Hey guys so recently I had rooted my i537 S4 active and have been researching and modifying here and there until i decided to get a custom ROM. I found WickedROM via this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2491762 and considering it had worked on this person's i537 I decided to flash the ROM. After flashing I had become stuck in a bootloop and I can't get to anything besides DOWNLOAD MODE. Due to this problem I decided to run a stock firmware via Odin with this one_click http://rootzwiki.com/topic/44121-sgh...axy-s4-active/ ... this filled up until the bar was about 90% and then all of a sudden fails at <ID:0/003> system.img.ext4. I've tried other firmwares with no luck and have resorted to posting about this problem. please help and guide me in the right direction, my phone's been bricked for 3 days now. Trying to boot into recovery gives me the "there's been a problem with your firmware update, please run in Kies recovery" and Kies doesn't recognize my phone.
nickeon1 said:
After flashing I had become stuck in a bootloop and I can't get to anything besides DOWNLOAD MODE.
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You forgot to flash the masterpatch which makes roms designed for the AT&T S4 (not active) work for our phone. If I understand correctly it needs to be flashed immediately after the rom is installed (i.e. still in SafeStrap, before you attempt to boot up).
nickeon1 said:
Due to this problem I decided to run a stock firmware via Odin with this one_click http://rootzwiki.com/topic/44121-sgh...axy-s4-active/ ... this filled up until the bar was about 90% and then all of a sudden fails at <ID:0/003> system.img.ext4 and Kies doesn't recognize my phone.
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Click to collapse
That link is for MF1, an outdated firmware. Here is a collection of stock i537 firmwares. I can personally confirm the NH3 file is usable since I used it to upgrade to the most recent firmware without losing root.
This thread will provide you instructions on how to use Odin to flash any stock firmware. I can only add I recommend using Odin v3.07, as I've used it with the most success and fewest issues. Also use NH3 firmware or at the very least NE3, because anything else is outdated, assuming you were on stock KitKat originally, and you will encounter similar issues if trying to downgrade to jellybean.
Also flashing with Odin deletes all your saved files/user info etc. on your phone. From the sound of it, fixing your phone is going to involve inevitably wiping it one way or the other, so I hope you have a backup saved somewhere other than your phone's internal memory.
nickeon1 said:
Hey guys so recently I had rooted my i537 S4 active and have been researching and modifying here and there until i decided to get a custom ROM. I found WickedROM via this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2491762 and considering it had worked on this person's i537 I decided to flash the ROM. After flashing I had become stuck in a bootloop and I can't get to anything besides DOWNLOAD MODE. Due to this problem I decided to run a stock firmware via Odin with this one_click http://rootzwiki.com/topic/44121-sgh...axy-s4-active/ ... this filled up until the bar was about 90% and then all of a sudden fails at <ID:0/003> system.img.ext4. I've tried other firmwares with no luck and have resorted to posting about this problem. please help and guide me in the right direction, my phone's been bricked for 3 days now. Trying to boot into recovery gives me the "there's been a problem with your firmware update, please run in Kies recovery" and Kies doesn't recognize my phone.
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Click to collapse
When you flash back to stock, you can only flash a version that is equal to or greater than the version you were already on. So if you were originally on 4.4.2 you can only flash a 4.4.2 stock ROM, any other ROM will fail to flash.
thisisapoorusernamechoice said:
You forgot to flash the masterpatch which makes roms designed for the AT&T S4 (not active) work for our phone. If I understand correctly it needs to be flashed immediately after the rom is installed (i.e. still in SafeStrap, before you attempt to boot up).
That link is for MF1, an outdated firmware. Here is a collection of stock i537 firmwares. I can personally confirm the NH3 file is usable since I used it to upgrade to the most recent firmware without losing root.
This thread will provide you instructions on how to use Odin to flash any stock firmware. I can only add I recommend using Odin v3.07, as I've used it with the most success and fewest issues. Also use NH3 firmware or at the very least NE3, because anything else is outdated, assuming you were on stock KitKat originally, and you will encounter similar issues if trying to downgrade to jellybean.
Also flashing with Odin deletes all your saved files/user info etc. on your phone. From the sound of it, fixing your phone is going to involve inevitably wiping it one way or the other, so I hope you have a backup saved somewhere other than your phone's internal memory.
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Click to collapse
Thanks very much for this! I flashed an NE3 firmware and was able to get my phone in working condition. So if I wanted to flash a rom on my phone I would have to masterpatch AFTER the rom flash via Safestrap?
nickeon1 said:
Thanks very much for this! I flashed an NE3 firmware and was able to get my phone in working condition. So if I wanted to flash a rom on my phone I would have to masterpatch AFTER the rom flash via Safestrap?
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Click to collapse
Yes, but make sure the phone doesn't reboot in between flashing the ROM and flashing the Masterpatch.
Related
Hello,
I was on Baseband MF3 on Firmware 4.2.2 and rooted with Geohot's activeroot.apk, I wanted to upgrade to KitKat but I read I have to update to 4.3. I only renamed the Knoxfiles and the wcss updater odex and apk's and renamed them back to their original names. I fully unrooted the phone and did a factory restore. I tried downloading the 4.3 cfg file and putting it on the sd card and installing in recovery mode. I also tried flashing it wish Odin. Odin (3.07) always failed so I tried renaming the .cfg to update.zip it would fail the verification so I read deeper into the thread you can use ada and update it that way. I tried that and it failed both the 685MB file and the 721MB file. Then after browsing this section it said that since your phone has a locked bootloader a one click solution may help. I tried that it got a little further then it failed. So now I cannot get to emergency recovery and it says to connect to skies. I tried the 2.6 Kies and the 3.0 Kies. But on 4.2.2 its not recognized by Kies and I am at the emergency firmware screen. I can still access the Odin downloader though. I took it to Best Buy but their Samsung rep wen't home for the night, then I tried AT&T and they can't help. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Oh I also had safestrap installed but I removed it. However I did make a backup with Safestrap and it's on my ext SD card which has been removed from the phone.
Thanks
Hello,
I brought my phone to Best Buy to the Samsung Representative and because I could not get into Recovery Mode, and Download mode said Custom they would not help me. I went to the AT&T Authorized repair center and they had the tool that was described over the forum and they flashed and wiped the phone. I went back to Best Buy and the warranty is good now. Just thought this might be helpful to anyone having a similar experience trying to update from 4.2.2 to 4.3 after rooting, factory reset, dba, odin flashing, & oneclick.
Thanks
Just so everybody is aware, in order to get from 4.2.2 to 4.3, all you have to do is flash the ML2 Odin package regardless of if you're rooted or not. It will wipe your phone, but you shouldn't have any problems. If you've rooted or changed your system in any way, you will not be able to take the OTA no matter what.
hi everyone, im a newbie and im having a little trouble understanding and fixing my phone.
so ill start at the beginning, i bought a note 3 from at&t N900A and then moved out of the US (after contract expired and i sim unlocked with the code they gave me.)
I could not connect to at&t servers from outside US to OTA update. (i dont remember if i was mj5 or mi9)
So i learned about rooting while trying to update and decided to use kingo root app and got root access
then i installed safestrap 3.71 for a custom recovery, then i backed up my stock rom and made a new rom slot. Then i resorted my stock rom to rom slot 1.
this is my mistake: i flashed the knoxraid rom from here
http://galaxynote3root.com/att-galaxy-note-3-roms/knoxraid-kitkat-rom-for-att-galaxy-note-3/
however i forgot to do the data/factory wipe. To make matters worse i realized this and pulled the battery out after about 20 seconds (the download bar was about 10% complete)
when i put the battery back in the phone went straight to recovery (recovery and download mode were the only ones working)
i started panicking as this was my first time rooting/installing roms and tried to find a solution
i found one and used this:
http://www.droidviews.com/how-to-unbrick-att-galaxy-note-3-sm-n900a/
i flashed all the files correctly and odin got to about 95% and the said FAIL
i panicked again when i turned my phone on and it went to an error screen saying firmware upgrade incountered an issue etc.
before i harm my device further i would like to know what to do (i can still get to download mode)
odin mode say it is A2 so i belive that is mj5
i want to know: should i reflash stock mj5, and if so please provide link
should i do this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48243768&postcount=1
should i use the N900AUCUBMI9_OneClickBin.exe
or should i flash nc2 files found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/general/n900aucucnc2-odin-files-t2838117
will the nc2 kitkat brick my device? keep in mind it is running A2 which im sure is mj5
Thank you everyone in advance
NC2 won't brick your device, but it'll upgrade your bootloader to A3 which will prevent you from ever downgrading back to MJ5 (not that you'd want to anyway). I'd just go with NC2 since it's rootable with TowelRoot anyway. Also, in your case I'd recommend using the 4-file method rather than the 1-file method since it's an upgrade from 4.3 rather than just a restore to stock 4.4.2.
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk®
andygev35 said:
NC2 won't brick your device, but it'll upgrade your bootloader to A3 which will prevent you from ever downgrading back to MJ5 (not that you'd want to anyway). I'd just go with NC2 since it's rootable with TowelRoot anyway. Also, in your case I'd recommend using the 4-file method rather than the 1-file method since it's an upgrade from 4.3 rather than just a restore to stock 4.4.2.
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk®
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Click to collapse
thank you
infinitephase said:
thank you
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Click to collapse
You might want to consider adding the Pit file too to repartition your phone just in case anything got messed up in the failed odin flash that would definitely clean everything up. It might be overkill but I don't think it would hurt to do since you're doing a factory reset with the 4-file install anyway
(RESOLVED)
Alright so in order to not bore you all, ill get to the point. I messed up trying to do impossible things with my I537 because I didn't read any forums before trying... stupid I know. That being said I now have a "soft bricked" phone stuck in download mode. I have been looking around (I assume not hard enough) for the right file to flash with ODIN to get me back up and running so I can actually do my research this time before playing with different stock roms.
Can anyone point me in the right direction to get the right files to unbrick this thing?
First things first: this forum is for the SGH-I537 AT&T Galaxy S4 Active, not the I527 Galaxy Mega. I just want to make sure you have the right device. If you have the Mega (I527), you want this forum, and ignore the rest of this post.
If you do in fact have the Galaxy S4 Active (I537), then check out this thread, it has all the official firmware files that have been released for this device. I would recommend using the firmware files for NE3 (KitKat) to flash in Odin. The NE3 build is the easiest to root, and you can always use the keep-root method to upgrade to lollipop if you so desire.
Oh yes sorry that was a mistype. I did indeed mean to type I537. Ok Ill give this a shot and update on how it goes.
Ok so Im currently downloading the Full Odin package, but I have already rooted the phone with towelroot. Is that going to be an issue?
Nah it won't be a problem. Flashing firmware files with Odin will unroot your phone (it resets everything to original factory settings). You can always reroot with towel root again
Ok new problem though, I was able to get everything flashed through ODIN, it restarts; then I get the Samsung boot screen, att boot screen and then it just goes black. I put it back into download mode and tried to re-flash it a couple times but it keeps doing the same thing. Thoughts? This Is the section I got the file from;
I537UCUCNE3 (4.4.2) Released 2014-06-06 - OFFICIAL
Issue has been solved, I just had a battery issue but after changing that and letting the phone charge up it started up great. Thanks for all your help "thisisapoorusernamechoice"
i9305 Imei shows null/null after flashing I9305XXUFNL1_DBTFNL1 which was a stock rom
Also no signal as you would guess
Now I cant even downgrade to any roms apart from 4.4.4.
Phoen is rooted and tried 4.1.1. I9305XXALI5_I9305EVRALI5_I9305BVALI5 through Odin and Mobile ODIN
On Mobile odin phone looks like its working then stays on the SAMSUNG Logo for ages and nothing, just stays there
I have a Back up of an efs which I done through Rom Manager but not sure if its corrupted or how to restore it
If someone coud give me a walkthrough :highfive:
EwOkie said:
i9305 Imei shows null/null after flashing I9305XXUFNL1_DBTFNL1 which was a stock rom
Also no signal as you would guess
Now I cant even downgrade to any roms apart from 4.4.4.
Phoen is rooted and tried 4.1.1. I9305XXALI5_I9305EVRALI5_I9305BVALI5 through Odin and Mobile ODIN
On Mobile odin phone looks like its working then stays on the SAMSUNG Logo for ages and nothing, just stays there
I have a Back up of an efs which I done through Rom Manager but not sure if its corrupted or how to restore it
If someone coud give me a walkthrough :highfive:
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Click to collapse
Hi,
About IMEI null/null with 4.4.4 firmware, you should search in this Q/A forum, there a lot of threads asking for this issue. Maybe you should get an answer yourself
However, you should try again to do a clean flash of latest official 4.4.4 firmware with ODIN v3.09 by following this GUIDE HERE from @MaHo_66.
AFAIK, it's impossible to downgrade from 4.4.4 because of KNOX bootloader. It has been said many times in this Q/A forum. Maybe it exists somewhere a tricky trick to do it but I'm not aware of this.
FLooDW said:
Hi,
About IMEI null/null with 4.4.4 firmware, you should search in this Q/A forum, there a lot of threads asking for this issue. Maybe you should get an answer yourself
However, you should try again to do a clean flash of latest official 4.4.4 firmware with ODIN v3.09 by following this GUIDE HERE from @MaHo_66.
AFAIK, it's impossible to downgrade from 4.4.4 because of KNOX bootloader. It has been said many times in this Q/A forum. Maybe it exists somewhere a tricky trick to do it but I'm not aware of this.
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Click to collapse
In Addition to @FLooDW 's answer:
Try to use Philz 6.48.4 or 6.59.0 as your recovery rather then TWRP or the old CWM (6.0.4.7), especially DON'T use the latest TWRP from their official website, its a broken build and its known to mess up the partitions! That could be your problem if you have done that before...
Any recovery you want to use, download from my RECOVERY/GUIDE thread that FLooDW linked to you, use those they work fine.
PS. before flashing official firmware with ODIN, make sure you have a custom recovery installed, then boot into recovery, wipe system/data/cache/dalvik-cache/internalSD/boot/modem etc. this is to ensure when you have flashed the firmware, there is nothing left from the previous firmware that was installed.
Note: when explaining your issue, try to do that by providing as much as possible info about your actions before and after the problem occured, that way anyone who wants to help can help you the best way possible.
MaHo_66 said:
In Addition to @FLooDW 's answer:
Try to use Philz 6.48.4 or 6.59.0 as your recovery rather then TWRP or the old CWM (6.0.4.7), especially DON'T use the latest TWRP from their official website, its a broken build and its known to mess up the partitions! That could be your problem if you have done that before...
Any recovery you want to use, download from my RECOVERY/GUIDE thread that FLooDW linked to you, use those they work fine.
PS. before flashing official firmware with ODIN, make sure you have a custom recovery installed, then boot into recovery, wipe system/data/cache/dalvik-cache/internalSD/boot/modem etc. this is to ensure when you have flashed the firmware, there is nothing left from the previous firmware that was installed.
Note: when explaining your issue, try to do that by providing as much as possible info about your actions before and after the problem occured, that way anyone who wants to help can help you the best way possible.
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Click to collapse
Really helpful addition !
Trying what you guys have mentioned just now, let you know as soon as :good:
What 4.4.4. om do you suggest?
Also the efs I backed up (not sure if its working or not as it was with Rom Manager)
How do I restore, can it be done with root explorer?
Tried the [ROM][i9305][18.10.15]>>>4.4.4<<<[KK][STOCK][TW][STABLE][+AROMA] S5 Elite Lite v4.0
which I posted a few days ago, left a post with no reply and thats when I started getting the null/null
PSN_AGNi_pureSTOCK-v5.9.5-4.4.x_I9305_AROMA
Currently trying this rom.. watching the installation set up and says so far that set_perm: some changes failed
used philz_touch_6.59.0-i9305
Rebooting and stays on Samsung Galaxy boot screen ??
EwOkie said:
PSN_AGNi_pureSTOCK-v5.9.5-4.4.x_I9305_AROMA
Currently trying this rom.. watching the installation set up and says so far that set_perm: some changes failed
used philz_touch_6.59.0-i9305
Rebooting and stays on Samsung Galaxy boot screen ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AGNi is not a ROM, this is a kernel. Did you flash AGNi kernel over official Samsung firmware ?
As MaHo_66 said, you have to explain more what you have done and what you need if you want us to help you.
Steps :
reflashed a Stock Rom then Rooted it then added Philz Recovery
Then Tried this rom : I9305XXUFNL1_O2UFOB1_4.4.4_KK.zip
Currently trying various modems to see what this gives me
Failing this will need to try QPTS or EFS Professional again.
* I know how to flash and root roms if you look at my signature along with kernels I am basically telling you what I have tried to get
this null/null away as I think its a baseband/modem issue somewhere as I have read various posts and some people agree.
Cant even do the *#197328640# or *#*#197328640#*#* to get into certain modes
Thinking it maybe the sim card slot now .......... I am losing my mind now!
EwOkie said:
Steps :
reflashed a Stock Rom then Rooted it then added Philz Recovery
Then Tried this rom : I9305XXUFNL1_O2UFOB1_4.4.4_KK.zip
Currently trying various modems to see what this gives me
Failing this will need to try QPTS or EFS Professional again.
* I know how to flash and root roms if you look at my signature along with kernels I am basically telling you what I have tried to get
this null/null away as I think its a baseband/modem issue somewhere as I have read various posts and some people agree.
Cant even do the *#197328640# or *#*#197328640#*#* to get into certain modes
Thinking it maybe the sim card slot now .......... I am losing my mind now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are few other possible solutions you could try:
- try this, it shows you how to get in service mode and the restoring of the golden efs backup, that should be present if its good.
If above doesnt work, then try the one below.
- have you tried to flash the param_bin file? if not try that with ODIN, it might work.. file attached.
Let us know how it goes.
H yes tied that file and didnt work
will the imei work from another phone or efs?
isnt that link just gps?
I've been searching and searching for either file and I've got nothing but dead links. The one file I did find is bad and failed to write in Odin. It's been a long time since I worked on this phone and it's currently on 4.4.2, NC2 and it's not able to receive calls after unlocking and switching carriers...so my one thought is to flash the modem file. The phone is rooted but Safestrap is not installed. Going from NC2 up to what's currently available seems very daunting and there are many conflicting instructions on how to go from one version to another.
So, does anyone have a good link to either of the mentioned files? I've been looking for Odin files but I'd install Safestrap (if I can find the right one) and flash in recovery if that is the way to do it.
Or is it possible to update 4.4.2 to 5.0? What are the best instructions? I've spent four hours researching and it's just not obvious what I can or should do. I just want the phone to receive calls.
Safestrap is installed but won't work. Installed reinstalled busybox, etc. No love.
Found this, finally. https://mega.co.nz/#F!wg5wRQrQ!vR7a6pze9dgSWjbaRSyhWA. I flashed the modem but there is still the same problem. Did unlocking break the phone? I'm going to go ahead and download the whole stock ROM and try that next.