March 1, 2012

[HOW TO] Flash SGS and install custom ROM - FULL GUIDE

SAMSUNG GALAXY S I9000
In this tutorial I will show you how to flash your Samsung Galaxy S, gain root permissions and install a custom ROM step by step.

This guide can be also used as a reference for other devices too. The flashing and installation of custom ROMS in other devices is similar.

WARNING!

BE SURE TO READ THE GUIDE CAREFULLY!
IT'S IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS STEP BY STEP!
PLEASE NOTE THAT DOING THE FOLLOWING, IT WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY!

BEFORE DO ANYTHING IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO CREATE A BACKUP OF YOUR DATA THAT IS NOT STORED ON THE SD CARD, SUCH AS CONTACTS AND SMS/MMS BECAUSE YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING!

TO CREATE A BACKUP USE APPLICATIONS SUCH AS Titanium Backup.

AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF A CUSTOM ROM, YOU CAN NO LONGER USE KIES.

MAKE SURE YOUR DEVICE IS FULLY CHARGED.

AGAIN FOLLOW THE STEPS CAREFULLY! I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE!

STEP 0  - NECESSARY FILES AND SOFTWARE

First things first, make sure you have the following:
STEP 1 - INSTALLING CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY USING ODIN (RECOMMENDED)
  1. Unpack Odin
  2. Launch Odin.exe
  3. Click the PDA button and choose hardcore's kernel file or the CF-Root file you downloaded
  4. Make sure Re-Partition is unchecked
  5. Power off your SGS
  6. Connect the microUSB cable to the computer. DONT connect it to your device yet!
  7. Boot your SGS into DOWNLOAD MODE
    • To do it hold down the Home, Volume Down and the Power button
  8. Connect the microUSB cable to your SGS
  9. If your device is connected Odin will recognise it
  10. Click Start in Odin and wait
  11. When the process is completed your device will restart
  12. That's it! ClockworkMod is now installed and you have ROOT permissions!
    STEP 1 (ALTERNATIVE WAY)  - INSTALLING THE CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY USING HEIMDALL SUITE
    1. Unpack the Heimdall Suite
    2. Untar the hardcore's Kernel
    3. Copy zImage from hardcore's Kernel folder into Heimdall Suite folder
    4. Power off your SGS
    5. Connect the microUSB cable to the computer. DONT connect it to your device yet!
    6. Boot your SGS into DOWNLOAD MODE
      • To do it hold down the Home, Volume Down and the Power button
    7. Connect the microUSB cable to your SGS
    8. Go to the unzipped Heimdall Suite folder
    9. Go to the Drivers folder
    10. Run zadig.exe
    11. From the menu, go to Options and check List All Devices
    12. From the drop down menu select Samsung USB Composite Device
    13. Click Install Driver
      • If a warning message appears ignore it and click "Install driver anyway"
    14. Once the driver is installed remove the cable from your SGS
    15. Power off your SGS
    16. Boot your SGS into DOWNLOAD MODE
    17. Connect your SGS again to the computer
    18. Open the command prompt(cmd)
    19. Type: 
      • cd "location_of_Heimdall_Suite"
      • For example if the Heimdall Suite folder is inside the Downloads folder 
      • type: cd C:\Users\YourUserName\Downloads\heimdall-suite-1.3.1-win32
    20. Click Enter
    21. Then type:
      • heimdall flash --kernel zImage
    22. Hit Enter
    23. Then you'll see a blue transfer bar on your SGS. After the transfer is complete your SGS will reboot automatically
    24. Well Done! ClockworkMod is now installed and you have ROOT permissions!
    STEP 2  - INSTALLING A CUSTOM ROM

    It's not necessary to install a custom ROM but if you want to, follow the following steps:
    1. Place the downloaded customROM zip file on the root of the internal sd card of your SGS
    2. Power off your SGS
    3. Boot your SGS into ClockworkMod Recovery
      • To do it hold down the Home, Volume up and the Power button
    4. When you are inside ClockworkMod Recovery
      1. To move, use the Volume up & down buttons
      2. To select use the Home button or the Power button
    5. Select the option Wipe data/factory reset 
    6. Select the option Wipe cache partition
    7. Select Install zip from sdcard
    8. Select Choose zip from sdcard
    9. Select the custom ROM
    10. When the installation is complete
      1. Select Goback
      2. Then select Reboot system
    11. Well Done! The custom ROM is now installed!
    12. Enjoy!