[Q] Basic flashing questions - Samsung Mesmerize

1. Is there a way to reboot right into the CwM Voodoo Lagfix recovery? The best way I've found is the Reboot into Recovery option in the ROM Manager and then once it's in CwM recovery (green) reboot recovery again. Then I'm in CwM Voodoo Lagfix recovery (red).
2. When creating a backup, should you always have lagfix disabled? Best to do the backups from recovery or is it acceptable to do it from the ROM Manager?
3. Speaking of disabling lagfix, I'm assuming you need to actually reboot when you disable it. Just choosing to disable it doesn't really do anything until you reboot, right?
4. I've seen a couple posts that recommend wiping cache after flashing. Does that mean Wipe Cache Partition? If not, what option is it?

1. adb reboot recovery
But thats with your phone plugged in and adb set up.
2. You don't need the lagfix disabled. But it might be good practice to do so if it makes you feel more comfortable. Best practice: if you backup on a voodoo kernel, restore on a voodoo kernel and if you backup on a stock kernel, restore on a stock kernel. As in, don't make a backup on a voodoo kernel, revert to a stock kernel, then try to restore the voodoo backup.
Really, what you need to worry about is flashing kernels. The voodoo lagfix NEEDS to be disables when flashing from a voodoo kernel to a nonvoodoo kernel. PERIOD. The reason it is good practice to disable the lagfix is because sometimes rom packagers are silly and a package a kernel with their rom. You don't know this just by looking at something that says 'super_cool_rom.zip'. The only way to tell is if you look at the update_script and see if bml7 and bml8 are written over. If this is the case and have have voodoo enabled and all of a sudden remove a voodoo kernel then BAD things are going to happen. If you know what you're doing then no, you don't always need to disable the lagfix, but it's generally good to err on the safer side..
3. Yes
4. And yes
Sent from my USCC SCH-I500..

For the first, you can get a tool like boot control or quick boot and hit reboot recovery.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

Related

How to flash EC10 voodoo kernel?

Hey guys, I have a Mesmerize and I don't know a whole lot about how the complicated stuff that is done frequently on XDA works.
However, I really wanted Froyo for my Mesmerize so I could use flash. When the EA11 Froyo kernel leaked, I flashed it. I was able to do so because the instructions were very simple, I just downloaded Odin, ran the adb program and entered a command that put the phone in download mode, and then flashed. It all just worked.
Since I don't know about the more complicated stuff, I didn't go with any pick and pack or modified ROM with different recovery and such, just the stock EA11 ROM with stock recovery. It all worked great and was very easy.
Then EB16 leaked and I did the same procedure, just using the totally stock ROM. Then did the same with EC10. I also have Titanium backup and had to use it for EA11 because that ROM wiped all the installed apps, unlike the next two.
Currently, I am on EC10 with stock recovery and I am rooted with SuperOneClick.
I really want to flash the EC10 voodoo kernel for the speed and sound improvements and save battery life because it is undervolted. Is this the latest EC10 voodoo kernel? If so, can it be flashed with Odin? If so, how? Will it wipe out any of my apps or settings? Do I need to worry about recovery or cwm (what do those even mean)?
I always see people mention the voodoo lagfix as well. If I understand correctly, that is built into the kernel right?
I know I have a lot of questions, many thanks to whoever wants to help me out
userno69 said:
Hey guys, I have a Mesmerize and I don't know a whole lot about how the complicated stuff that is done frequently on XDA works.
However, I really wanted Froyo for my Mesmerize so I could use flash. When the EA11 Froyo kernel leaked, I flashed it. I was able to do so because the instructions were very simple, I just downloaded Odin, ran the adb program and entered a command that put the phone in download mode, and then flashed. It all just worked.
Since I don't know about the more complicated stuff, I didn't go with any pick and pack or modified ROM with different recovery and such, just the stock EA11 ROM with stock recovery. It all worked great and was very easy.
Then EB16 leaked and I did the same procedure, just using the totally stock ROM. Then did the same with EC10. I also have Titanium backup and had to use it for EA11 because that ROM wiped all the installed apps, unlike the next two.
Currently, I am on EC10 with stock recovery and I am rooted with SuperOneClick.
I really want to flash the EC10 voodoo kernel for the speed and sound improvements and save battery life because it is undervolted. Is this the latest EC10 voodoo kernel? If so, can it be flashed with Odin? If so, how? Will it wipe out any of my apps or settings? Do I need to worry about recovery or cwm (what do those even mean)?
I always see people mention the voodoo lagfix as well. If I understand correctly, that is built into the kernel right?
I know I have a lot of questions, many thanks to whoever wants to help me out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't be able to flash any custom kernel's or ROM's via ODIN, these are all packaged in flash-able .zip files that are installed through Clockworkmod Recovery (CWM) it is a bios like interface that loads prior to booting of the OS which allows you access to the system files, and also allows flashing (installing) of custom rom's. Basically you'd just need to go back and odin the EC10 rom with CWM recovery located here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=997359. Once you have flashed that in ODIN, you will be able to boot into the red clockwork recovery using the three button method or using the Quick Boot application from the market. From there, you can "install .zip from sd card" to flash the voodoo kernel of your choice (the one you linked is correct, download and place on the root of your SD card.) And no, flashing a kernel typically does not require any sort of wipe, nor does it affect your current applications/data when flashed. Lagfix is built in but must be enabled through the voodoo option within CWM.
and FYI - this needs to be posted in the general forum as that is reserved for Q & A, the development forum is for releases only. Hopefully a MOD will move this for you.

Please assist -- how to install CWM?

Hi guys. I've got a Samsung Mesmerize and I'd like some assistance getting CWM on my phone so I can properly flash kernels and such. I know next to nothing.
Currently, I am using the stock EC10 ROM with stock recovery. It was simple enough to get, I followed some instructions for adb and did the "adb reboot download" command with my phone to put it in download mode and then used Odin to flash the ROM. This is literally the extent of my knowledge.
I began wanting a new kernel because of the speed and battery life improvements, among other things, that seem to accompany custom kernels. All the instructions I found for flashing them involved CWM, which of course I do not have.
Finally I found an app on the market called "sgs kernel flasher" which claimed to be a very easy way to flash new kernels without using CWM. So I installed it and used it to make a backup of my current kernel, and then I flashed jt1134's 0327-2 kernel which I got from here. All went well.
And that is the state I am at now. I am using the stock EC10 ROM with stock recovery (which I've never used nor do I know how) that I flashed with Odin, and I am using jt1134's 0327-2 kernel that I flashed with sgs kernel flasher.
Now though I believe it would be a very good idea for me to get CWM as it seems to be what is used if something goes wrong with the phone. I have the Voodoo Control app that I got from the market and it states the lagfix is active and has options which I believe enable and disable the lagfix.
From the current state my phone is in, can anybody tell me what I need to do in order to get the latest version of CWM working on my phone? Many thanks in advance and sorry for not knowing what I'm doing!
This Thread. It's only the very first sticky...
AndroidTipster said:
This Thread. It's only the very first sticky...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I saw that except I literally don't know what I am doing, and I can not find anywhere in that thread that says HOW to install CWM. I get the impression that these threads are written for people who have at least some basic understanding of how this stuff works, which sadly I do not...
And also how do I disable the lagfix to flash things if I don't have cwm? Can it be disabled with voodoo control?
userno69 said:
Thanks, I saw that except I literally don't know what I am doing, and I can not find anywhere in that thread that says HOW to install CWM. I get the impression that these threads are written for people who have at least some basic understanding of how this stuff works, which sadly I do not...
And also how do I disable the lagfix to flash things if I don't have cwm? Can it be disabled with voodoo control?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In your voodoo control you can disable it by unchecking the boxes and rebooting. You should hear the lagfix lady when rebooting.
For CWM I actually flashed it with Odin. this thread Will help you in the easiest way possible.
AndroidTipster said:
In your voodoo control you can disable it by unchecking the boxes and rebooting. You should hear the lagfix lady when rebooting.
For CWM I actually flashed it with Odin. this thread Will help you in the easiest way possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, so if I understand correctly, the process to get CWM is to disable the lagfix in the Voodoo Control application, and reboot the phone. Then put it in debug mode and connect to my PC and use ADB to put it in download mode, and finally use Odin to flash the CWM tar file? Is there anything special I need to do in Odin, like enable certain anything or check any specific boxes?
In Odin, do I flash the tar file in the PIT, PDA, PHONE or CSC field?
To put your phone in Download Mode all you have to do is take the battery out and hold the Volume Down button while plugging your phone up to your computer via USB (yes without the battery in it). There's no need to fool with adb
No offense but this is the exact kind of thing I don't understand. When everyone else in the world follows standard procedure of ODIN'ing the stock ROM with CWM to then be able to flash kernels and all that, why don't you? Every single time a question like this arsises is because someone tried to go out and not do what everybody else does and try to go approach things in some roundabout way.
Lesson for the future and for others - Just follow the instructions and what not in the forums. If you start skipping steps or trying to create your own avenue of accomplishing something you're just going to run into trouble.
For instance
userno69 said:
All the instructions I found for flashing them involved CWM, which of course I do not have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That should've been a hint right there. If they all have instructions that involve CWM, well then **** man, clearly you should get CWM.
Not trying to haze your nuts, just using you as an example for other.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
add144 said:
To put your phone in Download Mode all you have to do is take the battery out and hold the Volume Down button while plugging your phone up to your computer via USB (yes without the battery in it). There's no need to fool with adb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Alright... I flashed the CWM package with Odin and it was successful. Do I have CWM recovery now? I held volume up/down and powered on the phone and it went into a red menu that appears to be CWM and has options for voodoo and such.
I take it this means I was successful? I read somewhere that to finish the installation, I need to flash sdcard/update.zip from recovery, and I do see the option to do that in the red menu. But I'm confused, because it looks like I already have CWM now? Also, in my file manager I do not see a file called update.zip in the /sdcard location, or anywhere. Am I done? Why is that option in CWM if there is no update.zip file (apparently)?
So if I do now have CWM, how do I flash a kernel with it? Appreciate the help, I am learning here.
EDIT:
I know I didn't do this correctly from the start, but that was because in the beginning I was only looking to upgrade to Froyo and keep everything else stock, then I got interested in doing more...
The red recovery menus are CWM.
To flash a new kernel just download it onto your SD card. Then in CWM select, Install zip from SD Card. Then select Choose zip From SD Card and select the kernel.
add144 said:
The red recovery menus are CWM.
To flash a new kernel just download it onto your SD card. Then in CWM choose, Install Update.zip from SD Card. Then choose Select .zip From SD Card and select the kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Do I actually need to name the kernel file "update.zip" or is that just the arbitrary name of the menu option?
No, sorry couldn't remember exactly the way CWM worded it. It doesn't doesn't have to be update.zip, it can be named anything.zip. It'll take you to navigation type menu where you can move in and out of folders on your SD card and select the appropriate file.

Question about kernels

I went through alot updating to 2.3.4 with backup, restore, wiping, etc do I have to go through all that again if I update my kernel? I'd really like to try the voodoo sound but I dont think the hassle is worth it just for sound quality.
Thanks
I Love The Smell Of Burnt Rubber Anytime
hllywd said:
I went through alot updating to 2.3.4 with backup, restore, wiping, etc do I have to go through all that again if I update my kernel? I'd really like to try the voodoo sound but I dont think the hassle is worth it just for sound quality.
Thanks
I Love The Smell Of Burnt Rubber Anytime
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The minimum you should do is wipe cache and dalvik cache and reboot.
But in case, maybe nandroid before too
If you only want to try the kernel you can use the command
Code:
fastboot boot kernel_boot.img
This will not really install the kernel into your phone. If you don't like the kernel then just reboot, it will revert back to the original kernel.
Once you think this kernel is worth flashing then use the following command to permanently flash the kernel into the phone.
Code:
fastboot flash boot kernel_boot.img
hllywd said:
I went through alot updating to 2.3.4 with backup, restore, wiping, etc do I have to go through all that again if I update my kernel? I'd really like to try the voodoo sound but I dont think the hassle is worth it just for sound quality.
Thanks
I Love The Smell Of Burnt Rubber Anytime
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to wipe anything when replacing the stock kernel with another. Alternatively, you can purchase Voodoo Control Plus and let it load the voodoo module for you. You need root for that however.
suksit said:
If you only want to try the kernel you can use the command
Code:
fastboot boot kernel_boot.img
This will not really install the kernel into your phone. If you don't like the kernel then just reboot, it will revert back to the original kernel.
Once you think this kernel is worth flashing then use the following command to permanently flash the kernel into the phone.
Code:
fastboot flash boot kernel_boot.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
got 2 questions for this
1..if i try that "x"kernel and i do install it...will it be possible if i wish to return to stock kernel?
2...trying a kernel with that command you provide is like "virtually" loading it to device?so i can check if f.e. voodoo sound/colour BLN kernels work on my device?
reason i am asking this is that i had a really bad experience when i tried to use Netarchy's / james bond kernel for that BLN function and i could not use it...BLN was not working so i got to the point that i had to un-root/re-lock my device..not 100% sure if i want to start all that over again.....
Thorgoth said:
got 2 questions for this
1..if i try that "x"kernel and i do install it...will it be possible if i wish to return to stock kernel?
2...trying a kernel with that command you provide is like "virtually" loading it to device?so i can check if f.e. voodoo sound/colour BLN kernels work on my device?
reason i am asking this is that i had a really bad experience when i tried to use Netarchy's / james bond kernel for that BLN function and i could not use it...BLN was not working so i got to the point that i had to un-root/re-lock my device..not 100% sure if i want to start all that over again.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) In that case the easiest way is to do a nandroid backup before flashing. Note that some kernels come in a flashable zip file and contains more than just the boot.img (i.e. it also includes wi-fi module, startup scripts, etc.) So if you flashed the zip file, your existing files may got overwritten.
2) Yep, but you may not get all the functionality working in case the kernel requires external modules. The command just loads the kernel itself into the phone. I think Voodoo will work because it is built-in into the kernel, but I'm not sure about BLN, may be it also requires an external module file.

[Q] Can't mount SD card in CWM?

I've searched........extensively.
I've spent hours here with my end goal being to go from EE4 stock to EE4 rooted with Voodoo lagfix (imnuts). When I got the phone originally I had rooted ED1 using the gingersnap method, from there I OTA'ed to EE4, losing root.
Tonight i've ODIN'ed CWM, then flashed voodoo lagfix via CWM. Everything went great, the only problem being that I couldn't get root access for apps, but verified that lagfix was enabled using the Quadrant benchmark app. I'm guessing it was an SU issue. After trying a few suggestions from the board and still being in the same position, I flashed the stock EE4 ROM zip via CWM posted by imnuts, with the idea that i'd re-try the process from the beginning. Everything still great. Reflashed CWM via ODIN, and that worked with no problem. But the problem i'm having is that when I attempt to reflash the Voodoo lagfix zip via CWM, it says that it can't mount the SD card. The SD card is perfectly readable when the phone is booted into the OS. Even manually mounting the SD in CWM yields nothing. I've tried reflashing CWM 3 times, flashes fine, but still getting the SD card mounting error. I could technically stay on EE4 stock, but i'd really like to have root access.
Any assistance anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated.
I forgot to add, if I boot into CWM directly after flashing it, it works, but if I boot the phone into the OS, then attempt to power off and boot into CWM, it boots into the blue Samsung recovery screen. Every time.
I spoke too soon, I guess I hadn't actually tried everything. In any case, if anyone else ever has the problem, the fix went like this:
Flash back to stockrootedED1-20110517.tar.md5 via ODIN > OTA to EE4 > Flash CWM via ODIN > Flash PBJ Voodoo lagfix via CWM and end up at EE4 with root access and a very stealthy Voodoo lagfix kernal (thanks imnuts!).
If anyone is inclined to answer though, there is one question...is it wise to avoid the update that Market is now telling me I need for Superuser? Or is it ok to install said update? TIA
kgbeezr1 said:
If anyone is inclined to answer though, there is one question...is it wise to avoid the update that Market is now telling me I need for Superuser? Or is it ok to install said update? TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go ahead and update. No problems with me when I did.
Never hurts to have a TiBu backup of your apps before updating, just in case...

Voodoo Lagfix/GummyCharge combo?

I want to root/ROM gummycharge/voodoo lagfix with odin. I have been reading but I am still unsure how to do both. Is there a link that explains how to do both either at the same time or one after another. Should I do the ROM first or the Voodoo. I am still somewhat unsure of the 3rd Step in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1122657. Does this mean that I should download http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1131710 even though I dont see a download. Will that link have the voodoo/up to date gummy?
I know I got more research to do but you were all noobs at once to
EDIT:whats the difference between gummycharge and a cwm.
And why in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1107797 does it have a place to download ROMS and Kernals as separate. Is the kernals just the combo?
Thanks and sorry for these basic probably dumb questions but this thing was expensive
GummyCharged is a ROM. it is basically the system files for your phone that have been tweaked to the rom makers liking and repackaged for us to use.
Clockworkmod is an alternate recovery, that allows you to manage those system files, along with your data partition and cache. it allows you to install those unsigned packages containing custom system and boot partitions over your existing stock ones. your phones stock recovery wont install anything but a signed package (official from manufacturer) called update.zip.
a kernel can be installed over a rom, giving you features like changing the filesystem to ext4 from rfs (the latter being samsungs favorite for some ungodly reason) it can change voltage settings on the cpu, tweak video, give you root access, and numerous other things. the only limit is a touchwiz based (samsung) kernel cant be used on an aosp (pure google) rom, and vice versa... and they also cant be used across different software versions. (no froyo kernel on gingerbread roms)
to summarize, you can have CWM installed with GummyCharged, and run a voodoo kernel all at once. its actually a very potent package, as i am running GC 1.8.5, the latest CWM, and using the PBJ OC kernel with voodoo lagfix. my phone is incredible. running at 1.3ghz and not a single hiccup.
my understanding of the concept, YMMV, and devs feel free to correct or elaborate.
Gummy charged is a Rom(operating system for your phone) and CWM recovery replaces your stock recovery system. The charge is the first Samsung android phone that I've had and the rooting process is a lot simpler that other phones, I'll explain what I mean and this should answer your question about what step to do first.
With odin you can flash a full Rom to replace your stock operating system. You could do it in all the different steps that you have links to (which won't hurt later on to understand all the different steps), but you can also flash a Rom that is already rooted, includes a custom kernel with voodoo lagfix, and CWM recovery.
So pretty much all you need to do is dowload the odin software and flash a .tar file and you will have a rooted phone with CMR.
This post is the one I followed to learn odin and unzipping a tar file
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1096657
Once you download odin this is the Rom I'm currently running and It has awesome battery life and fast.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1146103
That Rom will boot you into the CWM recovery menu on the first reboot. Follow the instructions in the OP and you'll be good. Good luck and let me know how it goes and if you need any help.
Thanks guys, I ended up doing CWM recovery with odin, then did pbj oc and gummycharge 1.8.5 rom. Now my question is, is voodoo lagfix on in my phone, I see a folder for it but I dont know how to do it. Another question I have is are you able to change roms easily? Do i just DL it and put it on the SD card like the rom and go into recovery and do the same installation or do i gotta wipe this rom?
Go into the voodoo folder, select enable lagfix and system lagfix on.
Reboot and you should hear a voice enabling it. Once she finishes and reboots, youre good to go.
If the Roms are in the zip format you can just download them to your sd card and flash thru recovery. Unless its an update to the current rom you are in, you have to wipe data ,cache and dalvik cache. If you don't there will be stuff from the previous rom that will not play nice.
Titanium backup is a good way to backup your apps to restore them after you flash.
Just a note of warning for some reason the backup and restore function of recovery doesn't work on the Charge. Don't use it in Rom manager if you use that app.
Quick boot is a good app to boot into recovery.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App
I am going into file manager > Voodoo> then I dont know, i dont see anything that says enable.
Also wondering if I can download a theme to it because I am not a huge fan of the gummycharge green Thanks
EDIT: this is what I put on hoping its voodoo lagfix http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1126136. Not even sure if i have it but it does say voodoo lagfix enabled. How do u know if its enabled. THanks
Not file manager. You need to boot into recovery. Then look for voodoo and choose enable lagfix and system lagfix.
If you have gummy charged you should be able to hold down the power button, then choose recovery.
You will then see the recovery menu select voodoo (navigate with the volume rockers and make selection with the power button)
Inside the voodoo menu choose enable lagfix and system lagfix on, then choose "go back" until you see the reboot system option. Select this and then you should hear a female voice telling you whats going on. Be patient it takes a little while.
awsome, thanks man
Hi, I followed the directions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14692818#post14692818 to flash my phone with Odin using the PBJ Kernal (with lagfix) and the Gummycharged 1.8.5 rom. Everything worked fine and I heard the woman's voice speaking the progress. I was not sure if the lagfix took, and eventually found this post on how to check it. I saw in CWM it says that it is not enabled and whenever I choose the option to enable or turn it on, nothing happens and CWM continues to say it is disabled. Just need to know how to proceed and if I am missing anything. I came over from stock.
Also while I am at it, I am getting a lot of errors about the android core (*.*.acore) having to close and similar errors with skype. Any insight into this? My programs showed back up (I guess cause they were on the sdcard) but I don't remember using any backup functions in the phone besides Google's built in for each account. Any insight would be appreciated!
Update: I just ran a Quadrant and got a score of 1507. Seems like a score you would get if lagfix is enabled. But everything else is still the same.

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