[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] MrElectrifyer:
Hey guys,

Here's the situation. I was in the process of completing the setup of my 768GB Note 8 (SM-N950N) with Dr.Ketan P12 custom ROM, and RZ Kernal (for DriveDroid support). Out of nowhere, my Note 8 camera just stopped working, and the Dr.Ketan ROM Tools and Tweaks Pro apps could no longer be opened. I began back-tracking my steps; tried reverting magisk back to v20.1, tried dirty flashing the ROM again, all to no avail. In the process of troubleshooting, figured it could be something I toggled under developer settings. Noticed that my OEM Unlock toggle was turned on, even though I recall seeing it turned off earlier during the configuration process (as explained by [MENTION=3931450]dr.ketan[/MENTION] here, scroll to Note for OEM Issue). Thinking it's ineffective, I turned it off and was prompted to reboot my device, just to get stuck at the boot screen :eek:

I came across the following forum post describing how to recover from the boot loop, without needing to delete any data, by flashing the latest available official firmware AP***.tar (removed the .md5 extension) file using Odin3:

https://xdaforums.com/sprint-galaxy-s6/help/custom-binary-blocked-frp-lock-how-t3581010

The problem is, during the flashing of the Dr.Ketan P12 custom ROM, I chose to flash the SM-N950F OMC for SM-N950N, in order to use a Korean-Free CSC (more details on why explained here). So, even though I've attempted all of the following:

- flashed the current latest available official firmware AP***.tar file for SM-N950N,

- simultaneously flashed the current latest BL/CP/HOME_CSC***.tar.md5 and AP***.tar firmware files via Odin,

- flashed the latest TWRP***.tar custom recovery (failed probably due to OEM unlock being disabled),

- wiped cache via the stock recovery,

- tried booting via the "Lacking storage booting" option in the stock recover,

- tried booting to safe mode,

- tried using Smart Switch for PC, it (nor its Emergency Software Recovery) never detected my Note while stuck at the Samsung boot logo, nor did it detect it in Recovery mode,

- etc.​

it still won't boot-up, and I think it's due to the CSC (UK Unbranded - BTU) not being available in the official firmware.

When I boot into recovery mode, I get the following message:

#fail to open recovery_cause(No such file or directory)#

#Reboot Recovery Cause is [UNKNOWN]#
Support SINGL-SKU

File-Based OTA
Supported API: 3
E: unknown volume for path [/odm]
E: unknown volume for path [/vendor]
E: unknown volume for path [/odm]
E: unknown volume for path [/vendor]

# MANUAL MODE v1.0.0#
can't open directory '/system/omc/SUP/etc/sysconfig' . (No such file or directory)
can't open directory '/system/omc/SUP/etc/cid/sysconfig' . (No such file or directory)
can't open directory '/system/omc/SUP/etc/permissions' . (No such file or directory)
E:[libfs_mgr]is_dt_compatible(): firmware info was not valid : '/proc/device-tree/firmware/android/compatible' : No such file or directory

Would any of you folks have suggestions on how I could recover from this mess without needing to delete any data? Perhaps if there was a way I could add the UK Unbranded CSC to the official SM-N950N firmware and flash it via Odin, maybe that'll allow it boot? Please kindly advise, thanks in advance.