A ROM is like an image of the operating system for the android platform. Think of android like the windows platform. You have windows 95, 98, 98 SE, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, etc. And each of these versions of windows have multiple versions. For example, windows 7 has home, pro, ultimate, etc. Not only that, if you do a search you will find custom versions of windows 7, where people have put in new features, taken out some features, etc. That's what a custom ROM is in the android platform. There are hundreds of froyo based ROMs out there for their specific devices. There are hundreds of gingerbread based ROMs out there for their specific devices. That's because each device has a different set of hardwares. A custom ROM makes the device perform better because the custom ROM was created for the specific device.
Before you want to flash a new cutom rom, please make sure you have ClockWorkMod installed and repartition & fix permissions. If you haven't already done so, please visit
ClockWorkMod and
Repartition and follow those instructions.
Available ROMS
There are 2 branches of ROM developments for the gtab. Below are 2 lists for the ROMS available. If you decide to flash a 1.1 ROM, then you need to already have a 1.1 bootloader on your device. If you decide to flash a 1.2 ROM, then you need to already have a 1.2 bootloader on your gtab. If you want a 1.1 ROM but you're on 1.2, then you need to NVFlash to the stock ROM with the right bootloader.
Each of the following I've linked to where the ROMs are hosted. After the list below I will give step by step instructions on how to flash (install) these ROMs for dummies.
If I miss any, please let me know and I will add them.
1.1 Branch (3588)
Froyo: -
A word of advice.
As of now (6/13/2011), if you are not familiar with android please stay away from the honeycomb ROMs. The 4 in existent are in their alpha stages and are not suitable for beginners. The devs are working without the source code because Google is turning into another damn Microsoft. Some things (mainly flash, camera, and HD video) do not work yet. Leave these to those of us who are using them for testing purposes. We will inform you when there is a stable version (aka honeycomb for dummies) available. In the mean time, the froyo and gingerbread ROMs are more than sufficient for your tablet needs.
(6/29/11)
I've noticed that many people are not following my advice of staying away from the honeycomb ROMs. It's fine. You can do whatever you want. But you need to be aware that honeycomb has a different data structure than froyo and gingerbread.
To flash in or out of a honeycomb ROM, you need to follow code red procedure in my start here page. To not do so will result in brickage.
(7/22/11)
I've been testing out the various honeycomb ROMs. The latest release of Flashback looks very promising. The only major thing missing from it are the damn drivers from nVidia for haredware acceleration.
Flashing a ROM via CWM (best way to flash a ROM)
Part A (download and transfer files into the gtab)
Choose a ROM from the list above.
Make sure you have the right bootloader (1.1 or 1.2).
Using your PC, download the ROM zip file from the appropriate link. Open up the zip file. If you see a file called "boot.img" and a bunch of folders, then leave your zip file alone. If you see another zip file called "update.zip" and a folder called "recover", then unzip the original zip file. What you want is a zip file with a "boot.img" file inside.
If your ROM requires GAPPS file, download that, too.
Boot your gtab into CWM mode.
In main menu of CWM, select "mounts and storage".
SElect "mount USB storage".
Connect your gtab to the PC.
Using your PC, navigate into the root of your internal sdcard in your gtab and create a folder called "Rom".
Put the zip file that contains the "boot.img" file into the newly created folder "Rom" in your gtab. Also put the GAPPS file (if you need it) into the "Rom" folder.
Select unmount.
Disconnect USB from PC.
Part B (OPTIONAL: back up your current ROM)
Go back to root menu of CWM.
Select backup and restore.
Select Backup.
Watch your current image being backed up.
Part C (flashing a ROM)
After backup is done, go back out to root menu.
Choose "wipe data/factory reset".
Choose "wipe cache partition".
Once it's done, go back out to root menu and choose "advanced".
Choose "Wipe Dalvik Cache".
Go back out and choose "install zip from sdcard".
Go into folder "Rom" and choose the Rom that you picked from the list. Watch it install.
After ROM installation is complete, repeat steps 6 and 7 for the GAPPS file IF YOU NEED TO.
Once everything is done, go back out to root menu and choose "reboot system now".
