[Vibrant General] s15274n:
THIS THREAD HAS A LOT THAT IS OUT OF DATE. ANYTHING DEALING WITH GOING BACK TO STOCK OR 2.1/2.2 SHOULD BE QUESTIONED. I HAVE LITTLE INTEREST IN MAINTAINING THIS SINCE IT IS NO LONGER A STICKY/NOT VIEWED AS MUCH. PM ME IF YOU NEED HELP WITH SOMETHING.

EDIT: I am not longer updating this. CHECK HERE FOR UPDATES, if any.

WANT TO HELP ME FOR CREATING THIS POST?

It can be found by clicking here.

CHANGE-LOG

Change-Log is now in post #3, but here is a link for convenience. I know a lot of you wanted this at the top... best I could do and still look how I like it.

DISCLAIMER: I am giving shared information. You are the one messing with your phone. While everything on here has been tested by me, that does not mean that you have not done something incorrectly or something has changed since this was written. You are responsible for your phone and your actions. I did not invent crying babies or 180 degree coffee. Do not sue me.

XDA member cvibe88 made some very good videos to show the whole process. I believe by watching these and reading this sticky you should have everything you need to root, backup, flash and restore. I still encourage reading all of Post 1 & 2.

Here is a link to his post with his videos!

ROOT TOPICS

HOW TO ROOT

I used TO provide instructions. Now, I prefer you read my other GUIDE FOR NOOBS. No offense, but if you are asking, this thread is better for you.

HOW TO GET INTO RECOVERY

I hold my phone horizontal when powered off.

Both thumbs on the volume rocker.

Press and hold power and volume buttons.

When the Vibrant logo comes up, release power, keep holding the volume rocker.

** some phones are hardware locked. This means you can possibly not get into either Download Mode (used for ODIN) or stock recovery (used to root and get to clockwork recovery the first time). Those who got the JI6 OTA (over the air) update had this fixed. Some people upgraded from JFD to JI6 by other methods and may still be hardware locked. There is a fix for this listed below, just in case ** I reitterate, most people are NOT HWL.

HOW TO GET INTO DOWNLOAD MODE

* Read the noob guide if you are asking why you would need this *

On PC, open ODIN

Connect USB to PC (not phone)

Pull Battery on phone and replace it

Press and hold in both volume buttons

Connect USB to phone, wait at least 3 seconds (still holding volume)

Release when you see the Yellow Triangle

IF I ROOT, WILL I GET OTA UPDATES?

Yes. Rooting will not prevent this, unless you flash a custom ROM that will block receiving the OTA update. Typically, accepting an OTA will make you lose root. Some upgrading to JI6 state they didn't lose root, I did (using ODIN), but gaining root back is so easy.

Got Root? YOU NEED A CUSTOM RECOVERY!

Big props to XDA user Koush for his amazing Rom Manager App. In short, this lets you create system backups for those "oops" moments. It also gives you a directory of ROMs for easy downloading and flashing. Yeah, it is that cool. Please see his post for instructions. After successfully installing, be sure a make a Nandroid Backup of your system before flashing any rom's (see below).

* Note, do not use the Partition option as this will partition the INTERNAL SD card, yikes *

If you were one of the unlucky ones who DID do this by mistake, you can read this thread to save the day. Thanks farrisizdaman

Free: Premium ($3.99):

HOW TO MAKE A NANDROID BACKUP *ALWAYS BACKUP BEFORE YOU FLASH A NEW ROM

1 - Open Rom Manager

2 - Click on Flash Clockwork Recovery (you can skip this if you have already flashed the recovery before)

3 - Click on "Reboot Into Recovery"

4 - At the prompt, click "ok" to reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery

5 - If this is your first time, you may be at the stock recovery on the Vibrant. Thats normal. Click on "reinstall packages" (ALSO: Volume up and down navigate, and power is used to select an item).

6 - Now, you are at ClockworkMod's Recovery. Scroll down (volume down), to "backup and restore" and select it (power button).

7 - Click on "backup." It will run it's course. After it finishes just reboot.

8 - You now have something you can always fall back on in case you F up. Thank Koush and all the testers.

* alternative method: Open Rom Manager and navigate to the backup/restore section, and just follow the prompts. I like to rename my backups (date/build/etc). **

HOW TO RESTORE A BACKUP

Follow the steps from above, but select "Restore" instead. They will be sorted by date YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.

** alternative method: Open Rom Manager and navigate to the backup/restore section, and just follow the prompts. **

HOW TO FLASH A CUSTOM ROM

We have some amazing developers for the Vibrant. You REALLY need to try the custom ROMs for our phone that already exist. Here are two of the more popular ones:

** Please note there are always new ROMs coming out, these are just the ones I currently love. Check the Development section often (and don't ask questions there) **

The ROMs listed are only the Eclair versions. There are now Froyo builds available and they are all very tasty (I've tried 3, and they were all very solid builds that could be a daily driver, no FC's). Check the Development section or the site of your favorite developer (likely Eugene or Team Whiskey).

Bionix - #teamwhiskey has made this baby stable and fast. I personally OC with JACs kernel using SetCPU (200/1200/conservative/no profiles/no set on boot). I can say this made my phone so, so much better. Always make a backup so you can revert. If you flash a oc/uv kernel please note a nandroid backup does not restore the stock kernel. I have links in this thread for it, if needed.

Bionix Fusion - sombionix & #teamwhiskey have upped themselves from Bionix with this puppy in my opinion. They removed the TouchWiz and substitued LauncherPro in it's place. I am running this now, and will not switch from it. I think if you can live without TW, you will agree.

Frankin-Twiz Final - by Eugene373. This is another amazing developer/ROM. You are going to have to read about or flash both to decide which you prefer. Eugene seems to maintain multiple ROMs so it might be best to search the Development section for your preferred flavor. Same sentiments here that I said for Bionix.

STEPS TO FLASH A CUSTOM ROM:

- READ THE FIRST POST FROM THE DEVELOPER AND/OR THE CHANGELOG/INSTRUCTIONS

- Download the ROM to your PC (or directly to your phone if you have a good connection). I have done both, straight to the phone is nice because you can just move the file to your internal root /scdard and then flash it (quick method).. I also like downloading to my pc and check the MD5 before mounting my phone and moving it to /sdcard (safe method). Your choice.

** Rom Manager has a new Web Connect where from your PC you can download the file direct to Rom Manager if the developer supports it **

- If you use Rom Manager/Clockwork Recovery there are two methods to actually flash the ROM, again, your choice here:

Method 1: Use Rom Manager (make sure you have flashed clockwork recovery before proceeding, this is not needed if you already have CWR). Select to "Install ROM from SD Card" and the select the .zip file that is the new ROM which should be on your internal root sdcard/. You will then get a prompt where you can check to wipe data (not needed in my opinion as most ROMs do this automatically) and a check box to create a backup (always do this). One reason I like Method 1 best is because it makes renaming your backups easy (I typically rename so I know what the backup is). The system will then reboot into clockwork recovery, start the backup and when that is done automatically flash the ROM. All you need to do is reboot once it is done and BAM, new fast/stable ROM.

Method 2: (The manual way) Once the rom is at the root of sdcard/ use Rom Manager to reboot into clockwork recovery. Create a nandroid backup and then select to install a .zip.. select the rom, let it run its course and reboot.

DID YOU F'UP AND NEED TO GET BACK TO STOCK?

Well, thanks to XDA User justanothercrowd we have a Nandroid Backup to get you back to how the Vibrant shipped (and rooted of course). Hopefully you don't need it, but thank him after reading his post just in case you do!

** Please note this was prior to JI6. If you want stock JI6 search the development section or look in their sticky **

You should also check this thread by almyz125!

DID YOU F'UP AND THINK YOUR PHONE IS BRICKED? MAKE A JIG

jigga-what?

If you can get into download mode you are not bricked. If you are NOT able to get into download mode (but you can see something other than a black screen) that THIS THREAD WILL SAVE YOU PHONE!!!

HOW TO UN-ROOT *ie, sending your phone in for warranty work

The following code can be keyed in Terminal Emulator (could also be done in ADB or deleting the files using Root Explorer). If you do use Terminal, change the keyboard to the stock Android KB prior to opening Terminal. Apparently the backspace on swype does not work in Terminal. Each line should be entered separately. bahnburner gave the instructions in this thread, which you should review first.

* Alternate Method *

TGA_Gunnman in this thread created a one click root/unroot program. Thank him for his effort.

HOW TO CHECK A MD5SUM

Download HashTab. Install. Download your file. Right click on it. Click on Properties and then go to your new "file hashes" tab. Verify this matches the MD5Sum of the file you downloaded before installing/flashing.

THINGS TO DO WITH ROOT

FLASH A NEW MODEM

New modems can increase signal and data speeds. Here is an incredible list of each. Pay notice to the version of android you are running. CLICK HERE FOR MODEMS

TRY A CUSTOM BOOTUP ANIMATION

tonicacid posted both a great guide for making animations and some killer ones ready to be flashed. Before you read his post, a couple of things to know when changing bootup animations:

1 - almost all custom roms are going to allow this due to the kernel they use, but you may want to double check first.

2 - there are different ways of installing different bootups... some need to be flashed in CWR (like roms and themes) and some you simply take the file and move it to the appropriate folder, typically system/media and replace the bootanimation.zip file in that folder.

3 - follow the advice of the person posting the bootanimation.

Here is a link to tonicacid's thread. I personally am using the Bullet one on Axura 2.1 and I love it.

ALTERNATE BOOTUPS

Now, these may be a bit "too much" for some and they may prefer others like the ones in this thread.

There are plenty of bootups... try the theme section, development section and the Android Theme section.

TRY A NEW KERNEL!

** These are often updated, check the Development Section **

** Please verify what version of android these kernels are for, this list is not updated often **

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF GOING TO STOCK, YOU NEED TO FLASH THE STOCK KERNEL. IF YOU ARE ON FROYO, THE ECLAIR OC KERNELS WILL NOT WORK (CURRENTLY ANYWAY).

JAC has an amazing kernel, and it's super easy to install. Visit his thread. Download it, move it to /sdcard root, go to (in my case) clockwork recovery and install it. Be sure and follow his instructions in case something changes. There are many ROMs to choose from, this is just ONE example of a good kernel that I used when I was on an Eclair build.

Reboot and download SetCPU (there are alternatives, but this is what I know and trust). You can then overclock the processor to 1.2GHz. I am noticing great battery life and my linpack scores (I'm not a fan of benchmarks) jumped from low 8's to 9.6. Quadrant also jumped up to around 950 if I recall correctly. I do not use any lag fixes or anything, just updated the kernel.

If you want to go back to the stock kernel (please note this may not be the current stock kernel - depends on what build you are on), it can be found here. As always, perform a nandroid backup just in case. Nobody on here is responsible for your actions. :)

Also, I should point out that JAC was nice enough to provide a script, so you can overclock without using an app like SetCPU. Your choice. Be sure and thank him for his hard work. It really is a great kernel.

Eugene373 I believe currently has the best 2.2 kernel, CLICK HERE FOR SUPER I/O KERNEL

SetCPU ($2):

WANT THE STOCK ANDROID LAUNCHER FROM THE NEXUS ONE?

Grab the Launcher2.apk file attached below. Move it to system/app and press home. There, stock android. I have to say the 3d launcher is very nice. I still prefer LauncherPro (my fav).

View attachment 392685 MD5 8804735190DEC0F2F42DEDF0DAB8A261

TRY THE CAPTIVATE CAMERA, ON YOUR VIBRANT ** thanks to chaoscentral for creating the flashable .zip **

Thanks to mikey98277 and his post here you can easily flash the Captivate Camera on your Vibrant. I have played with both and it's a matter of preference, but I think most agree the Captivate is a easier/cooler UI. ALSO, it sorts pictures in the correct order!!

REPLACE THE TW CALENDAR WITH STOCK ANDROID CALENDAR

I was not a fan of the TW calendar. I downloaded CM 5.0.8 and took the calendar from his rom and replaced it. Here is a great guide. Note, I use an app called quick boot for fast reboots! The Calendar and CalendarProvider .apk's are attached below.

* After using it, I noticed there is a white bar across the top of the month. I still prefer the stock calendar, but there is your warning. If anyone finds a fix, please let me know! *

View attachment 392679 MD5 4EA76AAFD2911388A9E8DB12490A055B

View attachment 392680 MD5 A750B4D4964581D830F45A08B1A4CE34

USE THE GALAXY I9000 BOOTUP / SHUTDOWN ANIMATIONS & SOUND

** This was used when I had Eclair, not certain this will work for newer builds? Check the thread **

rko did an awesome job with these flashable bootup/shutdown animations (place them on the /sdcard (internal memory) NOT sdcard/sd (external). Be sure and thank him for his work!

CONTROL YOUR STARTUP (PLUS MORE)

I only know and use Autostarts (found here).

Download it. Install it. GO TO MENU > SETTINGS > APPLICATIONS > (can't recall the next menu name at the moment) AND ENABLE USB DEBUGGING (it will not work otherwise). Open Autostarts.

Go to the options and hide all of the system apps (no point in messing with those). After that, simply control what market/3rd party apps should be running given the task identified by Startup. You will be surprised what apps appear, for no good reason. Obviously if you are sending a text message you do not want to disable an app like handcent, so use common sense here. Any questions or issues, I would suggest emailing the developer or posting a question in the App section (perhaps there is already a designated Startup thread to ask this question, hint hint).

Autostarts (Approx $1):

RESTORE SETTINGS AFTER WIPING YOUR PHONE *If changing from one ROM to another, be courteous, and wipe.

XDA user SykesAT reminded me that Titanium Backup is a great app for restoring after wiping your system. I do not use it, so I asked him to do a small write up. He obliged, and here it is:

Titanium Backup:

** chichu_9 had a GREAT post with more information/instructions/guides from TB's site, check his post here **

Update, I broke down and got the paid version. It is amazing. It runs MUCH faster and restoring your apps + data could not be simpler. Most Vibrant ROMs will wipe your data (ie apps), so this is a GREAT way to restore your phone back quickly.

Ti Backup (Free):

Ti Backup (Paid Approx $5.81 currently, it's worth it IMO):

DELETE THE BLOAT!

Download Root Explorer (i'm not associated with) and go to System/App to remove a lot of the bloatware that came on the phone. I strongly encourage researching what can & can NOT be removed. ALWAYS make a backup. Alternatively, you can use Titanium Backup (free) to uninstall the apps (I only know Root Explorer, it never fails me). Remember, I am not responsible. It will be some time before we have a custom ROM that removes this crap for us.

Here is a list of apps I recently used to remove a lot of bloat (I kept AllShare and ThinkOffice). After you backup, delete, go to settings > Applications > Menu > Filter > Show All and delete the leftovers from the apps, little traces left behind.

In that thread I also saw you can delete data_tmo/games (73MB) if you do not play/deleted The Sims.

Here is a list from the JFD builds (most of these are seen in future versions):

** If you are having issues with Root Explorer not being able to delete files (not mounting), the please see my post to see if this helps. If it does not, please let me know in the thread. **

TAKE SCREEN SHOTS!

If you have root, the easiest way is to download shootme or drocap2 from the market. You can also use the Android SDK, but I'm going to keep is basic here. Once you have your pic, upload it for all of the community to see!

Shootme:

DISABLE ADS WITHIN APPS! ** On Froyo it seems on websites it creates a URL with the android logo, odd but the ad is blocked nonetheless **

Download AdFree from the market... check for updates and voila, most, if not all apps should be ad-free. Ads help the developers. If you care, rather than block them, try clicking them to support.

AdFree:

HOW TO TETHER ** most custom ROMs and FROYO likely already include this **

There are apps like Barnacle and Wireless Tether, but I would now recommend the Tether app that came with the Galaxy (that was removed by a lot of the carriers). Ibingham was kind enough to post the .apk (JI6 Build click here) (JFD Build click here) and I can tell you it works perfectly. Please note the app is not in the app drawer (his first post has everything you need to know).

Thanks to chui101 for notifying me of the updated version for JI6 builds.

STOP THE BOOTUP / SHUTDOWN AUDIO NOTIFICATIONS!

This thread has it covered: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=731059

I deleted these two files using Root Explorer (referenced below) and can attest it works perfectly.

The i9000 Galaxy bootup/shutdown animation/sounds were listed above if you want a new look.

Thanks to XDA Member PhilSlater I know that the File locations are:

So Zaduma does not feel insulted here is an alternate method. You can see his post here.