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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.

Updating ROM with CWM just reverts to menu?

Hey,
I'm trying to install the [ROM] Team Tiamat Xoom Rom 2.2.2 - Moray [9/10/11].
I've got CWM installed (version recovery-Tiamat-R4c-100611-1150-cwm.img but also tried latest version from ROM Manager).
Each time i try to install the .zip it get's to opening package and then just exits to the CWM menu?
It's probably a common thing, but couldn't find anything from a search? Anyone got any ideas?

This has been covered many times so take the time to do a search.

Muffycheeks said:
This has been covered many times so take the time to do a search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to thank you Muffycheeks for your excellent answer. I am not sure why you did not at least give an indication about where to find the answer or what the issue is? Lucky this was posted in Q&A and not in the dev thread!
I am new to Xoom (only got it since yesterday) and have managed to get the bootloader unlocked and custom recovery installed. For some reason when I reboot the device the recovery is flash back to 3e (I suppose this has been also debated millions of times but I cannot find it yet...)
I had been able to flash one of the custom roms but it gets stuck in bootscreen. I wiped everything I could think of and followed a couple of advices and still not working.
I am downloading the other rom (as far as I can tell there are only 2 customs with one of them based on the other one) and will see if that works.
Sorry Addicteddddd for highjacking your thread but I have been searching for a while until I found your thread and I thought my issues were over to find the standard helpful XDA answer. Some people might have had their device for years but some other are quite new to this.
K.
EDIT: It seems that one of the recoveries do not advise if a ZIP file is bad and therfore comes back with no message. I suppose this is why this is happening.
I downloaded 3 ZIP files and they are all corrput. Not sure what is happening here but anyway.

kar200 said:
I had to thank you Muffycheeks for your excellent answer. I am not sure why you did not at least give an indication about where to find the answer or what the issue is? Lucky this was posted in Q&A and not in the dev thread!
I am new to Xoom (only got it since yesterday) and have managed to get the bootloader unlocked and custom recovery installed. For some reason when I reboot the device the recovery is flash back to 3e (I suppose this has been also debated millions of times but I cannot find it yet...)
I had been able to flash one of the custom roms but it gets stuck in bootscreen. I wiped everything I could think of and followed a couple of advices and still not working.
I am downloading the other rom (as far as I can tell there are only 2 customs with one of them based on the other one) and will see if that works.
Sorry Addicteddddd for highjacking your thread but I have been searching for a while until I found your thread and I thought my issues were over to find the standard helpful XDA answer. Some people might have had their device for years but some other are quite new to this.
K.
EDIT: It seems that one of the recoveries do not advise if a ZIP file is bad and therfore comes back with no message. I suppose this is why this is happening.
I downloaded 3 ZIP files and they are all corrput. Not sure what is happening here but anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if you used this guide but there is a bit of discussion of some issues regarding cwm recovery versions and some pitfalls while trying to flash.Check it out if you haven't
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1249798
Also, how are you downloading the file? Are you getting the right version? If you are using the R4c v3.2.0.0 it should be called solarnz, not tiamat. The guide has the correct link.

okantomi said:
I don't know if you used this guide but there is a bit of discussion of some issues regarding cwm recovery versions and some pitfalls while trying to flash.Check it out if you haven't
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1249798
Also, how are you downloading the file? Are you getting the right version? If you are using the R4c v3.2.0.0 it should be called solarnz, not tiamat. The guide has the correct link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just ralised tnat my sd card was screwed (very old 1gb i found lying around). The files on the pc were fine.
I used a different card and now typing from a custom rom! All good.
K.
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium

[Q] soft bricked s4g now stuck in voodoo

First off, Thanks to everyone for the posts and for future patience.
I know there has been a lot of discussion on this subject, but I seem to have elevated it to a new level of loopy. Bear with me, please; I'll make whatever changes needed. I have researched/read a lot tried many of the recommended procedures and frankly, I think it has all become mud stew in my head. My wife is none too happy, and if you guys could help me save my genitals/marriage, I'd be much appreciative.
The facts: 1 T-Mobile SGS4G t959v, 1 Mac os X 10.6.8, 1 Heimdall 1.3.1 and 1 ticked-off wife.
So, following the xda forum, I successfully rooted the device. Then I downloaded ROM manager and installed CwM (now I realize the error of my ways), downloaded and flashed Bionix. Phone looped "3e" recovery.
After much research, found heimdall on XDA, and was able to get the recovery image changed to CwM Voodoo Lagfix Recovery v3.0.2.8x. Now, I'm looping that recovery. Tried the bali 3.3 kernel, flashed just fine. found sgs4g official gb2.3.6....Rom, flashed just fine. Still, I remain at the red voodoo screen.
Obviously, I can access the sd card through my mac, and have tried various update.zip procedures, and various ROMs.
So, I've been reading for several days now, poring over these and other forums, and if I understand it correctly, bali3.3_heimdall.tar.gz (thank you very much!) is supposed to undo the ROM manager screw up from earlier (and I can only think that I am missing some critical info here), but no, still looking at the voodoo recovery.
I AM kind of new to this, however I have rooted and modded 4- MyTough 3g's and a defy, All running CMx.
Thanks again,
SN

Try disabling voodoo lag fix and see if that helps
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium

Thanks again,
it's done, with no change.

You are aware that Bali3.3 is a Froyo kernel? If the last rom you flashed was GB 2.3.6 then try flashing a GB kernel and make sure your mounts are correct.

missed the bali/froyo. does this imply that I might flash a froyo rom over bali? or do I need to flash a gb kernel for the 2.3.6 rom? Also, I'm using heimdall and I don't know how to use non-.tar files with it; or if you can.

supernugget said:
missed the bali/froyo. does this imply that I might flash a froyo rom over bali? or do I need to flash a gb kernel for the 2.3.6 rom? Also, I'm using heimdall and I don't know how to use non-.tar files with it; or if you can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:facepalm:
There are line-by-line instructions all over this forum to install kernels and custom roms.
The search button is your best friend here. Use it! Google can also search the xda forum... try starting your search with: site:forum.xda-developers.com
For example:
Code:
site:forum.xda-developers.com Galaxy S 4G Heimdall
or
Code:
site:forum.xda-developers.com galaxy s 4g download mode
Learning to use XDA will help you find what you need. Following the rules will help you get answers.
I say all this, because every problem you are having is already answered in this forum!

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

[Q] Successfully rooted and rom'd - confused about CWM

Hi all, I apologize for the n00b questions here, but I think I'm at the limit of my searching/understanding the next steps.
Background - started with a bone-stock OTA Gingerbread Droid Charge.
Tonight I used Odin to install Tweakstock 1.4 w/PBJ Kernel using the instructions from this thread. That went off without a hitch - love the new rom.
Questions:
In the Tweakstock thread, it mentions that I should install "v1.4 SystemUI.apk minor bug fix" - how exactly do I do that? Do I need to use CWM?
If I need to use CWM - do I need to install that, or was it already installed when I flashed Tweakstock using Odin?
I attempted to install CWM using the instructions at the bottom of this thread, but after installing Tweakstock I can't seem to get the phone back into Download mode.
I appreciate any guidance anyone can offer. I thought I had my head wrapped around this thing (and thought CWM was an optional, different way of flashing roms) but now it appears that I need it to install other tweaks. Is that correct?
Thanks!

MetaOrbit said:
Hi all, I apologize for the n00b questions here, but I think I'm at the limit of my searching/understanding the next steps.
Background - started with a bone-stock OTA Gingerbread Droid Charge.
Tonight I used Odin to install Tweakstock 1.4 w/PBJ Kernel using the instructions from this thread. That went off without a hitch - love the new rom.
Questions:
In the Tweakstock thread, it mentions that I should install "v1.4 SystemUI.apk minor bug fix" - how exactly do I do that? Do I need to use CWM?
If I need to use CWM - do I need to install that, or was it already installed when I flashed Tweakstock using Odin?
I attempted to install CWM using the instructions at the bottom of this thread, but after installing Tweakstock I can't seem to get the phone back into Download mode.
I appreciate any guidance anyone can offer. I thought I had my head wrapped around this thing (and thought CWM was an optional, different way of flashing roms) but now it appears that I need it to install other tweaks. Is that correct?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) The fix is necessary with the ODIN variants, as I didn't make new ODIN versions after fixing. You need to flash the update in CWM - and you will need to install it, as it is not included in Tweakstock 1.4. You use ODIN to install it - just ODIN the file found here.
2) Odd that you are having issues getting into Download mode. Luckily Tweakstock has a few ways to get there - if you long press the Power key, an extended power menu will appear and you can select Download from there. OR - in the pulldown there is a quickpanel toggle called Reboot Options (may need to scroll to the right to see it), then select Download.
CWM is great for flashing tweaks/add-ons/updates - ODIN tends to be used more for flashing whole partitions (i.e. full ROM, recovery, kernel, modems).
I hope this helps!

Thanks so much, dwitherell! Not only for clearing things up - but also for the great rom!
I did as you said and Odin'd the the CWM Recovery. Went off without a hitch. From there I was able to figure out how to use CWM to flash the bug fix.
Additionally - thanks for the tip on getting into Download mode. Accessing it from the shutdown menu in Tweakstock worked just fine. As an additional aside, I wasn't able to use the typical button sequence to get into recovery mode either, but, again, Tweakstock to the rescue. I was able to use the shutdown menu to access recovery there and flash the bug fix.
Again, many thanks for answering my questions. Hopefully I'll get enough posts elsewhere on the forums that I can post in your Android Development thread and provide an appropriate endorsement

And dwitherell does it again... Like a boss lol!
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App

[Q] Flashing ROM

Ok, so here goes a real noob question!
Although I am not a NOOB, but what I have read just seems a little outrageous.
Ok, So i have successfully rooted. I have seen some posts suggesting the use of ROM manager, and other saying NO.
I have read the NOOB guide, and that seems to be a little excessive to install a ROM onto this device.
Do you have to use the Heimdall method, because I do not have C++ installed, nor do I even know how to use it.
I want to get CWM installed, but I cant seem to find a method for just that.
So if I understand correctly, I have to install a Kernel w/CWM, then I can boot into CWM and flash a ROM onto the device?
I looked on the wiki, but some of the links there are broken, and there are missing files as well.
I really hate ask these kind of question, but I feel that I am really stuck here.
if someone could please help.

primus123 said:
Ok, so here goes a real noob question!
Although I am not a NOOB, but what I have read just seems a little outrageous.
Ok, So i have successfully rooted. I have seen some posts suggesting the use of ROM manager, and other saying NO.
I have read the NOOB guide, and that seems to be a little excessive to install a ROM onto this device.
Do you have to use the Heimdall method, because I do not have C++ installed, nor do I even know how to use it.
I want to get CWM installed, but I cant seem to find a method for just that.
So if I understand correctly, I have to install a Kernel w/CWM, then I can boot into CWM and flash a ROM onto the device?
I looked on the wiki, but some of the links there are broken, and there are missing files as well.
I really hate ask these kind of question, but I feel that I am really stuck here.
if someone could please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you already rooted, which you stated that you are, then download an app called SGS Kernel Flasher. Then download any kernel you like for whatever firmware you are running (2.2 kernels for 2.2.1 and 2.3 kernels for 2.3.x) and flash with the app, Note- I recommended you flash this one if you are on 2.3:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1513287
Once your phone reboots it should have the kernel successfully installed and you should be able to boot into recovery by powering down the phone completely and holding the volume buttons and the power button

primus123 said:
... So if I understand correctly, I have to install a Kernel w/CWM, then I can boot into CWM and flash a ROM onto the device?...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can use kernel flasher, from market, just make sure you're flashing a ROM/kernel with same os(froyo or gb) you have currently running... If moving from froyo to gb you can use odin
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

dude, why are you worried bout the C++ stuff?
Just download it from here and install it like an app, nothing fancy.