Risk of rooting and flashing roms - Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

What are the risk of flashing third party roms onto your device. For the iPhone if you have problem jailbreaking or something you can simply put the iPhone into DFU and restore the phone and you can't really brick the phone. If there's a problem with the flashing process is there way to brick the phone?
On a ride note, does anyone know if the rooting process is the same for the Rogers captivate and the At&t captivate are the same

I can only assume that the process/risks are the same as the AT&T versions. As long as you are able to get your phone into "Download Mode", the phone is recoverable. The only risk I would say is 'time'. There is a lot required in the knowledge of flashing ROMs. It is not meant for a beginner, but easy enough that you can learn...O yea, the process of rooting technically voids your warranty. But you can flash to stock and unroot and AT&T probably would have no clue that you did anything like that. Rogers, I can only assume, is the same.

JimmehDean said:
I can only assume that the process/risks are the same as the AT&T versions. As long as you are able to get your phone into "Download Mode", the phone is recoverable. The only risk I would say is 'time'. There is a lot required in the knowledge of flashing ROMs. It is not meant for a beginner, but easy enough that you can learn...O yea, the process of rooting technically voids your warranty. But you can flash to stock and unroot and AT&T probably would have no clue that you did anything like that. Rogers, I can only assume, is the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sound advice. If you do plan in modding any phone, read, read and read some more. Better it takes some time than you wind up with a fancy paperweight.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Related

bricking

I have been wondering if I should attempt to root my phone or not. With the new rumor claiming that Google's newest updates (donut eclair flan ect..) will not be distributed out to the G1 users due to hardware issues. It seems if this rumor turned to be true the only way to get the new said updates will be to root my phone. My worry is that i will end up bricking my phone. Now to the Question.
If by some chance i end up bricking my phone is there any way to unbrick it or would i be SOL because rooting voids warranty?
I advise you to read the ultimate noobs guide up and down http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=550710&highlight=ultimate+noob
After you have read that then goto youtube and watch the 3 part series at this link.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgJ2VtSqtJY&feature=channel_page
If you follow these guides, you shouldn't have any problems.
Thanks for the links. The n00b guide i knew about. I was planning on using that when the time came for me to root my phone. I just wanted to know about bricking just as a fail safe. I have read that once a G1 is bricked there is no going back but i have also read with the new updates there is a way to restore a bricked phone. Just wanted some clarity.
A real brick is just that, a paperweight, no coming back. The real only way to brick at this point is the danger spl needed for a hero rom, other than that any boot loops or jam ups as long as you can get into recovery or the bootloader you can be saved with a little bit of reading, and don't worry we will get the updates just our xda versions of them

update to Gingerbread ?

I have an ATT Captivate which I managed to update from original Android 2.1 to 2.2 firmware, version I897UCJI6.
This was before ATT release their official 2.2 update.
I also managed to unlock the phone.
I have to admit I am totally ignorant of this stuff, and I was lucky enough not to brick my phone during those updates.
I am very unhappy with the battery life of my phone, and I read that the Gingerbread dramatically improves this aspect.
So, shall I upgrade to Gingerbread?
If yes, I am confused with the many sites which offer advice with how to do this, some contradicting with others. (One indicated to reverse back to 2.1 before upgrading to 2.3, other didn't say that, etc etc)
Should this upgrade be successfull, what happens to the lock/unlock status?
Do I need to unlock again?
Which is a trusted site?
Any advice?
Thank you for any help
UnLock stays after flashing.
As for a trusted site.... Ummm you found it. Xda...
Thank you
Will this upgrade really improve battery life?
If not I'll stay with 2.2
I got Max of 18 or so hours on froyo, I can go over 2 days now. Ymmv though.
Thanks again
I assume this would be the thread to follow, right ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1233620
Which indicates the use of this file : I897UCKH3_noboot.tar.md5 (dated 8/24/2011, 305191 KB)
I did find another file somewhere, presumably doing the same thing - that file name is:
I897UCKH3_HOME.tar.md5 (dated 8/19/2011 298421 KB)
I stated before I am kind of ignorant, and easily confused with all those information.
Which one is the right file?
Am I on the right track?
If you going to use KH3 without bootloaders you need to flash This bootloaders first.
Is there a thread for novices, where all those terms are explained, or where the procedures to be followed are explained for somebody who who can follow indicated steps (without really knowing the meaning of all those terms) which could lead to 100% success?
I don't mind reading a little, but I don't have time to become an expert (and I'm sure many readers here are like me, looking for plain simple advice on how to upgrade their phones, without having the skills and knowledge to do it)
Reading those posts here can be sooo confusing...
Somebody recommends you to do this, somebody recommends you to do that, and the poor you have no clue what they're talking about...
Simple if you want Gingerbread you need new bootloaders (except Cyanogenmod and MIUI). Bootloaders are like the BIOS in your computer. If you mess up the bootloaders you can hardbrick your phone.
Got it
Next logical question would be WHY the person who indicated how to upgrade to Gingerbread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1233620) did not tell in his post that you need new bootloaders.
Or at least I do not see that in his post.
Which means that a novice like me can ruin his/her phone very easy..
No bootloader ODIN packages are made for people that already have the GB bootloaders. So you don't get a hard brick.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1232703
I believe this is what you want to use.
mirceani said:
Got it
Next logical question would be WHY the person who indicated how to upgrade to Gingerbread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1233620) did not tell in his post that you need new bootloaders.
Or at least I do not see that in his post.
Which means that a novice like me can ruin his/her phone very easy..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a GB ROM without GB bootloaders won't ruin your phone. May cause a bootloop, but not a hard brick. Cezar is super picky about things being safe. If you had hit the link he had for tips and tricks, it says something about bootloaders.
After reading all related posts, I am still confused - pls help:
I understand that if I follow Cesar's link, I need bootloaders first.
If I follow Przekret's link, I do NOT need bootloadres first (they are included)
So how do I decide which route to follow ? In the end I get the same result, GB 2.3.4 - correct?
I am currently on Froyo, UCJI6, rooted and unlocked.
Do I loose my rooting (I understand that unlocking stays)
Again, which method should I use (Cesar or Przekret) ?
Thank you
If you need bootloaders, don't use Cezars.
As these are stock roms, you will lose root. But if you flash any custom ROM, it should be rooted.
No method is incorrect. I would flash Bootloaders firs because there seems to be less chance to hard brick (I've noticed sometimes ODIN doesn't flash one bootloader after another). Thats my personal experience, but like I said neither of the methods are incorrect, I just never used the one with bootloaders included since I already had them when KH3 came out, so I can't speak for that package myself.
How do I know if I need bootloaders or not?
Unless you bought that phone modded with the GB bootloaders you need them. No real way to know except flashing a GB rom like cezars package. If it works You didn't need them, If it din't work then you soft bricked your phone and you might need a jig to get in to Download mode again.
mrhaley30705 said:
If you need bootloaders, don't use Cezars.
As these are stock roms, you will lose root. But if you flash any custom ROM, it should be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry for my ignorance, what is a "stock rom" and what is a "custom ROM" ?
prbassplayer said:
Unless you bought that phone modded with the GB bootloaders you need them. No real way to know except flashing a GB rom like cezars package. If it works You didn't need them, If it din't work then you soft bricked your phone and you might need a jig to get in to Download mode again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK
since I bought the phone from ATT a year ago, running 2.1, I would assume that I do NOT have them, so I do need them
mirceani said:
sorry for my ignorance, what is a "stock rom" and what is a "custom ROM" ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A stock rom is that package that Cezare and pretzel posted. A custom rom is Fusion V, Pinnacle, Fasty II, among many many other. All those are based on the stock KH3 that cezar and prertzel posted

[Q] What are the implications of flashing <official> ROMs outside your region?

Hello, first off, I'm new to the android OS, especially flashing ROMs. I did however have some prior experience in flashing other mobiles such as the Symbian platform on my previous Nokia phones.
I would like to try the new Firmware XXLA1 as of now Im using an OTA update kernel version of 2.6.35.7-N7000DXKL3[email protected]#2.
Btw, im from the Philippines and I bought this handset on this country.
So going back to my question, what are the repercussions and implications if I flash the LA1 official ROM from Samsung knowing that its a ROM for "Open Europe"?
if your phone is unlocked (No carrier restriction) you can flash any Stock ROM
Yes, i bought it unlocked. Will the app availability in the market change?
Also, since its an official ROM, would it break my warranty?
I Live in Indonesia, yes samsung Indonesia say it will break our warranty but you can flash it back to KL3 whenever you want to claim it..
Bump. I would also like to know of any important differences between stock roms if any. I live in the US and will be getting my Note in the next day or so and think I will root it but keep it stock and just uninstall any bloatware I deem unnecessary.
I recommend using it for a week before you try any (potentially) warranty breaking mods on it. Get used to it. learn how things work. Then when you start modding you will have a far better idea if the mod has broken something or not.
You can generally flash a ROM from any region, as long as you understand the language. You can flash RADIO seperately, and you would choose one that will work well with your local provider. Lastly, you can manually set the APN settings to lock onto your chosen provider.
Be aware that some new devices have a "binary counter" which will sometimes increase when you flash something. Your warranty may be affected. Spend time reading the forums learning about the issues before you flash.
Thanks! Sounds like a plan
leihuwan said:
Hello, first off, I'm new to the android OS, especially flashing ROMs. I did however have some prior experience in flashing other mobiles such as the Symbian platform on my previous Nokia phones.
I would like to try the new Firmware XXLA1 as of now Im using an OTA update kernel version of 2.6.35.7-N7000DXKL3[email protected]#2.
Btw, im from the Philippines and I bought this handset on this country.
So going back to my question, what are the repercussions and implications if I flash the LA1 official ROM from Samsung knowing that its a ROM for "Open Europe"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking at the kernel version you have, it is safe to assume that we possess the same unit, and yes we have the same roots (oy, kapatid!) as well.
I started rooting my unit after a few weeks of getting familiar with it. Don't worry too much, since i was able to successfully flash root my unit and install CWM (clockworkmod), using the zergrush exploit.
Once CWM was installed, the 1st thing i did was a nandroid backup, just to keep a backup on my stock settings.
After that, i tried flashing custom ROMs, and it worked flawlessly, albeit with bugs. Just follow the steps outlined on each ROM thread and you should do fine.
Managed to encounter boot loops, phone not booting up, etc., but nothing too critical that made my unit useless.
As for your question, the obvious implication is that by flashing custom ROMs, you void your warranty. So, unless you have qualms in losing your warranty, then go ahead and flash a custom ROM.

Coming from gs3...help a moto n00b out with root and understanding of terminology plz

So I've always owned samsung phones...fell in love with amoled and never looked back...and i gotta tell you, my short spurt with the one xl with having to flash kernels and rom separably and unlocking bootloaders and what not man! i really miss the simplicity of being able to root with odin and never having to look back...everything just worked as it should (the biggest inconvenience we had was having to flash an older kernel on the sg2 before flashing anything above gb) but here I am, ready and willing to embrace the atrix's sexy design but limited development...but I need some clarification that simple searches and reading through threads dont seem to explain quite as thoroughly as other devices portals.
1.) I understand the concept of a bootloader and how it needs to be unlocked in order to flash ROM's and kernels and write to specific partitions of the phone, I just want to ensure that this device has an unlockable bootloader with the latest firmware that it ships with
2.) even more important than bootloader unlocking is root...i see references to SBF's and qslite or something...is this similar to odin for samsung? do i use an SBF (perhaps the equivalent of an RUU for htc or .tar for samsung??) to flash firmwares onto the device, and will a modded version provide SU?
3.) no roms! thats unacceptable. if i can obtain root and recovery, trust me when i say that even while i cant build from source, ill put SOMETHING together, even if its only rooted/themed stock. but what are the odds of rom from other devices being ported?
4.) cheesecake. wtf.
which one of these threads should i use for the latest firmware on the atrix to root?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1785401
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1940594
which one of these threads should i use for the latest firmware on the atrix to unlock bootloader?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1896526
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1985031
does hash's safetrap work for backups on the ahd? i read that flashing is disabled currently, but id still like to backup
gosh so many questions! hope the trolls dont come out on sundays...........................
hapticxchaos said:
So I've always owned samsung phones...fell in love with amoled and never looked back...and i gotta tell you, my short spurt with the one xl with having to flash kernels and rom separably and unlocking bootloaders and what not man! i really miss the simplicity of being able to root with odin and never having to look back...everything just worked as it should (the biggest inconvenience we had was having to flash an older kernel on the sg2 before flashing anything above gb) but here I am, ready and willing to embrace the atrix's sexy design but limited development...but I need some clarification that simple searches and reading through threads dont seem to explain quite as thoroughly as other devices portals.
1.) I understand the concept of a bootloader and how it needs to be unlocked in order to flash ROM's and kernels and write to specific partitions of the phone, I just want to ensure that this device has an unlockable bootloader with the latest firmware that it ships with
2.) even more important than bootloader unlocking is root...i see references to SBF's and qslite or something...is this similar to odin for samsung? do i use an SBF (perhaps the equivalent of an RUU for htc or .tar for samsung??) to flash firmwares onto the device, and will a modded version provide SU?
3.) no roms! thats unacceptable. if i can obtain root and recovery, trust me when i say that even while i cant build from source, ill put SOMETHING together, even if its only rooted/themed stock. but what are the odds of rom from other devices being ported?
4.) cheesecake. wtf.
which one of these threads should i use for the latest firmware on the atrix to root?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1785401
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1940594
which one of these threads should i use for the latest firmware on the atrix to unlock bootloader?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1896526
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1985031
does hash's safetrap work for backups on the ahd? i read that flashing is disabled currently, but id still like to backup
gosh so many questions! hope the trolls dont come out on sundays...........................
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, your bootloader (if it is from att) is not getting unlocked. That is the best way to put it because AT&T ruins everything. Firmware flashing, there is a utility out now. It's the best way to get back to stock. Razr HD roms should be portable, we wont know for sure until we have something to test. Cheesecake is worthless now so don't even worry about it. Moto blocked us from accessing their servers. It really seems like you aren't going to like this to be completely honest. You are probably more of a nexus 4 or gs3 guy....
SirHoover2010 said:
Okay, your bootloader (if it is from att) is not getting unlocked. That is the best way to put it because AT&T ruins everything. Firmware flashing, there is a utility out now. It's the best way to get back to stock. Razr HD roms should be portable, we wont know for sure until we have something to test. Cheesecake is worthless now so don't even worry about it. Moto blocked us from accessing their servers. It really seems like you aren't going to like this to be completely honest. You are probably more of a nexus 4 or gs3 guy....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sincerely, ill get by with just root so to sum it all up, no bl unlock or proper recovery, but purely just root (which is fine by me ) which i can obtain by using THIS? seems your the one who made that tool kit so your clearly the man to ask i can use your utility to obtain root, and even retain root after the upgrade to the test build of jb?
your so awesome sirhoover
hapticxchaos said:
sincerely, ill get by with just root so to sum it all up, no bl unlock or proper recovery, but purely just root (which is fine by me ) which i can obtain by using THIS? seems your the one who made that tool kit so your clearly the man to ask i can use your utility to obtain root, and even retain root after the upgrade to the test build of jb?
your so awesome sirhoover
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can use that utility to obtain root

[Q] How high is the risk of bricking in rooting I9305

Hi everyone I just got my phone and as the title says, any advises?
If you do everything right - 0%
Of you don't read the instructions - 99%
As Glebun says, read then read again...
Once you understand it read it again then do it...
Use the toolkit. Makes life a lot easier.
Just make sure it's 9305 and not 9300.
Thank you for your answers. It is 9305.
What actually causes your phone to brick? Kernel? or even system files from a custom rom?
define "brick"
Usually flashing a 9300 kernel/rom to a 9305 device. It's quite hard to brick the S3 unless you really **** around and flash the wrong versions despite knowing not to do so.
I guess unplugging your USB or your computer losing power half way through a flash may also brick it. Things like that.
Snowstormzzz said:
Usually flashing a 9300 kernel/rom to a 9305 device. It's quite hard to brick the S3 unless you really **** around and flash the wrong versions despite knowing not to do so.
I guess unplugging your USB or your computer losing power half way through a flash may also brick it. Things like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That means it's safe, thanks alot. Rooting and flashing custom roms now.
The only thing that can brick your phone beyond repair is flashing the wrong bootloader or recovery. All the other things are repairable
Just follow the step and make sure battery is full and cable is original samsung,double check, everything should be ok, not bricking
Thank you, eventually rating roms, which is best for me.
*deleted*

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