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I've spent a lot of time on here the last 2 weeks reading as much as possible about flashing. I finally took the plunge and flashed Axura 2.2.6 onto my Vibrant, and I love it.
Now, I am intrigued by the new Bionix-V ROM out, but I am not sure I understand everything I need to do if I want to change ROMs. Also, I have a few questions I can't seem to get a grasp on.
1. Before flashing or anything, I rooted with Ryan's OCLF. When I flashed with Axura, did that install and enable voodoo on my phone? Did it override OCLF? I know you are not supposed to be running both.
2. I cannot figure out this kernel thing. Do I just let the ROMs handle them, or am I supposed to be updating on my own?
3. I don't do anything with the modem (e.g., KA7), correct? As I understand it, the ROMs are based off of this.
4. I have read some stuff recently about how Titanium Backup has caused some issues. Should it not be used when going from ROM to ROM?
5. I have read some stuff recently about the battery and cycling it. Should this be done if I want to change ROMs?
Thanks in advance.
cccheel said:
I've spent a lot of time on here the last 2 weeks reading as much as possible about flashing. I finally took the plunge and flashed Axura 2.2.6 onto my Vibrant, and I love it.
Now, I am intrigued by the new Bionix-V ROM out, but I am not sure I understand everything I need to do if I want to change ROMs. Also, I have a few questions I can't seem to get a grasp on.
1. Before flashing or anything, I rooted with Ryan's OCLF. When I flashed with Axura, did that install and enable voodoo on my phone? Did it override OCLF? I know you are not supposed to be running both.
2. I cannot figure out this kernel thing. Do I just let the ROMs handle them, or am I supposed to be updating on my own?
3. I don't do anything with the modem (e.g., KA7), correct? As I understand it, the ROMs are based off of this.
4. I have read some stuff recently about how Titanium Backup has caused some issues. Should it not be used when going from ROM to ROM?
5. I have read some stuff recently about the battery and cycling it. Should this be done if I want to change ROMs?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok..
1. I dont know if Axura had Voodoo....but if you flash a custom ROM (weather its Axura, Bionix-V..etc..) it'll always be rooted
2. Some folks (like me) prefer going back to stock 2.1 with Odin...then flashing their new custom ROM...so they dont run into ghost files and kernel issues...but its not needed....some times you can go from ROM to ROM
3. the KA7 is the newest leak from Samsung for our phones....when a custom ROM is made...it is made from the newest leak...which now is KA7..this way the ROMs stay up to date
4. Titanium Backup is a great tool...almost a must use tool if you're going from ROM to ROM....Titanium Backup Pro is a lot more speedier and has more features that the free version...but the free one is also good
5. I personally make sure my batt is fully charged and is plugged in while i'm flashing so it reduces the time i have to re-condition...you should read a little bit more on that
1. Before flashing or anything, I rooted with Ryan's OCLF. When I flashed with Axura, did that install and enable voodoo on my phone? Did it override OCLF? I know you are not supposed to be running both.
It sounds like you just rooted with OCLF, no issue there. OCLF lag fix converts your file system to EXT2, voodoo is EXT4. If you heard Linda (lady's voice) at first bootup, your system is EXT4 via voodoo. You can download voodoo toggle from the market to verify it is working, and to disable (which you would do if you flash something that is NOT voodoo). Also, it is not possible to run both.... file system is one or the other. EXT4 is better (even though EXT2 will show a higher quad score).
2. I cannot figure out this kernel thing. Do I just let the ROMs handle them, or am I supposed to be updating on my own?
The ROM will handle this. You only need to flash another one if you really want to..
3. I don't do anything with the modem (e.g., KA7), correct? As I understand it, the ROMs are based off of this.
The ROM will handle this. You only need to flash another one if you really want to, ie, you have better signal with one vs the one included in your rom.
4. I have read some stuff recently about how Titanium Backup has caused some issues. Should it not be used when going from ROM to ROM?
Ignorance causes issues, not Titanium Backup. Check the noob guide in my signature to learn how to use it properly.
5. I have read some stuff recently about the battery and cycling it. Should this be done if I want to change ROMs?
Always. Also in the noob guide.
Thanks
Thanks. You guys rock.
Quick question/comment. When I used OCLF, I know that I rooted and I also ran the lagfix, because my quadrant score went up drastically. Not sure if this matters.
I went into Astro, and I have a folder for voodoo with log files in it, so this means I must have voodoo, right?
I downloaded the voodoo toggle, but I don't see it anywhere on my phone. Does it only show as a setting somewhere?
Voodoo toggle = Reboot Button (no clue why the dev did this). App works great though.
So, it's been about 8 months since I rooted my phone and I'm startin to want to learn more...
I rooted my phone and installed xtrSENSE4.0.6.1 ROM and I've spent the past 14 hours today, reading here and androidforums seein what options I've got now. I'm debating upgrading to the newer xtrSENSE...but I'd like to learn to customize/theme everything as much as possible, so I'm not sure if that's the right option for me?
I'm looking for some direction on things, what ROM would you guys recommend moving to, I LOVE my current ones performance.
My only internet access is through my phone, I'm using wireless teather to type this now, so errors are no option for me, saddly.
I only use the basics of my phone, calls, text/mms, camera, internet, youtube, music player so less is more for me...out of the 7 screens, I barely qualify for using 3, I play most of the Storm8 games, but other than that, don't use much of the stock apps and would like to rid of as many as possible...if possible
I see now, that we've got an option for an improved boot without trackball required, which sounds like something that I should install, just as a precautionary to be on the safe side of things...
I've been reading the "How to theme" threads but I get kinda lost, even in the super noob easy ones...I'm feeling lost as to what I should do, I need step by step with visual...I feel re tarded!
i have become quite fond of the cm7 roms. they run fast and smooth. they all (i think, i know tazz and shed) have wireless tether working. you will lose sense with any cm7 though. themeing in cm7 is made especially easy in cm7 through t-mobiles theme engine. all you do is download and install a theme from the market, run the tmobile theme program, select the theme, and reboot. if you decide to go with a different rom, most themes are through metamorph which there should be several threads on. the froyo roims are also very stable. however, tazz's froyo with sense is the most complete sense on 2.2 and it is missing the camera and bluetooth audio. i saw you use the camera and so 2.2 sense may not be an option for you. it does have wireless tether though. if you like sense then a 2.1 like xtrsense is the way to go. the themes section should have all the information you need to get you up and theming. the only caution is to make sure the theme you select/apply is designed for your rom. amon ra recovery is usually the best way to go especially if you do not routinely check md5sums. the trackball usually starts to scroll left before failing, so unless you have that issue already, you probably do not need the trackballless recovery. however, as you suggested it is often better to be safe now then sorry later, i would pick an amon ra needing trackball over a clockwork without trackball since amon ra checks file integrity before flashing to try to avoid bricking you phone.
Thanks for the insight, yeah, I'm runnin xtrSENSE right now, it's what I flashed 8 months ago and have left it, there's a new version now, I started thinking though, maybe I should try somethin else, and something that I can theme.
I'm a minimalist which is why I was thinking maybe a NON-SENSE might be better suited for me. From what I understand, the SENSE ROMs are harder to theme and the CyanogenMod ROMs are probably going to be more what I'm looking for, since they're suppose to be easier to theme?
I'm kinda lookin for opinions and basics of things to get started learning some more customization skills. I'm also a windows guy and am lacking knowledge in MAC and Linux, which is seemingly where Andriod is based.
KamikazeChris said:
Thanks for the insight, yeah, I'm runnin xtrSENSE right now, it's what I flashed 8 months ago and have left it, there's a new version now, I started thinking though, maybe I should try somethin else, and something that I can theme.
I'm a minimalist which is why I was thinking maybe a NON-SENSE might be better suited for me. From what I understand, the SENSE ROMs are harder to theme and the CyanogenMod ROMs are probably going to be more what I'm looking for, since they're suppose to be easier to theme?
I'm kinda lookin for opinions and basics of things to get started learning some more customization skills. I'm also a windows guy and am lacking knowledge in MAC and Linux, which is seemingly where Andriod is based.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vanilla ROMs and CM ROMs are definately easier to theme than Sense ROMs. Here's a good thread you can look through if you want to learn more. This is where I learned a lot.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
Also all the devs here are very helpful and will always help in any way they can.
CondemnedSoul said:
Vanilla ROMs and CM ROMs are definately easier to theme than Sense ROMs. Here's a good thread you can look through if you want to learn more. This is where I learned a lot.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
Also all the devs here are very helpful and will always help in any way they can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I've been spendin most of my time reading that thread and the threads linked in there, there's a lot to read!
What's a good day to day, stable Vanilla or CM ROM? Are those all AOSP? or just the CM's? Maybe I'll just have to flash'em until I find one I like, then go from there with learning Themeing
if you are looking for a cm7 rom, i am currently using gingershedbread 1.6 although i have also used tazz's and it works equally as well. i had been using froyoshedyo previously as it is a very stable 2.3 cm6.2.
I personally run gsb 1.6 an i really like it...but before that i ran nonsensikal black and blue
Sent from my GSBv1.6-ERIS using XDA App
I'm running tazz blackened gingerbread now coming from his cm7 v6. Both are running great. The best thing to do though is try a few and see what you like best and what runs nest on your phone.
Sent from my Blackened Ginger using XDA App
I've downloaded both tenzomonks Vanilla 2.0.4. and Worksheds GSBv1.6 I'll have to check each of'em out Was gonna DL Tazz Froyos GB too and compare the three.
As for icons and what not, I know there's packages and theme zips you can download and pull images/icons and things from those, but can you pull from ROM's themselves? Without installing to the phone?
KamikazeChris said:
I've downloaded both tenzomonks Vanilla 2.0.4. and Worksheds GSBv1.6 I'll have to check each of'em out Was gonna DL Tazz Froyos GB too and compare the three.
As for icons and what not, I know there's packages and theme zips you can download and pull images/icons and things from those, but can you pull from ROM's themselves? Without installing to the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Just open the zip and go through and find what you want. A lot of the icon's could be located within apk files which can be opened with 7zip or winrar. If they are theme icons then they might be located elsewhere. Just browse around until you find what you want lol That's what I did.
Well...I've got fewer than 10 posts so I'm stuck postin this question here rather than in the Vanilla ROM thread...
I flashed the Vanilla 2.0.4. ROM succesfully to my phone, but when doing a wipe, the Wipe SD:ext partition failed, I tried twice, failed both times, proceeded to install the ROM and everything went fine, I'm just wondering if that's going to cause any problems in the future?
I'm also wondering if I can totally format my SDcard and have a fresh phone, I've got everything backed up on the computer so I wouldn't think it'd be a big deal if an error occured, I could just put everything back on via backup on computer, right? Mabye, delete one at a time on the sd? Just would like to clean up a bit
KamikazeChris said:
Well...I've got fewer than 10 posts so I'm stuck postin this question here rather than in the Vanilla ROM thread...
I flashed the Vanilla 2.0.4. ROM succesfully to my phone, but when doing a wipe, the Wipe SD:ext partition failed, I tried twice, failed both times, proceeded to install the ROM and everything went fine, I'm just wondering if that's going to cause any problems in the future?
I'm also wondering if I can totally format my SDcard and have a fresh phone, I've got everything backed up on the computer so I wouldn't think it'd be a big deal if an error occured, I could just put everything back on via backup on computer, right? Mabye, delete one at a time on the sd? Just would like to clean up a bit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm not to familiar with tenzomonk's rom. most roms do not require you to wipe the sd card unless you need to change the partitions on it. however, i am not sure why your wipe of the sd card failed. if you are running windows, you can boot to recovery, mount sd card in recovery (very easy if you are running amons), when it shows up in your drive list, right click and format. then copy your flashable rom file to your sd card, unmount, rewipe data, reflash.
KamikazeChris said:
I flashed the Vanilla 2.0.4. ROM succesfully to my phone, but when doing a wipe, the Wipe SD:ext partition failed, I tried twice, failed both times, proceeded to install the ROM and everything went fine, I'm just wondering if that's going to cause any problems in the future?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you put an ext2 or ext3 partition on to your SD card? In other words, your SD card is normally a single FAT32 partition. Amon's Recovery gives you the option to create an ext2 partition and a swap partition - generally for apps2sd on 2.1 ROMs for the Eris - and also a way to convert that ext2 partition to ext3.
Wipe:ext will wipe an ext2 or ext3 partition on your SD card if you have one. It will not wipe the normal FAT32 partition on the SD card.
If you did not create an ext2 or ext3 partition on your SD card, then wipe:ext does nothing.
Yeah, I've never done anything to the SD so I'm assuming it's FAT32 and that's why it failed then, thanks, now I know why.
I've been trying to change the keyboard on this ROM with no luck, in the Vanilla ROM thread, there's a link to an HTC_IME.apk for the sense style keyboard, but when I installed those, nothing happend, I followed all instructions for setting up, using EStrong to install, then switching from android keyboard to multi-touch and the first install, the milti-touch wouldn't pop up, then I uninstalled/reinstalled and it "works" but the only difference between the two is the background color, milti is grey, droid is black...
I've got a few other things I'm wanting to change but I can't post in the Vanilla thread yet so I thank you guys for all your support and suggestions in this thread thus far
One other thing now too, I forgot to mention, I've only messed with this keyboard change and I've installed Dolphin browser, and it pops up saying storage space is low, yet under phone storage sdcard, it says available space is 6.17gb out of 7.39gb and phone storage is 139mb
KamikazeChris said:
Yeah, I've never done anything to the SD so I'm assuming it's FAT32 and that's why it failed then, thanks, now I know why.
I've been trying to change the keyboard on this ROM with no luck, in the Vanilla ROM thread, there's a link to an HTC_IME.apk for the sense style keyboard, but when I installed those, nothing happend, I followed all instructions for setting up, using EStrong to install, then switching from android keyboard to multi-touch and the first install, the milti-touch wouldn't pop up, then I uninstalled/reinstalled and it "works" but the only difference between the two is the background color, milti is grey, droid is black...
I've got a few other things I'm wanting to change but I can't post in the Vanilla thread yet so I thank you guys for all your support and suggestions in this thread thus far
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a nifty keyboard solution i found. It is an online kitchen that lets you make your own custom keyboard. As far as i know, it would work with your ROM. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=654179 . I have personally used it and found it to be quite user friendly, easy to use, and free. I used it on KaosFroyo v32 FYI.
KamikazeChris said:
One other thing now too, I forgot to mention, I've only messed with this keyboard change and I've installed Dolphin browser, and it pops up saying storage space is low, yet under phone storage sdcard, it says available space is 6.17gb out of 7.39gb and phone storage is 139mb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it give you the "low space" notification in the status bar? If so, when you go to menu->settings->storage "internal storage" What is listed as your available space? Is that where you see the 139mb free? Could be a rom issue? With GingerShedBreaad 1.7 and about 50 apps installed, I have 67mb free and never get the status bar "low space" notification.
mjb413 said:
This is a nifty keyboard solution i found. It is an online kitchen that lets you make your own custom keyboard. As far as i know, it would work with your ROM. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=654179 . I have personally used it and found it to be quite user friendly, easy to use, and free. I used it on KaosFroyo v32 FYI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that one too, same results
mjb413 said:
Does it give you the "low space" notification in the status bar? If so, when you go to menu->settings->storage "internal storage" What is listed as your available space? Is that where you see the 139mb free? Could be a rom issue? With GingerShedBreaad 1.7 and about 50 apps installed, I have 67mb free and never get the status bar "low space" notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To quote myself:
KamikazeChris said:
One other thing now too, I forgot to mention, I've only messed with this keyboard change and I've installed Dolphin browser, and it pops up saying storage space is low, yet under phone storage sdcard, it says available space is 6.17gb out of 7.39gb and phone storage is 139mb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I'm wondering if maybe I should wipe and reinstall this ROM again, and maybe clear my SDcard as well, any suggestions on what format to run on the SD if I do format? The low storage notification pops up when I long press to switch keyboards, nothing in status bar
Hi,
I'm currently charging my new SGS II, and considering what to do with it when I power it of. I have had a lot of cutom roms and mods on my HTC Desire previously Now, I know I don't want an AOSP ROM right away, I want to try out the phone how way it was "meant to be".
But I want the bells and whistles also though, like root, and any other stuff that makes the phone better, and I assume some of you here has some suggestions. I read through a decent amount of threads yesterday but I don't have a firm grasp of everything.
1: Is it much to gain from switching to a custom kernel battery-wise or performance wise? Or should I just run "stock" with zergRush?
2: Are there any cooked ROM base on Samsung softwae that exceed the stock ROMs in usefull functionality, while still being perfectly stable? Or are the stock rom great/good on it's own?
3: What kind of backups should I make before I start, to be as sure as possible of avoiding a certain brick? I run linux, so I can't run Odin, but I can run Heimdall and I guess I can make pretty much the same backups from there. As far as I have gathered, the S II have a few special quirks regarding partitions and some other low-level info. Is installing CWM and then do a backup "good enough" or is there something else that should be done - or should it be done before I even install CWM?
To answer your questions:
1. Yes custom kernels do make a difference- performance and battery wise. Currently, in my opinion, siyah and speedmod are two of the better kernels out there. Also the different governors in the kernels help you decided what balance between performance and battery life you want.
This thread explains everything about governors- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1369817&highlight=simple+clean
2. As good Sammy Roms go, I'd recommend you try CheckRom & Hyperdoid. Other Roms I'd recommend if you're looking for stability are Simple & Clean and Cognition. MIUI is good too(I'm currently on it) and quite stable.
3. If you don't have CWM recovery and have root, use Titanium backup to backup all your apps and MyBackup Root to backup the rest of the misc data. If and when you do have CWM recovery, just make a nandroid backup so you can freely try out new roms and restore through nandroid if anything happens.
If there's anything I've missed lemme know
__________________________________________________________________
If anything I've said helps, feel free to hit the thanks button!!
I simply installed CF Root which include CWM, and made a backup from there. (Which I then move to the external sd card, where I believe it should be en the first place. Not much help having a backup on internal storage if you mess up your artitions/nand.
It gives me a great chance to try the phone pretty stock for a while. Although I'm very little impressed by the Samsung "extras" so far, which seems to be limited to a few not-so-useful apps and a pretty crappy launcher. Samsung dive is the only thin with any value that I have discovered so far.
Its full of guides.
Also backup your EFS with ktool from the market asap.
I prefer speedmod Kernel
I did backup from CWM and take a copy to my laptop
Personally... like you I wanted to see the phone how it is made - at first
I then zerg rushed my phone simply to gain root - REALLY SIMPLE
If your still using touchwiz.... i recommend appzorter (basically organises apps)
You can chose go launcher etc if you prefer more customisation!
Then after two weeks a developer who's work I previously used for my desire came back to xda... his work was always great on desire... so i fully rooted with ODIN
yet again it was really easy, follow the guides to a t and your set!
I popped his rom on (in my sig) and never looked back since!
If you do decide to go down the custom rom route, start with a 2.3.6 build instead of trying ICS 4.0 etc... stick to solid and STABLE builds until you have more knowledge!
Enjoy
OK, so I have been really enjoying my Note i717 and this forum. Been lurking awhile and been playing with ROMs. Currently have Padawan JB. HAD JB V2 but it would lock up constantly, lag, and was a general pain in the butt. So I had to go back to JB. Was browsing today and came across BlackStar VI and it looked pretty slick so downloaded it. Put it on my SD card as it said and booted into TWRP to install it and..its not there. When I look at the SD card on my laptop its there..but not in TWRP. Have zip filed on my device like my blaze modem, JB, etc but again in TWRP..noooooooo zip files. Ive searched the forums and the web and the "tricks I seen people post didnt seem to make them show. I was going to go back to Clockwork but I am on Windows 8 now and it doesnt seem to support it. I am at a loss here. I REALLY want to try this ROM but I cant if I cant load it!! Any ideas? :good:
If you're looking in sd-ext you won't find it. In the TWRP screen scroll to the top and go up a level until you see Storage:emmc. Then scroll down to sd card and select that and you'll find your zip file.
CodyGrizz said:
OK, so I have been really enjoying my Note i717 and this forum. Been lurking awhile and been playing with ROMs. Currently have Padawan JB. HAD JB V2 but it would lock up constantly, lag, and was a general pain in the butt. So I had to go back to JB. Was browsing today and came across BlackStar VI and it looked pretty slick so downloaded it. Put it on my SD card as it said and booted into TWRP to install it and..its not there. When I look at the SD card on my laptop its there..but not in TWRP. Have zip filed on my device like my blaze modem, JB, etc but again in TWRP..noooooooo zip files. Ive searched the forums and the web and the "tricks I seen people post didnt seem to make them show. I was going to go back to Clockwork but I am on Windows 8 now and it doesnt seem to support it. I am at a loss here. I REALLY want to try this ROM but I cant if I cant load it!! Any ideas? :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All your stuff is still there. You have to navigate to where your files are in twrp. In twrp press up a level and search for sd-ext and your files should be in there if they are on your external memory.
Thank you for the replies. I had found that file lat night and tried using it, to no avail. It didnt work. And I know before I installed Padawan JB the files were visible in the main setup I just had to scroll down. Now they are hidden. Not sure why that it. I would like to go back to clockwork to do my flashing but that appears to be gone as well. Do I need to wipe everything..phone, card, etc and go back to the beginning and start over?
Can you see your backup? This should help considering that you made a backup before you began flashing.
1. flash your backup - OR wipe everything, format sd card with the phone (after making a backup of course )
2. check to see if you have CWM or TWRP
-if TWRP, you can get CWM from the forums
3. I would then check out the Blackstar thread & flash CWM again to reassure myself (I run a touch version of it, look for recommended version of CWM); Blackstar X Rom (loving it fit several months with no issue; and kernel (I don't remember if it's included) I use flappjaxxx's with this Rom.
Bigfau also has a jellybean ver. all of his builds have been super stable IMO. I've been running Blackstar since ver IV/VI & didn't want to update because it was so stable...... BS X is awesome ICS ROM!! I hope that's a good starting point for you.
CodyGrizz said:
OK, so I have been really enjoying my Note i717 and this forum. Been lurking awhile and been playing with ROMs. Currently have Padawan JB. HAD JB V2 but it would lock up constantly, lag, and was a general pain in the butt. So I had to go back to JB. Was browsing today and came across BlackStar VI and it looked pretty slick so downloaded it. Put it on my SD card as it said and booted into TWRP to install it and..its not there. When I look at the SD card on my laptop its there..but not in TWRP. Have zip filed on my device like my blaze modem, JB, etc but again in TWRP..noooooooo zip files. Ive searched the forums and the web and the "tricks I seen people post didnt seem to make them show. I was going to go back to Clockwork but I am on Windows 8 now and it doesnt seem to support it. I am at a loss here. I REALLY want to try this ROM but I cant if I cant load it!! Any ideas? :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in TWRP...................when I have eve hit the UP button, I get lost. I think you should hit... install, right under "select zip" you have option of either
EMMC or SD CARD. should be on one or the other?
as far as CWM goes, unless you actually removed it yourself, it is still there. you just flash one over the other. when you flashed TWRP, it only replaces CWM. it does not remove it. so if you didn't remove yourself, you simply flash your CWM over TWRP. though majority or ROM's today suggest TWRP for better results.
as for Padawan.........most everyone has had lag issue including myself. if you go to thread read from p.355 to p.378. your answers are there. since then Padawan has my phone the BEST it has ever ran. I am not blowing smoke up your tailpipe. I ran it for good solid 2 months if not more.
good luck, let us know if helped or solved
Thanks for the replies. I was able to load it today and ran it all day. I have V XI, saw a video that reviewed BW and it showed a Vers XII though I didnt see it and i believe the video also has Vers X. I like it except for 2 weird problems. My battery drained pretty fast which it normally doesnt do and i had a HECK of a time loading MMS when someone would text me a pic even though i was showing H+ with 4 bars. I would like to to try Padawan V2 as I think it would be nice..maybe I will read those 20 odd pages and give it another try.:good::good:
Hi all,
This is the first time I've tried installing a custom ROM on my VZW S4 (i545) (MDK firmware. Yes, I held out on the OTA since May). I've got a few thoughts and a couple of questions I was hoping could be addressed. I consider myself familiar with flashing ROM's and whatnot, so I won't need hand-holding steps in answer to my questions.
Some info:
VZW S4
MDK Firmware
Recovery: OUDhs CWM Touch Req0very v1.0.3.5
I haven't taken any OTA since I got the phone back in May. This leads me to believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that I'm on Android 4.2.2?
Current ROM: AOKP Nightly Build for 10/31/2013 (MR2)
Thoughts: Holy hell, this ROM is BLAZING fast. I am missing a few features, but none I use regularly (I don't use any of the TouchWiz "smart" features. Damn battery hogs). I was able to flash this over and install GAPPS without any problems. Loading time is incredible, and I love how clean the interface is.
Questions:
Can anyone help me figure out why I cannot install CM10.2? Not sure if that's because I downloaded the wrong version or something, but after flashing it, the screen stays stuck at the Galaxy S4 logo and doesn't move. Maybe I didn't wait long enough, but it surely didn't move in any reasonably expected time (AOKP, by comparison, loaded probably <1 minute). Any thoughts on why this might be? I really want to try CM10.2, so perhaps I should try a different build?
Another question/concern: I downloaded a few different ROMs last night -- CM10.2, AOKP and st0ckdr0id. AOKP installed fine, CM10.2 froze up, but when I installed st0ckdr0id (after wiping out, of course), I got what I think is referred to as a kernel panic. The message was similar to "This phone has software installed on it that Verizon Wireless has determined to be unsafe. Please power off the phone and take to the nearest Verizon Wireless store for help". In the top-left corner, it had in bold RED letters "Kernel secure: FAIL" (or similar wording). I fixed this by booting back into recovery, wiping out, and then installing AOKP again. Can anyone help me understand why this happened?
Why is only ~10GB of space still available when I -thought- I wiped out everything?
What I'm really searching for is an AOSP ROM that is very clean and light, but has SOME of the TouchWiz features. Any recommendations?
My phone only shows me as having a 3G connection, where normally I have 4G LTE. Anything I can do to fix this? Is this an issue with the ROM not detecting the right kind of radio? Bug report, perhaps?
I can't mount my external_sd in my CWM anymore. Yes, I used to be able to do it at one point, because I've done an external nandroid backup to it from within CWM in the past (as of October 29th, if the date on the backups is correct). I've read in other Google searches that it has something to do with the formatting of the SD card, but I haven't removed that SD card from my phone in a few months to have adjusted anything to do with formatting. I plugged the memory card into my Linux laptop this morning while diagnosing this and got an error about an unknown exfat partition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Stupid question: Is there a way to -completely- wipe my internal SD card clean of all my current files? I know when I "wipe" /data I can still see all of my files from the previous installation, and I'm not ballsy enough to wipe /sdcard. I guess the question that then coincides with this is if I were able to completely wipe the phone, I assume that would wipe the recovery as well?
Sorry for some of the novice questions -- I have no problem messing with my old TF300T tablet (because NVFlash will save the day), but this is my only phone, only line of communication and SOLE way for me to answer calls for work (24/7 rotating on-call), so it is VERY important to me to ask questions and not go down for more than 1 hour.
Thanks for all help guys, its much appreciated. I hope to be able to test ROMs regularly and maybe start posting video reviews or something, who knows?
Thanks,
Opethfan89
opethfan89 said:
Hi all,
This is the first time I've tried installing a custom ROM on my VZW S4 (i545) (MDK firmware. Yes, I held out on the OTA since May). I've got a few thoughts and a couple of questions I was hoping could be addressed. I consider myself familiar with flashing ROM's and whatnot, so I won't need hand-holding steps in answer to my questions.
Some info:
VZW S4
MDK Firmware
Recovery: OUDhs CWM Touch Req0very v1.0.3.5
I haven't taken any OTA since I got the phone back in May. This leads me to believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that I'm on Android 4.2.2?
Current ROM: AOKP Nightly Build for 10/31/2013 (MR2)
Thoughts: Holy hell, this ROM is BLAZING fast. I am missing a few features, but none I use regularly (I don't use any of the TouchWiz "smart" features. Damn battery hogs). I was able to flash this over and install GAPPS without any problems. Loading time is incredible, and I love how clean the interface is.
Questions:
Can anyone help me figure out why I cannot install CM10.2? Not sure if that's because I downloaded the wrong version or something, but after flashing it, the screen stays stuck at the Galaxy S4 logo and doesn't move. Maybe I didn't wait long enough, but it surely didn't move in any reasonably expected time (AOKP, by comparison, loaded probably <1 minute). Any thoughts on why this might be? I really want to try CM10.2, so perhaps I should try a different build?
Another question/concern: I downloaded a few different ROMs last night -- CM10.2, AOKP and st0ckdr0id. AOKP installed fine, CM10.2 froze up, but when I installed st0ckdr0id (after wiping out, of course), I got what I think is referred to as a kernel panic. The message was similar to "This phone has software installed on it that Verizon Wireless has determined to be unsafe. Please power off the phone and take to the nearest Verizon Wireless store for help". In the top-left corner, it had in bold RED letters "Kernel secure: FAIL" (or similar wording). I fixed this by booting back into recovery, wiping out, and then installing AOKP again. Can anyone help me understand why this happened?
Why is only ~10GB of space still available when I -thought- I wiped out everything?
What I'm really searching for is an AOSP ROM that is very clean and light, but has SOME of the TouchWiz features. Any recommendations?
My phone only shows me as having a 3G connection, where normally I have 4G LTE. Anything I can do to fix this? Is this an issue with the ROM not detecting the right kind of radio? Bug report, perhaps?
I can't mount my external_sd in my CWM anymore. Yes, I used to be able to do it at one point, because I've done an external nandroid backup to it from within CWM in the past (as of October 29th, if the date on the backups is correct). I've read in other Google searches that it has something to do with the formatting of the SD card, but I haven't removed that SD card from my phone in a few months to have adjusted anything to do with formatting. I plugged the memory card into my Linux laptop this morning while diagnosing this and got an error about an unknown exfat partition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Stupid question: Is there a way to -completely- wipe my internal SD card clean of all my current files? I know when I "wipe" /data I can still see all of my files from the previous installation, and I'm not ballsy enough to wipe /sdcard. I guess the question that then coincides with this is if I were able to completely wipe the phone, I assume that would wipe the recovery as well?
Sorry for some of the novice questions -- I have no problem messing with my old TF300T tablet (because NVFlash will save the day), but this is my only phone, only line of communication and SOLE way for me to answer calls for work (24/7 rotating on-call), so it is VERY important to me to ask questions and not go down for more than 1 hour.
Thanks for all help guys, its much appreciated. I hope to be able to test ROMs regularly and maybe start posting video reviews or something, who knows?
Thanks,
Opethfan89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that's a lot. Let's see if we can get you answers.
1. Switch recoveries to twrp 2.5.0.2. I can't stress the importance of the particular version enough. There are others. This is absolutely the most stable. It's what the devs use. I think then your cm issue will be resolved.
Correct way to wipe with twrp.
1.wipe - >factory reset.
2. Advanced wipe - >check system, data, davlik, cache then wipe.
3. The go back to main screen and install rom.
2. Answered by answer one. Lots of people have lots of opinions about the various recoveries. All I can tell you is this is what all the devs use for their recovery. Can't argue with that.
3. Reserved space. It might say you have 16 gigs but a good size chunk is taking merely by formatting. Then the ROM and programs you have installed of course.
4. Honestly they are all freaking great. The aosp roms. You do the answer to number one and you can find out. DU is my fav @ this moment. Followed by beanstalk.
5. Go to mobile networks make sure your network mode is set to cdma +lte/evdo.
6. Answer 1.
7. You don't really want to wipe the entire internal SD card. Sounds good when you think it might screw you if you did it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Mightycaptain said:
Wow that's a lot. Let's see if we can get you answers.
1. Switch recoveries to twrp 2.5.0.2. I can't stress the importance of the particular version enough. There are others. This is absolutely the most stable. It's what the devs use. I think then your cm issue will be resolved.
Correct way to wipe with twrp.
1.wipe - >factory reset.
2. Advanced wipe - >check system, data, davlik, cache then wipe.
3. The go back to main screen and install rom.
2. Answered by answer one. Lots of people have lots of opinions about the various recoveries. All I can tell you is this is what all the devs use for their recovery. Can't argue with that.
3. Reserved space. It might say you have 16 gigs but a good size chunk is taking merely by formatting. Then the ROM and programs you have installed of course.
4. Honestly they are all freaking great. The aosp roms. You do the answer to number one and you can find out. DU is my fav @ this moment. Followed by beanstalk.
5. Go to mobile networks make sure your network mode is set to cdma +lte/evdo.
6. Answer 1.
7. You don't really want to wipe the entire internal SD card. Sounds good when you think it might screw you if you did it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response Mightycaptain! I used CWM as my first ever recovery and am kinda pressed on it, which is why I use it, but I have no issues going to TWRP if that means fixing my issues. Can you elaborate on how to install TWRP in place of my current CWM? I'll do some Googling in the meantime to try to find the answer myself. (I haven't done any flashing or rooting stuff since I got the phone in May!!)
Thanks for your answer in #5. Fixed the issue I was having.
My reason for wanting to wipe the entire internal SD card is there are still files, folders, logs and backups from when I had my previous ROM. I'm having issues restoring my nandroid backup from the night of the 7th so is it at all possible for me to salvage some of my settings, apps and file backups from those existing files? Once I fix my nandroid, I'm going to keep the nandroid backup in a safe place and I ideally want to have a completely clean phone to start from: That means getting rid of all those old files and other nonsense from before. Is this a possibility?
I'm going to spend my time today trying to extract data from my nandroid backups using ROM Toolbox Pro. If that doesn't work, I have a nandroid backup from the 31st that has 99% of the stuff I need so I'll try to restore that. If THAT doesn't work, then I'm going to cry myself to sleep while trying to remember all of my contacts
Wish me luck, and hopefully I can get some answers to my last few questions!
Thanks,
Opethfan89
opethfan89 said:
Thanks for your response Mightycaptain! I used CWM as my first ever recovery and am kinda pressed on it, which is why I use it, but I have no issues going to TWRP if that means fixing my issues. Can you elaborate on how to install TWRP in place of my current CWM? I'll do some Googling in the meantime to try to find the answer myself. (I haven't done any flashing or rooting stuff since I got the phone in May!!)
Thanks for your answer in #5. Fixed the issue I was having.
My reason for wanting to wipe the entire internal SD card is there are still files, folders, logs and backups from when I had my previous ROM. I'm having issues restoring my nandroid backup from the night of the 7th so is it at all possible for me to salvage some of my settings, apps and file backups from those existing files? Once I fix my nandroid, I'm going to keep the nandroid backup in a safe place and I ideally want to have a completely clean phone to start from: That means getting rid of all those old files and other nonsense from before. Is this a possibility?
I'm going to spend my time today trying to extract data from my nandroid backups using ROM Toolbox Pro. If that doesn't work, I have a nandroid backup from the 31st that has 99% of the stuff I need so I'll try to restore that. If THAT doesn't work, then I'm going to cry myself to sleep while trying to remember all of my contacts
Wish me luck, and hopefully I can get some answers to my last few questions!
Thanks,
Opethfan89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check my post here for twrp 2.5.0.2.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47275165
You can flash it in your current recovery. It overwrites CWM. I would make sure you have a flashable for CWM just in case you need to go back for some reason. Also the backups between those 2 recoveries are not compatible. But I would nandroid with CWM before flashing twrp. I would also change were you recovery is pointing to for storage to the external SD if you haven't already. After you have cut your current backup and past it there. You can use rom toolbox pro to back up your contacts and restore it once you flash a new ROM.
Now as good advice going forward I would add your contacts to your Google account. That way when you flash new stuff or drop your phone in the toilet as soon as you add your Google account to the phone all those contacts will automatically download. But it is always a good idea to use tibu or rom toolbox pro to back up all your apps and seeing and use that after flashing roms to restore apps and settings.
But honestly I'd nandroid, move my contacts to Google, make app backups. Flash twrp. Then start flashing roms. You could be doing it in an hour. After you flash twrp make another nandroid so you have a twrp compatible backup. Then in a day or so of you are happy with everything delete the CWM backups for space.
Edit: as to extracting things from your current nandroid. Not sure if that is possible for one thing it is compressed not sure how that would work unless you are doing a full restore.
Also for future reference with TWRP. When restoring nandroid wipe like your flashing a new rom before restoring.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Mightycaptain said:
Check my post here for twrp 2.5.0.2.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47275165
You can flash it in your current recovery. It overwrites CWM. I would make sure you have a flashable for CWM just in case you need to go back for some reason. Also the backups between those 2 recoveries are not compatible. But I would nandroid with CWM before flashing twrp. I would also change were you recovery is pointing to for storage to the external SD if you haven't already. After you have cut your current backup and past it there. You can use rom toolbox pro to back up your contacts and restore it once you flash a new ROM.
Now as good advice going forward I would add your contacts to your Google account. That way when you flash new stuff or drop your phone in the toilet as soon as you add your Google account to the phone all those contacts will automatically download. But it is always a good idea to use tibu or rom toolbox pro to back up all your apps and seeing and use that after flashing roms to restore apps and settings.
But honestly I'd nandroid, move my contacts to Google, make app backups. Flash twrp. Then start flashing roms. You could be doing it in an hour. After you flash twrp make another nandroid so you have a twrp compatible backup. Then in a day or so of you are happy with everything delete the CWM backups for space.
Edit: as to extracting things from your current nandroid. Not sure if that is possible for one thing it is compressed not sure how that would work unless you are doing a full restore.
Also for future reference with TWRP. When restoring nandroid wipe like your flashing a new rom before restoring.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks again for your quick response!! I'm glad I checked this first, because I'm in my ROM Toolbox app atm and it has an option to let me install TWRP 2.5.0.2 from within the app itself. Should I do it this way?
I will be adding all contacts to Google from now on. Unfortunately I saved all my stuff to my Verizon backup assistant so I just need one last shot at my phone to save all those contacts (manually, if I must) and be able to enter them onto the new ROM.
By "flash it in your current recovery" I assume you mean download the .zip, place it on my internal /sdcard, and then "flash" it just like I would flash a ROM, right?
I'm sure I have a "flashable" for CWM somewhere but like I said, I haven't done any of this stuff on this phone since I first bought it, and things have changed so much with everyone having OTA's and being locked out that I'm not sure what process is the same or what has changed. I can't afford to lose this phone so I'm hesitant to go balls to the wall to try things.
I will try the things you've listed here. Seems like a nandroid + TiBu + Google Contacts is my best bet to get up and running each time I decide to try a new ROM.
Thanks again!
opethfan89 said:
Hey thanks again for your quick response!! I'm glad I checked this first, because I'm in my ROM Toolbox app atm and it has an option to let me install TWRP 2.5.0.2 from within the app itself. Should I do it this way?
I will be adding all contacts to Google from now on. Unfortunately I saved all my stuff to my Verizon backup assistant so I just need one last shot at my phone to save all those contacts (manually, if I must) and be able to enter them onto the new ROM.
By "flash it in your current recovery" I assume you mean download the .zip, place it on my internal /sdcard, and then "flash" it just like I would flash a ROM, right?
I'm sure I have a "flashable" for CWM somewhere but like I said, I haven't done any of this stuff on this phone since I first bought it, and things have changed so much with everyone having OTA's and being locked out that I'm not sure what process is the same or what has changed. I can't afford to lose this phone so I'm hesitant to go balls to the wall to try things.
I will try the things you've listed here. Seems like a nandroid + TiBu + Google Contacts is my best bet to get up and running each time I decide to try a new ROM.
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understand the hesitancy completely. But with nodding comes risk. It is always about whether you can accept the worst possible outcome.
Rom toolbox pro flashing recovery? I don't know never tried it.
Yes I would download the recovery. Leave it on SD card reboot to recovery and flash like a rom.
Yes nandroid tibu and saving your contacts to Google is the quickest way to get up and running again.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Mightycaptain said:
Understand the hesitancy completely. But with nodding comes risk. It is always about whether you can accept the worst possible outcome.
Rom toolbox pro flashing recovery? I don't know never tried it.
Yes I would download the recovery. Leave it on SD card reboot to recovery and flash like a rom.
Yes nandroid tibu and saving your contacts to Google is the quickest way to get up and running again.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mighty, just wanted to report that flashing TWRP 2.5.0.2 from within ROM Toolbox Pro worked like a charm. I'm on TWRP as we speak.
Thank you so much for your responses. If anyone else has anything to add, or a different response to my questions, please do so! In the meantime, I'm going to try to figure out how to get my nandroid backup working...
Cheers!
*EDIT* Made a backup with TWRP (whose interface is bloody phenomenal, btw), flashed CWM and its working like a charm!! Going to try the st0ckdr0id one as well. Still working on getting that nandroid working so I can recover my stuff and get to customizing!