[Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] s15274n:
Edit: I'm not pleased with this guide yet. Below I have you going back to stock jfd (2.1) and then I have a 2.2 kernel (overstock) which I didn't use when I installed cm7... I'm probably going to change this and suggest using the alt method in the noob guide, or going to jfd and then installing Trigger... Suggestions?

Installing CyanogenMod 7 on the Vibrant is NOT difficult. The process is different, not hard. There are certain steps you need to follow. Please note, I am trying to help and am in no way responsible for your actions, your phone, etc.... I will try and assist you so please post comments/suggestions/questions below.

Is CM7 perfect? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

Read up on it HERE and decide if you are ready to try it out.

I am not being as detailed as normal. That is because I assume you have read and KNOW the NOOB GUIDE first.

I will let POST ONE be from start to finish (stock phone > CM7). This is obviously the longest process, but it's also the cleanest install.

POST TWO will be for those who already have root/custom recovery/a custom rom and DO NOT want to go back to stock first.

Regardless which method you choose, you are going to need the files....

FILES

The Update.zip file to root your phone (this roots stock 2.1, not 2.2) > File: View attachment 568108 <

If you have eclair, root per the noob guide linked above or another method of your preference... doesn't matter.

**A kernel with CWR (here is a link to an OverStock you can use): LINK

** I didn't use this method, I believe it should work fine, feedback wanted **

** I BELIEVE the reasoning here for this are two things, could be wrong... one, you cant use stock recovery and two, this gives you the option to go from CWR directly to download mode, which is needed later. THAT SAID, I used the regular CWR that installs from Rom Manager... once I flashed the efsbackup (more on this soon) I just pulled my battery and went into download mode because (a) it was fast (b) I didn't have the option to enter download mode from recovery.

THESE THREE FILES ARE NEEDED

- vibrant-efsbackup.zip

- cm7-vibrant-initial-kernel.tar

- cm7-vibrant-initial-20110304.zip

OPTIONAL: You may want to also grab the latest NIGHTLY version of CM7. The link above is the INITIAL CM7... there is work being done in the form of updates/NIGHTLY versions.... you can find them HERE and read about them on THIS thread. These do NOT wipe your phone so really no reason to not backup/test these out as they are released in my opinion.

I would also download the following:

The latest CM7 kernel from theexel (my preference here, not needed)

The Google Apps (CM7 doesn't come with the Market, Gmail, etc.. a C&D order a few years back is to blame)

STOCK > CM7

First thing I did was move ALL of my personal FILES that were already on my phone (both the internal/external) to my pc so I had a backup of them.

I then went to Menu > SD CARD AND PHONE STORAGE and I unmounted/formatted BOTH the internal and external.

I then used ODIN to get back to stock JFD (if you are stock anything, that's fine, I wasnt so I added this step for those who want to go back to stock).

Once it has finished and rebooted, I mounted my phone to my pc. I then moved the following files (all were listed above, minus the .tar, more on that later... leave it on your PC) from my PC to my INTERNAL memory:

The update.zip file to root my phone

The OverStock kernel (option to enter download mode, not required though, see above)

The vibrant-efsbackup.zip

The cm7-vibrant-initial-20110304.zip

The CM7 most recent NIGHTLY .zip (updated CM7)

The latest CM7 kernel from theexel (my preference here, not needed)

The gapps (google apps) zip.

Hold in BOTH volume buttons and POWER (release when you see the Vibrant logo) to reboot into recovery (phone can be on or off). Select Reinstall Packages.

Your phone will reboot and you will have root.

Go to the market and download ROM MANAGER. Open it, select to flash CWR (top option) and once it's done (you got the Success popup), reboot into clockwork recovery (2nd option).

Go to install zip from sd card, choose zip from sdcard, select the overstock kernel zip if you are going to flash it. If so, once done, reboot the phone...then go BACK to CWR using the 3 button combo (should be a red recovery now)

[YOUTUBE]NlbRebmkumg[/YOUTUBE]

Go to install zip from sd card, choose zip from sdcard, select the efsbackup.zip. Once it finishes you need to get into download mode. If you used the overstock kernel, there is an option.. maybe under advanced. If you kept the normal CWR via Rom Manager, you can pull your battery and go ahead and load ODIN/Download Mode.

Load ODIN on your PC (I prefer THIS version of ODIN, older versions tend to hang up more)

UNCHECK reboot phone

UNCHECK Re-Partition

Load the cm7-vibrant-initial-kernel.tar (PDA Spot)

Press Start

About 10 seconds later, it should be done.... you need to get back to recovery... no need to turn off the phone or anything, FROM DOWNLOAD MODE, SIMPLY HOLD IN BOTH VOLUME BUTTONS AND POWER UNTIL YOU SEE THE VIBRANT LOGO.

** note, in this pic, my phone is not connected yet.. you can load this up before you connect your phone **

Now, in CWR, go down to "mounts and storage" and format the following: System, data, and cache.

Still in CWR, go to install zip from sd card, choose zip from sdcard, select the cm7-vibrant-initial-20110304.zip. Once this has finished do a Factory Wipe and Reboot.

[YOUTUBE]lE0TTrqBakM[/YOUTUBE]

IMPORTANT: Allow 15 minutes of the phone being turned on for the install to settle.

At this point, I would reboot back to recovery (3 buttons, power menu option will NOT work) and i would flash the following:

The latest Nightly update (don't wipe again, not needed).

The custom kernel from theexel (OPTIONAL)

The gapps zip so you can have the Market, gmail, etc

Then reboot.. let the phone sit... drink a beer.. donate some money to the guys that make this possible IF you like... and then enjoy the latest CM7 on your phone!

On a bootup, you may not have signal until you power off and back on your screen, fyi. *thanks theexel*

CM7 BOOTUP / RUNNING ON THE VIBRANT

[YOUTUBE]mYXiKWwp0DQ[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]d83leBqwU6c[/YOUTUBE]