Database Users

[Q] Questions about FW updates on my S4..

I'm used to my Skyrocket so I'm not too noobish, but the s4 is different so I want to do this right.
So I have been reading Haphim's thread listed below about getting his new phone and he said it came with the MDL fw.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2432816
Mine came with MDB FW. I immediately turned off the OTA updates after I rooted the phone. I had some issues trying to rename the Data Management app, so I used TBU to freeze it. Thank goodness ~wolverine~ posted a link to the 3 updates I needed to freeze. I found 2 of the 3 updates, but FWUpgrade x.x.x was not listed on my device. Is this because of the age of my firmware? This was NEW in the box, so I must have gotten one that had been sitting on a shelf somewhere, that is if the MDB fw is older..
Now if the above holds true about the MDB FW, are there any advantages of this one over any others?
What about modems? Can I update to a newer modem without upgrading my FW?
I'd like to go to a newer TW based rom (I have a Samsung TV and would prefer to use Allshare, ect). Can I do this with just flashing the rom via TWRP? Do I need a newer modem to do so? I saw some mention that an international version of TW rom is better. Why would that be? I'd like to jump to 4.3, but I'm still on 4.2.2.
Just a side question, does the CM based roms have Bluetooth issues? the Skyrocket CM based roms had connectivity issues where you'd have to reboot to get BT functionality back.
Sorry for the list of questions, I just got this phone and do not want to brick it.

I'm assuming you already found this, but if not it's a good place to start. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42320391
Flashing roms is not as straight forward as the sr as the boot loader is locked and you need to use Loki to work around it. If it were mine I'd Odin to mdl, root it and freeze the update apps so you don't get mf3. Then do more research until you're comfortable flashing.

Thanks for the reply. The thread you linked was very informative.. but..
What about the other questions? Modems, CM issues, ect?

[Q] Canadian SGH-i337m - Confused about which modem I need...

Hello,
I was wondering if I had the latest + most recommended radio/modem installed to my device; and also, where I could "tune in" to keep an eye on newer and better releases.
I noticed a few threads about radios and modems, and none of them even mention this MK6 modem... Also, they all seem to be ATT specific.
Anways, I am currently using "Baseband Version: I337MVLUEMK6"; should I look into changing?
Thanks!

You are running 4.3 with that modem. I think you can unlock your phone using the dial pad with that version. If you upgrade to a newer version then it is fairly locked down for tinkering and Knox enabled. If it works for you keep it. So unlock your phone 1st if need be.
You are about 3 releases behind
sammobile.com
Fido link: sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-I337M/FMC/

Youre obviously pretty new to this. Basically MK6 is just a rom firmare update from the one before it. Every time samsung releases an update like 4.4.3 it changes that number letter thing. So if you pick any rom on the forum and you notice a fewdsyd later yhat person has updated the rom from 4.4.3 to 4.4.4 that number will change. Anyways its not too important. I suggest Goldfinger in the android development (regular development not original). Its a good one to start off with. Make sure during install to chose the correct phone. For example im canadian so I pick l337m otherwise it wont work right. Make sure if you chose a different rom than one designed for l337m that you download and flash a l337m kernal after youve installed and booted up the rom. I mean install and let the new rom boot to the setup screen. Then reboot into twrp and flash the l337m kernel of your choice. If you read through the goldfinger posters thread theres a kernel tool link. Its cool because it has all the kernels in one file. Just make sure u download the l337m version of the kernel tool. I hope that helps....also some roms wont connect your data and youll have to set up your apn yourself. I find sometimes I have to set up my rogers apn manually. Amyways now im probably confusing you lol. The unified section has roms that work on all phones or you can download roms like goldfinger that let you choose the phone youre using. Ok so to answer uour question the modem type just refers to the firmware the rom is built on. Haha

Harry TestTickles said:
You are running 4.3 with that modem. I think you can unlock your phone using the dial pad with that version. If you upgrade to a newer version then it is fairly locked down for tinkering and Knox enabled. If it works for you keep it. So unlock your phone 1st if need be.
You are about 3 releases behind
sammobile.com
Fido link: sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-I337M/FMC/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Canuckguy said:
Youre obviously pretty new to this. Basically MK6 is just a rom firmare update from the one before it. Every time samsung releases an update like 4.4.3 it changes that number letter thing. So if you pick any rom on the forum and you notice a fewdsyd later yhat person has updated the rom from 4.4.3 to 4.4.4 that number will change. Anyways its not too important. I suggest Goldfinger in the android development (regular development not original). Its a good one to start off with. Make sure during install to chose the correct phone. For example im canadian so I pick l337m otherwise it wont work right. Make sure if you chose a different rom than one designed for l337m that you download and flash a l337m kernal after youve installed and booted up the rom. I mean install and let the new rom boot to the setup screen. Then reboot into twrp and flash the l337m kernel of your choice. If you read through the goldfinger posters thread theres a kernel tool link. Its cool because it has all the kernels in one file. Just make sure u download the l337m version of the kernel tool. I hope that helps....also some roms wont connect your data and youll have to set up your apn yourself. I find sometimes I have to set up my rogers apn manually. Amyways now im probably confusing you lol. The unified section has roms that work on all phones or you can download roms like goldfinger that let you choose the phone youre using. Ok so to answer uour question the modem type just refers to the firmware the rom is built on. Haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I'm already unlocked + rooted... And running GoldenEye 41 VJUGNH2 @ Android 4.4.2
In fact, I was getting all kinds of data drops and other basic function fails until i switched from AMG1 (I THINK!) to MK6 via Odin desktop.
At this time, everything is working fine... I just wanted to make sure it was running optimally. And apparently it's not, if I'm using a 4.3 radio/modem with a 4.4.x rom...
And also, when installing a new ROM, I've only ever noticed changes in kernel, build number, android version, and ROM version; never Baseband version.
I guess I'll double check the ROM threads, maybe I just missed a part about them being bundled with new Basebands...
Thanks folks!
/update
I flashed NC1, seemed to be the latest one... Everything OK for now.

S5 recovery 20$ min read all please. I'm desperate

- Intro
- Done and searched so far
- My Questions. (Jump to the end unless you think I haven't search prior )
- Bounty
INTRO
Hey guys. I'm french Canadian (please understand my bad written )
and thanks to the phone I choosed (s5 active g870w telus)
I'm becoming pretty much bilingual I've checked all over
around The Web and over this forum. And can't find an accurate
answer . I know I picked the wrong phone for rooting but
as a construction worker it was a good compromise.
DONE AND SEARCHED
My Samsung Galaxy s5 Active g870w from Telus
is still on 4.4.2 since there is no and there will not be
any update for a while.
I managed to used the g900w8 version of
Chain fire auto root method using Odin 3.09
to get roots.
I have also succès to flash Unity 2.0.1 rom.
So far I figured that my version can count as
the Canadian version of the s5 small g900w8. (I may be wrong)
I found a stock Firmware (that accualy make my
lies in russian ) Wich I used a lot lately due to all
my soft brick.
My goal is to be able to upgrade to a nice custom rom
on lollipop. I was hoping Fusion. And as for the recovery
TWRP would be my choice if it was possible.
Now I am stuck trying to install TWRP. I have followed
multiple guide. I have tried to install from TWRP manager
the version 2.8.6.0 klte. I have tried 3 times and after the app
installation I tried to reboot to recovery using Quick boot,
i always end up in Odin mode.
I then tried to install using Odin flashing the same version
Downloaded from TWRP.me site. Then it let me load into
my stock version. Then if I try to reboot in recovery
it still stock.
I even tried to use safestrap both version at&t and Verizon
and both soft bricked me.
I have read or scan about every thread and none talk about
S5 a g870w. Beside the att version Wich are locked.
QUESTIONS
My Questions and I really beg for answers even if
You have only 1 answer.
1- Is my phone g870w compatible g900w8?
2-is it compatible to any other versions?
3-when looking should I only look for Canadian version or I can also
use either g870 from at&t,Verizon or international. Or I look for
International g900. Since I guess my bootloader is unlocked .
4- Since only at&t and Verizon are supposed to be lock I guess
I can't use safestrap... so are TWRP and CWM the only options?
5- Can someone help me troubleshoot my installations. ?
6- After I install my recovery a a g870w on kitkat 4.4.2
Should I be able to flash lollipop base custom rom?
7- Is it possible that there is no option for me beside
Unity and stock rom.
BOUNTY
It might not be much but I offer a 20$ minimum bounty for who ever
take me outta this non ending bulls*"t.
Thanks guys. And please I swear I have search and read a lot
just Google my model number and you'll always end up on me
Searching and I seems to be the only one g870w talking about
recovery or custom rom. All I found is how to root...
Jon

1- Is my phone g870w compatible g900w8?
No, it is different flashing anything that isn't designed for your exact model number ( even the AT&T ones which are one letter different) won't work.
2-is it compatible to any other versions?
No, only firmwares for your exact phone will work without someone modifying something specific for you.
3-when looking should I only look for Canadian version or I can also
use either g870 from at&t,Verizon or international. Or I look for
International g900. Since I guess my bootloader is unlocked .
Flashing any other model number but your own risks bootloop/bricking as they although look similar can have different firmware partitions amongst other things.
4- Since only at&t and Verizon are supposed to be lock I guess
I can't use safestrap... so are TWRP and CWM the only options?
If someone can have a look at TWRP is possible that they can make a version work for you: ideally I would say with it being so difficult as so few have your model I would go to stock: root and use xposed, and leave the rest.
5- Can someone help me troubleshoot my installations. ?
Sure, happy to help but don't know how much can help when you are trying firmwares for different versions.
6- After I install my recovery a a g870w on kitkat 4.4.2
Should I be able to flash lollipop base custom rom?
Unless someone has made I've for your model type I doubt it.
7- Is it possible that there is no option for me beside
Unity and stock rom.
Yeah unfortunately this is quite likely.

thanks for taking the time.
Now I'll go private with you for personal things.
but before maybe few extra questions will help the very few others in
the same painful situation.
about compatibility you answered no.
What made me search so bad is that I've seen
other members(g870a) claiming they we're using
g900 roms I'll search for a link.
-Does it mean even tho its risky or
it means that American version have more luck ?
-am I still able to use a recovery like safestrap?
-can I hang myself?
- and if I'd like to have TWRP and a know custom rom
would it be a lot of works for Des.
Is it "askable" are some working for money?
I hate stuck to death I miss my note 3 like crazy. .. damn

Help with a troubled Tab 4 7.0! (Downgrade & QA)

Hi community I just need help to figure out what to do with my Tab 4 7.0 the history begins this way:
I get this Tablet already used not brand new it looked to have Android Lollipop 5.1.1 when I got it and didn't appear suspicious and lend it to one of my kids, the problem begins after some time the Tablet didn't connect to the Play Store anymore proly because my kids was trying to root it via KingoRoot or other apps to mess with some games, so after that I decided to solve the problem doing a Hard Reset but it didn't work, the tablet still can't connect to the PlayStore via RH-01 error message.
So I decided to flash it with the official stockl rom from Samsung, my BIG surprise is that this Tablet never get Lollipop 5.1.1 it didn't ever get Lollipop at all accordingly to this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tab-4/general/links-galaxy-tab-4-official-lollipop-5-t3102844
Because my tablet is the SM-T230NU (the model accordingly to the box is SM-T230NYKAXAR) model and that model never gets LL, so I figure it out this was a modified rom? Even in the Info about the device over settings it says the model of the device i "Nexus 5" instead of Tab 4 or whatever Samsung call this device but not Nexus 5 that is a phone from LG.
So I stopped here, because I've heard it can be dangerous to Downgrade Android versions? If not what should I do? Use Odin3 and flash the rom mentioned in this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tab-4/general/links-stock-galaxy-tab-4-firmware-t3013128
For the T230NU USA variant? Hope u can advice me about what to do and give some tips because this will be my first flash on a device.
Thanks in advance! :laugh::good:

They probably flashed a custom rom with broken GAPPS, just restore with Odin and the official rom.

Pix12 said:
They probably flashed a custom rom with broken GAPPS, just restore with Odin and the official rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By restore u mean flash it with some of the roms provided in this link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tab...mware-t3013128
So there's no problem if I have 5.1.1 right now and get down to 4.2 as is the official one?

SM-G3608 custom firmware or root?

I know this question has been asked already but I was wondering if anybody can tell me if the TWRP and other variant firmware are compatible with this device.
Some background, I received this phone as an exchange for an S3 mini that I took into a repair shop, as the mechanic had lost all the working parts of my original phone.
I have updated all the apps and it appears to be working well, it's just that I would like to update the firmware to something newer, such as the 5.1.1 from the g361f or at least the 5.0.2 from the g360h.
Perhaps one of the guys in the forum are a samsung expert and could explain to me what the differences are between the variants and why flashing firmware from another version may or may not work.
P.S. I am familiar with Odin and have flashed many other Samsung phones with both stock and custom firmware.
Thanks in advance.