Is the hassle worth it ?

[Guest Rotmann]

Don't install exactly the same files as in the guide but the newest ones, be alittle flexible and not so paranoid, the blade is not brickable. I recommend the FLB Froyo if you want great battery life and stability. If you want overckocking go for JJ

[Guest SqueakyG]

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

There's no need to stress so much. The only MD5 sum to be absolutely sure about is ClockworkMod, because once you have ClockworkMod in the recovery area of your phone it is unbrickable. No matter what happens to the phone, you can always boot into clockworkmod recovery and restore a backup or install a new ROM.

There's now a 3.0.0.5 version of Clockworkmod, and I suppose everyone should start using it because future custom ROM installation zips will be written with 3.0.0.5 in mind. But for now, all the major custom ROMs available install fine with Clockworkmod 2.5.1.8. Since that's the one I'm familiar with, that's the one I'll use for the following advice.

Here's my step by step guide. You've already read all of this, but as you say, reading it in multiple threads in multiple ways has confused you and made it sound more difficult than it really is. So as long as I haven't written this badly, here's one single guide:

1: ROOTING

- Download UniversalAndroot-1.6.2-beta5.apk from here: http://bit.ly/9wAKC5 and put it on the SD card. Don't worry about its MDs sum (but for what it's worth, it's e37d6c0b28c0a94e7b0a94702d5b18da).

- Open up a file manager on your phone (such as Astro). Navigate to the UniversalAndroot-1.6.2-beta5.apk file on the SD card, tap on the file, select "Open App Manager", select "Install", agree to the permissions.

- Open Universal Androot. Press the big "Go root" button. It will probably tell you the phone is already rooted, but this is a misreading. Select "Root again". See it succeed. You are now rooted, which has many benefits, but for your purposes it will allow a rooted-only app called Recovery Manager to work.

2: INSTALLING CLOCKWORKMOD

- Download recovery-clockwork-blade-2.5.1.8.img from here: http://android.podtwo.com/recovery/recover...5.1.8-blade.img

MD5 Sum: cae9935b88359dc96859d39f20d8a821

You check the MD5 sum in Astro by long-pressing the filename and choosing "Details". This is the one that's important to get right.

- Download RecoveryManager_v0.32b.apk here: http://android.podtwo.com/recoverymanager/...ager_v0.32b.zip Unzip the apk file from this zip download.

MD5 Sum: d23d123870cc2bac2e3a9065e18b33b7

- Transfer both of these files to the SD card. Install RecoveryManager_v0.32b.apk using Astro the same way you did for Androot.

- Open up the Recovery Manager app. It will ask for "superuser permissions", click yes. When the app is up and running, go to the Recovery tab, then choose Install Recovery. You will be presented with recovery-clockwork-blade-2.5.1.8.img as a choice. Tap it. Clockworkmod will then be installed.

3: INSTALLING A CUSTOM ROM

- Choose a 2.2 Froyo ROM! Investigate, research, read threads. Use a download link in post #1 of a ROM's official thread. The author usually includes MD5 Sum for you to check. Whatever you download - it will be a zip file of approximately 70 to 90MB - put the zip file on your SD card.

- Lets take a look at ClockworkMod. You can actually install new ROMs through the Recovery Manager app, but I think you should check out what ClockworkMod looks like on your phone. Make sure your battery is fully charged -- it's wise to have full juice for this operation. Switch the phone off. Take out the battery and replace it. Then hold the volume down button while you hold the power button. When you see an upside-down word "Android" in tiny letters, you can release both buttons and wait about 30 seconds. Then you will be in clockworkmod: it's just simple green text menus in tiny lettering. Volume up/down moves up and down the menus, the Home button selects things, and the Back button goes back.

- Make a backup of your phone in clockworkmod. Especially just before installing a new ROM! This backs up the precise state of your phone to the SD card, and can be used to set things back the way they were. So select Backup and follow any prompts. This will take a few minutes, and use about 300MB of space on your SD card

- If you're ready to install a new ROM, go to "Install zip from sdard", then "Choose zip from sdcard", then choose the file of the ROM zip you have. Choose all the "yes" options. Once complete, use the back button to get back to the main menu. The installation of this zip has written entirely new data to the /System section of the phone.

- Now you must use two options from the main clockworkmod menu: "Wipe cache partition" and "Wipe data/factory reset". Choose each one and click all the "yes" options. This is an essential step when installing a totally new ROM, because there are two sections of the phone -- /cache and /data -- that are filled with stuff that the old ROM used, and they need to be cleared so that the new ROM can generate its own cache and data. If you don't do this step, the new ROM may be glitchy and unstable. Also, if you're thinking it's a bit strange to do this step after installing the ROM zip: don't worry, you can wipe data and cache before or after.

- You are done with ClockworkMod. Now choose the top option: "Reboot now".

- Now you try not to be nervous while the new ROM loads up! It may take over 5 minutes to start, because the first time it loads it generates all its settings. Only worry if it's taken more than 10 or 15 minutes; in which case take out the battery, start up in clockworkmod recovery, and do the whole process again. But it should be fine. Depending on the ROM you chose, you'll probably have to go through setup screens and login to Google. Enjoy your new ROM. If for any reason you don't like it, you can always go into clockworkmod and try another, or restore a backed up version of the phone.

Phew.

Edited February 4, 2011 by SqueakyG

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Thanks SqueakyG. I will give yours a good read later. Just need to be able to focus to get a better grip. Man flu hitting me hard again.

Glad to see support is around even with the in-depth guides.

[Guest jr866gooner]

Thanks SqueakyG. I will give yours a good read later. Just need to be able to focus to get a better grip. Man flu hitting me hard again.

Glad to see support is around even with the in-depth guides.

I absolutly panicked before roming my phone........ but then I thought sod it just gotta do it!! it is truly the best thing I did with my blade.

It can be quite confusing, I followed a guide on another android forum (not that I am disliking this one, it was my first dip into forums about android!) **can I link the Android forum??

Didn't watch any videos but just followed guides but seriously though just do it and once installing clockwork it can be great fun installing different roms and themes to get the benefits of each one!

Were all here to help if you get stuck tho..

Edited February 4, 2011 by jr866gooner

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Going to give it another go tomorrow. Got a great migraine on the go on top of man flu now.

Thankfully there is support here, which is very helpful and re assuring to a uncertain mind.

One thing with the roms - i am reading about how each is great and has little unique features like better battery life, but do they effect the phones user interface and wallpapers ?.

I have been trying to get a wall paper to fit on the normal Orange set up and every picture I grab of google needs to be shrunk. The wallpaper confirmation wants me to move a box to chose what area to display.

I just want a cool Iron Man theme and wallpaper ATM.

[Guest GaryJH]

I have been trying to get a wall paper to fit on the normal Orange set up and every picture I grab of google needs to be shrunk. The wallpaper confirmation wants me to move a box to chose what area to display.

I just want a cool Iron Man theme and wallpaper ATM.

If you grab the corner of the little box it displays, you can resize the box so it's the same size as your picture. You'll get the whole picture in then ;)

[Guest jt_mcg]

If you grab the corner of the little box it displays, you can resize the box so it's the same size as your picture. You'll get the whole picture in then ;)

You can also resize the image on your pc to 960x800 and then put it on your sd card. Also a good app is wallpaper set and save in the market, it seems to be more flexible about setting wallpapers from your gallery.

[Guest Reading1800]

Going to give it another go tomorrow. Got a great migraine on the go on top of man flu now.

Thankfully there is support here, which is very helpful and re assuring to a uncertain mind.

One thing with the roms - i am reading about how each is great and has little unique features like better battery life, but do they effect the phones user interface and wallpapers ?.

I have been trying to get a wall paper to fit on the normal Orange set up and every picture I grab of google needs to be shrunk. The wallpaper confirmation wants me to move a box to chose what area to display.

I just want a cool Iron Man theme and wallpaper ATM.

I'm a complete techno phobe, no idea what all these instructions meant but followed them to the letter and all worked perfectly. Haver JJ9 on and everything fine. Also installed Titanium Backup, allows you to move the apps across to the SD card very simply. Good luck

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

I did have the little re-sizeable/moveable square come up on the picture. Seemed to only change in size to a horizontal rectangle. I can only assume the original picture was to big for it to grab. Funny that the 5800 has it fit to screen with no issues.

Trying your guide now Squeeky. Thanks for putting in simple terms and listing the MD sum I should be getting. Having everyone of my results matching a detailed yet easy to follow guide is comforting.

EDIT : I'm as far as checking up on the MD5 for RecoveryManager_v0.32b.apk but the file has a different MD5 than the one you have posted. So far everything going the same as guide up till this, not much I know but its progress still.

What should I do in this situation ?. Thanks

Edited February 6, 2011 by Cloud Warrior

[Guest shadowninty]

The MD5 is for an older version,don't worry :P

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

But Ima scared. :P

What would happen if a bad file is put on anyway ?. I assume by the bit I understand that majority of issues on the SF can be solved wit ha factory reboot ?.

Edited February 6, 2011 by Cloud Warrior

[Guest shadowninty]

But Ima scared. :P

What would happen if a bad file is put on anyway ?. I assume by the bit I understand that majority of issues on the SF can be solved wit ha factory reboot ?.

if the app is corrupted it probably wont install, don't worry

you will fix most force close issues can be fixed be clearing data for the app, not a reboot

[Guest dsswoosh]

Hello all

I am planing to get a San Francisco as from what I've read and the little I understand it seems a great bit of kit. Planing to get it from Orange at £109, through topcash for £12.12 money back. Any better way ?.

For what I want out of a phone - MP3 player - WiFi - Web browser that can take majority of sites and plug ins - Access to free and wide range of apps and play a game like Angry Birds without major issues the SF is just what's needed. I understand not to expect this to fly through everything but will it be atleast bearable in each task ?.

Reading the guides on the forums I should be able to remove all the orange apps and put on anything I want, I can help its performance and fix any issues it may have software side of things ?. Does each colour have any differences other than the case ?. What about the screen type. I have read a little but cant see anything about it on the Orange listing for the SF.

Even typing this and looking back at the guides I'm getting more confused and feel way out of my depth. For the hassle I will get into is it worth getting the SF and essentially removing all the factory installed software and replace the lot with the custom files on here ?.

I feel bad asking when there are guides above me but I would appreciate validation and confirmation on what I want/expect. I feel I am building this up to being such a huge thing for me to do and I am nervous as heck !. I feel dizzy when I try to think where to start on reading as I just cant absorb anything.

No joke. The idea of all the little things like - upgrading the Android software, removing the orange branded tosh, putting on a good email app, getting some free games, a good calender app, figuring out ROM'S, trying to up its performance ....

Just a huge list in my mind that makes any confidence drop.

Apologies again. I have read the best I could on the guides. I don't mean to seem like I am expecting the job done for me but some simple advice and validation on my impressions. I just hope the above mess I've typed is atleast readable. :P

Here's my experience -

- Got the phone.

- Put SIM in, was connected to Orange in minutes.

- Spent about a week fiddling with it, then upgraded to 2.2

- Installed Droidwall (im on pay as you go and this is REALLY needed to stop programs sending random data packets and eating into your MB useage) and Opera Mini (much, much better and faster than the normal browser)

- Installed an AppKiller (makes the phone really speed up when navigating menus)

- For the price you can't go wrong. It has all the features of all other Android Smartphones. HOWEVER, you will not be able to play the newest 3d games at any kind of decent framerates, so don't even bother.

- 2d apps work great though, angry birds works fine, angry birds seasons is a bit jerky on some levels but otherwise just about ok.

- Google maps, navigation, streetview, mp3's high def videos (once you learn to convert them properly), all work amazing.

- The video playback on the san francisco is better than an iphone imho and once you put 2.2 on, it makes your media MUCH louder, even louder than an iphone too.

Is it still a budget phone? - Yes

Do you get all the bells and whistles of more expensive phones? - No, but it is not far short

Is it worth the money, as long as you realise you won't be able to run new 3d games - HELL YEA !

Edited February 6, 2011 by dsswoosh

[Guest jt_mcg]

Does the recovery manager md5 match any of these?

* RecoveryManager_v0.32b.zip : MD5: d23d123870cc2bac2e3a9065e18b33b7

* RecoveryManager_v0.29b.zip : MD5: f8019d82eabaa8ef5fbf2498c13f5a12

* RecoveryManager_v0.26b.zip : MD5: 8d88b79410fdd67a3aa77661b1234a3e

* RecoveryManager_v0.23b.zip : MD5: a068e46ce1b7573caa518060ee95e5c4

If not, try downloading v0.32b.zip again.

Edited February 6, 2011 by jt_mcg

[Guest shadowninty]

- Installed Droidwall

DroidWall is Great

Opera Mini (much, much better and faster than the normal browser)

its faster as its compressed, not real web really

- Installed an AppKiller (makes the phone really speed up when navigating menus)

nooooooooo

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

Does the recovery manager md5 match any of these?

* RecoveryManager_v0.32b.zip : MD5: d23d123870cc2bac2e3a9065e18b33b7

* RecoveryManager_v0.29b.zip : MD5: f8019d82eabaa8ef5fbf2498c13f5a12

* RecoveryManager_v0.26b.zip : MD5: 8d88b79410fdd67a3aa77661b1234a3e

* RecoveryManager_v0.23b.zip : MD5: a068e46ce1b7573caa518060ee95e5c4

If not, try downloading v0.32b.zip again.

Thanks for the continuing informative posts everyone.

As for the Recovery Managers MD5 - Even when I re-download using the provided links I am not getting a number to match any of the posted MD5's posted in this topic.

I am getting - 5b0cfcac1ce5309fdff0469742b47d02 - Modified date of 2011/02/02 if it helps.

Thanks for the mini review swoosh. Just what I like in a review, to the point and a pro's VS Con's area. I think once (IF) I get the phone sorted (going for Japanese Jellyfish RLS9 as my ROM due to recommendation) I will try out some additional apps.

I am lost for what I want/need but I hope some good ones stand out. Recommendations are always preferd though :P

[Guest shadowninty]

are you checking the zip or the app?

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

The extracted file - apk file.

[Guest shadowninty]

The extracted file - apk file.

check the. zip! :P

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

The zip does :P. Guides said to unzip the file I assumed on the PC and not the phone.

[Guest jt_mcg]

The zip does :P. Guides said to unzip the file I assumed on the PC and not the phone.

You're in business now!

[Guest Cloud Warrior]

thanks for all the assistance guys n gals. got Japanese Jelly fish running now. Just sorting out personal setting and then the hunt for a few apps/games.

Do I remove the files I added to mod or do they need to stay ?. and the USB connectivity. I am trying to move a few albums over but it seems to cut the link under a minute for some reason.

Edited February 6, 2011 by Cloud Warrior

[Guest dsswoosh]

its faster as its compressed,

not real web reallynooooooooo

If you use a rom that has pinch support, set images and fonts to medium, turn mobile view off and fullscreen on when using Opera Mini, you would be hard pressed to tell any difference between that and a full web browser.

In fact apart from superior load times, i can't see any difference between Opera Mini and the default Browser :P Opera Mini eats all other browsers alive for performance.

I use Task Manager for an AppKiller, (i didn't actually mean appkiller), i can't see why on Earth anyone would advise not using one.

As long as you put your root program and droidwall on the ignore list (and any overclock program you might be using), you will notice significant menu navigational speed increases, and longer battery life.

Why would you not recomend it? I don't understand.............

Edited February 6, 2011 by dsswoosh

[Guest dsswoosh]

If you use a rom that has pinch support, set images and fonts to medium, turn mobile view off and fullscreen on when using Opera Mini, you would be hard pressed to tell any difference between that and a full web browser.

In fact apart from superior load times, i can't see any difference between Opera Mini and the default Browser :P Opera Mini eats all other browsers alive for performance.

I use Task Manager for an AppKiller, (i didn't actually mean appkiller), i can't see why on Earth anyone would advise not using one.

As long as you put your root program and droidwall on the ignore list (and any overclock program you might be using), you will notice significant menu navigational speed increases, and longer battery life.

Why would you not recomend it? I don't understand.............

In fact, does anyone know how i can screen capture on the San Francisco.

If i can find out how to do it, i'll post some Opera Mini screenshots to prove that it is just as good as a normal browser with how i've set it up, but with completely superior loading times.

[Guest shadowninty]

If you use a rom that has pinch support, set images and fonts to medium, turn mobile view off and fullscreen on when using Opera Mini, you would be hard pressed to tell any difference between that and a full web browser.

In fact apart from superior load times, i can't see any difference between Opera Mini and the default Browser :P Opera Mini eats all other browsers alive for performance.

I use Task Manager for an AppKiller, (i didn't actually mean appkiller), i can't see why on Earth anyone would advise not using one.

As long as you put your root program and droidwall on the ignore list (and any overclock program you might be using), you will notice significant menu navigational speed increases, and longer battery life.

Why would you not recomend it? I don't understand.............

http://lifehacker.com/5650894/android-task...ouldnt-use-them