Hi,
I'm currently charging my new SGS II, and considering what to do with it when I power it of. I have had a lot of cutom roms and mods on my HTC Desire previously Now, I know I don't want an AOSP ROM right away, I want to try out the phone how way it was "meant to be".
But I want the bells and whistles also though, like root, and any other stuff that makes the phone better, and I assume some of you here has some suggestions. I read through a decent amount of threads yesterday but I don't have a firm grasp of everything.
1: Is it much to gain from switching to a custom kernel battery-wise or performance wise? Or should I just run "stock" with zergRush?
2: Are there any cooked ROM base on Samsung softwae that exceed the stock ROMs in usefull functionality, while still being perfectly stable? Or are the stock rom great/good on it's own?
3: What kind of backups should I make before I start, to be as sure as possible of avoiding a certain brick? I run linux, so I can't run Odin, but I can run Heimdall and I guess I can make pretty much the same backups from there. As far as I have gathered, the S II have a few special quirks regarding partitions and some other low-level info. Is installing CWM and then do a backup "good enough" or is there something else that should be done - or should it be done before I even install CWM?
To answer your questions:
1. Yes custom kernels do make a difference- performance and battery wise. Currently, in my opinion, siyah and speedmod are two of the better kernels out there. Also the different governors in the kernels help you decided what balance between performance and battery life you want.
This thread explains everything about governors- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1369817&highlight=simple+clean
2. As good Sammy Roms go, I'd recommend you try CheckRom & Hyperdoid. Other Roms I'd recommend if you're looking for stability are Simple & Clean and Cognition. MIUI is good too(I'm currently on it) and quite stable.
3. If you don't have CWM recovery and have root, use Titanium backup to backup all your apps and MyBackup Root to backup the rest of the misc data. If and when you do have CWM recovery, just make a nandroid backup so you can freely try out new roms and restore through nandroid if anything happens.
If there's anything I've missed lemme know
__________________________________________________________________
If anything I've said helps, feel free to hit the thanks button!!
I simply installed CF Root which include CWM, and made a backup from there. (Which I then move to the external sd card, where I believe it should be en the first place. Not much help having a backup on internal storage if you mess up your artitions/nand.
It gives me a great chance to try the phone pretty stock for a while. Although I'm very little impressed by the Samsung "extras" so far, which seems to be limited to a few not-so-useful apps and a pretty crappy launcher. Samsung dive is the only thin with any value that I have discovered so far.
Its full of guides.
Also backup your EFS with ktool from the market asap.
I prefer speedmod Kernel
I did backup from CWM and take a copy to my laptop
Personally... like you I wanted to see the phone how it is made - at first
I then zerg rushed my phone simply to gain root - REALLY SIMPLE
If your still using touchwiz.... i recommend appzorter (basically organises apps)
You can chose go launcher etc if you prefer more customisation!
Then after two weeks a developer who's work I previously used for my desire came back to xda... his work was always great on desire... so i fully rooted with ODIN
yet again it was really easy, follow the guides to a t and your set!
I popped his rom on (in my sig) and never looked back since!
If you do decide to go down the custom rom route, start with a 2.3.6 build instead of trying ICS 4.0 etc... stick to solid and STABLE builds until you have more knowledge!
Enjoy
Related
Hey all, quick question for the community as I am a virgin (so to speak) when it comes to flashing custom ROM's to my Vibrant. I have yet to flash anything other than the camera from the captivate (I think that was it). On that note, I am looking at flashing over Eugene's Frankin-Twiz ROM than flashing JAC's XMOD OC/UV. My question is this:
When I flash the ROM, I know Eugene made it auto erase all the old stuff. My question is this, will I still retain any of the programs I had installed or will it be like a fresh install (such as when I pulled my Vibrant out of the box), I assume that will be the case, if so, do I just use Titanium Backup to restore it all like I had it?
The other question I had was whether or not when I back up my ROM, does it save any of those same settings (I.E.- Home screen layout, Programs installed, etc.) or is it only saving the "OS" so to speak?
Does the Kernel overwrite anything or is it just re-configure how the CPU is ran?
I really appreciate the info everyone that responds!
Dragoth12 said:
Hey all, quick question for the community as I am a virgin (so to speak) when it comes to flashing custom ROM's to my Vibrant. I have yet to flash anything other than the camera from the captivate (I think that was it). On that note, I am looking at flashing over Eugene's Frankin-Twiz ROM than flashing JAC's XMOD OC/UV. My question is this:
When I flash the ROM, I know Eugene made it auto erase all the old stuff. My question is this, will I still retain any of the programs I had installed or will it be like a fresh install (such as when I pulled my Vibrant out of the box), I assume that will be the case, if so, do I just use Titanium Backup to restore it all like I had it?
The other question I had was whether or not when I back up my ROM, does it save any of those same settings (I.E.- Home screen layout, Programs installed, etc.) or is it only saving the "OS" so to speak?
Does the Kernel overwrite anything or is it just re-configure how the CPU is ran?
I really appreciate the info everyone that responds!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, you'll want to make a NANDroid backup. This backs up everything (think of it like a ghost image of your system). It's what is absolutely NEEDED in case something breaks or you just don't like the new ROM. When you restore it, it'll put everything back exactly as it was.
Second, If you have titanium backup backup all the apps/data, it should retain just about everything, including items on the home screens. I've only used it with ADW Launcher (not the TW Launcher), but the only thing that never shows up properly is widgets for whatever reason.
Alright, cool. I made a nandroid backup right when I got it rooted before I did anything else. So I will want to make a second nandroid of my system how it is now since I have made a lot of changes since than so I have something top fall back to?
However the new rom won't have any of my current setup until I restore it with titanium correct?
[I be posting this from my wicked awesome vibrant!]
Dragoth12 said:
Alright, cool. I made a nandroid backup right when I got it rooted before I did anything else. So I will want to make a second nandroid of my system how it is now since I have made a lot of changes since than so I have something top fall back to?
However the new rom won't have any of my current setup until I restore it with titanium correct?
[I be posting this from my wicked awesome vibrant!]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on ROMs, but in Eugene's it's like it came fresh out the box except of the new features of the rom.
And yes. If you made a lot of changing do another backup, it doesn't hurt.
Awesome. Thanks for the responses. Looks like I'll be trying out out tonight.
I be posting this from my wicked awesome vibrant!
DecafuctCFSv8 Conaps rom
If have the eris and it is rooted. I have setcpu and autokiller and all in all it works quite well but at times is still slow and very sluggish. I have always just read others information and never found a need to post any questions. However, my eris I bought from Ebay and sent to a person down in S. Florida to program it from verizon to work on Metropcs.. All is well and the phone works.
Just trying to speed it up a bit I came across a really good tutorial by jonsuh on here that suggests flashing a new kernel.
My 3 questions I cannot find answers for are:
1) If I flash the kernel above, the DecafuctCFSv8, is it stable with my current Eris 2.1?
My current kernel is2.6.29-DecaFuctCFS-dirty-ea33d448
2) If i flash the kernel will it change whatever settings that the programmer changed and make my phone no longer usable with Metropcs.
3)Nand backup, does it completely backup everything the programmer changed to make it work with metropcs? If i flash a new rom/kernel in the future and mess up can i just go back to the nand backup and restore it? Can you backup a nandbackup? Or copy the entire contents of your phone to the pc somehow incase of complete error?
My biggest fear is losing the programming settings he messed with to allow my phone to work on the metropcs network as I use my phone a lot for school/church
Thankyou for your help guys. This is my first smartphone. God bless
P.S. Sorry I could not post links to the above mentioned files/tutorial for support. Forum restrictions still consider me a new user and do not allow this for spam restrictions.
I googled a bit and found this thread. I don't know the answers to questions 1 or 2, but I can tell you that the 2.2 Eris ROMS are all very nice and speedy. I would recommend following the guide with Conap' CELB Froyo. It runs really nicely with the new governor in 3.6 and gets much better battery life.
As for #3 the answer is almost certainly yes. Nandroid takes disk images of the partitions on your phone and saves them on your sdcard. You can backup them up to your computer from there. Since you are only modifiying stuff on those disks when you flash something, Nandroid would be able to restore your configuration. I would make sure you have all those tools listed in that post I found before trying any of this and make sure you understand what that guy is talking about. I've never had to do any of that because I have Verizon. Looks like it might be a little stressful figuring this out for the first time. Good luck man.
Thankyou icebeer,
Is celb froyo a ROM you are suggesting I flash or just a guide? Is 3.6 a specific kernel
I've spent a lot of time on here the last 2 weeks reading as much as possible about flashing. I finally took the plunge and flashed Axura 2.2.6 onto my Vibrant, and I love it.
Now, I am intrigued by the new Bionix-V ROM out, but I am not sure I understand everything I need to do if I want to change ROMs. Also, I have a few questions I can't seem to get a grasp on.
1. Before flashing or anything, I rooted with Ryan's OCLF. When I flashed with Axura, did that install and enable voodoo on my phone? Did it override OCLF? I know you are not supposed to be running both.
2. I cannot figure out this kernel thing. Do I just let the ROMs handle them, or am I supposed to be updating on my own?
3. I don't do anything with the modem (e.g., KA7), correct? As I understand it, the ROMs are based off of this.
4. I have read some stuff recently about how Titanium Backup has caused some issues. Should it not be used when going from ROM to ROM?
5. I have read some stuff recently about the battery and cycling it. Should this be done if I want to change ROMs?
Thanks in advance.
cccheel said:
I've spent a lot of time on here the last 2 weeks reading as much as possible about flashing. I finally took the plunge and flashed Axura 2.2.6 onto my Vibrant, and I love it.
Now, I am intrigued by the new Bionix-V ROM out, but I am not sure I understand everything I need to do if I want to change ROMs. Also, I have a few questions I can't seem to get a grasp on.
1. Before flashing or anything, I rooted with Ryan's OCLF. When I flashed with Axura, did that install and enable voodoo on my phone? Did it override OCLF? I know you are not supposed to be running both.
2. I cannot figure out this kernel thing. Do I just let the ROMs handle them, or am I supposed to be updating on my own?
3. I don't do anything with the modem (e.g., KA7), correct? As I understand it, the ROMs are based off of this.
4. I have read some stuff recently about how Titanium Backup has caused some issues. Should it not be used when going from ROM to ROM?
5. I have read some stuff recently about the battery and cycling it. Should this be done if I want to change ROMs?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok..
1. I dont know if Axura had Voodoo....but if you flash a custom ROM (weather its Axura, Bionix-V..etc..) it'll always be rooted
2. Some folks (like me) prefer going back to stock 2.1 with Odin...then flashing their new custom ROM...so they dont run into ghost files and kernel issues...but its not needed....some times you can go from ROM to ROM
3. the KA7 is the newest leak from Samsung for our phones....when a custom ROM is made...it is made from the newest leak...which now is KA7..this way the ROMs stay up to date
4. Titanium Backup is a great tool...almost a must use tool if you're going from ROM to ROM....Titanium Backup Pro is a lot more speedier and has more features that the free version...but the free one is also good
5. I personally make sure my batt is fully charged and is plugged in while i'm flashing so it reduces the time i have to re-condition...you should read a little bit more on that
1. Before flashing or anything, I rooted with Ryan's OCLF. When I flashed with Axura, did that install and enable voodoo on my phone? Did it override OCLF? I know you are not supposed to be running both.
It sounds like you just rooted with OCLF, no issue there. OCLF lag fix converts your file system to EXT2, voodoo is EXT4. If you heard Linda (lady's voice) at first bootup, your system is EXT4 via voodoo. You can download voodoo toggle from the market to verify it is working, and to disable (which you would do if you flash something that is NOT voodoo). Also, it is not possible to run both.... file system is one or the other. EXT4 is better (even though EXT2 will show a higher quad score).
2. I cannot figure out this kernel thing. Do I just let the ROMs handle them, or am I supposed to be updating on my own?
The ROM will handle this. You only need to flash another one if you really want to..
3. I don't do anything with the modem (e.g., KA7), correct? As I understand it, the ROMs are based off of this.
The ROM will handle this. You only need to flash another one if you really want to, ie, you have better signal with one vs the one included in your rom.
4. I have read some stuff recently about how Titanium Backup has caused some issues. Should it not be used when going from ROM to ROM?
Ignorance causes issues, not Titanium Backup. Check the noob guide in my signature to learn how to use it properly.
5. I have read some stuff recently about the battery and cycling it. Should this be done if I want to change ROMs?
Always. Also in the noob guide.
Thanks
Thanks. You guys rock.
Quick question/comment. When I used OCLF, I know that I rooted and I also ran the lagfix, because my quadrant score went up drastically. Not sure if this matters.
I went into Astro, and I have a folder for voodoo with log files in it, so this means I must have voodoo, right?
I downloaded the voodoo toggle, but I don't see it anywhere on my phone. Does it only show as a setting somewhere?
Voodoo toggle = Reboot Button (no clue why the dev did this). App works great though.
Hi Folks,
as you can probably see this is my first post to XDA. please be kind.
I have used CM7 on both the LG g2x and Samsung Tmobile Vibrant. (T959)
I got a little tripped up trying to go back from CM7 to stock nandroid backup on my Vibrant. I failed to understand the differences in the filesystem layout.
After much jiggering and finagling I did get it back to stock... But you can understand that I don't want to repeat that...
I'm thinking of installing the latest Zendroid. I already am running 2.2 UVKB5 with root. CWM. Cmenard overstock kernel and Voodoo sound.
I make regular backups both with Titanium and CWM....
If I install the latest Zendroid, will I be able to go back to my previous backups?
As far as I understand Zendroid is just a streamlined build of the Samsung OS.
I could upgrade to Zendroid and fallback
Also does the dock audio functionality work with zendroid ? Not a dealbreaker just a question.
bests
JACK LINGUINI
nandroid does not back up your kernel. So if you are going to gingerbread then you cannot restore a nandroid backup of froyo without flashing a froyo kernel first, and even then i'm not 100% sure it would work
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
not going to GB
Nope. Zendroid is I *believe* Froyo kernel.
The problem I had trying to restore from CM down to original OS might have been both a kernel issue and a FS issue. I *think* the problem had to do with the different partition table and PIT used by CM7 vs OG Samsung.
Anyhow. I'm a very literal person so I just want to know what I am looking at
before I do a wipe and a whole new install. I don't want to have to go thru the
whole ODIN process if I want to backout.
bests
JACK LINGUINI
I would stay away from CWM (nandroid) backups. When you restore those, you are essentially overwriting the entire system and data partitions on the phone, and basically overwriting the entire rom with whats contained in your backup.
Titanium backups of applications are safe to restore, as well as a few system apps (contacts, dictionary, calendar, bookmarks, and Wifi access points are all I restore from the system apps in Titanium), but mostly with titanium you want to stay away from restoring the red and green colored apps. White are fine though and won't cause any issues.
Basically, if you flash ZenDroid, then do a CWM restore, you will lose all of the streamlining and tweaks that are in my build, and you will really be running stock again.
And yes, ZD is a Froyo (KB5) based rom, and a Froyo based kernel.
Dock audio, should work, but I don't have a dock to test it with. I didn't take anything out of the build that effects it TMK, so it should work.
EDIT - and while you will not have to Odin to go from ZD to a different rom, being good friends with Odin and flashing stock firmware from time to time is always high on my list of recommendations, jsut to alleviate any ghosts of roms past.
Thanks !
That's what I wanted to know.
I just didn't want to deal with any of the CM7 issues when trying to restore.
I do realize that if I install zendroid then restore I go back to my pre zendroid state. I am just making sure that I can roll back to normal if I have issues.
Stock touchwiz is a bit bloated but the basics work good and I get decent battery life. CM7 was pretty heavy on battery life.
I had to use CM7 on the LG G2x because LG couldn't be bothered to produce production ready software before they released the thing.
The Samsung software does have some bloat but runs OK.
thanks br!ck'd for making this build. I will let you know how it's rocking once I install and test.
bests
JACK LINGUINI
Hi, new here although have been guesting for 6 months..
I have been thinking about rooting for over a year now and since just before I picked up my S3 last June when I had my nexus S I was 'researching' the rooting procedure and potential problems / benefits
Took the plunge tonight and rooted my S3.. went well and took about 5-10 minutes (was being VERY careful)
So now my phone is rooted
My main purposes
1) Get rid of major bloatware
2) backup data
3) Overclock performance
4) increase already impressive battery life
5) possibly get a custom ROM (unsure)
I know the answers are dotted around and I have seen bits and pieces but wanted a personalised answer if that makes sense..
What are the first things I should do> btw used the samsung galaxy 3 i900 v.5.0 toolkit to root.. very nice and easy
I have downloaded ROM manager, titanium backup, busybox and hc-ktool (although i think the last if for s2?)
I have backed up rom by booting into recovery
** How do I backup the EFS folder on Galaxy s3?
** How do I do a manual backup of everything on my phone using titanium? i have a schedule set up for twice a week
** What else can i do to take care of the 'security' aspect before messing with anything?
** What should I be doing first?
** How can I overclock performance and what is that nice app that lets you schedule changes in performance based on phone state?
** How do I delete bloatware safely?
** What ROMS are good for S3 and where to get them?
** What else can I do with a rooted phone.. i mainly play games on my commute and use internet..
** Oh yes and how can i download games designed for Nvidia only.. such as Horn and Dark Meadow?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, used to dabble in programming over 10 years ago... so while im new to rooting etc. with the right information and enough reading ill be ok as ill be extremely cautious..
Thanks in advance guys
Kobrax said:
** How do I backup the EFS folder on Galaxy s3?
** How do I do a manual backup of everything on my phone using titanium? i have a schedule set up for twice a week
** What else can i do to take care of the 'security' aspect before messing with anything?
** What should I be doing first?
** How can I overclock performance and what is that nice app that lets you schedule changes in performance based on phone state?
** How do I delete bloatware safely?
** What ROMS are good for S3 and where to get them?
** What else can I do with a rooted phone.. i mainly play games on my commute and use internet..
** Oh yes and how can i download games designed for Nvidia only.. such as Horn and Dark Meadow?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, used to dabble in programming over 10 years ago... so while im new to rooting etc. with the right information and enough reading ill be ok as ill be extremely cautious..
Thanks in advance guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For EFS backup: here
For Titanium: usually I do a full backup of all system & user apps every 2nd day (in case I flash something the day after) whereas restoring system apps & data is NOT advised as it might lead to force closes
For ROMs: look in the android development section, many choices available
Hope it helps, thanks for a thanks
You can get rid of the majority of bloatware via Titanium backup. About the ROMs, it is solely depends on your personal preferences. I would suggest using GalaxSih kernel by Harunjo if battery life is your main concern and Perseus by Andreilux kernel for performance and battery life.
Good touchwiz ROM I would recommend is omega ROM. It's easy to install and you can remove all bloatware/selectively install the ones you want.
Siyah kernel is very popular, allowing users to fully customize settings.. ie overclocking, undervolting... among other things.
Setcpu also seems to be pretty popular for cpu customizations, as well as allowing users to stress test if you decide you want to undervolt.
Sywped from my GT-I9300 running Omega v27.2 & franco.Kernel r19
Kobrax said:
H
My main purposes
1) Get rid of major bloatware
Flash a stock rom
2) backup data
Nandroid backup via CWM recovery .
3) Overclock performance
no comment
4) increase already impressive battery life
Get rid of apps .
5) possibly get a custom ROM (unsure)
I have downloaded ROM manager, titanium backup, busybox and hc-ktool (although i think the last if for s2?)
ROM MANAGER and CWM CF Root = no
** How do I do a manual backup of everything on my phone using titanium? i have a schedule set up for twice a week
TB only backs up apps .
** What should I be doing first?
READING
** How do I delete bloatware safely?
Read the thread apps safe to remove in Themes
** What ROMS are good for S3 and where to get them?
A banned question choose yourself start with the stickies and basics .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help so far guys :good:
To the last poster, yes I appreciate its kind of a banned quesion about ROMS, it isnt a best ROM thread though as such and although maybe not worded clear enough, i was asking for some good ROMS that would achieve the things I listed. I will of course do my own research as I spent 5 months reading up about rooting in the first place. I would have hoped that as it was asked somewhat in context it would be seen differently.
The whole concept of rooting still feels new and unexplored and is only as I am confident enough to go for it that I am.. id rather re-ask questions and understand in relation to my specific situation in addition to reading prior posts than just read other peoples posts and hope it relates to my experience.
About Titanium Backup.. it seems the backup this morning has stored on the SD card.. how can I set it to backup to the EXT SD Card? I have created a folder on the EXT card 'TitaniumBackup' so how would I tell Titanium Backup to back up there instead as I cant see where I would do this?
Also, 1.7GB on the SD card is taken up by CWM recovery. Can someone explain why and how I move this 1.7GB to EXT card? I dont know if I can just move it using My Files. I doubt it.
All that rooting does is to grant the user a higher level of access to the system of itself it does nothing .
Recovery set the location in Nandroid to ext sd card .Likewise with TB backup .
Roms all roms are good for S3 .
Suggestion is to start with a rom you understand what it is and how to flash it .
jje
Kobrax said:
Thanks for the help so far guys :good:
To the last poster, yes I appreciate its kind of a banned quesion about ROMS, it isnt a best ROM thread though as such and although maybe not worded clear enough, i was asking for some good ROMS that would achieve the things I listed. I will of course do my own research as I spent 5 months reading up about rooting in the first place. I would have hoped that as it was asked somewhat in context it would be seen differently.
The whole concept of rooting still feels new and unexplored and is only as I am confident enough to go for it that I am.. id rather re-ask questions and understand in relation to my specific situation in addition to reading prior posts than just read other peoples posts and hope it relates to my experience.
About Titanium Backup.. it seems the backup this morning has stored on the SD card.. how can I set it to backup to the EXT SD Card? I have created a folder on the EXT card 'TitaniumBackup' so how would I tell Titanium Backup to back up there instead as I cant see where I would do this?
Also, 1.7GB on the SD card is taken up by CWM recovery. Can someone explain why and how I move this 1.7GB to EXT card? I dont know if I can just move it using My Files. I doubt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it you mean the backup, in which case it can be moved anywhere just do not rename it or you will not be able to use it. I prefer a root explorer to the my files app, I personally use ES file explorer then anything can be moved anywhere on the phone.
Some of your other questions:
Backup efs. You can do that through HC-kTool, just tap "backup efs to /sdcard/efs.img" then you can copy it to your ext sd, your PC, USB pen, get as paranoid as you like.
Manual backup via titanium. click the little tick on the top right of the main page then tap "backup all user apps"
Security, just be careful, and be sure to search XDA before you change anything that could do harm
what to do first. Backup with CWM recovery, backup efs, install a root explorer, install and do an initial run of ad free android.
overclock. To overclock you need a custom kernel, I use Siyah and it offers a lot of options for overclocking, undervolting, 2 CPU governors GPU clock rates and volting etc etc etc. take care, overclocking too much can cause damage to the CPU over time.
Bloatware. use Titanium to safely remove bloatware, and there are guides telling you what is safe.
ROMs. These are my personal favorite SuperNexus 0 bloatware and speedy also the next build will be 4.1.2 and Omega a nice fast samsung based rom, you can choose JB or ICS what I like about Omega is you can remove all bloatware during the install, of choose what you want, it is also extremely smooth with Siyah kernel.
What else. You can do anything litterally anything, think of something to do and you will be able to do it.
Hope I helped
Kobrax said:
About Titanium Backup.. it seems the backup this morning has stored on the SD card.. how can I set it to backup to the EXT SD Card? I have created a folder on the EXT card 'TitaniumBackup' so how would I tell Titanium Backup to back up there instead as I cant see where I would do this?
Also, 1.7GB on the SD card is taken up by CWM recovery. Can someone explain why and how I move this 1.7GB to EXT card? I dont know if I can just move it using My Files. I doubt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Titanium - open the apps - press menu - preferences - backup folder location.
In recovery, you can choose to backup to external sd card.
You can move the nandroid to anywhere you like but you must put it back to the original folder when you need to restore it. 1.7GB is not big at all
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app