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Can a kernel be flashed without a rom and vice versa?
Does it erase all saved data to flash a kernel? A rom?
The designations KD1, KB5, KJ6, wtf do these represent?
What is firmware version 2.2.1? Does this dictate what kernels/roms will work?
My phone came stock with
Baseband version: T959VUVKD1
after an unsuccessful root, it now it has
Baseband version: T959VUVKB5
What's the difference? Is my new one better?
My kernel is now 2.6.32.9
Wasn't stock kernel 2.2.1?
Why bother switching kernels/Roms in the first place? It seems like it's just a big headache. Launcher apps seem to provide more customization then alternate Roms. What gives?
Thanks in advance, this may seem noob but I find it hard just finding BASIC information sometimes.
I've spent a LOT of time dicking around with this new phone (my first smartphone) and I love the fact that it is customizable it but it takes up too much time to have to read up on everything, flash, then re load all my icons, screw that. I just want to know what is the best, fastest, simplest, most customizable rom/kernel combo up front, or I'm going back to stock, I have to believe that they designed the stock OS around the phone to maximize effectiveness.
Thanks in advance
Alot of questions but I'll attempt to answer them. Disclaimer though, I havent been on these forums for that long so my answers may not be correct and I wont be held responsible for incorrect info.
Farlander said:
Can a kernel be flashed without a rom and vice versa?
Does it erase all saved data to flash a kernel? A rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes a kernel can be flashed without a rom, but roms come with kernels already on them. When flashing a kernel, data on you're device is kept, but not vice versa.
The designations KD1, KB5, KJ6, wtf do these represent?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are versions. They are labeled in alphanumeric order. Example, KB5 is the oldest of the three, KD1 is newer, and KJ6 is the newest (and the newest kernel at the moment for this phone as well).
What is firmware version 2.2.1? Does this dictate what kernels/roms will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2.2.x are Froyo (Frozen Yogurt) versions. 2.3.x are Gingerbread versionss with the Gingerbread bootloaders that are needed to flash most roms on here with Clockwork Mod (CWM).
General Android Knowledge:
Cupcake < Donut < Eclair < Froyo < Gingerbread (GB) < Honeycomb < Icecream Sandwich (ICS)
My phone came stock with
Baseband version: T959VUVKD1
after an unsuccessful root, it now it has
Baseband version: T959VUVKB5
What's the difference? Is my new one better?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well "better" is relative, but it is indeed older. Also, try using the new SuperOneClick to root next time if you haven't.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682
My kernel is now 2.6.32.9
Wasn't stock kernel 2.2.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm noob so idk how to answer this.
Why bother switching kernels/Roms in the first place? It seems like it's just a big headache. Launcher apps seem to provide more customization then alternate Roms. What gives?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROMs can add features, take away bloatware (relatively useless programs that come preloaded with the phone), and provide functional inprovements (such as KJ6's better WiFi reception.
Thanks in advance, this may seem noob but I find it hard just finding BASIC information sometimes.
I've spent a LOT of time dicking around with this new phone (my first smartphone) and I love the fact that it is customizable it but it takes up too much time to have to read up on everything, flash, then re load all my icons, screw that. I just want to know what is the best, fastest, simplest, most customizable rom/kernel combo up front, or I'm going back to stock, I have to believe that they designed the stock OS around the phone to maximize effectiveness.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may just want to just follow this guide for now:
Then after which, use SuperOneClick (SOC) to root
After you get yourself situated here, then move on to bigger and better roms such as RaverX3X's Octane:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1305145
or Somairotevoli's 2.3.6 Debloated SimplySimple:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321611
Be sure to always follow the OP's Instructions to the T. For example, when wiping or mounting.
And UMMU mounts means in CWM under mounts set them to:
Unmount
Mount
Mount
Unmount
Hope this helped
Oh also, if all else ever fails when attemoting to flash a ROM, try the method found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1223765
Farlander said:
Can a kernel be flashed without a rom and vice versa?
Does it erase all saved data to flash a kernel? A rom?
The designations KD1, KB5, KJ6, wtf do these represent?
What is firmware version 2.2.1? Does this dictate what kernels/roms will work?
My phone came stock with
Baseband version: T959VUVKD1
after an unsuccessful root, it now it has
Baseband version: T959VUVKB5
What's the difference? Is my new one better?
My kernel is now 2.6.32.9
Wasn't stock kernel 2.2.1?
Why bother switching kernels/Roms in the first place? It seems like it's just a big headache. Launcher apps seem to provide more customization then alternate Roms. What gives?
Thanks in advance, this may seem noob but I find it hard just finding BASIC information sometimes.
I've spent a LOT of time dicking around with this new phone (my first smartphone) and I love the fact that it is customizable it but it takes up too much time to have to read up on everything, flash, then re load all my icons, screw that. I just want to know what is the best, fastest, simplest, most customizable rom/kernel combo up front, or I'm going back to stock, I have to believe that they designed the stock OS around the phone to maximize effectiveness.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll do my best to answer this; hope I don't skip anything
Can a kernel be flashed without a rom and vice versa?
- The kernel is a traffic cop. It is what controls the underlying hardware in your phone, on your tablet, or on your PC. It handles things like memory management and allocation, access to hardware, process scheduling, and much more. You can flash a kernel onto an existing ROM (for example, Gingerbread VUVKG4 ROM with a modified KG4 kernel that has root access). The kernel you flash replaces the one that's already there. When you flash a ROM, it has a kernel already in it.
Does it erase all saved data to flash a kernel? A rom?
- Generally flashing a kernel does not wipe any of your data as you're only replacing the kernel. Flashing a ROM can wipe your data; it really depends on what you're flashing. It's always good practice to make a backup before flashing unless you've nothing on the phone to lose. Flashing a ROM that does wipe your data will not wipe the contents of your sdcard, it wipes the /data and other partitions on the phone's internal memory/storage.
The designations KD1, KB5, KJ6, wtf do these represent?
- Versions. Generally ROMs for our model of phone (Galaxy S 4G, SGH-T959V) have a name like VUVKB5, VUVKD1, or VUVKJ6. The last two characters correspond to a certain build/version number. The more recent the last two characters the more recent the build. The builds for our phone were on 2.2 (Froyo) through KD1 then went to 2.3 (Gingerbread) starting with KF1. Gingerbread required updated boot loaders for the phone. Without the proper boot loaders the phone wouldn't work.
What is firmware version 2.2.1? Does this dictate what kernels/roms will work?
- 2.2.1 is Froyo. It's a version of the Android operating system (OS). It does not dictate what will work, per-se. Rather it's telling you what version of the OS your phone is currently running. If you were to try and flash something, say a kernel, you'd definitely need to know what version you are on so that you flash a kernel/ROM for that version. You can upgrade to newer ROMs, though, say to go from 2.2.1 (KD1) to 2.3.6 (KJ6). You just have to make sure you have all of the right pieces in place first.
My phone came stock with
Baseband version: T959VUVKD1
after an unsuccessful root, it now it has
Baseband version: T959VUVKB5
What's the difference? Is my new one better?
- The "new" one is actually older, which means it is missing bug/performance fixes and the like.
My kernel is now 2.6.32.9
Wasn't stock kernel 2.2.1?
- Confusing, isn't it? The 2.6.32.9 is the kernel version & 2.2.1 is the ROM version. When you upgrade ROMs there's a good chance the kernel version will change, too, but not necessarily. They are independent numbers but kernels/ROMs are dependent upon one another. Clear as mud, right?
Why bother switching kernels/Roms in the first place? It seems like it's just a big headache. Launcher apps seem to provide more customization then alternate Roms. What gives?
- It's a personal preference most of the time. You could upgrade to the latest release ROM by Samsung which is VUVKJ6 using their Kies Mini software. It's Gingerbread based, faster, better battery life, wifi is a little weaker. Just make sure you backup any information you want to keep first. I generally keep my contacts synched with T-Mobile or Google and after a data wipe they sync back to the phone.
As for flashing custom ROMs you'd have to read up on the different ones to see if they interest you. Some increase performance, some have mad themes wrapped up in them, some have better battery life, some do their best to roll all of that up into them.
In short, you don't have to flash anything. The development community here enjoys doing it though despite what headaches it might bring. It enables us to hack/tweak the phone to see what it can do, what performance we can wring out of it, etc. I've learned a lot in the little time I've been in this community and have a TON more to learn.
I've spent a LOT of time dicking around with this new phone (my first smartphone) and I love the fact that it is customizable it but it takes up too much time to have to read up on everything, flash, then re load all my icons, screw that. I just want to know what is the best, fastest, simplest, most customizable rom/kernel combo up front, or I'm going back to stock, I have to believe that they designed the stock OS around the phone to maximize effectiveness.
- Unfortunately reading up on it, trying ROMs out, and going through some trials and tribulations is a part of the process. Which is the best ROM is strictly subjective so you'd get a bunch of different answers from a bunch of different people.
The best thing I can suggest is, if you're really interested, to take the time to read the stickies in the different forums (General, Q&A, Developer, etc.). They contain a plethora of information that will actually help you to avoid a lot of the problems. Read some threads on different ROMs & issues. You'll find a lot of "I had this problem" followed by the developer or someone else saying "Yeah, I fixed that" or "here's how to avoid/fix it". Utilize the search feature; it's there to help. The more research you do on your own the more you will learn and the less likely you'll get flamed by anyone for not trying to help yourself before asking for the help of others.
Welcome to the forums. Best of luck to you.
Kudos to you both I hope other noobs find this info as well. I think I'll flash KJ6 deodexed (faster/cleaner/more customizable right?) rooted. I don't really see the need for CWM or Titanium unless there's a ton of bloatware to remove, or I want to go crazy flashing ROMS - from what I gather, with CWM you can modify the recovery mode so that new roms can be installed right from the phone?
I have really looking for some specific key features that would improve my experience, such as a customizable destination folder for camera pics, i.e. SD card, not internal memory, a good all-time gestures program, wifi file sharing w/ pc, some cool widgets and animations, and a major reduction in the spyware content and background data of the phone, specifically google apps that try to sync my entire brain.
Farlander said:
...from what I gather, with CWM you can modify the recovery mode so that new roms can be installed right from the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically, but you always have to be careful when doing so. Make backups of your data and follow the instructions carefully unless you really enjoy losing important files and using Odin lol.
I have really looking for some specific key features that would improve my experience, such as a customizable destination folder for camera pics, i.e. SD card, not internal memory, a good all-time gestures program, wifi file sharing w/ pc, some cool widgets and animations, and a major reduction in the spyware content and background data of the phone, specifically google apps that try to sync my entire brain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already thought the default destination for Camera pictures was in sdcard/DCIM ? And for cool widgets and animations, you are better off using a custom Launcher, such as GO Launcher EX. A ton of roms on here, however, do offer very nice looking themes and many remove bloatware.
My advice: get comfortable with CWM and flash a few roms; however many you need until you know you're preferences.
Hi
Bored of waiting for HTC to get the update out to me, so I've s-off'ed, installed Clockwork recovery. Also rooted it.
What I would like is an ICS rom that works. It must be fast, so JIT enabled (there is at least one where JIT doesn't work), I am not bothered one way or the other about sense. It doesn't seem to make much difference these days, there are apps that do everything it does. I use the camera, photos and film, wifi, phone, bluetooth, 3g, market, SD card, so all those things have to work. I'm a relative noob when it comes to installing roms, so something simple to install would be great
Can anyone suggest roms that meet those requirements, it's hard to tell from a 100+ page post on the forums here which bits do and don't work without spending hours trawling through them all.
Thanks
Endolf
I'm using Insert Coin and would recommend it as a first ICS rom. It uses aroma installer so you have your choice of several different options during install and won't need to flash anything extra other than the rom. I'd stay away from sense 4 roms as they still aren't perfected yet.
I'm assuming you've read the firmware update thread and that you know you need the newest firmware before trying to flash an ICS rom?
Are you looking for aosp or sense?
ICSensation 4G
Hi, didn't know I needed a firmware update, I'll have a hunt for the thread, thanks.
Endolf
Hi
Not fussed between AOSP or Sense, as long as it all works, everything sense can do can be got elsewhere.
Thanks
Endolf
I've been using HyperNonsense for about 2 weeks now and I absolutely love it. It's smooth, fast, and stable. And it's very lean. It's whole purpose is to be not much more than an operating system ready for you to customize it with the apps you want. Just about everything is removed from it (SMS, camera, calculator, etc) so you can put only the things you want on it later. This sounds like ti's up your alley. It's technically Sense, but there's no sense elements left in the UI.
Before that I was using Android Revolution HD. It's also very stable. You have the option of running it with or without Sense. (There's an extraction flashable zip that pulls most of the Sense components out of the ROM after you install it). This one comes a little more 'fully loaded' and is basically the stock ICS release with several tweaks to the code.
To use either of these ROM's properly though you need to ditch ClockworkMod Recovery and switch to 4EXT. (It's downlaodable from the market and will flash itself as your new recovery image. You won't need to push anything with ADB or anything from your computer) 4EXT allows you to make choices during the installations of ROMs. Many of the new ROMS require that.
I have been very happy with the new ARHD 6.6.3 version and using ROM Cleaner to get rid of the bloatware up front.
Hi there, my friend is coming round soon and I was planning to give it a custom rom
Now, I've done this type of stuff before (on my nexus) I just want to see how you would do it for this samsung phone
Now, what recoveries can you get? I use 4EXT on mine
And, can anybody send me to a stable and up-to-date rom that can be used everyday and has nearly no issues? I need one without all the samsung stuff, just a normal default android one
And, how would I go by rooting the phone?
On mine, I used the zergrush exploit, does it work for this phone??
If you want one with everything working, then use the Froyo roms. CM7 is under development. The major bugs are bluetooth and youtube hq. Leaving that, even thats useable. It's even better than Froyo.
I suggest you to try either Kyorarom or Kyrillos v9.6. Both of them are froyo based, pre-rooted, and have other mods to make it even more faster than a stock one.
Happy flashing!
ak700 said:
If you want one with everything working, then use the Froyo roms. CM7 is under development. The major bugs are bluetooth and youtube hq. Leaving that, even thats useable. It's even better than Froyo.
I suggest you to try either Kyorarom or Kyrillos v9.6. Both of them are froyo based, pre-rooted, and have other mods to make it even more faster than a stock one.
Happy flashing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, and how do I go about flashing the rom, would I have to root it first?
No need.
This is something to good to read http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1372414
BTW to root the phone use super one click root (or sth like that )
Ah, I get it now, thanks
Just one more question, does ODIN delete the phones data before installing the rom?
You have to wipe all your data after flashing(or not if from Froyo to Froyo)
I mean from recovery. ODIN don't delete user data
I exactly I don't know the working of odin, but after flashing you are directly taken to the recovery and advised to wipe data and factory reset.
Hello everyone,
What exactly does Clean Rom do? How is it different from what comes with the phone stock? Will Clean Rom mess with the updates that are pushed to our phones? Any big differences between layout?
Sorry for all the questions. I'm just not familiar with modifying my phone.
Must read more. Spend as much time as you can reading in the dev section. Clean ROM removes all of the ATT bloat and adds functionality like the FM radio and remapping the 3 dot menu button that takes up screen real-estate to the recent apps softkey. The recent apps can be accessed by holding down the home button, like we're familiar with. It also has performance and battery tweaks (says so in the changelog, haven't been using it long enough to notice). I flashed it the day before yesterday and I'm liking it.
Sent from my HTC One X
Clean Rom doesn't use profane language, think of it as the Will Smith of Roms...
Sent from my HOX running WCX
Did you bother to go to the Development forum, and read the CleanROM threads? They very well describe the features of each version of CleanROM.
You don't ever want to install an OTA update once on a custom ROM. It won't be compatible. Either it won't install, or it will remove root, or it will totally bork the system. The devs typically keep their ROM updated to the newest firmware base, and often long before the OTAs go out. So there is virtually never a benefit to updating via OTA (even if it did work).
Most custom ROMs prevent you from even getting an update pushed in the first place. Kind of a non-issue there.
To the OP, if you want to flash custom, just do it. Spend a few days on Clean, try out Smokin's ROM, too. Just find something you like. Worst that can happen is you RUU back to stock.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
SoberGuy said:
Most custom ROMs prevent you from even getting an update pushed in the first place. Kind of a non-issue there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on the device, and I believe the carrier (and maybe the custom ROM as you mentioned). I've gotten OTA notification, and even able to download OTA (didn't install it, just to see if it would actually download . . . some have said custom ROMs will prevent that too) on 2 previous HTC devices on custom ROMs. But one was a Canada Bell phone used on AT&T, and the other was the WiFi-only Flyer tablet. So it may be that AT&T somehow directly blocks OTA to rooted phones.
redpoint73 said:
Depends on the device, and I believe the carrier (and maybe the custom ROM as you mentioned). I've gotten OTA notification, and even able to download OTA (didn't install it, just to see if it would actually download . . . some have said custom ROMs will prevent that too) on 2 previous HTC devices on custom ROMs. But one was a Canada Bell phone used on AT&T, and the other was the WiFi-only Flyer tablet. So it may be that AT&T somehow directly blocks OTA to rooted phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think att can see your on a custom ROM, it has to do with if the developer is able to include that ability or not.
Thank you for the replies!
I'm trying my best to understand how Clean Rom works. Is it the same thing as rooting a phone? Any disadvantages of using Clean Rom?
I'm just curious about how it works because I tried jailbreaking my iPhone and that made it very crash prone. It's a bad example but it's the reason why I never tried using custom software again but I'm interested in giving this a try. I only get about 2 hours screen time and about 12 hours of screen off time for my phone to die.
I did the HTC battery test and my phone went down to 92% so I'm pretty sure it's not the battery that's wrong with the phone.
RPTheLefty said:
I'm trying my best to understand how Clean Rom works. Is it the same thing as rooting a phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears you need to do more reading to get a better understanding or root, ROMs, etc.
Root is just a change of permissions on your phone. It allows the user and apps access to system files that are normally restricted. Nothing more, nothing less.
Clean ROM (or installation of any custom ROM) is a total replacement of the firmware or operating system of the phone (also called a "ROM"). Clean ROM in particular is mostly based on the latest stock firmware version, but cleaned up to remove bloat, optimizations to make it faster and smoother, and some cool added features. There are 3 different versions of CleanROM. Just read the threads for each version to learn the differences.
I don't really keep up with iPhone stuff. But my understanding is that jailbreaking adds functionality, but makes the system less stable.
Whether a custom ROM on Android makes the phone more or less stable depends on the ROM. Some are ported from other phones, to give new UI look or functions, but can be a bit buggy at first. But any good ROM will be stable once it reaches "maturity" and the bugs are worked out. They can be very stable, and even more stable and smoother than the stock ROM. Which is one of the points of running a custom ROM.
CleanROM in particular is based on stock firmware, just cleaned up. So its very stable. Just as stable as stock, a bit smoother in some places, and with some awesome added features. Any disadvantages? Not really. But you need to unlock the bootloader to install any custom ROM, which voids the warranty. nd flashing anything to the phone has the risk of damage if you don't follow the instructions properly. Thats the only downsides I can think of (for any custom ROM, not just for CleanROM).
Redpoint had an excellent summary.
If you're looking for battery life improvement, there are significant advantages to a custom ROM. Some will allow you to adjust the clock rate for the processors. So you can turn the up a bit (overclock) to get incredible performance, or you can turn them down a bit (underclock) to get better battery life.
If that's your main goal, I personally suggest Sick Sense from Smokingl337. He has incorporated this into his ROM, and the reports I've seen have been positive. I had used his ROM before, and I did like it. The day I flashed CleanROM due to a minor bug, Smokinl337 updated his ROM to fix that bug. Figures! But I'll be going back to Sick Sense pretty soon, I'm sure.
Hopefully you can find something that works for you.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Different kernel or different radio may also help battery life.
But you need to root, SuperCID, and unlock bootloader to do any of these things (including flashing custom ROMs). So head over to Development and start reading:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1671237
There is also a clean rom developers edition that takes out most of the HTC sense... there is the cm9 alpha 4 rom that seems very stable...
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
OP, I was in your shoes last week. New to android/roms etc. I rooted, unlocked the bootloader and flashed Clean Rom. Just follow the instructions in the associated threads and you'll be fine.
Thanks to everyone on this board - last night I rooted my device, unlocked the bootloader, installed CWM, backed up my stock ROM, and installed CleanROM 3 Lite (which is excellent btw!). My first time doing this, so it was very helpful having all the FAQs and instructions.
On to my question: now that I am running a custom ROM, what happens if there is a newer ROM released? Do I simply re-flash that specific ROM, the same way I installed CleanROM 3 Lite?
If so, it sounds like I lose all my apps/settings... is there some way to keep that across ROMs?
Thanks!
neocryte said:
Thanks to everyone on this board - last night I rooted my device, unlocked the bootloader, installed CWM, backed up my stock ROM, and installed CleanROM 3 Lite (which is excellent btw!). My first time doing this, so it was very helpful having all the FAQs and instructions.
On to my question: now that I am running a custom ROM, what happens if there is a newer ROM released? Do I simply re-flash that specific ROM, the same way I installed CleanROM 3 Lite?
If so, it sounds like I lose all my apps/settings... is there some way to keep that across ROMs?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes. And unless the developer says not to, you can USUALLY skip wiping /data when upgrading to the newer version of that developer's ROM.
As for keeping apps, get Titanium Backup. worth paying for.
If you are going to upgrade to the next cleanrom release, you should be fine...just flash the next release and your apps and info should be fine.
Should you choose to switch to another rom, it is typically recommended that you wipe the phone first, in which case you will lose your apps and info, so make sure everything is backed up.
The problem with keeping apps and settings across different roms is that there can be "compatibility" problems.
That makes a lot of sense, thank you guys. I thought that flashing a ROM automatically wiped everything - but I realize now that's not the case.
I will check out Titanium Backup as well.
neocryte said:
That makes a lot of sense, thank you guys. I thought that flashing a ROM automatically wiped everything - but I realize now that's not the case.
I will check out Titanium Backup as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, sometimes it does. Recently some Devs are adding Aroma Installer to their ROMS. It only works on touch recoveries (I believe). I am using TWRP and it works great. It backs up your info, lets you choose different options you want for your rom (modifications, different choice of apps, look and feel, sense or senseless, etc), flashes the rom, then restores your info automatically.