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What exactly bricks a Captivate?

Hi, I've had the glorious captivate for a few weeks now and I constantly read this forum. I am now ready to flash my phone and while I am not really afraid to do it, since I used to flash my Nokia 5800 every week, I wonder what is it during the process of flashing and loading a new rom that can cause the phone to get bricked? Are some parts riskier than others? Is there some common mistake or error or something people usually forget that kills it?
I'd appreciate some answers, since I love my phone and would hate to brick it.
Thank you very much! XDA rules!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

rufex2001 said:
Hi, I've had the glorious captivate for a few weeks now and I constantly read this forum. I am now ready to flash my phone and while I am not really afraid to do it, since I used to flash my Nokia 5800 every week, I wonder what is it during the process of flashing and loading a new rom that can cause the phone to get bricked? Are some parts riskier than others? Is there some common mistake or error or something people usually forget that kills it?
I'd appreciate some answers, since I love my phone and would hate to brick it.
Thank you very much! XDA rules!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you test the phone to make sure it can accept the button combinations to go into download mode (almost all do, except for a batch of faulty ones), there is almost nothing you can do that will truly "brick" the phone. A bad or interrupted flash will result in a boot loop, which you can recover from by forcing download mode, and using Odin to reflash back to stock.

Flashing the first and second bootloaders would be the most dangerous, which is why the Odin one-click flasher is so bad. Also, the USB connection is a prime source of failure which is another reason to avoid Odin. So, if you have working button combos you are pretty unlikely to brick the phone as long as you avoid unnecessarily using any version of Odin.
Note: DesignGears includes sbl.bin (the second bootloader) in his ROMs, but since you aren't flashing it via USB it's relatively safe and it does have the side-effect of fixing you button combos if they aren't working. On the other hand, if you aren't using the one-click then you probably already have a good sbl.bin and so it's not needed.

Basically what causes a brick in any electronic equipment is from an interruption/error in any boot critical files. The item does not have the proper/complete instruction to turn on. You could say it is like starting a car being told to first put the key in
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

If you can use the 3 button combos to get into download or recovery mode, you are good to go. The only danger would be a bad Odin flash, but even so you'll have a chance to recover it by making a cheap USB jig (3 100k Ohm resistors into pins 3 and 4, I think, of the usb port) or buying one. This will boot the phone straight into Download mode.
When using Odin, there is only one stage where you can brick your phone for good, during the bootloader copy process, which probably takes less than a second.

Thanks for the replies! I just tried it and I got the 3 button into download mode combo, so that's great! Now, what other options do I have for flashing besides Odin? Apparently Odin is not the safest, huh? And is there a way to make the bootloader writing stage less risky?
Also, my Captivate is a 1007 build. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Thanks, again!
Sent from my Samsung Captivate using the XDA App

rufex2001 said:
Thanks for the replies! I just tried it and I got the 3 button into download mode combo, so that's great! Now, what other options do I have for flashing besides Odin? Apparently Odin is not the safest, huh? And is there a way to make the bootloader writing stage less risky?
Also, my Captivate is a 1007 build. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Thanks, again!
Sent from my Samsung Captivate using the XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Cappy is a 1007 build, too. I've soft bricked my phone more times than I can count, but Odin hasn't had anything to do with it. It can do it, though.
At one time in my life I flashed a new ROM every day, and I used Odin every time before I flashed.
On a side note, back when I flashed my first ROM, I pulled the battery during the first boot, dropped it, and then flashed another ROM without using Odin, and it never bricked it, so that should give you a good idea of how hard it is to brick these phones. Lol

Stupidity.
Sent from my Captivate.

opcow said:
Flashing the first and second bootloaders would be the most dangerous, which is why the Odin one-click flasher is so bad. Also, the USB connection is a prime source of failure which is another reason to avoid Odin. So, if you have working button combos you are pretty unlikely to brick the phone as long as you avoid unnecessarily using any version of Odin.
Note: DesignGears includes sbl.bin (the second bootloader) in his ROMs, but since you aren't flashing it via USB it's relatively safe and it does have the side-effect of fixing you button combos if they aren't working. On the other hand, if you aren't using the one-click then you probably already have a good sbl.bin and so it's not needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't realize Odin one click was so bad. I have been using Odin3 one click routinely now for a couple weeks as I flash back and forth trying out all these great ROMs to see what I like and so far (knock on wood I guess?) I haven't had any problems at all.
So, now that I have used Odin one click many times over, does my Cappy now have a bad sbl.bin?

No odin really is not that bad just don't unplug it while it is running. You would not want to unplug your computer when flashing a new bios
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Right, so if not Odin, what can I use for flashing? Can I do it all with the sdk using adb?
Also, I've been going through the guides and other stickies and apparently Odin is necessary only to flash back to stock. For rooting and installing new roms only the update.zip file and clockwork recovery are necessary. Could you do the same procedure to flash back to stock?
Sorry for any dumb or repeated question I may be asking.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Pierce533 said:
I didn't realize Odin one click was so bad. I have been using Odin3 one click routinely now for a couple weeks as I flash back and forth trying out all these great ROMs to see what I like and so far (knock on wood I guess?) I haven't had any problems at all.
So, now that I have used Odin one click many times over, does my Cappy now have a bad sbl.bin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin isn't bad so much as an unnecessary risk. There are a lot of potential causes of failure: user error, accidents, flakey USB ports or software from other vendors that interferes with your drivers. The there the fact that people use the one-click and lose their button combos or brick their phone by using the one-click on a 1010+ build. I can safely odin flash all day if I need to, but there's just no reason to. And if you look around these forums you will see a lot of people crying after an odin mishap.

rufex2001 said:
Right, so if not Odin, what can I use for flashing? Can I do it all with the sdk using adb?
Also, I've been going through the guides and other stickies and apparently Odin is necessary only to flash back to stock. For rooting and installing new roms only the update.zip file and clockwork recovery are necessary. Could you do the same procedure to flash back to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I keep a CWM update.zip on my sdcard for reinstalling CWM and I flash my ROMs with CWM. I also keep a couple of spare know good ROM zips on the sdcard to go back to in case something goes wrong with a new install.

opcow said:
Odin isn't bad so much as an unnecessary risk. There are a lot of potential causes of failure: user error, accidents, flakey USB ports or software from other vendors that interferes with your drivers. The there the fact that people use the one-click and lose their button combos or brick their phone by using the one-click on a 1010+ build. I can safely odin flash all day if I need to, but there's just no reason to. And if you look around these forums you will see a lot of people crying after an odin mishap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. Is there a stock I897UCJF6 ROM that can be flashed with CWM? I haven't been able to find one and if there is one I would like to have one around to use. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

opcow said:
I keep a CWM update.zip on my sdcard for reinstalling CWM and I flash my ROMs with CWM. I also keep a couple of spare know good ROM zips on the sdcard to go back to in case something goes wrong with a new install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly the sort of thing I had in mind! So I guess I could keep a CWM update.zip and a stock rom update.zip and some custom roms and just do everything directly from the phone and without Odin, right? Or am I missing something?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Guns don't kill people

opcow said:
Odin isn't bad so much as an unnecessary risk. Then there the fact that people use the one-click and lose their button combos or brick their phone by using the one-click on a 1010+ build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. I have build 1008 that has always had the 3-button combo and lost it after using ODIN 1-click (I restored the combo with a later flash).
I believe opcow and others when they say that flashing back to stock is unnecessary. I just don't understand why the authors of some of these ROMs leave this as part of their installation guide.
Sent using XDA App

Pay close attention to the options in recovery when you are using a custom rom. It's part of the custom kernal, and of used properly can help you avoid odin. I avoid it because I have a mac and odin won't run on anything but windows. Custom recovery will allow you to format every part of the OS but the sbl.bin. Also in some custom recoveries there is an option to mount usb. This will allow you to format the internal sd then copy a new rom.zip and flash if you really want a clean flash. If your doing this make sure you are able to mount your sd before you format anything. Avoid stock 2.2 kernals because they have 3e recovery. There are ways around that but they have to be in play before you end up in a bootloop.
3e recovery + bootloop= odin recovery "only option".
Make sure lag fix for rom kernal A understands lag fix for rom kernal B. Also usually only a concern for stock 2.2 kernal. Other than that really hard to brick this phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

As long as you keep a CWM update.zip and a ROM on your internel sdcard at all times, I see no reason why you would ever have to use odin 1-click.
I get bootloops all the time, just pull the battery and then use vol up + vol down + pow to enter recovery to flash the ROM back. Make sure it's a wipe ROM.
If it's not a soft-brick, then you will need odin.

ryude said:
As long as you keep a CWM update.zip and a ROM on your internel sdcard at all times, I see no reason why you would ever have to use odin 1-click.
I get bootloops all the time, just pull the battery and then use vol up + vol down + pow to enter recovery to flash the ROM back. Make sure it's a wipe ROM.
If it's not a soft-brick, then you will need odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please explain what a wipe ROM is? Thanks

cant get into download mode after odin 1 click

ok, so i was able to flash andromeda on my brother's phone. after a while he wanted to try a different rom. some background on his phone, it is a rev 1010 phone (which i found some new things about that ill get to later). His phone was able to get into download mode, and recovery which i never have had a problem getting into before. So i used on odin 1 click to flash his back to stock before phoenix ultimate (which i found out should be using from this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10056254&postcount=36). thing is there was no problem getting the phone back to jf6 using 1 click, only problem is that now phone will not get into download mode or recovery using the any of the button combos.
i figures this might be because of the 1 click odin because it was the only thing new. afterwards i decided to use the odin 3 from above, and followed directions to a t, yet it did no good.
is there any way to get the download key combo working again? unless i am mistaken, i believe there is a fix for phones that have never have it working. dont know if this applies. i also am i correct that this has to be done every time you flash a rom? is this the only way to get it to work again? i just don't understand because i have had his go into the modes before with no problems, if it didn't i would have made him exchange it before his 30 days were up.

There is an Odin one click that says it contained the three button fix. For me I've always been able to get into download mode by completely powering off the phone and then holding both volume up + down plugging in the USB cord while it is plugged into my computer.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App

Nerz said:
ok, so i was able to flash andromeda on my brother's phone. after a while he wanted to try a different rom. some background on his phone, it is a rev 1010 phone (which i found some new things about that ill get to later). His phone was able to get into download mode, and recovery which i never have had a problem getting into before. So i used on odin 1 click to flash his back to stock before phoenix ultimate (which i found out should be using from this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10056254&postcount=36). thing is there was no problem getting the phone back to jf6 using 1 click, only problem is that now phone will not get into download mode or recovery using the any of the button combos.
i figures this might be because of the 1 click odin because it was the only thing new. afterwards i decided to use the odin 3 from above, and followed directions to a t, yet it did no good.
is there any way to get the download key combo working again? unless i am mistaken, i believe there is a fix for phones that have never have it working. dont know if this applies. i also am i correct that this has to be done every time you flash a rom? is this the only way to get it to work again? i just don't understand because i have had his go into the modes before with no problems, if it didn't i would have made him exchange it before his 30 days were up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=944418
assuming it boots, follow instructions...

Yea, stumbled on today before, I'll have to find it again. If I remember correctly you have to do it every time you flash to stock which is going to suck because he could do it when he got the phone and after flashing andromeda, just not after one click.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Nerz said:
Yea, stumbled on today before, I'll have to find it again. If I remember correctly you have to do it every time you flash to stock which is going to suck because he could do it when he got the phone and after flashing andromeda, just not after one click.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, so use a 3-button fix then stop using one-click and you'll never have that problem again. You don't need to flash stock before changing ROMs and if you ever do have a reason to flash stock use this.

[Q] Download mode but unable to unbrick

Just what everyone wants.... another thread about a bricked phone.
I have no idea what happened to my phone.... I have been running Valhalla Final for a week now with no issues to speak of and lost all my ringer tones after a failed attempt to put sound on a boot-loader using Absolute System. I rebooted into recovery and tried to restore my nandroid which failed when it said unable to unmount system. when I rebooted it had fc in android.core multiple times so I rebooted again and after it loaded had no control. did a battery pull and then would not go past the power up screen. downloaded heimdall one click file T959V-UVKJ6-One-Click.jar and put it into download mode. flashed and it went fine until factoryfs failed. now still in download but img is pic of phone to computer. last 2 attempt was
SMS-KJ6-beta2d_Stock-Rom_with_Bootloaders-One-Click.jar and it failed first at loading the modem and then at loading recovery.
I am lost. seems like everything I try makes it little worse. Have not tried ODIN yet.
Is there any hope or am I out a phone?

Give Odin a try. Last time I used Odin it froze so I pulled the plug, and when I put my phone back in download it showed that same screen, yet Odin still went through.
So no, that screen doesn't mean you're out a phone.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

95Z28 said:
Give Odin a try. Last time I used Odin it froze so I pulled the plug, and when I put my phone back in download it showed that same screen, yet Odin still went through.
So no, that screen doesn't mean you're out a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping to hear that... what odin file do you suggest... A lot of the links are now dead.

ShadyAce80 said:
I was hoping to hear that... what odin file do you suggest... A lot of the links are now dead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grab chadster's KG4 here. I believe it has ODIN 1.85 included in the file. Don't mess with any of the check boxes in ODIN; let ODIN decide what to check.
After that, you should be able to get back to KJ6 via a one-click.

Shady grab Ravers stock GB and honks GB odin kernel. Flash Ravers, If you can, then honks. That will give you stock plus cwm. You know where to go from there. Funny thing is just yesterday FB had a post about leaving BOOTLOADERS alone w/o unbrickable mod. Good luck.

Downloading now from sendspace.com
I'm hoping this works...

hechoen said:
Funny thing is just yesterday FB had a post about leaving BOOTLOADERS alone w/o unbrickable mod. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL yeah I read that AFTER the fact... I have been messing with the animations for a few days with out issue... it was only after I trying sound for a day or two that I crashed.
Live and Learn

ShadyAce80 said:
Downloading now from sendspace.com
I'm hoping this works...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wait no dude i downloaded that one from sendspace does the download stop and download stop download etc... for you? it did for me i think the files corrupt thomas.raines gave me a newer download link that one from sendpsace is like 197mb the one thomas gives me is 300mb and he said dont flash pit file (he did not include ) because is risky try this one first!!! i tried the sendspace one and it stop at setup connection...
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/54863010/T959VUVKG4.zip

shady
Are you going with the chadsters leak or ravers stock?

I don't know why you guys keep recommending old (leaked) ROMs to debrick with.
@Shady if you see anything posted by myself, dsexton, bhundven or raverx3x you can bet that we've tested it extensively and that it'll work on your phone.
On that note I recommend you read the whole page here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1358498
Download from the SMS KJ6 (beta2d) Kernel Stock Rom with Bootloaders link. This will get you a one click flash solution that you can go back to when you have problems. This, unlike the KG4 file others have been recommending, is the latest version of gingerbread (KJ6 is 2.3.6) and you'll have a custom kernel + root to boot so you can get flashing other gingerbread ROMs. I hope you don't have trouble flashing, and if you do, read the OP to what I linked you to. All the instructions are there.
I know this file has been failing for you but you can try restarting your computer and flashing it from safe mode. When your computer is booting up, keep pressing F8 until you get a menu. Pick "Safe mode with networking" from the menu using your arrow keys and press enter.

sorry too many tabs open

FBis251 said:
I don't know why you guys keep recommending old (leaked) ROMs to debrick with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only because he was failing with one-clicks and wanted to use ODIN. That one (KG4) has always worked for me, so I was basing it off of experience. Never claimed it was optimal
I know this file has been failing for you but you can try restarting your computer and flashing it from safe mode. When your computer is booting up, keep pressing F8 until you get a menu. Pick "Safe mode with networking" from the menu using your arrow keys and press enter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never thought about trying it from safe mode. Nice idea.

FBis251 said:
I don't know why you guys keep recommending old (leaked) ROMs to debrick with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I'm saying. I don't use heimdell(because my computer hates it for some reason). So ravers stock GB and honks kernel to get cwm works well to set me back up.

ShadyAce80 said:
glad you posted this. download just completed. i haven't done anything with this file yet... will follow your link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh after they say to flash the bhuvden kernel well that is what they told me to get rid of gremlines or something, then flash the custom rom, youll have cwm and such, tell me how it goes .

To all of you thank you very much for your help... I think I have my phone back.... Our fembot Linda is doing her thing right now...
@FB I tried one click method in safe-mode and it was unable to find the drivers even after reinstalling a few times.. restarted in normal mode and gave it one more shot and I now have my phone back.
Thanks again for all the help.

hechoen said:
That's what I'm saying. I don't use heimdell(because my computer hates it for some reason). So ravers stock GB and honks kernel to get cwm works well to set me back up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally forgot he made a stock ODIN. My bad!

I really need to rewrite the starter pack to have heimdall one click instructions. Nobody ever got around to making it.

I've only given the guide a cursory look at times, but I'd be willing to draft something for the guide if thst helps keep you focused on developing.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

stephen_w said:
I've only given the guide a cursory look at times, but I'd be willing to draft something for the guide if thst helps keep you focused on developing.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A video would be perfect. Been busy with school since I just started and now I got a gig making a website so I'm also working on that.

FBis251 said:
A video would be perfect. Been busy with school since I just started and now I got a gig making a website so I'm also working on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never done the video thing. Guess I can research it and give it a go.

[Q] (Q) Downgrade frm CM 9 back to gingerbread and bricked [Resolved, please delete]

I tried going back to gingerbread using Heimdall 1 click and it gives me a kernel error and failed. Now phone won't boot past the rogers logo. Any suggestions? No samsung screen. No green battery indicator when plugged in. Heimdall does detect the phone, and I've tried all USB ports and cords at my disposal. I use a mac so no access to odin. This is the first brick I haven't been able to get myself out of. Any help you would be appreciated

I am a gt i9000 owner, but can you get into download mode?
Sent by Santa Clause

If you can get download mode, then flash a gingerbread stock rom, even if it means you will lose root still do it, then flash a new rom of your choice, if you can get into download mode then you haven't got a brick
Sent by Santa Clause

Been bricked more than once...you have?
Embarking on a fresh new ROM without educating oneself can be very frustrating....since your on a Mac..with in the one click you say it reading your phone...can you get to download mode?
Pull battery
Plug in USB to phone
Hold both volume button
Pop battery back in
Do you see...the yellow Android digging?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1293751

bigjoe2675 said:
Been bricked more than once...you have?
Embarking on a fresh new ROM without educating oneself can be very frustrating....since your on a Mac..with in the one click you say it reading your phone...can you get to download mode?
Pull battery
Plug in USB to phone
Hold both volume button
Pop battery back in
Do you see...the yellow Android digging?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can get into download mode.heimdall detects my phone. I tried both qksters and adam outlers 1 click. neither would take. If I upgrade heimdall version (as it tells me its out of date) it wont get through the initial connection to the phone. if I use with out upgrade it continues to fail on kernel download.
This is my second brick (first one was when trying to root it on my mac) First brick was fixed through odin at my work. Unfortunately I don't want to wait till monday to have a functioning phone

teknhard said:
I can get into download mode.heimdall detects my phone. I tried both qksters and adam outlers 1 click. neither would take. If I upgrade heimdall version (as it tells me its out of date) it wont get through the initial connection to the phone. if I use with out upgrade it continues to fail on kernel download.
This is my second brick (first one was when trying to root it on my mac) First brick was fixed through odin at my work. Unfortunately I don't want to wait till monday to have a functioning phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hummmm..ok
Let's step back here does out prompt you for drivers?
....you might have to make a stop at your office..

Try different USB ports, I used heimdall yesterday to go back to gingerbread (so I could get the boot loaders) and I had the same problem as you, I finally got it to work with a different USB port and even then it kept failing...but I just kept trying and eventually it went through
(Pull battery, place battery back in, hold volume up and down, plug USB in-should put you in download mode...even if you can't see anything on your screen you can still enter download mode)
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA

DOesnt prompt me for drivers. It detects my phone and says ready to flash. I see the download mode screen. so its not completey screwed. Just can't get past the rogers logo.. I only have two USB on my macbook.. tried both quite a few times guess i'll mess with it some more. see if I can get it going. Thanks for the tips. ANy others ideas would also be appreciated

Alright, here it is:
I encountered the same problems yesterday, heimdall doesn't work when flashing back to stock from ics, from what I've found, you must use gtg's ultimate unbrick, the pit repartitions everything and also resets your binary counter (cha-ching! ). Once completed, your phone will reboot and be stuck at "...installing default apk files..." for a few minutes, don't panic, let it run its course. From there on, you can do the usual root/flash cwm deal. .
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

theROMinator said:
Alright, here it is:
I encountered the same problems yesterday, heimdall doesn't work when flashing back to stock from ics, from what I've found, you must use gtg's ultimate unbrick, the pit repartitions everything and also resets your binary counter (cha-ching! ). Once completed, your phone will reboot and be stuck at "...installing default apk files..." for a few minutes, don't panic, let it run its course. From there on, you can do the usual root/flash cwm deal. .
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny I just did that yesterday using qkster heimdall after running the ics for the day....no issues utilizing it...so i say it does work...

theROMinator said:
Alright, here it is:
I encountered the same problems yesterday, heimdall doesn't work when flashing back to stock from ics, from what I've found, you must use gtg's ultimate unbrick, the pit repartitions everything and also resets your binary counter (cha-ching! ). Once completed, your phone will reboot and be stuck at "...installing default apk files..." for a few minutes, don't panic, let it run its course. From there on, you can do the usual root/flash cwm deal. .
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went back to stock from ics yesterday using heimdall...just took a long time and a lot of tries
I really think it depends on the computer though, for some Odin works best...for others heimdall works best
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA

bigjoe2675 said:
Funny I just did that yesterday using qkster heimdall after running the ics for the day....no issues utilizing it...so i say it does work...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not mean to be misleading, as you both have said, either or may work, I simply wanted to share my experience
mg2195 said:
I went back to stock from ics yesterday using heimdall...just took a long time and a lot of tries
I really think it depends on the computer though, for some Odin works best...for others heimdall works best
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

mg2195 said:
I went back to stock from ics yesterday using heimdall...just took a long time and a lot of tries
I really think it depends on the computer though, for some Odin works best...for others heimdall works best
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. On my desktop (quad core 6 gb ram, watercooled blablablabl) can't run heimdal nor Odin to save its life.
My netbook (single core atom) took me back from CM9 with Odin like it was nothing.
My 7 year old laptop (running Ubuntu) works great using Heimdal (just run the .jar file as an executable)

theROMinator said:
I did not mean to be misleading, as you both have said, either or may work, I simply wanted to share my experience
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No ... understood..no worries...there are some many that have never flashed or much less read anything regarding flashing are having so many prob`s...when this ics it's still bring birthed...for the infuse.
Instead of going to the dev section and doing some home work...understanding the basic info....they see ICS and have pictures of Sunday treats....in their mind...having no clue about the current ROM they are on now...Then the questions pop up...from individuals...after wards yelling SOS...But hey it's their phone.

bigjoe2675 said:
No ... understood..no worries...there are some many that have never flashed or much less read anything regarding flashing are having so many prob`s...when this ics it's still bring birthed...for the infuse.
Instead of going to the dev section and doing some home work...understanding the basic info....they see ICS and have pictures of Sunday treats....in their mind...having no clue about the current ROM they are on now...Then the questions pop up...from individuals...after wards yelling SOS...But hey it's their phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've flashed lots of roms and never had any issues. Also looked through the forum and know the basics about getting back to stock. I'm no expert, but I have a decent idea what I'm doing. I do appreciate a forum you can ask questions though and have people help out when your stumped. I did what i could from the tools I have at my disposal here, and ran into some problems. I'm not yelling SOS, just asking for some tips as what I have tried hasn't worked. All the same I do appreciate everyones opinions and help they provide. THat's what makes this forum great.

why would you need to heimdall if you are on a rogers infuse? Isn't that for AT&T phones only?

teknhard said:
I've flashed lots of roms and never had any issues. Also looked through the forum and know the basics about getting back to stock. I'm no expert, but I have a decent idea what I'm doing. I do appreciate a forum you can ask questions though and have people help out when your stumped. I did what i could from the tools I have at my disposal here, and ran into some problems. I'm not yelling SOS, just asking for some tips as what I have tried hasn't worked. All the same I do appreciate everyones opinions and help they provide. THat's what makes this forum great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I apologize wasn't directed to you just in general and your correct this forum is great...

Then reflash ics lol
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium

threi_ said:
why would you need to heimdall if you are on a rogers infuse? Isn't that for AT&T phones only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I don't have access to a PC for Odin, and the at&t should work to get me out of brick state. I currently can't get past rogers boot screen
GoSooners345 said:
Then reflash ics lol
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have recovery.. otherwise I certainly would have

[Q] used infuse

ok first off great site, second i bought a used infuse off ebay and i love it. only thing is it was already updated to gingerbread uclb3 kernel 2.6.35.7. i have read it cant be rooted with superone click. i really want a custom rom on this thing and have no idea where to begin. can someone point me in the right direction on this custom rom thing. please.

cain308 said:
ok first off great site, second i bought a used infuse off ebay and i love it. only thing is it was already updated to gingerbread uclb3 kernel 2.6.35.7. i have read it cant be rooted with superone click. i really want a custom rom on this thing and have no idea where to begin. can someone point me in the right direction on this custom rom thing. please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1514886
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1610374
Start there

ok read the first one and understood it pretty good , the 2nd link had alot of stuff in it that was a little confusing. this **** is way over my head. like i said i tried superone click on this stock gingerbread rom and it wouldnt get past step 7 so i guess i got alot more reading to do so i dont brick this thing.

Simplicity at it's best
The Infuse 4g is one of the simplest phone's to learn on in my book as far as rooting and changing rom's lot's of great rom's out there , If you really won't to get it done check out the Android Development section here on XDA for rooting , or How too it's pretty simple , you can even flash rooted rom's via Odin to save time in rooting it yourself , pretty easy , be glad to help ya out if ya need a few pointer's here and there , lot's of great people here on XDA that helped me out of the hard spot's , but good luck bro

thank you so much, i am gonna give it a shot this weekend. one question though i put a app backup on my phone so i wouldnt lose my cerberus app. after i do a wipe will i be able to get my app back. i know that sounds stupid but just curious.

cain308 said:
thank you so much, i am gonna give it a shot this weekend. one question though i put a app backup on my phone so i wouldnt lose my cerberus app. after i do a wipe will i be able to get my app back. i know that sounds stupid but just curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
btw if you are rooted you can install titanium backup free ver avail in the Google Play...it will back up your apps....there are lots of youtub vid on how to work the TiBu app for backing up apps.....
--------->>>>
You can read the ISET page it may be overwhelming but there is lots of information, and knowledge is good....start with the newbie info so you understand the lingo and info being provided...there are some many great ROM's in our threads.
I would not take the journey on putting ICS/CM9/AOKP till you get you feet settled in to knowing how to flash...start with some the great Gingerbread ROM's, we have custom and very custom ROM's, we have the stock look but still keeping the custom style...
Your choice and what you decide there is plenty of help in these threads, but don't be afraid to ask, but then ensure you have done some research and homework on your own...read, read and re read....
And if ya just cant figure it out, you can pm me...or post in my ISET thread ok,
see my signature for the {I S E T} page...

There are now a easiest way to root your phone which is odin a pre rooted room i find the odin ulb3+root+busybox+cwm to be this best. Only one odin and your done. Just wait for the robot lady to finish
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

Correction...the easiest way to root your phone is using qksters heimdal package of entropys latest kernel...deletes nothing on the phone only replaces the kernel with a rooted one
Download it (look in ISET page)
Run program
Put phone in download mode
Press flash
Let it do its thing, your phone will reboot and you will be rooted with cwm recovery (used for flashing roms)
*download mode required for both Odin and heimdal*
How to get into download mode?
1) pull battery
2) place battery back in
3) press and hold volume button simultaneously-don't let go and don't touch power button
4) while holding volume keys plug your phone into PC with USB cord
5) you should now be in download mode
You should see either a yellow triangle that says downloading or an option to go to download mode or reboot
Also Odin requires drivers from kies heimdal does not...it uses its own drivers which it will install for you...
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA

mg2195 said:
Correction...the easiest way to root your phone is using qksters heimdal package of entropys latest kernel...deletes nothing on the phone only replaces the kernel with a rooted one
Download it (look in ISET page)
Run program
Put phone in download mode
Press flash
Let it do its thing, your phone will reboot and you will be rooted with cwm recovery (used for flashing roms)
*download mode required for both Odin and heimdal*
How to get into download mode?
1) pull battery
2) place battery back in
3) press and hold volume button simultaneously-don't let go and don't touch power button
4) while holding volume keys plug your phone into PC with USB cord
5) you should now be in download mode
You should see either a yellow triangle that says downloading or an option to go to download mode or reboot
Also Odin requires drivers from kies heimdal does not...it uses its own drivers which it will install for you...
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had problems installing heimdall drivers at first . I find odin to be quick and easy for beginers
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

jason4962 said:
I had problems installing heimdall drivers at first . I find odin to be quick and easy for beginers
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it really depends on the computer...out of the three in my house 1 works with Odin (windows vista)...the other one works with heimdal (xp) and the other works with both...(xp/Ubuntu, xp both Ubuntu heimdal only for obvious reasons...)
Basically the hard part about both is drivers...which ever is easiest for you to get drivers is what will be easiest for you....once drivers are installed its pretty much a click of a button...well a couple buttons for odin
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA

mg2195 said:
I think it really depends on the computer...out of the three in my house 1 works with Odin (windows vista)...the other one works with heimdal (xp) and the other works with both...(xp/Ubuntu, xp both Ubuntu heimdal only for obvious reasons...)
Basically the hard part about both is drivers...which ever is easiest for you to get drivers is what will be easiest for you....once drivers are installed its pretty much a click of a button...well a couple buttons for odin
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol i see what you did there. couple more clicks beats putting your phone twice into download mode , 1 . flash rom and then 2. flash kernel ( to get cmw )
odin packs all that into 1 package ( well the newest one does ) when i had my infuse i flash roms each week so time is really important to me, me personally find odin 1 package to be very time consuming

jason4962 said:
lol i see what you did there. couple more clicks beats putting your phone twice into download mode , 1 . flash rom and then 2. flash kernel ( to get cmw )
odin packs all that into 1 package ( well the newest one does ) when i had my infuse i flash roms each week so time is really important to me, me personally find odin 1 package to be very time consuming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry if it sounds like I'm arguing....
But if he's just trying to root then he only needs to flash kernel...nothing else...
However if he's bricked then sure Odin will be easier as its all in one...
Again I'm not trying to argue...well I guess technically I am lol, but I'm not trying to lol...how bout we leave it at this...whatever works best for you works best for you, and as long as it gets the job done who cares how you got it done
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA

Odin vs. Heimdall one click will always be a matter of preference. In my case, I prefer the Heimdall command line because it gives me more control. I used it when I made the rooted Odin packages. As for which is easier, qkster's sweet Heimdall one click packages or the rooted Odin packs - they're both just about as easy as it gets, because we've already done most of the work for you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

mg2195 said:
But if he's just trying to root then he only needs to flash kernel...nothing else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It involves a little more than just flashing a kernel to root UCLB3, but I know what you mean. See the more involved method at this link for how to do it.:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24935969
The Heimdall one click packages, Odin packages, and dman's earlier CWM package just save people the work required to root UCLB3.
But you're right, they aren't "how" to root UCLB3. It's just already done for you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

mg2195 said:
Sorry if it sounds like I'm arguing....
But if he's just trying to root then he only needs to flash kernel...nothing else...
However if he's bricked then sure Odin will be easier as its all in one...
Again I'm not trying to argue...well I guess technically I am lol, but I'm not trying to lol...how bout we leave it at this...whatever works best for you works best for you, and as long as it gets the job done who cares how you got it done
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the fun is ended.. lol i tough we might go even more, anyways we are not fighting,, flaming..just pointing out pros and cons

ok OP did you get your issues resolved so I can have this closed...any thing more needed to address to the OP....
phone up and running...good to go?

bigjoe2675 said:
ok OP did you get your issues resolved so I can have this closed...any thing more needed to address to the OP....
phone up and running...good to go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bigjoe, looks like the OP was wanting advice on how to get UCLB3 rooted and ready to flash roms (CWM recovery, etc.). So far, other than the back and forth about who prefers one method over the other, it seems that this thread is on track to answer those questions. The good thing about the Infuse forum lately is that there are many ways to do things. To the OP: Get in there, explore the different methods and roms, and have fun. Good news is that it's really hard to brick this phone, so it's a good platform to try all that is out there. Bigjoe gave you a good start by pointing you to the ISET and Super Noobie Question thread.

jscott30 said:
Bigjoe, looks like the OP was wanting advice on how to get UCLB3 rooted and ready to flash roms (CWM recovery, etc.). So far, other than the back and forth about who prefers one method over the other, it seems that this thread is on track to answer those questions. The good thing about the Infuse forum lately is that there are many ways to do things. To the OP: Get in there, explore the different methods and roms, and have fun. Good news is that it's really hard to brick this phone, so it's a good platform to try all that is out there. Bigjoe gave you a good start by pointing you to the ISET and Super Noobie Question thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, ya do the work I just point the way to them, when they are sitting at the intersection looking to find the way...LOL
thx for your work...ok we will see what the out come is for the op...
I gotz to get the BBQ going, before Momma wakes...LOL

jscott30 said:
It involves a little more than just flashing a kernel to root UCLB3, but I know what you mean. See the more involved method at this link for how to do it.:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24935969
The Heimdall one click packages, Odin packages, and dman's earlier CWM package just save people the work required to root UCLB3.
But you're right, they aren't "how" to root UCLB3. It's just already done for you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol duh...I was thinking about cwm recovery hahaha feel sooooo stupid lol
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA

Wow , XDA to the rescue you guy's rock , lol , as far as backed up app's in the infuse if you backed up to the external sdcard you should be able to just reinstall the back up program and your backed up app's should be there , but it doe's very deppending on what app you used to do your back up .