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Samsung Galaxy s2 keeps bricking?

B

Bazooka Tooth

Newbie
Hi there, I'm fairly new to android phones but I thought I would try rooting my phone for the first time today but unfortunately haven't had any success, as the title says my phone keeps bricking with every kernel install, it's not a hard brick, I can reset all the data and try another kernel but keep getting the same result, it's unable too boot up, I'm currently using the kernels that are linked to the CNET how to root your Galaxy S2, my original kernel was XXLPR
(I think my phones a I9100p but not sure) I have a feeling I may be using kernels that are supposed to be used for I9100 not the P version but not sure is that's makes a difference, also I can't find any original kernal to download online in the right format for odin (tar md5 smd) so i'm stuck with a useless phone that won't boot at all, thanks for any help in advance
 
Bazooka Tooth said:
Hi there, I'm fairly new to android phones but I thought I would try rooting my phone for the first time today but unfortunately haven't had any success, as the title says my phone keeps bricking with every kernel install, it's not a hard brick, I can reset all the data and try another kernel but keep getting the same result, it's unable too boot up, I'm currently using the kernels that are linked to the CNET how to root your Galaxy S2, my original kernel was XXLPR
(I think my phones a I9100p but not sure) I have a feeling I may be using kernels that are supposed to be used for I9100 not the P version but not sure is that's makes a difference, also I can't find any original kernal to download online in the right format for odin (tar md5 smd) so i'm stuck with a useless phone that won't boot at all, thanks for any help in advance
Click to expand...

Did we learn anything today? Don't get in over your head without knowing what to do. We all started somewhere, but be sure to read and learn.

Since you can get into recovery to keep flashing, that is called a soft-brick, and is due to user error. The easiest way to fix your phone is boot into recovery and restore the NANdroid backup you were supposed to do before flashing anything.

Not using the correct versions makes a HUGE difference. There are a thousand android phones, not all of them are created equal. The kernal controls how the software and the hardware interact, so you MUST have the correct one.

If you can restore the NANdroid, you can continue on as before. Otherwise, we'll give you more technical directions.
 
Greetings Bazooka,

Don't take this the wrong way, but you obviously have no idea what your doing. You would be doing yourself a favor by stopping before you do something that's unrecoverable.

I'm not trying to sound elitist or be a jerk, but you have got to get a lot more information before you start mucking with things.

1. As long as you can get to download mode, and Odin recognizes your phone, your probably okay.

2. The first rule of phone modding is read, read, read and read some more. Did I mention reading?!!

3. Never, Never, ever, install any Rom,Kernel or mod of any kind without knowing for sure it's for your device. One different letter or number can mean success or a broken beyond recovery device.

Samsung Galaxy S2 (AT&T) - Android Forums

Samsung Galaxy S2 (T-Mobile) - Android Forums

Samsung Epic 4G Touch - Android Forums

Samsung Galaxy S2 (International) - Android Forums

These are links to some of the forums for your device, I don't know which service yours is through.

Someone there should be able to hopefully get you back to normal.

If you do get back to default working order, I would suggest not doing anything else until you understand whats going on.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the help guys, luckily I've managed to un-brick my phone and get it to it's original state thanks to a thread on here, I've read through a few rooting threads on here so I'm a little more clued now, I'm running ICS and the kernal I've installed on my phone now is 3.0.15-I9100XXLPH, from what I can find this is the closest kernel I can find to mine:

SGS2_XX_OXA_LPH-v5.2-CWM5

will this one be safe to use?
 
Bazooka Tooth said:
Thanks for the help guys, luckily I've managed to un-brick my phone and get it to it's original state thanks to a thread on here, I've read through a few rooting threads on here so I'm a little more clued now, I'm running ICS and the kernal I've installed on my phone now is 3.0.15-I9100XXLPH, from what I can find this is the closest kernel I can find to mine:

SGS2_XX_OXA_LPH-v5.2-CWM5

will this one be safe to use?
Click to expand...

Why are you even trying to flash a kernal? That is one of the least important things to do with root. Unless it's explicitly stated within the ROM you flashing, you shouldn't flash random kernals.
 
I would suggest just following a root guide, most root guides don't even include, like ExtremeNerd said, random kernals, just follow a basic guide to root your phone, they're usually painless and easy, without soft- bricks included.

Like everyone above me said, before you root/flash/mod, whatever you do to your phone, always read, you can never do harm to yourself by reading up on what you're trying to do.

However, in light of this situation, you learned what not to do, now hopefully you won't make the same mistakes again.

Happy rooting :)
 
I thought it was mandatory when installing any custom ROM's to install an insecure kernel? like I said though I'm a noob at this so any help would be appreciated, this is the current guide I'm following at the moment:

androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-international-all-things-root/482994-rooting-galaxy-s2-dummies-guide.html,

also here's the root I'm using, this is from the CNET root guide:

forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125414
 
Bazooka Tooth said:
I thought it was mandatory when installing any custom ROM's to install an insecure kernel? like I said though I'm a noob at this so any help would be appreciated, this is the current guide I'm following at the moment:

androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-international-all-things-root/482994-rooting-galaxy-s2-dummies-guide.html,

also here's the root I'm using, this is from the CNET root guide:

forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125414
Click to expand...

Flashing a kernel isn't required, as all roms come preloaded with stock kernel or its own kernel. My advice until you read up on them and read again, stay away from kernels until you know exactly what your doing with them a check, double check, even triple check that kernel is made specifically for your phone. Even then some kernels will cause a custom rom act up. Nand is always your best friend.

Sent From My HTC Evo 3D Using TapaTalk 2
 
Bazooka Tooth said:
I thought it was mandatory when installing any custom ROM's to install an insecure kernel? like I said though I'm a noob at this so any help would be appreciated, this is the current guide I'm following at the moment:

androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-international-all-things-root/482994-rooting-galaxy-s2-dummies-guide.html,

also here's the root I'm using, this is from the CNET root guide:

forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125414
Click to expand...

If you're a noob, then stop. Don't try to do anything advanced like this before you're comfortable. Not to be an ass, but 2/3 of the threads on this forum are "I screwed up my phone HELP." I'm a huge supporter of rooting and hacking, but please learn what you're doing. Our phones don't cost $750 for parts. Costs are high because so many devices have to be replaced because people mess them up. Please help keep our device cost down and READ.
 
ExtremeNerd said:
If you're a noob, then stop. Don't try to do anything advanced like this before you're comfortable. Not to be an ass, but 2/3 of the threads on this forum are "I screwed up my phone HELP." I'm a huge supporter of rooting and hacking, but please learn what you're doing. Our phones don't cost $750 for parts. Costs are high because so many devices have to be replaced because people mess them up. Please help keep our device cost down and READ.
Click to expand...

I understand this, I wanted to root the phone because I use it a lot on a daily basis for work among other things and I'm finding that the battery simply doesn't last long enough, I read a couple of guides online, know a couple of people with rooted phones and got the impression that it was very a simple, idiot-proof process. Obviously it didn't work, I've been burned, learned and won't try to root it again unless I'm 100% sure I know what I'm doing :)
 
Bazooka Tooth said:
I understand this, I wanted to root the phone because I use it a lot on a daily basis for work among other things and I'm finding that the battery simply doesn't last long enough, I read a couple of guides online, know a couple of people with rooted phones and got the impression that it was very a simple, idiot-proof process. Obviously it didn't work, I've been burned, learned and won't try to root it again unless I'm 100% sure I know what I'm doing :)
Click to expand...

Even if you want to better your battery life after root, don't attempt to flash a kernel yet. Just grab any cpu tweak app. Preferably set cpu to under clock or change the governor

Sent From My HTC Evo 3D Using TapaTalk 2
 
Bazooka Tooth said:
That sounds where I could be going wrong, I've downloaded a kernel from here:

[07.09.2012][CF-Root 5.6] K**,LA*,LP-126BHJQ73SC89DEFWGKIQOTUX,LQ-5B - su+bb+CWM4/5 - xda-developers

thinking it would already have a ROM installed, can anyone tell me where to get some ROM's that would match my kernel?
Click to expand...

Kernels don't have roms "installed". If you see a kernel posted, it's a kernel only. Roms have a default kernel prepackaged in them. If you don't like the kernel behavior, you can flash a stand alone kernel as a secondary action allowing you to stay on the same rom but shift to a different kernel. Be careful out there.
 
iowabowtech yours has been the most productive post in explaining why one would ever attempt a kernel flash without being patronizing, in the midst of op being devoured as the obvious easy prey. Great job
 
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