Database Users

how to flash Stock Rom using ODIN?!?!

I have owned samsung phones since the original s1 and it's always been easy to flash a stock rom using odin.whenever I had a problem with my current rom or soft bricked I just downloaded the tar odin file flashed pda in odin and went back to 100% stock. But I cannot for the love of God seem to find this easy on at&t s4. A buddy gave me his s4 to update it to latest 4.3 but cannot find any odin tars for any of the 4.3 updates..and when I find it why is it split up by recovery/bootloader etc? So my question is how do i go from 4.2.2 to 4.3 using odin, because he cannot do it via kies or ota

euklid said:
I have owned samsung phones since the original s1 and it's always been easy to flash a stock rom using odin.whenever I had a problem with my current rom or soft bricked I just downloaded the tar odin file flashed pda in odin and went back to 100% stock. But I cannot for the love of God seem to find this easy on at&t s4. A buddy gave me his s4 to update it to latest 4.3 but cannot find any odin tars for any of the 4.3 updates..and when I find it why is it split up by recovery/bootloader etc? So my question is how do i go from 4.2.2 to 4.3 using odin, because he cannot do it via kies or ota
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no 4.3. First off, if he's on MDL then you should root and get recovery and use the StockUp ROM, because that way he'll get 4.3 MK2 but also be able to change ROMs to something like Cyanogemnod. If he already has MF3 then there's a nice clear thread with "UPDATE.ZIP" in the title you can find in the general section with all the information you should need.

DeadlySin9 said:
There is no 4.3. First off, if he's on MDL then you should root and get recovery and use the StockUp ROM, because that way he'll get 4.3 MK2 but also be able to change ROMs to something like Cyanogemnod. If he already has MF3 then there's a nice clear thread with "UPDATE.ZIP" in the title you can find in the general section with all the information you should need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what do you mean there's no 4.3, you mean an odin image of 4.3?? thats what I meant why is it that on my t-mobile s4 they have the complete image of the stock rom, is it because att version has a locked bootloader?? I never had to mess with update.zip files ever on a samsung phone, excuse my ignorance.

euklid said:
what do you mean there's no 4.3, you mean an odin image of 4.3?? thats what I meant why is it that on my t-mobile s4 they have the complete image of the stock rom, is it because att version has a locked bootloader?? I never had to mess with update.zip files ever on a samsung phone, excuse my ignorance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He told you where to look.

scott14719 said:
He told you where to look.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know where to look now thanks, my originally question is why we even have to bother with update.zip instead of just flashing 1 odin file that has complete stock rom like in all other samsung phones.

euklid said:
I know where to look now thanks, my originally question is why we even have to bother with update.zip instead of just flashing 1 odin file that has complete stock rom like in all other samsung phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locked bootloader. There is tons of informative threads about it in the general, q&a, development, original development. and developer's only sub-forums.

euklid said:
what do you mean there's no 4.3, you mean an odin image of 4.3?? thats what I meant why is it that on my t-mobile s4 they have the complete image of the stock rom, is it because att version has a locked bootloader?? I never had to mess with update.zip files ever on a samsung phone, excuse my ignorance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i meant no ODIN image. There's a locked bootloader and they're trying so hard to keep us from modifying it they make it so you can only get repairs through the Samsung centers and such where they check if you tried to mod it and are supposed to not do anything to help you if you did. As scott said, you can find plenty more information around and probably better explanations than my theories.

I think the last full stock rom was I337UCUAMDL or just MDL. Since then though, each update has been just merely that, an update or patch. So there isnt a full rom of 4.3 MK2. Your best bet, which i just did yesterday, is to use Ted77USA's thread on the bricked MK2, third post in his thread. Follow this link. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573080&nocache=1 Again pay attention to it all. Worked out very well for me and my issue. Sure it should be as easy for you.

[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.....?

[Q] What is best way to get back to complete stock?

Hello,
What is the best way to get back to complete stock (including locked bootloader). I'm done with playing with custom ROMs (running CM11 right now). I want stock and guaranteed stability then nightmare dealing with nightlies etc.

artisticcheese said:
Hello,
What is the best way to get back to complete stock (including locked bootloader). I'm done with playing with custom ROMs (running CM11 right now). I want stock and guaranteed stability then nightmare dealing with nightlies etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you're on an I337 since you mentioned locked bootloader. If I were you I'd just flash a 4.4.2 stock ROM so that you can keep the possibility to use AOSP ROMs like the Google Edition ROMs and others. You can flash the ROM from HERE, use the version that doesn't say wBL at the end. Then just flash one of the 4.4.2 modems in RockRatt's I337 modem thread and it should work just fine. You could even reflash the MDL firmware before all of this to make it clean, or even just freeze the updater and stay on MDL.
If you really want to get rid of all possibility of running more than themed and modded TouchWiz ROMs, you can simply go to the General section, find the NB1 ODIN files, and flash them. If you want root after that, take the OTA to NC1 or sideload it and then use towelroot.

DeadlySin9 said:
I'm guessing you're on an I337 since you mentioned locked bootloader. If I were you I'd just flash a 4.4.2 stock ROM so that you can keep the possibility to use AOSP ROMs like the Google Edition ROMs and others. You can flash the ROM from HERE, use the version that doesn't say wBL at the end. Then just flash one of the 4.4.2 modems in RockRatt's I337 modem thread and it should work just fine. You could even reflash the MDL firmware before all of this to make it clean, or even just freeze the updater and stay on MDL.
If you really want to get rid of all possibility of running more than themed and modded TouchWiz ROMs, you can simply go to the General section, find the NB1 ODIN files, and flash them. If you want root after that, take the OTA to NC1 or sideload it and then use towelroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I flash one of NB1 ODIN files my phone will looks like something I get from ATT store if I walk in there today, right? That's what I want to achieve, completely something unadultered.

artisticcheese said:
So if I flash one of NB1 ODIN files my phone will looks like something I get from ATT store if I walk in there today, right? That's what I want to achieve, completely something unadultered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it will be just like the others in every way, knox bootloader and settings and all, no custom flags or anything.

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.

5.0.1 OC4 to OctOS 6.0.1 ?

i have rooted OC4 installed on my phone and have i've been reading up on OCTos and their 6.0.1 custom firmware (found a good link too: http://www.teamandroid.com/2016/01/20/update-att-galaxy-s4-i337-android-601-octos-marshmallow-custom-rom/ ) . and now am more confused.
it should be simple from what i am reading.
1) backup everything
2) revert to 4.3 (mk2), root, and install ClockworkMod 10.2+
3) install custom rom 6.0.1 OCTos
however, i'm reading on this page (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642) but it states >> Once you flash NB1, you CANNOT go back to MK2. <<
So now I'm trying to figure out exactly how i can get the OCTos onto my phone. what guide should i follow !?!?!?!
:silly:

They meant the MK2 boot loader based devices, same with MDL. Aside from a few exploited boot loaders.. it's been the general consensus that they're all locked up, therefore.. only stock roms. The lowest boot loader you can possibly be on is NB1. Download "Terminal Emulator" for the Play Store and then when you open it up, type the following:
getprop ro.bootloader
^ exactly like that, then see what it says. The last three characters (MDK, MDL, MK2, NB1, NC1, OC3, OC4)--that's how you can figure out which boot loader you are using. I am on NB1's bootloader but I can still downgrade to MK2, i.e. Android 4.3, and still have it work.. only because of how the roms in these threads are rooted and the fact that they're stock, aside from a few other small details. When they say OC3 or MK2, or NB1... whichever.. then typically they mean the boot loader when saying you cannot revert. Definitely cannot revert to MK2 bootloader after taking an OTA update.

pr3dicament said:
getprop ro.bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i337ucugoc4

egiblock said:
i have rooted OC4 installed on my phone and have i've been reading up on OCTos and their 6.0.1 custom firmware (found a good link too: http://www.teamandroid.com/2016/01/20/update-att-galaxy-s4-i337-android-601-octos-marshmallow-custom-rom/ ) . and now am more confused.
it should be simple from what i am reading.
1) backup everything
2) revert to 4.3 (mk2), root, and install ClockworkMod 10.2+
3) install custom rom 6.0.1 OCTos
however, i'm reading on this page (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642) but it states >> Once you flash NB1, you CANNOT go back to MK2. <<
So now I'm trying to figure out exactly how i can get the OCTos onto my phone. what guide should i follow !?!?!?!
:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though it was not mentioned, the article appears to be written for the SGH-i337 with old bootloaders (MDB, MDL). These are the only two bootloaders that can be exploited and installed the custom recovery like CWM or TWRP.
Since your bootloader is OC4 you can not install the CWM or TWRP. You could try flashing with safestrap though. If that custom rom is not written with Aroma then you could also try to flash with flashfire. These are the only two options for you.

egiblock said:
i337ucugoc4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, yeah.. you're not on MDK or MDL, not even NB1.. you're simply on OC4. You aren't going to be able to do any flashing of any Custom Roms that are not Safestrap compatible (touchwiz)
Good luck.. you can't go anywhere backwards, not even OC3. That really sucks. I'm sorry. It looks like you took the OTA's.
I can still ODIN to NB1 and that was because I never took the OTA update. I got lucky.. I can still choose between kitkat and lollipop. You can't. You might be able to with someone's help.. but your bootloader is OC4.. that's a problem. You more than likely will have trouble doing anything unless it's not MDK/MDL or even NB1 based.
---------- Post added at 08:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:21 PM ----------
sway8966 said:
Even though it was not mentioned, the article appears to be written for the SGH-i337 with old bootloaders (MDB, MDL). These are the only two bootloaders that can be exploited and installed the custom recovery like CWM or TWRP.
Since your bootloader is OC4 you can not install the CWM or TWRP. You could try flashing with safestrap though. If that custom rom is not written with Aroma then you could also try to flash with flashfire. These are the only two options for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.. You might have a shot with FlashFire. I might test that via the NB1 bootloader that I'm on but I don't think it matters that much aside from being able to Odin back to 4.3 software.

sway8966 said:
Even though it was not mentioned, the article appears to be written for the SGH-i337 with old bootloaders (MDB, MDL). These are the only two bootloaders that can be exploited and installed the custom recovery like CWM or TWRP.
Since your bootloader is OC4 you can not install the CWM or TWRP. You could try flashing with safestrap though. If that custom rom is not written with Aroma then you could also try to flash with flashfire. These are the only two options for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FlashFire came out with another release (0.32) that seems to have an AROMA emulation option.. my guess is that it's still in testing, but it's worth a shot even without it. The way I have OC3 with the NB1 boot loader is because of FlashFire.. Safestrap.. it's been awhile since I've used it. I've tried recently for other ROMS but you can't do a custom kernel.. that's the reason most custom roms aren't able to work, i.e. CM v13 runs a totally different kernel. It's not just TouchWiz now.. now it's just stock kernels.. at least via SafeStrap. So far I've gotten none to work with SafeStrap aside from Stock rooted roms. OC3, OC4, and if I felt like it, OK2.. but why even bother with OK2, I'm not gonna see any difference given all of the patches you can use with Xposed.. including any memory leak bull****, that's all good now in 5.0.x -- 5.1+ has that patched up.. and OK2 certainly isn't 5.1. I don't see any difference between OC3 and OC4.. and if my opinion counts for anything.. the one thing that I noticed (bloatware script ran and other apps not needed were frozen for both) is a very high amount of battery usage with OC4.. same userdata, same everything.. and when you flash the kernel, the modules, and move up to OC4.. it's still the same looking.. feels the same.. more ram used.. OC3 is superior in this instance. I'd love to try and give an AOSP rom a shot.. but.. via SafeStrap (someone made a guide for those not on the MDK or MDL boot loaders) .. eh.. no luck. That was all via SafeStrap. I'm just putting in my two cents. I think development for this phone is finished.. no one has come out with anything new aside from the SafeStrap kernel workarounds.. not many FlashFire users.. and the one that used to find every single exploit is now EMPLOYED by Samsung so his development.. gone. That was a huge kick in the ass to this entire community. Plenty of people around, just.. they don't give a **** about the S4 with boot loader all locked up. NB1 was an accident for me.. I was on MDL for a long, long time.. I really ****ed that up or I'd be running MarshMallow already It seems to run best with KitKat, but a lot of AOSP roms have shown huge differences in MarshMallow.. oh well. Can't try it at the moment.

Unfortunately I can't remember what I did in the past to this phone, but I have never had luck with OTA updates. I'll have to see if I can find my note to see what I originally did on this stupid thing.

egiblock said:
Unfortunately I can't remember what I did in the past to this phone, but I have never had luck with OTA updates. I'll have to see if I can find my note to see what I originally did on this stupid thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are on OC4, the lowest you can go is NB1 (kit-kat).