[T-Mobile Sidekick 4G] ayoteddy:
So i've been here on the Sidekick 4G forums since the day its been made. From the first thread to the one your on right now. And i saw as development began to pick up many new Sidekick 4G users or people new to android in general have questions and some of these questions get asked multiple times and is answered by the same people all the time. We all do our best to keep a friendly atmosphere on the forums and make everyone here feel comfortable and welcome. But sometimes when the same people answer the same question 30+ times they may get a bit impatient and loose their friendly outlook, although they mean no harm.. they can still get frustrated. So thats why i decided to make this thread, i saw how well it works in other Forums and hopefully it helps here too.

First and foremost, this is the development section, not Q&A. If you need to ask a question such as "how do i...", "what does...do/mean", etc post it in the general section as we do not yet have a Q&A. Or simply post it here and i'll answer it for you. it is much better than to have 5+ new questions in the Development section every week and such a small count of ROMs and other things that actually contribute to Development for the Sidekick.

So Lets begin - FAQ

Q - What is Android ?

A - Android is a Mobile OS for smartphones, more specifically it's a version of Linux. There are several versions to date and they all have names as well as version codes. The most recent (at the moment) are Froyo(2.2), Gingerbread(2.3), and Honeycomb(3.0). also theres the upcoming Icecream Sandwich(4.0).

Q - What is Root ?

A- Short answer: If you don't know, you don't need it. Long answer: root is equivalent in Linux to having administrator privileges in Windows. It allows you to change more system settings as well as run apps that need root access. It also allows you to flash custom ROMs as well as do a lot more. Root is for power users, not your average user. Can the average user benefit from root? yes but power users will benefit more. Root can also screw your phone if you don't know what you're doing.

Q - Where can i get root ?

A - There is an easy one Click root method Guide for the SK4G here [GUIDE]SuperOneClick - Root/Unroot Your Samsung Sidekick 4G

Q - What is a Custom ROM ?

A - A Custom ROM, simply put, is software for your phone. It's the main OS and usually includes other apps, tweaks, settings, and things you like that you don't normally find in a stock phone.

Q - Where can i find a custom ROM ?

A - Here in the Devopment Section

Q - How do I flash a ROM ?

A - Short Answer: In Recovery (CWM) wipe data and cache then install XXROMXX.zip from sdcard. Long Answer: Download XXROMXX.zip and put it on the Root of your SDcard, Reboot into recovery and wipe your data and cache from the main menu. Then if you are on a orange Recovery be sure to Check your Mounts (if on RED VOODOO CWM then no need for this) to make Sure they look like this under "Mounts and storage" selection in CWM:

"UNMOUNT CACHE

MOUNT DATA

MOUNT SDCARD

UNMOUNT SYSTEM" - if they do then its safe to flash the zip select flash zip. Now go back to CWM main menu and select install zip from sdcard>choose zip from sdcard>XXROMXX.zip>yes, and the ROM will begin to flash. Once done if your on Orange CWM recovery check your mounts again to make sure they are still the same then select Reboot System Now.

Q - How do i get into recovery ?

Manually, Using the 3ButtonCombo (VolDown+VolUp+POWER, simultaneously) . Or while on the phone, Use an app like quick boot and if your ROM has an extended power menu you will have a recovery option that will boot you into recovery.

Q - How do i Flash a Kernel ?

A - The Same way you would flash a ROM

Q - What is a Kernel ?

A - A kernel is the core of a Linux OS, it's what all the other software is built around. No core/kernel, no OS. A custom kernel enables features that the stock kernel didn't have such as OCing and/or Ext4 capability

Q - How do i flash a modem ?

A - Same way you Flash a ROM

Q - Where can i find other modems ?

A - There are very few at the moment but you can find them in this thread [REF][MODEMS][CWM] Samsung Sidekick 4G

Q - How do i know what modem im currently on ?

A - Go to setting>about phone and it tells you under Baseband version. The last 3 characters are the code for your current modem.

Q - What is "cooking" a ROM ?

A - Building a ROM from source is usually referred to as "cooking" a ROM, but sometimes cooking can also mean rebuilding a themed ROM.

Q - Where can i find the Best ROM ?

A - There is no best ROM, only ROMs that are best for you. Look through the different ROMs and see which one fits your needs the best.

Q - I tried to flash a ROM now my phone is stuck at the "Sidekick 4G" Slash Screen HELP !?!

A - Most likely you missed a step in the installing process, possibly didnt check your mounts ? try a battery pull, then well if you can get back into recovery try wiping and trying the installation over carefully. If that doesnt work or you cannot get into Recovery your phone can still be recovered you just need to ODIN back to stock

Q - What is ODIN ?

A - Its a firmware flashing software for samsung devices, you can use it to restore you phone back to stock incase you need to return it or if you have softbricked your phone (or whatever else reason), you need to be in download mode for the program to Detect/connect with your device

Q - How do i get into download mode ?

A - Easy way is Using simultaneously holding the Trackpad+volDown+Power. The Fool Proof way is described here in this short post a made for another person having trouble getting into download mode

Q - Where can i find the Odin ROMs ?

A - For the firmware the phone was released with (KD1) Go Here and for the Update that Tmbile began Rolling out on July 21st (KG2) , Go Here

Q - How do i find out what version of android i am on ?

A - Go to Settings>about phone and it tells you under firmware version

Q - i still have questions that you havent answered, Should i make a new thread here ?

A - ... Nope, You can comment below and i can answer your question and add it to the OP if necessary. Or you an make a thread in the general section as we dont yet have a Q&A Section.

Thanks to dbzfanatic for inspiration to make a FAQ for the Sidekick 4G

Hope this is helpful to others ! If you would like/suggest i add anything to this post let me know below.