Database Users

I think I'm bricked.

I've had my fascinate for about 3 weeks and I rooted it and overclocked. I flashed a 2.2 rom that was for a I9000 because my buddy said it worked on his captivate. When it come back on after reboot the screen said galaxy s I9000 and that's it it just kept running that and nothing else. I could get into factory recovery but I can't do anything from there except reboot. and it won't flash update zip either. I will go into download mode and I tryed odin restore now it just has samsung across the screen. Am I bricked cuz I can't get anything to work?

Oh now I've manage to get into CWM recovery but it won't let me apply any zip files or restore any back ups, is that vodoo messing things up?

So you flashed a ROM that isn't compatible with your phone? And you are suprised that it broke?
As for downgrading you might try to find the stock image via: hxxp://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=782204&highlight=odin
If that doesn't work you better figure out a good excuse for the Verizon store...
Good luck!

frostysax said:
Oh now I've manage to get into CWM recovery but it won't let me apply any zip files or restore any back ups, is that vodoo messing things up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you running a kernel with Voodoo installed and active when you flashed the ROM?
If you're filesystem is still ext4 and you don't have a Voodoo kernel running, I'm thinking you've got a date with Odin at best.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Odin. I would like to think you should be able to remove it via the uninstaller listed on that page as well, ?if it is voodoo, but if you can't install anything with CWM then I know it won't work. :/ Also, did you disable voodoo first?
He was valid in trying something different... I don't believe using a ROM from another phone entirely was a good idea, but eh, now we know for sure not to do it.

Yes gentlemen I think its bricked. I have tried the odin restore, I have put the stock image on the SD card using my htc eris and put it in CWM/backup and then put the card back in the phone and tried a backup/restore it still comes up can't mount data every time it says E:Can't mount /dev/block mmcblk0p2(File exist) Can't mount data . I really don't think there's anything left for me to try fellas. I just got my service put back on the eris. If I can't get into it you can't prove its been rooted can you I still got a week left before my 30 days is up. I some wan't to experament with any solutions I am wide open before I put this in the mailbox and send it back. Thanks for your help guys but I will get me another, I guess you know what not to do now"LOL"

frostysax said:
Yes gentlemen I think its bricked. I have tried the odin restore, I have put the stock image on the SD card using my htc eris and put it in CWM/backup and then put the card back in the phone and tried a backup/restore it still comes up can't mount data every time it says E:Can't mount /dev/block mmcblk0p2(File exist) Can't mount data . I really don't think there's anything left for me to try fellas. I just got my service put back on the eris. If I can't get into it you can't prove its been rooted can you I still got a week left before my 30 days is up. I some wan't to experament with any solutions I am wide open before I put this in the mailbox and send it back. Thanks for your help guys but I will get me another, I guess you know what not to do now"LOL"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh wells... Sorry dude. Did you flash System, kernal and pit with Odin?

yes I did but nothing happened when I went to the pit file. Itook it out of m downloads put it in odin with the pit button and hit start,am I doing that right thats the only thing that I did'nt see anthing happen when I hit start. How do you fun the pit file in odin?

I ran into the same exact issue on day 1 with my Fascinate, minus flashing a ROM meant for another phone. I could boot, but my phone wiped to factory at every boot, and I couldn't even run the ota. I exchanged it that same day, and no troubles since. Good luck.
Sent from my Fascinate using the XDA app

you flashed your radio...it's bye bye... Go to verizon and try to blame it on the ota after you flash back to stock...
If you don't know what your doing.... dont do it... That is the number one rule in flashing roms....

Ya well I guess its an expensive paperweight now.I will take your advise and blame it on the OTA. I odered this one over the phone so they have to mail me another one no matter what. You live and learn and that was a great lesson on what never to do. Thanks for all your help I still have my eris to play with for now,I'm running nonsensikal froyo. Perhaps I will zip a new rom on that"LOL"

frostysax said:
Ya well I guess its an expensive paperweight now.I will take your advise and blame it on the OTA. I odered this one over the phone so they have to mail me another one no matter what. You live and learn and that was a great lesson on what never to do. Thanks for all your help I still have my eris to play with for now,I'm running nonsensikal froyo. Perhaps I will zip a new rom on that"LOL"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: If you're going to mod your phone, you should have insurance, and be prepared to use it.
2: "Blaming it on the ota" just makes everyone suffer. You think that $600 phone will just pay for itself? Not likely. Consumers end up footing the bill, every time. And, in turn, companies like Motorola place E-fuses in their phones to prevent this very thing from happening to cover their bottom line, which in turn affects the modding community too by reducing access to devices.
3: Those phones do get tested when returned. They can/will see that it doesn't have proper software in it when they go to refurb it. And they have no problem charging your account for an out-of-warranty exchange after the fact.

Normally I would agree.... but...
1.they charge 600 dollars for a phone that is not worth 600.
2. There wouldn't be a problem if they didn't hold back the release of a new ota. (With a new update these phones are easily fixable.)
3. They over charge cellphone service. And add 300 dollar cancellation fees.... come-on they don't mind screwing us... screw them.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

There is no excuse for fraud. This is 100% user error. Own up and pay for your choice to ignore the big warning at the top of every flashing thread.
Sent from my Voodoo-powered Fascinate with XDA

Are you serious. I just paid AT&T $300 dollars to cancel an expensive contract just to go to verizon and end up paying more. If you think the phone company is suffering you are sadly mistaken my friend. I have two phones on my contract and pay right at $250 a month, they ain't hurtin for money. I tell you what, if you bricked your phone and it was within your 30 days, now be honest would you call them and say hay I just voided my warrenty and I need to pay for this phone and give you more money for another one or would you try and come up with something else to say. It could happen to you

I do not believe you are bricked. Follow all instructions for odin and also fix the mbr using original.mbr or the program provided by adrynalyne.

Ethics aside, flashing a rom should not brick your phone. Unless you used Odin, and pushed the "radio" button, it can be fixed. Adrynalyne's voodoo removal fix should fix almost any phone problem. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=804784
Try it and see if it works.

what is "mbr "I have not tried that yet and where would I find info on it? What roll does the pit file play in odin restore? is there a certain way to do the pit file? Everything flashed but when I got to the pit file put in odin and hit start nothing happens is that normal? Anymore feedback I will anything at this point, Thanx guys,

Pit is for partition mapping. Mbr is master boot record. From what I saw in one of your earlier posts it looks like your mbr is messed up. Use adrynalynes guide in the post linked to you above by Sgtmack.

I went to the above web site and downloaded the stock kernal but when Iwent to download the mbr file it sent me to a web page with almost nothing on it. again I ask when I do the pit file in odin can someone give me step by step cuz I feel like I 'm doing something wrong here.

restore from ROM manager bricked my phone

I did a search and couldn't find much help.
I recently dropped my phone and the screen got a slight crack, so the insurance company sent me a new one.
I figured I'd use ROM manager to backup my old phone, and restore it on my new phone.
New phone restores, reboots, and gets stuck at the black Vibrant screen.
I can get back into recovery mode fine, but nothing seems to work.
I let it sit at the Vibrant screen for about an hour before I try again.
Its attempt 3 when I decided to come on this site for some help.
Specs:
Stock
Rooted
Launcher pro
Nothing too much to be confusing and brick, so wtf?
Oh and I understand I could use odin to reflash my phone, please please please don't suggest odin, because I don't own a PC, I own a mac. Please don't tell me to go out and buy a PC or to download a program that costs $50 to use PC programs on a mac. I could have told myself that kind of information.
HELP, my brand new phone is destroyed wahhhh

From the sound of it you still have your old phone. If so, rather than restore using nandroid, try downloading a copy of titanium backup to backup/restore your apps. I have found that sms restore does a good job restoring texts. For me those two apps get the job done restoring my info. Also, if you haven't, sync your contacts to google and they will auto sync upon load. Of course this all assumes you still have your old phone in working order. ..
Also, there are stock roms flashable via clockwork that basically do the same as odin. Check the ' bible' sticky for links.
Hope this helps
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

a400meter said:
From the sound of it you still have your old phone. If so, rather than restore using nandroid, try downloading a copy of titanium backup to backup/restore your apps. I have found that sms restore does a good job restoring texts. For me those two apps get the job done restoring my info. Also, if you haven't, sync your contacts to google and they will auto sync upon load. Of course this all assumes you still have your old phone in working order. ..
Also, there are stock roms flashable via clockwork that basically do the same as odin. Check the ' bible' sticky for links.
Hope this helps
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still have my old phone in working order, but that doesn't help the fact that my new phone is stuck on bootup, and can only enter recovery mode...

yelowbottlecaps said:
I still have my old phone in working order, but that doesn't help the fact that my new phone is stuck on bootup, and can only enter recovery mode...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way I can think of that a nandroid restore would soft brick you, is because you have restored a version of android with a different kernel.
If the original phone had the original firmware (JFD), and the replacement had the most recent (JI6), this is what would be expected to happen.
Since you seem unable and unwilling to use Odin, your going to have to tell us more details (i.e. which versions of the firmware as related above were actually in play) before we can begin to help. If you don't know, well....
You can also simply take it back to a local T-Mobile store and do another swap, or you can find a friend with a Windows PC and Odin (or Samsung's Mini KIES with JI6). These are your only real options...

both phones had JI6
Thank you for the quick responses.
I'm not unwilling to use odin, but unless anyone knows of a free software to use PC programs on a mac, I'm SOL.

so, you got the new phone, rooted, got rom manager and then got clockwork recovery right?
You did a nandroid backup right (on the new phone), before flashing anything right?
Why not just download Fusion and flash that to get the phone up and running?

yelowbottlecaps said:
both phones had JI6
Thank you for the quick responses.
I'm not unwilling to use odin, but unless anyone knows of a free software to use PC programs on a mac, I'm SOL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well hmm....so much for guessing on my part. Crossing different build kernels is one sure fire way to brick...
Well, there is a solution for Mac and Linux for reloading firmware on a Samsung phone from Download Mode, an open project called Heimdall. It does everything Odin does, but without a GUI, so it depends on how comfortable you are with commandline/shell.
I'll pass you the relevant links so you can see for yourself what's going on.
[PROGRAM] Heimdall - Cross-Platform Open-Source Flashing Software (1.0.0 Available)
Heimdall's Website, with downloads...
XDA Dev Thread with JI6 Odin .tar file....
Best of luck!

s15274n said:
so, you got the new phone, rooted, got rom manager and then got clockwork recovery right?
You did a nandroid backup right (on the new phone), before flashing anything right?
Why not just download Fusion and flash that to get the phone up and running?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True that...Why didn't I think of that obvious ploy. If he can get into Recovery, and bounce over to clockwork...Well now's a good a time as any to try Bionix or Bionix Fusion...or a few other of the CW Recovery installable builds...Definitely easier than Heimdall or working out Odin on a mac....and definitely preferable to staring at a Vibrant logo...
{{facepalm}}

masterotaku said:
Well hmm....so much for guessing on my part. Crossing different build kernels is one sure fire way to brick...
Well, there is a solution for Mac and Linux for reloading firmware on a Samsung phone from Download Mode, an open project called Heimdall. It does everything Odin does, but without a GUI, so it depends on how comfortable you are with commandline/shell.
I'll pass you the relevant links so you can see for yourself what's going on.
Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there was a step by step walkthrough, I have no problem trying this out.
But I downloaded it and have no idea what I'm doing. Therefore, still SOL

^ are you? You didn't answer my questions.

I'm gonna guess and say you also dl'd the oclf from the market to root too... so now you can't get back into CwR... right?
If you can get adb to recognize your phone then your not SOL. Im not sure what the exact command lines would be but you could delete the update.zip and replace it with another ROM. GL

I just tried using Odin on my roommates PC. An error happened and now the phone is showing a picture of a phone, a couple dots, an exclamation mark, a couple dots, and a computer.
Nothing I can do is taking it out of this screen. Unplugged from computer, took out battery, took out sd card, put it back in... nothing
Am I bricked for good now?
This is a terrible day.

edit: i managed to be able to get the phone into download mode.

No you are not completely bricked! Honestly that is almost impossible on this phone. The only way you'll lose this phone is if YOU give up.
Just keep trying and take a few deep breathes. Take a break actually. Just redo the process from step one.
Edit: you're half way there. Just flash Eugene's froyo that doesn't brixk, reboot, flash JFD or JI6, reboot... then you'll be right back to out of the box status.

All~G1 said:
I'm gonna guess and say you also dl'd the oclf from the market to root too... so now you can't get back into CwR... right?
If you can get adb to recognize your phone then your not SOL. Im not sure what the exact command lines would be but you could delete the update.zip and replace it with another ROM. GL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If someone can back this up with some instructions that would be amazing.

All~G1 said:
No you are not completely bricked! Honestly that is almost impossible on this phone. The only way you'll lose this phone is if YOU give up.
Just keep trying and take a few deep breathes. Take a break actually. Just redo the process from step one.
Edit: you're half way there. Just flash Eugene's froyo that doesn't brixk, reboot, flash JFD or JI6, reboot... then you'll be right back to out of the box status.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the motivation!

yelowbottlecaps said:
Thank you for the motivation!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, we've all been there. It took me 6 hours lol. Best part is after you go through this once it will only take you 5-10 mins the next time. The hard part is just getting everything setup in the mist of anger, frustration, fear & panic.

All~G1 said:
No worries, we've all been there. It took me 6 hours lol. Best part is after you go through this once it will only take you 5-10 mins the next time. The hard part is just getting everything setup in the mist of anger, frustration, fear & panic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and in the midst of a roommate that needs his pc back.
I still need a fix that would work for macs... if not, I'd have to wait for my roommate to let me bum his pc again

Do my posts not show up or something? wtf.

s15274n said:
Do my posts not show up or something? wtf.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/me pats s15274n on the back....don't get mad...get even! =P
Honestly, sounds like yelow's focusing on getting all the help s/he needs from All~G1. I wouldn't worry about it.
~SB

Return Rooted Bricked Evo

So I've apparently, effectively bricked my phone. Under bootloader it is listed as S-OFF. Is there any way I can return my evo in and stay under warranty?
Note: I can not reach recovery.

What happens when you rename a recovery to PC36IMG.zip and try to update via bootloader?

I go into a boot loop no matter what i do, no matter what I flash. I have flashed 10+ PC36IMGs with everything from bootloaders to recoveries, to every img that can be on the phone... there is a thread still on the first page if you want to look at that.
Anyways, it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to fix it, so this is more about what options are available to me in getting a new phone, if you having any suggestions though on what I can do to fix mine, please be my guest and comment on my thread below, I'm still trying to fix it!

Just report the phone lost or stolen and pay $100 deductible.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I would try one last time to flash Amon's recovery.
Download this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=483320&d=1294435056
Rename it to "PC36IMG.zip"
put it on the root of your sd card via a card reader if you have one or someone elses phone.
then update via bootloader.
Other than that I'm out of ideas. The good news is I'm not as savvy as 95% people on here, which means someone much smarter than me might know the answer. Good luck.

Hmm, yeah I may just have to pay the 100 then... but is that an insurance thing or a warranty thing? I don't have insurance
Do you think Sprint will even check for the S-ON?

thanamesjames said:
Hmm, yeah I may just have to pay the 100 then... but is that an insurance thing or a warranty thing? I don't have insurance
Do you think Sprint will even check for the S-ON?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont think its a warranty thing its insurance and i think your screwed

What happens when you put a pc36img.zip file on the root of your SD card and start up in bootloader?

I appreciate the people trying to help me... but honestly i've flashed a ridiculous amount of PC36IMGs. Both boot.img and recovery.img and then much more. This is more about, is there anyway I can return it to sprint and get another under warranty. Sounds like i'm out of luck.

So you cleared all the caches?

thanamesjames said:
I appreciate the people trying to help me... but honestly i've flashed a ridiculous amount of PC36IMGs. Both boot.img and recovery.img and then much more. This is more about, is there anyway I can return it to sprint and get another under warranty. Sounds like i'm out of luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you do that caused this issue? Or what were you trying to do? Also what hboot version do you have?

I've done "clear storage" I don't see a place to clear anything other than that in hboot.

thanamesjames said:
I appreciate the people trying to help me... but honestly i've flashed a ridiculous amount of PC36IMGs. Both boot.img and recovery.img and then much more. This is more about, is there anyway I can return it to sprint and get another under warranty. Sounds like i'm out of luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much. If you haven't tried yet, try re-rooting via toast's method.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=690762
Try going through the whole process. If successful make sure you have a nice stock ROM like the current Sprint Lovers ROM to flash.

Unfortunately my phone isn't getting listed as a device under adb, and thats part of the toast tutorial I have tried his eng-PC36IMG.zip, and it didn't work

woah woah woah....
take your phone to wal-mart and slide it over the demagnetizer at the register a couple times.
THAN take it in.

_MetalHead_ said:
What did you do that caused this issue? Or what were you trying to do? Also what hboot version do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had nightlies of CM7 they would reboot fairly often, but I just figured they were unstable. Out of nowhere it rebooted, and lost all my texts, and desynced my google account. I decided to switch to CM6. When i switched to CM6, soon after it rebooted out of nowhere, and then staid in an endless loop and never came out. I currently have hboot .76, for more fastboot commands.

Try this PC36IMG.zip. If it doesn't work the first time then try it again. If it doesn't work the second time, then I would say you're SOL. I know you said you've tried a bunch but they aren't all the same. It's the sprintlover's full update ROM.

_MetalHead_ said:
Try this PC36IMG.zip. If it doesn't work the first time then try it again. If it doesn't work the second time, then I would say you're SOL. I know you said you've tried a bunch but they aren't all the same. It's the sprintlover's full update ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it from here? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=830153
If so I've tried it

thanamesjames said:
Is it from here? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=830153
If so I've tried it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep :/ I don't know what to tell you then man, sorry.

I guess I'm going to Sprint and playing stupid!
Has anyone done this successfully?
It sucks because as soon as I started having these problems, all the experts would be frustrated and say "*sigh* you're not bricked, you can get into bootloader" and so I was so sure it was fixable... but apparently not. Every time I mention it I have a thousand people yell at me "FLASH PC36IMG!!" Anyways thanks for the help!

[Solved] Did I hose myself (Knox poblem?)

So, the other day, as samsung was pushing more bloat to my phone, I decided I had had enough Redit told me I could just delete most things from root, I did so by following the instructions from a google search of how-to-root-and-flash-cwm-recovery-on-sprint-galaxy-s4-on-android-4-3-tutorial (except, of course, the back up part)
then, without paying attention to the list of removable apps, I took out Samsung hub, And then the problems start. The phone still works: Except every second or so, i get told that the hub has stopped. The phone isn't bricked, but it is basically worthless with the message popping up constantly.
According to my settings, everything is still stock (L720VPUFNAE) Although I think just rooting it was enough to pop the Knox bubble. I'm not working on getting that rom to try to re-flash back to stock (I thought i had did this over night, but it seems like i had slightly different roms when I was doing this early in the morning)
I also tried installing the Samsung Hub apk, but I get an error stating that X app wasn't installed. I have not been able to find a source for this app while googling.
I've tried finding a custom rom to use, but most of the ones I THINK are good/will work, don't install via odin, and for some reason when I try to boot into recovery, it just sits indefinitely @ the samsung galaxy screen.
Am I just stressed and frustrated, or am I truly hosed?
Edit: I'm currently working through http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307531 as my next attempt
Edit: for some reason Philz recovery isn't ever entering a recovery mode for me, it just sides @ the samsung screen forever

Akuthia said:
blablabla I deleted something what I shouldn't and now my phone is faulty, but I do not want/can reflash using Odin and CWM :crying::crying::crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You still can install Mobile Odin from google Play, copy ROM to SD card and try to flash it in that way...

spamtrash said:
You still can install Mobile Odin from google Play, copy ROM to SD card and try to flash it in that way...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get it, i deserve the sarcasm, I broke rule 1 of upgrades. (one of) the problems I'm having though is finding the right file to flash to. Just looking for a little bit of advice as to what files I need to get back to " Normal" I know I should be able to flash to another rom, why when I use Philz Recovery it doesn't do what it's supposed to, is beyond me right now. Odin mobile requires the PDA file, correct? That seems fine to getting back to stock, but most of the custom roms I've found or are at least interested in are just files that are installed via recovery...which for some reason I don't have access too, right?

Akuthia said:
That seems fine to getting back to stock, but most of the custom roms I've found or are at least interested in are just files that are installed via recovery...which for some reason I don't have access too, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. If I'd be you, I'd go to sammobile.com, and I'd start from full stock flash. It shall restore recovery. It it would work - you'd be OK to go with custom.

spamtrash said:
Correct. If I'd be you, I'd go to sammobile.com, and I'd start from full stock flash. It shall restore recovery. It it would work - you'd be OK to go with custom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, Sammobile has been efforting for about an hour. Has an hour to go. I also got CWM and am going to see if I can flash a rom with it. Transfer of those files is taking a while as well.

Akuthia said:
Ok, Sammobile has been efforting for about an hour. Has an hour to go. I also got CWM and am going to see if I can flash a rom with it. Transfer of those files is taking a while as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got back to stock. Text messages gave me a fright for a bit was sending me a message they were undeliverable via another code text # one of those 4 or 5 digit things)

Akuthia said:
Got back to stock. Text messages gave me a fright for a bit was sending me a message they were undeliverable via another code text # one of those 4 or 5 digit things)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good. Now, a small lesson for the future, if I can:
if you want to remove something, DO NOT delete software, use Titanium Backup and freeze apk first instead.
This will give you opportunity to check if you have frozen something important. :good:

spamtrash said:
Good. Now, a small lesson for the future, if I can:
if you want to remove something, DO NOT delete software, use Titanium Backup and freeze apk first instead.
This will give you opportunity to check if you have frozen something important. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats the thing, i HAD made a backup in titanium of all my system apps, just so i could roll it back, but for some reason, it wasn't listed when the fan got hi by you know what.

Akuthia said:
Thats the thing, i HAD made a backup in titanium of all my system apps, just so i could roll it back, but for some reason, it wasn't listed when the fan got hi by you know what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I DID not mentioned BACKUP.
I mentioned FREEZING.
Backup is another copy, which you may, or may not install.
FREEZE is that all files are present, but the application is not listed in system.

[Q] KitKat on a rooted Note 3.

Hi Guys,
First, I beg of you not to say RTFM on similar questions here regarding this. I have read them, and read them in their entirety. The problem I have is that none of them list how to get me though my issues on my Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900A.
My problem is that I (as many others) really want to upgrade to the Kit Kat OTA released from AT&T a week or so ago. The thing is, I did root my device and as everyone know's this fails any OTA updates.
My question is two fold, but first I would like to explain that I rooted my device NOT for being able to install any custom ROM's. In fact I never had an interest in doing so as I actually like the stock OS's which right now I am still running 4.3. I rooted it specifically to be able to run network / packet sniffers on my own home network as a method to learn a little more about how things go over a network, seeing what I can learn and see if I can find any vulnerabilities. I also used it to try and clean bloat ware and other programs that with out root I can not uninstall or use, such as certain fast reboot apps. So, I really had no intention of using the Root to get me a custom ROM, as I wouldn't even know where to begin.
So my questions are this. Is there anyway that I can "un do" the root in order to let the device act as if it were never rooted? Or, is there anyway to force the OTA regardless of the device being rooted. My biggest fear is losing all the apps and files that I have on my device and I have never been able to get any kind of back up app to work, especially to restore anything from them.
I had read that one can use ODIN to flash the Kit Kat ROM, but while I have installed ODIN on my laptop, I am clueless on how to use it. I tried everything, but even with the USB drivers installed and working (I know this because plugged into the USB port, I am able to browse all the files on my device, yet ODIN continues to tell me that no device has been found.
Can someone please help me to understand what I need to do? Again, I don't care if I lose Root, I care that I don't lose all the stuff I spent months installing and getting my device where I want it. I really need someone to explain somethings to me as if I were a two year old, with out scalding me and making me feel like a complete idiot. I came here because everyone I have talked to told me that you guys would be the ones that could help me, and if you can't, then I am screwed and will have to just wipe the entire device and I just can't do that. I may wind up having to buy a new device and just transfer over what ever I can, however, in the mean time that is not an option.
To this end, I come begging for some serious help since I know you guys are the literal gods of Androids. If I must take some kind of custom ROM in order to get Kit Kat, I am somewhat willing, but I do not fully understand or know what ROM I would want to install as I have never in my life seen a custom ROM and what the benefits of having one are which is kind of why I really want to stick with the stock ROM and just keep getting the updates via OTA.
I have all the faith in the world you guys can help, I just don't know if anyone is willing to help since I know similar questions have been asked, but I do not know how to use what I learned for my particular device.
Thanks very much.
EU

Dardwizzle said:
Hi Guys,
First, I beg of you not to say RTFM on similar questions here regarding this. I have read them, and read them in their entirety. The problem I have is that none of them list how to get me though my issues on my Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900A.
My problem is that I (as many others) really want to upgrade to the Kit Kat OTA released from AT&T a week or so ago. The thing is, I did root my device and as everyone know's this fails any OTA updates.
My question is two fold, but first I would like to explain that I rooted my device NOT for being able to install any custom ROM's. In fact I never had an interest in doing so as I actually like the stock OS's which right now I am still running 4.3. I rooted it specifically to be able to run network / packet sniffers on my own home network as a method to learn a little more about how things go over a network, seeing what I can learn and see if I can find any vulnerabilities. I also used it to try and clean bloat ware and other programs that with out root I can not uninstall or use, such as certain fast reboot apps. So, I really had no intention of using the Root to get me a custom ROM, as I wouldn't even know where to begin.
So my questions are this. Is there anyway that I can "un do" the root in order to let the device act as if it were never rooted? Or, is there anyway to force the OTA regardless of the device being rooted. My biggest fear is losing all the apps and files that I have on my device and I have never been able to get any kind of back up app to work, especially to restore anything from them.
I had read that one can use ODIN to flash the Kit Kat ROM, but while I have installed ODIN on my laptop, I am clueless on how to use it. I tried everything, but even with the USB drivers installed and working (I know this because plugged into the USB port, I am able to browse all the files on my device, yet ODIN continues to tell me that no device has been found.
Can someone please help me to understand what I need to do? Again, I don't care if I lose Root, I care that I don't lose all the stuff I spent months installing and getting my device where I want it. I really need someone to explain somethings to me as if I were a two year old, with out scalding me and making me feel like a complete idiot. I came here because everyone I have talked to told me that you guys would be the ones that could help me, and if you can't, then I am screwed and will have to just wipe the entire device and I just can't do that. I may wind up having to buy a new device and just transfer over what ever I can, however, in the mean time that is not an option.
To this end, I come begging for some serious help since I know you guys are the literal gods of Androids. If I must take some kind of custom ROM in order to get Kit Kat, I am somewhat willing, but I do not fully understand or know what ROM I would want to install as I have never in my life seen a custom ROM and what the benefits of having one are which is kind of why I really want to stick with the stock ROM and just keep getting the updates via OTA.
I have all the faith in the world you guys can help, I just don't know if anyone is willing to help since I know similar questions have been asked, but I do not know how to use what I learned for my particular device.
Thanks very much.
EU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does ur kies run? if so turn it off.
USB debugging off? turn it on.
are u in download mode of ur phone? if not, switch off n wait till vibrate to make it really off. then press vol down + home + power. then follow instructions to press vol up once u inside warning screen.
after that u can plug in ur phone.
Sent from somewhere under the sky, at the corner of this rounded earth.

antique_sonic said:
does ur kies run? if so turn it off.
USB debugging off? turn it on.
are u in download mode of ur phone? if not, switch off n wait till vibrate to make it really off. then press vol down + home + power. then follow instructions to press vol up once u inside warning screen.
after that u can plug in ur phone.
Sent from somewhere under the sky, at the corner of this rounded earth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi antique_sonic, I would just like to clarify a couple things as well as answer your questions.
>does ur kies run? if so turn it off. <--- If you mean is it installed on my laptop and work? Yes it is, and yes it does, however, I almost never use it. Mainly because I was told that once you root a Samsung Device, Kies is no longer able to be used.
>USB debugging off? turn it on. <--- It is and has been turned on in an effort to try to sideload KitKat, but that was a hug fail. But I will leave it on for this discussion.
>are u in download mode of ur phone? <---- I have gotten here before but don't exactly know what to do once I am there since I don't know where to get a Kit Kat ROM, where to put it once I have it, or how to use anything in d/l mode.
> if not, switch off n wait till vibrate to make it really off. then press vol down + home + power. then follow instructions to press vol up once u inside warning screen. after that u can plug in ur phone. <--- Are these instructions for wiping the device back to the factory default? Will I lose everything currently installed and loaded on my Note 3? Or does this some how fix / allow for the OTA update to install completely because it no longer can tell the device is rooted?
Again, I must apologize because this is so greek to me.I am just trying to understand at this point what infact the instructions you gave me do, and what they are intended for. Is this just to get the USB drives to work properly? Or is this something that will help me undo root so that I would be able to install KitKat via the AT&T OTA. If now the latter, where I can I get a complete Kit Kat ROM and use ODIN to flash the ROM? This outcome would suck because I believe that this will cause me to lose everything on my device I worked so hard to get where I wanted. I have just over looked the fact that in rooting my device I there by killed my ability to keep my device updated with the latest OTA releases / patches.
Again, I appreciate you reply, but sadly I am in need of a bit more info if you could please.
Thank you so very much. I hope one day to be able to pay it forward, passing along the knowledge you have shared with me,
Regards,
EU

Dardwizzle said:
Hi antique_sonic, I would just like to clarify a couple things as well as answer your questions.
>does ur kies run? if so turn it off. <--- If you mean is it installed on my laptop and work? Yes it is, and yes it does, however, I almost never use it. Mainly because I was told that once you root a Samsung Device, Kies is no longer able to be used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do check, is it running in background ? check your task manager. if so, kill the process. Kies should not run together with ODIN. Otherwise sometimes will give problem to your ODIN process.
I normally only install the USB driver only, as this is the only thing needed to connect your phone to comp (as MTP, or as ODIN connection).
Dardwizzle said:
>are u in download mode of ur phone? <---- I have gotten here before but don't exactly know what to do once I am there since I don't know where to get a Kit Kat ROM, where to put it once I have it, or how to use anything in d/l mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, in a very simple word. download mode is basically a state whereby your phone is ready to download system files and install the system files on your device.
This is the only state possible to get a connection to your ODIN PC to flash stock firmware, recovery (in .tar/.md5 format).
How to get the KK ROM ?
1) identify your device. which model it is. N9005? N900T? N900A? N900 blablabla?
2) goto samfirmware.com (register there if you don't have account. it is free). after that you can just find your firmware by typing on the search device textbox your device model (e.g N9005), and it will come out the list of your device firmware (normally they will show for the latest firmware list)
3) choose the firmware that you want to download (if your device N9005 international 32 gb, try to avoid the Hongkong / Taiwan firmware, as they have different PIT partition).
4) once you have the downloaded zip file from samfirmware, extract the zip, and then you will get the (.tar/.md5) file. Now you can use to flash this one over ODIN.
Dardwizzle said:
> if not, switch off n wait till vibrate to make it really off. then press vol down + home + power. then follow instructions to press vol up once u inside warning screen. after that u can plug in ur phone. <--- Are these instructions for wiping the device back to the factory default? Will I lose everything currently installed and loaded on my Note 3? Or does this some how fix / allow for the OTA update to install completely because it no longer can tell the device is rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no. no. no.
This is how to go into download mode in your device
Not yet talking about factory reset.
But yes, you have to backup your internal storage, as sometimes upgrading will cost you to do factory reset, and your internal storage will be gone.
Dardwizzle said:
Again, I must apologize because this is so greek to me.I am just trying to understand at this point what infact the instructions you gave me do, and what they are intended for. Is this just to get the USB drives to work properly? Or is this something that will help me undo root so that I would be able to install KitKat via the AT&T OTA. If now the latter, where I can I get a complete Kit Kat ROM and use ODIN to flash the ROM? This outcome would suck because I believe that this will cause me to lose everything on my device I worked so hard to get where I wanted. I have just over looked the fact that in rooting my device I there by killed my ability to keep my device updated with the latest OTA releases / patches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
up to this point, I just remembered that you have N900A (AT&T) version. hahaha.
I go check the samfirmware, no release of KK yet at the samfirmware.
I'm sorry, I own N9005, and I never explore too much on the N900A, so I won't know what is the latest release, and where to get it other from samfirmware.
Dardwizzle said:
Again, I appreciate you reply, but sadly I am in need of a bit more info if you could please.
Thank you so very much. I hope one day to be able to pay it forward, passing along the knowledge you have shared with me,
Regards,
EU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no problem. you just get your latest firmware first, once you have it, you let me know, i can give you step by step in detail, on how to flash to your device.

antique_sonic said:
up to this point, I just remembered that you have N900A (AT&T) version. hahaha.
I go check the samfirmware, no release of KK yet at the samfirmware.
I'm sorry, I own N9005, and I never explore too much on the N900A, so I won't know what is the latest release, and where to get it other from samfirmware.
no problem. you just get your latest firmware first, once you have it, you let me know, i can give you step by step in detail, on how to flash to your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure sure, just laugh at me why don't ya!! LOL I will continue to try to find the appropriate firmware. I guess if I learned one valuable lesson in all this, it is just don't root your device if you don't plan on using custom ROM's. I had no idea that there would be no way to "unroot" your device once it's rooted. I was really hoping that you could just undo what ever is done to actually root the device, this way the OTA's will just start working again. Or that there would be a way to just force the OTA regardless of whether the device is rooted. I am not sure I truly understand why the OTA just won't install just because the device is rooted.I mean sure it adds SU to the device, and unlocks (I think) the boot partition or the boot loader, which ever, but regardless, why should the OTA package care and fail to install just because of that change?
Anyway, that's probably a discussion for another thread. I actually did find a Kit Kat zip that is like 150MB's it has a boot.img inside the zip, but it has nothing with an extension that ODIN can recognize. I would love to show you the zip, but it's too large to attach or email. The file name is 2400258.zip, but I forgot where I downloaded it from. It may be what I need to do the job, but with out someone seeing the zip I have no way of knowing if it's the files I need. I was not about to find any files with in it that are in txt readable format for me to say exactly what it is. It does have subfolders names Google and Android and the like but I am sure that is pretty useless with out seeing the full zip.
I will keep my eye on this thread and when I find something I can work with, or if you guys find anything I can work with I will come back and see where we can go next.
Thanks again bud!

Dardwizzle said:
Sure sure, just laugh at me why don't ya!! LOL I will continue to try to find the appropriate firmware. I guess if I learned one valuable lesson in all this, it is just don't root your device if you don't plan on using custom ROM's. I had no idea that there would be no way to "unroot" your device once it's rooted. I was really hoping that you could just undo what ever is done to actually root the device, this way the OTA's will just start working again. Or that there would be a way to just force the OTA regardless of whether the device is rooted. I am not sure I truly understand why the OTA just won't install just because the device is rooted.I mean sure it adds SU to the device, and unlocks (I think) the boot partition or the boot loader, which ever, but regardless, why should the OTA package care and fail to install just because of that change?
Anyway, that's probably a discussion for another thread. I actually did find a Kit Kat zip that is like 150MB's it has a boot.img inside the zip, but it has nothing with an extension that ODIN can recognize. I would love to show you the zip, but it's too large to attach or email. The file name is 2400258.zip, but I forgot where I downloaded it from. It may be what I need to do the job, but with out someone seeing the zip I have no way of knowing if it's the files I need. I was not about to find any files with in it that are in txt readable format for me to say exactly what it is. It does have subfolders names Google and Android and the like but I am sure that is pretty useless with out seeing the full zip.
I will keep my eye on this thread and when I find something I can work with, or if you guys find anything I can work with I will come back and see where we can go next.
Thanks again bud!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't like spoonfeeding too much actually.
but I find u r quite funny. no offence.
I have no idea this will work or not, but I found this as the 1st search result on Google.
http://www.droidviews.com/install-android-4-4-2-kitkat-ota-on-att-galaxy-note-3-sm-900a/
just have a look first nd don't do anything till u understand the article.
Sent from somewhere under the sky, at the corner of this rounded earth.

antique_sonic said:
I don't like spoonfeeding too much actually.
but I find u r quite funny. no offence.
I have no idea this will work or not, but I found this as the 1st search result on Google.
(I had to remove the link as the website thought I was adding it and gave me a no no warning that I can't post outside links cause I be a newbie!) BAH!!!
just have a look first nd don't do anything till u understand the article.
Sent from somewhere under the sky, at the corner of this rounded earth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey antique_sonic, no offence taken my friend, I am a giant goof ball, but I am also someone who doesn't mind working out my own problems. It's just sometimes with things like this where I am clueless and need a little hand holding. It's nice to know that there are people like you around to help out the dopes like me My apologies for not getting back to you sooner, and I will be looking into the link you sent tonight. I haven't been feeling well lately, I have two herniated disks in my back and I have End Stage Liver disease and I am only 39, so I sometimes get a bit under the weather and am down for the count for a few days. So I do appreciate your patience with me and all the help and direction you are giving me. I try never to abuse the help as that is no way to learn, and learning is actually one of favorite hobbies! Weird huh.... So, I am off to go read the link you provided me and update the stock on my website and hope I make some more sales so I can get some money to buy a new phone when I brick this one! LMAO! Thanks again Sonic, I really appreciate everything!

Dardwizzle said:
Hey antique_sonic, no offence taken my friend, I am a giant goof ball, but I am also someone who doesn't mind working out my own problems. It's just sometimes with things like this where I am clueless and need a little hand holding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries and yeah you should try to find first. by this way, you will learn faster, compare if someone do the spoonfeed.
Dardwizzle said:
It's nice to know that there are people like you around to help out the dopes like me My apologies for not getting back to you sooner, and I will be looking into the link you sent tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My pleasure to help. And no worries for late reply, as I will do the same when I busy with my real life job.
Dardwizzle said:
I haven't been feeling well lately, I have two herniated disks in my back and I have End Stage Liver disease and I am only 39, so I sometimes get a bit under the weather and am down for the count for a few days. So I do appreciate your patience with me and all the help and direction you are giving me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are welcome mate. I'm sorry to read the news about your conditions. I can't say anything about this, but wish you all the best. Don't ever feel down in whichever state you are, just do the best in life, and we will never regret that 1 more day has passed.
Dardwizzle said:
I try never to abuse the help as that is no way to learn, and learning is actually one of favorite hobbies! Weird huh.... So, I am off to go read the link you provided me and update the stock on my website and hope I make some more sales so I can get some money to buy a new phone when I brick this one! LMAO! Thanks again Sonic, I really appreciate everything!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GOOD !!!
go and grab sales, rather than you brick the phone.
Once again, u r welcome mate.