Database Info

Problem with flashing Cyanogen

Hi! first of all i dont know if this is the right forum to right this question. Dont know if it should be in the Dream forum but i have a magic, so i write it in the Magic forum.
My problem is that i for some reason can't flash Cyanogen's ROMs.
I have had Cyanogen's 4.0.3 ROM on my magic, but a couple of days ago i decided to upgrade it and try the Experimentel version 4.1.8.
I First tried to use the CM Updater, but for some reason it did not work, it would not flash the ROM.
So i downloaded the ROM manually and did as i always do: boot in recovery, wipe, apply and then reboot. Everything went fine until the reboot. After reboot the phone gets stuck at the HTC Magic screen, and nothing happens, only thing i can do is to remove the battery and the try and boot the phone again, and then it just get stuck at the HTC Magic screen again.
I have no problem flashing a MyHero 1.1.1. It works perfect.
I have also tried with a number of the other Cyanogen ROM versions, even tried 3.9.1 (cant remember the exact version number) have also tried the 4.0.3 version that did work before all this happened, but still no luck.
I have tried installing the Cyanogen Recovery image and the flash the Cyanogen ROM, but it still gets stuck at the HTC Magic screen.
I have tried reformating my sdcard and then flash, but no luck.
Can it be that i need a new SPL, Radio or something?
My current Fastboot screen looks like this:
SAPPHIRE PVT 32A ENG S-OFF H
HBOOT-1.33.2010 (SAPP10000)
CPLD-12
RADIO-3.22.20.17
If anyone know what i need to do to get the Cyanogen ROM on my magic, i would really like to know.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Hope to here from you.
Per

Cyanogen is built for 32B (You seem to have a 32A) so you need to flash a 32A-kernel on top of the cyanogen ROM.
Check this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=544854

do what psyduck says, AND wipe before you do it. going from a stable to an experimental build requires a wipe or you will have a lot of issues.

Okay, thx for the answer both of you.
So i just "flash" the kernel first, like if it was an normal update? e.g. rename it update.zip, push it to sdcard, wipe, flash and then reboot. And then flash the ROM like i would normal do?
But what if I would like to flash a stable build, e.g. 4.0.4 what do i do then? i can't find a kernel for that in the link. Or can i just use 1 of the kernels in that link?
Per

Cyanogens ROM first! Otherwise the kernel will be overwritten with the one included in the cyanogen ROM.
Don't know why the old kernels were removed? Better to ask in the linked thread.

Decided to try Donut on my MT3G and had the same issue, I did a wipe after I noticed it didn't get past the first splash screen and that fixed it.

Thx for the help all of you, im now on the Cyanogen ROM, finally. its good to be back
But have 1 last question: When i deside to upgrade the current Cyanogen ROM im on now, i would also need to flash a new kernel right?

the thread listed by PsyDuck has it.
first page, look at the file called "Base Kernel v4.1.9.2"
link for it is right below.
Use amonRA's Recovery so you dont have to rename the updates.
download CM's latest 4.1.9.2 ROM and the basekernal. put both in root directory of SD.
boot into recovery, nandroid backup, wipe, Flash ROM then Flash update.
reboot. should work fine.

I did so, and everything works now. really nice, finally

32a looping after flashing CyanogenMod 4.1.99
I have a 32a and I used to run CM 4.0.4 perfectly fine.
I've been trying to flash to later CM roms but until now still not able to do so.
Every steps in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=568032 were followed carefully. Here is what I do:
1. Copy the HTC ADP 1.6 DRC83 into the SD card
2. Copy CyanogenMod 4.1.99 into the SD card
3. Copy the Kernel Port file into the SD card
4. Wipe
5. Flash HTC ADP 1.6 DRC83
6. Flash CyanogenMod 4.1.99
7. Flash the Kernel Port file
8. Reboot
The phone reboots into the first screen (HTC Magic) and after a while, reboot again and still stuck at the same screen.
Eventually I have to take out the battery.
I don't partition my SD card and it has been working fine with the other roms such as RA 1.6.1H, MyHero 1.1.2 etc, so I doubt that could be the problem.
I tried to plug the USB and "adb lolcat" but my WinXP says USB device not recognized.
The strange thing is it seems everyone's 32A doesn't have this problem, except me. I've reported this problem before but wasn't able to get a solution.
Is there anyway to troubleshoot to find out what goes wrong?
Thanks in advance.

thats actually weird..try restoring nandroid backup..
i followed the same instructions with the exception of not wiping..try that see if it helps.

Thanks for replying. I didn't manage to flash successfully before that's why not able to do a nandroid backup ... unless of course if someone is willing to share the backup with me.
str4vag said:
thats actually weird..try restoring nandroid backup..
i followed the same instructions with the exception of not wiping..try that see if it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Same Boat
I have the same problem when flashing CM 4.1.99[9] ROMS. It goes into the endless boot/reboot mode.
I used to have the problem with the HoFo ROM as well (between versions 2.0.5 - 2.0.9). HoFo started working after that. I don't know what changed.
Code:
SAPPHIRE PVT 32A ENG S-OFF H
HBOOT-1.33.2005 (SAPP10000)
RADIO-3.22.20.17
Apr 20 2009, 15:30:43
ranger79 said:
I have a 32a and I used to run CM 4.0.4 perfectly fine.
I've been trying to flash to later CM roms but until now still not able to do so.
Every steps in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=568032 were followed carefully. Here is what I do:
1. Copy the HTC ADP 1.6 DRC83 into the SD card
2. Copy CyanogenMod 4.1.99 into the SD card
3. Copy the Kernel Port file into the SD card
4. Wipe
5. Flash HTC ADP 1.6 DRC83
6. Flash CyanogenMod 4.1.99
7. Flash the Kernel Port file
8. Reboot
The phone reboots into the first screen (HTC Magic) and after a while, reboot again and still stuck at the same screen.
Eventually I have to take out the battery.
I don't partition my SD card and it has been working fine with the other roms such as RA 1.6.1H, MyHero 1.1.2 etc, so I doubt that could be the problem.
I tried to plug the USB and "adb lolcat" but my WinXP says USB device not recognized.
The strange thing is it seems everyone's 32A doesn't have this problem, except me. I've reported this problem before but wasn't able to get a solution.
Is there anyway to troubleshoot to find out what goes wrong?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Help ,please:Accidentally flash wrong rom

please do not kill me right away;i used a lots search before i decided write here.
here is what i did:
i flashed 32b rom on my 32a phone.of course doesn't work.
now i can go to boot menu but i didn't performed backup before so cannot use nandroid for restore. i read a lot about restoring from pc but im completely noob in this so i do not understand single thing how to do it.
i was thinking , can i just remote sdcard put it to different device,connect to pc and delete unwanted (update.zip) ROM and put there rom i want and then insert to my broken phone and install new rom from boot?
thank you a lot .

just repeat the step that you haved root 32a before
-copy proper rom to sdcard
-reboot to fastboot mode(back+power)
-fastboot with recovery image file(on PC)
-wipe
-flash rom
-reboot

rony05 said:
please do not kill me right away;i used a lots search before i decided write here.
here is what i did:
i flashed 32b rom on my 32a phone.of course doesn't work.
now i can go to boot menu but i didn't performed backup before so cannot use nandroid for restore. i read a lot about restoring from pc but im completely noob in this so i do not understand single thing how to do it.
i was thinking , can i just remote sdcard put it to different device,connect to pc and delete unwanted (update.zip) ROM and put there rom i want and then insert to my broken phone and install new rom from boot?
thank you a lot .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im new also but does your device hang at start up screen when u boot. which rom this u flash? if it was a hero rom try and flash a 32a kernel over it and it might boot. again im new like you and im just throwing things out. i have flashed a few 32b hero roms on my 32a device and flashed a 32a kernel over it and it boots up. sorry if im no help to your issue

yes you can do exactly that. you are fine, your phone is not broken. it is not a big deal, you can fix it just do a wipe then flash new proper rom.

Just boot into recovery mode, perform a data wipe, and flash the proper rom. If you need help, let me know.

[HOW TO] Update Perfect SPL without Gold card

How to fix perfect SPL without Gold card. Include new 1.33.2013 SPL.
It’s possible to flash engineering SPLs, to replace your prefect SPL (1.33.2006, 1.33.2010, 1.33.2013, other) without Gold card. I did it on my 32B, sure method will work on 32A and other devices.
First short idea, then in steps.
First root your phone (soft root), then through Market download ROM Manager app, install Clockwork (or alternate Amon_RA) recovery, and immediately press boot into recovery. Phone will reboot into recovery, and now you can flash engineering SPL from SD card.
Now by steps
1. Download Engineering SPL from Amon_RA collection here. Put it (zip file) to your FAT32 formatted SD card. (1.33.2005 is common working)
2. Download newest version of SuperOneClick rooting program from here. Install program to your PC.
3. Connect phone, run program and use button Shell Root. This will soft root your phone. (Please read details instructions in program topic).
4. From phone, through Market, install 'ROM Manager' application. (Internet connection required).
5. Run app, press install Clockwork (or alternate Amon_RA) recovery. App will download latest recovery and install it. Immediately press boot to recovery.
6. Phone will boot into recovery, choose 'flash zip from SD' and choose your previously downloaded Engineering SPL.
7. After flash will ask to reboot, and choose reboot from menu.
8. After reboot phone will finish flashing SPL, and DONE!
NOW U can reboot into recovery yourself, by pressing 'HOME' + 'POWER' keys (from switched off phone). From recovery U can flash Radio, ROMS, do backup, etc.
If U would flash ROM, recommend to try Cyanogen MOD ROM first. There are detailed instructions for flashing on Cyanogen WIKI page.
If on step 6 phone not boot into Recovery, but showing splash screen with '!' sigh. Reboot phone and back to step 3 and go through steps again, but on step 5 flash OTHER recovery then used previously (Clockwork OR Amon_ra). Please keep in mind, (1) that Soft Root working until reboot, and (2) that You have to reboot into recovery immediately after flashing it. Other ways U have to start again, from step 3.
Would mention, that most ROMs not working with newest radio, and You have to flash old radio to ROMs start loading on your device.
Thanks to CLShortFuse, Amon_RA and all other developers.

After spending one day for SPL hack and flashing 12 different ROMs I've ended with recovering original latest Google ROM FR83D. Because no other could compare to fast and stable of original unrooted rom.

AMAZING!
This worked for me with the 2010 SPL for my MyTouch 3G 1.2. I don't know how or why, but this is amazing. I've bricked my phone from trying to change the SPL, and this worked perfectly. I think there is a simpler method to this though.
I got full root using Universal Androot, then flashed the stock +Rooted MyTouch 3G 1.2 ROM. If you do this, then you can start from step 6.
THIS IS AMAZING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

when i flash the recovery and boot into it just goes to the green mytouch splash screen and does nothing.. if i try to boot into recovery manually with power and home it goes to the black screen with the exclamation triangle and a phone...

Thanks, it works with me.
Regards.

franky_402 said:
when i flash the recovery and boot into it just goes to the green mytouch splash screen and does nothing.. if i try to boot into recovery manually with power and home it goes to the black screen with the exclamation triangle and a phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If on step 6 phone not boot into Recovery, but showing splash screen with '!' sigh. Reboot phone and back to step 3 and go through steps again, but on step 5 flash OTHER recovery then used previously (Clockwork OR Amon_ra). Please keep in mind, (1) that Soft Root working until reboot, and (2) that You have to reboot into recovery immediately after flashing it. Other ways U have to start again, from step 3.

So I tried flashing a new SPL following this method. I got softroot and installed Amon Ra's recovery via ROM Manager. I then booted into recovery and flashed Engineering SPL 1.33.2010 (seemed like the newest version) now my phone is stuck in a boot loop.
I can get into recovery but the phone will not boot into the OS or anything.
Prior to this, my HBOOT was 1.33.0013 (the one that came with the official 2.2.1 update from T-Mobile)
Any thoughts on how I could fix this? This isn't my primary phone since I have a G2 but I would like to get my old MyTouch3G to work.
----UPDATE----
I got into fastboot (forgot that I needed to hold the back button) and I see that HBOOT is now 1.33.2010 and I have S-OFF. Is there some incompatibility with my radio (shows 2.22.29.25) and this HBOOT?

After SPL flash U have to flash ROM and some times radio too. New ROMs will not work with older SPLs and new radios some time not work with some ROMs. So, flash new ROM from Recovery.
I would recommend to flash Cyanogen MOD ROM for first try. There are detailed instructions for flashing on Cyanogen WIKI page? dont flash SPL, because U already did, start from step ROM flash.
Good luck
smapdi said:
So I tried flashing a new SPL following this method. I got softroot and installed Amon Ra's recovery via ROM Manager. I then booted into recovery and flashed Engineering SPL 1.33.2010 (seemed like the newest version) now my phone is stuck in a boot loop.
I can get into recovery but the phone will not boot into the OS or anything.
Prior to this, my HBOOT was 1.33.0013 (the one that came with the official 2.2.1 update from T-Mobile)
Any thoughts on how I could fix this? This isn't my primary phone since I have a G2 but I would like to get my old MyTouch3G to work.
----UPDATE----
I got into fastboot (forgot that I needed to hold the back button) and I see that HBOOT is now 1.33.2010 and I have S-OFF. Is there some incompatibility with my radio (shows 2.22.29.25) and this HBOOT?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

thanks liberatemail, it works on my magic

I am trying to help my friend to flash his magic 32a which with original HTC sense android 1.5. I did root it but coouldn't install Rom manager 3.0.1.3. Which version do I need, I found or on market but it's not free like I install on my ginger yoshi magic, why?
Sent from my HTC Magic/Dream using XDA App

ROM manager avaible from Market.
To install original ROM try to look recovery flashing in top topics
ginoyang said:
I am trying to help my friend to flash his magic 32a which with original HTC sense android 1.5. I did root it but coouldn't install Rom manager 3.0.1.3. Which version do I need, I found or on market but it's not free like I install on my ginger yoshi magic, why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Error occurred while attempting to run priveledged commands
Rogers HTC Magic
pvt 32a
spl: 1.76.0010 (50000)
radio: 6.35.16.19
build:3.54.631.4
I run soft root on superoneclick and it says I'm rooted. Installed Rom Manager. Attempted to 'Flash ClockworkMod' and got the following message: 'An Error occurred while attempting to run priveledged commands'. Re-ran Superoneclick and it says device is already rooted. Any ideas?

liberatemail said:
After spending one day for SPL hack and flashing 12 different ROMs I've ended with recovering original latest Google ROM FR83D. Because no other could compare to fast and stable of original unrooted rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can you get that FR83D ROM? Thanks!

darkguy2008 said:
Where can you get that FR83D ROM? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please look in treads names some where here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=493

facevalue said:
Rogers HTC Magic
pvt 32a
spl: 1.76.0010 (50000)
radio: 6.35.16.19
build:3.54.631.4
I run soft root on superoneclick and it says I'm rooted. Installed Rom Manager. Attempted to 'Flash ClockworkMod' and got the following message: 'An Error occurred while attempting to run priveledged commands'. Re-ran Superoneclick and it says device is already rooted. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try to install alternate recovery manager from Rom Manager

liberatemail said:
Please look in treads names some where here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=493
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that was helpful...
... NOT.
I mean, duh, I know how to search, and it's not in the first page, so it must be a really old ROM or it doesn't has FR83D in the name.

Help for S-Off XTC Clip User

Hi,
As you can see from my signature, I'm still using all the firmware which originally came with my phone back in June.
As I needed root for a particular application, I got S-off through the XTC Clip method. For various reasons, I would like the latest (rooted) official ROM. Having read through the guides, I think to get up-to-date I need to do the following:
1. Get a custom recovery (ext4 seems the most popular);
2. Do a backup using the custom recovery;
3. Follow the instructions in this thread to get the latest hboot and radio: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1240266
4. Backup key data to be restored using Titanium backup;
5. Do backup again using custom recovery;
6. Install ROM from developers site following instructions. I should use either of the following to get the latest official Rom:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1230029
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1287797
Is the above roughly the right process to follow? Not totally sure what I am doing but hopefully I am on the right lines.
Many thanks,
Damian

damian35 said:
Hi,
As you can see from my signature, I'm still using all the firmware which originally came with my phone back in June.
As I needed root for a particular application, I got S-off through the XTC Clip method. For various reasons, I would like the latest (rooted) official ROM. Having read through the guides, I think to get up-to-date I need to do the following:
1. Get a custom recovery (ext4 seems the most popular);
2. Do a backup using the custom recovery;
3. Follow the instructions in this thread to get the latest hboot and radio: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1240266
4. Backup key data to be restored using Titanium backup;
5. Do backup again using custom recovery;
6. Install ROM from developers site following instructions. I should use either of the following to get the latest official Rom:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1230029
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1287797
Is the above roughly the right process to follow? Not totally sure what I am doing but hopefully I am on the right lines.
Many thanks,
Damian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks good I just would do this:
Backup key data to be restored using Titanium backup;
as first step not at fourth.
And would insert a factory reset (wipe /data, /cache and /dalvik cache)
before 6 and a wipe of /cache and/dalvik cache before step 1 and 3.
The wipes are not really necessary, but to stay on the safe side I would recommend it.
Swyped from my Desire S

Hi,
Thanks for the quick response - I think I am getting somewhere here.
A couple of other points:
Is 4ext recovery the best custom recovery? I'm guessing a custom recovery is essential.
The link to the hboot for xtc-clip contains an old radio, so I will need to include another step to further update the radio.
when I download the hboot for xtc-clip file, do I need to do something to validate that the file is complete (this md5 thing)? Is it easy to validate.
Going to give the above ago this evening, so hopefully it will go ok!!
Thanks again,
Damian

damian35 said:
Hi,
Thanks for the quick response - I think I am getting somewhere here.
A couple of other points:
Is 4ext recovery the best custom recovery? I'm guessing a custom recovery is essential.
The link to the hboot for xtc-clip contains an old radio, so I will need to include another step to further update the radio.
when I download the hboot for xtc-clip file, do I need to do something to validate that the file is complete (this md5 thing)? Is it easy to validate.
Going to give the above ago this evening, so hopefully it will go ok!!
Thanks again,
Damian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) As much as I know it's the best for our device, it's based on cwm and adds a few helpful features to it
2) You could put the radio inside my signature, it's not the latest, but it's up to date and within the latest there is a report about bigger battery consumption with wifi
The steps to get it working are described within the thread where you get it from, anyway the procedure is more or less similar to the one for hboot
3) Would be a good idea, but cause there is no md5 sum to compare with it doesn't make much sense, but you could ask if someone can post it, and then generate the md5 of yours within Linux (I don't know if you're an windows our Linux user) or within the adb shell and compare it
Here is an md5 howto:
http://linux.byexamples.com/archives/198/md5-checksum-how-to/
(only the first step is needed by you, just compare the output with the posted md5sum)
To get adb working just take a look at the guide for newcomers
Swyped from my Desire S

Virtuous ROM: SuperCID and Firmware upgrade NOT needed?

The thread [GUIDE] A must read for those noobs who want to enjoy ICS states that ALL ICS roms need a firmware upgrade.
However, the installation instructions for the Virtuous ROM doesn't say anything at all about upgrading the firmware: http://www.virtuousrom.com/p/documentation.html
Which one is right?
Also, just to be on the safe side, is SuperCID needed?

The documentation page you linked is installation instructions for all Virtuous ROMs, so it's pretty generic. If you look at the description page for Virtuous Inquisition, which is ICS-based, the page does mention firmware. That ROM is based on the most recent 3.32 firmware, which is probably what you want to use. AFAIK, all ICS ROMs require firmware version of 3.12 or greater.
As for SuperCID, I think there are firmware downloads on the forums now that don't require it but it's also pretty easy to do.

pyrilium said:
The documentation page you linked is installation instructions for all Virtuous ROMs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh. Ok. That was the missing link. Thanks.
I have a rooted S-OFF Sensation 4G with the stock ROM and ClockWork. So all I need to do is:
Flash the Firmware that doesn't require SuperCID
Nandroid Backup / Wipe
And then I can flash Virtuous.
Is that correct?
Also, does flashing Firmware alone cause a wipe?

That is correct, although I would do your nandroid backup before you flash the firmware. I'm not sure that it will wipe the system partitions, but it might.
The only other thing is that it can be a pain to get back into recovery after you flash the firmware if you're not using adb, since whenever you boot into the boot loader it will detect the firmware (PG58IMG.zip) on your SD card and ask if you want to flash it. One solution is to remove PG58IMG.zip from the SD card using an SD reader after you do the firmware update, but if you have adb installed & working you can also simply issue the command "adb reboot recovery" when the phone is off. This won't work when you're in the bootloader, although there's probably an equivalent fastboot command.

pyrilium said:
That is correct, although I would do your nandroid backup before you flash the firmware. I'm not sure that it will wipe the system partitions, but it might.
The only other thing is that it can be a pain to get back into recovery after you flash the firmware if you're not using adb, since whenever you boot into the boot loader it will detect the firmware (PG58IMG.zip) on your SD card and ask if you want to flash it. One solution is to remove PG58IMG.zip from the SD card using an SD reader after you do the firmware update, but if you have adb installed & working you can also simply issue the command "adb reboot recovery" when the phone is off. This won't work when you're in the bootloader, although there's probably an equivalent fastboot command.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, this is extremely helpful, thank you. One other thing: does it matter what version of ClockWork I'm using? (I rooted/did S-Off a loooooong time ago.)

Glad I can help!
I don't know whether the version of CWM matters. I doubt it would, other than maybe making a nandroid backup in a format other than current, but it's not that hard to update the recovery either.
I actually started using 4ext recovery recently, and I like it a fair bit better than CWM. It's something like $2.00 on the market, but includes a userspace application that lets you do things like set up a series of recovery operations (i.e. make backup, wipe, flash a set of zips) and then reboot into recovery to run them.

Perfect, thanks. I'll give this a shot.
Every few weeks I look up how to move to ICS but then lose my enthusiasm once I see all the things I'd have to do to switch haha. But today I noticed that Virtuous doesn't need some of those steps

One more question: SuperWIPE is unnecessary for Virtuous Inquisition correct? I see that it is necessary for Android Revolution, but I just wanted to make sure.

I've always seen superwipe recommended as part of the upgrade process from GB to ICS. It might not be required for Virtuous, but I don't see why you'd want to avoid it. The flashing process *will* wipe your phone - you want to use something like Titanium Backup to backup/restore app states if that's a problem - and performing the superwipe takes almost no time.

Woohoo! Successfully upgraded from stock Gingerbread (rooted & S-Off) to Virtuous Inquisition ICS! I wrote down what I did, so if anyone is interested, below is how I did it. It took about 15 minutes in total (not including the backups). Hopefully it helps someone else out there!
Titanium Backup all apps
Nandroid Backup via ClockWork Recovery (1434 MB)
Get CID Version:
Download ADB/Fastboot files from attachment from Post #1 of the [Firmware][Mar 12] thread
Connect phone to PC -> adb reboot bootloader -> Then in bootloader:
fastboot getvar cid: T-MOB010
fastboot getvar mid: PG5810000
fastboot reboot
Download the appropriate Firmware from above thread (CTRL+F for T-MOB010/PG5810000) and the Virtuous ROM from Virtous Website
Copy both files to sdcard, check md5 on both
Flash Firmware:
Turn phone off -> Hold Volume-Down + Power to enter bootloader
Wait for the firmware package to be found and confirm to update as prompted
Once completed successfully and asks you to reboot, pull the battery out. (Gingerbread & firmware are incompatible, causes bootloops)
With phone off and plugged into PC, do adb reboot recovery (Thanks pyrilium!)
Mount USB storage
Use PC to delete firmware file from sdcard
Wipe all data and cache -> Flash Virtuous -> Reboot
(Note that YES, flashing firmware causes bootloops -- as I found out! So firmware and ROM must both be flashed together.)
And thanks pyrilium for the note about using "adb reboot recovery" while the phone is off! I would have never figured that you could issue adb commands with your phone off. That tip isn't even in any of the guides, so thanks for that! Extremely helpful.
Anyway, hope that helps others out there. And thanks for helping me!