HOW TO INSTALL A CUSTOM ROM ON HUAWEI IDEOS U8150

ROM (Read Only Memory) in the context of android devices is the internal flash memory where the core operating system resides. It can also refer to a specific version of firmware that can be applied to a device through a process usually referred to as flashing. Custom ROMs seek to correct the weakness in the stock ROM in order to increase the general performance of your phone. (Stock ROM is ROM pre installed in the device)

Good custom ROMs redesign and make changes to stock ROMs by adding tweaks for better Ram memory management, increased battery life and best of all they offer cpu overclocking/underclocking. This means that you are able to increase cpu speeds for better and smoother performance or you can underclock the cpu to increase the battery life of your IDEOS. I have found Fusionideos to be one of the cleanest and most stable ROM available for the IDEOS but even other ROMs are definitely worth trying out.

UPDATE
It has been long since i updated this blog but i saw it fit to direct new users to an updated gingerbread rom that is more stable,fast and smooth. This the only bug in this cynogen 7 rom is that radio is not working and the dev said its unlikely that it  will ever get fixed. if you overloook the fm radio then i can promise you that this rom is way better than the stock froyo and probably its the best there is.http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1456890

So far I have tested three ROMs that are available for the IDEOS (they are in no particular order):-

1.      FUSIONideos v 2.7.6 (based on android 2.2 froyo)

download from here

2.      Gingerman v7 (based on android 2.3  gingerbread)

download from here

3.      Dronix v0.4 (based on android 2.2 froyo)

download from here

FUSIONideos 2.7.5 screenshot

The above ROMs are generally very stable

This is a step by step guide on how to install a Custom ROM on

Huawei Ideos u 8150

Rooting your IDEOS

This is can be done using an app called Z 4 Root.

Download it from here

Navigate to where you have downloaded the app in you SD Card using a file manager.

Click on the app to Install. After the app has installed open it and click Permanent Root.

Make sure the device is rooted before proceeding to the next Step (check for an app known as superuser from the app drawer or open z4 root app from the app list to examine the options available)

Installing a Custom ROM (Requirements)

you need to download a windows application known as PdaNet to supply your computer with the necessary drivers for android. Install the application and follow the instructions. you can find PdaNet.exe at www.cnet.com/downloads

You will also require a custom recovery.

There are two custom recoveries for the ideos, namely

1.      1. Ultrajack recovery

FUSIONideos 2.7.5 home screen(go launcher ex)

2.      2. Clockworkmod recovery

Ultrajack recovery

 1.Download the zip from here

2. Extract the zip folder from the computer

3.  Enable usb debugging on your phone. To do this go to settings menu>applications >development> usb debugging and then enable.

4. Shut down your phone.

5. Turn on your phone into bootloader mode by pressing power button +  volum down key + end call key (the red key). You should press all the above keys at the same time.

      The phone will be stuck on the ideos screen.This is   normal

5.  Now plug in your phone in computer via the usb cable and  let windows install the drivers.

6.  Go to the folder where you extracted the ultrajack.zip to run the installer by double click -   install-recovery-windows.bat file.

7. After the script has flashed the recovery image, (should take 1-5 seconds). Unplug your phone and remove and re insert the battery to get out of bootloader mode if the phone does not restart automatically.

    NB confirm whether you have successfully fashed ultrajack recovery by shuting down your phone and  pressing volume up key + green  button + power button (press the all above keys at the same time) a screen should appear with a HUAWEI logo as the background and at the bottom it should show Ultrajack recovery. 

Gingerman v6.51 screenshot

Installing clockworkmd recovery

This is simpler compared to installation of Utrajack recovery. All you need to do is download Rom manager from the market. Install the app and flash clockworkmod and that’s all.

To confirm that you have successfully flashed clockworkmod into your IDEOS just open Rom Manager and chose the option to reboot in recovery or  shut down your phone and boot into recovery mode by pressing power button +  volume up key + green button. You should press all the above keys at the same time. A screen should appear with the logo shaped like a hat as the background and at the bottom should be written clockworkmod recovery.

Backing up your apps and data

You need to back up your apps and data since installing a custom ROM will completely wipe your phone. To back up just download and install an app known as Titanium backup or My backup pro both of which can found in the Market.

After you have backed up your device now you can proceed to the next step.

Installing a custom rom

You may use ultrajack recovery or clockworkmod recovery depending on the ROM you are installing.

Using ultrajack recovery

1.      Boot your phone in recovery. This is by pressing volume up key + green button + power button (press the all above keys at the same time)

A screen should appear on your IDEOS that has the HUAWEIi logo as a background.

2.      Use the D -Pad under the screen to move between options.

I suggest you check out all of the threads by the ROM developers before making a decision .

Some of these ROMs may differ when it comes to installation .

It is always recommended that you carefully read through the dev 's post and comments about their ROM.

3.      After you have downloaded the zip file from one of those threads, move the zip file onto your phone.

4.      Shut down your phone.

5.      Boot your phone in recovery mode using the method outlined above .When the Custom recovery has loaded , select Flash zip from sdcard .

6.      Select choose zip from sdcard.

7.      Select the zip file you moved onto your phone.

8.      Confirm choice.

Now your phone is being flashed with your ROM, it 's going to take a few minutes.

When it’s done, the phone may reboot automatically (depending on the ROM) or go back to the main menu using the down volume key so as to reboot your IDEOS manually from recovery Menu.

It should take a while to first start since it will be writing the cache files.

9.      Setup your phone

10.  If you backed up your apps using Titanium Backup/My backup pro after you have setup your phone install Titanium Backup/my backup pro again and restore your apps.

It is important to note that some ROMS require a specific custom recovery. To be sure you have to read through the Dev’s threads/post before flashing any custom rom.

Using Clockworkmod Recovery

After you have installed Rom manager and flashed clockworkmod, from the Rom manager app  select the option to install ROM from sd card. Your phone will reboot in clockworkmod recovery and installation of the ROM will begin.

Setup your phone after install is finished, the phone may reboot automatically(depending on the ROM) or go back to the main menu using the back soft key so as to reboot your ideos manually from recovery Menu.

It should take a while to first start since it will be writing the cache files.

If you backed up your apps using Titanium Backup/My backup pro after you have set

up your phone install Titanium Backup/My backup pro again and restore your apps.

It is important to note that some ROMS require a specific custom recovery. To be sure you have to read through the Dev’s threads/post before flashing any custom rom.

To install a custom ROM successfully without bricking your IDEOS (completely rendering your phone unusable) you need to follow the above instructions carefully. Good luck :)