Which Custom ROM? & Custom Kernel?

[Deleted User]

Hey guys!

I have got my Galaxy S2 rooted (Used CF Root) and before rooting I flashed official 2.3.6 which is XWKK5 with Odin and just to note that uses baseband version XXKI3.

Now I want to use a Custom ROM but there are so many so I don't know which to choose and i'm not sure I have seen all of them but I also just want some help choosing a ROM, or at least someone tell me the best overall & most popular ones because there will be reasons why they are popular. I want either vanilla Android or TouchWiz, I don't like MIUI. Some help with choosing a ROM please?

I also want to use a custom kernel because I have heard good things about using a custom kernel, I see a lot of people using 'Siyah'... Is this the best kernel to use overall? What are the advantages of using that custom kernel over using the stock one that comes with XWKK5 and should I use it?

So basicly I just want to know the advantages, and what the best / most popular ROMs and kernels are... Please do not say it depends on my needs and what I like because I have know nothing about the different ROMs etc, I just know i want speed, good battery life and an overall good ROM and I don't like MIUI.

Sorry if I have posted in the wrong place but i'm sure if I have it will get kindly moved... Thanks in advance!

 

[ironass]

Probably the best place for this post is over on:-

Galaxy S2 (International) - All Things Root - Android Forums

There you will find a sticky:-

http://androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-...ot-guide-updated-00-11-gmt-dec-29-2011-a.html

that contains loads of information and updates on all sorts of ROM's and kernels, with the pro's and con's for each one.

There is, I'm afraid, no such thing as the, "best", ROM or kernel, (as you will see from the discussions), only what works for you and suits your needs, CPU and handset usage.

Hope this helps.

 

[Shotgun84]

The best custom rom at the moment is the easy part. Its checkrom revolution.
[ROM][XWKK5][2.3.6] CheckROM RevoHD™ V4 | DarkKnight™ V2.5.2 it's live!! - xda-developers (shouldn't give you any problems flashing, it comes with videos)
Although I hope this changes as there's a brand spanking new neak rom out soon. As for the kernel though I'm going to say what you said not to. But seriously they're is no perfect one. Kernels are funny things, what works for one person is crap for someone else. The joy of checkrom revolution though is there's links to most kernels in their kitchen so its just a case of give it a try and if you don't like it try the next. But from a personal view siyah is the best for me

 

[Shotgun84]

Did I seriously take that long to write that?

 

[Deleted User]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look at that information... I just wanted opinions from others! Also what makes CheckROM so good?

 

[Sydney99]

Did I seriously take that long to right that?

On the pop AGAIN Shotgun?

 

[Sydney99]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look at that information... I just wanted opinions from others! Also what makes CheckROM so good?

It's fast, reliable, stable, good battery and just works. For everyone it seems.

The kitchen app it installs is also its strongest point. It gives you a menu of themes, mods, kernels, modems etc etc to flash directly from the app, so everything there is tested, safe, works well with the rom, and saves going on sea and searching the threads. Ie. gives you all the best bits on a plate.

 

[Sword Fish]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look at that information... I just wanted opinions from others! Also what makes CheckROM so good?

As Syd said above, it works and works well. I have had this ROM on my phone since I got it and have never had a single issue with it. Comes with Kitchen which allows you many different options / mods / themes / modems / kernels and is very easy to use. I have to admit, I haven't tried any other custom ROM's because I didn't need to, checkrom worked that well. Now if you want to talk Kernels, that's another story. Tried most out there and still trying new ones as they come out.

 

[Shotgun84]

On the pop AGAIN Shotgun?

I would love to say no, but then I wouldn't have had half the fun.

Also what makes CheckROM so good?

Syd hasn't managed to break it yet. I think that's all the proof you need

Edit: I'm not sure if this is still a problem with the siyah kernel as I haven't flashed anything from the kitchen since the last few siyah updates. But if you use that kernel you may have to change the name of the clockwork mod file on your external sd card to do it directly. Maybe better to ask someone who hasn't been on the pop to explain that one properly.

 

[Deleted User]

Thanks guys!

 

[Deleted User]

Is CheckROM vanilla Android or TouchWiz?

 

[Shotgun84]

It's TW based. I think the only vanilla android you're going to get is miui or cyanogenmod

 

[Logan47]

GingerMod is pretty close to pure android and runs very solid and quick.
[ROM][23-12-2011] The-GingerMOD v0.8--95% Pure GoogleExperience!- MERRY XMAS!! - xda-developers
I tested it for a few days with Speedmod kernel and it played very nicely. Try several roms and see which ones suits your style. I've had about half a dozen on and off in the last ten days and am pretty new to it all myself so can't give any real comparisons between them yet.
Using CheckROM myself at the moment and it has good battery life, theming and is very smooth.

 

[Deleted User]

Thanks mate what about kernels? What kernels are there and where do i download them from?

 

[ironass]

Thanks mate what about kernels? What kernels are there and where do i download them from?

Here are some of the current kernel threads in this forum:-

http://androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-...-6-2-dummies-guide-installation-settings.html

http://androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-international-all-things-root/438235-siyah-kernel.html

http://androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-international-all-things-root/471773-n-e-k-kernel.html

http://androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-international-all-things-root/478158-phenomenal-kernel.html

The Siyah kernel is probably the most popular at the moment as you can see.

For more information about kernels, governors and schedulers.. see here:-

[REF] Quasar kernel governors and I/O schedulers manual - xda-developers

and here:-

[REF][&Tweaks] Kernel Governors, Modules, I/O Schedulers & CPU Tweaks: Siyah & Others - xda-developers

A lot more info is also available in the excellent sticky, at the top of this forum, entitled... "Samsung Galaxy S2 Root Guide".

 

[Deleted User]

Thanks a lot mate

 

[Deleted User]

Another question... I am currently using XXKI3 moodem (Baseband)... I'm on Orange UK so what s the best one to use?

 

[ironass]

Another question... I am currently using XXKI3 moodem (Baseband)... I'm on Orange UK so what s the best one to use?

A quick glance down this forum shows that CheckROM v4 is the most popular ROM, and one of the easiest to install and use.

Siyah is currently one of the most used and talked about kernels that works well with the SGSII.

 

[Logan47]

If you install CheckROM you'll have the chance to try out differnt modem software. There are some threads on here and at xda about them but best bet is to try some and see which one gives you good signal/performance where you are as your experience may vary.
KL1 seems good for me and others.

 

[Deleted User]

If you install CheckROM you'll have the chance to try out differnt modem software. There are some threads on here and at xda about them but best bet is to try some and see which one gives you good signal/performance where you are as your experience may vary.
KL1 seems good for me and others.

The thing is though im not that good at testing signal because im in a strong area and i cant easily tell if its stronger or weaker or if its just the way it is... Also its not like one modem is good for everyone some modems work better on one network whereas they are no good for another so i want to know what the best modem for Orange UK is... Also what network are you on while using KL1?

 

[Logan47]

I'm on O2 UK so can only say for my network. Don't have a orange sim handy to check signal comparison. If you get good signal then try a few others and see if it better on say 3g than current. If your signal is good all round then I'd guess not much to be gained by changing.

 

[Deleted User]

okay thanks mate ill try em all is there a tread anywhere with them all on? i have been looking but cant seem to find anything, maybe i have missed it lol

 

[Sydney99]

If you use checkrom, there is a list of modems to choose from in the kitchen.

 

[Shotgun84]

There's also 2 or 3 in this thread that aren't in the checkrom kitchen.
http://androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-international-all-things-root/460792-kl1-modem.html

 

[Sword Fish]

I've been using KP8 for over a week and find it to be better than KL1 and KP1. I am on Rogers in Canada.