Database Users

I9000M booting problem- after failed download.

I just installed PSX for my galaxy and installed the all roms app...(forgot name) but i was downloading a game and then i left my phone alone to let it download.
10 minutes later my phone wouldn't go onto the lockscreen aka froze. so i decided to take the battery out...(mind you the download wasnt finished) and now when i boot up the phone it just goes the the "S" logo and either turns off...or freezes.
note* I can access ADB through 3 button reset.
However i do not want to wipe data. as i have important pictures on my internal sd and videos. i was thinking of using the "wiping cache option" cause my theory was that the frozen app was still in memory or something....can anyone give me suggestions to fix this issue?...try to avoid "wipe data option"
thanks.
edit** have got into download mode and tried to use ODIN but odin doesnt see my phone....however kies does. but kies cant connect to it. keep saying connecting to device....any helP??

flashing a rom doesn't delete your pictures I think
just contacts, sms, apps etc
but it is better if someone else also verifies it
edit: oh sorry I just saw you wrote cache... i am not sure what that does. I don;t think it deletes your data.

allotrios said:
flashing a rom doesn't delete your pictures I think
just contacts, sms, apps etc
but it is better if someone else also verifies it
edit: oh sorry I just saw you wrote cache... i am not sure what that does. I don;t think it deletes your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am waiting for someone to clarify that i can "wipe cache". By the way, i do also require my SMS messages, there is some delicate information within them. i am currently googling wipe cache. any other help is greatly appreciated. thanks for the quicky reply allotrios

just wiped cache. phone still wont boot to main homescreen it freezes, and/or shuts off. last resort is wipe data. anyone offer a suggestion other than that?

WTH? i just wiped date/factory reset and hit reboot and it STILL doesnt load. it goes to the "S" symbol and shuts off or freezes.

edit* trying to find firmware for i9000M canada version. Attempting to use odin but cant find links
just got pit file! where can i get the pda phone and csc files? what else do i need to flash it using odin? im constantly googling and trying to do this before i sleep
edit** just tried to use odin with a different firmware with all correct files. when pluggin in usb cable in download mode, Odin doesnt see my phone.
kies sees the device but keep saying "connecting to device"

welcome to my world........flashes fine, wiped data/cache, still freezes at the 's'. i just sent my phone in after i couldn't get it going after flashing 40 times.
it would seem your sdcard is corrupted or fried.........try flashing some more roms (jg9 or jh2) with different pits (512 and 803) and wipe data/cache. samfirmware.com for the roms.
as well, if you do not have the 3br fix to get into download mode (since you said you get into download mode via adb), i would suggest you flash the fix asap before you lose the ability to use adb.

wang1chung said:
welcome to my world........flashes fine, wiped data/cache, still freezes at the 's'. i just sent my phone in after i couldn't get it going after flashing 40 times.
it would seem your sdcard is corrupted or fried.........try flashing some more roms (jg9 or jh2) with different pits (512 and 803) and wipe data/cache. samfirmware.com for the roms.
as well, if you do not have the 3br fix to get into download mode (since you said you get into download mode via adb), i would suggest you flash the fix asap before you lose the ability to use adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive been sitting here for 3 hours...have a exam tommorow and am fed up. Problem is i bought this phone from a friend, so warrranty is out of the option.
The other problem WHICH can be solved somehow...is that my computer sees my phone. (kies does..but wont connect)..i can "technically" use odin if i can somehow get my phone to work with it.
If the case that my internal sd card is fried....i dont have warranty, do i have manufacturer warranty?. aka samsung?. i dont know just a thought.

can you get into download mode? i assume no as i had the same issue, and adb wouldn't work unless the phone had fully booted up. odin will only recognize your phone in download mode.
the only options you have are:
make a jig with 301k resistor to get your phone into download mode and try flashing
send your phone out to be repaired (some other thread mentioned repair shop in ontario)
go into bell and see if they will take your phone in for repair (samsung 1yr warranty)

wang1chung said:
can you get into download mode? i assume no as i had the same issue, and adb wouldn't work unless the phone had fully booted up. odin will only recognize your phone in download mode.
the only options you have are:
make a jig with 301k resistor to get your phone into download mode and try flashing
send your phone out to be repaired (some other thread mentioned repair shop in ontario)
go into bell and see if they will take your phone in for repair (samsung 1yr warranty)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i CAN get into DOWNLOAD MODE. but problem is ODIN doesnt see my phone
edit* could you give me a link to that store?

ah, ok...........i had the same problem, but after i installed the drivers for it, no more problems.
you should try that before you send your phone in.
edit: found the link
http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/MOBILES/Samsung/Samsung-Galaxy-S-USB-Driver-for-Windows-x86.shtml

If you're phone can get into download mode then it should work. However, Odin is somewhat temperamental, have you tried Heimdall?

Benjamin Dobell said:
If you're phone can get into download mode then it should work. However, Odin is somewhat temperamental, have you tried Heimdall?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have just woken up. my phone is now dead, i cant turn it on. i have tried connecting the charger and it wont charge my phone......anyone have any ideas? is it bricked? internal SD card fail?......i dont have Bell warranty, would samsung canada cover this issue? as internal sd cards area known to fail?......thanks.
edit** never mind, it is now charging. i will keep this thread updated when i finish my exam today and let everyone know where my phone stands. So far i think it is a internal sd card error. But i am hoping after a full charge it may work again.
hmm still same thing, i load to "S" screen and it shuts off, i can still access 3 button recovery and download mode. i just called samsung too, they said to call my service provider, but problem is i bought the phone second-hand.

Have just flashed JH2 firmware and JG5 firmware on phone with ODIN, phone still boots up to "S" logo and then shuts off .
edit** only JH2 firmware will go through to my phone on ODIN, i have tried a 2nd time, it goes to the S logo....looks like it will load to phone, and then just doesnt and shuts off.

So is it safe to say the phone is bricked?.....i have heard of someone in this forum saying there was a unofficial samsung store somewhere in Ontario that fixes galaxy phones?....anyone can link me to this?. I don't have warranty as i bought it 2nd hand. hmm..now idont know what to do, besides, i guess, save up and buy a new phone.
edit** it cant be bricked if i can still access recovery and download mode? right.
Phone is OFFICIALLY bricked, tried flashing a 803 pit file, now it wont power on, or charge through wall charger. thanks to all who helped in little ways. but looks like ill have to buy a new phone.

jark99 said:
edit** it cant be bricked if i can still access recovery and download mode? right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that would normally be true........with one exemption to the rule.......if your sdcard is corrupted/fried.
if you have flashed back to 2.1 with repartition and wiping multiple times with different PITS, and still the same issue, then nothing will help (at the moment) aside from sending it in.

I Had this exact same issue a week ago. My guess is that your internal SD is dead and you will need to send it out for repairs. Im still waiting for mine from bell to see if they only reflashed or replaced the whole motherboard.
Light

Problem is i dont have Bell warranty....so i am kinda a goner. unless someone has a suggestion?

Just because you don't have warranty doesn't mean you can't pay to get it repaired (at least get it inspected and a quote). Should be much cheaper than saving up for a new one!
If you bought it from your friend, they should be able to send it on your behalf.
Sorry to hear about your issues :/

JimiJam said:
Just because you don't have warranty doesn't mean you can't pay to get it repaired (at least get it inspected and a quote). Should be much cheaper than saving up for a new one!
If you bought it from your friend, they should be able to send it on your behalf.
Sorry to hear about your issues :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Ontario, the only way to get our phone repaired is through Bell sending it to a service center, Problem is my friend doesnt have the receipt. He bought it from a friend. Its past through 3 hands to get to me. Friend's Friend > My Friend > ME.
So...i am currently looking at cell repair shops to see if they can fix this problem....BUT i am assuming alot of them use Odin or some sort of flashing, WHICH i have already done .....
I also called 5 bell stores to see if i could get the receipt printed out using the IMEI code, all of them said this information cannot be provided due to "privacy issues." They told me to call Samsung or talk to a 3rd party cell repair center.....fml.

S4 Bricked

To make a long story short, i had a rooted s4, gave /system read and write permissions, and it shat the bed. Now when you start it up it only boots to recovery, and if you try to restart it, recovery booting.
My dad, for some reason, is bent on trying to fix it, even though i've transfered the service to a new phone already.
The only way I'd think i'd be able to fix it is by flashing another rom to it via odin, right?
Well it doesnt have usb debugging on, and I have no idea if there's even firmware compatible with that old phone anywhere online, and if would even work with that phone.
That phone is a Straight talk Galaxy S4, I don't know the exact model number, but it is a straight talk phone.
Any help on this, my dad would appreciate it, thanks.

You don't need usb debugging to be enabled I guess? Just boot to odin mode, see your model no. , download firmware and flash it.

Help me with flashing stock firmware

Hi
I got my wife a Samsung S8, SIM free as it was cheaper to buy the phone out right and get a 3 SIM only deal.
Only problem is because we got the phone from a online retailer, 3 won't activate the wifi calling.
So I have decided to flash the 3 S8 firmware via odin to my wife's phone but before I do that I have a few questions so I know I don't mess things up.
I will list the questions in number form so could you list the answers in number form with answer matching the question number, so I know what people are talking about.
1. When I glanced at Sammobile, I saw nothing mentioned about 3. Only thing I saw was H3G does this mean 3....if not what is 3 software listed as.
2. Will flashing this firmware wipe or factory reset her phone. (I know that I need to back things up anyway)
3. Will doing this Firmware flash void her insurance. As it's official Samsung software, I didn't think so but I want to be sure.
4. After the update will her phone be locked to 3.
5. Has anyone got any tips and guides which can help with this.
6. I hear that you can google blocked doing this type of thing, how do you get around getting blocked and if I do, how do I unblock a google blocked phones.
7. Will flashing 3 firmware actually give me wifi calling in the end.
8. After I have installed the firmware....will I receive future android/ Samsung updates. E.g. android 7 to android 8 updates, security patches and bug fixes
Thanks guys I will leave those questions for now....if I have anymore I will add them on another comment.
Hope you can help me I have attached some stuff I saw on the net incase it helps in anyway

Owenboy89 said:
Hi
I got my wife a Samsung S8, SIM free as it was cheaper to buy the phone out right and get a 3 SIM only deal.
Only problem is because we got the phone from a online retailer, 3 won't activate the wifi calling.
So I have decided to flash the 3 S8 firmware via odin to my wife's phone but before I do that I have a few questions so I know I don't mess things up.
I will list the questions in number form so could you list the answers in number form with answer matching the question number, so I know what people are talking about.
1. When I glanced at Sammobile, I saw nothing mentioned about 3. Only thing I saw was H3G does this mean 3....if not what is 3 software listed as.
2. Will flashing this firmware wipe or factory reset her phone. (I know that I need to back things up anyway)
3. Will doing this Firmware flash void her insurance. As it's official Samsung software, I didn't think so but I want to be sure.
4. After the update will her phone be locked to 3.
5. Has anyone got any tips and guides which can help with this.
6. I hear that you can google blocked doing this type of thing, how do you get around getting blocked and if I do, how do I unblock a google blocked phones.
7. Will flashing 3 firmware actually give me wifi calling in the end.
8. After I have installed the firmware....will I receive future android/ Samsung updates. E.g. android 7 to android 8 updates, security patches and bug fixes
Thanks guys I will leave those questions for now....if I have anymore I will add them on another comment.
Hope you can help me I have attached some stuff I saw on the net incase it helps in anyway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, there are Dozens and dozens of flash guides all over the web on flashing a SS phones with ODIN, 2nd'ly, its one of the easiest phones to flash..
Before you do anything download and install the latest SS USB drivers.. plug your phone in so they are detected.. then goto>settings and turn ON USB debugging in developer options.. plug in phone again.. so the device is detected again, then unplug... this installs the (A)ndroid (D) ebug (B)ridge driver, leave USB Debugging ON..
Your questions:,,
1) Yes H3G is 3UK... also EE use wifi calling..
2) Yes, it will wipe her phone... When you download your H3G firmware.. there are 2 CSC files in the folder.. I recommend using CSC... do not use HOME_CSC
3) No it will not void the warranty... its only when you trip KNOX by rooting, or custom roms that you invalidate warranty... Stock is fine
4) Yes it will... you will have to get an Unlock code to SIM unlock her phone.. SIM Unlock.. is not Flashing a rom.. What makes SS devices so cool.. is that you can flash any stock rom from any provider.. and it doesnt affect the bootloader, so you could flash an unbranded (open), EE or O2 rom on your 3 SIM locked phone..
5) Theres so many on the web and on XDA for SS phones and ODIN flashing, just type "Galaxy S8 back to stock" into search. My advice.. READ READ and more READ the guides ALL THE WAY Through, before you do ANYTHING AT ALL.. and make sure the phone you have has no SIM locks or security locks on it before you start.
6) Never heard of this... its only a stock rom your flashing, youll be fine
7) If 3 support Wifi Calling and the Rom your flashing has it coded in, then Yes it should work fine. EE also support Wifi calling
8) Yes... its a STOCK Rom with a STock recovery and STOCK Knox... so you will recieve updates according to when they are rolled out by that prvider... So, if its a 3 Rom, youll get updates when 3 push them out... if its an O2 rom, youll get them from O2.. and so on.... That is why soo many people flash Unbranded/Unlocked Open Roms... because unlocked phones have, in the past, gotten updates first and factory unlocked phones / roms dont come with Bloatware / carrier rubbish apps installed ..
Remember.. Just READ everything
Hope this helps

NightOrchid said:
Firstly, there are Dozens and dozens of flash guides all over the web on flashing a SS phones with ODIN, 2nd'ly, its one of the easiest phones to flash..
Before you do anything download and install the latest SS USB drivers.. plug your phone in so they are detected.. then goto>settings and turn ON USB debugging in developer options.. plug in phone again.. so the device is detected again, then unplug... this installs the (A)ndroid (D) ebug (B)ridge driver, leave USB Debugging ON..
Your questions:,,
1) Yes H3G is 3UK... also EE use wifi calling..
2) Yes, it will wipe her phone... When you download your H3G firmware.. there are 2 CSC files in the folder.. I recommend using CSC... do not use HOME_CSC
3) No it will not void the warranty... its only when you trip KNOX by rooting, or custom roms that you invalidate warranty... Stock is fine
4) Yes it will... you will have to get an Unlock code to SIM unlock her phone.. SIM Unlock.. is not Flashing a rom.. What makes SS devices so cool.. is that you can flash any stock rom from any provider.. and it doesnt affect the bootloader, so you could flash an unbranded (open), EE or O2 rom on your 3 SIM locked phone..
5) Theres so many on the web and on XDA for SS phones and ODIN flashing, just type "Galaxy S8 back to stock" into search. My advice.. READ READ and more READ the guides ALL THE WAY Through, before you do ANYTHING AT ALL.. and make sure the phone you have has no SIM locks or security locks on it before you start.
6) Never heard of this... its only a stock rom your flashing, youll be fine
7) If 3 support Wifi Calling and the Rom your flashing has it coded in, then Yes it should work fine. EE also support Wifi calling
8) Yes... its a STOCK Rom with a STock recovery and STOCK Knox... so you will recieve updates according to when they are rolled out by that prvider... So, if its a 3 Rom, youll get updates when 3 push them out... if its an O2 rom, youll get them from O2.. and so on.... That is why soo many people flash Unbranded/Unlocked Open Roms... because unlocked phones have, in the past, gotten updates first and factory unlocked phones / roms dont come with Bloatware / carrier rubbish apps installed ..
Remember.. Just READ everything
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much. I will make sure to do my research. I have used odin before so I have some experience using the tool but not for big things like this. Last thing I used it for was to download TWRP to my rooted tablet.
I will also pull out her memory card so she can save her photo......she will be pissed about the wiping the phone part but if we want wifi calling then needs are a must.
Anyway of backing up her phone on a level where I can just put in her user name and password it will literally restore back to the point of the last back up....eg install all her the apps and themes the way she had them before the firmware update.
It's really important I nail this, as this is the first time we have gone SIM free and I don't want to be going back to paying extra for contracts just because we need the wifi calling. (And we both hate the three in touch app)....so my success with this will be important for the next phones we buy.

NightOrchid said:
Firstly, there are Dozens and dozens of flash guides all over the web on flashing a SS phones with ODIN, 2nd'ly, its one of the easiest phones to flash..
Before you do anything download and install the latest SS USB drivers.. plug your phone in so they are detected.. then goto>settings and turn ON USB debugging in developer options.. plug in phone again.. so the device is detected again, then unplug... this installs the (A)ndroid (D) ebug (B)ridge driver, leave USB Debugging ON..
Your questions:,,
1) Yes H3G is 3UK... also EE use wifi calling..
2) Yes, it will wipe her phone... When you download your H3G firmware.. there are 2 CSC files in the folder.. I recommend using CSC... do not use HOME_CSC
3) No it will not void the warranty... its only when you trip KNOX by rooting, or custom roms that you invalidate warranty... Stock is fine
4) Yes it will... you will have to get an Unlock code to SIM unlock her phone.. SIM Unlock.. is not Flashing a rom.. What makes SS devices so cool.. is that you can flash any stock rom from any provider.. and it doesnt affect the bootloader, so you could flash an unbranded (open), EE or O2 rom on your 3 SIM locked phone..
5) Theres so many on the web and on XDA for SS phones and ODIN flashing, just type "Galaxy S8 back to stock" into search. My advice.. READ READ and more READ the guides ALL THE WAY Through, before you do ANYTHING AT ALL.. and make sure the phone you have has no SIM locks or security locks on it before you start.
6) Never heard of this... its only a stock rom your flashing, youll be fine
7) If 3 support Wifi Calling and the Rom your flashing has it coded in, then Yes it should work fine. EE also support Wifi calling
8) Yes... its a STOCK Rom with a STock recovery and STOCK Knox... so you will recieve updates according to when they are rolled out by that prvider... So, if its a 3 Rom, youll get updates when 3 push them out... if its an O2 rom, youll get them from O2.. and so on.... That is why soo many people flash Unbranded/Unlocked Open Roms... because unlocked phones have, in the past, gotten updates first and factory unlocked phones / roms dont come with Bloatware / carrier rubbish apps installed ..
Remember.. Just READ everything
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi....i seem of got myself in a pickle.
I read countless amounts of guides and watch loads of videos but still not gone right. (Phone isn't broken thankfully)
Basically I do everything guides tell me, but it's when I press start on odin the problem happens. It doesn't fail but it doesn't progress....on the text box it stops at a point that says Nand START (something like that) but doesn't get past that point....i sat for an hour the first time I tried it and 30 mins every time after that. Another thing it does is at the top where you get the green loading bar....that part goes white and says something like select Partition (not near my pc at the mo and when I was with the pc my wife had my phone, so couldn't take a photo)
I have 3 solutions that could be causing the problem but I just want to get a second opinion.
1. I read everywhere about device drivers and I was under the impression that they downloaded automatically when I plugged the phone to the pc....is there secondary drivers I need to download (sorry for the basic question)
2. My odin wasn't the latest version....i was using odin 3.09 and now there is odin 3.13 (I think) will using the latest version stop this problem.
3. I wonder if my antivirus is blocking it....do antivirus's ever get in the way of flashing firmware.
Hope some can help before tonight

Owenboy89 said:
Hi....i seem of got myself in a pickle.
I read countless amounts of guides and watch loads of videos but still not gone right. (Phone isn't broken thankfully)
Basically I do everything guides tell me, but it's when I press start on odin the problem happens. It doesn't fail but it doesn't progress....on the text box it stops at a point that says Nand START (something like that) but doesn't get past that point....i sat for an hour the first time I tried it and 30 mins every time after that. Another thing it does is at the top where you get the green loading bar....that part goes white and says something like select Partition (not near my pc at the mo and when I was with the pc my wife had my phone, so couldn't take a photo)
I have 3 solutions that could be causing the problem but I just want to get a second opinion.
1. I read everywhere about device drivers and I was under the impression that they downloaded automatically when I plugged the phone to the pc....is there secondary drivers I need to download (sorry for the basic question)
2. My odin wasn't the latest version....i was using odin 3.09 and now there is odin 3.13 (I think) will using the latest version stop this problem.
3. I wonder if my antivirus is blocking it....do antivirus's ever get in the way of flashing firmware.
Hope some can help before tonight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi again everyone.
I feel like I am talking to myself here. I have managed to sort it.
I downloaded some secondary device drivers for her phone and then update odin to, Odin v3.12.7 and it worked first time.
I also used the original charging cable instead of the official charging cable for the gear 360 camera.
To restore her data, I backed up to samsung cloud in the settings, signed her in and restored the date I backed up....didn't originally think it would be any good but I am impressed.
Result is I have a phone that has wifi calling and I read somewhere that if you take the SIM out of your phone when you download the firmware it doesn't SIM lock the phone.....and it seems to have worked. (Not sure how true it is or if I was just lucky)
Hope this thread helps, I want to cover a few different things in it and learn something on the way.
(Thanks to the person that commented and supplied most of the info in this thread)
#happywifehappylife

Hi everyone.......again.
My last post I promise.
I wrote a bit of a guide for myself for when I need to do this again. I thought would post it here so people can see it and use it if they wish.
(The notes before the method is apart of my guide. Hope it all helps)
Notes Before The Method
the cable you are using to connect to the pc should be the original charging cable. (If you don't have the original then use the one your using and see if it works but try to find a official Samsung charging cable)
Your phone needs to be at least at 60% battery.
Older phones sometimes don't work with newer versions of Odin so if this is happening download a older version.
If it's a new phone and you want to personalize it from scratch then no need to back up and restore any data.
After removing your memory card, plug it into your computer using a memory card extension and copy photos to your computer. Just in case the phone formats the memory card when entered back in to the phone, after the firmware is installed.
Method
1. Go to Sammobile via Google chrome in incognito mode. (If you don't do this they will re-direct you to a sign up page, everytime you press download)
2. Download Firmware, find this by picking the lastest firmware thats with your network and match the Baseband version or the last part of build number. (found in system info in the settings)
3. Install the latest version of Odin and install secondary device drivers on your pc/Laptop.
4. (On your mobile) back up your data in the samsung cloud.
Setting>Cloud and Accounts>Samsung Cloud>Backup settings> Back up.
If you have a memory card, move all your photos ect, to it and remove it from your phone.
5. Go into setting and tap build number 7 times to unlock developer options. After unlocking it, enter developer options and enable usb debugging.
Setting>developer options>USB Debugging.
6. Once the firmware file has stopped downloading on your pc extract it and send send it to your Downloads File.
7. Open Odin and load each part of firmware in the right box e.g. AP with AP, BL with BL, CSC with CSC ect (Do not load up Home CSC this is used for when your moving a branded device to another brand, E.g. EE to 3)
8. Before you plug your phone up to the computer. Turn your phone off and enter Odin mode(Download mode). Each device has a different way of doing this so just google how to do it on your specific device.
9. Once your phone is in download mode plug it into the computer and press start. This should take a few minutes but some files may take longer.
10. Once the Odin confirms the process is done, by showing the pass sign unplug your phone and turn it on. (First time you turn it on May take a minute or two to load. )
11. Enter your google email and password, and restore all your data on google.
12. Then enter your Samsung user and password, after that press restore and choose the date you backed up on before you flashed your phone (at point 4)
13. Enjoy....your all done.

*[SM-910W8] Broken USB. Root via SD Card?*

Hi all,
I'm just about at my wits end here. I have a Note 4 (N910W8) with a failed USB connection and I would really like to root it. The underlying goal is to remove/disable all samsung bloatware.
WRT the USB, I have tried adjusting developer options, *#0808#, updating drivers, changing cables, changing PC's, etc. I've tried everything I could find online. Recently, I took it to a local shop and learned that the problem is not with the USB port/board, but the motherboard itself. I'm not going to pay to replace it. I have googled far and wide. As far as I can tell, this phone will never again connect to a PC via USB. So, download mode and Odin are out.
I have tried TowelRoot, KingoRoot, and other apk's, but I am on Android 6.0.1 (MMB29M/GLW-N910W8VLS1DPK1) so all of these exploits have been patched.
I am able to boot into (stock) recovery mode, so I thought I'd try recovering via SD card, however that doesn't work either. First I get a loading screen of the mascot with a spinning wireframe polygon in his belly and the message "installing system update". Then after ~15 seconds, the mascot is on his back with a red warning symbol over his belly, and the text "No Command." is displayed. I'm not sure what that's all about, because I have the latest update installed.
Any attempts to install CF-Autoroot or another recovery firmware (ie https://samsung-firmware.org/model/SM-N910W8/region/GLW/ , or https://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/snapdragon-dev/trltecan-n910w8-aoa1-stock-rooted-t3025538, etc) from SD (in recovery mode) have been met with the same error messages:
E:footer is wrong
E:signature verification failed
I'm not sure why because at least some of these recovery firmwares claim to be official builds. Granted, they are older versions (downgrades), but are signed nonetheless.
I have tried installing TWRP or CWM so I can disable signature verification, but AFAIK the device must already be rooted to install these (which seems like a bizarre catch-22, but maybe I'm confused) so that's a no-go.
It certainly feels like I have explored every possible avenue, but I have one remaining idea. Perhaps if the phone doesn't want to downgrade, I could force its hand by carefully soft-bricking the current rom in a controlled manner, then performing a recovery from SD with an official 4.4.4 KitKat build, and finally, using the towelroot/kingoroot/etc exploit to gain root access.
I mean, why else would there be a recover-from-SD option in the stock recovery menu? There must be a way to get it to accept a recovery build...
It's a last resort. But I'm willing to try it. The phone boots up, but is so bloated and laggy that it's practically unusable. Still. Am I missing anything? Surely there's some way to skip the USB / Odin method. What do you guys think? Is it time to go hulk on this thing? Is there any hope left? Curious to see how much further this rabbithole can go.
Cheers and thanks guys.

I've searched for ways to soft-brick, but have not come across anything. The bootloader appears to be locked, which is odd because I thought that only applied to Verizon variants.
I have recently downloaded an ADB/fastboot package for windows so I could attempt ADB over WiFi, however I can't establish a connection. I thought I'd do some more poking around on the phone side, so I installed some Wireless ADB apps. They all indicate a root is required, so I think that might be a dead end. I also connected to a ubuntu machine. Nothing. The phone charges, but both the PC and Ubuntu machine show zero signs of any connection at all.
There has to be some kind of SD-based solution to this. You can boot a computer from an SD card / USB stick and use that to access files (on an unencryped partition), and I'd be happy to do that here and delete those bloatware APK's directly... but I guess phones don't behave like other computers.
I've picked all the low hanging fruit. A part of me believes that there are some sneaky hacker ways to get at this without USB (ie some sort of rootkit) but that's way beyond my abilities. I'm going to take a break and attack this again once I have fresh ideas.

I'm in the same boat (busted usb port), does your phone still fast charge? Mine stopped fast charging.

I too have the same problem, except with the Note 10.1 2014. I know that is a different forum, but if you find a solution, it might be adaptable to my problem. I too have exhausted all other options as described above. Please someone, there must be a way to root via SD card instead of Odin. Help us please!

Me too. I have a Note Pro 12.1 running Lollipop. USB is busted and I've already replaced the port and ribbon, so it must be the motherboard. I mainly need it for Titanium backup, so I don't have to reinstall large games over my limited connection.

I have the same problem. Note 4 N910H. Not recognized by pc, stopped fast charging shows usb charging in battery settings. AFAIK I just re-rooted the phone before it went bust. There is no solution except changing the motherboard. Also this problem seems to be quite common.

Restoring Stock Firmware to SM-G930A from micro SD card, Where can i get the files?

Hey,
So I recently tried to root my SM-G930A a few days ago, and things didn't go the way i wanted. I missed a few crucial steps and bricked my phone, successfully un-mounting the OS but not installing the new one. I am a beginner/noob. But I do know a decent amount about computers and stuff. So I used Odin exactly the way i was supposed to, i think because i didn't activate developer mode and USB debugging, it wasn't able to install the new OS. So i have been trying to restore the stock firmware files to my phone through many different options. Odin couldn't detect my phone plugged in and Smart Switch was a dead end. So i have been looking to see if I reboot and restore stock firmware from an SD card, but I have no idea how to do it or where to get the files, so if one of y'all could reply with a link to a tutorial or a place where i can get the STOCK firmware files for the SM-G930A, that would be great:angel:
Thanks,
CaptainNoodle