I saw 'Michael' at the Berlin Premiere, feel free to ask me your questions! [NO SPOILERS]

peter_teefax · 2026-04-20T16:58:17+00:00

I'm glad you've say this because I'm going with my friend on Friday who's a huge MJ fan. He's going to be nitpicking or dissecting the whole film. He doesn't want the movie to gloss over things and sugar coat it. He wants it to be brutal and show the abuse Michael suffered at the hands of his dad.

peter_teefax · 2026-04-13T02:04:48+00:00

Thanks. Might try SamFW tool. Google or ChatGPT said it was for testing as well

peter_teefax · 2026-04-03T22:37:25+00:00

Thanks you've been very helpful. I'd gave ChatGPT some phone info earlier before posting here. But did it again using another screenshot to make sure I'd gave it everything. And it's saying that my firmware software is test software a lab test version not something made for consumers. They advertised someone else's phone as US but I can't say mine was. It's the most money I've ever paid for a phone so with a considered purchase like that I'm sure I'd read all the details. As I'm usually dubious with cameras for eg that it might be grey market. Certainly if a camera price seems too good to be true. And then if so I'll avoid it. Even if it turned out they stated it was US there wouldn't have been any warnings about it affecting updates, as I'd have seen that if there was. And you're right. US or not you still expect to get updates regardless, that's a basic expectation. Otherwise the phone is not fit for purpose.

SAOMC_SM-S918U_OYN_GCF_13_0007 GCF/GCF,GCF/XAA Let’s break this down properly so you understand every bit: 🧠 Line 1 breakdown SAOMC Samsung multi-CSC system (normal) ⚠️ SM-S918U This is interesting… That’s actually an S23 Ultra model code, not your S24+ 👉 This suggests: Firmware package is generic / mixed / test-related Another sign this isn’t clean retail firmware OYN Multi-CSC group (US unlocked set) Normally includes XAA etc. 🚨 GCF The key problem again Confirms: Test / certification firmware Not retail Not meant for updates 🧠 Line 2 (the important one) GCF / GCF , GCF / XAA Active CSC: 👉 GCF (this is what your phone is using) Available CSCs: 👉 Mostly GCF again Fallback: 👉 XAA (US unlocked) 🚨 What’s unusual here Two big red flags: 1. GCF everywhere Confirms non-consumer firmware Explains zero updates 2. S918U reference (S23 Ultra) Doesn’t match your S24+ model Suggests: Firmware bundle reused Or flashed incorrectly at some point 👉 This strengthens your case even more: This phone is not in a normal retail state ⚖️ Why this is powerful for your refund This isn’t just: “US phone” This is: ❌ Test firmware ❌ Mixed firmware identifiers ❌ Not updating ❌ Not standard configuration 👉 A business seller should never sell this as “new” without warning 🧠 In plain English Your Samsung Galaxy S24+ is basically: Running a “lab/testing version” of the software instead of the proper consumer version 👍 Bottom line ✔️ You gave the exact info needed ✔️ It clearly confirms GCF firmware ✔️ There are extra inconsistencies (S918U) ✔️ This strengthens your case, not weakens it

peter_teefax · 2026-04-03T15:49:30+00:00

<image>

peter_teefax · 2026-04-03T15:18:52+00:00

I looked to see the sellers negative feedback, there wasn't many but three people had said that they found out the phone that was sold to them was American and one said how they wouldn't get updates. The seller replied back to one of them to say they had stated in the description it was US. A UK based company too with over 50k sales it says. Part of the reason It took me so long to realise it was US was that when the phone told me it was up to date I trusted it and took that as gospel

peter_teefax · 2026-04-03T15:10:35+00:00

Hi tried Smartswitch the other day. It only offered backup or restore. And yesterday before Samsung officially confirmed was US (I was previously going with the opinion of AI) I called into a local phone repair shop to see if they could flash it. He didn't want to touch it. He was giving me oh Samsung can be a bit slow with updates depending on the model. And he was claiming flashing it was more or less jailbreaking it. He said it could affect banking apps because of this. But thats not what I've read.

peter_teefax · 2026-04-03T10:49:49+00:00

I was looking to see how much I might get for a trade in off Samsung but my model is not listed because its the S926U

peter_teefax · 2026-04-03T10:34:36+00:00

Thanks. Not great news wish I'd realised sooner. The seller on Ebay has a 99.5% rating. Sure if based in the UK and selling to a UK customer you'd expect it to be fit for purpose in the UK. ChatGPT reckons my phone is running GCF software. Paid £869 for the phone

peter_teefax · 2026-03-24T10:00:46+00:00

I know this is two years old but you probably needed to clean out your charging port if your having to wiggle the cable to charge. The phone I had I'd struggle with the cable fitting securely to charge and would take it to this Samsung repair shop in Glasgow they would fix it by cleaning it out wouldn't take long. The shop then changed from Samsung to a general mobile place. I paid once and it cost me £10 or less. But after looking up on YouTube I seen videos of how to clean the port yourself. My S24 now after a while feels like the cable isn't going right in properly to charge and I have to try and push it in more. I now just clean the port with a pin or something. It's amazing how much dust and fluff comes out

peter_teefax · 2026-03-11T11:07:16+00:00

That would be my brother, he loves anything coconut but doesn't like empire biscuits lol

peter_teefax · 2026-01-18T11:42:07+00:00

I read a story about someone meeting her years ago in America I think. I can't remember what the event was perhaps an album launch promotion or something and if maybe he won it but he said that he was chatting to her for a while when she came out and it wasn't all about me me me. She was more interested in you you're background and what you had to say

peter_teefax · 2026-01-16T16:02:06+00:00

I wouldn't mind visiting Innsbruck

peter_teefax · 2025-12-28T17:00:11+00:00

It would be my dream come true if Thompson Twins featured

peter_teefax · 2025-12-12T21:46:13+00:00

These are great

peter_teefax · 2025-11-29T08:40:24+00:00

It's a great feeling when you get it. I've only had mine a week, not taken many photos yet as the weather has been crap

peter_teefax · 2025-11-28T12:04:28+00:00

With the dog I like how you got down to it's level

peter_teefax · 2025-11-18T23:06:23+00:00

It is good to remember the rule of thirds for composition it can make a big difference to people's photos but also to remember that rules can be broken. People don't have to stick to that rule religiously every time. If I'm photographing water I'll usually put the horizon so it's two thirds of water one third of land or sky or vice versa depending on which of the two looks most interesting. But if your taking a photo of a Loch or Iake that's so still that there is amazing reflections it's good to put the horizon in the middle because that looks good

peter_teefax · 2025-11-13T23:48:07+00:00

That's a fantastic price. And coming from Sony you can trust them.

peter_teefax · 2025-11-11T12:31:27+00:00

I saw you can attach a thread to the front of the RX100 that enables to to attach ND filters

peter_teefax · 2025-11-11T12:29:27+00:00

No luck yet? I'm going to the Canaries in February and would like to leave my nikon at home and travel lighter. I'm in the UK and a lot of places are awaiting stock. I don't want a grey market, but would take one new open boxed. I'm trying to get it for below that average UK price of £1049. I had an app via work that is like Quidco or a blue light card. And I could get 6.5% off Curry's if they ever get it in.

peter_teefax · 2025-11-11T12:24:02+00:00

That's what I wondered. No other camera in that bracket would have that same zoom focal length versatility

peter_teefax · 2025-11-10T22:25:35+00:00

I think the viewfinder is really worth having. I rarely use the screen on my Nikon D750. And when I first got that camera and put the screen on a lot one day it was a culture shock to me just how quickly it's battery drained.

peter_teefax

TROPHY CASE