[ROM][GUIDE] LG Optimus Zone 3 (LG VS425PP) Stock 5.1.1 Firmware & Restoration

[MotoJunkie01]

LG OPTIMUS ZONE 3 - UNBRICKING GUIDE AND 5.1.1 FACTORY FIRMWARE

This guide has two main objectives: (1) for those with a bricked device who want to restore to the latest factory firmware image; and (2) those who need .kdz Stock 5.1.1 Factory Firmware files.

1. UNBRICKING THE LGVS425PP:
The Verizon LGVS425PP comes, pre-installed on the device, a Windows compatible LG Software Upgrade and Repair utility. When connected via micro USB cable, your device will connect to your PC as an installer and, if you look in your PC directory, you will see an installation directory for the Verizon LG utility. Inside that directory is an .exe file that will install the upgrade/repair utility on your PC. When launched, the utility will auto detect your device, determine if a firmware update is available, and give you an option to repair your device. The repair option will backup your existing userdata (depending on the level of damage to the firmware), download the most recent firmware build for your device, and flash your device to complete stock condition.
Of course, there are those who bricked their devices before being able to install the Verizon LG Upgrade/Repair utility on their PCs. And this utility appears difficult to locate for download on the internet. So, below is a download link for the utility:
DOWNLOAD LINK
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B1Sfod4HWfk2elpGQ3JEbzF4Q0E?usp=sharing

The Verizon LG utility should install the correct USB mobile drivers on your PC. But just in case any driver issues arise, download and install the following LG United Mobile Driver package:
DOWNLOAD LINK
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1Sfod4HWfk2RHY2c29mTWg1Rkk/view?usp=sharing

Once the utility is launched, make sure your PC is connected to the internet, put your device in download mode by holding +Volume while connecting your micro USB cable for your PC connection. The utility will then detect your device. Select the REPAIR option and follow the on-screen instructions.

2. STOCK 5.1.1 FACTORY FIRMWARE
The following link is for four software versions of stock 5.1.1 Factory Firmware .kdz files for the Optimus Zone 3: VS425PP2, VS425PP4, VS425PP7 & VS425PP8. Also in the link is the LG United Mobile Driver, the LG-UP flashing tool, and the LG-UP .DLL for the VS425PP. Use these tools at your own risk. I am not responsible for bricked or inoperable devices. I want to thank each and every member in this thread who has tested and reported their findings and issues. That narrows it down greatly. And thanks guys for your patience.
As to rooting the Zone 3, several recent advancements have been achieved and full root access is now possible. Thanks to @Astr4y4L, a comprehensive root package is available for download. http://astrayalslanding.dynu.net:88/Android_Development/ Click on this link and scroll down the the bottom and click the projects link. His package includes precise instructions and alI the files you will need to root this phone. I am currently drafting a concise tutorial for downgrading this phone. Instructions for downgrading can be found within this thread, albeit somewhat scattered. I will update the OP accordingly as further progress is made. Guys, please be sure to thank @Astr4y4L for his unceasing hard work and development on this device. If you like his work and benefit from it, donations are always nice, even if just a couple bucks.

DOWNLOAD LINK
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B1Sfod4HWfk2MUwxNk1oeXJCZEE?usp=sharing

 

[Metalchic]

I was attempting to test this on a phone i purchased just yesterday. The about phone section identifies this phone as a vs425pp but under the battery it's identified as a VS425LPP.

The drivers install successfully. The LGUP and LGUP .dll install fine. But when i start LGUP i get an error saying that it can't load the model. looks like i can't attach a picture probably because i'm new but i do have screencaps. I've tried it on my laptop where i do most of my android stuff and on my desktop, same problem on both. According to the LG Mobile Support Tool this one has VS245PP5 installed.

LGUP will start without the phone connected telling me there is no compatible handset attached and then show me a com window. But when i connect the phone it throws the same error and exits.

 

[wperdigon]

I must be the biggest idiot, because I cannot figure out how to get into download mode - I power off the device, then while holding the power and volume up key I plug in the usb cord from the Computer. I get the buzzing on the phone, the Verizon logo comes up, and i'm on the home screen. What am I doing wrong?

---------- Post added at 12:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 AM ----------

never mind, I got it - it's the volume down and power, not volume up -

---------- Post added at 01:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 AM ----------

ok, apparently, that's the restore function, not the download mode - I can't seem to figure out the combo of buttons for the download mode - as above, I go volume up and power then when it vibrates I plug it in?? any suggestions??

 

[MotoJunkie01]

I must be the biggest idiot, because I cannot figure out how to get into download mode - I power off the device, then while holding the power and volume up key I plug in the usb cord from the Computer. I get the buzzing on the phone, the Verizon logo comes up, and i'm on the home screen. What am I doing wrong?

---------- Post added at 12:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 AM ----------

never mind, I got it - it's the volume down and power, not volume up -

---------- Post added at 01:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 AM ----------

ok, apparently, that's the restore function, not the download mode - I can't seem to figure out the combo of buttons for the download mode - as above, I go volume up and power then when it vibrates I plug it in?? any suggestions??

I just hold volume up and keep it help while connecting the micro USB

 

[MotoJunkie01]

I was attempting to test this on a phone i purchased just yesterday. The about phone section identifies this phone as a vs425pp but under the battery it's identified as a VS425LPP.

The drivers install successfully. The LGUP and LGUP .dll install fine. But when i start LGUP i get an error saying that it can't load the model. looks like i can't attach a picture probably because i'm new but i do have screencaps. I've tried it on my laptop where i do most of my android stuff and on my desktop, same problem on both. According to the LG Mobile Support Tool this one has VS245PP5 installed.

LGUP will start without the phone connected telling me there is no compatible handset attached and then show me a com window. But when i connect the phone it throws the same error and exits.

With your device connected go to Device Manager. Look under Portable Devices, Ports and Com's, etc and look for LGE notations of your device. If you see a yellow question mark by any of the LGE notations, your issue is drivers.

 

[Metalchic]

With your device connected go to Device Manager. Look under Portable Devices, Ports and Com's, etc and look for LGE notations of your device. If you see a yellow question mark by any of the LGE notations, your issue is drivers.

i have a
Modems > LGE Mobile for VZW USB Modem - Operational
Ports (COM & LPT )> LGE Mobile for VZW USB Serial Port (COM4) - Operational
Portable Devices > LGE Android MTP Device - Code 10 device cannot start

I initially had the 4.1.1 drivers installed from the LG Mobile Support Tool. After uninstalling those and installing the 4.0.4 version from this thread i still have Code 10 error on LGE Android MTP Device.

 

[MotoJunkie01]

i have a
Modems > LGE Mobile for VZW USB Modem - Operational
Ports (COM & LPT )> LGE Mobile for VZW USB Serial Port (COM4) - Operational
Portable Devices > LGE Android MTP Device - Code 10 device cannot start

I initially had the 4.1.1 drivers installed from the LG Mobile Support Tool. After uninstalling those and installing the 4.0.4 version from this thread i still have Code 10 error on LGE Android MTP Device.

Ok I have seen that MTP Device error before. It is not uncommon. Search the forums for a driver resolution. Off top of my head I cannot recall, but I do know there are threads on it.

 

[Metalchic]

Ok I have seen that MTP Device error before. It is not uncommon. Search the forums for a driver resolution. Off top of my head I cannot recall, but I do know there are threads on it.

The initial solution was to reinstall the drivers, did not work.
Second solution discovered in reference to samsung devices was to delete a registry key called UpperFilters from the WPD section. Did not work.
The third solution i've found involves downloading the Android SDK and installing it.

This last one seems sort of like a nuclear option. But i'm running out of ideas. the MTP and PTP transfer modes install and start correctly when the device is booted normally but when booted into download mode it just goes code 10. I'm working on the third option now but it will take a while to download.

 

[MotoJunkie01]

The initial solution was to reinstall the drivers, did not work.
Second solution discovered in reference to samsung devices was to delete a registry key called UpperFilters from the WPD section. Did not work.
The third solution i've found involves downloading the Android SDK and installing it.

This last one seems sort of like a nuclear option. But i'm running out of ideas. the MTP and PTP transfer modes install and start correctly when the device is booted normally but when booted into download mode it just goes code 10. I'm working on the third option now but it will take a while to download.

Yes that SDK is a bulk of a download and installation. But may be your fix. Very odd I agree

 

[Metalchic]

Yes that SDK is a bulk of a download and installation. But may be your fix. Very odd I agree

It didn't work. Still code 10. I tried on a third computer, an old Dell laptop running Windows XP. It gave a strange error Code 28 saying something about an invalid service section of the INF. But i think this may be a red herring and actually be caused by Windows Media Player 11 not being installed. I'll have to setup an installation of Windows 7 to try that.

Edit: looks like i'm going to have to give up trying to fix the code 10 error because NONE of the information from google is relevant to this. All the information is for the phone being started normally and being unable to access the MTP file transfer through normal working operation. None of it relates to this "download mode" that LG has implemented. I wish this were easy like my Galaxy Nexus was back in the day.

 

[MotoJunkie01]

It didn't work. Still code 10. I tried on a third computer, an old Dell laptop running Windows XP. It gave a strange error Code 28 saying something about an invalid service section of the INF. But i think this may be a red herring and actually be caused by Windows Media Player 11 not being installed. I'll have to setup an installation of Windows 7 to try that.

OK. Let me know..

 

[MotoJunkie01]

It didn't work. Still code 10. I tried on a third computer, an old Dell laptop running Windows XP. It gave a strange error Code 28 saying something about an invalid service section of the INF. But i think this may be a red herring and actually be caused by Windows Media Player 11 not being installed. I'll have to setup an installation of Windows 7 to try that.

Edit: looks like i'm going to have to give up trying to fix the code 10 error because NONE of the information from google is relevant to this. All the information is for the phone being started normally and being unable to access the MTP file transfer through normal working operation. None of it relates to this "download mode" that LG has implemented. I wish this were easy like my Galaxy Nexus was back in the day.

Yeah tell me about it. The good ol' Nexus days were much simpler. I'm like you....I think its a Red Herring of some sort you are dealing with. Something so obvious and so simple that it is hiding behind a thin wall.
I'm searching right now trying to help too.

 

[roscoemctavish]

Hi MotoJunkie01,
I appreciate you putting together this guide but I have to say that I no further along than everyone else here. Similar to Metalchic I received the "can't load model" error from LGUP. Googling around i found that I was missing the LGUP_common.dll file. Found that and LGUP opened fine and found my device. Tried to flash VS425PP2 kdz got to about 9% and received "Secure device, But Unsecure image" error. And that's as far as i got.

As far as the LG Android MTP driver goes i also receive the code 10 cannot start error but only when the phone is in download mode. Otherwise the driver loads fine when the phone is "booted". I dont know jack about rooting phones and have never done it before. I had this one lying around and thought I'd try it. Hopefully all this helps to narrow down the issue.

 

[MotoJunkie01]

Hi MotoJunkie01,
I appreciate you putting together this guide but I have to say that I no further along than everyone else here. Similar to Metalchic I received the "can't load model" error from LGUP. Googling around i found that I was missing the LGUP_common.dll file. Found that and LGUP opened fine and found my device. Tried to flash VS425PP2 kdz got to about 9% and received "Secure device, But Unsecure image" error. And that's as far as i got.

As far as the LG Android MTP driver goes i also receive the code 10 cannot start error but only when the phone is in download mode. Otherwise the driver loads fine when the phone is "booted". I dont know jack about rooting phones and have never done it before. I had this one lying around and thought I'd try it. Hopefully all this helps to narrow down the issue.

Thanks for pointing out the common .dll file. I will edit that in my thread for download. I am not sure on the MTP error. I have two of these Zone 3s lying around and neither gives any type of error on MTP. Almost certainly sounds like a driver related issue though. Im going to uninstall drivers and everything on my end, do factory resets, and reinstall everything and walk back through the process from scratch. See if I can pinpoint the issue.

 

[Metalchic]

Thanks for pointing out the common .dll file. I will edit that in my thread for download. I am not sure on the MTP error. I have two of these Zone 3s lying around and neither gives any type of error on MTP. Almost certainly sounds like a driver related issue though. Im going to uninstall drivers and everything on my end, do factory resets, and reinstall everything and walk back through the process from scratch. See if I can pinpoint the issue.

like roscoemctavish i was able to grab the LGUP_common.dll file and put it into ..\LG Electronics\LGUP\model\common and then LGUP started detecting my phone. It only takes the kdz file type under the Upgrade selection. But like roscoemctavish i ran into the 'unsecured image secured device' error. Still code 10 on the MTP driver but i don't think it's related to this. Maybe though.

 

[MotoJunkie01]

like roscoemctavish i was able to grab the LGUP_common.dll file and put it into ..\LG Electronics\LGUP\model\common and then LGUP started detecting my phone. It only takes the kdz file type under the Upgrade selection. But like roscoemctavish i ran into the 'unsecured image secured device' error. Still code 10 on the MTP driver but i don't think it's related to this. Maybe though.

So in your instance, did the .kdz file flash for you with no issue or did it stop at some point?

 

[Metalchic]

So in your instance, did the .kdz file flash for you with no issue or did it stop at some point?

stopped at 9% with the "Secure device, But Unsecure image" error the other guy was having.

 

[MotoJunkie01]

stopped at 9% with the "Secure device, But Unsecure image" error the other guy was having.

OK. So both you guys having the stop at 9% please try this. Rename the VS425PP2 file to the filename VS425PP6. Then flash the .kdz.

 

[MotoJunkie01]

For now I'm editing the thread down to unbricking via the Verizon LG utility and I'll give links to the .kdz files. It's back to the drawing board guys. I'm very sorry. Please know that I am working hard on it.

 

[roscoemctavish]

For now I'm editing the thread down to unbricking via the Verizon LG utility and I'll give links to the .kdz files. It's back to the drawing board guys. I'm very sorry. Please know that I am working hard on it.

No worries man and I appreciate just having this as a potential option. If it matters I have tried to root my phone with Kingoroot. Of course it fails but the software status has changed to "modified". Current software version is VS425PP5.

I did try changing the filename "VS425PP2_02_ARB00.kdz" to "VS425PP6.kdz" and flashing with the same result (Stops at 9% with unsecure image error). There is a log file in the "\LGUP\model\common\LOG" folder which when opened in notepad produces unreadable text. Let me know if I can provide anything else.
Thanks!