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New to Android and just got a Captivate. Can somebody help me w/ software questions?

I am new to Android and just got a Captivate. I understand its pretty glitchy with the Samsung software and am wondering about a couple of things:
1. I hear a lot about rooting. What does this actually do for me? Is this loading a new Rom? Or are those two seperate things?
2. Which is the best software Rom to load on it with the best performance and least glitches? Is getting stock 2.2 Froyo on it an option or does it have to have the TouchWiz interface?
3. Whats the easiest way to load it?
4. Can I save the stock Samsung ROM in case I need to return and replace my captivate (warranty)?
This will definitely get me started in the right direction. Thank you!

Tenacious--M said:
I am new to Android and just got a Captivate. I understand its pretty glitchy with the Samsung software and am wondering about a couple of things:
1. I hear a lot about rooting. What does this actually do for me? Is this loading a new Rom? Or are those two seperate things?
2. Which is the best software Rom to load on it with the best performance and least glitches? Is getting stock 2.2 Froyo on it an option or does it have to have the TouchWiz interface?
3. Whats the easiest way to load it?
4. Can I save the stock Samsung ROM in case I need to return and replace my captivate (warranty)?
This will definitely get me started in the right direction. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Rooting gives you superuser permissions. Read about it on this site.
2. Since you obviously didnt read the site I'd suggest loading Cognition. Beyond that I'd suggest any of the roms you can read about on the site.
3. If you go to cognition you can read about how to install with odin from his ponack website. Just click the link to download and Read his site.
4. If you get rooted and install clockworkmod's rom manager from the android marketplace I think you can do a nandroid backup as well as a rom backup. I am sure there is a thread in general about how to do that. Just go read it.

Will the cognition rom root my phone as well or is that a seperate thing I need to do? Should I first Root , do the Titanium Backup and then mess with the rom?
Also, once I have Cognitions rom installed, I wont be able to check for software update on the phone , correct? I will have to download future releases from his site?

Thanks! You are helping a ton. I just want to make sure I go about this right. Maybe I will start with just rooting and not mess with the ROM currently. What is the advantage to a different ROM?
What is the best way to root? Are there different roots or is rooting all the same, just different procedures. I saw this one and it sounded simple: One click Root/Unroot for Captivate
Once rooted and when Samsung releases 2.2 will I be able to download and keep my root or will I have to root again?
Oh, also how do I backup the original rom in case I need to return my captivate?

You can use ODIN one click here on xda to return to stock. First thing you need to do though is search captivate dev section on three button fix. Make sure you are able to get into download mode as this is essential before modding your phone
Swyped.....you may have to interpret

Couple of Q's before I do a first flash...

After many joyous years of flashing ROM’s onto my HTC TyTN II, I’d quite like to do the same with my Samsung Galaxy S. Before I do though, there are a couple of newbie questions that I haven’t been able to answer via the search facility:
1. Can I back up by existing ‘stock’ ROM before I start? (I’ve checked the stock firmware and mine isn’t on there)
2. Do I need to root the device first, or is this done as part of the flashing process (or not done at all)
3. Are there any downsides from flashing these ROM’s? Other than the potential risk involved, do I lose any features/functionality?
I’ve tested the three button mode and works fine on my device. I think i’m ready to go but just want to clarify I’m not missing anything...
My device info:
PDA: I9000ADJP5
PHONE: I9000ADJP3
CSC: I90002UJP3
Build: 2010.11
Many thanks

Not sure about your first question, but I think it's still possible to fool kies so that you can revert back if you really had too, check on this if it is really important to you.
No need to root first, either flash a stock rom and root later (if you need root) or just flash a custom rom that is already rooted.
No feature loss, other than maybe losing some carrier bloatware. The new JPU rom makes your phone feel like a completely different device. Check out the custom roms in the dev section too.

Fantastic. Thanks for the information. It isn't essential I get the stock ROM backed up really. Just being over cautios?
I was going to start with Darky's v5.2 Gingerbread Edition ROM which looks like a nice change from the Samsung stock experience.
Sick of the lag now - can't wait to see if it does as much for my GalaxyS as the WinMo ROM's did for my TyTN

Don't forget to flash jm8 first. Its like installing a big rom for tytn II to clear unused parts of rom. Read darkys instructions slowly. If anything goes wrong its your fault not the instructions
single finger pecked on a galaxy s

[Q] Totally confused about kernel/ROM/lagfix

I have been trying to find answers for a week now and have found a lot of info. The problem is most of the info is contradictory and I'm not really sure which is good and which is not. I currently have an AT&T Samsung Captivate, firmware ver 2.2, kernel ver. 2.6.32.9 build# FROYO.UCKB1. I believe that is the stock At&t froyo build. It is rooted, I do have SGS tools (which I don't really understand what all it can do for me) and Titanium backup (which I've not tried to use yet for fear of breaking my phone). I run 91PandaHome and a bunch of apps I like.
My problem is that the phone sometimes is just really sluggish, certain programs really kill it. For example, I have PlantVsZombies which mostly runs ok, but sometimes slows down and worse 3 out of 5 times I play will not close. I have to power/volume up reboot to get out of the game. Other programs occasionally do this to me, but not as often.
I've been reading up and see that there are lagfixes, and understand that samsung apparently chose a ****ty file system, but I don't understand android well enough to know what's safe. What I want to know is what is as of today the safest, easiest way to fix the lag. I think I am going to be told something that changes the file system to ext4 is what I want, but I really don't understand what will be safe to use for that. I thought I wanted OneClickLagFix, then I found that maybe Voodoo was what I wanted, and now it seems that neither is currently being developed. Reliability, ease of transition and ease of putting it back to stock are important factors for me.
Suggestions, links and general help will be greatly appreciated.

Try going to a custom rom where all of that is done for you. Since you are new to this, I suggest you go look up the rom Serendipity 6.4, it's very easy to install and has it's own thread in the development section.

fianor said:
I have been trying to find answers for a week now and have found a lot of info. The problem is most of the info is contradictory and I'm not really sure which is good and which is not. I currently have an AT&T Samsung Captivate, firmware ver 2.2, kernel ver. 2.6.32.9 build# FROYO.UCKB1. I believe that is the stock At&t froyo build. It is rooted, I do have SGS tools (which I don't really understand what all it can do for me) and Titanium backup (which I've not tried to use yet for fear of breaking my phone). I run 91PandaHome and a bunch of apps I like.
My problem is that the phone sometimes is just really sluggish, certain programs really kill it. For example, I have PlantVsZombies which mostly runs ok, but sometimes slows down and worse 3 out of 5 times I play will not close. I have to power/volume up reboot to get out of the game. Other programs occasionally do this to me, but not as often.
I've been reading up and see that there are lagfixes, and understand that samsung apparently chose a ****ty file system, but I don't understand android well enough to know what's safe. What I want to know is what is as of today the safest, easiest way to fix the lag. I think I am going to be told something that changes the file system to ext4 is what I want, but I really don't understand what will be safe to use for that. I thought I wanted OneClickLagFix, then I found that maybe Voodoo was what I wanted, and now it seems that neither is currently being developed. Reliability, ease of transition and ease of putting it back to stock are important factors for me.
Suggestions, links and general help will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a few quick things:
Titanium backup is a good friend to have on your phone. It won't break it - it will just take snapshots (for lack of a better phrase) of your apps so that you can restore them later if you need to.
Most lagfixes are cooked into kernels, so using lagfix will most likely go hand-in-hand with flashing to a custom rom. Not that you can't lagfix stock, but statistically speaking, lagfix will be done with a new kernel via the Clockworkmod Recovery Menu.
As for general fixing of lagginess... (READ UP FIRST) Flash a custom Rom (READ MORE). Most of the problems you're experiencing (ARE YOU READING UP ON FLASHING?) should be fixed by flashing (DO MORE READING) a custom rom. Do some research on roms and pick one that you think you'll like. (Note - don't post questions asking which one to do, it tends to be a bit of a touchy subject on the forum.) If you're wanting to be cautious, it would be safer to stay with a Froyo-based rom, as they're more tested and there's less danger involved (specifically, you don't have to flash bootloaders, which is the area where you can get a real brick).
Oh, and (shameless self plug) if you need to know what different terminology and items on the forum mean, just click the link in my signature.

jmtheiss said:
Just a few quick things:
Titanium backup is a good friend to have on your phone. It won't break it -
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, it CAN break your phone if you don't know how to use it. Backing up is safe, but never, ever restore system data with TiBu when changing ROMs and only restore app data you know is safe.
I would recommend staying away from any Gingerbread-based ROMs until you have a better understanding of the phone and the process. Andromeda 3 is a good choice for a Froyo-based ROM and is very easy to flash, but do your research on the process before you attempt it. Almost any custom ROM will have a lagfix in the kernel and performance will be noticeably better than stock. You will likely have to redo your root after installing a new ROM, so read up on that process, too.

jmtheiss said:
As for general fixing of lagginess... (READ UP FIRST) Flash a custom Rom (READ MORE). Most of the problems you're experiencing (ARE YOU READING UP ON FLASHING?) should be fixed by flashing (DO MORE READING) a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I lol'd at the "()" parts
To build on jmtheiss post. For "reliability" look for a KB1 based ROM as this is what your phone is currently running, and is the newest version of firmware written specifically for the AT&T captivate. You won't come across any major issues that make the phone unusable, nor any "annoying" bugs. Then if your feeling more adventurous, and have gotten a solid understanding of the process of flashing ROMs, look to I9000 based 2.2.x ROMs, and lastly 2.3.x based ROMs.
For "ease of transition" start by getting the SGS Kernel Flasher or Heimdall to change the kernel. From there you can get past 3e recovery and you'll be free to make other changes.
For "ease of putting it back to stock" first find out what is your stock. Since this phone technically has 3 different "stock" firmwares. Then get a copy of that firmware (and steps on how to flash it) and keep it on your computer, in a location you'll be able to find easily in case of problems. Depending on how far "to the dark side" you go, will effect just how much of the "stock" files you'll need to keep as backups.
Personally I'd suggest this ROM as it's whats currently on my phone. Many have started off with Cognition and it's still a crowd fav. Both are KB1 based ROMs

[Q] irritating ~ Note getting slower

I had posted a similar thread earlier, but it had a different reason and a different solution, yea, KL7 was the solution..but its been a week since I upgraded and now unfortunately my note is becoming slower!!!
what could be the reason. Im on stock kl7 meant for DBT. i had s2 earlier (nw its with my wife) and i really miss the superspeed s2. i have a iphone 4 with me (secondary phone) and now due to timesaving efforts im using more of iphone 4 eventhough i hate the small size. (pls dont call me a iphone fan!!!). i need note's display and size and s2's speed!!
any latest stock rom's??? (non wipe versions???)

khan.dharvesh said:
I had posted a similar thread earlier, but it had a different reason and a different solution, yea, KL7 was the solution..but its been a week since I upgraded and now unfortunately my note is becoming slower!!!
what could be the reason. Im on stock kl7 meant for DBT. i had s2 earlier (nw its with my wife) and i really miss the superspeed s2. i have a iphone 4 with me (secondary phone) and now due to timesaving efforts im using more of iphone 4 eventhough i hate the small size. (pls dont call me a iphone fan!!!). i need note's display and size and s2's speed!!
any latest stock rom's??? (non wipe versions???)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you use Custom ROM??

ranjan.alva said:
Why don't you use Custom ROM??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive never used custom rom in any of my android devices..ive following 'fears'
1. will it affect any major aspect of the phone (ive seen many threads like battery issues,wifi issues etc etc..)
2.if later i want to update latest firmware via kies, wil that be a problem>?
3.will i wipe out my data/apps etc?
4.which is the best custom rom available?>

khan.dharvesh said:
ive never used custom rom in any of my android devices..ive following 'fears'
1. will it affect any major aspect of the phone (ive seen many threads like battery issues,wifi issues etc etc..)
2.if later i want to update latest firmware via kies, wil that be a problem>?
3.will i wipe out my data/apps etc?
4.which is the best custom rom available?>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Possibly. Possibly not. Depends on the ROM. Usually the ROM developer will provide detailed information about what's working, what's working better, what's working worse, and what's not working at all. It's up to you to find the best overall fit.
2. You'll have to do a CWM backup and flash back to stock in order to use Kies. Then again, that's kind of a moot point if you're using a custom ROM anyway. Usually dev's will bake in the latest/best working firmware into their ROM's anyway, so Kies really isn't that big of an issue. I've personally never had a need for Kies; I've always just used Odin. It's way better anyway.
3. Depends on the ROM again. However, coming from stock to a custom ROM, it's highly recommended that A) you do a backup of your stuff and B) you perform a full wipe (keep your backup data in tact obviously).
4. That's up to you really. What may be the best ROM for me might not be well suited for you. Have a look in the dev section and see what's out there!

Jade Eyed Wolf said:
1. Possibly. Possibly not. Depends on the ROM. Usually the ROM developer will provide detailed information about what's working, what's working better, what's working worse, and what's not working at all. It's up to you to find the best overall fit.
2. You'll have to do a CWM backup and flash back to stock in order to use Kies. Then again, that's kind of a moot point if you're using a custom ROM anyway. Usually dev's will bake in the latest/best working firmware into their ROM's anyway, so Kies really isn't that big of an issue. I've personally never had a need for Kies; I've always just used Odin. It's way better anyway.
3. Depends on the ROM again. However, coming from stock to a custom ROM, it's highly recommended that A) you do a backup of your stuff and B) you perform a full wipe (keep your backup data in tact obviously).
4. That's up to you really. What may be the best ROM for me might not be well suited for you. Have a look in the dev section and see what's out there!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, so custom rom is one solution which i would definitely look into. and it was seriously helpful reply.

khan.dharvesh said:
ive never used custom rom in any of my android devices..ive following 'fears'
1. will it affect any major aspect of the phone (ive seen many threads like battery issues,wifi issues etc etc..)
2.if later i want to update latest firmware via kies, wil that be a problem>?
3.will i wipe out my data/apps etc?
4.which is the best custom rom available?>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah you got some points ter, even me too still in Stock rom coz am waiting for CM9.

[Q] What a hell did I just buy ?

Oh boy I really hope I am just too tired to look and info I've got so far is incorrect. My i337 Got stolen today and I managed to get Galaxy S 4 Active from ATT i537. I looked up only 1 thing before I did because only system I can use is CM11, I mean stock Samsung makes me uneasy if I am on it for more then 15 seconds. Sounds, UI, just feel and look, totally garbage. So now I see that bootloader is locked AND there is no solution to unlock it. Only then we can install some kind of Dual boot thing ? I really hope this is not true. Can I just get rid of everything Samsung and stock and get CM11 ? I don't want to waste space with stock as "not used" system.
Please let me know because like I said I had really bad day with two thugs stealing my phone, spend money on new one and now this. I just rooted it and was thinking like always I get Rom Manager and from there I install recovery ..... but phone is not listed .... I am freaking out a bit right about now. Please let me know if possible on where to start getting custom recovery cause ODIN + tar recovery files gave me magic error or something like that just now.
Thank you guys !
UPDATE: Couldn't sleep.
So I have my new phone rooted with "towel", I install Safestrap and backed up my current ROM (I am on NE3) I see now reason why this dual system needed and stuff. I mean too bad Samsung locking bootloaders and oh well. I have only 2 questions. 1 can I just install latest build from https://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=jactivelte in to rom SLOT-1 and use it or no. And how much space I can allow for my current ROM and CM I mean I am not planning to have anything on stock so I don't need space at same time I cant make it that when I do want to go on stock I'd have a problem with running it because of not enough space.
Thank you guys once again. I mean If you know few lines ..that's all I am asking. Cause I do see some pros and cons but .. I need straight up answer. Thanks !

Your frustration is understand. Swearing or bad language is not excused in this forum for any reason. Moderate at least title or be prepared to get warning and/or thread locked down.

russiandivxclub said:
Oh boy I really hope I am just too tired to look and info I've got so far is incorrect. My i337 Got stolen today and I managed to get Galaxy S 4 Active from ATT i537. I looked up only 1 thing before I did because only system I can use is CM11, I mean stock Samsung makes me uneasy if I am on it for more then 15 seconds. Sounds, UI, just feel and look, totally garbage. So now I see that bootloader is locked AND there is no solution to unlock it. Only then we can install some kind of Dual boot thing ? I really hope this is not true. Can I just get rid of everything Samsung and stock and get CM11 ? I don't want to waste space with stock as "not used" system.
Please let me know because like I said I had really bad day with two thugs stealing my phone, spend money on new one and now this. I just rooted it and was thinking like always I get Rom Manager and from there I install recovery ..... but phone is not listed .... I am freaking out a bit right about now. Please let me know if possible on where to start getting custom recovery cause ODIN + tar recovery files gave me magic error or something like that just now.
Thank you guys !
UPDATE: Couldn't sleep.
So I have my new phone rooted with "towel", I install Safestrap and backed up my current ROM (I am on NE3) I see now reason why this dual system needed and stuff. I mean too bad Samsung locking bootloaders and oh well. I have only 2 questions. 1 can I just install latest build from https://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=jactivelte in to rom SLOT-1 and use it or no. And how much space I can allow for my current ROM and CM I mean I am not planning to have anything on stock so I don't need space at same time I cant make it that when I do want to go on stock I'd have a problem with running it because of not enough space.
Thank you guys once again. I mean If you know few lines ..that's all I am asking. Cause I do see some pros and cons but .. I need straight up answer. Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot install CM. Since you have a locked bootloader, it is not possible to install any custom kernels, so ROMs that require a custom kernel (CM, AOSP, or any ROM based off those) will not work. Using SafeStrap you can flash TouchWiz-based ROMs since they can use you stock kernel.
Look in the AT&T S4 forums for ROMs that say they are compatible with SafeStrap, you should be able to use most of those. Since they are meant fir a different phone you'll have to flash the MasterPatch afterwards. A lot of people seen to like the Hyperdrive ROM.

O-T said:
Your frustration is understand. Swearing or bad language is not excused in this forum for any reason. Moderate at least title or be prepared to get warning and/or thread locked down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad you're 100% correct I see how to edit op but not tutle.

Devo7v said:
You cannot install CM. Since you have a locked bootloader, it is not possible to install any custom kernels, so ROMs that require a custom kernel (CM, AOSP, or any ROM based off those) will not work. Using SafeStrap you can flash TouchWiz-based ROMs since they can use you stock kernel.
Look in the AT&T S4 forums for ROMs that say they are compatible with SafeStrap, you should be able to use most of those. Since they are meant fir a different phone you'll have to flash the MasterPatch afterwards. A lot of people seen to like the Hyperdrive ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it. Thanks. I remember back in a day I've been using "theme" that allowed me to have Google stock feel u guess I need to look in this but for now I guess I'll just remove what I can and will suffer until Nexus 6 is in stock and I can afford it. Love that phone. Also I see 5.0 will be out for active next year so it's not that bad. Meanwhile should I do Ota update to latest stock firmware ?

russiandivxclub said:
Got it. Thanks. I remember back in a day I've been using "theme" that allowed me to have Google stock feel u guess I need to look in this but for now I guess I'll just remove what I can and will suffer until Nexus 6 is in stock and I can afford it. Love that phone. Also I see 5.0 will be out for active next year so it's not that bad. Meanwhile should I do Ota update to latest stock firmware ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want, you can still root the latest firmware so you have nothing to lose.