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Root [Virgin Mobile] [OUTDATED][GUIDE][MD7][MG2] Rooting & Recovery for Galaxy S3(VM)

rohlfyboy said:
I cleared /system, /data, and /cache. I also formatted cache and dalvik cache. I restored from the backup, and nothing still :(. I'm getting really worried now, but I think I found something. My "PRL Version" under Settings > About Device > Status > says that it's 0. I looked at my old phone (LG Optimus Slider on VM) just to compare them and that one has an actual number for it's PRL Version. Could this explain my problems?
Click to expand...

Have you gone into your settings and updated the PRL?
 
I remember seeing a thread around here were they rooted and got a backup of the Virgin Mobile GS3 before even booting once. So it was 100 percent stock, like from the box. I belive they also got a backup of the modem too. That should hopefully solve your issues.

At work now. Will try to find it later, as I belive I bookmarked it on my main PC.
 
TheBritton said:
Have you gone into your settings and updated the PRL?
Click to expand...

I just did. The green check mark appeared in the status bar, it said "checking network" and the dialog box popped up and said that the PRL was updated. However when I went to check it still said that the PRL version was 0
 
I saw the stock thread and wondered if that would help me. But the ROM doesn't seem to be the issue, its only the connection between the cell tower and my phone. I also saw that there was also a thread with a stock modem. Could that modem help with that? I have experience flashing ROMs, but no experience with modems
 
rohlfyboy said:
I saw the stock thread and wondered if that would help me. But the ROM doesn't seem to be the issue, its only the connection between the cell tower and my phone. I also saw that there was also a thread with a stock modem. Could that modem help with that? I have experience flashing ROMs, but no experience with modems
Click to expand...

You didn't flash another modem, so I don't *think* that should help.
Can you think of anything else you did? Before making nandroid? Anything else flashed?
You definitely not SOL, worst case as SirFerret we have a full backup somewhere.
 
spacepanda said:
You didn't flash another modem, so I don't *think* that should help.
Can you think of anything else you did? Before making nandroid? Anything else flashed?
You definitely not SOL, worst case as SirFerret we have a full backup somewhere.
Click to expand...

After initially rooting, I flashed g60madman's CWM because it was specifically made for VM GS3's and not the Sprint model. I then flashed the Slim and Stockish ROM. I noticed I had no signal (circle with a slash through it). Other than doing the things suggested in this thread, I've done nothing else
 
Try "activate this phone", and the built in firmware updater. Though i have no idea why your nandroid lost your PRL. Maybe even try roaming.

relevant : http://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/101020
Good news, I tried what was listed on another thread and it worked. I connected to wifi, plugged my phone in and went into settings, system update and update prl. It appeared to be doing nothing for like 5 mins so I left it and came back an hour later and was shocked when it was connected to the network. Hope it works for you.
Click to expand...
So try that with wifi and then with roaming, see what happens. Very curious.
 
spacepanda said:
Try "activate this phone", and the built in firmware updater. Though i have no idea why your nandroid lost your PRL. Maybe even try roaming.

relevant : http://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/101020

So try that with wifi and then with roaming, see what happens. Very curious.
Click to expand...

When I hit "Activate this phone" it says to call 611 or their help #. I called 611 on my phone to see what would happen. The screen went black and only the status bar was visible. It stayed that way for about a minute and then the phone rebooted, but nothing changes when it came back on. I then connected to my WiFi and hit the firmware update button, but it said there were no updates found. I then tried the method in the link with WiFi. The update PRL dialog stayed there for about 2 minutes and then said it was updated, but when I went to look it still said the PRL version was 0. This may be a dumb question, but how do I set the phone to roaming and test it that way? I have no idea how to do that sorry
 
rohlfyboy said:
When I hit "Activate this phone" it says to call 611 or their help #. I called 611 on my phone to see what would happen. The screen went black and only the status bar was visible. It stayed that way for about a minute and then the phone rebooted, but nothing changes when it came back on. I then connected to my WiFi and hit the firmware update button, but it said there were no updates found. I then tried the method in the link with WiFi. The update PRL dialog stayed there for about 2 minutes and then said it was updated, but when I went to look it still said the PRL version was 0. This may be a dumb question, but how do I set the phone to roaming and test it that way? I have no idea how to do that sorry
Click to expand...
wireless & networks > more > mobile networks >data roaming
 
I'm assuming that it's supposed to be in here right?
 

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hmm. in that case I have no idea where it would be, if it is. If no one else has any other suggestions it sounds like you should try to flash that pure stock backup.
 
spacepanda said:
hmm. in that case I have no idea where it would be, if it is. If no one else has any other suggestions it sounds like you should try to flash that pure stock backup.
Click to expand...

I'm getting ready to flash the stock rom, but the post with the stock zip file says that it does not include a modem but does include the link to the stock modem file. How do I flash both the stock zip and the modem? The modem post mentions something about Odin, but I don't know what to do with that and I don't want to do anything hasty and risk borking my phone worse than it is now. Thanks!
 
rohlfyboy said:
I'm getting ready to flash the stock rom, but the post with the stock zip file says that it does not include a modem but does include the link to the stock modem file. How do I flash both the stock zip and the modem? The modem post mentions something about Odin, but I don't know what to do with that and I don't want to do anything hasty and risk borking my phone worse than it is now. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Odin is a tool for flashing things from your computer, you'll have to link the thread or get help there, not sure what is specifically required

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
Hey guys, just got my phone and tried rooting. Everything went fine (except I had to run step 20 twice. first one failed for some reason. Second time worked)so far except I'm stuck at step 27. It keeps saying "can't mount /emmc/". Any ideas?

edit:

upon going into recovery this is what pops up immediately,

can't mount cache/recovery/command
can't mount cache/recovery/log
can't open cache/recovery/log
can't mount cache/recovery/last_log
can't open cache/recovery/last_log

I can boot into android just fine.

edit 2 : This is seriously pissing me off. I have been at this for over 5 hours now and cannot find anything from google relating to my symptoms. Anything similar to my problems I found on google they have had root access. I DO NOT. If anyone has any advice, I'm all ears.

In the process of rooting, on step 27 of this guide, my phone is unable to mount ANYTHING. I can't mount means I can't root. It also means I cannot even factory restore. I've tried TWRP but it's the same issue and it also asks me for a password (wtf?). I have not encrypted my phone or anything. I've switched sd cards.

Anything from anyone would be greatly appreciated. As of right now I really feel like taking my reciprocating saw and chopping this phone in half. I cannot believe this supposedly simple process has cause me this big of a headache. Rooting and wire tricking the evo 3d isn't even close to the frustration I am feeling right now.

Edit 3: Ok, stock recovery does diddly squat. Same ******* errors. Can't even ******* perform a factory reset.
 
Nucleartwig said:
Hey guys, just got my phone and tried rooting. Everything went fine (except I had to run step 20 twice. first one failed for some reason. Second time worked)so far except I'm stuck at step 27. It keeps saying "can't mount /emmc/". Any ideas?

edit:

upon going into recovery this is what pops up immediately,

can't mount cache/recovery/command
can't mount cache/recovery/log
can't open cache/recovery/log
can't mount cache/recovery/last_log
can't open cache/recovery/last_log

I can boot into android just fine.

edit 2 : This is seriously pissing me off. I have been at this for over 5 hours now and cannot find anything from google relating to my symptoms. Anything similar to my problems I found on google they have had root access. I DO NOT. If anyone has any advice, I'm all ears.

In the process of rooting, on step 27 of this guide, my phone is unable to mount ANYTHING. I can't mount means I can't root. It also means I cannot even factory restore. I've tried TWRP but it's the same issue and it also asks me for a password (wtf?). I have not encrypted my phone or anything. I've switched sd cards.

Anything from anyone would be greatly appreciated. As of right now I really feel like taking my reciprocating saw and chopping this phone in half. I cannot believe this supposedly simple process has cause me this big of a headache. Rooting and wire tricking the evo 3d isn't even close to the frustration I am feeling right now.

Edit 3: Ok, stock recovery does diddly squat. Same ******* errors. Can't even ******* perform a factory reset.
Click to expand...
Push this file through ODIN using the PDA option and it'll fix it all for ya

http://goo.im/devs/xthedakmanx/MidnightRomGS3/recovery.tar.md5
 
Oh my ******* god. ^&*$(#*@&^ I love you....in a totally platonic way.

Edit:

Have a beer on me. I was totally dreading coming back from work and trying to solve this on my own. I'm still a newbie to rooting stuff. First thing I checked was this thread crossing my fingers hoping for a reply.
 
^_^ Not a problem at all. I had the same exact issue today.

Just be careful with flashing any kernels right now, as there's an issue that will brick your phone
 
Hi guys, last night I rooted my phone (using the Windows method because my installation of Ubuntu does not play well with MTP). Everything has been great so far, and tethering is working wonderfully (which is the main reason I wanted to root). So thanks for the help!

Now for my question: I just noticed that when I took a picture with the front camera it flipped it. The photo is correct in the viewfinder, but then when it actually saves it saves the flipped version. I did not actually ever take a picture with the front camera before rooting it, so I cannot say for sure that it worked properly before rooting, but I am assuming that this bug has something to do with rooting the device... Anybody else seeing this problem and any ideas for how to fix it?

And since this is my first post here on androidforums, I would just like to say thanks to all the awesome members that have helped make my android experience awesome for the past 2 years! Keep being awesome!
 
Austrie said:
7. Once Your Device Powers Back On, Go To Play Store And Download ROM Manager And Click 'Flash ClockWorkMod Recovery'
Now You're Rooted With A Custom Recovery!​
Click to expand...

I got through all the steps ok but i dont know which recovery to flash. I cannot find a VM specific one on the phone or on the ClockworkMod ROM Manager - Recoveries website. Which do i use?


Second question. Im only rooting to delete the camera shutter sound file. Is it possible to unroot after i have completed that process, or am a stuck with a rooted phone.
 
Is there a way to gain root after the latest update? I've tried running Motochopper (linux version) several times to no avail.
 
Hi,

I tried rooting my VM S3 but when i got to step 26 where I load recovery mode cwm i get these messages at the bottom:
E: Can't mount /cache/recovery/command
E: Cant mount /cache/recovery/log
E: Cant' open /cache/recovery/log
E: cant mount /cache/recovery/last_log
E: Can't open /cache/recovery/last_log

and when i try to choose teamepic root from recovery zip from internal sd card it says:
E: cant mount /emmc/


could someone please help.

Thanks
 
Just woke up this morning with a notification of a software update for the VM GS3. Anybody know if it is OK to do with the root I performed with the method described in this thread?

It's like 90mb, maybe it's an Android update?! Never actually had a phone where I got an Android version update. Looking at you Motorola... :banghead:
 
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