Hey guys. Well I was able to load WM5 using ActiveSync 4.5. The thing is though, ithe installer stopped at about 73% but the OS was loaded fine (I powered off the unit and back on, and WM5 loaded fine). I checked it out a bit and had a crash, so I decided I wanted to reload the image with ActiveSync 4.1. Well, I only get as far as 2% and it stops with the Verizon Upgrade Tool saying "Connecting to device" at the top, and in the window it says "Attempting to connect to device". The PDA shiows "Entering Download Mode" This is after it has installed its CDMA driver. I am doing this by booting the PDA in emergency mode. I have tried this again with ActiveSync 4.5 and I am getting the same thing.

I tried AS 4.1 on a virgin laptop never used with my i730 but I still get stuck at 2% for more than 30 minutes. Any ideas? I read the FAQ and it said to remove all samsung usb modem drivers but I wasn't sure about how to "remove" the drivers, unless I am right in uninstalling them while the device is connected to the computer.

Thanks for all the help.

Uninstall them when the device is not connected to the computer. You might also try a different usb port. Make sure any virus scanner and firewall are disabled. It's also a good idea to close everything in the system tray(lower right hand portion of the screen). When you say the PDA is in emergency mode do you mean your using the emergency switch to load the updater from the pc? Also you might want to disable the windows firewall.

I enter emergency mode on the PDA by holding the Green and Red "Call" buttons on the phone while turning it on. Also, I used the switch to the VEU4.EXE /mode=emergency. I think the second half of my response was the answer to your question. I'll try what you suggested. Thanks!

Do not put the phone into emergency mode. Just use the switch and it will put into emergency mode. That "could" be why it's locking up at 2%.

I am trying to remember, I had a similar issue once a long time ago>>>> I believe I did was took the battery out for an hour and then reloaded and it went fine.
Also you are right about AV and firewall being disabled. As default windows turn on its "own" firewall too. I have had users where they had a third-party firewall too and they forgot to disable the built-in windows firewall too. I believe MR mentions this in his extensive FAQ's section.

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Funny it worked.....the last time!!Now I am not sure what was working before they put a hole in my head!!!!

OK. I tried it, but the program does not see the device when it is not in emergency mode. I tried the regular program without the emergency switch, and it can indeed see the device, and reports that it is unable to perform the upgrade because the version is at or above the upgrade program's version. So I believe when using the emergency switch, it is expecting the device to be in PDA EMERGENCY mode. So I tried putting the device in emergency mode, and indeed, the program saw it, but still gets stuck at 2%. I'll try waiting about an hour for this thing to discharge. any additional help will be welcome!

When using the emergency switch you don't have to put the PDA in emergency mode. It does that for you (I didn't know how to do that and had to use the emergency mode both the times I upgraded my phone). It makes since that it gets stuck at 2% because that's about when it puts the phone in emergency mode. Play around try some different usb ports (Your not using a usb router or hub are you or using a usb connection on the front of a computer as those usually will not work.) I think you need is to run the program with the emergency switch (not putting the phone into emergency mode) and get the updater to see it.

oh one more thing. Make sure all traces of the samsung drivers are gone from the pc. When your starting out before running the update in emergency mode check and see if activesync is connecting ok. Also make sure active sync isn't doing ANYTHING like syncing before you start the update. I know this may be redundant I'm not trying to insult your intelligence or anything just making sure to cover all the possibilities.

Thanks for the info. How do I remove all traces of the drivers from my system?

You'll need to go into add/remove programs and unistall I think it's the samsung cdma modem driver or something like that then restart the computer. Sorry I worded that poorly. There's nothing special to it as I may have made it sound. I'll be leaving here in about a hour for a pool tournament so if you don't hear from me I'll be back in about 4 hours and answer anymore questions or shoot you some more idea's if you haven't gotten it working by then. Hopefully Equus MR Dom Bam or someone will help you out if you have a burning ? and I'm gone.

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Life's short if you don't stop and look around once in a while you might miss it. Mathew Brodrick Ferris Buelers Day off.

I was able to remove the Samsung drivers the way you told me, and I ran the process through without putting the PDA into Emergency Mode, and the updater still does not see the device. I have to note, that when I use the verizon updater using the /mode=emergency switch, it tells me to put the PDA into Emergency Mode. However, even when I do that, I have the prevailing problem of the updater getting stuck at 2%, and the PDA saying "Entering download mode".

So, anything else? I have tried
- different USB ports on the back of my computer
- removing samsung drivers
- using a supported version of activesync (4.1)
- using a nonsupported version of activesync (4.5)
- putting the PDA in emergency mode and regular mode
- running the verizon updater in emergency mode and non-emergency mode

Still welcoming advice! Thanks!

OK here we go, I know its has been a frustrating issue for you and I know you have spent countless hours on this........try this process in this order.
1. Go back and install AS 4.1
2. DONOT sync i730 yet.
3. Make sure your MS outlook is still working.
4. Go to your PC's restore section and restore your PC to a date that the AS worked BEFORE you tried the upgrade.
5. See if you can NOW go and uninstall ALL drivers related to Samsung.
6. re-install your upgrade program.
7. Now try that upgrade on the i730.
AT ALL TIMES PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE THE SAME USB PORT THAT ACTIVE SYNC USES, FOR THE UPGRADE.
also make sure that IF you have ANY sd cards still in i730 be removed during this process.

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Funny it worked.....the last time!!Now I am not sure what was working before they put a hole in my head!!!!

Great I'll try this tomorrow and let you guys know how it goes. Thanks equus!

OK. I tried doing that step-by-step procedure but I was unable to do a few. First, I didn't even have outlook installed so I grabbed my copy and installed it, and verified it working before and after activesync was installed. Second, I didn't have System Restore on, so I was unable to go back to a date when it previously worked.

I was wondering, has anyone heard of the Samsung Flash Rom erase utility, and will it work with the i730? I believe if I can erase the phone, I may be able to install the OS back on to it. What do you guys think?

Thanks for all the help so far!