OK, I admit it. I'm a coward. I am a complete scaredy cat when it comes to changing my bootloader, or to even using Odin. I like the safety and simplicity of recovery, and as such a spineless person, I have a few questions about some general workarounds that may or may not work.
While each ROM has its own instructions on how to install or uninstall from this or that, or how to move from Froyo to Gingerbread to CM7/MIUI to Eclair to Gingerbread to Froyo and back again with or without Froyo or Gingerbread bootloaders, with or without Voodoo enabled, with or without a complete wipe, with or without your IMEI intact, with or without an Odin to stock, and back and forth and back and forth.
I have a question which, hopefully, will apply to the majority of those transitions. I am currently using a 2.2.1 Froyo ROM with a Froyo bootloader and Froyo kernel. I would like to ask, nay, CONFIRM a scenario where I move safely to a Gingerbread or CM7/MIUI ROM built for the Samsung Vibrant without changing my bootloader, and without having to use Odin, either to switch to OR switch back from Gingerbread or CM7/MIUI.
Now, I've read a LOT about this subject. The problem with reading as much as I have is that you end up with conflicting data. Even if it's only 1 post that says you can do it an easy way and 100 others that say it's wrong, if the 1 post is saying what you want to hear, it's hard to dismiss, and so I will ask the question.
Is it possible to move to and from the many various ROMs and Kernels using only an intelligent use of Titanium Backup, ROM Manager, and a Kernel Flasher?
For instance, I make a full backup of my Froyo rom, and over to Gingerbread. I change my mind, and to return to Froyo without using Odin or Gingerbread bootloaders, I use a kernel flasher to flash a Froyo kernel (probably Bali), which supposedly puts me in soft boot but allows me access to recovery where I can go back to my Froyo backup. I'm also assuming this would work with a change from Froyo to CM7, or from Gingerbread to CM7.
Is this possible? Assuming I do a complete Data/Cache wipe and Fix Permissions as well as a Titanium Backup of 3rd party apps and a ROM Manager recovery backup of the ROM in-between every step.
This would work on any touchwiz based gingerbread rom. If you flash CM7 or anything CM7 based (trigger redux or miui) you have to use Odin to get back. If you flash any of the touchwiz gingerbread roms you will not be able to see the recovery without flashing the bootloaders with odin.
Does CM7 modify the bootloader? Is that why you have to use Odin to return to Froyo?
I appreciate the help, but I'm also just curious
I *could* be wrong but I think its because that CM7 uses a newer version of clockwork that our foryo roms don't support. It doesn't modify the bootloader.
Update: this is what I'm talking about
ok well for any of the gingerbread roms you really "need" to flash a gingerbread bootloader using odin, now while it isn't mandatory, for daily use clockwork access etc you will want to do it. I don't recommend it,
Now i'm comfortable with Odin and confident in myself and my phones hardware to not brick my device. I still won't flash a bootloader, cause if i forget to odin froyo bootloader before flashing a froyo rom, hardbrick.
now CM7/Trigger/Miui is different yes you need to use Odin to go back to stock/froyo should you decide you don't like them, there is less possibility of screwing up because all you do in odin is
Pit = 512.pit
PDA = T959UVJFD.tar
uncheck Auto Reboot (If odin fails just reflash again no need to reload etc.)
Check the following boxes.
Repartition
reset time
thats it.
installation of CM7 based roms is equally easy.
use the attached update.zip to flash Clockwork Recovery 3x (orange)
power off (pull battery) 3 button enter recovery
Factory Reset/Wipe Data
goto mounts menu and format system
Flash CM7 based rom (cm7, trigger, or miui)
Fix permissions
now while you do have to use odin to revert atleast your not messing with bootloaders, which gives you a certain degree of security in knowing that theres very little chance you will hurt your phone in any way.
hope i've simplified some things for you
bfranklin1986 said:
I *could* be wrong but I think its because that CM7 uses a newer version of clockwork that our foryo roms don't support. It doesn't modify the bootloader.
Update: this is what I'm talking about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, and to add on it, CM7 is AOSP. You can compare it more to the Nexus S atleast in filesystem structure
CM7 CWR (Orange/Blue 3X/4X respectively)
Vibrant 2.1/2.2 CWR (Green/Red)
as far as i know you can't flash a previous version of clockwork recovery, then again i honestly have never tried. It may be possible?
kaintfm said:
Does CM7 modify the bootloader? Is that why you have to use Odin to return to Froyo?
I appreciate the help, but I'm also just curious
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No CM7 actually runs on 2.2 Bootloader, though as of 4 days ago'ish they added official support for those who want to use a GB bootloader for the easy 2 button CWR/Download mode entry
Related
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.
I have tried for the past 4 hours to install the AOSP MIUI ROM. I have tried a newer recovery, a mtd kernel. No luck. I install the rom in CWM 2.5, but it boot loops at that point and states that the sd card can not be mounted. It then counts down to 20 and resets over and over. Can anyone shed light and provide steps?
Well the first thing I would do for yourself is to Odin back to stock using the 2.2 pit file as well as odining the stock 2.2 ROM. Make sure you repartition as well so that everything is formatted!!! This will solve SO many issues and give prospective forum members a place to start with your problems you are having.
2.2 Pit file - http://download180.mediafire.com/09z...atlas_v2.2.pit
2.2 stock froyo - http://www1279.megaupload.com/files/...EL.tar.md5.tar
I am going to assume you have odin and not link a download simply for the fact that if you have read ANYTHING pertaining to CM7 or MIUI in our forums you should be well aware of how to use it.
After wiping you will need to flash the modem you want via odin. They are located in the sticky in the dev thread.
After this you will need to flash the CWM that is located in the CM7 or MIUI threads themselves.
here is a link : cwm3_fixed_for_cm7-ODIN.tar
Use odin to flash it, then simply flash the AOSP package of your choice from the their respective threads here in the forums.
TedLWJR said:
I have tried for the past 4 hours to install the AOSP MIUI ROM. I have tried a newer recovery, a mtd kernel. No luck. I install the rom in CWM 2.5, but it boot loops at that point and states that the sd card can not be mounted. It then counts down to 20 and resets over and over. Can anyone shed light and provide steps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also worth noting that I missed in the first post. You mentioned CWM 2.5....sadly this will not work nor will it work with any other CWM floating around. The ONLY way currently to flash it is with the CWM I linked above. These are from JT and fixed to work with the AOSP ROMs.
from JT himself
*** The recoveries attached below are ONLY to be flashed on a BML ROM, ie: touchwiz based ROM or earlier, non-MTD CMx ROM. DO NOT FLASH THEM IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY ON CM7 OR MIUI MTD ROMS! ***
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I tried to use the new recovery provided by JT, alas it did not work for MIUI, I will try again tomorrow when spirits are higher, I usually start from DL09 and OTA my way back to ED04, Do i have to stay on EB01 or can i use ED04, and yes i am familiar with odin. Thanks again my friend.
TedLWJR said:
Thank you, I tried to use the new recovery provided by JT, alas it did not work for MIUI, I will try again tomorrow when spirits are higher, I usually start from DL09 and OTA my way back to ED04, Do i have to stay on EB01 or can i use ED04, and yes i am familiar with odin. Thanks again my friend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't quote me.... It shouldn't matter (EB01, ED01, ED04...etc) All that is needed is the updated recovery to run the package install. The package will format your filesystem so your version should not matter. If you are referring to the modem... its your preference. I am on EC01 but last time I was on like ED04 or something...
Might also try flashing CM7 first, booting in, then flashing MIUI since they use the same BML format.
Still no dice, I'm sick of trying this, I have Odined back to 2.2 around 10 times already. A good write-up is definitely necessary.
What kernal are you loading with ED04, etc.. before trying CM7?
Stock as i think i read that the rom includes a kernel, should i try a MTD kernel and then flash CM7/MIUI?
No, I was just making sure you weren't loading any voodoo kernals.
When I had issues loading MIUI, I went all the way back to the DI01 all in one rom (odin) then DL09, then CWM Fix all (3.x), then MIUI. Load the rom before you load the MIUI cwr.
I'm having major problems too. I've tried about every method to get onto CM7, but I either end up with boot loops or get stuck on the GalaxyS/CM7 boot screen for a long time (over 30 minutes).
I've started from almost every platform (stock back to DI01, comrom, evil, ....)
Used JT's cwm and still no go. I've rebuild my partitions in both odin and heimdall, I don't know what else to try myself.
I've gotten to the same place with the Galaxy S and Cyanogen screen, help is appreciated.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
im in teh same situation. ive tried doing everything i can find and i NEED miui on my phone.
haha seriously any additional help would be appreciated
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've had enough of the spotty gingerbread issues.
Whats the best way to go back to stock , so I can go to something like bionix again.
I was reading something about mixing up the froyo with gb bootloaders causing a brick, so slightly concerned in that regard.
GB bootloaders should be compatible with froyo roms, I haven't had problems when switching back and forth 2.2 2.3
Just odin stock jfd and pit and use update.zip method to install CWM and from there flash bionix or whatever.
Just don't use kies mini
Read stickied guide too...
Safest method, Odin to stock and go from there.
A safe and easier method is to simply follow the instructions on whatever ROM you flash.
If you're going to move from an i9000 leaked Gingerbread ROM to MIUI or CM7, however, be sure to switch back to Froyo bootloaders or you'll run into issues.
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.