Root Root / ROM Steps

[Sailing_Nut]

I'm a n00b looking at rooting and flashing a custom ROM. I've been reading up on things here and wanted to validate the steps I think need to be performed in order to root and flash a custom ROM.


1. Use Revolutionary to get S-OFF (This installs a custom recovery?)
2. Install the superuser file to get root
3. Perform nandroid backup (as a precaution)
4. Use Titanuim backup to backup applications (if you want to save installed apps & settings)
5. Flash custom ROM (need to clear dada, cache and dalvik cache first?)
6. Restore apps and app data with Titanium Backup

I have seen information about Clockwork recovery mod, but not sure where that would fit into my steps above.


TIA! Want to avoid any panicked posts here by screwing things up. (Also want to avoid loosing my apps and most importantly my app data!)

 

[Turdbogls]

while i did the rooting the old fashioned way and havent looking into revolutionary, this is steps in order. you are pretty much spot on though.

root with revolutionary, this should install the SU app and give s-off
download titanium backup and ROM manager
open ROM manager and choose the top option, this installs Clockwork recovery
i would then use ROM manager to "reboot recovery"
use volume up/down to navigate CWM menu, home button to select
navigate to backup/restore, choose backup and let it work its magic
once finished, reboot
once booted, open titanium, hit menu, batch, choose the top option "backup all user apps" under "backup"
***under no circumstances, should you backup/restore system apps****
download ROM and place on SD card somewhere (i have a folder that has all my ROMS,Kernals,and extra flashable goodies in it)
use ROM manager to boot recovery
once in CWM recovery, wipe data and cache,
choose install .zip from sd card
choose .zip
find your ROM and select it
choose yes
let it work
reboot when finished
skip signing in with your google account
once finished with the setup, go to market, sign in, download titanium backup (buy Pro if you plan on doing a lot of flashing, makes restoreing apps soooo much faster/easier)
open up titanium
menu>batch> "restore missing apps with data
***again do not restore system apps, just user apps****
then enjoy

 

[Sailing_Nut]

while i did the rooting the old fashioned way and havent looking into revolutionary, this is steps in order. you are pretty much spot on though.

root with revolutionary, this should install the SU app and give s-off
download titanium backup and ROM manager
open ROM manager and choose the top option, this installs Clockwork recovery
i would then use ROM manager to "reboot recovery"
use volume up/down to navigate CWM menu, home button to select
navigate to backup/restore, choose backup and let it work its magic
once finished, reboot
once booted, open titanium, hit menu, batch, choose the top option "backup all user apps" under "backup"
***under no circumstances, should you backup/restore system apps****
download ROM and place on SD card somewhere (i have a folder that has all my ROMS,Kernals,and extra flashable goodies in it)
use ROM manager to boot recovery
once in CWM recovery, wipe data and cache,
choose install .zip from sd card
choose .zip
find your ROM and select it
choose yes
let it work
reboot when finished
skip signing in with your google account
once finished with the setup, go to market, sign in, download titanium backup (buy Pro if you plan on doing a lot of flashing, makes restoreing apps soooo much faster/easier)
open up titanium
menu>batch> "restore missing apps with data
***again do not restore system apps, just user apps****
then enjoy

Awesome, thanks!

I have heard some people saying that using ROM manager should be avoided and some (like yourself) that say using it is the best way to go.

Anyone want to chime in & provide steps if ROM manager is NOT used?

 

[Yeahha]

You can use rom manager to flash a recovery if you like or you can download a recovery zip and flash it in hboot. Most people here will tell you not to use rom manager to download/flash roms as that generally causes more issues than anything else.

To flash something in hboot you make sure the zip file is named "PG05IMG.zip" that is a zero not an o. Place that zip on the root of your SD card.
Power off and power back on holding volume down and the power button, it will scan your SD and ask you if you want to update, press volume up to update.
Wait.
Press power to reboot when prompted.
Delete the zip file from the SD card.
**Before you ever flash something in hboot always verify the md5sum matches so you don't try to flash a corrupted file**

 

[Sailing_Nut]

Just to clarify. When you say

flash a recovery

I am assuming that is the recovery program that gives you the ability to flash ROMs not some sort of file that gets you back to a known good state (recovering the phone)

Sorry for all of the silly questions. I actually work in the hardware and software industry and I know how easy it is to brick things so I'm probably being more cautious with gathering information than most.

 

[Yeahha]

It isn't a program but the recovery for the phone, it will allow you to backup your current system, restore any old backups, flash roms, flash kernels, wipe partitions...

I am not too good with explaining what it is if you can't tell

Check out this article What Is ClockworkMod Recovery And How To Use It On Android [Complete Guide] it will give you a quick rundown of what clockworkmod recovery is. Of course the article is a little dated and I don't know how much I would trust the links it has.

 

[Sailing_Nut]

Got you, thanks!

By "program" I really ment executable code that runs on the phone's processor. I chose "program" for lack of a better term.

 

[Yeahha]

Yeah, I couldn't think of the proper term to use for it either. Basically you have the bootloader (hboot) that can install recoveries (clockworkmod, TWRP...) which can intall roms/kernels basically the OS.

When I said download a recovery, I would suggest going here http://androidforums.com/thunderbol...overies-hboot-updated-9-24-a.html#post3104987 you can pick and choose to your liking, I usually would suggest the most recent recovery. Everything but the stock recovery is custom and will allow you to install roms.

Given your background I think you are overthinking this. Really as long as you follow the directions for rooting and check your md5sums before flashing in hboot you don't have much of a chance of making a TB shaped brick

 

[Turdbogls]

Awesome, thanks!

I have heard some people saying that using ROM manager should be avoided and some (like yourself) that say using it is the best way to go.

Anyone want to chime in & provide steps if ROM manager is NOT used?

Woah woah woah, i never said it was the best way to go...lol. i can honeystly tell you the only time i used it on my TB was to get my first ROM on the phone. simly to flash recovery and to boot into recovery instead of going through the bootloader. thats it.

i tell everyone to stay away from ROM manager. if you can't navigate and use CWM recovery manually then you shouldn't be Rooting/ROM-ing your phone IMO

 

[Yeahha]

Well said ^

I too would never encourage someone to use rom manager to actually flash a rom. Using it to get into recovery is okay but most roms include a reboot to recovery option now. It has options to actually flash the rom for you, I would suggest you avoid doing that to avoid running into any issues

 

[Sailing_Nut]

Woah woah woah, i never said it was the best way to go...lol. i can honeystly tell you the only time i used it on my TB was to get my first ROM on the phone. simly to flash recovery and to boot into recovery instead of going through the bootloader. thats it.

i tell everyone to stay away from ROM manager. if you can't navigate and use CWM recovery manually then you shouldn't be Rooting/ROM-ing your phone IMO

My bad! I jumped to a conclusion about your suggestion to use ROM Manager. You only said to use it to load CWM recovery and I WAY over generalized!

 

[petesamprs]

while i did the rooting the old fashioned way and havent looking into revolutionary, this is steps in order. you are pretty much spot on though.

root with revolutionary, this should install the SU app and give s-off
download titanium backup and ROM manager
open ROM manager and choose the top option, this installs Clockwork recovery
i would then use ROM manager to "reboot recovery"
use volume up/down to navigate CWM menu, home button to select
navigate to backup/restore, choose backup and let it work its magic
once finished, reboot
once booted, open titanium, hit menu, batch, choose the top option "backup all user apps" under "backup"
***under no circumstances, should you backup/restore system apps****
download ROM and place on SD card somewhere (i have a folder that has all my ROMS,Kernals,and extra flashable goodies in it)
use ROM manager to boot recovery
once in CWM recovery, wipe data and cache,
choose install .zip from sd card
choose .zip
find your ROM and select it
choose yes
let it work
reboot when finished
skip signing in with your google account
once finished with the setup, go to market, sign in, download titanium backup (buy Pro if you plan on doing a lot of flashing, makes restoreing apps soooo much faster/easier)
open up titanium
menu>batch> "restore missing apps with data
***again do not restore system apps, just user apps****
then enjoy

Great summary of workflow, thanks. The only thing I would add is that if you are using the AOSP-based ROM (such as CM7) to copy over Gapps zip to SD card at the same and flash that when you flash your ROM.

 

[Thats]

The reason for the strong opinion on ROM Manager is because it is a .apk which only runs in the Android OS. The recoveries are custom recoveries which will allow you to flash ROMs and custom kernels/fixes/patches/etc. If you know how to use only ROM Manager and you have a brick, what will you do? But If you know how to use a Recovery, you will most likely be fine, easily able to flash back to a working ROM.

 

[Sailing_Nut]

Well, I finally took the time & rooted & flashed Infected Eternity. Loving it!

Thanks to all who "held my hand" before I got started!

 

[Yeahha]

Glad you joined us Sailing_Nut!

Your cigar and blazer are on the table