[Q] Play branded firmware, failed backup, what next? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I bought sgs2 few weeks ago, had some fun with stock and samsung apps, then I decided that some changes would be nice
found this great forum, with all knowledge and I have to admit I'm overwhelmed and kinda lost.
rooted my phone with Doomlord method (zerg rush exploit), worked like a charm, installed Titanium Backup, that went smoothly too. From what I understand that didn't change flash counter so I can unroot and keep my warranty in case of hardware problems, am I right?
Then I installed ROM manager and here is where problems started, when I click Flash Recovery it's downloading some file, but when I boot to recovery mode, there is info about e: failed to verify whole-file signature and I can only reboot. If that failed, what did it exactly do with my stock firmware and flash counter? please forgive my noob questions, it's my first android device, I'm reading and learning, but it's a lot to process.
I have branded Play (polish provider) firmware (2.3.3, XWKE7) and I can't upgrade it, cuz I can't backup stock firmware with CWM, I'm afraid to flash without backup in case I need take my phone to samsung.
I would love to at least upgrade to 2.3.5 or try some nice custom roms you guy cook here so skillfully but need some advice any info will be greatly appreciated

Hey hey,
This happens to me too when I installed ROM Manager, and then Flashed a recovery. It does not boot into the orange ClockworkMod Recovery, instead it boots into the stock recovery saying an error.
Don't worry, it did not do anything bad to your phone, it just attempted to install the ClockworkMod recovery but just fails, no biggie All you have to do is flash a custom kernel through Odin, such as CF-Root or Ninphetamine, then you will have ClockworkMod Recovery installed by default. The flash recovery option is for other phones that do not have the secure kernel that Samsung installs into your phone by default.
I use CriskeloROM on my phone, in my opinion, this is my favorite ROM because of the constant updates and massive collection of add ons. It is currently running on 2.3.5 and has a base of XWKJ2. Check out the link in my signature for more details about the ROM.

thank you so much for your answer, good to know I didn't break anything (yet! )
as you advice I will take a look at Criskelo ROM

Related

[Q] rooting my device

Hi guys, thanks to the great tuturuals i've succesfully rooted my device But i have a question. Im still new to the hole android and rooting, so please bear with me.
After i flashed my XWKE7 kernel with the CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEU_KE7-v4.0-CWM4 kernel, i followed the tururial to get rid of the yellow triangle. I flashed origial kernel back on my device (I9100XWKE7_Nernel), however my device is still rooted... So why should i follow the rest of the tuturial to flash the cf_kernel with CWM?
Isnt it better/more stable to keep running it with the original kernel? The root is still active, so why should i flash the rooted one back with CWM?
bump
really nobody?
The (for me important) difference are these:
1. While the phone is not booted yet, you can still access superuser through adb. This is important if you screw something up and the device is in a boot loop.
2. You have ClockworkModRecovery, where you can take backups, install updates from sdcard etc.
I don't think the original kernel is more stable, because the custom kernel is based on the original.

[Q] SGS2 (GT-I9100) Recovery After Flashing Kernal

Hi guys. When I got my phone at the end of last year I rooted it using a Chain-Fire kernal - v 4.2, I think. After flashing, it worked perfectly, since when I have flashed the old bootloader to get my USB Jig working to remove the yellow triangle and flashed a patch again to allow the USB Jig to reset the binary counter.
In the past week or two I have very much wanted to install and get the new Sky Go application working and I have been very successful following the advices on the App Thread.
What I had to do was flash the Stock kernal for my Stock Rom - I have never messed with my Rom - it is Gingerbread 2.3.4 in a CPW phone here in the UK.
Doing the flash and installing Voodoo OTA (to temporarily hide my root) has been enormously successful and the guys working on this need my sincere thanks -
Now then to my query....
The original Chain-Fire mod v 4.2 installed CWM.
After of course cancelling the "hide root" function to show my phone as rooted once more, I went to do a backup, using CWM but it refuses to work. It says my kernal needs v 5.0. Obviously the Stock Rom I flashed to get Sky Go working has thrown CWM some what.
I have downloaded Rom Manager from the Market but this seems not to work either - it starts to work (reboots) but then halts with the following messages: -
E : failed to verify whole-file signature
E : signature verification failed
Installation aborted
Could someone sort me out please???
What I would like is some way of installing a backup previously made before flashing the Stock kernal and also to make a fresh backup now.
Thank in anticipation
roz
Attention Mods
Attention Mods
I have posted the above in the incorrect forum - could you please transfer to the Samsung Galaxy SII I9100 forum please
Thanks
Ok I think I found the answer somewhere else.....
When to flash a Stock kernal, you lose the ability to backup and Restore, even though your root is preserved.
That is unless someone else knows different?
You're right, when you flash the stock kernel you lose CWM. Just flash a CWM kernel with mobile Odin and CWM will work again. You will need to flash back the stock kernel whenever you want to watch sky go...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Help i messed something up

ok so i wouldnt say im a noob but im not as advanced as some of yous. last night i flashed a leaked ics onto my phone and loved it with one exception. i couldnt figure out how to root it. all my apps are backed up on titanium backup and i didnt want to have to get all of them manually. so i flashed back to stock using odin with a file i used back when that crappy update came out. i rooted it with super one click and and then went to put on a prerooted ics... when in recovery mode now i get this message
cant access to '/system/csc/att/system/'
i try putting on cwm and siyah and i keep getting authentication errors and the installation aborts. also recovery mode wont read my external sd card now. when the phone is booted up it works fine except i tried to do the factory ota update and it keeps failing. i tried reflashing back to stock again and did the update unrooted and it still failed.
i know you guys hate hate when people ask without researching so i did SOME forum browsing and found nothing. sorry i dont really have time to look too extensively. i just want to know how to fix it. i appreciate any help i can get
Joeyjr25 said:
ok so i wouldnt say im a noob but im not as advanced as some of yous. last night i flashed a leaked ics onto my phone and loved it with one exception. i couldnt figure out how to root it. all my apps are backed up on titanium backup and i didnt want to have to get all of them manually. so i flashed back to stock using odin with a file i used back when that crappy update came out. i rooted it with super one click and and then went to put on a prerooted ics... when in recovery mode now i get this message
cant access to '/system/csc/att/system/'
i try putting on cwm and siyah and i keep getting authentication errors and the installation aborts. also recovery mode wont read my external sd card now. when the phone is booted up it works fine except i tried to do the factory ota update and it keeps failing. i tried reflashing back to stock again and did the update unrooted and it still failed.
i know you guys hate hate when people ask without researching so i did SOME forum browsing and found nothing. sorry i dont really have time to look too extensively. i just want to know how to fix it. i appreciate any help i can get
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start with getting back to stock using this guide. Check for ICS bootloaders too, you probably flashed them and you have to get stock ones back (careful, flashing bootloaders can cause hardbricking). Once you're back to stock and rooted, you shouldn't need to ever use PC Odin again.
Then use this guide for rooting/flashing.
One other note: when you tried to install CWM, it sounds like you loaded an update.zip onto your phone then tried to install it using stock recovery. Stock recovery won't let you install unsigned update.zips, which is why that method for getting CWM on your phone will never work (hence the authentication error and installation abort). For our phone, CWM is only included in custom kernels, that's the only way to get it on there, and don't even think about updating or changing it via other means. Just flash a custom kernel, it'll include CWM, use it until you want to switch kernels.
Hit my thanks button, I was really nice this time. And post in Q/A next time as well.
EDIT: Skip the second guide if all you want is stock. You should be able to update OTA after following the first guide. Though even if stock is what you want, I highly recommend flashing a custom GB kernel because a) they're more stable and faster and b) you'll have CWM in case you need it.
You started off mentioning about "leak ics" which I have absolutely zero experience.
My suggestion:
1. Try to get it back to stock. Make sure it works correctly.
2. If hasn't rooted yet, do so.
3. Getting CMW into the device by flashing custom kernel.
4. From there, install any ICS ROM you want.

A small problem with Recovery

Here's the deal:
I rooted my phone a long time ago, and have been using CM since ICS. Mostly nightlies.
A few weeks ago I decided installing a Carbon nightly (4.3), and everything went smooth as usual.
Then new nightly came, so I decided flashing it. (Dirty flash, but it's that way from what I read in the Carbon thread)
The thing is, my phone boots up correctly, but I can't get into recovery mode. Whenever I try booting recovery mode, the logo appears, then the screen flashes gray. I have tried both the advanced reboot menu, the button combo, and ROM Man...jk
I think something might be wrong with the recovery included in the kernel. If that's the case, would it be OK to flash just a new kernel or do I have to reflash the whole thing?
I have already seen some guides on flashing kernels with mobile ODIN, but they're either ancient or for another model. Also, I don't know if that's the right thing to do under this situation.
I'd appreciate if someone pointed me in the right direction. I don't wanna frak up my phone.
You can install a kernel to see if that will solve the issue, but as far as I can see, the Carbon devs do not provide a stand alone kernel for their rom. You could use AJK or one of the other kernels though. Or you could just reinstall the rom to see if it would clear up the problem.
Or, you could extract the zImage from the full rom and use Mobile Odin.
I didnt want to create a new thread for this and get yelled at.. so I am asking the question here:
I had to do the ODIN method and returned my phone from ShoStock 3 to Stock Gingerbread, because for some reason my phone was getting stuck at the "samsung galaxy s2" boot screen.
So I am back on Stock Gingerbreak Rom and trying to install ClockWork Mod Recovery, so that I can restore the backup of ShoStock that I had created.
I am doing the Mobile Odin Lite method and I downloaded the i777 kernel. When I try to install it, I boot in the Android System Recovery (3e) and get the following errors:
Installing package...
Finding Package...
Verifying Update Package...
E: failed to verify whole-file signature
E: signature verification failed.
Before I get yelled at, I searched google and came up with the solution -- all of which say that the issue can be easily fixed by toggling the setting in ClockWork Mod Recovery Mode, but I have to install it first, and whenever I try to install it, I get the above error.
Can someone help please?
jjack0310 said:
I didnt want to create a new thread for this and get yelled at.. so I am asking the question here:
I had to do the ODIN method and returned my phone from ShoStock 3 to Stock Gingerbread, because for some reason my phone was getting stuck at the "samsung galaxy s2" boot screen.
So I am back on Stock Gingerbreak Rom and trying to install ClockWork Mod Recovery, so that I can restore the backup of ShoStock that I had created.
I am doing the Mobile Odin Lite method and I downloaded the i777 kernel. When I try to install it, I boot in the Android System Recovery (3e) and get the following errors:
Installing package...
Finding Package...
Verifying Update Package...
E: failed to verify whole-file signature
E: signature verification failed.
Before I get yelled at, I searched google and came up with the solution -- all of which say that the issue can be easily fixed by toggling the setting in ClockWork Mod Recovery Mode, but I have to install it first, and whenever I try to install it, I get the above error.
Can someone help please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3e recovery is the stock recovery. It means you have not installed a custom kernel yet. Please look at the links in my signature and use the guide information there, which will help you understand what you need to do to install mobile odin lite and then install a custom kernel.
Also, remember that you will need to have the correct version of ClockworkMod Recovery to restore your backup. If the backup and the version of CWM recovery are not compatible, it will not restore.
If you have questions, ask them here, but be aware, I only come on line usually two or three times a day to check the forums.
creepyncrawly said:
3e recovery is the stock recovery. It means you have not installed a custom kernel yet. Please look at the links in my signature and use the guide information there, which will help you understand what you need to do to install mobile odin lite and then install a custom kernel.
Also, remember that you will need to have the correct version of ClockworkMod Recovery to restore your backup. If the backup and the version of CWM recovery are not compatible, it will not restore.
If you have questions, ask them here, but be aware, I only come on line usually two or three times a day to check the forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed Step 3a on this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=18576627#post18576627
Unfortunately, for some reason, ODIN Lite was not recognizing DD_03042012.zip file. So I went with Siyah and downloaded the TAR file used ODIN to get the clockwork mod. It worked.
Now the problem is I cant restore my backup. I know the same backup has worked before, not it is giving me an error "Error while restoring /system". wth!
I dont remember what version of Clockwork Mod I had. I know it was an older version, becuase it didnt have touch.
How do I get a previous version of CWM?
But my problem isn't even remotely similar to this guy!
I'm trying to ask if there's some way to flash a new kernel/rom without using recovery, taking advantage of the fact that my phone boots fine but I can't boot recovery. That's the reason why I mentioned ODIN.
Also, go make your own thread. My question didn't even get answered
Actually,
Creepyncrawly, thanks for your help.
I downloaded ShoStock 3 and flashed it to get the previous version of CWM, and then was able to do a restore.
Sigh.. no harm done.
You can have your thread back... good luck!!
Mighty_Rearranger said:
But my problem isn't even remotely similar to this guy!
I'm trying to ask if there's some way to flash a new kernel/rom without using recovery, taking advantage of the fact that my phone boots fine but I can't boot recovery. That's the reason why I mentioned ODIN.
Also, go make your own thread. My question didn't even get answered
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as stated by creepyncrawly, u can use mobile odin or regular odin to flash a kernel.
But i would suggest doing a MD5 check on the Rom u downloaded, because the Rom u flashed may be that of a corrupted download. If MD5 doesn't match then redownload, check MD5 and if good, reflash the Rom.
.....or maybe the nightly is messed up.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Mighty_Rearranger said:
Here's the deal:
I rooted my phone a long time ago, and have been using CM since ICS. Mostly nightlies.
A few weeks ago I decided installing a Carbon nightly (4.3), and everything went smooth as usual.
Then new nightly came, so I decided flashing it. (Dirty flash, but it's that way from what I read in the Carbon thread)
The thing is, my phone boots up correctly, but I can't get into recovery mode. Whenever I try booting recovery mode, the logo appears, then the screen flashes gray. I have tried both the advanced reboot menu, the button combo, and ROM Man...jk
I think something might be wrong with the recovery included in the kernel. If that's the case, would it be OK to flash just a new kernel or do I have to reflash the whole thing?
I have already seen some guides on flashing kernels with mobile ODIN, but they're either ancient or for another model. Also, I don't know if that's the right thing to do under this situation.
I'd appreciate if someone pointed me in the right direction. I don't wanna frak up my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mighty_Rearranger said:
But my problem isn't even remotely similar to this guy!
I'm trying to ask if there's some way to flash a new kernel/rom without using recovery, taking advantage of the fact that my phone boots fine but I can't boot recovery. That's the reason why I mentioned ODIN.
Also, go make your own thread. My question didn't even get answered
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see why you could be upset that someone hijacked your thread.
I only see one question in your original post, which I believe I answered. You also requested assistance which I thought I provided.
Let me be a little more specific for you. Yes, you can flash just a kernel without re-flashing the system. However, you will need either an Odin flashable tar of the kernel, or you will need to install Mobile Odin and then you can flash a kernel directly from a zImage file.
However, I think 4-2ndtwin has the right of it. It was probably a bad flash, even though the phone booted normally. You should consider re-flashing the entire rom.
If you are not clear about anything, please ask questions.
Never mind.
I concluded it wasn't worth it just because I was lazy backing up stuff.
I used this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1525821, then flashed a clean ROM.
Thanks for the help, you guys are awesome.

Help with recovery

Hi,
Just got my phone back from servicing.
And now it has a stock recovery 3e and some Stock JB rom (not sure if its rooted or not).
Thing is, i've read like 7-8 different posts on flashing a new Rom, or Kernal or Recovery, but no complete guide to explaing the proccess, and now i'm scared to flash anything from fear of bricking my phone.
I want to flash an official Samy based JB rom (i found one) , but do i need to flash a custom recovery/kernal first (like PhilZ CWM?) or other way around ?
Any help is highly appreciated
The chances are that Samsung have returned your device to fully unrooted stock.
There are root checker apps on playstore that can confirm this.
If you are un rooted, the easiest way to get root back is to use PhilZ kernel......you simply flash it using the stock recovery. With regards to what you *want* to flash.......
You need to provide more details as to what the rom actually is, where it came from, what file format you downloaded the ROM as......that sort of thing....
Hey tnx for replying
Yes , you were right.
I flashed CWM via Odin (worked, but i got the yellow triangle now) sign.
After that i did this : http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/orig-development/repartition-memory-s2-t3018749 , worked
And then i installed an Samsung based JB 4.1.2 rom standard via recovery.
all works well now,i think, just booted up 2min ago.
Phone can see all my internal storage space and sd card,think all is well.
Did i do it right ?
It sounds like it, except that you probably didn't need to repartition the device......If you'd been flashing a lollipop rom, then the repartition would have been necessary, but not for JB......
Incidentally, what is the name of the rom you flashed? As Sammy stock roms can normally only be odin flashed.....
I realise that, but the extra space for apps sounded really nice.
I installed this one : http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/development-derivatives/rom-custom-stock-rom-5-0-edition-t2076568

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