Database Users

Root or wait for Android 2.2?

Hey guys, I'm new to the Android community and I'm completely in love with it now that I had the phone for several weeks. Like every other phone I get, I'm always eager to customize it in all the ways possible.
So here is my question, rooting seems simple enough with the great guides you guys have here. However, I've heard that Android 2.2 is right around the corner with new great features. I read that if you upgrade your firmware, it will un-root your phone back to stock.
I'm already hungry to try the new features that a rooted phone can do but I'm thinking that this update is worth waiting for since this phone is new anyways.
Any opinions?

Steps for success:
1. Root phone.
2. Wait for 2.2.
3. Download a 2.2 rom with root.

Were would I find the rooted roms?

DynamicXL said:
Were would I find the rooted roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the development section.

Its a file you can find . Its not a rom. Your phone will still get the ota even after you root it. Can't say the same for custom roms
Sent using xda app...

Cool, thanks for the quick responds guys.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Absolutely ROOT. I have some things to do once rooted in the sticky, please let me know if you have suggestions.

Rooting have nothing to do with ota update but flashing a customer rom will.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I'm thinking of rooting. My battery life is a joke. The only thing I miss about Nexus One besides trackball notifications.

nick_karstedt said:
Steps for success:
1. Root phone.
2. Wait for 2.2.
3. Download a 2.2 rom with root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i second this

Yeah, I think I'm going to root my phone soon. Thanks for the help!

Fuse8499 said:
I'm thinking of rooting. My battery life is a joke. The only thing I miss about Nexus One besides trackball notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure how rooting your phone is going to solve your battery issues? All that rooting does is give you root (superuser) permissions on your phone. You can do this to remove the bloatware that came preinstalled on the phone, run various apps that require root. But I can't think of any way that it's going to allow you to save battery life that you couldn't already do non-rooted.
My only reason to root was for wifi-tethering...

I know the newer version of Facebook is a battery eater. I switched back to the older style and my phone is happy again.
Root is great.
1. Remove bloat apps
2. Remove the annoying T-mobile jingle
3. Root Explorer is fun to play with
I think thats all I've really done so far. Well I should that I've wanted to really do so far.

Rooting isn't working for me otherwise I would have to agree :-(

^ could you give a little more detail, so we can help?
Do you have the update file named update.zip.zip by accident?

I pretty much had the same question. But after a little reading just now I actually understand what rooting is. Helps that I'm familiar with linux! Attempting to root in 5 4 3...
Sent from my SGH-T959 Samsung Vibrant using XDA App w/swype

So if you don't have a data plan you can't get the ota update? You must root? Mine is on AT&T with no data plan right now.

Isn't there much more to rooting then apps and root control? I've seen all the custome ROMs people get to customize the phone and theme just about everything.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

s15274n said:
^ could you give a little more detail, so we can help?
Do you have the update file named update.zip.zip by accident?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I just Have a file named update.zip. I have tried two different methods twice now and once I'm in recovery and go to flash the zip it says it isn't there. I don't know what it is I'm doing wrong.
Sent from my awesome Vibrant using XDA App

So I rooted my phone earlier today. It was unbelievably easy to get the whole set up going.
Haven't had much time to fool around with it yet except for several apps that require root access, mainly to flash and back up my data in case of an oops.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Root now or wait for froyo?

Hey guys I just got my vibrant back and I was wondering if I should root it, or just wait for froyo to release?
Sent from my vibrant while I'm working. I love my job

Joshochoa187 said:
Hey guys I just got my vibrant back and I was wondering if I should root it, or just wait for froyo to release?
Sent from my vibrant while I'm working. I love my job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting isn't hard at all. You should go ahead & root now

+1 on the root now. While your at it install a custom rom and you will love your phone. Odds are you can get the Froyo update right here before it hits OTA anyways.

Yeah I've rooted my vibrant before I had to get a new one. It is easy but I would probably have to un root it to update right?
Sent from my vibrant while I'm working. I love my job

I don't understand what waiting would do. What you should NOT do is get the Froyo update from T-Mobile, as there is a chance that they will push an update that breaks your ability to root with 2.2 and you will have to wait even longer.
I recommended you root now, install Rom Manager, go to this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=813001
Download Fusion 1.1 to your SDCARD (I have a folder called ROMS) and go to Clockwork, reboot into Recovery, Reinstall Packages, Install ZIP from SDCARD, choose Bionix 1.1, wait, and then see what that phone is really capable of.
Using Fusion 1.1 makes me not mind waiting for Froyo.

Yeah you are right it's just I haven't got to comfortable w/ flashing roms just yet. Looks a bit hard I guess I will just keep watching the videos on it till I feel like I can do it
Sent from my vibrant while I'm working. I love my job

Flashing roms is super easy as long as you're using ones flashable through rom manager. I must warn you it's very addictive. The only thing I would say is make your you backup in case something goes wrong and avoid Voodoo until you've flashed a few times and feel more comfortable. Great thing is there is tons of support here. I suggest you try Bionix Final.

Well guys I'm pretty convinced I think im going to do it I'm going to look into it thanx alot for your input
Sent from my vibrant while I'm working. I love my job

I should still be able to root even tho I did the recent ota right?
Sent from my vibrant while I'm working. I love my job

Joshochoa187 said:
I should still be able to root even tho I did the recent ota right?
Sent from my vibrant while I'm working. I love my job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can.

Joshochoa187 said:
Well guys I'm pretty convinced I think im going to do it I'm going to look into it thanx alot for your input
Sent from my vibrant while I'm working. I love my job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dooo eeet!
Yes, it's daunting at first to flash a new ROM, but I just did it for the first time a few weeks ago and it was simple and easy. Just read up as much as you can and then write up a "roadmap" on all the steps you need to take, before, during, and after. It removed a lot of headaches for me because I planned it all out and had all the software ready in case anything went wrong (Odin, stock ROM, etc.). If there are any gaps in your understanding or questions about a process, ask them here before you flash!

I would root it and load a custom ROM, waiting for official OTA update to Froyo is like playing a Russian roulette now. Look what a simple update that was suppsoed to address GPS and other issues did to your fellow TMO users.
As always, there will be people who wouldn't even know that you can root the device to make it your own, so they will always run stock, and complain to TMO when they click MobiTV app and never use it, but have to cough up 10 bucks a month for it (it is just an example).
If you came here you know that you can do something to your phone besides waiting for Froyo, take a full advantage of what is offered in the dev section, and don't forget to support the developers if you like the work they do

Ok I'm reading the thread you posted how do I preform nandroid back up?
Sent from my vibrant while I'm working. I love my job

Joshochoa187 said:
Hey guys I just got my vibrant back and I was wondering if I should root it, or just wait for froyo to release?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are going to root, you might as well just do it.
Froyo could easily be 2-3 months down the road yet.

you need ROM manager...
it took me forever to find a how-to on this exact thing.
You have to be rooted in order to accomplish this:
1. root (obviously)
2. download ROM manager
3. open ROM manager and click on 'Flash ClockworkMod Recovery' and pick your phone.
4. click 'Backup Current ROM'
5. Let it do it's thing... it's going to reboot and run in recovery then reboot again.
6. You are done!!
To recover, you have to boot into clockwork recovery and click restore then pick the date file you made to recover to that date!
** If any of this is wrong, please call me out!!

Yeah, I started doing all this before I even discovered ROM Manager and ClockworkMod Recovery. Those tools definitely make everything so much easier.
Make sure you have the following software tools:
ADB
Odin
Rom Manager (w/ ClockworkMod Recovery installed)
Titanium Backup
Also, make sure your phone is not hardware locked before you begin. Try the standard procedure to enter Recovery Mode; if your phone is hardware locked, run the flashable fix (found in the dev forum) so that you have some way of recovering from a soft brick.

From my experiences, rooting has always been the fastest way to get updates. Those rollouts take forever.

Just rooted and installed fusion 1.1 it's great thanx for the tips guys
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Joshochoa187 said:
Just rooted and installed fusion 1.1 it's great thanx for the tips guys
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Way to go!
Sent from my bionix powered Vibrant

lol. i was waiting for a froyo release, i flashed my g1 a bunch so flashing wasn't a big deal, but i was happy with the phone stock for a bit and didn't mind waiting. but i rooted after a week. was flashing smaller things like ji2 gps, getting rid of bloatware, changing bootup/shutdown, etc. a couple weeks later. and a couple weeks after that i started flashing roms.
moral of the story? just root and start flashing now, it's a long wait.

[Q] root help on samsung epic

I am currently thinking about rooting my samsung epic.I was planning on going through with with the easy one-click root. My question about rooting is if I root it would I be unable to upgrade to 2.3 when samsung actually releases it?

SOTASFINEST65 said:
I am currently thinking about rooting my samsung epic.I was planning on going through with with the easy one-click root. My question about rooting is if I root it would I be unable to upgrade to 2.3 when samsung actually releases it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I know when you root and run different ROMs you cant get OTAs. But its simple enough to restore your phone to stock
So root away!
And besides...once Gingerbread does come out the custom ROMs built off of that will make it worth it to root again
So check my signature for qbkings how to videos and get to it

Sorry I am really at both rooting and posting threads. How would i go about returning to stock when 2.3 releases? and then could I do the same process to re root after i get the ota? and I will check your videos, thanks for all your help man.

scratch what i just wrote about how to haha. Does the odin flash to stock erase all my contacts and current apps on my phone?

SOTASFINEST65 said:
scratch what i just wrote about how to haha. Does the odin flash to stock erase all my contacts and current apps on my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and the rooting process for Epic Gingerbread us still under discussion. If you upgrade from a custom froyo rom to a custom gb rom, you'll bypass having to root again and lose minimal data.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Do you mean the current gb roms that have been leaked and are out for rooted phones now? or do you mean when samsung themselves release the update that the update itself will be available for rooted phones in a rooted state itself? and if you meant the current gb updates that have been release are they smooth running or still a bit glitchy since they aren't the finished product? I apologize if any of this is common sense haha

If you root now and put a custom 2.2 rom on phone then you can just wait a day or two after the ota gb release before ace or someone else releases a custom rom based on the ota gb release. Then you will be able to flash the upgrade and not lose data. I would suggest Midnight, bonsai or syndicaterom frozen by acs.
Samsung Epic SyndicateROM Frozen 1.1

I actually have no idea what rom I am going to to go with after i root it haha. Ive just had this phone for a few months and feel like doing something new, i also want to put a free wifi app on there so i dont have to pay sprint more for a feature i had free on my old tp2. like i said I am a complete rookie to this besides putting cfw on my old psp and having android on my tp2 , and that means that if i just wait for the gb rom to come out complete after someone makes a custom for it than il just have to come back to the great xda and upgrade myself?

The newest syndicate rom would be right up your alley. Read the instructions, watch the video and you'll be fine.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I'm you guys are getting annoyed with all my questions so il aske a few last ones and will root my phone with in the hour. Does using a different rom transfer my apps and contacts? i wasnt sure if it acted as a new skin or a duel boot kind of like how my tp2 was. If i back up my phone right after the root I am guessing i can restore to back up if i am not a fan of the rom, or is there a different way? You guys are a ton of help thanks the root and lancelane.

SOTASFINEST65 said:
I'm you guys are getting annoyed with all my questions so il aske a few last ones and will root my phone with in the hour. Does using a different rom transfer my apps and contacts? i wasnt sure if it acted as a new skin or a duel boot kind of like how my tp2 was. If i back up my phone right after the root I am guessing i can restore to back up if i am not a fan of the rom, or is there a different way? You guys are a ton of help thanks the root and lancelane.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some ROMs back up your data, and others do not. It depends on the ROM. You should do a simple root, and backup with Titanium backup and do a Nandroid backup as well. Just in case. Apps and contacts usually are available when you log back into your gmail but if you save contacts on phone instead of google they won't. You can also export your contacts to google or your sd card.
Ask away. But also look at the videos.

the contacts are not that big of a deal since i do have it saved on my gmail, but i didn't think my apps could be saved and transfered. and random question i have a few games saved on tiger gba and psxondroid, would i lose those save files saved on the emulator on the new rom? I know i don't loose any of that on the root or so my research lead me to believe.

SOTASFINEST65 said:
the contacts are not that big of a deal since i do have it saved on my gmail, but i didn't think my apps could be saved and transfered. and random question i have a few games saved on tiger gba and psxondroid, would i lose those save files saved on the emulator on the new rom? I know i don't loose any of that on the root or so my research lead me to believe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again that depends on the ROM. Some, like Bonsai, now back up and then restore your data. If you root and use Titanium backup you will be able to restore data to those games if they get wiped.

Ok so somehow i suck at the one-click method. It says something about no phone being found. I guess i will have to get a bb usb cord and try again.

SOTASFINEST65 said:
Ok so somehow i suck at the one-click method. It says something about no phone being found. I guess i will have to get a bb usb cord and try again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turn off your anti-virus and firewall as well.

And try a different usb port.

Turn off the anti virus on my phone or the comp?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

SOTASFINEST65 said:
Turn off the anti virus on my phone or the comp?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Computer. Phone will do its own thing.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I've been busy working but I will try to see if I can't get the root to work when I have some time off
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

SOTASFINEST65 said:
I've been busy working but I will try to see if I can't get the root to work when I have some time off
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most anti-virus and some firewalls see rageagainstthemachine as a trojan so will block it and sometimes delete it.

How to root Gingerbread for the Epic 4G

I'm posting this for anyone who wants to root their device personally.
I apologize to anyone who feels like it shouldn't be posted.
All credit goes to qbking77, chris41g, mkasick, drockstar and all those who were involved.
Step 1...........How to Root and Clockworkmod the Samsung Epic 4G on EI22 EL30 Gingerbread
Step 2...........How to root the Samsung Epic 4G on Froyo and Gingerbread
You can use this recovery in place of the acs recovery if you prefer...........cwm-5.0.2.7-epic4g.tar.md5 tar flash for odin

Can the Sprint Samsung Epic 4g on gingerbread 2.3.6 be rooted?
Hello to anyone who knows about rooting. I work in medicne so I can figure out anything with the human body but not with rooting my Samsung epic on gingerbread 2.3.6. I have tried different developers, different sites, and read till I went crazy. The lingo gets old. It would be like me talking to the common public about the interpetation of hemodynamic readings and congestive heart failure. Anyhow, I rooted my epic 4g before it automatically upgraded to gingerbread...then it froze...I researched and unbricked it with a program everyone said did not work...but it worked to unbrick my phone even though it was supposed to root my phone...it just reset it to where it was usable again. When I try to go to certain websites for rooting files to download...they seem to be missing...hmmmm. So again, can the samsung epic 4g on gingerbread 2.3.6 be rooted? If it can, please direct me to some site...so far...I have tried about 5 different sites...no luck. It is also very hard to find anything specific on gingerbread 2.3.6 on rooting...alot of info. on the other versions.

imuscle said:
Hello to anyone who knows about rooting. I work in medicne so I can figure out anything with the human body but not with rooting my Samsung epic on gingerbread 2.3.6. I have tried different developers, different sites, and read till I went crazy. The lingo gets old. It would be like me talking to the common public about the interpetation of hemodynamic readings and congestive heart failure. Anyhow, I rooted my epic 4g before it automatically upgraded to gingerbread...then it froze...I researched and unbricked it with a program everyone said did not work...but it worked to unbrick my phone even though it was supposed to root my phone...it just reset it to where it was usable again. When I try to go to certain websites for rooting files to download...they seem to be missing...hmmmm. So again, can the samsung epic 4g on gingerbread 2.3.6 be rooted? If it can, please direct me to some site...so far...I have tried about 5 different sites...no luck. It is also very hard to find anything specific on gingerbread 2.3.6 on rooting...alot of info. on the other versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it can...that's why this how too is right above you if you would like me to do it for you remotely through team viewer I would gladly
Sent From My SPH-D700 Running Android 4.0 :sly:

imuscle said:
Hello to anyone who knows about rooting. I work in medicne so I can figure out anything with the human body but not with rooting my Samsung epic on gingerbread 2.3.6. I have tried different developers, different sites, and read till I went crazy. The lingo gets old. It would be like me talking to the common public about the interpetation of hemodynamic readings and congestive heart failure. Anyhow, I rooted my epic 4g before it automatically upgraded to gingerbread...then it froze...I researched and unbricked it with a program everyone said did not work...but it worked to unbrick my phone even though it was supposed to root my phone...it just reset it to where it was usable again. When I try to go to certain websites for rooting files to download...they seem to be missing...hmmmm. So again, can the samsung epic 4g on gingerbread 2.3.6 be rooted? If it can, please direct me to some site...so far...I have tried about 5 different sites...no luck. It is also very hard to find anything specific on gingerbread 2.3.6 on rooting...alot of info. on the other versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is a thread that tells you a 3 step method. if you wanna flash another rom then here is what I did. Download the rom you want and put on the sd card. download odin if you do not already have it. download cwm-5.0.2.7-epic4g.tar.md5. open odin uncheck every thing even reboot. then click pda put the cwm.tar into the pda. make sure your phone is in download mode. by holding the #1 button on the keyboard and the power button. plug the phone in to the usb. a yellow com box should pop up. hit start it shouldn't take long but it will complete and the phone will still be on. unplug your phone and take the battery out. put the battery back and turn on using the 3 finger method. ( vol. down, camera and power button) then wipe data, wipe cache, go into advance and wipe dalvik. press the back button click then click install zip from sdcard. click choose zip from sd card and then choose your rom and install that should be all. if you want to stay stock and just be rooted you need to download superuser.zip the link is found in the first video. you do the first part the same but instead of wiping every thing you go start into install zip and then choose the super user zip. reboot your system. then you have to go into the root explorer and delete a file but I cant remember the file name. but then you turn your phone off and then you have to odin cwm again. then you will be rooted. i will edit this when i can remember the file name unless some one beats me to the punch. i hope this helps if not pm me and i will try to help i am going to be flashing back to stock and re rooting to day so..

Thanks...I will try it again.

imuscle said:
Thanks...I will try it again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could not find that file that you are suppose to delete but if you odin cwm. Then flash super user in cwm. Boot up. Go into your root explorer go ino system/etc/ it should say install.recovery.sh. I believe
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

Links to all files needed are in the descriptions under the videos.....and the videos show which ones you need.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

Root epic 4g
to big goron, would u b willing to do the same for me? I have teamviewer.

debage39 said:
to big goron, would u b willing to do the same for me? I have teamviewer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should pm him
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

debage39 said:
to big goron, would u b willing to do the same for me? I have teamviewer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem pm me the id and password and ill root ya in no time
Sent From My SPH-D700 Running Android 4.0

I wanted to give thanx to big Goron aka uber for all his time and effort helping me with my epic. Problems and upgrades. Thanx for all ur help.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA

Yes! A big thanks to Uber (Big Goron) for helping out everywhere!
Sent from my PantechP4100 using xda premium

Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

notsosmrtgeek said:
I could not find that file that you are suppose to delete but if you odin cwm. Then flash super user in cwm. Boot up. Go into your root explorer go ino system/etc/ it should say install.recovery.sh. I believe
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i havent rooted stock gb. so forgive me. but is system/etc the correct path for the file that needs to be deleted? also better to necro rather than make a new thread for this.

I never deleted that file. I just odin'd cwm5 with reboot unchecked, then unplugged cable, poppef battery out and in and flashed a ROM. That file install-recovery.sh is still on my phone and in the directory you specified.
Sent from my PantechP4100 using xda premium

jbadboy2007 said:
i havent rooted stock gb. so forgive me. but is system/etc the correct path for the file that needs to be deleted? also better to necro rather than make a new thread for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to unless you plan on staying stock. Otherwise just flash clockwork mod boot into it and flash a custom rom.
Sent From My Sprint Galaxy Nexus via XDA Premium

ÜBER™ said:
You don't need to unless you plan on staying stock. Otherwise just flash clockwork mod boot into it and flash a custom rom.
Sent From My Sprint Galaxy Nexus via XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone will remain stock or I would just flash fc09 deoxed. It's for my wife I might in the future upgrade her but this is her first android so I'm trying to go slow with it and not barrage her with too many changes.

jbadboy2007 said:
The phone will remain stock or I would just flash fc09 deoxed. It's for my wife I might in the future upgrade her but this is her first android so I'm trying to go slow with it and not barrage her with too many changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Qbking77 video on youtube I believe hasa link to a kernel (mostly stock, only the key skip fix added i believe) that you can odin to make recovery stick on stock...

flastnoles11 said:
Qbking77 video on youtube I believe hasa link to a kernel (mostly stock, only the key skip fix added i believe) that you can odin to make recovery stick on stock...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isnt that a ei22 kernel though from my memory there is not a fc09 kernel of that sort.

i used this kernel on my friends epic, who wanted to stay stock fc09
ShadowKernel-FC09-v1.0.1

[Q] Newbie help

I know I am to do som e research so I looked through some videos and I get the understanding of root and rom. Ow my question is I looked through and I didn't see anything about the Samsung epic 4G Gingerbread EL30 which I have . What I would like to know is can I rom my phone and if I can where can I find how to do it cause I swear I looked and couldn't find it. I appreciate your patience with me.

Are you familiar with a program called "Odin"?
To root gingerbread (EL30), you will have to use odin and flash CWM.tar (clockwork mod is a recovery program for your phone) and after you do that, you can flash SU.zip and voila! Insta root! Proceed to flash whatever you want
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

No I'm not. I don't have the slightest clue what odin is. I saw that in the videos ad I didn't understand. So you are saying I need us Odin. Where can I find that at? Ok I think I found one from ramad. Now I'm afraid I'm going to mess up my phone lol

Here is the video and the links for programs are right after it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwFRzzIqouE
Odin can be found here if you like:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1052813
If you are too apprehensive about it perhaps it's best to not do it or get someone techincally apt to help you.

eekaboo:
Ahem: I can root your phone remotely through teamviewer if you feel its too much. Pm if your interested
Also fox you forgot odining the kernel or cwm will not stick
Sent From My SPH-D700 Running Android 4.0 :sly:

kennyglass123 said:
Here is the video and the links for programs are right after it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwFRzzIqouE
Odin can be found here if you like:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1052813
If you are too apprehensive about it perhaps it's best to not do it or get someone techincally apt to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chill stop telling people not to do it themselves...how the fluff do you expect them to learn? We all learned through trial and error lol I was pretty hesitant when I lost my flash virginity back on the hero, but since then its just gotten easier and easier lol
S/he can't brick it unless they flash a rom from a different phone.
But yeah follow these links and they'll help you immensely you could also check out the epic 4g wiki which includes instructions on how to root..
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

She just sounded way too nervous about it. And disconnecting or using a bad cable while Odining will hard brick a phone. I gave her the guides and didn't tell her not to do it, just recommended maybe it is not a good idea interpretting the level of apprehension. It was way easier with one click roots. Odin scared the hell out of me too and I have been a computer tech, an aerospace tech and associate Engineer. I thought she might want a more technical person to work with her and teach her.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

i didn't have to flash a new kernel after I used odin to flash el30 I just flash cwm

Sometimes hard bricking a phone is the best way to learn a very valuable lesson.
Besides, sprint insurance covers it if there is no physical damage.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I suggest going and finding the video's you need from QBKing77 http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC919C97579204B07&feature=plcp
That's his channel specifically epic 4g section on youtube. When I first got into rooting and flashing thats where I learned what I needed to and of course reading a lot on here.
1st tip I can give you: Don't use the USB cord that came with the Epic. Go out and get a nice Blackberry cord or I've had great luck with my wife's HTC Evo Shift cord.