How should I choose a ROM?

[MarkAtHome]

I've very new to all this, having used a non-PDA/smartphone (SE637) for many years before purchasing a Tilt. While quite PC-literate, I find myself very intimidated with all this. I read as much as my mind allows before requiring large quantities of diet-coke -- then I need a nap to calm myself down from the soda before reading any more, or my head explodes.

I think that I need a new ROM, but I'm not sure why! :) Everywhere I read, that's what I'm told.

This community is very knowledgable and seems very helpful. As this appears to be more for developers than users like me, I'm hesitant to ask my question for fear of offending a developer, which isn't my intent. I'm looking for information that might assist me in choosing which ROM to use.

I suppose that I want the phone to run faster, be easier to use/see (I don't see as well as I did 50 years ago... ), and have the latest of whatever is the best at the moment, spending as little as possible in the process. A truly never-ending story...

[kyphur]

Before you start flashing decide what's important to you. Are you looking for a certian look & feel? Is fuctionality more important or do you want spped/stability?

Then research the different Roms, most include feature lists & screen shots in the first few posts of the thread.

So what it really comes down to is a lot of reading.

Oh and be sure to HardSPL your device BEFORE doing anything.

[schulzj]

Also, like kyphur said read and do the hardSPL first but for me I found it's most helpful just to try some. Download a few, flash them give it a whirl and see what you like. Once you try a few you'll find options and programs you love and will start looking for roms that have what you need and more importantly what you don't like. And if you never find anything you love then start cooking. There are a lot of great wikis here to guide you step by step.

Hope this helps.

[thomassster]

Start with Wiki first. Once you hardspl, load your first rom. You will find how easy it is and start to flash more roms like crazy. Experiment, and then you will find what you like. After flashing your first rom, you will realize how much better your new rom is compare to the stock rom.

[bapssystupr3m3]

just start off by choosing a few roms...then read about it as the chef would describe their rom...see which one fits u most...then make sure u read teh wiki and faq before u actually start ur flashing...to make sure nothing goes wrong...and then if that doesnt fit u..try another rom..but all the roms here...are better than stock for sure:)

[MarkAtHome]

I knew this wasn't going to be easy... Rating system anyone? :rolleyes: I suppose I'm also nervous about doing a first flash. What about CID and SIM unlocking?

[NotATreoFan]

I knew this wasn't going to be easy... Rating system anyone? :rolleyes: I suppose I'm also nervous about doing a first flash. What about CID and SIM unlocking?

HardSPL removes the Carrier lock (CID) from your phone. As for SIM unlocking, I haven't bothered yet because I don't travel anywhere that AT&T doesn't provide service.

Once you've done your share of reading, if you are still confused about what type of ROM you are looking for, check out whatever the latest Dutty release is at that point in time. Dutty's Kaiser ROMs are probably the most popular on XDA.

I use a [somewhat] clean ROM myself, with the bare minimum preloaded. This way I can install what I need, and not worry about wasted space for programs I don't use.

[P1Tater]

eenie meenie minie moe:D

j/p
however, for Christ sake, please have hardspl installed.
Just pick one by reading the changelogs usually located in the first couple of posts.

[MarkAtHome]

eenie meenie minie moe:D
Yours sounds best! :p

[MarkAtHome]

HardSPL removes the Carrier lock (CID) from your phone. As for SIM unlocking, I haven't bothered yet because I don't travel anywhere that AT&T doesn't provide service.

Once you've done your share of reading, if you are still confused about what type of ROM you are looking for, check out whatever the latest Dutty release is at that point in time. Dutty's Kaiser ROMs are probably the most popular on XDA.

I use a [somewhat] clean ROM myself, with the bare minimum preloaded. This way I can install what I need, and not worry about wasted space for programs I don't use.
Is there a Tilt-specific version (currently with ATT's latest released ROM) of HardSPL that avoids all the headaches I'm reading about?

I'm still not sure how this works, but if I were to go Dutty's, should I look for UC - from what I'm gathering, I could then get a minimum ROM version, choose what I want added, then somehow update that bare ROM to include my choices, keeping all my settings in the process? A hard reset, if needed, would restore the new UC basic ROM along with what I added -- do I have this right?

[NotATreoFan]

Is there a Tilt-specific version (currently with ATT's latest released ROM) of HardSPL that avoids all the headaches I'm reading about?

I'm still not sure how this works, but if I were to go Dutty's, should I look for UC - from what I'm gathering, I could then get a minimum ROM version, choose what I want added, then somehow update that bare ROM to include my choices, keeping all my settings in the process? A hard reset, if needed, would restore the new UC basic ROM along with what I added -- do I have this right?

The version of HardSPL required is determined by what version SPL that is on your phone. If you reboot your phone in bootloader mode, you will see a version number for SPL. As long as you follow the directions for that version, you will be fine.

[MarkAtHome]

The version of HardSPL required is determined by what version SPL that is on your phone. If you reboot your phone in bootloader mode, you will see a version number for SPL. As long as you follow the directions for that version, you will be fine.
Thanks, NotATreoFan. I found info on what a bootloader is, and this is the info displayed:

KAIS1*0
SPL-1.93.0000
CPLD-8

What should my search criteria look like to find the HardSPL that I need to use?

[XtreMe_G]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=354061

and i think from your spl version you can pretty much guess which one you have to use

[MarkAtHome]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=354061

and i think from your spl version you can pretty much guess which one you have to use
Thanks for the help, XtreMe_G. Just so I have this straight, out of the 4 files listed, I only need to download and run JumpSPL1.93-KAIS.zip (http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=73462&d=1204363185) and I'm done? The Tilt is now prepared to accept any appropriate ROM?

[NotATreoFan]

Thanks for the help, XtreMe_G. Just so I have this straight, out of the 4 files listed, I only need to download and run JumpSPL1.93-KAIS.zip (http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=73462&d=1204363185) and I'm done? The Tilt is now prepared to accept any appropriate ROM?

You need JumpSPL to get started, and then you need HardSPL to flash. 2 zip files total. Memorize the steps prior to starting, and do NOT skip any of them for any reason...

[thomassster]

man...I thought I gave you advice yesterday on what to do. Literally, thousands of people have hardspl their roms just fine. Even a couple blonde girls in this forum have done it. It is not that hard and you shouldn't have too much trouble. Just follow the instructions and you will be just fine. After your first flash, you will move couple levels up in knowledge.

[MarkAtHome]

You need JumpSPL to get started, and then you need HardSPL to flash. 2 zip files total. Memorize the steps prior to starting, and do NOT skip any of them for any reason...
Will do ask you suggest. Just a thought... by doing this, will anything on my phone be affected (programs, settings, etc.)? I'm, obviously nervous about all this, and while I will follow your instructions with hardSPL, I'm not yet ready to flash a ROM.

[MarkAtHome]

man...I thought I gave you advice yesterday on what to do. Literally, thousands of people have hardspl their roms just fine. Even a couple blonde girls in this forum have done it. It is not that hard and you shouldn't have too much trouble. Just follow the instructions and you will be just fine. After your first flash, you will move couple levels up in knowledge.
Your information was very valuable. I just needed a little more detail to help calm my nerves... :confused: