Recovering to Stock after trying ROMs - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm struggling with the battery life on my S3 and as a last resort have decided to investigate an alternative ROM/kernel. My question is: if I do an Nandroid backup of my current stock ROM (which I have rooted), does it include the kernel? i.e. if I want to get back to EXACTLY the same state if other ROMs and kernels aren't stable can I do this by restoring my Nandroid backup?

Yes it does include the kernel, and everything else.

However its not exactly stock as it has a rooted kernel >> flash stock kernel if required .
jje

Related

[Q] Question about flashing a froyo rom

I am currently running bionix fusion which i know is an eclair rom however i want to flash obsidian, my question was can i flash a froyo rom just as i would any other rom or do i have to install a kernel for 2.2 and when going back to a 2.1 rom do i have to do anything? Sorry if my question is confusing...
Flash it like anything else (depending on the rom), instructions should be in the first post, most flash just like any other rom.
In going from 2.1 to 2.2, you can use CWR to flash the new ROM. The ROMs come with the kernels. But you will want to be sure to follow the install instructions of the ROM you've selected.
Now, if you should decide to go from 2.2 back to 2.1, you will need to flash a 2.1 ROM first. If all if you is a Nandroid recovery without flashing a 2.1 ROM first, you'll have to introduce yourself to ODIN.
so i should be good if say i go from obsidian to bionix as long as i dont do a nandroid backup first thanks for the quick reply by the way
reyese24 said:
so i should be good if say i go from obsidian to bionix as long as i dont do a nandroid backup first thanks for the quick reply by the way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The key word there is *should*.
From what I can tell, if you do a nandroid backup & restore, you want that to be to the same version of the OS. So, you probably don't want to do a backup from a 2.2 ROM and then recover to a 2.1 ROM, or visa-versa. No harm in doing the backup, however. The thing to avoid is the recovery into the wrong ROM.
As long as you flash a ROM that includes the kernel, you *should* be fine. That said, it is possible that something could go wrong, in which case having ODIN around can save you. (It took me several hours to figure out how to get the right drivers to connect my PC to my phone using ODIN. But once I figured that out, flashing JFD on the phone takes only a few minutes. But I don't flash "in the field", only at home - so if something goes wrong, I'm in a position to repair it).
EDIT: I'm not sure why you'd want to go from a 2.2 ROM back to 2.1 if you've already ventured into the custom ROM world. If you're not happy with the Obsidian performance, you might try Onyx or another ROM, like Axura.
ScratchSF said:
The key word there is *should*.
From what I can tell, if you do a nandroid backup & restore, you want that to be to the same version of the OS. So, you probably don't want to do a backup from a 2.2 ROM and then recover to a 2.1 ROM, or visa-versa. No harm in doing the backup, however. The thing to avoid is the recovery into the wrong ROM.
As long as you flash a ROM that includes the kernel, you *should* be fine. That said, it is possible that something could go wrong, in which case having ODIN around can save you. (It took me several hours to figure out how to get the right drivers to connect my PC to my phone using ODIN. But once I figured that out, flashing JFD on the phone takes only a few minutes. But I don't flash "in the field", only at home - so if something goes wrong, I'm in a position to repair it).
EDIT: I'm not sure why you'd want to go from a 2.2 ROM back to 2.1 if you've already ventured into the custom ROM world. If you're not happy with the Obsidian performance, you might try Onyx or another ROM, like Axura.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to summarize, followed by a question of my own.
Correct me if any of this is wrong. These are the points I gathered from reading this thread.
-Ok Nandroid backup is a program which can be used to backup and at a later time restore your stock firmware, i.e. stock 2.1.
-Backing up your current 2.1 ROM is safe, restoring might get you in trouble if you don't have the correct 2.1 kernal to match.
-Any of the popular 2.2 ROMS (Axura, Macnut, Obsidian) all come with the 2.2 kernal coupled.
-Downgrading from a 2.2 ROM, and restoring your Nandroid Backup of 2.1 can get you into trouble, unless you install a 2.1 ROM first which would restore a 2.1 Kernal at the same time.
Now my question is this. How do you backup not only your 2.1 stock ROM, but your stock kernal also? If you decide you don't like custom 2.2 ROMS and want to go back down to your stock 2.1 rom and kernal, how can you avoid having to install another custom 2.1 ROM with kernal, just to be able to put your restore 2.1 back. Confusing question I know, but basically, how can you just go from a custom 2.2 rom/kernal back to your own stock restore of 2.1(ROM and Kernal), will Nandroid backup the kernal also?
SamsungVibrant said:
-Ok Nandroid backup is a program which can be used to backup and at a later time restore your stock firmware, i.e. stock 2.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nandroid is the backup/restore component of the ClockworkMod's ROM Manager app. You can use it on any version of the ROM, not only the stock 2.1 version.
SamsungVibrant said:
-Backing up your current 2.1 ROM is safe, restoring might get you in trouble if you don't have the correct 2.1 kernal to match.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backups are safe. And restoring can get you into trouble if you don't restore to the same version of the OS (more specifically, the kernal, as you've indicated) that you made your backup from.
SamsungVibrant said:
-Any of the popular 2.2 ROMS (Axura, Macnut, Obsidian) all come with the 2.2 kernal coupled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For this, you have to read the notes for each build. Yes, as a general rule, the latest works are on 2.2 (which means they come with a 2.2 kernal of some kind).
SamsungVibrant said:
-Downgrading from a 2.2 ROM, and restoring your Nandroid Backup of 2.1 can get you into trouble, unless you install a 2.1 ROM first which would restore a 2.1 Kernal at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. My trick is that if I flash ROMs, I don't do worry about nandroid. If I'm trying to customize my current ROM, then that's where I do a nandroid. But you have to do what works best for you.
SamsungVibrant said:
Now my question is this. How do you backup not only your 2.1 stock ROM, but your stock kernal also? If you decide you don't like custom 2.2 ROMS and want to go back down to your stock 2.1 rom and kernal, how can you avoid having to install another custom 2.1 ROM with kernal, just to be able to put your restore 2.1 back. Confusing question I know, but basically, how can you just go from a custom 2.2 rom/kernal back to your own stock restore of 2.1(ROM and Kernal), will Nandroid backup the kernal also?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question. I've never backed up the kernal. I only flash ones that others have provided. I'll leave that question for people smarter that me to answer. ;-)
ScratchSF said:
Good question. I've never backed up the kernal. I only flash ones that others have provided. I'll leave that question for people smarter that me to answer. ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the info, anyone know the answer to that last question?
you flash the kernel first and then you restore nandroid for the system that ran on that kernel.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible if you brick your phone
EDIT: don't forget the radio/modem as well, it is not being backed up by NANDROID.
reyese24 said:
I am currently running bionix fusion which i know is an eclair rom however i want to flash obsidian, my question was can i flash a froyo rom just as i would any other rom or do i have to install a kernel for 2.2 and when going back to a 2.1 rom do i have to do anything? Sorry if my question is confusing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if it was said AND I'm not 100% sure on this but I believe bionix (and a few others) include the kernals in there roms.
and im pretty sure you can just flash over the original fusion you were using and it will also install there kernals.
or you can scope out the bible in the development section to find a kernal.
umm ok so how do you backup your stock kernal, radio and modem?
lqaddict said:
you flash the kernel first and then you restore nandroid for the system that ran on that kernel.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible if you brick your phone
EDIT: don't forget the radio/modem as well, it is not being backed up by NANDROID.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if Nandroid can be used to backup your stock ROM. Then how do you backup your stock kernal, radio, and modem?

[Q] Using Custom ROM, Restoring a Stock based Nandroid Backup

My question:
Is it ok to recover a Nandroid backup that was created on a "Stock Samsung" ROM (meaning right out of the box) while you are currently running a Custom ROM? Or do you have to flash a Stock ROM first?
Same question goes for vice-versa.
Here are the details and why I am asking.
I searched and found an answer, but the poster was not 100% sure.
I have a stock 2.2-based Nandroid backup.
I flashed Biffmod ROM.
I realized I wanted to make a backup of one of my apps from my stock environment.
So, I recovered my stock 2.2 nandroid backup.
Recovery failed in the middle, and "soft-bricked" my phone. << this is why I am asking
I don't know if that is the correct term, but it wouldn't get past vibrant screen and couldn't get into recovery mode.
Incase you're curious, I was able to get into download mode just fine so no actual Bricking here.
Khoaker said:
My question:
Is it ok to recover a Nandroid backup that was created on a "Stock Samsung" ROM (meaning right out of the box) while you are currently running a Custom ROM? Or do you have to flash a Stock ROM first?
Same question goes for vice-versa.
Here are the details and why I am asking.
I searched and found an answer, but the poster was not 100% sure.
I have a stock 2.2-based Nandroid backup.
I flashed Biffmod ROM.
I realized I wanted to make a backup of one of my apps from my stock environment.
So, I recovered my stock 2.2 nandroid backup.
Recovery failed in the middle, and "soft-bricked" my phone. << this is why I am asking
I don't know if that is the correct term, but it wouldn't get past vibrant screen and couldn't get into recovery mode.
Incase you're curious, I was able to get into download mode just fine so no actual Bricking here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should be able to
im guessing it 'didnt work' because nandoird doesnt back up the kernel i dont think so you'll need to flash a compatible kernel seperatly after for the rom you backed up
You need to odin back to stock when coming back from a CM based (biff mod). I would suggest odining this JK2 rom.
http://eb-productions.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=samsungsgs&action=display&thread=3
This is 2.2 based and already comes prerooted and has busybox. Then restore your nandroid.
Sent from my GingerZen Vibrant using XDA Premium App

Galaxy S 2 - Rooting Questions

I am currently learning and experimenting with rooting, custom roms etc.
Wondered if someone that knows more than me can help me with a few questions I have?
I have rooted my GS2 using CF Root XWKI8 kernel on Odin. I have full root access now and I have made a backup of my factory ROM which is Three firmware.
The questions I have are:
1) How do I remove root access if I need to? Would that be by putting the original kernel back on?
2) Some people have said you can remove the yellow warning triangle by re-loading the original kernel but would that remove the root access if this is how you unroot a CF rooted phone?
3) I am thinking about loading CM7 on the phone using clockword mod. When you load up a new firmware does it have its own kernel that is then put on the phone?
4) If after loading up CM7 onto the phone I then decide to restore the original Three firmware using clockwork mod, what kernel would go back onto the phone? Would it be the CF rooted kernel as that would have been the current kernel when I performed the backup?
Its important to me that I understand everything completely before I play about anymore!
Many Thanks
Dave
1) You can flash a Stock Kernel with Odin to remove root.
2) To remove the yellow warning you first flash a rooted kernel (such as CF-Root), then you flash a Stock Kernel and when it reboots, you use CWM Manager to flash the image kernel from there. That way you keep root and CWM, but the yellow warning doesn't appear any more.
3) Many ROMs have their custom kernel in the same package, so it will overwrite your current kernel. All custom ROMs have a rooted kernel, so despite changing the kernel, you will still have root and CWM.
4) If you did a nandroid backup, you could restore the kernel from which the nandroid was done. If you don't have a nandroid backup, you can flash a Stock ROM to leave the phone as you bought it.
Many thanks for your help.
As I first of all rooted my phone using a CF Root kernel and then did a nandroid backup in clockwork mod of the Three firmware. Would the backup now include the CF Root kernel when I restore from CM7 back to Three firmware or would the original kernel still reside within my Three backup and be restored instead?
If you have the European Galaxy S II (I9100) can you use the CM7 stable build thats on the official CM website or do we need to find one within the dev section here? Anyone know please?
@DJGREEN1980: Since you've done your nandroid backup with CF-Root, when you restore it you will have CF-Root again. If you want to revert CM7 to Stock you can directly flash a Stock ROM, instead of restoring your nandroid backup.
@mikeDCMDVA: There are only 2 versions of CM7 for SGS2. One is for AT&T mobiles and the other is for the rest, so you should be able to flash this last one on your phone. If you have further questions about CM7 I would suggest you post them on CM7 post on XDA or CM7 forum, since CM7 users would surelly have more knowledge than me about that.
Do you know where I would get the stock rom from? My phone is locked and branded with Three firmware.
Thanks for your help
There's a post with all stock ROMs up to date here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Brilliant. Thanks. So restoring to the latest Three rom XWKI8 would bring the warranty back for the phone after using a custom rom?
Dave
DJGREEN1980 said:
Brilliant. Thanks. So restoring to the latest Three rom XWKI8 would bring the warranty back for the phone after using a custom rom?
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not that it will bring the warranty back, its more that you could send it to Samsung Support without them noticing you've used a custom ROM. I recently send my HTC Desire to HTC support reverting it to a Stock ROM without problems.
AzureusPT said:
Its not that it will bring the warranty back, its more that you could send it to Samsung Support without them noticing you've used a custom ROM. I recently send my HTC Desire to HTC support reverting it to a Stock ROM without problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unless u reset the binary counter how will this work ??? of course buy a jig from ebay which im sure he forgot to mention

Restoring to Stock from CM10 (Whats the Final Word?)

Hey guys,
Wanted to get a sure answer.
Whats the safest way to restore back to the stock firmware fro CM10 (or any rom in general).
There are two answers that i seem to have come across.
Answer 1:
Just download the stock firmware. Extract tar. Load onto PDA, check auto reset the flash reset and then start. Boom done! Everything reverts to stock, modem, firmware, kernel, etc.
Answer 2:
YOU MUST first flash stock kernel. So flash that first via odin then open odin again and flash the rom. If you don't flash the stock kernel first and then just flash the stock firmware, you'll have some issues.
As you can see, both are a bit contradicting. Whats the right method?
You missed one.
Make a nandroid of your stock ROM. then once you're done checking out CM or whatever else, just restore that. A lot less headache.
Docavelli said:
You missed one.
Make a nandroid of your stock ROM. then once you're done checking out CM or whatever else, just restore that. A lot less headache.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, nandroid is much much faster. In fact I went to lunch today and restored my CM10 nandroid to show a friend. 10 minutes later I was back to my Samsung ROM. Its much easier than flashing stock, then re-rooting, then loading all your apps and data back on.
I had heard that nandroid restores between stock/CM9/CM10 were causing bugs, or something of the sort.
If it really is working that easily, I might have to give these CM9/CM10 builds a try. I just didn't want to play around with it for a bit and then be forced to set up my stock configuration all again, because I do have a need for a certain level of stability.
Edit: Ah, I was thinking of our Verizon version however. I think it might require an Odin flash back to stock, then you can restore a stock nandroid backup.
While I can't guarantee you won't have problems, I can say that I haven't had any issues while restoring nandroids.
*your experience may differ.
XDA Mobile
What version of CWM or TWRP is working fine for nandroid backup and restore, specially for Tmo version?
Sent from my SGH-T999

Back up operator firmware and kernel

Hello,
i've reading a lot about all methods of flashing kernels via Odin and flashing new ROM's. I've my N7 rooted and running custom ROM and experienced several ROMs and kernels with my old Galaxy Ace.
Saying this. I've been searching around about ways of backing up the exact image of my stock ROM with operator logos at the beginning and everything like it came from factory since I would not be able to turn it back to warranty service if it doesn't run original stock ROM, which is not in the net -i've searched and have found nothing-.
If I flash let's say: Siyah kernel to avoid risk of bricking from 4.0.4 then root and create a nandroid backup image and then after running some ROMs I decide to run back to nandroid backup, the kernel that I would have had it would be siyah kernel with operator firmware, right?
Any idea, hint or advice would be strongly appreciated.
esponges said:
Hello,
i've reading a lot about all methods of flashing kernels via Odin and flashing new ROM's. I've my N7 rooted and running custom ROM and experienced several ROMs and kernels with my old Galaxy Ace.
Saying this. I've been searching around about ways of backing up the exact image of my stock ROM with operator logos at the beginning and everything like it came from factory since I would not be able to turn it back to warranty service if it doesn't run original stock ROM, which is not in the net -i've searched and have found nothing-.
If I flash let's say: Siyah kernel to avoid risk of bricking from 4.0.4 then root and create a nandroid backup image and then after running some ROMs I decide to run back to nandroid backup, the kernel that I would have had it would be siyah kernel with operator firmware, right?
Any idea, hint or advice would be strongly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to return to a stock rom, just flash it with Odin (roms are on www.sammobile.com and also here on xda). There are also ways to reset your flash counter. That would be all.
To answer your question: if you root your device with Siyah and you make a Nandroid back up, yes, your device will be running the stock rom with the Siyah kernel if you restore this after trying other roms/kernels.
Sent from the Matrix
Donnie Sins said:
If you want to return to a stock rom, just flash it with Odin (roms are on www.sammobile.com and also here on xda). There are also ways to reset your flash counter. That would be all.
To answer your question: if you root your device with Siyah and you make a Nandroid back up, yes, your device will be running the stock rom with the Siyah kernel if you restore this after trying other roms/kernels.
Sent from the Matrix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply, but in Samfirmware the firmware for my mobile company it's not uploaded so I would not be able to run back to original kernel. That's why I need to know if there's a way to backup the kernel or not losing in order to get cwm.
Cheers
I have found what it looks to be a free stock rom for my country running the same kernel than my mobile company kernel. Is it a way to just install the kernel from the file that samfirmware.com provides? My plan is to run the nandroid backup with my original stock rom with custom kernel <whatever name> then just flash the original kernel taken from the stock rom provided by samfirmware.com .

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