Develop Bugs

ROM Flash Problems

Hi Flashmaniacs,
i have a Problem. I can't flash a custom ROM on the Defy of my friend. I'm experienced in rooting, S-Off, flashing ROMs on HTC Desire but this Phone bring me to suicide
The Phone had standard German 2.51 ROM (Eclair), First thing i testetd was to flash Froyo (3.4.2_117, here from XDA) with RSD Lite. Since then i have Problem to flash other custom ROMs from here. After the Flash of 3.4.2_117 Froyo i made the Downgrade over Backup with Clockworkmod etc. Works so far verry fine.
I don't know if i don't understand the whole Flashthing, next i tried to flash the Sense ROM from here. In the instruction stand, that i have to flash the chinese ROm with RSD Lite, root the Phone etc. But the Problem is now if i finish Flashing with RSD Lite the Screen of the Phone is black and i see nothing.
Now thwe biggest Problem. I only can flash now to Froyo (3.4.2_117) make roote restore Backup to 2.51 etc. Whatever ROM i would flash over RSD Lite i get all time a black screen after flashing. Only Froyo 3.4.2_117 works.
What happened here? Can someone help me. I would be very happy if someone can help me.
Sorry for my bad englisch.
Greetings
ShrekDTH

i think it's related to the bootloader,maybe you can recovery from a ROM's image
sorry for my poor English ;(

You must flash your sbf froyo again then flash your custom rom with CWM, then flash chinese bootloader

[Q] Downgrade to original

I flashed froyo on my new defy 2.51 to Pays-ROM Defy v5.0 which is based on 3.4.3-11. It says my kernel version is 2.6.32.9.
I want to downgrade my phone to the original stock rom, to get my warranty back. Should I just flash it to the 2.51 eclair stock with rsd lite? or will that brick my phone?

It depends on whether you flashed a fixed SBF or not. If you flashed a fixed SBF of Android 2.2 (3.4.3-11) than you can flash a full SBF of Android 2.1 to your phone (look for it at the forum) and your phone will be alright. If you flashed a full Android 2.2 (3.4.3-11) SBF than it's not possible to get back to your stock rom (Android 2.1).

There's something I'd like to know about this, even if you go back to 2.1 for warranty, can the warranty guys still know you modded it?

What is the difference between fixed and full sbf ? How do I get to know which one I have?
I followed the steps on this post -
[ROM] Pays-ROM Defy v5.1 Froyo with Ginger feeling
This is what i followed --- :s
README - Step by step flashing guide:
You can go to step 5 if you already flashed 3.4.3-11 SBF, rooted and installed clockwork recovery or have ROM v5.0 or higher.
Don't wipe after you flashed the SPF or the ROM. Also no wipe is needed before or after a ROM update. But wipe before flashing a new SBF!
1.) Wipe your phone in recovery mode
2.) Flash 3.4.3-11 Motorola SBF with RSD Lite in bootloader mode
(The sbf is packed in a archive just extract it and then you get the sbf.)
3.) Enable ADB in the settings and root your device with SuperOneClickRoot for Froyo. Then do a reboot.
4.) Disable ADB and install clockwork recovery image
5.) Put the ROM.zip to your SD Root and boot into clockwork recovery
6.) Flash the ZIP + reboot and enjoy

@LeoD7K
I don't believe they can see which rom you've flashed in the past so you'll be save if you revert to your old rom. (Someone on this forum told me that)
@pragund
I'm not sure whether this is a fixed SBF, you should ask the developer who started the thread. Another way to find out whether it's fixed is to check the file size. A fixed SBF is very small, around 15-40 MB whereas a full SBF is around 300 MB. So if you still have the SBF file you flashed you can check the file size. Also you have to make sure you've never flashed another full SBF before. So if this was your only upgrade and it's a fixed SBF you can downgrade back to Android 2.1.

my sbf file size was 360mb!
Is there any other way to get to an original stock rom? so as to get warranty?

Well the only option left is to check whether your carrier has released an official 2.2 update. If that's the case you could update to that and still claim your warranty as it's an official rom. Every carrier should release an official Android 2.2 rom at some time so if it's not released by your carrier yet it should be just a matter of time. Aside from that there are no other options to get your warranty back. But also I'm not sure if you can update from one Android 2.2 to another Android 2.2.

I bought it outright unlocked in india ... do I get a direct update from motorola?

[Q] So many questions!

I have a Nexus S and I'm attempting to Root/Install ROMs on a Defy. I must admit terms like SBF, 2ndInit, SuperOneClick were new to me. After almost 6 hours of reading and searching, and getting stuck at boot for a long time, I've successfully installed Pays 2.2 ROM on my phone, coming from 2.1 Eclair. But, I still haven't wrapped my head around the proper procedure for flashing ROMs. Can someone please answer the following questions?
1 - What is an SBF? How is it different from a Nandroid?
2 - Why does one have to flash an SBF as well as a ROM? This is confusing! Why do I flash a 2.2 Froyo SBF to install a 2.3.4 ROM? And in some cases why the Froyo SBF AFTER the Gingerbread ROM?
3 - If I want to switch between 2.3.3/4 ROMs (eg: MIUI and CM7) is it sufficient to just restore their Nandroids?
4 - I see a lot of talk about Downgrading. Why would one want to downgrade to 2.1, or even stay at 2.2 for that matter?
5 - How would one switch from a 2.3.4 ROM to a 2.2 ROM? Nandroid? Or SBF or both?
On the Nexus S, we just flash a custom recovery that stays put. Then we're free to restore Nandroids and things as we please. All this SBF stuff is a little beyond me. Any answers to these questions would be really appreaciated. Thanks!

thanx i wanted to ask the same....

What the guys above me said, good to see someone asking questions some of us dare'nt ask for fear of put downs or other negative replies.
Seriously asn thx for replying, about 6 hours earlier nearly wrote your reply word for word but didn't as didn't want to be labeled a stupid noob. FYI I've ROMed 4 winmob devices and a zte blade so im not a stupid noob

Here's what I don't understand (sorry for the noob question and the long post):
Here's what I did so far:
Started with stock US Froyo (Version.34.4.9.MB525.T-Mobile.en.US, Build Number: 3.4.2-107_JDN-9)
Rooted and installed ClockworkMod Recovery v2.5.1.8
Took a nandroid backup
Installed CM7 (as per FAQ):
flashed JRDNEM_U3_3.4.2_177-005_NORDIC
rooted using SuperOneClickv1.9.5-ShortFuse
installed 2ndInit SndInitDefy_1.4_2.apk
installed CM7 RC1v2 using Recovery - Custom Recovery
installed cm7-110715-1018-NIGHTLY by booting 2ndInit -> Recovery -> Stable recovery
This was actually my second install of CM7.
During my first install I did not flash Nordic and installed directly on top of Stock US 2.2.1 Froyo.
Then I only installed RC1v2 (no nightly) and the camcorder had very laggy recording.
So I decided to do it again by first flashing Nordic.
I did this by restoring my nandroid backup and it worked fine without flashing any fixed SBF.
Now I believe that the nightly probably fixed the camera and it wasn't because my I didn't flash Nordic first.
So my questions are:
* To downgrade, do I really need to apply a fixed SBF on top of my nandroid or is this only necessary if I started off on Eclair (and not if I started on Froyo) ?
The CM7 FAQ state that in order to downgrade from CM7 a nandroid backup AND a fixed SBF is needed.
Why would I need a fixed SBF if I have a nandroid backup.
* Is it ok to install CM7 on top of Stock US 2.2.1 Froyo or is it better to flash Nordic or does it not make a differnce at all?
* What are the BOOT179 nightlies (e.g. cm7-110716-0105-BOOT179-Jordan) and do I need to apply it if I'm already on RC1v2 and want to apply the latest nightly build?

Let's start with the big one, Defy has a locked bootloader, hence there's not an easy way to flash a custom rom, unfortunately no flash & go here. The bootloader check for signed moto products at a very low level, it's something like built-in in the hardware.
1) SBF is usually a stock ROM provided by Motorola, i say "usually" because you will find many leaked versions around. It is different from a nandroid backup, you cannot restore a SBF in the way you restore a nandroid. A SBF MUST be flashed with RSD Lite, which is an apposite tool delivered by Motorola.
2) Depending on the custom ROM you're going to install, you have to flash the appropriate SBF. For example, if you try to install a custom ROM based on froyo 2.2.2 to a phone which runs eclair you'll just get stuck at startup. Actually, before the Quarx work (GB) all the custom roms here were just customizations of SBFs. Now with the 2nd init stuff we've new opportunities but, until the bootloader is locked, we'll need the official SBFs as base for any custom rom, otherwise no way to bypass the check at startup.
3) It depends on the bootloader version. Your ROM should have the same bl version of the nandroid backup-ed one.
4) Actually there are two reasons ppl talk about downgrading. First, in case of the phone needs repairs you should reinstall the original ROM in order to avoid to void your warranty. Second, many custom ROM, included GB versions, are still buggy. Some ppl like them much, other ppl prefer going back to slower but more stable official ROMs.
5) I cant tell you for sure since i've never tried any GB so far, but, with RDS Lite + SBF you should be able to revert back.
All this, as far as i know, and i know not much..
EDIT:
I forgot something important, use fixed SBF + nandroids to preserve your downgradability. The way is 1) apply a nandroid 2) flash the fixed SBF with RDS Lite 3) apply a custom rom. If you don't and go directly with RDS Lite and the whole SBF then downgradability will be lost.

Thank you very much! I wish there was an FAQ for noobs. As per your edit, I'm pretty sure I've lost downgradability. Not too worried about it...yet.
But, you've helped a lot. I think I get it now. Thanks again!

[Q] Installing a custom ROM, Ginger Bread?

Hi,
I recently had to update my SBF because I accidentally bricked my phone, it's now on Orange's 2.3.3 version 45.0.85 SBF.
I have rooted it with GingerBreak and installed the 2nd init bootloader.
My problem is that I have tried many ROMs, and when ever I do it just doesn't work, Quarx's CyanogenMod and the SenseUI is stuck in a boot loop and the MotoGinger V5 just won't install.
Is there a way to degrade or install a custom ROM?
(Using an old SBF just bricks it, I end up having to reinstall from RSD)
Thanks in advance for any info.

[Q] serval question for JORDN_U3_97.21.51

Well... it's a long story.
I bought my China Retail Defy ME525 this May, accidentally flashed 3.4.2-155 deblur as stock rom. Two day before I accidentally flashed JORDN_U3_97.21.51 (again ).
Now I stuck there and unable to flash any other roms in RSDlite. I'm trying to update it to froyo and later restore my CM7 backup.
Here's my questions:
According to here, it is possible to get an OTA update. But did anyone actually make that?
Would ME525 be unable to get T-Mobile update due to its IMEI?
(This is a silly one, however I really don't find the answer). How could it be possible to install an nandroid backup after flashing a fixed sbf? my led never turn blue after I flashed the sbf. Cannot enter bootmenu PS: The fixed sbf is based on 3.4.2-107 TMobile US full sbf)
Is it possible to make up a update.zip that acts as installing nandroid backup?
Would it be the same to install a nandroid backup first and later flash fixed sbf?

you install the nandroid backup first and then flash the sbf...

JORDN_U3_97.21.51 is an eclair sbf which contains CG39.smg and CG31.smg ver=5. You can no longer flash ANY froyo sbf. In fact the only sbf you can flash now are 2.3.4 and 2.3.6 sbf and of course JORDN_U3_97.21.51. 2.3.6 sbf is ver=6 and has no know downgrade possibility. Follow this guide to get back to froyo http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14762402&postcount=143
Keep in mind that this is a "dirty" method of getting back to froyo and you are ALWAYS stuck on ver=5. What that means is that even after getting to froyo using this guide you are NOT free to flash any sbf you like. You can however, use this guide to get to froyo and install cm7 from there