Hey guys... I am brand new to all of this... just got my samsung vibrant a couple of months ago and love it. I have since always wanted to root my phone, but am scared of doing so because I don't want to void my manufacturer's warranty on it (and i'm paying for an extended warranty). I was reading through the "guide - tips - tricks" post and found a LOT of good information. But it did not really answer my questions due to me being so new, so anyway, here they are:
1. Do I need to create a back-up of my system the way it is before I root? if so, how do i do it (in beginner's language w/ step by step instructions pls). I saw where I can down load the "ROM Manager App." But I don't even understand what "Flashing" the Rom means?
2. I didn't understand the post about returning your system back to a "factory OS" the way it was when you received your phone... (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728471 )In this post he explains supposedly how to do it, but I don't understand entering that stuff in a "terminal" on your computer... could someone explain in noob terms w/ step by step instructions?
Just to make sure... in theory, I can make a back up of my system before I root. Then I can root my phone. But if I ever want to "unroot" it, then I would have to follow the instructions in the link above, and then afterwards do a recovery of my nandroid backup to put me back to where I originally was? thanks guys
Rooting your phone will change nothing (meaning you lose nothing).
So, after you root, simply download Rom Manager, open it, click on flash recovery, then reboot into recovery (at this point you can make a backup of your phone).
Once you have root, you can also use titanium backup (in the market also) to backup all of your apps.
flash = install a rom *you do this in recovery, see above*
If you know nothing about this the best advice is to read the very first thread in this section. It walks you step by step from "hey I want to root" to "I'm rooted, Now what?" to "Hey I F'd up, can I fix this" and so on. And on the "Hey I f'd up" note apparently the Vibrant likes to brick, meaning it won't turn on and you'll think you broke it, so you need to be familiar with ODIN which you'll find out more about in the three threads I refer to. Also the first two threads in the Development section are also must reads. All of the answers are here. A lot of people here will be very helpful in giving guidance or pointing you to the answer your looking for but there are quite a few that will flame you for not searching.
You'll be much happier and more comfortable after reading these three threads. Good Luck.
Answer to question 1 can be found here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7324731&postcount=1
Answer to question 2 can be found here. The terminal you speak of is ODIN. Kind of a fail safe if you will. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=734475
A "I need to send this back for warranty repairs" backup isn't critical since you can just load up Odin and flash it back to stock with that. No need for you to be hyper critical on that.
With this phone, pretty much anything you can mess up can be fixed with Odin (short of flashing things that aren't meant for this phone).
While I wouldn't volunteer to be the first to flash an image, I wouldn't be too scared of it either.
Rooting your phone will add a few files (superuser, busybox) and otherwise leave your system intact. If something breaks later & you need to sent it back to TMO/Samsung, you'd just Odin it back to stock and give them a "blank slate" which is actually something you'd want to do anyways (you don't want them having access to your gmail for example...when I send a laptop back for repairs, I always image it back to stock as well).
I would suggest you read through the Vibrant Bible and just poke around. When you see something that shows/tells you how to do things like flash, follow along (load up the software and do as much as you can without actually doing anything [if that makes any sense]).
Never EVER flash anything that wasn't meant for your phone (a few people bricked their vibrants by accidentally flashing the SPLs from their G1s...how they make that mistake I don't know, but it's happened). Be careful, follow directions & you'll be good to go.
There are youtube videos showing how to use Odin and get back to stock (I believe the bible has links) and there are probably also youtube videos showing how to do other things as well.
For root, all you have to do is download "RyanZA's OCLF 2.0" from the market and click the root button. Follow its directions & you are good to go.
For many of us, that's not good enough. You'll want to then install ROM Manager and have it download the new Recovery.
From there, the world is open, find a ROM and flash away! I'm partial to Bionix, but have recently started to like the Axura froyo ROM as well.
Related
I have been lurking around here for a while (Yes another noob) and have been thinking of rooting and flashing my phone to DJ05 from this page.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=869990
However, before I do I hoped some of the more experience guy/gals maybe able to enlighten me a bit.
The Radio is basically what it sounds like right. Cell/data service, GPS, wifi, and ect?
The kernal is the os under the gui?
The rom is the GUI?
I looked at the stickes and the wikki and I am a bit confused.
First I need to root my phone with the one button flash instructions on the stickes.
Then what.
What do you use back up?
Can I back up games?
Is there a simple step by step instructions that start how to put phone in the right mode?
What do install on computer to flash?
Will this also get rid of all the bloatware?
Basically where to start step by step including what programs to use?
Like I said I'm a complete noob, and apprciate any and all help.
Thx
Scott
In the developement section there are stickies. They will get you from stock to rooted to romed.
There us an app called z4root which is a 1click rooting system and far better then the adb program imo.
After that you want to flash cwm.tar also coverd in the stickies.
Get familiar with odin. Remember pda button is your friend.
After you have rooted , make a back up through rom manager....
Sigh...... Its 4am my puppy woke me up. Someone else can take over lol. Pm me if you need assistance over the phone I can walk you through the whole process if need be.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
This is your one-stop shop for all your questions
Is there a wiki project affiliated with xda? I would like to organize everything I know about bricking and fixing these things, organized with hyperlinks. A lot of times I don't know the most efficient solution, but that could be refined.
It would be nice if I could see a question here and simply point to section 12a.13 of a comprehensive guide, concisely written (not necessarily my strong-suit I admit) with brief jargon and a complete glossary.
Swyped w/ XDA App. When in doubt, mumble.
Anubis9000 said:
I have been lurking around here for a while (Yes another noob) and have been thinking of rooting and flashing my phone to DJ05 from this page.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=869990
However, before I do I hoped some of the more experience guy/gals maybe able to enlighten me a bit.
The Radio is basically what it sounds like right. Cell/data service, GPS, wifi, and ect?
The kernal is the os under the gui?
The rom is the GUI?
I looked at the stickes and the wikki and I am a bit confused.
First I need to root my phone with the one button flash instructions on the stickes.
Then what.
What do you use back up?
Can I back up games?
Is there a simple step by step instructions that start how to put phone in the right mode?
What do install on computer to flash?
Will this also get rid of all the bloatware?
Basically where to start step by step including what programs to use?
Like I said I'm a complete noob, and apprciate any and all help.
Thx
Scott
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The radio/modem/baseband is basically what you say, yes. It lives on it's own partition.
The kernel is the OS.
Afaik ROM is a general term, and can include any combination of kernel, ui changes, and system apps.
You mau root with a one button app like z4root. However manual roots don't take long, and ensure that you have working samsung drivers, and a working adb environment, and at least a basic knowledge of how your phone can be modified in a shell if everything goes FUBAR on you. It is just nice to be prepared, and to know how to at least root (and unroot) your phone if the one clicks hang or stop working.
Avoid even considering a voodoo install until you a) have installed a clean rom like super clean or blackhole and configured it with adw or launcher pro b) replaced the kernel if you found it too slow or replaced the modem. c) still notice lag (specifically during disk writes - ex you stream a ton of rss feeds and email constantly) that is intolerable to you. d) you have bricked and fixed your phone on at least two different ways already and are prepared to take full responsibility for whatever crashes happen and for data lost. Ie. You are a newcomer, you should probably just stay away, non voodoo kernels are quite smooth -i have always been satisfied.
Titanium backup pro does a wonderful job of restoring your most important apps. I recommend not backing up every item / system data. It is just easier for me to stay lightweight. It also gives you the ability to freeze/delete bloatware.
Rom manager and accompanying cwr gives you a way to backup almost everything. It is CRITICAL to do this backup before doing any odin flashes or installing any ROMs for the first time.
Yes you can backup games.
I am not 100% clear on modes.
* if your phone is working and you installed adb on your computer like you should have -simply type 'adb reboot download' or 'adb reboot recovery' EASY! (what I do)
* download - Hold volume down button while your phone is turning on until you see the yellow warning sign. (get it? Down for download). You use this mode for heimdall/odin
* recovery - hold volume up & down buttons while turning on phone. If you get a battery icon instead, unplug the phone or the battery. This is basic stock recovery, not CWR.
Heimdall or odin for flashing. Always use pda button. Put on android SDK and set your path variables too. And of course install samsung drivers for your phone!
Where to start? Read the first post of every sticky in this forum, particularly in development.
Don't post to development.
Swyped w/ XDA App. When in doubt, mumble.
Thanks for all the help. I have read some of the stickes. I will read the rest. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Hi all.
I have a Samsung Vibrant that's still on 2.1. I want to get into rooting and running custom ROMs, but my first attempt failed miserably. I had only rooted the phone and played with a little bit of overclocking for a couple of days when I received an OTA update announcement. Not thinking about it, I accepted it. After that, I got stuck on the "Vibrant" startup screen during the reboot. I took the phone and flashed it back to stock using the method most use (ODIN?). Anyway, even back to stock it would get stuck in a loop of running the media scanner during startup...needless to say I had to get a new phone.
My point is that I want to get my phone more personalized but I'm a bit stand-off-ish because of my prior experience. There is a ton of terminology I'm not familiar with at all...the most I can do with a computer is turn it on and use it.
Is there a place I can go that's an entry level course in rooting and the terminology associated with it? Thanks.
Check my signature. Noob guide. If something is not answered please pm me so I can add it.
I would not use kies to get 2.2.
What is "kies?" Also, I've been reading through (obviously there's a lot of reading to do) but I have another question that relates to my previous experimentation with rooting:
Is there ANY way to do a full back up of my phone now so that if I ever have to go back to stock using ODIN I can go back to how my phone is now? The last time I tried I could not find the same software I had before and a few things had been changed...basically like it wasn't a true stock file.
OK, so you are nooBie
Here are a list of things you are going need if you want to update your phone to 2.2
1. If you do not know what you are doing (which is the case) then, read
member-s15274n Noobie guide in the Bible. This will get you up to speed on the knowledge necessary to modify the phone.
2. If you decide to do the factory (from tmobile/samsung) update, then read on that process. I personally do not recommend updating that way.
3. If you update via some of the excellent roms in the Dev section (which I recommend) then read up on them Master's Axura, Jellette's Einherjar rom and Team Whiskey's Roms are all excellent and there are others YOU NEED TO READ UP ON THESE,
4. If you go with a custom rom Then you need The following programs/patches:
A. Odin 1.7 (this installs on the computer)
B. Oneclick root. (Go to unlockr.com) they have a video easy to follow and have the links for this.
C. Clockwork (Rom Manager) free installs on the phone
D. Titanium Backup (installs o nthe phone)
E. Original 959JFD 2.1 stock ROM (in case you f#ck-up) you can odin back
F. The Custom rom of your choice.
That is all you need, read up and once you get going you will maybe have questions..... Ask in the Q & A we all here welcome a new person to the forum and help them.
BMRbrnSNRbrd said:
What is "kies?" Also, I've been reading through (obviously there's a lot of reading to do) but I have another question that relates to my previous experimentation with rooting:
Is there ANY way to do a full back up of my phone now so that if I ever have to go back to stock using ODIN I can go back to how my phone is now? The last time I tried I could not find the same software I had before and a few things had been changed...basically like it wasn't a true stock file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Kies is an official program that syncs your phone to your PC. This includes downloading and installing official OS updates to your phone.
A NANDroid backup can backup everything except the kernel. When you restore this backup your phone will go back to the state it was in when you backed it up.
Remember to always read a lot before doing anything.
I'm kinda new too. I personally chose Team Whiskey's ROMs. Their guide and s15274n's Noob Guide helped me a lot. Have fun!
Thanks for the information.
Ok, now I really feel like a noob....I am to the phone rooting idea, but not to forums...but I cannot for the life of me find the Developers section...
Vibrant > vibrant android development
I'm a relatively new user of the android device and I was wondering if someone could help me install ICS on my phone.
The first thing I did was the section 5 of this thread to root my phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1238070
Then, I tried following the instructions on this thread to install ICS: http://rootzwiki.com/topic/11850-romicsiml74k-teamhacksungs-ics-port-for-fascinate-build-5-0114/
One thing I noticed from reading around though, was that I needed to do a NANDROID backup. In order to do that, I downloaded the 'ROM Manager' and tried to 'Reboot into Recovery'. However, it wouldn't boot into recovery, so I did a quick search and figured out the solution, which was found here: http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/how-to-install-clockworkmod-recovery-on-samsung-galaxy-s-i9000/
In order to solver this problem, I realized that I had to download a kernel that's applicable to my drive. I'm now looking at my kernel version to figure out which file to download, but I'm having a hard time going from there.
As you can see, I'm kind of all over the place, so I decided to stop before I screw up my phone. Can anyone please help me out or point me to the right direction?
Thank you!
Bauss said:
I'm a relatively new user of the android device and I was wondering if someone could help me install ICS on my phone.
The first thing I did was the section 5 of this thread to root my phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1238070
Then, I tried following the instructions on this thread to install ICS: http://rootzwiki.com/topic/11850-romicsiml74k-teamhacksungs-ics-port-for-fascinate-build-5-0114/
One thing I noticed from reading around though, was that I needed to do a NANDROID backup. In order to do that, I downloaded the 'ROM Manager' and tried to 'Reboot into Recovery'. However, it wouldn't boot into recovery, so I did a quick search and figured out the solution, which was found here: http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/how-to-install-clockworkmod-recovery-on-samsung-galaxy-s-i9000/
In order to solver this problem, I realized that I had to download a kernel that's applicable to my drive. I'm now looking at my kernel version to figure out which file to download, but I'm having a hard time going from there.
As you can see, I'm kind of all over the place, so I decided to stop before I screw up my phone. Can anyone please help me out or point me to the right direction?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use droidstyle's guide for everything. It is step by step, no way to fail.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
First you don't need to root your phone to flash a new rom. We almost need his in big bold letters in the guide, because this is a huge misconception.
I never do.nadroids, I back up what I want and reinstall.the programs I need. You can always Odin back to stock if.something goes wrong. The advantage to rooting is that you.can now use titanium backup to back up your programs. (I have the least problems if I install them from the market and then restore data only.)
Then flash CWM fixed for CM7. Three finger into recovery. If the phone boots it will reflash the stock recovery and you'll have to flash it again.
Install ICS.
??
Profit.
I see You found section 5 in my guide, but you missed the part right at the top that says "this is not needed if flashing a custom rom". Also, how did you miss section 3 that has the exact instructions for putting ICS on your phone?
droidstyle said:
I see You found section 5 in my guide, but you missed the part right at the top that says "this is not needed if flashing a custom rom". Also, how did you miss section 3 that has the exact instructions for putting ICS on your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn it, you're right. I guess I'm an idiot.
Is it OK that I go straight to section 3 right now? Or must I un-root the device first?
No your fine to move ahead, a rooted phone wont hurt you.
Hey there. I rooted my Vibrant successfully, but realized I left some important things out. I used this guide to root my Vibrant: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=723479
The problems:
1) I can't nandroid (not that I need to, I only have 4 apps)
2) I would like to install either Miui v4 or CyanogenMod 9 but cannot as my recovery screen does not show me the options to do so (I only get the 4 options you normally would get unrooted, such as "Reinstall Packages"), so I'm stuck with the lame default homescreen.
3) I'm currently on 2.1-update1; should I upgrade to 2.2? If so, must I unroot to upgrade, and then reroot? And if this were the case, how do you unroot, and can I reroot using the same method in the link above?
Also, I was looking at this guide: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/Sa...te_Guide#Installing_the_ClockworkMod_Recovery
and noticed the line "This guide assumes the Samsung Vibrant already has Android 2.2 build UVKB5 already installed on it."
Does this mean 2.2 is required to install the CWM Recovery?
Thank you.
I'm not sure how you don't have CWM recovery if you followed the guide as it is written. Maybe its because the 2.1 is updated? I would do the following and see if that's all it takes. You definitely don't want to update to stock 2.2 via Kies or anything of that nature.
Worst case scenario, we can have you Odin back to stock JFD. You'll be smooth sailing from there.
Search the forums and find the update.zip for CWM for our Vibrant.
Put that on the lowest level of your INTERNAL storage. Not your microsd card. For example f:\update.zip
Now go to your boring 4 option stock recovery and select reinstall packages. It will reboot to the same boring screen. Select reinstall packages again, and it will reboot into Clockwork Mod Recovery.
Let me know if that does anything for you. Also what version of stock recovery do you have?
Toast6977 said:
Search the forums and find the update.zip for CWM for our Vibrant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can pull that directly from my signature, if OP wants. (Only works on Eclair [JFD] build btw)
Also OP, You will have to have a ROM that you are going to want to flash saved on your Internal SD card. Jsut download it, put in a folder and follow the ROM OP's instructions. Since you are fresh and new, I would NOT suggest flashing anything of ICS or JB until you get the hang of things first.
Read, read and then read somemore. When it comes time to flash ICS or beyond, there is a guide in my signature. Good luck and make sure to hit Toast's "Thanks" button. He is a good asset to have around here.
Wow! I was hesitant to even check today, let it alone this early! Did not think that I would have two very useful replies waiting for me. Thanks guys, much appreciated!
I'll try the Odin thing out first before I even try to flash (you need root first before flashing, I'm assuming). Just out of curiosity, what is JFD and Odin? I'm still gonna try it out using the guides found here, but just curious.
EDIT: Damn, it worked like a charm! Now I have CWM. The mistake I made was that I only installed the Superuser/ROOT and not both. Gonna play with it for a bit now
I'm glad that your issue was solved
If you have any other questions/issues feel free to hit us up. We tend to lurk around these parts from time to time.
--you could now modify the title of this post to add [Solved] to the title or contact Oka1 and let him know it's case closed.--
Toast6977 said:
I'm glad that your issue was solved
If you have any other questions/issues feel free to hit us up. We tend to lurk around these parts from time to time.
--you could now modify the title of this post to add [Solved] to the title or contact Oka1 and let him know it's case closed.--
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for teaching me the etiquette around here as well
Can't easily find any solution to this so wondering if someone knows.
Code:
/system/app
-rw-r--r-- root root 92472 2012-11-28 10:25 SamsungAppsUNA3.apk
-rw-r--r-- root root 4327739 2008-08-01 12:00 SamsungHubApp1.0.10.apk
Are these two APKs safe to remove, exactly what does each do, if removed will there be problems if the phone is factory reset? Will removal impact the stability of the phone? (Don't wish to brick it.) I've already managed to re-organise APKs between /data/app and /system/app to make the phone think it's new by removing some bloat-ware and moving updates into /system/app
I don't use the "Samsung Hub" or Samsung's version of Google Play and would like to free about 4.4Mb in System App.
That's generally it. A nice simple question. Can anyone assist?
Safe to remove
Just flash your stock rom via odin to get back to how it was out the box
Always do a nandroid backup so you can restore in case of bricks - the amount of people I see who do something muck it up & you tell them just restore your nandroid backup & you will be back to how you was & they go they haven't got one - well that's their own fault
Anyway back up in cwm
Thaks for the reply. I've read about roms, but please be gentle with me and patient as when it comes to all thjings like flashing roms, I'm reasonably skittish that my attempt at trying to flash any rom might also brick the phone. The only reason I rooted my phone is to move system app updates into /system/app. I've moved the like of Maps, StreetView into /system/app and odexed them. I'm trying to be very careful to leave the crucial system apps well alone.
Which is the best guide, that not written by someone who assumes that the reader will be able to fill in the missing bits, that goes through the steps of getting the right CWM rom for the SG-Y and flashing that into the phone in a way that it won't brick itduring the flashing and in the future. At the moment my phone has the stock rom in it.
I've seen many frustrated Android geek-heads replying to something similar as "google is your friend" and also seen a few who have tried to flash a cwm rom into the phone and bricked their phones in the process.
As to odin? got the program. I'm quite concerned about getting the exact rom binary for the phone. Don't wish to accidentally flash the wrong rom and/or using the wrong method.
I think I've come to the conclusion that Samsung won't be releasing any OTA updates. Another reason for rooting the phone, so I could install rekey.
I'm no stranger to the linux shell, know how to use adb and I've messed with the phone a fair bit and it still works, better than before so I'm not one of the clueless bunch. :cyclops:
Any user friendly assistance for someone who's simply new to all things flashing Android roms would be awesome.
marcussmith2626 said:
Safe to remove
Just flash your stock rom via odin to get back to how it was out the box
Always do a nandroid backup so you can restore in case of bricks - the amount of people I see who do something muck it up & you tell them just restore your nandroid backup & you will be back to how you was & they go they haven't got one - well that's their own fault
Anyway back up in cwm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to general section & read all the information the sticky Threads at the top about things you should know
Odin flashable firmware is at top of dev section in thread by doky
To be fair if you ask basic questions you will get the answer use Google or search - why? Because all the answers have already been provided you just have to look and read them
If every new person kept asking the same basic questions which have been answered time and time again we will not get anywhere and just annoys people because all they have to do is type in Google & their questions the answers will instantly appear
That's why one of the rules of xda is search before posting
Thanks for your wisdom. Fully understansd. Just don't wish to be one of those statistics who has bricked a phone because of various things like getting the wrong rom, etc... I would like to be able to make a nandroid type backup before trying to flash any rom into the phone. Already realised that the nandroid backup is done by the CWM rom. Just would like to do a 100% back-up before that goes on.
I will go and seek the stuff you've mentioned below. Thanks.
marcussmith2626 said:
Go to general section & read all the information the sticky Threads at the top about things you should know
Odin flashable firmware is at top of dev section in thread by doky
To be fair if you ask basic questions you will get the answer use Google or search - why? Because all the answers have already been provided you just have to look and read them
If every new person kept asking the same basic questions which have been answered time and time again we will not get anywhere and just annoys people because all they have to do is type in Google & their questions the answers will instantly appear
That's why one of the rules of xda is search before posting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse