Database Info

[Q] Debranding & Kies

Okay really nooby question i know and i can only presume the answer but if i debrand my phone to Eclair JM8 firmware and reboot will kies then find the desired froyo update for me or will i need to do all further updates through odin?

To be honest if you're going to do that, you may as well slap a custom rom on and take advantage of a modded kernel and all the tweaks IMHO

Trying to stay with the standard ROMs until cyanogen release a stable ROM for the i9000 - which they seem to be taking forever with

You can always play around with diffo roms until CM is sorted, that's what I'm doing.
I suspect in a few months it will go like the winmo scene where virtually all the roms are the same give or take a few pre installed apps and themes

I used to frequently change ROM on my i8910 with hyperx but got sick of the ROM changing formatting the phone and for me to keep running the backups. Think that's why i'm trying to go standard for a bit.
Which custom ROM would you say is the best for the i9000 at the moment and is it stable? Might well go down this path

At the moment I have Doc's V9 BUJP with hardcore's K9a kernel and JP5 radio, I would recomend that apart from for some strange reason I've literally just lost my data connection by mobile, only got WiFi now lol
ho hum, time for a fiddle

Cheers, shall have a look into them.

Some Rooting & ROM Questions

Hi,
I've recently used Unrevoke and rooted my phone. I've tried Cyanogen and Ginger Villain, but had a problem with partitioning my SD card, so I'm in limbo at the moment.
However, the partitioning seems to be sorted out, so I'm ready for a final ROM flash and then I can leave it alone. Fingers crossed.
1. Once I've used Unrevoke, do I need to use it again or is it always rooted now? I suspect it is.
2. In the future, if I change ROMs, is it simply a case of backing up, resetting to factory, flashing the ROM and restoring?
3. I have Cyanogen on at the moment, and I love the ADW launcher as it keeps three apps permanently on whatever screen you're on. However, it doesn't support A2SD+ so I'm looking for a Gingerbread ROM with A2SD and ASDW launcher or similar?
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Many thanks and apologies if this information is obvious, but I wasn't able to find it out there.

[Q] P999 after CM7, or any custom ROM

I've decided that I would love the customization stuff in Cyanogen7, so I'd like to root, flash and install a custom ROM. I'd love to have the customization of CM7 vs the stock Froyo I have from WIND. Right now, there is no crapware, and the phone is quite fast. The only thing that I wish worked is the Skype front camera, which is supposedly to work in Gingerbread. Apart from that, everything works great. I am afraid to lose the functionality, so I'd like if someone has the WIND LG with CM7, to try to answer if there are any issues with the following points:
* phone of course
* GPS, Google Maps, Market, Messaging
* both cameras, 1080p recording and HDMI output
* video talk in Skype
Also, feel free to leave a short feedback about CM7 and a recommendation. Thanks.

Skype front camera doesn't work in Gingerbread... GTalk video chat works on CM though.

Rusty! said:
Skype front camera doesn't work in Gingerbread... GTalk video chat works on CM though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does that generally mean that there is no problem with the lack of Nvidia's code? Does that mean Microsoft's to blame?

Skype just needs updating to support nVidia camera

OK, I'm assuming all the above works. If the general procedure is to root, flash, install, when does the unlocking of the phone happen? Also, do you need to upgrade to 2.3 stock, before loading CM7, or ca you do it off 2.2?
Also, since no one has said anything about the points above, are there ANY bugs with CM7 or EB?
Also, is there a unified guide to custom ROM loading from stock?
Does everyone use this one http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1060715 ?

Hello fellow WIND user.
I am using CM7 nightly build 123 on my G2X and almost everything works fine. Save for the camera issue stated earlier and the impossibility of getting a GPS lock. I have tried several 'fixes' posted in the forums for this issue but I can't seem to get GPS lock regardless.
I still recommend switching away from stock ROM because it grants your device more flexibility and possibly a longer battery life.
Rooting and installing a custom ROM does not unlock your phone. You will still need to obtain an unlock code from either WIND (free after 3 months I think) or the web (for a price).
You do not need to upgrade your Android OS before flashing. The OS is part of the ROM you will be flashing onto your device. You will however, need to root, backup, and wipe your device. Just follow the guides on the forum which you have found.

If the wind version is the same procedure-wise, rooting is a redundant step. Installing CWM via nvflash does not require root. Once that is installed, you may backup, restore, and flash to your heart's content.
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk

Darcho said:
Hello fellow WIND user.
I am using CM7 nightly build 123 on my G2X and almost everything works fine. Save for the camera issue stated earlier and the impossibility of getting a GPS lock. I have tried several 'fixes' posted in the forums for this issue but I can't seem to get GPS lock regardless.
I still recommend switching away from stock ROM because it grants your device more flexibility and possibly a longer battery life.
Rooting and installing a custom ROM does not unlock your phone. You will still need to obtain an unlock code from either WIND (free after 3 months I think) or the web (for a price).
You do not need to upgrade your Android OS before flashing. The OS is part of the ROM you will be flashing onto your device. You will however, need to root, backup, and wipe your device. Just follow the guides on the forum which you have found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NOOO!
The camera and the GPS are two thing I love about this phone...
1080p not resolved since May? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1074795&page=2
Is this issue universal across all custom roms with p999, or just with CM7, or just with you? Can an EB or another CM7 chime in? Wouldn't EB be more stable than CM, since it is not rewritten?

r4d14n7 said:
If the wind version is the same procedure-wise, rooting is a redundant step. Installing CWM via nvflash does not require root. Once that is installed, you may backup, restore, and flash to your heart's content.
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, intuitively speaking:
1. Install CWM: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1056847
I'm not familiar with the terminology, can you point out the helping threads about backing up, restoring and flashing?
Also, can the whole procedure be done on Linux, or do I have to install VBox?

You can do it from Linux. You just type some commands in a terminal to push an img file over to the phone.
Backup/Restore is a menu option in the clockwork recovery. Pretty straight forward stuff.
Flashing just on your phone just entails downloading the rom file (zip format) to your SD card and going in clockwork recovery and selecting it (flash zip from SD) via the menu.
Quick steps
-NVFlash
-Backup
-Download CM7 to SD
-Flash CM7
After you flash CM7 you'll have root access thus allowing you to use easier methods of downloading and flashing using Rom Manager
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

player911 said:
You can do it from Linux. You just type some commands in a terminal to push an img file over to the phone.
Backup/Restore is a menu option in the clockwork recovery. Pretty straight forward stuff.
Flashing just on your phone just entails downloading the rom file (zip format) to your SD card and going in clockwork recovery and selecting it (flash zip from SD) via the menu.
Quick steps
-NVFlash
-Backup
-Download CM7 to SD
-Flash CM7
After you flash CM7 you'll have root access thus allowing you to use easier methods of downloading and flashing using Rom Manager
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks you.
And by backup, you mean this? source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1060715
Perform a Nandroid Backup of your Phone (Optional but suggested before you flash any ROM or make any O/S changes):
1. Bootup to NvFlashed Clockwork Recovery using the button method.
2. Choose backup/restore and run a backup.
3. This will save the backup to your internal or external SD Card depending on which version of CWM you selected in the One-Click App.
aplsux said:
NOOO!
The camera and the GPS are two thing I love about this phone...
1080p not resolved since May? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1074795&page=2
Is this issue universal across all custom roms with p999, or just with CM7, or just with you? Can an EB or another CM7 chime in? Wouldn't EB be more stable than CM, since it is not rewritten?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These questions are a bit more interesting to me.

Wouldn't this fix the camera? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1094424
It is for the Optimus 2x, will it be different? Is the camera different? The thread itself says yes, it works for g2x, has anyone field-tested it? For let's say latest CMs? 2.3.5?

That's built into CM

TO THE OP... Hi there, did u ever end up installing cyanogenmod on your device?
I'm running a cm7 variant & have had no problems w gps or camera or anything of the sort

Dave778 said:
TO THE OP... Hi there, did u ever end up installing cyanogenmod on your device?
I'm running a cm7 variant & have had no problems w gps or camera or anything of the sort
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I did 2.3.5.
GPS is fine. Battery is good. Camera is OK, but LG one was better. I haven't recorded HD to see if there's a sound mismatch, yet. Is there 1080p? Assuming change after the official LG 2.3

aplsux said:
Yes, I did 2.3.5.
GPS is fine. Battery is good. Camera is OK, but LG one was better. I haven't recorded HD to see if there's a sound mismatch, yet. Is there 1080p? Assuming change after the official LG 2.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything is fine, stop being a worry wart

aplsux said:
I am afraid to lose the functionality, so I'd like if someone has the WIND LG with CM7, to try to answer if there are any issues with the following points:
* phone of course
* GPS, Google Maps, Market, Messaging
* both cameras, 1080p recording and HDMI output
* video talk in Skype
Also, feel free to leave a short feedback about CM7 and a recommendation. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In short, go for it. I bought the phone back in late June, had CM7 running on it a few hours later, and haven't looked back. I've currently got nightly #123 along with Faux's undervolted DS battery driver kernel and am very happy with the responsiveness, the added features, and so on. There's been a slowdown in nightlies recently due to a problem with the repository, but the features being prepared in the interim will continue to refine what is already a great phone. Battery life is way, way up compared to stock, thanks to refinements in the kernel and using SetCPU profiles to cut power use when the screen is off.
Messaging is fine, although I'm using Handcent rather than stock. Maps is fast (GPS aside) and the camera is good (again, using aftermarket, currently Vignette). I've only recently begun to use video talk - Skype doesn't support this phone yet but Google Talk now works. There are some issues, of course. The GPS continues to be slow - locks range from 10-20 seconds outdoors in an open space to virtually never indoors (in places where my older, cheaper phone did lock).
Tv

Yeah, yeah... CM7
Honestly, this ROM goes over the roof when it comes to customization.

Why flash custom Roms?

Can a kernel be flashed without a rom and vice versa?
Does it erase all saved data to flash a kernel? A rom?
The designations KD1, KB5, KJ6, wtf do these represent?
What is firmware version 2.2.1? Does this dictate what kernels/roms will work?
My phone came stock with
Baseband version: T959VUVKD1
after an unsuccessful root, it now it has
Baseband version: T959VUVKB5
What's the difference? Is my new one better?
My kernel is now 2.6.32.9
Wasn't stock kernel 2.2.1?
Why bother switching kernels/Roms in the first place? It seems like it's just a big headache. Launcher apps seem to provide more customization then alternate Roms. What gives?
Thanks in advance, this may seem noob but I find it hard just finding BASIC information sometimes.
I've spent a LOT of time dicking around with this new phone (my first smartphone) and I love the fact that it is customizable it but it takes up too much time to have to read up on everything, flash, then re load all my icons, screw that. I just want to know what is the best, fastest, simplest, most customizable rom/kernel combo up front, or I'm going back to stock, I have to believe that they designed the stock OS around the phone to maximize effectiveness.
Thanks in advance

Alot of questions but I'll attempt to answer them. Disclaimer though, I havent been on these forums for that long so my answers may not be correct and I wont be held responsible for incorrect info.
Farlander said:
Can a kernel be flashed without a rom and vice versa?
Does it erase all saved data to flash a kernel? A rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes a kernel can be flashed without a rom, but roms come with kernels already on them. When flashing a kernel, data on you're device is kept, but not vice versa.
The designations KD1, KB5, KJ6, wtf do these represent?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are versions. They are labeled in alphanumeric order. Example, KB5 is the oldest of the three, KD1 is newer, and KJ6 is the newest (and the newest kernel at the moment for this phone as well).
What is firmware version 2.2.1? Does this dictate what kernels/roms will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2.2.x are Froyo (Frozen Yogurt) versions. 2.3.x are Gingerbread versionss with the Gingerbread bootloaders that are needed to flash most roms on here with Clockwork Mod (CWM).
General Android Knowledge:
Cupcake < Donut < Eclair < Froyo < Gingerbread (GB) < Honeycomb < Icecream Sandwich (ICS)
My phone came stock with
Baseband version: T959VUVKD1
after an unsuccessful root, it now it has
Baseband version: T959VUVKB5
What's the difference? Is my new one better?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well "better" is relative, but it is indeed older. Also, try using the new SuperOneClick to root next time if you haven't.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682
My kernel is now 2.6.32.9
Wasn't stock kernel 2.2.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm noob so idk how to answer this.
Why bother switching kernels/Roms in the first place? It seems like it's just a big headache. Launcher apps seem to provide more customization then alternate Roms. What gives?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROMs can add features, take away bloatware (relatively useless programs that come preloaded with the phone), and provide functional inprovements (such as KJ6's better WiFi reception.
Thanks in advance, this may seem noob but I find it hard just finding BASIC information sometimes.
I've spent a LOT of time dicking around with this new phone (my first smartphone) and I love the fact that it is customizable it but it takes up too much time to have to read up on everything, flash, then re load all my icons, screw that. I just want to know what is the best, fastest, simplest, most customizable rom/kernel combo up front, or I'm going back to stock, I have to believe that they designed the stock OS around the phone to maximize effectiveness.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may just want to just follow this guide for now:
Then after which, use SuperOneClick (SOC) to root
After you get yourself situated here, then move on to bigger and better roms such as RaverX3X's Octane:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1305145
or Somairotevoli's 2.3.6 Debloated SimplySimple:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321611
Be sure to always follow the OP's Instructions to the T. For example, when wiping or mounting.
And UMMU mounts means in CWM under mounts set them to:
Unmount
Mount
Mount
Unmount
Hope this helped
Oh also, if all else ever fails when attemoting to flash a ROM, try the method found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1223765

Farlander said:
Can a kernel be flashed without a rom and vice versa?
Does it erase all saved data to flash a kernel? A rom?
The designations KD1, KB5, KJ6, wtf do these represent?
What is firmware version 2.2.1? Does this dictate what kernels/roms will work?
My phone came stock with
Baseband version: T959VUVKD1
after an unsuccessful root, it now it has
Baseband version: T959VUVKB5
What's the difference? Is my new one better?
My kernel is now 2.6.32.9
Wasn't stock kernel 2.2.1?
Why bother switching kernels/Roms in the first place? It seems like it's just a big headache. Launcher apps seem to provide more customization then alternate Roms. What gives?
Thanks in advance, this may seem noob but I find it hard just finding BASIC information sometimes.
I've spent a LOT of time dicking around with this new phone (my first smartphone) and I love the fact that it is customizable it but it takes up too much time to have to read up on everything, flash, then re load all my icons, screw that. I just want to know what is the best, fastest, simplest, most customizable rom/kernel combo up front, or I'm going back to stock, I have to believe that they designed the stock OS around the phone to maximize effectiveness.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll do my best to answer this; hope I don't skip anything
Can a kernel be flashed without a rom and vice versa?
- The kernel is a traffic cop. It is what controls the underlying hardware in your phone, on your tablet, or on your PC. It handles things like memory management and allocation, access to hardware, process scheduling, and much more. You can flash a kernel onto an existing ROM (for example, Gingerbread VUVKG4 ROM with a modified KG4 kernel that has root access). The kernel you flash replaces the one that's already there. When you flash a ROM, it has a kernel already in it.
Does it erase all saved data to flash a kernel? A rom?
- Generally flashing a kernel does not wipe any of your data as you're only replacing the kernel. Flashing a ROM can wipe your data; it really depends on what you're flashing. It's always good practice to make a backup before flashing unless you've nothing on the phone to lose. Flashing a ROM that does wipe your data will not wipe the contents of your sdcard, it wipes the /data and other partitions on the phone's internal memory/storage.
The designations KD1, KB5, KJ6, wtf do these represent?
- Versions. Generally ROMs for our model of phone (Galaxy S 4G, SGH-T959V) have a name like VUVKB5, VUVKD1, or VUVKJ6. The last two characters correspond to a certain build/version number. The more recent the last two characters the more recent the build. The builds for our phone were on 2.2 (Froyo) through KD1 then went to 2.3 (Gingerbread) starting with KF1. Gingerbread required updated boot loaders for the phone. Without the proper boot loaders the phone wouldn't work.
What is firmware version 2.2.1? Does this dictate what kernels/roms will work?
- 2.2.1 is Froyo. It's a version of the Android operating system (OS). It does not dictate what will work, per-se. Rather it's telling you what version of the OS your phone is currently running. If you were to try and flash something, say a kernel, you'd definitely need to know what version you are on so that you flash a kernel/ROM for that version. You can upgrade to newer ROMs, though, say to go from 2.2.1 (KD1) to 2.3.6 (KJ6). You just have to make sure you have all of the right pieces in place first.
My phone came stock with
Baseband version: T959VUVKD1
after an unsuccessful root, it now it has
Baseband version: T959VUVKB5
What's the difference? Is my new one better?
- The "new" one is actually older, which means it is missing bug/performance fixes and the like.
My kernel is now 2.6.32.9
Wasn't stock kernel 2.2.1?
- Confusing, isn't it? The 2.6.32.9 is the kernel version & 2.2.1 is the ROM version. When you upgrade ROMs there's a good chance the kernel version will change, too, but not necessarily. They are independent numbers but kernels/ROMs are dependent upon one another. Clear as mud, right?
Why bother switching kernels/Roms in the first place? It seems like it's just a big headache. Launcher apps seem to provide more customization then alternate Roms. What gives?
- It's a personal preference most of the time. You could upgrade to the latest release ROM by Samsung which is VUVKJ6 using their Kies Mini software. It's Gingerbread based, faster, better battery life, wifi is a little weaker. Just make sure you backup any information you want to keep first. I generally keep my contacts synched with T-Mobile or Google and after a data wipe they sync back to the phone.
As for flashing custom ROMs you'd have to read up on the different ones to see if they interest you. Some increase performance, some have mad themes wrapped up in them, some have better battery life, some do their best to roll all of that up into them.
In short, you don't have to flash anything. The development community here enjoys doing it though despite what headaches it might bring. It enables us to hack/tweak the phone to see what it can do, what performance we can wring out of it, etc. I've learned a lot in the little time I've been in this community and have a TON more to learn.
I've spent a LOT of time dicking around with this new phone (my first smartphone) and I love the fact that it is customizable it but it takes up too much time to have to read up on everything, flash, then re load all my icons, screw that. I just want to know what is the best, fastest, simplest, most customizable rom/kernel combo up front, or I'm going back to stock, I have to believe that they designed the stock OS around the phone to maximize effectiveness.
- Unfortunately reading up on it, trying ROMs out, and going through some trials and tribulations is a part of the process. Which is the best ROM is strictly subjective so you'd get a bunch of different answers from a bunch of different people.
The best thing I can suggest is, if you're really interested, to take the time to read the stickies in the different forums (General, Q&A, Developer, etc.). They contain a plethora of information that will actually help you to avoid a lot of the problems. Read some threads on different ROMs & issues. You'll find a lot of "I had this problem" followed by the developer or someone else saying "Yeah, I fixed that" or "here's how to avoid/fix it". Utilize the search feature; it's there to help. The more research you do on your own the more you will learn and the less likely you'll get flamed by anyone for not trying to help yourself before asking for the help of others.
Welcome to the forums. Best of luck to you.

Kudos to you both I hope other noobs find this info as well. I think I'll flash KJ6 deodexed (faster/cleaner/more customizable right?) rooted. I don't really see the need for CWM or Titanium unless there's a ton of bloatware to remove, or I want to go crazy flashing ROMS - from what I gather, with CWM you can modify the recovery mode so that new roms can be installed right from the phone?
I have really looking for some specific key features that would improve my experience, such as a customizable destination folder for camera pics, i.e. SD card, not internal memory, a good all-time gestures program, wifi file sharing w/ pc, some cool widgets and animations, and a major reduction in the spyware content and background data of the phone, specifically google apps that try to sync my entire brain.

Farlander said:
...from what I gather, with CWM you can modify the recovery mode so that new roms can be installed right from the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically, but you always have to be careful when doing so. Make backups of your data and follow the instructions carefully unless you really enjoy losing important files and using Odin lol.
I have really looking for some specific key features that would improve my experience, such as a customizable destination folder for camera pics, i.e. SD card, not internal memory, a good all-time gestures program, wifi file sharing w/ pc, some cool widgets and animations, and a major reduction in the spyware content and background data of the phone, specifically google apps that try to sync my entire brain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already thought the default destination for Camera pictures was in sdcard/DCIM ? And for cool widgets and animations, you are better off using a custom Launcher, such as GO Launcher EX. A ton of roms on here, however, do offer very nice looking themes and many remove bloatware.
My advice: get comfortable with CWM and flash a few roms; however many you need until you know you're preferences.

Samsung Galaxy Discover S730M (and S730G) Custom ROM - by doctor_evil

No longer own this phone, and no longer have a copy of the rom so this is no longer being developed.
Thanks to @shifattk and @FitAmp for the overclock
Thanks to @Restl3ss, who is working on a rooted and overclocked, otherwise bone stock ROM
Thanks to @atmu5fear, who made the first flashable rom for the S730M, I based my Rom off your original release.
changes I made from the stock 4.04 image
Rooted
BusyBox
Overclocked to 1000mhz
Nova Launcher
Default Ringtone: Crank
Disabled power on and power off boot sounds
Bloat Removed
Theme Changes
Zipaligned
Replaced Samsung keyboard with the google keyboard (much better IMHO)
Stable
Working and tested. Tested on a S730M as well as a S730G
Flashing instructions:
1. Use CWM 6.0.3.1 Get it here https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1BxFtN0QItNUExLMHBWT1loQjg/edit?usp=sharing, flash with Odin)
2. Make a backup, if things go wrong for you, you cause use the backup to restore your phone's original firmware.
3. WIPE DATA/CACHE
4. Flash
5. Wipe Dalvik.
6. Reboot
NOTE: I can not and will not be responsible for any damage this rom could potentially cause on your phone, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caveat_emptor
Download Version 1.0 here

Good to see someone still working on this device
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

FitAmp said:
Good to see someone still working on this device
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a nifty little phone. I personally think it's better than a Nexus S but just suffers from the typical Samsung pump and dump routine where they sold all their inventory to the carriers then stopped supporting it with any updates.

Good job! I have 3 versions of the stock ROM available for this device as well, may have been more appropriate for a base, there's stock, stock + root + Busybox, stock + root + Busybox + overclock. Find them here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2677332
Sent from my SGH-T989D using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

r740c
Will these ROMS work with the Cricket version?

kadeleblanc said:
Will these ROMS work with the Cricket version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the cricket model you have is a GSM version then yes it should so long as its a S730M or S730G. If its a CDMA model then no.

CDMA
doctor_evil said:
If the cricket model you have is a GSM version then yes it should so long as its a S730M or S730G. If its a CDMA model then no.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesnt take a sim card so no GSM. Is there any other ROMs that you would know of? We are kind of stuck out with this model, it kinda sucks lol.

kadeleblanc said:
It doesnt take a sim card so no GSM. Is there any other ROMs that you would know of? We are kind of stuck out with this model, it kinda sucks lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may be able to use the same CWM recovery on that model,
you should be able to probably use the same kernel to overclock your model too, and you can probably use the kitchen app we used to cook these different version roms for the 730M and 730G models to do your own custom rom, just remember before you start working, to do a full nandroid backup of the current rom so you can restore it back to the original (mostly stock except for the cwm recovery) firmware if you need to later on.

By any chance this will unlock it or do you know a way for me to get the unlock using hex?

Thanks to doctor evil for this ROM I was able to flash my phone but not before removing more apps (bell apps and oothers ).
I was wondering if anyone was successful in unlocking the tethering? Tried a few things out there and the best I could get was Bluetooth tethering with foxfi.

And it works!
@doctor_evil: I flashed your set after having played with @atmu5fear's version (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2673097). I like them both very much and am still looking which one I will keep. I have not wiped data/cache (i.e. Factory Reset) before overlaying your version over @atmu5fear's one, and it did not hurt. I noticed the following:
Flashing your ROM did not again trip the ROM counter after applying the triangleaway script after @atmu5fear's ROM load (it did go off then).
When having a SIM in the S730M and after putting in the phone unlock password, the keyboard stays on top (this does not happen when no SIM is present)
My Battery-drain problem when having the phone powered fully off with a SIM installed is still there. Probably need to await a cooked custom ROM for this to be solved
The triangleaway script for the S730M can be found at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2420184
The Battery-Drain S730M issue has been noticed by quite a few people (TELUS and BELL, both in Canada), and is unexplainable. When the phone is on (with SIM installed), power usage is normal, but when you power off the phone (with SIM still installed) the power-drain goes up dramatically (draining the battery completely within a few hours). When the SIM is removed, or when the battery is removed there is no abnormal drain perceived. The other thing is, that, when the device, with SIM and battery installed, is powered off, both the battery area and the SIM area get warm (not really hot), indicating SIM activity WHILE THE DEVICE IS OFF... Very odd. I am hoping that a new KK custom ROM would fix this issue as both 'custom' 4.0.4 ROMS I have tried now show the same issue, indicating it is either a hardware or a 4.0.4 implementation issue...

I am sorry I never responded back to you. I had my Cygwin install with my kitchen build environment running on a SSD hard drive with my OS and the drive crapped out on me and had to be sent in for a RMA. I had a easus todo workstation backup of my drive I was able to restore, but the backup wasn't current so I lost my kitchen environment. I never tried to set it up again as I had hoped that someone would have ported Cyanogenmod to the phone.
I may give it a try again as I just setup a vmware ESX host server here at home and I can allocate multiple cores and plenty of ram to the linux Virtual Machine I created on it once I figure out the best build environment and how to actually go about building CM successfully. Anyone know of a porting cyanogenmod for dummies guide I can use? LOL