Rom counter - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Just wanting to be sure. If I want to root, all methods involve flashing a kernel that will increase the internal custom rom counter and therefore risk the warrantee?
Thanks
(I know of the jig that will reset the counter but I guess there is a risk there is a second hidden counter.)
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

drspikes said:
Just wanting to be sure. If I want to root, all methods involve flashing a kernel that will increase the internal custom rom counter and therefore risk the warrantee?
Thanks
(I know of the jig that will reset the counter but I guess there is a risk there is a second hidden counter.)
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not confirmed. nobody found the "hidden" coutner yet and not even the way how to resset it. so for now its not there..

Is there a limit for the counter to drop the warranty??

yousif666 said:
Is there a limit for the counter to drop the warranty??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 would be the limit otherwise no point its there to prove that a non standard rom has been used .
jje

drspikes said:
but I guess there is a risk there is a second hidden counter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seriously. who the f*** created this rumour about a "super hidden counter has been reset counter"
and more importantly, who seriously believes, that there is a "super hidden counter has been reset counter"
/rant
EDIT: i'm 100% sure samsung didn't create 1000 counters, wich all do the same thing.

so there is no risk by flashing and increasing the counter?
(some roms need to be flashed with odin).

kaukassus said:
seriously. who the f*** created this rumour about a "super hidden counter has been reset counter"
A dev is who .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

yousif666 said:
so there is no risk by flashing and increasing the counter?
(some roms need to be flashed with odin).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash by any means their is a risk a very very small risk if you follow the instruction but that risk is bigger if you dont read ,As to the rom counter you would need it at zero and if their is a hidden rom counter we can do nothing about that until its proven .
jje

drspikes said:
Just wanting to be sure. If I want to root, all methods involve flashing a kernel that will increase the internal custom rom counter and therefore risk the warrantee?
Thanks
(I know of the jig that will reset the counter but I guess there is a risk there is a second hidden counter.)
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont get paranoid... i guess by now more than one handset has already made a visit to a samsung repair shop...(after installation of custom rom and then reset thru jig)
if they got rejected..they would share the info here...(most custom rom installers would def go thru Xda forums)...
also by common sense...why should you only think of only two counters? there should be a third or even fourth counter to make sure the device hasnt been fiddled with...
this phone is meant to be customized...
now sleep easy...

Related

[Q] Custom binary count reset

Hi there Galaxy s2 owners
I was woundering ive had the galaxy s2 for a few days now and recently i flashed chains unsecure kernel, now the thing i noticed is that every time u flash somthing that count goes up. Does any of you Devs know how to reset this counter if so all help would be greatly recieved.
BRONSON29 said:
Hi there Galaxy s2 owners
I was woundering ive had the galaxy s2 for a few days now and recently i flashed chains unsecure kernel, now the thing i noticed is that every time u flash somthing that count goes up. Does any of you Devs know how to reset this counter if so all help would be greatly recieved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
solution found by me ur post showed up when I was posting my thread.
look here
dh2311 said:
solution found by me ur post showed up when I was posting my thread.
look here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for this info
can someone explain why the counter going up is a bad thing?
Sandwiches said:
can someone explain why the counter going up is a bad thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not a bad thing, if you have no problems with your phone.
You can ignore the counting, but if you have a problem and need warranty service from Samsung, they will charge you for the repair as flashing or changing the firmware other then through official means i.e. kies, your warranty is considered null and void.
Phone repairs can sometimes be expensive.
On latest 2.3.4 USB jig will not reset the counter .
jje
JJEgan said:
On latest 2.3.4 USB jig will not reset the counter .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I reset my 2.3.5 counter this evening with a USB jig
luster said:
I reset my 2.3.5 counter this evening with a USB jig
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2.3.5 ???????????????????
jje
JJEgan said:
On latest 2.3.4 USB jig will not reset the counter .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only in the Official 2.3.5 KI Firmwares are fixed.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/no-more-usb-host-api-support-on-ki-firmware/
m0ngstr0us said:
Only in the Official 2.3.5 KI Firmwares are fixed.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/no-more-usb-host-api-support-on-ki-firmware/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a misprint .
jje
luster said:
I reset my 2.3.5 counter this evening with a USB jig
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, many people have done this because they know which package to use.
JJEgan said:
On latest 2.3.4 USB jig will not reset the counter .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will if you use the firmwares from XDA OR use the workaround that we provide.
So there is no way to reset the counter when using the new bootloader yet, not even flashing through the jig (tried that, counter still up)?
Can any one tell me what is the exact specification of the resistance to make a jig . I have searched ebay it cost around 400k whereas i made the jig only for 12 rs . Its not working , i think there must be something wrong with the resistance rating .
Btw i used 2 ,150 ohm connected in series to another 1 ohm. The phone instead of going to dnld mode it boots to the main OS
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
motodude said:
Can any one tell me what is the exact specification of the resistance to make a jig . I have searched ebay it cost around 400k whereas i made the jig only for 12 rs . Its not working , i think there must be something wrong with the resistance rating .
Btw i used 2 ,150 ohm connected in series to another 1 ohm. The phone instead of going to dnld mode it boots to the main OS
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi motodude!
300k Ohm bettween 4 and 5 pins.
d3l1 said:
So there is no way to reset the counter when using the new bootloader yet, not even flashing through the jig (tried that, counter still up)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the old bootloader from intratechs original firmware thread and flash with Odin. A few posts in from beginning of thread and available to download by itself.
Then you can use the jig.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
aceofclubs said:
Download the old bootloader from intratechs original firmware thread and flash with Odin. A few posts in from beginning of thread and available to download by itself.
Then you can use the jig.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried this multiple times and i cant get it to work. I know the jig has worked in the past. is it possible that it has stopped working? or a way to confirm i am using an old bootloader?
Why it is so important to reset the count besides voiding the warranty?
Is the phone going to stop functioning after reaching xx number or is there a maximum number?
Sent from my GT-I9100G using Tapatalk
wcg707 said:
Why it is so important to reset the count besides voiding the warranty?
Is the phone going to stop functioning after reaching xx number or is there a maximum number?
Sent from my GT-I9100G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont think there is a limit. i think everyone just assumes there isnt.
I just want to be able to reset mine to 0 just in case i do have problems. atm i cant and would like to do it before i break it (i break lots of things)
Guys, try searching the site a little more.
install the insecure kernel with cwm you want
extract the zimage from this dump it on your internal sd
flash the stock kernel version back over it using odin (resets counter)
reboot to cwm and flash the zimage from within cwm no more counter / triangle
curioct said:
Guys, try searching the site a little more.
<snip>
reboot to cwm and flash the zimage from within cwm no more counter / triangle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it should be you searching the site a little more, as that will most certainly not reset the counter.

[Q] Rooting Galaxy S2

Hey Guys,
I switched from the Iphone to Android, I just got the Galaxy s2 and I want to root it. I have been reading of the different ways to root the phone, based on what I have seen so far the GingerBreak seems to be the easiest way to do it. So I am here in the forum, my first post is requesting a confirmation from you guys, which is the easiest way for an idiot like me to root my galaxy s2 without bricking it ?
Thanks
RedCell X
There is guide here in other post.
Basically you have to flash custom kernel, reboot and flash stock kernel back.
All using Odin.
Be careful - each custom kernel flashing will be visible. There is counter that shows how many custom kernels you flashed.
I stick with stock rom this time and avoid rooting.
This counter can be reset according to this forum. It's your decision.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Definitive SGS2 Rooting Guide for now .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1056334
Do you need root now .
jje
Gingerbreak only worked on the pre-production SGS2 models, it no longer works on the retail versions that are shipping now.
If you need root then use the link provided above, it works like a charm and you can always reflash an official kernel once you have root (and this is probably recommended if you also update your firmware to the lasted version).
The SGS1 usb jigs do work with the SGS2 and have the added bonus of resetting the custom firmware counter which may be handy if you ever need to return your phone under warranty, I got mine off of ebay yesterday and it works a treat.
rdy2go said:
Be careful - each custom kernel flashing will be visible. There is counter that shows how many custom kernels you flashed.
I stick with stock rom this time and avoid rooting.
This counter can be reset according to this forum. It's your decision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is resetting the counter important? For warranty purposes?
Rootinf galaxy s2 continued
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the response, I don't think i will be rooting my phone being honest I am afraid to do it. I will stick with the stock rom that came from it. I spent $850 for the phone I dont want to brick it.
Thanks to everyone that responded.
Redcellx
redcellx said:
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the response, I don't think i will be rooting my phone being honest I am afraid to do it. I will stick with the stock rom that came from it. I spent $850 for the phone I dont want to brick it.
Thanks to everyone that responded.
Redcellx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont worry about bricking your phone, even if something goes wrong with the flashing process you should always be able to get back into download mode so you can reflash either by using the keypress method or if that fails the usb jig should wake your phone up.
Then you can either use ODIN or even the Kies Recovery method to get a working ROM installed.
rwc3b said:
Why is resetting the counter important? For warranty purposes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, while no has (yet) reported that they have had a warranty request rejected because of custom rom usage, its nice to know how to reset the counter to ensure any warranty requests go smoothly.
MrYiff said:
Yeah, while no has (yet) reported that they have had a warranty request rejected because of custom rom usage, its nice to know how to reset the counter to ensure any warranty requests go smoothly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a stroll over to SGS 1 forum i replied to a post where service wanted $400 as non stock rom and their have been a fair few reported and Samsung sent out a post to SS do not repair rooted phones under warranty .
jje
Some one should post a video on YouTube a how to
JJEgan said:
Take a stroll over to SGS 1 forum i replied to a post where service wanted $400 as non stock rom and their have been a fair few reported and Samsung sent out a post to SS do not repair rooted phones under warranty .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, that sucks then, I've never owned an SGS1 before so never looked in the SGS forum, if they have actively rejected modded phones in the past then it makes the usb jigs a very worthwhile investment then!

[Q] does flashing to official roms void my SGS2 warranty?

hello every one
does flashing to an official rom void galaxy s ii warranty? im returning my device due some hardware problems (turn over does not work and auto-rotate is slow) and i have read that galaxy s ii has a flash counter,
so does this void my warranty if i used odin to flash the official rom?
at the same time, i have never flashed a custom rom and if i have never rooted my device?
thanks in advance
darkelfa2 said:
hello every one
does flashing to an official rom void galaxy s ii warranty? im returning my device due some hardware problems (turn over does not work and auto-rotate is slow) and i have read that galaxy s ii has a flash counter,
so does this void my warranty if i used odin to flash the official rom?
at the same time, i have never flashed a custom rom and if i have never rooted my device?
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to flash a custom rom you need odin/heimdall. Odin/heimdall raise the flash counter.
This void the warranty.
Kies update is the only way to keep the counter to zero
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
rembrandtlnx said:
to flash a custom rom you need odin/heimdall. Odin/heimdall raise the flash counter.
This void the warranty.
Kies update is the only way to keep the counter to zero
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i hope not so
thanks anyway
darkelfa2 said:
i hope not so
thanks anyway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, you can buy a usb jig and reset the counter
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
If you've never flashed a custom rom or even rooted your phone, why do you wqnt to flash anything? From what you said you are in a factory state already... just do a system restore and then return the phone.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
rembrandtlnx said:
to flash a custom rom you need odin/heimdall. Odin/heimdall raise the flash counter.
This void the warranty.
Kies update is the only way to keep the counter to zero
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as my experience, flashing official rom wont raise your counter. I flashed xxki3 perviously on my phone but the counter remains 0.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Flashing stock Samsung rom does not raise the counter.
Flashing root or a custom rom raises the counter and voids warranty .
jje
hololight said:
If you've never flashed a custom rom or even rooted your phone, why do you wqnt to flash anything? From what you said you are in a factory state already... just do a system restore and then return the phone.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks alot, thats what i thought too, it should not void warranty as far as i am using samsung-made rom
thanks alot im soo happy
ephraim033 said:
As far as my experience, flashing official rom wont raise your counter. I flashed xxki3 perviously on my phone but the counter remains 0.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, and yeah, it does not, i was afraid becuase i read the flash counter
thread
thanks agine
JJEgan said:
Flashing stock Samsung rom does not raise the counter.
Flashing root or a custom rom raises the counter and voids warranty .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that was my opinion, but when i read the thread about flash counter
i got stunned so i had to check out
thanks
JJEgan said:
Flashing stock Samsung rom does not raise the counter.
Flashing root or a custom rom raises the counter and voids warranty .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then im sorry for the wrong answer, i learned something new here
rembrandtlnx said:
Well then im sorry for the wrong answer, i learned something new here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its ok
after all, we are here to learn from each other
So is a usb jig some kind of file you flash? Or is it an actual usb device of some sort?
sent from t'internet
jr866gooner said:
So is a usb jig some kind of file you flash? Or is it an actual usb device of some sort?
sent from t'internet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no it is not a file, its a small device (looks like mini usb flash memory)
they often use it to reset the phone after a brick (when the phone stop working
because of playing with roms incorrectly... etc)
also they use it to reset the flash counter that count how mant times u install custom roms to re-tain the warranty, but now they found ''flash counter" counter in the galaxy s ii, so the jig want re-tain your warranty.
hope this answers some of your questions.
SGS II Warranty - As per Samsung South Africa
Hi guys,
Maybe a little late response but I am in South Africa and I flashed my SII with official international version of ICS.
Now has yellow triangle at boot. I did some research and found out all about the flash counter and custom ROM. The number of Doomsayers on the interwebs got me worried, so I called SAMSUNG SA tech support and blindly asked the question.
I was told:
1) Yes custom ROM and Rooted / unsecured Kernel VOIDS warranty.
2) Even if it was official ICS ROM but not released for South Africa, when phone goes in for repair, warranty will be void.
3) If I flash original Stock Kernel and use KIES to flash current official android version 2.3.x then warranty is NO LONGER VOID.
4) I am waiting for technical to get back to me regarding the importance, if any, of the flash counter flag and if it needs to be 'RESET' before sending hadset in for repair.
I will post again as soon as I get feedback.
PS: I also have Motorola Razr Driod. Two concerns are that Motorola has none of the warranty issues of Samsung, and why is samsung so helpfull? They ask device serial no: they are getting the phone slammed...
4) I am waiting for technical to get back to me regarding the importance, if any, of the flash counter flag and if it needs to be 'RESET' before sending hadset in for repair.
Samsung have stated the obvious in regards to service personnel and warranty repairs .
Root look for root apps
Custom rom
Custom rom counter and Samsung altered the firmware after learning of the jig workaround .
All void warranty .
Fact is some service personnel have turned a blind eye to some infringements but there are enough reports on XDA of warranty refusals not to take the chance .
The Samsung letter is widely available on the web .
jje
You can use a USB JIG to Reset Binary Counter of your phone. If you have kernel 2.3.6 and above you can install the old bootloader.

Binary counter reset

Is there any other way to reset binary counter without USB JIG because i flashed ICS rom its not working properly so i revert back to official KJ3 rom. I used the USB JIG but its not reserting the binary counter is there any other way please help me...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Why is the counter bothering you so much, are you sending the phone back to samsung?
No, there is currently no other way. However, reverting to the older bootloader (see Intratech's stock ROM thread) should allow your USB jig to reset the counter.
siddhu0302 said:
Is there any other way to reset binary counter without USB JIG because i flashed ICS rom its not working properly so i revert back to official KJ3 rom. I used the USB JIG but its not reserting the binary counter is there any other way please help me...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oinkylicious said:
No, there is currently no other way. However, reverting to the older bootloader (see Intratech's stock ROM thread) should allow your USB jig to reset the counter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said...
Or if you backed up your original rom via nandroid restore it .
jje
or buy a jig for 1.99 free delivery off ebay?? plug and play!!!
siddhu0302 said:
I used the USB JIG but its not reserting the binary counter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sexywacko said:
or buy a jig for 1.99 free delivery off ebay?? plug and play!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love the reading skills.
lol, didn't read, i think i just scanned the first comment and last. and if it didn't work buy a new one as your jig clearly is busted.
Sexywacko said:
lol, didn't read, i think i just scanned the first comment and last. and if it didn't work buy a new one as your jig clearly is busted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case, you're still failing at reading, as there's no reason to suspect his jig is faulty.
So has your jig failed to reset binary?? Some people get so damn ancy on these forums....
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Sexywacko said:
So has your jig failed to reset binary?? Some people get so damn ancy on these forums....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just don't like people spreading nonsense, especially when the actual answer was given in post #3, by me (and then quoted and thanked by someone else in post #4. Wait, what?)
I'll just quote Intratech, maybe it'll start sinking in then.
Intratech said:
If you've already flashed a full package from elsewhere or updated using KIES and cannot reset your binary counter using the Jig just flash this package in the PDA or Bootloader section of Odin to replace the bootloaders and then you can reset the counter: http://www.multiupload.com/LQQBRQVJUD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the usb jig but not worth
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
oinkylicious said:
I just don't like people spreading nonsense, especially when the actual answer was given in post #3, by me (and then quoted and thanked by someone else in post #4. Wait, what?)
I'll just quote Intratech, maybe it'll start sinking in then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much dude you're really awesome Its working and my binary counter's are reserted

[Q] Rooting withouth changing flash counter

I have Galaxy S3 I9300 on stock 4.1.2 EMC2 firmware. All I want is root this stock firmware, but I want flash counter stay on 0.
Is there any method?
GTRSkyR34 said:
I have Galaxy S3 I9300 on stock 4.1.2 EMC2 firmware. All I want is root this stock firmware, but I want flash counter stay on 0.
Is there any method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, CF-Auto-root or framaroot
rootSU said:
Yes, CF-Auto-root or framaroot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But in this thread writes:
Using this root increases your flash counter. You should run Triangle Away (see below) after rooting to reset the counter...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GTRSkyR34 said:
But in this thread writes:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There currently isn't a method that allows you to root without increasing the counter. Early this year, Exynos abuse allowed for rooting without counter increase, but it has since been patched so if you want root, you'll also increase the counter.
GTRSkyR34 said:
But in this thread writes:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True but it can be reset afterwards. Unlike other methods that ive you a custom recovery and set counter back to 1 every boot, this should stay at 0 after reset with triangle away
Teura said:
There currently isn't a method that allows you to root without increasing the counter. Early this year, Exynos abuse allowed for rooting without counter increase, but it has since been patched so if you want root, you'll also increase the counter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure? What about framaroot? I dont know the answer myself, but if anything didnt increase the counter, it would be that.
More than just the counter involved in the reject warranty due to custom rom .
jje
rootSU said:
TSure? What about framaroot? I dont know the answer myself, but if anything didnt increase the counter, it would be that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might be correct. I actually haven't seen much of framaroot before since my last root was over half a year ago, but reading what it does it might well be so that it doesn't increase the counter.
As for Exynos abuse, it was such a big thing here that one couldn't miss it, so I thought it was the only way, but I stand corrected.
Teura said:
You might be correct. I actually haven't seen much of framaroot before since my last root was over half a year ago, but reading what it does it might well be so that it doesn't increase the counter.
As for Exynos abuse, it was such a big thing here that one couldn't miss it, so I thought it was the only way, but I stand corrected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not correcting you. As i said, I don't know the answer myself... But it *may* do it

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