The Android Thread

[Mr-Paul]

The best hand holding rooting a desire guide is this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1016084

 

Also go with the Runnymede AIO rom. Best in class. When I still used my desire I was running Leedroid, then Leedroid HD. A word of advice is that you will need to partition your SD card. It will involve backing up what you have on there already.

 

I think in that guide there is a section about Gparted to partition your SD card. I think you can do this from the menu in Clockwork Mod recovery (you'll know what this is eventually) or you can use Rom Manager from the market. You'll need to format it in EXT4 and give it 1GB so 1024MB minimum.

 

I never could get Gparted to work for me, used something else in the end, but the recovery that Runnymede asks you to install, 4EXT Touch Recovery, has the ability to partition the SD card. But you have to install it through an app.

 

My simple guide to rooting/getting onto Runnymede (but use the one above, this is just a summary!)

 

1)Root using unrevoked

2)Download Titanium Backup, and backup all your apps

3)Backup your messages, contacts etc.

4)Download 4EXT touch recovery

5)Do a nandroid backup from the recovery

6)Copy everything from your SD card to your PC

7)S-Off and convert to CM7r2 HBOOT (more space!)

8)Partition your SD card in the recovery

9)Copy everything back to the SD card, including the new rom

10)Install the new rom through the recovery

11)Restore everything you want

12)Enjoy!

[Ten10]

I never could get Gparted to work for me, used something else in the end, but the recovery that Runnymede asks you to install, 4EXT Touch Recovery, has the ability to partition the SD card. But you have to install it through an app.

 

 

Gparted did give me a problems a few times. Plus when I was trying out lots of different roms (once a new one everyday, MIUI put me off getting an iPhone for life) which required different SD card EXT formats I got tired of using it so went the Virtual Machine root but then started doing it from within recovery.

 

That 4EXT recovery seems pretty cool though. I think I'll flash an ICS build on my mum's desire once the bugs are ironed out since she's trying to steal my galaxy nexus already.

[heroicjanitor]

Error: Failed to get root. Is your firmware too new?

 

Excellent... I suppose a factory reset would fix it though.

 

Edit: Says factory reset doesn't change current system software

Edited January 8, 2012 by heroicjanitor

[Mr-Paul]

Error: Failed to get root. Is your firmware too new?

 

Excellent... I suppose a factory reset would fix it though.

 

Edit: Says factory reset doesn't change current system software

 

What firmware are you on?

 

And if you start up in the bootloader, which HBOOT number do you have?

[heroicjanitor]

Software Number: 2.33.161.6

 

HBOOT: 0.93.0001

 

I'll keep at it, though that software update only came out like 2 weeks ago... Hope it didn't screw rooting.

 

Edit: I did it! Just used an older unrevoked :p

Edited January 8, 2012 by heroicjanitor

[Mr-Paul]

Well the HBOOT version is definitely fine.

I don't know whether the software version can muck it up though, I don't really know about these things.

 

Just to confirm, you have done the whole process of installing and uninstalling HTC sync and then installing the custom driver? And follow the video exactly?

At which point does it muck up? I remember the first time I tried it didn't work but it was before it started the reboot stuff, so it was fine to just try again.

[heroicjanitor]

Well the HBOOT version is definitely fine.

I don't know whether the software version can muck it up though, I don't really know about these things.

 

Just to confirm, you have done the whole process of installing and uninstalling HTC sync and then installing the custom driver? And follow the video exactly?

At which point does it muck up? I remember the first time I tried it didn't work but it was before it started the reboot stuff, so it was fine to just try again.

 

I managed it by using an older unrevoked than the one on the website. Not sure why that worked exactly, but it did. If anyone else runs into that problem I can upload the version of unrevoked I used to some file-sharing website

[Mr-Paul]

I managed it by using an older unrevoked than the one on the website. Not sure why that worked exactly, but it did. If anyone else runs into that problem I can upload the version of unrevoked I used to some file-sharing website

 

Well that is good to hear. Who knows why things like this happen, but usually someone has a solution somewhere on the web!

[Ashley]

Everyone should download Iris so that the next time someone says Siri is a great feature of the iPhone you can show them it's actually pretty shit. Just compared with my housemate asking the same questions and most of the time Siri would either completely mishear or just say "I can't answer that for you, would you like to search the web?" whereas Iris told me Justin Bieber is annoying because he's still a child, Rihanna is top of the charts (wrong song but at least right artist :p) and when I asked if it would like to see my penis it told me to visit a porn site (a specific one too, not just generally).

 

It's still nothing more than a time wasting entertainment app but nice to compare.

[CoolFunkMan]

As some of you may remember, I managed to break my HTC Desire a while back, and the third party insurance company I went with were shit. So I'm currently stuck on a £33 per month contract with my old Samsung E900...

 

I think it's time I got a new phone! I probably won't be getting one till this time next month, but I'm still price hunting.

 

I was looking at the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, but the fact only the 16gb model is available has put me off it. Instead, I'm looking at the HTC Sensation XE (which I'm lead to believe is better than the XL.)

 

Anyway, the point is that I've found a decent deal for it; 500 minutes, 5000 texts and 1gb of internet usage for £17 per month and a one off handset payment of £126. However, the deal is with Three, and I've heard very bad things about thier service. Is this worth it? Or are there any better deals I can find around the same price?

[Mr_Odwin]

When does your old contract end? Would it not be better to buy a budget android handset and wait out until the end of your contract? You're paying for the stuff, may as well use it!

For a one-off handset cost of £126 you could get a ... dunno ... a Huawei Blaze (£70), an Orange San Fran II (£100) ..., t-mobile vivacity (£100), etc.

Edited January 23, 2012 by Mr_Odwin

[CoolFunkMan]

To be honest, I do have my heart set on the HTC Sensation, plus I want to get out of my contract because I find Vodafone quite rubbish. I'll be starting work again soon next week, and my first pay will come through this time next month, so I'll be able to afford it then.

[Platty]

Speaking of new phones. Any news on the Galaxy S III? Due my upgrade in May and heard rumours of it coming out in June-July but a lot of people don't think it'll be until October..... Not sure I can wait that long.

[Cube]

The latest Siri competitor: http://eu.techcrunch.com/2012/01/23/evi-arrives-in-town-to-go-toe-to-toe-with-siri/

 

While the reviews on the Android Market are low (2.2/5), the sites who know what they're talking about and have tested it properly have good results.

 

In some ways (such as adding events to your calendar, texts, etc) it isn't as good as Siri but it's apparently much better at answering questions.

[Ashley]

I still like Iris. It recommended porn!

[MoogleViper]

Everyone should download Iris so that the next time someone says Siri is a great feature of the iPhone you can show them it's actually pretty shit. Just compared with my housemate asking the same questions and most of the time Siri would either completely mishear or just say "I can't answer that for you, would you like to search the web?" whereas Iris told me Justin Bieber is annoying because he's still a child, Rihanna is top of the charts (wrong song but at least right artist :p) and when I asked if it would like to see my penis it told me to visit a porn site (a specific one too, not just generally).

 

It's still nothing more than a time wasting entertainment app but nice to compare.

 

Iris won't work for me. A few seconds after I open it "The aplication iris. (process com.dexetra.iris) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again." Every time I open it.

 

(Using a Galaxy Apollo.)

[Diageo]

Evi or whatever the new one is won't work for me. It won't connect to the server.

[CoolFunkMan]

Ok, so forget about the deal I mentioned earlier, I checked Three's network coverage, and they only do outdoor coverage for my area. I keep hearing bad things about them anyway, so I'm not willing to risk it. Thanks for the tips though.

 

I might as well wait till when I actually get the money to afford a new contract (so end of Feb), as deals change as often as the weather. I'm still looking to get the HTC Sensation XE though.

 

When does your old contract end?

 

Sorry I wasn't clear on my contract ending date. It actually ends in August, and when I called Vodafone the other day, they said it'd cost £195(ish) to cancel my contract. I thought the pricing would be a lot worse. In the future, I may pop in to Carphone Warehouse/Phones 4 U, and see what deals they have (unless anyone strongly advises against it.)

Edited January 26, 2012 by CoolFunkMan

[Mr_Odwin]

I think you are mental. I'd spend the £195 on a phone and use the existing contract. When August rolls around you can sell the phone for a decent amount and then start a new contract. For around £200 now you could get a Nexus S (which has official ICS) or a Samsung Galaxy W or an LG Optimus 2X. You could get a decent phone to tide you over until August.

[CoolFunkMan]

I think you are mental. I'd spend the £195 on a phone and use the existing contract. When August rolls around you can sell the phone for a decent amount and then start a new contract. For around £200 now you could get a Nexus S (which has official ICS) or a Samsung Galaxy W or an LG Optimus 2X. You could get a decent phone to tide you over until August.

 

Decent money for a Samsung E900? Like I said earlier on, I managed to break my HTC Desire, the screen is completely smashed and all that shows on the display is a pixelated mess. Anyway, the third party insurance I went with (via my bannk account) didn't accept my claim. This was because I didn't contact them within 48 hours of the incident, which is apparently thier "policy." I even appealed it, and they still denied my claim. Hence, I'm now stuck with a £34 a month contract with a Samsung E900.

 

I suppose I should have been clearer when explaining my situation, sorry. But that's the reason I want to get out of my contract. I would get my HTC Desire repaired, but I don't trust geting it repaired by a third party. Also, considering I have no idea what the extent of the damage is, I don't know how much it would cost to get HTC to repair it. I've heard prices could be as high as £150.

Edited January 26, 2012 by CoolFunkMan

[MoogleViper]

Sorry I wasn't clear on my contract ending date. It actually ends in August, and when I called Vodafone the other day, they said it'd cost £195(ish) to cancel my contract. I thought the pricing would be a lot worse. In the future, I may pop in to Carphone Warehouse/Phones 4 U, and see what deals they have (unless anyone strongly advises against it.)

 

£195 for 6 months or so remaining? That's just over £30 per month. So unless you're on a ridiculous contract then you aren't really saving anything. And you're gonna throw that money away for what? Because you can't bear(bare?) the thought of using any phone that isn't you're dream phone?

 

EDIT: Just noticed that you're on a £33/month contract. So you're saving nothing. Just use that money to buy a decent phone like Odwin suggested, and at the end of the 6 months you'll be in the same position, plus you'll have a 6 month old £200 phone that you could sell for around £150.

 

Instead you'd rather spend that same amount of money to get absolutely nothing, and have to pay £17/ month (£102 in total 'til august), and £126 (so £228). And that's with the three deal which you aren't taking. So it'll probably be more if you go with somebody else.

 

If you ask me you have far too much money and far too little sense.

[Mr_Odwin]

Decent money for a Samsung E900?

 

Yeah, you've misunderstood what I said. Moogle got it!

 

Your plan:

Pay £200 to get out of contract.

Get new contract & new phone.

Summary: £200 down the drain.

 

My Suggested Plan:

Sell broken Desire on ebay. (This dude is getting £40)

Spend £200 on a new midrange phone & stick with old contract till August.

In August get new contract with new phone. Sell £200 phone for £100-£150 (hopefully!).

Summary: Awesome!

Edited January 27, 2012 by Mr_Odwin

[CoolFunkMan]

Ok, sorry I've been such an arse. I've not really been thinking clearly about anything lately, I've had a lot on my mind. I can see where you're all coming from tbh, so I think I'll just wait it out till August. I just thought paying £33ish per month for the phone I have was ott, so I was thinking this would save me money in the long run, but I guess it wouldn't really, would it? :/

 

I know tha Phones 4 U/Carphone Warehouse (can't remember which one) did an offer where they bought out the last few months of your contract for you to get a new one, so I may check that out in a few months.

 

Thanks for the help though, and really sorry again.

[Cube]

The Wildfire S is a really good mid-range phone for around £150.

[Mr_Odwin]

Ok, sorry I've been such an arse. I've not really been thinking clearly about anything lately, I've had a lot on my mind. I can see where you're all coming from tbh, so I think I'll just wait it out till August. I just thought paying £33ish per month for the phone I have was ott, so I was thinking this would save me money in the long run, but I guess it wouldn't really, would it? :/

 

I know tha Phones 4 U/Carphone Warehouse (can't remember which one) did an offer where they bought out the last few months of your contract for you to get a new one, so I may check that out in a few months.

 

Thanks for the help though, and really sorry again.

 

No probs dude, I just don't want to see you wasting money!