[G2 and Desire Z Android Development] DoctorGonzo:
Upgrade Experience / Questions

I want to take the time to thank the Viper team for porting their rom to the HTC Desire Z / G2. I just installed the rom on my wife's G2, and hope to share some meaningful feedback in the next few days, after I have some time to play with it. Nonetheless, I would like to share some initial impressions, and run some questions by the team.

The main download page did not have a link to Desire Z HBoot nor instructions how to flash the same. I searched the XDA forums, and came across a link to http://www.virtuousrom.com/2011/06/t-mobile-g2-users-migrating-to-desirez.html.

The Desire Z HBoot corrupted my Clockwork Mod Recovery (the default recovery for CyanogenMod). I couldn't access the ViperZ ROM on my SD CARD. I flashed EXT4 custom recovery through fastboot using the flashable recovery image located at http://www.4ext.net/ddl/vision/recovery.zip.

The GPS did not work out of the box, notwithstanding having selected the proper GPS region in Aroma. I suspect it had to do with the Desire Z HBoot. I performed a manual EFS wipe in terminal emulator. See http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1028405. I downloaded and ran program called GPS Status and Toolbox. I obtained a GPS lock within 10 seconds (whilst being outdoors).

I noticed horrible lag after installation, however it subsided after three hours. The Google Play Store was downloading and updating all sorts of apps which I had installed on my prior rom. After the downloading and updating was completed, the rom was responsive and useable.

On a related note, I saw some prior postings referencing "super charging" and enabling data swap. I was born in Poland and grew up in Texas, and consequently have an intellectual handicap. Would it be too much trouble to put together a step by step process or a link? On a related note, I came across DataSwap. See http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1805843. Would this be compatible with ViperZ ROM?

Is there any option to overclock the CPU in future versions? I understand that SetCPU and System Tuner can do this at the present moment. Does anyone have any experience using these third party programs, and any recommendations?

I updated 4EXT Recovery, by downloading the latest installer at http://www.4ext.net/get.php?apk in the built-in browser, installing the APK, and performing an update within the 4EXT Recovery program.

I am a T-Mobile USA customer. I installed the WiFi Calling package. See http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1664106. The package installed successfully, however more testing is needed whether it works. Initial tests showed that calls could be made and received, however there appeared to be noticeable delay, echo and cut-off of conversations. The WiFi program appears to be less stable on ViperZ than CyanogenMod.

SMS and text messaging worked OTA. Only SMS worked over WiFi. The installation of the WiFi Calling package did not have an effect on GPS. I did not have to perform an additional EFS wipe.

Having come from CyanogenMod 7.2, the ViperZ ROM breathed new life into the G2. I could not ask for more given what the Viper team has done, notwithstanding the physical limitations of the device. Please take the time to thank the development team for their efforts, and encourage continued development.

Regards,

D.G.