[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jcodde:
I am coming from a Windows Mobile (V6.5) background so Android is new and currently confusing to me but I am excited about the change. I have read many posts and “How-to” pages (including http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2250824) but need some help to move forward. At present all I want to achieve is a rooted device but retain the stock ROM. While I apologize for the simplicity of some of my queries, I would greatly appreciate advice on the following questions as I am keen to learn but fearful of “bricking” my phone or deleting some functionality of my (yet to arrive) S4 (unlocked International i9505) phone:

How do I determine the ROM version of my phone? Is it via the “settings/more/about device/baseband version or build number” and which of these two values should I use?

How do I perform a total backup of the phone so I can return to this “factory state” should I do something I shouldn’t (it seems that Titanium Backup and Helium only do this on rooted devices)?

Alternatively, I understand that there are sites that provide stock ROM. What details do I need from my phone to know I have the correct version if I don’t create one directly from the phone (is it the answer to Q1 above) or can I merely use Clockworkmod Recovery and the file posted at http://d-h.st/LqC]STOCK_REC-i9505.tar - 9.27 MB?

I haven’t used an Android phone before and want to play with the functionality provided on the native S4 before removing some of the bloat-ware. Despite this, I also what to enjoy the added functionality of having superuser privileges. To do so, I know I need to root my phone. Can I do this without losing the native functionality and programs (ie keep the Stock ROM)?

It seems that there are a variety of ways to do this. Can anyone advise of the best program (eg Motochopper or Chainfire) for a beginner to merely root the device rather than root and install a custom ROM?

After rooting my phone, do I need to replace the stock recovery image with a custom version such as ClockworkMod Recovery? How does this impact on my desire to be able to return to the Stock ROM if required (perhaps this is the same as Q3)?

I note that there are apps that will back-up your installed apps (eg Titanium Backup or App2Zip). This seems a sensible way to reduce the tedium of re-installing the apps after flashing a new ROM but is it possible to do this on an unrooted phone?

Most custom ROM descriptions I have read about fail to say what they remove from the original ROM which may mean something I find useful or enjoy using may no longer be available after I attempt to flash a new ROM. Do experienced ‘flashers’ chop and change based on trial and error or have a just not found locations that describe what’s new and what’s removed in these custom ROM?

Finally, as with rooting your phone, there seems to be several methods for adding a custom ROM. I don’t really understand the pros and cons of these approaches. While this may not matter I have a sense there are intrinsic differences between them and I wonder if anyone could advise a new-comer on the best way to go?

Well if you have stayed with me on all of this I thank you and hope someone will be able to help provide me (and I am sure many others) with answers to these questions so I can move confidently in this Android world.....:confused:. 