Database Users

[Q] Canadian Bell Galaxy s4 bootloader locked

Hey @ll. I've just gotten a new SGH-I337M (build number JDQ39.I337MVLUAMG1) from Bell in Canada. I've been trying every root method I can find on the net and they all fail. I started with motochopper running from linux and eventually tried a manual method running psneuter on the device and no go. Tonite I've gotten a winblows vm going and tried odin. FAIL!... I've finally noticed (with a magnifying glass) that when in download mode, the last line of the tiny text in the top right says: WRITE PROTECTION: Enable. From what I've read, I think this means it has a locked bootloader. Is this right? Has anyone heard of this happening with Canadian Bell phones and is there any way around it?
Thanks in advance.

I just checked my download mode.
It says the same, so I think there not locked. But I can flash whatever I want.
Did you try ctautoroot from chainfire?
Or try updating your driver for samsung
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 06:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 AM ----------
Or try a real windows pc not a vm under Linux.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app

crzygrmn said:
I just checked my download mode.
It says the same, so I think there not locked. But I can flash whatever I want.
Did you try ctautoroot from chainfire?
Or try updating your driver for samsung
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 06:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 AM ----------
Or try a real windows pc not a vm under Linux.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, cfautoroot was the latest one I tried which uses odin. The phone was recognized in the vm and connected to odin just fine so I don't thing using a vm is the problem. As I said, I tried a few methods on the linux system with the phone directly connected as well and got the same results. Everything seems to be working until the point where something has to be written to the device and it fails. Even a manual method where psneuter is transfered to the device and run from there and it won't work.

Well the only thing I can say is try a reall windows machine not some windows vm
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app

crzygrmn said:
Well the only thing I can say is try a reall windows machine not some windows vm
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks anyways.

Now can anyone at least tell me how to determine if the device has a locked bootloader?

if it is a 337M (with the M) it does not have a locked bootloader. PERIOD

TRusselo said:
if it is a 337M (with the M) it does not have a locked bootloader. PERIOD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thats encouraging. It does have the 'M' but several attempts at rooting with recognized methods have all failed. What else could be the problem?

According to the CFAutoroot thread, MG1 should work just fine. You might want to go to that thread (or go back to it) and make sure you read / re-read the entire thread to make sure you are using the proper procedure. Good luck.

did you download the NEW cfautoroot? it was updated for our phone last month or so...

*#7284# change back to pda
*#9090#, make sure its usb and not uart,
*#0808#
Your phone should root now using proper computer , driver and root required files.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app

gotshoaib said:
*#7284# change back to pda
*#9090#, make sure its usb and not uart,
*#0808#
Your phone should root now using proper computer , driver and root required files.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply gotshoaib, but I need more info. The first code does nothing on my phone, the second brings me to a 'ServiceMode' screen. What settings should I have here? The third brings me to 'USBSettings'. What should be the settings here?

Well success at last! I allowed the new update to 4.3 (MVLUEMK6), used the CFAutoRoot process again and it worked this time. I have no idea why but it did.

SGS4 I337M Bootloader Is Unlocked
TRusselo said:
if it is a 337M (with the M) it does not have a locked bootloader. PERIOD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just purchased an S4 BELL SGH-I337M which was on AMG1 when I received it. I flashed TWRP on it and then decided to install stock firmware AMDJ. Then I flashed GUMMY ROM which is pre-rooted. Since I did all this flashing, that also proves it is unlocked so I will have to go along with TRusselo. It is unlocked. :good: I won't say period though, BELL and canadian carriers could change their minds and start locking them.

AHLASSICH said:
I just purchased an S4 BELL SGH-I337M which was on AMG1 when I received it. I flashed TWRP on it and then decided to install stock firmware AMDJ. Then I flashed GUMMY ROM which is pre-rooted. Since I did all this flashing, that also proves it is unlocked so I will have to go along with TRusselo. It is unlocked. :good: I won't say period though, BELL and canadian carriers could change their minds and start locking them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, nothing is set in stone!

rijo79 said:
Hey @ll. I've just gotten a new SGH-I337M (build number JDQ39.I337MVLUAMG1) from Bell in Canada. I've been trying every root method I can find on the net and they all fail. I started with motochopper running from linux and eventually tried a manual method running psneuter on the device and no go. Tonite I've gotten a winblows vm going and tried odin. FAIL!... I've finally noticed (with a magnifying glass) that when in download mode, the last line of the tiny text in the top right says: WRITE PROTECTION: Enable. From what I've read, I think this means it has a locked bootloader. Is this right? Has anyone heard of this happening with Canadian Bell phones and is there any way around it?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I377m is not locked. No Canadian handsets are. Locked boot loaders seem to be an American phenomenon
Sent from my SGH-I337M

azuziel said:
I377m is not locked. No Canadian handsets are. Locked boot loaders seem to be an American phenomenon
Sent from my SGH-I337M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mexican version is also i337M. Is its bootloader locked?

I rooted my i337m with CF-auto root and no problems what so ever.
Currently using Philz touch recovery 6.00.8 and Slimbean 4.3 build 2.2.
Everything you need is here on xda just need to look for "Samsung latest drivers, cf-auto root, Odin 1.85" plug your phone in and root
Slim Roms powered
1337m
4.3.1. build 2

Trying restore my rooted phone not sure what im doing wrong

Trying to restore my but im having issues. I follow guide now that i unroot i cant get any wifi but 3g is working find and if i go back to my old rom i cant get any 3g or 4g but i get wifi its really weird.
Getting
Kernel is not seandroid enforcing
and
set warranty bit kernel
messages when booting my phone not sure if that has to do with it but i thought it was clean stock install i did what ever guide said.

We're gonna need some more info about your phone. This forum is for AT&T and Canadian S4s. Which one do you have? (i337 is AT&T and i337M is Canadian) And with that said, which firmware were you on before you did this?

MrKhozam said:
We're gonna need some more info about your phone. This forum is for AT&T and Canadian S4s. Which one do you have? (i337 is AT&T and i337M is Canadian) And with that said, which firmware were you on before you did this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a bell SGH I337M. Any way what is happening is i cant get wifi to work at all now that i went back to stock and im getting what i listed above when i boot my phone yet i went back to store firmware. I have a warranty on phone but i dont think i can send it back becase it says Kernel is not seandroid enforcing and set warranty bit kernel which i guess shows its been rooted so my warranty with bell wont work and i can get rid of that message or get wifi to work. Also my phone is laggy i cant even operate it keeps saying not responding do you want to close.
I think i did unroot all correctly put it into download mode flashed tar file for bell i337M firmware but i still am getting this message on boot, wifi not turning on at all and like i said phone is laggy unusable.
I also googled how to get rid of the message at boot everyone said to Flash stock firmware which i did but its not gone i think this phone is 100% ****ed.
If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated other wise im forced to get a new phone.
Even if i could just get rid of that thing on boot i could at least repalce my phone so its looks like its not rooted.

Also rom i installed b4 was GRAVITON maybe i did something wrong with that and no wifi wont work i need to flash a kernel that will work with bell s4 but i have no idea what one to use.

signature
cooper56 said:
Also rom i installed b4 was GRAVITON maybe i did something wrong with that and no wifi wont work i need to flash a kernel that will work with bell s4 but i have no idea what one to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try what's in my signature.
---------- Post added at 03:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:12 AM ----------
cooper56 said:
Also rom i installed b4 was GRAVITON maybe i did something wrong with that and no wifi wont work i need to flash a kernel that will work with bell s4 but i have no idea what one to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try what's in my signature. Ignore "posts 1 and 2 unless you are mk2"

seedeh said:
Try what's in my signature.
---------- Post added at 03:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:12 AM ----------
Try what's in my signature. Ignore "posts 1 and 2 unless you are mk2"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok ty ill give it a try thanks for the response.

Now my phone wont boot i get samsung logo now black screen.

cooper56 said:
Now my phone wont boot i get samsung logo now black screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That happened after you tried the thing in my signature?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

seedeh said:
That happened after you tried the thing in my signature?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i have a bell s4 not sure if thats why. Or maybe i did it wrong im not tech savy.
Since it does say at&t . It did get rid of the Kernel is not seandroid enforcing it just would not boot and it still said set warranty bit kernel.
I flashed stock firmware again and can use it thing is i dont get any sound, no wifi. and i cant use phone function at all or go to my voice mall but it says i have full bars.

cooper56 said:
Yes i have a bell s4 not sure if thats why. Or maybe i did it wrong im not tech savy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you do MK3 or MK2 and did it match your phone? Or was your phone something else?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 04:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 AM ----------
cooper56 said:
Yes i have a bell s4 not sure if thats why. Or maybe i did it wrong im not tech savy.
Since it does say at&t . It did get rid of the Kernel is not seandroid enforcing it just would not boot and it still said set warranty bit kernel.
I flashed stock firmware again and can use it thing is i dont get any sound, no wifi. and i cant use phone function at all or go to my voice mall but it says i have full bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2277162
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

seedeh said:
Did you do MK3 or MK2 and did it match your phone? Or was your phone something else?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm not sure i used w/e in 3rd post and flash it think it was ★RECOVERY★MODEM★BOOT★

cooper56 said:
Umm not sure i used w/e in 3rd post and flash it think it was ★RECOVERY★MODEM★BOOT★
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check my second post.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

seedeh said:
Check my second post.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All-In-One-i337Mk2-tar.md5?

cooper56 said:
All-In-One-i337Mk2-tar.md5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant look at this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2277162
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

I still dont get it im confused. Guess ill get a new phone.

cooper56 said:
i still dont get it im confused.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow the instructions of that thread.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 04:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:31 AM ----------
cooper56 said:
I still dont get it im confused. Guess ill get a new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not serious about getting a new phone, are you?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

Tried that same thing...
Looks like i need new phone.

cooper56 said:
Tried that same thing...
Looks like i need new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Research more...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

seedeh said:
Research more...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am going to piggy back on this thread....
I have a ATT S4 with MF3/root/safestrap. I want to sell the phone and get back to stock. Can I just do the settings->factory reset? Do I need to use ODIN?
thanks.

cooper56 said:
Tried that same thing...
Looks like i need new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First... you need to flash Bell firmware not At&T.... would be helpful to know where you actually started from... were you on 4.2 or 4.3? There is a thread here that has all the stock firmware but you need to pick the right one... if you were on 4.3 you need the MK6 firmware...as long as you can reach download mode your not hooped yet....

[Q] Hi all, I 've been reading for two days now on how to unlock my sprint s4 ....

to use with straight talk, and I just have to bug you all with a few questions.
The basics: I have an active Straight Talk sim card that I want to put in my galaxy S4 that I just purchased (did not know it was Sprint until it was too late). Now, after hours of trying, bricking, unbricking, rooting and getting false hope from the [HOWTO] / [GUIDE] SPH-L720 Domestic SIM Unlock T-Mobile:AT&T:metroPCS:Straighttalk thread (which I assume would be my answer to my problem if not for the fact every attempt at flashing to mf9 bricks my phone because Odin fails everytime), I don't know what to do.
As of right now, my Sprint GS4 has been factory reset to Android V 4.3, baseband version L720VPUEMJA, with the model # SPH-L720. Can I even achieve what I want to do with these parameters and is there anyone out there willing to give me hand?
Thanks for any replies!

First you didn't completely read through the thread, secondly you can't go back so to unlock you need to flash a MDC modem and follow instructions
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

.
I mean. I read a lot. I'll be the first to admit I just may not have picked up on something in those 35 pages. Also, i believe I tried to flash my modem through the Odin one-click, but the process would hang when trying to establish the connection. I know the answer is on this forum somewhere, and I can usually follow these type of tech tutorial fairly well, but I'm just stuck. Do you have any specific advice?

If you are on the OTA MJA modem with MJA bootloader with Knox I do not think you can downgrade to any other previous modem without the issues you are describing with bricking and soft bricking.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

FanOfSkynyrd said:
If you are on the OTA MJA modem with MJA bootloader with Knox I do not think you can downgrade to any other previous modem without the issues you are describing with bricking and soft bricking.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took the ota update and got crappy Knox I just flashed it using Odin the modem file is only 30mb
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

nemofbaby2010 said:
I took the ota update and got crappy Knox I just flashed it using Odin the modem file is only 30mb
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wouldn't have a link to that modem file? Maybe I was trying to us the wrong one. I was using "SPH-L720_MDC_Modem.tar.md5", and the program would just stall.

5589396999
FanOfSkynyrd said:
If you are on the OTA MJA modem with MJA bootloader with Knox I do not think you can downgrade to any other previous modem without the issues you are describing with bricking and soft bricking.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is true, am I S.O.L?

naw2n said:
If this is true, am I S.O.L?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can downgrade let me find a link
First unlock for international use: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2415587 follow that guide then go over to domestic and get a unactivated sim card to make sure its working I used T-Mobile unlocked it then canceled my sprint contract. Only downside is for aosp ROMs you have to do a couple edits for them to work
And always run Odin as admin
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

nemofbaby2010 said:
You can downgrade let me find a link
First unlock for international use: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2415587 follow that guide then go over to domestic and get a unactivated sim card to make sure its working I used T-Mobile unlocked it then canceled my sprint contract. Only downside is for aosp ROMs you have to do a couple edits for them to work
And always run Odin as admin
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked! ...kind of! I can now make calls, which is a HUGE step forward! Thank you so much!
The only thing is that I cannot send/receive multimedia messages, I have tried all the APNs listed at this page http://apn-settings.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-straight-talk-apn-settings/, but none work. Any ideas?

naw2n said:
It worked! ...kind of! I can now make calls, which is a HUGE step forward! Thank you so much!
The only thing is that I cannot send/receive multimedia messages, I have tried all the APNs listed at this page http://apn-settings.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-straight-talk-apn-settings/, but none work. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome and I Dont know much about straight talk ask in the unlock thread they can point you in the right direction
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

AT&T S7 Edge work on Sprint?

I have a chance to get a AT&T S7 Edge from someone. Will I be able to throw my Sim in it and use it on my Sprint account or no?

powerstroke said:
I have a chance to get a AT&T S7 Edge from someone. Will I be able to throw my Sim in it and use it on my Sprint account or no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can using the same method to flash echo rom
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Soooperstar said:
I think you can using the same method to flash echo rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I need to root it first before entering my Sim? Or can I leave it stock and just throw my Sim in?

No root. Just Odin stock without the sim
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Soooperstar said:
No root. Just Odin stock without the sim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin stock sprint firmware without Sim card in correct?

powerstroke said:
Odin stock sprint firmware without Sim card in correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Soooperstar said:
Correct
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. So after I flash Sprint stock fw, will Sprint recognize the meid of a Att phone?

It should with the sprint Sim. Worse case scenario, you would have to root and change it manually
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Soooperstar said:
It should with the sprint Sim. Worse case scenario, you would have to root and change it manually
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the at&t phone have to be unlocked? Or do those phones come unlocked factory? Because this person is unsure if it's unlocked. They only used it on at&t

No.... All US carriers are locked
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Soooperstar said:
No.... All US carriers are locked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. So I will have to get it unlocked before flashing the sprint firmware so it takes my Sim card?

powerstroke said:
Ok. So I will have to get it unlocked before flashing the sprint firmware so it takes my Sim card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope just follow echoes rom instructions same process
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Soooperstar said:
Nope just follow echoes rom instructions same process
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok cool thank you. I'm kinda confused lol sorry. Once I get this Att phone, do I flash the sprint stock fw then do the echoe rom root and flash process or what? I'm sure the phone is on the latest fw and I thought the latest fw isn't rootable at this time

powerstroke said:
Ok cool thank you. I'm kinda confused lol sorry. Once I get this Att phone, do I flash the sprint stock fw then do the echoe rom root and flash process or what? I'm sure the phone is on the latest fw and I thought the latest fw isn't rootable at this time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already answered this, but take the Sim card out flash sprint firmware, put sprint Sim in. Done
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Soooperstar said:
I already answered this, but take the Sim card out flash sprint firmware, put sprint Sim in. Done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know but you mentioned echoes rom. That's a rom after rooting

Not the rom Itself, just the process to get to another carrier and back
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Soooperstar said:
Not the rom Itself, just the process to get to another carrier and back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't see any procedures in the thread. Just instructions to root and flash the rom. Is there another thread or site?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3472433
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 AM ----------
It's on a Verizon base and this was the only way we could get it to work on Sprint
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

dude, sprint will NOT activate ANY phone unlocked or not. it isn't like a gsm where the sim card carries the network for phone calls. u can unlock a sprint phone and use it on a gsm carrier but not the other way around. the only way is to clone a esn from another sprint phone and patch it to the motherboard of the att phone. i would think it would be too much trouble to fool with. i have used sprint for 10 years prob i know how the network works

Help Rooting Straight Talk S5 SM-S903VL 6.0.1 MM

I just went out and purchased a new Straight Talk S5 and need help rooting. All of the information I keep finding has to do with the s902l or whatever version. I keep getting auth failed with odin trying to use the older S5 root method.....
Phone specs:
Samsung Galaxy S5 Straight Talk (verizon network)
Version 6.0.1 marshmallow
Model number SM-S903VL
Baseband ver. S903VLUDU4APH3
Build Number MMB29M.S903VLUDU4APH3

Anyone?

bump

Just bought this s5 today and I'm having the same issue, no luck on finding anything about this phone. Hopefully someone will help soon!

Brandon.Black said:
Just bought this s5 today and I'm having the same issue, no luck on finding anything about this phone. Hopefully someone will help soon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sucks... I went to a pay to root website and the support team said they couldn't help but to visit this forum and bump this thread... its my thread... lmao there is like no news on this phone, it must have just come out or something.

Bump

bump

SM-S903VL
mortj19 said:
I just went out and purchased a new Straight Talk S5 and need help rooting. All of the information I keep finding has to do with the s902l or whatever version. I keep getting auth failed with odin trying to use the older S5 root method.....
Phone specs:
Samsung Galaxy S5 Straight Talk (verizon network)
Version 6.0.1 marshmallow
Model number SM-S903VL
Baseband ver. S903VLUDU4APH3
Build Number MMB29M.S903VLUDU4APH3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same problem anybody find any useful tools? I found a YouTube video from someone from XDA developers with a rooted straighttalk s5 but it was not the SM-S903VL and I tried exactly what he said and downloaded the required files tried to flash through ODIN and still nothing. It fails everytime. I have rooted many galaxy phones but on the t mobile network and am wondering if there is some kind of code modification that needs to be done like that of t mobile's. Please need help!

zapdad said:
I'm having the same problem anybody find any useful tools? I found a YouTube video from someone from XDA developers with a rooted straighttalk s5 but it was not the SM-S903VL and I tried exactly what he said and downloaded the required files tried to flash through ODIN and still nothing. It fails everytime. I have rooted many galaxy phones but on the t mobile network and am wondering if there is some kind of code modification that needs to be done like that of t mobile's. Please need help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried just about everyway of rooting this S5 from straighttalk but have had no luck, no other S5 root works. I believe this is the newest model and nobody has a working root yet. I really hope soon someone figures one out for the SM-S903VL on 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Come on developers!

Did you try downgrading to lp and using the root.bat method?
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

awanderingponderer said:
Did you try downgrading to lp and using the root.bat method?
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how to use that method

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3290370 I'd like try it but havent found the time with 2 little kids. I'll update when/if I get to it
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Downgrading to lp
awanderingponderer said:
Did you try downgrading to lp and using the root.bat method?
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm, I'm fairly new to this, have down this a few times but in order to downgrade, don't you have to be ROOTed? I will have to look into doing this I guess. My problem is I just bought the phone brand new and it is my only phone. I have had much luck with other Galaxy S5s and Notes on other networks and am pretty familiar with ODIN so this was the first thing I tried. Could you explain a bit more the root.bat method? If it has to do with ADB, that doesn't seem to give me authorization when I connect it and use the adb devices command. It gives the serial number and says unauthorized. I have USB debugging enabled in the phone but still no luck with that either.

The first post in that thread I linked has directions. Read it carefully a few times. I don't know if it will work or not. The first step is to flash the pb1 firmware in that first post with the Odin version in that same post. If that works the rest probably will to. Read the section called 'installing pb1'
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

SM-S903VL
awanderingponderer said:
The first post in that thread I linked has directions. Read it carefully a few times. I don't know if it will work or not. The first step is to flash the pb1 firmware in that first post with the Odin version in that same post. If that works the rest probably will to. Read the section called 'installing pb1'
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will give it a try when I have a chance, however I'm in the same boat, a daughter and in the middle of a move. Thanks I really do appreciate it.

awanderingponderer said:
Did you try downgrading to lp and using the root.bat method?
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More on this?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3290370
Try it. It's for the g900v. The s903vl has the same fcc id as a verizion s5 with a busted digitizer I have,so I think it is a 900v just with straight talks firmware on it.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Unfourtunately, no joy. Couldn't downgrade to lollipop. Odin says auth-fail. If we can figure out how to downgrade than maybe that method will work. Anyone have any other ideas?
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Kind of an update... just tried the newest version of srsroot (v5.1)and it went through as successful. But root checker says I'm not rooted. No more time to mess with it tonight.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

lol I tried srsroot too... It angers me...