It is simply ridiculous that HALF of the Nexus One RAM is unusable in stock...

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...so I am compelled to root. ALL I care about is unlocking that other 256 (himem, I think it's called) for use and apps2sd would be nice but not necessary. Any other practical enhancements would be welcome. I'm using build ERE27. So which ROM fits that description best and where are the easiest instructions with links to download? I have been all over this and other sites and there are so many tutorials and none seem identical. Try Youtube and you know what you get? The most popular root tutorial (by far) flat out tells you from the start "This is not for beginners". Well, where the **** is the one for the beginners? I've jailbroken Iphones and flashed ROM's on to WM devices but I've never seen a more convoluted method to implementing a ROM replacement for a phone. Step by step (with backup reminders at critical times during process) would be great.

For example (from CyanogenMod):

Before continuing, you should first copy all the necessary files to your SD Card. Doing so will make the entire process much easier and faster.

Files you will need:
Download the latest release of CyanogenMod for the Nexus One and the Google Addon from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=623496

Download the latest release of Amon_Ra's Nexus One Recovery Image from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=611829
Rename Amon_Ra's recovery file "Recovery.img", and copy all three files to the root of your SD Card

I'm sorry, did you not just provide me with 2 files to download? Where does the third come from? And why does every "Link" lead to a full page with 3700 more links rather than just a freaking file to download??

Even Droiddog uses a Mac during the process because a PC would have been far too convenient for the masses (Plus I don't want the Desire ROM-too borky).

Preparing myself beforehand (going through the motions of the root without rooting) led to me opening 7 windows instead of direct file downloads. 7 Windows. 7. Does it really have to be this arduous?

I'm sorry for the frustration but deciding to root was suppose to be the hard part. Now I'm just overwhelmed with the unnecessary difficulty of it all. In truth, I'll probably be posting "thanks" from a rooted N1 by tomorrow and wondering what was so hard about all of that.......or I'll be crying over a $530 brick in my hands.

I believe Cyanogen mod (latest version in the link) includes the himem by default, just install that and you'll get the more available RAM (unless there is more steps to the process), I do not use Cyanogen.

Please note this is not the iphone OS we are dealing with here, things will not be as simple as a button press.. I honestly do not know what a "noob guide" is when it comes to Android, it all seems so straightforward to me... If I rooted my G1 and I'm only 13, not even being a nerd at that (wouldn't care if I was though..), I would imagine it not being hard for anyone..

At least the ram thing can be fixed with an ota. It looks like the multitouch problem is hardware. I feel like the ram, choppy scrolling, weird picture quality and image issue should really be solved by now by official update. I can see stringing us along for software upgrades like cupcake, new market, etc...but software fixes should be released asap. Any eta on the nexus 2?

Originally Posted by DMaverick50

At least the ram thing can be fixed with an ota. It looks like the multitouch problem is hardware. I feel like the ram, choppy scrolling, weird picture quality and image issue should really be solved by now by official update. I can see stringing us along for software upgrades like cupcake, new market, etc...but software fixes should be released asap. Any eta on the nexus 2?

Choppy scrolling is just that launcher2, and has nothing to do with the actual phone hardware which is a good thing. I went back to an older 2.0 launcher that is MUCH MUCH faster with continuous scroll.

I will switch if continuous scroll is added to launcher2, but yeah that choppiness stinks

It's a bug the iPhone had its bugs too. One of the great things about rooting your phone is not having to wait for Google to fix bugs the devs here do it nice and quick. I waited a month then rooted my phone and I am happy I did.

Originally Posted by Prod1702

I waited a month then rooted my phone and I am happy I did.

Does the extra 256 of ram make a noticeable difference in the overall speed and experience of the device (you should know having gone a month with stock on it)?

I didn't know CM rom unlocked the RAM you are talking about. I thought we were still waiting on an update from google for that.

Originally Posted by jz9833

I didn't know CM rom unlocked the RAM you are talking about. I thought we were still waiting on an update from google for that.

Is this true?

CM mode unlocks a good upgrade portion of the ram, for example with 10 apps Open I used to have 60 or less MBS left of ram, after CM upgrade with Kspec theme, i have 10 similar apps open and have 200+mbs of ram left, dont believe me? I actually made a video while still pretty shocked, check it, might as well rate and sub. I think I had 230+mbs while 10-12 apps running

www.youtube.com/user/exclusivegslick = my only video.

Ok to answer a few of your questions:


Does CyanMod include more ram? YES. This bump up in ram is included in the Kernel, and all of the newest roms have this including the undervolted/overclocked kernel's as well.

You get about 400mbs after the free up.


The Three Files:
Google had to go after Cyanogen so he HAD to seperate "google apps addon" from his mod. OTHER ROMS will include Google apps in most cases. So CYanogenmod = 2 files.

Ok here is a quick summary that will hopefully help the other guides make more sense. USE THE OTHER GUIDES STILL this is a conceptual map.


1) Install Android SDK to your COMPUTER which gives you ADB and the windows drivers. The drivers can also be downloaded via another thread. Search drivers/sdk drivers/adb drivers etc..
2) Download/install Fastboot to your COMPUTER
3) Download Amon Ra Recovery 1.6.3 to your Fastboot FOLDER on computer
4) Download CyanogenMOD 5.0.4.1 to the ROOT(VERY TOP LVL) directory of your SD CARD.
5) In same post, Download Google APPS 36ERE thing to ROOT of your SD CARD.

*This gives you all of the proper stuff. Make sure you get ADB SDK drivers loaded I stumbled here and wasted a couple of hours*

6) Unlock bootloader via fastboot. This is a command given from your Computer in DOS prompt in the folder you created with fastboot stuff. Your phone is connected and you are in the BOOTLoader. READ the guides for exact directions or the androidandme video, or countless other things.
7) Install Amon Ra's Recovery while still in FASTBOOT from a command via your computer. Follow guides or even first post on Amon Ra's Thread.
8) Now that you are unlocked. Go into RECOVERY which is done via the bootloader. Guide will give exact direction.
9) **** MAKE A NANDROID BACKUP **** just get in the habit. It is your FAIL SAFE. This in theory makes a nandroid backup of your "stock but unlocked" setup. I always "RE" nandroid backup before making changes or when I "Like" my setup. Command is in recovery.
10) WIPE data via recovery command.
11) FLASH from ZIP - pick Cyanogenmod5.0.4.1 (file you dl'ed to your sd card)
12) Flash from ZIP - GAPPS(googleapps) (file you dl'ed to your sd card)


REBOOT the phone. VOILA. Your done.


Important notes. If you decide, IFFFF, to update the radio. NEVER EVER EVER EVER pull the battery. MD5CheckSUM the radio download. and Repeat NEVER EVER EVER EVER pull the battery until the radio is entirely installed. It can take awhile. This is how you BRICK your phone.

Anyways. that is a real high lvl overview but maybe puts things in perspective easier.