yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Thanks Talich52, OK so I have now copied your 'BL' file and dropped it into a folder amongst the the other 'WA1" latest stock files for an ODIN flash. I now understand about using HOME_CSC instead of CSC, I absolutely understand to AVOID the new stock BL file like the plague. So below you see the images of the files with the do-not-use ones blue'd out.

My only question here is your 'modded' BL file just shows as a 'tar' file and not a 'tar.md5' file. Does that make a difference or am I clear to fire up ODIN and flash the update?

Thx

I have downloaded Magisk-v25.2.zip in readiness to move forward afterwards. Also in the original 20 step guide to gain root, there was "Fix-vendor_10.0.zip" I used as I was on an Android 10 rom. If this new flash takes me to an Android 11 rom then surely do I need a newer "Fix-vendor_11.0.zip" file?? Does one exist?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
The md5 ending instructs ODIN to check the file against md5. Since 2 files in BL have been replaced, the size has changed and such a check will not pass, so the md5 ending has been removed. Such a file will be immediately selected in the BL window.

Yes, do not forget this, otherwise you will lose the ability to root and modify.

Use multidisabler:
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Yey achievement unlocked! :-)

So I now have Android 11 "WA1" stock with bootloader unlock warning message, I figure I'm on the right track to start getting root again. Here's a commented markup of the original root instructions, please comment to advise am I on the right track.

Thx

>>>>>>>>>>

1. If prerequisites met: install Android 9 bootloader through ODIN (See attachment: Unzip BL*.zip FIRST)

If on Android 9, go to step 3.

PAUSE for question : is this still relevant especially no being at Android 11 If so..still use same file

2. Reboot to system

3. Go into download mode.

4. Open ODIN and in the AP slot put TWRP (see attachment below) (Unzip FIRST)

PAUSE for question : Assume still relevant ? Same file?

5. Uncheck auto reboot

6. Flash TWRP

7. Press vol dn + pwr keys.

8: When screen goes blank, press vol up + pwr keys.

9. Keep holding down both keys after reboot.

10. Tablet will reboot again.

11. When Samsung logo appears stop pressing pwr key.

12. When bootloader msg appears, release vol up key, quickly press & release pwr key, and quickly press & hold vol up key until in TWRP.

13. Install Fix_vendor_9.0.zip or Fix_vendor_10.0.zip. (Based on installed OS)

See attached files.

PAUSE for question : Instead use the newer 'multidisabler' file ?

14. Clear dalvik/cache if prompted

15. You will then format (NOT WIPE) data. Answer yes to the format prompt

16. Clear dalvik and cache.

17. Reboot back into recovery.

18. Install magisk - see attached

PAUSE for question : Instead use the newer '25.2' or whatever becomes latest ZIP file ?

19. Reboot into system. System may reboot again - that's okay

20. Enjoy!!

>>>>>>>>>>>
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
1. The loader is already from Android 9, we skip this step.

4. The TWRP version is relevant, but there is a newer one that I will apply.

13.instead of Fix_vendor use multidisabler in all cases

18. Install Magisk.zip version 25.2 from TWRP, this is the current version.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
..close but no cigar :-/

all seemed ok until I reached #18. When I installed v25.2 it seemed to flash ok but on reboot it just got a stuck small samsung logo and wouldn't progress any further. So I brainwaved going back to the older v20.4 Magisk zip and managed to get back into TWRP ( the newer version is in english by default whereas the older one was eastern european and constantly had to be set to english ) , however that made things worse and just kept looping at bootloader. The device is now back in TWRP so I'm hoping to find a guaranteed working version of Magisk and any advice over clearing/wiping away any corrupt files beforehand.

I will admit one observation, because on the earlier ODIN flash of the Android 11 WA1 rom I opted for HOME_CSC install, there still was the Magisk app icon on the device. Should that older version have been uninstalled ??

At least its stable in TWRP right now so I'll leave it on charge before I establish my next move..
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] J.Michael:
It is always safest to uninstall the Magisk manager app before installing a new Magisk manager app.

What you did should have worked. Most of the time, installing an apk will handle deleting the currently installed version. But there are some points in the Magisk development timeline where it doesn't happen smoothly.

But if you installed Magisk by flashing the apk through TWRP, I wouldn't expect that to affect the manager app, so clearly I don't know what to expect.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
Guess I just had to wait a few minutes :)

Yes, the first launch is long. The screen with the inscription Samsung means data processing, you just need to wait.

Subsequent starts will be normal in time. At the first start, an additional reboot is possible, which will be done by the device itself. I recommend waiting 5 minutes...

Good luck!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
YOOO @ebod, you can still install LineageOS 20!!! I've managed to install an official LineageOS 20 ROM on my SM-T290, but I saw someone else which also managed to install it on an SM-T295!!! When I last year tried to flash a GSI ROM, I had the same issue as you, and now with this official AOSP rom, it works, on both!

I've got you some steps:

1. Download LineageOS 20 ZIP from here (I know it is gtowifi, but it should also work on the LTE model): https://download.lineageos.org/gtowifi

2. Choose the nightly build for the ZIP, it is very stable even though it is nightly.

3. OPTIONAL BUT I DO NOT RECOMMEND: You could also choose the recovery, but that's more like the stock recovery and I recommend you to keep TWRP as it has better features.

4. Download the ZIP

5. Download MindTheGapps from here: https://mva1.androidfilehost.com/dl...indTheGapps-13.0.0-arm64-20221025_100653.zip?

6. Place the LineageOS and MindTheGapps ZIP (and recovery if you take it) to an SD card or USB drive.

7. Insert the SD card or USB drive into your tablet.

8. Boot the device into TWRP.

9. Go to 'Wipe' > 'Swipe to wipe'

10. Then go once again to 'Wipe' > 'Format data' > 'Swipe to format'.

11. Go to install, make sure that it is not install image but as flash ZIP!

12. Use the select storage button to choose the storage where the ZIPs are saved.

13. Choose the LineageOS 20 ZIP and swipe to install.

14. Wait until it is done and now install MindTheGapps.

15. OPTIONAL: Install Magisk ZIP if you have it. You could also do this later on.

16. Click on 'Reboot system' or go to 'Reboot' > 'System'.

17. Wait until the boot is done.

18. Go through the setup, but WAIT! First read the step below.

19. Depending on whether you have LineageOS recovery or TWRP, you need to enable the option 'Auto-update LineageOS Recovery/LOS Recovery' in the setup if you have LineageOS/LOS Recovery and disable that if you have TWRP.

20. Once the setup completed, you are done!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
Will provide you with a screenshot:

It feels much faster, and also the battery life is pretty good if you ask me, although I think it is a bit the same as on stock. Also, I don't know if you know the game Minecraft, but I thought it was fun to set a font that is used in this game :ROFLMAO:
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
Wait, do you guys know what changed on my SM-T290? The update is not available yet here, but if I look at a country like Argentinia, the last update has better or new features:
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
Interesting. Multiple firmware have it. WAIT, what if they added what I suggested? A game launcher? Was loving to see that, because I have it on my phone and it works very good to higher the FPS.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
I think I had the EXACT same issue when flashing my device. I flashed the firmware with HOME_CSC and then it did not boot properly and kept returning to TWRP. Right after the SAMSUNG logo appeard, it kept appearing for approximate 10 seconds, the screen got black and it rebooted, but now into TWRP. I think you must use the normal CSC, instead of the HOME CSC as I also had problems with it... only last time, before it used to work correctly. But I did not really know whether I solved it, because I installed LineageOS 20 and that is now working. See my thread above, as it is likely going to work for you, this time! If you read it, you will know why.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Yes I'm hoping this is the case, there are lots of replies to act on here and I will follow up during the course of the day.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
Could you check this reply? WE MAY NOW HAVE THE ROM!!!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Thx, I went back in TWRP and reflashed Magisk V25.2 over last nights v20.4 flash. It did go back the small samsung logo and as of typing this its not changed in 15mins, so I've concluded I need to dial back some steps.

My intention during the course of today ( though I'm busy on plenty of other things ) is to go back to download mode and back to ODIN and restart the process except on this occasion use CSC instead of HOME_CSC to deliberately wipe any apps/settings and then hopefully there will be mo sign of any old corrupt Magisk data.

Then I will re-install the new TWRP / Multidisabler and V25.2 Migisk with fingered crossed for 10mins beyond.

Once I hopefully get in a state where I have WA1 rom with root, I wouldn't mind some guidance over whether its possible to have some get of backup saved to recover back to this this state. Is that possible?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
You mean to backup the system? You could go into TWRP and backup any of the partitions!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Thx Minionguy, yes I will pursue this once I've confidently reached the point I've got a rooted WA1 stock rom installed...and have some kind of recovery backup ( kinda like Mount Everest base camp established ). Once I'm at this level, I will then move on to following your recent moves except only difference being yours is SM_T290 vs my SM-T295.

If I do get LineageOS 20.0 its a big bonus. And the cherry on top of the cake is autostart on USB power + delete bootlock warning. I've then got something I can make into a dedicated car headunit ( or as Tasker app function of so smart...the device could work normally in my house and only trigger into a car launcher if it detects the Volvo's bluetooth signal )
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
And one more thing, IT BOOTS VERY FAST. Also, I have a screenshot:

Looks good, right? You have a high chance it also works for you, as someone replied to the thread for the LineageOS 20 for the SM-T290 saying he installed it on an SM-T295 version.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
And make sure you don't update the bootloader!!!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
Remember - never reinstall Magisk. Re-installing even the same version leads to the fact that the tablet does not boot. I went through this unfortunately.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
I do not really know how to delete the warning, but for now LineageOS is already faster than stock (atleast I think so).
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
@ebod GOSH!!! If you edit the build.prop file and add the two lines:

debug.sf.nobootanimation=1
ro.config.hw_quickpoweron=true

IT BOOTS IN 20-30 SECONDS FOR ME!!! I recommend you to install LineageOS 20, install all your apps, add these lines to build.prop and set the device up so it boots in the car.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
Actually, it was that fast with LineageOS. Stock OneUI may boot slower.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Thanks for all your support so far Talich52 / J.Michael / Minionguy.

I've been out most of the day ....but tonight ( UK time ) just having another try at getting root.

So I went back to Odin and reflashed WA1 files ( modded BL but this time CSC instead of HOME_CSC )

I got TWRP on and progressed forward , but yet again I hit the wall with the frozen samsung logo.

I'm presently going back for another Odin reflash and take it to TWRP + Multidisabler...but I'm going to halt at this point and make a full set of partition backups.

A few things on my mind :-

i) I've still got unlocked bootloader warnings and OEM LOCK : OFF status. But out of interest is there anywhere on the device that displays whether I'm on bootloader #V3?

iI) Maybe I've got my v25.2 Magisk from a wrong source ( can't remember where I got it ). Can one of you verify a correct source?.

iii) Its always been in the back of my mind that the footer of my bootloader screen has a few error messages. Would anything displayed here be a cause of my issues?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] J.Michael:
The only place I know to look for software version is the About screen, which you don't have if you can't boot Android. The recovery might have a place displaying software versions, but I don't remember one.

I would advise getting Magisk from the github page.

Have you tried installing Magisk without installing TWRP first?

How are you installing Magisk? If it's by flashing a zip in TWRP, maybe try using Odin to install Magisk. You will have to combine the installation of Magisk with the installation of TWRP: If you've been renaming TWRP to recovery and sticking it in a tar file to flash with Odin, you will have to make a copy of the stock ROM AP file and replace the recovery in that (copy) tar file with the TWRP renamed to recovery. Then let Magisk patch *that* AP.tar.

Are you trying to install Magisk to boot image or to recovery image?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
No, but download mode should give the bootloader version, like U3. If you boot into download mode, give us a screendhot from there. If you at some point do not find a solution, I recommend you just downgrade and install the other things.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
I decided to check it on my T295 with firmware T295CZCS5CWA1 for China. This is the latest firmware with 5 bootloader. Root rights are received and I can edit files in / efs, but here are the files in / system, the same build .prop is not editable. And also the file corrected in another place is not copied ... I suppose this is just a consequence of the increase in security. You will need to change the firmware to the previous one to find out the reason.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
I just stay on T290XXU3VG3, and I will likely never update again. But it works with the latest LineageOS 20 with Android 13, so...
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Similarly I might dial back to an older rom as although I added TWRP and installed the multidisabler.zip via TWRP, there are strange things happening, eg when shut down and left on charge, it no longer does the percentage count up and just sticks with the Tab A logo.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
I just recommend to install LineageOS 20, and do not anything with the stock anymore, because if you don't use it actually, we could better just go straight to LineageOS. I also had some issues when installing it, but I just stopped trying, installed LineageOS and all was working there!
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Tonight has another lost night I'm afraid. As I wasn't trusting of the WA1 rom due to the frozen 'Tab A' splash screen on shutdown when power connected ( instead of battery charge percentage ) , I went back to odin and flashed the older stock "TI4" rom using CSC instead of HOME_CSC. All that happened after the flash finished was perpetual boot loop upon appearance of the samsung logo. So for me its a case of one step forward...two steps backward.

I've still got unlocked bootloader and able to settle the device into recovery per below screen view. Yet again there is error script at the base of the page. So even now I can't even flash a stock rom so back in a bad place again.

Is there a level of ultra reset before starting back in Odin? EG in this image I see option to wipe data/factory reset and wipe cache partition. Should I be doing any of this first? especially to scrub that error script ?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
It's not about the specific WA1 firmware, if the bootloader version does not match the system version, then there will be no normal picture with interest on the turned off device. This is possible if you root the device on Android 9, or as Lineage 20 is recommended here.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
Everyone has the same error, including on the stock firmware, so just ignore it.

How to quickly enter the ODIN firmware mode? Send the device to reboot, from the recovery mode it is Reboot system now. When rebooting (any), the first screen is a warning about an unlocked bootloader. Press any volume button, a menu will appear, select Recovery and briefly press the Power button - we get into the Downloading (ODIN) firmware mode. Enjoy :)
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] J.Michael:
Does your phone currently have the bootloader by the BL file that combined a recent BL file with a few very old files? (I think @Talich52 handed you a copy of a tar file he had manipulated.)

I don't know details, but I know it is possible that a system change can reorganize the partitions. I don't know how you can go about diagnosing it. If you can put TWRP on the phone, TWRP might offer a view of partitions. You could then compare those partitions to the set of partitions mentioned in any ROM.

Googling the error message about tune2fs produces lots of hits, some going back to 2013, but no real answers, unless you count one rather coy response claiming he "wasn't allowed" to give a step by step answer, but was willing to correspond on another channel.

Have you tried flashing the stock ROM that came with the phone?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
It must be something with the stock ROM or so..., because it works with custom ROMs like LineageOS..., and that is a different ROM replacing the system and a few other things (like vendor, which I saw when it was installing).
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Yep J.Michael , the used TabA I bought came with TI4 rom installed which is Android 10 with bootloader V3. I downloaded TI4 rom SAMFW and via ODIN flashed all 4 ( BL/AP/CP/CSC ( not HOME_CSC)) that came with that. I figured that woul be the cleanest wipe ...but now I'm stuck on a loop. The only pos+ is I do have unlocked bootloader and can make it back to download mode....but from there I'm lost as even with stock TI4 it gets stuck in a loop. Thats why I was asking about doing wipes on the stock recovery screen. WOuld that be ok to do or could I end up in a worse mess?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Would it do any harm to trigger wiping on the stock bootloader screen and factory reset?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
Erasing the data definitely won't hurt, but then the download takes me 6 minutes. What does it mean to erase the bootloader screen? Is there a way? Above, I suggested a quick transition from the warning screen to the Downloading firmware mode, aka ODIN mode.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
How long are you going to keep on trying things?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
agree .. I think I'm stuck in my own mental loop. So because the stock TI4 rom wasn't working, I did do a wipe/reset from the stock bootloader and had a seconded attempt at the WA1 rom. Thats now in and seems to be behaving,

So next I go back to adding TWRP , Multidisabler and Magisk 25.2 all as baby steps, i.e. observe behaviour of device after each step. When I finally reach a rooted device with Magisk 25.2 and the TWRP app installed too...thats when I will aim for LineageOS 20.0 which I think you have just reached...albeit on a T290 as opposed to my T295
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
It should work on both, so I suppose it's nothing to worry about. I've read someone saying in the thread saying the ROM for SM-T290 was installed on an SM-T295 by him.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
OK first odd event noted after getting a stable stock WA1 working..

I moved on to flashing the later supplied TWRP file from post #621

I did it per instructions i.e.ODIN flash via AP port and unticked auto-re-start. I manually restarted the device and it happily ran. But I deliberately shut it down and removed any power. When I added usb power..it displayed the percentage charge countup for a split second..then gave the unlocked bootloader message and then the Samsung Tab A screen and froze that way, Even when I removed the charger power..it just stayed on Tab A.

On holding down the power button it did sucessfully re-start...but for me this is an event when something isn't quite right,,,,so I ask @Talich52 could there be any connection with the TWRP file? of maybe at this point do I try another cache wipe? Can others reading this, double check what their modded device does when a power source is plugged in?
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Minionguyjpro:
It might be because the TWRP includes the kernel from version T290XXU3VG3, and not the one from T290XXSC4WA1???
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] Talich52:
I have already written repeatedly that with the bootloader 9 android There will be no normal charging animation on the switched off device with the system 10 or 11 android! What does TWRP have to do with it?

P.S. this works on LineageOS 20.0

P.P.S. these are not all the oddities of this SM-T295 tablet model. So, if the version of the modem has been updated, then it cannot be downgraded. If you installed the CP file from the T295XXS5CWA1 firmware with 5 bootloader, then now the modem for 4 or 3 bootloaders will be successfully flashed, but the system will not see it, that is, the modem will be absent and you need to return the modem for 5 bootloader.
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] ebod:
Sorry I never saw any prior msgs about bootloader animations no longer occurring, I've looked back a few pages and nothing jumps out at me. Lack of animation isn't important in itself, but what is a major concern is that when power is removed the device doesn't shut down and just lingers on the Tab A screen. After all ...I want this device to auto-shutdown when there is no usb charge power.

Regarding the WA1 rom, I definitely did not use the stock BL file when flashing in ODIN. I'm not totally sure whether you are saying there is a problem or not regarding modems...
[Samsung Galaxy Tab A series Guides, News, & Discus] J.Michael:
I think there is modem software in the CP file. And once again there is rollback prevention.

Search this thread for "modem". The third (at the time I did it, probably the fourth now) post is @Talich52 from October 2021.