I545_MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.zip (5/12/2014)

muniz_ri · May 13, 2014

This "KeepRoot" method uses a modified version of the official MK2 to NC5 OTA Update.zip to upgrade while maintaining your User Data & Root Access! The file is flashed in Safestrap and the end result is a Fully Functioning, 100% Stock, Rooted, NC5 Device.

**Closing my thread now that a direct root method has been found**

**Prerequisite** This method requires that your MK2 system is 100% stock except for root and Safestrap (Optional: see Post# 2 for "MK2 Pre-Flash System Check"). The update will fail if any system files have been modified or deleted, e.g. thru Xposed, etc. You must first restore the stock files or reflash back to stock MK2 and re-root. The file does not contain the NC5 bootloader and should it fail will leave your current system intact. Proceed at Your Own Risk!.

Here it is: I545_MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.zip

1. Place the I545_MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.zip in the root of your ext sdcard.
*2. Unrooted NC5 users should first follow the instructions in @Surge1223 thread to Downgrade to MK2
3. Use Saferoot to root MK2 then install the latest Safestrap-JFLTE-3.72-kk-B01.apk
4. Boot into Safestrap recovery but Do Not Wipe!.
5. Flash the I545_MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.zip in the "Stock Slot." Once flashing is complete press "Home" and reboot into "Download Mode".
6. Last, flash the NC5_Stock_Kernel+Modem in Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+).

*MK2 users can skip Step# 2.

Once complete the phone will reboot then "optimize apps" before completely rebooting. Done!

Should the update fail please post the entire error message before requesting assistance. Or, refer to Post #3 for some very useful links and resources!

Optional: @Surge1223 's I545VRUFNC5_enable_tether.zip
Instructions:
1. After flashing the I545_MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.zip and booting into 4.4.2
2. Place @Surge1223's I545VRUFNC5_enable_tether.zip in ext sdcard.
3. Reboot into Safestrap recovery and flash the file in "Stock Slot" (Do Not Wipe Prior to Flashing!)
4. Reboot. Done!

Known Issues: Safestrap.apk may force close after updating to NC5 using this method, however Safestrap recovery will continue to function. Optional: To manually uninstall Safestrap use Es File Explorer to delete system/etc/safestrap and system/bin/e2fsck, then rename system/bin/e2fsck.bin to e2fsck (save these files if you wish to manually reinstall Safestrap at a later time).

muniz_ri · May 13, 2014

MK2 Pre-Flash System Check

Please thank @k1mu for the following:

"One thing I did (attached to this post) is to write a simple script that verifies the contents of the MK2 build on the phone before trying the upgrade. It's a lot easier to read the errors using terminal emulator or adb shell.

Unzip the attached, then put it onto your phone - either write the "mk2-verify.sh" file onto the external SDcard on your PC, or push it there using:

Code:
adb push mk2-verify.sh /data/local/tmp

Then, run the script - if you put the file onto the external SDcard, then:

Code:
su -c sh /storage/extSdCard/mk2-verify.sh

otherwise, if pushed over ADB:

Code:
su -c sh /data/local/tmp/mk2-verify.sh

It'll either say "Checking files.." followed by "Checking done!" or it'll tell you that some file is tampered with or can't be found. In that case, you'll need to flash the no-wipe MK2 to get back to stock (or repair the missing file some other way.)"

muniz_ri · May 13, 2014

Useful Links & Related Resources

Please thank @rbird2 for the following:

"Failed the "MK2 Pre-Flash System Check" so I performed a "Full Wipe" reverting my Samsung Galaxy S4 back to stock MK2 using the following procedure: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2578209

If you are not familiar with this process the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL8XwuRYoWU&feature=youtu.be may be helpful.

I then rooted the stock MK2 with this procedure: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2565758 and then followed your instructions.

This process works and I still have Root.

Thank you,"

Rodger

klabit87 · May 13, 2014

Does this also update our bootloader? I am already updated to nc5 rooted but just curious as I have retained my mj7 bootloader.
It's great to see several different options/methods available to update.
Thanks for your time and hard work.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

muniz_ri · May 13, 2014

klabit87 said:
Does this also update our bootloader? I am already updated to nc5 rooted but just curious as I have retained my mj7 bootloader.
It's great to see several different options/methods available to update.
Thanks for your time and hard work.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

It does not and no problem, hopefully it'll prove to be another viable option to keep root.

klabit87 · May 13, 2014

klabit87 said:
Does this also update our bootloader? I am already updated to nc5 rooted but just curious as I have retained my mj7 bootloader.
It's great to see several different options/methods available to update.
Thanks for your time and hard work.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Edit: Sorry just read the op again and realized you already stated it does not contain the bootloader.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

-=puma=- · May 13, 2014

muniz_ri

This method does not work!
There is an error in the installation at safstrap MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.ZIP.

muniz_ri · May 13, 2014

-=puma=- said:
muniz_ri

This method does not work!
There is an error in the installation at safstrap MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.ZIP.

What exactly did you do and where did the error occur? Are you saying you are on stock rooted mk2 and were unable to install safestrap?

-=puma=- · May 13, 2014

safstrap I installed! rebooted the phone rekaveri. and started the installation MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.ZIP. But threw an error!

muniz_ri · May 13, 2014

-=puma=- said:
safstrap I installed! rebooted the phone rekaveri. and started the installation MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.ZIP. But threw an error!

In the OP I requested that you post the entire error msg if you need assistance. It would help me determine if the problem can be solved.

-=puma=- · May 13, 2014

muniz_ri · May 14, 2014

-=puma=- said:
muniz_ri

This method does not work!
There is an error in the installation at safstrap MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.ZIP.

I just noticed from your recent post in another thread that you are using a SCH-R530u U.S. Cellular. Do you even own an I545?

-=puma=- · May 14, 2014

muniz_ri said:
I just noticed from your recent post in another thread that you are using a SCH-R530u U.S. Cellular. Do you even own an I545?

Yes my phone I545.

Butfirstthetranya · May 14, 2014

Puma,

Please post the error asap. We're really looking forward to seeing if this works!

Many thanks.

mcbeat257 · May 14, 2014

muniz_ri said:
This "Keep Root" method uses a modified version of the official MK2 to NC5 OTA Update.zip to upgrade while maintaining root access! The file is flashed in Safestrap and the end result should be a 100% Stock, Rooted, NC5 Device. I have successfully used this methodology on two 4.4 OTA updates for the AT&T I337 but have not had any testers for this I545 version. Therefore I thought that I would post it for anyone willing to try it.

This method requires that your MK2 system is 100% stock, except for root and Safestrap. The update will fail if any system files have been modified or deleted, e.g. thru Xposed, etc. You must first restore the stock files or reflash back to stock MK2, re-root, and re-install Safestrap. Because the file does not contain the NC5 bootloader and will fail if the above requirements are not met while leaving your current system intact, there is little risk involved. However and as always Proceed at Your Own Risk.

Here it is: I545_MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.zip

1. Download the I545_MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.zip and place in the root of your ext sdcard.
2. Make certain that you have installed the latest Safestrap v3.72(NB1)apk
3. Boot into Safestrap recovery but Do Not Wipe!.
4. Flash the MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.zip in the "Stock Slot." Once flashing is complete press "Home" and reboot into Download mode.
5. Last, flash the NC5_Stock_Kernel in Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+).

Once complete the phone should reboot then "optimize apps" before completely rebooting. Done!

Should you decide to try this and have met the above requirements, and most important followed the directions without deviating from them, then please post your results for the benefit of all. Should the update fail please post the entire error message for assistance.
Known Issues: TBD

I am running an SCH-I545 and I have tested it and it has been proven to work.
Sill have root and everything.

Butfirstthetranya · May 14, 2014

Great news! Thanks for letting us know, mcbeat257.

muniz_ri · May 14, 2014

mcbeat257 said:
I am running an SCH-I545 and I have tested it and it has been proven to work.
Sill have root and everything.

Glad to hear it. Thanks for testing!

-=puma=- · May 14, 2014

After flash phone did not work, I have restored it through Odin I545VRUEMK2_I545VZWEMK2_VZV and today again like your flash method, surprisingly flashed without problems.
Perhaps the problem was due to the fact that the phone was flashed Samsung Kies 3. After flashed Odin I545VRUEMK2_I545VZWEMK2_VZW all was well.
But there is a problem! WiFi does not work and can not deliver morelocale Russian language.

muniz_ri · May 14, 2014

Check your baseband in settings and let me know the baseband? Does it show NC5?

-=puma=- · May 14, 2014

I can flash back to the MK2 without problems?

I545_MK2toNC5_KeepRoot_OTA.zip (5/12/2014)

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