[Android General] TopDroid:
FAQ's

Q. What's a ROM?

One of the best things about the openness of the Android platform is that if you're unhappy with the stock OS, you can install one of many modified versions of Android (called ROMs) on your device. The downside is that there are so many developers and different Android devices out there that the custom ROM scene can be very difficult to navigate.

Please note: A ROM can ONLY be flashed to a device it is made for!

Q. Types Of ROMs?

The most popular types of ROM's come in three different flavors: ROMs that port future versions of Android to your device (when they aren't yet officially available), ROMs that add new features beyond the stock OS, and ROMs that focus on speed and stability. These aren't the only three categories of custom ROMs, nor are they hard and fast rules, but they offer good guidelines as to what's out there. Generally, you can pick a ROM fairly easily if you know which of these three categories contains the features most important to you.

Q. The Right ROM For You?

The problem with the ROM scene is that most ROMs don't have any kind of official web site; they're usually just posted on forums (which makes them a bit more difficult to search for). There aren't many comprehensive ROM databases on the net, but I did find This List at TheUnlockr, which is pretty good. Just click on your phone's model and you'll be presented with a fairly well-maintained list of the popular ROMs available for your phone.

Q. How To Download A ROM?

Installing a new ROM (more commonly known as "flashing") is very easy with ROM Manager. Just go back to the "Download ROM" section (or, if you're installing a ROM from your SD card, go to "Install ROM from SD card" and pick your ROM).

NOTE: Always, always back up your existing ROM before flashing something new. Then, if something goes wrong, you can always restore to your latest backup, either through ROM Manager (by going to "Manage and Restore backups" on the main menu) or by booting into recovery mode and choosing "nandroid".

Q. What is a bootloader?

A bootloader contains information about your device. It is quite similar to a computer’s BIOS. Official bootloader also have a security option called CID (Carrier-ID) which allows you just to install ROM’s from the provider of your phone. So, if you want to flash another ROM, you first have to turn off this security option by “CID-unlocking” your device. Check the flashing instructions below on how to do this.

Q. How To Download The Apps Given In Post 2 ^^ ?

Just click on the title and you will be redirected to the download page or their official website.

Q. Why You Should Use CyanogenMod?

1. Built-in Screenshot feature

2. Better, faster UI

3. Overclocking

4. Automatic installation to SD instead of phone memory

5. Cool Themes

Q. Why You Should Flash A Custom ROM?

1. Better battery life

2. Features that aren't normally available on stock phones can also be found on phones running custom software

3. More Themes

4. Many Options

5. Extremely Customizable

6. Lots of updates

7. Better Performance

Q. Why You Shouldn't Flash A Custom ROM?

1. Flashing Rom voids warranty

2. The work required before flashing can be labor intensive and confusing to the first timer

3. You run the risk of bricking your device when flashing a ROM or in the steps leading up to it

4. You will have to wipe data, do a factory reset

Q. Which Is The Fastest/Best ROM?

There are so many Rom's out on internet, it is impossible for anyone to answer this question. Refer to Q.2 and find which type of ROM you need.

Q. How To Revert All The Changes And Make Your Phone As It Was Before Flashing?

If you read Q.4 above, it says "Always take a Nandroid Back up before flashing any ROM". Well now you know why!

If you did take a Nandroid Backup, you can go into recovery mode and restore from that backup.

If you have a question other than the one's described above, you can search the forum and find the answer or you can post your question and let other users answer them!