rooting -- general questions (trying to decide if I want to to root my G1)

[bdb4269]

I know there are already a ton of threads that go into all the details and specifics about rooting.

I just have some more general questions though, as I am trying to decide if I want to root my phone or not.

1. Does the rooting process reset the phone at all? (i.e. does everything stay the same (apps, setup, etc) or does it reset to a factory like default)

2. How long does the rooting process take?

3. Is there any downside to rooting (apart from the possibility of bricking the phone)?

4. Is the rooting process reversible?

5. How long does it take to load a different version, for instance, the cupcake build?

6. Does loading a new version put a fresh version on there, where it is like a factory reset, or does it update in place to the new version, so that apps and settings are all maintained?

[kizer]

1. Looks factory like except you should have terminal emulator so you can tinker with the root functions via terminal client.

2. From start to finish I'd guess about an hour screwing up and tinkering around. Probably could do it a lot faster if everything went smooth.

3. I don't see any down sides other than well you have root abiltites. If you install everything correctly and screw up your phone you can always reflash and your back to square one. Well I guess you can't use Googles update via the phone because for one I don't belive it works any more, but you can always download a new and update your self manually.

4. Yep just reflash with the RC33 update.zip and your good to go

5. I'd guess it takes about 5 or so minutes to flash a rom I don't know about the cup cake or any of those other builds since I haven't tried them yet.

6. I could be wrong, but everytime I tinkered my apps all got wiped out. Of course I could of screwed up, but who knows. Easily to use mybackup pro or something simular and reload your apps or just re download them.

[LazyGenius]

I know there are already a ton of threads that go into all the details and specifics about rooting.

I just have some more general questions though, as I am trying to decide if I want to root my phone or not.

1. Does the rooting process reset the phone at all? (i.e. does everything stay the same (apps, setup, etc) or does it reset to a factory like default)

2. How long does the rooting process take?

3. Is there any downside to rooting (apart from the possibility of bricking the phone)?

4. Is the rooting process reversible?

5. How long does it take to load a different version, for instance, the cupcake build?

6. Does loading a new version put a fresh version on there, where it is like a factory reset, or does it update in place to the new version, so that apps and settings are all maintained?

1. to root you will have to do a wipe which does clean off all data. my suggestion is to back up all your apps and data.

2. it depends on which method your doing and you. it took me 15 mins to do it my 1st time.

3. i dont think there is any downside now besided the fact that it voids you warranty.(if tmo finds out.)

4. yes it is reversible.

5.after the intial root and the first cupcake install it takes me just a few min to upload a new/different version.(just wipe and flash.)

6. for the magic builds they have mostly been wipe versions.(versions that clean off all you data.) but im pretty sure the jf versions arent wipe versions.(but they dont come out nearly as often as haykuro's versions...

[bdb4269]

Sweet! Wow -- thanks for the super fast responses.

One last quick question. -- With all the warnings and what not -- how likely do you think it is that a phone get's bricked? -- Like do you have screw up royally to brick your phone, or can it happen by a relatively minor newbie mistake?

[scotm33]

how likely do you think it is that a phone get's bricked? -- Like do you have screw up royally to brick your phone, or can it happen by a relatively minor newbie mistake?

I'm no expert, but I rooted mine without any problems. The only time I bricked my phone was b/c of a corrupt download. So I just downloaded the update file again and reflahed. Easy as that, and it was fixed.

Follow the steps and you should have no problem at all.

[bdb4269]

Oh -- so when people are talking about bricking the phone, it's not like a permanent thing?

[LazyGenius]

One last quick question. -- With all the warnings and what not -- how likely do you think it is that a phone get's bricked? -- Like do you have screw up royally to brick your phone, or can it happen by a relatively minor newbie mistake?

I'm no expert, but I rooted mine without any problems. The only time I bricked my phone was b/c of a corrupt download. So I just downloaded the update file again and reflahed. Easy as that, and it was fixed.

Follow the steps and you should have no problem at all.

with bricking you need to understand this. there are different types of bricks. you can either:

Soft Brick you phone.( you get into a infinite boot loop/etc.) these can be fixed a variety of ways and the community can be a huge help.(this mostly happens when applying themes, flashing new ROMs, etc.)

Permanent Brick Your Phone.( you press the power button and nothing happens. you press all the buttons and nothing happens.(and you battery isnt dead)) when this occurs your basically screwed.(lol) all you can do then is contact tmo and try and get a replacement.

Ppl soft brick their phones all the time.(it happens....) but its not that big a deal. it may cause to panic but it can be fixed. as far as some1 permanently bricking their phone i only have run into 1 person ever who has done this.(i have been here a while and run into alot of users.) and the person who did it wasnt rooting his phone he was loading a "Magic" rom. i have never heard of any1 permanently bricking their phone while initially trying to root.(not saying it couldnt happen, but if it does happen to you; congratulations!)

so good luck with it.(if you decide to do it.) and remember you have a whole community of ppl who have your back.( i like to say we are similar to the verizon wireless ppl on the commercials.)

[xdavidn88]

4. Yep just reflash with the RC33 update.zip and your good to go

Not that quick to revert back to stock.

You need to apply:

original spl
dreaimg.nbh
rc29 to rc30
rc30 to rc33

[bdb4269]

Sweet. Thanks for all the info! I'm thinking I will probably end up rooting it.

[LazyGenius]

Sweet. Thanks for all the info! I'm thinking I will probably end up rooting it.

great choice!