Database Info

Rooting/roms/flashing HELP

Hi. Im fairly new to the Android OS. I just switched from an iphone. And ive been seeing/hearing a lot of talk about rooting, flashing roms, etc. I know that there are probably many threads on this, but I just wanted to know what are the pros and cons of rooting, flashing roms and such. And if I decide to do so, how do I? What rom would be best (for my sgs4g)? Sorry if this was too muxh to ask. Thanks in advance
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App

edwenoid said:
Hi. Im fairly new to the Android OS. I just switched from an iphone. And ive been seeing/hearing a lot of talk about rooting, flashing roms, etc. I know that there are probably many threads on this, but I just wanted to know what are the pros and cons of rooting, flashing roms and such. And if I decide to do so, how do I? What rom would be best (for my sgs4g)? Sorry if this was too muxh to ask. Thanks in advance
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well right now, the best ROM you can have is Gingerbread, which just came out recently.
Rooting is very similar to Jailbreaking when it comes to iPhone; it allows you to perform speed tweaks, and enable functionality not available on standard software.
As for flashing these ROMs, make sure you download a program called ODIN.
Before that, install the Samsung USB Drivers and read THIS.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=849028
I compiled a few tutorials on some various tweaks on my site as well, and have a few download links for files if you need them.
Good luck!

danstheman7 said:
Well right now, the best ROM you can have is Gingerbread, which just came out recently.
Rooting is very similar to Jailbreaking when it comes to iPhone; it allows you to perform speed tweaks, and enable functionality not available on standard software.
As for flashing these ROMs, make sure you download a program called ODIN.
Before that, install the Samsung USB Drivers and read THIS.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=849028
I compiled a few tutorials on some various tweaks on my site as well, and have a few download links for files if you need them.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not sure that Gingerbread would be the best choice right now for someone just starting out. It appears that the ROM that whitehawkx just releases still has a few bugs to be worked out. I would say that Bionix is probably a better choice for the moment.

Hah thanks. But I just had a few more questions. Do I need to be rooted to install gingerbread? Is flashing necessary? And is installing the new software just as easy as jailbreaking like an iphone?
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App

First off. Post in the correct section. This belongs in General. Please try searching before making a new thread. You know that this has been answered several times in multiple threads. I came from and Iphone too and I took the time to do the research. First just go to the Bible for SGS 4G. You'll find it here in this section. Make sure you read everything. I too was a noob but I took the time to read everything before posting a new thread on what's been answered just for your convenience.

edwenoid said:
Hah thanks. But I just had a few more questions. Do I need to be rooted to install gingerbread? Is flashing necessary? And is installing the new software just as easy as jailbreaking like an iphone?
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest doing TONS of reading on all the topics related to flashing/rooting/etc... Another reason why I think Gingerbread would be a bad choice for you right now is because I don't think ClockworkMod works with it yet. Without CWM you won't be able to do things like installing zips from your SD card and doing complete backups of your phone in case you mess something up. Yes, you will need to be rooted in order to flash to a new ROM. Flashing is only necessary if you want a ROM. Like what you have? Then don't flash.
Android is a pretty easy OS to use when you get used to it. But make sure that you take it slow and read everything carefully. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.. I'll be sure to look into this morw before I decide what to do.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App

yentlequible said:
Im not sure that Gingerbread would be the best choice right now for someone just starting out. It appears that the ROM that whitehawkx just releases still has a few bugs to be worked out. I would say that Bionix is probably a better choice for the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ehh, I've been running on Gingerbread and aside from a single bluetooth issue, I really have no complaints.
Bionix is a good choice too, though. You may be right in suggesting that as a beginners ROM.
So, Go with Bionix, edwenoid, it'll allow you to do many more tweaks.
Remember, this might seem pretty complicated at first, but I've had a Galaxy S 4G for only about a month now and i'm not too bad at this whole tweaking thingamajig

Thread closed please search before you post.

Don't use rom manager aka rom mangler!!! Thanks management!!!

Thanks management
SORRY luc or any mod that will delete this lol just going though the recent threads and no matter what we say they always seem to install it!!!
close or delete at your leasure
please use krylons cwm final
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1099374
if you installed rom manager delete it and take the update.zip from krylons thread and put it to the root of your sd card..
*Note*
Newer kernels dont require this as cwm is built directly into the kernel..

ROM Mangler now thats funny thanks for the laugh epic win sauce that octane is lol
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

I just got done reading this thread about not using Rom Manager EVER on the SGS4g, so I went ahead and used it and my phone boot loops now....what gives? I figured that it may work with a vibrant ROM as I heard it works on the regular galaxy s, so I Odin back to stock, reinstalled Rom manager and flashed cm7 for the vibrant...now my phone won't even boot...what gives? Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? It's almost like Rom manager doesn't work on this phone or something. Someone should make a step by step guide for flashing this phone...you know, like an SGS4G Bible.
Sent from my boot looping SGH-T959V.

My screenz lookz like a ra1nb0w! Zomg wtfbbq!!!1!11!!!
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App

That would be freaking awesome if this helps.... however people would have to read BEFORE using their "knowledge" of all things android.

htaak said:
I just got done reading this thread about not using Rom Manager EVER on the SGS4g, so I went ahead and used it and my phone boot loops now....what gives? I figured that it may work with a vibrant ROM as I heard it works on the regular galaxy s, so I Odin back to stock, reinstalled Rom manager and flashed cm7 for the vibrant...now my phone won't even boot...what gives? Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? It's almost like Rom manager doesn't work on this phone or something. Someone should make a step by step guide for flashing this phone...you know, like an SGS4G Bible.
Sent from my boot looping SGH-T959V.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+ 1
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium

jigglynuts said:
That would be freaking awesome if this helps.... however people would have to read BEFORE using their "knowledge" of all things android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats funny is that because this is in the wrong section... I guarantee 50 noobs have read it... Put it in the right section and those 50 will ask some stupid ass question about it.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App

wanna know whats even funnier
the mods stickied it lol

htaak said:
I just got done reading this thread about not using Rom Manager EVER on the SGS4g, so I went ahead and used it and my phone boot loops now....what gives? I figured that it may work with a vibrant ROM as I heard it works on the regular galaxy s, so I Odin back to stock, reinstalled Rom manager and flashed cm7 for the vibrant...now my phone won't even boot...what gives? Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? It's almost like Rom manager doesn't work on this phone or something. Someone should make a step by step guide for flashing this phone...you know, like an SGS4G Bible.
Sent from my boot looping SGH-T959V.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's something I've been seeing WAY too much these days!
EDIT: I just noticed I have 69 thanks. ;D

Yeah stickies. Bet it still gets asked twenty times a week though.

What consequences will have installing Rom Manager?
What if I installed it but didn't use it?
I'm experiencing a lot of crashes and reboots and maybe I've finally found the reason.

mozXegX said:
What consequences will have installing Rom Manager?
What if I installed it but didn't use it?
I'm experiencing a lot of crashes and reboots and maybe I've finally found the reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it would have effected people trying to install roms though it ....

mozXegX said:
What consequences will have installing Rom Manager?
What if I installed it but didn't use it?
I'm experiencing a lot of crashes and reboots and maybe I've finally found the reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you installed it and didn't use it, no problem.
If you used it to 'install', then you earned a one way trip to using Odin to get everything back.

Raver, if you don't mind could you please make the title have capital letters and not lowercase like it does. There is no reason for it other than everytime I open the forum, it bugs me. Also, what is up with the "bold" html command ""?

I wonder what goes through other peoples heads when they decide hey I'm going to root my phone and install a custom Rom. I mean the first thing I did was a Google search on how to root SGS4G. That lead me to XDA. Then I found the actual SGS4G forum and began searching for guides. This was the same process for my MT3G and my G1. I don't understand why people would just grab Rom manager and assume it's a cure all. Boggles the mind.

Locobato said:
I wonder what goes through other peoples heads when they decide hey I'm going to root my phone and install a custom Rom. I mean the first thing I did was a Google search on how to root SGS4G. That lead me to XDA. Then I found the actual SGS4G forum and began searching for guides. This was the same process for my MT3G and my G1. I don't understand why people would just grab Rom manager and assume it's a cure all. Boggles the mind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats how i did it for this phone and my g1 too!

Locobato said:
I wonder what goes through other peoples heads when they decide hey I'm going to root my phone and install a custom Rom. I mean the first thing I did was a Google search on how to root SGS4G. That lead me to XDA. Then I found the actual SGS4G forum and began searching for guides. This was the same process for my MT3G and my G1. I don't understand why people would just grab Rom manager and assume it's a cure all. Boggles the mind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that works out fine if the first thing you get led to is xda, but if you are unlucky like me then you end up at joe schmoe's tech blog or something similar and they tell you that any android phone can be "hacked" with superoneclick and rom manager. thats where the true issue lies, imo: that not the sites state the same info and most of that is wrong.

Thanks raver!

Locobato said:
I wonder what goes through other peoples heads when they decide hey I'm going to root my phone and install a custom Rom. I mean the first thing I did was a Google search on how to root SGS4G. That lead me to XDA. Then I found the actual SGS4G forum and began searching for guides. This was the same process for my MT3G and my G1. I don't understand why people would just grab Rom manager and assume it's a cure all. Boggles the mind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 Sure there were multiple sites related to the subject, which is why you take a little bit of time to examine more than one. I know I didn't just click the first option and run with it.

This post got me thinking. We have the SGS4G Bible but apparently it can be a little overwhelming and too much information for some people to digest before they start modding their phones.
Keeping the biblical theme maybe a simplified "SGS4G TEN COMMANDMENTS" that contain the ten most common questions and answers, noob mistakes, and does and don'ts in one place. Simple, easy to read, and easy to refer people to. For example...
Commandment 1: DO NOT USE ROM MANAGER...EVER!
Commandment 2: DO NOT FLASH VIBRANT ROMS....EVER! - THE SGS4G IS NOT A VIBRANT!
etc, etc....you get the idea.
Any thoughts?

[Q] (Samsung Infuse) How do I install Roms that are RAR, Zip, etc.

Can anyone please post on this thread on how to install a Rom on a Samsung Infuse? I have downloaded the current ROM for it and do not know how to do it. I have found some directions on YouTube but to no avail. This would help others.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318160
And this belongs in the Questions section.

What ROMs are you referring to exactly? All custom ROMs are flashable through CWM recovery. The "official" gingerbread leaks from przekret are only flashable through Odin or Heimdall. Directions for both of these methods already exists in infuse general and infuse q&a sections. I would suggest a google search with something like this:
Code:
site:xda-developers.com samsung infuse how to install ROM via Odin
It'll tell google to ONLY search xda-developers.com for your search term. The xda search sucks (IMO).

yo have to root the phone and have CWM instaled then you can flash what you want....and this is not a development question...please post in right section

I know but seemed like I wasnt getting a good response so I decided to quickly ask here.

I am referring to SGH-I997_I997UCKL2_UC_ATT.RAR

I promise I will remove soon and put in the correct section to help others with similar question.

I do not have rooted phone so I downloaded the ROM that was non-rooted

The Dirty Mexican said:
I am referring to SGH-I997_I997UCKL2_UC_ATT.RAR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that is the leak from prezkret thread, you'll need to extract the rar and there should be a tar.md5 in there (if memory serves). You will need to use Odin to flash this on your device so being rooted is not necessary. Put your phone into download mode, connect it to your pc, fire up odin and put the tar.md5 that is within this rar into the pda slot. That's all you'll need to do.

there is a tar.md5 this really helps. thankyou

The Dirty Mexican said:
there is a tar.md5 this really helps. thankyou
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good.
Good luck!
EDIT: I reported the thread to be moved to Q&A since it's a Q&A session.

Ok thank you. I was going to delete it and repost but since you put that request Ill let that happen.

The Dirty Mexican said:
I know but seemed like I wasnt getting a good response so I decided to quickly ask here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, because you were impatient, you felt a need to break the rules of this forum and post in a section you are explicitly not suppost to post new threads in unless the thread is for something YOU have created?
What makes you think you are so special and are allowed to break the rules?
Also, I just looked through your posting history - you didn't even TRY to post in Q&A.

The bible will give you everything you will ever possibly need...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1293751
Root, recovery, ROM, radio/modem, tweaks, mods, themes, ect...
Please remember to use the thanks button to anyone who has helped you.

I think since you posted this question here and by some of the things you have said, you should wait on doing anything to your phone. I'm not trying to be mean but you really don't seem like you know what you are doing and that you need to do some research first. If not you'll have another post asking how to unbrick your phone. Do some reading.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium

tmease1 said:
I think since you posted this question here and by some of the things you have said, you should wait on doing anything to your phone. I'm not trying to be mean but you really don't seem like you know what you are doing and that you need to do some research first. If not you'll have another post asking how to unbrick your phone. Do some reading.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I'd what I did. I read all of the instructions from every rom thread and then hung out on IRC before I even attempted to flash a ROM
I still bricked it a few times, even partially broke download mode

Plenty of information on this forum to help you. All you need to do is search.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

I think this man has been flamed enough....wow...once was sufficient
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium

@OP - Did you get it figured out?

Flashing

Ok dont flame me lol....i am coming from the vibrant inwhich i broke...to the mt4g ,to this phone and im wondering now that i have rooted thos phone....is flashing roms,kernels,and modems similar to doing it on the vibrant thru cwm....i have been doing alot of reading and just need a tip or two....i am confused.....this thing is so similar to the vibrant....that i feel like i am back on it and dont want to get the wrong idea
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

It depends, are you using 2.2.1 or 2.3.6? Best bet to get started is the hemidall kj6. Find it in our development section.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

It's important to make sure that if you want to go to gingerbread from froyo, that you have the correct bootloaders installed. Don't use Rom Manager. Period. Don't Install CWM from Rom Manager. There is a sticky about it, but everyone seems to ignore it.
This is the thread I have used a few times, and it will get you to Gingerbread with CWM which will allow you to install other gingerbread roms:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1223765
After that you can flash the lagfix 2.3.6 KJ6 Kernel (which is great):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1380331
Here are a list of popular roms:
1.) Valhalla Black - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1404863
2.) Valhalla Regular - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1402966
3.) Octane - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1305145
4.) AOSP Style - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1323973
5.) ICBINB - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1278389
6.) Simply Simple - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321611
Each Rom has special instructions- Ravers require specific mounts for example, which can be found under Mounts and Storage in CWM. Good Luck

Thank you so much i am familiar with odin so thats the program ill stick with.
Currantly im on froyo 2.2.1.
As i have just taken my first baby step with this phone by buying and rooting it today i will continue to absorb all the info i can ....slowly
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

Am i understanding this right? That you can odin a odin specific rom right to the device ?
Im just not catching on to the bootloaders flashing....im understanding its not like with the vibrant so im getting a lil confused....im still hashing it out in my head that this aint a vibrant lol

Shortbus-Driver said:
Am i understanding this right? That you can odin a odin specific rom right to the device ?
Im just not catching on to the bootloaders flashing....im understanding its not like with the vibrant so im getting a lil confused....im still hashing it out in my head that this aint a vibrant lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can. However, you have to be careful. If you're going from Froyo to GB (and I think vice-versa) you have to insure the ROM you're flashing has the right boot loaders. Else you could end up with the infamous "rainbow screen" or stuck in a boot loop.

But thats fixable correct?.....
What im getting at .....is im guessin this phone is near unbrickable like the vibrant.....correct?

You can break any phone. Some errors may delete your CWM, which means that you will have to re-flash from Odin, or a similar program. However, if you are careful, and read every instruction properly, then you should be fine. It seems ridiculous at first, especially coming from a Nexus One, but it honestly is a really simple process.

Ok cool i was just checkin to make sure my suspicions were correct

Ok now one more question.....is there no odin flashable rooted 2.3.6? or am i just not finding it?
Cuz now im on 2.3.6 stock unrooted....and id like to sell it rooted as an added bonus to whoever buys it.
Im thinking i want to go back to the vibrant 3g....
2 months and im due to upgrade

Heimdall.
There is a thread in the development forum for a one click root and bhundvens kernel. One click and you are all set
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App

Exactly what jigglynuts said. However, if you're on 2.3.6 and all you care about is getting it rooted, you can just use the latest SuperOneClick.

You can find a rooting guide here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S_4G#Rooting

Ok guys thanks...oneclick just kept hanging up and the other links i cant seem to dl from.....but its all good i do appreciate the help ive gotten here.....this forum and group of people have been more helpful and friendly than the other two forums ive been a part of....Thank you!
i put the phone up for sale. Again thank you

Well ATM ive still got it,and am running stock GB rooted and running with cwm recovery thanks for all your help.....this phone really aint so bad.....

[Q] New here.. Desprately need help..

Hi.. I'm going to be as brief as I can..
I had to get my phone replaced because it got all "defective" on me.. No joke.. it wouldn't Charge, wouldn't call, txt, turn off, tried everything.
called tmobile they said that it was a known issue and that I would have to call samsung about the warrantee. Called Samsung "Call Tmobile"
called tmobile "can't help sorry". Took the phone into the store.. "oh you have the $7.99 insurance! call them" Called Insurance.. "It's not covered call Tmobile". called tmobile "call insurance". finally got someone to actually listen to me after about 6 hours of being on my husbands phone! Got tmobile to send me a replacement. It was the very same SGS4G that I have loved for years.. Then I turned it on... New Load Screen... Gingerbread... (I was on froyo 2.2 before and NEVER had a problem with anything until the phone went completely nuts)
So now my phone....
Can't Send txts without it being MMS
Bounces from 4G to Searching whenever it wants (most of the time it's in searching or just enough signal to make calls)
takes forever to download even the smallest apps..
Basically it's become a phone that I want nothing to do with..
So I talked to my dad knowing that he did alot of rooting stuff to his Droid
He told me "Root the Phone! Put the Rom you want on it and Make it work how you want it. Look up Xda-developers" <-- for a solution it didn't seem to get better than that!
That was my Headache.... Now for my Problem..
As I was reading through tons of stuff on here I saw that there was Slim ICS.. then I saw the "Not Working" section..
then there were different programs that are needed to install different things...
not to mention that I don't want to over work my processor which is a 1Ghz processor
As for a Modem... no clue which to pick... I just need a better connection altogether..
Could You please let me know which things run the best together..
Which programs do I need to root, install etc.. these things
and I'm soo confused right now it's not even funny.. My dads droid was soo easy for him to root and change that he's confused at the process that the SGS4G needs..
Any advice or help at all would be amazing!
I will be eternally grateful for any help at all!
Please feel free to laugh at my situation.. I know I am..
This all started as a desperate cry for something better than what my phone has become.. although I think that this whole thing is going to become one big funny story lol

First of all, you need to root your phone, then we'll talk after that. Go read the how to root thread in this forum. It is an easy process. Read this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1375517
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

gizmoscoop said:
First of all, you need to root your phone, then we'll talk after that. Go read the how to root thread in this forum. It is an easy process. Read this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1375517
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One Slight problem with rooting it lol... from all of the info I'm getting here on the site it says I need to download something to root it...
I would really love to get all of the stuff needed so that once I root I can just get the whole process done with.
My dad is also on thephone with me right now.. yes at 3:35am lol..
He's trying to help me look through Roms and help me pick the best one. However he doesn't know much about my phone because he's with verizon...
What I need to know is what stuff works best together.. You know, the least amount of bugs and problems. I want to know from someone more experienced than ether me or my dad because We have been looking at this stuff for almost 10 hours... o_0 and it's not getting any less confusing lol.
Thank you
Serenity

Read this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=, it has all the download links.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

Follow the guides to root your phone. Then start looking at roms.
Most likely you'll want to start out with a GB rom and move around from there, you still have to root it to install those.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

vopezy said:
Follow the guides to root your phone. Then start looking at roms.
Most likely you'll want to start out with a GB rom and move around from there, you still have to root it to install those.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already have GB... that's what is messing me up badly.. I don't want to have GB anymore.

gizmoscoop said:
Read this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=, it has all the download links.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so the link told me..... "No thread specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator"
as far as the first link.. there are different programs to root your phone with... which one works the best.
The first one that you sent me to which is the One-Click thingy... sounded great at first! However I also have to download some C ++ thingy and something else before I could even use the program to root the phone..
Honestly a good program would be 1 program to root, one program to install. That kinda thing..
not 1 program to root... wait before you root install these 2 programs then stand on your head and download program 3... i mean honestly that kind of multi program stuff makes me wonder where the "Take this survey to unlock your download" screen is gonna be... lol

What would be the fun if you just clicked a button and everything worked.. Clearly something happened to your phone and you paid good money for it to work the first time. Luckily all this is free.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

vopezy said:
What would be the fun if you just clicked a button and everything worked.. Clearly something happened to your phone and you paid good money for it to work the first time. Luckily all this is free.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear that lol... although it took my phone 2 1/2 years to mess up lol.. but yes this is free.. and very very very confusing... but free lol

The least confusing way to do this is a heimdall one-click. Yes, you gotta have Java and the c++ runtime for windows installed but the links are provided right in the first post of the thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1358498
Starting from stock gb if you wanna go to ics download Eollie's one-click in the second post.
Now you should have the correct recovery to get to ics.
Currently the most functional ics rom I think is aokp which has auto-brightness working right out of the box.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1733097
A few things here and there aren't quite working on any ics rom:
Wifi calling
Tv out
...can't think of more now but those are probably most notable.
All you gotta do is follow instructions on the links I just posted. That's as easy as it gets. Really.
O. I forgot, to get into download mode turn off phone, hold volume up and down, plug phone into pc.
To get into recovery turn off phone, hold volume up and down, hold the power button until the second screen comes up, keep holding volume buttons. Recovery will come up.

You should also understand that as great as ICS is, you sacrifice some battery life over GB. There are so many great ROM's for this phone, you just need to see which works best for you. Check out this link... All of the information you need regarding ROM's, kernels, modems, etc. can be found here.
http://http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1464066

Wait! This thead again?! Yay! Like we haven't answered it already about a thousand time.

Serenity8525 if you haven't bricked your device because you were linked to advanced level posts. Click on the purple link in my signature. In that thread there is a guide linked by lumin30 called fresh out of the box now what? Read that thread. Yes it is long and might take a while to get through, but once you are done and did not rush through you should be comfortable enough to use the one click linked in my signature.
For the others that have attempted to help. Remember in the future lumin30's guide should always be linked to new people. It is very detailed and noob friendly.

Dude you gotta get that stickied

TwitchyEye said:
Dude you gotta get that stickied
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Report it and ask to have it stickied. I believe lumin30 stated once he didn't like having those posts stickied because people ignore the stickies. /shrug
Plus if you want to help people its best to know what all is available and easiest for a complete noob.

eollie said:
Report it and ask to have it stickied. I believe lumin30 stated once he didn't like having those posts stickied because people ignore the stickies. /shrug
Plus if you want to help people its best to know what all is available and easiest for a complete noob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
eollie said:
Serenity8525 if you haven't bricked your device because you were linked to advanced level posts. Click on the purple link in my signature. In that thread there is a guide linked by lumin30 called fresh out of the box now what? Read that thread. Yes it is long and might take a while to get through, but once you are done and did not rush through you should be comfortable enough to use the one click linked in my signature.
For the others that have attempted to help. Remember in the future lumin30's guide should always be linked to new people. It is very detailed and noob friendly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chrisbo4 said:
You should also understand that as great as ICS is, you sacrifice some battery life over GB. There are so many great ROM's for this phone, you just need to see which works best for you. Check out this link... All of the information you need regarding ROM's, kernels, modems, etc. can be found here.
http://http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1464066
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so I would like to say thanks for everyones help... No the device isn't bricked because I haven't even rooted yet.. I want to get all the info all the things that I will need, understand the process then start the process of "NOT Bricking my phone" lol...
I don't think that it's possible to sacrifice some battery when my phone only stays alive for 20-30 minutes... the GB update messed the phone up soo bad it's not even funny... if I was still on Froyo I wouldn't have any desire to Root or change the OS.
As far as that link.... it's not usable... it's listed there 2 times back to back. I did however shorten it until it worked and thank you
Just I do know how to get into DL and Recovery mode I have had to do this a million times over when on the phone with Tmobile trying to trouble shoot the issues that have come up since i got the replacement phone with GB. I can not begin to count the number of factory resets this phone has on it...

Serenity8525 said:
If I was still on Froyo I wouldn't have any desire to Root or change the OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh, I said that about going to GB, then going to ICS. Now I dread when I have to run GB to see how things worked "back then" when doing dev work.
The good news is that with the one-click-back-to-stock packages now available, along with a good backup utility like Titanium Backup Pro, it is a lot easier that it once was. I won't say it's "fool proof" as there are many people who are foolish enough not to read current threads about how to flash and upgrade an SGS4G, or foolish enough to flash a ROM, kernel, or "tweak" that isn't intended for the SGS4G or the Android version they are running.

Serenity8525 if you know how to get into DL mode download the one click in the purple link it will get you onto stock plus root with custom recovery. Then from there follow the directions in the ICS thread you want to flash. Just make sure it is from this forum and not the sister phones. As long as you follow the directions you will be hard pressed to brick the phone.
Like jeffsf stated once you get on a working form of either ics or gb you will wonder how you ever dealt with froyo. I suggest however to flash a different rom once you get the one click in my sig flashed. And just for safety's sake flash it twice and the second time click the flash bootloaders box.

eollie said:
Serenity8525 if you know how to get into DL mode download the one click in the purple link it will get you onto stock plus root with custom recovery. Then from there follow the directions in the ICS thread you want to flash. Just make sure it is from this forum and not the sister phones. As long as you follow the directions you will be hard pressed to brick the phone.
Like jeffsf stated once you get on a working form of either ics or gb you will wonder how you ever dealt with froyo. I suggest however to flash a different rom once you get the one click in my sig flashed. And just for safety's sake flash it twice and the second time click the flash bootloaders box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds like a plan... although i know it will ultimately come down to personal preferences but is there a specific setup that works best?
setup as in...
Rom
Modem
Kernel
etc...?
honestly thats what the main question was. Yea I gave background and what not. Yes I asked what program was easiest to use. People have answered those. However what people didnt answer was the setup variations that work well together.
I mean after all the rooting and rom gets installed and im still on GBis there a combo i can use to get my signal going again? Right now if I want to make a call I have to use wifi calling... since that isnt working in ICS... I dont want to get ICS and not be able to make anycalls. I have a tower about 2-3 miles away from me and never have signal. If rooting the phone doesnt fix the signal what would i need to change to get it working?
so I'm gonna start out simple..
Root with GB cause from what I can tell WIFI calling still works on a GB Rooted phone.
I'm guessing that just rooting my phone and staying with GB will mean that better Kernels and modems will not be compatible?
If that's true then my signal will still be nothing..
but with
ICS
I will need ether wifi calling to work or upgrade the Kernel or Modem... so...
I need setup ideas
GB rooted
Kernel?
Modem?
etc...
and just to play it safe if you guys could help with the ICS setup too
ICS rooted (I think the post was about AOPK?... which has the most stuff working. so that will be the one I would use)
Kernel?
Modem?
etc...
Again Thank you everyone who has been helping me

eollie said:
Serenity8525 if you know how to get into DL mode download the one click in the purple link it will get you onto stock plus root with custom recovery. Then from there follow the directions in the ICS thread you want to flash. Just make sure it is from this forum and not the sister phones. As long as you follow the directions you will be hard pressed to brick the phone.
Like jeffsf stated once you get on a working form of either ics or gb you will wonder how you ever dealt with froyo. I suggest however to flash a different rom once you get the one click in my sig flashed. And just for safety's sake flash it twice and the second time click the flash bootloaders box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So looking further into the Roms... went to..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1733097
They gave me a quite a bit of info but they also had other links there like the feature list and what not... anyways I eventually ended up here...
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/28279-aokp-galaxys4gmtd-july-08-milestone-6/
not quite sure what to do cause one place says to install one way and the other talks about gapp... don't know what gapp is lol