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I've been doing research on this for a while, and I decided to sign up and ask about this question. Majority of the topics here dealing with bricking either have solved it because of access to fastboot, or some users have given up and either retired their devices or sent them in to ASUS.
Long story short, I installed Clockwork Recovery Mod and Cyanogen mod with no issues. After a couple of weeks, I decided I wanted to go back to stock. I did some research and found a topic which said I needed TWRP in order to flash back the stock ROM. I installed TWRP, but some things seemed to have gone awry with that install and I no longer have access to the fastboot menu and the tablet keeps booting straight into recovery.
I can load new roms by pushing them with adb, but when I try to reload the stock mod it just reboots and nothing gets installed. I tried to sideload a rom, but my version of TWRP doesn't have that feature (I have 2.2). So far, I think I can get it back on track if I could somehow install a new recovery, or start my device from scratch somehow.
Also whenever I transfer to device memory, if I reboot the tablet, everything gets erased and the log is littered with errors about not being able to find and mount /data. From what I've read, it should be solved with a simple format of the file system. However, all of my attempts to use the recovery's built in wiping/formatting tools have ended with no success. If I put in a microSD, that gets wiped as well so in order to load a ROM, I have to push it using adb.
I thought I had fully bricked it, but it seems that since it's accessible through adb, it's still somewhat fixable. I know about backing up everything with nvflash, now, I guess I just didn't do enough research before getting into this. Any ideas, feedback, is appreciated, so far I'm learning a lot about android devices from this experience.
lino4 said:
I can load new roms by pushing them with adb, but when I try to reload the stock mod it just reboots and nothing gets installed. I tried to sideload a rom, but my version of TWRP doesn't have that feature (I have 2.2).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you dig out this ancient TWRP version? It is not compatible with the current bootloaders and cannot access the internal storage at all - that's why all your installation attempts are failing.
Read this thread, it deals with a similar problem: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291974
_that said:
Where did you dig out this ancient TWRP version? It is not compatible with the current bootloaders and cannot access the internal storage at all - that's why all your installation attempts are failing.
Read this thread, it deals with a similar problem: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291974
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I found that thread not too long ago, I pushed the bootloader and was able to load the stock rom and get everything going.
I installed Cyanogen Mod (cm-11-20140504-SNAPSHOT-M6-falcon.zip) on my 1st generation Moto G using TWRP. When I boot into CM, I keep getting the message that "Unfortunately, the process com.android.systemui has stopped". Every time I banish that popup, I get a split second of usage before it pops up again. After some troubleshooting and web searching, I found that I have to revert to CM 10. The details are documented at androidforums.com/threads/windows-mtb-usb-device-driver-error-when-moto-g-running-twrp.901001 and forum.xda-developers.com/chef-central/android/windows-mtb-usb-device-driver-error-t3022946
I haven't searched for CM 10 yet, but I'm scouting out the process to push it to the device. I can't find a way to get ADB to see the device, even after enable USB debugging (www.addictivetips.com/mobile/what-is-adb-and-how-to-install-it-android and android.stackexchange.com/questions/67249/how-to-enter-usb-debugging-mode-in-cyanogenmod). Given that I only have a split second after banishing each error message, that took forever, but I confirmed that USB debugging is enabled after rebooting.
The only alternative I know to ADB is fastboot. According to forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=702069, it is theoretically possible for fastboot to flash a ROM, but the zip file should contain a data.img and system.img. I checked the CM 11 zip file to see what I can expect from CM 10, and found no such img files.
Given that ADB and fastboot processes don't work for me (at least the the degree that I've explored them), what other options are there for flashing CM 10?
P.S. Does anyone know how to get exit (say) Settings or the browser and get back to the cyanogenmod start page? There is no home button, and web searching refers an icon with 3 bars on the top, which I don't have. I basically have to reboot.
my1stSmartPhone said:
I installed Cyanogen Mod (cm-11-20140504-SNAPSHOT-M6-falcon.zip) on my 1st generation Moto G using TWRP. When I boot into CM, I keep getting the message that "Unfortunately, the process com.android.systemui has stopped". Every time I banish that popup, I get a split second of usage before it pops up again. After some troubleshooting and web searching, I found that I have to revert to CM 10. The details are documented at androidforums.com/threads/windows-mtb-usb-device-driver-error-when-moto-g-running-twrp.901001 and forum.xda-developers.com/chef-central/android/windows-mtb-usb-device-driver-error-t3022946
I haven't searched for CM 10 yet, but I'm scouting out the process to push it to the device. I can't find a way to get ADB to see the device, even after enable USB debugging (www.addictivetips.com/mobile/what-is-adb-and-how-to-install-it-android and android.stackexchange.com/questions/67249/how-to-enter-usb-debugging-mode-in-cyanogenmod). Given that I only have a split second after banishing each error message, that took forever, but I confirmed that USB debugging is enabled after rebooting.
The only alternative I know to ADB is fastboot. According to forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=702069, it is theoretically possible for fastboot to flash a ROM, but the zip file should contain a data.img and system.img. I checked the CM 11 zip file to see what I can expect from CM 10, and found no such img files.
Given that ADB and fastboot processes don't work for me (at least the the degree that I've explored them), what other options are there for flashing CM 10?
P.S. Does anyone know how to get exit (say) Settings or the browser and get back to the cyanogenmod start page? There is no home button, and web searching refers an icon with 3 bars on the top, which I don't have. I basically have to reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the wrong forum to post this in. Also, Snapshot M6 is almost a year old. Flash the latest nightly. That will work better. There's no CM10 for this device since it shipped with Android 4.3, so you'd be wasting your time looking for it. Even though systemui is crashing, mtp will still work, so you can transfer files to your phone normally. Also, this should teach you, that it is dangerous to experiment with your phone without a legitimate way out of issues or a backup.
As you able to flash a custom rom via custom recovery?
Press and hold power and volume down button together till 10 secs after your phone is turned off. You will go to bootloader menu. Connect it via USB to access fastboot.
@audit13: Re. whether I can flash via custom recovery, the short answer is no. I haven't been able to get CWM working, but with TWRP, I could flash CM 11 if I first push the zip file to /sdcard with the device booted up normally. TWRP has a problem with MTP drivers (seems endemic, from what I've been able to find online), and ADB on my laptop can't see the device when it is running TWRP. I've documented this in the 1st 2 links of paragraph 1 in my original post. Unfortunately, with CM 11 installed, the laptop can't see the device at all, so no push is possible. That is the reason why I was trying to find info on flashing via fastboot in my original post. Please note that I also haven't been able to get TWRP to sideload, probably due to the invisibility of the device to the laptop.
@i_rnb: I can get into bootloader OK, but my concern is how to use fastboot to flash an OS rather than a recover. According to forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=702069, it is theoretically possible for fastboot to flash a ROM, but the zip file should contain a data.img and system.img. I checked the CM 11 zip file to see what I can expect from CM 10, and found no such img files.
Did you try the latest Philz from here: https://goo.im/devs/philz_touch/CWM_Advanced_Edition/falcon/
That's what I used on my xt1032 and it's fine for install ROMs via OTG and internal SD card.
Flashing via fastboot should work as long as you are able to boot into fastboot mode and the proper drivers are installed.
Stock ROMs with have the system.img or data.img files you need where as custom ROMs do not.
my1stSmartPhone said:
@audit13: Re. whether I can flash via custom recovery, the short answer is no. I haven't been able to get CWM working, but with TWRP, I could flash CM 11 if I first push the zip file to /sdcard with the device booted up normally. TWRP has a problem with MTP drivers (seems endemic, from what I've been able to find online), and ADB on my laptop can't see the device when it is running TWRP. I've documented this in the 1st 2 links of paragraph 1 in my original post. Unfortunately, with CM 11 installed, the laptop can't see the device at all, so no push is possible. That is the reason why I was trying to find info on flashing via fastboot in my original post. Please note that I also haven't been able to get TWRP to sideload, probably due to the invisibility of the device to the laptop.
@i_rnb: I can get into bootloader OK, but my concern is how to use fastboot to flash an OS rather than a recover. According to forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=702069, it is theoretically possible for fastboot to flash a ROM, but the zip file should contain a data.img and system.img. I checked the CM 11 zip file to see what I can expect from CM 10, and found no such img files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry, but you're misunderstanding/reading the wrong things. You WILL NEVER find CM10 for the Moto G because CM 10 simply never existed for this device. You need to look for issues which are device specific and not just general issues all over the internet. Also, you WILL NEVER find a system.img and data.img in a CM11 zip. Those are only found in the stock ROM meant specifically for flashing via fastboot. All that information can be found by looking around the Moto G XDA forums itself. You'll find a lot of helpful stuff in the General section. You can also push a zip to /sdcard. You need to boot into bootloader and then push via ADB. MTP works on the latest TWRP recovery. So you can transfer it to your phone that way too.
audit13 said:
Did you try the latest Philz from here: https://goo.im/devs/philz_touch/CWM_Advanced_Edition/falcon/
That's what I used on my xt1032 and it's fine for install ROMs via OTG and internal SD card.
Flashing via fastboot should work as long as you are able to boot into fastboot mode and the proper drivers are installed.
Stock ROMs with have the system.img or data.img files you need where as custom ROMs do not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need to become familiar with Philz. Being a newcomer to smartphones, it's not familiar to me. One of the fundamental requirements that I established at the outset of my search for a smartphone was to have the provider of the OS & phone be trustworthy or, failing that, go to open source so that it has the eyes of the world on it. It is also why I seek to be familiar with the source of ROMs, tools, etc. So far, I tried to download to from main sites for CWM, TWRP, and CM 11.
I know, it sounds odd these days, but I'm spoiled from before the internet days, when you can store any personal info you want on electronic organizers that had no connection, wired or wireless, to computers or the internet (which didn't exist). These days, it seems that you have to be very careful if you wish store any personal info on these personal devices. Either that, or carry a paper organizer around for the personal stuff (and I don't want to do that).
Thanks for confirming flashability via fastboot even without system.img and data.img. As it turns out, however, it isn't as promising a way ahead for me because I found out that the reversion back to CM 10 was a mistake (www.reddit.com/r/cyanogenmod/comments/2gvmqu/cm11moto_g_comandroidsystemui_is_crashing_after). The OP meant M10 snapshot, not CM 10. Which is odd, since the Moto G has no M10 snapshot (download.cyanogenmod.org/?type=snapshot&device=falcon). There's no M10 in the names of the nightly snapshots either (though that's less of a concern for me as I don't want to wander into nightly territory until I get the confidence of having my first attempt working).
I'll mull over Philz after some web search. I also distinctly recall backing up the stock Carrier ROM, so perhaps another way out is to find it and go through the details of restoring it.
my1stSmartPhone said:
@i_rnb: I can get into bootloader OK, but my concern is how to use fastboot to flash an OS rather than a recover. According to forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=702069, it is theoretically possible for fastboot to flash a ROM, but the zip file should contain a data.img and system.img. I checked the CM 11 zip file to see what I can expect from CM 10, and found no such img files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Boot into Fastboot.
2. Flash TWRP recovery via Fastboot.
3.. Select Recovery from the menu and boot to TWRP recovery.
4. Put the ROM zip in a USB OTG drive.
5. Connect it to your device and mount it from recovery menu.
6. Install the zip via TWRP recovery from USB OTG.
DONE !
This is very odd.
I could not restore from my pre-CyanogenMod backups because when I browse to the date+time-stamped folders, it was empty. However, I had previously copied to contents of at least one date+time-stamped folder to my laptop.
I used fastboot to uprade TWRP from 2.8.3 to 2.8.4 in hopes of getting past the MTP driver problem, which would enable me to copy the files back to the device. Halleluya, it did allow the device to be seen in Windows Explorer. But I didn't need to use the copy on the laptop because moving to 2.8.4 also allowed the backups to be seen on the device.
I gleefully restored the backup. It said "failed", but I rebooted anyway. Unfortunately, the failed restoration was real, and I was still with CyanogenMod. I interrupted the boot process to get back to bootloader.
I reverted back to TWRP 2.8.3, hoping that it would still see the backup. I was hoping that 2.8.3 would properly restore the backup because it was created using 2.8.3. It did indeed see the backup, but the restoration still resulted in "failed", and a reboot still led to the CyanogenMod bootup.
Oddly, CyanogenMod booted properly this time without the repeated systemui popups. It's great! Though I wonder if I somehow affected CyanogenMod with the failed attempts at restoring the stock carrier's ROM. Not that I care right now. CyanogenMod awaits exploration.
But there are a couple of things that I hope someone can comment on. What might cause CyanogenMod to boot properly after upgrading TWRP and reverting back, failing to restore the stock carrier ROM with both versions? Could CyanogenMod now be corrupt? And why won't my backups restore? How can I ensure that I create good backups?
P.S. Thanks to i_rnb for the tip about USB OTG. I did not go that route because I only have the cable that came with the device.
P.P.S. I'm a bit (or rather, quite) unsettled by the randomness with which things work...
I downloaded the CyanogenMod nightly for Moto G, cm-12-20150213-NIGHTLY-falcon.zip. I got it working. Pretty robust so far, so I want to enjoy it a bit before clobbering it by attempting to restore the Carrier stock ROM. I admit that I will have to do that at some point because I need to ensure that my backups are good.
I would like to take this opportunity to recount how I got around the problems I faced. I think that others may run into this, and my story may help them get back to a working phone when it looks like it is bricked.
The problem was that CM 11 was crippled by the repeated systemui popup messages. I thought it went away, but it came back. I still don't know what triggers it. And my backups of the carrier OS either failed to restore (twrp 2.8.3) or were not visible (twrp 2.8.4). I had spent so many days trying to think of a way ahead that simply didn't care about bricking the phone anymore. After all, it wasn't doing a whole lot of good as-is. So in one of my attempts of trying something, I erased the OS in the process of re-installing CM 11. And the re-install failed. Not a good situation, since ADB worked only when an OS was running (not when a recovery was running), and the MTP driver errors prevented the device from being accessed from windows when recovery was running. It didn't matter whether I was running twrp 2.8.3, 2.8.4, or CWM. So sideload didn't work in any of those recoveries.
There was basically no way to push *any* new OS to the phone. I forgot the details, but the CM 11 imag file that was on the phone might not have been visible to the one or more of the recoveries I tried. I was so out of options that I even tried fastboot to flash to OS, and that did not succeed.
Here is what I found worked. I don't know what particular detail was responsible for the success, so it requires experimentation.
First, I un-installed re-installed the SDK tool set for installing custom ROMs, making sure that I included Google USB drivers. The subsequent update required many more things to be installed, so that might have been part of the solution. I then looked for Motorola driver apps in Windows's Programs menu, uninstalled both, and re-installed. I don't know what contribution it had to the success, as I never got the Device Manager running. Whenever I launched it, it searched for updates, came back and reported no updates and that my device was uknown, then quit. Maybe because no OS on the device was running.
The one thing that seemed to help was that, even though the device was otherwise incommunicato from the laptop, I was able to fastboot flash recoveries. After the above re-installs, a re-install of twrp 2.8.4 allowed the computer to see the device in Windows Explorer. I believe it had something to do with better-functioning MTP USB drivers in the re-install, but I can't be sure. So I was able to copy the nightly CM 12 to the device, then use one of the recoveries to install it.
But the story didn't end there. Even after the CM install, I was still getting repeated popups. This time, however, it was something other than systemui, but otherwise, the symptoms were the same. At that point, I had pretty well concluded that my experiment with Moto G was at its end, and that I would look at Blackberry (now that they committed to stay in the handset market). But I did half-heartedly experiment a bit more. Good thing, too, because the 2nd attempt at re-installing CM 12 seems to have worked. No repeated popups so far. What I made sure that I did was to wipe out anything for which there was a check box, e.g., any cache, data partition, OS, etc. Since it was a virgin phone, I could do this with impunity, so I'm not sure how well this "solution" would fit someone else's situation. Also, I did try to wipe things in past attempts, just not with so much thoroughness.
So there you have it. I hope this helps someone.
I am new to android. I got sick of apps not being able to write to my SD card so I eventually got the guts to attempt rooting (which worked) and then I even convinced myself to try and install TWRP because I heard I can type commands in there to get my device still rooted after encrypting since superSU does not work after encryption (not tried it yet).
I updated to a new version of TWRP 2.8 I think? Any way, what kind of safety net do I have now? I am in the process of doing a fresh backup (everything ticked) with this new version of TWRP and I will trash the old one once this is done. I had zero intentions of flashing custom OS' on my Galaxy S4 mini (I9195 LTE) for fear of bricking my first ever brand new android phone.
Once this backup is created (and duplicated on every damn hard drive I have for backup purposes...) what kind of protection is this? Could I experiment with Cyanogen Mod and have no fear of it failing to load, have problems with it once installed, something go wrong and phone won't boot up? Would I be able to load my backup into TWRP and magically the phone would be in the state it is in today, rooted and everything?
If there are any things I should know I would appreciate being made aware of them before I dare proceed with any (what I assume would be potentially dangerous things) flashing custom roms etc because I want to always ensure I can get my phone to exactly the state it is now, with all my google apps still installed and everything. With everything ticked on my backup, is there anything that wouldn't be able to be restored, as in apps/data or anything?
Sorry for sounding like a noob, but as far as android and flashing is concerned, I am a noob.
tldr; Essentially I just want to be informed, as well as I can be, as to what I can now do (that I have TWRP installed and made a backup) and what I still shouldn't do, what isn't covered in a backup with all boxes ticked etc.
Morthawt said:
I am new to android. I got sick of apps not being able to write to my SD card so I eventually got the guts to attempt rooting (which worked) and then I even convinced myself to try and install TWRP because I heard I can type commands in there to get my device still rooted after encrypting since superSU does not work after encryption (not tried it yet).
I updated to a new version of TWRP 2.8 I think? Any way, what kind of safety net do I have now? I am in the process of doing a fresh backup (everything ticked) with this new version of TWRP and I will trash the old one once this is done. I had zero intentions of flashing custom OS' on my Galaxy S4 mini (I9195 LTE) for fear of bricking my first ever brand new android phone.
Once this backup is created (and duplicated on every damn hard drive I have for backup purposes...) what kind of protection is this? Could I experiment with Cyanogen Mod and have no fear of it failing to load, have problems with it once installed, something go wrong and phone won't boot up? Would I be able to load my backup into TWRP and magically the phone would be in the state it is in today, rooted and everything?
If there are any things I should know I would appreciate being made aware of them before I dare proceed with any (what I assume would be potentially dangerous things) flashing custom roms etc because I want to always ensure I can get my phone to exactly the state it is now, with all my google apps still installed and everything. With everything ticked on my backup, is there anything that wouldn't be able to be restored, as in apps/data or anything?
Sorry for sounding like a noob, but as far as android and flashing is concerned, I am a noob.
tldr; Essentially I just want to be informed, as well as I can be, as to what I can now do (that I have TWRP installed and made a backup) and what I still shouldn't do, what isn't covered in a backup with all boxes ticked etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The backup covers /system (Android OS with settings) /data (all user apps with settings) /EFS (Latest TWRP should backup this, too - MOST IMPORTANT as it stores your IMEI and baseband code) /boot (kernel) + caches (not that important)
In any case your phone has a "DOWNLOAD" mode integrated in the bootloader that will allow you to restore all partitions except "EFS" by flashing the stock firmware via ODIN. So as long as you have a EFS backup and nandroid backup and you don't screw up the phones bootloader (You could do this by flashing a firmware for another (incompatible) Samsung model via ODIN) you're on the safe side. You stock rom backup or a custom rom backup can easily be restored via TWRP. Even if TWRP brakes, you can flash it again via ODIN as long as your bootloader is fine.
LS.xD said:
The backup covers /system (Android OS with settings) /data (all user apps with settings) /EFS (Latest TWRP should backup this, too - MOST IMPORTANT as it stores your IMEI and baseband code) /boot (kernel) + caches (not that important)
In any case your phone has a "DOWNLOAD" mode integrated in the bootloader that will allow you to restore all partitions except "EFS" by flashing the stock firmware via ODIN. So as long as you have a EFS backup and nandroid backup and you don't screw up the phones bootloader (You could do this by flashing a firmware for another (incompatible) Samsung model via ODIN) you're on the safe side. You stock rom backup or a custom rom backup can easily be restored via TWRP. Even if TWRP brakes, you can flash it again via ODIN as long as your bootloader is fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so Odin is the only thing that could screw my phone up, given that I have a backup? What about if I attempt to install an incompatible rom via TWRP? Is that just as dangerous? Also if I were to some how screw up the bootloader, how would I fix that? In what circumstance might the bootloader get screwed up? From putting a custom mod on? Or is the bootloader getting screwed something specifically I would have to foolishly mess with?
If I download a cyanogen mod zip file and do the install through TWRP, would that essentially wipe everything and start completely fresh with the new OS as a virgin clean OS? Then I am correct, I hope, that if I want to get back my phone how it is now, with the stock firmware, rooted I would just do an install on TWRP and choose the backup and it would just make everything as it is currently? Even if it were screwed up and unable to boot into an OS? If that is the case, I would be a lot more open to trying different mods.
If I do try a custom rom like Cyanogen, is there an official way to get the google apps like playstore and gmail etc on it? I have seen random guides with strange links like "trust us this is a legit download!" Hmm...
Sorry for all the questions guys, I am just trying to become educated on key things before I attempt any other further things.
Morthawt said:
Ok, so Odin is the only thing that could screw my phone up, given that I have a backup? What about if I attempt to install an incompatible rom via TWRP? Is that just as dangerous? Also if I were to some how screw up the bootloader, how would I fix that? In what circumstance might the bootloader get screwed up? From putting a custom mod on? Or is the bootloader getting screwed something specifically I would have to foolishly mess with?
If I download a cyanogen mod zip file and do the install through TWRP, would that essentially wipe everything and start completely fresh with the new OS as a virgin clean OS? Then I am correct, I hope, that if I want to get back my phone how it is now, with the stock firmware, rooted I would just do an install on TWRP and choose the backup and it would just make everything as it is currently? Even if it were screwed up and unable to boot into an OS? If that is the case, I would be a lot more open to trying different mods.
If I do try a custom rom like Cyanogen, is there an official way to get the google apps like playstore and gmail etc on it? I have seen random guides with strange links like "trust us this is a legit download!" Hmm...
Sorry for all the questions guys, I am just trying to become educated on key things before I attempt any other further things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asking is good. Better safe than sorry
Yes, in case flash TWRP via ODIN, restore the backup and you should be fine.
Bootloader repair is about 40$ on ebay.
. Before flashing any new (different) rom,perform a NANDROID BACKUP" + manually internal SD Crad backup and then a FULL WIPE (/system /data /cache /dalvik cache /internal SD (Virgin like)
- If you just install a newer version of the same rom e.g. 03/01/2015 -> 03/14/2015 you only need to wipe /cache /dalvik cache (Not so virgin like)
- You can restore all apps/settings from NANDROID backups with "Titanium Backup" on your new OS
- I never heard of flashing a custom rom via recovery messed up the bootloader on Samsung phones, (In rare cases the EFS but you got the backup)
- Use only THIS GApps and make sure you pick the right version (For Android 4.4.x / 5.0.x / 5.1.x) -> Smallest (Pico bundle) will totally do it, you can install any other needed apps (also google's apps) from the pklaystore. Legit and safe.
Make sure you READ and UNDERSTOOD everything before you start flashing a custom rom.
LS.xD said:
Asking is good. Better safe than sorry
Yes, in case flash TWRP via ODIN, restore the backup and you should be fine.
Bootloader repair is about 40$ on ebay.
. Before flashing any new (different) rom,perform a NANDROID BACKUP" + manually internal SD Crad backup and then a FULL WIPE (/system /data /cache /dalvik cache /internal SD (Virgin like)
- If you just install a newer version of the same rom e.g. 03/01/2015 -> 03/14/2015 you only need to wipe /cache /dalvik cache (Not so virgin like)
- You can restore all apps/settings from NANDROID backups with "Titanium Backup" on your new OS
- I never heard of flashing a custom rom via recovery messed up the bootloader on Samsung phones, (In rare cases the EFS but you got the backup)
- Use only THIS GApps and make sure you pick the right version (For Android 4.4.x / 5.0.x / 5.1.x) -> Smallest (Pico bundle) will totally do it, you can install any other needed apps (also google's apps) from the pklaystore. Legit and safe.
Make sure you READ and UNDERSTOOD everything before you start flashing a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I will read everything before trying anything serious like this. I felt as if I was smashing my phone into the ground when I rooted it lol, so dangerous :S, even though I was following a guide. But now that I have all the tickboxes ticked and backed up and I have also copied that backup to 2 different hard drives... I should be safe with that.
So for my additional questions.
Is it possible but unlikely/impossible etc that a custom OS rom install through TWRP would break TWRP to the point of being non-functional to perform restores? (if so I know I could follow the guide again to install TWRP again)
Just to clarify, I should wipe everything except EFS right? When I do a completely new OS rom, perform the install and it should work or it will break. Regardless if it is broken and non functional OR it worked and I don't like it for some reason, I do the same thing again, boot to TWRP, format everything except EFS and install my backup and then the next time my phone is ready for use it will be as if nothing was ever done to it. Does that sound about right? If so, I might have an experiment with Cyanogen.
Also, you said you never heard of the bootloader being screwed over by a TWRP-based rom install. Does that also cover incorrect roms for a different model of the handset or completely different phones? I guess what I mean is, is it safe to perform an OS mod install via TWRP (in case you got the wrong one) and more dangerous to do it through odin if it is the wrong one?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 mini GT-I9195 LTE. I see the latest "stable" release is only version 10 of cyanogen mod? Yet there is v11 and v12 versions all without any stable release. Does that mean 11 and 12 won't work on my S4 mini or that it would be a mistake to install it on my phone? Or is there a method I can tell which one would be the best one to get for my phone (newest best)?
Lastly, as for odin, since I have TWRP and a backup of my phone as it is now, is there any reason to use odin for anything other than maybe reinstalling TWRP? If so, what else would require me to use odin that TWRP couldn't do?
Thanks so much for answering my questions, it is really making me feel more confident with the whole process. I don't like going into things blind, I'm a computer techie and like to know what I am doing and why I am doing it. This phone customization business is entirely new to me beyond changing settings and themes lol.
Is it possible but unlikely/impossible etc that a custom OS rom install through TWRP would break TWRP to the point of being non-functional to perform restores? (if so I know I could follow the guide again to install TWRP again)
--> You could flash a wrong zip containing a recovery (Probably you will not do)
Just to clarify, I should wipe everything except EFS right? When I do a completely new OS rom, perform the install and it should work or it will break. Regardless if it is broken and non functional OR it worked and I don't like it for some reason, I do the same thing again, boot to TWRP, format everything except EFS and install my backup and then the next time my phone is ready for use it will be as if nothing was ever done to it. Does that sound about right? If so, I might have an experiment with Cyanogen.
--> Yes
Also, you said you never heard of the bootloader being screwed over by a TWRP-based rom install. Does that also cover incorrect roms for a different model of the handset or completely different phones? I guess what I mean is, is it safe to perform an OS mod install via TWRP (in case you got the wrong one) and more dangerous to do it through odin if it is the wrong one?
--> Every rom has an updater-script that (normally) checks the compatiblity before TWRP installs it
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 mini GT-I9195 LTE. I see the latest "stable" release is only version 10 of cyanogen mod? Yet there is v11 and v12 versions all without any stable release. Does that mean 11 and 12 won't work on my S4 mini or that it would be a mistake to install it on my phone? Or is there a method I can tell which one would be the best one to get for my phone (newest best)?
--> Stable means NO BUGS, Nightlies are updated nearly every day with the latest commits as they are in development status. May or may not contain bugs. Check out the specific rom thread on xda. Stability of the rom / bugs are discussed there by the users every day. So you can check out which version will work.
Lastly, as for odin, since I have TWRP and a backup of my phone as it is now, is there any reason to use odin for anything other than maybe reinstalling TWRP? If so, what else would require me to use odin that TWRP couldn't do?
--> Restore the phone to fully stock firmware. Such official firmware can be found at SamMobile.com
And most important: Press "thanks" at the botom of my posts
(had to remove quotes due to outside links preventing my posting.)
If I were to flash a stock firmware rom with odin, would it destroy TWRP? At which point I could flash it back on again? Or would TWRP still be there?
I think I am going to actually try Cyanogen, once I decide on a build to try. Are there any "minimum requirements" for cyanogen major versions? Like I could see I shouldn't install CM12 on my S4 mini and should instead try ones prior to 12? Or is it pretty much just a features and updates thing and 12 would work just as effectively (in terms of just "working smoothly" discounting any bugs etc) as 10?
Thanks button pressed on them, because truly your information is extremely helpful.
If I were to flash a stock firmware rom with odin, would it destroy TWRP? At which point I could flash it back on again? Or would TWRP still be there?
--> TWRP will be replaced by the stock recovery. You can instantly flash TWRP again.
I think I am going to actually try Cyanogen, once I decide on a build to try. Are there any "minimum requirements" for cyanogen major versions? Like I could see I shouldn't install CM12 on my S4 mini and should instead try ones prior to 12? Or is it pretty much just a features and updates thing and 12 would work just as effectively (in terms of just "working smoothly" discounting any bugs etc) as 10?
--> Your phone got enough permorfance to handle any kind of android version available. Bugs and performance are rom related.
LS.xD said:
If I were to flash a stock firmware rom with odin, would it destroy TWRP? At which point I could flash it back on again? Or would TWRP still be there?
--> TWRP will be replaced by the stock recovery. You can instantly flash TWRP again.
I think I am going to actually try Cyanogen, once I decide on a build to try. Are there any "minimum requirements" for cyanogen major versions? Like I could see I shouldn't install CM12 on my S4 mini and should instead try ones prior to 12? Or is it pretty much just a features and updates thing and 12 would work just as effectively (in terms of just "working smoothly" discounting any bugs etc) as 10?
--> Your phone got enough permorfance to handle any kind of android version available. Bugs and performance are rom related.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So when they say 5.x isn't coming to the S4 mini, that's a sales thing only?! Not based on performance limitations of my phone's hardware?
EDIT: Should I wipe Preload?
Morthawt said:
So when they say 5.x isn't coming to the S4 mini, that's a sales thing only?! Not based on performance limitations of my phone's hardware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like that. I use 5.x on both of my phones
Galaxy Ace II -> performance is okay, with 4.4.4 it runs as hell, better than ever with stock firmware [Last official Android is 4.1]
HTC One S -> Flying on a Lollipop [Last official Android is 4.1]
LS.xD said:
Just like that. I use 5.x on both of my phones
Galaxy Ace II -> performance is okay, with 4.4.4 it runs as hell, better than ever with stock firmware [Last official Android is 4.1]
HTC One S -> Flying on a Lollipop [Last official Android is 4.1]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having trouble finding any specific information about the S4 mini LTE and CM12. I don't know if I should try the last version of CM11 instead? Not sure to try a CM12 or CM11 at the moment. I am sat here ready to perform the wipe but I just can't make my mind up which to try :|
Which reminds me, if I use the latest CM11, will there be any further security updates and things? Or are updates only on the nightlies? I would hope they will update CM11, I'd hate to think the only way you get updates is on the bleeding unstable edge :S ?
Morthawt said:
I am having trouble finding any specific information about the S4 mini LTE and CM12. I don't know if I should try the last version of CM11 instead? Not sure to try a CM12 or CM11 at the moment. I am sat here ready to perform the wipe but I just can't make my mind up which to try :|
Which reminds me, if I use the latest CM11, will there be any further security updates and things? Or are updates only on the nightlies? I would hope they will update CM11, I'd hate to think the only way you get updates is on the bleeding unstable edge :S ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possible security issues can be fixed later by modules. By the way, stock firmware is also updated just a few times and stays at this state. If you want as less trouble as possible a CM11 variant will be more sensefull for your purpose. Feel free to get some more informations HERE
LS.xD said:
Possible security issues can be fixed later by modules. By the way, stock firmware is also updated just a few times and stays at this state. If you want as less trouble as possible a CM11 variant will be more sensefull for your purpose. Feel free to get some more informations HERE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on the latest CM11 snapshot Amazing! Although I am confused by some of the options. Is there any documentation on the OS? I see for Network modes things like "2G | 3G", or "2G | 2G + 3G" and "2G | 3G | 2G + 3G" . I pretty much can assume I know that 2G | 3G means 2 or 3G but when it comes to ones with +'s that is just confusing. 2G and 3G at the same time? No idea lol.
Unfortunately the compass sensor does not work. I may have to either risk trying a CM12 or go to CM10 :/ What would you recommend?
Morthawt said:
Unfortunately the compass sensor does not work. I may have to either risk trying a CM12 or go to CM10 :/ What would you recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2G = GSM Data
3G = UMTS / HDPA / WCDMA Data
Do you often need the compass sensor?
SlimKAT is a fast, lightweight rom and should be working.
LS.xD said:
2G = GSM Data
3G = UMTS / HDPA / WCDMA Data
Do you often need the compass sensor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not always but when I am using offline navigation software, it is very handy to see realtime if I am pointed in the right direction instead of having to wait for enough distance to be detected to determine what way I am pointing. I don't like limitations. Period. That is the root of why I am messing with... well, root and roms. I could not use software to write to my SD card because of some security "enhancement" which just crippled the functionality of having an android phone. First I rooted and used SDFIX or what ever it is, now I am testing roms to see if I can find a good one. I have the latest (this year) stable AICP installing and gaps currently. I will give this one a whirl and see what I think. I was disappointed that I could not find a nice "Hey.. this is why you should choose our rom!" page. Nothing. Just a download link and ability to get the source code.
I want to read about all the amazing reasons and features why AICP (or any rom for that matter) is a great choice. But I found no such page.
Morthawt said:
Not always but when I am using offline navigation software, it is very handy to see realtime if I am pointed in the right direction instead of having to wait for enough distance to be detected to determine what way I am pointing. I don't like limitations. Period. That is the root of why I am messing with... well, root and roms. I could not use software to write to my SD card because of some security "enhancement" which just crippled the functionality of having an android phone. First I rooted and used SDFIX or what ever it is, now I am testing roms to see if I can find a good one. I have the latest (this year) stable AICP installing and gaps currently. I will give this one a whirl and see what I think. I was disappointed that I could not find a nice "Hey.. this is why you should choose our rom!" page. Nothing. Just a download link and ability to get the source code.
I want to read about all the amazing reasons and features why AICP (or any rom for that matter) is a great choice. But I found no such page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can't find any custom rom that fits your needs, you can also choose a modified (debloated) stock firmware if you need 100% functionality.
LS.xD said:
If you can't find any custom rom that fits your needs, you can also choose a modified (debloated) stock firmware if you need 100% functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those exist in the TWRP zip format? Where can I find those?
Morthawt said:
Those exist in the TWRP zip format? Where can I find those?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have read before I answered Seems not to exist for your phone. I don't know the reason.
Hello and thank you for viewing my thread!
To start, my device is the OnePlus One, and i am running the latest Release of CyanogenMod 13 with the Latest Lightning Kernel for it's kexec/hardboot patch
I have tried multiple times, installing the multirom files, as well as flashing a factory image and flashing from a fresh install. Nothing seems to work.
The exact problem would be, even after performing the inject boot sector action, multiboot or the boot menu fails to appear.
I have no idea how to view kernel logs or anything of the sort. However i will gladly provide any logs or files if needed! Ill just have to figure them out is all.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Edit:
1. I think i have the kernel ruled out as the problem as i have already tried a modified stock kernel, as well as bouffla's kernel.
2. The rom also doesnt seem to be the problem as i have tried both COS 12.1 and CM 13
3. The recovery seems to be ruled out as well. I rolled back to a previous version of TWRP and still have the same issue, no multiboot menu after proper installation.
4. This is really confusing. I even tried using the files built into the multirom manager application and that fails as well.
P.S. (on a semi-unrelated note)
I currently have a strong feeling it is a very low level issue (at least for my experience) due to the fact that kali nethunter is also failing to install and causing my device to brick every time i attempt an install.
Cant flash twrp nor the patched magisk boot img to both slot a and b.
Bootloader is unlocked.
Flashing scripts via .bat files for stock zips of both android 10 and 12 results in "FAILED (remote: Partition product not found)" or "FAILED (remote: variable not found)" respectively.
I have no recovery.
When I had twrp, I've made the mistake of wiping my whole android 12 data, storage, and system and flashing an android 10 rom without reading up of the separate a and b boot slots nor the effects of my actions leading to bootlooping. (I've done with this other devices before with no problems). This in turn wiped the twrp recovery I had flashed and left me only fastboot commands and a twrp version up to 3.3 and 3.2 with no hope of getting usb otg to work as it was only available with the later versions of twrp and since I and now technically on an android 10 bootloader, any attempt at that time to flash twrp 3.6 was met with a (remote: Error calling AvbLoadAndVerifyBootImages Load Error) or some kind of other error I have no logs for. Now I cant even tetherboot to twrp 3.2 nor 3.3 and I get that error regardless.
[Boots to bootloader no matter what. Shows as UFS:Micron, Error reason - reboot bootloader - bootloader version is b1c1-0-4-7617406]
I believe I can get access to internal storage to flash these updates once I get a recovery tethered from the bootloader. I do not know if its possible to boot to fastbootd or whatever its called (used for write permissions/sideload update zips) even if I hadn't gotten into this predicament. I will be buying another Pixel 3 in the meantime as I have money to burn and like to hurt myself financially, and emotionally to get to my goal with this device. ( Didn't buy another one, I was committed to the cause!)
I am not a noob nor a pro, but somewhere in between. My biggest point of failure is not reading up on how the partitions are set up and the various issues others had when flashing android 10 and 11 roms. Any suggestions other than "uPdAtE tHe fAsTbOoT aNd AdB dRiVeRs" are not welcomed. Thank you. I will update once I find a soluton to my problem Which I Will.
Again, my main concern right now is getting tethered twrp to work again and need suggestions. I have older versions of platform tools and the latest so please non of those comments I see on literally every other thread.
Edit: I didn't mention this before, but I did have the ability yo sideload when I had twrp at the time before crapping everything out the window, but nothing would work and gave up. Just wanted to add if anyone was wondering.
First update, I used the propriatary "Tool All In One Tool" and I was able to boot to fastbootd, and wipe my data and storage, while updating my stock zip to android 12. Now I can tetherboot twrp 3.6.1_11-0 with the option for usb otg, wish me luck boys. I'm in.
Second update. Still stuck on first update, but weighing my options in the meantime. I flashed twrp via the flash current twrp option, but when I boot to it, touch is disabled so thats great... I can fast boot to only the twrp versions after 3.6+, so not so bad. I have no os installed, but I will try my hand again at that tool all in one tool again. I'll update tomorrow if anything comes of it.
3rd update. FROM THE BRINK OF DEATH!!! WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I got the pixeldust rom flashed and working like a BOSS!!!!! You won't believe the 2 days I've had trying to get this thing to work. All in all 1 out of my 3 flashdrives finally worked with otg. I had a windows recovery drive premade on it so I just copied and pasted the files there without a hitch! Thank you Google for having to make me miss work and actually do research to get this thing working again! Thank you for the guys at Tool All In One Tool for making this recovery possible, I will shout out your thread. If anyone who's in a similar situation needs any help from me or any info, I'll be glad to help. This will be the second to last update. I can also make phone calls and use data so Pixel Dust rom is good to go if that was one of your concerns. See ya!
Final update, I got crdroid flashed with root and safetynet passed, I just found out that google Pay was imbedded in gapps so now I don't need the pay app anymore to do transactions! My banking app also works, got vanced finally installed (couldn't do it on regular stock ROM) some glitches with the ROM here and there but no worries. For who ever reads this. There's hope. I fd up as bad as you can get shy of a hard brick. I still don't know too much but learned near twice as much as I knew just a few days ago. If you need help just DM me and I'll work my hardest to bring the light. This phone is absolutely amazing and on god wished google was a better company to praise. I have more plans for these phones and hope more Roms come out to support it.
I have one question however, how do I make a backup of my system/system_ext partitions? I can make a back up of everything else but that with these two Roms... I have a backup of it with my stock ROM, but it resumed to mount when I used otg... Didn't try internal yet but I'll assume the same, is it a glitch with current twrp?