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Hello guys. I'm new to smartphones and Vibrant is my first. I bought one off ebay for $240 and it has Android version 2.1-update1 installed on it. I would like to know if you guys recommend that I ungrade it to Froyo or above. I've heard some bad things about Froyo and wouldnt like to regret doing the update. I've already backed up all apps on the phone. Just need your professional opinion on this matter. Thank you.
Well welcome to the world of the samsung Vibrant, lol, well obviously froyo us the best and You should upgrade and if you want, You should root your device and learn to put a "ROM" on ur phone like the ones below, and FYI, since u posted this in the wrong place, your gonna get flamed, next time post in vibrant Q and A.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Nabeel10 said:
Well welcome to the world of the samsung Vibrant, lol, well obviously froyo us the best and You should upgrade and if you want, You should root your device and learn to put a "ROM" on ur phone like the ones below, and FYI, since u posted this in the wrong place, your gonna get flamed, next time post in vibrant Q and A.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive already rooted the phone and unlocked it. How do I set the ROM? What is ROM?
mbison83 said:
Ive already rooted the phone and unlocked it. How do I set the ROM? What is ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A ROM is pretty much your OS. All these Froyo ROMs are really good, just know how to flash properly. I STRONGLY suggest you:
1) Consistently backup all your apps with "Titanium Backup" and google, AND make a copy of all your data on your computer.
2) READ, I suggest you read the Bible (it's Stickied at the top) and LEARN before you do ANYTHING.
3) And lastly, when you mess up, as EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE has, you will need to know how to revert back to STOCK firmware.
Keep this link close, it will save your neck:
http://androidspin.com/2010/08/09/how-to-restore-or-recover-your-samsung-vibrant/
check out the rom vibrant bible thread all ur answers will be ther enjoy, oh and yes upgrade to froyo
bobbbb said:
A ROM is pretty much your OS. All these Froyo ROMs are really good, just know how to flash properly. I STRONGLY suggest you:
1) Consistently backup all your apps with "Titanium Backup" and google, AND make a copy of all your data on your computer.
2) READ, I suggest you read the Bible (it's Stickied at the top) and LEARN before you do ANYTHING.
3) And lastly, when you mess up, as EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE has, you will need to know how to revert back to STOCK firmware.
Keep this link close, it will save your neck:
http://androidspin.com/2010/08/09/how-to-restore-or-recover-your-samsung-vibrant/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For some reason Titanium Backup does not work for me. When I run it I get 0 as a number of apps installed and when I click backup all apps and system files it immediately says backup completed. I've been using the Flii Backup. Is that okay? How do I copy all the stuff to my PC? Thank you for all the info.
Also, should I go with the 2.3 Gingerbread version instead?
mbison83 said:
For some reason Titanium Backup does not work for me. When I run it I get 0 as a number of apps installed and when I click backup all apps and system files it immediately says backup completed. I've been using the Flii Backup. Is that okay? How do I copy all the stuff to my PC? Thank you for all the info.
Also, should I go with the 2.3 Gingerbread version instead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when you open Titanium Backup, does it say that it has been granted SU permissions?
If it does, then we're good so far. I've had that happen when I first used TiB on my hubby's phone. The way I got over that was to hit the menu button and select "Batch". You should now be on the Batch Backup/Restore - ALL page. From there, I selected RUN for "Backup all user apps + system data". That should force TiB to go ahead and make the backups.
Now, as for copying the files over onto your PC, just use plug in your USB cable and connect it to your PC. Your phone should emit a little tone or vibrate after this (or at least mine does but it's been a long time since I've used stock). From there, slide down your notifications bar (slide your finger from the top of the screen to the bottom of it) and you should see a note telling you that your USB is connected and if you hit that, it will ask you if you would like to mount your SD card (or something similar to that). Select "yes" and your PC will ask you if you want to open these "drives". Select "yes" again and now you will be able to explore the files on your phone the same way you'd do it on your PC.
As for the whole copy+paste thing, the files work the same as if you're copying files around your PC. Generally, I keep multiple backups on my PC, so it might be a smart idea to label your Titanium Backup file with name or date (ie: Titanium Backup - Stock JFD or Titanium Backup - ROMname blahKernel).
Afaik, we don't have a stable Gingerbread ROM yet but I think our devs are getting pretty close. However, we have several stable Froyo ROMs available in the Android Dev section.
Oniyuri said:
when you open Titanium Backup, does it say that it has been granted SU permissions?
If it does, then we're good so far. I've had that happen when I first used TiB on my hubby's phone. The way I got over that was to hit the menu button and select "Batch". You should now be on the Batch Backup/Restore - ALL page. From there, I selected RUN for "Backup all user apps + system data". That should force TiB to go ahead and make the backups.
Now, as for copying the files over onto your PC, just use plug in your USB cable and connect it to your PC. Your phone should emit a little tone or vibrate after this (or at least mine does but it's been a long time since I've used stock). From there, slide down your notifications bar (slide your finger from the top of the screen to the bottom of it) and you should see a note telling you that your USB is connected and if you hit that, it will ask you if you would like to mount your SD card (or something similar to that). Select "yes" and your PC will ask you if you want to open these "drives". Select "yes" again and now you will be able to explore the files on your phone the same way you'd do it on your PC.
As for the whole copy+paste thing, the files work the same as if you're copying files around your PC. Generally, I keep multiple backups on my PC, so it might be a smart idea to label your Titanium Backup file with name or date (ie: Titanium Backup - Stock JFD or Titanium Backup - ROMname blahKernel).
Afaik, we don't have a stable Gingerbread ROM yet but I think our devs are getting pretty close. However, we have several stable Froyo ROMs available in the Android Dev section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It seems to work now. I've used the Clockwork Recovery app and did backup through it. Would that be enough? Where is the Android Dev section? What do I do next? Thank you.
As far as the ROM goes. Which one would you recommend? I was looking at the Axura 2.3.1.0 and Ginger Clone R2. How about Nero v5? Thanks guys!
Welcome! And yes you should definitely update to Froyo, or a rom based on Froyo. I'm not sure what you heard that soured your opinion of Froyo...but it is a noticeable performance upgrade! It's been a while but I'm pretty sure the JIT compiler was introduced with 2.2 (someone fact check me pls) which should improve java performance multiple times.
I recommend Bionix-V 1.21 for a custom ROM made especially for the Vibrant. It's extremely fast and the community is friendly, helpful, and most importantly VERY active. I linked you to a guide that should answer any questions you might have regarding the rom, and android in general.
Arkasai said:
Welcome! And yes you should definitely update to Froyo, or a rom based on Froyo. I'm not sure what you heard that soured your opinion of Froyo...but it is a noticeable performance upgrade! It's been a while but I'm pretty sure the JIT compiler was introduced with 2.2 (someone fact check me pls) which should improve java performance multiple times.
I recommend Bionix-V 1.21 for a custom ROM made especially for the Vibrant. It's extremely fast and the community is friendly, helpful, and most importantly VERY active. I linked you to a guide that should answer any questions you might have regarding the rom, and android in general.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Unfortunately the link does not work for me. It wants me to sign up.
mbison83 said:
Thank you. Unfortunately the link does not work for me. It wants me to sign up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, forgot to mention that...but hey if you're gonna try the rom you might as well join their site ;P
Update: Ok, guys. I went to this link and got the Axura 2.3.1.0 installed with the use of this video, which is very useful and I was able to perform this flash flawlessly.
Anyway, The ROM is really responsive and I have only found one flaw, which is that the Fast Web Install app does not work on it. I get the message that they are working on it. Also, the Titanium Backup did not back up anything. All was backed up by the ROM Manager and the Flii Backup.
This ROM has impressed me with its responsiveness. It seems like a high-quality ROM and this is the first time I did the flash, so I'm not familiar with other ROMs. However, this ROM seems like a good pick for now at least. Can you guys advise me where I can sign up for notifications about the Axura updates? Any further suggestions? I appreciate your precious time.
In the Questions and Answers section, at the top, there is a NOOB guide... I would HIGHLY suggest reading it. It explains just about EVERYTHING you could want to do to your new phone!
As far as your next mod... start customizing your phone! Go to the Theme section of the forum and browse around for some custom battery mods and framework mods. It's CRAZY amazing how customizable these phones are!
I used to use the ROM's on here, but since Froyo came out, I'm sticking with a deodexed stock of KB1 (the latest and greatest update). That allows me to modify my framework and all the phone images without having to worry about screwing up one of the custom ROMs out there. I always feel safer with stock... plus root of course. Replaced my boot and shutdown animations with custom ones I created... don't have them posted on here as they are made specifically for my band and noone here would want them!
Keep your contacts synced to google so you don't lose them, backup with Titanium every once in a while to keep your game data and app data up to date, keep reading on here about modding, you could start reading the google developers website to learn about the inner workings of Android and how to write programs... so much to do and so little time in life!!!
Enjoy!
P.S. Everything that I've done to my phone (and it is quite a bit) I've done myself simply by reading these forums and researching everything on my own... you would be surprised how little you have to post questions on here if you simply take some time and read everyone else's posts. The search button up on top of every page is very useful!
Hi,
I am new to Android and the Gtab. I am basically curious as to what the best way is to backup my Gtab. What software and the steps to take (what is the difference between cwm and nvflash?).
I actually like the stock rom but my biggest frustration is the lack of the market which I would like to have. Having that said, I would like to run something different on the Gtab which will support the market app and not the Gmarket app. I looked around the forums and I see lots of good tutorials but it confuses me on how I backup with my stock rom before I begin any of the tutorials to upgrade to a new rom. I feel like backing up is the biggest step and don't want to mess this up so that I can revert back if I do make a mistake down the road. I'm sure once you do this a couple of times it starts to make sense but I have not done it yet and want to make sure I understand everything before I move forward.
I am a beginner but want to be able to get more out of my Gtab. Please help.
It needs to be modded right out of the box, so how much could you have possibly gotten installed?
Ok, I'm kidding.
What are you trying to "backup"? If it's DOC's and Books, music, etc, either dump it all onto a secondary memory card, or dump your data to a PC using usb connection. As for settings like email, etc. I say skip the backup and just reinstall the stuff.
I keep all of the working installers I've found on my external SD card so if I need to wipe & start over, I just go through and click/install them again.
bnovak said:
It needs to be modded right out of the box, so how much could you have possibly gotten installed?
Ok, I'm kidding.
What are you trying to "backup"? If it's DOC's and Books, music, etc, either dump it all onto a secondary memory card, or dump your data to a PC using usb connection. As for settings like email, etc. I say skip the backup and just reinstall the stuff.
I keep all of the working installers I've found on my external SD card so if I need to wipe & start over, I just go through and click/install them again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for the post. I think I may have not worded my question right. My fault since I am new. What I mean is what do I need to do to backup my current OS I suppose. For instance, it has android 2.2 correct? I upgraded OOTB to firmware 3588 which works well but no market. What do I need to do to back this OS up so that I can revert back to it in case of any problems? Sorry if I am still confusing you guys but like I said earlier, I am completely new and still learning the phraseology and such. Thanks!
jetguy35,
Most people get Titanium Backup and backup the apps and system with a batch file in that.
That takes care of apps.
If the whole tablet gets messed up you either NVFlash back to the bekit 1105 version
per the NVFlash recovery thread in developers, if its not too bad you reinstall the
current 3588 version from a download.
There are other ways some people suggest, but I don't recommend what I haven't used and don't know about.
Good Luck!!!
Rev
An app called Titanium Backup will allow you to back up your apps and their data.
To do a complete system backup, you'll need to get clockworkmod installed (bekit .8 version), once booted into clockworkmod there is a back up option which will back up all system files and apps.
Check this thread in the development section for installing clockworkmod:
[Sticky][Guide]Install ClockworkMod, A ROM, Flash Player, and the Market Fix
Insall clockwork mod .8 and boot to recovery and backup entire rom. ..then save a copy from internal to external sd card in case you need it.
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0b5.1.1 using Tapatalk
personally (and I was in your shoes last week)
I would just go through the TNT Lite post and flash that ROM onto the tablet. If you go TNT 4.4.0 you DO NOT WANT CLOCKWORK.
It's really simple - plug in USB, copy the correct files to the tablet, push and hold pwr-volume up and give it a couple minutes.
I think the vanilla ROM is floating around so if you don't have a bunch of personalized files, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Anytime you flash it, you are going to have to add some of the programs back in anyway.
Roebeets TnT build is super fast and super stable. You won't know what hit you when you turn it on the first time.
bnovak,
That's a good idea, but not everyone is ready, or has the expertise or even wants
to move up to a ROM.
I have two tablets and one is running the experimental next generation TwoTabX ROM
that is on hold waiting for VS to do something -- and the other most of the time is
pure stock (so I can test stuff and get OTA updates etc.
When I go to work, doesn't matter which I take because both work well.
Stock is not bad!!! You should have seen the original software!!!
Rev
Hi - looking for some help. I have a Telus T959D Fascinate it is rooted via superoneclick. I have a ton of apps installed along with 3 paid apps (Titanium BU, Swift X keyboard, and ADW Launcher).
I installed ROM manager with the intent to get CWD on - says it successful but when I go into recovery its stock recovery.
Q1. I noticed it created an update.zip in root - do I need to flash that with stock recovery first?
Q2. Will putting on CWD in this manner cause my apps to get lost?
Q3. is there any step by step tips to root your phone, correct any lags (see a lot on voodoo but its a few months old) and ready it for custom roms?
Any tips and how to's would be greatly appreciated - especially to safe house my system as is.
Also, I noticed ROM manager and Titanium store things on the SD - I'm assuming I need to copy those files to a computer or external SD on my phone or I would lose any backups or recovery ROMs when I flash (is that correct).
Again, thanks for any help, and love this forum!
jpmccarthy said:
Hi - looking for some help. I have a Telus T959D Fascinate it is rooted via superoneclick. I have a ton of apps installed along with 3 paid apps (Titanium BU, Swift X keyboard, and ADW Launcher).
I installed ROM manager with the intent to get CWD on - says it successful but when I go into recovery its stock recovery.
Q1. I noticed it created an update.zip in root - do I need to flash that with stock recovery first?
Q2. Will putting on CWD in this manner cause my apps to get lost?
Q3. is there any step by step tips to root your phone, correct any lags (see a lot on voodoo but its a few months old) and ready it for custom roms?
Any tips and how to's would be greatly appreciated - especially to safe house my system as is.
Also, I noticed ROM manager and Titanium store things on the SD - I'm assuming I need to copy those files to a computer or external SD on my phone or I would lose any backups or recovery ROMs when I flash (is that correct).
Again, thanks for any help, and love this forum!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man, what is it that your trying to do exactly?
Firstly, thanks for the reply. Essentially, I'm already rooted - done. Its the next steps that are tripping me up.
I would like to have my current applications backed up with some advice on where to put them using Titanium. I would like to have CWM recovery installed so I can get an image of my ROM as well as set me up to try others (CM7, MIUI, etc.)
Lastly, realizing now that the Telus Fascinate is a different beast - not the verizon model, more like a Vibrant.
Then, any recommendations from Telus F users on what can make the phone better - voodoo, lagfixes and what have you.
I do like my phone, I love the customization of Android (I jumped ship from iPhone), love that its Linux based, but still feeling my way around
Hi there,
I have the tab 10.1 4G+ wi-fi (GT P7500R)
data plan 500mb/months
I use the stock firmware, rom etc...
I downloaded the titanium backup app from the market but it seems that it doesnt work.
What would be the best backup program to dl for the stock tab? (free or not)
How does it work, what and where does it save ? only apps, or all my files (pictures, favorites, widgets etc)
I also read quite a few times, put this on ur sd card, save that to your sd card.
Well i don have any sd card for my tab, i use my pc and my external hd for my storage.
So if one day i decide to try a new firmware or rom or whatever the way it work, can i do it without a sd card ?
About the changes of firmware and roms, i read a bit about it but im not quite sure i understand everything, plus i saw so many thread about peoples that have problems after doing it that i a bit affraid.
I saw one popular firmware that seems to be working great : in paris v4
does it fit with my tab ? or wich one do work ?
Will i still be able to use the default web browser and widgets ?
I'll wait for your anwsers for theses questions before asking some more (depending of the anwsers i'll get)
Thank you
You need to be rooted for titanium to work.
Your 16gb capacity is your SD card on the tab.
Install cwm (see thread here or use overcome thread/guide) and you will gain root and the cwm menu to flash custom roms. The nandroid recovery menu will let you install a zip but cwm will give added options and root.
lgsshedden said:
You need to be rooted for titanium to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that is what i saw when i wanted to dl it, then figured out it won't work.
So wich backup app is the best for a default tab ?
lgsshedden said:
Your 16gb capacity is your SD card on the tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, so it mean that when u make any changes to firmware and rom, u dl the stuff on the tab ? then when they talk about flash ? i though that flashing meant "erase" the data..... I think im confuse......
lgsshedden said:
Install cwm (see thread here or use overcome thread/guide) and you will gain root and the cwm menu to flash custom roms. The nandroid recovery menu will let you install a zip but cwm will give added options and root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might look stupid but this is like chinese for me.
I've searched "overcome cwm" and this is what i got link
but i still dont really know what i'll be able to do or not do with this.
please see also this LINK in order to know a bit more on me
Thanks for your help
I hope ill get more awnsers about the other questions
1. Never had the chance to play around with my tab before I rooted and flashed it.
2.flashing pretty much means installing something, weather its a custom rom, kernel or theme. You have to be in recovery mode to do any of this.
3.the link you posted is to a custom rom w/ a built in kernel.
I read your link and from what I gather you should get a little more familiar with your device and read the hell outta these forms. for what you intend to use this device for and you being an android noob I think its better you stay stock for the time being. There are are alot of ways you could ruin your device. So my advise is read read read.
Tdiliplane said:
1. Never had the chance to play around with my tab before I rooted and flashed it.
2.flashing pretty much means installing something, weather its a custom rom, kernel or theme. You have to be in recovery mode to do any of this.
3.the link you posted is to a custom rom w/ a built in kernel.
I read your link and from what I gather you should get a little more familiar with your device and read the hell outta these forms. for what you intend to use this device for and you being an android noob I think its better you stay stock for the time being. There are are alot of ways you could ruin your device. So my advise is read read read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this anwser,
Im actually a noob with the android world but not a noob in the pc world.
I successfully overclocked my pc 6 months ago and my system is stable (didnt crash once) and i did that without knowledge, just by reading.
I can pretty much do anything if i understand what am doing and what are the exits/recover possibles in case of a problem.
The thing is that am french canadian so i do understand english but sometimes when it goes a bit too far in the abbreviations or in the technical, i get lost.
One more thing, there is so so many subjects, wich one is the best for my tab ?
by reading again and again THE subject that i should, i might finally understand.
Am not in a hurry, for now, i find my tab smooth and easy of use but i never say no to even more smoothness or else.
Im still wondering about wich backup app to use for the default tab and like i ask in my first message, what and where does the backup app save
Nainconpetant said:
Im still wondering about wich backup app to use for the default tab and like i ask in my first message, what and where does the backup app save
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out MyBackupPro. It works for non-rooted Tabs and saves the backup either online or on the sd card.
Nainconpetant said:
Thank you for this anwser,
Im actually a noob with the android world but not a noob in the pc world.
I successfully overclocked my pc 6 months ago and my system is stable (didnt crash once) and i did that without knowledge, just by reading.
I can pretty much do anything if i understand what am doing and what are the exits/recover possibles in case of a problem.
The thing is that am french canadian so i do understand english but sometimes when it goes a bit too far in the abbreviations or in the technical, i get lost.
One more thing, there is so so many subjects, wich one is the best for my tab ?
by reading again and again THE subject that i should, i might finally understand.
Am not in a hurry, for now, i find my tab smooth and easy of use but i never say no to even more smoothness or else.
Im still wondering about wich backup app to use for the default tab and like i ask in my first message, what and where does the backup app save
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well here's what you need to do, in my opinion :
1. DO NOT FLASH ANYTHING that comes from Samsung. If you have an unlocked bootloader, you want to keep it that way.
2. Read up on the rooting/custom recovery thread so you can understand how to get nvflash up and running. This will help immensely as you start flashing custom roms and things go wrong. Backups using the CWM recovery are the quick way out of trouble when you flash a ROM and it screws up.
3. Get fastboot going, as this is probably the best tool for getting out of any trouble you get in to. These devices are incredibly hard to brick once you have the right tool set at your disposal.
Maris_ said:
Check out MyBackupPro. It works for non-rooted Tabs and saves the backup either online or on the sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, following the info i got in a previous post, when it says backup on sd card and that i use a tab that doesnt have an external sdcard, does it mean it will save it on the tab ? Then if i get a problem with the tab, ill losse everything ?
If so, then i guess saving online is the best way to do it right ?
Im trying the free version right now, online its ridiculous, only 2mb of space
I've looked on their site, i cant find how much space we get with the paid version, do you know the anwser?
One question about the titaniumbackup. it says that it work with rooted tab.
Can i root my tab and stay default to use this backup program ?
I really appreciate the help you guys are providing
(and sorry once again for my poor writting skills)
well i got the anwser about the storage space online for thoses who might want to know
with the 4.99$ payment of the Mybackup pro app, its 100mb online
for 1$/month or 10$/year : 250mb
for 2$/month or 20$/year : 1gb
yesterday i backup my apps, music and pictures on my tab for 235mb total and i only owed the tab for 3 weeks now.
to me this is ridiculous, i better backup everything on my external HD with the usb cable, it might take longer and ill have to do it manually but i rather do that than pay 20$ per year.
anyone has a better solution ?
Hi all,
This is the first time I've tried installing a custom ROM on my VZW S4 (i545) (MDK firmware. Yes, I held out on the OTA since May). I've got a few thoughts and a couple of questions I was hoping could be addressed. I consider myself familiar with flashing ROM's and whatnot, so I won't need hand-holding steps in answer to my questions.
Some info:
VZW S4
MDK Firmware
Recovery: OUDhs CWM Touch Req0very v1.0.3.5
I haven't taken any OTA since I got the phone back in May. This leads me to believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that I'm on Android 4.2.2?
Current ROM: AOKP Nightly Build for 10/31/2013 (MR2)
Thoughts: Holy hell, this ROM is BLAZING fast. I am missing a few features, but none I use regularly (I don't use any of the TouchWiz "smart" features. Damn battery hogs). I was able to flash this over and install GAPPS without any problems. Loading time is incredible, and I love how clean the interface is.
Questions:
Can anyone help me figure out why I cannot install CM10.2? Not sure if that's because I downloaded the wrong version or something, but after flashing it, the screen stays stuck at the Galaxy S4 logo and doesn't move. Maybe I didn't wait long enough, but it surely didn't move in any reasonably expected time (AOKP, by comparison, loaded probably <1 minute). Any thoughts on why this might be? I really want to try CM10.2, so perhaps I should try a different build?
Another question/concern: I downloaded a few different ROMs last night -- CM10.2, AOKP and st0ckdr0id. AOKP installed fine, CM10.2 froze up, but when I installed st0ckdr0id (after wiping out, of course), I got what I think is referred to as a kernel panic. The message was similar to "This phone has software installed on it that Verizon Wireless has determined to be unsafe. Please power off the phone and take to the nearest Verizon Wireless store for help". In the top-left corner, it had in bold RED letters "Kernel secure: FAIL" (or similar wording). I fixed this by booting back into recovery, wiping out, and then installing AOKP again. Can anyone help me understand why this happened?
Why is only ~10GB of space still available when I -thought- I wiped out everything?
What I'm really searching for is an AOSP ROM that is very clean and light, but has SOME of the TouchWiz features. Any recommendations?
My phone only shows me as having a 3G connection, where normally I have 4G LTE. Anything I can do to fix this? Is this an issue with the ROM not detecting the right kind of radio? Bug report, perhaps?
I can't mount my external_sd in my CWM anymore. Yes, I used to be able to do it at one point, because I've done an external nandroid backup to it from within CWM in the past (as of October 29th, if the date on the backups is correct). I've read in other Google searches that it has something to do with the formatting of the SD card, but I haven't removed that SD card from my phone in a few months to have adjusted anything to do with formatting. I plugged the memory card into my Linux laptop this morning while diagnosing this and got an error about an unknown exfat partition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Stupid question: Is there a way to -completely- wipe my internal SD card clean of all my current files? I know when I "wipe" /data I can still see all of my files from the previous installation, and I'm not ballsy enough to wipe /sdcard. I guess the question that then coincides with this is if I were able to completely wipe the phone, I assume that would wipe the recovery as well?
Sorry for some of the novice questions -- I have no problem messing with my old TF300T tablet (because NVFlash will save the day), but this is my only phone, only line of communication and SOLE way for me to answer calls for work (24/7 rotating on-call), so it is VERY important to me to ask questions and not go down for more than 1 hour.
Thanks for all help guys, its much appreciated. I hope to be able to test ROMs regularly and maybe start posting video reviews or something, who knows?
Thanks,
Opethfan89
opethfan89 said:
Hi all,
This is the first time I've tried installing a custom ROM on my VZW S4 (i545) (MDK firmware. Yes, I held out on the OTA since May). I've got a few thoughts and a couple of questions I was hoping could be addressed. I consider myself familiar with flashing ROM's and whatnot, so I won't need hand-holding steps in answer to my questions.
Some info:
VZW S4
MDK Firmware
Recovery: OUDhs CWM Touch Req0very v1.0.3.5
I haven't taken any OTA since I got the phone back in May. This leads me to believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that I'm on Android 4.2.2?
Current ROM: AOKP Nightly Build for 10/31/2013 (MR2)
Thoughts: Holy hell, this ROM is BLAZING fast. I am missing a few features, but none I use regularly (I don't use any of the TouchWiz "smart" features. Damn battery hogs). I was able to flash this over and install GAPPS without any problems. Loading time is incredible, and I love how clean the interface is.
Questions:
Can anyone help me figure out why I cannot install CM10.2? Not sure if that's because I downloaded the wrong version or something, but after flashing it, the screen stays stuck at the Galaxy S4 logo and doesn't move. Maybe I didn't wait long enough, but it surely didn't move in any reasonably expected time (AOKP, by comparison, loaded probably <1 minute). Any thoughts on why this might be? I really want to try CM10.2, so perhaps I should try a different build?
Another question/concern: I downloaded a few different ROMs last night -- CM10.2, AOKP and st0ckdr0id. AOKP installed fine, CM10.2 froze up, but when I installed st0ckdr0id (after wiping out, of course), I got what I think is referred to as a kernel panic. The message was similar to "This phone has software installed on it that Verizon Wireless has determined to be unsafe. Please power off the phone and take to the nearest Verizon Wireless store for help". In the top-left corner, it had in bold RED letters "Kernel secure: FAIL" (or similar wording). I fixed this by booting back into recovery, wiping out, and then installing AOKP again. Can anyone help me understand why this happened?
Why is only ~10GB of space still available when I -thought- I wiped out everything?
What I'm really searching for is an AOSP ROM that is very clean and light, but has SOME of the TouchWiz features. Any recommendations?
My phone only shows me as having a 3G connection, where normally I have 4G LTE. Anything I can do to fix this? Is this an issue with the ROM not detecting the right kind of radio? Bug report, perhaps?
I can't mount my external_sd in my CWM anymore. Yes, I used to be able to do it at one point, because I've done an external nandroid backup to it from within CWM in the past (as of October 29th, if the date on the backups is correct). I've read in other Google searches that it has something to do with the formatting of the SD card, but I haven't removed that SD card from my phone in a few months to have adjusted anything to do with formatting. I plugged the memory card into my Linux laptop this morning while diagnosing this and got an error about an unknown exfat partition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Stupid question: Is there a way to -completely- wipe my internal SD card clean of all my current files? I know when I "wipe" /data I can still see all of my files from the previous installation, and I'm not ballsy enough to wipe /sdcard. I guess the question that then coincides with this is if I were able to completely wipe the phone, I assume that would wipe the recovery as well?
Sorry for some of the novice questions -- I have no problem messing with my old TF300T tablet (because NVFlash will save the day), but this is my only phone, only line of communication and SOLE way for me to answer calls for work (24/7 rotating on-call), so it is VERY important to me to ask questions and not go down for more than 1 hour.
Thanks for all help guys, its much appreciated. I hope to be able to test ROMs regularly and maybe start posting video reviews or something, who knows?
Thanks,
Opethfan89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that's a lot. Let's see if we can get you answers.
1. Switch recoveries to twrp 2.5.0.2. I can't stress the importance of the particular version enough. There are others. This is absolutely the most stable. It's what the devs use. I think then your cm issue will be resolved.
Correct way to wipe with twrp.
1.wipe - >factory reset.
2. Advanced wipe - >check system, data, davlik, cache then wipe.
3. The go back to main screen and install rom.
2. Answered by answer one. Lots of people have lots of opinions about the various recoveries. All I can tell you is this is what all the devs use for their recovery. Can't argue with that.
3. Reserved space. It might say you have 16 gigs but a good size chunk is taking merely by formatting. Then the ROM and programs you have installed of course.
4. Honestly they are all freaking great. The aosp roms. You do the answer to number one and you can find out. DU is my fav @ this moment. Followed by beanstalk.
5. Go to mobile networks make sure your network mode is set to cdma +lte/evdo.
6. Answer 1.
7. You don't really want to wipe the entire internal SD card. Sounds good when you think it might screw you if you did it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Mightycaptain said:
Wow that's a lot. Let's see if we can get you answers.
1. Switch recoveries to twrp 2.5.0.2. I can't stress the importance of the particular version enough. There are others. This is absolutely the most stable. It's what the devs use. I think then your cm issue will be resolved.
Correct way to wipe with twrp.
1.wipe - >factory reset.
2. Advanced wipe - >check system, data, davlik, cache then wipe.
3. The go back to main screen and install rom.
2. Answered by answer one. Lots of people have lots of opinions about the various recoveries. All I can tell you is this is what all the devs use for their recovery. Can't argue with that.
3. Reserved space. It might say you have 16 gigs but a good size chunk is taking merely by formatting. Then the ROM and programs you have installed of course.
4. Honestly they are all freaking great. The aosp roms. You do the answer to number one and you can find out. DU is my fav @ this moment. Followed by beanstalk.
5. Go to mobile networks make sure your network mode is set to cdma +lte/evdo.
6. Answer 1.
7. You don't really want to wipe the entire internal SD card. Sounds good when you think it might screw you if you did it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response Mightycaptain! I used CWM as my first ever recovery and am kinda pressed on it, which is why I use it, but I have no issues going to TWRP if that means fixing my issues. Can you elaborate on how to install TWRP in place of my current CWM? I'll do some Googling in the meantime to try to find the answer myself. (I haven't done any flashing or rooting stuff since I got the phone in May!!)
Thanks for your answer in #5. Fixed the issue I was having.
My reason for wanting to wipe the entire internal SD card is there are still files, folders, logs and backups from when I had my previous ROM. I'm having issues restoring my nandroid backup from the night of the 7th so is it at all possible for me to salvage some of my settings, apps and file backups from those existing files? Once I fix my nandroid, I'm going to keep the nandroid backup in a safe place and I ideally want to have a completely clean phone to start from: That means getting rid of all those old files and other nonsense from before. Is this a possibility?
I'm going to spend my time today trying to extract data from my nandroid backups using ROM Toolbox Pro. If that doesn't work, I have a nandroid backup from the 31st that has 99% of the stuff I need so I'll try to restore that. If THAT doesn't work, then I'm going to cry myself to sleep while trying to remember all of my contacts
Wish me luck, and hopefully I can get some answers to my last few questions!
Thanks,
Opethfan89
opethfan89 said:
Thanks for your response Mightycaptain! I used CWM as my first ever recovery and am kinda pressed on it, which is why I use it, but I have no issues going to TWRP if that means fixing my issues. Can you elaborate on how to install TWRP in place of my current CWM? I'll do some Googling in the meantime to try to find the answer myself. (I haven't done any flashing or rooting stuff since I got the phone in May!!)
Thanks for your answer in #5. Fixed the issue I was having.
My reason for wanting to wipe the entire internal SD card is there are still files, folders, logs and backups from when I had my previous ROM. I'm having issues restoring my nandroid backup from the night of the 7th so is it at all possible for me to salvage some of my settings, apps and file backups from those existing files? Once I fix my nandroid, I'm going to keep the nandroid backup in a safe place and I ideally want to have a completely clean phone to start from: That means getting rid of all those old files and other nonsense from before. Is this a possibility?
I'm going to spend my time today trying to extract data from my nandroid backups using ROM Toolbox Pro. If that doesn't work, I have a nandroid backup from the 31st that has 99% of the stuff I need so I'll try to restore that. If THAT doesn't work, then I'm going to cry myself to sleep while trying to remember all of my contacts
Wish me luck, and hopefully I can get some answers to my last few questions!
Thanks,
Opethfan89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check my post here for twrp 2.5.0.2.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47275165
You can flash it in your current recovery. It overwrites CWM. I would make sure you have a flashable for CWM just in case you need to go back for some reason. Also the backups between those 2 recoveries are not compatible. But I would nandroid with CWM before flashing twrp. I would also change were you recovery is pointing to for storage to the external SD if you haven't already. After you have cut your current backup and past it there. You can use rom toolbox pro to back up your contacts and restore it once you flash a new ROM.
Now as good advice going forward I would add your contacts to your Google account. That way when you flash new stuff or drop your phone in the toilet as soon as you add your Google account to the phone all those contacts will automatically download. But it is always a good idea to use tibu or rom toolbox pro to back up all your apps and seeing and use that after flashing roms to restore apps and settings.
But honestly I'd nandroid, move my contacts to Google, make app backups. Flash twrp. Then start flashing roms. You could be doing it in an hour. After you flash twrp make another nandroid so you have a twrp compatible backup. Then in a day or so of you are happy with everything delete the CWM backups for space.
Edit: as to extracting things from your current nandroid. Not sure if that is possible for one thing it is compressed not sure how that would work unless you are doing a full restore.
Also for future reference with TWRP. When restoring nandroid wipe like your flashing a new rom before restoring.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Mightycaptain said:
Check my post here for twrp 2.5.0.2.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47275165
You can flash it in your current recovery. It overwrites CWM. I would make sure you have a flashable for CWM just in case you need to go back for some reason. Also the backups between those 2 recoveries are not compatible. But I would nandroid with CWM before flashing twrp. I would also change were you recovery is pointing to for storage to the external SD if you haven't already. After you have cut your current backup and past it there. You can use rom toolbox pro to back up your contacts and restore it once you flash a new ROM.
Now as good advice going forward I would add your contacts to your Google account. That way when you flash new stuff or drop your phone in the toilet as soon as you add your Google account to the phone all those contacts will automatically download. But it is always a good idea to use tibu or rom toolbox pro to back up all your apps and seeing and use that after flashing roms to restore apps and settings.
But honestly I'd nandroid, move my contacts to Google, make app backups. Flash twrp. Then start flashing roms. You could be doing it in an hour. After you flash twrp make another nandroid so you have a twrp compatible backup. Then in a day or so of you are happy with everything delete the CWM backups for space.
Edit: as to extracting things from your current nandroid. Not sure if that is possible for one thing it is compressed not sure how that would work unless you are doing a full restore.
Also for future reference with TWRP. When restoring nandroid wipe like your flashing a new rom before restoring.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks again for your quick response!! I'm glad I checked this first, because I'm in my ROM Toolbox app atm and it has an option to let me install TWRP 2.5.0.2 from within the app itself. Should I do it this way?
I will be adding all contacts to Google from now on. Unfortunately I saved all my stuff to my Verizon backup assistant so I just need one last shot at my phone to save all those contacts (manually, if I must) and be able to enter them onto the new ROM.
By "flash it in your current recovery" I assume you mean download the .zip, place it on my internal /sdcard, and then "flash" it just like I would flash a ROM, right?
I'm sure I have a "flashable" for CWM somewhere but like I said, I haven't done any of this stuff on this phone since I first bought it, and things have changed so much with everyone having OTA's and being locked out that I'm not sure what process is the same or what has changed. I can't afford to lose this phone so I'm hesitant to go balls to the wall to try things.
I will try the things you've listed here. Seems like a nandroid + TiBu + Google Contacts is my best bet to get up and running each time I decide to try a new ROM.
Thanks again!
opethfan89 said:
Hey thanks again for your quick response!! I'm glad I checked this first, because I'm in my ROM Toolbox app atm and it has an option to let me install TWRP 2.5.0.2 from within the app itself. Should I do it this way?
I will be adding all contacts to Google from now on. Unfortunately I saved all my stuff to my Verizon backup assistant so I just need one last shot at my phone to save all those contacts (manually, if I must) and be able to enter them onto the new ROM.
By "flash it in your current recovery" I assume you mean download the .zip, place it on my internal /sdcard, and then "flash" it just like I would flash a ROM, right?
I'm sure I have a "flashable" for CWM somewhere but like I said, I haven't done any of this stuff on this phone since I first bought it, and things have changed so much with everyone having OTA's and being locked out that I'm not sure what process is the same or what has changed. I can't afford to lose this phone so I'm hesitant to go balls to the wall to try things.
I will try the things you've listed here. Seems like a nandroid + TiBu + Google Contacts is my best bet to get up and running each time I decide to try a new ROM.
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understand the hesitancy completely. But with nodding comes risk. It is always about whether you can accept the worst possible outcome.
Rom toolbox pro flashing recovery? I don't know never tried it.
Yes I would download the recovery. Leave it on SD card reboot to recovery and flash like a rom.
Yes nandroid tibu and saving your contacts to Google is the quickest way to get up and running again.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Mightycaptain said:
Understand the hesitancy completely. But with nodding comes risk. It is always about whether you can accept the worst possible outcome.
Rom toolbox pro flashing recovery? I don't know never tried it.
Yes I would download the recovery. Leave it on SD card reboot to recovery and flash like a rom.
Yes nandroid tibu and saving your contacts to Google is the quickest way to get up and running again.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mighty, just wanted to report that flashing TWRP 2.5.0.2 from within ROM Toolbox Pro worked like a charm. I'm on TWRP as we speak.
Thank you so much for your responses. If anyone else has anything to add, or a different response to my questions, please do so! In the meantime, I'm going to try to figure out how to get my nandroid backup working...
Cheers!
*EDIT* Made a backup with TWRP (whose interface is bloody phenomenal, btw), flashed CWM and its working like a charm!! Going to try the st0ckdr0id one as well. Still working on getting that nandroid working so I can recover my stuff and get to customizing!