Getting a Galaxy S2 back to orignal carrier? - General Questions and Answers

Hi guys, I'm new here and in a fix. I'm with CSpire and to keep my current plan I had to find a used Galaxy S2 (Cspire has none) to replace my Galaxy S (slow 3g around Memphis).
Seller had all Cspire packaging,etc and said it was a company phone but when I get to Cspire they can't program it and show me the 'Mycricket' info in Settings. Call 611 and you get Cricket Customer Service so someone evidently flashed it to work with cricket at some point.
How much of a pain is it to try and get this phone back to Cspire so I use it? Only thing I was told by someone on craigslist (lol) is that I need to get the Cspire PRL for my 'new' phone and somehow d'load some software to flash it back to Cspire so I can get it activated but it seems like a lot of work, especially for a near 2 year old phone.
Any thoughts?
Thanks guys
Jeremy

Have you tried going to SamMobile website, and finding stock firmware for that device?
That's a good place to find STOCK Carrier specific firmware for Samsung devices.

ianNaos said:
Have you tried going to SamMobile website, and finding stock firmware for that device?
That's a good place to find STOCK Carrier specific firmware for Samsung devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, no but I'll see what I can dig up. The seller did finally mention that they 'lost' it for a month but didn't know what happened to it, and have offered to take it back so I told them to give me a day to look at it. The cheapest mint S2 phones are over $150 so it would be cool to fix this one since I only paid $90 for it.
I don't want to waste alot of time on this phone though. I've grown up building and overclocking computers but don't have any interest in doing that to the phone or spending hours learning how to get this phone back to the original carrier.
Thanks for the heads up on SamMobile though!
EDIT: I checked SM's firware listing and unfortunately mine isn't listed for the CSpire GS2. It's a SCH-R760.
I've seen newer white SG2 phones for around $150 that are supposed to be newer than the black models but I prefer black, and $90 lol. This stinks...

Ya.. when I saw your first post I did a quick google search to figure out that model.. and the SCH-R760 is what I found and didn't see it on SamMobile either. Tough Luck.
I've never heard of CSpire either, so I thought you might have better luck finding a stock rom.
BUT... doing another google search.. I found this.. give it a quick look.. hope it helps: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1597686

ianNaos said:
Ya.. when I saw your first post I did a quick google search to figure out that model.. and the SCH-R760 is what I found and didn't see it on SamMobile either. Tough Luck.
I've never heard of CSpire either, so I thought you might have better luck finding a stock rom.
BUT... doing another google search.. I found this.. give it a quick look.. hope it helps: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1597686
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I looked it over which is a bit much for someone not used to hacking a phone lol. One question, is getting a stock rom the answer to getting the phone to work with the original carrier? BTW, C Spire used to be Cellular South, a large regional carrier around the mid-south (Memphis,TN/MS/AL,etc)
Thanks

One question I should have asked first... does the phone have the stock Recovery installed?
To boot into recovery on that phone (if you don't know already, not sure).
1. Power off the phone.
2. Press and HOLD: Volume UP + Home Button + Power (in that order, one after another, keeping all pressed)
3. When you see the Galaxy S2 Logo come up, you can let go of the Power button. Then when a recovery screen comes up, or a logo for a 3rd party Recovery comes up you can let go of the Volume and Home button.
If recovery is stock, you will see "Android system recovery <[X]e>" [X] just being number for recovery.
If recovery is modded you will probably either see TWRP recovery or CWM recovery come up.
If it's STOCK, and you have already backed up all your information you can try -> "wipe/data factory reset" which will still keep some data, but system will restore to it's original state.

Related

[Q] [SOLVED] can not get into ##786# menu [SPH-D720]

Short story:
Got phone off ebay. ESN is clear. Had Android 2.3 on it. Took it to Sprint store yesterday and they said its not right. Something is missing according to them. Didnt tell me want but that they couldnt activate it. Brought it home flashed completely stock 2.3 img files and let it update its self to ICS. Brought it back and still doesnt work. Different tech today says that it is not letting them into the programming menu ##786# so they cant activate it or assign it to my phone number.
Question:
What do I need to flash to be able to get the programming menu back?
Would rather fix it then have to send back to ebay seller.
twistedsense said:
Short story:
Got phone off ebay. ESN is clear. Had Android 2.3 on it. Took it to Sprint store yesterday and they said its not right. Something is missing according to them. Didnt tell me want but that they couldnt activate it. Brought it home flashed completely stock 2.3 img files and let it update its self to ICS. Brought it back and still doesnt work. Different tech today says that it is not letting them into the programming menu ##786# so they cant activate it or assign it to my phone number.
Question:
What do I need to flash to be able to get the programming menu back?
Would rather fix it then have to send back to ebay seller.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you sure it's completely stock? I know some rom's dont work.
are they looking for this one? *#*#8778#*#*
or *#*#info#*#*?
tylerwatt12 said:
are you sure it's completely stock? I know some rom's dont work.
are they looking for this one? *#*#8778#*#*
or *#*#info#*#*?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive tried these forums
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1072698
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1078213
http://nexusshacks.com/nexus-s-4g-hacks/how-to-unroot-nexus-s-4g/
Using samsungsimpleDL and fastboot.
The closest Ive gotten is http://community.sprint.com/baw/docs/DOC-2352 using *#*#72786#*#*. It is asking for an MSL there.
Called Sprint and let the guy try to activate it. He gave me a new code *#*#976879#*#* that git me in and we changed the MSID and phone now works.
So who knows if if was the phone or simply needing the right sprint tech. Thanks for the questions you asked. It helped me search for more answers and ideas.

[Q] Is my phone bricked???

Okay, I bought a used MT4GS from a fairly reputable phone reseller called CPR (cell phone repair.) I bought it back in March or April of this year. I immediately rooted and installed a custom rom and CWM. A few months ago I upgraded my rom to CM9 and about a month ago I began having problems. The isses were minor at first, the hardware buttons on the outside of the phone would stop working but I could open the phone and use the ones on the keyboard. Then in the past two weeks all of the buttons would stop working. I thought it was a hardware problem so today I dropped it off at CPR and they took it apart and tested all of the buttons. According to them all the buttons tested out fine. So I have a phone that the only thing that works is the touch screen. Here is the odd thing. If I hold the volume down while booting I get the fastboot menu and can navigate it using the volume keys. If I go into recovery mode none of the buttons work same as in the phone. So either this is a software problem or a systemboard problem. Because my power and volume buttons work on the recovery menu I'm inclined to believe it's a software problem but I'm a little lost on how to fix it. I just tried to boot the phone again and it's now stuck on the boot animation and does nothing. Please help!!!
I was curious if you tried a reinstall before your keys went completely berserk...but no matter now. Sometimes a person will get a bad download though and you can get some WEIRD results from them.
Anyway....this is how I answered on the CM9 Thread if you hadn't seen it......
I've never heard of a ROM brickng a phone especially gradually but I suppose anything is possible. If what you're wanting to do is to return to stock & just kinda "start over" then just go to This Thread and scroll down to the files labeled as "Return to Stock" & download the correct file according to your installed software. Then you can just place it in the root directory of your SD card and reboot into Hboot. PG59IMG files are designed to run from your bootloader and you just answer the few questions it asks as it does.
WeekendsR2Short said:
I was curious if you tried a reinstall before your keys went completely berserk...but no matter now. Sometimes a person will get a bad download though and you can get some WEIRD results from them.
Anyway....this is how I answered on the CM9 Thread if you hadn't seen it......
I've never heard of a ROM brickng a phone especially gradually but I suppose anything is possible. If what you're wanting to do is to return to stock & just kinda "start over" then just go to This Thread and scroll down to the files labeled as "Return to Stock" & download the correct file according to your installed software. Then you can just place it in the root directory of your SD card and reboot into Hboot. PG59IMG files are designed to run from your bootloader and you just answer the few questions it asks as it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I actually did that last night. Got to watch the intro animation from HTC/T-Mobile etc. Still no buttons. I'm guessing that the system board has a bad chip since the buttons tested out okay. That is more consistent with the gradual failure than a software bug. Now if there were a rom made for a phone without buttons then I'd be in good shape. Luckily I found an identical phone on Craigslist for $85 which I feel is reasonable for a discontinued phone. Does anybody have recommendations on QWERTY Android phones for T-Mobile that are better than the MT4GS?
Someone mentioned that Samsung is coming out with one soon but I can't remember the name for squat.
If it's for T-Mobile then I suggest the Samsung Relay 4G. Else better wait for Samsung Stratosphere 2 fior Verizon if you might consider changing networks for the sake of a better phone.
THAAAAT'S the one! Samsung Relay 4G. Thank you kind sir!:good:
Samsung took over for HTC, who took over for crApple.
blackknightavalon said:
Samsung took over for HTC, who took over for crApple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung also.
First off let me say I'm sorry about the death of your MT4GS - mine died over a month ago and I'm still in mourning. However, the Relay is a nice little device. I don't want to be accused of attempting to recruit people again, but at the risk of saying so it is an upgrade from the HTC product in MOST ways - some people don't like the screen as much and the camera is definitely inferior. However, it's a nice device. I'm happy with it honestly. TouchWIZ takes some getting used to but since HTC didn't give us ICS, even ICSense... and Samsung has ICS on here with JB to come... I'm satisfied. If you are still curious we have a thread in the G2/Desire forum that we are using until XDA gives us a dedicated forum.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Verizon SCH-I535 Hard Brick Options...

Hello to all the people of the world who share this amazing interest in their electronics.
Please let me begin by saying that this is my first post and have searched for hours over the last five days to try and find the answers and learn more about my situation, and I thank anyone who takes the time to respond ahead of time.
I am the owner of a what I believe to be a hard bricked verizon sch-i535.
I started with the stock phone and I decided to try the update I found on this wonderful site.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1974114
"[GUIDE] Jelly Bean Factory Image (Root/Recovery/Unlocked Bootloader) *UPDATED 12/6*"
I followed the directions perfectly, installed TWRP Recovery, added SuperSU, and went with both Root and Unlocked Bootloader option.
Everything went perfect. The phone rebooted, opened loaded android jelly bean perfect and I was able to make a recovery back up, by entering TWRP recovery mode, three button combo, vol up, power, home. This all went perfectly according to plan.
My problem arose when I pushed my luck and lack of research which I rightly admit and decided to try and then upload one of the modified roms.
I decided to go with the latest AOKP milestone, that i downloaded from the AOKP site.
aokp_i9300_jb_milestone-1.zip
I had spent some time researching and was pretty sure I understood what to do.
I entered TWRP with the three button recovery mode option (vol up, home, power), made a second back up, did the factory reset swipe, cleared both caches, then tried to install "aokp_i9300_jb_milestone-1.zip" from sd card which was on the list. The phone reloaded, the screen went black and enter what i now believe to be hard brick status.
I have tried all the simple fixes, ordered and used a download jig, removed battery, no button responses, not recognized by odin on xp, computer chimes but does not recognize phone. This is where I'm at and how I have gotten here. If only
I have been researching JTAG and the RIFF box, and now also the ORT JTAG box. There are people who are supposidly doing JTAG repairs on the sch-i535 even though all of the sales sites for these boxes do not show the Snap dragon msm 8960 chip set is supported. I realize I could just send this phone to them but I would really like to repair it myself if I can purchase the correct tools. I have searched high and low and would just like to know if anyone on here has any experience with this type of repair if you think its an option in my case. I have also read that people who have had hard bricks with the same symptoms have had to replace the motherboard. If JTAG repair with RIFF box is possible, can I use the same JTAG jig as the one designed for the i747 version which is also based on the same chipset? I realize that the actual programing is different between carriers but if the RIFF box has the correct verizon software can it be used with i747 JTAG jig?
I have also read about the option to use a good SCH-I535 to make a boot sd card and then short the resistor on the bricked phone. There really hasn't been much written about success with this option. I am a person who believes I can fix anything, and would like to be able to repair it in the future if I can find the right tools and also help others in my area. Is it really dead or can I still resurrect my phone?
Thanks a lot to all of you at XDA.
Are you able to reach download mode from
vol d + home + power?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
jam.i.s0n said:
Are you able to reach download mode from
vol d + home + power?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, my phone is completely unresponsive. Neither of the three button press options nor the download jig I ordered do anything.
your problem lies in the fact that you flashed an i9300 (international variant) rom onto your us variant rom. unfortunately they're not compatible and most probably bricked your phone unless you are somehow able to go back into download mode and use odin to flash the appropriate stock rom for your verizon s3.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
OP see sticky top of page for correct forum.
jje
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
This is wrong forum mate
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Premium HD app
mputtr said:
your problem lies in the fact that you flashed an i9300 (international variant) rom onto your us variant rom. unfortunately they're not compatible and most probably bricked your phone unless you are somehow able to go back into download mode and use odin to flash the appropriate stock rom for your verizon s3.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response. A question about the variants. Was it the No wipe version, or the AOKP version? I'm thinking the AOKP due to the fact that the phone booted up perfect after the no-wipe Jelly bean. Or am I wrong, and would it appear to operate fine at beginning only to crash after?
fscxide said:
Thanks for your response. A question about the variants. Was it the No wipe version, or the AOKP version? I'm thinking the AOKP due to the fact that the phone booted up perfect after the no-wipe Jelly bean. Or am I wrong, and would it appear to operate fine at beginning only to crash after?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is you flashed the I9300 AOKP on your Verizon S3. Guaranteed hard brick every time.
Glad to see you've been researching and you're on the right path, is gonna need JTAG. here is the link everyone uses. You may be able email and ask what method they use to determine if you can do it yourself. I'd guess it's expensive, but it may be something you want to do.
http://mobiletechvideos.mybigcommerce.com/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-jtag-brick-repair/
Sent from my SCH-I535
My guess is that I7 box will do no good. There has to be more to JTag. In the beginning Josh at Mobile Tech could JTag the other Variants but not the I535. He now can so apparently there is more needed than just the box.
kintwofan said:
The problem is you flashed the I9300 AOKP on your Verizon S3. Guaranteed hard brick every time.
Glad to see you've been researching and you're on the right path, is gonna need JTAG. here is the link everyone uses. You may be able email and ask what method they use to determine if you can do it yourself. I'd guess it's expensive, but it may be something you want to do.
Sent from my SCH-I535
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response. I have spent at least 5 hours a night since Monday to try to figure this all out. I am learning a lot about this phone and the processes here on xda, and all it has done is peak my interest even more. I'm definitely in the camp that believes its wrong to take back a perfectly good phone that is technically only "asleep." :fingers-crossed:
add another one to the jtag tryouts!
fscxide said:
Thanks for your response. A question about the variants. Was it the No wipe version, or the AOKP version? I'm thinking the AOKP due to the fact that the phone booted up perfect after the no-wipe Jelly bean. Or am I wrong, and would it appear to operate fine at beginning only to crash after?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry the late response since apparently this got moved to the appropriate forum.
it's the i9300 rom which if i remembered correctly, is the AOKP. You need to somehow get back to download mode and use odin to flash the proper stock rom into it.
Good luck
Success!
Well not exactly but my phone is completely fixed thanks to Josh at MOBILE TECH VIDEOS! After extensively searching for answers and figuring out what I had done there was only one option. JTAG. I realize I could have just brought it back to Verizon and exchanged it but I wasn't willing to risk getting a refurb when I knew there was nothing physically wrong with my phone. I called the Mobile Tech Videos number last Tuesday afternoon to make sure I could speak to a person before just placing my phone in the mail. The person who answered was actually Josh the owner. I explained what I had done to the phone and he explained exactly what I did internally to the phone and that he could definitely help me. He even told me of a notebook program that would let me read the code before had and I would have seen that I had an international ROM. He was very easy to talk to and took the time to explain to me information that he has probably said 1000s of times all with patience and a genuine desire to help me understand.
I packaged my phone up on Tuesday and mailed it the way his very well designed website said to. He told me exactly what would happen and it did. I received an email Friday stating that they had received my phone and that because I had paid the additional 15$ for the expedited service, that the phone would be fixed and shipped within 2 business days. Monday I received another email that my phone was fixed and shipped with a tracking number. I had also paid for the expedited shipping so I received my phone today! 4 day turn around...Awesome! :victory:
It was packaged in a small bubble wrap envelope inside a larger bubble wrap envelope inside of the outer shipping envelope safe and sound.
Came home put sim card, battery in and it came to LIFE! I went back over all the correct steps I had done and reinstalled Jelly bean with TWRP and both the superuser and root unlock option. SO glad to have my phone working again thanks to MOBILE TECH VIDEOS and Josh but also everyone here at XDA! Thanks Again!
I hard bricked mine following a soft brick. Followed the guide to the letter, or so I thought. Anyway I ended up with a paperweight. I didnt know about jtag repair so I talked with samsung and explained what happened and even told them it as a rooted bad flash. They advised to send it in to them and they would fix. Sent off on friday and got it back yesterday. Samsung replaced the motheboard and did it under warranty. I should have had to pay something but did not have to. I learned my lesson on paperweights. Phone was rooted as quickly as possible, installed ota rootkeeper and took the ota this morning. So far everything is golden.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Cheap 100% working jtag
Hey I found a guy that has very good service and is almost guaranteed to fix your hard bricked Samsung. Go to jtagmyphone.com
Its the best guy and he has very good service and he's very quick also you can give him a call at 518.847.7473. This is the best option for your bricked phone I promise.

Verizon S3 Wont turn on after proper rom flash

Ok, Phone was rooted suscessfully, Unlocked bootloader, was running a 4.2.2 Rom.
Buddy found the MS HD 10.0 Rom and wanted to try it. US phone. I looked at all the details and didnt see anything about it not being compatable.
Flashed the rom, went through all the GUID steps selected roms , styles etc etc, and It said completed "click here to reboot" So i did so.
Went black screen and now wont DO ANYTHING. cant get into download mode, recovery, a vibrate out of the phone, anything. Took the battery out for a min and plugged it in and get the orange light. Put the battery back in and STILL NOTHING. Please help! Buddy phone and he needs it
It's best to think of the international gs3 and us gs3 as two different phone. Because they are.
Flashing firmware meant for a different phone will result in a hard brick. Sorry
corbn89 said:
It's best to think of the international gs3 and us gs3 as two different phone. Because they are.
Flashing firmware meant for a different phone will result in a hard brick. Sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So its Done? :/..... He has a best but warranty . any way they can tell its been software tampered with at this point? So he can get a free one lol
As was said above, MS HD ROM is for the international S3 (i9300). It is important to make sure you are in the right forum before downloading and flashing any ROMs. Unfortunately, many still make this mistake. The only way to fix is to replace the phone or send it to these guys:
http://mobiletechvideos.mybigcommerce.com/
You can try and send it for JTAG repair (places like mobile tech) and they may be able to revive it.
But I'm not sure if places like best buy can positively confirm it was a bad flash if the phone is completely dead. I wouldn't think so but I'm not 100%
corbn89 said:
You can try and send it for JTAG repair (places like mobile tech) and they may be able to revive it.
But I'm not sure if places like best buy can positively confirm it was a bad flash if the phone is completely dead. I wouldn't think so but I'm not 100%
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about the Download Jig
If you are talking about Black Tie Insurance from Best Buy then you are fine and this is not fraud. Insurance is for boo boo's like dropping, smashing, flashing failures, drop in the toilet...all of that. They do not care if phone was rooted or misflashed. Insurance is not fraud, trying to get free replacements from the carrier under warranty by lying is.

galaxy sm-s327vl

Has anyone been able to get a working root for the luna pro on straight talk yet. I dont know much about programming but it would be nice to get root to remove knox and other crapware that samsung throws on these phones.
krak1nthor said:
Has anyone been able to get a working root for the luna pro on straight talk yet. I dont know much about programming but it would be nice to get root to remove knox and other crapware that samsung throws on these phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No root at all. Apparently Samsung isn't a fan of root anymore. Or, carriers aren't. No progress at all so you'll be better off buying a new phone. This one is junk. A major downgrade from the original J3, which had 2 gigs of RAM and an AMOLED display. Oh, and it had NFC.
Well honestly imho this phone is worlds better than the core prime i was using. And it is fast especially how i got it set up. Carriers are what ruin the devices we buy as they want things locked to their spec list, i know this personally as i used to work for radioshack and was able to compare the same devices for different brands. Each had slight mods done to the setups but mostly the hardware was close to baseline over the big three, att, sprint and verizon. And essentially most straight talk stuff is either verizon or att anymore so if a root works for that device it should take for ours one would think.
Also its nkt that samsung wont allow root, its a deal thing with certain providers. My wife has a phone from life wireless and we asked around if it could be ported to another carrier and life wireless said it could not as the refurb stuff they provide for people is software locked to their system. But we ended up getting another device and was able to use the life sim for the new phone and kept her number and service. We just recently in the U.S. pass a law in federal court saying its illegal for any carrier to deny service or warrenty for any rooted device. But of course apple isnt a part of that. Only androids as far as i know.
Literally just took this out of the package for my sons first phone. I figured all these cheaper smart phones would be easily rooted. Im bummed out now
And still no one has tried to get this model rooted. I have lost faith with xda on this phone
Here is a qeustion for you. Since I know that the unlocked variant j3 firmware can be used to flash on to att he and be able to root, is there any way being they come from the same hardware and all that the Verizon j3 7.0 firmware would work on our Luna pro straight talk model. I know that all of the hardware is the same between the Verizon and my S.T. models from all the spec sheets I have came across. At this point I don't care for root, I just want the update to 7.0.
By the by I'm currently pulling the firmware off Google drive right now.
well i have searched and dug and so far have found that these phones use the very same logic board: sprint , verizon , tracfone/straight talk and a smj327r4(u.s cell?). and i managed to get the verizon firmware downloaded for the smj327vl, but really need an extra device to test if it works to install on the st/tracfone variant. if it works then we would have a valid android 7.0 on the luna pro model.
i have test phone
krak1nthor said:
well i have searched and dug and so far have found that these phones use the very same logic board: sprint , verizon , tracfone/straight talk and a smj327r4(u.s cell?). and i managed to get the verizon firmware downloaded for the smj327vl, but really need an extra device to test if it works to install on the st/tracfone variant. if it works then we would have a valid android 7.0 on the luna pro model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a spare sm-s327vl to try the firmware flash what is the google drive link???
I'm not sure on how to add the drive link. am adding it to my Dropbox so I'll post it here in a couple minutes hopefully
Found a way...lol
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/mobile/my-drive
It's labeled j327vl. And thanks for being a guinea pig for testing it. Let me know if it works!
What I do know is that it is in multiple parts..... For flashing in Odin. So I guess that's how the newer phones get their files now thru Odin for a stock flash. The last phone I odin'd was a galaxy core prime and it was a single file flash.
Any news on how it went with flashing the Verizon firmware?
Im going to purchase a spare Luna pro on payday and test this out myself to see if it works.
Joker do you have any news? Did you get it flashed. Anything it would be nice to have some input.
Nobody can download it because it redirects back to their own Drive. That's not the link to share. You have to go to that file & allow link sharing. Then copy/paste that link here
Sm-s327vl
Any luck with this?
krak1nthor said:
Im going to purchase a spare Luna pro on payday and test this out myself to see if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've searched and searched, but haven't found where anyone has made any headway toward rooting this device. Have there been any new devolpments?
Gotcha give me a couple
Alright I'm downloading it to my phone and then I'll try to upload where you can pick it up. Any recommendations to a site other than drive that would be easy to get thru

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