Noob Root.......Need help!

[john_khan]

Hi, everyone. I got my Galaxy SII just a week ago and so far i am very happy with the features it provides. I was earlier on a Nokia E71 and i had software like Call Recorder and SymSMB (puts your phone on Samba Network to access by windows computers). Now however, i am not able to get these features without root! I require:
1. Samba Server (not a client like ES File Explorer)
2. A Good Call Recorder (that has 2 way recording without speakerphone and works with bluetooth headset too - tried TotalRecall, very dissapointing as compared to Symbian one)
3. The ability to hide/remove apps (using Titanium Backup or Hide It Pro-both require root)
To get these features, i assume that i would require a root. This leads to the other part of my question. How many ways are there to root? How difficult is it to root? Are there any chances of bricking the phone? How to recover from a brick? Is there a FULL Guide on rooting (preferrably a video)? I have included my present System Specs (download the Snapshot below). Is my phone compatible for Root? Is there any way to get rid of the yellow triangle after rooting? I am very sorry for the annoying questions but i really need help! Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Hawker]

Every android device can be rooted.
Full details on how to root are here and here

Personally I would choose the Odin/CF-Root route!

 

[john_khan]

Thanks for the quick reply! Is there a risk in doing the root? I am a careful user so that is not much of a problem, but still.....Another thing, In this link:[ROM+Guide]Official i9100 Firmwares KG1/2/3/5/6/7, KH1/2/3/4, KI1/2/4 Download - xda-developers i have found XWKF3 and my country (India), but which of the many links do i have to download to do the root? Is it just me, or was the guide not very clear?

P.S: What is the difference between

"XWKF3 Stock Kernel: LINK"

and

XWKF3
Firmware info
PDA:XWKF3
PHONE: XXKE7
Build date: 09/06/2011

INU (India): LINK

on the above mentioned site? Which link do i have to use to root?

 

[Hawker]

There is always a risk, but it is VERY VERY slim. You would need a power cut or your PC to die during the flash. If flashing, I ALWAYS use my laptop (so battery backup also) so at least this eliminates one possible disaster scenario

Once rooted, you have less chance of screwing things up as rooting installs clockworkmod recovery (CWM) which allows you when powered off to power on by also pressing Vol-UP+HOME key which boots you into recovery mode that allows you to do an array of weird+wonderful things, 2 of which are a nandroid backup, and restore. This allows you to put your phone back to the exact point of backup.

CF-Root (the 2nd link above) is probably the way to go, as I've heard another method (superoneclick) can sometime be problematic.

The link you posted is for firmware (not rooting) you can do this with or without rooting first, its up to you. If you do root, use the approprate version CF-root file to your firmware. As for the Indian version specifically, I think latest version according to samfirmware.com is XWKE8 so it would appear need to go to the following section in the thread:

XWKE8
Firmware info
PDA:XWKE8
PHONE: DDKE2
Build date: 18/05/2011
Generic India (ODD): Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites!
XWKE8 Stock Kernel: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites!
XWKE8 Kernel mirror: Free File Hosting Made Simple - MediaFire
Password: intratech@XDA

You would need the first link.
but this is firmware. NOT rooting!

However there are later XW??? versions, but I'm not sure if these would be ok for you to download. Others far more knowledgeable than me on here will confirm/deny this for you.

 

[john_khan]

But isnt it necessary to bring it to a certain insecure (not sure which - XWKDD?) firmware before rooting? Or can i just run Superoneclick/Odin on my current firmware? I am a noob when it comes to Android so please forgive me if i get confused between Stock Kernels and insecure firmware.......!

 

[Hawker]

Rooting itself will give you the "insecure" kernel. You will then get the yellow triangle on boot (which unlike most others I keep on there) but its easy enough to get rid of should you want.

If you are not rooted, you can root at any time. You could have had 10 firmware upgrades via Kies or Odin, and you will still be unrooted, and wont have the yellow triangle.

When you do eventually choose to root, then use the appropriate CF-Root file to your current firmware. For example your currently on KF3, so if your were to do it now you would need to flash CF-Root-SGS2_XW_CLK_KF3-v4.0-CWM4.zip. You will then be yellow-triangled with an "insecure" kernel.

 

[john_khan]

So that XWKDD firmware change using Odin is junk? I don't need to do it then do I? Can you please briefly explain CF-Root to me? Dont seem to know how to use it!

 

[Sydney99]

you can use odin to

1.flash an update to any new build version (firmware), OR

2. obtain root via chainfire

they're 2 seperate processes.

basically, to root you find the chainfire (CF) file that corresponds to your build version (firmware). so if you're currently on KF3 build, you find chainfires KF3 file, if you're on KG5 you find chainfires kg5 file etc etc.......
then by flashing the CF file through odin, you will be rooted. that's it really.

the CF file will change a small part of the firmware (the kernel) to an "insecure kernel" which allows you root access to the firmware (like administrator rights).

every time you update/change your firmware, you loose root. so most people want to flash via odin one of the latest firmware (eg. KH3), then will use chainfires insecure KH3 kernel to obtain root. ie. update, then root.

(the "stock kernels" that you'll find on the same page as the firmware page are basically the secure kernels you would need if you wanted to get rid of the yellow triangle that appears after rooting - otherwise you can ignore these for now)

 

[Alien8472]

So flashing 'Insecure' allows root, then once you have root, you can switch back to 'Secure' to get rid of triangle? So is getting rid of triangle the only difference between the 2?

Again i'm like a lot of folk on here, completely new to android and desperatley trying to find something or someone to explain it all

Chrs

 

[imprez me]

The patience of hawker and sydney99 answering in this thread gave me a good understanding of the difference of flashing/rooting and all the terms. thank you.

just a question to clear my confusion. since my galaxy s2 is 2.3.5, flash via odin.
Kernel version: 2.6.35.7 I9100XWKJ2-CL676699root@DELL144 #2

if i were to root. i need to find a chainfire (CF) file that correspond to my current kernal version, in my case would be KJ2?

as of now i am not rooted yet. therefore my kernel is secure, if i were to root, it modifies my kernel to insecure am i correct?

after i done rooting. and let say i am those perfectionist people and want to get rid of the yellow triangle. i just need to find my corresponding stock kernel file, KJ2 stock kernel? and just flash via odin?

 

[Hawker]

Yes you are correct.
But you don't need to flash a secure kernel to get rid of the yellow triangle. this would also mean you losing root. there are instructions on cf-root thread to remove it, or my preferred method is using a usb jig.

 

[imprez me]

since my Kernel version: 2.6.35.7 I9100XWKJ2-CL676699root@DELL144 #2

this (rooting file) CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEF_KJ2-v4.4-CWM4.zip will truly work? the XW_XEF_KJ2 really blew me off.

i have read the instruction on
[03.11.2011][CF-Root 4.4] KE*, KF*, KG*, KH1/3/4, KI2/3/4/8, KJ1/2 - su+bb+CWM4 - xda-developers
for removing the yellow triangle. 10 steps seems quite confusing for a inexperience android user like me. what is the usb job method?

 

[Hawker]

They cost about

 

[Sydney99]

since my Kernel version: 2.6.35.7 I9100XWKJ2-CL676699root@DELL144 #2

this (rooting file) CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEF_KJ2-v4.4-CWM4.zip will truly work? the XW_XEF_KJ2 really blew me off.

i have read the instruction on
[03.11.2011][CF-Root 4.4] KE*, KF*, KG*, KH1/3/4, KI2/3/4/8, KJ1/2 - su+bb+CWM4 - xda-developers
for removing the yellow triangle. 10 steps seems quite confusing for a inexperience android user like me. what is the usb job method?

yes that file will work

re yellow triangle using the jig as per hawker is simple

but if you want to do it otherwise,
1. get corresponding secure kernel as you've already worked out
2. get your CF insecure kernel, unrar it to extract the zzimage file, and add the zzimage file to your phones memory
4. flash the secure kernel via odin
5. then when you reboot, start CWM (an app that rooting installs), select flash kernel and select the zzimage file. job done

it's that easy!!

 

[imprez me]

thank you hawker and sydney99 for your replies.
a quick question. does flashing firmware via odin, affect your flash counter or only when rooting, insecure roms?

 

[Intercrew]

What is this firmware counter? Is it something that stops the phone from being modified after a certain time of modding?

 

[Alien8472]

CHrs guys, well i flashed my Virgin Mobile S2 with no problems at all 5 mins after i posted here following that guide on Cnet. It would appear to get rid of yellow triangle all i have to do now is flash the secure KI2 kernel i downloaded from same page as those insecure ones, am i right?

 

[Sydney99]

thank you hawker and sydney99 for your replies.
a quick question. does flashing firmware via odin, affect your flash counter or only when rooting, insecure roms?

yes flashing firmware thru odin affects flash counter.

the flash counter counts how many times you flash something to your phone!! if it goes above 0, you potentially may loose your warranty.

 

[Sydney99]

CHrs guys, well i flashed my Virgin Mobile S2 with no problems at all 5 mins after i posted here following that guide on Cnet. It would appear to get rid of yellow triangle all i have to do now is flash the secure KI2 kernel i downloaded from same page as those insecure ones, am i right?

yes, but once you've done this then you have to extract the zzimage file of the insecure kernel you used to root, add it to your phone, and flash it through cwm.

 

[Intercrew]

What's the difference between sedcure and insedcure? Just one has a triangle and other doesn't when booting?

 

[Sydney99]

My assumption has always been that secure means that it doesn't allow access to important system files, it's secure because it stops you messing up your phone ie unrooted.
Insecure you do have access, so your phone can be messed up if you alter the wrong system files ie rooted.

I'm sure one of the clever ones on here will be able to confirm/correct this assumption!

 

[Intercrew]

I'm sorry to hijack the thread john_khan, but since I didn't want to really start a new thread when my questions are a bit smilar.

So if anyone has time to go through this, it'll be beneficial.

First of all does it matter what firmware my phone is in? And is there a current firmware that is "recommended" or best for the phone itself in general? I have to wait a week or two for my phone to arrive and I wanted to do was first root and get all this hassle settled down. I read that as long as my firmware is over 2.3.4 it'll be good?

Second, is this method:
AndroidNZ: [At Your Own Risk] How to Root your Samsung Galaxy S II

same as this method?
[03.11.2011][CF-Root 4.4] KE*, KF*, KG*, KH1/3/4, KI2/3/4/8, KJ1/2 - su+bb+CWM4 - xda-developers

because I can't really understand with the xda as it doesn't seem straight forward.

Thirdly, what is clockworks mod? What is its purpose and is it needed?

Thanks
http://www.androidnz.net/2011/10/at-your-own-risk-how-to-root-your.html

 

[Sydney99]

No it doesn't matter what firmware you use. Although not the newest, ki4 if almost latest, widely used, and very reliable.

The 2 guides are the same, chain fire is definitely the best method to root.

Cwm is a program added to your phone when you root by this method, it allows you to apply roms, zip files, mod files etc to your phone directly without odin. You can also do system back ups through it.

 

[Intercrew]

Oh so is CWM like a "my computer" application on a pc? Where it acts both as a storage and viewable folders.

 

[DriveAliveApp]

Hey, I don't know which insecure kernel file to download.. because my kernel number is only... 2.6.35.7 with nothing after it. Can anyone help me find out what to do? I understand the process I was using a guide, I just got stuck on that step because I don't know which file to download and unzip.