Free your Android

Common

Install Android SDK

• Download from http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html and unpack.
• Start tools/android and install Android SDK Platfom-Tools.
• cd platform-tools

Enable USB debugging

Enable USB-Debugging in Settings -> Applications -> Development.

Connect via USB and check:

$ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 011: ID 0bb4:0c99 High Tech Computer Corp. Desire (debug)
$ ./adb devices
List of devices attached 
HT99VL900130    device

Install CyanogenMod

HTC Desire

Root

Tbd.

Install ClockwordMod recovery image

Tbd.

Install CyanogenMod

Download image from http://www.cyanogenmod.com/devices/htc-desire-gsm and copy image to SD card.

Boot into recovery:

• Power off
• Press Vol-Down while powering on

In Recovery:

• Select Wipe data/factory reset.
• Select Wipe cache partition.
• Select Install zip from sdcard.
• Select Choose zip from sdcard, then update-cm-7.2.0-RC1-hero-signed.zip.
• Back and Reboot

Sources

• http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/HTC_Desire_(GSM):_Full_Update_Guide
• http://www.freeyourandroid.com/

HTC Hero

It's also possible to use a one-click application but I prefer the manual approach.

Root

Tbd. (Univeral Androot)

Install ClockworkMod recovery image

Download flash_image and ClockworkMod Recovery

• http://cyanogen-files.carneeki.net/flash_image.zip
• http://download.clockworkmod.com/recoveries/recovery-clockwork-2.5.0.7-hero.img

Unzip flash_image.zip -> flash_image

$ ./adb push ~/Downloads/flash_image /data/local/
$ ./adb push ~/Downloads/recovery-clockwork-2.5.0.7-hero.img /data/local/
$ ./adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/flash_image
$ ./adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/recovery-clockwork-2.5.0.7-hero.img
$ ./adb shell rm /data/local/rights/mid.txt
$ ./adb shell ln -s /dev/mtd/mtd1 /data/local/rights/mid.txt
$ ./adb reboot

After reboot:

$ ./adb shell
(hero)$ su
(hero)# /data/local/flash_image recovery /data/local/recovery-clockwork-2.5.0.7-hero.img

Install CynogenMod

Download CyanognMod image

• http://www.cyanogenmod.com/devices/htc-hero-gsm

Copy it to the SD card root:

$ ./adb push ~/Downloads/update-cm-7.2.0-RC1-hero-signed.zip /sdcard/

Boot into ClockworkMod recovery.

$ ./adb reboot recovery

In Recovery:

• Select Wipe data/factory reset.
• Select Wipe cache partition.
• Select Install zip from sdcard.
• Select Choose zip from sdcard, then update-cm-7.2.0-RC1-hero-signed.zip.
• Back and Reboot

Upgrade radio

Tbd.

Reset device

• Power off
• Press Home and Back button, then power on
• Press Menu button

Install original HTC image

• On Windows:
  • Download RUU (ROM Upgrade Utility) from http://www.htc.com/de/help/htc-hero
  • Start RUU*.exe
  • In Explorer: search form rom.zip, copy it somewhere
  • Cancel RUU*.exe
• Create a goldcard
• Rename rom.zip to HEROIMG.zip and copy it to the SD card
• Boot into HBoot: Press Vol-Down while powering on
• Follow instructions to install the original HTC images

Sources

• http://www.cyanogenmod.com/devices/htc-hero-gsm
• http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/HTC_Hero_%28GSM%29:_Full_Update_Guide
• http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/Flash_image

Uninstall apps

CynanogenMod contains some pre-installed apps which can be removed.

Boot into recovery.

Mount /system and /data.

$ adb shell
$ cd /system/app

Backup system APKs:

$ adb pull /system/app/

Delete the following APKs:

Androidian.apk
Bluetooth.apk
CMWallpapers.apk
CarHomeGoogle.apk
Cyanbread.apk
DSPManager.apk
Email.apk
FM.apk
GenieWidget.apk
GoogleBackupTransport.apk
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk
GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk
GoogleFeedback.apk
GooglePartnerSetup.apk
GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk
GoogleServicesFramework.apk
LatinImeTutorial.apk
LiveWallpapers.apk
LiveWallpapersPicker.apk
MagicSmokeWallpapers.apk
Mail.apk
MarketUpdater.apk
MediaUploader.apk
NetworkLocation.apk
OneTimeInitializer.apk
PicoTts.apk
Protips.apk
RomManager.apk
SetupWizard.apk
Talk.apk
ThemeChooser.apk
ThemeManager.apk
TtsService.apk
Vending.apk
VisualizationWallpapers.apk
VoiceDialer.apk

Sources

• http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/Barebones

Install F-Droid

Enable Settings -> Applications -> Unknown sources.

Download and install http://f-droid.org/FDroid.apk.

Install applications:

• aCal
• APV PDF Viewer
• Droidwall
• Duck Duck Go
• Firefox
• Gibberbot
• Hacker's Keyboard
• K-9 Mail
• OsmAnd
• Text Edit
• Weather notification