Database Users

[Q] New to note 3 & samsung

hi, i just got my note 3 n9005 international a couple of days ago & now its time to root...you can say i am a little new to samsung because the last device i used was an s3 & that was a long time ago.....
i dont have any warranty so knox isnt that big of a concern unless it may cause some sort of damage to the phone...so far i have read..its only for warranty purposes like the flash counter for s3.
i was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to point me to rooting & everything else i need to do to install custom roms including recovery...
i tried to read through the instructions of root de la vega but i find it too complicated...so i was thinking of doing cf auto root....
thank you

linx1287 said:
hi, i just got my note 3 n9005 international a couple of days ago & now its time to root...you can say i am a little new to samsung because the last device i used was an s3 & that was a long time ago.....
i dont have any warranty so knox isnt that big of a concern unless it may cause some sort of damage to the phone...so far i have read..its only for warranty purposes like the flash counter for s3.
i was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to point me to rooting & everything else i need to do to install custom roms including recovery...
i tried to read through the instructions of root de la vega but i find it too complicated...so i was thinking of doing cf auto root....
thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung issue a 24month warranty on the Note 3 (maybe country specific?) -
If KNOX isn't an issue for you and you do not mind tripping it, the CF-Auto is the way to go.
RDLV is complicated if you're lazy, but it does preserve KNOX status depending on your bootloader version, put in #*1234# into your dial pad and post the results. We can know if you can use RDLV.
However, if you want to flash a Custom ROM, then you will need a custom recovery, which will trip your KNOX (can't be done without) - on the Android dev section and Orginal Android dev section (in this sub forum) are some Custom ROMs and the instructions on how to do so.
I have used X-Note, Crash and am currently using AllianceROM, but there are a few others.
Just be careful with custom kernels until you're pretty confident cause you can bootloop and ruin your EFS quite easily (it is fixable 99% of the time tho, script is on here also)
EDIT : All you need is here pretty much

thank you for your reply & these are the stats
AP: N9005XXUDMJ6
CP: N9005XXUDMJ4
CSC: N9005EVRDMJ4
also RDLV is way too complicated for me & besides i do plan to install a custom recovery so i think that defeats the point ....since you seem to have tripped knox, there hasnt been any kind of system issue i hope? this whole knox business gave me cold feet when i read about it...but so far as i can see..its just a flash counter.... could you tell me the tools i need to get started with? i already downloaded the usb drivers & odin 3.09..is there anything else i should need?
p.s. i was reading about "before or later MJ7 4" whatever...& i was wondering which of these was it refering to? ap? thank you

Once you trip the knox counter it makes no difference to the phone except not being able to use knox containers, and of course the warranty which you know. -- if you have the drivers and odin. Go grab cf-autoroot, run it thru odin and voila all done, similar for twrp or Cwm which ever you choose as your custom recovery (I use twrp) flash in odin and that's it all set.
Just make sure and I can't stress this enough, that you flash the right ROM for the N9005, and N900 doesn't work. - avoid doing restores with twrp for now also when you do a back up, some issues have arose recently and not sure of they're resolved or not yet.
Have fun man, just read everything about the ROM etc before you flash the odd one has FC's or NFC issues
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

ok so backing up & restoring with recovery is, for the time being, a no no? yes i will make sure to see if the roms are made for n9005 only....i will probably start off with omega roms as they are the 1st choice i had when i started modding the s3 ....thank you soo much mate for all the info...1 last thing to clear up is i am reading on developers talking about MJ or MK or whatever it is....are they talking about the build number i find in Settings/About??

1 thing i couldnt get a proper answer for...is how does 1 know they have the international variant of the n9005 anyway? normally if a n9005 is under some sort of carrier...the carrier logo would flash when booting up right? because thats what happens on my brother's note 3 n9005...when he boots up his phone..it shows SFR logo before going to the samsung bootanimation.....but on mine there is no such thing...the simple note 3 n9005 text then samsung boot animation & then straight to system...that means mine is the unbranded 1 am i correct?

linx1287 said:
1 thing i couldnt get a proper answer for...is how does 1 know they have the international variant of the n9005 anyway? normally if a n9005 is under some sort of carrier...the carrier logo would flash when booting up right? because thats what happens on my brother's note 3 n9005...when he boots up his phone..it shows SFR logo before going to the samsung bootanimation.....but on mine there is no such thing...the simple note 3 n9005 text then samsung boot animation & then straight to system...that means mine is the unbranded 1 am i correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah yours is unbranded, only thing that may/will apply to you is region lock (which unless you're leaving the country your purchased your phone in isn't an issue at the start.
Although I see your CSC is EVR (if I recall correctly that is EE UK's firmware on board)
EDIT: Yes MK/ML are build numbers

no i dont have region lock..THAT i checked...so can i go forwards with all the rooting recovery & custom roms? i did find a orange core services apk on my apps manager under ALL tab..... also what original firmware can i roll back to incase anything goes wrong? any specifics?

linx1287 said:
no i dont have region lock..THAT i checked...so can i go forwards with all the rooting recovery & custom roms? i did find a orange core services apk on my apps manager under ALL tab..... also what original firmware can i roll back to incase anything goes wrong? any specifics?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup can go forwards. EVR (EE aka Orange/T-Mobile) have unlocked phones so yeah you won't have region lock. Which means yours is unbranded but carrier unbranded.
As for firmware, it depends on what region you are using? And what country you are in (you could use BTU (also UK, unbranded but EVR is ok also) - You are **now I say this depending on your country/region** OK on MJ7 or MK2 IF you upgrade since you're using a UK based ROM/CSC your network obviously supports it. However battery life is better on lower than MJ6. So it's your choice really.
Most custom ROMs are MK2 or ML2 atm I think, - Not sure if any upgrade your bootloader to MJ7 (if they do, you can't roll back any lower currently)

i just need a stock firmware so as i have a fallback if anything goes wrong...nothing more really as i plan to stick with custom roms...will this do?
http://samsung-updates.com/details/17028/Galaxy_Note_3_Snapdragon/SM-N9005/EVR/N9005XXUDMJ6.html
i am in Bangladesh so i am pretty confident that there isnt any rom for my region
yea i was wondering about the battery life myself...i dont know what version my brother's note is but his battery lasts noticibly longer than mine does....i was even planning on swapping batteries as i thought it might be a cell related issue

linx1287 said:
i just need a stock firmware so as i have a fallback if anything goes wrong...nothing more really as i plan to stick with custom roms...will this do?
http://samsung-updates.com/details/17028/Galaxy_Note_3_Snapdragon/SM-N9005/EVR/N9005XXUDMJ6.html
i am in Bangladesh so i am pretty confident that there isnt any rom for my region
yea i was wondering about the battery life myself...i dont know what version my brother's note is but his battery lasts noticibly longer than mine does....i was even planning on swapping batteries as i thought it might be a cell related issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as your bootloader doesn't go to MJ7 - that firmware is OK, If your bootloader updates ( I think it may with the custom ROM) you can't roll back to MJ6, you can go to MJ7 or MK2 via BTU which will work for you since EVR works.

the latest omega is ML2 so by that measure...i wont be able to roll back to MK2 either & the latest on this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2459328 is MK2

linx1287 said:
the latest omega is ML2 so by that measure...i wont be able to roll back to MK2 either & the latest on this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2459328 is MK2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can drop back as far as MJ7 ( I have at least when I've returned to stock due to mess ups) my build is MK2 atm
the bootloader only goes to MJ7 (last I checked, If it has changed then mine still lets me roll to MJ7)

csc seems a very complicated mess...GOD when did the mod friendly samsung go this crazy? the s3 was the most fun thing to mod...now this feels more complicated then Sony's!! :'( since my csc is EVR...is it possible to put BTU? i saw someone post this but didnt get any replies... http://www.usofttech.com/t128991.html
OH CRAP you said this BTU already...sorry my bad.... just trying to absorb all this

1 last query & i think i can start....with my current MJ6 build...can i do the cf auto root? or do i need to be on a lower build? if i can...then i think i will start or should i wait for the MJ7 to finish downloading & root that with cf auto root? & mate...thank you... you helped clear a lot of the confusions stopping me from modding this...now i think i can start things with a bit of confidence...thank you.... MUCH appreciated

linx1287 said:
1 last query & i think i can start....with my current MJ6 build...can i do the cf auto root? or do i need to be on a lower build? if i can...then i think i will start or should i wait for the MJ7 to finish downloading & root that with cf auto root? & mate...thank you... you helped clear a lot of the confusions stopping me from modding this...now i think i can start things with a bit of confidence...thank you.... MUCH appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can CF root straight away, - since you're triggering KNOX anyway it won't affect you. Then on with custom recovery etc, just keep MJ7 as your stock back up on your PC just incase. and IF you run into any issues with EFS (bootloops/no signal/wifi/baseband etc) use THIS It has saved me and quite a few others.
EDIT: And no problem man, glad to help, we all start somewhere with new devices

mate....the odin inside the cf root is 1.85 & the 1 got from google is 3.09 which should i use? & is PDA & AP the same thing because they are diff in the 2 versions of odin

linx1287 said:
mate....the odin inside the cf root is 1.85 & the 1 got from google is 3.09 which should i use? & is PDA & AP the same thing because they are diff in the 2 versions of odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use 3.07 personally - and flash using PDA -- Use the one with CF root if you're unsure

the phone is rooted ahhh feels like home again ....mate you said earlier that restoring backups on twrp causes system issues....i was wondering if this is true for just twrp or ALL current recoveries in general? which recovery would you suggest? also i was wondering about that script you told me about...the 1 about soft brick.... that fixes corrupt efs due to flashes yes? if so, does that mean it doesnt require my backup of efs?

linx1287 said:
the phone is rooted ahhh feels like home again ....mate you said earlier that restoring backups on twrp causes system issues....i was wondering if this is true for just twrp or ALL current recoveries in general? which recovery would you suggest? also i was wondering about that script you told me about...the 1 about soft brick.... that fixes corrupt efs due to flashes yes? if so, does that mean it doesnt require my backup of efs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP has issues *sometimes* there's a few posts about it around, I personally have had no problems and use TWRP fine, but I mentioned it because what works for one, doesn't always for another.
As for EFS backup, keep it just incase -- IT seems Android can rebuild the EFS again with that fire script. -- It's handy though, gotten a few out of the crapper including myself

[Q] Some questions about rooting

Hello guys, I have some questions I am hoping you experienced people can answer for me.
After doing a bunch of research, I am left a bit confused since a lot of the posts are older, and things have changed over the last few months, especially with locked bootloaders and such.
My current phone is:
-Samsung S4 (Fido based) SGH-i337M
-Android Version 4.3
-Baseband Version i337MVLUEMK6
I only want to ROOT the phone, so I can remove a bunch of excess Samsung bloatware that I never use, I am not really interested in custom ROM's at this time.
1. What is a Custom Recovery exactly?
I keep reading about Custom Recoveries but I don't really know what they are exactly... . Is this just a Firmware mirror that I can go back to at any time AFTER I root the device? Do I need to root the device to CREATE the Custom Recovery?
2. CAN I go back to "Stock" easily? Can I just find the original 4.3 Samsung FW and load it up?
3. I know that moving to 4.4 will require another Root when it becomes available later this month from Samsung, however can I go to the Default Android 4.4 ROM at this time, skipping all the Samsung Stuff?
4. I see a programmed called KINGO offering to root my phone for me, but then somebody said something about there not being a Custom Recovery available for it, which goes up to my original question. Can I not just revert back to unrooted status after?
Thanks to anybody who can help me with these noobish questions, I appreciate it.

I don't have your model so don't want to guess at rooting.
But:
Do not remove Bloatware after rooted. Get Titanium BackuP from the Market. The paid version (support devs) and just freeze the apps until you know they have no negative impact after freezing.
Do a Nandroid ASAP and put a copy on PC also.
Read this on your Recovery question:
http://freedupthoughts.com/2013/04/what-is-custom-recovery-why-should-i.html
You have an unlocked bootloader with the i337m
Someone else can address correct rooting for your specific device and get the correct recovery for it. I prefer TWRP.

[Q] Should I update from 4.3 JB to 4.4.2 KK ?

Hello
I recently got my S4 i9505. I'm planning to root it
I have Android version 4.3
I used to flash costum roms on my s2 but I'm not really planning to do much flashing on my S4. not soon anyway
So as I connected the phone to Kies to make sure the drivers were downloaded so I can proceed with rooting
Firmware update popped up
I'm not sure what the best option for me now.
Should I root now and then I'd be able to flash a costume KK rom? and are there any stable ones that are better than the stock?
Can I use kies to update my rooted phone?
Maybe I should stick with JB 4.3? Which one is better 4.3 or 4.4.2?
I remember facing some issues when I update my s2 back. So I searched for the KK Update for the s4 and some people weren't so happy with their KK update
I know that doesn't represent the majority but still it could happen to me
So I confused myself
What is your advice to me?
sorry for the long post
Also I have an extra question What is KNOX? and do I need it?

egy_b0y said:
Hello
I recently got my S4 i9505. I'm planning to root it
I have Android version 4.3
I used to flash costum roms on my s2 but I'm not really planning to do much flashing on my S4. not soon anyway
So as I connected the phone to Kies to make sure the drivers were downloaded so I can proceed with rooting
Firmware update popped up
I'm not sure what the best option for me now.
Should I root now and then I'd be able to flash a costume KK rom? and are there any stable ones that are better than the stock?
Can I use kies to update my rooted phone?
Maybe I should stick with JB 4.3? Which one is better 4.3 or 4.4.2?
I remember facing some issues when I update my s2 back. So I searched for the KK Update for the s4 and some people weren't so happy with their KK update
I know that doesn't represent the majority but still it could happen to me
So I confused myself
What is your advice to me?
sorry for the long post
Also I have an extra question What is KNOX? and do I need it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, the most problems in 4.4.2 are fixed, so if you flash the officical, latest firmware of your country you shouldn't have any problem.
An important thing: if you flash a custom rom, your warranty will be set 0x1, that means, you lost your garanty if you flash a custom rom, that's the so called KNOX. You can use knox like a second system on your phone, with all secure data in it, you can only access with a passwort and all datas are locked without this passwort.
Root your phone after the software update if you want to root it.

Tkkg1994 said:
First, the most problems in 4.4.2 are fixed, so if you flash the officical, latest firmware of your country you shouldn't have any problem.
An important thing: if you flash a custom rom, your warranty will be set 0x1, that means, you lost your garanty if you flash a custom rom, that's the so called KNOX. You can use knox like a second system on your phone, with all secure data in it, you can only access with a passwort and all datas are locked without this passwort.
Root your phone after the software update if you want to root it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the fact is that 4.4.2 GNG8 international version cannot be rooted....

christty31 said:
the fact is that 4.4.2 GNG8 international version cannot be rooted....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's wrong, just not with towelroot.

thank you for your input

New around here. Some doubts.

Hello.
Ever since I bought a Galaxy Nexus and found XDA, my life changed. Without noticing I got infected a virus: addiction to Android.
My Nexus got outdated quickly and now is pretty done and I need a new toy. 3,5 years later I finally got some spare money to buy a new phone. Since here in Portugal the minimum wage is around 500€ and top flagship phones cost around 700€ (and there's no affordable contract to get something cheaper and still nice), I had to wait until now to get a used Note 3 for 300€.
I love the phone's design and above all the specs. There's no other phone with 3GB RAM and Snap 800 for this price and I always liked big sized phones.
Well, I write too much unnecessary info... I need to stop
Let's get down to the point. I will get the phone tomorrow!!
TL;DR
How do I check the bootloader version? I want to flash TWRP right away and maybe install a Note4/5 port or something stock Android, do I need to be careful with the bootloader?
I know from other phones (i.e LG G2) that any custom rom uses KK bootloader and the stock roms use their respective version bootloader. Is this also true for the Note?
Also, which version of TWRP should I flash? Does it depend on the stock rom version that I have?
Checking if the device has 2.3x GB of available RAM, if Odin and Recovery have their stock aspect and if the S-Pen works is enough to ensure that the Note I'm getting is truly original?
Well, that's all. I'm sorry if I'm asking the same questions everyone does. I'm used to Nexus so I'm afraid of bricking the Note with dumb moves. That's why I am taking my time to read every important thread and asking here some doubts that went into my mind while doing the required reading. I have no warranty (no box nor invoice) so I can't afford to mess up with the new babe
Cheers!

This app!
diogofd8 said:
Hello.
Ever since I bought a Galaxy Nexus and found XDA, my life changed. Without noticing I got infected a virus: addiction to Android.
My Nexus got outdated quickly and now is pretty done and I need a new toy. 3,5 years later I finally got some spare money to buy a new phone. Since here in Portugal the minimum wage is around 500€ and top flagship phones cost around 700€ (and there's no affordable contract to get something cheaper and still nice), I had to wait until now to get a used Note 3 for 300€.
I love the phone's design and above all the specs. There's no other phone with 3GB RAM and Snap 800 for this price and I always liked big sized phones.
Well, I write too much unnecessary info... I need to stop
Let's get down to the point. I will get the phone tomorrow!!
TL;DR
How do I check the bootloader version? I want to flash TWRP right away and maybe install a Note4/5 port or something stock Android, do I need to be careful with the bootloader?
I know from other phones (i.e LG G2) that any custom rom uses KK bootloader and the stock roms use their respective version bootloader. Is this also true for the Note?
Also, which version of TWRP should I flash? Does it depend on the stock rom version that I have?
Checking if the device has 2.3x GB of available RAM, if Odin and Recovery have their stock aspect and if the S-Pen works is enough to ensure that the Note I'm getting is truly original?
Well, that's all. I'm sorry if I'm asking the same questions everyone does. I'm used to Nexus so I'm afraid of bricking the Note with dumb moves. That's why I am taking my time to read every important thread and asking here some doubts that went into my mind while doing the required reading. I have no warranty (no box nor invoice) so I can't afford to mess up with the new babe
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vndnguyen.phoneinfo&hl=en
this app will help you confirm your phone.
then you can proceed flashing twrp and supersu, things are so easy for N9005
and Welcome Aboard

Install phone info samsung from playstore. It could tell a lot about your phone.
To make it easy as long as the phone is running with android version 4.4.2 and above you should use twrp 4.4. If 4.3 use the right one for 4.3.
Sent from my SM-G925F

White Note3 do you have? There are several versions made by Samsung.
Regardless of the bootloader on the phone, I recommend using the latest TWRP as the latest TWRP can be used to flash all ROMs and zip files. Find your device from here: https://twrp.me/Devices/
Before moving to custom ROMs, I also recommend installing the latest bootlloader and ROM.
Not sure if your phone still has warranty but if it does, I would not change the ROM or root because doing either may trip the knox counter and void the warranty.

nijom said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vndnguyen.phoneinfo&hl=en
this app will help you confirm your phone.
then you can proceed flashing twrp and supersu, things are so easy for N9005
and Welcome Aboard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I will keep the link in my favorites and install the app when I get the chance to test things.
Rosli59564 said:
Install phone info samsung from playstore. It could tell a lot about your phone.
To make it easy as long as the phone is running with android version 4.4.2 and above you should use twrp 4.4. If 4.3 use the right one for 4.3.
Sent from my SM-G925F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I'm pretty sure it has 4.4.x or lollipop. Should I update to any of those versions (just in case it comes with 4.3) first and then install TWRP?
audit13 said:
White Note3 do you have? There are several versions made by Samsung.
Regardless of the bootloader on the phone, I recommend using the latest TWRP as the latest TWRP can be used to flash all ROMs and zip files. Find your device from here: https://twrp.me/Devices/
Before moving to custom ROMs, I also recommend installing the latest bootlloader and ROM.
Not sure if your phone still has warranty but if it does, I would not change the ROM or root because doing either may trip the knox counter and void the warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone doesn't come with box nor invoice so I don't have any warranty xd
What is the number or version of the latest bootloader?

What is the model # of the phone? There is the n-900t, n9005, n-900w8, etc.

N9005, it's the european unlocked version

The model # is important when asking questions because the AT&T version of the note 3 has a locked bootloader so it's more complicated to flash custom recovery and to get root.
If you want to run custom ROMs, I recommend upgrading to the latest modem and bootloader, install a custom recovery, back up your stock ROM, and try some custom ROMs to see which one you like.
Look for the tar version of TWRP for your phone from here: https://twrp.me/Devices/
You can flash TWRP with Odin.

audit13 said:
The model # is important when asking questions because the AT&T version of the note 3 has a locked bootloader so it's more complicated to flash custom recovery and to get root.
If you want to run custom ROMs, I recommend upgrading to the latest modem and bootloader, install a custom recovery, back up your stock ROM, and try some custom ROMs to see which one you like.
Look for the tar version of TWRP for your phone from here: https://twrp.me/Devices/
You can flash TWRP with Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll get the phone tomorrow!!!!!
So, by upgrading to the latest official rom avaiable I'll have the most recent modem and bootloader, right?
Do I need to follow the order you mentioned: modem->bootloader->recovery->backup->croms or can I flash TWRP, backup every partition, flash most recent modem and bootloader (not sure if I can flash a bootloader) and then install croms?

No, only flashing a newer custom ROM won't update your Bootloader and Modem. You will need to flash those files separately via Odin. Then you can flash the custom ROM you want. The order is simple. Get a custom recovery first, TWRP. Then update your Modem and Bootloader. Then wipe the device from TWRP (full wipe, take backup beforehand if you need) and flash the custom ROM of your choice.

Safest way to upgrade the modem and bootloader is via ota update on a completely stock unrooted rom with stock recovery. After the phone is running the latest rom, then start with customization.

audit13 said:
Safest way to upgrade the modem and bootloader is via ota update on a completely stock unrooted rom with stock recovery. After the phone is running the latest rom, then start with customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the phone and managed to update it to 5.0 -> n9005xxugboa1
Is it the latest version or should I update it to another one?

BOD2 appears to be the latest according to sammobile.com: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-N9005/

audit13 said:
BOD2 appears to be the latest according to sammobile.com: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-N9005/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm from Portugal but the phone is unlocked (no carrier) and they only have firmware for carrier notes... Which one should I download and flash?
Also... with a G2 I flashed a .kdz file (official rom) and ended up with a bricked phone (later fixed via warranty), but I have no warranty in this phone, how can I make sure that the file is safe?

Just check for software updates from your phone.

audit13 said:
Just check for software updates from your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says the phone is already at the latest version. I've cleaned framework services and checked again but got the same result.

Try removing the SIM card and moving the date ahead by two days, then try again.

audit13 said:
Try removing the SIM card and moving the date ahead by two days, then try again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done that, no update avaiable. Connected to Kies3, no update avaiable.
Is it really in a old version? It's 5.0. Do I really need the latest version to start flashing a recovery?
Also, can I use the recovery without flashing it? I want to check if it works nicely before flashing if it is possible. TWRP can be used to flash any rom right? I'm interested in trying darklord first.

Yes, you can flash recovery without updating. I suggested updating because the update probably deals with the stage fright bug.

Can I downgrade my S5 from Lollipop 5.1.1 to Kitkat?

So I had to finally use my warranty for my S5 with Tmobile. I have the replacement but it came with Lollipop 5.1.1 and not Kitkat. I've started using Lollipop and it's a nightmare. I absolutely hate it and many of my apps are incompatible. I am a bit new to this but am well aware Samsung has pretty lousy performance with S5 and lollipop.
Knowing this, is there an efficient and safe way to downgrade without tripping knox? I did some googling but find more information on 5.0 Lollipop than 5.1.1. I'm surprised S5's got that update.

you can with no problem ( right now no one have problem with imei )

popmpopm said:
you can with no problem ( right now no one have problem with imei )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. What is the best way to get started reading up on that? I am a bit new to the rooting scene etc. I don't want anyone to spoonfeed me an answer--just kind of a general "where can I get started" thing so I can understand what firmware I need etc.

1. Go to sammobile website and click Firmware button.
2. Enter your device model in the search box
3. Select your country and the android version you want (in your case select 4.4.2)
4. Click Download button to download the firmware (you need to register to be able to download, don't worry it's free).
5. Download Odin and use it to flash the firmware you've downloaded (Google how to use it if you don't know how).
By the way, your phone doesn't need to be rooted to do all this. In the contrary, if it is already rooted, it will lose the root after doing these steps.
Hope that helps