Related
Getting a bit confused about all this, so am wondering if i've got it right. A rom is the whole thing, it includes a kernel and so forth? So a Kernel is a part of the rom right? And you can flash kernels individually without flashing a whole new rom? But what is a firmware then? Just another name of a rom?
Also on the Galaxy S2 can you flash custom roms, like Lite'ning, without getting root first? Or do you need to get root before flashing custom roms? If you can flash custom roms first without rooting, will the custom rom then give you root as long as it includes it?
And you also got recovery, which is a separate thing again? Galaxy S2 comes with a very basic one if i've understood correctly, but there is others out there that you can install, which also gives you the ability of flashing roms straight from the microsd/phone storage?
So have i gotten any of this? Hope am not to far off
Edit: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1246131 looks like most of my questions where answered there, though am still a bit unsure if it's possible to flash a custom rom before you root?
ROM's and FIRMWARE: The ROM or Read Only Memory is the internal flash memory where the core operating system resides. The Firmware is a device specific part of the ROM that controls various hardware components. So the firmware is contained in the ROM but in the context of Android the terms are often used interchangeably.
KERNELS: Different kernels offer different advantages, some are fast, some are light weight on the battery and some are a mix, so yes you can in most cases flash a different kernel with a ROM, and then your phone will be running the custom ROM you picked with the new kernel you flashed.
Rooting: You must have a rooted phone inorder to flash a custom rom, but rooting in my opinion seems really safe and it really easy to do on the SG2
There are things that allow you to flash from your SD card and you do that by entering clockworkmod revovery, apps like rom manager also allow you to flash from sd card, but you can always use odin, which is safe and fast
hope this helps
Thanks, and very nicely explained =) Another question then, what is the reason one need root before you can flash custom firmwares? As i heard Galaxy S2 doesn't really have any safety measures put in to stop things, like HTC do with their bootloader. Another thing is that i checked the thread for the Lite'ning rom, and saw the installation procedure, and it doesn't mention anything about having root before starting, so am getting a bit confused there.
You don't need to root before flashing a custom ROM as long as you can enter download mode (power up with volume down, home and power button pressed) and can flash the ROM via Odin.
If the ROM is flashable only via ClockWorkMod recovery (a zip that you copy on your phone) then you need to flash something that includes that recovery before flashing the rom (like CF-Root or any kernel that includes CWM).
Lite'ning ROM that you mentioned earlier is flashable via Odin so no problem.
Every ROM includes a Kernel, the only thing they sometimes don't include is the modem like in VillainROM, you have to flash it separately. And also, if a ROM is announced as rooted, when you flash it, you will have root regardless of the state before flashing
Thanks once again =)
Another question, if one want to get back to stock, flashing one of these "official firmwares": http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278 well revert everything right? Even if i got CWM recovery, after flashing on of those "official firmwares" will give me back the original recovery as well?
Edit: Also you mention "modem", if one ROM don't include one, do you have to flash it separately for the ROM to function at all? Or will it just use the modem that's already on the phone or something? Checked out the VillainROM thread and it doesn't say anything about a modem.
Nitrius said:
Another question, if one want to get back to stock, flashing one of these "official firmwares": http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278 well revert everything right? Even if i got CWM recovery, after flashing on of those "official firmwares" will give me back the original recovery as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will revert back everything
Nitrius said:
Edit: Also you mention "modem", if one ROM don't include one, do you have to flash it separately for the ROM to function at all? Or will it just use the modem that's already on the phone or something? Checked out the VillainROM thread and it doesn't say anything about a modem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you dont flash a modem it will just use the one you had before. They talk about it in the old thread and also in the new but not in the firsts posts, you'll have to do a search.
Plus Modem Kernels are interchangeable .
KH3 Firmware with KI4 modem and KH1 kernel .
Guide
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125282
jje
There are a lot of roms out there, which ics rom is the best? Which GB rom is the fastest?
The only one stable enough and with good UI to be usable is this (GB based):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1465144
All the rest are eternal alphas with important features not working or just experiments.
Sent from my YP-G70
Not true. I have used GenericGinger for 3 months with maybe 2 crashes total. It's quite stable and fast, and the UI is much better than that one (of course, I use Go Launcher with any ROM), especially because it has an ICS theme (although it says beta, I've had no issues).
Sent from my YP-G70
ive tried to flash eyrigit rom's 3.5 version but evrytime i flash it the wifi doesnt work? when i turn on the wifi it just says error?
What rom has 100% working functions?
Sent from N7000 with paranoid 0.1
SirRhor said:
The only one stable enough and with good UI to be usable is this (GB based):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1465144
All the rest are eternal alphas with important features not working or just experiments.
Sent from my YP-G70
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree. I've been testing this rom for a couple weeks and everything works like the stock rom did, if not better. It has awesome features. GenericGinger is also perfectly stable with the ice cream theme and has other features but not as much.
As soon as someone helps to fix the ice cream kernel I'm sure we will have allot more stable roms to choose from.
Newbie Question
Forgive me if this is a dumb question:
Does Eryigit's Custom ROM GingerBread-2.3.6 G70ZCKPA Release 3.5 INCLUDE Entropy's Kernal ??
or must you 1st install Entropy's Kernal BEFORE you install Eryigit's Custom ROM GingerBread-2.3.6 G70ZCKPA Release 3.5 ?
Thanks in advance.
beeewell said:
Forgive me if this is a dumb question:
Does Eryigit's Custom ROM GingerBread-2.3.6 G70ZCKPA Release 3.5 INCLUDE Entropy's Kernal ??
or must you 1st install Entropy's Kernal BEFORE you install Eryigit's Custom ROM GingerBread-2.3.6 G70ZCKPA Release 3.5 ?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It comes with the kernel. Since you are using entropys kernel im guessing you are from the US meaning your stock is 2.3.x meaning the kernel is the correct format for the rom anyway so if for some strange reason it does not come with the kernel then you will be safe from brick in theory. And you can put entropys kernel on afterwards. You can check to see if it is there by going into cwm and if it isn't there then your on stock kernel (unless you all ready have another kernel on already)
But I am pretty sure that it comes with the kernel in.
Sent from my Motorola Xoom
You can't be too careful
Thank you Samwes.
I am from the US with stock SGP5 Model YPG70CWYXXA and I dread the chance of bricking, so I'm doing lots of homework by looking at and trying to understand various postings here.
KIES is working on my Windows PC, so my plan is to root via SuperOneClick and install Eryigit's latest tar file via the latest version of Odin. I read in the install instructions that you are supposed to:
(in Clockwork recovery mod : wipe cache partition ---> OK; Wipe data/factory reset --> OK;
advanced - wipe dalvik cache --> OK; after that install new rom , You must do it , clean installation.)
The stock version does not have Clockwork recovery mod, so do I need to do the Odin install twice? e.g. The 1st install to GET the Clockwork recovery mod feature, then go into Clockwork recovery mod to do the above "wiping", and then repeat the install via Odin again ??
Actually, once you've got Entropy's recovery mod installed, you can just use that to install other roms. Just copy the new rom file over (in a .zip) to your device, boot into recovery mode, and choose the right options. (It's fairly intuitive)
You say you dread the chance of bricking your device; if you're not prepared to accept and live with the possibility of doing so, perhaps terminally, then I suggest you not do it.
What, exactly, do you hope to gain by rooting and flashing a different ROM? Does the stock ROM lack some specific functionality that you want/need, or is it only for experimental purposes?
If you're just looking to gain the experience, then that's a perfectly valid reason to explore the flexibility of Android, but you must be careful in what you do, and realize the consequences of error.
Just do a backup in recovery before you flash..i did not now anything before i flash it and i brick it but people here help me to unbrick it and since then i know how and i flash almost every rom from here for testing.
Sent from my YP-G70 using XDA
beeewell said:
Thank you Samwes.
I am from the US with stock SGP5 Model YPG70CWYXXA and I dread the chance of bricking, so I'm doing lots of homework by looking at and trying to understand various postings here.
KIES is working on my Windows PC, so my plan is to root via SuperOneClick and install Eryigit's latest tar file via the latest version of Odin. I read in the install instructions that you are supposed to:
(in Clockwork recovery mod : wipe cache partition ---> OK; Wipe data/factory reset --> OK;
advanced - wipe dalvik cache --> OK; after that install new rom , You must do it , clean installation.)
The stock version does not have Clockwork recovery mod, so do I need to do the Odin install twice? e.g. The 1st install to GET the Clockwork recovery mod feature, then go into Clockwork recovery mod to do the above "wiping", and then repeat the install via Odin again ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bricked my first device months ago because I didn't have any experience flashing stuff, I made a mistake, but now I know better.
Don't be afraid, just try it, but be informed first, now there's a lot more information about anything related to this device.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Yeah I should of researched more I was stupid, when I tried flashing a from with Odin it would work, so I reset the device and then when it rebooted I came up with the picture with the phone and then dots connecting it to a computer and then that didn't work with Odin either, so I was stupid and let the battery run all the way out because I though it would fix it but no. It got hard bricked and it now doesn't turn on. Hope any of you never make the mistake I did, and now I'm trying out a USB jig because I know its charging so there is still chance, if that doesn't work then I will have to take off the back plate and remove the battery and I will go from there, but for now I'm awaiting for my USB jig to arrive, it sucks.....
hi
About 8 months ago i got my Ace (first Android-phone) and since then have been waiting for cyanogenmod to be released for Ace. Now we have an Official RC3 and i wanted to try it. I rooted my phone some time ago and just installed CWM.
I know how to install a new mod/software but their are still some question left for me:
1.) If I install a complete new Software, why is a specific android version needed to install? (in case of CM7.2 its 2.3.X). What happens "behind the scenes" of an installation. It seems very different from installing a new OS on my desktop PC.
2.) This also results in the question, why do i have to roll back to a stock rom to flash a new rom? (most devs say "Stock rom X.X.X is needed")
3.) And this also results in the question, how do i install a new version of a mod?
For example: the nightlies for CM7.2 for ace. I read that i can just flash them over their predecessor, but a "clean" installation is recommended. Does that mean to flash a stock rom, and reflash a new nightly?
I hope that are not to much questions. They might be a bit redundant but i hope i could make my points
So far a good night (or whatever timezone your living in)
A Gingerbread 2.3.X baseband is required to flash any of the CM ROM and tweaks. You need to wipe data, cache and dalvik using CWM before installing a new ROM but you don't need to go to stock and reinstall everything. It is safe to flash another ROM after installing one...
Sent from my WAREZ impulses.
1.Behind the scenes---Format System to ext > Extract System Files > Install System > Flash kernel> Done!
2.Who said you need to roll back to stock every time you want to install a custom ROM?
3.For same type of ROM(same developer, same thread) just wipe cache and you're good to go or wipe data if bootloop occurs.
So my friend, just do the wipes correctly before installing new ROM and you have wrong info that you need to revert back to stock to install new ROM. ususally GB baseband is required. Nothing else
If the system partition is still formated, why is a (e.g.) 2.3 an installation requirement? OR it just this Baseband version on the phone that is important? AND is a mod also compatible with an already "moded" version from e.g. Vodafone? because this has another versionnumber (in my case S5830XWKP6).
It seems that i have a completely wrong imagination of the working principles of my phone. i always thought it might be like installing a new OS to my desktop.
I know that i have to wipe some things in order to install a rom (even though i also read a how-to post anywhere, that said it is unneccessary, but still doing it doesnt hurt.), nothing important on my phone what couldnt be backed up via USB (pictures, etc...)
@abhibnl: "GB baseband" => Great Britain?
because of bootloader/baseband. all custom rom is based on gingerbread, thus if u coming from froyo u need to flash with gingerbread stock rom first via odin to get the bootloader/baseband. but if u already on gingerbread theres no need to reflash stock rom. just wipe data, flash via clockworkmod recovery and u good to go.
btw gb=gingerbread
so if i install CM7 MIRACLE, do full wipe, i can install CM7.2 (official) just over it?
well...sounds a bit too easy if i see all those howtos how to unbrick your phone
CJCord said:
so if i install CM7 MIRACLE, do full wipe, i can install CM7.2 (official) just over it?
well...sounds a bit too easy if i see all those howtos how to unbrick your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Just do a full wipe before installing CM7.2 official.
CJCord said:
so if i install CM7 MIRACLE, do full wipe, i can install CM7.2 (official) just over it?
well...sounds a bit too easy if i see all those howtos how to unbrick your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is easy...just that some careless people scare you unnecessarily..
In order to go back to stock from CM9/7.2 or orther custom roms, why do you need to flash it with ODIN?
astral2k5 said:
In order to go back to stock from CM9/7.2 or orther custom roms, why do you need to flash it with ODIN?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have any other way of doing it? Or read it somewhere else about it? C'mon share with us.
abhibnl said:
You have any other way of doing it? Or read it somewhere else about it? C'mon share with us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was asking why is it necesary to flash with Odin from CM9, 7.2 to stock ROM; isn't there other way ?
would it be possible to get back to stock by using KIES?
i know many people hate it due to high memory requirements (dont care. 4GB installed awaiting use!), but all it does is flashing official roms, right?
curious because i never used it because i have Vodafone software and they...well: new releases + Vf = ´nuff said
Kies won't recognize your phone foro flashing if it's on custom roms (or even stock roms from other regions).
Odin does practically the same process of Kies at a considerably lower memory cost.
Another method of going back to stock is if you have a cwm backup of a stock rom, but before restoring the backup you have to convert your file System to rfs. almost All (if not all) custom roms use ext4 file System cuz its faster (native to Linux).
Sent from the other side... of the screen
dxppxd said:
Kies won't recognize your phone foro flashing if it's on custom roms (or even stock roms from other regions).
Odin does practically the same process of Kies at a considerably lower memory cost.
Another method of going back to stock is if you have a cwm backup of a stock rom, but before restoring the backup you have to convert your file System to rfs. almost All (if not all) custom roms use ext4 file System cuz its faster (native to Linux).
Sent from the other side... of the screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you convert the system file to rfs back ?
astral2k5 said:
How can you convert the system file to rfs back ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many ways, search the Forum. I've used the ext4 App (included in many roms with cf-root applied)
Sent from the other side... of the screen
Remember it dudes, only way of getting back to stock is ODIN or restore a backup converting partition to rfs.
Hi guys.
First up hello. Im a refuge from the Ace section, have a Galaxy SII due for delivery over the next couple of days so Im moving over. On the Ace I flitted between CM7, CM10 unofficial, Lewa and a few others.
Im generally used to rooting via stock recovery and then using CWM to do everthing else, not familiar at all with ODIN as I have never needed to use it. Standard UK SII, unlocked running Gingerbread.
Have read around this section and will continue to do so for a few days, but a few starting pointers would be nice.
Rooting/CWM/Kernels
Whats the easiest way for rooting the SII, preferably from stock recovery
Whats the easiest way for installing CWM?
What the best basic Kernel out there, or Kernel that will do an AIO Root/CWM/Kernel job?
Im reading a lot about this hardbrick lark with ICS, is this purely an issue with stock ICS roms, and its fine to go down the CM10 route?
I can use the search feature, but as Im sure you know thats not always the most productive route.. Although I shall use it in the meantime.
Cheers.
You can learn a lot just by reading peoples problems, and the answers given.
For rooting, you would normally just flash like a siyahv4+ kernel with Odin.
That gives you root, cwm and safe from brickbug.
Theres several other ways also like exynos or doing stuff via recovery.
theunderling said:
You can learn a lot just by reading peoples problems, and the answers given.
For rooting, you would normally just flash like a siyahv4+ kernel with Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How have i avoided ODIN so long.. hmm, Siyah 4.
Do you know how cumbersome the search feature is here, finally found the download for v4.1.15 (and then realised it was in your signature), now im trying to find the instruction to install via ODIN,. If you happen to know offhand, the exact thread that would be appreciated.
Regarding roms, Im assuming CM10 is the standard, not familiar with any of the devs over on this side of the fence.
Ok, from what I can gather
Download Keis and make sure all drivers for the SII installed
Download Siyah-s2-v4.1.5
Disconnect your phone from your computer
Start ODIN
Click the PDA button, and select Siyah-s2-v4.1.5
Put phone in download mode
Connect the phone to computer
Make sure repartition is not checked
Click the start button
Wait for the phone to reboot
correct???
(sorry, i suffer anxiety, one of the side effects is double checking anything before doing it)
If your on ICS, you can download that siyah kernel, but make sure you get the .zip type.
Get the 1st and 3rd file in the ics rooting guide in my sig.
Stick them all on sd card.
Boot into recovery.
Flash the 1st file-which is temp cwm
Flash the 3rd file-which is su/busybox
Then flash the siyah file-which gives you permanent cwm and safe kernel.
Then reboot phone.
Then you are rooted, with cwm and safe kernel.
The easier way is obviously using odin.
Ps.hope you aint got the g model.
theunderling said:
If your on ICS, you can download that siyah kernel, but make sure you get the .zip type.
Ps.hope you aint got the g model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, its not the G..
It is on gingerbread currently though, not ICS.
GB ffs......lol.
Right you can update to ICS (pain)
or
Set up Odin and flash siyah s2 v2.6.14.tar file
or
Try exynos abuse (may not work on GB).
theunderling said:
GB ffs......lol.
Right you can update to ICS (pain)
or
Set up Odin and flash siyah s2 v2.6.14.tar file
or
Try exynos abuse (may not work on GB).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I shall go S2 v2 route then. assumedly i can then just flash cm10 iwthout any problems.
Yes GB model, but no, not GT-I9100G
Youll need to check what the install instructions are for the rom
Eg if you need to be on GB or ICS.
Ive never used it, Ive just read you need cwm though.
If possible I would first update to ICS via Kies or OTA then afterwards flash Siyah v4 via ODIN. Once you have done this you are ready to reboot into cwm and flash away. Remember to wipe data/factory reset in CWM though after flashing Siyah kernel and before flashing new rom.
TheATHEiST said:
If possible I would first update to ICS via Kies or OTA then afterwards flash Siyah v4 via ODIN. Once you have done this you are ready to reboot into cwm and flash away. Remember to wipe data/factory reset in CWM though after flashing Siyah kernel and before flashing new rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, ive been reading on problems with ics and hardbrick, i guess that is prevented by flashing siyah post update.
Thanks guys, sorry for the noob questions, im not a noob, but rooting always makes me nervous (a hangover from the days when flashing the bios on the pc was a dangerous hit and miss affair), i just like to double check.
Once im rooted and got CWM im back in familiar territory.
Any other general tips on making the leap from Ace to SII appreciated.
Dont you just love it, when the phone arrives and its pre rooted with siyah and cwm
Please refer to title. I need help. I have helped many people on this site and I have searched for the last 2 days and cannot find an answer. Thank you
casualt said:
Please refer to title. I need help. I have helped many people on this site and I have searched for the last 2 days and cannot find an answer. Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In other words I can't find the proper kernel. Is there another one that's compatible. Siyah will not work.
casualt said:
Please refer to title. I need help. I have helped many people on this site and I have searched for the last 2 days and cannot find an answer. Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In other words I can't find the proper kernel. Is there another one that's compatible. Siyah will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are in fact asking two different questions... If you are looking for a kernel to replace the stock one, I don't know the answer, as I have not tried a clean Canadian stock (I am in Canada, but using LSD-based Disaster ROM with the MA5 modem). I would think PhilZ, Jeboo and Speedmod should work perfectly fine with your ROM. I also don't see any reason why Siyah v6b5 wouldn't work on it, but again, I haven't tried...
However, if you only need root, you don't even need to flash another kernel -- you can keep it completely stock. Just search for signed SuperSU zip by Chainfire, flash it from the stock recovery, and you are get a 100% stock ROM, but rooted. And with SuperSU, you can easily unroot it anytime right from the app, if you need to.
So in case people have the same problem.
What i did was I
1. googled SuperSU zip by chainfire
2. changed file name to update.zip
3. I got a micro sd card and loaded the zip file onto it and put it in my phone
4. I then got into stock recovery mode by pressing the volume up and power keys
5. Then I went to update zip file through sd card in this case external
6. Rebooted
7. Went to google play store and downloaded ROM manager
8. Followed steps to load Clockworkmod onto my phone
9. Rebooted and made sure it was working.
10. Downloaded a ROM and flashed using CWM it changed my kernel and everything.
casualt said:
What i did
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't realize your goal was to flash a custom ROM... I thought you wanted to root the stock one. You could have done it easier, in just three steps:
1. Flash the temporary CWM from stock recovery.
2. Do a nandroid backup (optional, but highly recommended), and then a full wipe.
3. Flash any ROM of your choice.
BTW, as far as I knew, CWM can't be installed on SGS2 using ROM Manager, since our phone doesn't have a recovery partition, and a custom recovery must be integrated into the kernel...
As a follow up - I too have installed i9100MUGMA5 JB on my S2, which is 4.1.2.
I wish to upgrade to 4.2.2 - as there is a bug fix I need [the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update as part of the Android Open Kang Project (AOKP) custom ROM which was based on the newly released firmware].
I need a Rooted kernel and CWM installed.
Would someone outline the steps I need to take.
I have used ODIN a few times but wonder what I need to do...
Many thanks.