Lag on SIII is already very improved, smoothness may not yet compare to iOS but you're free of Apple ecosystem so I think it is worthwhile trade-off
Bloatware is the only bane of stock ROM and it is fixable (once you get more comfortable with Android); either freeze them or find a ROM/kernel that you like and suits you.

1. Use menu key, select Help & Support, click legend
explanation of colors and what you see on the screen is all there
2. You may or may not need usb debugging
=> needed for ADB shell and complex recovery/installs
=> whether you need it or not for Titanium Backup, depends on the ROM
see this http://www.titaniumtrack.com/kb/titanium-b...hnical-faq.html
3. Yes.
=> You can freeze user apps safely, system apps you need to be careful.
=> See samsung bloatware link on 1st page for list of system apps that are safe to freeze
=> IMHO, if the user app is bad enough for you to freeze, i suggest just uninstall it.

Titanium Backup is an advanced utility so there is a lot to play around with, just read through the knowledge base on the link I gave you.



This post has been edited by tigerporc: Jan 14 2013, 12:12 PM

xinghuei Hmm, clear data normally not required as you did not switch ROM (one reason for bootloop).
Flash different ROM must definitely do clear data and dalvik cache to be safe.
This is a good step by step guide
How to restore stock firmware on Samsung Galaxy S3 (Video)

I suggest time for a trip to SC (if SME set). Maybe hardware problem? Some people have semi (half-dead) SDS where can get into download mode but not able to flash anything as will complain "There is no PIT partition."

But if it is software issue, they can do a full reflash of ROM for you - should be free)

Anyone else has any suggestions to chip in and help the bro?

This post has been edited by tigerporc: Jan 14 2013, 04:56 PM

2 possible solutions:
Photos and videos on sd card (both internal and external) are scanned by the stock Media Scanner, that could be one reason for the battery usage.
i). Either create .nomedia files for folders you don't want to scan. (Scanned folders with photos will appear in Gallery and Videos Player will have video thumbnails). It will always run once in a while when you have new files loaded on to the sd card.
ii) If rooted, then you can try to download Media Scanner apps from Google Play to control the media scanner process.

Yes, defrag is a good idea, documented 'supported' size is 32GB but will support 64GB XDHC Class 10 with no issues. (You need stock ROM if you want exfat support, else reformat to fat32)

This post has been edited by tigerporc: Jan 15 2013, 12:37 PM

AFAIK, if merely replacing standard existing ExtSdCard with new ExtSdCard, just copy the files should work. Disclaimer if you have other ROM MODS, then may not be true....

Yes, should work. I have switched from 32GB to 64GB card when I was on ICS.
If removing SD card without shutting down phone, remember to unmount the SD card 1st before replacing it.

There are 32GB SME sets (but quite limited I believe) - Lelong verified sellers who accepts safetrade is normally safe but of course no 100% guarantees.
Search lelong for safetrade description, I have never used safetrade but then again will prefer to only buy online for low cost items.
Some photos of the 32GB SME box can be found here; will have SME sticker address at the back as well
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2465261/all

This post has been edited by tigerporc: Jan 15 2013, 03:12 PM

SANDISK? Just send for warranty claim... uncle Benny has mentioned before that Sandisk quality has dropped.

1. To flash custom ROM, you should need to wipe data, wipe cache and wipe dalvik cache
=> Essentially everything will be wiped..
=> You also need to backup all the folders/files in /storage/sdcard0 yourself (to be safe)
=> You need a backup tool like Titanium backup to backup your user apps with user data (it also allows you to backup system)
OR
=> As a precaution, you can also backup your phone using CWM (nandroid)

2. You need to backup sms and call logs yourself (titanium backup or other stand alone tools available on Google Play). Titanium backup can also backup loads of other settings (http://www.titaniumtrack.com/kb/titanium-b...tml#backup-what)
For basic and advanced titanium backup, see http://www.titaniumtrack.com/kb/titanium-b...kup-howtos.html

BUT I think more people here like to use Mobile ODIN flash ROMs
=> can do data/cache/dalvik wipe or no wipe (if new ROM flashed is compatible to existing ROM)
=> no flash counter incremented

This post has been edited by tigerporc: Jan 15 2013, 09:58 PM

Common issue on stock ROM as dialer and contacts IF not yet loaded into memory, will take longer to come up.
If it irritates you that much, install other dialers available from Google Play if on stock ROM. Else experiment with other ROMS (you can't do that with apple, can you.....)

But sammobile not updated yet
Sammobile XME (Malaysia SIII ROM)

Yes, PC/Desktop ODIN no way to preserve data unlike the Mobile ODIN developed by Chainfire. Mobile ODIN has choice of whether data wipe done or not.

Try download "App Cache Cleaner" from Google Play and run clear cache, it could be that your fixed /data partition has not enough space, clear cache should help clean it up for you to install your app.

The gallery app does not store the actual photos; just the thumbnails right? The photos should still be in your internal sdcard (sdcard0) or external sdcard
Just have the media scanner run again and then the gallery app will be populated with the photos again.