Database Info

Bricked? And options?

I think I'm posting to the right place. I have been playing around with the various mods, tnt lite, vegan, cyanogen, and somewhere along the way it got stuck to the point it is giving me an error right when I start the tablet saying "magic value mismatch". First time it happened I was able to get back to recovery. And I tried to restore, and didn't work. Tried clearing cache and it hung there for over thirty minutes. Now I can't even get into recovery and error reads the magic value mismatch. So am I bricked or is there a way out of this? And anyone try returning a bricked tablet to Sears? I'm still within my 30 day window.
Sent from my Droid using XDA App

Here's a nice link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=860493

Thanks for the link. This seems to work, as I did not know the low level capabilities. Hopefully, I'll be mod'ing again soon! And for anyone in my position between these two links I figured it out where to get the files:
forum.tegratab.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8
forum.tegratab.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=18&p=170

Did you use a newer version of clockworkmod (.12 or higher) with the device, and attempted a firmeware update? If so, it's a known issue and it's why I'm still using .8, right now.
It's not bricked, btw. This device is virtually unbrickable - you will probably need nvflash to fix it, and I have a post that can point you in the right direction:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861950
Hope this helps!

Thanks, but I'm now getting the issue some others had in the other forums, but I don't see a fix where every boot ends up in APX mode. How do I get out of that?
As a side note, I did try the latest updated Clockwork recovery last night, which I believe is 2.5.1.8, that seemed like they added support from ROM Manager.

Sorry, I take it back used, the right zip file and everything is fine. I grabbed the one dated 2010112600 thinking it was a later version. Thanks for the help and the great threads and ROM's!

jkpatel79 said:
Sorry, I take it back used, the right zip file and everything is fine. I grabbed the one dated 2010112600 thinking it was a later version. Thanks for the help and the great threads and ROM's!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might one of the newer devices with the swapped partitions (thats the 11/26 one you used). We still don't know why this is - very bizarre as to why VS (or whatever vendor they use) did this.

roebeet said:
This device is virtually unbrickable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Virtually is right. I accidentally bricked mine because I hit one of the devkit .bats while trying to reflash to stock

[Q] bootloop advice request

Ok, I've been reading around on the forums here, and did a ton of research in the best way to set up my gTab before I even got it. I like to think I am not a n00b, but someone correct me if I come across as one.
I was running vegan 5.1 with no issues up until yesterday. Yesterday, I got the dreaded boot loop. Looking around, it seems the most popular answer to this is to repartition. But here is my first question:
(1) in my pre-purchase research, I came across this issue a lot, and so I made sure to repartition right away. since I've partitioned the recommended way once already, does this eliminate repartitioning as a potential solution to my issue?
NVFlash seems like the next most popular solution. In researching how to do this, I came across several references to backing up your data, etc. It appears I can go into clockwork and mount my device via usb (haven't tried it yet, sorry, my bad) to do this. I didn't however find any reference to exactly what I would want to back up. I did a backup in cwm .. so my next question is:
(2) should I pull the cwm backup files? if so (and if not), which files exactly should I be looking for? just stuff in the \data folder? and would I just copy them back onto the gTab after flashing?
Again, sorry if I am coming across as a n00b, but I really have spent good amount of time searching the forums -- I am just a little confused and want to make sure I have everything right before taking either of these steps.
Thanks!
Kaz

TheKaz said:
Ok, I've been reading around on the forums here, and did a ton of research in the best way to set up my gTab before I even got it. I like to think I am not a n00b, but someone correct me if I come across as one.
I was running vegan 5.1 with no issues up until yesterday. Yesterday, I got the dreaded boot loop. Looking around, it seems the most popular answer to this is to repartition. But here is my first question:
(1) in my pre-purchase research, I came across this issue a lot, and so I made sure to repartition right away. since I've partitioned the recommended way once already, does this eliminate repartitioning as a potential solution to my issue?
NVFlash seems like the next most popular solution. In researching how to do this, I came across several references to backing up your data, etc. It appears I can go into clockwork and mount my device via usb (haven't tried it yet, sorry, my bad) to do this. I didn't however find any reference to exactly what I would want to back up. I did a backup in cwm .. so my next question is:
(2) should I pull the cwm backup files? if so (and if not), which files exactly should I be looking for? just stuff in the \data folder? and would I just copy them back onto the gTab after flashing?
Again, sorry if I am coming across as a n00b, but I really have spent good amount of time searching the forums -- I am just a little confused and want to make sure I have everything right before taking either of these steps.
Thanks!
Kaz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clockwork and nvflash are 2 different thing,
for nvflash you need to power-up and hold the - of the volume, screen will show the bird then blank and it will try to load the APX usb driver on the computer. the UNIT IS MOUNTED INTO A SPECIAL TERMINAL recovery/command MODE
For clockwork you power-up and hold the + of the volume and recovery is executed, stock will simply load update.zip from the root of sdcard (internal memory), if clockwork is installed then the menu will appear and allow you to backup and restore the OS. but the UNIT IS NOT MOUNTED IN THE PC.
a full restore if the unit mean booting into recovery, restoring stock firmware following instruction from this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861950 then installing clockwork and booting with the power-up + and restoring either your rom of choice (except for tnt lite 5.0) or your backup made previously with clockwork.
Bootloop are usually solved by wiping the partition/cache/data prior to flashing back a rom or backup.
hope this help, but there's plenty of how to already here...

...
I too had experienced "bootloop", but think I solved it through one of the threads in the dev forum. Something about formatting 2048/0 for the SD card...
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
If your tablet bootloops…Also may be required to get market running correctly on some ROMs...
Press and hold the power button to shut the device down. Boot back into Clockwork. Select the advanced option at the bottom, then go to “partition SD card”, for the first option select 2048, and for the second option select 0. Then, redo steps 7-10. This erases all data on your tablet, including backups.

P00r said:
Bootloop are usually solved by wiping the partition/cache/data prior to flashing back a rom or backup.
hope this help, but there's plenty of how to already here...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I am not as worried about the how-to, I can find those, I was just a little confused about what situation I am in, exactly, and which solution to use.
So, even though I've partitioned this way originally, it can still get corrupted to the point where the solution it to re-partition again..?

[q] Help Boot Loop! WIND

I don't know where to post this, I'm coming here all panicked and retarded, so I'm apologizing in advance.
I literally bought my Galaxy S 4G from WIND (Canada) this morning. From what I understood, upgrading the OS was dangerous, all I wanted to do was root... I followed this guide: ht tp ://w ww.gal axyforum s.ne t/forum/off-topic-forum/5053-rooting-tutorial-here-posted-permission-t-mobile-galaxy-s-4g-gingerbread.html (remove spaces)
which I found in a post on these forums. Someone who also was on WIND said it worked fine for them... They were rooted. I foolishly tried it, everything seemed FINE. When I load CWM it can't mount my SD card. I don't know what to do, it's stuck in T-Mobile boot screen loop if I try to exit.. I literally just stopped crying. My dad is going to KILL me if he finds out I ****ed up the new phone I just bought HOURS ago. I don't know what the **** to do, I don't know what's wrong. I need help, please. Anybody know what I can do? I don't care about rooting, I just need my device to work. Please, someone, anyone with any idea, what should I do? I can get back into download mode, and CWM. Is there anything I can do there? There's a recovery guide pinned but it says it's for the T-Mobile version, which I read is the same, can I use that to fix my phone?
This is my first Android device, I've never owned one before. I don't know ****, I shouldn't have tried anything... I just got cocky and made a mistake. I'm usually very good with this kind of stuff. Please someone tell me if there's something I can do to fix this, please!
I'm sorry if I sound stupid, I'm trying not to, I'm just really panicky and stressed right now.
I've tried searching through the forums - I still am searching through them, I'm sorry if I missed a post that can help me.
EDIT: I found someone who is also stuck in a boot loop... He seems to have SD Card issues as well, but doesn't speak English very well, so I don't thing he was able to communicate what his issue was...
Quote:
Originally Posted by GMK63
.......(---------THAT WHAT I FOLLOWED .
But I did the first part and They said i should get the stuff I store on my SD Card to pull out a file (``12) In CWM, use your volume up/down positions to navigate, scroll down to "Install Zip From SDcard". Select with a click of the power button. Navigate to where you put sms-T959V-KJ6-v0.1.1-rc1-unsigned-update.zip (in the root of your SDcard) and select with the power button. Confirm you want to install.
``)
but it doesn't give me the option to go get it on my SDcard and Now my Phone just turns on and off with the samsung galaxy S logo plus T-mobile exclusive logo . The only possitive thing about all the damage is that I can still put my phone on dowload mode and I just think if someone knows how to get my phone back to it state they will need me to put it on download mode.
Thank you in advance for your Help, for replying and offering to help.
I appriciate it. My phone is Mobillicity carrier just like wind .[/B]
Then, user bhundven replies to him saying:
Ok, this is really simple. I've explained it in quite a few threads in the Galaxy S 4G forums in General, Q&A, and the Dev forum. I'm going to explain this, but in a way to be more general. So I'm being verbose in case anyone else with a T959W happens to run across this and has not tried anything yet.
Again, I'm not good with windows at all, and I prefer it that way.
If you're on windows, check out our wiki:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki...xy_S/SGH-T959V
There is tons of help there for setting up heimdall on windows with all the right drivers and such.
Once you have heimdall setup get AntonX's latest cwm zip for his kernel.
This kernel is a BML kernel, and this guide I am giving you right now will help you get cm9 installed which is an MTD kernel. You can find out more about BML vs. MTD here.
Once you have downloaded AntonX's kernel, extract the zImage from it and open up the terminal/cmd prompt and navigate to the directory you extracted the zImage to.
Put your phone into Download Mode and type the following in the command prompt:
Code:
heimdall flash --kernel zImage
The heimdall program will flash this kernel+initramfs to the kernel partition and reboot the phone. Do not unplug the usb cable until you see the "Galaxy S" screen. When you see that screen, unplug the usb cable and remove the battery from the back.
Assuming you downloaded CM9 and put it on your sdcard already, you can get into recovery by holding the vol+ and vol-, then pressing the power button to turn the phone on. When you see the "Galaxy S" screen, let go of the buttons, and you should be in the recovery now.
This is where things get a little tricky. If you have not tried to do anything to your phone yet. This would be a great time to use the "Backup and Recovery" menu on CWM. Do a full backup.
The "assert 7" error that the previous person got was because the cwm install script (the updater-script) checks the already installed /system/build.prop's data against the "to be installed" build.prop to verify this rom can be installed. If it doesn't exist, then it moves forward.
So the first order of business is to wipe the /system partition. Go to "Mounts and Storage" and format the system partition.
Now go back to the main screen and do "Factory Reset/Wipe Data".
Now go "Install zip from sdcard" -> "choose zip from sdcard" -> and use the volume keys to select the zip file.
After the rom is installed, navigate back to the main screen and "Reboot the system now" if it doesn't reboot by itself.
When the phone reboots, because it is going from BML to MTD, it obviously can't just install the files to what would be an MTD partition if the kernel knows nothing about MTD. So it boots into the newly installed MTD kernel and continues the installation, which in the end will also reboot again.
The first boot is very slow. It is building a cache of all the pre-installed system applications. Let it sit for a while. I know it's tempting to go play with your phone right away, but resist if you can.
The next CM9 release will be on a different kernel, and albeit a much better rom.
I will also be adding OTA Asserts for SGH-T959W so that you will not have to wipe /system before installing the rom, but I do that still just for good measure. But this also means that your phone will work properly with the google play store.
If this still does not work, please let me know what went wrong and I will be happy to assist!
-Bryan
Is what Bryan is saying my solution? I don't think he understood the SD Card mount issue. Does anyone know how to fix that? I really hope to hear from you guys ASAP before my dad catches on... Please. I really need help. I'll search more in the morning, it's 1 AM here.

Okay well first of all.. GET A GRIP OF YOUR SELF
*slaps twice across the face
This phone is unbrickable so can you get in to download mode? (power off phone then when it's off hold the volume up and down buttons at the same time, while holding them down connect your phone to a usb cable)
A green android digging thing should show on your screen. Tell me when you get this far.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app

As a matter of fact, you don't entirely need a download mode screen to recover your device too. I've gotten to a pixelized colorful screen and thought my phone was done for, but Odin/Heimdall still recognized it, so I was able to recover my phone.
Calm down and as long as your phone can still be detected on your computer, you will be fine. Odin or Heimdall should be able to show that he device was "added" when you plug it in.

bkoon1218 said:
As a matter of fact, you don't entirely need a download mode screen to recover your device too. I've gotten to a pixelized colorful screen and thought my phone was done for, but Odin/Heimdall still recognized it, so I was able to recover my phone.
Calm down and as long as your phone can still be detected on your computer, you will be fine. Odin or Heimdall should be able to show that he device was "added" when you plug it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true, just make sure you have the drivers installed for the phone first and for the purpose of my method of recovery download Odin. If you did everything correctly you'll see a green light in Odin under recognized devices once you're in download mode
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app

lonoguge said:
Okay well first of all.. GET A GRIP OF YOUR SELF
*slaps twice across the face
This phone is unbrickable so can you get in to download mode? (power off phone then when it's off hold the volume up and down buttons at the same time, while holding them down connect your phone to a usb cable)
A green android digging thing should show on your screen. Tell me when you get this far.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the slaps, I needed them!
Yes! I think I am still able to get into download mode, atleast I was able to last night (After the loop issue). Also, I formatted (factory reset option or something?) my settings when I was in CWM last night assuming that would change it back to the way it was, or atleast fix the SD mount problem..I hope this doesn't cause any issues.
What should I do when I'm in download mode?
bkoon1218 said:
As a matter of fact, you don't entirely need a download mode screen to recover your device too. I've gotten to a pixelized colorful screen and thought my phone was done for, but Odin/Heimdall still recognized it, so I was able to recover my phone.
Calm down and as long as your phone can still be detected on your computer, you will be fine. Odin or Heimdall should be able to show that he device was "added" when you plug it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great news! It's nice to hear that someone who's phone was also messed was able to repair it.
lonoguge said:
That's true, *just make sure you have the drivers installed for the phone first and for the purpose of my method of recovery download Odin. *If you did everything correctly you'll see a green light in Odin under recognized devices once you're in download mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can I get these drivers? Should I download the latest version of Odin?
I'll try this as soon as I get back from taking my little sister to school.
I just want to say again, this is the SGH-T959W from WIND in Canada. It's apparently the same hardware as the SGS4G from T-Mobile, just different software. I hope this isn't a problem.
Thank you both for replying so soon. After tossing and turning in bed for the last 5 hours, barely getting any sleep, it's such a relief to read these posts!

Obviously you didn't read too much if you bought the phone and tried to mess with it the same day. You would have seen if you went to the 2nd page of here and actually read something like this, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1552119 where I clearly say, it is it different, you will get boot looped, I am working on a package to fix it, and for anyone on a wind phone to hold on and wait.
I don't have time to try and help and fix every single wind phone in the world because people get too impatient and start flashing everything in the world from the first post they read. Odin and Heimdall fail at certain parts of flashing this phone. I am trying to give the Heimdall creator as much as I can to help fix this, so everyone telling to flash this or that package, it's not going to work, it will fail. I have verified this 100 times with Heimdall.
I can't put together a 1click package that fails flashing, that's why people are ending up in this position in the first place.
I can get your phone fixed but not right this second. There is no permanant damage done, and the less you just keep flashing random stuff, the more likely the chance I can help you fix it, but I'm busy, I run my own business and my paying customers come first as does my mortgage and bills before spending an hour teamviewed into someones pc to fix this.
So hang tight, I will try later to get this fixed, it's not screwed, quit flashing anything you find.

Past what getochkn just said (and please do ignore the "advice" given by people who don't experience with a T-959W), next time you see a "helpful" post on some site that starts off "get this from [the original source]" -- please, please take the time to read the original source.
Secondly, just because your phone has the a similar "trade name" as another phone doesn't mean they are even close to the same inside. Even the model numbers don't mean much. Firmware from a T-959 generally won't work on a T-959V, and, as you have found out, T-969V firmware can make a T-959W a nice paperweight for a while.
Thirdly, I just don't "get" why people even consider flashing their phone on the first day they own it, before they have any idea what it came with and what it can do, not to mention voiding their warranty before even the buyer's remorse period has expired.
While you're waiting for someone to bail you out, you might want to take the time to download Java, the Microsoft C++ executables, and a full version of Heimdall.

getochkn said:
Obviously you didn't read too much if you bought the phone and tried to mess with it the same day. You would have seen if you went to the 2nd page of here and actually read something like this, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1552119 where I clearly say, it is it different, you will get boot looped, I am working on a package to fix it, and for anyone on a wind phone to hold on and wait.
I don't have time to try and help and fix every single wind phone in the world because people get too impatient and start flashing everything in the world from the first post they read. Odin and Heimdall fail at certain parts of flashing this phone. I am trying to give the Heimdall creator as much as I can to help fix this, so everyone telling to flash this or that package, it's not going to work, it will fail. I have verified this 100 times with Heimdall.
I can't put together a 1click package that fails flashing, that's why people are ending up in this position in the first place.
I can get your phone fixed but not right this second. There is no permanant damage done, and the less you just keep flashing random stuff, the more likely the chance I can help you fix it, but I'm busy, I run my own business and my paying customers come first as does my mortgage and bills before spending an hour teamviewed into someones pc to fix this.
So hang tight, I will try later to get this fixed, it's not screwed, quit flashing anything you find.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
I really didn't read enough, big mistake, I was just really cocky because I've modded almost every device I own (Wii, PSP, PS3, PS2 various and iDevices [mine, and friends]). Of course, they're all different (Not saying it's all the same thing! ), I just felt very confident because I've never had issues with anything before. At least this is a good learning experience, I've really been put in my pace. I always felt that bricking was something that happened to other people, it doesn't happen to me. I know that sounds stupid, but idk, that's just how I felt. I physically feel sick over this 'whole ordeal (Seriously), I'm such an idiot. >.<'
Thanks for the warning, I won't flash anything! I'm so relieved to hear that there's no permanent damage done, and to be able to speak to someone who's familiar with this specific problem and this specific model of the SGS4G, AND is willing to help me!
Do you know when you'll be able to help me? Of course, take your time, I completely understand that you have other stuff going on, I'm just wondering to see if I can maybe think of some cover up so my dad doesn't find out.
Also, I have a 14 day warranty, is it void now even though the root didn't work? I'm assuming it is.
Edit: Yup, if what jeffsf says is true, it's void.
jeffsf said:
Past what getochkn just said (and please do ignore the "advice" given by people who don't experience with a T-959W), next time you see a "helpful" post on some site that starts off "get this from [the original source]" -- please, please take the time to read the original source.
Secondly, just because your phone has the a similar "trade name" as another phone doesn't mean they are even close to the same inside. Even the model numbers don't mean much. Firmware from a T-959 generally won't work on a T-959V, and, as you have found out, T-969V firmware can make a T-959W a nice paperweight for a while.
Thirdly, I just don't "get" why people even consider flashing their phone on the first day they own it, before they have any idea what it came with and what it can do, not to mention voiding their warranty before even the buyer's remorse period has expired.
While you're waiting for someone to bail you out, you might want to take the time to download Java, the Microsoft C++ executables, and a full version of Heimdall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just very impatient sometimes. I really do enjoy doing this kind of stuff, it's fun for me. I just got really excited and wasn't thinking straight and just went out and tried rooting it. I've wanted an Android for a while now, and have always planned to root it to unlock it's full potential. I've never modded anything else day 1 (and never will again), this is the first time I've done this. I feel terrible about it.
Will do, thanks for helping, jeffsf.

If your still under 14 days return it with a stupid I don't know what happened look. If its stuck just on the tmob screen they most likely will never know what you did. Your other choice is to be a man and own up to it. Tell your dad and take your lumps. That choice is yours. Give it serious thought before you choose as it might define what type of person you end up becoming.

hechoen said:
If your still under 14 days return it with a stupid I don't know what happened look. If its stuck just on the tmob screen they most likely will never know what you did. Your other choice is to be a man and own up to it. Tell your dad and take your lumps. That choice is yours. Give it serious thought before you choose as it might define what type of person you end up becoming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel like they might know. I'm willing to try it as a last resort, I'd like to give getochkn a shot first.
I'll tell my dad what happened after it's fixed. I just can't deal with him stressing me out about it more than I already am.

I will have a package probably tomorrow that will provide as detailed instructions as I can.

getochkn said:
I will have a package probably tomorrow that will provide as detailed instructions as I can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, wow! That's much sooner than I was expecting! Thanks for taking the time to do this for me, it really means a lot. Thank you so much getochkn!

Package and instructions here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1956025

getochkn said:
Package and instructions here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1956025
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much getochkn!
I read all the instructions before attempting this. But, I have a problem. Heimdall failed to flash. It said something about failing to retrieve the PIT or something? So, I tried again. Didn't work. So, I restarted my computer, and my phone.
Phone doesn't go into download mode, instead, I end up on a screen saying "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again."
What should I do?

BagelBreath said:
Thank you so much getochkn!
I read all the instructions before attempting this. But, I have a problem. Heimdall failed to flash. It said something about failing to retrieve the PIT or something? So, I tried again. Didn't work. So, I restarted my computer, and my phone.
Phone doesn't go into download mode, instead, I end up on a screen saying "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again."
What should I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That firmware screen should detect as download mode still in Heimdall. I have gotten that and reflashed from Heimdall before. Not sure why it's trying to download the pit, it should only do that when you tell it to download pit. Flashing shouldn't trigger that. See if Heimdall will detect it in that firmware recovery mode and I guess try again, otherwise your phone is really borked.

getochkn said:
That firmware screen should detect as download mode still in Heimdall. I have gotten that and reflashed from Heimdall before. Not sure why it's trying to download the pit, it should only do that when you tell it to download pit. Flashing shouldn't trigger that. See if Heimdall will detect it in that firmware recovery mode and I guess try again, otherwise your phone is really borked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the quick reply!
It worked! I really can't thank you enough! Thanks again for taking the time to do this!
I think it may have said "Uploading Pit" because it said it again this time, but it didn't encounter a problem when it did that.
I know I have 3 choices, the one I would like to choose is ICS. Would mind pointing me in the direction of an ICS ROM that's compatible with my device? I'm afraid to use something that may not work and mess up my phone again.
EDIT: Actually, I think I'll just stick with this. I just installed the twist kernal and the modem, everything works, I'm rooted and have recovery. I'd rather not mess with it until I'm more experienced with droids.
Thanks again everyone, especially you getochkn! I'm so relieved that my phone is working again! My dad didn't notice that I wasn't using the new phone I got, so I didn't have to cover up or anything.

[Q] Help with SGH-T959W only booting into recovery

Hello, all. I hope someone can help me with my SGH-T959W. Right now I'm at the point where the phone has CWM installed, but will only boot into recovery no matter what I do. I've followed the N00b guide to Flashing/Fixing the SGS4G, but clearly I'm missing something.
I tried to follow the Windows-based procedure for the SGH-T959W, but was unable to get version 1.40 to execute, and was unable to locate version 1.31.
So, given that the SGH-T959W and SGH-T959V are the same phone except for the bootloader, I tried the Java-based Stock KJ-6 + Root. The first time I tried it, the upload failed after the PIT, and the phone was no longer able to boot into anything other than download mode. I eventually managed to get it to the point where it tried to flash the modem, but I was never able to get the modem to flash successfully. I tried both under Windows and Linux, using two different PCs and every USB cable I could find, since I know those tend to be dodgy. Still, I've never gotten past flashing the modem, though sometimes it's done worse.
But at this point, I had a phone that would dutifully boot into CWM, so I could change strategy anyway. So I grabbed the unofficial Cyanogenmod 10.1, copied it to the root of the SD card, and tried to load that via CWM. It failed the hardware check.
That's problem #1. Is it possible to modify Cyanogenmod to check for the 959W instead of only the 959V?
Now, problem #2. I decided to give Slim ICS a whirl, since it's light on requirements and a 512MB/1GHz device would probably appreciate a lighter load. The two packages claim to install, but the progress bar never reaches 100%, and when I try to boot the phone, it just boots into CWM. It's a newer version of CWM now, and the startup logo is different, so something worked, but clearly not everything.
When installing, I did mount UMMU, factory reset, wipe the cache and the Davlik cache, mount UMMU, install, then fix perms. But I still get that loop back to CWM.
So something critical didn’t take, however many times I tried (I've lost count, but I think I'm going on 10), and I don't know the architecture well enough to know where to start looking. I'm pretty comfortable with other operating systems, but this is only the second Android device I've tried to customize.
I suspect I can’t solve any other problem until I solve problem #2, regardless of which distro I end up wanting to run.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but I figured the more questions I answered up front, the better the chances of fixing this would be.
Thanks for any help you're willing to offer a n00b.
Dave F.

I think what you were doing with heimdall is the way to go except the t959w doesn't like modems and I think there's some way to leave out the modem part but eh.. I'm not that well versed. Anyway here's a link that may or may not be relevant
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1956025

Please read forum rules before posting.
Questions and request for assistance go in the Q&A section.
Thread has been moved.
Thank you for your future attention to this.
Have a great day!

dfarquhar said:
Hello, all. I hope someone can help me with my SGH-T959W. Right now I'm at the point where the phone has CWM installed, but will only boot into recovery no matter what I do. I've followed the N00b guide to Flashing/Fixing the SGS4G, but clearly I'm missing something.
I tried to follow the Windows-based procedure for the SGH-T959W, but was unable to get version 1.40 to execute, and was unable to locate version 1.31.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look here for 1.3.1.
dfarquhar said:
So, given that the SGH-T959W and SGH-T959V are the same phone except for the bootloader, I tried the Java-based Stock KJ-6 + Root. The first time I tried it, the upload failed after the PIT, and the phone was no longer able to boot into anything other than download mode. I eventually managed to get it to the point where it tried to flash the modem, but I was never able to get the modem to flash successfully. I tried both under Windows and Linux, using two different PCs and every USB cable I could find, since I know those tend to be dodgy. Still, I've never gotten past flashing the modem, though sometimes it's done worse.
But at this point, I had a phone that would dutifully boot into CWM, so I could change strategy anyway. So I grabbed the unofficial Cyanogenmod 10.1, copied it to the root of the SD card, and tried to load that via CWM. It failed the hardware check.
That's problem #1. Is it possible to modify Cyanogenmod to check for the 959W instead of only the 959V?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, not a CWM issue. Ever since TeamAcid and I started on CM9 (and I believe the last few CM7 builds) added support for T959W. Almost everyone (thankfully! ) has kanged those device trees and also support T959W. I'm sure other T959W users will chime in to tell you that 97% of all roms here work on T959W. (GB and forward)
dfarquhar said:
Now, problem #2. I decided to give Slim ICS a whirl, since it's light on requirements and a 512MB/1GHz device would probably appreciate a lighter load. The two packages claim to install, but the progress bar never reaches 100%, and when I try to boot the phone, it just boots into CWM. It's a newer version of CWM now, and the startup logo is different, so something worked, but clearly not everything.
When installing, I did mount UMMU, factory reset, wipe the cache and the Davlik cache, mount UMMU, install, then fix perms. But I still get that loop back to CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crazy mount setups shouldn't matter anymore. That was an oldschool Froyo/Early GB thing. Almost all new CWM install scripts do the right thing now.
dfarquhar said:
So something critical didn’t take, however many times I tried (I've lost count, but I think I'm going on 10), and I don't know the architecture well enough to know where to start looking. I'm pretty comfortable with other operating systems, but this is only the second Android device I've tried to customize.
I suspect I can’t solve any other problem until I solve problem #2, regardless of which distro I end up wanting to run.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but I figured the more questions I answered up front, the better the chances of fixing this would be.
Thanks for any help you're willing to offer a n00b.
Dave F.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the long posts! Especially when then they contain more detail for me to help you figure out your problem with. I'm also partial to the short posts that include logs!
TwitchyEye said:
I think what you were doing with heimdall is the way to go except the t959w doesn't like modems and I think there's some way to leave out the modem part but eh.. I'm not that well versed. Anyway here's a link that may or may not be relevant
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1956025
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@TwitchyEye you're right That is the heimdall oneclick that should be used.
@dfarquhar I think using the heimdall oneclick that @getochkn made should be the right path for you. Make sure you use the right version of heimdall. Make sure you completely remove the old version (software and drivers), use zdiag to make absolutely sure!
If all else fails, post here again! (maybe with logs )

Thanks everyone. I grabbed v 1.3.1, so I'm getting ready to try it now.
If anything goes wrong, I'll look into where the logs are stored and how to retrieve them, and I'll be back. Assuming I can't use the logs to figure it out on my own of course.

dfarquhar said:
Thanks everyone. I grabbed v 1.3.1, so I'm getting ready to try it now.
If anything goes wrong, I'll look into where the logs are stored and how to retrieve them, and I'll be back. Assuming I can't use the logs to figure it out on my own of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes, it's just the output you see on your screen is a good enough log

bhundven said:
Sometimes, it's just the output you see on your screen is a good enough log
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it working! Heimdall 1.3.1 was the key. I then turned around and flashed Slim ICS since I had it on the SD card already, and it worked. I'm debating whether to move on to Slim Bean, but maybe I need to leave well enough alone for a few days now that I have a working phone.
Thanks again,
Dave

Problem restoring my SHIELD to factory. Previously rooted.

Very frustrated.
My SHIELD is on update 65. I would like to go to 67. I have been rooted since before the past two updates, and while rooted, I have no problem getting the OTA, installing, and then just rerooting. This is now not the case. The bootloader comes back in error when trying to install the latest update, even after unrooting, I'm guessing because of the image flashed on there not agreeing with the new one being applied.
So, unrooting is only half the battle. I see on the Tegra DEV page that they provide earlier OTA's, but they are in .sh format which is useless to any Windows user not experienced in UNIX shells. I don't know how to unpack them nor for the life of me can I figure it out. I have been since yesterday after noon. Searching, hunting, creating, downloading, reading, failing- tried it all.
Can someone point me to where I can find an OTA in .IMG format ready to flash, or just unpack a .sh archive from ANY previous OTA?
Would kwonger's Nvidia Shield toolkit fix the issue?
There are the instructions on the dev page indicating what to do involving the flash of a couple .IMG's, a blob, and some other files- but I obviously lack the necessary know-how and tools to obtain the files in question.
I am seriously at a dead end on what to do.
Some help on this would be seriously appreciated. I am very proficient in exploiting, so even as little as a push in the right direction would be wonderful. The root so far has been fantastic and proved insanely useful, and really, this is the first issue that I have had that I could not get to the bottom of.
Thanks,
Sam

SlowCatalyst said:
<snip>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I have uploaded. Let me know if you need anything, I should have them on my PC still.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7j6Imwr_sirRnl5MFRRR2sxRWM&usp=sharing
(I forgot what files where supposed to be there, but they were pretty big files...)

SlowCatalyst said:
Very frustrated.
My SHIELD is on update 65. I would like to go to 67. I have been rooted since before the past two updates, and while rooted, I have no problem getting the OTA, installing, and then just rerooting. This is now not the case. The bootloader comes back in error when trying to install the latest update, even after unrooting, I'm guessing because of the image flashed on there not agreeing with the new one being applied.
So, unrooting is only half the battle. I see on the Tegra DEV page that they provide earlier OTA's, but they are in .sh format which is useless to any Windows user not experienced in UNIX shells. I don't know how to unpack them nor for the life of me can I figure it out. I have been since yesterday after noon. Searching, hunting, creating, downloading, reading, failing- tried it all.
Can someone point me to where I can find an OTA in .IMG format ready to flash, or just unpack a .sh archive from ANY previous OTA?
Would kwonger's Nvidia Shield toolkit fix the issue?
There are the instructions on the dev page indicating what to do involving the flash of a couple .IMG's, a blob, and some other files- but I obviously lack the necessary know-how and tools to obtain the files in question.
I am seriously at a dead end on what to do.
Some help on this would be seriously appreciated. I am very proficient in exploiting, so even as little as a push in the right direction would be wonderful. The root so far has been fantastic and proved insanely useful, and really, this is the first issue that I have had that I could not get to the bottom of.
Thanks,
Sam
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That kit has stock images I believe.

twistedumbrella said:
That kit has stock images I believe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He said he doesn't know what to do with the kit's extension.
@SlowCatalyst, if you still haven't gotten the files, let me know which ones you need and I'll upload them.

Finally! It took me hours to find this thread. Could you upload the system.img too? Thanks bro

SlowCatalyst said:
snipped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My toolkit restores to "Out of Box", like you just cracked the seal.
and... BRO!!! Read dem rules! This thread goes in Q/A NOT dev!

Kwongger said:
My toolkit restores to "Out of Box", like you just cracked the seal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After using your toolkit my Shield is now trapped in a bootloop. I can still access bootloader but that's it. Any ideas please?!
//edit:
I went to Recovery Mode and made a factory reset. Now the console is at least booting back to Android again.