yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Motorola Photon 4G] heldunder:
as a service and repair tech for sprint ( formerly a regional service and repair tech for a 3rd party) i can 100% agree with the OP. I see a higher % of repairs on samsung models. also my main problem is that they often use a component antenna, meaning a second board with the antenna attached via a small white wire. it's often VERY weak in comparison. this is ( at least with sprint phones) how i see manufacturers devices.

moto - solid devices more rugged than other manufacturers, often a better quality speaker, very good signal strength

HTC - very fast deviced decent screen quality, sometimes lacking in speaker quality, very good signal strength

samsung- AMAZING screen, decent camera, piss poor everything else

LG - surprisingly decent low end or "entry level" smart phones, alot of battery issues.

blackberry... amazing email/messeging. ( thats it...)

but what do i know... its only my job to know whats going to go bad on devices.
[Motorola Photon 4G] flipper12:
To set a 4G toggle switch in Widgetsoid,you can set up a shortcut under 'Other', then 'Application', > 4G Stats. You can then replace the icon with a '4G' icon.
[Motorola Photon 4G] Mister_RnB:
Im on the fence at this point. two days away from release and i love the photon. only thing i dont get with is my camera. it sucks and i know the epic 4g touch will have an awesome camera. also will the photon get 1080p video support through update. i hope so. only thing i know i fear is that my mom has the vibrant and though super amoled is amazing hers has caught burn in. similar to what you see on the plasma tvs. you can see the lockscreen clock on any screen. smh i cant deal with that. also will the photon get more codec support? i cant load my hd m4v movies on to it. but the droid x plays them. also my girlfriends epic plays them. what to do? can anyone answer some of my questions.?
[Motorola Photon 4G] dreDrennon1:
I used to work at VZW and I have had the Droid 1&2 , the incredible then I went to att and got the Samsung focus it was junk I got the HTC Inspire/Desire HD it was a great phone but switched to sprint had the white evo 4g and I loved it but 2 Weeks after I got it came the MoPho and this is by far the best phone I have ever owned and I know several people that kick themselves everyday for buying Samsung phones
[Motorola Photon 4G] beartrap:
PC Magazine prefers the Photon over SG2SET4G
[Motorola Photon 4G] mrinehart93:
My dad has the OG Epic and I have to agree with everyone else above. It DOES feel like a plastic toy more than an actual phone. Thumbs up for Motorola!
[Motorola Photon 4G] Lancerz:
Why are people so stuck on 1080p when its almost impossible to tell the difference from 720p to 1080p on a 32" lcd. So imagine how hard it will be to tell the difference on a 4.52" screen.
[Motorola Photon 4G] flipper12:
I agree. Unless their intent is to take that 1080p image they recorded and view it on a big screen television. But even then, is the difference between watching an image on a big screen of a 720p image and a 1080p image really that evident? Only if you have a 55 inch or larger, I imagine. And in all honesty, how many people ARE going to view it on their television.

In any event, I'm still within the camp of staying FAR away from Samsung based on my experience with the Moment and hearing of all the nightmare stories from the original Epic owners. If Samsung DOES prove me wrong with the release of this phone and their support of it, then more power to them. But I've been pleased with the support given by Motorola so thus far for the Photon on how quickly they've tried to address issues that have been popping up.
[Motorola Photon 4G] laraiza:
My 30 days ended yesterday and I decided to keep my Photon. No SGS2ET for me. My name is Leo and I'm an ex Evo straight up Mopho flashoholic. Nice to meet everyone.
[Motorola Photon 4G] beartrap:
Hello Leo. Welcome to the ex-evo flashaholics anonymous club.
[Motorola Photon 4G] dreDrennon1:
Hello guys I was just over here checking in to see what was going on development wise and saw this thread...a friend of mine just got a photon about a month ago and he likes it I told him I loved mine when I had but I just couldn't roms like I wanted, I was hesitant about making the Samsung jump but I did and it is a flashaholic's dream come true....I do miss that motorola build quality but I enjoy the speed, functionality and all around experience of the SG2 ET4G a lot more ..anyway Merry Christmas to all of you stay Blessed
[Motorola Photon 4G] stonesaber:
I sent my Epic touch back for the Photon. I miss flashing and the awesome camera but the MoPho is better for me. That being said, I'm gonna pick another one up from swappa for a spare phone and media player and to satisfy my ROMming needs.
[Motorola Photon 4G] Dsparil:
It seems that Samsung often forgets the phone portion of smart phone.
[Motorola Photon 4G] sjamie:
Hilarious! :D
[Motorola Photon 4G] Kcarpenter:
They also forget satisfied customers drive their future market performance.

I will NEVER own another Samsung device. TV, media player, tablet, phone, not even a nexus device. None of them.

Sent from my Photon.
[Motorola Photon 4G] Crwolv:
2.3.5 update(kills sbf and unlock capability) updates photon to 1080p:) so moot point. and it has been ripped open so you can download 2.3.5 using different boot loader")
[T-Mobile LG G2x] mmapcpro:
...if you are not formatting /system.

I keep reading on almost every development thread, pages of posts from people stating that they are having all kinds of problems and it is the fault of the rom they flashed. Then after several people try to help out, the poster of the problem will usually state something like, "I DID DO A FULL WIPE DAMMMMMITT!!! I cleared cache, dalvik and EVEN did a factory reset...I even fixed permissions after I flashed...THIS ROM IS JUNK!!!!"

Time and time again, I see that they neglected to format /system. If you don't include this as a part of your "full wipe", you can leave behind remnants of your previous rom, which is most probably going to cause problems.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] mongo41:
couldn't have said it better myself. especially when coming from a 2.3.5 rom but should do it for any.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] gaww:
I have continually recommended this also, but maybe doing it here in a separate thread will get better attention.

I format /system between ALL ROM flashes (only takes a few more SECONDS if you are also wiping davlik and cache).

Per your OP - I have had very few issues as a result. I really think most of the posts on problems that are not know issues in these threads are the direct result of not doing this.

PS - formatting /system does also not always work either. I have not had problems so far with my G2X from not doing a "real full wipe" (fastboot system erase....), but I did a few times when I was crack-flashing nightlies over on the MT4G forum. I could not otherwise get WiFi and/or bluetooth to work at times even after doing a factory reset and formatting /system.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] wyldkard:
besides the wide data, cache, dalvik and format/system, is it safe or recommended to format anything else when flashing a new rom?
[T-Mobile LG G2x] lannister80:
Um, how? There's no option in CWM. Do you shell in and do an "rm -rf" in the /system directory?

Is there such a thing as fastboot for Terga2 devices? I thought that was ARM thing (like my old HTC Magic)...? Is there an equivalent tool for the G2x?
[T-Mobile LG G2x] xsteven77x:
Its under mounts and storage I believe.

Also this whole problem could easily be alleviated by rom makers putting a format /system in there install script like CM does. Not defending dumb asses, just saying it would be helpful for the people less in the know.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] lannister80:
Oh, CM formats /system? Awesome, I only use CM, so I don't have to worry about this issue.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] namklak:
To be honest, it's stuff like this that has kept me from flashing a ROM. I've started a procedure doc, filling in details as I read threads. I hadn't seen this one...

Some day I will hopefully have an all-encompassing "this is how you flash a ROM" doc, and I will post it. Unless it already exists?

Then I have to start on a Kernel flash doc...

Just so I can use a stable phone...

I write embedded C for a living, and music is my hobby - I didn't mean for my phone to become a hobby, also. But it is addicting...
[T-Mobile LG G2x] FatalityBoyZahy:
+1, I make sure EVERYTHING is wiped before I flash a ROM.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] gaww:
This was done with SDK tools fastboot commands. I have not had to try it yet on a G2x, but I assume it would work - other fastboot commands do.

I usually also added the -w to wipe cache and data at the same time.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] Rusty!:
Tegra stuff does have fastboot, on the O2X and Advent Vega, if you wipe the boot partition and reboot the phone drops to fastboot. I would assume the G2X is the same.

You can flash or boot a recovery, and boot a boot image, although you can't flash a boot image for some reason. That's all I've tried though.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] hidden_dragon:
Yes...the internal SD card. This is an often neglected step and could cause problems (such as boot loops) if not formatted.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] leenukes:
Interesting, I've done many ROM flashes using about 5 different types of ROM and not had to do this but I'll bear it in mind.

I just do a data wipe when using different types if ROM and just cache when upgrading the same ROM. Maybe I've been lucky?
[T-Mobile LG G2x] phburks:
You erase ALL of your personal data each time? That's thorough for sure, but not really necessary.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] phburks:
I've never had any issues just wiping data/caches when switching roms. But it doesn't hurt to start with as clean a slate as possible.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] BobbyDukes707:
Oh how I miss Ohsaka's superwipe from my g1 days... I can't be spending all day manually wiping caches, dakviks and formatting systems...
[T-Mobile LG G2x] gaww:
How many times per day do you flash new ROM's - lol ???
[T-Mobile LG G2x] gaww:
You have been lucky - especially in flashing different types of ROMs on the same device

Also, it takes a lot more work to reload data (unless you are using advanced restore) and most flashing issues happen with the system rather than data. I always try to preserve data but clear the system.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] mmapcpro:
Way to exaggerate...the entire process takes about a minute and a half, lol.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] Paul Nur:
BULL****, my mom told me to fold the toilet paper 4-6 times and wipe from my turkey neck outward toward my crack.

NEVER TOWARD THE TURKEY NECK, NEVER..
[T-Mobile LG G2x] namklak:
Uh, I'd like to see your procedure for this, please?
[T-Mobile LG G2x] mmapcpro:
Boot into cwm

Wipe cache

Advanced -> wipe dalvik

Format data/ reset

Mounts and storage -> format /system

Flash rom

Flash kernel

Advanced -> fix permissions

Reboot
[T-Mobile LG G2x] bkrill:
Would it be necessary to wipe SD card as well? could this be causing problems some people are having?
[T-Mobile LG G2x] phburks:
I've never had an issue that required formatting my sdcard and I flash roms several times per week.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] bkrill:
I hadn't till recently either. That's why i was asking. guess it must be one of my apps causing the slow down on various roms. I'll have to investigate
[T-Mobile LG G2x] xsteven77x:
My roommate drives me nuts using a whole roll for each **** don't even joke about that LOL
[T-Mobile LG G2x] kangxi:
I thought the factory data reset on clockwork already formatted system or maybe I was seeing things.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] jboxer:
A factory data reset only erases user data and user installed apps. it doesn't touch the system area. Many roms, including OTAs, simply flash over the system area without erasing the system area first. When changing roms it is good practice to do a factory data reset, format the system and clear the Dalvik cahce before flashing the new rom.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] r4d14n7:
I remember that. Someone who knows more than me should be able to make one of these for the G2x as well.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] r4d14n7:
While we're on the topic, I noticed when wiping data/factory reset that cache is also wiped. And dalvik is in the /cache partition. So doesn't factory reset and format system take care of the whole 9 yards?
[T-Mobile LG G2x] Rusty!:
Dalvik should be in /data/dalvik-cache on CM.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] phburks:
Same here on my 2.2-based setup. Nonetheless it sounds like a lot of ppl duplicate their wiping. Not necessarily a bad thing, but its not necessary either.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] r4d14n7:
Err... yes. That's what I meant. :p

I just factory reset and format system, myself. Never had any issues.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] phburks:
Same process here. No issues.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] shilent:
This is how I would normally flash a ROM minus the fix permissions. What exactly does fix permissions do?
[T-Mobile LG G2x] Rusty!:
It's not something you need to do often (I've never used it), it's only really needed if you're having issues, no point to doing it after flashing.

It does what it says on the tin though, resets file permissions.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] tahahawa:
Why don't the chefs just add the line in the updater-script to format system? Most if not all huawei u81xx roms do that.
[T-Mobile LG G2x] Rusty!:
CM7 does that, so anything based on it should too, unless it's purposely been removed, which would be odd.
[Xperia Arc General] SirRobin78:
Hi there,

yesterday i´ve flashed the new .368 rom on my german arc. I´ve done this with full wipe.

After setup i´ve checked the syncs and there must be a problem with the Picasa Web Album part. The sync is not working anymore.

I can deselect and reselect the option, for a short time sync starts and ends with an error...but to short to read it.

On my x10 with same settings sync runs fine - so i think using a @googlemail.com account is not the problem...

What can i do? I´ve done another wipe and setup but the problem is still there.

Is this a general bug?
[Xperia Arc General] Gpsboy:
I have had the same issue since I updated my Arc as well. Wondered whether you now needed to have the Picasa Web album app on the phone as well?
[Xperia Arc General] Jabe:
Has anybody managed to solve this problem?

I have updated my Arc to 2.3.4 in since then Picasa Web Sync does not work. There is no error message, just nothing happens and the sync icon persists. I have for now unchecked this option, but would like to use it :(
[Xperia Arc General] a_px:
Picasa Sync

I have the same problem with my Arc. I managed to read the error message that flashes up for milliseconds by repeatedly switching sync on & off. It says "Sync is currently experiencing problems. It will be back shortly". Not much help & it doesn't come back! I installed Picasa Downloader instead.
[Xperia Arc General] huggons:
Same issue here on 2.3.4 - 4.0.2.A.0.42. have logged with sony, who say they are not aware of the issue, but will investigate.
[Xperia Arc General] huggons:
Dont have the issue on my Samsung 10.1 Android device (same accout and settings). Only a Sony Ericsson issue?
[Xperia Arc General] CrazyPeter:
Have the same problem here.

Originally, my phone was syncing all day, and it totally killed the battery in 4 hours! I cleared the cache and now Picasa fails to sync (but at least the battery isn't getting fried by constant failure to sync and a really tight retry loop)
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
Having stupidly cracked my screen last week I pulled the trigger on a replacement part from an eBay seller. Thanks go out to the people who graciously donated a few Euros/Dollars/Pounds/etc. to this cause. This tutorial is my thanks to you, and also to the wider XDA community for having provided me plenty of yummy Android fun ever since my first Galaxy S last July. Any subsequent donations are of course welcome (I have a bumper case to buy for obvious reasons) however thanks are also gladly received.

This tutorial will be completed progressively, hence the various edits and reserved posts. Do bear with me. So here goes!

Tutorial complete! Enjoy. I am happy to help out with any questions, although please respect the following rules:

1. If you quote posts, please remove references to images. These are hosted on my own shared hosting space at the moment and I want to keep bandwidth down. Please refer to pictures either by step# or by using a URL link.

2. Please read the tutorial through from top to bottom before attempting to do this to your own phone. Despite this, neither myself or XDA can be held liable for you not paying attention or asking questions before carrying out the repair.

3. Stay on topic! I will use this at my own discretion:

I hope this proves useful and helps recover some dead in the water S2s!!!!
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
1. The patient with the battery, SIM card and SD card removed.

2. The new donor part.

3. All parts, connectors and their ribbon cables were checked for kinks or other faults.

4. I removed the seven screws securing the body's back panel. I test fitted my selected screwdriver for "bite" as there are many easily-damaged microSMD parts and fine tracks around the various PCBs. A magnetic tip helped remove the screws.
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
5. To part the rear plastic part of the body, a thin but stiff plastic separator was needed. A guitar pick was idea for this. Carry out these steps in a clean and organised environment! The captive buttons are easily lost and they literally drop out when you remove the rear bezel.

** under no circumstances use a flat-bladed screwdriver! One slip and you could find yourself with one dead phone if it scratches a PCB track or hits a component. **

I started at the corner nearest the headphone jack....

6. Then I slid the pick down the side to the bottom corner....

7. Cracked open the bottom....(fnar)

8. Before working up the other side to the top....

9. The cover came off easily from thereonin.

10. I familiarised myself with the components needing to be transplanted across. This amounts to the main L-shaped PCB and the front-facing camera/proximity detector. Everything else is part and parcel of the LED panel unit.

11. Working anticlockwise, I gently popped the five ribbon connectors with my nail. I took care not to force these as the connector density and therefore fragility are both high.

12. I found that the antenna connector was actually the hardest component to deal with. Popping it was no problem....reconnecting it however....but we'll get to that later....
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
13. I removed the two screws that hold the main PCB to the chassis. Although I have not yet seen this yet, I believe that some i9100s have miniature hex screws. Mine are standard crosstops (heh) which made life easier. Again, I checked my screwdriver for bite. If there was any play instead of a solid engagement with the screw then I would have needed to find a better screwdriver! This was a €500 decision, right there. One slip and you can easily say goodbye to those SMDs.

14. The buttons were secured to the chassis with a thin sticky tape. I used my plastic tool to gently separate them from the back, then pushed the switches upwards from underneath. I found that my pick was maybe a little too thick for this job. Perhaps a 0.60mm orange Tortex would have been better (!). Patience is needed here as this is not an easy job to carry out.

** do not try to pull them from the body by pulling the PCB! **

15. The PCB can be lifted right out. The ribbon cables tended to catch whilst I was doing this, so I needed to poke them underneath a bit.
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
Almost finished the dissection!

16. The final part to remove is the front-facing camera and proximity detector. Firstly, I needed to remove the cover from the proximity detector which comprised a tiny metal plate and a small pad. This needed to be pried up from the top for which I used a knife. This was perhaps not the best choice, so a pin or a fine flathead screwdriver might have been better. After removing this, the camera and detector were lifted out carefully.

17. Next I replaced the old chassis and started the process in reverse.

18. Firstly, the camera and detector were fitted. The thin metal plate was replaced and clipped into place using a quick poke from the screwdriver.

I'M IN UR BASE REFITTED UR DOODS

19. The PCB was carefully fitted taking care not to trap any of the ribbon connectors underneath or to scrape the board on the chassis.

20. I manoeuvred the switches into place, and thankfully they still had the majority of the sticky tape left on them. I took care to position them as close as possible with the slots. I didn't want any problems with the buttons not working!! I pressed them in from the side to allow the adhesive to do its job.

21. The two PCB screws were then replaced.
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
22. This was probably the most difficult part of the job. Smooth the antenna cable down in the groove with your plastic tool and secure in under the PCB, bringing it up through the small notch in the side of the PCB. Apologies for the lack of focus in the photo.

The difficult part is reattaching the antenna connector. I made several attempts at this, checking and rechecking the shape of the connector and failing to make it fit. This is a FRAGILE connector! Don't force it. When it mated, it needed relatively little effort. It was all an alignment job.

23. I finally reclipped all of the ribbon cables back together. Alignment was again of paramount important as the photos show. The force required to reseat these was no greater than the force it takes to press the volume or power button on the S2. Treat these with respect.
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
24. Reassembly of the case is made more difficult due to the captive buttons. Rather than trying to balance them whilst whanging the case back together, I progressively closed the case and slipped the buttons into the widened slots before closing the case around them. Far easier!

First, I clipped together the bottom corner of the "volume" side.

I then worked my way up to just below the opening for the volume button and slipped in the button insert.

The top "volume" corner was then closed.

Back at the bottom, I closed the "power" corner.

....then worked up to just below the button....

....slipped in the button....

....and cracked the entire case closed! Woo me.
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
25. I refitted the battery, SIM and SD card and powered up. 1% battery remaining.

....is this screenshot an advert?
[Galaxy S II Accessories] TECK:
Whoa mad skills. I would never be able nor have the time to do what you did. :)
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Nyssa1104:
Mic covering?

Thanks for your tutorail nice clear shots. Could you post a close up shot of the mic on board (white cover) and if poss with out the white covering and a shot of the covering please.

Reason I ask is some reports that removing this covering improves the mic audio on the SGS2. Thanks once again. :)
[Galaxy S II Accessories] d3sm0nd:
Nice tutorial, thanks. How much did the screen replacement cost?
[Galaxy S II Accessories] ZhuraYuk:
You replaced whole housing with screen alredy attached, so this is not screen replacment. Rename thread.
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
£60 from ebay. Genuine SAMOLED+. I'll post a seller link when I get home. I'll have a look at the mic also.
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
Wow. There's no pleasing some people.
[Galaxy S II Accessories] Prostheta:
This is where I bought my replacement:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180720196554#ht_500wt_1156

I've decided that I don't really want to go poking around inside my phone again at the moment. It isn't a difficult venture, however it is outside the bounds of the screen-replacement thing and I don't really want to go removing mine since I don't even know if it'll go back on, etc. The third picture in step 3 is pretty good, as is step 10.

The instructions on how to get to yours are up there also however! ;-D