Help Restore KitKat 4.4.2?

rickwschneider · Jan 18, 2015

Originally, I started on v4.4.2. I was able to root it using TowelRoot, SuperSU, and installed safestrap.
I tried installing the HyperDrive ROM, but the phone failed to boot. After some frustration, I used Odin to reinstall factory firmware from sammobile.com.

Unfortunately, the firmware I installed had KitKat 4.4.4 on it. TowelRoot does not work for this version, and I can't find any alternative methods. Additionallh, I can't restore 4.4.2 firmware using Odin (big red fail comes up). To make things worse, the ADB and FastBoot drivers no longer recognize the device, either. I get no output when I reboot the phone into Odin mode, then use the adb binary to run "adb devices". I get the same result if I use "fastboot devices" as well.

Unknown sources and USB debuggin are both checked. Could someone tell me, either how to:

Root 4.4.4
- or -
Restore 4.4.2 firmware

Thanks much in advance. I'm at my wit's end here.
-Rick

Deleted User · Jan 18, 2015

Unfortunately, it looks like you're stuck for now. There is no root method for 4.4.4 and from what I understand, VZ blacklisted older versions in the newest bootloader so that you cannot revert after updating.
Someone has developed a method for keeping root while updating, check page 3 of this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-note-3/general/lollipop-t2998499
but it's probably too late if you've already updated.

I would encourage anyone to check out the various threads over at XDA for more info and discussions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-note-3

nickdalzell · Jan 18, 2015

That's odd since HyperDrive RLS 8 is Android 4.4.4 and comes rooted, so 4.4.4 is rootable. 5.0 is not however as of yet.

You might be speaking of a recent (160MB) firmware update, not the Android version. thankfully i never got that on my Note 3 as i installed HyperDrive right after the KitKat upgrade. I'm currently flashing back to 4.4.2 and if working, will post a link to the ROM and correct firmware.

FYI the reason you got the black screen of death on HyperDrive is for two reasons:

1. You have to flash on the stock slot.

2. if you have the newer NC4 kernel, you must flash the NC2 kernel after you flash the ROM or you get a black screen.

Deleted User · Jan 18, 2015

It just occurred to me that I was assuming that the OP was using a Verizon variant of the Note 3. If this is not the case, please ingnore my post above.

nickdalzell · Jan 18, 2015

I'm using a VZW variant as well. Going from HyperDrive 4.4.4 to stock VZW 4.4.2 (or ANY ROM running 4.4.2) is possible. mine's back.

Here's a link to the stock ROM (assuming you got NC2 kernel, if not it has a link for that):

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2726558

When using Safestrap, it will display during flash that it is wiping /system and all, as if a factory reset. but it's not. you still have to do a factory reset after or it will crash over and over after boot. first boot takes FOREVER. let it finish. afterwards, it is essentially as it was out of the box with it running 4.4.2 KitKat and being rooted already.

I have one question though. can i go back to Jelly Bean? i ask because i am no fan of the lockscreen music art taking over when playing music. i prefer my own wallpaper choice and the Samsung Music widget in the lockscreen. I also prefer the colored icons in the notification drawer. everyone says though that after KitKat, you can't go back.

rickwschneider · Jan 18, 2015

Firstly, thank you everyone for the quick responses.

Unfortunately, it looks like you're stuck for now. There is no root method for 4.4.4 and from what I understand, VZ blacklisted older versions in the newest bootloader so that you cannot revert after updating.
Someone has developed a method for keeping root while updating, check page 3 of this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-note-3/general/lollipop-t2998499
but it's probably too late if you've already updated.

I would encourage anyone to check out the various threads over at XDA for more info and discussions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-note-3

Unfortunately, yes, I have already upgraded.

I've been looking for a way to nuke and pave the phone so the bootloader doesn't stop me from using Odin, but no one seems to know how to do that.

It just occurred to me that I was assuming that the OP was using a Verizon variant of the Note 3. If this is not the case, please ingnore my post above.

You're correct; I'm using a Verizon Note 3.

nickdalzell said:
I'm using a VZW variant as well. Going from HyperDrive 4.4.4 to stock VZW 4.4.2 (or ANY ROM running 4.4.2) is possible. mine's back.

Here's a link to the stock ROM (assuming you got NC2 kernel, if not it has a link for that):

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2726558

When using Safestrap, it will display during flash that it is wiping /system and all, as if a factory reset. but it's not. you still have to do a factory reset after or it will crash over and over after boot. first boot takes FOREVER. let it finish. afterwards, it is essentially as it was out of the box with it running 4.4.2 KitKat and being rooted already.

I have one question though. can i go back to Jelly Bean? i ask because i am no fan of the lockscreen music art taking over when playing music. i prefer my own wallpaper choice and the Samsung Music widget in the lockscreen. I also prefer the colored icons in the notification drawer. everyone says though that after KitKat, you can't go back.

Unfortunately, when I installed the stock firmware from SamMobile, SafeStrap was removed. I tried to TowelRoot it and reinstall SafeStrap, but TowelRoot reports that the device isn't supported (likely because of the android version).

That's odd since HyperDrive RLS 8 is Android 4.4.4 and comes rooted, so 4.4.4 is rootable. 5.0 is not however as of yet.

You might be speaking of a recent (160MB) firmware update, not the Android version. thankfully i never got that on my Note 3 as i installed HyperDrive right after the KitKat upgrade. I'm currently flashing back to 4.4.2 and if working, will post a link to the ROM and correct firmware.

FYI the reason you got the black screen of death on HyperDrive is for two reasons:

1. You have to flash on the stock slot.

2. if you have the newer NC4 kernel, you must flash the NC2 kernel after you flash the ROM or you get a black screen.

That's good information, thank you. If I can ever get this thing rooted, and install TowelRoot again, I'll keep that in mind when installing HyperDrive.

nickdalzell · Jan 18, 2015

Why can't you just flash a stock image via ODIN?

rickwschneider · Jan 19, 2015

nickdalzell said:
Why can't you just flash a stock image via ODIN?

I've tried with no succes. I used Odin to flash the 4.4.4 image so I'm pretty sure I'm following the right steps, but now it wonn't let me flash the 4.4.2 image. Here's my process:

Download the firmware from SamMobile
Boot the phome into Odin mode (volume down, home, power)
Launch Odin (v3.10 in my case)
Plug the phone into the PC using original USB cable
Hit the volume up button to continue
Odin says "Added!" and displays the COM port number
Click AP button and select the .TAR.MD5 file.
Leave all other settings default
Click Start.

Once I click Start I get that ugly red "FAILED!" message.

Thoughs?

nickdalzell · Jan 23, 2015

All i know is i was running HyperDrive RLS 8 (which is Android 4.4.4) and was able to use Safestrap to flash back the stock 4.4.2 VZW ROM no problem. My phone was rooted and ROM'ed back just after the 4.4.2 update at the time though.

What is your KNOX status? if you're not 0x0 you might have issues flashing back.

Help Restore KitKat 4.4.2?

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