Develop Bugs

Lost my root?

I rooted my phone like 30 minutes before the latest update came out (LG2) and when a friend was playing with it, he updated it. Now it appears I do not have root anymore. How can I get this back so I can flash the CM10 rom on here? If I open super user my first 2 sets of data under "su binary v3.1" are red and then the 3rd item which is /system/xbin/su is green. Let me know if there is any other data I can provide to help assist. Thank you so much!

I lost root last week, titanium backup failed, super user was denied access etc. I tried to update binaries but that didn't work either. However when I booted into recovery it was still clockwork recovery not stock. So all I had to do to regain root was to flash the cwm_superuser zip then the latest teamepic-root-from-recovery zip. It worked for me. If you boot into recovery and it's the stock recovery then my guess is you will probably need to reroot via the Odin method.

coogrrr94 said:
I lost root last week, titanium backup failed, super user was denied access etc. I tried to update binaries but that didn't work either. However when I booted into recovery it was still clockwork recovery not stock. So all I had to do to regain root was to flash the cwm_superuser zip then the latest teamepic-root-from-recovery zip. It worked for me. If you boot into recovery and it's the stock recovery then my guess is you will probably need to reroot via the Odin method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have CWM installed and i can do the volume,home button, power on button and load into it, but whenever i run any package (includind CWM_superuser.zip i get an error saying Esignature failed. I tried reflashing the CWM but when i open odin i cant get it to show the phone and light up the com port box... any other ideas?

You can't flash the root from recovery zip either? If you haven't tried, that should reroot your phone.

flonker said:
You can't flash the root from recovery zip either? If you haven't tried, that should reroot your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope gives me the same esignature failure

What about adb?

When you're in CWM recovery you should be able to disable signature verification.

coogrrr94 said:
So all I had to do to regain root was to flash the cwm_superuser zip then the latest teamepic-root-from-recovery zip. It worked for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. Can u be more specific how u did that. I want also regain my root

kanon104 said:
Hi. Can u be more specific how u did that. I want also regain my root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot into recovery> go to install zip from sdcard>click on toggle signature verification
That should disable it. Its on by default.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Hostage XII said:
Boot into recovery> go to install zip from sdcard>click on toggle signature verification
That should disable it. Its on by default.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I just did the odin thing again and it worked. What Spring Galaxy means btw?

Ran into Same issue, but still had clockwork mod in reboot, so......
How to regain root if cwm is working is just to reflash team epics root recovery zip in recovery....thats it!!!
Walla
Im not the first to have this issue and not the last, may come to be very difficult in future, whos to say, but if it helps...thanks is appreciated!!

[Q] Stuck on Android Logo

Guys today I tried installing MIUI v4. I followed all the steps mentioned in the thread. I installed everything properly but my phone is stuck onthe android logo. This happened when I rebooted my phone after installing MIUI. So please tell me what is the problem. Also when I am truing to restore some type of error is cropping up. Please help.

pranjaldixit said:
Guys today I tried installing MIUI v4. I followed all the steps mentioned in the thread. I installed everything properly but my phone is stuck onthe android logo. This happened when I rebooted my phone after installing MIUI. So please tell me what is the problem. Also when I am truing to restore some type of error is cropping up. Please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before installing make backup wipe dalvik cache , cache, do factory reset and try again .. hope it helps
Sent from my Hero using xda premium

Actually I tell the whole story now. When I was making backup of my stock ROM the sd card showed low on space. So I removed that SD card and inserted the one which came with the Phone. On that I installed all the required zip files. Then I made backup of the stock ROM and the data. After that I followed these steps mentioned here -:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1863260
According to the steps I did not did wipe davik cache etc. after instaling the ROM I did wipe factory and data reset and wipe cache partition. After following all the steps mentioned I rebooted my phone as mentioned. But after rebooting the phone is stuck on android logo. I then again went into recovery and tried to wipe dalvik cache the confirmation page that appears before wiping anything is not coming. Also when I tried to restore my phone to the stock ROM an error message is coming. So I am not able to restore to the stock ROM. This is the whole thing. So guys please help. I hope I have not bricked my phone. Any solutions?
Thanks

As long as your phone can go to recovery mode it wasnt bricked..
May i know what recovery that you use to install the rom??
Sent from my GT-S5660 using Tapatalk 2

AiphNday said:
As long as your phone can go to recovery mode it wasnt bricked..
May i know what recovery that you use to install the rom??
Sent from my GT-S5660 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mate I used latest version of ClockWork Mod to install the ROM.

pranjaldixit said:
Mate I used latest version of ClockWork Mod to install the ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version it is??
If you are install custom rom from stock rom,its better to use px-cwmV2..
If test it,and it minimize the risk of stuck on android logo..
After that you can change the recovery to other version that you want..
Sent from my GT-S5660 using Tapatalk 2

AiphNday said:
What version it is??
If you are install custom rom from stock rom,its better to use px-cwmV2..
If test it,and it minimize the risk of stuck on android logo..
After that you can change the recovery to other version that you want..
Sent from my GT-S5660 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the version is 5.0.2.7. Also when I am switching off the phone after sometime it is automatically switching on by itself. So for the time being I have removed the battery.

pranjaldixit said:
I think the version is 5.0.2.7. Also when I am switching off the phone after sometime it is automatically switching on by itself. So for the time being I have removed the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use that version,use the version that can support rfs+ext4 file system..
Stock rom use rfs file system and custom rom usually use ext4 file system,so therefore you have to use recovery that support both..
Sent from my GT-S5660 using Tapatalk 2

AiphNday said:
If you use that version,use the version that can support rfs+ext4 file system..
Stock rom use rfs file system and custom rom usually use ext4 file system,so therefore you have to use recovery that support both..
Sent from my GT-S5660 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please tell me how to proceed? Because the backup of stock ROM is showing problems.

pranjaldixit said:
Could you please tell me how to proceed? Because the backup of stock ROM is showing problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest that you flash your phone to stock rom again via odin..
Then change your recovery,i was preffered px-cwmV2,but i dont know is the link still alive or not..
Flash the recovery,reboot..
Then enter recovery mode again,install rom..
Sent from my GT-S5660 using Tapatalk 2

How to do flash stock ROM as the backup that I made is not working properly.

pranjaldixit said:
How to do flash stock ROM as the backup that I made is not working properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With odin,
Search ! there are allot of guide howto flash gio to stock with odin
Sent from my HTC Hero using xda app-developers app

If you have working recovery it's no use to flash stock ROM, just flash px-cwmV2 http://www.mediafire.com/file/y1xy6g2y5tpp1fg/px-cwm-v2.zip.
Then wipe all, including dalvik, flash desired ROM, wipe all again (including dalvik), and you should be good to go.

phreak_or said:
If you have working recovery it's no use to flash stock ROM, just flash px-cwmV2 http://www.mediafire.com/file/y1xy6g2y5tpp1fg/px-cwm-v2.zip.
Then wipe all, including dalvik, flash desired ROM, wipe all again (including dalvik), and you should be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you must have read my post about the problem. I have clockwork 5.0.2.7. The backup I made is alao showing some error when I tried to restore it using CWM. So please guide how to proceed.

pranjaldixit said:
I hope you must have read my post about the problem. I have clockwork 5.0.2.7. The backup I made is alao showing some error when I tried to restore it using CWM. So please guide how to proceed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have. As i said, you could just try CWM v2.
BUT to be absolutely safe flash a stock ROM using Odin, see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20397915&postcount=3.
After u flash the stock ROM, go to default recovery, factory reset, boot the rom, shutdown.
Flash the desired version of CWM using Odin or trough recovery, and then flash the custom ROM u want.
For me CWM 5.0.2.7 ext4+ RFS couldn't wipe dalvik, nor could it mount /system. So I used cwmV2.
Good luck!

phreak_or said:
I have. As i said, you could just try CWM v2.
BUT to be absolutely safe flash a stock ROM using Odin, see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20397915&postcount=3.
After u flash the stock ROM, go to default recovery, factory reset, boot the rom, shutdown.
Flash the desired version of CWM using Odin or trough recovery, and then flash the custom ROM u want.
For me CWM 5.0.2.7 ext4+ RFS couldn't wipe dalvik, nor could it mount /system. So I used cwmV2.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot. So first I have to download firmware and then using odin flash it on my phone. After that I have to install clockworkmod v2 amd then install the MIUI ROM? Can the CWM be flashed through recovery?
Thanks

pranjaldixit said:
Thanks a lot. So first I have to download firmware and then using odin flash it on my phone. After that I have to install clockworkmod v2 amd then install the MIUI ROM? Can the CWM be flashed through recovery?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes

And please tell me how to install CWM v2 as I already have version 5.0.2.7 of clockwork mod installed in my phone? Pease let me know the procedure for the same.
Thanks

pranjaldixit said:
And please tell me how to install CWM v2 as I already have version 5.0.2.7 of clockwork mod installed in my phone? Pease let me know the procedure for the same.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when you flash firmware with odin, it will also flash a new recovery.
just enter recovery like normally, and flash cwm-v2.zip
after its done you pull the battery out, and boot into recovery again.
now you have clockworkmod installed

voetbalremco said:
when you flash firmware with odin, it will also flash a new recovery.
just enter recovery like normally, and flash cwm-v2.zip
after its done you pull the battery out, and boot into recovery again.
now you have clockworkmod installed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not installing firmware right now. I am just wanting to install CWM v2 and try whether it is able to install MIUI successfully or not. If this one also fails then I will install the firmwares via odin. Hope you ate able to understand what I am saying. Please help.

JB-MR1 Help!

Hi all, I was on AKOP's milestone ROM before trying to flash their newest one. I did not do anything to the kernel or anything by the way.
I'm using ClockworkMod Recovery v6.0.2.7 and I rebooted into recovery and flashed super dark side wipe and then JB-MR1 and then gapps.
I went through the entire start up process with inputting your information and then finally I got into the actual home screen. I clicked around to see how the UI looked and then decided to reboot through the menu.
It was in the rebooting animation icon for at least 30 min before I decided to pull the battery. I want to wipe and start again but my cwm recovery isn't installing anything.
EDIT: The phone still works as I can boot into the phone and use it. I'm trying to reboot now: power button hold>reboot, but its taking ages still...need help on this reboot thanks
Any help here?
EDIT 2: Pretty much phone is "functional" but any method of trying to reboot or reboot into recovery fails
Thanks all!

Check the Md5 hash to make sure it is a good download.
Otherwise it sounds like it is CWM that can be causing issues.
Which version of gapps are you flashing?

8Fishes said:
Check the Md5 hash to make sure it is a good download.
Otherwise it sounds like it is CWM that can be causing issues.
Which version of gapps are you flashing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Checked the Md5 with an app and it matches up perfectly with akop's main website.
I'm running 6.0.2.8 cwm. Is it even possible that its cwm? I used the same version to flash AKOPs new ROM.
and im flashing gapps-jb-20121212-signed.zip
Does it have anything to do with my kernel?

You aren't supposed to use super wipe with cwm 6. That is probably your problem.

meekrawb said:
You aren't supposed to use super wipe with cwm 6. That is probably your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for pinpointing the problem! Is there a fix to this?
And is this the recommended method of flashing? (Taken from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1926754):
1. Wipe factory data/reset
2. Wipe cache
3. Go into mounts and storage
4. Format /system
5. Format /data
6. Format /cache
7. Enter advanced
8. Wipe dalvik
9. Flash ROM then gapps
10. Reboot and let the ROM settle for 5-10 minutes if flashing TW ROMs, this step is unnecessary for AOSP based ROMs.
11. (Optional) if flashing a new radio flash AFTER the ROM has been initially booted for the first time. No wipes are necessary when flashing a new radio but it HAS to be flashed after the ROM is loaded and settled in. Flashing a radio first and then a ROM has caused issues like the phone not even recognizing there is a network for it. ( phone remains in emergency mode )
Edit:
Pretty sure my phone is bricked now... in a continuous boot up loop... BUT i can still access recovery

Ostyrion said:
Thanks so much for pinpointing the problem! Is there a fix to this?
Edit:
Pretty sure my phone is bricked now... in a continuous boot up loop... BUT i can still access recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, those are the proper flashing instructions for CWM6.
It sounds like you have a soft brick. I think your best bet is to Odin back to stock. Have a look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1858435
Good luck.

meekrawb said:
Yes, those are the proper flashing instructions for CWM6.
It sounds like you have a soft brick. I think your best bet is to Odin back to stock. Have a look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1858435
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sir are a saving grace!
I'll try this at once!!
I have 2 questions though.
1. in regard to kernels. Do i need to do anything (aka change my kernel?) Or is the stock kernel suitable for 4.2.1?
2. If i cant boot into my phone to get to my SD card, how do i download and put files onto my phone?

Ostyrion said:
You sir are a saving grace!
I'll try this at once!!
I have 2 questions though.
1. in regard to kernels. Do i need to do anything (aka change my kernel?) Or is the stock kernel suitable for 4.2.1?
2. If i cant boot into my phone to get to my SD card, how do i download and put files onto my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock kernel is just fine.
Odin will flash the stock OS to your phone from the computer. Make sure to read the Odin directions a few times before trying it because it could hard brick if something goes wrong.

meekrawb said:
Stock kernel is just fine.
Odin will flash the stock OS to your phone from the computer. Make sure to read the Odin directions a few times before trying it because it could hard brick if something goes wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying to read through the thread you gave me but its kinda cluttered and its hard finding exactly where to start...pointers?

From the first post of that thread you will need
1. The prerequisites
-Odin
-Drivers
-Kies(dunno if this is mandatory but I guess it couldn't hurt.)
2. T-Mobile t989 uvlhi stock ROM(Odin)
You will need some type of zip software to extract the files from this.
3. Follow the steps under Installation - Odin installation(skip step 1)
After you get the stock ROM running you can install custom recovery and then flash your custom ROMs.

meekrawb said:
From the first post of that thread you will need
1. The prerequisites
-Odin
-Drivers
-Kies(dunno if this is mandatory but I guess it couldn't hurt.)
2. T-Mobile t989 uvlhi stock ROM(Odin)
You will need some type of zip software to extract the files from this.
3. Follow the steps under Installation - Odin installation(skip step 1)
After you get the stock ROM running you can install custom recovery and then flash your custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IT WORKS!!!! I LOVE YOU!! THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO MUCH!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!
So now that I'm back on stock ROM, is my phone still rooted? Or do i need to reroot?
Edit: Downloaded a root checker. Looks like I need to reroot. Thank you again SOOOOO much!!!

Ostyrion said:
IT WORKS!!!! I LOVE YOU!! THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO MUCH!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!
So now that I'm back on stock ROM, is my phone still rooted? Or do i need to reroot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are welcome. You are now unrooted so you have to download the recovery of your choice to the internal SD card and flash it from the stock recovery. After you reboot back into recovery you can flash a ROM and you will be rooted.

meekrawb said:
You are welcome. You are now unrooted so you have to download the recovery of your choice to the internal SD card and flash it from the stock recovery. After you reboot back into recovery you can flash a ROM and you will be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So in essence, once i have cwm/twrp on my phone, i have "root"?
Just to check:
1. download cwm recovery
2. via usb put onto phone.
3. reboot into recovery
4. flash cwm
5. restart phone
6. copy AOKP ROM onto phone
7. reboot into recovery
8. flash AOKP ROM?
Again, i cant thank you enough!

Ostyrion said:
So in essence, once i have cwm/twrp on my phone, i have "root"?
Just to check:
1. download cwm recovery
2. via usb put onto phone.
3. reboot into recovery
4. flash cwm
5. restart phone
6. copy AOKP ROM onto phone
7. reboot into recovery
8. flash AOKP ROM?
Again, i cant thank you enough!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That should do it. You won't be rooted until you install a custom ROM though(they come already rooted).

meekrawb said:
That should do it. You won't be rooted until you install a custom ROM though(they come already rooted).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently stock recovery doesn't allow to install via internal SD card so I need odin to flash cwm dont i?
What boxes do i need checked besides the PDA checkbox?

Ostyrion said:
Apparently stock recovery doesn't allow to install via internal SD card so I need odin to flash cwm dont i?
What boxes do i need checked besides the PDA checkbox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you download the flashable zip from the first post here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=30497342
you should be able to flash it from stock recovery. If it doesn't work I will have to look up how to install it with Odin.

meekrawb said:
If you download the flashable zip from the first post here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=30497342
you should be able to flash it from stock recovery. If it doesn't work I will have to look up how to install it with Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually got cwm 5.0.2.7 on my phone through odin. I just need root now to upgrade it to the most recent version.
I've been seeing busybox paired with superuser.
Do i need busybox? Or can i just flash superuser through cwm recovery 5.0.2.7?

Ostyrion said:
I actually got cwm 5.0.2.7 on my phone through odin. I just need root now to upgrade it to the most recent version.
I've been seeing busybox paired with superuser.
Do i need busybox? Or can i just flash superuser through cwm recovery 5.0.2.7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you need root? You should be able to just flash the newer cwm zip.

Here is a superuser zip that I used successfully on my t989:

meekrawb said:
Here is a superuser zip that I used successfully on my t989:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the file!
I downloaded cwm from this site:
http://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager
but it comes as an img file...and I dont seem to be able to flash that from recovery

[Q] Nexus doesnt let me do anything

Hello
I have purchased a second hand Nexus. It is rooted and has got custom rom. Also Teamwinner or so is installed. When i boot into recovery to install some other rom it exits with error 7. Same when i try to update the teamwinner to the newest version.
Any idea what to try?

dosada said:
Hello
I have purchased a second hand Nexus. It is rooted and has got custom rom. Also Teamwinner or so is installed. When i boot into recovery to install some other rom it exits with error 7. Same when i try to update the teamwinner to the newest version.
Any idea what to try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i remember seeing error 7 before on a rom i tried to flash.. i was using CWM so its not the recovery's fault. turns out there was a problem with the rom...
so find another rom to flash would be my answer for now.

The problem is that i get this error whatever i tried to flah. Even cwm or some other rom result in same error

dosada said:
The problem is that i get this error whatever i tried to flah. Even cwm or some other rom result in same error
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What procedure are you using to flash? What file are you trying to flash and where did you get it from?

I start up the phone using volume down and power. Then in teamwinner i chose install zip and then the file
so far have tried, all downloaded from here or linked from here, those files
CWM-Touch-6.0.2.5-DJ
Hellybean-20130405-crespo
TWRP-2.4.4.0-DJ
jellyshot_crespo-v3.3
nothing works. all of them exist with error 7

dosada said:
I start up the phone using volume down and power. Then in teamwinner i chose install zip and then the file
so far have tried, all downloaded from here or linked from here, those files
CWM-Touch-6.0.2.5-DJ
Hellybean-20130405-crespo
TWRP-2.4.4.0-DJ
jellyshot_crespo-v3.3
nothing works. all of them exist with error 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.....
This is the Galaxy Nexus forums, that firmware aka ROM is for crespo aka Nexus S
Sent from my Nexus

Fair enough about the roms, but why cant i even install cwm? This shows me just the error 7 too

I wouldn't be surprised if your recovery is either not for your device or not even a flash able zip.

dosada said:
Fair enough about the roms, but why cant i even install cwm? This shows me just the error 7 too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you get that CWM? http://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager? If so those are img files, for flashing from fastboot. But I have no idea what "DJ" is for. To flash from recovery it needs to be packaged in a flashable zip.
Or you can install CWM from the ROM Manager app. Or TWRP from GooManager.

quite frankly i wouldnt use CWM. The UI is annoying as hell, and it tends ot be a lot slower, at least from my own experience.
I recommand TWRP, http://www.teamw.in/project/twrp2/90 latest version here for maguro.
if you have adb set up, installing twrp is cake, simply open adb and type:
1) adb reboot bootloader
2) fastboot flash recovery TWRP.img <-----assuming you are in the directory of that img file you just downloaded, and TWRP is just the name of the img file, its usually attached with version, so i would rename it for easier access.
3) after you flashed it just boot into recovery and start flashing your new rom.
If all else fail.....use the toolkit and flash factory image for a fresh start, i havnt failed with factory image yet

Can someone give me the link to go from 4.3.1 to 4.4??

I'm running Dirty Unicorn 4.3.1 and MK4 and want to root to 4.4 kit kat and load some new roms.
I have tried just wiping and flashing, but I get no data unless i'm on wifi.
Is there a step by step to get the update?? I also read about some knox crap also. Don't know what that is.
Please advise.......
Thanks in advance
Dave

wascapsfan said:
I'm running Dirty Unicorn 4.3.1 and MK4 and want to root to 4.4 kit kat and load some new roms.
I have tried just wiping and flashing, but I get no data unless i'm on wifi.
Is there a step by step to get the update?? I also read about some knox crap also. Don't know what that is.
Please advise.......
Thanks in advance
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if you read most of the 4.4 rom threads you will see you need to use cwm recovery or philz recovery. Since you are using twrp you wont get data to work without going through a few hoops.

jlmancuso said:
Well if you read most of the 4.4 rom threads you will see you need to use cwm recovery or philz recovery. Since you are using twrp you wont get data to work without going through a few hoops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did download rom manager and Philz. I just wasn't sure how to get them to override TWRP. Do I just flash Philz??
Thanks so much for chiming in. I've been rooted for several years, but this update flew right by me.
Keep talking......

Yeah just flash it through ROM manager then reboot into recovery. If it is not philz recovery (although it should be) then you can just flash it in recovery.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

jlmancuso said:
Yeah just flash it through ROM manager then reboot into recovery. If it is not philz recovery (although it should be) then you can just flash it in recovery.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded rom manager, but it doesn't seem to override TWRP. I also tried to flash Philz (which I preferred), but I could only try to flash it with TWRP, and of course, it failed.
Do I need to freeze TWRP in Titanium backup ???

Please re-download Philz and verify md5 then flash in twrp. After flashing in twrp reboot the recovery within twrp and boom! you have Philz!

flynhawn2002 said:
Please re-download Philz and verify md5 then flash in twrp. After flashing in twrp reboot the recovery within twrp and boom! you have Philz!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Each time I download Philz, I try to flash it, (through TWRP),but it fails.

wascapsfan said:
Each time I download Philz, I try to flash it, (through TWRP),but it fails.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like you, I could not get TWRP to leave my device (no matter what I tried). Only thing that finally worked was this flasher utility to get CWM:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.mkrtchyan.recoverytools
Granted I didn't try to Odin PhilZ or CWM but that was about the only thing left I hadn't tried.

I had twrp for a recovery. When I installed DU 4.4.2, I downloaded cwm 6.0.4.3 because I guess twrp and 4.4 roms don't play nice. I actually downloaded the cwm recovery, saved it on my external sd, and booted into twrp recovery, flashed the recovery file for cwm, and it rebooted. I boot back into recovery with cwm on board, and then downloaded whatever 4.4 roms and gapps package that was necessary. It works fine for me.