Flashing Epic 4G EXT4 and CWM 3.x ROMs for Dummies

[fuzzybabybunny]

So I'm an idiot and I was super duper confused when I first started flashing android ROMs. I still am, but I think I got some things figured out and was hoping to make the install process easier. There's a lot of information out there and unfortunately nothing that ties everything together or provides contingencies when things just don't work right.

This guide is for flashing to a Froyo (DK28 / Android 2.2) ROM with EXT4 file system.

So you've got a stock Samsung Epic, probably with Android 2.1 (Eclair) and the default Samsung RFS. Probably with buggy GPS too.

Rooting: Gives you SuperUser permissions, allowing you to fully customize the phone and unleash its full potential.

Filesystem: Samsung uses RFS, typical Android uses EXT4. EXT4 is faster. Use it.

Recovery Mode: Samsung uses a stock Android Recovery Mode. Clockwork Mod 3.x is a more feature rich recovery mode. Think of this like a Bootloader or computer BIOS. It starts up BEFORE you boot into the actual operating system. Recovery mode allows you to backup your system, wipe your system, flash to a different ROM, or install themes.

Odin: Program that allows you to flash stock roms.

Odexed/Deodexed ROMs: Deodexed allows you to install themes. First bootup is slower than Odexed, but afterwards it's the same.

Overview:

Step 1. Upgrade to a stock Froyo ROM

a. Download and install the Samsung Drivers for your Epic 4G so when you plug it into your computer it will recognize it:

32-bit OS: http://firon.net/xda/Samsung_Mobile_...00_Epic_4G.zip

64-bit OS: http://firon.net/xda/usb_drivers_GalaxyS_x64.zip

b. Go here to install the stock Froyo ROM using Odin. Odin is used primarily to flash stock ROMs, and is capable of changing the ROM, File System, and Recovery Console back to stock:

http://wiki.ppcgeeks.com/index.php?t...x_Bricked_Epic

But instead of using SPH-D700-DG27-8Gb-REL.tar, use this instead:

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/sprint-epi...l-tar-md5.html

After following these directions, you should have an Epic running a completely stock Froyo (stock Samsung Recovery Mode, RFS file system, not rooted - perfect for if you need to return the phone to Sprint)

Step 2. Upgrade to a new Recovery Mode (Clockwork Mod 3.0), filesystem (EXT4), and root the phone.

a. Follow these directions:

Epic Lag Fix: RFS to EXT4 (Now w/Clockwork v3.0.0.5) - Android Forums

Step 3. Upgrade to a 3rd party Froyo ROM (midNight ROM)

a. I chose midNight ROM because it's easy for noobies like me.

b. Download midNight ROM and follow the directions:

Android Development

His ROM is awesome. Consider donating!

Before you upgrade to the new ROM within Clockwork Recovery, consider doing this from within CWM 3.x

-Select "wipe data/factory reset"
-Select "wipe cache partition"
-Do both of these 3 times to insure optimal results

Then go ahead and install the ROM from the SD card.

c. At the end of this you should be running a nice new Froyo ROM!

4. When crap hits the fan - and it will.

a. ROM installs don't always go smoothly. Your phone may be buggy as hell after a ROM install due to leftover code not being fully overwritten or erased between ROM installs. The general procedure is to:

Follow Steps 1 to 3 over again.

1. Flash to a bone stock Froyo ROM using Odin - reverts back to default ROM, file system, recovery mode. Don't use something like an "extended" ROM.

2. Install Clockwork Mod 3.x - roots, changes filesystem, changes recovery mode

3. Before installing the new ROM from the SD Card:

-Select "wipe data/factory reset"
-Select "wipe cache partition"
-Do both of these 3 times to insure optimal results

4. Install the new ROM via Clockwork.

I've had so many issues in the past:

a. Bootup hangs at SAMSUNG screen - flashed a ROM using Clockwork 2.x when I should have been using Clockwork 3.x.

b. Can't install Clockwork 3.x - files were read-only, failure to mount things, etc. If you have Clockwork 2.x already installed, installing Clockwork 3.x over it can produce errors. You have to use Odin to flash to a bone stock ROM and go back to a stock Android recovery mode.

c. Really WEIRD ROM functioning - GPS dies frequently, battery life plummets, etc. ROM install had leftover code from previous ROM. Follow Steps 1 to 3 over again.

d. Phone doesn't connect to computer - properly install the Samsung USB drivers.

If I have made any errors, let me know!

[revaaron]

Maybe I will re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-flash my phone today cause I have all those issue in 4C, but have had that same issue and with hanging screens since I first flashed froyo.

[shane6374]

Gotta a couple things here.

Odin - Also used to flash the Pit and the Modem

If you are going to take your phone to Sprint and it boots, you need to be on the stock DI18 or earlier rom. DK28 was a leaked release and not an official OTA.

I will agree, midNIGHT rom is the best Epic rom imo.

Step 4b happens sometimes, but it's only with certain builds of certain roms.

You should also add a step 5 and 6.

5. If you have issues and you're not sure what to do, search before you post. We've all been guilty of it, but it gets really annoying to see the same question asked and answered every 10th post in a thread.

6. Go back and click on every post that helped you, and whose apps, themes, mods, and roms you are using.

Overall, good guide for noobs.

Thanks (clicked)

[Hypnotic2010]

"After following these directions, you should have an Epic running a completely stock Froyo (stock Samsung Recovery Mode, RFS file system, not rooted - perfect for if you need to return the phone to Sprint)"

Good writeup,
returning with Froyo?...probably not a good idea..

[revaaron]

ok, since my froyo is extremely slow. I'm backing up now and I'm going to try one more time re-flashing froyo. This is worse than my win6.5 tp2 with all the flashing that I'm doing.

[sprintman]

Ahh.. Ill ask here. I want ext4 on stock dk28. I dont want to use any custom rom. Can it be done?

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

[gTen]

Originally Posted by sprintman

Ahh.. Ill ask here. I want ext4 on stock dk28. I dont want to use any custom rom. Can it be done?

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

It can be done..you just will need to make modification to the rom..

[sprintman]

Originally Posted by gTen

It can be done..you just will need to make modification to the rom..

Is there a guide? Or better yet, has anyone done it and sharing it?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

[gTen]

Originally Posted by sprintman

Is there a guide? Or better yet, has anyone done it and sharing it?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Well ptfdmedic has experience doing it since he did it for his midnight rom..or you can ask Dameon87 who created the hack on XDA..

What Daemon said before was:

After this is complete, you may flash a DK28 ROM . I recommend Quantum Rom v2.5.0.

Please note that until other ROMs add support (namely the new recovery binary in /system/bin/recoveryfiles) I cannot guarantee recovery will function properly.

not sure on exactl which change needs to be done though :/

[revaaron]

what, so stock DK28 won't work with CWM3.0?