Related
Before i try to install a new rom what are the advantages over stock?
Thanks chrisi
See the (rather extensive) features section in the OP of any of the fine ROMs available. I use CherryCrust with the ProDX theme (thanks, Noattach) as well as the Argos font pack ported by Whipon. I am very satisfied with the tweaks and mods that navalynt has ported and/or baked up (many thanks). It is well worth reading up and doing it right (read the directions, warnings and prerequisites 10x over before doing anything!). I hope I answered your question, as I don't really see any other way it can be interpreted. Don't forget the thanks button
-omni
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Terradualcore_ftw said:
Before i try to install a new rom what are the advantages over stock?
Thanks chrisi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to the person above, each ROM thread has a features list in the first post.
If you are move comfortable with stock rom, you can sort of "create your own rom" by installing stock deodexed 2.3.4 and applying the mods you want from there (themes, custom kernels, battery % mod, tethering mod, webtop mod, sd card fix, etc.....)
Installing all of this is really easy if you have an unlocked CWM recovery.
I installed a custom rom for the first time yesterday (Aura) And im very pleased with the difference! i think you would like it!. even if theres the posibility of bricking your device its worth it.
Terradualcore_ftw said:
Before i try to install a new rom what are the advantages over stock?
Thanks chrisi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really comes down to how bored you are with stock? There are people that have gone down the custom route, and have gone back. It's all about personal preference.
If you are happy with stock, you may wanna stick it out and spend some time reading about the custom kernals. That way when you do eventually get bored, you'll have a much better chance of upgrading successfully.
Definitely try to "Baby steps" your phone as much as possible...
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Thanks guys guess i will have to read up on each rom.. a custom rom is basicly the whole OS vs just doing a kernel upgrade? Id really love to go balls out and do the rom but we will see.. there is no way to bring back a bricked device is there? What could cause a brick besides not flashing right? I wish there was someone local that could do the rom for me lol. I guess im going to have to do some reading.
Also i rooted it using fastboot... now whats this i see with unlocking through fastboot? I need to unlock the phone before i can even think about flashing a rom?
Terradualcore_ftw said:
there is no way to bring back a bricked device is there? What could cause a brick besides not flashing right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are 2 types of bricks; soft and hard. A hard bricked phone turns it into a paperweight. A soft bricked phone can be recovered. There is a sticky post on the developer forum that describes how to avoid hard bricking your phone.
The stock vs custom ROM issue is a truly personal preference as described above. The only way to get more comfortable with it is by reading and doing. READ FIRST!
YES, unlock the bootloader first. i soft bricked mine when i was learning how to do it.
Hey folks.
The S4 is my first smartphone. Ever. I rooted it a few weeks ago and have been playing with different tools and utilities. I love the extra control it gives me.
Been using Smartlauncher Pro as my launcher as well, but it doesn't give me the customization I want. I dig the UI though, it's minimalist just the way I like.
I've been keeping my eye out for ROM's I can try out, and I think I want to try Cynogen for the S4. However, I am terrified of destroying my investment. I've read horror stories of flashes gone wrong... I don't want to permanently brick my device.
Is there anyone here who can hold my hand while I install my ROM? I seriously have no idea what I'm doing, instructions or no.
...I sound so pathetic right now.
Thanks folks.
shaddz said:
Hey folks.
The S4 is my first smartphone. Ever. I rooted it a few weeks ago and have been playing with different tools and utilities. I love the extra control it gives me.
Been using Smartlauncher Pro as my launcher as well, but it doesn't give me the customization I want. I dig the UI though, it's minimalist just the way I like.
I've been keeping my eye out for ROM's I can try out, and I think I want to try Cynogen for the S4. However, I am terrified of destroying my investment. I've read horror stories of flashes gone wrong... I don't want to permanently brick my device.
Is there anyone here who can hold my hand while I install my ROM? I seriously have no idea what I'm doing, instructions or no.
...I sound so pathetic right now.
Thanks folks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a custom recovery installed like TWRP or CWM? If you do all you need to do is download the rom (I put them on ext sd)....and gapps if your flashing cyanogen, boot into recovery, make a backup (I put this on my ext sd card too), wipe, flash rom, flash gapps and reboot.
shaddz said:
Hey folks.
The S4 is my first smartphone. Ever. I rooted it a few weeks ago and have been playing with different tools and utilities. I love the extra control it gives me.
Been using Smartlauncher Pro as my launcher as well, but it doesn't give me the customization I want. I dig the UI though, it's minimalist just the way I like.
I've been keeping my eye out for ROM's I can try out, and I think I want to try Cynogen for the S4. However, I am terrified of destroying my investment. I've read horror stories of flashes gone wrong... I don't want to permanently brick my device.
Is there anyone here who can hold my hand while I install my ROM? I seriously have no idea what I'm doing, instructions or no.
...I sound so pathetic right now.
Thanks folks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi!
The first thing you need to find out is what build number you have. This will tell you if you are able to root and install recovery in order to put a new rom on the phone. Do NOT update your phone by the over the air update that is currently available! To find your build number go to settings: the more tab: about phone, then scroll down. If you have JDQ39.I545VRUAME7 then you are in the same boat as many of us and accidently did the upgrade which at this moment has no way to root. If you haven't done the upgrade than you need to find one of the many threads on here that will walk you through the process.
Hope this helps some, there are others on here that can give you a much more detailed walkthrough of how to root if you are on the correct older build.
The best advice I can give is to read the entire original post (OP) for the ROM you like, and as much of the thread as you can. 9 times out of 10 when someone has a problem with the ROM it's been discussed, and is often listed in the OP. Usually there are step by step instructions on installing the ROM. I believe there's a general ROM flashing guide in this forum somewhere as well.
Good luck and have fun :good:
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
FNM
shaddz said:
Hey folks.
The S4 is my first smartphone. Ever. I rooted it a few weeks ago and have been playing with different tools and utilities. I love the extra control it gives me.
Been using Smartlauncher Pro as my launcher as well, but it doesn't give me the customization I want. I dig the UI though, it's minimalist just the way I like.
I've been keeping my eye out for ROM's I can try out, and I think I want to try Cynogen for the S4. However, I am terrified of destroying my investment. I've read horror stories of flashes gone wrong... I don't want to permanently brick my device.
Is there anyone here who can hold my hand while I install my ROM? I seriously have no idea what I'm doing, instructions or no.
...I sound so pathetic right now.
Thanks folks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to start reading, period.
srphoenix said:
Hi!
The first thing you need to find out is what build number you have. This will tell you if you are able to root and install recovery in order to put a new rom on the phone. Do NOT update your phone by the over the air update that is currently available! To find your build number go to settings: the more tab: about phone, then scroll down. If you have JDQ39.I545VRUAME7 then you are in the same boat as many of us and accidently did the upgrade which at this moment has no way to root. If you haven't done the upgrade than you need to find one of the many threads on here that will walk you through the process.
Hope this helps some, there are others on here that can give you a much more detailed walkthrough of how to root if you are on the correct older build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JDQ39.I545VRUAMDK is the version I have. I froze the updater using Titanium a couple weeks ago... And my phone is already rooted.
shaddz said:
JDQ39.I545VRUAMDK is the version I have. I froze the updater using Titanium a couple weeks ago... And my phone is already rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good! You haven't been updated which means you can still flash ROMs. Are you familiar with both types of ROMs, TouchWiz and AOSP? CyanogenMod is an AOSP ROM, which will be completely different from what you're running right now, TouchWiz. You're rooted, but have you installed a custom recovery? You need one to flash ROM's, either TWRP or CWM. You can also make a nandroid backup in recovery, and if anything goes wrong, you can go back to exactly how you are now. Definitely read the OP of the ROM thread multiple times and follow the flashing instructions correctly.
thesoldier said:
That's good! You haven't been updated which means you can still flash ROMs. Are you familiar with both types of ROMs, TouchWiz and AOSP? CyanogenMod is an AOSP ROM, which will be completely different from what you're running right now, TouchWiz. You're rooted, but have you installed a custom recovery? You need one to flash ROM's, either TWRP or CWM. You can also make a nandroid backup in recovery, and if anything goes wrong, you can go back to exactly how you are now. Definitely read the OP of the ROM thread multiple times and follow the flashing instructions correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I just made a full phone backup using GooManager/TWRP.
Now for the next step...
shaddz said:
Okay, I just made a full phone backup using GooManager/TWRP.
Now for the next step...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If anything goes wrong with the flash in the next step, go to restore and you'll be back to how you are now.
Did you download the ROM to your phone along with Gapps? For AOSP Roms you need a separate gapps package, which is Google apps.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
thesoldier said:
If anything goes wrong with the flash in the next step, go to restore and you'll be back to how you are now.
Did you download the ROM to your phone along with Gapps? For AOSP Roms you need a separate gapps package, which is Google apps.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just started the download for gapps package using Goomanager.
I checked out the Cyanogenmod site, apparently there's no stable versions for the VZW GS4?
Oh wells, flash anyway! That's what I do!
Worst case scenario, you have to use Odin to get back to stock. I used to keep a nandroid on my PC for just in case scenarios as well. One time on my GNex I flashed something really bad and had to adb pull everything off my phone, wipe the whole thing, and start over.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
jova33 said:
Oh wells, flash anyway! That's what I do!
Worst case scenario, you have to use Odin to get back to stock. I used to keep a nandroid on my PC for just in case scenarios as well. One time on my GNex I flashed something really bad and had to adb pull everything off my phone, wipe the whole thing, and start over.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downloading the most recent nightly.
What do I do to get it on here?
shaddz said:
Downloading the most recent nightly.
What do I do to get it on here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah you'll have to download a nightly, I don't think there are any stable versions out yet. Are you downloading it directly on your phone? Or on your PC?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Thread cleaned of useless comments.
Thread is also closed - as XDA, even though full of helpful and nice people, is not a direct support site.
Users are expected to do some reading before they post and blatantly ask for hand holding. And, as you have seen, other users have a tendency to not be so nice and make trolling comments because of that.
This is a development site and is about development - so, please, study up first, then post questions based from what you have learned.
I have the Galaxy Note 1 with Jellybean 4.1.2 on it. I have the phone rooted and all backed up on all counts. I'm trying to flash the aokp_quincyatt_unofficial_2013-08-28.zip file and it's giving me an error. Please don't ask what that error is because I can't make heads or tales of all the code. I can tell you its a status 7 error and it's telling me there is a problem in the zip file. I downloaded it 3 times and still get the same error. Can someone tell me what's going on. Did I not do something or need additional files?
Update your recovery to twrp........should fix your problem
2$HAYNE
shayneflashindaily said:
Update your recovery to twrp........should fix your problem
2$HAYNE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you tell me how to do that?...lol...sorry I been out of the game for a while here.
cougar214 said:
Can you tell me how to do that?...lol...sorry I been out of the game for a while here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
download file and flash like any other ROM and it will replace CWM.
can find file in ORIGINAL ANDROID DEVELOPMENT or SUPER EVERYTHING THREAD
Also with goo manager ...install open recovery
2$HAYNE
I installed CWM following the guide below and I just flashed the Blown Fuze AOKP rom with no issues.
http://androidlegend.com/touch-clockworkmod-recovery-for-att-samsung-galaxy-note-sgh-i717/
Twrp is better
2$HAYNE
shayneflashindaily said:
Twrp is better
2$HAYNE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it up and running. Thanks guys. But I will be flashing something else. This thing is running worse than the stock Rom. My messaging wont even load. It just keeps crashing out. I know there are mixed feelings about CM 10 based Roms and with this i'm gonna have to go with those that want to stay away from them.
cougar214 said:
I got it up and running. Thanks guys. But I will be flashing something else. This thing is running worse than the stock Rom. My messaging wont even load. It just keeps crashing out. I know there are mixed feelings about CM 10 based Roms and with this i'm gonna have to go with those that want to stay away from them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aokp isnt a cm based rom its an aosp based rom
You may want to try to download the rom again and reflash. Make sure you see doing a full wipe. You can also get help within the AOKP thread.
Sent from my SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 4
Ok. So just to give it a fair chance I went ahead and did a another full data wipe. It is running better. I'm not sure if this has been an issue or even talked about in their thread, and being over 100 pages im not gonna look through it all...lol, But I used TB to restore my apps. no data. Just apps. I am aware that TB can screw up the build.prop on some Roms. So that is the main reason for the second data wipe. To see if that is in fact the cause of it running like crap. I also used sms backup to restore my texts.
And right now my phone is hanging like a ******.....Soooo....It looks like sms backup may be the culprit here. And you guys have to forgive me with all this because I have been out of the game for about a year now. When I first got this Note there were maybe 3 Roms out for it....lol. I am going to give this Rom it's fair run and just keep messing with things because I know all phones are not created equal. And from what I can see all you developers have done amazing work with these Roms.
That's why I'm back. I need to make my old phone new again... I was debating on whether or not to flash the Uber kernel. I know the basics of what a kernel is. But what I don't know is if I flash the kernel do you have to flash the Rom again or does the kernel just change and leave the OS intact?
You can flash the kernel no prob...........can someone tell me why people back up texts ...I don't get the point
2$HAYNE
cougar214 said:
Ok. So just to give it a fair chance I went ahead and did a another full data wipe. It is running better. I'm not sure if this has been an issue or even talked about in their thread, and being over 100 pages im not gonna look through it all...lol, But I used TB to restore my apps. no data. Just apps. I am aware that TB can screw up the build.prop on some Roms. So that is the main reason for the second data wipe. To see if that is in fact the cause of it running like crap. I also used sms backup to restore my texts.
And right now my phone is hanging like a ******.....Soooo....It looks like sms backup may be the culprit here. And you guys have to forgive me with all this because I have been out of the game for about a year now. When I first got this Note there were maybe 3 Roms out for it....lol. I am going to give this Rom it's fair run and just keep messing with things because I know all phones are not created equal. And from what I can see all you developers have done amazing work with these Roms.
That's why I'm back. I need to make my old phone new again... I was debating on whether or not to flash the Uber kernel. I know the basics of what a kernel is. But what I don't know is if I flash the kernel do you have to flash the Rom again or does the kernel just change and leave the OS intact?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would not have to flash the rom again .. just the kernel. But the new Uber is for 4.3 and not 4.2 .. so it is not compatible.
The included kernel is built by Fuze to go with this rom.
Just to be sure you get the best experience with AOKP, your wipe should include Dalvik, Cache, Data, and system.
I restore with TiBu all my user apps and selected user app data.
I pretty much run the rom as is out of the box and it is doing a great job on my phone.
Shayne Some people restore texts to not lose certain conversations. That's why I do it. Bubba I am aware of the 4.3 kernel being incompatible. The older versions are however compatible. That's why I was considering it. The problem is, as everyone knows, all phones are the same. So one kernel may run super on your phone but not mine. I just want to get the best possible performance out of this Rom because I do like it. So far it is performing better after the second full wipe.
And by the way. My data connection is WAY better on this Rom than stock.
cougar214 said:
Shayne Some people restore texts to not lose certain conversations. That's why I do it. Bubba I am aware of the 4.3 kernel being incompatible. The older versions are however compatible. That's why I was considering it. The problem is, as everyone knows, all phones are the same. So one kernel may run super on your phone but not mine. I just want to get the best possible performance out of this Rom because I do like it. So far it is performing better after the second full wipe.
And by the way. My data connection is WAY better on this Rom than stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it's working for ya.
I do have another question about that, or any, kernel. After flashing a kernel is it permanent? As in there is no flashing back to the previous kernel?
cougar214 said:
I do have another question about that, or any, kernel. After flashing a kernel is it permanent? As in there is no flashing back to the previous kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fuze has his posted in the op so you can revert back. Here is a link: Fuze Kernel The only other way would be to make your Nandroid prior to flashing the kernel .. then revert back.
I'm not sure that the Fuze kernel at that link would be exactly the same as the latest release .. he is constantly tweaking it.
shayneflashindaily said:
You can flash the kernel no prob...........can someone tell me why people back up texts ...I don't get the point
2$HAYNE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you married? If you are, I congradulate you on the most carefree marriage alive.
I on the other hand come across some of the he said she said moments where information is ammunition and need to prove innocence or guilt on occasion. I don't take a knife to a gun fight.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Lmao captemo. But it is true. Another fine reason to back up your texts. I don't know about you but arguing with a woman and not having the proof to back it up is totally useless.....lol
cougar214 said:
Lmao captemo. But it is true. Another fine reason to back up your texts. I don't know about you but arguing with a woman and not having the proof to back it up is totally useless.....lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Arguing with a woman, even with proof is pointless!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
So I was given an galaxy note i717 att version the other day and I'd like to use it on tmobile. Anyways I unlocked the phone and flashed tmobiles radios/modems on it but I want to use a different rom on the phone. Will I mess up the phone if I put a rom on it because i changed the network modems?, and if not which rom should I use with my att note i717 on tmobile?
bluebeanie said:
So I was given an galaxy note i717 att version the other day and I'd like to use it on tmobile. Anyways I unlocked the phone and flashed tmobiles radios/modems on it but I want to use a different rom on the phone. Will I mess up the phone if I put a rom on it because i changed the network modems?, and if not which rom should I use with my att note i717 on tmobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can run any rom you like if you've flashed the right version of recovery. There are several 4.4.2 roms available if you want to run the latest. Depending on your area, you may get as good a signal with an att modem. Personally I'm running the BlownFuze 4.4.2 with the UVLG3 modem, with no major issues.
jman315 said:
You can run any rom you like if you've flashed the right version of recovery. There are several 4.4.2 roms available if you want to run the latest. Depending on your area, you may get as good a signal with an att modem. Personally I'm running the BlownFuze 4.4.2 with the UVLG3 modem, with no major issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok. Im kinda new to this. Im gonna go ahead and try that rom but say it doesnt work right and I want to change it. Do i just go back to CWM recovery and restore from my backup?
bluebeanie said:
Oh ok. Im kinda new to this. Im gonna go ahead and try that rom but say it doesnt work right and I want to change it. Do i just go back to CWM recovery and restore from my backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, make a CWM backup first in case something goes wrong. Also, make sure you're running CWM 6.0.4.3 before you flash a 4.4.2 rom
jman315 said:
Yes, make a CWM backup first in case something goes wrong. Also, make sure you're running CWM 6.0.4.3 before you flash a 4.4.2 rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks. Im new to this so im not trying to bug you but that will restore my gapps and stuff right?
bluebeanie said:
Ok thanks. Im new to this so im not trying to bug you but that will restore my gapps and stuff right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any JB and up roms, you will need to flash gapps again, but your apps will come back when you log in your gmail. Just read the OP for rom you use and there will be a link to appropriate gapps, though many are the same.
If your new though, I would advise you to read up a bit. Nobody is going to replace your phone if you dont understand and as far as I know, nobody has invented a time machine yet.
Welcome aboard, its fun, but nobody is responsible but you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using xda app-developers app
captemo said:
Any JB and up roms, you will need to flash gapps again, but your apps will come back when you log in your gmail. Just read the OP for rom you use and there will be a link to appropriate gapps, though many are the same.
If your new though, I would advise you to read up a bit. Nobody is going to replace your phone if you dont understand and as far as I know, nobody has invented a time machine yet.
Welcome aboard, its fun, but nobody is responsible but you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Thanks. Im really liking the community here. I think im going to try and build my own rom for my note.
I never changed the radio for T-Mobile on my at&t note. It works fine. Good luck to ya and welcome to the community.
Sent from my HTC One Max using Tapatalk!
Same here - never changed a radio. I have rooted and customized a few of i717 and the previous radio seems to either stay on or in some cases such as BeanStalk Rom it replaced my radio. Either way they are all on target with TMO.
Hi folks, I've beem looking forward to flash/use my AT&T galaxy note 2 on T-Mobile as well, can some one please share your experience and the links to flashing or unlocking it please?
Hello, not new to rooting and such but I'm a little confused. Just got this Note 2 after breaking my G2. I'm on ND7, managed to root and install safestrap. I've made a stock back up and flashed over my stock as there is no rom slot support yet. I've flashed Alliance 30 and it worked well. My question is, can I flash other Rom's like Wilson's CM12? My bootloader is still locked. Is there a safe way to unlock it? I've searched and found that if you have a locked bootloader you can't flash kernels. I think? Not trying to be annoying. Just confused. I haven't used safestrap since my old Razr days, lol. Any help would be awesome. Thanks in advance. ..
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
I think you can flash any rom using safestrap. The only ones I tried so far are DN3 and Alliancerom. They flashed with no problems. I would like to add on to this question though, Can I flash any mods using safestrap?
Right. Or kernels for that matter? It's strange because there's some people with unlocked bootloader's, some with safe strap, and some just plain old stock rooted (which was a pain in it's self).
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
Did a little more digging into the thread, basically if your bootloader is locked, the only Rom's that you can flash are those with the same build and kernel that you are currently on. So you were right. As far as flashing mods with safestrap, still unsure. ???
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
No other ROMs besides the above mentioned? Seems almost worth sending it to that company to downgrade
any group pricing?
Installed Mocha DrIzzle, liking it so far except the network speed mod
If I couldnt stand to be without telelphone....
stoph8n24 said:
No other ROMs besides the above mentioned? Seems almost worth sending it to that company to downgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be on the "Send it Off" wagon.
I've seen destructions for using ODIN to flash a KIES image in, and then go about fixing it that way but many many more posts saying this is impossible.
What I'd like to know, if I have to go with the same darn kernel etc, is how the everloving **** to get rid of ALL and I mean *ALL* of the crapware/verizonware/amazonware/etc and completely strip the touchwhiz down to just what I need....
This phone thing is a nasty addiction....:cyclops:
stoph8n24 said:
No other ROMs besides the above mentioned? Seems almost worth sending it to that company to downgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone know if there is a list? I was just given this phone. I rooted it, but also stuck with the locked boot loader. I did install Safestrap and did a back up, and was able to create a ROM slot, but that is all I've done so far.
Since I'm "developmentally chsllenged" (I can follow instructions, but I can't do any development work or anything) I try to just go with trusted info, which has worked so far. I just came from a RAZR Maxx HD with CM12 and am not happy with the way this phone runs.
I'm in the same boat as you guys, and I believe you can only flash 4.4.2 ROMs. That's what I gathered from the Safestrap thread. However, you can (and should) backup your stock ROM in Safestrap and flash other ROMs over that.
I'm currently using Alliance, and it's decent. Nowhere near the amount of modifications as CyanideL, which is really what I want, but can't install because it's currently on Android 5.x.
Ridiculous what Samsung has done to this phone. Glad it was relatively cheap though, good lesson to avoid any manufacturer who locks the bootloader in the future.
Does anyone know if we can just flash an older version of the stock ROM? Couldn't we odin, or something, down to 4.1.x and go from there?
adobrakic said:
I'm in the same boat as you guys, and I believe you can only flash 4.4.2 ROMs. That's what I gathered from the Safestrap thread. However, you can (and should) backup your stock ROM in Safestrap and flash other ROMs over that.
I'm currently using Alliance, and it's decent. Nowhere near the amount of modifications as CyanideL, which is really what I want, but can't install because it's currently on Android 5.x.
Ridiculous what Samsung has done to this phone. Glad it was relatively cheap though, good lesson to avoid any manufacturer who locks the bootloader in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have SS and did a back up, but I thought I read about people running into problems and then bricking? I think they got them back after doing some stuff but since I am no where as talented with this stuff I try to be cautious. I've rooted and SS' ed a Bionic and ran several ROM's on that one until replacing it with a RAZR Maxx HD that I rooted (and was able to take advantage of the exploit before they pushed a patch and unlocked the bootloader).
If I can just flash over the stock ROM safely, then I'll get flashing right away
I read the issues with bricking as well, but I think those people were trying to flash 5.x ROMs. I agree about wanting to avoid it though. I have a HTC One S that I saved from being bricked a few times, but I don't even wanna have to go through the process of that for the Note 2. Here's the Safestrap thread, if you're a little wary and would like to read more about it.
As far as I can tell, you should be good with flashing 4.4.2 ROMs, since that's what I did and we seem to have the same config (4.4.2 Note 2, Safestrap 3.72). The only thing I wonder is what TWRP you have. I have the latest 2.7.0.x. If that's what you have, you should be just fine with flashing a 4.4.2 ROM over the stock ROM.