[Defy General] koubic8:
Works!

I just want to share that CM9 build 120716 works well on my Defy+ :)

But I had problems rooting my Defy+ and installing CM9. I finally succeded after whole day of trying and want to share my process with others. So basically, this is a

Complete tutorial of how to put CM9 on your stock Defy+

Info for beginners:

All-in-One Defy Beginner's guide explains some basics: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1216982

And to be honest, I didn't understand some phone terms before. So there's a translation to more common terms and quick explanation:

ROM = it's the customised operating system your phone runs. ROMs are made by manufacturers or there are custom ROMs like CyanogenMod.

Flash = to install a ROM. It's done neither via Play Store nor manual installing of .apk file but you have to install it from so called Recovery Menu.

BL = Boot Loader = a little program outside of ROM that is executed when your phone turns on. Boot Loader chooses a ROM and starts loading the ROM into memory so your Android system boots.

SBF = System Binary File = file with .sbf extension which contains the Motorola stock ROM you can flash.

Rooting = normally you are looged in your Android as a regular user with limited permissions. But sometimes (eg. when installing .apk file) you need absolute control over the system. So you (or some app) need to login to your phone as root - superuser. In stock ROMs, you cannot log in as root. So that's what we're trying to do here, the ability to log in as root.

Before you proceed

Backup your data. Sync contacts, calendar etc. with Google, you're data in the phone will be wiped! But everything on SDcard will remain.

You have to follow all parts I., II. and III. if you still have stock ROM on your phone.

I. Rooting Defy+

Rooting via SuperOneClick didn't work for me. I've seen many posts that it frozen at some point. Maybe it would work if I've wiped data/cache in system recovery. Anyway following steps worked perfectly:

1. Charge your phone to full battery.

2. Download and install Motorola USB drivers: http://developer.motorola.com/tools/usb_drivers/handset_usb_driver_64/

3. Download and install RSD lite: http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=784077&d=1321414457. If you see error 2738 during install, follow this: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=28035772&postcount=15. Reboot recommended after install.

4. Wipe, flash original ROM, wipe, flash rooted ROM, wipe - follow these: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1542956 (how to flash? See below).

How to flash:

1. Get your phone into Boot Loader mode - turn it off, press and hold Vol+ and Power button.

2. Open RSD Lite, click on [...] and choose .sbf file to flash

3. Connect USB to your phone - an icon should appear in RSD lite

4. In RSD lite click Start

5. Don't touch, unplug or turn off your phone

5. After couple of minutes, just flashed ROM should boot. You'll see something like "Press power button". When you press it, screen turns on and you'll see a screen lock and "Finished" in RSD Lite.

Now your Defy+ has got stock ROM and is ROOTED :)

II. Installing Custom Bootloader

This is needed to flash a custom ROMs. Because the stock boot loader allows booting only stock ROMs.

1. Turn on your Defy and install "Apps Installer" from Google Play.

2. Download 2nd init for Defy (SndInitDefy) version 2.3 (lower than 2.0 won't work for flashing CM9): http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1032212 and put in on SD card

3. Open Apps Installer and install 2nd init, it changes your bootloader.

III. Flashing CM9

Follow the first post in this thread: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=26324560&postcount=1

P.S.: I take no responsibility if you damage your phone. But it worked for me very well. Anyway I read that bricking Defy is very very hard because of the stock boot loader.

---------- Post added at 04:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:34 PM ----------

So far I found in 120716 build these bugs:

During a phone call, phone switched off. I turned it on and watched Cyanogenmod 9 boot animation for 10 minutes. I removed battery, turned it on and it booted normally.

When I fast-scroll contacts in Viber (holding scrollbar on right), the letter in the square has got many artifatcs. I don't know if it's Viber's bug or CM9's.

Wi-fi disconnects when I push a lot of data through (after around 40 MB of normal downloading). Wi-fi kept disconnecting even on stock GB so maybe it's hardware's bug? I have to switch wifi off and on. But sometimes I can't turn wifi on so I have to reboot.

Anyway I love CM9! :) And all from ICS.. Speed, clean UI, voice dictation in my language and Chrome is really worth the minor bugs..