[Q] What 'FIX PERMISSION' do in CWM and SGS2 hard rest. - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello guys,
I confused about fix permission option on cwm, what actually it does. And when we should use this fix permission? On what case we need to use it?
2 - how to total hard reset SGS2, completely back as it still virgin ( not include odin binary counter). This should use cwm to use 'format' option. But anyone can help with the steps guide? Or any other hard reset method recommended?
Edit: im sorry guys, im not sure if im posting on the correct section. I cant see '(Q)' mark on my topic.
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

neobirdrio said:
2 - how to total hard reset SGS2, completely back as it still virgin ( not include odin binary counter). This should use cwm to use 'format' option. But anyone can help with the steps guide? Or any other hard reset method recommended?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If by virgin you refer to set the phone as the way it was as you purchase it, you should do two things:
1) Erase all user data (you can do that from CWM). Format /data /system and /sdcard
2) Install a stock ROM (via Odin).
If you also want to reset the binary counter, you need the USB Jig to do that.

AzureusPT said:
If by virgin you refer to set the phone as the way it was as you purchase it, you should do two things:
1) Erase all user data (you can do that from CWM). Format /data /system and /sdcard
2) Install a stock ROM (via Odin).
If you also want to reset the binary counter, you need the USB Jig to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, when im done with all those format steps in cwm, thats mean my phone dont have any OS inside? So that mean i cannot reboot the phone rite?
The next step after format the whole things then shut down the phone and get into download mode and flash stock firmware with odin? Correct me if im wrong.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

Yes, that is correct.
Formating /data, /system and /sdcard set the phone empty and without any ROM, so it won't do a full boot. You can power down the phone and power it up in download mode. Then from there you flash your Stock ROM from Odin and you're good to go.

Permissions are explained here:
http://www.legend.ws/blog/tips-tricks/linux-file-permissions-explained/
Since Android is based on the Linux kernel, the same basic file permissions scenarios apply as those outlined above.
In simple terms, when permissions get messed up, you may lose the ability to access or edit files over which you normally should have control, or you may gain control over files which normally you shouldn't, which can cause random problems, like Force Close, etc. in Android.
Repairing the permissions is a housekeeping measure, to keep things neat and tidy. Sometimes, after a repair, you'll have to redo some settings, etc.

AzureusPT said:
Yes, that is correct.
Formating /data, /system and /sdcard set the phone empty and without any ROM, so it won't do a full boot. You can power down the phone and power it up in download mode. Then from there you flash your Stock ROM from Odin and you're good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your description made me very clear, i highly appreciated for your efforts. Thanks so much.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

donalgodon said:
Permissions are explained here:
http://www.legend.ws/blog/tips-tricks/linux-file-permissions-explained/
Since Android is based on the Linux kernel, the same basic file permissions scenarios apply as those outlined above.
In simple terms, when permissions get messed up, you may lose the ability to access or edit files over which you normally should have control, or you may gain control over files which normally you shouldn't, which can cause random problems, like Force Close, etc. in Android.
Repairing the permissions is a housekeeping measure, to keep things neat and tidy. Sometimes, after a repair, you'll have to redo some settings, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, well, let say i just flashed a new rom, and i get fc on some apps. And some app not working properly, in this situation, fix permission can solve the problem? What change we would get after fix the permission, i mean if it can harm the system?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

the phone must to be rooted?

Related

[Q] CWM Nandroid and a sticky device admin app

Hi,
I am trying to restore a couple of nandroid backups, but a Device Administrator app gone "quirky" seems to materialize no matter what I do. I did a CWM Wipe, restored the nandroid backup before the app went bad. However that did not work, the app was still misbehaving. So I wiped again, restored a nandroid backup from before I had installed the app. Still the app shows up again. It has in effect locked me out of the device.
Can anyone tell what can I do to get rid of the app?
Are these Device Admin app supposed to persist like this? Or am I doing something wrong?
Do I need to choose a different wipe mode (I chose the normal one, which wipes /data/, /cache etc). I did not try to wipe /cache separately, as the first wipe does that by itself. Neither did I wipe the dalvik cache, as I thought they are not relevant here. I don't see any relevant files in the sdcard either, though how the app reappears in the nandroid restore before it was installed is a mystery.
Should I mount more partitions before wiping, like the data/cache etc.
Since the wipes don't seem to make it go away, I am not even sure flashing a different ROM would get rid of this app either, however I can try that (since I was planning to anyway, before this mishap). If that doesn't work either, I might just have the most unusual case of bricking ever.
The XDA forum does not seem to be much info about device-admin apps and my search-fu is not good enough today to find anything directly relevant about the other stuff.
PS. btw the app actually modifies the lockscreen. So I don't actually see the files it has with the pre-app restore, however the lockscreen still comes up, perhaps because of some remanant of the app or because of a setting it left in there somewhere.
efs?
Just to add more info, I see some files in /efs, which look relevant to the lockscren/ They have file names like this "/efs/cryptoprop_lockscreen".
Would these files store the data this app stored. I fortunately have an EFS backup, should I consider restoring these files.
If someone doesn't know the answer, can they suggest which devs would be good to ask about this.
AnDruid said:
Hi,
I am trying to restore a couple of nandroid backups, but a Device Administrator app gone "quirky" seems to materialize no matter what I do. I did a CWM Wipe, restored the nandroid backup before the app went bad. However that did not work, the app was still misbehaving. So I wiped again, restored a nandroid backup from before I had installed the app. Still the app shows up again. It has in effect locked me out of the device.
Can anyone tell what can I do to get rid of the app?
Are these Device Admin app supposed to persist like this? Or am I doing something wrong?
Do I need to choose a different wipe mode (I chose the normal one, which wipes /data/, /cache etc). I did not try to wipe /cache separately, as the first wipe does that by itself. Neither did I wipe the dalvik cache, as I thought they are not relevant here. I don't see any relevant files in the sdcard either, though how the app reappears in the nandroid restore before it was installed is a mystery.
Should I mount more partitions before wiping, like the data/cache etc.
Since the wipes don't seem to make it go away, I am not even sure flashing a different ROM would get rid of this app either, however I can try that (since I was planning to anyway, before this mishap). If that doesn't work either, I might just have the most unusual case of bricking ever.
The XDA forum does not seem to be much info about device-admin apps and my search-fu is not good enough today to find anything directly relevant about the other stuff.
PS. btw the app actually modifies the lockscreen. So I don't actually see the files it has with the pre-app restore, however the lockscreen still comes up, perhaps because of some remanant of the app or because of a setting it left in there somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do a CWM wipe, and turn off the phone when done by selecting "Power Off"
Now enter download mode, and ODIN flash a stock ROM.
Then re-root with CF-Root and install custom ROM if desired.
pulser_g2 said:
Do a CWM wipe, and turn off the phone when done by selecting "Power Off"
Now enter download mode, and ODIN flash a stock ROM.
Then re-root with CF-Root and install custom ROM if desired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help pulser_g2. I am still concerned about the files i saw in /efs related to the lockscreen (see my second post). Would the stock ROM overwrite settings/configuration inside /efs (I guess since the IMEI etc are all in there, that might not be the case)?
Got through finally.
pulser_g2 said:
Do a CWM wipe, and turn off the phone when done by selecting "Power Off"
Now enter download mode, and ODIN flash a stock ROM.
Then re-root with CF-Root and install custom ROM if desired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK this worked.
However after I Odin flashed the stock rom and rebooted, I got this
1. First got a different kind of lockscreen.
2. I entered the wrong password five times (after trying the Device Admin alternate password, my Google password, a new 2-step auth password from google) .
3. it said something about wiping sd card. I couldn't catch it (I should probably have videoed this using my point and shoot camera, but this did not strike me then as it was 2am).
4. I was hoping that the stock ROM will boot, cause it stayed on the Samsung logo for too long. (I had already ordered my USB Jig on ebay anyway, but it could have taken time because of my being far off from the seller.). Finally I got the Android Welcome screen and I let out my breath.
In any case, things seem to ok right now. I feel a slight slowness in the rooted stock ROM from my earlier rooted stock ROM, but I am gonna flash a custom ROM later anyway. Thanks a lot for your help pulser.

Is possible to have pre-installed security apps with user data ?

Hello,
Is it possible to simply modify any rom to contain pre-installed security app with user data ?
For example I have extracted lookout.apk and data from /data/data/com.lookout. My idea is simply copy these files to zip with custom rom. In case of lost/stolen phone, applications would stay with my settings even after factory reset.
I tried to put lookout.apk into system/app and data in data/data/com.lookout into the custom rom. The application was installed ok, but the data was completely missing. I am quite new in modifying roms, but I think there is some problem with missing instructions in manifest or update script.
...belongs in Q & A
xlxcrossing said:
...belongs in Q & A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pardon, can somebody move it please ?
You can put the apk in the data/apps I don't know if you can put the actual saved data in....
apk is working perfectly. Problem is how to tell the rom to copy files with settings into /data/data/com.lookout. Good solution could be some script with commands such as
"cp /data/com.lookout/file1.txt /data/data/com.lookout/file1.txt" but I dont know if it is possible.
I tried to modify manifest.mf and cert.sf but files was not copied.
d1105373 said:
Hello,
Is it possible to simply modify any rom to contain pre-installed security app with user data ?
For example I have extracted lookout.apk and data from /data/data/com.lookout. My idea is simply copy these files to zip with custom rom. In case of lost/stolen phone, applications would stay with my settings even after factory reset.
I tried to put lookout.apk into system/app and data in data/data/com.lookout into the custom rom. The application was installed ok, but the data was completely missing. I am quite new in modifying roms, but I think there is some problem with missing instructions in manifest or update script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if i understand you question correctly, if someone where steal your phone and flash a new ROM you want lookout and your personal data from lookout to be installed when they flash the ROM? is this correct?
i think your confused, or either i am in regards to what exactly you mean? a factory reset and flashing a new ROM are two totally different things. a factory reset simply resets the installed ROM to its default settings. flashing a ROM resets "everything" data included. if someone were to steal your phone, flash a format all or wipe manually for that matter, and then install another ROM your data is GONE. no, getting it back for us normal people anyway.
t3project said:
if i understand you question correctly, if someone where steal your phone and flash a new ROM you want lookout and your personal data from lookout to be installed when they flash the ROM? is this correct?
i think your confused, or either i am in regards to what exactly you mean? a factory reset and flashing a new ROM are two totally different things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he wants to save it at /system and have a script or something put the settings back after a rom initiated factory reset...
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
ceyo14 said:
I think he wants to save it at /system and have a script or something put the settings back after a rom initiated factory reset...
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the only way i know of to accomplish this would be to place the files on the /sdcard create a script that runs at boot (a fairly simple thing) and tell it to copy the file from the sdcard into the desired folder. this would have to be a custom ROM and the sdcard would have to have the file on it. again, if the person flashed a new ROM or formatted/repaleced the /sdcard, you're just SOL.
its possible use avast formally theft aware it integrates it self into the rom as root and survives a hard reset as well as offering alot of other features such as sms control and automatically turning n 3g and gps
Questions or Problems Should Not Be Posted in the Development Forum
Please Post in the Correct Forums
Moving to Q&A
aaronpoweruser said:
its possible use avast formally theft aware it integrates it self into the rom as root and survives a hard reset as well as offering alot of other features such as sms control and automatically turning n 3g and gps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
until you wipe and flash a new ROM
ceyo14 said:
I think he wants to save it at /system and have a script or something put the settings back after a rom initiated factory reset...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, thats exactly what I meant. I didn't realize, that after factory reset is data partition (/data) wiped. The script could be a good solution.
Of course I know after flashing rom everything will be gone. But I asume if somebody steal/find your phone. He will not be flashing rom at first time. Probably he will make factory reset and insert his sim card. It would be fine to know who is using your phone and where even after factory reset.

System and user apps accidentally frozen

READ AT THE END OF THIS POST FOR THE SOLUTION
I accidentally used Titanium Backup's widget to frost all system and user apps, leaving mi phone in a infinite boot animation loop. I dont have aNandroid Backup and I would really love to solve this issue without flashing.
I found at Titanium Backup's troubleshooting webpage that I could use this command with adb to solve my issue:
Code:
Type the following command (replace with /dbdata/system/packages.xml if you have a Samsung phone):
busybox sed -n 's/<package name="\([^"]\+\)".*enabled="false".*/\1/p' /data/system/packages.xml | while read PKG; do pm enable "$PKG"; done
but it just says: No such file or directory (yes, I changed /data to /dbdata as stated in the webpage)
Any idea on how to solve this issue?
Thank you!
**EDIT:
This is the way I managed to get my phone working again without having to flash or wipe:
1. Boot in recovery mode and used adb pull command to extract "packages.xml" and "packages-more-backup.xml" from /data/system/
2. Open both files with Wordpad and replaced all protection="2" or "3" lines to protection="1".
3. Also, and very important, replaced all enabled="false" lines to enabled="true"
4. Boot in recovery again and used adb to delete old "packages.xml" and "packages-more-backup.xml" files and push the new ones.
5. Reboot and Voila!
6. Boot once again in recovery mode and fix permissions to avoid any problem.
Hope that this could be usefull to someone else having this horrible problem.
Thank you all!
Checked for that file on my phone, it doesn't exist in /dbdata/system/, but it does in /data/system/
It's probably fixable from the command line with Linux but that is over my head, one option would be to Odin or heimdel back to stock, and start from scratch. You might need a jig to get into dlmode.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
nitox.n2o said:
Checked for that file on my phone, it doesn't exist in /dbdata/system/, but it does in /data/system/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried with /data too but same result.
shadow65781 said:
It's probably fixable from the command line with Linux but that is over my head, one option would be to Odin or heimdel back to stock, and start from scratch. You might need a jig to get into dlmode.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I could do that but I would really like to restore my system as it was
Help please
I wonder what would happen if you removed the app (its apk) via adb from /data/app. Would it retain the freeze settings? Something to consider trying.
This happened to me. I reflashed the ROM without wiping and all was back to normal
Sent from my FrankenTAB using Tapatalk
Simba501 said:
I wonder what would happen if you removed the app (its apk) via adb from /data/app. Would it retain the freeze settings? Something to consider trying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure that's not gonna work because the frozen apps settings are at packages.xml file, but I can't access it I don't know why
jhermit said:
This happened to me. I reflashed the ROM without wiping and all was back to normal
Sent from my FrankenTAB using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried doing that right now but it didn't worked
I got a little too punchy with titanium on my 3 year old original Galaxy tab 7 and froze a samsung system app. Got irreversibly stuck is soft brickland - Tried various methods before giving up and hitting the wipe and reset to factory restore in the system recovery mode. Everything was backed up except recent photos, so it was more annoying than the end of the world.
Odd thing was when it reset to factory, it appeared to do just that, yet when I plugged it into PC and mounted it - the memory was full and all my files and app data files were there - untouched. The apps themselves have gone except one - Superuser is still there, Does Superuser somehow override being reset? and act as a guardian of your data in the event of reset?
Odd. I was expecting to run some file recovery software to a salvage what i could, but viola - it was all there.
shokuchi said:
I got a little too punchy with titanium on my 3 year old original Galaxy tab 7 and froze a samsung system app. Got irreversibly stuck is soft brickland - Tried various methods before giving up and hitting the wipe and reset to factory restore in the system recovery mode. Everything was backed up except recent photos, so it was more annoying than the end of the world.
Odd thing was when it reset to factory, it appeared to do just that, yet when I plugged it into PC and mounted it - the memory was full and all my files and app data files were there - untouched. The apps themselves have gone except one - Superuser is still there, Does Superuser somehow override being reset? and act as a guardian of your data in the event of reset?
Odd. I was expecting to run some file recovery software to a salvage what i could, but viola - it was all there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong forum dude
Sent from my Zanpakuto using Getsuga Tensho!
<deleted>
ZIP for unfreezing apps
For those, who accidentally frozen important system app: here quick solution without factory reset, reflashing and ADB
It automatically edits files as described in first post.
You should have unlocked bootloader. If no, ZIP useless because unlocking wipes all data.
Download both ZIP's and just flash them via custom recovery (TWRP / CWM)
If first throws error try second and vice versa. 2nd with mark "New" contains newer updater-binary that must be compatible with recent TWRP.
Then all apps will be unfrozen, so phone will boot.
Fix compatible with all Android versions.
Note: also you can somehow (ADB or filemanager in TWRP) delete file /data/system/0/package-restrictions.xml
More correct to edit that file which ZIP actually do, but deleting not harmful too.
tags: unfroze apps, auto-unfroze, defrost apps, unfreeze apps, 5596
Bonoboo said:
For those, who accidentally frozen system app there is quicker solution without factory reset and ADB.
It automatically edits files as described in first post.
Just flash this ZIP through recovery and all apps will be unfrozen.
Compatible with all Android versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANKS MAN!! i just signed up to say thanks! you just saved my life :highfive:
Bonoboo said:
For those, who accidentally frozen system app here quicker solution without factory reset and ADB
It automatically edits files as described in first post.
Just flash this ZIP through recovery and all apps will be unfrozen, so phone will boot.
Compatible with all Android versions.
tags: unfroze apps, auto-unfroze
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for the zip. It worked great
Same Problem
Does anyone have an updated version of that zip? I also froze an app linked to the device and it won't boot, even after factory resetting it. Tried running the zip on my t-mobile GS4 (probably newer than that zip) from the SD card in recovery mode, however it didn't unfreeze it.
Any help greatly appreciated!
pianoplayer55 said:
Does anyone have an updated version of that zip?
I also froze an app linked to the device and it won't boot, even after factory resetting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. To flash that ZIP you need have custom recovery (CWM or TWRP), not stock.
No update needed, it still works in this case.
2. That strange. Maybe you not really performed reset?
Double check all and try again.
Bonoboo said:
1. To flash that ZIP you need have custom recovery (CWM or TWRP), not stock.
No update needed, it still works in this case.
2. That strange. Maybe you not really performed reset?
Double check all and try again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, unfortunately I did select wipe data on the recovery screen. I am also stuck in an infinite boot up loop and cannot access the phone to install any apps. How can I use a custom recovery to run the zip file if i cannot access the phone? Instructions much appreciated. Thanks again.
pianoplayer55 said:
How can I use a custom recovery to run the zip file if i cannot access the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ZIP – it's not app.
Again, you need to install custom recovery.
Here link to TWRP and how install it via Odin on PC.
You need place that ZIP on sdcard.
Enter in recovery (don't know how on your model), select Install > find ZIP > confirm > reboot,
Bonoboo said:
ZIP – it's not app.
Again, you need to install custom recovery.
You need place that ZIP on sdcard.
Enter in recovery (don't know how on your model), select Install > find ZIP > confirm > reboot,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downloaded TWRP with Odin and ran custom recovery without a change after the zip (this must have been a deeper-rooted problem in the OS itself), however in the meantime I formatted the system partition, removing the operating system. Installed Kies and ran the update. It reinstalled the OS and I'm good now. Most stuff was backed up anyways. Thanks guys for your time :good::good:
Which apk is the culprit?
Man, I wish I'd found this thread before restoring my phones internal ROM. Had it rooted and set up in every way I like except removing bloatware.
Using TB, I froze a system apk that shut down my System UI and sent the phone bootlooping. What I'm trying to determine is WHICH apk(s) I froze that caused this. I thought I had researched each one that didn't seem obvious, but I musta missed one or one of the 'obvious' ones wasn't so obvious.

How to completely wipe?

I've been having alot of issues, lag, freezes, reboots, and ive been having these issues on a few different roms ive tried. I had Been running the paranoid android one from Jamied81 and it worked great but then i switched around and on any rom including the PA one, and other cm10 roms, im having the same issues, So There must be something wrong with my phone... i guess?
How can i completely wipe clean and start fresh? because ive been wiping data, cache and dalvik cache but thats not helping...
Of course i could go back to best buy and cash in on my warranty.. but i really dont want to do that...
thanks
Well,
It depends on the level you want to take the "cleaning" too...
Data, cache, dalvik cache, and stats are a normal cleaning, and used by most folks to get an average clean.
Some roms even state to do this 3 times or more to be sure.
Two additional steps are needed to get the device "clean". and it involves moving everything off of the device to PC storage, and wiping the following two areas.
( by everything, I mean "anything" you want to keep. pictures etc.)
First, the SD card. As the device uses this memory location for cache of files, and bits of user data, it can be a source of misery when bouncing between roms. so a complete format to FAT32 on the PC will wipe this card clean.
Second, and my personal favorite, is wiping of the internal card space, or the EMMC partition.
This is performed through the recovery, under the advanced options menu, in the format sub-section.
Effectively, wiping the emmc "will" remove all rom data from the device, above the normal data wipe level, and leaves the device empty.
Note: the new rom will re-populate the needed files to run the rom upon the first boot cycle.
IMPORTANT !!!
If moving files back to your device from PC, you must ensure that they are clean too. It is very easy to forget that many files contain rom specific data, and should be avoided as a restore function, especially APK's....
The partitions from the last rom will remain in place, but they will be overwritten by using odin to restore the device. ( if you wish to restore the factory rom architecture )
If odin or kies are not used, the rom partitions remain, but are empty anyway.
"WARNING" !!!!
Although this method is considered safe, you "will lose "any" data or files left behind on the internal space of the device, or on your External SD card by formatting.
And you must place a new rom to your External card prior to placing the card back into the phone, and use CWM or TWRP recovery to flash a new rom in recovery mode. (unless odin or kies are used to return a device to stock condition)
Note: (no pun intended)
This method will "not" touch your recovery, Unless using odin or kies to push a non-rooted rom to the device, and the user must choose carefully when selecting any firmware image to flash.
It is up to the user to restore the factory partitions by flashing a stock odin rom, unless the last rom was a "stock" rom. (Note: kies may be used as well, but Odin is the most common, and works well )...
The standard recovery flash can be used, and is advised if you want to retain root...!!!!
"WARNING" !!!... THE USE OF ODIN OR KIES TO FLASH A STOCK FIRMWARE IMAGE WILL REMOVE YOUR ROOT, AND RECOVERY, FORCING THE DEVICE BACK TO A STOCK STATE....( choose carefully as you select any image to flash using Odin or Kies, as these roms are likely "NOT" rooted roms, and will jam you up)...
I hope this helps you.
Please ask if you have any questions, "before" attempting this procedure... PM included.
And could the Mods please move this thread to QA ? Thank you.....g
gregsarg said:
Well,
It depends on the level you want to take the "cleaning" too...
Data, cache, dalvik cache, and stats are a normal cleaning, and used by most folks to get an average clean.
Some roms even state to do this 3 times or more to be sure.
Two additional steps are needed to get the device "clean". and it involves moving everything off of the device to PC storage, and wiping the following two areas.
( by everything, I mean "anything" you want to keep. pictures etc.)
First, the SD card. As the device uses this memory location for cache of files, and bits of user data, it can be a source of misery when bouncing between roms. so a complete format to FAT32 on the PC will wipe this card clean.
Second, and my personal favorite, is wiping of the internal card space, or the EMMC partition.
This is performed through the recovery, under the advanced options menu, in the format sub-section.
Effectively, wiping the emmc "will" remove all rom data from the device, above the normal data wipe level, and leaves the device empty.
Note: the new rom will re-populate the needed files to run the rom upon the first boot cycle.
IMPORTANT !!!
If moving files back to your device from PC, you must ensure that they are clean too. It is very easy to forget that many files contain rom specific data, and should be avoided as a restore function, especially APK's....
The partitions from the last rom will remain in place, but they will be overwritten by using odin to restore the device. ( if you wish to restore the factory rom architecture )
If odin is not used, the rom partitions remain, but are empty anyway.
"WARNING" !!!!
Although this method is considered safe, you "will lose "any" data or files left behind on the internal space of the device, or on your External SD card by formatting.
And you must place a new rom to your External card prior to placing the card back into the phone, and use CWM or TWRP recovery to flash a new rom in recovery mode.
Note: (no pun intended)
This method will "not" touch your recovery, Unless using odin or kies to push a non-rooted rom to the device, and the user must choose carefully when selecting any firmware image to flash.
It is up to the user to restore the factory partitions by flashing a stock odin rom, unless the last rom was a "stock" rom. (Note: kies may be used as well, but Odin is the most common, and works well )...
The standard recovery flash can be used, and is advised if you want to retain root...!!!!
"WARNING" !!!... THE USE OF ODIN OR KIES TO FLASH A STOCK FIRMWARE IMAGE WILL REMOVE YOUR ROOT, AND RECOVERY, FORCING THE DEVICE BACK TO A STOCK STATE....( choose carefully as you select any image to flash using Odin or Kies, as these roms are likely "NOT" rooted roms, and will jam you up)...
I hope this helps you.
Please ask if you have any questions, "before" attempting this procedure... PM included.
And could the Mods please move this thread to QA ? Thank you.....g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow.... first of all, thanks for the very detailed reply.
So i format the card separately, format the emmc in recovery, and install a new rom? do i need to deal with the other partitions? or will the new rom just take care of that?
mottyengel said:
Wow.... first of all, thanks for the very detailed reply.
So i format the card separately, format the emmc in recovery, and install a new rom? do i need to deal with the other partitions? or will the new rom just take care of that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The partitions will be empty....and the device will be as clean as you can safely get it, without risking a brick....g
gregsarg said:
The partitions will be empty....and the device will be as clean as you can safely get it, without risking a brick....g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot for your help!!
mottyengel said:
Thanks alot for your help!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Always welcome...g
Another easy way...go to this site: http://rootzwiki.com/topic/25980-sgh-i717ucle2-official-leak/, follow the instructions, bam. Basically just throw into DL mode and hit start, its one of the one click Odin ICS leaks from designgears and it completely wipes everything on your phone.
I have run into similar sounding problems as yours where my phone won't wipe properly in cwm, and I've used this to completely nuke my internal storage and start over.
Of course, transfer all pictures, music, and important files to your computer first. Then after you use the one click Odin, just begin romming as usual
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
With a nice moist wipe!
Sent from the TermiNOTEr!
While i've seen and like the rootzwiki method, I prefer to manually wipe and install roms.
For me, it adds back in, that level of control I like to have when changing roms etc.
I'm the " do it myself " kinda user ...but I agree, it's a good system.
Thank you for posting it ....g
---------- Post added at 06:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 PM ----------
borijess said:
With a nice moist wipe!
Sent from the TermiNOTEr!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..springtime fresh ??
Oh yehhhhhhhhhh!!!.....LOL .......g
I factory reset. cache wipes. Darkside wipe zip.
"The clean getaway"
gregsarg said:
Always welcome...g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
View attachment 1291207
Sent from A Closet @ Arkham Asylum on my GNote using Forum Runner, Black ★.
Yeah, I prefer the manual way in cwm as well, but I've run into an error a couple of times where it won't wipe properly. So I nuke my phone to fix the ability to wipe. There's no way I would do that every time I flash a ROM.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
welchertc said:
Yeah, I prefer the manual way in cwm as well, but I've run into an error a couple of times where it won't wipe properly. So I nuke my phone to fix the ability to wipe. There's no way I would do that every time I flash a ROM.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True ....and of course, my post was meant in the context of a device having severe problems.
I seldom use that method either, but in a pinch it's good to have available ......and if users see and retain either of the methods we've posted, they can repair virtually any problem going forward.
And hopefully avoid those JTAG moments we all dread ....g
That's for sure. Haha.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Must wipe...
View attachment 1291573
Sent from A Closet @ Arkham Asylum on my GNote using Forum Runner, Black ★.
LOL. !!!
Excellent !!!
welchertc said:
Another easy way...go to this site: http://rootzwiki.com/topic/25980-sgh-i717ucle2-official-leak/, follow the instructions, bam. Basically just throw into DL mode and hit start, its one of the one click Odin ICS leaks from designgears and it completely wipes everything on your phone.
I have run into similar sounding problems as yours where my phone won't wipe properly in cwm, and I've used this to completely nuke my internal storage and start over.
Of course, transfer all pictures, music, and important files to your computer first. Then after you use the one click Odin, just begin romming as usual
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. But, i dont see any instructions... what do i do with the file?
Basically its a one click version of Odin with the files already loaded into it so you don't have to pick anything.
Download it to your comp, unzip the file (I believe?), open the program, put your phone into download mode, connect it to your comp, make sure Odin recognizes it, then click start.
Takes a bit because its a huge process that it's undertaking, but at times its necessary to go nuclear on your phone.
Really should only be used as a last resort to wiping your phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
welchertc said:
Basically its a one click version of Odin with the files already loaded into it so you don't have to pick anything.
Download it to your comp, unzip the file (I believe?), open the program, put your phone into download mode, connect it to your comp, make sure Odin recognizes it, then click start.
Takes a bit because its a huge process that it's undertaking, but at times its necessary to go nuclear on your phone.
Really should only be used as a last resort to wiping your phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed ....g
I mostly wipe front to back.

[Q] My phone has went mental - any ideas for a fix?

Boy I'm not having great luck with my hardware atm. My Nexus 7 has got some serious lag issue, probably needing a factory restore, and now my SGS2 is playing up and looking like it might need the same. I'd appreciate the help before I go to that - not sure where I am on backups, I think this problem has been lingering for a while unnoticed, and its possible my scheduled Titanium task hasn't worked in a while because of this.
So let me run through. I was trying to update a few apps in the app store, and I got 'the package file is invalid' errors over and over. I was a little confused, and suddenly I was getting a flickering alert for 'low on application space' that would come and go.
I went into applications to see what my space was and it was fine, 400mb free. But I noticed that all of the apps were reading as zero size. I tried removing one I knew was big, and the free space adjusted by a real amount, but no change to the sizes in the listing. I went thru and uninstalled a bunch just to be sure. Even after this, I could still not install any apps without getting the invalid message.
I decided to restart and wipe the cache, thinking maybe something had gone wrong there. No change. All the installed apps were working ok, though, no problems running things. So, I decide that something minor has corrupted, and that a reflash of the current firmware would maybe do the job (which is a stock XEU build of ICS). I have 'Mobile Odin' and keep the current firmware file on the SD just in case. I of course want to run a backup first, so I fire up Titanium, which fails to do the backup, with an error about something catching fire trying to 'do calculation'. I begin to figure that something worse has happened by this point.
I decide to go ahead with the reflash using Mobile Odin. It seems to load fine, I tell it to wipe the cache and so on. The flash goes fine, and the phone reboots. I expected it to go through the little optimising applications thing it does, and true enough I see this box load up, saying 'start applications' and the spinning wheel. Then, it abruptly closes, and I get my home panel...
But here's where it goes severely wrong - every app I can think of now crashes, displaying the 'unfortunately XXX has stopped'. Boxes and boxes, for basically every app that in any way runs at startup, every widget, even my Swift Key and Swipe keyboards. Yikes! After clearing the huge backlog of boxes, I start trying to open stuff, and it quickly becomes apparent that no app will work, save for those that are physically part of the firmware (such as Settings, Messages, Phone, Contacts, Memo, Camera). Basically, unless its a stock app, it's just dead. My SD apps show up as if they aren't found, with the little grey SD box. I can't even open the Play Store to try redownloading an app.
I'm going to try, once I'm home from work, reflashing the firmware using desktop Odin. But, failing that, I will need a factory restore it would seem. Basically, I'm looking help either fixing the problem without a factory restore, or a way to back up my data (messages and app data) in case my Titanium Backups are old or broken.
Thanks :/
Edit: When I do a *#1234#, my CSC comes up as 'Unknown'. Would this cause these issues?
Boot into CWM recovery and fix permissions.
unclebob_2000 said:
Boot into CWM recovery and fix permissions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have CWM recovery installed. Will it be possible for me to install it with the phone in this state? Any reasons why the permissions will have gone like this?
gyaku_zuki said:
I don't have CWM recovery installed. Will it be possible for me to install it with the phone in this state? Any reasons why the permissions will have gone like this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash a CF root kernel using desktop Odin, reboot into CWM via hard keys vol+ home and power. Find fix permissions, run it, reboot, hopefully work...
Most apps that aren't granted the right permissions that allow them to fulfil there main task will usually end up in a FC.
Sent from Jelly Fuelled SGS2
Orkane1989 said:
Flash a CF root kernel using desktop Odin, reboot into CWM via hard keys vol+ home and power. Find fix permissions, run it, reboot, hopefully work...
Most apps that aren't granted the right permissions that allow them to fulfil there main task will usually end up in a FC.
Sent from Jelly Fuelled SGS2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is already rooted. Can I apply CWM as an update.zip from inside the current recovery?
gyaku_zuki said:
The phone is already rooted. Can I apply CWM as an update.zip from inside the current recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unsure. Most likely not. It would be like running 2 kernels at once... just wouldnt work. Wouldn't risk it. Could hard brick the phone.
Sent from Jelly Fuelled SGS2
First, Post your ROM and kernel details; Goto Settings - About phone, and post everything you see
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Jokesy said:
First, Post your ROM and kernel details; Goto Settings - About phone, and post everything you see
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem -
Model N: GT-I9100
Android V: 4.0.3
Baseband V: I9100XXLPS
Kernel V: 3.0.15-I9100XWLP7-CL340913 [email protected] #3
Build N: IML74K.XWLP7
I ask about the update.zip thing as it is a legitimate way to install CWM recovery according to various guides online.
Thanks for the help guys. Appreciate it.
gyaku_zuki said:
No problem -
Model N: GT-I9100
Android V: 4.0.3
Baseband V: I9100XXLPS
Kernel V: 3.0.15-I9100XWLP7-CL340913 [email protected] #3
Build N: IML74K.XWLP7
I ask about the update.zip thing as it is a legitimate way to install CWM recovery according to various guides online.
Thanks for the help guys. Appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Backup your important data.
2. Uninstall apps you don't use
3. Using a ROOT capable explorer goto /data/app on your phone, delete all .odex files you find there
4. Disable System apps you don't need/use
- Goto Settings - Apps - All - Select the app you want to disable, select FORCE STOP, then DISABLE.
Repeat the step for each app
- Alternatively you can use titanium backup pro to freeze those apps
You can find the list of apps you can disable: here https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...1gdDJRekl4QmkyNmIzUmRvX2h3UDVkQXc&output=html
5. Boot to recovery (the stock recovery)
- clear cache
- reboot phone.
6. If any user / system app gives you force stop warning, then clear the days of that/those app(s) in settings.
You should notice the difference!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Jokesy said:
1. Backup your important data.
2. Uninstall apps you don't use
3. Using a ROOT capable explorer goto /data/app on your phone, delete all .odex files you find there
4. Disable System apps you don't need/use
- Goto Settings - Apps - All - Select the app you want to disable, select FORCE STOP, then DISABLE.
Repeat the step for each app
- Alternatively you can use titanium backup pro to freeze those apps
You can find the list of apps you can disable: here https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...1gdDJRekl4QmkyNmIzUmRvX2h3UDVkQXc&output=html
5. Boot to recovery (the stock recovery)
- clear cache
- reboot phone.
6. If any user / system app gives you force stop warning, then clear the days of that/those app(s) in settings.
You should notice the difference!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, but I'm sorry, what? I seem to be missing something - you've answered something that seems to be an entirely different problem! I can't even RUN an explorer let alone grant it root - so I can't reach the ODEXes, which aren't the reason for the FCs anyway.
This 'fix permissions' sounds like a good plan, I just need to know my best method for getting CWM onto the phone given it's state. I think I can use the update.zip method, but I may have to just wait until I can get to a machine capable of running Odin for me, to flash the CF kernel.
gyaku_zuki said:
Thanks for that, but I'm sorry, what? I seem to be missing something - you've answered something that seems to be an entirely different problem! I can't even RUN an explorer let alone grant it root - so I can't reach the ODEXes, which aren't the reason for the FCs anyway.
This 'fix permissions' sounds like a good plan, I just need to know my best method for getting CWM onto the phone given it's state. I think I can use the update.zip method, but I may have to just wait until I can get to a machine capable of running Odin for me, to flash the CF kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok.
Let me tell you some things you need to know
1. Fix permissions only has much effect on system apps, only if their permission is broken
2. Flashing a new Kernel will never fix many FC
3. Have you booted to recovery and wipe cache? If after doing this and your problem still persist, then you might have perform a Factory Data Reset.
4. Flashing a new firmware via Odin will not dramatically stop Force close errors. You will still need a factory reset to fix that.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Jokesy said:
Ok.
Let me tell you some things you need to know
1. Fix permissions only has much effect on system apps, only if their permission is broken
2. Flashing a new Kernel will never fix many FC
3. Have you booted to recovery and wipe cache? If after doing this and your problem still persist, then you might have perform a Factory Data Reset.
4. Flashing a new firmware via Odin will not dramatically stop Force close errors. You will still need a factory reset to fix that.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried wiping cache in recovery, yes. The only apps that run are the system ones. I can't explain why permissions may have been broken on the other apps, but it may be the case, so I'd like to try it. And, it was a flash via (Mobile) Odin CAUSED the FCs, so I don't know if that's true. Regardless, I'm heading home now, I can try flashing the CWM and run the fix permissions, and otherwise I need to figure out a backup solution before I factory restore.
I don't mean this wrong, but I'd prefer you don't just throw generic (yet good for general faults) advice if you don't have personal knowledge of the particular problem. It could be misleading.
gyaku_zuki said:
I don't mean this wrong, but I'd prefer you don't just throw generic (yet good for general faults) advice if you don't have personal knowledge of the particular problem. It could be misleading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know my aim wasn't to mislead you but to help. I actually missed somethings in your Original post like "Every apps now doesn't work" etc
Because the only apps that run now are the system apps proves that there is something wrong in the /data partition, a location where all user apps, settings etc are stored.
Anyway, it's always very good to try all other means possible before factory reset.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Jokesy said:
You know my aim wasn't to mislead you but to help. I actually missed somethings in your Original post like "Every apps now doesn't work" etc
Because the only apps that run now are the system apps proves that there is something wrong in the /data partition, a location where all user apps, settings etc are stored.
Anyway, it's always very good to try all other means possible before factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to offend you or have a go. I appreciate all the help about to try flashing the rooted CWM kernel, to try the permissions fix. If that doesn't work, I need to figure out some way of doing a backup of sorts, before I do a restore :crying:
UPDATE: After flashing the CF-Kernel to access CWM, I'm getting a message I'm unfamiliar with "The System UIDs are inconsistent" yadda yadda factory reset. I'm currently 'fixing permissions' It looks like it's stalled, but it may just take a while. I have a lot of apps. Anyone understand the UIDs message in my context?
Update 2: Had to factory restore, but was able to restore almost everything with no problems from a CWM nandroid backup. Thanks for the help.

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