Root or wait for FROYO?
 

I just got my Epic and I'm doing my customary PPCG research to see what I can/should do and what I'm behind on. It's my first Android, so I'm going to play around on stock for a while, but I'm going to eventually root it. So forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is this Clockwork thing I keep seeing? I'm guessing that it's a ROM similar to stock that gets installed during the rooting process....is that right? If so, will the official Froyo update conflict with Clockwork and mess up my phone? Basically, should I wait to root after the update, or will rooting with Clockwork be okay with the update?

Trying to read the info on rooting is like trying to read Japanese in a Mexican restaurant...makes no sense! ](*,)

I want to root my phone mainly so I can make minor tweaks to it, like getting rid of some of the bloatware. I don't really want to run custom ROMS just yet, what with Froyo being so close (I usually wait til I'm bored with the phone, then install custom ROMS to try and fall in love with it again). I want to get all I can out of stock first, like learning to walk before trying to run.

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

I would root it. If not for the simple fact there are apps you will install that have annoying ads! When rooted, you can run an app called adfree to eliminate them, therefore keeping your phone from slowing down. I have the latest VIPERrom (Android 2.2 DK28) runs quick and smooth, while very customizable and eliminates Sprint bloatware!

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

is adfree in the market or do i need to search the net for it? and what is the latest version if i got to hunt it down...?

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

@tkjames, im also waiting for the official 2.2 update. Clockworkmod will only work if ur phone is rooted. Its not gonna hurt anything. However...does the custom 2.2 have the same improvements that the official update will have?(flash 10.1, etc)

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

Ok, this is where I get a bit confused. So it's possible to root the phone without having to install a custom ROM? Rooting is just the Android version of unlocking....meaning it won't uninstall or erase the stock ROM, just make it possible to do some tweaks and install apps that require a rooted phone? When I root, will I lose any settings or information (am finally getting this phone set up just the way I like it!).

Thanks for teaching the babe how to walk, lol!

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

analogies

unrooted: your work laptop that you can't install anything on
rooted: you have admin privileges

clockworkmod: gives you BIOS-like abilities to backup/update the phone when you boot up.

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

Cool. So I can root and then just wait for the official Froyo update, then decide from there if I want to install custom ROMS...sounds like a plan.

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

I said screw it and rooted mine the other day, I was sick and tired of waiting. I figured if I put 2.2 on my phone Froyo would come out soon after that (thats they way my luck is) so I am just speeding up the process!

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

You might be waiting a LOOOOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGG time.

Go ahead and root and flash Froyo. I really like the midNIGHT ROM (click below and it will take you right to it).

**EDIT: I would stick to the RFS version until you have had time to learn about EXT4. Scroll down to where it says "midNIGHT ROM v2.8 (DUAL) EXT4/RFS (Use this if you DO NOT want EXT4)".

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

One amazing thing about clockworkmod is that you can perform a backup, install any rom, and then restore data. When you do this, it sets up your phone exactly how it was with the previous rom (official or not). When I say exactly, I mean all your apps, settings, accounts, shortcuts, texts, game levels...everything. You can try one rom and if you find you don't like it, just flash another and within minutes, you are all setup the way you had it before your last backup. Flashing roms has never been easier and more fun. The days of reinstalling all your apps and all that is a thing of the past. Without root privileges, this cannot be possible.

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

I would not be happy if I was still waiting for Froyo.

Do yourself a favor and flash this Stock Froyo Rom with Clockwork recovery included.

[Stock Flash][Odin]Dk28 Extended 12/05/2010 inc. Root,GPS hack,Clockwork+Redir. - xda-developers

1 Click Flash using Odin, it does not get any easier!!!

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

@Tkjames...ya gota upgrade to 2.2..wish I would have done it the first day I got my epic.
Its kinda like unlocking and flashing winmo...emphasis on kinda....but if uve done that kinda thing before that ll help simplify things.
What are u waiting for!!!! J/p

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

Okay, so if I do the root with Clockwork (or any of the mentioned ROMS), once the process is over will I have re-install everything, or will all my data/settings/apps still be in place? Right now I just want to unlock it without losing anything, back up everything I have right now, then move on to installing custom ROMs.

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

You need to download something like MyBackup or Titanium Backup after you are rooted and back up everything. You should also run the backup in Clockwork. You still lose everything when you flash a custom ROM but then you just restore everything by one of those methods. Read the wiki and it will tell you everything you need to know.

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

Got ya.

So root WITHOUT Clockwork or anything else.

Back up my stuff.

Then have a go at all the custom ROMs.

Thanks much to all. I'd only learned how to flash my TP2 a week before I upgraded, so it's all still a little new. And I'd rather ask stupid newbie questions than brick my phone out of ignorance.

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

You are going to need Clockwork to flash any custom ROMs.

http://wiki.ppcgeeks.com/index.php?t...peruser.apk.21

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

Grrrr...the confusion returns!

I thought I could do this one-click root just to unlock it to be able to install apps that require a rooted phone, including apps that back up my data. Once I back up my data, THEN I need Clockwork to install custom ROMs (so is Clockwork itself a ROM or not?).

I was all ready to plug up the phone and have at it. Now I gotta wait a little longer to make sure I get this right....

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

OK , I didn't mean to confuse you. You are correct in what you just said. The link I posted will take you to the section of the wiki that covers rooting. There you will see the download link for a version of One-Click-Root that will both root your phone AND install Clockwork, so don't worry about it. Go ahead and do whatever you are going to do, and then back everything up. Then when you go into Clockwork to flash a new ROM make sure you run the "Backup"
function there before you flash anything. Its just another means to make sure you don't lose anything.

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

Okay. So my last (hopefully) question for clarification is:

Will rooting WITH Clockwork erase all of my current data?

I get that Clockwork has its own back up system, and Clockwork is necessary to install custom ROMs. I've got the wiki page pulled up, as well as numerous other threads with links and info. Am downloading the drivers. Got my usb cable. I'm set. I just need the final clarification of which to do, root with or without Clockwork, that will result in an unlocked phone WITHOUT loss of data.

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

Rooting, with or without Clockwork, will NOT erase anything on your phone.

Re: Root or wait for FROYO?
 

Hizah! Then awaaaay we go! :-D