Why bother upgrading the bootloader? - T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII

I've asked this question in a couple different threads and have not received an answer yet so I figured I'd just make my own thread here. Please feel free to correct any misinformation in the following:
It's my understanding that all 4.3 and 4.4 roms work fine with the older md5 bootloader, with some of the TW 4.3 roms you need the ATT kernel but other than that no problems.
If you have the older md5 bootloader you can still use triangle away and flash a stock rom and put your phone back to uncustomized status if you need to send it in for warranty repair, but with the newest 4.3 bootloader that is impossible to do because of the knox security?
This I know for a fact because it is what works best for my phone right now, the older bootloader and the newest radio can be used together. I am on an aokp-based 4.3 rom and the newest radio definitely works better for me than the md5 radio.
Once you flash the newest 4.3 bootloader that's it, you're stuck unless you want to risk bricking your phone. I know I just read a thread explaining how to go back but it's a fairly involved process with lots of steps and no guarantee of working.
So with all that said, my question is "what is the point of updating to the newest bootloader?" Seems like it has a lot of negatives and no positives.

Nope. None to my knowledge. I wouldn't do it.
It may be possible that Samsung may come out and say that future updates depends on you going to the new bootloader. But that's speculation on my part.

You have some good info in there, maybe others can read it... And not bring up why they don't have wifi on 4.3.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 07:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 PM ----------
Perseus71 said:
Nope. None to my knowledge. I wouldn't do it.
It may be possible that Samsung may come out and say that future updates depends on you going to the new bootloader. But that's speculation on my part.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep up the good work, helping out the community
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Related

I'm scared to ROM because of IMEI issues

So basically I want to rom my phone with the AOPK Jellybean rom. But i'm worried if I lose my IMEI number. There anything I can do to make sure I wont lose my IMEI number?
rayoubi said:
So basically I want to rom my phone with the AOPK Jellybean rom. But i'm worried if I lose my IMEI number. There anything I can do to make sure I wont lose my IMEI number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy a scratch & win lotto ticket. If you lose, go ahead and flash.
As of right now some simple steps would be being in the OTA update UCLG1 having a SV05 and having TWRP (team win recovery project) instead of CWM. The number of users experiencing this issue is very low. If your in the 30 day return period I advise doing some testing because its less of a hassle going to a store for an exchange instead of sending it away.
zmore said:
Buy a scratch & win lotto ticket. If you lose, go ahead and flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you trying to say? lol
DudeWatsThat said:
As of right now some simple steps would be being in the OTA update UCLG1 having a SV05 and having TWRP (team win recovery project) instead of CWM. The number of users experiencing this issue is very low. If your in the 30 day return period I advise doing some testing because its less of a hassle going to a store for an exchange instead of sending it away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I should use team win recovery project instead of CWR, because it would lower my chances? I don't wanna take any chances I guess i'll be stock until we find a real solution. I don't feel like bricking my $600+ device.
Yes twrp and no flash root gtg
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
rayoubi said:
What are you trying to say? lol
So I should use team win recovery project instead of CWR, because it would lower my chances? I don't wanna take any chances I guess i'll be stock until we find a real solution. I don't feel like bricking my $600+ device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a issue affecting a small amount of people there's a very high chance that you might not get it. I was scared to but I said screw it I'm going to find out if my phone has it, if it does ill just exchange it better now than later on when my return period is up.
No one with baseband version of UCLG1 has lost it neither with TWRP and UCLG1.
If you wanna try it download the OTA from your phone(using software update on device itself). Root using no trip method and instead pushing CWM use TWRP. Flash and see what happens.
tyshemi said:
Yes twrp and no flash root gtg
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no flash root?
DudeWatsThat said:
Its a issue affecting a small amount of people there's a very high chance that you might not get it. I was scared to but I said screw it I'm going to find out if my phone has it, if it does ill just exchange it better now than later on when my return period is up.
No one with baseband version of UCLG1 has lost it neither with TWRP and UCLG1.
If you wanna try it download the OTA from your phone(using software update on device itself). Root using no trip method and instead pushing CWM use TWRP. Flash and see what happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually did root my phone with the toolkit the day I got my phone. I got a OTA update yesterday but I choosed to ignore it because I was afraid to lose my root. I do have CWR already installed but I guess I might as well use TWRP.
No trip root lol and yes twrp I have been through all roms and stock and just fine
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
tyshemi said:
No trip root lol and yes twrp I have been through all roms and stock and just fine
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm sorry what does no trip root mean from just normal root. im a noob i know.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426
Best root method
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
And here is twrp method use goo app it's way easier imo
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1793224
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
rayoubi said:
no flash root?
I actually did root my phone with the toolkit the day I got my phone. I got a OTA update yesterday but I choosed to ignore it because I was afraid to lose my root. I do have CWR already installed but I guess I might as well use TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use OTA root keeper it should keep it.
---------- Post added at 05:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:55 PM ----------
tyshemi said:
And here is twrp method use goo app it's way easier imo
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1793224
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 Definitely the easiest way.
I was scared too man. I really was. This thing cost me an arm and a leg, its like the nicest thing I own and I never want to put it in dangers way. Plus if I had to pay out of pocket, I wouldn't be able to replace it for 2 months, and it would eat up all my pleasure money.
But you know what, I hate touchwiz. I hate the menus, I hate its goofy sounds and stuff. The stock keyboard is ridiculous.The battery life was really good though. I know I could of changed the launcher and some other stuff but I am really into running my devices lean and mean. This is just a thing, a mentality I guess.
I decided that at best I can provide some information to the community and possibly work with other people and get this figured out. Everyone being scared is going to ruin the test pool because we don't get the scope of info we need to really get analytical about it. At worst, well I have documented everything I've done so far and can reproduce any partition pre-flashing needed. If we all end up with phones with imeis missing in the first 30 days, and all take them back to att because "I don't know I just don't get 4g anymore", we can possibly force att and Samsung to look more in-depth And possibly give a fix.
If anything early is the time to flash if you are looking to get your hands dirty, and be fine with learning some things along the way. I spent a good 2 weeks just learning everything I could about the issue, my phone, just got real intimate with the thing XD. Once I felt comfortable that I have done everything in my power to prepare for the worse, I rooted with the "no trip" method and then installed busy box, and then goomanager from the play store. From there just go to options and then hit open recovery and it automatically detects your device and installs.
Just remember, this is a brand new device running brand new software. All of this is experimental and the fact any of it works, let alone as well as it does is amazing. I'm running aokp rc2 right now and its pretty impressive. There's some weird haptic bugs and I'm noticing that my signal strength is not even close to what it was stock. This is disappointing and o don't understand why this is. As far as I understand I'm still on the same modem? All I've done is flashed aokp and cm10 ROMs. I'm getting about 107db right now and it keeps switching from HSDPA to HSDPA +. So when I load a page, it will be slow till the HSDPA + kicks in, then it will go back down to HSDPA and loose signal strength, almost like it "cranks up" when data is being used? Anyways yea its fun and I totally understand why you want to, but bit expect it to be like 1000x better right now. But if you are down contribute either info, donate to devs, try things, send files/screenshots then come join the fun!
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
rakhov said:
I was scared too man. I really was. This thing cost me an arm and a leg, its like the nicest thing I own and I never want to put it in dangers way. Plus if I had to pay out of pocket, I wouldn't be able to replace it for 2 months, and it would eat up all my pleasure money.
But you know what, I hate touchwiz. I hate the menus, I hate its goofy sounds and stuff. The stock keyboard is ridiculous.The battery life was really good though. I know I could of changed the launcher and some other stuff but I am really into running my devices lean and mean. This is just a thing, a mentality I guess.
I decided that at best I can provide some information to the community and possibly work with other people and get this figured out. Everyone being scared is going to ruin the test pool because we don't get the scope of info we need to really get analytical about it. At worst, well I have documented everything I've done so far and can reproduce any partition pre-flashing needed. If we all end up with phones with imeis missing in the first 30 days, and all take them back to att because "I don't know I just don't get 4g anymore", we can possibly force att and Samsung to look more in-depth And possibly give a fix.
If anything early is the time to flash if you are looking to get your hands dirty, and be fine with learning some things along the way. I spent a good 2 weeks just learning everything I could about the issue, my phone, just got real intimate with the thing XD. Once I felt comfortable that I have done everything in my power to prepare for the worse, I rooted with the "no trip" method and then installed busy box, and then goomanager from the play store. From there just go to options and then hit open recovery and it automatically detects your device and installs.
Just remember, this is a brand new device running brand new software. All of this is experimental and the fact any of it works, let alone as well as it does is amazing. I'm running aokp rc2 right now and its pretty impressive. There's some weird haptic bugs and I'm noticing that my signal strength is not even close to what it was stock. This is disappointing and o don't understand why this is. As far as I understand I'm still on the same modem? All I've done is flashed aokp and cm10 ROMs. I'm getting about 107db right now and it keeps switching from HSDPA to HSDPA +. So when I load a page, it will be slow till the HSDPA + kicks in, then it will go back down to HSDPA and loose signal strength, almost like it "cranks up" when data is being used? Anyways yea its fun and I totally understand why you want to, but bit expect it to be like 1000x better right now. But if you are down contribute either info, donate to devs, try things, send files/screenshots then come join the fun!
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm holding out on AOKP until it comes out of preview builds, don't like being a guinea pig.
My experience:
Used the root without tripping flashcounter method.
Used adb to install CWM (the touch version for AT&T, not the teamepic one)
Have flashed custom ROMs, Kernels, and mods.
Absolutely no problems.
Just make sure to download the .zip files that are specific to your device, make nandroids, and have fun!
kswa1987 said:
My experience:
Used the root without tripping flashcounter method.
Used adb to install CWM (the touch version for AT&T, not the teamepic one)
Have flashed custom ROMs, Kernels, and mods.
Absolutely no problems.
Just make sure to download the .zip files that are specific to your device, make nandroids, and have fun!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And avoid anything marked 'preview' or 'nightly'. (IMHO)
rayoubi said:
So basically I want to rom my phone with the AOPK Jellybean rom. But i'm worried if I lose my IMEI number. There anything I can do to make sure I wont lose my IMEI number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed this method-- http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-s3-sgh-i747-att-root-99789/
Using Odin to install ClockWorkMod and then flashed the updated version of ClockWorkMod via Rom Manager & installed CM10... No issues. I've use this method 4 times now on two different S3's with no issues & IMEI still intact.
DudeWatsThat said:
Its a issue affecting a small amount of people there's a very high chance that you might not get it. I was scared to but I said screw it I'm going to find out if my phone has it, if it does ill just exchange it better now than later on when my return period is up.
No one with baseband version of UCLG1 has lost it neither with TWRP and UCLG1.
If you wanna try it download the OTA from your phone(using software update on device itself). Root using no trip method and instead pushing CWM use TWRP. Flash and see what happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a Telus user up here in the great white north (canada) and my baseband is LE8 and the kernel date back to may20th.. I made a topic earlier in the international thread about a hiss/static noise problem and a helper told me to flash a new rom as my current baseband is old and he had problems with this baseband/firmware.
I'm so confused, ROMS are just different type of "OS" right? I mean if I want to officially update my firmware I gotta go through the Samsung procedure? (If I update while rooted, I'll lose root right?).
Intercrew said:
I'm a Telus user up here in the great white north (canada) and my baseband is LE8 and the kernel date back to may20th.. I made a topic earlier in the international thread about a hiss/static noise problem and a helper told me to flash a new rom as my current baseband is old and he had problems with this baseband/firmware.
I'm so confused, ROMS are just different type of "OS" right? I mean if I want to officially update my firmware I gotta go through the Samsung procedure? (If I update while rooted, I'll lose root right?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted LE8 with the snap dragon method then flashed cm9.. then flashed cm10 then nandroided back to cm9 then flashed LG1 from androiduser.. and my imei is still intact.. I think losing the imei is totally random in my opinion
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Intercrew said:
I'm a Telus user up here in the great white north (canada) and my baseband is LE8 and the kernel date back to may20th.. I made a topic earlier in the international thread about a hiss/static noise problem and a helper told me to flash a new rom as my current baseband is old and he had problems with this baseband/firmware.
I'm so confused, ROMS are just different type of "OS" right? I mean if I want to officially update my firmware I gotta go through the Samsung procedure? (If I update while rooted, I'll lose root right?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Roms can update your firmware it all depends on what stock version their based on.
Most of the time you will find a root injected rom lets say its le9 with this you would just have to flash it through cwm/twrp. Instant firmware update without loosing root.
Then flash any rom based on it.
Plus theres a niffty app called OTA root keeper. Get OTA without loosing root.
Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on something.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

[Q] How do I Update?

I posted this thread a few days ago and surprisingly nobody was helpful at all.
I am rooted and with stock rom LG8
I am NOT familiar with all the jargon of you root gurus
1. Can you please tell me where there is an updated list of updates?
2. Can you please give me step by step instructions on how to update?
3. Is there a full working english version of Jellybean anywhere?
Thanks
A little reading of searching you would have your answers....
How to update.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1895170
How to accept an OTA while stock rooted
Stock jelly bean leak.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...ly Bean 4.1.1 Leak (L710SPRBLIH) Odex/DeOdex.
Being a leak bugs could exist.
Sent from Pluto.
Speedin07si said:
A little reading of searching you would have your answers....
How to update.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1895170
How to accept an OTA while stock rooted
Stock jelly bean leak.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...ly Bean 4.1.1 Leak (L710SPRBLIH) Odex/DeOdex.
Being a leak bugs could exist.
Sent from Pluto.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im sorry, maybe im just flat fukkin stupid or something, but that didn't help me.
I rooted so I could have free wifi tether.
1. I dont know what a stock recovery is.
2. I dont even know what a rom is.
3. I dont know what a build is.
I just want to UPDATE MY DANG PHONE!
Well unless you can/want to learn about what your phone is and what it can do. I suggest you follow this step by step.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypmqJbZqOaU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
It'll unroot you, you will lose your free WiFi tether. But you will be able to take all the updates you want. Then pay $30/month or whatever it is and get Sprint tether.
You should only root if you know how what's what with the tech world around your phone. Or have the willingness to read and understand all the information within threads that you want to learn from.
Sent from Pluto.
---------- Post added at 04:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:31 PM ----------
Also that video is how to unbrick your phone from being soft bricked. Which you will probably end up doing if you continue to try stuff without understanding it fully.
Sent from Pluto.
If you are rooted but stock LG8 and you want to update to LI3 and maintain root you can do this by following the steps here.
It is a pretty simple process but you need to know how to flash an update in the Clockworkmod recovery. If you are rooted then you likely already have a custom recovery (like clockworkmod or twrp). Just download the referenced files, copy to your internal sdcard, boot to recovery, make a nardroid backup (optional but recommended), flash the update, flash the TeamEpic file and then reboot.
It does not get much simpler than that. If you can't handle this then you should really save yourself some trouble and unroot and take the update normally.
Speedin07si said:
Well unless you can/want to learn about what your phone is and what it can do. I suggest you follow this step by step.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypmqJbZqOaU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
It'll unroot you, you will lose your free WiFi tether. But you will be able to take all the updates you want. Then pay $30/month or whatever it is and get Sprint tether.
You should only root if you know how what's what with the tech world around your phone. Or have the willingness to read and understand all the information within threads that you want to learn from.
Sent from Pluto.
---------- Post added at 04:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:31 PM ----------
Also that video is how to unbrick your phone from being soft bricked. Which you will probably end up doing if you continue to try stuff without understanding it fully.
Sent from Pluto.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed the video, and Im updated to LI3. What was getting me was that I couldnt find a video or instructions for the current update. Nor could I find a single source for latest updates.. I was getting confused with the different roms out there and such..
Im an expert at modding xboxes and nintendo Wiis, but I couldnt find a noob friendly source for explaining what anything is.
Anyways, thanks for the help

[Q] Rooted & unlocked... is it time for a custom rom? Questions inside.

XDA Members,
I am pretty new to the world of Smartphones. My first Android was a T-Mobile G2 and I have recently upgraded to a Samsung Galaxy S-III (also through T-Mobile). One of the initial things I did was update it to Android 4.1.1 via a T-Mobile OTA update. I then rooted the device using this method and it worked like a absolute charm. Today I discovered a Sim Unlock thread here on XDA and couldn't resist following the instructions as I like to have absolute control over the technology I purchase.
My next step would be a Custom ROM like Cyanogen I reckon. However I have some questions and will decide based off of your answers here if it actually a step I want to take. I have concerns about functionality, the benefits, and drawbacks. Hopefully your answers here will be enough to calm my nerves on this as I feel it'd be a very big step. So without further delay here are my preliminary questions:
1) How polished in Cynagen for the Samsung Galaxy S3? Are there a lot of bugs, errors, and the like? Is it running Android 4.1.1, Android 4.1.2, or Android 4.2.1?
2) If I switch over to the Cynoagen ROM in place of the stock firmware currently on my GS3 will I notice a performance increase or decrease in terms of speed, memory consumption, and related variables?
3) What functionality and/or features are missing from Cyanogen in comparison to the stock firmware? Specifically let's talk about camera functionality. The camera functionality in the stock firmware is pretty solid. Can I expect the same level of functionality from Cynaogen? If no then what is missing and/or different?
4) I do not have an SDCARD yet. If I move to Cyanogen can I swap back to the stock Samsung/T-Mobile variant of Android 4.1.1 easily and without too much difficulty?
5) What are the benefits and drawbacks to using Cyanogen over the stock ROM? Can you please enlighten me as to why using an aftermarket ROM is so popular?
This is just a series of preliminary questions. I inquired on the official Cyanogen community forums but getting responses is proving to be more difficult than I originally anticipated. I am hoping to have significantly better luck on these forums.
1)
We have stable cm10
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---------- Post added at 11:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:52 PM ----------
2)
Exactly the opposite
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:52 PM ----------
3)
Camera is awesome
You lose a few of the touchwiz tricks like the phone stays on while you're looking at it, etc.
I have s voice on my cm10 nightly, s memo, etc. Just download from apps and accessories section
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 PM ----------
4)
Just follow the instructions in the stickies of the dev section
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 PM ----------
5)
Your phone can't do what mine can do
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Android_Monsters said:
1)
We have stable cm10
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:52 PM ----------
2)
Exactly the opposite
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:52 PM ----------
3)
Camera is awesome
You lose a few of the touchwiz tricks like the phone stays on while you're looking at it, etc.
I have s voice on my cm10 nightly, s memo, etc. Just download from apps and accessories section
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 PM ----------
4)
Just follow the instructions in the stickies of the dev section
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 PM ----------
5)
Your phone can't do what mine can do
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you be a little more specific and in-depth with your answers?
I'm really on the fence about rooting right now, i want to because i want to play all the games with an xbox or ps3 controller, also i only have the 16 gb and didn't realise there isn't apps to sd so 'd like to do the trick to get my sd card to read as internal memory but i have a hard time with the fact that you lose warranty when i have replaced many phones in the past from t-mobile. The technical side scares me in the possibilty of bricking my phone. What was your thought process on that? The warranty thing really scares me like i said because i have literally replaced about a dozen phones through customer care.
Duran187 said:
I'm really on the fence about rooting right now, i want to because i want to play all the games with an xbox or ps3 controller, also i only have the 16 gb and didn't realise there isn't apps to sd so 'd like to do the trick to get my sd card to read as internal memory but i have a hard time with the fact that you lose warranty when i have replaced many phones in the past from t-mobile. The technical side scares me in the possibilty of bricking my phone. What was your thought process on that? The warranty thing really scares me like i said because i have literally replaced about a dozen phones through customer care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow the guide I linked in my original post about rooting your T-Mobile Galaxy S3. It's VERY SIMPLE to do using that method. Watch the included YouTube video and then follow the guide carefully. Trust me it's totally worth it. You won't brick your phone if you follow that guide I linked. It's just so easy to do.
Duran187 said:
I'm really on the fence about rooting right now, i want to because i want to play all the games with an xbox or ps3 controller, also i only have the 16 gb and didn't realise there isn't apps to sd so 'd like to do the trick to get my sd card to read as internal memory but i have a hard time with the fact that you lose warranty when i have replaced many phones in the past from t-mobile. The technical side scares me in the possibilty of bricking my phone. What was your thought process on that? The warranty thing really scares me like i said because i have literally replaced about a dozen phones through customer care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're too scared to root or flash any roms than just stay on stock. If you follow all the instructions correctly then you got nothing to worry about. I've rooted everyone's phone in my household(we all have different ones) out of boredom lol but I followed the instructions and had 0 issues. Yes you lose your warranty if you root or install a custom rom but it's very easy to revert back to stock in case you need to for warranty purposes.
And for the guy asking about CM10 just try it out and see if you like it or head to the CM10 thread and read up on it. You'll lose most of the touchwiz features but there are some other roms based off touchwiz
j_smith305 said:
If you're too scared to root or flash any roms than just stay on stock. If you follow all the instructions correctly then you got nothing to worry about. I've rooted everyone's phone in my household(we all have different ones) out of boredom lol but I followed the instructions and had 0 issues. Yes you lose your warranty if you root or install a custom rom but it's very easy to revert back to stock in case you need to for warranty purposes.
And for the guy asking about CM10 just try it out and see if you like it or head to the CM10 thread and read up on it. You'll lose most of the touchwiz features but there are some other roms based off touchwiz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been reading it over but I would honest prefer some straight answers to my questions. I'm more of a direct person. Reading can only answer so much.
Caliburn said:
I've been reading it over but I would honest prefer some straight answers to my questions. I'm more of a direct person. Reading can only answer so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just try it out and see if you like it. Make a nandroid backup of your current rom in case you wanna switch back
j_smith305 said:
Just try it out and see if you like it. Make a nandroid backup of your current rom in case you wanna switch back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is a Nandroid Backup? Could you offer me a link? Sorry I am really new to this. Rooting and unlocking is the furthest I've ever gone before. Baby steps here. I'd like to know the potential of me possibly being satisfied before making this leap. Lol.
Caliburn said:
What is a Nandroid Backup? Could you offer me a link? Sorry I am really new to this. Rooting and unlocking is the furthest I've ever gone before. Baby steps here. I'd like to know the potential of me possibly being satisfied before making this leap. Lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a backup of your entire phone that you can restore anytime. If you flash cm and don't like it, you can restore to whatever you had before without losing any of your data. It'll be exactly the way it was before you flashed cm.
here's a link I found on google: http://www.vikitech.com/10347/perform-nandroid-backup-restore-android-device
j_smith305 said:
It's a backup of your entire phone that you can restore anytime. If you flash cm and don't like it, you can restore to whatever you had before without losing any of your data. It'll be exactly the way it was before you flashed cm.
here's a link I found on google: http://www.vikitech.com/10347/perform-nandroid-backup-restore-android-device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I do this without an SDCARD? And... how do I get Clockwork again to do such a backup? I thought it may still be there after I rooted but its not?
Caliburn said:
Can I do this without an SDCARD? And... how do I get Clockwork again to do such a backup? I thought it may still be there after I rooted but its not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download ROM Manager from the playstore and it should flash clockwork for you just follow the instructions they provide and yes it should save it to the phones internal memory if you don't have an external sd card
j_smith305 said:
Download ROM Manager from the playstore and it should flash clockwork for you just follow the instructions they provide and yes it should save it to the phones internal memory if you don't have an external sd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay awesome. Once I do that I obviously transfer the backup to my PC for safe keeping. What Cyanogen should I install? Latest Stable or nightly? Like I said I am a total noob to this.
Caliburn said:
Okay awesome. Once I do that I obviously transfer the backup to my PC for safe keeping. What Cyanogen should I install? Latest Stable or nightly? Like I said I am a total noob to this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might encounter a few more bugs if you flash a nightly so I would probably go with stable just to test it out
j_smith305 said:
You might encounter a few more bugs if you flash a nightly so I would probably go with stable just to test it out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay. Can you give me relevant links please? Install guide for Cyanogen, etc? You've been a huge help to me so far.
Caliburn said:
Okay. Can you give me relevant links please? Install guide for Cyanogen, etc? You've been a huge help to me so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first make sure you back up your imei. A few people have lost theirs when flashing roms and not just the T-mobile variants all the SIII's have had this problem. Check out this thread on how to do that: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29461950
the cyanogen thread is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1778217
download link for stable cm: http://get.cm/?device=d2tmo&type=stable
guide to flashing roms: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1946701
just read the threads and they should answer most of the questions you have
j_smith305 said:
first make sure you back up your imei. A few people have lost theirs when flashing roms and not just the T-mobile variants all the SIII's have had this problem. Check out this thread on how to do that: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29461950
the cyanogen thread is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1778217
download link for stable cm: http://get.cm/?device=d2tmo&type=stable
guide to flashing roms: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1946701
just read the threads and they should answer most of the questions you have
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! What is an IMEI exactly? What does it do? I am reading the thread now but...
Caliburn said:
Thank you! What is an IMEI exactly? What does it do? I am reading the thread now but...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's like your phone's serial #. If your phone gets stolen or something your service provider can block it from being used on their network thanks to the imei. Unfortunately it can get reset to 0 due to some minor bug that the SIII's have. If it gets set to 0 you wont be able to connect to tmobile's network. Luckily if that happens you can fix it by following the instructions on that thread. It's happened to me once and I was able to restore it without any issues.
j_smith305 said:
It's like your phone's serial #. If your phone gets stolen or something your service provider can block it from being used on their network thanks to the imei. Unfortunately it can get reset to 0 due to some minor bug that the SIII's have. If it gets set to 0 you wont be able to connect to tmobile's network. Luckily if that happens you can fix it by following the instructions on that thread. It's happened to me once and I was able to restore it without any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It it common or rare that this happens?
Caliburn said:
It it common or rare that this happens?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty rare I guess. It happens randomly so it's always safe to have your imei backed up in case it ever does happen. I've flashed several roms including cyanogenmod without any issues and I've only lost it once randomly but I was able to restore it without any problems

[Q] did i just bricked my phone???

i have seen all the "once you change to the new 4.3 bootloader you can't go back" comments which i thought was no big deal. i don't plan on going back to an older version. anyways here's the story.... i flashed "Stock MOD ROM" by saranhai and the "MJB" bootloader as per the directions for that ROM. i just wasn't feeling that ROM after i used it for a couple weeks but i wanted something stock looking so i thought i would give the "i747z" ROM by agriff a try. so i flashed that rom and the "MJ2" bootloader for that per the directions. In my not so infinite wisdom they are both "4.3" based roms so shouldn't be a problem right???? well as soon as i rebooted the phone after flashing it shut off and has no response after that. soooooooooo did i just brick my phone???
lfaulkner29 said:
i have seen all the "once you change to the new 4.3 bootloader you can't go back" comments which i thought was no big deal. i don't plan on going back to an older version. anyways here's the story.... i flashed "Stock MOD ROM" by saranhai and the "MJB" bootloader as per the directions for that ROM. i just wasn't feeling that ROM after i used it for a couple weeks but i wanted something stock looking so i thought i would give the "i747z" ROM by agriff a try. so i flashed that rom and the "MJ2" bootloader for that per the directions. In my not so infinite wisdom they are both "4.3" based roms so shouldn't be a problem right???? well as soon as i rebooted the phone after flashing it shut off and has no response after that. soooooooooo did i just brick my phone???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Checked here when I saw this. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2576895 see the linked post in dntesinfrno's post #5.
Bottom line: MJ2 is the leaked firmware & its bootloader behaves similarly to MJB. dntesinfrno's link shows the special handling regarding asserts & the updater script that flashing over MJB demands.
ok.... i read all that and the links and other posts around dntesinfrno's links. still confused.... part of what you said is "they are similar" so to me that means "should be fine" and dntesinfrno talks about "special handling" which i did not do, so now what??? i can't get into download mode or recovery mode from the standard button pushing method so is there anyway to fix this?
lfaulkner29 said:
ok.... i read all that and the links and other posts around dntesinfrno's links. still confused.... part of what you said is "they are similar" so to me that means "should be fine" and dntesinfrno talks about "special handling" which i did not do, so now what??? i can't get into download mode or recovery mode from the standard button pushing method so is there anyway to fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I apologize. I get how you saw the v4.3 similarity of MJ2 & MJB but what I am referring to is their similar restrictions limitations & exclusions. Even against each other.
"No Response" describes a hard brick condition. DIY fixes using the phone alone require Odin mode & / or custom recovery.
Odin (download mode) requires an OTA 4.3 flashable tar of UCUEMJB which is not yet available for i747.
That unavailable firmware or its bootloader component is the only safe odin flash for bringing back your phone.
custom recovery would add the safe alternative of reflashing Stock MOD so you could begin again.
I may have seen something helpful for the hard brick. I'll check back & post if I find it.
These are the threads I mentioned:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2559684
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2549068
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
AWESOME.... thanks for the help. I think i will attempt to do the fix myself this weekend and if that doesn't work then i will try the ebay fix route. thanks again for your help and i will update as to my success, or lack there of, depending on the outcome.
pc103 said:
Checked here when I saw this. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2576895 see the linked post in dntesinfrno's post #5.
Bottom line: MJ2 is the leaked firmware & its bootloader behaves similarly to MJB. dntesinfrno's link shows the special handling regarding asserts & the updater script that flashing over MJB demands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify any confusion, my post was regarding installing a ROM that doesn't contain the MJB bootloader in the assert and the dangers involved in attempting to downgrade the bootloader. This will have no affect on recovering from a possible brick after downgrading MJB.
dntesinfrno said:
Just to clarify any confusion, my post was regarding installing a ROM that doesn't contain the MJB bootloader in the assert and the dangers involved in attempting to downgrade the bootloader. This will have no affect on recovering from a possible brick after downgrading MJB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As such I believe your posts detail precisely why downflashingover the MJB, even with MJ2; bricks. Once that happens, the other thread I linked details a possible way out for flashers who missed out on the asserts & updater script due diligence you described. Thanks again for documenting that & for your clarification.
I would like to thank both of you and all the other great people that contributes to this awesome forum!!!
I followed the directions in the link about flashing a debrick image on a 16gb sd card and it worked flawlessly. was almost easier than flashing a Rom to begin with. although I have no intention of having to do that again.
but I have a question, now that I am on the MJB bootloader, when flashing other 4.3 roms from now on I shouldn't need to flash a new bootloader.... correct???
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
You're welcome sir. Congrats!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

GS3 model confusion

So my dad bought a GS3 and it shows that it's a t999 model in the settings. It's on UVDMD5 has the UVDMD5 radio as well. I was going to odin flash to the new 4.3 root 66 but it threw out an error. I looked at the phone and in download mode it shows it's a i-747 so I'm super confused right now. I also have an s3 myself and when I remove the battery and check my phone it shows model: sgh-t999 and also shows t999 in download mode as well. On the new phone my dad purchased it shows model: GT-T999 where the battery goes. So yeah I'm pretty confused. I managed to flash the tmo twrp and flashed superuser zip and rooted it sucessfully but I wanted to update it to 4.3 but now I'm not even sure what firmware to flash
Looks like yet another frankenphone. Wish I knew where these things were coming from!
Its hard to tell you what to do, but if it currently had MD5 on there, you probably need to stick with T999 firmware. Well, maybe....
Install terminal emulator and enter this:
getprop ro.bootloader
This will tell you what the firmware is. You cant judge by the rom or baseband.
Anyway, almost every time ive seen these things, the recommendation is usually to see if you can return the device. Theres just too many questions and things that dont match up. If you plan on using it as is, and never care about updates and such, I guess it might be ok, but otherwise theres just too great a chance for future problems!
For starters, there's no such thing as a GT-T999. And If download mode says its an I747, id guess youre using the I747 base firmware/bootloader. However, your system and baseband are from the T999 firmware, so we can be pretty confident that flashing I747 firmware will not work. But you probably can only flash I747 firmware because thats what your bootloader appears to be! Very confusing, very messed up, I know! Its highly possible, judging by the GT-T999, that it might be a chinese knock-off.
It may or may not help, but install Phone Info - Samsung app. Then let me know what it tells you. I dont think theres going to be a lot we can do though, but ill be glad to take a look anyway.
DocHoliday77 said:
Looks like yet another frankenphone. Wish I knew where these things were coming from!
Its hard to tell you what to do, but if it currently had MD5 on there, you probably need to stick with T999 firmware. Well, maybe....
Install terminal emulator and enter this:
getprop ro.bootloader
This will tell you what the firmware is. You cant judge by the rom or baseband.
Anyway, almost every time ive seen these things, the recommendation is usually to see if you can return the device. Theres just too many questions and things that dont match up. If you plan on using it as is, and never care about updates and such, I guess it might be ok, but otherwise theres just too great a chance for future problems!
For starters, there's no such thing as a GT-T999. And If download mode says its an I747, id guess youre using the I747 base firmware/bootloader. However, your system and baseband are from the T999 firmware, so we can be pretty confident that flashing I747 firmware will not work. But you probably can only flash I747 firmware because thats what your bootloader appears to be! Very confusing, very messed up, I know! Its highly possible, judging by the GT-T999, that it might be a chinese knock-off.
It may or may not help, but install Phone Info - Samsung app. Then let me know what it tells you. I dont think theres going to be a lot we can do though, but ill be glad to take a look anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it was super confusing! It's so weird. I did the getprop ro.bootloader and I got I747UCALI5. I'm kinda scared to odin anything since I really have no idea what model I actually have so I just ended up flashing the latest PA rom & so far everything seems fine
Yup, its exactly as I expected! I747 bootloader/base firmware with T999 system and modem. These are not things that should work together and it also means there is no safe way to update your firmware. LI5 sounds like its really old btw. But tbh, I dont know if its even a real build number! I can say you will not be able to run TW kk roms and might not be able to run 4.3 ones as well. CM/aosp, im not sure about, but I know they were known to be really buggy on older firmware.
If it is an option, I strongly suggest seeing if you can get a refund. May I ask where it was bought from? I think whenever we run into these we need to start letting people know not to purchase from those sellers. For one, to protect folks from having this happen to them, but also to try and discourage this type of business practice (if you even want to call it that!). Its almost as bad as people who sell devices and then report them lost!
---------- Post added at 06:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:06 PM ----------
Just checked and LI5 is a real build, but it is old. 4.1.1
DocHoliday77 said:
Yup, its exactly as I expected! I747 bootloader/base firmware with T999 system and modem. These are not things that should work together and it also means there is no safe way to update your firmware. LI5 sounds like its really old btw. But tbh, I dont know if its even a real build number! I can say you will not be able to run TW kk roms and might not be able to run 4.3 ones as well. CM/aosp, im not sure about, but I know they were known to be really buggy on older firmware.
If it is an option, I strongly suggest seeing if you can get a refund. May I ask where it was bought from? I think whenever we run into these we need to start letting people know not to purchase from those sellers. For one, to protect folks from having this happen to them, but also to try and discourage this type of business practice (if you even want to call it that!). Its almost as bad as people who sell devices and then report them lost!
---------- Post added at 06:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:06 PM ----------
Just checked and LI5 is a real build, but it is old. 4.1.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just asked my dad & he said he bought it from a pawnshop which isn't surprising why there is so much confusion about the model lol. Would having an old bootloader cause problems? I was able to flash the latest PA beta but I haven't encountered any issues as of yet
I dont use non touchwiz roms, but I do remember they all started requiring certain bootloaders nrcsuse they were encountering too many bugs on older ones. I dont know any details though.
Id imagine youll encounter issues flashing any rom thst has the assert check. It checks to make sure you have a certain bootloader, and most here will be checking for T999 builds. Since yours has the I747 bootloader, it may cause trouble flashing certain roms.
That and you wont be able to easily or safely update the firmware...
Not sure theres much that could be done since it came from a pawn shop though.
DocHoliday77 said:
I dont use non touchwiz roms, but I do remember they all started requiring certain bootloaders nrcsuse they were encountering too many bugs on older ones. I dont know any details though.
Id imagine youll encounter issues flashing any rom thst has the assert check. It checks to make sure you have a certain bootloader, and most here will be checking for T999 builds. Since yours has the I747 bootloader, it may cause trouble flashing certain roms.
That and you wont be able to easily or safely update the firmware...
Not sure theres much that could be done since it came from a pawn shop though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah this whole situation has been odd. I'll advise my dad to avoid pawnshops from now on lol. Whenever I was in download mode I noticed the flashcount had shown 3 and I ended up using triangle away to reset it when I was still on 4.1.2 for the moment. Before I rooted it or anything it already had supersu installed but I don't think the phone was actually rooted cause everytime I would open supersu it would tell me to update the binary and it would fail each time and any other root apps I installed were denied root. The phone still had stock recovery as well. I honestly thought it was a t-999 up until I was going to flash the nc2 update and it failed and that's when I realized hey this isn't really a t999. I ended up flashing twrp instead and flashed the supersu zip to get root. I flashed paranoid android afterwards and when I went to about phone i noticed everything changed from t-999 to I747 including the modem. It was weird. I ended up reflashing att twrp just to be safe, I flashed the latest modem from at&t, and I crossed my fingers & bravely flashed a zip that updated my bootloader to the latest one for the I747 and it actually worked which was a huge sigh of relief. I reflashed paranoid android afterwards and so far no issues. Now that I updated everything I might end up just flashing a touchwiz rom from the at&t forums. Thanks for your help though, I greatly appreciate it! :good:

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