How to update my fascinate from SC2.9.2 to ICS?

[wilddoktor]

A long time ago, I updated my fairly new Fascinate from the default 2.1 to SC2.9.2. The process was simple; the learning curve was unbelievable!

I'm still on SC2.9.2, but Microsoft announced a OneNote Mobile app that requires Android 2.3 (please don't hate me! ), and so I'm back...it's time to update again. Heaven help me!! It's just as complicated now as it was then. Yikes.

I figure since I'm going to do an update, I might as well move to ICS. I've heard that ICS is the last OS that will run on my (now old) Fascinate. I don't know if that's true or not. I just know it's the latest, and I *really* don't want to upgrade again if I can help it. So rather than updating to 2.3 and *then* to ICS, I'd rather just get it over with.

So. After looking through a dizzying amount of data, I'm needing some help.

First: is there actually an ICS build that is complete (everything works)? I can't seem to find any threads on ICS for the fascinate that are dated later than about the end of 2011, so I'm a bit confused about that.

Next: the specs on my phone are as follows -

CwM Voodoo Lagfix Recovery v2.5.1.x
Hardware version I500.04
Model number SCH-I500
Firmware version 2.2.1
Baseband version EB01
Kernel version 2.6.32.9
Build number SCH-I500.EB01

I'm pretty unsure what any of this means.

I'm wondering if somebody could guide me through how to update all this to the latest stable, working versions of all those components and ICS (or tell me I should just do a stable 2.3 build?). A link to specific instructions on each part would be just fine, as I suspect the whole process has already been written...but the threads are all over the place.

I'd really appreciate the help; I'm overwhelmed (personally) at the moment, I use OneNote to run my business (again, please don't hate me!), and if I could get that on my phone I'd be a happy camper.

BTW, I've pretty much settled on the fact that all my games and data are going to go away (seriously can't afford the few bucks for Titanium Backup). I've manually backed up as much as I can and am satisfied with the data I have, so I suppose if I have to wipe the phone completely then that's ok.

Thanks everybody; I'm looking forward to interacting with you on this project!

 

[wilddoktor]

Hmmm...ok, I just found this thread, and I think it's the same post I used way back when to update my phone. So if any of my questions are answered either there or here, please just point that out to me.

 

[Rigor Mortis]

What you need is in the Verizon Fascinate Rooting, ROMs, and Hacks Forum. Look for ICS 4.0.1 alpha (AOSP) post...

RM

 

[wilddoktor]

Thanks Mr. Mortis Reading up on it now.

Well, bummer; it seems that I'm a bit premature in wanting to update to ICS; I'm not seeing any builds that are ready for daily use...all of them have major parts not working (gps, mms, voice input for keyboards, etc.) that I use almost every day. Looks like I may have to look into stock 2.3.5.

 

[lpt2569]

Thanks Mr. Mortis Reading up on it now.

Well, bummer; it seems that I'm a bit premature in wanting to update to ICS; I'm not seeing any builds that are ready for daily use...all of them have major parts not working (gps, mms, voice input for keyboards, etc.) that I use almost every day. Looks like I may have to look into stock 2.3.5.

Go here, it has everything you need to get where you want.

[GUIDE] Installing a Rom/CWM recovery/Root or going back to Stock - xda-developers

I do not recommend ICS right now, none of the ICS ROMS for the Fascinate are 100% working. They are very close to 100%, but there are still some folks complaining about MMS or WIFI not working. Plus, there will always be speakerphone volume/echo issues, so if you use speakerphone, this will be yet another issue to contend with.

I recommend any of these 3 GB ROMS: GeeWhiz, SuperClean or TSM Resurrection. They are all super stable, based on the official GB release for the Fascinate.

 

[wilddoktor]

Go here, it has everything you need to get where you want.

[GUIDE] Installing a Rom/CWM recovery/Root or going back to Stock - xda-developers

I do not recommend ICS right now, none of the ICS ROMS for the Fascinate are 100% working. They are very close to 100%, but there are still some folks complaining about MMS or WIFI not working. Plus, there will always be speakerphone volume/echo issues, so if you use speakerphone, this will be yet another issue to contend with.

I recommend any of these 3 GB ROMS: GeeWhiz, SuperClean or TSM Resurrection. They are all super stable, based on the official GB release for the Fascinate.

Thanks a ton; that guide is awesome as well! I think I'll try Resurrection this evening.

 

[wilddoktor]

Well, after reading thru THE guide @ XDA a few more times, walking away, and reading thru it a few *more* times, suddenly things started clicking!

So today I've installed Stock GB, SuperClean3, Resurrection, and am just now finishing ICS Team Hacksung build 2 / build 6.1.

Oh, man...I have a brand new phone...

Thanks for the help!! We'll see what actually *doesn't* work in ICS, and if I can't live with it, now I know how to get a stable GB build.

Awesome...

 

[lpt2569]

Cool, good luck!

 

[Rigor Mortis]

Hey Wilddoktor, any issues with ICS?

 

[wilddoktor]

Hey Wilddoktor, any issues with ICS?

Not really! It's actually pretty solid...I'm impressed.

Some little things I've found:
No dialpad available when in a call, which is apparently a known issue
I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to add apps to the lock-screen dial, but in the mean time I'm just not using the lock screen
Battery usage is less than stellar, but I think that's because I've messed with my phone so much today. Today is my first full day on ICS, so I've mostly been downloading apps like mad via wifi; I'm sure that's what's done the battery in.

As for issues getting it installed? Well, yeah...but those all ended up just being my fault...not following directions exactly, or not understanding the directions.

So, yeah...looks like a daily driver for me...and OneNote works like a *charm*!!

 

[lpt2569]

Not really! It's actually pretty solid...I'm impressed.

Some little things I've found:
No dialpad available when in a call, which is apparently a known issue
I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to add apps to the lock-screen dial, but in the mean time I'm just not using the lock screen
Battery usage is less than stellar, but I think that's because I've messed with my phone so much today. Today is my first full day on ICS, so I've mostly been downloading apps like mad via wifi; I'm sure that's what's done the battery in.

As for issues getting it installed? Well, yeah...but those all ended up just being my fault...not following directions exactly, or not understanding the directions.

So, yeah...looks like a daily driver for me...and OneNote works like a *charm*!!

Which version did you go with? You may want to check this one out, AOKP Build 25. Sounds like they have worked out most, if not all of the hiccups. I'm going to give this one a test run myslef soon.

AOKP Build 25 Rom Port - xda-developers

 

[wilddoktor]

I went with ICS Team Hacksung build 2 / build 6.1 with Glitch, until they released THS 6.5 today, which I flashed today.

Oh; I also flashed the 09 radio but found immediately that it was slower and got worse reception than EH03, so I flashed back to 03 today as well.

 

[sfobrien]

Flashed latest build from Team Hacksung last night, 6.5. Still early to really tell but it's much smoother than GB. My wireless and MMS are working fine. All my apps seem to be working as well.

 

[Rigor Mortis]

Wilddoktor, I'm glad you're having fun with ICS, lol

 

[lpt2569]

I flashed AOKP Build 25, and still can't get MMS to work. There must be something funky with my Fascinate, or I've done something funky in my flashes. I've tried every workaround, and every way of flashing, and MMS never works. Oh well. ICS is really nice on this phone. Just wish I could get f&$!ing MMS to work! I'm going to try build 26, released today, and see how it goes.

 

[Rigor Mortis]

Hello.

I installed THS 6.5 and the only issue is that I have no ringtones to customize the incoming calls. Any ideas?

Regards,

RM

 

[lpt2569]

Hello.

I installed THS 6.5 and the only issue is that I have no ringtones to customize the incoming calls. Any ideas?

Regards,

RM

Try ZEDGE Ringtones/Wallpapers app from the Market. Lots of cool ringtones. Not sure how/why you lost the standard ones...weird.