Can you break your device from "over-flashing"? - Nexus S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'll be the first to admit it - I'm a flash-whore... some days I'll flash 2-3 ROMS, then try various kernels, then restore my nandroid when I'm done for the day.
Some weeks I flash ROMs daily, some I flash a couple of times.
Can I damage my device if I keep this up?

I think there's some theoretical limit to the number of r/w cycles on this kind of memory, but I've never heard of anyone who's actually exceeded that limit.

..

Good. That set my mind at ease.

Thanks for both the question and the answer. Never knew how to ask the question....puts me at ease too!!!
.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

zgomot said:
I'll be the first to admit it - I'm a flash-whore... some days I'll flash 2-3 ROMS, then try various kernels, then restore my nandroid when I'm done for the day.
Some weeks I flash ROMs daily, some I flash a couple of times.
Can I damage my device if I keep this up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive flashed my ns thousands of times, roms and kernels, and im still flashing..

thanks for the info!
great question

I have been flashing roms like a madman too. I guess I flash more kernels everyday. At the moment, I don;t think that this will happen, but in the long run , yes.. there might be some problems. Perhaps you should slow down when flashing a rom. This might give the rom a few days to get back to normal before you do a full wipe again.

ashwin988 said:
I have been flashing roms like a madman too. I guess I flash more kernels everyday. At the moment, I don;t think that this will happen, but in the long run , yes.. there might be some problems. Perhaps you should slow down when flashing a rom. This might give the rom a few days to get back to normal before you do a full wipe again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your statement makes no sense. Allowing a few days for the "rom to get back to normal" has nothing to do with flashing.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

Well I said what I thought. Forgive me if it sounded silly to you. Perhaps you have a better answer?
Sent with my Nexus S using CNA 1.4.0/Matr1x 17

ashwin988 said:
Well I said what I thought. Forgive me if it sounded silly to you. Perhaps you have a better answer?
Sent with my Nexus S using CNA 1.4.0/Matr1x 17
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With respect to flashing.. As others stated, there's a theoretical limit of writes as with any flash memory, but I've yet to seen it reached. As for a rom settling in..it's settled in a few minutes after a reboot from the first boot.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

I understand as I am also a flash whore but I think we would have to be some super flash ho's before our phones breaks. In other words I may have been flashing at least 3 times a day, but you gotta flash much over what anybody would want like hundreds of times. Also if your looking for a good ROM look at my signature, it doesn't disappoint.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

simms22 said:
ive flashed my ns thousands of times, roms and kernels, and im still flashing..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you ever had IMEI problems ? or corrupted efs folder ?

mahanddeem said:
have you ever had IMEI problems ? or corrupted efs folder ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
working on my forth year of flashing.. g1, og droid, nexus one, and nexus s. probably 5000+ flashes between them, not a single time did i have issues with the imei or a corrupted efs folder. truthfully, the og droid was only a wifi device for me since im on tmobile not verizon, so we wont count it.

mahanddeem said:
have you ever had IMEI problems ? or corrupted efs folder ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never any problems of any kind.

Related

Favorite ROM?

Whats everyones fav rom? I have only tried Phoenix 4.5 and it is pretty sweet
This thread won't last long, try them all. Personal favorites, stripped, paragon, continuum
What do you mean it wont last long? lol
Serendipity, Firefly, Dorians.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
10...9...8...7...
I have tried cognition and perception, both awesome and fast ROM's from Designgears. Both ROM's stay on the cutting edge but of course that means there will be bugs. Both Rom's are updated frequently but most of the updates come via a full flash and data wipe. Personally I use my phone for business and need a stable, mostly bug free, phone that doesn't require me to flash, wipe my data and reconfigure everything on a regular basis. I simply don't have the time.
I recently switched to Serendipity which has been the best ROM experience of my phone flashing life. While not as cutting edge as Disigngear ROM's it is very current and extremely fast. There have been reports of small bugs by some users but nothing that I have personally experienced or effected my use of the phone. Updates to fix these bugs are release quickly and are always done as an update not a full flash. Only major releases involve a full flash and a data wipe.
Serendipity is extremely fast, even faster than the Designgear ROM's. My GPS works almost perfectly. The ROM is aesthetically pleasing as well.
I am looking forward to see what other's have to say about some ROM's I have not tried yet. I am pretty sold on Serendipity but if there is something better than I am willing to give it a try.
Skdi said:
What do you mean it wont last long? lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are one of these every day mods close them fast
if u like Phoenix u gotta try supernove by team phoenix it is awsome
Skdi said:
Whats everyones fav rom? I have only tried Phoenix 4.5 and it is pretty sweet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read the forum. As mccord said these threads get locked because the roms are personal preference. It is only a matter of time. Try them all.
This is my captivate. There are many like it buy this one is mine.
So i have a quick question for you guys once i make a back up with rom manager how do i use it later, after i have wiped my phones memory to use a dif rom and want to flash back?
Thanks!
Skdi said:
So i have a quick question for you guys once i make a back up with rom manager how do i use it later, after i have wiped my phones memory to use a dif rom and want to flash back?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to flash the rom you made the backup of prior to restore. Clockwork does not back up kernel and modem
mcord11758 said:
You have to flash the rom you made the backup of prior to restore. Clockwork does not back up kernel and modem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks dude!
how do i save my recovery from being erased when i master clear?
Skdi said:
Thanks dude!
how do i save my recovery from being erased when i master clear?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats simple
dont master clear
Skdi said:
So i have a quick question for you guys once i make a back up with rom manager how do i use it later, after i have wiped my phones memory to use a dif rom and want to flash back?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, spend some time reading the forum and doing some searches. This is all basic stuff that can be answered easily by doing so.
but i have to for some roms
where in the phone does it save the recovery so i can put it on my comp?
Pirateghost said:
thats simple
dont master clear
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 good place to start
Skdi said:
but i have to for some roms
where in the phone does it save the recovery so i can put it on my comp?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you do not have to master clear for any rom...its an old wives tale!
its on your /sdcard dude....seriously. you should not be flashing if you have not read about these basics first.
How is this thread still up? Well gotta say pheonix IMHO is just amazing! Gotta love that Green! But keep trying ROM's till you find the one you like, always remember you can re-theme if you like the speed too.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Miami_Son said:
10...9...8...7...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6....5.....4.......
boborone said:
6....5.....4.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has to be a modern record. Zel must he off duty

[Q] Can't flash Custom kernels on NEXUS S 4g

Noob question??
I've had the HTC Evo 4G for the last month and a half, and before I even purchased it, after talks with old friends of Jailbroken iPhones I had decided I was going to jump into modding headfirst when I got my smartphone, and since that day I've flashed, downloaded, backed up, and restored more things than I could count, learned how to swamp myself out of bricks, learned which kernels sucked and which ones didn't, etc...all the typical XDA stuff.
My girlfriend has a Nexus S 4G that she got 2 weeks afterward, and she has absolutely no interested in the development side of the phone, she wouldn't learn what AOSP meant if you paid her a dollar, but she wants her phone to be awesome. I am trying. HOWEVER...I haven't found success flashing a kernel over any custom rom on her phone YET! I have flashed the stable CyanogenMod7.1 as well as assorted nightly builds, MIUI, the one and only sense rom the Nexus can run properly, and that's all went over fine, but every kernel i've attempted flashing thusfar (Trinity, TalonAce, v7 snap kernel, Nexus Netarchy kernel, and a few others) have either stuck me at a splashscreen that wiping the dalvik and cache partition would not fix, or locked me at the initial black screen with the google logo and lock underneath for indescriminate amounts of time...essentially a brick, not a bootloop. This is the first time i've felt I am truly at a point where no amount of research and reading will be able to empower me to help myself so...help a n00b out here?? Am I doing something wrong??
She is currently running a themed MIUI build 110280 with the stock kernel. Anybody run into this problem or one similar yet? I looked and looked for a thread and found nothing..
Very impatient bump
ktscreeper said:
Very impatient bump
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash the rom, flash the gapps(if needed), flash the kernel, then boot. be sure its a latest rom build, because most of the kernels are updated to support the latest android versions. also, if it doesnt boot, sometimes pulling the battery for 3 minutes then sticking it back in and booting helps. if that doesnt work, try flashing the rom and gapps, booting, then back into recovery to flash the kernel separately. dont use rom manager, flash in recovery.
Did all of the above before posting this. Trust me if it as something that simple I wouldn't be here lol
ktscreeper said:
Did all of the above before posting this. Trust me if it as something that simple I wouldn't be here lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you tried a different rom?
try this kernel, its one of my favorites. and its miui compatable http://morfic.euroskank.com/simka/TEUV-S22-04102011.zip
its underclocked at 880mhz, undervolted for great batter life, and the gpu/bus is overclocked to 220mhz(10%) for performance. this little 880mhz kernel runs like its overclocked to 1.2ghz.
---------- Post added at 10:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:42 PM ----------
ktscreeper said:
Did all of the above before posting this. Trust me if it as something that simple I wouldn't be here lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also, flash this dalvik-wiper.zip before flashing the kernel. if you are using clockworkmod recovery, it doesnt completely wipe your dalvik, this will http://goo.gl/lgO1v
try matrix rom...come with matrix kernal...its the best in my opinion!!
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App
Are you guys serious?? Read the OP...
I have tried different roms, yes, several, and different kernels to flash. It's not an issue of performance or anything, just that I can't get the dang kernel on the phone in the first place. The link for the dalvik wiper wont help me either, as, like I've already stated, I am using Amon-Ra
ktscreeper said:
Are you guys serious?? Read the OP...
I have tried different roms, yes, several, and different kernels to flash. It's not an issue of performance or anything, just that I can't get the dang kernel on the phone in the first place. The link for the dalvik wiper wont help me either, as, like I've already stated, I am using Amon-Ra
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a few things..
first off, you havent stated anywhere that youre using Amon Ra. 2nd, Amon Ra doesnt make a recovery for the nexus s, i know that because hes a friend of mine. next, instead of saying that youve tried it already, try it again, things change. also, you dont have to be rude about it, just trying to help YOU. which leads me to.. see ya, im not going to waste my time and try to help you
Wanna bet? I could take a pic of me in the recovery on Nexus S easily right now.
then post it troll
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
Eh, whatever, your posts still weren't helpful in either case...I didn't ask for your rom and kernel preferences, I asked about a hard/software malfunction of some sort. I know what kernel and what rom i'm going for, what I CANT figure out is how to get past this brick wall. Maybe you missed the "impatient" part in the bump, whereas my newness kept my post about the recovery from going through (only 1 per 5 minutes, apparently...didn't even notice). Anyone else that actually went through this problem wanna give it a shot?
@esteway
Never been a troll a day in my life. I've been on xda constantly for the last month seems like, but I've never even been inclinated to join this forum, let alone troll in it. And now the one time I need help no one else either has the problem or knows how to fix it. My recovery makes no difference whatsoever, if I had a modded recovery that isn't either clockwork or amon ra like my cousin has (although I don't know how in the world he got it) my problem still remains. If you can't help me, beat it. You're the one trolling, you weren't even in our conversation.
Youre the one saying u can post the pic so.... prove it. As for your problem I never herd of that issue.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
it could be an amon ra recovery that someone ported or built from source, thats possible. it is open sourced, and most recoveries are based on it. but if it is, id flash another recovery because the one you have would be out of date. since you havent tried that, you should try. both clockwork and twrp recoveries are good.
simms22 said:
it could be an amon ra recovery that someone ported or built from source, thats possible. it is open sourced, and most recoveries are based on it. but if it is, id flash another recovery because the one you have would be out of date. since you havent tried that, you should try. both clockwork and twrp recoveries are good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ANYTHING is possible on these phones if given enough time and attention, and I'd assume anyone who frequents these forums as often as either of you do should know that much, so thank you simms. I've seen a modded or black market version of almost every app i've ever downloaded lol I don't say no to anything being possible in android userspace
Anyway, twrp? I've never heard of that one before. Is it more fully functional than clockwork? I'll be trying it out. I'll try ANYTHING out, I just want this to go away...I feel like the only one who has ever run into this problem
Here's the tread to twrp http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1196500
It is a bit different than clockworkmod mod but give it a try see if it fixes your problem.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
I'm getting the very same thing (no matter what ROM/Kernel/Wipe-Cache-Then-Flash combo I try, nothing gets past the Google splash). I'll try that too.
AwesomeTurtle said:
I'm getting the very same thing (no matter what ROM/Kernel/Wipe-Cache-Then-Flash combo I try, nothing gets past the Google splash). I'll try that too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure u don't have a bad download. That will make u get stuck on the Google logo
Sent from my Google Nexus S 4G using xda premium

[Q] UnNamed Install Failed

Hello all,
Just got the Skyrocket about a month ago, it's rooted, but just got into the idea of installing anew ROM/Kernel and decided to try out UnNamed, then possibly install Faux123's Kernel.
I booted to CWM (5.0.2.6), backed up, wiped, wiped cache and tried to install from zip, but the install fails with Status 1. I have searched everywhere, but couldn't find anything about it. I am currently restoring the NANDroid backup I made prior to attempting to flash so I can use my phone.
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated as I am brand new to the Android scene.
Chris
Where did you get the rom from?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Seemingly the only place anyone can find it, right here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1299474
Chris
Tronyx86 said:
Seemingly the only place anyone can find it, right here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1299474
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This ROM is for the I777, correct? Why would you put it on a I727? It would be nice if a version would come out for the I727.
SMH.....
and we wonder why manufacturers want to lock down the devices....
There's your problem...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
scott14719 said:
This ROM is for the I777, correct? Why would you put it on a I727? It would be nice if a version would come out for the I727.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, yea, I can't believe I didn't notice that. Shame this comes up when you search for Skyrocket ROMs....
Pirateghost said:
SMH.....
and we wonder why manufacturers want to lock down the devices....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to be rude. I made a simple mistake. At least I had the common sense to back up first so it's not like I'm in a bad situation.
Well, back to researching other ROMs then.
Chris
Tronyx86 said:
Ah, yea, I can't believe I didn't notice that. Shame this comes up when you search for Skyrocket ROMs....
No need to be rude. I made a simple mistake. At least I had the common sense to back up first so it's not like I'm in a bad situation.
Well, back to researching other ROMs then.
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why search for Skyrocket roms at all?
just go to the dev section here and browse...
Pirateghost said:
why search for Skyrocket roms at all?
just go to the dev section here and browse...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before I discovered XDA I started on Google and a lot of results came up for UnNamed and the Skyrocket like someone tagged the site/post/whatever incorrectly. As far as the research goes I want to look at what the different ROMs have to offer, any complaints or issues users are experiencing with them, etc. to make a decision as to which one I would like to install. Same thing with Kernels.
Chris

Update

Ok i want to update my sidekick but what should i update it with and what should the mounts look like and stuff
You may find this thread very helpful.
Sent from my Sidekick using xda app-developers app [also, where's my L, Samsung?]
my phone is not stock tho i just want to make sure if i already put a custom rom in it will i be able to install another rom without worrying about anything
You asked about updating and what the mounts should look like. If you are aready rooted and using CWM then just skip to the part that explains wiping and installing.
Sent from my Sidekick using xda app-developers app [also, where's my L, Samsung? Where? I want it back now!]
so i am safe to just install the rom then
well
What are you trying to do? Install a new ROM? I'm guessing you have a custom ROM already but want to change it to another custom ROM? When you say safe, safe from what? Can you please elaborate?
Foorperif said:
so i am safe to just install the rom then
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody is responding to you because
1 your questions been answered already
2 you didn't read anything because if you did you would have easily found the answer
3 read the forums
And just to proove I'm not being a total ****
You can switch to any Rom from a custom Rom as long as the firmware base is the same.
Always wipe all data and cache factory reset before flashing a new Rom unless specified in the Rom that there is no wipe needed.
Never restore data with titanium backup when changing Roma it can cause conflicts and crashes.
Sent from my Amaze using xda app-developers app
eMJaaay said:
What are you trying to do? Install a new ROM? I'm guessing you have a custom ROM already but want to change it to another custom ROM? When you say safe, safe from what? Can you please elaborate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i mean safe as in i wont brick it because i did brick it before with my old one and i really dont want to brick it again
so i did back up my data with titanium but are you saying i shouldnt restore it
Foorperif said:
i mean safe as in i wont brick it because i did brick it before with my old one and i really dont want to brick it again
so i did back up my data with titanium but are you saying i shouldnt restore it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your using the same Rom restoring data is fine but if its a different Rom just restore apps with no data
Sent from my Team Nightmare Amaze4G with Sense 4.0
ok what rom should i get because my sidekick keeps freezing on me and i am getting mad at it
Foorperif said:
ok what rom should i get because my sidekick keeps freezing on me and i am getting mad at it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*facepalm*
Sent from my Team Nightmare Amaze4G with Sense 4.0
Foorperif said:
ok what rom should i get because my sidekick keeps freezing on me and i am getting mad at it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get an iphone...
As someone said lady GET AN I PHONE! I have never told someone that ,but I've never come across someone so unsuited to a rooted phone.
You are driving pple crazy who are trying to help !!!!
Custom roms are not for everyone. You can't expect others to read your mind ,or answer every single tiny point. Go and learn. Go and find info. It takes time and effort to pick the skills up. Its not hard but you have to put the effort in if you expect others to spend time helping you !
Someone close this thread Please!!
Sent from a secure location...........
all i was asking is what is a good rom
ok i got it fine now thank you for helping me
Foorperif said:
all i was asking is what is a good rom
ok i got it fine now thank you for helping me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using GOV3.2 and have had very few problems with it
Hahaha....Good Lord.
Sent from my SGH-T839 using xda premium
Roms are like clothes for our phones. You dress according to the enviorment in which you will be around. We canot tell you what combintion is the best. It totaly depends on you. Invest time in finding out what rom offers you what you need. Honestly... in my own personal opinion, there is no rom besides glorious overdose that worth installing. Half of what the other roms offer cause glitches in the rom.. and are themed... something you can do yourself. I appreciate the work done on this phone and to the devs currently deving for this phone, kudos. Let's go byond the "impossible" and make this phone a bit more exciting. Cause deving isn't for fame. Its for the thrill of having the chance to creat something someone somewhere will enjoy.
riflez said:
Roms are like clothes for our phones. You dress according to the enviorment in which you will be around. We canot tell you what combintion is the best. It totaly depends on you. Invest time in finding out what rom offers you what you need. Honestly... in my own personal opinion, there is no rom besides glorious overdose that worth installing. Half of what the other roms offer cause glitches in the rom.. and are themed... something you can do yourself. I appreciate the work done on this phone and to the devs currently deving for this phone, kudos. Let's go byond the "impossible" and make this phone a bit more exciting. Cause deving isn't for fame. Its for the thrill of having the chance to creat something someone somewhere will enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this time last year, I was anxiously awaiting GOV. There were others but I only trusted ayoteddy at the time. After some time, I tried others and always went back to GOV.
I do these roms because after using root uninstaller to customize it my way, I figured that I should learn how to do this myself.
My roms will never be like GOV....it is perfection. I just do this to occupy my time. I am a recovering alcoholic and this has been sort of like a hobby for me.
My list of fave roms include GOV, GenericGinger, ICS Domination, Clean Fusion (Although now it cannot play YouTube within the web browser) and TouchMIUIwiz.
Sent from my SGH-T839 using xda app-developers app

How often do you flash?

A simple question, how often do you flash new roms/kernels?
-Zyner
Zyner said:
A simple question, how often do you flash new roms/kernels?
-Zyner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every 2-3 days
Zyner said:
A simple question, how often do you flash new roms/kernels?
-Zyner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many times daily if i enter in developing/modding ROMs otherwise once in week when a new build is released
Too often lol
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
..
Every 1 or 2 months, I dedicate a day or so to tryout/test a few ROM's..
Every week more or less
maniascrum said:
Every week more or less
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you run out of roms?
-Zyner
I flash every test version of Franco kernel so about twice or thrice a week.
I haven't flashed any ROMS for about 6 months now, but when I did I was flashing 2-3 Roms a day.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
About once a week or so, I try to keep it quick and easy though.
I flash every so often, only with devices that im not currently using ( 17+ wow!) unless im disappointed with whatever its on. maybe even few months i have a day or a week where i become a Flashoholic
Personally i flash about 1-2 times a month.
-Zyner
One time per week may be less
1-2 times per year... I try everything to resist flashing every day (I'm always scared something goes wrong while flashing)
I flashes as soon as new ROM becomes available
since there is not much custom roms for the i9305 i dont flash often, but till now i've flashed 26 times in 1 month
is it bad for the phone to flash very often?
MaHo_66 said:
since there is not much custom roms for the i9305 i dont flash often, but till now i've flashed 26 times in 1 month
is it bad for the phone to flash very often?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i want to say for samsung it can be, there is a flash counter and i think after a number of flashing it wont let you flash it or unless you reset the counter like using Triangle away on the play store, i could be wrong.
Trozzul said:
i want to say for samsung it can be, there is a flash counter and i think after a number of flashing it wont let you flash it or unless you reset the counter like using Triangle away on the play store, i could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well thanks for the info
since im a noob in this kind of stuf its good to know this :good:
15-20+ times a month, because i love research.:cyclops:
2-5 times a week
Sent from my GT-S6500D using xda premium

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