Database Users

MDL to MF3

From what I have read on the forums MF3 has is suppose to patch loki and prevent custom recoveries from being installed on the phone. I am on MDL with a custom rom flashed on it and running on T-Mobile and was curious about the "benefits" if I were going to upgrade to MF3. The most interesting one to me is better cell signal... Would there be anyway to flash a hacked version of mf3 or some other baseband update? Or are the differences so minute that it doesnt really matter.

jmarsh24 said:
From what I have read on the forums MF3 has is suppose to patch loki and prevent custom recoveries from being installed on the phone. I am on MDL with a custom rom flashed on it and running on T-Mobile and was curious about the "benefits" if I were going to upgrade to MF3. The most interesting one to me is better cell signal... Would there be anyway to flash a hacked version of mf3 or some other baseband update? Or are the differences so minute that it doesnt really matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OTA MF3 update includes a locked bootloader. This is what you don't want.
You could either flash an MF3 Rom (this won't include the locked bootloader) or just flash the MF3 modem if you want to see if it gives you a better signal.

Is there a way to do it to maintain the ability to flash asop roms?
rayburne said:
The OTA MF3 update includes a locked bootloader. This is what you don't want.
You could either flash an MF3 Rom (this won't include the locked bootloader) or just flash the MF3 modem if you want to see if it gives you a better signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jmarsh24 said:
Is there a way to do it to maintain the ability to flash asop roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. As stated abive just flash a mf3 modem. You xan find the modem thread in the dev section. It wont change anything but your baseband so you can keep your aosp rom you have now.
If you do decide to flash a mf3 based rom you can always go back to aosp roms. Nothing will change for you as far as flashing any roms you want to. UNLESS you go back to stock and take the OTA MF3 software update. All the info you need can be found in the dev section for our device
Sent from My Spiderman/IronMan/Dark Blue/Red/Green/GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

Luckily, if you go back to stock, you will not be able to get the OTA MF3 since you are on T-Mobile's network. Unless, you had the phone or anyone had the phone activated on AT&T's network at any time in the past.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

To Root and to Tinker--Rooting and Recovery

So, I'm new to the locked bootloader scene. The root & ROM threads, tutorials, and videos seem to root via a Terminal Emulator process, then install Safestrap. Those same sites and videos say that when you're flashing a ROM after selecting a new ROM Slot, you have to flash "whatever modules and packages are for your device", whatever that means. Since I can't find these packages anywhere, is it safe to assume that I can just root, install Safestrap, create a ROM Slot, and start flashing away as if nothing's up? Or do I need to worry about this boot patch and some "Loki Doki" thing I heard about. I'm sure these answers exist, and I've done my due diligence, but these threads have either been buried for good, or are such a common a knowledge subset that I can't find anything concrete. Even the videos I've seen talk about the "modules" you have to flash. I'm an experienced Androidist, tinkerer, and tweaker. The information I'm finding doesn't provide you with the big picture. It's all, "MJ2 read this, and follow these 9 steps", and "mk2 follow these 10 steps". But none of them tell you what to do in Safe strap recovery, and if you needs some Loki/module magic.
Help a brotha out? I'll return the favor 10-fold, I can promise you that much. I'll be quite active around here.
Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

First off you never said what baseband you were on but assuming that your on MK2 android 4.3 then let's start.
Use this method to root your device
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569827
Since your on mk2 you can ONLY use safe strap 3.71 do not attempt to install safe strap 3.65 AND SAFE STRAP WILL BE THE ONLY RECOVERY YOU CAN INSTALL!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
And note that 3.71 is still in beta as of right now there are still bugs and YOU CAN ONLY FLASH A COUPLE OF ROMS.
From the same thread cause I know your not going to go through the forums and read, download the attmk2module.zip that ted77usa posted
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
Root your device
Install safestrap after install, install recovery in safestrap apk.
There's only a few Roms you can flash
Darthstalker x in the att android development forum
Hyperdrive 12 in the Verizon android development forum download the one that says safestrap
A few have noted that some other Roms work but I haven't tested it out do some more reading.
After you download a rom
Reboot your device and go into safestrap recovery
Create a ROM slot ON ROM SLOT 1
DO NOT MESS WITH YOUR STOCK SLOT!
After creating a ROM slot go to install and install your rom.
After successfully installing a ROM reboot then go back into recovery and install the attmk2module.zip
Reboot and instead of going into recovery this time continue
It will take awhile to load its normal.
Now you should have a ROM.
Now go tinker with that.
AT&T SGH-I337 RUNNING HYPERDRIVE 12

ATTMK2kernelmodules Original Post i don't think u would like to go over 1000 post on that thread..... and at the bottom there is SHOstock_v3.0_Safestrap_Ready link that also confirmed work by several people.......hope this help u to get start it..... .
Bootloader:................Use:...................Custom Rom:
MDL/MDB.......................LOKI.....................4.2.2......4.3.....4.4 ALL WORK (....LUCKY U....)
MF3................................SS-v3.65................ONLY FLASH 4.2.2 ROM (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK)
MK2................................SS-v3.71................SOME 4.3 ROM WORK (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK (confirmed))

[email protected] said:
First off you never said what baseband you were on but assuming that your on MK2 android 4.3 then let's start.
Use this method to root your device
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569827
Since your on mk2 you can ONLY use safe strap 3.71 do not attempt to install safe strap 3.65 AND SAFE STRAP WILL BE THE ONLY RECOVERY YOU CAN INSTALL!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
And note that 3.71 is still in beta as of right now there are still bugs and YOU CAN ONLY FLASH A COUPLE OF ROMS.
From the same thread cause I know your not going to go through the forums and read, download the attmk2module.zip that ted77usa posted
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448925
Root your device
Install safestrap after install, install recovery in safestrap apk.
There's only a few Roms you can flash
Darthstalker x in the att android development forum
Hyperdrive 12 in the Verizon android development forum download the one that says safestrap
A few have noted that some other Roms work but I haven't tested it out do some more reading.
After you download a rom
Reboot your device and go into safestrap recovery
Create a ROM slot ON ROM SLOT 1
DO NOT MESS WITH YOUR STOCK SLOT!
After creating a ROM slot go to install and install your rom.
After successfully installing a ROM reboot then go back into recovery and install the attmk2module.zip
Reboot and instead of going into recovery this time continue
It will take awhile to load its normal.
Now you should have a ROM.
Now go tinker with that.
AT&T SGH-I337 RUNNING HYPERDRIVE 12
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're perfect in every way. ? Bromance FTW
You even answer threads like me. This helped a TON! I owe ya one.
Edit: last question. The instructions say to install the ROM, reboot, then install the modules. I assume that the reboot instruction means that we should reboot, boot into the ROM for the first time, then boot back into recovery and install the modules?
Or should I flash the ROM, power down, then boot into recovery (ensuring that the ROM is never booted before the modules are installed)-- I suppose I could just use the reboot recovery option in the Safestrap TWRP.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

ted77usa said:
ATTMK2kernelmodules Original Post i don't think u would like to go over 1000 post on that thread..... and the on the bottom is SHOstock_v3.0_Safestrap_Ready link that also confirmed work by several people.......hope this help u to get start it..... .
Bootloader:................Use:...................Custom Rom:
MDL/MDB.......................LOKI.....................4.2.2......4.3.....4.4 ALL WORK (....LUCKY U....)
MF3................................SS-v3.65................ONLY FLASH 4.2.2 ROM (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK)
MK2................................SS-v3.71................SOME 4.3 ROM WORK (Slot1,Slot2 and Stock ALL WORK (confirmed))
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's SHOStock? An alternative to the ATTMK2Module?
<3 I can see that this is a bangin' start to an awesome and new relationship, between me, my S4, and my new home...the S4 community.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

By the way...since the ROM selection is limited, I assume heavy XPosed use is okay, and quite common?
Which ROM do you guys prefer?
I assume that sites and articles like this one: http://www.droidviews.com/best-custom-roms-for-att-samsung-galaxy-s4-sgh-i337/
aren't reliable sources--they probably don't take into account the the ATT S4 compatibility issues. This is showing CM11, Carbon, KangaBean, Infamous...am I correct in my assumption that those are for the lucky birdies that had MDL/MDB, and didn't need Safestrap?
Has someone put together a compatibility/guide megathread? I think I will if it hasn't been done.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

Jamesyboy said:
What's SHOStock? An alternative to the ATTMK2Module?
<3 I can see that this is a bangin' start to an awesome and new relationship, between me, my S4, and my new home...the S4 community.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome aboard!!!! Firstable are u on MF3 firmware or MK2 frimware......? both are using SafeStrap (SS) as custom recovery as of right now. Like i said on previous post MF3 use SS-v3.65 so that u able to install only 4.2.2 TW custom rom or 4.2.2 Google Play Edition (GPE) rom. If u are on MK2 firmware u can only use SS-v3.71 and able to install some of 4.3 custom rom (SHOstock-v3.0-Safestrap-Ready) is one of them that worked......Hyperdrive-RL12 from verizon thread also seem pretty good but u need to add your APN manually if u are on ATT network. Both firmware MF3 and MK2 are use different kernel modules, so after flashing custom Rom you NEED to flash your current firmware kernel modules also, otherwise u won't be able to connect to WiFi,bluetooth,gps etc..... hope this make sense to you......i know is kinda confusing ......but the more u read is the more it would make sense.... Check this thread for list of compatible rom Official AT&T S4 Safestrap Discussion Q/A

One more thing. My S4 will be here tomorrow. Let's say I get lucky and find MDL/MDB on my device. Do I need to hurry and avoid a software update, or avoid a data connection? Or do the updates proceed only with user interaction? The rooting is the same for all 3 devices, but if I do get MDL/MDB or the next one, I'll have to update the baseband before flashing newer ROMs, right?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

ted77usa said:
Welcome aboard!!!! Firstable are u on MF3 firmware or MK2 frimware......? both are using SafeStrap (SS) as custom recovery as of right now. Like i said on previous post MF3 use SS-v3.65 so that u able to install only 4.2.2 TW custom rom or 4.2.2 Google Play Edition (GPE) rom. If u are on MK2 firmware u can only use SS-v3.71 and able to install some of 4.3 custom rom (SHOstock-v3.0-Safestrap-Ready) is one of them......Hyperdrive-RL12 from verizon thread also seem pretty good but u need to add your APN manually if u are on ATT network. Both firmware MF3 and MK2 are use different kernel modules, so after flashing custom Rom you NEED to flash your cureent firmware kernel modules also otherwise u won't be able to connect to WiFi,bluetooth,gps etc..... hope this make sense to you......i know is kinda confusing ......but the more u read is the more it would make sense....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It makes sense, I'm mostly just unfamiliar, as opposed to being completely useless, but you guys have been amazing...you've already shot me up to about 80% on a distribution curve.
Why would anyone stick with MF3? MK2 is an update for MF3, right? Why don't those users update, then safestrap 3.71 it, so they can use 4.3 roms? It'd seem kinda funky to me to be stuck with a 4-2 ROM by choice, unless they're doing it solely for the GPE ROM.
These firmware kernel modules...I'll have the same modules for each ROM I flash right? Or are these modules a .zip that I'll find in each ROM thread, for each carrier.
By the way, APN settings don't scare me. Here, you might actually appreciate this work--done right after ATT's LTE network came online (I believe the Note was the first device that utilized it?...If it wasn't, it was definitely the first to tax the network.)::
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26877683
Edit: the Q&A thread for Safe strap was reasonable...but it still talks about kernel flashes, and blown QFusee (har?)
I guess I mainly need to come to grips with the kernel situation. The Q&A says that you can't use custom kernels if you've updated to OTA, but doesn't mention factory MF3 builds, and it isn't really very clear about the module/kernel module situation.
You said I need to flags my **current** firmware kernel modules: are those different if I get a device with MF3 than those for MK2? Or are these just modules that I create myself (based upon whatever's in my stock ROM slot maybe?) in recovery?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

Jamesyboy said:
One more thing. My S4 will be here tomorrow. Let's say I get lucky and find MDL/MDB on my device. Do I need to hurry and avoid a software update, or avoid a data connection? Or do the updates proceed only with user interaction? The rooting is the same for all 3 devices, but if I do get MDL/MDB or the next one, I'll have to update the baseband before flashing newer ROMs, right?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think u can get MDB/MDL firmware again these days.....but if u do....damn u are pretty lucky....my suggestion is Do Not insert your ATT sim card yet ....since they can do OTA update ( On The Air ).....and check your baseband....IF u do ....root it right away....install titanium back up and freeze/uninstall ATT software update.apk......install custom recovery CWM or TWRP ..... and make sure u have auto loki recovery....if not save loki.doki patch on your Sd Card....PM me for the link and all the files .....i still have the files since i used to have MDB firmware and got replacement phone from ATT when my son broke the screen....:crying:
Jamesyboy said:
It makes sense, I'm mostly just unfamiliar, as opposed to being completely useless, but you guys have been amazing...you've already shot me up to about 80% on a distribution curve.
Why would anyone stick with MF3? MK2 is an update for MF3, right? Why don't those users update, then safestrap 3.71 it, so they can use 4.3 roms? It'd seem kinda funky to me to be stuck with a 4-2 ROM by choice, unless they're doing it solely for the GPE ROM.
These firmware kernel modules...I'll have the same modules for each ROM I flash right? Or are these modules a .zip that I'll find in each ROM thread, for each carrier.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MDB>MDL>MF3>MJ6>Mj9>MK2.......the reason of the update is ATT trying to lock bootloader so we won't be able to install custom rom or do what ever we want to the phone.......but either way.....XDA member always found away to cracked it....so some people have to upgrade not by choice.....most of them by accident....like me ( cracked my screen ) or they install wrong recovery.....(bricked) so be careful when installing custom recovery.....like i said....we need to know what kinda firmware that u have so we can help u.....LOL now i got it why u dont know yet....since u dont have the phone yet.......... but is ok.....that's the right thing to do.....get to know your stuff first before u brick your phone.....:good: so basically u need to match your kernel modules with your firmware otherwise it won't be able to connect to Wifi,bluetooth,gps,etc it doesn't matter if u OTA to MF3 or MK2.....or it come with MF3 or MK2....

ted77usa said:
I dont think u can get MDB/MDL firmware again these days.....but if u do....damn u are pretty lucky....my suggestion is Do Not insert your ATT sim card yet ....since they can do OTA update ( On The Air ).....and check your baseband....IF u do ....root it right away....install titanium back up and freeze/uninstall ATT software update.apk......install custom recovery CWM or TWRP ..... and make sure u have auto loki recovery....if not save loki.doki patch on your Sd Card....PM me for the link and all the files .....i still have the files since i used to have MDB firmware and got replacement phone from ATT when my son broke the screen....:crying:
MDB>MDL>MF3>MJ6>Mj9>MK2.......the reason of the update is ATT trying to lock bootloader so we won't be able to install custom rom or do what ever we want to the phone.......but either way.....XDA member always found away to cracked it....so some people have to upgrade not by choice.....most of them by accident....like me ( cracked my screen ) or they install wrong recovery.....(bricked) so be careful when installing custom recovery.....like i said....we need to know what kinda firmware that u have so we can help u.....LOL now i got it why u dont know yet....since u dont have the phone yet.......... but is ok.....that's the right thing to do.....get to know your stuff first before u brick your phone.....:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Groovy! I'll check back in tomorrow! Happy New Years!
(Sent you a PM, as well.)
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

Try new firmware on S4 without rooting possible?

Hi All,
Am using an i337M S4 from Rogers here in Canada and was wondering if it was possible to use ODIN and try out the new leaked 4.4 firmware. Is rooting required to achieve this?

rsarwar said:
Hi All,
Am using an i337M S4 from Rogers here in Canada and was wondering if it was possible to use ODIN and try out the new leaked 4.4 firmware. Is rooting required to achieve this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you must be certain the leak is for i337m model becuase there is the international version and the US version which are both different from the model you have (I have the same but Telus). Now as far as the files, if they are in .tar format then you can flash via Odin, if thet are .zip then you need a custom recovery to flash them. I know for certain you need to root to go the custom recovery route, I think you need to be rooted to flash they system files in Odin also (which if it is a stock rom you are flashing would loose root following the flash). Depending of the root method you choose be aware also that you may trip the Knox counter also, definately if you install a custom recovery. There a number of 4.4 roms for the i337m already that are not stock and are rooted, you may want to look at these also. Most importantly... before you attempt anything read...read ... read... there are pity falls you can end up in if you don't pay close attention......

Gage_Hero said:
First you must be certain the leak is for i337m model becuase there is the international version and the US version which are both different from the model you have (I have the same but Telus). Now as far as the files, if they are in .tar format then you can flash via Odin, if thet are .zip then you need a custom recovery to flash them. I know for certain you need to root to go the custom recovery route, I think you need to be rooted to flash they system files in Odin also (which if it is a stock rom you are flashing would loose root following the flash). Depending of the root method you choose be aware also that you may trip the Knox counter also, definately if you install a custom recovery. There a number of 4.4 roms for the i337m already that are not stock and are rooted, you may want to look at these also. Most importantly... before you attempt anything read...read ... read... there are pity falls you can end up in if you don't pay close attention......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply .. actually I had a S2 before which was rooted and I used many different ROMs on it. I did root the S4 once as well but then lost it when I did the 4.3 update. Since then I never tried to re-root, is there an easy way too root right now for the i337M with 4.3?

If you are on stock unrooted 4.3 you should get official 4.4 update soon.
Also, questions go in the qna section not the development section
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

RK said:
If you are on stock unrooted 4.3 you should get official 4.4 update soon.
Also, questions go in the qna section not the development section
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you wait for the update you will likely be waiting longer for a root solution... if you want to root the phone, look up chainfire's CF-auto root for i337m

[Q] HOw to revert back from MK2 (ATT SGS4 i337) to MDB or MDL

HI there,
DOes anyone have a solution for us stuck on MK2?
I have the following problems:
I bought this i337 second hand, and it came with UCUAMK2 firmware.
I rooted it with SAFEROOT (saferoot.zip). That worked fine.
But I cant install LOKI, to get the ClockWorkMod, so I can't install Custom ROMs.
Because when I type in the commands in Android Terminal, to flash loki's CWM recovery, it says :
[+] loki_flash v1.1
[-] Loki aboot version does not match device.
SO i figure, I have to revert back to MDB or MDL firmware.
BUT when I open ODIN, and try to flash the official firmware:
1. I337UCUAMDB_I337ATTAMDB_I337UCUAMDB_HOME.tar.md5
it FAILS in ODIN, so I (try) to flash this:
2.I337UCUAMDL_I337ATTAMDL_I337UCUAMDL_HOME.tar.md5
but that FAILS also!!!!!!!
SO should I install SAFESTRAP?
Some ppl complain, that screws things up, and end up in bootloop, and can't remove this SAFESTRAP...so i dunno if
i should install it.
Does flashing via/using ODIN FAIL==> because my bootloader is LOCKED?
Can you tell me how to Unlock my bootloader????
I need to go back to MDB or MDL, because otherwise I can't unlock the carrier restriction, since I'm on Vodafone,
and not on AT&T!
Plus, I was always installing custom Roms on my S2, S3, and all my other android devices since 2009....sorry to see
that the S4 is
such a headache....
Can you help me out please, seeing how good aof a DEV you are....?
Please and thank you
djmisi

You SOL buddy. Sell the phone and get something else. You will never be able to downgrade
MOTO X SLAPPED

djmisi99 said:
HI there,
DOes anyone have a solution for us stuck on MK2?
I have the following problems:
I bought this i337 second hand, and it came with UCUAMK2 firmware.
I rooted it with SAFEROOT (saferoot.zip). That worked fine.
But I cant install LOKI, to get the ClockWorkMod, so I can't install Custom ROMs.
Because when I type in the commands in Android Terminal, to flash loki's CWM recovery, it says :
[+] loki_flash v1.1
[-] Loki aboot version does not match device.
SO i figure, I have to revert back to MDB or MDL firmware.
BUT when I open ODIN, and try to flash the official firmware:
1. I337UCUAMDB_I337ATTAMDB_I337UCUAMDB_HOME.tar.md5
it FAILS in ODIN, so I (try) to flash this:
2.I337UCUAMDL_I337ATTAMDL_I337UCUAMDL_HOME.tar.md5
but that FAILS also!!!!!!!
SO should I install SAFESTRAP?
Some ppl complain, that screws things up, and end up in bootloop, and can't remove this SAFESTRAP...so i dunno if
i should install it.
Does flashing via/using ODIN FAIL==> because my bootloader is LOCKED?
Can you tell me how to Unlock my bootloader????
I need to go back to MDB or MDL, because otherwise I can't unlock the carrier restriction, since I'm on Vodafone,
and not on AT&T!
Plus, I was always installing custom Roms on my S2, S3, and all my other android devices since 2009....sorry to see
that the S4 is
such a headache....
Can you help me out please, seeing how good aof a DEV you are....?
Please and thank you
djmisi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to use safestrap.
Loki does not work with MK2 because they patched it in the MK2 update.
At this point in time the bootloader cannot be unlocked.

el o el

The s4 is nothing like previous samsung devices...at least on att, the bootloader is locked, safestrap is your only option.
Also keep in mind, att stated about a year ago they will no longer be supporting phones with unlocked bootloaders...so the problem you are experiencing now can be expected on every new att branded phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

djmisi99 said:
HI there,
DOes anyone have a solution for us stuck on MK2?
I have the following problems:
I bought this i337 second hand, and it came with UCUAMK2 firmware.
I rooted it with SAFEROOT (saferoot.zip). That worked fine.
But I cant install LOKI, to get the ClockWorkMod, so I can't install Custom ROMs.
Because when I type in the commands in Android Terminal, to flash loki's CWM recovery, it says :
[+] loki_flash v1.1
[-] Loki aboot version does not match device.
SO i figure, I have to revert back to MDB or MDL firmware.
BUT when I open ODIN, and try to flash the official firmware:
1. I337UCUAMDB_I337ATTAMDB_I337UCUAMDB_HOME.tar.md5
it FAILS in ODIN, so I (try) to flash this:
2.I337UCUAMDL_I337ATTAMDL_I337UCUAMDL_HOME.tar.md5
but that FAILS also!!!!!!!
SO should I install SAFESTRAP?
Some ppl complain, that screws things up, and end up in bootloop, and can't remove this SAFESTRAP...so i dunno if
i should install it.
Does flashing via/using ODIN FAIL==> because my bootloader is LOCKED?
Can you tell me how to Unlock my bootloader????
I need to go back to MDB or MDL, because otherwise I can't unlock the carrier restriction, since I'm on Vodafone,
and not on AT&T!
Plus, I was always installing custom Roms on my S2, S3, and all my other android devices since 2009....sorry to see
that the S4 is
such a headache....
Can you help me out please, seeing how good aof a DEV you are....?
Please and thank you
djmisi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is NO WAY back from mk2. You can flash custom roms ONLY with Safestrap. No CWM no TWRP. Read this guide, it has everything you need to know for the S4. There is nearly 30 custom roms tested & affirmed working. Good luck & happy reading.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221

SGS4 AT&T i337 on Stock MK2...jeboo kernel/recovery needed to install SHOstock v3.0 ?
I am very familiar with custom roms and your kernels, from always using them on my SGS2 i777 (AT&T), but i just bought an SGS4 i337 AT&T, on MK2 baseband, and everybody suggested I should install the SHOstock v3.0 for the i337 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2305752).
Problem is, I am sooooo confused now, because there is jeboo kernels: (Jeboo_Kernel_i337_v3_0a-i.zip, Jeboo_Kernel_i337_v3_0a.zip, Jeboo_Kernel_i337_v3_0.zip, Jeboo_Kernel_i337_v2_2.zip)
...than there's your RECOVERY: Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1.zip
so Im very confused now how I should go about installing our most awesome DEV shoman94's SHOstock v3.0) ROM...==> THAT I DUNNO WHAT SHOULD I DO ANYMORE.....
1. Because, on the thread there (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2305752), in POST#1 it says , in the Instructions, that :We must be running a custom recovery using Jeboo's Recovery from Post#4 which is your Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1.zip
2. But how should I run the Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1.zip RECOVERY, if Im on SafeStrap 3.71 (which is a recovery also)???
3. If i flash Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1.zip, wont that brick (or softbrick) the S4?
4. Or if I flash Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1.zip, will I end up having 2 recoveries? Or will I only end up with having only the Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1 ???
5. In POST#3, it says that:
IF YOUR PHONE HAS MF3/MK2 BOOTLOADERS, YOU MUST RUN THE MF3/MK2 STOCK KERNEL. DO NOT TRY INSTALLING ANYTHING BELOW UNLESS YOU HAVE MDB/MDL BOOTLOADERS THAT SUPPORT LOKI!!
So, should I NOT flash your Jeboo_Kernel_i337_v2_2.zip , since I am on MK2 stock kernel/baseband/bootloader....?
Check it out: http://i.imgur.com/cNWijKF.png
7. I mean, what is BELOW MF3/MK2 and ABOVE MDB/MDL? Because it also says, that: All binaries posted here will be loki'd (as signified by the .lok extension).
SO, keeping in mind that Im on Stock MK2 , but also Im ROOTED via SAFEROOT.zip (as you can see in the pic above: (http://i.imgur.com/cNWijKF.png) , can someone please tell me if I should flash this SHOstock v3.0, and more speciafically, WHICH, IF ANY of you jeboo kernels and Jeboo Recovery should I use?
Can I bug any of you to tell me the exact steps on how to get this SHOstock 3.0 on my i337, if I'm on MK2, rooted, and safestrap-ed?
ANy help would be much appreciated

djmisi99 said:
I am very familiar with custom roms and your kernels, from always using them on my SGS2 i777 (AT&T), but i just bought an SGS4 i337 AT&T, on MK2 baseband, and everybody suggested I should install the SHOstock v3.0 for the i337 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2305752).
Problem is, I am sooooo confused now, because there is jeboo kernels: (Jeboo_Kernel_i337_v3_0a-i.zip, Jeboo_Kernel_i337_v3_0a.zip, Jeboo_Kernel_i337_v3_0.zip, Jeboo_Kernel_i337_v2_2.zip)
...than there's your RECOVERY: Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1.zip
so Im very confused now how I should go about installing our most awesome DEV shoman94's SHOstock v3.0) ROM...==> THAT I DUNNO WHAT SHOULD I DO ANYMORE.....
1. Because, on the thread there (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2305752), in POST#1 it says , in the Instructions, that :We must be running a custom recovery using Jeboo's Recovery from Post#4 which is your Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1.zip
2. But how should I run the Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1.zip RECOVERY, if Im on SafeStrap 3.71 (which is a recovery also)???
3. If i flash Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1.zip, wont that brick (or softbrick) the S4?
4. Or if I flash Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1.zip, will I end up having 2 recoveries? Or will I only end up with having only the Jeboo_Recovery_v2_1 ???
5. In POST#3, it says that:
IF YOUR PHONE HAS MF3/MK2 BOOTLOADERS, YOU MUST RUN THE MF3/MK2 STOCK KERNEL. DO NOT TRY INSTALLING ANYTHING BELOW UNLESS YOU HAVE MDB/MDL BOOTLOADERS THAT SUPPORT LOKI!!
So, should I NOT flash your Jeboo_Kernel_i337_v2_2.zip , since I am on MK2 stock kernel/baseband/bootloader....?
Check it out: http://i.imgur.com/cNWijKF.png
7. I mean, what is BELOW MF3/MK2 and ABOVE MDB/MDL? Because it also says, that: All binaries posted here will be loki'd (as signified by the .lok extension).
SO, keeping in mind that Im on Stock MK2 , but also Im ROOTED via SAFEROOT.zip (as you can see in the pic above: (http://i.imgur.com/cNWijKF.png) , can someone please tell me if I should flash this SHOstock v3.0, and more speciafically, WHICH, IF ANY of you jeboo kernels and Jeboo Recovery should I use?
Can I bug any of you to tell me the exact steps on how to get this SHOstock 3.0 on my i337, if I'm on MK2, rooted, and safestrap-ed?
ANy help would be much appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are making it too hard. You need to be on 3.71 Safestrap to flash Sho's 3.0. You must use default (stock) kernel. You can not flash any other kernels period. And no other recoveries. And no 4.4 or aosp roms. I am not on SafeStrap as I have a MDL phone. So, you need to go the SafeStrap thread and read up on flashing a rom on SafeStrap. There are a couple threads on the subject. Read all you can first and make any backup your phone/recovery allows before flashing. Also, do a clean wipe before installing rom. That may be different then a clean wipe on MDL/Custom Recovery, not sure--:good:

[email protected] said:
You SOL buddy. Sell the phone and get something else. You will never be able to downgrade
MOTO X SLAPPED
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is it came from AT&T Store with MDL ...but the MK2 update came through OTA...and that must of lock the bootloader....dayummmmmmm...
AM I right?

Yes

Maribou said:
You will need to use safestrap.
Loki does not work with MK2 because they patched it in the MK2 update.
At this point in time the bootloader cannot be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone came from the Store with MDL, ( I see it on the Original box: SoftWare Ver: UCUAMDL....
The guy I bought it from rooted it, and loki-ed it... how did that OTA come through, I wonder? Once rooted and LOKI-ed...the OTAs shouldn't come through, right?

Sounds like the seller messed up and flashed back to stock. He was probably selling it to cut his losses.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Maribou said:
You will need to use safestrap.
Loki does not work with MK2 because they patched it in the MK2 update.
At this point in time the bootloader cannot be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*************************************************************************
THX,
I just saw that the phone originally came with MDL baseband, its on the Original Box...
I wonder, was it with an unlocked bootloader at THAT time?
ANd the MK2 OTA update locked it?

djmisi99 said:
*************************************************************************
THX,
I just saw that the phone originally came with MDL baseband, its on the Original Box...
I wonder, was it with an unlocked bootloader at THAT time?
ANd the MK2 OTA update locked it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answer, yes & yes. There is plenty of custom roms for mk2 in the All things mk2 guide. You can also upgrade to 4.4.2 Kit Kat now as well. Forget about MDL cause there's no way to go back to it.

Maribou said:
You will need to use safestrap.
Loki does not work with MK2 because they patched it in the MK2 update.
At this point in time the bootloader cannot be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Red_81 said:
Sounds like the seller messed up and flashed back to stock. He was probably selling it to cut his losses.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
******************************************
But if he had it LOKI-ed, that means he was just fine on MDL, no need for SafeSTrap, unlocked BL prolly ... he was free to install CM, GPE, AOSP, PACman and all these ROMs....so why flash it back to stock MK2? I mean, cutting his losses....that's funny...I mean, unless the MK2 OTA from AT&T came forced.... WHo knows...

He probably didn't know what he was doing, got stuck, and tried to Odin back to stock. Only he used the mk2 package and not the MDL one.
Stuff like that never surprises me anymore. People don't want to learn/read. Just give me the file so I can flash it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

joeybear23 said:
el o el
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL my butt, buddy...we still have SafeStrap ....ab. 30+ ROMz for it...so not exactly eL Oh eL....but oh well....such is life, ya know?

Red_81 said:
He probably didn't know what he was doing, got stuck, and tried to Odin back to stock. Only he used the mk2 package and not the MDL one.
Stuff like that never surprises me anymore. People don't want to learn/read. Just give me the file so I can flash it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know EXACTLY what you mean, bud...just gimme the file so I can flash it -type ... who cares what's that gonna actually do to my phone...Oh well, there are people...and there's people.... U never know who you get to deal with....
Just ask for a little help, ...why is that so hard, right?
I've been reading up on all I could, and now that I "kinda" get a better understanding of how things lay with the i337 MK2...I can make a decision to flash, and stay stock...
Problem is, I have been flashing since 2009, so I can't imagine owning a droid, AND NOT FLASH IT!!! IT KINDA DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF OWNING AN ANDROID, right? hehehe

I know that feeling. At least Safestrap is a decent option. I rushed out to grab my MDL 32gb one before they updated their stock.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

KK 4.4 NB1 baseband
John The Rhino said:
Answer, yes & yes. There is plenty of custom roms for mk2 in the All things mk2 guide. You can also upgrade to 4.4.2 Kit Kat now as well. Forget about MDL cause there's no way to go back to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
***************************************
Yes, prolly could upgrade to 4.4 , but would be needing to flash the NB1 modem, baseband first right?
ANd ppl are saying there is not much SafeStrap versions for KK 4.4(.2) yet, or am I wrong?
DO you know any ROMz like that?
Would it be possible to come back to JB 4.3, once on KK, that you know of?
Lemme know, bud...THX
ANy links.....?

Softbrick/other questions

Just got my I337, using with simple mobile. Managed to sim unlock via this method, and was feeling pretty good. I think I had (have?) MK2. So using the stock ROM, it kept on asking to autoupdate. Didn't know if that would screw anything up, so attempted to install a kitkat venom ROM. I now can't get out of safestrap recovery. I'm not sure if the issue was trying to install a kitkat ROM, or if I mistakenly put it in the primary ROM slot. Anyway, I'm on a linux box without any immediate access to windows, so it looks like ODIN is out of the question. Been scouring the forums, but I have a few questions:
1. What are the limitations of the locked bootloader? Not really sure what I'm sidestepping by using a custom recovery. I had read that it limited me to TW ROMS (which is fine by me actually), but I see AOSP and other ROMs posted...
2. What exactly is meant by MK2, NC1, MF3, etc? I understand that they are progressions of SOMETHING, but not sure what--guessing it's the whole AT&T update, including ROM, modem, kernel? And I can't seem to find what exactly the progression is...
3. Is there a ROM that I should try to flash to get me back up and running before I start trying to screw with something else? Like I said, I have access to safestrap 2.71, adb, and an SD card, so I feel like this shouldn't be TOO hard to fix

nola mike said:
Just got my I337, using with simple mobile. Managed to sim unlock via this method, and was feeling pretty good. I think I had (have?) MK2. So using the stock ROM, it kept on asking to autoupdate. Didn't know if that would screw anything up, so attempted to install a kitkat venom ROM. I now can't get out of safestrap recovery. I'm not sure if the issue was trying to install a kitkat ROM, or if I mistakenly put it in the primary ROM slot. Anyway, I'm on a linux box without any immediate access to windows, so it looks like ODIN is out of the question. Been scouring the forums, but I have a few questions:
1. What are the limitations of the locked bootloader? Not really sure what I'm sidestepping by using a custom recovery. I had read that it limited me to TW ROMS (which is fine by me actually), but I see AOSP and other ROMs posted...
2. What exactly is meant by MK2, NC1, MF3, etc? I understand that they are progressions of SOMETHING, but not sure what--guessing it's the whole AT&T update, including ROM, modem, kernel? And I can't seem to find what exactly the progression is...
3. Is there a ROM that I should try to flash to get me back up and running before I start trying to screw with something else? Like I said, I have access to safestrap 2.71, adb, and an SD card, so I feel like this shouldn't be TOO hard to fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, fixed my problem, though still don't have all the answers to my questions. I couldn't find a way to unbork without odin. Luckily my mom was in town visiting, and had a windows box that I used--I think I would have been hosed otherwise. Anyway, managed to revert to MK2 stock, and then upgrade to Goldeneye kit kat ROM via this method (my baseband is now listed as xxxxxxMLD).
I guess that MLD/NC1/NB1/MK2 are just ROM/radio firmware versions (kernel too, or is that completely unchangeable)? Still don't know the exact order of release, and if anyone could enlighten me a bit as to my other questions, I'd appreciate it...
I'll probably hold off on trying to change anything else until I have reliable access to windoze, unless someone can give me the steps using linux/adb.

nola mike said:
Well, fixed my problem, though still don't have all the answers to my questions. I couldn't find a way to unbork without odin. Luckily my mom was in town visiting, and had a windows box that I used--I think I would have been hosed otherwise. Anyway, managed to revert to MK2 stock, and then upgrade to Goldeneye kit kat ROM via this method (my baseband is now listed as xxxxxxMLD).
I guess that MLD/NC1/NB1/MK2 are just ROM/radio firmware versions (kernel too, or is that completely unchangeable)? Still don't know the exact order of release, and if anyone could enlighten me a bit as to my other questions, I'd appreciate it...
I'll probably hold off on trying to change anything else until I have reliable access to windoze, unless someone can give me the steps using linux/adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The order of firmware versions with Android version - MDB(4.2.x) -> MDL(4.2.x) - > MK2(4.3)->MLD(4.4 leak)->NB1(4.4.x)->NC1(4.4.x)
The bootloader for SGH-I337 was always locked.
1. This means that the stock kernel and recovery cannot be replaced.
2, The bootloader cannot be downgraded.
But, there was a bug in the first 2 releases, that loki exploited and provided a workaround for #1.
When flashing a firmware that contains the bootloader (aboot.mbn), it does a version check. The version check is through a fuse count maintained in the bootloader. MLD and MK2 although are different Android versions, have the same bootloader version. That means you can flash one over the other (go back and forth). The same with NB1 and NC1. But, once you update to NB1, you cannot go back to MK2.
Since the kernel cannot be replaced, all the ROMs we flash have to be compatible with the kernel that we have on the phone. Hence the mention of TW only ROMS. We cannot flash CM/AOSP/AOKP/GPE (most) ROMS. The AOSP ROMS you are seeing are themed TW roms only.

jmjoyas said:
The order of firmware versions with Android version - MDB(4.2.x) -> MDL(4.2.x) - > MK2(4.3)->MLD(4.4 leak)->NB1(4.4.x)->NC1(4.4.x)
The bootloader for SGH-I337 was always locked.
1. This means that the stock kernel and recovery cannot be replaced.
2, The bootloader cannot be downgraded.
But, there was a bug in the first 2 releases, that loki exploited and provided a workaround for #1.
When flashing a firmware that contains the bootloader (aboot.mbn), it does a version check. The version check is through a fuse count maintained in the bootloader. MLD and MK2 although are different Android versions, have the same bootloader version. That means you can flash one over the other (go back and forth). The same with NB1 and NC1. But, once you update to NB1, you cannot go back to MK2.
Since the kernel cannot be replaced, all the ROMs we flash have to be compatible with the kernel that we have on the phone. Hence the mention of TW only ROMS. We cannot flash CM/AOSP/AOKP/GPE (most) ROMS. The AOSP ROMS you are seeing are themed TW roms only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, very enlightening.

nola mike said:
Thanks for that, very enlightening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as an update, seems there's a workaround for Odin called heimdall, which is cross platform. . Haven't tried it, but looks like it should work.