Related
Spent a frustrating day trying to sort this so I'm posting here as a last resort as I'm at the end of my tether!!
So. Was browsing the marketplace(new style) and my phone crashed and then would not reboot. It would only go as far as the Samsung Galaxy S2 screen. so I took out the battery and half an hour later returned to see if all was well when I reinserted the battery. It wasn't. I should point out at this point that I was happily using the latest MIUI and appart from the occasional reboot all was well. When reinserting the battery did not work I tried to reboot into CWM but found that I could not. I can however reboot into download mode so have been trying to reflash my phone using that. However I can't get past factoryfs.img! It just stops there every time! Tried :
Usb Jig
Different USB ports
Restart computer
Reinstalling Kies drivers
A different version of ODIN
Many different ROM files (including Litening 1.5 which I know works from a previous flash)
Re downloading various ROMs in case the download was dodgy
Please, please help. I just don't know what to do now
Im thinking its very possible that something in your phone fried and the only option you have is service.. From the way you describe things as not advancing past factory fs.
You make no mention of flashing a stock rom via Odin .That is the normal method of recovery.
jje
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Strange if true - I've never overclocked or anything!! Is there nothing else I can try?
JJEgan said:
You make no mention of flashing a stock rom via Odin .That is the normal method of recovery.
jje
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downloading stock ROM as we speak. Fingers crossed!!
Shafty said:
Downloading stock ROM as we speak. Fingers crossed!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No joy - hangs on cache.img
Can any of the other odin check boxes help? I daren't use them in case they do more harm than good!!
Please help!!
Going to bed now after the most frustrating day of my life trying to get this sorted. Please, if anyone has any ideas then post them here. Thanks.
i have ony small tip for you. kill all the Kies proceses in the backround with the task manager - before flashing with odin. other then that i have no idea how to help u mate.
Hunteres said:
i have ony small tip for you. kill all the Kies proceses in the backround with the task manager - before flashing with odin. other then that i have no idea how to help u mate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip but I'm still having no joy at all. Downloaded a stock ROM but still get stuck at cache.img. Going to have a full night at it again tonight then it's going to have to go back
Any help with this evenings endeavours would be gladly received!
Thanks.
Flashing.
Shafty said:
Thanks for the tip but I'm still having no joy at all. Downloaded a stock ROM but still get stuck at cache.img. Going to have a full night at it again tonight then it's going to have to go back
Any help with this evenings endeavours would be gladly received!
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you shure that you use all 4 files to flash with odin. My friend got similar problem stuck in the middle of flashing. But when i tried everything goes ok.
Im using odin 1.85
Regards
mcnaget said:
Are you shure that you use all 4 files to flash with odin. My friend got similar problem stuck in the middle of flashing. But when i tried everything goes ok.
Im using odin 1.85
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What 4 files? Just putting one file in PDA at the moment?
Flashing.
Shafty said:
What 4 files? Just putting one file in PDA at the moment?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thru odin you must use 4 files first you have to use pit- ext4 , then- pda , then- phone , and finaly csc.
You got all files here and do please read.
These are stock roms.
http://www.samfirmware.com/fwandroid.htm
mcnaget said:
Thru odin you must use 4 files first you have to use pit- ext4 , then- pda , then- phone , and finaly csc.
You got all files here and do please read.
These are stock roms.
http://www.samfirmware.com/fwandroid.htm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BEWARE DO NOT USE PIT NOR REPARTITION
Stock roms are flashed via ODIn as a single tar file in PDA in normal circumstances .
All the info is here .
Stock Roms .and csc
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
jje
Flashing.
JJEgan said:
BEWARE DO NOT USE PIT NOR REPARTITION
Stock roms are flashed via ODIn as a single tar file in PDA in normal circumstances .
All the info is here .
Stock Roms .and csc
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont have any problems flashing thru odin with all 4 files stock rom , i have never flashing thru odin only pda file stock rom.
regards
Latest:
Unistalled Kies
Installed a newer Kies
Tried Odin 1.83 instead of 1.85
Since reinstalling Kies and reinstalling the drivers, my computer won't recognise the phone at all even in download mode. Might have to admit defeat soon
Flash this recovery package, which is XXKI3, 2.3.5, Open Europe http://hotfile.com/dl/130600047/b70801e/I9100XXKI3.rar.html
Tick the 3 top boxes (Re Partition, auto reboot and F.Reset time)
PIT -> PIT
CODE -> PDA
MODEM -> PHONE
CSC -> CSC
If that doesn't work or fails, flash this, which is a XXKI3 Kernel : http://www.multiupload.com/WDOO81L5H6. After that, re-flash the recovery package (with PIT and repartitiong, but be careful )
Report back if it doesn't work, and good luck!
If that doesn't work, flash the old bootloader : http://www.multiupload.com/LQQBRQVJUD in either the PDA or Bootloader section in ODIN. If that is successful, flash the Kernel again, and then the XXKI3 recovery package I gave you.
Hi There, I've done a stupid thing.....I havn't had my phone long and the internet connection is slow, slower than my Motorola Defy. I posted asking for a solution and someone sugested I flash the modem to KG6 as this may improve the internet connecton. So I googled 'KG6 Modem xda' and found what I was looking for, downloaded it and flashed the modem using odin. The flashing was unsucessful....because it was for a SGS 4G (US version)....doh
I unplugged the phone but it wont reboot. Instead I have a phone symbol, a yellow triangel in the centre and a computer symbol on right of the screen. It doesnt get any further than this so I'm uncertain as to what I should flash.
I can enter download mode and the phone is recognised by odin so hopefully I can flash....but what? Is it just the correct modem file I need to flash or the uk firmware. I'm ok KE7 Kernal if this helps.
Thank you, your advice is appreciated
Official ROM's,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Just flash any ROM with Odin as your device still can enter Download mode.
Regards.
Thank you so much, phone has rebooted and everything is fine, just need to root again.
Am I right in saying that if I flash a custom rom and decide to go back to stock rom I just follow the same procedure again?
Thanks again
Yep, yes the same procedure.
Glad to know the prob sorted.
Regards.
hi guys, im quite having a problem flashing this phone using ODIN. it gives me an error the parameter is incorrect, can you please help me with this.
the history of this phone was hard bricked by my big brother after changing the kernel and doing a factory reset to it. he doesnt know that there is a brick bug on ICS official release. now the phone was revived by MEDUSA box by an old friend but now the problem is, it doesnt wanna flash firmware. it goes on download mode but gives an error. i am flashing GT-SI9100, firmware i tried to put on ODIN is GT-I9100_XSP_I9100DXKL3_I9100OLCKL2_I9100DXKL1.tar.MD5.
Any help would be gladly appreciated. tnx in advance
which version of odin are you using ?
try the other version.
Cosmic Blue said:
which version of odin are you using ?
try the other version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im using ODIN3-v1.85 and as well tried the v3.04 still gives me same error, now im trying to download the firmware again that i will flash. i hope this this turns on properly. did you encounter same error before? and do you have an idea to fix this
I have the international edition of the S3 that a was messing around with, and I ended up installing some rom and now I can't even get into recovery. I've searched around and tried multiple methods of fixing it. The only thing I can access is download mode. Can anyone help?
same my condition ..... it's looks like sudden death ..... try flash any recovery files ... if not ... ur last hope doing PIT then if u failed to 100% successfully .... need a new MotherBoard ... replace it if warranty recover
ps: act like fool and tell them u have sudden Death and u didnt play with anything (dont mention ur flash custom rom/firmware ....it will cancel ur warranty)
sry for lose man , u not the only one ... i cant even replace it with warranty due to bought from another country
good luck
speedman2202 said:
same my condition ..... it's looks like sudden death ..... try flash any recovery files ... if not ... ur last hope doing PIT then if u failed to 100% successfully .... need a new MotherBoard ... replace it if warranty recover
ps: act like fool and tell them u have sudden Death and u didnt play with anything (dont mention ur flash custom rom/firmware ....it will cancel ur warranty)
sry for lose man , u not the only one ... i cant even replace it with warranty due to bought from another country
good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know where I could find instructions on how to flash a PIT?
this is file come from sammobile.com website
providing u the right PIT file with flasher
http://www.mediafire.com/?ddfpfkk2pb8326k
connect ur mobile , open odin program and then press on PIT button and navigate PIT files then (as i think) choose the latest PIT file with name i9300 (ur mobile Model) and latest date and then hit start ..... good luck but i recommend u send it to ur Samsung repair center if warranty cover
good luck
stop!
before messing with pit files, which is extremely dangerous, flash a stock ROM through Odin and then do a factory reset from recovery
Glebun said:
stop!
before messing with pit files, which is extremely dangerous, flash a stock ROM through Odin and then do a factory reset from recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly this^^^^....pit file flashing is an absolute last resort, not a first solution
did you tried flashing 4.0.4 stock rom with odin?
same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago, flashing 4.0.4 and after that flashing 4.1.2 fixed it.
try to do not mess with pit especially if you didn't backup your efs folder. it is not needed.
redstreetwalker said:
it is not needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
moreover, it can render your phone irreparable
Ganjasaur said:
now I can't even get into recovery. The only thing I can access is download mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glebun said:
stop!
before messing with pit files, which is extremely dangerous, flash a stock ROM through Odin and then do a factory reset from recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
he cant go to Recovery mode ......(same like my condition) , he just can go to download mode
Glebun said:
stop!
before messing with pit files, which is extremely dangerous, flash a stock ROM through Odin and then do a factory reset from recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've already tried to flash a stock firmware, but I still couldn't get it into recovery. I'm not sure if it was the right one though. I have a regular unbranded SIII, is there a specific firmware I should flash?
speedman2202 said:
he cant go to Recovery mode ......(same like my condition) , he just can go to download mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay? the first thing to do here is just flash a stock ROM, no need for pit files
Mine was stuck before than samsung logo, on the model number screen. Almost 1 second or less after opening the device.
Then i flashed 4.0.4 and magically it opened without any loop or something. Its useless to flash 4.1.2 or any other jb stock rom, for some reason it seems not fixing the loop issue.
Again, there is no problem related with pit files.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
It's all individual, what worked for you might not work for others. Don't say that flashing JB is useless, because it's not
I flashed stock 4.0.4 firmware through odin. The operation was successful, but I was still unable to enter recovery. What am I doing wrong?
Ganjasaur said:
I flashed stock 4.0.4 firmware through odin. The operation was successful, but I was still unable to enter recovery. What am I doing wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow the steps to root and flash your custom ROM again as if you just got your phone. The same thing happened to my T999, and it took me 3 tries doing this to finally get back into Recovery.
try to flash in odin stock rom then root use cwm then try to go to recovery..
My cousin's having the same exact issue and we've been unable to find the proper rom. Can anyone please tell me where to get one? I've downloaded some "international" ones but when i try to upload it it keeps telling me failed, i've tried at least 4 or 5 different roms.
ANY help would be greatly appreciated!!
Phone is:
GT-i9300
using it in the US with StraightTalk in the US (been working like a charm for ~6 months, all of a suddent when into this weird limp mode)
Phone was running jellybean 4.1.1 (through kies) and not rooted
Try several times before giving up. Sometimes it works after when the device feels that you've had enough stress and fear.
I mean the problem is common but it's solved in different ways or different repeats.
But it seems that your problem is a software problem that can be solved.
Glebun said:
It's all individual, what worked for you might not work for others. Don't say that flashing JB is useless, because it's not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the misunderstanding, i mean flashing jb was useless for me in that situation. Thanks for the correction
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
hey there everybody
i have a serious issue and i think i could use your help
well previously i was on stock rom 4.2.2 on my I9300, then i flashing 4.3 manually using odin and downloaded the rom from sammobile anyhow since i flashed that firmware i can no longer access anything on my sim card, meaning i cant call or receive any call from anyone, it keeps saying no registered on network, then i thought it could be the rom or something, i tried pa rom and cm official latest builds but in vain, the same issue, i tried changing the sim card but the same, issue not resolved....how can i solve this prob, i wish it is just a software issue not a hardware
i also tried following this link, i thought it would help somehow, but in vain as well, now i have no idea what to do to solve this issue, tried reflashing another stock rom which is probably more appropriate than the old one, but also it didnt work, so now i have no idea what to do, i just need urgent help please, thanks a lot in advance
ahmed bahaa said:
hey there everybody
i have a serious issue and i think i could use your help
well previously i was on stock rom 4.2.2 on my I9300, then i flashing 4.3 manually using odin and downloaded the rom from sammobile anyhow since i flashed that firmware i can no longer access anything on my sim card, meaning i cant call or receive any call from anyone, it keeps saying no registered on network, then i thought it could be the rom or something, i tried pa rom and cm official latest builds but in vain, the same issue, i tried changing the sim card but the same, issue not resolved....how can i solve this prob, i wish it is just a software issue not a hardware
i also tried following this link, i thought it would help somehow, but in vain as well, now i have no idea what to do to solve this issue, tried reflashing another stock rom which is probably more appropriate than the old one, but also it didnt work, so now i have no idea what to do, i just need urgent help please, thanks a lot in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your efs as changed from efs v1 to efs v2 this happens from any upgrade to 4.3 it as nothing to do with flashing pit files etc try flashing a patched modem and kernel from here >> https://drive.google.com/folderview...=sharing&tid=0B6MIUd7HJudAbU5YaGkzOUowMG8#lis << also this explaines things a little >> http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/ref-imei-efs-stuff-i9300-including-t2393289 <<
tallman43 said:
Your efs as changed from efs v1 to efs v2 this happens from any upgrade to 4.3 it as nothing to do with flashing pit files etc try flashing a patched modem and kernel from here >> https://drive.google.com/folderview...=sharing&tid=0B6MIUd7HJudAbU5YaGkzOUowMG8#lis << also this explaines things a little >> http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/ref-imei-efs-stuff-i9300-including-t2393289 <<
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay im trying to follow the link you gave me, all i get is to flash v2 efs baseband from here, but that other site you gave me to flash the patch and kernel from, which file shall i be downloading and flashing? and which site to follow?
ahmed bahaa said:
okay im trying to follow the link you gave me, all i get is to flash v2 efs baseband from here, but that other site you gave me to flash the patch and kernel from, which file shall i be downloading and flashing? and which site to follow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash the patched modem and kernel in the first link >> https://drive.google.com/folderview...=sharing&tid=0B6MIUd7HJudAbU5YaGkzOUowMG8#lis << if you get a bootloop after flashing go into recovery and factory reset.The second link was just to explain roughly what had happened to your phone.
tallman43 said:
Flash the patched modem and kernel in the first link >> https://drive.google.com/folderview...=sharing&tid=0B6MIUd7HJudAbU5YaGkzOUowMG8#lis << if you get a bootloop after flashing go into recovery and factory reset.The second link was just to explain roughly what had happened to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dude there are many patches and modems, which one shall i be flashing? there are 3, patched kernel, patched modem, and this one (Patched_I9300XXUGMK6_Kernel_StockRepacked.zip) which one then?
pardon me for im new to this patch and modem, so i have no idea according to what i have to choose
btw dude, i just noticed that there is another stock 4.3 rom for my country, would flashing that stock firmware be of any good and solve the issue?
NOT WORKING, I TRIED
okay buddy i got it to work, flashed patched kernel and patched modem using twrp in one go and it did work, couldn't wait for your reply though, so now it is working peacefully and i can access my sim, calling sending sms etc, but i wanna know how to backup efs, or actually is it necessary to back it up, can't i have the patched modem and kernel files for solving this issue whenever it arises?
ahmed bahaa said:
okay buddy i got it to work, flashed patched kernel and patched modem using twrp in one go and it did work, couldn't wait for your reply though, so now it is working peacefully and i can access my sim, calling sending sms etc, but i wanna know how to backup efs, or actually is it necessary to back it up, can't i have the patched modem and kernel files for solving this issue whenever it arises?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi sorry I have been away from computer i'm glad to see you got it working You will always need to use a patched modem and kernel the only way to return to normal would have been to backup your efs before it got changed. As for backing up your efs you can back it up with PhilZ recovery I'm not sure about twrp iv'e not used it for a while. There are are a few apps/programs that can back it up also just do a search on xda. But remember you will always need to use the patched modem/kernel if you change roms.
tallman43 said:
Hi sorry I have been away from computer i'm glad to see you got it working You will always need to use a patched modem and kernel the only way to return to normal would have been to backup your efs before it got changed. As for backing up your efs you can back it up with PhilZ recovery I'm not sure about twrp iv'e not used it for a while. There are are a few apps/programs that can back it up also just do a search on xda. But remember you will always need to use the patched modem/kernel if you change roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay cool...but may you tell me why do i have to keep on using patched kernel and modem? even when changing rom, i had another I9300 which didnt involve flashing patched kernel and modem with every rom change, keeping in mind i was changing rom like twice or trice every month
ahmed bahaa said:
okay cool...but may you tell me why do i have to keep on using patched kernel and modem? even when changing rom, i had another I9300 which didnt involve flashing patched kernel and modem with every rom change, keeping in mind i was changing rom like twice or trice every month
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because when you flashed from 4.2 to 4.3 your efs got changed from efs v1 to efs v2 and in the process it got slightly corrupt so it was unable to read your modem ( This happens some times and you where unlucky) .This is a lesson for all people to make sure they backup the efs before flashing roms ( Especially the very first rom that they flash) it is the very first thing you should ever do.
IMEI changed after flashing to 4.3 jellybean GT-I9300
tallman43 said:
Because when you flashed from 4.2 to 4.3 your efs got changed from efs v1 to efs v2 and in the process it got slightly corrupt so it was unable to read your modem ( This happens some times and you where unlucky) .This is a lesson for all people to make sure they backup the efs before flashing roms ( Especially the very first rom that they flash) it is the very first thing you should ever do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi there, I've just been reading, and I have the same problem MY IMEI number changed to a generic *0049*. I just clicked on the link but can I ask which one is the kernel patch and which one is the modem patch do I need to download?
darren29 said:
hi there, I've just been reading, and I have the same problem MY IMEI number changed to a generic *0049*. I just clicked on the link but can I ask which one is the kernel patch and which one is the modem patch do I need to download?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one that says kernel is kernel patch and the one that says modem is the modem patch lol Try the mk6 modem and the mk6 kernel patch flash them in custom recovery with 4.3 rom. If you get bootloop reboot into recovery and factory reset. Please note this is not guaranteed to fix all imei issues but does help in some cases.
tallman43 said:
The one that says kernel is kernel patch and the one that says modem is the modem patch lol Try the mk6 modem and the mk6 kernel patch flash them in custom recovery with 4.3 rom. If you get bootloop reboot into recovery and factory reset. Please note this is not guaranteed to fix all imei issues but does help in some cases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you, so I can't use Odin to flash them?
darren29 said:
thank you, so I can't use Odin to flash them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a possibility that there's a way that I could just wipe my entire phone clean of all partition and data and start a fresh firmware update?, if so how can I do that, as I have a corrupted file then I think if it can be done it might just work a fresh firmware flash on a clean system??
darren29 said:
Is there a possibility that there's a way that I could just wipe my entire phone clean of all partition and data and start a fresh firmware update?, if so how can I do that, as I have a corrupted file then I think if it can be done it might just work a fresh firmware flash on a clean system??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read here >> http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/ref-imei-efs-stuff-i9300-including-t2393289 << Also you can always pay for a service repair if the patched modems do not work.
important NB: TWRP recovery do support EFS backup with encryption, so i guess it is great to have a sensitive data such as EFS to be backed up with encrypted password, so i do recommend using it as a backup
Hello All, I'm pretty new to all this and am feeling out of my depth, however getting desperate and don't know where to turn next.
I am in Australia and purchased a brand new GT-I9300 from eBay around 3 weeks ago which was shipped from Shanghai, China.
It turned up running 4.1.2 and worked just fine. I tried using the software update feature on the phone to see if 4.3 was available, however, I got the error message to say that because the phone had been modified, software upgrades were unavailable. I mentioned this on a local forum here, and someone kind offered to help me upgrade to 4.3 using Odin.
Turns out the phone was shipped to me rooted and had SuperSU installed. Had to install and run Triangle Away to reset binary counter first. Then installed Odin and followed the links to the firmware and this is where it started going wrong. Fist attempt resulted in a boot loop and could not enter recovery mode to factory reset, however could access download mode, so flashed with 4.3 recovery firmware which got the phone to boot up. Then flashed 4.3 stock firmware again, which was successful this time. However, when trying to make calls or send text messages, the error message on the screen is "Not registered on network". Have tried going back to 4.1.2 and upgrading using Kies, but same result. Then tried the patch from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2745274 and still no luck.
I then sent the phone half way across Australia to Official Samsung Specialist Repair Centre, however, they called me yesterday, to say that because it was an international model, they can't/won't help as they don't have access to international firmware.
If anyone here can help me to get this phone working again, I would be very grateful. Thanks.
rakhurst said:
Hello All, I'm pretty new to all this and am feeling out of my depth, however getting desperate and don't know where to turn next.
I am in Australia and purchased a brand new GT-I9300 from eBay around 3 weeks ago which was shipped from Shanghai, China.
It turned up running 4.1.2 and worked just fine. I tried using the software update feature on the phone to see if 4.3 was available, however, I got the error message to say that because the phone had been modified, software upgrades were unavailable. I mentioned this on a local forum here, and someone kind offered to help me upgrade to 4.3 using Odin.
Turns out the phone was shipped to me rooted and had SuperSU installed. Had to install and run Triangle Away to reset binary counter first. Then installed Odin and followed the links to the firmware and this is where it started going wrong. Fist attempt resulted in a boot loop and could not enter recovery mode to factory reset, however could access download mode, so flashed with 4.3 recovery firmware which got the phone to boot up. Then flashed 4.3 stock firmware again, which was successful this time. However, when trying to make calls or send text messages, the error message on the screen is "Not registered on network". Have tried going back to 4.1.2 and upgrading using Kies, but same result. Then tried the patch from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2745274 and still no luck.
I then sent the phone half way across Australia to Official Samsung Specialist Repair Centre, however, they called me yesterday, to say that because it was an international model, they can't/won't help as they don't have access to international firmware.
If anyone here can help me to get this phone working again, I would be very grateful. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link you gave was for the just for the mg4 modem try the patched modem and kernel from here >> https://drive.google.com/folderview...=sharing&tid=0B6MIUd7HJudAbU5YaGkzOUowMG8#lis << flash with a custom recovery not Odin! If you get a bootloop boot to recovery and factory reset.
tallman43 said:
The link you gave was for the just for the mg4 modem try the patched modem and kernel from here flash with a custom recovery not Odin! If you get a bootloop boot to recovery and factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank You. The phone was posted back to me yesterday, but I won't receive it back until the end of the week. Once I get it back, I'll try this out.
I'm very sorry to have to ask this, but could you give me a bit of a step by step by what you mean?
Thank You again.
tallman43 said:
The link you gave was for the just for the mg4 modem try the patched modem and kernel. Flash with a custom recovery not Odin! If you get a bootloop boot to recovery and factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks tallman43, I managed to get someone to give me a hand with giving your idea a try. Just wanted to let you know that it worked, and my GT-I9300 is now back up and connecting to the network and running with 4.3. Thanks again, and much appreciated.