Root Need Help with Flashing ROM - ODIN Problem

[Brian Suttles]

When I click on thhe ODIN link provided in the post above, I download a 11.2KB file of ODIN. I don't know what to do with it from there. When I double-click on the zipped file, I get a message stating that Windows isn't able to open the file. And when I try to unzip it, I get the message that the folder is blank. I've tried to download ODIN from several other sites, but my computer blocks the download every time.

Without ODIN, can I flash a custom ROM? What other program could I use?

 

[Guggy]

Which version of ODIN was it? I forget which version we use.
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That ODIN file provided by the CM post is corrupted by the way.
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EDIT: Uploaded the file.

 

[Brian Suttles]

Which version of ODIN was it? I forget which version we use.
------
That ODIN file provided by the CM post is corrupted by the way.
-----
EDIT: Uploaded the file.

From my research, I found that we're supposed to use Multi Uploader 4 43.

But what do I even do once I find the correct version? I have no idea what "flashing Philz Touch Recovery via ODIN" even means.

 

[svim]

I still have 'Philz Touch' Recovery on my S3 and like it but note it's no longer supported, you would probably be better off with actively developed TWRP.
https://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/All_About_Recovery_Images

 

[Brian Suttles]

I still have 'Philz Touch' Recovery on my S3 and like it but note it's no longer supported, you would probably be better off with actively developed TWRP.
https://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/All_About_Recovery_Images

Thanks!

What would I need to do to install TWRP? Would I need to remove CWM? If so, how would I do that?

And how would the CM11 installation method be different using TWRP?

 

[svim]

You could use something like Rashr to change your CWM Recovery to TWRP:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.mkrtchyan.recoverytools
but if you might just want to stick with CWM if it's working out OK for you. (The only reason why I commented on Philz is you if you're just rooting your phone you might as well be using a Recovery that's in active development.) If you plan on experimenting with different ROMs than maybe you do want TWRP.

 

[Brian Suttles]

You could use something like Rashr to change your CWM Recovery to TWRP:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.mkrtchyan.recoverytools
but if you might just want to stick with CWM if it's working out OK for you. (The only reason why I commented on Philz is you if you're just rooting your phone you might as well be using a Recovery that's in active development.) If you plan on experimenting with different ROMs than maybe you do want TWRP.

Awesome!

One of the reasons I rooted the phone and would like to flash a custom ROM is because my phone can't connect to the Google Play Store.

Is there another way I could download/install/run Rashr?

 

[svim]

I don't know if avoiding Google Play is the best option. A number of Android exploits rely on users installing apk files that they just download from random web sites. A rooted phone opens up lots of options to those who want more freedom to do things to their phones, but it also shifts the responsibility of maintenance and upgrading to the user. A rooted phone is more vulnerable than a non-rooted phone if you're not really vigilant about it.

 

[Brian Suttles]

Oh, I agree 100%! I'm just wondering if my stock ROM had somehow gotten corrupted and flashing a new one would hopefully correct it.

I did download Rashr. How would I remove CWM with it?

 

[svim]

You could use Rashr (don't ignore the backup warnings) to just install the latest TWRP Recovery and replace CWM but since you've Odin working you could just re-flash a new Recovery that way too, just substitute TWRP for CWM.
https://twrp.me/

 

[Brian Suttles]

You could use Rashr (don't ignore the backup warnings) to just install the latest TWRP Recovery and replace CWM but since you've Odin working you could just re-flash a new Recovery that way too, just substitute TWRP for CWM.
https://twrp.me/

I haven't even used ODIN yet. Would the version you linked to above support my phone?

I downloaded Rashr through APK, but when I open the app, I receive the following warning:

Warning!

Your Device is not supported yet. Scan System and Report unsupported Device or try to find partition (reboot once into recovery)?

Reboot Cancel

I've rebooted into CWM twice and restarted, but I continue to receive the same message.

Any advice?

 

[svim]

My mistake, I misread things and mistakenly assumed you had used Odin to flash the Recovery.
As for a downloaded Rashr apk, which version is it? Current one is 2.3.14.

 

[Brian Suttles]

My mistake, I misread things and mistakenly assumed you had used Odin to flash the Recovery.
As for a downloaded Rashr apk, which version is it? Current one is 2.3.14.

That's the version I have. And it finally did recognize my device. It just took several tries.

I looked on the TWRP website and didn't see that it supported my device (SGH-T679), so would I even be able to use the program?

If I can use TWRP, where do I need to store it in order to flash it? External SD?

Lastly, if I can't use TWRP but need to use ODIN instead, would the version that you linked to above work on my phone? If it wouldn't. I haven't found a site that offers the download that isn't blocked as harmful by my PC.

I apologize for all of the questions; I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right!

 

[svim]

This link is specific to your T-Mobile Exhibit:
http://www.droidgator.com/install-twrp-recovery-samsung-exhibit-4g/

Also, there's a relevant thread on the XDA Developers:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2081510
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=9390248398092764163

 

[Brian Suttles]

Thanks for all of your help, svim!

I've followed all steps and have TWRP downloaded to my computer. But when I try to install it on my phone via ADB, upon reboot the phone freezes on the custom os warning page. None of the buttons on the phone will make it go away, and, therefore, I am not able to install TWRP. I want to use TWRP to flash CM11.

Any advice on how to get around this?

Thanks!

 

[Brian Suttles]

Thanks for all of your help, svim!

I've followed all of the steps and have downloaded TWRP onto my computer. The method you referenced above worked right up until I was supposed to flash the TWRP image through CWM. The .img would show as installed on external_sd whenever the phone was connected to my computer with mass storage on, but when it boots into recovery, I can't find it. So then I decided to follow the instructions for flashing it via ADB, and a new problem arose...

Whenever I boot into recovery through the "adb reboot bootloader," the phone restarts and then freezes on the custom os warning page. None of the buttons on the phone will make it go away, and, therefore, I am not able to install TWRP. I want to use TWRP to flash CM11.

Can anyone help?

 

[svim]

Something just isn't falling into place properly, maybe go back and start this Recovery switch process again.
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=9390248398092764163
But if for whatever reason TWRP doesn't work out, you can just stay with CWM.

You originally mentioned an issue with an Odin download. Install this 7-zip utility onto your Win PC and be sure to go into its Preferences and check the appropriate options, it can open a wide range of archive formats besides zip files:
http://www.7-zip.org/download.html
As for Odin, here's a link to v3.12.3:
http://www.droidviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Odin3-v3.12.3.zip

Also, you mentioned an issue with accessing Google Play so double-check you've got the correct GAPPS version, or maybe it just needs to be reinstalled:
http://opengapps.org/

 

[Brian Suttles]

svin,

Thanks again!

I actually was finally able to download ODIN 4.43, but when open the program and then boot into download mode, the program doesn't recognize my phone...

 

[svim]

If Odin doesn't see your phone, that sounds like you need to install the Samsung driver so Windows is able to mount your phone properly.
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads

 

[Brian Suttles]

I was finally able to install TWRP by flashing it through the Rashr app, and I am now running AOSP 6. I'll probably try-out a couple of other ROM's as well.

Thanks for all of your help!