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I'm definitely excited that this new radio firmware has been leaked, but my dilemma is thus:
My wife and I both have Thunderbolts. I've rooted mine, thrown on custom ROMs, kernels, etc, but hers is stock. Her battery life is MUCH worse on stock than mine, even with the brightness, sync, etc turned down, so she's about to the point of wanting me to root/flash hers too.
Unfortunately, we may have to return her phone as the speakerphone is all but unusable due to feedback/noise issues while in a call. I know it's fairly simple to return a phone to stock, and Verizon can't tell over the air what ROM or kernel you're using, but from what I can gather, they CAN tell what radio version you're using. If I have to return her phone for warranty issues, will they see that she's had the leaked radio firmware and thus deny the claim?
if you are going to return it why go through the hassle of rooting and what not just return it then root the new one and install the new radio version.
ckochinsky125 said:
if you are going to return it why go through the hassle of rooting and what not just return it then root the new one and install the new radio version.
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I agree. Just return the phone now if you are having problems.
I concur, but Verizon is giving me the runaround as I have yet to be able to reproduce the issue for them over the phone or in store. My main concern wasn't so much with rooting and flashing, but more of whether to use the "unauthorized" radio firmware update.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Perfect Storm themed XDA App
Veridor said:
I concur, but Verizon is giving me the runaround as I have yet to be able to reproduce the issue for them over the phone or in store. My main concern wasn't so much with rooting and flashing, but more of whether to use the "unauthorized" radio firmware update.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Perfect Storm themed XDA App
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In my experience, the employees at the Verizon stores know less about the Thunderbolt than I do. I had to get my SD card replaced (twice), and though my phone wasn't rooted I doubt they would have noticed, and I would bet that they wouldn't notice a different radio on your wife's device.
Also, didn't Jcase release an unmodified/signed RUU of the new radio? Sounds to me like that would be indistinguishable from an "authorized" radio update. (Disclaimer: I am not an expert and this is pure speculation which would very well be 100% false.)
Bibble13 said:
In my experience, the employees at the Verizon stores know less about the Thunderbolt than I do. I had to get my SD card replaced (twice), and though my phone wasn't rooted I doubt they would have noticed, and I would bet that they wouldn't notice a different radio on your wife's device.
Also, didn't Jcase release an unmodified/signed RUU of the new radio? Sounds to me like that would be indistinguishable from an "authorized" radio update. (Disclaimer: I am not an expert and this is pure speculation which would very well be 100% false.)
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Will have to look in to that. Guess I'm paranoid about them flagging my account as "teh haxx!" from using an unreleased radio.
If you plan to do a lot of tethering, wired or wireless, I don't suggest you flash it. Other than that you really have nothing to worry about.
Just call tech and tell them the phone wont boot, they cant get you to trouble shoot a phone that wont boot up. They never check the phones you warranty out. I've warrantied out phones with cracked screens, water damage, you name it.
g00s3y said:
If you plan to do a lot of tethering, wired or wireless, I don't suggest you flash it. Other than that you really have nothing to worry about.
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Why do you recommend not flashing the new radio if you are tethering?
Because, it isn't released yet. There have been reports (i.e. claims) of VZW cracking down on people who tether a lot and are running the unreleased radio. True or not, it's your decision.
When the ThunderBolt came out I had the iPhone 4. I had just gotten it from my sister's line 14 days before. I was going to upgrade from the 16gb to the 32gb but then I saw the ThunderBolt and changed my mind. Since I've had the BlackBerry Storm (CrackBerry was my favorite site), the iPhone 3GS (Jailbroken) Moto Droid OG (Rooted), Incredible (Rooted), I have had a long line of never leaving my phone stock. My iPhone 4 was no different. I was at work and didn't have time to un-Jailbreak it so I left it that way and brought it to the store. The reps took back the phone and I got the ThunderBolt. Needless to say, the reps are all about making money and trying to up sell you on accessories. They barely ever check the software of the phone.
related but a bit off topic
Dumb question.. This is related but, a bit off topic, since I'm gonna wait and root once gingerbread arrives (yeah yeah, i know), if I install the new UNROOTED Ruu will I still be able to receive the OTA version incase anything is different or changed in it? Also, will it affect getting OTA gingerbread??? Thanks to all!
When I got my Thunderbolt the rep told me about this site and we had a discussion about rooting. He had an iPhone4 which was jailbroken. He was going to get a Thunderbolt and he was looking forward to rooting it and trying some ROM's.
Another rep came over and joined the discussion. They obviously are 'unofficially' fine with it.
Your mileage may vary with reps. They aren't supposed to activate or look at any phone with third party software. But after activating my t-bolt and talking to a rep about rooting it he mentioned he turned away a kid with a X with liberty1.5. Just don't come in like and asshole. Think of your job, you're more than willing to go above and beyond for someone thats 'cool' and not looking for something for nothing.
Worse comes to worse, if you purchased the monthly warranty for your phone just tell them you lost it and pay the fee to get another one. That way they have no clue about anything.
Just pull the battery incase you have the find my android activated with them
Unless I'm mistaken, you can head over to this XDA thread and download the stock radio (1.12.605.6 = stock CDMA radio & 1.16.00.0223r = stock LTE radio)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1045081
---
(The following text is re-posted from the above URL) :
Lastly (for now), we have the 1.12.605.6 CDMA/LTE radio combo.
CDMA Radio version: 1.16.00.0223r
LTE radio version that came with 1.12.605.6
http://www.multiupload.com/J0K4DL6SMQ
or
http://dougpiston.com/ThunderBolt/Radios/1.12.605.6_CDMA_1.13.605.7_LTE_radio-PG05IMG.zip
(rename to PG05img.zip)
MD5 - A740031D09FC97D1B48FBEDFE73FDD24
---
I hope that helps you with your decision regarding your wife's phone.
Best,
M.
Question, what is the likelihood of buying a new GS4 from a vendor and not have the newest software on the phone so that I can unlock the bootloader? Are all phones being shipped with the locked bootloader?
I recently got a "Like new replacement" from Verizon and it came without the update. I immediately turned airplane mode on and had no problem not taking the update.
I've heard other users suggesting that the version installed depends on where you buy it (i.e. from verizon or best buy).
I've also read stories from users that when buying from Verizon the salesperson will update the phone because they think the user wants the update and they do not ask first.
Hope this helps!
Got my S4 from Verizon Wireless online (delivered Monday). Did not cone with update (asked me to update right after I activated).
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Cares said:
Question, what is the likelihood of buying a new GS4 from a vendor and not have the newest software on the phone so that I can unlock the bootloader? Are all phones being shipped with the locked bootloader?
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I think it's a pretty good bet if you go to a Verizon store and get a 16GB model you're likely to get a non-upgraded one. Even better, search for a store that you think would see less foot-traffic and go there. Going there closer to when they close will make it much less likely that the CSR who sets up your phone will bother with the update (though you can always say your in a rush to get somewhere once they get the phone turned on).
The 32GB models seem to be much more likely to ship with the update pre-installed from what I've heard.
White models are *probably* less popular, so stores will hold onto their stock longer than the black ones, so that may help tip the scales as well.
Good luck. I wouldn't wait too long to upgrade if you're dead set on having an unlocked bootloader.
I got a black 32gb 2 weeks ago and it did not have the update. The 32 gb is only available from Direct Fill warehouses ordered from Verizon themselves AFAIK. So there's not going to be any sitting around in boxes in a store from an old shipment. So when they replenish stock in the warehouse, that's what your phone will be, brand new stock. The 16 gb, however, is likely to have been there awhile. If you go to Best Buy, you can ask them to turn the phone on before they activate it and check the version. I don't see why they'd refuse you, and I highly doubt even Verizon salespeople have any idea of what the new update means and why we don't want it.
That all being said, in my previous experience, they don't typically make the phones with new updates pre-installed until there's a new Android version. They can force the update as soon as you activate it, so there's no reason for them to make Samsung change the factory images they JTAG it with in the first place until there's a significant change (since it's always best to wipe when upgrading Android versions, don't wanna do that in the middle of someone setting up their phone). And they certainly aren't going to open up boxes and start updating them, because again, most everyone will take the update out of the box.
That being said, I would still jump now if you want this phone. There will eventually be a point when all of them come with a newer software version, and there's no way to gauge progress toward another workaround or a true unlock, so you can't bet on that. There are some reports to suggest people got the phone with the update already installed, but that seems to be more refurbished phones, since it looks like even Verizon or Samsung themselves couldn't actually roll the phones back to an older build once the signature was blacklisted in the hardware. So you should be alright ordering now, just make sure you get a new one, and don't put your SIM in. Check the version, if it has ME7 already, take it back and say the phone doesn't perform well even after a factory reset, and you've heard it's likely that update, so you'd like one without it. If it is not updated yet, root it immediately, and block or remove SDM.apk and FWupgrade.apk, and then and only then is it safe to activate the phone.
Sent from my VZW Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition
My 16GB model came from Amazon yesterday without the update.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
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I know it should be common sense but stupid me it wasn't so thought i'd pass it on here for anyone else in this situation.
Well having a device replaced under the 1yr warranty from ATT and got what seems to be now after i unlocked bootloader, twrp recovery, flashed custom rom, etc is now bunk! So i call ATT Warranty Exchange to tell them about my bunk refurbished device they sent me so i can get this one now exchanged for another. Well the lady said she needs to have me install some ATT app so she can basically diagnose my device first. I say ok so she sends me a text message with a link for app download and install, DO NOT DO THIS, HANG UP PHONE!!!
Well basically i downloaded and installed the app and what this does is gives ATT full access to your phone by remote! Not even a second after she connected to my device she says to me, "When did you root this phone?" I **** my damn pants and just denied everything and said i didn't and then she said well maybe since it's a refurbished device it was rooted before. Then she wanted to put me on hold it seems to get a supervisor to look further into it which i'm sure they would have then seen the date of root which is obviously after i received the device. So needless to say i hung up right away and deleted the damn app ASAP!
Now i'm worried to call back to Warranty to try again because i'm sure now she added on my account that i have a rooted device so who knows if they will help me now? Going to call them later tonight and see what happens. Will update this thread if people are interested so thought i'd just throw that tip out there. Worst comes to worst i have Square Trade warranty too for 2yrs so could just pay the deductible and get a new device from them but guess we'll see. Maybe just live with my device for another 4-5 months until the HTC M8 comes out?
Hey all, just want some friendly advice.
My wireless charging stopped working (please don't make fun of me for this) and I considering going into Verizon to talk to a rep.
My phone is out of warranty, and rooted running cm11. I figure because I'm out of warranty, I probably won't get a new phone/refurb phone. But I'm considering trying, just might luck out, ya know?
My question is this, since I don't go to Verizon stores. Do they care about rooting/roms? I've read mixed reports, and don't want to go to the hassle of going back to stock, especially if I'm already SOL. And I have no idea how to get back to stock at this point. I've been running custom roms since I got the phone.
Thanks for the feedback!
jhmn7 said:
Hey all, just want some friendly advice.
My wireless charging stopped working (please don't make fun of me for this) and I considering going into Verizon to talk to a rep.
My phone is out of warranty, and rooted running cm11. I figure because I'm out of warranty, I probably won't get a new phone/refurb phone. But I'm considering trying, just might luck out, ya know?
My question is this, since I don't go to Verizon stores. Do they care about rooting/roms? I've read mixed reports, and don't want to go to the hassle of going back to stock, especially if I'm already SOL. And I have no idea how to get back to stock at this point. I've been running custom roms since I got the phone.
Thanks for the feedback!
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Click to collapse
I would recommend making a backup
>flash a stock Rom that has reports of wireless charging working>check it if it still doesn't work. If it works I'd go thru trouble shooting in your Rom thread, If not I'd assume it's your hardware.(I'd make sure it's not your charger as well) And in that case return it to stock and return it to Verizon.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using XDA Free mobile app
Thanks for the feedback. I've tried both venom and cm11, so I guess I'll flash back to stock and make a trip to the store. Thanks again.
IMO Verizon associates are clueless. They can barely operate tablet they use to check you in the store. My speakerphone had blew out so I took my Rooted, unlocked, custom ROM phone in so they could see it. They didn't say anything. Worst case scenario they say your phone looks different... Just say its a icon pack theme you got off the play store. I've even taken my ladies phone to get looked at....they didn't notice anything. Hope you get your problem resolved!:thumbup:
HTC DNA
LG Optimus G
I would not walk into a VZW store with a rooted phone looking for a refurb. Even if the rep is clueless and replaces your phone with a refurb phone, the refurb facility that gets your old phone will know it is rooted and charge your account several hundreds of dollars for the refurb'd phone that you got in the store. Then it is up to you to prove that it wasn't and try to get your old phone back.
Best thing to do is to do a recovery backup on the existing phone, return to stock, get a replacement, root, s-off, and install recovery, and restore the backup.
barcodelinux said:
I would not walk into a VZW store with a rooted phone looking for a refurb. Even if the rep is clueless and replaces your phone with a refurb phone, the refurb facility that gets your old phone will know it is rooted and charge your account several hundreds of dollars for the refurb'd phone that you got in the store. Then it is up to you to prove that it wasn't and try to get your old phone back.
Best thing to do is to do a recovery backup on the existing phone, return to stock, get a replacement, root, s-off, and install recovery, and restore the backup.
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Click to collapse
When a phone is received by the refurb facility, the phone is checked for three things and if its Rooted/Unlocked isn't one of them. They simply check to see if the box that the device was sent in is damaged, if the phone has any physical damage, and if it powers on. I have friends that are/have been phone techs at Verizon and Sprint. All they do anyways is just reflash the phone. This is just my 2 cents and what I know. Now of you send a rooted/unlocked phone that has major damage you will be charged.... Not for root/unlocked reasons.
HTC DNA
LG Optimus G
d08speed3 said:
When a phone is received by the refurb facility, the phone is checked for three things and if its Rooted/Unlocked isn't one of them. They simply check to see if the box that the device was sent in is damaged, if the phone has any physical damage, and if it powers on. I have friends that are/have been phone techs at Verizon and Sprint. All they do anyways is just reflash the phone. This is just my 2 cents and what I know. Now of you send a rooted/unlocked phone that has major damage you will be charged.... Not for root/unlocked reasons.
HTC DNA
LG Optimus G
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice. Love your speed3. I used to have a 2007, right when it came out. Awesome car :good:
jhmn7 said:
Thanks for the advice. Love your speed3. I used to have a 2007, right when it came out. Awesome car :good:
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Haha Thanks man. It's my baby. Fully bolted tuned on e85! Its a beast!
HTC DNA
LG Optimus G
I was out of town and ignoring the notification to install an att update. I was in and out of wifi at my hotel and I think it downloaded about 9% of the official update. When I got home and under reliable wifi I decided to do the update. When I came back to the phone about 10 min later i had a blue screen with the message System software not authorized by AT&T has been found on your phone please take to nearest AT&T store. I called att they conference called with Samsung and sent me to ubreakifix to look at it. They were able to get in download mode and the knox wasn't tripped but it only said Official Samsung in one of the 2 places the tech said it should (i think the binary didn't say official Samsung but I only saw it briefly). I have only had this phone for 2 months. It is NOT rooted. It wouldn't go into recovery Any thoughts?
evrt said:
I was out of town and ignoring the notification to install an att update. I was in and out of wifi at my hotel and I think it downloaded about 9% of the official update. When I got home and under reliable wifi I decided to do the update. When I came back to the phone about 10 min later i had a blue screen with the message System software not authorized by AT&T has been found on your phone please take to nearest AT&T store. I called att they conference called with Samsung and sent me to ubreakifix to look at it. They were able to get in download mode and the knox wasn't tripped but it only said Official Samsung in one of the 2 places the tech said it should (i think the binary didn't say official Samsung but I only saw it briefly). I have only had this phone for 2 months. It is NOT rooted. It wouldn't go into recovery Any thoughts?
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Click to collapse
Man, talk about a bad situation. I would try itekimei .com. Buy the unlocked package for $30. He will be able to flash your factory firmware back to the way it was. Granted you can get into recovery and download modes.
I wouldn't turn to At&T for that type of help. Carriers are usually pretty stupid when it comes to stuff like this. At least with my experience with t-mobile for 17 years.
* I should add I recently used itekimei .com for two galaxy s9+'s with success for CDMA carriers, I.E. verizon. But part of that process is flashing back your original firmware, which should be no problem for AT&T and t-mobile. They have access to the actual Samsung tools, they can do just about anything when it comes to flashing firmware. Which in your case, sounds like your best alternative.
I took it to the ubreakifix (authorized Samsung repair) They said they were going to call Samsung, if they gave them the go ahead it will be fixed under warranty, which it should in the first place, or they'd charge me $40 to flash back to factory.
evrt said:
I took it to the ubreakifix (authorized Samsung repair) They said they were going to call Samsung, if they gave them the go ahead it will be fixed under warranty, which it should in the first place, or they'd charge me $40 to flash back to factory.
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Click to collapse
And Itekimei will do it for $30, plus it will be carrier unlocked if you ever needed that. But he does the same process in the end, flashes back your factory firmware. So six one, half a dozen another. But with samsung, I don't think they will leave you carrier unlocked after they reflash your firmware.
But your right, it should be fixed under warranty. If that's an option for you that you want to take, then take it. I don't know how long they will take, the guy at itek takes about an hour to do the process. They have access to the same tools samsung does to flash phones, at least they claimed to me.
Thanks for the info, that will definitely be plan B.
evrt said:
Thanks for the info, that will definitely be plan B.
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No problem, but yeah that sounds like your solution anyways, is to have someone flash back your firmware. That will solve your problem.
ubreakifix couldn't fix it, they called samsung and they claim I rooted it. I DID NOT ROOT. used the help of iTekIMEI and he tried to flash stock firmware, he was unable to get it going too. Called Samsung directly they want me to send it in for analysis, sounds like they don't believe me either about not rooting.