[Guide] How to PROPERLY flash a rom - T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S 4

OK guys, lately I've been seeing a little too many people complaining about bootloops and UI crashes, etc when installing/flashing a new rom. This guide includes installing an update of the rom you're currently on that has been re-based as well.
The only reason I'm making this guide is so that users stop filling threads with these issues that are caused by user errors (99% of the time). I haven't bootlooped or had any problems at all when flashing a new rom and I can promise you that I am a huge flashaholic. Here are the steps for a TOUCHWIZ rom:
1. Download rom and calculate md5 checksum (this can be done using ES file explorer from the play store)
2. Reboot into recovery and make a nandroid backup! Can't stress this enough...
3. Do a FULL wipe. This is where I notice the error that most people make. You must do a wipe of data, cache, dalvik cache, preload AND SYSTEM.
- Don't just do a Factory reset, you must manually wipe system as well to prevent any issues. In TWRP this will be under advanced wipe, and in Philz touch recovery this is done by selecting the "Full wipe to install a new rom" option.
4. AFTER wiping all of the above mentioned partitions, then look for the rom in your internal/external SD card and install/flash it.
- if the rom has an aroma installer, sometimes it'll include a full wipe option in there, this doesn't mean that you can skip the full wipe done in step 2 of this guide.
5. Allow the rom to install everything and then choose the reboot option within your chosen recovery.
6. Let the phone reboot, input all of your info in the initial setup and then let the phone sit for a couple minutes. After this I usually reboot the phone again as a habit.
If you follow these steps to the T you shouldn't have any problems. I've yet to bootloop once on this phone with any rom. Now go and flash away!
Other possible issues/fixes:
- if you have a 64gb SD card, your current kernel or the kernel included with the rom you're flashing might not support 64gb SD cards in EXfat format. A fix for this would be to either flash another kernel that has 64gb SD card support or to copy everything from your SD card to a computer, format your EXfat sd card to fat32 format and then retransfer the files back to your sd card.
-some people have reported that moving the zip file from the internal SD to the external SD or vice versa has fixed flashing issues so make sure to try this as well, not sure why this works but it does sometimes.
-if a specific cause can't be diagnosed it's always recommended to restore your phone back to complete stock using Odin to flash stock firmware. Here is a link to the stock firmwares (I take no credit for that thread): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2335109
*Will add more info

Just in case.
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The twrp has the system wipe option. I don't see that with Cwm, just factory rest/data, and the two caches
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shengwang917 said:
The twrp has the system wipe option. I don't see that with Cwm, just factory reset/data, and the two caches
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-Data wipe/Factory reset. In Philz CWM version when you chose this it stated "Wipe phone for new ROM"

Every recovery as far as I've seen has a system wipe option, just have to look for it. Only mention TWRP because I haven't used the other recoveries in a while.
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Question, for restoring nandroid backup : before I first started to flash roms last week. I did the following with Twrp, backup, - wipe data and caches(no system), then I backup again before moving forward with the flash. My question is: can I just restore my second backup with just the system without the data.?
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Why do you backup twice? And why would you restore just the system partition? You might as well just reflash the rom so you don't waste space having a system only backup.
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shengwang917 said:
Question, for restoring nandroid backup : before I first started to flash roms last week. I did the following with Twrp, backup, - wipe data and caches(no system), then I backup again before moving forward with the flash. My question is: can I just restore my second backup with just the system without the data.?
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A nandroid will restore your phone exactly how it was when you made the back up.
If I read it correctly, on the 2nd backup, you did a wipe before you did a backup.
So if you restored that 2nd backup, it will have wiped ROM (no data and will need to set up phone again). Hope that make sense.

Yeah that's what I want, I want to go back to that clean clean rom, I don't need my user data
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Then don't restore a backup for that. Just reflash the rom.
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marcoxx626 said:
Why do you backup twice? And why would you restore just the system partition? You might as well just reflash the rom so you don't waste space having a system only backup.
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Cause I'm OCD when comes to things like this, seriously lol. I move all the backups to the external SD and my computer lol. So not too worried about taking up space. I just want to see if everything is working normally with the clean stock rom. I.e. Able to send MMS. Read and write to ext SD properly.
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shengwang917 said:
Cause I'm OCD when comes to things like this, seriously lol. I move all the backups to the external SD and my computer lol. So not too worried about taking up space. I just want to see if everything is working normally with the clean stock rom. I.e. Able to send MMS. Read and write to ext SD properly.
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Well if you just want to go back to a fresh clean install there's no point in restoring a backup. Just reflash the rom bro. Any kernel changes or system app changes will still be there if you restore a system backup but won't be there if you reflash the rom (after doing full wipe that is).
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marcoxx626 said:
Well if you just want to go back to a fresh clean install there's no point in restoring a backup. Just reflash the rom bro. Any kernel changes or system app changes will still be there if you restore a system backup but won't be there if you reflash the rom (after doing full wipe that is).
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Click to collapse
This is it right ? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2267895 , I think there is a Odin back to stock thread on here too
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shengwang917 said:
This is it right ? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2267895 , I think there is a Odin back to stock thread on here too
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Click to collapse
Ok, now you lost me. What is your ultimate goal in this? Back to complete stock like out of the box?
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marcoxx626 said:
Ok, now you lost me. What is your ultimate goal in this? Back to complete stock like out of the box?
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Sorry lol, yeah i want to go back to right out of the box stock.
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Yeah follow that thread. Please hit thanks if I helped at all.
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After I flash unwizzed rom in aroma after it installs everything it says assert failed : package_extract_file("boot.img","/temp/boot.img") ?? It boots the Samsung Galaxy S4 screen then turns off then back on then back into recovery.. been doing this for alot of ROMs i try to flash

shengwang917 said:
The twrp has the system wipe option. I don't see that with Cwm, just factory rest/data, and the two caches
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For cwm:
Mounts/Storage - Mount/System.
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Robdizz said:
After I flash unwizzed rom in aroma after it installs everything it says assert failed : package_extract_file("boot.img","/temp/boot.img") ?? It boots the Samsung Galaxy S4 screen then turns off then back on then back into recovery.. been doing this for alot of ROMs i try to flash
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Click to collapse
Not sure what that could be. Did you check the md5?
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I've been asking everyone it does this on alot of roms i flash the only one that worked was Alpha 5.0 but tried to go to 7.0 and did same thing. How do u check the Md5?

Related

Installing a different custom ROM...

Hello all,
So I'm running Scott's CleanROM AT&T SE 1.5. I want to install the latest version of CleanROM ACE onto my phone now.
This was my first custom ROM install, so I've never switched ROMs like this before. My question is do I need to do anything special to flash ACE, or can I just do it through TWRP like I did last time (from stock to CleanROM)?
Any help is appreciated!
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You do it through twrp like you did before. You will need to backup anything you don't wanna lose. I use titanium backup to backup my apps, apps data and texts. You will need to clean flash coming from what you are.
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Kreateablaze said:
You do it through twrp like you did before. You will need to backup anything you don't wanna lose. I use titanium backup to backup my apps, apps data and texts. You will need to clean flash coming from what you are.
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Click to collapse
What exactly do you mean by "clean flash"?
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Gladiat0r said:
What exactly do you mean by "clean flash"?
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Read the OP (Original Post) for the directions on how you should flash the rom. Read read read.
Clean flash means clearing all data of previous rom. You wipe cache, wipe data, and wipe dalvik in recovery.
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Yes, read alot. If you are asking these kinds of questions you need to read up more. Search on here. Look on YouTube, there are plenty of videos
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Kreateablaze said:
Yes, read alot. If you are asking these kinds of questions you need to read up more. Search on here. Look on YouTube, there are plenty of videos
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Click to collapse
Thank you both very much. I'll do some more research and look around.
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Download the updated cleanrom to your external sd card
Boot into recovery and do a nand backup
Wipe cache, dalvik cache, and data 3 times each (its easy if you go under "advanced" tab in wipe and it let's you select all 3 to wipe at once, then do that 3 times)
Click on install tab and navigate to the rom zip and flash away.
You shod be in familiar waters now.
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Problem: unable to save screenshot, USB storage missing

Let me apologize for not using the search, not sure how to use it on this xda app.
Anyways just flash Infamous s4 4.0. Now having that problem. Did a clean wipe prior.
Phone is also showing " unfortunately, system UI has stopped" after reboot.
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With Infamous, it's recommended you wait about 5 minutes after flashing before setting up your phone.
-What recovery did you use to flash?
-Do you have 64gb sd card and what format?
I followed the OP skip pass setup wizard waited 5plus mins at home screen then reboot.
I have a 32gb ext sd , don't know the format.
TwRP 2.60
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shengwang917 said:
I followed the OP skip pass setup wizard waited 5plus mins at home screen then reboot.
I have a 32gb ext sd , don't know the format.
TwRP 2.60
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A 32gb card should not be any problems. I would take a look at the TWRP v2.6 as others have problems with Infamous using that version.
Try TWRP 2.5.0.2 or CWM base recovery.
I would Odin back to start and start over with a different recovery, it might or might not be your problem but that's the 1st thing to look at IMO.
I was using wicked rom 5.1 before installing Infamous andbit worked fine, I gonna go back to it. Is there anything special I should do other than the , clean wipe and flash wicked rom? Thanks for answering
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shengwang917 said:
I was using wicked rom 5.1 before installing Infamous andbit worked fine, I gonna go back to it. Is there anything special I should do other than the , clean wipe and flash wicked rom? Thanks for answering
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Click to collapse
Did you make a nandroid backup of Wicked ROM?
If you did just restore backup, if not do a clean install (full wipe, ect. like you did the first time.
As for infamous rom, I'm getting the screen shot error but it's still being saved so I guess I'll deal with it for now. Now I gotta find out how to update the 3minite framework. I paid and download the 3minite app 3.2 version but infamous only comes with 3.1 app is not compatible. Not my day for new roms lol
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[Q] Flashing 4.3 ROMs'

I've flashed a few times on 4.3 roms and I want to know a way where I don't have to goto recovery and format data. I flashed a few before with TWRP 2.4/5. Now I have 2.6.3.0.. I'm running stock ZVC
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n1vlek said:
I've flashed a few times on 4.3 roms and I want to know a way where I don't have to goto recovery and format data. I flashed a few before with TWRP 2.4/5. Now I have 2.6.3.0.. I'm running stock ZVC
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So I'm guessing you want to bounce back and fourth installing stock and CM Roms without clearing data? Or different CM Roms for that matter.
I don't know much tech stuff, but every ROM is layed out differently. And stores it's info in different ways.
So a setting you have, for say Carbon might interfere with a setting in PAC.
That's my best way to explain it.
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I'll say be in a custom ROM and don't have to keep formatting data to use the ROM again
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You could always get a ROM running the way you like, create a back up and then flash a new one and repeat. Now when you want to switch ROMs its as easy as hitting the restore button.
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n1vlek said:
I've flashed a few times on 4.3 roms and I want to know a way where I don't have to goto recovery and format data. I flashed a few before with TWRP 2.4/5. Now I have 2.6.3.0.. I'm running stock ZVC
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Do you mean you don't want to lose files on your SD card? You don't have to format data every time you install a new rom. Factory reset - > wipe system - > wipe cache -> wipe d cache -> flash rom -> flash gapps
This will keep your actual files on your sd card for every rom you bounce to. If you mean Application data (login info, candy crush progression, etc...) use Titanium and backup before flashing a new rom and restore after.
Hope that helps!
Once you are on CM official you can update easily through the tool in settings. But to switch back and forth from CM to stock is quite difficult on this phone.
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Question

When flashing a new ROM with a full wipe, I get a warning that wiping data will remove all files. How do I get back to my downloaded ROM, or where should I store said ROM so it doesn't get deleted?
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tj_ona said:
When flashing a new ROM with a full wipe, I get a warning that wiping data will remove all files. How do I get back to my downloaded ROM, or where should I store said ROM so it doesn't get deleted?
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It shouldn't get deleted, unless u have it on your internal storage and you're wiping it...
Also be sure to put your nandroid backup on the external sd
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Cannot complete reboot after flashing Rom

Good day fine community.
My Galaxy S3 i747M(Rogers) stays stuck @ Galaxy S3 screen after flashing this ROM S3Rx 3.0 TouchWiz 4.3 MJB (1-27-14) Full AROMA.
1. First succesfully flashed 4.3 bootloader and MK5 modem from within a 4.1 ROM
2. Then used TRWP, full wipe, formatted internal sd, flashed ROM and loaded well.
3. Then attempted a Nandroid, which for some reason stayed almost an hour in the "backing up system data", so I cancelled it when the "cannot finish" message appeared.
4. Then rebooted, and now stays stuck in Galaxy S3 screen.
I redid 1, 2 and 4, and still stuck, even if I let the phone rest for more than 10 minutes.
For the life of me, it seems to be a bootloader issue, but I am unsure.
Anyone has any idea what I did wrong?
Thank you.
Try wipe of /system and all other wipes that you can apply. These are under the advanced section of your recovery
This will wipe your whole phone. Then try and reboot
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Reboot into what? Everything's wiped.
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Builtnoob, did that. My sd card was fully wiped, as well as cache and dalvik. Thanks for the input.
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Shortydogg, once i flashed and was in the launcher, and alk was working fine, I rebooted in to recovery to do nand. Even if the nand was uncuccessfull, i should still be able to boot into the rom, since it was already running. That is my question: how come it stays stuck at boot. Thx for looking into it.
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Usually first boot takes a good half hour at times. Give it some time. However this could be due to a faulty flash. Or some corruption of data. Use twrp to mount your internal memory. Then redownload the ROM and reflash .
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Did you format the internal SD or did you format the system, data, and cache from recovery?
audit13, I formatted everything but my ext sd card. Tonight I will try again, this time with fresh download and wiping cache and dalvik after flashing, before booting, and will report back. Thanks guys.
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Me said:
audit13, I formatted everything but my ext sd card. Tonight I will try again, this time with fresh download and wiping cache and dalvik after flashing, before booting, and will report back. Thanks guys.
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Don't forget the /system wipe as a lot of the stock ROMs do need it
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buildnoob, 10-4.
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An easier fix may be to just flash a pre-rooted 4.3 ROM that is made for the Bell, Telus or Rogers version of your phone. Then, load a custom recovery to flash custom ROMs.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426
Buildnoob, thanks for the info. I did fresh install and wiped cache and dalvik after flash and now all is well.
Thanks guys for the help.
DroidArt said:
buildnoob, 10-4.
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