yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Captivate General] opcow:
Flashing the first and second bootloaders would be the most dangerous, which is why the Odin one-click flasher is so bad. Also, the USB connection is a prime source of failure which is another reason to avoid Odin. So, if you have working button combos you are pretty unlikely to brick the phone as long as you avoid unnecessarily using any version of Odin.

Note: DesignGears includes sbl.bin (the second bootloader) in his ROMs, but since you aren't flashing it via USB it's relatively safe and it does have the side-effect of fixing you button combos if they aren't working. On the other hand, if you aren't using the one-click then you probably already have a good sbl.bin and so it's not needed.
[Captivate General] crystalhand:
Basically what causes a brick in any electronic equipment is from an interruption/error in any boot critical files. The item does not have the proper/complete instruction to turn on. You could say it is like starting a car being told to first put the key in
[Captivate General] cumanzor:
If you can use the 3 button combos to get into download or recovery mode, you are good to go. The only danger would be a bad Odin flash, but even so you'll have a chance to recover it by making a cheap USB jig (3 100k Ohm resistors into pins 3 and 4, I think, of the usb port) or buying one. This will boot the phone straight into Download mode.

When using Odin, there is only one stage where you can brick your phone for good, during the bootloader copy process, which probably takes less than a second.
[Captivate General] rufex2001:
Thanks for the replies! I just tried it and I got the 3 button into download mode combo, so that's great! Now, what other options do I have for flashing besides Odin? Apparently Odin is not the safest, huh? And is there a way to make the bootloader writing stage less risky?

Also, my Captivate is a 1007 build. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Thanks, again!

Sent from my Samsung Captivate using the XDA App
[Captivate General] TheBassman369:
My Cappy is a 1007 build, too. I've soft bricked my phone more times than I can count, but Odin hasn't had anything to do with it. It can do it, though.

At one time in my life I flashed a new ROM every day, and I used Odin every time before I flashed.

On a side note, back when I flashed my first ROM, I pulled the battery during the first boot, dropped it, and then flashed another ROM without using Odin, and it never bricked it, so that should give you a good idea of how hard it is to brick these phones. Lol
[Captivate General] MikeyMike01:
Stupidity.

Sent from my Captivate.
[Captivate General] Pierce533:
I didn't realize Odin one click was so bad. I have been using Odin3 one click routinely now for a couple weeks as I flash back and forth trying out all these great ROMs to see what I like and so far (knock on wood I guess?) I haven't had any problems at all.

So, now that I have used Odin one click many times over, does my Cappy now have a bad sbl.bin?
[Captivate General] crystalhand:
No odin really is not that bad just don't unplug it while it is running. You would not want to unplug your computer when flashing a new bios
[Captivate General] rufex2001:
Right, so if not Odin, what can I use for flashing? Can I do it all with the sdk using adb?

Also, I've been going through the guides and other stickies and apparently Odin is necessary only to flash back to stock. For rooting and installing new roms only the update.zip file and clockwork recovery are necessary. Could you do the same procedure to flash back to stock?

Sorry for any dumb or repeated question I may be asking.
[Captivate General] opcow:
Odin isn't bad so much as an unnecessary risk. There are a lot of potential causes of failure: user error, accidents, flakey USB ports or software from other vendors that interferes with your drivers. The there the fact that people use the one-click and lose their button combos or brick their phone by using the one-click on a 1010+ build. I can safely odin flash all day if I need to, but there's just no reason to. And if you look around these forums you will see a lot of people crying after an odin mishap.
[Captivate General] opcow:
I keep a CWM update.zip on my sdcard for reinstalling CWM and I flash my ROMs with CWM. I also keep a couple of spare know good ROM zips on the sdcard to go back to in case something goes wrong with a new install.
[Captivate General] Pierce533:
Thanks for the info. Is there a stock I897UCJF6 ROM that can be flashed with CWM? I haven't been able to find one and if there is one I would like to have one around to use. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.
[Captivate General] rufex2001:
That is exactly the sort of thing I had in mind! So I guess I could keep a CWM update.zip and a stock rom update.zip and some custom roms and just do everything directly from the phone and without Odin, right? Or am I missing something?
[Captivate General] mcord11758:
Guns don't kill people
[Captivate General] jboneiii:
Yep. I have build 1008 that has always had the 3-button combo and lost it after using ODIN 1-click (I restored the combo with a later flash).

I believe opcow and others when they say that flashing back to stock is unnecessary. I just don't understand why the authors of some of these ROMs leave this as part of their installation guide.

Sent using XDA App
[Captivate General] 1tontomato:
Pay close attention to the options in recovery when you are using a custom rom. It's part of the custom kernal, and of used properly can help you avoid odin. I avoid it because I have a mac and odin won't run on anything but windows. Custom recovery will allow you to format every part of the OS but the sbl.bin. Also in some custom recoveries there is an option to mount usb. This will allow you to format the internal sd then copy a new rom.zip and flash if you really want a clean flash. If your doing this make sure you are able to mount your sd before you format anything. Avoid stock 2.2 kernals because they have 3e recovery. There are ways around that but they have to be in play before you end up in a bootloop.

3e recovery + bootloop= odin recovery "only option".

Make sure lag fix for rom kernal A understands lag fix for rom kernal B. Also usually only a concern for stock 2.2 kernal. Other than that really hard to brick this phone.
[Captivate General] ryude:
As long as you keep a CWM update.zip and a ROM on your internel sdcard at all times, I see no reason why you would ever have to use odin 1-click.

I get bootloops all the time, just pull the battery and then use vol up + vol down + pow to enter recovery to flash the ROM back. Make sure it's a wipe ROM.

If it's not a soft-brick, then you will need odin.
[Captivate General] uhavinalaugh:
Could you please explain what a wipe ROM is? Thanks
[Captivate General] shiftylock:
A wipe rom literally "wipes" your phone.

Your music and pics and stuff is still there (I believe, but I'm not 100% positive.) but your apps, your system data, and other stuff is gone. Basically it formats the phone's system and puts its own version there.

I'm no android specialist or anything, but that's what I gather on what happens.

Hopefully this is somewhat helpful!
[Captivate General] rufex2001:
Thanks! I guess it is because of everything you say that devs recommend to always go back to stock before flashing a new rom, huh? To avoid those potential mishaps between different kernels... I'm guessing none of those issues arise when having with stock kernel 2.1 and no lagfix, right? But could be an issue with the new update coming today, if it indeed does come today...

Now, what exactly is 3a recovery?

Thanks for the help! Love these proper explanations!
[Captivate General] MikeyMike01:
No ROM deletes your pictures and whatnot, because those are on your internal SD card.

Sent from my Captivate.
[Captivate General] opcow:
Although I believe at least one version of Tayutamas did format SDCARD: in the install script.
[Captivate General] Stephenv1971:
Back before November/December timeframe there were a few ROMS that would not flash correctly unless you used one-click first. I think these were scripting bugs that have pretty much been wiped out. I personally have not used 1-click since I got a replacement 1008 series phone through warranty.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Ompalompa287:
I was curious to know if someone could provide me with a step my step method of changing ROMs on a rooted captivate. I'm currently running Firefly ROM and want to know how to switch ROMs without loosing my apps and the data stored in them (such as high scores on games and such).

I tried Titanium Backup but it seems to cause problems with the system phone app when i switch and do "backup all user apps and data -> restore all user apps and data".

Also when i try to use rom manager to create a backup...the backup crashes, goes to a samsung "Android System Recovery"....the up volume button moves my selection down and the down volume moves my selection up. The power button doesn't select anything. When I press the menu button, all the text disappears.

I just want a sound way of backing up ROMs and Apps (with their data) to easily switch between ROMs more freely and with security of mind.

Thanks, and please respond.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Fortune090:
Best to ask this in the Q&A section, and check the stickies. Tons of good info up there. ;)

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=884364
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] opcow:
Put the ROM on your sdcard

Boot to recovery

Choose the zip

Install

Reboot

Enjoy
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Loggik:
Yes, please post questions in the Q&A section as mentioned above.

Also, disregard opcow's reply; he did not read your whole post and it does not apply to you. His method will wipe everything on your phone.

Most of the suggestions you'll get are TiBu (Titanium Backup). When you make a backup (I'm assuming you're doing a batch backup with TiBu Pro), only select User Apps. Don't select User Apps + System ... (don't remember what it's called). This way, you'll save your apps with their settings and info, but you will not back up your phone's settings, such as WiFi networks, GPS, etc.

Trust me though, because of the diverse way that ROMs handle things, you don't want to back up your system settings, otherwise you may run into issues such as those you mentioned before.

Another note: do not use ROM Manager!

It's a nice piece of software, but it doesn't work a lot of the time. This doesn't apply to your backups, you're just restoring the backups incorrectly, but regardless, don't use ROM Manager.

Anyway, to correctly apply a Nandroid Backup, you must have the same exact kernel and modem installed ATM on the phone that were present in the Nandroid Backup. For example:

Let's say you have XYZ ROM installed with SuckerPunch #47 kernel and the KP1 modem. Then you make a Nandroid backup of that ROM.

After that, you go and install ABC ROM with Speedmod kernel and JK4 modem. After a day of use, you want to restore your XYZ Nandroid backup.

In order to do this, you must install the SuckerPunch #47 kernel and the KP1 modem on top of the ABC ROM before you restore the Nandroid backup.

If you don't do this, you'll run into issues.

Hopefully that will fix your issue. I tend to steer clear of Nandroid backups because of all the issues that I've seen people have with them, but if you're looking to restore your phone to the exact state that you had it at one point, then a Nandroid backup is the way to go. Otherwise, use TiBu.

Also, before you backup or restore (the first thing you should do after you install TiBu) is to click on the button that says "Problems?". This will install a version of BusyBox that is known to work with TiBu. If you have a version that doesn't work correctly, then your backup or restore will not work correctly either.

Good luck!
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] opcow:
You're right. I just read the first sentence. This question gets asked a lot and I just go into autopilot.

OP, It is true that my method will wipe your phone, but that's actually what you want unless you are going flashing a no-wipe upgrade, in which case my method would work just fine. But yes, generally your will want to back up with something like Titanium Backup. Backing up apps and data is fine, just don't restore system data and it shouldn't cause problems. I've done it at least 5 times in the last 2 days.

I would avoid nandroid backups. They aren't mostly useful after reverting to the ROM you were running when you made the backup, not for restoring apps.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dingokevin:
Use MyBackup pro its more user friendly.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Ompalompa287:
Thanks, a couple more follow ups.

Thank you very very much. Another quick follow up question.

My version of clockwork mod (v2.5.1.0 Speedmod ULFK) gives me the following options:

-Backup DATA: data + dbdata + cache

-Restore DATA

-Backup ALL

-Restore ALL (Be careful!)

....which 2 do i select to backup/restore a nandroid effectively. Based on your responses, ill most likely be doing TiBu, but just to better understand the architecture of the phone and the clockwork files i wanna know.

Also, is there a way i can change / upgrade the clockwork recovery version of my phone...whats the most recent version if i decide to do so?

Aside from this, Thank you to everyone who is helping me out with this issue. Much appreciated.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] killswitch7:
Do you know if there is a way to restore apps using Titanium Backup without having to manually click through and accept each and every app?
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mcord11758:
Buy the pro version. If you flash allot it is a must
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Loggik:
Like the above post says, buy Titanium Backup Pro; it's worth it, and it features the Batch Mode, which allows for what you're asking.

For a full on Nandroid Backup, select Backup All... and obviously Restore All... when the time comes that you need to restore your backup. But like opcow said, it's best to stay away from Nandroid backups... they can get messy :p

I cannot agree. It may look more user friendly, but it has a lot less support. I've never even heard of it, whereas TiBu has almost every feature you could want. Plus, look at it this way:

Linux is in no way easier to use than Windows or OS X (though OS X is based off of Linux, but disregarding that...). However, it can do a TON more than Windows or OS X, but you just need to get used to it. Same with TiBu v.s. MyBackup Pro (or w/e it's called).

I know how you feel ;)
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Ompalompa287:
thank you all!
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] MauricioJancic:
Hi,

I have installed cog 4 and i find that the swype version included does not have portuguese language. Is there a way to add this language?

Regards,

Mauricio
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nbarsotti:
My Swype problem

I posted this over in the Cog4 dev thread, but it probably actually belongs here:

So I uninstalled Swype from Cog4 using Titanium Backup and did not create a backup first (dumb I know!) I then tried to install the newest version of Swype directly form the Swype web site. I now get force close every time I try to enable it. Can someone please direct me how to install the newest version of Swype, or the version that is in Cog4. Thank you.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Vivified:
Try deleting everything related to Swype, rebooting, then installing the Swype beta from the website. That's the only thing I can think of.
[HD2 Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting and Genera] Tehpriest:
In case anyone has missed this (UK)

http://alturl.com/zn9sm
[HD2 Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting and Genera] Nick.C:
Thanks - much appreciated!
[HD2 Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting and Genera] Ehsan Mahmood:
Thanks for telling us about HTC HD2 ROM upgrade. If any one didn't know how to install and upgrade HTC HD2 ROM. Here is the brief details of how to install and upgrade the ROM uptomark [dot] com .
[Captivate General] oldskooldawgz:
@samsungjohn So are we still to expect a big announcement since this is a little one? And thanks for the heads up. Is this the same build dg has in cog 4?
[HD2 General] :
In case anyone may have missed this. (UK)

http://alturl.com/zn9sm
[HD2 General] cjlevers:
Why did you label this with (Android)?
[HTC Inspire 4G] legend221:
I'm noticing most of us are on the AT&T Network, yet there are those that do not want or need 3G/3.5G and want to use 2G or have another carrier so they cant take advantage of the speeds because they are on a Network such as T-Mobile.

Obviously someone using primarily or mainly 2G will see significantly more battery life.

This is good for someone that rarely uses data service or goes online using WIFI for the most part.

To change or edit your Preferred Network type go to your Phone app

then enter the following: *#*#4636#*#*

>Phone Information

>Set Preferred Network Type

Now you are able to change and edit the way your phone looks for and uses the Network you are currently on.

The Terms are explained below:

Preferred Network Types change the type of frequency the phone searches for.

Android is used on several devices that can gain access to different cell carriers.

For simplicity, there are two main types of cell carriers, GSM and CDMA.

The following popular data communication technology is associated with each cell carrier type:

GSM = GPRS (2g), EDGE(2g), UMTS(3g), WCDMA(3g), HSDPA(3g) {Cell Carrier examples: AT&T and T-Mobile}

CDMA = CDMA*(2/3g) EV-DO(3g) WiMax(3/4g) {Cell Carrier examples: Verizon and Sprint}

Now that the general stuff is out of the way, here's my take on the Preferred Network types:

WCDMA preferred - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 3G is favored more.

GSM only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.

WCDMA only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.

GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more. This one is a bit confusing to me since PRL is associated mostly with CDMA technology and not GSM technology.

CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.

CDMA only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.

EvDo only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.

GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - Some phones are equipped with both GSM and CDMA capabilities. This setting appears to just have the phone attempt to stay connected to the data communication type that works the best.

Unknown - If none of the above fit or the phone is acting weird as far as connecting to the carrier, you will see your preferred network type is set to this

When using the 'only' options you should still be able to make calls.

To put things into perspective, The Nexus One is set to WCDMA preferred as default and the Droid Incredible is set to CDMA auto (PRL).
[HTC Inspire 4G] Azizj:
My Samsun S does not recognise my sim.The sim works in another phone. I tried to change the preferred networkto CDMA preferred, as it is on "unknown". It does not allow me to change it. Please help, as this new phone is now doorstopper.
[HTC Inspire 4G] Nick281051:
Go to your devices section, seriously...

Sent from Team Pirate! Using Tapatalk 2
[HTC Inspire 4G] aybarrap1:
This option has not worked on any Sense ROM I have tried for the HTC Inspire. It works great on CM7 but does nothing but stay on 3G on sense.
[HTC Inspire 4G] insanenyc:
For sense Rom if you are rooted this is how you do it

From today screen

1. Hit menu

2. Click settings

3. Click wireless and networks

4. Scroll down to mobile networks

5. Choose network mode

6. Change to gsm

This will lock you into edge only. Even after reboot settings will stay phone must be rooted or it does not hold settings

If you want 3g/4g only. Set tab to wcdma only

I am running coredroid 9.4 :D
[HTC Inspire 4G] aybarrap1:
I have tried this on CoreDroid and ARHD and no luck. Went through settings menu and used the *#*#4636#*#* options and neither one sticks. Could it be my radio and hboot and the interface with Sense?

EDIT: Going to try ARHD again and see. If not, I will try CoreDroid.

EDIT: Still a no go for either ROM...ClearDroid included. So far, I have only been able to do this via either method (plus a built in toggle) via CM7. This begs the question of whether this is a software issue with HTC Sense.
[HTC Inspire 4G] insanenyc:
Strange I remember when I was on stock sense Rom the settings wouldn't stick. But as soon as I rooted and downloaded a custom Rom it did stick sorry you are having trouble. Here is my complete rom/radio/kernal

Coredroid 9.4 = Rom

12.56.60.25u_26.10.04.03m=radio

Lordmod 5.0 is the kernal

I also changed my build.prop settings to enable real 4g and tweaked gsm gprs umits huspa hsdpa I do not know if this had any effect on making settings stick
[HTC Inspire 4G] aybarrap1:
Build.prop tweaks

Thank you for the feedback. I am running the same radio. I will revisit CoreDroid again. Perhaps editing the build prop is the way to go in this case. It is the one thing I have not tried on any of the ROMs for this phone other than to rename my phone from Desire HD to Inspire (which was only on one or two ROMS). Would you mind sharing your build.prop settings and tweaks so that I can have a baseline to work with? I'll tweak from there as necessary to meet my wants.
[HTC Inspire 4G] insanenyc:
I edited only these in build.prop

ro.ril.gprsclass=10

ro.ril.hsdpa.category=28

ro.ril.hsupa.category=7

ro.ril.hsxpa=2

Reboot twice and don't forget to backup your settings

I used prop editor to edit build.prop its easier but I don't have a link for it but I think there is a link in that thread I posted below

All info can be found here

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=982082
[HTC Inspire 4G] aybarrap1:
Give build.prop change a try

Thanks. I will give this a shot. I have edited the build.prop before but only for the purpose of changing device id name. I don't remember what I used to edit it but I am sure I can find it again. No worries about the backups. I kept copies of original build.prop saved plus did a nandroid right before making the changes. Never can be too careful. Will post results later tonight on whether this was success or not for locking in the ability to switch between bands.
[HTC Inspire 4G] insanenyc:
In that thread I posted is the build.prop app 8th or 9th post down. That tweak is just for faster data speeds and I do not think it will lock u on to 2 g or 3g but who knows
[HTC Inspire 4G] aybarrap1:
No go for 2g/3g options. Have not been able to really say about faster data speeds but definitely something I will keep notes on. Back to where I started. Looks like CM will remain my ROM of choice for now.
[HTC Inspire 4G] izhark5:
Preferred network type set to unknown

Hi frnds.. i had accidently set preferred network type to unknown by going in secret setting by using the code *#*#4636#*#* in my Micromax A54 and now my real imei number is changed into 00000000. My mobile is not recognizing any sim and on notification bar it says ''searching for service''. I am not able to reset previous setting i.e. unknown to gsm auto(prl) or gsm only or wcdma only. Please help me how can i resolve my problem.

Your help will be appreciated. thnx in advance..
[HTC Inspire 4G] razarajpoot:
hi i have samsung note2 my network show unknow but every thing is ok call sms is fine how to i fix it to my network when i restart it they show gprs but when i call some one they going to unknow:confused::confused::(
[HTC Inspire 4G] kakomap:
Turns out the device has two SIM card slots - one strictly for GSM, another with WCDMA support. If this is the same for you, change SIMcard slot and the preferred network type will change