Long time lurker (though I can't say I always understood everything I read), first time poster.
I've had several iPhones in the past and I finally decided to try the other option. I got a Verizon GS3 last November and I couldn't be happier.
However, like many others, I'm looking to get more from my phone. I do like TouchWiz (I have used a Nexus 4 for a week and didn't like the stock android), so I want to stay with about the same UI that I have now. I did some research and found that Synergy is probably the best option for me in terms of getting a bit more from my phone but still staying with (mostly) the same UI. Of course, getting rid of all the annoying Verizon apps is a huge bonus too.
This is what I have done already:
Used this method to root and unlock my bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2332825
Used TWRP to make a full backup of my phone to an external SD card
Used Titanium Backup to make a full backup of my apps to an external SD card
Here are my questions:
I have the latest Verizon OTA installed (June 20th, I535VRBMF1). I have read all the posts from the last 14 days on the Synergy thread and I think I understand that since my phone has a newer firmware than the one in the latest synergy ROM, I will need to downgrade my firmware before installing the ROM to avoid camera and wifi problems. Is this correct? Someone linked there to I535VRBMB1_firmware.zip. How do I install this firmware? I have ODIN but when I choose PDA it will not let me choose the zip file. When I extract it, ODIN doesn't find anything too.
What kind of wipe should I perform before I flash to Synergy? Should I take my SD card out for the wipe or leave it in? Do I even need to wipe?
Can I install the ROM from ROM Manager or should I always use recovery mode and TWRP?
Is it recommended to just restore my Titanium full backup after the wipe? Should I have backed up everything except verizon apps if I don't want these? Should I just restore those apps where I want my old data (like game progress)?
Thanks in advance for any help. I have learned a lot from these forums but I feel I need a bit more clarifications before I proceed with a task that may be damaging for my device.
Slartibartfast_ said:
Long time lurker (though I can't say I always understood everything I read), first time poster.
I've had several iPhones in the past and I finally decided to try the other option. I got a Verizon GS3 last November and I couldn't be happier.
However, like many others, I'm looking to get more from my phone. I do like TouchWiz (I have used a Nexus 4 for a week and didn't like the stock android), so I want to stay with about the same UI that I have now. I did some research and found that Synergy is probably the best option for me in terms of getting a bit more from my phone but still staying with (mostly) the same UI. Of course, getting rid of all the annoying Verizon apps is a huge bonus too.
This is what I have done already:
Used this method to root and unlock my bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2332825
Used TWRP to make a full backup of my phone to an external SD card
Used Titanium Backup to make a full backup of my apps to an external SD card
Here are my questions:
I have the latest Verizon OTA installed (June 20th, I535VRBMF1). I have read all the posts from the last 14 days on the Synergy thread and I think I understand that since my phone has a newer firmware than the one in the latest synergy ROM, I will need to downgrade my firmware before installing the ROM to avoid camera and wifi problems. Is this correct? Someone linked there to I535VRBMB1_firmware.zip. How do I install this firmware? I have ODIN but when I choose PDA it will not let me choose the zip file. When I extract it, ODIN doesn't find anything too.
What kind of wipe should I perform before I flash to Synergy? Should I take my SD card out for the wipe or leave it in? Do I even need to wipe?
Can I install the ROM from ROM Manager or should I always use recovery mode and TWRP?
Is it recommended to just restore my Titanium full backup after the wipe? Should I have backed up everything except verizon apps if I don't want these? Should I just restore those apps where I want my old data (like game progress)?
Thanks in advance for any help. I have learned a lot from these forums but I feel I need a bit more clarifications before I proceed with a task that may be damaging for my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 - You can roll back to MB1, or flash a kernel that supports the camera w/MF1. The camera not working seems to be the primary issue. I know Ktoonsez kernel works as do a couple of others.
2 - Wipe system, cache and Dalvik. You don't need to do anything with your card.
3 - At least the first time, I'd recommend using TWRP in recovery mode to flash your new ROM. Someone else may have a different opinion, but you'll already be in TWRP to wipe everything.
4 - Different people have different experiences with TiBU. Most would recommend not restoring system data, but apps(non-system) and app. data is usually okay.
lvgdgts said:
1 - You can roll back to MB1, or flash a kernel that supports the camera w/MF1. The camera not working seems to be the primary issue. I know Ktoonsez kernel works as do a couple of others.
2 - Wipe system, cache and Dalvik. You don't need to do anything with your card.
3 - At least the first time, I'd recommend using TWRP in recovery mode to flash your new ROM. Someone else may have a different opinion, but you'll already be in TWRP to wipe everything.
4 - Different people have different experiences with TiBU. Most would recommend not restoring system data, but apps(non-system) and app. data is usually okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your detailed response!
I'm probably going to attempt this tomorrow. Will report back with what my results. It looks like BoneStock might be another good option for me + save me the kernel replacement or firmware flash. I have some reading to do now
Slartibartfast_ said:
Here are my questions:
I have the latest Verizon OTA installed (June 20th, I535VRBMF1). I have read all the posts from the last 14 days on the Synergy thread and I think I understand that since my phone has a newer firmware than the one in the latest synergy ROM, I will need to downgrade my firmware before installing the ROM to avoid camera and wifi problems. Is this correct? Someone linked there to I535VRBMB1_firmware.zip. How do I install this firmware? I have ODIN but when I choose PDA it will not let me choose the zip file. When I extract it, ODIN doesn't find anything too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to add onto lvgdgts' post: files ending with ".zip" are flashed in recovery, files ending with ".tar" or ".tar.md5" are flashed via Odin.
SlimSnoopOS said:
Just to add onto lvgdgts' post: files ending with ".zip" are flashed in recovery, files ending with ".tar" or ".tar.md5" are flashed via Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
I decided to go with BoneStock 3.1. Whole process took less than half an hour. Used TWRP manager to wipe+install the ROM. Restore from Titanium restored 95% of my stuff, only needed to manually restore my text messages.
Thanks for the help!
Related
Alright so I recently rooted my phone. And it is cool and all, but now I want to test some ROMs, and MIUI. So I have a couple of questions that I could find no where else. Also I'm using Froyo 2.2.1 if I update to the latest version can I root it again, or when I update will it still keep the root?
Question 1- What should I use to backup my phone, and, this is important, is there a way to do it without backing it up ON my phone. I only have a 2gb sd card and backing it up is nearly impossible seeing how I have way more than 2gb of stuff that would needed to be backed up.
Question 2- How do I put MIUI on my phone and is it worth it?
Question 3- ROM manager is apparently not compatible with my phone, so what do I use in place or is there a way to make it compatible.
Sorry for it being a long post, I just really need help.
GuidoZebra said:
Alright so I recently rooted my phone. And it is cool and all, but now I want to test some ROMs, and Cyanogenmod. So I have a couple of questions that I could find no where else. Also I'm using Froyo 2.2.1 if I update to the latest version can I root it again, or when I update will it still keep the root?
Question 1- What should I use to backup my phone, and, this is important, is there a way to do it without backing it up ON my phone. I only have a 2gb sd card and backing it up is nearly impossible seeing how I have way more than 2gb of stuff that would needed to be backed up.
Question 2- How do I use Cyanogenmod and is it worth it?
Question 3- ROM manager is apparently not compatible with my phone, so what do I use in place or is there a way to make it compatible.
Sorry for it being a long post, I just really need help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use cwm from rom manager. THe i9000 version works perfect but you should really familiarize yourself with heimdall. Once 2.3.5 drop it will be the only way to root. There is obviously also Odin but heimdall is more reliable.
All you need to do to root is to flash any custom kernel thats compatible with the rom as all the kernels in the infuse section have a root script to root on first boot.
These kernels also have a Voodoo lagfix specific version of cwm baked in
Also you can add root to the rom dump/odin images with magic iso. Su goes in xbin. And superuser.apk goes in /system/app all in the factoryfs.rfs image.
Thanks, this helps. But I also need a little help on the whole back up situation, is there a way to back up externally or will I have to back up on my phone. Like I said I only have a 2GB SD card so backing up is impossible with 5+gbs of stuff that would be backed up.
From my experience, unless you wipe the SD card everything that is stored on it will be kept (other than Apps and texts), but your pictures, music, etc. will be saved. Sync your contacts to google so you don't have to worry about saving those.
I used Cyanogenmod on the HTC Aria and it was great, but I haven't tried it on the infuse - it's updated regularly but you have to decide if it's the set up you want.
I actually am using MIUI now and I love it. Very customizable and different than the typical ASOP ROMs. I flash new ROMS constantly, but I am actually sticking with MIUI right now.
Alright, so MIUI it is then. So can someone help me with this back up problem of mine, I just need to know how to back up, externally if possible, and how to flash roms, because in ROM manager when I go to flash clockworkmod recovery the INfuse is not on the list.
GuidoZebra said:
Alright, so MIUI it is then. So can someone help me with this back up problem of mine, I just need to know how to back up, externally if possible, and how to flash roms, because in ROM manager when I go to flash clockworkmod recovery the INfuse is not on the list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy a larger SD card? Or backup with Titanium Backup. This requires that you wipe everything at the beginning of the rom installation process, though. I backed up Titanium, installed Infused 2.2.3, and all my apps were gone when the phone booted back up. Went to the Market, installed Titanium Backup again, and voila: all of my apps and data were backed up. Took about 5 minutes to restore it all, and my phone is running like a dream.
In rom manager you want to pick "Samsung I9000."
GuidoZebra said:
Alright, so MIUI it is then. So can someone help me with this back up problem of mine, I just need to know how to back up, externally if possible, and how to flash roms, because in ROM manager when I go to flash clockworkmod recovery the INfuse is not on the list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to back up everything, use Titanium Backup. If all you want to do is backup pictures/videos, they are located inside the /DCIM folder. Just take the pictures/videos and place them on your desktop or whatever. Then, put them back in /DCIM.
As to how to flash ROMs, use CWM. Every ROM has their flashing instructions on their thread. I don't like using ROM Manager unless its just to install/remove add-ons on Infusedv2.x.x.
To flash MIUI, you don't need ROM Manager. It's all done through CWM.
GuidoZebra said:
Alright, so MIUI it is then. So can someone help me with this back up problem of mine, I just need to know how to back up, externally if possible, and how to flash roms, because in ROM manager when I go to flash clockworkmod recovery the INfuse is not on the list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want cwm use heimdall to flash a custom kernel. On 2.2.1 stock this would be the comunity kernel or defuse kernel. If the kernel is zipped up or in a .tar then extract (7zip is good for this) it and only look for "zimage" that is the actual kernel, anything else in there is not relevant to heimdall Also if you never used heimdall before I recommended v1.1 because it is more self explained. You can also use odin but need the kernel in a .tar archive. You can tar the zimage in 7zip but may have permissions problems doing this in windows. There may be other. Tar specific apps that let you set Linux permissions but I haven't used any.
If you want the old fashioned way then use the i9000 version in rom manager. But first you need to push modded 3e recovery. Do some searching on 3e and signature verification failure. I can't write a full tutorial on every questions thread. God knows the tutorials exist all over this and every galaxy s forum.
lukas_s said:
Buy a larger SD card? Or backup with Titanium Backup. This requires that you wipe everything at the beginning of the rom installation process, though. I backed up Titanium, installed Infused 2.2.3, and all my apps were gone when the phone booted back up. Went to the Market, installed Titanium Backup again, and voila: all of my apps and data were backed up. Took about 5 minutes to restore it all, and my phone is running like a dream.
In rom manager you want to pick "Samsung I9000."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright so once I back up with TI BU, how do I get it back once I have a new ROM? And also, Where do I get CWM?
I found out how to CWM, but I don't need to back up my phone before I install it do I?
backstory
I've been running Infinity for a while, and managed to avoid its biggest issue: hit recovery from the power menu and you do a partial wipe. its not enough to be a factory reset and just enough to cripple every app on the device. Sadly i pocket-pressed it today, and i decided instead of fixing the damage to just flash a new ROM.
What i did:
-odin flashed back to stock (used pre-existing file i had on my computer, pretty sure its this )
-after boot sign in adn phone setup crashed. could not get it to work. superuser was installed but not functioning.
-followed instructions and used files from here to load CWM, SU, and rooted kernel
-continued having same issues.
-CWM cleared cache, data, dalvik and factory wiped.
-CWM flashed this ROM
-same issues still remain
overall problem:
I can't sign in to google. registration force closes. after a few minutes after initial boot 4g works. about half the apps work. phone works, browser is 50/50, most everything else instantly crashes and prompts me to force close. However, in its current state it still functions as a phone, so i'm not doing anything crazy without knowing what i'm doing. yet.
possible solutions i haven't tried:
-full device format. Why? because the ROM doesn't come with a kernel, and i'm very hesitant to REMOVE the kernel.
-nandroid backups. why? i've kinda naver made one for the charge....... titanum app data has always been enough for me *feels noobish* and i wasn't going to backup my FUBAR'd infinity ROM either >_>
ANY AND ALL help is GREATLY appreciated.
I'm still fairly inexperienced with ODIN, but i can figure just about anything out, provided i have a means to backtrack or some sort of guidelines to follow. Online guides , trial and error, reading tech blogs, and XDA tutorials have taught me most everything i know about android. i'm a fast leaner. I can probably figure it out by myself in a few weeks time (not exaggerating too much) but i want my phone back as soon as possible, and i can't have it not functioning as a phone for too long at once. So please, drop a post wit a fix, a thought, an additional question, anything.
thanks in advance to the best android site ever!
If you updated CWM, you wouldn't have had a problem with the phone wiping your data.
I suggest you should do a full clean back to factory image, then test everything make sure they are working, then proceed to Odin mod ROM and kernel (I will take help you on this). BTW, the rom you flashed, did not come with E4D 4G modem.
http://www.imnuts.org/odin-packages/
I have also been running InfinityRom for some time, great rom but it took me a little bit to get it working the way I wanted. I'm going to recommend that you go full back to stock EP4D, with the PIT file provided by IMNUTS', and go from there. The PIT file will repartition your phone from ext4, which InfinityRom runs with, back to the stock RFS. I'm also going to recommend that you use the stock unrooted EP4D file as opposed to the rooted file you were using previously. Plus it might be a good idea to save any vital files from your SD card to your computer, and then reformat it through your phone. This will remove any lingering files associated with the troublesome applications. Also as IMNUTS just posted be sure to use his latest CWM release and InfinityRom if thats what you want to stick with, hes very good about updating his shiz to fix user reported issues
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyway, this is what I did and it 100% cured any issues I was having at first.
Steps:
1. Use Odin 1.82+ to flash the stock EP4d along with the charge.pit file
*Charge.pit >>> PIT slot of Odin
**CI510_VZW_EP4_ALL_ONE-LTE....tar.md5 >>> PDA slot of Odin
***Re-partition should auto-check itself but if it does not, check it, and uncheck auto-reboot
2. After thats finished and you boot into stock, copy individual folders/files from your SD card to your computer, and reformat your SD card through your phone (Will remove lingering app settings cached to your card - this may not be necessary just a suggestion)
3. Put the Rom that you want (and seperate Kernel if you want that too) back onto your card.
4. Flash IMNUTS' latest CWM recovery [3-2-12] through Odin (PDA slot in Odin) and boot directly into recovery using the POWER+HOME+VOL. UP trick.
5. NOW wipe data/factory reset, wipe cache, and wipe dalvik cache.. then navigate to install Zip from SD card and install the Rom you wanted
Hopefully that should get you up and running nicely . Good Luck!
Here are links to the wonderful developer provided files. (Use the latest releases!!)
Stock unrooted EP4 and PIT file (make sure to use the ones under Charge): http://www.imnuts.org/odin-packages/
IMNUTS' latest CWM recovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1112804
Latest InfinityRom release: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1377977
Thanks for the quick answers guys
Mike, EPIC guide I'll try it in a couple minutes and let you know how it goes.
EDIT: Successfully got back to pure stock EP4d thanks guys. now to root it.
EDIT2: Latest Eclipse installed successfully thank you guys, you're lifesavers. Especially you, kamikazemike6
Yes
I was having the same issue, thank you.
Hey - I've seen a ton of different posts with respect to OTA updates, and I'm a little confused...
I'm a droid n00b (don't kill me please, i'm still on iphone until my contract is up). It was a LONG time ago since I rooted my GF's charge. She's been getting the annoying update notice from vzw.
I know how to disable the update notice...good there
1) My question(s) is (since she does what to do the update) is it easier to bring the phone back to stock, update and root again.
OR
2) is there a DEV root update to do?
If she uses Titanium back up and backs up her stuff (i'm not sure what that does and does NOT back up) she can restore it again via titanium back up online or does that create a file on the phone that needs to be backed up? Sorry, I just never used that app before.
I rooted her phone using ODIN and the rom Charge-Eclipse-v2.0
iamtwenty1 said:
Hey - I've seen a ton of different posts with respect to OTA updates, and I'm a little confused...
I'm a droid n00b (don't kill me please, i'm still on iphone until my contract is up). It was a LONG time ago since I rooted my GF's charge. She's been getting the annoying update notice from vzw.
I know how to disable the update notice...good there
1) My question(s) is (since she does what to do the update) is it easier to bring the phone back to stock, update and root again.
OR
2) is there a DEV root update to do?
If she uses Titanium back up and backs up her stuff (i'm not sure what that does and does NOT back up) she can restore it again via titanium back up online or does that create a file on the phone that needs to be backed up? Sorry, I just never used that app before.
I rooted her phone using ODIN and the rom Charge-Eclipse-v2.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if she wants the update (just a kernel update from FP5 to FP8), she can flash that file (I think it is floating around somewhere). Or, she can update eclipse (it has been updated to this latest kernel).
jco23 said:
if she wants the update (just a kernel update from FP5 to FP8), she can flash that file (I think it is floating around somewhere). Or, she can update eclipse (it has been updated to this latest kernel).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply!
Does she have to do anything special before updating to the latest eclipse or will updating keep her current settings? Also, to do so, just download the latest and use ODIN?
iamtwenty1 said:
Thanks for the quick reply!
Does she have to do anything special before updating to the latest eclipse or will updating keep her current settings? Also, to do so, just download the latest and use ODIN?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it might be a good idea to do a full backup via TiBu, but I don't think it is necessary. when installing Eclipse FP8, you can do it via CWM (do have that installed, if not, then get it). then, when in CWM, mount system, wipe cache, dalvik, then flash.
jco23 said:
it might be a good idea to do a full backup via TiBu, but I don't think it is necessary. when installing Eclipse FP8, you can do it via CWM (do have that installed, if not, then get it). then, when in CWM, mount system, wipe cache, dalvik, then flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't remember doing CMW on her phone. It's been a while, but I just remember adding a file to ODIN and that was it. I'm taking it CMW is not part of eclipse in anyway?
Sorry, but how can I add CMW to her phone now?
TiBU = Titanium Backup?
iamtwenty1 said:
I don't remember doing CMW on her phone. It's been a while, but I just remember adding a file to ODIN and that was it. I'm taking it CMW is not part of eclipse in anyway?
Sorry, but how can I add CMW to her phone now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1112804
read this too:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=39529182&postcount=2
CWM (Clockwork Mod) is a custom recovery option that stays on your phone no mater how many times you perform a factory reset (it basically prevents your device from being bricked). from this, you can flash any custom ROM/Mod available
hey guys
Currently have a rooted SCH-I535 on MD3. I used CWM to root along with Odin. Can you guys guide me on updating to latest verizon update?
gandio420 said:
hey guys
Currently have a rooted SCH-I535 on MD3. I used CWM to root along with Odin. Can you guys guide me on updating to latest verizon update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did mine yesterday...It's easy, you already did the hard part. Look in the development section for http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42792139 and download the Odex or De-Odex ROM. Verify the MD5 to make sure you got a good download and move it to the root of your SD card. Power off and reboot into recovery then perform a nandroid backup. Next "wipe/factory reset" the phone and finally "install zip from SD card" the Stock Rooted I535VRBMF1.zip file. The last thing you might want to do is flash the modem/firmware VRBMF1 also from recovery.
Before you start to panic the flashing of the ROM went surprisingly fast but on 1st boot the Verizon deal with the flashing circles was going for what seemed like five minutes for me until the OS finally came up. Everything is working great. You don't loose any personal data just downloaded apps and app data. You could back that stuff up but I wanted to start fresh and clean so I reinstalled most of my apps from the market. There is even a pretty good video someone added towards the end of the thread if you are a visual person
wrigbone said:
I just did mine yesterday...It's easy, you already did the hard part. Look in the development section for http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42792139 and download the Odex or De-Odex ROM. Verify the MD5 to make sure you got a good download and move it to the root of your SD card. Power off and reboot into recovery then perform a nandroid backup. Next "wipe/factory reset" the phone and finally "install zip from SD card" the Stock Rooted I535VRBMF1.zip file. The last thing you might want to do is flash the modem/firmware VRBMF1 also from recovery.
Before you start to panic the flashing of the ROM went surprisingly fast but on 1st boot the Verizon deal with the flashing circles was going for what seemed like five minutes for me until the OS finally came up. Everything is working great. You don't loose any personal data just downloaded apps and app data. You could back that stuff up but I wanted to start fresh and clean so I reinstalled most of my apps from the market. There is even a pretty good video someone added towards the end of the thread if you are a visual person
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks it worked!
My trusty S6 running rooted Android 5.0.2 has decided to act up, more specifically, it crashes and reboots ever more frequently. I can run stress tests and other test apps fine, but when I actually load apps and start using them it crashes after anything from 20 secs to a couple of minutes. This has happened before, but then wiping, etc fixed it. My suspicion is that the nand flash has gone bad. So I'm wondering what the most comprehensive flash erase and reprogramming is that I can do? I've used FlashFire to reflash the CleanROM Lite 1.1 that I use and I've wiped data and cache. That made the device stay up for a couple of minutes instead of just seconds...
Some questions:
- is there any trick to rewrite more of the flash or identify bad blocks permanently?
- if I use Odin, does that provide additional options? An issue is that I haven't been able to find Odin files for OE2...
It's clear to me that I need a new phone, but given the timing of announcements and availability it would be really great if I could eek out a few more weeks on this one...
Odin would be the smart way to go. It has everything needed to wipe the phone, install new ROMs and root
Snowby123 said:
Odin would be the smart way to go. It has everything needed to wipe the phone, install new ROMs and root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quick update: I did find OE2 for Odin somewhere and flashed that using Odin. It restored my S6 to life! So I assume that some flash sectors in the parts that don't get reflashed by FlashFire were corrupted and using Odin did the trick. Thanks for the nudge!