Database Users

Little Overwhelmed

I just bought g tablet. I need some help on where to start.
I read below to use Z4 root:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/12/08/how-to-unleash-the-power-of-the-viewsonic-g-tablet-and-turn-it-into-the-best-performing-tablet-on-the-market/
Also read here that I have to set up ADB first then root with SuperOneClick
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209
Is it necessary to set up ADB? Can I just use Z4 root?
Android police say next step would be installing ROM like
Cyanogen 6.1, TnT Lite or ZenPad. Which one can be recommended?
I'm not sure what all this means I just want to follow some instructions to get this tablet working better.
Is there a way to back up before I try this so I can go back?
Sorry for all the questions but this is very new to me.
Thanks for any help.

I cannot figure out how to do anything

Start with the FAQ area, in my signature. It has information / links on the alternate ROM's available. They are rooted already and can be installed using the device's own firmware update process.

redwine4me said:
I cannot figure out how to do anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A little comfort knowing I'm not alone but I want to get it working. I need a tablet this size with flash so I can watch my movie at work

I was the same way with roebeet and a few others u will be savy in no time.
Make sure u get clockeorkmod 1st installed.
Partition ur sdcard and back up frequently. You can't break this thing with those things in hand I promise.
Purchase root explore and titanium backup for the rest.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Watch this video...it shows how to flash the firmware
LINK

cjbailey75 said:
I was the same way with roebeet and a few others u will be savy in no time.
Make sure u get clockeorkmod 1st installed.
Partition ur sdcard and back up frequently. You can't break this thing with those things in hand I promise.
Purchase root explore and titanium backup for the rest.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume I need to do root first, right?
Is there instruction somewhere for installing clockworkmod?
How do I partition the sdcard for this operation?
Thanks!

that video helped me greatly,now after doing this is there no return to the manufactures OS? And it is recommended to clear the cache and how is that done?

clockwork instruction is here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245

spykat said:
that video helped me greatly,now after doing this is there no return to the manufactures OS? And it is recommended to clear the cache and how is that done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can reflash back to the original OS, like if you needed to return it or something. Once you experience something different I promise you wont want to go back

precy76 said:
I assume I need to do root first, right?
Is there instruction somewhere for installing clockworkmod?
How do I partition the sdcard for this operation?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not a requirement to partition your card. I have not (at least not yet- unless forced to with a future rom) and have had the G for over a month now and went through all TnT versions.
Currently using TnT 2.20

The problem with the guide linked above (-http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245) is that I get stuck at step one. I simply cannot for whatever reason flash Clockwork Mod 0.8
It just gives me the giant EXCLAMATION MARK /!\ and doesn't do anything. I'm following the directions perfectly.
So is this an issue with hardware revisions or something? Because as far as I'm concerned this tablet is busted if the exact thing that works for all of you doesn't work for me.
EDIT: Finally found a different SD Card and it worked. Don't know why. The card that didn't work was a stock 1GB Sandisk, card that worked was a stock 512MB Sandisk. Weird.

You can install Clockwork and flash ROMs without rooting your tablet first. You also do NOT need an additional SDCARD in your device; I did ROMs several times before adding an SDCARD.
Your best bet is most likely TnT Lite, although VEGAn is fast becoming the best ROM available and it's still in beta.
-=Sent from my ViewSonic G Tablet (VEGAn) using Tapatalk=-

popezaphod said:
You can install Clockwork and flash ROMs without rooting your tablet first. You also do NOT need an additional SDCARD in your device; I did ROMs several times before adding an SDCARD.
Your best bet is most likely TnT Lite, although VEGAn is fast becoming the best ROM available and it's still in beta.
-=Sent from my ViewSonic G Tablet (VEGAn) using Tapatalk=-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If root is not needed to flash CW or roms why even bother rooting it?

dlike said:
If root is not needed to flash CW or roms why even bother rooting it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The roms root for you, so no manual root process. Putting CW on has a bunch of advantages.
Clear cache, data and Dalvik cache
Back up entire current rom and restore with it if problems
Fix permissions
Boot into usb storage mode and access internal space, even if device will not boot up.
Break out of boot loops
No complete need for recovery folder
That is some of the main reasons it is prudent to install it. Life line

dlike said:
If root is not needed to flash CW or roms why even bother rooting it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having root on the device is akin to having superuser/administrator rights on your home computer. It is necessary to have for the system administrative type applications you may want to use (e.g., TitaniumBackup) to help backup and restore your data / applications.

ok at first i was just like you guys did not know how to flash any ROM, or how the tablet actually did it or the necessary files needed at the required location, first off when you first connect the tablet to your pc gotta choose turn "turn on usb storage" on tablet, than go to "my computer"(where you see all your hard-drives) and open the new storage from the tablet there you will see a bunch of files ".android_secure,.br, android" etc,etc, there also should be a Folder called "Recovery" which contains the actual command that tells the tablet to do an update. inside there should a file labeled "command" and when you open it with "notepad" it should say "update_package=SDCARD:/update.zip" this what is going to tell the tablet to put a new ROM when you do the power up holding the power and the vol. + buttons, once you verified the "recovery command" is there, copy your "update.zip" folder to the same area where you see all those other "android" and "recovery" folders after that, power down, do the power up holding the power and vol. + until you see that it is replacing the ROM

Finally got my gtablet working with TnT lite, Market, Flash After getting confidence in doing this I then root my phone(Droid Increible) and install wireless tether so I can connect my gtablet to my phone. Thanks to XDA and the great members!

I have to say this is a nice upgrade from what it was out of the box, but my issue is spending 4 hundo on something I have to mod myself to make it work, because as it is now I have voided the warranty by doing this. Any other suggestion on tablets that are better than this?

we all feel you there..

Acer 500a Rooted and unable to update

I have an Acer 500a I just bought off carigslist. Initially I thought it would be fine but then I realized I was inheriting someone elses problems. I hope someone may be able to help.
Within the first few hours I was noticing google Play crashed a number of times and struggled to update from Market. Somehow the update went through but now there is a system update that won't go through. I'm able to down load it and when i restart the computer to complete installation the screen goes black and says: booting recovery kernel in the corner. I then see a picture of an android and a load bar which after 2-4 seconds the android is on his back and an exclaimation mark is coming out of his belly.
My android version is 3.2
Kernel version
2.6.36.3+
Build number
Acer_a500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2
I'm pretty sure its rooted and i think that might be why its not playing nice with google market and system updates. I called the old owner and explained the problem and he just said he had it rooted and he thought he unrooted it. There is an ap called superuser in aps. (although if it were rooted would'nt I be able to uninstal some of thecrap software it comes with like GOLF HD? -- it won't let me).
The system update is for Acer_a500_7.014.01_COM_GEN2 8.88mb
My problem is all of the force closes I'm getting and the inability to update the system. Any thoughts? I don't have a usb cord to connect it to a desktop either =(

I am a bit out of practice, but...
Should be pretty simple to fix. From what I am seeing, you are running a stock rom. Just because the superuser.apk is installed on the system does not mean it is rooted, but it probably is.
Hit the market, grab "Root Checker" - simple tiny program to let you know for sure if your tab is rooted or not.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=burrows.apps.rootchecker&hl=en
From what I understand - automatic system updates will fail when trying to apply them to a rooted or modded system. Probably why you cannot auto-update.
My advice at this point would be to:
1) Since you just bought it, just do a factory wipe on it. That will remove all the stuff the prior owner had running on it and will result in a unrooted tab that should be able to get auto updates without a problem.
2) Un-Root it. Once the tablet is unrooted, the system should update without any issue.
As for your Play Store issues - I have never heard of or personally seen any issues caused with installing apps from the store on a rooted device. I have seen a few apps that will refuse to run on a rooted device - but that does not sound like your problem.
I would go with option 1 - just factory wipe the thing. Prior owner may have made tons of changes to the OS that we will never know about, and may have handed you a unstable system. Start fresh. Wipe it out.
Hope this helps you out! Let me know if I can answer any questions.

k thank you so much for the quick reply! I downloaded the root checker and it Is rooted. I did a factory wipe as found in the settings privacy tab when I bought it. That factory reset did not unroot and only cleaned out some of the aps on the device. Is there a better or more surefire way to unroot it? If I reset with the volume down key will it hard reset it?
Thank you for you help!
Draight

Okay.
I am about a year out of practice with my a500 - but from what I am think, if a factory reset still results in a rooted device - the prior user installed a stock ROM that comes pre-rooted.
I highly doubt being rooted is causing the issues you are running into.
At this point if you just want to get back to stock you can probably just install the Acer Recovery Manager from the market and use it to reflash a stock unrooted ROM. Or I see a few guides about how to manually restore back to stock over in the dev section for the a500.
Others will correct me if I am wrong, but I think Acer Recovery Manager should take care of your problem.
Hope this helps!
(Edit: Or you can just download the official stock 4.x rom (ICS) from the dev section and flash that. 3.2 is pretty slow and wonky in my experience, you should be able to just download a 4.x ROM and flash, since you are rooted. Again, I am way out of practice. Don't do anything before reading up!)
(Edit again: I think I was making this harder then needs be. Just flash any stock 3.2 unrooted ROM, done. After you do that the automatic on the air update should kick in for you and update you to ICS)

Thanks for taking the time to work with me on this. I downloaded the program you suggested and tried to use a stock rom. When i went to reboot I had a picture of an android looking up at an exclaimation mark. It was froze like that until I restarted it. Now its back to the way it was, rooted and unupdatable.
I'm probably going to try to just wipe it all over but do i need to plug it into my computer somehow? I dont have a usb connector for the tablet, just the wall charger plugin. can i just download a rom and use the utility to try install it? when I reboot it am I supposed to be pressing the volume button?
I've read a few other forums but usually they sound pretty intense...

draight said:
Thanks for taking the time to work with me on this. I downloaded the program you suggested and tried to use a stock rom. When i went to reboot I had a picture of an android looking up at an exclaimation mark. It was froze like that until I restarted it. Now its back to the way it was, rooted and unupdatable.
I'm probably going to try to just wipe it all over but do i need to plug it into my computer somehow? I dont have a usb connector for the tablet, just the wall charger plugin. can i just download a rom and use the utility to try install it? when I reboot it am I supposed to be pressing the volume button?
I've read a few other forums but usually they sound pretty intense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm..
Try the thread I linked two in my second edit of my last post. You just need to grab the stock and unrooted 3.2 - put it on a MicroSD card as update.zip - then reboot with vol rocker and power switch to get the system to flash the update.
That *should* work just fine.
(Edit: Forgot the link! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1839313 - there you go)

Thankw, I am going to try it after readingna bit more. Do I need to have clockworkmod installed for all of this?

draight said:
Thankw, I am going to try it after readingna bit more. Do I need to have clockworkmod installed for all of this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Just snag the stock unrooted 3.2 ROM - place it in the root of the MicroSD card as update.zip
Power down.
Power up with VOL + and POWER key held at the same time (you can let the vol rocker go when you see text appear in the upper left corner)
Should be all you need to do. Worst case; it does not work and returns you back to where you are now. Worth a shot.
If that does not work, let me know so I can do a few mins of homework and help you further. Been a long time since I have changed ROMS or had any issues with my a500.
I have bricked it twice by not following directions all the way or just making simple mistakes, but from what I have found there is always a way to recover.

Just tried it. I copied the boot zip to sd card and renamed update.zip and reset..It looked like it was going to download after showing some text in the corner and then an exclamation mark appeared above the androids head... I left it and after a few.min it rebooted back

draight said:
Just tried it. I copied the boot zip to sd card and renamed update.zip and reset..It looked like it was going to download after showing some text in the corner and then an exclamation mark appeared above the androids head... I left it and after a few.min it rebooted back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm. Odd.
Like I said, I am rather out of practice.
Someone more experienced them me: please help me point Draight in the right direction here?

Thanks for trying to help. =(
I wish that my tablet wasn't having such issues. I;m going to try to scramble around the forums and see if I can find some advice...If anyone has a suggestion please let me know.
Thanks again entropy,
Draight

Update:
So I've been tinkering around with it a bit more and I found a usb cord that plugs it into my computer. I keep finding boken links on this site so Im struggling to find an update I can use to flash to. I downloaded a different super user program which allowed me to temporarily unroot my device. I then restarted it and no root checker says its no rooted and I cannot find the superuser program. I think I have somewhat unrooted it -- but I think the real issue now is the recovery tool. I keep reseting it - hard reset, or factory reset and it wipes everything away but when i try to update it gets about 1/3 of the way up the bar then it stops with an '!' Mark above the droid. Im kind of annoyed at this point and hoping for some new links or some ideas on how to repair the recovery piece.
Draight

Go to the Dev section, and grad a couple of the ICS Update roms. You will see them listed for the a500. Make sure they are the FULL update roms. Should be about 3-400mb. These contain a FULL ICS Update Rom, and not a patch file.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1816560
Then, go to the Themes and apps forum. You'll see a sticky that has the Acer Update Decrypter.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1869505
Now, unpack the decrypter, and select one of the ICS Updates. Then hit Start. Take a couple minutes, but you will have a duplicate file with the word "decrypted" added to it.
Wait, you are not done yet.
Using a program like 7zip, or even Winzip, open the decrypted file. DO NOT EXTRACT, just open it and pull the update.zip to your PC's desktop.
Copy that update.zip file to your Ext SD Card of the tablet. Don't be putting it in any folder, just copy it to the root of the card.
Now, you still ain't done.
With the tablet off. Press and hold Vol+ and then PWR. Hold them both untill you start to see text about installing blah blah blah, then release the buttons.
If it completes, and you can reboot into ICS, then you are good to go.
If something fails during installation, then decrypt the other update Rom file you downloaded, and do the same procedure. Usually one of the 2 or three should work for you.
Note these are for the a500, and not the a501.
One more thing. It's advisable you get your UID number before doing these things. You probably won't need it, but it's nice to have written down in case you need it in the future. Inf to get it is at;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1624645
MD

Thanks! I am downloading a few of the FULL ICS roms:
*Acer_A500_1.031.00_WW_GEN1 : http://d-h.st/uAy
Acer_A500_1.031.00_PA_CUS1: http://d-h.st/idO
Acer_A500_1.041.00_WW_CUS1: http://d-h.st/Yt5
*Acer_AV041_1.054.00_WW_GEN1: http://www.theandroidcollective.org/...00_WW_GEN1.zip
*Acer_A500_7.014.16_041.206.01_COM_GEN1: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_bk...hVc1RVcHc/edit
The I downloaded the ones ending with Gen1. Once they are downloaded I will continue with the instructions. Thank you so much for your help! I will post how it goes later tonight.
Draight

I just decrypted both:
*Acer_AV041_1.054.00_WW_GEN1:
*Acer_A500_1.031.00_WW_GEN1
Both get get to the third bullet quickly and the bottom says DONE! It takes like 4 seconds. I don't think the Decryption key of $12 is working
[*] Opening file: Acer_A500_1.031.00_WW_GEN1.zip
[*] Decrypting using key $12
[*] Writing decrypted file: Acer_A500_1.031.00_WW_GEN1_decrypted.zip
I try to extract something from the decrypted file and it says the file was not downloaded properly and I should try redownload it...it says its not a proper archive

wahoo!
So that worked! I down loaded the file Acer_AV041_A500_1.033.00_PA_CUS1 and extracted the update. I palced the update on the sd card and booted with the power and sound volume pressed down. it went through the installation procedure and restarted twice before saying it was upgrading my aps and BOOM its got ICS and everything looks great. Thank you so much for your help and I hope that this paper trail is able to help someone in the future

My problem is that I'm on ICS and I'm rooted, but I just can't download a custom recovery. I've tried, and I haven't gotten anywhere
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[ROOT\RECOVERY\ROMS][NX008HD8G] Nextbook 8" Resources

WARNING: These files are reported as not working on Next8HD8G tablets manufactured after August 2013. Check your serial number. If it begins YFG1013... YFG1113... or higher, do not use these files. You may try to root using Cydia Impactor instead. If you do root one of the newer tablets, please dump the ROM for the rest of us!​
Nextbook 8"​
The Nextbook 8 is an afordable 99USD tablet from walmart. Widelly adapted but not with any serious unofficial development going on. I purchased one for a friend and couldn't resist to tweak it. I tried to find some ROMs to no avail. Also rooting was a long journey. So I decided to create this resource thread to help out people to this device and even present my own ROM. So without further to do I begin :​
Rooting & Recovery the Easy way​
Rooting was my first concern so I could de-bloat the tablet itself since it came with various unused software. The most efficient method I came across was the one presented by shaunmt at the freaktab forums here. So let me show you how it's done.
1. Download the modified stock recovery from shaunmt
2. Extract the archive and place the image in the root of your external SD card! NOT THE INTERNAL ONE!
3. Download and copy the root package by Kyser to your external SD card!
4. Power off the tablet and then hold down both volume keys while holding the power button. The tablet should show the first splash screen and then a black one followed by the recovery screen.
5. Use the Volume keys to navigate in the menu and the power button to confirm your selection. Select flash from EXT (or something like that), then select your SD card and then select the root package to install. The root package will be installed. Navigate back to the root mneu and select "reboot system"
6. Rooting should have finished and your tablet once powered on should be permanently rooted. But in the case that you don't see a root management application go to the Play Store and download either SuperSU or Super User.
7. Finished!
ROMs ​
1. Stock ROM - Packed by shaunmt at freaktab - here
2. nextGen 8" - By CedArctic - Comming soon​
Always perform a full wipe when installing ROMs. Neither of these ROMs has been personally tested by me. Shaunmt from freaktab owns all the work on the thread (except my ROM).

Reserved for future needs

Keep an eye on my threads at FreakTab... there is lots more coming soon...
ShaunMT
Developer at FreakTab.com

help
i did every step and installation was aborted... any tips?

You don't have the custom recovery file in your EXTERNAL sd card. The stock recovery aborts the installation due to not recognising the google installation keys.

How would I go about dumping the ROM so we can make recovery and a custom ROM. Mine is the newer one. Rooted and debloated
Sent from my MB865 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

sir shaunmt can you examine my dump files if it is usable in porting any custom recovery in my device? here's my dump file..
http://www.4shared.com/rar/kpulgLt3ce/romdump.html?
thanks for the help in advance..

Same here
I picked one up for either modding or dismantling it to see if I could build it. So the root thing is new to me, I have been spending a few days reading over you guys tuts and suggestions. I came across this one and it seemed fairly simple, take the downloads, extract to SD and recovery reboot? However it has not worked. If I push both volumes I get small yellow script at top saying DNX Fastboot mode, if I do the volume up button with power, I get the options of REBOOT, RECOVERY,POWER OFF, and I believe one other one. Either way I seem to hit a wall. I'm have no doubt it's me, but I would a appreciate a lil advice.
Thank you

NX008HD8G, Firmware? Root?
Hey Guys! I was wondering if maybe there was another link to the files? Has anyone figured out how to update the firmware on the NX008HD8G? I’m having trouble trying to root and I’m unable to find anything on how to at least update the firmware to 4.4.2. I’ve been having trouble with google play services, and could use either the stock rom or maybe a custom. Please help! Hopefully someone sees this!

Rooting NX008HD8G
These files are dead. Is there anything way you could update them? I’m unable to root or even update firmware. :victory: @CedArctic @shaunmt

J500FN rapidly running out of space

As a bog standard user I naively assumed that I could put apps on my SD card as and when I wanted. Instead the majority refuse to be put there or cause problems.
If I root my Samsung J500fn (Marshmallow) will I be able to chose the location for putting apps? Can I get rid totally of the stuff Google/Samsung think I need but I never use? Can I make better use of my SD card that is practically empty? Are there any drawbacks to keeping Marshmallow as installed or would rooting overwrite it? Is there a better way than to root? Is "One Click root" safe to use? Am I better of using various programs like Odin, TWRP etc. mentioned in various threads here?
Thanks to any and all who can answer my questions. :fingers-crossed:
Anne

webelan said:
As a bog standard user I naively assumed that I could put apps on my SD card as and when I wanted. Instead the majority refuse to be put there or cause problems.
If I root my Samsung J500fn (Marshmallow) will I be able to chose the location for putting apps? Can I get rid totally of the stuff Google/Samsung think I need but I never use? Can I make better use of my SD card that is practically empty? Are there any drawbacks to keeping Marshmallow as installed or would rooting overwrite it? Is there a better way than to root? Is "One Click root" safe to use? Am I better of using various programs like Odin, TWRP etc. mentioned in various threads here?
Thanks to any and all who can answer my questions. :fingers-crossed:
Anne
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Anne,
We all have the same trouble with storage on our J5.
If you chose to root your phone then yes you will be able to uninstall alot of the bloat ware that is on your phone.
You will also have the option of using adaptable storage.
There are lots of threads on here that will guide you through the process. Just make sure that you read the guides properly and download and install the CORRECT zips.
I don't know if the one click root is safe to use.
I would advice installing TWRP and then flashing super su. Again all of the guides are on here.
If you do install TWRP via Odin then you will have the option of flashing custom ROMs..
Have a good look at the guides. Ask all the questions that you need to. People in here will be happy to help.
It's really nice to see you on here
Have fun
John

Don't need root for adoptable storage.

Hi
Did u get the info that you need ?

Rooting
johnhux7 said:
Hi
Did u get the info that you need ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi again, thanks for asking.
I downloaded TWRP from https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=55922, version for SM-J500FN dated May 6, 2016. Also ODIN-v3.10.7 and SU SR4-SuperSU-v2.78-SR4-20161115184928 as well as the Samsung USB drivers. All check sums were fine. Odin 3 installed fine on my PC. I used Odin 3 to install the TWRP on my phone. However, when I try to go into Volume up - home - power on - I get a screen that does not resemble at all what I thought TWRP should look like.
I get the yellow/green Android thingy which says "installing system update" follows by "no command" followed by a screen which says:
Android Recovery
MMB29M.J500FNXXU1BPH1
samsung/j5nltexx/j5nlte
6.0.1/MMB29M/J500FNXXU1BPH1
user/release-keys
Use volume up/down and power. (all in yellow)
Followed by a menu which includes "apply update from SD card" but which doesn't install the SU zip file that I put in the download section of the SD card.
--------
So I am a bit lost and bewildered. Is the menu correct for TWRP? I haven't seen anything on the web or in YouTube that looks at all like what I'm getting. Did TWRP install properly - Odin 3 seemed to think so, but I'm beginning to wonder.
Any help, comment appreciated.
Anne

webelan said:
Hi again, thanks for asking.
I downloaded TWRP from https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=55922, version for SM-J500FN dated May 6, 2016. Also ODIN-v3.10.7 and SU SR4-SuperSU-v2.78-SR4-20161115184928 as well as the Samsung USB drivers. All check sums were fine. Odin 3 installed fine on my PC. I used Odin 3 to install the TWRP on my phone. However, when I try to go into Volume up - home - power on - I get a screen that does not resemble at all what I thought TWRP should look like.
I get the yellow/green Android thingy which says "installing system update" follows by "no command" followed by a screen which says:
Android Recovery
MMB29M.J500FNXXU1BPH1
samsung/j5nltexx/j5nlte
6.0.1/MMB29M/J500FNXXU1BPH1
user/release-keys
Use volume up/down and power. (all in yellow)
Followed by a menu which includes "apply update from SD card" but which doesn't install the SU zip file that I put in the download section of the SD card.
--------
So I am a bit lost and bewildered. Is the menu correct for TWRP? I haven't seen anything on the web or in YouTube that looks at all like what I'm getting. Did TWRP install properly - Odin 3 seemed to think so, but I'm beginning to wonder.
Any help, comment appreciated.
Anne
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your phone is looking like that then you have the wrong version of TWRP for the version of android that your using.
I did the same thing.
I hadn't got the time at the mo to find you the correct version but that is the problem for sure.
You want the one by Garnesh Varma which if on the Roms & kernels thread
John

johnhux7 said:
If your phone is looking like that then you have the wrong version of TWRP for the version of android that your using.
I did the same thing.
I hadn't got the time at the mo to find you the correct version but that is the problem for sure.
You want the one by Garnesh Varma which if on the Roms & kernels thread
John
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi john,
Following your suggestion I downloaded the TWRP version http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j5/development/recovery-samsung-galaxy-j500f-t3416960 by searching for Garnesh Varma. It successfully installed, but the problem remains the same. I do not get the TWRP recovery page just the same as before.
I shall continue to look to see if I can find another version from Garnesh, although it seemed correct ie SM-J500FN Android version 6.0.1 Build number MMB29M.J500FNXXU1BPH1, security patch level 1 August 2016.
Will let you know how I get on.
Thanks again,
Anne

webelan said:
Hi john,
Following your suggestion I downloaded the TWRP version http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j5/development/recovery-samsung-galaxy-j500f-t3416960 by searching for Garnesh Varma. It successfully installed, but the problem remains the same. I do not get the TWRP recovery page just the same as before.
I shall continue to look to see if I can find another version from Garnesh, although it seemed correct ie SM-J500FN Android version 6.0.1 Build number MMB29M.J500FNXXU1BPH1, security patch level 1 August 2016.
Will let you know how I get on.
Thanks again,
Anne
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahah! The trick was to turn off the phone and not to permit ODIN to do a reboot. I didn't know how to turn off so I pulled the battery. Then went into volume up - home - power on and got the correct menu. Whew. Rooted now according to root checker. Now to get some of the stuff off the phone and make some space.#
Thanks for your help,
Anne

webelan said:
Ahah! The trick was to turn off the phone and not to permit ODIN to do a reboot. I didn't know how to turn off so I pulled the battery. Then went into volume up - home - power on and got the correct menu. Whew. Rooted now according to root checker. Now to get some of the stuff off the phone and make some space.#
Thanks for your help,
Anne
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice one. I'm pleased that you got it sorted !
Next you will be on the custom roms ! If you need any help just shout !
John

@webelan
Hello Anne!
Once you are rooted you can remove any Google/Samsung app. But removing some system apps can lead to bootloop. You can recover from bootloop by re-flashing stock rom.
I can make a flashable zip which removes unnecessary system apps, including the Google/Samsung apps which you want (you flash the zip in recovery and you're done). So let me know which Google/Samsung apps you wanna remove.
You can find some more basic informations in our Q&A thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j5/how-to/galaxy-j5-qa-thread-galaxy-j5-series-t3382922 .
I recommend you to try cm 12.1 (5.1.1 lollipop) by Nick Verse if you don't care about Samsung Camera, Memo and Browser. I use Open Camera, Color Note and Dolphin Browser (has sound/brightness sliders in videos) as alternatives. Unlike Touchwiz, CM 12.1 is faster than Touchwiz and has more free ram. But latest release has a bug (random reboot reported by users) which can be fixed manually. I'm running latest release without any problem.
Have a nice day!
Robert.
PS: You have a nice name

more woe
johnhux7 said:
Nice one. I'm pleased that you got it sorted !
Next you will be on the custom roms ! If you need any help just shout !
John
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know if I should start another thread but...
I used Aps2SD to create a second partition on my phone after making a backup of the SD card using that program. Restored the SD card and then I linked various apps to the new partition. When everything was done, and working, I used the option "Broken ap cleaner" just in case there were any residue files with "select all"
My error may have been to do a hard shutdown afterwards because now I get "Android System There's an internal problem with your device, and it may be unstable until you factory data reset." Then several aps, including a Google app, Photos, CM security and Gmail stop, in fact all those that run automatically at startup. Gmail and Google are on the internal drive now but were previously linked; CM is on the external partition still. The first thing after that I noticed after the hard shut down was that the icons for linked aps had disappeared and the aps keep stopping if I try to run them.
I read the Aps2SD FAQ and followed the two suggestions regard SU, ie "enable su at boot" and disabled "namespace separation" option.
Any suggestions? Should I
(a) do a "factory data reset"
(b) wipe the SD card and partition and completely reinstall the aps I want? Although if Google app is not working don't know if it can be reinstalled as I'm not sure which oneis meant.
(c) Bite the bullet and install a custom rom?
(d) something else?
Any help as usual very much appreciated,
Anne

webelan said:
Don't know if I should start another thread but...
I used Aps2SD to create a second partition on my phone after making a backup of the SD card using that program. Restored the SD card and then I linked various apps to the new partition. When everything was done, and working, I used the option "Broken ap cleaner" just in case there were any residue files with "select all"
My error may have been to do a hard shutdown afterwards because now I get "Android System There's an internal problem with your device, and it may be unstable until you factory data reset." Then several aps, including a Google app, Photos, CM security and Gmail stop, in fact all those that run automatically at startup. Gmail and Google are on the internal drive now but were previously linked; CM is on the external partition still. The first thing after that I noticed after the hard shut down was that the icons for linked aps had disappeared and the aps keep stopping if I try to run them.
I read the Aps2SD FAQ and followed the two suggestions regard SU, ie "enable su at boot" and disabled "namespace separation" option.
Any suggestions? Should I
(a) do a "factory data reset"
(b) wipe the SD card and partition and completely reinstall the aps I want? Although if Google app is not working don't know if it can be reinstalled as I'm not sure which oneis meant.
(c) Bite the bullet and install a custom rom?
(d) something else?
Any help as usual very much appreciated,
Anne
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like the app has been corrupted, don't really know how to best advice you.
It sounds like you have to do s factory reset.
I would install a custom ROM.
The only trouble with this is that all the roms have just been shut down so you will have trouble downloading any.
Why model do you have ?
If you want to use a custom ROM pm me and I will send you a link.
The custom roms are much better (in my opinion )
John
Sent from my j5nltexx using XDA Labs

#Henkate said:
@webelan
Hello Anne!
Once you are rooted you can remove any Google/Samsung app. But removing some system apps can lead to bootloop. You can recover from bootloop by re-flashing stock rom.
I can make a flashable zip which removes unnecessary system apps, including the Google/Samsung apps which you want (you flash the zip in recovery and you're done). So let me know which Google/Samsung apps you wanna remove.
You can find some more basic informations in our Q&A thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j5/how-to/galaxy-j5-qa-thread-galaxy-j5-series-t3382922 .
I recommend you to try cm 12.1 (5.1.1 lollipop) by Nick Verse if you don't care about Samsung Camera, Memo and Browser. I use Open Camera, Color Note and Dolphin Browser (has sound/brightness sliders in videos) as alternatives. Unlike Touchwiz, CM 12.1 is faster than Touchwiz and has more free ram. But latest release has a bug (random reboot reported by users) which can be fixed manually. I'm running latest release without any problem.
Have a nice day!
Robert.
PS: You have a nice name
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Robert,
Thanks for the offer. So far I have not deleted anything but have used software to partition my SD card and to move stuff out of internal memory onto it - or rather link it. I managed to mess up a bit but seem to have recovered - or at least got a phone with items I want to use. Next week when I've more time I'm hoping to install a Custom ROM. In the meantime I've spent what little time available trying to read as much as I can so that when I do put a Custom ROM on, it goes right first time.
Best wishes,
Anne

webelan said:
Hi Robert,
Thanks for the offer. So far I have not deleted anything but have used software to partition my SD card and to move stuff out of internal memory onto it - or rather link it. I managed to mess up a bit but seem to have recovered - or at least got a phone with items I want to use. Next week when I've more time I'm hoping to install a Custom ROM. In the meantime I've spent what little time available trying to read as much as I can so that when I do put a Custom ROM on, it goes right first time.
Best wishes,
Anne
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Anne!
Note that once you flash TWRP, Knox will become 0x1 (initially is 0x0) which means that you void the warranty. In my opinion, I don't care about the warranty because I prefer to have a better experience with my phone. I cannot live without root after I rooted a phone for first time
Regarding the ROM, if you wanna try cm12.1 (which I recommend it, best ROM which is closest to AOSP and never lagged) I'll recommend you to wait some more time because I'll download CM 12.1 sources and build a new update with the help of Nick Verse . He doesn't have enough space on his PC to have both cm12 & cm13 sources. I'm currently trying to extend my Linux partition to have enough space to build though. Is needed about 80gb in total average and I have about 20 and can't resize my partition. I might try to reinstall Linux.
If you have any other question, feel free to ask here (new thread if it's related to something else) or PM me.
Have a nice day!
Robert.

Having a similar issue, i have got my phone so it boots to TWRP 3.1.1-0 but cannot find a ROM file that will install, they all seem to be for j5nlte, even if the file name states j5nltexx. I have tried to ammend/remove the assert lines in the install package to no avail...
any advice would be good
Thanks in advance
PB

ashyx said:
Don't need root for adoptable storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then what to do

#Henkate said:
Hi Anne!
Note that once you flash TWRP, Knox will become 0x1 (initially is 0x0) which means that you void the warranty. In my opinion, I don't care about the warranty because I prefer to have a better experience with my phone. I cannot live without root after I rooted a phone for first time
Regarding the ROM, if you wanna try cm12.1 (which I recommend it, best ROM which is closest to AOSP and never lagged) I'll recommend you to wait some more time because I'll download CM 12.1 sources and build a new update with the help of Nick Verse . He doesn't have enough space on his PC to have both cm12 & cm13 sources. I'm currently trying to extend my Linux partition to have enough space to build though. Is needed about 80gb in total average and I have about 20 and can't resize my partition. I might try to reinstall Linux.
If you have any other question, feel free to ask here (new thread if it's related to something else) or PM me.
Have a nice day!
Robert.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please work on camera that is the only thing cm 12.1 lackss thank youu

Samsung S7 Edge is locked - Unlock or Data Extract help? Unique Situation...

Ok guys, new here and I've done a bit of reading on this already. From what I gather, the S7 Edge is difficult if not impossible to unlock without a factory reset. Here's the issue.
This phone belongs to my friend's husband who was severely injured in an accident at work. He's in a coma and probably won't survive. He was severely burned over 90% of his body with chemicals and he has no fingerprints to unlock the fingerprint scanner. In addition, his wife doesn't know his password, so I figured I'd see if I could do anything for her. I tried the Dr. Fone program, but it's apparently incompatible with the S7 Edge. He keeps getting texts and messages and we can't check them. The phone is also set for a daily alarm at 1:30 AM, and apparently you can't power it down without the lock code either. Ideally, I'd like to either gain access for her or at least extract what data we can from the thing before factory resetting it. It would also be nice to power it down so that it doesn't keep putting out an alarm every night in the middle of the night. All his contacts with his family are inconveniently stored in the phone as well. It's kind of a worst case scenario.
Any assistance or recommendations for a course of action for this situation would be fantastic. I don't have any other information on the device itself other than that it's running on Freedom Mobile's network in Ontario, Canada. They've said they can factory reset it for her, but we were trying to avoid that and get any contacts or messages from his phone if possible.
Thanks in advance for any help! I know it's a long shot!
Edit: I managed to power down the phone with the Power Button/Volume Down trick after about 9 tries, so at least the alarm won't go off. Other than that, no luck.

Unique situation? More like fked up situation.
Anyways I am assuming its a completely stock phone with USB debugging turned off. Hope its not carrier locked, if yes then here are the steps:
1. Flash Custom Recovery on the Phone using Odin
2. Use aroma file manager from the Recovery, you need to download it separately, put it on its SD card.
3. Now using aroma file manager navigate to Data Folder and then; System Folder and find “gesture.key” or “password.key” for pattern lock or password lock respectively.
4. Delete those any password related file and reboot. It should be unlocked now.

Thanks VERY much, UnNaMeD__!!!
I'm looking at Odin and the Recovery firmware right now. Is there a recommended version? I see TWRP and CWM, but primarily TWRP mentioned, and it looks like the .tar files are easy to find. I'm pretty new to this type of mod and I don't want to brick the phone, I know it's a risk. I'm looking at faqs on theandroidsoul and the cyanogenmods forum which seem quite thorough. Apparently I can't post the links as I'm a new user here....seems fair I suppose, especially considering the forum content.
My friend's husband didn't have a microSD card in (just checked), but I can toss a spare one of mine in for Aroma, which I found. I probably need for format it for FAT32, not NTFS though? Is there any way to tell if it's carrier locked? It's from a small phone company, not one of the bigger guys. I'm going to wait until I hear back to get started on this, as I'm decent with Windows based systems, but unfamiliar with the nuances of modding Android. I use a stock Sony XZ Premium myself.
Again, thanks very much! I've got some hope we can get in touch with his family now!
UnNaMeD__ said:
Unique situation? More like fked up situation.
Anyways I am assuming its a completely stock phone with USB debugging turned off. Hope its not carrier locked, if yes then here are the steps:
1. Flash Custom Recovery on the Phone using Odin
2. Use aroma file manager from the Recovery, you need to download it separately, put it on its SD card.
3. Now using aroma file manager navigate to Data Folder and then; System Folder and find “gesture.key” or “password.key” for pattern lock or password lock respectively.
4. Delete those any password related file and reboot. It should be unlocked now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

maxlords said:
Thanks VERY much, UnNaMeD__!!!
I'm looking at Odin and the Recovery firmware right now. Is there a recommended version? I see TWRP and CWM, but primarily TWRP mentioned, and it looks like the .tar files are easy to find. I'm pretty new to this type of mod and I don't want to brick the phone, I know it's a risk. I'm looking at faqs on theandroidsoul and the cyanogenmods forum which seem quite thorough. Apparently I can't post the links as I'm a new user here....seems fair I suppose, especially considering the forum content.
My friend's husband didn't have a microSD card in (just checked), but I can toss a spare one of mine in for Aroma, which I found. I probably need for format it for FAT32, not NTFS though? Is there any way to tell if it's carrier locked? It's from a small phone company, not one of the bigger guys. I'm going to wait until I hear back to get started on this, as I'm decent with Windows based systems, but unfamiliar with the nuances of modding Android. I use a stock Sony XZ Premium myself.
Again, thanks very much! I've got some hope we can get in touch with his family now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use odin 3.13 the latest
Then download twrp recovery 3.2.2.0 tar file for hero2lte the latest.
Boot your phone into odin mode by restarting your phone while holding power home button and vol down. When your reach the confirmation screen press OK.
Open odin and put the tar file in the ap slot and click the ap box and hit start to begin flashing.
Now restart ur phone by holding power home and vol down then immediately hold power home vol up to reach custom recovery.
Edit I just tested this myself
Flash the zip file from this thread no need to go looking for files in system.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2780696
Should remove password pin or pattern.
To check if it's network locked just look at the back of your phone if it says 935u or Verizon wireless or 935W8 then the phone is unlocked for different networks.

maxlords said:
Thanks VERY much, UnNaMeD__!!!
I'm looking at Odin and the Recovery firmware right now. Is there a recommended version? I see TWRP and CWM, but primarily TWRP mentioned, and it looks like the .tar files are easy to find. I'm pretty new to this type of mod and I don't want to brick the phone, I know it's a risk. I'm looking at faqs on theandroidsoul and the cyanogenmods forum which seem quite thorough. Apparently I can't post the links as I'm a new user here....seems fair I suppose, especially considering the forum content.
My friend's husband didn't have a microSD card in (just checked), but I can toss a spare one of mine in for Aroma, which I found. I probably need for format it for FAT32, not NTFS though? Is there any way to tell if it's carrier locked? It's from a small phone company, not one of the bigger guys. I'm going to wait until I hear back to get started on this, as I'm decent with Windows based systems, but unfamiliar with the nuances of modding Android. I use a stock Sony XZ Premium myself.
Again, thanks very much! I've got some hope we can get in touch with his family now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just look at back of your phone and tell me its model, Like G935F. I will give you the correct recovery file. And recoveries have option to enable storage too so you can access data from computer. But to be honest it never worked for me. You could also give it a try before doing other steps.
You could contact on PM, or even better I could also help you over whatsapp if you wish.
And I never heard that you could brick phone by flashing recovery, maybe only if you flash incorrectly. A bad recovery will make recovery useless, but phone would still boot. Thats my experience.
I have broken password before of a Mediatek device. If you want I could try it on my own S7 Edge too to be 100% sure.

I'll send you a PM as well, but I just checked and it's a G935W8. Sorry for the delay, I work shift work and I'm pretty busy. I'm going to work on the phone on the weekend. I don't have Whatsapp currently, but I can get it. Thanks again for your kindly assistance!
UnNaMeD__ said:
Just look at back of your phone and tell me its model, Like G935F. I will give you the correct recovery file. And recoveries have option to enable storage too so you can access data from computer. But to be honest it never worked for me. You could also give it a try before doing other steps.
You could contact on PM, or even better I could also help you over whatsapp if you wish.
And I never heard that you could brick phone by flashing recovery, maybe only if you flash incorrectly. A bad recovery will make recovery useless, but phone would still boot. Thats my experience.
I have broken password before of a Mediatek device. If you want I could try it on my own S7 Edge too to be 100% sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

maxlords said:
I'll send you a PM as well, but I just checked and it's a G935W8. Sorry for the delay, I work shift work and I'm pretty busy. I'm going to work on the phone on the weekend. I don't have Whatsapp currently, but I can get it. Thanks again for your kindly assistance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey alright no problem.
Download TWRP for G935W8 from official TWRP website:
https://teamw.in/samsung/samsunggalaxys7edge.html
You can follow some instructions from this thread regarding flashing:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7...overy-official-twrp-hero2lte-3-0-0-0-t3334084
Flashing TWRP might cause your phone to not boot. You will need to download dm-verity disabler from the thread above.
So download TWRP, Aroma file manager, dm-verity bypass, and zip file to disable pass that the other user posted: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2780696
Download all these files and put aroma file manager, dm-verity bypass and that password zip file bypass on your SD.
Make sure auto reboot is disabled in odin, follow instruction in thread about how to install twrp. If the auto reboot is disabled, phone will just remain at the same screen, so after the flashing is done from odin. You need to force reboot on your phone (volume down + power button for few seconds), just when the screen goes off, you need to immediately press recovery button combination (vol up + home + power). Here once you enter TWRP recovery see if you can enable MTP and trasnfer data to PC, if not, goto install zip and try password bypass zip file. If it works file then ok and proceed to install dm-verity bypass file and reboot your phone. If that zip doesn't works. You need to go to same install zip file option and now install aroma file manager. From there delete the password files that I told you about earlier, flash dm-verity and reboot again.
Thats it, if get confused about a step, tell me.

Well, I attempted to install TWRP through the latest version of Odin, but it didn't work. The error message I got in Recovery/Download mode was:
"Custom Binary (RECOVERY) Blocked By FRP Lock."
I looked that up online and apparently to install TWRP, I need to remove the FRP lock. I found a program called RealTerm which can supposedly bypass the FRP lock, but it doesn't seem to be connecting to the locked phone and it's not exactly user friendly.
Am I missing something here? Or is there no way to bypass the FRP lock on the unit?