[Thunderbolt Android Development] itzdarc:
Hot Issues and Topics concerning CM7 Test 4

Okay, since everyone is asking, I figured I'd just lay out the "State of the Union" regarding information in this thread. I don’t mean to sound like I represent slayher or Cyanogenmod 7 progress for the HTC Thunderbolt. I merely mean to answer the questions many people are now asking about the current release, Test 4.

As of this posting, Cyanogenmod 7.0 RC0 Test 4 (considered Pre-ALPHA), released 4/29/2011 at 12:23 AM is the latest version of CM 7.0 for the HTC Thunderbolt.

Download TEST 4 here:

CM7 for HTC Thunderbolt TEST 4 DOWNLOAD LINK

Many of you have noted a discrepancy in the file name of the downloaded ROM and the name of the link... see below.

Hot Topics:

The File Name for Test N actually says test(n-1)...

Many of you have noted that the file downloaded via the TEST 4 download links above and in the OP actually say test3 in the file name. This is because slayher used a 0-based numbering system, as most indexes in the mind of a developer are 0-based (counting starts at 0, not 1). Therefore, test0 was called "Test 1" since it was the first test... test1 was called "Test 2"... fast forward to today when test3 (filename) is called "Test 4". Does this make sense? To developers, yes.... to users, I know it is difficult. But since the developer determined this and chose the naming convention, both in the file name and what to call each build, we're just going to have to stick with it until he changes his mind. :)

Network Modes

Note that the OP says that the Testing menu doesn’t display the correct radio options. That’s because you are to use the Network Mode options in menu >> Settings >> Wireless & Network >> Mobile Networks screen. “CDMA / EvDo auto” = 3G. “CDMA + LTE/EvDo auto“ = 4G LTE… which brings me to my next topic.

4G LTE Does Work... Kinda... but no signal bars ever appear, despite having strong 4G signal when it does work

4G LTE DOES work in 4G markets under optimal circumstances and configurations. (PROOF: Here is a screenshot I took today in Columbus, OH on my HTC Thunderbolt running CM7 Test 4 with 4G LTE connectivity.) However, in order to make it work, you must be on the stock RADIO, and jump through some hoops – these methods have worked for me and a few others. However, most people have learned that switching the Network Mode to “CDMA / EvDo auto,” waiting for a strong 3G signal, then switching to “CDMA + LTE/EvDo auto” will eventually yield 4G LTE connectivity. I say eventually because some people who have gotten this to work have reported it has taken anywhere from 1 to 15 times. One drawback is if 4G is lost, you must repeat this process in most instances to get any data back. As a result, I think a fair amount of people are just sticking with 3G, which works well and is extremely stable if the Network Mode option in the settings is set to “CDMA / EvDo auto” – at least on the stock radio.

If you do get 4G to work, note that no signal bars will appear when using 4G LTE. This is a problem with the ROM at this point, but should not be considered an indicator of the actual 4G signal strength.

It should be noted that while 4G LTE does work, the speeds are closer to 3 – 5 Mbps depending on the area and time of a speed test, obviously significantly lower than 4G LTE speeds on Sense-based ROMS, but also significantly faster than 3G.

Problem: Switching between Wifi / Mobile Data breaks network connectivity

Switching between Wifi / Mobile data on the Test 4 build “out of the box” will require a reboot of the phone or airplane mode on then off to reacquire network connectivity. As far as I understand it, this has something to do with an incorrect network gateway being acquired by Android on the handoff from one data source to another.

Solution: There is a zip you can flash via ClockworkMod Recovery (CWMR) that fixes this problem for most individuals. Imoseyon's instructions for first-time installation are: flash the zip via CWMR, disable wifi, reboot, then re-enable wifi. Then you should be able to use wifi normally. Download the fixwifi.zip file by imoseyon here.

Problem: Battery Life is Terrible and the Thunderbolt runs hot with the stock CM7 kernel

The stock CM 7.0 kernel that comes with Test 4 destroys battery life, reducing it by a number of hours. Others have also reported that even slight data usage causes the Thunderbolt to heat up quite a bit.

Solution: This is easily circumvented, as flashing a lite CM friendly kernel made for the HTC Thunderbolt restores battery life to a very friendly and quite a bit cooler state! I use imoseyon's leanKerenel xtreme for the Thunderbolt on CM7. Imoseyon’s kernels are available here.

Be sure when you download one of the kernels for the Thunderbolt that you get the one FOR your ROM. With Cyanogenmod, be sure that Kernel Manager or the location you're downloading from indicates the kernel is for Cyanogenmod or AOSP. If your ROM is a Sense based ROM, be sure the kernel is described as being for a Sense ROM. Flashing the wrong one will result in you not being able to boot the device. If you DO flash the wrong one, simply mount USB in CWMR, move the correct zip file from your computer to the device, then flash the correct zip. All should work fine. It is probably a good idea to make a nandroid backup though, just in case. :)

GPS

The GPS works in Test 4. I tried Test 3, and it couldn’t get a lock for anything. I had some trouble in Test 4, but after using a GPS Test app from the market, I’m able to get locks almost immediately. Most people didn’t report that issue, instead seeming to be readily able to lock on GPS at will.

In-Call Echo and Mic Issues RESOLVED

I think most people can agree the MIC issues have been resolved with regard to calls in Test 4. When I used Test 3, most people I spoke to on the Thunderbolt complained about an echo they could hear of themselves. I *believe* this was due to the routing of the “ambient noise” mic on the back of the phone, routing its input back into the call stream. This seems to have been corrected. I use Test 4 as my “daily driver” and don’t have any issues – I actually think calls sound better than they did on the Sense based ROMS.

Audio Issues when Recording Video

It seems that no audio is recorded when you are using the camera software to record a video. I don’t know of a fix.

Some Cyanogenmod Settings are not Saving

Most people will point out that some sessions in the Cyanogenmod Settings area are not saving properly, which may or may not affect the themes configuration in the ROM.

Solution: I experienced this error, and per many people’s recommendations, determined that doing a Fix Permissions either in CWMR or in ROM Manager fixed the issue after rebooting. Many people have indicated they have had to do this several times. I did not experience this issue with Test 3, so I consider it regression.

White vs. Green Data Icons and Signal Bars

White data icons actually mean that the device is receiving a data connection. Green icons mean the device is accessing Google Services (market, talk, apps, Gmail, etc.) over the data connection.
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Again, I'm simply trying to consolodate all our confusion into one place, to hopefully help out the devs that are working so diligently to get us permanently out of Sense land.

I'm sure I missed something... if you want to respond to this message and let me know what, I'll try to include whatever can be confirmed. I'll also update it as fixes become available.