I'm pretty new to the world of windows mobile, my Diamond is the first WM device I've ever had and I must say I wish I had one earlier! (xda-dev forum is my homepage now )
Being that I'm a newbie to all this I wanted to ask a few questions so that I have this all clear in my head before I go and brick my phone :\
From what I have read, I been able to gather the following (and PLEASE correct me if this isn't the case):
-Loading a ROM on your device is essentially like 'imaging' a PC? (ala ghost or something) including the 'formatting' of the devices
-Hard resetting the device is like formatting and reinstalling the LAST loaded rom.
I also have a quick question
-Am I able to dump my current ROM so that if I don't like another ROM I can always go back to it? and if yes will this rom include the installed programs/data/etc or will I need to reinstall those after?
Sorry if these are stated in other threads, I did search but I may not have known what to look for.
Thanks!
basically yes, the rom is the image. a hard reset is more of a full reboot/retore default setting knida thing. it does not go through the format and re install process. as for dump, search a bit more on how to do that. you can find stock roms all over these forums so you don't really need to, but it can be a good decision if you need to return to the factory.
Ive used an android device for about 2 years now, and it just recently crapped out on me. I have a unlocked touchpro2/tilt2, and i want to flash a custom rom to it, any suggestions of which rom i should flash, and what is the easiest way to go about doing so? Ive read the flashing for noobs post, and it made no sence to me, it was all sooooo simple with android. So basically i am asking if anyone would be willing to help me with the process?? PLEASE I NEED HELP WITH THIS!!!!
It looks daunting, but it's actually quite easy. Just reread a few times, and after the terror racks you jump in. It's either that, stock ROM, or run XDAndroid, and be patient about the sporadic updates.
Honestly, though, HardSPL is very easy. Just do your research, and welcome to your new Rhodium!
thanks, ive been looking it over for a few days now. Does xdandroid require me to do all that syncing crap too?? Isnt there like a flash recovery tool like for the android devices, where i can just punch in a few commands?? Or at least a tuturial video that i can see it done?? you know how Android has Cyanogen, does WINMO have a compareable dev??
I do want to become more familiar with winmo, what are the best roms avaliable?? Im only using a tilt2/touchpro2, so please take the system specs into consideration. Also i love how easy it is to navigate with android, is there a winmo rom that is as user friendly??
looking over the instructions now about to sync and flash, but when do i flash the radio??? i need help with this!!!
alroco20 said:
looking over the instructions now about to sync and flash, but when do i flash the radio??? i need help with this!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure this pictorial tutorial will help you. Let it open your mind as it opened mine. Then, you shall be awakened into custom ROMs land.
P.S. You don't have to flash a radio -- it's just recommended if you have horrible signal and/or battery life.
P.S.S. Remember to back up everything on your phone before you flash! Use MyPhone or PIM Backup (for e-mails, SMS, phone numbers).
P.S.S.S (How many "s's" can you have?) You need to flash HardSPL before flashing anything else. HardSPL is covered in the pictorial I linked.
This is the best flashing process: Task 29 (basically, it flashes a blank ROM) > [flash radio] > flash ROM > [let the ROM finish loading up -- so you are on the Today Screen] > Hard Reset (Press/hold Power + Talk/Send + End at the same time).
P.S.S.S.S Have fun!
THank you, did my first flashing last nite, and all went well. You guys at this site rock. Keep up all the good work and help!!!
I've had my Tilt 2 about 2 months... Completely original and runs like crap. It's super slow and when changing between apps it oftens takes a minute to change. I have very little understanding about running ROM's, I know how to download, unzip (if needed) and launch programs, but not much more.
So here is the question... what is the best and easiest ROM to install that still has most of the apps working and wont brick the phone...
mclarkphotos said:
I've had my Tilt 2 about 2 months... Completely original and runs like crap. It's super slow and when changing between apps it oftens takes a minute to change. I have very little understanding about running ROM's, I know how to download, unzip (if needed) and launch programs, but not much more.
So here is the question... what is the best and easiest ROM to install that still has most of the apps working and wont brick the phone...
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Click to collapse
There is no best rom because different people like different roms so the best thing for you to do is download a couple of roms and try them out for yourself to see what you like
I would start here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=550540
just make sure you read over the steps carefully one time before you actually do it. I've been flashing roms on winmo phones since 2003 and have yet to brick a device. Its very simple and almost always fail-proof. If the device is unplugged while flashing a rom, its as simple as putting the device in bootloader mode and reflashing the rom.
Be patient and follow the instructions. If you run into a problem, its very probably that someone has ran into the same issue so just do a search and you'll be back on your way.
Best of luck
Please be patient with me, I'm new to the entire smartphone era.
I've spent the last week or so scouring these forums deciding what I can and cannot do with my brand new Epic. What I unfortunately was unable to find were directions put into laymans terms as exactly how to properly flash your phone (I am still even unsure as to the correct terminology for many things). When I read the wiki and the forums I'm lost about a paragraph in.
It would be incredibly appreciated if any of you had tips for a new person to these forums and to this lifestyle itself. I'd love to know how to properly modify my phone without breaking it (and not feel like I'm reading a medical dictionary). When/if I do mod my phone, I'd like to know how to go about restoring it should I for whatever reason need to take it in to the extremely... helpful.. Sprint store here in my area. I'm pretty quick to learn and as I said, I'd really love if someone willing to be patient with me would explain to me the ins and outs I would need to know to take advantage of my phones capabilities.
Well most roms now use ext4 filesystem instead of RFS (default) so you have to install Clockwork Mod 3 which will auto convert it
CWM3 directions:
Download Here
On phone go to applications -> development -> usb debugging (turn on)
plug phone into usb port, run the run.bat from the CWM folder (it might say something like restart server and wait for phone to reconnect i generally just close the window and run the run.bat again then it'll mount as r/w and install)
Then after your phone reboots transfer any ec05 ext4 rom to your sdcard, i suggest This one.
After that turn off your phone completely.
Hold volume down, camera button, power. This will boot into clockworkmod.
CWM will backup all data, format, then restore the data... it'll take a few minutes.
Now if you want to start fresh click wipe data / wipe cache and also go to advanced/wipe dalvic cache. If you want to keep all your apps just proceed to the next step
go to Install from sdcard, browse sdcard for the rom.zip, select it, let it do its magic, after its done go back to the main menu, reboot system, and you're done
EDIT: Cwm controls -> volume up/down to naviage, Power = back, Camera = select. I think you can also use the keyboard arrows and stuff but i find it easier using the buttons
I think you should start him with cw2.5 instead of 3.0. 3.0 will brick his phone unless he is ready to flash a rom right alway!!
Those directions are much easier to follow.
What are the negatives to doing this to your phone (besides the ultimate brick)? Would doing this allow me to give my phone the ability to hotspot it?
How would I go about restoring it should I not like Syndicate and wish to return to stock?
OmegaMateria said:
Those directions are much easier to follow.
What are the negatives to doing this to your phone (besides the ultimate brick)? Would doing this allow me to give my phone the ability to hotspot it?
How would I go about restoring it should I not like Syndicate and wish to return to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I was you I wouldn't be in such a rush to flash a rom. Root first and take from there. It took me a whole month to flash a rom before I felt comfortable with the terminology. Catch up on some reading first
hi I also am still new to this even though i flashed my phone at least a 100 times and got my buddys epic rooted i followed this forum http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=798067. they did a great job with links to get cwm2.5 and also the adb files. so when you root your phone the computer will find your phone. One thing that did keep me held up for a while was when you have your phone in debug mode. connect the phone to the usb. but do not press connect on your phone. hope this helps some. I spent about 3 long days reading and gathering everything before trying and like a day and a half trying.
shook187 said:
If I was you I wouldn't be in such a rush to flash a rom. Root first and take from there. It took me a whole month to flash a rom before I felt comfortable with the terminology. Catch up on some reading first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're probably very right.
What permissions does rooting get me? To root my phone I should use clockwork or something different? If so, you suggested 3.0 and someone else 2.5. Opinions on both for a newbie?
shook187 said:
I think you should start him with cw2.5 instead of 3.0. 3.0 will brick his phone unless he is ready to flash a rom right alway!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No such thing will occur. He might get it into a position of where he can only use odin but certainly not a brick. I have heard of only 1 person bricking their phone in 6 mths and that was a dev cuz he was messing with the bootloader. Jump in at your own pace.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
OmegaMateria said:
You're probably very right.
What permissions does rooting get me? To root my phone I should use clockwork or something different? If so, you suggested 3.0 and someone else 2.5. Opinions on both for a newbie?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never suggested 3.0, I would do 2.5. 3.0 Requires you to flash a rom cause it won't boot without a rom. If you use 3.0 without flushing a rom, you'll get stuck at the samsung screen.
shook187 said:
I never suggested 3.0, I would do 2.5. 3.0 Requires you to flash a rom cause it won't boot without a rom. If you use 3.0 without flushing a rom, you'll get stuck at the samsung screen.
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Click to collapse
Sorry, my mistake!!
I'll check out 2.5. Anything I should know about rooting in general?
OmegaMateria said:
Sorry, my mistake!!
I'll check out 2.5. Anything I should know about rooting in general?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main thing which you already mention is the free wireless tether.
CWM 2.5.5 = the RFS root method. You can use it to install EC05 roms that have RFS support
It allows you to run programs with superuser... such as wifi tether, wireless tether, titanium backup, root explorer... thats about it for the basic user
If you want tweaks/fixes what you want is a custom rom... most all will have
Call log fix (remove the sms notifications from in your call log), Kernel fixes/updates/added features, deodexed, zipaligned, custom boot animations, voodoo audio/color, custom touchwiz, etc..
You wont brick your phone regardless, but if you do it exactly as i typed you wont have any problems either . The reason you want to put a rom on your sdcard before you boot into CWM3 is so you can flash a compatible rom that has a ext4 kernel...
EDIT: and regarding the negatives, well you wont brick your phone unless say your battery dies as you flash it... The ext4 non-journaled will actually make your phone last longer over the RFS system. The only thing I can think of is the root method removes the Free HD games and Asphalt 5 Demo which the official OTA updates check for when u get them. Doesn't matter though because you can update your rom through CWM anyways lol.
About positives, atleast for me: Longer battery life, faster phone, less annoying bugs, sexy look, custom boot/shutdown, free wifi tether/wired tether, automatic backups set every night at 5am.
I went straight to cwm 3.0.0.6 as a noob but I must have read 1000 posts in various forums regarding root, the file system(s), custom software/ROMs/kernels. The key is read post after post about where others have had issues until you no longer come accross any new issues. Then you know what you are getting into. Just remeber, glitches can occur and during flashing, there are writes that have no error checking and sometimes require a reflash at best and a system restore at worst. It comes with the territory. It is unlikely you will brick your device as long as you are careful to follow insructions, although the reality is (no matter how many times you hear how safe it is) that there is a very very slight chance that a glitch while using software such as odin could send you back to the Sprint store for a new one. Its exceedingly rare, though.
The small risk was worth getting the phone that I wanted originally - instant responsivness, access to every customization and dev. level control of the hardware (free tethering!) - everything runs better - games,browsers,vids (look better and sound better), music sounds better, etc. Etc. There are some seriously talented devs. here. If you decide to take the plunge, check out k0's ACS Frozen ROM and mysteryEmotionz (sp?) Theme(s). When you go from stock to those, you can't help but wonder WTF sprint and samsung are thinking. Yeah, its that good.
Good luck!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
blu9987 said:
CWM 2.5.5 = the RFS root method. You can use it to install EC05 roms that have RFS support
It allows you to run programs with superuser... such as wifi tether, wireless tether, titanium backup, root explorer... thats about it for the basic user
If you want tweaks/fixes what you want is a custom rom... most all will have
Call log fix (remove the sms notifications from in your call log), Kernel fixes/updates/added features, deodexed, zipaligned, custom boot animations, voodoo audio/color, custom touchwiz, etc..
You wont brick your phone regardless, but if you do it exactly as i typed you wont have any problems either . The reason you want to put a rom on your sdcard before you boot into CWM3 is so you can flash a compatible rom that has a ext4 kernel...
EDIT: and regarding the negatives, well you wont brick your phone unless say your battery dies as you flash it... The ext4 non-journaled will actually make your phone last longer over the RFS system. The only thing I can think of is the root method removes the Free HD games and Asphalt 5 Demo which the official OTA updates check for when u get them. Doesn't matter though because you can update your rom through CWM anyways lol.
About positives, atleast for me: Longer battery life, faster phone, less annoying bugs, sexy look, custom boot/shutdown, free wifi tether/wired tether, automatic backups set every night at 5am.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went into the run.bat file in the one click root and removed the 2 lines that give the command to delete the free hd games demo and asphalt 5 demo. Ran the one click root, and I still have those 2 installed on my phone. Beats having to reinstall them again in the future and preventing an update because of the missing apps.
Tirregius said:
I went straight to cwm 3.0.0.6 as a noob but I must have read 1000 posts in various forums regarding root, the file system(s), custom software/ROMs/kernels. The key is read post after post about where others have had issues until you no longer come accross any new issues. Then you know what you are getting into. Just remeber, glitches can occur and during flashing, there are writes that have no error checking and sometimes require a reflash at best and a system restore at worst. It comes with the territory. It is unlikely you will brick your device as long as you are careful to follow insructions, although the reality is (no matter how many times you hear how safe it is) that there is a very very slight chance that a glitch while using software such as odin could send you back to the Sprint store for a new one. Its exceedingly rare, though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I've spent the entire week when not at work reading about it to see if it's worth it. I have a hard time following the directions I find though because they're normally written for experienced folks and not beginners.
Apart from Rooting it (as explained very well earlier) I still have no clue about flashing, how it works, or how to do it. Nor do I want to just fiddle around with it and break it. I can't find a good guide on ODIN or backing up that I can understand comfortably enough to risk flashing my phone so I'm kindof at a loss.
Go on YouTube and search "randyshear". He has step by step videos for pretty much everything. Makes it easy
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
OmegaMateria said:
Yeah I've spent the entire week when not at work reading about it to see if it's worth it. I have a hard time following the directions I find though because they're normally written for experienced folks and not beginners.
Apart from Rooting it (as explained very well earlier) I still have no clue about flashing, how it works, or how to do it. Nor do I want to just fiddle around with it and break it. I can't find a good guide on ODIN or backing up that I can understand comfortably enough to risk flashing my phone so I'm kindof at a loss.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was the same way and to some degree still am. What I did was read and read. I read the WIKI several times realizing that a lot of it was written for someone more experienced than I. I also read how to restore a bricked device and return to stock a few times. I installed everything to return to stock on my PC so if I had a failure I already had my path back to working stock. I went to CM 2 just to get some experience. Then I went for it to CM 3 and Syndicate 1.0 and have been incredibly happy that I did.
Also know that terms like brick are used a lot but is then followed up with my phone will do this or that. In the definitions a brick is literally as good as a brick for a phone. The term is used way too much incorrectly so don't let that scare you. You will see when reading that there are only a few things to do if there is a problem. Frequently you will read to re download the files or use a different cable or USB port. If you keep reading you will become more comfortable with your ability to find the answers if there is a problem because there are people on here that seem to take great joy in helping people like you and I out and they have the experience and knowledge to help.
Trust me ... keep reading and searching and you will start to put the pieces together. Don't be discouraged. If you are really interested in this stuff, you WILL get there.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Definitely agree with JohnCorleone, Randyshear has a ton of very good youtube vids. Helpful with rooting also with picking a ROM. Just to add my two-cents. The "epic cookbook" http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=967014...Helped me over and over again. alot of info, without alot of scavenging throughout threads. Good luck
There is no need to flash a rom right off the bat. Rooting with one click will give you a good jumping point. I would one click root to cw3 let it convert to ext4 then do a backup. Use titanium backup to remove all the junk bloatware.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Just got this phone and I love it but the seller on ebay had it rooted and had one of the roms from here on it. They said they would put it all back to stock for me. I like to start with a clean slate if you know what I mean. Well, it is back on gingerbread but root is still there and a whole bunch of other stuff (apps, roms, titanium backup) etc etc in folders on the internal storage. My question is can I safely get this phone back to being stock just like it was from the factory, without the risk of bricking it? I know how to use Odin for the Epic 4G and all. I knew there were some problems with the touch and some phones getting bricked. I have no clue what they may have done to the phone so I am a bit concerned to do anything to it till I hear from someone who has done this (gone completely back to stock) Also, is there a tutorial somewhere?? Thanks guys for your help with this.
Oh here is some more info if it helps looks like I am on Android version 2.3.6, EL29, kernel 2.6.35.7 there is some other info if you need it please let me know I do see a Caulklin's folder in there in the internal storage so most likely they did have that rom on there at one time. There is also a ACS folder in there but when I try to open any of the folders in there I get an error that there is no program that can perform this action. Grrrrrr
Hi.
When messing with Gingerbread, especially stock, bricks are pretty hard to come by nowadays.
Here is what I suggest:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1433101
(from what you said, you probably understand this already)
Just run the EL29 OC. You'll be good to go.
In terms of the internal storage, just delete it all or run a format. You won't get yourself in trouble that way, it's just the internal storage.
If you're concerned about the data wipe brick, that is only on ICS. So since you're on GB, it is not a problem (and totally unrelated to clearing internal storage.)
Post back if you have any questions or anythin'.
If you are on gingerbread then there is no danger of the EEMC superbug(As far as I've heard/read). As for reseting I don't have a link to a tutorial off the top of my head, however the process is pretty simple. Start searching through the development forums for the stock odin files and then flash them. I can try to find you a tutorial/links tonight but I don't really have time right now...besides the search function works the same way for you as it would for me! Feel free to ask if you need anything else!
Hahaha MochaCharok beat me to it!
Thanks guys. The phone at one time was on an ICS rom and yes I can search for it. I just wanted to make sure before I did, that this could be done. So, I will see about finding the tutorial and how to go about getting the phone all back to factory like. I know I am so anal this way, but I really do like to start with a clean slate before I do anything to any phone. thanks again guys I will holler if I run into any problems. LOVE this phone though.
thewadegeek said:
If you are on gingerbread then there is no danger of the EEMC superbug(As far as I've heard/read). As for reseting I don't have a link to a tutorial off the top of my head, however the process is pretty simple. Start searching through the development forums for the stock odin files and then flash them. I can try to find you a tutorial/links tonight but I don't really have time right now...besides the search function works the same way for you as it would for me! Feel free to ask if you need anything else!
Hahaha MochaCharok beat me to it!
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Click to collapse
When you activated the phone on your account it should've wiped everything they had on the phone prior and reset it to stock. At least that's what happened when I activated a phone I'd bought from an XDA member. So I started with a clean slate automatically.
It didn't for whatever reason. I had to go in and edit the MIN and MDN manually to get it to activate so maybe that is why. That thing was a HUGE pain to do too. It would not take and kept resetting. Had to try it like 5 times.
Esoteric68 said:
When you activated the phone on your account it should've wiped everything they had on the phone prior and reset it to stock. At least that's what happened when I activated a phone I'd bought from an XDA member. So I started with a clean slate automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are stuck with what to do next then take it to a Sprint store and let them wipe it for you.
Good info
As I'm going to try this and hopefully get the missus off her Opt S and onto an E4GT this week this was good timing to cover the process.
Here's what I am planning to do:
1) Flash EL29 + Root
2) Factory Reset from Recovery (which should clear NVRAM if I understand correctly)
3) Call MVNO and have them set up phone
4) Allow hands-free activation to hopefully fill in the blanks
If this works as I hope then I shouldn't have to tinker manually with the NVRAM data.... if not then I have my phone to base most of that off of. And of course it depends if the carrier will let me set the phone up - in the past they haven't been warm to using a different phone unless you purchased it directly from them.
All this just to sit tight until we can get the GS3 probably next year.. yeesh.