Ok, I was running a Droid Eris for a long time, rooted, upgraded to 2.2, custom roms, etc. I'm comfortable with ADB and using amon_ra's recovery, but obviously, things are very different with the Fascinate.
Whereas with the droid, I would just flash a custom rom, and that was it. No worrying about a separate kernel or anything.
I've got my Fascinate now, and have rooted it, and installed the EC01 radio, and EB01 rom (I think this is referring the the ROM, my Build number reads SCH-I500.EB01)
I'd like to take it back to stock, get the ED01 official, root, CWM, and see about a kernel that enables wired tethering, but I actually enjoy the interface of the stock rom.
So, my plan is:
1) ODIN back to stock.
2) ODIN to ED01, or go via OTA
3) Root phone
4) ODIN CWM
5) ODIN new kernel
6) ODIN the debloated ED01 or the zipaligned ED01
Would that be the correct order? This *should* keep CWM installed, correct?
TIA
should work no problem. Since you are new to the fascinate, you should know that you need to use the red version of CWM (2.5.x.x) until everyone gets on board with edify scripting, and the orange CWM (3.0.x.x) is usable.
I followed the same line, and got stuck on boot twice, didnt know why as i did the same thing the 3rd time and it worked so dont Fret if it dont work, just ask away, we got tons of ppl here that will help
I too came from an Eris, and I'm loving my Fascinate. Just get comfortable with ODIN and everything else isn't all that different. Like someone said before, most roms now are only flashable through the red CWM, so use that for now. Eventually you'll be able to use the new orange CWM. I decided to go to the fascinate mostly for kaos's awesome roms, but he's been MIA lately.
ts383 said:
So, my plan is:
1) ODIN back to stock.
2) ODIN to ED01, or go via OTA
3) Root phone
4) ODIN CWM
5) ODIN new kernel
6) ODIN the debloated ED01 or the zipaligned ED01
Would that be the correct order? This *should* keep CWM installed, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most ROMs and kernels don't have Odin packages. They are usually installed through CWR. What I have done when getting set up from stock is to make sure the battery is pulled when you Odin CWR. This prevents the phone from booting up when Odin is done. Put the battery back in and immediately boot into CWR. Now, flash the kernel and ROM of your choice. You might want to flash the ROM before the kernel, though. Some ROMs contain kernels, and will overwrite the existing kernel when flashed.
Related
My friend just got his Fascinate back from a warranty replacement, and it is thus STOCK and bloated. Now, I hadn't ever used Odin until after I had a working new kernel on my phone, and my phone was already rooted.
So I was wondering, for my buddy's phone, is it possible to just use ODIN to flash the new modem and a complete rom w/ clockwork mod (such as superclean)?
I guess to be even more accurate, is there any reason why download mode would not work from a stock phone? I don't want to brick his phone since it took him 3 weeks to get it back the first time.
Download mode will work just fine.
You'll need to flash recovery via Odin as well to be able to flash a rom in CWM.
imnuts said:
You'll need to flash recovery via Odin as well to be able to flash a rom in CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was figuring on using one of the md5 files that have SC and CWM bundled together in one nice little package. I figure if it doesn't work, I can always try something else.
I'm planning on using this from androidcentral forums, forum.androidcentral.com/verizon-fascinate-rooting-roms-hacks/59348-odin-froyo-leaked-packaged-custom-roms-w-root-clockwork-updated-3-25-a.html to install superclean 2.9 in my stock Eclair. I just rooted my phone but have not flashed CWM. I don't really care about data or apps in the phone (I'd rather download everything from the market once I'm done) so I haven't made a backup ( I'm a real daredevil ).
Any suggestions or warnings?
Also I'm planning to use Heimdall instead of Odin (Since I'm running Ubuntu). Anyone has done it before. Are there any special instructions?
My worst case scenario is that it fails with Heimdall and I have to get to a Windows PC to run Odin and do it again.
m0r0n3s said:
I'm planning on using this from androidcentral forums, forum.androidcentral.com/verizon-fascinate-rooting-roms-hacks/59348-odin-froyo-leaked-packaged-custom-roms-w-root-clockwork-updated-3-25-a.html to install superclean 2.9 in my stock Eclair. I just rooted my phone but have not flashed CWM. I don't really care about data or apps in the phone (I'd rather download everything from the market once I'm done) so I haven't made a backup ( I'm a real daredevil ).
Any suggestions or warnings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I've used those packages before, and that's what I was planning on using for my friend's phone. The only thing was that I've only used those AFTER I was rooted and had roms installed.
I installed a SC (superclean) rom from Adryn, then installed the eb01 Voodoo kernel, then installed the new voodoo kernel from jt (which is super stable). I don't know if you have to go in this order, but I'm not getting any FC issues., and battery seems to be pretty good compared to SC292's kernel.
I'm guessing you don't need to follow the sequence, since flashing a ROM (as far as I know) writes everything you need to make it work. To answer my own question, there is a [GUIDE] Flashing with Heimdall
ive been doing some reading and have some questions
1. is clockwork mandatory? id prefer to flash via odin.
2. can you recommend a touchwiz rom thats cleaned and based on the new ed01 source?
Well, Clockwork isn't absolutely mandatory, but the vast majority of ROMS/Kernels/Themes/etc. come packaged in .zip files which are meant to be flashed via CWM.
Odin uses .tar/.md5 files and is usually relegated to a more disaster recovery tool, or flashing items like a new radio. You CAN use Odin to flash ROMS, but you options can me more limited.
Here's a list of the most popular ROMS/Kernels/etc for the Fascinate:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1013312
For Odin flashable ROMS, there's a great post at androidcentral.com:
http://forum.androidcentral.com/ver...tom-roms-w-root-clockwork-updated-3-25-a.html
Hope this helps.
its the the red/green/orange cw that im not crazy over 9i may be reading something wrong
You definately want to use RED cwm for the fascinate. Orange does not play nice at all, since support for amend scripting was removed. (Almost all fascinate ROMS use this type for flashing) If you accidentally flashed Orange through ROM Manager, you can use this post to help you get back to red:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=942021
Use either Odin (.tar file) or CWM (.zip file) to flash and you'll be back to red after manually booting into clockwork.
CWM really is much easier to flash, if for no other reason than not having to pull the case and battery off
havent flashed yet, just rooted, but i figured if vzw is dropping 2.2, i might as well do a custom.
just gotta decide
as i said im thinking clean, nonvoodoo. but i dont see an ed01, just an ec01
Pretty sure everybody will tell you ed01 and ec01 are the same, but I'm just going by the the general post on the matter.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
hhhmm then i guess what im waiting for now are restore files for ec01/ed01
or would older ones be ok?
So I've done it in the past and some reason my phone wont do it anymore. Used odin to put my phone back to stock (stock pit and DL09 tar). Except this time I cant get it to root. Tried using 2 different one click methods but each is saying my phone is not connected even with debugging on. Computer says it's connected, odin can even see it. I know I have to root it first to get clockwork to work. Is there a way of getting odin to do the rom? I am getting to the point of rooting/flashing that I know each step of odin without having to look at instructions. I got my Nexus S rooted and flashed with a rom but the Fascinate won't take.
You don't need to root to install another rom, installing most any custom ROM will root your phone in the process.
I've never bothered with any one click roots, they seem spotty at best on these phones.
Flash CWR from Odin, 3 finger into recovery, flash what ever ROM you want, and I'd flash a Kernel too if the ROM doesn't have it included.
Ok... gonna try it... I know i used voodoo kernel last time. I'm assuming use the PDA button for it, correct?
Yes, PDA button, flash the correct ClockworkRecovery. Remember you can't let it fully boot or you'll have to reflash the recovery. The stock Kernel reflashes the recovery everytime it boots.
Personally I prefer MIUI, and the Glitch kernel. But I prefer the MIUI launcher, so I was using MIUIWiz before "true" MIUI was up and running. If you run MIUI, CM7, OMFGB make sure you use the CWR that JT has in his CM7 post.
I'm wondering how I can get CWM back on my stock gingerbread fascinate now... I used the speedmod kernel to root, which had CWM built in. Then I replace it with stock GB kernel.. which has 3e recovery.
When I run ROM manager now with gingerbread the fascinate don't come up in the list no more.. there are 2 i9000's, one of those is a MTD... and 2 others. 4 in total.
I have the update.zip file which I downloaded from Rom Manager when I was on Froyo. Will that work? I'm afraid to try.
I've also seen methods of ADB pushing the recovery.bin over the current 3e. I just really not to sure which is the best way to do it, and I've done so much reading now it's got me confused.
Thx
Maniac
MrManiacNF said:
I'm wondering how I can get CWM back on my stock gingerbread fascinate now... I used the speedmod kernel to root, which had CWM built in. Then I replace it with stock GB kernel.. which has 3e recovery.
When I run ROM manager now with gingerbread the fascinate don't come up in the list no more.. there are 2 i9000's, one of those is a MTD... and 2 others. 4 in total.
I have the update.zip file which I downloaded from Rom Manager when I was on Froyo. Will that work? I'm afraid to try.
I've also seen methods of ADB pushing the recovery.bin over the current 3e. I just really not to sure which is the best way to do it, and I've done so much reading now it's got me confused.
Thx
Maniac
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Second that - in the same boat.
As I understand it, it's a bootloader issue to install CM7 on Gingerbread. Downgrade to 2.2 and flash away!
Rabid_Gypsy said:
As I understand it, it's a bootloader issue to install CM7 on Gingerbread. Downgrade to 2.2 and flash away!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want CM, I want to get clockwork recovery on my stock gingerbread.
I'm also in the same Boat. It would be nice to get clockwork recovery installed.
I have successfully rooted Gingerbread, part of the process is to flash the the Speedmod kernel first. With the Speedmod kernel, it has clockwork on it which you can boot into but unfortunately your phone cannot normally boot with that kernel.
I'm loving Gingerbread right now, it is so much smoother then 2.2, there is no way I want to go back to 2.2.
iwebsource said:
I'm also in the same Boat. It would be nice to get clockwork recovery installed.
I have successfully rooted Gingerbread, part of the process is to flash the the Speedmod kernel first. With the Speedmod kernel, it has clockwork on it which you can boot into but unfortunately your phone cannot normally boot with that kernel.
I'm loving Gingerbread right now, it is so much smoother then 2.2, there is no way I want to go back to 2.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right there with you - so much better than 2.2 EVEN with lagfix running - was very thankful for ROOT but would love CWM recovery back - very useful tool.
I don't know if it was this thread I made the post, but something I did mention that I did was...
When I used the speedmod kernel to root the phone, I made a nandroid backup. Then I flashed the stock kernel back. I'm assuming if I wanted to restore my phone with the backup I could just flash the speedmod kernel back, restore by backup, then flash the stock kernel back again.
I don't know if clockwork is programmed to backup certain partitions, or if its dynamic, but I'm tempted to try my restore, but at the same time I don't want to go through all the updating agan.
Another thing, I have the 3 ODIN CWM file, the purple, blue, and no color ones you find on here. If you extract those you get a recovery.bin file, and there is no zimage (kernel). If you take one of those clockworkmods with no kernel and overwrite the stock recovery.bin in the phone, shouldn't that work?
I'm still new to android, first time I laid hands on one was this june, I'm still new, but I'm a fast learner too, but I want to figure this one out.
-Maniac
MrManiacNF said:
I don't know if it was this thread I made the post, but something I did mention that I did was...
When I used the speedmod kernel to root the phone, I made a nandroid backup. Then I flashed the stock kernel back. I'm assuming if I wanted to restore my phone with the backup I could just flash the speedmod kernel back, restore by backup, then flash the stock kernel back again.
I don't know if clockwork is programmed to backup certain partitions, or if its dynamic, but I'm tempted to try my restore, but at the same time I don't want to go through all the updating agan.
Another thing, I have the 3 ODIN CWM file, the purple, blue, and no color ones you find on here. If you extract those you get a recovery.bin file, and there is no zimage (kernel). If you take one of those clockworkmods with no kernel and overwrite the stock recovery.bin in the phone, shouldn't that work?
I'm still new to android, first time I laid hands on one was this june, I'm still new, but I'm a fast learner too, but I want to figure this one out.
-Maniac
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey MrManiacNF,
Thanks for the idea, I guess it is a work around for now until we are able to get CWM installed on Gingerbread.
I ended up flashing the speedmod kernal back on, booted into CWM and made a full nandroid backup. Reflashed the stock gingerbread kernal back and booted up as normal.
Yea I do the same thing, I mean you can't make a backup without a pc to flash with, but a backup is better then none.
No love from ROM Manager
Saw ROM Manager had a few updates, but still seeing the limited device selection when trying to create a custom recovery, and still fails with the unsigned zip.
Just wanted to post that if anyone was wondering if recent updates corrected anything, as they have not (at least for me).
I can also confirm, actually no new phones added to the list. I've also tried an app call Root Toolbox Pro. It has options to backup your recovery or flash another. I tried flashing the fascinate-3.0.0.8.zip that I had from Rom Manager from Froyo. No luck, just hung at boot. Had to re-flash stock kernel in odin to fix.
hi,
I am sorry if this is a dumb question. But i have failed several attempts while shifting to ICS (RC 5 by team-nyx). Every time when i install ROM & kernel via CWM and boot the device (vibrant t959) it freezes on the screen with VIBRANT and SAMSUNG displaying WHITE on BLACK back ground.
i have gone back to JFD and tried several times BUT same result.
I was on froyo 2.2 (build UVKB5) updated via kies and did it but no luck. I followed wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/Samsung_Vibrant:_Full_Update_Guide and did starting from No. 03 --
downloaded Cmenard's Kernel with the ClockworkMod Recovery 2.5
Heimdall Suite 1.3.2 for windows
AND upto No. 9 under Windows ONLY: section
the CWM installs as it says (A blue transfer bar will appear on the phone showing the kernel being transferred. The device will reboot automatically. )
after that i cleared factory, cache and dalvik cache.
then I select install Zip from SD card and chose the ROM (which is from team-nyx.com/index.php/releases).
after 3% it says rebooting and vibrant shuts down and reboots.. when after I clicked the combo (vol+vol-power) to enter the CWM its not there.. so I reinstall using [heimdall flash --kernel zImage] command in PC's cmd. then after i redid the same to select from SD and then ROM installed ok.
then I selected the kerenel which was taken by same source and installation went normal..
after I select reboot from CWM it reboots and hangs on vibrant screen.
I cannot figure OUT WHAT IM doing WRONG..
Please HELP ME..!!!
thank you for your time
I am moving to 2.2 via kies after going back to stock JFD. then i will root my vibrant. after that i will install ROM manager from market. THEN i will try to FLASH to ICS RC 5 + kernel from nyx TEAM.
I dont know what is wrong.. please HELP
From what you told us it sounds right. Have you tried a different ICS rom? Give ICS slim a try. When you Odin back did you checked re-partition?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2
You should try flashing the Gingerbread bootloaders using Odin after you flash back to stock. Those bootloaders can run a Froyo ROM as well as ICS so it wouldn't hurt to do either way. After you flash the bootloader then try flashing the ROM.
And try a different ROM like iwillkillyou suggested. Slim is good, but ICZen is very solid if you're tipping your toes into ICS.
iwillkillyou said:
From what you told us it sounds right. Have you tried a different ICS rom? Give ICS slim a try. When you Odin back did you checked re-partition?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
thank you for the reply. No i havent tried a different ROM. yes I checked repartiton when ODin Y this is happening.. I have Flashed this ROM once.. but then when someone calls me they cudnt hear me clearly.. when i initiate the call its ok.. so I moved back to JFD..:/
kaiser_bun said:
You should try flashing the Gingerbread bootloaders using Odin after you flash back to stock. Those bootloaders can run a Froyo ROM as well as ICS so it wouldn't hurt to do either way. After you flash the bootloader then try flashing the ROM.
And try a different ROM like iwillkillyou suggested. Slim is good, but ICZen is very solid if you're tipping your toes into ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for the reply.. I jz finished Updating to 2.2 via kies..ok I will flash Gingerbread bootloaders using Odin. I will try I think it wont be necessary to ROOT the vibrant..to Flash Bootloaders.. I am going to Flash the ICS ROM via ROM manager (after rooting via SuperOneclick root2.3.3)..
haarsh said:
thank you for the reply.. I jz finished Updating to 2.2 via kies..ok I will flash Gingerbread bootloaders using Odin. I will try I think it wont be necessary to ROOT the vibrant..to Flash Bootloaders.. I am going to Flash the ICS ROM via ROM manager (after rooting via SuperOneclick root2.3.3)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so that you know, everytime you are using Kies, you are running the risk of hardbricking your device. It is notorius for that and in fact someone last week got HBricked with it.
I don't use ROM Manager and probably won't as long as I have a Vibrant. All you need to do is go back to JFD and pull the CWR from my signature and put it on your internal_sd and label it as Update.zip. Then boot into recovery and hit Reinstall PAckages (might have to do this twice) and your stock recovery (blue) will go to CWR (green) and you can flash away.
Also for more detailed instructions, se my ICS install giude also in my signature.
Woodrube said:
Just so that you know, everytime you are using Kies, you are running the risk of hardbricking your device. It is notorius for that and in fact someone last week got HBricked with it.
I don't use ROM Manager and probably won't as long as I have a Vibrant. All you need to do is go back to JFD and pull the CWR from my signature and put it on your internal_sd and label it as Update.zip. Then boot into recovery and hit Reinstall PAckages (might have to do this twice) and your stock recovery (blue) will go to CWR (green) and you can flash away.
Also for more detailed instructions, se my ICS install giude also in my signature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the links.. I downloaded and place CWR inside SD. Without kies can we install official releases via Odin.. is there any way.. im sorry if that is a stupid question
No stupid questions. That is why we are here. I am pretty sure there is a flashable 2.2 stock floating aroung here. I personally don't have it though. Custom 2.2's are at this point tweaked so completely out, that they will blow the doors off any 2.2 stock ROM out there. I usggest Moped_Ryder's ROMs and Fishman's Bionix-redux ROMs. Quality, fast and stable. Not ICS, but everything works and no fear of the dreaded Encryption Bug.
PM incoming btw.
Woodrube said:
No stupid questions. That is why we are here. I am pretty sure there is a flashable 2.2 stock floating aroung here. I personally don't have it though. Custom 2.2's are at this point tweaked so completely out, that they will blow the doors off any 2.2 stock ROM out there. I usggest Moped_Ryder's ROMs and Fishman's Bionix-redux ROMs. Quality, fast and stable. Not ICS, but everything works and no fear of the dreaded Encryption Bug.
PM incoming btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you. btw can we Flash to 2.2 via CWM .. directly selecting the ROM from SD .. without Odin
If you can find it, you should be able to. Just put on your card and flash away, taking care to wipe accordingly.
A note on flow though:
2.1, 2.2 -can go into and out of any 2.2 there is laterally.
2.3-4.0 -will need to Odin to stock before going back to a 2.2 ROM. Can move laterally from 4.0 to 4.0 though.
(i.e DO NOT try to restore a 2.2 nandroid or flash a 2.2 ROM when you are on an ICS variant. the /system is completely changed and reformatted. You need to Odin to get it back.)
Moped Ryder uploaded a semi tweaked version of the stock 2.2 build. It's a zip that you can just flash using CWR:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1674519
It comes rooted with busybox and some other goodies, but it's the stock kernel and whatnot. I'd highly recommend Fishman's Bionix-V Mod or Moped Ryder's Slim_Ryder ROMs if you're going to be on Froyo though. They're both great, but I went with Fishman's latest Bionix Mod since I couldn't get bluetooth to work on Moped Ryder's ROM. Which is really unfortunate because I loved Moped Ryder's otherwise.
And you don't have to Odin back to stock if you're just bouncing around Froyo or Eclair builds; only if you're coming from Gingerbread or ICS (2.3 or 4.0).
Keep us updated. I'm curious to see what worked. It's probably the gingerbread loaders. But, who knows.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2
Is your Samsung Vibrant (T959) Rooted.?
iwillkillyou said:
Keep us updated. I'm curious to see what worked. It's probably the gingerbread loaders. But, who knows.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi.. I tried again with flashing semaphore kernel through Odin installed CWM version higher than 2.5 to install ICS RC5 by nyx --sorry i need that soo badly so didnt checked anything else ..
@that time I was on vibrant 2.2 UVKB5 (stock)
NOT rooted
I didnt had so called
bootloaders
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(i dunno what it means though--have to search )
BUT it didnt worked for me instead freezes at Vibrant start-up screen. So i Couldnt switch back to CWM. I Odin back to JFD with repartition clicked and my vibrant was locked (network lock). Finally, I got it cleared by application named Galaxy_S Unlock by Helroz from the market.
Now I am at the very beginning again. I am now on 2.1 JFD. I dont know WHY this happening to me .. :crying:
gonna try again with GB bootloaders.. BUT Im sick of failing and going back to 2.1 (my friends who are having captivate had no problem)
Speedy5150 said:
Is your Samsung Vibrant (T959) Rooted.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the time i was trying it was NOT rooted.. But now i have it rooted because i needed to unlock the network . which happened me for the very first time after flashing back to JFD using Odin..
Thank you guys for the links and thoughts on 2.2 ROMs.. I am not that expert . Thats why i was updating to 2.2 via KIES -- which is not a good idea as it seems with the ability 2 brick the device. I am going to get Bionix-V FishmanMod V4 FULL and install as http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1441976 says..
It says Boot into clockwork recovery and i think i found something to do that in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=734164
I have to get ROM manager from market and go through it..
BUT Im damn upset with the RC5 ICS update by nyx being unable to installed into my device.. I will try with GB bootloaders flashed ..
If you are going to go with Fish's ROM, then all you need to do is Odin back to JFD and pull the CWR from my signature and put it on your internal_sd and label it as Update.zip. Then boot into recovery and hit Reinstall Packages (might have to do this twice) and your stock recovery (blue) will go to CWR (green) and you can flash away.
Fish also has a Odin package that you can flash his ROM through Odin and not have to deal with CWR.
ROM Manager is no longer supporting 2.1, so if you do go back to JFD, then it will be hard to get RM. It is out there somewhere but really all you need is the Update.zip from above to do it. I suggest that you stay on Fish's ROM for awhile and read about ICS installs and all the little things that are involved. If you do flash Fish's ROM, you don't need to mess with the bootloaders.
Btw, aside from Kies, messing with Bootloaders is one of the sure fire ways to hardbrick your device. It only takes seconds to flash them, but do it wrong and, well you know.
Good luck and ask if you have any.
Woodrube said:
If you are going to go with Fish's ROM, then all you need to do is Odin back to JFD and pull the CWR from my signature and put it on your internal_sd and label it as Update.zip. Then boot into recovery and hit Reinstall Packages (might have to do this twice) and your stock recovery (blue) will go to CWR (green) and you can flash away.
Fish also has a Odin package that you can flash his ROM through Odin and not have to deal with CWR.
ROM Manager is no longer supporting 2.1, so if you do go back to JFD, then it will be hard to get RM. It is out there somewhere but really all you need is the Update.zip from above to do it. I suggest that you stay on Fish's ROM for awhile and read about ICS installs and all the little things that are involved. If you do flash Fish's ROM, you don't need to mess with the bootloaders.
Btw, aside from Kies, messing with Bootloaders is one of the sure fire ways to hardbrick your device. It only takes seconds to flash them, but do it wrong and, well you know.
Good luck and ask if you have any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks alot for the info brother.. some guys told me STUPID.. but YOU guys are awesome.. I am a newbie to this flashing and stuff.. but learned a lot from XDA . Thanks again for the reply. now I have stock 2.1 with ROOT . (rooted cuz i had to unlock the vibrant). I will flash to Fish's 2.2 ROM soon. BTW may i ask you after moving to Fish's ROM and later if i need to move to ICS still can I do it without messing with Bootloaders..
Thank you
That is what we are here for in the Q&A/General sections.
Regaring your question about Gingerbread bootloaders being needed:::Yes and No.
Gingerbread bootloaders were required in the infancy of ICS ROMs bc they prevented what is called "Rainbows" in your clockwork where you couldn't see anything. The options were there but you just couldn't see them. Then as ICS evolved, the need for GB bl's lessened and now you don't need them at all.
But...There's always a but...Gingerbread bl's are recommended by most of the devs for ICS builds because they seem to work better with the custom recoveries that come with some of the kernels. There is more to it but in short, GB bl's are not required but recommended.
If you go to my ICS install guide, in the middle pages and more again at the end, Yosup (highly respected user) and I have a detailed conversation about bootloaders and their installation. Once he got over the fear and did it, he was hooked and flashing ICS ROMs weekly if not more. It is a very informative section of that thread.