Database Users

Force close loop

Hey. Well, let me first say I've literally spent the past 12+ hours working on my phone. I am exhausted mentally. I searched the forums and I was shocked to see that only one topic came up about it and it wasn't even about force closes. It was a 100+ page CM post.
I rooted for the first time today using a method posted on these forums + extra info I found about adding the OTA radio leak, and installed UV Hydra kernels. I got Rom manager and flashed Skyraider 2.2 Sense. I booted a few times too and all was good. I swear I thought I was doing it all right taking it slow, rreading all of the info over and over. A true noob. Everything was all cozy until I got my old apps and tried to make a backup with Titanium.
It's so cliche to say it but I need serious help. I don't know what to do and I'm near tears after all this work. I have dozens of force closes going on immediately after boot and even thereafter. At one point it asked me to reset up the phone. I can't run any app because they force close immediately.
I don't know if it's the Rom, something else, or me.
I know this is long winded. Please forgive me. And if this is in the wrong forum section, please forgive that too.

Do a full wipe in recovery and flash the rim and kernel again...but upon restoring, only restore downloaded apps, not system apps.
I remember when it took 12+ hours just to get root (for some people anyway) those were the days.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

lilsaphyre said:
Hey. Well, let me first say I've literally spent the past 12+ hours working on my phone. I am exhausted mentally. I searched the forums and I was shocked to see that only one topic came up about it and it wasn't even about force closes. It was a 100+ page CM post.
I rooted for the first time today using a method posted on these forums + extra info I found about adding the OTA radio leak, and installed UV Hydra kernels. I got Rom manager and flashed Skyraider 2.2 Sense. I booted a few times too and all was good. I swear I thought I was doing it all right taking it slow, rreading all of the info over and over. A true noob. Everything was all cozy until I got my old apps and tried to make a backup with Titanium.
It's so cliche to say it but I need serious help. I don't know what to do and I'm near tears after all this work. I have dozens of force closes going on immediately after boot and even thereafter. At one point it asked me to reset up the phone. I can't run any app because they force close immediately.
I don't know if it's the Rom, something else, or me.
I know this is long winded. Please forgive me. And if this is in the wrong forum section, please forgive that too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, That sounds like a seriously horrific days. Not sure if I can help, but i'll sure as hell try to. Can you verify that you Baseband Version is 2.05.00.06.11?
Did you create a nandroid backup of before you flashed any of the kernels? If you did I would restore that backup as I know some people have had issues running the old .29 hydra kernels with 2.2 roms. Or was this the new .32 kernels you flashed?
If you did not create a nandroid backup I would recommend flashing the leaked OTA from 8/1 located here, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=742242, this is a leak of what will be close to the stock 2.2 htc will release in the near future. Remember to wipe data, wipe cache, and wipe dalvik cache(located in "advanced" of recovery.) As soon as you flash that and can verify it is working create a nandroid backup of it before you add any apps, I would recommend signing into your gmail, testing camera and camcorder, make a call, sending and receiving both an sms and mms, 3g data check, and then creating the nandroid when you see those are working. After you create that nandroid then start installing apps. Hopefully this can help you out a little bit. If you have any questions, you can pm me and i'll do my best to try and help you out more.

jdkoreclipse said:
Indeed that does seem horriffic. I think he restored system apps from ti backup tho. Ive never saw anything like this that wasnt ti backup related.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't see you response until after I posted and you are most likely correct. I remember now, when i tried to restore system apps when i had a droid eris, that was not a fun day. Hopefully it's an easy fix and a learning experience, easiest way to learn is to make a mistake. Even though my answer is most likely not the solution to his problem, IMHO it's essential to always keep a nandroid of stock on your sdcard at all times, just in case.

Wow I see alot of info and I'm going to work with some of it but let me add this before I start dinking around today.
Right after I posted last night, I sat on the edge of my bed and had a thought. I had made a nandroid backup when I had almost every app back on my phone. The only ones I ones I didn't have when I got stuck were, Shoot me, Titanium backup, Adfree Android, and Tasker. Tasker being the only one I had before root. The others I picked up after.
SO! I told the phone to use the backup I had and I passed out to sleep.
I'm up now lol and thankfully I'm a stay at home mom so I can mess with this.
The backup made it a working phone again! Which is good. And this morning I had a second thought. When I opened Titanium backup last night, I got a message at the bottom of my screen that said Titanium had set itself up right... but it wouldn't go away. It kept looping itself. I thought it was just a fluke. Oh god... and NOW to think about it, that's WHY I rebooted in the first place. BECAUSE in the midst of it being weird, I tried to do a backup OMG. I wonder...
My Software says
Baseband 2.05.00.06.11
Kernel has a 32 in it

Alright I'm doing this nice and slow making backups along the way.
The only quirky thing that has happened is Titanium backup started spamming me again that it had been given superuser permissions so once again I had to reboot but this time it came up. Slow.... but it came up.
I guess what I"m trying to say is that I don't have a clue now what caused it.
OH! And my kernel is a 32 that came with the rom? The UV one I forgot to put on lol. It's on my SD card but I hadn't installed it. That one is a 29.
I just found a post on Android Forums where 2 people has this happen to them last night as well on Incredibles. They were without root.

If they were without root it could be a phone defect, I was going to recommend selecting fix permissions from rom manager.
EDIT: If ur running froyo try to only use .32 kernels. New kernels r up on Hydra website that are .32 check those out
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

[Q] Backing up your entire phone

Hello XDA,
After doing some reading, I decided I wanted to back up my entire phone (effectively copy the whole OS as-is) before I start tempering with it (root, ROMs, etc).
But all services I found for this are root-only, and getting root wipes your entire phone.
Do you see my issue here? I really dont want to do anything with it, before I have created a full backup, which I then can restore in case things go bad.
Now my question to you is, Is there any tool that does this WITHOUT tempering with the phone as it is now? So no root, _maybe_ install an app, but nothing that would involve changing the phone as drastically as root does. (I know root isnt considerated drastically, but I'm over-exaggerating to stress the fact I would really like to solve it without that)
Thanks!

LeandroMarceddu said:
Hello XDA,
After doing some reading, I decided I wanted to back up my entire phone (effectively copy the whole OS as-is) before I start tempering with it (root, ROMs, etc).
But all services I found for this are root-only, and getting root wipes your entire phone.
Do you see my issue here? I really dont want to do anything with it, before I have created a full backup, which I then can restore in case things go bad.
Now my question to you is, Is there any tool that does this WITHOUT tempering with the phone as it is now? So no root, _maybe_ install an app, but nothing that would involve changing the phone as drastically as root does. (I know root isnt considerated drastically, but I'm over-exaggerating to stress the fact I would really like to solve it without that)
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't wipe your phone, I ran unRevoked 3.0 on mine from linux and it doesn't destroy everything on your phone, just gives you root access. from there you can boot into clockworkmod and choose nandroid backup, this will back everything up as it is. there are guides to do this all over the forum, hope this helps!
if i have anything wrong, feel free to correct me people

chrisandchips said:
Rooting doesn't wipe your phone, I ran unRevoked 3.0 on mine from linux and it doesn't destroy everything on your phone, just gives you root access. from there you can boot into clockworkmod and choose nandroid backup, this will back everything up as it is. there are guides to do this all over the forum, hope this helps!
if i have anything wrong, feel free to correct me people
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep root does not wipe your phone, you can do a nandroid backup and dl titanium backup from market to backup all your apps.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App

chrisandchips said:
Rooting doesn't wipe your phone, I ran unRevoked 3.0 on mine from linux and it doesn't destroy everything on your phone, just gives you root access. from there you can boot into clockworkmod and choose nandroid backup, this will back everything up as it is. there are guides to do this all over the forum, hope this helps!
if i have anything wrong, feel free to correct me people
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow I am 101% I have read it would wipe everything. Thanks for clearing this all out. I'm gonna try this all. I will edit this post when I find the website responsible for giving the false info. Thanks both!
EDIT: lifehacker.com/5563527/back-up-your-entire-android-phone-to-the-cloud
"Then again, to get your phone rooted, you'll need to wipe it entirely, so it's something of a Catch 22. "
Weird, seeing how lifehacker usually is trustworthy.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App

I just rooted my N1 for the first time

OK, congratulate me!! Thanks. I did it on the first try, no issue or hiccups what-so-ever.
Now for the info. I'm not sure that anyone will be interested, but I'm guessing other people in my position at least might be.
I'm very experienced with computers, but not working directly with rooting/unlocking devices. But I would say anyone who reads up a bit and can follow directions properly could pull it off pretty easily.
So I run 2.2.2, and I used superoneclick 1.6.3.
After opening superoneclick, I switched it from psneuter to rageagainsthecage. I had no idea if I was supposed to do this, but I read all about rageagainstthecage, and never heard of psneuter.
I had my phone connected to my PC, and I left my SD in the phone, but I unmounted it in settings. I have used ADB before, so I knew the drivers were installed and working, and I hit the button root.
After reading this site, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682, I started with debugging off, and turned it on as it said. I then turned it off, but didn't get a chance to turn it back on and off and on, so I just turned it back on (debugging) when it got to "Waiting for device" for the second time.
That was it! It asked to test and see if root was in fact accomplished, and it was. I then installed setCPU (which is basically the only reason I wanted to do this) and as far as I can tell it seems to be working fine.
I have been reading a lot about this for the past few days, but the actual procedure only took a couple of minutes. Keeping in mind, of course, that I already had ADB and drivers working.
Nothing was wiped off my phone, which surprisingly was hard to confirm on the web. I did read somewhere that only unlocking wipes data, but still, you never know.
I hope this helps anyone else who is new and unsure of the process, and I'd be happy to answer any other specific questions based on what I have learned of the last week or so. I know that people hesitate to ask questions in case they have already been asked lots of times, but are buried and hard to find (because that's the position I was in ).

Thanks for posting your "rooting" experience. I'm sure there are people that will find it helpful.

I think when I did mine, it was something along the lines of:
fastboot-oem-unlock
fastboot flash recovery <whatever>
reboot into recovery and flash rom

Other than the ability to install custom ROM's I've yet to see a huge deal in rooting my phone. Anyone care to tell me what I can do with a rooted N1 that is a must have? So far I tried to change some fonts, which didn't work, and discovered that I have to install a custom ROM to change the color of the notification bar, and I can't make the default Google music and news widgets slightly transparent. So educate me, what's the huge deal with rooting, aside from a custom ROM?

Set cpu of course like being said. I remember the first time I rooted my phone was universal androot it was a breeze. Then I lost root and use super one click to gain out back. Root really easy as well
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

- Backup application, like MyBackup, can backup your app data(including game save...) if your device is rooted.

Hi N1 owners.
I also just root my N1 with superoneclick 1.6.3
After that I flashed CM 6.1.1 and yesterday I tried CM7. Everything has worked fine for me so far, but I have some questions, I hope someone can answer.
1/Can I just flash random roms on top of each other, like i did from cm6 - cm7?
2/ Can I always restore backups, nomatter what rom I come from or to?
3/ when/if official GB come out, can I flash a stock rom and get the OTA update right away?
Sorry, if I ask silly questions ..

Built in trackball colors, call blocker, hide frequently called list in the favorites tab, remove unnecessary apps, tmobile wifi calling, notification bar power toggles, trackball wake and unlock, quiet hours, themes, etc., etc., etc. Just off the top of my head. Oh, and Gingerbread!!!
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

Some apps want to bypass the home screen "5 second rule" like widget locker, you need root. I setup a widget to reboot (nice!).

brettbellaire said:
...I did read somewhere that only unlocking wipes data, but still, you never know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking the Bootloader wipes data, rooting does not. This is probably what you read.
offenberg said:
Hi N1 owners.
I also just root my N1 with superoneclick 1.6.3
After that I flashed CM 6.1.1 and yesterday I tried CM7. Everything has worked fine for me so far, but I have some questions, I hope someone can answer.
1/Can I just flash random roms on top of each other, like i did from cm6 - cm7? Yes you can. Often if the ROM is the next version in a series, you can flash without wiping data or cache, but some ROMs require you to do this first.
2/ Can I always restore backups, nomatter what rom I come from or to? A Nandroid backup can be reinstalled from any ROM, or even just from Recovery if there is no ROM.
3/ when/if official GB come out, can I flash a stock rom and get the OTA update right away? Yes. Either restore your stock ROM Nandroid backup or a passimg.zip.
Sorry, if I ask silly questions ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

offenberg said:
Hi N1 owners.
I also just root my N1 with superoneclick 1.6.3
After that I flashed CM 6.1.1 and yesterday I tried CM7. Everything has worked fine for me so far, but I have some questions, I hope someone can answer.
1/Can I just flash random roms on top of each other, like i did from cm6 - cm7?
2/ Can I always restore backups, nomatter what rom I come from or to?
3/ when/if official GB come out, can I flash a stock rom and get the OTA update right away?
Sorry, if I ask silly questions ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. As a rule, if you are going from 1 ROM to another totally different ROM, it's always a good idea to wipe. It only takes a few seconds to sign back in to everything. You can bypass immediate sign in and activate wifi if you need it.
2. Nandroids can be reinstalled anytime. However, a nandroid does not contain your HBOOT and Radio. So if you updated those to use a specific ROM, they would stay in place with the nandroid restore.
3. When GB does finally make it out to our specific device, there is no way you would get an OTA before the ROM devs here had you up and running.
***Also note, the 1-click root tools may or may not work right away with the OTA 2.3. So to anyone that rooted using those tools and unrooted to hurry up and get an OTA, you may be stuck on stock until it gets fixed.

Know-Fear said:
1. As a rule, if you are going from 1 ROM to another totally different ROM, it's always a good idea to wipe. It only takes a few seconds to sign back in to everything. You can bypass immediate sign in and activate wifi if you need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, do a full wipe if it's a new ROM. Titanium Backup is a great way to get all of your apps and data back after installing the new ROM.

bigmout said:
I agree, do a full wipe if it's a new ROM. Titanium Backup is a great way to get all of your apps and data back after installing the new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what do you lose (if anything) when flashing a new ROM if you backup and do things the right way?
Another question would be if you just flash a new kernal do you lose any/all data?

brettbellaire said:
So what do you lose (if anything) when flashing a new ROM if you backup and do things the right way?
The only thing you'd lose is the old rom
Another question would be if you just flash a new kernal do you lose any/all data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

kmiloco49 said:
Nope
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting... Thanks!

@ brettbellaire
I've rooted before, and lost root when ota's came. I've rooted again using superoneclick, and am contemplating cm7. But I feel very cautious about flashing a different rom, I'd cry if I bricked my phone. However, I'm probably going to do it during the next week (unless gingerbread ota arrives).
Andy
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Hmmm, I have been anxious for GB too.... but I'm not sure it's worth it. I don't think it's such a big update. I don't think there's too much of a danger of brinking these days.
I have been contemplating doing what I have to to overclock, see what kind of a difference that makes...

bigmout said:
I agree, do a full wipe if it's a new ROM. Titanium Backup is a great way to get all of your apps and data back after installing the new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a newbie to root. Can Titanium Backup restore the paid apps? because some apps require online verification with Google at the first time of use.
Also, Z4root does not work on my N1. I want to use superoneclick but where can I find the driver for my win7? thanks

unroot
is it possible to go back and unroot the phone? i.e. hide the padlock during phone startup ..I am using N1 ForYo 2.2.2..Thanks

zmalach said:
is it possible to go back and unroot the phone? i.e. hide the padlock during phone startup ..I am using N1 ForYo 2.2.2..Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you see the padlock, you've got an unlocked boot-loader. This can't be re-locked.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

[GUIDE] Install CyanogenMod 7 on the SGS i9000 (and live to tell the tale)

OK, the CM7 ROM for the Samsung Galaxy S i9000 has now hit the CM7 Mainstream and has matured in leaps and bounds over the last few weeks. The installation method has therefore ALSO matured by leaps and bounds.
However, there has been a downside to all that advancement...namely that there are lots and lots of incorrect install procedures floating around out there and even more misunderstandings as to what/how/when/why you install CM7 on your SGS i9000.
Therefore, this is intended to be the definitive guide about how to install CyanogenMod 7 (or CyanogenMod 7.1 if you are a stickler for such things since that is the most recent stable version but for the purposes of this guide it is STILL CM7) on the i9000 right here, right NOW. As things change, the first post of this thread will be updated.
If you have any questions/comments about the CM7 install procedure, post them here.
If you have any questions/comments about CM7's features, capabilities, battery life or anything OTHER THAN installing it...look HERE or HERE.
Before we do anything....make sure of the following:
* Your phone is fully charged.
* You have confirmed you can get into download/recovery with the three button method.
* You have used Titanium Backup to backup your apps (yes, there may be some factory defaulting happening soon).
* You have taken a Nandroid backup via Clockwork Mod, just in case the early steps go south.
* You have used a third party program to back up your SMS messages (if so desired)
* You have made your peace with your loved ones and said all your goodbyes...maybe left a nice note or something.
Remember, this will be one of the most harrowing, horrific experiences of your life. Grown men have been known to gnaw off their own legs during this procedure, unable to face the deepening horror their feeble minds cannot hope to comprehend.
Are you SURE you want to install CM7?
Very, VERY SURE?
OK, its your funeral, I am just here for the open bar.
OK, here we go....
FIRST STEP!!!!! THE PRE-INSTALLATION TANGO!!!!
Boy are you lucky to be doing this now. Recently CM7 was improved so that it works just fine with either Froyo or Gingerbread Bootloaders. It used to be that when you installed CM7 with Gingerbread bootloaders, a puppy died in agony. Now, the cuddly little puppies are safe thanks to the hard work of the CM7 Devs.
However, if for some strange reason you have still have Eclair installed currently, smash your head repeatedly against a wall for being such a stinking Luddite. Once you wake up, update to Froyo or Gingerbread and then come back and start this again. Plenty of threads on XDA will help you do that. Go read one and flash froyo or gingerbread via ODIN, we'll wait right here with the car running.
Don't know how to use ODIN? Not sure about all those little checkboxes? Befuddled by those driver thingies? Unsure how to click on the links above while using a Commodore64? Well, we won't wait in the car THAT long. If this is the case then you absolutely shouldn't be flashing CM7 yet my poor lost child, educate yourself for awhile and then come back, or just buy a used iPhone.
OK, still with me? ONWARDS.
SECOND STEP!!!!! THE NITTY GRITTY DETAILS, AKA THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM!!!!!
Here is the point where you need to do all sorts of things that you may have already done.
If you have already done them, GOOD, you are very, very clever and ahead of the game. Give yourself a gold star.
If you don't know how to do any of these things, then you shouldn't be here yet. Go search for things you don't understand in the general and Q&A forums for the i9000 and when you feel you are better grounded in the arcane mysteries of flashing custom ROMS, come back and we will have a joyous reunion and try this again.
OK, so what do you do in STEP TWO?
* Doublecheck that you can indeed get into Download Mode using Vol Down+PWR+Home, and into Recovery with Vol Up+PWR+Home. If not, go away and search XDA for a way to fix that.
* Root your phone.
* Confirm you have Clockwork Mod recovery running. If not, use Odin to flash this Speedmod kernel if you are on Froyo. If you are on Gingerbread flash the TalonDev kernel using the v2.2 tar (yes I know the TalonDev kernel has lagfix automatically enabled, but as your file system will be grabbed and ripped out still beating and then replaced with a better one by the CM7 Installer, it really doesn't matter). There are two different versions of the v2.2 tar available but don't panic. Use TalonDEV-0.2.2R2-I9000-1200-JVP.tar first...if that doesn't work for you, try TalonDEV-0.2.2R2-I9000-JVP.tar. One of the two should work for you. (Thanks to chan1628 for testing them the hard way)
* Install ROM Manager (I STRONGLY suggest you buy the Premium version if possible to make flashing Nightlies easier. It is quite cheap with a lot of great features and is one of the core apps you will use on your phone from here on in...plus Koush deserves your support).
* Take another nandroid backup (even if you took one already) and confirm your Titanium Backup is up to date (and includes a backup of ROM Manager).
* Confirm that you are rooted.
* Backup your contacts to either Exchange, Gmail or your SIM card.
* Write down your correct APNs and your IMEI, just in case.
* Take a backup of your efs folder and save it somewhere.
* Post a note on your monitor reminding yourself to breathe.
* Say goodbye to your Samsung apps like Snap2Go and Daily Briefing, they won't work with CM7.
* Pour yourself a stiff drink
Confused? Not sure how to root your phone or worried about voiding your warranty? Really curious about what these APN things and where can you find them? Hoping to sync your phone with iTunes once CM7 is installed? Then go away, do some searching, get up to speed and I will see you later. I mean it...avaunt ye. Scram. Exeunt with all due alacrity. Happy reading.
Also, if you are getting errors concerning CWM, or cannot get into CWM3 Recovery, then search XDA (or the comments to this thread) for a solution. I cannot help you. I am not an expert on Clockwork Mod, I am just here to get CM7 running for you, or kill you and steal your girlfriend in the attempt. Clockwork Mod is YOUR lookout.
Still here? Did all that? CWM Recovery working properly? Crossed all your i's and dotted your t's? Forward then. Things get REALLY BAD from here on in. Whatever happens next, I am truly, truly sorry.
THIRD STEP!!!!!! THE COMPLEX, AGONIZING EXPERIENCE OF FLASHING THE ROM ITSELF!!!
Are you sure you are ready for this? Are you quite, QUITE sure?
It is not too late to turn back....and if you do no one will think less of you. I promise.
Positive you are where you want to be?
Brave, brave darling. Take my hand and lets do this then....there are two possible methods to use now that you are at the Third Step..Method the First uses the ROM Manager and is by far the simpler of the two. However if the ROM Manager doesn't work for you or if you have a sudden premonition of flaming disaster about it....don't cry. Man up and go to the manual method listed after Method the First, known quite coincidentally as Method the Second.
Method the First!
Open ROM Manager from your App Drawer.
Select Flash ClockworkMod Recovery.
When it asks you what phone you are using, scroll down until you find Galaxy S MTD and select it (Galaxy S is what CM7 calls the i9000 series...CM7 is weird that way).
When it asks what version to use, select CMW3.
By the way, if ROM Manager tries to argue with you during this process, or tells you your phone may not be supported, ignore it and click OK or Continue or whatever it takes. It just worries over what you may be about to do to yourself.
Confirm that under Flash ClockworkMod Recovery it now reads Current Recovery: ClockworkMod 3.x.x.x. This means that now you should be able to see CyanogenMod zips and nightlies (if you have ROM Manager Premium) in ROM Manager. Hoorah!
Now, the moment of truth arrives...select Download ROM.
Next close your little eyes tightly and select CyanogenMod or CyanogenMod Nightlies (if you see that one). Either one will do.
Down the road, you will use the CyanogenMod Nightlies files to update...assuming you survive the next 15 minutes. However when installing you can use the single file in the CyanogenMod folder (there for Free users) or the latest Nightly in the CyanogenMod Nightlies folder...same difference.
So click the file of your choice and stand back...well, not too far back because there is more stuff you have to do.
If/when you are asked if you wish to reinstall Google Apps, it is highly recommended that you do so, so check the little box. This saves many headaches and potential fc's down the line.
When you are asked what you wish to do to prepare for the new ROM, you can choose to do another Nandroid Backup, Clear Data and Cache (wiping the device) and/or Clear the Data Cache. No need for another Nandroid backup, but select the other two and hit OK.
Now let the ROM Manager make some magic. It will take a couple minutes but likely not nearly as long as you expect, so go out and make tea or paint the Sistine Chapel or something.
While you are gone your device will do all the wiping and installing, back up your efs folder and apply the new file system you will need. You will NOT need to apply any lagfix or mess about with tweaks or whatnot....CM7 does it all for you and no other options are possible....so don't ask.
Method the Second!
If for whatever reason you are having trouble working with ROM Manager in the previous method and are therefore stuck, you can do the following to flash CM7 manually.....but if you have a weak heart or tend to get squeamish...I implore you to look away.
Download this most recent version of CM7 from http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?type=nightly&device=galaxysmtd
Then download the most recent set of Google Apps from http://goo-inside.me/gapps
Place both on your SD card.
Go into Recovery using the handy-dandy Three Button Skidoo (NOT by using the command "Reboot to Recovery" found in ROM Manager...you have been warned).
Do a Factory Reset (wiping data so if you forgot to backup your apps before....whoops)
Wipe the Dalvik and Cache (just in case).
Select Install Zip from SD Card and flash first the CM7 zip, and then the gapps zip. No need to reboot in between. Finally fix permissions.
NOTE: If you are one of those people who have done some research and have also downloaded one of the CM7 custom kernels which you wish to flash as part of your install (if you haven't don't worry about it, I don't recommend using a custom kernel before you have spent some time with the stock kernel, but some people think they are 1337)...make certain you flash the Nightly BEFORE the custom kernel, otherwise you will totally confuse the installer and very bad things will happen which will require you to flash back to a Samsung ROM using ODIN and start all over again.
Once everything has completed, THEN reboot into CM7 (HOO-RAH) and continue to the Fourth Step. Hurry, hurry, scroll back up....
GO!!!
Oh, WAIT A MINUTE....When you have done all the stuff in the Fourth Step, do this too...go to ROM Manager, and select Flash ClockworkMod Recovery. ID your phone as Galaxy S MTD when it asks and select CWM3...it will tell you that your phone is not supported or some such but have it install it anyway. What the heck does it know. Doing so will ensure you can find your the Nightly updates using ROM Manager Premium in the future.
OK, now go on to the Fourth Step...really this time...
GO! GO!
FOURTH STEP!!!!! STEP OUT INTO THE LIGHT AND BREATHE THE FREE AIR
That's it, you are done. Throw back that drink now...or if you don't want it, I'll take it.
Your phone will show the CM7 SGS splash screen for a bit, then the CM7 boot animation for a while longer (spin, spin, spin)...and then you will be in CyanogenMod 7.
If you find that the boot animation never seems to end, or keeps restarting...DON'T PANIC. This happens to some people when flashing CM7 for the first time. Just go to recovery and flash the Nightly again, you should be fine. If you used ROM Manager the first time, the nightly will be in the ROM Manager folder on your SD card.
Where is all the pain, the agony, the brain bending complexity reducing scholars to madness that I warned you about?
OK, I lied...but I had to make sure you were serious.
Now restore your apps (remember that is best to do fresh from the Market, but if you use TB then be sure to reinstall just the APP, not APP + DATA, and NO SYSTEM APPS) and put all your contacts and email addresses back and so on.
Also, remember that your external SD card is now located in the /emmc directory. Why? Because that is how it is in CM7, so cope. It really is NOT that tough to get used to. However, if you want to have some kicks, go into the CM7 Dev thread and ask where your external_sd card has gone a few times to watch people go berzerk yelling at you. Fun, fun, fun.
From here on in, you can install nightly updates to stay on the bleeding edge of CyanogenMod, as well as to allow yourself to experience the terror of waiting for that boot animation to stop again and again and again. You can look at the Nightly Wiki for instructions on different flashing strategies.
You may also install custom kernels and alternate modems via Recovery if you wish, but be sure that they are CM7 compatible. The ones you used back on Samsung ROMs won't work for you any more.
Carry on, and enjoy your new ROM.
As always, if this procedure bricked anything or gave your dog syphilis, it isn't my fault. By God, I WARNED you. If you liked it, or it worked out well for you, feel free to click Thanks and heap praise in the comments.
Finally, all due honour and thanks to the incredible Devs and Maintainers of TeamHacksung and the SGSTEAM listed below. Find their profiles and donate to them, they have earned it.
* codeworkx - http://twitter.com/codeworkx
* atinm - http://twitter.com/atinm
* coolya - http://twitter.com/coolya

Great guide, just want to make a quick addition...
rschenck said:
OK, so what do you do in STEP TWO?
* Root your phone.
* Confirm you have Clockwork Mod recovery running. If not, flash the Speedmod kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't complete this step during my exciting first install of CM7
If anyone has trouble getting Clockworkmod Recovery running, and you can't manage to flash a new kernel using Odin/heimdall please read:
[RECOVERY] 3e Recovery Modded w/ No Verification

I just skimmed through it but wouldn't this require you to buy rom manager premium?

runedrune said:
I just skimmed through it but wouldn't this require you to buy rom manager premium?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. The premium version is only required to download nightlies directly through the app. Download them manually, then point rom manager at the zip on your sdcard & install.

Yay! First thanker! Nice guide too.

runedrune said:
I just skimmed through it but wouldn't this require you to buy rom manager premium?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not the install, that is free as far as I know. Installing nightlies via ROM Manager needs Premium. Plus I suggested people buy Premium anyway.

sambwel said:
No. The premium version is only required to download nightlies directly through the app. Download them manually, then point rom manager at the zip on your sdcard & install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. The instructions tell you to use rom manager to download CM7. Just thinking that http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?device=galaxysmtd should be included too for those that can't buy rom manager.
But anyway great guide rschenck. Hopefully it'll save us from unnecessary questions.

runedrune said:
I just skimmed through it but wouldn't this require you to buy rom manager premium?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yepp true story!
IF you want to download roms and stuff from Rom manager you do have to have premium.

I have no plans to install yet (still waiting for the stable release) but really this guide has no boring part. Very informative and easy to follow. Just wanna say thanks for this guide. KUDOS!

Nice tutorial man. I want to instal cm7 and this tutorial is very helpfull. Hope this topic get sticky :d

upgrading to latest
just to clarify, I'm (thanks to you!) on v11 due to some people suggesting me that version over v14. After reading some I would like to flash the new experimental build (v15?) in order to do so I:
1) charge it up
2) do a nandroid backup /done
3) wipe data/factory reset + wipe cache in CMW /not sure about this, I've read some diferent post about what to wipe. Some said that when upgrading only cache + dalvik will do just fine. This is the main issue.
4) flash the v15 (update-cm-7-05282011-NIGHTLY-GalaxyS-signed.zip) through CMW
+ all that other stuff like preparing myself for long agonizing experience and stuff
thanks in advance!

James.q said:
just to clarify, I'm (thanks to you!) on v11 due to some people suggesting me that version over v14. After reading some I would like to flash the new experimental build (v15?) in order to do so I:
1) charge it up
2) do a nandroid backup /done
3) wipe data/factory reset + wipe cache in CMW /not sure about this, I've read some diferent post about what to wipe. Some said that when upgrading only cache + dalvik will do just fine. This is the main issue.
4) flash the v15 (update-cm-7-05282011-NIGHTLY-GalaxyS-signed.zip) through CMW
+ all that other stuff like preparing myself for long agonizing experience and stuff
thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are quite correct...when upgrading all you need to do is wipe dalvik cache. You can also take a nandroid backup if you wish to be extra careful but there is no need to wipe data for an upgrade.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

rschenck said:
You are quite correct...when upgrading all you need to do is wipe dalvik cache. You can also take a nandroid backup if you wish to be extra careful but there is no need to wipe data for an upgrade.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks! .. so is it just wipe cache or both wipe cache + wipe dalvik cache in advanced menu? I get confused with that

James.q said:
thanks! .. so is it just wipe cache or both wipe cache + wipe dalvik cache in advanced menu? I get confused with that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wipe cache is in the main cwm menu, wipe dalvik is in advanced...and you can wipe them both.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

Thanks mate, you made my day! I haven't laughed so hard in a while ...

James.q said:
thanks! .. so is it just wipe cache or both wipe cache + wipe dalvik cache in advanced menu? I get confused with that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you should do both

A few small edits and clarifications added...

Good job on this guide.
You kids gave it easy. Back in my day, we had to flash our phones in Morse code.
Sent via XDA Premium app on my GT-I9000 running CM7 (GB 2.3.4)

bump...and if anyone who has used this guide has feedback or suggestions, please comment with them.

How come when i go to download rom i cannot see cyanogen mod there?
I did buy the rom manager

For Those Just Getting Root!!

Here's what you need to do!!
First, make a NANDROID BACKUP of your stock, rooted setup.
TRUST ME on this, you'll use it to do things like GPS fixes, PRL updates etc.
Use Amon Ra. DON'T use ROM Manger. Backup everything except Cache.
On that Nandroid you'll want Titanium Back Up, GPS Status and updated Maps installed.
For ROMS, if it were me, and I knew what I did now, I would start with the Sense ROMS, since you're used to that, just to see what a GOOD Sense ROM feels like.
Always wipe everything in Amon Ra, except the SD Card itself (Although people will argue with me that it's not necessary). Trust me on this, too, ok?? Just do a full wipe and erase any doubts when you have issues that it was wipe related.
Then, once you realize that Sense is boring, give CM 7 a shot, or better yet, MIUI!
AND READ READ READ READ READ as much as you can before you do dumb things.
And conratz!! It's about time!

Exactly what i was looking for, thanks! :]

Thanks! I was looking for this as well, in the process of creating a complete backup with amon ra. Was kinda wondering what I should flash tho, sense bores me

I've had them all, and I'm locked in MIUI now

So you're saying backup the following?
Boot
System
Data
Recovery
Wimax
Sd-ext
.andriod-secure
that's everything but cache - why not cache?
Also, what's a good rom if Battery life is most important... one that undervolts?

Cache is just temp files. You don't need them, but everything else, yes.

You only need boot data system and Wimax. I reccomend using a format all zip between rom flashes.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

What do you recommend for backing up SMS?

I entered my beta key and I'm stuck at zerging root....
its been around 5 minutes.

gab2012 said:
I entered my beta key and I'm stuck at zerging root....
its been around 5 minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread isn't the place for help rooting. Plenty of others, or post in Q&A.
Key thing is to backup, at least, your WIMAX. It's almost impossible to lose your WIMAX partition anymore, but better be safe than sorry.
You could nandroid everything.. but it's kind of pointless. There are RUUs out to flash back to stock, and zips you can flash too. Mainly just ease of use since the nandroid will already be on your SDcard.
Also as hipkat says, do yourself a favor and don't use ROM Manager. Don't use CWM recovery either (well, it's up to you but it's pretty old now). Amon_RA is the mature stable recovery, and the TeamWin recovery is the new kid on the block... functional but not as robust yet.

Sorry about that lad, and yeah I will backup everything if I can get the damn thing to work

It looks like quite a few people are having issues. Just hang tight and see if there is a fix.
Also check the guide over in the development section to make sure you got the step %100.

Well, I just got it!, uninstalled HTC sync and drivers, reinstalled the HTC drivers and ran the .exe zerging root passed!
Said no to Clockwork and installed Amon RA from fastboot, then flashed SU and now I'm ready to backup

dsotm82 said:
What do you recommend for backing up SMS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use SMS Backup and Restore by Ritesh Sahu from the market. Haven't had any problems so far.

HipKat said:
Here's what you need to do!!
First, make a NANDROID BACKUP of your stock, rooted setup.
TRUST ME on this, you'll use it to do things like GPS fixes, PRL updates etc.
Use Amon Ra. DON'T use ROM Manger. Backup everything except Cache.
On that Nandroid you'll want Titanium Back Up, GPS Status and updated Maps installed.
For ROMS, if it were me, and I knew what I did now, I would start with the Sense ROMS, since you're used to that, just to see what a GOOD Sense ROM feels like.
Always wipe everything in Amon Ra, except the SD Card itself (Although people will argue with me that it's not necessary). Trust me on this, too, ok?? Just do a full wipe and erase any doubts when you have issues that it was wipe related.
Then, once you realize that Sense is boring, give CM 7 a shot, or better yet, MIUI!
AND READ READ READ READ READ as much as you can before you do dumb things.
And conratz!! It's about time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 - I would recommend getting Root Explorer and flashing a kernel to help extend the battery. You may also look into WIFI Tether

Thanks for this defiantly useful...time to start flashing

Thanks for the reminder, I am new to rooting this phone. (Not new to rooting, had HTC phones from G1 and MT3G, in those I am GTG.) Installed CM7 latest one. But I am interested in MIUI ones and the videos looks awesome!!!

MIUI has come a long way form when I tried it a few months ago...

Sick. Thanks for the heads up. Also, I appreciate the To-Do List. This is my first venture into rooting, so as you can imagine, it all seems a bit overwhelming at first.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Rvinfinite said:
Sick. Thanks for the heads up. Also, I appreciate the To-Do List. This is my first venture into rooting, so as you can imagine, it all seems a bit overwhelming at first.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NP! That's why I'm here!