Root [International] Flashing SGS3 I9300

[ahmedzaf]

I'm new to Anrdoid. My S3 I-9300 is having ICS (4.0.4). I want to upgrade it to JB (4.1.2)

- It is already rooted (I can see the device status as "modified", and the update Software option is not visible in the Options menu). CWM and ROM manager is already installed.
- I can see Orange UK logo when I turn on my phone, I think the device was carrier locked when purchased (but I'm not sure of it). I'm not the first owner.

Question:
- If I use Odin to flash a new ROM, it would definitely unroot the device, but would it also carrier lock it?
- If I use ROM Manager, I need to have a flashable ZIP file. Where can I download stock JB 4.1.2 ROM in flashable ZIP format?
- If somehow, after using Odin to flash the device, it ends up carrier locked, how to unlock it?

 

[funkylogik]

Just flash a .tar file of the firmware using odin mate. Find at Sammobile.com. It will remove root but it wont carrier lock it. Why not try a samsung based custom rom instead. It wont remove root

 

[funkylogik]

Check out the International S3 All Things Root forum btw :thumbup:
P.s, CWM isnt safe on the gt-i9300.. id definately swap it to Philz recovery asap

 

[ahmedzaf]

Just flash a .tar file of the firmware using odin mate. Find at Sammobile.com. It will remove root but it wont carrier lock it. Why not try a samsung based custom rom instead. It wont remove root

Thanks for the prompt reply

Where to find samsung based custom rom, as mentioned in your reply?

Can I flash ANY ROM downloaded from sammmobile.com on my i9300? I currently see Orange logo during startup.

I would definitely remove CWM and try philz recovery Thanks again.

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah you can flash any gt-i9300 firmware but id flash an unbranded (sim free) one so you dont get all the bloatware and branding. I use Neat Rom Lite by Sale. Its based on the factory rom but has some nice tweaks and additions plus it has an Aroma Mod that you can flash after flashing the rom that lets you choose Philz as your recovery, a choice of kernel and modem and some enhancements if you want. Il post a link mate :thumbup:

 

[funkylogik]

http://androidforums.com/showthread.php?p=5817857

 

[DonB]

Move here for proper help and support, cheers

 

[ahmedzaf]

Yeah you can flash any gt-i9300 firmware but id flash an unbranded (sim free) one so you dont get all the bloatware and branding. I use Neat Rom Lite by Sale. Its based on the factory rom but has some nice tweaks and additions plus it has an Aroma Mod that you can flash after flashing the rom that lets you choose Philz as your recovery, a choice of kernel and modem and some enhancements if you want. Il post a link mate :thumbup:

NeatROM seems great! I'll download and flash it Thanks alot!

Btw,
- I should use CWM Recovery mode to flash it, rite?
- Which version of NeatROM is better.. Lite or Full?
- Should I completely WIPE and Flash? or should I use the procedure without Wipe?

Procedure given on NetROM post:
Installation without wipe:

-Download, and save zip file to internal sdcard
-Go to recovery
-Select Wipe cache
-Go to Advanced and Select Wipe dalvik cache
-Select Install Rom SD card



Installation with Full wipe:

-Download, and save zip to internal sdcard
-Go to recovery, Select Wipe data, Wipe cache
-Go to Advance and Select Wipe dalvik cache
-Go to Mounts and storage, select Format system
-Select Install Rom from SD card
Note, first boot takes about 5-10 mins, so don't panic
Reboot device

 

[funkylogik]

I wouldnt bother wiping unless you notice any bugs after the flash. Yeah flash it in CWM then flash the Aroma and choose Philz recovery. If you wana be able to overclock the CPU to make the phone faster, choose Perseus or Siyah kernel. I like the Lite version because it has less pointless apps included. which version are you going for mate? The very latest one doesnt have an aroma or Lite version yet so im using v4.2 :thumbup:

 

[ahmedzaf]

I wouldnt bother wiping unless you notice any bugs after the flash. Yeah flash it in CWM then flash the Aroma and choose Philz recovery. If you wana be able to overclock the CPU to make the phone faster, choose Perseus or Siyah kernel. I like the Lite version because it has less pointless apps included. which version are you going for mate? The very latest one doesnt have an aroma yet so im using v4.2 :thumbup:

Yes, I'll also go for 4.2, am downloading it right now from the following link: Dev-Host - I9300XXEMD2_NeatRom_Lite_v4.2.zip - The Ultimate Free File Hosting / File Sharing Service

I'm downloading Aroma mods from: DepositFiles

Will let u know abt the outcome. Thanks alot!

 

[funkylogik]

Nice one. Good luck mate
Do you know to move the files from the "downloads" folder to the root of internal SD so you can find them in CWM?

Oh PS, have you made a backup using CWM incase anything goes wrong?

 

[Shotgun84]

Do you know to move the files from the "downloads" folder to the root of internal SD so you can find them in CWM?

I've seen loads of guides which say to do that but I've never had any problems flashing things from the download folder

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah its maybe just an old habit of mine lol.. probably i had a problem with it like 2yrs ago or something

 

[ahmedzaf]

Nice one. Good luck mate
Do you know to move the files from the "downloads" folder to the root of internal SD so you can find them in CWM?

Oh PS, have you made a backup using CWM incase anything goes wrong?

Yes I have already made a backup of my current ROM using CWM.

which downloads folder? I thought I would directly copy the ROMs to the external SD , and select it from the recovery.

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah ignore me mate lol. If you can find the zip in recovery then its cool

 

[ahmedzaf]

my phone is on JB 4.1.2 now. Im using Neat ROM lite, with Aroma Mods. Thanks alot!

Flashing didnt unroot my phone, and the phone is still carrier unlocked.

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah neat rom is rooted mate so you dont lose root. Hope ur enjoyin it :beer:

 

[maurinet]

In this ULTIMATE step-by-step Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-i9300 Firmware update, rooting and customization guide you flash with official Samsung Rom. Super clear and easy!