Hey everyone - my first post here.
Anyway, I read and read and read about my new Vibrant to see just what I could do with it without screwing it up and bricking it and I find out my device is hardware locked.
After reading [GUIDE] / [THINK TANK] - Accessing downloader & recovery w/ locked hardware access (I cannot post a link just now, apparently) from start to finish, I am more confused than not. I cannot do anything but stay in a boot loop (by holding buttons down) or boot up the phone like normal. No recovery or download mode has so far been possible.
So, can I root my phone? Should I just attempt to exchange it? Should I wait for a work-around? Or is there information I'm missing somewhere?
Thanks, all. This community is insanely helpful and cordial, without you guys I'd never have gotten my dream working properly.
Edit: I was told that my lack of drivers were the problem - I thought I didn't need them on a 32 bit system. I did. Recovery reboot solved for me!
If you cannot enter Recovery Mode with Vol Up+Vol Down+Power, your phone is defective and T-Mo will exchange it.
You're serious? It really is that simple?
So, I call them up, tell them I have a hardware locked phone and I cannot boot into recovery mode, and they'll set me up?
I'm thinking I had to go learn odin and start getting less a'scared of command lines.
FenixGryph said:
Hey everyone - my first post here.
Anyway, I read and read and read about my new Vibrant to see just what I could do with it without screwing it up and bricking it and I find out my device is hardware locked.
After reading [GUIDE] / [THINK TANK] - Accessing downloader & recovery w/ locked hardware access (I cannot post a link just now, apparently) from start to finish, I am more confused than not. I cannot do anything but stay in a boot loop (by holding buttons down) or boot up the phone like normal. No recovery or download mode has so far been possible.
So, can I root my phone? Should I just attempt to exchange it? Should I wait for a work-around? Or is there information I'm missing somewhere?
Thanks, all. This community is insanely helpful and cordial, without you guys I'd never have gotten my dream working properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's my advice in a step-by-step:
-Install the AndroidSDK (And make sure it is named that) Found here - http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
-Move the folder to Computer> Local Disk ( C: )
-Run the .exe
-Go to Settings, click on Miscellaneous, and check Force https
-Click on Available Packages and install (And then minimize)
-Click Start and search cmd (Also known as Command Prompt)
-Type cd\ (And then press enter)
-Type AndroidSDK\Tools\adb reboot download (And then press enter)
**Make sure your phone is plugged into the computer with USB Debugging turned on.
Your phone will reboot and be in Download Mode. Hope this helps.
Hardware Locked, huh? really? on the vibrant?
Can someone explain what hardware locked vibrant is. Is this some term you guys made up. I can not for the life of me, figure out, why in the world Samsung would ship some phones hardware locked and others not.
Makes no sense, someone explain, seems like this is a made up term which does not apply to Vibrant.
Either Samsung is being completely ignorant to this issue or they have the worst quality control. I am beginning to think it's both. Simply google searching brings up lots of results on this issue.
My first Vibrant (USB port eventually broke) 3 button recovery worked fine; dated July 15. The replacement after that did not work, nor did the one after that. Those were both made on Aug 16. I finally got a refund under buyer's remorse and waited another week. Got my fourth Vibrant today, made 09/01 and yes it does work with 3 button recovery.
Keep in mind none of my Vibrants were refurbished units. They were all brand new. I think Samsung has a serious flaw on their hands. I'm concerned about keeping this phone even but I added the insurance on it just in case.
By "hardware locked" they mean that you cannot access the phone's recovery or dl mode using the 3 button method.
this has apparently started with the 08/**/2010 batches. beforehand this phone was deemed "unbrickable" but it's now actually possible with the newer shipments so ppl have got to be a lot careful trying to mod their phones now.
on a side note: i've read that Samsung Mobile Canada has admitted that the hardware locked phones are in actuality a defect. hopefully Samsung Mobile USA will come to the same conclusion.
sabooher said:
Either Samsung is being completely ignorant to this issue or they have the worst quality control. I am beginning to think it's both. Simply google searching brings up lots of results on this issue.
My first Vibrant (USB port eventually broke) 3 button recovery worked fine; dated July 15. The replacement after that did not work, nor did the one after that. Those were both made on Aug 16. I finally got a refund under buyer's remorse and waited another week. Got my fourth Vibrant today, made 09/01 and yes it does work with 3 button recovery.
Keep in mind none of my Vibrants were refurbished units. They were all brand new. I think Samsung has a serious flaw on their hands. I'm concerned about keeping this phone even but I added the insurance on it just in case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that's the first phone dated after 08/** that i've heard of actually having the 3 btn modes work. My bf has a vibrant and I've been holding off purchasing one myself since hearing about the hardware locked ones. i've been literally scouring ebay for a phone that was a part of the July batch.
well, this gives me a little hope.
Oniyuri said:
By "hardware locked" they mean that you cannot access the phone's recovery or dl mode using the 3 button method.
this has apparently started with the 08/**/2010 batches. beforehand this phone was deemed "unbrickable" but it's now actually possible with the newer shipments so ppl have got to be a lot careful trying to mod their phones now.
on a side note: i've read that Samsung Mobile Canada has admitted that the hardware locked phones are in actuality a defect. hopefully Samsung Mobile USA will come to the same conclusion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well just my 2 cents on the topic, entering recovery mode required following strict steps, miss 1 single step, and you won't get into recovery.
now as far as download mode goes, I have been able to get into it once. This was by accident, I was randomly doing various sequences of volume rocker and power, it went into download mode. Now since then, I have no clue what sequence I used, but I have never been able to get into download mode ever again.
Additionally, my phone is dated 7/2010, so the 8/2010 batch theory doesn't hold since I can not get into download mode either now.
To get into Recovery Mode, follow these steps.
Okay, I'm reading lots of people having trouble getting into recovery mode, thinking their phone is broken or busted. Chances are you are not holding down the power button log enough, or you are letting go of something too quick.
FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS STEP BY STEP.
1) START with your phone off
2) Press volume up AND volume down at same time, keep them pressed in the entire time, do NOT let go. I prefer to hold my phone in landscape, this gives me better control with my fingers.
3) WHILE holding down volume up and volume down, press and hold power button, DO NOT LET GO OF ANYTHING. You should be holding down volume up, volume down, and power, DON'T LET GO! HOLD ON... and proceed to next steps, dont let go!
4) PHONE will start, you will see the white Vibrant logo. STILL DON'T LET GO, volume down, volume up, and power all pressed.
5) White Vibrant logo disappears, still dont let go!
6) White Vibrant logo re-appears again for the second time. Right when you see the white vibrant logo pop up a second time, let go of ONLY the power button, keep holding down volume down and volume up.
7) Phone enters recovery mode, you can let go the volume rocker.
hope this helps, it worked for me, hopefully it works for you also.
now can someone post sure fire method into getting into download without needing to connect the phone to your computer and using odin?
Oniyuri said:
I think that's the first phone dated after 08/** that i've heard of actually having the 3 btn modes work. My bf has a vibrant and I've been holding off purchasing one myself since hearing about the hardware locked ones. i've been literally scouring ebay for a phone that was a part of the July batch.
well, this gives me a little hope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hate to break it to you, my phone is made in July, and it WILL NOT go into download mode, I do however get into recovery mode.
That phone date batch theory doesn't hold true, so you can stop searching for july phones.
Oniyuri said:
on a side note: i've read that Samsung Mobile Canada has admitted that the hardware locked phones are in actuality a defect. hopefully Samsung Mobile USA will come to the same conclusion.[/QUOTE]
where did you read this, please provide the link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Mobile USA support is worthless. I called three times and finally got someone in "premier support" who didn't know anything. He actually went as far as to tell me a simple data wipe would resolve this problem, ha! I then got a hold of someone at Samsung Telecom corporate office who said he'd look into it and never called me back. No surprise there either. I think it's kind of sad that people are having to resort to Facebook wall comments to get a company to start backing it's products.
Thanks to sabooher, I was able to get into download mode with no problems, I hope this works for you, and thank you again sabooher.
okay, start off with your phone turned off
hold down both volume down and volume up at the same time, do not touch the power button
now, get your usb cable, have one end into your computer, the other end put into your vibrant, while you are still holding down the volume up and volume down at same time. dont touch power button
your phone hopefully will now go into download mode!
SamsungVibrant said:
FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS STEP BY STEP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, no good.
jonathan3579 said:
Here's my advice in a step-by-step:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the sdk already, so that was no problem. With usb debugging on, I had the same problem I've always had with adb - error: device not found.
SamsungVibrant said:
Oniyuri said:
on a side note: i've read that Samsung Mobile Canada has admitted that the hardware locked phones are in actuality a defect. hopefully Samsung Mobile USA will come to the same conclusion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where did you read this, please provide the link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, it's all over their facebook page. I've read tons of android sites so I can't quote the site that led me to this page but I've been following the Samsung Mobile Canada FB page over the last few days about it. Suffice it to say: the Bell customers are really not pleased with the 3 btn issue: Samsung Mobile Canada
FenixGryph said:
Nope, no good.
Had the sdk already, so that was no problem. With usb debugging on, I had the same problem I've always had with adb - error: device not found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe you don't have the correct drivers installed, try the ones from this thread --> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728929
Well here's my take on things. I got my phone (July 11th build date) directly from T-Mobile corporate. Came via FEDEX on launch day. Long story, suffice to say I had Behold II and complained to the right people at the right time and got swapped a Vibrant to basically shut me up.
Entering download mode seems to be very timing specific even for this original batch phone. There is only one way I can reliably get download mode 100% of the time...
- Pull battery
- plug in to USB cable connected to PC
- hold down VOL DOWN + VOL UP (DO NOT HOLD DOWN POWER)
- Insert battery
Alternately I can get into download mode using VOL DOWN+ VOL UP + POWER, but I have to be very careful to catch the right moment after the Vibrant logo appears the 2nd time to release power to get download mode.
When I ODIN, I use the first method always now.
masterotaku said:
Entering download mode seems to be very timing specific even for this original batch phone. There is only one way I can reliably get download mode 100% of the time...
- Pull battery
- plug in to USB cable connected to PC
- hold down VOL DOWN + VOL UP (DO NOT HOLD DOWN POWER)
- Insert battery
Alternately I can get into download mode using VOL DOWN+ VOL UP + POWER, but I have to be very careful to catch the right moment after the Vibrant logo appears the 2nd time to release power to get download mode.
When I ODIN, I use the first method always now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's odd. I've never had a problem getting into download mode; in fact, I was confused the first time it happened cuz I didn't mean to! All I have to do is make sure the USB cable is plugged in and then hold all 3 buttons when I turn it on and into download mode it goes.
crazycaveman said:
That's odd. I've never had a problem getting into download mode; in fact, I was confused the first time it happened cuz I didn't mean to! All I have to do is make sure the USB cable is plugged in and then hold all 3 buttons when I turn it on and into download mode it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tend to have bad luck with Odin too. I've seen the "ohsh*t" icon many times...
(note: the "ohsh*t" icon is what I call the phone/caution symbol/pc icon I tend to see quite often)
When that happens the ONLY way I can get back to download mode is the battery-insert method.
FenixGryph said:
Nope, no good.
Had the sdk already, so that was no problem. With usb debugging on, I had the same problem I've always had with adb - error: device not found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It definitely sounds like you don't have the correct drivers installed. My drivers were downloaded through the installation of Kies, however, is your computer online while you are attempting this? I can only speak for my computer which is running Windows 7, but it automatically downloads any updated/new drivers necessary when connected online.
woot!
Ha ha!! The drivers were the problem. I was under the impression I only had to install the samsung drivers if I was on a 64 bit system.
I'm looking at my recovery menu now and am very happy! Wish I had time to do the stuff I wanted to do the vibrant before work, but I gotta make a couple of bucks before I get this guy set up just how I want.
See? I knew XDA was the place to be. Many thanks Oniyuri and jonathan3579!
Related
So I plugged my Vibrant into Odin to revert to stock. Apparently everything went wrong, and now my phone is stuck at the Phone---!---computer screen. It seems that my phone won't respond to hardware methods of entering download mode, so am I screwed?
Keep reading on here. This has happened to many people. Keep trying things and hopefully you will get it.
1. Remove SD and SIM card
2. Remove battery
3. plugged the phone into USB (connected to PC)
4. held down vol-up and vol-down
5. popped the battery back in while holding vol buttons
I've tried that, and many other methods, multiple times already. It seems that none of the volume/power methods do anything for my phone. I'm certain that if hardware-locks do exist for certain vibrants, mine just so happens to be one of them (Date on box is August 13). I just want to know if anyone with a similarly dated phone has ever been able to access download mode without adb.
If anyone knows of more methods, please post them. If all else fails, I'll go complain in my local T-Mobile store that my phone died. I have no idea if that'll get me anywhere, but it's worth a shot.
Does anyone who has had a problem similar to mine know of any fix? By that I mean, has someone who has had a presumably hardware-locked phone ever been able to boot it into download mode without adb? I'd really like to know if I can salvage this thing, or if I have to try my luck with T-Mobile.
Try holding volume down and holding power button and plug in USB while this is happening.
Sadly, I've tried that method as well, thank you though for responding. I will continue trying since it seems not to be a 100% thing for some people. Anyway, for the Volume keys + Power method, can anyone provide a more precise time of releasing power than "When it goes black". I'm hoping my inability to enter download mode is human-error, so I'd like as much input on this as possible. Thanks in advance.
Generic112 said:
Sadly, I've tried that method as well, thank you though for responding. I will continue trying since it seems not to be a 100% thing for some people. Anyway, for the Volume keys + Power method, can anyone provide a more precise time of releasing power than "When it goes black". I'm hoping my inability to enter download mode is human-error, so I'd like as much input on this as possible. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you see the " !---> (pc)" symbol, plug your USB in. Hold down volume +, volume -, and power. As soon as the screen turns black release the power button only. Continue holding Vol + and Vol -. You'll enter Download mode.
I've tried that multiple times, but I will continue to try it. It seems as though my phone won't register that buttons are being pressed. All that happens is the phone reboots to the Phone--!--Computer screen every time the power is held and released (As it should). No combination of buttons seems to have any affect on this. Oh well, I'll continue trying and hopefully someone will post a working method.
I have the same problem and the hardware button method isn't working and I am stuck at the Phone ! Computer screen, and I read around the forums and they say that some Vibrant's have the hardware method locked, so you can't boot into Download mode from using the buttons. Since adb cannot find the phone when its stuck at this screen it seems we are both screwed. I have found no other solution other than returning it Tmo, not sure if they will exchange since it might be a violation of warranty.
I'm just going to play dumb when I go to T-Mobile. I'll say it just booted into that screen, and I can't get out of it. The hardware lock appears to be a defect, since it's not present on most Vibrants, so that should be able to warrant the replacement phone. I've been with T-Mobile awhile, and they're usually pretty good with replacements. Besides, the phone would be easily fixed if it wasn't broken in the first place.
But before I go to T-Mobile, I'm going to try and talk to Customer Service. If it's a common problem, then I'm sure it can be covered under warranty (Even though MOST ways of getting it require voiding warranty). Again, on the basis that this wouldn't be a big deal if my phone worked like a normal Vibrant. Besides, I'm sure T-Mobile can flash it without requiring the hardware method, so even if they only charge me some sort of service fee, I won't really mind.
As final moral reassurance for myself, I only tried to flash it because apps started FC on me and the phone constantly acted weird. The only thing I've done is root it, so it's not like I really set it up to fail.
Let me know how it goes with Customer Service. I would to get this problem resolved as well with the least amount of trouble. I don't want to have a brick and have to pay like $500 for a new phone. And I think the hardware buttons thing might actually be a defect. I tried doing the hardware buttons thing to get to recovery mode once before and it worked. I did this to install an update.zip to root the phone. It only worked that one time and now the buttons don't boot into recovery mode or download mode. It if works once then not again, there has to be something wrong.
I'll be trying them tomorrow (It's 10PM where I am). If all goes well, I'll try and contact you. I'm pretty sure I'll be safe so long as I don't mention rooting it. The firmware flash they'll have to do should help me on that front, so unless they catch on, I should be safe. Anyway, hopefully tomorrow I'll be good news, otherwise expect some post from me on Monday or Tuesday, depending on whether I have the time to deal with them or not.
Hey Generic112, I got with T-Mobile customer service. I told them about the screen I was seeing but did not mention rooting or attempting to flash the phone. They said they will replace my phone by shipping me a new Vibrant, but I have to return the one I have. I am not sure if they will do a check to verify if the Vibrant was rooted or not after they receive it, but I will have my new Vibrant before they receive the one I have. I won't know what will happen for awhile because its going to take a week for the new phone to arrive and when it does then I will be returning the one with the phone ! computer problem, unless someone thinks it is a better idea to tell them what happened and have them repair it?
I am also struck with the same problem
Hi,
I am also struck with the same problem. Please let me know if you guys got any method to resolve the problem or T-Mobile was able to help.
the3dman said:
Keep reading on here. This has happened to many people. Keep trying things and hopefully you will get it.
1. Remove SD and SIM card
2. Remove battery
3. plugged the phone into USB (connected to PC)
4. held down vol-up and vol-down
5. popped the battery back in while holding vol buttons
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This method actually worked for me. I was beginning to think I'd have to build the USB jig, but tried this as a last ditch. Thanks!
The above method has worked for me numerous times with the same problem, my old bricked one, and my new one. Try holding down power button as well once or twice, never know. You have to keep the volume buttons pressed the whole time for it to work.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
ViralCipher said:
Hey Generic112, I got with T-Mobile customer service. I told them about the screen I was seeing but did not mention rooting or attempting to flash the phone. They said they will replace my phone by shipping me a new Vibrant, but I have to return the one I have. I am not sure if they will do a check to verify if the Vibrant was rooted or not after they receive it, but I will have my new Vibrant before they receive the one I have. I won't know what will happen for awhile because its going to take a week for the new phone to arrive and when it does then I will be returning the one with the phone ! computer problem, unless someone thinks it is a better idea to tell them what happened and have them repair it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In some cases that I've read they say, TMo charged them 600$ for the Replacement after finding out that it was bricked due to hacking. Before replacing try to get it repaired by them.
I would also like people whose phones were replaced to confirm what I've said above.
ech419 said:
In some cases that I've read they say, TMo charged them 600$ for the Replacement after finding out that it was bricked due to hacking. Before replacing try to get it repaired by them.
I would also like people whose phones were replaced to confirm what I've said above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He should be able to get the phone woking again, what happened is not a big deal. If he sends it in the way it's sitting right now, t'Mo's techs won't have a problem getting it working again. (IMO) Especially if they find out the phone's rooted, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets charged.
I bricked my phone so bad, it was beyond recovery. I erased the bootloader, therefore it was completelly dead. No life. I got a replacement under warranty for free, never got charged for it.
My advice would be to try and get to work again before sending it in.
installed the newest whisky rom this morning, all was well, did a reboot and now phone just goes to a screen with the phone to pc icon and nothing else. i cannot access adb or odin! please help. vibrant bricked!
Here is a couple of methods to get into download mode. Once you get to download mode, follow the directions in my next post...
First Method
1) Pull the battery, sim card, and sd card.
2) Reinsert battery but do not press any buttons.
3) Plug into usb that is connected to your computer. If something shows up on the screen (charging logo) then you should be golden.
4) Hold the vol up, vol down, and power until the screen comes on, immediately release the power button but not the other two. Hopefully it will boot into download mode and than you can use Odin to get back to stock.
Second Method
1) Another method that seems to work for some people is to pull the battery, sim, sd card.
2) Reinsert battery and hold both volume buttons but do not press power button.
3) Then plug in usb. The phone should boot into download.
Third Method
1) You will need the samsung ADB drivers installed for your phone and ADB.
Samsung Drivers for 32 bit Windows: http://files.androidspin.com/downlo...=SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones_x86.exe
Samsung Drivers for 64 bit Windows: http://files.androidspin.com/downlo...ung/vibrant/&file=usb_drivers_GalaxyS_x64.zip
2) Remove sim card and sd-card. Remove the battery.
3) Hold buttons vol up, vol down, and power.
4) While holding down those 3 buttons put the battery back in and keep holding all 3 buttons until the vibrant disappears and reappears. Once it reappears, release all 3 buttons.
5) Now connect your phone to your pc via USB cable.
6) Open a cmd prompt and navigate to the folder with ADB and type "ADB REBOOT DOWNLOAD" caps are not necessary.
7) Your phone will reboot into the download screen.
Typos and other gibberish courtesy of Swype
Download the files in the linked thread and follow the directions there our the ones in my post.
Odin and Files Needed Available Here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=734475
1) Open Odin and verify that one of the Com ports shows a device connected. If it doesn't try using a different usb port.
2) Load the .pit and pda files. It should be pretty obvious how to do that once you are in Odin.
3) Make sure that the option to partition is unchecked. The other two options should be checked.
4) Hit start and wait.
5) Your phone will restart when Odin is done and you will be good to go.
Typos and other gibberish courtesy of Swype
Had that few days ago..please try this to access download mode...
I did the following:
1. take out the battery, sim and microSD
2. put battery in
3. ONLY hold vol down & power
4. plug in the USB and voila...download mode!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
none of those options work to get into download mode, even via adb with reboot download it still shows a screen with a cell phone, a orange triangle and a pc as soon as it gets power.
ielati said:
none of those options work to get into download mode, even via adb with reboot download it still shows a screen with a cell phone, a orange triangle and a pc as soon as it gets power.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your phone hardware locked?
no, not hardware locked. im niot sure what the screen means. its a cell phone then a orange triangle with exclamation point, then a pc. but it goes to that as soon as the power is turned on
Hold down both volume buttons and the power button. Wait until the screen turns black and release the power button. Welcome to download mode.
Edit: do all of this with the battery in, the phone connected to the computer, and Odin open. Once it goes into download mode, Odin should immediately recognize it.
Email me [email protected]
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
mail it to me, i bet i can get it in download mode, it just takes patients and alot of tries, dont give up so easy.
i have a new vibrant on the way from t-mob. went to the store and they gave me a nokia E73. i dont like it at all all the buttons and no touch screen. feels like 1998
ielati said:
i have a new vibrant on the way from t-mob. went to the store and they gave me a nokia E73. i dont like it at all all the buttons and no touch screen. feels like 1998
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what you're saying is...you commited fraud. You are causing my costs on phones to go up. You knew the risks of flashing ROMs on your phone and when you screwed up instead of taking responsibility you give the bill to all the other T-mobile customers...
THANKS!!!
Typos and other gibberish courtesy of Swype
how is that fraud? i explained to the rep what happened and they offered a replacement. i dont see how that caused your cost to go up... thanks for your response tho...
Ignore him, dude has no idea what he is talking about.
I had the same problem though, don't worry.
What will happen is they will force the phone into download mode, using the same method the jig thing does, wipe the phone, and flash the default rom to it. From there, they will resell it depending on the physical condition of the phone. Of course if it suffered water damage a steep fee will need to be paid. If they find out you voided the warranty, hope you have the insurance package or again, a steep fee.
ielati said:
how is that fraud? i explained to the rep what happened and they offered a replacement. i dont see how that caused your cost to go up... thanks for your response tho...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You explained that you voided the warranty by flashing an aftermarket ROM and when you screwed it up you called them because you want it replaced and they said no problem? Do you really expect me to believe that you told the rep the full truth?
The costs go up because they factor in the costs of replacement phones due to manufacturing defects. When people screw up their own phone and then get it replaced, the costs in the future go up.
Typos and other gibberish courtesy of Swype
That's what insurance is for, stolen, lost, broken, BRICKED, just pay your deductible... and bam.I wish t-mobile had vanishing deductible
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
hockeyrcks9901 said:
The costs go up because they factor in the costs of replacement phones due to manufacturing defects. When people screw up their own phone and then get it replaced, the costs in the future go up.
Typos and other gibberish courtesy of Swype
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This wasn't a defect. He just screwed something up. They'll flash stock rom on it and then bam, resell it. Why do you think they asked for it back, just to throw it against the wall?
exactly, they will load a rom onto it and resell it, nothing wrong with the phone just software. either way ive got insurance on it and they accepted it . thanks for the input tho!
Thanks a ton!!! I've been up til 4am last night trying to fix my friend's Vibrant do to boot loop and had no way of accessing internal memory. Even CWM wouldn't do wipe data/factory reset....
He used Root Tools to change font and crashed it and I've tried method after method (ODIN, adb etc...) but was stuck! Finally I got the phone to pc icon and tried THIS method and what do you know...restored to stock under 3 minutes.
Much appreciated
BioShadow said:
This wasn't a defect. He just screwed something up. They'll flash stock rom on it and then bam, resell it. Why do you think they asked for it back, just to throw it against the wall?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to that
Ur on a phone hacking community site complaining about wht hundreds of people do on this site all the time. We flash roms and sometimes we make mistakes I admit some people shouldnt flash roms but we pay our insurance for a reason. I hope u werent serious or ur just a really good troll!
I bricked my galaxy note i717 beyond recovery with a regular jig. I've looked into jtag but I haven't found any information whether it's viable for the i717 (i.e. which jtag it's using, which box I would need, where I would need to bring it etc etc.)
So here's my question: Do any of you guys know any more about how to unbrick the phone or details about whether/how to unbrick using jtag?
Maybe I've overlooked something else. Here's how it went down:
I was stupid and tried to flash the phone with firmware for the N7000 because I was overexcited and didn't know that it wasn't an n7000. Now the recovery mode wouldn't let me upgrade (understandable reasons I guess) so I decided to force flash it with odin which also didn't let me upgrade the phone. So I used some method relying on adb. The process took way to long so I unplugged the phone mid-way through it, then replugged it and suddenly the process reported success. So the phone started rebooting just that instead of actually booting up it stayed black. Pressing any of the buttons yields no response - neither vibration nor any screen response. Using the usb jig also yields no response but I'm not entirely sure if there's a jig method that might work - or a key combo that might work - or even a usb method that might work.
Anyway any advice would be highly appreciated.
Did you try return to the store where you boought it? If your phone don't show anything on the screen, there is no way store knows what's going on with your phone unless you tell them the truth
That's exactly what I would do
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA App
if you can get into download mode try reflashing the stock recovery found in the dev section then if you can get that fair try flashing the odin stock rom to see if it will boot
Read his OP. He can't get into the download mode even with a Jig.
I have yet to encounter any one as reckless as OP trying so hard to brick the phone
foxbat121 said:
Read his OP. He can't get into the download mode even with a Jig.
I have yet to encounter any one as reckless as OP trying so hard to brick the phone
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he never said if he tried with the hardware buttons doesn't mean he cant do it if hes been trying the jig
foxbat121 said:
Read his OP. He can't get into the download mode even with a Jig.
I have yet to encounter any one as reckless as OP trying so hard to brick the phone
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Somebody has to be the guinea pig I guess lol. Glad it wasnt me. LOL Only thing worse is the Will it blend guy or the iFix it tear downs lol.
BLOWNCO said:
he never said if he tried with the hardware buttons doesn't mean he cant do it if hes been trying the jig
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If jig won't work, I'm pretty sure hardware button won't work either. It goes without saying that he probably already tried everything he could find.
edpsx said:
Somebody has to be the guinea pig I guess lol. Glad it wasnt me. LOL Only thing worse is the Will it blend guy or the iFix it tear downs lol.
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That's not guinea pig. He did couple wrong things in a row (wrong ROM, god know what he is doing with abd and then unplug the phone in the middle of flashing or something). If I'd make a guess, he screwed up the bootloader.
foxbat121 said:
Did you try return to the store where you boought it? If your phone don't show anything on the screen, there is no way store knows what's going on with your phone unless you tell them the truth
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Yeah I thought about doing that - worst case scenario they tell me I voided my warranty and give me the phone back and I can still try finding a jtag solution or do i have to face any other consequences including maybe never getting my phone back?
foxbat121 said:
He did couple wrong things in a row (wrong ROM, god know what he is doing with abd and then unplug the phone in the middle of flashing or something). If I'd make a guess, he screwed up the bootloader.
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That's my guess too. I screwed up badly. I would like to blame it on the late hour I did all that but it was just overexcited stupidity -_-
Try your buttons...
Everybody's talking about whether you tried to get into download mode with buttons, but You have not said for sure you tried it.
Hold down down volume button, home button and power button all at the same time. You don't know for sure until you try it.
brojoe11 said:
Everybody's talking about whether you tried to get into download mode with buttons, but You have not said for sure you tried it.
Hold down down volume button, home button and power button all at the same time. You don't know for sure until you try it.
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I'm sorry that I wasn't being very clear on this but I have tried and it didn't work. Thanks though.
cilmeron said:
I'm sorry that I wasn't being very clear on this but I have tried and it didn't work. Thanks though.
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I know on some phones that download mode can still be activated even if the screen isn't working properly and displaying it. I know many infuse users ran into problems and were still able to use Odin to flash stock and fix their phone. Try doing the hardware method of getting into download mode, and even though your screen doesn't show anything, it may still connect to Odin and you could try to flash back to stock.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
U cant brick these phones.use the hardware buttons to get into download mode.
Take battery out and put it back in.hold power vol down and home for 20sec and then press vol up and plug into ur pc with odin running.u should see something on port section.
If that dont work.hold power and both vol. Buttons for 30 sec. Then press vol.up and plug in usb.hope it works.
mintu123 said:
U cant brick these phones.use the hardware buttons to get into download mode.
Take battery out and put it back in.hold power vol down and home for 20sec and then press vol up and plug into ur pc with odin running.u should see something on port section.
If that dont work.hold power and both vol. Buttons for 30 sec. Then press vol.up and plug in usb.hope it works.
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Actually, you can brick it to the point of needing JTAG repairs to restore your device. That being said, it's very very very hard to brick it. You have to do something like flash firmware for a completely wrong device and screw up your bootloaders in the process.
cilmeron said:
I bricked my galaxy note i717 beyond recovery with a regular jig. I've looked into jtag but I haven't found any information whether it's viable for the i717 (i.e. which jtag it's using, which box I would need, where I would need to bring it etc etc.)
So here's my question: Do any of you guys know any more about how to unbrick the phone or details about whether/how to unbrick using jtag?
Maybe I've overlooked something else. Here's how it went down:
I was stupid and tried to flash the phone with firmware for the N7000 because I was overexcited and didn't know that it wasn't an n7000. Now the recovery mode wouldn't let me upgrade (understandable reasons I guess) so I decided to force flash it with odin which also didn't let me upgrade the phone. So I used some method relying on adb. The process took way to long so I unplugged the phone mid-way through it, then replugged it and suddenly the process reported success. So the phone started rebooting just that instead of actually booting up it stayed black. Pressing any of the buttons yields no response - neither vibration nor any screen response. Using the usb jig also yields no response but I'm not entirely sure if there's a jig method that might work - or a key combo that might work - or even a usb method that might work.
Anyway any advice would be highly appreciated.
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Click to collapse
I've read some so my suggestion is this:
First make sure that you have the drivers installed for your phone. Then pull the battery wait for a few seconds. press the down button and then the power to go in download mode and hold them pressed for 20s. Now plug in the USB and press the volume up button. If Odin detects it you're good to go! If not... Well it's worth a shot
My theory is that even though the screen is blank, the hardware still boots properly. Just make sure your battery is somewhat charged. And also plug in the USB AFTER you "boot" in download mode.
Sent from my SGH-I717R using xda premium
I was stupid and tried to flash the phone with firmware for the N7000 because I was overexcited and didn't know that it wasn't an n7000. Now the recovery mode wouldn't let me upgrade (understandable reasons I guess) so I decided to force flash it with odin which also didn't let me upgrade the phone. So I used some method relying on adb. The process took way to long so I unplugged the phone mid-way through it, then replugged it and suddenly the process reported success. So the phone started rebooting just that instead of actually booting up it stayed black. Pressing any of the buttons yields no response - neither vibration nor any screen response. Using the usb jig also yields no response but I'm not entirely sure if there's a jig method that might work - or a key combo that might work - or even a usb method that might work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything here screams 'you should never attempt to modify your device again.'
What is it with all you smart asses telling him he shouldn't have done it??? What, you never made a mistake in your entire life???
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA App
Why don't you find Adam_Outler in the hardware hacking forum? Send your phone to him and he'll hopefully be able to create an unbrickable mod. Not only will you likely have a fixed phone but it will mean volumes for our community.
Note, you will be without a phone for a bit
I did something stupid to my note too so don't feel too bad. **** happens... I returned my note to att with no problem because my screen was permanently black. Wouldn't do anything download mode,cwm nothin.. Flashed gsm kernel from root so beware the way its layed out u won't know its gsm unless you read it extremely careful. I had read the thread three times and only caught it after i read really slowly post-brick.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
ekerbuddyeker said:
What is it with all you smart asses telling him he shouldn't have done it??? What, you never made a mistake in your entire life???
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA App
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It's not that, we've all made mistakes, but it's like this guy went out of his way to try to brick the phone. This isn't like "oh crap, I flashed the wrong radio"
He tried to flash a ROM from a different SoC and every fail-safe wouldn't let him do it. I'm surprised at how well the different programs tried to save his phone, then he actually went ADB and forced it onto his phone and then he unplugs during a flash.
It's like he drove his car without paying attention and hit a fence that prevents you from flying off a cliff, then he kept ramming his car into the fence, then took some C4, blew up the fence, drove off the cliff, then started yelling "help, I fell off the cliff"
N3RD420 said:
I did something stupid to my note too so don't feel too bad. **** happens... I returned my note to att with no problem because my screen was permanently black. Wouldn't do anything download mode,cwm nothin.. Flashed gsm kernel from root so beware the way its layed out u won't know its gsm unless you read it extremely careful. I had read the thread three times and only caught it after i read really slowly post-brick.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
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Click to collapse
I'm confused, is there a CDMA Note? What do you mean "they won't know it's GSM"?
I dropped my phone a few days ago and the power button stopped working. Reboot ed into recovery from Rom Manager and realized that I couldn't select anything because I need the power button (tried every other button as well; nothing works). Took the battery out and put it back in (the only way to turn it off now) and it instantly booted into recovery. I can't send it to AT&T because I have at least 10 counts and they'll instantly see that CWM is on there.
Please help me!
kancheek1995 said:
I dropped my phone a few days ago and the power button stopped working. Reboot ed into recovery from Rom Manager and realized that I couldn't select anything because I need the power button (tried every other button as well; nothing works). Took the battery out and put it back in (the only way to turn it off now) and it instantly booted into recovery. I can't send it to AT&T because I have at least 10 counts and they'll instantly see that CWM is on there.
Please help me!
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Click to collapse
You dropped your phone. Samsung/AT&T warranty doesn't cover accidents, so there's no sense in worrying about your flash count. You're SOL. But you are free to try of course. Reverting to stock is very easy. What would you even do in recovery mode to revert to stock? Did you bother to look around the forum? There is a guide in the general forum on how to do that.
Out of curiosity, I did a google search to see what the repair options were for a broken power button. Saw that Mobile Tech Videos does it for $35 + shipping. Might be one of the better options at this point. As for the counter, just buy or make a jig to reset it.
mzaur said:
You dropped your phone. Samsung/AT&T warranty doesn't cover accidents, so there's no sense in worrying about your flash count. You're SOL. But you are free to try of course. Reverting to stock is very easy. What would you even do in recovery mode to revert to stock? Did you bother to look around the forum? There is a guide in the general forum on how to do that.
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They wouldn't know that I dropped it unless I told them that, so as of right now the button stopped working by itself. I reverted to stock a while ago when I thought I bricked it, but I need to get it into download mode which can't be done without the power button.
kancheek1995 said:
They wouldn't know that I dropped it unless I told them that, so as of right now the button stopped working by itself. I reverted to stock a while ago when I thought I bricked it, but I need to get it into download mode which can't be done without the power button.
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Recovery mode requires the power button. Download mode only requires the two volume buttons. With the phone off, while holding down vol- & vol+ plug in USB cable.
Lawrence of a Labia said:
Out of curiosity, I did a google search to see what the repair options were for a broken power button. Saw that Mobile Tech Videos does it for $35 + shipping. Might be one of the better options at this point. As for the counter, just buy or make a jig to reset it.
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Click to collapse
Good info if I ever need this
Has anybody used mobile tech videos to get their power button fixed? Mine stopped working out of the blue today, my phone is long out of warranty, and it refuses to connect to my computer at all so I can't revert to stock (I'm running AOKP 6.27.12 Build right now). I don't want to just send my phone off to some place that isn't reputable.
elementlaxer said:
Has anybody used mobile tech videos to get their power button fixed? Mine stopped working out of the blue today, my phone is long out of warranty, and it refuses to connect to my computer at all so I can't revert to stock (I'm running AOKP 6.27.12 Build right now). I don't want to just send my phone off to some place that isn't reputable.
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It's still got to be in warranty with Samsung. The first units were shipped just under 9 months ago.
Mobile tech videos is considered to be quite reputable. I have only seen good reports about them, and the owner posts actively on the XDA-Developers boards.
You should be able to enter download mode. You don't need the power button for that.
Darn I didn't realize how long Samsung's warranties were. I made the switch back in October from Apple products so I'm used to crappy warranties.
I've already shipped to mobile tech videos because I searched around the forums a bit and found out that he is in fact reputable.
And I know how to get into download mode, I can do that no problem. My computer always pops up saying there is some problem with the device and I'm not sure how to fix it. I have the drivers installed correctly and it has worked in the past, but not recently. I would try to replicate it now but I don't have the phone in my possession, and at the moment it isn't really causing me an issue.
If you can't get Odin to recognize the phone once connected to the computer in download mode, then it is most likely a driver problem, or less likely a problem with the USB cable or ports. Once you get the phone back, if you still have the problem, that is where to look first.
I just wanted to point out that the broken power button would not prevent you from returning the phone to stock, although it can be a bit of a problem that you can't use recovery.
Yeah I was a bit worried that if I tried to go through Odin and something got messed up I wouldn't be able to get back into recovery to restore from a backup.
Thanks for all the help! I feel like a total noob and I appreciate your patience haha
In case you haven't already tried, in some versions of CWM (even non-touch) the search button (softkey) works like enter. Try all of the softkeys, one of them might work for you.
Yes, but if you Odin back to stock with a broken power button, that leaves you with stock 3e recovery. Even if you use adb reboot recovery to get into 3e recovery, you can't select anything without the power button.
I've searched and searched, but I've been unable to find a solution to, or even any examples of, my particular problem. I was wiping and formatting everything before I flashing a ROM as I've done countless times before, but this time I decided to format the boot partition, which I can't remember ever doing before, and I think I then pulled the battery before flashing anything.
Now when I put the battery back in or plug in the USB cable (without pressing any buttons at all) the phone immediately shows the Vibrant/Samsung screen and nothing else happens. Holding the power button (or power + vol up, or power + vol down, or power + vol up and down) makes the screen flash off momentarily and then come back on again, but that's it. I can't get into recovery mode, and I couldn't get into download mode either, as the phone won't stay off when I put the battery in.
So, I bought a USB jig and to my relief it enabled the phone to get into download mode. I put the jig in the USB port and insert the battery, and download mode immediately comes up. Then I remove the jig and either connect the USB cable and then start Odin, or start Odin and then connect the USB cable. Either way, Odin doesn't recognize the phone. Windows gives me some sort of error about a malfunctioning USB device.
I know the problem is the phone, and not my cable or computer, because I can Odin to my wife's Vibrant no problem. Any ideas?
sporglak said:
I've searched and searched, but I've been unable to find a solution to, or even any examples of, my particular problem. I was wiping and formatting everything before I flashing a ROM as I've done countless times before, but this time I decided to format the boot partition, which I can't remember ever doing before, and I think I then pulled the battery before flashing anything.
Now when I put the battery back in or plug in the USB cable (without pressing any buttons at all) the phone immediately shows the Vibrant/Samsung screen and nothing else happens. Holding the power button (or power + vol up, or power + vol down, or power + vol up and down) makes the screen flash off momentarily and then come back on again, but that's it. I can't get into recovery mode, and I couldn't get into download mode either, as the phone won't stay off when I put the battery in.
So, I bought a USB jig and to my relief it enabled the phone to get into download mode. I put the jig in the USB port and insert the battery, and download mode immediately comes up. Then I remove the jig and either connect the USB cable and then start Odin, or start Odin and then connect the USB cable. Either way, Odin doesn't recognize the phone. Windows gives me some sort of error about a malfunctioning USB device.
I know the problem is the phone, and not my cable or computer, because I can Odin to my wife's Vibrant no problem. Any ideas?
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Alrighty, well...I actually remember a thread like this coming up awhile back and having no freakin' clue personally...however it lead me to think that you ought to have done a search of the forums before posting this. I was however wrong. I've spent about the last 45 minutes reading thread upon thread upon thread dealing with this issue without any of them offering a solution. Most were simply saying things like:
G0 TRYZZ A KNEW C0RDDD N00BBBIEEE
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or
1NSTALLZ NEW DRYVRZ U NAP
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or even
AI0 TO0L BOXXXX S0LVZZ EET 1DIOT
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Okay...I made that up. Our community isn't so mean lol However, those were pretty much the only solutions I came across, and sadly they did not work.
So....I'm going to take a shot in the dark and suggest you head on over to this thread and give it a whirl:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=15330252
I have not seen this suggested in any of the dozens of threads i visited, and honestly, I don't know all too much about the process, but hopefully it will work for you. Read it over, test it out and if it doesn't work head back here and let us know and we can figure something out...and who knows, maybe by then someone with far more knowledge of this particular problem will pass on through and shed some light on the situation.
But for now, concentrate on staying calm and we'll work through it.
Sounds like you deleted the boot loaders. Make sure you have correct drivers installed, windows isn't auto detecting. Try to get Odin to recognize again, try all USB ports. If you get it recognized make sure to √ re-partition.
BTW Xeno, you made me bust out laughing!
sent from my magic box to yours
---------- Post added at 02:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:33 AM ----------
I just read something about this...its not boot loader just boot image. It suggested trying kies.
sent from my magic box to yours
samsgun357 said:
BTW Xeno, you made me bust out laughing!
-----
I just read something about this...its not boot loader just boot image. It suggested trying kies.
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All in a days work! Aha!
Also, not to go against your advice, because I think its awesome that you responded and are searching for a "cure" but OP do not, I repeat, do NOT touch kies. I'm sure you've heard about the Holocaust in your history classes at some point, yes? Well that was microscopic compared to the disasters that will befall your vibrant if you bring it anywhere near the kies software. Do NOT do it. Think of the kids for God's sake. That is all.
Xenoism said:
Alrighty, well...I actually remember a thread like this coming up awhile back and having no freakin' clue personally...however it lead me to think that you ought to have done a search of the forums before posting this. I was however wrong. I've spent about the last 45 minutes reading thread upon thread upon thread dealing with this issue without any of them offering a solution. Most were simply saying things like:
or
or even
Okay...I made that up. Our community isn't so mean lol However, those were pretty much the only solutions I came across, and sadly they did not work.
So....I'm going to take a shot in the dark and suggest you head on over to this thread and give it a whirl:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=15330252
I have not seen this suggested in any of the dozens of threads i visited, and honestly, I don't know all too much about the process, but hopefully it will work for you. Read it over, test it out and if it doesn't work head back here and let us know and we can figure something out...and who knows, maybe by then someone with far more knowledge of this particular problem will pass on through and shed some light on the situation.
But for now, concentrate on staying calm and we'll work through it.
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Click to collapse
"Failed. Unspecified Error." Thanks for the suggestion, though, Xenoism. I knew that no matter how diligent my search of the forums, somebody would toss out a link to a post I missed.
@xeno, your killing me hahaha! I have heard about bad experiences with kies. I have used it a few times without issue, this was my Pre xda days. I figured this guy didn't have much to lose and if kies hard bricked it, he'd have a better shot of Sammy or tmo hooking him up with a fix. I guess for $40 he could get a JTAG repair.
sent from my magic box to yours
sporglak said:
"Failed. Unspecified Error." Thanks for the suggestion, though, Xenoism. I knew that no matter how diligent my search of the forums, somebody would toss out a link to a post I missed.
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I was afraid that might not help you. I spent another hour or so this morning looking throughout the web for potential solutions...nothing just yet :/
I'll keep searching though, if you do the same man ^^