[Q] I'm screwed, arent I. (Brick, Phone ! PC, no download mode) - Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello, I was trying to flash my phone using ODIN and Eugene's 2.2 ROM. Things were going well, until I accidentally nudged my computer, which apparently has a very loose USB port. ODIN tells me that the phone disconnected. Plugging and unplugging the phone again would not work, so I was forced to do a battery pull. I am now stuck at the Phone /!\ PC screen, and the Volume Up, Down, Power button sequences do not work. Am I totally screwed?
Thanks.

ionstream said:
Hello, I was trying to flash my phone using ODIN and Eugene's 2.2 ROM. Things were going well, until I accidentally nudged my computer, which apparently has a very loose USB port. ODIN tells me that the phone disconnected. Plugging and unplugging the phone again would not work, so I was forced to do a battery pull. I am now stuck at the Phone /!\ PC screen, and the Volume Up, Down, Power button sequences do not work. Am I totally screwed?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, youre not screwed. Remember that the Vibrant is nearly impossible to kill. Reboot and hold both volume buttons + power at the same time and when you see "Vibrant" on your screen turn to black then let go of power and Download mode will pop up. Then do Odin.

My phone went to that screen as well. Didn't get there the same way but here's what got me to download mode...
Pull battery, sim card, and sd card. Put battery back in but do not turn on. Plug usb cable into computer and phone. Start Odin. Hopefully your phone shows the charging image, now hold both volume buttons and power button until the vibrant screen comes up. Immediately release the power button, keep holding other two buttons. It should boot into download mode.
Flash with Odin like normal and then replace sim card and sd card. I had to do this twice yesterday.
Typos and other gibberish courtesy of Swype

Unfortunately when I plug in the USB cable after putting the battery in, it does not show the charging screen, but the Phone /!\ PC screen. Additionally, starting up the phone while holding the Volume Up, Down and Power buttons also brings me to the same screen. It seems like my phone is the kind that does not have the 3 button download mode option. Is there any other way to get out of this screen?

Well, I've never had that situation but I'm pretty sure it's fixable. The Vibrant is almost impossible to brick.
You'll gave to keep searching and wait for someone more knowledgeable than me...
Typos and other gibberish courtesy of Swype

Well the help is much appreciated anyways! I hope I don't have to hack a microUSB cable with soldered resistors and such. Does anyone have any ideas?

ionstream said:
Well the help is much appreciated anyways! I hope I don't have to hack a microUSB cable with soldered resistors and such. Does anyone have any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just fixed my phone when it was like that, just plug the usb cable in, hold both vol buttons and the power button, it may take a minute or so, but you will see your screen go completely black, let go of the power button and keep holding the vol buttons, and you will get in download mode, trust me, i panicked just like you, just keep trying it, it took me about 30 minutes to get in download mode

Thanks for the advice! Should the battery be in while I'm doing this? If so, should I put the battery in before the usb cable?

ionstream said:
Thanks for the advice! Should the battery be in while I'm doing this? If so, should I put the battery in before the usb cable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes put the battery in, and then plug in the usb cable

Heres whats happening right now: when I plug in the USB cable, hold down the Volume Up, Down, and Power buttons, a few seconds later the screen will go black, at which point I unpress the power button. But this does not bring me to the download mode, it just brings me back to the error screen. If I press all 3 buttons again, as before eventually the screen will turn to black, but it will always bring back the error screen. It also behaves the same whether the USB cable is plugged in or not. I suppose this is progress, but am I doing something wrong? Arent I just supposed to let go of the power button when its black?

I am having the same problem except I am only getting the Vibrant screen. I have been trying to fix this for hours, and am about ready to go swap the damn phone out. It is literally driving me crazy. NONE of the methods to get to download mode are working.

[A] I'm screwed, arent I. (Brick, Phone ! PC, no download mode)
From what I hear, 1 in 3 Vibrants won't go into download mode in this situation. Mine does it just fine, my buddy's phone - no dice. I bricked it, so I fixed it. The solution was the spare micro usb + solder + 301k resistor(s). It worked perfectly, the 1st time. I'm a skeptic turned believer! It cost about $8.00 for the cable & resistors at Fry's Electronics.

Sigh, I guess I'm going to have to build this thing then, which is great because the nearest radio shack is 5 miles from my place. Ah well, better than having no phone.

I commend you in your efforts! Once you get out of this you'll be truly unbrickable. GL!

I was discouraged by the fact that I was far from a Radio Shack, but I looked online and it turns out you can actually create a resistor by drawing a line in pencil on a piece of paper. I have a multitester and stripped phone wire, and was able to duct tape the wire on specific points to get 302Kohms! Unfortunately thats where the project stopped, because I don't have a spare microUSB cable to butcher haha. And a friend offered to drive me to radio shack so I don't have to be the poorest electrician ever.
I might still try that method though! Just for kicks.

Try this
Ok, so I see some ppl offered advice on how to get into download mode. That is great, but I found their methods to be very different from mine. So give this a go and see if it works before you go into MacGyver mode.
Please note: DO NOT PRESS THE POWER BUTTON EVER DURING THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
1. Take back cover off phone
2. Remove the battery
3. Plug the USB into your computer, and then the other end into your phone.
4. Hold down both volume buttons (do not press the power button!) and while holding them both down put your battery back in.
5. Hold in place for approximately 2 seconds.
You should now be in download mode. Keep in mind, you said that your usb on your computer is "loose." Be extra careful not to bump it or anything b/c if the phone isn't being recognized as plugged into a computer download mode will not work. Hope this helps!

I got back to stock via odin. I tried to re root and it will not let me. When I do adb reboot recovery I click on reinstall packages and it takes me to cwm recovery. I then click instal from sd card and click on update.zip says it installed but didn't after reboot.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Hi, I had that problem before, here is what I did to fix my vibrant. take sim, microSD, and battery out of the phone. Connect the microusb and turn on odin. hold down volume+, volume-, and power down. while holding them down put in the battery and it should get to download mode once boot. also odin should detect it.
Hope that work.

I have returned! Unfortunately none of the many volume up/down button techniques were able to get me into download mode, as I must have a hardware locked phone. Fortunately though, I was able to get a ride to Radio Shack, where I spent 27 dollars on a microUSB adapter, a pack of resistors and solder. The adapter and solder I didnt even use. I twisted together 3 100kohm resistors and 1 10kohm resistor (my multitester read 305kohm total, I guess thats the 5% tolerance). I never ended up using the microUSB adapter because when I cracked it open, I couldnt find pins 4 and 5, so I cracked open the samsung USB cable that came with the phone. Plugged it in, tapped the two ends of the resistors awkwardly to what I beleived to be 4 and 5, and it worked! First thing I did was get Eugene on there, put the casing back on the USB cable (which still works!) and then marked that USB port to never be used again. The phone works great now! Thanks to however discovered that 301Kohm trick, you are a life saver.
Thanks all!

Volume Down + Home + Power.
Works for me everytime Best of luck man

Related

Stuck at phone to pc screen + hardware lock phone = RIP

I've tried every possible combination ... literally tried everything and this quote from this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=771247 just comfirmed it to me
METHOD 4: STUCK AT PHONE ! COMPUTER:
(and are not able to use vol+ vol- methods to access downloader/recovery)
CALL TMOBILE AND BEG FOR THEM TO REPLACE UR PHONE..
i cant believe its that easy to mess up your vibrant, my g1 never gave me a problem
did you try:
1. Phone starts OFF
2. Hold volume up + volume down buttons
3. Plug in USB cable
That is how I get into download mode. You don't ever hit the power button and you plug in the USB cable WHILE holding down the volume buttons.
El Cipitio said:
I've tried every possible combination ... literally tried everything and this quote from this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=771247 just comfirmed it to me
METHOD 4: STUCK AT PHONE ! COMPUTER:
(and are not able to use vol+ vol- methods to access downloader/recovery)
CALL TMOBILE AND BEG FOR THEM TO REPLACE UR PHONE..
i cant believe its that easy to mess up your vibrant, my g1 never gave me a problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
El Cipitio!!!!!!!
[do you eat ashes?] j/k
anyway... I'm sure there's a fix.
I *think* there's a fix.
ndhr3d said:
did you try:
1. Phone starts OFF
2. Hold volume up + volume down buttons
3. Plug in USB cable
That is how I get into download mode. You don't ever hit the power button and you plug in the USB cable WHILE holding down the volume buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the way, no power just volume up an volume down, or just volume down with the same method. Be sure you remove your sd and sim cards also.
Sent from my Vibrant running Bionix Final w/Jacs and Voodoo using XDA App
What has always worked for me is:
1. Power off the phone
2. Plug it in via USB
3. Wait for the green battery symbol to pop up
4. Hold vol. down and the power button until the Download screen pops up.
MrDragomir said:
What has always worked for me is:
1. Power off the phone
2. Plug it in via USB
3. Wait for the green battery symbol to pop up
4. Hold vol. down and the power button until the Download screen pops up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a hardware locked phone and have been stuck at the phone to computer link screen (a rather nervous place to be, I might say). First you need to take the battery out (to turn the phone off). Then you plug in the USB with the battery out. Then you put the battery in. You need to get the battery charging indicator, and I can't remember if you need to unplug/replug USB for that or not. Then you hold down both volume buttons and the power button. The *second* time you see Vibrant (phone reboots twice) let go the power button. You should end up in download mode.
I have the same issue, and when i try to do this:
JJMT said:
I have a hardware locked phone and have been stuck at the phone to computer link screen (a rather nervous place to be, I might say). First you need to take the battery out (to turn the phone off). Then you plug in the USB with the battery out. Then you put the battery in. You need to get the battery charging indicator, and I can't remember if you need to unplug/replug USB for that or not. Then you hold down both volume buttons and the power button. The *second* time you see Vibrant (phone reboots twice) let go the power button. You should end up in download mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it resets back to the battery icon.
Basically, im in the exact same situation as El Cipitio. i tried EVERYTHING!!! no luck at all...
Can adb still see your phone? I'm guessing no, but if it can just use "adb reboot downlaod".
Then again.... you guys are aware that the "hardware locked" issue was fixed almost two months ago right? One of the members posted a thread with a zip and the JI6 update also fixed this. There fore if you didn't flash either you should call Tmo, but if you have, then you're just doing it wrong... GL either way.
ahbad said:
I have the same issue, and when i try to do this:
it resets back to the battery icon.
Basically, im in the exact same situation as El Cipitio. i tried EVERYTHING!!! no luck at all...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One other thing to try is to remove the sim and external sd card and try the instructions I posted again. Really, if you get the pc to phone connection icon, you can get it into download mode and use odin to flash.
Dont waste your time fellas with trying to get,into recovery/download mode. If its anything like my hardware locked vibrant there isn't a key combo that will work. Probably thinking that your doing something wrong,YOUR NOT.
Im using my vibrant on att so I didn't consider calling tmobile. I actually called samsung, and after 5min on the phone they agreed to repair/replace for free. They recieved my phone on saturday amd I got it back that following thursday.
Save yourself a headache and sending
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Might be a fix????
intruda119 said:
Dont waste your time fellas with trying to get,into recovery/download mode. If its anything like my hardware locked vibrant there isn't a key combo that will work. Probably thinking that your doing something wrong,YOUR NOT.
Im using my vibrant on att so I didn't consider calling tmobile. I actually called samsung, and after 5min on the phone they agreed to repair/replace for free. They recieved my phone on saturday amd I got it back that following thursday.
Save yourself a headache and sending
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some one posted this in another thread. My brick got sent back before I could try this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8822843
This is how I got it to work....
1. Take out the battery
2. Plug the USB into the phone
3. Plug USB into the PC
4. Hold down the Volume up/down + Power button with one hand
5. Put the battery back in with the other hand
6. Wait for the phone2pc icon to flash 2 times and on the second time when the screen goes black release only the POWER BUTTON
7. When you see the digging Android you can let go of the Volume buttons
That is the only way I could get it to work
No, I can't get it into adb mode. The phone bootup screen comes (vibrant, the pink tmobile thing, then galaxy s), but then it goes black. The computer doesn't find anything during this time.
I don't really have time to do the soldering, so i'll try calling samsung. Problem is i live in toronto and bought this thing for cash, so i have no clue what to tell samsung lol. If that doesnt work, i guess soldering it is...
Try this:
unplug, remove battery, remove sim/sd cards
hold down volume control buttons
plug into wall adapter (usb charger - not to computer but to outlet)
pop battery in
Took me a couple tries, but I got my Vibrant into dl mode from nothing but a black screen (I could not register charging, or "phone ! pc" error)
intruda119 said:
Dont waste your time fellas with trying to get,into recovery/download mode. If its anything like my hardware locked vibrant there isn't a key combo that will work. Probably thinking that your doing something wrong,YOUR NOT.
Im using my vibrant on att so I didn't consider calling tmobile. I actually called samsung, and after 5min on the phone they agreed to repair/replace for free. They recieved my phone on saturday amd I got it back that following thursday.
Save yourself a headache and sending
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm am referencing more to the fact that these phones are not "hardware" locked. Hardware would refer to the volume & power keys not working... When your phone is on they work right?
Like stated before, IF, your phone is "hardware locked" look to either use the script or flash JI6. This way you re-gain functionality of the recovery & dl mode before flashing anything!
Ditto.. i got mine back after flashing without removing the lag fix.. never again... i will wait for froyo.. if that ever happens...
May I ask what bricked you?
nomadrider123 said:
Some one posted this in another thread. My brick got sent back before I could try this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8822843
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The brick, in atleast my case, was from untimely removal of the phone from USB during Download mode of flashing stock kernal via Odin. This method described in the link above worked for me in getting the phone to boot into download mode without the use of the hardware keys (aka hardware locked phones). I also contacted Samsung directly through their Galaxy tech line, and they said I could send it in for free with their shipping label and if they couldn't flash back I could get a replacement, but there was a about a 2 week window I would be looking at without a phone, so I tried the homemade download-boot circuit and it worked perfectly.
THIS IS YOUR FIX!!!
I just did this the other day. If you are still stuck with the phone/!/computer screen do the following:
1.Hold the volume up/down + power button simultaneously
2.The screen will go black / reappear/ then go black again...when this happens, release the power button and continue holding the volume up/down button
3.Welcome back to download mode!
Please Mods, please lock this thread
Please stop waisting everyones time with stupid instructions.
When a phone is "hardware locked" (that is, bad flash/missing the sbin file.....)
YOU CANNOT GET INTO DOWNLOAD MODE OR RECOVERY WITH ANY KEY COMBINATION.
Stop waisting your time trying anything cause its not going to work. And thats a Fact.
Final fix and summary to this thread,
Either call T-mobile or Samsung.
Finish.

[Q] Black screen of death, no download mode, grey battery.

My phone is a Telus t959D
I am stuck at the phone--!--PC screen. 3 button combo does not work, please do not give me other 3 button combos because it will not work. I think i need to fix this battery problem first and the download mode will come itself.
Plugging it in to the usb gives me a screen with an empty grey battery, with the progress circle in the middle frozen.
I cannot go into download mode because when i connect the usb, the grey battery pops up.
If i turn the phone on with no usb, i get the phone--!--pc screen.
Making another thread on the wrong section with the same question should discourage people to help you.
Furthermore, people already gave you answers in the previous thread
sendan said:
So to clarify, you pulled the battery, then with one end of your USB cable plugged into the computer, held down your volume down button, then plugged in the other end of your USB cable to your phone (you should still be holding the volume down button) and after a few seconds you're still not getting into download mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried the above? Odin messed up a flash for me once and got soft bricked like yours, but I was able to get back to Odin via the above method. If volume down doesn't work, try volume up.
Otherwise, if neither works, just accept your phones fate and either get a USB jig off ebay or send your phone back in. Next time, stick to stock

Cant Download Mode, stuck in phone--!--PC, grey battery.

My phone is a Telus t959D
I am stuck at the phone--!--PC screen. 3 button combo does not work, please do not give me other 3 button combos because it will not work. I think i need to fix this battery problem first and the download mode will come itself.
Plugging it in to the usb gives me a screen with an empty grey battery, with the progress circle in the middle frozen.
I cannot go into download mode because when i connect the usb, the grey battery pops up.
If i turn the phone on with no usb, i get the phone--!--pc screen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZxCzxb5RT8
so even with the battery pulled you still get the battery icon?
pspjunior said:
My phone is a Telus t959D
I am stuck at the phone--!--PC screen. 3 button combo does not work, please do not give me other 3 button combos because it will not work. I think i need to fix this battery problem first and the download mode will come itself.
Plugging it in to the usb gives me a screen with an empty grey battery, with the progress circle in the middle frozen.
I cannot go into download mode because when i connect the usb, the grey battery pops up.
If i turn the phone on with no usb, i get the phone--!--pc screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uninstall your current installation of Kies and any samsung drivers, restart your computer, reinstall Keis from http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/...TLS/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=support and download the drivers via that, restart again and check the results.
hey sendan thanks a lot. Before i do what you said i should do, how will the computer recognize my phone if it is only on the phone!PC screen because kies cant even recognize it right now?
droidstyle said:
so even with the battery pulled you still get the battery icon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, without the battery the screen is just blank because it is off if that is what you meant. If you meant if i pull it out and put it back in, then it goes to the Phone!PC screen without a USB connected. If i reinstall the batter again WITH a usb, then it freezes at a grey battery.
pspjunior said:
No, without the battery the screen is just blank because it is off if that is what you meant. If you meant if i pull it out and put it back in, then it goes to the Phone!PC screen without a USB connected. If i reinstall the batter again WITH a usb, then it freezes at a grey battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you suppose to get into download mode without the battery in.
power off and pull battery
plug usb cable in
hold vol down until the yellow triangle appears
I took out the battery, plugged in the usb, and held the volume down button. Screen stays black (left the battery out)
pspjunior said:
I took out the battery, plugged in the usb, and held the volume down button. Screen stays black (left the battery out)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok.. Are you using the factory usb cable? If so, then unfortunately you may need to do one of the two things:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1288093
or get a "Jig" and jumper the usb pins.
alright i'll try those out. And i recorded myself doing the methods and the screens i get.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZxCzxb5RT8
Okay I watched your video...instead just take the battery out and DON'T put it back in, your computer will supply the power. Now make sure your holding the volume down button BEFORE you plug it in, and continue holding.
Or plug it in the wall adapter if you don't have powered USB Ports.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
Alright, the screen just stays black when i do that. when i plug it into the wall or into the computer same thing
pspjunior said:
Alright, the screen just stays black when i do that. when i plug it into the wall or into the computer same thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured, was just making sure you went through all the options before you start messing with the more advanced stuff, good luck.
sendan said:
I figured, was just making sure you went through all the options before you start messing with the more advanced stuff, good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i bought the phone from a really good friend at a steal price of 40 bucks. I'll just give it back to him because he got it for free. It's just going to make me feel bad because anybody else in the future who has the same combination of problems might not be able to find a solution , but thanks a lot everybody! i'll just try and find a captivate or something
pspjunior said:
i bought the phone from a really good friend at a steal price of 40 bucks. I'll just give it back to him because he got it for free. It's just going to make me feel bad because anybody else in the future who has the same combination of problems might not be able to find a solution , but thanks a lot everybody! i'll just try and find a captivate or something
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I did a bit of reading, since I got stuck at that screen a long time ago, and I remember connecting to Odin at the Phone ! PC screen. You should be able to connect to Odin because it's still considered download mode. If it doesn't work you should re-install the drivers that I posted before.
I can almost guarantee it will work unless something else is really broken.
Edit: Here's some reassurance to motivate you - http://forums.androidcentral.com/t-...s-hacks/79287-odin-works-phone-pc-screen.html
there's a feature in heimdall to try and kick it out of that screen.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using XDA App

[Q] Htc Radar (TMOUS) Stuck in USB Host Mode

My wife dropped her Radar into water. Luckily she quickly pulled it out, removed the back, and killed the power. We threw it in some rice and waited. After a fair amount of time (48 hours), I pulled it out and tested it. It powered on. Here's where we got into trouble.
My wife grabbed the phone back, pulled the back off instead of powering down, threw in her sim, and did something... the phone is now in USB Host Mode and won't come out. It reads:
PI06110
SPL-2.4.160015.3(136036)
eMMC SMS 7376MB,FA31
TOUCH A1(F:80,ID:10,V20,B:AA)
Radio-16.23.05.13_2
Serial (will change to USB if plugged in so it's still recognized by a computer)
APPSBL
IMAGE CRC
FACTORY RESET
I can't get it to come out of USB Host Mode. I can get it to restart, but it immediately goes back to this screen. Does anyone know how to get the phone out of this? I'm sure that I'm overlooking some simple button combination. Please help if you can.
The device also won't power off. It always comes back to this screen.
I did several searches and couldn't find anything in this forum or in the WP7 main forum. Lots of talk of making GOLD Cards when semi-bricked. Have I come to this???
Thanks Team XDA!
jelliottz said:
My wife dropped her Radar into water. Luckily she quickly pulled it out, removed the back, and killed the power. We threw it in some rice and waited. After a fair amount of time (48 hours), I pulled it out and tested it. It powered on. Here's where we got into trouble.
My wife grabbed the phone back, pulled the back off instead of powering down, threw in her sim, and did something... the phone is now in USB Host Mode and won't come out. It reads:
PI06110
SPL-2.4.160015.3(136036)
eMMC SMS 7376MB,FA31
TOUCH A1(F:80,ID:10,V20,B:AA)
Radio-16.23.05.13_2
Serial (will change to USB if plugged in so it's still recognized by a computer)
APPSBL
IMAGE CRC
FACTORY RESET
I can't get it to come out of USB Host Mode. I can get it to restart, but it immediately goes back to this screen. Does anyone know how to get the phone out of this? I'm sure that I'm overlooking some simple button combination. Please help if you can.
The device also won't power off. It always comes back to this screen.
I did several searches and couldn't find anything in this forum or in the WP7 main forum. Lots of talk of making GOLD Cards when semi-bricked. Have I come to this???
Thanks Team XDA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got stuck in a constant loop of the USB host mode when I was doing the gold card thing to hack the spl/hspl... The only thing that worked for me was to get a little screw driver, take the phone apart and pop out the battery. Then when I put it all back together and turned it on, it went back into the normal boot mode. The only issue I've seen now is that I can no longer get back into USB host mode (it's just a white screen) when I do that button combo. But, I was able to change the SPL and HSPL so I don't really have a need...
jpkjpk said:
I got stuck in a constant loop of the USB host mode when I was doing the gold card thing to hack the spl/hspl... The only thing that worked for me was to get a little screw driver, take the phone apart and pop out the battery. Then when I put it all back together and turned it on, it went back into the normal boot mode. The only issue I've seen now is that I can no longer get back into USB host mode (it's just a white screen) when I do that button combo. But, I was able to change the SPL and HSPL so I don't really have a need...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the suggestion. I took the phone apart which was actually pretty easy. I pulled the battery and let it sit. I then depressed the powerbutton to release any charge left in it.
Long story short, I'm still stuck in USB Host Mode. Not sure where to go from here, other than shopping... Thanks for the help though. At least I can add another phone to my list of disassembled devices.
jelliottz said:
I appreciate the suggestion. I took the phone apart which was actually pretty easy. I pulled the battery and let it sit. I then depressed the powerbutton to release any charge left in it.
Long story short, I'm still stuck in USB Host Mode. Not sure where to go from here, other than shopping... Thanks for the help though. At least I can add another phone to my list of disassembled devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, that is really odd.
Another time I got stuck in "USB Host Mode", I held down 'Power' + 'Volume-down' + 'Camera' for a good minute or two. The phone just kept rebooting. When I finally stopped the reboot, it booted normally into the OS.
Another thing you could try is to power it off. Then hold both 'Volume-up' & 'Volume-down' and press the power button. That should take you to a different screen, where you have options to restart/reformat. Can you get to that screen?
jpkjpk said:
Hmm, that is really odd.
Another time I got stuck in "USB Host Mode", I held down 'Power' + 'Volume-down' + 'Camera' for a good minute or two. The phone just kept rebooting. When I finally stopped the reboot, it booted normally into the OS.
Another thing you could try is to power it off. Then hold both 'Volume-up' & 'Volume-down' and press the power button. That should take you to a different screen, where you have options to restart/reformat. Can you get to that screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try this next. I've attempted the "power + vol- + camera" but didn't hold it that long.
I've tried Vol+- + power and that didn't give me a different result.
Thanks for the suggestion. I've already chalked the phone up to a loss and bought another one for her. I feel its probably karma for all the risky hacks and flashes I've attempted and never had problems with. Bound to have a phone malfunction at some point. Its just funny this wasn't of my own doing.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
well the trick is switch off the device and boot up using "power + vol- + camera", the device will boot up with usb host mode.
if you are stuck thn press "vol(both +up and -down) and power" this will reboot.

[Q] Is my Note saveable?

Update; Rangercaptain and 440bro suggested the power switch or the usb port may be the problem.
I dismantled the phone and got my ohm-meter, the power button's circuit is opening and closing as it should between pressed and depressed.
Furthermore I tested the usb port for conductivity at each pin, from the side of the usb cable that would normally connect to the pc all the way through the 'charging flex ribbon' to the phones PCB. all connections are good.
Editing this post as I try new things i find or the things i try that people suggest.
Currently my Note will not boot into recovery or it's ROM, I was running a version of Slimbean.
I can get it to go into download mode via the volume down + power key but I can not for life of me get any pc to recognize it via usb.
I have tried Odin, Adb, and Heimdall with five or six different versions of Samsung USB drivers, Version #'s 1.5.14.0, 1.4.6.0, as well as the drivers listed in the Note 'Super thread' ATT I717 v1_3_2200_0 and two other sets of drivers that did not have version numbers listed, but came from other XDA USB problem posts. I have also tried the Google drivers from the Android SDK.
I have done all this on two different pc's and different usb cables. I've read other problem threads about this and tried most of those suggestions I.E. Uninstall old drivers, reboot, install new ones, reboot, turn off internet, plug in phone. Nada, no sign of the device being recognized at all.
I've tried the 'adb devices' command while the device was in download mode, the command returns nothing.
the USB port still works so far as i can tell, if you plug it in to a charger or the pc the phone will try to boot like it usually does if it's powered off and you plug it in and the phone had been charging fine before this issue, so i've no reason to suspect a bad port.
I have however encountered this USB problem before even while the note was stock and functioning with it not being recognizable over USB, I eventually gave up and it's what caused me to install a ROM on it in the first place because i couldn't get the official android updates with Kies (they require a usb connection).
Would a USB jig be of any benefit in this situation? After searching through XDA forums and the like that's the only thing that seems like it may work but i haven't tried. I'm unclear if it will be of any benefit because the device can already access the ODIN downloading screen.
All in all I've been working on this for about 12 hours so far, so it's possible i may have forgotten something I've tried but i'll update if i remember anything significant.
Finally I'm aware there are two similar threads currently running on the XDA note troubleshooting forums,"Is my note bricked?" and "can't enter download mode" I am also watching them and trying anything that looks relevant but elected to make a new post as my problem is slightly different in that I can access the download screen. If you posted anything there that you think may have applied here, you don't have to re-post. I'll have tried it.
Your power button is stuck.
rangercaptain said:
Your power button is stuck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I should clarify that the reboot cycle is not indefinite though. it'll give the boot vibration 6-8 times with a few seconds in between each vibration and then stop trying to boot. It also doesn't cycle every time, just occasionally. The other times it will give the vibration only once and then do nothing till you hold the power button down again as if you were trying to turn it on.
It will also stay in the downloading mode until i manually hold the power button down, so the power button is functioning correctly.
morthicius said:
. . . so the power button is functioning correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you say so.
Take out the sim and sd card.
I have tried removing the SD card and SIM card as well. Makes no noticeable difference.
I can also add that the USB port still works so far as i can tell, if you plug it in to a charger or the pc the phone will try to boot like it usually does if it's powered off and you plug it in.
I can dismantle the phone and check the power button if you're fairly convinced that's what it is but it really responds exactly like you would expect. The press and return feels fine and the way the device responds to it also feels fine.
Yeah I'm pretty sure it's a stuck power button. If the phone is off and you plug in usb, or charger it should NOT startup by itself. If it does it's most definitely a stuck power button. So I'm guessing your phone is no longer covered by warranty?
Before you go tearing apart the phone try this first. Take off the battery cover and where the power button is you'll see a lil outline. Flick this area with your finger a few times. Flick it hard enough to mildly hurt your finger but not the phone. I had to do this for a while till I got a new note. If that doesn't help take it apart at your own risk.
440bro said:
Yeah I'm pretty sure it's a stuck power button. If the phone is off and you plug in usb, or charger it should NOT startup by itself. If it does it's most definitely a stuck power button. So I'm guessing your phone is no longer covered by warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has always started up on its own when you plug it in, at least if it's out of charge. Of that I'm certain. I've had the phone a year and a half or so now. It may not boot up on it's own if you just manually shut it off and plug in a charger though. I don't recall ever trying that scenario directly. It could also be a functionality Slimbean added if stock phones don't do it.
I did just try your flick trick though, thanks. No change.
Just as another example on the power button, I can take the battery out and put it back in and the phone will do nothing until i hold the power button down a few seconds, only then does it do the the "i'm trying to boot" vibration.
Damn I was really hoping the flick trick worked for you like it did me. If you decide to take the back of the phone off, try flicking again anyways before you completely disassemble it. Once you disassemble it, there really isn't much you can do power button wise other than replace it. I'll attach a pic of the power button area for ya. I have one already torn down.
If it's not your power button, I wonder if it's your usb charger port on the phone.... That's an easier part to replace if it is.
I do feel like the USB port is a possibility, even despite my saying it appears to work. is it possible for the port to be damaged in such a way that it still allows the phone to be charged but not establish a data connection? When the phone went brick yesterday It had pretty much just finished fully charging. I had disconnected it from the charger used it a little bit, set it down when it still at about 98% battery life. Around 10 minutes later I got a text message, it made the god awful slimbean text tone (i hate that tone) I went to check it, turned on the display it then repeated the incoming text message tone about five more times in quick succession, locked up, and then died never to return.
I have had the phone apart before because i'm a curious cat, and didn't really mind voiding a warranty.
The only things that would make me skeptical of it being a usb port problem is. 1: It was charging fine and 2: the symptoms at least of the reboot problem itself are leaning towards a software issue the Slimbean install has never really worked great, and would crash and reboot probably twice a day.
Just because the button works doesn't mean it isn't stuck. I've only saved about ten phones by helping the owner to understand the cause of the reboots.
The fact that you already opened the phone increases the chance its the button. Because you said it rebooted on stock or custom ROMs eliminated software. Because your phone charges normally and is recognized by a pc shows its not the usb port.
But hey, what do I know. . .
morthicius said:
Editing this post as I try new things i find or the things i try that people suggest.
Currently my Note is in a reboot cycle, it will not load the ROM or go into recovery mode. I was running a version of Slimbean.
I can get it to go into download mode via the volume down + power key but I can not for life of me get any pc to recognize it via usb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rangercaptain said:
Just because the button works doesn't mean it isn't stuck. I've only saved about ten phones by helping the owner to understand the cause of the reboots.
The fact that you already opened the phone increases the chance its the button. Because you said it rebooted on stock or custom ROMs eliminated software. Because your phone charges normally and is recognized by a pc shows its not the usb port.
But hey, what do I know. . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He has more than one problem. He can NOT get a pc to recognize it. I missed it first too and had to re-read it a few times. So it could be the port, or the power button.
I think your options are....
-Find a repair center nearby
-Send it in for repair
-Find out which part is cheaper and replace that yourself first.
Sounds good. The usb port is cheap and easy and while the bezel is off you can verify the power button isn't stuck in its hole in the bezel.
Because he flashed a custom ROM from a stock ROM I took that to mean he had to connect to a pc through the usb port, either to Odin flash a recovery or Odin flash Slimbean. And he can still charge it. And data cables go bad, removing drivers doesn't take them out of memory, etc. So usb port isn't 100% bad for sure, but you're right, its a cheap, easy repair.
rangercaptain said:
Just because the button works doesn't mean it isn't stuck. I've only saved about ten phones by helping the owner to understand the cause of the reboots.
The fact that you already opened the phone increases the chance its the button. Because you said it rebooted on stock or custom ROMs eliminated software. Because your phone charges normally and is recognized by a pc shows its not the usb port.
But hey, what do I know. . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the button is 'stuck' it implies that the it's either stuck engaged or disengaged correct?
If that were true and lets say it were stuck engaged, the power button should be acting as if it is pressed. Which at first would make sense when i say it reboot cycles. It however does not make sense that i can get into download mode and the phone never shuts off until I hit the power button.
It also does not make sense that if i pull the battery out and put it back in the phone does nothing. until i hit the power button. If it were stuck engaged the phone would immediately try to boot when i put the battery back in.
The rom has also been on it for awhile now, 6 months? So i don't exactly remember the processes i went through but i know i never got kies or odin to recognize it. And Yeah, pc wont recognize it now even tryin two different pcs, one of which has never had a samsung device connected to it.
That said I wont rule the power button out either, Is there a good way to check the power button with a multimeter?
I should also say I have the phone apart now so i could at least do external checks of the power button since you both thought it was a possibility, externally it looks fine the actual button inside the case (the little white button the big silver one hits) acts fine but the circuit inside could still be screwed i suppose, which is why i ask about a meter test.
Ultimately I think you're both right though, I'm just going to have order a replacement button and port. Start with the port since it's easier, and if that doesn't enable me to connect it to the pc to flash it try the button too.
Since you mention the ROM, it is possible to have a bad download, flash the ROM, and get into a bootloop. The usual cure for that is a re-download of the ROM, wipe caches, wipe system, and flash fresh ROM.
The sticking power button is a common fault of Samsung phones. Its not broken, but it just gets a little out of alignment in its hole in the bezel. If you already wiggled and snapped, you would have noticed a difference in the phone's behavior, unless there's lint under it.
I think you have your plan -- replace the usb port, and check the button while the phone is without the bezel.
The usb port is on ebay and there is a Youtube video for the process. Everything is here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28247335
Good luck.
Thanks for the Help Ranger and 440.
Update; Rangercaptain and 440bro suggested the power switch or the usb port may be the problem.
I dismantled the phone and got my ohm-meter, the power button's circuit is opening and closing as it should between pressed and depressed.
Furthermore I tested the usb port for conductivity at each pin, from the side of the usb cable that would normally connect to the pc all the way through the 'charging flex ribbon' to the phones PCB. all connections are good.
I'm going to try the phone tonight on a friends PC. Who doesn't have another note but at least has a Samsung Gs2 and 3 that connect to Kies and see if i can get it to establish a connection.
If anybody else has any ideas on troubleshooting the connection between the device and a PC i'm all ears.
Good luck!
440bro said:
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well interestingly, when i hooked it up to the friends pc (using one of the same usb cables i already had) not only did his pc recognize it, the phone also booted up immediately. with 15% battery life remaining.
Strange strange.

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