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Root [GUIDE][CTmod] Rooting the Prevail [SPH-M820] for Dummies (written by a dummy)

Ok, I redid everything about 8 times today (at least) and I even got a card reader and wiped and repartitioned the cards outside the phone. The phone still hangs on the KK screen after the data is set in kernal settings. It's too bad, I really like the looks of the rom, and the idea that the sd card theoretically would work as the storage, but if the phone won't boot up, it's pretty much useless.

So, I decided to experiment with the phone. I reflashed ctmod as usual, and when the phone booted up the first time, I denied kk superuser status. The phone boots up normally after that every time.

Then I allowed kk super user status, and the phone boots up just fine.

Then I went to setting, ctmod, and allowed ctmod superuser status, and the phone boots up normally.

then, I went to settings, ctmod, kernel, set data, rebooted without formatting sdext, and the phone boots up normally.

At this point I decided to install an app and see if it changes the internal storage size, which is now 425mb. Walgreens app will work, it's huge and should make a noticeable difference in available space. so, downloading now, (I said it was big)...Ok, now the internal storage is 407mb. It looks to me like the apps are being installed to the sd card WITHOUT formatting the sdext. I was watching as the rom was being installed, and the description said "formatting sdext".

I can draw no conclusions from this, I am a noob when it comes to this subject, does this suggest anything? Tomorrow I am going to try the same thing with my 16gb card and see if it will work the same way. Would it be possible that the Kouma Kernel could format the sdext during installation?
 
Ok, an update. I installed my 16gb Samsung card, and with it the last reboot hangs on the KK logo again. So, off to Fry's (they are loving this project, and I always find something else that I can't live without while I am there) and got a Duracell 16gb class c card. I went through the whole thing again and it worked perfectly. Without reformatting the sdext, I have data selected, superuser permission for both CTmod and Koumakernel, a two gig internal memory. I have installed several apps, and they are going to the internal memory automatically. Everything seems to be working well.

So, I'm going to go way out on a limb here, I think the final sdext formatting in the instructions is not necessary and it fouling up the boot process. Any comment?
 
I would be inclined to agree with you if, before i added that instruction, there weren't a bunch of people stuck on the kk screen whose problem was only solved with that additional step.

Maybe i should change it to read 'if you get stuck on the kk screen, then reboot into cwm and format sdext'

But truth be told, you switched to a new card AND omitted that step.

When the step was omitted using your previous card it still didn't work... Or you wouldn't have bought a new card ;)

Edit- changed instructions as noted above
 
Lordvincent 90 said:
I would be inclined to agree with you if, before i added that instruction, there weren't a bunch of people stuck on the kk screen whose problem was only solved with that additional step.

Maybe i should change it to read 'if you get stuck on the kk screen, then reboot into cwm and format sdext'

But truth be told, you switched to a new card AND omitted that step.

When the step was omitted using your previous card it still didn't work... Or you wouldn't have bought a new card ;)

Edit- changed instructions as noted above
Click to expand...

In my previous post I noted that I discovered this step when using the stock 2g card, and everything worked properly. I still wanted more storage space, which prompted the upgrade to the 16, which didn't work, and then the new card which did. I am so happy I finally got this to work. I'd like to chaulk it up to hard work and perseverence, but it is mostly my obbessive compulsive character that won't let me quit before I get a resolution.
 
Hell all new to the site here. Im fairly computer savy and have been reading a bit about rooting my phone.

Model: Samsung Galaxy S2
Carrier: Boost Mobile
Android V: 4.0.4
Kernel V: 3.0.15-981989 ( SE.INFRE SEP-135#3)

From the research Ive been doing shows I need Samsung Kries, Odin and a unsecure kernel?

Im a little unsure about the kernel piece to get and in doing the root how it would effect my service with Boost Mobile. I'm sure not at all or nothing to crazy that can't be worked about or fixed. So from this I'm hoping to be pointed in the direction of a kernel and or a step by step guide out there.

Thank you so much,

Rimare
 
rimare said:
Hell all new to the site here. Im fairly computer savy and have been reading a bit about rooting my phone.

Model: Samsung Galaxy S2
Carrier: Boost Mobile
Android V: 4.0.4
Kernel V: 3.0.15-981989 ( SE.INFRE SEP-135#3)

From the research Ive been doing shows I need Samsung Kries, Odin and a unsecure kernel?

Im a little unsure about the kernel piece to get and in doing the root how it would effect my service with Boost Mobile. I'm sure not at all or nothing to crazy that can't be worked about or fixed. So from this I'm hoping to be pointed in the direction of a kernel and or a step by step guide out there.

Thank you so much,

Rimare
Click to expand...
You need to look in the s2 section the stuff here will not work on your phone!
Start here http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s2-boost-mobile/
 
Hello Lord, I think that I have gotton myself into a little bit of trouble. Repartitioned the SDcard with success. Got a little cocky and decided to copy a folder from my back-up folder on my computer. Since I couldn't seem to see the L:/ drive when I plugged the phone into the computer and tried to mount it, I went to the CWM screen to mount the USB storage. I copied the file and rebooted, now the phone can't even see the SD card. (Neither can my computer.) It says that it is unavailable!!! Do I need to go in a repartition the dang thing??? I feel so lame again. :-)
Thanks.
Servant Monica
 
mmg7351 said:
Hello Lord, I think that I have gotton myself into a little bit of trouble. Repartitioned the SDcard with success. Got a little cocky and decided to copy a folder from my back-up folder on my computer. Since I couldn't seem to see the L:/ drive when I plugged the phone into the computer and tried to mount it, I went to the CWM screen to mount the USB storage. I copied the file and rebooted, now the phone can't even see the SD card. (Neither can my computer.) It says that it is unavailable!!! Do I need to go in a repartition the dang thing??? I feel so lame again. :-)
Thanks.
Servant Monica
Click to expand...

What did you use to format the card? Did you do it in cwm? (Or by using sdparted?) If you did I'm not sure why it wouldn't work. If you did it with an application on your computer, that's probably where the problem came from...

If you did use a computer app to do it and can't get it to mount in the phone, you may need to use that app again to format it to all fat and then partition it using cwm
 
I was trying to find some apps (vocal recognition) so I copied the MyBackup folder back onto the phone hoping to locate the ap that way. Major fail. I

I ended up repartitioning the drive and reinstalling the Koumakernal. My storage has returned. I think that the file had data that the system couldn't read and it messed everything up. I promise to be more careful! :-)
Monica
 
mmg7351 said:
I was trying to find some apps (vocal recognition) so I copied the MyBackup folder back onto the phone hoping to locate the ap that way. Major fail. I

I ended up repartitioning the drive and reinstalling the Koumakernal. My storage has returned. I think that the file had data that the system couldn't read and it messed everything up. I promise to be more careful! :-)
Monica
Click to expand...

Good glad you got it figured out... :)

[Hide]Oh and.... just curious... 'servant' Monica?
Hmmmmmm.... :hmmmm2:.oO(
images
or
images
)

[/spoiler]
 
Quick question, I've rooted many phones, but this is my first crack at a Prevail. I'm actually rooting it SOLELY to get the MSL code so I went with what seemed like the quickest/easiest method. Odin has been running for 162 minutes... is this normal???
 
Well, after over 3 hours, I finally said "to hell with it" and stopped it. Rebooted the phone, restarted the process, and Odin had it done in 4 minutes. Not sure what the problem was the first go round, but it's fixed.
 
I just wanted to post a followup to my rooting experience. It's been several days and my phone is working so well it's hard to believe it's the same one. The look of the interface, and the intuitive way the menus are laid out, the handy shade power controls, it's all so incredibly better than the oem system.

I want to thank everyone again for all their help with this, especially lordvincent.
 
Lordvincent 90 said:
Good glad you got it figured out... :)


[Hide]Oh and.... just curious... 'servant' Monica?
Hmmmmmm.... :hmmmm2:.oO(
images
or
images
)

[/Hide]
Click to expand...




Just saw the pictures! TOO FUNNY. I guess I fall somewhere in between. Sorry.
One last question. I got everything back in order and ran back-up in CWM. I reinstalled the MyBackup that I purchased to use for general backups of stuff? It wants me to install busybox (blush). Should I use this stuff or stick with what is on CWM?
 
Most if not all of the ROMs here already include busybox. But the version it needs may be newer than the version included. I have personally never had to install/update busy box. Doing so shouldn't have any negative effects, but to be safe, just make a cwm backup, if anything goes wrong, restore it. (I've never used MyBackup either... Lol I just reinstall apps from the market. )
 
Hey just wanted to give everyone involved in this thread as well as devs of course, a big thank you! I have just flashed my first rom ctmod. Did not even know about this stuff till a couple wks ago. It has been non stop research since. Thanks lord Vincent for keeping this thread going, it really helped me to answer quest. and gain the confidence to upgrade my phone. To everyone who is thinking about gaining root and flashing a custom rom, man did it make all the diff on my prevail. I hated my phone before; slow, always having to worry about internal memory and those stupid bloatware apps. Don't wait! Just follow the directions step by step. Now its off to try and learn how to use/set everything, which looks like will be alot more time consuming than gaining root and flashing a new from. Everyone who can please donate to the devs and people responsible for making this info available for us to use.
 
Was just reading a earlier post about busy box. I too was prompted that my busy box was out of date? Also not sure if partition setting should be data or ssm, which is more beneficial resolvong the internal storage capacity ? Curently mine is set to ssm. Might not be the right place to post this.
 
Okay, I'm lost...

...and feeling *really* stupid for asking, seeing as no one else seems to have had questions or other comments since May of 2012. Scary, but here goes....

"Step two: Unzip the rooted image archive into a new folder. Leave the stock one zipped up until you need it"

...the 'rooted image archive'? What does this mean(hey...you say it's for dummies...so here I am in all my glory...). I can't find any reference to this anywhere is the previous steps, nor in the 'Odin (Return phone to Stock/Factory)' , nor in any of the files that I've thus far downloaded.

Is this something that everyone just knows... as in information that we are inherently born with... ? Or am I missing something really obvious? Huh...?

I am sorry to be a pest...and I am really, truly trying to ask for as little help as possible...but I've been working on this now for over two days, and I'm so close. maybe... or maybe not.

Answers with some degree of curtness are to be expected, but please don't yell at me...I'm very fragile, and you have no idea how intimidated this is.


Cheers,
Alicia Z :ridinghorse:


Addendum: Or perhaps my question is wrong. It seems that most any information that I've read is about rooting a phone that has already previously been rooted, whereas mine has never been. It was unclear to me which of the 12 files that I should download at the point where the Odin guide says 'Download and unzip the file', so went for 'FF19 Stock' because I guessed it might be an updated version, and because my Prevail has never been modified. But this was a half-blind guess.
 
Aliciaz said:
Okay, I'm lost...

...and feeling *really* stupid for asking, seeing as no one else seems to have had questions or other comments since May of 2012. Scary, but here goes....

"Step two: Unzip the rooted image archive into a new folder. Leave the stock one zipped up until you need it"

...the 'rooted image archive'? What does this mean(hey...you say it's for dummies...so here I am in all my glory...). I can't find any reference to this anywhere is the previous steps, nor in the 'Odin (Return phone to Stock/Factory)' , nor in any of the files that I've thus far downloaded.

Is this something that everyone just knows... as in information that we are inherently born with... ? Or am I missing something really obvious? Huh...?

I am sorry to be a pest...and I am really, truly trying to ask for as little help as possible...but I've been working on this now for over two days, and I'm so close. maybe... or maybe not.

Answers with some degree of curtness are to be expected, but please don't yell at me...I'm very fragile, and you have no idea how intimidated this is.


Cheers,
Alicia Z :ridinghorse:


Addendum: Or perhaps my question is wrong. It seems that most any information that I've read is about rooting a phone that has already previously been rooted, whereas mine has never been. It was unclear to me which of the 12 files that I should download at the point where the Odin guide says 'Download and unzip the file', so went for 'FF19 Stock' because I guessed it might be an updated version, and because my Prevail has never been modified. But this was a half-blind guess.
Click to expand...
Start out by by opening a download 19 or 16. then click on the odin folder and then when odin comes up just put your phone in download mode(power button and vol down). when you plug it in it should say com 5 in the box in odin. Then put files in boxes from folder to odin to match where they belong then click run and when reboot just unplug and wait till booted up!
 
Hi Alicia, You are on the right track, check the end of the thread there are 15 pages. I did this and I'm about as noob as they come, it took me two days to understand the language! Someone will help out and get you going. You want the rooted files, you don't want to end up with the same thing you started with, I assume you are going through this to improve your phone.
 
Hi,

first of all there are NOOOOOOOOO stupid questions ! ;)

Second it's not really intimidating either..... Grinzzzz

Maybe a little overwhelming !!! ;)

Here yah go :

1. download : http://db.tt/ORBp3o3J
( this is FE16_Rooted_CWM5...... there is a newer FF19, but I actually went back to FE16 since it works better for me.... )
2. Now unzip this file into a folder.......
3. Connect your phone ( I hope you already installed the drivers, if not let me know )
4. Start Odin and follow the Dummie-Guide
5. Select all the files you need in Odin, but make sure, the files ARE in the folder you just unzipped the FE16 and not in a previously used folder.
6. Once Odin is done, follow the guide partitioning your card and formatting the newly created sdext partition......
7. Copy the ROM ( CTMod top your sd-card and install it via the Clockworkmod "Inatall ZIP from sd-card )

(For a ROM, the guide uses CTMod3.75.2....... NOW, do NOT unzip the CTMod3.75.2Final.zip file, but rather copy it to your sd-card...}

Voila, you're done ! ;)

PS: If I forgot something, anyone correct me please.... ;)

Any more questions, just ask ! :)
 
You're just the faster typer......you're in this warm climate and don't have to de-ice your fingers like I have to do !!! Grinzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

But yes, the "Prevail-Family" is there to help ! ;)
 
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