Database Users

[Q] Fascinate stock

Hey guys, need some help. I've searched around and tried to do different things but I'm afraid that I might be stuck (due to my limited knowledge of working with androids).
So I rooted my Fascinate and installed ROM manager and clockwork recovery onto it. Well, after fiddling around with it for a few weeks, I feel like I’ve gotten my self into a position where I’ve lost the way back. So now, I’ve tried unrooting using a couple of methods (update.zip and one click unroot) but it fails every time. This led me to believe that root/super user was not gone from my system (Super User icon/app is still there). This morning, I installed Titanium Back up and it said it couldn’t start because my phone is not rooted. I go into the Super User app and no app has requested it. I’m just kinda lost at this point and want my phone back to the state when I had first purchased it.
Now I know there is the Odin way, however, his post says that his files include superuser and busybox already installed – this I don’t want. I want the unrooted factory Samsung Fascinate state back. I was thinking about using the “factory reset” option in the settings but wanted to get your opinion on this before proceeding (since several posts said to do it where as others said don’t do this way).
Can someone help this clueless android n00b? Please?

If you do a factory reset superuser will still be installed.
When I did Oden restore i think I had to re-root my phone.
You could also root your pone again, then un-root to remove superuser.
Why do you care? My wife and I both have gotten replacements because of hardware defects. Both phones were rooted and they never questioned it either time.

This thread contains ODIN files for a completely stock device:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=782204
No root/bb/su.

NKT said:
This thread contains ODIN files for a completely stock device:
No root/bb/su.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, the system file in that thread does have SU/Superuser.apk/Busybox, but otherwise it's stock.

atrich0608 said:
You could also root your pone again, then un-root to remove superuser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This did the trick!!
I used the the z4root app from appbrain, rooted and unrooted. SU = Gone!! Amazing!
Thank you!!

[Q] General questions about motochopper

I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on AT&T. This is my first android and I'm trying to get a grasp on rooting as an ex-jailbreaker. I've tried reading and searching but unfortunately I just need to ask some specifics.
My understanding is that the current root for this phone is derived from a Motorola root and that it does not include a way to make backups. I am eager to root but I really don't want to take extra risk than is necessary. Is something like CWM required to backup your phone in a way that protects you against accidentally messing up the filesystem? And is there any way to get something like CWM on this phone yet?
I see that there is now a custom recovery for this phone on galaxys4root dot com but can I even use it without something like CWM.
I'd appreciate any info, thanks for your patience.

HardOnChairs said:
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on AT&T. This is my first android and I'm trying to get a grasp on rooting as an ex-jailbreaker. I've tried reading and searching but unfortunately I just need to ask some specifics.
My understanding is that the current root for this phone is derived from a Motorola root and that it does not include a way to make backups. I am eager to root but I really don't want to take extra risk than is necessary. Is something like CWM required to backup your phone in a way that protects you against accidentally messing up the filesystem? And is there any way to get something like CWM on this phone yet?
I see that there is now a custom recovery for this phone on galaxys4root dot com but can I even use it without something like CWM.
I'd appreciate any info, thanks for your patience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We cant have CWM until bootloader is unlocked (assuming you have the US AT&T version)
That being said, seeing how there is no custom ROMs you can use ODIN as a kind of backup. It'll wipe and then install factory /system partition, leaving /data alone (you can wipe /data in stock recovery if needed).
CWM works better as it backs up YOUR phone (including mods and /data).

_Dennis_ said:
We cant have CWM until bootloader is unlocked (assuming you have the US AT&T version)
That being said, seeing how there is no custom ROMs you can use ODIN as a kind of backup. It'll wipe and then install factory /system partition, leaving /data alone (you can wipe /data in stock recovery if needed).
CWM works better as it backs up YOUR phone (including mods and /data).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would a stock firmware be enough to get me back up if I mess up my phone with root access? That's my main concern.

HardOnChairs said:
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on AT&T. This is my first android and I'm trying to get a grasp on rooting as an ex-jailbreaker. I've tried reading and searching but unfortunately I just need to ask some specifics.
My understanding is that the current root for this phone is derived from a Motorola root and that it does not include a way to make backups. I am eager to root but I really don't want to take extra risk than is necessary. Is something like CWM required to backup your phone in a way that protects you against accidentally messing up the filesystem? And is there any way to get something like CWM on this phone yet?
I see that there is now a custom recovery for this phone on galaxys4root dot com but can I even use it without something like CWM.
I'd appreciate any info, thanks for your patience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answers to all of the questions you asked are in these threads...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2252248
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2257058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2259933
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261232
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2254274

I found a few of those threads, they are what prompted my additional questions. But the second to last one seems to answer my question. Thanks.

HardOnChairs said:
I found a few of those threads, they are what prompted my additional questions. But the second to last one seems to answer my question. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use either Kies or Odin and the stock factory firmware to completely return to factory stock, but be careful with ODIN, if you check the wrong options it can hard brick your phone.

MotoChopper
I would like to know ...
I rooted my S4 with Motochopper and I realized that my boot animation changed (to the one Samsung used in older models...) Is it easy to put back the new one ?

[Q] Steps for getting a custom ROM on ATT s4 with MF3?

Guys,
I am going to apologize in advance...the little time i have every day to scour the forums here...i have been trying to nail down all the steps and haven't really gotten a grasp on this so i am hoping someone can guide me instead of telling me to search (more)...
I have a AT&T S4 on 4.2.2 MF3
- that i have already rooted
- that i have soft unlocked to work on any carrier i.e. Ultra mobile (which i am currently using)
- i have safestrap installed on it
Goal: get rid of the nasty bloated ATT 4.2.2 replaced with a custom ROM 4.3, transfer all my apps and settings over
- I understand there is no boot unlocker so no custom recovery.
- I want to make sure the process is fail safe, i can go back if something goes wrong - what do i need to do to ensure that
- how do i get the custom rom installed? which one? i want no bloat + TouchWiz (i am thinking Echo Rom or CyanogenMod ?)
- how do i transfer all my apps and settings?
- will i loose my root and unlock?
I appreciate any step by step in advance!

AtlzBest26 said:
Guys,
I am going to apologize in advance...the little time i have every day to scour the forums here...i have been trying to nail down all the steps and haven't really gotten a grasp on this so i am hoping someone can guide me instead of telling me to search (more)...
I have a AT&T S4 on 4.2.2 MF3
- that i have already rooted
- that i have soft unlocked to work on any carrier i.e. Ultra mobile (which i am currently using)
- i have safestrap installed on it
Goal: get rid of the nasty bloated ATT 4.2.2 replaced with a custom ROM 4.3, transfer all my apps and settings over
- I understand there is no boot unlocker so no custom recovery.
- I want to make sure the process is fail safe, i can go back if something goes wrong - what do i need to do to ensure that
- how do i get the custom rom installed? which one? i want no bloat + TouchWiz (i am thinking Echo Rom or CyanogenMod ?)
- how do i transfer all my apps and settings?
- will i loose my root and unlock?
I appreciate any step by step in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to keep data, you need to remove Safestrap and make sure you haven't changed any system files. Otherwise, make a backup in Safestrap to external, reflash MF3, reroot, install SS, and restore only data. Then you take the OTA to MK2 after uninstalling Safestrap. You'll have to find the zip and adb sideload it yourself most likely. You can keep root by using SuperSU's survival mode or just use Saferoot afterwards. Then install Safestrap 3.72, and install a ROM. You can try to put your app data on the ROM slot you use, but you'll have to make sure you don't put in system data like for the system UI or you'll get force closes.
Sent from my SGH-I337 running BlackBox 3.0

S5 already rooted - need assistnace

Just bought a rooted S5 off swappa... Booted the phone, ran SuperSU to verify it was in fact rooted, and noted it was on OC4. Given there were some apps on here, I wasn't sure what state the phone was in (clean?), so I booted into safestrap v3.75 and was checking it out. I thought I was in slot-1 and decided to wipe, but was actually in the stock slot. Now all I can do is get back into safestrap recovery, and there is nothing installed in any of the slots. Does wipe within SS do more than I was expecting? Previous phone was an S4 with unlocked bootloader (philz)... using SS is a lot different that what I was use to. Before going into SS, it mentioned it was loading a 4.4 bootloader and that needed to be reversed when coming out of SS. I don't see an option to reverse this... However that may be related to the wipe I did. Long story, need a little help.
What do I need to do to get the phone up and running again with root. Hoping I didn't do anything severe, just dont want to take any more wrong turns, so thought it best to ask now.
TIA

SM-G900V on 442 - want to upgrade without losing root

Hi. Couple years back, I used Towelroot to mindlessly root my SM-G900V on version 4.4.2 (no CWM, stock bootloader, locked, thanks Verizon!). Google Now crashes the minute I open it and I figure it's time to update from 4.4.2 to 5 or whatever is stable these days. I'm paranoid to do this without running it by you gurus here, because I don't want to lose root, brick my phone, or turn it into a flaming fireball of doom. Can someone point me to a thread I overlooked or just type a few easy-to-follow steps with link to ROM so I can upgrade my Galaxy S5?
Is a downgrade back to 4.4.2 possible if I don't like the upgrade?
Thanks in advance!

androidman807 said:
Can someone point me to a thread I overlooked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve.../testers-required-easier-root-method-t3561529

Thanks. I've spent a couple of hours and am on post 171 of the thread. I'm a CID 11 that needs to follow those steps on post 3. Regardless, this seems to be designed to take me from Kitkat to Marshmallow, skipping me right past the land of Lollipop. I haven't tried it yet, but 2 questions:
1) once in Marshmallow, can I get back to Lollipop or Kitkat?
2) the intro to the steps say that CID=11 needs SafeStrap or Flashfire, but the actual steps never mention Flashfire (only safestrap). Is it truly either/or, or is there an advantage to SS?
Thanks!
bbsc said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve.../testers-required-easier-root-method-t3561529
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

1. Lollipop - yes, Kitkat - no.
2. You still can use SS on MM. It's a little tricky but still possible.
Flashfire requires root so it will not work on MM for CID 11.
This thread may also be useful for understanding the things: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...al/guide-painiacs-essential-guide-to-t3319848

I'll check out that thread (thank you for that), but I'm confused by something you wrote: "Flashfire requires root so it will not work on MM for CID 11." My Kitkat currently has root. Are you suggesting that when I throw Marshmallow on it I'll lose it?
And if you all will allow me to hijack my own thread, is Marshmallow really worth the upgrade from Lollipop? Heck, is Lollipop that much better than Kitkat? I've got a (mostly) working rooted system now, and it sounds like I can go up to 6 and back down to 5, but never again back to 4, hopefully keeping root the whole journey.
Thanks for reading and helping a new guy out. I figure others will find this information helpful down the road, as 4.4.2 was easy to root.... but where (if anywhere) from here?
bbsc said:
1. Lollipop - yes, Kitkat - no.
2. You still can use SS on MM. It's a little tricky but still possible.
Flashfire requires root so it will not work on MM for CID 11.
This thread may also be useful for understanding the things: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...al/guide-painiacs-essential-guide-to-t3319848
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

androidman807 said:
My Kitkat currently has root. Are you suggesting that when I throw Marshmallow on it I'll lose it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
You say your phone has CID11. For SM-G900V it means it has a locked bootloader that cannot be unlocked (currently, but most likely - never).
Locked bootloader is called so because it's locked to boot only certain digitally signed kernel (aka boot.img)
Root on MM requires a modified kernel which cannot be booted by a locked bootloader.
That's why you cannot have root on MM and will lose it when upgrading.
androidman807 said:
is Marshmallow really worth the upgrade from Lollipop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only you can answer for yourself.
What are you using root for?
I have 4 or 5 S5s (G900V) here running MM and only one (mine) is rooted. No claims so far They just work.
BTW, all of them are running Devbase-4.2 from Alexndr.
If you're on Verizon you may like one of stock debloated ROMs which can be found in this section.

Thanks for all your help.
Reading the first few posts here really helped a lot to get a background. Then I attempted the steps here you provided on post 3 for my 11.
I thought I could pick my build after reading painiac's post, and was shy about going all the way up to PB1, but all the ones I chose wouldn't TowelRoot. I really did have to follow the instructions as written and use the COMBINATION EMMC ROM provided there. It freaked me out at first that it ended me up in Kitkat, but the final step brought up Lollipop and completed the process well.
The one scary point is after I ran Titanium getting ready to put some apps back on and used the "restore previous ID" it gave a panic, took me back to recovery and froze... required removing the battery, where normally that just causes a reboot. I did read the part in Painiac's post where he says don't restore system app (I had to export and import my contacts using the phone app to SD card and not Titanium - that worked). I hope my "restore previous ID" didn't go against his advice.
Other than that, things seem to be working smoothly now. I'm on Lollipop PB1 and not sure I even need Marshmallow. Thanks for all your help.
bbsc said:
Yes.
You say your phone has CID11. For SM-G900V it means it has a locked bootloader that cannot be unlocked (currently, but most likely - never).
Locked bootloader is called so because it's locked to boot only certain digitally signed kernel (aka boot.img)
Root on MM requires a modified kernel which cannot be booted by a locked bootloader.
That's why you cannot have root on MM and will lose it when upgrading.
Only you can answer for yourself.
What are you using root for?
I have 4 or 5 S5s (G900V) here running MM and only one (mine) is rooted. No claims so far They just work.
BTW, all of them are running Devbase-4.2 from Alexndr.
If you're on Verizon you may like one of stock debloated ROMs which can be found in this section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

A couple of months back, I updated from Kitkat to Lollipop using the instructions below, and ever since, I've had two persistent problems, and I'm wondering if anyone else has:
1) Wi-fi cuts out every few days requiring a reboot fix. This seems to be related to DNS.
2) Receiving picture texts (MMS) show up as "Message size: 2KB Expires: (date)" with no way to download or view. I see no workaround other to tell friends to email me pictures instead of texting them.
I've tried a factory reset, but haven't gone back to Odin yet to try to put PB1 on again (or a different ROM?). The good news is SafeStrap recovery is on the phone now. What can I try next to resolve these two problems? I can live with them with the reboot and avoiding MMS, but they are not trivial.
Thanks for any guidance or advice. Please help.
androidman807 said:
Thanks for all your help.
Reading the first few posts here really helped a lot to get a background. Then I attempted the steps here you provided on post 3 for my 11.
I thought I could pick my build after reading painiac's post, and was shy about going all the way up to PB1, but all the ones I chose wouldn't TowelRoot. I really did have to follow the instructions as written and use the COMBINATION EMMC ROM provided there. It freaked me out at first that it ended me up in Kitkat, but the final step brought up Lollipop and completed the process well.
The one scary point is after I ran Titanium getting ready to put some apps back on and used the "restore previous ID" it gave a panic, took me back to recovery and froze... required removing the battery, where normally that just causes a reboot. I did read the part in Painiac's post where he says don't restore system app (I had to export and import my contacts using the phone app to SD card and not Titanium - that worked). I hope my "restore previous ID" didn't go against his advice.
Other than that, things seem to be working smoothly now. I'm on Lollipop PB1 and not sure I even need Marshmallow. Thanks for all your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse