I had a S4 (sgh-i337) for the last 3 years and just replaced it with Oneplus 5T recently.
I wanted to re-purpose the S4 as a mobile DLNA server for my car, but ran into a problem when I was upgrading to the latest AOSP rom.
I had the power button replaced last year and the new one is starting to fail as well. My thought was rather than trying to replace the power button again and then figure-out why ODIN restore isn't working (I have a MDL bootloader, it boots back to MDL rom, but hangs on the at&t boot screen - my thought is that I may need a sim card to complete the boot and this is the first time that I have tried to factory reset/Odin without a sim card)... my thought was for the low-low price for $25, I could get a i9505 motherboard from aliexpress and not have to deal with the pseudo-locked bootloader anymore.
the question - can I install the motherboard of a i9505 into the sgh-i337. I know fundamentally, the hardware is the same across the "snapdragon 600 based S4's line, but just wanted to make sure before I spent money that my thought was correct or if there are any other software issues that I might have.
I am not concerned about GSM connectivity, as I am only planning on using it to host videos for tethered wifi access in the car to other android tablets.
thanks for the input and advice.
When buying a 9505 motherboard, make sure you don't get a mobo that is made for the Chinese market.
audit13 said:
When buying a 9505 motherboard, make sure you don't get a mobo that is made for the Chinese market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whats wrong with the ones or the chinese market?
I see that most of they say from China, but are labeled 9505_J (if the pictures are to be believed)
item 1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S4#Model_variants
it looks like the chinese ones are 9508, 9502, 959
If it's made for the China, they don't have Google apps like chrome and the play store.
I recall seeing posts where people had difficulty installing the missing apps.
The aliexpress board looks fine.
if its a 9505, my plan is to root it and install cm14.1; so as long as it truely is a 9505 and there isnt a concern that it is really a 9508, 9502, 959 that hasn't been relabeled.
thanks for your help
Good luck with your project.
If you want to use the phone as a phone, you could also look for an sgh-i337m which is the same as the AT&T s4 except there is no locked bootloader
update, I received the board, installed it and booted it up. it was a clean install, knox tripped (0x1), recent baseband and bootloader. after realizing the capacitive menu and back button weren't working, I after trying to root without tripping the knox bit, via an xda tutorial to install a older kernel prior to rooting; After that caused it to not boot, i was able to replace the kernel via odin.
I tried putting my i337 board back in to see if i would get a successful odin flash and boot and see if the capacitive menu and back button will work. cant get the i337 to perform the initial boot (stuck on the att boot screen) i put the 9505 board back in and after doing some research found that it isnt even seeing the buttons
via the *#2663# screen and check to make sure it says 0x1c on 'Part's Touch key FW version', as it doesnt show the Part's Touch key as existing / attached.
so i said whatever, installed twrp, wiped, installed cm (lineage) 17.1. I was unable to find the option to show software keys, so i added a software keys app from the playstore
so, all and all, it was a successful endeavor and well worth the $30 purchase. If i had not had the problem with the Part's Touch key / capacities buttons, i wish i would have done this years ago when i started rooting my phone to avoid the frustration with the locked bootloader (even if i had a hacked mdl bootloader)
now, just to find a dlna server app, so i can have the phone be a wifi ssd for movies in the car (for the kids in the back on road trips, not for the driver)
thanks for your input
Related
Okay need some help and was referred here cause you guys are the best I have aquired a samsung galaxy s4 as i work in the mobile retail industry. now the handset i have been given is for demo purposes and not meant to be used with a sim although all hardware is there. It came with samsungs retail demo software which had shut down many options on the phone. Did alot of reading up and found i "should" be able to flash the stock rom using odin and it "should" work as a standard galaxy s4. Im using inverted commas on should because thats my theory im assuming the unit is just a standard s4 with retail demo software. The problem im having is when i flash via odin with the stock software it gets as far as the modem file then fails and shows (0 succeed / 1 fail). When i restarted the phone all the demo stuff is gone and looks standard but wifi cannot be turned on and although the sim/network options are there, there is a circle with a line through it where the signal bar should be and when a sim is inserted nothing happens. Now if i remember correctly even if no sim is inserted it should show a signal bar with a red x and a symbol next to it indicating no sim. Can anyone help as to why the modem file wont flash and what i can do?
I have managed to root the device and attempted to install cwm but cwm would not boot it just sat on the samsung screen showing booting recovery but nothing happened. so i removed cwm and flashed the standard recovery.
Please help
nobody any ideas?
okay well does anyone know where i can get a .pit file for a standard uk i9505?? would like to try reflashing a standard pit incase theres a demo one on there and thats my problem. Does anyone have a standard s4 .pit file or able to extract one from their own phone?
i have the same problem
Live demo units don't have the phone module in them
It's meant to be used as demo unit only and discourage people from stealing the phone from the retail shelves.
sak500 said:
It's meant to be used as demo unit only and discourage people from stealing the phone from the retail shelves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this one is not stolen !!
samsung gave me the last two demo phones s3 one which after flashing worked the other didn't
It actually lacks some hardware needed to connect to mobile networks. You should flash the demo radio back just to get wifi, the "real" one won't work.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
lets just try to get the standard pit like is asked and let em full around with it, its not gonna hurt trying......
Hi everyone,
I got a live demo unit Galaxy S5 (g900x) from work, and I've never used a Samsung for rooting / flashing purpose before. I was wondering if I could in fact flash a stock rom, and root the device, in order to use it as a full multimedia device ?
Thanks
If Samsung continued the demo unit path as per the Galaxy S4 then the S5 demo units will be missing important hardware components, a physical connection between the Sim port and the system board being one of them. It was impossible to use an S4 demo unit as a phone for example. It was also impossible to flash a standard stock rom without the device refusing to boot, the partition table was also different.
Of course, this all might not be the case with the S5 demo units and they might simply be stock units with a modified firmware. But, if not, you have little more than a small tablet on your hands.
Thank you for your answer, I knew I couldn't use as a phone, but at least I wanted it as, like you said, a small tablet. The problem is the retail mode app that keeps launching itself and wiping the device, even if I disabled it. That's why I was hoping to flash a stock rom or at least root the device.
dhunzi10 said:
Thank you for your answer, I knew I couldn't use as a phone, but at least I wanted it as, like you said, a small tablet. The problem is the retail mode app that keeps launching itself and wiping the device, even if I disabled it. That's why I was hoping to flash a stock rom or at least root the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely sounds like a similar situation to the S4 demo units, I remember they would wipe anything on the data partition on every boot. I'm not sure if the issue was ever overcome.
Check out the following post, not sure if it could be applied to the S5 model.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50393029&postcount=7
dhunzi10 said:
Thank you for your answer, I knew I couldn't use as a phone, but at least I wanted it as, like you said, a small tablet. The problem is the retail mode app that keeps launching itself and wiping the device, even if I disabled it. That's why I was hoping to flash a stock rom or at least root the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not flash a stock rom on it because most probabably you will end up in bootlooping
Try this (PLEASE BACKUP EVERYTHING BEFORE FLASHING)
-root it with CF auto root
-make a nandroid backup (THIS IS ESSENTIAL) of everything
-maintain pit, modem and bootloader files from the demo rom (from your backup) and pick other parts from a stock rom (european open rom will do)
-flash all parts with odin
-now you should have a full working mini tablet without gsm and gps signal
This method is similar to the one used on Galaxy Note 3 and i think it will work, just do the backup before for safety and i'm nor responsible from any damaged caused
Let me know
Are you sure I can root it ? It is SM-G900X, which is not on the list on chainfire's website.
Hello everyone, i'm new to XDA forums and hopefully i'll find a solution to my problem here.
I am always stuck on EDGE (E) when it comes to mobile network usage, regardless of where i am. I've tried using my SIM card in another phone and it instantly goes to HSPA+ (H+).
My phone is pretty much new and i didnt mess much with it as i dont know enough about phones to play with them in that way, it has been like this ever since i took it. There is one thing that i think its most likely causing it and that is that my phone was rooted when i bought it. >>> I dont know anything about advantages/disadvantages of rooted phone and if this may or may not cause any problems but i've never had this kind of an issue before with any phone and none of my phones before were rooted. <<<
I wanted to try and unroot the device by using Mobile ODIN Pro from Google Play Store but i stopped before i even started as the PRO version that is needed for this to be done says my device is not supported and therefore i cannot buy it. I had the Lite version and there are like 4-5 features that require PRO version in order for them to be used.
I have a GT-I9505 running on 4.4.2 android version, i'm from Serbia with mts as provider for what it matters.
P.S. My network mode is set to WCDMA/GSM (auto connect), if i change it to WCDMA only i lose network completely and if i put GSM only its again back on EDGE.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Let's make sure you actually have an I9505. Try to enter download mode (shut the S4 off, then hold volume down, home, and power). The model at the top of the screen with the green Android on it is the actual model of your S4.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Let's make sure you actually have an I9505. Try to enter download mode (shut the S4 off, then hold volume down, home, and power). The model at the top of the screen with the green Android on it is the actual model of your S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is I9505 as i said. How do i leave this mode now? It says "Downloading... Do not turn off target !!" across the screen. :v
I strongly suggest you check that attitude of yours. Just because you said it doesn't mean it actually is. There have been too many instances of counterfeit phones as well as phones from another carrier being installed with I9505 ROMs and IMEI numbers and sold to the unsuspecting. The question is thus a valid one.
If you're looking to exit download mode, simply pull the battery. If you're looking to reinstall a stock ROM, then you're on the right screen. Simply connect your S4 to your computer and use the desktop version of Odin to flash the stock ROM. Now, how do you know which stock ROM you should be using? Simply tell us your carrier.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I strongly suggest you check that attitude of yours. Just because you said it doesn't mean it actually is. There have been too many instances of counterfeit phones as well as phones from another carrier being installed with I9505 ROMs and IMEI numbers and sold to the unsuspecting. The question is thus a valid one.
If you're looking to exit download mode, simply pull the battery. If you're looking to reinstall a stock ROM, then you're on the right screen. Simply connect your S4 to your computer and use the desktop version of Odin to flash the stock ROM. Now, how do you know which stock ROM you should be using? Simply tell us your carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no attitude mate, i just told you that it is what i earlier wrote after checking it the way you told me to. Nothing more than that.
By carrier you mean my mobile provider or whatever its called? If so, Telekom Srbija (mts).
The latest ROM for your device is here. The page gives instructions on how to use the file as well as download links.
Few questions:
Will that install lollipop? If yes, is lollipop worth getting? I recently heard opposite while i was actually trying to get it. It's the only opinion that i can sort of take in count so idk if its true or not.
Will it fix the problem?
"Add the firmware file to AP / PDA"
- What is(are) AP / PDA?
"Make sure re-partition is NOT ticked"
- This is an option in Odin i suppose, if it is disregard it. If not please explain.
Edit: I've downloaded PC version of Odin and i only see AP among other boxes for files to be added. Is PDA another name for it or..?
Should i also check the little box next to where it says AP? (picture below)
There's another zip file in odin folder "S1PlugIn.bundle_141117", i suppose i shouldnt touch this as you havent mentioned it?
P.S. Sorry if my questions appear stupid but i'm facing all of this for the first time and i'm just being extra careful as i dont want to mess up something.
This is the latest ROM for your device, so it will install Android 5.0.1. I believe it to be worthwhile, but if you want Android 4.4.2 instead a download is also available for it at the same site. Will it fix the problem? It should. If it doesn't then a hardware problem is more likely.
AP and PDA are two different names for the same thing. Older versions of Odin used PDA. Checking the box next to it won't hurt, and that other file isn't something you touch.
So i need to turn off my phone, go to download mode, connect pc and phone with USB, wait for some "blue sign" from ODIN and then add the file and run Start? Re-partition is disabled by default.
Everything went smooth but the problem persists... I even changed the network mode to the new options that i got (which includes 4g if i'm not wrong).
What to do?
P.S. 5.0.1 runs really slow for me, takes double more RAM than 4.4.2 and it almost filled up my whole phone memory
Try a different sim in your phone. if you still don't get 4g then you probably have a hardware failure.
Lennyz1988 said:
Try a different sim in your phone. if you still don't get 4g then you probably have a hardware failure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aye... Still the same even with another sim card. I guess its hardware problem in the end. Any idea what would it cost to fix, if you know what the problem could be at all?
I wanted to root my Galaxy Note 4 (SM-N910F UK carrier H3G) so I could use the mirroring option in Airdroid.
Long story short, I'm severely disabled so wanted full access to my phone whilst on my pc, without struggling to get my phone all the time. (SWTOR Security Key is one of the many reasons for wanting to not have to grab my phone every time I need to do something on it)
(I can't put phone where it's easily accessible whilst on pc, because of the board I use for keyboard and mouse rested across the arms of my chair)
I THOUGHT I had it sussed, as I had successfully rooted and booted my S3, S4 and Note 2, 3 and 8.0 devices.
However, I didn't read the fine print when using CF-autoroot in that it doesn't work on 5.1.1 atm. Or something along those lines...
Anyway, with my usual eagerness and impatience to do geeky/nerdy deeds, I ended up with my phone in a constant boot loop no matter what I tried.
I scoured the Internet for 3 hours, trying to find the original stock rom for my device and was livid that my usual Google-Fu was failing miserably.
I found one, so I thought, installed the kernel, (couldn't find stock kernel either) installed SuperSU, installed Twprs or whatever it is, (excuse my lack of knowledge please) then installed this "stock" rom.
Turns out it possibly IS the H3G network's Stock Note 4 (SM-N910F) ROM. IF I lived in Italy.
I still would like root access on my phone, but I would like to try and get stock rom back, or something EXCEPTIONALLY similar.
Please, again, excuse my apparent thickness... (and I'm not talking sliced bread here) is it the kernel where rooting takes place, the ROM, or do both have to be involved in the adaptation?
I know very very little about Linux and kernels etc.
I hope that I have described my predicament clearly, and that when one has picked oneself up off the floor from rolling around with much merriment, one (anyone) is able to assist with my screw up.
Best wishes,
(Applebogies for waffling on more than the meat content of a Belgian Blue, (I'm not talking Blue Waffle, but of four legged animals that chew the cud)
(Applebogies also for mentioning The Waffle of Blue-ness in more than one sense of the word, if it makes you Google it and you only just ate and you've never seen it before)
(Finally, applebogies for my rotten and feeble attempts humour, please try to cut through my crap and get to the point ofwhat my conundrum actually is)
So basically in a nutshell, you've bricked your phone? I do know that when I flashed stock ROM the other day, I had to pull the battery, boot into recovery (vol up + home + power) and wipe data/factory reset and wipe cache too. Then it booted just fine try that.
you can find different stock roms for your phone at sammobile (google it) download the firmware from there and flash it with odin. Watch youtube videos on how to flash firmware with odin. its simple
See if you can boot the phone into Download Mode via volume up+home+power. If it boots into download mode that means its not hard bricked. If it doesnt boot into DL the first time you try, do a battery pull for 15-20 seconds, then try again. If that doesnt work, then check your specific device versions forum for an unbrick method, and check for a general unbrick that can be used for all N4's.
If it does boot into download mode, download the stock firmware for your specific N4, flash it via Odin, (instructions are generally included in the thread where you find the stock ROM download) and you should be good to go after that.
Edit: SamMobile does indeed have a firmware for your specific device. Do a google search for sammobile, go to that site, and input SM-N910F into the device search bar. That will take you to a page with a list of firmwares. Theres a list box where you can select your country, that includes country and carrier combinations. Yours will be listed as United Kingdom (H3G)(H3G). Select firmware with PDA version N910FXXU1COJ3.
Not sure why you all think my phone is bricked, I am on it now?
I am however, currently running the Italian version of 3 mobile rom. Looks like asrah has solved that problem though xD
To shorten my previous post:
Where does root happen, on kernel or rom?
Ie - can I have stock rom but still have root access on my phone?
Thank you to asrah for finding my rom.
Thanks all and a very Merry Christmas!
Hello, im new to this forum
Ive bought a Samsung Galaxy A5 back in September 2015 to my girlfriend.
At the time i opened the case to see if it was everything ok with it before giving it to her. unfortunately i installed oficial updates in the phone after connecting the device to the internet.
Wanting to give the phone just like ive bought it, i started to making all things wrong. i tried to reset the phone back to the factory reset (using the volume up + home + power buttons) but after that the version that was still installed was the updated one and not the factory one.
Then i tried to download the factory version from here htt p://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?r=&v=&q=Galaxy+A5+205 using odin and this guide htt p://updato.com/how-to/how-to-install-an-official-samsung-stock-firmware-using-odin
it was installed but when the phone restarted it never turned back on again. despite being the correct version for my region i believe i installed a variant version and not the factory reset version.
I tried turning the phone on, using recovery mode and download mode keys but the phone never gave any signal again. plugin in the usb in the pc didnt work either.
I ended up buying the same phone since i wasnt able to solve the problem and her anniversary was close and ended up with an extra but damaged phone.
i never tried to get the phone to the warranty because i knew that i was losing the it the moment i tried to use odin.
is there anything else i can try to solve the phones problem? or is this problem unrecoverable?
thanks in advance
I can't tell you if your phone is unrecoverable but I think you had flashed other variant's rom causing your mobile not turning on. I don't see any a500fu on the website you posted. If possible, could you tell me which variant you had flashed. I had ever experienced a hard-brick when my device was accidentally removed while odin was flashing aboot.mbn. The solution was changing the motherboard which didn't cost much. I would recommend you to flash firmware from sammobile and do NOT use 4.4.4 firmware as few friends on this forum had experienced hard-bricks. If you want, try a usb jig.
Try warranty, you can have the chance of getting it repaired.
akil777 said:
I can't tell you if your phone is unrecoverable but I think you had flashed other variant's rom causing your mobile not turning on. I don't see any a500fu on the website you posted. If possible, could you tell me which variant you had flashed. I had ever experienced a hard-brick when my device was accidentally removed while odin was flashing aboot.mbn. The solution was changing the motherboard which didn't cost much. I would recommend you to flash firmware from ="htt p://www .sammobile.com/"]sammobile and do NOT use 4.4.4 firmware as few friends on this forum had experienced hard-bricks. If you want, try a usb jig.
Try warranty, you can have the chance of getting it repaired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It must have been other variant rom.
http s://gyazo. com/7ac9dfe107976eeb802cae50a23b23a1 - here is a screenshot
Samsung Galaxy-A500FU - to get there you need to go to "updato" site (first link), place on the search "Galaxy A5" and select Portugal as "region"
There are 7 options, 6 are for locked phones to the main Portuguese operators and one for unlocked phones (i assume), because it says "Porgugal TPH" - TPH means the phone house witch is a store that sells phones and other electronic equipment.
Despite the phone not being bought at the phone house i assumed it was this rom since there was no other one and the phone is not locked to a particular operator.
Ive checked the site you provided and it as almost the same rom´s as updato and the only one that is not locked to a particular operator is TPH one.
So my only option is to use a usb jig to force the phone into download mode? will that work with or without a motherboad change?
please have in mind that the phone does not respond to any other button or combination of buttons comand and trying to charge the phones battery only produces heat at the phone and charger, nothing else happens.