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hey guys I'm on 4.2.2 still. Rooted it and deleted the galaxy walking app, so haven't been able to do legit update, and with working alot just haven't fooled with it. Anyway I'm off and have time, want to come up to kitkat, am I not able to update my LTE radio? I'm reading and searching before turning to asking, but all I'm seeing is if I update it my sound will act up. Am I stuck on an old radio now? Was hoping for improved signal, can I go stock, update and reroot and everything will be current?? Anyway any help is appreciated.
If you don't care about tripping Knox counter, just flash the NB4 firmware with Odin and you'll be good.. I recommend fenny's fixed firmware
Edit: well it will only trip if you flash custom recovery or kernel, other than that there is root method without tripping if you plan to stay stock
serio22 said:
If you don't care about tripping Knox counter, just flash the NB4 firmware with Odin and you'll be good.. I recommend fenny's fixed firmware
Edit: well it will only trip if you flash custom recovery or kernel, other than that there is root method without tripping if you plan to stay stock
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im not staying stock, just want the updated lte radio on it. thinking of going lg g3 since sammy become such a pain in the ass. I've flashed stock and am updating official kitkat now, i guess that will update my modem and lte radio also, i'll reroot after that and throw something on there
If you are updating officially there shouldn't be a reason to manually update anything
i was just trying to save time, my home internet is crappy ( 100.00 bucks a month for 5mb, more like 1-3 mb) and you have to use wireless to update. I'm on kit now, abut to root and find a rom
sleekgreek said:
i was just trying to save time, my home internet is crappy ( 100.00 bucks a month for 5mb, more like 1-3 mb) and you have to use wireless to update. I'm on kit now, abut to root and find a rom
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There is a thread in general specifically for updating radios for those of us still on MDL. If you were to have followed that guide you would have updated your radio without any sound problems, would still be KNOX free, and would still be able to have the option to run 4.2.2, 4.3, and 4.4.x ROMs flawlessly.
lordcheeto03 said:
There is a thread in general specifically for updating radios for those of us still on MDL. If you were to have followed that guide you would have updated your radio without any sound problems, would still be KNOX free, and would still be able to have the option to run 4.2.2, 4.3, and 4.4.x ROMs flawlessly.
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Click to collapse
i've been searching here for years on everything. Unless you stay in the loop everything is just cluttered. Even rooting, I'm looking and reading threads from pre 4.4.2 where chainfire link was last updated in 2013, it sucks searching here. And I thank you guys for the help. I'm rooted now and didnt want to ota, but everything I found to read said I could update the modem but not the LTE radio without sound issues... I must of missed something. LOL, I had a ton of tabs open from searches before posting. Been rooting since iden on nextels in early 2000's so it's just basic info I need thats hard to find here , tons of threads I guess. Anyway lets a get rom on this thing..
sleekgreek said:
Unless you stay in the loop everything is just cluttered. Even rooting
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I totally agree and understand. I've pretty much been tinkering around the S4 forums since a few weeks after release (before I even purchased my S4) and have followed pretty well everything from square one so it's pretty easy to remember THAT I've read something but not remember WHERE I read it... Looking back through the Q&A and General threads, I couldn't imagine just now getting into the S4.
lordcheeto03 said:
There is a thread in general specifically for updating radios for those of us still on MDL. If you were to have followed that guide you would have updated your radio without any sound problems, would still be KNOX free, and would still be able to have the option to run 4.2.2, 4.3, and 4.4.x ROMs flawlessly.
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Click to collapse
I would be interested in that thread... I have updated my GSM modem (modem.bin) to NB4 but as I understood it, the LTE part is tied to the bootloader. So, those of us with MDL have to retain the MDL LTE radio. If it is possible to update the LTE radio, without the sound/wifi problems, and retain MDL bootloader and thus no Knox, I'd love a link!
Frankenscript said:
I would be interested in that thread... I have updated my GSM modem (modem.bin) to NB4 but as I understood it, the LTE part is tied to the bootloader. So, those of us with MDL have to retain the MDL LTE radio. If it is possible to update the LTE radio, without the sound/wifi problems, and retain MDL bootloader and thus no Knox, I'd love a link!
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Click to collapse
Ahh, you got me on that one. It didn't even register to me that the LTE modem is unaffected by that method. My apologies.
Hi,
I know this information is probably available somewhere, but I have spent hours of reading, and still having some trouble getting my head around things. So I will try to be clear here as to what my issues are.
Firstly... I have Samsung Galaxy S-III, SGH-i747M, with virgin mobile canada. It started with android 4.1.2. I wanted to unlock it, and there was a way to do it with 4.1.1 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2176719), so I used odin, with firmwares (found at SamMobile.com I think) to flash a 4.1.1 ROM, did the unlock procedure, and then used odin to flash stock firmware for 4.1.2 again. Seems to have all worked out ok.
Anyway, I want to try some custom roms, like cyanogenmod, as they are purported to improve battery life, speed, clearing off bloatware, giving me more control, etc.
However, I really want to maintain the ability to go back to how it is now, if I don't like the custom roms. (or if I need warranty help, though there's not much of that left).
The main thing that's concerning me is that while I was playing with this phone before, I read in a number of places that if I had updated to Android 4.3 or 4.4.2 when those had become available from my carrier, I would not have been able to downgrade to 4.1.1 (which I needed to be able to do to use the built-in unlock method). This is because of Knox, which would be installed, and gets "tripped." So now I'm scared: if I did that upgrade, I wouldn't have been able to revert; so now, if I flash a CGM ROM, will I also be unable to revert?
I think there are a few pieces of android to sort out in my mind... If I'm not mistaken, there's bootloader, there's recovery, and there's the ROM. Flashing a ROM with Odin apparently would restore recovery and the ROM? But not the bootloader (that's where knox is? though I still don't understand, if an upgrade can modify the bootloader and put knox there, where it wasn't before, shouldn't there be a way to put a pre-knox version back there?)
Oh, there's also EFS, which some say should be backed up before doing anything (though you need to root first, which in my mind counts as doing something before backing it up).
Anyway, please let me know if you can help clarify these issues, thanks!!
There is a lot to cover to address all that you bring up.
Regarding EFS, there are a number of ways to back it up. Use several. This thread is an excellent place to start for more info and several ways to make the backup. I was rooted, so I used A2 and B. I believe you can use A1 without being rooted, probably B as well. Long after that post was written wanam came out with two backup apps available in the PlayStore. One was specifically for EFS, but I do not think it is still supported. The other is a more comprehensive app, both require root.
As a rule, bootloaders and modems are not installed with custom ROMs. If you are flashing a stock ROM from these forums that is installed from within a custom recovery it probably does not install a bootloader and modem either, but read the relevant thread to be certain. Full stock ROMs flashed from with Odin, or Heimdall, almost certainly install a bootloader and modem.
Prior to 4.3 there was an ability to downgrade bootloaders and modems, nor were they required to match - be at the same version. Once you upgrade to the official 4.3 bootloader you can no longer downgrade it. Once you have upgraded to 4.4.x the bootloader and modem versions must always match. If they are mismatched you risk soft bricking your phone at a minimum. For the i747 there was an unofficial 4.3 release; ROM, bootloader, and modem. I do not recall seeing mention of an unofficial release for the i747M, so I will not go into the exceptions on the above the unofficial bootloader/modem introduced.
For TouchWiz ROMs, custom or stock, the bootloader (and modem) version should match or be more current than the ROM Android version. (One of the unofficial 4.3 release exceptions applies here, I make use of it.)
For CyanogenMod, CM based ROMs, AOSP ROMs, and their derivatives the bootloader and modem version can lag behind Android version of the ROM. With your 4.1.2 bootloader and modem you could run the earlier releases of 4.4.x CM and AOSP ROMs. Later in the 4.4.x development, around Oct or Nov 2014 IIRC, I began reading reports of needing to be on 4.3 or later, there were a few said the 4.1.2 firmware still worked for them. For the 5.x.x LP releases of CM and AOSP most report that they must be on a 4.4.x bootloader and modem.
Knox is in the ROM, not the bootloader and modem. It was introduced with the official 4.3 releases. It is not present in CM/AOSP nor most of the custom TW ROMs. It will be present in stock ROMs from official sources or sites like sammobile. Many of the stock ROM images/dumps have Knox disabled, especially those from enewman17, but read to make sure what you are getting.
I don't feel qualified to discuss tripping the Knox counter, I am still on the unofficial 4.3 bootloader, which has not kept me from running 4.4.x ROMs. I am not the only Luddite, but I feel we will all be updating bootloaders and modems due to the Stage Fright bug. I am long out of warranty so there is no loss.
ABOVE ALL, read thoroughly before taking any action. Keep in mind that I am on the i747 and not the i747M as you are, I am not be correct on all comments for your device. @audit13 should be able to clear any gaffs I have made.
@dawgdoc is correct about everything said.
It is not Knox that prevents downgrading from 4.3 to an earlier version, it is the code in the bootloader itself.
Ok, starting to feel a bit more comfortable with the whole system and relationships, thanks!
audit13 said:
@dawgdoc is correct about everything said.
It is not Knox that prevents downgrading from 4.3 to an earlier version, it is the code in the bootloader itself.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for verifying that. There could have easily been small, but very important, differences in the devices that had slipped my mind since I don't have the i747M.
This is the way xda should be. Good questions from a concerned user & great answers from @dawgdoc. Nice job guys!
canodroid15 said:
This is the way xda should be. Good questions from a concerned user & great answers from @dawgdoc. Nice job guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to extend similar praise and thanks to @mrrocketdog and @audit13
more uncertainty
Hi,
I'm a lot more experienced now, having rooted (I flashed root66_BMC_I747MVLDMF1 by MrRobinson, since CF-autoroot just made the phone show "booting recovery" then blank screen indefinitely), I backed up EFS by a couple methods, flashed TWRP, did a nandroid backup, and flashed a couple versions of CM. Still a few things I want to clarify though.
Unsurprisingly, after flashing the final CM 11 release, data did not work, as I'm still on the 4.1.2 (MF1) bootloader/modem. In general, I see a lot of posts simply saying "update the modem." From what you've said though, that will create problems, unless I update the bootloader as well, correct? Just feels like the phrase "update the modem" is said so casually, without also mentioning the bootloader, and the inability to go back.
(an older CM 11 worked with data just fine)
(a big issue is that S3 is over 3 years old, so there are over 3 years of posts, so there's a lot of conflicting information, likely due to different versions, new discoveries, etc. )
I'm not quite sure myself what I'm trying to ask, I guess it's something along the lines of "am I just being silly by not updating?" There are a lot of "Never update to 4.3 (or above) because of knox!" comments. But also in general, it seems the only real issue with knox is that warranty bit, otherwise it doesn't have too big an impact on our lives? Seems the consensus is that we can still root, install custom roms, and everything else. (Do you know if this remains true with latest bootloaders and modems (OB3 for i747M). There are also "My battery life became way worse after the upgrade" or "more FCs" or other issues, which is a significant concern if my phone which currently comfortably lasts a day starts to not last a day after updating. Though it's likely a small percent noting that, while the quieter majority are fine. Meanwhile, by not updating, we may be missing out on features and security improvements (and maybe actually improved performance). What do you guys think? (I know dawgdoc was sticking to an unofficial 4.3 rather than updating, so it's not an obvious choice).
As for updating, I think somewhere one of you suggested the better (or at least safer) way is to use odin to flash stock ROM, then do the OTA updates, or, directly flash the latest stock ROM, rather than trying to flash modems and bootloaders directly?
Once I have a 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader/modem, I can delete any old TWRP nandroid backups from when I had 4.1.2 since restoring them would cause a brick? Same for EFS backup (which backed up EFS, Modem, Modemst1, and Modemst2 partitions)
Thanks again!
I almost wish I'd just taken the blue pill at the start of all this
For XDA members that are new to rooting, flashing, etc., I always recommend the safest route which is to flash back to a completely stock ROM and just upgrade to the latest bootloader and modem via OTA updates. There's always a risk of something going wrong when flashing anything, be it a custom ROM, recovery, or OTA update.
If the phone still had warranty, I recommend not flashing any non-Samsung software until the warranty has expired. Once expired, flash away
Knox should not interfere with root if supersu is flashed from a custom recovery, regardless of the bootloader. I have used supersu to root the latest s3, s4, Note2, and Note3 ROMs without a problem.
Restoring old nandroid backups should not cause a brick as TWRP does not change the modem or bootloader.
sacrawfo said:
....Still a few things I want to clarify though.
Unsurprisingly, after flashing the final CM 11 release, data did not work, as I'm still on the 4.1.2 (MF1) bootloader/modem.....
(an older CM 11 worked with data just fine)
I'm not quite sure myself what I'm trying to ask, I guess it's something along the lines of "am I just being silly by not updating?" ....(I know dawgdoc was sticking to an unofficial 4.3 rather than updating, so it's not an obvious choice).
Once I have a 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader/modem, I can delete any old TWRP nandroid backups from when I had 4.1.2 since restoring them would cause a brick? Same for EFS backup (which backed up EFS, Modem, Modemst1, and Modemst2 partitions)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the change date for CM11 requiring the newer bootloaders, at least NE4, is Nov 2014. Releases prior to that date would run fine on older bootloaders.
I have since updated to NE4 in order to run ROMs patched with the StageFright fixes, specifically CM11 20150831. Knox isn't installed on this ROM or even the newer custom TouchWiz based ROMs. I am not concerned about Warranty Bit being triggered. My device is long past being covered by any warranty and I have no intentions of using Knox features on this phone in a corporate environment.
Keep the EFS backups, those are from partitions not changed by flashing roms; stock or otherwise.
Finally went through the OTA updates, surprised how long it took but all done, at OB3.
Ok makes sense, restoring an old Nandroid would effectively result in a 4.1.2 OS with a 4.4.2 bootloader/modem, which != brick.
Still surprised that modem updates do not effect the "modem" partition that EFS backup saved.
Thanks,
Restoring a nandroid backup should not brick the phone brick the phone as twrp does not restore the modem or bootloader.
sacrawfo said:
...
Still surprised that modem updates do not effect the "modem" partition that EFS backup saved.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are quite a few partitions not affected by flashing, not only the EFS partitions. IIRC there are secondary modem partitions, more than two extra bootloader partitions, etc.
I know that a lot of people are gonna say to read several other similar threads, but having gone through all of that I still don't get it.
THE SITUATION:
My Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-n7100 is :
1) Stock Android 4.1.2 Rooted
2) Modified with Xposed
3) TWRP (Latest, updated regularly)
4) Never been updated ever. Like never ever.
THE A-HOLE PROBLEM:
I honestly never bothered to flash anything on my note 2, since I have all the stuffs working perfectly as it is. Until the god-damn son of a gun WIFI started acting like a sissy she-dog. The problem is that the WIFI keeps on disconnecting itself and reconnecting itself automatically, wierdly enough, only when an app tries to access it. I hope everyone can understand how horrible it is, especially when you are talking dirty to your girlfriend over a whatsapp call and it keeps dropping, just like my errection.
All jokes aside, this has been driving me mad. In-case you need the details, here is what I did to solve my annoying problem :
1) Factory reset.
2) Reboot.
3) Phone works fine. Wifi works fine. Does not disconnect or reconnect. Seems like problem solved.
Then, the camel-crap happens.
4) Open Google play store, it updates. Play services updated. Need it to access the google services.
5) Open any internet enabled app.
6) Wifi switches on/off automatcally.
7) I tear my gonads off.
Side-Note : I also turned off the wifi power saving mode using *#0011#. I also made all the necessary changes in the wifi settings menu.
THE QUESTION:
Since I have never updated, my bootloader, etc are still stock. I read a thread that if I dont update the bootloader, future flashing will not work. I have no earthly clue so as to what the heck am I supposed to do.
I need some simple directions, to the point if possible. I have taken a full nandroid backup, just to be safe.
I think only a CFW now can solve this weird problem of mine. So, any help will be appreciated.
Newer roms require up-to-date bootloaders and modems. The easiest way to update both would be to flash the latest stock ROM from sammobile.com in Odin. Make sure you back up your data before flashing.
audit13 said:
Newer roms require up-to-date bootloaders and modems. The easiest way to update both would be to flash the latest stock ROM from sammobile.com in Odin. Make sure you back up your data before flashing.
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Click to collapse
Okay. But, what about the filthy Knox ? Also, what about my root? Also, what about Knox ? Hmm, I wrote knox twice. Now, thrice.
Simply put, knox is poo. I dont want that. So, how do I get the latest knick-knacks without knox. Is it possible to flash the latest bootloader, modem etc.
Sorry for using "noobish". I hate that language too, but when it comes to 40k phones, I get a bit nervous. Hope you can help. Or someone else.
Regards,
TheBasterd.
If you flash the latest bootloader, you'll get Knox.
Personally, I have never found Knox to interfere with flashing custom ROMs.
audit13 said:
If you flash the latest bootloader, you'll get Knox.
Personally, I have never found Knox to interfere with flashing custom ROMs.
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Click to collapse
So, here is the thing. If I go here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-2/development/rom-resurrection-remix-5-6-0-t3278709 and downloaded the ROM, did all the stuff the ROM maker says and flash it.
Without the latest bootloader and other poo, you are saying that my flash will be unsuccessful ?
That ROM will probably need an updated bootloader and modem to connect to a cell network, detect a sim, and wifi.
If you want to, you can flash the ROM and see what happens.
audit13 said:
That ROM will probably need an updated bootloader and modem to connect to a cell network, detect a sim, and wifi.
If you want to, you can flash the ROM and see what happens.
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Click to collapse
Hey audit, thanks for sticking around and helping me bro. I really appreciate that.
So, I took your advice and have put the ROM from Sammobile.com for the latest bootloader and the modem stuffs.
Hope that will work. Also, when I flash the ROm, wont I loose my root ?
Yes, you'll lose root but it doesn't matter if you don't intend to use a stock ROM.
audit13 said:
Yes, you'll lose root but it doesn't matter if you don't intend to use a stock ROM.
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Click to collapse
Allright ! That was easy. Done and done. Thanks audit. (Thanks hitted)
Now, I will ensure a painless future for all noobs like me by making a tutorial. This thread can be marked as fixed. Thanks audiot bro.
It's great that you resolved the issue.
We're all here to help and learn from each other.
So I'm rooted sitting on 5.1.1 and I have a backup. One of the main reasons for rooting was to enhance performance and cut the fat without loosing my S-Pen. That being said I've noticed my data speed steadily dropping over the months and I'm attributing that to the old radio firmware. I understand how to flash the firmware from odin but it is safe to flash the 6.0.1 PF3 radio over my 5.1.1 PA1. Could i also flash a Kernel that may help with performance or battery life. Is flashing portions of a full firmware safe in general. We all know the bad things that can happen when just doing these things without asking, and i'm not finding clear answers. Any help is greatly appreciated.
same boat almost
dam man I was just trying to hunt down some of the same answers hopefully someone can chime in here ... but I'm kinda looking at trying to go backwards and trying to find some clear answers about the fact that the note 4 does have dual radios and newer phones don't ... my question is looking at does the newer firmware turn off one of the modems to preserve battery ... the BPA1 moden really seems ****ty but I'm running stock rooted 5.1.1 i may be trying to reflash the modem itself first
i just encountered this issue the last few days and continues even after installing a new rom. im having trouble downloading files online or apps from the play store, its almost like the connection keeps getting disconnected and reconnected. im also having a problem playing a small online game called spades that worked fine a few days ago. its a card game so is not graphic intensive or take up alot of bandwidth.
another issue that ive just dealt with for months is rarely getting LTE data even though i should be getting according to the coverage map. im usually in wifi so it doesnt bother me too much but it got me thinking maybe i should look into installing another radio/modem which could possibly fix these issues. my current baseband is UCUFNJ2
You're running the latest modem for this phone, so there's nothing newer available. People have hard bricked the i747 on newer firmwares getting the bootloader and modem unmatched, so you have to be careful. We used to think the bootloader couldn't be downgraded at all post Knox, but it turns out you can downgrade as long as you don't go back a major version. There's a set of odin flashable files available. That's the only confirmed safe way I know to downgrade NJ2. Since you're already on NJ2, you have to stick with a 4.4.2 modem.
Safest thing to do, if you want to try out a different modem and just give the phone a fresh start would be odin back to stock NE4 4.4.2 using the files you can get from here.
From there you can test drive NE4 and see if it works any better. If you leave it stock it should offer to OTA to NJ1 and then back to NJ2 too, letting you fairly safely try out all the modems left available to you.