[GUIDE] Which Kernels are Safe/Unsafe to Wipe and Flash from

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"Hi. I'm on SpeedMod K3-13 and want to flash CM10. Do I flash AbyssNote 4.2, reboot recovery, wipe and then flash...?"
"How do I flash this? I'm on stock ICS with CF-Root...?"
"I am on ICS Stunner 4.25 and want to flash ParanoidAndroid. What do I have to do...?"

These sort of questions crop up tens of times daily in various GNote threads. This little guide is meant to give you an answer to those and similar questions, so you'll know what to do. It'll also hep you to not get ridiculed by all sorts of cranky characters (myself included) in the fora.

Safe Kernels to Wipe and Flash From

You can go directly into CWMR, do a full wipe and flash new TW- or CM-based Roms (it doesn't matter which ones) according to their instructions. No need to go back to GB, no need to flash some new kernel, no need to reboot recovery. Just boot into CWMR, wipe and flash like you would in the good old GB days - there's nothing to fear.

TW ICS Kernels

1. All NoteCore kernel versions

2. All PhilZ-cwm6 kernels

3. All Franco kernels starting from v4 and newer kernels

4. All SpeedMod kernels starting from v4 and newer

CM9/CM10 Kernels

These are all absolutely safe to wipe and flash from directly. You can flash new TW or CM Roms, it doesn't matter which one. Following Roms are running CM9/CM10 kernels ATM: official CM9/CM10 (obvioulsy), ParanoidAndroid, Asylum ICS and JB, LiquidSmooth, all AOKP Roms, Ganbarou.

HydraCore Universal Kernel

Universal kernel for all TW- and CM-based JB and ICS Rom(developed by g.lewarne of NoteCore fame). It has MMC_CAP_ERASE disabled both in the kernel and CWMR. You can flash any type of Rom directly from its CWMR (full wipe and flash).

GB Kernels

All perfectly safe to wipe/flash from directly. Side note: don't listen to guys who tell you that you need to flash an ICS Rom or kernel before going for JB. They are wrong: you can flash JB Roms directly from GB.

Borderline Case: Safe - Sort of?

CF--Root ICS Kernels - All of Them

These kernels are safe to wipe from, but not totally safe to flash from. This is what Entropy and Jgaviota say about them:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...&postcount=490

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...&postcount=492

Having this in mind, my advice would be for you to flash one of the safe kernels over CF--Root, reboot recovery, wipe everything and flash away. Although CF--Root has MMC_CAP_ERASE disabled in its recovery, apparently Roms you want to flash from it can brick your phone with bad update-binary.

Unsafe Kernels - Red Alert!

These are just biding their time and waiting for a chance to brick your Note.

1. All leaked ICS kernels - ZCLP1, ZCLP5, ZCLP6, Angelom's Stock ICS kernel and Neobuddy's modified ZCLP kernel (in old Stunner Roms)

2. All stock ICS kernels running in Roms rooted by the infamous CWM.zip method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1810954

If your Rom happens to have any of the above, don't panic. Head over to the kernel thread, download any of the safe kernels for Mobile/PC Odin (they are tar files, not zips). Put the safe kernel tar on your PC, fire up PC Odin, hit PDA and select your kernel tar. Put the phone into download mode, connect it to your PC and flash the new kernel via PC Odin. After the flash is done, go into the CWMR, do the wipes and flash any new Rom you fancy.

Where do I find the kernels?

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Q. Where do I find and download all these kernels you're talking about here?

In Kernel Repository thread. Click here to get them.

This should be sticky,thank you!

Once again Chas, a good guide to refer to.....

could you give your advise about this scenario -- maybe it needs a special mention too

Mobile Odin on Cf root kernel ( this combination)

please refer this http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...&postcount=483
once in a while we do find ourselves on rooted stock kernel or Cf root kernel and wanting to use Mobile Odin....

thanks

Originally Posted by rraaka

please refer this http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...&postcount=483
once in a while we do find ourselves on rooted stock kernel or Cf root kernel and wanting to use Mobile Odin....

As posted above, I would not advise flashing any new Roms from CF--Root kernel, be it from CWMR or via Mobile Odin.

Drop into CF--Root CWMR, flash a safe kernel (see the OP), reboot recovery and be on your merry way.

Good stuff chasmodo Hope the sticky helps other users out.

Latest speedmod kernel I see is K3-13.....which one is V4 which is safe to flash from?

Is it the same as in this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1673072

Thanks

Originally Posted by Rakaan

Latest speedmod kernel I see is K3-13.....which one is V4 which is safe to flash from?

Is it the same as in this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1673072

Thanks

I said v4 and above, which means v4, v5, v6 etc all the way to v13. All of them are safe.

Sorry newbie here. Appreciate the confirmation. Thanks

Originally Posted by chasmodo

I would not advise flashing any new Roms .... via Mobile Odin...

From the man himself from somewhere...

Originally Posted by Entropy512

Please read before spouting utter and total bull****.

(Just kidding)
Mobile Odin uses its own safe kernel during its operations. Kernel u are on becomes irrelevant as soon as it boots into its own recovery mode. Or am I the one spouting B/S?
Maybe guys claiming Mobile Odin bricked their devices did wipes on ICS beforehand. Damage already done. Just waiting to freeze next time bad blocks are accessed