Hi guys,
Please forgive me if I sound stupid as I'm a complete newbie when it comes to modding Android phones.
Basically, I'm after installing the CM6 ROM onto my phone but have not been successful at all due to me not knowing how to follow the instructions for doing this properly especially from the links below.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1059361
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1066824
I spent hours last night trying to do it but had no luck at all as I just can't understand how to and couldn't find clear enough instructions.
The reason I want to install this is because my current version of 2.1 is very unstable and reboots almost twice a day without fail. Also it freezes when doing simple things such as browsing apps or even the web or facebook etc. Also crashes often too causing me to reboot the phone.
Things I've tried so far:
Performed a full backup using in built Backup & Restore app then copied te backup file onto the PC
Managed to Root phone using SuperOneClick (easy enough app to use)
Downloaded CWM Recovery from one of the download links from the links above and ended up with 2 files found in system\bin\ called chargemon & recovery.tar.
I copied these 2 files in the root of the phone through Windows then tried rebooting phone then clicking on back key several times at boot screen but do not get any recovery mode or anything.
Tried xRecovery and this has an extra file called busybee but this doesn't work for me either.
Googled how to install xRecovery and CWM Recovery but none of the Youtube videos or sites give me clear instructions I can follow. Different sites have different methods.
In the end I got annoyed and unrooted the phone.
Would the instructions in this link wok for me do you think?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1164475
Has anyone tried this method?
It seems easy enough but knowing my luck, it'll prob fail lol.
Right I tried following the instructions from the link below but I couldn't get the recovery app running after the batch file reboots my phone. The only step I skipped is restoring to a fresh copy of factory rom using seus but surely this shouldnt make a difference.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1164475&page=2
Goto mini pro android development thread see the post of quangnhut123 about AIO Automatic Installation....
Right I followed the link below as before after restoring the phone back to a factory 2.1 rom using Seus. This time eit let me into the recovery mode where I was easily able to flash to CM6 rom provided by slade87. It took me to the android logo screen after rebooting the phone kept crashing here. I then reset the phone to factory defaults using recovery mode then it got me to the gui but there were no icons being displayed so I rebooted again & finally everything seemed normal.
It's still buggy though as titanium backup failed to restore my phone contacts even though it told me it was successful. I had backed them up before I had reset the phone to factory rom.
I'm unable to turn off the annoying sound when im typing on the keyboard even though i've checked every setting.
Live wallpaper doesn't work at all. Just gets stuck saying 'loading' when i choose one to preview.
I thought this cm7 rom was bug free.
Any ideas on fixes for the bugs reported anyone??
hi,
well, I have a mini pro also and I noticed that it's a little different from mini but there are good threads here in xda and I think you've read those as I understood from your post.
I'm using the cm6.01 like you choose and it took me some time to get there.... just like you but i can tell you what I did and maybe it helps you:
I used FlashTool_0.2.9.1 and rooted from there, then clicked "ask root perms" and in advanced menu I've selected "install busybox". after this I clicked in "xrecovery"
...ok, now the 1st part is done, and you have to put your rom (for mini pro) in sd card.
reboot and when you see the white text "sony ericsson" start pressing the right key ( <--) in your x10.
from here I did:wipe data, wipe cache and install zip from ad card, chose zip from sd card.
after install you'll reboot and you should go to this boot menu again and chose wipe data, to avoid crashing at the X logo.
I did this and it's done, without any problems!
Thanks for your response.
I've already done most of what you have mentioned anyway. The only difference is I used SuperOneClick to root my phone then used a script to install CWM Recovery.
My CM6.01 zip file was already stored on the SD card and this is where I browsed to just like you.
I'm just going to leave it to be honest.
I've noticed the touch keyboard makes the clicking sounds when used but the hardware keyboard doesn't make any sounds.
I've manually finished copying my contacts over so everything is kind of back to normal after lots of hassle.
I'm scared to flash it again because Titanium recovery being hopeless and very unreliable after my findings.
Why so scared?
Save numbers in SIMcard, with a free smsbackup you can save your sms's, by hooking up your phone to the pc you have your photo's, what do you need more?
Then you can do whatever you want, you can't really brick the phone because mine did nothing, and with SEUS I got it working again.
Just root like you did before, get the CWMRecovery.apk to install CWM automaticly, put any rom you like on the root of your SD and press back on boot for CWM to flash it.
Then do factory reset, wipe cache, wipe dalvik cache, I always do battery stats, then goto install from sd and select your ROM.
Related
I have a fascinate now, I had an eris then an incredible. Anyway, I rooted my eris and my incredible and flashed many roms with much luck. This phone is a little difficult. I can root easily but installing is difficult. I can't install anything from the sd card. I have tried it two different ways in Rom manager (direct install and booting into recovery) If i hold the vol keys and power, unless i apply the update, it wont go to clockwork. It is actually on the stock recovery. Anyway, I just can't figure out how to install anything on this phone from the sd card. I get to the install screen, it finds and opens the packages, but the freezes on the install. I'm terribly annoyed as it is with this phone. I used google all the time, now I'm using a quick search app. ADW launcher the drawer disappears randomly, and I just don't like launcher. So anyway, I can't install anything from sd, so therefore I can't get google search working or setcpu, and cant flash a diff ROM. I must be doing something wrong. Please help!!!
kissqt7 said:
I have a fascinate now, I had an eris then an incredible. Anyway, I rooted my eris and my incredible and flashed many roms with much luck. This phone is a little difficult. I can root easily but installing is difficult. I can't install anything from the sd card. I have tried it two different ways in Rom manager (direct install and booting into recovery) If i hold the vol keys and power, unless i apply the update, it wont go to clockwork. It is actually on the stock recovery. Anyway, I just can't figure out how to install anything on this phone from the sd card. I get to the install screen, it finds and opens the packages, but the freezes on the install. I'm terribly annoyed as it is with this phone. I used google all the time, now I'm using a quick search app. ADW launcher the drawer disappears randomly, and I just don't like launcher. So anyway, I can't install anything from sd, so therefore I can't get google search working or setcpu, and cant flash a diff ROM. I must be doing something wrong. Please help!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ClockWorks on the Fascinate does not overwrite the stock recovery.
In order to get into CWM, you must run update.zip *every* time you want to get into CWM. This is not likely to change any time soon.
Once in CWM, the back key is the "select" key and the volume up/down are the up/down keys.
First thing is first: i you have rooted, boot into stock recovery, apply update.zip to get into CWM recovery and backup your device.
Then play.
yeah i get that.. after the backup and even wipe data and cache it gets stuck at the install part. I have titanium and always nand but when I install the zip from the sd card it finds the package and opens the package, but then always freezes on the installing the package part. That's where I'm having issues
kissqt7 said:
yeah i get that.. after the backup and even wipe data and cache it gets stuck at the install part. I have titanium and always nand but when I install the zip from the sd card it finds the package and opens the package, but then always freezes on the installing the package part. That's where I'm having issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having come from the Eris myself, I know your pain. I will suggest, if you attempt to install anything, and I mean **anything** related to voodoo, not only should you back up/nandroid first, but you should probably go ahead and familiarize yourself with Odin and recovery steps. Also, you cannot be patient enough, sometimes takes up to 10 min + for installs/disables. I am in my 2nd 2-day recovery process from removing Voodoo, and I frankly suggest avoiding it altogether.
In Rom Manager (clockwork), did you click on FLash ClockworkMod Recovery and select the Fascinate? If so, and still hanging, I would recommend uninstalling/reinstalling clockwork as a next step. Best of luck!
I'm begging for someone to help me figure out what's going on with my Vibrant...but first, I've got to start out by admitting that I'm a total noob at this stuff--as much as I TRY to read/learn, I just don't seem to "get" it...I just wanted to make sure to make that clear before I tried explaining what my phone's been doing.
Okay, so, I updated to 2.2 the day it came out (months ago) & I'm rooted...(that's about as far as I've had the guts to go with it--I've never flashed a ROM or do anything else, simply because I was afraid I'd screw something up)...anyways, lately (for probably about 3-4 weeks now) my phone has dramatically slowed down, and now my home launchers (I've tried LPP, ADW, GO, & of course, the stock one) & some of my settings (mainly, the tones on my alarm clock & my ring tones) all keep resetting; my home screen will go blank and it takes several seconds to restart again...
I've done factory reset at least twice, I've uninstalled/reinstalled all the home launchers--even tried uninstalling all the other ones & just using the stock one...keeps happening. I've tried switching out my SD card--(I've got a brand new one in there now)--still nothing...I'm not sure what else I need to do--?
Could anybody PLEASE help me out before I throw my phone out the window--??!! ... THANK YOU!!!
I'd flash a new ROM. Don't be scared. Good luck!
Are you using a task killer? You might be inadvertently killing your launcher
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
it's being killed. Either from a task manager (boo) or more likely it's just ran out of memory. Are you playing pretty heavy games? Plants vs Zombies makes my ADW EX reset, also the other game from that developer... it does too.
Could just be an app that is a hog. Any certain apps you run often when it happens? Notice any certain apps draining the battery? You could try installing watchdog.. it looks for apps that are using a lot of memory.
if you question certain apps, you could uninstall and see.
when i was on stock 2.2 my notification volume reset itself from full to about half everytime i got a text (or sent 1)
hasnt on any custom rom iv'e been on
id odin back to stock and clear out some memory
I'd flash over CM7. The battery drain issue JUST got solved (nightly 39) so it's battery is on par with 2.2 stock now (or better!). Broken GPS but that's the only bug.
Performance is 3-4 TIMES faster in EVERYTHING. Yes....that's TIMES. It feels like an entirely new phone. Also, it looks much better than anything you'll see from stock....with many customization options for theme. Try it.
Flashing now is SUPER easy. I literally can flash CM7 on your phone in about 2 minutes (provided I download it before).
Simply go on Market and get ROM Manager
Flash Clockwork Recovery from ROM MANAGER.
Download latest CM7
Put CM7 file on phone memory
Reboot into clockwork recovery
Install CM7 from clockwork
Wait till phone boots.
It can be useful to make a backup from Clockwork before you flash so if u **** up, you can go back. No harm done.
I had originally downloaded advanced task killer--but I uninstalled it months ago; I've also uninstalled anything that seemed to be eating up memory...but, it does seem to stay low anyways; I don't have anything that runs in the background, however, that I haven't always had running back when it was working okay--? I'm not sure what I'm missing though...
And, yes--I'm SUCH a chicken about flashing another ROM, simply because everything I've read on here has pretty much "scared" me out of trying it! I've downloaded ROM manager a few months ago, but (and I don't remember exactly which part I had the issue with) I tried to make a nandroid & it wouldn't let me...so I pretty much gave up--but, now that I'm having these problems, I may go back & read everything & (hopefully) try it all again...so, in other words, Stay Tuned--(in case I need some help! haha!)...
Don't be scared.
Nandroid backups are made in recovery. Use ROM manager to flash recovery. In recovery after reinstalling packages and getting green or red recovery use the backup and restore option to create ur back up (that's ur nandroid). This flashing situation is really easy if you read. These are good guys here if you need help they will be more than willing to help you. Good luck!
Task killers are garbage and down with @akaskriller
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Yes just post questions if needed. The procedure like I said is really simply and the benefits are huge. But do read some stuff, it's always good to know it
Okaaaaaay...so, I'm just now (yes, a month and a half later) getting some time to sit down and attempt to "fix" my phone... I ODIN'ed back to stock 2.1--but now, I can't get root...?! I've copied update files from XDA into my phone, which, I'm assuming I've done correctly...??--(I told y'all I was a noob)...then, did the whole push the volume keys + power button maneuver--but when I tried to re-install packages, it tells me it's not there or they can't be opened...I've tried re-doing all this MANY times today without any luck...
Now, originally I had used SuperOne Click to get root--but that was after I had updated to 2.2...but everything I've looked at for to get root on 2.1, I don't see anything mentioned about using SuperOne Click...? Help me out guys--I'm getting crossed-eyed over here...
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
Here's how to flash.
1. ODIN (You've done that already).
2. Use SuperOneClick to root the phone (read here how to use it) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682. You need Development enabled on the phone and plugged to your computer to do it. READ that topic I listed carefully if you are confused on how to root it.
3. Install ROM Manager from the Market, then flash Clockwork Recovery (select Vibrant (MTD) for Clockwork version). Now you are free to flash ROMs.
4. If flashing to CM7, download the latest nightly
(http://cm-nightlies.appspot.com/?device=vibrantmtd), put that on your phone via the USB cable. Put it on the phone memory, not on ur external SD card.
5. Reboot into recovery (Hold Power + Volume up + Volume down as you reboot the phone). Select re-install packages twice. Now that will get you into Clockwork recovery mod if you did step 3.
6. Select Install from zip card, find the CM7 ROM file you put on your phone and flash it. Wait till done.
7. Reboot phone, you now have CM7. Boot it up and let it sit for 5 minutes (do not touch it, its doing setup stuff).
8. Open the program ROM Manager (its installed by default). For Recovery, select Vibrant MTD 3.0x I think. Then select Download ROM, find the Google Apps package.
9. After downloading the Google Apps package, install it. You can do it straight from ROM Manager, it will ask you for root and then reboot into recovery and do it automatically.
10. You are done, you can now restore apps or set the phone how you like for usage.
OPTIONALLY you can install additional kernels and modems for better battery/coverage. The recommended modem is KB5 for CM7.1 as for kernel, if you want to upgrade, I'd recommend the latest Glitch CM7 kernel beta (fully stable).
NOTE, your GPS likely will not work in CM7. Be ready for that if you go this way.
Wow, seriously--Thaaaank You x110! I'll let you know how it goes!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
Here is the udate.zip to root:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=723479
(click the QR code and download, thats slick)
That needs to be placed on the internal SD, NOT in any folder, just sitting out on it's own. Open any file manager and make sure its there. At this point find the ROM you eventually wanna flash and place it on the internal SD as well. I like to make a folder named "ROM" and put all my ROM's in there.
After you ODIN when you boot into recovery it should be blue. SWEET!
- Reinstall Packages(do this until you get green recovery)
- apply update zip(do this in green recovery)
- Now flash the ROM you have already placed onto the internal SD. It is important to only flash once you get the green recovery.
Good luck!
okay, for either one of the ways...do i want debugging on or off--? (i'm assuming that "matters"--?)
HA! Nevermind... 0
Dear XDA developers,
I was tired of sony ericson servers being overloaded and thus being unable to update my phone, so I decided that I wanted to have CyanogenMod on it. I followed this tutorial http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/Sony_Ericsson_Xperia_Mini_Pro:_Full_Update_Guide and then I had a phone that kept showing me the startup animation of a droid with a spinning circle.
I had done the CWM backup before flashing as described by the tutorial. I've searched a lot on the internet and tried these tips to try to fix a bootloop:
- wipe cache
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe dalvik cache
- install update.zip (cyanogenmod) again
- restarted 100 times
In all kind of combinations, nothing helped.
Then next I wanted to just restore the backup I had made, so I pressed Restore and selected the backup. Rebooted the phone and the SE splashscreen showed up. Then the SE logo kept displaying for minutes. I connected the phone to Logcat in Eclipse (I'm an android developer) to see that the phone kept doing the same loop over and over again.
In all the steps I did I never rooted the phone, because the tutorial didnt say so. After reading a lot it felt like I should have rooted it first. Can anyone confirm that this is correct?
I now beg for you help to tell me what to do next? I have downloaded latest flashtool, I also have a working flashboot. I dont know what to flash/do anymore. I'm totally lost and the phone is looping forever. What should I do now?
~Master004
reflash to stock FW using wootanserver.
...or you can just flash via fastboot prerooted kernel like Rage 2.4 for mini pro, and try everything again.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1398910
and try reding this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1445821
and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1226715
same problem
Guys I have the same problem, but I even rooted my phone, the CyanogenMod does start with the android on a skateboard and once the homescreen even came up but just rebooted straight after.
If I were to start all over with stock firmware how would I go on about doing that? Links?
Any help is much appreciated, thanks.
Did you flash the kernel provided in the zip file?
Also, before restoring your previous backup try doing a full wipe, non just factory, but go into mounts&storage from cwm and hit the fortmat sstem and then tr restoring backup.
All files and knowledge neede to resolve the issue can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1568792
DONE!!!
Rudjgaard said:
Did you flash the kernel provided in the zip file?
Also, before restoring your previous backup try doing a full wipe, non just factory, but go into mounts&storage from cwm and hit the fortmat sstem and then tr restoring backup.
All files and knowledge neede to resolve the issue can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1568792
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After a lot of research I found the solution, even though it takes me back to stock rom I'm happy
Basically I repaired it with pc companion, on the home screen --> clicked on start under Support Zone; then Start under Phone Software Update;
then on the pop up box I clicked repair phone (underlined in blue); { click Continue, check box, Next} and just follow on screen instructions and the phone is reset to factory settings :good:
However I still found my bootloader unlocked when I tried to install rom again, don't whether it stayed or because I also unlocked my simlock today too.
Anyway the rom still didn't work for me so had to repeat this process all over again
If anyone has a good tutorial for rooting a sony xperia mini pro and & installing a good rom on it pls let me know, my model's still on Gingerbread and it hogs the battery crazy.
Try thishttp://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1688980
Or thistalk.sonymobile.com/thread/35239
Hit thanks f I helped.
Sent from my SK17i using xda premium
Running 2.3.4 version 4.5.91 ATT/US SBF I believe, stock kernel, unlocked bootloader, rooted, and have Tenfar's CWM recovery.
I accidentally accepted the download for update to v4.5.141 (after hitting "Later" 1000 times), but had wifi turned off at the time and the download never started... now I can't turn back on wifi because the download will automatically start (triangle! with "Enable Wi-Fi to start download update" in notifications), and I don't want to brick the device if it runs and I can't cancel the install.
What can I do to cancel the OTA download and/or install and avoid bricking the device?
Any help is appreciated.
Hmm. I know it's possible to "freeze" the update notification (that is, either use the pro version of titanium backup, or put .bak after the appropriate system app). A few other threads have detailed how to do this.
You just accidentally downloaded it, right? It shouldn't install automatically; it would pop up another "install" vs. "later" prompt once the download finishes. I know there's another post around here (stickied?) that details how to back up your OTA update. You could probably use that thread to find your downloaded file & delete it.
Alternately, since you're unlocked you could always install another rom and skip the OTA process entirely. For example, Nottachtrix is based on the 4.5.141 build and comes with a stock Gingerbread theme if you want.
Thanks, I did see those threads you mentioned.
Before my mistake, I had already tried renaming /system/app/Upgrader.apk to .bak with root explorer, and rebooting to stop the download update popup... it didn't work, and kept prompting me, which I eventually accidentally accepted instead of hitting "Later".
I don't have the Pro version of TiBU Pro; I was thinking of upgrading it to freeze Upgrader when I was trying to stop the download update prompts, but as I mentioned I accepted the download before I could do that.
I was also considering flashing Nottachtrix since that seemed to be the only safe way I saw to update to 4.5.141 with the unlocked bootloader. can I safely flash that now, even though the update is pending?
I'll be honest and say I don't know with certainty. BUT -- I don't see why you couldn't download Nottachtrix on your computer, drop it onto your phone's SD card, and flash it from there (without ever turning your phone's wifi back on). Your phone is booted & not in the middle of an active install. It's just waiting to download a file which would requires your input to begin installing anyway.
If you're really concerned about it, you could do the Seriously Complete Wipe before flashing the new rom by using the following method (thanks CaelanT):
For the best results, when you want to flash a new ROM you should always perform a full wipe in fastboot per the following to make sure you will avoid any unforeseen complications:
reboot to recovery
wipe Dalvik
reboot to fastboot
fastboot erase boot
fastboot erase system
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot erase cache
fastboot erase webtop
fastboot erase preinstall
fastboot reboot (to recovery)
flash ROM
reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more note: it looks like Tenfar's recovery is considered "old" round these parts, and most roms don't play well unless you flash them using romracer's CWM recovery. So that should probably be your first step. It's here.
thanks for the recommendations. I guess I will uninstall Tenfar's recovery, install romracer's recovery, do the Seriously Complete Wipe, and then flash Nottachrix. Let me know if any of that sounds wrong.
Will I lose my apps or my titanium backup of apps & system data by doing the Seriously Complete Wipe? If so what do I need to do to be able to restore my apps and system data after the wipe & flash?
Hey, no problem at all. (by the way, you don't need to uninstall your current recovery, just flash the new one per the instructions.)
Oh yeah, a second note: you'll need to rename two particular files before flashing the new recovery. From another stickied thread:
Anyone having issues not being able to boot into CWM recovery after flashing it (such as seeing android guy with exclamation mark):
Delete or rename /system/etc/install-recovery.sh AND /etc/install-recovery.sh I renamed mine to bkup.install-recovery.sh in case i ever wanted to use them again for some reason.
/etc/install-recovery.sh will automatically be placed in /system/etc if /system/etc/install-recovery.sh is not found on boot.
So, you must delete or rename both, THEN INSTALL CWM recovery.
rename the files using ROM Toolbox's root explorer as some file explorers will not give you the proper access levels to delete or rename the files correctly.c
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, on to apps & data. Yes, you're going to lose all your data in the wipes, but the backups you made will be intact. TiBu is fine for your apps; I use "MyBackup Root" (free on the market) for my contacts, SMS, MMS, etc. After flashing the new rom, you'll have the market pre-installed. Use it to re-download TiBu, restore your backed-up apps (NOT EVER system data. Just apps+their data.), then restore the rest from there.
I did everything, and it worked well. thanks for confirming it was safe and the extra tips!
I had already uninstalled Tenfar's recovery by the time I saw your response. I thought it may conflict, didn't know.
I didn't have to rename those 2 files to be able to boot into CWM recovery... the files weren't present before or after installing CWM recovery and it worked.
Thanks again for the tips on the seriously complete wipe and the MyBackup Root, they worked well.
Almost everything was restored after flashing the ROM except for a few minor settings. I somehow have a ton of contacts because I have all my Google contacts, my Blur contacts (a lot of dupes of Google ones), and a lot of extra old gmail e-mail contacts that I wish it didn't populate. Nothing to complain about because I would rather there be extra unnecessary contacts than missing ones.
The only issues I have is that the ROM shows the 3G img at all times... so I have to do some speed tests and troubleshooting to see if I am stuck in 3G or if it is just the known bug in the ROM where 3G is always displayed.
I have N_01.77.30P radio and I saw some people are running 36 or 37, and some people on AT&T installed an additional APN that improved performance.
If anyone has any input on the 3G, radio, or APN issues, please let me know.
atrix issues
Hello members,
i am new to android and learning to understand the jargon of experts here. Reason for joining xda is following:
I (from India) have a motorola atrix 4g that i purchased from a friend in US (it was on AT&T.)
1) when I start my phone -is says on top unlocked. Does it means it is unlocked / unrooted? and I cannot install the OTA updates from Motorola like ICS 4 coming in Q3?
2) I clicked on system update and downloaded the update over wifi. When it started the install it got failed with a triangle and ! mark. I had to remove the battery and start the phone after which it kept on rebooting . Saw in some forum that i had to do a factory reset and after doing that it worked but I lost everything. I had to reinstall all the apps. Is there a way to reinstall the latest OTA updates from Motorola with doing / playing much with ROM? if not then please let me know a simple and safe way.
3) After doing factory reset i accidentally clicked on system update and now the update is downloaded over wifi but i did not install by selecting "install later" . However the popup keeps coming up and i want to disable it. kindly advise how this notification can be stopped.
Thanks in advance
So it started when I wanted to do a factory reset. I was running 4.1.2 stock and the phone has never been rooted or modified. For some reason, no matter what i tried i could not get the phone into recovery mode. I tried every button combination and watched every youtube video, no luck. Download mode was working though.
So i gave up and just did the reset from within the OS settings. After this was done i was curious to see if the recovery mode would work, still no luck. I think it's important to have that working in case you have trouble with your phone so i felt the need to resolve this. I also thought it would be cool to root my phone so i planned to flash a new kernel which would also rewrite the recovery mode, root the phone, and leave the stock rom.
By this time i had added some of the apps back to my phone that were wiped during the factory reset, most of which i put on my sandisk sd card. I first tried flashing a no frills kernel called Jeboo using heimdall on my mac. It worked fine but still no luck getting to recovery mode. The phone looked like it was trying. After the appropriate button combo the screen would would keep flashing a faint grey but never load to recovery.
Also, after i flashed this kernel i noticed that all the apps i downloaded to my sd card were gone. Only a transparent image with a little "sd" icon remained and when i clicked on one it would say the app was not installed. Not sure why a kernel would affect this since i didn't change the rom.
Anyhow, i was still focused on getting recovery mode working so that i could finally root my phone. I tried another kernel called speedmod.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2140192
Good news it worked and i was finally able to get to recovery mode which was now run by CWM. Finished rooting,
As far as the apps go i was able to re-download all the apps that disappeared from my sd card. The weird thing is, there were a couple of apps i notice so far that were not on my sd card that disappeared completely. Season zen hd and betterbatterystats. The problem is when i re-download these ones it says "cannot install to usb or sd card" I tried wiping dalvik and cache partition with no change.
The question is:
Why would apps get wiped from a kernel update? As i will likely update kernels in the future is this going to be a constant issue?
Why can't a reinstall a few of the apps?