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[Q] Multiple Questions - Backup Issues, Installing a New ROM, etc.

Hello everyone. This is my first post, so please be gentle. I've been reading around and I can't seem to find specific answers to my questions so I figured it would be best to make a post. This is my first Android phone and also the first phone I have rooted so I'm trying to be extra careful. I've already received tons of help from other threads in these forums, but as I said I've still got a few questions.
I rooted my SGS4G using SuperOneClick v2.1.1, then proceeded to install CWM ROM Manager as per the instructions I found in many articles online. Once I got that installed I was unable to make backups as it would boot me into the stock recovery menu, which led me here searching for answers. That is when I came across this thread: [RECOVERY]CWM FINAL for the SGS4G After following the instructions I wasn't exactly sure what to do, so I attempted to boot into the "new" recovery menu which ended at an infinite boot logo, which I assumed was a soft brick after reading around a bit.
After thoroughly freaking out about my phone being bricked I looked around a bit more and came across this thread: [GUIDE] Noobs guide to Odin to flash your SGS4G (Windows) Following that thread I was able to install the T959VUVKB5 Stock + Root ROM which restored my soft brick. Once that was installed I installed CWM ROM Manager again thinking the Recovery Menu would be fixed and I could finally make a backup before moving on, but it wasn't. Then I came across this thread: [Odin][Kernel] drhonk's Bali 3.3 for Froyo, Installs CWM!
After installing drhonk's Bali 3.3 for Froyo kernel I was finally able to make a single nandroid backup (and backup my apps using Titanium Backup)! I messed around on the phone for a few days with no issues (other than the Android flickering in the boot logo). Now I am ready to move on to trying out a few ROMS. So, first thing first I said: I need to make another backup. So I entered the Recovery Menu via the CWM ROM Manager and attempted to make another backup, and this is what I get:
E: failed to open /etc..... (I couldn't write fast enough to copy the entire message)
E: unknown volume for path [/sdcard] (10s)
The second of which repeated over and over until it reached 0s and then my phone was rebooted.
TL;DR
- Rooted using SuperOneClick
- Installed ROM Manager and couldn't make a nandroid backup correctly
- Attempted to install CWM FINAL for the SGS4G, which resulted in a soft brick
- Restored using ODIN and installed T959VUVKB5 Stock + Root ROM and drhonk's Bali 3.3 for Froyo kernel
- Cannot make nandroid backups (other than the initial one apparently), Recovery Menu does not seem to be working correctly
- I am not comfortable trying new ROMs until I am able to make backups correctly
Anyway, so here are my questions:
1. What do I need to install to allow me to make nandroid backups correctly? Or is there another app besides CWM ROM Manager that will allow me to do this?
2. I would like to try a few other ROMs, but I when I reach the so-called "Do the mounting stuff" step I am unable to continue as my Recovery Menu isn't working correctly. What do I need to install in order to be able to do complete this step? I have a feeling the answer to #1 will solve #2 as well.
3. I would like to try a few of the GB ROMs (such as Valhalla v1.3.2 or Stock Gingerbread 2.3.3 Deodexed + Root), but I am not sure exactly where to go from here. Is the GB Ext4 Starter Pack the way I need to go, or would this way be better? Can I do either of these without a working Recovery Menu?
Thanks in advance for all the help!

Your first mistake was rom manager. It does not work for this phone correctly. Odin one of Dr honks kernels to get cwm recovery. They are in the dev section.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

im not sure how many times this has been posted (i think i say this once a day....) but rom manager DOES NOT WORK ON THIS PHONE.
it is fine. if you can wait a day or two, i will make a nice noob guide on getting from stock to a custom rom. i will be sure to link every pertinent thread and be sure to have a little FAQ section. hopefully it will help you.

Exodian said:
Your first mistake was rom manager. It does not work for this phone correctly. Odin one of Dr honks kernels to get cwm recovery. They are in the dev section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said in the post, I've already installed drhonk's Bali 3.3 for froyo kernel.
jager555 said:
im not sure how many times this has been posted (i think i say this once a day....) but rom manager DOES NOT WORK ON THIS PHONE.
it is fine. if you can wait a day or two, i will make a nice noob guide on getting from stock to a custom rom. i will be sure to link every pertinent thread and be sure to have a little FAQ section. hopefully it will help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but I figured that out shortly after installing it. What alternative are we supposed to use? Hopefully your noob guide will help.

are you sure you understand? seeing as you mentioned BOTH bali and krylon's cwm, yet you still do not know how to get the custom recovery on the phone. once again, i will write a nice guide for you, so for now, just odin back to stock and give me a day or two. once im out of work, i will take a nap and write this for you.

jager555 said:
are you sure you understand? seeing as you mentioned BOTH bali and krylon's cwm, yet you still do not know how to get the custom recovery on the phone. once again, i will write a nice guide for you, so for now, just odin back to stock and give me a day or two. once im out of work, i will take a nap and write this for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently I do not understand. I guess I will just wait for your guide. Hopefully it will pick up where the other guides failed (for me anyway).
Edit: After reading around a bit I think I understand where I went wrong. As a noob I was confusing CWM with ROM Manager (after all, they're both made by the same people right? I believe that's what was confusing me ). I have since uninstalled ROM Manager and have booted to the Recovery Menu and successfully made a backup.

I myself have been a member for coming up on one year. And when I originally joined I was modding my Mytouch 3G. Much easier phone to mod and especially with ROM manager. This phone on the other hand requires more attention to detail. It is very important to do your due diligence to research this site for answers before posting. The reason is, all the wonderful and talented folks making all this possible are providing us all these great hacks, cracks, and roms for free. The information is here if you just look for it. Now if you are having trouble understanding the info that is also understandable. I find questions are better received if you show everyone what you have researched and then say what your are confused about.
Enough of the lecture, the end result is that everyone here is really nice and helpful. Here are the 3 links you should save. The Bible lists everything about our phone. Now at this stage in the game unless you really want to get more background on how the phone has evolved from Froyo to GB you won't need to read the Bible. The first thing you will need to do is follow the instructions for Bali 3.3 + CWM. This will provide you with the Red CWM recovery making it possible for you to flash Froyo Roms. Once you have completed this step you can move on to the GB Starter Pack. This guide will prepare your phone with the correct bootloaders it requires to run GB Roms. Once this process has been completed you can flash GB Roms. And if you need a quick list of the roms available just look in the Bible. Hope this helps, just be patient and make sure you understand what you are reading and attempting before doing anything. And if you don't understand a step or a process then come and ask and you'll get better answers and better understanding of what you're actually doing to your phone.
SGS4G Bible
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1117554
Bali 3.3 + CWM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1195860
GB Starter Pack
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1223765

Thanks for the help. I tried to do as much research as I could before posting (as you can see, I've posted two of the three links you suggested in my OP, and I basically keep the Bible open at all times ). It's just the little things that I find confusing, which is why I posted this thread. It's nice to know that from this point I can proceed to the GB Starter Pack and play around with the GB ROMs, but I think I'd like to try a few Froyo ROMs before I take that step Thanks for confirming that!

Sorry for the double post but I have another question.....
I've been reading over FB's GB Ext4 Starter Pack thread and I just wanted to make sure that once you get to the part where you flash your "favorite GB rom" that Valhalla v1.3.2 would be an acceptable ROM to flash there. If not, which ROM should I flash first, then flash Valhalla? Thanks in advance.

Yes, Valhalla would be fine to flash at that point (any version). just as long as you went through each step of the directions first. you'll be fine.

[Q] Returning to stock help!

so i was on cm9 alpha and decided to return to stock. and when i did the odin it passed but now my phone keeps rebooting. what do i do?

someone help me please! i need my phone!

someone help! i've tried like 3 times already

i need help!!!!!!!

Patience. Are you sure you followed the instructions exactly as listed here?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1342348
I did a return to Stock not too long ago and ran into no issues following this. I'd also recommend resetting your Flash counter as well.

use the sammobile tar, not the konane one

This thread is similar, so you might be interested in reading it.
As xcrazydx wrote use the sammobile tar.

I've had that feeling of panic before
I know what your feeling...but you will find the answers here...and there are lots of folks interested in helping us noobs.
Just read the threads and do as dvandam said..."be patient"

[Q] i am beyond 'newbie dot com', & so totally lost... :(

So I rooted my at&t infuse. I now owned it for just over a year, so the warranty on it is out. Here's what I'm so unsure of...
Googling til the cows came home, I thought I discovered that the official gingerbread update brought me to uclb3 2.3.6 or some such thing. I had the ulk2 or something? The unofficial leak back in Feb. Anyhow, found a way to root .6 on youtube. Followed along the whole way, pausing, rewinding, playing and pausing again. The guy on the video was using 'odin'. Finally, (long story short and after my heart started beating again), my screen said 'pass' just like his did and my phone rebooted. (thats when my heart started beating again, lol). So I was googling again, just to see what 'flashing roms' meant. I even had to look up 'rom'. All I wanted a rooted phone for was to get rid of those apps that at&t installed on my phone and I can't uninstall. Which I accomplished. But googling flashing a rom, somehow I stumbled upon another youtube video. This one was of some guy saying if you're not a rogers infuse owner, turn the video off now. So I watched. And he used 'odin'.
Did I root it right?
The only "problems" I'm having with my phone is with the wifi. When I click on fb, it says connection lost. I have to turn on data to use it. But if I click on the web icon, or play store, I can connect. Is it a root issue, or facebook update issue?
Baby steps with me now! I need the 'rosetta stone' version of your reply, haha! This is totally foreign territory for me!

Whether you are rooted or not really depends on what package you flashed with Odin.
On 2.3.6, to root you need to flash a custom kernel, such as entropy's dd kernel.
I suggest you take a look at the super iset thread stickied on the dev thread. You will find everything you need there.
also search on the q&a and general sections.. You should find many threads with detailed instructions

It may be helpful if you go back to the beginning of the Q/A section and read up on the earlier thread and work your way forward. It will familiarize you with the "lingo"
You can also start at the, "How To" thread for some basic info. That thread is pack with lots of info. You may need to read it several times to understand.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1437548

andros11 said:
Whether you are rooted or not really depends on what package you flashed with Odin.
On 2.3.6, to root you need to flash a custom kernel, such as entropy's dd kernel.
I suggest you take a look at the super iset thread stickied on the dev thread. You will find everything you need there.
also search on the q&a and general sections.. You should find many threads with detailed instructions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for taking the time - so if I understand correctly, *OFOURSE* I did it wrong. Time for a new phone! Really, as upset and lost as I am, I appreciate your reply.

qkster said:
It may be helpful if you go back to the beginning of the Q/A section and read up on the earlier thread and work your way forward. It will familiarize you with the "lingo"
You can also start at the, "How To" thread for some basic info. That thread is pack with lots of info. You may need to read it several times to understand.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1437548
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, but if I read it for the next YEAR, I won't understand. All I needed, which you and the previous poster gave to me, was a straight answer - "No, you didn't do it right". I really appreciate that you took the time, and hopefully after Christmas and New Years, I'll have time to skim through!
Thanks for your time!
(is there anyway to delete this thread now?)

It's super easy. With a pc install kies...then run qkster's one click. Directions here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1524081
Then run entropys the same way. From same post.
Once you have recovery flash anything you want...
If you flash cm9, and it boots up in rainbows , start these directions over but flash qkster's oneclick twice. Second time have bootloaders checked.
Always flash cm10 only after cm9 or cm10 is on. (never cm7 to cm10)Follow instructions and ask questions in step form. Say "ok so I flashed this here, how do I flash this"
And always flash gaps after you flash your custom rom. (even just upgrades reflash gapps)

Newbie flashing
If I can add a little, you could use Odin. After you install Kies (for the drivers) look for GTG's Unbrick. Flash it. Boot it up.
Go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1613523
Then load that into Odin. Flash it. You can connect your phone, turn on usb, then look in my computer. You will find your phone "drives" there. Add a rom you downloaded, Boot into recovery, do a reset/dalvik/clean and install zip from sd card. Choose the new zip, and hit the power button to start the rom installation. Check out Youtube. They all basically install the same way.Hope it helps. Learn to use the unbricking stuff they have made, and thank them.

Flashing in recovery

What does this mean.i knew you.could update.a zip in recovery but.how do you flash in recovery like a boot animation for example

To use recovery to flash (another term for install) the file needs to be in zip format. Always make sure that the zip you're flashing is made for your phone and Android version. The best thing to do is make a nandroid backup, it's similar to a Windows restore point. It will save you if you flash something that doesn't work.

So do you use the update option to install the zip?

Sounds like you are referring to the stock recovery. Most zips here need to be flashed through a custom recovery like TWRP or philz.

garbage30 said:
What does this mean.i knew you.could update.a zip in recovery but.how do you flash in recovery like a boot animation for example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You really need to take about 10 steps back. You've been posting in multiple threads with the same basic questions that should already be known before posting. Please start using Google (answers to all your questions can be found all over the Internet) and read, read, read. Here's the first link you should read: Understanding the Journey. Sorry, but XDA isn't about being hand-fed every answer. Thanks.

I agree with Ramer. When I first wanted to root and customize a phone I spent countless hours reading, and researching, and reading more before I even attempted anything. I then downloaded what I wanted and also what I needed to fix my phone in case something went wrong and made sure I knew how to fix it. I still do the same thing and it has been about 6 years since the first time I rooted a phone. Don't just dive in blindly, be prepared.

Ya thanks guys i have done research .i first started flashing my EVO when i started. I understand how to use google to find answers. Seems the.process is.forever changing everytime an update.comes out. Sorry im not a master developer and the thread file you.posted isint working for me. Sorry for the noob questions.i have soft bricked my phone many times and.fixed it.many times. Sorry for the noob questions. I dont have alot of time to break and fix my phone all the time i will take my questions else where for.future information thanks for all the answers. Flashing is for odin. Maybe you masters use flashing zips as lingo sorry i didnt understand that meant install from recovery through the update. I lost root with this stupid update which sucks and just.trying to figure it out. Have a great day!

garbage30 said:
Ya thanks guys i have done research .i first started flashing my EVO when i started. I understand how to use google to find answers. Seems the.process is.forever changing everytime an update.comes out. Sorry im not a master developer and the thread file you.posted isint working for me. Sorry for the noob questions.i have soft bricked my phone many times and.fixed it.many times. Sorry for the noob questions. I dont have alot of time to break and fix my phone all the time i will take my questions else where for.future information thanks for all the answers. Flashing is for odin. Maybe you masters use flashing zips as lingo sorry i didnt understand that meant install from recovery through the update. I lost root with this stupid update which sucks and just.trying to figure it out. Have a great day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just FYI: You type like a noobie, you ask questions like a noobie, and you insult pretty good. Per you're quote: " I dont have alot of time to break and fix my phone all the time". Maybe you should consider leaving it alone then. Thanks for stopping by.

Wow

metalfan78 said:
Wow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know why I try to help. I reported the post.

From the Moderator
To the OP ......... you have not done enough reading or enough self-educating to understand the basics. Because of that deficit in your knowledge, you are struggling to get the gist of the help offered.
Instead, you chose the Troll road and flamed the person who tried to help you ......... not a good choice.......
So, this thread serves little to no purpose anymore......... That said
.........................THREAD CLOSED..................

[Completed] Please help, anyone. Please!

Alright, Im going to be completely honest. I am a complete and total noob to the tech behind smartphones. As Ive been learning, I tried rooting my Samsung Galaxy SII SCH-R760X, and after I attempted to flash a kernel that was suggested by this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/general/how-to-root-galaxy-sii-sch-r760-generic-t1928566, my phone is now stuck at the logo with a warning sign at the bottom. After all this, I realized I made the worst possible mistake anyone could ever make: I didnt backup my system. Luckily, I didnt have much data on it anyway. At this point I am aware it has become a softbrick, and Ive looked at guides such as this one:http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/development/guide-fix-unflashable-soft-bricked-t1619571, but it still tells me to "put the recovery file in its place". Im assuming he's talking about the backup... which i dont have. If anyone could point me to where I can find a backup for it, or upload one for me, I would be incredibly in debt to you. Thank you for reading, I know how most people feel about noobs, but I dont know where else to go.
Please, if I am doing something wrong with this post, please tell me. I dont want to be an annoyance. In fact, this is my first time ever posting to a forum! Id love to get into smartphone tech, however, since I couldnt find a place to start, I made the foolish choice of simply diving in and ruining my phone (hopefully not permanently). Anyway, thank you for reading! Even if you cant help, I really appreciate the attention. Thanks!

RikkyRoe said:
Alright, Im going to be completely honest. I am a complete and total noob to the tech behind smartphones. As Ive been learning, I tried rooting my Samsung Galaxy SII SCH-R760X, and after I attempted to flash a kernel that was suggested by this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/general/how-to-root-galaxy-sii-sch-r760-generic-t1928566, my phone is now stuck at the logo with a warning sign at the bottom. After all this, I realized I made the worst possible mistake anyone could ever make: I didnt backup my system. Luckily, I didnt have much data on it anyway. At this point I am aware it has become a softbrick, and Ive looked at guides such as this one:http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/development/guide-fix-unflashable-soft-bricked-t1619571, but it still tells me to "put the recovery file in its place". Im assuming he's talking about the backup... which i dont have. If anyone could point me to where I can find a backup for it, or upload one for me, I would be incredibly in debt to you. Thank you for reading, I know how most people feel about noobs, but I dont know where else to go.
Please, if I am doing something wrong with this post, please tell me. I dont want to be an annoyance. In fact, this is my first time ever posting to a forum! Id love to get into smartphone tech, however, since I couldnt find a place to start, I made the foolish choice of simply diving in and ruining my phone (hopefully not permanently). Anyway, thank you for reading! Even if you cant help, I really appreciate the attention. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have already found good threads.
To recover a soft-bricked device, you basically have to flash back an official firmware for your device.
The guide you found was for the GT-I9100G, which is a little bit different from your exact device model.
Here is another guide for other variants of the S2: [GUIDE] Fix an unflashable or soft bricked GSII (I9100G/M/P/T VERSION INCLUDED) by Phistachio.
As there is no "ready-to-go" recovery package available for your device model, you have to get an official/stock firmware for your device.
A link to possible firmware sources is in the first post of the guide you posted.
Flashing the stock firmware with Odin should fix the soft-brick.
If not, maybe a wipe data (= factory reset) in recovery mode (long press Volume UP + HOME + POWER) is needed additionally.
And rooting your device seems to be working with this too: [ROOT] Framaroot, a one-click apk to root some devices by alephzain ... I found some users confirming it working fine to root your device model.
If you still have issues and need further help, please ask in the [Q&A][SGS2][Newbies][Experienced Users][RCs] New members friendly Q&A thread by It_ler thread.
There we try to give detailed help for all variants of the S2.
Good luck !

Thanks for responding man! I didnt think anyone would reply.
I really appreciate the help. However, I downloaded and flashed the droiddroidz kernel turner78 said to flash, and that was what made my phone go softbricked in the first place... I tried flashing the other two kernels instead, and they proceeded to put my phone in bootloop... So, I tried flashing the "Siyah" stock kernel everyone was talking about, and it made this weird eye thing with a yin-yang flash on my phone... And Im sorry Im a total noob, I just recently learned what flashing and kernels were from the help of google :/... Im still a little lost on what Roms are. But reguardless, Im assuming the kernels I tried flashing were incompatible or corrupted, and thats whats making my phone not work. If Im wrong, correct me please. I know my phone is version 1.4.1, but thats about it. I dont know if its "Gingerbread" or "jellybean" or whatnot. Im sure Ive just made a stupid mistake and Im too dumb to know how to fix it.

RikkyRoe said:
Thanks for responding man! I didnt think anyone would reply.
I really appreciate the help. However, I downloaded and flashed the droiddroidz kernel turner78 said to flash, and that was what made my phone go softbricked in the first place... I tried flashing the other two kernels instead, and they proceeded to put my phone in bootloop... So, I tried flashing the "Siyah" stock kernel everyone was talking about, and it made this weird eye thing with a yin-yang flash on my phone... And Im sorry Im a total noob, I just recently learned what flashing and kernels were from the help of google :/... Im still a little lost on what Roms are. But reguardless, Im assuming the kernels I tried flashing were incompatible or corrupted, and thats whats making my phone not work. If Im wrong, correct me please. I know my phone is version 1.4.1, but thats about it. I dont know if its "Gingerbread" or "jellybean" or whatnot. Im sure Ive just made a stupid mistake and Im too dumb to know how to fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you have already posted in the help thread, this thread can be closed now.
Let's continue in the S2 help thread.
Thanks for your understanding!
Signature:
Device: SGS5 (SM-G900F)
ROM: AllianceROM v9.1
Kernel: Stock XXU1BOE6 kernel
Recovery: TWRP recovery by Ktoonsez
Modem: XXU1POG1