Database Develop

[Q] Help - Failed Root, How to Fix

I am trying to help a friend root her phone. About a year ago, she had someone else help, and they did something wrong. The result is that her phone has a Superuser app, but it's not functional and has no root capabilities - of course she can't get rid of Superuser as it's a system app.
So first off... is there a way to flash this phone back to out of the box condition? I know for Motorola phones, for example, you can use RSD Lite to flash the firmware. I know nothing about Samsung phones, is there an equivalent way?
And then to continue - how do we go about rooting it properly? Is there a custom recovery we can install on the phone so she can make nandroid backups in case something goes wrong in the future?
Some more details:
Kernel 2.6.35.7-T759UVKE8-CL205219
Build number ULTIMOBILE-T759-2.3.4-CBW-101211-1.3 - so I assume she has Android 2.3.4.
She has Cincinnati Bell, rather than a "big" phone provider - but from what I understand they just piggyback off of T-Mobile anyway... not sure if this changes anything.
I'm sorry if these questions have been answered a million times, I would just like some pointers so I don't end up in the same situation again.

drfsupercenter said:
I am trying to help a friend root her phone. About a year ago, she had someone else help, and they did something wrong. The result is that her phone has a Superuser app, but it's not functional and has no root capabilities - of course she can't get rid of Superuser as it's a system app.
So first off... is there a way to flash this phone back to out of the box condition? I know for Motorola phones, for example, you can use RSD Lite to flash the firmware. I know nothing about Samsung phones, is there an equivalent way?
And then to continue - how do we go about rooting it properly? Is there a custom recovery we can install on the phone so she can make nandroid backups in case something goes wrong in the future?
Some more details:
Kernel 2.6.35.7-T759UVKE8-CL205219
Build number ULTIMOBILE-T759-2.3.4-CBW-101211-1.3 - so I assume she has Android 2.3.4.
She has Cincinnati Bell, rather than a "big" phone provider - but from what I understand they just piggyback off of T-Mobile anyway... not sure if this changes anything.
I'm sorry if these questions have been answered a million times, I would just like some pointers so I don't end up in the same situation again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong phone this is t679 you have t759
Edit: they don't have their own forum but they do have threads so Google it
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

theAPANT said:
Wrong phone this is t679 you have t759
Edit: they don't have their own forum but they do have threads so Google it
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry - I just know it's called the Samsung Exhibit. If a mod wants to move this somewhere, be my guest. But I'd still like help if anyone here knows.

A factory reset might get rid of superuser. Otherwise try rooting again. A quick Google search brought this up: http://www.androidegis.com/how-to/easily-root-your-samsung-exhibit-4g-sgh-t759-how-to/
Zerg rush should work.
Sent from Galaxy Exhibit 4G running Peach Sunrise

No zerg does not work with 2.3.6
Sent from my SGH-T679 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Help with unroot and removing "Custom" and unlocked padlock

I purchased the AT&T version of the Galaxy Note 3 a little less than a week ago and, to be honest, I'm not really keen on it. There are a number of reasons, but what it boils down to is that I just don't think I like it all that much. I've already sold my Galaxy Note 2, so I'll have to figure out what I'm going to do about a cell phone, but that's something beyond the scope of this particular posting. What I need help with is how to unroot this device. I used the Root De La Vega procedure very shortly after it came out and it worked like a charm. I noted that when the phone boots up, there is the word "Custom" and an unlocked padlock. How do I get this AT&T model of the Galaxy Note 3 back to the condition, more or less, of when I bought it about a week ago so that I won't have any issues getting the refund processed? I've heard some people requesting help with unrooting and they've been told to use the unroot in SuperUser. Will this get rid of the "Custom" wording on boot-up AND the unlocked padlock? If not, is there a way to get this back to the way it was or am I just out of luck since I only have about another week to return this device. Obviously, if I'm stuck, I'm stuck and I'll find a way to live with it. Who knows...I might actually get to liking it down the road when some of the quirks have been worked out. However, if there's a way to sort all of this out in a timely manner where there's no muss or fuss, that would be the ideal solution. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

KennyXL said:
I purchased the AT&T version of the Galaxy Note 3 a little less than a week ago and, to be honest, I'm not really keen on it. There are a number of reasons, but what it boils down to is that I just don't think I like it all that much. I've already sold my Galaxy Note 2, so I'll have to figure out what I'm going to do about a cell phone, but that's something beyond the scope of this particular posting. What I need help with is how to unroot this device. I used the Root De La Vega procedure very shortly after it came out and it worked like a charm. I noted that when the phone boots up, there is the word "Custom" and an unlocked padlock. How do I get this AT&T model of the Galaxy Note 3 back to the condition, more or less, of when I bought it about a week ago so that I won't have any issues getting the refund processed? I've heard some people requesting help with unrooting and they've been told to use the unroot in SuperUser. Will this get rid of the "Custom" wording on boot-up AND the unlocked padlock? If not, is there a way to get this back to the way it was or am I just out of luck since I only have about another week to return this device. Obviously, if I'm stuck, I'm stuck and I'll find a way to live with it. Who knows...I might actually get to liking it down the road when some of the quirks have been worked out. However, if there's a way to sort all of this out in a timely manner where there's no muss or fuss, that would be the ideal solution. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not super familiar with the unrooting process, but try to unroot using SuperSU and reboot a couple of times to see if it goes away. If that doesn't work then flash the original firmware with odin and that should do it. Pretty easy to do from what I understand.

agent929 said:
I'm not super familiar with the unrooting process, but try to unroot using SuperSU and reboot a couple of times to see if it goes away. If that doesn't work then flash the original firmware with odin and that should do it. Pretty easy to do from what I understand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps this is showing my ignorance, but since the AT&T Galaxy Note 3 has a locked bootloader (which, as of yet, has not been unlocked), would that prevent Odin from flashing a new image? If I don't need an unlocked bootloader to flash with Odin, do you know where I might find the original image that came with my phone from AT&T in a format that Odin can flash? I haven't tried the SuperSU yet since I want all my options readily available so that if one fails, I can move on to the next one.

KennyXL said:
Perhaps this is showing my ignorance, but since the AT&T Galaxy Note 3 has a locked bootloader (which, as of yet, has not been unlocked), would that prevent Odin from flashing a new image? If I don't need an unlocked bootloader to flash with Odin, do you know where I might find the original image that came with my phone from AT&T in a format that Odin can flash? I haven't tried the SuperSU yet since I want all my options readily available so that if one fails, I can move on to the next one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To my understanding you can flash anything with Odin on a locked bootloader phone that is "signed". If you give me a few minutes I'll help you look for the original odin file to flash.

agent929 said:
I'm not super familiar with the unrooting process, but try to unroot using SuperSU and reboot a couple of times to see if it goes away. If that doesn't work then flash the original firmware with odin and that should do it. Pretty easy to do from what I understand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agent929 said:
To my understanding you can flash anything with Odin on a locked bootloader phone that is "signed". If you give me a few minutes I'll help you look for the original odin file to flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really appreciate your help. Every time I've used Odin in the past has involved a phone with a non-locked bootloader (as far as I know) so this is new territory for me.

KennyXL said:
I really appreciate your help. Every time I've used Odin in the past has involved a phone with a non-locked bootloader (as far as I know) so this is new territory for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a problem. I've been looking for that odin file with no luck. I would PM designgears and ask him if he can provide a link for it because you couldn't find it.

agent929 said:
Not a problem. I've been looking for that odin file with no luck. I would PM designgears and ask him if he can provide a link for it because you couldn't find it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'll give that a try.

Use the same file that u used to root. The one with the one click. After it pass, you're back to stock. i just did it yesterday.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

If you looked at the root thread you'd see directions to unroot right there.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app

panday74 said:
Use the same file that u used to root. The one with the one click. After it pass, you're back to stock. i just did it yesterday.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Zach Alt said:
If you looked at the root thread you'd see directions to unroot right there.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What they said
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I467 using Tapatalk 4

panday74 said:
Use the same file that u used to root. The one with the one click. After it pass, you're back to stock. i just did it yesterday.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the SuperSU full unroot method - didn't remove the padlock, flashed the one click - didn't remove it, and just flashed the second (for funsies) and that didn't help (probably shouldn't have expected it to).
I'm returning my note and can't get rid of the lock. Will PM Designgears I guess

Did you restart it a few times? Also a factory reset?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk 5

seanu13 said:
I tried the SuperSU full unroot method - didn't remove the padlock, flashed the one click - didn't remove it, and just flashed the second (for funsies) and that didn't help (probably shouldn't have expected it to).
I'm returning my note and can't get rid of the lock. Will PM Designgears I guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was kinda wondering how to remove the padlock also. I have read that some people that haven't even rooted have the padlock on boot up also??? I read somewhere about triangle away working, have you tried that?

agent929 said:
Did you restart it a few times? Also a factory reset?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes to both (restarted 5 times). since i was already so far into the root process, I added the files to the sdcards that are in the root steps, and the lock went away. Then I finished rooting.
went back and did one click again and still had the lock after rebooting 5 times. Thought about how it went away after adding the files so I skipped through the phone setup, enabled USB debugging again and added a dummy file to the sd card (a .csv I had on my desktop) and then removed it. Rebooted, and the lock was gone.

I'd use the padlock hack in Wanum and hide the root apps via Nova Launcher just to stick it to ATT and return it rooted.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda premium

Omg, just reflash the stock rom from the package. Says so in the instructions.
READ!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Jammol said:
Omg, just reflash the stock rom from the package. Says so in the instructions.
READ!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you READ, you will see he already did that.

agent929 said:
If you READ, you will see he already did that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last post that was here when I posted was yours. That's why I posted for him to Read the instructions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Ok well here's what I did and the padlock is gone.
Factory reset on the phone
Phone rebooted and I removed the super su app using the setting in the su app.
Then flashed the one click 9 tar
phone reboots on its own after flashing, icon was still there
rebooted the phone twice and the padlock was gone
Not sure if I just got lucky or what lol

Jammol said:
The last post that was here when I posted was yours. That's why I posted for him to Read the instructions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got ya..tapatalk has been mean to me too lol
---------- Post added at 10:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 AM ----------
Quickvic30 said:
Ok well here's what I did and the padlock is gone.
Factory reset on the phone
Phone rebooted and I removed the super su app using the setting in the su app.
Then flashed the one click 9 tar
phone reboots on its own after flashing, icon was still there
rebooted the phone twice and the padlock was gone
Not sure if I just got lucky or what lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know you have to reboot a few times to set the status somehow, iB4STiD explained it in one of his post before.

[q] help help help

So I tried rooting my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900A with Odin but it went wrong somewhere along the way and now the phone won't start up. When I try to start up, the screen says "firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again" But when I tried to recover in Kies, it always gets to the end and then says that the PC can't recognize my mobile device. I can still access download mode but that's about it. I have tried looking EVERYWHERE and there is no solution! someone please help! D:
Also, I found something online that says that I can recover through Odin and I went through the whole process but when I start flashing, it says FAIL so that didn't work for me either

Did you use RDLV on MJ5 to root? If so, that's probably what bricked you.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

U will prolly need to flash from scratch using the pit file
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk 4

antiguangenius said:
U will prolly need to flash from scratch using the pit file
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the pit file?

becky0251 said:
What's the pit file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That just showed off why your phone got bricked. Rooting a phone got some responsibility. Let this be a lesson for you and read before you root. You will need to download the stock firmware and flash this through Odin. I guess you still can enter Download mode?

Wi-Fi Issues
I also need some help here... I did successfully root my note 3, however whenever I install a custom rom such as knoxraid or azure, my wi-fi will not work at all.
The wi-fi will be on from a clean flash, but once I try to connect to any network (I've only tried those with passwords), the wi-fi grays out and I can no longer turn it on or off. I haven't encountered anyone else with the same problem, and I have tried deleting the rom partitions and recreating them.
Disclaimer: I don't have enough posts to post in the dev forums, so that's why I'm posting here. Sorry about that.

Dearest Becky, im so sorry girl..
butchya may be fuct for a lil while let me tell ya why..
This same thing happened to me!!
I looked everywhere for an easy solution BUT THERE IS NONE !! Yet.
The reason why is because there are no easy "Odin back to stock files" yet is because at&t is a fn a-hole and locked the bootloader !!
I brikt my shıt about 4 days after I brought it home from costco.
I combed through the interwebs for the 48 hrs straight like a mad tweaker!! because of course this is our 800 dollar babies we're talking about !!
I kept getting the same error message as you are mentioning about the kies update connect your pc blah and so I tool it back to costco and played dumb and said that I got a notification to update and clicked ok and it did some stuff and "now its stuck on this screen with some error??" .. the lady at the kiosk looked it up and down and said someone else had come in last week with the same error message . LoL !!
I walked out of there with a brand new baby !!
Maybe you can do the same thing? Just hoping you are within your return timeframe.
your last but definitely not last worst case scenerio option is to stick your sim card in another phone and wait till someone from our awesome family here finds away around/through that damn bootloader and drops the beautiful Odin+files to give new birth to your 5.7 beast of an angel !!
Hope this helped in any sort of way. Good luck dear Sister!!
Please let us know how it goes. I think there are many brothers and sisters desperate as F and in ypur same predicament.

This is your best bet.
If you can get into download mode or should work
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48243768
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app

mrkhigh said:
This is your best bet.
If you can get into download mode or should work
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48243768
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU SO MUCH! this worked :good:

all i did is using kingo, it work perfect.
来自我的 SM-N9005 上的 Tapatalk

Glad it worked
For anyone Reading this thread for similar issues
What probably happened is she attempted to root de LA Vega method while she was on firmware mj5 rdlv method is based on mi9 and die to this it will soft brick your device.
Unfortunately att diff not release an Odin file for mj5 or even put it on kies.
One of or members figured out how to fiddle with the files we have access to to flash a hybrid of mi9 and mj5
Making it possible to more or less recover from an mj5 brick.
Follow his steps completely and you will wind up with a stock rooted os.
But since this is such an odd way to recover I chose to use kingo to root.
Xda doesn't support kingo dir to hour closed they are in their methods and the fact it is not apparent how they are funding themselves. so you'll have to Google it. It was one of the easiest root methods I've done on a device it installs chainfires su. It is completely removable and I personally believe it is the lest chance of a brick method.
Sent from my GT-P3110 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Help Re-Rooting after OTA Update

hey guys i tried searching for answers. but had no success. i have a note 3 that was rooted with kingo. AT&T automatically installed an OTA update and of course it un rooted my phone. i still get the custom boot screen as well as still have safestrap on my device. my question is how do i reroot my device? ive tried kingo again and it fails after rebootong the phone 5 or 6 times. im still running 4.3 build is JSS15J.N900AUCUBNB4
i know a little on some things but im not as technical as most of you. but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Survivor058 said:
hey guys i tried searching for answers. but had no success. i have a note 3 that was rooted with kingo. AT&T automatically installed an OTA update and of course it un rooted my phone. i still get the custom boot screen as well as still have safestrap on my device. my question is how do i reroot my device? ive tried kingo again and it fails after rebootong the phone 5 or 6 times. im still running 4.3 build is JSS15J.N900AUCUBNB4
i know a little on some things but im not as technical as most of you. but any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of Kingo did you try? Use 1.1.5 or 1.1.8. People have had success with that. 1.1.8 worked for me. Just Google around and you will find the download on the net somewhere.

theorioles33 said:
What version of Kingo did you try? Use 1.1.5 or 1.1.8. People have had success with that. 1.1.8 worked for me. Just Google around and you will find the download on the net somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it was 1.2.0 ill try an older version

In case you have trouble finding a copy
https://mega.co.nz/#!AxdHUCCQ!86DzctSWlXK4VfbInPYBgC_4QYAM2wUR8cewrflAyk0

theorioles33 said:
In case you have trouble finding a copy
unfortunately that did not work. the root failed. that was version 1.1.5, last night i tried 1.1.8 failed and tried the latest 1.2.0 with no success. would you recommend something else? i did try theese root methods with the sd card inserted im not sure if that is a no no or not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I'm at a loss. I had my SD card in by the way. Maybe someone else will have some ideas.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

theorioles33 said:
I'm at a loss. I had my SD card in by the way. Maybe someone else will have some ideas.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that sucks. factory reset? ill most likely still have the issue but maybe not. isnt there a way to completely wipe the phone from the boot screen? id rather not if i dont have to.

You can try a factory reset and then root. If not there is a thread in the general section to go back to stock. Works great. I used it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

theorioles33 said:
You can try a factory reset and then root. If not there is a thread in the general section to go back to stock. Works great. I used it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but arent i technically back to stock? since i dont have root access? this is very confusing to me. if my carrier didnt push that update i wouldnt be in this boat

You are but we can't figure out why you can't root when others in your situation can. There is Kingo thread you can check out. Maybe you can find some answers there.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

anyone have any suggestions?? 139 views in less than an hour someone has got to know something lol

Survivor058 said:
anyone have any suggestions?? 139 views in less than an hour someone has got to know something lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory Reset after the update to NB4, also go to recovery wipe cache, then try the 1.18, during the rooting process, look your phone screen, you need to click accept something twice,

I don't know how it all works terribly well but you said you still have Safestrap? Can you still install ROMs and can they have root?
Also, for when you eventually do get it working again. I recommend freezing the ATT updater. It can be awful when it eventually FORCES an update.
I got a free app called App Quarantine and froze "AT&T Software Update".

coolmingli said:
Factory Reset after the update to NB4, also go to recovery wipe cache, then try the 1.18, during the rooting process, look your phone screen, you need to click accept something twice,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok yea this is all french to me. you want me to factory reset? im not sure what the NB4 is?. and i thing i know how to wipe the cache.

Gary3 said:
I don't know how it all works terribly well but you said you still have Safestrap? Can you still install ROMs and can they have root?
Also, for when you eventually do get it working again. I recommend freezing the ATT updater. It can be awful when it eventually FORCES an update.
I got a free app called App Quarantine and froze "AT&T Software Update".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
safestrap is on my phone but it cant be removed and just says that the phone isnt properly rooted. so no i cannot install roms and i will make sure that once i resolve this ill freezr that app
sorry for the delay guys im back at this again. i do very much appreciate all who are trying to offer assistance

ok guys so ive wiped the cache. and have done the factory reset. kingo 1.1.5 and 1.1.8 both have failed...... what is going on here maybe someone can skype with me the steps to completely flash my phone to the day i got it i see the thread but im scared ****less to try it lol

You will just have to follow the restore to MJ5 thread. The instructions are simple and very easy to follow. Go slow and follow them to the T.
What they do not mention however is do not use a 3.0 USB port. Only 2.0 will work.
Just follow that.
It is literally impossible to brick this phone to the point of it being unrecoverable. There is a tutorial to restore from hard bricks without J-Tag.
Sent from my SM-N9005A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

graydiggy said:
You will just have to follow the restore to MJ5 thread. The instructions are simple and very easy to follow. Go slow and follow them to the T.
What they do not mention however is do not use a 3.0 USB port. Only 2.0 will work.
Just follow that.
It is literally impossible to brick this phone to the point of it being unrecoverable. There is a tutorial to restore from hard bricks without J-Tag.
Sent from my SM-N9005A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey graydiggy, I did the restore back to MJ5, but can't seem to get the last step for rooting to work. I tried every way with putting the rdlv on internal...unzipped and zipped. I even tried doing the same on the external sd as well. When I reboot supersu doesn't do anything. Any suggestion on how to get the last step to work?
Thanks in advance for your help.

chrispyutec said:
Hey graydiggy, I did the restore back to MJ5, but can't seem to get the last step for rooting to work. I tried every way with putting the rdlv on internal...unzipped and zipped. I even tried doing the same on the external sd as well. When I reboot supersu doesn't do anything. Any suggestion on how to get the last step to work?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has to be unzipped and on the internal. You have to reboot a few times for it to activate. After the first reboot, let the phone sit for a few minutes and then reboot again. You should be good to go after that.
Sent from my SM-N9005A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

graydiggy said:
It has to be unzipped and on the internal. You have to reboot a few times for it to activate. After the first reboot, let the phone sit for a few minutes and then reboot again. You should be good to go after that.
Sent from my SM-N9005A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that did the trick!!! Thanks for holding my hand lol. I hit your thanks and I appreciate your help.

Best Buy restore

Ive seen many people mention that I can get my Note 3 updated to KK at Best Buy, but I had some questions. Did I have to purchase at BB in order to do this? (I bought directly from ATT). Also, is there any disadvantage to doing this, other than I assume it will wipe all the data on the phone? Seems it might be easier than going through all the hoops to get to KK. Wanted to check before doing anything though.
Thanks!

What hoops are you referring to that you can't update to kit kat?
Sent from the dirty flashed note 3!

noobtoob said:
What hoops are you referring to that you can't update to kit kat?
Sent from the dirty flashed note 3!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he was referring to this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51525327
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

posersk8r said:
I think he was referring to this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51525327
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. I have an n900t, so I was curious about what he was truly asking. So you guys can't just Odin a stock .tar image?
So heimdall also can't just flash all these for you bypassing the Odin/heimdall mix? I don't have an n900a to play with, so I can't test myself.
Only asking as it seems heimdall should be able to restore you to factory without having to flash single files through odin, and then use heimdall later.
If this is the only way to update good luck. But seriously, doing it once, you become a pro. I've had to restore my phone several times in the middle of the night trying several methods to recover my data. To me it is fun, but I do understand as well.
Sent from the dirty flashed note 3!

noobtoob said:
Cool. I have an n900t, so I was curious about what he was truly asking. So you guys can't just Odin a stock .tar image?
So heimdall also can't just flash all these for you bypassing the Odin/heimdall mix? I don't have an n900a to play with, so I can't test myself.
Only asking as it seems heimdall should be able to restore you to factory without having to flash single files through odin, and then use heimdall later.
If this is the only way to update good luck. But seriously, doing it once, you become a pro. I've had to restore my phone several times in the middle of the night trying several methods to recover my data. To me it is fun, but I do understand as well.
Sent from the dirty flashed note 3!
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On our restore to mj5 method we use heimdall to flash just the edited mi9 system then do stock recovery to flash the mj5 update. I never understood it bit it seems like we cant flash the system image through odin, at&t never updated kies. U guys are lucky with unlocked bl and odin tars available.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

posersk8r said:
On our restore to mj5 method we use heimdall to flash just the edited mi9 system then do stock recovery to flash the mj5 update. I never understood it bit it seems like we cant flash the system image through odin, at&t never updated kies. U guys are lucky with unlocked bl and odin tars available.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
Yes. I vowed to straight up pay full price for phones now just so I don't have to jump through hoops in order to root, restore, etc... It will be expensive, but I figure $800 every two years or so can't hurt too much. I'm not rich by any means, but really tired of not "owning" my device. I save $40 a month into my phone plan, then cash it out when I find something I like.
Sent from the dirty flashed note 3!

does anyone know regarding going in to Best Buy? Is that possible? Thanks

Yes in Houston Best Buy has restored my ATT note 3 twice and I bought mine from ATT store. Just go to Samsung rep in store mobile section they must have used special software that we cant get.

pactronic said:
Yes in Houston Best Buy has restored my ATT note 3 twice and I bought mine from ATT store. Just go to Samsung rep in store mobile section they must have used special software that we cant get.
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Thanks. I guess the second part is whether the restore they do will have any long term negative effects? I mean I just want to get on KitKat stock and then I can come home and apply towel root and call it a day. Should this be an issue? If there is anything not the same so to speak I would invest the time to do it manually. Thanks

I ended up going to BB today. Unfortunately they couldnt flash it. They said that the system showed it wouldnt work. Although I didnt tell them this, I did have it rooted at one point but I removed the root before brining it. Its on NB4. Although it does still show the lock during start up but is definitely not rooted. Any idea what I have to do to allow their system to work, or should I just bite the bullet and do it myself via this link?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51525327
Thanks

Ended up just using that link and ran through those steps. Everything seems to be fine now, and at KK finally

I wish that tutorial was still active! I just bought this phone and have the same issue you did and I could really use this tutorial but none of the links work!

helterkelter said:
I wish that tutorial was still active! I just bought this phone and have the same issue you did and I could really use this tutorial but none of the links work!
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See my post here to answer any questions you might have. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65467618&postcount=6