Coming from a Evo, I wanna root my phone but kinda overwhelmed with reading about modems and stuff. Can someone just explain to me what they are,the importance of them,and what I should know about them.Thanks
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
The modem is the radio for the phone. Using a newer one will fix a number of different issues ranging from battery life to data speeds and reception.
The current ones are:
Oldest: EG12
Older: EG30
Old: EG31 (also called EG30 Rev. 5)
Latest: EK02
The EK02 modem also came with the update to 2.3.6
If you're on EG30 - stay there! (Or flash EK02). You can not update to EK02 if you have any other modem than the EG30, as of right now anyway. There is no way currently to go back to the EG30 modem once you flash something else so that's why I said flash EK02 or nothing at all. Other than EK02, the other modems have the LoS bug also.
Most modems can just be flashed in CWM (EK02 can only be flashed this way right now). The others can be flashed in CWM or ODIN. Modems are also not ROM dependent and no ROM's here have modems in them so don't worry about that.
EK02
So if we are on EK02 and want to root our phones to get rid of CIQ and do data tethering is there something different we need to do or is the standard root method still good?
Sorry about the lack of grammar, my brain is still asleep.
Alright:
A modem is what controls you receiving and transmitting wireless data to the Sprint network - it's also called a baseband. You can view what modem you're using in Settings > About > Baseband Version. We refer to modems based on the last four letters/digits; unless you've messed with it, it should be EG30.
While changing the modem can increase (or decrease) your network speed (mbps) or, potentially, your signal quality, the primary reason to change modem firmware is if you're experiencing Loss of Signal issues. In a bug peculiar to the Epic 4G Touch, it tends to spontaneously lose signal from time to time and require fiddling with data on/off or a reboot to reestablish a network connection. There's a lot of speculation as to what causes this - root, custom kernels, custom ROMs, etcedra - but not much in the way of definite answers. Unless you're experiencing noticeable issues with Loss of Signal, you probably should NOT change your modem for the time being. That's because we don't have a way to get you back to EG30 yet; while we have a very similar firmware, EG12, it's not precisely stock and it won't allow you to receive Over-The-Air updates like the newest EK02 modem (which is, as far as we can tell, superior for LoS and data transfer rates).
That being said, if you do have LoS issues (or just want to try something new anyway), since you're almost certainly on EG30, your best bet would be to try flashing to EK02 at first. As far as we can tell, it's the modem to have - and you can't try it after flashing one of the other modems. If that doesn't satisfy you, EG31 is the other intermediate firmware version that has some different behavior where LoS and data transfer is concerned; EG12 is the most like stock. All offer different performance and LoS likelihood, and oddly enough, how they perform tends to change from phone to phone. All the firmwares in question are available for download here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1352310), and there's also tutorial videos there too for how to flash them to your phone via ODIN, Samsung's flashing utility. Note that these modems can also be flashed through ClockWorkMod Recovery (CWM), and that EK02 must actually be flashed through CWM; this requires flashing CWM and, almost certainly, rooting your phone.
One more tip: If you have wireless issues after flashing a new modem, before you flash to something different, make sure to go to About > System Updates and use both Update Profile and Update PRL, with an optional phone reboot after (not necessary, but claimed to help). This will make sure your modem didn't lose any of the network information (important for signal quality and data speed) transmitted to your phone when you first activated it on the Sprint network.
Happy flashing!
Does the "modem" also handles wifi communication or is it only CDMA/GSM? I'm getting LOS on Wifi and wondering if going to EK02 would do anything at all.
WiFi is not handled by the modem, its handled by the kernel, and ROM
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
So if I've flashed modems and I'm back to eg12 I cannot try ek02? Would I need to get a new phone?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
jrock32 said:
So if I've flashed modems and I'm back to eg12 I cannot try ek02? Would I need to get a new phone?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No u don't need a new phone. Just wait till the update comes and then the full tar will be released. Then u can flash the new modem.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Related
just wanting to know if we could run different modems, let say for instance a eh17 modem on a ec05 ROM? Would my phone function normally?....because I'm seeming to be get my best phone reception with eh17 modem, but just rather wait for an official source for gingerbread seems close though lol
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
Suprize3131 said:
just wanting to know if we could run different modems, let say for instance a eh17 modem on a ec05 ROM? Would my phone function normally?....because I'm seeming to be get my best phone reception with eh17 modem, but just rather wait for an official source for gingerbread seems close though lol
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. the modem is separate from the ROM itself. Any modem will work on any ROM. Here is a link of all available modems... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1123103
Is it just me, or is Sprint disabling modems intermitantly that are newer than EC02? My Sprint phone wants to update EH10 to EC02 when I check updates, and if I use anything newer, after a while the Modem goes dead without a new Odin reflash. All the way up to EH17 it does this. I just found a Rom with no sprint spy ID ware (which is the only way I can think they're doing this) and have gone back to EC02, but will try EH17 again after getting the phone back up. Just curious if anyone else is having this issue.
The symptoms are, phone will be showing up as Airplane mode, no matter what is done to enable the phone, it will always be disabled. The modem version shows up as unknown in the about app. The only fix is to Odin the modem again.
cyberrob410 said:
Is it just me, or is Sprint disabling modems intermitantly that are newer than EC02? My Sprint phone wants to update EH10 to EC02 when I check updates, and if I use anything newer, after a while the Modem goes dead without a new Odin reflash. All the way up to EH17 it does this. I just found a Rom with no sprint spy ID ware (which is the only way I can think they're doing this) and have gone back to EC02, but will try EH17 again after getting the phone back up. Just curious if anyone else is having this issue.
The symptoms are, phone will be showing up as Airplane mode, no matter what is done to enable the phone, it will always be disabled. The modem version shows up as unknown in the about app. The only fix is to Odin the modem again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.. not sure how that would happen, but I haven't had that issue. Then, I also haven't tried to force any kind of OTA update in a long time (I do get random automatic PRL updates though)
adamdelozier said:
Yes. the modem is separate from the ROM itself. Any modem will work on any ROM. Here is a link of all available modems... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1123103
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome...good to know thanks!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
I've had no issues with my phone since upgrading the ROM with the Sprint spyware removed. I can only assume that Sprint is disabling Epic Phones with 2.3 ROMs that they can still control through their spyware.
First time poster here, apologize for the long post. I was hoping some of the amazing devs here might have some insight into what has happened to my phone. My 4g is completely borked and will only come up as unknown. Unlike others with this problem, mine is persistent/permanent as I can toggle it repeatedly with the same result. Stock EL29, FF18, FH13, FH23, Chris41g's CM9 builds (Monkey Business specifically), Phantoms CM10 4.4, and Scott's Alpha 5 all result in the same thing. 4G never attempts to start scanning and falls back to unknown regardless of rom.
What led to the problem:
-Started with stock unrooted EL29, took OTA to FF18, and then used Kies to update to FH13
-Ran FH13 bone stock for 2 days, and to my surprise yesterday I saw AMAZING 4g speeds over 10mbps for the first time on ICS.
-Decided to flash Monkey Business CM9 to see if speeds were similar (2mbps, so no).
-Got the boneheaded idea to fix what was not really broken, and flashed the FH23 modem only through CWM.
-Upon first boot 4G would only go to Unknown, first toggle, second toggle, 50th toggle.
What i've tried:
-Flashed back to FH13, same thing.
-Flashed OC EL29 Full Restore, same result.
-Tried every previously working combination of Rom and Modem, OC, you name it I've tried it in the last 24 hours.
-I've plugged in many different dial codes and reactivated the device at least 50 times today.
-Installed the newest FH23 Full Restore, no go.
-In ##DEBUG# I am unable to open the Wimax device under Wimax CT.
-##RTN# results in "Wimax Default Fail"
Okay, so I realize that the symptoms point to failed hardware, in which case props to the E4GT for finally giving me the 4G speed I was used to in GB one last time and going out in a blaze of glory. I'm no developer but I'm thinking the fact that I changed the modem and immediately after was left with no 4G is not a coincidence. Below is my first attempt at getting a logcat after toggling 4g. If anyone wants me to do anything more specific before I take the phone to the repair center, let me know. Any ideas how to fix it will be greatly appreciated!!!
Are you able to tell if the MAC address is still intact for the WiMax?
I almost want to say that they WiMax antenna - which I'm not sure if it's integrated or a separate component on the board - is gone. Wish it would give you a little more info in the logcat. If so then my best suggestion would be to flash FF18 stock, run Triangle Away and take it into a Sprint shop for tech support - hopefully they'll replace it for you.
garwynn said:
Are you able to tell if the MAC address is still intact for the WiMax?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not able to get to the MAC address at all to see if its correct or has been reset. ##DEBUG# won't allow me to open the device to check the MAC. This is with or without the modified CT apk on EL29. Since I can't turn the radio on at all, the MAC also will not show in the Status area of settings. I agree, the antenna is probably gone. I'll take it to a repair center and see what they say.
Use *#*#3282#*#* and check
sent from Isaac's Jellied Out E4GT
I recently flashed CM10 as well as a JB modem. I decided to switch back to stock the same day, so I just restored the backup I made. I'm back to the way I was before, with one exception. Wifi doesn't work. I have it turned on, and it can find networks, but when I tell it to connect, it just basically ignores my request, telling me the network is saved. I've tried on two networks, one password protected, the other open. Same result on both. I think this may be because of the modem I flashed. A few questions:
- By restoring my stock ROM, did I flash my old modem overtop the JB one? I don't think so, just making sure. If not, that means the only thing that has changed is the modem.
- I want to make sure I'm diagnosing this correctly. Does wiFi behaviour have anything at all to do with the modem?
- If so, Where do I get a stock modem to flash? I think that should be the first thing I try.
- Where can I go to see what modem version I have? I looked all throughout the hidden menu and couldn't find it.
- Is there a place I can do a wifi test? It seems like that's the only thing I couldn't find in the hidden menu.
Sent from my LG-E971 using xda app-developers app
[[SPRINT]]
So my dad trashed his E4GT by dunking it in a river. Then dropped it at work cracking the screen. Gave him my old one. Had a hell of a time getting it programmed to his line, but I got it. eventually had to flash the One-Click Stock (JB) odin to fix an issue where he could not connect to WiFi. After that, flashed Dirty Unicorn, and all was good. Or so we thought (we were in range of an Airave). Seemed he no longer had any reception off of the Airave. After much searching it seemed possibly due to the fact that the phone refused to leave WCDMA mode. Long story short, I fixed the issue by starting back on Stock Rooted (JB), getting fresh PRL and Profile after wiping EVERYTHING i could find, and then flashed back to DU. He was totally fine for two weeks. Now all of a sudden he again has no signal off of the Airave. He is in a bad reception area, but when it is working properly he gets enough to call, text, browse a bit, etc. But when it is acting up like this, he cant do anything at all off of Wifi and/or Airave.
TL;DR
Going from stock rooted JB to JB Dirty Unicorn, would that cause modem issues (being that the stock rooted most likely has a JB modem, and you arent supposed to use JB modems on JB Dirty Unicorn)?
faaaaq said:
[[SPRINT]]
So my dad trashed his E4GT by dunking it in a river. Then dropped it at work cracking the screen. Gave him my old one. Had a hell of a time getting it programmed to his line, but I got it. eventually had to flash the One-Click Stock (JB) odin to fix an issue where he could not connect to WiFi. After that, flashed Dirty Unicorn, and all was good. Or so we thought (we were in range of an Airave). Seemed he no longer had any reception off of the Airave. After much searching it seemed possibly due to the fact that the phone refused to leave WCDMA mode. Long story short, I fixed the issue by starting back on Stock Rooted (JB), getting fresh PRL and Profile after wiping EVERYTHING i could find, and then flashed back to DU. He was totally fine for two weeks. Now all of a sudden he again has no signal off of the Airave. He is in a bad reception area, but when it is working properly he gets enough to call, text, browse a bit, etc. But when it is acting up like this, he cant do anything at all off of Wifi and/or Airave.
TL;DR
Going from stock rooted JB to JB Dirty Unicorn, would that cause modem issues (being that the stock rooted most likely has a JB modem, and you arent supposed to use JB modems on JB Dirty Unicorn)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ICS modem for DU..pretty much all aosp ROMs ( ICS to jb )..the latest ICS modem is FL24. Flash that modem or another ICS modem on the phone. Then do the temp boot to upgrade prl and profile.. If you're on stock again you can flash the modem and update the prl and profile.. Then flash DU.. Making the move to DU shouldn't have messed up the modem..if you did the above..
Gil81 said:
ICS modem for DU..pretty much all aosp ROMs ( ICS to jb )..the latest ICS modem is FL24
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i know that. But his phone worked fine for 2 weeks so I wasnt sure if that was the culprit. I have some time before I will have an opportunity to *try* to walk him thru flashing an ICS radio himself >.> so I figured Id ask
faaaaq said:
Yes, i know that. But his phone worked fine for 2 weeks so I wasnt sure if that was the culprit. I have some time before I will have an opportunity to *try* to walk him thru flashing an ICS radio himself >.> so I figured Id ask
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I added to my post above...if you did this process then I'm not sure.. I hadn't heard anything about du messing up.. But I'll look around.. Maybe a new update or something..
Gil81 said:
I added to my post above...if you did this process then I'm not sure.. I hadn't heard anything about du messing up.. But I'll look around.. Maybe a new update or something..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I hadn't flashed an ICS modem. Everything you said the first time was correct. I went straight from JB Stock to DU. Spaced out on the modem because I was in a rush to get everything working. And when it actually did work fine for 2 weeks and now stopped, it threw me off.
I am going to see if tomorrow I can walk him thru the One-click to install FL24
faaaaq said:
No I hadn't flashed an ICS modem. Everything you said the first time was correct. I went straight from JB Stock to DU. Spaced out on the modem because I was in a rush to get everything working. And when it actually did work fine for 2 weeks and now stopped, it threw me off.
I am going to see if tomorrow I can walk him thru the One-click to install FL24
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need for a one-click.. Just have him download an ICS modem from rwilcos repo..( zip format ) and then boot to recovery and wipe cache and dalvik cache. Then flash the modem.. Next time you have a moment you can do the temp boot to update prl/profile
Gil81 said:
No need for a one-click.. Just have him download an ICS modem from rwilcos repo..( zip format ) and then boot to recovery and wipe cache and dalvik cache. Then flash the modem.. Next time you have a moment you can do the temp boot to update prl/profile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The One-click is nice and simple though. The less steps the better, my dad isnt exactly a whiz with current tech. I already have both downloaded on my laptop in case he doesnt have the confidence to do it himself
faaaaq said:
The One-click is nice and simple though. The less steps the better, my dad isnt exactly a whiz with current tech. I already have both downloaded on my laptop in case he doesnt have the confidence to do it himself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You the boss.. But there is no way..hooking you're phone to a computer is easier than flashing one zip file from you're phones own recovery.. In my opinion.. Less steps my way , too. If you need any help with flashing a modem from a phone or you're dad does. Just hit me up. I'd be glad to help.. I finally have my dad texting and my mom on a rooted huawei ascend 2..although I did all the heavy lifting for her,she's starting to get it..lol.
Gil81 said:
You the boss.. But there is no way..hooking you're phone to a computer is easier than flashing one zip file from you're phones own recovery.. In my opinion.. Less steps my way , too. If you need any help with flashing a modem from a phone or you're dad does. Just hit me up. I'd be glad to help.. I finally have my dad texting and my mom on a rooted huawei ascend 2..although I did all the heavy lifting for her,she's starting to get it..lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just ran thru installing the ICS modem. No change. Cant update the PRL or Profile on DU of course, though. Updating the PRL and/or Profile necessary for any change to take effect?
Also JFYI, yes I know what it will take to update them, just wondering if having not done that yet is what would be causing there to still be a lack of signal
faaaaq said:
Just ran thru installing the ICS modem. No change. Cant update the PRL or Profile on DU of course, though. Updating the PRL and/or Profile necessary for any change to take effect?
Also JFYI, yes I know what it will take to update them, just wondering if having not done that yet is what would be causing there to still be a lack oignal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is where I'm not sure, everybody says to update..but I have went without,but I did notice my signal bouncing around..... But I'm in a very good signal area.. I would say an update can't hurt...FYI...I get the best signal on gb27.. On touchwiz...of course. There are some good tw Roms out lately..too. You could always go back to stock to see if its the rom/modem..Then work back to cm/aosp or tw... This signal stuff is funny to mess with..what works for one might not for the next.. I can't remember what carrier you have but a signal repeater might be a choice..
Gil81 said:
This is where I'm not sure, everybody says to update..but I have went without,but I did notice my signal bouncing around..... But I'm in a very good signal area.. I would say an update can't hurt...FYI...I get the best signal on gb27.. On touchwiz...of course. There are some good tw Roms out lately..too. You could always go back to stock to see if its the rom/modem..Then work back to cm/aosp or tw... This signal stuff is funny to mess with..what works for one might not for the next.. I can't remember what carrier you have but a signal repeater might be a choice..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint. He has gotten signal where he is before in DU (and that was with a JB modem, no less) for two weeks. It was low signal, but it was signal no less. Our only option is to get the phone working normal, a repeater will not do as he has no signal at his house, at his job, or anywhere within approx 60 miles of where he lives. Normally he has low signal, but atm he has zero. I am currently waiting for his download of a Stock Rooted rom to finish so we can flash that (which I know for sure will give him signal) then flash the ICS radio, update PRL and Profile, and then try DU again. If that does not work I will just have to have him stick to the Stock Rooted JB rom, since we know he gets signal on that.
faaaaq said:
Sprint. He has gotten signal where he is before in DU (and that was with a JB modem, no less) for two weeks. It was low signal, but it was signal no less. Our only option is to get the phone working normal, a repeater will not do as he has no signal at his house, at his job, or anywhere within approx 60 miles of where he lives. Normally he has low signal, but atm he has zero. I am currently waiting for his download of a Stock Rooted rom to finish so we can flash that (which I know for sure will give him signal) then flash the ICS radio, update PRL and Profile, and then try DU again. If that does not work I will just have to have him stick to the Stock Rooted JB rom, since we know he gets signal on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you have a plan..hope it works for ya.. if ya run into any problems don't hesitate to ask..
I've got the T-Mobile M919 S4 and I have a 4.4.4 ROM on it (Insane Hybrid).
I've got the latest NK2 Baseband and I also don't want to upgrade to Lollipop since I did before and it was lag lag lag lag lag after a week or so.
I've noticed recently that it is getting very poor reception.
My buddy's S3 will have two bars and mine will show no service. Or it'll have bars but no data service. Or I won't be able to call out.
There also seems to be an unusual amount of spots where I have no service.
When I do have service, the data can get really really slow.
My GPS lock also frequently gets lost during navigation.
Any ideas? Do I need to flash a kernal, modem, or radio or something? Which ones?
fuzzybabybunny said:
I've got the T-Mobile M919 S4 and I have a 4.4.4 ROM on it (Insane Hybrid).
I've got the latest NK2 Baseband and I also don't want to upgrade to Lollipop since I did before and it was lag lag lag lag lag after a week or so.
I've noticed recently that it is getting very poor reception.
My buddy's S3 will have two bars and mine will show no service. Or it'll have bars but no data service. Or I won't be able to call out.
There also seems to be an unusual amount of spots where I have no service.
When I do have service, the data can get really really slow.
My GPS lock also frequently gets lost during navigation.
Any ideas? Do I need to flash a kernal, modem, or radio or something? Which ones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try updating your baseband. That sometimes solves it. Here's the link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-tmobile/general/firmwares-official-mdl-mk2-nb4-t2816508
Saturny said:
Try updating your baseband. That sometimes solves it. Here's the link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-tmobile/general/firmwares-official-mdl-mk2-nb4-t2816508
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I'll give those a shot. I'm going to flash this and see what happens:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...stock-base-4-4-4-nk2-rooted-deodexed-t2990478
I'm still a bit confused on some of the terminology and what's bundled with what.
- The "modem" is the same as the "radio", right? It's a driver that controls how the device deals with cellular voice and data signals. I can find the version of my modem/radio by looking at the last letters in my "baseband."
- The modem/radio driver is usually bundled with a ROM, right? So the ROM that I flashed above will also update/replace my current modem/radio driver?
- Modem/radio drivers can be separate from the ROM itself. If I use a 4.4.4 rom that has NK2 bundled, I can still flash just a NH4 radio using ODIN onto the old ROM and be ok, right?
- Where does the kernal come in? I'm assuming the kernel is bundled with the ROM and the kernal is only in charge of the switching between cellular and WiFi data, right?
That's the price you pay with custom roms, sometimes your lucky and everything works the way it's supposed to sometimes it doesn't.
Run phone for a day and make sure everything works properly after flashing back to stock before attempting custom again.
If you need your device to function as a reliable phone, making and receiving calls and messages you may have to rely on stock roms.
Pp.
fuzzybabybunny said:
Thanks, I'll give those a shot. I'm going to flash this and see what happens:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...stock-base-4-4-4-nk2-rooted-deodexed-t2990478
I'm still a bit confused on some of the terminology and what's bundled with what.
- The "modem" is the same as the "radio", right? It's a driver that controls how the device deals with cellular voice and data signals. I can find the version of my modem/radio by looking at the last letters in my "baseband."
- The modem/radio driver is usually bundled with a ROM, right? So the ROM that I flashed above will also update/replace my current modem/radio driver?
- Modem/radio drivers can be separate from the ROM itself. If I use a 4.4.4 rom that has NK2 bundled, I can still flash just a NH4 radio using ODIN onto the old ROM and be ok, right?
- Where does the kernal come in? I'm assuming the kernel is bundled with the ROM and the kernal is only in charge of the switching between cellular and WiFi data, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. Would anyone please answer the above questions above as I am also looking for some answers to the questions above?