2nd Note from the rootsu -
I am moving on to the N5 now and ditching my S3. I will continue to maintain this thread, however - please do PM me if you think that something needs to be changed or updated in this thread as I doubt I will be answering questions within the thread as much. Please don't PM support questions to me. Only PM updates that need to be made in the thread.
It's been a blast!
Regards
Dan
Note from rootsu:
XDA staff have transferred ownership of this thread to me so that I can update the rooting methods. The reason for this is because the rooting method contained within is outdated and since identified as unsafe.
I have PM'd the original OP @Intratech to update the thread but unfortunately have received no response.
I aim to keep the structure of the thread in tact. I am only here to edit out / replace outdated and unsafe methods contained within this thread. The work below is not my own.
PDA refers to the build version of the software/firmware
Phone refers to the baseband/modem version
CSC is the consumer software customisation and is specific to geographical region and carriers. It contains the software packages specific to that region, carrier branding and also APN settings for data connection, MMS etc for your service provider.
CSC has nothing to do with what languages the firmware supports and it will not add keyboard language support either.
.PIT refers to the partition information table you only need it if you screw up your partition table or if the firmware specifically requires it because of a change in the partition table layout. It's very likely you may never have to use this.
If the package only contains one .tar archive then it will have everything, pda+phone+csc, in the one file.
If it has multiple .tar archive then:
If this is the case you will need to put these .tar archives in the specific areas of Odin to flash the update. Refer to the images below.
You do not need to root or unroot the device to update the firmware.
Please ensure that KIES is closed and not running in the system tray! Kies doesn't like Odin, it's like the big brother who's always jealous that his little brother is getting to flash all the phones so he starts to flash block.
Regarding change logs. Samsung thinks firmware should be like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get and that all a big part of the surprise user experience program so they don't publish any change logs.
I am moving on to the N5 now and ditching my S3. I will continue to maintain this thread, however - please do PM me if you think that something needs to be changed or updated in this thread as I doubt I will be answering questions within the thread as much. Please don't PM support questions to me. Only PM updates that need to be made in the thread.
It's been a blast!
Regards
Dan
Note from rootsu:
XDA staff have transferred ownership of this thread to me so that I can update the rooting methods. The reason for this is because the rooting method contained within is outdated and since identified as unsafe.
I have PM'd the original OP @Intratech to update the thread but unfortunately have received no response.
I aim to keep the structure of the thread in tact. I am only here to edit out / replace outdated and unsafe methods contained within this thread. The work below is not my own.
PDA refers to the build version of the software/firmware
Phone refers to the baseband/modem version
CSC is the consumer software customisation and is specific to geographical region and carriers. It contains the software packages specific to that region, carrier branding and also APN settings for data connection, MMS etc for your service provider.
CSC has nothing to do with what languages the firmware supports and it will not add keyboard language support either.
.PIT refers to the partition information table you only need it if you screw up your partition table or if the firmware specifically requires it because of a change in the partition table layout. It's very likely you may never have to use this.
If the package only contains one .tar archive then it will have everything, pda+phone+csc, in the one file.
If it has multiple .tar archive then:
- The .tar with modem in the name is the phone/baseband bit of the package
- .tar with csc/multi-csc in the name is the csc bit of the package
- .tar with code/PDA in the name is the PDA part of the firmware package
If this is the case you will need to put these .tar archives in the specific areas of Odin to flash the update. Refer to the images below.
You do not need to root or unroot the device to update the firmware.
Please ensure that KIES is closed and not running in the system tray! Kies doesn't like Odin, it's like the big brother who's always jealous that his little brother is getting to flash all the phones so he starts to flash block.
Regarding change logs. Samsung thinks firmware should be like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get and that all a big part of the surprise user experience program so they don't publish any change logs.
1. Just download the firmware version you want from the second or third posts and extract the .tar or .tar.md5 file in the archive and save it somewhere
2. Reboot your phone to download mode.
To get download mode shut down the device. After it shuts off completely simultaneously press the Down volume key+ Home button + press the power button .
You should see a warning asking you to press volume up if you want to continue or volume down to cancel, press volume up. You are now in download mode!
3. Start Odin
4. If your ROM is a single .tar.md5 package click on the PDA button and browse to the .tar or .tar.md5 file that you extracted in step 1 and select it. This should like like the image below
If the package has more than one .tar archive then they will be labelled with PDA/Code, Phone/Modem and CSC. Just put them in the corresponding section of Odin like below
5. DO NOT PUT .PIT FILE AND DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT TICK REPARTITION.
Regardless of firmware version it's still the same methodology
6. Connect the USB cable and wait for any required drivers to install and the ID:COM section to turn blue like below
7. Click start to flash. If Odin hangs at setting up connection just unplug the USB cable and re-attach it, Odin should now resume
8. Do not disconnect the cable or turn off the device once the flash has started, it will reboot when it finishes.
If the firmware is from this thread it will not wipe your phone if you flash as recommended UNLESS I state that the firmware is a "WIPE" version.
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