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Root Flash a kernel without flashing a ROM?
- Thread starter GomerBoy
- Start date
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- Tags
- samsung epic 4g
rounsy222
Android Enthusiast
Is it possible? I am rooted (one click root) and want to fix my keyboard from missing keystrokes. I think I have to at least have a kernel flashed to fix the keyboard.
You should be able too. Are you just rooted stock? What kernel were you thinking of?
I am just rooted, I used the one click method. I have not flashed any ROMs or kernels at all. I just really want to fix my keyboard from skipping keys and maybe have better battery life.
rounsy222
Android Enthusiast
Check out this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=961614. This kernel has the kb patch in it and some other tweaks.
I can do this without flashing a ROM first? Will flashing this erase my files and apps on my phone? Will flashing this change the layout and stock settings on my phone? Sorry for all these questions, I am very new to this stuff and I really just want to fix my keyboard skipping.
Thanks.
rounsy222
Android Enthusiast
No rom needed. As long as you didn't convert to ext4 you should be fine. It won't touch your apps or data but may update your cwm to 3.1.0.1.I can do this without flashing a ROM first? Will flashing this erase my files and apps on my phone? Will flashing this change the layout and stock settings on my phone? Sorry for all these questions, I am very new to this stuff and I really just want to fix my keyboard skipping.
So I do not need to back anything up before I flash the kernel, everything I have on my phone will not be lost?
Another thing, I was looking into this keyboard patch: [Tweak] Impaled Keyboard Patch Fix | Flashable Reboot-Proof Fix and Speed Demon Mode! - xda-developers
What is so special about this patch when the kernels you guys recommended me can fix the keyboard skipping anyway?
rounsy222
Android Enthusiast
So I do not need to back anything up before I flash the kernel, everything I have on my phone will not be lost?
Another thing, I was looking into this keyboard patch: [Tweak] Impaled Keyboard Patch Fix | Flashable Reboot-Proof Fix and Speed Demon Mode! - xda-developers
What is so special about this patch when the kernels you guys recommended me can fix the keyboard skipping anyway?
That would fix your keyboard. Impaller does fantastic work. Kernels have additional tweaks to help enhance certain aspects of our phones and increase battery life. Either way will work imo. I haven't played with twilight kernel at all so i cant speak for it, but genocide has been spot on for me.
So with the keyboard patch I must flash a ROM for it to work? Would you recommend just flashing the genocide kernel? It fixes the keyboard skipping completely too right? Does the genocide kernel also help to improve battery life?
So many questions haha, again I am very new to this stuff.
rounsy222
Android Enthusiast
So with the keyboard patch I must flash a ROM for it to work? Would you recommend just flashing the genocide kernel? It fixes the keyboard skipping completely too right? Does the genocide kernel also help to improve battery life?
Lol no worries. We all have been there at some point. I would suggest trying the kernel myself. I havent had any issues with my keyboard since running genocide and i have been on it since the very first alpha minus a few tweaked stock or bonsai kernels that came with various roms. I think with the keyboard fix and probably better battery life you will be happy. You dont even have to do any oc or uv if you dont want and just run it as is. Thats the beautiful thing about that kernel, as advanced as you want to get or just load and run with it, dont matter.
Okay thanks much! Now just to be clear for one last time, I can flash the kernel without ROM and I will not lose anything on my phone when I flash the kernel right?
One last question: When I flash this kernel, will I still be able to get the phone updates from Sprint like the official Gingerbread when it comes out?
rounsy222
Android Enthusiast
Yes according to the op, which i suggest you read through it, it will work on all roms except stock ext4 odex roms. The only thing it will change/touch is your kernel and maybe update your cwm, wont touch apps or data. As far as updates, i cant answer that. If you cant they will have a stock rom ready for root users shortly after launch im sure. Keep asking questions, always willing to answer and help
Yes according to the op, which i suggest you read through it, it will work on all roms except stock ext4 odex roms. The only thing it will change/touch is your kernel and maybe update your cwm, wont touch apps or data. As far as updates, i cant answer that. If you cant they will have a stock rom ready for root users shortly after launch im sure. Keep asking questions, always willing to answer and help
I was thinking of waiting to see if once Gingerbread comes out if it will fix the keyboard and if it does not then flash the kernel. What do you think?
rounsy222
Android Enthusiast
You may be waiting a while. Samsung /sprint have never been very fast on the android updates. The good sign is there has been multiple leaks so far. So who knows really. It's totally up to you. I personally couldn't stand the issues i was having so i rooted and havent looked back.
Do you think there is a chance that the Gingerbread update will fix the keyboard? I just don't want to flash the kernel and then like a week later Gingerbread is released and then I might have to unflash the kernel to get Gingerbread.
rounsy222
Android Enthusiast
From the leak and a few roms based on the leak(no custom kernels are available for the leaks because there are no source codes to build from so its pure stock kernel wise) i didnt notice any keyboard skips but others had made mention of it, but on a far smaller scale. So with that i would assume they have been addressing it. As far as undoing the kernel that is a mute point because no matter what the kernel will get flashed with gb as 2.2 and 2.3 are incompatible and it will be flashed (kernel) when you upgrade to 2.3, either ota or otherwise. I am personally going to wait for a few days just to see what bugs are being reported on before doing anything gb once official drops.
So you are saying that if I flash the genocide kernel and then update to Gingerbread once it is released, I will lose the genocide kernel?
rounsy222
Android Enthusiast
Okay so I decided that I am not going to wait for Gingerbread, I am going to flash the genocide kernel. Which zip file do I want to download and flash though? There is 2.0, 1.1, 1.0 etc. Which version fixes the keyboard and gives better battery life, 1.1?
What version of genocide do you have rounsy222?
What version of genocide do you have rounsy222?
I would go with 2.0 or 1.1... I've been playing around with 2.0 with SRF 1.1.1. It has locked up on me a few times, but that is most likely due to me messing around with Voltage Control and going to low on the undervolt.
Looks like the keyboard patch was applied at 1.0
rounsy222
Android Enthusiast
I am running 1.1 right now. The only difference is suppose to be the dual boot abilities which i dont have time to play with at the moment.
Thanks! One last question: before I flash the zip file do I need to do anything beside do a backup? how do I know the kernel installed sucessfuly afterwards?
How do you know that the kernel installed successfully? I don't think it installed successfully on my phone because where it says what kernel my phone has it does not show genocide 1.1?
Under about phone, kernel version, mine is showing 2.6.32.9 (running Genocide 2.0), so it is up to the kernel developer what shows up in that line. It may tell yo the specific kernel someplace else on the phone, but I have not idea.