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Hi,
New to HTC and Android, but just wanted to get your opinion on something.
I got an unlocked HTC Desire S from a Chinese (Hong Kong) supplier via a local middleman. It had all kinds of Chinese bloatware on it, and so I decided to flash a new rom. When I went into About phone > Phone identity to write everything down before flashing, I noticed it has a strange 'Device serial number' of 123456789012. That looks kind of strange. On the box sticker and on the sticker in the battery compartment of the phone, what I see is "S/N: SH1CATJxxxxx". Is there anything fishy going on there?
The default Android 2.3.3 OS seems all right. It has what looks like a default HTC startup splash screen (though I don't know if that makes a difference). I did notice that there wasn't a Power settings entry in settings to change fastboot. I had to pull out the battery to get to the boot screen. Don't know if that's a big deal either. I also noticed it was S-Off to begin with when I installed root.
Does this all seem strange, legit, clone-ish? Are there even Desire S clones/knock-offs/gray models/and the like out there? I don't think so... but still, that is a strange device serial number in the phone software, and even the printed serial numbers on the box and battery compartment seem strange, starting with SH instead of HT.
Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
waterprism said:
Hi,
New to HTC and Android, but just wanted to get your opinion on something.
I got an unlocked HTC Desire S from a Chinese (Hong Kong) supplier via a local middleman. It had all kinds of Chinese bloatware on it, and so I decided to flash a new rom. When I went into About phone > Phone identity to write everything down before flashing, I noticed it has a strange 'Device serial number' of 123456789012. That looks kind of strange. On the box sticker and on the sticker in the battery compartment of the phone, what I see is "S/N: SH1CATJxxxxx". Is there anything fishy going on there?
The default Android 2.3.3 OS seems all right. It has what looks like a default HTC startup splash screen (though I don't know if that makes a difference). I did notice that there wasn't a Power settings entry in settings to change fastboot. I had to pull out the battery to get to the boot screen. Don't know if that's a big deal either. I also noticed it was S-Off to begin with when I installed root.
Does this all seem strange, legit, clone-ish? Are there even Desire S clones/knock-offs/gray models/and the like out there? I don't think so... but still, that is a strange device serial number in the phone software, and even the printed serial numbers on the box and battery compartment seem strange, starting with SH instead of HT.
Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Set up adb and type
adb devices
That'll give you your actual device number. No confusion then...
BTW even my device serial number starts with SH... that's not an indicator of a fake device. Check tour device serial number via adb and if it matches the one on the box... I guess you're good to go.
Beamed from the Dark Side using xda premium.
Through adb, it shows that same 123456789012 number.
so, it's probably just dumb luck that the no. is so Nothing to worry about.
shrome99 said:
so, it's probably just dumb luck that the no. is so Nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Guess you're just plain lucky!! But then the box belongs to some other phone.how about some pics or screenshots??
Beamed from the Dark Side using xda premium.
waterprism said:
...starting with SH instead of HT...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are different serials for different regions/brands. SH is ok, it is the same for North Africa
I am not aware of a method to change the serial number (never needed such) but I am sure that there is. So if your system is android and your device is solid and nice then this should be a Desire S
Hi. Thanks, everyone.
@enigmaamit, I've posted a few pics and a screenshot. Not sure what kind of screenshot you need. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks. Also not sure if these pics mean much if funny stuff is going on somewhere. The serial on the box clearly doesn't match the screenshot. And that seal was broken when I opened the package.
@amidabuddha, okay, thanks. But like I said above, and enigma said, the S/N on the box is one thing, the S/N the phone is printing out in the 'Phone identity' screen is totally different.
Appreciate your help.
That 'seal' doesn't look very authentic. There are grammatical mistakes too. And(I just noticed) it says 'SEALED PACKGE' instead of package so there's definitely something wrong.
I hope the phone is genuine.
The device is probably legit, just slightly used by someone else before. I think it's second hand, and the box belongs to another device.
waterprism said:
Hi. Thanks, everyone.
@enigmaamit, I've posted a few pics and a screenshot. Not sure what kind of screenshot you need. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks. Also not sure if these pics mean much if funny stuff is going on somewhere. The serial on the box clearly doesn't match the screenshot. And that seal was broken when I opened the package.
@amidabuddha, okay, thanks. But like I said above, and enigma said, the S/N on the box is one thing, the S/N the phone is printing out in the 'Phone identity' screen is totally different.
Appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks legit to me. I wouldn't worry if it was my device.
Lol.... why don't you fool around and use the bar code scanner to scan the bar codes on the box and see where that leads you to!!
I'm starting to enjoy this Scotland yard stuff!!
Beamed from the Dark Side using xda premium.
Thanks, everyone. Guess I'll have to decide on my next step.
I'll do that, enigma. You mean with just a normal downloaded QR code app?
Use this - https://market.android.com/details?...mNvbS5nb29nbGUuenhpbmcuY2xpZW50LmFuZHJvaWQiXQ..
My device was made in Taiwan, not in China as yours!
Well, HTC is based Taiwan, but sometimes companies manufacture stuff in other countries too. It may also be that the packing is fake, which seems most likely at this time.
Also, since it's S-OFF, you should try some custom ROMs, Sense 3.5 is nice. Try Endymion or Virtuous Affinity. If they work, then it should prove that the device is legit. A knock off can't flash a ROM made for this, it's impossible.
Also, in hboot mode, select recovery and tell us what you see. If it's CWM or 4EXT, then it'll prove it's second hand. If you see stock HTC recovery, (red triangle with !) forget your worries
My box looks the same, the only difference is the seal
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
shrome99 said:
Well, HTC is based Taiwan, but sometimes companies manufacture stuff in other countries too. It may also be that the packing is fake, which seems most likely at this time.
Also, since it's S-OFF, you should try some custom ROMs, Sense 3.5 is nice. Try Endymion or Virtuous Affinity. If they work, then it should prove that the device is legit. A knock off can't flash a ROM made for this, it's impossible.
Also, in hboot mode, select recovery and tell us what you see. If it's CWM or 4EXT, then it'll prove it's second hand. If you see stock HTC recovery, (red triangle with !) forget your worries
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. Unfortunately, I've already flashed a new rom and so I can't remember what the original recovery was like... I flashed it up to 2.3.5 and Sense 3.0. I'm still new to Androids and didn't really have any misgivings about the phone at that time. It was during the whole process of flashing it, seeing that it was already S-Off, seeing that the serial number was sketchy, etc., that I began to wonder. By the time I was pretty sure something was wrong, I'd already flashed to official 2.3.5 to get rid of the Chinese stuff that I mentioned in my OP.
So, what this tells us is that the phone isn't a knock-off I guess. But I'm pretty sure it's a refurb/second-hand phone (refurb and second-hand are pretty much mutually inclusive here, so bottom line, it's a refurbished second-hand phone).
If not that, it's maybe some kind of development set or something. I came across some Chinese threads out there that have the serial number 0123456789012 mentioned in them. When I did a Google Translate on them, I kind of gleaned that that number can indicate a development or engineering set (or something like that). So it could mean it was used in development and now they're selling them off. Either way, not a new phone.
But the plot thickens when I actually came across a post here at xda that mentions that you can actually change the serial number like this --
Code:
fastboot oem writeserialno HT95XXXXXXXX
Which means these guys could have taken any phone and just wiped the serial number for this serial number.
yup, that seems to be it. It's a second hand phone, and the seller, in order to protect his identity, changed the serial no. The culprit is your supplier or middleman.
CASE CLOSED
One more thing - do you see any sort of hardware issues, that may be caused due to aggressive usage? Like big scratches on the screen or the unibody? If not, then you're just lucky to have gotten an S-OFF device.
shrome99 said:
One more thing - do you see any sort of hardware issues, that may be caused due to aggressive usage? Like big scratches on the screen or the unibody? If not, then you're just lucky to have gotten an S-OFF device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, not really. Phone works pretty well. Nothing glaring that I can notice, especially now after flashing to a slightly newer version of Android and Sense than the release shipped with. Also, obviously getting rid of that Chinese bloatware helped it a bit. There's a teeny-tiny scratch on the mesh speaker at the top that gets my goat right by the goddamn horns, I have to admit. I also just realized right this second that there's a protector screen on it! I just took it off. I doubt brand new Desire S's ever shipped with a screen protector already attached, if someone could just confirm.
But yeah, I've got it and it's S-Off. As I type that though, I'm pretty sure I'll be taking this further.
i doubt its fake ,i more expect that its a stolen phone with a changes serial number.
you can also check the warranty seal on top of a tiny screw right above the battery compartment.
Hello folks, I guess I need help with this one :
Not a big Samsung fan but found a good deal on a S7 (craigslist) and got the phone without much homework.
After getting it home, see a few things that I don't like :
back plate says is 'Galaxy S7' and looks legit to me
power up screen also says 'Galaxy S7'
and displays t-mobile logo (supposed to be a tmobile phone)
but settings > about phone >model says 'SM-G920T'
Which turns out is NOT a model for S7 from what I can google.
Also - looks very thin on apps, as in hardly any at all, but has something called 'kingroot' which looks rather strange to me. Samsung including this on their phones ?
So, what the hell is this thing ? Is there a way to tell if it's been played with software or hardware wise ?
Any help from the connoisseurs of all things Samsung Galaxy greatly appreciated. And I know I', in the right forum for that, so thanks in advance.
BTW - not putting a SIM card or connecting this to any private wifi till I have some idea what it is I'm looking at.
Thanks
Sounds like a s6 from the model number, is there a space to put in an sdcard? If not then its an s6.
Yes, there's a tray holding the nano-sim+microSD card. Need to eject with a pin of some sort, in this case was a paperclip.
I know - search results point to S6, but that doesn't look right either.
Why I'm wondering what this thing is
Hope the experts will chime in.
Please post pictures of all sides. Also check image and video resolution and if the camera on the back has working image stabilization (open camera and move device while watching camera, it should stabilize itself)
Sounds like a fake to me
Try putting the phone in Download or Recovery Mode and see what it says.
Vol-Down + Home + Power on for download mode, Vol-up + Home + Power on for recovery.
It's probably a fake phone. Checking what the baseband version is in the Settings menu may help too.
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
Some more info following your advice (thanks all !!!)
baseband : G930FVPU1APV5
there's no IMEI on the back that I can see/identify
recovery mode stops at a dead android screen saying 'no command' (that stopped my heart too for a sec ) , then the home button goes to recovery menu that says
system recovery <3e>
LMY47I test-keys
and a lot more that mostly does nothing - no ROM anywhere I looked
Apply update from sdcard/cache - no go
reboot to boot loader did not work either, unclear why and no time now to play with this
The good news : it is a working phone, the seller was using it and took out his sim and sd card after using it.
Bad news : still no clue what I got, some kind of frankenphone.
I will try to upload pics - only I don't know how yet
Whatever this is, since can't trust it in current state, what ROM should I put on before trying to do something with it . And if I install another ROM, would this be safe to use - assuming it does what I want it to do ?
Thank you all for the replies, will keep digging and still hope some expert will weigh in.
Your help greatly appreciated.
I'll never understand how can someone buy used thing without your own personal inspection of device from your hands. Sorry but you're dumb for doing this
alm0 said:
LMY47I test-keys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The s7 never came with lollipop, sounds like you got one of those s7 clones.
Download https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cpuid.cpu_z&hl=en and post pics of what it says on https://imgur.com/
alm0 said:
Some more info following your advice (thanks all !!!)
baseband : G930FVPU1APV5
there's no IMEI on the back that I can see/identify
recovery mode stops at a dead android screen saying 'no command' (that stopped my heart too for a sec ) , then the home button goes to recovery menu that says
system recovery <3e>
LMY47I test-keys
and a lot more that mostly does nothing - no ROM anywhere I looked
Apply update from sdcard/cache - no go
reboot to boot loader did not work either, unclear why and no time now to play with this
The good news : it is a working phone, the seller was using it and took out his sim and sd card after using it.
Bad news : still no clue what I got, some kind of frankenphone.
I will try to upload pics - only I don't know how yet
Whatever this is, since can't trust it in current state, what ROM should I put on before trying to do something with it . And if I install another ROM, would this be safe to use - assuming it does what I want it to do ?
Thank you all for the replies, will keep digging and still hope some expert will weigh in.
Your help greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry mate but it seems that either the os is custom or the phone is fake
t-shock said:
Sorry mate but it seems that either the os is custom or the phone is fake
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why not both
avatar_ro said:
why not both
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably
If we had pictures, we would be able to recognise the phone better
---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:14 PM ----------
avatar_ro said:
why not both
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably
If we had pictures, we would be able to recognise the phone better
avatar_ro said:
why not both
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so I'm dumb getting a phone I know nothing about from a stranger. Your point is??
So got into bootloader and got jiggy with it and it says it's a 930f.
And assume it will be good enough for what I need.
I'll go full geek on it and find a good rom.
Anything that has the fm radio app?
alm0 said:
Okay, so I'm dumb getting a phone I know nothing about from a stranger. Your point is?��
So got into bootloader and got jiggy with it and it says it's a 930f.
And assume it will be good enough for what I need.
I'll go full geek on it and find a good rom.
Anything that has the fm radio app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey dude, I did not called you dumb but pretty sure what you did was not smart. why don't you send us some pictures of the phone? especially from the sides and back and we can quickly see if it's a ripoff or not.
No, I'm dumb and manly enough to admit it.
Did not do my homework so is my fault and paying for it.
In better news looks like I may have something I can work
with.
As long as I can get a rom I like. What's on it now is definitely debilitated, hardly anything there but don't trust it.
That and don't have a nano sim yet.
Waiting for rom recommendation, preferably with fm radio included.
Thanks again all!
I don't think you understand. Alot of people here believe you have a counterfeit phone. If you do, then you have something that may have 1/4 the screen resolution, 1/4 the power and 1/5 the camera quality of the S7. Get the IMEI (settings > about phone) and check on swappa to confirm if you have a S7. Also, If you have a black image, does the screen off or does it have a slight glow (OLED screen should be off when a black image is on screen). If you do have a counterfeit, no rom on this forum will work with your phone. The other thing to check would be to try to boot to download mode, as only authentic samsungs have it. It's important as most rooting/custom roms involve you first flashing something in download mode via Odin.
Here are instructions for entering download mode:
Switch off your smartphone completely.
Press and hold Volume Down, Home and Power buttons simultaneously.
Release these buttons when the Warning screen pops up.
I also fell for a counterfeit a few months ago. I spent ~$600USD on a white S7 from ebay. Fortunately, Ebay's seller protections were able to allow me to return the phone for a full refund.
"I also fell for a counterfeit a few months ago. I spent ~$600USD on a white S7 from ebay. Fortunately, Ebay's seller protections were able to allow me to return the phone for a full refund. "
I also fell for some fake headphones from eBay. Broke after 4 mos, sent them to Shure for warranty, came back "counterfeit". Found out Paypal has a 180 day refund policy. Notified them and had a full refund from the seller in about 5 min. Just an FYI.
Looks like either:
1. A cheap Chinese clone
2. A rooted Galaxy S6 (which is what the kingroot app is AFAIK).
Get your SN and restore it through Samsung Switch in Windows. This way you will find your phone back to a stock rom and not custom rom.
OK gang, is a clone s7. Big disappointment. But got to pay the price when I'm stupid.
Any one here needs one of these, can cut you a good deal
No clue what to do with it, ideas ?
(please don't say paperweight or doorstop, already thought of those)
alm0 said:
OK gang, is a clone s7. Big disappointment. But got to pay the price when I'm stupid.
Any one here needs one of these, can cut you a good deal
No clue what to do with it, ideas ?
(please don't say paperweight or doorstop, already thought of those)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you show us pics? So we see the fake.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
All the research I have done indicates that the Galaxy note2 was produced in 16/32/64GB models. I have a note 2 model GT-N7100 running android 4.1.2 that indicates it has 3.18GB storage on the phone with 2.38GB used. My phone is rooted (don't know if that affects the memory). I'm at my wit's end. I have to uninstall apps when I find a new one I'd like to try, and most other times there is not enough memory for apps to update. Sure could use some help. And just as a side note, I am 70 years old and my technological brain isn't firing on 8 cylinders anymore, so please be gentle. Thanks.
Art
I don't think that configuration exists. Verify your configuration by looking up the model number, and revision online. You may have some sort of error, bad RAM, or even some malware. Try resetting the device, after backing up your data of course.
Are you saying you have only 4GB in total, or that amount available? Perhaps you could find someone who could verify the configuration for you? Try a local phone store, or computer store. For someone who is familiar with devices, they should be able to find out within a few minutes of holding it in their hand.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
retired911 said:
All the research I have done indicates that the Galaxy note2 was produced in 16/32/64GB models. I have a note 2 model GT-N7100 running android 4.1.2 that indicates it has 3.18GB storage on the phone with 2.38GB used. My phone is rooted (don't know if that affects the memory). I'm at my wit's end. I have to uninstall apps when I find a new one I'd like to try, and most other times there is not enough memory for apps to update. Sure could use some help. And just as a side note, I am 70 years old and my technological brain isn't firing on 8 cylinders anymore, so please be gentle. Thanks.
Art
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to know what modifications have been made to the device and whether you've been flashing custom ROMs on the device. Has the device been repartitioned somewhere along the way?
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
kieseyhow said:
I don't think that configuration exists. Verify your configuration by looking up the model number, and revision online. You may have some sort of error, bad RAM, or even some malware. Try resetting the device, after backing up your data of course.
Are you saying you have only 4GB in total, or that amount available? Perhaps you could find someone who could verify the configuration for you? Try a local phone store, or computer store. For someone who is familiar with devices, they should be able to find out within a few minutes of holding it in their hand.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the reply and advice. I went to a phone repair shop as you suggested and they were puzzled that it showed only 3.18GB total available storage but when I told them that it was rooted they said that was likely the cause of the missing ram. They were a certified Samsung repair shop. I don't believe that. Who in their right mind would waste 12GB by rooting a phone. They also told me that since it is rooted, I can't unroot. In fact they treated me and my phone as though we had the plague.
Nobody here will touch this phone because it is not a North American version. I think the N7100 was made for Asia, but works fine here. I bought it used, already rooted and unlocked. What drew me to this phone is first, it is a reputable device, second, it has FM radio, and third, it has a large screen. If I could unlock the extra 12GB I'd be dancing the jig!
cheers
Art
Droidriven said:
I'd like to know what modifications have been made to the device and whether you've been flashing custom ROMs on the device. Has the device been repartitioned somewhere along the way?
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd love to be able to answer those questions, but I was looking for a used unlocked samsung and it was rooted and unlocked when I purchased it. I don't think it is partitioned as there is no indication (that I have found) of another "drive". In system/storage,device memory it says "total space" 3.08GB. Available 713MB . I do have a 32GB sd card installed but I can't move any apps on to it. I used to be able to do that with my previous phone. This phone still has os 4.1.2, and I have never flashed a custom rom although I'd love to one day.
cheers
Art
Sorry about that. Looks like you found a den of thieves and scum; more common than most people realise. Sadly 80% of the human race is inncompetent. Find someone else.
Find the help manual online, then read up how to reset the device. Try that. However if this is a hardware problem, you will be hard pressed to find someone with the skills to repair it. Now, if you went to a third-world country, and looked in the shacks, you would find people who not only would ,but could replace those bad RAM circuits for you. Sadly you live, like I do, in Western society. First world with money, but third world in competence, decency and common sense.
Bottom ilne, those guys in that store, out-right lied to you, ruinig their future of any business from you in the process, very incompetent.
Second choice? They really were just that useless. You will have to try again, or end up doing what I do; fix it yourself.
First, try resetting it.
Second, activate developer options and find out detailed information about the "expected" capabilities of your device.
Third, try and repair it yourself.
Fourth, replace your device, but keep that defective one to test people for honesty and competence.
I did look online for you, and none of those Samsung came with only 4GB of RAM, none that I could find anyhow. So, it is either software, or hardware. software is a 10 minute fix you can do yourself with a factory reset. Hardware is something that only an experienced electronics tech or serious hobbiest (with a reflow station) could do by reflowing the solder for the RAM, or replacing some chips on the main board. Good luck!
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
retired911 said:
I'd love to be able to answer those questions, but I was looking for a used unlocked samsung and it was rooted and unlocked when I purchased it. I don't think it is partitioned as there is no indication (that I have found) of another "drive". In system/storage,device memory it says "total space" 3.08GB. Available 713MB . I do have a 32GB sd card installed but I can't move any apps on to it. I used to be able to do that with my previous phone. This phone still has os 4.1.2, and I have never flashed a custom rom although I'd love to one day.
cheers
Art
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless it's a hardware problem, you can flash your stock firmware along with the PIT file for your specific model number via Odin and it should fix this.
The PIT file tells Odin how your partitions are supposed to be structured, it should put everything back the way it's supposed to be.
You can do a Google search for:
"PIT for (your model number)"
Or find someone that has a rooted device with your model number and have them.pull a copy of their PIT and have them upload it somewhere.
And yes, you can unroot the device, there two ways to do it, you should have a SuperSU app somewhere in app drawer, open it then open its app settings, look for a setting that says something like "cleanup for unroot and unistall", this removes the su binaries and uninstalls SuperSU, leaving no root, also, flashing stock firmware via Odin will remove root but root isn't the problem. Someone did this manually their self somehow and they used root permission to do it.
Other than flashing stock firmware via Odin, you'd have better luck fixing the device WITH root than you would without it. Root allows you to change everything, you can't change anything without root.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 06:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:00 PM ----------
kieseyhow said:
Sorry about that. Looks like you found a den of thieves and scum; more common than most people realise. Sadly 80% of the human race is inncompetent. Find someone else.
Find the help manual online, then read up how to reset the device. Try that. However if this is a hardware problem, you will be hard pressed to find someone with the skills to repair it. Now, if you went to a third-world country, and looked in the shacks, you would find people who not only would ,but could replace those bad RAM circuits for you. Sadly you live, like I do, in Western society. First world with money, but third world in competence, decency and common sense.
Bottom ilne, those guys in that store, out-right lied to you, ruinig their future of any business from you in the process, very incompetent.
Second choice? They really were just that useless. You will have to try again, or end up doing what I do; fix it yourself.
First, try resetting it.
Second, activate developer options and find out detailed information about the "expected" capabilities of your device.
Third, try and repair it yourself.
Fourth, replace your device, but keep that defective one to test people for honesty and competence.
I did look online for you, and none of those Samsung came with only 4GB of RAM, none that I could find anyhow. So, it is either software, or hardware. software is a 10 minute fix you can do yourself with a factory reset. Hardware is something that only an experienced electronics tech or serious hobbiest (with a reflow station) could do by reflowing the solder for the RAM, or replacing some chips on the main board. Good luck!
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not 4G of RAM, he's saying that it is saying he has a 4G internal sdcard instead of 16/32/64 GB, RAM and storage are two different things.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
kieseyhow said:
Sorry about that. Looks like you found a den of thieves and scum; more common than most people realise. Sadly 80% of the human race is inncompetent. Find someone else.
Find the help manual online, then read up how to reset the device. Try that. However if this is a hardware problem, you will be hard pressed to find someone with the skills to repair it. Now, if you went to a third-world country, and looked in the shacks, you would find people who not only would ,but could replace those bad RAM circuits for you. Sadly you live, like I do, in Western society. First world with money, but third world in competence, decency and common sense.
Bottom ilne, those guys in that store, out-right lied to you, ruinig their future of any business from you in the process, very incompetent.
Second choice? They really were just that useless. You will have to try again, or end up doing what I do; fix it yourself.
First, try resetting it.
Second, activate developer options and find out detailed information about the "expected" capabilities of your device.
Third, try and repair it yourself.
Fourth, replace your device, but keep that defective one to test people for honesty and competence.
I did look online for you, and none of those Samsung came with only 4GB of RAM, none that I could find anyhow. So, it is either software, or hardware. software is a 10 minute fix you can do yourself with a factory reset. Hardware is something that only an experienced electronics tech or serious hobbiest (with a reflow station) could do by reflowing the solder for the RAM, or replacing some chips on the main board. Good luck!
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By resetting it if you mean unrooting it, I'm afraid to do that as it will be locked to whatever provider it was before. Someone told me that to do a factory reset will accomplish the same thing or maybe even brick the device.
I looked on developer options and the only thing that makes sense to me that might help is "debugging", and to do that I need to do more research as I don't know what debugging is all about. I have seriously considered replacing the phone, and will probably do that but I am a stubborn cuss and want to learn. Keeps my 70 year old brain from becoming 80.
cheers
Art
Well, what about installing a new ROM then? Try something based on Android 4.4; a version many consider the best.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------
Install ADB on your computer, get a new ROM for your Note 2, and try it. There is always a risk, that is how life works. The best Note version, in my opinion, is the Note 4. See if you can find one second-hand? Then you can tinker with your Note 2 afterwards and experiment. There are minimalist ROMS that would even work on 4GB.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
retired911 said:
By resetting it if you mean unrooting it, I'm afraid to do that as it will be locked to whatever provider it was before. Someone told me that to do a factory reset will accomplish the same thing or maybe even brick the device.
I looked on developer options and the only thing that makes sense to me that might help is "debugging", and to do that I need to do more research as I don't know what debugging is all about. I have seriously considered replacing the phone, and will probably do that but I am a stubborn cuss and want to learn. Keeps my 70 year old brain from becoming 80.
cheers
Art
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
USB debugging is only to allow interfacing with the device via USB connection to PC, such as using adb/fastboot and other softwares used to interface the device while it's booted into system or recovery. It allows you to use software tools to debug the device, this is usually only used by developers when they are creating software for the device and are testing it or when using adb to push/pull files or capture logcats or any other adb commands.
Give me the model number of your Note 2 and I'll search for the stock 4.1.2 for your device or even a newer update if it's available and you want it, then I'll link you to all the tools and files you'll need to flash the firmware, it's similar to wiping and reinstalling windows on PC to return to factory version.
The term "Factory reset" in android is not the same as factory reset on PC. On PC it restores to exactly what was there from the factory. In android, it doesn't work like that, it only wipes the user space and doesn't touch system. Any changes to system will remain after resetting and only user data gets wiped, data you yourself put on the device such as apps you installed, pics you've downloaded or taken with camera. Factory reset in android DOES NOT remove root unless you're using SuperSU on systemless mode(systemless SuperSU is stored in /data partition instead of in system), your device most likely has SuperSU in /system partition instead of in /data partition, which means factory reset won't help you.
I'll help you get this fixed pretty quick if you give the info I need to help you.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
kieseyhow said:
Well, what about installing a new ROM then? Try something based on Android 4.4; a version many consider the best.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------
Install ADB on your computer, get a new ROM for your Note 2, and try it. There is always a risk, that is how life works. The best Note version, in my opinion, is the Note 4. See if you can find one second-hand? Then you can tinker with your Note 2 afterwards and experiment. There are minimalist ROMS that would even work on 4GB.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would love to get a note 4 but it doesn't come with FM radio tuner, and that is a must for me! But I think I will take your advice and look for a new phone (with FM) and then tinker with my note 2
There is an app, called "Tunin radio" that will receive most popular stations, and even local stations. I use it all the time.
Also, most phones have radios inside, but they are locked, and disabled. Nearly every Android phone has this blocked feature.
An even better option is to get a multi-band radio receiver dongle for your device. Some can recieve far more than just FM, but also AM, SSB, HAM, Police Fire, even the audio part of TV. Look for device with n RTL2832U chip, and you'll also need an OTG adaptor to power it. There are several apps that you can find with minimal research, and several forums where people are very passionate about such devices.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
retired911 said:
All the research I have done indicates that the Galaxy note2 was produced in 16/32/64GB models. I have a note 2 model GT-N7100 running android 4.1.2 that indicates it has 3.18GB storage on the phone with 2.38GB used. My phone is rooted (don't know if that affects the memory). I'm at my wit's end. I have to uninstall apps when I find a new one I'd like to try, and most other times there is not enough memory for apps to update. Sure could use some help. And just as a side note, I am 70 years old and my technological brain isn't firing on 8 cylinders anymore, so please be gentle. Thanks.
Art
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Go to this link and choose one of the 4.4.2 firmwares that will have the correct language.
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-note-/GT-N7100/
2) Look in this thread for information about PIT, which one you might need and how to use it.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1927983
3) Then do a Google search for:
"USB drivers for Samsung phones"
It'll give you several links, get those successfully installed on your PC.
4) Install Odin 3.10 on your PC from this link
http://www.droidviews.com/download-odin-tool-for-samsung-galaxy-devices-all-versions/
5) Charge your battery to full.
6) Boot to download mode (with the device off, press power+home+volume down, when you see the caution screen press up to go to download)
7) Open Odin on PC
8) With device in download mode, connect to PC with the stock USB cord.(if it connects correctly you'll see a blue or yellow #comm box and it will say ADDED! in the dialogue box, if you don't get this then try a different USB port, make sure drivers installed correctly, make sure it's stock cord, restart PC)
9) If successfully connected, click the AP button(some versions of Odin have PDA instead of AP, click whichever one you have), browse to where you stored the stock firmware that you downloaded, select it.
10) If you're gonna use the PIT file, find the tab that says PIT in Odin, place the PIT you're using there.( I suggest you do some research and ask questions in a few places before actually using the PIT and to figure out whether you need to use it or how safe it is to do it, sometimes using PIT can do more harm than good, it just depends on the state of your device)
11) Click START in Odin, if everything is in order and done corectly, it will flash, if successful, you'll get a green PASS and the device will reboot into a fresh clean install.
***NOTE***
This will probably wipe all of your data so if there are apps or contacts or pics or any kind of personal data that you put on the device that you want to keep then you'll need to backup that data, there are several ways to backup your data. Since you have root, you can use Titanium Backup from the PlayStore to backup the apps you've installed and their data, your contacts and any other things that you want to keep, also keep a copy of Titanium Backup and the backup that you create in Titanium Backup on your extsdcard to prevent it from being wiped during the flash. When the device reboots after flashing, you can reinstall the copy of Titanium Backup from extsdcard and then use Titanium Backup to restore everything that you backed up. After all of this, you should end up with a clean install of 4.4.2 and all of your personal data restored to the device.
If you need help anywhere in all of that, just let me know. I'll be glad to help you understand and learn.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 07:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------
kieseyhow said:
There is an app, called "Tunin radio" that will receive most popular stations, and even local stations. I use it all the time.
Also, most phones have radios inside, but they are locked, and disabled. Nearly every Android phone has this blocked feature.
An even better option is to get a multi-band radio receiver dongle for your device. Some can recieve far more than just FM, but also AM, SSB, HAM, Police Fire, even the audio part of TV. Look for device with n RTL2832U chip, and you'll also need an OTG adaptor to power it. There are several apps that you can find with minimal research, and several forums where people are very passionate about such devices.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He can fix the one he has, it's fine for his purposes, no need to get another device.
Plus, in fixing this one, he learns something, which is what he's looking to do.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
I can't thank you all enough for all the help you've given me. I have a lot of homework ahead of me and look forward to the research. I'm going to read and study this thread again and research all the suggestions. But for now, the Penguins and Senators are going at it in game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals and I need to watch.
I checked, and the system says it's a GT-N7100 and so does the sticker behind the battery. Supersu is one of the apps on the phone. I have played with Supersu a bit but don't really understand it yet and none of my other apps were affiliated with it so I pretty much left it alone. Now on to hockey.
cheers
Art
retired911 said:
I can't thank you all enough for all the help you've given me. I have a lot of homework ahead of me and look forward to the research. I'm going to read and study this thread again and research all the suggestions. But for now, the Penguins and Senators are going at it in game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals and I need to watch.
I checked, and the system says it's a GT-N7100 and so does the sticker behind the battery. Supersu is one of the apps on the phone. I have played with Supersu a bit but don't really understand it yet and none of my other apps were affiliated with it so I pretty much left it alone. Now on to hockey.
cheers
Art
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash with Odin, remember to store a copy of Titanium Backup app and the backup you create when you use it, place them both on extsdcard. Then for safety measures before flashing, remove the extsdcard and the SIM card if you have one, then flash, after flashing, put the extsdcard and SIM back in.
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Some excellent offers and advice, and I apologize for my lazy assistance. [emoji14] I hope you get it sorted out. For me, I think that the price of losing 12GB or storage is not worth rooting the phone. But, others have done it sucessfully, and there is no reason you cannot do the same. I still suggest you find a Note 4 though.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!! I studied your instructions, I dived in and flashed my note 2. Odin said PASS! I now have Android 4.4.2. One problem remains. I now show 8GB total storage. system memory takes up 4.82gb. used space takes up another 1.55gb and misc files 1.3gb. Leaving me with 341 mb storage space. When I flashed I did not use the PIT file I downloaded. Should I reflash using the PIT file?
Just got another problem. The phone won't connect with my service provider.
retired911 said:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!! I studied your instructions, I dived in and flashed my note 2. Odin said PASS! I now have Android 4.4.2. One problem remains. I now show 8GB total storage. system memory takes up 4.82gb. used space takes up another 1.55gb and misc files 1.3gb. Leaving me with 341 mb storage space. When I flashed I did not use the PIT file I downloaded. Should I reflash using the PIT file?
Just got another problem. The phone won't connect with my service provider.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should probably use the PIT so that it will restore your partitions to their correct order and sizes.
To flash the PIT, do exactly like you did when you flashed your firmware, put the firmware in the AP slot, then find the tab that says PIT, place the PIT there, then find the "options" tab in Odin, select "re-partition", this option tells Odin to use the PIT, you don't need to mess with the other options, they are fine at their default settings, all you need to mess with is selecting re-partition.
To help with not connecting to your service provider, did you make sure the firmware was for your region? Did you make sure it's compatible with your network type and and it's signal bands? Networks are different everywhere so you need to flash a stock firmware that is compatible with your region and carrier. I was hoping that a region that uses the same language as you would work, but it looks like you'll have to use a firmware that is compatible with your network and then after flashing you can manually change the language the firmware uses, if needed.
Or maybe you can leave the firmware you have flashed then download a firmware that has a compatible modem.bin and extract that modem.bin and flash it on your device to replace the modem.bin you have. You might can even find a compatible modem available for download without having to extract it from another firmware.
Have you tried emailing or calling your service provider to ask them which stock firmware for your model is compatible with their network? They might provide you with what you need or at least tell you exactly what you need so you can find it yourself.
Who is your service provider and what country are you in? I'll see what I can figure out for you.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
How does one figure out which is the right version to download for my phone? There are changelist numbers, PDA and CSC numbers, all of which tell me nothing. When I flashed to the UK version, it turned out to be with T-Mobile, and the carriers listed were Bell and Telus. I am with Speakout, (a 7-11 product) which piggybacks on the Rogers network. I have a pay as you go account with no data. It works on the GSM network. I live in Calgary, Canada.
cheers
Art
I just flashed the phone again using the same firmware but this time adding the 16GB PIT file and repartitioning. Got a Pass from Odin but no change in the available storage. It still says I have only 8GB total storage. Thinking bad memory?
I just purchased a Samsung Galaxy S6 unlocked off Amazon. Immediately confronted with the "unauthorized actions have been detected" error, which is apparently pretty common in this model. I follow the suggestions to factory reset the phone; make sure it's 100% updated, etc. None of these work. I try to root it through a variety of apps to disable the Security Log, which is apparently the only way to stop this error from appearing, and discover this phone appears to be unrootable. PingPong, One Root, all of these applications provide the same error message that no data is available for this device yet.
So, I can't root the phone. I can't get rid of the error message. I wasted money already on a phone case, screen protector, etc. If I was really looking forward to having an S6.
I'm not especially tech-savvy, could one of you possibly suggest the best course of action here? Or is it hopeless and best to try to return it?
TIA.
jazzypalmtree said:
I just purchased a Samsung Galaxy S6 unlocked off Amazon. Immediately confronted with the "unauthorized actions have been detected" error, which is apparently pretty common in this model. I follow the suggestions to factory reset the phone; make sure it's 100% updated, etc. None of these work. I try to root it through a variety of apps to disable the Security Log, which is apparently the only way to stop this error from appearing, and discover this phone appears to be unrootable. PingPong, One Root, all of these applications provide the same error message that no data is available for this device yet.
So, I can't root the phone. I can't get rid of the error message. I wasted money already on a phone case, screen protector, etc. If I was really looking forward to having an S6.
I'm not especially tech-savvy, could one of you possibly suggest the best course of action here? Or is it hopeless and best to try to return it?
TIA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which variant s6 is this? There's multiple variants, some can be Rooted but if it's an at&t (model g920a) it can't be Rooted. So your 1st to finding out what options you have is to determine which variant s6 you have.
sofir786 said:
Which variant s6 is this? There's multiple variants, some can be Rooted but if it's an at&t (model g920a) it can't be Rooted. So your 1st to finding out what options you have is to determine which variant s6 you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a GSM-G920.. it's not AT&T I purchased it as unlocked, I bought an AT&T number though but it also works with my other number from Europe.
It seems this device in particular doesn't have the required information available for rooting.
jazzypalmtree said:
It's a GSM-G920.. it's not AT&T I purchased it as unlocked, I bought an AT&T number though but it also works with my other number from Europe.
It seems this device in particular doesn't have the required information available for rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a letter after g920 which indicates the variant, it can't be just g920, there's no such model. Download this app, 'phone info *Samsung*', on Google play and open the app and it will tell you the variant on the 1st page
sofir786 said:
There's a letter after g920 which indicates the variant, it can't be just g920, there's no such model. Download this app, 'phone info *Samsung*', on Google play and open the app and it will tell you the variant on the 1st page
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung SM G920A.
On all the rooting sites and apps I tried, they have ...20AZ and other letters but not just A.
jazzypalmtree said:
Samsung SM G920A.
On all the rooting sites and apps I tried, they have ...20AZ and other letters but not just A.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have a variant that at this moment can't be Rooted unfortunately
The link below shows all known s6 variants:
http://www.phonemore.com/samsung-galaxy-s6/models/406
sofir786 said:
You have a variant that at this moment can't be Rooted unfortunately
The link below shows all known s6 variants:
http://www.phonemore.com/samsung-galaxy-s6/models/406
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, what do you suggest I do? Return the phone or maybe wait it out?
jazzypalmtree said:
Thank you, what do you suggest I do? Return the phone or maybe wait it out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on how important rooting is to you tbh, best thing for you to do is have a look on the s6 at&t forum on XDA and see the state of rooting, last time I looked there hadn't been much progress unfortunately.
sofir786 said:
It depends on how important rooting is to you tbh, best thing for you to do is have a look on the s6 at&t forum on XDA and see the state of rooting, last time I looked there hadn't been much progress unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's essential.. this phone came with some critical software errors that can only be repaired through rooting. Constant "authorization" error appearing every 5-10 minutes, fingerprint sensor won't work/repeated error message, etc
jazzypalmtree said:
It's essential.. this phone came with some critical software errors that can only be repaired through rooting. Constant "authorization" error appearing every 5-10 minutes, fingerprint sensor won't work/repeated error message, etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's the situation, id return the phone and get your money back or ask for a different variant s6.
I need help from someone a lot smarter than me. First time poster, but no stranger to rooting. (If I break some protocol, please correct me, I want to be a good citizen.)
Background (can be skipped)
I bought a Note 20 Ultra 5G (model #SM-N9860F) from a guy for a steal of a deal. Now I know why. Before buying we started it up and made a phone call, so I figured most everything else would be fine. Took it home and started messing with it, only to find it laggy and exhibiting other odd behaviors. So I went to check for updates before loading it up with my stuff.
But there was no Update button. I tapped "Software Info" and the next thing I saw made me read it three times. It showed, "Android version: 5.1."
Issues
So...
The phone functions but with lag and issues. SIM is recognized, then unrecognized. SIM cannot be used for data (though wifi is fine).
Not kidding, Kingo Root says it was able to root this Snapdragon phone. Root Checker Basic confirms it as rooted.
Using all the various key combinations posted all over the Internet, I cannot get into Download mode. I've tried for days.
Rebooting into Recovery shows Chinese options. (After many days of messing with it I finally found a way for it to show the English list...happy to share how I got there if anyone cares.)
The phone does connect to a Windows PC successfully via USB and can share files to internal and external memory.
Interestingly, the 500GB of internal memory only shows a fraction of it as available. Wondering if Android 5.1 just can't recognize that much space.
Bottom line
I am unable to get into Download mode. When I do get to where I think Download mode should be, the green Android guy is lying down with the words "No command" underneath. Therefore I can't use Odin, or a paid service, or Samsung Smart Switch...even tried the old Kies, since it has Android 5.1 on it. ALL of them require me to get into Download mode, and it just won't go.
Plan B?: I've heard repeatedly that rooting a Note 20 Ultra is (nearly?) impossible. Since multiple apps on my device insist I successfully rooted it, I was hoping I could use the TWRP app (it's installed) to flash something that could help. But I don't know what that would be, or if it would help at all. TWRP doesn't recognize the .zip, .tar, or any other files I've found and copied to the device. Maybe it's looking for a .img? I'm just not sure, and I don't even know what to look for.
Additional info
I've attached a few screen shots and photos.
I'd be ever so grateful for anyone's guidance. Again,
How can I get into Download mode? Seems that would get me back on the paths I know better.
And/or what can I flash using TWRP on what appears to be a rooted device? Would that even help?
Thank you!
kbtraveler said:
I need help from someone a lot smarter than me. First time poster, but no stranger to rooting. (If I break some protocol, please correct me, I want to be a good citizen.)
Background (can be skipped)
I bought a Note 20 Ultra 5G (model #SM-N9860F) from a guy for a steal of a deal. Now I know why. Before buying we started it up and made a phone call, so I figured most everything else would be fine. Took it home and started messing with it, only to find it laggy and exhibiting other odd behaviors. So I went to check for updates before loading it up with my stuff.
But there was no Update button. I tapped "Software Info" and the next thing I saw made me read it three times. It showed, "Android version: 5.1."
Issues
So...
The phone functions but with lag and issues. SIM is recognized, then unrecognized. SIM cannot be used for data (though wifi is fine).
Not kidding, Kingo Root says it was able to root this Snapdragon phone. Root Checker Basic confirms it as rooted.
Using all the various key combinations posted all over the Internet, I cannot get into Download mode. I've tried for days.
Rebooting into Recovery shows Chinese options. (After many days of messing with it I finally found a way for it to show the English list...happy to share how I got there if anyone cares.)
The phone does connect to a Windows PC successfully via USB and can share files to internal and external memory.
Interestingly, the 500GB of internal memory only shows a fraction of it as available. Wondering if Android 5.1 just can't recognize that much space.
Bottom line
I am unable to get into Download mode. When I do get to where I think Download mode should be, the green Android guy is lying down with the words "No command" underneath. Therefore I can't use Odin, or a paid service, or Samsung Smart Switch...even tried the old Kies, since it has Android 5.1 on it. ALL of them require me to get into Download mode, and it just won't go.
Plan B?: I've heard repeatedly that rooting a Note 20 Ultra is (nearly?) impossible. Since multiple apps on my device insist I successfully rooted it, I was hoping I could use the TWRP app (it's installed) to flash something that could help. But I don't know what that would be, or if it would help at all. TWRP doesn't recognize the .zip, .tar, or any other files I've found and copied to the device. Maybe it's looking for a .img? I'm just not sure, and I don't even know what to look for.
Additional info
I've attached a few screen shots and photos.
I'd be ever so grateful for anyone's guidance. Again,
How can I get into Download mode? Seems that would get me back on the paths I know better.
And/or what can I flash using TWRP on what appears to be a rooted device? Would that even help?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you got what you paid for, it's probably a fake Note20 Ultra.
From what I can tell, the model & build numbers conflict, they're from different models of the Note 20 Ultra, that's why I think it's a fake.
Even the model number doesn't look right, it has a hybrid Chinese/European model number........
KOLIOSIS said:
Sounds like you got what you paid for, it's probably a fake Note20 Ultra.
From what I can tell, the model & build numbers conflict, they're from different models of the Note 20 Ultra, that's why I think it's a fake.
Even the model number doesn't look right, it has a hybrid Chinese/European model number........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Koliosis,
Yeah, thanks, that has crossed my mind, and that's why I posted those images. If it's fake it's a really good one, but I am aware I could have to chalk that up to experience.
Still, why in the world would a fake have Android 5.1 on it? And it works(-ish)! Isn't that still bizarre? Anything that can be done to force it into Download mode or to flash something with TWRP to at least get an OS from the modern era?
Thanks again...
kbtraveler said:
Hi Koliosis,
Yeah, thanks, that has crossed my mind, and that's why I posted those images. If it's fake it's a really good one, but I am aware I could have to chalk that up to experience.
Still, why in the world would a fake have Android 5.1 on it? And it works(-ish)! Isn't that still bizarre? Anything that can be done to force it into Download mode or to flash something with TWRP to at least get an OS from the modern era?
Thanks again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There should be several threads/tutorials here that show how to flash firmware using Odin (& of course,includes how to get into download mode).
Before you try that out,have you tried to use Samsung's Smart Switch program on your PC?
Given the information you've posted,it's difficult to determine which model you have,which makes matters worse since we don't want to make a bad situation worse.
I'd start with the Samsung Smart Switch, hopefully it'll be able to determine the make of your phone & flashing stock firmware should be a breeze. (If it's indeed a genuine Samsung Device).
KOLIOSIS said:
There should be several threads/tutorials here that show how to flash firmware using Odin (& of course,includes how to get into download mode).
Before you try that out,have you tried to use Samsung's Smart Switch program on your PC?
Given the information you've posted,it's difficult to determine which model you have,which makes matters since we don't want to make a bad situation worse.
I'd start with the Samsung Smart Switch, hopefully it'll be able to determine the make of your phone & flashing stock firmware should be a breeze. (If it's indeed a genuine Samsung Device).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sir, and that's my problem. I've rooted and changed ROMs on a dozen devices or more in the past (thanks to XDA!!), always using Odin. But this phone simply will not go into Download mode at all. Using every key combination I can find I either wind up with the Chinese recovery selections I mentioned or I get that "No command" screen with the Android lying on its back.
So far I've tried these PC apps:
Odin (several versions)
Smart Switch
Kies
FixPPO (https://android.imyfone.com/android-issues/android-no-command-error/)
DroidKit (https://www.imobie.com/android-system-recovery/fix-android-no-command-error.htm)
Some, like Odin and the paid options, require Download mode - which isn't working for me - so those apps can even tell I've plugged a phone into the USB port.
Just to put it out there, when the phone is booted into the OS and attach it to the PC, Windows recognizes it's connected but Smart Switch does not. That supports your point that it may not be a Samsung device, but I wondered if it could also have something to do with Smart Switch coming after 5.1 was old.
I just wondered if somebody who didn't know what they were doing somehow downgraded this phone to Android 5.1 before I accept it as a full loss. Still hoping...
kbtraveler said:
Yes sir, and that's my problem. I've rooted and changed ROMs on a dozen devices or more in the past (thanks to XDA!!), always using Odin. But this phone simply will not go into Download mode at all. Using every key combination I can find I either wind up with the Chinese recovery selections I mentioned or I get that "No command" screen with the Android lying on its back.
So far I've tried these PC apps:
Odin (several versions)
Smart Switch
Kies
FixPPO (https://android.imyfone.com/android-issues/android-no-command-error/)
DroidKit (https://www.imobie.com/android-system-recovery/fix-android-no-command-error.htm)
Some, like Odin and the paid options, require Download mode - which isn't working for me - so those apps can even tell I've plugged a phone into the USB port.
Just to put it out there, when the phone is booted into the OS and attach it to the PC, Windows recognizes it's connected but Smart Switch does not. That supports your point that it may not be a Samsung device, but I wondered if it could also have something to do with Smart Switch coming after 5.1 was old.
I just wondered if somebody who didn't know what they were doing somehow downgraded this phone to Android 5.1 before I accept it as a full loss. Still hoping...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes since you tried Kies (given the stated Android version).
Can you download/sideload any apps that may help identify the phone (& check for Knox 0x0) such as this one:
Phone INFO+ (SAM) - Apps on Google Play
All-in-one INFO and TOOLS for Samsung devices.
play.google.com
AIDA64 - Apps on Google Play
Hardware and software information utility for Android devices
play.google.com
I wish I had more to offer,it's been years since I've dealt w/a rooted Samsung (Note 5).
Hopefully,others will chime in & offer a solution.
FWIW,Definitely following this thread, I'm interested in how things work out, hopefully for the better.
Aah i made an account just to respond to you
i had an iPhone 7 Jet Black replica with android 5.1 once upon a time, same symptoms- 8GB actual storage but will show 128GB when connected to PC
So here are my two cents: These devices won't be recognized by samsung tools as they are not having motherboards made by samsung. I would recommend that you check actual specs from AIDA64 and you will find out which company has made the motherboard or device, mine had strange MediaTek processor though. And hopefully you will find some chinese websites where people are talking about how to flash firmwares in these phones but i recommend not to do that, i had to lose my device as it got bricked.
Well, that's exactly why I come here. I'd never come across that AIDA64 app, and I've attached screen shots. I've never heard of a "Kirin," but sure enough, it's Huawei. Dang it!
@priteshsolanki, hate to hear about your experience. Thanks for the heads up.
So...does Huawei have a Smart Switch equivalent, lol? And by the way, even if I got this working, would Huawei have enough hardware in this bugger to be able to listen in and send data back to Mother China?? I don't know how that kind of thing works...
kbtraveler said:
Well, that's exactly why I come here. I'd never come across that AIDA64 app, and I've attached screen shots. I've never heard of a "Kirin," but sure enough, it's Huawei. Dang it!
@priteshsolanki, hate to hear about your experience. Thanks for the heads up.
So...does Huawei have a Smart Switch equivalent, lol? And by the way, even if I got this working, would Huawei have enough hardware in this bugger to be able to listen in and send data back to Mother China?? I don't know how that kind of thing works...
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This is strange, i think The AIDA64 app is being fooled here too! To find which company has made it, Its gonna be same experience as finding father of an orphan child which just had permanent memory loss
Its not Kirin, its not huawei.. why?-
So its showing ARMv7 32bit processor, which is definitely not Kirin 1020. because kirin 1020 is a high end processor itself too and uses 5nm technology and Cortex A78 architecture! (While yours is showing stone age 28nm with Cortex A7)
Then there is Platform MT6799. When i look up for that, its again showing totally different company- MediaTek chipset "Helio X30 (MT6799)" which is a deca core processor but what we got here in your details is a Quad core processor.
What we know about your processor:
- its Cortex A7 @1301 MHz and has 28nm manufacturing process
(can't be 5G at any cost)
- From above details it seems like an ancient processor which came out somewhere around 2012, probably thats why its running 5.1.
- The performance is equivalent to high end Android Jellybean device, but definitely not suitable for using in 2022
- The storage and RAM amount shown there are just to fulfill fantasies, dont expect it to be reliable. Its probably a 1 or 2GB Ram with 4 or 8GB storage.
- The software in the phone is really fantastic, i have never thought that a clone can be so perfect that even Apps like AIDA64 will have a hard time finding the facts!
Now coming to the main questions:
1) Can it be upgraded?
90% no based on research i have done in google, this phone is totally non existent for google. for remaining 10% you can expect the rom maker to contact you in DMs after seeing your thread here and offer you an upgrade lol
2) Should you use any file syncing tools with it?
Quick answer: Syncios app is your best bet to sync data between phone and back, but only luck can help you find actual firmware of the device
Slightly long answer: So according to our findings all these data shown in phone settings fake, and syncing apps back in 2011-12 i think its going to give you hard time finding a working one. Android 5.1 in todays time is not something you should be using as daily driver for sure. I suggest you to just treat it like a toy.
About my iPhone 7 back in the day, i bought that one for some 60USD but it was worth it, had some kind of apple music app which never required login but was able to stream any songs for free. so ive used that one out for music only.
I really wish there was a better way to put it, but you can try one last dry hope at needrom website to see if they have any details about this device.
kbtraveler said:
But there was no Update button. I tapped "Software Info" and the next thing I saw made me read it three times. It showed, "Android version: 5.1."
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Like has been said, sounds like you got a fake, Software info is one of the first things I would have checked before buying, not after you have bought it and then start having issues. Unfortunately you only really have yourself to blame. like is quite often said if the deal "seems to good to be true" there are reasons why.
@samorgs60, you are very right. I've taken many chances like this one on many electronic devices, and to my recollection, this is the first time I got burned. It's kind of like speeding: I don't always obey the speed limit to the letter (number?), so in the past when I got what I believe was an unfair speeding ticket - I was accused of going faster than I was - I dealt with it my accepting it as a balance in the universe for all the times I should have been busted.
@priteshsolanki, what a catch! Wow. That is kinda amazing, and would explain why it has 5.1 on it. I'm actually astonished at the quality of the device in every way, other than the obvious.
So I hate to ask this, but...isn't it true that carriers (I won't mention mine by name here) make offers for value against a new phone if your current phone simply 1) turns on and 2) does not have a cracked screen? That kinda seems to describe what I've got right now. Not interested in misleading on purpose, but what is the likelihood this would qualify as a trade-in? If they took it initially, what's the likelihood of it coming back to haunt me (the carrier contacting me about it not being a Samsung)?
Really appreciate the help, guys!
It sucks that you got a fake. If you paid with PayPal or Credit, I'd file a claim/dispute and try to return for a refund. Carriers usually log the IMEI of trade ins and if it doesn't match the model or is blacklisted in any way, the trade will be denied.