Database Users

[Q] What to expect after an OTA installation on a rooted GT-I9505

Hi All,
I have used CF-Auto-Root when I first got my phone about 3 months ago and rooted successfully and it changed my device status from Official to custom and therefore I was never able to check for OTA or install them.
I have also tried CF's Triangle Away at that time but it never set the status back to Official until last night when I installed the latest TA version 3.05 and this had worked it's magic and my phone status is now back to Official and I found an available OTA and downloaded it but I have not installed it yet. Why? Because I am almost sure I will lose root after installing the OTA update and I am not sure if I am able to re-root it again as I have heard and read that Samsung is trying to lock things down to make it harder for us to play around with our phones.
I My current build number is JDQ39.I9505XXUAMDE so if I am not mistaken, that means I am on firmware XXUAMDE.
The phone does not tell me any info after it completed the OTA download about this upfate apart "Stability Improvement"
My questions are:
1. How can I tell if this new firmware is not going to lock things down?
2. Would I be able to easily re-root after completing the firmware update?
I just plugged in my phone to my computer and Samsung Kies is telling me this:
Current firmware version : PDA:MDE / PHONE:MD8 / CSC:MD8 (VAU)
Latest firmware version : PDA:MG4 / PHONE:MG1 / CSC:MG1 (VAU)
and asking me if I want to upgrade.
Can someone help me answer my questions and clear this for me?
Sorry for all these questions but I am just a little worried this update will be a bad move and I don't want to regret it.
Thanking you in advance for putting up with me and my apologies if some of these questions are repeated or dumb.

AFAIK, MG4/MG1 is not sooo new, and it's still not afected by the 'knox' bootloader thing.
I upgraded to MGA (AMN) some 3 weeks ago, using KIES, temporarylly lost root, but flashet CF Auto Root again, and .... voila! good to go again.
.... oh yes, I had to install supersu again from play store (somehow it was rooted, but the application was not there).
Hope that can help you!
Bak

Thanks Bak for the info.
I was doing some more googling and I came across these 2 pages:
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/4...ial-android422-xxuamde-jellybean-firmware.htm
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/4...roid422-xxuamdn-jellybean-official-update.htm
There is something wrong here as my phone is I9505 and it came with the amde unlike what is suggesting that official firmware for I9505 is amdn.
I got my phone from Voda Australia hence the VAU.
If I am reading this correctly:
Current firmware version : PDA:MDE / PHONE:MD8 / CSC:MD8 (VAU)
Latest firmware version : PDA:MG4 / PHONE:MG1 / CSC:MG1 (VAU)
Then after the OTA update then I should be on XXUAMG4 ? I really don't get this whole PDA / PHONE / CSC variables.
I am just tempted to install it and thinking if anything goes wrong or not to my liking then I can use the link I provided above to flash my phone with the official xxaumdn and this does not have the "knox" bootloader thing?

good decision mate! dont flash to the latest MH8 firmware cuz it locks out your fone.
sadly i've flashed mine without reading around. little did in know, MH8 includes knox with locked my phone.
right now i'm having root problems. tried using CF 1.60 the latest one.. which they said can bypass the knoxx thing. we'll i'm still having problems getting root access.. IDK why.
just wait and see. a dev might come up with some work around this KNOX bootloader thing

Saturn007 said:
Thanks Bak for the info.
I was doing some more googling and I came across these 2 pages:
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/4...ial-android422-xxuamde-jellybean-firmware.htm
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/4...roid422-xxuamdn-jellybean-official-update.htm
There is something wrong here as my phone is I9505 and it came with the amde unlike what is suggesting that official firmware for I9505 is amdn.
I got my phone from Voda Australia hence the VAU.
If I am reading this correctly:
Current firmware version : PDA:MDE / PHONE:MD8 / CSC:MD8 (VAU)
Latest firmware version : PDA:MG4 / PHONE:MG1 / CSC:MG1 (VAU)
Then after the OTA update then I should be on XXUAMG4 ? I really don't get this whole PDA / PHONE / CSC variables.
I am just tempted to install it and thinking if anything goes wrong or not to my liking then I can use the link I provided above to flash my phone with the official xxaumdn and this does not have the "knox" bootloader thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just checked with www.samfirmware.com
If you select the 'check your firmware', you'll see that the last version for i9505 and Australia VAU (vodaphone) is PDA:MG4 / PHONE:MG1 / CSC:MG1
So your carrier (vodaphone) hasn't released the MHx version yet (versions MHx hsve the knox thing)
PDA / PHONE / CSC are different pieces of the software/firmware, and may have different releases (you can even play with different ones, for instance, a diferent PHONE to be able to sim unlock, etc....)
If I was you, I'd let KIES do the update (it's the safest, together with the OTA), and re-root it.
Good luck
Bak

Thanks Bak. I upgraded over the weekend and re-rooted it and all is back to normal now.
I even got Triangleaway to reset counter and back to official status.
Thanks for all your info.

[Q] After latest firmware update - Wifi will not turn on

Firstly some details....
Galaxy was rooted but was still stock ROM. The ONLY change I did was install Adaway - nothing else
Anyway, I used Kies v2.x today (25/11/13) to backup my phone - when I started it up it said there was a new firmware update. I did a backup & then like a idiot - I decided to accept it.....
... everything seemed to go OK... it installed, rebooted etc etc & when I checked all the apps still worked, home screen OK etc etc.
I then decided to do a bit of Browsing - so dragged down the notification bar & tapped the Wifi.... It didn't turn on.
It moves over to ON - then moves straight back to 'off'
Instead I get a silver shield pop up, & a 'Security notice' stating - 'your device's security has blocked an action that is not permitted. No further action is required'
Long tap on this brings up a [App info] box & tapping this shows 'Knox notification manager'
Tried googling this & I find it's part of Samsung 'security', so started trying to find how to fix/bypass/stop it from blocking me from turning on my Wifi
Some suggestions were ..Softreset,reset data/cache, pull battery - even hard reset... nothing worked (couldn't 'freeze' the app(s) as Titanium need to be brought for that feature)
Now I thought I'll just restore the backup I did for contacts etc, so I can at least use it as a phone & hope that Samsung DID **** up with the firmware & a new firmware will fix it
- but re-starting Keis & it tell me v2 is not compatible with my phone & I have to use V3, so I downloaded/Upgraded it & it sees the phone, but trying to restore the backup & it fails
I checked my 'rom' counter & that's is set to 0 & device status shows 'samsung' - however doing a 'update check' (from within phone) states my phone is 'modified' (I guess it's sees SuperSU or the modified host file)
I managed to restore my contacts using GPRS (but it cost me a package as I'm on PAYG), but why cant I get my Wifi to turn on ??
Without that I can't restore any apps (easily)... or update or do anything
Is it a cockup by Samsung with their firmware update ??
Is it this dam 'Knox' thing..??
Is it because of the 'altered Host' file from adaway ??
Is it because it was 'rooted' ??
I've seen posts about restoring the stock firmware, which directs me to Sam's webpage - but the only GT-i9505 I found there for a UK unlocked/unbranded phone is a GT-i9505 LTE (I guess I should use the BTU & not Branded ones) which I'm pretty sure isn't mine (I may be wrong) & apparently I have to sign up to download it anyway
Has anyone else had this problem ??
What can I do to fix it ??
Can anyone help ??
I've only had this phone for a couple of days & I hate to think it's been buggered up by Samsung Firmware Update

I'm not being funny but if you use the search feature in the Q&A section there are loads of threads to do with WiFi not working and multiple solutions. Its hit and miss which solutions work and which don't, so go through them and come back when they haven't worked.

Pulse654321 said:
I'm not being funny but if you use the search feature in the Q&A section there are loads of threads to do with WiFi not working and multiple solutions. Its hit and miss which solutions work and which don't, so go through them and come back when they haven't worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you think that I haven't used search ??
I have, but I've only tried the 'simple' things (soft/hard rest etc) since for a newbie like me many posts are very confusing
for example this one (although its for rooting) has a bit about
FYI: ODIN has problems with flashing latest FW's and if WiFi doesn't work you MUST flash ROM again or use matching WiFi-FIX (post #2) to make it work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
however looking at 2nd post & there's a link to WiFifix where there are many files, which I am unsure which one to use.
Kies 3 tell me I have PDA:MK8 / Phone:MH8 / CSC:MK5 (BTU) & there a MK8 AND a MH8 file there - so which one do I use ? (BTW, I updated the firmware originally using Keis so I don't think the WiFi fix is really relevant, but reflashing the ROM with Odin MAY be useful to know.. if only I know WHICH rom to use) I won't be able to use keis since v3 tells me that 'Your device current firmware is not supported to update via Kies'
> I've read about flashing a Modem with Odin - but that didn't say where I can get it from or which file to use
> I've read articles about 'Knox Warrenty' being '1' or '0x1' (or whatever) - so how do I check that ??
> I've also read about 'freezing' the Knox apps to 'allow' me to turn on my Wifi - but to do so Titanium is recommended (& it has to be the paid for version to 'freeze' apps)..
which I cant download because I have no Wifi (& it costs a FORTUNE to do so using PAYG)
> I've also seen posts about UNROOTING the phone by using Odin & install stock ROM (in case you need to send back to Samsung)
In second post there's quite a few United Kingdom BTU (I assume I need a BTU for an Unbranded Sim-free phone) with different version.. I I assume for the latest version it's the first one in the list
United Kingdom BTU (November 2013) (NO DOWNGRADE)
PDA: I9505XXUEMK8
CSC: I9505BTUEMK5
MODEM: I9505XXUEMK8
Version 4.3
but how do I find out if the Modem is correct ??
& since I have problems with the Wifi with the latest version - perhaps there's a problem with it in general,
can I downgrade back to 4.22 ?? I've not seen any mention if this is possible & once again - WHICH one do I use ? there like 3 or 4 different ones
> I've also seen post elsewhere that direct me to sammobile.com - I assume my GT-i9505 is the same as a 'GT-i9505LTE' (that is how much of a newbie i am) since that is the only UK BTU they have...
Checking firmware on the site & it shows
PDA: I9505XXUEMK8
CSC: I9505BTUEMK5
Modem: I9505XXUEMK8
Latest firmware version
GT-I9505 Galaxy S 4 LTE
PDA: I9505XXUEMK8
CSC: I9505BTUEMK5
MODEM: I9505XXUEMK8
Added: 2013-11-22
PDA and CSC match (I think) with Keis (as it only show the last 3 characters) but once again .. how do I find out the Modem ?
FYI in 'About Phone', which might be useful for anyone who can offer me proper advice into which file(s) I should use (I forgot to add it to first post), I have :-
Model number GT-I9505
Android Version 4.3
Baseband version : I9505XXUDMH8
Kernel version: 3.4.0-2082040
[email protected] #1
Tue Nov 19 17:21:44 KST 2013
Build Number: JSS15J.I9505XXUEMK8
SE for Android status: Enforcing SEPF_GT-I9505_4_3_0014
Secure boot status: type Samsung
& It's a UK Sim-free Unbranded phone

> I've read about flashing a Modem with Odin - but that didn't say where I can get it from or which file to use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You find it yourself, they're all over the place. SamMobile being one.
> I've read articles about 'Knox Warrenty' being '1' or '0x1' (or whatever) - so how do I check that ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download mode.
> I've also read about 'freezing' the Knox apps to 'allow' me to turn on my Wifi - but to do so Titanium is recommended (& it has to be the paid for version to 'freeze' apps)..
which I cant download because I have no Wifi (& it costs a FORTUNE to do so using PAYG)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the APK file to your PC, plug your phone in, transfer to phone's memory, using a file browser/manager on your phone, install it?
> I've also seen posts about UNROOTING the phone by using Odin & install stock ROM (in case you need to send back to Samsung)
In second post there's quite a few United Kingdom BTU (I assume I need a BTU for an Unbranded Sim-free phone) with different version.. I I assume for the latest version it's the first one in the list
United Kingdom BTU (November 2013) (NO DOWNGRADE)
PDA: I9505XXUEMK8
CSC: I9505BTUEMK5
MODEM: I9505XXUEMK8
Version 4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that'll be the most recent
But how do I find out if the Modem is correct ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get what you mean. Correct for what?
Since I have problems with the Wifi with the latest version - perhaps there's a problem with it in general,
can I downgrade back to 4.22 ?? I've not seen any mention if this is possible & once again - WHICH one do I use ? there like 3 or 4 different ones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a massive problem with the updates lately, Samsung have pulled almost all of the 4.3 updates in UK and US from what I've read.
I think you can install a 4.2.2 version but that won't get rid of KNOX, people are still trying to work out a way of getting rid of it.
> I've also seen post elsewhere that direct me to sammobile.com - I assume my GT-i9505 is the same as a 'GT-i9505LTE' (that is how much of a newbie i am) since that is the only UK BTU they have...
Checking firmware on the site & it shows
PDA: I9505XXUEMK8
CSC: I9505BTUEMK5
Modem: I9505XXUEMK8
Latest firmware version
GT-I9505 Galaxy S 4 LTE
PDA: I9505XXUEMK8
CSC: I9505BTUEMK5
MODEM: I9505XXUEMK8
Added: 2013-11-22
PDA and CSC match (I think) with Keis (as it only show the last 3 characters) but once again .. how do I find out the Modem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, not being funny, but you just wrote/copied the bit you need to look at.
MODEM: I9505XXUEMK8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks for replying & yes I know that many things I've said do sort of confirm what I think may be the right ROMs etc..
But I would like to be ABSOLUTELY sure I use the right one. Many posts say you can seriously brick your phone using the wrong files
> I guess the modem files are somewhere in the forums on Sammobile then ??.. I never look that hard there
> In download mode - the text in the corner is so small I can barely read it.. guess I have to get a magnifying glass to see that
> Had a derpy moment about the download via PC & transfer over.. & as said I would still need a paid version of Titanium to freeze apps.
Yes I could google & download from suspicious sites (there's no way to get it from Play store for example) but that's one thing I REALLY hate doing - you never know whats been added
The bit I mentioned about 'modem' - Can you get 'stock' roms with different modem files ?
.. I know you can get customized roms of stock . but worried that using the wrong file can seriously brick your phone
All I wanted to know is how do I find out what Modem is installed atm on my phone to check its the same as in the ROM download
About the downgrading/unrooting - Yes I know it won't get rid of Knox, but at least I could switch on my WiFi with (one of) the previous 4.2.2 version (whatever one I had before). Even reverting to a working unrooted older ROM would be better than no WiFi at all (especially if I have to send the phone back to Samsung service for example)
As for the Sammobile details & my phone details, I was a little concerned with the differences shown between them
For example: I updated my Firmware yesterday (25th) & my phone shows Baseband version : I9505XXUDMH8
There's no 'UDMH8' shown in the latest rom on Sam's: only PDA (UEMK8) ,CSC (UEMK5) or Modem (UEMK8)
Although there IS a 'UEMK8' under my phones Build Number: JSS15J.I9505XXUEMK8
(& I always thought 'E' came after 'D' so if the latest sam rom came out on 22nd & I updated later than that .. why didn't I get the 'E' instead of the 'D' ?)
Also there is no 'UEMK5' shown under My Phone details (that I can find). Since there's no '5' in my phone details I was (once again) worried that using the wrong file would brick the phone
- Can I assume then that 'PDA' shown by Keis is the same as the last part of 'Build' ?? & as long as they are the same then the ROM's the same & is safe to use ??
- What do the CSC (UEMK5) and MODEM (UEMK8) numbers refer to then ?? & should I be worried if they are different than what (may be) on my phone
Oh - one last thing IS my GT-I9505 phone the same as a GT-I9501 LTE ??? - I thought there was a difference between a 'normal' and a 'LTE' phone (just not sure what)
Thanks again for taking the time in answering my (stupid) questions.For a newbie, this type of thing can be a bit nerve wracking.. I would hate to see a expensive phone being totally bricked
EDIT : just found out about *#1234#.. STILL not sure what these refer to (compared to Keis) but at least I now see a CSC, & there's a 'UEMK5' and 'UEMK8' there - what the hell is CP - boy is THIS confusing
AP: I9505XXUEMK8
CP: I9505XXUDMH8
CSC: I9505BTUEMK5

Firmware version does not change with KDZ upgrade

My new LG came with D80210b-466-92 firmware and I flashed it with the UK T-Mobile version - also tried the Eur open version.
However, while the phone took the firmware upgrade, its still showing the old version of firmware i.e. D80210b-466-92. I've done the hard reset and the phone restarts in Chinese. Once I change to English its fine and all the Chinese apps are gone but its still showing the old firmware???
If I flash, say, the D80210a EUR firmware, the version changes to D80210a-466-92, not D80210a-EUR-xx as I would expect.
I have flashed about 8 firmwares (including Kitkat) and the last five digits (country code) never change but the first 7 always change as they should. The flashed firmware does seem to work OK, just the version does not update.
Any ideas?

podge3 said:
My new LG came with D80210b-466-92 firmware and I flashed it with the UK T-Mobile version - also tried the Eur open version.
However, while the phone took the firmware upgrade, its still showing the old version of firmware i.e. D80210b-466-92. I've done the hard reset and the phone restarts in Chinese. Once I change to English its fine and all the Chinese apps are gone but its still showing the old firmware???
If I flash, say, the D80210a EUR firmware, the version changes to D80210a-466-92, not D80210a-EUR-xx as I would expect.
I have flashed about 8 firmwares (including Kitkat) and the last five digits (country code) never change but the first 7 always change as they should. The flashed firmware does seem to work OK, just the version does not update.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing with mine G2,I also asked,but no one knows why!!! Maybe there is some catch?!?!?

stefan063 said:
Same thing with mine G2,I also asked,but no one knows why!!! Maybe there is some catch?!?!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, no one seems to know, its a real head scratcher.
466-92 is the Taiwanese country code AFAIK.
I don't think it affects the phone at all but I would like to know why it happens. Its the only seems to affect phones with the 466-92 firmware.

No ideas anyone?

answer
hy
i was having the same questions about the "466-92" code.
here is the catch...
the country/region code is encrypted in hardware of the phone, meaning the phone was build for that region and cannot be changed in any mode! - this answer i obtained from LG customer service.
still, you can put any of stock roms for your device (d802 in my case) and will work, all of them are original and compatible with device, working with same parameters (differences are in fact some apps in addition or in minus for some regions/countries that are bloatware anyway), so the basic is same for all (ex. 20a, 20b, 20c, 20h or 20d or other letters released)
NOTE 1. you can put any of stock rom for your device BUT only with a custom flashing program (ex. LG_flash_tool - which i use);
NOTE 2. if you wanna update or change your software with LG Mobile Support Tool (default and official program from LG to change/upgrade software), the phone will receive the software version for the region/country accordingly to THAT number/code from the end of the software name (D80220c-466-92 - in my case).
if you own a taiwanese version of d802 it will show the "466-92" all the time and with any version of software !
for questions or other details - contact me or reply
drink a beer for me
---------- Post added at 11:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 AM ----------
for country/region codes of your phone model search google, it's easy to find - and see what region your phone was made for
every region/country or group of countries have a version of software by default
ex. taiwan has the kitkat version 20c - d80220c-466-92, europe open has kk 20d - d80220d-eur-xx, and so on....
search fot them, there are plenty of forums and discussions
excuse my english

network problem s4 19500 4.4 stock [operator Free]

Hello, I installed an official rom: 19500XXUFNA6
I am not root, the phone is stock.
I do not have 3g, I capture very very bad network.
Before I turned in omega 4.3 and I had no problem.
my operator settings are correct.
I do not know what to do, I reinstalled etc. nothing helps.
If someone could get me out of this impasse ...
Here are the feature of my s4 19500:
Samsung phone info:
firmware info:
Bootloader Version: 19500XXUFNB3
Baseband Version: 19500XXUFNA6
PDA Version: 19500 XXUFNB3
CSC Version: 19500SERFNB3
Thank you in advance and sorry for my English.

Do a backup of your internal memory and make a factory reset (Settings > Accounts > Back Up and Reset > Factory Data Reset > Reset Device > Delete All/Erase Everything.)

Hi,
I just execute the manipulation but nothing changes, I still have a very low network.
(I'm located in France).
I despair, that's four days that I can hardly use my phone.

mogwayes said:
Hi,
I just execute the manipulation but nothing changes, I still have a very low network.
(I'm located in France).
I despair, that's four days that I can hardly use my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dial *#1234# and attach what appears pls.

Ap: 19500xxufnb3
cp: 19500xxufna6
csc: 19500serfnb3

mogwayes said:
Ap: 19500xxufnb3
cp: 19500xxufna6
csc: 19500serfnb3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to flash other android 4.4.2 for i9500 Operator Free (that no will be SER: Russia). If all go ok then, let me know :highfive:

Firstly thank you for your help Joku
> The trouble is that I have not found a rom for France, only for foreign country, so I am at an impasse, I do not know which to install.

I can not find rom europe in France or official 4.4.2.
So, is it possible to have at worst a custom rom but with the code of my country so that I can run my network?
if not, can I install a custom rom europe 4.4.2? if yes which one?

mogwayes said:
Firstly thank you for your help Joku
> The trouble is that I have not found a rom for France, only for foreign country, so I am at an impasse, I do not know which to install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And what? Your phone is russian and you live in France. Flash other firmware that use android 4.4.2 (is only for make a test, isnt important what one). If the new STOCK one goes wrong, attach problems here :fingers-crossed:

I myself can be misspoke;
I bought this phone in China, I'm french.
Before I pass 4.4 4.3 I was under the omega rom and everything worked perfectly with my french operator.
Now that I switched to 4.4, I have almost no network 3g no longer works ..
I tested 2 rom 4.4.2, this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2662583
and this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2232887
Every two look great on the phone but has the same problem I have now, which is a problem of internet connection and a network problem.
I hope to have been a little clearer about my situation.

Up?

mogwayes said:
I myself can be misspoke;
I bought this phone in China, I'm french.
Before I pass 4.4 4.3 I was under the omega rom and everything worked perfectly with my french operator.
Now that I switched to 4.4, I have almost no network 3g no longer works ..
I tested 2 rom 4.4.2, this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2662583
and this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2232887
Every two look great on the phone but has the same problem I have now, which is a problem of internet connection and a network problem.
I hope to have been a little clearer about my situation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
I am French and be back in France next week. I am also with Free network and my I9500 was perfectly working with Any 4.3 roms.
I was about to move to 4.4 but I am cautious with all the change made in six month I was abroad . So I will report if Prism barebone 4.3 wit latest modem is still working well in our country. Then I gonna move to to Prism 4.4 version (just out of the cook) and report results to you.
Not sure we are more than 2 in France having S4 9500 version.
in the mean time may you try your previous modem in order to be sure it is not your issue.
hi Joku1981 and Thanks for your help.

Thank you and waiting for your return! at worst if you want to speak french, you can reach me via my mail box,
Cordially.

mogwayes said:
I myself can be misspoke;
I bought this phone in China, I'm french.
Before I pass 4.4 4.3 I was under the omega rom and everything worked perfectly with my french operator.
Now that I switched to 4.4, I have almost no network 3g no longer works ..
I tested 2 rom 4.4.2, this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2662583
and this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2232887
Every two look great on the phone but has the same problem I have now, which is a problem of internet connection and a network problem.
I hope to have been a little clearer about my situation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you downgrade android 4.4.2 to 4.3?

I'll PM you, when ready.

I'm ready.

No, I did not know it was possible, at least risk from what I saw but taker if no other solution.

[Q] N9005 "No Service" need help to troubleshoot

Hey All,
I got a Note 3 N9005, which supposedly was purchased in UAE.
Currently trying to use it in India, but, the device always says "No Service", with a crossed circle instead of network signal icon on notification bar.
Phone is on 4.2.2 with UGNH1. Below are some observations:
- Phone does NOT ask for any PIN / Unlock Code.
- In Settings > Status.. irrespective of any SIM, or no SIM.. Mobile Network Type = Unknown, Service State= Out of service, Mobile Network State=Disconnected.
- Orig CSC code is displayed as XTC from Phone Info App
- Tried to select a different CSC from CSC Select app.. it changed the boot logo but, network status.. still crossed circle
- IMEI is proper as printed below the battery
- Still i tried ChainFire's RegionLockAway. But, as expected, the method is only for MI7 / MJ1 / MJ3 JB versions. Sadly mine has already crossed and has A2 bootloader. So, no change was observed with CF RegionLockAway. Reverted the cahnges.
- Tried to flash MJ1 / MJ3 binaries from sammobile. As expected the latest bootloader won't allow to downgrade.
- Flashed Omega, but for no luck. Still no service and crossed circle icon.
- Flashed latest CyanogenMod. Though there was no Crossed Circle icon, there was an icon of network signal with zero network.
- Flashed official Lollipop verson to see if any changes.. no luck. Reverted back.
- Installed advanced network info app, network status, neighboring MSC, cells.. etc was shown as none.
No clue how to enable the device's network capabilities (all else like WiFi and other feature work as usual).
It will be a great help if you can guide me through! Please let me know if any other info is required.
Thanks a lot in advance. !!

Purchased in UAE doesn't necessarily it was a UAE phone. Phone Info Samsung from Play Store can tell you where it is from.
What I would do is...
Download the firmware from Sammobile to suit your phone. One fairly common issue is that Hong Kong or Chinese phones get sold into Europe or other markets and their PIT and other partitions are different. So first thing is to go back to scratch.
If you phone IS from where you think, make sure you have the stock firmware for that location and flash the latest version using Odin and Download mode.
Start Odin - v3.09 is best.
To enter DL mode for anything to do with BL or Modem you MUST turn phone off. It is best to remove the battery and wait a while, then put it in and use the Power On+Vol-Down+Home key to get into DL mode, then [plug phone into PC and wait for Odin to notice it is there.
(if Odin doesn't notice it, get the latest Samsung USB drivers for the phone and install them with phone unplugged, then plug in phone and Windows should give a pop-up)
Click on AP in Odin and navigate to where you saved the firmware - note you DL'd a zip but you need the md5 file so use 7zip to unpack the zip.
Click on the md5 file and wait for it to load into Odin.
* [Auto Reboot] and [F.Reset Time] should be the ONLY things ticked.
Click [Start] and wait.
Let phone restart and set it up with your details. Once done see if you have network.

Journyman16 said:
Purchased in UAE doesn't necessarily it was a UAE phone. Phone Info Samsung from Play Store can tell you where it is from.
......
Let phone restart and set it up with your details. Once done see if you have network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Journyman16 for the quickreply.
I installed the "Phone Info Samsung" app as you mentioned and found the phone's CSC code is XTC! (= Philippines (Open Line))!!
Thanks for the hint. I will download the latest firmware from sammobile for n98005 for XTC and check. Will be back with updates in some time.

maesiva said:
Thanks Journyman16 for the quickreply.
I installed the "Phone Info Samsung" app as you mentioned and found the phone's CSC code is XTC! (= Philippines (Open Line))!!
Thanks for the hint. I will download the latest firmware from sammobile for n98005 for XTC and check. Will be back with updates in some time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update:
Flashed below 3 stock firmwares from sammobile, each time cleared cache and factory wipe.. still the crossed circle is hopelessly adamant and persistent.
4.4.2 N9005XXUGNH1
4.4.2 N9005XXUGNI4
4.3 N9005XXUDMJ7 (failed to flash, i guess due to current bootloader version A3)
I tried with Odin 3.09.3 & 3.10.6 & 3.07 .... same result.
Any suggestions? please share.. I'm ok to soft brick the phone Recovered from boot loop few times
Any further suggestions? Please share.. Shall i give a try with full wipe (/system/ folder wipe) with TWRP ? Or any other thing ?!

Tried a different sim card ??
Checked APN settings .
Checked you have modem/ baseband via settings .

maesiva said:
Update:
Any suggestions? please share.. I'm ok to soft brick the phone Recovered from boot loop few times
Any further suggestions? Please share.. Shall i give a try with full wipe (/system/ folder wipe) with TWRP ? Or any other thing ?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are old stock ROMs - how sure are you the phone wasn't updated to the new version of BL? I'm not sure if you're on the new version and then try to downgrade it, which version you will see in Phone Info but check it. There's also a phone # code to use that returns the basics for the phone, but I can't recall if you said you get calls or not and I'm heading for bed. Think the code is something like *#12334#* - google for secret smartphone codes.

JJEgan said:
Tried a different sim card ??
Checked APN settings .
Checked you have modem/ baseband via settings .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi JJEgan, thanks for your suggestions..
I tried with different SIM, yet no luck.
APN settings.. shows my SIM operator's default settings.
When I search networks Manually.. it searches for a ~10 seconds and returns without any list/error.
Select automatically shows "Automatic registration.." progress continuously for > 5 mins.. i closed manually.
Attached screenshot of Baseband, Modem, CSC versions.
AP: UGNH1
CP: UGNH1
CSC: BGNH1
Baseband: UGNH1
Kernel: 3.4.0-1955971

Journyman16 said:
They are old stock ROMs - how sure are you the phone wasn't updated to the new version of BL? I'm not sure if you're on the new version and then try to downgrade it, which version you will see in Phone Info but check it. There's also a phone # code to use that returns the basics for the phone, but I can't recall if you said you get calls or not and I'm heading for bed. Think the code is something like *#12334#* - google for secret smartphone codes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea Journyman16, they seem to be still good old of 4.4.2. Latest must be 5.0. On samobile, for XTC i could see only till 4.4.2. Maybe for this phone version, there are no updates? Not sure.
And, yes, sadly BL is updated to A3. Which I could see in Recovery mode's REV line. (if it was A1, I could have flashed MI7 and tried RegionLockAway.. )
*#1234# gives the below info:
AP: UGNH1
CP: UGNH1
CSC: BGNH1
Any heads up ?!

/system/csc/GLB/system/csc/customer.xml has a line:
<NbNetworkLock>1</NbNetworkLock>
Which ChainFire's RegionLockAway changes to
<NbNetworkLock>0</NbNetworkLock>.. but as mentioned in it's details, the method is compatible only with MI7, MJ1, MJ3 firmwares and i'm on UGNH1 and unable to downgrade
Chainfire said:
Sammy, in their never-ending quest to make sure they've pissed off every single one of their customers at least once, have decided to region lock their latest model devices.
...
Compatible devices
- Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 (MI7, MJ1, MJ3 firmwares)
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any method to downgrade the BL to A1 would help !?

Attached adb logs, if of any use to analyze.
aeroplaemodeoffon.log
boot.log
networksearch.log
shutdown.log

maesiva said:
Attached adb logs, if of any use to analyze.
aeroplaemodeoffon.log
boot.log
networksearch.log
shutdown.log
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd upgrade rather than try to get around the downgrade issues. What Region do you WANT to have? European ones seem to get early release of upgrades - e.g. many LP ROMs are based around the Polish release.
I don't know enough to interpret logs, but my thought would be to find a non-Philippines version (one of the Europe ones perhaps) and find a PIT file for that one. Then go read up on how to safely flash a new PIT. Then flash your preferred firmware and follow the root process etc.
I started with a HK version of S3 - every time I tried to flash a new ROM it failed and bricked my phone. Eventually I found that the PIT file on most Asian phones was different and I flashed PIT, then stock FW for the region I wanted then re-rooted and flashed the custom ROM.
Read many time, flash once, OK? I do not make bricks, nor need them, so I will not accept them delivered to my door...

Journyman16 said:
Read many time, flash once, OK? I do not make bricks, nor need them, so I will not accept them delivered to my door...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good one

maesiva said:
good one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a Euro PIT on the link at This Post - I checked and the dropbox is still valid. It's 4.4.2 so could be just what you need.
Now you probably want an India ROM but I haven't any links for that 0 there's a thread for India users though I think.
What I think might be happening is that different countries use different frequencies and formats for signal. It might be that India's set up simply doesn't work with the modem you've been using and the India ROM will not set up with the Asian PIT set up etc.
But read up on the process first, OK? The more you know about it the better chance you have to recover from anything going wrong.
Also, I presume from your OP that the phone NEVER worked once you got it? Do you know for a fact it worked prior to that? Maybe you're chasing solutions for a faulty hardware issue?

Journyman16 said:
There's a Euro PIT on the link at This Post - I checked and the dropbox is still valid. It's 4.4.2 so could be just what you need.
....
Also, I presume from your OP that the phone NEVER worked once you got it? Do you know for a fact it worked prior to that? Maybe you're chasing solutions for a faulty hardware issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Journyman16, thanks for the suggestions.. i tried the pit file you referred, but, still no luck. And, if i'm not wrong pit file is all about allocating ROM space for /system & /dbdata and has nothing to deal with the antenna/telephony module, please correct if i'm not right.
About the phone's status yea you're right. It never worked after i received it. But, it was working usually in UAE, as per the info i got. Maybe.. as you suspected.. it might be faulty hardware too.. I don't know.. just exploring the options.. to conclude something..

maesiva said:
And, yes, sadly BL is updated to A3. Which I could see in Recovery mode's REV line. (if it was A1, I could have flashed MI7 and tried RegionLockAway.. )
*#1234# gives the below info:
AP: UGNH1
CP: UGNH1
CSC: BGNH1
Any heads up ?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only unbranded NH1's seem to be Greece or Netherlands. Netherlands has a 5.0 - maybe DL that and flash in Odin? Greece has a v5.0 but it's branded with (EUR) so I don't know if that's a company or general... I'd go the Netherlands one.
Other than that, I'm not sure - might be time to get the phone checked properly?

Finally.. could trace the root cause.. antenna / receiver chip malfunction. So, it was an hardware issue that had to be replaced at a cost at service center.
Summary: If network icon is crossed circle, its not a good sign !! Thanks
Journyman16 said:
Journyman16
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
,
JJEgan said:
JJEgan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
!!

I need your help. I have a problem after flashing lollipop firmware on samsung galaxy note 3, sm-n900s the signal or the device has no service. Any modem use to flash?
Please, I need your help xda devs as soon as possible. Really appreciated. Thank you.

Naedean said:
I need your help. I have a problem after flashing lollipop firmware on samsung galaxy note 3, sm-n900s the signal or the device has no service. Any modem use to flash?
Please, I need your help xda devs as soon as possible. Really appreciated. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please search and read before posting.Multiple identical questions posted day after day .
Usual is wrong IMEI .
Sent from my SM-N930F using XDA-Developers Legacy app