Related
Ok, here's the deal:
Rooted the device, everything was a-ok.
Installed Clockwork, everything still a-ok.
Tried using mod manager to install Cyanogen nightly 9, phone rebooted and the progress bar for the mod install wouldn't move. I waited for a while and eventually manually turned the device off as it wasn't making any progress.
Ever since, it won't go past the screen you get at the beginning (w/ the yellow sign indicating an unsecured rom). It just stays there forever.
What I have to work with:
- Clockwork Recovery is available.
- The device is recognized by Odin when in download mode.
- The device is not recognized by the computer/Kies.
What I've tried:
- Followed the instruction for boot loop w/ both stock rom and Villain (no dice).
I'm sorta freaking out now. I have yet to see anyone having the same problem online and I really hope it's not bricked - a 600$ paperweight...
Is there something else I can try? Is it possible to flash stock PIT/Bootloader/PDA/everything else? If it is, would it fix the problem?
Please just point me in the right direction.
Thank You,
Edit: In recovery mode, the following error appears:
- Can't access to "/system/csc/VMC/system/"
Edit: In download mode, the current binary is set to "Samsung Official". Therefore I think this isn't the problem.
Edit: OMG OMG holy crap. Problem has been solved. Got a friend who had the same phone from the same provider to tell me what the firmware for the phone was. Downloaded it. Installed it w/ Odin. I almost turned religious when it booted a bit slower than what I remembered. It works well enough now, although I will probably go exchange it for a new one ASAP, before my warranty expires.
If anyone has similar problems. Don't panic and re-install stock firmware.
Cheers Folks!
Rovah said:
Ok, here's the deal:
Rooted the device, everything was a-ok.
Installed Clockwork, everything still a-ok.
Tried using mod manager to install Cyanogen nightly 9, phone rebooted and the progress bar for the mod install wouldn't move. I waited for a while and eventually manually turned the device off as it wasn't making any progress.
Ever since, it won't go past the screen you get at the beginning (w/ the yellow sign indicating an unsecured rom). It just stays there forever.
What I have to work with:
- Clockwork Recovery is available.
- The device is recognized by Odin when in download mode.
- The device is not recognized by the computer/Kies.
What I've tried:
- Followed the instruction for boot loop w/ both stock rom and Villain (no dice).
I'm sorta freaking out now. I have yet to see anyone having the same problem online and I really hope it's not bricked - a 600$ paperweight...
Is there something else I can try? Is it possible to flash stock PIT/Bootloader/PDA/everything else? If it is, would it fix the problem?
Please just point me in the right direction.
Thank You,
Edit: In recovery mode, the following error appears:
- Can't access to "/system/csc/VMC/system/"
Edit: In download mode, the current binary is set to "Samsung Official". Therefore I think this isn't the problem.
Edit: OMG OMG holy crap. Problem has been solved. Got a friend who had the same phone from the same provider to tell me what the firmware for the phone was. Downloaded it. Installed it w/ Odin. I almost turned religious when it booted a bit slower than what I remembered. It works well enough now, although I will probably go exchange it for a new one ASAP, before my warranty expires.
If anyone has similar problems. Don't panic and re-install stock firmware.
Cheers Folks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem. anyone?
Vincho said:
Same problem. anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read the answer ???
jje
Look online (samfirmware), ask friends or on forums for anyone who has the SGS2 w/ the same carrier in the same country and try to find the firmware version (I9100***** - the stars are letter codes). Then just download that firmware and use Odin to install it.
If you can't find it,you presumably could just flash any stock firmware and it might work (or it might make things worse, try at your own risk)
Rovah said:
Tried using mod manager to install Cyanogen nightly 9, phone rebooted and the progress bar for the mod install wouldn't move. I waited for a while and eventually manually turned the device off as it wasn't making any progress.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The progress bar not moving is a known issue with the CM7 Recovery. All you need to do is wait for it to say that it's finished. There is nothing wrong with your phone and no need to return it. You just cancelled the CM7 install part way through which meant not all required files were installed on the phone, causing it to not boot.
As for it taking longer to boot into android after the odin reflash. That's because it has to build up it's dalvik-cache again. This is completely normal any time you install a new rom. It only happens on first boot of a rom.
So again, no need to return your device and feel free to try CM7 again. Just remember to let it finish even if the progress bar isn't moving.
Ahh. Ok that makes sense. This ought to teach me to read before screwing around w/ my phone.
I wanted to exchange it because I wasnt sure i'd still be able to install official Samsung firmware updates through Kies.
Suppose an official 2.3.4 firmware comes out, would i be able to install it through Kies?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Rovah said:
Ahh. Ok that makes sense. This ought to teach me to read before screwing around w/ my phone.
I wanted to exchange it because I wasnt sure i'd still be able to install official Samsung firmware updates through Kies.
Suppose an official 2.3.4 firmware comes out, would i be able to install it through Kies?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as long as the firmware you're flashing is the same as the stock version that came on the phone. And even if not, you'll get the kies updates for whatever region firmware you did flash onto the phone.
I see. Thanks a lot!
Is there any danger to flashing firmware from a different region than the one youre from?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
ANSWERED - Firmware Install - factory reset in recovery
I made a mess of a rom install rushing through rom Manager and now my phone can't get past the Samsung screen when booting, and I can't find out the version of my kernel to install the correct one without getting my phone on. I can get the phone into download mode and I have tried a number of different kernels but have had no luck. It's a UK phone so I know it's a XW or XX to start, I was wondering is their a kernel that works on any SGS2.
I have been having trouble with getting windows to recognize the phone and have found a number of fixes on this site which have worked and not worked (atm not connecting)
it's a sgs2 GT-i9100
Any advice greatly appreciated
Did you make a Nandroid backup? If so boot into recovery (vol up, power, home buttons) and restore the backup.
Can you get into recovery mode. Vol up plus home plus power. Then do a factory reset. this should get past the Samsung boot screen. Then flash another rom.
Sent from my ThinkPad Tablet using XDA App
Thanks for getting back, no unfortunately not, couldn't see recovery mode since the original failed rom install. That combination gets me to download mode now.
So as far as I can tell I need to get a firmware working properly or do a reset but I don't know which is the right firmware to use
Main thing is you can get to download mode. If you can do that, you can fix your phone 95% of the time.
You can find carrier/country specific firmware here or country-only/non-specific firmware here
owen5y said:
Thanks for getting back, no unfortunately not, couldn't see recovery mode since the original failed rom install. That combination gets me to download mode now.
So as far as I can tell I need to get a firmware working properly or do a reset but I don't know which is the right firmware to use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash any CF-root kernel and then you have recovery back. Start flashing from there on.
Lennyz1988 said:
Just flash any CF-root kernel and then you have recovery back. Start flashing from there on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried a number of CF-root kernels and no joy. I tried a few more kernels this morning before work, including cf-root and siyahv2.6.4 and had no luck.
MistahBungle said:
Main thing is you can get to download mode. If you can do that, you can fix your phone 95% of the time.
You can find carrier/country specific firmware here or country-only/non-specific firmware here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually flashed some of those kernels XWKE1 for example and a few others with no joy.
The problem started when I tried to update the Galent Miui ICS which I see you are running. I (stupidly) didn't read through the statement as I had my NYE hungover and just put the update on my sd and used recovery to update which froze the phone at the boot screen. (I didn't do re-flash and I didn't wipe the data and everything else.) I know it sometimes takes time to boot but I had left it for a half hour to see if it would and no joy. I was no longer able to get to recovery mode so I tried a half dozen kernels with the same problems before putting up a post. I'm not sure would people find it inappropriate to talk about an this problem here, I thought as it's a kernel problem now it would be a better place to find the solution although my own lazy Miui install was the cause.
Flashing just the kernels obviously didn't fix the problem. Have you flashed any of the entire stock firmwares ? Choose the most recent firmware for your carrier/country from the first link I gave you (if there's more than two listed).
owen5y said:
I actually flashed some of those kernels XWKE1 for and a few others with no joy.
The problem started when I tried to update the Galent Miui ICS which I see you are running. I (studidly) didn't read through the statement as I was hungover and just pu the update on my sd and used recovery to update which froze the phone at the boot screen. I know it sometimes takes time to boot but I had left it for a half hour to see if it would and no joy. I was no longer able to get to recovery so I tried a half dozen kernels with the same problems before putting up a post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MistahBungle said:
Flashing just the kernels obviously didn't fix the problem. Have you flashed any of the entire stock firmwares ? Choose the most recent firmware for your carrier/country from the first link I gave you (if there's more than two listed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I will try that. At work currently and so can't play with the phone. I will post the result this evening.
Thanks
NP. Let us know how you get on.
MistahBungle said:
NP. Let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All good, I installed the firmware and was able to get into recovery mode from there. Did a factory reset because I was stuck in a boot loop. Going to give it a go again to upgrade to the new ics build. Any advice on the best process of getting there?
I installed the following firmware prior to the reset
UK
XWKE1:http://www.multiupload.com/15RY5CHHW9
Firmware info: PDA: XWKE1 Phone: NEKD5 CSC:H3GKD4
Yep. Given the problems you've been having, stay away from the currently alpha ICS builds that are floating around.
Frankly, that's a disaster waiting to happen.
Wait until CM (or someone else) releases something that's stable and has most things working in 4-6 weeks or so.
There's a ton of roms/kernels out there, do your research/reading & ask questions if necessary in the respective threads for those & then pick something out & try it.
And no, I don't do recommendations. Because nobody's phone come's out of the factory the same, nobody has the same phone setup & nobody uses the phone the same way.
owen5y said:
All good, I installed the firmware and was able to get into recovery mode from there. Did a factory reset because I was stuck in a boot loop. Going to give it a go again to upgrade to the new ics build. Any advice on the best process of getting there?
I installed the following firmware prior to the reset
UK
XWKE1:http://www.multiupload.com/15RY5CHHW9
Firmware info: PDA: XWKE1 Phone: NEKD5 CSC:H3GKD4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I did like the Galnet Miui ICS rom I was running although there was a few bugs with it when it died it was difficult to charge again. That's fair if you don't want to give out recommendations it's shooting in the dark over the interenet I suppose. I will have a good look through the forum and se if I find something that I would think is suiting.
Thanks for your help, and the advice is appreciated
Here's the deal:
I rooted my phone a long time ago, and have been using CM since ICS. Mostly nightlies.
A few weeks ago I decided installing a Carbon nightly (4.3), and everything went smooth as usual.
Then new nightly came, so I decided flashing it. (Dirty flash, but it's that way from what I read in the Carbon thread)
The thing is, my phone boots up correctly, but I can't get into recovery mode. Whenever I try booting recovery mode, the logo appears, then the screen flashes gray. I have tried both the advanced reboot menu, the button combo, and ROM Man...jk
I think something might be wrong with the recovery included in the kernel. If that's the case, would it be OK to flash just a new kernel or do I have to reflash the whole thing?
I have already seen some guides on flashing kernels with mobile ODIN, but they're either ancient or for another model. Also, I don't know if that's the right thing to do under this situation.
I'd appreciate if someone pointed me in the right direction. I don't wanna frak up my phone.
You can install a kernel to see if that will solve the issue, but as far as I can see, the Carbon devs do not provide a stand alone kernel for their rom. You could use AJK or one of the other kernels though. Or you could just reinstall the rom to see if it would clear up the problem.
Or, you could extract the zImage from the full rom and use Mobile Odin.
I didnt want to create a new thread for this and get yelled at.. so I am asking the question here:
I had to do the ODIN method and returned my phone from ShoStock 3 to Stock Gingerbread, because for some reason my phone was getting stuck at the "samsung galaxy s2" boot screen.
So I am back on Stock Gingerbreak Rom and trying to install ClockWork Mod Recovery, so that I can restore the backup of ShoStock that I had created.
I am doing the Mobile Odin Lite method and I downloaded the i777 kernel. When I try to install it, I boot in the Android System Recovery (3e) and get the following errors:
Installing package...
Finding Package...
Verifying Update Package...
E: failed to verify whole-file signature
E: signature verification failed.
Before I get yelled at, I searched google and came up with the solution -- all of which say that the issue can be easily fixed by toggling the setting in ClockWork Mod Recovery Mode, but I have to install it first, and whenever I try to install it, I get the above error.
Can someone help please?
jjack0310 said:
I didnt want to create a new thread for this and get yelled at.. so I am asking the question here:
I had to do the ODIN method and returned my phone from ShoStock 3 to Stock Gingerbread, because for some reason my phone was getting stuck at the "samsung galaxy s2" boot screen.
So I am back on Stock Gingerbreak Rom and trying to install ClockWork Mod Recovery, so that I can restore the backup of ShoStock that I had created.
I am doing the Mobile Odin Lite method and I downloaded the i777 kernel. When I try to install it, I boot in the Android System Recovery (3e) and get the following errors:
Installing package...
Finding Package...
Verifying Update Package...
E: failed to verify whole-file signature
E: signature verification failed.
Before I get yelled at, I searched google and came up with the solution -- all of which say that the issue can be easily fixed by toggling the setting in ClockWork Mod Recovery Mode, but I have to install it first, and whenever I try to install it, I get the above error.
Can someone help please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3e recovery is the stock recovery. It means you have not installed a custom kernel yet. Please look at the links in my signature and use the guide information there, which will help you understand what you need to do to install mobile odin lite and then install a custom kernel.
Also, remember that you will need to have the correct version of ClockworkMod Recovery to restore your backup. If the backup and the version of CWM recovery are not compatible, it will not restore.
If you have questions, ask them here, but be aware, I only come on line usually two or three times a day to check the forums.
creepyncrawly said:
3e recovery is the stock recovery. It means you have not installed a custom kernel yet. Please look at the links in my signature and use the guide information there, which will help you understand what you need to do to install mobile odin lite and then install a custom kernel.
Also, remember that you will need to have the correct version of ClockworkMod Recovery to restore your backup. If the backup and the version of CWM recovery are not compatible, it will not restore.
If you have questions, ask them here, but be aware, I only come on line usually two or three times a day to check the forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed Step 3a on this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=18576627#post18576627
Unfortunately, for some reason, ODIN Lite was not recognizing DD_03042012.zip file. So I went with Siyah and downloaded the TAR file used ODIN to get the clockwork mod. It worked.
Now the problem is I cant restore my backup. I know the same backup has worked before, not it is giving me an error "Error while restoring /system". wth!
I dont remember what version of Clockwork Mod I had. I know it was an older version, becuase it didnt have touch.
How do I get a previous version of CWM?
But my problem isn't even remotely similar to this guy!
I'm trying to ask if there's some way to flash a new kernel/rom without using recovery, taking advantage of the fact that my phone boots fine but I can't boot recovery. That's the reason why I mentioned ODIN.
Also, go make your own thread. My question didn't even get answered
Actually,
Creepyncrawly, thanks for your help.
I downloaded ShoStock 3 and flashed it to get the previous version of CWM, and then was able to do a restore.
Sigh.. no harm done.
You can have your thread back... good luck!!
Mighty_Rearranger said:
But my problem isn't even remotely similar to this guy!
I'm trying to ask if there's some way to flash a new kernel/rom without using recovery, taking advantage of the fact that my phone boots fine but I can't boot recovery. That's the reason why I mentioned ODIN.
Also, go make your own thread. My question didn't even get answered
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as stated by creepyncrawly, u can use mobile odin or regular odin to flash a kernel.
But i would suggest doing a MD5 check on the Rom u downloaded, because the Rom u flashed may be that of a corrupted download. If MD5 doesn't match then redownload, check MD5 and if good, reflash the Rom.
.....or maybe the nightly is messed up.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Mighty_Rearranger said:
Here's the deal:
I rooted my phone a long time ago, and have been using CM since ICS. Mostly nightlies.
A few weeks ago I decided installing a Carbon nightly (4.3), and everything went smooth as usual.
Then new nightly came, so I decided flashing it. (Dirty flash, but it's that way from what I read in the Carbon thread)
The thing is, my phone boots up correctly, but I can't get into recovery mode. Whenever I try booting recovery mode, the logo appears, then the screen flashes gray. I have tried both the advanced reboot menu, the button combo, and ROM Man...jk
I think something might be wrong with the recovery included in the kernel. If that's the case, would it be OK to flash just a new kernel or do I have to reflash the whole thing?
I have already seen some guides on flashing kernels with mobile ODIN, but they're either ancient or for another model. Also, I don't know if that's the right thing to do under this situation.
I'd appreciate if someone pointed me in the right direction. I don't wanna frak up my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mighty_Rearranger said:
But my problem isn't even remotely similar to this guy!
I'm trying to ask if there's some way to flash a new kernel/rom without using recovery, taking advantage of the fact that my phone boots fine but I can't boot recovery. That's the reason why I mentioned ODIN.
Also, go make your own thread. My question didn't even get answered
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see why you could be upset that someone hijacked your thread.
I only see one question in your original post, which I believe I answered. You also requested assistance which I thought I provided.
Let me be a little more specific for you. Yes, you can flash just a kernel without re-flashing the system. However, you will need either an Odin flashable tar of the kernel, or you will need to install Mobile Odin and then you can flash a kernel directly from a zImage file.
However, I think 4-2ndtwin has the right of it. It was probably a bad flash, even though the phone booted normally. You should consider re-flashing the entire rom.
If you are not clear about anything, please ask questions.
Never mind.
I concluded it wasn't worth it just because I was lazy backing up stuff.
I used this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1525821, then flashed a clean ROM.
Thanks for the help, you guys are awesome.
Ok, so I've rooted and put custom roms on numerous phones. I've been trying to put a custom recovery, twrp or cwm, whatever, on my wife's phone, but have got a wall. I know for sure, 100% that I am rooted. I tired to install twrp and cwm via their respective apps, ends up in either bootloop trying to boot into recovery (and FYI, the screen shows that a custom recovery is installed, just doesn't load into recovery and restarts). And tried both via Odin, but got the same result. Have never ran into this problem before with any of my phone's, all of the galaxy's and Galaxy Note's since the S2. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks homies!
Just to add, yes I made sure double checked, triple checked that I was installing the correct recovery for the phone model. Also, she has done all the ota updates that sprint has pushed as of last week (2/9/15).
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
Ok, so I've rooted and put custom roms on numerous phones. I've been trying to put a custom recovery, twrp or cwm, whatever, on my wife's phone, but have got a wall. I know for sure, 100% that I am rooted. I tired to install twrp and cwm via their respective apps, ends up in either bootloop trying to boot into recovery (and FYI, the screen shows that a custom recovery is installed, just doesn't load into recovery and restarts). And tried both via Odin, but got the same result. Have never ran into this problem before with any of my phone's, all of the galaxy's and Galaxy Note's since the S2. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks homies!
Just to add, yes I made sure double checked, triple checked that I was installing the correct recovery for the phone model. Also, she has done all the ota updates that sprint has pushed as of last week (2/9/15).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, from your post it looks like you have done this before. To be sure lets go through the motions one more time.
Your device is updated to 4.4.4 NK4 the latest KitKat version. It's rooted you have supersu icon and run a root checker. First download again ( in case you got a bad download ) a copy of Philz CWM version 6.48.4 here is the link https://goo.im/devs/philz_touch/CWM_Advanced_Edition/hlte/ use "phil'z_touch_6.48.6-hlte.tar.md5" . I like to use odin version v1.85 it's little older but very stable, here is a link https://mega.co.nz/#!oA5xzTAL!LXoVWB...ZlOMSWdRGVX6Uo now flash the .tar file with odin. Make sure you let device boot up on it's own back to the OS, do not pull the cable and boot the device yourself. Then try and boot into recovery.
If it bootloops again, I would backup all your data to the PC desktop, and then do a factory reset get back to bone stock ( that means when your in download mode it says Samsung Official status not custom ) so many times I have seen folks with an unrooted device where the bootloader still says custom and you end up with a dirty flash or worse. It may take a couple factory resets to get back to stock, it doesn't always take the first time. When I flash a custom rom and then decide to go back to stock, I flash the rom two or three times to make sure I'm bone stock.
If the factory reset doesn't work you may have to flash a new stock NK4 OS. Then root again and install the recovery. Here is my thread with all the info you need http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-sprint/general/samsung-note-3-rom-flashin-basics-t2896440 , Enjoy !!!
Thanks for taking the time to give me a detailed response. Sounds like I'm gonna have to wait till Wednesday or Thursday when im off work and have some time to do this, but yeah, I was thinking maybe just a factory reset, but I'll use your links and try it one more time first. I'll let ya know. Thanks again
Do you have another link to the older Odin (1.85).the link says the file isn't there... Thanks again
Never got to test it out, but she didn't really want a custom rom anyway, just the WiFi hotspot, and I finally found a method that works, big shout out to idone for his awesome app. If anyone else is looking for WiFi hotspot without root that sees this, check out his tread in the apps and themes, for this phone. Worked like a charm. Thanks again jimzweb1. Much appreciate the reply!
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
Never got to test it out, but she didn't really want a custom rom anyway, just the WiFi hotspot, and I finally found a method that works, big shout out to idone for his awesome app. If anyone else is looking for WiFi hotspot without root that sees this, check out his tread in the apps and themes, for this phone. Worked like a charm. Thanks again jimzweb1. Much appreciate the reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, Ya idone is the man when it comes to enabling the mobile hotspot be careful what you click with app. I will correct that link. Thanks
Psychotic-Cerebellum said:
Ok, so I've rooted and put custom roms on numerous phones. I've been trying to put a custom recovery, twrp or cwm, whatever, on my wife's phone, but have got a wall. I know for sure, 100% that I am rooted. I tired to install twrp and cwm via their respective apps, ends up in either bootloop trying to boot into recovery (and FYI, the screen shows that a custom recovery is installed, just doesn't load into recovery and restarts). And tried both via Odin, but got the same result. Have never ran into this problem before with any of my phone's, all of the galaxy's and Galaxy Note's since the S2. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks homies!
Just to add, yes I made sure double checked, triple checked that I was installing the correct recovery for the phone model. Also, she has done all the ota updates that sprint has pushed as of last week (2/9/15).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem Knox security is getting harder flash engineering boot loader again then try rashr in app store to flash philz
Hi guys,
I'm new here. I didn't root my S3 yet, but I want to do it and install new rom. But first I would need your help with Rom choosing, as I'm completely blind in this matter
The thing is, I would prefer a ROM which let me choose which application I want to install on my phone and which not - check/uncheck option. This rom should be FAST and stable.
As I have no experience at all, I would like to ask you which ROM will be the best for me? Btw, it would be great if I can choose language (Polish).
Hope you will help me
Regards,
Karol
edit: sorry for typo in the topic, impossible to change it now
Hi, I am in the same boat. Stock standard international S3, but extremely slow. Ram usage on startup is 700mb.
Which rom would you guys suggest that is both stable (no bugs), and fast (using much less ram).
This is my everyday phone, I take a lot of photos, especially the camera should be functioning perfectly.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Edit: Last time I rooted and played around with these things were about 3-4 years ago with my Sony X10 mini. I am slowly getting back into it, reading up on the latest rooting apps etc.
@errolpl: Search in development subforum for 'aroma installer'. Usually these ROMs offer only system apps to choose. 3rd party user apps you'll have to install by your own. You can edit the header with edit-function.
@demozzracy: If you want full camera suport, I recommend NCS-ROM: based on last JB-firmware, but brilliant debloated. So slim, fast, battery friendly and all hardware working. I'm testing many LP-ROMs, but they are primarily newer, hardly better (for S3).
@rp158: Thank you!
I was extremely new just a few weeks back as well. I must say that my attempts on finding a solution for my slow S3 has been a rather hard and bumpy road.
To help you save some time, here is what I've gathered so far:
Last time I flashed phone firmware, a couple of years ago, it required a PC, a cable and some funky software.
Then when I flashed my S3 for the first time, about a year ago, I started out with Cyanogenmod and used their app+cable installer. I think this is still the easiest way to root the phone, and get started with custom roms. Even if you plan to use some other rom than Cyanogenmod.
When the phone is rooted you can install TWRP, simply done via an app on the appstore. TWRP is recovery firmware that can stay on the phone, even though you flash new roms. (The phone is divided into several separate sections, bootloader, recovery, actual system, and data area.... I don't even know much about it yet.) The important part is that it is extremely easy to flash new roms using this tool, and a micro SD-card.
Simply drop the rom zip file onto the card and flash them. (For some roms you need to flash some "GAPPS" as well. These are the google apps, like the play store etc. If you don't flash them you can't really use the phone for much.)
This is where the real problems start. Finding the right ROM.
The S3 is old, and only supported up to Jelly Bean for my 1GB international version, or Kitkat if you have one of the 2gb versions.
This has not stopped developers in providing both Kitkat and Lollipop to any version of the S3. However... as eager they are to provide the newest coolest features, just as lazy do they seem to be with their testing. (Sorry guys, but someone has to say it.)
So I've gone through some roms now... none of them really good.
The first Official Cyanogenmod I flashed half a year ago. I used this for almost a year.. but the camera would crash constantly, and the phone was not able to display video. For example movieclips on facebook.
Second ROM: Cyanogenmod has also stopped developing for the S3, so a few weeks back I switched to some unofficial version. It seemed to work... camera and video was ok, and everything had the nice Lollipop feel to it.
However MMS did not work. I could receive one and send one, next ones would require a reboot for them to work. The problem was brought up in the ROM Q/A tread, but the answer from the developer was: Sorry I don't use MMS so I don't really see a problem.
Third: Onto some next rom. This one was tagged STABLE. It was far from it. In fact it was even easier to discover that this rom had the same MMS problem. Because the message app would crash immediately when trying to send one.
4th attemt was the same rom, but a different kernel... still the same problem.
5th rom was Blisspop... Wau, this was beautiful! Cool webpage, Cool animations.... it was just too bad that the site is dead, and that the rom can't even run for 24 hours without the android keyboard crashing 25 times or so. Also Blisspop has OTA updates... the only problem is that it constantly says that there is a new version for the S3.. but the download fails. Apparently some bad change to the website caused this, and apparently this problem has been going on for 3 months without anyone bothering to fix it.
6th was Archidroid. The second to top ROM for the S3. It looks cool, and has many features... but just as other Lollipop ROMs, sending MMS's without error is not one of them....
I've really tried everything. People always says that the MMS problems are due to APN's not being set up correctly, doing some reboots etc.... but trust me... I've set them up so many times you wouldn't belive it.
7th. After reading this thread and rp158's recommendation of NCS-ROM I'm now running that one. Without a single thing being set up, I was able to send and receive MMS's right away.
However... now I'm stuck back at the ugly kitkat look, and Touch wiz.
tl;dr;
So what do I want to say with all this?
Get root and TWRP and start playing around with ROMs
Lollipop does not look like an option for the S3, at least not right now
Don't let yourself be fooled by nice webpages or [STABLE]-tags, or comments that say: "I've been running this since yesterday.. it's 100% stable!"
Timusius thanks a lot for that post.
Puts things in perspective.
As I said in my post, I am ok with the KitKat look, as long as it is stable, I am always on call at work, and cant afford constant phone crashes.
I am going to try the root/twrp to NCS rom in the next couple of days
@Timusius thank you for your post. You help me a lot!
S5 Sensation
errolpl said:
Hi guys,
I'm new here. I didn't root my S3 yet, but I want to do it and install new rom. But first I would need your help with Rom choosing, as I'm completely blind in this matter
The thing is, I would prefer a ROM which let me choose which application I want to install on my phone and which not - check/uncheck option. This rom should be FAST and stable.
As I have no experience at all, I would like to ask you which ROM will be the best for me? Btw, it would be great if I can choose language (Polish).
Hope you will help me
Regards,
Karol
edit: sorry for typo in the topic, impossible to change it now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's 5 months already that im using S5 Sensation rom for i9300/9305 ( 4.4.4 kitkat). This rom has S5/Note4 features and works great im satisfied. No problems so far, no bugs, etc ^^
It comes with AROMA installer and lets you to choose which apps you want to install and which not.
Cooldato said:
It's 5 months already that im using S5 Sensation rom for i9300/9305 ( 4.4.4 kitkat). This rom has S5/Note4 features and works great im satisfied. No problems so far, no bugs, etc ^^
It comes with AROMA installer and lets you to choose which apps you want to install and which not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How you install those rom?
Pixelzack said:
How you install those rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Device must be rooted + newest cwm recovery installed. After that you just download custom rom, move it to ur phone memory/sdcard and flash it throught recovery mode
Cooldato said:
Device must be rooted + newest cwm recovery installed. After that you just download custom rom, move it to ur phone memory/sdcard and flash it throught recovery mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone already rooted without cwm,can i just install cwm like i did to root my phone?
Pixelzack said:
My phone already rooted without cwm,can i just install cwm like i did to root my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager here is the latest CWM versions for smartphones, but its .img file and u cannt flash it directly from Odin. U need to make .img into .tar.md5 odin flash-able file by some tools, or flash it via adb shell, etc.
Anyway here is Odin rdy .tar file , go to this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...covery-clockworkmod-touch-6-0-3-2-gt-t1719744 download recovery-cwmtouch-6.0.3.2-GTI9300.tar and flash it via Odin / Download mode.
Cooldato said:
https://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager here is the latest CWM versions for smartphones, but its .img file and u cannt flash it directly from Odin. U need to make .img into .tar.md5 odin flash-able file by some tools, or flash it via adb shell, etc.
Anyway here is Odin rdy .tar file , go to this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...covery-clockworkmod-touch-6-0-3-2-gt-t1719744 download recovery-cwmtouch-6.0.3.2-GTI9300.tar and flash it via Odin / Download mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I use this one?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...covery-clockworkmod-touch-6-0-3-2-gt-t1719744
Pixelzack said:
Can I use this one?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...covery-clockworkmod-touch-6-0-3-2-gt-t1719744
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, thats what i linked you above.
Cooldato said:
Sure, thats what i linked you above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahaha Thanks dude for helping noob like me
Pixelzack said:
Hahaha Thanks dude for helping noob like me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem Feel free to poke me if u meet some troubles ^^
Cooldato said:
No problem Feel free to poke me if u meet some troubles ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to install this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/development/i9300-to-n00t-bring-lte-fun-to-3g-t2886574
just need some detailed guide xD
Pixelzack said:
How to install this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/development/i9300-to-n00t-bring-lte-fun-to-3g-t2886574
just need some detailed guide xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Install ClockworkMod(or PhilZ) recovery
2. Put ROM on your SD card
3. Enter recovery mode
4. Perform a full data wipe(except you're running previous versions of back-to-n00t)
5. Flash ROM
6. Flash SuperSU
Cooldato said:
1. Install ClockworkMod(or PhilZ) recovery
2. Put ROM on your SD card
3. Enter recovery mode
4. Perform a full data wipe(except you're running previous versions of back-to-n00t)
5. Flash ROM
6. Flash SuperSU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
perform a full data wipe means "Factory reset"?
How to flash rom? It's included in the recovery mode?
How to flash SuperSU?
Pixelzack said:
perform a full data wipe means "Factory reset"?
How to flash rom? It's included in the recovery mode?
How to flash SuperSU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah this means doing a "Factory reset", must be done throught Recovery mode, wipe data, wipe cache, wipe dalvik cache.
Put ROM on your SD card, then enter Recovery Mode by pressing Home + Volume UP + Power buttons and ull have smth like:
Install Zip -> Choose Zip from /Storage/Sdcard (External SDcard) , Search for ur ROM file and start flashing :X
Flash the SuperSu .zip file same way as flashing ROM.