Is the hassle worth it ?

[Guest Rotmann]

You can play with it, you won't mess things up. But I recommend you to install a 2.2 ROM because you'll need a wipe so everything you install or set up now will be gone (you have to backup with Titanium Backup). My recommendation goes to FLB R6 if you use facebook (contact integration) or the de-crossed Seb's froyo. Use the Recovery Manager method in the yoochoob video in the guide. Can't tell you about porting numbers, but taking your number from o2 to orange would qualify I think, also don't know about the 30 pounds. I heard that some people got the mandatory 10 pounds after a few weeks or 1-2 months, some got it asap, you have to check your balance.

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Thanks. I wasn't thinking of installing or making any settings changes yet. I just wanted to see what the phone did on basic before giving it some steroids with the ROMS.

Put some other thought into number porting, not had time to read up. Could I use the Orange sim with the credit on it until I use all £10 (and what ever extras for being with them), then down the line (few months) could I port my old 02 number to get the £30 incentive ?.

Going to try to find out all the T&C's but was curious if anyone else has done/thought the same. I cant help but try to get the most of everything. A little work for a little payoff is worth it IMO.

[Guest BritishBob]

Yes it is worth it. i got mine last week, and i havent put it down. It need charging every day, and as long as ur not an idiot who likes their music at a deafing level the sound is fine. I installed Japanise Jelly on the way to college on the train. It's slow on the first boot , but after that it's much faster. If you folow the guides, starting with rooting and flashing your phone (I recomend jelly as it has a good guide) then you can work from there. Start ing the Roms forum, and then move to the themes ect.

Two youtube vids to show you how easy this process is (Without the complicated words):

I folowed the first one. But booted with clockwork and installed/cleared cache/default setings through that. Fairly logical.

Edited February 2, 2011 by BritishBob

[Guest jt_mcg]

Thanks. I wasn't thinking of installing or making any settings changes yet. I just wanted to see what the phone did on basic before giving it some steroids with the ROMS.

I think it's a decent enough idea to play around with it and get the feel of it for an hour or two and then when you do install a new ROM you'll truly appreciate the improvement and feel the reward of doing your research, learning and putting in the small amount of effort required to install.

From your posts, you seem to have considered all possible angles and options and I have no doubt you'll be able to get through the process with your attention to detail. Don't feel overwhelmed, by the amount of information and options, just decide on which rom you would like to try and follow Stephen Harper's guide(s) and especially the video if you decide to install using the ROM Manager app.

I think you'll be very happy with your phone and enjoy the sense of accomplishment when you realise that your efforts along with the amazing commitment of all the developers on here have made it leaps and bounds better than stock.

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Only wanted a little play so I can have a before and after feel for the updating.

I've had a good look at the video guides and I am now charging the phone ready to start the change.

Whats the best set up/set of downloads to add/guide to use ?. One thing I cant chose is what way to follow. Each seem to offer a comprehensive guide (that I believe even I can do).

Is there a software set up that is universally held as the ultimate ?.

[Guest HMZX]

Only wanted a little play so I can have a before and after feel for the updating.

I've had a good look at the video guides and I am now charging the phone ready to start the change.

Whats the best set up/set of downloads to add/guide to use ?. One thing I cant chose is what way to follow. Each seem to offer a comprehensive guide (that I believe even I can do).

Is there a software set up that is universally held as the ultimate ?.

clockwork

you can flash, and backup and do pretty much everything

however, there is now recovery manager for the blade so it could be easier to use

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Thanks. I have StevenHarperUK's guide up now and I will now begin the task. I will no doubt make it so much harder than it is.

EDIT : Already having a headache from looking at the ROMS. Gone with [OLED+TFT] 18/Jan r11: MoDaCo Custom Froyo ROM download + Online Kitchen. Hopefully this will work.

How do people see this as easy. Just reading the guide has made me lost. Every stage has something new that has even more info to read. ;)

Edited February 2, 2011 by Cloud Warrior

[Guest jr866gooner]

Although there are many posts on this subject I'll tell you my story

I got an Android for the first time a few months ago

Until then I was a Nokia person, I would never ever consider anything else.

I bought this phone after reading a review on it before it got as popular as it is now.

After getting the phone home, I charged it up, turned it on downloaded angry birds and it played fine

but I read the posts on here and I wanted to get rid of the Orange stuff, It was just annoying me being there although it was doing no harm

People said it slowed the phone down b ut the phone was fast enough and a LOT faster than the Nokia 5800 I had previously

Anyway to cut a long story short, I followed the guides, rooted the phone, installed clockwork mod, done a backup, restored the backup just to make sertain it all worked

then installed one of the custom roms, I think it was the Modaco r4 2.1 rom possibly

After installing I thought I'd done something wrong as it took what seemed forever to start, but i waited, i went and made a cuppa

When I came back the phone had booted and was running the nice new custom rom, and yes it was a fair bit faster.

After that i started experimenting, reading, researching and within a week I had changed the splash screen changed the boot animations and changed some of the icons in the flash file

The phone is SO simple to mod, no you don't have to do it if you don't want, the phone works fine as it comes

But

it works SO much better with a custom rom, not needed but it is a lot nicer

And with the 2.2 roms you can move the apps to the sd card freeing up the phone memory, ass well as turning your phone into a portable mini wireless router, so if you ever lose your internet connection at home for any reason - just connect your laptop/computer wirelessly to the phone and use it as a modem.

Works great - bit slow but it works and is good when you need it.

That's what I did but what you do is entirely up to you.

For the record moving to this phone from Nokia was the best move I ever made, the phone is 1000 times better.

The only time I "Might" consider going back to Nokia would be if they ever released a DECENT Android phone with at least a dual core processor, amled screen or better, 4-4.5" screen size with a decent resolution, android 2.3, and the price was as cheap as the one ZTE will no doubt bring out later this year or next - it stands to reason they are not going to stand still - they have a winning phone they will release new ones way better but with a decent price to stay at number 5 in the world or even climb higher.

I made the Exact same move as you, had the 5800 same as you and do NOT regret moving to android! absolutley love it and the good thing is, everytime you flash the phone and install a new rom its like having a new phone.......this whole thing is something i wouldnt have even dreamed of on the nokia.

To the OP you will love this phone im sure, I started out reading and researching as best i could by copying instructions of completion into notepad to make it simpler, I believe my first rom was one of seb404's roms (2.1) and once I had done it first time round I was hooked! Im very limited with what I can do but now im onto 2.2 and its great. It has benefits over 2.1 as you will become accustomed.

I wish you the best and if you have any further questions we are here to help and asisst you as best we can. If you choose not to flash a rom its not a problem but its something you have to experience to truly see the improvements but again as I said it was the best thing I ever did and its brill!

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Looks like its no playing around with it tonight for me. I cant download the ASTRO software from the phone as its telling me I have no service. Cant make any calls or contact Orange through it for help.

Going to have to call there service number tomorrow and go from there. Good start for me. All that reading and all the confusion already due to amount of stuff and its all for nothing.

[Guest HMZX]

Thanks. I have StevenHarperUK's guide up now and I will now begin the task. I will no doubt make it so much harder than it is.

EDIT : Already having a headache from looking at the ROMS. Gone with [OLED+TFT] 18/Jan r11: MoDaCo Custom Froyo ROM download + Online Kitchen. Hopefully this will work.

How do people see this as easy. Just reading the guide has made me lost. Every stage has something new that has even more info to read. ;)

follow the video guide:

http://android.modaco.com/content/zte-blad...-the-zte-blade/

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Thats the video I had up to help but the actual written guide and the stages and the downloads opened up a whole new can of worms. Pointless reading anything else up ATM for me as the phone just will not connect the the sim. Will not let me download through the app store to get the ASTRO software using my WIFI connection either. I had watched a video on youtube to test the wifi speed and it was fine. Gone through some sim setting of the phone trying to make it connect to Orange but it apparently does not support it. ;)

As expected anything I touch or want goes to ...poop.

Stupid thing. No doubt I will be on the phone for ages wit their "technical support".

[Guest]

Is your SIM already activated? Can you do phone calls and send SMS with it?

Also, have a look at your O2 conditions. Usually, carriers (O2 in your case) charge you money to get your number ported away from them, and this is why they (Orange in your case) pay you an incentive to port your number into their network. So the 30£ may in the end just sum up to 10£ or nothing at all. At least that's how it is in Germany.

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Cant do call or txts. Will not let me download though the built in app store through wifi. Looking through the little set up guide, it should of been as easy as put sim in phone and then call 343 to chose tariff type and thats it. Dialing tells me that I'm not registered on a network.

I have managed to get it to ask all the time to chose through a list of available networks. Choosing Orange from the list gives me - your sim card does not allow a connection to this network.

I would expect some clause to port a number. Not majority bothered about having to use a new number but was curious to the chance of getting free easy credit.

[Guest SqueakyG]

Are you awaiting activation of the Orange SIM? I don't know what it's like if you buy the phone from another vendor, but when I bought mine from an Orange shop it spent the rest of the day sending me texts saying that the SIM was now activated and the correct settings had been downloaded to the phone.

If you want to check that you have all the right Orange APN settings, go into Settings>Wireless&Networks>GSM/UTMS Options>Access Point Names. Check that there is an Orange UK (and an Orange UK MMS) and it is selected. Check that its settings are:

Name: Orange Internet

APN: orangeinternet

Proxy:

Port:

Username: <leave blank>

Password: <leave blank>

server:

mmsc:

mms proxy:

mms port:

mcc: 234

mnc: 33

authentication type: PAP or CHAP

apn type: default

Or you could stick another SIM in the phone, get it unlocked, and see if that works? Did you say you have an 02 SIM? I'm sure this was something you researched, but unlocking the phone is very easy. Go to http://www.nextgenserver.com/calculator/ , choose ZTE Orange San Francisco, enter the IMEI code on your phone or the box it came in, and it gives you a code. Put a SIM from another provider in the phone and it asks you to enter that code. The SanFran is now unlocked. (Many custom ROMs leave the phone unlocked by default too). You may then need to check that the APN settings are correct for your SIM's network. Unfortunately I can't seem to dig up accurate APN settings for O2... I see many conflicting listings across the internet. Who knows which ones are right.

As for why wifi is not working for you... *shrug*. You say it was working at first? The patronising advice is to doublecheck all wifi settings on the phone and your router, and reset your router (as if you didn't try that immediately!) I don't know why wifi would work at first and then stop. Hmm.

While you're waiting to get internet access on the phone, I was just about to advise you to find a download of the Astro apk file on your computer and then install it from your SD card... but of course, you need a file manager like Astro to install apps from SD card... oops.

Once you're back online and can get Astro, the path I took was:

- Download UniversalAndroot-1.6.2-beta5.apk from the developer's website and put it on SD card.

- Install Universal Androot using Astro.

- Use Universal Androot to root the phone.

- Download recovery-clockwork-blade-2.5.1.8.img and RecoveryManager_v0.26b.apk (from links in Steven's thread)

- Install Recovery Manager using Astro.

- Use Recovery Manager to install ClockworkMod.

- Choose a 2.2 Froyo ROM! (I'm still waiting for modaco r11 to be prebake, sorry I won't pay. Tried JJ9 instead).

- Boot up into ClockworkMod

--- Make backup of phone

--- Wipe data and cache, and factory reset

--- Install ROM zip

--- Clench buttocks for 6 minutes!

[Guest SqueakyG]

Cant do call or txts. Will not let me download though the built in app store through wifi.

I can tell you that the Android Market lets you use it with Wifi. I know it's a silly thing, but just make sure you're using the real Android Market and not the Orange Market. Oh hang on... on the stock SanFran's ROM do you need a data connection to log into Google for the first time? I can't remember. That might be a hangup.

Edited February 3, 2011 by SqueakyG

[Guest jt_mcg]

The zte app filer will let you install .apks from sd. I'm pretty sure thats on the Orange Stock ROM.

[Guest]

Cant do call or txts.

Activate your SIM.

I would expect some clause to port a number. Not majority bothered about having to use a new number but was curious to the chance of getting free easy credit.

You're any salesmen's wet dream come true! Have you checked Orange's PAYG conditions? Are they equal or better than your current O2 tariff? Mind the price for certain amounts of 3G data transfer!

Remember what I wrote above: You will probably not get 30£, because you'd have to subtract what O2 charges you for porting.

Are you awaiting activation of the Orange SIM? I don't know what it's like if you buy the phone from another vendor

Seems it's not yet activated. Cloud Warrior, you ordered via mail. Then most probably you will need to perform some action to activate the SIM. Have you read and followed the manual that came with it?

I was just about to advise you to find a download of the Astro apk file on your computer and then install it from your SD card... but of course, you need a file manager like Astro to install apps from SD card... oops.

No oops. As jt_mcg already mentioned, the stock ROM comes with a file manager that lets you install apks from SD card.

Edited February 3, 2011 by Guest

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

No idea whats happening. I have not been told either way about the sim. The email confirmation mentioned nothing, parcel today and the phone box itself only had stock paper work. Listed to be as easy as charging phone,putting sim in and then calling 343. Nothing.

I did think about trying to unlock the phone but would I just get the same results ?. Could this be a Sim error or the phones link to the Sim ?.

Thanks for the useful post squeekyg. Looking in the menus into access points I have - Orange Internet, Orange SUPL UK and Orange MMS. The first two have a circle on there right that can be activated with a green dot. MMS has nothing. At first nether had a dot in but now SUPL UK does.

Looking at the google market where I need an google account to log. When it come to making an account up I can get as far as name and username but the "next" button is greyed out. I have once again managed to attach my router info and get online through the on-board internet app. Still cant download from either app store application with WIFI. the google one needs an account which I cant make and the orange branded one tells me to disable WIFI as its not supported. and to re try again in a good GSM coverage area.

Cant activate the sim in the way the boxed info tells me as it instructs to do everything through the new mobile and sim I cant get to work together. yes I am an easy sales target because I cant get everything to work in the manner they instruct. I'm not really thinking about numbers ATM, I just want to get the phone working.

Going to factory reset tomorrow (later today) and then give it anther attempt the way the little info included instructs. If not I will give support a ring from my house phone.

Edited February 3, 2011 by Cloud Warrior

[Guest SqueakyG]

No idea whats happening. I have not been told either way about the sim. The email confirmation mentioned nothing, parcel today and the phone box itself only had stock paper work. Listed to be as easy as charging phone,putting sim in and then calling 343. Nothing.

I did think about trying to unlock the phone but would I just get the same results ?

Have you thought about walking into an Orange shop? I know you didn't buy from them, but you are trying to activate one of their SIMs and start paying them money, so someone should want to help you! It's a cheaper first step than calling support. (Note: obviously don't modify the phone in any way if you're going to walk into an Orange shop with it).

About porting your number: I recall reading that the £30 incentive from Orange is delivered in three months of £10, which is obviously to persuade you to keep using them for at least 3 months.

Some advice about Orange PAYG charges if you're thinking of staying with them: They will naturally want to put you on the Dolphin package because that is the only package with a data plan. But it sucks: you have to top up £10 each month and you get 300 texts (nice) and 100MB of data, which is not so nice! An average smartphone user will use at least 200-300MB in a month, so this isn't really sufficient. A much better way of using data with Orange is to pay £5 for their Extra which gives you 250MB for a month. You can get this extra at any time and £5 comes off your balance. 250MB is much nicer than 100MB. And if you sort out your data this way, you don't need the Dolphin plan. You can choose another like Canary (100 minutes, 100 texts for £10 topup each month), or Raccoon (12p phonecalls to any phone, no monthly topup requirement, only downside is 12p texts).

Edited February 3, 2011 by SqueakyG

[Guest SqueakyG]

As jt_mcg already mentioned, the stock ROM comes with a file manager that lets you install apks from SD card.

Hmm. The whole reason I got Astro file manager was because everyone said they could not successfully install apk's using Filer. I admit I didn't even bother to try Filer, I just believed what everyone said about it not being sufficient.

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Walking into my local Orange shop is an option. I'm a bit Ill ATM with a severe case of incurable man flu. Going to be hard enough to have a phone call with my voice, don't want to go out and infect quite yet either.

As for charges, I am not really bothered. Data will only be used for things like setting an random argument straight with a little google search. No plans to be on it all the time if at all. Same with calls and txts, I use my mobile as a emergency line. I use the house phone to sort all needed things out.

When I have a little more brain power to focus I will give the Orange rates a good read as well as 02 policy about porting.

As for phone. last night I couldn't sleep due to illness so was playing around with settings to see what I could do. Managed to get the google market place working, I now have a working account and I got Angry Birds. I will probably try for the file extractor soon and see if I can ROM and unlock to use my 02 sim.

Still want to sort out the Orange sim as it has £10 on it, 02 only has £4. I am happy to change around to use credit. I just add my name at the start of a txt. May tty to give Orange a call in a bit to ask about activation/ I just hope I get a UK centre to understand me. Bad voice and I can see a overseas centre struggling to understand me.

Hopefully I will finally be able to sort the phone out.

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

What a roller coaster. Searched online at Orange's website and found a number to activate sim cards. Sim is now activated and I have my new number. Only thing is this has now deleted/removed the mandatory £10 credit.

Called Orange and had the run about for a while. Got through to supposedly the correct area, told I now have to wait 5 working days for the credit to re-appear.

Reluctant to ROM the phone now as if the credit does not appear I will return the phone. One hand cant see what the other is doing. I'm told its activated when its now, told to use number to activate it with credit for it to remove my credit. ;)

All this over the phone with my voice getting lower and deeper and as expected a foreign call centre.

Still I got Angry Birds and atleast the ball is rolling again. Thanks for advice and support everyone. Hopefully when it comes to ROm'ing again I will understand it can get that sorted without any more major issues.

Edited February 3, 2011 by Cloud Warrior

[Guest]

You don't need to install a custom ROM to unlock the phone. See this guide.

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Thankfully now have my credit attached. Now to start again on ROM'ing. Can I mess up the phone doing this ?. If any issues do happen can I restore or can the phone be "bricked" ?.

My worry is - Looking at both the video and written guide by stevenharper he has older items. All the links take me through to areas with newer version. What should I do ?. Currently I am trying to download file names exactly the same as the video guide has.

Even going through step by step I am worried about my understanding.

So close to giving up again. Video guide tells to make sure MD5 files match each other but the links to DL are different. Really do wish I knew someone to do this for me. Going to have to re,re,re re-read the guide and see what I can do.

Sticking with the 5800 seems like a good idea now, even with the fact its slowing down and randomly locks up.

Edited February 3, 2011 by Cloud Warrior

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

I am honestly lost again. its great to have the guides but as soon as file names come into the game I am thrown. As I don't want to chance the phone bricking I am stressing over every file name there is. I want to match each file to the same as the video guide has but the Jelly fish has since been updated. So the MD5 does not match the recovery clockworks MD5.

As I have little experience or expectations ATM I don't mind if I only have a older basic install.

/rocking slowly in corner