Database Users

the abc's of vibrant rom flashing?

I came from a g1 (just flashed things willy nilly without worrying) and am very cautious about flashing my vibrant. all i have done is rooted and applied oclf. I also flashed the stock lock screen. I have been reading the threads for many roms and it seems flashing on the vibrant isn't quite the same as the g1. what should i know about kernels and flashing back to stock? also what do i need to know about odin?
btw, my vibrant is not hardware locked.

I came from the same place, I've been reading threads for a while so let me see if I can help you out, at least a little.
When doing a nandroid backup disable any lag fix.
When flashing a ROM disable any lag fix.
When you flash a ROM it doesn't flash your kernel, so you need to be extremely careful to also flash a kernel if needed, otherwise you may be stuck at the Vibrant screen. Be especially careful if you're messing with Froyo here.
You can find lots of ODIN guides. I've only used ODIN once to flash back to stock and I haven't had any problems. Odin Guide.
When using ODIN lots of people have had troubles when they click the repartition check mark. I personally don't know much about it, but just be sure to read threads thoroughly
I think that's the gist of it.... I'm sure others have lots more to add.
Also: this thread has pretty much EVERYTHING

rbirg said:
I came from the same place, I've been reading threads for a while so let me see if I can help you out, at least a little.
When doing a nandroid backup disable any lag fix.
When flashing a ROM disable any lag fix.
When you flash a ROM it doesn't flash your kernel, so you need to be extremely careful to also flash a kernel if needed, otherwise you may be stuck at the Vibrant screen. Be especially careful if you're messing with Froyo here.
You can find lots of ODIN guides. I've only used ODIN once to flash back to stock and I haven't had any problems. Odin Guide.
When using ODIN lots of people have had troubles when they click the repartition check mark. I personally don't know much about it, but just be sure to read threads thoroughly
I think that's the gist of it.... I'm sure others have lots more to add.
Also: this thread has pretty much EVERYTHING
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks! 10char

is it really worth flashing a rom (like bionix (sp?)) or should i wait until cyanogenmod or the official froyo are is released?

Just a few clarifications:
Clockwork flashable ROMs can & usually do contain kernels. It's when backing up/restoring a nandroid backup that the kernel is not included, so always be sure that you have a compatible kernel to flash along with your restore if necessary.
If you are *not* hardware locked then your phone is virtually unbrickable provided you learn how to use Odin effectively. As far as repartitioning in Odin goes, AFAIK the reason it usually causes problems is that many Odin flashable images do not contain the partitioning data. The stock JFD tar does however.
Even if you are hardware locked I believe a flashable fix has finally been discovered. I can't vouch for its efficacy as I never needed it but others have confirmed it works. I'd link to the thread but I'm just too lazy right now to look for it. A quick browse or search of the forum should find it anyway if anyone needs it.

gonintendo said:
is it really worth flashing a rom (like bionix (sp?)) or should i wait until cyanogenmod or the official froyo are is released?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend you use Haykuro's newest SPL when installing bionix and be careful when getting into the splash screen.
Ha ha just kidding nothing to worry about with Vibrants :]
But I do recommend Bionix, there is not THAT much advantages from stock ROM but you do get rid of all bloatware, phone is snappier, and also themed. But you don't lose anything by trying. And yes make sure to disable, and please MAKE SURE you disable Voodoo lag fix, that is the only fix you should disable before making a Nandroid Backup or flashing a new ROM.

[Q] DL09 Quick Questions

Hey everyone! I hate to take up another thread but i like to be as sure as possible when it comes to messing with ODIN, since from what i understand that is where most people have likely bricked their phone.
Currently im running sonofskywalkers 2.3 rom i believe with DI01. I want to update to the newest one, which from what i understand means i need to upgrade to DL09.
My question is they say not to flash 01 stuff to over 09, so do i need to completely revert back to stock to push the new stuff since the rom i am running currently is for 01. Or am i safe to go ahead and update the radio and stuff, and boot up and get into rom manager to download the newest rom?
Thanks for your patience community and quick and helpful responses.

You are fine flashing over what you have, the issues mainly come up when you don't flash all the parts together (ROM, kernel, modem).
As far as Odin goes, as long as you use the PDA function, and not the PHONE function, you will be fine.
Edit: BTW, are you running a voodoo kernel? If so, that needs to be disabled before proceeding

For one, make sure voodoo is disabled if its on your kernal. If thats okay, then I would just odin this and then try to find a root method that would work. Or instead of rooting your stock, just flash a rooted rom onto your phone after the full odin.
BTW if you do want to keep stock, know that it can be a pain to get root to work. For some people it can be annoyingly hard, while others are able to use something simple such as the one click root. I was able to get one click to work, but it varies. If something goes wrong, you can always just re-odin the full package again.

I thought i might add here that you mentioned reading not to flash di01 stuff over dl09.
What that means is after you odin the dl09 upgrade you should no longer flash roms, kernels, themes and such that are not dl09. Flashing a di01 kernel would not work once you upgrade to dl09.
Hope this helps.
Have fun
Sent from my dl09 fascinate through xda app.

[Q] Rooted Fascinate ended up with incorrect kernel... *sigh*

It's really a shame to start off in a place with a post that has someone mad at themselves for performing a soft brick on their relatively new Verizon Samsung Fascinate. I have to admit I love the phone, but after seeing some videos about DarkyMod I was so impressed I felt compelled to try it.
All I've done, far as I know, is Rooted the phone, but I also used Odin and apparently flashed the incorrect kernel. So what happens now is when I power on my Fascinate, I get a Galaxy S (GT-i9000) screen. At this point, the phone reboots. I know I'm an idiot for having used the wrong Odin kernel, but after attempting to decipher the post in the Darky's installation for "first timers" I apparently choose the incorrect kernel.
At any rate, I suppose I could ask for an experienced modder for the right kernel, the one that would allow me to perform the flash after I had installed the ROM Manager, etc.. But I doubt that would help. What I'm looking for is a file which has been removed from the forums here, and was originally in someone's Dropbox account.
I believe that the file that I'm looking for is the "Stock-i500-VZW-Kernel.tar.md5"... I might be incorrect, as I had mentioned I believed I had successfully "rooted" the phone, but when I used Odin to flash the kernel, I think that's where I went wrong. Can anyone help me find this file? Or should I get the modified kernel, which will allow me to perform the backups and then the flashing to this mod? Thanks ahead of time, I do apologize for the length of the post.
-
T.C.
Samsung Fascinate (Verizon) DL09

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=867648
thats full d101 thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=885262
thats full dj05 thread
both should be able to get you back to stock through odin then you can restart what you did. personally i keep both handy since i already had to use them due to an error that cause the phone to freeze up completely at the samsung logo. hope that helps

Thank you kdaz!
I'll give that download a shot real fast and see what happens. I'm assuming you've modded/rooted your Samsung Fascinate? Which of those Odin kernels did you use to successfully start changing things? I never did get past the "update.zip" part, it always came back with an error.
Thanks for taking the time to write a response, I really feel bad to post and have my first ever be a soft bricked phone, haha!

Quick thank you...
After looking all over the forums here, and elsewhere... I did find what I was looking for, though I didn't manage to restore the kernel and save my settings, I did unbrick the phone by reapplying the DL01 firmware with the Odin software. The forums here were a huge help, and I just wanted to say thanks!

haha glad you got it working. yes i have rooted and modded mine. got it last thursday brand new and was modding it on friday when i got back from vacation. friday night i feared that i had totally bricked it but luckily found both of those files on the forums. i believe i used the dl05 one then imediately updated to the dl09 radio and now running blaze voodoo kernel clocked at 1.2ghz and i honestly forget what rom lol waiting to use aosp

Thank god these phones are so easy to unbrick with Odin. Almost impossible to truly brick, though sometimes you might lose some data here and there or it won't save your data etc. That's why you might need to odin the full stock rom more than once

Thanks for the responses guys, kudos!
I had really hoped to start using Darky's ROM but it turned out that I didn't have the right modem file, or at least, that's what Darky said. At any rate I was kind of curious which custom ROMs you guys are using and why? The names alone should be sufficient, there's so much information here on these forums.
I admit I'm worried to reflash but at the same time, I know how to do it and if something goes wrong I just use Odin and apply DL01, or whatever the original ROM is called. Any thoughts about good and fast custom ROMs on the VZW Fascinate, guys?

Look for the full DL09 Odin, DI01 is really old and DJ05 was killed inside VZ before it was ever released to the general public.
As you have discovered, the Fascinate is its own animal and you cannot flash stuff made for other Galaxy S phones to it unless you feel like breaking your phone on purpose. Most of us are running one derivative or another of DL09 that has been hacked up in various ways to remove the stock bloatware, add root/themes, add new functionality into the kernel, etc. Some of us are using AOSP or CyanogenMod froyo-based roms which (still) have many/most things broken. We are finally about to have official updates to 2.2 and that is the missing piece that was needed to get full custom development working. Big changes will be coming before we know it.

[email protected]
I had just read earlier that there was a Froyo leak, I'll be really curious to see whether or not it speeds things up or not. It sounds like the custom ROMs are here for our VZW Fascinate but what I'm really looking (and waiting for like everyone else) is just Froyo. I'm grateful to everyone here who reached out and helped.
I'm not sure if my rooting days are done, but I got pretty scared when I thought I'd bricked this thing. Can't thank you guys, and the community, enough.

im currently running OTB ul1300 kernel which has the voltage turned down and processor speed of 1.3ghz and im currently running the dl09 supah clean rom. was running kaoscinate yesterday but missed being able to use my camera. the flashablility of this phone is great..i love just switching roms and kernels almost completely at will. cant wait until they get the leaked froyo out to use but im enjoying trying everything else until then.

tclore77 said:
I had just read earlier that there was a Froyo leak, I'll be really curious to see whether or not it speeds things up or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you really want a boost in your phone speed, you should look into getting custom ROMs and kernels, not Froyo. There are a bunch of kernels out there that are overclocked (and even undervolted, to save battery life too) that will significantly improve your performance.
The best thing you can do with your phone is to get yourself a custom ROM - something like Blackhole 3.0 by sonofskywalker or SuperClean 0.4. Those will get rid of the bloatware crap that Verizon puts on your phone, and (more importantly) change the default search from that P.O.S. Bing back to Google.

Consequences to updating to Tmobiles 2.2 froyo official

So I got the Vibrant the other day and for the most part I absolutely love the phone. Feels like I'm holding a light sabre or a magic wand. The thing is just so powerful. I have been reading up as much as possible on how to flash ROMs and root. A month ago I'd never even heard of this stuff and now I feel like I at least have a basic knowledge....just don't have the balls to attempt it yet. I want to make sure I know what I'm doing.
So in the meantime (while I work on growing a pair and actually doing it) I want to update to the Tmob 2.2 froyo official. I have read that if I do this I won't be able to get in download or recovery mode. Is this correct? And if this is correct then does that mean it will be impossible to flash roms after updating?
I just want a little performance boost and have my system a little snappier til I decide if I'm gonna flash some roms or not. Anyone know the answer?
Thanks fellas

If you can muster the balls to get the official 2.2, just flash team whiskey s bionix. Its better, easier, more reliable, better supported, and looks cooler. Don't be scared, follow directions and its easy!! GL!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

In all seriousness, you're far better off flashing the latest Bionix-v than you are the "official" 2.2. Having done both, you are far more likely to have an issue during the update process using that garbage mini Kies program than you are rooting and flashing. I rooted and flashed 4 different ROMS without issue. Then I used ODIN to go back to stock because I wanted to see the official release.
4 hours later I was able to get my phone back to a usable state. Between driver issues and crappy software (Kies), it just wasn't worth it. And after using my buddies Vibrant that was running the official release, it was way slower and less usable than most of the latest ROMS offered here.
You should root and then flash the latest Whiskey or Axura ROM and be done with it. The devs here have given us a far better experience and options on our phones than Samsung has.

Actually, the official 2.2 tmo update got rid of the hardware lock for me. I couldn't get into recovery or download mode out the box. The previous JI6 update through Kies mini didn't help. Since I am no longer hardware locked, I'll probably flash some roms. I am pretty dissappointed with this official update after that long wait.

I agree with the other comments that just getting one of the better/faster ROMs here is going to be what you want. As for your question about getting the "official" update and then being able to flash, that's what I did so it should work for you with just a little reading.

I disagree...I love team whiskey and all the other custom roms and even used them for a long time. But right now I have been using stock 2.2 ka7 with voodoo kernel and it is really fast and snappy. I like the stock look as well and haven't experienced any bugs or slowdowns since I installed this rom ...my suggestion: if you want stock....then read up a bit and Odin to ka7...mini lies is the worst program invented and it only flashes you to ka6
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Don't download the official! Take your time, read a lot, grow a pair and then execute! You'll be alright. confidence comes from research and doing. Everyone was nervous at one point.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

tmo throws people in jail for flashing custom roms making our phones super amazin and they dont want that so remember to odin back when u bring ur phone for warranty

Yaz75 said:
In all seriousness, you're far better off flashing the latest Bionix-v than you are the "official" 2.2. Having done both, you are far more likely to have an issue during the update process using that garbage mini Kies program than you are rooting and flashing. I rooted and flashed 4 different ROMS without issue. Then I used ODIN to go back to stock because I wanted to see the official release.
4 hours later I was able to get my phone back to a usable state. Between driver issues and crappy software (Kies), it just wasn't worth it. And after using my buddies Vibrant that was running the official release, it was way slower and less usable than most of the latest ROMS offered here.
You should root and then flash the latest Whiskey or Axura ROM and be done with it. The devs here have given us a far better experience and options on our phones than Samsung has.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only time you'll have an issue is if you're too dumb to turn on debug mode. And most of those people who are too dumb to do that were likely too dumb to read the threads where it was repeated ad nauseum to turn debug mode on...
Turn on Debug Mode
Update
Format Internal SD
Factory Reset
Enjoy.

N8ter said:
The only time you'll have an issue is if you're too dumb to turn on debug mode. And most of those people who are too dumb to do that were likely too dumb to read the threads where it was repeated ad nauseum to turn debug mode on...
Turn on Debug Mode
Update
Format Internal SD
Factory Reset
Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thank goodness you aren't talking about me because I did have debugging mode turned on! And then mini Kies started to update the firmware, then it decided to crap the bed at about 75% and turned the phone into a confused jumble of uselessness.
But I guess you were there so I'll let you tell everyone how I recovered it.

bartek25 said:
tmo throws people in jail for flashing custom roms making our phones super amazin and they dont want that so remember to odin back when u bring ur phone for warranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What the heck are you talking about?!

So thanks to some of the competent answers from guys in here and a leap of faith and trusting my extensive research (I read way too many threads about rooting, flashing, odin, custom roms, etc..), I am now rooted and have backed up my system. To be honest I'm almost just happy with that. While completeing this process I ran into a few questions that I didn't have the answer for mainly revolving around wheter to reboot or reinstall from recovery mode whether it be clockwork or samsung.
I posted a question in the Q and A forum about it (so I apologize for the kinda double post but this is more of a update on my progress) but whats the deal with update.zip file? I don't know when to reinstall it from recovery and when to delete it once the phone has booted. Should I delete it every time I have booted back up or does it even matter?
Thanks guys. I'm the kind of guy that, once I have the knowledge I am just as willing to share. Hopefully a year from now I'll be in your shoes and able to help others.
Next up after the update.zip question is resolved in my mind I plan to flash to bionix v. Official froyo 2.2 be damned lol

You use Clockwork Recovery to backup or flash anything. Sometimes you will get the Samsung recovery and you'll need to select reinstall packages to get to Clockwork. Sometimes you'll even need to reinstall packages twice.
Leave the update.zip on your sd. That's a necessary file for Clockwork.

AOSP Questions

Bear with me guys......haven't posted much on here, more of a lurker.
I have been following the AOSP Rom for the Fascinate for the last two weeks and now with the MMS working I would love to give it a shot. I have a couple of questions before I get started.
I am currently running ComRom 2.1 with the PBJ-50 Kernel. No themes or anything like that.
1. Is it safe to just do a data wipe and factory reset then just install the Rom over top of what I have?
2. Is there a Kernel and a Modem with the ROM?
3. Anything special I need to know if I decide to go back to another Rom (from what I have read just ODIN back to stock and Rom away)?
Sorry if these have been answered already.....I searched and did not find my answers. Thank you for your time.

millwood said:
Bear with me guys......haven't posted much on here, more of a lurker.
I have been following the AOSP Rom for the Fascinate for the last two weeks and now with the MMS working I would love to give it a shot. I have a couple of questions before I get started.
I am currently running ComRom 2.1 with the PBJ-50 Kernel. No themes or anything like that.
1. Is it safe to just do a data wipe and factory reset then just install the Rom over top of what I have?
2. Is there a Kernel and a Modem with the ROM?
3. Anything special I need to know if I decide to go back to another Rom (from what I have read just ODIN back to stock and Rom away)?
Sorry if these have been answered already.....I searched and did not find my answers. Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I couldn't answer this with certainty as I haven't flashed it myself and haven't yet dug through the CM7 thread in development to put together correct steps
2. yes there is, but you can flash a custom kernel like OTB or the gingerbread leaks' (ec09) modem as I've seen these work though not for everyone
3. as far as I know all you need to do to go back is just odin back to eclair/froyo with the 2.2 atlas pit file and proceed from there
don't have any experience with CM7 other than what I've read so someone who's done it could probably shed more light on this
tapatalked from my GINGERBANGED Fascinate

I just flashed cm7 today...
1. Data wipe, cache and factory reset should be enough. You need to download and install the 7/04 build, let it boot up and reboot back into recovery and then install the 7/13 build and then the gapps. There is also a modified cwm that you can flash to your phone that's been edited for cm7 not everyone uses it but I did and it works perfectly.
2. There is a kernel included but alot of people have better audio quality with one of the otb kernels.
There isn't a modem. But it seems like most of the newer modems are fine so your current one with comrom is probably good.
3. To do back to stock youll have to use a full odin package. But you probably won't want to anyway.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App

Thank you for the answers. Now I am more comfortable. Thanks.

Not sure how important it is, but I would wipe cache and dalvik as well. I used ED04 modem for a while, and switched to EC09 modem after everyone seemed to recommend it for the MTD roms. TBH, I havent noticed much difference between the 2 radios, they both worked well for me. As far as flashing back to a TW rom, check the sticky in the dev section:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1124391

I am already running the EC09 modem. Have been for about a week or so. I watched as others have had good luck with it so I made the jump. I probably will stick with the EC09 as it seems to work fine with AOSP MIUI Rom that I want to try. I tried the EC09 on my wife's fascinate and it ran like crap.....kind of funny how two different build dates run to differently.