My suggestions for the S3 FAQ - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi Zatta and S3 users of the xda forums!
Last Monday, almost a week ago now, I attempted to upgrade my I9300 from 4.1.2 to 4.3 stock and after 6 days of constant reading, experimentation, re-flashing and being told Samsung would not fix my device for me I finally regained the ability to make calls. This nightmare could've been avoided if the FAQ in this forum was a little more complete as xda was the first place I came to look for answers for Android tech issues and that is the case for many others but instead I got bogged down in 1000's of similar and mostly incorrect and/or incomplete threads. We can do better!
Here are my suggestions for improving the S3 FAQ in this forum:
'How should I flash my custom ROM?' should be changed to 'How should I flash my ROM?' so that it covers flashing both official and custom roms. It needs to make mention of Heimdall as an Odin alternative because not everybody runs Windows. AFAIK the drawback of using Heimdall instead of Odin is that it cannot flash a single .tar.md5 that contains multiple tar.md5s - instead they have to be extracted and installed using a pit file.
The EFS section needs a bit more detail. It should mention that TWRP and Philz can backup and restote EFS whilst CWM cannot and maybe it should also say something about the change in format after the MG4 modem.
Last but not least this really needs to address how to fix the incorrect IMEI / serial issues that lead to people getting 'Not registered on network' and 'Emergency Calls Only' type errors and not being able to use the phone features. I read 100's of threads on here that were all so certain this was strictly a EFS issue when in many cases it will be caused by users having flashed a incorrect CSC, as is what happened to me when I flashed BTU roms instead of H3G. Its's also worth mentioning that H3G roms are for Three (UK) users. Panicked me saw *3G not 'Three' - I dont think H3G is quite as obvious as say vod etc is so this must've snagged a few S3 Three/UK users.
If I9300 users can't find a ROM with the correct CSC, they can try rooting and then using 'csc changer' to change csc. Failing that, I'd recommend i9300 users flash A.S._ids recovery ROMs:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/odinfirmware-sgsiii-i9300-prerooted-t1825272/
Here's the thread leading up to my discovery on the importance of csc's in having a correct IMEI/serial and being able to connect to your phone providers network:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/help/i9300-network-0049-imei-0-serial-t2900470/page2
If we can get all that added to the FAQ I think we'll see a significant drop in the amont of repetetive threads about the same problems over and over on here!
Thanks Zatta and the xda admins!

The need for a patched modem and kernel in 4.3
The FAQ also needs to make mention of the fact that having the correct ROM and CSC is not enough to upgrade to 4.3 or later as it seems most (all?) I9300 users upgrading to 4.3 such as myself have had no luck with the Ariza patch and have had to resort to using zuluman's or another set of patched, 4.3 compat modem FW and a patched kernel. It should note the Boeffla kernal can be used with patched modems if users prefer that route.
Here's a bunch of patched 4.3 modems and kernels that could be linked to if we can't get them uploaded somewhere better:
https://drive.google.com/folderview...sharing&tid=0B6MIUd7HJudAbU5YaGkzOUowMG8#list

sammobile
A link to
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/
As a good (if not so fast) source of stock firmware wouldn't go amiss either.

Lets update the FAQ!
Does anyone agree this is important stuff every S3 ROM flasher should know?
I've PM'd Zatta but no response yet and the S3 FAQ itself is closed.
If he can't re-open it or edit it I'm happy to write a new FAQ for the i9300 based on his but updated with the above and a few more tidbits. I'll only do so IF the admins agree to sticky it provided I do a good job else it'll just get lost in endless posts. I'd be open for advice and suggestions for additions to the FAQ should I go ahead with this.
I've created a number of FAQs and manuals for various Linux-related projects in the past inc. most recently the KXStudio manual and the Tracktion Linux FAQ.

Imei / efs faq
The IMEI / EFS FAQ also needs updating to mention that there seems to be (at least) three ways you can get a generic IMEI/serial - the third being using an incorrect CSC to that which is required by your network provider.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/ref-imei-efs-stuff-i9300-including-t2393289
I'm have commented on that thread with my suggestions for updating the FAQ but I've not had any reply yet.

improving battery life
Another good addition to the FAQ would be something like this:
Q. What can I do to conserve/improve battery life?
Samsung Touchwiz Android 4.3 (and later?) enables Smart Screen by default. You can tell it's enabled if you see an eye icon in the top right corner of your phones home screen. Smart Screen attempts to sense when you are looking at the screen to turn it on and to rotate the screen when you change your viewing angle but it is also notorious for draining the battery.
To turn it off go to Settings -> My Device -> Smart Screen then disable 'Smart Stay' and 'Smart rotation'.
To conserve your battery it is also recommended to enable power saving mode and turn off the WiFi, Bluetooth and your mobile data connections whenever you are not using them.

pfmdan said:
Another good addition to the FAQ would be something like this:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I've just noticed your pm in my inbox, sorry for the late "reply", although I do this in public now.
At the moment I'm abroad without the possibility to edit the thread. When I get home I will edit the faq according your proposals but that will have to wait until the first half of december. I will be at sea until that time.
Is great that finally someone responds to this thread actually, it had been unlocked without any useful comment for months. In fact, I've asked people to come up with ideas to improve it but it looked like no-one is interested.

Great to hear from you too Zatta!
There is no great rush to update the FAQ as I've already waited so many weeks to get any kind of useful response from anyone on here. Some even suggested I was nigh on trolling in my efforts to see the important S3 FAQs improved so I doubt I'll have any more luck than you in getting constructive feedback for making further improvements. I hope I'm proved wrong in that respect.
I'm an experienced Linux user (since '96) but I don't claim to be a Android expert. I'm certainly not a S3 expert either but we can definitely improve this FAQ which should in turn improve these forums by reducing repeat questions.

Updated S3 FAQ complete
Hi XDA S3 users!
I'm sorry its took so long to get this done but I've finally updated the S3 FAQ.
I've mailed this to zatta so he should get the official XDA S3 FAQ updated shortly but here it is in its entirety for those who cannot wait.
Hopefully this will drastically reduce a lot of the frequent S3-related questions on these forums!
[SIZE=+3]Frequently Asked Questions[/size]
[SIZE=+2]Samsung Galaxy S III - International GT-I9300​[/size]
[SIZE=+1]This a short list of frequently asked questions with answers related to the Samsung Galaxy S III. It should serve as a starting point for gathering knowledge and finding solutions to many common problems. Please only post in this thread with feedback on how to improve this document and refrain from posting "Thank you" type responses. If you have additional questions or require more help, try to find an existing thread or create your own. Do not use this as a general help thread.[/size]
[SIZE=+1]Q1: How do I root my Samsung Galaxy S3 i9300?[/size]
There are several methods to achieve this:
CF-AutoRoot by Chainfire
CF-Root by Chainfire
A custom kernel like Siyah, Speedmod and others which can be flashed with Odin or Heimdall
Use the toolkit by mskip
[SIZE=+1]Q2: What can I do to conserve/improve battery life?[/size]
Official Samsung Touchwiz ROMs enable Smart Screen by default. You can tell it's enabled if you see an eye icon in the top right corner of your phones home screen. Smart Screen attempts to sense when you are looking at the screen to turn it on and to rotate the screen when you change your viewing angle but it is also notorious for draining the battery.
To turn it off go to Settings -> My Device -> Smart Screen then disable 'Smart Stay' and 'Smart rotation'.
To conserve your battery under official firmwares it is also recommended to enable power saving mode and, for all firmwares, you should turn off the WiFi, Bluetooth and your mobile data connections whenever you are not using them to minimize battery drain.​
[SIZE=+1]Q3: How do I flash (install) ROMs?[/size]
ROMs that come packaged as a .zip file are usually installed using a custom recovery tool such as TWRP or ClockworkMod. Unlike previous Samsung Galaxy S devices the recovery for the Samsung Galaxy S3 i9300 is NOT part of the kernel. Instead, the SGSIII has a separate recovery partition. Custom recovery partitions can be installed using Odin if you are running Windows or Heimdall, which is available for Linux/UNIX and Mac OSX as well as Windows.
Some ROMs come packaged as a .tar.md5 file. These can only be directly flashed using Odin. Heimdall users are required to extract the individual tar files from within the .tar.md5 file and then flash them to the correct partitions using an appropriate .pit (partition map) file. Heimdall can be used to generate .pit files by extracting the existing partition map from your phone. Note that .tar.md5 files are actually just regular tar files with an added .md5 extension.​
[SIZE=+1]Q4: How can I return to the stock ROM?[/size]
There is sometimes the need to revert to the stock ROM, for example when you need to return your device if its still under warranty. doovd made this great guide to the process.​
[SIZE=+1]Q5: What is Odin?[/size]
Odin is a leaked tool from Samsung. It is used to flash firmwares (aka ROMs) to phones. There are many how-to's covering the use of Odin, such as this. Others can be found on the XDA WIKI.​
[SIZE=+1]Q6: How do I unlock my bootloader?[/size]
There is no need to unlock the bootloader as it is already unlocked! This is the case for most Samsung devices.​
[SIZE=+1]Q7: I have heard about EFS. Why is this so important?[/size]
/EFS is a partition on your phone where your IMEI code is stored. Without it your phone is an expensive PDA as you will not be able to make calls. Make sure to have a backup of this partition on a separate device before you attempt to flash new ROMs. TWRP and Philz recovery let you backup the EFS partition.
The format of the EFS partition changed with the release of the MG4 modem firmware so this can cause issues if your modem version and EFS don't match. Here is an explanation of the Samsung firmware naming convention.​
[SIZE=+1]Q8: After flashing a ROM I cannot make calls. I now get a 'Not registered on network' error on my lock screen and if I look under Settings -> About Phone -> Status my IMEI begins with 0049 and my serial number has changed to a string of zeros. How can I fix this?[/size]
There are many threads on this forum suggesting this problem is caused by an EFS/modem mismatch or a corrupt EFS partition. This is a potential cause but its more likely you have flashed a ROM with the incorrect CSC (Customer Sales Code) for your phone network. For example, you can experience this error if you've flashed a BTU ROM when your network requires a H3G (Three) CSC. It can also be caused by flashing a ROM using the PDA instead of the CSC option under Odin. You can check your current CSC by dialling *#1234# or connecting your phone to Kies.
If you flashed with Odin and you're sure you flashed a ROM with the correct CSC, the first thing to try is flashing the same ROM using Odin's CSC mode instead of PDA mode. If your phone is rooted you can try changing the CSC mode using a CSC changer app but be warned that doing so will perform a factory reset - wiping all your settings, apps, messages and locally stored contacts etc. If none of those methods restore your correct IMEI, serial and network connectivity then a number of S3 users have reported success by flashing A.S._id's rescue firmware.​
[SIZE=+1]Q9: I'm sure I've correctly flashed an SGSIII ROM with the right CSC for my network but why can I still not make calls?[/size]
If your phone was running an Android version less than v4.3 before you flashed a new ROM then you may need to install a patched modem and, if you upgraded to a newer stock ROM, a patched kernel too such as the zuluman modem FW/kernel. You will usually not need to install a patched kernel if you install CyanogenMod or a CM-based ROM. A number of kernels and modem firmwares patched for Android 4.3+ are available here.​
[SIZE=+1]Q10: What is the best ROM for the SGSIII?[/size]
Galaxy ROMs come in two flavours. CyanogenMod-based ROMs and TouchWiz-based ROMs. CyanogenMod is completely open source and forms the basis of several derivatives such as AOKP, ParanoidAndroid and many more. These ROMs lack a number of features exclusive to Samsung's TouchWiz like Svoice, Smart Stay, S-Beam and so on. On the other hand, they generally perform better thanks to consuming less resources.
There is no such thing as 'the best rom', it is a subjective matter. Please read this sticky thread in the General section.​
[SIZE=+1]Q11: Where can I download the official firmware files from?[/size]
Official firmware files are available here.​
[SIZE=+1]Q12: How do I enable Debug mode?[/size]
Since Android 4.2 debug (developer) mode has been hidden by default. Debug mode can be enabled by tapping 7 times on Build number under Settings -> About Phone.​
[SIZE=+1]Q13: How do I enter Download Mode and Recovery mode?[/size]
Make sure your phone is unplugged and powered off, then:
Download Mode: Hold Volume down, home, and power until you see the green dude.
Recovery: Hold Volume up, home, and power for about 5 seconds then release all buttons. This might take a couple of tries.​
[SIZE=+1]Q14: What is the 'Flash Counter'?[/size]
Your phone's flash counter is triggered and incremented after installing a custom firmware. This is Samsung's way of knowing that you have modded your device. Thanks to the awesome people at XDA, this counter can be reset. Refer to this thread.​
[SIZE=+1]Q15: What is ADB and how do I use it?[/size]
[GUIDE] ADB Workshop and Guide for everyone​
[SIZE=+1]Q16: I've been asked to provide a logcat. How do I do that?[/size]
How to read a logcat/ Troubleshoot your own issues!​
[SIZE=+1]Q17: TitaniumBackup can't find my backups anymore![/size]
This usually occurs after upgrading to Android 4.2 when users forget to also update the recovery partition. Older recoveries can't handle the multiuser support on the sdcards so your data got repeatedly shifted to a folder named 0, resulting in /sdcard/0/0/0... etc. That is where your backups have gone! You simply have to update TitaniumBackup's settings to point to the correct location and your backups will re-appear.​
[SIZE=+1]Q18: I have searched everywhere and still can't find an answer to my question![/size]
Have you really searched everywhere? Google? Have you tried asking in the XDA thread relating to your problem? Have you read the stickies and FAQs? If you have honestly spent more than 5-10 minutes searching for an answer, post a new thread in the Q&A section.​
This FAQ is part of a Recognized Contributor Group Initiative.Please look for a similar FAQ thread when visiting another device forum.
A special thanks to everyone who contributed to the production of this FAQ​

pfmdan said:
Hi XDA S3 users!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! Thanks for your work, I've copy-pasted your complete proposal to the op of the FAQ thread, Thanks a lot for you hard work again!

You're welcome Zatta!

One more thing...
I should add something like this too:
Q. How do I flash TWRP under Linux /UNIX / OSX?
A. Boot your phone into Download Mode, connect it to your computer then run a command such as this:
Code:
sudo heimdall flash --RECOVERY openrecovery-twrp-2.8.5.0-i9300.img

Related

[Q] Flashing Concerns/Clarifications

Hello!
I've been researching a lot the last few days about flashing ROMs, Unbranding and Root etc..
i currently have SGS2 which is also my first Smartphone / Andriod Phone.
So even tho I've read FAQ's Wikis guides. etc i still have some things to get cleared up. which i hope some here could help me with ^_^.
1. I live in Scandinavia, more specific Denmark. Do i have to use Certain "CSC" and "PHONE" Number/Codes, for the phone to work, where i live. afaik. the CSC and Phone is the things that controls WIFI BT GPS, and the 2g/3g networks.
2. Sometimes i see people mention "Kernel" and that its important to use a rom based on the same "kernel" is kernel just another word for firmware? the thing is i think its entirely different. some clarification is needed here.
3. If i flash a modified Stock rom To my phone. with ROOT CWM for example this one (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399). is it possible to undo Root and CWM. i'm in doubt because further down in the thread, he states by flashing a stock rom onto the phone, you can remove the triangle but not the root and cwm.
This is the things that is still unclear for me. and since it's my first time to try and do all this, i must be 100% sure, i understand it all correctly.
Thanks!
Edited the first post.
If the questions is hard to understand, i can try and Re-formulate them.
//Tolana
1. I live in Scandinavia, more specific Denmark. Do i have to use Certain "CSC" and "PHONE" Number/Codes, for the phone to work, where i live. afaik. the CSC and Phone is the things that controls WIFI BT GPS, and the 2g/3g networks.
on your dialler enter *#1234# and look at the last 3 letters of the description under PDA.
- You will also find this info if you go in to settings\about phone\Baseband Version
2. Sometimes i see people mention "Kernel" and that its important to use a rom based on the same "kernel" is kernel just another word for firmware? the thing is i think its entirely different. some clarification is needed here.
Similar to what I mentioned above, use one of the ROMs that has the same 'extension' as your phone now as it is most likely using the same modem etc..
3. If i flash a modified Stock rom To my phone. with ROOT CWM for example this one (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399). is it possible to undo Root and CWM. i'm in doubt because further down in the thread, he states by flashing a stock rom onto the phone, you can remove the triangle but not the root and cwm.
If you flash a stock, unmodified ROM, it will remove root. It's like getting an update from Samsung directly.
Tolana said:
Hello!
I've been researching a lot the last few days about flashing ROMs, Unbranding and Root etc..
i currently have SGS2 which is also my first Smartphone / Andriod Phone.
So even tho I've read FAQ's Wikis guides. etc i still have some things to get cleared up. which i hope some here could help me with ^_^.
2. Sometimes i see people mention "Kernel" and that its important to use a rom based on the same "kernel" is kernel just another word for firmware? the thing is i think its entirely different. some clarification is needed here.
Kernel is not firmware its the base below OS level that communicates with the CPU . Firmware is a full package CSC Modem OS Kernel APPS .
Kernels can be mixed but thats a user choice and user accepts it may not work well .
3. If i flash a modified Stock rom To my phone. with ROOT CWM for example this one (http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...ecovery jig .
Makes it much easier .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answers.
I'm still a bit unclear on my first subject.
The Modem/PHONE number, does it have to be a specific "Scandinavia Compatible" Number/Code for my phone to function with calls etc.
the same goes for the CSC code.
Thanks again.
//Tolana
Some users report that particular radios/modems work better in certain countries than others, but you sohuld be able to use ANY of the modem/radios found on these forums on your SGS2.
For example, my phone came with KE1 radio. I flashed KE7 to match the cf kernel installed when rooting. It works fine
Right. Thank You!

[Q] 2.3.5 Upgrade Questions

Dear Community,
I just joined the forums today but have done quite a bit of reading already, particularly about the upgrade to 2.3.5 i hope to carry out in the near future once i clear up just a few remaining points.
Just for the record: i have watched the introductory video prior to registration and am well informed concerning my duty to "search before asking". And while i have 'scoured' the forums for answers to every one of the questions i am about to ask, it could very well be that relevant information has eluded me by virtue of chance.
To a certain extent, these questions have in fact been answered to a certain extent already, however most have not been answered to a degree i consider sufficient before taking the plunge into firmware flashing. I therefore appreciate that to more experienced users my inquires might seem somewhat redundant. The most i can offer in return is to create an intelligible and clearly structured post that might serve to help others who find themselves in a situation similar to my own.
Here goes:
1. Frankenstein Firmwares: As the name would imply, these are custom ROM packages that are not official in the sense that they are not available through Samsung Kies (i.e. official channels), however they consist entirely of stock components. In other words, they are only considered custom because they are available in a particular configuration not officially sanctioned by Samsung and not available via their official channels.
Is this assessment correct?
2. Flashing via Odin vs. ClockWorkMod (CWM): To tell the truth, i am not sure to what extent these two are actually related. According to willk22's excellent FAQ CWM is " designed so that if the user messes up a ROM installation, they can recover their phone. CWM is a modified recovery installed into the recovery partition that allows advanced control over ROM recovery, installation and much more." According to this FAQ, it can also to "install a ROM contained inside a flashable .zip file."
Based on what i have been able to gather, ROM packages destined for flashing via ODIN cannot be flashed via CWM and vice versa. Just out of curiosity, when would i use CWM to install a ROM and when Odin? Is this left solely to the discretion of the developer? What are the major differences?
3. Frankenstein Firmwares vs. Carrier Specific vs. Country Specific: What i don't precisely understand in this regard is how the CSC (Consumer Software Customization) relates to the different ROM packages. For example:
Intratech, in his extremely helpful ROM thread offers a number of packages for download that are considered "multi-csc", meaning that by typing a certain key combination into my phone i can gain access to a 'hidden' menu which will allow to determine the CSC version. If i then select my carriers CSC, what would the exact difference be between a custom carrier firmware and the firmware with the specific carrier CSC selected?
4. Android 2.3.5 for SGS2: Assuming i want to install ('flash') the latest android firmware version containing Android 2.3.5 for my SGS2, which firmware would i be best advised to use? I assume that i would probably be most sensible to use Intratech's XWKI8 / XXKI3 / XXKI4 Frankenstein Firmwares. Assuming, however, that i live in Poland or the 'Nordic Countries' (for which an official 2.3.5 firmware already exists), would it then be more sensible to use the country specific firmware build?
5. GSM / 3G Issues: I read in a few individual posts that flashing a country specific firmware (e.g. Poland or Nordic Countries) could result in loss of 3G coverage or otherwise inhibit cellular service. Is there any truth to these rumors?
6. The Jig: I know what the USB Jig does (it is a physical piece of hardware used to reset the flash count of the SGS2 used in case the phone needs to be shipped to Samsung for maintenance) but i am not sure when exactly it needs to be used. For example, if i flash one of the firmware packages mentioned above (XWKI8 / XXKI3 / XXKI4), would i need to use a jig to reset my flash count to zero? Or does the use of a jig only matter when rooting a phone - rooting of course not being necessary for firmware flashing in this case - ?
Thats it for now. Thanks for bearing with me, and thanks in advance for reading my post.
HeroTwin
HeroTwin said:
Dear Community,
I just joined the forums today but have done quite a bit of reading already, particularly about the upgrade to 2.3.5 i hope to carry out in the near future once i clear up just a few remaining points.
Just for the record: i have watched the introductory video prior to registration and am well informed concerning my duty to "search before asking". And while i have 'scoured' the forums for answers to every one of the questions i am about to ask, it could very well be that relevant information has eluded me by virtue of chance.
To a certain extent, these questions have in fact been answered to a certain extent already, however most have not been answered to a degree i consider sufficient before taking the plunge into firmware flashing. I therefore appreciate that to more experienced users my inquires might seem somewhat redundant. The most i can offer in return is to create an intelligible and clearly structured post that might serve to help others who find themselves in a situation similar to my own.
Here goes:
1. Frankenstein Firmwares: As the name would imply, these are custom ROM packages that are not official in the sense that they are not available through Samsung Kies (i.e. official channels), however they consist entirely of stock components. In other words, they are only considered custom because they are available in a particular configuration not officially sanctioned by Samsung and not available via their official channels.
Is this assessment correct?
2. Flashing via Odin vs. ClockWorkMod (CWM): To tell the truth, i am not sure to what extent these two are actually related. According to willk22's excellent FAQ CWM is " designed so that if the user messes up a ROM installation, they can recover their phone. CWM is a modified recovery installed into the recovery partition that allows advanced control over ROM recovery, installation and much more." According to this FAQ, it can also to "install a ROM contained inside a flashable .zip file."
Based on what i have been able to gather, ROM packages destined for flashing via ODIN cannot be flashed via CWM and vice versa. Just out of curiosity, when would i use CWM to install a ROM and when Odin? Is this left solely to the discretion of the developer? What are the major differences?
3. Frankenstein Firmwares vs. Carrier Specific vs. Country Specific: What i don't precisely understand in this regard is how the CSC (Consumer Software Customization) relates to the different ROM packages. For example:
Intratech, in his extremely helpful ROM thread offers a number of packages for download that are considered "multi-csc", meaning that by typing a certain key combination into my phone i can gain access to a 'hidden' menu which will allow to determine the CSC version. If i then select my carriers CSC, what would the exact difference be between a custom carrier firmware and the firmware with the specific carrier CSC selected?
4. Android 2.3.5 for SGS2: Assuming i want to install ('flash') the latest android firmware version containing Android 2.3.5 for my SGS2, which firmware would i be best advised to use? I assume that i would probably be most sensible to use Intratech's XWKI8 / XXKI3 / XXKI4 Frankenstein Firmwares. Assuming, however, that i live in Poland or the 'Nordic Countries' (for which an official 2.3.5 firmware already exists), would it then be more sensible to use the country specific firmware build?
5. GSM / 3G Issues: I read in a few individual posts that flashing a country specific firmware (e.g. Poland or Nordic Countries) could result in loss of 3G coverage or otherwise inhibit cellular service. Is there any truth to these rumors?
Thats it for now. Thanks for bearing with me, and thanks in advance for reading my post.
HeroTwin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lengthy post there bud. I will answer to the best as far as I know as I am not all clued up either.
Q1 - yes is is correct because of the demand of different modems and csc packages.
Q2 - as far as I know you use odin to flash stock roms and CWM to flash custom roms. however CWM has a few nice features like wipe battery stats and NANDbackup.
(Hope you read about usb jig to reset your counter after flashing for warranty reasons)
Q3 - I am in South Africa where 2.3.3 is available via kies and I flashed both XXKI3 and XWKI8 so it is not country specific. I am not too sure if it applies if your device is carrier branded and you would like to keep it that way then you have to flash official firmware in carrier firmware thread or wait for kies.
The csc is for specific network settings such as texts, mms and phone calls. People sometimes have the problem of calls not coming thru or not being able to send texts. By flashing the csc for your region solves this problem.
The loss of coverage is related to the csc is what I think. Once you flash your csc it should be solved. Not too sure though. Ask the pro's to confirm but I have not had issues. But because I am on csc of my region
1edge1 said:
Lengthy post there bud. I will answer to the best as far as I know as I am not all clued up either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes; i might have been able to cut back on some things, but i also wanted this thread to be useful to people who find it through search so i decided it would be good to provide a bit of context.
1edge1 said:
The csc is for specific network settings such as texts, mms and phone calls. People sometimes have the problem of calls not coming thru or not being able to send texts. By flashing the csc for your region solves this problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing! There are CSC's for both regions and carriers. If i have the correct CSC of my region is that just as good as having the correct CSC of my carrier? I recently changed my CSC from my carrier specific to my region in order to get official updates faster and have not noticed any coverage issues whatsoever, so ive been wondering to what extent this makes any difference...
HeroTwin said:
Yes; i might have been able to cut back on some things, but i also wanted this thread to be useful to people who find it through search so i decided it would be good to provide a bit of context.
That's the thing! There are CSC's for both regions and carriers. If i have the correct CSC of my region is that just as good as having the correct CSC of my carrier? I recently changed my CSC from my carrier specific to my region in order to get official updates faster and have not noticed any coverage issues whatsoever, so ive been wondering to what extent this makes any difference...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the csc for your region, it will automatically be able to detect your carrier's settings. The csc are for regions, not carriers. If you flashed your region. Your good to go
lets try to give you so clear answer to your questions.
1. frankenstein versions are not custom roms and not official roms, they are different generic files mixed togather to allow for customizable for different regions by flashing different csc. they can be seen by kies depending on which csc is used.
custom roms cannot be seen by kies as the extensive customization to the files has removed or altered certain checks used by kies to determine if it is upgradable.
2. flashing via odin is using tar files and can be done external without the phone working as you can enter download mode by using the external hardware buttons.
CWM is a modified file used on a rooted phone which gives you more access to the file structure of your phone so you can install certain files like apks seperately. ODin will not allow individual apks to be installed by themselves.
CWM uses zip files if you want to flash custom roms are the developers can in future upgrades just replace certain files and post them within hours but tar files take a little longer to make.
cwm uses stored files on your internal sd card to maker changes but odin uses external files that have to be downloaded to your computer.
you can use internet on your phone to download the files then uses cwm to flash them as zip files usually have the installer as part of the file..
odin files have to be downloaded to your pc and a special installer packager called odin or heimdall if you are using a linux based machine to flash them.
3. basically the difference is that frankenstein versions as explained earlier are generic versions and not carrier specic roms which can be adjusted through the uses of modems and csc.
modems supplied with carrier branded roms will not work in other regions as their mdems (radios) for different regions and countries.
csc does the same as the modem but is geared to the data end of the phone.
4. if you want to stay as close t stock as possible use frankenstein versions with the csc for your region amd you can use odin to flash it.
if you want custom roms follow the developers instructions and use cwm to flash it.
5. Yes the rumors are true, different regions use different modens (radio)
Thanks for the replies - i believe i am slowly starting to get my head around firmware flashing.
Just one more question:
modems supplied with carrier branded roms will not work in other regions as their mdems (radios) for different regions and countries.
csc does the same as the modem but is geared to the data end of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this would mean, if i wanted to install Intratech's 2.3.5 Frnakenstein Firmware, that i would:
First: Flash the entire 2.3.5 standard package
Second: Flash one of the Multi-CSC packages that contains the necessary CSC for my region so that my network settings and mobile internet work properly.
Is this correct
What do i do about the modem/radio? I see that there is a special are where you can flash the the CSC in Odin, but there is not corresponding way to flash the modem. Will altering the CSC also change the necessary radio/modem settings?
Thanks again!
HeroTwin said:
Thanks for the replies - i believe i am slowly starting to get my head around firmware flashing.
Just one more question:
So this would mean, if i wanted to install Intratech's 2.3.5 Frnakenstein Firmware, that i would:
First: Flash the entire 2.3.5 standard package
Second: Flash one of the Multi-CSC packages that contains the necessary CSC for my region so that my network settings and mobile internet work properly.
Is this correct
What do i do about the modem/radio? I see that there is a special are where you can flash the the CSC in Odin, but there is not corresponding way to flash the modem. Will altering the CSC also change the necessary radio/modem settings?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you are starting to understand the concept.
you can flash modems using phone section of odin.
Cosmic Blue said:
Yes, you are starting to understand the concept.
you can flash modems using phone section of odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK..however the case with Intratech's packages seems to be that he only offers the CSC for download separately, whereas the 'Modem' is combined with the PDA and the CSC in one .TAR file, with the occasional exception for certain packages. I double checked the the Modem in the standard package is the correct one for my region anyway, so i wont even need to be flashing it fortunately.
Thanks again for the help!
modems can be downloaded separately if need or unzip the tar package into its seperate components depending on what you are trying to do.
You are fortunate that the rom suits your needs.
Cosmic Blue said:
modems can be downloaded separately if need or unzip the tar package into its seperate components depending on what you are trying to do.
You are fortunate that the rom suits your needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that is really quite lucky. I do have one question remaining however:
Will i need to reset my install counter with USB hardware jug after i upgrade my firmware using Intratech's packages?
Please note, i don't intend to root my phone - I just hope to upgrade the firmware.
Thanks again for all the great support!
Only if you plan on having some work done at a service centre otherwise do not worry about it. It has no effect on how your phone works.
Thanks!
I have successfully carried out the update and have made a small guide/FAQ detailing my experiences, which could be of use to other beginners who wish to flash their devices for the first time.
>>> Absolute Beginners Guide to Flashing Firmware to SGS2 via Odin
I really hope this guide can help others.
If there are any changes or modifications i should make, please just let me know!

[Q] XXEMG4 firmware with XXUGMJ9 modem - Expert opinion?

Hi all!
As you may be aware, Samsung released a very buggy and laggy fail of a 4.3 update to our precious i9300's, causing battery drain etc. I was one of those who received the OTA from UK (I did not manually flash the Irish or other any region firmware’s, I genuinely got a software update notification and naively hit "download"...). What a mistake. Now, instead of making this a rant like most other frustrated people in possession of the update on their S3's, I would like peoples opinion of the following question:
Would it be a sensible or feasible idea to manually downgrade the S3 to 4.1.2 (XXEMG4), BUT afterwards flash the 4.3 (XXUGMJ9) modem?
We all know that Samsung updated the EFS format in the 4.3 (or 4.2.2 leaked... debatable?) firmware, causing "Not registered to network" havoc among those who attempt to downgrade to 4.1.2 due to modem incompatabilities.
I understand flashing modems is risky business, and can lead to a very beautiful paperweight if not done correctly. Therefore I request the Knowledgeable XDA Community members to give their opinion.
Advice, suggestions and warnings are all welcome.
Many Thanks in advance
God bless the Search function...
Yes, I did search before but just found out this thread afterwards:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47555014#post47555014
It explains how to downgrade the S3 with 4.3 to 4.1.2
I will try when I get home, and will update if it works or not incase someone else stumbles upon this thread..
In the mean time any responses would still be appreciated :fingers-crossed:
Hey all again, if anyone is reading this that is...
Surprisingly enough, I flashed the stock 4.1.2 United Kingdom BTU firmware, and everything is working as normal.
I would've expected there to be "Not registered to network issues", but texting, calling and mobile internet are all working fine.
Note that I didn't even flash the patched modem as mentioned in the guide yet, the phone worked as normal after flashing the stock 4.1.2 UK BTU firmware and even recognised that I was roaming (currently in the Netherlands!! ). Don't ask me why, but it just works... which is AWESOME because I have a functioning S3 again without any further patching/modding!!!
For those of you wondering, my IMEI also comes up as normal, and again no "Not registered to netwrok" issues.
For anyone wanting to try and my results, here is what I did:
FIRST AND FOREMOST BACKUP DATA. THIS IS A DANGEROUS OPERATION AND COULD POTENTIALLY BRICK YOUR DEVICE. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING ON THIS THREAD AND FOR ANYTHING THAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR DEVICE AS A RESULT OF FOLLOWING THIS GUIDE. BY FOLLOWING IT YOU ACCEPT THIS.
1. First, just read the guide above. Don't do anything, just read it. Here once again: Downgrading from 4.3 to 4.2.1 and the No Network Issue...
2. Now back-up your EFS. I CANNOT STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS (hopefully bold caps will work...).
You will need root, so follow this guide if you do not already have root: How to Root & Install CWM on Samsung Galaxy S3 [Guide]
I used the following thread to backup EFS: [TOOL]Backup/Restore EFS (IMEI) for all SGSIII . I used the SAMSUNG_I9300_EFS_BACKUP.zip file to backup my EFS. NOTE: If you don't know what EFS is, read [REF] IMEI / EFS - Know this stuff (i9300) - including "no network"
3. Now download the stock firmware you want to downgrade to. In my case it was 4.1.2 United Kingdom BTU from SamMobile. (I9300XXUGMJ9_I9300OXAGMJ9_I9300XXUGMJ9_HOME.tar.md5)
4. Before you install stock firmware, we need to use TrianglAway to reset binary counter to 0: [2013.10.04][ROOT] TriangleAway v3.10 This is because rooting causes binary counter to increase.
Install the .apk as normal and run. Follow all instructions carefully. When TriangleAway says "press volume up to reboot", press volume up, and then when the screen goes black quickly pull out the battery. After 10 secs put the battery back in. Hold down Vol Down + Home + Power. Then press volume up to go to Download mode. You see binary count 0
5. Pull out the battery again. Wait 10 secs. Put battery back in. Hold down Vol Up + Home + Power to enter stock recovery. Scroll down to Wipe Data/Factory Reset and press Power to select. This will wipe your phone clean, removing 4.3 update and data.
6. Pull out battery when done. Wait 10 secs. Insert battery again. Enter download mode again by pressing Vol Down + Home + Power. Then press Vol Up to enter Download Mode.
7. Open Odin, and connect your phone. Select PDA and select the .tar.md5 official 4.1.2 firmware you want to downgrade to.
8. Wait for Odin (will seem like Odin has froze but it is just checking md5 of firmware). Then click Start.
9. Once Odin is done, it will inform you and your phone will automatically restart into official stock 4.1.2 firmware! Go through setup process and finish. Now check your IMEI. And try to call a friend. And text another friend to see how they are. At this point my S3 was working normal, just like it was before the 4.3 update.
There you go, these are the steps I followed to downgrade my phone, without applying patched XXEMG4 modem hope it works out well for you guys as it did for me
If this doesn't work, then flash the XXEMG4 patched modem as stated in the guide above or in step 1. I have not tested so am unsure of results.
Have a nice day
Also many thanks to the general XDA community, and especially those who have taken the tine to write the threads as linked in above post.
You guys ROCK!
Solidcancer07 said:
Also many thanks to the general XDA community, and especially those who have taken the tine to write the threads as linked in above post.
You guys ROCK!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi, where did you find flashable modem / ril xxugmj9?
sperelli said:
hi, where did you find flashable modem / ril xxugmj9?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Looking for flashable MG+ modems. Anyone.

[Q} Reverting to stock rom/upgraded rom (modem worry)

Hi all
Recently I upgraded from Samsungs stock 4.1.2 firmware to CyanogenMod 10.2 Stable (based on 4.3.1) using their installer program. Since upgrading the Wifi has been unusable and I have not managed to get the problem resolved through their forums so I have decided to go back to the stock rom.
Now that Samsung have re-released 4.3 for the S3 in the UK (after the one from last month which was pulled for problems) I would like to use this one as it fixes a bluetooth streaming issue I have endured for a long time. I can't find this new firmware for download anywhere so wondered if it is feasible to download say the stock rom 4.1.2 and then upgrade somehow? I have a red line on the bootup screen which shows it has been modified (which triangle away won't remove due to custom rom/bootloader or something like that) so I believe this means I will be blocked from then upgrading from 4.3 OTA but able to do so with Kies?
Being a novice at this I am obviously worried about breaking my phone and I am not sure if having i9300XXEMG4 as a baseband version is an issue among other things after reading the forums. As much as I have read about EFS and the downgrading modem problems, none of it is making sense to me at the moment, even after reading all the documents. Brain freeze maybe!
The cyanogenMod also changed recovery and unlocked the bootloader going by what I have read, is this an issue I need to worry about?
Any advice that can take away some worries and get me on the right path would be muchly appreciated!
You are posting in the wrong forum .
UNDERSTAND FIRST
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2362743
Network IMEI EFS
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2393289
Downgrade and network problems .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2531221
JJEgan said:
You are posting in the wrong forum .
UNDERSTAND FIRST
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2362743
Network IMEI EFS
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2393289
Downgrade and network problems .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2531221
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your post. I did follow a link in the !!ALL QUESTIONS GO IN THE Q&A FORUM!! OR THEY MAY BE DELETED!! sticky thread which took me to the Q&A forum where I thought I was posting. It is possible a confusion happened during the sign up process.
After reading those threads, two of which I had already read before posting, I have more understanding than I did before. Somehow I missed about the S3 not having a locked bootlader to begin with. I have backup up the EFS using Ktool but also understand it would have been more useful to do before flashing CM 10.2 as I now only have a EFS v2 backup rather than a version 1. What I am unsure of is what is my best action to take at the moment, going by the information I have. I can it is best not to go downgrade to earlier firmwares unless I wanted an added headache of the modem workarounds but do not see the best way to get back to a stock 4.3 firmware still.
I am on Three mobile (H3G) in the UK but don't think my phone is actually locked to them and don't know if that means the BTU is the option I should be choosing. Even so, when I check the firmwares on http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/2/ I can only see a firmware added last month which I have to assume is the bad 4.3 update that hit the UK and was pulled after the problems it caused. If it was my best option for flashing, even with the problems it caused, how would I then go about getting the extra update that Samsung pushed out to fix the problem?
I saw the Korean factory flash in one of the threads too, not sure if this is too extreme (and potentially more dangerous) than the other options which may be available to me.
Obviously I would like to do this right the first time, rather than stumble backwards fixing all the mistakes I make at the time. So sorry if I am asking what may be simple to some. My knowledge of phones sucks and I wish I hadn't been tempted by the easy looking Cyanogenmod installer now!
Noticed after a few cache and devlik cleans and reboots that the wifi started working on the CM 10.2 mod but only for the main browser and hit and miss with google play. Every over app didn't work on wifi though, but did on cell. I googled all over to see many with similar problems, which suggested manually setting the time and date and static ip settings, clean davlik and updating play apps after deleting their cache.
None of them worked. So to potentially getting away from flashing, does anyone know any other ideas to resolve this? Wifi connects, stock google browser works, Play works flakey. Other installed browsers wont load any pages or connect to the net, such as speed testing app. The only unusual app that also works in a twitter app. Installed an app to see if there was a hidden proxy setting, but it found nothing, Really strange. All the apps work on cell.
Follow the guide in general forum, stickies, to flash back to stock BTU. Network lock is irrelevant to rom.
Choose either 4.1.2 or 4.3 but your baseband must be EMG or later as you now have efs v2.
Don't flash things you don't fully understand, any non Samsung rom has drawbacks you'll have to live with.
In the stickies is a world of information supposed to help you.
boomboomer said:
Follow the guide in general forum, stickies, to flash back to stock BTU. Network lock is irrelevant to rom.
Choose either 4.1.2 or 4.3 but your baseband must be EMG or later as you now have efs v2.
Don't flash things you don't fully understand, any non Samsung rom has drawbacks you'll have to live with.
In the stickies is a world of information supposed to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appreciate you giving me a direction to go. It seems the problem I had finding firmwares the last few days were due to Hotfile going offline and Sammobile rebuilding their index of firmwares. I found through the forums 4.3 BTU I9300XXUGMJ9_I9300OXAGMJ9_BTU.zip which contained a 1.5GB file called I9300XXUGMJ9_I9300OXAGMJ9_I9300XXUGMJ9_HOME.tar.md5 which I think is the correct one which I will try and flash later using the guides. It's not the new fixed 4.3, it's the older broken one but I guess in time I can apply the fix that Samsung are pushing out. This was part of my original question and now i have seen from other posts in the last few days that there is no full copy of the 4.3 anywhere.
The timing of me doing this appears to have been bad for a few of the above reasons, making working it out more difficult to work out for someone who has not done this before.
I can see from your signature and also your post that you think questions such as mine are easily answered in the various threads and through search. Personally I did try all those options first but either my lack of understanding or the overwhelming amount of information meant I was unsure as to what I should actually be doing, let alone which guide to follow. Even googling for BTU or searching xda to try and find what it means was fruitless so trying to put the pieces together is not easy if you have no experience with phones. I have programmed a Pi to do many tasks, built mainframe>SAS gateways and various technical challenges but I still struggle with all the phone flashing info
Many thanks again. Even a few words have been helpful
If you flash the kernel from the Chinese ZCUBMK it will fix all the broken parts of the current uk rom, until the latest ota emerges on xda.
I don't mind helping people who have made a genuine attempt to help themselves, my signature is aimed at the those who flash anything they find then demand someone give them an instant fix.
Your only mistake seems to have been the depth of research before you started, which could have been fatal to your phone -many first time flashes end up with a new motherboard required.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
If the ota doesn't work in the next few day's I will try that kernel, thanks for that info!
I managed to flash the older official 4.3 firmware just now, so progress has been made A quick check shows me that the power on/lock screen lag problem is present so I assume the other issues will be there too. The red line showing the flash counter has gone and I got no modified phone error when attempting an ota update, as well as device status saying official, so I assume I should be able to upgrade that way when they allow more upgrades on the rollout server.
In case anyone else needs to do the same, this is what I did:
1) Downloaded https://mega.co.nz/#!DVxVgZZb!LIxKGA2Q_KbBH9APo_slOCdZNGJgfn1O6fxOF4C OkHA which I found via a thread titled [Official Firmwares] I9300XXUGMJ9 (Android 4.3) - Ireland (VDI) [04-11-13]
2) Followed the flashing instructions on this page
3) After flashing I got stuck at the Samsung boot screen with the blue light on, even after reseting a few times. So I powered off, held down the home button, volume up and then the power button which took me to the recovery screen where I chose the factory default option. All worked fine after that.
Thanks once again for your help with this boomboomer. A bit of direction was enough to give me the confidence to try it. It's nice to be back to a familiar interface (although it has changed from the 4.1.2 I had before) but the initial setup reminded me of all the bloatware installed. It's a fair bit slower than CyanogenMod was but it all seems to work ok. Once I get the ota update i'll root and freeze some apps to sort that out. Now to install TSF shell

Problem Reverting to Stock Rom

Hi all,
I installed CM11 onto my S5830i (GB) and managed to get it all working. I had to install S5360_XXMK1 modem and a newer version of CWM to prevent the "Status 7" error. Anyway, it all worked and I had CM11 up and running. Unfortunately, I had to remove it, I couldn't click any links in the browser and the browser was slow as all buggery even on a fast wifi connection. So I fired up Odin and tried to put the stock firmware on (i don't have an original state backup, the phone came with a custom rom on it already). I got these files
CSC_S5830i_BTUMD1.tar.md5
MODEM_S5830i_XXMD1.tar.md5
PDA_S5830i_XXMD1.tar.md5
But something's messing up, after Odin does its thing and the phone restarts, I notice something on the screen during restart saying it failed to format the /data partition. When I let the phone boot up normally it just stays on the "Samsung" startup animation forever. If I go into samsung recovery and try to do a factory reset, this is what I see
Code:
-- Wiping data...
Formatting /data...
E:format_volume: rfs format failed on /dev/stl11
Formatting /cache...
Data wipe complete.
Obviously, something's wrong there, can anyone tell me how to fix it pleeeeese, I'd be eternally grateful.
Thanks
NS
EDIT: I think the CM install may have messed around with my partitioning. I do not have a pit file for the phone (GB Version) and am reluctant to be using the re-partition option in Odin. I can find pit files online, but they're either not the correct version or the poster doesn't even say what version it is. I am just so lost and confused with all this.
@NicSure, Flashing wrong base band into your Ace-i is ill advised mate, go to CM11 discussion topic and read my comments . ( You will damage your EFS partition,thus device may become hard bricked in many cases)
As for troubleshooting : Already explained all of the instructions in details in many places, So I will provide links/hints for now. If your problem persisted, let us know
Here we go mate:
1. Official source for your stock firmware CSC/MODEM/PDA >> this page (sammobile.com)
2. Study this topic to get the hang of Wipe flash-able packages,,, How to produce them, Boot looder and pit files required for the process , etc etc,, all well instructed here
3. Read few last pages of this topic; my comments; for more insight into your problem. Please be advised you have already converted your partitions into MTD ,therefore formatting /data ( concerting back into RFS partitions ) might be failure through CWM/e3 recovery >> Odin process is required for"stl11" .
Hope I did help you
ehsanotaku said:
@NicSure, Flashing wrong base band into your Ace-i is ill advised mate, go to CM11 discussion topic and read my comments . ( You will damage your EFS partition,thus device may become hard bricked in many cases)
As for troubleshooting : Already explained all of the instructions in details in many places, So I will provide links/hints for now. If your problem persisted, let us know
Here we go mate:
1. Official source for your stock firmware CSC/MODEM/PDA >> this page (sammobile.com)
2. Study this topic to get the hang of Wipe flash-able packages,,, How to produce them, Boot looder and pit files required for the process , etc etc,, all well instructed here
3. Read few last pages of this topic; my comments; for more insight into your problem. Please be advised you have already converted your partitions into MTD ,therefore formatting /data ( concerting back into RFS partitions ) might be failure through CWM/e3 recovery >> Odin process is required for"stl11" .
Hope I did help you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but you were too technical. I have been to a lot of those pages you linked and it's not all obvious what's going on. You spoke about "base band", I have no idea what that is. I have no idea what RFS, MTD
are (file systems?), not do I know where to get a bootloader from. Sam mobile won't let me download anything without paying and/or signing up which I'm reluctant to do. I'll re-read the posts you linked to (I had already seen them) and see if something starts to make more sense.
For instance:
"Please be advised you have already converted your partitions into MTD ,therefore formatting /data ( concerting back into RFS partitions ) might be failure through CWM/e3 recovery >> Odin process is required for"stl11"
May as well have been in Klingon, I didn't understand a word of it.
EDIT:
I've reviewed those threads again. Seems I need to use split fus on the downloaded file from SamMobile (which I had to register to download, not happy about that) and use the "wipe" versions. I need a pit file, there's no info anywhere on how to get that. So I've just done a general google and hopefully I've downloaded one (more info on that is needed in the tuts). And the bootloader is attached to the unbrick thread, but, is that the ONLY bootloader? Do I need a specific one for my region? Do I need a specific pit file for my region? All this info is not supplied anywhere, Newcomers are not going to know this stuff and it needs to be made clear in the tutorials. Most of the tuts have broken links (split fus for instance), so I'm not sure if the stuff I googled is actually the same. Absolute nightmare.
NicSure said:
You spoke about "base band", I have no idea what that is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read the link was provided for your convenient. ( Absolutely suitable for beginners).
NicSure said:
I have no idea what RFS, MTD
are (file systems?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Robust File System" is more or less equivalent to your FAT/FAT32 of your PC ( Samsung file system Format,, not going to add "Journalling system" to the mix, since you are not a sport ,,FYI : You are supposed to know common terms such as MTD , RFS when you are massing with CM11 mate >> Read the first page thoroughly, before start experimenting with Cyanogen stuff,,,
MTD (Memory Technology Device) supports YAFFS2 as a file system residing on it and is considered some type of of Partition Map.
NicSure said:
not do I know where to get a boot loader from. Sam mobile won't let me download anything without paying and/or signing up which I'm reluctant to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again actually start reading this topic ( quite self explanatory).
NicSure said:
Seems I need to use split fus on the downloaded file from SamMobile (which I had to register to download, not happy about that) and use the "wipe" versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This topic contains well made Wipe packages ( European version is compatible with your device, If you are reluctant to register though).
NicSure said:
I need a pit file, there's no info anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, Read the topic I mentioned above. You are on Cooperve device, so be aware of wrong file ( "cooperve_0623.pit" resided inside Odin3.v3.07.Cooperve folder) All of the related links already provided , Just take your time and read mate.
I'd already read the posts you linked to multiple times thank you. They may be "straight forward" to you, but I can assure you they are certainly not so for a newcomer. Too many things are vague, missing or not explained properly.
In any case, I managed to get the stock firmware back on after trawling the internet for a .pit file, downloading the firmware, splitting it, taking the wipe versions with the pit and the bootloader and using Odin to fully flash the phone back to stock firmware, Finally. The tuts here are indeed a lot of help, but so so so disjointed.
Also, why would changing the base band effect the file system? How could it cause physical damage to NAND memory. I'm confused. I assume you mean physical damage, because if not, why would it be ill-advised to change it if it could just be changed back with no ill-effects?
@NicSure, First of all Thanks button implanted here for a good reason and most likely you are the first person who was complaining about my assistance (How information is organized and distributed for new commers is not my responsibility nor distribution of step-by-step instructions ) . Second of all You were complaining about the technical terms and jargon, But know you are asking for technical reason in regard of the consequences of flashing Galaxy Y GT-S5360 inside your ACE-i device !
I did mention about EFS partition corruption, which renders your device mobile network communication useless and hard bricking of your device.which is a phone that shows no signs of power-on and will not access download mode with button combo. You did assume wrong mate.
Generally speaking, Carriers use different radio frequencies in our respective countries , Different Devices do contain different modem hardware inside, So you are not encouraged to do what you have done in the first place.
If you are not flashing the correct versions for your phone , or if the flash gets interrupted there’s a good chance you will Hard Brick your device, thus we may need hardwired access to modify/erase and rewrite chip's code ( Service is required).
When a phone is in a hard-bricked state it’s most likely that the bootloaders, which is the phones initial code to launch the phones ROM, becomes corrupted.
The only way to revive the phone is to rewrite the bootloader code, because the phone does not power on ., So you see so many things could go wrong :silly:
ehsanotaku said:
@NicSure, First of all Thanks button implanted here for a good reason and most likely you are the first person who was complaining about my assistance (How information is organized and distributed for new commers is not my responsibility nor distribution of step-by-step instructions ) . Second of all You were complaining about the technical terms and jargon, But know you are asking for technical reason in regard of the consequences of flashing Galaxy Y GT-S5360 inside your ACE-i device !
I did mention about EFS partition corruption, which renders your device mobile network communication useless and hard bricking of your device.which is a phone that shows no signs of power-on and will not access download mode with button combo. You did assume wrong mate.
Generally speaking, Carriers use different radio frequencies in our respective countries , Different Devices do contain different modem hardware inside, So you are not encouraged to do what you have done in the first place.
If you are not flashing the correct versions for your phone , or if the flash gets interrupted there’s a good chance you will Hard Brick your device, thus we may need hardwired access to modify/erase and rewrite chip's code ( Service is required).
When a phone is in a hard-bricked state it’s most likely that the bootloaders, which is the phones initial code to launch the phones ROM, becomes corrupted.
The only way to revive the phone is to rewrite the bootloader code, because the phone does not power on ., So you see so many things could go wrong :silly:
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Click to collapse
Firstly, I'm not complaining, I'm criticizing, there's a difference. I was critical of your language and terminology as it didn't match the links you posted. Also the level of technical talk you used toward a clear newbie who would obviously never understand it without clarification. If that offends you then I'm sorry, I'm just speaking my mind. Help offered, no matter how kindly or freely is useless if it cannot be understood. I generally take a very irritated approach to people who post links (with the implication that the information is freely available if you'd bother to look) in response to perfectly polite questions, especially when I'd already read ALL the posts you linked to before and had trouble with them, that is why I posted, to get a little more basic understanding, not be presented with links to material I'd already read and needed help with. Also, after some researching, with regard to the base-band, I think you're wrong, there's no way flashing a different base-band separately could effect the bootloader, no way at all. I seriously doubt it could even cause corruption, that's liek saying installing the incorrect driver for a graphics card on a PC could corrupt the file system, just no. So far I've flashed many many different MODEM types onto my phone to try to test this, in some caes the phone boots, in some cases it doesn't etc.. Not once has the phone failed to go into Odin flash mode, and if it can get to that, it can be restored. So based on research and some experimental evidence conducted to test your assertion, I'd have to say that my initial findings are that your assertion is probably incorrect.
Also I learn very quickly. My knowledge of the subject had increased dramatically from my first post to my second. I learned c++ in a day for example, and was posting similar newbie questions on programming forums to which I was later replying with a level of knowledge that wasn't consistent with my initial post. It's just me, sorry about that. And thanks for trying to help, but I got it myself.
NicSure said:
... I can assure you they are certainly not so for a newcomer. Too many things are vague, missing or not explained properly. In any case, I managed to get the stock firmware back on after trawling the internet for a .pit file, downloading the firmware, splitting it, taking the wipe versions with the pit and the bootloader and using Odin to fully flash the phone back to stock firmware, Finally. The tuts here are indeed a lot of help, but so so so disjointed.
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Dear NicSure, I am in the same situation as yours, I was planning to "simply" (or maybe wrongly?) use Odin 3.09 and flash the Splitted files from here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-ace/s5830i-develop/stock-rom-odin-flashable-firmware-t3002776).
But you mentioned that also the ".pit" file is needed. Could you guide me through the process you followed to have back a Stock from CM11 ROM?
Thank you in advance!
thePanz said:
I was planning to "simply" (or maybe wrongly?) use Odin 3.09 and flash the Splitted files from here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-ace/s5830i-develop/stock-rom-odin-flashable-firmware-t3002776).
But you mentioned that also the ".pit" file is needed. Could you guide me through the process you followed to have back a Stock from CM11 ROM?
Thank you in advance!
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Per your request/confirmation @ development section/twr topic i would resume troubleshooting .
What is your device variation (5830i/C/M/V/5839i ) ? Do you have any Nandroid back up left inside your SD card from your original stock firmware partitions ? Can you see your IMEI number , when you are dialing "*#06#" ? Your original stock CSC/PDA/MODEM you are coming from ? Your Region / Country / carrier you are staying with at the moment and please give me the Totoro Modem part you did flash to get into the CM11 ? and for addressing part of your primary queries , Odin 3.07 works very well with variation I mentioned above ( you could use 3.09 with no harm though , but not recommended ) . Pit file also must be relevant, otherwise you will hard brick your device in many cases I observed .

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