Returning VZW SGS3: Unrooting for Exchange... - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III

Background Information:
I need to return my Verizon SGS3 for an exchange (within the first 14 days) because of a battery problem. My battery is draining WAY too fast and getting too hot. To the point where the battery cover is melting.
- I have flashed root66 to my device using Odin and installed the CWM via the CWM App.
- I have already went to the Samsung Site to obtain the Stock VZW software and flashed it back to my phone via Odin.
- The CWM is gone and the there is no trace of SuperUser that I can see (meaning the app is not installed).
- When I boot the device, the "Unlock" symbol is no longer their, and only the Samsung logo is visable (like it was when it was stock).
So I called Verizon to setup an exchange and the lady asked me if I had altered the phone in anyway. I told her no, but then realized I needed to find out more so I told her I had another call and would call back later. She said that the Warehouse would be checking the phone upon arrival to check and see if the phone's software has bee altered in any way.
Question(s)/Issue(s):
I wanted to make sure that what I did (in regards to returning the phone to it's factory state [to my knowledge]) was sufficient enough. Because I don't want to get charged $299 for returning an "altered" phone to them.
Has anyone successfully returned a Verizon SGS3 that was rooted and then flashed back to the software from the Samsung Support site and returned/exchanged the phone without a problem?[/B]
-h3llsdr0id

Sorry not answering your question, but do you have to send the phone? Can't you just go to Verizon store and exchange it?

[email protected] said:
Sorry not answering your question, but do you have to send the phone? Can't you just go to Verizon store and exchange it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's just that I live 4 hours away from the closest Verizon Store...
So I kind of have to send it. Am I cool sending it back the way I did everything?
I mean is Verizon gonna know it was rooted?
-h3llsdr0id

If you can use triangle away and non root stock software they should not be able to tell. Not sure about triangle away for Verizon, but for tmo it works.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

jjlean said:
If you can use triangle away and non root stock software they should not be able to tell. Not sure about triangle away for Verizon, but for tmo it works.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app[/QUOTE
It works on all the US variants now
So flash stock in Odin and make sure reset flash counter if it's above 0(depending on how you rooted) and ur golden
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I was wondering if the stock Verizon ROM from the "samsung-updates" site quill bw efficient enough. It's not an officially recognized site that is connected to Verizon or Samsung, but it is all I can find. And the Triangle problems do not apply to the root66 roms as far as I can see. I am a perfectionist and have flashed these more times than needed and have never had a triangle problem...
-h3llsdr0id
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I was in the same situation two days ago. On Route66 with custom recovery. All I did was install the latest stock rom via odin. I got the stock rom from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1755386
After I ran it, my phone still showed as custom and modified. I had to do a factory data reset under settings. Once I did that, the phone was completely stock with a "normal" status just like the day I got it. That's how I took it to verizon and had no problems exchanging it.

Thank you. That's all I needed
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Related

[Q] Factory reset help... Returning phone to verizon

Ok, here is the breakdown:
Tried to root my phone using Odin.
The .tar file uploaded successfully "passed"
Went to reboot the phone, and it got stuck in a boot loop (droid, mechanical eye, droid, etc)
Found out I loaded an old version of the .tar file.
Did a factory reset using volume up, home and power.
SO MY QUESTION IS, WELL VERIZON HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE THAT I TRIED TO ROOT MY PHONE? I'M SENDING BACK FOR A FAULTY CHARGE PORT, THEY SENT ME A REPLACEMENT, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY WON'T KNOW I TRIED TO TAMPER WITH IT.
Once I factory reset my phone, it was trying to do automatic updates, and kept failing during the install... Didn't know if I have to remove the .tar using the Odin somehow.
Please help!
Thanks!
Most people say they never look and have returned stuff rooted. If your that worried about it re download the files and ODIN again shouldnt take very long and is easy to do. Ahh I read you did a factory reset, guess I should learn to pay attention. I would just return and not worry.
I would return it to stock EE4 and OTA to GB or flash that stock all in one rom... most likely they won't even see anything or notice, but I'd do it anyway since I wouldn't wanna risk getting slammed with the full cost of the phone
sent from my Acer Iconia A500 beast of a tablet via XDA app
How do I remove the rooted software and install the original EE4?
How can I insure that it is correct?
paku12 said:
How do I remove the rooted software and install the original EE4?
How can I insure that it is correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1111486
Pretty much explains it there. Follow the instructions step by step then ask if you need to.
I'm one of those people who think the don't check very closely. Think how many phones, not just charge, but all smart phones that go back every day. I can't imagine the line workers who receive the returns have much incentive to find rooted phones.
But just the same. . .
But if you are returning a phone there is no downside to going back to stock. It only takes a few minutes.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium

Galaxy s2 lte usb not connecting

The title pretty much says it all, I am running rooted rogers stock, and recently my phone has stopped connecting through usb. I have tried on multiple computers and on each one, thr phone just charges when connected, i dont get a notification saying that usb is connected, nothing. I am not using the cable that came with my phone as i have lost it, but the cable im' using worked fine in the past (its a kindle usb btw). I am wondering if theres any way to fix this, or am I SOL?
Sent from my SGH-I727R using XDA
Try to install the latest Samsung USB Drivers.
Also you can try plugging it to another computer/laptop, if it doesn't work either then there is a chance that the cord has gone bad. I know my computer doesn't recognize my phone when its on my USB extender but when I use the stock USB cord it detects it fine.
UZ7 said:
Try to install the latest Samsung USB Drivers.
Also you can try plugging it to another computer/laptop, if it doesn't work either then there is a chance that the cord has gone bad. I know my computer doesn't recognize my phone when its on my USB extender but when I use the stock USB cord it detects it fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the latest drivers downloaded, I'll borrow my friends cord on monday, till then I'll scower my house fot my cord. Thanks for the reply!
Sent from my SGH-I727R using XDA
I had the exact same thing happen to me. Went to the AT&T repair facility and got it swapped out. You can find out where the closest one is from a retail store. Since Galaxy is so new, you probably shouldn't even need your receipt. If you are rooted, I hope you have a stock NANDROID backup of unrooted stock. I was afraid they would deny so I unrooted. Since I didn't have a NANDROID, and didn't want to flash ODIN and trip the counter, I ended up having to make a CWM flashable zip of stock, including stock recovery, using WIFI to transfer the file, and flash. I heard many tech don't care and will swap out for you either way. Hope you get it swapped w/o hassle!
freakius said:
I had the exact same thing happen to me. Went to the AT&T repair facility and got it swapped out. You can find out where the closest one is from a retail store. Since Galaxy is so new, you probably shouldn't even need your receipt. If you are rooted, I hope you have a stock NANDROID backup of unrooted stock. I was afraid they would deny so I unrooted. Since I didn't have a NANDROID, and didn't want to flash ODIN and trip the counter, I ended up having to make a CWM flashable zip of stock, including stock recovery, using WIFI to transfer the file, and flash. I heard many tech don't care and will swap out for you either way. Hope you get it swapped w/o hassle!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you need to do is flash the counter reset and Odin the sammobile tar
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
Could also be an issue with the cable. Had similar issues before switching to a new one.
I had the exact same thing happen to me. Went to the AT&T repair facility and got it swapped out. You can find out where the closest one is from a retail store. Since Galaxy is so new, you probably shouldn't even need your receipt. If you are rooted, I hope you have a stock NANDROID backup of unrooted stock. I was afraid they would deny so I unrooted. Since I didn't have a NANDROID, and didn't want to flash ODIN and trip the counter, I ended up having to make a CWM flashable zip of stock, including stock recovery, using WIFI to transfer the file, and flash. I heard many tech don't care and will swap out for you either way. Hope you get it swapped w/o hassle!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would u make a flashable zip like that?
Sent from my SGH-I727R using XDA
Does anyone know how to do what freakius did with rogers stock?
Sent from my SGH-I727R using XDA
thatguy97 said:
Does anyone know how to do what freakius did with rogers stock?
Sent from my SGH-I727R using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rogers tar is in the unbrick/unroot thread. Rogers is waaay more lenient than AT&T, and I don't most know what rooting even is
icenight89 said:
Rogers tar is in the unbrick/unroot thread. Rogers is waaay more lenient than AT&T, and I don't most know what rooting even is
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read my first post, my problem is that my phone wont connect to my computer through usb so i couldn't flash that tar even if i wanted to
I have the same problem and upon format in cwm it says dev/block unable to.format
There's a similar thread on this in the General section.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626813&page=2
In short, IMO it's likely a cold solder issue. Have a long conversation with someone (45 min-hour) with the phone in your hand (so it heats up internally) then connect to a computer. If it comes up, you know it's a hardware issue. This was the case with mine.

[Q] Unroot Verizon Galaxy S3

Hello all,
I recently rooted my Galaxy S3 only to have my Mic fail on me 2 weeks later... Very dissatisfied with my Samsung about that - even though I am loving the phone. Anyways, back to the issue. Verizon has agreed to send me a replacement and I have to send them mine back. The problem is that I know that if I send them a rooted phone they will not honor the warranty, and I am having a very hard time flashing the Verizon Stock rom.
More specifically, and to see if I am doing anything wrong.. I used ODIN to flash a custom rooted rom onto my phone which worked perfectly, and now I am once again trying to use ODIN in order to flash the stock rom which I downloaded from goo.im - the file that I am using is HOME_I535VRALF2_I535VZWALF2_618049_REV09_user_low_ship.tar.md5
Simple steps - reboot into downloading mode -> check auto-reboot and reset time on ODIN and choose the file above under PDA. All works fine, the phone reboots and I get a PASS, and yet my phone is stuck on the Verizon 4G loading intro. I think that's what they call a soft brick.
The first time this happened, I flashed a different rom and the phone loaded properly but it had the open lock symbol under Samsung which I think means that it was unlocked.. Either way, it was not the unrooted and official stock rom which is what I need on my phone in order to keep my warranty. The file that DOES work is COMBINATION_I535VRBLJ1_I535VZWBLJ1_381038_REV09_user_low_ship(NO_WIPE).tar.md5
I have followed the above steps over and over again and I always get the same result - stock doesn't work, the other one does.
Any ideas? What could the issue be?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1762709
Personally I would try the files found in section 5 of this thread.
According to Droidstyles guide before his recent edits, if it freezes on the boot logo after a successful Odin factory flash then you're supposed to pull the battery, boot into recovery, and do a factory reset. Try that.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
SlimSnoopOS said:
According to Droidstyles guide before his recent edits, if it freezes on the boot logo after a successful Odin factory flash then you're supposed to pull the battery, boot into recovery, and do a factory reset. Try that.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes this works, also had this happen to me, and to boot to recovery just hold home+volume up+power button. It should work.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
You should probably factory reset after flashing, for you don't want to be running a buggy phone.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Use a full wipe version and this would not happen...part of the reason why i removed nowipe versions such as f2. But yes as slimsnoop said, data wipe /factory reset will fix that.
So I bought the s3 Verizon it was rooted and switched to cricket pre paid before my friend sold it to me he tried to root back to Verizon but of course he failed, is there anyway to get the phone completelyback to stock even though he switched providers cuz the phone is stuck on the activating part I'm no noobe at rooting just don't know much bout this phone
Sent from my LT28at using xda app-developers app
FhtmChandley85 said:
is there anyway to get the phone completelyback to stock even though he switched providers cuz the phone is stuck on the activating part I'm no noobe at rooting just don't know much bout this phone
Sent from my LT28at using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow section 5 of Droidstyle's (the guy above you) guide. Click the link in his signature. I'm not sure about how this handles modified network configuration though, that's not something I remotely know anything about.
I thought there was a way to bypass the activation screen? On older phones, you could tap the four corners of the screen or something like that? Anyone ever heard that before?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Returning to VZW, Should I........??

Ok, I was rooted running Beanstown's rom. I decided to return to stock and update to the latest OTA last week.
Right before I Un-rooted, I noticed that I had tripped my counter (showing that I've rooted my phone 4 times).
I chose to leave it and not worry about it due to the fact that I didn't think I'd ever need to return my phone.
So after I was finished installing all the updates (including the latest) and started to rebuild my apps and desktop.
I started to notice the issues with the signal and after 4 conversations with VZW, one trip to the store to get a new sim card.
I've figured out that the OTA has messed my phone up in a bad way. I can't get service at my office and it's never been a problem.
So now VZW is sending me a replacement phone.
My question to you guys is..... do i dare send the phone in with that counter showing (4) trips?
Or should i root and use the Triangle away app to clear it, then unroot and send back.
thanks
i dontknow how relevant this thread is, but here you go
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1867253
another option for you, ive read that this update has messed up date for a few people.
odin back to the k3 firmware and see if that fixes it before swapping if youre worried
I know how to unroot the phone. Or flash a older version of VZW's rom. But If I power off my phone, then boot into Odin mode there is a counter that shows i've flashed custom roms. My question is, do y'all think that VZW will look there and then come back to me? The phone is running stock OTA, it just shows that i've rooted and unlocked it.
dbow32 said:
I know how to unroot the phone. Or flash a older version of VZW's rom. But If I power off my phone, then boot into Odin mode there is a counter that shows i've flashed custom roms. My question is, do y'all think that VZW will look there and then come back to me? The phone is running stock OTA, it just shows that i've rooted and unlocked it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would just go ahead and do it. It can't hurt to be safe. That's what I did and my incident turned out to be dirt in the micro tiny stupid tiny mic hole haha. I had 4/5 and used triangle away then odined back to stock to not trip it.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
ricecake2000 said:
I would just go ahead and do it. It can't hurt to be safe. That's what I did and my incident turned out to be dirt in the micro tiny stupid tiny mic hole haha. I had 4/5 and used triangle away then odined back to stock to not trip it.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely this just to be on the safe side.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help sections
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator

[Q] Veizon S3 Insurance claim, pre-rooted? OTA Update? Not sure what's been done

Hello all! I need to know what has been done to my insurance replacement phone, and how I can safely update my phone to VRBMV1.
The short version...
I hard bricked my Verizon Galaxy S3 phone by installing a custom ROM wrong, I got an insurance replacement that came pre-rooted, has Clockworkmod already installed and I believe has an unlocked bootloader. Clockworkmod stopped the OTA Update, but I want the update installed. I need to know what to do.
The long, more informative version...
So, I wanted to increase the volume of my Bluetooth headset and after trying different apps and nothing working, I found some modded system files that had a great review that increase all of the phones volumes. The instructions said the phone had to be rooted. Well I rooted the phone and the modded files didn't work. So reading the reviews of the mod, people were saying it worked great with the OMEGA AOPK ROM. So I rooted my Verizon Galaxy S3 i535 phone and installed a the custom rom and hard bricked my phone. I didn't pay enough attention and installed a rom for an i9000 not a i535, at least I think that's what happened... Anyways, I got a new phone through my insurance and the screen wouldn't rotate, so they sent me a 2nd replacement. I got that one in the mail today and it appears to already be rooted, and possibly have an unlocked bootloader, but i'm not sure how to do the VRBMV1 OTA update now.
The first thing the phone did once I activated it was do an OTA update from Verizon, so I let it. Clockworkmod popped up and said it couldn't verify the publisher for the files it was trying to install and asked if I wanted to continue. I clicked NO.
So, since I recently found out what Clockworkmod was and know it's not stock on the S3, I knew someone had done something to the phone. So i'm trying to figure out what exactly has been done, and if it's safe for me to do the OTA update or not.
After searching this forum I found out I can use an app to see if the phone is rooted or not, so I checked it and the app say "root access granted". I also see an app already installed on the phone called SuperSU. So I now know the phone is rooted.
After searching more I found one way to possibly tell if the bootloader is unlocked is to restart the phone, if the Samsung logo goes away within 1 second you probably have an unlocked bootloader. The logo goes away instantly on my phone, so i'm guessing the bootloader is unlocked?
The rest of the phone appears to be the same visually and settings wise as my old S3, so I think it's the stock ROM. "About phone" says Android Version 4.1.2 - Baseband Version i535VRBMB1 - Kernel Version 3.0.13-861013 [email protected] #1 SMP PREEMPT Thu Feb 14 15:16:58 KST 2013 - Build Number JZ054K.I535VRBMB1. Putting the phone Download Mode says everything is "Official", whereas it said "Custom" just before I bricked my old phone.
Sorry this is getting so long. I'll get to the questions now...
From what I've read on the forum, it appears to not be a good idea to do the OTA updates. Without knowing what else has been done to the phone, how can I "safely" get VRBMV1 installed? It appears to fix some problems with battery life and 4G signal, so it would be nice to have.
I for sure don't want to brick another phone as my insurance most likely will not like me anymore. So i'm not sure i'm comfortable trying anymore custom ROMs that already have the update in them. Is there a way to take the phone back to factory with having any of the backups that may or may not have been done before the phone was modded?
Thank you very much!
Odin flash VRBMB1 tar.
SlimSnoopOS said:
Odin flash VRBMB1 tar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you will be on the very latest OEM OTA version , no need to worry about updates. QED
SlimSnoopOS said:
Odin flash VRBMB1 tar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That worked PERFECT! Thank you very much!!!! :good:
You may have gotten one of my 5 returns...
However i am fairly certian I returned them with the stock recovery, and rom unless I missed that step on one or two... I was having screen issues when they sent me refurbs
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Colomonster said:
You may have gotten one of my 5 returns...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well everything seems to work perfectly on it, so thank you for not breaking it! :fingers-crossed:

Categories

Resources