[Verizon] New rooter..

[j1787]

I am going to be rooting my gnex and have a few questions.

1. The radio on my nexus is terrible, to a point where verizon thinks defective. Waiting on an open issue ticket for a response. Possibly getting a replacement. Should I wait to root? Or unroot before returning?

2. I like my stock set up. I have all my accounts set up in k9, Facebook, and twitter etc... what is best way to backup my phone now before root?

3. What exactly is a kernal and why does it benefit to have a custom?

4. Unlocking a bootloader just allows for custom options at start up correct? Something like clockwork adds features to allow a device root options?

5. To flash is to apply something? Flashing a rom means putting the rom on your device?

6. Going back to question 1, has anyone had bad radio issues that have been corrected with a 4.0.3 rom?

Sorry for so many questions but I am new. I have done much research, but always like to confirm things. Thanks in advance!

 

[!on]

For most back up apps you need to be rooted first. If you are confident you can revert to stock (unrooted) then by all means, root, install backup recovery system, then make a nandroid backup of your phone, so you can restore it later.

Personally I would leave it unrooted / unmodded before giving it to service. You'd void warranty if they found it to be rooted.

Alot of these things are brand specific so if you're brand has a software that allows you to flash an original, unrooted rom (if you can find one), then you might be ok. Titanium backup is generic android software but requires root.

 

[Crashdamage]

Rooting is not for everyone. Ask yourself 'What do I need to root for? What do I want to do that requires root access?' The answer will probably be nothing. Most people root for fun, not out of necessity.

If you still think you need to root, do plenty of reading first. It's a pain trying to help people who obviously went into rooting willy-nilly without doing their homework first. Be sure you understand all terms and instructions, have a plan to unroot if necessary, and are willing to accept the consequences if you make a mistake.

 

[AngelArs]

1. The radio on my nexus is terrible, to a point where verizon thinks defective. Waiting on an open issue ticket for a response. Possibly getting a replacement. Should I wait to root? Or unroot before returning?

Depends on how long it will take them. Personally I would wait, but other factors, like how familiar you are with the rooting process of your phone is important too. It would be sad for you if they called you to bring your phone in for a replacement and you tried to UNroot - but for some reason the phone got toasted. Also, if you wait for them then there's a good chance that you won't have to unroot your phone, saving you time and work.

2. I like my stock set up. I have all my accounts set up in k9, Facebook, and twitter etc... what is best way to backup my phone now before root?

If you mean best program then I'd say Titanium Pro. It gives you a lot of useful options, and options are important when backing up.

To flash is to apply something? Flashing a rom means putting the rom on your device?

Flashing can mean many things depending on why it's being performed. When you're flashing a device it means the act of overwriting a ROM module in that device in order to upgrade it or change it. You are overwriting what ever is currently on there, with what you want to change it to.

 

[EarlyMon]

I think you mean MyBackup Pro for backing up when not rooted - Titanium Backup Pro is for rooted phones. (And you can go from MyBackup Pro unrooted then use MyBackup Root once rooted and get equivalent to Titanium Backup.)

Otherwise, I go along with the rest of the answers - especially, no, don't modify the phone if you're going to replace it. You'll just confuse yourself and them and then there's the whole warranty thing. They'll claim your radio is bad because of rooting - the battle cry of root-warranty customer battles. (The claim will be false, but you'll still be screwed.)

Can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear - if your phone is broken, rooting won't fix it.

A kernel is a part of the operating system - Windows, OS X, and Linux all have a kernel. It's the core piece of software that ties the rest of the operating system to the main hardware like the processor and memory. As Android is Linux, it too has a kernel.

Moved your questions here to the Gnex All Things Root forum. This is the best place to get specific answers on rooting your phone in particular.

 

[quiklives]

Titanium Backup requires root.

Honestly, if you have an open ticket, I'd err on the side of caution and wait. (Why are they not just replacing your phone? They should be. Maybe you should raise a little hell with them.)

Unlocking the bootloader will wipe everything, pics, music, everything, and you have to do that in order to root.

The benefit of custom kernels is largely related to battery life for me. I'm using imoseyon's lean kernel 1.4.0 on my Nexus and I've got vastly improved battery life because it's undervolted and because it's cleaner than stock. Most of the kernels out there (this one included) for the Nexus are only compatible with 4.0.3 ROMs. Yes, I did find I had a bit better signal (than 4.0.2)when I flashed one (AOKP build 14 at the moment), but probably not enough if yours is that bad.

 

[AngelArs]

I think you mean MyBackup Pro for backing up when not rooted - Titanium Backup Pro is for rooted phones.

Yes I meant MyBackup Pro Thanks for the catch and for the clarification for the OP

 

[trophynuts]

also technically a 4.0.3 custom rom isn't going to help the radios that much. Because the 4.0.3 roms that are out right now are just based off of the AOSP 4.0.3 source code. It does not include the new radio drivers that are actually going to be in the next G Nex update.


i agree that i would probably wait until your open ticket issue is resolved.