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[Q] Rooting, Rom and Kernel Flashing

Hi All,
Been doing reading of the various forums and about to delve into rooting and rom flashing from my transformer. Currently i am running stock 3.1
From what i have been able to tell there are two methods to root. CWM and NVFlash.
I haven't been able to determine what the major differences between them are.
my understanding is that CWM makes it easier to flash multiple roms with out losing data.
whereas if you use nvflash all the data on the device is wiped.
can anyone confirm/correct me?
CWM requires the use of a SD card, whereas NVflash does not
can anyone confirm/correct me?
I have seen that a ROM=OS+Kernel, so if you wanted a different kernel you have to do it after the ROM is installed.
Since I am on 3.1 my choices are:
A. use CWM. I would need to downgrade to 3.0 then i can install CWM and the normal root process
B. Flash with NVFlash directly?
can anyone confirm/correct me?
Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

CWM isn't a rooting method. It's a way to flash roms, kernels, make backups etc.
The root methods are the original cmd line method with the flashing blobs etc. and the nvflash rooting method.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

Also since there is no cmd line way of rooting the original 3.1 rom you have two options.
1. Downgrade back to the original 3.0 rom and root using cmd line method. Not that hard.
2. Nvflash, which is straight up easy. DOWNLOAD a tar file with some images, get into nvflash mode and run a script to apply a rooted rom and it installs CWM for you.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

So it definitely appears that I had a mis-understanding of CWM.
CWM !=Rooting.
Its the CLI rooting that after that allowed me to install CWM.
So I would DL NVFlash from: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1123429
Download my rom of choice, for an example lets say Prime.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1052380 (the NVFlash version)
Hookup my tablet via USB and run the program and follow the necessary steps (AXP mode and what not). No SD Card is required.
Then I have CWM installed and my rom of choice installed.
My next question would be then what? My understanding would be now that i am rooted and CWM is installed i can switch Rom's much easier now using that tool?

SangreSlayer said:
So it definitely appears that I had a mis-understanding of CWM.
CWM !=Rooting.
Its the CLI rooting that after that allowed me to install CWM.
So I would DL NVFlash from: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1123429
Download my rom of choice, for an example lets say Prime.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1052380 (the NVFlash version)
Hookup my tablet via USB and run the program and follow the necessary steps (AXP mode and what not). No SD Card is required.
Then I have CWM installed and my rom of choice installed.
My next question would be then what? My understanding would be now that i am rooted and CWM is installed i can switch Rom's much easier now using that tool?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
everything is correct.
As for as then what....wait for the newest roms and flash that. try some kernels, roms and always make backups.

When you say make backups are you talking about making them with applications like titanium backup?

SangreSlayer said:
When you say make backups are you talking about making them with applications like titanium backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no CWM backups up your entire installed rom(system,data, etc). Basically a carbon copy of the rom your using.

He's talking about nandroid backups.

david279 said:
no CWM backups up your entire installed rom(system,data, etc). Basically a carbon copy of the rom your using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
these are called nandroid backups in CWM world...

Thanks everyone for your help. About to give the nvflash a go right now

SangreSlayer said:
Thanks everyone for your help. About to give the nvflash a go right now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let us know how it went.
I am waiting for someone tomakeit real easy to root,like with an app or something like that.
Have rooted my galaxyS which was real easy.
Cheers.

I got a newbie question on android rooting/custom roms, currently mine is stock unrooted. Going through the rooting process would all of the current apps and everything be wiped? next if installing a custom rom is there a method to keep all of your applications without having to reinstall/lose of data?

Taxnl said:
Let us know how it went.
I am waiting for someone tomakeit real easy to root,like with an app or something like that.
Have rooted my galaxyS which was real easy.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you taking about? It doesn't get any easier then this. Try making a gold card and come tell me how hard this really is. Psssh make it easy

nvflash make it easy, but I enjoy flashing via CWM. Not sure why?

While we wait for the poster's update on how it went, I would appreciate it if someone would help me with two very simple rooting questions:
1) Is it possible to root my Transformer without flashing a new ROM? IE, just override the security to allow the user to have root access and use root required apps.
2) Is it true that the Transformer is still running the android cell standby service, eating up most of the battery life while in standby mode? Can this be removed with root access?
Many thanks

Sorry for the delayed response.
Flashed it and it was real easy as I suspected.
It updated the rom and rooted it and everything.
There are a couple of issues (Browser has crashed 3 times, whenever i press the home button it is putting me on the first screen instead of the middle one and the SOD) but I believe it has more to do with my ROM (Prime 1.5) than the actual flashing process.
Another question I have has to do with CWM, do i need a SD card to use that method to flash a new rom?
Thanks!

This thread convinced me to flash. Didn't know I could like my tf that much more.

[Q] Rooted my infuse for the first time! Now what?

After a major battle with my Windoze 7 PC I finally got SuperOneClick to connect to my phone and successfully rooted it!
I had to uninstall/reinstall drivers, reboot, toggle in and out of debug mode; anyway, its done.
Now I would like to start flashing ROM's. I was just wondering (since I'm new to all this) is there anything that I should pay specific attention to when flashing new ROM's to my phone? I have already done a few backups with Titanium Backup and I have downloaded ROM Manager.
My phone is currently running the factory image. If I were to upgrade to a ROM that uses Gingerbread do I need to download and install the kernel seperately or is it usually included in the ROM?
I would really like an ICS based ROM. I have seen a few mentioned but I think they are just themed and not actual ICS based ROM's. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I have also downloaded GTGUnbrick but I havent really looked at that yet.
Thanks in advance for any advice/help.

Next thing is to install modified 3e recovery and CWM. This video explains how:
youtube.com/watch?v=Y09p-J_g_Rg
For the gingerbread thing, the devs are doing a great job explaining how to flash the rom; installing or not installing a kernel, wiping or not wiping etc. All you have to do is get familiar with CWM and read the devs' posts completely before doing anything.

Awesome, thank you for your help!

Biggest thing you can pay attention to is instructions in the first post of any rom thread. Do that and most everything will be laid out in front of you. There's not a whole lot to really worry about when you're flashing stuff, so long as you follow the directions given. And even then, it's pretty hard to completely brick this phone.
But yeah, modded recovery is the next step. And welcome to the newly found beast you once called your 'infuse'.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium

Did you use the YouTube video from Rammstein874 from the stickies on the development board?
I am about to root mine and want sure what the best/easiest method was...
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk

[Q] Best Root Method / Preference -- DooMLoRD's, EasyRoot, or SuperOneClick

Great site and forum you guys have here. I've been lurking in the background for about a month now since converting to Android from Crackberry, studying as much as possible about rooting my new Skyrocket.
I've narrowed down the method that I'll be using shortly to the 3 subject options, and was just wondering, what you recommend and why? I've also watched videos on each, and they all seem like they work and I can handle the task. But I want to avoid tripping the flash counter or getting myself in other more complicated trouble that I'd need your help with.
My plan is to root, flash CWM, do a Nandroid backup, then just freeze some things up using Titanium Backup to start. I think I said that right. Maybe not. But that's the plan for now, without new ROMs or kernels. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, and I apologize for the rookie questions. Again, great forum.

I can tell you a little trick that might save you from ever having to trip you flash counter. Use the odin method of rooting, its in the dev section. After you push cwm with odin, boot into cwm and make a backup of stock unrooted. Then proceed to flashing the superuser zip and rooting. Take the stock unrooted backup and save it to your desktop or something. Now your rooted with cwm . If you ever have to restore to stock you can restore the unrooted stock backup, then push the stock recovery with odin and presto your back to stock without tripping counter. Only works if you backup stock firmware before rooting. Also I've noticed that usually when I softbrick I can get away with just flashing cwm in odin, booting into recovery and proceeding from there. If I could start all over that's how ide do it I think. Just an idea. Also this method gets you farmiliar with odin, which you'll desperately need someday, if you already know how to use it you'll be set. A good thing to do is know is how to fix your phone "before" you break it lol(cause you surely will at some point). Then there's no panic when it happens cheers and good luck!
Here's a link to the root method I've suggested
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...CWM | ODIN | SGH-I727 and SGH-I727R Skyrocket
And were always here to help if you have questions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

pls4ms said:
Great site and forum you guys have here. I've been lurking in the background for about a month now since converting to Android from Crackberry, studying as much as possible about rooting my new Skyrocket.
I've narrowed down the method that I'll be using shortly to the 3 subject options, and was just wondering, what you recommend and why? I've also watched videos on each, and they all seem like they work and I can handle the task. But I want to avoid tripping the flash counter or getting myself in other more complicated trouble that I'd need your help with.
My plan is to root, flash CWM, do a Nandroid backup, then just freeze some things up using Titanium Backup to start. I think I said that right. Maybe not. But that's the plan for now, without new ROMs or kernels. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, and I apologize for the rookie questions. Again, great forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no expert but when I updated from 2.3.5 to 2.3.6 using S.O.C was no longer an option. I had to use the all power ODIN. link
But I suggest reading, googling, and rereading steps until you're confident of what to do without guessing if you're doing it right or not.
BTW, don't discount ROMs, they will make you love your phone more than you thought possible. And with the initial Nandroid bup you can always revert...
Good luck...
.

cdshepherd said:
I can tell you a little trick that might save you from ever having to trip you flash counter. Use the odin method of rooting, its in the dev section. After you push cwm with odin, boot into cwm and make a backup of stock unrooted. Then proceed to flashing the superuser zip and rooting. Take the stock unrooted backup and save it to your desktop or something. Now your rooted with cwm . If you ever have to restore to stock you can restore the unrooted stock backup, then push the stock recovery with odin and presto your back to stock without tripping counter. Only works if you backup stock firmware before rooting. Also I've noticed that usually when I softbrick I can get away with just flashing cwm in odin, booting into recovery and proceeding from there. If I could start all over that's how ide do it I think. Just an idea. Also this method gets you farmiliar with odin, which you'll desperately need someday, if you already know how to use it you'll be set. A good thing to do is know is how to fix your phone "before" you break it lol(cause you surely will at some point). Then there's no panic when it happens cheers and good luck!
Here's a link to the root method I've suggested
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...CWM | ODIN | SGH-I727 and SGH-I727R Skyrocket
And were always here to help if you have questions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This^^^^ I use odin and only odin

After a few days of research and trying to figure out how not to trip the flash counter, this is the best way. Huge thumbs up for the suggestion!

Wow. That is really great information. Thank you! I had written off the Odin method, as it seemed a little complicated for a rookie like myself -- hence why it wasn't included in the subject options.
But after reading what you had to say, it makes complete sense. The Odin method is the only way to make a complete backup (using CWM) of my truly unrooted device, where the other methods, the mirror (backup) would be of a rooted device so a restore back to stock would be more difficult. Correct?
I just read all 20 pages of the link you supplied, and it seems I've got a pretty good understanding of what to do and what not to do. Will give it a whirl today and let you know. By the way, someone posted a video which talks about how the superuser.zip file is not necessary -- this is not true if you aren't putting on a new ROM. Which I am not. Just a heads up for anyone else out there looking at it. Thanks again man, you nailed it.
cdshepherd said:
I can tell you a little trick that might save you from ever having to trip you flash counter. Use the odin method of rooting, its in the dev section. After you push cwm with odin, boot into cwm and make a backup of stock unrooted. Then proceed to flashing the superuser zip and rooting. Take the stock unrooted backup and save it to your desktop or something. Now your rooted with cwm . If you ever have to restore to stock you can restore the unrooted stock backup, then push the stock recovery with odin and presto your back to stock without tripping counter. Only works if you backup stock firmware before rooting. Also I've noticed that usually when I softbrick I can get away with just flashing cwm in odin, booting into recovery and proceeding from there. If I could start all over that's how ide do it I think. Just an idea. Also this method gets you farmiliar with odin, which you'll desperately need someday, if you already know how to use it you'll be set. A good thing to do is know is how to fix your phone "before" you break it lol(cause you surely will at some point). Then there's no panic when it happens cheers and good luck!
Here's a link to the root method I've suggested
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...CWM | ODIN | SGH-I727 and SGH-I727R Skyrocket
And were always here to help if you have questions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

A restore to stock wouldn't necessarily be any more complicated because we have odin files for that too. But it will trip your counter. Sometimes tripping the counter is unavoidable, I pretend like mine doesn't even exist. Let us know if you need any help
Remember to make the nandroid backup of stock unrooted before you flash the superuser.zip.
When you do flash the superuser zip, it might throw up an error and not flash, this is ok, happens to me everytime, just keep trying to install it and eventually she will take:thumbup:
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Perfect success! Couldn't have gone any better. From the driver installs, to the Odin launch, CWM backup, and finally the SU flash -- each step was flawless. It took 3 tries on the Superuser.zip file before it installed without errors, which was expected. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I just updated Superuser to the latest version, but now I'm seeing that Busybox seems to be an important add-on now that I'm rooted for some apps to work properly. Agreed? If so, is the popular version on Play the one to download?
Also, whats the best way for me to send the backup I just made from my phone to computer as you mentioned? Where is it located on phone? Thanks again. You've been a huge help, and I'm stoked to be part of the club -- maybe just a junior member still, but learning more each day.
cdshepherd said:
A restore to stock wouldn't necessarily be any more complicated because we have odin files for that too. But it will trip your counter. Sometimes tripping the counter is unavoidable, I pretend like mine doesn't even exist. Let us know if you need any help
Remember to make the nandroid backup of stock unrooted before you flash the superuser.zip.
When you do flash the superuser zip, it might throw up an error and not flash, this is ok, happens to me everytime, just keep trying to install it and eventually she will take:thumbup:
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The cwm backup will probably be on you external SD under clockworkmod>backup. If not on external use internal. Just mount USB storage on your computer. After you get the stock backup off your SD , boot back into recovery and make a backup of your rooted stock firmware if you already haven't. You want to always have atleast one nandroid on your SD in case boo boo's occur.
As for the busy box thing I'm not exactly sure. All I can say on that is if any app request you to update it just allow it to. Maybe try the market app you mentioned. I'm not entirely too sure. Also maybe consider flashing a rom. You'll have that rooted backup on your SD you can restore whenever you'd like.
Glad everything went well for you. That's a good example of what reading before attempting does. Good job
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Thanks again for the help and props. More success yesterday; moved the full stock ROM (unrooted) Nandroid to my computer, and then made another Nandroid of my rooted stock ROM. That too I put on the computer, but also left a copy my SD card.
Installed Titanium Backup Pro, and am now studying up on which .APK files I can safely freeze. Found a spreadsheet from the SG2 forum, and I'm guessing it's applicable for our device. Would post the link, but I'm not allowed to yet.
Lastly, I picked up the Nexus 2100 mah battery for which I'll be installing shortly as well. Starting to get more tuned up now, but you are right, once all this is complete I'll look at some custom ROM's as well. I guess freezing all of these files wouldn't really be necessary if I put on a new ROM anyway. Oh well. Baby steps.

samsung infuse
bought rooted Samsung infuse, but can not get my contacts.
At&t phone.

infuseal said:
bought rooted Samsung infuse, but can not get my contacts.
At&t phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just brought a year old thread back to life and your talking about an infuse which has nothing to do with the skyrocket. Search on the infuse topics.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

Noob question - How to install CWM recovery?

I'm coming from an iPhone and have been reading and re-reading threads on rooting to make sure that I do it correctly. I think I'm all set to use Odin and have all the files downloaded. Seems pretty straightforward.
The only question I have is; how do I get CWM recovery installed?? I had a Droid X years ago and bought Rom Manager Premium, can I download and use that??
Thanks.
P.S. Sorry if this is a super noob question. I just don't wanna brick my phone.

follow my guide in the developoment section or click link in sig...all you do is download the ez recovery app from playstore..you must be rooted first!

droidstyle said:
follow my guide in the developoment section or click link in sig...all you do is download the ez recovery app from playstore..you must be rooted first!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just went to the play store and looked at that ez recovery app, friggin sweet!!! Thanks!
I'll root and backup later on today!! This app makes it easy cause I'm not familiar with adb commands.

I just came from a Verizon HTC Rezound to the Verizon Samsung GS3, and I am a bit confused at the differences between the two. It appears things like rooting and ROM flashing are done WAY differently on the S3. I managed to get it rooted and have TB and SU working without an issue, and I was able to flash a custom recovery with ROM Manager, but still have some confusion about the inner workings of this phone.
1. Does this phone have an HBOOT?
2. Can I do Nandroid backups on this phone?
3. What is this flash counter I keep seeing mentioned?
Thanks in advance.

wmaudio said:
I just came from a Verizon HTC Rezound to the Verizon Samsung GS3, and I am a bit confused at the differences between the two. It appears things like rooting and ROM flashing are done WAY differently on the S3. I managed to get it rooted and have TB and SU working without an issue, and I was able to flash a custom recovery with ROM Manager, but still have some confusion about the inner workings of this phone.
1. Does this phone have an HBOOT?
2. Can I do Nandroid backups on this phone?
3. What is this flash counter I keep seeing mentioned?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know he probably should have created a new thread for this question. However, I too am curious as to the answers to these questions. Is there anyone familiar with HTC devices that can explain the differences? Especially 2 and 3 as the term flash counter has me rather frightened. I am looking to purchase a new phone and really want the GS3 but not if I can only flash the ROM a few times.

toolfan2k4 said:
I know he probably should have created a new thread for this question. However, I too am curious as to the answers to these questions. Is there anyone familiar with HTC devices that can explain the differences? Especially 2 and 3 as the term flash counter has me rather frightened. I am looking to purchase a new phone and really want the GS3 but not if I can only flash the ROM a few times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, don't jack my thread!!!
After finding out the issue was a bit of user error I got CWM to flash correctly.

toolfan2k4 said:
I know he probably should have created a new thread for this question. However, I too am curious as to the answers to these questions. Is there anyone familiar with HTC devices that can explain the differences? Especially 2 and 3 as the term flash counter has me rather frightened. I am looking to purchase a new phone and really want the GS3 but not if I can only flash the ROM a few times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you follow the methods in my guide you wont trip the flash counter...most new android devices have a counter that counts how many times custom software was flashed on the device. there are ways to reset it aswell...best advice is to start doing alot of reading! my guide will get you where you want to go, but i dont have the time or patience to explain all the differences between samsung and htc for flashing roms. i will say samsung is much harder to brick thanks to odin.

[Q] Couple of Skyrocket/rooting questions

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forums and looking to root my ATT Skyrocket. But first a problem I've been having with it regarding wifi. The ability to connect to and hold a strong wifi connection isn't working right now. Even within ten feet of a router I still have the weakest signal and I don't understand why when my iPhone has a full wifi signal from the same spot. Anyone else have this problem?
I did some research and discovered some people complaining that the bloatware app ATT Smart Wifi was messing up their connection. So I want to root to get rid of bloatware, block ads, etc.
I also would like to install Cyanogen 10 (jellybean) onto my phone running 4.0.4. Now this doesn't require rooting, correct? But I want to root beforehand so can I flash this afterwards or will it cancel the root?
Basically I'm wondering if there's a specific order to flashing after installing a CWM, and if I can root and have Cyanogen 10 at the same time (and how).
And I have checked these helpful threads:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1773659
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1785999
Thanks for your time guys!

if your going to put a custom rom on your phone its best to have root even though it is no required and you can run a custom rom with root. majority of the reason for custom roms is for permission access to enhance the phones capabilities. and first thing you need to is root after your rooted you can flash any custom ROM that is made for the SKYrocket and root permission will stay

Read Vincoms sticky at the top of the Page
Sent from my SGH-I727 using xda premium

crashpsycho said:
if your going to put a custom rom on your phone its best to have root even though it is no required and you can run a custom rom with root. majority of the reason for custom roms is for permission access to enhance the phones capabilities. and first thing you need to is root after your rooted you can flash any custom ROM that is made for the SKYrocket and root permission will stay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wrong, when flashing roms, custom or stock, anything done before will get erased, even root, all custom roms are prerooted, this info in my stickies
stoopendis said:
Read Vincoms sticky at the top of the Page
Sent from my SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

vincom said:
wrong, when flashing roms, custom or stock, anything done before will get erased, even root, all custom roms are prerooted, this info in my stickies
+1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how can I root my phone and get the rom? Is there a way? It's the order of flashing things I don't understand. And your guide will be helpful once I know this, thanks for taking the time to create it!

yoscootski said:
So how can I root my phone and get the rom? Is there a way? It's the order of flashing things I don't understand. And your guide will be helpful once I know this, thanks for taking the time to create it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its stated in the sticky, quote from sticky:
TO INSTALL CUSTOM ROMS ON STOCK PHONES YOU DO NOT NEED TO ROOT THE PHONE , ALL YOU NEED TODO IS INSTALL A CUSTOM RECOVERY VIA ODIN, THATS IT. SAMSUNG MADE THE SKYROCKET VERY EASY TO FLASH CUSTOM ROMS.
ROOT IS ONLY REQUIRED FOR STOCK PHONES TO REMOVE BLOATWARE AND/OR MODIFY SYSTEM FILES FOR STOCK FIRMWARE, IT IS NOT NEEDED FOR CUSTOM ROMS AS THEY ARE ALREADY PRE-ROOTED.
ON STOCK FIRMWARE YOU NEED TO USE ODIN TO INSTALL THE TAR.MD5 FILE(NOT THE ZIP FILE) OF A CUSTOM RECOVERY(CWM OR TWRP) - ITS THE FIRST AND FOREMOST THING YOU NEED TO DO TO YOUR SKYROCKET TO BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE TO YOUR PHONE LIKE FLASHING ROMS AND ROOTING THE PHONE.
I REITERATE: YOU NEED TO INSTALL A CUSTOM RECOVERY BEFORE YOU CAN ROOT THE PHONE OR FLASH CUSTOM ROMS, YOU DO NOT NEED TO ROOT THE PHONE TO INSTALL CUSTOM ROMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont know how to make it any clearer, rooting is not needed to flash roms.
flash cwm or twrp, then flash roms
for flashing roms, read the post for the rom u want to flash

yoscootski said:
So how can I root my phone and get the rom? Is there a way? It's the order of flashing things I don't understand. And your guide will be helpful once I know this, thanks for taking the time to create it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should just use your crappy iPhone if you can't follow the simple guide. Lmao
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2