Develop Bugs

[Q] Rooting, Roms and.. how to "avoid voiding my warranty?"

Information about my phone:
Bought my Phone Nov. 26th
SGH-T989
Android 2.3.5
Baseband Version - T989UVKID
Kernel version - 2.6.35.11
Build Number - Gingerbread.UVKID
Hello fellow sgs2 users and xda members.
After searching google and the XDA forums it would appear that rooting my phone is going to void the warranty, unless I can find a stock rom...
A few questions:
1. Is the above statement true or can I root my phone and install custom rom's without voiding the warranty?
2. Many of the sites / posts I found were not specific about the type of warranty - whether it be manufacturer or t-mobile. Can anyone shed some light on this?
3. Is there a place I can find a stock rom backup? I found an OP post in the dev forums, but the link is broken. EDIT: I found all the files for the stock restoration process here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321811&highlight=stock+rom+void+warranty
At this point the answer to these questions are the only thing I'm waiting for before I root my phone.
My primary motivations for rooting and installing a custom rom (by priority/importance):
1. Getting rid of CIQ
2. Removing carrier programs and customizations
3. Improving performance
Perhaps one of you overachievers can recommend a set of steps to follow. I've read through several rooting guides, and the "what's the best rom" thread. I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed, but will continue reading.
p.s.
This was the only thread I found in the t-mobile samsung galaxy s II sgh-t989 forum with the keyword "warranty" - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1385170&highlight=warranty perhaps I'm not searching properly?

Look at the thread like 2 above this one. It has all the answers. Here, let me help you.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1385938
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

Thanks mikeyinid.
I'm having trouble getting the superuser.zip (su-3.0.5-efgh-signed.zip) installed. After installing it using CWM, I boot up the phone but superuser is nowhere to be found in my apps list, and ROM Manager doesn't work because it says it can't find superuser.... sigh...
A couple of things that the instructions from many rooting guides that I found were necessary and/or helpful:
When you need to power up into CWM: make sure you unplug the USB before you do it. All you have to do is hold down the volume keys and the power button at the same time until you feel the phone vibrate, or you see the samsung logo appear.

Okay here is the main answer you need: Yes, rooting your phone voids your warranty. Period. Some of us (myself included) go into all of this rooting stuff knowing that doing so means we're on our own. Some do it thinking they can game the system if/when **** goes down, and some don't know the risks at all.
Even though I have never nor would never think that someone owes me a new phone when I screwed it up (save for on my epic 4G because you needed to root to get usable GPS and that is pathetic) there is one way to guarantee that you'll be safe: buy the phone from bestbuy and get their insurance. It covers "accidental" damage meaning if it got bricked you could simply "accidentally" drop it down a few flights of stairs and when it is subsequently destroyed you get a new device. That and that alone is the only sure fire way to keep your device safe.
Sent from my Hercules with xda Premium.

sethbw said:
Thanks mikeyinid. I've moved forward to the process of rooting, but I'm having an issue with getting to the CMW recovery menu. When I take out my batter and put it back in.. I hold down the volume up and volume down buttons, and the power button for 2 seconds, but it takes me to the Warning! screen over again... what am I doing wrong?
Am I supposed to hold down the volume keys and the power button at the same time or separately? So confused
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you flash cwm in Odin?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

Thanks guys, I need help.
I go to cwm and install from zip (from my external SD) and select su-3.0.5-efgh-signed.zip
From there I get the following error:
E:Error in/sdcard/su-3.0.5-efgh-signed.zip
(status 0)
Installation aborted
I was told this is not a problem, so I reboot my phone from the cwm menu. No superuser in my apps list, ROM Manager does not work.

mikeyinid said:
Did you flash cwm in Odin?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry that was an old post I was in the middle of editing it when you replied! I did use Odin.
I was able to get into CWM no problems after I removed the usb cable.
My problem now is that it wont take the superuser install from CWM. No idea what could have gone wrong...

kenvan19 said:
Okay here is the main answer you need: Yes, rooting your phone voids your warranty. Period. Some of us (myself included) go into all of this rooting stuff knowing that doing so means we're on our own. Some do it thinking they can game the system if/when **** goes down, and some don't know the risks at all.
Even though I have never nor would never think that someone owes me a new phone when I screwed it up (save for on my epic 4G because you needed to root to get usable GPS and that is pathetic) there is one way to guarantee that you'll be safe: buy the phone from bestbuy and get their insurance. It covers "accidental" damage meaning if it got bricked you could simply "accidentally" drop it down a few flights of stairs and when it is subsequently destroyed you get a new device. That and that alone is the only sure fire way to keep your device safe.
Sent from my Hercules with xda Premium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you consider removal of CIQ a solid reason?

How about try to root using superoneclick method.
Look in the sticky "[ INDEX ] .☆.☆.☆. SEARCH HERE 1st .☆.☆.☆. most wanted topics, FAQ" of this forum, there is a link for Root via superoneclick v2.2 in that thread.

sethbw said:
Sorry that was an old post I was in the middle of editing it when you replied! I did use Odin.
I was able to get into CWM no problems after I removed the usb cable.
My problem now is that it wont take the superuser install from CWM. No idea what could have gone wrong...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just keep flashing it til you dont get an error. sometimes it takes 3 or 4 times.

Allright that appears to have worked Mikey. Rebooting now...

sethbw said:
Allright that appears to have worked Mikey. Rebooting now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Next you should flash Juggernaut and the ics theme. Sick as hell
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

Thanks Already downloading J 3.7 - is this the version you recommend?

sethbw said:
Thanks Already downloading J 3.7 - is this the version you recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think the theme is only updated through 3.69 but i think it will work on 3.7 also

Waiting 10 minutes after reboot, 7 minutes to go... then another reboot.. and then I guess I'm done! Although I have a feeling I will need to verify that my network settings and connections all work... Very excited =-]

sethbw said:
Waiting 10 minutes after reboot, 7 minutes to go... then another reboot.. and then I guess I'm done! Although I have a feeling I will need to verify that my network settings and connections all work... Very excited =-]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
youll be fine, juggernaut works very well.

Its really very early and i'm not sure that its worth the risk at this point. Everything is pretty early in development and if you are inexperienced the odds of getting your phone messed up or even bricked are very high. You MIGHT be able to cover up the evidence that you rooted but if you can do that much than your phone probably isn't bricked anyways. It's also fraud.
Like another poster said, get insurance if you just have to do this, but personally I really recommend waiting until the pros have it worked out and there's something really worth rooting for. I HATE CIQ just as much as the next guy but i'm waiting for a good ICS build before I root. I've lost too many phones to accidental physical damage to lose another to this.
Good luck.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Different Carrier SGH-T999 Vs. T-Mo SGH-T999 Compatability

I looked on the forums and couldnt find the answer to this question so I wanted to be extra sure
I just picked my S3 up, and looking at getting it rooted. I am on Cincinnati Bell, it is the same model number(SGH-T999 4.1.1) and baseband(T999UVDLJA) as for T-Mobile. C-Bell shares its network with T-Mobile, and many of their phones in the past have been rebranded T-Mobile's so I assume(but we all knows what can happen when you assume) this will work,but I felt better asking first. Can someone confirm as long as my SGH-T999 4.1.1 matches with the last 4 for the T-Mobile build (DLJA) I should be ok in rooting this.
My baseband version reads as T999UVDLJA
My build number looks like this though:
ULTIMOBILE-T999-4.1.1-cbw-120312-1.4
Much appreciated in advance guys !

You shouldnt have any problems. their the same phone. Also I have the tmobile version and flash att roms all the time

In theory it should work...and I emphasize should lol.I was hoping someone had run across this themselves
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

I saw a prior post with Woody replying giving it his thumbs up, so I will attempt to root after I get off later tonight..cross my fingers....lol anyone recommend a particular root method over others I was looking at Mr.'s rootkit

Hey man. If you recall in that thread, I suggested to Jay that he make a backup of the stock ROM that you have on it. That way if you have to take it back to CBW for some reason and they boot it up, it doesn't have the TMo kernel splash on it.
Ultimobile is the script overlay that CBW uses. They are shady man. Well at least they were when I found out some things about them a few years ago. I got a Motorola XT720 from CBW. Was a decent first Android but it was released and abandoned on Éclair (no app2sd), a locked bootloader (wtf was a bootloader) and only had 256 RAM and 512 ROM. Not a lot of space. So we had to repartition our extSD card to create a partition to where the apps could install.
CBW caught a bunch of flak from Users and they hired this Ultimobile team to "build" us a 2.2 ROM. Then CBW gave it's Users Root and an "Upgrade". I put both Build and Upgrade in quotes because once they released the build, we tore it down and found all the code that we had implemented. Even found the signatures. What was worse was that we found a script buried in the ROM that was reporting usage statistics back to the mothership in Ultimobile HQ. Dirty!!! But we couldn't call them out because they didn't release on XDA and it wasn't the first time a manufacture has take from XDA (AGPS patch taken by ASUS-allegedly).
Back to the problem at hand. Make a backup of your CBW ROM and keep it on your PC for warranty purposes. I think (this is brand spanking new) that you might be able download the latest TWPR.img (2.4.2.0) and flash it through Odin. It has a Root checker and if it fails, it asks if you want to install SuperSU. Might be the easiest way ever. You would then flash the img in Odin, install Root, backup your ROM to External SD and then reboot. Make sure it boots and after that, flash away.

As always woody, your the man, appreciate it, I'll let ya know how it goes !

I downloaded Mr's root kit because it looked super well put together and also because it has built in download for either recovery (I've always been more of a CWM fan anyhow...Sorry woody .I got the most recent stable version of cyanogen downloading now .Going to take a shower ,flash the recovery and root on do a backup and then put CM on.I'll let you know how it turns out in a bit
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

She's rooted and running CM10, and she is flying!
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Welcome aboard. You'll see what this thing can really do.
Now get out there and help somebody.
Just in case you want it: Official MEGA CM10/CM10.1 Theme Chooser Thread [724 THEMES]

Woody did you read my mind I was just getting on now to see what I could find for that
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

New to Anything samsung

Hi, I'm getting a galaxy s3 tomorrow. I was just wondering if someone would give me a run down of anything I should know. My last phone was an inspire 4g. I don't know what a modem is. I was wondering what people are talking about "tripped flash counter" is it important? What is it? Any thing else like that, it would be greatly appreciated
Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express

trh1341 said:
Hi, I'm getting a galaxy s3 tomorrow. I was just wondering if someone would give me a run down of anything I should know. My last phone was an inspire 4g. I don't know what a modem is. I was wondering what people are talking about "tripped flash counter" is it important? What is it? Any thing else like that, it would be greatly appreciated
Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to the the dark side!!! Well the tripped flash counter is a Samsung can check to see how many times your flashed a non Samsung kernel on the phone using Odin or heimdall. Its important to have it at 0 if your sending your phone back to Samsung for repairs or if your exchanging for a new one with att.you can look up chainfire on xda. He has a app call triangle away which is can reset the flash counter.if you find his thread on xda he explains the flash counter a lot better. The only other important things I believe you should know is you can flash some T-Mobile galaxy s3 roms (search the thread to make sure tho), as you may know every phone is different so some kernels may work for you others may not and the root method is different from HTCs so read the stickes and theards or find a update to date video on how to root. I hope you enjoy this beast of a phone!!! Once again welcome
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Thanks alot! I have one more question. The "casual" root method..will that install cwm or twrp or 4ext? And lind of recovery? Or dobi need to do that separately? I'm looking for the easiest way to root. Thanks for the help, i just dont have much money and since im coming from an HTC phone i know its going to be different...dont want a very expensive paper weight do i??QUOTE=blackstar_329;39618110]Welcome to the the dark side!!! Well the tripped flash counter is a Samsung can check to see how many times your flashed a non Samsung kernel on the phone using Odin or heimdall. Its important to have it at 0 if your sending your phone back to Samsung for repairs or if your exchanging for a new one with att.you can look up chainfire on xda. He has a app call triangle away which is can reset the flash counter.if you find his thread on xda he explains the flash counter a lot better. The only other important things I believe you should know is you can flash some T-Mobile galaxy s3 roms (search the thread to make sure tho), as you may know every phone is different so some kernels may work for you others may not and the root method is different from HTCs so read the stickes and theards or find a update to date video on how to root. I hope you enjoy this beast of a phone!!! Once again welcome
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium[/QUOTE]
Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express

Since you'll be getting the att model look here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2042775 ape made an excellent tutorial for beginners when it comes to rooting the s3. it has pictures and he even package a root kit follow the instructions and you should be fine. Before trying make sure you have a good understanding of it first. I believe it even helps you install cwm. Once your Rooted if you want twrp just download its either goo. Im or too manager I don't remember from the android market and install twrp from there. Once again if you run into a problem search the thread first because more then likely someone had that same problem or you can message me and I will try my best to help you and guide you through it. Like i said before there are turns of tuts ane vids out there to help you
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and help issues go in Q&A
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
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The best thing you could do right now is read up and understand these different processes and procedures. There are many who don't and find themselves on this forum with broken, sometimes unfixable phones.
Look over the link in my signature. It can guide you from start to finish and ensure that you cover all your bases as safely and smoothly as possible.
Cheers

trh1341 said:
Hi, I'm getting a galaxy s3 tomorrow. I was just wondering if someone would give me a run down of anything I should know. My last phone was an inspire 4g. I don't know what a modem is. I was wondering what people are talking about "tripped flash counter" is it important? What is it? Any thing else like that, it would be greatly appreciated
Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlike your HTC you have to try really hard to brick a Samsung phone...other than that make backups of your EFS, IMEI, and keep a nandroid of rooted stock ROM on hand and you are good to go. Like more Galaxy S phones its fairly fool proof and if something happens you can get out of it. Don't flash anything for the international version. I prefer TWRP for recovery because its user interface is a lot better but to each there own.

Just Rooted my GS4, now I have to send it back...

what do i do if i rooted my galaxy s4 but have to send it back to t-mobile for an exchange now?? My pbone went on sale big time (up front cost anyway ) and we can really use that money, so i got on the phone, and the only way to take advantage is to send them the phome i ordered just 2-3 weeks ago, and have them send me a newbie... First of all, they sent me the wrong color (i wanted the white , but they sent me black) it did grow on me i must say tho... I have already rooted this phone to get some control over some aspects of the device, and now i am not sure if i can send this one back this way?? Has anyone ever been in this situation with t-mobile and the Galaxy S-series devices that could give me some advice?? This is my opportunity to try the color i originally wanted, get the payment options that are best suited for me, and since i have spent a couple/few weeks with the phone already, i feel that a brand new device could be setup even better tailored to/for myself, now that i know what i am doing (this is my first Android device EVER, so the platform is BRAND NEW to me, every bit of it)... I am having fun with the new platform tho, and everything seems to be working great, but a few re-dos on the initial setup can only make it better, if it is possible with a device that has been rooted already (sending it back to them and still getting credited back for it...
Thanks in advance to any and all that would help with this matter...
-Siggy
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4

you can Odin back to stock: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2258628
there is also an app called Triangle Away that can reset the flash counter to fully erase any evidence of having rooted.

siggystyle said:
what do i do if i rooted my galaxy s4 but have to send it back to t-mobile for an exchange now?? My pbone went on sale big time (up front cost anyway ) and we can really use that money, so i got on the phone, and the only way to take advantage is to send them the phome i ordered just 2-3 weeks ago, and have them send me a newbie... First of all, they sent me the wrong color (i wanted the white , but they sent me black) it did grow on me i must say tho... I have already rooted this phone to get some control over some aspects of the device, and now i am not sure if i can send this one back this way?? Has anyone ever been in this situation with t-mobile and the Galaxy S-series devices that could give me some advice?? This is my opportunity to try the color i originally wanted, get the payment options that are best suited for me, and since i have spent a couple/few weeks with the phone already, i feel that a brand new device could be setup even better tailored to/for myself, now that i know what i am doing (this is my first Android device EVER, so the platform is BRAND NEW to me, every bit of it)... I am having fun with the new platform tho, and everything seems to be working great, but a few re-dos on the initial setup can only make it better, if it is possible with a device that has been rooted already (sending it back to them and still getting credited back for it...
Thanks in advance to any and all that would help with this matter...
-Siggy
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you install a a custom recovery and flash custom roms or did you just root? If you installed a custom recovery you have to use triangle away.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium

marcoxx626 said:
Did you install a a custom recovery and flash custom roms or did you just root? If you installed a custom recovery you have to use triangle away.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought if you ODIN back to stock it reset everything, even any flash counters.

se1000 said:
I thought if you ODIN back to stock it reset everything, even any flash counters.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you would need to reset it (w Triangle Away) before Odin back to stock.

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Thread moved
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marcoxx626 said:
Did you install a a custom recovery and flash custom roms or did you just root? If you installed a custom recovery you have to use triangle away.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only rooted (i believe, using Odin3) i am pretty new to the Android way of things, so not sure of what exactly was flashed until i get home, but i was following instructions for rooting only - as i wanted to test things step by step...

Follow this guide and you should be good. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2336392

[Q] No OS, no SD card. info needed

I was given a "bricked" at&t note 2 by a friend of a friend. The origional owner kept the SD card, and was unable to tell me anything more than "its broke". After some lurking I was able to boot into recovery, and surprised to find it had twrp 2.5.x.x. and no OS. I have a spare SD card and adapter so I can use a pc to save a OS and flash it with twrp. My question is, what would be the best custom Rom to get the phone up and running and will I also need a kernel? I'm trying to avoid using ODIN since I will be borrowing the pc. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Your choice ....there is no "best" rom....
The best is the one you like the most...
I use Temesek AOSP....g
Sent from my SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Yeah, I realize preference is the most important thing when it comes to roms. I'm just looking for some suggestions. I shouldn't have asked what is the best.
So will I need a kernel?
Thanks for your time

Kernel will be in almost every rom available for the device. ..
The biggest question is what kind of rom you want. ..
Do you prefer a stock like build. ..or are you more bleeding edge wanting the latest. ..
I would probably stick to a stock style build until you get more comfortable with the device and the performance. ..then you can experiment a bit more later. .
Browse the development section and read the OP of anything that interests you. ..then follow the instructions carefully. ..
Most stock type builds are very easy to use. ..and include the important parts...g
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Jaster45 said:
I was given a "bricked" at&t note 2 by a friend of a friend. The origional owner kept the SD card, and was unable to tell me anything more than "its broke". After some lurking I was able to boot into recovery, and surprised to find it had twrp 2.5.x.x. and no OS. I have a spare SD card and adapter so I can use a pc to save a OS and flash it with twrp. My question is, what would be the best custom Rom to get the phone up and running and will I also need a kernel? I'm trying to avoid using ODIN since I will be borrowing the pc. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've always enjoyed using illusion rom and slimbean. But i suggest you check the stock firmware and get used to.

Thanks! I am pretty familiar with Android in general. Im on a HTC Rezound now (unrooted stock, ugh) and had a thoroughly rooted/romed droid 1 before that. So while I'm way behind, I do have a little experience in this. The more I read up on this note 2 the more impressed I am with it, and its dev support. Unfortunately being a Verizon customer I won't be activating it, but I plan to have some fun with it for awhile. Thanks again for your input.

Jaster45 said:
Thanks! I am pretty familiar with Android in general. Im on a HTC Rezound now (unrooted stock, ugh) and had a thoroughly rooted/romed droid 1 before that. So while I'm way behind, I do have a little experience in this. The more I read up on this note 2 the more impressed I am with it, and its dev support. Unfortunately being a Verizon customer I won't be activating it, but I plan to have some fun with it for awhile. Thanks again for your input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Late-comer here. I personally use Illusion ROM. It's a great AOSP ROM. But if u want more of stock, use Ditto Note 3 or SkyNote for that stock feeling+most Note 3 features.
Smack that Thanks button if I helped!
XDAing from a N7105 powered by Illusion ROM.
Sent from a small country called Singapore.
P.S. Time for school, not much time for XDA