Firstly, keep in mind that some ROMs actually require NOT wiping. They need whats called a "Dirty Flash". Just make sure to read all instructions

When i flash a rom that does need a wipe, these are the steps i take .. though i dont know if this is the proper way, i just havent had any issues:

1. reboot into recovery
2. wipe data
3. clear cache
4. clear devl cache
5. wipe data
6. clear cache
7. clear devl cache
(momma always told me to wipe til i know its clean hehe)
8. install zip from sdcard
9. reboot system
10. install TiBU & Rom Manager
11. restore all apps
12. backup ROM as "Rom-Name-All-Set-Up"
13. spend 2 days setting up icons/homescreens & logging into apps
14. begin hunt for a new ROM to try

 

Thanks! Now I have a noob-ish type question Do I download the rom.zip to the internal memory sdcard, or the external sd card? I am guessing internal.
I use CWM Recovery and have not flashed a rom yet, so I don't if I can access the external sd card from within CWM recovery to flash it.

 

I dont think it matters? I always use external so i can guarantee i dont lose anything in a wipe.

Im a lunatic with organizing files, on my SDCard i made a folder called MYFILES. Structure looks something like this:

MYFILES
- RootStuff
-- ROMS
--- S3
--- dInc
-- RADIOS
--- S3
--- dInc
-- KERNALS
--- S3
--- dInc
-- MODS
--- S3
--- dInc
- XxX
- MiscFiles
- Media

I do it this way so i know all the stuff that i manually put on the sdcard, or anything i would ever need to go in and look for, is located somewhere in MYFILES. I dont need to go crazy looking through the other BS folders

 

I've never flashed a ROM from internal storage, so im pretty sure you can access external from within any program

 

Now just to be sure, nothing on the internal card gets wiped without my knowledge unless I intentionally wipe it recovery. Yes?

 

I would guess you are right, but i dont know for sure. I always just kept everything on SDCard just in case. Id also like the answer though

 

dInc is my other phone (Droid Incredible). I keep separate folders for each phone because ROMS/Mods need to be specific for each device ... and i swap this SDCard to the other phone when i need to make changes

You would install a Kernal, Radio, or any Mod typically the same exact way. Id stick it in one of my folders on external, boot into recovery, and choose zip to install

obviously with a radio/kernal/mod you wouldnt wipe

 

Im assuming you are unlocked already ...

just follow my steps above to install the ROM. Yes id recommend wiping/clearing. I usually always do it, unless they specifically state NOT to do it.

EDIT ... make sure you backup all apps using titanium backup, backup rom using rom manager, or recovery, and can even backup all SMS using a free app called "SMS Backup".

on new rom you install "SMS Backup" from market, and it finds the backup on SDCard and restores them all