The trouble with Vibrant is that it cannot be rooted if it is running Froyo. First, it has to be downgraded to Eclair via Odin, and then can you apply the root update file. I wasn't even able to root it via the universal root tutorial.
For the sake of others, I will now list the steps of rooting the Samsung Vibrant in case it is running 2.2 Froyo.
1. Download Odin, this PIT file and this tar of the Stock 2.1 Eclair.
2. Put the phone into download mode. The best way to do that is to turn off the phone and reinsert the battery. Then press both volume up and down and connect the USB cable while holding them.
3. Let all the drivers install. This won't work till all the drivers are automatically installed.
4. Open Odin. You should see a COM port connected and colored yellow.
5. Select the PIT file, and put the tar file in PDA.
6. Re-partition will be checked and that's okay.
7. Click start.
8. Ideally, it should start and complete in about 5 minutes. (If it hangs or gets stuck at setting up connection, try again with different ports. For me, it didn't work for quite some time. Then I tried to restart the phone but it showed the triangle of death [a phone and a computer with a yellow triangle in between]. But when I tried it again with that screen, Odin worked the first time.)
9. When booted into Eclair, enable USB debugging from Applications> Development.
10. Copy this update.zip to the INTERNAL MEMORY. This file will root the phone and install Superuser and BusyBox.
11. Also copy this update.zip to the INTERNAL MEMORY. This file will install Clockworkmod Recovery. Obviously both files should be applied separately because at a time only one file named update.zip can be placed.
12. To install an update, boot into the recovery. To do that, turn off your phone and then turn it on by holding the volume down and power buttons. In the stock recovery, select "reinstall packages".
13. Repeat above step with Clockworkmod Recovery update.zip
Congratulations, you now have a rooted Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant T959! Feel free to flash new ROMs!
Source
Right Ahmad you've made a whole lotta sense. Bravo man! I'm running on Froyo and rooting's been impossible. But I seek a little clarification before I follow these steps
ReplyDelete...
By selecting the PIT file (I guess you're referring to the one I downloaded), does that means selecting the .pit and the .tar file and together adding both (pit and tar) to PDA? And what is the PDA? Where am I going to find it? Is it on the Odin interface or would PDA be another folder?...
Also,to install the superuser and CWM recovery, am I to do that while the phone is on? Or in the download or recovery mode?
I dunno if they're apk files :D
I hope you'll respod asap.
Thanks man.
1. Open Odin, press PIT and select the .pit file. Then press PDA button (in Odin) and select the .tar file.
ReplyDelete2. Transfer the zips to the phone via USB when it is on. And install them via recovery.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Ahmad. I finally managed to root the stubborn Froyo with SuperOneClick without having to downgrade to Eclair. I'd actually tried the same software previously, it never worked. Then it struck me to try resetting the phone to factory default; did that and tried rooting immediately after and that was it. I wanna do the CWM recovery next and from there get me up to Jellybean (?). I'd get back to you should I require help along the way. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTransfer the CWM recovery update.zip and reboot into recovery.
ReplyDeleteThen select "reinstall packages".
If it doesn't work, you'll have to downgrade to Eclair.
After this is there some way I can upgrade it to Froyo again??
ReplyDeleteYes. Look at the device forums on xda.
ReplyDeleteAhmad, I have a question.
ReplyDeleteMy device already has the Clair version,now Im trying to install Ice Cream version. Im using ODIN 3.0 ver download all files but still can do it.
Could you plese help and give me some advices?
If you already have Eclair, follow Step 9 onwards.
ReplyDeleteWhen rooted with a recovery, you can install any ROM of your choosing.
i am trying to put in download mode. I need to press the volume up down buttons when the phone is off or on. I tried it when it was off and nothing happened.
ReplyDeleteJust after posting that comment, I managed to put it in download mode. Now my phone has eclair. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand where to put the update.zip. Can you please explain? Thanks again.
Connect your phone via USB and put the file in the main internal memory, not in any folder; just what appears when you open it in your computer.
ReplyDeleteI am stuck on step 3. After running download mode, the screen displays "downloading" but on the computer, it prompted me to install Gadget series and is looking for a driver to install. As you mentioned it's supposed to install automatically. When I cancel it, it says problem occurred during hardware installation and will not work. please help. thanks.
ReplyDeleteDownload and install these drivers:
ReplyDeletehttp://rapidshare.com/files/3359666143/Drivers.zip
THANK YOU very much. The rest of the steps were easy to follow. Successfully rooted!
ReplyDeleteNo problem. :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHow do you do it if you already have the 2.2 version?
ReplyDeleteThis tutorial IS about how to root if you've upgraded to Android 2.2 (Froyo). Just follow all the steps.
Deletemy phone won't allow me to download any form of cwm from android app. help please
ReplyDeleteplus all the alternative cwm apps force closes on me. & I can't get certain apps ex. IG , KIK . I havee the Samsung Galaxy s vibrant t959 w a simple mobile service plan .
DeleteYou need to download the CWM on your PC and flash them through the recovery, not try to install them from you phone.
Deletedo you know where i can download that from please ?
DeleteThe download links are highlighted in orange. Please pay attention before asking questions. The instructions are very clear.
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DeleteThank you !!! This is great. I saw your response in one of the comments about going to froyo after I've rooted my phone but having a hard time finding the how-tos in xda or google search without sifting through all the noise. Basically now that I've rooted my phone from Eclair, I want to get the Gingerbread version (2.3.4 preferably), but having a hard time finding custom roms for that version (its part of a test I'm using to test my app for backwards compatibility in gb). On top of that, I can't install from google play ROM Manager from Eclair. Can you help? I think if I can get the gb rom (preferably stock gb or as close to stock as possible) I can figure out the rest ....
ReplyDeleteOk, with a little persistence, I found a site that might get me the gb rom (http://dineshrathod.info/2011/09/13/rom-get-android-2-3-5-for-samsung-vibrant-t959/, at the time of this writing). So hopefully this will get me to where I need. Thanks again !!
Deleteergh, it appears that link doesn't contain the link to the GB ROM ... my search continues :(
DeleteThe best website to download stock Samsung firmware is sammobile.com/firmwares.
DeleteThis link is 2.3.5 for T959 that I got from Sammobile: http://hotfile.com/dl/145794328/751c4b5/T959VUVKI1_TMB.zip.html
And here is the link for the XDA Post that has links for all Vibrant ROMs, including a lot of Gingerbread ROMs too:
Deletehttp://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=33906865&postcount=6
I have it booted in DOWNLOAD mode. I see the yellow triangle, but when it's connected to the PC and in download mode, I don't see the port turn yellow on ODIN. i attached the PDA and PIT files you mentioned, and hit start, but nothing happens.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should turn off debug mode.
Nope. ODIN isn't responding to my connected device.
ReplyDeleteMy phone says "Downloading..." Do not turn off Target!!!!
So what am I doing wrong?
EDIT: nevermind. the port showed up and turned yellow after several minutes...
What do I do if the big white square turns red and says FAIL! ? :C
ReplyDeleteID:0/004> Can't open the serial(COM) port.
I don't know how to pick different ports....
It means there is a faulty connection between the phone and your PC.
DeleteMake sure you have all the drivers, restart your PC and try again.
I don't see CWM in my apps or BusyBox. I see SuperUser but nothing shows up when I open it. I did all the steps and installed all the files separately, help?
ReplyDeleteThe way to find out of your phone is rooted is to run a root aap eg root explorer or titanium backup. If you get a prompt from supersu, your phone is rooted.
ReplyDeleteI got titanium backup and it said the root access failed. Any more tips?
ReplyDeleteWait, never mind it works. But how do I install the Clockwork Memory? It doesn't show up in my apps. Is it already installed?
ReplyDeleteThe Clockworkmod recovery is not an app. To check if it is installed, boot into recovery as told in step no. 12.
DeleteIt doesn't show up. It should bring me to a custom recovery but it doesn't. It just reboots. I'm trying to install the Jelly Bean CynogenMod. Clockworkmod is required but it doesn't want to open. Is their another way to install it?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, that's the only way. Make sure you root it with the first update.zip and then install recovery with the second update.zip. You might be missing a step which is causing your problems.
Deletehey bro i saw ur post during brwosing as i have sucessfully rooted my galaxy vibrant sgh-t959 but when i separately flash cwm update,zip its not rooted what i do
ReplyDeletethe error keep on saying e;// not fond any directory ???
also want to ask the ROM of ginger bread u provided for sgh-t959V is compatible with sgh-t959 ??? i think with the version " v " its for galaxy s 4g
DeleteAre you sure you rooted it? Check by running a root app. Only after you're rooted can you run the CWM update.zip
DeleteAnd SGH-T959 ROMs work both ways, but not on the 4G version.
hey even i occured with this error nw i cant get my cWM after re installing packages is there any solution to fix this problem
DeleteI followed your steps through step 8. Now my phone will only flash "Vibrant Samsung" on the screen. I can't do anything with it. It won't go in recovery mode, will not turn on, but I can get it back in Download mode. Any suggestions? I was just trying to unlock it to use an AT&T sims card and to root it. T-Mobile won't give us the unlock code because it hasn't been used within the past week. That is the reason I was trying to use your method. Please help me get my phone back to working.
ReplyDeleteTry flashing the firmware through Download mode again. If it doesn't work, make sure your phone model and the firmware match (and you're not using some other model).
DeleteI tried re-flashing, and the same thing. Flashes Vibrant on power up. The model is T959V.
DeleteMine is doing the exact same thing right now.
DeleteWhich firmware are you using?
DeleteI currently have 2.2
DeleteWhich firmware are you trying to flash? The one given in Step 1?
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ReplyDeleteDear Ahmed, thanks for this tutorial.
ReplyDeleteI tried flashing my phone with the steps described above but i get this vibrant screen and my phone never boot after Odin has finished with installing the necessary files.
Windows keep Popping up USB not Recognized after the Phone reboots.
Any help will be appreciated...Thanks!!!
Can you tell me exactly till which step you followed?
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, make sure you have all drivers, boot into download mode and try again.
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ReplyDeleteNo, you shouldn't unplug it before reboot. Flash it again through Odin.
DeleteHey,! When I'm starting the ODIN and follow your instructions.. at the middle of the ODIN my Samung Vibrant blacked out and I can't open it anymore. :(
ReplyDeleteHelp please.I'm screwed,
Just try flashing through the download mode again.
DeleteI did it! Now i wont to flash it with jellybean, any sugestions?
ReplyDeleteSelect any ROM you like from the threads here:
Deletehttp://forum.xda-developers.com/samsung-vibrant/development
My phone just stays in downloading mode its been like this for 5 minutes and nothing happens what should i do
ReplyDeleteIs there any progress bar moving forward on Odin on your PC?
DeleteHey, i put my phone into download mode and everything, and i let the drivers download, but the yellow thing that detects my phone is not there?
ReplyDeleteThere must be a problem with the drivers, try reinstalling them. When all is fine, a COM port will turn yellow in Odin.
DeleteSir i was samsung gts t959 is dead after flash odin last file is error
ReplyDeleteWhat does the screen say?
Deletenot on the phone
Deleteand not dedact the phone with pc
DeleteSir main ne odin se flash kiya tha samsung t959, but last main fail ho giya ab set on bhe nhi ho rha he plz help aur na he phone dedact ho rha he
Deleteplz emigitlee help me
ReplyDeleteAgar phone on nai ho raha to battery dead ho gi. Koi aur waja nai ho sakti phone dead honay ki. Phone ko charge karain kafi deyr tak aur phir on kar k dekhen.
DeleteI rooted my phone all thanks to your guide. But when i try to flash a rom (tried Kitkat & Jellybean both) i always end up with an error message stating "(Status 0) Installation aborted". I could really use your help, btw I'm using cwm v2.5.1.2 .
ReplyDeleteFind and install the latest recovery.
DeleteAfter flashing my t969 and the phone restarts it won't stay on it keeps on rebooting? Please help I follows from step one bit I can't go to step 9 because the phone not staying on it keeps on rebooting? PLEASE HELP
ReplyDeleteKeep retrying in Download Mode.
DeleteOk. I made an error above. It's sgh t959. T959uvkb5 do u think I can use this Rom if it will work or it will brick my mobile. I flash it over and over again and still not staying on. I flash it over 8 times and still not staying on something it freezes at hme screen. Am I doing something wrong. Samsung galaxy s vibrant sgh t959 is my phone model? Or try a different pit file 513 etc
ReplyDelete