Flash samsung galaxy without data loss. Firmware for Samsung phones

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First, let's define what phone firmware is. This is what software and hardware settings are called. In general, this is even more than the operating system on your computer - Windows OS is developed for all devices, and firmware is developed specifically for a line or a specific model.

There are official and custom firmware... but let's take it in order. For specific examples, we will take the Samsung Galaxy S3, although on other smartphones everything is done in much the same way.

Why change the firmware at all?

The most logical and common answer is because the developer released an OS update for the phone. There are also more complex cases - when the developer does not release anything, but the user decides to install “gray” firmware. We'll talk about them too.

Official Android firmware

Almost everything happens automatically. You will need the following:

1. Go to “Settings” and select “Allow automatic operating system updates.” On Samsung Galaxy, this option is located in the About device section;

2. Click “Yes” when you receive a notification like this: “An Android update has been released for Samsung Galaxy. Should I update my device?

3. You can also update manually. To do this, go to “Settings” > “About device” > “Software update”.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Charge your phone before flashing! It is better to start this process when the battery is 100% charged, otherwise it may break.

IMPORTANT NOTE #2: Please note that the system downloads an average of 300 MB for updating. It is better to update via Wi-Fi, with unlimited traffic.

IMPORTANT NOTE #3: Before flashing the firmware, be sure to back up all your data.

As a rule, updating Android over Wi-Fi is not a problem. However, sometimes crashes occur, and therefore advanced users prefer to update through official programs from the developers. For Samsung, this is Samsung Kies (something like iTunes) - this program can be downloaded from the company’s official website.

Then everything is simple:

– Install Samsung Kies on your computer and connect your smartphone to it via USB – the program will recognize it automatically;

– Click on the “Update Software” button (if there is an official update);

– Wait for the download to complete and click “Confirm”.

One more tip. Some people update the official Android using the Odin program. This is not worth doing, because Odin is an UNOFFICIAL application, and by using it, you automatically remove the phone from warranty. Only Kies - if you have a Samsung device - or other official utilities if you have a smartphone from another manufacturer.

Gray Android firmware

Very often we buy a new phone - and suddenly it turns out that it does not work perfectly. Something slows down, bugs somewhere irritate - usually because the developer was in a hurry and forced sales. I would like to fix all this, but there is no official update from the manufacturer.

Another case. You have a phone of a previous model - say, Samsung Galaxy S3. And then the Galaxy S4 comes out, with a lot of new features. You can’t officially update, but you want to get new chips...

And here gray firmware comes to the rescue, it’s custom, it’s unofficial, it’s pirated - made not by the manufacturer, but by users. What is the point of installing it? In fact, there are many reasons to install custom firmware:

– access to the latest version of Android, even if the developer did not plan it;

– optimization of processes - for example, forced removal from RAM of programs that load the system but do not bring any benefit;

– a lot of options for customizing the interface;

– acceleration of work (its own core to improve performance);

– and much more, depending on the gray firmware version.

But everywhere has its drawbacks, and cunning manipulations with the operating system often lead to disastrous consequences:

– custom firmware removes the phone’s warranty – think 10 times if you recently purchased a gadget;

– the emergence of new functions and expanded capabilities is often accompanied by bugs;

– there are failures – the firmware is not installed, and the smartphone turns into a “brick”.

Sometimes you can revive it yourself, but most often you have to take it to a service center (repair, of course, will not be guaranteed).

The author of this article has already “killed” his phone with unofficial firmware. A very good engineer was able to bring him back to life. By the way, if you need something repaired, I highly recommend the “We’ll Fix Everything” service center.

However, not everything is so scary. Gray firmware can be of very high quality, especially from CyanogenMod or MIUI. In addition, the Android community helps the unfortunate to cope with trouble - go to any specialized forum, describe the problem, and they will give you 10 pages of advice.

How to install custom firmware?

Let's look at the Galaxy S3 as an example:

– first of all, select the firmware, download it to your computer and unzip it;

– download the Odin program, install, open it and check the boxes for Auto Reboot, F.Reset Time and PDA;

– in the PDA, select the desired firmware version;

– dial *2767*3855# (command to clear memory) on your phone and turn it off;

– switch the device to Download mode: Volume Down > Home > Power ON/OFF (text about entering download mode should appear);

– connect the phone to the computer via USB and press START;

– after some time, a highlighted PASS message will appear in Odin, followed by the message: RES OK! Removed! Completed. All threads completed;

– reboot the device;

– Odin detects the COM port, click “Next”.

If everything ended successfully, congratulations; if not, we warned you.

It is better to install ONLY official updates.

Gray firmware is usually used by people whose phone is outdated - just to get the capabilities of modern gadgets. Instead of resorting to such tricks, it is better to look for a powerful phone that will be supported by the manufacturer, and not by enthusiasts. For example, with it people completely forget what custom firmware is.

And one last piece of advice regarding Android firmware: if you have a new phone from a reputable company, wait for the official update. Craftsmen have been polishing their creations for years, and while there is reliable firmware for old devices, it is extremely unlikely for new ones.

One of the popular areas of Samsung is the production of smartphones and tablets. In a short time, the company has gained great popularity among users thanks to its reliable phones.
Most of Samsung smartphones are available on Android. But any device is not insured against breakdowns, including those caused by the user. Editing system files, installing applications from untrusted devices and low-quality software lead to malfunctions.
Unfortunately, in most cases there is only one way out - to reflash your device.
How to flash a Samsung phone using KIES
KIES is a specially developed utility from Samsung designed to synchronize data with a PC, as well as update and restore the OS on the gadget.
What you will need to flash the firmware for your Samsung device:
The gadget itself
Computer, or better yet, a laptop
USB cable
KIES program
Fully charged battery
What not to do during flashing
You cannot turn off the device and PC. According to the universal law, villains can turn off the lights during an update, so if possible, use a laptop.
Use the device. Receive calls, SMS, go online. You can’t even just look for a minute. Ideally, find a SIM card that one hundred percent no one will call or write to.
Pull out the battery and unplug the USB. Therefore, place the device so as not to accidentally touch the cord.
If you do all the steps described above, it is not a fact that after this your Samsung will be restored even at a service center, so be careful.
Download KIES to your computer and install it. Next, connect the device to the PC using a USB cable.
If the utility does not start automatically, then double-click on its icon.
If there is a new version of the software, the software will notify you of the need to update. If the dialog box does not appear, click on the tab with the connected device and click on “Software Update”.
We agree to download new software. We wait a few minutes.

Important. During the update process, Samsung may reboot several times. Do not unplug it or unplug the cord from the USB port. The device turned off not because the contact was lost, but because it was updating.
When a successful completion message appears on the monitor, you can now disconnect the USB cable.
When the device boots up and a message about successful firmware is displayed on the PC display, you can disconnect the USB cable. We restore data from a backup copy or from a Google account, and you can use your smartphone.
Flashing Samsung phone using Odin program
For this you will need:
Smartphone
USB cable
Odin program
Fully charged battery
PC or laptop
With this method of updating the software, it is prohibited to do the same actions as described in the previous option.
With single-file firmware, all data will be saved.
The device must be turned off! We connect the switched off gadget to the computer and open Odin.
Make sure the Samsung is connected, the top left corner of the window will light yellow. And in the Message window it says “added”.
Next, click on the PDA button and select the pre-downloaded archive of the new software. Its extension should be .md5, .tar or smd.
Now you need to turn the device into firmware mode. To do this, press the power key, volume key and home key at the same time. Hold it until the splash screen appears.
Now in the Odin utility, click start. We wait about five minutes, the device reboots, and only after it has fully loaded do we disconnect the USB cable.
Five-file firmware
Turn off the phone, connect it to the PC, launch Odin, make sure that the device is connected.
Unpack the firmware archive into a separate folder and sequentially add files to the windows:
PIT window – file with extension .pit
PDA – a file whose name contains the words PDA or CODE
PHONE - contains MODEM in the name
CSC – contains the word CSC
BOOTLOADER – contains APBOOT in the name
Check the Re-partition box, click on start and wait for the PASS message. After Samsung reboot.
Flashing a Samsung phone without a computer
To do this, you will need a firmware archive, which can be downloaded on the Internet on a website or forum that specializes in Samsung.
After downloading, write to a flash drive or internal memory and turn off the gadget.
Next, depending on the model, simultaneously press the volume or volume down key and the power key.
When the screensaver appears, release the keys. Using the volume buttons, scroll to the “Install updates” section. Briefly press the power button and select the desired file from the list that appears. Again, briefly press power and confirm your consent.
The second option for flashing without a computer is through the Odin Mobile program
Download any single-file firmware and write it to the internal memory. The format must be .tar or .tar.md5
If there is no Mobile Odin, then download and install it. Then open it and select Open file.
In the window that appears, select the one you need and click OK.
Check and click on Flash firmware. After this, we wait about ten minutes.
During the process, a message may appear indicating that a reboot is required. Don't be scared, just press the center key of your smartphone.

Articles and Lifehacks

Often, when a mobile device starts to malfunction, it is necessary to reinstall its software, but users do not know how to change the phone’s firmware.

This manipulation allows you to slightly adjust a number of functions. The procedure makes it possible to use equalizer, audio and other options in a fundamentally new quality.

Preparing for firmware

To change the firmware, you must perform the following manipulations:

Synchronize your computer with your mobile device. This can be done using a data cable, synchronization software and a driver for your computer.
In this case, the drivers must correspond to the gadget model used.
Connect your mobile device to your personal computer. The phone must first be prepared for the operation.
Verify that the software has detected the mobile device.
Copy all personal information present on the device. These can be audio recordings, contact numbers, photographs, videos. It should be remembered that flashing the firmware may lead to their removal.

Further actions

When all the preparations are completed, all that remains is to download the software to carry out the procedure. You can find it on the Internet. To do this, just use a search engine.

Install the downloaded program.
Copy the current firmware version to a personal computer. This step is an excellent guarantee of safety in the event of an unsuccessful procedure.
View the battery level of phones. The mobile device must be charged at least 50%.
Taking further steps. Everything must be done based on the instructions in the instructions.
Upon completion of all manipulations, you must press the power off key. To evaluate the flashing, you only need to reboot the gadget.

It is important to consider that sometimes the provider recommends installing a special firmware version. This is not always the latest version.

The program is designed for flashing Android devices. Flashing a Samsung smartphone or tablet is quite simple, but if you don’t know a few basic rules, your phone can be damaged. Below we will tell you how to reflash Samsung Odin correctly.

Using Odin does not require any special skills; even not very experienced users can use the program.
All currently available versions of Odin: , . The most stable version is v1.85.

Samsung Odin firmware rules

Main: Make sure that your Samsung is charged before flashing and under no circumstances turns off during the flashing process. Do not disconnect the USB cable before the firmware is completed. It is advisable to use only the original and undamaged USB cable that you received with the device. The path on the computer to the installed firmware should not contain Russian letters (C:\samsung is correct, C:\New folder is not).

Samsung firmware:
1. Download the official Samsung firmware for your model. You can find firmware at:
samfirmware.com
sampro.pl
samsung-updates.com
live.samsung-updates.com
Firmwares are divided into countries and regions: for example, SER - Russia and the CIS, SEK - Ukraine and the CIS.

Albania:
A.L.B.

Algeria:
ALG
A.L.R.

Argentina:
ANC
ARO
CTI
UFN
PSN

Aruba:
ARU

Australia:
OPP
O.P.S.
VAU
XSA
TEL
HUT

Austria:
AOM
DRE
MAX
MOB
MOK
ONE
TRG
ATO

Baltika:
SEB

Belarus:
MTB
VEL

Belgium:
B.A.E.
B.S.E.
PRO
XEB

Bosnia-Herzegovina:
BHO
BHT
TEB

Brazil:
BTA
BTM
TMR
ZTA
ZVV
ZTO
ZTM

Bulgaria:
CMF
GBL
MTE
MTL
OMX
PLX
VVT

Canada:
R.G.S.
BMC
TLS

Chile:
CHB
CHE
CHL
CHT
China:
CUH
INT
TEC
TIY
CMC
CHN
M00

Colombia:
COB
COL
COM
COO

Cyprus:
C.Y.V.

Egypt:
EGY

Finland:
ELS
SAU
NEE

France:
OFR
AUC
BOG
COR
DIX
FTM
NRJ
ORC
ORF
SFR
UNI
VGF
XEF

Germany:
DBT
DTM
DUT
EPL
MAN
MBC
VD2
VIA
XEG

Greece:
AOC
COS
EUR
GER
TGR
VGR
C.Y.O.

Romania:
PAN
VDH
WST
TMO
XEH
TMH

India:
HFC
HYA
INA
IND
INU
IMS
REL
TAT
INS

Israel:
CEL
PCL
PTR

Italy:
GOM
HUI
ITV
OMN
TIM
VOM
WIN
XET
F.W.B.

Kazakhstan:
EST
KCL
KMB
KZK
SKZ

Korea:
SKT
KOR

Mongolia:
MPC

Nedirladny:
BEN
MMO
ONL
QIC
TFT
TNL
VDF
VDP
XEN
KPN

New Zealand:
VNZ
TNZ
NZC

Norway:
TEN
NEE

Pakistan:
WDC
PAK

Poland:
ERA
IDE
PLS
PRT
XEO

Romania:
CNX
HAT
ORO
COA

Russia:
AZC
BLN
EMT
ERS
GEO
MTV
SER
SNT

Singapore:
BGD
XSO
XSP

Slovenia:
MOT
SIM

Slovakia:
GTL
IRD
TMS
ORS

South Africa:
XFA
XFC
XFM
XFV
XFE

Spain:
AMN
EUS
FOP
XEC
ATL

Sweden:
BAU
BCN
BME
BSG
BTH
COV
HTS
SEN
TET
TLA
XEE
VDS
TNO

Switzerland:
AUT
ORG
MOZ
SUN
SWC

Taiwan:
TWM
BRI
TCC
TCI
C.W.T.

Tanzania:
SOL

Tunisia:
ABS
RNG

Türkiye:
BAS
KVK
TUR
TLP
TRC

Ukraine:
KVR
SEK
UMC

South Africa:
M.I.D.
ARB
XSG
AFR
ITO

Great Britain:
BTC
O2I
O2U
ORA
TMU
T.S.C.
VOD
XEU
VIR
H3G
CPW

USA:
AWS
DOB
TMB
C.L.W.

Uzbekistan:
UZB

Venezuela:
VMT

Vietnam:
XXV
PHU
XEV
DNA
FPT
SPT
TLC
VTC
VTL

2. Boot Samsung into bootloader mode.
Putting Samsung into bootloader mode
Before connecting the device to the computer and flashing the firmware, you need to boot Samsung in bootloader mode, for this:
For older Samsung models:

Turn off the smartphone/tablet and press the buttons simultaneously Volume Down and On/Off. We are waiting for the inscription to appear:

Let's release the buttons.

For new models from 2011-12.
Turn off the device and press the buttons at the same time Volume Down - Center + On/Off button.

We are waiting for the picture to appear:

Release all buttons and press once Volume Up, it should appear:

3. Connect the device to your computer with a USB cable. Drivers should be installed if they have not been installed previously.

4. Launch Odin, if everything was done correctly before, then there will be a yellow window in the upper left corner, the device is recognized.

5. Specify the Odin firmware file. If the firmware is one file, then indicate the path to it in the PDA window:

If multi-file, then:
PIT file (if any) in the PIT field (click on the PIT button)
File APBOOT_xxxxx.tar.md5 in the Bootloader field (click on the Bootloader button)
File CODE_xxxxx.tar.md5 in the PDA field (click on the PDA button)
File MODEM_xxxxx.tar.md5 in the PHONE field (click on the Phone button)
File CSC_xxxxx.tar.md5 in the CSC field (click on the CSC button)

reset settings - wipe .

If, when flashing Samsung Odin firmware, it gives an error:

SetupConnection..
Can't open the serial(COM) port.
All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

Try using another USB port or computer and repeat the whole process again.

If it comes out:

Added!!
Enter CS for MD5..
Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
Please wait..
MD5 hash value is invalid
xxxxxxxxxxx.tar.md5 is invalid.
End...

This means the firmware file is broken and not fully downloaded. Download again, if it doesn’t help, remove the md5 extension from the file and try again.

If you need to flash Samsung only partially, for example you want to flash a modem, then paste the modem firmware file into the Phone field. If you want to flash the kernel or , then specify the file in the PDA field.

Remember that you act at your own peril and risk!

Nowadays, you can update or change the firmware of your device without contacting specialized centers. In essence, you are just wasting your money and time. How to reflash a phone yourself? We will give specific answers to this question in our article.

Features when flashing

Now we will list several important elements that are necessary to flash your cell phone.

First, make sure that the battery is charged at 50 percent or higher (the best option is a full charge), since the flashing process can be quite lengthy.
If you are afraid of losing important data contained on your cell phone, then make backup copies of the files and information you need.
To flash the firmware, you will need a standard USB cable that comes with your phone.
Your PC must have the appropriate software to flash your phone. You can find all drivers on the official websites of manufacturers or in numerous alternative sources. There are pirated and licensed versions of the software, which differ significantly in their functionality. It should be noted that official ones are not always better than pirated ones. After successful installation, you need to reboot your smartphone.
Your device must have a clean ESN, that is, not be in the stolen or lost database.
Next, you need to find out (for some models) MEID and ESN, where the first consists of 18 (starting with 2) or 15 digits, and the last - of 8.
Nowadays there are 3 types of firmware: from a ZIP archive, a TAR archive, or a three-file one. Below we will talk in more detail about each of them.

Are you still wondering how to reflash your phone? Believe me, it's not difficult at all. A little later you will see for yourself.

Firmware: “Android” from ZIP archive

This is one of the best methods used by many users. So, how to reflash an Android phone from a ZIP archive? First, you need to install root rights. It is worth noting that not all devices have this feature. Plus, once you achieve root rights, you will immediately lose the warranty on the device. Secondly, you need to make a backup, that is, a backup copy of important files. What is needed for this? You can, for example, install a special program for system recovery, an excellent example of which is ClockWorkMod. It is designed for flashing phones on the Android OS, and in case of any failures, it allows you to return to the source code. To make a backup using the above program, you need to take the following steps:

Launch ClockWorkMod Recovery.
Select "Backup & restore".
Next is “backup”.
Confirm by pressing the “YES” button.
Reboot your device by clicking “Reboot system now”.

After completing these steps, a backup should appear on your MicroSD in the “clockworkmod/backup” folder. After completing all the above operations, you can proceed directly to flashing. So, how to reflash an Android phone from a ZIP archive?

Once the ROM file has downloaded, write it to the memory card. The firmware name may contain Latin letters and numbers, and the file itself must be in a ZIP archive.
Disconnect your phone from your PC and charger.
Next, turn off the mobile phone and start recovery mode.
In the menu we find the “Wipe” item, which erases the current system information.
Then you need to return to the root menu and select “Flash Zip from SD-Card” or “Install zip from sdcard”.
We find the ROM firmware located in the ZIP archive.
We confirm the firmware and follow the instructions on the screen.
If everything went well and without errors, reboot the phone by selecting “Reboot system now”.

We are done with the first method. Now let's move on to the 3-file firmware.

How to reflash Android with three-file firmware

For this method, we will need the Mobile Odin Pro application, which is another program for Android firmware. If you decide to flash the firmware using this method, you don’t have to obtain root rights. How to reflash a phone with 3-file firmware? Let's move on to the algorithm of actions:

First, you need to write files to your smartphone or tablet (3 files with the words CSC, CODE, Modem in their names). It is advisable to put all 3 files in one folder.
In the Mobile Odin Pro application, select “Open file”.
Next, a window should appear where you need to select a file with the word “CODE” in the name. Click "OK".
Then select “Modem” and press the “OK” button.
We check that all sections contain data.
After the check is completed, click “Flash Firmware”.
We are waiting for the firmware process to finish, which can last over 15 minutes.

Finally, we move on to the last firmware method.

How to flash Android from a TAR archive

Not the most popular method, since there are very few firmwares that are packaged in a .TAR archive. Generally speaking, most of the process is the same as the previous method. How to reflash a phone from a TAR archive?

In Mobile Odin Pro, select "Open file".
In the window, find and select the downloaded firmware in .tar or .tar.md5 format, which was previously recorded in the “Firmware” folder. Click "OK".
Then we check that all sections have the necessary data.
Next, click “Flash Firmware”.
We wait for the installation to complete and reboot the device.

I would like to say a few words about the firmware of Chinese phones. Such devices are updated in exactly the same way, but there are a number of nuances. Firstly, finding high-quality firmware is very difficult, and for some gadgets it is completely impossible. Secondly, various fakes (like iPhone, Galaxy S4 and others) are unreliable, which is why custom firmware can cause irreparable harm to the device. That's all, we hope that our instructions answered your question on how to reflash a Chinese phone and original devices in order to update an already boring system. However, remember that flashing Android is an operation at your own peril and risk, which may not have very rosy consequences.

How to reflash a Samsung phone

In this section we will describe flashing using the MultiLoader application. After downloading it, you need to launch it and select “BRCM2133”. Then follow these instructions:

Go to the “Download” mode by holding down the power (lock) and volume keys. If the message “Download” appears on the screen, it means that everything was successful.
We connect the phone to the PC using a USB cable. After detecting the device, click the “Download” button and wait a couple of minutes.
Disconnect USB and reboot the smartphone. If the mobile phone starts in English, then we do a simple “Pre-configuration” by typing “*#6984125*#” → “Pre-configuration”, after which we enter the password “*#73561*#”. Select your country of residence and reboot. Next, enter “*2767*3855#” in the window, which will help reset the settings.
All is ready. The system has been updated. We think you understand how to reflash a Samsung phone.

Nokia firmware

New models support the firmware function “over the air”, that is, without connecting to a PC. All you need is high-speed Internet. So, how to reflash a Nokia phone? First of all, go to the “Settings” => “Phone” => “Phone Management” => “Device Update” section. You will be presented with all the important information about the phone model and firmware version. Select “Functions” => “Check for updates”. If newer versions of the software are detected, you will be notified and offered to update the old firmware. Everything is done automatically.

If you want to update the system via your computer using a USB cable, simply download the Nokia Software Updater application and run it. Then follow the instructions that will appear on the screen of your smartphone.

How to reflash an HTC phone

First you need to download the firmware itself. In addition, it is important to obtain root rights and make a backup using the method we described earlier. You can also create a backup using the Titanium Backup application. Let's get started with the process:

First we do a full “wipe”. We have already told you how to do this.
Next, select “install zip from sd-card” in recovery.
Then you need to enable or disable signature verification “toggle verification mode”.
We find our firmware and launch it. We wait for the update to complete and reboot. At the end, “Installation completed” should be displayed.

As you can see, the firmware for phones of this model largely coincides with the method of flashing firmware from a ZIP archive that we described earlier.

Firmware Sony Xperia

To flash the firmware we will need the Flashtool program and a USB cable. Let's start the process. So, how to reflash a Sony Xperia phone?

First, we download the required firmware, which will be in .ftf format.
Place this file in the /flashtool/firmwares folder.
Then you need to launch the FlashTool utility, turn off the phone and wait 30-60 seconds. Next, click on the button in the application where the lightning is drawn and select “Flashmode”.
A little later you will receive a message stating that the firmware is ready for installation and you need to connect the device.
We hold down the key responsible for lowering the volume, after which the Flashtool program identifies your device.
We wait for the end of the firmware until the message “Flashing finished” appears. Reboot the device and enjoy the updated software.

Let's move on to the last phone, for which we will tell you the firmware process.

Fly firmware

So, how to reflash a Fly phone? Follow the algorithm:

We connect the phone (turned off) to the PC using a USB cable.
Download, install and launch the same FlashTool.
Go to the “Download” section, where we indicate the COM port and speed (we do not recommend setting it higher than 460800).
Specify the downloader (“Download Agent”).
We load the memory distribution scheme of your smartphone (“Scatter-loading”) and then check the lines with the areas of the device’s flash memory that are subject to programming.
Click “Format FAT”, where we select “Manual Fat Format”. In “Begin address” and “Format Length” in hexadecimal format you must specify the starting address (0x0), as well as the size of the smartphone memory that needs to be cleared. Be careful as calibration data may be deleted inadvertently.
Click “Ok”, then press the device’s power button.
To start the firmware process, you must click the “Download” button.
After the update is completed, disconnect the phone from the USB cable and reboot it (several times if necessary).

As you can see, everything is quite simple.

Finally

Many users of phones running Android OS sooner or later wonder about changing the firmware, since the original one becomes outdated, which affects the overall performance of the phone. At the same time, system interruptions very often occur, which is especially important for Chinese phones. However, for various reasons, not everyone wants to go to a service center, preferring to reflash their smartphone themselves. In this article we have given many clear examples of this process. We think you found it interesting.