Develop Bugs

[Q] ICS Recovery/Kernel mix match

We all know by now that trying to flash a ICS rom through an ICS recovery is a pretty quick way to brick your phone. The preferred way of going to ICS (At least AOSP based roms) is to go back to stock EL 26/9 CMW recovery and flash away.
Once you're on ICS, do you Odin a new recovery? EL26/9 or the latest kernel recovery combo?
The recovery and kernels are baked in together so there doesn't appear to be a way to use an older recovery with a newer kernel. (Correct me if I'm wrong).
Is anyone using the FC22 Rogue recovery? Is it safe for backup/restores at least?

pandamaja said:
We all know by now that trying to flash a ICS rom through an ICS recovery is a pretty quick way to brick your phone. The preferred way of going to ICS (At least AOSP based roms) is to go back to stock EL 26/9 CMW recovery and flash away.
Once you're on ICS, do you Odin a new recovery? EL26/9 or the latest kernel recovery combo?
The recovery and kernels are baked in together so there doesn't appear to be a way to use an older recovery with a newer kernel. (Correct me if I'm wrong).
Is anyone using the FC22 Rogue recovery? Is it safe for backup/restores at least?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were told not to install with it do you think you should restore with it... best thing is to not use a ics recovery for anything..don't even boot into it...they have bricked
Phones by doing multiple things..be safe and Odin a GB kernel boot into recovery and backup there and keep a ics kernel ...you can restore the backup of ics from GB and then flash the ics kernel back and then boot.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

I appreciate the response
Epix4G said:
If you were told not to install with it do you think you should restore with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea how they function. That's why I asked. The process to flash a zip could be completely different than the process to restore. One could be totally capable while the other is not. I can't verify that the restore process is the same as the flash process or not. Can you?

pandamaja said:
I appreciate the response
I have no idea how they function. That's why I asked. The process to flash a zip could be completely different than the process to restore. One could be totally capable while the other is not. I can't verify that the restore process is the same as the flash process or not. Can you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is basically saving your setup with everything like a ROM ... You can take a backup and make a ROM out of it easily ...it's just like flashing a ROM....but mostly it's the fact that Samsung moved the data partition just a little and if you wipe data on a ics it seems to damage the partition physically somehow because even a jtag write will not work .
I would advise anyone messing with ics to have insurance right now these are extremely experimental and can brick from multiple things . Be safe
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

[Q]How to update CM9? Can't flash CWM on ICS?

I'm sorry, Im confused. I have been searching and I have read 3 seemingly contradictory facts:
- NEVER flash CM9 with any other recovery other than clockwork mod
- NEVER use odin to flash clockwork mod on an ICS rom
- You can flash a newer version of CM9 over the old one
So i'm using CM9 RC0 and I would like to update to alpha2 without wiping. CWM disappeared when i flashed and I keep reading that its dangerous to use the stock rouge recovery. So I went to go use odin to get CWM back on but there is a warning to never try to load it using an ICS rom?
Where am I going wrong here? I really dont want to wipe and flash to a GB rom just so that I can use odin to get CWM and flash back to cm9.
Thanks, I just wanted to make sure i didn't ruin my phone!

drumstyk1 said:
I'm sorry, Im confused. I have been searching and I have read 3 seemingly contradictory facts:
- NEVER flash CM9 with any other recovery other than clockwork mod
- NEVER use odin to flash clockwork mod on an ICS rom
- You can flash a newer version of CM9 over the old one
So i'm using CM9 RC0 and I would like to update to alpha2 without wiping. CWM disappeared when i flashed and I keep reading that its dangerous to use the stock rouge recovery. So I went to go use odin to get CWM back on but there is a warning to never try to load it using an ICS rom?
Where am I going wrong here? I really dont want to wipe and flash to a GB rom just so that I can use odin to get CWM and flash back to cm9.
Thanks, I just wanted to make sure i didn't ruin my phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you want to do is flash the EL26 kernel with CWM through Odin. Once it's flashed and the phone starts to reboot, pull the battery. Put the battery back in, boot into recovery via Vol up+ power and then flash Alpha 2 over RC0, flash GApps and reboot. You should be good to go then.
Sent while hanging with that really hoopy frood Ford Prefect.

If you haven't already, I believe the OP has updated the steps fairly well here:
How Not to Brick Your E4GT

Flashing roms on Epic4gtouch is so complicated. I remember when I had my HTC hero. All you gotta do is download the rom, put it in your sdcard, open rom manager then flash xD

snapback2 said:
Flashing roms on Epic4gtouch is so complicated. I remember when I had my HTC hero. All you gotta do is download the rom, put it in your sdcard, open rom manager then flash xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a recent thing that started when the ICS leaks started coming. Before ICS, rooting and flashing this phone was as easy as any. It still is actually, but you have to be more careful, especially with any of the AOSP ROMs. It should be back to normal once the official ICS update is released and we get our hands on the source code.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

blackroseMD1 said:
What you want to do is flash the EL26 kernel with CWM through Odin. Once it's flashed and the phone starts to reboot, pull the battery. Put the battery back in, boot into recovery via Vol up+ power and then flash Alpha 2 over RC0, flash GApps and reboot. You should be good to go then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked perfectly! Hopefully you have helped many noobs down the road when they search for this. What threw me off was QBKings video when he kept warning to never flash EL26 on ICS. (Mad respect though, QBKing!). Thanks for clearing that up for me!
On a side note, yeah, things seem complicated. I know there is a good reason why CM9 doesn't include a good recovery but I hope as things develop we will eventually get back to the "Rom Manager" days. Man, our devs spoil us!

How to re-install CWM after new ROM install

Been running Blend from Team Noc for a bit and having a lot of core crashes, as well as some issues with notifications, etc. So I installed Blend 6.0 this morning and still had problems so wanted to try something else while those issues get fixed.
I went into recovery and this is a new recov I have never seen. It simply shows the android, then the following;
Android System Recovery <3e>
I was going to wipe using Caulk's and install another ICS ROM, so went to apply update from external storage (since that was the only option that made sense). Went to the folder they were, selected the format all and it took me back to the android guy on his back with a triangle!
So I am kinda stuck with this ROM unless I can get cqm back on (I guess). There are just so many threads that are out there, some old, some new, the sg2 has 5 flavors it seems based on the carrier (I am on sprint) so from what I can tell, it's the 4G touch.
Thanks to all read/replies.

use odin, instructions here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1609255

Just use mobile odin and select the tar file w/recovery. You tried to boot into recovery without a recovery installed which is why it looked funny.

Thanks guys. I followed the 1st post (as I didn't see the 2nd) and ran the step's using a windows machine. Odin saw the device, flashed it, all green, success, and restarted.
Followed up with the quick root/CWM app and worked like a charm. I am back to square one now, did install Venum Ice RC3.1.1 which looked pretty clean, but 1st thing I noticed was anything that uses the media card doesn't work (camera for example). You hit it, returns you to the app drawer.
So, with what's out there right now, what seems to be the most stable with the basic's, (phone, data, camera, etc.)
Thanks again, was well worth the wait to do it correctly!

I've been using CM9A3 as my everyday from. Solid as a rock. I have 0 issue.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

I'd say it was official if I did not know any better.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

I am also on Team Noc's The Goodness Version 6 without a custom recovery, and have a similar question. In that thread they were discussing using Odin to flash a kernel with CM, and they posted two kernals one that is the FD02 (ICS) and the other is EL29 (GB). I am currently on an ICS rom that works with the newly flashed FD02 kernal. However, my question is while on ICS can I odin to the GB recovery kernal so that I can flash a different GB rom? I am nervous to try because I have heard of people bricking going from ICS to GB, but if this works it would make my life easier as a flashaholic

Mastershake725 said:
I am also on Team Noc's The Goodness Version 6 without a custom recovery, and have a similar question. In that thread they were discussing using Odin to flash a kernel with CM, and they posted two kernals one that is the FD02 (ICS) and the other is EL29 (GB). I am currently on an ICS rom that works with the newly flashed FD02 kernal. However, my question is while on ICS can I odin to the GB recovery kernal so that I can flash a different GB rom? I am nervous to try because I have heard of people bricking going from ICS to GB, but if this works it would make my life easier as a flashaholic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Mobile Odin to flash EL26+cwm kernel( http://db.tt/0QJkleJR ), hold volume^+power to boot into cwm wipe data/factory reset, wipe cache, wipe dalvick, flash rom, flash gapps, and reboot. People brick from using a ICS recovery to go back from certain ROMs. EL26+cwm is always the safest choice to flash with.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

Mastershake725 said:
I am also on Team Noc's The Goodness Version 6 without a custom recovery, and have a similar question. In that thread they were discussing using Odin to flash a kernel with CM, and they posted two kernals one that is the FD02 (ICS) and the other is EL29 (GB). I am currently on an ICS rom that works with the newly flashed FD02 kernal. However, my question is while on ICS can I odin to the GB recovery kernal so that I can flash a different GB rom? I am nervous to try because I have heard of people bricking going from ICS to GB, but if this works it would make my life easier as a flashaholic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can mobile odin the el26 repack with cwm (not the rogue one) I believe its still at the top of the Nocturnal Venum rom thread. Flash in cwm and as it boots hold down the volume and power buttons. It should boot into the blue cwm. Flash whatever you want. Or mobile odin the el26 repack cwm and as it reboots hold the same buttons down to boot into recovery and flash away. El29 doesnt have a cwm repack (its rogue and not what you need). Keep in mind that mobile odin WILL NOT flash modem so dont try it.
Edit: The post above says basically the same thing. DO NOT use el29 kernel. Just reminding you...

VeNuM said:
Yes you can mobile odin the el26 repack with cwm (not the rogue one) I believe its still at the top of the Nocturnal Venum rom thread. Flash in cwm and as it boots hold down the volume and power buttons. It should boot into the blue cwm. Flash whatever you want. Or mobile odin the el26 repack cwm and as it reboots hold the same buttons down to boot into recovery and flash away. El29 doesnt have a cwm repack (its rogue and not what you need). Keep in mind that mobile odin WILL NOT flash modem so dont try it.
Edit: The post above says basically the same thing. DO NOT use el29 kernel. Just reminding you...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick response! Just a clarification, I do have the el26+CWM (el29 was a typo). Lets say I want to leave ICS for another rom, and a use mobile odin to go back to el26 and accidentally boot into my ICS sandwich rom. Is there any potential risk of bricking there? Also, what is the significance of flashing a modem? I already have an EL29 modem and I am happy with the current setup, do most roms/kernals have baked in modems? And if so should I avoid them when using odin?

Mastershake725 said:
Thanks for the quick response! Just a clarification, I do have the el26+CWM (el29 was a typo). Lets say I want to leave ICS for another rom, and a use mobile odin to go back to el26 and accidentally boot into my ICS sandwich rom. Is there any potential risk of bricking there? Also, what is the significance of flashing a modem? I already have an EL29 modem and I am happy with the current setup, do most roms/kernals have baked in modems? And if so should I avoid them when using odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't boot into a ICS ROM on el26 it is a GB kernel. Every ROM I have used has baked in kernel but no modem. Any modem for e4gt will work with any ROM. Kernels are GB and ICS specific.
Edit:el26+cwm is juts safer to flash ICS ROMs/kernels. When you flash a ROM it will replace the kernel. Just use mobile odin to flash back to el26+cwm to flash new ROMs/modems(wiping like usuall). If changing modem just flash el26+cwm, wipe cache/dalvik, flash modem of choice, and flash ICS kernel of choice. Reboot.
Sent using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5 on AOKP 32 ROM

killaphatboy said:
You can't boot into a ICS ROM on el26 it is a GB kernel. Every ROM I have used has baked in kernel but no modem. Any modem for e4gt will work with any ROM. Kernels are GB and ICS specific.
Edit:el26+cwm is juts safer to flash ICS ROMs/kernels. When you flash a ROM it will replace the kernel. Just use mobile odin to flash back to el26+cwm to flash new ROMs/modems(wiping like usuall). If changing modem just flash el26+cwm, wipe cache/dalvik, flash modem of choice, and flash ICS kernel of choice. Reboot.
Sent using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5 on AOKP 32 ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips that makes a lot of sense! I am gaining confidence of going between ICS & GB. Now is it the same process for roms like AOKP, MIUI, and CM7/9? I have heard they also need specific recoveries to operate correctly.

Yes, el26cwm only and they only use aosp kernels. I believe T.C.P. has them on one of his threads.
Sent on Slim-n-Trim 1.9 using Tapatalk 2

help regarding calkulins stuff

i just upgraded to ff18///
i then upgraded to cwm
i then upgraded to calkulins 4gt 2 fe22
i also just upgraded the modem for fe22 it said this was the newest
quest is i assume the calkulins rom is called fe22
i assume i look for only that stuff fe22
how do i know when to upgrade the rom ///kernals //modem
do i only look for calkulins 4gt 2 fe22
http://www.buildarom.com/E4GT/Modems/E4GT_Modem_FE22.zip ////is that stuff right to use
by the way u guys are great and thank u
is it better to stick with the calkukins stuff because i heard its safe and good

The latest modem is FF18, use whatever works best for you. Anything in that thread is outdated and Calkulin moved onto a different phone.
Know that the FE22 repacked recovery is unsafe to factory reset on in fact staying out of the recovery on it entirely is a good idea. I know there were some earlier than FF18 repacks that were made generally safe but the only kernel source we have had is FF18 and the only completely safe kernels will be based on that source.

RainMotorsports said:
The latest modem is FF18, use whatever works best for you. Anything in that thread is outdated and Calkulin moved onto a different phone.
Know that the FE22 repacked recovery is unsafe to factory reset on in fact staying out of the recovery on it entirely is a good idea. I know there were some earlier than FF18 repacks that were made generally safe but the only kernel source we have had is FF18 and the only completely safe kernels will be based on that source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks didint know that //// this stuff is so confusing lol so how do i go back to ff18
can i use this to go back to ff18 for cwm e4gtauto-lite-sfxhanks
how do i go backk please also i was told that the agat cwm was safe

In case your not entirely familiar. Our phones eMMC has a bug in its firmware that is triggered by the Android 4.0 Kernel during certain erase operations. Factory reset is a surefire way to permenantly brick the phone. FF18 was supposed to have been made safe by Samsung but from what we can tell on the surface it is not.
AGAT and others by now as well as whoever is doing the TWRP recovery kernels have made kernels with recoveries that are safe to wipe and factory reset as well as generally safe flashing roms. Look for ones built from FF18 source which will have been made safe inside and out. AOSP roms like CM9 and AOKP have safe recoveries and a source built kernel is in testing for as well.
Just be careful with factory resetting, formatting, flashing roms on stock recovery or anything prior to FF18 that is not marked as being safe to do whatever.
You should be able to use sfhub's auto root to install Agat's FF18 on Calkulin's rom, you could technically stay there but thats a pretty old custom rom at this point. There are others out there I have not kept up. Agat has one there are some more popular ones these days like Blu Kuban and stuff I havent kept up to be honest.

larrynypd said:
thanks didint know that //// this stuff is so confusing lol so how do i go back to ff18
can i use this to go back to ff18 for cwm e4gtauto-lite-sfxhanks
how do i go backk please also i was told that the agat cwm was safe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash agats last kernel....its built from source and is safe to flash things from. Also an unsafe recovery just means don't wipe data in it....you can still flash a modem or app.zip in it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

RainMotorsports said:
In case your not entirely familiar. Our phones eMMC has a bug in its firmware that is triggered by the Android 4.0 Kernel during certain erase operations. Factory reset is a surefire way to permenantly brick the phone. FF18 was supposed to have been made safe by Samsung but from what we can tell on the surface it is not.
AGAT and others by now as well as whoever is doing the TWRP recovery kernels have made kernels with recoveries that are safe to wipe and factory reset as well as generally safe flashing roms. Look for ones built from FF18 source which will have been made safe inside and out. AOSP roms like CM9 and AOKP have safe recoveries and a source built kernel is in testing for as well.
Just be careful with factory resetting, formatting, flashing roms on stock recovery or anything prior to FF18 that is not marked as being safe to do whatever.
You should be able to use sfhub's auto root to install Agat's FF18 on Calkulin's rom, you could technically stay there but thats a pretty old custom rom at this point. There are others out there I have not kept up. Agat has one there are some more popular ones these days like Blu Kuban and stuff I havent kept up to be honest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do u reccommend not to root then
this is what i used to get for cwm can i use it to go back to ff18 e4gtauto-lite-sfx
or what about this This One-Click ODIN contains the STOCK FF18 Modem/Kernel/ROM for the E4GT

larrynypd said:
do u reccommend not to root then
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root is irrelevant. If your worried about the bug root has nothing to do with it. The Galaxy Note which has the bug was given ICS over the air and had a rash of bricks from people on stock unrooted firmware just doing simple factory resets. We also have the bug and while reports internally say they put in a work around, its not showing in the source we have.
You are in fact safer being with us, is that not sad? Our developers have worked around the problem from every known point of cause. From where you are at install AGATs FF18 using the auto root. You can flash a different rom if you wish after that.

RainMotorsports said:
Root is irrelevant. If your worried about the bug root has nothing to do with it. The Galaxy Note which has the bug was given ICS over the air and had a rash of bricks from people on stock unrooted firmware just doing simple factory resets. We also have the bug and while reports internally say they put in a work around, its not showing in the source we have.
You are in fact safer being with us, is that not sad? Our developers have worked around the problem from every known point of cause. From where you are at install AGATs FF18 using the auto root. You can flash a different rom if you wish after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks do you know off hand how to deroot ff18 if i have to can i just reput stock ff18 rom back on phone would that deroot it or mess it up
also who and what do i use to update //upgrade the rom/kernals /modems on here do i look for anything that said for ff18 and i would be ok thansk larry

Is the Epic a fail when custom Rom installed? Questions? also can ICS be rooted?

Well new company gave me 20% Sprint discount and have become sick of my Tmobiles poor coverage. However I fear wimax might be sucky too here in Seattle. Anyway, long time member here and have been involved in the HTC Sensation and One forums. Both with very very stable roms and kernals.
I was excited to pick up a couple Sprint Galaxy epics and the guy at Sprint had his all rooted and claimed it was smoking fast.
However I came to this forum and see all kinds of complaints of loss of stability just from simple Root of the Epic? Also have not read any stable ICS roms and I have read all of the threads. Plus read this phone is very easy to brick under clockwork. With sensation we use Aroma and it rocks!
So before I move on, I am not looking to break rules on asking ROM questions. I simply would like some input on what ICS rom is stable and supported still as I see many devs have moved on the the sg3 here.
What kernal and radio or what you call modem is stable and how do you find what is for your phone match?
Lastly, what is safest way to ROOT and flash ROMS for this phone?
I did read the stickies but am still confused.
I may be just happy at first to simply ROOT and install the fix for Hot Spot Wi fi and go from there.
Thanks so much.
Not even sure if phones will arrive with stock ICS tomorrow or GB...
Ice

The SAFEST way to flash stock ROMs in case of emergency is using Odin.I've found both stock ROMs (GB & ICS) very stable, however I reboot my phone everyother day (windows habit).
This thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1525495 was my starting point.

rovar said:
The SAFEST way to flash stock ROMs in case of emergency is using Odin.I've found both stock ROMs (GB & ICS) very stable, however I reboot my phone everyother day (windows habit).
This thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1525495 was my starting point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off thank you for your reply. Interesting, I have read ODIn maybe responsible for bricking many of these phones is that incorrect? Lots of what I found seeing the people are very unstable with the custom roms so far for ICS for this phone of course stock ICS will be here soon.is there the ability to just root the phone and leave the stock ics ROM and just run the sprint hot spot mod.
Sent from my Sensation 4G using xda premium

iceshark said:
First off thank you for your reply. Interesting, I have read ODIn maybe responsible for bricking many of these phones is that incorrect? Lots of what I found seeing the people are very unstable with the custom roms so far for ICS for this phone of course stock ICS will be here soon.is there the ability to just root the phone and leave the stock ics ROM and just run the sprint hot spot mod.
Sent from my Sensation 4G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin never causes any bricks as long as the process is not interrupted. Most of the instability is caused by user error. From my experience, all fresh (by fresh I mean wipe data/cache and format system) custom ROM installs have been rock solid stable. Also, most network issues are fixed by updating profile/prl. Official ICS is already out, it is build FF18. Stock ICS will not normally have the hotspot mod. You will have to use a hack to install it yourself. If you want a stock ICS experience, use this odin package (reset user data) to odin your phone to pre-rooted FF18:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1721229
And here is your hotspot hack:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1760712
Nonetheless, I see no reason why you wouldn't just save yourself the time and flash a custom ICS ROM.

Imho, there isn't any ics custom rom as of yet that is 100% stable, glitch-free, and reliable. I would wait it out until more polished versions come out. If there is a pretty good one to try, i'd say the blu kuban.

revamper said:
Odin never causes any bricks as long as the process is not interrupted. Most of the instability is caused by user error. From my experience, all fresh (by fresh I mean wipe data/cache and format system) custom ROM installs have been rock solid stable. Also, most network issues are fixed by updating profile/prl. Official ICS is already out, it is build FF18. Stock ICS will not normally have the hotspot mod. You will have to use a hack to install it yourself. If you want a stock ICS experience, use this odin package (reset user data) to odin your phone to pre-rooted FF18:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1721229
And here is your hotspot hack:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1760712
Nonetheless, I see no reason why you wouldn't just save yourself the time and flash a custom ICS ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I think we are on the same page with this!
So I just loaded the FF18 Full Restore and Samsung drivers as indicated in this thread,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1670110
I also tested after unzipping to a folder and the ODEN program comes up waiting for me to hook up phone I dont have yet till tomorrow.
I also watched this video and it seems very easy to do if this is correct process,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IL21F8Gfbs
Still some clarifying questions,
1. If my new phone comes with ICS already pushed to it. Do I simply still install FF18 to get root for the ICS rom?
2. If phone does not come with ICS will this install ICS and Root?
3. Do I need to use this or Caulkins to wipe data first before I do this process on phone out of the box new?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1670110
Also I am little nervous reading this post from SFHUB<, Is he saying not to do the above process thru the built in Odin recovery in the phone if it comes with stock ICS in it? What does this mean???
The Epic 4g Touch has a bug in it's emmc controller that can cause the /data partition to become inaccessible/unrecoverable sometimes thanks to the wipe process when flashing from ICS recoveries... DO NOT FLASH FROM ICS RECOVERIES!!!!
7/11/12 edit: In the FF18 source Garwynn has confirmed the presence of the offending code that triggers the emmc bug (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...1&postcount=32) meaning that it will eventually be safe to flash from ICS as long as the offending code is removed by the dev of the kernel/rom...
- Please see this (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1525495) thread by xST4T1K which details how NOT to brick your device... It is slightly out of date but still very relevant... if you want a more technical understanding of what this emmc bug is and why this is happening you can see Sfhub's thread in general related to it (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1644364 ). The OP contains all of the information that our users have been able to figure out about this bug... Be sure to thank these people, as their hard work has made it exponentially safer for all of us to flash ICS roms on our phones...
-Every ICS rom will have a flashing guide in it's dev thread, its HIGHLY suggested you read and reread the guide for the rom you want to flash and follow it EXACTLY, taking the extra time upfront to fully understand what you're about to do will save you alot of trouble going forward.
-Put simply though you will always want to ODIN or Mobile ODIN (mobile Odin is an app made by the dev chainfire, available in the play store, that allows you to preform Odin flashes from your phone without using a PC) the el26 Gingerbread kernel/recovery and flash any ICS roms from that. NEVER FLASH FROM AN ICS RECOVERY, THAT IS HOW BRICKS ARE MADE!!!! Also do NOT use Rom Manager or Touch recovery!!!!
- Currently there are some ICS recoveries that are thought to be safe to flash from thanks to the work done on the emmc bug. If one of these is included in your rom it will be noted by the dev in the rom thread, however the safest way is still just to Odin back to el26 in order to avoid any chance of bricking!
Next, once I do this FF!8 and have root and ICS. If I want to dabble in custom roms. I am guessing they are installed by CWM from file downloaded to root of SD card like normal. I do not find CWM touch for this phone anywhere. I am sure I am missing it. It seems from reading the exploit in ICS kernal is causing the bricks. So I am guessing to use SF hubs or Claukins data wipe before loading custom roms. Are we beating to the same drum here?
Will correct radio or modem be installed automtic with FF18 or custom roms? I see many threads just on modems.
Thanks and thanks for the hot spot mod.

optimummind said:
Imho, there isn't any ics custom rom as of yet that is 100% stable, glitch-free, and reliable. I would wait it out until more polished versions come out. If there is a pretty good one to try, i'd say the blu kuban.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what it seems from hours reading each ROM thread. Reminds me of the Sensation when GB and or ICS first leaked. Will most likely just root stock and go from there.

CWM is in the kernel. Current kernels such as chris41g's or AGAT's kernels have patched up recoveries that avoid the emmc bug, so they are completely safe. You should use calkulins format all before flashing a rom in CWM.
For odin, it wouldn't hurt to odin sfhubs wipe data/cache, but it's not necessary. As long as you use the reset user data odin package for FF18, it will take you to stock rooted FF18. Regardless of what rom your phone comes with, run that odin package. You don't need to worry about the modem either because it will install the latest one. Be sure to update your profile/prl in settings>about>system updates after.
If you want to try a custom rom, use odin to flash a kernel with cwm (agat's or chris41g's). Once you have a recovery, flash calkulins format all, and then the ROM of your choice. Modems are not installed through CWM rom zips. You'll have to flash a modem zip in recovery or odin a modem tar.

revamper said:
CWM is in the kernel. Current kernels such as chris41g's or AGAT's kernels have patched up recoveries that avoid the emmc bug, so they are completely safe. You should use calkulins format all before flashing a rom in CWM.
For odin, it wouldn't hurt to odin sfhubs wipe data/cache, but it's not necessary. As long as you use the reset user data odin package for FF18, it will take you to stock rooted FF18. Regardless of what rom your phone comes with, run that odin package. You don't need to worry about the modem either because it will install the latest one. Be sure to update your profile/prl in settings>about>system updates after.
If you want to try a custom rom, use odin to flash a kernel with cwm (agat's or chris41g's). Once you have a recovery, flash calkulins format all, and then the ROM of your choice. Modems are not installed through CWM rom zips. You'll have to flash a modem zip in recovery or odin a modem tar.
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I was studying Sfhugs FF18 thread and it says I can do the one click root and then install option D and that puts in the FF18, with agats CWM. So is this more simple then flashing FF18 and then doing a flash for either chris or agat kernal with cwm?
Should I use Calkulins format before flashing FF18 from stock?
So when you guys flash new custom roms you have to flash current modem each time? or only if you want to have a more current one? Coming from HTC you only have to flash radio when its required to match a new base leaked. So little confused there too.
Thanks your help has been great!

iceshark said:
I was studying Sfhugs FF18 thread and it says I can do the one click root and then install option D and that puts in the FF18, with agats CWM. So is this more simple then flashing FF18 and then doing a flash for either chris or agat kernal with cwm?
Should I use Calkulins format before flashing FF18 from stock?
So when you guys flash new custom roms you have to flash current modem each time? or only if you want to have a more current one? Coming from HTC you only have to flash radio when its required to match a new base leaked. So little confused there too.
Thanks your help has been great!
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I know I personally use Mijjahz's "GOODNESS" ROM and it runs smooth. Many mods and add ons with more added daily. I flashed agat's 2.2 kernel because I don't like the 2.3 that version 16.6.1 comes with.
I also flashed FF18 over my EL26 modem. Modems don't change between flashing I believe. Those you update yourself. A lot of folks stay on EL29 or find something that works perfectly in their area.
Sent from Konnor the E4GT.

optimummind said:
Imho, there isn't any ics custom rom as of yet that is 100% stable, glitch-free, and reliable. I would wait it out until more polished versions come out. If there is a pretty good one to try, i'd say the blu kuban.
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not sure what you expect from a mobile os but I couldn't disagree more.... my experance on mijjahs goodness has been better and more stable than stock in every way, hell even cm9 and aokp are extremely reliable as well if you can live without dialer codes and prl/profile updates.... no software is ever going to be 100%.... I say flash away, you won't be dissapointed
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

cp320703 said:
not sure what you expect from a mobile os but I couldn't disagree more.... my experance on mijjahs goodness has been better and more stable than stock in every way, hell even cm9 and aokp are extremely reliable as well if you can live without dialer codes and prl/profile updates.... no software is ever going to be 100%.... I say flash away, you won't be dissapointed
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
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QFT.
ICS ROMs are very stable at this point.

iceshark said:
Thanks, I think we are on the same page with this!
So I just loaded the FF18 Full Restore and Samsung drivers as indicated in this thread,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1670110
I also tested after unzipping to a folder and the ODEN program comes up waiting for me to hook up phone I dont have yet till tomorrow.
I also watched this video and it seems very easy to do if this is correct process,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IL21F8Gfbs
Still some clarifying questions,
1. If my new phone comes with ICS already pushed to it. Do I simply still install FF18 to get root for the ICS rom?
2. If phone does not come with ICS will this install ICS and Root?
3. Do I need to use this or Caulkins to wipe data first before I do this process on phone out of the box new?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1670110
Also I am little nervous reading this post from SFHUB<, Is he saying not to do the above process thru the built in Odin recovery in the phone if it comes with stock ICS in it? What does this mean???
The Epic 4g Touch has a bug in it's emmc controller that can cause the /data partition to become inaccessible/unrecoverable sometimes thanks to the wipe process when flashing from ICS recoveries... DO NOT FLASH FROM ICS RECOVERIES!!!!
7/11/12 edit: In the FF18 source Garwynn has confirmed the presence of the offending code that triggers the emmc bug (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...1&postcount=32) meaning that it will eventually be safe to flash from ICS as long as the offending code is removed by the dev of the kernel/rom...
- Please see this (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1525495) thread by xST4T1K which details how NOT to brick your device... It is slightly out of date but still very relevant... if you want a more technical understanding of what this emmc bug is and why this is happening you can see Sfhub's thread in general related to it (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1644364 ). The OP contains all of the information that our users have been able to figure out about this bug... Be sure to thank these people, as their hard work has made it exponentially safer for all of us to flash ICS roms on our phones...
-Every ICS rom will have a flashing guide in it's dev thread, its HIGHLY suggested you read and reread the guide for the rom you want to flash and follow it EXACTLY, taking the extra time upfront to fully understand what you're about to do will save you alot of trouble going forward.
-Put simply though you will always want to ODIN or Mobile ODIN (mobile Odin is an app made by the dev chainfire, available in the play store, that allows you to preform Odin flashes from your phone without using a PC) the el26 Gingerbread kernel/recovery and flash any ICS roms from that. NEVER FLASH FROM AN ICS RECOVERY, THAT IS HOW BRICKS ARE MADE!!!! Also do NOT use Rom Manager or Touch recovery!!!!
- Currently there are some ICS recoveries that are thought to be safe to flash from thanks to the work done on the emmc bug. If one of these is included in your rom it will be noted by the dev in the rom thread, however the safest way is still just to Odin back to el26 in order to avoid any chance of bricking!
Next, once I do this FF!8 and have root and ICS. If I want to dabble in custom roms. I am guessing they are installed by CWM from file downloaded to root of SD card like normal. I do not find CWM touch for this phone anywhere. I am sure I am missing it. It seems from reading the exploit in ICS kernal is causing the bricks. So I am guessing to use SF hubs or Claukins data wipe before loading custom roms. Are we beating to the same drum here?
Will correct radio or modem be installed automtic with FF18 or custom roms? I see many threads just on modems.
Thanks and thanks for the hot spot mod.
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you're quoting some of my new user guide here, and i haven't updated it since the OTA came out so it somewhat overstates the danger of bricking (not a bad thing really, made you read, didn't it!?) which was much easir to do before we got kernel source, since then agat63 and chris41g have been killin it in kernel development since they got ICS source... their ICS kernels are safe to flash from and can be found in the dev section, if you're on the stock FF18 rooted with stock kernel i would personally ODIN (mobile or desktop) back to EL26, and from there flash whatever custom ICS rom you like, as far as I'm aware all of the roms come with a safe kernel these days but do be sure to double check and flash one if it does not... at that point going forward should you wish to flash something else you can just do it via cwm as per usual without having to odin back to gingerbread....do note however that you can't use touchwiz kernels with AOSP roms, there asr safe AOSP kernels as well however...
edit: oops, just noticed revamper addressed most of this on the last page, to answer another one of your questions though you can try as many modems as you like and decide which one works best for you, its varies phone to phone and area to area... the modem is not at all required to match the build number of the rom, (example: may people still use the el29 modem with ICS) you can use ANY modem with ANY rom

Ive flashed this phone hundreds of times. Put your rom and any other zips you have on external card. Then to do a full clean wipe go to privacy. then factory data reset then check usb storage. You can skip this step, but this is how to get it factory fresh. Download the el26 cwm kenal. Its posted everywhere. Next open Odin go to pda and select EL26 cwm kernal. Uncheck auto reboot. Have battery cover off! Flash kernal pop battery out when it starts to boot. or says pass. then use the vol up and power combo hold them down until boot screen pops up then let off. Next flash calkulins wipe all or wipe no data. . Never brick never fail. Then flash your rom and tweaks and be happy. Ive done this driving down the road its that easy. Laptop sitting in passenger seat with odin up lol. Plus i drive a 5sp full size truck. Flashing is easy. Follow directions. There is nothing wrong with this phone just read directions if your a noob. I,ll be making multi scenario flashing youtube movies soon. Like mobile tech videos does.

Flashing is easy. Follow directions. There is nothing wrong with this phone just read directions if your a noob.
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That's all there is to say.