[Q] About Changing To Custom ROMs From Scratch - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm planning to use Custom ROM for my JB using Custom Kernels from my Rooted ICS, and I have questions and doubts. Here's the steps and the Q's they have:
So, here's the steps I planned based on my S2 Guide Surfing:
1. Root my ICS (Done)
2. Flash Stock JB Official Firmware via Odin XWMS1? XWMS2? or XWLSW?
Questions Regarding This Step:
A. Do I have to backup my /efs folder from ICS here?
B. Do I have to Wipe Data/Factory Reset + Wipe Cache BEFORE/AFTER flashing the JB Firmware?
3. Flash Siyah? or DorimanX? Kernel via Odin
Questions Regarding This Step:
A. Can I run these kernels on my Stock JB ROM (if succeededly flashed)?
B. If I do a backup on Siyah via its CWM, and changed to DorimanX, then noticed that the kernel's not my type, can I restore my backup from Siyah's to DorimanX's CWM? Or does the both kernel have the same CWM?
4. Flashing Custom ROM via Custom CWM
Questions Regarding This Step:
A. If I flashed a Custom ROM which has a Cusrom Kernel inside (like NeatROM, I suppose), will it be overwritten my Siyah/DorimanX kernel? Or they will still be there?
Thanks for Noticing My Questions! And Very Thanks for Answering Them!

1) Yes, I'd backup up EFS immediately after you root your phone (and even before you do a nandroid backup with CWM). Use Hellcat's kTool from Google Play (and buy Hellcat a beer after you download it).
2) No. No need to wipe when flashing stock firmware (you can if you want though if you like a really clean install) because you're going to be wiping before you do a custom rom install anyway.
3) Yes. You should be able to run Siyah or Dorimanx just fine on stock JB (make sure you choose the right build though; read the threads devoted to these kernels to work out which build you need).
4) Yes, if you do a nandroid backup with CWM while running Siyah, and you switch to Dorimanx & decide you don't like it, you can restore your backup & go back to Siyah.
Though you could just easily re-flash Siyah with CWM to achieve the same result. That will probably be quicker than restoring a backup (say, 2 minutes Vs 10 minutes). If you re-flash a kernel, just the kernel changes, none of your settings/apps/anything else does, so restoring a nandroid just to go back to a particular kernel is overkill.
5) Yes. If you flash a custom rom, the kernel bundled with that rom will overwrite/replace your current kernel. If you don't like the kernel bundled with the rom, you should be able to use any other kernel you want with it provided the kernel you want to use works with the base of the rom (I.E the kernel you want to use works with TW roms if you're running a TW rom, or AOSP if you're running an AOSP rom) & the Android version of the rom you're running. Again, read the thread devoted to the kernel to determine compatibility before you flash it (worse thing that can happen if it isn't compatible is the phone will bootloop though; unlikely to brick your phone outright).

Related

Will my phone bricked if I flash it from Speedmod to Cyanogenmod??

Im thinking about change my rom to Cyanogenmod, but Im afraid it will crash and brick my phone.
Can i just flash it directly? or should i wipe out all stuff first?
Speedmod is a kernel, Cyanogenmod is a ROM.
CyanogenMod 7 (w/ Gingerbread 2.3.7) for Galaxy SII Q&A.
No, ist very very unlikely to brick your phone just because you go from stock (or modded stock) or whatever to Cyanogen,
If something goues wrong, you can (nearly) always flash a stock Firmware via ODIN.
As far as I know its almost impossible to brick a modern Android Phone. Except you do do some really "deep" stuff.
But you should wipe your phone when you go from Stock (or modded Stock) to Cyanogen.
And you should flash the Cyanogenmod Rom twice because its using a new or modded version of clockworkmod.
There is a step by step discription in the Cyanogenmod Wiki.
I hope that Information helps a bit.
How to
normalife said:
Im thinking about change my rom to Cyanogenmod, but Im afraid it will crash and brick my phone.
Can i just flash it directly? or should i wipe out all stuff first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.just download latest nightly of cyanogemod and put it on SDcard...Link for latest nightly here: (http://download.cyanogenmod.com/get/cm_galaxys2_full-94.zip)
2.enter CWM recovery and do a wipe data/factory reset,,, wipe cache,, wipe dalvik cache(it is in Advanced option in CWM main menu)...so yes wipe out all stuff first
3. install nightly .zip file from sdcard
4. install nightly .zip file from sdcard AGAIN...REALLY DO IT OR IT WILL NOT BOOT
5. reboot phone from recovery and you will be in CyanogenMod 7 ROM
PS: do not be afraid about SpeedMod kernel....flashing cyanogenmod nightly .zip also flashes CM7 Stock kernel for you
PS: You can try Siyah kernel 2.1 beta 14 (http://www.gokhanmoral.com/public/files/siyahkernel/test/Siyah-v2.1b14-CWM.zip) info here: (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1263838)
I am using this kernel since beta 12 and no problems
PS: Speedmod is name of kernel = core of android system...Cyanogenmod is a ROM = phone firmware
You can ask me again if needed..or send me a PM
Should he not at least make a nandroid backup first
Dude, do some research.
If you managed to get Speedmod onto the phone, then you shouldn't have any other problems.

Some very basic ROM questions. Could not find an answer for 24hrs of searching!

Hello everyone,
I'm just about to go out of my mind, haha. I've successfully rooted my phone and I am interested in installing a new, custom ROM. However, I want to be 100% sure that I am not leading myself into the path of bricking. I have a couple questions that I think are basic enough, but haven't found an answer to anywhere online.
1.) Do I need a specific kernel and/or firmware in order to install a custom ROM?
2.) These are my specs for my phone
Android 2.3.3
Baseband: I9100DXKI1
Kernel: I9100DXKI2
Looking at my specs, will I be able to install this rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1198334 ?
Will any other ROM work for my phone? Now that it is rooted, am I freely able to install any ROM using clockworkmod or odin without having to change the kernels?
I'm very new to this and I'm hoping somoone can help me out with this.
Thanks a ton in advance!
Just rooting is not enough to install custom rom. You need to install clockworkmod recovery either through rom manager or flash a custom kernel which has CWM.
You can flash any kernel compatible with your device (for example, you cannot flash I9100G kernel/firmware on I9100 model).
You can get a lot of information here at xda. All the developers here are very friendly and co-operative.
You're good to go. Backup apps and some data using Titanium backup and/or My Backup Pro or something like those. Then boot into recovery, make a nandroid backup (can be found in the recovery menu), and flash the rom of your choice. You can flash any rom you like, just don't forget to wipe! This is also an option in recovery, wipe data/factory reset. You can also wipe dalvik-cache (found under 'advanced'). Have fun flashing!
Thanks for filling me in guys. I do have CWM installed on the phone, so I'll back up and try to flash. We'll see if I don't brick the phone somehow, haha.
roboedar said:
Thanks for filling me in guys. I do have CWM installed on the phone, so I'll back up and try to flash. We'll see if I don't brick the phone somehow, haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well obviously you wont, all you can do with flashing a wrong rom is getting boot loop, you can always restore your previous rom via nandroid backup. Happy flashing

[Q] Few questions about Kernels

So here's the story,
After I read about the brick bug (Chainfire's GotBrickbug said 'unknown chip' and eMMC Brickbug Check said 'sane chip') just in case I rooted my phone with PhilZ-cwm6 safe stock based kernel and I have CWM recovery that comes along with it. I've flashed Zips, Wiped cache/dalvik and factory reset the phone multiple times without any problem. Now I'd like a new kernel (Siyah) and move on to flashing Roms.
And my questions,
1. Can I use the flashable version of Siyah and flash it using Philz recovery?
2. Does Siyah come with CWM recovery and will it replace the Philz recovery I have?
3. I'm not fond of beta versions so which version of Siyah is stable and battery friendly?
4. Any thing I should do before flashing a new kernel?
It's been a while. Anyone?
siyah has a cwm recovery,it's good for the battery
from recovery : you have to install "remove kernal" before you install the new kernal,fix premisions,reboot recovery,reboot system
for odine: just flash it from the PDA
it did not delete anything from yor device

[Q] Correct way to first time flash ROM... then return to originally running one?

Would the following work as a way to try out, for example Cyanogenmod 10. I am currently running a 4.1.2 install (pretty much stock just rooted/cwm via Philz as per the tutorial). I have a complete backup made via Philz recovery of this rom along with the kernel (which I believe is still stock from that) and efs.
1) Install a custom kernel (eg. dorimanx 9.x?) via the Philz recovery.
2) Install cm-10.2-20140102-NIGHTLY-i9100.zip.
3) To return to the original rom, reflash the original kernel (with whatever CWM is included in dorimanx) - then reflash the backed up rom via the same recovery?
I hope this is clear enough a question.
I believe you have to flash a stock rom through Odin, to return to complete stock. Just flashing a stock kernel isn't enough, and is surely not going to work (so don't do it).There are also tutorials how to remove the yellow triangle afterwards.
Please correct me if I'm wrong
Donnie Sins said:
I believe you have to flash a stock rom through Odin, to return to complete stock. Just flashing a stock kernel isn't enough, and is surely not going to work (so don't do it).There are also tutorials how to remove the yellow triangle afterwards.
Please correct me if I'm wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the part I'm most unsure of. Ideally I'm trying to figure out the process that lets me go from CM10.2 (and whatever recovery) to the point I am running the backed up rom rooted with PhilZ-cwm6-XWLSW-XEU-5.06.1-signed.zip again. Very confused on how to do so.
TopherBrink said:
This is the part I'm most unsure of. Ideally I'm trying to figure out the process that lets me go from CM10.2 (and whatever recovery) to the point I am running the backed up rom rooted with PhilZ-cwm6-XWLSW-XEU-5.06.1-signed.zip again. Very confused on how to do so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Topher,
If you have rooted and cwm via philz, you already have a modified kernel installed. I believe the philz-cwm6 should be as close to stock kernel with the CWM incorporated. You don't need to add another kernel, because it will be replaced when you install the custom ROM. You should just be able to flash the cm10.2 via philz or via odin. You can then flash the dormanix kernel if you want - can't comment on that kernel - or if it has cwm included.
I would also suggest that you consider backing up you /efs folder (one with you imei information etc) prior to flashing any custom roms. People have been using hcKtool to do the backups and also an actual copy as well.
Depending on the custom rom, you may have connection problems with your network. So you may want to consider keeping a copy of your modem.bin file from your stock rom handy in case you need to flash onto the custom rom.
If you want to go back to stock, then you just need to flash the stock rom - you can check sammobile website for your stock rom or use the backup that you made.
I should point out that I have yet to do any of the above - I gathered this from reading the forums. Some more experienced forum users can add corrections. I rooted my phone a couple of months ago and now considering installing custom rom in the next couple of months.
Thanks.
if u flash a custom rom (cm10.2 for example), it already included kernel as well. so if u want to try out other custom kernel, i can flash it after you are done flashing a custom rom but make sure it is compatible with your android version. (u cant use custom kernel that not support android 4.3 with a custom rom running android 4.3)

Newbie to flashing, rooting, etc - several basic questions

Hello,
So lately I've been have some troubles with my phone and I decided to try and flash with a new ROM and see if that helps.
I've been reading on the forums some of the guides, FAQ, and read about some ROMs but I'm still a bit unsure of the entire process.
Currently using GT-I9300, 4.1.2 OS, stock.
Backup:
1. Do I need to flash a custom recovery tool (CWM/TWRG) to create an image backup? Should I just root with Odin and then use Titanium?
2. Do these backup my EFS partition or should I back that up separately?
3. Do I need to root my phone with Odin to be able to flash custom recovery tool/backup my EFS?
ROM/Kernel flashing:
1. Since I'm a newbie to this and there seems to be a ton of ROM options, could you recommend on a stable CM based 4.3 ROM I could use?
2. I haven't seen a stock 4.4.4 for GT-I9300, is it stable to use?
I'm sorry If I've asked something thousands have asked before, I couldn't find a clear answer in a decent amount of time.
Thanks for the help!
menia3d said:
Hello,
So lately I've been have some troubles with my phone and I decided to try and flash with a new ROM and see if that helps.
I've been reading on the forums some of the guides, FAQ, and read about some ROMs but I'm still a bit unsure of the entire process.
Currently using GT-I9300, 4.1.2 OS, stock.
Backup:
1. Do I need to flash a custom recovery tool (CWM/TWRG) to create an image backup? Should I just root with Odin and then use Titanium?
2. Do these backup my EFS partition or should I back that up separately?
3. Do I need to root my phone with Odin to be able to flash custom recovery tool/backup my EFS?
ROM/Kernel flashing:
1. Since I'm a newbie to this and there seems to be a ton of ROM options, could you recommend on a stable CM based 4.3 ROM I could use?
2. I haven't seen a stock 4.4.4 for GT-I9300, is it stable to use?
I'm sorry If I've asked something thousands have asked before, I couldn't find a clear answer in a decent amount of time.
Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup
(1) Titanium only backs up apps and data it does not do a full (Nandroid backup Google it) Root with cf autoroot http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1980683 and then flash a custom recovery (choice is yours cwm,Twrp,PhilZ flash with Odin)
(2) Yes some custom recoveries back up efs PhilZ does I think twrp does not sure about cwm ( I don't think it does maybe wrong on that) nandroid backups don't backup your efs do this separately
(3) Technically you don't need root to flash a recovery but if you want to backup anything in recovery then you need to root.You will only need to root your phone once if you are intending to flash custom roms (so that you can backup) because root is included in custom roms.
IMPORTANT! You must backup your efs once you have flashed a custom recovery especially coming from 4.1.2. and keep multiple copies on phone and pc!
Rom/Kernel flashing
(1) We cannot recommend roms it is against XDA rules
(2) Their is no stock 4.4.4 roms last release was 4.3 anything else is a custom/port of 4.4
Thanks for your help, that cleared up a few things.
I ended up using samsung galaxy S3 toolkit (which is amazing btw) to root & load insecure boot image, flash custom recovery img and backup everything on my phone.
I'm now ready to flash my first custom ROM
Again, thanks a bunch

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