Database Users

[Q] "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue ....."

Hi there ... yes I've done something wrong and would like to try to fix it without going to Vodafail to get them to berate me.
I was trying to install PhilZ Touch recovery but was having trouble with Odin (1.85, and 3.07 I was trying) and finally gave up and just wanted to make a normal boot but the dreaded firmware message has come up.
I've had a quick search & read and it seems that I need to flash (with Odin) a new stock ROM.
It's getting late here so I'm not going to try anything more without a lot of advice and reading.
So any suggestions please?
I'm in Australia with Vodafone, phone is about two or three months old. i9505.

Cam you get into download mode? Turn it off then press home, power and volume down at the same time, if you can download a stock firmware for your device this can be found at Sam mobile. Then flash it with Odin. Always use the latest version.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

BillzillaAus said:
Hi there ... yes I've done something wrong and would like to try to fix it without going to Vodafail to get them to berate me.
I was trying to install PhilZ Touch recovery but was having trouble with Odin (1.85, and 3.07 I was trying) and finally gave up and just wanted to make a normal boot but the dreaded firmware message has come up.
I've had a quick search & read and it seems that I need to flash (with Odin) a new stock ROM.
It's getting late here so I'm not going to try anything more without a lot of advice and reading.
So any suggestions please?
I'm in Australia with Vodafone, phone is about two or three months old.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Stock firmwares are HERE
Try ODIN 3.04 as well

Thanks guys, I'm downloading http://www.hotfile.com/dl/227186782/ebf4c32/I9505XXUBMEA_I9505XSABME4_XSA.zip.html now and will try it when it's finished.
And yes the phone will go into download mode okay.
I also had a think about it last night and I'm not against putting a different ROM into it, any suggestions?

Okay trying to flash that rom with Odin failed.
Where do I go from here please? Like I mentioned, I'm more than happy to try a custom rom.

Hmmmm just tried flashing CWM recovery ..... that failed as well.
Help!!

Know its probably a stupid question but did you root the phone before trying to install Phillz recovery?
If not, try CF-Autoroot, then try Phillz recovery. If you can't get these flashed you may have corrupted your partition table. Here's a link to the PIT file you need - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265477 (Make sure you get the right one or you can say bye bye to your toy- I believe you should have an I9505)
Read this, then go and try again....
Cheers.... :good:

ultramag69 said:
Know its probably a stupid question but did you root the phone before trying to install Phillz recovery?
If not, try CF-Autoroot, then try Phillz recovery. If you can't get these flashed you may have corrupted your partition table. Here's a link to the PIT file you need - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265477 (Make sure you get the right one or you can say bye bye to your toy- I believe you should have an I9505)
Read this, then go and try again....
Cheers.... :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep I flashed CF-Autoroot a couple of months ago without too many problems, I'll try it again.
Which version of Odin should be best to use?

Ah! Flashing the pit file thingy did it, THANKS!!!

BillzillaAus said:
Ah! Flashing the pit file thingy did it, THANKS!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, just remember though that flashing the pit file is no small thing... If that stuffs up or you have a corrupt pit file you can actually hard brick your device... It really is the final step before giving it back to Samsung to fix...
Glad it all worked out and cheers....:good:

Yes I'll try to not need to do that again!

[Q] Odin Error

i used the exe og legija to recover my i9505 so i can boot in download mode but
when i install an official firmware with pit thru odin after the flash is pass success the i9505 is dead again ...
any idea?? In the phone when start flashing is appear 3 lines in red saying:
START [240,1440]
BAR [240,1440]
END [240,1440]
any help plz thx

You are in the wrong forum. This one is for the S4 Active and its European counterpart. Sounds like you have a regular S4 as we cannot yet flash ROMs on our S4 Active phones.

No , you're in the wrong forum dude
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium HD app

Miami_Son said:
You are in the wrong forum. This one is for the S4 Active and its European counterpart. Sounds like you have a regular S4 as we cannot yet flash ROMs on our S4 Active phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure this is the regular S4 section
Sent from my Googley Sammy Jellybean

tatperson said:
I'm pretty sure this is the regular S4 section
Sent from my Googley Sammy Jellybean
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is, now that a mod moved the thread.

yes is an european s4 i9505
yes i am from spain this s4 i9505 is european version, from vodafone, in odin when i start download mode it says wrie protection enable and when flashing it sen the messages i say above. i use the pit and the stock fw, in odin it says it pass and all succesfull but when i try to power the phone it dont boot, and goes in qualcom mode. also when i enter in download mode at star says phone coud not do normal bot in red, like that:
could not do normal boot
odin mode
product name : i9505
Current binary sumsung oficial
System status: Custom
CSB-OEM_CONFIG _FILES_SYS: 0x30
write protection : enable

We need to know exactly what you've done to the phone in the order you've done it - firmware which was originally on the phone, any OTA updates, exactly what you flashed/in what order, what happened to the phone that made you need to Odin flash it.
Little details will be important so far as getting your phone up & running as soon as possible goes, I.E the less details you give the longer it's going to take for that to happen

MistahBungle said:
We need to know exactly what you've done to the phone in the order you've done it - firmware which was originally on the phone, any OTA updates, exactly what you flashed/in what order, what happened to the phone that made you need to Odin flash it.
Little details will be important so far as getting your phone up & running as soon as possible goes, I.E the less details you give the longer it's going to take for that to happen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi, is a friend phone, he flashes with odin to install 4.3 custom(i don't know what custom he use) it fails and he brick the phone, can't no enter in recovery and can't enter in download mode, also the phone no power on, when he let me the phone for repair. Know i can enter in download mode.
First of all i try to flash a new rom custom but it says no pit partition. Then i download from sammobile a stock rom of vodafone and the pit file for the S4 i9505, i flash it with pit and the stock official rom of the terminal (re-partition mark,f.reset time mark, and autoreebot mark). Odin end and say pass. but when i try to power on the phone go again into a brick (phone, can't no enter in recovery and can't enter in download mode, also the phone no power on). i use odin 3.07 , 3.09 and 1.85 i got this versions and i try some configurations like unmark re-partition,and unmark autoreboot with the same problem. (He turn un qualcome mode). i also try to install a new recovery and the same syntoms. also when i flash any thing the phone goes to the same status all ok but no power on, no recovery and no download mode.

any ideas???

[Q] DOWNLOAD mode N9005 - 4.4.2 - UDC START?

I'm installing the new firmware but i had an issue with odin...
I flashed again 4.4.2 but in download mode, the last line you can see " UDC START" in colour red... Is this normal? I think the phone works good, but i don't know why put on this...
Anyone have this new line??

I have the same problem with a N9005 I guess it was Hong Kong version for the kanjis in the back, but is stuck in odin mode with the UDC START line

UDC Start info.
Ok gent's little more knowledge about "udc start" I am guessing that the problem became clear as you installed 4.4.2 KK.
So did I and came across UDC Start the second time I booted into download mode.
As I played around i became aware that the "UDC Start" mode locks the download loader to certain criteria. This would be 4.4.2 KK,
so anything under 4.4.2 will get a MASSIVE RED FAIL. That including the CWR/TWRP recoveries and ROOT files.
So just to specify, yes phone is now locked/bricked to 4.4.2 KK software only.
Therefore I would please like some help to get the udc start away!? If anyone can help.
If I shared some light to the darkness please say thanks.:good:

Try this out:
Worked for me on a Hong Kong 16GB N9005 which was stuck on the 'Samsung Galaxy Note 3' screen after getting a 'Invalid: ext4 image' or 'Repartioning failed' errors while installing 4.4.2 OFFICIAL (Single File ROM) via Odin.
Binary: Custom
Knox: 0x1
Method:​
In Odin mode
1. Flash the latest cf-autoroot (Kitkat support) [http://download.chainfire.eu/352/CF-...x-smn9005.zip]
2. Flash the Chenglu's latest CWM - 6.0.4.6 (the one that supports KitKat) http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2454079
Download Sweet Rom and place it in ExtSDcard (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2487425)
I tried external sd-card with various format and could not install the ROM. After format my SD Card to FAT32, the ROM can be installed.
On Device
1. Boot in to Recovery mode by Volume up + Home + Power
2. Wipe Factory reset / Dalvik Cache
3. Format /System (under "mount and storage" menu) [IMPORTANT STEP]
4. Install Rom from SD Card
5. Say your prayer. You'll need it. (The installation could take sometimes. If the device screen shows Samsung boot animation, you're half way there)

How is that going to take away the udc start?

I have UDC Start in Odin/Download mode... It hasn't affected my flashing of custom ROMs nor Stock, everyone on KK has it.

Ok, but why if i try to install a previous version of TW rom 4.3 i get a massive fail?
But all the rest works?
Thanx in regards.

FdeKlerk said:
Ok, but why if i try to install a previous version of TW rom 4.3 i get a massive fail?
But all the rest works?
Thanx in regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because you are locked into the new Bootloader (NA6) and it's unable to downgrade

So I am guessing there is no way to downgrade the boot-loader without unlocking it?

FdeKlerk said:
So I am guessing there is no way to downgrade the boot-loader without unlocking it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no way full stop. Samsung have blocked downgrades within the bootloader itself.

Wow now that's some sort of a problem.
My 4.4.2 works but i love xposed modules to make everything transparent and as of yet kitkat does not support that.
And now i a stuck on 4.4.2..
But thanx for the assist.:good:

Same Problem with E330s
ManuH8 said:
I'm installing the new firmware but i had an issue with odin...
I flashed again 4.4.2 but in download mode, the last line you can see " UDC START" in colour red... Is this normal? I think the phone works good, but i don't know why put on this...
Anyone have this new line??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. I have a unrooted SHV-E330 (I9506 to some) I was running the unrooted firmware and updating with Kies up until yesterday when the update to came up. I ran it as with every other update however on self rebooting the phone now goes to ODIN MODE (in red) and UDC Start (in red) i'm a root virgin and was happy with the phone running as it was AnTU TU score 36118 with the Korean bloatware running in the background. From what I have picked up after 4.3 firmware update to 4.4.2 there is no going back. I tired to root with earlier versions of firmware but get fail every time. I Picked up a zip SKT-E330SKSUCNA7 wich goes as far as checking the MD5 file successfully in Odin 3 v3.09. everywhere I look on the web it states the com box should be yellow however mine is blue.
After MD5 successful I get leave CS. I click start I get 'Get PIT for mapping. There id no PIT partion followed by a red box and the'FAIL!' box with 'all threads completed Failed 1.
I have never rooted a phone and a buff mentioned that I will not regret it. I figure thart i'm doing something wrong as there was no PIT file with the firmware.
On first trying a firmware recovery in Kies because the phone is stuck In ODIN MODE it will not recognise the phone even though the USB drivers are installed.
If their is a person out there that could talk me through rooting trough the stuck ODIN MODE I would appreciate contact.
I gather that I have no choice but to try ODIN MODE on phone as that's where the phone is stuck. Removing battery etc has been tried to death.

summan971 said:
Hi. I have a unrooted SHV-E330 (I9506 to some) I was running the unrooted firmware and updating with Kies up until yesterday when the update to came up. I ran it as with every other update however on self rebooting the phone now goes to ODIN MODE (in red) and UDC Start (in red) i'm a root virgin and was happy with the phone running as it was AnTU TU score 36118 with the Korean bloatware running in the background. From what I have picked up after 4.3 firmware update to 4.4.2 there is no going back. I tired to root with earlier versions of firmware but get fail every time. I Picked up a zip SKT-E330SKSUCNA7 wich goes as far as checking the MD5 file successfully in Odin 3 v3.09. everywhere I look on the web it states the com box should be yellow however mine is blue.
After MD5 successful I get leave CS. I click start I get 'Get PIT for mapping. There id no PIT partion followed by a red box and the'FAIL!' box with 'all threads completed Failed 1.
I have never rooted a phone and a buff mentioned that I will not regret it. I figure thart i'm doing something wrong as there was no PIT file with the firmware.
On first trying a firmware recovery in Kies because the phone is stuck In ODIN MODE it will not recognise the phone even though the USB drivers are installed.
If their is a person out there that could talk me through rooting trough the stuck ODIN MODE I would appreciate contact.
I gather that I have no choice but to try ODIN MODE on phone as that's where the phone is stuck. Removing battery etc has been tried to death.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone does not have a pit file on it. Odin downloads the pit file from the phone to make sure that all the partitions are correctly flashed.
Try ticking the 'Re-partition' box in odin while flashing. Though I don't really think it will help, because your single file ROM most probably does not contain the pit.
Your best bet is to find somebody else with the same model as you, and get a pit from them.
PS- You are in the wrong forums.

[COLOR=[/COLOR]
feralfire said:
your phone does not have a pit file on it. Odin downloads the pit file from the phone to make sure that all the partitions are correctly flashed.
Try ticking the 're-partition' box in odin while flashing. Though i don't really think it will help, because your single file rom most probably does not contain the pit.
Your best bet is to find somebody else with the same model as you, and get a pit from them.
Ps- you are in the wrong forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do not tick re-partition without having a pit file, you will get a brick.
Feralfire, you just broke the first law of flashing with ODIN... If you don't know what to do then don't say anything...

Thanks for caring XDA developers - i fixed it
FeralFire said:
Your phone does not have a pit file on it. Odin downloads the pit file from the phone to make sure that all the partitions are correctly flashed.
Try ticking the 'Re-partition' box in odin while flashing. Though I don't really think it will help, because your single file ROM most probably does not contain the pit.
Your best bet is to find somebody else with the same model as you, and get a pit from them.
PS- You are in the wrong forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks for the response the same day I managed to fix the problem a hour ago after 24 hours of banging my head on a wall.
I uninstalled all software including Odin remembering that ODIN MODE was the only option. most of the Boot Operating system was in Korean.
I followed a you tube guide from another root and noticed that although ODIN MODE and UDC start are new (according to other forums) that the other information insinuated that the screen I was looking at was also the download mode.
I reinstalled Kies and rather than asking me for the emergency recovery code it reset and was asking for the Model and serial number. After which it stated it could not recover the device only reinstall the stock firmware. I selected OK. the phone came back to life and reinstalled all data from cloud.
now on 4.4.2 and still thinking about rooting
however I must warn anyone that comes across the unlocker website that states its mod allows for E330S root. that clockwork mod does not cater for E330S.

ultramag69 said:
[COLOR=[/COLOR]
do not tick re-partition without having a pit file, you will get a brick.
Feralfire, you just broke the first law of flashing with ODIN... If you don't know what to do then don't say anything...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Au contraire, I have done a lot of research on pit file and played around a lot. Check out my threads.
If you tick re-partition without having a pit, it just gives you an error. Maybe in the olden days, it might have been an issue (I haven't always been a Samsung guy), but definitely not now.

FeralFire said:
Au contraire, I have done a lot of research on pit file and played around a lot. Check out my threads.
If you tick re-partition without having a pit, it just gives you an error. Maybe in the olden days, it might have been an issue (I haven't always been a Samsung guy), but definitely not now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If so, then make sure they know which version of ODIN to use as this is the fastest way to kill a phone I know...
Right from the very first this was a cardinal sin but then you didn't have a phone anymore or much sympathy either... But to tell a noob to do this was in effect saying "put your phone in front of a steamroller, it'll be ok after its gone over it a couple of times"...

ultramag69 said:
If so, then make sure they know which version of ODIN to use as this is the fastest way to kill a phone I know...
Right from the very first this was a cardinal sin but then you didn't have a phone anymore or much sympathy either... But to tell a noob to do this was in effect saying "put your phone in front of a steamroller, it'll be ok after its gone over it a couple of times"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He was using 3.09. Don't overcomplicate things.
But anyway, I apologize for making people put their phones in front of 20 ton vehicles.

re Pit File
FeralFire said:
Your phone does not have a pit file on it. Odin downloads the pit file from the phone to make sure that all the partitions are correctly flashed.
Try ticking the 'Re-partition' box in odin while flashing. Though I don't really think it will help, because your single file ROM most probably does not contain the pit.
Your best bet is to find somebody else with the same model as you, and get a pit from them.
PS- You are in the wrong forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found this KS01LTE_KOR_SKT_32G.pit and ran it in Odin running download mode and it worked. It appears there are several Korean versions of the right ROM and unless the right rom is used flash in odin does not work.
I'm starting to sound like i know what i'm talking about!

summan971 said:
I found this KS01LTE_KOR_SKT_32G.pit and ran it in Odin running download mode and it worked. It appears there are several Korean versions of the right ROM and unless the right rom is used flash in odin does not work.
I'm starting to sound like i know what i'm talking about!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The different ROMs must have different pits. That would explain why only some specific ones work.
Anyway, congratulations.

[Q] Help finding a specific stock ROM - i9505

Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster
I've been experimenting with a spare i9505 that I have, flashing roms etc (it was having serious wifi issues so I was trying to fix it)
However something's gone wrong and I now have the 'Firmware upgrade experienced an issue' screen, and Knox Warranty is 0x1. I don't really care about it as it's a spare, but I'd like to flash a ROM to it so that it at least works.
I'm not exactly a power user when it comes to this stuff, more an 'enthusiastic amateur'. I followed instructions in a similar thread to flash TWRP and use that to Advanced Wipe before flashing a new ROM, which I've done, but the threads I've found feature loads of ROMs and I don't know which one to use. I found a couple that I tried to use, but Odin is failing every time and SW Rev Check Fail pops up on the screen, which I believe (from more lurking!) means I'm trying to use the wrong firmware.
Was hoping someone here could point me in the right direction!
Just to recap the phone status:
- S4 i9505
- UK based (came from Vodafone if that matters?)
- Firmware update encountered an issue
- Knox Warranty Void 0x1
- Previously running 4.2.2
Thanks guys

Knox warranty void cannot be recoverd till now
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

aayushkhajuria2842 said:
Knox warranty void cannot be recoverd till now
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not worried about the warranty, I've read up on it and I know that's a lost cause. I just want the phone to work really as it's currently displaying 'Firmware update encountered an issue' on boot. I only mention the 0x1 thing as from my research I understand that it limits you in terms of what ROMs you can install, meaning I would need a particular one to get the phone working again.
Thanks!

Then install stock firmware via odin first
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

aayushkhajuria2842 said:
Then install stock firmware via odin first
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... That's kinda the point of my post. I know what I need to do, I just don't know which file to use.
For example, this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2250824 has a bunch of stock firmware files, but I don't know which one I would need to download, for my specific circumstance.

What firmware u tried to install? If u tried to install android 4.3 or android 4.4.2 maybe ur bootloader is updated and u cant flash android 4.2.2. Give us more info :fingers-crossed:

Joku1981 said:
What firmware u tried to install? If u tried to install android 4.3 or android 4.4.2 maybe ur bootloader is updated and u cant flash android 4.2.2. Give us more info :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was worried that might be the case.
OK so I've tried two md5 files so far:
I9505XXUBMGA_I9505OXXBMG3_I9505XXUBMGA_HOME.tar.md5
I9505XXUFNB8_I9505BTUFNB3_I9505XXUFNB8_HOME.tar.md5
To PROPERLY go back and re-cap from beginning...
- Phone was stock, wi-fi didn't work (worked for a bit, then cut off and wouldn't come back on)
- Ran CyanogenMod Installer to update and hopefully fix the issue
- Install was successful but didn't fix wi-fi issues
- Used Odin to flash the 2nd md5 listed above, went back to stock but wi-fi still didn't work
- Tried to flash the 1st md5 listed above, didn't work and must have errored at some point as now I get that 'Firmware upgrade encountered an issue' message.
- Looked up the issue in a thread on here, followed instructions to flash TWRP, boot into Recovery > Wipe > Advanced wiping everything bar last two options, and then 'install your stock recovery firmware'
Only issue I have now, I don't know which file that is As I say the last two I tried (above) give me the SW Rev error, so they're clearly incorrect.
I don't care about warranty, and I don't care about root either really... just want the phone to work again, even on stock!

Well. Step by step:
- You will have to WIPE all
- If the phone is branded to Vodafone is one thing, if not is other.
- I let u the correct firmware for ur phone with Vodafone: HERE or HERE
- If ur phone is unbranded the correct firmware is: HERE
- Download it and flash it through ODIN
- If u have problems with ODIN, paste it here and good luck :highfive:

Awesome! Thanks man, the phone came from Vodafone initially but I don't think it's branded (no logos on the phone, no Vodafone logo on boot)
I'm downloading both just to make sure. Will let you know results ASAP! Thanks again :good:

need help guys at&t s4 brick. desperately

hi xda guys this is my story
i have an at&t samsung s4 on android 4.2 i have tried to update it via wifi to 4.4
but no use. a message appear say's " your device is up to date "
i have tied "loki way" it failed
i have tried "odin tool way' it failed it won't complete the process
i have tried samsung kais it fail's too a message says no update for this device
***** i managed to root the device
and then i found the safestrap apk i have insert the TWRP recovery
i have made a backup in case something go's wrong
and i have tries to flash a clean google s4 4.4.4 rom
**** and then the the phone stuck of samsung logo and vibrate often .the TWRP is lost
**** i have tried to recover the the via samsung kias it made it wors
now it have message "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again"
i have tried via odin using the official firmware that i have downloaded. but did not work also
i have tried the kais recovery mode but i did not get the recovery code
help my friend what should i do
nead you help desperately

When you try Odin what fails? Are you using the mdl firmware? I assume you're on MDL? You haven't updated the firmware?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
When you try Odin what fails? Are you using the mdl firmware? I assume you're on MDL? You haven't updated the firmware?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every time I have had and issue with a ROM or forget to flash loki I have no issues just ODIN back to 4.2.2 MDL. I say try it again.

MF3
jd1639 said:
When you try Odin what fails? Are you using the mdl firmware? I assume you're on MDL? You haven't updated the firmware?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes my friend
the device firmware ends with MF3
i think it's MDL
it had a 4.2.2 official firmware
but i tried ti flash this rom using safestrap recovery : "GalaxyS4-CWM-6.0.4.4-GT-i9505.tar"
after that my device stuck in samsung logo screen with vibration
i hop hear from you soon

myounis said:
yes my friend
the device firmware ends with MF3
i think it's MDL
it had a 4.2.2 official firmware
but i tried ti flash this rom using safestrap recovery : "GalaxyS4-CWM-6.0.4.4-GT-i9505.tar"
after that my device stuck in samsung logo screen with vibration
i hop hear from you soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YOU DONT FLASH .tar files in recovery ........... i9505 is not your device i337 is yours .. No wonder it bricked ...
this will unbrick your phone FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS Exactly ... If you are on MF3 your bootloader is locked
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663545
It in the second post ..Full Nb1 update .. Or Mk2 which ever you desire
GalaxyS4-CWM-6.0.4.4-GT-i9505.tar This is not a ROM its a recovery .. I suggest reading a lot more before proceeding .. Your device has a locked bootloader if firmware is MF3 ... Read the Q/A and much more it will save you a ton of time .. You need to flash device specific roms and recoveries else you are gonna crash and burn
If you are on MF3 like you said then you can only flash Safestrap compatible roms .. I need a little more info ???

myounis said:
yes my friend
the device firmware ends with MF3
i think it's MDL
it had a 4.2.2 official firmware
but i tried ti flash this rom using safestrap recovery : "GalaxyS4-CWM-6.0.4.4-GT-i9505.tar"
after that my device stuck in samsung logo screen with vibration
i hop hear from you soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are on mf3 firmware. Flashing the mdl firmware won't work. That's the problem you're having. I would recommend you upgrade and flash the nb1 tar file. Read this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53758227
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

spirodave said:
YOU DONT FLASH .tar files in recovery ........... i9505 is not your device i337 is yours .. No wonder it bricked ...
this will unbrick your phone FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS Exactly ... If you are on MF3 your bootloader is locked
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2663545
It in the second post ..Full Nb1 update .. Or Mk2 which ever you desire
GalaxyS4-CWM-6.0.4.4-GT-i9505.tar This is not a ROM its a recovery .. I suggest reading a lot more before proceeding .. Your device has a locked bootloader if firmware is MF3 ... Read the Q/A and much more it will save you a ton of time .. You need to flash device specific roms and recoveries else you are gonna crash and burn
If you are on MF3 like you said then you can only flash Safestrap compatible roms .. I need a little more info ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes my friend
sorry my misstake i have flashed this room : Danvdh-GE-4.4.4-07172014.zip

And it works--

rugmankc said:
And it works--
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no my friend this rom made my device bootloop / brick
samsung logo only with vibration
***
i think onid is the answer
can any one link me an MF3 stock rom
to try??!!
i can't not find any

I think you missed something--
You can't run aosp roms at all
On MF3 only 4.3 afaik
As mentioned do a lot of reading in those threads before going on--saves headaches--:good:
Best would be to upgrade to NB1, those instructions are in those threads too--:good:

myounis said:
no my friend this rom made my device bootloop / brick
samsung logo only with vibration
***
i think onid is the answer
can any one link me an MF3 stock rom
to try??!!
i can't not find any
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im gonna save you a bunch of time ................You are on MF3 ...Your BootLoader is locked ... You can only flash Safe Strap Roms aka HyperDrive or GoldenEye based off stock .. You can only use safestrap to install recovery ... Anything else will render your device useless.
Check the General Section ... Send you a link isn't gonna help ... You need to read multiple threads ...CHECK THE GENERAL SECTION
LOCKED BOOTLOADER= NO AOSP ROMS = ONLY ROMS BASED OFF STOCK
LOOK FOR A THREAD IN THE GENERAL SECTION CALLED DEBRICK

thank for you help all
i have fix it
i have download this link :
https://mega.co.nz/#!WEEzSA7Z!aB46731_AwM7P83eMdDlmFYd1hUZfFBcQAZjc1X7wAE
from
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2502003
and flash it with oden
what a relief
:highfive:

myounis said:
thank for you help all
i have fix it
i have download this link :
https://mega.co.nz/#!WEEzSA7Z!aB46731_AwM7P83eMdDlmFYd1hUZfFBcQAZjc1X7wAE
from
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2502003
and flash it with oden
what a relief
:highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good::good::good:

Same issue but mk2 has me struggling
Sorry to hijack, but I didn't want to start a new thread on this same issue.
I have the AT&T S4 i337 , running MK2. I bought it used, and every time it boots up it shows "safestrap disabled" with 2 buttons below: recovery or system. Recovery button takes you to the TWRP recovery, the other button boots the phone. The phone worked well but the stock rom and bloat were killing me (my previous phones were rooted Epic and Relay). I wanted to root and flash a custom ROM but I wasn't aware of the locked bootloader and mk2/mf3 issues with this phone. Now I am soft bricked, and I've tried many ways to fix (odin, recovery flash,adb ), but it always fails. Here is my path, and what I've tried:
1. I rooted using Saferoot.
2. Tried to flash Philz Touch CWM from SD card in recovery (1st BIG mistake). Didn't work, but didn't brick either.
3. I saw guut13's index and ran backups on twrp recovery and on kies.
4. decided to update (before proceeding with a new rom). tried to OTA update, but it failed.
5. tried to install nb1 (stock odin tar) using heimdall (it couldn't find pit file) and odin (failed to complete write).
6. unrooted (hoping to fix update issues) and then tried Kies firmware upgrade. This process hung and I had to force quit. And thus began the soft brick.
This pattern repeated a few times:
7. flash stock mf3 tar with odin [Complete(Write) operation failed]
8. odin'd mk2 tar , then md1, then mf3 again, all fail to complete write.
9. Phone freezes and will only go into download mode (or bootloop).
10. the ONLY thing that odin can flash is a mj9 recovery file (sometimes). then recovery comes up, I wipe dalvik/cache/system (everything but the sd card) and fix permissions.
11. rinse and repeat. lol
12. I find a jflte pit file that will flash by odin.
13. I start trying stock tars again in odin, hoping the pit helps. same failure.
14. tried to odin an entire mf3 package (bootloader, modem, csc, the works). still same write fail.
15. the only file that flashes other than the pit, is a stock mk2 recovery file.
16. tried to slip a stock mk2 rom zip on my sd and flash from there... failed.
17. installed sdk and tried to sideload, but my computer won't recognize my S4. also can't run adb shell. (yes, i installed the platform tools, and opened prompt window from inside the platform tools folder). {perhaps my vmware fusion (Win8) running on my mac (OS 10.9) is causing a port id issue, but odin connects easily every time....hmm....}
18. Tried rubbing the phone against my head and laughing while trying not to cry, softly whispering "I hate your soul...."
19. Tried 5 different usb cables, including 2 blackberry cables that always connect other samsungs to odin.
20. tried factory reset thru stock recovery , which I can still reach by booting and holding volume up. odd note, this recovery says "i337ucufnb1".
So, I have tried odin-flashing every stock rom for i337 (mdl-nc1), but odin fails to write complete, and my phone says "bar 240, 400" or "sw rev check fail".
What can I try next? I can only think maybe to try using a different PC (not easy since I don't know anyone here but mac users) or smashing the phone under my tire..... would uninstalling safestrap help? I feel like theres a confilct between the stock nb1 recovery and safestrap..... but I can't get in the adb shell to delete it.
anyone had these write fails with odin before? I have always thought no matter what happens, I could always factory wipe and start over with a stock rom in odin, but now, the locksmith says no dice.
Thanks for any advice, I am sure I've forgotten a few details, but I hope I gave enough info for those who wish to assist. Thanks.

I would try to find a Windows pc and flash the nb1 tar in Odin
I'm assuming you're using this but if not it's what you want http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50912149
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
I would try to find a Windows pc and flash the nb1 tar in Odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, 4 years ago I had trouble getting virtual pc's to let my mac and epic both speak odin. But I thought now that they connect easily (and flash pits and some recovery with no prob) it was a better match (as in , vmware's Windows 8, running on a 2.8ghz macbook pro).
What stinks is I have a real pc (old tower running xp) for exactly this purpose, but I never got a licensed version of windows on it and the crap I got off torrents doesnt work anymore. I hate the thought of buying a crap PC OS that I will only use once every 3 years.

Epiclectic said:
yeah, 4 years ago I had trouble getting virtual pc's to let my mac and epic both speak odin. But I thought now that they connect easily (and flash pits and some recovery with no prob) it was a better match (as in , vmware's Windows 8, running on a 2.8ghz macbook pro).
What stinks is I have a real pc (old tower running xp) for exactly this purpose, but I never got a licensed version of windows on it and the crap I got off torrents doesnt work anymore. I hate the thought of buying a crap PC OS that I will only use once every 3 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, my 16 year old has a crap Mac now all he ever uses is my crap Windows pc to play his games. Go figure.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
Yea, my 16 year old has a crap Mac now all he ever uses is my crap Windows pc to play his games. Go figure.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For a wide selection of games (and upgradable graphics), PC has a definite edge over Mac. PC also has the advantage of being cheaper to buy and upgrade. If I were going to game all day or outfit 50+ employee workstations, PC would be the obvious choice. But for day to day, I still like the way Mac works, hands down. (Tho as PC improves, and Mac continues dumbing down for the masses, this gap is starting to shrink, much like the import vs domestic car market.)
If my old PC tower could run Win8, I would just buy a licensed copy and use that for Odin. But I'm pretty sure it's maxed out at xp, tho it might run vista really slowly, lol. My other option is to try bootcamp to boot up my macbook as an actual Win8 PC, but if that doesnt solve the Odin issues, then I've spent money on a microsoft product I can't even use. I like android phones' customizing options and layout better than iphone (no back button? wtf? lol), so unless android starts making latop OS, I guess I'm stuck in this Mac/android limbo...

Epiclectic said:
Sorry to hijack, but I didn't want to start a new thread on this same issue.
I have the AT&T S4 i337 , running MK2. I bought it used, and every time it boots up it shows "safestrap disabled" with 2 buttons below: recovery or system. Recovery button takes you to the TWRP recovery, the other button boots the phone. The phone worked well but the stock rom and bloat were killing me (my previous phones were rooted Epic and Relay). I wanted to root and flash a custom ROM but I wasn't aware of the locked bootloader and mk2/mf3 issues with this phone. Now I am soft bricked, and I've tried many ways to fix (odin, recovery flash,adb ), but it always fails. Here is my path, and what I've tried:
1. I rooted using Saferoot.
2. Tried to flash Philz Touch CWM from SD card in recovery (1st BIG mistake). Didn't work, but didn't brick either.
3. I saw guut13's index and ran backups on twrp recovery and on kies.
4. decided to update (before proceeding with a new rom). tried to OTA update, but it failed.
5. tried to install nb1 (stock odin tar) using heimdall (it couldn't find pit file) and odin (failed to complete write).
6. unrooted (hoping to fix update issues) and then tried Kies firmware upgrade. This process hung and I had to force quit. And thus began the soft brick.
This pattern repeated a few times:
7. flash stock mf3 tar with odin [Complete(Write) operation failed]
8. odin'd mk2 tar , then md1, then mf3 again, all fail to complete write.
9. Phone freezes and will only go into download mode (or bootloop).
10. the ONLY thing that odin can flash is a mj9 recovery file (sometimes). then recovery comes up, I wipe dalvik/cache/system (everything but the sd card) and fix permissions.
11. rinse and repeat. lol
12. I find a jflte pit file that will flash by odin.
13. I start trying stock tars again in odin, hoping the pit helps. same failure.
14. tried to odin an entire mf3 package (bootloader, modem, csc, the works). still same write fail.
15. the only file that flashes other than the pit, is a stock mk2 recovery file.
16. tried to slip a stock mk2 rom zip on my sd and flash from there... failed.
17. installed sdk and tried to sideload, but my computer won't recognize my S4. also can't run adb shell. (yes, i installed the platform tools, and opened prompt window from inside the platform tools folder). {perhaps my vmware fusion (Win8) running on my mac (OS 10.9) is causing a port id issue, but odin connects easily every time....hmm....}
18. Tried rubbing the phone against my head and laughing while trying not to cry, softly whispering "I hate your soul...."
19. Tried 5 different usb cables, including 2 blackberry cables that always connect other samsungs to odin.
20. tried factory reset thru stock recovery , which I can still reach by booting and holding volume up. odd note, this recovery says "i337ucufnb1".
So, I have tried odin-flashing every stock rom for i337 (mdl-nc1), but odin fails to write complete, and my phone says "bar 240, 400" or "sw rev check fail".
What can I try next? I can only think maybe to try using a different PC (not easy since I don't know anyone here but mac users) or smashing the phone under my tire..... would uninstalling safestrap help? I feel like theres a confilct between the stock nb1 recovery and safestrap..... but I can't get in the adb shell to delete it.
anyone had these write fails with odin before? I have always thought no matter what happens, I could always factory wipe and start over with a stock rom in odin, but now, the locksmith says no dice.
Thanks for any advice, I am sure I've forgotten a few details, but I hope I gave enough info for those who wish to assist. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my friend
if the mk2 is the same mf3
then download this link : https://mega.co.nz/#!WEEzSA7Z!aB46731_AwM7P83eMdDlmFYd1hUZfFBcQAZjc1X7wAE
more details here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2502003
place the 4 files in to odin
and flash them... it worked for me
and if not the same as mf3
look for mk2 ota update build from 4 files
it will reset you phone to factory firmware
i hop it will work for you

Epiclectic said:
For a wide selection of games (and upgradable graphics), PC has a definite edge over Mac. PC also has the advantage of being cheaper to buy and upgrade. If I were going to game all day or outfit 50+ employee workstations, PC would be the obvious choice. But for day to day, I still like the way Mac works, hands down. (Tho as PC improves, and Mac continues dumbing down for the masses, this gap is starting to shrink, much like the import vs domestic car market.)
If my old PC tower could run Win8, I would just buy a licensed copy and use that for Odin. But I'm pretty sure it's maxed out at xp, tho it might run vista really slowly, lol. My other option is to try bootcamp to boot up my macbook as an actual Win8 PC, but if that doesnt solve the Odin issues, then I've spent money on a microsoft product I can't even use. I like android phones' customizing options and layout better than iphone (no back button? wtf? lol), so unless android starts making latop OS, I guess I'm stuck in this Mac/android limbo...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Consider installing Win7. Licenses can be had cheaply or just install, use for couple days for Odin (before it license locks) then wipe...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk