[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] iceshark:
Thanks, I think we are on the same page with this!

So I just loaded the FF18 Full Restore and Samsung drivers as indicated in this thread,

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1670110

I also tested after unzipping to a folder and the ODEN program comes up waiting for me to hook up phone I dont have yet till tomorrow.

I also watched this video and it seems very easy to do if this is correct process,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IL21F8Gfbs

Still some clarifying questions,

1. If my new phone comes with ICS already pushed to it. Do I simply still install FF18 to get root for the ICS rom?

2. If phone does not come with ICS will this install ICS and Root?

3. Do I need to use this or Caulkins to wipe data first before I do this process on phone out of the box new?

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1670110

Also I am little nervous reading this post from SFHUB<, Is he saying not to do the above process thru the built in Odin recovery in the phone if it comes with stock ICS in it? What does this mean???

The Epic 4g Touch has a bug in it's emmc controller that can cause the /data partition to become inaccessible/unrecoverable sometimes thanks to the wipe process when flashing from ICS recoveries... DO NOT FLASH FROM ICS RECOVERIES!!!!

7/11/12 edit: In the FF18 source Garwynn has confirmed the presence of the offending code that triggers the emmc bug (http://xdaforums.com/show...1&postcount=32) meaning that it will eventually be safe to flash from ICS as long as the offending code is removed by the dev of the kernel/rom...

- Please see this (http://xdaforums.com/show....php?t=1525495) thread by xST4T1K which details how NOT to brick your device... It is slightly out of date but still very relevant... if you want a more technical understanding of what this emmc bug is and why this is happening you can see Sfhub's thread in general related to it (http://xdaforums.com/show....php?t=1644364 ). The OP contains all of the information that our users have been able to figure out about this bug... Be sure to thank these people, as their hard work has made it exponentially safer for all of us to flash ICS roms on our phones...

-Every ICS rom will have a flashing guide in it's dev thread, its HIGHLY suggested you read and reread the guide for the rom you want to flash and follow it EXACTLY, taking the extra time upfront to fully understand what you're about to do will save you alot of trouble going forward.

-Put simply though you will always want to ODIN or Mobile ODIN (mobile Odin is an app made by the dev chainfire, available in the play store, that allows you to preform Odin flashes from your phone without using a PC) the el26 Gingerbread kernel/recovery and flash any ICS roms from that. NEVER FLASH FROM AN ICS RECOVERY, THAT IS HOW BRICKS ARE MADE!!!! Also do NOT use Rom Manager or Touch recovery!!!!

- Currently there are some ICS recoveries that are thought to be safe to flash from thanks to the work done on the emmc bug. If one of these is included in your rom it will be noted by the dev in the rom thread, however the safest way is still just to Odin back to el26 in order to avoid any chance of bricking!

Next, once I do this FF!8 and have root and ICS. If I want to dabble in custom roms. I am guessing they are installed by CWM from file downloaded to root of SD card like normal. I do not find CWM touch for this phone anywhere. I am sure I am missing it. It seems from reading the exploit in ICS kernal is causing the bricks. So I am guessing to use SF hubs or Claukins data wipe before loading custom roms. Are we beating to the same drum here?

Will correct radio or modem be installed automtic with FF18 or custom roms? I see many threads just on modems.

Thanks and thanks for the hot spot mod.