Root [International] KitKat - should I update...and how?

[gsfrider]

I through the menu after backing everything up on kids, after update & factory reset nothing stored on kies would transfer back to my phone

 

[Hawker]

Great, thanks. Downloading that now.

Any suggestions on the other points?

If you have paid for SuperSu then I would think it would just be downloading the pro key off the play store (I dont know for sure with this as I've never purchased it, but this is the case for Titanium Backup)

Factory reset will be a must so you will have to set everything back up.
I take it you have Titanium Backup, so its a case of
1. Titanium backup your current USER apps
2. perform a current CWM backup
3. backup any personal files in internal SD card just in case
4. factory reset
5. Personally, I would also wipe internal sd card (this and (4.) can both be done in PhilZ)
6. flash NC9 modem through Odin from here.. As you are on new bootloader, then flash moden+lte. I would also flash the NC9 bootloader too. (I dont have a link for this as yet)
7. flash Djembey NC9 through recovery
8. boot up into wizard and set up your google account etc.
9. download TB from playstore
10. restore your USER (NOT SYSTEM) apps in TB
11. set up all your homescreens and settings etc.

 

[hongman]

Factory reset will be a must so you will have to set everything back up.
I take it you have Titanium Backup, so its a case of
1. Titanium backup your current USER apps OK
2. perform a current CWM backup - Is this the same as Nandroid, or something else?
3. backup any personal files in internal SD card just in case OK
4. factory reset OK
5. Personally, I would also wipe internal sd card (this and (4.) can both be done in PhilZ) What is PhilZ!
6. flash NC9 modem through Odin from here.. As you are on new bootloader, then flash moden+lte. I would also flash the NC9 bootloader too. (I dont have a link for this as yet) Unsure...Do I flash this via Odin? No idea what the NC9 bootloader is.
7. flash Djembey NC9 through recovery
8. boot up into wizard and set up your google account etc. OK
9. download TB from playstore OK
10. restore your USER (NOT SYSTEM) apps in TB OK
11. set up all your homescreens and settings etc. OK

I really appreciate your help in this, sorry for any newbieness on my part!

 

[Hawker]

2. perform a current CWM backup - Is this the same as Nandroid, or something else?
5. Personally, I would also wipe internal sd card (this and (4.) can both be done in PhilZ) What is PhilZ!
6. flash NC9 modem through Odin from here.. As you are on new bootloader, then flash moden+lte. I would also flash the NC9 bootloader too. (I dont have a link for this as yet) Unsure...Do I flash this via Odin? No idea what the NC9 bootloader is.
[/COLOR]

2. a CWM backup is a backup performed through recovery, otherwise known as a nandroid backup
5. as you are rooted, you must have some sort of custom recovery installed. Philz is an hugely extended version of CWM recovery. See this thread. Download from here
6. You can only flash modems (GSM and LTE) and bootloaders through Odin. The bootloader is what has caused all the furore with knox. Most people try to stay on the old bootloader, but once you are on the new bootloader (as you are on post MH1, then you already are) then there is no going back, you cannot downgrade.

All your questions begs the question, how exactly did you root your device?

 

[hongman]

Haha, I knew that question was coming!

Basically, I bought the S4 as a standalone phone on 4.2.2. IIRC, I rooted that via Recovery. I had the battery warping issue, which also fried some internals. When I got it back from warranty, Samsung had stuck the stock 4.3 on my phone. I rooted that by using a file I found off some guide and Odin - that was it. Done in literally a few mins.

None of this bootloader, odex, zipaligned, modem flashing stuff, hence why I was in for such a big shock...I assumed going to KK was going to be just as easy!

Thank you for sticking with me.

 

[Hawker]

As you are rooted, then I would flash the latest PhilZ (philz_touch_6.25.4-jflte.zip)
if you have problems flashing this in your existing recovery then download the .tar version and flash with odin.

This will give you the best recovery available to you, from where you can perform all your flashing/wiping/resetting needs.

 

[hongman]

Hmm.

Ok, stuck on the PhilZ bit. Seems I have CWM Recovery, didnt even realise before.

I boot into CWM Recovery and do Apply Update via ExternalStorage, but it fails with something like "Failed to verify whole-file signature" and reboots.

I downloaded the tar file for Odin, and it seems stuck. Phone is in Download mode, Odin is stuck on:

<ID:0/007> Added!!
<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..
<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
<OSM> Please wait..
<OSM> philz_touch_6.25.4-jflte.tar.md5 is valid.
<OSM> Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
<OSM> Leave CS..
<ID:0/007> Odin v.3 engine (ID:7)..
<ID:0/007> File analysis..
<ID:0/007> SetupConnection..

Been there for a while now.

What do you think I should do?

Never mind, just unplugged and started again, passed this time.

 

[hongman]

Ok, going to do the rest tonight from home. Thanks so far

 

[dynomot]

Ha! Hawkered.

I see your following his instructions hongman. You'll have it running properly in no time.

Thanks Hawker.

 

[Hawker]

Hmm.

Ok, stuck on the PhilZ bit. Seems I have CWM Recovery, didnt even realise before.

I boot into CWM Recovery and do Apply Update via ExternalStorage, but it fails with something like "Failed to verify whole-file signature" and reboots.

I downloaded the tar file for Odin, and it seems stuck. Phone is in Download mode, Odin is stuck on:

<ID:0/007> Added!!
<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..
<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
<OSM> Please wait..
<OSM> philz_touch_6.25.4-jflte.tar.md5 is valid.
<OSM> Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
<OSM> Leave CS..
<ID:0/007> Odin v.3 engine (ID:7)..
<ID:0/007> File analysis..
<ID:0/007> SetupConnection..

Been there for a while now.

What do you think I should do?

Never mind, just unplugged and started again, passed this time.

1. Uninstall Kies
2. Install Samsung USB drivers only (v1.5.42.0)
3. power off the device fully
4. enter download mode: press power until you feel it vibrate, then press VOL-DOWN immediately. Press VOL-UP then to confirm
5. Start Odin
6. If using 3.09, browse for the .md5 file by clicking the AP button. Previous versions, click the PDA button
7. connect handset with genuine usb cable
8. wait for COM port in Odin to go blue (3.09) or yellow (pre 3.09). On very first connect, wait for the drivers to install, then exit+restart Odin again and go to point 6.
9. click the start button to flash

 

[gsfrider]

Hi
I'd like to accept your offer of help as I've tried everything in the forums and even Samsung don't know what to do about it, thanks

Pete

 

[hongman]

Hi all

Good news, sat up all night re-setting up my phone after successfully flashing Philz, NC9 modem + wififix, NC9 ROM and restoring most of my User settings.

All looking good!

Only a couple of twiddly bits left which I hope someone can tell me how to solve.

1. SMS Messages - I input all of my Samsung & Google account details which restored a lot of stuff, and TB restore did pretty much everything else...however I cant get my SMS messages back?

Restore within TB doesnt work. I;m sure Google or Samsung back these up though - question is, how do I get to restore them?

2. Same as above but with previously joined Wifi networks.

Aside from that...all good!

 

[Sydney99]

Hi all

Good news, sat up all night re-setting up my phone after successfully flashing Philz, NC9 modem + wififix, NC9 ROM and restoring most of my User settings.

All looking good!

Only a couple of twiddly bits left which I hope someone can tell me how to solve.

1. SMS Messages - I input all of my Samsung & Google account details which restored a lot of stuff, and TB restore did pretty much everything else...however I cant get my SMS messages back?

Restore within TB doesnt work. I;m sure Google or Samsung back these up though - question is, how do I get to restore them?

2. Same as above but with previously joined Wifi networks.

Aside from that...all good!

Have you got a nandroid backup? If so the nandroid online app from play store will extract both these from the nandroid

 

[hongman]

I have that app, didnt know it could do this! Thanks!

 

[ironass]

Hi
I'd like to accept your offer of help as I've tried everything in the forums and even Samsung don't know what to do about it, thanks

Pete

It might be a good idea, rather than clutter up hongman's thread, to start a thread of your own on here gsfrider. That way the, "wise men", on here, such as Hawker, can talk you through trying to sort your phone out.

In your first post it would be helpful if you could answer the following stock questions regarding your phone and firmware so that we all know what we are dealing with...

There are currently 23 different models of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and over 1,000 different stock Samsung firmware versions, worldwide, covering 3 different Android platforms. Not all issues will affect all models or firmware releases and your answers to the following question/s will help in the forum's answers to your specific query.

#1 Could you post your Model number and Android version...

To locate these, go to...

Settings > More > About device > Model number and Android version

This will give you the model of Samsung Galaxy S4 that you have and which Android version you are on.


#2. Your current Firmware, (not just Baseband), version .

To locate your current firmware version, go to the stock, Samsung, dial pad and type in...

*#1234#

This will give you your, "Version", details in full, usually 3 lines of information, AP: CP: CSC:, which may all be relevant.

*** If code *#1234# has been disabled on your firmware, you can download and install, free from the Play Store, Phone Info and it will give you, under Firmware Info... PDA, Baseband, CSC, versions.


#3. Also helpful would be your carrier, (service provider), location, (UK, India, Russia, USA, etc: ), and if your phone is rooted or not and running a custom ROM, (give details).


Thanks. The above helps us to help you and hopefully someone will be able to reply to you shortly.


For more information, see, http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/760098-23-galaxy-s4-models-know-yours.html#post6099681

(Tip: You can go to the green bar at the top of this forum and click on, "User CP", which will take you to your User Control Panel and then select, "Edit your details", under the heading, "Your profile", on the left hand side. Here you can fill in your model and firmware under, "Current devices", in, "Additional Information". This ensures that your device details are shown under your user name on the left, in every post you make. You can update this as often as you like and will help other users immediately identify your current phone and firmware details.)

Then could you please list again the problems you are experiencing and the steps that you have taken to remedy these problems.

Last but not least, could you run your phone in Safe Mode for awhile and check if these problems still occur for you as this may narrow down the suggestions and solutions. See #1.1 of Update Problems - Dummies Guide for details on how to get into Safe Mode.