Root To Root, or not to root

[JagsFan]

I have been looking into rooting my Charge. I am pretty well rounded when it comes to things like this and can normally figure things out. My only concern is I JUST bought the phone, and can't afford $700 for a new one if i brick. Not only that, I don't even have a back up phone. I just downloaded Go Launcher and I'm extremely pleased with that. So my question is, right now I'm happy with the customization of Go Launcher, what more will rooting do for me? (as far as personalization).

Sorry for what some may consider a dumb question.

 

[Kelmar]

No such thing as a dumb question!


Different people have different reasons for rooting. Nothing wrong with rooting or NOT rooting (if that's what you desire).

• Rooting voids your warranty
• It gives you admin access to your phone
• It allows you to remove the preloaded bloatware (carrier/manufacturer applications)
• Allows you to install customized versions of android
• Gives you the option to block ads in apps/browser
• Can allow you to speed up your phone
• Can result in a "brick" and a useless $700 device
• Can allow you to theme your phone further to your liking.
• ...

Personally, I wouldn't be able to use another android phone without having root access. That being said, I STRONGLY urge you to read EVERYTHING you can about rooting before jumping into it. Yes, rooting is awesome, but it can also be VERY frustrating if you mess something up and aren't sure how to fix it.


Read, read, read and read some more. ASK questions and read again!

 

[iClark]

I agree with Kelmar, rooting is awesome. I just got the Charge and have not rooted it yet. When I rooted my Fascinate, it was like I was using a brand new phone.

But, I am looking for a step by step guide for rooting the Charge. I have read it is a little different and I do not want to mess anything up. Any links would be appreciated.

 

[haza12d]

I followed the guide below to get my phone rooted. You will have root and have Voodoo LagFix Enabled as well as the fix for the "Read-Only SD Card Issue" that some people experience from the EE4 update.

Step-By-Step Guide

How to use Odin

How to use CWM

There are also some people that are having issues with compatibility with certain apps after upgrading to EE4. This guide helps you to fix it. It can be done on a Stock or Custom ROM, but you do need Root Access.

Market Fix

 

[addictedtocars]

For me I felt I had to root. With all the damn clutter and bloat VZ puts on the DC with no way to remove it. I did basic EE4 root. I pre-created a voodoo directory with the disable_lagfix file in it. I wanted basic root nothing more. I then used Titanium Backup to freeze all the crap. Once I'm sure I like the way the phone is I will let Titanium uninstall the crap as well. I use Go Launcher and Dolphon HD browser which those 2 alone transform the phone. There is even a Touchwiz Theme for Go Launcher if you liek the look of TW. At some point I'd love to find a stock kernel (not the ROM) that I can even unroot the phone so I will feel comfortable with future OTA updates not screwing up the phone. My main goal was remove the bloat/crap only.

 

[haza12d]

For me I felt I had to root. With all the damn clutter and bloat VZ puts on the DC with no way to remove it. I did basic EE4 root. I pre-created a voodoo directory with the disable_lagfix file in it. I wanted basic root nothing more. I then used Titanium Backup to freeze all the crap. Once I'm sure I like the way the phone is I will let Titanium uninstall the crap as well. I use Go Launcher and Dolphon HD browser which those 2 alone transform the phone. There is even a Touchwiz Theme for Go Launcher if you liek the look of TW. At some point I'd love to find a stock kernel (not the ROM) that I can even unroot the phone so I will feel comfortable with future OTA updates not screwing up the phone. My main goal was remove the bloat/crap only.

Which apps did you freeze using TB? Any issues at all when you did so? I want to pull the trigger on Titanium Backup but I'm afraid that if I might screw things up when I start freezing stuff. If you could give me a list that works for you, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[twistedlim]

Really rooting is not for everyone. The phone does fine by itself. That said the link I posted to the Darkside Rom/Root/Lagfix is pretty easy if you have ever SBF'd a phone before. If not, it can be a little intimidating especially if you do not understand the lingo.
I am running the rom as is. It is pretty much stripped of any bloat that I can see. I did freeze news and weather but that was pretty much it. I always freeze apps as opposed to deleting them just in case I want them back or I find a hicup in the system.
My quadrant scores (not that they mean that much) with the lag fix enabled now run in the mid 1650's not overclocked but just running at 1000. This is pretty much refected in the operation of the phone. No hesitation now whatsoever.

 

[addictedtocars]

Which apps did you freeze using TB? Any issues at all when you did so? I want to pull the trigger on Titanium Backup but I'm afraid that if I might screw things up when I start freezing stuff. If you could give me a list that works for you, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

I bricked my first phone due to my stupidity. I had formatted the SD Card which had the voodoo disable and then did a factory wipe reset, well the reboot reformatted the phone to EXT4 and the factory wipe hung on it. No problem brought phone back to Costco and started over.

I have Frozen Media Hub, VZ Navigator, All Share, Rhapsody, City ID, Kindle, Bitbop, Blockbuster, Daily Briefing, IM, Let's Golf Rock Band, VCAST Media Manager, VVMService (I belvieve this is visual voice mail). All seems fine will likely delete all of them in a day or so. I really want to get ride of Locator, but that appears to be harder to get rid of since it is Google's.

 

[haza12d]

So if I'm gonna do a factory reset, should I disable lagfix first then to the reset?

 

[addictedtocars]

So if I'm gonna do a factory reset, should I disable lagfix first then to the reset?

You should disable the voodoo lagfix and flash stock rom back.

 

[twistedlim]

You should disable the voodoo lagfix and flash stock rom back.

Yes. Whenever you change kernels you should disable voodo and clear delvik cache.
You really should not have to if the kernel has voodoo, but I like to be on the safe side.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

I think the most beneficial effect to rooting is the ability to get better battery life. Being able to use SetCPU to underclock the processor when the screen is off might be what ensures you can make it all day.

One thing that has always been important to me and was the ultimate factor I went to the Droid (and Android as a whole) was the fact that I can make it truly my phone. I love being able to customize a phone to my personality. Being able to change wallpapers and ringtones is great, but being able to change the phone's overall theme? Fantastic!

 

[quantim0]

I think the most beneficial effect to rooting is the ability to get better battery life. Being able to use SetCPU to underclock the processor when the screen is off might be what ensures you can make it all day.

One thing that has always been important to me and was the ultimate factor I went to the Droid (and Android as a whole) was the fact that I can make it truly my phone. I love being able to customize a phone to my personality. Being able to change wallpapers and ringtones is great, but being able to change the phone's overall theme? Fantastic!

So can you use SetCPU profiles or do you have to manually move the max speed slider when you know the phone is going to be idling for a while?

 

[milkshed27]

For me I felt I had to root. With all the damn clutter and bloat VZ puts on the DC with no way to remove it. I did basic EE4 root. I pre-created a voodoo directory with the disable_lagfix file in it. I wanted basic root nothing more. I then used Titanium Backup to freeze all the crap. Once I'm sure I like the way the phone is I will let Titanium uninstall the crap as well. I use Go Launcher and Dolphon HD browser which those 2 alone transform the phone. There is even a Touchwiz Theme for Go Launcher if you liek the look of TW. At some point I'd love to find a stock kernel (not the ROM) that I can even unroot the phone so I will feel comfortable with future OTA updates not screwing up the phone. My main goal was remove the bloat/crap only.

Forgive me If I'm misunderstanding you but if what you need is a non-voodoo kernel you can find one here [KERNEL][06-02-11] PeanutButta Jelly Time - xda-developers

With this kernel there would be no need to have a disable lagfix folder allowing you basic root as you wanted.

 

[addictedtocars]

Forgive me If I'm misunderstanding you but if what you need is a non-voodoo kernel you can find one here [KERNEL][06-02-11] PeanutButta Jelly Time - xda-developers

With this kernel there would be no need to have a disable lagfix folder allowing you basic root as you wanted.

Thansk I have been looking this over, but it seems to be more than just rooted kernel, seems there are several "tweaks" which appreciate, but not sure I am wanting that just yet. I may try it though.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

So can you use SetCPU profiles or do you have to manually move the max speed slider when you know the phone is going to be idling for a while?

You go into profiles and set them in there. Select Add Profile. The first option is Profile. Select Screen Off. Set the min and max all the way down (this is usually 250000, some kernels will go down to 125000, but it could cause a slight lag when waking the phone). Your Scaling should be whatever you have the kernel set on normally (interactive, ondemand, etc..). Priority I always leave at 50 as this tends to be the only profile I use. After that, save it. It'll take you back to the Profiles tab. Make sure you check Enable. After that, you should be good to go. Whenever your screen is off it'll underclock. When you wake the screen up again, it'll be at whatever you have it set at.

 

[quantim0]

Great. Thanks.

I had read in passing these phones don't like the profiles. I used the profiles on my evo and that's how I got great battery life.

 

[quantim0]

Great. Thanks.

I had read in passing these phones don't like the profiles. I used the profiles on my evo and that's how I got great battery life.

So I couldn't use a screen off profile without my phone rebooting every few minutes. Even throttling the slider back to 400 mhz caused reboots. I'm going to try a different kernel today to see if that changes anything.

FYI, running GummyCharged 1.8.1 with the kernel that came with it.

 

[blacksapphirez]

man I'm going to need a CLEAR instructions on how to do this...

what all do I need to download and in what order??? and what does all that do?(descriptions) I'm unfamiliar with the terms and it's screwing with my head!!

this is not like the old days...I used to root old CDMA phones from AT&T (motorola Razr) but then again it has been about 6yrs since I did that so lol