Help S5 Update Problems - Dummies Guide

jmatteis · Mar 7, 2015

So, I clicked on the RWC (still not sure what that means), and it shows this
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G900W8/RWC/
With the Kies logo there, can use Kies, or is the odin software better, have never used that, will try, unfortunately, I am at work currently...

ironass · Mar 7, 2015

jmatteis said:
So, I clicked on the RWC (still not sure what that means), and it shows this
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G900W8/RWC/

See #1.8 of 35 Galaxy S5 models - know yours??? to obtain your CSC code... and what it means.

With the Kies logo there, can use Kies, or is the odin software better, have never used that, will try, unfortunately, I am at work currently...

You need Odin to flash downloaded firmware as per my earlier post.

jmatteis · Mar 7, 2015

Thanks, I understand what those mean now, my numbers are correct for 4.4.2... I don't even remember doing the update for that one in July... and I did get this error via Kies ("YOUR DEVICE'S CURRENT FIRMWARE VERSION IS NOT SUPPORTED TO UPDATE FIRMWARE VIA KIES"). Only unlocked, never rooted, etc. I'll wait then, and in a few days, go the odin way!

ironass · Mar 14, 2015

In post #2 I wrote...

ironass said:
#2.1 Backup, Backup, Backup

Over the course of this one update we will see circa 60 million phones updated. It only needs for, say, just 1 in a hundred to fail and you have 600,000 phones that will require a Factory Data Reset.

I am afraid to say that judging from this and other forums, including Verizon's, that if you have had Verizon's version of Lollipop pushed on to your G900V phone, it would seem that a Full Wipe and Factory Data Reset, see post #2, is almost mandatory in an attempt to get some semblance of a working phone.

Unfortunately, unlike the Samsung released firmwares which can receive a, "bugfix", update in as little as 6 days, it has now been 6 weeks since Verizon released their ersatz version of Lollipop and there is no news of when they may release an update to correct this since it takes them some considerable time to modify Samsung's stock TouchWiz firmware and release it.

Some Verizon users have reported that even after a Factory Data Reset that they are still not happy with Verizon's version of Lollipop and have decided to revert to Verizon's version of KitKat, Android 4.4.4, until such time as a bugfix update for Lollipop is released. If you wish to revert to KitKat, see...

Verizon downgrade to KitKat - Dummies Guide

EarlyMon · Mar 14, 2015

Tip - after performing a FDR, if battery and performance problems still exist, try running in safe mode, see if that clears it.

In our other forums here I'm seeing that we have more apps incompatible with Lollipop than I'd have expected, especially games and I find that surprising.

Could be helpful to know where problems lie before choosing a course of action.

Hope this helps.

PS - I started to compile a list but right now it's a moving target. We really need users making the discovery first hand to create a thread with apps to watch out for with Lollipop. Thanks.

ironass · Mar 14, 2015

EarlyMon said:
In our other forums here I'm seeing that we have more apps incompatible with Lollipop than I'd have expected, especially games and I find that surprising.

I always thought that games, more so than apps, would cause problems on Lollipop with ART, (Android RunTime), as I was once told that some games contain a lot of NDK code and that developers would need to spend time reworking them to prevent problems with ART. See, "Possible Issues With ART", here.

PS - I started to compile a list but right now it's a moving target. We really need users making the discovery first hand to create a thread with apps to watch out for with Lollipop. Thanks.

There was, at one time, a database of apps that didn't work with ART...

www.androidruntime.com/list

However, the link doesn't seem to be loading.

angelbowler2002 · Mar 14, 2015

ironass said:
I always thought that games, more so than apps, would cause problems on Lollipop with ART, (Android RunTime), as I was once told that some games contain a lot of NDK code and that developers would need to spend time reworking them to prevent problems with ART. See, "Possible Issues With ART", here.

There was, at one time, a database of apps that didn't work with ART...

www.androidruntime.com/list

However, the link doesn't seem to be loading.

Won't load for me either.

EarlyMon · Mar 14, 2015

No, I'm obviously familiar with that list and it's not that. Over time that list got whittled down anyway.

The apps I'm referring to appear to work just fine. They simply don't shut down something that connects to the kernel and forces high CPU activity and in some cases, what amounts to a permanent wakelock.

EDIT - in plain English: they rob your phone of performance and suck your battery dry even when you're no longer running them.

Fwiw, Firefox is an NDK app and it appears to do just fine.

Bad code is bad code.

I see that @ironass has called out Clash of Clans here -

http://androidforums.com/index.php?posts/6902845

That's one of them.

EarlyMon · Mar 14, 2015

PS - I know that safe mode is covered in 1.4 of the OP.

I think that I'm trying to emphasize that it's important.

For whatever reason, my experience is that people often avoid it.

Further, I don't think that it's really understood that the FDR, followed by Google downloading all of your apps, followed by you running your favorites, is going to help find or realize that it's an app problem.

Does carrier bloatware cause the problem?

I've been victimized by bloatware where others have not, so it's a distinct possibility.

Is it only carrier bloatware with the problem?

Absolutely not.

The problem with bad apps is that they may not misbehave for everyone and that leads to confusion.

That's why I wanted to circle back and emphasize the importance of trying safe mode.

It doesn't cure anything like the FDR will.

It is a powerful tool for decision making when the FDR doesn't fix things.

ironass · Mar 14, 2015

EarlyMon said:
PS - I know that safe mode is covered in 1.4 of the OP.

I think that I'm trying to emphasize that it's important.

For whatever reason, my experience is that people often avoid it.

Further, I don't think that it's really understood that the FDR, followed by Google downloading all of your apps, followed by you running your favorites, is going to help find or realize that it's an app problem.

Excellent point EarlyMon. I have amended #2.5 to IMPORTANT to stress the need for checking out the phone prior to downloading any user app's and preferably NOT the old user settings which in themselves can cause issues.

Does carrier bloatware cause the problem?

I've been victimized by bloatware where others have not, so it's a distinct possibility.

Is it only carrier bloatware with the problem?

Absolutely not.

The problem with bad apps is that they may not misbehave for everyone and that leads to confusion.

That's why I wanted to circle back and emphasize the importance of trying safe mode.

It doesn't cure anything like the FDR will.

It is a powerful tool for decision making when the FDR doesn't fix things.

Agreed! The problem is deciding what is to blame for any issues on your phone. Is it...

1. The firmware itself

or

2. The users apps and settings that have not been updated and integrated properly.

Safe Mode will determine that.

EarlyMon · Mar 14, 2015

Bingo, thank you my friend!

AZgl1500 · Mar 14, 2015

My S5 has been on ART since May 2014, and I have yet to find any app that I downloaded to fail to work as it should.
____________________________________
2 ea. Verizon Galaxy S5, 4.4.4 forever!, ART
MyPhoneExplorer lets you access a broken phone while locked
Nova Prime, Textra, Blue Mail, Qi wireless equipped
MacroDroid can help extend battery life
MacroDroid senses Screen off, turns Wifi & Data OFF
MacroDroid senses Screen UnLock, turns Data ON

EarlyMon · Mar 14, 2015

AZgl1500 said:
My S5 has been on ART since May 2014, and I have yet to find any app that I downloaded to fail to work as it should.

You just didn't get around enough.

Glad it's worked out for you.

Doesn't discount a word I said though.

You want the No Problems thread.

ckali7 · Mar 14, 2015

Anyone else having issues with screen mirroring via chromecast since the lollipop update? Before the update mine worked great, now it disconnects as soon as I try to move away from the chromecast screen?<br/>

AZgl1500 · Mar 15, 2015

EarlyMon said:
You just didn't get around enough.

Glad it's worked out for you.

Doesn't discount a word I said though.

You want the No Problems thread.

Yup, once I get my kit settled in and working right, I don't mess with it anymore. That's how ole fogeys are ya know, we don't like change.

jumblebean · Apr 26, 2015

Hello lollipop gurus. I have been avoiding lollipoop thus far. I have galaxy s5 smg900v with verizon. Has big red fixed their version yet? If not, any tip on how i clear this annoying update reminder. Thx for all of your great info on this!

ironass · Apr 26, 2015

jumblebean said:
Hello lollipop gurus. I have been avoiding lollipoop thus far. I have galaxy s5 smg900v with verizon. Has big red fixed their version yet? If not, any tip on how i clear this annoying update reminder. Thx for all of your great info on this!

The Verizon release OC4 is certainly a lot better than the original release even though it is the same changelist as the original, the Verizon tech guys devoted 51 days to making improvements and bugfixes to the firmware.

jumblebean · Apr 26, 2015

Thank you IA, your reply sounds hesitant. As you can tell i am no early adopter and am totally willing to stick with fine working kk versus potential issues. Any intel on more updates from verizon? Any idea how to stop update popups? Again totally appec your knowledge and willing to share!

ironass · Apr 26, 2015

jumblebean said:
Thank you IA, your reply sounds hesitant. As you can tell i am no early adopter and am totally willing to stick with fine working kk versus potential issues. Any intel on more updates from verizon? Any idea how to stop update popups? Again totally appec your knowledge and willing to share!

If I sound hesitant, it is because I am. As we say this side of the pond... "They're taking the piss!".

First, they release an abortion of a firmware on a changelist that they did not upgrade on their so-called, "bugfix", update and is now one of the lowest around, if not the lowest, for a carrier branded firmware. Thus making it prehistoric by the latest stock Samsung releases. Verizon customers are just glad that they have a version of Lollipop that is now at least functional. With Verizon's track record of firmware updates, it will be awhile before we see them basing a new firmware on, say, the latest Samsung OD3 release. See posts #1 and #3 of Lollipop release. Massive update!!!

Quite frankly, I'm sick to the back teeth of the Verizon firmware, which is their version of Lollipop, filled with battery and performance draining bloatware and, of the 200+ Lollipop firmwares, actually released by Samsung worldwide, it is the Verizon firmware that attracts by far and away the largest amount of complaints on forums. :mad:

Bottom line... if you do choose to update, then back everything up and be prepared to do a Factory Data reset if it goes pear shaped and above all, don't compare it to KitKat or expect a firmware update soon.

As for stopping the update that Verizon imposes on you, I've heard of people selecting to only update over Wi-Fi and then never using their Wi-Fi again!!! :eek:

The opinions expressed here are personal and may not be those of Android Forums.

jumblebean · Apr 26, 2015

So KitKat it is......you had me at "sick to the back teeth". Not only am i now learned on big reds lollipoop, i have me a new expression. Thx for that!

It seems the update is actually already downloaded onto my phone. Is there a way to clear it out?

I work for a huge corp. I am constantly amazed at the true lack of caring about customers. They operate their business as if customers are idiots....maybe we are???

AZgl1500 · Apr 26, 2015

I am still on 4.4.4 and will stay that way until Verizon releases a version on a "current release" of Lollipop.... that is to say, one that is comparable to what Samsung is releasing in the last 2 or 3 weeks for other versions of the S5.

The faded out mess with Lollipops colors is atrocious for pastel blind eyes, I bought the S5 because of its' extremely saturated colors on the display. They are a blessing for me.

4.4.4 fixed all of the mess that came with 4.4.2 and with all of the frivolous bloatware turned OFF, my Verizon S5 is a very stable, extremely dependable phone that has not so much as hiccuped in almost a year now.

MacroDroid allows me to control every aspect of the phone's operation (or any Android phone) and gives me great battery life. My wife's S5 will run 12-14 days per charge cycle as she only uses it as a phone or camera.

My S5 gives me consistent 2 to 3 days per charge, and I recharge at ~40% which is the point where MacroDroid wakes up and verbally announces "Battery Low". I drop it on the Qi charge pad and top it off again.

piss on Verizon's Lollipop, it is not ready for prime time.

as for getting rid of the download you already have, this thread has reported that at least one guy was able to get rid of it.

* Lollipop Update delay by clearing cache 3 times *****
____________________________________
2 ea. Verizon Galaxy S5, 4.4.4 forever!, ART
MyPhoneExplorer lets you access a broken phone while locked
Nova Prime, Textra, Blue Mail, Qi wireless equipped
MacroDroid can help extend battery life
MacroDroid senses Screen off, turns Wifi & Data OFF
MacroDroid senses Screen UnLock, turns Data ON
PureVPN when using a public WiFi

jumblebean · Apr 26, 2015

Clearing cache does not clear the downloaded update. For now i am just clicking jome button to avoid installinh lollipoop. I feel like big red has got ahold of my ankle and slowly pulling me in. HELP!!! Verizon you should be ashamed that a 20 year customer has to try this hard to avoid your BS half ass software. Cmon anyone got any ideas.....throw me a line....im sinking....

AZgl1500 · Apr 27, 2015

okay, have you looked in the Download folder?

I've never had the problem, so never had a chance to look for it.

jumblebean · May 1, 2015

Sorry AZ just saw this. Do you mean my files, device storage, downloads?

jumblebean · May 1, 2015

While i have your attention, my skepticism on ANY updates has led me to stop the Security Policy Updates. Is that smart?

Help S5 Update Problems - Dummies Guide

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