[Q] adding clockwork recovery not working, - Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

First, let me apologize for what I'm sure is repetition, I searched the site and could not find the step by step process that I need. So again sorry.
I have a rooted Vibrant (I think, the superuser permission icon is there, from the market I downloaded "SU update fixer" and "BusyBox"because somewhere online it said I should) I updated to froyo when it originally came out and was told I had to go back to eclair to root which I just did 3 days ago.
My problem is I can't get clockwork recovery on my phone so I can flash a rom. I've downloaded heimdall and went through the steps (when I'm in the command prompt screen I get the error that it is not recognized as an internal or external command. Also "rom manager" Google market link does not recognize my phone, so I can't just download the app directly. It doesn't even come up when I search the market on my phone.
Another question, I thought once I rooted I'd be able to delete some bloatware from the device? How do I do it? Do I need to flash a rom before I can do this?
If it helps here are the current specs of my phone:Model SGH-T959, Firmware 2.1-update1, Baseband T959uvjfd, Kernel 2.2.29,Build Eclair
Please help.

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Please help!!
to the people who have read my post please help.

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Read this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9375927
For removing apps, use titanium backup
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app

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Try this
rawmobile215 said:
First, let me apologize for what I'm sure is repetition, I searched the site and could not find the step by step process that I need. So again sorry.
I have a rooted Vibrant (I think, the superuser permission icon is there, from the market I downloaded "SU update fixer" and "BusyBox"because somewhere online it said I should) I updated to froyo when it originally came out and was told I had to go back to eclair to root which I just did 3 days ago.
My problem is I can't get clockwork recovery on my phone so I can flash a rom. I've downloaded heimdall and went through the steps (when I'm in the command prompt screen I get the error that it is not recognized as an internal or external command. Also "rom manager" Google market link does not recognize my phone, so I can't just download the app directly. It doesn't even come up when I search the market on my phone.
Another question, I thought once I rooted I'd be able to delete some bloatware from the device? How do I do it? Do I need to flash a rom before I can do this?
If it helps here are the current specs of my phone:Model SGH-T959, Firmware 2.1-update1, Baseband T959uvjfd, Kernel 2.2.29,Build Eclair
Please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this (Use method B) it works like a charm every time.
also note that you dont have to install a custom rom if you prefer not to.
if you just flash the zip and reboot to clockworkmod then your set.
this is from s15274n's guide found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=849028
There are two options here. Choose which is best for you, before you start.
ROOT ONLY METHOD:
A – This is an update.zip (633KB) that roots your phone only. You can then install Rom Manager from the Market to flash CWR (Clockwork Recovery) and install custom ROMs.
INSTALL CLOCKWORK RECOVERY AND FLASH A ROM THAT WILL GIVE ROOT ACCESS (MY PREFERRED METHOD):
B – use the other update.zip (1.7MB) and this will flash CWR for you – allowing you to immediately flash a custom ROM.. I do this because it's faster.
1.
A: Download this update.zip file to root your phone. You plan to install Rom Manager to flash CWR and a new ROM later.
B: Download this update.zip file to flash CWR... you will need to flash a custom ROM for Root. I prefer this method.
NOW DOWNLOAD THE ROM YOU PLAN TO FLASH
2.
Copy the update.zip (and the ROM) to the INTERNAL SD (not the external SD Card). sdcard/
3.
Unplug the USB (assuming you are still connected after using ODIN)...
Hold down volume up + volume down + Power for about 9 seconds.
If you prefer, you can power off your phone, then hold in all 3 buttons to boot into recovery, I don't see the point in waiting for the phone to power off.
This will get you to a recovery menu (blue/purple text) after some yellow text.
4.
In this (the stock recovery menu) select 'Reinstall Packages'
Use volume to navigate + power to select.
5.
It will cycle a bit, you will see that yellow text again, then it will return to the stock recovery. Select Reinstall packages again.
You are now in CWR (clockwork recovery).
You can either reboot, flash your new ROM or make a backup now...
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 PM ----------
testomat said:
Read this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9375927
For removing apps, use titanium backup
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heh you beat me to it.

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Titanium Rules
testomat said:
Read this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9375927
For removing apps, use titanium backup
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium Backup rules. Finally getting rid of these pointless apps. So glad to see SIMS 3 gone!! Thanks again.

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THANKS!!!
firefly6240 said:
Try this (Use method B) it works like a charm every time.
also note that you dont have to install a custom rom if you prefer not to.
if you just flash the zip and reboot to clockworkmod then your set.
this is from s15274n's guide found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=849028
There are two options here. Choose which is best for you, before you start.
ROOT ONLY METHOD:
A – This is an update.zip (633KB) that roots your phone only. You can then install Rom Manager from the Market to flash CWR (Clockwork Recovery) and install custom ROMs.
INSTALL CLOCKWORK RECOVERY AND FLASH A ROM THAT WILL GIVE ROOT ACCESS (MY PREFERRED METHOD):
B – use the other update.zip (1.7MB) and this will flash CWR for you – allowing you to immediately flash a custom ROM.. I do this because it's faster.
1.
A: Download this update.zip file to root your phone. You plan to install Rom Manager to flash CWR and a new ROM later.
B: Download this update.zip file to flash CWR... you will need to flash a custom ROM for Root. I prefer this method.
NOW DOWNLOAD THE ROM YOU PLAN TO FLASH
2.
Copy the update.zip (and the ROM) to the INTERNAL SD (not the external SD Card). sdcard/
3.
Unplug the USB (assuming you are still connected after using ODIN)...
Hold down volume up + volume down + Power for about 9 seconds.
If you prefer, you can power off your phone, then hold in all 3 buttons to boot into recovery, I don't see the point in waiting for the phone to power off.
This will get you to a recovery menu (blue/purple text) after some yellow text.
4.
In this (the stock recovery menu) select 'Reinstall Packages'
Use volume to navigate + power to select.
5.
It will cycle a bit, you will see that yellow text again, then it will return to the stock recovery. Select Reinstall packages again.
You are now in CWR (clockwork recovery).
You can either reboot, flash your new ROM or make a backup now...
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 PM ----------
heh you beat me to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a million!! I'm now running Android 4.2.2 using CM 10.1.3.
My only problem is I seem to have lost my apps/contacts/etc. I don't have android market anymore. Would you know how I can get my apps back??? I see my backups (reware) in the file section (external sd) but I don't know how to get them.

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Gapps
rawmobile215 said:
Thanks a million!! I'm now running Android 4.2.2 using CM 10.1.3.
My only problem is I seem to have lost my apps/contacts/etc. I don't have android market anymore. Would you know how I can get my apps back??? I see my backups (reware) in the file section (external sd) but I don't know how to get them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you backed up with Titanium backup you'll need to restore them with that, but to do so you'll want to have the market to download titanium backup.
So to get the google apps back you'll need to flash the gapps package (Cyanogen mod doesn't include them by default)
here is the full list for all versions of android: http://goo.im/gapps
but I beleive youll want this one for 4.2.2: http://goo.im/gapps/gapps-jb-20130301-signed.zip
just reboot into recovery and flash it (no need to reflash the ROM but if you ever change roms you would flash the rom first and then the gapps package)
once you boot back into android you'll have the market back.

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Thanks Again
firefly6240 said:
if you backed up with Titanium backup you'll need to restore them with that, but to do so you'll want to have the market to download titanium backup.
So to get the google apps back you'll need to flash the gapps package (Cyanogen mod doesn't include them by default)
here is the full list for all versions of android:but I beleive youll want this one for
just reboot into recovery and flash it (no need to reflash the ROM but if you ever change roms you would flash the rom first and then the gapps package)
once you boot back into android you'll have the market back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again!! This seems to have worked. XDA is (slang word for sex+ing) AWESOME!!!!

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Thanks to you all!!!
To all that posted on my thread thanks a lot for your patience and help.

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Now stuck in cwm recovery mode 10/13/13
firefly6240 said:
if you backed up with Titanium backup you'll need to restore them with that, but to do so you'll want to have the market to download titanium backup.
So to get the google apps back you'll need to flash the gapps package (Cyanogen mod doesn't include them by default)
here is the full list for all versions of android: http://goo.im/gapps
but I beleive youll want this one for 4.2.2: http://goo.im/gapps/gapps-jb-20130301-signed.zip
just reboot into recovery and flash it (no need to reflash the ROM but if you ever change roms you would flash the rom first and then the gapps package)
once you boot back into android you'll have the market back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so for 3 days phone worked like a charm. Today phone turns of on its own and goes to the cwm recovery mode then stays there. I removed the battery,same thing. Bottom of recovery screen says "no file contexts". Tried wipinguser data still nothing. Please help

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Now I'm stuck in recovery mode. Please help, again.
testomat said:
Read this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9375927
For removing apps, use titanium backup
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so for 3 days phone worked like a charm. Today phone turns of on its own and goes to the cwm recovery mode then stays there. I removed the battery,same thing. Bottom of recovery screen says "no file contexts". Tried wipinguser data still nothing. Please help

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Odd, I've really only seen that when you try to install a carrier ota update over a custom ROM
Flash the ROM and then the gapps files again in that order and you should be fine though you'll need to restore your apps with titanium backup again afterward.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 01:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 AM ----------
If it happens again you might ask someone in the thread for that ROM if it's a known issue.
Or try an alternate ROM
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda app-developers app

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I tried. Mighty Odin has failed me.
firefly6240 said:
Odd, I've really only seen that when you try to install a carrier ota update over a custom ROM
Flash the ROM and then the gapps files again in that order and you should be fine though you'll need to restore your apps with titanium backup again afterward.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 01:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 AM ----------
If it happens again you might ask someone in the thread for that ROM if it's a known issue.
Or try an alternate ROM
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For about 6hrs yesterday, I tried using odin to get back to original stock(eclair) it has not worked. I get a pass each time but the phone does not reboot, at first it just relooped the vibrant screen, now vibrant screen flashes then screen goes black. When the phone is plugged in the battery icon just reloops. I noticed that when odin was done the beginning of the recovery screen had a red "data wipe failed" within the normal yellow text then it would turn off and go to the battery screen again. I've used several versions of odin none have worked. If you have any suggestions please let me know. I'm afraid it may be dead forever although I've read many posts that state that android phones are almost impossible to brick. I'm at my wits end.

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Odin Issues
rawmobile215 said:
Ok so for 3 days phone worked like a charm. Today phone turns of on its own and goes to the cwm recovery mode then stays there. I removed the battery,same thing. Bottom of recovery screen says "no file contexts". Tried wipinguser data still nothing. Please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had that happen once but it was because of a lagfix.
below is a thread with someone with the same issue:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8734352
Also below is what fixed it (it also worked for me but my issue was for sure a lagfix issue):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8698655&postcount=150
Hopefully this helps.
luckily the Vibrant is famously hard to completely brick.
it usually just takes some trial and error to fix it.
don't give up

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Didn't Work
firefly6240 said:
I had that happen once but it was because of a lagfix.
below is a thread with someone with the same issue:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8734352
Also below is what fixed it (it also worked for me but my issue was for sure a lagfix issue):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8698655&postcount=150
Hopefully this helps.
luckily the Vibrant is famously hard to completely brick.
it usually just takes some trial and error to fix it.
don't give up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again, I've been at it for a few hours now, it goes into recovery but does not respond to my power button to reboot. Also beginning screen now says 1900. As though it flashed a different version.

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rawmobile215 said:
Thanks again, I've been at it for a few hours now, it goes into recovery but does not respond to my power button to reboot. Also beginning screen now says 1900. As though it flashed a different version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the initial odin file you are flashing is a modified 19000 file.
if the 19000 kernel is flashed then the hardware buttons will be mixed up.
dont worry though if you got that far its good dont worry about using the power button to reboot.
just pull the battery.
then you'll need to use Odin again to flash the original android 2.1 files again.
this time it should go through and you'll be back where you started.
from there you'll need to re-root and flash the ROM of your choice.

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Still not working
firefly6240 said:
the initial odin file you are flashing is a modified 19000 file.
if the 19000 kernel is flashed then the hardware buttons will be mixed up.
dont worry though if you got that far its good dont worry about using the power button to reboot.
just pull the battery.
then you'll need to use Odin again to flash the original android 2.1 files again.
this time it should go through and you'll be back where you started.
from there you'll need to re-root and flash the ROM of your choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so I pulled the battery, went back into download mode and tried to flash the original android files. When I did that I ended up with the stuck vibrant screen again. or if its plugged in the battery icon just keeps restarting. I've tried several versions of odin, nothing seems to work. I just keep going back and forth flashing the 19000 and trying to flash the original 2.1. I keep ending up at the same place. Every time I go through the odin process I always get a pass, but the original files do not flash. Again I appreciate all your help, I'll keep at it for a day or so but I'm losing the bit of patience I have left.

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rawmobile215 said:
Ok so I pulled the battery, went back into download mode and tried to flash the original android files. When I did that I ended up with the stuck vibrant screen again. or if its plugged in the battery icon just keeps restarting. I've tried several versions of odin, nothing seems to work. I just keep going back and forth flashing the 19000 and trying to flash the original 2.1. I keep ending up at the same place. Every time I go through the odin process I always get a pass, but the original files do not flash. Again I appreciate all your help, I'll keep at it for a day or so but I'm losing the bit of patience I have left.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try following the steps below, I added the links for the files you'll need (hopefully the links are working, I cant test them from work unfortunately)
note that the first odin file is an 19000 file and the volume buttons on the phone will be reversed and menu selection will not work in recovery.
if you need to reboot you can use ADB or just pull the battery.
1. Download Eugenes 'Froyo that does not brick' file. HERE
2. Extract the files.
3. Open Odin, plug in your phone, then put it into download mode.
4. load the PIT file in appropriate area.
5. load the .tar file in the PDA area.
6. DO NOT check 're-partition'.
7. Click start, let it finish. Your phone will load and reboot into stock recovery. It will error out again. DONT panic! This is what's supposed to happen.
8. Now, pull your battery.
9. Download the 'True stock 2.1 firmware for the vibrant'. HERE
10. Extract the files.
11. Once again, open Odin, plug in your phone, put into download mode.
12. Load the PIT file into the appropriate area and the .tar in the PDA area.
13. THIS TIME you want to check the 're-partition' box.
14. Now click start, let it finish, and this time your phone will load up just fine! BAM!

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Still no luck.
firefly6240 said:
try following the steps below, I added the links for the files you'll need (hopefully the links are working, I cant test them from work unfortunately)
note that the first odin file is an 19000 file and the volume buttons on the phone will be reversed and menu selection will not work in recovery.
if you need to reboot you can use ADB or just pull the battery.
1. Download Eugenes 'Froyo that does not brick' file. HERE
2. Extract the files.
3. Open Odin, plug in your phone, then put it into download mode.
4. load the PIT file in appropriate area.
5. load the .tar file in the PDA area.
6. DO NOT check 're-partition'.
7. Click start, let it finish. Your phone will load and reboot into stock recovery. It will error out again. DONT panic! This is what's supposed to happen.
8. Now, pull your battery.
9. Download the 'True stock 2.1 firmware for the vibrant'. HERE
10. Extract the files.
11. Once again, open Odin, plug in your phone, put into download mode.
12. Load the PIT file into the appropriate area and the .tar in the PDA area.
13. THIS TIME you want to check the 're-partition' box.
14. Now click start, let it finish, and this time your phone will load up just fine! BAM!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, This was the order that I followed to the T. So step #7 was what got 19000 on my phone. It never errored out or rebooted just went to 19000 recovery screen and stays there. I took the battery out, put it back in, went back to download mode, I downloaded and tried to flash the True stock 2.1 and that's what got me to just a Vibrant screen. I'm not sure if my PC(windows XP) is the problem though this is the same PC I used to root and flash cyanogenmod, or if something inside the phone is messed up. I did notice during an earlier recovery the words "wipe data fail" in red among the normal yellow text. This may be the cause of the repeated bad flashes of the stock 2.1. I'll keep trying when I get off today and tomorrow but I may have to bite the bullet and get a new phone on Thurs.

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rawmobile215 said:
Yup, This was the order that I followed to the T. So step #7 was what got 19000 on my phone. It never errored out or rebooted just went to 19000 recovery screen and stays there. I took the battery out, put it back in, went back to download mode, I downloaded and tried to flash the True stock 2.1 and that's what got me to just a Vibrant screen. I'm not sure if my PC(windows XP) is the problem though this is the same PC I used to root and flash cyanogenmod, or if something inside the phone is messed up. I did notice during an earlier recovery the words "wipe data fail" in red among the normal yellow text. This may be the cause of the repeated bad flashes of the stock 2.1. I'll keep trying when I get off today and tomorrow but I may have to bite the bullet and get a new phone on Thurs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might have already tried this but you might try leaving it at the vibrant logo for a good 10 minutes.
I find that when I odin back to stock it takes a bit longer than usual to boot.
If it stays stuck you might try pulling the battery and try booting to recovery (if Odin was successful back to stock it should be the stock recovery)
if it lets you into stock recovery we will at least know the odin flash worked.