[Samsung Galaxy S (4G Model)] lumin30:
[NOTICE] THIS THREAD CONTAINS TWO GUIDES:

[POST #1] Fresh out of box Galaxy S 4G [SOLVED]

[POST #2] Heimdall One-Click For Dummies

​

[Note: You can use this guide where applicable - look for the bold section headers that pertain to the state of your device and go from there.]

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What I have on it fresh out of the box:

o To determine what you are currently running - Go to [App Drawer], [Settings], [About phone]:

-Model number: SGH-T959V

Firmware version: 2.2.1

Baseband version: T959VUVKD1

Kernel version: 2.6.32.9

Build number: FROYO.VUVKD1

o If your phone information is different than above (i.e. KB5) - this guide will work as long as Kies mini will recognize your phone. Kies mini WILL NOT recognize ROOTED devices.​

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What can I do:

-Upgrade to GB 2.3.6

-Back up efs Folder (Important!)

-Root

-Flash Custom Kernel (to obtain CWM)

-Flash Custom Rom

-Flash Custom Tweaks (cautiously as most custom ROMs have tweaks built in)

-Flash Custom MOD's.

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What should I know first:

-

What is a ROM

: Literally it stands for Read Only Memory, in this case referring to the phone's internal memory where your firmware/apps are stored. It is what you see and use when you are on your phone.

-

What is a Kernel

: The bridge between applications and actual data processing done at the hardware level. The kernel helps the ROM talk to the Hardware.

-

What is the efs file

: “This is a very sensitive system folder that contains Phone-specific information such as the IMEI (encrypted in the nv_data.bin), wireless devices MAC addresses, product code (also in the nv_data.bin), and much more.” (from XDA article)

-

What is rooting

: Allows you to make changes to your Android system, as well as enable you to use features that are otherwise locked away. (from Samsung Galaxy S 4G Wiki)

-

ClockworkMod / CWM

: A custom recovery allowing you to perform several advanced recovery, restoration, installation and maintenance operations that aren’t possible with stock recovery. (from here)

> > You can find more applicable definitions here < <.​

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Going from Stock Froyo (Firmware version: 2.2.1) to Stock GB (Firmware version: 2.3.6):

NOTES

* * I chose to go from Stock Froyo to Stock GB using Kies mini. This gives me the GB Bootloaders that I need to make it easier to flash a custom kernel and custom ROM’s.

* * Having GB already on the phone allows us to download SGS Kernel Flasher (must be rooted to use) from the app market to flash a custom kernel that will give me CWM5 and Voodoo Lagfix.

* * Also if anything screws up (i.e. IMEI), I can just take my phone back to where I bought it and get another one as this has happened to many… and fixes for it are not clear and work randomly but not for all. And unfortunately peoples phones have screwed up updating the way T-Mobile and Samsung tell you to update.​

o How to check your IMEI:

-Go to [App Drawer], [Settings], [About phone], [Status].

-Towards the bottom you will see [IMEI].

o Let's get started:

-Download Kies mini if you do not already have it. When you follow this link you will see two tabs - 'Manuals' and 'Software ' - click [Software] and download.

-Make sure your phone is charged.

-Double check that USB Debugging is not enabled. Go to [Settings] > [Applications] > [Development] and UN-Check [USB debugging].

-Start Kies mini on the computer.

-Make sure phone is not connected to computer yet.

-In USB Settings on my phone I select [Kies (Firmware update)] if it is not set to ask every time.

-Plugged in phone, let device drivers install on computer. You will see a notification on your computer when complete.

-Then Kies mini will recognize the phone.

-Hit [upgrade] and wait.

-Phone will eventually reboot. Check your IMEI.

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I am on Stock GB (Firmware version: 2.3.6) now what:

NOTES

* * Some have learned the hard way the importance of making a back up of the efs folder on your phone. The efs folder contains important information about your phone and in the event any of the files in the folder are corrupted there is NO clear and concrete fix without a back up!

* * I use Super Manager​

o Now let's back up our efs folder:

-Open Super Manager on your phone and go into [File Manager].

-Select [Back up level folder] twice.

-Scroll down and look for your folder called [efs].

-Long press the folder and select [copy].

-Now look for [sdcard] and select.

-Now select the clipboard (or press menu, then paste) to paste to your sdcard.

-Now copy over to your computer for safe keeping.

o It is time to Root [CREDIT and THANKS TO SHORTFUSE FOR SUPERONECLICK]:

-Download the current version of SuperOneClick (as of 05/02/12 is SuperOneClick v2.3.3).

-Extract the contents of the .zip where you can find it on your computer.

-Open the SuperOneClick folder you just extracted.

-Make sure phone is in Debugging Mode. Go to [Settings] > [Applications] > [Development] and check [USB debugging].

-Connect your phone to your computer.

-Open SuperOneClick.exe. You DO NOT need to change any settings!

-Either [Donate Now] :) or select [Donate Later].

-Click [Root] and wait and keep waiting.

-Ahhh, Rooted!

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I am on Stock GB (Firmware version: 2.3.6), I have an efs backup and rooted now what:

NOTES

* * I need a custom kernel to give me CWM and Voodoo Lagfix.

* * The purpose of the custom kernel is to give us CWM to flash a Custom ROM. When we flash the Custom ROM - the Custom ROM will overwrite the kernel we flash now with the kernel included with the ROM.

* * Do NOT extract the contents of .zip files. When flashing - we flash the .zip.​

o Let's get started:

-Go to market, download and install SGS Kernel Flasher

-Download your choice of kernel from the Galaxy S 4G Android Development section to the root of your sdcard. Links provided below.

o Kernel Recommendations as of 05/02/12:

-Basic with a Twist SGS4G KJ6 1.1 rc1 (thanks to AntonX )

-Bhundven's Subtly Modified Stock with CWM5 + Voodoo Lagfix (thanks to bhundven)

o Let's flash the kernel:

-Open the SGS Kernel Flasher app.

-First select [backup kernel].

-When it if finished you will still be on the same screen and it will see a green vertical bar at the bottom of the screen next to - Backed up as.....

-Now select [choose kernel] and a file manager will appear.

-Select [parent directory] and you will be on the root of your sdcard.

-Navigate to the bottom and find the kernel .zip file you copied over.

-Once selected you will be back at the main screen of SGS Kernel Flasher.

-Select [flash kernel].

-The kernel will flash and your phone will reboot.

-You will hear Linda speaking on the Galaxy S 4G boot screen (only if this is your first time flashing a custom kernel).

-Wait and wait some more! She will keep talking to you!

-Eventually the phone will reboot.

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I am on Stock GB (Firmware version: 2.3.6), I have an efs backup, Rooted and have custom kernel with CWM now what:

NOTES

* * Now it is time for the Custom ROM!

* * Do NOT extract the contents of .zip files. When flashing - we flash the .zip.​

o Let's get started:

-To make it easy for you to access CWM Recovery without having to do the button combination - You can download Quick Boot (Reboot) here: QuickBoot.apk (link is courtesy of FB)

o How to navigate in CWM Recovery - TWO Methods:

-

Using Side Buttons

:

-To navigate up and down - use the Volume up and down buttons.

-To select - use the power button.

-

Using Soft Keys

:

-To navigate down - use the [menu] soft key (first soft key).

-To navigate up - use the [home] soft key (second soft key).

-To Go Back - use the [back] soft key (third soft key).

-To select an option - use the [search] soft key (fourth soft key).

o First things First - Nandroid Back Up:

-In CWM Recovery - Navigate down to [backup and restore] and select.

-Then select [backup]. This will take a bit so wait until it is finished.

-Now you have a Nandroid backup (which also gives you another backup of your efs folder) and you will be back at the main screen of CWM Recovery.

NOTES

* * If you decide to try a different ROM other than the suggested ROM's below - please be aware there are Gingerbread-based ROM's and FROYO-based ROM's. At this point in the guide - you MUST select a Gingerbread-based ROM to flash.​

o Custom Gingerbread ROM Recommendations as of 05/02/12:

-Follow install directions labeled 'ROM's

WITH

SGS4G CWM ROM Installer'

-Valhalla - BlackEdition (thanks to RaverX3X) --- last update 02/08/2012

-Valhalla Black FB Edition (Build 3) (thanks to RaverX3X & FB) --- last update 04/29/2012

-Unnamed ROM (thanks to RaverX3X) --- last update 03/22/2012

-SCOMv4.4 and Floyd Edition (thanks to erikmm) --- last update 04/28/2012

-icbinb 2.3.7_v2 (thanks to dsexton702) --- last update 02/25/2012

-Follow install directions labeled 'ROM's

WITHOUT

SGS4G CWM ROM Installer'

-Valhalla Final (thanks to Whitehawkx) --- last update 12/12/2011

-Octane-V3.0 XPLOD NO CIQ EDITION (thanks to RaverX3X) --- last update 12/10/2011

o Let's get started:

-Download your choice GB ROM from your computer. Make sure the downloaded zip looks right (mainly size – I have had to try downloading two or three times to get the full zip for some reason).

-Copy [<< Name of Custom ROM you chose here >>.zip] to the root of your sdcard.

-Open [Quick Boot (Reboot)] and select [Recovery].

-If it is the first time using Quick Boot (Reboot) - you will need to allow superuser permission if this is the first time using the app.

-Your phone will reboot and you will be in CWM Recovery.

o Now let's finally flash the Custom ROM:

NOTES

* *A note before flashing - The steps to actually flashing the Custom ROM's change as new methods become available. As an example - SGS4G CWM ROM Installer by FB is now used when flashing newer ROM's.

* *FB's SGS4G CWM ROM Installer gives us a nice GUI (graphical user interface) when flashing ROM's. Thank you FB!

* *I will do my best to keep this guide up-to-date with the correct steps to flash the Custom ROM's recommended in this post - however if you notice something has changed - please PM me and let me know so I can up the guide!​

* * [DIRECTIONS] ROM's

WITH

SGS4G CWM ROM Installer * *

-After the Nandroid Backup you should be on the main screen of CWM Recovery - navigate down to [install zip from sdcard] and select.

-Then select [choose zip from sdcard].

-Navigate down towards the bottom of the list that appears and you should see [- << Name of ROM you want to install >>.zip]. Select it.

-Navigate down to [Yes - Install << Name of ROM you want to install >>.zip] (sometimes the name of the ROM will be cut off due to the length of the name).

-Select the ROM and wait. The SGS4G CWM ROM Installer will appear and guide you from here.

-Being new to flashing - select [Quick] install when prompted.

-When SGS4G CWM ROM Installer is finished - your phone should reboot into your NEW CUSTOM ROM!

-In the event your phone does not automatically restart after SGS4G CWM ROM Installer is finished - select [***** Go Back *****] until you are back to the main CWM Recovery screen and select [reboot system now].

-Go to App Drawer, [Settings], [About phone], [Status] and check your [IMEI].

* * [DIRECTIONS] ROM's

WITHOUT

SGS4G CWM ROM Installer * *

-After the Nandroid Backup you should be on the main screen of CWM Recovery - navigate down to [install zip from sdcard] and select.

-Then select [choose zip from sdcard].

-Navigate down towards the bottom of the list that appears and you should see [- << Name of ROM you want to install >>.zip]. Select it.

-Navigate down to [Yes - Install << Name of ROM you want to install >>.zip] (sometimes the name of the ROM will be cut off due to the length of the name).

-Select the ROM and wait.

-When installation is finished - select [***** Go Back *****] until you are back to the main CWM Recovery screen and select [reboot system now]

-Once rebooted into your new ROM - let you phone sit for 10 minutes to allow time for your caches to build.

-After 10 minutes - long press the power button and select [Recovery].

-In CWM Recovery - navigate to [wipe data/factory reset] and select.

-Then navigate to [Yes --delete all user data]

-When factory reset is complete - reboot and ENJOY!

NOTES

* * Most Custom ROM's will be de-bloated - meaning a lot of the stock apps you may or may not be accustomed to are removed.

* * If you would like to re-install a stock app that is not in the Custom ROM you just flashed - Follow this link - Stock GB 2.3.6 APK Repository, download the APK you want to install and follow the directions in the first post of that thread.​

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[TWEAKS] I am on Stock GB (Firmware version: 2.3.6), I have an efs backup, rooted, have Custom Kernel with CWM and have a Custom ROM now what:

NOTES

* * Now you can flash tweaks if you so desire!

* * Do NOT extract the contents of .zip files. When flashing - we flash the .zip.

* * Take note - Most Custom ROM's have tweaks built. As an example - icbinb 2.3.7_v2 has Universal Adrenaline Shotv14-1 cache scroll tweak built in. Read the first post of the Custom ROM thread you choose to determine what tweaks are built into the ROM.

* * Flashing more than one Tweak does not give the benefits of both Tweaks. The Tweaks are generally written to overwrite most of the settings that may already be on the phone. So - Pick a tweak and try it for a couple of days. And if you would like to try a different tweak go for it.

* * If you are on icbinb 2.3.7_v2 - To make it easy for you to access CWM Recovery without having to do the button combination - You can download Quick Boot (Reboot) here: QuickBoot.apk (link is courtesy of FB).

* * If you are on Valhalla - BlackEdition - You are now able to access CWM Recovery by holding down the power button. [Phone options] will open and you can select [Recovery] to easily access CWM Recovery.​

o Custom Tweak Options as of 03/02/12:

-Universal Adrenaline Shotv14-1 cache scroll tweak (thanks to dsexton702)

-A.S shot v15(beta) (thanks to dsexton702)

-Lightning Zap (thanks to thomas.raines) -- now using SGS ROM Installer

-ThunderBolt! v2.6.1 (thanks to pikachu01)

o Let's get started:

-Download the Tweak you have decided to try.

-Copy [<< Name of tweak you chose here >>.zip] to the root of your sdcard.

-Reboot into Recovery (refer to notes above depending on which Custom ROM you are using)

-Scroll down to [install zip from sdcard] using the methods previously given, then select [choose zip from scard].

-Go to bottom and find the name of the tweak you copied over and select it.

-Scroll down and select [Yes - Install << Name of tweak you chose here >>.zip].

-White letters will scroll and eventually say [Install from sdcard complete].

-Lightning Zap will now start SGS ROM Installer. Follow prompts. Select [Quick] Install.

-When finished select [*****Go Back*****].

-Then select [reboot system now].

-Let your phone sit for 10 minutes before using - most tweaks wipe your Dalvik Cache, which in turn, will rebuild itself properly by letting your phone sit. You may experience minor problems, lags, etc if you skip this step.

NOTES

* * To see the full benefits of most Tweaks - You need to give the Tweaks a day or two to settle in - or 'Soak In' as you will hear in the forum.​

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[MODS] I am on Stock GB (Firmware version: 2.3.6), I have an efs backup, rooted, have Custom Kernel with CWM and have a Custom ROM now what:

NOTES

* * Now you can flash MOD's if you so desire!

* * Do NOT extract the contents of .zip files. When flashing - we flash the .zip.

* * If you are on icbinb 2.3.7_v2 - To make it easy for you to access CWM Recovery without having to do the button combination - You can download Quick Boot (Reboot) here: QuickBoot.apk (link is courtesy of FB)

* * If you are on Valhalla - BlackEdition - You are now able to access CWM Recovery by holding down the power button. [Phone options] will open and you can select [Recovery] to easily access CWM Recovery.​

o Custom MOD Options as of 03/02/12:

-Camera MOD's - These need to be flashed in the order given below (thanks to dsexton702)

-FLASH FIRST - Camera-Mod (go to the bottom of the post and download Camera-Mod.zip)

-FLASH SECOND - Bravia engine for Better picture taking and video recording

-Scrolling Cache Tweak (go to the bottom of the post and download Scrolling-Cache-Tweak.zip) (thanks to dsexton702)

o Let's get started:

-Download the MOD you have decided to try.

-Copy [<< Name of MOD you chose here >>.zip] to the root of your sdcard.

-Reboot into Recovery (refer to notes above depending on which Custom ROM you are using)

-Scroll down to [install zip from sdcard] using the methods previously given, then select [choose zip from scard].

-Go to bottom and find the name of the MOD you copied over and select it.

-Scroll down and select [Yes - Install << Name of MOD you chose here >>.zip].

-White letters will scroll and eventually say Install from sdcard complete.

-When finished select [*****Go Back*****].

-Then select [reboot system now].

-Let your phone sit for 10 minutes before using - most tweaks wipe your Dalvik Cache, which in turn, will rebuild itself properly by letting your phone sit. You may experience minor problems, lags, etc if you skip this step.