Database Users

Anyone swap your device after removing tmo crapware apps?

rooted my phone just to get screenshot availability and to delete some of the crapware (telenav, gogo, mobitv) but i was wanting to swap the phone at a store to see if a new one has better luck with GPS.
wondering if the tmo employees would flip out (obviously i'll be wiping the phone and deleting the superuser stuff) and not allow me to exchange it.
considering the phone's going back to samsung anyway i cant imagine they would care, but i'm curious if anyone has done this.

If you want to be certain to have no issues either flash it with one of the stock nandroids in the dev section, or go in and delete half the system folder via adb like I did.

I saw some of them but didn't see one that included the crapware, hmm..
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Dude just return it don't worry about them checking it. I actually rooted mine and erased many apps. I just factory erased it before returning it. I even forgot to put the ear phone back in but they didn't care. Good luck.
SAMSUNG BEAST VIBRANT ™ XDA APP

[Q] Touch Screen intermittently doesn't work. Question about warranty

Ok, I'm suffering from the "Sometimes the touch screen doesn't work, some times it does" problem I've seen other members have.
I'm thinking about starting the warranty process, but I have a few questions. First some relevant info:
This is a T-Mobile USA HD2
I bought it Day 1 (stood in line in front of the store) so it is going to be hitting it's Year Old mark here next week
I have flashed HSPL and I have a custom ROM
Here are my questions:
Should I call t-mobile or go into a t-mo store?
Do I need to remove HSPL and the custom ROM? Even if I'm sending it in?
Anything I can try that doesn't involve warrantying and requires limited screwdrivering?
Thanks

this happened to me some months ago. call soon; at a year the manufacturer's warranty becomes void.
Should I call t-mobile or go into a t-mo store?
- i went in. but in the end, they had me call tmo via phone and i took care of it that way. i would just call first (open 24 hours, so kinda easier too.)
Do I need to remove HSPL and the custom ROM? Even if I'm sending it in?
yes. hspl breaks your warranty. flash back to original everything (and tell them when you call that you have tried upgrading your rom with the same problems. it will make things faster as you won't have to do all of that on the phone).
Anything I can try that doesn't involve warrantying and requires limited screwdrivering?
i don't think so, mate. some just go bad.
in the end, i sent my phone in (without battery or sd card) and they sent me a new phone (no new battery, no new backcover but they did include an additional 16gig sdcard which was a nice surprise...) good luck!
(and when i was on WM, loved your fb app for what it is worth!)

jsmccabe78 said:
this happened to me some months ago. call soon; at a year the manufacturer's warranty becomes void.
Should I call t-mobile or go into a t-mo store?
- i went in. but in the end, they had me call tmo via phone and i took care of it that way. i would just call first (open 24 hours, so kinda easier too.)
Do I need to remove HSPL and the custom ROM? Even if I'm sending it in?
yes. hspl breaks your warranty. flash back to original everything (and tell them when you call that you have tried upgrading your rom with the same problems. it will make things faster as you won't have to do all of that on the phone).
Anything I can try that doesn't involve warrantying and requires limited screwdrivering?
i don't think so, mate. some just go bad.
in the end, i sent my phone in (without battery or sd card) and they sent me a new phone (no new battery, no new backcover but they did include an additional 16gig sdcard which was a nice surprise...) good luck!
(and when i was on WM, loved your fb app for what it is worth!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I'll give them a call right now
Thanks for the compliment on XDAFB! What platform are you on now? I'm not going to be staying on the WM train for much longer... Too many problems and too many better options. I plan on taking the project with me to where ever I go.

I have been with Tmobile for over 8 years and have been through the warranty process a **** load of times. I have never wiped off a custom rom or radio before sending a phone in. Matter of fact I sent in a Vibrant that had a custom kernel and a custom Android 2.3 (only the galaxy tmobile tab ships with 2.3) and received a replacement phone no problem. I would say if you can change it back to stock go ahead, if not I wouldn't worry about it.

Switched to android. The few programs I use for work simply work better and not available for WP7. I miss cookies but I think android is it for now.
If you come to the dark side I looked forward to your work!
joe_coolish said:
Thanks! I'll give them a call right now
Thanks for the compliment on XDAFB! What platform are you on now? I'm not going to be staying on the WM train for much longer... Too many problems and too many better options. I plan on taking the project with me to where ever I go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

[Q] Update on Furious at AT&T- NOT A RANT

Long story short; I sent the phone to a former NTSB investigator who confirmed what I already knew. Thermal damage.
The refurbished phone that they sent as a replacement was FULL of issues, so I had to have it replaced, as well. The camera would not focus, the sound recorder only recorded static, it wouldn't retain my preferences that I set in the phone, and randomly reverted to the default ringtone.
When I called back to get it replaced; I was greeted by a VERY friendly, helpful, and understanding representative who told me that the original claim WAS NOT handled properly. She overnighted a new phone and battery and asked me to return the original phone to a different address for examination. She agreed that they would probably just take one look at it and claim that it was physical damage. She reversed the charges for the replacement - even though I had the "Premium" insurance on it. She also noted that I had a written report with photos to verify that it was a manufacturing defect - with the obvious caveat that if there really was physical damage that I would have to pay the deductible. Naturally; I used my Sony video microscope to take photos of every angle of the phone, the edges, etc. - to prove that there wasn't so much as a single blemish anywhere on the phone that they could construe as being "physical damage" - aside from the obvious darkening to the inner plastic from the internal heat, and it was isolated to the rear of the display.
I got back in town early yesterday and the newest replacement was already waiting. I charged the battery and fired it up. So far; so good. Works like a champ. Bear in mind, it's been less than 24 hours...
Oddly; I didn't start having issues until AT&T forcefully crammed the firmware update down my throat. And, no; I had done no modifications - such as rooting or work-arounds to either phone. So; I actually have a legitimate question: Have any of you experienced any phantom issues with your S4's, post firmware (FM3, I think) update? I know that it gave me a message: "Updating Camera Firmware", and the camera would no longer focus. I took copious photos and videos with it and have saved them for reference. In the videos; you can see that the camera is constantly zooming in and out of focus - even though it was stationary, aimed at a fixed subject, and at a very reasonable distance. Many of my downloaded programs also no longer worked, or would freeze up for no apparent reason. They all had worked perfectly prior to the update, as well as on my previous Motorola Atrix HD. They still are working perfectly on the Atrix HD that I passed down to my kids, after I unlocked it, rooted it, and installed the Pac-Man 4.3 ROM. When I got the first replacement S4; it kept prompting me to download the firmware update, and I kept denying permission - in the event that I felt frisky enough to do some fancy footwork on it later down the road. One morning I woke up and it had a message on the screen: "Software Update Successful!" After I angrily cleared that screen, it gave me the message about updating my camera firmware. Now; I'd only had it a day or so, so I can't verify that everything was working properly before - it just seemed to be OK.
My next question is: Is there any way to block them from updating this phone, and constantly bombarding me and forcing me to install useless "bloatware" that I'll never use and only uses up more of my internal memory. I have the 32GB S4 so it's not a huge issue, but it's obnoxious, at the very least that they think that they know better than I do what I want to be installed on my phone. I can hide them, uninstall the updates and put them out of sight, but they're there, none the less, and I don't want them! Yeah; I know I agreed to their terms, but that just seems downright controlling and unfair. And, by the way; even if I do hide them, and uninstall the updates; they magically reappear in a few days and it seems like I'm constantly receiving messages prompting me to update them. Even if I decline; they download anyway. Sort of a "Wash, Rinse, Repeat" scenario.
OK; after my last nasty rant, I expect (and deserve) some nasty feedback, but I'd really appreciate any suggestions or insight to these issues. Any similar experiences? I'd been foaming at the mouth waiting to get this phone, but it seems like it's been one terrific headache after another. I've only owned Motorola phones (since 1985) until now. Motorola now seems lackluster compared to the newer models or I'd have never jumped ship. Now; it seems like I made a $700.00 mistake. I really hope I'm wrong and just unfamiliar with other manufacturers equipment. Save me from myself!
Thanks, everyone!
Nukesnooper

The Samsung updates are kind of like the old "Window Updates needs to restart, postpone for X hours." But if you leave it there, then it will reboot by itself. Kind of like this updated by itself. The only way to avoid updates is rooting the phone and freezing or deleting that service, or of course, changing ROMs. (But I believe you're on MF3 firmware now so..)
Other than that, can't say much as I have the T-Mobile variant.

If you have MDB or MDL firmware do this. It will stop AT&T updates. I would freeze anything that even looks like a Samsung updater also.
Link Here

Thanks!
~wolverine~ said:
If you have MDB or MDL firmware do this. It will stop AT&T updates. I would freeze anything that even looks like a Samsung updater also.
Link Here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess the next obvious question is: "How?" I don't want to root the phone yet, but didn't think you could freeze any of their apps without rooting or modifying the stock firmware. I'm afraid to do any mods to it until I know it's going to be a stable device - and hence; not taking any chance of voiding my warranty. Sorry for what's probably a dumb question, but I'm new to modifying phones.
Also; what is the best way to sterilize the phone that I'm returning of contacts, remnants of uninstalled programs, etc?
Added: It already has the MF3 update installed. Grrr!
Thanks again!
NS

nukesnooper said:
Also; what is the best way to sterilize the phone that I'm returning of contacts, remnants of uninstalled programs, etc?
Added: It already has the MF3 update installed. Grrr!
Thanks again!
NS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A factory reset from settings/accounts/backup & restore will wipe out all that. I would think it would be safe to do that with MF3, but I'm no expert. You might want to get other opinions also.

ptguca cross
~wolverine~ said:
A factory reset from settings/accounts/backup & restore will wipe out all that. I would think it would be safe to do that with MF3, but I'm no expert. You might want to get other opinions also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great until I went to confirm that I was going to delete everything in my brain and give them a pint of virgin blood; then it asked for a "New Password" and wouldn't give me anything but a numeric keypad. Huh??? Sup wid dat? It wouldn't delete ANYTHING until I confirmed my "password" which isn't numeric at all, but gave me no other options. I'm going to try booting it up from "off" and see if there's a way to do it from there. FEAR.

[Q] Possible to COMPLETELY unroot I337UCUAMF3?

I have an AT&T Galaxy S4 running Android 4.2.2 I337UCUAMF3. I rooted the device using the method posted here:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...-root-new-root-method-found-mf3-firmware.html
Everything was fine. No custom recovery, but I had root access. Well, my company is reclaiming all company-provided BlackBerrys and rolling out Good for Enterprise on personal devices. Without the ability to use ODIN to completely reflash the device, I tried other methods to remove ROOT -- Universal Unroot, and others that unfortunately I don't recall. I've done multiple factory data resets, and that does not help either.
These methods seem to work as I no longer have root access, however, Good thinks I do which causes my account to get disabled anywhere from 1 hour to 3 days after setting it up. My device is currently showing Device Status = Official and I no longer get the "custom" logo when rebooting. The people at Good sent me a Malware Test app that normally does not show anything, but occasionally will return something running a root shell, but no indication of what -- obviously this is what's causing my device to be flagged as rooted periodically and causing my account to be disabled.
So, in the absence of a stock MF3 firmware to install with ODIN, what else can I do to completely remove root?

You might consider going to best buy that has a Samsung kiosk. They can flash the stock mf3 firmware.

From reading around this forum it sounds like you can take it to Best Buy and go to the Samsung Experience there and they have the ability to flash the completely stock ROM on it (MF3). you just need to call around to your best buys stores to make sure they can do it before heading over there. Others have stated that Samsung sent them to the Best Buy Samsung Experience to do this. It also sounds like MOST of the Samsung Experience people had to call Samsung Support to be able to flash it. Hope this helps
Sent From My Spiderman Themed I337

Is there anything I need to tell them for them to do it? Do I say I rooted and need to reflash the stock ROM to completely remove root? I mean, I never would have gone into an Apple Store and said I need to unjailbreak my phone, just not sure what the protocol is to get your phone reflashed by Samsung.
Thanks in advance.

bpdunsta said:
Is there anything I need to tell them for them to do it? Do I say I rooted and need to reflash the stock ROM to completely remove root? I mean, I never would have gone into an Apple Store and said I need to unjailbreak my phone, just not sure what the protocol is to get your phone reflashed by Samsung.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tell them your company is rolling out good for enterprise and something happened to your phone where it won't install and they suggested you return it to stock firmware. And you heard that best buy can do that and could you please help me.

Went to Best Buy yesterday. The Samsung rep only comes to the local store on weekends, but one of the other folks was able to help me. I couldn't see her PC screen, but based on what I saw on my S4 screen, it looked like she was flashing the ROM. So far, no issues with Good for Enterprise, so my issue may be resolved.
Thanks everyone for the help.

bpdunsta said:
Went to Best Buy yesterday. The Samsung rep only comes to the local store on weekends, but one of the other folks was able to help me. I couldn't see her PC screen, but based on what I saw on my S4 screen, it looked like she was flashing the ROM. So far, no issues with Good for Enterprise, so my issue may be resolved.
Thanks everyone for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it worked out for you.

Straight Talk S3 Model: SCH-S968C

Hello XDA members,
I hope that I am posting in the right section.. let's get to the deal...
I am an owner of a almost 2 day old Straight Talk S3 Model: SCH-S968C
The Issue that I am having with it is mainly after I receive the Picture Message I am not able to download it to my phone?
I was wondering if I was to go down the route of rooting my device that it would take care of this issue? It is still under warranty at walmart
but the two stores I've went to ran out of the phone.
Everything works on the phone besides the Pic Message.. which makes me believe that my issue is due to software problems
So if I root the phone from stock to a custom rom will it take care of my issue of not being able to download the pictures to my phone?
If this works where could I find the stock rom for this phone and which rom could I use in it's replace.
If this rom switching route doesn't work I guess I must wait for them to exchange phones in a few days..
Hoping you folks could guide me into a direction of how I can solve this troubling issue many thanks from Palm Desert, CA

moderator needs to delete this sorry wrong section.