Understanding MF5 firmware

[apel69]

I somehow was bit by the MF5 firmware and I am trying to fully understand what I can and can't do. I've read multiple posts with people having issues and unable to go back to MDL. I understand what is, a security upgrade in the bootloader that prevents flashing to an older firmware once the fuse has been tripped, but I want to find out what other limitations there are. I am currently running rooted stock firmware. I have no problems with my phone and therefore I really don't feel like experimenting after reading some of the issues others are having.

If i need to go back to unrooted stock am I able to flash the MF5 firmware?

Can I do a factory reset while rooted stock? I was able to do this on my S3.

Can I go to another ROM like cyanogenmod or AOSP and back to stock if need be?

Can I do a nandroid restore?

I've read that if you stayed stock and don't flash a custom ROM the fuse shouldn't have tripped and therefore you should be able to unroot. This is my case but I get the error SW REV. FAILED : fused : 2 . Binary : 1 which says otherwise.

 

[jeffreii]

I somehow was bit by the MF5 firmware and I am trying to fully understand what I can and can't do. I've read multiple posts with people having issues and unable to go back to MDL. I understand what is, a security upgrade in the bootloader that prevents flashing to an older firmware once the fuse has been tripped, but I want to find out what other limitations there are. I am currently running rooted stock firmware. I have no problems with my phone and therefore I really don't feel like experimenting after reading some of the issues others are having.

If i need to go back to unrooted stock am I able to flash the MF5 firmware?

Can I do a factory reset while rooted stock? I was able to do this on my S3.

Can I go to another ROM like cyanogenmod or AOSP and back to stock if need be?

Can I do a nandroid restore?

I've read that if you stayed stock and don't flash a custom ROM the fuse shouldn't have tripped and therefore you should be able to unroot. This is my case but I get the error SW REV. FAILED : fused : 2 . Binary : 1 which says otherwise.

I think what you meant is MF3.

All the info to answer your questions is available in these forums:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...-root-new-root-method-found-mf3-firmware.html

 

[apel69]

It is MF5. My firmware originally was R970VXUAMDL but somewhere along the way it changed to R970VXUAMF5. I still haven't figured out how since I never flashed the latter. My phone is through US Cellular and these are the only two firmwares available. The MF3 looks like it is for AT&T. My phone is rooted using CF Auto Root with CWMR.

 

[jeffreii]

It is MF5. My firmware originally was R970VXUAMDL but somewhere along the way it changed to R970VXUAMF5. I still haven't figured out how since I never flashed the latter. My phone is through US Cellular and these are the only two firmwares available. The MF3 looks like it is for AT&T. My phone is rooted using CF Auto Root with CWMR.

Ok well sorry I know nothing about US Cellular!

Good reason to read the stickies in any forum before you post!
http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...ur-carrier-when-posting-thread-read-here.html