Database Develop

[Q] Froyo to Froyo update [NOOB]

Hi,
Complete noob here!!
So I had rooted 2.1 stock and update to Froyo leak first one it came out I believe (System Version 2.3.9.MB810), and lost root.
I would like to upgrade to the new 2.3.13 Froyo, but I'm not sure if I could just follow the instructions on the threads because they are about going from 2.1 rooted to new Froyo.
Is there a difference in the installation? Can I recover root? Do I loose everything I have? I have Titanium root but since I lost root it hasn't been backing up I believe
I been looking at both of these threads lately, sound like the instructions might work (again complete noob , so not sure)
thread: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=764304
thread: androidforums.com/droid-x-all-things-root/174152-brand-new-froyo-2-3-13-a.html
Thanks for your help in advance.
Update
I used the instructions on the thread on here and ran into an error when running the update zip
Says Error: Status 2
What can I do?

Neither will work without root... follow D2 root instructions.

So follow the instructions on this thread
forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7838000&postcount=1
And then just follow the instructions as they are on the new froyo threads
Thanks!!!

Yes, that should work. Wait for someone else to confirm this though, unless you are adventurous.
rage-against-the-cage is a 2.2 exploit, the way I understand. It isn't specific to the D2, but as I said, wait on someone to confirm. I don't know a whole lot about this. More of a lurker than a do-er.

I saw it a while ago and thought about doing it, I was waiting for another 1-click-root type of thing, so I couldn't mess up. I'll wait and see if someone confirms it then.

I used this method to regain root after the 2.3.13 update and it worked. If you know how to use adb its pretty easy.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

citanes-26 said:
I used this method to regain root after the 2.3.13 update and it worked. If you know how to use adb its pretty easy.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I don't really. But I ran into a problem my computer wont recognize my phone in pc mode. I installed and uninstall the drivers and nothing. So I can't do anything!!
Any ideas?

Try and find a guide somewhere? I know there are guides to setting up the sdk.

None of my computers (Mac/Windows 7) would recognize my Droid on PC mode. What can I do??
Thanks

Venc said:
None of my computers (Mac/Windows 7) would recognize my Droid on PC mode. What can I do??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try turning usb debugging off (System settings > Applications > Development).
And then connect in PC mode again and see if the phone installs itself.

Try the other modes, mine work in mass storage.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

meshdub said:
Try turning usb debugging off (System settings > Applications > Development).
And then connect in PC mode again and see if the phone installs itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! Thank you! X1000
I was in the last step to go back to 2.1 when I saw your reply
EDIT FINAL:
Finally done. It appears to be rooted. Barnacle is working again, so should be rooted
Thank you guys a million for the help had to do it using mass storage mode!

Ok I followed the intructions from where it says update to 2.2 in this thread
/forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=758907
but when I click on the update zip it aborts because of error in sdcard/update.zip status 2
Any ideas?

Venc said:
Thank you! Thank you! X1000
I was in the last step to go back to 2.1 when I saw your reply
EDIT FINAL:
Finally done. It appears to be rooted. Barnacle is working again, so should be rooted
Thank you guys a million for the help had to do it using mass storage mode!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad that helped!

[Q] Going back to stock 2.1 from 2.2 without ODIN

Hey guys,
I had posted another thread regarding how my Captivate was only charging via the USB and not allowing any sort of data connection. There has been no change, and Im looking to at least take it back to stock to take to get fixed or to wait for OTA updates.
Is there any way to replace system files from within the phone to bring it back to the stock JF6? Can I use ODIN over bluetooth or wifi? My guess is no. Any other ideas anyone has?
Thanks!

cmr0385 said:
Hey guys,
I had posted another thread regarding how my Captivate was only charging via the USB and not allowing any sort of data connection. There has been no change, and Im looking to at least take it back to stock to take to get fixed or to wait for OTA updates.
Is there any way to replace system files from within the phone to bring it back to the stock JF6? Can I use ODIN over bluetooth or wifi? My guess is no. Any other ideas anyone has?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the usb doesn't work?? that's not good. but i think you may be in luck
http://ip208-100-42-21.static.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=790080
^if you are rooted with rom manager ( this is unsighned ) this is the ota jf7. that is as close to stock as we can get. i dont think jf6 has been made into a .zip.
if you are not rooted you can cognition 2.2 beta 5.5 and up. there is a kernel with the proper 2e recovery version but it needs odin to install. this kernel is in cognition beta 5.5-7
edit: 2nd link removed because it would be useless to the op.

if youre not already on cog beta 5.5-7 you might be SOL. now that i think about it you need 2e recovery for root, you need it to flash a signed rom, you need it to run clockwork mod recovery, you need it for evrything that will flash your phone without usb really.
forgive the stupid question but have you verified that it is the phone that has a broken usb? does the computer see anything? did you try odin? can you get download mode? did you try adb? different drivers? different cable? different computers?
you may need to send it for repair and pay the bill yourself. or if you have insurance report it stolen or run it over with your car. break the screen, something...

Dani897 said:
if youre not already on cog beta 5.5-7 you might be SOL. now that i think about it you need 2e recovery for root, you need it to flash a signed rom, you need it to run clockwork mod recovery, you need it for evrything that will flash your phone without usb really.
forgive the stupid question but have you verified that it is the phone that has a broken usb? does the computer see anything? did you try odin? can you get download mode? did you try adb? different drivers? different cable? different computers?
you may need to send it for repair and pay the bill yourself. or if you have insurance report it stolen or run it over with your car. break the screen, something...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beta 6 and 7 versiosn have the 2e recovery baked in, the kernel has 2e support with that ROM.
Sorry about your USB not being recognized. Have you tried to install the drivers? What were you doing with your phone when this happened?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

cmr0385 said:
Hey guys,
I had posted another thread regarding how my Captivate was only charging via the USB and not allowing any sort of data connection. There has been no change, and Im looking to at least take it back to stock to take to get fixed or to wait for OTA updates.
Is there any way to replace system files from within the phone to bring it back to the stock JF6? Can I use ODIN over bluetooth or wifi? My guess is no. Any other ideas anyone has?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just take some time and make sure it is not the usb cable or the usb port on the computer

Not sure all the methods you have tried but......have you tried newest Odin? Take out battery and sim open oxen then plug phone in USB for download mode?......
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

cmr0385 said:
Hey guys,
I had posted another thread regarding how my Captivate was only charging via the USB and not allowing any sort of data connection. There has been no change, and Im looking to at least take it back to stock to take to get fixed or to wait for OTA updates.
Is there any way to replace system files from within the phone to bring it back to the stock JF6? Can I use ODIN over bluetooth or wifi? My guess is no. Any other ideas anyone has?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using the USB cord that came with the phone, or a purchased one? I can only connect with my PC using the real original cord.
As mentioned I hope you are on cog 2.2 6 or 7 then you can flash JH7 ota on your phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=790080
Grab this with your phone, and use ClockworkMod Recovery to install from .zip. This is the official JH7 OTA update and it is signed. This is the closest to stock you can get without a usb cable, bonus, it is rooted for you, that's the only difference.

I tried to flash via clockwork with a signed OS like the JF7 one, but I still get an error. Same one as trying to flash an unsigned rom. I still boot into 3e recovery, which I know is wrong. I cant flash a different kernel or anything to change it as I cant connect via USB. I think Im pretty much done at this point. I do have a working version of Cog 2.2b3... the screen is usually stays in landscape mode. Occasionally it will boot up in portrait mode. Do you guys know a reason for this?
Thanks!

cmr0385 said:
I tried to flash via clockwork with a signed OS like the JF7 one, but I still get an error. Same one as trying to flash an unsigned rom. I still boot into 3e recovery, which I know is wrong. I cant flash a different kernel or anything to change it as I cant connect via USB. I think Im pretty much done at this point. I do have a working version of Cog 2.2b3... the screen is usually stays in landscape mode. Occasionally it will boot up in portrait mode. Do you guys know a reason for this?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
already answered, any luck?

I have read through as many posts as I could find and appreciate all the help. I cant flash to a newer version of Cog which is my biggest problem. I am stuck with the 3e recovery and without being able to make a data connection to run ODIN. I can get the phone into download mode, but there is zero data connection via the USB cable. Cant connect to the SD card with the phone on and cant connect to the computer in download mode. It used to work, same usb cable, all drivers installed, and with the same computer. Just stopped one day. Ill keep the search alive. Hoping at one point, we will be able to flash out of 3e recovery and it will save my day!

I am in the same boat as you bro (exact same scenario). Thanks for posting this and thanks for all the people that have posted advice! I'll keep checking back with this thread to see if there is any hope of a fix for us.

Holy bump!
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App

[Q] Actually can't flash back to stock using Odin or otherwise

I've tried using both Odin methods, even using sdk tools, through command prompt with adb. Nothing is working. My Captivate gets to the download screen, and that's as far as it gets. I've watched numerous videos about this, and haven't come across this problem before.
I'm not an idiot, i've flashed a few roms before, but i'm using phoenix 6.0 with a basic speedmod kernel, no under/over clocking.
Can someone please help me with this, it's extremely frustrating. Thank you

wow
wow, ok, now I still can't get back to stock with odin, nor can I get back the first boot screen past the AT&T World Phone screen

Are you either able to do download with the Vol Up & Down and insert USB and have ODIN recognize?

More details, how did you get here, what have you tried?
Sent from my Captivate using XDA Premium App

mcord11758 said:
More details, how did you get here, what have you tried?
Sent from my Captivate using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont mind helping... easier way is IM tho.... google talk.... i'll IM my gmail....

lovethegame0204 said:
I've tried using both Odin methods, even using sdk tools, through command prompt with adb. Nothing is working. My Captivate gets to the download screen, and that's as far as it gets. I've watched numerous videos about this, and haven't come across this problem before.
I'm not an idiot, i've flashed a few roms before, but i'm using phoenix 6.0 with a basic speedmod kernel, no under/over clocking.
Can someone please help me with this, it's extremely frustrating. Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I first decided to flash to stock using Odin I had all kinds of issues. Everything from nothing happening to it only flashing halfway through. My problem turned out to be the cable. I was using a cheap microUSB cable at work. When I got home, I used the original cable that came with the device and had no issues.
Things you can try;
- Using a different microUSB cable
- Making sure you have the samsung drivers installed. If they are, uninstall and reinstall
- Try different USB ports with the microUSB cable. Some people say they had problems using the front ports while others the back ports. Worth a shot
- Try using a different version of Odin either newer or older
- If you have access to another PC, try flashing from there as well
Hope this helps

i've tried using both odins, the 3 click, and the one click. I've gone in with "AIO Captivate Toolbox" and also through the command prompt with adb.exe. It starts flashing and puts my phone into download mode, where Odin has it recognized, then it gets removed, but it never comes back like its supposed to.
for b naughty my google name is [email protected]

B-Naughty said:
Are you either able to do download with the Vol Up & Down and insert USB and have ODIN recognize?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can get into download mode, but after that, odin stops recognizing my phone, and it never comes back to odin. I just have to unplug and reboot it.

ok guys, a couple people said re install the drivers, and that worked. Thank you very much, you saved me from owning a brick. Apparently it didn't install them properly the first time. Thank you to those that helped, I really appreciate it, truly. This is a great site, and the devs, and other members are awesome

lovethegame0204 said:
ok guys, a couple people said re install the drivers, and that worked. Thank you very much, you saved me from owning a brick. Apparently it didn't install them properly the first time. Thank you to those that helped, I really appreciate it, truly. This is a great site, and the devs, and other members are awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too am having huge driver issues... I uninstalled the ones that work perfectly, and installed the ones in the aio tool... now huge driver issues... took me an hour to go to stock and load another rom... fixin to load cyanogen so gotta use the nexus s drivers... hopefully those will work better...

lovethegame0204 said:
I can get into download mode, but after that, odin stops recognizing my phone, and it never comes back to odin. I just have to unplug and reboot it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure Odin is up and running prior to going into download mode.

Will not fully reboot after flash back to stock ROM
Just flashed back to stock Rogers with Odin. Everything went OK untill reboot. It gets stuck at the ROGERS screen, then just shuts off!! and ideas?

Odin/Rooting Problems

Okay before I get all the "Learn to google" or "Use the search function" let me just go ahead and say, I've searched all over the place before posting.
Okay I recently flashed my phone back to stock to get rid of a few problems. I tried to root with one click root and it failed when I tried to test it with sending the su command so not only was it not rooted it wouldn't allow me to use third party downloads So I am now trying to flash it back to stock again. Now Odin won't recognize my phone at all when its in download mode. I've tried reinstalling drivers and everything and it's like when I use Odin once it won't work again without reinstalling the drivers again.
It's hard to explain my exact problem but basically it's like the drivers keep resetting themselves or something where Odin won't detect my phone. And secondly my one click root no longer seems to work.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, this is getting very frustrating.
Edit: Now I am getting the "More than one device detected" error on the super one click.

Cleimon said:
Okay before I get all the "Learn to google" or "Use the search function" let me just go ahead and say, I've searched all over the place before posting.
Okay I recently flashed my phone back to stock to get rid of a few problems. I tried to root with one click root and it failed when I tried to test it with sending the su command so not only was it not rooted it wouldn't allow me to use third party downloads So I am now trying to flash it back to stock again. Now Odin won't recognize my phone at all when its in download mode. I've tried reinstalling drivers and everything and it's like when I use Odin once it won't work again without reinstalling the drivers again.
It's hard to explain my exact problem but basically it's like the drivers keep resetting themselves or something where Odin won't detect my phone. And secondly my one click root no longer seems to work.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, this is getting very frustrating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should try superoneclick (SuperUser) - It has never failed me
Also, you do not need to be rooted if you're on stock 2.1 Eclair - You can simply change the name of the ROM to update.zip, go into recovery and reinstal package.
As for Odin, I don't know what to suggest other than you could try using the non-one click one.

Cleimon said:
Okay before I get all the "Learn to google" or "Use the search function" let me just go ahead and say, I've searched all over the place before posting.
Okay I recently flashed my phone back to stock to get rid of a few problems. I tried to root with one click root and it failed when I tried to test it with sending the su command so not only was it not rooted it wouldn't allow me to use third party downloads So I am now trying to flash it back to stock again. Now Odin won't recognize my phone at all when its in download mode. I've tried reinstalling drivers and everything and it's like when I use Odin once it won't work again without reinstalling the drivers again.
It's hard to explain my exact problem but basically it's like the drivers keep resetting themselves or something where Odin won't detect my phone. And secondly my one click root no longer seems to work.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, this is getting very frustrating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a) who said one click root will enable 3rd party apps
edit, you do want super one click root as stated above if you dont have that get it. the thread is by clshortfuse and usese the rage against the cage meathod, works on every phone
b) you need busy box before comands work, it is in the market
c)i dont know what your odin problem is, does the box turn yellow when you plug in the phone with in download mode? is this odin one click? odin one click+3button fix? odin files without bootloaders plus full odin? what version of odin? what series number is the phone under the battery? 1006?1007?ect...

Well the problem with moving the update.zip file manually is that my computer will no longer detect my phone regardless what mode my phone is in. And I was using superoneclick
Edit:
A) The Super one click root allows the option to enable non market apps, which has previously worked in the past but doesn't any more.
B) Can't get busybox without rooting
C) SGH-I897

Cleimon said:
Well the problem with moving the update.zip file manually is that my computer will no longer detect my phone regardless what mode my phone is in. And I was using superoneclick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it's most likely your computer and not your phone.
Try another usb port, cable;
unistall and reinstall the drivers;
restart your computer.
If none of these work, try on another computer.
After that, it could be the usb port on your phone.

Could I get a link or quick guide on how to uninstall and reinstall drivers.

Cleimon said:
Could I get a link or quick guide on how to uninstall and reinstall drivers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
google/youtube it?
lol it is quite simple but I can't help you more than this as I'm at work

Actually, it was the fact that my front USB port was the problem. I used one of the back ports and it seems to be working. Wow I feel like an idiot haha.
Anyway thanks for the help!

BWolf56 said:
Then it's most likely your computer and not your phone.
Try another usb port, cable;
unistall and reinstall the drivers;
restart your computer.
If none of these work, try on another computer.
After that, it could be the usb port on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should've followed my steps lol hence the 1st one
And no problem!

And now...it's not working again. No longer detecting my phone.

Cleimon said:
And now...it's not working again. No longer detecting my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol What are you doing to it?
Hehe, kidding
Umm - Try a different Odin.. Odin3 one click worked for me before.
You can try a non-one click Odin as well, sometimes it works when the other doesn't.

You don't have to connect to your computer either to flash a rom. download a rom with your phone ... Rename THAT update.zip on the phone ... Boot into recovery reinstall packages ... Its probably your computer like was said not the phone.

I reinstalled drivers, still not working. Any ideas?

Ummm when was the last time you made a restore point on your pc? Restoring from a few days prior worked for me when nothing else would, although it was just the dl mode driver that broke in my case ... You can't get it recognized at all ... But still woth a shot.

Studa,
What about Heimdall? Think it may help him?

mrhaley30705 said:
Studa,
What about Heimdall? Think it may help him?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always forget about that! Whats the other one aio toolbox? Idk ask I've used is odin ... But ill read up on both of those.

studacris said:
I always forget about that! Whats the other one aio toolbox? Idk ask I've used is odin ... But ill read up on both of those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The i9000 forum had an entire thread devoted to Heimdall.

studacris said:
I always forget about that! Whats the other one aio toolbox? Idk ask I've used is odin ... But ill read up on both of those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mrhaley30705 said:
The i9000 forum had an entire thread devoted to Heimdall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the latest version of AIO (3.0) uses heimdall instead of odin. i would recommend it

Okay downloaded the AIO tool box, looks pretty solid from what I can tell, will update to see if this fixes my issues.

Well I rooted with the toolbox and I when I try to run root required apps it says that my phone is not rooted or I haven't accepted superuser permissions. I do not receive a notification to accept these permissions however it does appear superuser is installed.
On the bright side I got all my drivers set up correctly.

[Q] Signed samsung zip

Hi. I have been trying to find an solution to my problem for 3 days. I have looked all over here and the rest of the internet. I believe what I need is an update zip file that will pass the standard e3 recovery.
I have downloaded several zips already(a couple from here), that say they are the stock samsung firmwares, but everytime I put it on an sd, then try to apply the update with it, in the e3 recovey I get E: signature verification failed.
I got to this point by trying to apply the OTA update. ( ok, you can all throw rotten food at me now). I thought I was safe as I didn't have any custom firmware on there. I had, however gained root access. The update went fine and seemed to work, then it finished and tried to reboot, only to get stuck on the samsung logo for over an hour before I decided it had gone wrong and panicked.
The usual ways of fixing I know about are odin, heimdall, adb. None of these are working. I think it's my computer being too old. Odin doesn't detect, Heimdall sees there is a device there but has problems connecting to it. adb will only see it in the e3 recovery mode and not in odin mode and even then because it doesn't seem to be root anymore it can't really do much.
I am open to suggestions on how to get something to work. My thoughts are that I just need a gingerbread rom that has some samsung siigning on that I can put on an sd and use that in E3 to flash from there. I can then work from there if that works. Feel free to laugh and point and tell me that's not gonna work, but if you know a way that will work I would be very grateful.
Thank you for listening and I hope someone can help.

Open kies, do the connection troubleshooting to reinstall device drivers.
Then follow path of flashing stock with PC Odin with pit file. See dr Ketans thread in sticky section of development for path.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

baz77 said:
Open kies, do the connection troubleshooting to reinstall device drivers.
Then follow path of flashing stock with PC Odin with pit file. See dr Ketans thread in sticky section of development for path.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for getting back so soon. I have had kies up on the screen actually. It's been trying to connect for about 3 hours now lol.
I did the troubleshoot thing earlier where it reinstalled drivers. Restarted pc but same. Won't actually connect in either odin mode or recovery.I'm pretty sure it's a pc issue, at least partly anyway, but don't have anything else to try it on.
Is the signed zip idea a definite no go?

Not sure about zip,
Close Kies, open pc odin,
Gp into download mode, connect phone, confirm downloadmode with volume up and try tp flash
Let me know how that goes
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

No Odin pc refuses to recognise there is anything attached. I'mgiving up for the night now anyway. thank you for looking in. I'll try again in the morning. I might have to buy a new pc before I can get this thing to work.

Connect the usb to back port, sometimes helps with connection. Use stock usb cable.
please hit thanks if i helped

thanks but I've tried all the basics, but if it would help I'd stick a wire up my nose, so it's all helpful. It could be something simple I just forgot.

PC specs? Is it a Mac maybe? Reboot phone and PC and use another cable. Download latest kies and update it restart PC and then connect the phone.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Umm, did you wipe after the flash?
1. A data wipe will, in all probability, solve the bootloop after the upgrade from GB to ICS.
2. A data wipe on an ICS kernel CAN result in a hardbrick, as I'm sure you must have noticed, on the forums.
I'd say wipe it. The bricks are not all that common. Just this once. I faced a similar situation, and I KNEW the thing would boot after a wipe, so I just crossed my fingers and did it. All went well.

By they way, what do you mean by e3 recovery? I've been assuming stock.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

the PC is a 7-8 year old laptop. Our desktop died a few months ago and we've not really had the spare cash to replace it yet. The desktop was even older and was a real pain. The technical gremlins have really infested my house.
I don't really want to wipe the data, as I could just send off to samsung repair as a last resort. I really want my pictures and data back. Got some of my 2 and half month old daughter on there that I haven't got backed up anywhere else. (yes I'm looking dumber with every post). My next thing to try I guess is see if I can borrow my sister in laws PC for a few hours or something. That is if if cannot find a rom that the recovery will accept to put on my sd.
yes -the e3 recovery s the stock one.

Feel for ya.... if you can enter stock recovery then the connection problem most likely lies either with the cable and port or drivers being out of date
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

almost positive it's my knackered computer that won't let me do anything. Still can't believe that a rom doesn't exist with samsung signing, somewhere in the world. What is the point of having a standard recovery at all if you can't use it to recover stuff?
I need to be borrow or steal the use of someones computer now I think. I'll keep an eye on this thread incase someone knows of a signed zip file, and I will report of any news incase someone else has the same problems and wants to fix it without sending to Samsung so they can keep their data.

kyllerbuzcut said:
I don't really want to wipe the data, as I could just send off to samsung repair as a last resort. I really want my pictures and data back. Got some of my 2 and half month old daughter on there that I haven't got backed up anywhere else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand the reluctance.
Although, the pictures would survive the wipe, as they would be in /sdcard/DCIM/Camera. A wipe wouldn't affect anything in /sdcard, although, you'd lose your contacts if they aren't backed up. Your best bet would be to borrow someone's computer for a while.

thanks for all the advice.
Finally found a zip that the e3 recovery thinks is signed.
It was the 2.3.6 gingerbread, uk cpw one.
It seems to pass the signing check and then it looks like it's doing domething for a few minutes, then nothing seems to happen afterwards. just stays in recovery. If I do it a few times in a row it will sometimes think for longer, then reboot itself like it has all worked, but then get stuck at the samsung logo again.
Can I ask, what exactly is getting wiped then? Just the main android folders and not the sdcard folder? Is that for definite?

Yes. Just the android partition should get wiped, internal SD should remain intact.
Try taking out the battery for five minutes or so before powering on again. Sometimes after flashing the rom needs a breather to "settle".
Sent from my Paranoid Android GT-N7000. It doesn't get much better than this!

Just an update on my situation. I finally managed to get use of another computer and got it to work properly, so managed to flash the stock ICS rom through odin.
Thanks a lot Samsung for forcing me to put the yellow triangle on my device. At least there are people willing to help with fixing mobile phones' software, even if the manufacturers themselves don't care about you losing all your data. I managed to get everything back. Nothing was lost. If only they allowed you to flash the stock rom from their stock recovery. It's ridiculous that it doesn't.
Anyway there is the triangle away app for that I suppose and now I might try some new roms out to see which I prefer.

Yeah you would have to make a flashable zip. Not sure how to do that.
Good you are back
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2