Database Users

flashing issues

so far all the roms i have taken from this forum have failed to flash, my recovery says it cant open the zip file.......
don't know what im doing wrong.......the device is rooted fine.....
after it has failed i then have problems restoring my back ups so i then need to flash stock with odin......
its a gt i9505, so i think im in the right section...
please advise....

mediaman123 said:
so far all the roms i have taken from this forum have failed to flash, my recovery says it cant open the zip file.......
don't know what im doing wrong.......the device is rooted fine.....
after it has failed i then have problems restoring my back ups so i then need to flash stock with odin......
its a gt i9505, so i think im in the right section...
please advise....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which recovery are u using? And just for confirmation use root checker app and check the root status
.

123hiten said:
Which recovery are u using? And just for confirmation use root checker app and check the root status
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all is good with the root checker and i am running twrp 2.5.0.1, tried to flash with cwm and the same happened......

mediaman123 said:
all is good with the root checker and i am running twrp 2.5.0.1, tried to flash with cwm and the same happened......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Option 1,
Flash Philz recovery and see if the issue is solved if not i would suggest a fresh start
Option 2,
1, Flash Stock firmware using
2, Reset the device from setting / account / backup&reset
3, Root using CF root
4, flash Philz recovery
5 ,Start flashing Roms u want
Please take a backup of important data B4 flashing and resseting the device

123hiten said:
Option 1,
Flash Philz recovery and see if the issue is solved if not i would suggest a fresh start
Option 2,
1, Flash Stock firmware using
2, Reset the device from setting / account / backup&reset
3, Root using CF root
4, flash Philz recovery
5 ,Start flashing Roms u want
Please take a backup of important data B4 flashing and resseting the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help.....I will try restoring it to stock and start from the beginning.....will doing a factory reset in settings restore the stock recovery.....
I did actually try philz touch recovery....same thing happened....but I will try your option 2 and get back to you pronto.....

So I followed the steps you asked me too, twice and still no joy.....
philztouch recovery gives the following message:
E: Cab't open /external_sd/ROMS/SuperDroid_v4_m3ddog.zip (bad)
Installation aborted
Does it matter my custom rom file is on my external sd card?
The only thing i can think of is that i am trying to install a rom for different s4 variation maybe.........its the gt i9505, thats all i know....
HELP ME!!!......:crying:

mediaman123 said:
So I followed the steps you asked me too, twice and still no joy.....
philztouch recovery gives the following message:
E: Cab't open /external_sd/ROMS/SuperDroid_v4_m3ddog.zip (bad)
Installation aborted
Does it matter my custom rom file is on my external sd card?
The only thing i can think of is that i am trying to install a rom for different s4 variation maybe.........its the gt i9505, thats all i know....
HELP ME!!!......:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for late reply
Since this also not helping I guess u have issue with root may be
Let's try little diffrnt
As per what I understood u have i9505 correct me if I m wrong
U download a pre rooted firmware from android devlpmnt thread
Flash the firmware reset and tell me the status of by he same and then will try flashing philz recovery
Edit link below for rooted firmware
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2250824
[ROM] WORLD PREMIERE: I9505 XXUBMGA DEODEX [4.2.2] - Pre-Rooted Stock ROM's Odin/CWM
.

mediaman123 said:
So I followed the steps you asked me too, twice and still no joy.....
philztouch recovery gives the following message:
E: Cab't open /external_sd/ROMS/SuperDroid_v4_m3ddog.zip (bad)
Installation aborted
Does it matter my custom rom file is on my external sd card?
The only thing i can think of is that i am trying to install a rom for different s4 variation maybe.........its the gt i9505, thats all i know....
HELP ME!!!......:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its telling you the problem... The rom you have above isn't complete or corrupted - IE"bad"
Either re-download the rom or try another rom...

ultramag69 said:
Its telling you the problem... The rom you have above isn't complete or corrupted - IE"bad"
Either re-download the rom or try another rom...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, its just strange that the 2-3 roms i have tried have all returned that error message, I will download the rom you linked and get back to you.....
is that rom to go on with odin, as currently i have stock recovery......?

no joy with the linked rom......
same thing happened, i can successfully get it rooted and flash recoveries no problem......
is it possible its a sd card problem.....

also, when i go to restore the back up i make before flashing the rom, it reverts back to a brand new handset, so i need to set it all up again, put in my Google account details etc.......all my apps return obviously, but this isn't meant to happen is it......
it really is confusing me, all the other devices I have had in the past and currently have flashed ok........
when i wipe before the flash, its just the default factory reset, cache, dalvik I do , is this correct?

That should be fine, it is possible the sd card is corrupt or not communicating properly with the recovery. You could always put the rom on the internal sd card.... Just don't factory wipe or you could loose the rom you are trying to flash...

That didn't work either......so frustrated with this.......
Can someone go through the exact procedure....I know there are guides but personal experience s are best.....

mediaman123 said:
also, when i go to restore the back up i make before flashing the rom, it reverts back to a brand new handset, so i need to set it all up again, put in my Google account details etc.......all my apps return obviously, but this isn't meant to happen is it......
it really is confusing me, all the other devices I have had in the past and currently have flashed ok........
when i wipe before the flash, its just the default factory reset, cache, dalvik I do , is this correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Full Wipe Install means:
- Wipe Data / Factory Reset
- Wipe Cache and Dalvik Cache
- Format System partition
- Install

andymihail said:
Full Wipe Install means:
- Wipe Data / Factory Reset
- Wipe Cache and Dalvik Cache
- Format System partition
- Install
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks....
I have been using twrp mostly....i don't believe the default wipe setting includes the system partition format...........could the absence of this formatting cause problems every time?

finally managed to flash a custom rom.......
the trick was to install the zip without any sort of wipe, then do the wipes after successful installation......
weird eh....

ROMs aren't booting after RSD and re-root...

Hey all,
I RSD'd the other day and then re-rooted and re-unlocked the bootloader (yes, I now know it stays unlocked) and flashed CWM v6.0.1.4 recovery.
Now none of the custom ROMs will boot, though they install correctly in recovery. From CyanogenMod to Carbon to AOSP, it just sits on the boot animation... I've let it sit for up to half an hour.
I'm wiping data and cache, though CWM says E:Can't mount /cache/recovery/pretty-much every subfolder, but that doesn't seem like a big deal...
So what am I doing wrong, here, any ideas? It doesn't matter if I install the ROMs and GAPPS from external SD, right?
I RSD'd to 96.15.66, the one where I can unlock the bootloader, and the only ROM I can get to boot is Clean Rom (basically stock with tweaks of course).

jimmyco2008 said:
Hey all,
I RSD'd the other day and then re-rooted and re-unlocked the bootloader (yes, I now know it stays unlocked) and flashed CWM v6.0.1.4 recovery.
Now none of the custom ROMs will boot, though they install correctly in recovery. From CyanogenMod to Carbon to AOSP, it just sits on the boot animation... I've let it sit for up to half an hour.
I'm wiping data and cache, though CWM says E:Can't mount /cache/recovery/pretty-much every subfolder, but that doesn't seem like a big deal...
So what am I doing wrong, here, any ideas? It doesn't matter if I install the ROMs and GAPPS from external SD, right?
I RSD'd to 96.15.66, the one where I can unlock the bootloader, and the only ROM I can get to boot is Clean Rom (basically stock with tweaks of course).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you mounting system first? never used CWM on this device, but in TWRP, they install just fine. I believe that most devs use TWRP (although, it should not make a difference).

Thanks for the reply, actually I have two cwm recovery images, and after the RSD I flashed the "wrong" one... After flashing the other, I was able to flash and boot just fine.

jimmyco2008 said:
Thanks for the reply, actually I have two cwm recovery images, and after the RSD I flashed the "wrong" one... After flashing the other, I was able to flash and boot just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Im not sure if Im having this exact issue but I have been having problem since I used Utility 1.20 and re-rooted and re-unlocked my phone. Every ROM I have tried has random reboot issue. Can you tell me exactly how you did it correctly?
Also I didnt understand the two recovery image concept. I was having safe strap before and had issue with stock partition and was using slot1 partition as daily rom. And I couldnt flash any other ROM. So I had to go back to stock with Utility 1.2 and start over. Right now Im having liquidsmooth ROM with CWM recovery. Still having those reboots.

jcxmej said:
Hi Im not sure if Im having this exact issue but I have been having problem since I used Utility 1.20 and re-rooted and re-unlocked my phone. Every ROM I have tried has random reboot issue. Can you tell me exactly how you did it correctly?
Also I didnt understand the two recovery image concept. I was having safe strap before and had issue with stock partition and was using slot1 partition as daily rom. And I couldnt flash any other ROM. So I had to go back to stock with Utility 1.2 and start over. Right now Im having liquidsmooth ROM with CWM recovery. Still having those reboots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you sure you uninstalled SS via the app (and not via the android system)?

jco23 said:
are you sure you uninstalled SS via the app (and not via the android system)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think I have uninstalled safestrap with an app. I followed the instruction in this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2238341
This thread was started by me when I had problem with flashing ROMs in the stock slot using safestrap. Rikrong suggested I use Utility so that I go back to stock and start all over again. So I did. I guess thats how it should have been done?

jcxmej said:
I dont think I have uninstalled safestrap with an app. I followed the instruction in this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2238341
This thread was started by me when I had problem with flashing ROMs in the stock slot using safestrap. Rikrong suggested I use Utility so that I go back to stock and start all over again. So I did. I guess thats how it should have been done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what I would suggest doing is going into SS via the app (not via recovery once the phone boots up) and click the uninstall button.
then, return to stock as rik suggested.... then root, then install TWRP, then you'll be able to slap on whatever ROM you like.

jco23 said:
what I would suggest doing is going into SS via the app (not via recovery once the phone boots up) and click the uninstall button.
then, return to stock as rik suggested.... then root, then install TWRP, then you'll be able to slap on whatever ROM you like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I did all that already just not by uninstalling SS. Now Im on CWM recovery. I was on SS one week back and then i followed the instructions by rik. I m having reboots ever since.

jcxmej said:
Actually I did all that already just not by uninstalling SS. Now Im on CWM recovery. I was on SS one week back and then i followed the instructions by rik. I m having reboots ever since.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking the combination of SS and CWM could be the issue.... try to get a clean fresh start would be best....

jco23 said:
I'm thinking the combination of SS and CWM could be the issue.... try to get a clean fresh start would be best....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats interesting. I dont see safe strap or the rom i was using with SS (energy rom). So then how can i erase SS and get a fresh start? I was assuming Matts Utility already did that for me and I was on a fresh start.

jcxmej said:
Thats interesting. I dont see safe strap or the rom i was using with SS (energy rom). So then how can i erase SS and get a fresh start? I was assuming Matts Utility already did that for me and I was on a fresh start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
safestrap could still be there if uninstalled incorrectly. trying re-installing it, then uninstall it within its own app. this worked for me.

jco23 said:
safestrap could still be there if uninstalled incorrectly. trying re-installing it, then uninstall it within its own app. this worked for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just installed SS and unnistalled it thru the app. I ll wait for any reboots before I reflash the ROM. Hope this works. (finger crossed)

urgent! stuck on splash!

hey all,
so i am incredibly new to this scene and just recieved my s4. i was preparing to flash a ROM onto my phone, and got it rooted and installed CWM.
I forgot to download the actual ROM zip file, and went into CWM via goo manager, wiped factory/data and cache. It was only AFTER i wiped everything that i realised i didnt download the ROM zip file, so i rebooted the phone and now it is stuck on the start-up splash screen where it displays "Samsung galaxy S4 GT-I9505" and will not continue :crying:
I was running on stock, and had only rooted the phone.
PLEASE i urgently need to fix this ASAP. Help!

Hi,
is there a Odin Version of the Rom you tried to flash? If yes, you could simply bring your device to download-mode and flash the Rom with Odin.
Alternatively search for a odin flashable Recovery and flash this first. Then you could boot to recovery and flash the zip of the Rom.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

i tried installing the liquid smooth rom, and from what i can see there is no odin version of the rom :\
Are you able to direct me to an Odin flashable recovery I can use?
im really stressing out about this
i'm in the process of downloading a stock firmware and will try to flash it on, but it's taking forever to download

I don't see why you can't boot again if you have only wiped the user data and cache, just press the home button for 10 seconds and see if it restarts with your reset stock firmware. Otherwise you can reboot into recovery and do the wipes again (not the option to install a new ROM), or put the ROM zip you want to flash on an SD card and then flash from the SD.
I hope this helps.

suwidji said:
hey all,
so i am incredibly new to this scene and just recieved my s4. i was preparing to flash a ROM onto my phone, and got it rooted and installed CWM.
I forgot to download the actual ROM zip file, and went into CWM via goo manager, wiped factory/data and cache. It was only AFTER i wiped everything that i realised i didnt download the ROM zip file, so i rebooted the phone and now it is stuck on the start-up splash screen where it displays "Samsung galaxy S4 GT-I9505" and will not continue :crying:
I was running on stock, and had only rooted the phone.
PLEASE i urgently need to fix this ASAP. Help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should of made a backup with CWM. That's what it's used for also, besides flashing .zips. Always make a backup that you can restore and keep an extra copy on ur computer and/or a usb drive.

You have to use Odin to flash a stock firmware from Sammobile website. Make sure you download the correct firmware for your phone.
Dont worry, your phone isn't brick.

when i first did the wipe, i chose the option that i was going to install a new ROM. I'm now assuming that's where i made a mistake.
I did make a backup before i wiped everything onto my SD card, but now i can't even access that backup because it's saying there's nothing.
I've tried flashing a ROM onto it, but it says aborted.

Yes SORF ist right. It should boot into resetted stock firmware.
First try to copy the Rom to SD and then boot to recovery an try flashing it.
If booting to recovery doesn't work (but it should work if you just wiped user data and cache) you should try flashing new recovery with odin.
You could use Philz recovery for GT-I9505 from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2281367
Installation Instructions for installation with odin you find here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=39433857&postcount=4

windozeanti said:
You have to use Odin to flash a stock firmware from Sammobile website. Make sure you download the correct firmware for your phone.
Dont worry, your phone isn't brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that's what I'm doing right now, but the file is about 1.8GB and taking so long to download...
i wish there was a faster server, but this is the only option i could find :\

Have you tried to boot into recovery again and then flash your already downloaded rom from sd? So you don't have to download a complete sammy rom.

j0ch3 said:
Have you tried to boot into recovery again and then flash your already downloaded rom from sd? So you don't have to download a complete sammy rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i have tried that, and it says that install aborts.
Also when i re-wipe everything and then try to reboot, it says my device is missing root.
When i try to re-root, and the device reboots, it gets stuck on the intro screen again so the root doesn't actually complete installing

have you fixed it yet?

so im going to try a different ROM other than the liquid smoothe one i wanted (since it keeps saying aborted)
question: does it matter if i use ANY s4 ROM regardless of carrier? I'm from Australia and there is no specific carrier for my phone on xda

Why does it fails to install? Are there any more error messages?
Also you can try the point "Fix Permissions" under Advanced Options. This could help.

suwidji said:
so im going to try a different ROM other than the liquid smoothe one i wanted (since it keeps saying aborted)
question: does it matter if i use ANY s4 ROM regardless of carrier? I'm from Australia and there is no specific carrier for my phone on xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try something lite like miui - it will save you time on download and is a good solid base to work from. dont flash the lite gapps without a reboot.
for a solid Sami based rom then i suggest using GoldenEye.

scottyf79 said:
try something lite like miui - it will save you time on download and is a good solid base to work from. dont flash the lite gapps without a reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so i went ahead and found the cyanogenmod one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317040
and installed this and it works
though i dont like the look of this ROM lol, i prefer something a little more stock looking.
Any recommendations?
When reflashing a new ROM, what is the process i need to follow?

Cyanogenmod is themeable. So you could search for a stock like theme and install that.
If you like an overall more stock rom try scottyf79's recommendation.
If you want to flash a complete new Rom first copy zip onto sd, then boot into recovery, wipe data and cache, then falsh zip file.

Try the Omega Roms. They are close to stock.
Closest to stock are the prerooted DJembey ROMs (the CWM ones) or the Wanam Lite ROM (it's what I am on now)

suwidji said:
ok so i went ahead and found the cyanogenmod one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317040
and installed this and it works
though i dont like the look of this ROM lol, i prefer something a little more stock looking.
Any recommendations?
When reflashing a new ROM, what is the process i need to follow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
personally -
i use Philz recovery
before install of a new rom - i use the "new rom" wipe option rather than the normal data,cache and dalvik wipe (it does this but adds in some extra steps)
then flash the rom of choice
if you get any other messages before reboot - select no
like i said before, if you want a stock looking Sami rom then try Golden Eye.

Try the Omega Roms. They are close to stock.
Closest to stock are the prerooted DJembey ROMs (the CWM ones) or the Wanam Lite ROM (it's what I am on now)

Major Problem using TWRP

Hey guys, I am not new to this scene and have been running, flashing, roms since the S2. Today I ran into a major problem I cant seem to fix. I am running TWRP 2.5.0.2, always have for about 4 months with no issues. Today I did a complete Titanium Backup + recovery backup of my rom. After that I wiped for a fresh new rom install and noticed the rom I placed onto my internal storage is not there (it was def there in its own folder but through TWRP its not there). No biggie right? Just mount USB storage and put it somewhere else that TWRP can get to, but then USB wont mount on Windows now. No biggie right? Ill just restore the rom, put it in another directory, then wipe and reflash. However none of my backups are showing up when I hit restore, I had like 3 backups and everything is gone.
At this point what do I do? I tried everything to mount usb from recovery but windows wont take it (win 7). Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

doesntmatterx said:
Hey guys, I am not new to this scene and have been running, flashing, roms since the S2. Today I ran into a major problem I cant seem to fix. I am running TWRP 2.5.0.2, always have for about 4 months with no issues. Today I did a complete Titanium Backup + recovery backup of my rom. After that I wiped for a fresh new rom install and noticed the rom I placed onto my internal storage is not there (it was def there in its own folder but through TWRP its not there). No biggie right? Just mount USB storage and put it somewhere else that TWRP can get to, but then USB wont mount on Windows now. No biggie right? Ill just restore the rom, put it in another directory, then wipe and reflash. However none of my backups are showing up when I hit restore, I had like 3 backups and everything is gone.
At this point what do I do? I tried everything to mount usb from recovery but windows wont take it (win 7). Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nevermind guys I was able to get around it by putting the SD card from my S4 into the S2 and putting the rom files into another location. Once that was done placed it back into the S4, booted into recovery and flashed it. (phew!)

doesntmatterx said:
Nevermind guys I was able to get around it by putting the SD card from my S4 into the S2 and putting the rom files into another location. Once that was done placed it back into the S4, booted into recovery and flashed it. (phew!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good:

xBeerdroiDx said:
:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it back, stuck in a boot loop even after 2 fresh ODIN unroot tasks. Nothing I do gets me out of this, been a long day getting longer now

Can anyone help? Been at it for hours, I have tried everything, phone still reboots at the Samsung logo (the bluish one )
Unrooted 3 times
Launched stock recovery, wiped factory reset
wiped partition cache
removed battery
Cannot connect to Kies for Emergency restore.

Did you do an internal 'sd card'/media data wipe?
Best bet would be to Odin back to stock and start from scratch:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
Then from there just use casual to root and install TWRP in one easy step and you're back:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2297900

seanpr123 said:
Did you do an internal 'sd card'/media data wipe?
Best bet would be to Odin back to stock and start from scratch:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
Then from there just use casual to root and install TWRP in one easy step and you're back:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2297900
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what I did, I was using Touchwiz and instead of doing a regular wipe I did a format and input "YES". I heard TW has major issues with this and thus screwed me up completely.
To add to my list above I tried this method and also did not work. http://androidfannetwork.com/2013/05/02/fix-your-soft-bricked-att-samsung-galaxy-s4/
Sean, I flashed from Odin like 3 times, how can I install TWRP if I cant get the phone to load up (boot loop)- Ill read up on casual. Thanks.

doesntmatterx said:
I know what I did, I was using Touchwiz and instead of doing a regular wipe I did a format and input "YES". I heard TW has major issues with this and thus screwed me up completely.
To add to my list above I tried this method and also did not work. http://androidfannetwork.com/2013/05/02/fix-your-soft-bricked-att-samsung-galaxy-s4/
Sean, I flashed from Odin like 3 times, how can I install TWRP if I cant get the phone to load up (boot loop)- Ill read up on casual. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you do a factory reset in the stock recovery after Odin? That'll usually get you past the boot loop.

Should I ODIN with the RE-Partition Option?

Just Odined again and no dice. I booted into stock recovery and noticed after wiping factory I get "Can't open /efs/log/boot_cause" which pointed me to this fix someone on the Galaxy note forum said they did and it worked but I dont understand the steps, need some elaboration.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=39523753&postcount=4

jd1639 said:
Did you do a factory reset in the stock recovery after Odin? That'll usually get you past the boot loop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep did that mulitple times, also did wipe cache partition in the same stock recovery. I get to the Samsung logo where the blue halo spins around the name, then it freezes there and reboots.

Hmm, never had to mess with EFS stuff on our phones before.
Did you make a backup ever in TWRP by chance?
Sorry if you tried the stock recovery options there's not much more I'm familiar with.
The good news is since you were able to Odin and get 3e back, you are technically warrantied again and could work with AT&T to get a new phone since your phone just stopped working out of the blue one day

seanpr123 said:
Hmm, never had to mess with EFS stuff on our phones before.
Did you make a backup ever in TWRP by chance?
Sorry if you tried the stock recovery options there's not much more I'm familiar with.
The good news is since you were able to Odin and get 3e back, you are technically warrantied again and could work with AT&T to get a new phone since your phone just stopped working out of the blue one day
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL thanks, yes I may have to do that. I had a backup and it was wiped.

Anyone have any suggestions at all? I can't be the only one who has had this boot-loop / partition problem without a fix... or maybe I am lol.

doesntmatterx said:
Anyone have any suggestions at all? I can't be the only one who has had this boot-loop / partition problem without a fix... or maybe I am lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try flashing using cwm. It'll probably work fine. Then you can go back to twrp. That's worked on other devices. Seems one you flash it once with cwm then twrp works from that point forward. Idk why

doesntmatterx said:
Anyone have any suggestions at all? I can't be the only one who has had this boot-loop / partition problem without a fix... or maybe I am lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did your odin flashes include the pit files ? Have you tried flashing twrp or cwm with odin?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app

jds3118 said:
Did your odin flashes include the pit files ? Have you tried flashing twrp or cwm with odin?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried flashing with a PIT file I found online but it fails through ODIN everytime. I tried on multiple versions of ODIN as well. I also cant seem to find readily available PIT files to test as well, (perhaps the one I used does not work). Also I did try to flash a CWM through ODIN but failed, but again there isnt anything that I have read that says "hey you can do this that way and it will work".
From what I understand I need to be rooted to install CWM or TWRP, and since I unrooted to try and fix the problem I cannot root myself through conventional methods. Everything I found online requires the phone to completely start up. (to the menu screen etc)

What stock firmware are you flashing with odin? I get firmware from sammobile.com. since you had a custom recovery I'm guessing you where on mdl firmware to start with.

jd1639 said:
What stock firmware are you flashing with odin? I get firmware from sammobile.com. since you had a custom recovery I'm guessing you where on mdl firmware to start with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never flashed a custom recovery through Odin < I can try that though, where can I get one? Im assuming this firmware will have root with CWM or TWRP?
Ive only flashed using official Samsung firmware from sammobile.com I tried both that are available for SGH-I337 with the PIT file as well and no dice.

doesntmatterx said:
I never flashed a custom recovery through Odin < I can try that though, where can I get one? Im assuming this firmware will have root with CWM or TWRP?
Ive only flashed using official Samsung firmware from sammobile.com I tried both that are available for SGH-I337 with the PIT file as well and no dice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know what firmware you were on? Was it mdl or mf3?

GT-I9505 Constantly restarting

Hi all
Got an I9505 on O2 and since lollipop update it restarted a few times by itself. Now it keeps going into a loop where it will restart and the home screen loads, you can use it for about 20-30 seconds and it will reboot again!
Initially when I researched I though it was an app problem but couldn't find the culprit. Then I took it into the Samsung repair centre and they said it needed a clean flash by them. This didn't work and they fitted a new mother board and this still hasn't worked.
I can say that it has twice happened when the Wifi hasn't been working properly so I have turned it off but other than that I have no idea!
Also I have tried rebooting into safe mode but it still does it, aaarrrggghhhh!!!
Any ideas where I can go from here please?
P

Return to kitkat if you can. Otherwise use a custom rom. These would be my suggestions. Since Samsung's repair couldn't fix it, warranty should not be a problem anymore.

Thanks, I am more than willing to try a Custom ROM. Any recommendations? And how easy is it as never done before!

PJBXDA said:
Thanks, I am more than willing to try a Custom ROM. Any recommendations? And how easy is it as never done before!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's fairly easy. Depending on what S4 model you have. Some models have a locked bootloader and that makes the whole thing trickier.
This is what I did:
1) Root with CF-Auto-Root. Thread here.
2) Backup all my apps.
3) Install a custom recovery (TWRP). Download and instructions here.
4) Flash custom rom. Most roms have their own instructions.
You can skip 1 and 2 if you don't want to backup.
Installing a custom recovery can be done using Odin. I recommend TWRP since it's the only one I've used.
Lollipop GPE rom. I've used this rom and didn't have any issues. CM12 seems a bit faster, but the GPE was more stable and bug-free.

Thanks I tried to install the CM12 before you posted using the instructions there but it failed, I assume that it needs to be rooted.

PJBXDA said:
Thanks I tried to install the CM12 before you posted using the instructions there but it failed, I assume that it needs to be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a custom recovery to install any rom. It doesn't matter if it's rooted or not.
Get a custom recovery. Get all the necessary zip files (rom, gapps, etc). Place all the zip files on the external sd card. Boot into the custom recovery. Wipe /data, /cache and /dalvik-cache.
Go to Install (if on TWRP), go to the location where you saved the downloaded rom zip and select it. The swipe the slider to begin flashing. Afterwards flash the gapps zip. Reboot.
Also, don't use the recovery posted in the CM12 thread. It was specially made by the dev and will convert your file system to f2fs. What it basically means is that it will wipe your internal storage completely.

GDReaper said:
You need a custom recovery to install any rom. It doesn't matter if it's rooted or not.
Get a custom recovery. Get all the necessary zip files (rom, gapps, etc). Place all the zip files on the external sd card. Boot into the custom recovery. Wipe /data, /cache and /dalvik-cache.
Thanks, doing that now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

PJBXDA said:
GDReaper said:
You need a custom recovery to install any rom. It doesn't matter if it's rooted or not.
Get a custom recovery. Get all the necessary zip files (rom, gapps, etc). Place all the zip files on the external sd card. Boot into the custom recovery. Wipe /data, /cache and /dalvik-cache.
Thanks, doing that now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the CF-Root page it says to open Odin and click on the PDA button but I cannot find a PDA button!
Edit: It is the AP button on the newer version!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

GDReaper said:
You need a custom recovery to install any rom. It doesn't matter if it's rooted or not.
Get a custom recovery. Get all the necessary zip files (rom, gapps, etc). Place all the zip files on the external sd card. Boot into the custom recovery. Wipe /data, /cache and /dalvik-cache.
Go to Install (if on TWRP), go to the location where you saved the downloaded rom zip and select it. The swipe the slider to begin flashing. Afterwards flash the gapps zip. Reboot.
Also, don't use the recovery posted in the CM12 thread. It was specially made by the dev and will convert your file system to f2fs. What it basically means is that it will wipe your internal storage completely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say go to install, do you mean install update... in the recovery menu? I do not have an install from zip option

PJBXDA said:
When you say go to install, do you mean install update... in the recovery menu? I do not have an install from zip option
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have a custom recovery installed. That is probably the stock recovery. You can't flash a rom using the stock recovery.
You absolutely need a custom recovery if you want to flash a custom rom.
Custom recoveries are: TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), CWM (ClockworkMod Recovery) and PhilZ Touch Recovery. Either one should work. But you necessarily need one.

GDReaper said:
You don't have a custom recovery installed. That is probably the stock recovery. You can't flash a rom using the stock recovery.
You absolutely need a custom recovery if you want to flash a custom rom.
Custom recoveries are: TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), CWM (ClockworkMod Recovery) and PhilZ Touch Recovery. Either one should work. But you necessarily need one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I have installed TWRP, then it asked me to install Busybox which I did. Tried to Install from Zip and it went back to the original recovery and now when I am trying to restart the phone I just get messages telling me things have stopped working (Google play, settings etc etc) and a black screen!
Currently factory resetting and will try again

PJBXDA said:
Thanks I have installed TWRP, then it asked me to install Busybox which I did. Tried to Install from Zip and it went back to the original recovery and now when I am trying to restart the phone I just get messages telling me things have stopped working (Google play, settings etc etc) and a black screen!
Currently factory resetting and will try again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow the link I gave you. They have several instrunctions on how to install TWRP. You can install TWRP with Odin too.
Here, There are 3 ways to install. Use Odin. It doesn't require root and should be the easier one. Just UNTICK auto-reboot in Odin before flashing. Once it's done, turn the phone off and use the key combo to get into TWRP recovery.

GDReaper said:
Follow the link I gave you. They have several instrunctions on how to install TWRP. You can install TWRP with Odin too.
Here, There are 3 ways to install. Use Odin. It doesn't require root and should be the easier one. Just UNTICK auto-reboot in Odin before flashing. Once it's done, turn the phone off and use the key combo to get into TWRP recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I am in, got through to the TWRP recovery and flashed the files but now I have a blue face with a pulsing white light behind it and have had for about 10 minutes. Any idea what is happening please?

PJBXDA said:
I think I am in, got through to the TWRP recovery and flashed the files but now I have a blue face with a pulsing white light behind it and have had for about 10 minutes. Any idea what is happening please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that's the CM12 logo. First boot after flashing always takes some time because the rom is configuring stuff.
If you still don't get into android, turn off the device and turn it on again. If you've done everything correctly there is no reason why it shouldn't boot.

GDReaper said:
I guess that's the CM12 logo. First boot after flashing always takes some time because the rom is configuring stuff.
If you still don't get into android, turn off the device and turn it on again. If you've done everything correctly there is no reason why it shouldn't boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is their logo but it seems to be taking forever, any idea how long a first boot should take?

PJBXDA said:
It is their logo but it seems to be taking forever, any idea how long a first boot should take?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shouldn't take that long. For me it always took under 5 minutes. Tell me exactly what you did.

GDReaper said:
It shouldn't take that long. For me it always took under 5 minutes. Tell me exactly what you did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did as you said, in the end I tried flashing the other GPE ROM and that has worked but I do not really like it. Trying the Cynogen again by downloading direct to the SD card and not copying it over. I want to say a very big thank you GDReaper for all your help, it is and has been very much appreciated.

PJBXDA said:
Did as you said, in the end I tried flashing the other GPE ROM and that has worked but I do not really like it. Trying the Cynogen again by downloading direct to the SD card and not copying it over. I want to say a very big thank you GDReaper for all your help, it is and has been very much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. You could try a different build. Or you could try a CM12 based rom. SaberMod worked fine for me. And it's the closest to the actual CM12 you can get.

GDReaper said:
No problem. You could try a different build. Or you could try a CM12 based rom. SaberMod worked fine for me. And it's the closest to the actual CM12 you can get.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers, I have CM12 up and running now. Downloaded the files straight to the SD card and they worked. Seems OK but might try others, how do I go about trying SaberMod, do I need to flash that? Sorry to keep asking what are no doubt pretty obvious questions but I'm pretty new to this!
Want to get rid of the google search box for starters!

PJBXDA said:
Cheers, I have CM12 up and running now. Downloaded the files straight to the SD card and they worked. Seems OK but might try others, how do I go about trying SaberMod, do I need to flash that? Sorry to keep asking what are no doubt pretty obvious questions but I'm pretty new to this!
Want to get rid of the google search box for starters!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SaberMod is a rom. SaberMod CM12.1.
They are very similar. The difference is how they tackle optimizations.
Yes, you will have to flash it. But you can also stick with normal CM12 if you don't have any issues.
The google search box from the home screen or the recents?
You can change the launcher to get rid of it from the home screen.
To remove it from the recents there is an option somewhere in the settings.