[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] SandraKitty18:
My issue is very similar but not exactly the same, posting here instead of new thread

This thread seemed to be closest match to what I'm facing... Hi, I'm trying to fix a phone. It's a Samsung Galaxy S3 that's deactivated. It has a Verizon logo on it, but calling 611 connects to AT&T who tells me to call Verizon who claims the imei # is bad because they tried looking it up multiple times and were unable to locate ANY info in their system about it, they recommended that it's not a Verizon phone and I go into the store for the relevant carrier (Which there aren't any AT&T stores around anymore, and I don't feel like walking into Verizon until I've got better/more info so I'm not feeling like an idiot). I believe the phone was previously rooted, because it had a few apps on it such as "rootland" but no su or busybox, but I'm not sure. Rootchecker was already installed but says "no root access" or "root denied". I performed a factory reset. It did nothing. I simply want to have it be capable of being actived on a prepaid acct, I know it was used this way before on Verizon. The baseband is showing as S:i500.05 K.EI20 the kernel version is 2.6.35.7 the model # is SCH-I500. What do I do? My phone number is 60three nine2three 2zero4six my name is Sandra. Please help! I've goggled for hours and simply cannot seem to find any up to date info which is useful! I don't know what to do anymore, my friend needs a working phone as hers sucks and I'm trying to help by getting this one fixed for her to try, because she doesn't have the $ to buy one and this was given to me when the previous owner got a new one and didn't want it anymore but she didn't tell me it was basically a paperweight (probably why she gave it away)... Anyways, help would be fantastic, also I have a computer but no internet, only data plan on my cell, which is why my number is included because if I need to hook it up and hot spot I can but wouldn't be able to communicate online at the same time... The number I provided is connected to a separate phone which is mine and is 100% working, it's a Verizon Galaxy S5 which I'm also trying to root, and it's a pain in the ass not having internet since the block of geohash and towelroot exploit stopped, but I'm close I think, I've done my research and I believe I simply have to down grade the kernel first with odin. I've never actually used odin or rooted a phone but I'm doing my best to learn as much as possible and not bother people. I don't want to be a noob and annoying. Just really stuck here. Sorry msg is so long, figured I'd try to be as detailed as possible to reduce any time on your end so you can either help or point me in a different direction by not having to go back and forth asking questions. Of course if there does happen to be something I left out please don't hesitate to ask. I am seeking your assistance after all. I don't want to bug you or anyone with my issues and lack of ability to sort through... I'm pretty sure I'll have used most of not all my data before being able to read any replies, so calls/text is best to the phone number I included, which I'll repeat again. Sixzerothreeninetwothreetwozerofoursix. I AM PRONG MY PHONE NUMBER ON PURPOSE AND I UNDERSTAND THE RISKS OF DOING SO INCLUDING STALKERS OR CREEPS OR HACKERS OR WEIRDOS ETC ETC ETC. I GET IT. MIGHT BE CALLED STUPID BUT WHATEVER. I'VE HAD THIS NUMBER FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND IT'S NOT HARD TO GET, I GET STRANGE CALLS CONSTANTLY AND I'VE LEARNED HOW TO UNBLOCK CALLER ID AND BLOCK FREAKS FROM CALLING/TEXTING A 2ND TIME. I NEED HELP AND AM WILLING TO CHANCE MORE CALLS/TEXTS OR OTHER ISSUES BY POSTING MY #. I'm a big girl I know the world is scary, I've lived through nightmarish crap, I'll be alright and won't blame anyone but myself if this causes **** to hit the fan. It's official and in writing so xda cannot be held liable AT ALL for ANYTHING, nor can ANYONE ELSE if it is related to my choosing to post this, which I am doing of my own choosing. I'll now eagerly await any help available to fix my issues. I'm hopeful I've come to the right place asking the right people who will help me understand more about what I could do to learn how to get better educated on these topics and in future not require so much of your valuable time. I'm more than willing to put in the time and effort to take responsibility for enacting any actions to perform a solution, I've just gotten very confused and overwhelmed trying to navigate correctly and learn what needs to be done. Pointing me in the correct direction would be wonderful! Thank you in advance!

---------- Post added at 12:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 AM ----------

It has a US cellular logo physically on it. Calling 611 puts me through to AT&T, but I know for a fact it was last used on Verizon prepaid.

---------- Post added at 12:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 AM ----------

Sorry for that, I have spent so many hours researching the 3 relevant companies, root/unroot info, kernels, roms, builds, learning about variations on android os, and anything I coups find remotely related that I had a slight mix-up, but hope that's now clarified.