Database Users

Froyo Update Won't Install

I have the Samsung Fascinate and I recently rooted it to get all the wonderful benefits that come with rooting.
I downloaded the leaked Froyo update, renamed it "update.zip" and put it in my sd card folder in order to update.
I then turned off my phone and pushed the power button plus the volume up and down until I got to the boot screen. I kept getting an error saying it couldn't verify the package (or something along those lines) and then it sent me to a screen with the triangle, exclamation point and the little droid guy.
I also tried using Rom Manager but the same thing happened.
I hear you are supposed to use Odin, but I am running on a mac and Odin is a windows application.
Please help me, I'm desperate to get the Froyo update on my device.
Thanks in advance.

Yikes u didn't do any research at all did you?? U can't use Odin on Mac....and u need it. Do u even have cwm? Probably not since u didn't Odin. U need to Odin cwm...Make a backup...Odin eb01 modem...flash rom. Update.zip is not correct...u don't rename .zip roms...you flash them via cwm. Not trying to bash u....but you are way off...and getting help via forums will b tough.
You need to go to irc and be polite and find some help there. Someone should hopefully be able to help you...I will b on eventually.
sent from my vanilla voodoo fascinate

I did my research but if I'm not literate with how or what a CWM is or how to use it, that doesn't mean I didn't do my research.
But are you telling me I can't install the update without a windows computer?
I have access to one where I am but I would rather know all the steps before I get on someone else's computer and start trying to figure it out there.
I looked through all 50 or so pages of the Froyo leaked thread and I saw a few people who understood all these things, but if I don't understand and there isn't a tutorial it makes it harder for me to accomplish my goal.

Can your phone boot up?
Someone varify my directions.
This might work if u can get into download mode. U need to find all the links urself since I'm on tapatalk.
First off...find a pc. Without one you can't do anything. Put ur eb01 rom on sdcard for later. Instal the 32 bit or 64 bit Samsung drivers depending on ur pc. For many..its the 32 bit. Then get Odin. U will need to find a link to cwm...if I'm not mistaking there is one on like the 2nd or 3rd page in android development section...will say updated cwmq for dj05 or dl09 or something like that. Find directions of how to use Odin...but simply place the cwm.tar file in the pda section on Odin...then click start. When that's done...u should make a backup...however...u may not b able to boot up because of what u have already done. U may try odining the eb01 modem. Once u have that done...hold up down and power to get I to your new updated cwm. From there click instal zip from sdcard...and flash ur eb01 rom of choice....wipe wipe wipe...reboot system.
Again...this may not work since I'm not possitive what u already did to ur phone by not doing your research. Like I already said...be polite and head over to irc. .someone will have more time than I do to fix ur phone.
sent from my vanilla voodoo fascinate

You obviously didn't research. There is an eb01 walkthrough on fascinate development section...impossible to miss. If ur incompetent at following step by step directions u should not be Modding your phone. Seek help and knowledge before doing anything...u don't want a 600 dollar paper clip do you?
sent from my vanilla voodoo fascinate

kyfredrickson said:
You obviously didn't research. There is an eb01 walkthrough on fascinate development section...impossible to miss. If ur incompetent at following step by step directions u should not be Modding your phone. Seek help and knowledge before doing anything...u don't want a 600 dollar paper clip do you?
sent from my vanilla voodoo fascinate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would you use it as a paper clip? A paper weight I see, but not a paper clip?!?!

TheFake said:
I did my research but if I'm not literate with how or what a CWM is or how to use it, that doesn't mean I didn't do my research.
But are you telling me I can't install the update without a windows computer?
I have access to one where I am but I would rather know all the steps before I get on someone else's computer and start trying to figure it out there.
I looked through all 50 or so pages of the Froyo leaked thread and I saw a few people who understood all these things, but if I don't understand and there isn't a tutorial it makes it harder for me to accomplish my goal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to be a ****...but the first thing you learn when reading is how to flash the modem using ODIN...so, yeah....
Since you've f'd up the phone already. Download the restore to stock files and odin. Go to someone with a PC and follow the restore directions to the T. DO NOT FALTER.

kyfredrickson said:
You obviously didn't research. There is an eb01 walkthrough on fascinate development section...impossible to miss. If ur incompetent at following step by step directions u should not be Modding your phone. Seek help and knowledge before doing anything...u don't want a 600 dollar paper clip do you?
sent from my vanilla voodoo fascinate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but I also don't see the need for the disrespectful way you are treating someone looking for help.
Not everyone out there is as "smart" as you may be with modding but that's what this forum is for. Questions and answers, not smartass replies that don't help at all.
I appreciate the other posters response because at least he gave me information with no attitude. If you want to help someone, help them, don't demean them and offer a little advice.

jenisiz said:
Not to be a ****...but the first thing you learn when reading is how to flash the modem using ODIN...so, yeah....
Since you've f'd up the phone already. Download the restore to stock files and odin. Go to someone with a PC and follow the restore directions to the T. DO NOT FALTER.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is working fine, if not better than before.

TheFake said:
The phone is working fine, if not better than before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, you haven't done anything to your phone yet, so it shouldn't be running any differently than it was before.
There is a way to push CWM using ADB and Terminal on a Mac, but you would still need Odin to flash the modem, so might as well do everything that way. Download this Odin package from Android Central, and flash that using the PDA box in Odin. After that, you can flash a different 2.2 ROM or theme if you like

The only thing I am having trouble with is how to "flash" something.

TheFake said:
The only thing I am having trouble with is how to "flash" something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the Eb01 modem thread and read it. They will tell you how to "flash". You download the modem, plug in your phone, select PDA in ODIN and hit write or whatever...
It's as easy as reading and searching,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=948679
Not searching for things will get you flamed, ignored and banned (If not reading the rules). The reason I suggested you flash back to complete stock is because until you know what flashing is, difference between a ROM and a Radio...you are in dangerous territory of bricking your phone.

Guys, I'm also new to this flashing thing, but I've used Odin before and have read all the steps in the EB01 thread. My question is: can I install EB01 on top of stock, unmodded EA28 (which is the latest Eclair from Verizon) without wiping my data? All sets of instructions I've read include wiping, wiping, wiping... But since the new ROM is supposedly signed with the same Samsung/Verizon key as my current ROM, why shouldn't I be able to just install it on top, without wiping my data?
Or is it that because the guy who posted the ROM actually modified it, it's no longer signed with the Samsung or Verizon key?
I searched, but didn't find. I think the answer to this may be relevant to the original poster of this thread too, that's why I'm posting here.

thetodor said:
Guys, I'm also new to this flashing thing, but I've used Odin before and have read all the steps in the EB01 thread. My question is: can I install EB01 on top of stock, unmodded EA28 (which is the latest Eclair from Verizon) without wiping my data? All sets of instructions I've read include wiping, wiping, wiping... But since the new ROM is supposedly signed with the same Samsung/Verizon key as my current ROM, why shouldn't I be able to just install it on top, without wiping my data?
Or is it that because the guy who posted the ROM actually modified it, it's no longer signed with the Samsung or Verizon key?
I searched, but didn't find. I think the answer to this may be relevant to the original poster of this thread too, that's why I'm posting here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's always recommended to wipe. Those that don't are typically those who end up complaining about bad battery life, force close loops and utter suckageness...now flashing let's say super clean 2.0 to 2.2...that's fine bypassing the wipe, but imho that's the only exception.

thetodor said:
Guys, I'm also new to this flashing thing, but I've used Odin before and have read all the steps in the EB01 thread. My question is: can I install EB01 on top of stock, unmodded EA28 (which is the latest Eclair from Verizon) without wiping my data? All sets of instructions I've read include wiping, wiping, wiping... But since the new ROM is supposedly signed with the same Samsung/Verizon key as my current ROM, why shouldn't I be able to just install it on top, without wiping my data?
Or is it that because the guy who posted the ROM actually modified it, it's no longer signed with the Samsung or Verizon key?
I searched, but didn't find. I think the answer to this may be relevant to the original poster of this thread too, that's why I'm posting here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can install without wiping (saying from experience) as long as you dont mind problems later. I had plenty of force close problems and widget problems when I didnt wipe data.
Most ROM here are modified, to help protect the person who leaked it.

Interesting. Do we know the cause of those problems? How come no such problems exist when you update OTA with a similar official build?
I'm a developer and it seems weird to me that if you're starting with a stock ROM and upgrading to another stock ROM, apps will have issues. Or are the issues due to the fact that the newer ROM is still buggy (and that's probably why they haven't officially released it yet)?
Also, it doesn't hurt to try, right? And if I do get problems, THEN I can just do a simple wipe and start off clean. But if I don't have huge problems, I don't have to go through the trouble of restoring all my apps and settings, logging into everything again, etc.

it's not hard to restore apps/data, use titanium backup.
go ahead and try it without wiping, just do a full nandroid backup first. then if it sucks or you get funny errors you can revert really easily. I'd wipe with a major change like this, but if you're determined to try it there's really no big downside. just back up!
I ran EB01 over the weekend, didn't like a couple of things and was back up and running on DL09 in no time when I decided to switch back.

Its recommended to wipe but I've seen it a lot where u OK not wiping... u can try without and it u get bootloop just do a wipe. Like posted...titanium backup is ur bff when I mod.
Also about the post about me being rude.. I gave u the info u need...just telling you to research. U said u did, and I pointed out u didn't. If your not going to take the time to learn what ur doing...then expect help ASAP...expect ppl to b a bit rude. Ppl are welcome to help...but if u do something dumb without research...expect people to tell you.
Glad u got it working ok
sent from my vanilla voodoo fascinate

Just FYI everyone, I was able to to install Froyo without wiping and everything works fine. (except that my home screen shortcuts and maybe even some of my settings got reset... which was one of the things I was trying to avoid... but whatever.). The only issue I've run into so far is that Google Maps hangs for many seconds every once in a while. But I reset its internal cache and it's better now. All other apps are working fine.

umm "TheFake" is obviously a troll
nobody is that stupid, and his screen name gives it away

[Q] about to reset my phone

been having some problems with my phone lately and just wondered if anyone else has encountered these. first off it seems to stop playing any media files whatsoever. i have a bunch of music on it and the player just cycles through and says its not supported. youtube always brings up the error message that the video can not be played. i turn the phone off and on and it works after that but around 24 hours later i'm back to the same thing. also tried using kies to download the 2.2 update but that sucks and doesn't work. would like to root but have no idea where to begin and am afraid i'll screw the phone up. does anyone have an explanation as to what my problem can be and the best way to get 2.2 on this phone?

1st things 1st, Go to the noob guide by S15274N in the Gen section. It has all the info you need. Read it..........
Here is basically what you will do:
Make sure you have the Samsung USB drivers loaded on your computer (found in the noob guide)
Download superonclick to Root the phone (on to the computer)
On the phone download rom manager (from the apps store)
Follow the directions from superoneclick (look at unlockcr.com good how to video)
After you root the phone then decide what to load as far as a custom ROM. I would Try the Trigger or Axura, they both very stable Download on to the computer
Then hook up the phone on to the computer Make sure you connect the usb
(the pulldown at the top) make usb debugging is clicked.
Load the rom on to the Internal sd card and then go to the Rom manager and click reboot into into recovery.. install it wait 15 mins to install and you are good to go
READ the NOOB guide it is complete this is just an outline.
good luck

well i'll give it a read and see if i have enough balls to do it. thanks

ndavis_28 said:
been having some problems with my phone lately and just wondered if anyone else has encountered these. first off it seems to stop playing any media files whatsoever. i have a bunch of music on it and the player just cycles through and says its not supported. youtube always brings up the error message that the video can not be played. i turn the phone off and on and it works after that but around 24 hours later i'm back to the same thing. also tried using kies to download the 2.2 update but that sucks and doesn't work. would like to root but have no idea where to begin and am afraid i'll screw the phone up. does anyone have an explanation as to what my problem can be and the best way to get 2.2 on this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having these same exact problams and it is very frustrating. Also the video recorder will stop working I found.
So you are using 2.1? I've gone up to 2.2 using kies. I can't remember when I went to 2.2, but my guess is this has been happening since then.
In the past week I've been on the phone way too long with Tmobile support. They say that they have never heard of this (apparently I'm not the only one though) and had me try a master reset. That didn't work and the only solution seems to be to reboot the phone. Am I the only one who thinks having to reboot within 24 hours is ridiculous?
So now that they have sent me 3 phones, they directed me to Samsung which wanted to try the same Master Reset. I know that will only temporarily fix the problem so the next step is to send the phone in. How is that suppose to work? Have no phone for a week.
I guess I could ask Tmobile to do it for me and give me a loaner, but I think it is time to go with a custom ROM.
So is anyone else having the problems we are having? We can't be the only two. Is the stock 2.2 just bad and I will be better served with a custom ROM?
I was hoping to avoid this, but the phone is pretty much crap to me now anyway, so I guess what can I lose?

pmiller said:
So is anyone else having the problems we are having? We can't be the only two. Is the stock 2.2 just bad and I will be better served with a custom ROM?
I was hoping to avoid this, but the phone is pretty much crap to me now anyway, so I guess what can I lose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO stock from samsung have never been very impressive especially when compared to all the custom roms out here. The simplest roms to flash will be the kb1 based roms such as Trigger, Axura or Bionix (in no particular order).
Your phone will feel completely different and you will likely gain a new found appreciation for it, so go flash a custom rom

shreddintyres said:
IMO stock from samsung have never been very impressive especially when compared to all the custom roms out here. The simplest roms to flash will be the kb1 based roms such as Trigger, Axura or Bionix (in no particular order).
Your phone will feel completely different and you will likely gain a new found appreciation for it, so go flash a custom rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice. After reading through the steps and getting lost at only the 2nd step of rooting, I think I'll just stick to stock and deal with the problems.
Not ideal, but I'm just not in the mood to put that much into a phone anymore. Maybe I'm just lazy, but I'd like to have a program that will do all the steps of getting a new ROM on my device. I feel overwhelmed by having to maintain a ROM.

Its not as hard as you think. Just use superoneclick to get root access, download rom manager , download the rom you want on your sd then reboot into recovery from root manager and chose your rom from the sd.
Sent from my Bi-Winning powered SGH-T959 using XDA App

pmiller said:
Thanks for the advice. After reading through the steps and getting lost at only the 2nd step of rooting, I think I'll just stick to stock and deal with the problems.
Not ideal, but I'm just not in the mood to put that much into a phone anymore. Maybe I'm just lazy, but I'd like to have a program that will do all the steps of getting a new ROM on my device. I feel overwhelmed by having to maintain a ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give this a look
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=954509

Tired of waiting for GB Global generic, other options?

Hey guys, first I want to gives props to those of you who have posted tutorials on tweaking/modding this phone. I am an AT&T customer so I have an X10a, but with your help I successfully flashed my phone to 2.1, debranded it and rooted it. Of course AT&T released their official 2.1 update just a week later but like now, I was tired of waiting. So I now have an X10i, debranded and rooted, running customization# 1232-9897, for which there is no official GB release for just yet.
I want GB now! So am I right in assuming that my only option at this point is to flash a custom rom (WB)? I have been reading up on how to do so and it doesn't look nearly as easy as it was to flash to 2.1 from 1.6, debrand and root. Not only that but the tutorials on how to do so aren't exactly noob friendly. So this is what I've gotten so far.
1. In order to install WB 2.3.3 I need to be on a stock 2.1 rom, rooted w/xRecovery.
a.) I'm good on the first 2 but don't have xRecovery (I don't see an icon for it, at least, in my apps menu). Do I need to flash the rom again or can I just install it as shown in this video?....sorry, can't post the video, not enough posts yet. I'll update it shortly.....the video was made by username BluechipJ on youtube.
2. When making a backup of my apps/data, I use MyBackup Root, and for backup type I chose APK. Is that ok?
3. agentJBM wrote the tutorial I followed to upgrade to 2.1/debrand and root my phone, his guide was super detailed for noobs like me. Is there a guide out there that walks noobs through the process of going from 2.1 to 2.3?

Download flashtool 0.2.9. from there you can root and install xrecovery but just make sure you have unknown sources and usb debugging checked in phone settings

You don't access xRecovery from your app drawer (your "apps menu"). You can check if you have it by turning off your phone, turning it back on again, then when you see the white "Sony Ericsson" text repeatedly hit the 'Back' button on your phone (the right most button from the 3 at the bottom of your phone). If you come to a menu which says up the top "xRecovery" with Zdzihu's infamous android-troll face picture, then you have it. If not, then you can easily install it via FlashTool.
From then on, just follow the guides, they are actually pretty simple.

Simply use one of the 2.3.3 stock ftf files and flash it the same way you would a regular 2.1 file unless you want a modded rom like that of WB.

Im on at and t also and I know it sucks. But yeah just use flashtool and flash one of the firmwares. Should be just as easy as 2.1
Sent from my x10 on official gingerbread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh19PLNTWwk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

JohnShade123 said:
Download flashtool 0.2.9. from there you can root and install xrecovery but just make sure you have unknown sources and usb debugging checked in phone settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded it and unzipped it to my desktop thinking it would just be a single file, turned out to be a few folders and what not....I'm assuming I should unzip it to it's own folder??? Since i'm already rooted, can I just install xRecovery from it? Unknown sources and usb debugging are checked.
Mayazcherquoi said:
You don't access xRecovery from your app drawer (your "apps menu"). You can check if you have it by turning off your phone, turning it back on again, then when you see the white "Sony Ericsson" text repeatedly hit the 'Back' button on your phone (the right most button from the 3 at the bottom of your phone). If you come to a menu which says up the top "xRecovery" with Zdzihu's infamous android-troll face picture, then you have it. If not, then you can easily install it via FlashTool.
From then on, just follow the guides, they are actually pretty simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Durr....So glad I made this thread I tried that, didn't get that menu or picture, it just booted up as normal and I kept pressing the back button repeatedly from the time the white SE logo came up until my homescreen came on. How do I install it from FlashTool?
Dark Nightmare said:
Simply use one of the 2.3.3 stock ftf files and flash it the same way you would a regular 2.1 file unless you want a modded rom like that of WB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I could use any one of the stock 2.3.3 roms? Even though they were for other countries? I'd actually prefer a WB 2.3.3 since it's tweaked and what not already.
Lion3494 said:
Im on at and t also and I know it sucks. But yeah just use flashtool and flash one of the firmwares. Should be just as easy as 2.1
Sent from my x10 on official gingerbread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that what you did? Which firmware did you use?

916x10 said:
I downloaded it and unzipped it to my desktop thinking it would just be a single file, turned out to be a few folders and what not....I'm assuming I should unzip it to it's own folder??? Since i'm already rooted, can I just install xRecovery from it? Unknown sources and usb debugging are checked.
Durr....So glad I made this thread I tried that, didn't get that menu or picture, it just booted up as normal and I kept pressing the back button repeatedly from the time the white SE logo came up until my homescreen came on. How do I install it from FlashTool?
So I could use any one of the stock 2.3.3 roms? Even though they were for other countries? I'd actually prefer a WB 2.3.3 since it's tweaked and what not already.
Is that what you did? Which firmware did you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just used the 1237 update. But all of the firmwares work fine for me. I tried 3 so far
Sent from my x10 on official gingerbread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh19PLNTWwk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

916x10 said:
I downloaded it and unzipped it to my desktop thinking it would just be a single file, turned out to be a few folders and what not....I'm assuming I should unzip it to it's own folder??? Since i'm already rooted, can I just install xRecovery from it? Unknown sources and usb debugging are checked.
Durr....So glad I made this thread I tried that, didn't get that menu or picture, it just booted up as normal and I kept pressing the back button repeatedly from the time the white SE logo came up until my homescreen came on. How do I install it from FlashTool?
So I could use any one of the stock 2.3.3 roms? Even though they were for other countries? I'd actually prefer a WB 2.3.3 since it's tweaked and what not already.
Is that what you did? Which firmware did you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you unzip flashtool to your computer
*Run the flashbat to start flashtool
*Then plug in your phone to the computer and click on "charge phone" (on phone)
*then click on "ask permission" at top of flashtool window
*on your phone click on "allow" (once superuser asks you for permission)
*then you'll be able to click on "xrecovery" at top of flashtool window
that will install xrecovery
Then if you want to install Ericks 2.3.3 custom ROM you can follow this guide
links to Ericks ROM is here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192326
or you can install Wolfs custom ROM basically the same way but with his links instead of Ericks
It's very easy once your phone is rooted and has busybox/xrecovery

New Bravo owner -- Tips and Tricks I learned so far

I picked up a Motorola Bravo to use as a secondary phone on ebay for a steal of a price and thought I would share some of my success / failures / tips I have learned so far.
Successes:
Rooting the phone this was very easy as I just followed other instructions on this forum.
1. Install Drivers from here: http://developer.motorola.com/docstools/USB_Drivers/ then reboot
2. Download and install latest SuperOneClick, unzip, plug in your phone, run the executable. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682 Click the ROOT button and let it do it's thing. I suggest letting it install busybox as well. **NOTE THIS VERSION DID NOT work for Allowing non market APPS***
Allow non market APPS: this was a bit more tricky
1. Install the same motorola drivers from rooting (if you didn't already)
2. Find SuperOneClickv1.5.5 -- Be careful .. some of the files I found triggered virus warnings. I found this link to be reliable: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=I88D36X6 this URL was found on this post: (for the paranoid to refer back to) http://androidforums.com/x10-all-things-root/254097-new-rooting-method-2-1-updated-2-0-2-0-24-9-01-2011-a.html
Failures:
I have not yet been able to completely disable MotoBLUR. I saw two different ways of doing this... one was to edit the build.prop and add the following lines:
ro.mot.deblur=true
ro.mot.setuptype=2
This didn't work, but I also wasn't sure how to clear the phone data/cache ... maybe in the recovery mode? Can anyone confirm this method works on the Motorola Bravo?
The second method I saw was to type eebluroff I am assuming after booting the phone for the first im after a factory data reset. I saw one post saying you should be able to do this by bringing up the keyboard on the screen where you select the system language. I was not able to get the keyboard to come up therefore I couldn't get this method to work.
Anyone else have any luck?
Finally I plan to try carrier unlocking the phone, enabling wifi tethering, and eventually try a ROM or two out.

I'll say this now. I have the bravo. I have T-Mobile service. Not at&t. All I did was call them and asked for the code. Very nice people there. Took me about 10 minutes total including going through menu prompts and holding time.
Sent from my MB520 using XDA App
And Super One Click will unlock non-market apps. Just click root and let it go. Reboot your phone. Click Shell root and let it finish. THEN click the non-market button W/O rebooting!

great tips,
hey junkyardjames87, can you post couple links for roms? thanks

The best thing you can do for your bravo is flash CM7 or MIUI on it

BravoMotorola said:
The best thing you can do for your bravo is flash CM7 or MIUI on it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the tips.
i went through a lot of threads, a lil bit confused, this is my first android phone. im already in love with it.
my bravo is unlocked with code, running 2.2.1 froyo, i think its rooted but im not sure, there is market logo on the home screen, and it has the superuser icon too when i click on the circle to app page.
and it doesnt really lag a lot, its just not as snappy compare to my friend's iphone4. never wanted any apple products, they are way overpriced lol, i think with mod bravo should run really fast doe.
cm7 or miui is androind 2.3 right? is there any glitch after install it? what are the steps if i wanna install one of them
thanks in advance

[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.