[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] virginwidow:
Hi Folks ~

I bought a brand new (still in wrapper from china) GS3 from pageplus about 3 weeks ago. The unit itself, shows s968 in the "Device info" however it came packaged labeled i535 ... ?? (the attached screenshot is device info) This is wrapper:

[IMG="Label reads: CI535W-V2"]http://imgur.com/1kzoKob[/IMG]

Should have known if it was $39 retail price, there would be problems.

Presently I have a marginally functional telephone, that MIGHT be repairable by loading the "Right OS and Drivers" (firmware) ...

The "Phone" barely recieves calls, often drops them, incoming callers frequently asking "Are you still there?" This indicates problems with either the HARDWARE radio/antenna, or the FIRMWARE (drivers / OS) for said radio. So, for 2 weeks I've been combing through everything on XDA about "Verizon GS3" ... And have become utterly confused. There are other problems with the "OS" as well, such as it scrambles imported contacts -- to name only one.

QUESTION #1

Is this a carrier problem (pageplus, now owned by Tracfone) a firmware problem -- (Kernel Ver.

3.0.30-1564380-user se.infr@SWDB2804, Build No. JZO54K.S6968CUDUANH2) Or a HARDWARE problem (I have read many many complaints about GS3 cdma reception)

No, I haven't done anything to my phone. Presently dont even know if this is firmware repairable, or if I should replace it with (Yet ANOTHER) phone.

Question #2

Experienced users have said the i535 and s968 are using the exact same motherboard and radios, hard ware etc? So, what are the differences between these two "Model designations"?

My understanding is unclear here. From computer building experience, when you have an identical hardware configuration (same combination of components) the unit's are essentialy EQUAL. How does this translate to Android Phones (or the GS3, at least)??

What I presently understand, the i535 and s968 are "Something Like" Equal Computer one running Arch Linux, the other running Ubuntu ? There will be differences in the Kernel, etc... But one can easily wipe the Computer and put Windows on it (ewww!) if need be...

I do understand there is something odd in the GS3 hardware that is "Designed to Self Destruct" and can Perma-Brick an S3 -- if the wrong code (Knox and Friends?) is run through the hardware. At best, all I "Get" is there's some kind of EPROM chip in there that fries? And "Knox" is simply a Malware designed to "Cook That Chip"? Or, was that "Destructable Component" intentionally designed that way?

That's not a trivial question, if the chip/component within the phone is DESIGNED to Brick it, this is a "Security Bonus" ... Very damn hard for a snoop to recover data from a brick! My "opinion" :cool: is that KNOX is a malware, there is no such "Self Destruct" hardware... Based on the fact there exists no .APK or APP that could activate "Self Destruct" in the event of theft... MONEY COULD BE MADE with such software, and this hasn't been done.. only reason I have that opinion...

I have read a lot about certain "Baseband" might improve reception --- the basebands are ALL for the i535, my phone is s968. Furthermore, it looks like certain basebands like only some flavors of kernel and firmware...

QUESTION #3

IF rooting and proper firmware might improve these phones (I got 2, my son also has one) I would be grateful if anyone can provide the links for the posts which apply ---- There is an encyclopaedia of info here, but some of it dates back to 2012 and does not apply... I am fairly certain I will need root first, and will have to use Windows ...

If I am succesful in making TELEPHONES out of these "Tin Can on String" toys, I will post my results / process ... at $39 there have gotta be lots of these units out there

ANY input will be appreciated.

THANKS

VW