[Q] Noob taking the upgrade plunge ... - Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

But I'm a bit (really) confused about a lot of things regarding this process. I've been reading for a week now and barely getting anywhere.
So first, a little history.
I'm running a stock vibrant, Froyo.UVKB5, 2.6.32.9 kernel, never been rooted.
Now, one of the main reasons for my upgrade is the loss of wifi connectivity. For some reason I can no longer connect to most ISP's or WIFI hotspots, especially my own.
Now, here's the kicker; I don't have a data package on my service so I am dependent on wifi only. Now that I can't get wifi, I'm not sure if I can get all the files I need to do this upgrade. I'm hoping this upgrade will reconnect me to wifi.
Reading through the Wiki for rooting (http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S/SGH-T959), it says I am to use Superuser AND binary, is this correct?
I've found a boatload of Superuser files one the ClockworkMod ROM Manager website, ... which one do I use, there's no explanation?
And I understand I need to install SuperSU AFTER I have it rooted.?.
Regarding an updated OS, from the questions and remarks on this post (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1900763), I need both a kernel AND a rom? But other threads I've read say the kernel is in the ROM. Does this mean that CyanogenMod's CM7.2.0 is kernel only and doesn't get you anywhere?
Also from this thread, suggestions were made to upgrade to one kernel, then a rom, then to another kernel and rom, and finally to the kernel and rom the user wants. Why is this necessary?
I have many more questions but they branch off depending on answers to these fundamental questions here.
So, if there's anyone with enough patience and willing to hold my hand through this process, I would greatly appreciate it.
And I need to go cancel my monthly paid warranty fee on this old phone too.

ROMs typically include a kernel in their update zip. CyanogenMod is a ROM and as such includes our own kernel when you install it. Be aware of the 911 issues before upgrading your os to a custom rom.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

To install Clockworkmod, if you are using Android 2.2 Froyo, go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833423
Run the "3e_recovery_installer" from your computer with the phone connected and USB debugging mode enabled. Then boot into stock recovery (Hold VOL+ and VOL- and POWER with the phone off, release when you see the logo) and flash the "update.zip" twice. It will boot into a green CWM that temporarily exist until you turn off the phone, beware that this temp CWM only let you flash zips from your Vibrant internal storage, it will not recognize your microSD.
Note: If you are using Eclair 2.1, you should be able flash the update.zip directly without the "3e recovery installer".
You can either flash root from CWM, or download a rom like SlimBean and flash it directly. When you flash a custom rom, it will install a newer version of CWM first (because the older version of CWM will not be able to flash the rom) and the phone will reboot. Take off the battery and put it back, boot into recovery again to see the new version of CWM, then you can install the custom rom again fully this time. Generally you should do a "wipe data and cache" before installing a rom, but sometimes, you might also need to go to "mount and storage" and format the /system folder before you can flash a new rom successfully. This can help avoid system files from your old Android installation to exist and merge with the new rom installation. However, the /system folder is where most of the OS important files are locate so without it the phone won't boot, so you need to have a custom rom in the phone (or microSD) to flash after you format it.
That should pretty much cover most of it. If you ever run into problems you can always use ODIN to recover the phone to factory stock. In fact, if you want to stay with stock and just want your WiFi to get fixed, its probably better to simply do an ODIN recovery (or a factory reset) first, before looking at custom roms.
Most of what I just said is covered in this sticky: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=849028

Related

[Q] Options in the reboot menu

I have rooted my Vibrant using ROM Manager/Flash CWM Recovery. (I'm running 2.2, Kernel 2.6.32.9, Build FROYO.UVKA6.) I used this method because no matter what folder on the external or internal sd card I could not use the 'reinstall packages' option on the reboot screen. Now, I'm trying to place the Bionx or Nero ROMs on my phone, but can't get anything to install no matter what I do.
I don't think I anything wrong with the root because I kept getting the same 'E:signature verification failed Installation aborted' message everyone else seems to be getting. I'm wondering if Samsung/T-Mo didn't put anything in to prevent rooting and adding new ROMs.
I have rebooted my phone multiple times and have not gotten any results. Along with ROM Manager, I have Busybox installed.
Please feel free to ask questions for more details. I'm a noob to rooting, so I definitely allow for the fact that I might have screwed something up and will need to start over.
PN
PrimeNemesis said:
I have rooted my Vibrant using ROM Manager/Flash CWM Recovery. (I'm running 2.2, Kernel 2.6.32.9, Build FROYO.UVKA6.) I used this method because no matter what folder on the external or internal sd card I could not use the 'reinstall packages' option on the reboot screen. Now, I'm trying to place the Bionx or Nero ROMs on my phone, but can't get anything to install no matter what I do.
I don't think I anything wrong with the root because I kept getting the same 'E:signature verification failed Installation aborted' message everyone else seems to be getting. I'm wondering if Samsung/T-Mo didn't put anything in to prevent rooting and adding new ROMs.
I have rebooted my phone multiple times and have not gotten any results. Along with ROM Manager, I have Busybox installed.
Please feel free to ask questions for more details. I'm a noob to rooting, so I definitely allow for the fact that I might have screwed something up and will need to start over.
PN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is because you are now on 2.2. Samsung patched the exploit from 2.1 that allowed cwm recovery to be flashed. The best thing I can tell you to do since you have root would be to either
A) ODIN down to 2.1 ROM then root again, then install rom manager and from there you can install cwm recovery OR
B) Use this method I posted based on Supercurios voodoo kernels found here:
http://forums.t-mobile.com/t5/Samsung-Vibrant/on-steps-to-flash-Bionix-V-1-2/m-p/720803#M5807 (look for the answer marked solution - and because you have root skip ONLY that part and download the proper supercurio's zip not the tar).
Supercurio's vibrant kernels found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=870480
Do this before you try anything else, this is your quickest and least painful solution:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833423
Then:
When you boot into recovery and hit Reinstall Packages, the phone might reboot back into recovery, Reinstall Packages again and it will take you to the mod recovery, no more sig. verification.
Congrats!
Thanks.....
roumenjr and mavsfan.
I was able to get the root done. I took roumenjr's suggestion and it worked once I figured out that I was placing the ROMs in the wrong folder.
Now running Bionix Obsidian v2.
oooops..............

[Q] Some out of the way n00b questions.

Hi All,
Just got my S2 last week. Planning to move to CM7 this weekend. I have rooted the device and am on the Codeworkx kernel. I had a few questions:
1. Is there a problem while flashing via Odin if Debugging is not enabled (I think it is more of a OS feature which we haven't entered when in download mode, so shouldn't matter according to me.) ? I tried to disable debugging, and then went to download mode and Odin did detect the phone, but I did not try to flash anything so if anyone has tried that, your input is more than welcome.
2. The reason for above question is: What if I completely brick my phone (with debugging disabled) and no ROM .zip in the sd storage, how do I get the phone up and running ? I understand that I can flash kernels via Odin, but is it true for ROMs as well ?
3. What's the issue with ROM manager ? Is it recommended to stay away from it for S2 ? I have tried to do a Nandroid backup and it always takes me to the Android robot with a exclamation mark screen. Then I have to reboot and the backup magically restarts and completes successfully. Most people have suggested to use CWM recovery directly, so not sure if I should get rid of the ROM manager altogether.
That should be all for now. I have a jig ready by the way, so am not that worried about the process and plan to do a fair bit of reading before proceeding, however, the answers to above queries would be really great !
Thanks in advance,
Ish
I can answer some of your doubts.
I don't know if you can flash via odin in case you don't have the usb debuggin enabled so I'm not going to say anything about it.
Anyway if something happens to your phone and you dont have any ROM on your sd card but you have CWM recovery installed (which is almost everytime the case) then in CWM there is a mount usb stoage option. With it you can easily transfer .zip ROM files to flash, or even a nandroid backup you saved in your PC.
ABout ROM manager, this is what I suggest you. The first time you flash CM7 don't use ROM Manager (I even tried using it with the codeworkx kernel with no luck). Now, once you are in CM7 it works perfectly and it's really helpful to flash nightlies withouth wiping data (I flash half the nightlies as they are realeased). So the first time you flash CM7 wipe everything (do a nandroid backup first), even wipe /system, /data, cache partition, dalvik cache, so you don't have any problems. THen install zip from sd card and when it finish install the zip file again (just two installs in a row no wiping in beween, trust me, the first time I tried I didn't do that and couldn't boot the phone).
Hope it helps.
EDIT: You can flash stock ROM via odin, there is a thread by infratech were this is explained and you have a list of downloable stock ROMS you can flash with Odin, these are region and carrier specific and you probably will get the one for your carrier. I found the stock ROM for my carrier and I'm from chile, you shouldn't have any problems with that. Well, good luck, CM7 is by far the best ROM I've flashed.
Oh another thing, go for the latest nightly since the battery life is incredibly improved over the RC (or was it stable?) version.
Thanks !
tomascunill said:
Anyway if something happens to your phone and you dont have any ROM on your sd card but you have CWM recovery installed (which is almost everytime the case) then in CWM there is a mount usb stoage option. With it you can easily transfer .zip ROM files to flash, or even a nandroid backup you saved in your PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome ! This is exactly what I was looking for. I haven't dived into all the options of the CWM, so didn't know that this feature existed.
Also, many thanks for explaining most of the things in a single concise post, it was very helpful. I'll have to check the ROM flash with Odin, so I will search for that thread and have a go through it later today.
Once I get a hang of CM7, I'll go in for the nightlies as well. And yes, I did read about the CM7 guys revert the status to an RC because of the bugs reported, so will give it a try once I definitely know what I'm getting into .
Thanks again,
Ish.
cheemais said:
Awesome ! This is exactly what I was looking for. I haven't dived into all the options of the CWM, so didn't know that this feature existed.
Also, many thanks for explaining most of the things in a single concise post, it was very helpful. I'll have to check the ROM flash with Odin, so I will search for that thread and have a go through it later today.
Once I get a hang of CM7, I'll go in for the nightlies as well. And yes, I did read about the CM7 guys revert the status to an RC because of the bugs reported, so will give it a try once I definitely know what I'm getting into .
Thanks again,
Ish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well good luck! Tell me if you get any problem.

WiFi Help

So I was using the BeastMod ROM for a while and decided to go back and do a recovery and use the stock ROM for a while. I got everything all going back to normal with the stock ROM and got a notification about the T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling update that was available. I downloaded the update and then proceeded to install the update. When the phone reboots it pops to the Android and Triangle screen and does nothing.
Any ideas what to do to get this installed?
CStites said:
So I was using the BeastMod ROM for a while and decided to go back and do a recovery and use the stock ROM for a while. I got everything all going back to normal with the stock ROM and got a notification about the T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling update that was available. I downloaded the update and then proceeded to install the update. When the phone reboots it pops to the Android and Triangle screen and does nothing.
Any ideas what to do to get this installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have the stock recovery installed?
You'll probably lose root by installing this update. Just so you know.
I installed the stock recovery, went through the set up of the phone like it was brand new and got a prompt to download. Downloaded, and went through install only to come up with the triangle screen upon reboot of phone. I have to pull battery and restart phone.
I realize that it is possible that losing Root is there. I am just having issues with the operation of the phone and want to run stock. I don't mind sense, my only complaint and only initial want for a new ROM was to get rid of the bloatware.
I have not followed up with the ROM and their development in the last two months or so, so do not where there are and the stability of them. I want something that isn't going to take me all day to install on my phone by trying to figure out how to install it and flashing of kernals and other things. I'd prefer to be able to download to and SD card and install the zip through recovery and that be it. Not sure if that is possible.
CStites said:
I installed the stock recovery, went through the set up of the phone like it was brand new and got a prompt to download. Downloaded, and went through install only to come up with the triangle screen upon reboot of phone. I have to pull battery and restart phone.
I realize that it is possible that losing Root is there. I am just having issues with the operation of the phone and want to run stock. I don't mind sense, my only complaint and only initial want for a new ROM was to get rid of the bloatware.
I have not followed up with the ROM and their development in the last two months or so, so do not where there are and the stability of them. I want something that isn't going to take me all day to install on my phone by trying to figure out how to install it and flashing of kernals and other things. I'd prefer to be able to download to and SD card and install the zip through recovery and that be it. Not sure if that is possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you flashed CWM recovery, you are very much can flash Rom and theme from recovery by downloading onto your sdcard - as you so wished - with the exception of Faux's kernal
'Til now, we only have 2 kernel: Stock and Faux's and very much all the Roms are based on stock kernel, so, if you referred to avoid the hassle of using your PC - then stay with stock. You'll only need to flash it once and after that, either upgrading or changing a new rom (stock kernel based) you won't have to flash it again .
Exceptions are:
Beside one or two Roms that featured Faux's kernel (can't recalled exactly but very few - read the first post of your would-be Rom), other than that you will have to pay attention to Xboarder latest Rom - the BulletProof. It's latest version (2.2.0) feature Faux's kernel whereas older version based on stock, so, if you flash older BulletProof Version (2.1.0 and backward) you are worry-free to switches from many Roms without being near your PC to flashing kernel.
I'm strongly encouraged you to go ahead and try some Rom, they are very stable and fast. Battery hog is the thing of the past IMHO

[Q] Can't factory reset Transformer Prime

Alright, after bricking my phone yesterday and spending hours finally unbricking it, I've decided that I'm just not quite ready to play around with ROMs on the Transformer Prime. At least, not until they get a little more stable.
However, I'm finding myself unable to get my Prime back to stock ICS...
What I'm currently running is a Cyanogenmod 9 nightly build from 3/4/12. Through Rom Manager I was able to install the latest CWM (5.8.2.0) BEFORE the whole bricking incident. Now I can't even get my WiFi turned on...so I suppose any further changes via Rom Manager are halted.
Anyway, I used Vipermod's tool and was able to unroot successfully. I then went into settings and attempted to perform a factory reset. However, my tablet booted up with the same, Cyanogenmod boot screen and brought me back without any changes.
So then I tried using ADB....plugging my Prime in and typing "adb reboot recovery". But I get the message "adb server is out of date. killing..." then on the next line * daemon started successfully *. My device resets...but same thing...cyanogenmod...no CWM...no changes.
I thought maybe ADB wasn't working because I had unrooted. So I re-rooted, again using Vipermod. I see superuser again now...but ADB reboot recovery is still not working.
So now I'm stuck... I seemingly can't perform a factory reset with my build of cyanogenmod, and I can't find any way of getting back to recovery (I've tried selecting recovery reboot after pushing the power button, tried selecting recovery from within Rom Manager and tried with ADB...all failed). Again, all I want to do is factory reset, and get my stock ICS back. Can anyone please help me out?
You won't get back a total stock ICS easily
You can't use Factory reset after unlocking the Prime and installing CWM
adb reboot recovery does not work
The only way to reboot to recovery is via holding down Vol_Down on boot and then pressing Vol_Up
non working wifi is because you have a wrong kernel
you can't boot to recovery because it's most likely wiped
Try installing CWM from Rom Manager again, if that does not work follow the guide in the dev section to flash another CWM version manually.
Then reboot to recovery and flash another ROM.
Make sure the ROM contains a new kernel, so your Wifi is working again.
Diamondback said:
You won't get back a total stock ICS easily
You can't use Factory reset after unlocking the Prime and installing CWM
adb reboot recovery does not work
The only way to reboot to recovery is via holding down Vol_Down on boot and then pressing Vol_Up
non working wifi is because you have a wrong kernel
you can't boot to recovery because it's most likely wiped
Try installing CWM from Rom Manager again, if that does not work follow the guide in the dev section to flash another CWM version manually.
Then reboot to recovery and flash another ROM.
Make sure the ROM contains a new kernel, so your Wifi is working again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again Diamondback!
To clarify, I don't really need stock ICS. What I need is a working ROM with Android Market (Google Play, WTF?), WiFi, a web browser...all that. I've heard that Virtuous is good, so I'll probably go that direction.
But more importantly, I need a way to install it, and the only way I know how to do that is a) using Rom Manager (which apparently doesn't work with the Prime at the moment), or b) doing it through CWM (which isn't working for me at the moment either).
As far as your suggestions go, I can't use Rom Manager to install CWM again, because my WiFi isn't working. However, I have found instructions online for flashing CWM manually, but it involves installing fastboot, and doing something with a "blob". I don't know what a blob is, but in your unbricking post, you specifically state:
Do not, I repeat, do not try to flash a stock ASUS ROM/blob file.
Doing this you will most likely hard brick your Prime.
I'm not sure if that applies in this case, but the last thing I want to do is brick my device again.
This is the post I'm referring to:
http://www.theandroidsoul.com/install-cwm-5-8-2-0-on-transformer-prime/
Can you advise whether this method is safe, or point me in the direction of a safer method for flashing CWM manually?
Thanks!
scaryslocuda said:
Thanks again Diamondback!
To clarify, I don't really need stock ICS. What I need is a working ROM with Android Market (Google Play, WTF?), WiFi, a web browser...all that. I've heard that Virtuous is good, so I'll probably go that direction.
But more importantly, I need a way to install it, and the only way I know how to do that is a) using Rom Manager (which apparently doesn't work with the Prime at the moment), or b) doing it through CWM (which isn't working for me at the moment either).
As far as your suggestions go, I can't use Rom Manager to install CWM again, because my WiFi isn't working. However, I have found instructions online for flashing CWM manually, but it involves installing fastboot, and doing something with a "blob". I don't know what a blob is, but in your unbricking post, you specifically state:
Do not, I repeat, do not try to flash a stock ASUS ROM/blob file.
Doing this you will most likely hard brick your Prime.
I'm not sure if that applies in this case, but the last thing I want to do is brick my device again.
This is the post I'm referring to:
http://www.theandroidsoul.com/install-cwm-5-8-2-0-on-transformer-prime/
Can you advise whether this method is safe, or point me in the direction of a safer method for flashing CWM manually?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My warning only applies to STOCK blobs (like the ones in the official asus updates from their website).
The guide you posted seems to be fine.
Great! I'll give it a shot tonight.
One last thing... If I find that Virtuous isn't the best fit for me, would you advise AGAINST installing the stock firmware posted over at Android Soul? Is this what you would consider a "stock blob" or is this something different? Here is the link:
http://www.theandroidsoul.com/trans...h-cwm-recovery-on-unlocked-bootloader-primes/
That's a zip, not a blob, you can flash that
Diamondback said:
That's a zip, not a blob, you can flash that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked perfectly! Thanks so much for your help Diamondback...again!

Bootloader

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab S LTE (SM-T805). When I do "adb recovery" or when I do "power+vol up" it boots into a "revovery" which says
Android system recovery <3e>
LRX22G.T805XXU1B0D1
etc
I would like to know,
1) is this part of the original/stock Samsung firmware/software, or is it something that was downloaded on the tablet by the previous owner? (I bought the tablet second hand)
2) do I need to install another bootloader if I wanted to install another ROM or is this good enough?
3) could someone please tell me how to install another bootloader?
Many thanks
1) 3e is the stock recovery.
2) You should not need a new bootloader if you are using roms based on the same firmware - LRX22G or similar
a) If you need a new bootloader, it will be mentioned by the developer of the rom you are using.
3) I believe what you are actually looking for is a custom recovery - this is needed to install roms that are not signed directly by Samsung.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/development/root-cf-autoroot-twrp-t800-t3079488
thanks. Another couple of qiestions please:
1) I have installed TWRP and it works really nicely. Is there a way to go back to the "official" stock recovery? Where would I get it from?
2) I have also installed and tried different ROMs, like liquid-something, ice-something, ironman-somethhing. Does this mean that my tablet now "remembers" that it has been hacked somehow?
3) I forgot to backup the stock ROM, before I installed other custom ones. Where could I get the stock ROM from? I have looked for it but I cannot really get my hands on it.
Many thanks
Zilliman said:
thanks. Another couple of qiestions please:
1) I have installed TWRP and it works really nicely. Is there a way to go back to the "official" stock recovery? Where would I get it from?
2) I have also installed and tried different ROMs, like liquid-something, ice-something, ironman-somethhing. Does this mean that my tablet now "remembers" that it has been hacked somehow?
3) I forgot to backup the stock ROM, before I installed other custom ones. Where could I get the stock ROM from? I have looked for it but I cannot really get my hands on it.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Sometimes developers will provide a link to the stock recovery, but I did not see one when glancing around the forums. If you use the method mentioned in step 3, then you will be back on the stock recovery.
2) No. As long as you wipe /system, /data, /cache, and /dalvik cache then nothing important will be left from any previous rom flash. (Some roms will leave folders on your internal SD card that you can delete manually).
3) You'll find the stock rom here. This would need to be done in Download Mode with Odin. This will overwrite everything on the tablet and be like it was brand new. http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/general/samsung-lollipop-range-tab-s-t3021612
es0tericcha0s said:
1) Sometimes developers will provide a link to the stock recovery, but I did not see one when glancing around the forums. If you use the method mentioned in step 3, then you will be back on the stock recovery.
2) No. As long as you wipe /system, /data, /cache, and /dalvik cache then nothing important will be left from any previous rom flash. (Some roms will leave folders on your internal SD card that you can delete manually).
3) You'll find the stock rom here. This would need to be done in Download Mode with Odin. This will overwrite everything on the tablet and be like it was brand new. http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/general/samsung-lollipop-range-tab-s-t3021612
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, many thanks.
The link you provided further directs you to some weird paid-for download sites, could not get anywhere with them. I would not mind paying say 10p for a one-off file download, but they want you to pay monthly etc, seriously...
However, for UK generic ROM, I got this file "SEE-T805XXU1BOD1-20150511102748.zip" which I got off some Russian or something web site, it was uploaded to Google Drive, so it was easy to download.
A serious issue I have discovered, and am not sure what the right steps are, is when installing TWRP, the installation seems not to "catch", so after the upload you still have the old bootloader. The way I got that to work was to uncheck the "reboot" flag in Odin, waited until the download was complete, and then after a while manually switched the phone off (I think it is menu+vol down+power) and then switched on again using menu+vol up+power and that got me into TWRP at last.
Anyway now it seems I am back to the stock ROM, and stock bootloader, and as you said, if I ever returned the tablet for a service they would not be able to tell that I had flashed other ROMs?

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