Develop Bugs

Rooted EVO, want to install Gingerbread... Basic ROM?

Alright, so I have honestly looked every where and read as much as I can.
I have a Rooted EVO with the stock ROM. I really want to update to Gingerbread but am very confused. I do not want to lose my rooted status and I do not want a ROM with a bunch of MODS. I just want a simple stock ROM with Gingerbread and Root access. Is this possible. I am confused by everything I read and do not want to brick my phone.
Will updating my phone with the OTA while Rooted ruin my phone? Will I be able to keep my root status?
Thanks!

everythingtonothing.com said:
Alright, so I have honestly looked every where and read as much as I can.
I have a Rooted EVO with the stock ROM. I really want to update to Gingerbread but am very confused. I do not want to lose my rooted status and I do not want a ROM with a bunch of MODS. I just want a simple stock ROM with Gingerbread and Root access. Is this possible. I am confused by everything I read and do not want to brick my phone.
Will updating my phone with the OTA while Rooted ruin my phone? Will I be able to keep my root status?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol wow dude you're gonna get flammed but ya just download one of the stock roms on here there are about 4 of them posted with the new gb update from sprint. Just download and flash via recovery also update your radio, Wimax, etc its pretty easy
Edit: here's a link to a completely stock gb update
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1038701
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

OMG.....Great Rom..Still has brightness bug though, can you plze fix. Battery life is great.
On a Serious Note: Is The Search button not working?
On a Side Note: The Noob video needs to be played on login to all members that dont have a post count of at least 40. Even if they signed up before the rule.

ThatSmartB0y said:
OMG.....Great Rom..Still has brightness bug though, can you plze fix. Battery life is great.
On a Serious Note: Is The Search button not working?
On a Side Note: The Noob video needs to be played on login to all members that dont have a post count of at least 15. Even if they signed up before the rule.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol ya I felt bad for him so I helped out a little but I really wish people would read
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

There are two different rooted versions (with very minor modifications) of the new stock Gingerbread ROM (anything with the labeled "Sense" is based on HTC's ROM's, though some of them are based on ROM's from other phones), both on the first page of threads in this forum. Look for "4.22.651.2" in the thread subject--and yes, those will keep your phone rooted and S-OFF. I believe there's a third thread with a method of updating without a flash, and yet another with minor modifications to the stock ROM (the Titanium-X ROM).
By contrast, anything that says "AOSP" is based on the Android Open Source Project, and therefore quite different from an HTC ROM, though all functions work on many of them (but there is some debate on how well the various radios work on AOSP ROM's).

Okay maybe I had that coming or maybe I just didn't phrase the question right.
I looked at the page linked above before I posted this and I read it all and still was confused. I guess I am looking for the idiots guide to doing this. I don't feel confident enough on my own.
I DID read, ALOT, and I looked at all the posts that are suggested when posting a new thread.

everythingtonothing.com said:
Okay maybe I had that coming or maybe I just didn't phrase the question right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are referring to the fact that this thread is for development only. For future reference you can avoid being flamed by posting in the Q&A section.
Don't worry to much about these guys, they lurk and jump at the chance to show off their supremacy over noobs.
Another word of advice would be to hit the thanks button for mtknife for his helpful and humble response.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Alright will do!
I thought the Q&A was for other basic questions. My error.

Do you have the latest recovery installed of RA or Clockwork ?

I have clockwork i believe. I just did what I think is a nandroid backup, I went into recovery and did backup.

That's always smart so you are doing good so far. What you want to do now is download the zip file and place it on your SD card. You can download it directly on your phone if its easier for you (wifi recommended). Just follow the link posted by dodgerbluehero above and I would recommend starting with the odexed version.
Now go into recovery and choose flash from zip - then - choose zip on SD card. Navigate to the downloaded file and hit the power button to select it and again to confirm. It can take a few minutes to write the files so just leave it alone. It will tell you when it's done and you can reboot.
These instructions are from my memory but should be pretty close. You would typically want to wipe but the dev says not to worry about it if you are coming from a stock rom.
Give it a shot, you will be fine. Pm me if you have any questions because the mods will probably close this thread soon. Good luck!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

what confuses me is where it says "firmware". Do I still have to install that or just the ROM??

The firmware is optional. You can install the rom and then decide if you want to flash the radio as well afterwards.
After you flash, the first boot sometimes takes a little while. Just let it do it's thing. You will be happily surprised how easy this actually is to do.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

but what benefit does it have? is the radio i have not as good?

Some people get better results with signal/3g speeds/wimax. The consensus seems to be that it varies by phone and area.
You can flash the rom without also flashing the radio and be just fine. Stop worrying and take the leap.
On the other hand this may not be for you.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Well I appreciate the time you spent explaining it. I just don't have the money to buy a new phone if I brick it. I rooted my phone on my own but never did any rom updates. I am going to try it once it downloads. Thank you again.

Oh one more thing, be sure that your phone has plenty of charge to make it through the flash and restart or that could lead to bricking your phone.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

augy said:
Oh one more thing, be sure that your phone has plenty of charge to make it through the flash and restart or that could lead to bricking your phone.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, at this point in the game, that's about the only way to brick your phone. It's one of my personal favorite little jokes when clockworkmod asks me are you sure? This cannot be undone! Darn near everything can be fixed thanks to this awesome community!

Root
Thanks to everyone for keeping this going it has helped me so much. One quick question I have installed the ROM and the firmware but I see in the apps things like the blockbuster app and wanted to remove it. I cant seem to uninstall it so I thought it wasn't rooted properly. I tried using Unrevoked3 on it but it failed stating
Error: failed to get root. Is your firmware too new?
am I forgetting something simple or do I have to try and downgrade the firmware?
Thanks,

dmort said:
Thanks to everyone for keeping this going it has helped me so much. One quick question I have installed the ROM and the firmware but I see in the apps things like the blockbuster app and wanted to remove it. I cant seem to uninstall it so I thought it wasn't rooted properly. I tried using Unrevoked3 on it but it failed stating
Error: failed to get root. Is your firmware too new?
am I forgetting something simple or do I have to try and downgrade the firmware?
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I recall seeing something about that error on the unrevoked website. I'm out and about right now but I'll check on it when I get home, but in the meantime if you wanna do some digging, I'd start there

HELP!!!.....Used Treve's app to remove CIQ and think I bricked my phone

HELP!!.....I downloaded and installed Treve's app to remove CIQ
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1247108
After I downloaded and installed, I ran the first option of remove CIQ. It said successful and then said please reboot.
When I rebooted, all I get now is the boot screen that says Samsung Galaxy SII and then it just sits there.
Did I brick my phone?
Background info: My phone is rooted but not with a custom rom or kernal or odin. It is completely stock and I rooted using sfhub's method.

You didn't brink it. I would suggest that you go to this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1351761
download the stock rom and get the pit file for it as well and read up on odin real quick and reflash your phone with this rom to go back to stock. Also the post you linked is for HTC phones not Samsung from what I can see with a quick glance of it. If you want to reroot and remove CIQ I would suggest getting one of the roms from this section that already has CIQ removed from it and not using that app again.

I don't know if you are bricked. But why would you flash something for the HTC phones when you have a Samsung its really not to hard to find what you need you just had to look in our dev section and you would have found your answer there to remove ciq
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

ewalk4866 said:
I don't know if you are bricked. But why would you flash something for the HTC phones when you have a Samsung its really not to hard to find what you need you just had to look in our dev section and you would have found your answer there to remove ciq
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sfhub's rooting method is super easy, so easy that people that shouldn't be rooting can now root!
My suggestion is run the .tar file like mentioned above. Once you are back to stock, you might want to read a lot before flashing anything again...

I didn't flash anything previously. I just installed an app and bought the key in the market.
While that forums heading is regarding HTC phones, on page 11 is where the app actually is listed and the description states that it is for all phones including Samsung.
I am able to do volume up and power and get to the Samsung options of factory reset but when I choose this, it pops up asking for password. What would that be or is it just my own lockscreen password?
Edit: Yes my lockscreen password is the password. Did the factory reset and it is still coming up to only the Samsung screen.

[email protected] said:
Sfhub's rooting method is super easy, so easy that people that shouldn't be rooting can now root!
My suggestion is run the .tar file like mentioned above. Once you are back to stock, you might want to read a lot before flashing anything again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, a good amount these people really shouldn't be flashing anything cause they don't even understand at all what it is they are actually doing. They just hear about it and assume its got to be easy cause they own a pc and can operate windows explorer. I can't tell you how many times people start a thread about if they bricked there phone when 99% of then haven't bricked it at all. which is completely obvious to any one who knows there way around android and get what it its there actually doing to there phone. I feel really bad for the OP and all the others who attempt to flash things without a clue as to whats going on. OP ( which means original poster, aka the guys who started the thread ) you need to search for a stock recovery .tar and run it using odin and you will be fine. Just like the guy above started. Can't figure out odin or aint sure what it is? Use your new best friend www.google.com to find the answer including the one thats already answered in post several times with the same topic name that this one is. nothing is wrong with your phone that can't easily be un done. You will be fine. Pm me if you really can't figure it out amigo

Ok guys, is the purpose here at XDA to help others or just talk down to them and belittle them for not being android guru's?
While I completely and graciously appreciate your advice and help, I am 42 not 15. Also, while I am far from having the extensive knowledge that most of you have, I am not a n00b to all of it and have a pretty good understanding or roms, flashing, etc.
Back to the topic. Again, I did not flash anything. I installed an app. While I agree that I could have found everything needed here in the e4gt forum to remove ICQ (which I did previously but didn't flash), I decided to try the app created by TrevE because it also states that it is for Samsung too, even though it is in the HTC forum and the post topic states HTC.
I installed the app because it also has many additional privacy options, not just CIQ. I did my homework (at least I thought I did) and read everything there and here before doing so. I did not just see something shiny and install it without at least knowing the parameters. Also, since I wasn't flashing anything, I thought installing an app would be safer. If it worked great, if it didn't just uninstall it. Again, since TrevE states that it is also for Samsung, I thought I would be safe.
I guess I will have to do what most of you mentioned and just have to use
[ODIN][STOCK][TAR] SPH-D710.EG30_CL435803_REV05_user.tar.md5
I was just asking for advice if there was another method or something I was overlooking before taking that route.
As always, thank you guys for your help and your advice. Just remember, at some point you were n00bs too Much love and respect to all who contribute, help and teach.........Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Why are you so against using the TAR file? It will get you back up and running and then you can root with the same process that you used the first time.
My apologies for my prior post, we have all been there and done that. I lack sleep right now...

I did the exact same thing the other day and had the exact same results. I ended up flashing a stock kernel with cwm, then flashed a ROM and was able to get it to boot. I didn't wipe when I flashed so I was able to recover all my data. My next step is to use the stock tar, then I'm gonna run the auto root and restore all my data with titanium.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

[email protected] said:
Why are you so against using the TAR file? .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just lazy, LOL.
It seems like a lot of work and was I just praying and hoping for a quick fix or something that I may have been overlooking to fix it.........plus I didn't want to loose all my data and go through the headache of spending three hours setting up and reinstalling everything.
Will this increase my Odin count?

_MetalHead_ said:
I did the exact same thing the other day and had the exact same results. I ended up flashing a stock kernel with cwm, then flashed a ROM and was able to get it to boot. I didn't wipe when I flashed so I was able to recover all my data. My next step is to use the stock tar, then I'm gonna run the auto root and restore all my data with titanium.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, ya I just seen your posts in that thread. Somehow I must have missed page 37, LOL. This could have saved me a lot of headaches and more time for beer and football today, hahaha.
Happy Turkey Day! Gobble Gobble Drink Drink!

WOOOOOWHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Just Odin'd stock tar and she booted right up.....
Now I just gotta change settings and install everything back and then re-root......PITA but at least it's better than a $200 paperweight, LOL

n01un0 said:
WOOOOOWHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Just Odin'd stock tar and she booted right up.....
Now I just gotta change settings and install everything back and then re-root......PITA but at least it's better than a $200 paperweight, LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone should have a copy of the full stock tar. If your phone has any kind of power, its almost always able to be saved
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

The lesson here is to read things before jumping blindly in and phailing up your device.
The only method to remove CIQ from Samsung devices is my noCIQ series of mods (which are included in many custom ROMs).

Lesson learned.......
Even though TrevE said it works for Samsung, it did'nt. I shoulda just did the noCIQ from Konane that I originally downloaded. I was just hoping some of the other privacy issues addressed in TrevE's apk would be in noCIQ.
Great work Konane and thanks for your contributions.
Sent from my SGSIIE4GTuvwxyz....should I touch my nose or walk a straight line now?

k0nane said:
The lesson here is to read things before jumping blindly in and phailing up your device.
The only method to remove CIQ from Samsung devices is my noCIQ series of mods (which are included in many custom ROMs).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you please share how to access the IQ Client in Samsung Phones? Thanks in advance

I did the exact same thing too! And the one time I didn't run a backup was the one time I needed it. If you aren't rooted, root. If you don't have a custom ROM, now's the time. No CIQ in Calkulin's!

[email protected] said:
Sfhub's rooting method is super easy, so easy that people that shouldn't be rooting can now root!
My suggestion is run the .tar file like mentioned above. Once you are back to stock, you might want to read a lot before flashing anything again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@OP glad you fixed your phone because a bricked phone is no fun. Although I know you may of gotten upset at this statement. I have to agree that too many people root their phones with out even understanding how to repair it if something goes wrong. Not for nothing but my phone cant boot up its wiping caches then trying to flash a new rom. If that dont work then its time to pray...
Like I said glad you fixed it and no disrespect but the statement above especially read a lot before flashing is something more people need to do... IMHO

k0nane said:
The lesson here is to read things before jumping blindly in and phailing up your device.
The only method to remove CIQ from Samsung devices is my noCIQ series of mods (which are included in many custom ROMs).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh!
I tried this app on my Epic (original ver) and it did the exact same thing. I just restored from nand and all was good.
I was surprised that the app did report that CIQ was running, even using severals ROMs where it was said to be removed
This Epic post as brought to you via Tapatalk

Just use the tar. Beggers cant be choosers

[Q] Help!What is EL29,EH17,SRF12, ETC?

Not sure what these numbers and letters mean....
Mine sais EL29, so i only flashed the ROM (Blazer ROM 4.0) that had all the same information as my phone displayed under "About Phone"....
This page http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=716 has a list of ROMs, a few of which i would like to use. Specifically the new ICS leaks (Hurry up SPRINT, release the ICS ALREADY!!)...
My question is... is the "EL29" "EH17" "SRF12" and all those others the firmware versions? Modem Versions? What are these? If a ROM specifies this information anywhere, will i have to upgrade or downgrade to the appropriate files (Or firmware) before flashing the ROM? I have no idea what these are or what they mean.
From what i've read and picked up, i know that some of these things will have to be done through ODIN and I think I read that some other things can be done through CWM, like flashing the ROM itself.
I just need a little more information on how flash ROMs properly concerning what needs to be done BEFORE I flash a new one... No one wants a Samsung PaperWeight.
Things I already know:
1.) Must install a ROM compatible with your phone (DUH)
2.) Sometimes you gotta use ODIN (Is this only for root? Or do you use this to upgrade/downgrade modem firmware or something, too ?)
Also, what other file exensions should I be familiar with and what do they do? I just want to be able to modify my phone with no problems and a collection of links and bookmarks for me to pull it off. I'm not trying to be a programmer (yet =)
Any links specific to my questions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance.

Most of this could be answered with a little reading, frankly. Many of the stickies explain most of this.
I would start by watching some of QBKING77s YouTube videos, they will explain Everything.
There should be a link in my sig to get yourself started with an easy one click root, but read, read, and then read some more before doing anything.
A link to a post I answered similarly previous :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23413749
Sent from my calculator watch.

Date the firmware was built that simple. EL29 was the most recent gingerbread build. FC13 build which btw was todayish is the latest ics leak.

In simplest terms:
EL29
E is the year. E was 2011, F is 2012, etc.
L is the month. A=Jan, B=Feb, C=Mar, ... L = Dec
29 Well, given the rest of the pattern, is the compile date. In this example, 29 is the 29th day of December, 2011.
And as the other poster says, this info is out there if you spent a bit of time searching for it.

I want to see a custom ROM based on the SRF12 leak.

Compusmurf said:
In simplest terms:
EL29
E is the year. E was 2011, F is 2012, etc.
L is the month. A=Jan, B=Feb, C=Mar, ... L = Dec
29 Well, given the rest of the pattern, is the compile date. In this example, 29 is the 29th day of December, 2011.
And as the other poster says, this info is out there if you spent a bit of time searching for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Thats what i was looking for. Never would had guessed what the E's and L's stood for.
I have read on this, trust me. Including the links that kingdazy provided. Although i will watch that youtube video to see what i can learn from it.
As i've said i've already root my Samsung E4G Touch flawlessly and i'm loving it, i was just wanting clarification on things.
My main question is.... If it has a different build, for instance mine is EL29, i would have to somehow get FC13 firmware on to my Samsung E4GT to flash any ICS ROM on to it, right? Either that, or whatever other firmware version the ROM instructions specify, i'm guessing.
I think the firmware is done using ODIN, right? I know i just used ODIN to flash an already rooted EL29 image..
But is CWM only used to install files from zips such as ROMs or stuff like Gapps?
Or does it depend entirely on the developers instructions? I know some dev leave out some instructions such as "use ODIN" or "use CWM" so when they do, i'm assuming i can use either or?
I DO see that they tend to tell you what NOT to use.. Like this one for CM9
"Using ODIN (link) flash to StockCWM EL26. Flashing CM9 from another recovery, such as Rogue, MAY BRICK YOUR PHONE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED"
Needed clarification as to whether or not i've been understanding what i've been reading. Overall, i'm just wanting to know if i'm on the right track. If you guys got any pointers or advice. I would greatly appreciate it.
And just FYI.... I do my research. I know how to read. I'm just not as familiar with these forums like you guys are and have problems finding things. You got to admit, sometimes performing searches require a little finesse and know how....
Anyway, Thanks a lot.

Sorry I'm at work, can't link or go into detail, but in general ".zip"s are for cwm, ".tar"s are for odin.
If a dev insists on one or the other, they will say.
Sent from my calculator watch.

exitprogram said:
Thanks. Thats what i was looking for. Never would had guessed what the E's and L's stood for.
I have read on this, trust me. Including the links that kingdazy provided. Although i will watch that youtube video to see what i can learn from it.
As i've said i've already root my Samsung E4G Touch flawlessly and i'm loving it, i was just wanting clarification on things.
My main question is.... If it has a different build, for instance mine is EL29, i would have to somehow get FC13 firmware on to my Samsung E4GT to flash any ICS ROM on to it, right? Either that, or whatever other firmware version the ROM instructions specify, i'm guessing.
I think the firmware is done using ODIN, right? I know i just used ODIN to flash an already rooted EL29 image..
But is CWM only used to install files from zips such as ROMs or stuff like Gapps?
Or does it depend entirely on the developers instructions? I know some dev leave out some instructions such as "use ODIN" or "use CWM" so when they do, i'm assuming i can use either or?
I DO see that they tend to tell you what NOT to use.. Like this one for CM9
"Using ODIN (link) flash to StockCWM EL26. Flashing CM9 from another recovery, such as Rogue, MAY BRICK YOUR PHONE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED"
Needed clarification as to whether or not i've been understanding what i've been reading. Overall, i'm just wanting to know if i'm on the right track. If you guys got any pointers or advice. I would greatly appreciate it.
And just FYI.... I do my research. I know how to read. I'm just not as familiar with these forums like you guys are and have problems finding things. You got to admit, sometimes performing searches require a little finesse and know how....
Anyway, Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To answer your first question (flash firmware first, and then the ROM) there isn't an easy answer as a lot of ROMs are complete systems which include the firmware. Some though are not and do require the correct firmware to work or install properly. From what I'm seeing, the ICS ROMs appear to all be full system ROM's meaning you wipe your phone and install and you're good. Some require additional files such as modems or whatever. But you could easily go from Gingerbread to the current stock version of ICS (which is what I'm using) with one simple flash.
The method you use to flash isn't specific to what you're flashing rather what the software was designed to be flashed with. Many developers prefer to use a recovery install (zips) while others use ODIN (tar). As I was coming from a stock software pack (and stock recovery) my only real option was an ODIN flash. Most of the time you cannot flash using the stock recovery. The software has to be signed by sprint in order for the stock recovery to flash a zip.
The most important things to be aware of in terms of those bricking their phones is be CERTAIN you are using software for YOUR phone. Not the Samsung Galaxy S2 but the specific one you use (in my case Epic 4G Touch which is Sprint). International files seem to do major damage. DO NOT stop the flash process mid-way through. I bricked a Samsung Moment that way and you have to go with your tail between your legs to the store. Avoid some of the ROM switchers and MobileODIN. They are great resources for an advanced phoner, death of a newb.
I would start with a basic stock flash through ODIN to ICS there are videos that make it pretty darn simple. Use it for a few days, figure out what you like and what frustrates you and then evaluate the ROMs to see if any might be better.
The Stock ICS I am using IS rooted but it's so stock that I will still receive the OTA (over-the-air) update from Sprint. So I have some bugs.
EDIT: OH LOL I just realized I'm in the Epic 4G Touch forum, I could've been more specific regarding the ROMs and what not I thought I was in a general forum.

exitprogram said:
Thanks. Thats what i was looking for. Never would had guessed what the E's and L's stood for.
I have read on this, trust me. Including the links that kingdazy provided. Although i will watch that youtube video to see what i can learn from it.
As i've said i've already root my Samsung E4G Touch flawlessly and i'm loving it, i was just wanting clarification on things.
My main question is.... If it has a different build, for instance mine is EL29, i would have to somehow get FC13 firmware on to my Samsung E4GT to flash any ICS ROM on to it, right? Either that, or whatever other firmware version the ROM instructions specify, i'm guessing.
I think the firmware is done using ODIN, right? I know i just used ODIN to flash an already rooted EL29 image..
But is CWM only used to install files from zips such as ROMs or stuff like Gapps?
Or does it depend entirely on the developers instructions? I know some dev leave out some instructions such as "use ODIN" or "use CWM" so when they do, i'm assuming i can use either or?
I DO see that they tend to tell you what NOT to use.. Like this one for CM9
"Using ODIN (link) flash to StockCWM EL26. Flashing CM9 from another recovery, such as Rogue, MAY BRICK YOUR PHONE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED"
Needed clarification as to whether or not i've been understanding what i've been reading. Overall, i'm just wanting to know if i'm on the right track. If you guys got any pointers or advice. I would greatly appreciate it.
And just FYI.... I do my research. I know how to read. I'm just not as familiar with these forums like you guys are and have problems finding things. You got to admit, sometimes performing searches require a little finesse and know how....
Anyway, Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering the same so don't feel stupid exitprogram. I too have read a lot, and the more I do the more confused I get. Frankly, I have no idea how to move forward.
I'm pretty noob with this phone, but have rooted my HTC Hero and flashed a few ROMS on it, rooted my et4g and installed starburst, even rooted and cm7ed my nook, but I'm very confused about the firmware version compatibility with ROMS for the ET4G. I've been waiting to see how the ICS ROMS are before doing anything further to my phone.
I'm sure you guys who replied must get tired with noobs asking the same old questions, but saying go read the internets ("Read Everything before flashing Anything.") isn't very helpful. I appreciate you taking the time to help, I really do, but it's frustrating.
You say to watch QBKing77 videos, and all will be revealed. Here is an example of what is confusing for me, one of QBKing77 videos
In the vid it says it's a FC06 ICS ROM. Then leads you through the format all and zip install. I have no problem doing that, but I have EG30, and I have no idea if following the above install procedure will update me to FC06 or will leave me with a brick and/or headache.

ok general rule for samsung at least, only use GB firmware (kernel) with GB roms (system), ICS with ICS... For the QBKing example, i didnt watch the vid, but usually he says where hes coming from. Odds are its EL29, the official stock, if you wanted to do what he did, get to the starting point he was on then go from there. Honestly I think a lot of this has been made really complicated with the ET4G, mainly because of all the leaks, all fifteen personalized recoveries, people demaning preference on CWM or Odin... on the OG Epic there werent THIS many leaks, and there was time to catch up the new people, now its insane. I think the CWM variants really only serve to complicate, example the Rom Manager works good for CM9 I guess, but not really at all for everything else, and Rogue doesnt work for CM9, but great for the regular stuff... too much redundancy. And honestly it isnt just Rogue and ACS, they just try to simplify Koush's CWM, but then Koush has Rom Manager and it says it supports our phone, but the temp recovery is iffy and dont even mess with the Touch Recovery.
Anyways, just follow OP instructions, give the search a shot so you can tell the trolls you did so (it usually yields nothing, google works better) and sift through the chit chat in the dev threads for the info. If its not there in 20 pages, and not in the OP, just ask... if someone figures something out after the thread is created, someone should let the OP know to update their thread. Some devs are in a hurry and forget to clarify things... it happens.
in general, .zips are flashed thru CWM, look/ask which one to use if not specified, .tar, .md5, .bin... all use Odin... look for which to use (the one-clicks are actually cool... make Odin easier till people get familiar with what goes where). I think once we get ICS official and the first onslaught of ROMs come out, things will settle down a lot.

Does anyone else notice those are bothe of epic and epic touch radios? Op be very careful not to make the mistake of flashing wrong ones
Sent from my BAD A$$ EPIC TOUCH 4G

ungovernable1977 said:
ok general rule for samsung at least, only use GB firmware (kernel) with GB roms (system), ICS with ICS... For the QBKing example, i didnt watch the vid, but usually he says where hes coming from. Odds are its EL29, the official stock, if you wanted to do what he did, get to the starting point he was on then go from there. Honestly I think a lot of this has been made really complicated with the ET4G, mainly because of all the leaks, all fifteen personalized recoveries, people demaning preference on CWM or Odin... on the OG Epic there werent THIS many leaks, and there was time to catch up the new people, now its insane. I think the CWM variants really only serve to complicate, example the Rom Manager works good for CM9 I guess, but not really at all for everything else, and Rogue doesnt work for CM9, but great for the regular stuff... too much redundancy. And honestly it isnt just Rogue and ACS, they just try to simplify Koush's CWM, but then Koush has Rom Manager and it says it supports our phone, but the temp recovery is iffy and dont even mess with the Touch Recovery.
Anyways, just follow OP instructions, give the search a shot so you can tell the trolls you did so (it usually yields nothing, google works better) and sift through the chit chat in the dev threads for the info. If its not there in 20 pages, and not in the OP, just ask... if someone figures something out after the thread is created, someone should let the OP know to update their thread. Some devs are in a hurry and forget to clarify things... it happens.
in general, .zips are flashed thru CWM, look/ask which one to use if not specified, .tar, .md5, .bin... all use Odin... look for which to use (the one-clicks are actually cool... make Odin easier till people get familiar with what goes where). I think once we get ICS official and the first onslaught of ROMs come out, things will settle down a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all. All of you suck and none of this information was helpful WHATSOEVER.
JK!
It's good to have received that the clarification as to what ODIN uses and what CWM uses. I was pretty much correct as far as that point goes, because no where inside of CWM does it have options for .tar files, etc...
Now, these modem firmwares, and all these other EL29, FC this and FU that (lol) can be a get confusing and i just want to be sure i do everything EXACTLY as they say it needs to be done, which of course means, don't ASSUME anything and always do your research and get clarification. Otherwise, you might end up with a $600 paperweight that reminds you of your stupidity on a daily basis when you look at it.
I appreciate all of your guys's input and i consider this is a great community.
Androidforums.com + XDA-Developers.com = Excellent resources and tools.
I'll admit i was in a bad mood and cussed out a MOD on androidforums one day, but its all good. People have bad days.... Hopefully that guy didn't take offense to the comments i made about his homosexuality lol. Won't happen again. I'll just beat up a co-worker instead haha.
Thanks again! NERD POWER!

Fyi we tell newbs to go read because that is how you learn....if you don't want to put the time into reading and learning you probably want a different phone..we all learned how to do things on this phone by reading and galaxy s3 will be similar so it's something most should do is read read read
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

E is the year. E was 2011, F is 2012, etc.
L is the month. A=Jan, B=Feb, C=Mar, ... L = Dec
29 is the day so in EL29 would be dec 29th 2011

ungovernable1977 said:
ok general rule for samsung at least, only use GB firmware (kernel) with GB roms (system), ICS with ICS... For the QBKing example, i didnt watch the vid, but usually he says where hes coming from. Odds are its EL29, the official stock, if you wanted to do what he did, get to the starting point he was on then go from there. ...
I think once we get ICS official and the first onslaught of ROMs come out, things will settle down a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification. I'll take my phone back to stock and start again at some point. Think I'll still wait for the more finished ICS ROMs to play it safe. Some kind soul will no doubt write a howto for those less able among us.
Edit: decided to go back to stock and update to EL29 following the vid tut linked above. For anyone googling through, I was a little confused at one point but worked it out. Currently the EL29 file is a zip, inside is a .tar.md5 file which is what you select in Odin for the PDA box. Nice to know it's that easy... when you know how

SRF1.2 was a custom rom for old Epic based on froyo by MysteryEmotionz. It was based on the original work done by k0nane when CIQ was originally removed.

Help rooting

Ok, So I did some searching and I found lots of information, but I didn't really find anything that tied all of the information together. I am not new to rooting or flashing phones, but I am new to this phone. So Here is my problem. I have seen a lot of the "how to root" guides. But I haven't really seen a guide on how to know which method to use. I have a brand new phone that I got today before work. So I have no idea how to tell which root method to use. Any information regarding how to tell which method/root this thing would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Its up to you, just follow the directions. I prefer odin from pc or sfhub autoroot package. I always have pc access though.

Using either of those methods, does it matter that I just got my phone and I don't know what software is on it? What if I wanted to try an ICS ROM or something? I am just a bit apprehensive.
So more reading and I figured out that I have the EL29 what ever. So I need to do this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1433101
But am I right in thinking that I still need to install CWM somehow in order to flash custom ROMs? Also, does flashing a custom ROM increase the flash counter thing?

revaew said:
Using either of those methods, does it matter that I just got my phone and I don't know what software is on it? What if I wanted to try an ICS ROM or something? I am just a bit apprehensive.
So more reading and I figured out that I have the EL29 what ever. So I need to do this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1433101
But am I right in thinking that I still need to install CWM somehow in order to flash custom ROMs? Also, does flashing a custom ROM increase the flash counter thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1662295 Watch Qbking's videos - here is the one for the FF18 build [located here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1721229 [
Take some time and read read and then read again or you will turn you device into an expensive shiny fishing lure.
If you start off with sfhub's one-clicks you really can't go wrong. He has made it dead simple and safe and provided outstanding directions.
You can then use sfhub's Autoroot package to add Agat's 'safe' recovery with CWM.
Good luck

So I see that the the initial autoroot, it doesn't increase the Odin flash counter. But flashing a custom ROM (like say I wanted to go to ICS) would increase the counter?

I use this to get rid of the triangle and reset flash counter http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494114

revaew said:
So I see that the the initial autoroot, it doesn't increase the Odin flash counter. But flashing a custom ROM (like say I wanted to go to ICS) would increase the counter?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friend one of the best pieces of advice I have seen here for you is too do some reading. Also why do you want to root your phone? If its for tethering you can simply install foxfi. If you want to try out different roms and tweaks then you really need to learn your phone. Developers, themers and contributors have set up thread after thread of great tutorials and answers to all your questions.
Welcome to android rooting world and you made a good choice but before I have to view another "I May Have Bricked My Phone" thread please read up and get up to speed on the craziness in here
Also to answer your question your counter only goes up when you flash an unsecure kernel through odin. Not when you use CWM
someguyatx said:
I use this to get rid of the triangle and reset flash counter http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494114
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I am not mistaken I believe that app is strictly for ICS.... I may be wrong

playya said:
My friend one of the best pieces of advice I have seen here for you is too do some reading. Also why do you want to root your phone? If its for tethering you can simply install foxfi. If you want to try out different roms and tweaks then you really need to learn your phone. Developers, themers and contributors have set up thread after thread of great tutorials and answers to all your questions.
Welcome to android rooting world and you made a good choice but before I have to view another "I May Have Bricked My Phone" thread please read up and get up to speed on the craziness in here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Have rooted 3 previous phones, I just am new to this one. I Haven't done anything yet and I don't plan on it until I understand this phone better. Right now I am just kind of lost with a lot of the shorthand that is used in a lot of the threads. I am doing a ton of reading, but like I said, there are just some things that I feel aren't clarified enough for me to be comfortable just yet.

I just got a replacement phone from Sprint that I can't root. Every time I get the Hellions with BLUE flame message.

revaew said:
I Have rooted 3 previous phones, I just am new to this one. I Haven't done anything yet and I don't plan on it until I understand this phone better. Right now I am just kind of lost with a lot of the shorthand that is used in a lot of the threads. I am doing a ton of reading, but like I said, there are just some things that I feel aren't clarified enough for me to be comfortable just yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah my old phone was a samsung but rooting and flashing were way different. This phone is really easy though. Don't over complicate it, just read the directions and go when ready. Don't flash anything brand new or any alpha releases, everything else out there is pretty safe if you follow directions.

Well the phone just updated to FF18. If I am not mistaken, I thought I saw somewhere something about rooting it (or flashing it) with ICS/ICS ROMs to be very risky? is this true?

Couple of questions before installing new rom

I picke dup one of these th eother day and couldn't get CM10 or Kuban to work so I did a flash back to stock. Now on the phone it says baseband version is EL29, and build number is FH23.
After looking around, I do not see anything clarifying if the FH23 can be rooted or not. Is this possible, or do I need to install the older FH18 and then root? Lastly, are there any stock roms with all the bloatware removed? I don't do a lot with the phone but GPS is a necessity, and the stock GPS setup works pretty dang good, I just don't want all the crap that goes along with it.
Any info is appreciated, I don't want to move forward with anything until knowing for sure what will/will not work.
Thanks

You should really spend a little time and read the stickies or you will turn your new devices into paperweights fast.
Baseband is the modem/radio and is independent of the build/Linux version.
These should be a starting place:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1761666
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1391732
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1525495
This phone is different than others like the HTC, Moto etc in that the recovery is 'baked' into the kernel. So know that too.
IF you want a custom ROM on the phone read through the OP of the ROM developer and follow their instructions on how to properly install it. AND read through the followup posts to see what issues have popped up and been resolved (or not).
You could also simply use sfhub's One-Clicks to put your phone(s) back to a stock rooted oficially released platform - either EL29 or FH18.
Search and read those posts.
Welcom to the E4GT and Good luck.

Thanks, I didn't foresee this being any different than the original epic 4g methods, was just not able to find anything on the FF23 issue

I just reverted back to 18, then installed the new rom please disregard the request. Thanks

If you want to give Kuban a try again, be sure to read my faq. Link is in the signature.
[/shameless self promotion]

Ravaged Pheonix said:
If you want to give Kuban a try again, be sure to read my faq. Link is in the signature.
[/shameless self promotion]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I put on, it seems to be the tried and true method. After the **18 reflash with Odin, Kuban went on fine, It looked like it was a pretty stripped down ROM which is exactly what was needed and so far the GPS locks just as fast as the OEM one.
Thanks :good::good: