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Was trying to deleted some junk off tablet and accidentally deleted OS. Please Help.

H

Harlemprincess

Newbie
Okay so I was trying to deleted some junk off of my Samsung Galaxy Tab A6 SM-T280 and some how went into to downloading mode. I then attempted to get out of download mode not knowing that trying the different buttons sequence would result in me deleting the whole Android operating system from my tablet. Now my tablet will not boot pass the very first image that is shown when the device is turned on. It stays this way until it dies. Please help...really want my android back...they are awesome. I even have a Samsung galaxy phone. This is how much I want my android back. Any help that you are willing to give will be greatly appreciated. Thank you In Advance.
 
It does sound like you'll need to re-flash the ROM for your tablet to get things working normally again. If you go here:
https://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?exact=1&q=SM-T280
and find your country and your carrier, you'll need to download the ROM that matches your tablet (file size will probably 1GB or more). The download page for the ROM you select has basic instructions on what you need and what to do. You will need a access to a Windows PC too.
https://updato.com/how-to/how-to-install-an-official-samsung-stock-firmware-using-odin
Basically you need to install the proper Windows driver so it detects your tablet properly, you need to download and install the Odin utility (it's only 2-3MB in size), use a USB cable to connect your tablet to your PC, and then use the Odin utility to flash the ROM you downloaded onto your tablet.
-- The instructions refer to a newer version of Odin, you might have better results using an earlier version, 3.10.7 works well with Lollipop for instance. Odin isn't necessarily the best when it comes to backwards compatibility so using the latest version on older hardware often results in odd error messages. Here's a good source for whichever Odin version you need:
http://www.droidviews.com/download-odin-tool-for-samsung-galaxy-devices-all-versions/
-- If you need a valid driver, try installing Samsung's Smart Switch. It will automatically install the proper driver along with the Smart Switch utility itself.
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/smart-switch
Don't start up the utility though, you'll get better results using either Odin or Smart Switch but having both running at the same time might result in a error as both utilities are using the same system resources and conflict with each other.
-- If you don't have access to a Win PC, there's also Heimdall, an alternative to Odin and available for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Functionally it does the same as the Odin utility but some of the menus are different to you just need to adjust things accordingly.
https://glassechidna.com.au/heimdall/
 
You 'might' be able to restore your tablet using Smart Switch, it's more of an automatic process while using the Odin utility is more of a manual process. Smart Switch is touted more for its file backup/restore function than a repair/restore utility but it might possibly restore the firmware to get your tablet running normally again.
http://www.blogtechtips.com/2017/06/24/easily-restore-samsung-device-firmware-with-smart-switch/
But just a reminder, use either Smart Switch or use Odin but don't have both running at the same time. Use the Windows Task Manager to be sure one or the other isn't running in the background.
 
SmartSwitch might be a more user-friendly way of reflashing the firmware, but you'll need your device serial number to do it. If you don't have the original packaging for a device that's not bootable, you might be in a catch-22 situtation here.
 
That might be stumbling block but as that article referred to, some devices do have things like the IMEI on a label on the back or inside the back cover. Also, most cellular services will have a record of your IMEI and serial number of your phone -- it might be shown in the phone's or in your carrier contract documentation, or log into your online account and check for the required info there.
 
svim said:
It does sound like you'll need to re-flash the ROM for your tablet to get things working normally again. If you go here:
https://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?exact=1&q=SM-T280
and find your country and your carrier, you'll need to download the ROM that matches your tablet (file size will probably 1GB or more). The download page for the ROM you select has basic instructions on what you need and what to do. You will need a access to a Windows PC too.
https://updato.com/how-to/how-to-install-an-official-samsung-stock-firmware-using-odin
Basically you need to install the proper Windows driver so it detects your tablet properly, you need to download and install the Odin utility (it's only 2-3MB in size), use a USB cable to connect your tablet to your PC, and then use the Odin utility to flash the ROM you downloaded onto your tablet.
-- The instructions refer to a newer version of Odin, you might have better results using an earlier version, 3.10.7 works well with Lollipop for instance. Odin isn't necessarily the best when it comes to backwards compatibility so using the latest version on older hardware often results in odd error messages. Here's a good source for whichever Odin version you need:
http://www.droidviews.com/download-odin-tool-for-samsung-galaxy-devices-all-versions/
-- If you need a valid driver, try installing Samsung's Smart Switch. It will automatically install the proper driver along with the Smart Switch utility itself.
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/smart-switch
Don't start up the utility though, you'll get better results using either Odin or Smart Switch but having both running at the same time might result in a error as both utilities are using the same system resources and conflict with each other.
-- If you don't have access to a Win PC, there's also Heimdall, an alternative to Odin and available for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Functionally it does the same as the Odin utility but some of the menus are different to you just need to adjust things accordingly.
https://glassechidna.com.au/heimdall/
Click to expand...
Thank u so much...that worked great
..dont have to buy a new one..i could kiss u right now...your awesome..
 
svim said:
That might be stumbling block but as that article referred to, some devices do have things like the IMEI on a label on the back or inside the back cover. Also, most cellular services will have a record of your IMEI and serial number of your phone -- it might be shown in the phone's or in your carrier contract documentation, or log into your online account and check for the required info there.
Click to expand...
Harlemprincess said:
Thank u so much...that worked great
..dont have to buy a new one..i could kiss u right now...your awesome..
Click to expand...
Hey you seem like you're a smart person I was wondering if there is a way to root the Android without causing any problems to my tablet if there is can you help me with a step-by-step guide on how to do that so I don't lose any of my information well it doesn't matter if I lose any of my information but I don't care if any of my information is lost because you taught me a new way to get it back so I can just do that all over again and get it back that would be so awesome if you could help me root my device so I can take some of this junk off that I do not use and put what I want on it thank you
 
If you want to root your tablet try reading through this link at XDA Developers, it's a really reliable Android resource:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...covery-samsung-galaxy-tab-a6-sm-t280-t3475381
(Note that development for SuperSU is stopping so while it will still work OK for what you need it's not being supported any longer. Magisk is the current option.)
Rooting an older Samsung device is a great way to learn more about it, and you'll have more control over cleaning out that Samsung cruft. But there are some important caveats too as rooting also enables the user to easily brick their device so be very judicious about cleaning out junk. It's usually safer to disable unwanted apps than deleting them.
That said, instead of rooting you might want to try using this pay-for app, 'Package Disabler Pro+'. It does not require rooting:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.powermanager.batteryaddon

Whatever you're going to do next, just be sure to back up your data. Run that Smart Switch utility on a regular basis.
 
Last edited:
Harlemprincess said:
Thank u so much...that worked great
..dont have to buy a new one..i could kiss u right now...your awesome..
Click to expand...
Hey got another question for you. I have a prepaid LG VS415PP Android phone. The version is 4.4.2 and I've already rooted this phone. Accidentally deleted Google Play Store off the phone. Tried over and over and over again to install it and update some apps. Everytime I try to update an app it says this message: For instance if I try to update Google i get hit with a message "Google" cannot be updated. Try again, and if the problem continues, get help troubleshooting. (Error code: 0) than k you in advance
 
Not familiar with that model at all. Just offhand, when a system-level app like the Play Store is deleted from a phone running a stock ROM there are limited options. Re-flashing a stock ROM will restore it (and everything else). Maybe this link its firmware will help more:
https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-vs415pp-firmwares/
Don't see any detailed instructions, but hopefully there's some included in the actual download file itself?
 
Im sorry i left out a number maybe thats why u wasnt familiar with it...it is LG VS415PP2...If that makes a differences...ill try it though and see it will fix it thank u so much..
 
Do you know exactly how to flash the file... Google play store can't install or update apps..please help...what should i do..tried to flash with odin it does not recognized the phone at all...try deleting the date and the cache.. but it didnt work at all..
 
svim said:
It does sound like you'll need to re-flash the ROM for your tablet to get things working normally again. If you go here:
https://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?exact=1&q=SM-T280
and find your country and your carrier, you'll need to download the ROM that matches your tablet (file size will probably 1GB or more). The download page for the ROM you select has basic instructions on what you need and what to do. You will need a access to a Windows PC too.
https://updato.com/how-to/how-to-install-an-official-samsung-stock-firmware-using-odin
Basically you need to install the proper Windows driver so it detects your tablet properly, you need to download and install the Odin utility (it's only 2-3MB in size), use a USB cable to connect your tablet to your PC, and then use the Odin utility to flash the ROM you downloaded onto your tablet.
-- The instructions refer to a newer version of Odin, you might have better results using an earlier version, 3.10.7 works well with Lollipop for instance. Odin isn't necessarily the best when it comes to backwards compatibility so using the latest version on older hardware often results in odd error messages. Here's a good source for whichever Odin version you need:
http://www.droidviews.com/download-odin-tool-for-samsung-galaxy-devices-all-versions/
-- If you need a valid driver, try installing Samsung's Smart Switch. It will automatically install the proper driver along with the Smart Switch utility itself.
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/smart-switch
Don't start up the utility though, you'll get better results using either Odin or Smart Switch but having both running at the same time might result in a error as both utilities are using the same system resources and conflict with each other.
-- If you don't have access to a Win PC, there's also Heimdall, an alternative to Odin and available for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Functionally it does the same as the Odin utility but some of the menus are different to you just need to adjust things accordingly.
https://glassechidna.com.au/heimdall/
Click to expand...
Hey I
Harlemprincess said:
Thank u so much...that worked great
..dont have to buy a new one..i could kiss u right now...your awesome..
Click to expand...

Hey I got another one for you... I have an LG K7 and I tried to install the system update after doing a factory reset and when I tried to install the system update it made it about a quarter of a way through and hit me with an error...can you help me update it to the current system version. I am unable to use the google play store because it will not update the android system..Please help and as always i am very grateful to you..
 
What did the error message state? This could reveal what the problem is. Did you restart your K7 and see if the system update would try to apply itself again?
 
svim said:
What did the error message state? This could reveal what the problem is. Did you restart your K7 and see if the system update would try to apply itself again?
Click to expand...

I did restart it plenty of times but it keeps saying the same message: Unfortunately Google play has stopped. It pops up every 2 to 3 seconds. I have an update to apply but every time I try to update it. It says "error" in red 1/4 of the way through the update. The update will not complete every time I try to update.
 
Harlemprincess said:
LGMS330 Metro PCS
Click to expand...
https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_k7-7848.php
Hopefully someone else with more ideas will chime in on how to fix that repeat cycle of failing to update/reboot. Otherwise, given this model has been around a bit you might want to just flash a stock ROM onto it, and with a clean install of Android on it, let any OTA updates apply themselves. Then set up the phone the way you want.
This thread on XDA Developers is on flashing a K7 (MS330) with instructions on how to do it:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-k7/how-to/stock-firmware-rom-unbrick-lg-k7-k330-t-t3432878
 
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