Rooting Galaxy S2 - Dummies Guide

[Dreamiie]

Hi, I came across this thread searching on a guide to root my SGS2.

I followed the guide closely, but I still ended up stuck at the yellow triangle while booting.

Big mistake on my part not taking down the details of my phone.
(Actually I did a screenshot on it and I have no access to it now since it's stored in the internal memory)

I remember the kernel version being something like I9100DXLPB

on android version 4.0.3

I used CF-Root-SGS2_XX_OXX_LPB-v5.2-CWM5-PROPER

I did the recovery mode as mentioned but did not work.

Any advice on this?

Lots of thanks!

 

[ironass]

Hello and welcome to Android Forums Dreamiie!

Oh dear! Lets see if we can sort you out.

I followed the guide closely,

I don't think so, judging by your next comment.

Big mistake on my part not taking down the details of my phone.
(Actually I did a screenshot on it and I have no access to it now since it's stored in the internal memory)

Now you know why I put those instructions in about making a note of your kernel and firmware.

I remember the kernel version being something like I9100DXLPB

That's not the stock kernel details I'm afraid!

on android version 4.0.3

I used CF-Root-SGS2_XX_OXX_LPB-v5.2-CWM5-PROPER

I did the recovery mode as mentioned but did not work.

Any advice on this?

Without knowing your exact stock kernel details I cannot tell if you have used the correct kernel to root with or be able to suggest an alternative root kernel.

Your best bet is to flash your original, stock, Samsung, unrooted, firmware, (containing the stock, un-rooted, kernel), back on, using Odin, and start again.

Details of how to obtain your original firmware and flash via Odin are detailed in post #1, here.

If, indeed, your stock kernel is LPB, I notice that there are 2 versions offered. So it might be worth trying the other one. I also notice that they both have, "***", against them, which indicates, "problems mounting secure storage". This could be the reason that you cannot boot in which case you will have to use a kernel-less method to root your phone as described under, "Method 1", here once you have returned to your stock, Samsung, firmware.

 

[Dreamiie]

Hello and welcome to Android Forums Dreamiie!

Oh dear! Lets see if we can sort you out.




I don't think so, judging by your next comment.



Now you know why I put those instructions in about making a note of your kernel and firmware.



That's not the stock kernel details I'm afraid!



Without knowing your exact stock kernel details I cannot tell if you have used the correct kernel to root with or be able to suggest an alternative root kernel.

Your best bet is to flash your original, stock, Samsung, unrooted, firmware, (containing the stock, un-rooted, kernel), back on, using Odin, and start again.

Details of how to obtain your original firmware and flash via Odin are detailed in post #1, here.

If, indeed, your stock kernel is LPB, I notice that there are 2 versions offered. So it might be worth trying the other one. I also notice that they both have, "***", against them, which indicates, "problems mounting secure storage". This could be the reason that you cannot boot in which case you will have to use a kernel-less method to root your phone as described under, "Method 1", here once you have returned to your stock, Samsung, firmware.

Hi ironass

Thanks for the warm welcome and help!
I googled around for my original firmwire because mine is not listed there. I found the details of my stock kernel

Android version : 4.0.3
Baseband version: I9100DXLPA
Kernel version: 3.0.13-I9100DXLPB-CL709089 dpi@DELL151 #3
Build number IML74K.DXLPB

Any advices?

Lots of thanks!

 

[ironass]

I googled around for my original firmwire because mine is not listed there.

All Samsung CSC codes are listed in post #2 of, "ICS... CSC are you eligible for an update?".

 

[quark2010]

Hi Ironass/all,

I wonder if this rooting-guide could work for me, too... I had untill now a SE-X10, but that broke down after two years, and so I looked around and I bought my S2 yesterday.

Upgraded it via Kies to 4.0.4. Installed Odin 3_v3.04.

After typing in *#1234# I found:

PDA: I9100XWLPW
PHONE: I9100XXLQ6
CSC: I9100XEFLP5
Build Info: Wed Aug 22 22:34:22 KST 2012

So what root kernel should I use? And where can I get it? Is it safe to root my phone?
What I am scared about is that I read that I could have a brick-danger here, when I root my phone now.

My question is: can I root it, following your instructions? Especially kwowing the bricking danger, and I can't seem to find the right CF-Root Kernel.

Please advice! Many thanks in advance

 

[ironass]

Hi Ironass/all,

I wonder if this rooting-guide could work for me, too... I had untill now a SE-X10, but that broke down after two years, and so I looked around and I bought my S2 yesterday.

Upgraded it via Kies to 4.0.4. Installed Odin 3_v3.04.

After typing in *#1234# I found:

PDA: I9100XWLPW
PHONE: I9100XXLQ6
CSC: I9100XEFLP5
Build Info: Wed Aug 22 22:34:22 KST 2012

So what root kernel should I use? And where can I get it? Is it safe to root my phone?
What I am scared about is that I read that I could have a brick-danger here, when I root my phone now.

My question is: can I root it, following your instructions? Especially kwowing the bricking danger, and I can't seem to find the right CF-Root Kernel.

Please advice! Many thanks in advance

Yes, you can root it.

As for the root kernel... see post #1 under the heading, "The Root Kernel".

 

[quark2010]

Yes, you can root it.

As for the root kernel... see post #1 under the heading, "The Root Kernel".

Thanks for the quick answer! One qeustion left, though: Which kernel should I look for?

PDA: I9100XWLPW
PHONE: I9100XXLQ6
CSC: I9100XEFLP5

Should I look for XWLPW, XXLQ6, or XEFLP5?

Aagain thnx in advance,

quark

 

[ironass]

Thanks for the quick answer! One qeustion left, though: Which kernel should I look for?

PDA: I9100XWLPW
PHONE: I9100XXLQ6
CSC: I9100XEFLP5

Should I look for XWLPW, XXLQ6, or XEFLP5?

Aagain thnx in advance,

quark

As per my previous reply and my referral to, "The Root Kernel", section in post #1, it depends on your current, stock, kernel.

The Root Kernel

Kernel. Your choice of CF-Root kernel depends on the kernel you currently have installed on your phone.

Settings > About phone > Kernel version (make a note of this in case of problems)

Once you have ascertained which kernel version you are currently running you will need to go here.

Search posts #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 and #8 for a CF-Root kernel that comes closest to matching your current kernel, i.e. KG1, KF3, KI1, KK5, LPQ, LPS, etc:

For instance, if you are currently using 2.6.35.7-I9100JPKJ2-CL655700root@DELL143 #2 use CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEF_ KJ2 -v5.0-CWM5.zip. If there is not a kernel which matches the letters and numbers in bold just go one number up from yours.

 

[Sydney99]

You've obviously caught Ironass before his 20th cup of coffee of the day!! he's been getting rather grumpy recently when folks don''t read his guides!! But the red bits he has extracted from his guide above really do spell out what you need to do.

if you post back with your current kernel and the file you think you need, I'm sure someone will give you the thumbs up

 

[quark2010]

I'm sorry, but I thought I gave the info you/he needs to direct me in the right direction.. And I read the guide, carefully...

When I read out what's behind "Kernel-version" in "Settings -> About Phone" it says:

"3.0.5-1056084
dpi@DELL168#3
SMP PREEMPT Wed Aug 22 22:5524 KST
2012"

So what do you suggest for me to do now? Look for SMP, maybe? That''s not there...
I'm a bit confused here.... Because I don't see the phrase "I9100" in there, or am I becoming blind?

And sorry if I make you or anyone else grumpy, but I'm new to the S2, I really don't mean to annoy you or anyone else, I'm just confused because I don't see what you mean, really... I really don't know what file to look for... And when I flash a wrong file, I don't know what happens, but it surely can't be good...

FYI: I live in the Netherlands, and I think the phone I bought is originally French... Maybe Korean, if I look at the Time-stamp in the Kernel-version... But the original software I found when I started it the first time was French..

Thnx,

quark

 

[Sydney99]

don't worry, no-one really gets grumpy here. ironass, despite his name, is really a big cuddly grandad figure.

that kernel info is what you need. looks to me that you may have a variant of the i9100 - personally I know nothing of these, but I'm sure a cuddlier version of ironass will soon step in to guide you onto the right path

 

[ironass]

"3.0.5-1056084
dpi@DELL168#3
SMP PREEMPT Wed Aug 22 22:5524 KST
2012"

After typing in *#1234# I found:

PDA: I9100XWLPW
PHONE: I9100XXLQ6
CSC: I9100XEFLP5
Build Info: Wed Aug 22 22:34:22 KST 2012

Now I have the kernel version I can comment!

Your phone's firmware, XEF, is indeed French.

However, your kernel version is unknown to me and as Syd says, "may", be from something like a Korean variant that has been flashed/adapted previosly with GT-i9100 firmware.

I would suggest a rooting method that does not require the use of a root kernel such as, "Method 1", here.

 

[Sydney99]

cuddly indeed.

 

[Arjs]

hey guyz !

Found this thread when searching for Galaxy S2 guide. Guess this is probably the best one for me to understand . I was using Desire Z till now, but upgraded to Galaxy S2 now.


Phone Details :

Model: GT - I9100
Android Version : 4.0.3 (if i remember correctly i updated dis from 2.3 using odin)
BaseBand Version: I9100DDLP8
Kernel Version:
3.0.15-I9100XXLPQ-CL223505
se.infra@SEP-94 #3


Typing *#1234# gives :

PDA : I9100XXLPQ
PHONE : I9100DDLP8
CSC : I9100ODDLP7
Build Info : Fri Mar ........



So as the tutorial says, I searched and I guess this is the one that I have to download-
CF-Root-SGS2_XX_XEO_LPQ-PROPER-v5.4-CWM5.zip

Is this correct ?


Also I want to flash this ROM after rooting -
Rootbox Jelly Bean ROM for Galaxy S2 i9100! [Android 4.1.2]

This ROM will run smooth after this process and this Kernel ??
I want to flash a stable JB ROM only.


Thanks again for all the help guys and ironass for the awesome guide

 

[quark2010]

Thanks, Ironass and Syd, for the info! I'll redirect my attention for rooting my device to XDA and that thread...

Oh yes, and the info about the Kernelversion (XEF) was already in my first post (nr. 305)... I guess there was some more needed than some cups of coffee to see that...

Greetz,

quark

 

[Arjs]

wow 24hrs without a reply.. guess this forum isn't that active as i thought

still waiting for confirmation to start root (

 

[Sydney99]

wow 24hrs without a reply.. guess this forum isn't that active as i thought

still waiting for confirmation to start root (

Yup, right kernel. Go for it.

I tried root box. It was slick and looked amazing. Very stable and all fine until I started trying to add other apps and mods. Just my findings. The love on here at the moment is for neat Rom.

Your lack of reply is probably due to everyone getting excited and distracted over new Rom and kernel releases.

 

[ironass]

Oh yes, and the info about the Kernelversion (XEF) was already in my first post (nr. 305)... I guess there was some more needed than some cups of coffee to see that...

No! I saw that straight away but it had no bearing on the kernel details, as you now know. If I had gone ahead on the firmware information alone you could have, "bricked", your phone as the Android firmware, 4.0.4 firmware contains the, "Brick bug", which could have resulted in your having to get a very costly, motherboard, repair... unless you wanted me to take a chance with your phone!

 

[Arjs]

Thanks for the heads up Sydney99 .. Now, I m really having doubts to install this ROM or not

I really want a full feature rich ROM like this one.. but like you said if this is going to give me trouble later on, then no use flashign it . Is there any other such feature rich ROM that you can suggest me ? I do not change ROM's frequently, so I am looking for a ROM that is stable but yet has all the features..


Also, this kernel is root kernel right ? means after I use this to root my phone and flash a ROM, I can go ahead and flash the siyah kernel ?


Which brings me to my next question.. is the siyah 3.x guide applicable to 4.1 version ? I am still reading about it and which one to flash .. because again, this is a kernel full of features and BLN being my fav one :smokingsomb:


I have still not begun rooting.. will do it after i have all my doubts cleared and have proper knowledge.

will wait for the replies no matter how long it takes. I understand you guyz have other work also . Thanks again for all the help

 

[sntaylor]

You Might Wanna Start Off With An Ics ROM As All Jelly Bean Roms Will Have Minor Issues. Personally I'm Using The Cm10 Nightlies And Dual Booting With An Ics ROM. This Allows Me To Have The Slick Smoothness Of Jelly Bean, But If I'm Going Somewhere I'll Need Reliability/Decent battery Life. I Can Boot Into The Ics ROM.... I Also Use The Secondary ROM As My Tester To Play Around

 

[Sydney99]

Thanks for the heads up Sydney99 .. Now, I m really having doubts to install this ROM or not

I really want a full feature rich ROM like this one.. but like you said if this is going to give me trouble later on, then no use flashign it . Is there any other such feature rich ROM that you can suggest me ? I do not change ROM's frequently, so I am looking for a ROM that is stable but yet has all the features..


Also, this kernel is root kernel right ? means after I use this to root my phone and flash a ROM, I can go ahead and flash the siyah kernel ?


Which brings me to my next question.. is the siyah 3.x guide applicable to 4.1 version ? I am still reading about it and which one to flash .. because again, this is a kernel full of features and BLN being my fav one :smokingsomb:


I have still not begun rooting.. will do it after i have all my doubts cleared and have proper knowledge.

will wait for the replies no matter how long it takes. I understand you guyz have other work also . Thanks again for all the help

yup, this kernel is a root "stock" kernel ie. it's the same as your exisiting kernel except it gives you root access. ironass's siyah 3.x guide applies to allsiyah versions. changing you kernel once rooted is as easy as changing your socks, in fact many on here probably change the former more frequently than the latter.

siyah kernel is a great place to start - rock solid, reliable, great performance and battery. download extweaks from google play to go with it, and this app allows you to tweak the kernel.

other kernels eg dorimanx (based on siyah) are also very good, and have even more tweak options, but even ironass is a little confused by some of these, so siyah is a good place to start.

as for roms, ask 10 people, you'll get 10 different replies. neat is great as it comes with the "aroma2 program which will automatically add yur selected mods/goodies. to my mind, JB roms aren't quite ready, go for an ICS.

 

[Dreamiie]

All Samsung CSC codes are listed in post #2 of, "ICS... CSC are you eligible for an update?".

I'm not exactly sure what you meant. I'm pretty much an idiot at technical stuff like these. I somehow managed to get my phone rooted, by luck I guess.

I flashed CF-Root-SGS2_DX_SIN_LP9-v5.4-CWM5 and got it.

Thanks again for helping out! ^_^

 

[quark2010]

No! I saw that straight away but it had no bearing on the kernel details, as you now know. If I had gone ahead on the firmware information alone you could have, "bricked", your phone as the Android firmware, 4.0.4 firmware contains the, "Brick bug", which could have resulted in your having to get a very costly, motherboard, repair... unless you wanted me to take a chance with your phone!

OK, so I got confused by you making something RED that was already in post 305... And of course I appreciate your help very much! Sorry I didn't understand at first what was expected of me...

I found out that the Brick Bug app calls my chip "Unknown, but at least not one of the chips known to be bad"....!

So that's something less to worry about, I think?

I'll let you know if I rooted my phone, and in what way...

Again thanks for all the help!

Greetz,

quark

 

[ben2306]

hi guys, i need help! i tried root my S2 with ordin. now phone can't start up / reboot. what did i do wrong?
PDA: I9100DXLPB
PHONE : I9100DXLPA
CSC : I9100OLBLPA
i used the "CF-Root-SGS2_XX_OXX_LPB-v5.2-CWM5-PROPER", after the pass in ordin, phone cant start so i tried "CF-Root-SGS2_XX_OXX_LPB-v5.2-CWM5", same after the pass in ordin, also can't start up. my phone turned into rock! please advice ASAP. thanks.
UPDATE: i've unroot the phone. i know i used the wrong kernel. will find the correct 1 & try again.

 

[FirebirdStud]

Ive had to reflash the stock firmware to my phone. I used the one posted on SamMobile website: I9100BULPD_I9100VODLP9_VOD

My original PDA was I9100BULPD and now Vodafone pushed out a new update. It installed over the wifi, and now I have the following info:

PDA: I9100BULPG
Phone: I9100BULP8
CSC: I9100VODLPB

Android 4.0.4
Baseband Version: I9100BULP8
Build Number: IMM76D.BULPG

My concern now is that my kernel reads:
3.0.15-1056084
dpi@DELL131 #3
SMP PREEMPT Thur Sep 13 10:45:25 KST
2012

It no longer reads the 3.0.15-I9100(5 letters and numbers) that it used to.

So, how do I root this thing? Or do I need to flash a different Firmware?