How Not To Brick Your E4GT (UPDATED 10/13/12)

-PLEASE READ THE WHOLE THREAD BEFORE ASKING, OR STATING ANYTHING OR YOU WILL BE TROLLED (BADLY)
-YOU, AND ONLY YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU'RE ACTIONS. IF YOU FLASH AND BRICK YOU'RE PHONE, ONLY YOU ARE TO BLAME.
Sorry guys it's been a while since I've been able to update this thread, I'm extremely glad to see that it's being used throughout the E4GT community. Well I guess it's time to update this so lets get started, and please forgive me if I miss anything as I have been on ICS mainly for a long time.


-Are you on a rom with a stock recovery or with a kernel released prior to SOURCE? Use Odin buddy!
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Just because we have source now, does not mean you can't still brick you're device. In fact many people are still on ICS builds prior to FF18 or newer, this includes people using stock kernels as well. Do not use the recovery on you're phone to do anything, The stock recovery is meant for files signed by Samsung and only Samsung, Roms prior to source with a custom recovery had the dreaded EMMC bug which would brick some people with a simple wipe. If any of the above applies to you and you wish to get back to GB or ICS then click on the following link that corresponds to you're desire and follow the steps.

EL29 One Click Link Below
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http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1433101
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ICS FF18 (Original ICS OTA update) Link Below
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http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1721229
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ICS FI27 (Newest ICS OTA update) Link Below
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http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1932032
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-After you install the .Tar file to you're phone, you'll need to install a custom recovery using a Auto Root Package found below, just follow the instructions. (use the FF18 Combo to install a custom recovery on the FI27 version)
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1342728
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-Wanna flash to ICS from GB?
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Simply pick the ICS rom you wish to use and flash using the OP's instructions. The issue of flashing to ICS from GB never really existed. If you are still worried about the risks of flashing to ICS, then use the Odin One Click method above and you're guaranteed fine.
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-Wanna Flash to GB from ICS?(includes restoring backups to GB roms too)
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This is where issues began to occur, prior to source release. The EMMC bug was present during the ICS leaks leading up to source release FF18 (FF18 OTA not being the issue). If you are on a rom which already contains a source kernel (FF18 and newer) Flashing to GB is the same as flashing to another rom, just follow the OP's instructions. If you're on a leaked rom with a stock recovery, or custom recovery, use the Odin One Click method to get back to GB or ICS. DO NOT WIPE IN NON-SOURCE KERNELS--- EVER
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-Wanna Flash Good ol' CyanogenMod, or Something else AOSP?
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-CyanogenMod 9 as of recent bulids has a proven SAFE RECOVERY, so you should be able to flash to, and from without issues
-I am unsure if CyanogenMod 10, or other Jellybean AOSP roms have a safe recovery, so I recommend this method below

Always use the EL26CWM kernel to flash AOSP roms. I myself, have flashed CyanogenMod 9 with multiple non-CWM kernels without issues, but better safe then sorry right? Thanks to rwilco12, we now have a repository for kernels, and modems so give him a big thanks. You can find the EL26 CWM kernel here.

http://rwilco12.androidfilehost.com/?dir=Kernels/Recovery Kernels/GB/Chris41g/Stock CWM

Simply download the rom you wish to flash, as well as the EL26CWM kernel. Flash the kernel, and reboot back into the recovery. When you're phone restarts back into recovery press up, down, up, down with you're volume buttons to enable the selection button (power on/off button). Now flash the rom USING THE RECOMMENDED FLASHING INSTRUCTIONS. Instructions of roms may differ from others so be sure to read the Original Post by the dev before flashing.

-Are you on an AOSP rom and you wish to flash to a TW rom or other?
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Follow the same instructions for flashing to an AOSP rom, except replace the AOSP rom with the rom of you're choice. You can also use the One Click Odin Method from before. I have used both of these methods for flashing a different rom while on AOSP multiple times without any issues whatsoever.
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-Bricking Info
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-For more info on the EMMC chip corruption issue from kernels prior to source go here
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1644364
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MISC
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-Stick with source kernels and you should be safe
-Stay away from touch recovery, unless it's source-based
-Stay away from Rom manager, It's not, and probably never will be optimized for our phone



-Thanks
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Calkulin, Mijj,all of Team Venom, all of Team Rejectz, agat, good ol' ruj22, rwilco12, garwynn, Ja5on for the title, all devs, and themers

jasone4gt said:

Hey xST4T1K, great idea for a thread man, and great accumulation of information. As it seems, I have seen quite a few bricked devices in the Q&A lately. Hopefully new members of this community will take a moment to read this and understand some of the problems that others are having in hopes that it will help at least one person from brickin' their celly. Thanks again xST4T1K...

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No problem man, If you have anything to add please feel free, I know I missed some things I'm sure, but glad you like it!

shiftr182 said:

I really think that something like this should be stickied....

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Agreed, I was surprised I hadn't seen any other threads like it yet

jasone4gt said:

Exactly what I was thinking. With a title something along the lines of How to not brick your device.

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Lol renamed and gave you credit for the tittle

jasone4gt said:

LOL nice, you didn't have to do that it's your thread, but thanks man!

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Lol it's a way better title then mine bro, plus hopefully it will open up to more people

stonesaber said:

Some of us, myself included , bricked by using odin. I'm very experienced in modding my phones and I bricked one, so its not a lack of knowledge that caused this. I was going from one of the ics builds back to a stock rooted rom using one of sfhubs all in one odin packages and it some how screwed up the data partition. I had done it several times without issue so it surprised me when it bricked it. I think that I was using the touch recovery when it happened but I'm not positive. Hope this helps someone.

Sent from my MB855 using XDA App

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Actually, more then likely your device isn't bricked, sfhub helped someone else with the same issue unbrick they're device. Look around the q&a section and you'll find it. I also mentioned touch recovery as a possible issue, gotta read broski. Doesn't matter how experienced you are, you can still have a brick with one wrong move, even devs brick sometimes, I've been doing this for 5 years now and even I almost did the other day.

stonesaber said:

There was nothing to read. I was one of the first. I tried everything before finally sending it to Josh at mobiletechvideos.com. It's on the way back and should be here @ Sat. According to him in the main tread though, even he was unable to repair it but he didn't mention mine being un-repairable in the emails he sent me. I'll find out soon and let everyone know.

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Calm down buddy! just be more careful when flashing that's all, and stay away from touch recovery, even Steady debated pulling the link because of bricking issues.

stonesaber said:

I'm perfectly calm. As stated, I was one of the first to brick using touch recovery so even if the link was pulled, it would've been too late for me. I do not need anyone jumping to conclusions without having the facts. That is all.

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Completely understand now, didn't know how long ago you bricked so sorry for the assumption, hope you get it restored. I know this thread may not solve everyone's issue but please understand that I put it up so people were aware that things may be an issue

Epix4G said:

At least you took the time to read this before posting another thread that you bricked you phone doing the same thing others are doing and not reading first..... My hats off to you good sir

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

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Agreed, too many people are getting flash happy and not paying attention to the forums anymore