Related
My question is , how can I backup the contents out of the box to a .tar file that i can load up in the pda section of ODIN in the future if needed ?
The phone is baseband I9000UGJK4 kernel 2.6.32.9 and build froyo.ugjk4
I would like to have a permanent backup on hand of this before I change the os on it if I decide to do so or mess something up lol
So again , question is how can I back this up the the .tar file like we download from samsung for future flashing or restoring? Thanks guys
Strange that your phone came with JK4, since this version has been pulled from kies by Samsung.
I think you should upgrade to JL2
It came from futureshop just today , do you know how I can backup the contents to a .tar before I start changing things?
Update immediately to JL2. Don't load any other firmware until you have done so. This is important! Your likelihood of getting an internal SDACRD failure is very high until you do.
Important that if you use Odin, you select the flash boot loader option.
Strongly agreed. Use Kies (Samsung's official app) to FIRST do the upgrade. If anything happens during the upgrade, take it back immediately to the store for an immediate replacement (how long ago did you get the phone?).
zorxd said:
I think you should upgrade to JL2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DvTonder said:
Update immediately to JL2. Don't load any other firmware until you have done so. This is important!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gtg2 said:
Strongly agreed. Use Kies (Samsung's official app) to FIRST do the upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with gtg2, DvTonder and zorxd. Upgrade to JL2 with Kies A.S.A.P. JL2 can prevent the dreaded dead internal SD card issue so many people are having.
Install Kies, plug in the phone, and update the phone.
When Kies is downloading JL2, it will go into your temp directory. Copy it to a different directory. I did and I have the original JL2 on my computer for when I need it.
If you can't get it off your computer, you can download it from here.
Ian
OK done that last night , bought it 2 days ago. Updated through KIES last night so now that worry is over. I cannot find the temp folder you say I should have the downloaded firmware in though , nothing in c:/windows/temp or in kies folders
Here this is stock JL2 just flash it with odin in PDA.
JL2.
You can find odin instructions in Allgamers Thread here.
One thing you might want to consider is rooting your phone, if your on JL2 use Super One Click located Here. Another Method to get root access would be to flash Hardcore's kernel odin versions and installation instructions Here. Once Hardcore's Kernel is flashed then just boot into CWM (VOL UP+Home+Pwr) and find root in the menu. I recommend going the Hardcore Kernel method just cause from there you can go to Doc's/Darky's/Seearm's or another custom rom of your Choice.
Once rooted get Root Explorer or equivalent file explorer and make a backup copy of the EFS folder . Store it on your PC somewhere. If anything ever happens and you need to return the phone to bell just flash the JL2 I linked with odin and you will be back to stock.
Samdroid_G_S said:
Here this is stock JL2 just flash it with odin in PDA.
JL2.
You can find odin instructions in Allgamers Thread here.
One thing you might want to consider is rooting your phone, if your on JL2 use Super One Click located Here. Another Method to get root access would be to flash Hardcore's kernel odin versions and installation instructions Here. Once Hardcore's Kernel is flashed then just boot into CWM (VOL UP+Home+Pwr) and find root in the menu. I recommend going the Hardcore Kernel method just cause from there you can go to Doc's/Darky's/Seearm's or another custom rom of your Choice.
Once rooted get Root Explorer or equivalent file explorer and make a backup copy of the EFS folder . Store it on your PC somewhere. If anything ever happens and you need to return the phone to bell just flash the JL2 I linked with odin and you will be back to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's too bad that we can't +1 up some responses to vote the best answer because this should be it.
OP: do this. If you're new to this, I can understand if this isn't very descriptive but he's linked you to all of the right info and those threads spell it out clearly.
gtg2 said:
It's too bad that we can't +1 up some responses to vote the best answer because this should be it.
OP: do this. If you're new to this, I can understand if this isn't very descriptive but he's linked you to all of the right info and those threads spell it out clearly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can lead a horse to water but you can not force him to drink. Anyway theres always the thank button
Sent from my I9000m using XDA's app.
stevenca said:
My question is , how can I backup the contents out of the box to a .tar file that i can load up in the pda section of ODIN in the future if needed ?
The phone is baseband I9000UGJK4 kernel 2.6.32.9 and build froyo.ugjk4
I would like to have a permanent backup on hand of this before I change the os on it if I decide to do so or mess something up lol
So again , question is how can I back this up the the .tar file like we download from samsung for future flashing or restoring? Thanks guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why would you back up Jk4 it is broken version, I am surprised they Samsung still put it on the phone...please please upgrade to JL2 as soon as convenient and that backup
Now to answer your question, im not really sure if you can make a backup tar that you can flash later with odin. I think you're trying to do something like an iphone backup that saves everything, files and settings, even the background you had on your phone.
What i do is keep a copy of the stock firmware from samfirmware.com and then i make a backup using the app "titanium backup". You can find a free version and a paid version. Before i flash a new rom i backup everything and then copy the titanium backup folder from the internal sd to my computer, flash and then restore all user apps and settings. Flashing a new rom has never formatted my internal sd card so the folder is always there, i just copy it to my computer just incase. Ive been told not to do a restore of systems apps and settings on doc's rom though, not sure why. Maybe another user can clarify.
Lastly hold onto the receipt with your life because you will at some point in time end up with a dead sd card I recommend doing a stress test (does not void your warranty). Go to the thread here for stress test info.
I'm about to just flash my phone for the first time. can someone please help me with the following?
i have an i5801 and i want to keep it that way after flashing. so i just need to delete boot.bin and sbl.bin right?
does deleting these two files also ensure that i don't hard brick my phone?
can someone give me a link to download indroid 4.3? (that is the best version of indroid, right?)
what is the ops file? where can i download that from?
and what is this "package" that i need to download?
and last, how do i clear the cache?
btw, these are questions for the steps given in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=873645
Mohit12 said:
I'm about to just flash my phone for the first time. can someone please help me with the following?
i have an i5801 and i want to keep it that way after flashing. so i just need to delete boot.bin and sbl.bin right?
does deleting these two files also ensure that i don't hard brick my phone?
can someone give me a link to download indroid 4.3? (that is the best version of indroid, right?)
what is the ops file? where can i download that from?
and what is this "package" that i need to download?
and last, how do i clear the cache?
btw, these are questions for the steps given in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=873645
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly flash Indroid 4.1 :
Link To Indroid 4.1 [Part 1]
Link To Indroid 4.1 [Part 2]
Once the download is complete, extract using WinRAR/7Zip. The 'package' is the .tar file you find inside. Flash it as 'One-Package' using Odin.
Here is the link to the OPS File :
OPS File
How to Wipe Cache :
After flashing 4.1, reboot into Recovery by pressing and holding Volume Up + Volume Down + Menu Button + Power Key. The phone will boot into CWM. Scroll down (using the volume keys) and select (using the menu key) the option that says : "Wipe Cache". Ignore error messages (if any). Click on Reboot System.
From what I see, Indroid 4.3 is an update.zip file. Which means, you need to have CWM already installed. After installing 4.1, download 4.3.
Download Link for Indroid 4.3
Now follow these instructions :
rudolf895 said:
Instructions to install the Update.zip:-
Put the Zip file into SD card(dont extract)
Do not re-name the .zip file.
Get into recovery.
Using Volume Keys navigate to "Install zip from sdcard"
Choose zip from sdcard.
Navigate to the file you copied to sd card.
Hit home key when selected
Select yes.
Wait for the update.zip to install and finish
Then hit reboot system 26 now
And your should be done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should have Indroid 4.3 up and running in your device now
I know it sounds tedious. But believe me, it isn't that hard
DUDE! THANKS A GAZILLION!
REALLY appreciate it. *pushes thanks button*
oh ya, about the boot.bin and sbl.bin
do i delete them to retain my i5801 boot screen? or to make sure my phone doesn't get hard bricked? or both?
so if i delete them, there is NO WAY how i can ruin my phone?
sorry for being so cautious but it's my first time flashing, and i kind of lost my bill. so my phone is out of warranty. and if it does get hard bricked, that'll be bloody expensive.
thanks for the earlier post though.
Mohit12 said:
oh ya, about the boot.bin and sbl.bin
do i delete them to retain my i5801 boot screen? or to make sure my phone doesn't get hard bricked? or both?
so if i delete them, there is NO WAY how i can ruin my phone?
sorry for being so cautious but it's my first time flashing, and i kind of lost my bill. so my phone is out of warranty. and if it does get hard bricked, that'll be bloody expensive.
thanks for the earlier post though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. If you delete boot.bin and sbl.bin, you will retain your I5801 bootscreen and you ll not get your phone hardbricked. You can manually delete them or stock firmwares without boot.bin and sbl.bin are available here in XDA. Check the development section.
k, thanks. last question : according to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=873645
in step 4, it says :
"4) Check protect ops checkbox (Don’t check this if you are flashing I5801 with I5800 firmware for the first time.)"
i'm using an i5801, and i want to flash InDroid. but is InDroid i5800 or i5801 firmware? so should i check the box or no?
answer this and i'll be able to FINALLY flash my phone.
like i said, sorry to be so cautious over even petty details but if something goes wrong, i'm screwed because i lost my bill so i'm pretty much out of warranty (also, because i rooted my phone, so the bill doesn't matter).
Mohit12 said:
k, thanks. last question : according to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=873645
in step 4, it says :
"4) Check protect ops checkbox (Don’t check this if you are flashing I5801 with I5800 firmware for the first time.)"
i'm using an i5801, and i want to flash InDroid. but is InDroid i5800 or i5801 firmware? so should i check the box or no?
answer this and i'll be able to FINALLY flash my phone.
like i said, sorry to be so cautious over even petty details but if something goes wrong, i'm screwed because i lost my bill so i'm pretty much out of warranty (also, because i rooted my phone, so the bill doesn't matter).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, check this box
It is possible to flash indroid ddjp4 rom...!?
Raunak44 said:
It is possible to flash indroid ddjp4 rom...!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its based on the updated firmware for India (DDJP4). Swype and Camera bugs fixed.
And yes, you can definitely flash it!
Okay, dude. sorry to bring up this post again but i had (yet another) internet-not-working-days. Anyway, i downloaded the two Indroid 4.1 parts and they're 001 and 002 files. WinRAR says it might be broken or damaged, or it doesn't recognise it. Also, I can't seem to download the 4.3 update. Is there any other site where it is hosted?
And I currently use DDJP2, but everywhere on the forum people use JPM or now DDJP4. I can flash Indroid, or any custom ROM no matter what stock firmware i'm using right? Or does that also matter?
Mohit12 said:
Okay, dude. sorry to bring up this post again but i had (yet another) internet-not-working-days. Anyway, i downloaded the two Indroid 4.1 parts and they're 001 and 002 files. WinRAR says it might be broken or damaged, or it doesn't recognise it. Also, I can't seem to download the 4.3 update. Is there any other site where it is hosted?
And I currently use DDJP2, but everywhere on the forum people use JPM or now DDJP4. I can flash Indroid, or any custom ROM no matter what stock firmware i'm using right? Or does that also matter?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problemo.
Download HJSplit and use it to join the split archives (InDroid 4.1 CWM Clean.7z.001 and InDroid 4.1 CWM Clean.7z.002).
Or, try this Torrent Link. Might be slow, but its bound to work!
And yes, you can flash whichever ROM you wan't. Hell, I didn't even know which firmware I was on the first time I flashed a Custom ROM!
Incase you just can't download the InDroid package, move on to Kyrillos' ROM. Its equally good.
Good luck
I've been searching around on how to root my device and I thought I had found the right way to do it, but after trying my phone will stay on the boot screen while saying all the recovery stuff. I can also get it into download mode again, but it won't fully start. Can anyone tell me how to get my phone back to stock ROM so that I can just use my phone again? Thanks.
Whicf root u r using? Cfautoroot? Did u use the correct root file for 4.3?
Sent from somewhere under the sky, at the corner of this rounded earth.
antique_sonic said:
Whicf root u r using? Cfautoroot? Did u use the correct root file for 4.3?
Sent from somewhere under the sky, at the corner of this rounded earth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was cfautoroot. I thought I was using the right version, but evidently it might not have been. I also used Odin 3.7 instead of 3.9 on accident so I don't know if that changes anything.
So, to sum it all up, you were trying to root your device with your eyes closed ?
It's clearly written on the cfroot site what to use and how to do it.
Sent from my N9005
No... I used the file that it told me to use, and did all the steps. Anyone know how I can fix it?
Could I just do the same process over again with a different file using ODIN or do I need to put the stock back on it again in order to correctly root it? I've been looking at more guides and it seems like I did all the right things, but I guess the .tar file I had may have been old even though I thought it was for my T-Mobile Note 3 using 4.3. Any suggestions because I would prefer to get it right this time, and not mess my phone up anymore than I have.
JollyGreen527 said:
Could I just do the same process over again with a different file using ODIN or do I need to put the stock back on it again in order to correctly root it? I've been looking at more guides and it seems like I did all the right things, but I guess the .tar file I had may have been old even though I thought it was for my T-Mobile Note 3 using 4.3. Any suggestions because I would prefer to get it right this time, and not mess my phone up anymore than I have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try to flash Kit Kat? Therefor you would need the new bootloader as well. I never got a bootloop with just rooting the device and that's been a lot of times. Try to flash stock rom in Odin again (7 or 9 doesn't matter) and then look for the correct file again.
JollyGreen527 said:
Could I just do the same process over again with a different file using ODIN or do I need to put the stock back on it again in order to correctly root it? I've been looking at more guides and it seems like I did all the right things, but I guess the .tar file I had may have been old even though I thought it was for my T-Mobile Note 3 using 4.3. Any suggestions because I would prefer to get it right this time, and not mess my phone up anymore than I have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U better get from someone with tmob who have it earlier. I guess the file there work on 4.4.2. U never mentioned earlier on ur 1st post that u r on tmob.
Or, easier way, upgrade to KK and then root.
Sent from somewhere under the sky, at the corner of this rounded earth.
So would http://stockroms.net/file/GalaxyNote3/SM-N900T/N900TUVUCNB4_N900TTMBCNB4_TMB.zip work? I just put the .tar file into the AP part of Odin 3.09 and start it in download mode, and it should work right? My girlfriend has the exact same phone not rooted also, would I be able to use hers at all to get it back to stock?
Thanks for the help. I was able to flash the stock ROM back on my phone and everything is back to normal. Now all I need to do is find the right file to correctly root it. (Still 4.3)
After trying again, with what I made sure was the right file for 4.3, which was the one I used before, it still won't get past the recovery and boot screen after the root process on ODIN. While looking at the guide it said to uncheck auto reboot if it is not installing then just put it into recovery mode myself and it should work. Should I do that to make it work?
Tried that, and it didn't work also. Not sure how to make it work. I put the .tar file in the AP spot. Do I need a different file in one of the other slots? Thanks.
JollyGreen527 said:
Thanks for the help. I was able to flash the stock ROM back on my phone and everything is back to normal. Now all I need to do is find the right file to correctly root it. (Still 4.3)
After trying again, with what I made sure was the right file for 4.3, which was the one I used before, it still won't get past the recovery and boot screen after the root process on ODIN. While looking at the guide it said to uncheck auto reboot if it is not installing then just put it into recovery mode myself and it should work. Should I do that to make it work?
Tried that, and it didn't work also. Not sure how to make it work. I put the .tar file in the AP spot. Do I need a different file in one of the other slots? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you don't need any other file.
Check your reactivation lock make sure it is off, usb debugging is on.
And sometimes, it needs 2 times to flash to success. Don't worry.
The only thing you have to make sure is : the root file you are using to flash, must be for 4.3 JB. Not 4.4.2
I have no idea the one inside CF-autoroot post is for Tmob 4.4.2 or for 4.3
You should find out this one, because if you are using root file for KK on JB, your phone will bootloop (and vice versa).
USB debugging on but still didn't work. Flashed it twice but didn't work. The reactivation lock option isn't showing up in my security so not sure about that one. How big should the file be that I use to root with? I found another guide that shows to use a file that's over a gigabyte big but also using the csc part of ODIN. The file I'm using now from cfautoroot is only about 20 megabytes.
I saw a post that said to use Kingo Root or Vroot but as I've been searching I've heard bad things about Kingo. Is Vroot any good?
Any more help before this gets buried?
JollyGreen527 said:
USB debugging on but still didn't work. Flashed it twice but didn't work. The reactivation lock option isn't showing up in my security so not sure about that one. How big should the file be that I use to root with? I found another guide that shows to use a file that's over a gigabyte big but also using the csc part of ODIN. The file I'm using now from cfautoroot is only about 20 megabytes.
I saw a post that said to use Kingo Root or Vroot but as I've been searching I've heard bad things about Kingo. Is Vroot any good?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea again. Sorry.
If u want to learn, find some other sources of knowledge and try on ur own risk.
But if u just want to get root a.s.a.p, I would suggest u upgrade to 4.4.2 and use cfautoroot. I believe the file posted on cf thread is for 4.4.2.
Good luck
JollyGreen527 said:
Any more help before this gets buried?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from somewhere under the sky, at the corner of this rounded earth.
Hey guys, sorry I have been away for so long and am not updated... anyway, I have been downloading different 5.1.1 roms (samfirmware and sam updates) for my N910C and everytime I try to unzip, it says the file is corrupt...
Can anybody please tell me what has changed? Whay can't I unzip the downloaded files?
I only want the official rom, and am not rooting my phone for now.
Thanks
xdm9mm said:
Hey guys, sorry I have been away for so long and am not updated... anyway, I have been downloading different 5.1.1 roms (samfirmware and sam updates) for my N910C and everytime I try to unzip, it says the file is corrupt...
Can anybody please tell me what has changed? Whay can't I unzip the downloaded files?
I only want the official rom, and am not rooting my phone for now.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend using Samfirm
thanks for the recommendation. My question has not been answered though, what has changed, and why do we need to use another tool now? Thanks
If you want to know the changelog for stock 5.1.1 then I strongly recommend you read it. Google is your best friend. What are you talking about another tool?
There is only one tool for Samsung to flash stock roms and it's called odin so nothing has changed there. If you are using kies to upgrade then expect the worst as the outcome seems like random events. 25% of the time kies ****s up.
Zionator said:
If you want to know the changelog for stock 5.1.1 then I strongly recommend you read it. Google is your best friend. What are you talking about another tool?
There is only one tool for Samsung to flash stock roms and it's called odin so nothing has changed there. If you are using kies to upgrade then expect the worst as the outcome seems like random events. 25% of the time kies ****s up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not asking about changelog, I am asking why are the downloads from samfirmware and samsung-updates , when I try to unzip them are all corrupt.. then someone recommended the tool above to download the firmware... that is why I am asking what is changed, and why do I need a tool to download the firmware now??? Whay can't I just download straight from samfirmware and unzip the file like it was before?
BIG thanks
I had the same problem, the zip file corrupted while trying to unzip. But I just waited until WinRAR finish unzipped it. And successfully flashed the md5 with Odin.
I had the same problem with Winrar.
With 7zip no problem.
And I install the new Rom.
Everything is Ok.
Sent from my SM-N910F using XDA Free mobile app
No problem with WinRar here. Check your Internet Connection: if it's unstable, the file will be downloaded and even MD5 hashes could match, but the file still will be corrupted and if you manage to unzip it it could lead to multiple errors in odin.
Thanks to those who tried to help... I donwloaded the new WinRAR and donloaded the 5.1.1 "SEE" and flashed it on my phone... worked perfectly and I have not wiped my phone after flashing, seems to be working great...
First, I have installed a ROM on my phone before and I followed very specific instructions. I am a developer in the land of microsoft so I recognize I am very much a newbie here.
Now, on to what I have now and what I want to do.
1. I have a Note 3. The SM-N9005. The baseband version is: N900W8.... suffice to say it is a canadian phone. If the rest of the baseband numbers are important I will post them, just ask.
2. I want to install the Alliance ROM, it seems to have what I am looking for.
3. When I rooted and ROMed my phone years ago I used the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2614772
4. Currently my phone is running a Jedi ROM from the vintage of that thread. However I must have made a mistake back then because the Hotspot feature does not work. Making the hotspot feature work again is my primary reason for undertaking this operation. The 4G works, I can use the Internet on the phone just fine. The wireless works I can connect to a wireless signal and use the internet that way (I confirmed this was working with mobile data off). The hotspot will allow a connection from a device (such as my laptop), but no data passes between the 4G connection and the connected computer.(yes, I turned on Mobile Data On) I have tried this using different computers connected to the hotspot to confirm it is the fault of the Note3.
Back when I did this flashing thing before I had to be careful to get the right CSC file and modem file and a few other steps. I had to specify the correct CSC file in addition to the rom I wanted to flash.
With that background, my questions are below (if you need any more info to point me in the right direction, just ask):
One last note... I will be performing any and all instructions from a macbook pro Mid 2012 with no other devices on the usb host controller running a near virgin copy of windows 7.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Do I need to worry about CSC files, modem files and so on to Flash to Alliance ROM and still have everything work? I ran across a thread that said that some ROMs have all the CSC files in them, but I cannot find any direct information (or I missed it) about the Alliance ROM with regards to CSC files and the like.
I thought I had TWRP installed, but when I boot to recovery the top two lines read
line1: Android system recovery <3e>
line2: KOT49H.N9005XXUENB4
Is this TWRP? Should I download the latest TWRP for my device and flash it using the AP button from Odin 3.10? If there is a different technique I should use, I will try it.
The instructions say that if I am not installing from stock 4.4.2 or stock 5.0 that I should install stock first, then install the alliance rom. I visited the sammobile website and there are no ROMs for the USA or Canada there... am I missing something or should I just use the UK ROM from that website? I guess I am not sure how to identify the correct ROM for Canada.
I did load the Alliance ROM 8.2 onto my SD card and attempted to use the option apply update from external storage and it failed. Nothing happened at all and the phone eventually rebooted and the ROM never installed.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide me on this endeavour. I am largely looking for resources that I have not been able to find up until now. I am okay with help such as Read This Post! and so on.
If the phone is an n9005, not sure how the baseband can be n900w8 as the n9005 was never sold by Canadian carriers as far as I know.
Here's a link to the stock n900w8 firmware: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-N900W8/
wizengamot said:
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide me on this endeavour. I am largely looking for resources that I have not been able to find up until now. I am okay with help such as Read This Post! and so on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, you should detect what device you own. You can install this APP and add some screenshots for avoid problems and give us more info about your device (IMEI not necessary).
We will try to detect if you own a clone, a SM-N9005 or SM-N900W8.
Additional Info as requested
Here are the screenshots that were requested. Thanks for your help. Yes, I will and continue to use the thanks button as well.
wizengamot said:
Here are the screenshots that were requested. Thanks for your help. Yes, I will and continue to use the thanks button as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should flash the stock rom first via ODIN. Coz your baseband don't fit with your bootloader and your PDA either.
PS: You can use MEGA mirror as well :highfive:
I have the stock ROM from SamMobile. I am set to flash the phone. I have everything set but I searched the forum as a final check to make sure I am doing the right things and I found a post that says I need a PIT file. I can find a PIT file for HLTE verizon phones but I do not know if that PIT file works with the image I downloaded from sammobile. Of course I am connecting the dots from the info program I ran where is says on the general tab that the phone is of type hlte.
When I click on PIT in Odin it says this function is for engineers only. As a programmer myself I would put a message like that for a function I don't want people using needlessly but it does give me pause to ask about it. As they say Flash in Haste...Cry at Leisure..
Many thanks to you all. I have installed the stock ROM and it works. I can make phone calls, wifi works, 4g works, and hotspot works.. YAYA... Now, I would do the alliance rom but I can honestly say I am not sure I want to mess with it. I want the phone call recording feature but that is all I want...It would be the only reason to do the alliance rom. And it appears as though that rom is not done the same way as the stock rom as there is no md5 file.
anyhow.. thanks again to all who helped. I have thanked each post as well. If you have some tips based on my above info, I would be very grateful.
There are quite a lot of call recording apps which work well as far as I know, ACR being one of the example.
Only tar or tar.md5 files are flashed in Odin. Any non-stock ROMs are flashed using a custom recovery.
You can flash a custom recovery to your phone using Odin in the PDA/AP box from here: https://twrp.me/Devices/ Just use the latest tar file.
Once you have a custom recovery on the phone, you can create a backup of your existing ROM, then flash a custom ROM.