Author Topic: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge + Android, putting into service (Read 4699 times)

soldar · « **on:** October 13, 2019, 09:10:27 am »

In another thread I found out my old iPhone 4S will no longer work so I need to use a new phone. I would have rather stayed with iPhone but beggars can't be choosers and all I have is a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge with some AT&T version of Android.

For the last few days I have used it with WIFI but have not put the SIM card in it yet. Before I do that I would like to "sanitize" the Android OS as much as possible. Ideally I would like to install something totally independent from Google. Something like Linux. I realize this may be impossible so I am looking to be as far from Google's eyes as I possibly can. And AT&T too.

Should I sanitize the OS I have? Or should I install something else from scratch? What say you?

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2019, 11:03:24 am »

XDA-Developers is your best bet.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge

https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge at least by the website it says that supports up to Android 8.

On that forum you will find lots of Roms from users, specially the LineageOS:

https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development/rom-lineageos-16-microg-t3921092

The Android OS without GApps, as you wanted far away from Google...

https://lineageos.org/

soldar · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2019, 05:26:14 pm »

Thanks Black Phoenix but I find all that scary.

Lineageos does not seem to have a version for my model so I don't even have to look into it.

OTOH, XDA has dozens of threads with hundreds of pages discussing all sorts of problems people have run into, many saying they bricked their phones.

I really do not want to become embroiled in a risky and complicated project that would take me countless hours. I just don't have the energy.

This is where I wish there was a commercial product because I would be willing to pay to save myself the hassle.

One think I am not sure about is that since the phone has a OS version customized for AT&T and it is no longer used with AT&T I wonder if it would update at all or if it is frozen in time.

I am completely new to Android and it may not be the best idea to tinker too deeply yet. I dunno because I would like to insert the SIM and be able to use it as a phone but I would rather wait until I can sanitize the OS.

I doubt I will get any results but I might ask at local phone repair places and see if they might do it for me at a reasonable price. Unlikely but worth a try.

E.T.A.: Just in case it makes a difference it is model SM-G935A UD, Android version 8.0.0. , security patch level 2018/08/01.

soldar · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2019, 08:56:48 pm »

Well, I couldn't wait so I inserted a SIM card ... and it doesn't work. Even though the error messages point at the SIM card I believe it is the phone that is locked.

Firstly it says

Quote

Invalid SIM card
Network locked SIM card

The, after some more steps I get the message

Quote

Enter network unlock code
_________________________
( ) Unlock ( ) Dismiss

Since the SIM card is fine I tend to think the problem is the phone is locked to AT&T, even though they told me it was unlocked.

I am guessing the "Network unlock code" would be from AT&T to unlock the phone. Right?

I think I should be able to get it without problem but, if not, I assume I can get it unlocked by other means.

Any comments about this?

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2019, 02:26:00 am »

Well there are some unlock websites online that claim they can unlock the phones. Don't know their success rate, but one of the ones I mostly see being advertised from some Youtubers:

This one have a lot of videos about this, and by the comments it looks like it works.

About the Edge problem, is not that scary believe me. It looks like but if you do things exactly as explained it will not brick.

This are the models numbers available of the S7 Edge: G935F (Global); G935FD (Southeast Asia, India); G9350 (Hong Kong); G935W8 (Canada)

If not (I think it will be the G935A) first you need to convert it to the Global Version:

https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/samsung-sm-935u-firmware-install-guide-t3411451

The hardware from what I saw is the same, it's just a custom print version for AT&T.

After converting you have a full SM-935U, being U from unlocked, which means it's not carrier specific. Anything AT&T had done to the phone firmware will not exit anymore.

Heck I count countless ROM changes from broadware carriers ROMS to the Default Global ones on the Samsung, from the Samsung Galaxy IIs to Note 7, the last one were I removed the MEO Portuguese ROM to install the Global one, while keeping the Knox Function working.

Other thing you should take care is if the Knox is On or Off. With the update to custom roms, some methods will activate the Knox function, were a fuse in the security processor will be activated and secure payments via Samsung Pay or Google Pay will not be possible anymore, since the phone by Samsung Standards is not secure (Official tested software) even if you roll back the software again to official. That was a pain in the start to keep the Knox closed, and worked only with Official ROMS and by using only the Samsung Kies. Nowadays for what I know there are other ways of doing it without deactivating the secure payment, it's just a case of choosing the right one.

I can't help you more, the only help is doing it myself since I really know the procedures and how the phone update process goes.

soldar · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2019, 07:09:32 am »

Thanks Black Phoenix.

First, and before I do anything else, I am going to get the unlock code from AT&T. I would rather wait a bit and get it for free from AT&T than go to some website where I have to pay and it may not work.

Once I have it unlocked I will look into debloating it but that thread you linked to is 170 pages long and full of reports of problems...

When you say change "ROM" you don't mean I have to physically change a chip, right? Because there's no way I'm doing that. I assume it just means flashing the new firmware.

I am downloading to my computer the two files mentioned in the first post. I understand Odin312 is the program which will do the flashing and the file 935U.zip (2 GB! Yikes!) contains the firmware that will be installed. OK, if it works it does not sound too complicated. I am downloading to the computer first so I will have to transfer from the computer to the phone.

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2019, 07:22:24 am »

Sorry, bad habits... When I say ROM I'm referring to the 2GB file you are downloading.

The correct way of saying from my part should be the Android OS, not ROM. Change ROM I mean change the Android OS.

Yes is preferable to first unlock the phone with the code, check if it accepts other cards outside of the ones from AT&T and then proceed to change the OS.

Normal points of advice:
- Battery Fully Charged (bootloader mode doesn't charge the battery when connected to the PC);
- Download the correct drivers that ODIN recommends (normally on Forums under the link of ODIN there is always a link with the most up to date Android USB Bootloader drivers). Deactivate the Windows Automatic Download and Installation of drivers and force the ones you download.
- Connect and disconnect the phone various times from the USB and see if ODIN recognises that the phone was connected and disconnected plus if Windows is also using the drivers that you previously downloaded.

If everything is OK on the points above, 99% it will run OK.

If I was able to change the OS in a Coffee Shop (Starbucks) with a shitty Wifi connection and with a laptop that wasn't mine, you can also with your own equipment that you know well.

soldar · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2019, 08:03:11 am »

I am unclear on how the process is done. At first I thought it was all done within the phone but now it seems Odin is run from a computer while the phone is tethered. I will need step by step, very detailed instructions. I still have plenty of time before I do it though. I have run Odin on my WinXP machine and it runs but I do not understand any of the options, etc. So I need to run Odin on the computer and it will download the OS to the phone?

Quote from: Black Phoenix on October 14, 2019, 07:22:24 am

Normal points of advice:
- Battery Fully Charged (bootloader mode doesn't charge the battery when connected to the PC);

How long does this take? Because the battery is not that good. Maybe I should test the battery first and make sure it will last long enough. I do have a cordless pad charger but it may be that the phone will not take charge from it while it is being flashed. For now the battery still has some life in it and I just keep the phone on the wireless charging pad anyway. Maybe I could use some advice on replacing the battery.

Quote from: Black Phoenix on October 14, 2019, 07:22:24 am

- Download the correct drivers that ODIN recommends (normally on Forums under the link of ODIN there is always a link with the most up to date Android USB Bootloader drivers). Deactivate the Windows Automatic Download and Installation of drivers and force the ones you download.

I have absolutely no idea what any of this means. What drivers for what now?

Quote from: Black Phoenix on October 14, 2019, 07:22:24 am

- Connect and disconnect the phone various times from the USB and see if ODIN recognises that the phone was connected and disconnected plus if Windows is also using the drivers that you previously downloaded.

I will need a more detailed explanation on how to do this.

Quote from: Black Phoenix on October 14, 2019, 07:22:24 am

If everything is OK on the points above, 99% it will run OK.

Let's hope I am not in the remaining 1%.

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2019, 08:52:15 am »

Ok, by parts:

The drivers I talked was this ones:

https://www.progeeksblog.com/SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones.exe

That's the ones you should install before you connect the phone in bootloader mode to ODIN. To enter in Bootloader/download mode: To do it, hold down the Volume down+Home+Power simultaneously for about 6 sec until Android warning sign appears on the screen. Release all buttons and Hit Volume up to continue.

Then after connecting to the PC a new device should appear in the Device Manager, check if the drivers are the ones from the Samsung that you download and install before.If not just with 7zip, right click on the exec with the drivers, and unzip the folder that says 20_NXP_Driver. or unzip everything and force the install of the drivers by that folder for the new device that pop up.

For instructions, this one is basically the best one if you use original Samsung Stock Firmware:

https://www.progeeksblog.com/how-to-use-odin/

When you connect the phone via USB in download mode and disconnect you should see messages popping up in the status window of ODIN saying ID something ADDED and ID something REMOVED.

On the file part where they say to put the firmware file in AP, in your case since you will have 4 files after unzip the firmware you download, you should do as in the XDA Forum, the link with the conversion from GT935A to GT935U.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/samsung-sm-935u-firmware-install-guide-t3411451

Here when you decompress the ZIP file it will give you 4 files each starting with letters: Put the AP_ on the AP_ field, the BL_ on the BL_, CP_ on CP_ and CSC_ on CSC_. The process should not take more than 10 min. After it says PASS in green, the phone will reboot, and you can disconnect after the configuring screen from android pops up (you can before, when you reboot, but as good measure I always disconnect when it starts the configuration screen).

Note from the XDA Forum:

Quote

When using the second version of Odin, I encountered an issue where the phone would crash during setup just after the wifi screen. If you have any problems with either, please report back and let me know. Either way, this seems safe to try on the AT&T version of the S7 Edge. I am able to go back to the stock AT&T firmware I’ve uploaded in my other thread just fine. So if this doesn’t work for you, it’s possible to go back. I have went back and forth 4 times now, and met with success going to and from the stock AT&T firmware to this one each time. However as always, try at your own risk.

Have the original firmware from the phone too, the Stock AT&T for rollback in case of failure.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/sm-g935a-stock-oreo-odin-g935aatt4cre4-t3803860

Same way four files, each on their respective fields on the ODIN application for PC.

Anything more just ask.

soldar · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2019, 09:16:38 am »

I do appreciate your help! For now I am going to wait until I have unlocked the phone and then I will try to flash the new OS. I will let you know how it goes and if I run into any problems.

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2019, 09:28:11 am »

While you are waiting for the code, just charge the phone, open the browser and put a video playing, being Youtube or in China Bilibili or Youku. The battery will deplete, charge again to 100%, discharge again and charge again. It should give a good shake up to the battery and make it able to last without problems of the phone powering off mid update. And is also a good way to see if the battery needs replacement.

soldar · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2019, 09:52:23 am »

Well, the battery has been depleted many times lately because I just leave the phone off the charger and when I go to use it a few days later it is dead. Lately the only thing I was using the phone for was for WIFI Analyzer. In any case it should have problem lasting half or one hour.

I am thinking of installing those phone drivers on the computer even if I do not do anything else yet.

BravoV · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2019, 10:11:26 am »

Quote from: soldar on October 14, 2019, 09:52:23 am

I am thinking of installing those phone drivers on the computer even if I do not do anything else yet.

And don't forget -> Samsung SideSync for fun ...

soldar · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2019, 10:53:46 am »

Well, it's a bad start.

I plugged in the phone to the WinXp computer and, in the Device Manager, I checked the driver and it was by MS and dated 2001 so I thought I would update it with the recommended SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones.exe. After I did that when I plug in the phone I get an error.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge + Android, putting into service

Now not only does it not work but it does not appear in the Device Manager so I could roll back to the previous driver. I expected the traditional yellow mark but, no, nothing.

I installed from MS an "MTP pack" but it makes no difference. I'm stuck.

E.T.A.: In the meanwhile the phone works fine when connected to my Linux Mint computer. But I suppose I cannot install the OS from the Linux computer.

E.T.A.#2: I notice something. While I cannot access the contents of the phone because the driver messed it up, I see a new device in the device manager, "SAMSUNG Mobile USB Modem" which I assume is for tethering for using the mobile data with a computer. Maybe this is enough to install the new OS? What a mess! And I haven't really started yet!

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2019, 11:44:53 am »

That Samsung Mobile USB is only for using the Phone as as 3G Hotspot.

And I forgot you use Windows XP, not Windows 7...

To install the OS you need to have the Phone in download mode:

Volume down+Home+Power simultaneously for about 6 sec until Android warning sign appears on the screen. Then UP and connect the phone, see what appears. To return to normal mode, keep pressing the power to shutdown the phone and start as normally.

Plus the S7 Edge is more recent than the Windows XP, I don't think that are drivers that support it. Can't you install a VM with Windows 7 at least?

soldar · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2019, 12:54:44 pm »

Well, definitely not a good start. I fucked up the phone to computer connection by installing the new drivers and now I cannot roll it back to where it was. Really fucked up that one. Even tried System Restore but that didn't work either. Oh well.

Well, after several hours today this is all I have done. just made things worse.

I think I am putting this on hold before I screw up worse.

soldar · « **Reply #16 on:** October 16, 2019, 09:20:09 pm »

OK, I got the phone unlocked, fired up the Win7 system, installed the Samsung driver, started Odin, put the four files' names in their places, hit "start", it says "setup connection" but gets stuck there and after a while says "fail".

Complete (write) operation failed.
All threads completed (succeed 0 / failed 1)

Now I do not know what to do because I am afraid that if I disconnect the phone I might brick it.

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #17 on:** October 16, 2019, 11:18:56 pm »

You can turn off the phone, nothing happened, it just tested the files it didn't start the upload to the phone.

The phone is in download mode?

soldar · « **Reply #18 on:** October 17, 2019, 12:03:31 am »

Yes, the phone says it is in download mode.

I have spent hours and I am getting nowhere.

Some site says I need a patched version of Odin so I downloaded that.

Some sites say I should have turned off "OEM unlock" while I still had the old OS running. It seems this is something that Android has to prevent a stolen phone from being flashed. https://www.quora.com/Whats-an-OEM-unlock-in-Android

Others say I should have turned on "USB debugging" while I had a functional OS
https://www.imyfone.com/android-tips/complete-write-operation-failed-odin/

Anyway, I am at a loss. I have lost the OS I had and I cannot load the new one.

Now what?

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #19 on:** October 17, 2019, 12:21:12 am »

First, I'm no one to say this but calm down. You hadn't made any changes to the phone yet. You can turn off the phone and on again. It will work if you didn't have done anything to the phone.

If possible please install the following app, Anydesk, and send me the code via PM, I can help you diagnose via remote access to you.

soldar · « **Reply #20 on:** October 17, 2019, 12:31:57 am »

The phone does not start into the old OS. It just flashes the splash screen over and over. So I believe the old OS is gone but the installation of the new one failed.

I have been dealing with this for over six hours now and I am exhausted. It is 2:30 am here and I am going to get some sleep.

Maybe tomorrow I'll have better luck.

Thanks anyway.

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #21 on:** October 17, 2019, 12:35:03 am »

Ok have a nice sleep then, when possible install the Anydesk, send me the code and I will see the what I can do remotely.

soldar · « **Reply #22 on:** October 17, 2019, 07:47:00 am »

I would rather not install or use Anydesk.

It may be I needed to unlock the boot-loader before removing the old software. Several threads talk about "OEM unlock". If that's the case I may have bricked the phone.
https://www.quora.com/Whats-an-OEM-unlock-in-Android
https://www.imyfone.com/android-tips/complete-write-operation-failed-odin/

It also seems there are different boot loaders which need to be dealt with differently.

I can only think of trying to install some other version of Android and see if that works.

I downloaded G935AUCS4BRC1_7.0_4File_USA (AT&T).7z, which took quite a few hours, but then the 7Z program says it cannot uncompress it because [whatever] so no dice.

I cannot find where to download either:
- The original AT&T Android software (from AT&T?)
- A plain vanilla Android (From Android?)
- An older version of Android.
- Any other software that would allow me to get into the phone

If before I started I had known there was a risk of this I would have left well enough alone. Now I just wish I could go back to where I was.

We have a very popular story/joke in Spanish. It has to be acted and I can't believe I cannot find it in Youtube. Anyhow. Here goes:

A man has a cripple arm which is twisted inwards. He goes to Fatima to ask the Virgin Mary for a miracle. When he is in front of the Virgin Mary he implores "Virgin Mary, may I have both arms the same" and instantly a miracle happens and now both arms are crippled and pointing inwards. He cries "No, no, just the opposite!" and instantly a miracle happens and both arms turn outwards but remain crippled. Several more misunderstandings later, each of which makes the situation worse, the man cries in exasperation "Virgin Mary, Virgin Mary, just put me the way I was!".

That phrase is common and well-known in Spain. When attempting to fix something makes things worse and you just wish you could go back to how it was before you would say "Virgencita, que me quede como estaba!".

That exactly how I feel now.

Anyhow, I will try whatever I can and if I have no success after some hours I think it is worth it to take the phone to a repair shop and ask if they can do it and what they would charge me.

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #23 on:** October 17, 2019, 08:48:18 am »

Original AT&T Rom:

https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=674106145207493788

Any remote assistance application you use other then the Anydesk?

Before you try to flash again do the following:

The phone detects when it's connected to the charger and the charging indicator appears right?

If yes then try this:

Turn off the phone.
Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.
When the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.
Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe cache partition.’
Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
Now highlight the option ‘Yes’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
Wait until your phone is finished wiping the cache partition. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

If it doesn't work, try this:

Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.
Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key. NOTE: It doesn’t matter how long you press and hold the Home and Volume Up keys, it won’t affect the phone but by the time you press and hold the Power key, that’s when the phone starts to respond.
When the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds. NOTE: The “Installing system update” message may show on the screen for several seconds before displaying the Android system recovery menu. This is just the first phase of the entire process.
Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
Now highlight the option ‘Yes — delete all user data’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
Wait until your phone is finished doing the Master Reset. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

soldar · « **Reply #24 on:** October 17, 2019, 09:49:55 am »

Thanks, let me try that AT&T ROM. I have a very slow connection so it will take some hours to download. I will try it and go from there.

That 7Z file that 7Z could not unpack, it seems it uses some different algorithm, maybe LZ4, and I believe I might have some success with Linux. If I can crack it I will try flashing that too. It has a fifth file called HERO2QLTE_USA_ATT.pit. What is it? Should I put that one in the fifth box of Odin?

The entire thing is a PITA because I have Linux and Win7 on the same machine and have to keep rebooting. In the meanwhile Win7 is wasting a lot of time with updates etc.

In the meanwhile I have the phone plugged into the USB and it repeatedly flashes the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge splash screen. I can't turn it off and I am afraid of letting the battery run down so I keep it plugged in. By holding the three keys I can get it to download mode again.

Anyway, while I download the link you gave me I am going to try to unpack and install the 7Z version. I will let you know how it goes.

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #25 on:** October 17, 2019, 10:00:56 am »

Quote from: soldar on October 17, 2019, 09:49:55 am

Thanks, let me try that AT&T ROM. I have a very slow connection so it will take some hours to download. I will try it and go from there.

The problem is not only your slow connection, is the server itself who limits the speed of the download, being free and used by most of the users who provide ROMS.

Quote from: soldar on October 17, 2019, 09:49:55 am

That 7Z file that 7Z could not unpack, it seems it uses some different algorithm, maybe LZ4, and I believe I might have some success with Linux. If I can crack it I will try flashing that too. It has a fifth file called HERO2QLTE_USA_ATT.pit. What is it? Should I put that one in the fifth box of Odin?

No, forget that file you downloaded before. And don't input that PIT anywere, or you are really going to make it even worse then. PIT is the re-partition file for the phone, so it sets new partition allocations in the flash storage of the file, same as partitioning your USB drive, and that screws really everything. It was used in old versions of ODIN and I really don't recommend.

Quote from: soldar on October 17, 2019, 09:49:55 am

The entire thing is a PITA because I have Linux and Win7 on the same machine and have to keep rebooting. In the meanwhile Win7 is wasting a lot of time with updates etc.

In the meanwhile I have the phone plugged into the USB and it repeatedly flashes the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge splash screen. I can't turn it off and I am afraid of letting the battery run down so I keep it plugged in. By holding the three keys I can get it to download mode again.

If it flashes the logo it means it still have the bootloader intact, so it's not an Hard Brick. You are in the Boot loop mode currently.

Try what I said before:

Turn off the phone.
Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.
When the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.
Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe cache partition.’
Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
Now highlight the option ‘Yes’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
Wait until your phone is finished wiping the cache partition. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

If it doesn't work then do this:

Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.
Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key. NOTE: It doesn’t matter how long you press and hold the Home and Volume Up keys, it won’t affect the phone but by the time you press and hold the Power key, that’s when the phone starts to respond.
When the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds. NOTE: The “Installing system update” message may show on the screen for several seconds before displaying the Android system recovery menu. This is just the first phase of the entire process.
Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
Now highlight the option ‘Yes — delete all user data’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
Wait until your phone is finished doing the Master Reset. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.

The objective is to clean whatever is in the cache that makes the phone reboot constantly, reinstalling the software from factory that he have on the memory and reboot as new, since in reality nothing were written by the log on the image, just a failed connection.

soldar · « **Reply #26 on:** October 17, 2019, 11:04:21 am »

Quote from: soldar on October 17, 2019, 07:47:00 am

I downloaded G935AUCS4BRC1_7.0_4File_USA (AT&T).7z, which took quite a few hours, but then the 7Z program says it cannot uncompress it because [whatever] so no dice.

OK, using Linux I managed to extract those files and using Odin I managed to successfully get them on the phone. So it seems the problem was with the files I was trying to install.

The phone started up and required connecting to the Internet to continue. (Updates?) Then it requires me to open a Google account ... so I have to find "skip"in every screen.

So, the good news is finally I seem to have a "working" phone again. I am pretty much back to where I started two days ago except I have lost the few apps I was using. That should not be a major problem because I can reinstall them.

I am still downloading the file you linked to. But I understand that is the ATT version. Like the one I have already installed?

The one that refuses to install is a "neutral" one? Is that the one I want?

What do you suggest should I do next?

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #27 on:** October 17, 2019, 11:41:28 am »

Ok Solar, excellent!

Yes that ones are the AT&T ones, and if they worked the phone yes is back to defaults. Now you know in case you screw how to do the roolback.

Now then it's up to you: You want to try to update again or leave it that way?

If yes update, then:

Open the Settings application on your Samsung.
Locate "build number" in settings. This is usually under the "System" option but varies for different devices.
Tap on the "build number" multiple times until you get a message saying developer options have been enabled.
Go back into settings and find developer options.
Find USB debugging and enable this option.

I forgot to check if the tutorials I sent to you had this, I rechecked and it didn't have. My mistake, I'm sorry for not checking really, it could have been a very expensive mistake.

If you can in the same menu look for OEM Unlocking and activate. OEM Unlocking is used if you want to install a custom, no official Samsung ROM, like the Lineage OS using TWRP . But for Samsung ROM is not needed, although being active doesn't make anything in this case, so activate just in case (trying to prevent errors again).

Turn off the phone then and the procedure will be again the same as before, hoping that this time you will have the correct rom again:

Quote from: Black Phoenix on October 14, 2019, 08:52:15 am

Ok, by parts:

The drivers I talked was this ones:

https://www.progeeksblog.com/SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones.exe

That's the ones you should install before you connect the phone in bootloader mode to ODIN. To enter in Bootloader/download mode: To do it, hold down the Volume down+Home+Power simultaneously for about 6 sec until Android warning sign appears on the screen. Release all buttons and Hit Volume up to continue.

Then after connecting to the PC a new device should appear in the Device Manager, check if the drivers are the ones from the Samsung that you download and install before.If not just with 7zip, right click on the exec with the drivers, and unzip the folder that says 20_NXP_Driver. or unzip everything and force the install of the drivers by that folder for the new device that pop up.

For instructions, this one is basically the best one if you use original Samsung Stock Firmware:

https://www.progeeksblog.com/how-to-use-odin/

When you connect the phone via USB in download mode and disconnect you should see messages popping up in the status window of ODIN saying ID something ADDED and ID something REMOVED.

On the file part where they say to put the firmware file in AP, in your case since you will have 4 files after unzip the firmware you download, you should do as in the XDA Forum, the link with the conversion from GT935A to GT935U.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/samsung-sm-935u-firmware-install-guide-t3411451

Here when you decompress the ZIP file it will give you 4 files each starting with letters: Put the AP_ on the AP_ field, the BL_ on the BL_, CP_ on CP_ and CSC_ on CSC_. The process should not take more than 10 min. After it says PASS in green, the phone will reboot, and you can disconnect after the configuring screen from android pops up (you can before, when you reboot, but as good measure I always disconnect when it starts the configuration screen).

Note from the XDA Forum:

Quote
When using the second version of Odin, I encountered an issue where the phone would crash during setup just after the wifi screen. If you have any problems with either, please report back and let me know. Either way, this seems safe to try on the AT&T version of the S7 Edge. I am able to go back to the stock AT&T firmware I’ve uploaded in my other thread just fine. So if this doesn’t work for you, it’s possible to go back. I have went back and forth 4 times now, and met with success going to and from the stock AT&T firmware to this one each time. However as always, try at your own risk.

Have the original firmware from the phone too, the Stock AT&T for rollback in case of failure.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-s7-edge/how-to/sm-g935a-stock-oreo-odin-g935aatt4cre4-t3803860

Same way four files, each on their respective fields on the ODIN application for PC.

Anything more just ask.

And I hope that this time you give a success reply...

soldar · « **Reply #28 on:** October 17, 2019, 01:50:06 pm »

OK, did all that and it still will not load. Failure.

I did finish downloading the latest one (Samsung) and that one did load and that is what I have now. So it seems the AT&T and Samsung versions do load correctly but the first one you linked to (debloated?) does not work no matter what I do.

At this point I think I might as well stop wasting time on this and maybe just leave the Samsung version which I have right now and maybe remove by hand one by one things I don't need. I am back where I was when I started except I will need to install the apps I had.

What do you think?

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #29 on:** October 17, 2019, 01:54:32 pm »

Yes it's the best then, I agree totally, lets stop hitting the

. The Samsung one is good enough for removing the bloatware from AT&T

Regarding the apps that you had, since you don't use Google, for sure you use this website to download the APKs right?

https://www.apkmirror.com/

If not then there it is. If yes then regard this as white noise.

Again thank you for the patience with me, we both learn something new today. Specially me, from now I will read thoroughly before I post a link to help someone. Just because I know the procedure by head, I should check if what I post also have the same procedure the same way instead of reading some lines in diagonal and posting thinking it was OK.

That in this case could had resulted in an expensive ornament for the table. My fault totally and I'm glad it wasn't that serious and I'm sorry. I will take measures from now on.

soldar · « **Reply #30 on:** October 18, 2019, 08:51:36 am »

I appreciate your time and effort. Even if I have ended up where I started, I am familiarizing myself with the phone and with Android. To me it is very unfamiliar and uncomfortable and even the simplest things are long and difficult. I am used to my desktops and have no inclination towards phones but I guess I will have to get used to it. I was using an iPhone 4 and I was used to doing the few things I needed but now I am forced to transition to this Samsung S7 and learn everything all over again.

I would have been better off just leaving the phone with the OS as I got it because now I am having to get rid of stuff that the previous owner already had cleaned out. For me this is a pain because I do not know my way around Android and every little thing is a PITA.

Part of the problem I have is that I search Google for "how do I do X?" and I find many solutions which do not work on my phone because my menu tree is completely different. It is very frustrating. I just cannot find my way around the screens/icons. I will have to install and configure everything little by little.

I have downloaded Wechat.APK directly from Wechat.com to my computer. It's good to know apkmirror. I have probably downloaded from there before just by searching for specific apps. I will make a note of it. I have already downloaded WIFI Analyzer from there.

Now the problem I have is that I cannot transfer files from the computer to the phone because of that problem caused by trying to install the new Samsung driver in Win XP. There is no direct way to fix that because I cannot roll back the driver but I imagine I can modify whatever it needs in the Registry. The phone still works with other WIN XP computers but I don't want to have to fire up a computer just to transfer a few photos. Maybe I should start a separate thread about this although I am afraid it would get no response.

The battery is not very good and will need replacing soon. I have looked at videos of how to do it and, while I am pretty sure I could do it, I really do not feel like doing it so I might just wait even if it means carrying an external battery bank with the phone. Generally I wait to do these repairs when I am in China and I can save some money that way.

One thing I liked about older phones is that you could switch batteries if one was running low. You could just carry a spare battery in your pocket.

Thanks for your time and interest.

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #31 on:** October 18, 2019, 09:56:35 am »

Quote from: soldar on October 18, 2019, 08:51:36 am

Now the problem I have is that I cannot transfer files from the computer to the phone because of that problem caused by trying to install the new Samsung driver in Win XP. There is no direct way to fix that because I cannot roll back the driver but I imagine I can modify whatever it needs in the Registry. The phone still works with other WIN XP computers but I don't want to have to fire up a computer just to transfer a few photos. Maybe I should start a separate thread about this although I am afraid it would get no response.

You can not uninstall the driver via clicking on the device in Device Manager and then Uninstall, checking the box that says remove driver?

So basically as on Windows 7:
Add Remove Programs, Uninstall Samsung USB Driver;
Restart and then connect the phone and uninstall the rest of the trash left behind as I said above? Sorry, the last time I used Windows XP was some time ago. I was a Certified Microsoft Windows XP Administrator, but with Linux and the new operative systems, the last time I used XP was like 2010.

I think that functionality was available on Window XP too, I'm sure. It is on Windows 7.

Don't also forget that when you connect the phone to the PC via USB it pops up a status bar on the phone asking you to change the kind of connection you want to use with USB.

soldar · « **Reply #32 on:** October 18, 2019, 10:31:42 am »

Here is what happened as close as I can remember. Remember this is a Win XP SP3 machine.

Before I could plug in the Samsung phone and it would appear in the Device Manager with a Microsoft driver dated 2006 and photo transfer worked fine.

Then I installed the Samsung driver and photo transfer stopped working. The phone no longer appears in the device manager so there is no driver there to roll back.

Here is my interpretation: The Samsung driver is newer and uses something called MTP (media transfer protocol) which is newer and does not work with Win XP.

Now the phone is (virtually) not connected directly to the computer but to the MTP thing. Since MTP is not working the phone cannot connect but the problem is not with the phone driver but with the MTP software. That is why the phone no longer shows up in the Device Manager. Look at the graphic in post #13.

So it seems to me the solution would be to remove the new Samsung driver and, very especially, the MTP software so that when I plug in the phone again it would detect it the old way and use the old driver.

The problem is there is no easy way that I know to remove all that stuff I installed. I have no idea how it works. I have only messed up one computer so I can always compare Registry entries with other computers I have still running XP.

I do not understand why it would install the driver and MTP in a system that does not support it. You would think before installing anything it would check that.

On second thought and looking again at the error message I wonder if the MTP is just missing something I could supply and then it would work...

Quote

The required section was not found in the INF

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #33 on:** October 18, 2019, 12:06:18 pm »

Well, the MTP driver is missing...

Try this ones, this ones are the Windows XP drivers. You may have to force installation:

https://www.filehosting.org/file/details/827601/SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones.exe

It was me who uploaded this file, so its without virus.

Please confirm the size and date of the file with the current one you have from before.

soldar · « **Reply #34 on:** October 18, 2019, 03:08:48 pm »

Quote from: Black Phoenix on October 18, 2019, 12:06:18 pm

Well, the MTP driver is missing...

I don't think it is missing as much as misconfigured. Reading around posts from people who have similar problems many say they need to install Samsung KIES but I am reluctant to install it on fear of making things worse.

Quote from: Black Phoenix on October 18, 2019, 12:06:18 pm

Try this ones, this ones are the Windows XP drivers. You may have to force installation:

https://www.filehosting.org/file/details/827601/SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones.exe

It was me who uploaded this file, so its without virus.

Please confirm the size and date of the file with the current one you have from before.

It requires my email which I am not willing to do. It is probably the same one I already installed. V1.5.51.0, MD5=78043F66677A917948C99ECDEDD73570.

At any rate I think it is more a problem with MTP than with the phone driver itself. It seems they are different things and Windows is complaining about the MTP .inf file being incomplete.

It complains there is a section missing in the INF file. I think I found the relevant INF file but I have no idea what might be missing. I assume it is the same file for Win7 where it does work. Maybe WinXP needs something more.

I have found ssudmtp.inf which I believe is the relevant inf file and I have found a single ssudmtp entry in the registry defining the driver.

I wonder if deleting (hiding) these two items would make windows resort to the old driver.

Or maybe I can find out what is missing from the INF file and try to provide it.

It seems this problem is not restricted to Win XP and happens to other versions of Windows. One post says

Quote

The best way to transfer files from a Samsung device to your computer when it is not being recognized as an MTP is to use Samsung SideSync. Samsung SideSync has the MTP driver built into the program so it will recognize your device as a MTP.

SideSync requires Windows Media Player 11 or above. WTF?
https://www.samsung.com/us/sidesync/

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #35 on:** October 18, 2019, 03:31:14 pm »

You don't need to use your email...

https://temp-mail.org/en/

This website generates a temporary email, insert that email, see the website for the reply with the link, then download and close the browser. Done you have the file, and the website have a fake email that doesn't exist anymore... I uploaded the same way...

1.7

But yes, it may be other cause. I can't talk about the other apps like SideSync and Kies, I know that they work well on Windows 7, on XP never tried.

soldar · « **Reply #36 on:** October 18, 2019, 04:01:50 pm »

Installed new driver. Still get same error.

Black Phoenix · « **Reply #37 on:** October 18, 2019, 04:32:58 pm »

Jesus, what the fu#k is happening with this... What did your computer have against you?

I've been searching and what I found was the same as you.


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