Flashed stock ROM with Odin, now I'm missing some functionalities?

[lasse1106]

So I got my Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Hong Kong model) a few days ago, and noticed I wasn't on the latest firmware, so I manually installed it on my phone with Odin. But Wi-Fi wasn't working and the solutions I tried didn't help.

So then I went and installed the previous firmware I was originally on, and it seemed OK at first, Wi-Fi was was working again, but then I noticed a few things.

1. Samsung codes in the dialer aren't doing anything (they were when I got the phone)

2. If I try to check for software updates in settings I instantly get an error message saying "Processing failed." (before it would go to a new screen, search for updates, and then say I was on the latest version)

3. This phone has a screen recording functionality that was in the quick settings menu (drag-down menu from the top), but it's no longer there. There might be more that's missing/different.

4. Some new apps, like Skype, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote are now on my phone, and I can't uninstall them.

I tried factory resetting, didn't help.

 

[underway99]

There are two different firmware packages on sammobile.com for your SM-G9000, one for China and one for Hong Kong. It sounds like you either flashed the wrong one, or the package was corrupted. I'd get a fresh copy and try again.

Before firing up ODIN again, consider using Samsung's Smart Switch tool. That's Samsung's consumer-level maintenance app. It runs on your PC. Smart Switch will identify your phone, grab and then install the latest firmware for your specific device. Think of it as ODIN for those who either don't know how or don't care to find the right firmware, then handle phone modes and the install. Click the oval button labeled MORE in the top right corner. Then hit EMERGENCY SOFTWARE RECOVERY. Sit back and follow the instructions.

 

[lasse1106]

There are two different firmware packages on sammobile.com for your SM-G9000, one for China and one for Hong Kong. It sounds like you either flashed the wrong one, or the package was corrupted. I'd get a fresh copy and try again.

Before firing up ODIN again, consider using Samsung's Smart Switch tool. That's Samsung's consumer-level maintenance app. It runs on your PC. Smart Switch will identify your phone, grab and then install the latest firmware for your specific device. Think of it as ODIN for those who either don't know how or don't care to find the right firmware, then handle phone modes and the install. Click the oval button labeled MORE in the top right corner. Then hit EMERGENCY SOFTWARE RECOVERY. Sit back and follow the instructions.

I made sure I was installing the Hong Kong firmware. The build number is identical to what it was when I got the phone. I have tried downloading from both sammobile and a different site, but they leave me with the exact same firmware.

And unfortunately, I have already tried using Smart Switch, but it says my phone doesn't support emergency software recovery.

Ideally I want to be able to flash the latest firmware AND have Wi-Fi working, so I may keep troubleshooting for that. Or try installing a firmware that is neither the newest, nor the one the phone came with. One released in between.

The only thing I don't understand about getting Wi-Fi to work after flashing with Odin, is how to use the "Wi-Fi fix" files I've seen in other threads. No clue how that works.

The other fix is to try installing the same firmware again, but when I try that it just boots up after downloading. No install screen.

 

[underway99]

After rereading your OP, it occurs to me that you may have missed something when you reflashed the phone with the older firmware. The older firmware shouldn't have had the Microsoft apps if the phone didn't have them before you updated. Since they are still there, we know that at least part of the firmware wasn't replaced. When you ran the update in ODIN, did you perform an update or full firmware replacement? Using the update mode in ODIN when going backward (to save your data) most often just doesn't work.

 

[lasse1106]

After rereading your OP, it occurs to me that you may have missed something when you reflashed the phone with the older firmware. The older firmware shouldn't have had the Microsoft apps if the phone didn't have them before you updated. Since they are still there, we know that at least part of the firmware wasn't replaced. When you ran the update in ODIN, did you perform an update or full firmware replacement? Using the update mode in ODIN when going backward (to save your data) most often just doesn't work.

Full replacement as far as I'm aware. While the phone was in Download Mode and plugged in, I added the AP file and clicked start in Odin. Never done anything different than the usual instructions.

 

[underway99]

OK. It looks like that functionality is gone from the newer versions of ODIN. You used to be able to flash and not lose everything. It's been quite a while since I was doing any rooting and fixing. It appears that ODIN now wipes all.

It's still odd that some of the apps from the newer firmware remain after flashing the older firmware. You said that you have tried reflashing the newest firmware, but that the phone just reboots and doesn't go through the install routine. That sounds like the phone isn't taking the new firmware.

I'm sure that you know what you are doing, but sometimes it can help to see someone else review the process. I'd suggest that you look at this and see if you got it the same way. This tutorial is from one of the mods here.

[Guide][Samsung] How to flash Stock ROM via ODIN with the New Interface

 

[lasse1106]

OK. It looks like that functionality is gone from the newer versions of ODIN. You used to be able to flash and not lose everything. It's been quite a while since I was doing any rooting and fixing. It appears that ODIN now wipes all.

It's still odd that some of the apps from the newer firmware remain after flashing the older firmware. You said that you have tried reflashing the newest firmware, but that the phone just reboots and doesn't go through the install routine. That sounds like the phone isn't taking the new firmware.

I'm sure that you know what you are doing, but sometimes it can help to see someone else review the process. I'd suggest that you look at this and see if you got it the same way. This tutorial is from one of the mods here.

[Guide][Samsung] How to flash Stock ROM via ODIN with the New Interface

I'm not so sure those apps even were from the newest firmware. But I didn't check that, so it's possible.

When I said I tried reflashing, I was talking about the same firmware two times in a row. That was one of the supposed fixes for Wi-Fi not working. So the firmware installed fine the first time, but trying to install the same firmware again skips installation. I don't know if this is how it's supposed to work or not.

I looked through the post, and there's nothing there that I didn't do. I made sure I had the device drivers beforehand.

 

[underway99]

It may be that ODIN isn't overwriting the firmware with the same firmware. I wonder if flashing an older version (maybe the version that the phone had out of the box) would work for you? If it works, then you could reflash the May update. Check the label on the box to find what firmware the phone had from the factory.

Since you just purchased the phone, you may also want to consider having the phone replaced and just not dealing with this issue. You could reload the original firmware and call it done. It's good to have options.

 

[lasse1106]

It may be that ODIN isn't overwriting the firmware with the same firmware. I wonder if flashing an older version (maybe the version that the phone had out of the box) would work for you? If it works, then you could reflash the May update. Check the label on the box to find what firmware the phone had from the factory.

Since you just purchased the phone, you may also want to consider having the phone replaced and just not dealing with this issue. You could reload the original firmware and call it done. It's good to have options.

I'll figure something out. Thanks for trying to help me out!

 

[underway99]

Sure thing. Let us know how you work it out.