Its finally here folks, the Voodoo lagfix for the T-Mobile Vibrant variant of the Samsung Galaxy S family, courtesy of François Simond (@supercurio) and Andrew Randall (@justanotherdev). A little background on this “voodoo”: @supercurio has been hard at work for the past few months developing a permanent, easy to use fix for the “lag” that a lot of Samsung Galaxy S owners have suffered. It is currently in Beta (version 4), but is very stable, easy to use, and truly a permanent solution for the lag that a lot of Samsung Galaxy S (Fascinate, Vibrant, Captivate, Epic 4G) owners experience. Although this tutorial is specific to the Vibrant, check on the Project Voodoo site for updates on other devices.
WARNING: Do not use this on any other device but the T-Mobile Vibrant. Check the Project Voodoo site for updates regarding the availability of voodoo-enabled kernels for other Galaxy S variants (Captivate, Fascinate, Epic 4G, Bell’s “Vibrant”, and the i9000).
Although this fix has been confirmed working and stable, AndroidSPIN is not responsible for anything that may go awry during this process. Please make nandroid and\or other backups, and copy them off your phone to a PC, just in case.
By popular demand, I have listed two different methods of installing the Voodoo-enabled Kernel.
Method 1 (Easiest Method) – Works on non-rooted phones, although I do recommend rooting.
Method 2 (Clockwork Recovery Version) – For more advanced users who want to install using Clockwork Recovery.
Instructions for Method 1 – This is the easiest method, and will work on non-rooted phones.
- Download the Kernel , and rename it to update.zip and put it on your Internal SD card.
- Reboot into recovery – Turn off your phone completely. Hold both volume buttons, and the power button. Release the power button as soon as the “Vibrant” screen appears. You should eventually get to recovery mode.
- Select “reinstall package” to install the kernel.
- Reboot, and wait patiently. Don’t freak out. “Linda” will keep you updated as to the progress of the conversion. This next part will take 5-15 minutes depending on how much data you have, as the Voodoo magic takes place. The kernel is backing up all your data, converting the data partition from Samsung’s slow & proprietary RFS file system to the standard EXT4 file system, which significantly speeds up our data access, essentially eliminating all the “lag” that came with the stock Samsung Galaxy S experience.
Instructions for Method 2 – This method is for more advanced users who want to use Clockwork Recovery to install the kernel.
- Uninstall ANY lagfix you might be using, or restore to backup prior to installing the lagfix.
- Download ROM Manager from the market (I highly recommend purchasing the premium version, it’s an must have for anyone with a rooted phone)
- If you have the premium version, run a fix permissions in ROM Manager prior to applying the kernel. I do not think fix permissions works on the free version.
- Download the Dalvik-cache & Data Scripts to your Internal SD and flash it using Clockwork Recovery. This must be done before flashing the new kernel, or your phone will be stuck on the Vibrant screen…..
- Download JAC’s OC Kernel + Voodoo Beta4 Kernel to your Internal SD and flash using Clockwork Recovery.
- Reboot, Don’t freak out. “Linda” will keep you updated as to the progress of the conversion. This next part will take 5-15 minutes depending on how much data you have, as the Voodoo magic takes place. The kernel is backing up all your data, converting the data partition from Samsung’s slow & proprietary RFS file system to the standard EXT4 file system, which significantly speeds up our data access, essentially eliminating all the “lag” that came with the stock Samsung Galaxy S experience.
- Check to see that everything is converted properly (although you can probably trust “Linda”, but she’s way too Sigourney Weaver for my trust) We can check in Terminal, type ‘mount’ you should see:
- /dev/block/mmcblk0p4 /data ext4 rw,noatime,nodiratime,barrier=1,data=ordered 0 0
- Optional: Overclock using SetCPU (Available on the market, or on XDA-Developers) to 1.2Ghz, if you wish. If you start having freezes or lock-ups, your phone most likely cannot handle the overclock and you should revert to the stock 1000/100 speeds in SetCPU.
- Enjoy your phone as it was intended to be, lag-free.
To Disable the Voodoo Lagfix and revert to RFS (Needed before you can backup using Clockwork Recovery)
To disable simply place a file/folder in your sdcard (the internal one) called “/sdcard/Voodoo/disable lagfix” no extention just that exact name and reboot. After your phone boots and you check that your /data partition is again RFS you can re-apply any other kernel you were using.
OR
You could flash this disable_lagfix.zip in Clockwork Recovery, which does the same thing as above. This also functions as a fail-safe if you can’t boot into Android, but you need to revert the Voodoo fix back to RFS (Stock partition file system).
Quoted from the OP of JAC’s XDA-Developers Thread
This is Voodoo LagFix beta4 for the Vibrant. It does not include color adjustment just the /data as ext4. This has been tested by many users and is confirmed working, including GPS WiFi BT etc. There is also the performance increase of course as well.
WARNING BEFORE FLASHING:DISBALE ANY LAGFIX’S YOU MAY ALREADY BE USING BEFORE APPLYING THIS FIX
To enable simply flash the kernel. It will automatically backup your existing /Data partition and create the /data as ext4 and restore so you dont lose your data of course.
To disable simply place a file/folder in your sdcard (the internal one) called “/sdcard/Voodoo/disable lagfix” no extention just that exact name and reboot. After your phone boots and you check that your /data partition is again RFS you can re-apply any other kernel you were using.
Upon enabling or disabling your phone will sit on the Vibrant screen. This can take 5-10 minutes depending on how much data you have (don’t panic). “Linda” the robotic voice should let you know where in the process you are. After its done and your phone boots you should be able to run “mount” in terminal or adb shell and see your data is now EXT4 at
Code:
/dev/block/mmcblk0p4
Disabling by placing the “disable-lagfix” file in the “Voodoo” folder in your sdcard and that simply undoes what the enable did and returns your /data to the RFS setup at its original location.The kernel this is based boots to stock clocks but CAN be OC’d to 1.2Ghz via setupCPU or a user script. If you want to keep the phone OC’d just use setCPU and check apply on boot or use a user script that launches from /system/etc/init.d
Huge thanks to Supercurio, JAC, and all the testers who were involved with this project. None of this would be possible without their hard work and collaboration within the Android Community.
Want more info?
Go to JACs Original XDA-Developers Thread or the Project Voodoo Website.
About the Author
Jason, you obviously need to be rooted to do this. Is there a site that I can go to that will help me understand, how and why I should root my phone. I am not new to the Andorid O/S, however I have not yet rooted a phone. Should I wait for 2.2. or just go for it?
Thanks, Joey
XDA Developers will give you all the info you need. Go into the forums and under Vibrant Development. One of the first 3 or 4 posts will explain the root process. Personally I am waiting for the Froyo update to root. The Froyo OTA allegedly has a lag fix in it. I do not want to unroot to get Froyo just to reroot after. Good luck rooting, read carefully instructions twice, watch the youtube video, then try, you should be fine.
BTW, If you have any questions ASK! The folks at XDA are very good at answering any questions you have or helping at getting you unstuck.
That being said…ask in the right forum. If you ask how to root in the Development forum prepare to have your feelings hurt. Questions like that should remain in the General forum. And for God’s sake SEARCH before you ask.
Maybe Samsung can merge this to their stock build.
The main thing Samsung needs to do is just change the filesystem they’re using on the internal rom space from RFS to anything else. LOL.
Agreed, RFS is the sole reason for these “lag” issues. I cant believe they used such a flawed file system on their android “brainchild”
I highly recommend rooting, but there are a ton of forums and articles explaining why you should root. I personally dont feel like its “my” phone until I rooted it.
hello !Actually the procedure is 1000% more simple, you don’t need to use CWM Recovery at all to install Voodoo.
Everything you need is here : http://project-voodoo.org/installation
VERY simple
Now that you mention it, I do agree my instructions above are overly complicated if you are not rooted and don’t want to overclock. I just preferred the Clockwork version because most people have it (and should have used it to backup before applying this kernel), and it is quite useful if you ever have any issues.
I will update this article tonight to include the stock recovery version to make it easier for those who dont want to use the CW version, for whatever reason. I will still leave the above instructions for people who prefer Clockwork (such as myself), but will add another section that details the “stock recovery version” for those who are not rooted, not interested in OCing, or just want an easier installation method.
You don’t need to be rooted to apply the voodoo lagfix portion of this article.
This article sure makes it sound complicated to do this. It’s not if you don’t want the overclock.
Head over to http://project-voodoo.org/ and grab the update.zip file. Place in root of of internal sdcard, reboot recovery, apply update.zip, wait awhile and then when the phone reboots you won’t believe the difference, even without the overclock from JAC.
I personally don’t get the fear of “root” some have or the comments like “I’m waiting for Froyo to root.” So many great apps with root, little risk (yes, not risk free), and easy to do. Why wait for Froyo? Enjoy root privileges now on Eclair, and later with Froyo. To each his own, though.
You don’t need to be rooted to apply the voodoo lagfix portion of this article.
This article sure makes it sound complicated to do this. It’s not if you don’t want the overclock.
Head over to http://project-voodoo.org/ and grab the update.zip file. Place in root of of internal sdcard, reboot recovery, apply update.zip, wait awhile and then when the phone reboots you won’t believe the difference, even without the overclock from JAC.
I personally don’t get the fear of “root” some have or the comments like “I’m waiting for Froyo to root.” So many great apps with root, little risk (yes, not risk free), and easy to do. Why wait for Froyo? Enjoy root privileges now on Eclair, and later with Froyo. To each his own, though.
JAC’s kernel and Voodoo make a great combination on this phone. I’ve always liked my Vibrant, but it’s just so much better now. Only downside is it’s pretty easy to forget to disable Voodoo before making a backup in Clockwork. Had to deal with that hassle yesterday and still dealing with the aftermath today. Regardless, JAC’s kernel + Voodoo = 1 amazing phone!
Well I’m very glad this didn’t come preinstalled on my phone. Obviously nobody here has looked at RyanZa’s one click lag fix. Look it up in the market & see for yourself. Also if you want to overclock your phone with no hastle I would recommend Overclock widget, also available in the market.
Ryan’s lagfix can be prone to corruption and is merely a “band-aid” for the lag, whereas this is a permanent fix without dealing with a loopback partition, or moving around the app data and cache.
This essentially makes RyanZA’s lagfix method obsolete.
Ok, I see why some of you are saying I overcomplicated things above. I personally prefer the Clockwork version, as most people already have it (to make a backup prior to applying the kernel), and its useful to have. However, I agree, if you are not OCing or rooted, the above instructions are a little complicated. I will edit the article tonight to simplify the instructions for those without root and those that dont wantneed the OC.
In the meantime, I figured I would be through enough to help people avoid some of the common pitfalls. In this case, I believe JAC’s kernel needs to have the data & cache script applied prior to applying the kernel, which is why I decided to base the article on the Clockwork version instead of the stock recovery version. Please correct me if I am mistaken.
I hope they never do that. There are better lag fixes out there.
Can someone post the procedure for a non rooted phone?
Done, see method 1
Yeah, so, I tried this on my rooted, lag-fixed Vibrant. Undid the lag fix and applied. Didn’t work. Had a lovely bricked phone that would boot to recovery mode and allow me to install custom ROMs, but said I had no application storage. Had to use Odin to flash Eugene’s leaked Froyo build and downgrade back to stock. Kinda cool in a geeky way, but a big pain in the you-know-what.
Yeah, so, I tried this on my rooted, lag-fixed Vibrant. Undid the lag fix and applied. Didn’t work. Had a lovely bricked phone that would boot to recovery mode and allow me to install custom ROMs, but said I had no application storage. Had to use Odin to flash Eugene’s leaked Froyo build and downgrade back to stock. Kinda cool in a geeky way, but a big pain in the you-know-what.
So, I started to do this, and after I am doing the restart, It just goes back to my phone again after I hold the power, and release it. When do I let go of the volume up/down? What am I fdoing wrong here?
You release the power button as soon as you see the samsung “Vibrant” screen. I recommend doing when the phone is off, as its easier to tell when to let go of the power button. Hold all three with the phone off, when you see the “Vibrant” screen, release the power button. Also, make sure you arent hooked up to USB or you will probably get into download mode (yellow digger)
galaxy s jpk
used odin methode
brick to recovery mode after hearing “conversion successfull”
I’m about to kick myself in the teeth, and I will probably be told “dont bother noob”, but I’ve been reading for days on ADB etc since I just flashed Bionix 1.9 w/ KK OC/UV
I just want to “unleash” the pre-installed EXT2 RFS Lagfix provided within the rom by Team Whiskey found here: https://sites.google.com/site/projectbionix/installation-guide/rfs-lag-fix-and-you
But I am so lost since I am on mac. I also have Windows 7 on a partition within my laptop but I don’t want to have to screw up/flash back to stock etc (had to do that earlier this week when the T-Mobile OTA downloaded JI6 to my rooted phone).
What I’m saying is “tutorial” in this case, so I’ll never be of noobish proportions again. Thanks if you help or not.
-Sha’ul
I did the method 1, and everything was going, then I heard the startup sound the phone makes, even though the screen was still displaying “Vibrant”, and now my phone has been showing that, with all the bottom buttons lit up, and nothing has happened for about 20 minutes now.
SO DID IT WORK AFTER THAT OR WHAT???
well, i tried doing this on my rooted samsung vibrant. it rebooted itself and showed the samsung vibrant then 2 seconds later, it say gt-i9000. it then shows the tmobile sign(no song or sound). it showed galaxys logothen everything turned black! i regret doing this! how do i get my phone back!!!
SO DID IT WORK AFTER THAT OR WHAT???
ok thier is a correction to be made
1. when you rename the just name it update NOT update.zip just update because the computer it self will add .zip to it so just name it update.
2. put it on you internal storage NOT on the sd card.
3. power off
4. go to recovery by touching both volume up and down then holding the power UNTILL the vibrant screen apeers then let go of ONLY the power,
5. go down by pressing volume down to reinstall package and click the power
6. all done wait for it to finish THIS MAY TAKE A LONG TIME
7. ENJOY
ok thier is a correction to be made
1. when you rename the FILE just name it update NOT update.zip just update because the computer it self will add .zip to it so just name it update.
2. put it on you internal storage NOT on the sd card.
3. power off
4. go to recovery by touching both volume up and down then holding the power UNTIL the vibrant screen apeers then let go of ONLY the power,
5. go down by pressing volume down to reinstall package and click the power
6. all done wait for it to finish THIS MAY TAKE A LONG TIME
7. ENJOY
I bricked my phone today trying to install the voodoo kernels. Can anyone tell me if there is a way to unbrick it.
“This must be done before flashing the new kernel, or your phone will be stuck on the Vibrant screen…..”
this is what exactly happened…now what should i do….help please
MY VIBRANT RUNS FOR LIKE AN HOUR THEN I RAN OUT OF PATIENT AND I TOOK OUT THE BATTERY AFTER THAT MY VIBRANT CANNOT BOOT UP CAN SOMEONE HELP ME? PLZ
stuck in android system recovery. I did this too my updated vibrant to 2.2, with 2.3 interface. all was well till i accidently hit reboot system now. cant reinstall packages, and deleted all user data and cache. any help?
Yeah, same thing. Phone is now stuck on Vibrant start-up screen and won’t go any further.