[Android General] zaclimon:
Please note that this is only a thread on HOW-TO and not a central place on where you can get your firmwares. There's several websites like SamMobile that can help you getting them.

All the Heimdall's instructions will be at the second post.

1. Q/A's (Introduction)

"

I'm afraid I'll break my phone/tablet...

"

1. What is download mode?

2. What's Odin then?

3. If we have Odin, then why we do need Heimdall?

4. Why sometimes I need to have a PIT file when I flash with either of these programs?

2. Odin Instructions for Original Samsung Galaxy S and Samsung Galaxy S II "based" devices

"

Considered once before the best of Android...

"

Device examples:

Samsung Galaxy S (I9000)

Samsung Galaxy S II (I9100)

Samsung Galaxy Note (N7000)

Samsung Galaxy Player/S Wifi (All)

2.1 Odin Prerequistes:

When you need to flash using either Odin or Heimdall (with Windows), you need the USB drivers. You can use either kies or the standalone USB drivers. (I prefer the USB drivers because Kies is not what I would take for a first choice...)

- A working brain

- A working computer

- Samsung USB Drivers

- Odin3 v1.7

- A "pit" file (Only need for when you re-partition. It can be found in your device's respective forum)

- A stock samsung USB cable if possible (it seems to give better result than other USB cable bought on third party sellers.)

Note: It is recommended to plug the device in download mode before executing Odin so the computer will recognize it and do the final preparation for the first time you'll want to flash something.​

2.2 Little Glossary:

Left side:

Re-Partition:

Actually means what it means, it re-partitions your device according to the pit file you've given. It's only necessary when flashing back to fresh STOCK and doing it without any further objective will BRICK your device.

Auto-Reboot:

Self-explanatory

F. Reset time:

Don't know really what it is. (It looks like it can reset some counter)

Note: those 2 last boxes should always be checked

Dump:

Not necessary..

Phone EFS Clear:

You do not want to make this..

Phone Bootloader update:

Not necessary unless you want to flash only the bootloaders. (you probably won't EVER touch this)

Right side:

PIT:

Self explanatory once again, the file should normally come with a .pit extension.

PDA:

Normally this is where your firmware (ROM along with kernel) will be flashed. It contains the "PDA" name in it as well as the .tar or the .tar.md5 extension.

PHONE:

This is where the Modem (Baseband) will go. It will normally contain "MODEM" in it's name. Once again, it will come with the .tar.md5 extension.

CSC:

File that contains information from a specific network operator. (to use some special feature) You won't probably use this case if you're locked into a particular network... It does contain "CSC" in it's name and it comes with the .tar.md5 extension.​

2.3 Flashing Time:

When you have finished with installing your drivers and your device has been recognized in both "normal" mode and "download" mode, you can proceed with the flashing. Here you can find a picture of Odin actually running. (Can be useful if you want a landmark on what to expect)

1. Extract the Odin3 v1.7.exe file from the zip

2. Execute Odin3 v1.7.exe

3. Put your device in download mode. To do so, press vol- while pressing the power button. The result of this combination should be this.

Note: The image is a result for the OG SGS based devices, The SGS II based ones should come with this instead after you bypassed the warning there.

4. You should see a yellow rectangle with COM:xx and saying ready. It means that your device is ready to be flashed

5. Depending on what you're flashing, take it to the corresponding box (PDA: Roms/Firmwares, Kernels, Bootloaders) (Modem: Radio/Baseband) (CSC: Csc file)

6. When you're clear with this, be sure to check throughously that the files selected were intended for your device

7. If a .pit file was selected when trying to flash, ensure that re-partition at the left is UNCHECKED!!

Note: If you're flashing Stock (Original) Samsung firmware, you MUST check the box. Failing to do so will likely brick the device...

8. Press the flash button

9. It should go through the flashing, you should see the partitions that's being flashed into device during this time.

Note: DO NOT EVER unplug the cable as the result will probably be a pricey plastic brick in your hands now.

10. When everything is finished, the program should ouput that it's done with a green box and your device should reboot automatically.​

2.4 Misc. Section:

While the

Original Galaxy S

isn't related, the

Galaxy S II based devices

have a

flash counter

regarding on how much time you flash while in download mode. It's count goes up

everytime

you flash something in this particular mode. When the number is higher than 0, you LOSE your waranty.

Be Warned!!

That said, there are ways to fix those problem by either buying a USB jig, or using an app like Triangle Away made by Chainfire.

​

​

​

3. Odin Instructions for the Samsung Galaxy S III "based" devices

"

Designed for humans is the new way to go...

"

Device examples:

Samsung Galaxy S III (I9300)

Samsung Galaxy Note II (N7100)

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (N8000)

Samsung Galaxy S III Mini (I8190)

Samsung Galaxy Camera (EK-GC100)

3.1 Odin Prerequistes:

When you need to flash using either Odin or Heimdall (with Windows), you need the USB drivers. You can use either kies or the standalone USB drivers. (I prefer the USB drivers because Kies is not what I would take for a first choice...)

- A working brain

- A working computer

- Samsung USB Drivers

- Odin V3.07

- The files you'll want to flash

- A "pit" file (Only need for when you re-partition. It can be found in your device's respective forum)

- A stock samsung USB cable if possible (it seems to give better result than other USB cable bought on third party sellers.)

Note: It is recommended to plug the device in download mode before executing Odin so the computer will recognize it and do the final preparation for the first time you'll want to flash something.​

3.2 Little Glossary:

Left side:

Re-Partition:

Actually means what it means, it re-partitions your device according to the pit file you've given. It's only necessary when flashing back to fresh STOCK and doing it without any further objective will BRICK your device.

Auto-Reboot:

Self-explanatory

F. Reset time:

Don't know really what it is. (It looks like it can reset a counter in older device...)

Note: those 2 last boxes should always be checked

Flash Lock:

Not sure what this does

LED Control:

This as well

Nand Erase All:

You do not want to touch this...

Right side:

PIT:

Self explanatory once again, the file should normally come with a .pit extension.

PDA:

Normally this is where your firmware (ROM along with kernel) will be flashed. It contains the "PDA" name in it as well as the .tar or the .tar.md5 extension.

PHONE:

This is where the Modem (Baseband) will go. It will normally contain "MODEM" in it's name. Once again, it will come with the .tar.md5 extension.

CSC:

File that contains information from a specific network operator. (to use some special feature) You won't probably use this case if you're locked into a particular network... It does contain "CSC" in it's name and it comes with the .tar.md5 extension.

UMS:

I'm not sure as what this section does, it is greyed out by defaut so it must have some sort of specific usage. (but not for us anyway..)

Bottom side:

Start:

Self explanatory...

Reset:

Reset all the values to Odin's default.

Exit:

Self explanatory again...​

3.3 Flashing Time:

When you have finished with installing your drivers and your device has been recognized in both "normal" mode and "download" mode, you can proceed with the flashing. Here you can find a picture of Odin actually running. (Can be useful if you want a landmark on what to expect)

1. Extract all the files from the from the Odin307.zip

2. Execute Odin3 v3.07.exe

3. Put your device into download mode. The result should be like this after you bypassed the warning there.

4. You should see a yellow rectangle with COM:xx and saying ready. It means that your device is ready to be flashed!

5. Depending on what you're flashing, take it to the corresponding box (PDA: Roms, Kernels, Bootloaders) (Modem: Radio/Baseband) (CSC: Csc file)

6. When you're clear with this, be sure to check throughously that the file is intended for your device

7. If a .pit file was selected when trying to flash, ensure that re-partition at the left is UNCHECKED!! (Unless if it's going back to the stock Samsung firmware)

8. Press the flash button

9. It should go through the flashing, you should see the partitions that's being flashed into device during this time.

Note: DO NOT EVER unplug the cable as the result will probably be a pricey plastic brick in your hands now.

10. When everything is finished, the program should ouput that it's done with a green box and your device should reboot automatically.​

3.4 Misc. Section:

All the

Galaxy S III based devices

have a

flash counter

regarding on how much time you flash while in download mode. It's count goes up

everytime

you flash something in this particular mode. When the number is higher than 0, you LOSE your waranty.

Be Warned!!

That said, there are ways to fix those problem by either buying a USB jig, or using an app like Triangle Away made by Chainfire.

However be careful with the newer Knox bootloaders that came with the newer 4.3 Touchwiz updates as there's NO way of resetting the counter AND/OR downgrading it.

​

​

​

4. Odin Instructions for the Samsung Galaxy S4 "based" devices

"

With the increasing popularity comes more restrictions...

"

Device examples:

Samsung Galaxy S4 (I9500)

Samsung Galaxy Note II (N9000)

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition (SM-P600)

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini (I9190)

4.1 Odin Prerequistes:

When you need to flash using either Odin or Heimdall (with Windows), you need the USB drivers. You can use either kies or the standalone USB drivers. (I prefer the USB drivers because Kies is not what I would take for a first choice...)

- A working brain

- A working computer

- Samsung USB Drivers

- Odin V3.07

- The files you'll want to flash

- A "pit" file (Only need for when you re-partition. It can be found in your device's respective forum)

- A stock samsung USB cable if possible (it seems to give better result than other USB cable bought on third party sellers.)

Note: It is recommended to plug the device in download mode before executing Odin so the computer will recognize it and do the final preparation for the first time you'll want to flash something.​

4.2 Little Glossary:

Left side:

Re-Partition:

Actually means what it means, it re-partitions your device according to the pit file you've given. It's only necessary when flashing back to fresh STOCK and doing it without any further objective will BRICK your device.

Auto-Reboot:

Self-explanatory

F. Reset time:

Don't know really what it is. (It looks like it can reset a counter in older device...)

Note: those 2 last boxes should always be checked

Flash Lock:

Not sure what this does

LED Control:

This as well

Nand Erase All:

You do not want to touch this...

Right side:

PIT:

Self explanatory once again, the file should normally come with a .pit extension.

PDA:

Normally this is where your firmware (ROM along with kernel) will be flashed. It contains the "PDA" name in it as well as the .tar or the .tar.md5 extension.

PHONE:

This is where the Modem (Baseband) will go. It will normally contain "MODEM" in it's name. Once again, it will come with the .tar.md5 extension.

CSC:

File that contains information from a specific network operator. (to use some special feature) You won't probably use this case if you're locked into a particular network... It does contain "CSC" in it's name and it comes with the .tar.md5 extension.

UMS:

I'm not sure as what this section does, it is greyed out by defaut so it must have some sort of specific usage. (but not for us anyway..)

Bottom side:

Start:

Self explanatory...

Reset:

Reset all the values to Odin's default.

Exit:

Self explanatory again...​

4.3 Flashing Time:

When you have finished with installing your drivers and your device has been recognized in both "normal" mode and "download" mode, you can proceed with the flashing. Here you can find a picture of Odin actually running. (Can be useful if you want a landmark on what to expect)

1. Extract all the files from the from the Odin307.zip

2. Execute Odin3 v3.07.exe

3. Put your device into download mode. The result should be like this after you bypassed the warning there.

4. You should see a yellow rectangle with COM:xx and saying ready. It means that your device is ready to be flashed!

5. Depending on what you're flashing, take it to the corresponding box (PDA: Roms, Kernels, Bootloaders) (Modem: Radio/Baseband) (CSC: Csc file)

6. When you're clear with this, be sure to check throughously that the file is intended for your device

7. If a .pit file was selected when trying to flash, ensure that re-partition at the left is UNCHECKED!! (Unless if it's going back to the stock Samsung firmware)

8. Press the flash button

9. It should go through the flashing, you should see the partitions that's being flashed into device during this time.

Note: DO NOT EVER unplug the cable as the result will probably be a pricey plastic brick in your hands now.

10. When everything is finished, the program should ouput that it's done with a green box and your device should reboot automatically.​

4.4 Misc. Section:

All the

Galaxy S4 based devices

have the

Knox flash counter

which is

MORE PROACTIVE

than the flash counter inside the GSII/GSIII based devices. Upon flashing something that has not been signed numerically by Samsung, the eFuse is burned off and there's

NO

possible way of reverting the counter back to 0. (because of an HARDWARE failure)

PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!

​

​

​