Noob Q - Have a GB S2 - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all
I have S2 with 2.3... I wanna flash new rom....before that what ar the things I should do ?
1. Root
2. Flash CWM recovery
3. Flash new rom
OR
1. flash CWM recovery bu Odin
2. Root
3. Flash new rom
which one is correct ?
thanks

First, find out which variant ( e.g. I9100G or I9100?) you have, files you will flash will differ according to that, and if i were you, i would flash the stock JB first just to be safe, and then just flash a stock kernel with custom recovery, then you can flash anything you want.

1. Search.

Install latest version of Kies.
Backup everything you want.
Connect phone via USB.
Check for latest version, few clicks, sit back & relax.
Really don't need to root to update.

Dwars said:
Hi all
I have S2 with 2.3... I wanna flash new rom....before that what ar the things I should do ?
1. Root
2. Flash CWM recovery
3. Flash new rom
OR
1. flash CWM recovery bu Odin
2. Root
3. Flash new rom
which one is correct ?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
It's a noob question but don't worry since everyone used to be a noob
I would forget rooting or CWM or ODIN completley. Just download Samsung Kies from their website and it will update it for you to the latest version which happens to be 4.1.2 for S2. It's a lot less riskier than rooting and flashing. Good luck!

A lot of suggestions here that don't answer his/her questions..
@OP: there are guides everywhere. I assume you didn't read them as good as you should, otherwise you didn't have to ask them. Root your device if you really want to, and the things like CWM and flashing afterwards should become clear to you since they're all explained in these same guides. Good luck.

Related

[Q] Trying to install cyanogenmod 7 on SGS2

Hey everyone,
First of all, i apologize if any of what i'm asking here is stuff that has been covered before. I have been searching myself for answers for the last several days and have found plenty of good info, but i am new to android and i think i need to ask some question to help get a base level understanding of what i need to do. I am a bit nervous about bricking my phone so i maybe haven't been as adventurous trying to get everything running as god intended.
Firstly, i have used and understand Odin, using it to flash roms and such. I have rooted the phone and installed ROM Manager and clockworkmod 4.0.1.5 on the phone, but when i boot into recovery mode, it is still on the android recovery 3e and i cannot do the update.zip, I get signature verification failed. Now i KNOW this is cause of the android recovery 3e, and i have found this issue has been encountered plenty before, but my confusion is in some of the solutions i have found. Mainly the terminology and how the steps directly apply to the phone. For example, I found on another forum thread :
1- Copy the Zimage from your rooted kernel and paste it to SD card of your phone.
2- Flash the Stock kernel via Odin to get rid of Yellow triangle.
3- Flash the Zip file (Zimage) via CWM which you've already pasted in Step 1.
i don't really understand what the zimage is. Why do i need it, what IS it frankly? Where do i get it or a stock kernel for my phone. Does versioning matter much? i read that for the most part the kernels are almost identical to each other, and the fact all i really need is for the android recovery mode to be 2e or whatever it is (so it will not do the signature check on the update.zip file), that i don't really need to pay much attention to the actual kernel version.
What i really need i guess is for someone to break it down for me and either explain the steps or give me a detailed step by step on how to get clockworkmod recovery working so i can proceed with the cyanogen mod running on phone (not enjoying touchwiz at all).
Again, sorry if i am giving anyone spasms at my noobish-ness, but i have been searching for my answers for a day or two now and i haven't been able to find anything that really tells me what i need to know.
Phone : GT-I9100M
Android : 2.3.3
Kernal : 2.6.35.7-I9100XWKDD-CL
Build : GINGERBREAD.UGKG2
Thanks
riccochet said:
Hey everyone,
clockworkmod 4.0.1.5 on the phone, but when i boot into recovery mode, it is still on the android recovery 3e
That means you have not installed it flash CWM and \Root from here .
Root + CWM .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
Beware of following instructions from a separate rom to the one you are flashing .
1- Copy the Zimage from your rooted kernel and paste it to SD card of your phone.
2- Flash the Stock kernel via Odin to get rid of Yellow triangle.
3- Flash the Zip file (Zimage) via CWM which you've already pasted in Step 1.
i don't really understand what the zimage is.
ZImage is the kernel .
Why do i need it, what IS it frankly? Where do i get it or a stock kernel for my phone. Does versioning matter much? i read that for the most part the kernels are almost identical to each other, and the fact all i really need is for the android recovery mode to be 2e or whatever it is (so it will not do the signature check on the update.zip file), that i don't really need to pay much attention to the actual kernel version.
You are confusing yourself .
Flash correct CWM from above link .
Choose the custom rom and follow the instructions posted for that rom .
CyanogenMod as the man says
Warning : Not for new users, flash this build only if you know what you are doing !!!
#Followed by his install instructions ~~~
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I have been doing more reading and i think i am understanding the rooting process a bit better.
I looked at the link you posted (thanks for that, i saw the forum post for the i9000 but i never could find the i9100 post for some reason) and i DO have another question after reading through a good chunk of the posts on it.
There is no CF Root for my kernel, but the reply that was made to someone else with my kernel version was :
"Flash the Stock 2.3.4 ROM (XXKG5, XXKG6 or XXKG7) and root with CF-Root-XXKG6."
I understand that process and how it works but i thought you were only supposed to flash roms based on your firmware version? My KDD kernel version is running on 2.3.3
Will this cause any issues if i flash the stock 2.3.4 ROM?
Download cm7 zip for the newest nightly.
Copy it to internal sd card.
Flash any cf root kernel
Boot into recovery
Wipe data and cache, you will lose all your data on your phone, so backup sms (I recommend sms backup +), also you will lose App data so you might want to back that up first using something like titanium backup.
Wipe dalvik cache (under advanced)
Chose install zip from sd card
Select the cm7 zip
Reboot
If you get stuck at the boot screen go back into recovery and flash the zip again
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Thanks Veyka.
I think i'm ok with the CM7 install process. I am probably going to wait until i really feel like i understand the whole process from front to back before i start messing with that though.
I can't get to that point yet however since i haven't been able to get CWM recovery working yet. I have the Android Recovery 3e, which will not install from zip files that aren't digitally signed.
So i'm trying to get CF Root installed and working, however, as mentioned in my previous post there is no CF Root for my kernel. I would like it clarified if it is ok for me to flash to a 2.3.4 stock ROM (i'm running 2.3.3) and then use a CF root for a the new ROM.
I was under the impression that this was not a good idea.
If i should not be doing this, is there a recommended way to upgrade my firmware to 2.3.4 so i can use a newer CF Root?
Thanks
Pick a new stock rom, I would go for kg6, flash it via odin.
Then flash the kg6 CF root kernel via odin and you will have cwm recovery.
Don't put the pit into odin and don't tick repartition or update bootloader.
There is a good thread with all the info you need on flashing stock roms with odin and a list of all avaliable roms.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Thanks for all the help. I was able to make sense of the process (which is actually quite simple, just needed to put it all together in my head to make sense) and get everything done.
Appreciate all the help!
veyka said:
Download cm7 zip for the newest nightly.
Copy it to internal sd card.
Flash any cf root kernel
Boot into recovery
Wipe data and cache, you will lose all your data on your phone, so backup sms (I recommend sms backup +), also you will lose App data so you might want to back that up first using something like titanium backup.
Wipe dalvik cache (under advanced)
Chose install zip from sd card
Select the cm7 zip
Reboot
If you get stuck at the boot screen go back into recovery and flash the zip again
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I have rooted my phone using the quick root guide found here and therefore I have my stock kernel back w/ root. Do I need to install a cf root kernel?
Also, when the new ROM gets flashed how does one recover the apps and data lost?
NABNAP said:
Hi,
I have rooted my phone using the quick root guide found here and therefore I have my stock kernel back w/ root. Do I need to install a cf root kernel?
Also, when the new ROM gets flashed how does one recover the apps and data lost?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Titanium Backup PRO for your app. You can backup all of them then restore on any rom.
Is there anything that Titanium Backup doesn't back up for which I need to use another application?
Thanks.
NABNAP said:
Is there anything that Titanium Backup doesn't back up for which I need to use another application?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sms.. use another app to backup your sms.. for example sms backup as mentioned before..

Need help with rooting my i9100

Guys I need help with rooting and installing CWM recovery on my phone so i can install custom roms. Im running on stock 4.03 ZSLPE...What is the safest way for me without bricking my phone. Because 1 of my friends super bricked his phone after trying to install a custom rom..Plz help
Try cf-foot ( kernel ) or try the zip methord ( i forgot the link , search in google ,this is a little bit safer )
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Mebin Robin said:
Try cf-foot ( kernel ) or try the zip methord ( i forgot the link , search in google ,this is a little bit safer )
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cf root will just root the phone ryt ?? What i want is to have CWM recovery to be able to install custom roms
pasanjay said:
Cf root will just root the phone ryt ?? What i want is to have CWM recovery to be able to install custom roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cf root will give u root and CWM recovery, so u're be able to install custom rom
1. Download any version of CWM from here
2. Get desired rom (kernel too if you want)
3. Place everything in Externel SDcard
4. Boot into stock recovery (Power+Home+Vol up)
5. Use stock recovery to flash CWM
6. Backup Current stock rom
7. Wipe the usual
8. Flash Custom rom (Or just kernel)
9. Reboot
10. ?? Profit ??
Now you got Custom rom or Kernel + Full stock rom backup (can always get stock rom from sammobile if you lose it)
-Grift- said:
1. Download any version of CWM from here
2. Get desired rom (kernel too if you want)
3. Place everything in Externel SDcard
4. Boot into stock recovery (Power+Home+Vol up)
5. Use stock recovery to flash CWM
6. Backup Current stock rom
7. Wipe the usual
8. Flash Custom rom (Or just kernel)
9. Reboot
10. ?? Profit ??
Now you got Custom rom or Kernel + Full stock rom backup (can always get stock rom from sammobile if you lose it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank u for the response. But im a bit scared flash or wipe in temp touch recovery. Because a friend of mine got his s2 super bricked while trying to flash on stock 4.04 kernel. does this emcc bug affect 4.03 stock kernels as well? So can i just flash the latest Siyah Kernel using ODIN ??
Any time you root/flash a Rom theres a chance to brick your phone. What -Grift- said is the easiest and best way to flash a custom Rom in my opinion. Just make a Nandroid backup, delete data and cache, install the zip file from your SD card. I've flashed 4 Roms so far with this phone, all successfully. Currently I'm running Cyanogenmod 7 on my DINC 2. Good luck on whatever method you choose.
Sent from my Droid Incredible 2 using Tapatalk.
Go into download mode, connect your phone to your computer and use Odin to flash a custom kernel to your phone. That done, you have root and you're safe from the emmc superbug. (EDIT: although 4.0.3 doesnt have the bug, if thats what is bothering you) You can then flash a custom rom or whatever else you please. Use the TAR version of siyah v4.1.5 from www.gokhanmoral.com
Instructions on how to use Odin are available all over this site and on the web in general. Search and you'll get it.
If you don't wanna use Odin, your only other option is flashing temporary CWM. Search for rachmat3's method or use the one mentioned above. All three are equally safe provided you read up on the procedure adequately.
99.9% of the phones getting bricked is coz people jump headlong into the procedure without first bothering to educate themselves on how to go about it. They get what they deserve.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app.
If noobs on xda have taught me one thing, its that smartphones just aren't for everyone.
Or just wipe only when you have flash the rom (custom recoveries are safe e.g siyah dorimanx)
Edit: AFAIK 4.0.3 are safe the bug is with leaked 4.0.4?
HAXTREME said:
Go into download mode, connect your phone to your computer and use Odin to flash a custom kernel to your phone. That done, you have root and you're safe from the emmc superbug. (EDIT: although 4.0.3 doesnt have the bug, if thats what is bothering you) You can then flash a custom rom or whatever else you please. Use the TAR version of siyah v4.1.5 from www.gokhanmoral.com
Instructions on how to use Odin are available all over this site and on the web in general. Search and you'll get it.
If you don't wanna use Odin, your only other option is flashing temporary CWM. Search for rachmat3's method or use the one mentioned above. All three are equally safe provided you read up on the procedure adequately.
99.9% of the phones getting bricked is coz people jump headlong into the procedure without first bothering to educate themselves on how to go about it. They get what they deserve.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app.
If noobs on xda have taught me one thing, its that smartphones just aren't for everyone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the info. I know few things about rooting and custom roms. I have flashed so moany roms with my HTC. Im new to samsung and odin. Thats why i wanted to make sure before doing anything stupid.
Thank u all for the help. I successfuly flashed Siyah kernel to get root and CWM

[Q] After reading a few guides, I'm still a little confused (CWM & rom related q's)

[Q] After reading a few guides, I'm still a little confused (CWM & rom related q's)
Guys I apologize for the long, and n00b post, I have no experience with this whatsoever, and this is an expensive device, i want to make the process as safe as possible, so I would really appreciate if you can help me clear my confusion.
I own S3 GT-I9300, which I want to change it's rom to one of the stock roms of my country, device purchased in Australia, and I'm having some issues.
Now, I understand I need CWM to be able to back up my phone, and Odin to install, but here is what I'm confused about:
1. There is a pack by ChainFire which installs CWM and roots your device, this is nice, however I now learned that the CF pack contains a relatively old version of CWM, and if I want to install the latest one 6.0.1 if I understand correctly, then I need to install it by myself.
- what's the difference between the new CWM version and the one in CF's pack?
- The CF pack installs root to your device, do I need to do this myself if I install only the CWM recovery?
- Can I install an 'official' (i.e. not a mod) rom without rooting my device?
- Is rooting reversible?
- Is the latest version of CWM the one which supports touch?
2. I found many links, but I'm not sure which one is considered a safe ones here so I would appreciate trusted links to:
- CWM 6.0.1 (or later?) which supports touch for GT-I9300
- Odin - the version I need
And finally, if I understood correctly the way to do the procedure itself is (roughly):
-get Odin, CWM, and rom
-put device in recovery mod, open Odin -> PDA, flash CWM, reboot
-Back up device with CWM
-put device in download mod, open Odin -> PDA, flash ROM, reboot
Is that right?
VicSticks said:
Guys I apologize for the long, and n00b post, I have no experience with this whatsoever, and this is an expensive device, i want to make the process as safe as possible, so I would really appreciate if you can help me clear my confusion.
I own S3 GT-I9300, which I want to change it's rom to one of the stock roms of my country, device purchased in Australia, and I'm having some issues.
Now, I understand I need CWM to be able to back up my phone, and Odin to install, but here is what I'm confused about:
1. There is a pack by ChainFire which installs CWM and roots your device, this is nice, however I now learned that the CF pack contains a relatively old version of CWM, and if I want to install the latest one 6.0.1 if I understand correctly, then I need to install it by myself.
>>>>Forget CWM it does not work and has not been updated just use CWM in recovery for a Nandroid backup.
- Can I install an 'official' (i.e. not a mod) rom without rooting my device?
>>> yes flash any stock rom via Odin .
- Is rooting reversible?
Yes if phone is live .
2. I found many links, but I'm not sure which one is considered a safe ones here so I would appreciate trusted links to:
- CWM 6.0.1 (or later?) which supports touch for GT-I9300
>>>>In dev section you find Touch recovery
- Odin - the version I need
>>>Any
And finally, if I understood correctly the way to do the procedure itself is (roughly):
-get Odin, CWM, and rom
-put device in recovery mod, open Odin -> PDA, flash CWM, reboot
-Back up device with CWM
-put device in download mod, open Odin -> PDA, flash ROM, reboot
Not at all>>>>> root
Flash CF root via Odin as PDA
Boot to recovery backup via CWM .
Stock rom flash as PDA through Odin then above if you want root.
Basics
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1927113
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JJEgan said:
VicSticks said:
Guys I apologize for the long, and n00b post, I have no experience with this whatsoever, and this is an expensive device, i want to make the process as safe as possible, so I would really appreciate if you can help me clear my confusion.
I own S3 GT-I9300, which I want to change it's rom to one of the stock roms of my country, device purchased in Australia, and I'm having some issues.
Now, I understand I need CWM to be able to back up my phone, and Odin to install, but here is what I'm confused about:
1. There is a pack by ChainFire which installs CWM and roots your device, this is nice, however I now learned that the CF pack contains a relatively old version of CWM, and if I want to install the latest one 6.0.1 if I understand correctly, then I need to install it by myself.
>>>>Forget CWM it does not work and has not been updated just use CWM in recovery for a Nandroid backup.
- Can I install an 'official' (i.e. not a mod) rom without rooting my device?
>>> yes flash any stock rom via Odin .
- Is rooting reversible?
Yes if phone is live .
2. I found many links, but I'm not sure which one is considered a safe ones here so I would appreciate trusted links to:
- CWM 6.0.1 (or later?) which supports touch for GT-I9300
>>>>In dev section you find Touch recovery
- Odin - the version I need
>>>Any
And finally, if I understood correctly the way to do the procedure itself is (roughly):
-get Odin, CWM, and rom
-put device in recovery mod, open Odin -> PDA, flash CWM, reboot
-Back up device with CWM
-put device in download mod, open Odin -> PDA, flash ROM, reboot
Not at all>>>>> root
Flash CF root via Odin as PDA
Boot to recovery backup via CWM .
Stock rom flash as PDA through Odin then above if you want root.
Basics
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1927113
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply but I'm still a little confused.
You said not to use CWM because it doesn't work. Can you please elaborate and suggest some alternative?
Then you said to use CWM for backup... Am I missing something? you said not to use CWM... Are there different uses for CWM?
Also you said I don't need to root my device, but then in the procedure I described you said that I need to first root my device.
Like I said I might be missing something because to me it seems like things are contradicting. I would appreciate if you can clear that up.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

(Q) Flashing Custom Rom

Sorry for the noob question, but i really need some assurance before i proceed
My goal is to install CM10 for S2.
So in order to do that i need to:
1. Download ClockworkMod Recovery 5.5.0.4 and flash the kernal via odin
2. Download SuperOneClick to Root my S2
3. Proceed with CM10 flash -> then Factory reset.
So that's about it right? backup has been done. anything else i need? What about modem?
So pointer would be great. I'm kinda rusty, left the android scene for years.
PS - My S2 is stock, no mods.
Forged said:
Sorry for the noob question, but i really need some assurance before i proceed
My goal is to install CM10 for S2.
So in order to do that i need to:
1. Download ClockworkMod Recovery 5.5.0.4 and flash the kernal via odin
2. Download SuperOneClick to Root my S2
3. Proceed with CM10 flash -> then Factory reset.
So that's about it right? backup has been done. anything else i need? What about modem?
So pointer would be great. I'm kinda rusty, left the android scene for years.
PS - My S2 is stock, no mods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite right.
You need CWM recovery to flash CM10.
The easiest way to get it IMO is to flash a rooted kernel which contains CWM recovery.
You can use SiyahKernel or PhilZ-cwm6 kernel ... it's your choice and depends on your current ROM version.
After flashing the kernel, your phone will be rooted and you will have CWM recovery.
You should create a nandroid backup in CWM recovery - just to have a complete system backup of your current ROM.
Then you can flash the CM10 in CWM recovery - stick to the installation instructions of the ROM. You may have to wipe data/do a factory reset.
Good luck !
So if i were to use PhilZ-cwm6, i dont have to use superoneclickroot? Correct?
- so no need for odin right?
About choosing PhilZ kernel, mine is XWLP7, so, i would download XWLPZ kernel? Correct?
im nearly getting it LOL.
You don't need superoneclickroot when using PhilZ-cwm6, it's already rooted.
Go to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1877270 and search for XWLP7 and download that kernel (I'm not sure XWLPZ is close enough in version, but as there is a XWLP7 kernel there, I would use that.)
superoneclick is obselete. If you have CWM then theres no need for Odin. You get CWM with almost all rooted Kernels. If you aren't currently rooted however, you wont have CWM. Imo, the best way to go from no root > root is to flash a rooted Kernel via Odin, and yes your kernel version should correspond to your ROM version.

Android wont boot up after CWM

Hello. I have galaxy S2, and I wanted to install CWM. I installed it (CWM-KitKatCompatible-i9100) with odin with auto reboot unchecked and after that it doesn't boot up. It can go to odin and CWM modes, but the android doesn't launch. I did a recovery to phone storage, but still I cant launch the phone... Can anyone help me?
Flash a compatible kernel to your installed rom via recovery. Or you can flash an insecure kernel via Odin.
Simple cwm flashing won't boot up your phone.
banjara said:
Flash a compatible kernel to your installed rom via recovery. Or you can flash an insecure kernel via Odin.
Simple cwm flashing won't boot up your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind explaining how to flash a compatible kernel to my phone via recovery? Also I didn't install any rom just cwm. And where should I get a proper kernel to my android? Sorry for dumb questions, but I'm not experienced enough as you see...
V6xas said:
Would you mind explaining how to flash a compatible kernel to my phone via recovery? Also I didn't install any rom just cwm. And where should I get a proper kernel to my android? Sorry for dumb questions, but I'm not experienced enough as you see...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there are 3 kernels which are quite popular here which have their depth range till kitkat roms.. A simple search on xda for them will lead you to the respective threads.
1. Gustavo's
2. Dorimanx
3. Apolo
If you want a KK rom then download a KK compatible kernel mentioned in the op for those threads, put that on external sdcard and boot to recovery. There you can flash the Kernel file. As you don't have a rom on your phone it would be better if you download a rom and gapps package too and flash them. After flashing a kernel, reboot to recovery and then flash rom and gapps.
If it's difficult for you to put those files on sdcard, you can flash a stock rom via Odin, flash a kernel e.g. philz, apolo,hirox via Odin. Search for these keywords here on xda. Once you have a working kernel and rom, you can download a custom rom and gapps, put it on your phone and follow the procedure which I mentioned first.
If my steps are still confusing to you then you require to search for these terminologies here on xda,read and understand them carefully and then proceed.
You didn't mention what OS/Firmware was on your phone before you started.....this is VERY important to know as it will decide what you can / cannot flash.....
Custom kernels are OS version dependent.....some will only work with ICS, others will only work with JB.....some are exclusively for KK.
You need to check this.....
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
keithross39 said:
You didn't mention what OS/Firmware was on your phone before you started.....this is VERY important to know as it will decide what you can / cannot flash.....
Custom kernels are OS version dependent.....some will only work with ICS, others will only work with JB.....some are exclusively for KK.
You need to check this.....
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well I couldn't check cause it couldn't boot up, unless there's another way... But whatever I managed to write 4.4.2 Kitkat on my S2 and there's alot missing feature's like, I cant organise my program menu, I cant add many widgets that I had used in my previous android, there are no notes, phone file explorer and other what is irritating... Maybe there's some another pack that I missed when installing or what?

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