New Tools for Root and Flashing - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II SGH-I777

Three new tools have been released or updated by their developers recently that may have a major impact on how we root and flash our phones. I will need to update the Guides with the new information, but first some confirmations are needed.
1) Chainfire has released a tool called Mobile Odin which will flash roms from the phone. There are two versions, Mobile Odin Pro which is available on the market for a small fee, and Mobile Odin Lite which is available free to xda members. Quoting from his thread: Flashing with Mobile ODIN does NOT increase your custom kernel flash counter or make the yellow warning triangle appear. This tool was updated today (November 28, 2011) to work with a host of new phones, including SGH-I777.
2) DooMLoRD has released DooMLoRD's Easy Rooting Toolkit (zergRush Exploit) which is reported to allow permanant rooting of our SGH-I777 phone without installing a custom kernel. This was most recently updated on November 16, 2011.
3) CLShortFuse developed SuperOneClick Root over a year ago, and recently updated it (November 10, 2011) to include the ZergRush exploit and SU 3.0.
With these tools, if they work as advertised on our phone, it will be possible to root and install custom software without incrementing the flash counter. When you have used one or more of these tools, I would appreciate it if you would post your results back here in this thread so I can gather information to update the [GUIDE] How to Flash Custom Binaries Without Ever Incrementing the Flash Counter!!
Thanks.

---

I have used the new version of SuperOneClick with the zergRush exploit to successfully root my SG2. However I will mention that the Unroot feature of SuperOneClick did not work. I simply used the unroot script DooMLoRD provided in his thread and I was able to unroot successfully. I am currently still unrooted as I have a business app I have to run that will not if it detects root. However, I assume either SuperOneClick or DooM's script will work once again if needed.

---

Will any of these tools reset flash counter and warning sign on already rooted phone?
I rooted without knowing these problems. Now I'm stuck with it.
Jig may or may not work, so didn't even try yet.

---

lambition said:
Will any of these tools reset flash counter and warning sign on already rooted phone?
I rooted without knowing these problems. Now I'm stuck with it.
Jig may or may not work, so didn't even try yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. At some point we may figure it out to reset it through software, but until then only jigs reset the counter.
Sent from my páhhōniē

---

I recently noticed after flashing to UnNamed that the caution sign didn't appear. Has the ROM been developed to not trigger it or does it have to do with using the jig? I bought a jig a month ago from mobiletechvideo and I've only used it once. I've flashed CM7, Galnet MIUI and UnNamed since with no caution sign.

---

These tools will probably provide a new way to flash custom software without incrementing the flash counter. None of them will remove the warning triangle or reset the flash counter, however.
The only two ways to remove the warning triangle, and get the AT&T boot screen back, are 1) jig and 2) flash a stock kernel with Odin or Heimdall.
The only known way to reset the flash counter is with a jig.
The only thing that causes the I9100 boot screen with the warning triangle and increments the flash counter is flashing a custom kernel with Odin or Heimdall. So, you can flash with adb or Android Terminal Emulator or ClockworkMod Recovery, or appearantly with the new Mobile Odin, without incrementing the flash counter.
I'm definitely interested in hearing about peoples results using these tools. That is the main purpose of this thread. Thanks.

---

I used the DooMLoRD method, which is really easy, and it's been working for several weeks with no issues. I haven't needed to unroot, so haven't tried that yet.
[Edit] I haven't tried flashing a new rom, so I can't comment on the flashing without triangle. I just wanted root for a couple small issues, I'm going to wait to start flashing until some stable releases of ICS start appearing.

---

I've used SuperOneClick with Zerg to root, then installed Entropy's Daily Driver through Android Terminal then flashed UnNamed through CWM all without tripping any counters.
Love it!

---

So just confirming, when I get my S II, using your earlier guide that's a sticky, I'll be able to not increment the flash counter AT ALL (flashing Entropy's kernel through adb, then flashing the unNamed Rom via CWM, and also flashing the su package for root)?
Or should I wait a week or so for you to possibly update your guide, with an even more idiot-proof process?
Thanks again!

---

Thanks for sharing

---

avidmovies said:
So just confirming, when I get my S II, using your earlier guide that's a sticky, I'll be able to not increment the flash counter AT ALL (flashing Entropy's kernel through adb, then flashing the unNamed Rom via CWM, and also flashing the su package for root)?
Or should I wait a week or so for you to possibly update your guide, with an even more idiot-proof process?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The guide is still good. I'd like to provide all the options though.
At this point, it is clear that rooting with either SuperOneClick or ZergRush will be part of step 2 in the guide, and may be easier than using Odin or Heimdall.
Still waiting for any information on Mobile Odin. If it's easy to use on our phones, it may be an improvement over steps 3 and 4.

---

Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

---

Used the zergrush root and then mobile odin to set my friends sgsii up with unnamed and icsrewed theme. Worked great without one issue.
Sent from my páhhōniē

---

gr8hairy1 said:
Used the zergrush root and then mobile odin lite to set my friends sgsii up with unnamed and icsrewed theme. Worked great without one issue.
Sent from my páhhōniē
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you use lite or pro?
Could you describe using Mobile Odin, setting it up, how the flashkernel works, etc?

---

I downloaded the zergrush root package from the op. Then went to (edit):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1347899
and downloaded mobile Odin lite.
First downloaded Samsung kies for the proper drivers then downloaded and opened zergrush. When you first open zergrush by opening 'run me' (i think it was called) it will tell you everything you need to have already done before plugging in your phone. It recommends changing your screen timeout to 10. I'm guessing this is for adb use, as adb can not connect to your phone if the screen is off.
I then plugged the phone in and pressed a key for it to start. All in all it took around 5 minutes. Majority of the time was processes coming up that waited 40 seconds. Guessing the phone was doing things that you couldn't see. At no time did I need to press anything on the keyboard or phone.
After that was done I opened mobile Odin lite. It gives you the choice of downloading the file you need or cancel. I already had the kernel I was going to flash, entropy512's dd, but I clicked download file just in case out would load the file for me. Well it didn't. It took my browser to:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1347899
That's great for most users but I already had the zImage I wanted. I hit the back arrow which took me to a black screen, guessing mobile Odin. Hit back again and was at my home screen. Reopened mobile Odin, and after a few tries found out you need to hit cancel to continue on.
That gives you this screen:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
After that:
The only main option is kennel, and that's all I neededafter choosing it I got:
It was stored on the root of my internal sdcard, so I selected internal and then seen:
It obviously automatically put the kernel at the top by itself. Picked it and then had:
Chose flash kernel, rebooted the phone, and it was done. Downloaded unnamed, used three button hold to get into recovery, sure enough CWM was there, chose unnamed. Rebooted and viola, custom rom. Through this whole process the boot screen never changd to i9100 with the yellow exclamation point or was the flash counter tripped.
Sent from my páhhōniē
(yeah, I typed that all on my phone, talk about a sore hand)

---

I guess after you open Odin, you pour a Guinness , then download the file you need or cancel?

---

@gr8hairy1
Nice write up. Very useful. I'll probably get a chance to install this and play around with it tomorrow. Couple questions though.
gr8hairy1 said:
I downloaded the zergrush root package from the op. Then went on the android market and downloaded mobile Odin lite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you download the lite version from the market? I only see the pro version on the market, and Chainfire's thread also indicates to download the lite version from his thread.
...
After that was done I opened mobile Odin lite. It gives you the choice of downloading the file you need or cancel. I already had the kernel I was going to flash, entropy512's dd, but I clicked download file just in case it would load the file for me. Well it didn't. It took my browser to:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1347899
That's great for most users but I already had the zImage I wanted. I hit the back arrow which took me to a black screen, guessing mobile Odin. Hit back again and was at my home screen. Reopened mobile Odin, and after a few tries found out you need to hit cancel to continue on...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know what Chainfire means in his Mobile Odin thread by flashkernels? Did you have to download one? From your write up, it sounds like you didn't and Entropy's kernel flashed fine.
Thanks.

---

iainash said:
I guess after you open Odin, you pour a Guinness , then download the file you need or cancel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah buddy! Need to put that step in there.
Though I'm a yengling fan
Edit: lol, just seen my guinness spelling error. Nice to know swype appreciates a good beer
Sent from my páhhōniē

---

creepyncrawly said:
@gr8hairy1
Nice write up. Very useful. I'll probably get a chance to install this and play around with it tomorrow. Couple questions though.
Did you download the lite version from the market? I only see the pro version on the market, and Chainfire's thread also indicates to download the lite version from his thread.
Do you know what Chainfire means in his Mobile Odin thread by flashkernels? Did you have to download one? From your write up, it sounds like you didn't and Entropy's kernel flashed fine.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right, I downloaded it from xda. Not sure how I got that mixed up. I'll update my post. Though I had taken a vicodin, alieve, and 2 benedryl around 1am, and it was almost 2am when I posted that. Stupid butt surgery is kicking my butt.
And correct, I did not download his flashkernel. I was tempted to flash it to check out what it did but it wasn't my phone I was working on. I stuck with flashing what I knew would get me cwm, and flashed Entropy512's kernel. Flashed with no issue.
Sent from my páhhōniē

---

creepyncrawly said:
2) DooMLoRD has released DooMLoRD's Easy Rooting Toolkit (zergRush Exploit) which is reported to allow permanant rooting of our SGH-I777 phone without installing a custom kernel. This was most recently updated on November 16, 2011.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First I wanted to say THANK YOU for all your help. I was able to follow your guide to flash my phone with out incrementing the flash counter.
But before I did that I did try DoomLoRD root fix. It worked as advertised and was exactly how the instructions were documented. I had no issues.
Again big thanks to you for all your help!