How to root Android Optimus V

Side note: I don't have a USB that connects the phone to the computer: I used to, but it stopped working one day, and the charger that I bought to replace it was only a direct phone-to-outlet charger -- it didn't have a USB you could pull out of the charger and connect to a computer. I was planning on getting the proper rooting files onto my phone via email or something like that.

I'm not all that techy, but I did use the androidforums guide to root my Optimus V. FWIW, it does still crash, and I *still* run out of room on the phone's internal storage sometimes, but it's way better than it was before. http://androidforums.com/optimus-v-all-things-root/387414-how-simplified-root-recovery-custom-rom.html, IIRC - it's been a while, and the guide has been updated, but it seemed pretty straightforward. It says to use a cable (and a cable shouldn't cost more than $5, maybe more like $2, or if you know anyone with a USB micro-b device see if you can borrow their cable) but maybe you could transfer the files with bluetooth or download them directly to the device? I don't know if there's a reason why you *have* to use the USB cable.

You might have better luck with http://forums.androidcentral.com/optimus-v-rooting-roms-hacks/108282-how-simplified-root-recovery-custom-rom.html--it's what I used. (I find AndroidForums to be rather confusing.) I would strongly recommend you read through http://forums.androidcentral.com/optimus-v-rooting-roms-hacks/156548-guide-2012-optimus-v-reference-guide-start-here.html though. It contains a lot of useful information. Basically, you need to get the gingerbreak.apk on your SDcard somehow (email, Dropbox, whatever), then install the recovery. It really would be much easier if you got a USB cable though--they're cheap and you can find them at any electronics store. I've been futzing around with the ICS ROMs and I have not found them to be stable, although other people have gotten them to work. For now, if you want stability, I would recommend a Froyo or Gingerbread ROM.

There are ICS ROMs for the V, though I'd wonder whether you'd be scraping against a floor in terms of hardware capabilities: Gingerbread ROMs are more mature and stable. But as alexei suggests, I'd focus first on utilities that specifically address the shortage of onboard RAM before trying a new ROM.

My optimus V never had the problems you're describing - I think it froze a few times, but that's it. Could an app be the cause?

Thanks for the advice about Gingerbread instead of ICS! Also you guys are right, I'm sure I can get a microUSB cord for cheap, i should just do that :-) I really can't imagine the problems with texting -- lagging/freezing all the time, every time, particularly if I send a second text before the first has finished sending -- have to do with the apps, because there are no apps used when texting. But that's only one of the main problems -- the other main problem is the huge apps that can only be placed on the phone, not the SD card. And to use something like link2sd, rooting is necessary.

alexei has given you the answer that solves the vast majority of the Optimus V's problems: http://androidforums.com/optimus-v-all-things-root/364833-link2sd-you-tutorial.html. Link2SD will automatically put most applications (even ones that can't be put on the SD card through the OS) on the card instead of the phone's internal storage; this results in an end to the frequent out of memory errors and also makes the phone a lot faster in just about any task. If you just root and install a new ROM, it doesn't put an end to the memory issues, and IMO, things will get worse. However, there are three steps to the process, and it's pretty involved: 1) Get a big SDHC micro card (16GB? 32GB?) and re-format it so that there are two partitions - one for Link2SD, one for media. 2) Root the phone. You don't need a new ROM, the phone just needs to be rooted. If you do move to a new ROM, you should also move on to step 3 once you're done. 3) Install Link2SD (which requires a rooted phone), and start linking applications into the new partition you created in step 1. I spent a year with the phone rooted, running the stock 2.2 and running Link2SD, and it was remarkably pleasant. I had run into the same problems you did, however, before rooting and running Link2SD. If you read the instructions in rooting and Link2SD guides above and think it's beyond you, you should either find someone local who will root for you (check Craigslist), or you should grab an Optimus Elite or an HTC One V. The Elite is like the Optimus V with all the kinks worked out, and is incredibly cheap for what it is, but only runs Gingerbread; the One V runs ICS and has a nicer screen, but is more expensive.

I tried to load an ICS build on my optimus V a few weeks ago, and it's definitely not stable enough yet, so I had to revert. Then I followedhttp://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1197991, and installed the http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1703152 (i.e. the latest Gingerbread available.) I love the new OS, and the phone feels fast again! Battery life has been pretty good as well. Note that you will have to download and flash Google Apps separately, right after flashing the new OS. You will lose all your apps unless you've got them backed up to SD.

http://www.meritline.com/3-3-feet-usb-a-to-micro-usb-data-cable-for-cell-phones-charge-cell-phone-on-pc-and-transfer-data---p-56587.aspx shipped to your house from Meritline, one of the zillions of cheapo online electronics supplier. (Though they sell just all kinds of stuff and not just puter stuff.)