Question regarding CWM and fw flashing - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello everyone. There is one thing that I'd like to know before going ahead and rooting my gs2 (cf kernel).
That kernel installs the CWM recovery. Assume that I'm on stock KI4 now, then root it. If a new fw is released, and I'd like to move to say KJ1 frankenstein from intra, how should I flash that? Should I still use the same procedure that I've always used until now (odin), or should I flash it via CWM?
Also, what are the impacts of moving to the newer fw? Do I lose root and also the CWM recovery?
Thanks,
TD

Anyone?...

Yes, CF-Root installs CWM recovery, Superuser and enables root. So it's a super easy thing to do and very convenient.
If you are rooted and is on KI4, moving to a non-rooted frankenstein build(that's what you wanted), you will definitely lose root because the firmware is stock.
So if you flashed a stock frankenstein build, you will lose root AND CWM(loosing CWM will give you the stock recovery, which doesn't do much). You would need to flash a rooted kernel(e.g. CF-Root) using Odin to regain root. Depending on the firmware also, sometimes your data is wiped.
To preserve root, I recommend you to flash a rooted custom ROM. VillainROM is good to start with because it is close to stock. The closest to stock in my opinion is to root it with CF-Root. Feel free to experiment with custom ROMs.
With rooted custom ROMs, you will stay rooted when you flash them VIA Clockworkmod revovery.
P.S. Be sure to always do a backup in case something goes wrong! Do a full ROM backup via CWM so if anything happens, you can just revert.

Related

[Q] Root, recovery, nandroid etc.

I have just bought an SGS2 to replace my HTC Desire.
I rooted it using SuperOneClick. It seemed to work, I can run apps requiring root now.
But the very first thing I want to do is make a nandroid backup of the phone in it's out of box state (or as close to). Is it possible?
On Desire you had to root first, then install a custom recovery such as CWM, and then do a nandroid backup from there. So I guess I will have to install CWM. But googling tells me that on the SGS2 I have to replace the entire kernel to get a new recovery, is that right? And how do I do that?
If the only way to make a nandroid backup is to install a new kernel, I guess the backup will contain the new kernel. Is it possible to go back to the out of box state with the original kernel and original recovery and no root etc.?
pinkfloydhomer said:
I have just bought an SGS2 to replace my HTC Desire.
I rooted it using SuperOneClick. It seemed to work, I can run apps requiring root now.
But the very first thing I want to do is make a nandroid backup of the phone in it's out of box state (or as close to). Is it possible?
On Desire you had to root first, then install a custom recovery such as CWM, and then do a nandroid backup from there. So I guess I will have to install CWM. But googling tells me that on the SGS2 I have to replace the entire kernel to get a new recovery, is that right? And how do I do that?
If the only way to make a nandroid backup is to install a new kernel, I guess the backup will contain the new kernel. Is it possible to go back to the out of box state with the original kernel and original recovery and no root etc.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash any of these and you'll get Super User, Busy Box, CWM, CWM Manager
CF-Root For Stock
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14283369#post14283369
Siyah Kernel (Custom)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1263838
Speed Mod
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1182498
Flash em via Odin and you'll have CWM take a backup and you are good to flash any custom ROM
Just take note what your stock firmware and kernel is and if you ever need to send off to Samsung you can just flash back to stock using intratechs stock rom thread
Sent from my Galaxy S II using xda premium

LWW (wt19): Unlocking and rooting? (stock firmware)

Hi!
I updated to 4.1.B.0.587 and tried rooting but it's impossible. The only method I found involved flashing an older kernel from other phone model, but all except one can't be flashed because Flashtool pops an error. The ST18i kernel is the one that can be flashed, but on restart it gives a black screen. The only way to get out from there is to flash back the original 4.1.B.0.587 firmware for my phone.
Any idea what to do there?
If not, I'm aware you can unlock the bootloader and install whatever you want. I understand the bootloader unlocking part (and I have "Boot loader unlocked allow: yes"), but then how do I root exactly? I see threads here where you can install a custom (already rooted) kernel, but I'd like to root the stock kernel/firmware. I need CWM I believe. Can someone post the steps how to do this?
Thanks
Btw, I have the America variation, wt19a. Does that change anything?
You can unlock bootloader and flash a custom pre-rooted kernel and that's the only way you can get root without downgrading your phone. There is a extended stock kernel in dev section which is just a rooted, CWM installed stock kernel. You can try that after unlocking your bootloader. It's always better to use a custom prerooted kernel because by installing it the root and CWM is permanent but if you downgrade, root and install CWM via x-parts, it is only temporary and you can easily lose the root by flashing some mods itself.
.:goutham:.
gouthamthemostwanted said:
You can unlock bootloader and flash a custom pre-rooted kernel and that's the only way you can get root without downgrading your phone. There is a extended stock kernel in dev section which is just a rooted, CWM installed stock kernel. You can try that after unlocking your bootloader. It's always better to use a custom prerooted kernel because by installing it the root and CWM is permanent but if you downgrade, root and install CWM via x-parts, it is only temporary and you can easily lose the root by flashing some mods itself.
.:goutham:.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I just got stock root with .587 with this guide. I didn't look into it at first because it was meant for .431 (this thread has it the same). But it works like a peach. I used Xperia-ROOT.rev4 and made a "factory reset" after the process. Ended up with a fresh .587 rooted, Superuser app survived the reset. Installed SuperSU from market and deleted the Superuser apk from /system/app. Everything looks good and feels fine.
If anyone sees this, forget downgrading if you have a LWW, use that guide.
Btw, the ghost of GB haunts me... my last phone was a Galaxy Note and I had to go back to GB, wipe and then install an ICS rom (because of the eMMC bug). Now I get a LWW and the only way to root is falling back to GB, root and install ICS. **** :silly:

[Q] Stock recovery with root

So after scearching thousands of threads i understand everything about kernel, custom roms, stock roms.
Im trying to get all together like a puzzle.
Ony thing i want to know but can't find the answer anywhere on the internet.
I have custom recovery TWRP with root.
Is it possible to temporary unroot the device with OTA rootkeeper app, flash stock recovery and than restore root back with the app.
So i can download future update flawless.
Thanks!
Edit ----------------------------------
Just flashed stock recovery and kept root, no any rootkeep apps needed for this.
Basically i have a Hox+ with:
Stock rom
Stock recovery
Unlocked bootloader
Stock kernel
And root
Win!

A little information please ?

I have trued to read and search the forums, but I haven't been able to figure a definitive answer to this...
When I flash CWM on my S2 using Odin, does it root the phone ?
I usually Root (with framaroot), Flash CWM, Flash CM 11 nightly, Re-root using framaroot.
But Can I just do : Flash CWM and Flash the CM 11 nightly ? does it auto root ?
What do you mean, 'usually'? Why is it that you can't just flash each new build of Cm11 from the previous one? Why do you need to re-root in the first place?
When I rooted my phone, rather than using a one-click such as framaroot, I flashed a kernel (siyah in my case) using Odin. That gave me CWM and root. That cuts out the step you're trying to to eliminate, if I've understood your question correctly?
I'm not sure in answer to your direct question, try it and see. Hopefully the alternative method I just gave you makes it a little quicker though
Edit : you could, if flashing CWM only doesn't give you root, just flash SuperSU from there and then continue.
Sent from a galaxy far, far away
Well mate your question is tricky to understand :cyclops:
1. NO installing CWM wont root your device requires another process (such a framaroot)
2. Aftrer installing CM 11 you dont have to re-root the mobile because CM comes prerooted with superuser !!
3. if you had already managed to install CM 11 think that you have already rooted your mobile
just for typing the 3 points my head spins in short no need for rooting after cm 11 ....and NO cwm wont root your device
thuva06 said:
Well mate your question is tricky to understand :cyclops:
1. NO installing CWM wont root your device requires another process (such a framaroot)
2. Aftrer installing CM 11 you dont have to re-root the mobile because CM comes prerooted with superuser !!
3. if you had already managed to install CM 11 think that you have already rooted your mobile
just for typing the 3 points my head spins in short no need for rooting after cm 11 ....and NO cwm wont root your device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Why do I have to install CWM if I'm already rooted ? Can't I just framaroot then install CM 11 ?
Can I do a CWM, Cyanogen install without rooting ? Since CM already comes rooted. So jut CWM using odin, then CM install ROM. ?
Other question, Let's say I root, flash CWM, flash a ROM (any rom), can I be unrooted after that and have to reroot again ? Or do ALL roms come pre rooted ?
Gregory48 said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Why do I have to install CWM if I'm already rooted ? Can't I just framaroot then install CM 11 ?
Can I do a CWM, Cyanogen install without rooting ? Since CM already comes rooted. So jut CWM using odin, then CM install ROM. ?
Other question, Let's say I root, flash CWM, flash a ROM (any rom), can I be unrooted after that and have to reroot again ? Or do ALL roms come pre rooted ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CyanogenMod comes rooted. Also, the default recovery on CyanogenMod is CWM as well, so you can boot into recovery with volume up + home + power and flash a new build from there. You don't even need to use framaroot or flash CWM using Odin...
And yes, most (almost all) custom ROMs should come rooted unless you're flashing stock Samsung ROM through Odin. Besides, if you're flashing something in recovery, I don't think you need to be rooted.
Gregory48 said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Why do I have to install CWM if I'm already rooted ? Can't I just framaroot then install CM 11 ?
Can I do a CWM, Cyanogen install without rooting ? Since CM already comes rooted. So jut CWM using odin, then CM install ROM. ?
Other question, Let's say I root, flash CWM, flash a ROM (any rom), can I be unrooted after that and have to reroot again ? Or do ALL roms come pre rooted ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to make sure that you understand everything i'm segregating your questions
1.Why do i install CWM when i'm already rooted?
Rooting is a process which just gives your overall control to your device, but just rooting wont make you eligible to flash any ROMS. Now when your install CWM (Clock Work Mod) its a unique type of recovery which enables your to flash Custom Roms. Your ordinary stock rom (your samsung firmware) also does have a recovery (stock recovery) which cannot penetrate into system files. So CWM is a must to flash roms !
Can i do a CWM and flash Cyanogenmod?
Absolutely NO!! Just because CM comes prerooted doesn't mean that you can flash CM without rooting.. CWM requires root to flash and change system files. For instance your are in Stock Samsung Firmware not rooted you just install CWM flash Cyanogenmod and you'll end up in a bootloop or softbrick. Since your system didnt allow files inside coz no ROOT!!..In the other hand if your already running Cyanogenmod (any version) you dont have to root nor flash CWM because they come prerooted and preinstalled with CWM.so you can flash on the go
Let's say I root, flash CWM, flash a ROM (any rom), can I be unrooted after that and have to reroot again ? Or do ALL roms come pre rooted ?
Well cyanogenmod has an inbuilt function to disable root and most of the Roms comes with it now it can be found in settings >developer options> and root access...but not all roms im assuming. on the other hand yes some roms never come prerooted such as (omni rom 4.4.2) where you have to flash superuser to get root. But as i said incase of all prerooted roms there is an option to disable root
hope this helps you understand about rooting and cwm :good:
Thank you both for your answers, I understand much more now.
BUT
Last two answers are in conflict. They say the opposite.
which one to choose ?

[Q] Correct way to first time flash ROM... then return to originally running one?

Would the following work as a way to try out, for example Cyanogenmod 10. I am currently running a 4.1.2 install (pretty much stock just rooted/cwm via Philz as per the tutorial). I have a complete backup made via Philz recovery of this rom along with the kernel (which I believe is still stock from that) and efs.
1) Install a custom kernel (eg. dorimanx 9.x?) via the Philz recovery.
2) Install cm-10.2-20140102-NIGHTLY-i9100.zip.
3) To return to the original rom, reflash the original kernel (with whatever CWM is included in dorimanx) - then reflash the backed up rom via the same recovery?
I hope this is clear enough a question.
I believe you have to flash a stock rom through Odin, to return to complete stock. Just flashing a stock kernel isn't enough, and is surely not going to work (so don't do it).There are also tutorials how to remove the yellow triangle afterwards.
Please correct me if I'm wrong
Donnie Sins said:
I believe you have to flash a stock rom through Odin, to return to complete stock. Just flashing a stock kernel isn't enough, and is surely not going to work (so don't do it).There are also tutorials how to remove the yellow triangle afterwards.
Please correct me if I'm wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the part I'm most unsure of. Ideally I'm trying to figure out the process that lets me go from CM10.2 (and whatever recovery) to the point I am running the backed up rom rooted with PhilZ-cwm6-XWLSW-XEU-5.06.1-signed.zip again. Very confused on how to do so.
TopherBrink said:
This is the part I'm most unsure of. Ideally I'm trying to figure out the process that lets me go from CM10.2 (and whatever recovery) to the point I am running the backed up rom rooted with PhilZ-cwm6-XWLSW-XEU-5.06.1-signed.zip again. Very confused on how to do so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Topher,
If you have rooted and cwm via philz, you already have a modified kernel installed. I believe the philz-cwm6 should be as close to stock kernel with the CWM incorporated. You don't need to add another kernel, because it will be replaced when you install the custom ROM. You should just be able to flash the cm10.2 via philz or via odin. You can then flash the dormanix kernel if you want - can't comment on that kernel - or if it has cwm included.
I would also suggest that you consider backing up you /efs folder (one with you imei information etc) prior to flashing any custom roms. People have been using hcKtool to do the backups and also an actual copy as well.
Depending on the custom rom, you may have connection problems with your network. So you may want to consider keeping a copy of your modem.bin file from your stock rom handy in case you need to flash onto the custom rom.
If you want to go back to stock, then you just need to flash the stock rom - you can check sammobile website for your stock rom or use the backup that you made.
I should point out that I have yet to do any of the above - I gathered this from reading the forums. Some more experienced forum users can add corrections. I rooted my phone a couple of months ago and now considering installing custom rom in the next couple of months.
Thanks.
if u flash a custom rom (cm10.2 for example), it already included kernel as well. so if u want to try out other custom kernel, i can flash it after you are done flashing a custom rom but make sure it is compatible with your android version. (u cant use custom kernel that not support android 4.3 with a custom rom running android 4.3)

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