Database Users

[Q] Can I upgrade to 4.4?

So when I first got my note I imediately used this guide to flash kitkat and completely ****ed it up, it just stuck on the Samsung n9005 screen.
This was a link to C4ETech's video called "Galaxy Note 3 - Samsung Official Kitkat 4.4.2 - How to Flash/Install" but I had to remove it.
I assumed it was something to do with the CSC code (mine being BTU) so I installed a BTU rom using this guide.
This was a link to TheSmokingAndroid's video called "HOW TO UNBRICK & UNROOT SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 3" but I had to remove it.
Now I want to install a kitkat rom preferably a stock one but there isn't one for BTU. So I looked at the custom roms as some support BTU but require the device to be on 4.4 already. How can I get onto 4.4 if every 4.4 rom requires a 4.4 phone? Will I have to wait until an official BTU update comes out?
I've attached a screenshot of my About Phone page (which doesn't have BTU anywhere, I don't get it).
I probably have the complete wrong end of the stick so sorry for wasting everyone's time but if you have a minute to help I'd really appreciate it.

HelloMyNamesTom said:
So when I first got my note I imediately used this guide to flash kitkat and completely ****ed it up, it just stuck on the Samsung n9005 screen.
This was a link to C4ETech's video called "Galaxy Note 3 - Samsung Official Kitkat 4.4.2 - How to Flash/Install" but I had to remove it.
I assumed it was something to do with the CSC code (mine being BTU) so I installed a BTU rom using this guide.
This was a link to TheSmokingAndroid's video called "HOW TO UNBRICK & UNROOT SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 3" but I had to remove it.
Now I want to install a kitkat rom preferably a stock one but there isn't one for BTU. So I looked at the custom roms as some support BTU but require the device to be on 4.4 already. How can I get onto 4.4 if every 4.4 rom requires a 4.4 phone? Will I have to wait until an official BTU update comes out?
I've attached a screenshot of my About Phone page (which doesn't have BTU anywhere, I don't get it).
I probably have the complete wrong end of the stick so sorry for wasting everyone's time but if you have a minute to help I'd really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try *#1234# might come up there. Anyways, go over to Sammobile and grab any of the latest 4.4.2 KitKat ROMs for your device (9005) as you said. And it should work fine.
Advice: Wipe your phone, not compulsory but advisable. Cheers!

I have a canadian variant note 3 900w8 and i want to flash 4.4.2 as well but i was hoping to flash the t-mobile version as i have heard of issues with the 9005 rom compatibility, just wondering if anyone has had experience yet, or if it has been done.

stanley08 said:
Try *#1234# might come up there. Anyways, go over to Sammobile and grab any of the latest 4.4.2 KitKat ROMs for your device (9005) as you said. And it should work fine.
Advice: Wipe your phone, not compulsory but advisable. Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help but I've already done that and the newest version I can get is 4.3 I'll just wait until my phone gets the update, Thanks anyway

I've managed to get onto 4.4 now by flashing a polish ROM after reading that they support BTU, I don't know how to delete this thread so I'm just letting everyone know my issue is resolved

Jagerfarts said:
I have a canadian variant note 3 900w8 and i want to flash 4.4.2 as well but i was hoping to flash the t-mobile version as i have heard of issues with the 9005 rom compatibility, just wondering if anyone has had experience yet, or if it has been done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want the ability to flash back to 4.3 from 4.4, install custom recovery and roms and keep your Knox 0x0, head over here and do some reading ( if you haven't been there already ).

New to the S4. Need some help

Hey there everyone. I am trying to help my sister out with her (new to her) S4.
She bought an s4 and it is very cool (I'm having a blast playing with it.).
It is carrier unlocked at the moment (I believe, though I don't have a SIM to test it out with)
I believe that it is rooted.
It is advertised as having the MDB bootloader with a MF3 baseband. How do I check this?
When I go to setting I see that the baseband version is i337ucuamf3. I am assuming that since it ends in MF3 that is correct.​
The rom installed is GoldenEye 38.1 XXUGNG8.
I am assuming that XXUGNG8 is the base firmware from Samsung\At&T, is that correct?
It currently has a version of TWRP installed and the person it was bought from says it doesn't need SafeStrap. Is that correct? I see a lot of posts saying that safestrap needs to be installed.
Lastly, I'm trying to figure out if she wants CM11, Stock TouchWiz or something like Goldeneye. I am assuming that the "S" apps will only work on a TouchWiz ROM, is that right?
Lastly, how would i get the phone back to a stock? HTC has RUU's, is there an equivalent for Samsung devices? Or is there a download somewhere of the plain stock ROM? I didn't see anything in the development section.
Thanks in advance for all the help, I know that I am asking a lot of questions but I am coming from the HTC side of android (which seems to be a lot less confusing) so I am doing the best I can here.

waterboy100 said:
Hey there everyone. I am trying to help my sister out with her (new to her) S4.
She bought an s4 and it is very cool (I'm having a blast playing with it.).
It is carrier unlocked at the moment (I believe, though I don't have a SIM to test it out with)
I believe that it is rooted.
It is advertised as having the MDB bootloader with a MF3 baseband. How do I check this?
When I go to setting I see that the baseband version is i337ucuamf3. I am assuming that since it ends in MF3 that is correct.​
The rom installed is GoldenEye 38.1 XXUGNG8.
I am assuming that XXUGNG8 is the base firmware from Samsung\At&T, is that correct?
It currently has a version of TWRP installed and the person it was bought from says it doesn't need SafeStrap. Is that correct? I see a lot of posts saying that safestrap needs to be installed.
Lastly, I'm trying to figure out if she wants CM11, Stock TouchWiz or something like Goldeneye. I am assuming that the "S" apps will only work on a TouchWiz ROM, is that right?
Lastly, how would i get the phone back to a stock? HTC has RUU's, is there an equivalent for Samsung devices? Or is there a download somewhere of the plain stock ROM? I didn't see anything in the development section.
Thanks in advance for all the help, I know that I am asking a lot of questions but I am coming from the HTC side of android (which seems to be a lot less confusing) so I am doing the best I can here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the phone has TWRP installed, you either have MDB or MDL bootloader since newer firmwares (bootloader) do not allow for the stock recovery to be replaced.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52415064&postcount=1625 gives you the way to find your bootloader (the most restrictive component of the firmware).
When samsung releases firmware/update, it sets the version of all components to the same. So, on the stock firmware, all components have the same version. Baseband is actually the version of the modem.
Since you have TWRP installed, you should be able to install a lot of ROMs. All you have to ensure is that the bootloader is not updated. When you use ODIN to flash stock firmware, your bootloader will get updated. Since MF3, we are not able to replace the stock kernel and recovery. This brings in a lot of restrictions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221 has a list of ROMs that can be installed.

jmjoyas said:
Since the phone has TWRP installed, you either have MDB or MDL bootloader since newer firmwares (bootloader) do not allow for the stock recovery to be replaced.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52415064&postcount=1625 gives you the way to find your bootloader (the most restrictive component of the firmware).
When samsung releases firmware/update, it sets the version of all components to the same. So, on the stock firmware, all components have the same version. Baseband is actually the version of the modem.
Since you have TWRP installed, you should be able to install a lot of ROMs. All you have to ensure is that the bootloader is not updated. When you use ODIN to flash stock firmware, your bootloader will get updated. Since MF3, we are not able to replace the stock kernel and recovery. This brings in a lot of restrictions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2616221 has a list of ROMs that can be installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
So my bootloader is reported as i337ucuamdb (So MDB Bootleader)
My baseband is 1337ucuamf3 (MF3?)
Does this just mean that i have an older bootloader that was rooted and had newer radios installed?
That that a problem for anything? Should they be the same?

waterboy100 said:
Thanks.
So my bootloader is reported as i337ucuamdb (So MDB Bootleader)
My baseband is 1337ucuamf3 (MF3?)
Does this just mean that i have an older bootloader that was rooted and had newer radios installed?
That that a problem for anything? Should they be the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're on the mdb bootloader which is a good thing, don't update the firmware you can still use twrp or cwm. The baseband is the modem and does not need to be the same version as the bootloader
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

4.4.4 -> 4.4.2 Odin Fail

Hey XDA, new here but long-time lurker, I like many am stuck with 4.4.4 on my n900v and am looking for a way out. So far the only promising thing I've seen is the video for the n900a (which ihas locked bootloader as well?). I got all the files replaced for the n900v version to at least get back from 4.4.4. to 4.4.2 but Odin is failing with the sw rev check fail fused 4 binary 3 error. I am using the stock NC4 fimware and have tried several downloads, I've tried Odin 3.10 and 3.09 and made sure running in admin and everything checked that's needed. I also made sure my phone has USB debugging enabled and Unknown Sources checked. I've read that I should try a custom rom but assume that with my locked bootloader that wouldn't work either. The n900a has a locked bootloader as well I believe which is why I thought that if I replaced the files with Verizon versions the instructions in the video would work.
Is there any way back to 4.4.2 from 4.4.4 on the n900v or am I screwed? Thanks! :fingers-crossed:

jland13 said:
Hey XDA, new here but long-time lurker, I like many am stuck with 4.4.4 on my n900v and am looking for a way out. So far the only promising thing I've seen is the video for the n900a (which ihas locked bootloader as well?). I got all the files replaced for the n900v version to at least get back from 4.4.4. to 4.4.2 but Odin is failing with the sw rev check fail fused 4 binary 3 error. I am using the stock NC4 fimware and have tried several downloads, I've tried Odin 3.10 and 3.09 and made sure running in admin and everything checked that's needed. I also made sure my phone has USB debugging enabled and Unknown Sources checked. I've read that I should try a custom rom but assume that with my locked bootloader that wouldn't work either. The n900a has a locked bootloader as well I believe which is why I thought that if I replaced the files with Verizon versions the instructions in the video would work.
Is there any way back to 4.4.2 from 4.4.4 on the n900v or am I screwed? Thanks! :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No

Such helpful, many wows....
But serious why can AT&T Note 3 be downgraded with a locked Bootloader but Verizon can't?

Because it can't read the other hundred posts in regards to this

Just thank verizon for this mess.

Because 4.4.4 has a different bootloader which blocks out downgrading to 4.4.2. That's why you can't go back to 4.4.2 once you go to 4.4.4 and more than likely whenever Lollipop comes (rather if be 5.0.x or 5.1) they will more than likely block downgrading to 4.4.x or whatever on that too.

Yes I understand the whole locked bootloader part, just confused on why you can downgrade AT&T's which is locked also I thought? Wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything but looks like Im SoL like the rest of ya. (No wonder so grumpy). Thanks. :crying:

jland13 said:
Yes I understand the whole locked bootloader part, just confused on why you can downgrade AT&T's which is locked also I thought? Wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything but looks like Im SoL like the rest of ya. (No wonder so grumpy). Thanks. :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because AT&T and Verizon are two different companies who have 2 different requirements for their phones even if from the same manufacturer.
Verizon requires their updates to not be downgrade able while AT&T apparently doesn't have that requirement.
Sent from my Note 3 via Tapatalk

Stuck on boot screen
I have tried to root my note 3 sm 900v .i am new to flashing and rooting.i donwloaded the file root_dE_la_Vega .tried to put the file using odin but while flashing it failed and i am facing an error that says "FIRMWARE UPGRADE ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE.PLEASE USE SOFTWARE REPAIR ASSISTANT & TRY AGAIN"
i dont know what to do and how to fix it.can i flash jasmine rom in it.as its not a rooted device but jasmine rom includes root.
it was on 4.4.2 NC4 kernal
please help

Mian Aleem said:
I have tried to root my note 3 sm 900v .i am new to flashing and rooting.i donwloaded the file root_dE_la_Vega .tried to put the file using odin but while flashing it failed and i am facing an error that says "FIRMWARE UPGRADE ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE.PLEASE USE SOFTWARE REPAIR ASSISTANT & TRY AGAIN"
i dont know what to do and how to fix it.can i flash jasmine rom in it.as its not a rooted device but jasmine rom includes root.
it was on 4.4.2 NC4 kernal
please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you're on NC4 just use towel root v3 to root.

Mian Aleem said:
I have tried to root my note 3 sm 900v .i am new to flashing and rooting.i donwloaded the file root_dE_la_Vega .tried to put the file using odin but while flashing it failed and i am facing an error that says "FIRMWARE UPGRADE ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE.PLEASE USE SOFTWARE REPAIR ASSISTANT & TRY AGAIN"
i dont know what to do and how to fix it.can i flash jasmine rom in it.as its not a rooted device but jasmine rom includes root.
it was on 4.4.2 NC4 kernal
please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use this guide from Droidstyle, ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=46461911), which should help you restore the phone back to factory stock 4.4.2 NC4. Then (like BladeRunner said), you can use Towelroot to gain root access. Just don't update the phone to any Android versions past 4.4.2 or you will lose ability to root, as there's no current root method for 4.4.4 for our phones.

[Q] So....How on earth do I update now?

-So, its been a while. I'm currently on MK2 and would like to finally update to the latest rootable update. If i can use hyperdrive that'd be ideal. The question: which orocess is best? I'm safestrapped. I suppose i'll first have to restore to stock mk2, then update somehow right? Can someone give me a step by step approach? (E.g. step 1) follow this link/guide and do what it says, step 2) use this link's update, step 3) root with this.) I'm so far behind on my browsing that the guides have completely lost me! I had some vague and confusing instructions from a couple friends but i lost my chat/text history and their insturctions are gone now. But as far as catching up goes, im lost...MF3 and MK2 is all i know.
EDIT: So... I've found this...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
That will allow me to Odin to any base...now the problem is...i want to Odin to a base that can use hyperdrive. It says i need 4.4.2 and NC5
**
This Rom is able to be installed on the Galaxy S4 Using a MDK Custom Recovery or on 4.4.2 Base with Safestrap**
**
Safestrap Users:
If you are on 4.3 rom, you must update your base to the NC5 Kitkat 4.4.2 firmware before flashing this rom: Please READ and follow the thread by Surge HERE to do so! :
**
Can i just Odin to NC5? Is there another name for NC5? Im not seeing NC5 on the Odin list.
There's my problem folks.

Jamesyboy said:
-So, its been a while. I'm currently on MK2 and would like to finally update to the latest rootable update. If i can use hyperdrive that'd be ideal. The question: which orocess is best? I'm safestrapped. I suppose i'll first have to restore to stock mk2, then update somehow right? Can someone give me a step by step approach? (E.g. step 1) follow this link/guide and do what it says, step 2) use this link's update, step 3) root with this.) I'm so far behind on my browsing that the guides have completely lost me! I had some vague and confusing instructions from a couple friends but i lost my chat/text history and their insturctions are gone now. But as far as catching up goes, im lost...MF3 and MK2 is all i know.
EDIT: So... I've found this...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
That will allow me to Odin to any base...now the problem is...i want to Odin to a base that can use hyperdrive. It says i need 4.4.2 and NC5
**
This Rom is able to be installed on the Galaxy S4 Using a MDK Custom Recovery or on 4.4.2 Base with Safestrap**
**
Safestrap Users:
If you are on 4.3 rom, you must update your base to the NC5 Kitkat 4.4.2 firmware before flashing this rom: Please READ and follow the thread by Surge HERE to do so! :
**
Can i just Odin to NC5? Is there another name for NC5? Im not seeing NC5 on the Odin list.
There's my problem folks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Annnddddd upon further research Nc5 appears to be the verizon build for nc1. Now the only issue/question that remains is whether to choose Ni1 or NC1. The Hyperdrive OP speaks about 4.4.2 but also mentions the NC5(NC1) build. Which is a requirement? Are they the same? Because NI1 appears to improvments according to att.
If NI1 was just released to block root or if hhperdrive requires a build match then obviously NC1 is the waymto go because the others were ruled out.

Jamesyboy said:
Annnddddd upon further research Nc5 appears to be the verizon build for nc1. Now the only issue/question that remains is whether to choose Ni1 or NC1. The Hyperdrive OP speaks about 4.4.2 but also mentions the NC5(NC1) build. Which is a requirement? Are they the same? Because NI1 appears to improvments according to att.
If NI1 was just released to block root or if hhperdrive requires a build match then obviously NC1 is the waymto go because the others were ruled out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just need to be on Kitkat. You shouldn't have any issues. NB1 is the only one that actually has an ODIN file and Hyperdrive should still work on it, but I OTA'd to NJ4 and it's running fine.

Noob questions- Please help me with rooting! Some specific questions:

Dear Benevolent Android Wizards: please help me root an AT&T S4! I plan to buy a used S4 and want to make sure it can be rooted. Are some firmware versions rootable and some not? If so, which ones? I've seen phones available running I337UCUFNB1 and NJ4, as an example. I tried to check the forums here, but I'm new to this and it's too confusing. Also, as time passes, some of the comments become dated and wrong. One forums here say to downgrade NC1 by flashing NB1, take OTA update to NC1, then OTA to NL1- but I don't know if these OTAs are still available, for example. I'm simple and hope someone can explain things in a simple way! I don't want custom ROMs, just to root and maybe make backups. Please help, O Wise Ones!

You will probably buy a phone with at least 4.4.2 or above. It can be rooted by flashing the NB1 firmware (if it is not already on NB1), flashing the NC1 kernel and rooting with Towelroot. Then you can upgrade to 4.4.4 or 5.0.1, depending on what you want. You can install Safestrap to do backups on KitKat or Flashfire to do backups on Lolipop.
Here is a good place to start reading. Contains all info and links you need.

Thanks a lot!
So you're saying that any S4 running 4.4.2 or 4.4.4 should be able to be rooted?
And I would use Odin to flash NB1 firmware and then NC1 kernel (also using Odin?), then Towelroot would work?
How do I get the phone back to the firmware and kernel it came with?- also with Odin?

Yes. Or 5.0.1 for that matter.
You can root phones with earlier versions of the firmware as well.
All the instructions you need are available in the thread I linked above. You probably don't want to go back to what firmware came on the phone. You will need to decide if you want KitKat, in which case you should flash the latest one, which is NJ5, or Lolipop, in which case you will have some decisions to make as well.

Thanks, I will definitely read that whole thread once I get a chance.
Isn't there some issue with changing firmware where the software changes how the phone interfaces with the cell and wifi radios and they don't work right after you change version? Don't you have to do something to make sure the ROM and radio software stay in sync? Or isn't that an issue when changing stock ROMs with Odin?

Shouldn't be an issue. The stock firmware includes the corresponding modem, but the modems are interchangeable and can be flashed separately. There is a thread dedicated to modems in the general forum.
I would definitely recommend that you read enough to be comfortable with what you are going to do before you flash. There are several good threads in the general forum that you should familiarize yourself with.

Thanks again. I read 10 pages of the thread you mentioned in your first reply:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
Very helpful
Another question- you said to load NB1 firmware on the phone, but also NC1 kernel, apparently, NC1 is required for towelroot to work. Why not just load NC1 firmware- won't the NC1 kernel will come along? Is NB1 firmware specifically needed for some reason?
Or did you mean to keep upgrading from NB1to reach the final desired firmware, say NL1, then flash the NC1 kernel, root with towelroot, then flash the final desired (in my example, NL1) kernel.
Also, the first section in that link says if you want to end up on Lollipop OC3 or OC4, to root using Kingroot, but warns "there is mixed feeling about this application". Can't I root with towelroot instead to avoid Kingroot?
Sorry! As I learn more it brings up new questions.

xdafan15 said:
Thanks again. I read 10 pages of the thread you mentioned in your first reply:
HTML:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
Very helpful
Another question- you said to load NB1 firmware on the phone, but also NC1 kernel, apparently, NC1 is required for towelroot to work. Why not just load NC1 firmware- won't the NC1 kernel will come along? Is NB1 firmware specifically needed for some reason?
Or did you mean to keep upgrading from NB1to reach the final desired firmware, say NL1, then flash the NC1 kernel, root with towelroot, then flash the final desired (in my example, NL1) kernel.
Also, the first section in that link says if you want to end up on Lollipop OC3 or OC4, to root using Kingroot, but warns "there is mixed feeling about this application". Can't I root with towelroot instead to avoid Kingroot?
Sorry! As I learn more it brings up new questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NB1 is the only full stock tar available. There is no full NC1 stock tar, or any other 4.4.2 or above stock tar. No matter which distribution you are on, 4.4.2 4.4.4 or 5.0.1, to go back to stock you have to flash NB1 with Odin.
If you want Lolipop, I would suggest that you root with towelroot, and then use the keep root method to go to OC4.

I'm trying to decide if I should update up to NJ5, OC3, or OC4. Any thoughts about advantages/disadvantages? Should I just update to the latest (OC4) for simplicity?

I don't have an opinion between KitKat and Lolipop.
As far as OC3 or OC4, the OC4 update is just a bug fix update from OC3 that supposedly protects from at least part of the stagefright vulnerability. NJ5 is the same update with respect to JN4.

I'm making more progress on your thread- I'm up to page 20 now and feeling much more comfortable as I see how to deal with (or hopefully avoid) other's problems.
I think I'm almost ready to go, but I know I have one more question- I know that some versions of towelroot need internet access, but when you flash the NC1 kernel onto NB1, you lose wifi. I plan to do this on a phone that will not have data, at least at the beginning. I saw others talk about getting around this and they said they used an earlier version of towelroot that didn't need internet. Do you think that will work for me?
If I get a chance, I'll edit here and list the specific older version.

squatting in this thread because I too have an s4 w/ ni1 bootloader (4.4.2) .. gonna check that thread out too ... (fist bumps @xdafan15 .. me and u are the lone desperados)
got some good help too. check that thread about ALL THINGS ROOT in the general tab.

I found the version of towelroot v3 that doesn't need internet access. It is referenced here in the first post.
File here
 @creepyncrawly or anyone else who knows: Is is OK to use this version to root instead of the normal version of towelroot 3 that needs internet access?

xdafan15 said:
I found the version of towelroot v3 that doesn't need internet access. It is referenced here in the first post.
File here creepyncrawly or anyone else who knows: Is is OK to use this version to root instead of the normal version of towelroot 3 that needs internet access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go ahead at try it. I don't actually have the S4, so I don't know from first hand experience, but it will either work or it won't. I expect it will work.

I got a surprise- I bought a used S4 and when I checked it, found out it has 4.2.2, MDL- one of the rare ones that was never updated and still has the unlocked bootloader! So all of the work I've been doing was somewhat off target.
Now I guess I need to root 4.2.2 and flash a custom rom to get the phone updated. If I update with the stock firmware it'll lock the bootloader permanently.
I found instructions to root on the first post here "[HOW-TO] The ULTIMATE All-In-One Guide - I337M & MDL - MF3 - MK2"
Is that the correct method?
I wonder if I can just load towelroot and root that way?
Can anyone suggest an updated ROM (preferably one that has been patched against stagefright)?
Do I also flash this phone using Odin? And does the firmware always go in the "AP" slot?
Sorry, I'm trying to learn this and I thought I'd be using the locked bootloader method in the 2nd post.

MDL oh don't let that bad boy ever update. You can root and unroot as often as you like.

Can you please help me understand what to do? I have a Samsung Galaxy s4 with AT&T that I switched to Straight Talk. I need to know how to root this phone but this forum is very confusing and outdated. Plz help me!

Hi, @Tmtd78. The S4 is getting pretty old now so this forum is pretty quiet. What version of android does your phone have? Under *Settings*, *About device*, what are the last 3 characters under *Build number*? I think every version of android on this phone can be rooted, but you will have to spend some time here to learn how everything works. Did you read the posts linked earlier by @creepyncrawly? Read the first and last 10 or 20 pages of each thread of interest and you will get the idea. The method you use will depend on the firmware your phone has. If it has the mdl or mdb bootloader, you probably will want to make sure the firmware doesn't update.
By the way, to @creepyncrawly and @engloa, thanks for your help. I was able to learn how to successfully root my S4, load a custom recovery, make backups, load a custom ROM, and make some tweaks to the kernel. Everything is running well now.
It was a long road, but everything was here on XDA and I appreciate your help.

@xdafan15, the build number is NI1. And I will definitely read the posts. I really appreciate you getting back with me so fast. I'm just scared I'm going to mess something up lol.

Sure thing. I'm not an expert, just a beginner, but I have learned a few things along the way. The NI1 bootloader is locked so you will need to follow the instructions for using Odin under the first post shown above by @creepyncrawly (here). Also, read this one. Also, this.
As long as you are 1) careful to not load code incompatible with an AT&T S4 onto your device and 2) follow instructions EXACTLY you should be fine. Be wary of following instructions listed on a forum that is not specific to the AT&T S4. Don't get sloppy and try to do stuff from memory- read and follow the instructions step by step. The good news is as long as you don't cause as few specific types of problems with your storage, I think you'll be able to Odin back to the NB1 firmware and start over.
Learn how to and practice booting your phone into download and recovery modes.
Get Odin running on your computer and see if it will recognize your device. A guide here. I think .tar or .tar.md5 files always go in the *AP* slot if memory serves. You may also see references to an older version of Odin where the *AP* slot was called *PDA*