Hello Everyone,
Firstly, I need to say that as a previous owner of an original droid, I was able to root it with no problems on the first go around. However, as a new owner of a Samsung Galaxy SII I am finding root a real challenge.
I have no problems getting into download mode and so on....I have successfully placed the clockworks rom onto the phone with again no problems and I have all the drivers working properly. I guess this is where I am obviously an idiot....because I start the Super One Click and it gets to Step 6 and then stops. I unplug the USB....click the debugg off and then back on and reconnect my USB like directed by many posters. However, in my case it will not continue on and finish the install.....
I reboot and do get the small triangle on boot up ( not that I care too much about that really...do have a jig on order however) but I simply can't seem to get it to root.
Again I have followed all the posts and guides for unplugging, unchecking and rechecking the debugging and then plug back in the USB and still nothing.
Phone works fine....everything works...love the phone...just seems puzzling to me. I have Odin 1.82, I have SuperOneClick 2.1.1 and like I said installed the .tar fine to the phone with no worries....just cant get it to root.
Any advice?
"....I have successfully placed the clockworks rom onto the phone with again "
Do you mean kernel with clockwork recovery ? Because if so,the kernel suppoused to be rooted already.
I firs downloaded the below file, Then downloaded ODIN 1.82 and all associated samsung drivers. I also downloaded SuperOneClick 2.1.1.
The instructions were to load the .tar file on first which I did successfully. When I go to the final step and use SuperOneClick to ROOT the phone is where the problems happens. I can't get past step 6 and unchecking and rechecking the debugging box at step 6 does not help.
SGH-I777_ClockworkMod-Recovery_5.0.2.3.tar
Try an alternative way I used the one described on the CyanogenMod-wiki. Worked like a charm for me.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
That tar file says its for sgh- I777
Where did you get it from?
I'm not familiar with this method,i gues because it's AT&T device ?
I believe I downloaded it from this site. It was part of a guide to rooting the Galaxy S2 phone. It had all the files for download in links at the very top of the page but to be honest I have looked at so many pages now I can't remember where I got it on here.
TheElectricalGuru said:
I believe I downloaded it from this site. It was part of a guide to rooting the Galaxy S2 phone. It had all the files for download in links at the very top of the page but to be honest I have looked at so many pages now I can't remember where I got it on here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your pm
TheElectricalGuru said:
I believe I downloaded it from this site. It was part of a guide to rooting the Galaxy S2 phone. It had all the files for download in links at the very top of the page but to be honest I have looked at so many pages now I can't remember where I got it on here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man,and again this method for AT&T Galaxy only... if you have it so it's different thread in the forum.
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
Oh dear, what model of the Samsung Galaxy S II are you using? If it's the GT-i9100(the international model) then you've used the wrong .tar file. Obviously the "SGH-I777_ClockworkMod-Recovery_5.0.2.3.tar" file is for the AT&T S II.
Do pay close attention to the model number.
Ok so guys I bought a galaxy s2 I9100 last night...
And it is my first experience with android so i dont know anything about android...
I have previously used an ipod touch and jailbreaking was very simple....
But i tried to read about rooting my S2 , but everything bounced over my head....
Can anyone please tell me about rooting, cyanogen mod etc...
It would be really great someone explains me about all this stuff...
Thanks in advance.....
and ya
MODEL NO. GT-I9100
ANDROID version 2.3.3
BASEBAND version-I9100DDKE4
KERNEL [email protected]#2
BUILD NUMBER-GENGERBREAD.XWKF3
hiback said:
Ok so guys I bought a galaxy s2 I9100 last night...
And it is my first experience with android so i dont know anything about android...
I have previously used an ipod touch and jailbreaking was very simple....
But i tried to read about rooting my S2 , but everything bounced over my head....
Can anyone please tell me about rooting, cyanogen mod etc...
It would be really great someone explains me about all this stuff...
Thanks in advance.....
and ya
MODEL NO. GT-I9100
ANDROID version 2.3.3
BASEBAND version-I9100DDKE4
KERNEL [email protected]#2
BUILD NUMBER-GENGERBREAD.XWKF3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
read this first
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1134290
then once you read that go here to root your phone and follow the guide carefully.. you need to cf-kernel to root your phone to be able to enjoy android more...here is the link
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
any questions feel free to ask...but i will be honest just enjoy your handset for the time being read upon android and you should be fine..either way welcome aboard..
hiback said:
Ok so guys I bought a galaxy s2 I9100 last night...
And it is my first experience with android so i dont know anything about android...
I have previously used an ipod touch and jailbreaking was very simple....
But i tried to read about rooting my S2 , but everything bounced over my head....
Can anyone please tell me about rooting, cyanogen mod etc...
It would be really great someone explains me about all this stuff...
Thanks in advance.....
and ya
MODEL NO. GT-I9100
ANDROID version 2.3.3
BASEBAND version-I9100DDKE4
KERNEL [email protected]#2
BUILD NUMBER-GENGERBREAD.XWKF3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many different stories to talk about.
As it is very difficult for me to identify your interests and knowledge, I reduce my answer to the IMO most important threads for SGS2:
1. Intratech's Official Firmware thread => http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Please read the first post. There is a detailed description of how to flash a new Firmware/ROM to your phone, and there is a Quick Root Guide too.
This rooting method is very elegant (as you do not get a yellow triangle and the binary counter will not be increased), but it is a little bit "manual".
For a little bit more "automated" rooting, look at the next thread.
Most important is, that you can find the latest, official and stable Firmware version most as non-wipe together with the corresponding stock kernel, which you might need for getting rid of the yellow triangle after flashing a rooted kernel (such as CF-Root or SpeedMod).
I always prefer flashing Frankenstein ROMs from third post, as you can combine them to any other Firmware parts, such as Modem/Phone/Baseband (for inter-connectivity) and CSC (for region and/or carrier dependent customizations) files.
2. Chainfire's CF-Root thread => http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399&highlight=CF+Root
Everything you need to root your phone is to flash a rooted kernel to your phone (See description in first post).
And if you want to get rid of the yellow triangle, Chainfire has described it in his second post.
The only thing to do is to find the corresponding kernel for your ROM.
So, it is useful to flash a new ROM first, then flash the corresponding CF-Root kernel and you have root access on your phone.
There are many other goodies which come along with CF-Root kernel, such as ClockWorkMod (CWM) recovery mode (an extended recovery mode including features, such as backup&restore, clear Dalvik cache, flash other zip files from sd card, etc.) and CWM Manager app (to have a very user-friendly app to make use of most new CWM recovery features).
But you can use any other rooted kernel, which is compatible with your ROM, to root your phone.
3. Custom ROMs ... such as CyanogenMod ...
There are many, custom ROMs and kernels optimized for different things, such as better performance (higher scores in benchmarks) or longer battery life.
You have to take your time and search on yourself what you really want most and which custom ROM or kernel you want to try.
Stick to the SGS II Official Android Development forum => http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1058
... search, read, test !
Just to be on the "safe" side, do a backup before flashing.
If you have CWM recovery mode (or CWM Manager app), just do a complete system / nandroid backup.
So you will be able to restore this backup, if one of the tested custom ROMs or kernels messed up your phone.
Good luck !
This Thing is really scary....lolz......
I mean it is too damn hard to understand....
really jailbreaking is so mch easier.....
And ya What is bricking of device... How can i prevent bricking of my sgs2 while rooting...
hiback said:
How can i prevent bricking of my sgs2 while rooting...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By reading the threads stated above, multiple times, very carefully.
I can jailbreak a phone in my sleep, but this stuff kinda went over my head too. I got the GS2 (my first android also) a couple of months ago and have been reading up on stuff periodically but still don't understand a lot of it.
It's why I'm glad there are so many helpful people who write clear guides on how to do stuff.
I'm sure by the time the GS3 comes out I'll have a bit of a grasp on things!!
But just read read read.
Good luck.
Yea I was scared too. All I can say is, READ THE STEPS ONCE, TWICE, AND AGAIN BEFORE YOU TOUCH YOUR PHONE.
First off. It's not possible to brick it when flashing a kernel(to root). The only way to brick is replacing the boot loader, only official Samsung ROM's do that and it takes less than a second so the chances are slim. I say you start by downloading CF-ROOT for your current firmware. Just be careful and read the instructions. I also recommend to only flash roms from XDA. Also, never use PIT file in ODIN. Welcome to Android, I was new as well 3 months ago and I've been changing kernels and roms like crazy since then
Your current firmware is KF3. I HIGHLY recommend downloading and installing KJ3 from Intratech's thread. It is very fast. Download the one from Frankenstein firmwares. That will not root, you need to flash cf-root or other rooted kernels to do that.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
hiback said:
This Thing is really scary....lolz......
I mean it is too damn hard to understand....
really jailbreaking is so mch easier.....
And ya What is bricking of device... How can i prevent bricking of my sgs2 while rooting...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont worry mate i felt the same as well..but as stated above by the rest of the posts read carefully the steps and you should be fine honestly
People talk about jailbreaking iPhones being easy, i could say the same about rooting and flashing ROM's, simple to do once you get the hang of it (and read up)
Just take it slow, pour a coffee and read. I can't stress it enough. It'll make you more comfortable when you actually do it.
Search for the "litening ROM" has great step by step including links to Odin and all that good stuff.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
So Guys I rooted My SGS 2 using the following method..
First of all, make sure you’re having all these tools mentioned below at the time rooting.
Odin Downloader
XWKDD tar file [don’t extract, leave as it is]
SuperOneClick
USB Data Cable
Samsung’s KIES 2.0 or get it from download page
Install Samsung Kies 2.0,if not installed, as you will need the correct USB driver for software’s to communicate. Turn on USB debugging mode in galaxy s2 from Setting>Applications>Development>USB Debugging
1. Boot device into download mode. For getting into download mode on galaxy s2, first turn off the phone and power it on again by pressing Volumedown button, Home button and Power simultaneously. You’ll see a downloading icon once you go into this mode.
2. Start Odin downloader
3. Connect phone to computer via USB.
4. Odin software will notify you when it detects phone and gets connected.
5. In the software, just select “Auto Reboot” and “Reset Time” checkboxes and leave every other options as default.
6. Press PDA icon and select the XWDD tar file you just downloaded [XWKDD_insecure.tar]
7. Press Start and ODIN will flash the kernel and after that, Galaxy S2 will reboot.
8. Don’t remove the phone from USB and let it reboot.
9. After rebooting, start SuperOneClick and press ROOT.
9. Once again reboot the device.
That’s it, Your Samsung Galaxy S2 is now Rooted!!
Now enjoy all the custom roms and overclocking apps for galaxy without any restrictions.
And I used CWM manager to remove the yellow triangle....
Now what else do i need to do...
It_ler said:
There are many different stories to talk about.
As it is very difficult for me to identify your interests and knowledge, I reduce my answer to the IMO most important threads for SGS2:
1. Intratech's Official Firmware thread => http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Please read the first post. There is a detailed description of how to flash a new Firmware/ROM to your phone, and there is a Quick Root Guide too.
This rooting method is very elegant (as you do not get a yellow triangle and the binary counter will not be increased), but it is a little bit "manual".
For a little bit more "automated" rooting, look at the next thread.
Most important is, that you can find the latest, official and stable Firmware version most as non-wipe together with the corresponding stock kernel, which you might need for getting rid of the yellow triangle after flashing a rooted kernel (such as CF-Root or SpeedMod).
I always prefer flashing Frankenstein ROMs from third post, as you can combine them to any other Firmware parts, such as Modem/Phone/Baseband (for inter-connectivity) and CSC (for region and/or carrier dependent customizations) files.
2. Chainfire's CF-Root thread => http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399&highlight=CF+Root
Everything you need to root your phone is to flash a rooted kernel to your phone (See description in first post).
And if you want to get rid of the yellow triangle, Chainfire has described it in his second post.
The only thing to do is to find the corresponding kernel for your ROM.
So, it is useful to flash a new ROM first, then flash the corresponding CF-Root kernel and you have root access on your phone.
There are many other goodies which come along with CF-Root kernel, such as ClockWorkMod (CWM) recovery mode (an extended recovery mode including features, such as backup&restore, clear Dalvik cache, flash other zip files from sd card, etc.) and CWM Manager app (to have a very user-friendly app to make use of most new CWM recovery features).
But you can use any other rooted kernel, which is compatible with your ROM, to root your phone.
3. Custom ROMs ... such as CyanogenMod ...
There are many, custom ROMs and kernels optimized for different things, such as better performance (higher scores in benchmarks) or longer battery life.
You have to take your time and search on yourself what you really want most and which custom ROM or kernel you want to try.
Stick to the SGS II Official Android Development forum => http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1058
... search, read, test !
Just to be on the "safe" side, do a backup before flashing.
If you have CWM recovery mode (or CWM Manager app), just do a complete system / nandroid backup.
So you will be able to restore this backup, if one of the tested custom ROMs or kernels messed up your phone.
Good luck !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So Guys I rooted My SGS 2 using the following method..
First of all, make sure you’re having all these tools mentioned below at the time rooting.
Odin Downloader
XWKDD tar file [don’t extract, leave as it is]
SuperOneClick
USB Data Cable
Samsung’s KIES 2.0 or get it from download page
Install Samsung Kies 2.0,if not installed, as you will need the correct USB driver for software’s to communicate. Turn on USB debugging mode in galaxy s2 from Setting>Applications>Development>USB Debugging
1. Boot device into download mode. For getting into download mode on galaxy s2, first turn off the phone and power it on again by pressing Volumedown button, Home button and Power simultaneously. You’ll see a downloading icon once you go into this mode.
2. Start Odin downloader
3. Connect phone to computer via USB.
4. Odin software will notify you when it detects phone and gets connected.
5. In the software, just select “Auto Reboot” and “Reset Time” checkboxes and leave every other options as default.
6. Press PDA icon and select the XWDD tar file you just downloaded [XWKDD_insecure.tar]
7. Press Start and ODIN will flash the kernel and after that, Galaxy S2 will reboot.
8. Don’t remove the phone from USB and let it reboot.
9. After rebooting, start SuperOneClick and press ROOT.
9. Once again reboot the device.
That’s it, Your Samsung Galaxy S2 is now Rooted!!
Now enjoy all the custom roms and overclocking apps for galaxy without any restrictions.
And I used CWM manager to remove the yellow triangle....
Now what else do i need to do...
Now what else do i need to do...
hiback said:
Now what else do i need to do...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For now just enjoy your phone as is probably. Over time you will find out what you really needed root for. For me titanium backup is number 1.
Unlike an iPhone, even without rooting you can do most things you need but yeah some need root.
Personally I would have rooted using cf root/speedmod etc to have cwm recovery for backups.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Also, to root you could have simply just flashed cf root in Odin as PDA and your done.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
hiback said:
This Thing is really scary....lolz......
I mean it is too damn hard to understand....
really jailbreaking is so mch easier.....
And ya What is bricking of device... How can i prevent bricking of my sgs2 while rooting...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldnt worry just a new platform. Depending on how patient you have been after updating the new firmware on your iOS toys jailbreaking can be much worse than this. Apple developer fanboys have a tendency to wrap it up with a pretty little gui and a sexy dress but it is really just as many steps. We just like it au naturel over here
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Asgerlund said:
You shouldnt worry just a new platform. Depending on how patient you have been after updating the new firmware on your iOS toys jailbreaking can be much worse than this. Apple developer fanboys have a tendency to wrap it up with a pretty little gui and a sexy dress but it is really just as many steps. We just like it au naturel over here
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so i have installed Cyanogem Mod 7.1.0 ...
But now i want to get back to my stock firmware because i want to use tv out function which is missing from Cyanogen mod 7.1.0 so can u please help me out in getting back to my stock firmware...
Just go to intratech thread that was linked on first page. Then i would recommend to chose the frankenstein version to be able to reset your counter if needed.
Chose the firmware you want (kk5 is pretty good) and flash it with odin.
You can also flash a custom rom that is based on sammy like checkrom. You can do this trough cwm recovery and don't need to use odin for flashing.
If you don't have cwm yet you can install siyah kernel to get it.
Sent from my GT-I9100
I have an sg2 (sprint) had it flashed to boost, the 3g antenna comes and goes is there a fix for this?...also will I be able to get the facial recognition lock screen on my phone...please let me know thanks
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
hiback said:
Ok so i have installed Cyanogem Mod 7.1.0 ...
But now i want to get back to my stock firmware because i want to use tv out function which is missing from Cyanogen mod 7.1.0 so can u please help me out in getting back to my stock firmware...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a lot of ROMs based on the original Galaxy S software, so if you want the added customization, there are many options.
But what you want to do now to return to the original ROM, is to go in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113928
And find the one that was originally on the phone.
If your phone didn't come with a carrier specific ROM, you need to go to this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Simply download and flash it as a PDA file using Odin.
Hello all,
I'm new to rooting and flashing (well, phones at least ) so yes, I am a n00b when it comes to this. I've tried searching the forum but I can't get any further with my problem. If there is a post on this, I hope someone can point me to it and I appologise for unnecessarily starting a new thread.
I have an old Samsung Nexus S which I want to root and flash cyanogenmod on. Since this is the first time I do this I decided to use a step by step guide on nexusshacks.com (there is probably one on this site too, but hey, that's the one I accidentally stumbled upon). The thing is that my device stated, when I started the bootloader (volume up and power): "state unlocked" which is supposed to mean that my device was already rooted. I was surprised; the device is my ex-girlfriend's which got it from one of her friends. Someone might have tampered with it but for the love of the Lord I couldn't figure out whom this could have been. Now, I started the rootchecker app and this said the device was not properly rooted, so I decided to follow the steps on the website mentioned anyways.
At some point during the procedure the programme stated: "device already rooted", which would have been ok since that was my goal anyways, but then the trouble started. I installed rom manager, but when I want to flash clockwordmod recovery it says: "an error occured while flashing your recovery". I tried to "reboot into Recovery" in the app but it just doesn't do anything, it doesn't respond when I tap it.
I also tried to start recovery from the bootloader menu but then I get an android lying dead on it's back with a red triangle hovering over his belly (sad picture, brought me to tears). Now I found out this means that I am in stock recovery (whereas I am supposed to be in clockworkmod recovery, I think) but I don't know what that means or what I am supposed to do next.
Now, what I want to be able to is as simple as it is difficult (for me, that is): flash roms. But I can't back-up my current system and settings so I am a little confused as to what is the best next step: just try to flash a rom anyways (dunno if it will work) or fix the problem with clockworkmod. If it is the latter, I would really like to know how.
Sorry for the long story. I didn't want it to be incomplete (which it still might be, come to think of it...).
Sincerely,
Nie
Hello,
I've been trying to root a Samsung Galaxy Pocket Neo GT-S5310 and I followed the instructions in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2433263
I guess the same instructions have been re-written here:
http://honai-android.blogspot.jp/2014/02/how-to-root-galaxy-pocket-neo-s5310-on.html
And someone also made a youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slnvvp4gyQQ
I follow the guide and everything seems to work fine. However when I get to the last step, I get the message
Code:
E: failed to verify whole-file signature
E: signature verification failed
I guess Thailandian in the first thread that I linked to experienced the same problems, however he didn't post whether he got around the problem. It seems to me that I get the Samsung recovery instead of CWM, even though during running ODIN I get properly everything that the guide describes.
The only thing that I can think of is that when I first started my phone, I did some Samsung update, so now my splashscreen looks a bit different than the splashscreen in the youtube video above. So I'm wondering whether the provided files are not valid any more, even though my android version is still 4.1.2.
Any ideas what I am doing wrong?
Thanks a lot!
I'm guessing I posted in the wrong forum. Could someone move it to "Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking ". Thanks.
Turn off the option to auto reboot the device on Odin and, after you flash the new recovery, reboot straight to the new recovery and flash through it.
Your device rewrites the recovery with the original one on every boot, but you can always use a custom recovery with Odin like that.
Easy way to root Samsung Galaxy pocket neo
jntesteves said:
Turn off the option to auto reboot the device on Odin and, after you flash the new recovery, reboot straight to the new recovery and flash through it.
Your device rewrites the recovery with the original one on every boot, but you can always use a custom recovery with Odin like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey bro
Try this easy and simple method to root Samsung galaxy pocket neo http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2574956
thanks to dhinesh77
Thank you. That works perfect!
Hi,
I am totally new to flashing phones, so I need your help. My aim is to flash my GT-I9100 (Vodafone UK) with Cynogen Mod Kitkat. Currently my phone has Android version of 4.1.2. I do not have root access to my phone and according to Cynogen Mode wiki, this is not necessary.
Apparently I can't post links before 10 posts, sorry I can't show the links from where I got the instructions.
I have 1st tried to flash a new recovery image so that Cynogen installation would be possible.
1) Heimdall Method as in the Cynogen Mode Wiki Page
2) Odin Method available on the internet.
In both I have been successful transferring the listed recovery images (6.0.4.7 and 6.0.2.9) to the phone but in both cases whenever the phone is restarted, the device is stuck with Samsung GT-I9100 logo and yellow triangle. I can't access to recovery mode at all.
I had to go back to the download mode again (luckily this worked) and flashed with the original firmware in each cases to recover the device.
I am also confused about the version of CWM as when I go to the original website, above versions are not listed under Galaxy S2.(Only 4.0.1.5 and 5.8.1.5)
Am I missing something here?
Many thanks.
hey,here's the instructions you need
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...om-official-cyanogenmod-11-nightlies-t2634693
a bit of search wouldn't hurt you know...
good luck:good:
TheImpossibleEnemy said:
hey,here's the instructions you need
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...om-official-cyanogenmod-11-nightlies-t2634693
a bit of search wouldn't hurt you know...
good luck:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Many thanks for your reply. Believe me I have gone through many posts and search before posting here. I have also checked the link but can't understand why I am encountering yellow triangle after CWM flashing. Am I suppose to flash something else as well together with the version 6.0.4.7?
Don't bother about that yellow triangle,it's normal.When you'll be done flashing your rom,use TriangleAway app to remove it.
TheImpossibleEnemy said:
Don't bother about that yellow triangle,it's normal.When you'll be done flashing your rom,use TriangleAway app to remove it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But after I flash with CWM I can't get access to the recovery to install the rom? The only option I have is the download mode.
I thought after flashing with CWM the stock rom would work normally and flashing with custom rom could be done later if needed.
Just to iterate again, when I flash the recovery, phone does not switch on but stuck with yellow triangle. It does not go in recovery mode. I have to re flash the stock rom to save device.
Could it be you're flashing only a temporary recovery,without an included kernel?Just guessing you may well be.FYI S2 doesn't have a separated partition for recovery as some other phones has.
As you're currently using a stock rom,the easiest way IMO would be flashing Philz kernel first(from Original Android Development section).Then follow the instructions from the CM11 thread.
TheImpossibleEnemy said:
Could it be you're flashing only a temporary recovery,without an included kernel?Just guessing you may well be.FYI S2 doesn't have a separated partition for recovery as some other phones has.
As you're currently using a stock rom,the easiest way IMO would be flashing Philz kernel first(from Original Android Development section).Then follow the instructions from the CM11 thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible but instructions on cynogenmod wiki page does not advise about a kernel. It gives a link to the recovery file and after recovery is flashed, I should be able to use volume up + home + power to access the recovery. Which I can't.
You just got given the best bit of advice anyone could give you, you have no clue whatsoever, and you're questioning said advice ?
Forget the CM Wiki. As you've just been told, any recovery flashed independently of the kernel on the I9100 will only persist until the next reboot. The easiest way to achieve what you're trying to achieve is to flash a custom kernel which will give you root+permanent CWM, and go from there.
You can either follow the advice you've been given & get this done the easy way, or you can continue to fumble around for days/weeks/months/whatever.
No skin off our noses either way *shrugs*
And no, I'm not going to apologise for being a bit 'rough' with you. People who come here with no idea, ask for help & either don't follow great advice they're given or argue the point about things they have no understanding of **** me to tears & get zero empathy.