[Q] NOOB question Zendroid install and stock restore - Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi Folks,
as you can probably see this is my first post to XDA. please be kind.
I have used CM7 on both the LG g2x and Samsung Tmobile Vibrant. (T959)
I got a little tripped up trying to go back from CM7 to stock nandroid backup on my Vibrant. I failed to understand the differences in the filesystem layout.
After much jiggering and finagling I did get it back to stock... But you can understand that I don't want to repeat that...
I'm thinking of installing the latest Zendroid. I already am running 2.2 UVKB5 with root. CWM. Cmenard overstock kernel and Voodoo sound.
I make regular backups both with Titanium and CWM....
If I install the latest Zendroid, will I be able to go back to my previous backups?
As far as I understand Zendroid is just a streamlined build of the Samsung OS.
I could upgrade to Zendroid and fallback
Also does the dock audio functionality work with zendroid ? Not a dealbreaker just a question.
bests
JACK LINGUINI

nandroid does not back up your kernel. So if you are going to gingerbread then you cannot restore a nandroid backup of froyo without flashing a froyo kernel first, and even then i'm not 100% sure it would work
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

not going to GB
Nope. Zendroid is I *believe* Froyo kernel.
The problem I had trying to restore from CM down to original OS might have been both a kernel issue and a FS issue. I *think* the problem had to do with the different partition table and PIT used by CM7 vs OG Samsung.
Anyhow. I'm a very literal person so I just want to know what I am looking at
before I do a wipe and a whole new install. I don't want to have to go thru the
whole ODIN process if I want to backout.
bests
JACK LINGUINI

I would stay away from CWM (nandroid) backups. When you restore those, you are essentially overwriting the entire system and data partitions on the phone, and basically overwriting the entire rom with whats contained in your backup.
Titanium backups of applications are safe to restore, as well as a few system apps (contacts, dictionary, calendar, bookmarks, and Wifi access points are all I restore from the system apps in Titanium), but mostly with titanium you want to stay away from restoring the red and green colored apps. White are fine though and won't cause any issues.
Basically, if you flash ZenDroid, then do a CWM restore, you will lose all of the streamlining and tweaks that are in my build, and you will really be running stock again.
And yes, ZD is a Froyo (KB5) based rom, and a Froyo based kernel.
Dock audio, should work, but I don't have a dock to test it with. I didn't take anything out of the build that effects it TMK, so it should work.
EDIT - and while you will not have to Odin to go from ZD to a different rom, being good friends with Odin and flashing stock firmware from time to time is always high on my list of recommendations, jsut to alleviate any ghosts of roms past.

Thanks !
That's what I wanted to know.
I just didn't want to deal with any of the CM7 issues when trying to restore.
I do realize that if I install zendroid then restore I go back to my pre zendroid state. I am just making sure that I can roll back to normal if I have issues.
Stock touchwiz is a bit bloated but the basics work good and I get decent battery life. CM7 was pretty heavy on battery life.
I had to use CM7 on the LG G2x because LG couldn't be bothered to produce production ready software before they released the thing.
The Samsung software does have some bloat but runs OK.
thanks br!ck'd for making this build. I will let you know how it's rocking once I install and test.
bests
JACK LINGUINI

Related

Clarification on ROM/KERNEL flashing.

Hey all, quick question for the community as I am a virgin (so to speak) when it comes to flashing custom ROM's to my Vibrant. I have yet to flash anything other than the camera from the captivate (I think that was it). On that note, I am looking at flashing over Eugene's Frankin-Twiz ROM than flashing JAC's XMOD OC/UV. My question is this:
When I flash the ROM, I know Eugene made it auto erase all the old stuff. My question is this, will I still retain any of the programs I had installed or will it be like a fresh install (such as when I pulled my Vibrant out of the box), I assume that will be the case, if so, do I just use Titanium Backup to restore it all like I had it?
The other question I had was whether or not when I back up my ROM, does it save any of those same settings (I.E.- Home screen layout, Programs installed, etc.) or is it only saving the "OS" so to speak?
Does the Kernel overwrite anything or is it just re-configure how the CPU is ran?
I really appreciate the info everyone that responds!
Dragoth12 said:
Hey all, quick question for the community as I am a virgin (so to speak) when it comes to flashing custom ROM's to my Vibrant. I have yet to flash anything other than the camera from the captivate (I think that was it). On that note, I am looking at flashing over Eugene's Frankin-Twiz ROM than flashing JAC's XMOD OC/UV. My question is this:
When I flash the ROM, I know Eugene made it auto erase all the old stuff. My question is this, will I still retain any of the programs I had installed or will it be like a fresh install (such as when I pulled my Vibrant out of the box), I assume that will be the case, if so, do I just use Titanium Backup to restore it all like I had it?
The other question I had was whether or not when I back up my ROM, does it save any of those same settings (I.E.- Home screen layout, Programs installed, etc.) or is it only saving the "OS" so to speak?
Does the Kernel overwrite anything or is it just re-configure how the CPU is ran?
I really appreciate the info everyone that responds!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, you'll want to make a NANDroid backup. This backs up everything (think of it like a ghost image of your system). It's what is absolutely NEEDED in case something breaks or you just don't like the new ROM. When you restore it, it'll put everything back exactly as it was.
Second, If you have titanium backup backup all the apps/data, it should retain just about everything, including items on the home screens. I've only used it with ADW Launcher (not the TW Launcher), but the only thing that never shows up properly is widgets for whatever reason.
Alright, cool. I made a nandroid backup right when I got it rooted before I did anything else. So I will want to make a second nandroid of my system how it is now since I have made a lot of changes since than so I have something top fall back to?
However the new rom won't have any of my current setup until I restore it with titanium correct?
[I be posting this from my wicked awesome vibrant!]
Dragoth12 said:
Alright, cool. I made a nandroid backup right when I got it rooted before I did anything else. So I will want to make a second nandroid of my system how it is now since I have made a lot of changes since than so I have something top fall back to?
However the new rom won't have any of my current setup until I restore it with titanium correct?
[I be posting this from my wicked awesome vibrant!]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on ROMs, but in Eugene's it's like it came fresh out the box except of the new features of the rom.
And yes. If you made a lot of changing do another backup, it doesn't hurt.
Awesome. Thanks for the responses. Looks like I'll be trying out out tonight.
I be posting this from my wicked awesome vibrant!

[Q] Moving from one ROM to another

I've spent a lot of time on here the last 2 weeks reading as much as possible about flashing. I finally took the plunge and flashed Axura 2.2.6 onto my Vibrant, and I love it.
Now, I am intrigued by the new Bionix-V ROM out, but I am not sure I understand everything I need to do if I want to change ROMs. Also, I have a few questions I can't seem to get a grasp on.
1. Before flashing or anything, I rooted with Ryan's OCLF. When I flashed with Axura, did that install and enable voodoo on my phone? Did it override OCLF? I know you are not supposed to be running both.
2. I cannot figure out this kernel thing. Do I just let the ROMs handle them, or am I supposed to be updating on my own?
3. I don't do anything with the modem (e.g., KA7), correct? As I understand it, the ROMs are based off of this.
4. I have read some stuff recently about how Titanium Backup has caused some issues. Should it not be used when going from ROM to ROM?
5. I have read some stuff recently about the battery and cycling it. Should this be done if I want to change ROMs?
Thanks in advance.
cccheel said:
I've spent a lot of time on here the last 2 weeks reading as much as possible about flashing. I finally took the plunge and flashed Axura 2.2.6 onto my Vibrant, and I love it.
Now, I am intrigued by the new Bionix-V ROM out, but I am not sure I understand everything I need to do if I want to change ROMs. Also, I have a few questions I can't seem to get a grasp on.
1. Before flashing or anything, I rooted with Ryan's OCLF. When I flashed with Axura, did that install and enable voodoo on my phone? Did it override OCLF? I know you are not supposed to be running both.
2. I cannot figure out this kernel thing. Do I just let the ROMs handle them, or am I supposed to be updating on my own?
3. I don't do anything with the modem (e.g., KA7), correct? As I understand it, the ROMs are based off of this.
4. I have read some stuff recently about how Titanium Backup has caused some issues. Should it not be used when going from ROM to ROM?
5. I have read some stuff recently about the battery and cycling it. Should this be done if I want to change ROMs?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok..
1. I dont know if Axura had Voodoo....but if you flash a custom ROM (weather its Axura, Bionix-V..etc..) it'll always be rooted
2. Some folks (like me) prefer going back to stock 2.1 with Odin...then flashing their new custom ROM...so they dont run into ghost files and kernel issues...but its not needed....some times you can go from ROM to ROM
3. the KA7 is the newest leak from Samsung for our phones....when a custom ROM is made...it is made from the newest leak...which now is KA7..this way the ROMs stay up to date
4. Titanium Backup is a great tool...almost a must use tool if you're going from ROM to ROM....Titanium Backup Pro is a lot more speedier and has more features that the free version...but the free one is also good
5. I personally make sure my batt is fully charged and is plugged in while i'm flashing so it reduces the time i have to re-condition...you should read a little bit more on that
1. Before flashing or anything, I rooted with Ryan's OCLF. When I flashed with Axura, did that install and enable voodoo on my phone? Did it override OCLF? I know you are not supposed to be running both.
It sounds like you just rooted with OCLF, no issue there. OCLF lag fix converts your file system to EXT2, voodoo is EXT4. If you heard Linda (lady's voice) at first bootup, your system is EXT4 via voodoo. You can download voodoo toggle from the market to verify it is working, and to disable (which you would do if you flash something that is NOT voodoo). Also, it is not possible to run both.... file system is one or the other. EXT4 is better (even though EXT2 will show a higher quad score).
2. I cannot figure out this kernel thing. Do I just let the ROMs handle them, or am I supposed to be updating on my own?
The ROM will handle this. You only need to flash another one if you really want to..
3. I don't do anything with the modem (e.g., KA7), correct? As I understand it, the ROMs are based off of this.
The ROM will handle this. You only need to flash another one if you really want to, ie, you have better signal with one vs the one included in your rom.
4. I have read some stuff recently about how Titanium Backup has caused some issues. Should it not be used when going from ROM to ROM?
Ignorance causes issues, not Titanium Backup. Check the noob guide in my signature to learn how to use it properly.
5. I have read some stuff recently about the battery and cycling it. Should this be done if I want to change ROMs?
Always. Also in the noob guide.
Thanks
Thanks. You guys rock.
Quick question/comment. When I used OCLF, I know that I rooted and I also ran the lagfix, because my quadrant score went up drastically. Not sure if this matters.
I went into Astro, and I have a folder for voodoo with log files in it, so this means I must have voodoo, right?
I downloaded the voodoo toggle, but I don't see it anywhere on my phone. Does it only show as a setting somewhere?
Voodoo toggle = Reboot Button (no clue why the dev did this). App works great though.

[Q] Stock to UnNamed

Ok, so I have been waiting for ICS patiently since I got my phone and didn't want to jump to any other rom but I am going to have 2 weeks off work and I know I will want to try and flash something out of boredom.
Few questions...
Switching from Stock Rooted to Unnamed
1. If I want to keep all my saved game/app info I just need to do Titanium Backup of user apps correct?
2. Will I have a problem playing MKV, AVI on the stock player, and will TW widgets like Picture Gallery work?
3. And if I do not like UnNamed (doubt I wont like it) do I just need to do a CWM recover to go back to exactly where I was then restore my apps/games from Titanium?
My main concern is loosing anything, thanks in advance for the help and I will make sure to hit that thanks button.
LiLChris06 said:
Ok, so I have been waiting for ICS patiently since I got my phone and didn't want to jump to any other rom but I am going to have 2 weeks off work and I know I will want to try and flash something out of boredom.
Few questions...
Switching from Stock Rooted to Unnamed
1. If I want to keep all my saved game/app info I just need to do Titanium Backup of user apps correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you backup with Tibu before installing the rom, just be sure to only restore missing apps with data. Don't install any system apps or system data. I think you need pro version for that feature.
2. Will I have a problem playing MKV, AVI on the stock player, and will TW widgets like Picture Gallery work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UnNamed is based on stock. You should be able to run anything that you can run on stock. You'll still have tw unless you change it. The widgets will work.
3. And if I do not like UnNamed (doubt I wont like it) do I just need to do a CWM recover to go back to exactly where I was then restore my apps/games from Titanium?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you first install a CWM enabled kernel, you can make a nandroid backup before you flash the rom, and then return to stock plus CWM enabled kernel from the nandroid backup. After that, you could even flash the stock kernel back if you wanted. In this case, your current configuration would be retained.
Made the switch earlier than I thought.
Thanks for the answers, when I get home ill play with it some more.
One additional factor about unnamed is because its based on Stock you can still use Samsung Kies for backup/restore...Now I have moved on to ICS'd ROM from Task and you cannot use the USB kies.
This becomes even more enticing now that gtg has posted the 2.0.0 Unnamed update and it includes much of the animation that is in ICS. Now I think there is even a 2.0.0a that included the latest Entropy daily.
srqrob said:
This becomes even more enticing now that gtg has posted the 2.0.0 Unnamed update and it includes much of the animation that is in ICS. Now I think there is even a 2.0.0a that included the latest Entropy daily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I wish I waited one more day before flashing, but I will use 1.3.2 for a few days.
Should I update to Entropy or Siyah latest kernal or I should leave it at what 1.3.2 came with?
At least I realized how easy it is to actually flash and retain all my stuff.
Missed call logs but I got the app just now, kinda really needed that and rejected list.
I had the same question. Easy answer is that you can flash UnNamed 2.0.0 right over the 1.3.2. using the zip on your SD and CWM. That way you can just continue and don't have to reset/install anything. Worked like a charm. Don't know about call logs. Didn't matter to me. Finally, you can easily flash updated kernels like the Entropy ones.
I think he recommended to format 1.3.2 to install 2.0, but I flashed over and it was fine.
gtg started out recommending factory update and wipe but it's playing out that you can just install, what is is now, 2.1.1 right over 1.3.2 and there have been no issues on that account. gtg is putting an incredible amount of work into this.

[Q] What i the "recommended first steps" with an new S II?

Hi,
I'm currently charging my new SGS II, and considering what to do with it when I power it of. I have had a lot of cutom roms and mods on my HTC Desire previously Now, I know I don't want an AOSP ROM right away, I want to try out the phone how way it was "meant to be".
But I want the bells and whistles also though, like root, and any other stuff that makes the phone better, and I assume some of you here has some suggestions. I read through a decent amount of threads yesterday but I don't have a firm grasp of everything.
1: Is it much to gain from switching to a custom kernel battery-wise or performance wise? Or should I just run "stock" with zergRush?
2: Are there any cooked ROM base on Samsung softwae that exceed the stock ROMs in usefull functionality, while still being perfectly stable? Or are the stock rom great/good on it's own?
3: What kind of backups should I make before I start, to be as sure as possible of avoiding a certain brick? I run linux, so I can't run Odin, but I can run Heimdall and I guess I can make pretty much the same backups from there. As far as I have gathered, the S II have a few special quirks regarding partitions and some other low-level info. Is installing CWM and then do a backup "good enough" or is there something else that should be done - or should it be done before I even install CWM?
To answer your questions:
1. Yes custom kernels do make a difference- performance and battery wise. Currently, in my opinion, siyah and speedmod are two of the better kernels out there. Also the different governors in the kernels help you decided what balance between performance and battery life you want.
This thread explains everything about governors- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1369817&highlight=simple+clean
2. As good Sammy Roms go, I'd recommend you try CheckRom & Hyperdoid. Other Roms I'd recommend if you're looking for stability are Simple & Clean and Cognition. MIUI is good too(I'm currently on it) and quite stable.
3. If you don't have CWM recovery and have root, use Titanium backup to backup all your apps and MyBackup Root to backup the rest of the misc data. If and when you do have CWM recovery, just make a nandroid backup so you can freely try out new roms and restore through nandroid if anything happens.
If there's anything I've missed lemme know
__________________________________________________________________
If anything I've said helps, feel free to hit the thanks button!!
I simply installed CF Root which include CWM, and made a backup from there. (Which I then move to the external sd card, where I believe it should be en the first place. Not much help having a backup on internal storage if you mess up your artitions/nand.
It gives me a great chance to try the phone pretty stock for a while. Although I'm very little impressed by the Samsung "extras" so far, which seems to be limited to a few not-so-useful apps and a pretty crappy launcher. Samsung dive is the only thin with any value that I have discovered so far.
Its full of guides.
Also backup your EFS with ktool from the market asap.
I prefer speedmod Kernel
I did backup from CWM and take a copy to my laptop
Personally... like you I wanted to see the phone how it is made - at first
I then zerg rushed my phone simply to gain root - REALLY SIMPLE
If your still using touchwiz.... i recommend appzorter (basically organises apps)
You can chose go launcher etc if you prefer more customisation!
Then after two weeks a developer who's work I previously used for my desire came back to xda... his work was always great on desire... so i fully rooted with ODIN
yet again it was really easy, follow the guides to a t and your set!
I popped his rom on (in my sig) and never looked back since!
If you do decide to go down the custom rom route, start with a 2.3.6 build instead of trying ICS 4.0 etc... stick to solid and STABLE builds until you have more knowledge!
Enjoy

[Q] Switch ROMs Simply?

Hey guys. Recently rooted my DX2 that was on the latest 2.3.5 update and flashed Eclipse. I love it and its amazing but I want to try other ROMs that have much more custom options, etc. However, I was wondering what the best way to go about this is. I know how to make nandroid backups and have one with eclipse as well as one from right after i rooted.
what's the best way to switch between these without losing data etc?
Ok well the nandroid is good but all the other ROMs for the X2 are based on 2.3.4. You will need to sbf down and unfortunately there is no way around this. If you ever wanna come back to eclipse though just take the 2.3.5 ota, root and restore your backup. The same process can be done for the ROM's on 2.3.4. Install one, make a backup so if you ever want to come back to it you can just restore the nandroid. Use Titanium Backup to backup apps so you can just restore them on the other ROMs. Don't back up system data though because it will screw up other ROMs.
if i have a backup of stock rooted i can just boot into recovery and restore using the backup? also, is there an up to date guide on how to rename them.
as for the 2.3.4 ROM backups, i'd have to be on 2.3.4 in order to restore them?
Yea you can restore the stock rooted if you want. To rename them just use a file explorer or something similar and rename to whatever you want. Don't add spaces though or it will screw it up.
And yea you don't wan't to restore a backup of a different version of android. I don't know definitively that it will not work, but it's just a bad idea in general.
What gets erased when I apply an update? My backups are on my external sd card so they'll overwrite the internal correct?
Ive had my internal reserved for mostly just mp3s (and recently photography books and vids), and it still hasnt been erased through months of data wipes and sbfs.. App data can be backed up with titanium backup pro and batch restored. Google backs up contacts, wifi settings, wallpaper sometimes. If using a non stock launcher, your home screen setup and setting can be transfered btw roms. Its just system data and customizations that you need to do for the new rom and thats the fun part. I skipped some details of course but Android is a really efficient system.
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda app-developers app
thanks for the reply. it looks like the /system and /data folder are the ones that get overwritten so everything else stays untouched from what i can tell.
i tried restoring an old backup i made and got stuck at checkin_mot.db file.. pulled the battery, factory reset, restored latest eclipse backup. not sure what went wrong or if i just wasn't patient enough lol.
I had trouble with a cm7 backup freezing at the same spot..had to delete it. The cm9 backup i tried afterwards restored fine and pretty fast.
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda app-developers app
The biggest issue when coming from Eclipse, is the kernel. You cannot use a nandroid backup to switch between a 2.3.4 and a 2.3.5 rom. The nandroid cannot backup the kernel due to our ****ty locked bootloader.
So the only way you can go to another rom is to SBF back to 2.3.4 then root, and flash a new one. And even then a nandroid of Eclipse is worthless without it's kernel.
So no, there is no easier way. Other than to avoid eclipse like the plague, and stick with 2.3.4 roms.
Please let me know if I'm a complete retard here, but this has been my experience for the last year and a half.
Well before JB CM10 came out I'd say Eclipse was the most stable and best DD... Lol "avoiding it like the plague" is a bit overboard. But otherwise you are correct. To go to any other ROM it's time to SBF.
I definitely love the skin and feel of eclipse but I would like some more flexibility in terms of options, without overloading the overall device and making it sluggish again like stock.
Are any of the CM versions entirely stable and does everything work? Or they all have force close/non working parts?
Cm7 is pretty stable. The ones with the most bugs would be the CM9 based roms. CM10 JB is incredibly stable for the most part. You would never know it is an alpha. It runs very smoothly. There are problems installing some apps from gplay until alpha 2 is released but if you have titanium backups of your apps you can restore most if not all of them. It's only a work around but its good for now. I'm using CM10 as my daily driver (came from Eclipse.)
GoClifGo05 said:
Cm7 is pretty stable. The ones with the most bugs would be the CM9 based roms. CM10 JB is incredibly stable for the most part. You would never know it is an alpha. It runs very smoothly. There are problems installing some apps from gplay until alpha 2 is released but if you have titanium backups of your apps you can restore most if not all of them. It's only a work around but its good for now. I'm using CM10 as my daily driver (came from Eclipse.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that sounds promising. is it specific to the x2 in regards to the soft buttons? (as we already have hard buttons and the baked in ones dont really make sense)

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