[FAQ] Q & A on Rooting/ROMs/Methods

[rmt5]

Most newbie friendly rooting methods

Hi. I read these boards, but have never paid too much attention to rooting. My phone does everything I want it to do, so I've just stayed with stock out of lack of necessity. *However*, I've noticed that my Swype has gotten gradually less accurate (INCREDIBLY annoing), and that the Swype beta has been updated to address this very problem. Unfortunately, we can't get the updates because Swype is burned onto our phones. So, I think I'm going to root EXCLUSIVELY to take Swype off my phone and replace it with the Swype beta.

My questions are:

1. What is the most newbie friendly way to root the Epic 4g? A link would be great. I'm on stock EC05. And again, absolutely the only change I want to make is to swap out the Swype for the Swype beta.

2. I know rooting voids the warranty. If I ever want to return to stock (to sell my phone or something), all I have to do is Odin back? Does that fix this issue? If Sprint needs to service my phone, will they somehow know I've been rooted in the past and not honor my warranty?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Paul627g]

Hi. I read these boards, but have never paid too much attention to rooting. My phone does everything I want it to do, so I've just stayed with stock out of lack of necessity. *However*, I've noticed that my Swype has gotten gradually less accurate (INCREDIBLY annoing), and that the Swype beta has been updated to address this very problem. Unfortunately, we can't get the updates because Swype is burned onto our phones. So, I think I'm going to root EXCLUSIVELY to take Swype off my phone and replace it with the Swype beta.

My questions are:

1. What is the most newbie friendly way to root the Epic 4g? A link would be great. I'm on stock EC05. And again, absolutely the only change I want to make is to swap out the Swype for the Swype beta.

Follow procedure #1 in this thread.
[Root] Samsung Epic 4G Official Froyo EC05 w/Optional EXT4 *New Updated 2*

2. I know rooting voids the warranty. If I ever want to return to stock (to sell my phone or something), all I have to do is Odin back? Does that fix this issue? If Sprint needs to service my phone, will they somehow know I've been rooted in the past and not honor my warranty?

Yes your correct on the Odin process. Currently we don't have a complete stock ".tar" file to Odin back to EC05 but you have the option of Odin back to Eclair 2.1 (DI18) and then you can use the "update.zip" method to update to EC05. As soon as a direct "stock EC05" Odin method is available we will post it.

The thread below has the required information on Odin and procedure #2 will get you back to complete factory stock Eclair 2.1 (DI18).

[How to] Factory Restore (or Fix a Bricked Phone)

The update.zip for Eclair 2.1 (DI18) to EC05 can be found in the thread below in the OP.

Sprint Samsung Epic 4g Official Froyo EC05 [update.zip method/Custom Odin Packages]

The Odin process, removes any traces of you being rooted and altering anything in your device. It resets everything to factory form as long as your using a Odin package that provides just that, 100% factory stock OS. The ones I have provided do just that.

Last before I forget, you would like to remove the Swype installed on your device. Once you do root your phone you can goto the following thread below and download the SDX Removal Application and use it to remove "Swype.apk". That will remove Swype from your phone allowing you to install the Swype beta.

List: Stock Apps and their .apk files (for removal)

I know this may seem like alot to take it, just take it step by step... Respond with any questions in the appropriate threads.

Good luck.

 

[rmt5]

That was just unbelievably thorough and helpful. Thank you so much.

 

[rabidgeek]

Paul - many thanks, but I still struggle... used two different use cables, went into mass storage mode and later tethering mode, removed my sd card and switched usb ports. it seems that windows is only able to recognize the epic in either mass storage mode or tethering mode when i have it plugged on the right usb port. I'm able to access my sd card, or set up a network using tethering mode but odin still does not recognize the epic whether or not i'm in downloading mode or booted. sometimes I even get a message from parallels saying its unable to connect my epic to the virtual machine. does this mean I need a PC?

 

[Paul627g]

Paul - many thanks, but I still struggle... used two different use cables, went into mass storage mode and later tethering mode, removed my sd card and switched usb ports. it seems that windows is only able to recognize the epic in either mass storage mode or tethering mode when i have it plugged on the right usb port. I'm able to access my sd card, or set up a network using tethering mode but odin still does not recognize the epic whether or not i'm in downloading mode or booted. sometimes I even get a message from parallels saying its unable to connect my epic to the virtual machine. does this mean I need a PC?

Odin, I would recommend pulling your battery out and connecting, running Odin without the battery.. Usually that will overcome most detection problems with Odin.

If you are on a MAC, then I do recommend trying to use a PC for 15-20 minutes to do your thing.

 

[Raiderspy1]

i bought my phone with 2.1. I updated with a update zip file to 2.2 (got a few bugs). Have not recieved update yet, and not sure I will.
Can anyone tell me step by step how to use odin to get back to 2.1 to get the update. or would it be easier to do the update to pre-root? I would really like to learn how to install the update and root my phone and install a rom. BUT i 'm scared of bricking it. Please help. email me at Raiderspy1@yahoo.com thanks.

 

[Atlienzz]

i bought my phone with 2.1. I updated with a update zip file to 2.2 (got a few bugs). Have not recieved update yet, and not sure I will.
Can anyone tell me step by step how to use odin to get back to 2.1 to get the update. or would it be easier to do the update to pre-root? I would really like to learn how to install the update and root my phone and install a rom. BUT i 'm scared of bricking it. Please help. email me at Raiderspy1@yahoo.com thanks.

See this thread.

If you want to go to the latest ROMs then you need to convert your system to EXT4 on post #3.

 

[rabidgeek]

I'm on a mac running Parallels (virtual machine) with vista installed in that vm. I don't have access to a PC at the moment... Guess I'm going to have to wait until I come across one. I did remove the battery and plug it in, but the problem seems to be with the vm not connecting the epic to vista. Major bummer.

 

[Giblet]

After rooting just running a stock deodexed rom I am trying to figure out how to change the boot animation. The addition of the android banner is ugly and I've figured out how to remove the stock boot animation but the android banner eludes me.

 

[ragnarokx]

Are you on RFS (with ClockworkMod2 that has green text) or EXT (with ClockworkMod3 that has orange text)?

 

[Giblet]

Are you on RFS (with ClockworkMod2 that has green text) or EXT (with ClockworkMod3 that has orange text)?

Clockwork mod 3. I've read a lot about just flashing a new bootanimation.zip and know how to flash a .zip file but it always says its aborted. I have made sure that /system/ is mounted thinking that it may have caused the issue but i was wrong.

 

[ragnarokx]

You can't flash bootanimation.zip in Clockwork. You need it to be packaged in a Clockwork-flashable zip. Here are some you could flash in Clockwork.

 

[ggbballer96]

Read through all the threads but still have a few queestions about rooting

I rooted my samsung epic 4g for wireless tether and shootme but while researching how to do it i learnt what roms and kernels were. I dont fully understand them though. If i backup up my rom right after rooting what am i backing up. am i backing up the EC05 software im currently on or just the applications that i have. Also, what roms and kernels could i flash to get as big of a battery life as possible.

 

[Giblet]

You can't flash bootanimation.zip in Clockwork. You need it to be packaged in a Clockwork-flashable zip. Here are some you could flash in Clockwork.

Awesome, thanks a ton. Its nice to know that it was indeed something a little over my head rather than something staring me in the face.

 

[ragnarokx]

I rooted my samsung epic 4g for wireless tether and shootme but while researching how to do it i learnt what roms and kernels were. I dont fully understand them though. If i backup up my rom right after rooting what am i backing up. am i backing up the EC05 software im currently on or just the applications that i have. Also, what roms and kernels could i flash to get as big of a battery life as possible.

See post #1 for info about backing up. For battery life look for a kernel that is undervolted, such as Twilight, Baked Snack, Genocide, etc.

Awesome, thanks a ton. Its nice to know that it was indeed something a little over my head rather than something staring me in the face.

No problem

 

[bfguns]

ROM Noob - Help?

Help!
I have an sprint epic. I want to root it and remove apps that i don't use.

Some questions if someone doesnt mind taking a few minutes to answer for me:

1) will rooting void my warranty? can i root my current epic, keep everything as is but remove useless crap? (all share, sprint ID, etc etc)

2) roms - if i install them, will i lose access to some sprint apps? (yes i want to remove some, but not all) nascar, navigation are the two i want to keep.

3) roms - which one is the most stable and easiest to use? I own a macbook pro, so if i'm runing win7 inside vmware, will this still allow me to run a windows based app for rooting or do i need a full blown windows PC?

Thanks in advance!
Brian

 

[eck74]

1 - yes, your warranty will be void. Now can you load back up stock firmware if need be, probably.

2. Most custom roms remove all sprint apps. Although you should be able to locate the apk and load them back on. sprint Nav over Google??

3. I am using syndicateFrozen 1.1.0, I know Bonsai and Midnight are also stable, I'm sure there are others.

 

[Paul627g]

Help!
I have an sprint epic. I want to root it and remove apps that i don't use.

Some questions if someone doesnt mind taking a few minutes to answer for me:

1) will rooting void my warranty? can i root my current epic, keep everything as is but remove useless crap? (all share, sprint ID, etc etc)

Yes but anything you do to modify/root your phone can be reversed by using Odin to return to stock form.

2) roms - if i install them, will i lose access to some sprint apps? (yes i want to remove some, but not all) nascar, navigation are the two i want to keep.

Yes most do remove all the bloat, and they do have restore packages for the bloat available.

3) roms - which one is the most stable and easiest to use? I own a macbook pro, so if i'm runing win7 inside vmware, will this still allow me to run a windows based app for rooting or do i need a full blown windows PC?

Everyones tastes are different, what I like may not be what you like. They all have their ups and downs and react differently to people. I always tell users, take em all for a test drive and see what you like.

You should be able to use your macbook with Win 7 to root your phone without troubles.

 

[chris41g]

You can use nubecoder's System Apps Restore N Remove tool to remove or reinstall any stock app from any eb13 or ec05 rom very easily..

[EB13/EC05][Stock][Configurable Zip] System Apps Remove N Restore - xda-developers

 

[bfguns]

Thank you all!

Now, i'm reading that titanium is a good backup app. will this also save game settings? I have a lot of stars on angry birds.

Couple of more questions:
ext4 file format - is this a safe method to use? Suppose my phone locks up and i need to do a reboot. files won't get corrupted? My concern is i want to make sure i can run apps whenever wanted and not be limited to a file format system.

Since i've updated to ec05, my battery life has been so-so. Figured if i'm going to do a hard reset with the phone, might as well try some roms and see how they fare.

Thanks again!
B