[Q][NOOB] Flashing, Roms, Kernals etc.. - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi SGS2 users.
I have been using my stock SGS2 for approx. 1 month now. I have been following with the forums but have yet to do anything with my phone. I have experience with flashing (had an old HTC Diamond 2 using WinMo and did quite a bit of flashing a few years back. I switched to blackberry and has recently returned to xda.
I am completely clueless with the android flashing. I HAVE rooted my phone already though.
So I have seen some tutorials on flashing roms (most are included in the rom description) but what is this kernal flashing. I keep hearing certain kernals performing better then others in terms on bat life and speed.. (such as the nimephatimine(not sure if I have spelt it correctly). How do I use this kernal stuff? Please link me to a tutorial thread if there is one, I tried searching and was unsuccessful.
Any recommendations on ROMs? The top 2 I see are cognition and litening..
Cheers

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
theres a nice guide there for the basics of flashing with odin. note this guide is for a complete firmware.
the kernel is just a small part of the ROM and it can be easily changed at any time. you flash it any .tar kernel file in odin as a PDA

It's easy. Download the firmware, extract it, you will get a .tar file, open Odin, add the .tar file into Odin PDA section and Flash it. Simple. A full firmware is around 300 mb.
Same goes for Kernel, you will have a .tar file around 5/6 mb, flash it vid Odin by selecting PDA.
Yes, there are lot of kernels, like you said, Ninphetamine, some others are, SpeedMod, RageMod, Hellcat etc. Each and every one has it's own features. Like Ninphetamine adds BLN feature, Voltage tweaks etc, Overclocking etc. The simplest rooted kernel is Chainfire kernel, it's basically a Stock firmware with BusyBox, SuperUser and CWM and I recommend it. But if you want a more versatile one then I recommend Ninphetamine, which I am currently using.
Read about the Kernels under Dev section for more details.
Regards.

any recommendations on which rom to flash?

LesterC said:
any recommendations on which rom to flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are looking for a stable Samsung ROM go for Cognition, LEOMAR or Litening. If you are interested in cooking your own rom you can for the ROM kitchen. romkitchen.org/beta
In case of AOSP or CM ROMs you have CM7, MIUI, Oxygen etc. CM7 is not stable. MIUI looks good but is a battery drain for me.
As far as kernels for Samsung ROMs go Speedmod and ninphetamine are the popular ones.

netcitizen said:
if you are looking for a stable Samsung ROM go for Cognition, LEOMAR or Litening. If you are interested in cooking your own rom you can for the ROM kitchen. romkitchen.org/beta
In case of AOSP or CM ROMs you have CM7, MIUI, Oxygen etc. CM7 is not stable. MIUI looks good but is a battery drain for me.
As far as kernels for Samsung ROMs go Speedmod and ninphetamine are the popular ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MIUI is built on top of CM7. Meaning it's equally as "not stable".
Sent from my GT-I9100M

my phone is currently rooted, when i flash a new rom do i have to reroot it?

Yes if its a stock rom .
No if its a custom rom with root.
jje

Related

[Q] Questions about Kernels

Hey anyone that's got some noob time, I was curious what exactly is a kernel, why are there different kernels, when to know if you need to use a different kernel and lastly instructions on how to flash a kernel. I am pretty experienced in dealing with my phone and I'm capable of bringing my phone back from ANY software brick with ODIN and I have been flashing ROMS for about 5 months. I recently was reading up on the Epic 4g forums because I was going to root my epic when I buy it and I noticed much more about kernels in the epic 4g forums. Any knowledge would be appreciated! Thanks!
Roms, Basebands and Kernels, a basic overview
The baseband is only the 'radio' part of the phone that makes the calls, the 3G and Wifi connections, GPS connections, etc. As you thought, it is totally separate from a ROM. Updating a ROM will not update a baseband and going back to an older ROM will not 'downgrade' the baseband either. Upgrades to a baseband my improve signal strength, call quality, maybe have software tweaks to improve battery life while on 3G/Wifi, etc - things like that.
Kernels are the core software code that allows CPU to over-clocking and controls voltage controls. Think of it like Bios settings on your computer (PC, that is)..that's really all they do. Now, a kernel can be completely separate from a ROM, but a new ROM contains a kernel in it so it will run. So, a kernel can be both separately applied from a ROM, but is also part of a ROM.
The ROM is basically everything else but the apps and the two things above. It's actually the OS, as well as any stock apps that come with it - and any new improvements, features, etc. The increasing build numbers reflect bug fixes, known issue solutions, feature improvements, etc...thing of them like windows service packs and/or any software update.
Some of the other phones modifying the kernel may be done more because the phone design and limitations
Hope that helps
Very helpful, I was sure to click thanks. I'm curious how to change the kernel on my phone and when should i consider changing it. Do I use ODIN to change the kernel? Also can any kernel work with any ROM? If not, how do I know which ROMs a specific kernel is compatible with?
stevenmcneal83 said:
Very helpful, I was sure to click thanks. I'm curious how to change the kernel on my phone and when should i consider changing it. Do I use ODIN to change the kernel? Also can any kernel work with any ROM? If not, how do I know which ROMs a specific kernel is compatible with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most kernels can be flashed just like a ROM, very few require ODIN and if it does the dev will specifically say so. Also not every kernel works with every ROM. However they are usually made to work with any ROM base don a version number. For example if a kernel is made for 2.2 than all ROMs that are made from 2.2 will work with it. The version number a kernel is meant to be used with is always in the OP of its thread.
And one last thing, if it is a kernel that has to be flashed via ODIN could someone give a step by step? I've got return to stock via ODIN memorized and I've done it plenty of times but not sure about the procedure for kernels.
Put the kernel in the PDA do not repartition, On a side note, when you are flashing things especially adding new kernels etc, It is better to go to recovery manually and do it from there. Sometimes the custom stuff or CWM have conflicts and it doesn't flash and you have to go odin back......... that's been my experience
so just use adb to get to stock recovery and then choose install packages? forgive me for my extreme detail
oka1 said:
Put the kernel in the PDA do not repartition, On a side note, when you are flashing things especially adding new kernels etc, It is better to go to recovery manually and do it from there. Sometimes the custom stuff or CWM have conflicts and it doesn't flash and you have to go odin back......... that's been my experience
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you been using 2.2.1 ROMs?? I always have to ODIN from 2.2.1 ROMs cause I can't wipe data from CWM on them. So when it gets to that part of flashing the ROM it freezes
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Which custom ROM is 99-100% bug free ?

So I want to install some custom ROM but as I can see EVERY ROM has some bugs and I really hate that, is there any ROM that can be installed and that they are bug free, I want to use the phone, not flash it every week. I really like CriskeloROM, it looks great and it has that great camera tweak for better sound but it has some BT issues etc. So other are, MIUI, Cyanogen and Darkys, are they bug free ?
Thanks
MIUI based on CM7 & AOSP, CM7 based on AOSP, both of these are not yet stable but good enough for daily usage, camera's are much weaker compared to stock Samsung.
Samsung based roms stick with something based on stock, like VillainRom, KitchenRom, and such. Plenty to choose from.
Or custom roms such as Cog, CheckRom, HyperDroid, plenty to choose from. Read each one and see what users are saying about them, best way is experimenting yourself.
Then either stick with CF Root as a kernel based on stock or experiment with others like Speedmod, Siyah and a like.
Asking a general question like this will usually lead to comments from users on roms they are currently on saying its the best etc, so you'd be even more lost!
I could say X is good Y would say Z is good and such
for one why do you want to flash a custom ROM? first answert that to yourself
if answer comes i rerally dont want, then simply root your phone.
you can always flash stock newer roms like 2.3.5 roms
i for one actually dont need custom roms as im very much happy with stock and anything i cant do on stock i can after root.
i used to use custom roms when on my older htc phones when stock were slower and custom roms were faster, but with this specs stock is fast enough.
Thanks to both. Well, I want to have that better camera that has better video and sound and also I like those lock screen on CriskeloROM with shortcuts like HTC. And I hope that they have better battery and are fasgter than stock !? If, not, is there 2.3.5 stock that has Croatian language and I coul try ti use that rooted first and remove some Samsung annoying apps, right now KIES says 2.3.3 is the latest. I definitely dont want worse camera on my phone, only better so pelase direct me in the right way because I dont know where I can find stock 2.3.5 woth better camera app.
Tnx a lot
Cognition for me. Always install ROMs fresh to prevent problems.
Go for a KI4 rom, Criskelo had modified the camera for that 2.3.5 version you can download and just replace using a root file explorer.
As for rom, I'd say look into RomKitchen, optimized stock rom and works well. The guys over there are also very nice and helpful. Like most tbh.
Ok, but can you please point me what I need ? I have CF-Root now and I have read that I should not use ROM Manager for backup of current ROM and I dont know how do make NANDroid backup ? Is that with 3 button combo and then I have that option ?
Also, I see that there are more than one thread with RomKitchen name in it, which one should I take and how can I know if they have croatian because I didnt find that info on any ROM. I can backup my ROM with CWM app ? I have just clicked it and it has rebooted and backuping something on internal memory, I didnt turn on the phone with 3 button combo.
EDIT: is this the one, in the 2nd post ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1171523&highlight=kitchen
Tnx
One more thing, if I make complete backup with Titanium and then restore it on some ROM which does not have stock Samsung apps will it be ok then and it will not restore those apps ?
Ah wait, they don't do KI4, only KI8 & KI3 in kitchen.
To flash a rom via CWM, vol up + home + power, I recommend installing fresh, so wipe factory data, cache and dalvik cache under advanced.
Use Titanium to only back up app data for your applications and no system data.
You can use KI8 or KI3 those are good to, KI8 being newer, or from their post KJ1.
http://romkitchen.org/sgs2/?s=generator
I have donwloaded this KitchenApp and there I can see more ROMs and other oprion, I dont need to install other kernel ? Now I have XWKF3. When I choose everything I just press download and it will download it on my phone and from that Kitchen app I can install that ROM ? I can make the ROM in app and here online, it says GAlaxy S but I hope it is for i9100. I generate ROM and then transfer it to root of the mass storage and then flash it trough KitchenPro app on the phone ? It will NOT erase my photos and backups on mass memory ? What backup and with what app should I make before flashing ? I have made some with ROM Manager, I hope it is ok.
What Model and Kernel to choose ?
But if I want to backup apps and widgets from the Market with Titanium ? Or just choose thoe market apps and not system apps and settings ?
Thank you VERY much for your patience but when I make it one time then I will learn, now I have like zillion questions because I come from iPhone 4.
What kitchen app?
Oh you are using CheckROM? That's the newer one, I was talking about RomKitchen.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14934522&postcount=5
I have tested many Roms but for me Hyperdroid from Androidmeda is the best Rom out here.. Fast smooth and a hyper great support... Since this Rom I never switched to another Rom... I am AT HOME
Send from my Revolution GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Is CheckROM ok ? It seems great.
@seavers11: please dont mess with my head with another ROM )) I must take one that is bugfree and that it looks great, I dont mind speed and that stupid quadrant score.
CheckRom is good, the kitchen app allows for easy customization.
Just trying out GingerMod and that's lovely as well. AOSP feel based on Samsung firmware with mostly AOSP apps but with some goodies from Samsung left over like camera and such.
Your spoilt for choice
Which CSC, Kernel and modem should I use ??
<3 <3 Batista Rom <3 <3
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
damirbusic said:
Which CSC, Kernel and modem should I use ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on were you live for CSC and modem. I use UK csc and KI1 modem as it gives me better data coverage.
Kernel I'm using latest rc2 of SiyahKernel, running fine so far.
But go for something stable maybe SpeedMod or CF root based on stock later you can experiment with other kernels.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Im in Croatia and now I have CF-Root and it is fine, what else shoul I choose there to make my ROM ? Do I need to take Europe version so I can have Croatian language ?
Tnx
nikzDHD said:
MIUI based on CM7 & AOSP, CM7 based on AOSP, both of these are not yet stable but good enough for daily usage, camera's are much weaker compared to stock Samsung.
Samsung based roms stick with something based on stock, like VillainRom, KitchenRom, and such. Plenty to choose from.
Or custom roms such as Cog, CheckRom, HyperDroid, plenty to choose from. Read each one and see what users are saying about them, best way is experimenting yourself.
Then either stick with CF Root as a kernel based on stock or experiment with others like Speedmod, Siyah and a like.
Asking a general question like this will usually lead to comments from users on roms they are currently on saying its the best etc, so you'd be even more lost!
I could say X is good Y would say Z is good and such
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cognition looks like a really good rom but isnt it based on stock?
I still dont get what "HyperDroid" about , is it a stock rom themed?
nikzDHD said:
Just trying out GingerMod and that's lovely as well. AOSP feel based on Samsung firmware with mostly AOSP apps but with some goodies from Samsung left over like camera and such.
Your spoilt for choice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG i just checked that rom and it looks amazing! built for touchwiz haters like me, who still admit that the samsung browser and camera app are far better than stock android
The new Checkrom and Leo's kitchen is very solid, I don't think there's anything bugfree but it gives the easiest option I've seen to try different builds.

What to look for in a kernal

Hey guys, I'm not gonna ask the dreaded question "Which Kernal is best?", but I am currently rooted and want to overclock to 1.5, but besides that, what else should I be looking for in a kernal?
What about modems (or is that embedded in the kernal)?
We only have 2 options, Entropy or Siyah and they do not include a modem.
Check the dev section for kernels & modems.
butikofer08 said:
Hey guys, I'm not gonna ask the dreaded question "Which Kernal is best?", but I am currently rooted and want to overclock to 1.5, but besides that, what else should I be looking for in a kernal?
What about modems (or is that embedded in the kernal)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both kernels we have offer oc abilities.
Personally I would look at stability and battery life but that is just me. Try both and see which suits your needs.
Modems are not associated with kernel and depend on your area. Whichever works the best where you are.
We have two choices here and both are incredibly stable and allow overclocking. You can't go wrong. Basically the biggest difference as far as I can see is the recovery that comes with it which is almost entirely preference.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
So if I find a ROM I like but want to experiment with the other available Kernal, is it as simple as flashing my ROM first, then once booted up go into Odin and flash the other kernal i want to experiment with?
Or is the kernal that comes with a ROM the one your stuck with?
butikofer08 said:
So if I find a ROM I like but want to experiment with the other available Kernal, is it as simple as flashing my ROM first, then once booted up go into Odin and flash the other kernal i want to experiment with?
Or is the kernal that comes with a ROM the one your stuck with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use CWM to flash the zips provided or Mobile Odin if you prefer it that way.
No need to use a computer to change the Kernel.
LiLChris06 said:
Just use CWM to flash the zips provided or Mobile Odin if you prefer it that way.
No need to use a computer to change the Kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick response chris,
I guess what I'm asking is if I have a rom with the Syiah kernal, is it possible to keep that same ROM but swap kernals, sorry, I just wasn't clear on what your answer meant.
I'm guessing your saying it is indeed possible and just flash the .zip for a different Kernal on top of an already installed ROM.
Sorry, I'm tired...
Changing the Kernel on 2.3.4 & 2.3.6 roms will not break anything.
For CM7, CM9, MIUI etc you have to stick with what is included or see what works with it.
AntwanL said:
We have two choices here and both are incredibly stable and allow overclocking. You can't go wrong. Basically the biggest difference as far as I can see is the recovery that comes with it which is almost entirely preference.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For example, latest Siyah with touch recovery. Awesome for flashaholics.
Your talking of version .14 I assume, if so, doesn't it say in .13 description that .13 would be the last for Gingerbread?
Obviously it works if your using it, so i'm gonna download now...

[Q] Need some clarity on the update process

I'm looking to update from Android 4.0.4. My SGH i777 is rooted from last year.
I have the clockwork mod recovery installed from last year. Using AOKP I think.
There's ROM's for 4.3 but I don't see any kernels posted here. Can someone point me in the right direction? Apparently the sg2 has left the limelight for a while now.
Once I get the kernel updated, does anyone have any good ROMs to recommend?
Thanks
ps You guys are an awesome community.
Which rom is a personal matter. You should try them yourself to see what you like. If you want Samsung Touchwiz based firmware, the latest version will be 4.1.2. To get 4.2.2 or 4.3, you will have to go with one of the AOSP based roms.
Since you have a custom kernel with CWM Recovery, just pick the firmware you want to try and flash it in recovery. You don't need to install another kernel first.
Wait, so all I have to do is pick another ROM? That's it? No firmware update?
vex390 said:
Wait, so all I have to do is pick another ROM? That's it? No firmware update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
firmware update? no. Whether 4.0.4 or 2.3.whatever, you already have have root/cwm; all that's left is a some recommended housecleaning*, then flash whatever ROM you want.
*either:
rom-cleaning-script
or:
factory reset
+format system
Mind = blown. Thanks so much guys!
In my experience with custom ROMs, I found that ShoStock3 v4.0 and UCMD8 v2.2 COOKED give the best battery life and stability, but I use the stock kernel for ShoStock and AJK v4.9 for UCMD8 COOKED. CM/PA/AOKP have given me subpar results in terms of stability and, most importantly (for me anyway), battery life. This is not to say that those other ROMs are bad, but for me, those haven't been working out. Your mileage may vary. Just my $0.02.
vex390 said:
I'm looking to update from Android 4.0.4. My SGH i777 is rooted from last year.
I have the clockwork mod recovery installed from last year. Using AOKP I think.
There's ROM's for 4.3 but I don't see any kernels posted here. Can someone point me in the right direction? Apparently the sg2 has left the limelight for a while now.
Once I get the kernel updated, does anyone have any good ROMs to recommend?
Thanks
ps You guys are an awesome community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're looking for a rom. The rom you use will all depend on the type of software you like. If you like touchwiz, I recommend Shostock 3 4.0 or the Cooked Rom. If you're looking for a AOKP Android 4.2.2 rom, then I would use the Resurrection Remix rom, but remember, all roms differ on every phone. Not everyone gets the same results. I wouldn't use a 4.3 rom because its fairly new and pretty unstable on some phones, but if you really want to, I got the best results on the Carbon rom, but the battery life wasn't so good. Also, a lot of the 4.2 and 4.3 roms require you to flash gapps, which are the google apps for you phone. If you're looking for kernels, the usually come with the rom you download, so you don't really need to get a kernel. If you really want the extra customization and tweaks, there are some kernels out there, including AJK, Jeboo, and STI, that you can flash. I personally use AJK on a lot of my roms because I found it to be the most sucessful. I am running Shostock 3 with jeboo kernal right now. Shostock 3 has good performance, stability, and battery life and is touchwiz. So yeah, keep all this in mind when flashing a kernal. You don't to connect your phone to the computer or anything to flash a kernel. If you're rooted, you just have to have the rom in your phone storage or SD card and go into clockworkmod recovery and flash. Hope this helps and good luck on finding a rom that's right for you!

[Q] What's with kernels?

If I was to install, say, the Liquid Smooth ROM onto my i717 (I have a good amount of experience with flashing ROMs, so that much I know,) specifically, the KitKat version, it lists kernels in the download links. Would these kernels be included with the ROM files themselves, i.e. install at the same time as the ROM, or would I have to flash the kernel separately before flashing the ROM? Thank you VERY much in advance
Reinstalled said:
If I was to install, say, the Liquid Smooth ROM onto my i717 (I have a good amount of experience with flashing ROMs, so that much I know,) specifically, the KitKat version, it lists kernels in the download links. Would these kernels be included with the ROM files themselves, i.e. install at the same time as the ROM, or would I have to flash the kernel separately before flashing the ROM? Thank you VERY much in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thread should tell you if the kernel is baked into the Rom our not but the stock kernel usually comes with it. I'm pretty sure you're talking about a beefed up kernel tho. You'll just have to read the thread and if you're still not clear about it, ask in that thread to be sure.
Sent from my HTC0P3P7 using Tapatalk
Reinstalled said:
If I was to install, say, the Liquid Smooth ROM onto my i717 (I have a good amount of experience with flashing ROMs, so that much I know,) specifically, the KitKat version, it lists kernels in the download links. Would these kernels be included with the ROM files themselves, i.e. install at the same time as the ROM, or would I have to flash the kernel separately before flashing the ROM? Thank you VERY much in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is always a kernel included with a rom. most alternate kernels are made and or flashed to combat a side effect or incompatibility with some folks devices. its not that provided kernel doesn't work, just that every device is different and the alternates can sometimes be more compatible.
however, I would suggest you give the original kernel a chance to settle, at least a day if not two. if it just flat out is not working for you, then flash an alternate onto the rom. wipe you caches ( not factory) flash kernel by itself and your good
never want to discount reading here as Gimmeitorilltell suggests. reading educates you and puts you in a better position to help yourself first.
Reinstalled said:
If I was to install, say, the Liquid Smooth ROM onto my i717 (I have a good amount of experience with flashing ROMs, so that much I know,) specifically, the KitKat version, it lists kernels in the download links. Would these kernels be included with the ROM files themselves, i.e. install at the same time as the ROM, or would I have to flash the kernel separately before flashing the ROM? Thank you VERY much in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In general stick with the kernel that comes with a ROM unless you have a reason to change, like stability, overclocking, etc... but you do flash the kernel after the ROM; anytime after the ROM flash really. You don't need a clean flash before kernel switch.
The dev probably did not test his/her ROM with every kernel possible so if you want support your best bet is to be on the kernel included. For the 1st install of a ROM if you are unsure you should definitely use included kernel; as sometimes you just can't predict what changing it will do.
That said there many of us do switch kernels when installing updates, I certainly do. There are not alot of kernels for our phones as only a dedicated few devs continue to support the Note but you have a few choices. All kernels I've seen allow performance/governor control to some degree. If you read through the various ROM threads you'll find that some kernels are preferred by users but for the most part kernels like Uber work well with most ROMs.
P0llution's ROM patch allows you to switch kernels after flashing a ROM (BeanStalk, LiquidSmooth, etc....) and even before 1st boot. It also has patches for various KK problems. It is in the Beanstalk thread 1st post.
Thank you so much for your replies! Installed LS and flashed Uber kernel and running with no issues.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk

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