Related
Hello,
I read most of the guide but couldn't find certain answers there nor by search, but apologies if I missed them elsewhere.
1) I'm happy with my SGS, I always used stock ROMs and am now on 2.2.1. I'd like to get root access and leave the rest as it is, however.
Is there any way to get root access with the stock 2.2.1 ROM without switching to a completely different ROM (as said, I like the stock ROM and don't feel like changing the layout, features and all that come with a new ROM)?
I saw that superoneclick thread but apparently it didn't work for everyone and questions are usually not answered there if people run into trouble so I didn't dare that yet.
2) Still a bit confused about the 2 modes. Do I need recovery mode to work? Or will download mode do to flash (if I have to) and rescue/fix my phone if something goes wrong?
My 3 combo button never worked so I bought a JIG dongle on ebay which gets my phone into download mode at least, but I still have no recovery mode yet that's why I'm asking.
Thanks!
There's an app called Quick Boot which will allow you to get into recovery mode but you need to have phone rooted.
Note though that Froyo uses 3e and I've tried to use update zips, wont take without going down to 2e recovery.
Landorin said:
Hello,
I read most of the guide but couldn't find certain answers there nor by search, but apologies if I missed them elsewhere.
1) I'm happy with my SGS, I always used stock ROMs and am now on 2.2.1. I'd like to get root access and leave the rest as it is, however.
Is there any way to get root access with the stock 2.2.1 ROM without switching to a completely different ROM (as said, I like the stock ROM and don't feel like changing the layout, features and all that come with a new ROM)?
I saw that superoneclick thread but apparently it didn't work for everyone and questions are usually not answered there if people run into trouble so I didn't dare that yet.
2) Still a bit confused about the 2 modes. Do I need recovery mode to work? Or will download mode do to flash (if I have to) and rescue/fix my phone if something goes wrong?
My 3 combo button never worked so I bought a JIG dongle on ebay which gets my phone into download mode at least, but I still have no recovery mode yet that's why I'm asking.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Warning etc I take no resposibility if you break something etc
First of all fix your 3 button for recovery, there should be some guides around here.
1. Try that superoneclick you posted the link to. If it wont work it wont work... But it will.
2. Recovery you need only if you want to tinker with the rom a little more and to do nice stuffs like backup. Or for a recovery
Oh and I am on stock rom + custom kernel + another modem and happy with it.
First I was rooted and the rest was as it is and I rooted with the super one click root . Dont forget USB debugging on. Once you root though I think wont be long till you start customizing a little . Good start is a nice good custom kernel
If you want to stick with stock you could try these stock roms which come pre-rooted, zip-aligned and deodexed (making them smoother and allowing the application of themes).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=948790
To fix the three button combo have a read of this thread. The OP of this one is really helpful if you're not sure what to do. I had to do this and it was the most nerve racking thing i've done to my phone as if this screws up you'll be sending it for repair.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=821698
Thanks a lot to all of you for your answers!
Had my first successful flash today (3 button combo mode) and will now take a more in depth look at rooting etc.
So far, I feel more comfortable to try a rooted stock kernel maybe instead of superoneclick.
However, if I had to unroot for any reason, how can I do that if I flashed the kernel?
The way I understood about ROMs and Kernels is that ROMs already contain kernels. So flashing a stock ROM would get me back to a stock kernel and the phone would be unrooted again?
you can also just flash a kernel and root such as cfroot or speedmod..
Jamalsid said:
If you want to stick with stock you could try these stock roms which come pre-rooted, zip-aligned and deodexed (making them smoother and allowing the application of themes).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=948790
To fix the three button combo have a read of this thread. The OP of this one is really helpful if you're not sure what to do. I had to do this and it was the most nerve racking thing i've done to my phone as if this screws up you'll be sending it for repair.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=821698
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To un-root you can just flash a stock ROM (look in the general section to find them).
If you like stock ROMS then like the person above stated you can just flash a pure stock ROM then flash a new kernel (i.e. speedmod, voodoo etc.).
Good to hear the 3-button flash worked for you, now it is very difficult to brick your phone as you should always have the 3-button download mode which enables flashing with Odin.
Just be careful when picking a stock ROM, especially if its new, to check if it includes a new bootloader!!
Thanks all again!
and good on you for being sensible enough to get a jig.....best fiver I spent in ages. Every time I flashed back to an early stock it trashed my bootloader.
no worries about flashing now
Landorin said:
Hello,
I read most of the guide but couldn't find certain answers there nor by search, but apologies if I missed them elsewhere.
1) I'm happy with my SGS, I always used stock ROMs and am now on 2.2.1. I'd like to get root access and leave the rest as it is, however.
Is there any way to get root access with the stock 2.2.1 ROM without switching to a completely different ROM (as said, I like the stock ROM and don't feel like changing the layout, features and all that come with a new ROM)?
I saw that superoneclick thread but apparently it didn't work for everyone and questions are usually not answered there if people run into trouble so I didn't dare that yet.
2) Still a bit confused about the 2 modes. Do I need recovery mode to work? Or will download mode do to flash (if I have to) and rescue/fix my phone if something goes wrong?
My 3 combo button never worked so I bought a JIG dongle on ebay which gets my phone into download mode at least, but I still have no recovery mode yet that's why I'm asking.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mate if you just want a simple to apply root access I would just use Z4root... its not used so much anymore but it works well and can be installed by just installing the app(can't be obtained from android market, internet only)..
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833953
otherwise you can just use Odin to flash CF-Root ( I do this all the time on stock firmware and works perfectly every time).
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=788108
mossy1963 said:
and good on you for being sensible enough to get a jig.....best fiver I spent in ages. Every time I flashed back to an early stock it trashed my bootloader.
no worries about flashing now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my thought.
Bluephantom3 said:
Mate if you just want a simple to apply root access I would just use Z4root.
[...]
otherwise you can just use Odin to flash CF-Root ( I do this all the time on stock firmware and works perfectly every time).
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=788108
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used z4root on 2.2 but afaik z4root no longer works with 2.2.1.
I did flash the CF Kernel now and quite happy with it so far.
By the way, is it a bad idea trying to flash with Odin if the phone is connected via a USB hub instead of connecting it to the direct usb port? Each flashing failed on the 1st attempt (worked on the 2nd), no matter what I flashed so far. Some searching here indicates a hub is not recommended.
If that's the case, why is that not mentioned in all those read-me-first guides (or maybe I missed it somewhere)? Not every first-flash user will have a JIG at hand.
You're right you should have the USB cable plugged into a USB port on the motherboard (not a port in your pc case or a hub) for the least chance of flash failure.
Not sure why though tbh, I think it may have something to do with the Samsung USB drivers that get installed with Kies being a bit flaky.
I can't seem to find the answer - I've purchased the VZW Tab Bootstrapper, which at this point only seems to brick my tab - after Heimdalling, I installed Oldmacnut's Rooted Gingerbread Rom - ROM Manager says that CWR 3.0 is installed - if I push flash new recovery, the only devices i can select from are Galaxy i900 - assuming that the rom was built from this device - so, what do i need to do to get clockwork properly installed? If i volume up/power up, I get stock recovery - if I use ROM Manager, it gives me the triangle with a progress bar for a second or two, then reboots - don't want to reboot with the bootstrapper program again, as i don't want to re-brick my tab - unless I'm crazy, there doesn't seem to be an easy solution - am I crazy and/or blind? There seems to be a possible kernal solution, but I have to flash it, and I can't flash it if i can't get clockwork recovery going - i think. help....
yeah, all the bootstrappers only work for Froyo.
I released a CWM + EXT4 kernel with V1 of my Gingerbread roms, only the kernel doesnt have 3G.
I also started on a new kernel for both, 3G being an issue when i ran head first into CM7 for the tabs.
I then decided to hold off on the kernels as i was building a kernel for CM7, I thought I could release a new one.
Now, last night I thought about making a thread with all forms of "recovery" from Froyo to GB for people who need to reflash a tab back to stock, and offer a bone stock version, and a rooted version. I just need to finish uploading the remaining roms to my server for hosting before i can post it all.
I thought of this as alot of people ask where they can find X rom or X kernel, which is why i started on that mirror.
No reason to flame, the issue of CWM for GB and the bootstrappers have never been addressed publicly
Is there a way to stay on rfs with your cwm kernal you posted?
oldmacnut said:
yeah, all the bootstrappers only work for Froyo.
I released a CWM + EXT4 kernel with V1 of my Gingerbread roms, only the kernel doesnt have 3G.
I also started on a new kernel for both, 3G being an issue when i ran head first into CM7 for the tabs.
I then decided to hold off on the kernels as i was building a kernel for CM7, I thought I could release a new one.
Now, last night I thought about making a thread with all forms of "recovery" from Froyo to GB for people who need to reflash a tab back to stock, and offer a bone stock version, and a rooted version. I just need to finish uploading the remaining roms to my server for hosting before i can post it all.
I thought of this as alot of people ask where they can find X rom or X kernel, which is why i started on that mirror.
No reason to flame, the issue of CWM for GB and the bootstrappers have never been addressed publicly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - at least I know I'm not nuts - I honestly don't know that it's necessary to mess with the kernal that's in the GB rom you compiled - it works great as is - I'm just so used to flashing stuff through Clockwork from all the android phones I've had - new to the samsung/tab world, trying to get myself up to speed -
Thanks again for getting back to me, and please, PLEASE take care of yourself and family - this android world is supposed to be fun, not just for us that take advantage of the work that devs like yourself put in, but fun for the devs too - now put your feet up, pour yourself something cold, and watch some football.
Just make sure to have all the ROM's you started finished by morning...
My name is Jack, and I'm a romaholic.
Here is the thread you need to read first..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1099036
TheATHEiST said:
Here is the thread you need to read first..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1099036
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops - copy that - thanks for the heads up.
Thread moved to Galaxy Tab Q&A.
Oldmacmnut,
I can't seem to get Heimdall working (or USB at all, for that matter) on my Tab. I have root, and I can reboot into recovery, although it isn't CWM recovery. I tend to believe that the problem is in a corrupt ROM install of some sort, and would like to either flash a stock ROM to get back to square 1 or a rooted ROM. Problem is, I think I need to figure out a way to do that through recovery as USB doesn't seem to work at all on any computer that I have tried. If you have a CWM Recovery that works, is it flashable in the stock recovery?
Thanks,
Seth
Hello, people of xdadevelopers! I'm new here and keen to learn up on custom Android roms. Sorry if i sound really noob or am doing things wrong in this forum, but... everybody has their own starting phases right?? ^^ Please guide me where I'm going wrong...
Anyway, I'm from Singapore and i own a SAMSUNG GALAXY BEAM GT-I8520 (rare and unheard of phone released only in Singapore x.x). I won't elaborate much, but basically I'm kind of still a student (therefore no money to buy other phones) and my mobile plan is left with about 11 months to go before i can renew my plan and select another phone for a cheaper price... I don't really like my phone because the moment Samsung released it, they decided to stop updates because there is not enough users of this phone so I'm stuck with 2.1 eclair. It also has a slow 500/700mhz processor and lags like he**. By the way, it was released around July 2010 at the same time with the Galaxy S, and they have really similar specs, that's why i posted in this area of the forums.
So, i was thinking of switching over to the MIUI rom which i desperately want... and i decided to follow the Galaxy S I9000 (because they are sister phones!) tutorials to flash over to MIUI in hope it would revitalise my phone, stop the laggyness and crashes, give it a new look, allow me to use features that i miss out in froyo or gingerbread!!
I can understand most terms and softwares about flashing... been researching for a few days... and i found this guide
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1101601
which tells me to replace my bootloader with a gingerbread bootloader through ezodin, then boot into recovery mode which is the custom cwm recovery, and from there straight up install my rom that was placed in the sd card, and walla i get my MIUI. I assume that the bootloader will give me CWM recovery because the guide doesnt tell me to get it through rom manager. I currently have the base google stock recovery, so question <1> do i have to install cwm recovery through rom manager first or will the gb bootloader give it to me once flashed? and question <2> i've tried to install it through rom manager but it didnt work the first try (i chose my phone model as the S) and even erased all my apps and data :S Is there a way to go around installing clorkworkmod? I understand my phone isn't EXACTLY Galaxy S, but they're similar...
Also, another problem i face is that i DON'T have the 3 button shortcut to recovery mode or download mode. I'm following this tutorial to try repair it, since I've heard a batch of Samsung galaxy s have flawed recover and download modes that can't be accessed by the 3 buttons. since the two phones were released around the same time, it could be that the galaxy beam was affected also. Everything is fine going through this tutorial (even getting to download mode trough ADB is fine), problem is i get stuck every single time in ODIN at SetupConnection. Question <3> any freaking idea how to solve this? I've gone through google and searched through this forum... Now i don't know what to do and don't dare try anything else or other flashing unless i fix this 3 button shortcut because i know i can only access recovery or download through ADB REBOOT RECOVERY / DOWNLOAD and the phone has to be plugged in, turned on, booted into android, and in usb debug mode. the ADB command won't work if the phone is off and i'm worried the GB bootloader will stop eclair from loading.
This leads to the question <4> if i decide not to follow this repairing tutorial and just flash the gingerbread bootloader up front, will it give me the 3 button shortcut boot? because if i am not able to load the eclair rom with gingerbread bootloader, and have no 3 button shortcut, i will not be able to boot into recovery to install rom and wipe data and cache etc. Also, if i flash the gingerbread bootloader, can i still load into my stock eclair rom? If i can load into the stock eclair rom, then i don't need the 3 button shortcut, i can go straight to doing usb debug and the ADB command again after flashing bootloader and rebooting to go straight into recovery and installing MIUI.
Question <5> What about gingerbread bootloaders that can backtrack and load froyo roms and eclair roms? Do these exist? Where to download? If so, i can load into my eclair rom and use ADB for recovery mode, eliminating the step: repairing the 3 buttons.
Question <6> Also, i noticed the guide didn't speak anything about kernels etc. From what I understand about kernels, it is the architecture or system between the hardware and the software. People can tweak kernels (leading to custom kernels) for different and maybe even better sound and video etc right? But the guide doesn't say anything about installing a custom kernel, so am i supposed to keep my current Zues kernel from Samsung, or is a custom kernel recommended by MIUI ALREADY provided in the zip folder i downloaded from here? (the I9000 one) When i flash this zip through CWM recovery, is the kernel changed together? Does this apply for the bootloader also? Is the bootloader supplied in the zip and flashed together at the same time? if everything, (rom kernel bootloader) is flashed together at the same time then i can eliminate many steps and just work on installing CWM recovery through rom manager. then use adb to boot into recovery and flash that one simple MIUI zip. no need for 3 button boot...
Question <7> Is there another way to get MIUI to install on my device without so much hassle? haha..
Thanks for the trouble, I know it's a lot of questions... Please answer whatever you can
umm, almost a 100 views... but no replies? :'(
I'd never heard of it until this post, I looked at some specs and they're quite significantly different to the SGS's ones, smaller screen and completely different processor(which is most important(TI OMAP 3440 720MHz in the Beam and Hummingbird S5PC110 in the SGS)). It's a completely different phone, don't even try to install MIUI for the I9000 on it unless you don't mind your phone being in a bricked state. I may not be right but it's my strong opinion. Here is the Xda wiki for it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=Samsung_Beam Which shows how to root and then OC it which may increase performance. And if you like the Miui look there is a look a like launcher floating round if you search. Good luck
true, they aren't exactly the same. the processor is definitely different, but i think MIUI was made for performance, which fits well with this lousy processor haha. screen shouldn't be a problem, most softwares fit to screens automatically. I've already Rooted and OC'ed it but its still slow.
Is there any way to flash everything at once, e.g. kernel rom everything flash together at the same time using ODIN, then maybe i will reboot and see if the MIUI works... The problematic part is the 3 buttons download mode. I'm willing to flash everything at once then see if i'm lucky and MIUI will work for me. I'm not willing to flash just kernel or etc, then can't get in to download mode already because phone cant be booted, thus cannot install ROM...
Does anybody know exactly what when flashed into the phone gives me the 3 button recovery and download...?
I also realised something in the wiki link u gave me...
Power+Menu+Volume Down -> Soft Reset
Power+menu+Volume Up -> Ready for Flash Screen
Could this be my recovery and download...? I'll try later.
I'll try and give you an example, the Galaxy SL or the I9003 came out the start of this year as a replacement for the original with the only difference being the chipset and display type. Quite a few people have got this phone and have being trying to get Miui to work on it hasn't happened. The I9000 kernel for Miui is made for the I9000, it only works with the Hummingbird chipset, end of story. I'm not stopping you from trying but expect the most likely consequence to be the phone dead, not running Miui.
Wow, if the I9003 which was even closer (spec-wise) to the I9000 can't flash I9000 MIUI, then my I8520 won't make it... :'( I understand what you mean, any kernel made for I9000 phones, even custom user-made ones, only work with specific hardware, like that chipset, unless that kernel some how is clever enough to work with my hardware, or probably just lucky enough to be compatible with my chipset.
I didn't know the software had to confirm so tightly to the hardware... I'd always thought software would automatically work with basic hardware, albeit there would be some issues and glitches, but at least it would still work. I thought maybe it would be possible to keep my Zues kernel, and just flash the rom, and let the rom use my kernel.. It wouldn't be very optimised because they weren't made for each other, but at least with a few bugs, still usable... But now I know my Zues kernel works with my hardware but probably wont work with I900 MIUI unless it was coded for my phone... Though, if my phone does have the same chipset and gpu, maybe it will work?
Seems like I'll have to continue to use this lousy unsupported phone :S
Thanks for your help
Okay ... I have the Samsung Droid Charge and I'm quite comfortable flashing ROMS/Kernels/CWM Odin etc.
My wife has my old original Verizon Moto Droid (stock) and it is starting to act up a little. I'm thinking of flashing a ROM onto it to update things and see if it acts any better.
Like I said; I am comfortable using Odin and CWM on my Charge. What's different with the Droid? What will I need to accomplish the tasks? Is there an Original stock ROM available I can revert back to if things don't work out or she doesn't like it?
It looks like there's a Windows based app instead of Odin? I am running Win7-64 bit on my desktop.
Any pointers getting me headed in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
MERRY CHRISTMAS !!
Steve
Edit: Understand this is my wife's phone. I need to know what I am doing before I attempt it .... I screw up her phone and it ain't gonna be a Merry Christmas around the Chopstix household ... ~;-p
You could use superoneclick v 1.7 to root it, you can install cwm recovery on it and flash a rom, I would reccomend project elite for its great stability. If anything ever goes wrong you can sbf back to stock
I just Flashed Cyanogen Mod 7.1.0 on my stock OG droid and it rocks. Some pointers that I couldn't find in the rest of the forums:
Like mentioned above, you have to use superoneclick 1.7 (or revert back to 1.6 if the frk76 -the latest update- has put it self on the phone)
I used "mybackup root" (free in the market) to back up my apps and data (messages, call logs, pictures, and music). Worked great.
I logged into my google account to back up contacts, calendar, etc. Also worked great.
Here is the part that everyone has a problem with: Rom Manager.
The stock ClockworkMod Recovery (2.5.0.1) in Rom Manager does not work for the OG Droid. I was able to get it to work though by going to "All ClockworkMod Recoveries" at the bottom on the Rom Manager screen and flash ClockworkMod Recovery (3.1.0.2).
After that it was smooth sailing. Remember to perform a Nandroid Back up, do a factory reset/wipe data, and what ever else the ROM you are installing suggests you do. I had to do a recovery a couple of times figuring out that SPRecovery won't work for Flashing new ROMS.
Hope it works and Merry Christmas!!!
taptaptouch said:
You could use superoneclick v 1.7 to root it, you can install cwm recovery on it and flash a rom, I would reccomend project elite for its great stability. If anything ever goes wrong you can sbf back to stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sbf back to stock ... could you expand on that? I don't know what it is. The Motorolas are obviously quite different than the samsungs when doing this stuff ...
Edit: I am having trouble finding the links for downloading the superoneclick, CWM and the ROM. Odin isn't used on this phone? What will I use to install CWM? Project Elite sounds like the one I would want. Stability is key above advanced tools and eye candy. It's for my wife and it will be used as a phone and messaging only pretty much. Maybe a few pictures. I would want the market and all apps she might want to be still accessible.
sbf back to stock= making a Nandroid backup and recovering it in case there is a problem with your ROM install. Did you do that when you flashed Odin onto your Charge? As long as you have your stock ROM backed up, you can go back to it at any time. This can all be accomplished with CWM.
As far as I can tell, Odin is for Samsung devices only. If this is incorrect, someone please set me straight.
CWM is a utility inside the "ROM Manager" app, which is available in the Market.
Here is the Superoneclick Thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682
I'm just getting started in the custom romming thing, so I couldn't recommend a good bare bones ROM. Good luck in your research!
jgoose said:
sbf back to stock= making a Nandroid backup and recovering it in case there is a problem with your ROM install. Did you do that when you flashed Odin onto your Charge? As long as you have your stock ROM backed up, you can go back to it at any time. This can all be accomplished with CWM.
As far as I can tell, Odin is for Samsung devices only. If this is incorrect, someone please set me straight.
CWM is a utility inside the "ROM Manager" app, which is available in the Market.
Here is the Superoneclick Thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682
I'm just getting started in the custom romming thing, so I couldn't recommend a good bare bones ROM. Good luck in your research!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I haven't used nandroid even though some on Charges do. Odin isn't something you install on your phone. It is a computer based program that you use as an interface between the computer and phone to flash 'tar' files to your phone. ROMS will come in a file format with a .tar.md5 file extension and you use Odin to flash them. There are complete stock 'Odin' ROMS out there that you can use to flash your phone back to stock. This is the fail-safe route I have used when learning to flash that saved me from a few bricked phones. I am leery of flashing her Droid without having the same abilities available to me. A nandroid backup isn't going to do any good if the phone pukes half way through a flash and gets bricked. Or am I incorrect in that statement?
I've seen mention of a windows based app here that I assumed was something akin to Odin. Is there a fail-safe fall back to a stock rom for this phone should you need to recover from a bricked state? I'd hate to flash the wife's phone without knowing going in that I have the ability to recover from a bad flash.
CWM is stand alone on the Charge. You can install it with Odin or other methods such as adb (which I am not familiar with). But getting it through an app is fine too. I would assume there are then zip files available for updating to a more recent version of cwm after a version is on the phone. CWM is also embedded into many ROMs available so that when you flash a ROM via Odin, CWM is on the phone when you boot.
What is the button sequence for entering recovery on the Droid?
Power Key + X on the keyboard.
I assume you have a physical keyboard on this droid.
Don't let these guys scare you off. If you can flash your charge then you should have no problem with an og Droid . I just fixed my sister inlaws the other day . it took me 20 min. Here's a guide anyone could follow . Root Droid 1 - regardless of OS version (driod forums . net ) (I'm not allowed to post the link for some reason) And also I would recommend project elite or cyan 7, both work great.
Hi all, glad to find this
I have ..., guess what ? a RAZR i (Ok, it's a friend's one) that I repaired changing the mad battery after factory resets didn't do anything. Then found OTA was available, applied and the RAZR i was 4.1.2 IIRC and the new battery went OK. My mistake, another OTA went soon, which I applied too, making the RAZR i a 4.4.2 kitkat piece of crap (no more write access to sdcard, this is well known ... by the ones aware , know I'm one).
Then I thought I could make the phone free and search the web for days to try to understand, found a french forum which said I can't do anything without unlocking the bootloader, what I did.
They directed me there to remove the boot-logo-warning but that's a razr hd thread and nothing worked for me. I can't remember where I read I should have CWM to do this, but as the french guy said he rather like twrp I didn't do anything at the moment, only failed to flash some logo from fastboot with various errors....
Well, I'm there, and it's cool because I hope this is the good place to have answers to questions that are still in my mind for years, and 2/3 new ones... fortunately they'll overlap and self-resolve once I get one. I'm not at all skilled in android, I only flashed a phone in 2010 and that's why I still have android SKD in my ubuntu (I also have a xp box, but I couldn't do anything for my old Acer LiquidMT). As you see, I'm a vintage things amateur (... okay, I'm vintage too).
Now the scene is built, please let me dare ask what still puzzles me :
1) For the Razr i 4.4.2 (french from sfr-vodafone kia20.74 now used with another carrier) do I have to search a specifically dedicated recovery ? Parsing this RAZR i Q&A, I found twrp seems to the preferred recovery, but I'd rather like to get confirmation from skilled ones, and also for version.
2) And please tell me if I'm wrong thinking the [RECOVERY] Unofficial TWRP 3.0.2-0 thread aim is to bring support to the RAZR i which is not supported by official teamw.in ? (BTW, @Hazou, the 1st link in the thread - DataMedia - is dead)
3) Assumed I have to go the TWRP way and I only have currently the stock recovery, do I guess right the only way is download img.zip and extract then do
Code:
./fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
, then only after that the phone can be rooted ?
4) You see I'm puzzled here because I still don't have understood the logical path: is this one the good ? unlock boot loader -> fastboot flash reco -> is the device rooted at this point ? If not, install su from recovery option "install zip from sdcard", then it's done and I get a so called "rooted stock ROM" ? Then only I can figure installing a custom ROM if exists for the RAZR i ?
5) And I should always flash a custom ROM based on the same 4.4.2 android release as my current stock one AND disable OTA updates ?
I read so many threads with guys having issues with hard-bricked RAZR i and all are about ICS and JB, so I wander the only custom are for ICS or JB, and still don't understand why they want to revert back.
Thanks for advices.
1stStep said:
Hi all, glad to find this
I have ..., guess what ? a RAZR i (Ok, it's a friend's one) that I repaired changing the mad battery after factory resets didn't do anything. Then found OTA was available, applied and the RAZR i was 4.1.2 IIRC and the new battery went OK. My mistake, another OTA went soon, which I applied too, making the RAZR i a 4.4.2 kitkat piece of crap (no more write access to sdcard, this is well known ... by the ones aware , know I'm one).
Then I thought I could make the phone free and search the web for days to try to understand, found a french forum which said I can't do anything without unlocking the bootloader, what I did.
They directed me there to remove the boot-logo-warning but that's a razr hd thread and nothing worked for me. I can't remember where I read I should have CWM to do this, but as the french guy said he rather like twrp I didn't do anything at the moment, only failed to flash some logo from fastboot with various errors....
Well, I'm there, and it's cool because I hope this is the good place to have answers to questions that are still in my mind for years, and 2/3 new ones... fortunately they'll overlap and self-resolve once I get one. I'm not at all skilled in android, I only flashed a phone in 2010 and that's why I still have android SKD in my ubuntu (I also have a xp box, but I couldn't do anything for my old Acer LiquidMT). As you see, I'm a vintage things amateur (... okay, I'm vintage too).
Now the scene is built, please let me dare ask what still puzzles me :
1) For the Razr i 4.4.2 (french from sfr-vodafone kia20.74 now used with another carrier) do I have to search a specifically dedicated recovery ? Parsing this RAZR i Q&A, I found twrp seems to the preferred recovery, but I'd rather like to get confirmation from skilled ones, and also for version.
2) And please tell me if I'm wrong thinking the [RECOVERY] Unofficial TWRP 3.0.2-0 thread aim is to bring support to the RAZR i which is not supported by official teamw.in ? (BTW, @Hazou, the 1st link in the thread - DataMedia - is dead)
3) Assumed I have to go the TWRP way and I only have currently the stock recovery, do I guess right the only way is download img.zip and extract then do
Code:
./fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
, then only after that the phone can be rooted ?
4) You see I'm puzzled here because I still don't have understood the logical path: is this one the good ? unlock boot loader -> fastboot flash reco -> is the device rooted at this point ? If not, install su from recovery option "install zip from sdcard", then it's done and I get a so called "rooted stock ROM" ? Then only I can figure installing a custom ROM if exists for the RAZR i ?
5) And I should always flash a custom ROM based on the same 4.4.2 android release as my current stock one AND disable OTA updates ?
I read so many threads with guys having issues with hard-bricked RAZR i and all are about ICS and JB, so I wander the only custom are for ICS or JB, and still don't understand why they want to revert back.
Thanks for advices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey 1stStep,
A lot off assumptions and questions. And most of them are right.
1. Afaik there are 2 recoveries for the RAZR I. Stock and my build TWRP 3.0.2-0 unofficial. (Thanks for the heads up about the link)
2. Answered in 1.
3. Yep. If your bootloader is unlocked it gives u the function to flash non-stock firmware to the phone. Stock firmware are signed to prevent normal users flashing wrong firmware. Firmware consist of a couple of images. Those images contain data for the partition, just like in your PC. Every image does something else. Most known are boot, data, system, recovery and cache. There are many more. Some needed, some unnecessary.
To answer your question: when u have flashed the TWRP recovery u override the stock one. The TWRP can flash zip files and images to the most known device partitions. From here on u can flash a superuser zip(gives root access on the current ROM/system). Make sure u have the right superuser zip. There are many.
4.
Path to root on stock:
Unlock bootloader->install custom recovery (TWRP)->install superuser zip->reboot and test root on device
Path to custom ROM:
Unlock bootloader->install custom recovery (TWRP)->install ROM zip and extra's if needed like (Gapps(needed for Google playstore and more))->reboot and play with your new ROM.
Off course if u already have the bootloader unlocked and installed a custom recovery, u can skip those.
In the recovery u can also make backups, called nandroid backup. Read up on them and everything u wanna do.
5. The only thing u never want/should do is flashing Android 4.0.4 stock firmware without prior modifications. This is because from 4.0.4 to 4.1.2 there was a change in bootloader (the thing u unlock). If u go back it corrupt a part of the firmware which is difficult to overcome or even impossible without some factory stuff. Everything above 4.1.2 is save. And can always be flashed. The latest stock is 4.4.2 (KIA 20.74) and latest available custom ROM is 4.4.4 (CM11 or soon Lineage 11).
Good luck!
Thanks so mush great dev to spend time and even surely repeat yourself (hope you're not under stress) for a newb.
In your answer for path to custom ROM you say "Unlock bootloader->install custom recovery (TWRP)->install ROM zip and extra's if needed like".
Do I have to understand custom ROMs are yet rooted (OOTB), or root yet made on stock will survive flashing the custom (I though flashing a custom was some kind of infant clear brain graft?
BTW, is it general good advice to test recovery before flashing? I found this in Moto Play unofficial recovery 3.0.2-r5 from Vache:
Code:
fastboot boot recovery.img
?
Thanks again
1stStep said:
Thanks so mush great dev to spend time and even surely repeat yourself (hope you're not under stress) for a newb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at all , just replying if I have some time.
1stStep said:
In your answer for path to custom ROM you say "Unlock bootloader->install custom recovery (TWRP)->install ROM zip and extra's if needed like".
Do I have to understand custom ROMs are yet rooted (OOTB), or root yet made on stock will survive flashing the custom (I though flashing a custom was some kind of infant clear brain graft?
BTW, is it general good advice to test recovery before flashing? I found this in Moto Play unofficial recovery 3.0.2-r5 from Vache:
Code:
fastboot boot recovery.img
?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Most custom roms are prerooted.
- Cyanogenmod/LineageOS are prerooted
- Root installed by a zip will not survive any system flashing (rom flashing)
- Any modification to your system partition will not survive and system flashing (rom flashing), though 1 exception:
- installed gapps package (google apps/play store etc.) will survive system flashing on cyanogenmod based roms. But only when updating the rom to a newer version on the same android version. So:
CM11 version 1 to CM11 version 2. (because of a special script in the install zip)
Pre testing a boot or recovery image is blocked on our bootloader. So u can't do it. It's a shame they did it. Working on any boot or recovery changes is a pain in the spoken ass.
If u flash the recovery with:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
there is nothing to be afraid off. The TWRP 3.0.2-0 recovery is well tested on this device.
Thank you again man for all detailed answer.
You're right, it's a shame all these locked things in our phones. I'm sure the guys that agree (our security, blah blah) with these ways to do won't be so happy the day their computers will be locked the same way.
bye bye Hazou.
[Edit] .... hmmm, how long does it take to flash? Yet a 1/4h elapsed and razr still says "Flashing recovery..."
Please, what is the md5 of the image (not the zip, this you give us)? Thanks
[Edit] : Downloaded twice and get md5sum 60dff26f3ee5e9338ee4a6f8cf7df098
but still same forever Flashing recovery ...
[Edit] : I've been puzzled for days being stuck in endless "Flashing recovery ..."
In the ended I decided, after saying 1 hour waiting a hypothetical "success/congrats message", NOT QUITTING the current fastboot screen, to select the recovery option in this very fastboot menu (on a Razr i : Vol- to highlight recovery item, then Vol+ to select) and bang I was in TWRP menu. What to do next once in, it is another story.