Database Develop

First Attempt at Modding my Samsung Captivate…..

I just got my first REAL smartphone, actually it’s still on FedEx truck.
From reading the stickies on this forum, here’s what I gathered so far (and I am starting from scratch – nothing on my phone yet)
1) Root my phone with the ‘OneClick’ tool.
2) Install ROM (I am thinking Cognition, since it’s recommended for beginner).
3) Install Theme (haven’t decide on one yet) – any suggestions?
So, am I missing anything?

You seem to have a good grasp on what you are doing. I do recommend buying/making a Jig to have around just in case.

You're well on your way.
Make sure and read up on bootloaders and the difference between 2.1/2.2 and 2.3 bootloaders as getting this wrong is the main thing that can lead to "big" trouble.
Also take a look at Odin, Odin One Click return to stock and make sure and know the difference between those and the Odin One Click w/3 Button Combo.

thanks guys, i think i have a good idea of what i want to do but i am still struggling to find the details to do the above.
for example, what difference if my phone batch is 1010, or 1012, or older?
do i need to get an microsd card, if so what size/brand?
what sofware do i need to download?
etc, etc. etc.
i will continue to browse through the forums, but if you know of any links please post.
also, what does the jig do? do i need to have one?
thanks

First decide what u want to do, As u stated first root the phone and then u want a custom ROM, So go ahead and try it.
Only thing i will advice start from a froyo rom then to the gingerbread as there would be less chances to brick your phone while flashing the b.loades.
Read the OP properly of the ROM which you want to flash there are many good froyo rom available here. But just be sure what u are doing.

Please for the love of all things unholy, read this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1049294
and if the phone comes with froyo you will need this after rooting before flashing a rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1052991

At the start DEFINITE GUIDE TO BRICKING, LOL.
Its just a joke be sure you read it all.

rkkaranrk said:
First decide what u want to do, As u stated first root the phone and then u want a custom ROM, So go ahead and try it.
Only thing i will advice start from a froyo rom then to the gingerbread as there would be less chances to brick your phone while flashing the b.loades.
Read the OP properly of the ROM which you want to flash there are many good froyo rom available here. But just be sure what u are doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, yes from what i've read it's better to stay away from the gingerbread roms - at least for novice like myself.

My personal favorite were Firefly 3.0 and serendipity 6.4 links below.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=900568
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=914284
Again i will say read the OP carefully before flashing.

I have a few Captivates in the family and IMHO the first thinkg to do before flashing anything is to purchase Root Explorer in the market (for around $4) then back up your EFS folder (in the main directory) and save it to a cd so you ALWAYS have a hard copy of it. These files are specific to your phone and if they get screwed up during flashing, you phone may not be able to be used as a phone anymore. The back up copy will save you.
All of the above stuff is good. I was a noob about 6 months ago but I spent hours upon hours of reading and watching videos about flashing and moding. Good luck!

rkkaranrk said:
My personal favorite were Firefly 3.0 and serendipity 6.4 links below.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=900568
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=914284
Again i will say read the OP carefully before flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, but what do you mean "read the OP carefully"

jack man said:
I have a few Captivates in the family and IMHO the first thinkg to do before flashing anything is to purchase Root Explorer in the market (for around $4) then back up your EFS folder (in the main directory) and save it to a cd so you ALWAYS have a hard copy of it. These files are specific to your phone and if they get screwed up during flashing, you phone may not be able to be used as a phone anymore. The back up copy will save you.
All of the above stuff is good. I was a noob about 6 months ago but I spent hours upon hours of reading and watching videos about flashing and moding. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great, these are what i love to hear.
things to do, or not to do, before modding/flashing.

smokarz said:
thanks, but what do you mean "read the OP carefully"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the OP is the original post or poster, like your first question is the op, and you are also the op of the thread. in that context he meant the original post, because that will have most of the information about the rom...but i would expand on that to read the op and the a couple of pages in, and also if its a large thread with alot of posts read atleast the LAST 5 or 6 pages also.
anymore terms you are unfamiliar with read the op of this thread carefully: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1093062

thanks for clarying.
just got my phone in the mail.
i looked at the batch number under the battery slot and it shows 1106.
does this mean i have version 2.1 or 2.2? what would be the appropriate app/tool for rooting?
thanks

The batch had nothing to do with the firmware....that just means your phone was built in june of 2011. But since it's a new phone it more than likely has 2.2 confirm this in settings>about phone> firmware version.
Use super one click to root.
BUT FIRST PLEASE READ SOME MORE.
All of the information you are looking is already on here at the very least twice probably WAY more.

it is indeed version 2.2

so i read the first page of this thread and also watched the youtube clip. it looks straight enough to root. but i got a question. should i run the universal root or the captivate root?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682&page=442

smokarz said:
so i read the first page of this thread and also watched the youtube clip. it looks straight enough to root. but i got a question. should i run the universal root or the captivate root?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682&page=442
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would use SuperOneClick to root 2.2, however, the only version that was successful for me was version 1.6.5. The newer versions gave me errors or said FAILED when trying to root. For me, it has always worked with 1.6.5

thanks, but i only see v1.7 and v1.95. where can i get v1.65?
also, i do not need the samsung driver for rooting right? only for flashing?

smokarz said:
thanks, but i only see v1.7 and v1.95. where can i get v1.65?
also, i do not need the samsung driver for rooting right? only for flashing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should have the driver installed on your computer for anything you do with the phone. Make sure after you install drivers to plug in your phone to the computer in all the different modes it has - in debugging mode, not in debug mode, in download mode, and connecting as an external drive. The computer will install all the drivers when you do this.
I will try to attach v1.6.5 of Super One CLick. I hope it's ok with the moderators here that I am posting the software. Just unzip the folder and double click the android icon in that folder.

[ASK]Answers to all your questions...!

Hey guys i am starting this thread here as i find there are so many people asking questions and bricking their phones.I just want to help out people and save them from bricking their phones..
i have tried all Froyo based roms available for the captivate.i have good experience in rooting,clockworkmod and flashing roms.I would like to help out all new members here as much possible because just 2 months back i had trouble finding out things...
So what are you guys waiting for ask away....!
P.S:also i kindly request the other senior members and developers here to correct me if i am wrong anywhere and ya i dont want any donations....

Hey, I'm working on something with a similar spirit as this.
A work in progress: self help brick recovery guide
If you would want help out with this. I believe that it could help the q&a and other section of the captivate thread a lot by reducing the number of brick threads

If either of you have experience with web coding, perhaps it would be worthwhile to make up a page that has an interactive checklist of brick steps. Sort of a step-by-step troubleshooter.
For example, the first page could just be the question about whether the phone shows any signs of life at all or not, then have a page with selectable items about the Rom/kernel/modem setup, then move into more specific items.
See the attached zip for what I'm talking about.

speedy_11 said:
Hey, I'm working on something with a similar spirit as this.
A work in progress: self help brick recovery guide
If you would want help out with this. I believe that it could help the q&a and other section of the captivate thread a lot by reducing the number of brick threads
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same spirit here mate i am with you lets do it....!
But i will be focussing on problems of members other than bricking and also i believe prevention would be better than cure....!
jmtheiss said:
If either of you have experience with web coding, perhaps it would be worthwhile to make up a page that has an interactive checklist of brick steps. Sort of a step-by-step troubleshooter.
For example, the first page could just be the question about whether the phone shows any signs of life at all or not, then have a page with selectable items about the Rom/kernel/modem setup, then move into more specific items.
See the attached zip for what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw the zip and got what you are saying i liked it. I have a decent hold over html & java so i must be able to create that....!
But i will need space to host it....!

Perhaps in lieu of hosting space, save it as an all-in-one zip file and post it on here. You wouldn't need a large amount additional space (I assume) as there probably wouldn't be a huge need for images. If that's the case, it would be all text, which should be fairly small.

jmtheiss said:
Perhaps in lieu of hosting space, save it as an all-in-one zip file and post it on here. You wouldn't need a large amount additional space (I assume) as there probably wouldn't be a huge need for images. If that's the case, it would be all text, which should be fairly small.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true it wont be a big zip file......!
I will create it and post it here

Wow jmtheiss you took my idea to the next level, i never though of making it interactive. But that my be the key that really will make it work.
sorry adicool I'm no good with HTML or coding i will have to leave that to you. But I have a knack for graphic design. Plus I can find and collect the images that could be use as examples (ex. like a soft brick screen)

speedy_11 said:
Wow jmtheiss you took my idea to the next level, i never though of making it interactive. But that my be the key that really will make it work.
sorry adicool I'm no good with HTML or coding i will have to leave that to you. But I have a knack for graphic design. Plus I can find and collect the images that could be use as examples (ex. like a soft brick screen)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just created a test version to see if i still remember html just have a look at this attachment below....!
open the test.html first i have just created a working link for rooting others i will be doing soon,tell me what you think of it....!

adicool said:
i just created a test version to see if i still remember html just have a look at this attachment below....!
open the test.html first i have just created a working link for rooting others i will be doing soon,tell me what you think of it....!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks good to me. Clean, simple, easy to follow.

A good starting point, if you need any help feel free to ask.
Thought here: The one package is good. I'm also thing that we can have each section posted package as a separate package too (along with the whole package). So those who only need one thing like rooting the can just download that section

Hi! I'm new to the forums and need some help. I have stock I897UCKB1, sucessfully rooted and unlocked it. I would like to try out some ROMs, CM7 first. How should i start? I assume i have Eclair/Froyo bootloaders, right? I've installed ROM Manager Premium, clicked flash clockworkmod, and to reboot to recovery but it's only stock recovery. How should i proceed? Also i need some enlightment on bootloaders: if i flash the newest GB ATT bootloaders will every ROM work with it? Thanks in advance!

Go to the general section, there is a thread called "sticky roll-up" in there is a link to a thread called "e: signature verification failed" that is the work around you need for cwm (or any zip) to flash
Or you can flash a froyo kernel that has cwm baked in with odin like speedmod...
I wouldn't mess with bootloaders st this point in your flashing experience that its the only time you risk a real hard brick do leave those alone until you know for sure what you're doing.

I totally forgot about muse, so here's my on take of the guide.

bazarimajom said:
Hi! I'm new to the forums and need some help. I have stock I897UCKB1, sucessfully rooted and unlocked it. I would like to try out some ROMs, CM7 first. How should i start? I assume i have Eclair/Froyo bootloaders, right? I've installed ROM Manager Premium, clicked flash clockworkmod, and to reboot to recovery but it's only stock recovery. How should i proceed? Also i need some enlightment on bootloaders: if i flash the newest GB ATT bootloaders will every ROM work with it? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would advice you to first try flashing a few froyo based roms just to gain experience in flashing after that you can move over to GB
as told by my friends here there is a thread here that fixes that cwm problem .!
If you still need help or cant find it do post here and i would be more than happy to help...!whatever you do just dont mess with bootloaders atm as they can cause your device to be bricked...
I would say start off first by flashing cognition 4.5.3....!

speedy_11 said:
A good starting point, if you need any help feel free to ask.
Thought here: The one package is good. I'm also thing that we can have each section posted package as a separate package too (along with the whole package). So those who only need one thing like rooting the can just download that section
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm well that can be done !
i have college today i will get started with the html again once i come back....
lets finish this thing soon!
Edit:just finsihed the package for 2.2 only,have a look at the attachment,also its not complete yet but it had basic things...!

studacris said:
Go to the general section, there is a thread called "sticky roll-up" in there is a link to a thread called "e: signature verification failed" that is the work around you need for cwm (or any zip) to flash
Or you can flash a froyo kernel that has cwm baked in with odin like speedmod...
I wouldn't mess with bootloaders st this point in your flashing experience that its the only time you risk a real hard brick do leave those alone until you know for sure what you're doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adicool said:
I would advice you to first try flashing a few froyo based roms just to gain experience in flashing after that you can move over to GB
as told by my friends here there is a thread here that fixes that cwm problem .!
If you still need help or cant find it do post here and i would be more than happy to help...!whatever you do just dont mess with bootloaders atm as they can cause your device to be bricked...
I would say start off first by flashing cognition 4.5.3....!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, i was able to get CWM to work with speedmod kernel, so i take your advice now and try out some froyo roms!

bazarimajom said:
Thanks, i was able to get CWM to work with speedmod kernel, so i take your advice now and try out some froyo roms!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool.....!
dont forget to follow the instructions before flashing...

adicool said:
Edit:just finsihed the package for 2.2 only,have a look at the attachment,also its not complete yet but it had basic things...!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The information looks good, i saw that on the flash back to stock you didn't put hemdiall. Since linux and mac users cant use odin
Did you take a peak at my attempt with muse?

speedy_11 said:
The information looks good, i saw that on the flash back to stock you didn't put hemdiall. Since linux and mac users cant use odin
Did you take a peak at my attempt with muse?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oops i forgot that, i dont use mac so i missed it lol....!
yeah i saw your attempt it was decent enough mate,if you want to try more software try adobe dreamweaver it will help you develop web pages without html

dreamweaver would be great but my current computer wouldn't be able to handle it and i dont have the money for it. muse is free until the final product is done that why im using it.
i pm'ed you but i dont know if it sent

Dont hate me... noob rom help

I have a verizon wireless droid 3..
I think the verizon part matters right? lol anyways, i just rooted m phone tonight and ive downloaded root explorer, root uninstaller, rom manager, and ti backup. id really like to "flash"(is that proper?) a new rom onto my phone. I understand one of the major options is steeldroid. /what else do i need to download to my pohne to get this rom? Im a complete noob when it comes to android. Period. I came from the sheltered world of blackberries.
I read a thread on another site which was a walkthrough and gave links, but the bootstrap link asks me question i dont have answers to. Help? :/ i download stuff to my computer?

a lot of explanations and links are in the 1st post from this link
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1278056
under "Flashing instructions:"

Just get a bootloader so you can get Clockwork installed and you can install the ROM from there. Just read up about it.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App

bootloader? Is our bootloader unlocked?? we have a hijack bootstrap and 2nd-init but yes I would suggest grabbing hashcodes modified version of koush's clockworkmod and installing flashing from there.

how do i openn the .rar file that rsdlite is in?
Do i have to do the beginning steps if my phone is already rooted?

I know u just wanna flash it, but u should def do some reading. Using rsd u can really mess ur phone up! Make sure ur settings/about/system are 5.6.890 and install clockwork first. Then boot into clockwork and u can flash. Only use rsd if ur bricked and its last resort!
Edit: after re-reading, I highly suggest u read the original posts in the rom u want to flash. Make sure its in the droid 3 forum. No offense, but if ur unfamiliar with rar and zip, this may b a little too much
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App

MrJudylicious said:
I know u just wanna flash it, but u should def do some reading. Using rsd u can really mess ur phone up! Make sure ur settings/about/system are 5.6.890 and install clockwork first. Then boot into clockwork and u can flash. Only use rsd if ur bricked and its last resort!
Edit: after re-reading, I highly suggest u read the original posts in the rom u want to flash. Make sure its in the droid 3 forum. No offense, but if ur unfamiliar with rar and zip, this may b a little too much
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree w/ ya......with some roms they suggest using safestrap instead of just koushs modded bootstrap which may/may-not be the same as safestrap and if you use the wrong thing, you may chance bootlooping your phone or worse, so yeah......if he gave specific instructions, your best bet is to follow those for simplicity so that if you have issues you can just confirm using all the steps he listed unless you're an advanced modder and you know what you're doing
and to extract rar files, http://www.rarlab.com is the app you need

thanks for the help guys seriously.
i AM on 5.6.890, and im very familiar with .zip files just not .rar. didnt realize you had to use an outside program to open .rar
isnt clockworkmod the rom manager i downloaded?
i guess im looking for a "How to for dummies" of sorts. i know that i will be able to do this, i just want to do it right. Id hate to brick a phone I just got.

Clockwork is different from rom manager. I think steel droid just released a version u can use with safestrap, but read up on the safestrap and SD threads first! I jacked around with safestrap and bootlooped and rsd'd and bootlooped and now im back. Once u install clockwork mod, create a backup! Then, put the rom on ur sd card and select install zip from sd card. Don't use rsd unless ur really really messed up
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App

Okay so I download clockwork and safestrap(install to phone or computer? Links?) And after I do that create a backup, install the new ROM on my sd and open clockwork. And select install from sd...?
Droooooiiid.. the sound forever in our hearts and nightmares <3

Alright, call me mean, but if u can't figure out these next instructions, I can't help u. What's going to happen is ull screw up and then fret because u don't know how to rsd. Its very easy to bootloop!
search the forum for hashcodes tweaked bootstrapper (which is clockwork). I would stay away from the safestrap if I were u. U download this to ur phone, and install it like an .exe. once installed, hit bootstrap recovery, then when u hit reboot recovery, it will reboot into clockwork. Once in clockwork select backup and it will make a nandroid (exact copy). After that u can choose to install the roms zip from sd card. Once its finished, I highly suggest u use the wipe data/cache in clockwork. That will reset all ur data and become a new-out-of-box phone. If u bootloop, then u use rsd.
Be aware that u can brick ur phone. I've saw a few with low batteries get stuck! We all try to help here, but I think the best for u is to read instead of doing. We will try to help if u bootloop, but sometimes there is no fixing.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App

MrJudylicious said:
Alright, call me mean, but if u can't figure out these next instructions, I can't help u. What's going to happen is ull screw up and then fret because u don't know how to rsd. Its very easy to bootloop!
search the forum for hashcodes tweaked bootstrapper (which is clockwork). I would stay away from the safestrap if I were u. U download this to ur phone, and install it like an .exe. once installed, hit bootstrap recovery, then when u hit reboot recovery, it will reboot into clockwork. Once in clockwork select backup and it will make a nandroid (exact copy). After that u can choose to install the roms zip from sd card. Once its finished, I highly suggest u use the wipe data/cache in clockwork. That will reset all ur data and become a new-out-of-box phone. If u bootloop, then u use rsd.
Be aware that u can brick ur phone. I've saw a few with low batteries get stuck! We all try to help here, but I think the best for u is to read instead of doing. We will try to help if u bootloop, but sometimes there is no fixing.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, safestrap isn't compatable w/ all roms at the moment, and like mrjudy said, low battery can affect rom flashing...suggested is >75% battery life

To add to MrJudylicious post...
I came from a blackberry too, before I got my first Android 2 years ago.
Here's what you should do. First, Familiarize yourself with the Android ecosystem. Flashing ROMs on a brand new phone is tempting, but at the same time, you have no mental reference of how Android was before you flashed that ROM, so it's hard for you to compare and see what's best for you, and what's not. What new feature you was added, what has been improved over your last ROM, etc...
I used Android for 6 months before rooting for the first time, just to give myself some time to learn what's nice about it, and also what I would like for it to achieve, that it can't do without root.
I flashed my first ROM 1 year after that, and this was a great time. Why ? Because I saw how cool things became, I was able to compare the ROM with my "stock android" experience.
I read all your posts in this thread, and you make me feel like you might not be ready to jump in feet first in this. All the ROMS for the Droid3 are in very early stage of development and, if I would be you, would wait for them to become more stable and reliable. I'm not saying that they should not be used at all, just saying that it might not be the best idea for you yo do this RIGHT NOW.
Please do yourself a favor, and keep your phone as it is right now. Root is OK, but be careful.

SX86 said:
To add to MrJudylicious post...
I came from a blackberry too, before I got my first Android 2 years ago.
Here's what you should do. First, Familiarize yourself with the Android ecosystem. Flashing ROMs on a brand new phone is tempting, but at the same time, you have no mental reference of how Android was before you flashed that ROM, so it's hard for you to compare and see what's best for you, and what's not. What new feature you was added, what has been improved over your last ROM, etc...
I used Android for 6 months before rooting for the first time, just to give myself some time to learn what's nice about it, and also what I would like for it to achieve, that it can't do without root.
I flashed my first ROM 1 year after that, and this was a great time. Why ? Because I saw how cool things became, I was able to compare the ROM with my "stock android" experience.
I read all your posts in this thread, and you make me feel like you might not be ready to jump in feet first in this. All the ROMS for the Droid3 are in very early stage of development and, if I would be you, would wait for them to become more stable and reliable. I'm not saying that they should not be used at all, just saying that it might not be the best idea for you yo do this RIGHT NOW.
Please do yourself a favor, and keep your phone as it is right now. Root is OK, but be careful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
perfection if i've ever seen it i was in a similar situation, i had a rooted phone and there were next to no roms for the first android phone i got, so when i got my incredible 2 the first thing i did was root it since it was essentially the same exact FW and layout, and i've been mod-happy ever since lol

thanks guys, you've been a massive help forreal. Maybe an idea for you guys to make the learning process better for n00bs such as myself, is to make a thread and discuss some of the terms, acronyms, file names exes apks bak and such. And sticky that thread so when you do your best to try and help someone they can better understand you guys.
Just an idea though. I think ill just wait to flash ROMs and whatnot.
Droooooiiid.. the sound forever in our hearts and nightmares <3

Sorry I used the wrong term. I meant bootstrap not bootloader.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App

[Q] How to update my phone's firmware?

Hi there guys. As you probably noticed,i'm new here,so pardon me if my question sounds noobish at the time,but I promise I'll learn from you guys! Thanks!
So,the question's simple. How do I update my phone's firmware? Don't wanna brick or possibly damage my phone here,as I just bought a couple of days ago. So,is there any risk to update the phone's firmware? Thanks bros!

Have you use search features before asking this question?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1111771

Yeah,saw that already,but it seems to convoluted for me. I need a one-to-one kinda reply. Honestly,I didn't understand anything that was written on that page. So,could please someone clarify it in a more simple,noobish,way?
Thanks bro!

pdf guides are included in the kit. just follow them

either you can use KDZ or R&D for the official
or flash any custom ROM with CWM
(the tutor is already out there)
and the risk ? bootloop or brick maybe

Thanks bros! And another thing,what are custom ROMs? I keep hearing about it like Cyanogen? What's the upside for using it?

Laier94 said:
Thanks bros! And another thing,what are custom ROMs? I keep hearing about it like Cyanogen? What's the upside for using it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom roms in simple terms are unofficial versions of the o/s modified or "cooked" by people who want to add or remove certain features or performance tweaks. The upside is you can find a ROM that suits your usage and aesthetic preferences. For more info read through some ROM threads and compare their features.
However there is always a chance something could go wrong even if you know what you are doing. So my advice would be to read and re read the instructions from rooting to flashing radios to flashing roms and look up the termanology until you think you understand and then read it all again. There are some good guides around that can givevyou the basics.
Otherwise you can wait until your carrier releases a official update.
Sent from my HTC EVO 3D X515m using xda premium

Thanks for clarifying bros!
And another thing,I just saw this vid at Youtube.
It's called "How To Install CyanogenMod 7 On Your Android Device"
I can't post the link here because im still new,haha!
Is it really that easy to install Cyanogenmod on your phone? But your phone have to be rooted first,right?
I saw the list with the firmware from various countries,but not mine,Malaysia. How do I solve this? I'm still suck with V10-a,which i think is the oldest firmware for OB.
Also,what are these baseband,kernel and build number thingies? Anything important? Thanks! Really starting to get interested in these things!

I think the following is related to malayians so you have to use an indonesian firmware :
http://csmg.lgmobile.com:9002/csmg/b2c/client/tool_mode_country_check.jsp?model=LGP970&country=MY
- you can flash firmwares anytime whatever the situation
- to flash a ROM (cyanogen, nova...) you need the custom recovery mod called ClockworkMod alias CWM (available on the market via ROM Manager app, or my kit)
- and for CWM, root access is needed
once phone is rooted and CWM installed, phone potential is extended to the infinite. you can then install a lot of useful apps of more and customize your phone.
I think the general goal of all of that, is to optimize and extend possibilities as far as possible and then you'll be able to say that you "truly own" your phone

Thanks for clearing that up bro. BTW,would you recommend me using Gingerbreak to root my phone? Since i'm using an older firmware,it should be ok,right?

no problem, blackjack should do it too. do as your feeling

Ilko said:
no problem, blackjack should do it too. do as your feeling
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bro! Anyway,anything else I should know and do before I root my phone? Like should I do a factory reset,battery level 100% or something?

2 steps : root, flash recovery.
know that you'll have to use an app to boot into recovery (ROM manager, anreboot, ezboot...) take a look at my thread for more infos

Ilko said:
2 steps : root, flash recovery.
know that you'll have to use an app to boot into recovery (ROM manager, anreboot, ezboot...) take a look at my thread for more infos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Cool bro,thanks! And sorry for the stupid question,but what are KDZs?

firmware files are in .kdz format

Ilko said:
firmware files are in .kdz format
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouh,wow,did that felt stupid,haha. So what you're saying is,after rooting my phone,I should get to installing ClockWorkMod Recovery,am I right? And the only way to install it is using the computer,connect it with the phone,and execute the UPK that you have provided in your download link. After that,I use the app,EzBoot,to boot into recovery mode,is this correct?
After that,what will I do in the recovery mode? Thankies again!

all right. as I said earlier, the recovery mode extends phone potential in an easy way. many ROMs and mods must be did via recovery. in fact, CWM helps you flashing files, roms, doing backups/restorations and more. jump the step and see by yourself.
don't forget to backup before anything

Ilko said:
all right. as I said earlier, the recovery mode extends phone potential in an easy way. many ROMs and mods must be did via recovery. in fact, CWM helps you flashing files, roms, doing backups/restorations and more. jump the step and see by yourself.
don't forget to backup before anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By backing up,you mean backing up contacts and internal memory stuffs,right?
All right! Will root my phone as soon as my charge hits 100%! Using gingerbreak! Is the root reverse-able? I mean,can I unroot my phone once I root it?

you don't need 100% battery as long phone is plugged. for now, blackjack doesn't have a reverse process. but gingerbreak, yes, considering the fact you stay on v10a/b. you may try with the new superoneclick. the most radical method is still flashing a firmware (so you'll lose all stuffs)
and yes, backup any saveable thing. although CWM saves all datas, more safety is more safe

Ilko said:
you don't need 100% battery as long phone is plugged. for now, blackjack doesn't have a reverse process. but gingerbreak, yes, considering the fact you stay on v10a/b. you may try with the new superoneclick. the most radical method is still flashing a firmware (so you'll lose all stuffs)
and yes, backup any saveable thing. although CWM saves all datas, more safety is more safe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry bro,can't quite understand you here. Flashing firmware? For what? I'm just gonna root my phone right? No need to flash,right?

[Q] JB advice

Hello everyone, im a noob on here and have a stock gingerbread (JW4) but rooted gt-i9000. im past my 24 months and can upgrade my phone at anytime but i love my sgs but am a bit annoyed that sammy are no longer creating firmware updates for it. so i decided to root it with the intention of finding a way of missing ICS and going straight to jellybean.
it seems the only way to go is by installing custom roms, but as im not particularly technical and not understanding the mechanics that well i dont want to / i am scared of messing with the phone without really knowing what im doing. ive heard of kernels but dont know what they are or what they do. ive dabbled with rooting but that is as far as ive got and im not convinced im not gonna break the phone if i go any further!
I got so far (thanks to a senior member on here in other threads) but have stopped for fear of not knowing what im doing and getting something wrong, so im hoping someone out there who's been in my position will be nice enough to help me further.
so basicly im asking for some help to find and install a version of JB that is near enough to what samsung would of supplied. ive seen it on a mates s3 and i like it thats why i want it on my phone, rather than buying the s3 (big brick of a phone)
Thanking anyone who helps in advance.
G.

first of all you shouldn't be afraid to mess your phone. it's really hard do brick it (believe me, i've semi-bricked my phone some times and it's running great now ). besides that, if you follow the tutorials exactly like as it's written you shouldn't get in trouble
second, do you have CWM recovery installed?

Sacob said:
first of all you shouldn't be afraid to mess your phone. it's really hard do brick it (believe me, i've semi-bricked my phone some times and it's running great now ). besides that, if you follow the tutorials exactly like as it's written you shouldn't get in trouble
second, do you have CWM recovery installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thanks for your reply! Yes ClockWorkMod root/recovery is where ive got to. The reason i finding this all so daunting is that is no 1 tutrial to follow, everyone seems to have a different way of doing it, either by experimentation or luck, and its just a bit confusing to a complete novice like me. I did try to find a How To section on here but it wasnt easy trying to trawl the 1000s of threads!

geoffjac10 said:
Hi and thanks for your reply! Yes ClockWorkMod root/recovery is where ive got to. The reason i finding this all so daunting is that is no 1 tutrial to follow, everyone seems to have a different way of doing it, either by experimentation or luck, and its just a bit confusing to a complete novice like me. I did try to find a How To section on here but it wasnt easy trying to trawl the 1000s of threads!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was exactly the same at first but now I am on jellybean 4.2 the scariest thing as far as upgrading to jellybean is the error u get wen upgrading cwm wen u first flash the upgrade but just hold the 3 button combo for about 10 seconds an u should be back into recovery it may take a few Trys it did with me then reflash it twice to be sure any problems after that will have answers on their threads so as long as you follow the installation instructions you will be OK
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium HD app

the basic procedure to flash a new rom is this:
Put the file in your internal sdcard
Do a Nandroid Backup!
WIPE (wipe data/factory reset + wipe cache partition + wipe dalvik) i also like to go to mount and storage and wipe /data, /datadata, /system, /cache.
flash zip from sdcard
reboot
if you are going to upgrade from froyo/GB to JB i recommend you to flash any ICS rom first (once i have a problem with upgrading from stock GB to MIUI JB

331 saeorge
Thanks everyone for your input.
I took the plunge and braved it and followed a tutorial "for dummies" and a youtube flick that someone had reference to the same tutorial, and decided on CM10 with GAPPS flash, and i now have JB 4.1.2. However i didnt either
1. do ICS first, or
2. do a Nandriod backup
!!!!!!!!
Got me worried now, I wonder if i should of done the ICS first - whats the benefit of this?
Nandriod Backup - what is this?
everything seems to be working fine, but i do have a couple of issues a) no 4x3 keyboard which i use for texting b) poor battery life.
im going to scour this forum for some answers, but if you have any immediate answers that would be very helpful.
Cheers
Geoff.

Thanks everyone for your input.
I took the plunge and braved it and followed a tutorial "for dummies" and a youtube flick that someone had reference to the same tutorial, and decided on CM10 with GAPPS flash, and i now have JB 4.1.2. However i didnt either
1. do ICS first, or
2. do a Nandriod backup
!!!!!!!!
Got me worried now, I wonder if i should of done the ICS first - whats the benefit of this?
Nandriod Backup - what is this?
everything seems to be working fine, but i do have a couple of issues a) no 4x3 keyboard which i use for texting b) poor battery life.
im going to scour this forum for some answers, but if you have any immediate answers that would be very helpful.
Cheers
Geoff.

nand backup is just like saving the stage of your phone before you start to flash it so you can go back if you need to. if you have problem you can always flash a stock rom via odin but you will lose your data.
about the keyboard i don't know if you can have it with ics/jb but try swiftkey x. way better

Sacob said:
nand backup is just like saving the stage of your phone before you start to flash it so you can go back if you need to. if you have problem you can always flash a stock rom via odin but you will lose your data.
about the keyboard i don't know if you can have it with ics/jb but try swiftkey x. way better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok so no immediate panic about Nand backup then, however i prefer to write using XT9 or T9 setup (old skool) ill check out swiftkey see if allows it.
Cheers

geoffjac10 said:
Oh ok so no immediate panic about Nand backup then, however i prefer to write using XT9 or T9 setup (old skool) ill check out swiftkey see if allows it.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should make an nand backup now! it's always a good idea to have one

Surprised you never lost your imei jumping from GB to JB missing ICS.
I've jumped like that before, but lost my imei and had no service, I only had to reinstate my efs folder, but it's done that 2 out of 2 times that I've done it. Maybe you were just lucky or something..
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

knuckles1978 said:
Surprised you never lost your imei jumping from GB to JB missing ICS.
I've jumped like that before, but lost my imei and had no service, I only had to reinstate my efs folder, but it's done that 2 out of 2 times that I've done it. Maybe you were just lucky or something..
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that happened to my once too! my solution was to flash stock GB with odin

Originally Posted by knuckles1978
Surprised you never lost your imei jumping from GB to JB missing ICS.
I've jumped like that before, but lost my imei and had no service, I only had to reinstate my efs folder, but it's done that 2 out of 2 times that I've done it. Maybe you were just lucky or something..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sacob said:
that happened to my once too! my solution was to flash stock GB with odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh really??? just checked an my IMEI number is still there and i still have service! Why would jumping do that? More to the point, should i back it up just in case and if so how should i back it up? what if i back it up now on JB, and it misses it when i go back to GB??
....got me worried bout that now!!

geoffjac10 said:
Oh really??? just checked an my IMEI number is still there and i still have service! Why would jumping do that? More to the point, should i back it up just in case and if so how should i back it up? what if i back it up now on JB, and it misses it when i go back to GB??
....got me worried bout that now!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its usually only jumping from GB to JB that does it. Just use a root file browser, i personally recommend solid explorer btw, go to root, find the folder called /efs and copy and paste it onto your external sd for safe keeping. Its no big problem if you do lose your imei then, just copy and paste it back and overwrite.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

knuckles1978 said:
Its usually only jumping from GB to JB that does it. Just use a root file browser, i personally recommend solid explorer btw, go to root, find the folder called /efs and copy and paste it onto your external sd for safe keeping. Its no big problem if you do lose your imei then, just copy and paste it back and overwrite.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok done, thanks for the tip fella :good: