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Basically here's the situation, been checking sites for a few weeks on good deals on 2nd hand Android phones. I recently started making contact with sellers and here's the bit.
Seller A - meeting tonight supposedly
Rogers "Unlocked" Captivate
Usb + Charger
$380
Haven't seen pics and the guy says to trust him that the phone is unlocked
Seller B - meeting tomorrow if I back down on Seller A offer
Bell Locked Vibrant (i9000M)
LNIB, bags, all accessories, etc
$370
Seen pics of the phone and accessories. Looks good (even seen it turned on)
I'm on Rogers and was wondering which would be best? I'm fine with either phone. At this point after seeing both for so long/often (researched) they're both on even playing ground...except for some speculations that i9000M (Vibrant)'s battery life is better.
So my question is...Seller A or Seller B? If I go with Seller B I'd have to root/unlock and I've read through threads and forums and seems like loads of people have problems :S More often than the person replying and saying thanks to the creator of the thread/helper and saying that they got it. So I'm having doubts about that. Don't want to mess up the phone!
Also, since this is my first dealings with buying something second hand from a stranger, any tips on things to check for? I heard it's always important to check that the phone can enter download/recovery mode but wouldn't that also reset the phone :S
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
3py0n said:
Basically here's the situation, been checking sites for a few weeks on good deals on 2nd hand Android phones. I recently started making contact with sellers and here's the bit.
Seller A - meeting tonight supposedly
Rogers "Unlocked" Captivate
Usb + Charger
$380
Haven't seen pics and the guy says to trust him that the phone is unlocked
Seller B - meeting tomorrow if I back down on Seller A offer
Bell Locked Vibrant (i9000M)
LNIB, bags, all accessories, etc
$370
Seen pics of the phone and accessories. Looks good (even seen it turned on)
I'm on Rogers and was wondering which would be best? I'm fine with either phone. At this point after seeing both for so long/often (researched) they're both on even playing ground...except for some speculations that i9000M (Vibrant)'s battery life is better.
So my question is...Seller A or Seller B? If I go with Seller B I'd have to root/unlock and I've read through threads and forums and seems like loads of people have problems :S More often than the person replying and saying thanks to the creator of the thread/helper and saying that they got it. So I'm having doubts about that. Don't want to mess up the phone!
Also, since this is my first dealings with buying something second hand from a stranger, any tips on things to check for? I heard it's always important to check that the phone can enter download/recovery mode but wouldn't that also reset the phone :S
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally like i9000M better (looks-wise) and of course, in terms of features, i9000M has a front facing camera which the Rogers Captivate doesn't. I am not sure if Captivate has problems flashing other roms.
As for things to check, you can bring a sim card from another carrier to test if the phone is unlocked. Test the camera, test phone call, check the phone condition and also firmware version (might give you an idea whether the last owner did a lot of flashing).
oooo true true...only thing is I have only 1 sim card from Rogers :S
I'm at the fork in the road right now...I won't be able to test phone call on the Bell one because the Seller B's bell sim is deactivated so he can only turn it on and what not.
Which is the safer bet? Best issue for me is the root/unlocking process. Though there are guides everywhere online and an awesome on here, I still read about many conflicts people have. And the interal SD card corruption (2 weeks after unlocking) I read about scares me
Is this the right code to check firmware?: *#1234# Firmware Version
Also I was told this should work...unless Rogers locked it: *#7465625# = Check the phone lock status
So you are willing to take the risk with possible hardware failure? right?
If so, choose Rogers Captivate.
If not go find a Desire Z or something like that~
xxgg said:
So you are willing to take the risk with possible hardware failure? right?
If so, choose Rogers Captivate.
If not go find a Desire Z or something like that~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DesireZ is nice, but the hinge for "sliding" the screen can break easily.
wait what? Captivate has hardware failure?!?! :S
But THAT'S the one that's unlocked lol
3py0n said:
wait what? Captivate has hardware failure?!?! :S
But THAT'S the one that's unlocked lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can unlock and root the i9000M easily though.
yea but heard lots of horror stories :S so I'm not so sure...and someone reassured me things are okay with the Captivate.
3py0n said:
yea but heard lots of horror stories :S so I'm not so sure...and someone reassured me things are okay with the Captivate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell you that rooting and unlocking won't kill the phone. But you will have a high chance if you start flashing different firmwares on it.
The answer of which to choose is simple:
if you want front camera and hard key button go with Bell
if you don't need the front camera, and don't mind having 4 fake buttons go with Rogers
LOLOLOL 4 fake buttons haha jokes
Thanks! I'll go with Captivate and if n e thing goes wrong...or I dont like it...just sell it and grab a Vibrant (i9000M)
Thanks for everyone's contributions.
Got a little sketchy when he wanted to change locations lol wish me luck!! And going with the Captivate.
BOUGHT THE PHONE!
In working order. Thanks for everyone's input!
Just a little bummed about the responsiveness of the "fake" 4 buttons...gotta find the sweet spot when touching them. Or maybe it's just Eclair's fault lol
[Tutorial][Bell Atrix]What need to be done before Warranty Service?
It applies all the Bell Atrix, doesn’t matter you have Orange FR 2.1.1 or UK 2.2.3 on the phone or whatever
Simple Version:
Make sure you have CWM Recovery on it(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1019143)
Download the stock system.img (http://www.multiupload.com/T6L5RS2WH1), if you have the backup by nandroid, you can skip this step
Enter CWM Recovery to restore system.img only, then do Wipe out Data&Cache, or Force Close will be with you!
Install GingerBreak to root your phone, you can download from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044765
Install CMW Recovery again, but this time, choose CHARGE MODE in order to uninstall the custom recovery
Use GingerBreak to un-root the phone
Do a factory again, then you are ready to throw this phone to any Bell Retail Store for repair
Just remind that Bell will take 4~6weeks to get your phone fixed, if you need a loaner phone, it’s $25+tax, ask before borrow since some store doesn’t even have smartphone to lend…
Full Detail Version coming soon...
Thanks, good tut to have.
Stock Bell Atrix on Rogers with updated radio, Rooted, deodexed, Honeycomb theme, and frozen!
With glad root and webtop mod on stock firmware would it be ok to just return the stock web top files and unrooted for warranty?
Why wouldn't you just a sbfflash...?
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
hoodlikegaza said:
Why wouldn't you just a sbfflash...?
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because there is no Bell SBF available (to date)
scorneil said:
Because there is no Bell SBF available (to date)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but in your tutorial you're just removing root access and custom recovery. You're not changing the firmware from the phone back to 0.3.7 (Bell firmware) because there isn't a Bell SBF to flash (you're right about that). If one was already running 2.1.1 or 2.2.3 with root access, they could simply reflash their respective SBF's and it would produce the same results as your tutorial. Maybe I'm missing something from your guide, but as far as I understand, once you've flashed a different SBF, there is no way of getting back to official Bell. Your guide seems to be a roundabout way to get back to stock 2.1.1 or 2.2.3 for warranty purposes, while a simple reflash would produce the same results.
thegregulator said:
Yes, but in your tutorial you're just removing root access and custom recovery. You're not changing the firmware from the phone back to 0.3.7 (Bell firmware) because there isn't a Bell SBF to flash (you're right about that). If one was already running 2.1.1 or 2.2.3 with root access, they could simply reflash their respective SBF's and it would produce the same results as your tutorial. Maybe I'm missing something from your guide, but as far as I understand, once you've flashed a different SBF, there is no way of getting back to official Bell. Your guide seems to be a roundabout way to get back to stock 2.1.1 or 2.2.3 for warranty purposes, while a simple reflash would produce the same results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
absolutely true.
best chances for full repair is flash stock SBF 2.2.3 and then if you really wanna get technical, simply edit your prop file for cosmetic purposes.
NFHimself has this crazy way of flashing close to stock images but thats pretty much retarded as there's no point as it really doesnt mean any closer to stock than this crap and is fickle/easy to detect as it is if Motorola was looking for it.
thegregulator said:
Yes, but in your tutorial you're just removing root access and custom recovery. You're not changing the firmware from the phone back to 0.3.7 (Bell firmware) because there isn't a Bell SBF to flash (you're right about that). If one was already running 2.1.1 or 2.2.3 with root access, they could simply reflash their respective SBF's and it would produce the same results as your tutorial. Maybe I'm missing something from your guide, but as far as I understand, once you've flashed a different SBF, there is no way of getting back to official Bell. Your guide seems to be a roundabout way to get back to stock 2.1.1 or 2.2.3 for warranty purposes, while a simple reflash would produce the same results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right, however stock system.img(from original bell firmware, not 2.1.1 or 2.2.3) already has the right prop file and bell bloatware, comparing 2.1.1 or 2.2.3, im too lazy to look for bloatware and changing by root. this seems the easiest way for me.
other than the radio version, i dont think motorola could find out this is flashed Atrix but anyway, I am still waiting for my atrix back
ks2hot4u said:
With glad root and webtop mod on stock firmware would it be ok to just return the stock web top files and unrooted for warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
better do a factory reset and unroot
I work for bell. and all I have to say about this thread is that it should be closed and deleted. I actually thought these kind of guides were frowned upon...
If the phone was working 100% before you starting screwing with it, we shouldn't have to honor your warranty. Thats why ROOTING VOIDS Warranty.
If you screw up your windows load, Best buy doesn't say, heres a new pc. They say, here's a bill for the techie. We work on commission in these stores, and i hate wasting my time with some moron who shouldnt have screwed with what he couldn't fix. /rant
Its annoying to deal with people who brick their phones, and then give bs excuses as to why its not working. I usually do my best to help people, but its better to tell us the truth and have us help, then lie through your teeth that its a problem with the device.
It costs me extra hours of work to deal with DOA phones, and it costs everyone including motorola tons of $$$ for stuff that is screwed up by the consumer.
Why can't the people who don't know what theyre doing, leave the dangerous stuff to the guys who know how to fix their own problems?
Edit: the exception to this is true hardware issues. But those don't seem to come up all too often with this phone, just battery life issues.
But thats the thing if you brick your device, this guide won't help as the phone is a brick.
As for hardware issues, this is the exact reason for this thread IMHO, something useful to me as my fingerprint reader is slightliy off physically which results in the device thinking that fast swipes are taking place when they are not. now I can use this when I am ready to take my device in without being harrassed about software.
With my N1 even with the bootloader unlocked they still took in the device if it was proven to be a hardware defect (again had a problem with my power button - just my luck i guess) Doubt bell would do the same.
binary110 said:
I work for bell. and all I have to say about this thread is that it should be closed and deleted. I actually thought these kind of guides were frowned upon...
If the phone was working 100% before you starting screwing with it, we shouldn't have to honor your warranty. Thats why ROOTING VOIDS Warranty.
If you screw up your windows load, Best buy doesn't say, heres a new pc. They say, here's a bill for the techie. We work on commission in these stores, and i hate wasting my time with some moron who shouldnt have screwed with what he couldn't fix. /rant
Its annoying to deal with people who brick their phones, and then give bs excuses as to why its not working. I usually do my best to help people, but its better to tell us the truth and have us help, then lie through your teeth that its a problem with the device.
It costs me extra hours of work to deal with DOA phones, and it costs everyone including motorola tons of $$$ for stuff that is screwed up by the consumer.
Why can't the people who don't know what theyre doing, leave the dangerous stuff to the guys who know how to fix their own problems?
Edit: the exception to this is true hardware issues. But those don't seem to come up all too often with this phone, just battery life issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
who would use this for anything other than a hardware issue? anyone who can follow this guide can also follow a SBF flash instruction to solve their software issues
binary110 said:
I work for bell. and all I have to say about this thread is that it should be closed and deleted. I actually thought these kind of guides were frowned upon...
If the phone was working 100% before you starting screwing with it, we shouldn't have to honor your warranty. Thats why ROOTING VOIDS Warranty.
If you screw up your windows load, Best buy doesn't say, heres a new pc. They say, here's a bill for the techie. We work on commission in these stores, and i hate wasting my time with some moron who shouldnt have screwed with what he couldn't fix. /rant
Its annoying to deal with people who brick their phones, and then give bs excuses as to why its not working. I usually do my best to help people, but its better to tell us the truth and have us help, then lie through your teeth that its a problem with the device.
It costs me extra hours of work to deal with DOA phones, and it costs everyone including motorola tons of $$$ for stuff that is screwed up by the consumer.
Why can't the people who don't know what theyre doing, leave the dangerous stuff to the guys who know how to fix their own problems?
Edit: the exception to this is true hardware issues. But those don't seem to come up all too often with this phone, just battery life issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
QFT, but......we are referring to hardware isssues here, not software.......and rooting has nothing to do with that.
Sent from my Blue Myst GladiAtrix on Bell using the XDA Premium App.
I agree, its totally cool for hardware issues, but i'm thinking about the guys who have the lower half of the touch screen not working because they screwed the software up. 9/10 issues with any smartphone is software related.
binary110 said:
I agree, its totally cool for hardware issues, but i'm thinking about the guys who have the lower half of the touch screen not working because they screwed the software up. 9/10 issues with any smartphone is software related.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
since no one seems to be able to replicate this issue (to my knowledge) that would imply that it IS hardware related and not software
Rediculous
binary110 Your completly in the dark if you think this phone or any other smartphone wont have defects and hardware malfunctions.
My Atrix has wicked bad screen response when plugged into any power source with stock charger or other... im not returning mine as this is a minor issue. Although my roomates cant hold gps, drops calls constantly, misses calls and msgs for lack of signal and has constant reboots since stock with only root to obtain webtop mod.
So according to your logic he dosent deserve to have his 500+ $ phone replaced cuz it will cost motorola money and your lazy ass some commision ??
THIS IS THE WRONG FORUM FOR YOU !
binary110 Your completly in the dark if you think this phone or any other smartphone wont have defects and hardware malfunctions.
My Atrix has wicked bad screen response when plugged into any power source with stock charger or other... im not returning mine as this is a minor issue. Although my roomates cant hold gps, drops calls constantly, misses calls and msgs for lack of signal and has constant reboots since stock with only root to obtain webtop mod.
So according to your logic he dosent deserve to have his 500+ $ phone replaced cuz it will cost motorola money and your lazy ass some commision ??
THIS IS THE WRONG FORUM FOR YOU !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never said the phone was not capable of being defective. I said that when someone brings it in for an issue that they caused themselves. The phones are more often screwed up by a customer, than they are actually defective.
90% of the charger issues are from using a charger different than the motorola one that came with the phone. Especially the ones with the screen response. I noted it on my atrix as well. I also have replaced a customers phone for this.
This IS a valid reason to replace the phone.
But this is also easily noticeable BEFORE you go through the process of rooting/modding the phone. and as such, you should take it up with the place your purchased it before modding it.
Its like buying a car, ripping the engine apart right away. only to find that it runs like crap after you've ripped it apart... You probably should have done a test drive before purchasing. Do you understand what i mean?
Furthermore, your friend has a legitimate issue, I'm talking about people who brick their phones and play stupid. As well, I can tell you're a part of the generation who feels they're entitled to everything under the sun from the carrier you deal with. Yet, no cable company fixes your damn television. And especially not if you screw it up yourself.
Its not apples to apples, in the sense that the cable company doesn't subsidize your tv. but even if you got a tv as a promotion through them, they'd send you to the manufacturer. Which is what i'd prefer to do with people who do stupid stuff and want it fixed.
Don't act like my time isnt worth money just because youre a needy consumer. What i'm saying is just man up, tell us you screwed it up, and we will do everything we can help.
For you to be trolling the way that you are, its obvious that this ISNT THE FORUM FOR YOU.
Thank you.
By the way, Watch your language on the forums.
seven2099 said:
absolutely true.
best chances for full repair is flash stock SBF 2.2.3 and then if you really wanna get technical, simply edit your prop file for cosmetic purposes.
NFHimself has this crazy way of flashing close to stock images but thats pretty much retarded as there's no point as it really doesnt mean any closer to stock than this crap and is fickle/easy to detect as it is if Motorola was looking for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhm, what? How did I get dragged into this PMS fest?
Ridiculous.
Be nice guys... We are all Canadian, we love peace, don't we?!
In my case, my touchscreen's digitalize is 100% broken, it's either hypersensitive or non-sensitive at all... It happened on Bell Stock rom but I was trying to flash sfb to see if it could be fixed...
Unfortunately, i got my repair back today and still the same issue, i asked the bell staff to try the touchscreen and she said the phone is not boot up properly...
Oh well, after 90s, I ask her to try again, she clicked "BACK" 10 times in order to get back, and 5 times to run Bell Self-serve
well, I really unsatisfied with the result and I had to left the phone there and waiting for another 2 weeks, AGAIN!!!
I have 3yr contract with Bell so it has to waste time and money to get my phone fixed cuz its carelessness and impatience are wasting my money and time... The $30 loaner phone sucks and cannot even been changed...
well, looks like a little away from the topic but I've just out of the store...
even according to the repair menu, the bell stock sbf has been applied on and change of the part which i know its not the digitalize, the phone is still unusable...
AT&T users are lucky since they have their own stock sbf to flash when they wanna a repair but poor Bell users they have to use those tutorials like mine to do repair, OR UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER AND I WONT ASK FOR WARRANTY
btw, maybe that's the reason why Apple is cool, they can get your iPhone replaced in maximum 60min not 60days even there is just a dust in screen
NFHimself said:
Uhm, what? How did I get dragged into this PMS fest?
Ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see what you caused?
jk
I understand where binary was coming from but again this thread isn't for that reason. At the same time I bet we can all say we wish carriers like bell and rogers were completely full of staff like you that come with the line we will do whatever we can to help. most times reps come off as just going through the motions or looking for whatever reason to close the case.
I used to work at the Best Buy Samsung Experience Shop. I went by there the other day. They have a tool that updates your phone to MF3 and it doesn't remove hardly any data. I rerooted and reinstalled safestrap and everything was still there.
So, this begs the obvious question: do you have any friends at that Best Buy that could maybe, you know... <hint hint> hit you up with a copy of whatever software they're using to do that?
HEY I HAD TO ASK!!!
I did this the other day and say that this works perfectly! So glad to be back on MF3!!
I don't think I can get a copy. The best I can do is make a flashable backup afterward and upload it. = / the software downloads it from a server.
chronicaust said:
I don't think I can get a copy. The best I can do is make a flashable backup afterward and upload it. = / the software downloads it from a server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think he was asking for the file specifically but rather a copy of the software they are using. It's logical to assume that if we were able to obtain a copy of the software they use at best buy the it could still be made to download and flash the appropriate mf3 firmware file from anywhere with an internet connection.
Sent from my GT-I9295 using XDA Premium HD app
Does every Best Buy have a Samsung Rep?
Sent from my GT-P5110 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
dave5777 said:
Does every Best Buy have a Samsung Rep?
Sent from my GT-P5110 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not every one, but most.
dave5777 said:
Does every Best Buy have a Samsung Rep?
Sent from my GT-P5110 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best bet is to call and ask at your local best buy. That's what I did. My best buy is small but they have one there. I'll be going there this weekend to see if they can update mine.
Sent from my LG-E970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
tmease1 said:
Your best bet is to call and ask at your local best buy. That's what I did. My best buy is small but they have one there. I'll be going there this weekend to see if they can update mine.
Sent from my LG-E970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can choose to either give you complete factory or just update only just do you know. Good luck it's a great tool I've used it. You should be good = ).
Please
chronicaust said:
I don't think I can get a copy. The best I can do is make a flashable backup afterward and upload it. = / the software downloads it from a server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Upload a backup Please!
-TransformixS3
Well I stopped by a local Best Buy here in Vegas this morning, sat in line waiting to speak to the "Samsung rep" (there were like 4 people in front of me) and when I was finally up the guy said "Oh, the Samsung rep is right behind me in the other section..." DOH!!!
Anyway, I had returned my GS4A (I537 of course) to MF1 earlier this morning, no root, nothing else but the ROM flashed from that ODIN One-Click that's available and...
The software they're using at Best Buy basically ignored my GS4A completely, recognizing it's running MF1 but it wouldn't do anything else and said the ROM wasn't compatible. The guy asked if I'd been rooted and of course I said "No..." then he said is it unlocked and I said "Yes..." and he said that's why.
I commented that would be a bit stupid since they do sell the phones off-contract and by doing so a person could get the unlock code from AT&T (as I did, actually, through an eBay seller who got it from AT&T) and he just shrugged his shoulders and handed me my phone and that was that. The rep specifically stated 3 times in a row that if it's unlocked you can't flash it with their software, so I made note of it and I'm passing along what at least this one "Samsung rep" stated to me - I can't verify or confirm it's true but that's what he said, 3 times in a row. He never mentioned rooting more than the one question, but was quite adamant that I understood the reason it wasn't working which by his statements was that if the phone is unlocked they can't flash it; I personally think it's a combination of mine being rooted in the past with activeroot and also being (carrier) unlocked as well.
So... I don't think being rooted caused the problem more than being unlocked, but at this point I don't have any clue to be honest, it could actually be a combination of both for whatever reason but this MF1 isn't rooted, that much I know for certain.
Anyway, that's a dead end for me so I'll just put Safestrap back on and load up the AOSP ROM with the MF1 kernel modules and the camera fix and be done with it, that's enough ROM swapping for me for the time being.
So just for the record: if you're thinking about doing this and you've rooted your I537 at any point, that may stop this potential flash of MF3 at Best Buy on your device cold - if it's unlocked that might have something to do with it as well but I'm going to guess they're checking for root even if you've completely restored an unrooted ROM like MF1, or they're just getting wise to us with the MF1 and MI2 pre-release ROMs we've been toying around with, I just don't know.
Would be nice to get MF3 back on here just in case AT&T does drop 4.3 during October but, I guess I'm somewhat "stuck" now since I'd prefer to have working screenshots so that means MF1 or the AOSP ROM.
Just passing along my experience...
br0adband said:
Well I stopped by a local Best Buy here in Vegas this morning, sat in line waiting to speak to the "Samsung rep" (there were like 4 people in front of me) and when I was finally up the guy said "Oh, the Samsung rep is right behind me in the other section..." DOH!!!
Anyway, I had returned my GS4A (I537 of course) to MF1 earlier this morning, no root, nothing else but the ROM flashed from that ODIN One-Click that's available and...
The software they're using at Best Buy basically ignored my GS4A completely, recognizing it's running MF1 but it wouldn't do anything else and said the ROM wasn't compatible. The guy asked if I'd been rooted and of course I said "No..." then he said is it unlocked and I said "Yes..." and he said that's why.
I commented that would be a bit stupid since they do sell the phones off-contract and by doing so a person could get the unlock code from AT&T (as I did, actually, through an eBay seller who got it from AT&T) and he just shrugged his shoulders and handed me my phone and that was that. The rep specifically stated 3 times in a row that if it's unlocked you can't flash it with their software, so I made note of it and I'm passing along what at least this one "Samsung rep" stated to me - I can't verify or confirm it's true but that's what he said, 3 times in a row. He never mentioned rooting more than the one question, but was quite adamant that I understood the reason it wasn't working which by his statements was that if the phone is unlocked they can't flash it; I personally think it's a combination of mine being rooted in the past with activeroot and also being (carrier) unlocked as well.
So... I don't think being rooted caused the problem more than being unlocked, but at this point I don't have any clue to be honest, it could actually be a combination of both for whatever reason but this MF1 isn't rooted, that much I know for certain.
Anyway, that's a dead end for me so I'll just put Safestrap back on and load up the AOSP ROM with the MF1 kernel modules and the camera fix and be done with it, that's enough ROM swapping for me for the time being.
So just for the record: if you're thinking about doing this and you've rooted your I537 at any point, that may stop this potential flash of MF3 at Best Buy on your device cold - if it's unlocked that might have something to do with it as well but I'm going to guess they're checking for root even if you've completely restored an unrooted ROM like MF1, or they're just getting wise to us with the MF1 and MI2 pre-release ROMs we've been toying around with, I just don't know.
Would be nice to get MF3 back on here just in case AT&T does drop 4.3 during October but, I guess I'm somewhat "stuck" now since I'd prefer to have working screenshots so that means MF1 or the AOSP ROM.
Just passing along my experience...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that sounds like a horrible experience. What I'm gathering from this is that the rep didn't know what he was talking about. My i537 is also unlocked, rooted, triple booting roms (safestrap) and I got the update just fine.
Here is what I bet happened. The tool they use has 2 different functions, and one isn't as well known. The one they usually use is basically connecting your phone (no download mode) and it updates, and that's that. That one never works. The other one requires them to press ALT + F10 on their keyboard and enter a password to get into the actual system that will give you the update to MF3. My guess is the rep didn't know about this.
I am 100% positive it can be done Br0adband. That rep was clueless.
chronicaust said:
Wow that sounds like a horrible experience. What I'm gathering from this is that the rep didn't know what he was talking about. My i537 is also unlocked, rooted, triple booting roms (safestrap) and I got the update just fine.
Here is what I bet happened. The tool they use has 2 different functions, and one isn't as well known. The one they usually use is basically connecting your phone (no download mode) and it updates, and that's that. That one never works. The other one requires them to press ALT + F10 on their keyboard and enter a password to get into the actual system that will give you the update to MF3. My guess is the rep didn't know about this.
I am 100% positive it can be done Br0adband. That rep was clueless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yah, he just plugged in the phone with it on and operational, clicked a tile on the screen (there were like a dozen of them each one supposedly for a different device), and after 20-30 seconds of it reading data from the device it just pulled up the ROM build (MF1) and then said it was incompatible.
Interesting, but I'm not sure if it's worth going back and dealing with the guy a second time - maybe I'll try again later tonight before they close and hopefully someone else will be on shift and I can mention the ALT+F10 thing, hopefully they'll have a clue.
My question to you is: did they require doing the ALT+F10 to get your device flashed properly?
Thanks for that tidbit of info, kinda wish you'd mentioned it earlier but but but...
It took the rep a few tries with mine... And one of those he switched the cable. I'd try a different best buy (if u can) or wait till someone else is at the keyboard. The last few months talking to AT&T tech support, they gave me all kinds of excuses too, but I could tell they had no clue or real skills beyond their training courses. Mine is not unlocked though.
br0adband said:
Yah, he just plugged in the phone with it on and operational, clicked a tile on the screen (there were like a dozen of them each one supposedly for a different device), and after 20-30 seconds of it reading data from the device it just pulled up the ROM build (MF1) and then said it was incompatible.
Interesting, but I'm not sure if it's worth going back and dealing with the guy a second time - maybe I'll try again later tonight before they close and hopefully someone else will be on shift and I can mention the ALT+F10 thing, hopefully they'll have a clue.
My question to you is: did they require doing the ALT+F10 to get your device flashed properly?
Thanks for that tidbit of info, kinda wish you'd mentioned it earlier but but but...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sir it did. If they don't know the password, it's probably smart100 if they act like it's a big deal tell them to call their field support hotline. Lolol
Not sure if it's worth all this hassle but, we'll see what happens if I decide to head back to Best Buy later. Thanks again for the info.
Going to best buy in the am
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 4
I went at 10 when they opened the Samsung rep doesn't come in til noon. I'll try it tomorrow.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 4
I just got my phone updated to MF3 at my local Best Buy. First try said it was incompatible, so he called his support line and was told to put phone in download mode to update firm ware. Now I'm on official MF3. The Samsung rep was very cool let me watch the whole process.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Will have to pass along that info to the Samsung rep if I do decide to head back to get MF3 installed. Running nicely on MF1 right at this moment so I'll stick with this for the time being. Thanks for the report.
Now if we could just yank that MF3 off yours into a flashable zip or whatever...
Pretty sure those days are coming to a close with the 4.3+ releases as Samsung apparently has every intention of locking down everything to as many degrees as possible.
I am going to meet up with someone later today to buy ATT NOTE 3
how do i make sure its not a fake /clone
What do i check for..
Ive seen some phones that are clearly clones but i know there is others that are very almost exact copy but are not original
i dont want to have a very expensive mp3 player...
I am going to ask the seller to meet me at a ATT store: if he doesnt want to meet there then i know something is wrong..
I already checked the IMEI with ATT and they said phone is good and can connect service with them.
Also im obviously going to check to make sure the phone im buying comes with the exact IMEI on the back
but is there a way to check software wise like in settings, phone info??
all help is appreciated...
*MODS Sorry if i posted this in the wrong section but it is a question and this is the question section also i did a search already and could not find any good answers..**
Ma$etas said:
I am going to meet up with someone later today to buy ATT NOTE 3
how do i make sure its not a fake /clone
What do i check for..
Ive seen some phones that are clearly clones but i know there is others that are very almost exact copy but are not original
i dont want to have a very expensive mp3 player...
I am going to ask the seller to meet me at a ATT store: if he doesnt want to meet there then i know something is wrong..
I already checked the IMEI with ATT and they said phone is good and can connect service with them.
Also im obviously going to check to make sure the phone im buying comes with the exact IMEI on the back
but is there a way to check software wise like in settings, phone info??
all help is appreciated...
*MODS Sorry if i posted this in the wrong section but it is a question and this is the question section also i did a search already and could not find any good answers..**
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just go into settings and about phone and verify the baseband version. A real AT&T Note 3 will have either MI9 or MJ5. To my knowledge none of the clones or fakes have official versions.
From what I know go into camera mod and see if you can zoom in or out with the volume button.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
thanks to both of you that replied..
I met up with the person at a local att store..
I got there before the seller got there and ask one of the store reps if they could help me out with a deal i was about to do and help make sure that the phone was paid off not currently connected to any account and if he could prevent it from being blacklisted later...
When the seller got there , the store rep checked the imei made sure it was clean then verified with the person when he bought it..
and with the sellers permission went into the sellers account and found the NOTE 3 and placed a Comment/note on it saying HE was selling the phone to someone else
to prevent him from later calling and reporting it stolen.... Store rep was truly helpful and went out of his way to make sure i didnt have any issues later...
I made sure phone imei matched the box imei , made sure phone was good, not damaged etc...
all in all was a good deal.. $400 for it but selling my note 2 for $300
Glad everything went well. Most sellers would never take that kind of time to sell something. Hope you enjoy your new note 3.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
thanks Xfaega..
im going to connect it to Go phone Service which is the same service as ATT and includes the LTE service...
I just hope it does work everywhere i constantly travel..
It will be my first time using att service.. i have always had Sprint, TMobile , Verizon..
Greetings good people of the xda-developers forum!
After a little reading around I figure this is the most apropriate forum to post this thread in, correct me if I'm wrong.
Earlier this year I lost my phone in a cab after a night out, the driver decided to keep my phone instead of turning it in (usually if you leave something in a taxi in this region, you'll have it back with a little humiliation from the taxi-central the day after, not this time though).
A couple months after loosing it, I got a "emergency message" from my lost phone, and it went on and off for a little while untill yesterday when it apparently was taken into use! I have an "invisible" tracking app installed that will survive factory resets and gives me the opportunity to take pictures, record sound and some more.
Anyway, the phone has moved a couple countries away since it was initially lost, so I've lost hope of reclaiming it. My plan now is to give an honest shot at making my phone the most annoying device the new owner has ever had!
I come to this forum now, looking for inspiration/ideas and warning where warnings are due!
Is there anything I really shouldn't do, that could come back and bite me?
What would you do if you were in my situation?
Any good ideas of how to bother this guy?
So far I've only really come up with the idea of wiping his data from time to time..
I appreciate any ideas or warnings!
Thanks!
vengeful said:
Greetings good people of the xda-developers forum!
After a little reading around I figure this is the most apropriate forum to post this thread in, correct me if I'm wrong.
Earlier this year I lost my phone in a cab after a night out, the driver decided to keep my phone instead of turning it in (usually if you leave something in a taxi in this region, you'll have it back with a little humiliation from the taxi-central the day after, not this time though).
A couple months after loosing it, I got a "emergency message" from my lost phone, and it went on and off for a little while untill yesterday when it apparently was taken into use! I have an "invisible" tracking app installed that will survive factory resets and gives me the opportunity to take pictures, record sound and some more.
Anyway, the phone has moved a couple countries away since it was initially lost, so I've lost hope of reclaiming it. My plan now is to give an honest shot at making my phone the most annoying device the new owner has ever had!
I come to this forum now, looking for inspiration/ideas and warning where warnings are due!
Is there anything I really shouldn't do, that could come back and bite me?
What would you do if you were in my situation?
Any good ideas of how to bother this guy?
So far I've only really come up with the idea of wiping his data from time to time..
I appreciate any ideas or warnings!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it will not back bite you if have retail invoice of that phone do whatever you want
Isn't it possible, even with sim card phones, to call your carrier, report it stolen, and have it basically bricked so Noone can use it again. I know they can with like sprint and Verizon phones that don't take sim cards. But I've heard of it happening with sim devices too. I would just try calling your carrier.
If that don't work. I'd leave it alone. The person who has your phone now probably isn't the person who took it. Which is why it was sold out of the country. And that person most likely doesn't deserve all that crap
Contemplating getting the S5....
SaintCity86 said:
Isn't it possible, even with sim card phones, to call your carrier, report it stolen, and have it basically bricked so Noone can use it again. I know they can with like sprint and Verizon phones that don't take sim cards. But I've heard of it happening with sim devices too. I would just try calling your carrier.
If that don't work. I'd leave it alone. The person who has your phone now probably isn't the person who took it. Which is why it was sold out of the country. And that person most likely doesn't deserve all that crap
Contemplating getting the S5....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the nasty part of stealing a phone. The Carrier will lock the "ESN" (Electronic Serial Number) so all they need to do is flash it over to another carrier... I.E. if you have a GSN type phone from say AT&T you can flash the software over to T-Mobile who doesn't give a flying flip about a stolen ESN (As a example) I personally have T-Mobile... They did try to make a law making req the manufacture to add a "Kill Switch" allowing the consumer to render the phone useless how ever that did not pass... SO Basically some one steals your phone that's it nothing you can do but buy another phone or hack into it like the OP..
TO OP: I'd go Impractical Jokers Style. Ease drop on him and play really dirty sounds (Porn sounds... moans/grunts etc) then Fry the phone... **** that guy he had to know it was stolen and if he didn't he's a fool... Check your ESN's People!
abhishek 9650 said:
it will not back bite you if have retail invoice of that phone do whatever you want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the record, I do have the invoice.
SaintCity86 said:
Isn't it possible, even with sim card phones, to call your carrier, report it stolen, and have it basically bricked so Noone can use it again. I know they can with like sprint and Verizon phones that don't take sim cards. But I've heard of it happening with sim devices too. I would just try calling your carrier.
If that don't work. I'd leave it alone. The person who has your phone now probably isn't the person who took it. Which is why it was sold out of the country. And that person most likely doesn't deserve all that crap
Contemplating getting the S5....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is indeed possible, but not flawless. There is supposed to be some automation to it in the country the phone was initially lost, but either this automation failed or it's sucess is the reason it left that country. Problem is though, the idea is that they block the IMEI from the networks, but some countries are not part of this agreement/system.
I think the guy who is currently in posession of the phone knows perfectly well how it was acquired. Judging from pictures taken through the phone, the taxi-driver and the current holder of the phone may very well be related. Also, the phone had it's language changed to Arabic by the taxi-driver, this has not been changed by the new user (not that it prooves anything). There is also the fact that the SIM inserted in the phone in the country I lost it in, followed the phone over to the current country, where it was replaced by what appears to be a prepaid SIM. I don't think this phone was up for sale anywhere, I think the taxidriver sold or gave it away to some family member coming to visit.
As mentioned, I have no hope of having it returned. I'm not gonna push this too far, but I do feel like putting a dent in his joy over his shadily acquired device.
Drooling a little over the HTC One M8
Tangodown78 said:
That's the nasty part of stealing a phone. The Carrier will lock the "ESN" (Electronic Serial Number) so all they need to do is flash it over to another carrier... I.E. if you have a GSN type phone from say AT&T you can flash the software over to T-Mobile who doesn't give a flying flip about a stolen ESN (As a example) I personally have T-Mobile... They did try to make a law making req the manufacture to add a "Kill Switch" allowing the consumer to render the phone useless how ever that did not pass... SO Basically some one steals your phone that's it nothing you can do but buy another phone or hack into it like the OP..
TO OP: I'd go Impractical Jokers Style. Ease drop on him and play really dirty sounds (Porn sounds... moans/grunts etc) then Fry the phone... **** that guy he had to know it was stolen and if he didn't he's a fool... Check your ESN's People!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I've understood, in the European countries that are part of this agreement any locked IMEI number will be locked out of all mobile networks, this can only be worked around by changing the IMEI number or shipping the phone off to some country that is not part of this agreement. In the country my phone was lost the police send a notification to the networks when they recieve a lost/stolen report. Not sure if it went through in my case.
My list of options are limited to what my tracking software allows me to do, sadly (or happily, depending how you look at it) my programming skills are not by far sufficient for me to go beyond what the software offers, allthough I reckon someone with the right knowledge could use the tracking software as a backdoor into the device?
Wow. I'll be honest, I never thought them tracking apps would ever give you anything useful, but if your able to basically see every picture they take, take pictures yourself...I think that's crazy... wipe the phone....
What exactly can you do with yours? Read texts sent and received on the phone? Does it gps track its location on demand? Even if the gps is disabled in the device itself?
You said the one you have stays on the device even after restores and factory resets? What's the name of the app?
As for the locked esns.... If an American cell company like tmo locks one up, is that gonna stick over any of the carriers in the US? Basically, all 4 of them?
Cuz I know before, as long as you had a sim card, it didn't matter, you just swapped it for a new one.
Contemplating getting the S5....
Wish they did that here... though the explanation was for the poster above me... Id use what ever i could to screw with him... what ever happens good luck messing with the dirt bag
Sent from my LG-D959 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I would also like to know this app
Go the South Park route. Some cartoon parodies of Mohammed should be effective. Then again, if they are in a Muslim country they could get in a lot of trouble if they have certain content on their device.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
yea... Mocking Mohammad not general a good idea... it will get you killed. I wouldn't want that on any one's conscience
Tangodown78 said:
yea... Mocking Mohammad not general a good idea... it will get you killed. I wouldn't want that on any one's conscience
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No different than mocking L. Ron Hubbard or Jesus. All of them are con men and are fair game. Don't believe the hype.
I am very spiritual, believe in a higher power, but I will never bow down to some schmuck just because I am told to.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
c5satellite2 said:
No different than mocking L. Ron Hubbard or Jesus. All of them are con men and are fair game. Don't believe the hype.
I am very spiritual, believe in a higher power, but I will never bow down to some schmuck just because I am told to.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro, dafuq, don't insult other members of xda. Calling religious icons schmucks will insult some people. THIS IS NO PLACE TO HAVE A RELIGIOUS WAR. So stfu and leave the thread back to it's topic. Thank you.
I'm using Cerberus. I had the same app installed without root access/without placing it in system/apps on another phone I lost a couple months earlier, in which case it gave me absolutely nothing. This one however, installed in system/apps with root access, appears to be "immortal".
I reckon they will have a comprehensive list of what you can do with the app on their homepage.
I don't know anything about how things are done in the US.
I'm not gonna do religious insults. I wan't to annoy him, not make him want my head on a stick.
Yesterday a sound recording convinced me he was in a crowded area, so I couldn't resist the urge to sound the alarm. Which is played at max volume. The picture taken of him when he touched the screen to stop it was not optimal, but it did have a feeling of desperation to it
App is still active today