Root [Virgin Mobile] Problems after flashing Sprint CWM to Virgin phone

[madoubletee]

I recently flashed Clockworkmod on my Virgin Mobile Galaxy SIII. I did it before I activated the phone, so maybe that was a mistake and is why I'm having issues. The Hands Free Activation wouldn't work so the CSR had to manually program my MDN and MSID. Since then, I have noticed that I only get 3G service and I have yet to see the LTE notification at the top of my screen. I have a feeling that Clockworkmod interfered with the activation and that's why I never receive LTE service; I have never gone this long without seeing the LTE notification at some point. The CSRs I have spoke with say that there is an ongoing service issue in the area and that's why I don't see LTE coverage. I think that's not the cause because the problem has persisted too long. Perhaps related, there is a persistent notification "System Update..." that never completes in the notification list. I'm pretty sure that it's related to the Hands Free Activation process.

Has anyone else used Clockworkmod on a Virgin Mobile SIII? I used the Sprint Clockworkmod recovery because there is no Virgin Mobile version. Technically, they're the same device, SPH-L710 (Sprint is the Virgin Mobile parent company). However, I suspect using a Sprint recovery on a Virgin device is part of the problem.

Bottom line, I want to:
Restore LTE service to my device
Make the "System Update…" notification disappear

I've posted on XDA, but haven't gotten any definitive answers yet; I'm hoping someone here can shed some light.

Any help is appreciated. Thank You.

 

[El Presidente]

Moved to the Virgin SGS3 Root section, the guys here should be able to help.

 

[alexizawesome]

A custom recovery would not affect your service or activation at all. What you cannot do is install new firmware upgrades. I have no expierence with hands free activation. It is most likely what they said, problems with service. The only thing I can suggest is to do a prl/profile update(somewhere in the last tab in touchwhiz settings).

 

[vsanch24]

What is your baseband Version? If you are still on something that ends in NDC you can ODIN the NDC Tar and get full stock back. Click Here for download on XDA (it didn't delete any of my custom settings when applying on top) Then you can see if it was Clockworkmod. We all have found using Philz Recovery to the be best. Click here for latest Philz Recovery. It is based on CWM so it is odd that CWM did anything to your phone in the reception arena.

 

[madoubletee]

What you cannot do is install new firmware upgrades.

I recently just got this phone back after a warranty issue. I immediately rooted it (Kingoroot, NOT using Odin) . That day or the following I was prompted for a firmware upgrade and once it was complete I lost root and Kingoroot couldn't gain root access without flashing a custom recovery. I ended up flashing CWM myself, via Odin, and have had nothing but problems since then.

Do you think CWM is not compatible with the latest firmware?

I have no expierence with hands free activation. It is most likely what they said, problems with service. The only thing I can suggest is to do a prl/profile update(somewhere in the last tab in touchwhiz settings).

• I believe Hands Free Activation is something proprietary to Virgin/Sprint.
• Perhaps it is just an issue on their end; however, it would be odd for it to persist for two weeks. If push comes to shove, I may switch over to my other phone and see if it gets LTE service.
• Unfortunately, when I try to PRL/Profile update, I get a message: "session already in progress." I think that has to do with the perpetual "System Update…" message in the notifications.

What is your baseband Version? If you are still on something that ends in NDC you can ODIN the NDC Tar and get full stock back. Click Here for download on XDA (it didn't delete any of my custom settings when applying on top) Then you can see if it was Clockworkmod. We all have found using Philz Recovery to the be best. Click here for latest Philz Recovery. It is based on CWM so it is odd that CWM did anything to your phone in the reception arena.

Baseband is: L710VPUCNJ3. Is it possible that it's incompatible with CWM since CWM is based on a earlier tar file?

 

[Madbat]

I recently just got this phone back after a warranty issue. I immediately rooted it (Kingoroot, NOT using Odin) . That day or the following I was prompted for a firmware upgrade and once it was complete I lost root and Kingoroot couldn't gain root access without flashing a custom recovery. I ended up flashing CWM myself, via Odin, and have had nothing but problems since then.

Do you think CWM is not compatible with the latest firmware?

• I believe Hands Free Activation is something proprietary to Virgin/Sprint.
• Perhaps it is just an issue on their end; however, it would be odd for it to persist for two weeks. If push comes to shove, I may switch over to my other phone and see if it gets LTE service.
• Unfortunately, when I try to PRL/Profile update, I get a message: "session already in progress." I think that has to do with the perpetual "System Update…" message in the notifications.

Baseband is: L710VPUCNJ3. Is it possible that it's incompatible with CWM since CWM is based on a earlier tar file?

Recovery has nothing to do with your baseband. You can flash the zip of philz recovery if you want to check. Just flash in cwm. Or extract the recovery image from it and just use the app flashify to install it. The recoveries for virgin and sprint are nearly identical. Have you tried clearing cache and dalvik in recovery?
But again nothing in activation or prl is affected by recovery. It may be something else you have done with root, like removing something vital.

 

[madoubletee]

Recovery has nothing to do with your baseband. You can flash the zip of philz recovery if you want to check. Just flash in cwm. Or extract the recovery image from it and just use the app flashify to install it. The recoveries for virgin and sprint are nearly identical. Have you tried clearing cache and dalvik in recovery?
But again nothing in activation or prl is affected by recovery. It may be something else you have done with root, like removing something vital.

I haven't cleared cache or dalvik; I will try that and let you know what happens.

I flashed CWM and installed SuperSU zip file as described in this YouTube Video. I didn't make any changes directly other than what's described in the video. I hope none of my apps with root access did damage (I doubt it).

 

[vsanch24]

When Sprint had tower issues in my area, it took VM to get restored LTE coverage over a month. VM is low priority to Sprint. But as others have said, the type of recovery you have won't effect the reception of LTE. That would be your modem and PRL. You are on NJ3 so you have the latest firmware...as I am. I am full stock and have noticed slightly worse reception since the upgrade from NDC to NJ3. It could be VM's way of convincing people to upgrade. "Oh your phone no longer works as before...why don't you jump onto a S GS5."

Have you been able to successfully update your PRL and Profile?

I was only suggestion you ODIN the NDC so you can see for yourself what you would get from Pure Stock. But since you already have NJ3 I wouldn't as you can't downgrade. And there isn't a full ODIN-able version of NJ3 yet...maybe there never will be.

 

[hatredg0d]

Do you think CWM is not compatible with the latest firmware?

As other have said the problem has nothing to do with the recovery (however see below). That video guide you linked is for the I9300, I don't think you realize how easily that could have turned into a hard brick! Yes you can do actual damage to your phone if you use out of date information or the wrong files! If you actually are on NJ3 you should stop and only do what the people here advise you to. NJ3 is the newest firmware and most of what you read will not be considering it.

CWM has problems with the virgin mobile version of this phone! Use philz Recovery (based on CWM), make sure you download the newest version as the order is strange..

 

[madoubletee]

Have you been able to successfully update your PRL and Profile?

No, when I try to Update PRL or Update Profile, I Get "Session in progress. Please try again later."

As other have said the problem has nothing to do with the recovery (however see below). That video guide you linked is for the I9300, I don't think you realize how easily that could have turned into a hard brick! Yes you can do actual damage to your phone if you use out of date information or the wrong files! If you actually are on NJ3 you should stop and only do what the people here advise you to. NJ3 is the newest firmware and most of what you read will not be considering it.

CWM has problems with the virgin mobile version of this phone! Use philz Recovery (based on CWM), make sure you download the newest version as the order is strange..

What makes you say those instructions are only for the I9300? His webpage had the CWM tar for Sprint (SPH-L710), which is what I used. Is there something I overlooked?

I will look at philz Recovery. Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[partyman66]

You may be lacking the latest OTA update which often includes updates for the radios and should make them work better and grab an LTE connection more reliably.

OTA updates are usually server side pushes but you should be able to initiate it client side too for newly activated devices or if you just happened to miss it due to device downtime or whatever.

The general consensus on the best way to do this is to go into your Application Manager and scroll right to the ALL tab and look for the "Google Services Framework" and do a Clear Data followed by a Force Stop. Do this with the Play Store application closed and not running in the background. Once that is done, try to check for updates to Samsing Software in the Updates section of your device. It may take a few tries to get it to work.

I'm running root on the latest official VM S3 Software with CWM and it runs fantastic in all regards.

 

[vsanch24]

That is what I thought too Partyman66, but madoubletee is already on the latest firmware - NJ3. I am thinking there was a software glitch at some point and the phone just needs to be fully reset. Which sucks.. I know, but that is all I think can be done at this point. However, there is no NJ3 Tar to ODIN to accomplish this. And everything from before says you can't flash backwards. So the NDC tar is no good. Kies software will be of no use since there was a custom recovery applied.

 

[partyman66]

You may want to try to debunk the CSR's theory of local network problems first. It would stink to spend all this time working the issue from your phone's perspective if it actually was a network issue.

To the OP... do you have any local friends, coworkers or relatives who have Virgin Mobile as a provider and own an LTE-enabled device? If so, check with them to see if their LTE is working lately in areas that you both frequent. Best thing would be to stand next to them when you both have your phones on you at a time when they have LTE on their phone and verify that you still dont have LTE on yours. Best case scenario is that they have the same kind of phone as you but its not completely necessary. Then you will know more reliably if it's your phone or the network. Be aware though that you sometimes can hang on to LTE easier when you already have a local fix and wander slightly into the fray where LTE coverage is borderline and someone else looking for a fix in that same area may not be able to get one fresh.

 

[madoubletee]

You may be lacking the latest OTA update which often includes updates for the radios and should make them work better and grab an LTE connection more reliably.

OTA updates are usually server side pushes but you should be able to initiate it client side too for newly activated devices or if you just happened to miss it due to device downtime or whatever.

The general consensus on the best way to do this is to go into your Application Manager and scroll right to the ALL tab and look for the "Google Services Framework" and do a Clear Data followed by a Force Stop. Do this with the Play Store application closed and not running in the background. Once that is done, try to check for updates to Samsing Software in the Updates section of your device. It may take a few tries to get it to work.

I'm running root on the latest official VM S3 Software with CWM and it runs fantastic in all regards.

I tried this but no luck. Is there anything that would be updated since I'm already on the latest baseband version?

You may want to try to debunk the CSR's theory of local network problems first. It would stink to spend all this time working the issue from your phone's perspective if it actually was a network issue.

To the OP... do you have any local friends, coworkers or relatives who have Virgin Mobile as a provider and own an LTE-enabled device? If so, check with them to see if their LTE is working lately in areas that you both frequent. Best thing would be to stand next to them when you both have your phones on you at a time when they have LTE on their phone and verify that you still dont have LTE on yours. Best case scenario is that they have the same kind of phone as you but its not completely necessary. Then you will know more reliably if it's your phone or the network. Be aware though that you sometimes can hang on to LTE easier when you already have a local fix and wander slightly into the fray where LTE coverage is borderline and someone else looking for a fix in that same area may not be able to get one fresh.

I just think it's too coincidental that I never have problems with LTE service until now and it's conveniently attributed to an outage so that the CSR doesn't have to do anything except give me a cookie cutter explanation. That and the fact that it's persisted for several weeks make me skeptical. The only thing that gives the outage theory any credence is that my other Virgin phone (HTC Desire 510), which isn't activated, only shows the 3G symbol as well. I also got an LTE error message on the HTC device today; I'm not sure what it means as far as the outage theory goes. All else fails, I may switch to the HTC phone for a day or two to see how it works.

Also, I get an error message when I try to program the Galaxy S3 with the ##72786# dailer code: "Unable to establish wireless data connection LTE: ESM - x EMM - 8" I googled it and many Sprint users of Galaxy S series phone report seeing this message within the last year; it looks like it may be a software issue as some of you have suspected. I tried to get some information from Samsung as to what this message means but alas the CSR was useless.

Attached:
1. HTC LTE error message
2. Galaxy S3 LTE error message
3. Persistent "System Update…" notification message

 

[Madbat]

I tried this but no luck. Is there anything that would be updated since I'm already on the latest baseband version?




I just think it's too coincidental that I never have problems with LTE service until now and it's conveniently attributed to an outage so that the CSR doesn't have to do anything except give me a cookie cutter explanation. That and the fact that it's persisted for several weeks make me skeptical. The only thing that gives the outage theory any credence is that my other Virgin phone (HTC Desire 510), which isn't activated, only shows the 3G symbol as well. I also got an LTE error message on this device today; I'm not sure what it means as far as the carrier outage theory goes. All else fails, I may switch to the HTC phone for a day or two to see how it works.

Also, I get an error message when I try to program the Galaxy S3 with the ##72786# dailer code: "Unable to establish wireless data connection LTE: ESM - x EMM - 8" I googled it and many Sprint users of Galaxy S series phone report seeing this message within the last year; it looks like it may be a software issue as some of you have suspected. I tried to get some information from Samsung as to what this message means but alas the CSR was useless.

Attached:
1. HTC LTE error message
2. Galaxy S3 LTE error message
3. Persistent "System Update…" notification message

Hey, press and hold on that "system update" notification. Then tap app info when it pops up. When it takes you to that apps info, clear the cache and data for that app.

 

[madoubletee]

Hey, press and hold on that "system update" notification. Then tap app info when it pops up. When it takes you to that apps info, clear the cache and data for that app.

Okay. I just cleared the cache and data, however it still won't let me access Update PRL or Update Profile. Is that what you were trying to do?

The "System Update…" message reappears in the notifications when I try to access that menu again. When I try to select Update PRL or Update Profile, it says:"Session in progress. Please try again later."

 

[Madbat]

Okay. I just cleared the cache and data, however it still won't let me access Update PRL or Update Profile. Is that what you were trying to do?

The "System Update…" message reappears in the notifications when I try to access that menu again. When I try to select Update PRL or Update Profile, it says:"Session in progress. Please try again later."
View attachment 79564

Yeah I was hoping that would stop the process in session so you could update prl and profile. I had that problem once and I thought that was how I fixed it. Have you gone into cwm and wiped cache and dalvik? It sounds like you tried to do "activation" after your phone was already activated and the process got stuck. Maybe clear data in activation app. I just can't remember how I stopped that process. You could always use titanium to backup user apps and do a factory reset.

 

[madoubletee]

I cleared cache and dalvik. At first it went through the activation process, but eventually the process failed (forgot to snap a picture of the actual message). I actually did a factory reset via CWM recovery menu (I assume that's what you are referring to) per Virgin Mobile's suggestion. Should I try flashing philz recovery or the modem (if available)? Those are the only two suggestions I haven't tried yet.

Also, I ran across this on the Samsung site. It shows a different baseband version than mine as the latest. The Samsung rep also confirmed that my version is not the latest. I'm going to take it to the Samsung rep at Best Buy tomorrow and see what he says.

 

[Madbat]

I cleared cache and dalvik. At first it went through the activation process, but eventually the process failed (forgot to snap a picture of the actual message). I actually did a factory reset via CWM recovery menu (I assume that's what you are referring to) per Virgin Mobile's suggestion. Should I try flashing philz recovery or the modem (if available)? Those are the only two suggestions I haven't tried yet.

Also, I ran across this on the Samsung site. It shows a different baseband version than mine as the latest. The Samsung rep also confirmed that my version is not the latest. I'm going to take it to the Samsung rep at Best Buy tomorrow and see what he says.

If you are on nj3, that's the latest. If you are on NDC, that would be awesome because you can just Odin flash the NDC .tar back to stock and start over. Nobody has tried to Odin the NDC stock tar after being updated to nj3 for fear of a brick. I may try just to see. I have another phone as a backup.
I just checked your link. Are you not on KitKat? If your still on 4.3 then stop foolin around and just Odin the stock NDC .tar. Lol.
But if you are on basband nj3 then you are passed NDC.

 

[alexizawesome]

I cleared cache and dalvik. At first it went through the activation process, but eventually the process failed (forgot to snap a picture of the actual message). I actually did a factory reset via CWM recovery menu (I assume that's what you are referring to) per Virgin Mobile's suggestion. Should I try flashing philz recovery or the modem (if available)? Those are the only two suggestions I haven't tried yet.

Also, I ran across this on the Samsung site. It shows a different baseband version than mine as the latest. The Samsung rep also confirmed that my version is not the latest. I'm going to take it to the Samsung rep at Best Buy tomorrow and see what he says.

That website hasnt been updated since May 27. Make a up back and try other roms to see if it is a rom issue. If you like touchwhiz that Wicked expirence rom is pretty darn nice. Either that or try and see if someone can share a nj3 back up.

 

[madoubletee]

If you are on nj3, that's the latest. If you are on NDC, that would be awesome because you can just Odin flash the NDC .tar back to stock and start over. Nobody has tried to Odin the NDC stock tar after being updated to nj3 for fear of a brick. I may try just to see. I have another phone as a backup.
I just checked your link. Are you not on KitKat? If your still on 4.3 then stop foolin around and just Odin the stock NDC .tar. Lol.
But if you are on basband nj3 then you are passed NDC.

I'm on 4.4.2. Here are my about device screens captures:

Another issue I have experienced since I got the update is that I can't use Google Drive for capturing scans with my camera. I downloaded the SD Fix app but I still can't get Google Drive or CamScanner to work. I get this message when I use CamScanner:

Not sure if this is related to the other issues.

That website hasnt been updated since May 27. Make a up back and try other roms to see if it is a rom issue. If you like touchwhiz that Wicked expirence rom is pretty darn nice. Either that or try and see if someone can share a nj3 back up.

I will try another ROM. Is Wicked experience compatible with NJ3? I'm not very familiar with flashing ROMs Recoveries, etc. so I will have to do some research to make sure I do it properly.

 

[Madbat]

I'm on 4.4.2. Here are my about device screens captures:
View attachment 79616 View attachment 79617
Another issue I have experienced since I got the update is that I can't use Google Drive for capturing scans with my camera. I downloaded the SD Fix app but I still can't get Google Drive or CamScanner to work. I get this message when I use CamScanner:
View attachment 79618
Not sure if this is related to the other issues.



I will try another ROM. Is Wicked experience compatible with NJ3? I'm not very familiar with flashing ROMs Recoveries, etc. so I will have to do some research to make sure I do it properly.

Yes that ROM is compatible. I am using it now. But not with cwm recovery. You have to use philz. The developer of that ROM doesn't support flashing it with cwm. Nobody on the s3 (sprint variants anyways) uses cwm. We all use philz. Cwm doesn't have half the features of philz. As far as I know, no rooting instructions for our phone even suggests cwm.
By the way, you are on nj3. We are talking about the last 3 digits or letters in your baseband and build. NDC, nd8, nj3; they are all 4.4.2. So saying 4.4.2 isn't very specific.

 

[madoubletee]

Yes that ROM is compatible. I am using it now. But not with cwm recovery. You have to use philz. The developer of that ROM doesn't support flashing it with cwm. Nobody on the s3 (sprint variants anyways) uses cwm. We all use philz. Cwm doesn't have half the features of philz. As far as I know, no rooting instructions for our phone even suggests cwm.
By the way, you are on nj3. We are talking about the last 3 digits or letters in your baseband and build. NDC, nd8, nj3; they are all 4.4.2. So saying 4.4.2 isn't very specific.

I rooted it per the YouTube video on http://galaxys3root.com/. I'm wondering which recovery KingoRoot uses. I had no idea, at the time, what recoveries even are or that this one was uncommon for the S3. I only wanted to access the ability to underclock the CPU to save battery life. I'm not a programmer or developer.

I only said 4.4.2 because you asked if I was on 4.3, which I'm not. Is baseband just a subcategory of the version? I see there is a 4.4.3 and 4.4.4 version; so am I just on the latest baseband of an older version?

 

[Madbat]

I rooted it per the YouTube video on http://galaxys3root.com/. I'm wondering which recovery KingoRoot uses. I had no idea, at the time, what recoveries even are or that this one was uncommon for the S3. I only wanted to access the ability to underclock the CPU to save battery life. I'm not a programmer or developer.

I only said 4.4.2 because you asked if I was on 4.3, which I'm not. Is baseband just a subcategory of the version? I see there is a 4.4.3 and 4.4.4 version; so am I just on the latest baseband of an older version?

Baseband is your modem. But its usually the same as build number. Baseband is different for every model of phone. You are on the most recent build for the sph-l710 model S3. I've never used kingo because of all the controversy over it sending your data to Chinese servers. But now that you have root, you have choices of recovery. Twrp has never worked properly for the s3. And cwm has trouble flashing certain Roms. That's why people keep recommending philztouch advanced. Its based on cwm, but with many more options for developers to customize the installer for their ROM. If you wanted to switch its easy. Just flash the zip in cwm. Or unzip the file, which takes out the recovery image. Then you just use the app flashify to install it. You can even use flashify to backup current recovery and switch back and forth. With root comes all the wonderful choices.
Edit: after you cleared cache and dalvik, did try to do activation again? If so, don't. Your already activated and doing it again after the store activated you already can cause the problem you are having.

 

[madoubletee]

Baseband is your modem. But its usually the same as build number. Baseband is different for every model of phone. You are on the most recent build for the sph-l710 model S3. I've never used kingo because of all the controversy over it sending your data to Chinese servers. But now that you have root, you have choices of recovery. Twrp has never worked properly for the s3. And cwm has trouble flashing certain Roms. That's why people keep recommending philztouch advanced. Its based on cwm, but with many more options for developers to customize the installer for their ROM. If you wanted to switch its easy. Just flash the zip in cwm. Or unzip the file, which takes out the recovery image. Then you just use the app flashify to install it. You can even use flashify to backup current recovery and switch back and forth. With root comes all the wonderful choices.
Edit: after you cleared cache and dalvik, did try to do activation again? If so, don't. Your already activated and doing it again after the store activated you already can cause the problem you are having.

I did (attempt) to do an activation after I cleared cache and dalvik. I can't remember if I initiated it, or the phone itself did. I have the dailer code so I was able to manually enter the MDN and MSID and restore service.

Also, thank you for all the information. I spoke with a Virgin CSR today and they said the tower outage is still affecting my area. They gave me a $20 credit so I'm not too upset, lol. It's supposed to be fixed by Saturday. If I still have problems Sunday, I will switch to the HTC for a few days to see if it is affecting that phone as well.

Happy New Year