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

Install custom recovery only

When I install a rom with stock recovery (CM9 alpha 2 for instance), how do I get back the custom recovery in order to update the rom to the next version without having to use Odin to get back to an older rom with a custom recovery and wipe my data, then install the new version of the rom I want. Is there a better way to do this?

Use Auto Root, Mobile Odin, or Odin to install GB-based CWM.

iamamutt said:
When I install a rom with stock recovery (CM9 alpha 2 for instance), how do I get back the custom recovery in order to update the rom to the next version without having to use Odin to get back to an older rom with a custom recovery and wipe my data, then install the new version of the rom I want. Is there a better way to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use any of the ics kernels repacked with rogue or cwm unless you hate your phone and need some bricks around the house
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

Go into download mode and use Odin into EL29 or EL26 you can do it for any ROMs that don't come with cwm recovery
Epic touch phone of xXHELLBoy91Xx

I keep an MD5 of a stock rooted EL29 and gunslinger kernel on my SD card and just use Odin Pro to flash it all at once from my phone. When thats done, just CWM back into recovery and flash whatever new rom you want.

Okay I found this from the blog post:
Stock android recovery is still being used in the ROM. This is for your protection, so you don't brick your phone due to all the people whom have flashed an ICS kernel, bricking when flashing a rom, wiping, etc. If you would like to backup or restore, or do any flashing, please go back to an ELXX gingerbread kernel, and do it from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this mean I can just flash future upgrades through the stock recovery if I already have alpha 2 installed?

Sorry bit isn't there a video and full write up on the first page on what to do. Just follow OP directions all will be well.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

iamamutt said:
Okay I found this from the blog post:
Does this mean I can just flash future upgrades through the stock recovery if I already have alpha 2 installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it means cwm is bricking phones on ics kernels so it will not be included in the ROM until it's fixed ....if you want to do anything flash a GB kernel with cwm el26 ...it won't boot ics so go right into recovery
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

A Couple Questions about ICS, CM9 and Nandroids

I just got my replacement(after a hard brick trying JB) and I've got a few questions before I brick this one too:
1. Ive decided to odin EL29 EVERY TIME I want to flash a new rom, just to be safe. If I use CMW with EL29 and decide to try out CM9, Do I always need to flash a aokp kernel? Or is that built into the CM9 install?
2. If I like CM9, and want to make a nandroid backup of it, do I need to Odin back to EL29 first to back it up? Or is it safe to do it with the recovery that comes with CM9?
3. If the answer to #2 is yes, meaning I do have to odin back to EL29, how do I restore my backup? Let me explain:Lets say I flash CM9, make a nandroid of CM9, then decide to try out say a different rom, like a TW rom. Then I hate the TW rom and wanna restore my backup of CM9. Do I need to ODIN back to EL29 to restore the nandroid? I read in the "how not to brick my..." thread its bad to restore a ICS rom from a GB Kernel. Can someone please explain?
Ive really, really tried to search and read as much as possible before asking, but a lot of the threads are old and have contradicting information. Sorry for being so noobish but I dont wanna brick my new phone. I come from Evo, Evo3d, Hp Touchpad, etc, where there arent as many issues to flash customs roms. Ive rooted and flashed custom roms ever since the PPC6600, 100's of times and NEVER had a problem. Sorry, this just really confuses me for some reason!!!

You really don't need to Odin back to el29 but if you wanna play it safe and not brick just Odin the el26 kernel and flash from there thats all you can flash from internal and from external, I don't have anything against other devs ics kernel but I just like to keep it safe even if I'm on a jb from I use the kernel that's on that jb kernel to flash the el26 reboot recovery and start flashing or restoring backups I do use the ics or jb kernels to flash but not to flash roms.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

vinscuzzy said:
I just got my replacement(after a hard brick trying JB) and I've got a few questions before I brick this one too:
1. Ive decided to odin EL29 EVERY TIME I want to flash a new rom, just to be safe. If I use CMW with EL29 and decide to try out CM9, Do I always need to flash a aokp kernel? Or is that built into the CM9 install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A kernel is already included with CM9, so there's no need to flash anything else. However, if you'd like to use one of chris41g's custom kernels like RC10-CWM6 or RC11-TWRP, you're welcome to flash them during your ROM flash session or after the fact.
vinscuzzy said:
2. If I like CM9, and want to make a nandroid backup of it, do I need to Odin back to EL29 first to back it up? Or is it safe to do it with the recovery that comes with CM9?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's always safe to make a Nandroid backup, regardless of the kernel/recovery on your phone. Where a problem could potentially arise is on a Nandroid restore, because the restore function formats the EMMC. However, it should be perfectly safe to restore a Nandroid backup using the kernel/recovery included with CM9. The bottom line is, you want to make sure that if the kernel/recovery on your phone that your using to restore the backup is based on ICS, that it's been properly patched for EMMC lock safety.
vinscuzzy said:
3. If the answer to #2 is yes, meaning I do have to odin back to EL29, how do I restore my backup? Let me explain:Lets say I flash CM9, make a nandroid of CM9, then decide to try out say a different rom, like a TW rom. Then I hate the TW rom and wanna restore my backup of CM9. Do I need to ODIN back to EL29 to restore the nandroid? I read in the "how not to brick my..." thread its bad to restore a ICS rom from a GB Kernel. Can someone please explain?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to be extra careful, and only use a GB based kernel/recovery like EL26 to restore your Nandroid backups, you would Mobile Odin the EL26 kernel+CWM, hold down the power button or pull the battery on the reboot, then boot into that recovery and restore your backup. Whatever kernel/recovery was in your backup will overwrite the EL26 kernel and that will be the new kernel/recovery on your phone when you reboot.

Thanks for the quick responses. Still kinda confused. :angel:
Do I have to use mobile Odin for what you explained in #3? And is mobile Odin as safe as pc Odin?
And, would it be safe to have the el26 kernel on my card and just flash that(with recovery, not odin) everytime I wanna do any flashing/wiping?
I feel so stupid!! Maybe someone could write down THEIR step by step "safe" procedure on flashing/wiping a new rom and backing up/restoring, and ill just follow that. :laugh:

Here's the step by step safe method
1: get mobile Odin or mobile Odin pro
2: download the flash kernel from mobile Odin pro
2a: if using mobile Odin download the flash kernel for sph-d710 from chainfires mobile Odin thread
3: download el26+cwm kernel.tar to your PC
4: copy kernel to SD card and keep a copy on your PC in case of an oh sh!t moment
5: download a cm9 compatible kernel.zip(you will need this in recovery)
6: backup mobile Odin and it's data in titanium backup or similar app
7: open mobile Odin and choose the el26+cwm kernel.tar
8: flash kernel.tar with flash firmware option in mobile Odin
9: when the device reboots hold vol+ and power til you boot to recovery(or pull battery then boot to recovery)
10: flash cm9 kernel.zip in recovery
11: make nandroid backup
12: reboot to cm9
12a: if you forgot to flash the cm9 kernel before making the nandroid flash it now to boot cm9
12b: if kernel wasn't flashed before making nandroid, when u restore the nandroid flash the kernel before rebooting.
13: profit!
These steps work for any rom 4.0.3 and above with very minimal chance of bricking, since el26+cwm is considered immune to the brick bug
We are legion, for we are many.
Sent from the DarkSide of the GalaXy with a MEK device

vinscuzzy said:
Thanks for the quick responses. Still kinda confused. :angel:
Do I have to use mobile Odin for what you explained in #3? And is mobile Odin as safe as pc Odin?
And, would it be safe to have the el26 kernel on my card and just flash that(with recovery, not odin) everytime I wanna do any flashing/wiping?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's been proven via user experience that Mobile Odin is a safe as PC Odin. In fact, one could make the argument that its safer, as there's no way to kick out the cord during a flash, or stick the wrong file in the wrong slot. The only negative to it is it will not flash modem files on CDMA devices like ours.
Mobile Odin is generally preferred to temp flash a GB kernel because 1) it's easier and 2) it doesn't trigger the yellow triangle or increase the Odin flash count like PC Odin does when you flash a kernel that has not been signed by Samsung. So while being easier, MO makes life even easier by not having to fix those two issues later.
So with that said, yes it's a good idea to keep the EL26+CWM5.zip file on your sd card at all times. Mine is always there, hanging out and drinking beers with Calkulin's Format All zip.

-EViL-KoNCEPTz- said:
Here's the step by step safe method
1: get mobile Odin or mobile Odin pro
2: download the flash kernel from mobile Odin pro
2a: if using mobile Odin download the flash kernel for sph-d710 from chainfires mobile Odin thread
3: download el26+cwm kernel.tar to your PC
4: copy kernel to SD card and keep a copy on your PC in case of an oh sh!t moment
5: download a cm9 compatible kernel.zip(you will need this in recovery)
6: backup mobile Odin and it's data in titanium backup or similar app
7: open mobile Odin and choose the el26+cwm kernel.tar
8: flash kernel.tar with flash firmware option in mobile Odin
9: when the device reboots hold vol+ and power til you boot to recovery(or pull battery then boot to recovery)
10: flash cm9 kernel.zip in recovery
11: make nandroid backup
12: reboot to cm9
12a: if you forgot to flash the cm9 kernel before making the nandroid flash it now to boot cm9
12b: if kernel wasn't flashed before making nandroid, when u restore the nandroid flash the kernel before rebooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome man, thanks so much for clarifying!
So from here on out, if want to flash ANY other rom, aosp or TW, I'd:
Follow steps 7-9, then wipe(data,cache,dalvik) then flash the rom right?
And if I'm NOT making a nandroid backup, skip 10-12?
Also, should steps 7-9 be repeated if I'm restoring a backup?

I mobile odin the el26 kernel for testing the Jelly Bean roms but since I have not been returning to stock and only going between CM9 Nightlies I have been doing it from CWM 1 or more times a day. CM9 alpha 6 has a safe recovery and all the of the nightlies as well. There was a couple of mismerged versions of Chris41G's kernel that were safe to wipe from but unsafe to flash unsafe roms from.
CM9 Alpha 5 for example has an unsafe updater binary while Alpha 6 does not, I would never flash Alpha 5 from an ICS kernel unless that kernel is one that replaces updater binaries for flashing.
When in doubt EL26 CWM. The rest of the time just use a safe kernel and a known safe rom.

vinscuzzy said:
Awesome man, thanks so much for clarifying!
So from here on out, if want to flash ANY other rom, aosp or TW, I'd:
Follow steps 7-9, then wipe(data,cache,dalvik) then flash the rom right?
And if I'm NOT making a nandroid backup, skip 10-12?
Also, should steps 7-9 be repeated if I'm restoring a backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will still need to flash an ics kernel in cwm to get it to boot after flashing el26 to use recovery unless you are freshly installing a rom cuz it will include a kernel in the rom zip. I just mOdin el26+cwm anytime I need to use recovery. But yeah you have to steps right. If you ever end up in a boot loop having the el26 tar on your PC is your go to to get back into recovery when you can't boot android to use mOdin
We are legion, for we are many.
Sent from the DarkSide of the GalaXy with a MEK device

-EViL-KoNCEPTz- said:
You will still need to flash an ics kernel in cwm to get it to boot after flashing el26 to use recovery unless you are freshly installing a rom cuz it will include a kernel in the rom zip. I just mOdin el26+cwm anytime I need to use recovery. But yeah you have to steps right. If you ever end up in a boot loop having the el26 tar on your PC is your go to to get back into recovery when you can't boot android to use mOdin
We are legion, for we are many.
Sent from the DarkSide of the GalaXy with a MEK device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again for ALL the responses!
OK, think I'm getting a handle on all of this now. Will it ever get to a point where its just safe all the time to flash roms? It'd be cool if someone came up with an app that could scan the .zips to make sure they're safe. Or, why don't devs just always use .tar files to flash through Odin instead of zips through recovery? OR Is it a big pain to make .tar files?
P.s. I hope that didn't sound at all condescending to any of the wonderful devs. I'm just curious and obviously new to Samsung, and they're flashing procedures. :angel:

They do have tars available you have to flash them threw PC Odin. Zips are usually safe & handy on the go when your away from the computer with CWM & M. Odin just flash & go! Options are always good...

vinscuzzy said:
Thanks again for ALL the responses!
OK, think I'm getting a handle on all of this now. Will it ever get to a point where its just safe all the time to flash roms? It'd be cool if someone came up with an app that could scan the .zips to make sure they're safe. Or, why don't devs just always use .tar files to flash through Odin instead of zips through recovery? OR Is it a big pain to make .tar files?
P.s. I hope that didn't sound at all condescending to any of the wonderful devs. I'm just curious and obviously new to Samsung, and they're flashing procedures. :angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The emmc bug is a Samsung issue and, while trigged by the emmc_cap_erase code in ICS kernels during wipes, is actually located in the firmware for the emmc controller itself. As such its not likely we'll ever have a true "fix" for it as it would require Samsung to 1. Directly admit fault... and 2. Somehow patch the affected firmware... What we have now are basically known-good workarounds, essentially the "safe" kernels have the code that triggers the bug removed. These are more than sufficient, and a huge thanks to the kernel devs who've made ICS flashing possible and to sfhub/entropy512/garwynn and others who did the research on the emmc bug and figured out how it was triggered...
So that said the rom you are flashing shouldn't have a whole hell of a lot to do with whether it is safe or now, all that matters is how the kernel you are on handles the wipe when flashing, as that is the point at which the emmc bug is triggered.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

Wow, there are some really well written, intelligent, and we'll informed replies in this thread. What the hell is going on around here?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Wipe data & cache via odin???

Hey guys, I was having some trouble with a rom and switched my recovery to CWM6.0.1.2 and it's no longer booting recovery and CM is not working either just getting boot errors with gapps and setup crashes.
Basically I can't do anything with my phone unless I can wipe it and flash stock or correctly flash CM. Does anyone have any suggestions on a way to wipe my rom through odin? Currently downloading stock just incase that may help me down the road.

Where is that stock rom? Looking for it
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Download CWM from my signature and flash it through Odin.
Gapps crashing means you flashed a mismatched version for your rom.

Aerowinder said:
Download CWM from my signature and flash it through Odin.
Gapps crashing means you flashed a mismatched version for your rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That might have happened, I got CWM working and flashed my old rom with a lot of issues, specifically stock apps crashing. Going to flash full stock via odin and start from scratch. Really stoked to try a 4.2 CM AOKP rom :good:
Are there files I can manually delete/modify to bring my device fully back to stock?

Familiar Joe said:
That might have happened, I got CWM working and flashed my old rom with a lot of issues, specifically stock apps crashing. Going to flash full stock via odin and start from scratch. Really stoked to try a 4.2 CM AOKP rom :good:
Are there files I can manually delete/modify to bring my device fully back to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Delete or wipe via recovery is highly recommened and flash via odin. You cant do to all system files and delete them individually; thats too much of work.

Everything is golden thanks guys

Need tips on flashing EL29 or EL26 Kernel from GB27

I need some tips on flashing EL26 or EL29 recovery kernals from GB27 rom.
When flashed (odin, mobile odin, and zip) my phone gets stuck on the first Samsung E4GT logo. No recovery is added, volume up and power only reboots device to same logo.
Ive done this flash before and never had an issue. I dont know what could be the issue.
Would flashing a stock GB or ICS rom and pretty much starting from scratch be a good idea?
I guess my question is are there issues with flashing from GB27 to EL26/29? Do I need to be on a specific kernal? My only fear is if I flash a stock GB rom I wont have a kernal to flash anything else.
Could there be something wrong with my phone? It really seems to me flashing from my current rom isnt compatable.
Please send me some tips and advice on what roms to flash to get back to an el26 so I can proceed with my goal in all this which is flashing the new SHOstock rom with multi window.
Thank you and I appreciate any help!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

It wouldn't hurt starting from scratch. It sounds like your current Rom is having some sort of conflict with the EL26/EL29 CWM kernels. Have you tried flashing a gb27 cwm recovery? That will allow you to flash a new rom. They are stable as dd's now and I use them all the time. Try Garwynn or Agat's gb27, they both come with Agat's custom recovery which has cwm. If that doesn't take, might as well save all your important stuff and give a fresh start a try . Good luck.
Sent from my SPH-D710BST using xda premium

I have agats gb27 loaded and can flash from it. I need chris 44g el26 or 29 kernel to flash a specific rom. Rom does not load correctly in agats. Many people had issues and per instructions, user 26/29. I will try to start from scratch.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

You can use the stock rooted restore gb08 that's what I used to fix that problem. Try following ny guide to get it running perfect after you Odin the stock rooted.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 4

FuMMoD said:
You can use the stock rooted restore gb08 that's what I used to fix that problem. Try following ny guide to get it running perfect after you Odin the stock rooted.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gave flashing stock GB08 rooted a shot. I then flashed EL29 and EL26. Still does the same thing.
Doesnt boot to CWM.
If I flash a Gingerbread rom, since my EL26/29 isnt working, will I be able to access my current GB27 state I am in now without issue?
My AGAT GB27 is doing me well to retrieve all my current backups.
I dont want to go back to Gingerbread and not have a recovery to use because it uses EL26/29. So I would be screwed, correct?
Thanks!

I am trying to flash EL29 Gingerbread Stock Rom with Root.
This doesnt work as well. Odin freezes on the flash at FactoryFS.img.
Does anyone know why it would freeze on this file?
I've tried multiple tar files, different ports, different cords, two versions of odin.
I let it sit for 30 minutes and nothing. What caused the factoryfs.img file to freeze?
What hardware in the phone could cause this issue?
Any help wouldbe appreciated. All I want is EL26/[email protected]#$ WHYYYY!

If you flash el26 or 29 over ICS or JB your phone will not boot past splash screen. I always use el26 with odin from PC, kernel is flashed from pda slot. Reboot the phone and hold then keep holding power +vol up for like 30 seconds and you will boot into el26 recovery.
If you want to switch from from Touchwiz JB to AOSP or older GB/ICS rom you need to flash a ICS 1 click first like FI27 then flash el26 kernel and flash rom. If you are trying to flash the rooted el29 one click rom it should work. Maybe bad cable. I only flash with blackberry microusb cables.

el26 el29
IM stuck in flash screen. I have el26/el29 in tar.md5 I need them in zip format to flash on Odin. I don't have computer access. Stock cwm-El26.tar and El29 direct boot cwm.tar ?? Any way to get them in zip so I can flash in Odin.

Rehv said:
IM stuck in flash screen. I have el26/el29 in tar.md5 I need them in zip format to flash on Odin. I don't have computer access. Stock cwm-El26.tar and El29 direct boot cwm.tar ?? Any way to get them in zip so I can flash in Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are confused my friend. Odin uses .tar or .tar.md5 files and CWM recovery uses .zip files. And if you're stuck at splash screen after flashing el29 it's because you can't boot el26 or el29 unless you have that build rom on your phone. They are used for recovery only. Pull battery, reinsert, reboot into recovery, and flash the rom of your choice from there!(e4gt only of course)
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Ok I will try that. I flashed the el26 then flash flashed jb_28_ 2x.zip and it put me in Android system recovery<3e> gonna post a pic.thank u for it help.

This is what I see now.

Rehv said:
This is what I see now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get everything sorted out?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

It looks like the situation I was in last time, I most likely know how to fix that?
? Powered By My Moga Pro ?

I never got it fixed. Bought a HTC one sv boost mobile. Thinking about trying to root it. But got to do my reading first don't want to brick this one. Sorry for late response.