Advice on flashing rom for the first time - Gen1 phone

[Guest Android-Fan]

I have an Orange San Francisco 1 - having run the 'Ask Mr Pig Fish' app it says that I have a Gen1 device. I bought it about a year ago direct from Orange.

I have installed:

Rom Manager - which I used the 'backup ROM' option to create an entire backup

Titanium Backup - to backup certain apps which have logins etc. stored with them

Universal Androot - to make the above function with root priveliges

I have also backed up contacts to the SD Card

I have also copied the backups from the SD card to my computer running windows 7

I wish to 'flash' the device and install a new ROM so that I can have a newer android version than 2.1 I would like a ROM which is: - lightweight - stable - allows apps to be installed on sd card (will I need to do something with partitions? for the moment I'd like to keep the 2GB sd card that I have) - keeps wifi connected when the sceen goes to sleep so that any apps using the internet such as gtalk etc. stay connected I don't need anything fancy - stability and reliability is my main concern I had read about ICS but as reviews have said it is unstable on the SF atm I will go with 2.3 instead I have some questions 1) I have the Skyfire browser which I downloaded when it was free, now to use the flash conversion feature you need to buy a license (Skyfire Video License Key) however people who already have it have been told they have it free for life - if I restore it from my backup (made with titanium backup) after flashing will it continue to be free? 2) Is this the best guide to follow: http://sanfranciscoa...e-libra-u-v880/ (I already have clockwork recovery as part of rom manager I think should I uninstall it first?) 3) As I already had clockwork recovery I attempted this to see what would happen:

"Hold the front MENU and side volume+ button together - continue holding the two keys whilst you turn on your phone with the Power On button (so you should be holding 3 buttons at once)."

edit: tried volume- button too same thing But the phone just turns on normally - I remember reading that this feature is disabled on some phones - what other options do I have? I see the guide also says

"Troubleshooting If you cannot boot into ClockworkMod Recovery, use the alternative method to boot into ClockworkMod Recovery (this won't work if you just converted your Gen 1 to Gen 2) 1. Open the Recovery Manager from the app list on your phone. 2. Tap the Recovery tab. 3. Tap Reboot into Recovery and then Ok."

But the previous page also tells you to convert to Gen2 4) What is the best rom to choose based on my requirements above? would it be Swedish Snow RLS3 Android 2.3? 5) The guide doesn't seem to mention installing the USB drivers (or maybe I missed it) do I still need to do this? 6) My build number ends with B10 - which isn't shown here: http://sanfranciscoa...e-libra-u-v880/

Doing: *983*24474636# has shown me glass: Lead so I assume it is TFT?

7) Should I use superboot?

Thank you for reading

edit: would I be better off using TPT helper and using the TPT method as it says:

*Download TPT files which will convert and install a ROM in one go

*Start the TPT from inside the app on some roms, no need to use the hardware buttons manually

edit2: I also see some people mentioned gen3 - is this relevant to me?

Edited March 10, 2012 by Android-Fan

[Guest Android-Fan]

Blade checker from Amphoras says:

European Blade (512MB RAM detected)

Gen 1 Phone detected

Use Gen1 style TPTs

Does this mean only use Gen1 style TPTs or can I also use Gen1 to Gen2 TPTs?

[Guest Android-Fan]

Pressing just power key and volume down lets me boot into clockword mod recovery (pressing menu aswell did not work for me)

[Guest Amphoras]

If you're wanting to use Swedish Snow, and your phone is Gen 1 just now, the best way is to use the TPT in the Swedish Snow thread. You've made all the backups already, so all you need to do is follow the instructions there and you should be fine.

Gen 1 to Gen 2 TPTs are Gen 1 style TPTs, it just means the ones with all the files separate instead of the image.bin TPTs that stock Gen 2 phones have to use.

[Guest Davidoff59]

I would stick with Gen 2 as thats what most roms are currently developed for.

OUK_P729BV1.0.0B10 is listed here

Power Menu and volume key is used for flashing a tpt which changes your partition sizes. This is required to update to Gen 2.

Clockworkmod recovery is accessed by Power on and volume-. From here, you can flash a new Rom and wipe the cache etc.

My advice would be to go with a CM7 kang from here

While it may not be the smallest in size, it is actively updated, has plenty of customisation and has all the latest bug fixes. You can download roms from either Targetbsp or Sej7278 Kangs.

My upgrade path went from Gen 1 2.1 stock Orange to 2.2 Froyo and then to Gen 2 2.3 Gingerbread. I am currently using Swedish Snow RLS5 by KonstaT.

I have used the Lewa rom from here http://android.modaco.com/topic/351870-【rom】lewa-offical-rom-for-ztx-blade-v880-english-version/ which I like very much but there is always something that makes me revert to a different Rom. I prefer this rom over any other personally but just somethings put me off using it, one being data sent to China, which can be prevented by the end user, ie you and me but it takes a bit of work, and the other being not everything is in English. 99% is in English but small bits of the dialler and the calender is in Chinese.

The Lewa rom is the only rom where Youtube app has not regularly force closed on me so I am trying to work out why at the moment.

I used orangesnafranciso.co.co.uk to upgrade and their guides are very well written. Once you are on a Gen 2 layout with Clockworkmod installed, you can test roms with ease easily within 20 mins and find which rom you like. You will get many different opinions on what is the best rom so you have to find one that suits you.

Good luck with the upgrade but follow the guides to the letter. One missed step, as I did going from 2.2 to 2.3 is a pain and leads to needless stressing out on why the phone isnt working and what step you missed out.

[Guest Android-Fan]

Thanks guys for the responses.

Just trying to decide whether to use Swedish Snow or CM now - whats the difference betweent the official CM7 and the Kang roms?

[Guest Android-Fan]

If you're wanting to use Swedish Snow, and your phone is Gen 1 just now, the best way is to use the TPT in the Swedish Snow thread. You've made all the backups already, so all you need to do is follow the instructions there and you should be fine.

Gen 1 to Gen 2 TPTs are Gen 1 style TPTs, it just means the ones with all the files separate instead of the image.bin TPTs that stock Gen 2 phones have to use.

just done this and it seems to be working nicely so far :D

[Guest Davidoff59]

The kangs have all the fixes from Cm7.

There used to be nightlies done so fixes were done daily, but there are no more nightlies so guys like targetbsp and sej take over where the nightlies used to be.

Swedish Snow is a fine rom and you wont go far wrong by using it. You gotta start somewhere and Swedish Snow is as good as any.

[Guest Android-Fan]

ok thanks - Swedish Snow seems to be working nicely :)

[Guest Android-Fan]

also now that I have gen2 can i flash clockworkmod to the latest version instead of the 3. something version I have now?

[Guest Amphoras]

You should be able to yeah.

[Guest Android-Fan]

You should be able to yeah.

done :D

thanks for all your help