Related
Howdy, folks. Hope I can rely on your feedback regarding a few Inspire related questions, because your answers will determine whether I bring it back or not.
For the record, I'm experienced with HSPL, MAGLDR and have been flashing ROMs since my Kaiser. However, I’m new to Android and only have experience working with DL’s DesireZ on my HD2.
Account Questions:
I picked up an Inspire today for $50 on an upgrade with 2 year commitment. I’ve been off contract for better than three years, but in the process the rep at the AT&T store told me I’d lose my $15/month unlimited MEdiaNet option and they migrated me to a $15/month 200MB data plan. Though I have never yet used more than 200MB per month, I worry about what happens the one month I go over. I’ve seen reports from some users here that they were allowed/able to have their old plans grandfathered. What would you say my chances are of calling AT&T and telling them to restore my MN account and grandfather me? Who should I talk to, or am I just kidding myself?
Stock ROM Questions:
Ok, so no secrets that the AT&T stock ROM is full of crap, and have the following problems:
I can’t run Titanium Backup because the ROM isn’t rooted. I see a couple rooting options, but if you can recommend which option is best and why, that would be helpful.
Android Market shows AT&T apps, rather than 'my installed apps'. How do I fix that?
If I’m able to root and use my (licensed) copy of TiBu, can’t that remove some of the ROM stuff by using the ‘Chuck Norris’ mode? If so, is it possible to incorporate an application in the ROM in its place as long as it fits?
Is there a ROM out there that replicates (identically) the stock ROM but removes the branding and market app issues?
Flashing Questions:
I’m no stranger to HSPL and MAGLDR, having installed it on my HD2. But if I can’t find a ROM that works for me and decide to return the phone, how can I restore the handset to the factory state so I don’t get a raft of $hit from them or void my warranty if I need to send it in for service? In other words, for WM, all I need to do is to reflash a factory ROM from SD. Is there a similar deal here?
BillTheCat said:
Howdy, folks. Hope I can rely on your feedback regarding a few Inspire related questions, because your answers will determine whether I bring it back or not.
For the record, I'm experienced with HSPL, MAGLDR and have been flashing ROMs since my Kaiser. However, I’m new to Android and only have experience working with DL’s DesireZ on my HD2.
Account Questions:
I picked up an Inspire today for $50 on an upgrade with 2 year commitment. I’ve been off contract for better than three years, but in the process the rep at the AT&T store told me I’d lose my $15/month unlimited MEdiaNet option and they migrated me to a $15/month 200MB data plan. Though I have never yet used more than 200MB per month, I worry about what happens the one month I go over. I’ve seen reports from some users here that they were allowed/able to have their old plans grandfathered. What would you say my chances are of calling AT&T and telling them to restore my MN account and grandfather me? Who should I talk to, or am I just kidding myself?
Stock ROM Questions:
Ok, so no secrets that the AT&T stock ROM is full of crap, and have the following problems:
I can’t run Titanium Backup because the ROM isn’t rooted. I see a couple rooting options, but if you can recommend which option is best and why, that would be helpful.
Android Market shows AT&T apps, rather than 'my installed apps'. How do I fix that?
If I’m able to root and use my (licensed) copy of TiBu, can’t that remove some of the ROM stuff by using the ‘Chuck Norris’ mode? If so, is it possible to incorporate an application in the ROM in its place as long as it fits?
Is there a ROM out there that replicates (identically) the stock ROM but removes the branding and market app issues?
Flashing Questions:
I’m no stranger to HSPL and MAGLDR, having installed it on my HD2. But if I can’t find a ROM that works for me and decide to return the phone, how can I restore the handset to the factory state so I don’t get a raft of $hit from them or void my warranty if I need to send it in for service? In other words, for WM, all I need to do is to reflash a factory ROM from SD. Is there a similar deal here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well first of all welcome to the Inspire.
Well first of all I have rooted 4 inspires with the inspire hack kit. I think it is the best method. If you root there are many att stock rooted roms with all the bloat removed. There are also gingerbread sense roms ready to go. ATT wont even release these roms for another year. If you want your apps att dont list just put you phone in airplane mod and turn on wifi to get them. I use right at 2gb per month. If you are always on wifi you should be ok. I would start on the 2gb plan then downgrade if needed. I used 200mb in 4 days.
If you have other questions just send me a pm.
And on another note, I was on a $30/month MediaNET/unlimited messaging plan that was lost when they did the upgrade. I called and did a little *****ing and they opened a case with the department that has the ability to put it back on (which I think is BS, as others have said managers have put it back on the spot for them). But anyway, about 8 days later I got a text saying my case had been resolved. They put me on a $30 unlimited plan, and $20 unlimited text plan. So it's a little more pricey, but that wasn't what I was worried about, I wanted my unlimited data back.
I've had unlimited since way back in 2008, during my iPhone days. I didn't have to call and ***** and moan about it until they gave it back, they actually gave me the regular unlimited data that works with the inspire when I switched from iPhone to inspire. Will come in mighty handy due to my modded apn for hotspot capabilities. Anyway, the only way you could get unlimited data now is if you called in and asked. It would be $30/mth, no txts included. Hope I helped in a small way at least!
Welcome to the inspire forums!
BillTheCat said:
I can’t run Titanium Backup because the ROM isn’t rooted. I see a couple rooting options, but if you can recommend which option is best and why, that would be helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, through all the threads and videos on the web it seems to be a consensus that the hack kit is the most complete step by step process that yields consistent results. I researched with the youtube videos and even tried to use the GUI, but it failed to push the img to my phone, so I ended up using the hack kit anyway.
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=952352
I'm not sure which gold-card method the hack kit currently uses, but it is most likely a good idea just to replace those first steps with the Gold Card Maker that nelify came up with.
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=970157
Aside from that, just follow the hack kit's steps to a standard s-off rooted stock ROM. From there, I recommend flashing any ROM that uses the inspire as a base (ClearDroid or TPC come to mind first, though I haven't used them).
BillTheCat said:
Android Market shows AT&T apps, rather than 'my installed apps'. How do I fix that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could get another version of the market app perhaps... but generally this is something that would change using almost any other ROM.
BillTheCat said:
If I’m able to root and use my (licensed) copy of TiBu, can’t that remove some of the ROM stuff by using the ‘Chuck Norris’ mode? If so, is it possible to incorporate an application in the ROM in its place as long as it fits?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but depending on what you want to remove you may want to be careful.
BillTheCat said:
Is there a ROM out there that replicates (identically) the stock ROM but removes the branding and market app issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check ClearDroid , or This thread
gflare said:
Yes, but depending on what you want to remove you may want to be careful...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback. I was able to successfully create a gold card and unlocked and flashed REMix 5.3, and am very happy with it.
I would like to understand a bit more about how to remove some of the built-in apps and replace them with another of my liking. Is there a guide for how to do that?
I wanted to start a thread for those who just obtained a new captivate mostly for my own purposes. I am looking to obtain a list of action in the correct priority to improve the captivate experience. I know certain things need to be done in certain orders and it would be great if there was a running list with current links to resource those items.
For instance I am still running Stock 2.1 Update 1
I know I want to tether without contract additions. So much needs to happen before I can do so. I probably need to unlock the phone, update to the latest rev, remove the road blocks restricting unpaid tethering, etc.
Can anyone create a road map with links to accomplish this task... thank you from a long time member.
There are already guides out there if you search that will tell you how to do it. For 2.2 its as easy as rooting then deleting/freezing a .apk file
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
brokebackbear said:
I wanted to start a thread for those who just obtained a new captivate mostly for my own purposes. I am looking to obtain a list of action in the correct priority to improve the captivate experience. I know certain things need to be done in certain orders and it would be great if there was a running list with current links to resource those items.
For instance I am still running Stock 2.1 Update 1
I know I want to tether without contract additions. So much needs to happen before I can do so. I probably need to unlock the phone, update to the latest rev, remove the road blocks restricting unpaid tethering, etc.
Can anyone create a road map with links to accomplish this task... thank you from a long time member.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol are u serious? Theres a ton of stuff that guides u on how to unlock ur phone. U can just go to youtube and fallow the directions on http://www.youtube.com/user/MobileTechVideos
japr2821 said:
lol are u serious? Theres a ton of stuff that guides u on how to unlock ur phone. U can just go to youtube and fallow the directions on http://www.youtube.com/user/MobileTechVideos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am serious... this is a serious site. OF course there are videos out there but the correct order has not been published. For instance any idiot can upgrade to 2.2 but sadly unless they have been told to unlock first they cannot go back to 2.1. That's the kind of stuff I was talking about. You don't have to be mean. I have been here since 2008 and never been asked if I was serious.
unlock refers to it being locked to a carier. for permsions this is all linux/unix/terminal related and we use the terms root and super user. macs being a terminal type of interface also use these terms.
to be rooted means you have access to the root of the file system and to have superuser permissions. root of the file system is described by the character "/" this is similat to c:\ in windows but terminal doesn't have letter designations on drives.
to enable tethering the best way is to either update to 2.2 via kies, root and freeze an apk that will require you to have a tethering data plan. or the alternative is to install a rom for an i9000 or other phone such as the i9010 armani or the chinese i9088 or the t-mobile vibrant, though vibrant roms may cause battery drain, that has been my experience anyhow.
brokebackbear said:
I am serious... this is a serious site. OF course there are videos out there but the correct order has not been published. For instance any idiot can upgrade to 2.2 but sadly unless they have been told to unlock first they cannot go back to 2.1. That's the kind of stuff I was talking about. You don't have to be mean. I have been here since 2008 and never been asked if I was serious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u really mean recent captivate from at&t. they probably come woth froo loaded already. unless u got some left over stock from earliser batch.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
tg9413 said:
If u really mean recent captivate from at&t. they probably come woth froo loaded already. unless u got some left over stock from earliser batch.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong. Just got a Captivate from AT&T last month, because my old phone was pretty much unusable and I wanted something with more functionality. Still 2.1, and I attempted to upgrade to 2.2 following Samsung's instructions thoroughly and ended up with a bricked phone. Thankfully I was still in warranty since it was amazingly even less than 30 days that had passed, but still.
AT&T does not ship out the Captivate with 2.2, nor will they upgrade it for you. You get it 2.1, and have to upgrade it yourself. And if you happen to screw up somehow and actually hard brick your phone, to where it won't even turn on, they won't fix it. It's considered user error. Samsung will, but that's not the point here.
Delete....wrong thread.
But since I'm here......see below.
brokebackbear said:
I am serious... this is a serious site. OF course there are videos out there but the correct order has not been published. For instance any idiot can upgrade to 2.2 but sadly unless they have been told to unlock first they cannot go back to 2.1. That's the kind of stuff I was talking about. You don't have to be mean. I have been here since 2008 and never been asked if I was serious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never unlocked my phone and have gone back to 2.1 literally a hundred times. Looks like some reading/learning is in order.
PS. Might want to go ahead and purchase/make your jig so you will have it when you need it.
Just got my captivate replaced at an att tech center yesterday and the new one came with froyo 2.2 preloaded.
The.Se7enth said:
Wrong. Just got a Captivate from AT&T last month, because my old phone was pretty much unusable and I wanted something with more functionality. Still 2.1, and I attempted to upgrade to 2.2 following Samsung's instructions thoroughly and ended up with a bricked phone. Thankfully I was still in warranty since it was amazingly even less than 30 days that had passed, but still.
AT&T does not ship out the Captivate with 2.2, nor will they upgrade it for you. You get it 2.1, and have to upgrade it yourself. And if you happen to screw up somehow and actually hard brick your phone, to where it won't even turn on, they won't fix it. It's considered user error. Samsung will, but that's not the point here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong... I just replaced my captivate a couple weeks ago and it came with 2.2. I have seen several people reporting for the last 2 months since froyo released that it was already on their phone. I remember one post stating they got their phone shipped 2 days after official release and it was already loaded
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Captivates ARE in fact shipping with 2.2 on them right now. I have several sitting at my desk right now.
Yeah, you need to read... Everyone started in your same shoes. But not everyone asked for step by step guidelines to do things to their phones. So, do your research, then if/when u get stuck or lost, and there are no threads out there to help, ask away!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App
Here are the steps in order:
1. Root
2. Unlock
3. Flash ROM
4. Never look back
I was running Inspired Ace. All was good, and I decided to flash LeeDroid.
I used the EXT4 conversion/wipe, then installed LeeDroid.
I had tons of problem with LeeDroid, such as messaging being very slow, FCs when trying to make/receive a phone call, etc. It wasn't my cup of tea... so I decided to go back to Inspired Ace.
Restored the backup, and things aren't working like it used to:
*Flash videos embedded on websites sometimes crash the browser
*Netflix doesn't work at all, regardless of which fix I try (rmk's or fenny's)
*Youtube lags/stutters like mad
So, I did a fresh install:
*Wiping data, system, cache
*Installing fresh Inspired Ace
First boot, LeeDroid default background was showing in the Inspired Ace. There were 2 of every system apps (2 calculators, 2 call histories, etc).
Wiped data/system/cache again, and installed fresh Inspired Ace again (downloaded a new copy, incase the last copy was corrupted).
Same deal... 2 of every system app, and LeeDroid default background.
I decided "whatever" at this point, and installed all my apps, and this time, like previously, nothing that involves videos work (flash embed, netflix fix, youtube).
What's going on?
TL;DR- I installed LeeDroid, didn't like it, did a fresh install of Inspired Ace, components of LeeDroid was still left behind despite formatting system/data/cache, and apps, such as browser, netflix, youtube, doesn't work.
1. Copy ur backup to computer, reformat ur SD, restore the backup to SD.
2. Go to recovery, and clear data, cache and dalvik cache.
3. Try restoring ur back up now. It should work, and not have traces of anything. Apps like dolphin browser store data on sdcard.
Just get a warranty replacement.
knarfl1 said:
Just get a warranty replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? Seriously?
That'll help persuade HTC to ease up on their locked bootloader policy. Lots.
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
diablo009 said:
1. Copy ur backup to computer, reformat ur SD, restore the backup to SD.
2. Go to recovery, and clear data, cache and dalvik cache.
3. Try restoring ur back up now. It should work, and not have traces of anything. Apps like dolphin browser store data on sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgot to mention but yes, I have tried formatting my SD card, as well try a brand new one that hasn't been used with this phone before.
Just throwing this out, but would running the RUU possibly get you back to a blank slate from which to start over?
I've never run it myself, but my assumption of what it ends up doing is pretty much returning the phone to its out-of-the-box state, ignoring what's on the phone at the time (aside from S-On/s-off.
I would also assume you'd have to re-root.
Just a thought.
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
Also, running the RUU (the new one found at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1058042 ) from HBOOT as Scott_S mentioned would also update your radio if you have not already done so. However, as I found out, you will either have to install a file explorer to delete the PD98IMG.zip from the sd card, or install ROM Manager to boot to CWM in order to flash back to Inspired Ace, or whatever ROM you decide on. I did the same thing two days ago. If you boot to HBOOT with the update file on your ZIP all i could do was install or reboot (as it scans for update then only prompts install and if you say no, it prompts reboot) and the RUU does not include Rom Manger. You probably already knew that but just throwing it out there.
EDIT:Forgot to mention, this RUU is already rooted. No re-rooting necessary other than that, same as original stock un-rooted RUU
Scott_S said:
What? Seriously?
That'll help persuade HTC to ease up on their locked bootloader policy. Lots.
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries. The phone will be refurbed and sold for profit again (or fixed and given back as a warranty replacement).
Fyi it is not HTC that wants to lock/encrypt the BLs: It's ATT.
You gonna tell everyone to stop tethering for free?
Scott_S said:
Just throwing this out, but would running the RUU possibly get you back to a blank slate from which to start over?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, why not. I'll first try the "cracked" RUU, and if that doesn't work, do a full unroot, and reroot it.
And if THAT doesn't work... I don't know.
willwalk93 said:
Also, running the RUU (the new one found at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1058042 ) from HBOOT as Scott_S mentioned would also update your radio if you have not already done so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, already have 06.06.30.
knarfl1 said:
No worries. The phone will be refurbed and sold for profit again (or fixed and given back as a warranty replacement).
Fyi it is not HTC that wants to lock/encrypt the BLs: It's ATT.
You gonna tell everyone to stop tethering for free?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guarantee even carrier unlocked versions will (and already DO)have signed bootloaders, and I doubt its all att. When people brick their phones, send them in for warranty replacement, its still costing HTC money no matter how you look at it. At the very least, manhours. It might not take long to fix, but it adds up. If they figure the cost for letting us do what we want to do with bootloaders/kernels/roms is more than what they lose by pissing us (very small percentage of total users) modders off, then they have a motive ($) to keep us out.
When you hack a phone, YOU(not you specifically, end user), take a risk knowing you may mess up and brick your phone, if you return it as a brick, the HTC devs are not dumb. I'm sure they know exactly how it happened when they get it.
I still have a bricked atrix that I paid almost full price for from trying to crack the POS. Didn't really feel I had the right to return it, when I f'd up trying to find a way around the bootloader.
And people who use theirs phones as their entire internet service tethering for free don't help either
di11igaf said:
I guarantee even carrier unlocked versions will (and already DO)have signed bootloaders, and I doubt its all att. When people brick their phones, send them in for warranty replacement, its still costing HTC money no matter how you look at it. At the very least, manhours. It might not take long to fix, but it adds up. If they figure the cost for letting us do what we want to do with bootloaders/kernels/roms is more than what they lose by pissing us (very small percentage of total users) modders off, then they have a motive ($) to keep us out.
When you hack a phone, YOU(not you specifically, end user), take a risk knowing you may mess up and brick your phone, if you return it as a brick, the HTC devs are not dumb. I'm sure they know exactly how it happened when they get it.
I still have a bricked atrix that I paid almost full price for from trying to crack the POS. Didn't really feel I had the right to return it, when I f'd up trying to find a way around the bootloader.
And people who use theirs phones as their entire internet service tethering for free don't help either
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly.
It's the attitude expressed by the post you and I responded to that doesn't help our situation. It doesn't matter whether it's ATT or HTC that's driving the bootloader thing, the end result, and most likely the motivation behind it, is the same.
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
Printerscape said:
Yea, why not. I'll first try the "cracked" RUU, and if that doesn't work, do a full unroot, and reroot it.
And if THAT doesn't work... I don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't work, after flashing MDJ's ViVO.
*sigh*
di11igaf said:
I guarantee even carrier unlocked versions will (and already DO)have signed bootloaders, and I doubt its all att. When people brick their phones, send them in for warranty replacement, its still costing HTC money no matter how you look at it. At the very least, manhours. It might not take long to fix, but it adds up. If they figure the cost for letting us do what we want to do with bootloaders/kernels/roms is more than what they lose by pissing us (very small percentage of total users) modders off, then they have a motive ($) to keep us out.
When you hack a phone, YOU(not you specifically, end user), take a risk knowing you may mess up and brick your phone, if you return it as a brick, the HTC devs are not dumb. I'm sure they know exactly how it happened when they get it.
I still have a bricked atrix that I paid almost full price for from trying to crack the POS. Didn't really feel I had the right to return it, when I f'd up trying to find a way around the bootloader.
And people who use theirs phones as their entire internet service tethering for free don't help either
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Product returns are part of doing business. With over 100 million accounts, there will be millions of phones returned every year for whatever reason. Some people got the Inspire just to tide them over for 30 days until the Atrix was available (or got the Atrix and found out it is a turd and returned it for an Inspire.)
As for the enthuasist segment, though small in terms of percentage, size of the community has passed the critical mass long time ago. BTW, HTC is NOT locking their bootloaders. [updated]
Howbeit should we try to appease AT&T to stay in their good graces? Then modders should:
- Stop using free tethering.
- Get off the unlimited data plan gained via iP2 scheme and go back to 250MB/2Gb plans.
- Removing tweaks that improve data speed.
- Removing hacked Netflix app.
- Un-root.
- Only use phones sold by AT&T on AT&T network.
- etc...
I'm sorry your Atrix is bricked. Sell its parts on eBay?
You did not mention wiping the dalvik cache. That is a must.
Scott_S said:
Exactly.
It's the attitude expressed by the post you and I responded to that doesn't help our situation. It doesn't matter whether it's ATT or HTC that's driving the bootloader thing, the end result, and most likely the motivation behind it, is the same.
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha. I spoke one minute too soon. Read the news from HTC about locking bootloaders. Your concern is unwarranted.
Printerscape said:
Doesn't work, after flashing MDJ's ViVO.
*sigh*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not a completely pure RUU, though. Stock recovery and hboot has been removed from that.
Try the pure RUU.
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
When you do the EXT4 wipe can it still read the files on your sd card? I did my flashing with another SD than the one I use normally so there was not chance of messing my card up. Do I need to reformat the every day sd card?
Thanks,
Thorsgal
knarfl1 said:
Haha. I spoke one minute too soon. Read the news from HTC about locking bootloaders. Your concern is unwarranted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're absolutely correct... Now.
I wasn't aware at the time of those earlier posts of the latest development, that HTC had gone ahead and scrapped the locked bootloader thing.
Still, I think the least we can do in return for HTC doing right by us, is to mod these phones with a clear head, not carlessly, educating ourselves prior to undertaking some of these processes, and exhaust all resources available to us in trying to solve any problems that result, that are of our own making.
If that fails, then the noble thing to do is ask them how much it would cost to "repair" our ****-ups, not pass the burden back on them under the guise of a "warranty replacement" for supposedly "defective phone."
It's lying, and it just feels morally wrong.
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
Scott_S said:
You're absolutely correct... Now.
I wasn't aware at the time of those earlier posts of the latest development, that HTC had gone ahead and scrapped the locked bootloader thing.
Still, I think the least we can do in return for HTC doing right by us, is to mod these phones with a clear head, not carlessly, educating ourselves prior to undertaking some of these processes, and exhaust all resources available to us in trying to solve any problems that result, that are of our own making.
If that fails, then the noble thing to do is ask them how much it would cost to "repair" our ****-ups, not pass the burden back on them under the guise of a "warranty replacement" for supposedly "defective phone."
It's lying, and it just feels morally wrong.
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. I wish more people were honorable and if they bricked their phones, write it off as tuition in the school of hard knocks and move on. Or, since it is pretty difficult to hard-brick a HTC device, take the time to reflash it stock, then see about a return.
Just a few people not knowing what they are doing and either returning their devices, or trying up HTC's support can mean HTC will re-lock bootloaders just so they don't have to deal with that element, as the returns hit them in the pocketbook big time.
mlts22 said:
...
Just a few people not knowing what they are doing and either returning their devices, or trying up HTC's support can mean HTC will re-lock bootloaders just so they don't have to deal with that element, as the returns hit them in the pocketbook big time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people just waltz into doing these things thinking everything is a "one-click" process, for some phones maybe, but these newer ones it's not quite that simple.
And I think a lot of people who end up doing as you illustrated, warranty returning/tying up their tech support, don't even realize they're dealing with a "*soft*-brick," not a perma-brick -- something that, if they could get out of panic mode long enough, they would realize the fixes are at their fingertips, via XDA.
Apologies to the OP, didn't want to derail the thread, just kinda happened that way...
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
I just received an OTA update for My Galaxy S4 SGH-I337. My phone seized up and I had to take it into Best Buy in order to get the firmware re-installed so my phone would actually work! That was blissful... So now I am now running Android 4.4.2 KitKat! YAY! But not really.
When I got this phone, it was loaded with Android 4.3 Firmware, and for the first time in my life, I have not been able to Root my phone. I looked through all the methods out there, but none of them worked. Some people claim this one and that one, but for me, I couldn't get it to do a darn thing. Well, no big deal, it's not like I really need to root my phone.
Except that you do. YOU NEED TO ROOT YOUR AT&T PHONES!
I noticed that the OS on this 32g model uses an unprecedented 7g of space!!! That's aside from the apps that come with the phone that I will never use. Leaving me with only 21g of space on my phone, which claims to be a 32g model. Again, this is not a big deal, right? You can throw an SD card in there if you need more space...
FINE
Now comes the issue of the AT&T and Samsung Exclusive Applications that are loaded on to the phone when you get it, and ARE IRREMOVABLE! These apps are here to stay. It doesn't matter if you don't use them, or like them, or want your disc space back, screw you AT&T customer, you HAVE to have these apps.
The sickening part about all of this is the mandatory obligation you are put under when getting your new phone. No one tells you that AT&T is going to shove all of this crap down your throat. And it wouldn't be so bad if these apps were removable... it wouldn't be so bad if you could root your phone an remove them yourself... it wouldn't be so bad if you could a custom firmware on the device you just dropped $700 on... I mean, it is your phone, isn't it?
But Samsung & AT&T have gone so far out of their way locking this device down to a point where it is next to impossible to unlock and do anything with!!! Is it really that big of a problem? Someone always seems to find a way around it eventually, so why do it?
Regardless, It looks like I should have bought the Nexus 5, that way my OS wouldn't take up 7g of my 32g of space, and I wouldn't have a bunch of bloatware filling up my phone. I'd love to hear that someone has found a way to root this new NB1 baseband, and allow for custom firmware installation, because I'd like to take this phone back to AT&T and shove it down their throat.
Shibblet said:
I just received an OTA update for My Galaxy S4 SGH-I337. My phone seized up and I had to take it into Best Buy in order to get the firmware re-installed so my phone would actually work! That was blissful... So now I am now running Android 4.4.2 KitKat! YAY! But not really.
When I got this phone, it was loaded with Android 4.3 Firmware, and for the first time in my life, I have not been able to Root my phone. I looked through all the methods out there, but none of them worked. Some people claim this one and that one, but for me, I couldn't get it to do a darn thing. Well, no big deal, it's not like I really need to root my phone.
Except that you do. YOU NEED TO ROOT YOUR AT&T PHONES!
I noticed that the OS on this 32g model uses an unprecedented 7g of space!!! That's aside from the apps that come with the phone that I will never use. Leaving me with only 21g of space on my phone, which claims to be a 32g model. Again, this is not a big deal, right? You can throw an SD card in there if you need more space...
FINE
Now comes the issue of the AT&T and Samsung Exclusive Applications that are loaded on to the phone when you get it, and ARE IRREMOVABLE! These apps are here to stay. It doesn't matter if you don't use them, or like them, or want your disc space back, screw you AT&T customer, you HAVE to have these apps.
The sickening part about all of this is the mandatory obligation you are put under when getting your new phone. No one tells you that AT&T is going to shove all of this crap down your throat. And it wouldn't be so bad if these apps were removable... it wouldn't be so bad if you could root your phone an remove them yourself... it wouldn't be so bad if you could a custom firmware on the device you just dropped $700 on... I mean, it is your phone, isn't it?
But Samsung & AT&T have gone so far out of their way locking this device down to a point where it is next to impossible to unlock and do anything with!!! Is it really that big of a problem? Someone always seems to find a way around it eventually, so why do it?
Regardless, It looks like I should have bought the Nexus 5, that way my OS wouldn't take up 7g of my 32g of space, and I wouldn't have a bunch of bloatware filling up my phone. I'd love to hear that someone has found a way to root this new NB1 baseband, and allow for custom firmware installation, because I'd like to take this phone back to AT&T and shove it down their throat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Switch carrier, or be grateful that you have this powerful smartphone. xD
Moderator Edit - Profanity Removed , that is well known. But the majority of AT&T clients don't know what root is, even, and locking bootloaders is business oriented.
"Oh, you want an unlocked bootloader? Why not get our Google edition S4?"
I'm from Bulgaria, and a friend of mine was on a student brigade in USA, and he got an S4, which I bought from him.
Little did I know it was from AT&T...
I am running Kitkat on it right now.
Bootloader locked, no root yet.
But root will be found, and in time the devs are gonna come up with some really sick ROMs.
Be patient, and when the devs do their magic, don't forget to thank them.
sirobelec said:
Switch carrier, or be grateful that you have this powerful smartphone. xD
Moderator Edit - Profanity Removed
"Oh, you want an unlocked bootloader? Why not get our Google edition S4?"
I'm from Bulgaria, and a friend of mine was on a student brigade in USA, and he got an S4, which I bought from him.
Little did I know it was from AT&T...
I am running Kitkat on it right now.
Bootloader locked, no root yet.
But root will be found, and in time the devs are gonna come up with some really sick ROMs.
Be patient, and when the devs do their magic, don't forget to thank them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's an absolute.
I was running a GS2, with ShoStock3 on it. That rom worked great, stable, smooth, no issues. My son is using that phone now, and he still has had no problems running it.
I guess my biggest problem with AT&T is what they do to a perfectly good piece of hardware. Add all their little apps to it, lock the bootloader, lock the carrier, and bloat the OS to 7 times it's original size (Not an exaggeration). I guess I'm a minimalist. The OS doesn't need to be any larger than it has to. AOSP Roms prove that. 500meg footprint instead of 7gigs!
BTW, the newest upgrade put Beats Music on my phone, and I can't remove it.
Shibblet said:
That's an absolute.
I was running a GS2, with ShoStock3 on it. That rom worked great, stable, smooth, no issues. My son is using that phone now, and he still has had no problems running it.
I guess my biggest problem with AT&T is what they do to a perfectly good piece of hardware. Add all their little apps to it, lock the bootloader, lock the carrier, and bloat the OS to 7 times it's original size (Not an exaggeration). I guess I'm a minimalist. The OS doesn't need to be any larger than it has to. AOSP Roms prove that. 500meg footprint instead of 7gigs!
BTW, the newest upgrade put Beats Music on my phone, and I can't remove it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good sir, can you tell me why AT&T have clients at all? Their devices and fees cheap?
sirobelec said:
Good sir, can you tell me why AT&T have clients at all? Their devices and fees cheap?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their coverage area in Alaska is great. Their customer service and prices are good too. There are not a lot of options for service in the area that I am in, so I tend to go with AT&T, because when I do go out of state, I have usage where I go with no roaming fees and the like. We do not have T-Mobile or Verizon available in Alaska, unless you sign up out of state.
Could be worse. They could put the entire beats audio apk on the phone instead of it just taking up 8k since it links to the play store. While I do agree the os is over bloated at least we can disable apps we don't use and speed it up some.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
1. you can disable any at&t and most Samsung bloat app via the app manager.
2. all bloat combined adds up to a few hundred megabytes, barely making a dent. its the features that differentiate the s4 from lesser devices that take up this extra space. motion controls, smart screen, air controls... these are what take up the space.
3. who keeps data on the device anyway? devices break, devices brick, etc... SD cards are fairly robust and can be removed in the event of a failed device. my music, photos, downloads, etc is on my 32 GB SD card. cloud sync'd data is on internal to save space on the card but that's stored elsewhere anyway.
I love root for one very simple reason: AdAway. I used to just flash new roms immediately upon getting a phone but vanilla is boring. OE stuff is getting pretty good. I used to automatically install Titanium backup and freeze everything that way but the app manager allows us to do this now.
Actually, can we have a thread, for example this one, for general ranting, complaining, hate and such (NONE of it towards fellow xda members)?
I mean, ranting over stuff we can't do much about. AT&T politics, bloatware, etc. Call it stress relief.
And rehab sessions for flashaholics who updated to this locked Kitkat, but now their booze is taken away.
Shibblet said:
I just received an OTA update for My Galaxy S4 SGH-I337. My phone seized up and I had to take it into Best Buy in order to get the firmware re-installed so my phone would actually work! That was blissful... So now I am now running Android 4.4.2 KitKat! YAY! But not really.
When I got this phone, it was loaded with Android 4.3 Firmware, and for the first time in my life, I have not been able to Root my phone. I looked through all the methods out there, but none of them worked. Some people claim this one and that one, but for me, I couldn't get it to do a darn thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you mean you were also unable to root 4.3 mk2? I have rooted.a dozen or so mk2 devices for people with safe root.
If you meant kit kat. Then it was just released be patient.
Bloat ware can be removed once the root is obtained.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I feel your pain......
CAG-man said:
Did you mean you were also unable to root 4.3 mk2? I have rooted.a dozen or so mk2 devices for people with safe root.
If you meant kit kat. Then it was just released be patient.
Bloat ware can be removed once the root is obtained.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a safe root method for 4.3. It's the same as the method for Verizon. My 4.3 S4 is rooted right now. However, I'll only have this thing for about another week. I am fed up with Samsung and AT&T. I still have AT&T grandfathered unlimited data, and that's the only reason I'm still with them. This is my first Android phone and it is FAR from the open experience I expected coming from iPhone (jailbroken of course). Jailbreak was easier than initially rooting this model S4. Then I learned of the locked bootloader.........Knox was the final straw. Samsung can keep their forced security BS. I ordered a 32 GB Nexus 5 yesterday and am jumping off the Samsung ship. Love the hardware, hate that I can do anything I would like to with my device. And no offense to Devs working on it, but I've never waited as long for an iPhone jailbreak to happen on iOS as the bootloader unlock on this thing is taking for somebody to figure out. I'm not sure if it will happen, so I'm not going to worry about it. From here on out, it's only unlocked open phones for me. If I'm up for contract renewal, I'll get the most popular phone at the time from my carrier, sell it, and buy a Nexus/ Google Play Edition device. Camera maybe better on S4, but that's not my primary use anyway. Nexus 5 camera is good enough for me. And I don't have to buy additional parts to get Qi wireless charging.
I think Samsung wants to move to Tizen eventually anyway........so they have full control of EVERYTHING......just like Apple. Not for me.
- Jeremy
Shibblet said:
I just received an OTA update for My Galaxy S4 SGH-I337. My phone seized up and I had to take it into Best Buy in order to get the firmware re-installed so my phone would actually work! That was blissful... So now I am now running Android 4.4.2 KitKat! YAY! But not really.
When I got this phone, it was loaded with Android 4.3 Firmware, and for the first time in my life, I have not been able to Root my phone. I looked through all the methods out there, but none of them worked. Some people claim this one and that one, but for me, I couldn't get it to do a darn thing. Well, no big deal, it's not like I really need to root my phone.
Except that you do. YOU NEED TO ROOT YOUR AT&T PHONES!
I noticed that the OS on this 32g model uses an unprecedented 7g of space!!! That's aside from the apps that come with the phone that I will never use. Leaving me with only 21g of space on my phone, which claims to be a 32g model. Again, this is not a big deal, right? You can throw an SD card in there if you need more space...
FINE
Now comes the issue of the AT&T and Samsung Exclusive Applications that are loaded on to the phone when you get it, and ARE IRREMOVABLE! These apps are here to stay. It doesn't matter if you don't use them, or like them, or want your disc space back, screw you AT&T customer, you HAVE to have these apps.
The sickening part about all of this is the mandatory obligation you are put under when getting your new phone. No one tells you that AT&T is going to shove all of this crap down your throat. And it wouldn't be so bad if these apps were removable... it wouldn't be so bad if you could root your phone an remove them yourself... it wouldn't be so bad if you could a custom firmware on the device you just dropped $700 on... I mean, it is your phone, isn't it?
But Samsung & AT&T have gone so far out of their way locking this device down to a point where it is next to impossible to unlock and do anything with!!! Is it really that big of a problem? Someone always seems to find a way around it eventually, so why do it?
Regardless, It looks like I should have bought the Nexus 5, that way my OS wouldn't take up 7g of my 32g of space, and I wouldn't have a bunch of bloatware filling up my phone. I'd love to hear that someone has found a way to root this new NB1 baseband, and allow for custom firmware installation, because I'd like to take this phone back to AT&T and shove it down their throat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even when we do get to root the phone, you will not be able to reclaim any of that space.
Sorry.
It's not the OS...
joeybear23 said:
Even when we do get to root the phone, you will not be able to reclaim any of that space.
Sorry.
It's not the OS...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's lame... but can you explain why? Is this area set aside as a cache or something?
Also, I have searched for the answer, but I can't figure out why they would go through the trouble of locking the bootloader and kernel down with a chastity belt. Any idea why they did that too? I'm just a firm believer that "rooters gonna root" regardless of how difficult they make it.
It just makes me think of things in terms of games like Oblivion and Skyrim where the developers don't really care how many mods people make for their game, they don't lock it down and keep people from doing it.
Shibblet said:
That's lame... but can you explain why? Is this area set aside as a cache or something?
Also, I have searched for the answer, but I can't figure out why they would go through the trouble of locking the bootloader and kernel down with a chastity belt. Any idea why they did that too? I'm just a firm believer that "rooters gonna root" regardless of how difficult they make it.
It just makes me think of things in terms of games like Oblivion and Skyrim where the developers don't really care how many mods people make for their game, they don't lock it down and keep people from doing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The space is locked down for use by the ROM, and it is just written that way for the device, and devs have not been able to unlock it.
As for locking the bootloader, I am sure ATT is sick of eating up the expense of replacing phones as "defective" due to user ignorance. People brick phones left and right and then turn it back over to ATT and have to give a new phone in exchange. ATT can certainly repair them and reflash them, however they can only then be sold as refurbished units which hits them financially, not to mention the man-hours needed for reflashing them. Each device maybe takes a few minutes, but multiply that by thousands of returned devices and it is a compelling case for keeping future users from doing the same.
I have rooted every Android i've owned, so don't get me wrong... but if I break the thing I wouldn't be one of those trying to make ATT pay for it.
"As of 7 June 2013, the 2000th Aventador, an Aventador LP 700-4 with Nero Nemesis (black) body colour, was built and destined for the United States owner Thaddeus Arroyo, Chief Intelligence Officer of AT&T."
- via Wikipedia.
sirobelec said:
Switch carrier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a heads up on this note..
It appears that the Galaxy S5 will have a locked bootloader not just on Verizon (the original basturds) and AT&T (the follow-up basturds), but also T-Mobile now (the new basturds).
Supposedly, only Sprint will have the "unlocked bootloader". Though they will likely still have KNOX.
So if anyone wants an S5 and AOSP, they need to go with Sprint or wait and pay full price for the Google Play Edition.
Hi all. My new phone was going greatish. It was a little laggy, so thought I would root it and remove some of the preinstalled junk. All went fine no problem.
I removed some of the vodafone (UK) stuff, and all was well. Some time later though, I get a message:
"Unfortunately, the process com.android.phone has stopped"
And now my phone won't find the network and message pops up every couple of seconds. I tried a factory reset, but I suspect this made it worse as I have now lost my backups from Titanium app. The phone is basically unusable as it is due to constant error message and no network.
I have tried to access the recovery menu, but i get an empty robot with "no command".
I have seen some mention of CIDs on other forums but haven't got a clue how to go about fixing it or even where to start.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as obviously the phone is absolutely brand new, and I'm very very upset about the whole thing! Not to mention the fact that I feel like an idiot!
Anyway, thanks in advance.
You deleted something that was not suppose to be deleted. Don't the stock tot file on this forum and follow the steps to Flash back to factory
http://forum.xda-developers.com/g-flex2/general/guide-lg-g-flex-2-stock-firmware-to-t3037593 follow the video and you should be up in running in no time . make sure this link support your version not sure which g flex2 Version you have.
Still no tot files available for the LG G Flex 2 (any variant). Sorry got to wait for some to become available.
Thanks for the input. I figured it would be something like that. Any idea when the files might be available? I don't mind being a guinea pig at this stage. My phone is LG H955 on Vodafone UK.
I am going to try and play dumb in Vodafone shop today and see if they'll replace it there and then (doubtful).
I suppose my other alternative is to return it to LG for Firmware Flash. Anyone know if this is possible and potential cost?
Strangely, I'm not so bothered about (temporarily) destroying my brand new phone too much, it's my sudden lack of connectivity that hurts the most.
Thanks guys
Further update; I have spoken to LG tech support / repair department, and I told them the phone had been rooted etc. (I didn't leave any identifying details!) They informed me that as the phone was now out of warranty, I should speak to their service partner SBE.
After calling SBE, they informed me that LG or their partner have no obligation to fix rooted phones, so apparently they just won't do it, even though I'm certain they could, which kind of sucks, as I was obviously willing to pay.
So it looks like I'm waiting for the TOT files. I hope they come along soon!
Lesson well and truly learned!
djjag1 said:
Further update; I have spoken to LG tech support / repair department, and I told them the phone had been rooted etc. (I didn't leave any identifying details!) They informed me that as the phone was now out of warranty, I should speak to their service partner SBE.
After calling SBE, they informed me that LG or their partner have no obligation to fix rooted phones, so apparently they just won't do it, even though I'm certain they could, which kind of sucks, as I was obviously willing to pay.
So it looks like I'm waiting for the TOT files. I hope they come along soon!
Lesson well and truly learned!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stay positive. Hopefully those tot files come soon. I on the other hand what to experiment with my phone but need a tot file just in case I mess anything up.
If it's just your dialer that's acting up, have you tried a third party dialer to make phone calls?
djjag1 said:
Further update; I have spoken to LG tech support / repair department, and I told them the phone had been rooted etc. (I didn't leave any identifying details!) They informed me that as the phone was now out of warranty, I should speak to their service partner SBE.
After calling SBE, they informed me that LG or their partner have no obligation to fix rooted phones, so apparently they just won't do it, even though I'm certain they could, which kind of sucks, as I was obviously willing to pay.
So it looks like I'm waiting for the TOT files. I hope they come along soon!
Lesson well and truly learned!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets see if we can work on this.
Is it working ok, just not picking up the network?
How long exactly have you had it?
If you put what you all deleted meaning what folders they were in i could make a copy of that folder or apps you deleted and upload them on dropbox for you that might help get you going worth a shot
Be better if someone had the same variant as you i have the Sprint model.
Thanks again for input. I have hopefully managed to sort this with my provider. I was just within the 14 day cancellation period, so I have arranged for a brand new handset. I know its a little bit naughty but if the phone wasnt so laggy to begin with, I would never have rooted it.
I'm guessing it makes no difference to them as the phone will go back to lg for wipe and reflash as a matter of course once returned.
Thanks folks, I will remain on this forum and hopefully not do anything quite so stupid again!
Unfortunately this is my last day with this device . Great phone but i was wrong the 810 processor is dangerously hot to the point it felt like my pockets were on fire. This my second g flex2 and I'm moving on to something more reliable. Love this phone but this heat issue i can't risk. After 14 days i would be stuck with this phone and i can't take the risk of hoping of getting a device that function fine bye everyone.
:victory::victory::victory:
Today, I've gotten myself in a similar pickle after applying noob root.. Data OK but no phonecalls and no txts. When I tried to make a call, the thing said the phone is not activated. Sprint tech supp was of course no help, so after some digging I found this: ##72786#
Factory reset, keep the data (and all apps).
That solved it.
I guess I'm old enough to know that being lazy doesn't pay.
Stank0 said:
Today, I've gotten myself in a similar pickle after applying noob root.. Data OK but no phonecalls and no txts. When I tried to make a call, the thing said the phone is not activated. Sprint tech supp was of course no help, so after some digging I found this: ##72786#
Factory reset, keep the data (and all apps).
That solved it.
I guess I'm old enough to know that being lazy doesn't pay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you had root, and while doing this factory reset you were able to go back to full stock unrooted rom? if so, were you able to install updates? i too have a sprint version and i was rooted and tried installing an update but failed, i then unrooted my phone tried the update again and still got an error. im just wondering if this method would actually help people who have the same problem as i do.
gothikzoul said:
so you had root, and while doing this factory reset you were able to go back to full stock unrooted rom? if so, were you able to install updates? i too have a sprint version and i was rooted and tried installing an update but failed, i then unrooted my phone tried the update again and still got an error. im just wondering if this method would actually help people who have the same problem as i do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
I tried every possible way to install this damn update. Rooted, unrooted, factory reset 4 times, tried to install from the system update in settings, from recovery (which is, at least for me, very tricky to get into) all efforts errored out.
I posted a link to the update.zip in other thread.
So then I gave up and used this noob root which killed voice calls and text.
This code I posted says it does a factory reset but is resetting something else than other factory resets because almost all my settings, passwords and all apps remained intact.. Then I used the original root method and everything works like it's supposed to.
I guess we'll have to wait until someone finally starts developing for our phone.
So after a few days I just received a notification for the update for the third time. Any suggestions as to how I should proceed? I've tried it while being rooted and failed, also tried it the second time after unrooting and failed too. Also, what is the default location where the update is downloaded to, so I can back it up.
So far nothing has worked. The update should be in the cache folder. There is also a link to download the update that someone posted in another thread here about the update.
FYI - I forced the update through recovery over root and bricked my phone. Like all the way bricked. I can get to recovery and download mode, but no fastboot even. Luckily I was within my 14 days and there is no way to tell it is rooted... because it doesn't even get that far, so I got a replacement. My sincere advice would be to wait to root until we have custom recovery and stock firmware available, and if you have root now, wait to update until a dev can release a "root safe" version.
I'm not an expert but I'm not new either. I got the original Evo on launch day and have done all kinds of dumb stuff to every phone since. This is the first time I haven't been able to recover it.
austontatious said:
FYI - I forced the update through recovery over root and bricked my phone. Like all the way bricked. I can get to recovery and download mode, but no fastboot even. Luckily I was within my 14 days and there is no way to tell it is rooted... because it doesn't even get that far, so I got a replacement. My sincere advice would be to wait to root until we have custom recovery and stock firmware available, and if you have root now, wait to update until a dev can release a "root safe" version.
I'm not an expert but I'm not new either. I got the original Evo on launch day and have done all kinds of dumb stuff to every phone since. This is the first time I haven't been able to recover it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
=( *hug. That sucks man, thankfully you were able to get it replaced. *pfew I dodged a bullet there. I was actually thinking about doing the same thing getting home from work. Yeah its best we don't mess with the phone any longer those that have root at the moment. Until custom recovery and stock rom is out like he says.
Wow. How did you manage to "force" the update through recovery? I tried it through recovery but it would error out. (Error 7)
I will tell you, as a cautionary tale.
The error when you flash from recovery references a specific file that is incompatible with the update. I used root explorer to investigate further and found that the root script had overwritten a system file. The original was saved as "original" so I deleted the file causing the error and renamed the original one. After that, the update went through and I thought I was golden... Only now nothing else works.