Galaxy Tab Firmeware Shows Locked Bootloader

[WenWM]

Well this is not something we like to see, but it seems the latest leaked ROMs point to Samsung as the next culprits to “let’s not let people hack what they buy” syndrome. These Firmware updates were leaked by Xda member Chainfire, who points out that the software come with a locked down bootloader, which prevents people from loading their Tab up with cooked ROMs.

Here is what Chainfire has to say about this:

This really applies to other ROMs as well, but the "new" JM6/A/C/D ROMs specifically.

Some of these ROMs include new bootloaders. These bootloaders check checksums/signatures in various parts of the firmwares. The "normal" Samsung ROMs, nor custom ROMs and kernels, have these checksums.

The result is that once flashed, you cannot revert to older/official/custom Samsung ROMs, and you are pretty much stuck using one of these four ROMs, as they are the only ones containing the right checksums.

At least TRIPLE CHECK if you want to flash one of these ROMs, that what you are flashing DOES NOT include the new bootloaders ( boot.bin and sbl.bin ). I know from the CF-Root thread that a fair number of you are already too late, but I thought to warn new users anyways. Some modders (like rotohammer) already usually remove these parts, but still triple check everything to make sure.

There is no known fix. I know, I've tried all of them some people suggested in other threads. None of them really works. Sure, with some effort, you can get a different firmware to somewhat run, but you'll still be using the "checksum" bootloaders and the kernel will not be modified. You will still be running the kernel from the "checksum" firmware you loaded earlier. You will not be able to do full flashes, nor will KIES updates work.

Hopefully somebody will find a real solution for this issue for those already affected. If so, please post it in this thread.

How does this make you feel? Is it fair for companies to do this?

Spread the word through the web.
Xda thread: (WARNING! Do not flash jm6/A/C/D/E... Before reading this ! - xda-developers)

 

[Big Ry]

Its like apple!!! :-o

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

 

[Stelv]

I was thinking of getting this tab. Should I not get it? Isn't it fast anyways un-rooted?

 

[UltraDroid]

Its like apple!!! :-o

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

More like Motorola, and their locked encrypted an Booby-Trapped bootloader on the Droid X. Why should we trust companies who operate like this?

-Mike

 

[KZIWarrior]

I was thinking of getting this tab. Should I not get it? Isn't it fast anyways un-rooted?

You can get it, just don't accept any 'auto' update notifications you get one you turn it on until you do your research (or better d/l one of the updates listed above that have the locking files removed).

Yes it's fast stock but the debate is what rights does the consumer have to the devices they purchase, especially here where the device price is not subsidized by the carrier or the manufacturer and you are not bound by a contract containing an User Agreement.

 

[KZIWarrior]

I was thinking of getting this tab. Should I not get it? Isn't it fast anyways un-rooted?

I was thinking of getting this tab. Should I not get it? Isn't it fast anyways un-rooted?

You can get it, just don't accept any 'auto' update notifications you get one you turn it on until you do your research (or better d/l one of the updates listed above that have the locking files removed).

Yes it's fast stock but the debate is what rights does the consumer have to the devices they purchase, especially here where the device price is not subsidized by the carrier or the manufacturer and you are not bound by a contract containing a User Agreement.

Well I was waiting on Gingerbread before getting a Tablet (as least for confirmation of which current tablets would get it) but either way this does not bode well for future devices... Might have to look a a Win7 tablet:icon_evil:

 

[Stelv]

I thought this device was getting GB in the future? What is the deal with these bootloaders:icon_evil:. Yea I though Motorola was the only ones who would screw us over. I wanted to get this tab, for one reason because I am sick of Motorola and didn't want to buy their upcoming tab.

 

[bazar6]

This is bull.. I agree:

Its like apple!!! :-o

It's like buying a new car but not being able to do anything to it at all. You can't if you're leasing a vehicle, which is understandable, but I'm not leasing a tab, this isn't going to be returned to them. I hope the new Moto Tab isn't going to have something like this....

 

[jroc]

^Since the Milestone, Droid X, Droid 2, and probably their other current Android phones have locked bootloaders.....its a safe bet that the Moto Tab will have one too....

I was hoping against hope the Milestone and Droid X wasnt the start of a trend with phone manufactures...

Even tho I'm more than satisfied with my X and I dont run any of the ROMs out for it, I do appreciate and recognize the beauty of my Droid 1...

 

[RETG]

At least if you know up front, you can always decide to not purchase the item....

 

[microsnook]

Why are people so against us hacking our phones?

Its not that big of a deal if you want to run your own custom rom on your phone that you purchased with your own money.

Stop encrypting the bootloaders.

 

[KZIWarrior]

Why are people so against us hacking our phones?

Its not that big of a deal if you want to run your own custom rom on your phone that you purchased with your own money.

Stop encrypting the bootloaders.

Phones are a different story, for starters unless you are in Europe or one of a very small percentage here in the states you don't really purchase the phone outright. It's subsidized heavily by the service provider and/or the manufacturer through your contract. Therefor they have a vested interest in restricting what you do since they are obligated under said contract to provide support for the device. Now if you do purchase outright (as is the case with these tablets) that is a different story and one that should be looked at more closely. Though technique, to play devils advocate Samsung has an obligation to support the device so if people go around rooting and putting custom ROMs and kernels Samsung could potentially incur expenses they should haven't to because of something the end-user did.

Someone used a car metaphor earlier and it's applicable though they are slightly misrepresenting the issue. If you by a new car there are thing you can do w/o voiding the warranty and things you can't... e.g. touch anything under the hood besides the air filter (i.e. put on a cold air intake) and you will void parts of the warranty associated with the intake system. Change the full injectors (and get caught) and it will void other parts. Reprogram the ignition module(s) and you'll void nearly the entire engine warranty. So technically we live with such restrictive policies everyday we just aren't aware of them.

 

[UltraDroid]

Why are people so against us hacking our phones?

Its not that big of a deal if you want to run your own custom rom on your phone that you purchased with your own money.

Stop encrypting the bootloaders.

Phones are a different story, for starters unless you are in Europe or one of a very small percentage here in the states you don't really purchase the phone outright. It's subsidized heavily by the service provider and/or the manufacturer through your contract. Therefor they have a vested interest in restricting what you do since they are obligated under said contract to provide support for the device. Now if you do purchase outright (as is the case with these tablets) that is a different story and one that should be looked at more closely. Though technique, to play devils advocate Samsung has an obligation to support the device so if people go around rooting and putting custom ROMs and kernels Samsung could potentially incur expenses they should haven't to because of something the end-user did.

Someone used a car metaphor earlier and it's applicable though they are slightly misrepresenting the issue. If you by a new car there are thing you can do w/o voiding the warranty and things you can't... e.g. touch anything under the hood besides the air filter (i.e. put on a cold air intake) and you will void parts of the warranty associated with the intake system. Change the full injectors (and get caught) and it will void other parts. Reprogram the ignition module(s) and you'll void nearly the entire engine warranty. So technically we live with such restrictive policies everyday we just aren't aware of them.

But, what if a car manufacturer put a booby-trap in to the engine, so that if you attempted to change the carburetor, it caused the entire engine and power train to lock up, making the car unusable. Think that would be viewed as nasty, vindictive and potentially criminal? Let's hear it for Motorola - the Evil Empire - and their locked, encrypted and Booby-Trapped boot loader on the Droid X. Great company, swell guys to do business with. :r_c:

-Mike

 

[Mmracing]

We don't have this problem with the Viewsonic GTablet. There are some VERY nice ROMs out there for us. Surf on over to xda-developers and see what you think.

 

[KZIWarrior]

Let's hear it for Motorola - the Evil Empire - and their locked, encrypted and Booby-Trapped boot loader on the Droid X. Great company, swell guys to do business with. :r_c:

:rofl3:... reality check, really?? with a statement like that coming from someone who, according to your profile owns ALL their Android phones... here's a reality check, if you don't like their policies DON'T BUY THEIR PRODUCTS.