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I have been reading this forum for some weeks now and wanted to thank you all for the great info here. I got my first Android phone (Vibrant) a few weeks ago.
I found out about rooting just yesterday. Since I really don't want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting the phone, I had a few questions to figure out whether I should root or not:
Will rooting my phone be overall worth it? Will I have to troubleshoot it a lot as a result? It works well now.
How will the updates work in the future? For example, I won't have to worry about Android 2.2 because it will be included in Cyanogen? Will my phone notify me when it's time to update?
This one is important: are there any instructions that tell me how to backup my current phone so that I can restore it to the original condition in case something happens?
Is Cyanogen accepted to be the best for rooting?
Will all my applications become uninstalled? Will anything else change besides my access level? I read some conflicting into on this.
Can you think of any disadvantages to rooting (other than possible voiding of warranty if you can't hide it)?
Do you guys have a list in this forum as to which applications are bloatware and should be removed (and are safe to remove)? I don't know anything about Android, so I have no idea
And finally, is there a thread/list where all the most important/useful applications that should be installed after rooting are listed? I know titanium backup is one. I couldn't understand what BusyBox does. So a list with explanations would be great.
I haven't liked the battery life of this phone and I am hoping that after removing all the bloatware from it that issue might be fixed as well. My phone starts with 160M+ memory. Even though I keep killing open applications, the performance keeps dropping over time until I can't get more memory beyond ~90M. This is when I have to shut down the phone and turn back on. Other than tethering, my main reason for rooting is 1.performance gain and 2.battery life extension.
Thanks for all the help. A lot of talented people on this forum.
There is no reason to not root this phone in my opinion. You can unroot it. You will get OTA updates using the stock ROM. Many of the recommended apps, guides, useful information is in the sticky at the top. Please read that, then ask any more detailed question you may have.
edit: when you root, there will be NO change to your apps/contacts/settings/etc.... you will reboot and be like "well, am I rooted?"... look for the superuser app in your app drawer, there? Good, you were successful.
Ok, you got an excellent thread there that pretty much answered all my questions! I will root my phone and get back here if I have any more questions, with a cleaned up list. Thanks.
will applying the RyanZA fix stop the OTA update?
A lot of people have this misconception that rooting means modifying their phone. Rooting by itself is not really modifying anything on your phone, all it does is give you super user privileges.
Think of your Mac or Windows PC, you have administrative accounts and you have user accounts. Admins can do anything, user accounts are typically limited.
When you have root access to your phone, you are the admin. You can access features that default account can't.
With that said, once you do have su you step into a whole new world with many different paths. You can can simply stay rooted and use apps that required root access and leave it at that.
Or you can dive into custom ROMs. This is where you step off the manufacturers intended path and follow community developed versions of the operating system.
Alternatively, in between those two extremes above you can do many things in between. You can stay with stock rom but have custom (modules or programs) APKs, or other modifications that change or expand on stock ROM.
Always keep in mind that once you choose to root, what happens to your device is your responsibility. Once again, your responsibility. If you are not willing to accept that, then stay non-rooted/stock and responsibility will be on Samsung to add/remove features, provide updates, fix bugs, etc.
Ok, so a few questions:
I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
Where is the restart function?
How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
Thanks!
Awesome, Glad to hear your root went well.
1. I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
I remove almost all non-system apps unless it is logical wht said app would need to function, aka, text received you would not want to block messanger/handcent..... if there is something you are questioning, just let me know.
2. You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
Now that you have root, remove all of the bloatware and it will not be an issue. These run in the background and very likely are not using ANY of your resources.
3. There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
I used that thread because a lot of people posted the apps they removed. Almost all of them can be removed, if there is one you are questioning, let me know.
4. You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
I mentioned in the sticky that I do not use TB. I know it allows you to remove apps, but Root Explorer does this and a lot more. For example..... #6
5. Where is the restart function?
Not sure I know what you mean? if you want a reboot option you can get Quick Boot from the market.
6. How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
In the sticky I show where the files are located. With Root Explorer you can navigate to them and delete the files.
I agree with a lot on this thread. A master Guide for rooting/unrooting and usage should be made. The FAQ currently stickied is informative for the most part but it focuses on far too many things to be able to go into enough detail on each. Personally I would like a "All things root" guide or something sticked which is comprehensive and focuses JUST on that, with the most common root usage apps and things posted (including safe disabling or removal of bloat, backing up, flashing roms, etc.) so that people who have NO idea whatsoever and it is their first phone or something can just read that and feel at home. I may start working on one if no one else does it, we'll see.
}{Alienz}{ said:
so that people who have NO idea whatsoever and it is their first phone or something can just read that and feel at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say that if someone has no idea what they are doing, the last thing they should be attempting is flashing firmware on their phone.
The layer of obscurity and technical difficulty associated with rooting/modding is of benefit in terms of preventing people from doing things they should not be doing without sufficient knowledge base.
There is plenty of info here and online in general to start someone off if they are interested in learning about this in general.
IMHO, creating a trail of bread crumbs for someone who doesn't know what they are doing is more likely to hurt them or community in general rather than help them.
In my experience rooting your could be fun and a nightmare, if not done properly and, you have of time on you're you could become a rom switching addict cyanogen is currently available for the vibrant you can still root, but you will be on stock vibrant rom.till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
s15274n said:
Awesome, Glad to hear your root went well.
1. I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
I remove almost all non-system apps unless it is logical wht said app would need to function, aka, text received you would not want to block messanger/handcent..... if there is something you are questioning, just let me know.
2. You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
Now that you have root, remove all of the bloatware and it will not be an issue. These run in the background and very likely are not using ANY of your resources.
3. There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
I used that thread because a lot of people posted the apps they removed. Almost all of them can be removed, if there is one you are questioning, let me know.
4. You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
I mentioned in the sticky that I do not use TB. I know it allows you to remove apps, but Root Explorer does this and a lot more. For example..... #6
5. Where is the restart function?
Not sure I know what you mean? if you want a reboot option you can get Quick Boot from the market.
6. How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
In the sticky I show where the files are located. With Root Explorer you can navigate to them and delete the files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. What I don't understand is that the category says "New Outgoing Call" and GVoice beneath it. So I should NOT disable it, right? Because it has nothing to do with startup? But if so, then almost every other category has nothing to do with startup either. It is only the first listing that says "After Startup" and it misses A LOT of applications that do start up, like TeleNav. I don't even see TeleNav anywhere in that list. Same is true for "Email," Gallery," "Voice Dialer," and a bunch of other apps that I don't want to start on startup. I don't see any way of killing these other than by ATKiller. Am I missing something here?
2. See the problem is this: right now I have Telenav and I use it sometimes. However, I don't want it to run just whenever. So if I don't want to uninstall it, isn't my only solution ATKiller? There are other programs like this. And I can't disable them from the Autostart menu either since they're not there (Filtered out System files).
3. That site does not list what each of the bloatware does. For example, I am not sure I want to remove Account and Sync because I might need it for my bills. Same thing with "MyFiles." I don't even know what "vvm" is.
4. I am not able to tether the phone. I already tried Barnacle and it said "Running..." after I disabled supplicant, used channel 6, and disable ad-hoc. Then I tried this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=739147&highlight=tether, but I am still not able to connect. My laptop detects the phone as "computer-to-computer network," but when I click connect, it keeps trying to connect and then doesn't. I am not sure where to go from here.
Thanks.
One more thing I still don't know: how are the updates going to work from now on? Whenever an Android update comes out, like 2.1update or Froyo, do I have to come here and do everything manually? Or is there a way from within the phone to find out with one click? I am assuming whatever update is available for the phone will also be available for custom download (otherwise I could unroot, update, reroot?).
Thanks.
By the way, I also agree about a complete guide. It's not that it will enable the clueless to mess up their phone, but rather the opposite - it will allow the clueless to become cluefull. Such a guide would be very helpful. Meanwhile I am having to jump from thread to thread and then to Google trying to find out about this or that. That's not to say that the guide available isn't very helpful already.
I've already contacted a few people about starting said guide. I have not got much feedback from people willing to help....
^ you've asked a lot man... I can try and answer some, but you need to keep doing some reading. I feel like I've offered up a lot as is.
Just b/c you have root, does not mean you will not receive the OTA updates. If Froyo is released, you can update from the phone, you will lose root though. Most of us, will wait for the developers to have a stock froyo + root that we can flash.
why use telenav? I am not familiar.. just curious why not use google nav?
autostarts, just b/c you have it set to not start an app on boot, does not mean when you click the icon to open it will cause an issue. Really not that big of a deal. If you notice an issue, just set the app back to enabled.
Do not use a task killer.
The thread I linked has plenty of information for what you can remove from the phone, with instructions.... same for the barnacle tether app. If you want, download Wireless Tether, google it... the source code is on google.
http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list
androidaddict23 said:
In my experience rooting your could be fun and a nightmare, if not done properly and, you have of time on you're you could become a rom switching addict cyanogen is currently available for the vibrant you can still root, but you will be on stock vibrant rom.till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cyanogen is not yet available for the Vibrant. It will soon.
Froyo-cooked ROMS are already out for the Vibrant (alas with some bugs) so I don't think there's a reason to think Cyanogen won't be on Froyo.
Also: Never having done a root/rom flash does not make someone stupid or signify they should never try it. It just means they should READ some documentation and be technically up to the challenge before they do. I don't think having a clear guide on most of the process will hurt anyone who is coming into this but doesn't yet know all the details and steps of what to do.
Excelsius said:
Ok, you got an excellent thread there that pretty much answered all my questions! I will root my phone and get back here if I have any more questions, with a cleaned up list. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad the root went well for you. I am wanting to root my phone too, but not sure which root method is easiest and best.
Which root method did you use?
I had a mytouch rooted before the Vibrant, but they are way different and I dont want to screw up
s15274n said:
I've already contacted a few people about starting said guide. I have not got much feedback from people willing to help....
^ you've asked a lot man... I can try and answer some, but you need to keep doing some reading. I feel like I've offered up a lot as is.
Just b/c you have root, does not mean you will not receive the OTA updates. If Froyo is released, you can update from the phone, you will lose root though. Most of us, will wait for the developers to have a stock froyo + root that we can flash.
why use telenav? I am not familiar.. just curious why not use google nav?
autostarts, just b/c you have it set to not start an app on boot, does not mean when you click the icon to open it will cause an issue. Really not that big of a deal. If you notice an issue, just set the app back to enabled.
Do not use a task killer.
The thread I linked has plenty of information for what you can remove from the phone, with instructions.... same for the barnacle tether app. If you want, download Wireless Tether, google it... the source code is on google.
http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate all your answers. I don't mean to say that anyone else can't answer as well. I am still unclear on several things I asked and would appreciate if someone could chime in, at least about the exact procedures for using autostart and the reasoning behind not using the task killer. I am new to Android, but I am pretty good at computers, including building them. So when I am learning about doing this or that, I would like to know about the reasoning behind that. I am sure that all of the questions I ask here I can find out on my own, but I was hoping that I could utilize the purpose of the forum and learn something from the veterans rather than reinventing the wheel myself.
I am using Telenav because I have a one month free trial. I discovered Google Nav just yesterday. I just want to compare them myself, even though it is unlikely I will pay $10/month in either case. But remember that Telenav is just one of the applications causing issues.
Thanks for all the answers. Please don't feel pressured to answer all the things I might ask. If I don't get enough answers, I'll just do a quick thread search and if that's not fruitful, I'll create a specific thread for autostart usage.
androidaddict23 said:
till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't this illegal? I thought the whole point of Android was opensource and under the GPL License, they are required to post the full source code, right? Or I could just be way off base here.
kboater said:
glad the root went well for you. I am wanting to root my phone too, but not sure which root method is easiest and best.
Which root method did you use?
I had a mytouch rooted before the Vibrant, but they are way different and I dont want to screw up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the first procedure recommended in the sticky: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7150299&postcount=1
I am not sure why it said that you have to restart several times. Here are some clarifications on the steps there that I think were not too clear:
1. When you connect your device, you need to pull down the message area, click on the USB, and only then you will see the option to MOUNT your phone. I had to experiment to figure this out.
2. The guide doesn't say, but if your USB debugging mode is on, I would disable it, just to be safe: Settings (this is that leftmost button on your phone when you're at your desktop)-->Applications-->Development-->USB debugging (uncheck). This might be unnecessary, but I did it just to be safe.
3. When you are copying the Update.zip file into your phone, make sure you check the size of the folder. It must be your internal storage - it will be 12GB+ and will have your system files. If you have trouble identifying this, simply remove your SD card!
4. When you are restarting the phone, make sure you press the volume button in the MIDDLE so that it is entirely pressed (up and down). While holding it, press and hold the power. Do not let go of the volume button until your enter the recovery menu.
Anyway, that's what I did and rooted from the first time without any issues.
t0phux said:
Isn't this illegal? I thought the whole point of Android was opensource and under the GPL License, they are required to post the full source code, right? Or I could just be way off base here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be that Samsung has modified the code for their own phones making the code their property, while the "regular" 2.2 (unmodified) would be available to everyone. I could be wrong, but I think this how it would work.
Excelsius said:
I used the first procedure recommended in the sticky: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7150299&postcount=1
I am not sure why it said that you have to restart several times. Here are some clarifications on the steps there that I think were not too clear:
1. When you connect your device, you need to pull down the message area, click on the USB, and only then you will see the option to MOUNT your phone. I had to experiment to figure this out.
2. The guide doesn't say, but if your USB debugging mode is on, I would disable it, just to be safe: Settings (this is that leftmost button on your phone when you're at your desktop)-->Applications-->Development-->USB debugging (uncheck). This might be unnecessary, but I did it just to be safe.
3. When you are copying the Update.zip file into your phone, make sure you check the size of the folder. It must be your internal storage - it will be 12GB+ and will have your system files. If you have trouble identifying this, simply remove your SD card!
4. When you are restarting the phone, make sure you press the volume button in the MIDDLE so that it is entirely pressed (up and down). While holding it, press and hold the power. Do not let go of the volume button until your enter the recovery menu.
Anyway, that's what I did and rooted from the first time without any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks
10 char
Hello,
Just got my Elocity A7 and so far my feelings on it are mixed. When it does what I want it to, I love it! But I am having a couple of issues....
1. How do I copy files from the sd card to the internal memory? I am trying to get the Nook app to recognize some epubs I have loaded on to the sd card. It does not see them at all. I was thinking the solution would be to get the files copied to the nook\mydocuments folder the app created in the internal memory but I cant figure out how to move the files. I tried connecting the A7 to my PC but when I do the PC does not recognize it at all. I tried running terminal, thinking I could just move the files that way, but when it opens, how to you type? Do you need an external keyboard?
2. Every USB storage device I have connected to the A7 just says "checking for errors" and that never seems to go away so it doesnt seem to be mounting the USB devices correctly.
3. Is it normal for this device to have a very limited wifi range? I have several other wifi devices, including the original nook, a media player and a laptop all of which work fine throughout my home but the A7 does not. However, I applied dexter's mod and then did the new official update and that seems to be a bit better now.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated! I have about 12 days left before I can no longer return it so I really want to make sure I can get these issues resolved before then since after its going to be a lot hard to return if I want.
Thank you!
Chris
Re. 1 - I don't have an A7, but it should have a file explorer apparently, and you should be able to use that to copy. For term, try pressing the menu button, or longpress to see if a keyboard or input method menu appears.
Jim
****** All below is from my experience using Dexter's Mod 1.1 ******
1) OI File Manager should be in your list of available mods. Open it, click on the SD card icon at the top. You are not at the sd card level yet, but the A7s symbolic sd card. Go down and find sdcard-disk0 as this is your actual SD card, click on it to open the sd card. Continue to find the desired file. Long hold on the file and a menu appears select copy. Now transverse your way to the desired spot to drop the file (Not in the folder, but to where you can see the folder -- you may not have write permisions to drop a file in some folders -- using a program such as Root Explorer will let you see if you have the right permissions). Long hold on the destination folder, and a menu will appear again. Select copy. Reasons this may not work...permissions and ownership. Linux/unix is particluar about these things.
2) More than likely your USB device is not formatted FAT/FAT32 must be to be able to utilize that type of device.
3) My range isn't extremely strong, but it is not bad. I use it in sever environments from sitting on top of the access point to being down a hall in a brick building with several walls between the A7 and the AP (lots of other devices) and it seems to work. My co-worker has an iPad and it is as strong as the iPad.
Hope that helps!
Dale
EDIT: Thought maybe I should add the following. I have tried several Droid Tablets/Pads and sent them back. Without Dexters mod, this one is not bad. With Dexter's mod it is near perfect (multi-touch would be nice). I am planning to develop software on it and use it as a organizational tool. I have DesktopToGo for editing office products and that works really good. PDF's rock. Music is pretty good (although my Archos 705 has my entire music collection on it with room for a lot more and several movies). I am using compiled help files (have extensive collection of ebooks in PDF format and CHM format) and those are awesome. I can tether this with my Droid phone and it in effect has 3G with no additional expense. I can VNC into my home computers and work computers and have full SSH access to all my servers. Several interesting games are awesome and I can keep up on Facebook and Twitter including playing a couple FaceBook games (and search for my previous posts and you can find out how to update Facebook). The face to face video/front facing video is not a huge item I would use, but it would definitely be adequate. Volume from the speakers is low, but works. Battery life is fine. I guess I am not sure what more I could want to do with it that I haven't been able to figure out. So for me, and mostly because of Dexter's MOD, IT IS A KEEPER!
I am about to try Dexter's mod at version 1.2 when I get home from work tonight.
So far I was on the fence about this device. I think for me I really wanted 3.0 on it and I did not have the patience to wait until 3.0 was released and there was some time for tablet makers to catch up. So in part my dilemna with this device is my own fault for being impatient. That being said I think there was some mis-information out there in regards to the touch screen which is one of the reasons I bought this device for future upgrade.
Now I see for $100 more I can have all I wanted in the newer device about to be on pre-order feb 15th. Of course $300 was a stretch for me so $400 is out of the question. I thought of returning this and getting a nook but the Tegra is so snappy and I just do not know if the Nook will be as responsive as the Elocity is but at least I know someone has already put 3.0 on that device.
My thinking is that there are so many talented and genius type developers who love to tinker and Dexter is one of those who I am so impressed and grateful to that at some point they will figure a way to get 3.0 on here some how!!
However, as you stated so well in your post as it is right now this device really is very nice. It does a heck of a lot and does it pretty well.
I have been thinking despite its shortcomings and unless you spend a lot of cash most of these devices have some shortcomings that I will say almost it is a keeper!! She is so close!!
I am hopeful that when I get Dexters Mod I will be equally happy and it may just lean the tipping machine in favor of the Elocity.
Rob
If you want Honeycomb for $300 or less, I don't really see any other options than the Nook Color.
After spending much of the past 24 hours trying to install both eLocity's latest firmware update (from 2/24/11) and DexMod 1.3 (so I can utilize Android Marketplace) I am probably going to give up and return my A7 to the retailer before my 30 days are up. Thank you to Dexter and everyone else who posted such informative and useful instructions on the A7 forum. I am perplexed as to why I was not successful in accomplishing the update and modification. I really do like the A7 and hate to return it, but whats the sense of owning a Android device if you can't utilize the Marketplace. Duh! I would even be willing to pay a nominal fee to a honest, tech-savvy individual to modify/update my A7 for me. Thanks again everyone, looks like I'll be shopping for a tablet thats a little more user-friendly.
Just my 2 cents... There is not eLocity (Stream TV Network) problem
Google denied Market at some tablets. G considered that their OS version 2.X is not compatible with tablets.
These tablets do not have Market "out-of-box":
Viewsonic G Tablet
Malata ZPad
Advent Vega
Archos (all versions)
etc...
Idk why Galaxy Tab has market "out-of-box". May be Samsung proved Google that it's big phone)))
StarBriteK said:
After spending much of the past 24 hours trying to install both eLocity's latest firmware update (from 2/24/11) and DexMod 1.3 (so I can utilize Android Marketplace) I am probably going to give up and return my A7 to the retailer before my 30 days are up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try nameing the file Update. Do not add the.dot zip, holding down the power button until the third line of text is seen then release will get you into program mode.. selling a tegra tablet to get anything other than another tegra is like going backwards...
StarBriteK said:
After spending much of the past 24 hours trying to install both eLocity's latest firmware update (from 2/24/11) and DexMod 1.3 (so I can utilize Android Marketplace) I am probably going to give up and return my A7 to the retailer before my 30 days are up. Thank you to Dexter and everyone else who posted such informative and useful instructions on the A7 forum. I am perplexed as to why I was not successful in accomplishing the update and modification. I really do like the A7 and hate to return it, but whats the sense of owning a Android device if you can't utilize the Marketplace. Duh! I would even be willing to pay a nominal fee to a honest, tech-savvy individual to modify/update my A7 for me. Thanks again everyone, looks like I'll be shopping for a tablet thats a little more user-friendly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are you located? I'm. Sure if there is a member here local to you, they'd be willing to help you out.
I'm enjoying my A7 but, I do have to give a certain amount of blame to Stream for the lack of user friendliness the device presents. There are all sorts of documentation out there for companies to reference when designing an Android device, giving them an outline of what will work. The choice to implement a code structure or hardware features that do not work or require a work-around is directly the fault of Stream, as testing should have revealed the issues.
Take a look at how long Dexter has been working on the mod many of us are using, the feedback people give after putting it through the "real world" challenge and then the subsequent updates from Dexter...if Stream did the testing and verifications on this product from concept to creation to now...someone needs to be fired or doesn't care. Without detracting from Dexter's efforts or anyone else contributing on this board but, if the customer base can put so many fixes in place:Why can't the OEM? Why are they so slow in comparison on responses? Why don't their updates fix the most common issues? How did they allow themselves to release a tablet without a proper OS and fail to do better funtionality testing?
I'm glad their are folks like Dexter out here and forums like XDA otherwise decent hardware like this would allow companies to seperate us from our dollars on inflated claims of fuctionality and force us to jump through hoops to get a remedy.
problem with A7
StarBriteK said:
After spending much of the past 24 hours trying to install both eLocity's latest firmware update (from 2/24/11) and DexMod 1.3 (so I can utilize Android Marketplace) I am probably going to give up and return my A7 to the retailer before my 30 days are up. Thank you to Dexter and everyone else who posted such informative and useful instructions on the A7 forum. I am perplexed as to why I was not successful in accomplishing the update and modification. I really do like the A7 and hate to return it, but whats the sense of owning a Android device if you can't utilize the Marketplace. Duh! I would even be willing to pay a nominal fee to a honest, tech-savvy individual to modify/update my A7 for me. Thanks again everyone, looks like I'll be shopping for a tablet thats a little more user-friendly.
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email me at [email protected] and I will do what I can to help.
A7 Towel
Here are some quick things to know/try that work for me -
1. SD card must be formatted as FAT format, FAT32 is fine
2. Mod file is named update.zip in sd card, do not put it in any folder in the SD card
3. When you are powered down, if you hold the power button in for about 15 seconds and then release and then hold in again for a few seconds you will see, hold in for another 5 seconds to go to boot menu, immediately hold in for another 5 seconds and then release, you should see a android character, tap on home icon on right and it should go into a boot menu
4. Use the buttons on the tablet (home, etc on the right) to page down and up the list of selections. Top 2 buttons on the right are up and down. Second to bottom icon is select.
5. Scroll to "apply sdcard:update.zip"
6. Select that option (second to bottom icon on right of screen)
it should now apply the update.zip on your sd card. It could take a while.
If there are any errors then the update.zip file may be corrupted. All updates are over 90MB in size except for the patch that Dexter sent recently which is around 3MB.
Let us know if this works.
Thanks for the responses
I have done several times the instructions some of you have responded back with and watched several posts on YouTube also. Yes my card is formatted to Fat32 and yes I used a capital U on Update.zip. I have followed the instructions to a "t" for installing DexMod and Elocity's own instructions on their website in regards to the 2/24/11 update. My A7 simply would not recognize and open the SD card file and would then abort the program. I'm simply at a point where how much more of my time do I want to spend spinning my wheels on the A7 tablet in order to have access to the Android Marketplace. Thanks again everyone.
Please see my response at bottom.
A7 issue
sorry to hear that. I suspect your update.zip file is probably not being recognized as a zip file. mine is named update.zip, no uppercase anything. Sometimes there can be a hidden extension of another .zip so the system sees it as update.zip.zip
I downloaded the mod and renamed mine on my pc and then copied it directly to the microsd card. Sorry to hear about the time its taken you so far. As I said earlier I would be happy to work with you if you wish.
just to clarify, you can't really install the latest feb 24 update from elocity AND dexters elocitymod rom. Unless, that is, you take the mods that dexter has done and apply them to the latest elocity update and regression test it, debug it, etc... elocity did a fair job of putting out a cheap android tablet. they made some sacrifices on the hardware side - no multitouch and no hi res screen, but for the price, it's hard to beat. and dexter's mod makes the a7 infinitely more useful. have you tried other microsd cards? you can get cheap 2gb and 4gb ones at target or bestbuy. if those don't work, you can just return them. lots of people have been using dexter's elocitymod successfully. without it, i probably would have returned the a7 also. if you're looking for something a bit more polished, get ready to spend a bit more. samsung galaxy tab goes for about $600-$800 motorola xoom about the same price as well.
Did you check your sd card for bad sectors or tried a different sd card? Just curious.
Same problem adding Dexter Mod
I've just got the A7 and I'm following the threads about the Dexter Mod. I'm a little confused about 1- what to name the file...some say with a capital U and some not...2- with or without .zip...again same thing 3- can you use the 1.2 Mod after Elocity's latest firware update...the reason I ask this is because the link for 1.3 is down and I do have 1.2 on my pc for some reason.
On my sdcard it doesn't have a directory "ROOT" do i just copy it to the open card. So may questions...sorry about that, been at it for 3 hours and no success. Have to laugh tho....
BTW I have a file named LOST.DIR on the sdcard
file name
The file when you download it is already in zip form. All you need to do is rename it to ( update ).
Dexter Mod 1.3
Thank you. Just installed on 1 of my A7's but the 1.3 Mod...Was able to download it this morning, the site is back up again.
Now to do the bluetooth fix...life is all go...lol
Ok, lets clear this up once and for all...
For everyone that is getting confused about update.zip, Update.zip, Update.zip.zip, and whatever other additional permutations of combinations that people have been able to come up with.
The answer: although some people have reported success with a lower case "u", the best way is to simply follow the directions layed out for you and name it "Update.zip"
Here's the simple truth of the matter, the file you download is <Dexter's_webspace>/ElocityModv13.zip ... or if you are going after eLocity's updates it would be
<elocity's_webspace>/update.zip
Notice that both files have ".zip" at the end. No question about it, no chance that this is not true, no chance that as I actually saw someone post on here "elocity never named it .zip".
Now, here's where people have the opportunity to get confused and do something wrong...
PC Users:
A default out of the box Windows installation is set to HIDE file extensions of known file types (zip files included). So, when you look at your download it will appear to be just "ElocityModv13" or just "Update" even though the file extension (.zip) is actually there. So when you try to rename it to "Update.zip" you are changing only the information BEFORE the file extension, thereby making it "Update.zip.zip"... This is no one else's fault. Please don't blame eLocity, please don't blame Dexter, please don't blame the Android OS itself.
The Solution!:
Open Windows Explorer, go to the "Tools" drop down menu, go to "Folder Options", click on the "View" tab on the window that just popped up, uncheck the "Hide extensions for known file types" checkbox, click "OK", profit.
MAC Users:
I am guessing that this applies to most of the "What do I do with all these folders from the zip file" type of posts. The most probable issue here is that Mac's have a rather annoying habit of unzipping zip files as soon as it finishes downloading them, leaving you with just a folder (in this case either named "ElocityModv13" or "update" with no file extension (its a folder).
Mac Solution:
To keep Safari from automatically unzipping your files, the fix is easy.
Open Safari, open Safari's preferences, Click on the "General" tab, uncheck the "open safe files" box, close preferences. Now download either the mod or the stock update again, and you'll have the actual zip file instead of just a folder with the contents of the original file.
Hopefully this helps a lot of people figure this out.
Now...
My Disclaimer:
I already am prepared for the inevitable "stop being rude", "somebody call me a wahmublance", "I'm new to this" type of response that I seem to get more often then not on here. So, before any of that happens let me explain my standpoint.
Anyone trying to go down this route and put a custom rom on their device is attempting to modify it. This SHOULD require at very least a working knowledge of the device or software you are trying to modify. I am not saying everyone here should be on Dexter's level, but at least a little computer know how would be very beneficial. Next, before just diving in to changing things on this little chunk of technology that you just spent a few hundred on, read. Simple as that, educate yourself on the toy you just bough. Creating many many duplicates of threads asking the same extremely basic questions does not help anyone. It clutters up the forums, makes the people that actually have the answers so sick of saying the same thing over and over that they just don't answer any more, makes it harder to navigate the actual different topics, and makes it harder for everyone else to find the answers they are looking for. There should be no "which one of the 15 bluetooth not working threads was that post in?"
I apologize for my complete lack of patience with people that can not search for information and need to be spoon fed. But 99% of the time the question has already been asked and answered. And lets be serious here, the A7 forum only has FOUR SECTIONS, really not a lot of reading. And in the other cases where it is a user error like not knowing how to rename a file or yesterday's hilarious "My SD card doesn't have a folder called ROOT", you really need to ask yourself if this is really something you are up to. If you lack the basic knowledge to perform the easy steps of the process, is it really worth it to risk creating a $300 paperweight to say "look at the cool thing I did" to your friends?
If something I said here seems like it was taken from your post/story, don't take it personal, it was only listed as an example.
I'm sorry I opened such a can of worms on this subject for some "TECHNOLOGICALLY-ADVANCED" individuals who seem to have nothing better to do but respond with condescending remarks on this forum. FYI: I recently purchased a new Samsung Galaxy tablet on eBay for $360.00, hence my A7 has been shipped back to the retailer for a refund. I still think the A7 is a great device, I simply do not have the time to repeatedly attempt to update it so I can have access to the Android Marketplace, nor the patience to tolerate the attitude of certain posters to this forum. I thought the purpose for this forum was to help each other out on issues, not to repeatedly "Beat Dead Horses" which some individuals tend to be doing. Thanks again everyone and GOOD LUCK!
StarBriteK said:
I'm sorry I opened such a can of worms on this subject for some "TECHNOLOGICALLY-ADVANCED" individuals who seem to have nothing better to do but respond with condescending remarks on this forum. FYI: I recently purchased a new Samsung Galaxy tablet on eBay for $360.00, hence my A7 has been shipped back to the retailer for a refund. I still think the A7 is a great device, I simply do not have the time to repeatedly attempt to update it so I can have access to the Android Marketplace, nor the patience to tolerate the attitude of certain posters to this forum. I thought the purpose for this forum was to help each other out on issues, not to repeatedly "Beat Dead Horses" which some individuals tend to be doing. Thanks again everyone and GOOD LUCK!
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You didn't open a can of worms, it was just a coincidence that the misinforming post that sent the fingers of fury flying happened to be on your thread. and trust me, I have plenty of better things to do, this is just filler.
Seems like you got a hell of a good deal on the G Tab, Congrats.
And yes, the point of a forum is to help other people, which I do. By correcting bad advice, and trying to get people to ask for and give help in a more collaborative way instead of the same questions being asked over and over again. I'm sorry if you find my presence on the internet grating, just be glad that you haven't had to endure my vocabulary in person (apparently it is pretty similar to that of a drunken sailor with tourette's syndrome with the same measure of sarcasm that I treat the net to)
Back at you on the good luck. Expecting a review on the g tab, pro's and con's vs the A7 hopefully
LOL
LOL, you guys are just hilarious
Okay, forgive me for being "that" newbie, but I have a laundry list of things that I need answers for regarding my Nexus 4. Because not only am I new to the Nexus line, I am new to Android all together. And even newer to a rooted Android. So, could anyone help me out with these items? Your support is greatly appreciated!
------ My music folder has disappeared in the file path. I like to use Android File Transfer on my Mac to manually put my songs and other media on my phone. But one day, it just randomly disappeared. It was always under /storage/emulated/0 and now it just randomly doesn't exist. Yet, the music that I synced at earlier times still plays in the music app!
------ My direct OTA update from the mother ship will not install. I am well overdue for 4.2.2 because it just sits as a reminder in my status bar list. I go to "Restart and Install", but I get an error message when the poor little Android is being opened up with the gears sticking out. Here is how I go about it: 1) Click Restart and Install, at the top reads: "Install Untrusted Package? THIS CANNOT BE UNDONE", 2) go down to --Yes - Install untrusted zip, some log code runs at the bottom with words like "Failed..." and "Error" and up at the top it says ClockworkMod Recovery v6.0.2.3, 3) I then go down to Install update from SD Card (because I imagine that's where it would be when it finishes downloading, right?), 4) I then select --- apply /sdcard/update.zip and confirm it, then I'm back to step #2.
------ ROMs: Where do go for them, how do I install them, and how do I manage them? I just wanna do stuff like change the lock screen animation and basic UI tweaks.
------ My signal will frequently drop out on me completely. I am on AT&T's network, and it seems like every chance it gets the signal dies (bars go grey). Rebooting will usually perform a quick fix. Is this due to the root? Or does AT&T hate that I'm unlocked on their network?
------- Finally, battery drain. I barely get half a day on my battery just doing general tasks like texting, calling, Email, etc. Is this also from the root?
Thank you guys so much! I'm so sorry about all this!
br1naryc0de said:
Okay, forgive me for being "that" newbie, but I have a laundry list of things that I need answers for regarding my Nexus 4. Because not only am I new to the Nexus line, I am new to Android all together. And even newer to a rooted Android. So, could anyone help me out with these items? Your support is greatly appreciated!
------ My music folder has disappeared in the file path. I like to use Android File Transfer on my Mac to manually put my songs and other media on my phone. But one day, it just randomly disappeared. It was always under /storage/emulated/0 and now it just randomly doesn't exist. Yet, the music that I synced at earlier times still plays in the music app!
------ My direct OTA update from the mother ship will not install. I am well overdue for 4.2.2 because it just sits as a reminder in my status bar list. I go to "Restart and Install", but I get an error message when the poor little Android is being opened up with the gears sticking out. Here is how I go about it: 1) Click Restart and Install, at the top reads: "Install Untrusted Package? THIS CANNOT BE UNDONE", 2) go down to --Yes - Install untrusted zip, some log code runs at the bottom with words like "Failed..." and "Error" and up at the top it says ClockworkMod Recovery v6.0.2.3, 3) I then go down to Install update from SD Card (because I imagine that's where it would be when it finishes downloading, right?), 4) I then select --- apply /sdcard/update.zip and confirm it, then I'm back to step #2.
------ ROMs: Where do go for them, how do I install them, and how do I manage them? I just wanna do stuff like change the lock screen animation and basic UI tweaks.
------ My signal will frequently drop out on me completely. I am on AT&T's network, and it seems like every chance it gets the signal dies (bars go grey). Rebooting will usually perform a quick fix. Is this due to the root? Or does AT&T hate that I'm unlocked on their network?
------- Finally, battery drain. I barely get half a day on my battery just doing general tasks like texting, calling, Email, etc. Is this also from the root?
Thank you guys so much! I'm so sorry about all this!
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Holy Run on sentences......
1st you should never have rooted. You don't understand it, you don't use it, you have no idea why you are rooted.
I won't help you with installing tweaks and hacks and roms because. You Don't understand it.
2. You can't get the OTA because you are rooted and I bet you have a modified recovery....
3.Battery doesn't care about your root. ATT doesn't care as long as you are paying your bills.
If I was you, I'd read this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2183555, everything in it. Then I would read this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2183555 again. Everything in it. and then I'd read it again. You have a lot to learn and anyone who hands you the information is hindering you and not Helping you.
Good luck.
Disclaimer: I know this should go in the correct subforum for my device, but I'm having trouble navigating this site, altogether. I only see subforums for a handful of devices. So if there is a better place for this thread, I apologize
Oh, where to begin. My wonderful girlfriend got me this tablet back in october, since i said it'd be nice to have a linux based tablet so i wouldn't have apple telling me what i can and cannot do with my device (she saw that as a hint, even though it was more social commentary, but I'll take it). Anyway, I found the 16GB limitation problematic, so I decided to root it so i could use some sort of sshfs app to create a slow multi-terabyte harddrive space to steam small files (like music) from. Seeing as i had the thing for only a week and it's kind of expensive, even for a nurse, to buy for me, i chickened out and made due with a small 8GB microSD card which i just happened to have laying around.
Fast forward to a few days ago, I ordered from Amazon a 128GB microSD card (also from samsung), and decided to try to make due with that. Only to find out (and, if you're able to help me you've probably met the following issues yourselves) that the seemingly largest apps refuse to let you move them to external storage. Even better, there's some apps like Star Wars KOTOR (2.5GB) that say they let you move them, but in reality they stay on internal storage and create empty folders on the external medium. And then many apps cannot write and read to and from SD cards (like DOSbox Turbo), for reasons that completely stump me (which leads to me having to move dos games back and forth when i want to play one that saves). I then read about this wonderful feature called "Adoptable Storage," and promptly go through all sorts of things to try to enable it, only to find out that, since I have Android Version 6.0.1 from Samsung, that feature was disabled by them. After using the email support to berate them (they don't have a suggestion box), decided to try to come here and figure out how to properly root this device and figure out how to solve my space issue (I have 128GB of space that I need to use, but have no idea how to use it for what i need to use it for). By the way, a small shoutout to Samsung support, despite my very terse response, there clearly was a human being at the other end and this human was very, very civil and said that they'll pass it on as feedback (I got the impression that the employee either had the same issue or at least wanted me to know that there have been alot of complaints about this issue).
Anyway, now that that wall of text is over, this is how far i've gotten.
I know that XDA is reliable, they've had problems in the past with malware, but it was unintentional and the ship has been cleaned. I don't know about anywhere else, so the rooting instructions i find elsewhere i assume are probably correct, but i don't know where to get files for the process that i can trust, outside of XDA (and i'm having trouble finding the files i need, here).
I have a nice little article from techbeasts.com ( techbeasts.com/install-twrp-and-root-samsung-galaxy-tab-e/ ), but I don't know where their downloads came from and how many people checked them out for windows and android trojans and such.
So...
1. Is that article accurate for android 6.0.1?
2. Are those files safe (free from corruption and viruses)?
3. If they're not safe, where can I get safe files?
4. I like to develop programs, and I want to be able to develop apps for android as well. Once rooted, how does one test how their app would work on an unrooted device to ensure the app follows the "proper procedures?"
5. How do I deal with apps that are root sensitive? The point of all this is so that I can keep using my apps, so if they all break because i'm rooted that defeats the purpose.
6. Other than having to be careful with what i do (I've used Linux for years, and I occasionally like to code in assembly), that it voids my warranty, and that screwing up can make for a really bad day, is there anything else that I should know? This is, indeed, my first touch screen device outside of Nintendo products, because my V3xi is fine for me as a phone.
EDIT:
7. Forgot the most important question: How would I go about getting adoptable storage working on this device once it is rooted?
Forward: Given the nature of my question, the URL is absolutely necessary. After I've gotten my "10 useful posts" I'll fix the URL for future viewers.
EDIT2: Decided to take a chance. Ran into some issues finding the "stock firmware" which I ended up having to do. For those that have problem getting TWRP to stick, you gotta flash the stock firmware of the version you have currently installed. I tried to flash the original that it came with, which, for some reason, it didn't like at all.
Oh, and don't turn off OEM mode after everything's done. I assumed that after everything was installed it wouldn't second guess it and i could safely turn it off for added security if any app went rogue or something. Nope, must keep it on, so do regular backups. Turn off auto-updating, etc. I hear there's some sort of app that lets you "update safely." Not sure what it is, but unless you *NEED* it, don't do it.
And as a bonus note (so it shows up in the archives), some apps didn't install right (either google or the app developer's fault, but these apps weren't tied to this process [pokemon go and just about all the final fantasy games]). The kicker about this is is that you will not notice this UNTIL you uninstall the app, and reinstall it. Deleting the data before uninstalling the app will make it unstable. To find the data, i used
Code:
du / | grep "pokemon" > pokesearch.log
, since i knew that there should not have been a pokemon related directory on my droid at the time, since i needed to reinstall pokemon go because it was acting really fruity. Deleting the folders (actually, the last entry contains the rest, so it's easier just to delete the last one) allowed me to avoid the -504 issue (not to be confused with 504).
Code:
[email protected]:/data/data/com.termux/files/home # cat pokesearch.log
4 /mnt/expand/07aa2c40-4a8f-428c-afb9-7495df69eb26/user/0/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo/cache
1192 /mnt/expand/07aa2c40-4a8f-428c-afb9-7495df69eb26/user/0/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo/code_cache
12 /mnt/expand/07aa2c40-4a8f-428c-afb9-7495df69eb26/user/0/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo/shared_prefs
4 /mnt/expand/07aa2c40-4a8f-428c-afb9-7495df69eb26/user/0/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo/files
1220 /mnt/expand/07aa2c40-4a8f-428c-afb9-7495df69eb26/user/0/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo
Message me if have the same tablet on a system root
Sent from my SM-S907VL using Tapatalk
denakor said:
Message me if have the same tablet on a system root
Sent from my SM-S907VL using Tapatalk
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We can talk here for the benefit of the community. Any problems you might have should be documented for the sake of the community. But, yes, the -504 error i mentioned above can only be solved through root, so, yes, i was successful.
Kohlrak said:
We can talk here for the benefit of the community. Any problems you might have should be documented for the sake of the community. But, yes, the -504 error i mentioned above can only be solved through root, so, yes, i was successful.
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I have the same tablet
---------- Post added at 09:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 PM ----------
keith thibodeau said:
I have the same tablet
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Tablet just updated itself after I tried to root it .. MM 7.0.1 but I didnt ask it to
I disabled automatic updates (from settings and google play, 'cause it's in both places) to prevent this problem. There might be a new firmware for the tablet, but i'm sticking to this version. I'm not sure you can downgrade after you upgrade, though. You can take a shot, though, if you're not afraid of loosing data. I doubt this process will brick as long as you can get the official firm ware on backup incase something goes wrong.
Kohlrak said:
We can talk here for the benefit of the community. Any problems you might have should be documented for the sake of the community. But, yes, the -504 error i mentioned above can only be solved through root, so, yes, i was successful.
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Now it seems impossible to root without pc