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Root [International] Sudden Death? Bricked? What to do?

J

JHGRichardson

Newbie
Hi

A couple of days ago I took my phone (Galaxy S3) out of my pocket only to discover that it was stuck in a loop - every time it got to the start up screen with the samsung logo it would restart again. After taking the battery out and switching it back on I managed to get it working (sort of). However, some data seemed to have gone including my contacts and background wallpaper. I still had apps, messages and photos though. I switched the phone off and since then I have not been able to get it back on again, it just gets stuck in a loop again which only stops when I take the battery out. For a few days before it died it was performing strangely - very slow at times and apps crashing. I can still get into recovery mode and download mode.

I'm not sure why this happened, the phone was rooted and unlocked (i think - it had programs called SuperSU an CWM and the flash counter reads 8), but not by me (im rather clueless and have learned what little I know reading online in the last few days), I bought it second hand.

I thought I would try and flash the standard ROM but I've realised that I don't know which model my phone is and I can't switch it on to find out so I don't know which version of the original firmware to download and install. The phone doesn't have any branding on it, just samsung logos and I'm in the UK if it makes any difference. Is there anything I can do to find out or any way to get around this problem? Should I be trying to do this in the first place?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks
 
Yeah it is the I9300, are there not different versions of the I9300 with different ROMs? Also I'm not sure whether it was bought unlocked or if it was unlock from a specific network by somebody. Is it likely to make a difference either way?
 
I don't think it matters if its unlocked or not. I9300 ROMs work for all i9300s. There are no specific ROMs for different carriers in international versions. American s3 have different ROMs for different carriers though.
 
I think to flash the stock ROM u need to flash it via Odin. Search a tutorial on that but I'm not completely sure if that will work.
 
Ahh I see, good job its an I9300 then!

Yeah I was gonna use Odin, found a few tutorials online, it seems pretty straightforward. Neither am I! From what I can gather if its got this sudden death thing then it needs a new motherboard so I'll have to send it off. Is there any reason not to try and flash the original ROM and just send it off anyway?

Thanks for your help
 
Id try flashing another rom then man. Do you want it to be pure samsung factory firmware or something more custom?
 
I'm not sure really, I just thought I'd play it safe with a samsung one (it seems pretty simple to do and I wouldn't know which custom one to go for). Is it a good idea to try something else? It is any more difficult flash a custom one that a standard one? Also if I were to flash a samsung ROM would I then be able to flash a custom one after (provided it works and everything)? Apologies for all the questions
 
easiest try would be flash the stock firmware downloaded from sammobile via odin. If that works then u can root it again and flash any custom rom u want. Otherwise u can also try flashing a custom rom via the recovery but u would need to put the custom rom file on the memory card if u have one then flash it via the recovery. If u plan to flash a custom rom would suggest u try neatrom or omega if u want a close to stock custom rom.
 
Okay, so I appear to have made some progress - thanks for your help so far! I've flashed a Samsung ROM and the phone has switched back on again, currently in the process of setting it all up. However, I dont seem to be getting any phone signal. All I have is the circle with a line through the middle and a 'No service' message. Any ideas on why this might be/how I can fix it?
 
2 things.
Easy part maybe you need to choose the provider in settings. It is in settings more mobile network provider

Hard one I think something is wrong with your modem? I'm not 100% sure. I'm just trying to help people on this forum now :P
 
try selecting a network manually and see if it helps else you could try another sim card in the phone to make sure where the issue is. I am assuming you downloaded and flashed a rom for UK only. Also just to check restart the phone in download mode and see what the counter is set to.
 
*EDIT* (Just realised im not on Three anymore, I'm with giffgaff (both white sims - confusing!) not that it makes a difference, still no network connection) I tried selecting o2 (i'm on giffgaff which I believe is owned by o2) it registers but then I try to make a call and it says 'not registered on network' If I set it to select network automatically then I get the same message coming up when I try to make a call. If I try and register on Vodafone or Three then it says 'your sim card does not allow a connection to this network'.

Unfortunately I don't have another micro sim about to try, could go and go one tomorrow. Yeah I flashed a UK ROM. The counter is set at 8 still.

Thanks
 
Is it an unbranded rom mate? can u post a screenshot of "about phone" (scroll down to the bottom so we see build number etc)? :thumbup:
 
This is the ROM I used:

samsung-updates.com - Thank you for download!

and here is a screenshot of the info:

Screenshot_2013-06-20-22-24-29.png


Sorry about the size, not sure how to make it smaller.
 
Size is fine man. As far as i know that should be sound. Im on 3 and i use that same modem (baseband) :confused:

At least we know it isnt sudden death.. :beer:
Hope someone has a suggestion..
 
I've actually just realised I'm not on Three anymore, I'm on giffgaff. I think is owned by o2 which could explain why it will at least try and connect to o2.

I also tried calling my mobile with the house phone and it rings through the house phone then goes to voicemail. My mobile doesn't ring though?

Cheers for your help mate, at least it switches on now
 
JHGRichardson said:
I've actually just realised I'm not on Three anymore, I'm on giffgaff. I think is owned by o2 which could explain why it will at least try and connect to o2.

I also tried calling my mobile with the house phone and it rings through the house phone then goes to voicemail. My mobile doesn't ring though?

Cheers for your help mate, at least it switches on now
Click to expand...

You can connect to any network. But if its not yours you cant message or call. Doesnt Giff Gaff use all networks? IDk. Maybe reflash? OR go back to stock and see if it works. If not, then you can unroot and go to fix it at samsung.
 
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