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[Q] question concerning install of optimal rom

I am running a rooted stock verizon galaxy s5 4.4.4 with safestrap installed. I just need to know whether I need to flash capable firmware before or after installing custom optimal rom with safestrap

[email protected] said:
I am running a rooted stock verizon galaxy s5 4.4.4 with safestrap installed. I just need to know whether I need to flash capable firmware before or after installing custom optimal rom with safestrap
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You could ask the question in the Optimal ROM thread...

Either or. It doesn't matter unless Safestrap requires a different version. Just make sure to NOT boot into the OS if you flash the firmware later unless you already flashed it before you boot.

[Q] S4 i337 security software version mdf v1.0 release 2

Hey, hope you are doing fine, I bought a S4 I337 4.4.2 from at&t, but I'd like to change to Cyanogenmod 12 instead the stock ROM, but I was reading about some troubles about security software version mdf v1.0 release 2; I can't do it, there is no way, please if someone know how to avoid that security would be so helpful...
How can I install a custom recovery?
How can I change to a custom ROM?
else, Is any custom ROM I can go in?
Please let me know any news...
Hugs

The boot loader is locked. There is no way to unlock it. You can not install Cyanogenmod or any other aosp based firmware. Only firmware that can run in conjunction with the stock kernel.
The only option for custom firmware is to root, install Safestrap, and install Touchwiz based custom firmware.
Look in the general forum for:
[INDEX] All things AT&T [MK2 NB1 NC1 NI1 NJ4 OC3] and ROM List
[GUIDE]Odin to Stock, Updating, Rooting, and Installing Safestrap
and any other thread you think would be helpful.

OK2, Android 5.0.1--what are my options?

I currently have AT&T stock (I used to have a custom ROM then had to flash to stock ROM to be able to flash to another custom ROM--however, I accidentally flashed a newer version of the AT&T stock ROM which locked my bootloader and I could no longer flash to a custom ROM). I updated my AT&T stock ROM recently and now my back/menu buttons don't work, so I want to see if I can flash to a custom ROM now.
I don't remember the procedure to flash a custom ROM--do I first need to get root in order to unlock the bootloader to be able to flash ROMs (i.e. if I have root then I am guaranteed to be able to unlock bootloader in order to flash ROM)? Is the baseband version the only thing that determines whether I can unlock the bootloader and then be able to flash ROMs?
I currently have OK2 as broadband version and checked one of the stickied threads which said this:
" ROOT
OK2 -- No direct root method. Must Odin OC4 kernel, use Kingroot, then Odin OK2 kernel back."
Does that mean what I have to do is use Odin to get OC4 kernel, then use Kingroot, then Odin OK2 kernel and then I will be able to have root, which means I can then unlock my bootloader and be able to flash to ANY ROM (not just TouchWiz-based ROMs)? Is there anything else I need to consider or is this 100% foolproof? In the future, what should I be careful of in order to prevent getting my bootloader locked again--just that I don't flash a stock (AT&T) ROM that is known to lock back the bootloader?
Thank you all!

There's no way to unlock the bootloader if you have updated your device to the lastest firmware version. The only thing you can do is flash SafeStrap and use Stock Kernel Based ROMs which are compatible with Safestrap.
As regards to the procedure of rooting an OK2 firmware, I'm afraid I won't be able to help you.
Have a happy new year.

mindstormer said:
...however, I accidentally flashed a newer version of the AT&T stock ROM which locked my bootloader ...
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I was just about to sit down and flash a stock ROM. Can you explain what you mean by this? Did you flash OK2 and it caused you a problem?

smock9 said:
I was just about to sit down and flash a stock ROM. Can you explain what you mean by this? Did you flash OK2 and it caused you a problem?
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It was a while ago but I used to have I believe an MDL broadband version which meant I could flash any ROM available. I tried a different ROM, didn't like it, then decided to flash back to the stock ROM but accidentally flashed a newer version of it, which meant that my bootloader is now locked. With a locked bootloader, apparently I can only flash to a newer stock ROM (not other ROMs like Cyanogenmod) via Safestrap.
I think if you don't have the MDL broadband version you shouldn't worry about it anyway because it is locked and you will only be limited to flashing stock ROMs.

Slight correction
The previous entry is not entirely correct. Like the OP, I was originally on an unlocked bootloader on my i337. I'd purchased my i337 on the first day and eschewed OTA updates. I wanted to try a touchwiz based ROM, Hyperdrive, and in doing so I recall flashing the stock NB1 firmware. Every firmware beginning with NB1 has a locked bootloader and there has been no progress for more than a year in unlocking the bootloader again. This can limit you to either stock ROMs OR other touchwiz based ROMs like Hyperdrive. I love the Hyperdrive ROM (now on release 21) but its developer has moved on to a newer phone, so it's stuck at Android 4.4.2 and no one has picked up the project in many months. There are several other touchwiz based ROMs for the i337 version of the S4 which I have also tried but I prefer Hyperdrive's myriad customization, even without proper patching. I'll be moving on soon to the Nexus 6P as my daily driver, but would very much like to keep my S4 up to date with a custom ROM. Given the number of people that have been in this same situation, where a newer stock ROM from AT&T locked a previously unlocked bootloader, it's been surprising that the issues have not been overcome on a phone as popular as the Galaxy S4 was and continues to be. I've seen unlocked versions of the S4 selling for just under $400 in the last week of 2015.

Use the desktop version of Kingoroot to root and use Super su and update the binary. Don't forget to hit thanks if this helped.

The bootloader for the at&t s4 was never unlocked. The MDL bootloader had a flaw in it that allowed you to use LOKI which is a lock bypass, not a way to unlock the bootloader.

Is it possible to flash custom rom with stock OF3?

My son's ATT GS5 is currently on stock rom OF3 and want to experiment flashing custom rom. Can someone point us into the right direction.
Here's my understanding, need to flash recovery (where can I find instructions) and then rom. Also, do I need root in order to do all this?
Thanks.

Unfortunately the AT&T G900A has a locked bootloader so custom roms are extremely limited. There are also no custom recoveries available for the G900A except safestrap, but even then it cannot do much.

help, on this frankenstein gs4 phone

i have a samsung galaxy s4 that says its a gt-i9500 on the about device setting but SGH-1337 on odin , i don't know what to do so i can install a custom rom on it or if theres a way to remove the software and install it from the ground up

The phone's motherboard is from an AT&T S4 sgh-i337. It's running at least a 4.3 bootloader and the bootloader is locked which means the phone cannot run custom ROMs.

audit13 said:
The phone's motherboard is from an AT&T S4 sgh-i337. It's running at least a 4.3 bootloader and the bootloader is locked which means the phone cannot run custom ROMs.
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There are TouchWiz ROMs (Goldeneye for example) that can be flashed with SafeStrap after the NB1 package is flashed via Odin.
When debloated TW is actually surprisingly stable and quick.

Sorry, when I said custom ROMs, I should have stated that the phone can only run custom ROMs that are based off a Samsung ROM and installed via safestrap.