

[CrimsonPride]

There was a thread on xda by the same guy, he flashed a new rom, i believe it was serendipity but im not really sure. anyway got alittle too ambitious too soon and tried a kernel and bricked it. i havent been back over to check what happened but just advice for any real newbies, take it slow. you need to read a bit before getting to confident

 

[xxbrysonxx]

... just advice for any real newbies, take it slow. you need to read a bit before getting to confident

couldn't agree more. it's overwhelming at first trying to filter through the sheer magnitude of threads at XDA, but once you do you'll be pleasantly surprised with what you can do with the captivate.

 

[TubaMeister]

When you flash a new ROM, does it wipe out everything currently on the phone?

 

[Sharpes]

When you flash a new ROM, does it wipe out everything currently on the phone?

Yup. That's when you use Titanium Backup so you can just restore all your apps onto your new ROM.

 

[CrimsonPride]

Yup. That's when you use Titanium Backup so you can just restore all your apps onto your new ROM.

well it doesnt wipe your music and pictures and stuff unless you do a "master clear" or a factory reset. they do wipe your apps and stuff and thats why you need tibu

 

[Sarius24]

Im wondering weather to wait for gingerbread or root now because of this thread.

 

[chicknlil]

If you're planning on waiting for Gingerbread, you'll be waiting for awhile.

This phone was released in July, and JUST got Froyo (in the US) last month. There's been no indication whatsoever that Gingerbread is coming on this phone.

If you're looking to root because you want to try custom ROMs...just read up first. The process is generally straight forward, but it CAN screw up and you need to know how to handle it when it does.

 

[JayFReaZy]

I've had my captivate since the end of October and recently started having issues with the I/O file writing system. The phone would constantly "freeze" for a few seconds which I found extremely annoying. Finally, this past Sunday I couldn't take it anymore and decided to flash to a custom rom (Serendipity 6.3). I didn't care if I screwed up my phone since I figured it was screwed up anyway. To my surprise flashing to a custom ROM wasn't all that difficult. I just followed the directions step by step on mobile tech videos website and after about an hour my ROM was installed!

Honestly, it feels like I have a new phone. I saw a thread the other day on how some people felt that these "custom ROMS" aren't all that different from stock froyo and not worth the trouble of flashing. Wow, I couldn't disagree more. Web pages load up EXTREMELY fast, my twidroyd app used to take a while updating tweets when I haven't refreshed it for a few hours. Now, literally in the blink of an eye it updates quick and smooth with no stutters. Lastly, one of the biggest reasons for updating is it unlocks HSDPA. I didn't even know this until Sunday. After I flashed I kept seeing an "H" instead of 3G everywhere I went. Decided to run a speed test and was consistently getting anywhere between 1.6-2.7 down and 800-1.7 up. I live in NYC and with 3G I was lucky if I'd break 700-800 down. If you have the time I STRONGLY suggest you flash, it literally gives your phone an entirely new feel. I wish I would've done this months ago. Plus it fixed my I/O file system writing problems. Phone doesn't freeze up and all is great!

 

[jpovis]

I've become addicted to flashing. Bought my phone in August 2010, and didn't find these forums until late November. That's when I started researching (here and XDA Developers) the ROMs and how to flash them, and I finally did it the first weekend in January. I have probably flashed 20 times since then...lol! Started with Cognition, then Serendipity, Phoenix, Andromeda, Paragon RC6 is probably the fastest, and am now using Supernova 4.0, and it's pretty awesome.
It's kind of like rebuilding a PC hard drive to the way you want it.

 

[sremick]

When you flash a new ROM, does it wipe out everything currently on the phone?

It's always important to have a good backup scheme in-place before flashing custom ROMs or really even if you aren't. There's always the chance something else could happen to your phone, including loss/theft.

Backup - CapFAQ

 

[BEARFIST]

I vouch for serendipity.
pre-ROM quadrant score - 890
Serendipity flash quadrant score - 1650
yup, my phone is tits now.

 

[bishop92t]

I also vouch for serendipity. I bought my captivate the day they came out. I read about custom roms for months but I kept holding out for the official froyo. A couple weeks after the official froyo finally came out I realized it didn't fix anything, not one problem. I did a day of research and decided serendipity fit me best, flashed it and WOW what a difference! No more stutter, boots super fast, gps actually works, market doesn't take 5 minutes to load. Its basically a new phone and I wish I had done it earlier!

 

[jpovis]

There's alot of great ROMS out there. I've used Serendipity, Cognition, Phoenix, and Paragon. Paragon, for me, has been the fastest, most stable, and seems to have the best GPS.
Then again, I re-flash a new ROM once every couple of weeks, just to see what's out there. I keep coming back to Paragon.

 

[sremick]

I vouch for serendipity.
pre-ROM quadrant score - 890
Serendipity flash quadrant score - 1650
yup, my phone is tits now.

Except that Quadrant scores are virtually meaningless as a benchmark.

 

[4N6science]

If you're planning on waiting for Gingerbread, you'll be waiting for awhile.

This phone was released in July, and JUST got Froyo (in the US) last month. There's been no indication whatsoever that Gingerbread is coming on this phone.

If you're looking to root because you want to try custom ROMs...just read up first. The process is generally straight forward, but it CAN screw up and you need to know how to handle it when it does.

I have a couple of questions. I've seen you post around here a lot and I've found you to be very knowledgeable. First, how is Phoenix as a rom? I was thinking of flashing it this weekend just to try another custom rom. I'm currently on cognition v.4.3.1. (my first custom rom).

My other question is, how do you go about changing the kernal and modem and what exactly does that mean (Kernal and modem)?

Thanks so much!