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Problems with switching ROMs

I am having a problem with switching ROMs on my sensation which just started a few days ago. I am currently running ARHD 3.1.1 and it is very stable and I have had no problems whatsoever, but like many here, I like trying out different and new ROMs. Anyways, I did a backup and installed ARHD 3.6.2, and it was forcing close on several apps, and kept getting soft reboots, so I tried RCMix's, and it would load and automatically install some apps and settings that I had on my previous ROM, and it was working fine, but then I started getting soft reboots when I would open any app, so I tried about 2 other ROMs (S3n5eay/Pyramid3D) and same thing, so being fed up I restored my backup and then I began to have superuser problems, so I unistalled updates, cleared data, and still was unable to gain root access. I kept clearing data, installed superuser 2.3.6 then 3.02 and finally got root again, but everytime I reboot I lose root. I then again tried different ROMs, and same thing is happening. I have used superwipe script, ARHD's wipe script, P3D wipe script, formated from CWM, and no matter what, I am still unable to keep a new ROM and keep losing root with my backup. I'm sorry for a long post, but can anyone please help me figure this out. I have upgraded ROMs many a times in the past on this phone and others, and have never experienced these problems, so can someone please help me.

I kinda had the same problem with you, with that being root was the problem. But the ROM's are pre-rooted so that shouldn't be a problem. Try to flash the root file again, until it is succesfull flashed.

Thanks. I'll go ahead and try that.
Sent from Sensational toy running ARHD 3.1.1

Geez, that sounds horrible, man. It never ceases to surprise me how different every one of these seemingly identical devices are.

West0000 said:
Geez, that sounds horrible, man. It never ceases to surprise me how different every one of these seemingly identical devices are.
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Well for the most part everyone downloads different software. For that just one of the factors that make us all somewhat "different" this is why everyone has some sort of problems here and there.
Most times a fix can be a reboot or reinstall of the app. Even clearing of caches helps because of data conflicts on the phone. Especially when someone like me that flashes different ROMS, that's why nandroids and backups are key so that if you fudge up your phone, you can always revert back to your nandroid.
And for all the people who are trying to revert back to their nandroid after flashing a different rom, you need to use the wipe data scripts in ARHD or Coredroid to reformat the ext4 before reverting your nandroid. Just a FYI.

All I know is that wiping everything before flashing a new ROM does not guarantee that you won't get FCs and soft reboots.
For example, I did a factory reset, wiped cache, wiped dalvik, and then did superwipe (yes I know redundant), and then flashed a ROM and I thought nothing could go wrong. Then while setting up I went ahead and setup my google account during the setup process, and once I was finished I began restoring my apps+data from Titanium Backup. While that was happening Market started auto-reinstalling my apps, and this instantly conflicted with the fact that I was doing the same thing from TB. It caused a few of my apps to FC all the time. So make sure you skip adding your google account during setup.
You can also get stuff to go haywire if you restore system data from TB. Doing so will conflict with the ROM and cause FCs and reboots. For example, I didn't know how to easily back up texts and contacts for a while, and I would go in to TB and restore everything that said something like mms, messages, texts, messages widget, etc. and doing so actually caused my messages to go haywire. Same thing with contacts. The only things you should be restoring from TB are your user apps+data. As already noted, you should also superwipe before restoring a nandroid because it is exactly like flashing a new ROM. If you're on a ROM you just flashed that has 1 version of superuser, and then you go straight into recovery and restore a nandroid without wiping everything first (and has a different version of superuser), you're going to get issues with superuser.
The rule of thumb when it comes to avoiding FCs and reboots is to avoid letting data conflict. Don't mix ROM data, don't mix app data, don't restore system settings from your old ROM on your new one, etc.

Believe me, I have attempted everything without any success. I guess I'm going to stay on my current ROM until I get the time to deal with all of this, and hoping that for whatever reason I don't have to reboot my phone, or that it randomly reboots in order not to deal with the problems. I have always wiped going/coming from different ROMs, but have never experienced this before, and it is very frustrating especially when I like to try different developers mods. I'll keep attempting to try to figure this out, and if I find a solution, I will update.

cbrvnm said:
Believe me, I have attempted everything without any success. I guess I'm going to stay on my current ROM until I get the time to deal with all of this, and hoping that for whatever reason I don't have to reboot my phone, or that it randomly reboots in order not to deal with the problems. I have always wiped going/coming from different ROMs, but have never experienced this before, and it is very frustrating especially when I like to try different developers mods. I'll keep attempting to try to figure this out, and if I find a solution, I will update.
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Keep trying different ROMs and different strategies of when you wipe/restore stuff. It's quite interesting that theoretically identical phones can have different responses to the exact same actions. 2 people can install a ROM in the exact same way and for 1 it will work, the other it won't. You just gotta work it out until you figure out how to manage your particular issues.

Yeah, I hear you. It's just very frustrating when in the past I have switched ROMs on all the phones that I have ever owned without any problems until now. But I'll try different methods and see what happens. I appreciate everyones input. Thanks. Oh, and if anybody has any other suggestions, please, share.

Ok, I was able to get Pyramid3D v0.8.0 working so far. I flashed with superwipe about 3 times then installed the ROM. I did not sign into my account, and installed my apps from titanium first, and then signed in. I got several reboots with setcpu so I unistalled it. I also get a few market fcs. Now the problem that I have is that I installed the 4EXT recovery and my phone is unable to play my music files through any of the music players. I am able to open them with astro, but not music player. But I guess I'll try to figure this one out now. Thanks for the advice.

The Janitor Mop said:
All I know is that wiping everything before flashing a new ROM does not guarantee that you won't get FCs and soft reboots.
For example, I did a factory reset, wiped cache, wiped dalvik, and then did superwipe (yes I know redundant), and then flashed a ROM and I thought nothing could go wrong. Then while setting up I went ahead and setup my google account during the setup process, and once I was finished I began restoring my apps+data from Titanium Backup. While that was happening Market started auto-reinstalling my apps, and this instantly conflicted with the fact that I was doing the same thing from TB. It caused a few of my apps to FC all the time. So make sure you skip adding your google account during setup.
You can also get stuff to go haywire if you restore system data from TB. Doing so will conflict with the ROM and cause FCs and reboots. For example, I didn't know how to easily back up texts and contacts for a while, and I would go in to TB and restore everything that said something like mms, messages, texts, messages widget, etc. and doing so actually caused my messages to go haywire. Same thing with contacts. The only things you should be restoring from TB are your user apps+data. As already noted, you should also superwipe before restoring a nandroid because it is exactly like flashing a new ROM. If you're on a ROM you just flashed that has 1 version of superuser, and then you go straight into recovery and restore a nandroid without wiping everything first (and has a different version of superuser), you're going to get issues with superuser.
The rule of thumb when it comes to avoiding FCs and reboots is to avoid letting data conflict. Don't mix ROM data, don't mix app data, don't restore system settings from your old ROM on your new one, etc.
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Click to collapse
Good post. I didn't realize I should be doing so much wiping even before restoring a backup.
Incidentally, I'm kicking myself now, but in the excitement of flashing my first custom ROM, I forgot to backup my original system. Doh. It's the only time I haven't backed up before changing ROMs, but that's arguably the most important backup to make.

Continuous Crashes

Evening everyone-
Having some issues I am hoping someone can help me with.
I have a rooted ATT HOX on 1.85 that is having some major problems. I started this morning by trying to flash the Magnolia ROM after being on one of the Cleanroms.
I guess the download was corrupt and I received an error while flashing in CWM and was then stuck in a boot loop. I did the whole RUU deal going back and was able to get back on 1.85, root with super user, etc. but once I got back into the phone to setup I noticed that none of my contacts were syncing after signing in. After playing around a few more minutes I noticed the Messaging would crash after being open for a few seconds with no Force Close warning. Occasionally I could go into a text but after trying to respond or type anything it would revert back to the previous page.
Contacts is a complete no go. As soon as the app is opened it crashes. Same with phone. Absolutely can't use any of the three core apps.
I then tried flashing a variety of the roms and even using the different recoveries and have had absolutley no luck getting the Phone, Messaging or Contacts to work on anything. Even stock RUU 1.85! The only thing I have had luck with is the AOKP port which is working ok minus the phone audio being botched.
Any hope here? Any idea what the deal is?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!

Do a full wipe and install the ROM.. this should take care of it

I am also having this problem. I tried doing factory restore from TWRP 2.1.8 multiple times. Re-locked the phone and reinstall RUU 1.85 and still have issues.
Can you explain further what you mean by full wipe?

fishscale28 said:
Evening everyone-
Having some issues I am hoping someone can help me with.
I have a rooted ATT HOX on 1.85 that is having some major problems. I started this morning by trying to flash the Magnolia ROM after being on one of the Cleanroms.
I guess the download was corrupt and I received an error while flashing in CWM and was then stuck in a boot loop. I did the whole RUU deal going back and was able to get back on 1.85, root with super user, etc. but once I got back into the phone to setup I noticed that none of my contacts were syncing after signing in. After playing around a few more minutes I noticed the Messaging would crash after being open for a few seconds with no Force Close warning. Occasionally I could go into a text but after trying to respond or type anything it would revert back to the previous page.
Contacts is a complete no go. As soon as the app is opened it crashes. Same with phone. Absolutely can't use any of the three core apps.
I then tried flashing a variety of the roms and even using the different recoveries and have had absolutley no luck getting the Phone, Messaging or Contacts to work on anything. Even stock RUU 1.85! The only thing I have had luck with is the AOKP port which is working ok minus the phone audio being botched.
Any hope here? Any idea what the deal is?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!
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Click to collapse
I think I figure out how to fix our problem. I was on re-lock status and stock RUU 1.85. I proceed to unlock the bootloader, flash cwm, go into advance, and select fix permissions. I also wipe everything while I am here. After reboot, I am able to set up e-mails and sync contacts and make calls again.
Hopefully, the same will work for you too.

leo14888 said:
Can you explain further what you mean by full wipe?
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In recovery, wipe data, cache and Dalvik.

Thanks for the responses. To be honest I did factory resets and wipes about 15 times in total...between all the various available roms, the factory 1.85 and a combination of anything I could imagine. Nothing-and I mean nothing-would work. Finally I put it as close to stock as possible and brought it back for a swap. I couldn't find anything at all to help rectify the situation or any info on what in the world may have caused it.
To those of you stuck-good luck! Sounds like it was only a handful that experienced it...hope you get it sorted. Would love to find out why it happened though!
Best of luck!!!

did anyone ever figure out the problem and how to fix this? ive been screwing around for an hour just clearing the data from anything related to contacts or google sync, and even people and still can't get my contacts to sync.. everything else syncs fine my calendar, drive, etc. just not contacts!! grr... any help would be much appreciated. if i figure it out and know how i did it i'll post so others don't waste as much time as i have.
edit: it all started when i tried to flash clean rom using CWM (it said not to but i missed that part lol).. so i ended up having to relock my bootloader, unlocked it again, flashed 1.85 RUU and then finally i was able to boot my phone past the HTC screen.. after that i booted into TWRP and flashed cleanrom. that is when i noticed contacts won't sync, phone book, sms etc. just close when i open them..
tried everything suggested in this thread and still no luck
current status: I decided to flash CWM again, and restored a nandroid backup i had from a while back.. which is a stock rogers rom. contacts r syncing fine.. question is. when i flash to cleanrom 4.0 again will it break the contacts sync again? i sure hope not.. we'll find out tomorrow lol sleep time!

ok so installed cleanrom 4.1 again today and all is working well..
i guess the solution is:
* somehow obtain a stock rogers or att rom (1.85 ruu should work for most)
* once thats installed use fastboot to flash CWM or TWRP
* boot into recovery
* clear cache, dalvik cache, factory reset / clear data
* install custom rom (in my case cleanrom 4.1)
* Reboot phone and check if ur contacts r syncing properly
such a messed up problem hopefully this helps anyone else who runs into it..

AOKP M6 does not have mobile data? Help, please.

Hi, all. First time posting, long time lurker. I've gotten quite comfortable with flashing/running custom software in the last several months with my i727 Skyrocket. However, I've run into a problem I don't know how to fix. I was trying to go from CM9 to try AOKP M6. I did the following:
Backed up all apps + data in TB
Nandroid backup in CWM
Factory reset, wiped cache/dalvik cache twice each
Flashed UCLF6 modem (thought that might fix it)
Flashed AOKP, followed by gapps, agps fix, and mikey6 v7 offline Google Now.
Rebooted, ran through basic phone setup.
After all that, I've got no mobile data whatsoever - no MMS, no Internet, nothing. I've tried several times to get it working today, but to no avail. I've restored my CM9 backup and had it working just fine. I checked my APN settings and tried using the ones that come default with the phone, including some that use the wap.cingular settings.
At this point, I'm at a complete loss. I really like the feature set in AOKP, but it kinda renders my smartphone worthless if I have no data. So, any thoughts on how to get it going?

Nevermind, fixed it.
I'd tried all kinds of things to get it, but the steps at the bottom of a random blog post fixed it. It was from an unofficial build, no less. I'd post the link just to be helpful, but I see I can't post links given my noob status. Ah, well.

CarbonRom Help

I installed CarbonROM 1.6.1 on my S3 yesterday, and every time I reboot the phone, it goes to an activation screen that never finishes. Additionally, my phone number displays incorrectly. I can fix this by going in and out of Airplane mode and changing the CDMA subscription. But it just reverts back after a reboot (along with the activation screen).
This has been mentioned several times in the developer forum, but I have not found a solution to make it work. I performed a clean install (factory reset, wipe cache and dalvik cache, etc.) along with another install on top of the same ROM without wiping. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this?
Thanks.

That's pretty much it
Unfortunately that's pretty much it. Your phone information should eventually stick (dunno why, but it does eventually) but if it doesn't then try another clean install. (btw have you made a backup of your imei, that might help a little as well.) I've had this problem many times and these work for me pretty much every time.

I discovered that this isn't an issue only with CarbonRom. I tried LiquidSmooth and ran into the exact same issue. I then proceeded to install CleanROM and no longer experienced the issue. So it seems to be an issue with AOSP ROMS.
I've done numerous clean installs and dirty installs, all with the same result. I've also backed up my IMEI. When you say that my phone info should eventually stick, are we talking about needing to let it run for days/weeks without rebooting?
Thanks.

IamMark70 said:
I discovered that this isn't an issue only with CarbonRom. I tried LiquidSmooth and ran into the exact same issue. I then proceeded to install CleanROM and no longer experienced the issue. So it seems to be an issue with AOSP ROMS.
I've done numerous clean installs and dirty installs, all with the same result. I've also backed up my IMEI. When you say that my phone info should eventually stick, are we talking about needing to let it run for days/weeks without rebooting?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive been having this issue when i tired both roms so i ended up on cleanrom and then went over to beans for now due to it been base off of clean rom and having the asop look and feel of a aosp rom and the features of touchwiz and the stabilizability of it

I tried a couple more things and simply could not get around the activation issue after every reboot. Also always had to go in and change it from nv to rium/sim. I simply don't see how everyone using AOSP ROMS isn't running into this issue on the S3, and I have yet to see one definitive answer on how to resolve it.
I ended up taking your advice and installing Beans. Its a pretty nice ROM and close enough to AOSP.

IamMark70 said:
I tried a couple more things and simply could not get around the activation issue after every reboot. Also always had to go in and change it from nv to rium/sim. I simply don't see how everyone using AOSP ROMS isn't running into this issue on the S3, and I have yet to see one definitive answer on how to resolve it.
I ended up taking your advice and installing Beans. Its a pretty nice ROM and close enough to AOSP.
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yep its pretty good rom i like it. im kinda having a issue with my picture messages though but probably had a dirty flash when i chose the aosp mms. if you like touchwiz also check out cleanrom its a great stock rom best stable rom and pretty great battery life as well and beans rom i think is based off clean well your welcome hope you enjoy the beans rom aslo i had issues with the sim card to so your not alone

IamMark70 said:
I installed CarbonROM 1.6.1 on my S3 yesterday, and every time I reboot the phone, it goes to an activation screen that never finishes. Additionally, my phone number displays incorrectly. I can fix this by going in and out of Airplane mode and changing the CDMA subscription. But it just reverts back after a reboot (along with the activation screen).
This has been mentioned several times in the developer forum, but I have not found a solution to make it work. I performed a clean install (factory reset, wipe cache and dalvik cache, etc.) along with another install on top of the same ROM without wiping. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded Liquid Smooth 2.4, and it finally addressed the issue of the activation screen popping up after every reboot. So I'm extremely happy and loving the ROM!

Re: [BeanStalk][1.179] Phone freezes after call

Re: [BeanStalk][1.179] Phone freezes after call
I am currently running Beanstalk 1.179. I've noticed with this build, and with at least one prior build I can't recall, that after an incoming phone call of at least a few minutes, the caller hangs up, and shortly after, my phone freezes. I'm all cases that I've noticed it, I've answered the phone while it was locked, and it returns to the lock screen before freezing. I've got the lock screen configured to use a password.
I can't recall anyone else mentioning this previously, so I thought I'd mention it. If it's not happening to anyone else, I'll assume it's my own problem.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda app-developers app

bretcb said:
I am currently running Beanstalk 1.179. I've noticed with this build, and with at least one prior build I can't recall, that after an incoming phone call of at least a few minutes, the caller hangs up, and shortly after, my phone freezes. I'm all cases that I've noticed it, I've answered the phone while it was locked, and it returns to the lock screen before freezing. I've got the lock screen configured to use a password.
I can't recall anyone else mentioning this previously, so I thought I'd mention it. If it's not happening to anyone else, I'll assume it's my own problem.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda app-developers app
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prolly bad flash..wipe it all and flashed the rom and gapps again
if that doesn't work, go back to gb stock and start over

qkster said:
prolly bad flash..wipe it all and flashed the rom and gapps again
if that doesn't work, go back to gb stock and start over
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the idea. I was just going over in my mind the ROMs that I have installed since I purchased the phone with an early version of scott.hart.bti's ParanoidAndroid already installed, and while I did not experience the issue with any of the ParanoidAndroid versions I installed, I believe I did also experience it while I was running Unofficial CM10 briefly between PA and BeanStalk. Perhaps the problem is indeed my own device, or something more deeply in the build source than with the build(s) themselves.
FWIW, in almost all instances when I installed a ROM, I always followed the entire procedure recommended by scott.hart.bti, including wiping the dalvik cache, as I did with my most recent install of Beanstalk 1.179.

bretcb said:
Thank you for the idea. I was just going over in my mind the ROMs that I have installed since I purchased the phone with an early version of scott.hart.bti's ParanoidAndroid already installed, and while I did not experience the issue with any of the ParanoidAndroid versions I installed, I believe I did also experience it while I was running Unofficial CM10 briefly between PA and BeanStalk. Perhaps the problem is indeed my own device, or something more deeply in the build source than with the build(s) themselves.
FWIW, in almost all instances when I installed a ROM, I always followed the entire procedure recommended by scott.hart.bti, including wiping the dalvik cache, as I did with my most recent install of Beanstalk 1.179.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as you become more familiar with flashing a rom and the principles, you will find that the cook book process may help but some times you may have to deviate from it to make it work.
ex: sometimes you may have to flash cm9 twice to get into the boot screen ..or flashing cm10 twice or reboot twice..or wipe a few extra time.
from my own experience, you have noticed something not working correctly..(sd not recognized, calls being dropped, app FC's and no one else had the same) you may need to start over...back to gb stock via heimdall or odin and work your way up.
the more i had screwed up and had to go back, there more i learned each time.

qkster said:
as you become more familiar with flashing a rom and the principles, you will find that the cook book process may help but some times you may have to deviate from it to make it work.
ex: sometimes you may have to flash cm9 twice to get into the boot screen ..or flashing cm10 twice or reboot twice..or wipe a few extra time.
from my own experience, you have noticed something not working correctly..(sd not recognized, calls being dropped, app FC's and no one else had the same) you may need to start over...back to gb stock via heimdall or odin and work your way up.
the more i had screwed up and had to go back, there more i learned each time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I remember that it took me forever to build up the courage to update ParanoidAndroid the first time, and scott.hart.bti's clear and complete cook book process certainly helped get me there. I have broken one of the Beanstalk ROMs once, too, and had to look up how to boot into CWM from power off to reflash.
I'm curious why going back to stock would make a difference. It seems to me that if I a doing a complete flash, wiping everything, than it shouldn't matter if it's a stock ROM or a new ROM. I'd be more nervous about breaking something if I going back to stock, since is a more complete and drastic change.

bretcb said:
Interesting. I remember that it took me forever to build up the courage to update ParanoidAndroid the first time, and scott.hart.bti's clear and complete cook book process certainly helped get me there. I have broken one of the Beanstalk ROMs once, too, and had to look up how to boot into CWM from power off to reflash.
I'm curious why going back to stock would make a difference. It seems to me that if I a doing a complete flash, wiping everything, than it shouldn't matter if it's a stock ROM or a new ROM. I'd be more nervous about breaking something if I going back to stock, since is a more complete and drastic change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah...for the most part, while in cwm, factory reset, wipe system, data, cache, dalvik and then flashing a new rom work very well.
occasionally, for what ever reason that i'm not sure, going back to stock..changing file system back to rfs and then changing back to ext4 may be needed to fix certain problems...not common and not routine practice, but is needed...at least imo

OK, fair enough. I will read up more on going back to stock so I'm not unfamiliar with it. Which tool do you prefer?
For completeness of troubleshooting info for anyone else who may be reading, I received a phone call yesterday while the lock screen was disabled, and the phone still froze after the caller hung up. I received another call today, and made sure I hung up first, and no freeze, my phone was fine.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda app-developers app

bretcb said:
I will read up more on going back to stock..
Which tool do you prefer?
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Click to collapse
Everyone has their own prefs...I prefer heimdall. It doesn't matter. Whatever it takes to get the job done. You prolly should buy a usb jig too.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1437548