Root HTC DNA Roms

[CoyotesFan4Evr]

So....I've searched and searched for roms for the DNA. While I've found a few in my opinion, I haven't found one that stands out enough to switch from my current one. I'm running the NOS m7 Rom. I do really like this rom but knowing that kit kat is out there and sense 5.5 I just can't stay satisfied until January when I can use an upgrade on my account.

So I pose this question, who has what rom and how do you like it and why? Personally viper rom is vastly used by what I've read but is a step down from what I have. Now omni rom is one that I recently read about and watched a video on but there isn't a big amount of information about it that I've found. I know that CM 11 is out there as well. I know as well as anyone who flashes that you should totally wipe your device before a CM rom flash but has anyone tried doing it without a wipe? If so, how did it go? Any issues?

I feel like I'm coming across as a newb, and trust me I'm not one. I just want to ask all of the right questions as I've been struggling with this for a good while now and keep sticking with what I got because I can't make up my mind. Hopefully your answers will help me finally make a decision. Thanks ahead of time everyone!

 

[scotty85]

Looks like if you want 4.4 you'll have to forgo sense for now. If there were any 4.4/sense 5.5 ports I didn't see them with a quick search. Sorry I can't be of more help than that on your rom quest.

If you decide to try a cm or AOSP based rom,you definately will want to do a full wipe. Not doing so will result in reboots,force closes and a very bad rom experience looks like AOSP is fairly stable,but as I'm sure you know,the experience is a night and day difference from stock sense.

Don't forget coming back to where you are is as simple as restoring a backup my advice is still to simply spend a couple days on each rom that you're considering

 

[CoyotesFan4Evr]

Omni does have sense 5.5 from what I understood. But honestly sense isn't a deal breaker for me because I'm on sense 5 and use nova launcher prime. So for me it's a different experience. For viper rom to be packed with so much customization I find that amazing but it's still behind in operating systems.

I know I didn't mention all the roms I'm considering but I can't remember the last one I looked at. Anyways....I'd like to stay away from aosp roms because of the forced wipe they bring with them. Oh well....

 

[CoyotesFan4Evr]

To add to what I've already said, what I like about the omni rom is Google now is invisible unless you slide the screen to the side. I'm still learning Google now and I'm reluctant to actually but seeing as it's becoming a bigger and bigger part of each operating system that congress out.

I've thought about using the Google experience launcher at some point but it's too much Google for me. Lol. There is a Google version of the rom I run. I don't know, I've been reading and reading for weeks off and on and I just can't find enough info to make the jump. I mainly stay on here and xda. Maybe another forum will have more? I stay between the two I mentioned because I trust the information on them.

 

[scotty85]

i must admit,coyotes,im a bit confused why you care about the sense version at all if you use nova launcher.

if your not using the sense launcher,then youre not using any sense widgets,and the sense version at that point becomes purely the visual aspect of the icons and menu options. seems you are the prime canditate for AOSP- youre not using any sense features and would likely benefit from a lighter OS

again,youll get the most rom information from the roms development threads. xda usually is my choice for development,tho you might look at rootziki as well.

if you want to compare this rom to that rom and try and generate a discussion thread of sorts,you might try starting a thread like this one in the general,or Q&A section of xda. tho i still feel you need to just give them all a falsh and check them out. ultimately you are the one who has to live with the rom,so no one can really give you the insight you need to make a decision based purely on a discussion thread.

 

[CoyotesFan4Evr]

Thank you Scotty. I understand your confusion in general. I want the new features that sense 5.5 offers but not use sense itself. I don't mind the sense that comes on the DNA. I used it for awhile until I flashed the nos m7.

I've tried the xda forum. And I've read thru the rom threads. Personally what stands out to me in those threads are the bugs and people having issues flashing them. Maybe I could use some review videos from youtube to get a better idea. So, when you talk about using an AOSP rom and lighter rom you are talking about ones like CM11 right? I just want to make sure I'm totally on the same page.

And I probably would get a better idea on each rom by flashing them and making a test drive of each. My biggest issue with that is the loss of phone setup. Ringtones, and wallpapers, the small stuff really. My games are linked to email or something of that effect so saved progress isn't an issue. I know, I know, don't get into flashing if you aren't prepared to go thru phone setup a few times. It's an ocd of mine and I can't help it.

 

[scotty85]

I've tried the xda forum. And I've read thru the rom threads. Personally what stands out to me in those threads are the bugs and people having issues flashing them. Maybe I could use some review videos from youtube to get a better idea. So, when you talk about using an AOSP rom and lighter rom you are talking about ones like CM11 right? I just want to make sure I'm totally on the same page.

correct. AOSP is Android Open Source Project,so those roms are the ones based on basic,unmolested google code,like cm 11.

resetup is a pain. making sure contacts,calender,etc. all sync with google and using an app like titanium bacup or my backup pro makes it a bit easier,but there still is a bunch of signing into emails,social media,etc and setting homescreens,widgets,wallpapers,ringtones,etc. maybe you could find a happy medium of semi-set up that you can live with for a few hours just to determine if you want to finish fully customizing,or say "eff it" and just restore you comfortable,allready set up nandroid

you really should be doing a full wipe even when swapping between sense roms.or at least be prepaired to if you have even small issues,as even the most minor framework differences can cause the phone confusion. "dirty flashing" can cause anything from FCs to reboots

 

[CoyotesFan4Evr]

Yes, I should do full wipes. I do when I flash. I haven't had an HTC since the thunderbolt.(I miss that phone!) I've been on Motorola and flashed 2 roms I think but had backup stuff in place so for some reason it didn't take long to do setups.

Anyways, I will probably be narrowing my choices down to omni rom and CM11. At this point I'm leaning more towards omni. If I had an HTC one, I'd probably root and then be done. Ok, so yeah I have all the backup stuff you speak of. It's a matter of making sure everything is backed up on it's newest version. I wish I had a spare DNA to just screw with. Once I get my One Max in turning my DNA into a flash play toy.

 

[scotty85]

Once I get my One Max in turning my DNA into a flash play toy.

dont rush into the max... the m8(sequel to the htc one) will be out sometime first quarter!

 

[CoyotesFan4Evr]

But but but.....my birthday is the 17th. What's the m8 anyways?

 

[scotty85]

But but but.....my birthday is the 17th. What's the m8 anyways?

Alleged 3D model of HTC M8 (HTC One 2) pictured

HTC M8

the max is really just a one,with a bigger screen and fingerprint scanner. the m8 will have more ram and the next generation snapdragon processor

development for the max(on any carrier) is slow at best,but will prolly take off like a rocket for the m8 as last years m7 owners move up.

the max is a bit bigger,and does have the fingerprint scanner,so if those are 2 of your most important criteria maybe it is for you,but i personally would wait if you like having the latest and greatest

 

[CoyotesFan4Evr]

Well Scotty....here are my reasons for the one max. One it's the first HTC phablet. Two, I'm sticking with HTC for as long as possible unless Motorola comes out with a phablet that just blows everyone else away. Three, I'm a baseball coach for my step son and I need a phablet for scheduling and meetings and such. I was sold on the note 3 but Samsung is to plastic like for me and inside I would always know that behind the defender series case lies a cheap plastic feeling phone. Honestly I want the HTC One right now to test drive until I get the max. But I don't have that option because money is a factor.

Yes I know I can root the note 3 and S4 which were my other options but I come back to the feel of the phone that is a big turn off. Unless there is something in the works that you have read about that I've missed....please please tell me. So long as I can root the max I'm good.

 

[scotty85]

Well Scotty....here are my reasons for the one max. One it's the first HTC phablet. Two, I'm sticking with HTC for as long as possible unless Motorola comes out with a phablet that just blows everyone else away. Three, I'm a baseball coach for my step son and I need a phablet for scheduling and meetings and such. I was sold on the note 3 but Samsung is to plastic like for me and inside I would always know that behind the defender series case lies a cheap plastic feeling phone. Honestly I want the HTC One right now to test drive until I get the max. But I don't have that option because money is a factor.

Yes I know I can root the note 3 and S4 which were my other options but I come back to the feel of the phone that is a big turn off. Unless there is something in the works that you have read about that I've missed....please please tell me. So long as I can root the max I'm good.

well coyotes,the m8 is going to have a screen size between that of the max and the one. well just have to wait until there are more leaks to know what the size will be.

maybe its 5.5 or 5.7 vs the 5.9 of the max. is a little bit of screen size worth an extra gb of ram and a nicer processor?

im sure the max will suit your needs,the one is good hardware. id wait until the specs are known for sure so you can make a more informed decision between the m8 and max. just my 2 cents,for what theyre worth

 

[CoyotesFan4Evr]

You make very valid points as always Scotty. I'm going to look deep into that m8. If it's no later than February I just might wait. No one else can use the upgrade, I've laid claim to it. Lol