Database Users

[Q] Unable to Root (Write Protection Enabled)

Hey there,
I got my Galaxy S4 and I wanted to install CWM and custom Roms. Because the phone is fresh there is no custom recovery to install zips with and I don't want to use strange rooting methods. I put the phone into download mode, started Odin, selected a CWM_<...>.tar as PDA and pressed Start. The flashing seemingly went well but I can't enter the recovery with power + home + volume up. The phone tries to launch it but then just shows the battery icon you see when charging it while its off.
I went back into download mode and noticed there was a message saying "Write Protection: Enable". Whats this supposed to mean? Can't I use Odin? Do I need to unlock the bootloader or something like that? Thats what I had to do on my HTC Desire but when I installed a custom recovery on my brothers Galaxy S3 I could just use Odin.
Here's a screenshot of the download mode.
At least my Knox is still on... yeah...
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

If you only try to flash the recovery:
Then uncheck auto-reboot before flashing.

Saenic said:
Hey there,
I got my Galaxy S4 and I wanted to install CWM and custom Roms. Because the phone is fresh there is no custom recovery to install zips with and I don't want to use strange rooting methods. I put the phone into download mode, started Odin, selected a CWM_<...>.tar as PDA and pressed Start. The flashing seemingly went well but I can't enter the recovery with power + home + volume up. The phone tries to launch it but then just shows the battery icon you see when charging it while its off.
I went back into download mode and noticed there was a message saying "Write Protection: Enable". Whats this supposed to mean? Can't I use Odin? Do I need to unlock the bootloader or something like that? Thats what I had to do on my HTC Desire but when I installed a custom recovery on my brothers Galaxy S3 I could just use Odin.
Here's a screenshot of the download mode.
At least my Knox is still on... yeah...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
turn off your phone, pull out the charger before enter recovery mode or you need to press power + home + volume up key for 8 second then it reboot to recovery

Top left corner when switching on.

I've noticed that when I switchbon my newly bought s4 it shows boot loader info in the top left hand corner for about a second. Is this normal? Because I've never seen it on any other Samsung phone before.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app

mrstabs said:
I've noticed that when I switchbon my newly bought s4 it shows boot loader info in the top left hand corner for about a second. Is this normal? Because I've never seen it on any other Samsung phone before.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not new if you see the boot loader info. Can u tell me what text exactly appears?

Joku1981 said:
It's not new if you see the boot loader info. Can u tell me what text exactly appears?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's hard to tell as it only stays on for a second. it mentions bootloader version, debug level, msm?? chip, bootloader sv smev??

Anyone?

mrstabs said:
Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hang on, if I'm right, this Bootloader info is in blue? And yes than it's normal.

Tkkg1994 said:
Hang on, if I'm right, this Bootloader info is in blue? And yes than it's normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No mate. Its in white. It just worries me because I've never known it before with a Samsung device. My partner had had an s4 since launch but never noticed it on hers. But then she never restarts hers anyway lol.

mrstabs said:
No mate. Its in white. It just worries me because I've never known it before with a Samsung device. My partner had had an s4 since launch but never noticed it on hers. But then she never restarts hers anyway lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can check if everything is okay. Power off phone. Press on button and volume down together until a triangle appears. Than click volume up I think and than you can write me what there is written. After you wrote that down somewhere, make a restart

Basically under the usual download mode info it says what flashes up in the top left corner in grey. It says.......
Write protection enabled
Emmc Burt mode enabled
Reboot mode 0x500da4ed
Power on reason
Cable
Debug level mid
Board rev 11
Msm chip rev 2
Msm hw id
Boot loader version
Boot loader rp swrev
Speed bin
Acpu PVS
Serial number

mrstabs said:
Basically under the usual download mode info it says what flashes up in the top left corner in grey. It says.......
Write protection enabled
Emmc Burt mode enabled
Reboot mode 0x500da4ed
Power on reason
Cable
Debug level mid
Board rev 11
Msm chip rev 2
Msm hw id
Boot loader version
Boot loader rp swrev
Speed bin
Acpu PVS
Serial number
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant something like this: http://www.tech-recipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/download-mode-500x397.jpg

Yes it says the same. But under the usual download mode info that's what it all says in grey.

mrstabs said:
Yes it says the same. But under the usual download mode info that's what it all says in grey.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your knox 0x0 or 0x1?

Its untouched 0x0 I am just really concerned about why it shows all that extra info. And of course flashed it up in the top left corner when I boot my device.

Does anyone have any ideas?

mrstabs said:
Its untouched 0x0 I am just really concerned about why it shows all that extra info. And of course flashed it up in the top left corner when I boot my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw this in old bootloaders. I think you only need update your device :highfive:

Joku1981 said:
I saw this in old bootloaders. I think you only need update your device :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did update it and it has the latest bootloader. The info that flashes up tells you which boot loader it is.

Hi, I have the same issue, I've tried updating to the latest stock software using odin but still does it, doesn't seem to affect the unit but I wonder if there is a way to stop it from happening, did you find out how to prevent it? The KNOX is still 0x0 and I haven't rooted it and it shows that it is BTU csc. It flashes up immediately after the vibrate on power on from being switched off and then disappears just before the Samsung logo is displayed, it is only there for about a second, I managed to get a photograph of it below. If you put it into Odin mode it also shows under the normal text but it is in a darker grey colour text. It will still go into recovery boot mode and when you do that the blue coloured text shows underneath that writing just before it enters the recovery screen. I've tried clearing cache and factory reset in recovery mode but it always appears no matter what. There must be something I need to update somewhere to get rid of it?
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

**NOTE 3 appears soft bricked**

i got a note 3 from my friend but it doesn't boot. it gets stuck on the boot screen "galaxy note 3 etc". i cannot enter recovery but i can get into download mode 100% of the time. it is a SM n900 appears to be an internation version. I tried flashing a stock lollipop rom using odin but ODIN 10.00 tells me fail "<ID:0/012> Can't open the serial(COM) port." and odin 10.6 gets stuck on initializing.
Tried all my usb ports.
reinstalled drivers with samsung kies
not sure where to go next, any direction would be appreciated. thanks!

flyhotstuff said:
i got a note 3 from my friend but it doesn't boot. it gets stuck on the boot screen "galaxy note 3 etc". i cannot enter recovery but i can get into download mode 100% of the time. it is a SM n900 appears to be an internation version. I tried flashing a stock lollipop rom using odin but ODIN 10.00 tells me fail "<ID:0/012> Can't open the serial(COM) port." and odin 10.6 gets stuck on initializing.
Tried all my usb ports.
reinstalled drivers with samsung kies
not sure where to go next, any direction would be appreciated. thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Boot in download mode and conect your device to the pc.
2. Press the combination on your keyboard " Win + R " and write there "devmgmt.msc" (without the "") and press ENTER.
3. Make a screenshot and paste it here.

{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
uploaded. to mention, i dont know what was the last firmware on the device, i dont know what state it was prior to this. The knox counter was tripped and it says it has a custom binary. thanks.

bump

flyhotstuff said:
i got a note 3 from my friend but it doesn't boot. it gets stuck on the boot screen "galaxy note 3 etc". i cannot enter recovery but i can get into download mode 100% of the time. it is a SM n900 appears to be an internation version. I tried flashing a stock lollipop rom using odin but ODIN 10.00 tells me fail "<ID:0/012> Can't open the serial(COM) port." and odin 10.6 gets stuck on initializing.
Tried all my usb ports.
reinstalled drivers with samsung kies
not sure where to go next, any direction would be appreciated. thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I presume by Odin 10.00 you mean 3.10? If so, try DL 3.09 and use that - it's what I have used all along with my Note 3. Odin is not necessarily 'latest is best' in versions.
Next, turn phone OFF and even remove battery for 10 secs or so, then start Odin and then start phone into Download mode and THEN connect it to PC - do you get the blue OK in Odin? Do you get an 'Added' in the action box?
Which firmware are you trying to flash?
Something else to try is to turn phone off, wait a bit, start using the download mode keys but press Vol DOWN to start instead of Vol UP to go into DL - sometimes lets the phone boot.

Bootloader issue

I have a GS4 that is not my primary phone, but I do use it for my music player and on wifi. I want to restore it back to a stock rom, but my bootloader shows that it is write protected. I cannot use odin, I've tried several times, but with the bootloader in write protect it won't write the rom. Any suggestions?

soundimpressions said:
I have a GS4 that is not my primary phone, but I do use it for my music player and on wifi. I want to restore it back to a stock rom, but my bootloader shows that it is write protected. I cannot use odin, I've tried several times, but with the bootloader in write protect it won't write the rom. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are in download mode when you tried Odin?

mattzeller said:
You are in download mode when you tried Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, When in download mode, here is the text on the screen at the top left
Odin Mode
Product Name:SPH-L720
Current Binary: Custom
System Status: Custom
Knox Kernel Lock: 0x0
Knox Warranty Void: 0x1
csb-config-lsb: 0x30
Write Protection: Enable
eMMC Burst Mode enabled

soundimpressions said:
Yes, When in download mode, here is the text on the screen at the top left
Odin Mode
Product Name:SPH-L720
Current Binary: Custom
System Status: Custom
Knox Kernel Lock: 0x0
Knox Warranty Void: 0x1
csb-config-lsb: 0x30
Write Protection: Enable
eMMC Burst Mode enabled
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine says the same thing, maybe you should reinstall the Samsung drivers, try a different USB cable and port.

That's on my phone screen, not my computer, so it's definitely not a driver issue. It doesn't matter if it's connected to a pc or not. This is the bootloader being write protected.

soundimpressions said:
That's on my phone screen, not my computer, so it's definitely not a driver issue. It doesn't matter if it's connected to a pc or not. This is the bootloader being write protected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look in Settings/Security on the L720T it has a write protection setting that you can turn off.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

bilgerryan said:
Look in Settings/Security on the L720T it has a write protection setting that you can turn off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see a write protect option anywhere in security. Rom is 5.0.1
L720VPUFNG2
Am I looking in the wrong place?

soundimpressions said:
That's on my phone screen, not my computer, so it's definitely not a driver issue. It doesn't matter if it's connected to a pc or not. This is the bootloader being write protected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it's on your phone screen and not on the computer. I just flashed stock, then Wicked X, an now BlissPop, still says it. I suggested reinstalling drivers since you are having issues flashing your phone via computer and not just flashing a ROM via recovery.

Drivers have nothing to do with the boot loader. I can flash roms from zips, but most need an odin flashed modem. Making the phone mostly useless. updating drivers on a computer will never unlock a bootloader. Never ever. It has nothing to do with the phone's OS.

soundimpressions said:
Drivers have nothing to do with the boot loader. I can flash roms from zips, but most need an odin flashed modem. Making the phone mostly useless. updating drivers on a computer will never unlock a bootloader. Never ever. It has nothing to do with the phone's OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Drivers do have to do with how Odin works, it is a valid suggestion and you should probably try it because, hell, you don't have too many options. If it's an L720 the bootloader is not locked, period, they never ever have been. I hope you also realize that Odin won't let you flash older firmware, only newer or the same firmware.

I actually reinstalled odin and updated the samsung drivers. I will post a picture after work. The bootloader screen actually says write protect enabled. Odin recognizes the phone being plugged in and even attempts to download. But it fails every time. I've used two different computers.

soundimpressions said:
I actually reinstalled odin and updated the samsung drivers. I will post a picture after work. The bootloader screen actually says write protect enabled. Odin recognizes the phone being plugged in and even attempts to download. But it fails every time. I've used two different computers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everybody's L720 says that (write protection enabled), that is not the issue. Have you tried a different cable? What file are you trying to Odin? What is the error that Odin says?

Thanks for that info. I never paid attention to notice that before. I'm at work so I can't do much right now. Odin does showthe install fail.

soundimpressions said:
Thanks for that info. I never paid attention to notice that before. I'm at work so I can't do much right now. Odin does showthe install fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be as simple as a bad download of the file or you are trying to use a file for the L720T. There's only a few things that can go wrong in Odin.

Note 4 failed upgrade and now I only get an error screen.

A month or two ago my Note 4 notified me of a software update being available. I told it to go ahead and install. Once it was looking like it was done and went to reboot itself, I ended up getting a screen that said "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again." I called Samsung for support and after troubleshooting they told me to take the phone to the Samsung kiosk at my local Best Buy. The employees there were unable to fix it. I contacted Samsung again and they said they could reflash the firmware for a fee of $70.13 which I was willing to pay since I love my Note 4. I sent the phone in with the battery per instructions, waited for repair, and when the phone came back it was not fixed. Included was a message saying it was beyond economical repair. How did they know how much I am willing to spend to fix my phone? Also they did not return my battery. I contacted Samsung and They DID end up sending me a battery, but told me they could not fix my phone since it had been rooted. I know for SURE it had not because I bought the phone BRAND NEW. Now I am stuck with a phone that will only turn on to an error screen and don't know what to do.
This is what appears on the screen.
ODIN MODE (HIGH SPEED)
PRODUCT NAME: SM-N910P
CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official
REACTIVATION LOCK: OFF
KNOX WARRANTY VOID: 0X1 (2)
QUALCOMM SECUREBOOT: ENABLE (CSB)
AP SWREV: S1, T3, R1, A4, P1
SECUREDOWNLOAD : ENABLE
UDC START
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

Go to sammobile and download the latest firmware for n910p.
Download 'Odin' software aswell.
Extract tge zip thatvyou downloaded from sammobile, you will get a .tar.md5 file.
Then, open odin and click on AP button.
Select your n910p..........md5 file.
It will take time to load, leave it alone, the screen will look as if it is not responding but give it a few minutes.
Once the file is loaded, put the phone in download mode (the one that you shared in the image, is called download mode), connect the phone to pc and press the start button in odin.
Leave the phone and pc for 5-10 min.
Once the flashing process is done, the phone will reboot.
Press volume up+home+power buttons al together for 7 sec, the phone will boot into recovery mode, select the fatory reset option with the volume and power keys.
Then sleect 'reboot system'.
Done.
The phone should not take more than 10 min to boot.
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

yashthemw said:
Go to sammobile and download the latest firmware for n910p.
Download 'Odin' software aswell.
Extract tge zip thatvyou downloaded from sammobile, you will get a .tar.md5 file.
Then, open odin and click on AP button.
Select your n910p..........md5 file.
It will take time to load, leave it alone, the screen will look as if it is not responding but give it a few minutes.
Once the file is loaded, put the phone in download mode (the one that you shared in the image, is called download mode), connect the phone to pc and press the start button in odin.
Leave the phone and pc for 5-10 min.
Once the flashing process is done, the phone will reboot.
Press volume up+home+power buttons al together for 7 sec, the phone will boot into recovery mode, select the fatory reset option with the volume and power keys.
Then sleect 'reboot system'.
Done.
The phone should not take more than 10 min to boot.
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's odd. I thought this was the download screen...

Stu Pidaso said:
That's odd. I thought this was the download screen...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is, sorry, my bad.
Were you able to fix your phone?
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

yashthemw said:
Yes it is, sorry, my bad.
Were you able to fix your phone?
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Unfortunately it will only turn on to the screen I originally posted. Unable to get phone to turn on in download mode.

Stu Pidaso said:
No. Unfortunately it will only turn on to the screen I originally posted. Unable to get phone to turn on in download mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just download the specific firmware from sammobile and flash it via odin.
The first line says, 'odin mode', that means it will be detected in download mode.
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

I have the same problem...can't flash stock firmware with Odin.... please help me...

petra.pavlic5 said:
I have the same problem...can't flash stock firmware with Odin.... please help me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3488114
Flashbtge revovery firmware from this thread.
Read the instructions carefully.
Reporting Via N910G.

I'm 910C version...
I can flash twrp with Odin and custom rom with twrp....But I can't flash official firmware with Odin..

I can't even get it to turn on now.