Root From the beginning please...

[nutech1.0]

HI, I am new here and if it is too soon for me to ask questions, I apologize but I am new to the andriod scene and was hoping to get a "for dummies" walk through for removing the bloatware from my Optimus M and just what is involved in rooting it. This is my first smartphone ( I have 0 interest in apple products ) so I may need a little hand holding but I am not a total noob.

Thanks in advance.

Nutech

 

[mike28]

Well I rooted mines back in December removed all the bloatware on it you need z4 root and root explorer to root. Now what version do you have? I rooted mines with 2.2 however it is still possible with 2.2.1 I just don't know the details since a friend help me on doing it but there are other links and instructions in this forum that can help you.

 

[cuttingedge110]

IF he's just posting it most likely he has 2.2.1.

If that is the case follow this EXACTLY!!! http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-all-things-root/279318-root-2-2-1-get-data-working.html

 

[cuttingedge110]

Also this is a good resource for novices. I wish that this were here when I first started
http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-...re-before-asking-mostly-noob-proof-guide.html

 

[reilus]

Just look at the sticky thread at the top of this forum. Your answers are there. Just be patient and ask specific questions if you need help.

 

[nutech1.0]

Well I rooted mines back in December removed all the bloatware on it you need z4 root and root explorer to root. Now what version do you have? I rooted mines with 2.2 however it is still possible with 2.2.1 I just don't know the details since a friend help me on doing it but there are other links and instructions in this forum that can help you.

I have had my phone since december. it has 2.2

 

[nutech1.0]

Also this is a good resource for novices. I wish that this were here when I first started
http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-...re-before-asking-mostly-noob-proof-guide.html

Thanks cuttingedge110 and everyone else... so all I need to do is follow these instructions to root my optimus m then I can remove the bloatware?

Thanks again.

 

[UKCatFan]

If you have 2.2, then rooting is extremely easy. Download z4root from the xda-developers.com website, install it, and run it. I suggest doing the permanent root because it can always be reversed. I have done it before myself. Be careful what you delete.

 

[nutech1.0]

If you have 2.2, then rooting is extremely easy. Download z4root from the xda-developers.com website, install it, and run it. I suggest doing the permanent root because it can always be reversed. I have done it before myself. Be careful what you delete.

Thank you, I will follow the recommended link and its list of safe to remove apps. this place is great!

 

[cuttingedge110]

I figured that you had 2.2.1 don't try to use the link that I mentioned it is far far easier to just follow the post reilus had posted and don't quote me on this but the steps on the link i posted might not even work for your phone, so verify which version you have by going Settings > about phone (at the bottom) and check which android version you have for sure. If it says 2.2 then find z4root. You will have to register for their website but it's free and another source of good information (not much on the optimus m yet though). If you don't want to register pm me and I will send you a copy of it. If not follow the post from above to the t. Some people say that they've had problems don't listen to them. It's all end user error. I can personally attest to it. I had 2.2.1. We have a great community here and if you have problems there is someone to help you.

 

[nutech1.0]

You are right cutiingedge110 This is an excellent place to get help and learn about all the things a person can do to root a phone as well as what else can be done with it once it is rooted. On other forums just the heading of this post would have invited all sorts of abuse from other members. But here all I got was help. Once I do this and I see what new options I have access to I will be looking around for referrals for apps that work well with my phone and take advantage of the rooted options to really personalize it. I have no doubt that when I do this I will get all the help I need and then some.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[cuttingedge110]

Just a couple of ones for ya

• Titanium Backup- It allows you to backup all of the system apps before you delete them or just freeze them. The paid version imo is worth it. It allows you to upload them to Dropbox so even if you screw up your phone you can still restore all of your apps and system data on a new phone
• Adfree- It modifies your hosts file to block almost all ads on your apps.
• OSMonitor- It allows you to see all of the processes on your phone and check things like battery temp, status, network interfaces and a bunch of other stuff. Word of caution though, don't let it stay running and start when the phone starts. It will drain your battery more because it's always checking the system for the status of those things
• Root explorer- Great app for accessing any files on your phone or memory card once you root. Very easy to use.

One that doesn't require root that I may suggest would be Juice Defender. It's well worth paying for the app but the free version is still quite functional. I find that using my phone a decent bit during the day I still have anywhere from 20-40+ percent batter left with the way i have it configured.

 

[nutech1.0]

When I follow the links reilus provided I try to download z4root only to have bit defender go crazy and block the download telling me it is a virus. this happens when ever I go anywhere to download it. can I trust the file? am I being tricked? should I shut off bit defender? Does z4root have any malicious intent built into it?

 

[nutech1.0]

I got it working. now I just need to figure out how to remove apps and the annoying metropcs intro as well as back up everything.

 

[Insanecrane]

One of the apps you may want to consider adding to the list of valuable ones is AndroZip file manager. You can use the free version or the paid from the Market.

As far as removing the bloatware, the link Reilus provided will get you off to a real good start as it has apps that are listed as safe to get rid of and not brick the phone.

We have an excellent community here and we are all here to help, all you need to do is ask. We all had to start somewhere, some of us have just been around tech stuff our entire lives.

 

[nutech1.0]

I have androzip as well as appmonster, app2sd, juice defender ultimate, and several others mentioned like lookout. the link from reilus is great but unless I am missing something it does not explain how to actually remove the bloatware. Do I do it from my computer or use the superuser functions? If I use the superuser functions What do I do? I have tried playing around with it but I can't do anything with it. ( I did the permanent root which was recommended by several people here in several different threads about my phone and froyo in general.) I guess I need a little more detail in what to do than others who arte more familiar with the platform might.

as always thanks for the help guys. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[Darnell0216]

The removable of bloat boils down to personal preference and comfortableness messing with your phone and it's software. These are done via the phone.
- Light: Using Titanium Backup Pro. You can freeze system and bloat apps you don't want to use or have cluttering your menus. You can always unfreeze them restoring their functionality, and if you need to Factory Reset, you're good to go. It can also backup APKs and their related data (settings, etc).
- Medium: Using several methods including Root Explorer, delete the apks for what you don't want. Do not use the uninstall function in TBP. Factory Reset will not restore deleted system apps/bloatware. They must be reinstalled first. Note that some system apps will not go back into the phone easily, requiring a bit more work.
- All In: Follow all steps of rooting, including the installation of Custom Recovery. You then perform a NAND backup and can go buck wild, to an extent of course. You can also try out any of the available 2.2 ROMs floating around here.

 

[Insanecrane]

Nut, if you still need or want more detailed instruction and help feel free to shoot me a pm or email and I will be glad to help.

I have a crazy work schedule but will do my best to get back to you asap.

 

[nutech1.0]

I installed root explorer and I still can not delete the bloatware. I go to system/app and click on files like boingo wi fi and get told that it can not be deleted because it is a read only file. What am I doing wrong? I need so more detailed assistance I guess... HELP!

Thanks again in advance guys.

 

[cuttingedge110]

In root explorer you have to click the mount r/w button. That makes it so the phone will let you write (or in this case un-write haha). It defaults to r/o which in case you couldn't guess is read only. Then once the directory is mounted as r/w then you can delete them and they will be gone.

I would however suggest that you do install a custom recovery and do a nand backup just in case like Darnell suggested. Either that or set up dropbox functionality and upload your backups to the cloud. If you don't have a dropbox account (free) and would like a little free extra storage let me know

 

[nutech1.0]

the custom recovery and nand back up just sound confusing to me when I read them. I was going to go without unless someone can take me through it in "baby steps" I am just so paranoid about bricking the phone I guess and want to be 100% sure of what I am doing.

 

[Insanecrane]

As I said Nut, I'm more than willing to help you out in "baby steps" to get you going and comfortable.

PM or email and we can set up a time when we are both free and I can take the time to help you with the Nand and so forth.

 

[nutech1.0]

Thank you insanecrane I may take you up on that offer but I have been doing some reading and I think I understand what to do. I am going to try a nand back up later tonight and if all goes well I will start deleting bloatware then. If I have any trouble I will email you.

As for donating, I will definitely do that when payday comes. this place is more than worth it.

 

[nutech1.0]

Okay, I have tried doing a nand back up by going doing the reboot and recovery routine. I have done it both manually (home/volume/power button combo) and by using rom manager. Every time I just get brought to an initial start up screen (the one you see the first time you start the phone.) and at that point the phone is essentially wiped clean. I have been able to get my stuff back but no matter what I do I can not get to do a complete system back up. so do I delete my bloatware anyway? I guess I will just have to freeze them.

 

[Darnell0216]

To do a NAND backup, you have to install Custom Recovery first. It is not part of the phone. If you're just doing factory resets, it's not installed. Go to the newbie guide thread and read through the steps necessary to put it on your phone .

PS: ROM Manager is known to brick this phone. DO NOT use it.