[Q] please help - Samsung Epic 4G Touch

Hello all. First I want to thank everyone for still being around to help, especially on such an old device.
Anyway, I recently bought one of these and got it rooted via odin. Currently that's all I've done to her. I have been looking over this forum, android forums, and Google in general prior to posting, I want to solve problems on my own, but when I can't, I'm not scared to ask for help. And I need help with a few issues. I will seperate them, to make answering them easier.
1) is twrp not available for this model?
2) if not, the only other recoverys I can find is Phils TouchWiz, and ClockworkMod recovery touch 5.8.1.5. I wouldn't think these are the same, which is suggested? Also Phils Touchwiz was last updated (that I can find) to 4.1.2 which is where I currently am, am I want to go to 4.4
3) I only see 2 ROMs listed on here, and 1 is one of the ones I was thinking of using in Dirty Unicorns. The other I was thinking about was CyanogenMod. Which of these two is suggested?
4) I have no service on this phone, as its my tinkering device. The only thing I need to work is WiFi. That being said, do I need to flash a new modem?
Do I need to flash a new kernel?
Thanks for any help you can throw me. I know there are lots of tuts for all these questions, but frankly they are all very old, and this stuff changes by the day...

1. Yes but this device has recovery and kernel built in together, this recovery is only for flashing / wiping, other than that, it is not usable with other custom roms unless the devs build it to use that
recovery along with the kernel.
2. It's the same as question 1, For Touchwiz Jellybean, you'll need a recovery kernel that supports the android version and firmware, otherwise it wouldn't work or boot up, Agat's Source GB27 for GB27 Touchwiz ROMs. Or specific AOSP Kernels for certain kernel build updates ( versions are compatible with the build date of the ROM's Original Kernel, meaning it only works on certain ROMs that are updated with the same kernel build, for example, A custom 0.0.25 will not work with stock 0.0.26 because there was a major update change in the kernel that'll make 0.0.25 not usable on it. If you use a kernel based on a specific date on an AOSP ROM that frequently updates the kernel, it may not boot up. )
3. The AOSP ROMs that are being updated at the moment are the Teams that do Nightlies. So Cyanogenmod is the only AOSP ROM that's being updated weekly for this device, I have not checked on the other ones.
4. No need to flash a modem if you don't have data service, however it may help either way when using WiFi due to dropped connections, stability etc. For AOSP, use any ICS modem, for Touchwiz, use the same android firmware modem.
Flashing a new kernel is not needed unless you don't like how the stock kernel performs whether if it's power saving or performance. AOSP kernels are kind of limited as the ones out now work with different build dates of the ROMs, Touchwiz has a couple, but Agat63's Source Kernel is recommended by everyone for GB27.

Related

Sensless or Stock Android

Hey guys I have been doing quite a bit of searching through the forums and still have a couple questions about custom roms and rooting. Forgive the noobness but the droid incredible is my first android device and I only recently got it.
1. My first question is what is the simplest way (rom + root I assume) to get a stock version of android on my incredible? Also what rom would you recommend (I have seen a pretty big list but know nothing about them)?
2. What is the difference, if any, between a kernel and a rom? Ive seen both words used a lot and have seen kernels that are stock and roms that are as well. Which would I use between the two?
I know these questions may be dumb but I have been searching for a couple days and have gone through hundreds of threads trying to find the definitive answer (there were some benefits though, I use launcher pro and the droid x's keyboard now) any help would be appreciated.
1. You are right in assuming that the quickest (and only) way to get a stock version of Android on your phone is to root your phone and install a custom recovery that will allow you to flash a rom. It is not really possible for me to recommend a rom because rom's are all about personal preference and my preference may be different from yours. That being said, if you are interested in stock Android, check out Cyanogenmod. The biggest thing right now is that for the Incredible, Cyanogenmod is the only true stock Android that is compiled from AOSP (Android Open Source Project) however it is still in its early stages for our device, so it's still buggy. The other roms are modified versions of our stock sense rom, so some of the roms are modified to have the bulkier parts of of the Sense UI removed, but it is still a Sense rom.
2. I'm not going to profess to be extremely in the know about kernels, but a kernel is the go-between for the hardware and the os/applications. If you want to learn more about kernels, you can read the wikipedia page about kernels found here. Basically what you need to know is that the rom is the operating system, so if you wanted to change the OS such as from Sense to Vanilla Android, you would flash a rom. If you wanted to change the way the system runs, such as if you want your processor to be overclocked or undervolted, you would flash a kernel.
Hope this helps.
That answered everything! Thanks for the reply and I will keep checking the forums for stock roms that seem stable!

ROM question about flashing!

I am interested in running some ROM's on my galaxy nexus but I have a few questions:
I am looking at Peter Alfonso's Bugless Beast 4.1 ROM, I know that he does nightly builds, so my question being: If I install a build today, and he releases a nightly tomorrow or an upgrade, do I have to completely wipe and reflash the build nightly in order for it to stay up to date? Or is there a way to just update the build without losing everything.
Are ROM's safe? I know that they say to stay away from things like this but I feel like I can get the most out of my device by using a custom ROM.
If I don't go with a bugless beast ROM I am looking for something that is AS CLOSE to stock as possible, no added bloatware, I don't need all the fancy menu tweaks, custom kernals (which I guess I just dont understand exactly what a custom kernal does)
Any comments would be appreciated.
You can dirty flash them (flash it directly without wiping) and most of the time it will work without issues. If it doesn't then you will have to wipe then reflash.
ROMs are perfectly safe, and it's pretty hard to actually brick your phone. I'd say that custom ROMs offer customisation more than anything else but that's probably me.
Cyanogenmod is very well known in the community (and is rock solid) as well as AOKP (offers much more customisability at the moment).
Custom roms can help extend the life of a device. I know that I would have gotten tired of my previous phone, the Samsung Captivate, a lot sooner than I did if I hadn't flashed ICS onto it. Roms are completely safe. You just want to make sure you read up on how to fix a boot loop, or soft brick if you do end up in the situation. Make backups, have a plan B set and flash away. Definitely don't just go flashing stuff haphazardly, that's how you can mess up your phone.
You don't have to wipe when flashing nightlies on the same ROM. You don't lose data, its just like an update ota. you only have to wipe when switching between different ROMs.
Roms= 100% better than stock
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
A little advice...keep more than one ROM on your SD card just in case.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Keys2bonez said:
I am interested in running some ROM's on my galaxy nexus but I have a few questions:
I am looking at Peter Alfonso's Bugless Beast 4.1 ROM, I know that he does nightly builds, so my question being: If I install a build today, and he releases a nightly tomorrow or an upgrade, do I have to completely wipe and reflash the build nightly in order for it to stay up to date? Or is there a way to just update the build without losing everything.
Are ROM's safe? I know that they say to stay away from things like this but I feel like I can get the most out of my device by using a custom ROM.
If I don't go with a bugless beast ROM I am looking for something that is AS CLOSE to stock as possible, no added bloatware, I don't need all the fancy menu tweaks, custom kernals (which I guess I just dont understand exactly what a custom kernal does)
Any comments would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a few others said, you don't have to wipe switching between nightly builds. To flash the next version of BB, just clear cache & dalvik.

SGH-I747 Kernel flashing 101

So I have got a question that maybe many others have yet to voice or address (maybe it's just me, and I am delusional). In any event, I am not new to rooting and flashing ROMS. I am also familiar--at least conceptually--with what the kernel is and what it does. For the purposes of this post however, I should mention that I have not ever flashed a custom kernel and am unsure as to why one would or why there is more than one floating around. I have been vacillating back on forth between stock and custom kernels....it seems like in order to flash this ROM you need this Kernel, or that ROM flash that Kernel. I want to learn and to know. I would really appreciate feedback on this.
157
Kernel's are installed or "flashed" in the same manner as a custom ROM, either through CWM or Odin. Kernel's just add an extra level of customization, most people use custom Kernel's for overclocking although they also have many other uses.
Kernals can also highly affect battery life and the speed of roms. The kernal has to match the kind of rom. Samsung kernals go with samsung/touchwiz based roms. Aosp kernals go with aosp based roms like cyanogenmod and aokp. There are a few jellybean kernals and those will work for the current jellybean aosp based roms. Samsung will eventually release their own jellybean update and when that happens expect to see jellybean samsung kernals made for roms based on samsung jellybean.

[Q] Long Time Running, Coming In for a PIT Stop

Forgive me if I come off as a complete noob, but it's been awhile and I need a few pointers to get up to speed. A little homework and due diligence now will avoid a lot of aggravation later.
I rooted my 4G (SPH-D700), then installled:
Running Clean GB-1.0.3 (latest is 1.1.2)
Kernel version 2.6.35.7-CleanGB-gdaf5649
Modem - EI22
Firmware v2.3.5
ACSRecovery v1.0.0.5 CWM4 Based
All old stuff, I know. I stayed with CleanGB because it absolutely rocks. But it's time to upgrade, and a lot has happened since. I'm trying to work out which kernels are compatible with which ROMs, etc.
So, questions:
What is the latest stable version of Android for the Epic 4G? I've seen discussions that say it can run ICS, others that say support stopped at Jellybean.
If ICS is good, I've seen mention that ICS uses more memory, leaving less room for apps. How much less as, say, a percentage?
How do I safely move from CWM4 to the current CWM 10?
What current ROM is closest to the philosophy of CleanGB (solid and stripped of useless crap) and which kernel(s) is/are compatible with it?
I'm reading The People's ROM is a good candidate, but I'm interested in more opinions from people who've assessed several for stability.
DeafScribe said:
Forgive me if I come off as a complete noob, but it's been awhile and I need a few pointers to get up to speed. A little homework and due diligence now will avoid a lot of aggravation later.
I rooted my 4G (SPH-D700), then installled:
Running Clean GB-1.0.3 (latest is 1.1.2)
Kernel version 2.6.35.7-CleanGB-gdaf5649
Modem - EI22
Firmware v2.3.5
ACSRecovery v1.0.0.5 CWM4 Based
All old stuff, I know. I stayed with CleanGB because it absolutely rocks. But it's time to upgrade, and a lot has happened since. I'm trying to work out which kernels are compatible with which ROMs, etc.
So, questions:
What is the latest stable version of Android for the Epic 4G? I've seen discussions that say it can run ICS, others that say support stopped at Jellybean.
If ICS is good, I've seen mention that ICS uses more memory, leaving less room for apps. How much less as, say, a percentage?
How do I safely move from CWM4 to the current CWM 10?
What current ROM is closest to the philosophy of CleanGB (solid and stripped of useless crap) and which kernel(s) is/are compatible with it?
I'm reading The People's ROM is a good candidate, but I'm interested in more opinions from people who've assessed several for stability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well we have official cyanogen nightlies. CM9(ICS) was kinda dropped when jelly bean came out. CM10 has a stable build. CM10.1 (4.2.2) has official nightlies and a monthly build. That is the most
Up to date versions of android. There are ports of paranoid android, aokp, and more. However most of those require the use of the NS4G modem and patch.
As far as modified stock is concerned, TPR would be my vote. However most new roms have changed from bml to mtd maps with a new yaffs2 filesystem. This was needed as an open source way to change the partition sizes. Data has shrunk a bit to make for a larger system partition (20-30mb). On roms like TPR this isn't needed, but makes switching between other ROMs that need more system space an easy switch.
CM will automatically convert your system to mtd and update to the latest clockworkmod. TPR may do this too, but I think the trick is to flash CM to re partition then flash TPR if you wish.
I've been running CM10.1 lately with little to no problems. Only small issue is Bluetooth is a bit flaky. This is Google's fault for changing the Bluetooth stack on 4.2.2. All that said, read the recent stickies and the ROM thread OP's and you should be fine. One thing... The only way to go back to bml from mtd is to Odin back to stock. Not a big deal, since bml ROMs are almost nonexistent these days.
Hope that gets you started
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
BML and MTD
One thing... The only way to go back to bml from mtd is to Odin back to stock. Not a big deal, since bml ROMs are almost nonexistent these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, BML and MTD - this touches on an area of uncertainty. I gather from the CleanGB changelog notes that 1.0.3 runs on MTD.
I checked the CM Wiki walkthrough for installing CM, found it assumes an install from stock and links to a BML version of CWM 5. I can revert back to stock if I have to, but ideally I'd like to minimize steps to minimize the chances of something going haywire. Here's where it gets interesting...
As noted, I have ACSRecovery v1.0.0.5 installed. While I was looking at my options today, I installed ROM manager and found it supports CWM 5.0.2.7.
I've created backups using both, but to date I've never needed to recover from a backup. Are they both compatible with MTD? I'd hate to get in a position of having to fall back and find my backups are useless.
If there are no compatibility issues regarding MTD, then I'm good with using CWM 5.0.2.7 to flash CM10.1?
You will have problems with your backups if you go with a CM 10+ rom as changes to the partition sizes make things difficult. Odin may be necessary to go back.
Most of the newer roms have the option to use the Nexus S 4g modem, but it is not a requirement. Some, myself included, get better results over the stock modem.
And don't use ROM Manager. It doesn't always play nice with newer roms on this phone.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2
DeafScribe said:
Forgive me if I come off as a complete noob, but it's been awhile and I need a few pointers to get up to speed. A little homework and due diligence now will avoid a lot of aggravation later.
I rooted my 4G (SPH-D700), then installled:
Running Clean GB-1.0.3 (latest is 1.1.2)
Kernel version 2.6.35.7-CleanGB-gdaf5649
Modem - EI22
Firmware v2.3.5
ACSRecovery v1.0.0.5 CWM4 Based
All old stuff, I know. I stayed with CleanGB because it absolutely rocks. But it's time to upgrade, and a lot has happened since. I'm trying to work out which kernels are compatible with which ROMs, etc.
So, questions:
What is the latest stable version of Android for the Epic 4G? I've seen discussions that say it can run ICS, others that say support stopped at Jellybean.
If ICS is good, I've seen mention that ICS uses more memory, leaving less room for apps. How much less as, say, a percentage?
How do I safely move from CWM4 to the current CWM 10?
What current ROM is closest to the philosophy of CleanGB (solid and stripped of useless crap) and which kernel(s) is/are compatible with it?
I'm reading The People's ROM is a good candidate, but I'm interested in more opinions from people who've assessed several for stability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try this out it is very stable
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2187798
I also have roms that blow your mind like Pac-man rom
i also have paranoid android v3.10 which is obsolete but it requires ns4g modem
None of my roms are ported pm me for more info

Cant find kernels anywhere

I've tried multiple builds of DU and CM on my HTC One m8 and I'm getting random reboots nearly everyday. I figured I should try a different kernel. Never used a custom kernel before so I tried finding some on Google but all I could find where articles talking about why I should use a custom kernel, but not where I can get one. Is there a list or database of popular kernels out there?
You'll find a number of kernels if you look in the Development and Original Development forum sections. But unfortunately, nearly all are for Sense and GPE ROMs, and won't work on AOSP ROMs like DU and CM. On that note, since AOSP ROMS use different kernel(s) from Sense and GPE; you already in fact have tried 2 different custom kernels.
If you still want to try different kernels, what you can do, is take the boot.img from another similar base (same Android version) AOSP ROM, and flash it using fastboot. Such as the DU kernel with CM (or Slim kernel, etc.). But honestly, I have no idea how much the devs tinker with the kernels on these AOSP ROMs.
Be sure to make a TWRP backup of your current ROM before flashing a different kernel; in case it doesn't work and things go south, you can easily revert.

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