First Time with Android operating system and feel completely lost.

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This is my first time with Android operating system and i'm totally clueless from where to start.

I searched desire forums already but information is too much and i end creating up this thread.

Before root/flash and other things i need to clear up few things before i run into trouble. so please be easy.

1. I want to install Apps on micro-sd but can't find the way to do it.
2. How to find out My HTC desire is Branded or Unbranded. On a side note, When i turn on my Mobile I see Virgin Media Logo.
3. What are the benefits to root my phone.
4. If i root my phone will i lose the HTC sense UI? or i need to flash my phone to a custom based ROM?
5. What is Froyo? is it a new version of Android 2.2?

Last but not the least, can i root my device using Windows 7 64bit?

Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by wahur1

This is my first time with Android operating system and i'm totally clueless from where to start.

I searched desire forums already but information is too much and i end creating up this thread.

Before root/flash and other things i need to clear up few things before i run into trouble. so please be easy.

1. I want to install Apps on micro-sd but can't find the way to do it.
2. How to find out My HTC desire is Branded or Unbranded. On a side note, When i turn on my Mobile I see Virgin Media Logo.
3. What are the benefits to root my phone.
4. If i root my phone will i lose the HTC sense UI? or i need to flash my phone to a custom based ROM?
5. What is Froyo? is it a new version of Android 2.2?

Last but not the least, can i root my device using Windows 7 64bit?

Thanks in advance.

1. You need A2SD (apps to sd). Only available if you root.
2. Your phone is branded so you need a gold card.
3. You get a choice of custom roms, you get A2SD, and you can use apps that require root access.
4. Nope you can use a rooted stock rom, or better still, a custom rom with sense in it.
5. Froyo is the name for the new Android OS. It's 2.2

And last but not least, yes you can! I used win7 64bit. Use the riskfree root guide on modaco. It's painless and very easy.

Originally Posted by socktug

1. You need A2SD (apps to sd). Only available if you root.
2. Your phone is branded so you need a gold card.
3. You get a choice of custom roms, you get A2SD, and you can use apps that require root access.
4. Nope you can use a rooted stock rom, or better still, a custom rom with sense in it.
5. Froyo is the name for the new Android OS. It's 2.2

And last but not least, yes you can! I used win7 64bit. Use the riskfree root guide on modaco. It's painless and very easy.

Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.

Are you sure my Phone is branded? because the box i have is white HTC one? and i don't see any virgin logo on it.

Plus i googled it and it came up with this information.

Go to Settings>About Phone>Software version and see what the FW version is - branded is x.xx.161.x, unbranded is x.xx.405.x
i checked mine and it says 405..so is it still branded?

If you have the virgin logo then I'm 99% sure you are branded and will need a goldcard.

Originally Posted by socktug

If you have the virgin logo then I'm 99% sure you are branded and will need a goldcard.

this is getting quite confusing..

i just found this thread on XDA :/..

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...8&postcount=11

I haven't mentioned yet, that i'm in Pakistan and using other Network other than Virgin Media as we don't have that carrier. So basically its a sim free Phone. I mailed HTC regarding this.

any other way out to find about the branded and unbranded phone? other than just the logo ?

If you are going to root it, then try without the goldcard, if you get errors then you will know you need it.

Or simply play safe and make a gold card then root anyway. Being network sim unlocked has nothing to do with the phone being branded. I read that post you linked, and that said it was sim free but the sim caused the branding. if you are not using a virgin sim and have the virgin logo etc, I'd say you may well be branded.

It won't hurt to try either way!

Originally Posted by socktug

If you are going to root it, then try without the goldcard, if you get errors then you will know you need it.

Or simply play safe and make a gold card then root anyway. Being network sim unlocked has nothing to do with the phone being branded. I read that post you linked, and that said it was sim free but the sim caused the branding. if you are not using a virgin sim and have the virgin logo etc, I'd say you may well be branded.

It won't hurt to try either way!

Thanks, really appreciate your help.

I'd like to know one thing, as i read on few other sites that android 2.2 is due on Monday officially by HTC, so will i be able to flash my rom without any problem or i have to go through the goldcard and root option?

Its delayed for a few months sadly! Hey i just wanted to ask that are you having the time zone prob here in Pak..the phone showing GMT +6 instead of 5? and messing up all the threaded messages?
Im on Ufone btw!
I was wondering, you mentioned its ur first time with Android..why do you want to root it so soon?

Originally Posted by Deceptivechaos

Its delayed for a few months sadly! Hey i just wanted to ask that are you having the time zone prob here in Pak..the phone showing GMT +6 instead of 5? and messing up all the threaded messages?
Im on Ufone btw!
I was wondering, you mentioned its ur first time with Android..why do you want to root it so soon?

yup getting the same +6gmt time..but messages are just fine. btw im using handcent sms/mms client.

i want to root it soon because i'm running out of memory and want to install apps on sd card.

Suppose if i don't root my device and leave it as it is running right now? is it possible to flash my device with the latest HTC froyo? ..

No sadly you cannot flash another rom to the phone without rooting it
Will have to wait for September for the OTA update.

Ive got a branded orange one but still not debranded or rooted it because initially there were problems with wifi not working and stuff like that..But the thing is once the OTA is here and you want to have that, you wont be able to the custom rom...you would have to revert to your original rom and then get it..

Here is the method for rooting it:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=696189

But I'd say otherwise. Maybe you should delve a bit deeper into the OS before rooting it because there is a chance to brick your phone if you make a mistake.
The solution that I am using for the low storage is that removing unnecessary app from the phone. For example you have installed google earth on the phone, The apk file would be 5.9mb but once installed it will expand to 13mb and eat up a large chunk of that space.
To check the memory consumed by each app go to:
Settings>Applications>Manage Applications

So this will enable you to have a rough idea of whats draining your memory.

Hope this helps!