[Galaxy S III Original Android Development] mskip:
**FAQ**

Q. Help me I can't find my build in the Model Selection Screen

The Toolkit includes a selection of Insecure Boot Images to cover all the different builds available. As there are very many different builds it is impossible to include an image for every single build but some builds share the same Boot Image. If you have a build that isnt listed on the Model Selection Screen you can therefore use a similar build. The best way to go is up to the next available build as it should offer more compatibility with the build you are using but if that isn't available then try the next build below your one as it should still be almost identical as long as it is the same version (ie. 4.1.1).

The Model Selection Screen is there so that if a task in the ToolKit requires an insecure kernel [to perform adb root commands] and your phone doesnt already include one, a compatible boot image [with an insecure kernel included] can be flashed to provide adb root access.

If you have a Custom Rom flashed to your phone then it will most probably have an insecure kernel included so it doesn't really matter if your build is not listed on the Model Selection Screen and when asked [by certain functions] if you have an insecure kernel on your phone you can answer 'yes'. However if the function fails then your kernel may not be insecure in which case you can flash one from the ToolKit. If you need to do this make sure the right build [or closest available build] is set so you flash the right image for your phone.

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Q. What is ADB Shell?

Adb shell is a linux command line tool (because android is based on linux) used to send commands to your android device. For S-ON devices, this is crucial for modifying files in the /system partition (where the rom sits) as you cannot modify anything in /system when the rom is running without S-OFF like removing system apps.

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Q. Why do I need to back up my IMEI/EFS and how do I do it?

There well protected section of your device that is virtually immune to any kind of flashing and manipulation (unless of course you know how to access it). This part of the device contains information such as IMEI (or MEID and ESN in the case of CDMA devices), programming parameters for the device such as your account information (phone number, etc), data provisioning parameters, and a whole bunch of other things that, when not handled properly, can render a device completely useless. All of these are contained in the infamous \EFS folder. If anything messes with your EFS folder, unlike flashing a device (which could potentially lead to bricks as well) it could render your device completely useless as it will no longer be recognized by your carrier. If you are not planning on flashing anything to your device and want to stay on pure Stock then you may never have any problems but it is still advisable to backup this information just in case (better to be safe than sorry). If you have a GT-I9300 GSM Model then you can do this from the Toolkit but if you have an LTE device then it isn't soo easy to do. If you have an LTE device you should go to *THIS* thread by lyriquidperfection and follow the information to save your IMEI/NV Data so that you are covered if anything should happen.

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Q. Is there currently no way to root the Samsung Galaxy S3 without voiding the warranty?

All methods of rooting will void your warranty in some way as you will have superuser files on your phone that arent supposed to be there. There is a method of rooting your phone without increasing the flash counter which involves flashing a complete rom with root files already added but if anything happens and you need to send it back under warranty you will need to flash a 'proper' Stock Rom back before returning it or your warranty will be void. Flashing a custom kernel or recovery to root will increase the flash counter and also void any warranty. There is currently no method of resetting the flash counter on Snapdragon models but im pretty sure there will be some support for it soon. If you dont want to risk it or you aren't sure then you shouldnt really be flashing your phone and should just leave it alone. Its your choice .

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Q. Will flashing Stock ROM via odin using the toolkit replace everything that was flashed before? recovery? etc?

Yes a Stock Image flashed via Odin will replace all your key partitions (boot, recovery, system) with the stock firmware. If you want to reset the phone back to an 'out of the box' state then you want to enter recovery and do a wipe first which will reformat your userdata partition.

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Q. I flashed Custom Recovery but each time I reboot the Stock Recovery is back

There is an auto recovery restore system on certain Stock Android Builds that will reflash the Stock Recovery if you flash CWM on a Stock Rom.

Use Root Explorer to Mount the system folder as R/W (or use a free app from Google Play such as ES File Explorer). Rename the files /system/recovery-from-boot.p and /system/etc/install-recovery.sh (requires root). Now when you flash Custom Recovery it will NOT be overwritten after a reboot. You can also do this via the Toolkit.

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Q. My AntiVirus program says the Toolkit files may be harmful

The exe compiled files are not digitally signed with a Microsoft certificate (as they cost money) so certain AntiVirus programs (mainly Norton and AVG Free) may pick it up as potentially harmful when it is not. They will pick up ANY file that doesn't contain a purchased Microsoft certificate in the same way. Just Restore the deleted file and exclude it from further scans and it will be fine. Or switch to a better AntiVirus program such as BitDefender.

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Q. I flashed the Toolkit Boot Image, now my wifi + bluetooth won't work

The boot images are made from Stock with only needed changes made to the insecure boot images [modified adbd, default.prop and rc.local edited] and will work on all stock roms. If you flash them to a custom rom and the rom has been altered or uses a custom boot image then it will boot but certain modules may not load such as wifi or bluetooth. In this case you can use the boot image to root or perform adb root functions but will need to flash back the boot image for the custom rom to get other functions working again. This is not a fault of the Toolkit but a difference to stock in the custom rom.

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Q. I am having trouble getting adb working with the drivers installed

Try switching your connection type from media (MTP) mode to camera mode (P2P). To do this open the notification area, click where it says connected as and change from MTP to PTP.

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Q. I want to send my device back for warranty purposes

1. Follow the instructions to reset your flash counter with TriangleAway.

2. Download and flash a Stock Firmware image from the download section.

3. Boot into Stock Recovery and perform a wipe/factory reset

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Your internal storage will be formatted and data and cache wiped. Your device should now be back to an out-of-the-box FULLY STOCK state with the flash counter [shown if you boot to download mode manually] reset and ready to send back.

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Q. When connecting the phone I get 'USB Device not Recognized' and no serial number shows in the ToolKit

I actually had this problem recently and what fixed it for me was to make sure that the drivers have been installed, then shut my phone down plug the usb cable in and restart it. The phone booted up and the device was recognized and drivers installed correctly. May not work for everyone but worth trying.