[Q] upgrade before custom roms?? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

2mrw I'll be getting my brand new I9100T
Now I'm not asking which rom is best ^^ so no infraction needed
...rather...
should I upgrade to official ICS before trying out other roms? or is gingerbread stock a better launching pad?
can we downgrade from ICS?? (I'm assuming b/l is unlocked)
is there a baseband app for SGS-II (like my defy has) -=or=- will I need to manually copy it over?
PS - if it is recommended to officially update... is KIES or CWM better for this?
T.I.A

stock gb for now later u can upgrade to anything

1) Not necessary. Follow whatever instructions the particular rom you want to use has.
2) Yes, you can downgrade from ICS to GB. Simply flash whatever GB rom you want to downgrade to.
3) Baseband app ? I presume you mean modem. Flashing any rom shouldn't change your modem, and many of the GB modems work just fine with ICS I.E modem/baseband is independent of rom/kernel. I'm still using the modem I used with GB, essentially unless you have issues with connectivity/data/calls/SMS that you can't pin down on your carrier's network, no need to change your modem. In saying that, modems are CWM flashable (you can also flash them in Odin), so if you do have connectivity issues & want to try other modems it's pretty easy.
Now, if you meant something else by 'baseband', explain what you mean & I'll try and answer whatever questions you have around that.

@ MistahBungle
On the defy your radio/baseband/modem/yabba_dabba_doo
does change when changing rom - defy has an app for restoring the above...
as it's all android, I'm sure I can do it manually on the S II
so no-one see's official ICS update as beneficial?? Surely it's less buggy than a CM9 -=or=- a MIUIv4!
PS - which recovery should I flash for I9100T??
PSS - Think I'll try MIUI 2.3.9 for a start after I get bored of stock

OK so the modem/baseband is the same thing. On SGS2, roms normally don't come with a modem (I don't think I've seen a single one that has a modem included), these can be changed/flashed independently of the rom/kernel you're using. Again, my advice is if it ain't broke don't fix it; if connectivity/data is fine with the modem you're currently using, no need to mess with it. Yes, you can change them manually yourself easily; most modems are CWM flashable & take a minute to flash.
Whether official ICS (or even a custom ICS rom) is a 'step up' or not depends on how you experience same, I.E. YMMV (like any rom or kernel really). Only way to find out is to try one, which is pretty simple once you've rooted your phone; you can backup your current setup in CWM then try out whatever rom you want. If you find you don't like it, takes only a few mins to restore your backup.
If you use CFRoot to root your phone, it installs CWRecovery by default, which makes backup/restore & flashing roms/kernels/modems a snap. If you do choose to use CFRoot, read the whole first page thoroughly, it's very simple if you pay attention/follow the instructions.

was going to root via 'new' method i.e. .bat file - suppose to root all S 2 variants... it doesn't install CWM but I can do that via Odin...
you use touch recovery??

MistahBungle said:
OK so the modem/baseband is the same thing. On SGS2, roms normally don't come with a modem (I don't think I've seen a single one that has a modem included), t
beg pardon most roms do have a modem stock yes custom ICS yes .
Rare that a rom does not have a modem .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Up to you, use whatever method you're comfortable with. Touch recovery ? Have used it when I've used Siyah, but not at the moment as I'm using CM9 kernel. Happy to use it if it's part of a kernel/it is good, but personally can't be arsed installing it seperately if it's not.
@JJE Roms I've used haven't had modems (Yes, stock does.) I.E GB Galnet Miui & CM9 don't.
King_Rat said:
was going to root via 'new' method i.e. .bat file - suppose to root all S 2 variants... it doesn't install CWM but I can do that via Odin...
you use touch recovery??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

All GB custom roms i have used have modems likewise every ICS custom rom.
Galnet Miui & CM9 only ever tried once so you are probably right for those two . But apart from those sort of builds i have never come across one without a modem . last ten ICS builds i tried have a modem .
jje

i have a 9100t telecom phone,but 2degrees as my provider so i flashed the baseband 9100tdukf4 to get better batterylife with vodafone and 2deg frequencies.
what i did with mine first, i flashed siyah 2.6.14 kernel with odin then used cwm to backup my telecom rom and then flashed away

will manually backup modem ;-) just in case is needed for custom rom...
now another Q: what's all this talk I've been seeing of an internal SD? ^^
How does this affect modding i.e. backing up, restoring nand, flashing roms etc?

well... well... well... 3 holes in the ground ^^
had my 1st soft brick
tried rom manager SII recovery flash (just wanted to see what it would do... just in case it worked) soft-brick...
then flashed CWM via Odin (source galaxy2root[dot]com)
& all is good...
O/C'd to 1.4Ghz with Tegrak & Linpack giving 55+ MFlops!!
Use stock for a wee bit & then I'll get into roms...
PS -Juwe11 RAM script working a treat ;-)

rom manager from the market? i should of said not to use those , i hear they can softbrick the s2.
disable your anti virus while flashing too, nod32 stopped my flashing,soft brick.

Related

[Q] Help me select ROMS

hello all,
Before I being, i searched a bit in this forum and in web. But the questions i have still are not answered.
I on KE2 stock ROM. i have an unbranded SGSII. I have rooted using steps mentioned here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125414
I want to install any of the custom Roms or the newer ROMS mainly because the battery usage sucks. with some hour music and calls battery get drained easily.
I dont mind updating to latest stock ROM also as long as it solves the problem.
Kies dose not offer me an upgrade and its also grayed out for some reason
Here is my SGSII specs
Code:
Product Code: GT-I9100LKADBT (From RegEdit)
PDA: I9100XWKE2
Phone: I9100XXKDJ
CSC: I9100OXXKE2
Baseband: I9100XXKDJ
If I have some problem, I want to revert back to Stock rom before giving it to Samsung. I have also ordered a USB Jig. It should be on the way now. So i can reset the counter as well.
Before flashing, I want to know what all i should do. Is it just fine If i flash the firmware file? Also in Samfirmware i see something called pit files.
can anyone help me in flashing the correct rom?
thank you
All Custom ROM's give detailed installation instructions in the first couple of posts.
For what it's worth, having tried a number of different ROM's, VillainRom 1.4 has the best battery for me. 2 days with moderate use.
+ Villian rom but read and understand the instructions before you start .
jje
Cognition S2 is a good rom, full instructions for flashing.
If you look in the android development section, theres also a thread with all stock firmwares, kernals and tutorials for flashing
thank you all.
I was wondering about how to revert back in case of some problem. Also do I need to take care something about the baseband etc?
I am kind of new so thats what makes me tensed! I dont want to screw up the mobile.
Don't worry, once you have USB jib, you can reset Odin flash counter and this is a safe way to rescue you in case of brick.
In terms of baseband, ke4 or kf2 are the best ones. Kf2 kernel + kf2 base band is a good combination. You can try many ones and choose by yourself.
On xda, there are all stock firmware to rollback if needed.
Take a look at the stock rom and branded roms post in Dev section find your phone and download a copy of the rom.
That can be flashed back via Odin to original state wiping any root and stock roms .
jje
How about ROM Manager ? i read that It can install ROMS over air
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-koushikdutta-rommanager-nptD.aspx
Don't use that as far as know. My kernel wasn't supported and it took me days before my recovery mode was working as I wanted. Maybe it works with other kernels, but with my bad experience thus far I don't install that again.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
galaxyII said:
How about ROM Manager ? i read that It can install ROMS over air
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-koushikdutta-rommanager-nptD.aspx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please dont install rom manager. Its not fully compatible with the sgs2. Use it, and youll be back here asking for advice on how to fix another mess.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
stoney73 said:
Please dont install rom manager. Its not fully compatible with the sgs2. Use it, and youll be back here asking for advice on how to fix another mess.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Then i will not
Installing rom manager is not an issue... Very few custom rom are compatible with this. Afaik Cognition rom is one of them.
bgn9000 said:
Installing rom manager is not an issue... Very few custom rom are compatible with this. Afaik Cognition rom is one of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You think I can install ROMS with this? no more Odin?
No this is a little bit more complicated. You need a rom compatible with this like cognition seemed to add. The main idea is to have a rom compatible with rom manager and this will allow you to change to another rom compatible with this. Unfortunately, there are not so many custom rom... Perhaps sicopat's one?
I justed wanted to say that rom manager is not dangerous to install and even to launch.
OK Thank you,
But I am still confused If i need to update the modem etc. Let me do some more search
You can upgrade modem version by Odin flash mode separately to the rest.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1131950
Just download a modem.bin file or gets it from a complete firmware by unzip.
Put modem.bin into phone area of Odin and start accordingly of normal flash processing.
Thanks bgn9000
MY whole worry is whether to update modem or not. I dont want to mess with my phone as i think there is no downgrade.
Looks like I have to invest more time in understanding this flashing

[Q] How kernel change works on different roms ?

I've been doing this whole "reading" thing about flashing and all that, but some confusion is still there.
I have rooted my newly got SGS2 (i9100, UK).
Now what ? I'm looking at Darky's rom, but there are two files to flash separately: kernel (darkcore1.7) and ROM itself.
1. I was just wondering what is kernel in this situation ? Can i keep my current kernel, which was flashed by superoneclick(2.1.1) or do i absolutely need to flash darkcore ?
2. Same question applies to any other rom out there - can i use different kernel to the rom i may want to flash ? A lot of them come in sets (rom+kernel)
3. Another question - if i mess up kernel flash somehow, does that kill "download mode" of the phone (voldn+pwr)?
I have SGS1 flashed just another day, due to it being "expendable" now that i have SGS2, so jumped in and flashed it following instructions, but without solid understanding. Either stuff gets too complicated or i'm getting too old for this **** (I do have a background of messing with PCs, videogame consoles (ps1 era to ps3/360), winmo6 phones, gadgetry in general...engineer at heart )
You can use any kernel with any ROM. And no I don't think your Download Mode will be gone if you mess up a Kernel.
Kernel don't come in sets. You can choose your favorite there. See Dev section for more details.
Regards.
Correction: SuperCore, not darkcore...
Can i use cwm app (v2.0)to flash any kernels ? Or does it have to be odin ?
sliex said:
Correction: SuperCore, not darkcore...
Can i use cwm app (v2.0)to flash any kernels ? Or does it have to be odin ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rom>>That depends upon the instructions as always in the rom you choose for a custom rom .
Kernel is flashed via Odin Via CWM app or via CWM recovery .
Kernel is the core of the system between hardware and operating .
jje
Ok, so saying that, What stock Kernel can I use for Cyanogenmod7 ROM?
I was using "XWKE7" previously.
The ZIP file that i downloaded actually replaced my kernel with its own.
I'm asking this as I wanna use Tegrak overclock which is only compatible with stock kernels.
Rjmcgauley said:
Ok, so saying that, What stock Kernel can I use for Cyanogenmod7 ROM?
I was using "XWKE7" previously.
The ZIP file that i downloaded actually replaced my kernel with its own.
I'm asking this as I wanna use Tegrak overclock which is only compatible with stock kernels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock kernels will not work with cyanogenmod. There are no overclockable kernels available for it yet.
Sent from my GT-I9100M

[Q] Kernel

Is it ok to flash a custom kernel on top of another custom kernel?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
You dont need to revert on the original one before flash another custom. But you need to format dalvik cache and cache in recovery before flashing or you probably have a bootloop.
I suggest to make a backup of the rom in recovery, so If something goes wrong you can enter recovery and have the latest known working rom back in 2 minutes.
Please note flashing kernels always have a very small chance to corrupt your efs partition, its suggested to backup your efs folder before start play with roms and kernels. How to backup the efs, use the search tool of the forum
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
rembrandtlnx said:
You dont need to revert on the original one before flash another custom. But you need to format dalvik cache and cache in recovery before flashing or you probably have a bootloop.
I suggest to make a backup of the rom in recovery, so If something goes wrong you can enter recovery and have the latest known working rom back in 2 minutes.
Please note flashing kernels always have a very small chance to corrupt your efs partition, its suggested to backup your efs folder before start play with roms and kernels. How to backup the efs, use the search tool of the forum
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. I know how to backup efs. Can i just use nitrality instead of ADB? To flash ROMs does it need to be in a specific firmware like sgsl or is it ok to have different firmware from the base of a custom rom?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
I know my english sux sry:
Depends on the kernel but usually it is listed in the kernel thread the how to (odin or clockworkmod), clockworkmode is already on your phone if you rooted it with cf-root.
Now, to enter clockworkmod recovery, just push volume up + home + power button until the S2 bootlogo appears, then wait few seconds.
About the kernel type, i always flashed any kernel despite of my baseband, the difference is not so big.
if something is not working, you can always youse the nandroid backup (the backup done with the recovery cwm (up+home+power) and get back to the previous rom with previous kernel.
Im not really in the kernel "how to" someone else can prolly give you more detailed info, but as for me, i flashed ninphetamine 2.05 and 2.1.3 in cwm and it worked.
But.. as always, the kernel developers got a how to install in their kernel thread, so just read those and be sure about if you need odin or clockworkmod, if you are not sure, DONT flash anything until you are sure on how to proceed or wich system to use for flashing, better keep an old kernel with a working phone than have a brick to hold the papers
PS: also almost all the roms on the S2 forum are flashable with the clockworkmod, only few (like the lite'ning) are flashable with odin.
Again, i know im boring, dont proceed if you are not sure, better ask 10 times instead brick your phone
ephraim033 said:
Is it ok to flash a custom kernel on top of another custom kernel?
Yes not a problem flash as per the custom kernel instructions .
Kernel can be changed within an individual firmware or custom rom .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply guys. Coming back to my second question. What if i have KF1 and the rom i want to flash has a base of KI3, should i flash to stock KI3 first before flashing the custom rom or is it ok to flash a KI3 custom rom without flashing first to stock KI3?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
The custom rom first, the kernel after.
I got the habbit to boot succesfully at least once the custom rom. If everything is ok i then flash the kernel. Better do 1 task at time.
You can decide to try the rom without change the kernel..and try a different one if you experience battery drain or other problems.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
If i am on KH3 and want to flash a custom rom based on KI4 then i would flash stock KI4 and KI4 root first .
Custom rom flashed i will often try a different kernel later .
jje
from my experience
I have found that when i upgraded rom from gingerbread to ics that most custom kernals work with these roms ie now running with xxlpw ics (from gingerbread) with xwlp7 kernal. from what i have read on other posts and threads i could swap kernal to siya or any other as the mega good developers have made them (hotswappable) interchangeable as previous reply said swapping kernal might give you better battery or solve overheat probs.
Eg iwas running darkys rom with siya kernal v?something my phone rocketed temp in short time so i swapped kernal for an up to date one (could have used older one) it solved problem.
Anyone feel free to correct explination im still learning too lol
linuxnubee said:
I have found that when i upgraded rom from gingerbread to ics that most custom kernals work with these roms ie now running with xxlpw ics (from gingerbread) with xwlp7 kernal. from what i have read on other posts and threads i could swap kernal to siya or any other as the mega good developers have made them (hotswappable) interchangeable as previous reply said swapping kernal might give you better battery or solve overheat probs.
Eg iwas running darkys rom with siya kernal v?something my phone rocketed temp in short time so i swapped kernal for an up to date one (could have used older one) it solved problem.
Anyone feel free to correct explination im still learning too lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll just point out this thread was dead since Sept 30 before you posted...

[Q] Unbranded 2.3 UK f/w?

Sorry for being a bit dumb, I used to be on XDA all the time when I had my x10 but that's some time ago now!
I want to flash an original unbranded uk 2.3 ROM on to my phone. No tweaks, rooting etc
Can someone please help me find one or link me to the relevant thread?
And once I've got the ROM what do I need to do? With the x10 it was a simple case of place the zip on the sd, boot into xrecovery and flash. Is it the same with the GS2?
Curious as to why you'd want to put a 2.3 GB rom on your phone ? Anyhoo, have a look at this thread. If you find links don't work, note the details of the firmware you want & search Samfirmware.com for it.
Want to install unbranded GB so I can get the official ICS update via Kies. That would work - right?
Yep. If you install 'correct' stock rom for your region it should give you the correct CSC for your country & you should be able to get Kies updates. If it doesn't work, you can always grab ICS stock roms from here/elsewhere & flash them manually.
psx612 said:
Want to install unbranded GB so I can get the official ICS update via Kies. That would work - right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a tad confused as there's so many ROMs to choose from!
I've installed Clockwork Mod, is it now just a case of find the correct ROM, stick it on the SD card and boot the phone in recovery?
Doubt you'll find many stock roms that are CWM flashable.
The majority (all ?) are Odin flashable, because people tend to go back to stock to either get a 'clean slate' they can then install custom roms/kernels over if they've had problems, or if they're sending the phone in for warranty service/replacement.
Right, so gotta work out how to use Odin....cheers!
So that means that custom ROMs can be flashed using CWM?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Many (most) custom roms are CWM flashable. Some also have Odin flashable versions.
That's what makes trying custom roms so easy, you backup your existing rom in CWM, flash the rom you want to try, if you don't like it you restore your backup & go back to your previous setup. All in a matter of minutes.
psx612 said:
Right, so gotta work out how to use Odin....cheers!
So that means that custom ROMs can be flashed using CWM?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As to the last post .
I have custom GB rom and want to try but not buy ICS custom rom .
Nandroid backup of full existing GB rom and all apps and settings via CWM recovery .
Flash ICS custom rom via CWM recovery test it make a nandroid backup also .
Boot CWM recovery and go back to the exact GB settup and i can even restore the ICS rom again .
jje

[Q] Flashing rom from Froyo

Hi, I successfully flashed my T-mobile Vibrant about twelve months ago to a custom 2.2 Froyo rom (Trigger 3.2 Final). It's a great rom and EVERYTHING works. However lately I've read rave things said about newer roms such as ICS passion. It's been a while and I'm still a noobie at this so my question is:
What is the easiest way to get to ICS passion from my current custom Froyo rom ? Thanks ~ Chris
hi,
Its very easy to get ICS running on your vibe. There may be various ways to proceed. I ll give you what I did (AFTER failing for 5-6 times )
Odin back to stock (It may be not necessary. But I started from the beginning which is better AFAIK )
Then stored ICS ROM (ICZen which in my case) and update.zip (CWM) on internal SD
then flashed GB Bootloaders (It also may/ may not necessary. But I did it b/c I already had many failed attempts)
Then flashed CM7 first
After that flashed ICS on top of it
Worked at last for me
NOTE: Please read relevant instructions provided by ROMs b/c flashing one may differ from flashing another.
You can find more information if you run into problems in my thread [SOLVED]Cannot install ICS ROM--please HELP
link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1752937
tc
Happy Flashing
You may just want to read this before flashing ICS. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1580902
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2
^^^ Truth
And I would suggest staying away from Passion. It is based on 4.0.3 and there was a pretty significant code upgread when ICS went to 4.0.4.
IIRC, Passion is the last ROM that still uses 4.0.3 and is probably why it is dead now (but for some reason lives in infamy on YouTube and Google Search).
Haarsh's way works just fine but here is another method as another option too.
Thanks
Thanks for the replies. This is why I subscribed to the forum.
mmm... I see a few pitfalls ahead.
Background info from me is that I can't use Odin on my Linux computer. Never really got into Heimdall. I flashed my first rom by downloading the rom zip file and put it on my phone's internal sd card then let clockwork do the rest, ie nandroid backup and flash the rom from the update zip. I'd like to do the same again.
Ok, it's my understanding that anything above 2.2 needs the GB bootloader so the first step is to install that over my Trigger rom. I think Trigger would still run with the GB bootloader at that stage. Next download an update zip of a rom of my choice, put it on my phone's sd, then flash it with Clockwork.
Seems to me that should work or am I missing something I wonder ?
You can flash the GB bootloader. Its backward compatible so it will work with any ROM currently available.
Download the .zip of the ROM you want, and any Gapps if applicable. Then just follow the instructions on page 1 of the ROM (OP).
The usual would be Wipe Data/Factory Reset, Clear Cache, Clear Dalvik. Flash ROM, flash Gapps, restart. The instructions will tell you all you need to know.
If something goes wrong, give us a shout. That's what we're here for.
help me plz
hi mate i know this is quite outdated maybe but im searching for Samsung T959 stock rom Froyo 2.2 that i search everywhere but didnt find. Can you help me for any link ?
or please suggest me someone.
Thanks in advance.
castan said:
Hi, I successfully flashed my T-mobile Vibrant about twelve months ago to a custom 2.2 Froyo rom (Trigger 3.2 Final). It's a great rom and EVERYTHING works. However lately I've read rave things said about newer roms such as ICS passion. It's been a while and I'm still a noobie at this so my question is:
What is the easiest way to get to ICS passion from my current custom Froyo rom ? Thanks ~ Chris
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