Installing CyanogenMod 7 (mil version) ROM on Koodo LG optimus One Android phone (P500h)

Root the phone before doing this.

Download cyanogen_thunderg-ota-eng.mil-6.5.4.zip into your microSD card. CyanogenMod 7 ROM is based on Gingerbread. Install ROM Manager on your phone. Open ROM Manager and select Install ROM from SD card. Now browse to the downloaded cyanogen zip and tap it.

In the menu, check backup existing ROM (if you want to back up the current OS, highly recommended). Check the options to wipe data/cache and dalvik cache. Now Tap OK. The phone will restart and backup the files and then proceed to CM7 installation.

The phone will automatically restart after the installation (takes about 5-10 min). You will see a brand new OS on your phone. Go to settings and add your google account to synchronize contacts, mails etc.

If you want any other google applications which are not already installed with CyanogenMod 7, follow these instructions.

The same procedure can be used for installing any other android ROMs.

ALL CREDITS TO ORIGINAL DEVELOPERS.

Install google apps on your new Android OS.

If you want any other google applications which are not already installed with your current Android ROM (like CyanogenMod 7), download apps-addon.zip. If you don't have it already, install ROM Manager on your phone. Open ROM Manager and select Install ROM from SD card. Now browse to the downloaded zip file and tap it.

In the menu, check backup existing ROM (if you want to back up the current OS, not required in this case for installing google apps). Uncheck the options to wipe data/cache and dalvik cache. Now Tap OK. The phone will restart and backup the files and then proceed to gapps installation.

ALL CREDITS TO ORIGINAL DEVELOPERS.

Rooting Koodo LG optimus One Android phone (P500h)

This procedure will work for LG optimus One Android phone from Koodo (P500h). This may work for other LG Optimus One phones as well, but I have not tested it.

Do not use z4root to root this phone (many people suggested to use this, but didn't work for me at all). The process takes forever without any result.

Download GingerBreak-v1.20.apk (google it, I am sure you will find it). In the application settings, allow installation of non-market applications and enable "USB debugging" in Application settings>Development. Once you install the apk, you will be able to do a "Permanent root" without any fuss.

Please leave a comment, if you have success with any other methods.

If you want to go ahead and install a new ROM (for eg cyanogenMOD 7) instructions are here.

File explorer for LG Optimus one (Android)

What I mean by best file explorer for Android? It should easily navigate to your microSD card. It should be able to access your (home) network contents. This is especially important because this allows you to get rid of the usb cable.

The file explorer which I am using for these purposes is ES file explorer. It is free and you can configure (map) the network drives. Once it is done, just tap the LAN and all the mapped drives will get listed. It is as easy to use as Windows 7 Homegroup. You can play music/movie files in your phone like this. It allows copy/paste from network computer to micro SD card. Really useful software.

Disassembling the LG P500 Optimus One

All owners of LG P500 Optimus one should see this.

Media player for LG Optimus One

The stock media player in Android is just ok. It will not play all video files. If the resolution of the avi file is higher (resolution more than 640x360), it will give an error message "resolution not supported".

However, you can freely download Moboplayer. This is the best player I have tested. They say that it can technically play any file played by VLC media player, since they use the same codecs (FFDshow). Anyways, Moboplayer was able to play the files rejected by stock player. There was no "resolution not supported" messages anymore.

Note: Make sure your video file does not have AC3 audio. mp3 and AAC audio work fine.