[Q] -SOLVED- Work around twlauncher crash loop w/o wipe? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

--twlauncher crash problem solved, see below. Feel free to answer general question though
Hi all!
Ran into a problem with my Galaxy S that I'd be really greatful if you could help me with.
THE QUESTION:
Is there some way of accessing the phone from my PC via USB and changing settings?
THE THING:
I have been running my system without problem for a while. Haven't made a backup though, stupid #%¤ as I am. When I was using the (stock) Internet browser I tried to add a (mobile) web page to the Start panel (or whatever it is called). Since then I get the error message "The application Start (process com.sec.android.app.twlauncher) has stopped unexpectedly." Gives option to "Force Close". Whenever I do, the error comes back after a few seconds if I am at the default screen and don't quickly go into the phone or sms app. Basically, I can't do anything that my Ericsson T10 couldn't do in 1999...
I think all of my "start screens" were already filled with apps, that there wasn't room for another, and this might be the problem that causes the twlauncher crash loop.
THE QUESTION (again, in context):
So, is there some way of accessing the phone from my PC via USB and changing settings? During my searching I've come to believe that two possible solutions might be to clear twlauncher's settings or to set another launcher as default, but in the current state I can't get to the settings neither from the started phone or from the Darky recovery console.
I know I could just wipe and reinstall everything but that feels like nuking a mosquito...and it's so tedious... If there is some smoother way to get at the problem that would be nice. Also I'm curious if it can be done, and I'm probably not alone.
THE SYSTEM:
Samsung Galaxy S (GT I9000)
Rooted
Android 2.2.1
Darkys' ROM v9.4 Extreme edition
Voodoo
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated, thanks a lot!
/Fredrik

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Ok folks, I am happy again!
It seems things fix themselves for me if I only write a thorough post on some forum...
I went to android market with my PC, logged in with my google account (where I had apparently added my phone before) and downloaded another launcher (ADW) to replace my crashed twlauncher. After that I fiddled some more with the phone - obviously turned off network mode from the power menu (the menu that you get when holding the power button 3 sec). And then I wrote the above post.
Just now I was going to make a phone call (which was about the only thing working, remember?) but the screen had gone all black except from the status bar at the top, which didn't respond when I tried to pull its menu down. Brought up the power menu. At first it didn't respond to my touch but after a while it agreed to turn on network mode for me. Then ADW downloaded and installed itself. I still couldn't pull down the status bar menu to click on the "Download complete" icon and launch ADW that way, but I pressed the Home button and got a menu asking "Complete this task with:" and some choices. I ticked the box "always use this program" and selected ADW. Now, ADW started and I am back on track! No wipe or reinstall needed!
SO, short version solution to twlauncher crash loop: log into your Android market account from a PC, search for "launcher" and install one of your choice, then wait for the phone to download and install it. Then press Home, tick "Always use this program to complete this task" and select your new launcher!
Yeah, that solved my problem with Tw.launcher but if anyone has an answer to the question in the thread - is there a way to log into the phone from a PC to change settings - feel free to share your knowledge!

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Addition - resetting twlauncher to be able to use Kies
Ok, after installing another launcher as described above, proceed with the following to prevent twlauncher from crashing in the future. You will need to this do if you want to connect with your computer using Kies, since Kies apparently cannot connect to other launchers (such as GO launcher or ADW).
1. Open Settings | Applications | Manage Applications.
2. Go to the tab "All" and scroll down and tap on twlauncher (or maybe it is called something else, on mine it is "Start" - check the twlauncher crash message to get it, or follow the instructions below under "Another way..." to find it in the Home button menu. You still need to complete the whole procedure to get it running though).
3. Tap the "Clear data" button. This clears your settings, i.e. the app shortcuts that you put on your start screens.
DONE!
In my case I believe the twlauncher crash was due to adding one more shortcut to an already full app drawer, so when I cleared the settings I can use twlauncher again.
USING TWLAUNCHER TO CONNECT WITH KIES
Now you can use the Home Swithcher app to launch twlauncher if you want to use Kies, and when you are done you can use Home Switcher again to switch back if you prefer the other launcher you installed.
Another way to get back to twlauncher if you don't have Home Switcher, is to go to Settings | Applications | Manage Applications, find your current launcher (e.g. GO launcher or ADW) and tap the "Clear default" button. Then (when you have exited back to the start screen) if you press the Home button, you will be asked which launcher you would like to use to complete the task. Select twlauncher (or "Start" whatever it's called). After you're done with Kies you can switch back the same way if you don't want to use twlauncher as default.

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maratonic said:
Ok, after installing another launcher as described above, proceed with the following to prevent twlauncher from crashing in the future. You will need to this do if you want to connect with your computer using Kies, since Kies apparently cannot connect to other launchers (such as GO launcher or ADW).
1. Open Settings | Applications | Manage Applications.
2. Go to the tab "All" and scroll down and tap on twlauncher (or maybe it is called something else, on mine it is "Start" - check the twlauncher crash message to get it, or follow the instructions below under "Another way..." to find it in the Home button menu. You still need to complete the whole procedure to get it running though).
3. Tap the "Clear data" button. This clears your settings, i.e. the app shortcuts that you put on your start screens.
DONE!
In my case I believe the twlauncher crash was due to adding one more shortcut to an already full app drawer, so when I cleared the settings I can use twlauncher again.
USING TWLAUNCHER TO CONNECT WITH KIES
Now you can use the Home Swithcher app to launch twlauncher if you want to use Kies, and when you are done you can use Home Switcher again to switch back if you prefer the other launcher you installed.
Another way to get back to twlauncher if you don't have Home Switcher, is to go to Settings | Applications | Manage Applications, find your current launcher (e.g. GO launcher or ADW) and tap the "Clear default" button. Then (when you have exited back to the start screen) if you press the Home button, you will be asked which launcher you would like to use to complete the task. Select twlauncher (or "Start" whatever it's called). After you're done with Kies you can switch back the same way if you don't want to use twlauncher as default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Such a great thread and no one else has added anything else to it I'm dealing with this crap atm and it is even worst. Holding power doesn't pop up the power menu. Cant access settings. I can bring the notification bar down and turn on wifi but it doesnt actuallly connect to my wifi so I can't do the remote app installation from the web store. I really don't want to do a factory reset.
as was asked here, is there a way to clear the data of the TWLAUNCHER app by using my pc and usb connection to the phone? I'm able to turn on usb storage and access it. Halp!