yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] dcxgod:
Sprint OTA and Root

So I've been receiving the message to update to the new OTA release. I've rooted using this one step method (I believe its the EG30+CWM). Should I just reflash using the pulled EK02 root+CWM, or go back to stock, apply the update, then reroot?

Sorry I'm not sure whats the most solid method. I would prefer not having to rewrite all my files and stuff as it took some time to get my system to my specifications (including teaching the autocorrect some of my favorite words).

Thanks!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Assuming you've made no other changes to /system on your own, choose Option C and reinstall EG30 (NOT EG30+CWM). Do this *BEFORE* accepting the update. Once that is done, you can accept the update and reroot using Option A, followed by Option C to install EK02+CWM.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] interloper:
This thread is the boss!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] dcxgod:
Being the idiot that I am, of course I accepted the update whilst waking up this morning and ran into the Android robot with a ! on the reboot screen. I used CWM and rebooted so its up and running. Now there's no update notification. Will the update notification return later on? Or did I just screw myself over?

I've also unrooted using your method
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] interloper:
Something similar happened to me and the prompt to update has not returned. Even while running all stock EG30. However, that does not mean it will be the same for you. I am just sharing my experience. That said, manually updating from the EK02 stock rom and modem files gives the same result.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ogeretla:
ok so, i have went to the EG30 stock setup and trying to apply update, but I get a file assertion error for the accuweather.samsung thing. i accidently got rid of it completely in titatium awhile ago, is there anyway to get this back without a full factory reset? I just need that one file .apk

i need the samsungwidget_weatherclock.apk

can anyone help me get that reinstalled?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ogeretla:
nm. i am just going to do full EK02 update from your tool, then manually update modem. seems easier.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Yes, for some people it will be easier. Different methods appeal to different folks.

Personally, for me, I like to do factory restores then apply the OTA updates and do ##786# resets for a totally clean install.

I only do the OTA updates on top of my existing setup as a challenge to see if I was disciplined enough to remember which changes to /system need to be undone. I also do the OTA updates to make sure after rooting and disabling CIQ you can still apply OTA updates. If you installed EG30+CWM you do need to install EG30 first.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ogeretla:
ok so, i did the EK02+CWM, and I just did the modem. All looks good. But now how to get i get on 2.3.6?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
In Resources #A11, download the CWM package and flash in CWM.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
I don't know if it will show up again. It might in a week. It didn't on other platforms.

However, you can just manually install the update.

First thing you need to do is root using Option A, then use Option C to re-install EG30. Then either pull the EK02 update.zip from your /cache or download the Sprint OTA from Resource #A10 and place in the EXTERNAL SD of your phone.

Boot into recovery and choose install update. Then choose the zip file you placed on your external SD.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
This is for the FAQ section:

I told it to install the EK02 update, but something went wrong, now it won't prompt me again, how do I install EK02?

First, a reminder, it is best to backup your system and archive a copy of your backup off of your phone, prior to doing system updates.

The Official Sprint EK02 OTA Update is shipped as a "patch" update. It does not include the full set of files, only the "differences" from your existing EG30 setup. Therefore it requires the original EG30 Modem, Kernel/zImage, and ROM to be present and unmodified. You can add files to the ROM, but if you modify or delete files, then the update will likely fail with Error 7

Assuming all you did was ROOT (using Option A) and install CWM (using Option C) making no other changes to /system on your own just use Option C to re-install EG30 (instead of EG30+CWM). Rooting only added files to your /system. It didn't modify or delete files, so it will not affect your ability to install the OTA update in any way. By installing EG30, you are undoing your changes to the Kernel/zImage and putting back the original EG30 version.

If you made changes on your own to /system, then you need to undo those. Let's say you removed some Sprint system app that was annoying you, put that back. If you changed your modem from EG30, you need to put the EG30 modem back yourself. Preferably you would have gone back to EG30 BEFORE accepting the OTA update, but since you didn't there's a few extra steps.

NEW: Use this post to decipher what changes the OTA update is complaining about.

Instead of waiting for it to prompt you again for the update (which may take a while or never happen) manually download the Official Sprint EK02 Update and place on your EXTERNAL SD card.

Boot into Stock Recovery (which you should have now because you installed EG30) by powering down phone, waiting for all the lights to go out (including the capacitative button lights), then Press AND Hold [Power]+[VolUp] until the Recovery screen comes up, then release buttons.

Choose to install update, then select the update file you downloaded above.

You do NOT need to unroot before installing the EK02 OTA update. When the update is done installing, you will still have Superuser in your app drawer, but the functionality will be disabled. Just re-run Option A to root your phone again.

So here is the summary:

Now if the EK02 OTA update complains with an Error 7 then you changed something in the ROM (either consciously or inadvertently through installing some other software) but probably don't remember what. My suggestion is to ODIN a stock EG30 system using one of the following options:
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Sam Sung:
Hello again, sfhub, and as always, thanks for your efforts and help. I have the OTA EK02 zip squirreled away (including a copy on my sd card). I flashed Strongsteve's blue theme rom a few weeks ago, but cwm'd back to the config rooted with your method (EG30 and cwm). I state this in case the rom left some residual changes that might effect the upgrade.

I'm assuming that the flashed rom -->cwm image flashed back isn't an issue.

That being the case, if I were to reset the phone, install the upgrade, re-root to this method and use Titanium to restore apps (and system apps, & settings), would this make for a cleaner upgrade than upgrading over my existing system(the modem is EG30 stock)? Or am I wasting my time and I should just remove cwm, upgrade and re-root?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
If you are saying you CWM'd back to a CWM/nandroid backup you made before installing Steve's ROM, then yes, all you would need to do is use Option C to install EG30, place the Official Sprint EK02 OTA on EXTERNAL SD, and install it from recovery.

If you really didn't make any changes to /system, then both methods you suggest would result in an equivalent outcome.

I would take a shot at just applying the Sprint EK02 OTA update on top of your existing setup (after using Option C to install EG30). If it doesn't work, just go the reset route.

The whole process is detailed FAQ #E12 which is also the post right above yours.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Sam Sung:
Thanks! :)
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] shannonppp:
wifi won't connect after update

I followed the instruction in E12 and applied the EK02 update (I did the EG30 Stock One-Click then the update). Everything went thru smoothly.

However, after the update, now I can't connect to WIFI. Whenever I click "turn on wifi", the phone will start scanning for available wifi network. After scanning for a while, it will automatically turn off wifi.

Any ideas on how to fix this?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] athex:
Works as advertised, thanks man! Finally rooted, was always afraid of the LOS bug.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] limeaid:
Once an OTA update is released by Samsprint, will this method allow us to "re-root" if we lose su access as a result of the update? If so, that would be great

Thanks again, sfhub
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Depends on what they plug. It could go either way. Personally I wouldn't accept any OTA updates ever. It is much better to update yourself on your own terms with feedback from the community.

That being said, the next update will probably provide us with a more complete picture, modem, kernel, and ROM as well as fixed LOS, so there will be more flexibility in getting back to true stock if you mess something up. ODIN is great to have when all else fails.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] SantinoInc:
Well this really is awesome...now all I need to to do is wait till Dec. 1 so I can buy the phone! :)

As far as I'm concerned as long as I have Titanium, Ad Blocker and Root Explorer on my phone I'm happy!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] stangdriverdoug:
Thankyou for developing this.

Got boost?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] RichTJ99:
I had a question about this, the first post mentions to backup before doing anything. I am new to Samsung & am used to how HTC did things. How do I backup my original unrooted system to an image without having a custom recovery (just stock)?

I would love to do this especially if I can get back to my original untouched system. I figure a hard reset, backup image & then I am good to go.

Thanks,

Rich
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] kenneu:
You need a "Donate" button. This will make a lot of users happy.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tpike:
Well done!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Silent25r:
Worked fine on my end. Couldn't be happier.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sling:
Thanks sfhub.

Like RichTJ99 I'm used to how HTC did things little thrown off by Samsung concerned about recovery.

Using (A) Method can user factory reset to get back stock image after making changes using Root Explorer etc then select (B) to get out of the box stock again.

How would that work?

Oh and were is your donation button?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] bsloanindy:
YES! Where's your donate button!?! This is awesome! Thanks @sfhub
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
You can't really backup your "images" prior to root unless you have custom recovery, in which case you had to either have root already or used Odin to flash.

You can backup some of your "app" data if you find it really important.

I mention "backup" as the first step just as a general reminder rather than an indication that something will likely go wrong. Actually with the root procedure, the chances of something going wrong are extremely low.

When you start installing zImages, the chances go slightly higher, but by then, you have root and can do more involved backups.

As to what "root" is doing, basically I'm copying a couple of files to your /system partition (su, busybox, Superuser.apk), creating the symlinks for su and busybox, and setting up all the permissions.

That's it, during rooting I don't touch your kernel, initramfs, recovery, /cache, /data (other than temp files which I immediately cleanup)

It is your call on whether you need to "backup" your images, but in terms of the unroot, I'm able to remove/undo all evidence that was due to the root installation kit. Now if you have installed other apps that decided they want to be in /system, then that will be on you to remove first as I only keep track of what I'm responsible for.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
I do this purely for the fun of it and any pleasure is derived from helping others, so the Thanks button, while not required, is appreciated.

If you feel the need to donate, pick someone from the "Thanks" section at the top of the first post. Revolutionary was very instrumental in making this possible and chris41g was also very nice for allowing me to include his work. The busybox and su guys, you know about, their stuff has helped a lot of people.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Using Option A (Intall ROOT), if you do Option B (Uninstall ROOT), it will undo everything Option A is responsible for. Now if you installed your own stuff after rooting which decided it wanted to be in /system, then that is your responsibility for undoing. I only keep track of what the root installation kit is responsible for.

As to factory reset, I'm pretty sure privacy->reset and factory reset from within recovery won't touch /system (I'm more experienced with LG than Samsung so you'll need to cut me a break). In addition to clearing cache, they just erase your /data. So if that is the case, then they wouldn't affect the root files, though everything you personally care about (ie your data) will get wiped.

I don't remember if ##786# reset from dialer will restore your /system. On LG I'm sure it won't and I don't think it does on Samsung either, but I don't remember for sure.

Now on the Epic 4G Touch, you may be fooled into thinking some of these resets restore your system to factory fresh because it reloads apps you may have deleted. In particular there is a hidden partition (sometimes mounted as /preload) where Sprint apps like Music, TV, Radio, NASCAR, NOVA2, TeleNav, etc. are kept. EVERY time you run STOCK RECOVERY, these are reloaded into the system (even if you have removed them) and when you reset, it will at some point reload them as well.

See this post for who you can donate to in my place:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=19288584#post19288584
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] RichTJ99:
SFHub,

So, if I do option A (root), then option C (EG30+CWR), I will have the stock rom, with root, and a custom recovery, with the stock Kernel?

Is option D the stock recovery & stock Kernel?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to be very sure I understand what I am doing.

Ideally, I could do a system wipe, install A, C, nandroid an image, install all the various Roms i want to try, nandroid back to my original image, Choose option D, then Option B & be exactly where I am right now?

Thanks,

Rich
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Yes, that is all correct.

Yes, that is correct.

Yes, that is correct, from a software standpoint. The NVRAM though is outside of the scope of what we are talking about. Stuff in NVRAM would be your Sprint provisioning info, PRL, etc. So if you activated your phone on a friend's account, then nandroid restored, placed back EG30, and unrooted, it would still be activated on your friend's account, not back to yours. Same with PRL and anything else in NVRAM.

Another caveat is the modem firmware/radio (something that can only be flashed through ODIN) is not anywhere in the backups we are talking about and the stock EG30 modem is not currently available, only an older EG12 modem. So if you play with that, it cannot be restored. However that is outside what most people would be playing with on their phone (it wouldn't be included in any of the ROMs). Once an OTA update is released, then we'll probably have the latest modem firmware/radio available for flashing.

Also please note that while the rooting kit only includes BootImgs that have the stock EG30 kernel (not recompiled), some ROMs you install may include their own kernel, so installing one of those could overwrite your stock EG30-based kernel. You could restore the stock EG30 kernel using this tool after you install those ROMs. The stock EG30 kernel/initramfs should work for many ROMs, but sometimes the ROMs do tricks in the initramfs of their kernels to move dalvik-cache and other stuff. Therefore there is a possibility stock EG30 wouldn't work with those ROMs that include their own kernel.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] musclehead84:
Do you have this phone op? Just wanted to thank u again for this. Never thought I'd see another one click root. Odin is so easy as well but with all the LOS talk going around I didn't want to take that chance. Now I have root and this is exactly what I wanted. Thank you so much for this.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] SupraFast:
Excellent Job! This is exactly what I was looking for. I was using the Zedomax kernel but was experiencing LOS daily. I flashed back to the stock kernel and then ran your script. Everything is great now.

You made it so easy that any n00b can do it...one step process.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Itchiee:
This seemed to have worked easily on my phone, thank you.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] interloper:
As soon as I can locate it I'll send it. Probably later today.

---------- Post added at 07:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:31 AM ----------

I had the same issue working with a Galaxy Tab. I flashed factory software, OTA update and couldn't get a wifi fix for more than a few minutes. Reflash fixed it.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] The Mentalist:
I used this method to stock root my phone the other day. I received the update this morning and now Root Checker says I no longer have root. I tried to uninstall root then reinstall using this program and it still doesn't work.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] shannonppp:
Thanks! Reflash and update profile/PRL fixed my issue!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ogeretla:
i went a different route. Thanks though, but I am good now!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] dcxgod:
I ended up flashing to EG30 + CWM and installing the EG30-EK02 Pre-Rooted Zip file via CWM. Ran into wifi issues like mentioned earlier. Used your auto root tool and reflashed EK02 + CWM and it seems to have fixed the wifi.

So now my About Phone is now:

Baseband Version:

S:D710.10 S.EK02

Kernel Version:

2.6.35.7-SPH-D710.EK02-CL704398

Build Number:

GINGERBREAD.EK02

Does that mean everything went well?

Thanks for all your responses SFHUB. <3
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Did you have LoStKernel before? For some reason people have reported this happens coming from that to other kernels through ODIN as well. I don't know what is the issue.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Do you have Superuser in your app drawer?

Were there any errors when you ran Optoin A? You can increase the scroll buffer to make it easier to see the log by choosing Option F.

Try running Option A again. Rarely it doesn't work on the first shot.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Yes, that means you have EK02 Modem, Kernel, and ROM.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] The Mentalist:
It was there but it wouldn't grant SU permission and root checker said I didn't have root. I did this http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1383927 ran the app again and it's still not rooted and SU is gone. Also, now I'm getting a FC on the Sprint ID app. Everything worked great when I rooted on EG30, now on EK02 the app doesn't work.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] droidiac13:
Well this is about as easy as it comes. Thanks!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ogeretla:
Best tool on the site, HANDS DOWN! Best support too! Thanks Sfub :cool:
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Can you post the log from the buffer between "BEGIN LOG" and "END LOG"? If you don't see the log entries, use option F to increase the scroll buffer.

I've tested root many times on EK02, as have others, and it works fine. There is something strange going on and without the log I can't tell you what.

If you get force closes after using ODIN to flash EG30 on top of EK02, I suggest you clear dalvik-cache either manually or through CWM.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] The Mentalist:
I got frustrated and used your other post to reset the phone back to stock. Now I have to get all my apps back. I'm not sure what the problem was. My phone was basically frozen from the Sprint ID FC over and over.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
As I mentioned, if you overwrite EK02 with EG30, you need to clear dalvik-cache or what you describe could happen. That has to do with downgrading, not the rooting process.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] xlGmanlx:
Hard to argue with that
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] The Mentalist:
Wow. Not sure what the problem was but I just downloaded the program again and it seems to work. I have no idea why it decides to work now.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] shannonppp:
I did have loStKernel before. But after I reflash and update profile/PRL, now I can connect to wifi with no issues.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Somehow when you unpacked the zip file, you didn't get the entire copy2tmp directory. You are missing a file. It must have been something on your end because zergrush is in the archive posted.

I suggest you use the e4gtauto-sfx.exe in the first post. It will absolve you of the need to unzip.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] interloper:
Glad to help, glad it worked.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
Thanks, good to know that is a probable work-around.

Do you remember if you tried a update profile/PRL prior to the reflash? If you did and it didn't help, then the reflash is necessary (or was necessary for you case) Similarly, did you test WiFi after the reflash, but prior to the update profile/PRL? Trying to determine the minimal steps to get WiFi working if someone encounters this issue. Basically is it the reflash, the update profile/PRL or must both be done.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] interloper:
Your route was probably less painful that what I was going to suggest. Cheers, sorry IO couldn't help faster. I do have the APK ready now; all of them actually...
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] shannonppp:
1. Didn't update profile/PRL prior to the reflash

2. Didn't test WiFi after reflash. Updated the profile/PRL immediately after reflash. So I don't know if only the reflash can fix this.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Pandaman09:
I now have the OTA 2.3.6, EK02 update and root access again! When I first rooted my phone a few weeks ago, I only used option A and didn't use option C. So when the Sprint OTA update arrived today, I was notified and installed it no problem. Everything worked after this but I lost root access. To get root back I just ran the auto root option A again. I verified root access by running wi-fi tether and Root Check Basic. All I needed to do was grant permission once again when I first ran the programs.

Everything seems to work fine. I'm at 2.3.6, EK02. I noticed the blue glow at the end of some screens and also noticed that the home screen numbers are now just dots. Swype now auto spaces "I"s and "a"s. I've checked the wi-fi, GPS, 4g, 3g, phone, and everything seems to be working fine but it's too soon to really know if anything is better. I never had the LOS problem in the past. GPS locked on pretty fast outside in my car when I tried it a few minutes ago but still won't get a lock at my desk indoors. Oh well, who needs to navigate when they're indoors anyway! I'm just glad everything went smoothly with no errors or surprises!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Magicspell:
First experience with Root/ROM/etc

Finally coming out of lurker status.. been a member here for 2+ years and this is my first post, lol.

Came from the HTC Hero (but never rooted). Picked up the E4GT last week. Took the plunge to use the auto root over the weekend with absolutely no issues. Later decided to add CWM and flash Stock_Rooted_deodexed_EK02 ROM and Kernel (using instructions from a8). All has worked flawlessly - big thanks to sfhub!

My only question now - is there any reason to not flash EK02 modem (I'm still on EG30 stock modem)? In the 1 week I've had the phone I've never experienced any LOS (though Sprint has no 4G in my State whatsovever).

After seeing this other terrific thread by sfhub, http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1383678 I suppose there really is no reason to keep my phone on EG30 modem, correct?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sfhub:
If you want to experiment then by all means go for it. You can now get back to EG30, so no real worries.

From a general standpoint, though, my opinion is if everything is working for you, there is no need to upgrade. Newer doesn't always mean better. I know it is tempting though.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] parin11:
AwesomeJob
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] cephraim:
That is the easiest root I have ever done! Thanks!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] locoboi187:
EL13 root on the way? :)