Help with a few things.. - Fascinate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Ok guys (and gals)..
I personally have a rooted & rom'd Epic 4G. A coworker recently upgraded to their first smartphone, a Samsung Fascinate on Verizon.
Since they know nothing, they asked me to do a few things to the phone for them.
Here's what I've done so far..
Rooted (fully & confirmed) via One-Click Root. Originally tried rooting via steps found here and over on Android Central but it didn't seem to fully root. Some things would run that required root, but others wouldn't (Titanium Backup being one). Bottom line, phone is fully rooted now. Running the stock ED04 rom with no intent to change. This guy isn't a power user, just wants a few things beyond fully stock.
Issue 1 -
Next thing I wanted to do was get Clockwork Mod installed so they could do fully system backups. Tried installing the red Clockwork Mod via Odin found here which somewhat works, but the Backup/Restore functions aren't really operational. If you run a backup, it goes through like it worked, but then when you go to do a restore the first thing I noticed was all the dates on any backups made are set to January of 2000 for some reason. When selecting any of the backups present, it won't restore them. Thoughts? Link to a fully working CWM for ED04?
Issue 2 -
Wanted to flash a good kernel for him so I chose OTB Reloaded v1.6. Flashed via CWM, installed Voltage Control, and all that is working good. The only issue was that after flashing the kernel it screwed up the boot animation. Layered over top of the stock Galaxy S animation and then the Verizon one was the generic "ANDROID" animation. No huge deal, but it irritated me so I tried to fix it by flashing a "stock" Galaxy S boot animation found HERE. The issue now is there is no boot animation at all. After powering the phone on and getting the plain white text "Samsung" the screen goes completely black for a few seconds as the phone boots until you find yourself at the main screen. Any suggestions?
I've searched and looked around a bit but having trouble finding any clear info on either issue. Perhaps it's just me, but it seems like the Fascinate info and sections are very scattered and outdated?
Thanks in advance for any insight, help, tips, info, and/or fixes!!

I think by using this recovery, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=942021, it should fix your problems.

Cool...thanks for the link. I'll give that one a shot and report back.

Related

Help choose a kernel?

Girlfriend got a Fascinate yesterday and deemed me worthy enough to root it so she can kill all the bloatware (yay for me!). I've got root on the phone, and I understand that if I don't flash a custom kernel for the phone, it'll just break the recovery (using "cwm-recovery-all.tar") as soon as the phone boots up. She likes the overall touchwiz experience and all that, so I'm not sure of any rom's that are pretty stock cept for bloat, and any kernels I should use so recovery doesn't break.
I'm just concerned about getting recovery to stick so that I can perform a backup in case anything should happen.
I have a OG Droid, so all this bending over backwards for root and recovery is new to me and threads seem either too full of info or not enough for me, so here's me asking for help!
Either way, thanks!
Dustin
seraph_harim said:
Girlfriend got a Fascinate yesterday and deemed me worthy enough to root it so she can kill all the bloatware (yay for me!). I've got root on the phone, and I understand that if I don't flash a custom kernel for the phone, it'll just break the recovery (using "cwm-recovery-all.tar") as soon as the phone boots up. She likes the overall touchwiz experience and all that, so I'm not sure of any rom's that are pretty stock cept for bloat, and any kernels I should use so recovery doesn't break.
I'm just concerned about getting recovery to stick so that I can perform a backup in case anything should happen.
I have a OG Droid, so all this bending over backwards for root and recovery is new to me and threads seem either too full of info or not enough for me, so here's me asking for help!
Either way, thanks!
Dustin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're just a few steps away.
First download this stock ed01 debloated/debinged stock ROM from link below and place in root directory of SD card:
http://www.multiupload.com/BKHF5DKJ18
also, choose a kernel and place on sd card. I recommend imnuts' PB&J variety-you might want to stick with stock voltage or -50uv for now. Be mindful to get non-voodoo if you aren't planning on getting into this. found here (try the 3rd or 5th option):
https://sites.google.com/a/imnuts.net/android/kernels
Next, use Odin to install your CWM again. When you boot up this time, boot directly into CWM by turning phone off, and holding volume down, volume up, and power (all 3) until CWM appears. flash your rom, and kernel. If you don't boot into cwm directly by this method, the stock kernel will overwrite CWM, which is what was happening to you, i believe.
after rom/kernel is installed, choose reboot system now from cwm.
Yeah, I just wasn't sure about what kernel would be good for her phone, so I just was kinda "stuck" at that point. ^^;;
But I will give it a go and she how it works out! thanks much!
Everything was a success, and there was much rejoicing!
They only thing I noticed was after the Samsung bootloop animation, it goes to the default "android" one instead of Verizon's... I'm sure there's a way to get that back, but its not in the system dump I have. I'm currently searching for it on the net ^^;;
Thanks again!
Edit: I was able to find a boot animation that had the first part of the Galaxy S bit without the Verizon part. When it booted it just repeated the "Galaxy S" animation. I thought by adding, renaming, and reversing the shutdown animation would at least give that back, but now I just get a black screen for that segment...Still working on it....I think it has to do with the txt file inside, but i'm not sure.
The PowerOn.wav is still present on the phone, but it doesn't play either.... >_<
Are you certain you put poweron.wav in /system/etc folder?
Yup, its there and plays fine in the media player, but I just noticed that there's also a PowerOn.snd file right above. Could that be interfering?
Make a backup elsewhere of that file, then delete it and see if that works.
Sent from mah Fascinate using XDA Premium App
The sound won't work with most kernels that are not stock because the boot sounds aren't actually turned on in the kernel
Swyped from my CM7 fascinate
Oh okay, any chance to get the default boot animation from any of you guys? She doesn't mind the sound "missing," but she would like the boot animation at least.
Eitiher way, thanks much for the info!
since it seems like you're using a stock Rom just debloated and rooted, you may want to think about just using the stock Kernel with the recovery wipe removed, it has two options one that sticks with the stock boot animation and may still have sound and one that allows custom boot animations. This kernel was created by imnuts and can be found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1060457
Awesome, thanks! I'll give that a try and see how it turns out!
And it worked! Thanks again!

[Q] CWM Backup Question

Hi, all. Relative noob here. Fascinate, Stock ED04 OTA, Rooted, modified stock kernel to "stick" CWM, Bloat frozen using TB.
I want to take the next step of flashing a ROM, and am doing (I feel) due dilligence by reading everything possible in this forum. However, I think I'm starting to suffer from information overload, and confusion has set in.
I used Odin to flash CWM 3.0.2.8x.ti. Immediately after selecting backup and restore/backup, I get "Error while backing up boot image". I see a few posts with the same statement, but no resolution. Flashed back to CWM 2.5; and backup appears to complete successfully. However, the date of the backup is 2000-01-01; and this is consistent on repeated attempts. The time and date on my phone (when booted) is correct.
Am I missing something? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
dhartman977 said:
Hi, all. Relative noob here. Fascinate, Stock ED04 OTA, Rooted, modified stock kernel to "stick" CWM, Bloat frozen using TB.
I want to take the next step of flashing a ROM, and am doing (I feel) due dilligence by reading everything possible in this forum. However, I think I'm starting to suffer from information overload, and confusion has set in.
I used Odin to flash CWM 3.0.2.8x.ti. Immediately after selecting backup and restore/backup, I get "Error while backing up boot image". I see a few posts with the same statement, but no resolution. Flashed back to CWM 2.5; and backup appears to complete successfully. However, the date of the backup is 2000-01-01; and this is consistent on repeated attempts. The time and date on my phone (when booted) is correct.
Am I missing something? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have had the same thing happen every time i try and backup. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the newer recovery b.c when i had 2.5 i had no issues with it. Anybody have an answer for this?
I was in the same boat as you: rooted and bloat frozen via TB since the first week, and just added the modified kernel with CWM 3 earlier this past week. Haven't had any problems with it. I used Heimdall to flash CWM and the kernel. Now I'm running Evil Fascination with the LG Alternate Launcher. Tried ComRom but didn't care for it, though the default wallpaper was very pretty.
Back to the point, after I flashed the kernel and CWM I restarted the phone, let it boot, then rebooted into recovery to backup, instead of unplugging it and immediately booting Recovery.
Honestly, you've made it this far, you want to get a new ROM, I say download one and follow the directions (read them three times top-to-bottom) before flashing, and you should be good.
Yeah - I think Evil is where I want to end up until CM7 is fully functional (just spent all morning reading the CM7 waiting room thread).
Unfortunately, I'm apprehensive about flashing a new ROM until I can get a good backup image. I'm not sure why I'm getting the erroneous date on the backups. I could certainly be doing something wrong; just not sure what (if anything).
Maybe I need to use a different CWM? 2.5.1 and 3.0.2.8. don't seem to have worked for me. Also, If I understand what eulipion2 said, I have already fully booted, then powered down and rebooted into CWM to do a backup. 3.0.2.8 fails and 2.5.1 gives be incorrect dates.
Going to do a few hours of reading on CWM, I guess!
I'm using the first kernel listed in this thread from times_infinity. I initially flashed ComRom, didn't like it, kept this recovery, and flashed EF. Works great so far.
Give the Nandroid a go with this Recovery and see if it works for you.
hey i figured out how to get the back up to work. you have to enable voodoo and then it will work
Hey guys. Thanks for the suggestions. Tried the CWM 3 link from above, still no dice. I suspect I may need to have a voodoo kernel installed to actually enable the voodoo and try the backup again. Makes sense I guess.
Getting frustrated.
Success! Flashed a voodoo kernel, and was able to get (what appears to be) a successful nandroid backup with 3.0.2.8 (red). Never did get 2.5.1 (yellow) working. Strange, but irrelevant. CM7 build 7 is looking like it's ready for a test drive.

[Q] At&t gsII display/kernel issues

After a convoluted process and many mishaps on my part (I bricked it) my phone has a working, rooted and stripped down version of 2.3.6 on it. Which works as intended except the screen is now grainy and the colors are over-saturated. (side note: unfortunately I did not do a backup of the stock firmware-stupid I know)
I'm guessing this is a driver issue with the firmware or gpu because the pictures I took before I tried getting cyanogen on my phone now look very pixelated; almost like one of those cheesy after effects. I tried updating the firmware and it said I was current. Is there a way to update drivers? Do I have to find the original firmware for my phone (I looked on here the forum with the huge list of branded and unbranded and was at a loss)?
Also in my endeavor to attain the cm7 I tried rom manager which never worked even after getting the pre-rooted firmware. It will let me download the new clockwork but it does not appear to flash it and any attempt to install or reboot to clockwork doesn't do anything (gives prompts, I say yes, nothing happens). As a result of following the cyanogen wiki twice it says I have two custom firmwares and I cannot get into clockwork at all. I could the first time through before I bricked it but now I can't. Is there a way to remove the extra kernel?
The only reason I have a working phone is because of Odin. Is there a way to use Odin to install cm7 and would that fix the display issues or am I better off finding the stock firmware and hoping the display will default back to working?
Thank you in advance,
noob
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1313659
Branded? Unbranded?
There is only one variant of the I777 - AT&T Branded. Anything in the Development forum for the I777 will work on an I777.
It's not like the I9100 with a bunch of minor subvariants.
drmorbo said:
After a convoluted process and many mishaps on my part (I bricked it) my phone has a working, rooted and stripped down version of 2.3.6 on it. Which works as intended except the screen is now grainy and the colors are over-saturated. (side note: unfortunately I did not do a backup of the stock firmware-stupid I know)
I'm guessing this is a driver issue with the firmware or gpu because the pictures I took before I tried getting cyanogen on my phone now look very pixelated; almost like one of those cheesy after effects. I tried updating the firmware and it said I was current. Is there a way to update drivers? Do I have to find the original firmware for my phone (I looked on here the forum with the huge list of branded and unbranded and was at a loss)?
Also in my endeavor to attain the cm7 I tried rom manager which never worked even after getting the pre-rooted firmware. It will let me download the new clockwork but it does not appear to flash it and any attempt to install or reboot to clockwork doesn't do anything (gives prompts, I say yes, nothing happens). As a result of following the cyanogen wiki twice it says I have two custom firmwares and I cannot get into clockwork at all. I could the first time through before I bricked it but now I can't. Is there a way to remove the extra kernel?
The only reason I have a working phone is because of Odin. Is there a way to use Odin to install cm7 and would that fix the display issues or am I better off finding the stock firmware and hoping the display will default back to working?
Thank you in advance,
noob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you able to reboot the phone in recovery using ADB?
Its gotten to the point where nothing I try works. I managed to get cm7 installed and it got stuck in a boot loop. Flashed back to the stripped down version again. Everything that could go wrong has. For now I just want to go back to whatever firmware came with my phone out of the box. The startup logo was at&t so I guess I'll go for the branded version (which I can't find on here--its almost 3 am I apologize for my idiocy) and hope the screen issue is resolved.
Thanks again
defeated
drmorbo said:
For now I just want to go back to whatever firmware came with my phone out of the box. The startup logo was at&t so I guess I'll go for the branded version (which I can't find on here--its almost 3 am I apologize for my idiocy) and hope the screen issue is resolved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which you can't find? Someone posted the link to my return to stock guide in post #2 of this thread.
If you return to complete stock using Entropy512's Return/Unbrick to stock package, you will regain the AT&T boot logo instead of any custom boot logo. The phone will be just like it was when you first took it out of the box.
If you want the stock ROM plus root, Entropy has a package for that also. Just flash one of his packages with Odin, or use the One-Click downloaders for his package that are linked in my guides.
Update: You can also download all of these from my Download Repository.
Okay so I did the return to stock without root one click and that went fine. However the display is still not working properly. Solid colors are fine and I even went into the debug screen and tested all the colors. They were brilliant but any dimming or shading of two colors just looks wrong. The only thing that I can think of is the bootloader is wrong. It says my phone is a I9100 which it isn't. However I'm not sure why a bootloader would affect the display. Does the I777 have a different initialization process for the gpu? Or is the issue somewhere else?
drmorbo said:
Okay so I did the return to stock without root one click and that went fine. However the display is still not working properly. Solid colors are fine and I even went into the debug screen and tested all the colors. They were brilliant but any dimming or shading of two colors just looks wrong. The only thing that I can think of is the bootloader is wrong. It says my phone is a I9100 which it isn't. However I'm not sure why a bootloader would affect the display. Does the I777 have a different initialization process for the gpu? Or is the issue somewhere else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That might affect it but I highly doubt it.
So do you have any idea what could have caused it? I tried searching the forums but I couldn't find somebody with a similar problem.
Where exactly does it say your phone is I9100?
It shows "Samsung galaxy s II I9100" before the at&t load screen.
drmorbo said:
It shows "Samsung galaxy s II I9100" before the at&t load screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The return to stock did not complete correctly. This screen appears after flashing a non-stock kernel with Odin/Heimdall.
Entropy512 said:
The return to stock did not complete correctly. This screen appears after flashing a non-stock kernel with Odin/Heimdall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The very first method I tried was the heimdall from the cyanogen wiki. I've used various methods without success. However the last effort was to restore the phone and I used the one click stock without root. Was it supposed to restore the bootloader? Also I updated ota and the display works much better. The remaining discoloration/pixelation could have been there all along as I didn't wait long to put cyanogen on it (1 day) and I have nothing to compare it to.
drmorbo said:
Yes. The very first method I tried was the heimdall from the cyanogen wiki. I've used various methods without success. However the last effort was to restore the phone and I used the one click stock without root. Was it supposed to restore the bootloader? Also I updated ota and the display works much better. The remaining discoloration/pixelation could have been there all along as I didn't wait long to put cyanogen on it (1 day) and I have nothing to compare it to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The return-to-stock-with-root shouldn't touch bootloaders - but it should have restored a stock kernel. IF you're getting the "yellow triangle" I9100 boot screen, the last thing flashed with Odin/Heimdall was NOT a stock kernel.
There is no yellow triangle. I used the exe from the link in the first response in this forum. In any case I'll throw a picture of the phone while turned off but charging tonight. The display issues aren't grave but they are noticeable and annoying. Do you know of an app that allows you adjust graphical/display settings? Maybe it would suffice.
I found information concerning my display issues. Apparently it's an issue with the phone. Its called black crush. My phone has this and oversaturated red. So shading details are pixelated and reddish.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1124669
Also I noticed people repeatedly mentioning screen modes under setting>displays however my phone does not have this option. Also all of the mentions have been under the forum for the regular version of the phone not the AT&T variant. Is the AT&T version missing this option or am I blind?
drmorbo said:
I found information concerning my display issues. Apparently it's an issue with the phone. Its called black crush. My phone has this and oversaturated red. So shading details are pixelated and reddish.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1124669
Also I noticed people repeatedly mentioning screen modes under setting>displays however my phone does not have this option. Also all of the mentions have been under the forum for the regular version of the phone not the AT&T variant. Is the AT&T version missing this option or am I blind?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T version is missing screen tuning unless you run a custom ROM that readds it like Serendipity VIII or Unnamed.
Okay cool. So I used the one click with root and the wifi is broken and it won't let me do an OTA. however I had previously used the one click without root and I was able to OTA and that solved the broken wifi. What would be the easiest way to fix the wifi?
Flash cwm>factory restore/wipe (I don't have cwm and I remember the cyanogen wiki way to get cwm messed up my soft buttons--two didn't work anymore)
Or
Flash the 12/21 dd kernel (I did originally try this route. However Odin didn't recognize the kernel. I even repackaged I with just zImage. Still nothing.)
Thank You again Entropy
DrMorbo
Sounds like there is something broken about the oneclick... Try flashing the return-to-stock package with Heimdall. Heimdall also lets you flash kernel zImages without packaging into a tar.
However Heimdall needs its own driver mojo on Windows - I can't really help you with this, I've flashed a device from Windows only once, and that was the Tab 10.1 because Heimdall won't talk to it.
Nevermind. I tried the update a third time. It decided to work (48 hours later). Everything works. Wifi works. The screen is better (I used voodoo screen tuning to greatly diminish the black crush and red saturation. I can finally customize my phone now. Any nifty apps you know of Entropy? (Regular or root needed)
Thank you again Entropy,
DrMorbo

[Q] Atrix 4g (Non-standard) Boot Loop

Hello, all. First, I'd like to say thank you for taking the time to read this and potentially try and help me out. Any assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated!
I added the (Non-standard) to the title, as I've been flashing and modding this phone for over two years, and I've never experienced this issue. I'm not the type to ask for assistance, as my research skills are well above par, but after digging through literally countless forums and topics, I have yet to find anything quite like my situation...
ISSUE: Performed recent flash attempt to epinter's CM10.1. Now loads to Moto splash, sits there the usual few seconds, but when it comes time to load the rom, it reboots and starts the process again... (I swear I think I see it trying to load the rom splash for like a micro second, but then it could just be the delirium of long hours researching and fighting this problem.) Now, you might be thinking, "Eh, pretty common...", right? Yeah, me too, until I couldn't fix it like I've done a million times before... I can boot into recovery. I have performed ALL standard actions regarding flashing a new rom, yet the problem persists. The problem persists now no matter what rom I attempt to flash. Now you might be thinking, "Just flash your nandroid recovery...", but I wish, oh how I wish I could... I am currently using CWM-based Recovery 5.0.2.7, although I've tried more than a few different recoveries since this issue, all provide the same results... Which is nothing. I'm at the end of my rope here.
I've even tried flashing TWRP (two different versions) so I could at least get some charge to the battery so I could continue this debacle, but it hangs at the TeamWin splash screen...
Fastboot loads fine. Wipes performed to system, caches, partitions, etc, to no avail... Battery pull, already tried...
I've covered all the basic fixes, but my issue seems to be bigger than my knowledge base (at the moment).
Okay, here's the exact details of what led up to this...
My Atrix WAS unlocked, rooted, and using RR's CWM for recovery at the time. I had flashed everything coming and going as the scene grew, but eventually went back to CM7.2 and had been running it for ages. Well, I decided to try something new, and settled on trying BeanStalk. Flashed Aroma Prep, no problem. Flashed ROM and Gapps, no problem. Booted up fine. Decent start on the rom, but a little too buggy yet for me. So on this note I wiped and restored my CM7 nandroid backup, no problem. All was well, until I came across epinter's CM10.1 and thought, "Eh, why not?" (...and now look at the mess I'm in!) Performed a new nandroid backup of my CM7, and began the process that ended me... Everything went along just fine. Performed all my wipes, flashed my zips, rebooted, and BAM... boot loop! Little did I know what kind of headache I was in for, until I couldn't restore my backup. Now, I'm just praying I find a solution before my battery drains out completely...
SIDE NOTE: While attempting to restore fails and just resets recovery back to the main screen, there are no visible errors reported. Attempting to flash ANY of my other roms results in the same behavior. Flashes "appear" to go smoothly, but the end result is the same... I did notice upon attempting to flash BeanStalk again that there is an error reported in the aroma installer. It performs all wipes correctly, but when it comes time to actually install, it reports a broken symlink error, or something to that effect... (I would reproduce the install error message, but at the moment I'm trying to hang onto as much battery life as possible. My apologies for the inaccuracy of any statement.)
PLEASE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I BEG OF YOU... If anybody has been unfortunate enough to have found themselves in my shoes, then hopefully you were lucky enough to get it figured out by now and would be willing to pass along the info. Although not my primary phone anymore, it still gets more than it's share of use. I'd hate to see it go out this way...
Any help to guide me in the right direction would be most appreciated! Thank you all in advance!

Galaxy S3 T999N 4.2.1 Metro Pcs Strange Boot Loop/Recovery Problem

(I had included all links to the zips and files I used but XDA wouldn't let me include those due to this being my first post.)
I need help. I messed up pretty bad. I have a Galaxy S3 T999N on Metro Pcs. A buddy got me into root about a year ago. It's been slow for me, because I'm scared of bricking my device. (I've read many guides, forum posts and watched many videos but I've never had the courage to flash a custom ROM, even though it looks really fun.)
SPECS
Galaxy S3 T999N 4.2.1 on Metro Pcs
The phone was rooted with Odin 3.07.
Later I used Odin 3.09 to flash custom recovery for TWRP. (Zip: openrecovery-twrp-2.3.1.1-d2mtr)
A couple days ago, I finally got enough courage to flash a custom rom. I Used titanium to back up all my apps, then used twrp to make a restore.
I used TWRP on the nightly I found (cm-11-20140217-NIGHTLY-d2mtr.zip). It failed. I apologize for not doing a log dump... I can't remember exactly what the log said. Something like (ERROR 7 or STATUS 7)
I wiped the cache and dalvik cache and used the recovery I made before the attempt at cyanogen, then I wiped the cache and dalvik cache again. TWRP said it was a successful recovery. When I went to reboot into the stock OS... It just hangs at the "Metro PCS Wireless for all" intro screen.
I started to do research on that symptom. found all kinds of threads on boot loops.
I tried leaving the battery out for 30 seconds, then booting into twrp to wipe the cache several times.
Then I tried the same steps with the dalvik included.
Then I repeated that same process with a factory reset. (several times.) Always the same result.
I even tried that entire process with wiping the entire phone, DATA, cache, dalvik, system, then doing recovery again. Doesn't work.
My recovery isn't working. I don't know what to do. (ALSO, INTERESTING SYMPTOM: I've noticed after doing the recovery, during the boot, the part when the black with white font Galaxy splash screen plays, the sound that it makes when the blue galaxy animation forms... it sounds like that sound starts late and gets cut off, then it sticks at the "Metro PCS Wireless for all" intro screen. It only does this after a factory reset, it doesn't make any sound at all otherwise because I think my phone's sound was turned off when I made the restore.)
I had a tech buddy try to find my stock rom, he wasn't sure which one to use. (confusion between Metro pcs and T-mobile S3s discussed below.) He told me to try another custom rom. If I could get one to work, that means the phone is still good and the custom rom would give me time to possibly find the stock rom for my model. (I just paid my bill, I'm wasting service right now.)
First I tried to find a stock rom for my phone. If I used "metro pcs" as a part of the google search, it came back with mostly results pertaining to Samsung Galaxy S III SCH-R530M (I've owned the SCH-R530M... it was white and the first model variant that Metro PCS had. I think it was only 4G not 4GLTE) All I could find for the T999N is a T-Mobile stock 4.1 but my device is 4.2. and on metro PCS. I was told that when the device updated to 4.2, partitioning and other things changed on the device specific to a 4.2 setup. So if I tried to use a 4.1 stock rom I could brick my device. (In the reading I've done, I've never came across anything that said that on the internet.)
So I moved on and started looking for another custom rom. I had seen a lot of videos on pacman. Looks awesome. After doing some reading, I found pacman on the android forums. (pac_d2mtr-20130510-v22.1.1)
IT WORKED! I was super excited. I got this X-mas-ish feeling in my stomach, like I just opened an awesome gift.
The Wifi Worked, but the camera, DATA and calls did not work. I was still super excited! First I explored Pacman, and ended up in the about phone section. (Model number was SCH-R530M! This probably isn't going to function the way I'd like, I thought to my self.)
The more I played with pac's interface, the more it kept freezing. Had to do a bunch of battery pulls.
On the same thread mentioned above, There was some talk about MMS problems, someone suggested flashing this for 4g and MMS fixes. (AOKP TO METRO FIX.zip) using TWRP, It flashed successfully but didn't fix my calls or DATA.
BY THIS TIME, IT WAS LATE, HAD BEEN READING FOR HOURS AND I WAS FEELING TIRED AND REALLY BUMMED.)
Then I tried to look for my models modem files to flash. (I'll be honest, I'm new to this, I had no idea where to look.) eventually I found a modem repostiory on a thread(Can't find the site in my history, but I found the link) I found this: USC_T999N_GalaxyS3_UVBNC1_Modem. I flashed that, it didn't work either.
At that point, I think I flashed AOKP TO METRO FIX.zip and USC_T999N_GalaxyS3_UVBNC1_Modem.zip out of panic and frustration of not having a phone. Could I have messed up my radios? is it possible that even if I ever get back into my stock, could the radios be messed up now cause I flashed AOKP TO METRO FIX.zip and USC_T999N_GalaxyS3_UVBNC1_Modem.zip?
I'm scared... and burned out. I really need a phone and don't have money for an insurance deductible or a new phone. (I know... what a stupid noob, right?)
I hate my current job and have been on the hunt for about three months, which paid off with a couple interviews. I'm waiting for 2nd interviews to be scheduled. How will they or anyone else interested in
hiring me, reach me?
A lot of the threads I've read, people report that their device can't boot into recovery or boot into download mode. MINE CAN STILL DO BOTH.
I'm not sure what to do. I appreciate anyone who took the time to read all of this.
TO SUM IT ALL UP, I WAS WONDERING:
1. Is there another method how to fix the boot loop problem?
2. I also heard that T-Mobile and Metro PCS merged, which is why I have a T-Mobile model. Would it matter if I used the T Mobile Stock (or custom rom.) When technically I'm on Metro PCS?
2a. Would that effect my ability to make calls?
3. Also, is it true that using a 4.1 stock rom after having taking the 4.2 update, will that brick my Phone?
3a. Is there a place that offers 4.2 stock roms? I could only find 4.1 (not sure where to look.)
3b. My wife has the exact same phone, same model, rooted, only hers is 4.1 and mine is 4.2 - Could there be a method or some useful way to use the firmware from the wife's phone?
4. Is it possible that if I ever get back into my stock, could the radios be
messed up now cause I flashed AOKP TO METRO FIX.zip and USC_T999N_GalaxyS3_UVBNC1_Modem.zip while messing with pacman?
5. My phone can still go into download mode and it still boots into recovery. Is there any hope that I can save this? What else do I need to consider? Is all my network settings stuck on the recovery?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

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