[Fascinate General] bobloblaw1:
Note--forums ate my formatting. going to try and fix it....

Fascinate FAQ and Checklist

Most of the errors people run into are pretty much because they were so excited about learning about root and being able flash things on their phone that they forgot to THINK. Many of the items in this list are “obvious”. But, for anyone who has spent anytime in the Q&A forum it is clear that people often don’t consider the basics before taking the plunge.

So, what to do? There have been studies and research which shows that we are less likely to make errors and gloss over important steps if we can work off a checklist. So, I’m trying to develop a checklist of things people should go through BEFORE they flash anything to their phone. The goal here is prevention of errors that are easily avoidable. and is not to produce a step-by-step “How To” guide.

If you think the checklist is dumb, fine. Don’t use it. But, don’t thread crap; ignore it and let it fall down the page into oblivion. What I am looking for is constructive criticism and anything you think could make it better or more complete.

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Can I flash XYZ For the Verizon Fascinate?

BEFORE ANYTHING— I CERTIFY I HAVE READ THE FORUMS, GUIDES, AND WALKTHROUGHS. I FURTHER CERTIFY THAT I KNOW I AM OVERWRITING THE OPERATING SYSTEM ON MY PHONE. I KNOW THAT IF I FAILED TO DO THE RESEARCH BAD THINGS MAY HAPPEN THAT WOULD BE ENTIRELY MY OWN FAULT.

Follw each step down the list. Do not go on if you do not understand a question.

1. Do I own a Fascinate?

Look at your paperwork and packaging. Do you remember for fact that it’s a fascinate?

Menu->Settings->About phone-> Is your hardware verson “I500.04”

2. Am I on Verizon wireless?

i. Menu->Settings->About phone-> Status-> Network = “verizon Wireless” If Yes, you Go to #3.
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ii. If No, you may not have a Fascinate or you may have flashed your Fascinate to another carrier. In either case you should STOP and do further research. Flashing something to a non-Fascinate or to a heavily modified Fascinate will take much more research than this checklist can provide.
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3. Is what I am flashing designed for the Verizon Fascinate?

a. Make sure the ROM/THEME/MOD you are flashing says it is:

i. For the Fascinate

ii. For Verizon.
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4. What version of Android OS am I currently on?

a. Have you flashed anything prior?​

i. No—You are probably on stock Éclair. It is likely you will need to install a compatible Clockwork Recovery and WIPE DATA if going to Froyo.
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ii. Yes—You are probably on “froyo”.
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5. Do I have Clockwork Recovery installed?

a. Yes. Continue to the next step.

b. No. You will need to install CWR. Proceed to the next step to ensure you install a compatible version but be sure to install it.​

6. Is Clockwork compatible with the ROM/THEME/MOD/KERNEL?

i. Does the ROM/THEME/MOD/KERNEL specify needing amend or edify scripting?
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ii. Does the ROM/THEME/MOD/KERNEL say it needs a certain color CWM?
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iii. Does the ROM/THEME/MOD/KERNEL say it needs CWM 2.5 or 3.0?
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7. Have I charged the battery to 100% prior to flashing a new ROM

If yes, proceed.

If no, let it charge to avoid needing to wipe battery stats.​

8. Am I at home or somewhere I can make use of Odin in case something goes wrong?

If yes, proceed.

If no, wait to flash.​

9. Do I have anything to do soon or will I need my phone in the next 3 hours?

Don’t rush. You are seting yourself up for failure. If you need the phone soon you are setting yourself up for tears.

10. Do I have an Odin image and software handy (or an internet connection OTHER THAN MY PHONE) to download an image in case something goes wrong.

No. Get it. We’ll wait

Yes, continue.​

11. Are there special instructions for installing this particular ROM/THEME/MOD/KERNEL?

If so, FOLLOW THOSE INSTRUCTIONS. Do not take short-cuts unless you are willing to troubleshoot FC hell or bootloops (not fun, quite unlike Fruit Loops).

Be sure you download the appropriate voodoo/nonvoodoo ROM/kernel

12. Have I made a BACKUP?

If, no stop and backup your phone. You can’t get it back.

Yes, proceed.

13. Have I wiped caches?

Dalvik (advanced menu) and cache.

Make sure the ROM doesn’t advise you against it.

14. Am I flashing a Kernel?

Is this a Touchwiz or ASOP based ROM? Am I flashing an appropriate Kernel for the ROM type?

15. Flash your ROM/THEME/MOD/KERNEL.

HERP DERP!!!!! Something has gone wrongs!!

Please see DaleV’s excellent guide to unbricking your phone via Odin/Heimdall: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1026746

OR

Gizmodroid’s thread here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1017817