4.3 General wiping and preparatory instructions - Sprint Galaxy Note 2 L900 all ROM's

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ColeTrain!

Senior Member
Nov 12, 2011
750
345
St. Louis, MO. Go Cardinals!!
I was happy as a lark with TWRP. But 4.3 happened and it is a new process. There are variations, here is one way to get your phone and 4.3 to play nice together. I'm on Sprint Galaxy Note 2 and if you are coming to a 4.3 or 4.4 for the first time, or having trouble. Try this first! I give credits Below, but it's for all ROM's. "Google process stopped" is a common sign that this wasn't done. Or if it just hangs on the samsung screen... Btw it does seem like an eternity sometimes. Lol

General theory: skip to the next paragraph if you dont care. I've Googled and read. You should too. We are trying to clean and prepare your phone for 4.3. "Wipe" is not the same as "format. " We need to remove all the little pieces of data that may still be there from before. We need to start fresh. Also, the partitions sizes are different in 4.3. In general we need to clean.

PROCESS A is this link. Billard412 This is back to stock, completely cleaning your phone. It requires odin and a computer. If you want to try procees B alone, you can skip A and just do "process B" and see if that works. If you still have trouble, you know you need to do the full thing. Just a note, you might think it works, but then your nandroids don't restore.. Time for process A. Back to stock. It's good to do this once in a while to start fresh, also.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2086769


Then install USE PHILZ recovery 6.07.9 (link below)
-Install philz. Some people have luck with TWRP , i didn't. I don't think TWRP works with 4.3
There is a newer Philz version, not sure all the bugs are worked out, use 6.07.9

One thing that might be confusing, the process A restore from billard recommends TWRP and I'm recommending Philz recovery. So best advice, although possibly confusing, is install TWRP, billard restore, then flash Philz. It's not any more work really. The back to stock will put you in a stock recovery. So you have to flash something. I was a TWRP fan too, but Philz has had less problems in 4.3.

1. You can follow billard 's instructions
2.there is a YouTube if you want to follow that in billards thread
or3 . Jlmancuso provided this to try and simplify the process:
a. Boot into download/bootloader mode.
b. Connect to pc and use odin to flash TWRP. Make sure you uncheck reboot and flash twrp in the pda slot.
c. Once flashed pull battery and disconnect from pc.
d. Press vol+ menu power buttons while inserting battery (yes it is difficult but can be done)
e. Now in recovery perform factory reset.
f. Flash this http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=36388145
g. Now reboot it will act/look weird but dont worry this is normal. It will reboot and take a long time to boot.

Now you are on stock mc2 (no knox anymore). Root using cf autoroot http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=33278464
Now use odin once again and flash your recovery again, this time Philz. Now you are rooted and have a custom recovery. Oh and you have a working phone again.


PROCESS B.
This is done before any ROM install and before any nandroid restore.


Preparation: BACK UP INTERNAL IF DESIRED, I WILL RECOMMEND WIPING IT in the next steps . NOT REQUIRED, BUT RECOMMENDED. You can move it to external, external doesn't need to be wiped.

In PHILZ recovery 6.07.9 (link below)

1. Mounts and Storage
Format / system​
Format / cashe​
Format / data​
Recommended optional. Format internal SD card
Format / data and /data /media (/sdcard) ALL INTERNEL SD CARD DATA IS LOST.​
PREVIOUS IS NOT EXTERNAL, EXTERNAL IS "SDCARD1" which i would not recommend

2. Power Options > reboot recovery

3. Wipe cashe partition
4. Advanced > Wipe dalvik cashe
5. Wipe data / factory reset > Wipe data / factory reset
6. Wipe data / factory reset > clean and install new ROM

I would stick with 4.3 and Philz backed up things. Don't restore something from before. Neither a 4.2 rom or a TWRP backup. Once you know you have got this process down, then try / do those sorts of things. Philz is supposed to be able to do that, but let's keep it simple until you have this figured out.

If you want to try process B first only , it may be all you need. But if it doesn't work, do all of it.

I hope this helps - LINKS & CREDITS in next post
 
Last edited:

ColeTrain!

Senior Member
Nov 12, 2011
750
345
St. Louis, MO. Go Cardinals!!
4.3 general wiping and preparatory instructions

LINKS
same as above Billard412 back to stock - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2086769

alternate back to stock - Rwilco http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2591898

Philz Recovery Thread - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2552653

On the Philz recovery site the "L900" looks more like "l900" and is confusing - so here is a more direct link - select 6.07.9 http://goo.im/devs/philz_touch/CWM_Advanced_Edition/l900

TWRP http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/117

To get root- one option is CF Autoroot-
[SPH-L900] CF-Auto-Root
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1956180

WIFI FIX just in case. Flash in the PDA tab of Odin http://d-h.st/6qX

If you want to change modems i use this (not required / optional) - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2537713

General
I am not trying to take credit for anything. Notice how none of this is my work. Just hoping to pull together and clarify this process. Others my post different ways, and you can try other ways, but if it doesn't work, use this process exactly. It works for many. If you want to post that you tried another way and it didnt work, you are welcome to, but then my reply will be to try it this way...or i wont reply. I just had to keep typing this over and over to many, and i figured I would put out a detailed version. This works. (you know the drill, its your phone, not my responsibilty, of course)

CREDITS AND ROMS
I picked up a lot of this process from Lorjay589's thread. His OP pointed me at the Billard412 back to factory
jlmancuso has posted refined and explained this process 100 times as well.
this is for SMOOTHEST ROM, CUSTOM ROM, SYNERGY ROM, DIGIBLUR ROM, FTW ANNIHILATION, ROM AND MANY OTHERS.
therfore jlmancuso, chaz187, ianmb, digiblur, lorjay589, rwilco12, phil3759, fryingpan0613, jimmydene84, cbucz24, wwjoshdew, agent soap AND MANY OTHERS.
 
Last edited:

jlmancuso

Senior Member
Apr 26, 2011
5,638
5,840
houston, tx
Darn it I want a reservation too!!

Thanks now I have a thread to link to instead of a single post.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
 
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ColeTrain!

Senior Member
Nov 12, 2011
750
345
St. Louis, MO. Go Cardinals!!
Any reason why we should not use the latest version of Philz Recovery version 6.15.4?
Some people have just had some problems when using the new version, therefore the previous version is more reliable. Better chance of everything working. Once you have your phone running smoothly using this process, you are welcome to try it. If you have problems... Revert back.

Start with post 87 of the Philz thread, if you like.
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2552653
 
Last edited:

Dedline

Senior Member
Apr 29, 2013
243
32
KNOX with options A/B

Will this process A or B or both, untrip your knox and reset everything to stock? Or does it just get you closest to stock as you can, with KNOX still tripped?

Thanks
 

ColeTrain!

Senior Member
Nov 12, 2011
750
345
St. Louis, MO. Go Cardinals!!
Will this process A or B or both, untrip your knox and reset everything to stock? Or does it just get you closest to stock as you can, with KNOX still tripped?

Thanks

Process A completely wipes your phone and resets it to stock. B is just general wiping process when flashing a new rom. You shouldn't have a Rom on your phone when you are done with either. (other than the one backed on you external sd)
Head on over the the Ballard thread to read more about process A
 

Lyvewire

Senior Member
Dec 9, 2008
320
39
Hello,

I ended up getting a replacement phone from Best Buy and I ended up flashing a older version of twrp before trying the latest 2.7.0. I did a few backups just to have a stock rom to return to if all failed. Somehow after I tried flashing the new mk4 roms, I lost my 4g LTE in the process of flashing different ROMS and none of my back ups for twrp would work so I ended flashing Philz recovery and then Digiblur just to get my phone working again.

I ended up requesting another replacement so I can have my 4g LTE again. My question is. Is it possible to wipe a 4g LTE key when rooting and also is Philz the way I should of went when I rooted to make a stock backup if everything fails? Anything I should make sure to back up in particular to make sure I dont wipe nothing important. I just want to be extra careful this time around.

The phone was already updated to MK4 when I received it. Any help is appreciated!
 

jlmancuso

Senior Member
Apr 26, 2011
5,638
5,840
houston, tx
Hello,

I ended up getting a replacement phone from Best Buy and I ended up flashing a older version of twrp before trying the latest 2.7.0. I did a few backups just to have a stock rom to return to if all failed. Somehow after I tried flashing the new mk4 roms, I lost my 4g LTE in the process of flashing different ROMS and none of my back ups for twrp would work so I ended flashing Philz recovery and then Digiblur just to get my phone working again.

I ended up requesting another replacement so I can have my 4g LTE again. My question is. Is it possible to wipe a 4g LTE key when rooting and also is Philz the way I should of went when I rooted to make a stock backup if everything fails? Anything I should make sure to back up in particular to make sure I dont wipe nothing important. I just want to be extra careful this time around.

The phone was already updated to MK4 when I received it. Any help is appreciated!

Philz is the only way to go when choosing a recovery. Twrp will not backup or restore mk4 properly and wont woek correct with 4.4 aosp either. When ypu do your first backup choose custom backup and backup everything but Efs. When that is done go back into custom backup and only backup efs (it must be done by itself). I would then suggest copying both backups to a pc or cloud storage for safe keeping.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
 

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  • 24
    I was happy as a lark with TWRP. But 4.3 happened and it is a new process. There are variations, here is one way to get your phone and 4.3 to play nice together. I'm on Sprint Galaxy Note 2 and if you are coming to a 4.3 or 4.4 for the first time, or having trouble. Try this first! I give credits Below, but it's for all ROM's. "Google process stopped" is a common sign that this wasn't done. Or if it just hangs on the samsung screen... Btw it does seem like an eternity sometimes. Lol

    General theory: skip to the next paragraph if you dont care. I've Googled and read. You should too. We are trying to clean and prepare your phone for 4.3. "Wipe" is not the same as "format. " We need to remove all the little pieces of data that may still be there from before. We need to start fresh. Also, the partitions sizes are different in 4.3. In general we need to clean.

    PROCESS A is this link. Billard412 This is back to stock, completely cleaning your phone. It requires odin and a computer. If you want to try procees B alone, you can skip A and just do "process B" and see if that works. If you still have trouble, you know you need to do the full thing. Just a note, you might think it works, but then your nandroids don't restore.. Time for process A. Back to stock. It's good to do this once in a while to start fresh, also.

    http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2086769


    Then install USE PHILZ recovery 6.07.9 (link below)
    -Install philz. Some people have luck with TWRP , i didn't. I don't think TWRP works with 4.3
    There is a newer Philz version, not sure all the bugs are worked out, use 6.07.9

    One thing that might be confusing, the process A restore from billard recommends TWRP and I'm recommending Philz recovery. So best advice, although possibly confusing, is install TWRP, billard restore, then flash Philz. It's not any more work really. The back to stock will put you in a stock recovery. So you have to flash something. I was a TWRP fan too, but Philz has had less problems in 4.3.

    1. You can follow billard 's instructions
    2.there is a YouTube if you want to follow that in billards thread
    or3 . Jlmancuso provided this to try and simplify the process:
    a. Boot into download/bootloader mode.
    b. Connect to pc and use odin to flash TWRP. Make sure you uncheck reboot and flash twrp in the pda slot.
    c. Once flashed pull battery and disconnect from pc.
    d. Press vol+ menu power buttons while inserting battery (yes it is difficult but can be done)
    e. Now in recovery perform factory reset.
    f. Flash this http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=36388145
    g. Now reboot it will act/look weird but dont worry this is normal. It will reboot and take a long time to boot.

    Now you are on stock mc2 (no knox anymore). Root using cf autoroot http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=33278464
    Now use odin once again and flash your recovery again, this time Philz. Now you are rooted and have a custom recovery. Oh and you have a working phone again.


    PROCESS B.
    This is done before any ROM install and before any nandroid restore.


    Preparation: BACK UP INTERNAL IF DESIRED, I WILL RECOMMEND WIPING IT in the next steps . NOT REQUIRED, BUT RECOMMENDED. You can move it to external, external doesn't need to be wiped.

    In PHILZ recovery 6.07.9 (link below)

    1. Mounts and Storage
    Format / system​
    Format / cashe​
    Format / data​
    Recommended optional. Format internal SD card
    Format / data and /data /media (/sdcard) ALL INTERNEL SD CARD DATA IS LOST.​
    PREVIOUS IS NOT EXTERNAL, EXTERNAL IS "SDCARD1" which i would not recommend

    2. Power Options > reboot recovery

    3. Wipe cashe partition
    4. Advanced > Wipe dalvik cashe
    5. Wipe data / factory reset > Wipe data / factory reset
    6. Wipe data / factory reset > clean and install new ROM

    I would stick with 4.3 and Philz backed up things. Don't restore something from before. Neither a 4.2 rom or a TWRP backup. Once you know you have got this process down, then try / do those sorts of things. Philz is supposed to be able to do that, but let's keep it simple until you have this figured out.

    If you want to try process B first only , it may be all you need. But if it doesn't work, do all of it.

    I hope this helps - LINKS & CREDITS in next post
    18
    4.3 general wiping and preparatory instructions

    LINKS
    same as above Billard412 back to stock - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2086769

    alternate back to stock - Rwilco http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2591898

    Philz Recovery Thread - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2552653

    On the Philz recovery site the "L900" looks more like "l900" and is confusing - so here is a more direct link - select 6.07.9 http://goo.im/devs/philz_touch/CWM_Advanced_Edition/l900

    TWRP http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/117

    To get root- one option is CF Autoroot-
    [SPH-L900] CF-Auto-Root
    http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1956180

    WIFI FIX just in case. Flash in the PDA tab of Odin http://d-h.st/6qX

    If you want to change modems i use this (not required / optional) - http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2537713

    General
    I am not trying to take credit for anything. Notice how none of this is my work. Just hoping to pull together and clarify this process. Others my post different ways, and you can try other ways, but if it doesn't work, use this process exactly. It works for many. If you want to post that you tried another way and it didnt work, you are welcome to, but then my reply will be to try it this way...or i wont reply. I just had to keep typing this over and over to many, and i figured I would put out a detailed version. This works. (you know the drill, its your phone, not my responsibilty, of course)

    CREDITS AND ROMS
    I picked up a lot of this process from Lorjay589's thread. His OP pointed me at the Billard412 back to factory
    jlmancuso has posted refined and explained this process 100 times as well.
    this is for SMOOTHEST ROM, CUSTOM ROM, SYNERGY ROM, DIGIBLUR ROM, FTW ANNIHILATION, ROM AND MANY OTHERS.
    therfore jlmancuso, chaz187, ianmb, digiblur, lorjay589, rwilco12, phil3759, fryingpan0613, jimmydene84, cbucz24, wwjoshdew, agent soap AND MANY OTHERS.
    3
    constructive criticism is always welcome i have a tough skin, just be nice and don't hold back to let me know. i am not that knowledgeable, this is my first thread. Just been following some 4.3 threads for a while and saw a recurring problem.
    2
    I am still getting use to philz. Can someone please point me in the right direction on how to save a backup on my sd card and not the device and do I need to backup more than one thing? Someone had mentions ef's, not sure what that is. Thanks
    2
    Hello,

    I ended up getting a replacement phone from Best Buy and I ended up flashing a older version of twrp before trying the latest 2.7.0. I did a few backups just to have a stock rom to return to if all failed. Somehow after I tried flashing the new mk4 roms, I lost my 4g LTE in the process of flashing different ROMS and none of my back ups for twrp would work so I ended flashing Philz recovery and then Digiblur just to get my phone working again.

    I ended up requesting another replacement so I can have my 4g LTE again. My question is. Is it possible to wipe a 4g LTE key when rooting and also is Philz the way I should of went when I rooted to make a stock backup if everything fails? Anything I should make sure to back up in particular to make sure I dont wipe nothing important. I just want to be extra careful this time around.

    The phone was already updated to MK4 when I received it. Any help is appreciated!

    Philz is the only way to go when choosing a recovery. Twrp will not backup or restore mk4 properly and wont woek correct with 4.4 aosp either. When ypu do your first backup choose custom backup and backup everything but Efs. When that is done go back into custom backup and only backup efs (it must be done by itself). I would then suggest copying both backups to a pc or cloud storage for safe keeping.

    Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app