Noob question about flashing custom rom without triggering the flash counter. - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II SGH-I777

I will follow this guide "[GUIDE] How to Flash Custom Binaries Without Ever Incrementing the Flash Counter!!" Or there is any better method.
After I'm done with all the steps, my phone will be rooted and have CMW.
How will I know which custom rom will not trigger the flash counter if I flash it thru CMW? PPL said no-stock kernel/rom will trigger the counter. Thanks.

That guide is the way to go. If you flash it through cwm it wont increase the flash counter unless it states that the package includes bootloaders, if so I've been told to stay away from those including bootloaders...currently the ROMs in the Dev section wont trip your counter.
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[Q] Please confirm my understanding.

Hi Everyone.
I've done a fair bit of reading to the point I'm starting to get myself confused so would like to check what I've put together and see if I'm correct.
I want to root using this method which i believe doesn't increase the flash counter:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1319653
then install the Frankenstein XWKH4 firmware/kernel from here using mobile odin (again doesn't increase flash counter):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
This should allow me to use dslrcontroller.
If i ever need to return the phone I should then be able to re-root as above or with mobile odin again and install the original firmware XWKF3 with no traces.
Am i correct in this or have I missed something? As i said i've tried to read up as much as possible, but have hit a wall.
Thanks for any help.
Ed
You're sort of right. Rooting using that method does not increase the counter and neither does mobile Odin, but you don't need to root to use DSLR controller, just be on a compatible firmware.
Flashing an original KGx/KHx firmware in Odin is enough, which will not increase the counter.
There's nothing necessarily wrong with what you've said, just unneeded steps. Flashing a stock firmware in Odin should not void your warranty.
thanks for the quick reply. i couldn't work out if it was rooting, flashing the firmware or both that increased the counter.
can i do the firmware and kernel with out root as im on kf3 at the moment?
You do not need root to flash any stock firmware using Odin. Also, the only thing which will increase your custom binary counter is flashing an unofficial kernel.

[Q] Flash Counter

Coming from HTC phones, I'm not very familiar with the flash counter. I know that there's a root method that won't trip the flash counter, but will flashing roms, like TPC for example, trip the flash counter? I'm trying to get a better understanding on what things will and won't trip the flash counter. Also, if flashing roms now will trip the flash counter, will there eventually be a method of flashing roms that won't trip the flash counter? I'm just wondering if there's any reason to wait or not when it comes to flashing roms.
arn82 said:
Coming from HTC phones, I'm not very familiar with the flash counter. I know that there's a root method that won't trip the flash counter, but will flashing roms, like TPC for example, trip the flash counter? I'm trying to get a better understanding on what things will and won't trip the flash counter. Also, if flashing roms now will trip the flash counter, will there eventually be a method of flashing roms that won't trip the flash counter? I'm just wondering if there's any reason to wait or not when it comes to flashing roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
basically flashing anything other than the system root will trip the flash counter afaik
And in due time, some one will probably find where Samsung hid it and find a way to reset it.

[Q] Checking my Understanding Before Making a Move

Hi everyone,
I stumbled upon this forum when searching for a solution for a problem a few weeks ago. I have watched the noob video and believe I have made a proper effort in order to fix my problem myself without bothering anyone. I’d really appreciate if anyone could just make sure I understand things properly.
I, being completely naïve, followed some guide on YouTube on how to root my phone. On the video the yellow triangle that showed up seemed to be an indication that the root was successful.
Upon doing some reading on here I realized I had tripped the flash counter and what that means. Upon realizing this I began to read and try to figure out how to reset the flash counter.
Turns out I am on Android Build 2.3.6 (UCKK6) which to my understanding does not work with a jig. It seems to me that I can flash a 2.3.4 (UCKH7) and THEN I will be able to use a jig to reset my flash counter. I believe I need to use the second link in this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=18859438&postcount=199
Just for reference would I need to flash a stock UCKK6 in order to fully restore my warranty? My phone originally came with 2.3.6.
After resetting the counter I intend to use method 2C in this thread in order to re-root my phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1311081
Am I correct in saying that in order to flash a custom ROM I need to use method 3A in the previous link in order to flash without tripping the counter / using ROM Manager? I plan on trying out CM7 first.
My Kernel Version is 2.6.35.7. I backed up my apps through Titanium since I really wrap my head around getting CWM working properly : (
Please let me know if I didn’t provide enough information or detail and I will do my best to get you whatever you may need. I’m very new to smartphones in general so please forgive me if I lack some understanding.
Thanks you for your time, it is greatly appreciated.
Just fyi, if you flash an ics rom you can reset the flash counter with an app.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=22462960
Flash stock UCLE5 ICS rom with Odin. Root them. After you can reset flash counter with TreangleAway.
You should be able to use the jig to reset the flash counter on UCKK6. The code that governs the flash counter is contained in the secondary bootloader. A few of the 2.3.6 leaks had a crippled secondary bootloader, but the OTA update from 2.3.4 did not touch the bootloader, and phones that shipped with UCKK6 had the original secondary bootloader.
If you for some reason have a phone with a crippled bootloader, confirmed by not being able to reset the flash counter with a jig, then you would need to flash the original secondary bootloader using Odin. There is an Odin flashable tar in the Download Repository.
The advice about flashing ICS and then using Triangle Away is also good.
If you want to stay on Gingerbread, then follow the guide. 2C and 3A are probably the easiest.
If you want ICS, go to this thread instead.

Bricked?

I have recently rooted my gs2 and am running the latest Siyah kernel on the stock ics rom. After installing Rom Manager and installing the oneclickuser recovery (or something like that) in Rom Manager, I began a backup of my current (stock ICS) rom via Rom Manager. It began to restart the phone and then....blank. Now all I can get to appear is the gs2 logo/orange triangle screen for several seconds before going blank again. I would really appreciate some immediate assistance. Thank you.
Should have read first, why are you using Rom Manager? How many threads does there have to be about this?
I'm going to jump in here before you start getting all sorts of "don't use rom manager" and "search first" and similar answers.
You can't use rom manager successfully as you just learned, but you are not bricked. Your phone is recoverable.
I'm not certain exactly what became damaged in the firmware, but most likely the only option you have is to use Odin to flash the stock firmware and start over. Please follow one of my guides which will give you all the information you need, and assuming you want to root and install ClockworkMod Recovery, then use the guide for installing custom binaries without incrementing the flash counter.
The only way to get ClockworkMod Recovery on the SGSII is to install a custom kernel containing it, and you need to be rooted to do that. That is the only way you will get a nandroid backup of your phone.
creepyncrawly said:
I'm going to jump in here before you start getting all sorts of "don't use rom manager" and "search first" and similar answers.
You can't use rom manager successfully as you just learned, but you are not bricked. Your phone is recoverable.
I'm not certain exactly what became damaged in the firmware, but most likely the only option you have is to use Odin to flash the stock firmware and start over. Please follow one of my guides which will give you all the information you need, and assuming you want to root and install ClockworkMod Recovery, then use the guide for installing custom binaries without incrementing the flash counter.
The only way to get ClockworkMod Recovery on the SGSII is to install a custom kernel containing it, and you need to be rooted to do that. That is the only way you will get a nandroid backup of your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help. I have been trying to locate the stock ICS ROM package on the forums but have had no luck thus far. Can you possibly point me to the stock ICS ROM?
Using Odin, I will essentially be flashing a new (stock) ROM over the existing stock ROM and Siyah kernel? I am just trying to figure out what parts of your "How to Flash Custom Binaries Without Ever Incrementing the Flash Counter" guide are applicable to my situation...seeing how I am technically already rooted.
DeltaA87 said:
Thanks for your help. I have been trying to locate the stock ICS ROM package on the forums but have had no luck thus far. Can you possibly point me to the stock ICS ROM?
Using Odin, I will essentially be flashing a new (stock) ROM over the existing stock ROM and Siyah kernel? I am just trying to figure out what parts of your "How to Flash Custom Binaries Without Ever Incrementing the Flash Counter" guide are applicable to my situation...seeing how I am technically already rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you need to use Odin then you need to download a stock firmware from the download repository.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
Phalanx7621 said:
If you need to use Odin then you need to download a stock firmware from the download repository.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I have located "I777UCLE5 Stock Binaries (Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich)" from the Download Repository. Is it ideal for me to flash the firmware version containing OR excluding the boot.bin primitive bootloader? Both options are available.
DeltaA87 said:
Thanks for your help. I have been trying to locate the stock ICS ROM package on the forums but have had no luck thus far. Can you possibly point me to the stock ICS ROM?
Using Odin, I will essentially be flashing a new (stock) ROM over the existing stock ROM and Siyah kernel? I am just trying to figure out what parts of your "How to Flash Custom Binaries Without Ever Incrementing the Flash Counter" guide are applicable to my situation...seeing how I am technically already rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can find what you need in creepy's sig
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
DeltaA87 said:
Okay, I have located "I777UCLE5 Stock Binaries (Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich)" from the Download Repository. Is it ideal for me to flash the firmware version containing OR excluding the boot.bin primitive bootloader? Both options are available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without the bootloader. You shouldn't flash the bootloader unless you need it.
However, if you want to flash UCLE5 plus root, that is here. And read the thread. You should flash a custom kernel right away, so I would recommend this instead of straight stock.

Is there anyway to root and install a custom room w/o triggering the flash counter?

It seems like the only way to root is through Odin currently, which would trigger the flash counter. I'm not sure if this is the case or not. Does the current root method trigger the flash counter? I know if it doesn't then I'm as long as I flash through recovery instead of Odin I won't have to worry about triggering the counter. If someone could set me straight, that would be awesome.
Bump.
This is my first time on a Samsung device, so I've never heard of this flash counter. I'm assuming it's some level of security. Regardless, I rooted and installed TWRP using this awesome tool: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301720
I have read that there's an app on XDA for around $2 that resets your flash counter. If you're really worried about your warranty, I wouldn't be flashing, but at least apps exist to address it.

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