REALLY bricked!!!... - Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I was trying to Odin back to 2.2 eugene, and after about 30 secs...screen went red...and stayed there. I unplugged the battery, and tried to get back to DL mode...FAIL. I tried all methods , searched the forum and google for hours and can find no solution. The phone is flat out dead. Will not power on, cannot get to DL mode...nothing. I did notice before this happened, that when I was trying to transfer CWM files for a new ROM to flash, the SD card didn't seem to mount. Didn't realize it until I went into recovery, and I was looking at only the ex/sd. Any ideas short of using it for spare parts ( i have two, this one is my wifes) and buying a new one?
Please help!

2.2, are you on a 4g?

No...its the old 3G...was going to redo GB on it because it had been acting up as of late...ROMs I were using were switching back and for from #G to "H" though... This thing is super dead, no pwer nothing. Been flashing and dealing with brick problem for a while on these things, and I usually can get them going...I think this one is gone though...

I've tried every method i can think of or find to get back to DL mode...it's just not happening. Damn thing is TOTALLY unresponsive...no power up, no charging icon...no lights...I mean nothing...no matter what I have tried, unless there is some new way I am unaware of. I even contemplated the "Unbrickable Mod" but that seemed more trouble than its worth, plus I don't have small enough tips for my iron...any ideas?

Yeah i black screened one about 4 monthes ago, and I could tell it was getting hinky. Keep working odin, sometimes you can get the yellow recognition to blink on.

Are you saying that Odin may pick it up even if the phone doesn't show DL mode?

Yes, if odin shows the yellow comfirmation com port, Ive heard odin will run it.

Wow...never heard of that, but I will definately keep trying and see if will pop up...thanks

Yeah if it goes into screens like upload mode, or anything try to connect it and see if Odin notices the phone. If it does, you're good.
I think you may need a JIG
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium

If the phone doesn't power on, there is absolutely no hope of a software fix (odin/adb/etc), common sense.
Your only possible solution is sending it into JTAG, but if they can't fix it, they'll still usually charge you a procesing fee + shipping. Unbrickable Mod merely switches the boot order (so you can force it into dl mode with a jig), it won't magically bring a dead phone back to life. Then again you have nothing to lose trying if it's dead to begin with.
I'm willing to buy it off you for spare parts if you want as well.

j tag service is the way to go....
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Related

im pretty sure i bricked my phone

when i was trying to flash a new SPL my phone powered off and now wont power on at all. if anybody can please help or give any advice please, please, please do so. any is appreciated!
This is going to be a stupid question, sorry. Have you removed the battery? If that doesn't work, and still wont turn on, then maybe try pushing the call and end button at the same time and hold for a few seconds. That may do something but not sure, this is the first I have heard of this problem.
thank you so much for replying! but yes, ive removed the battery and the sd card. i just tried holding the call and end button but nothing happened. i dont know if this is any help but when i connect the phone to the usb charger with the battery in it doesnt do anything, but when i connect the phone and usb battery-less and then insert the battery the charging light comes on. right now thats the only shred of hope i have...
Can you boot to recovery?
Sent from my nonsensikal froyo
no cant even do that
myerrod said:
no cant even do that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well no recovery probably means bricked. Did you try booting in to the bootloader? I haven't done it in forever, I think its end+send+volume down
Sent from my nonsensikal froyo
i just tried that and nothing happened. im starting to believe im screwed
I did the same thing. Bricked. Call verizon and play dumb and get a replacement.
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
im thinking about going to the store. but that little watermark sticker is pink. do you think thatll affect me getting a new phone in anyway?
If you have insurance just call tech support there transfer you to insurance and pay the 90$ and since out on new Eris may get a better phone my wife had Droid one dropped in water and had to go through insurance and they were out if new droids she got a brand new Droid 2.insurance sends new phones say dropped in lake and don't have phone anymore, worth a try
So when you connect your USB does the computer recognize anything? And does the phone light turn on even for a moment?
Sounds pretty bricked. Tell Verizon your phone just stopped turning on.
thanks for all the advice guys! i just got back from the vs and i got a "certified like new" eris. along with a cute little pink case for only 3 bucks.
and for future reference
we do not need 2 threads in 2 different locations for one single individual issuse
espically when its dev related
this is not androidforums
sorry about your phone

HELP!! I flashed my vibrant with update.zip and now it wont even power on!

Today I was trying to learn to flash my vibrant, i was following directions found here on xda and right after I flashed the update.zip file my phone turned off and now it wont come on at all! help! is there anything I can do to get it working again?!
Odin
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
possible fix
how about you try taking the phone and pulling the plug and taking out the battery
after you do that odin back to stock
First you want to post in q&a. Second as to your phone does it do anything. Does the bottom row of lights come on. Does it boot to any screen? Third have you read the vibrant directory (bible)? Forth have you downloaded odin?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
PM me and I'll try and walk you through.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
The phone doesnt do anything.. it was fine before i flashed the update.zip file. now i put the battery in and power it doesnt turn on at all i dont even see the samsung boot logo.. when i plug the charger in it doesnt even show that its charging.
Sgreaves23 said:
The phone doesnt do anything.. it was fine before i flashed the update.zip file. now i put the battery in and power it doesnt turn on at all i dont even see the samsung boot logo.. when i plug the charger in it doesnt even show that its charging.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check to see if your battery died somehow, but if you can't turn on your device even with a full battery, you have a real bricked phone.
Battery I fine, if I plug the charger in it doesn't charge or show that it's charging. How could this happen just from flashing a file?
Call tmobile and tell them that your phone said it was updating and once it restarted, it never came back on. They will have you check a few things and then send you a replacement for free. In the future be very careful when learning to mod your phone, ask questions when your not sure. This replacement trick will only get you a phone one time.
I was thinking to do that, only that my carrier is simple mobile, they do not offer insurance, sigh, I think I may be out of a phone
where did you get this update.zip?/
What update.zip did you flash?
Sgreaves23 said:
I was thinking to do that, only that my carrier is simple mobile, they do not offer insurance, sigh, I think I may be out of a phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No; it is unlikely that you are out of a phone. Try this method, either buying or making a USB "test jig." (You can make it if you know how to solder.)
http://board.teamwhiskey.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=209
If this does not work, there is another method that is expensive (but less than $500 for a new phone). You will need to find a technician with a "JTAG" test device who has a special bootloader software module from Samsung. The device uses an interface other than USB to access bootloader memory and downloads the bootloader file to the bootloader memory in order to boot the phone into a recovery environment.
The only way that your phone would be completely unrecoverable is if there was a hardware failure at the same time that you were playing around, which is unlikely.
Sgreaves23 said:
Battery I fine, if I plug the charger in it doesn't charge or show that it's charging. How could this happen just from flashing a file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Dude it's bricked....game over. Call tmobile and just tell them your phone doesn't turn on anymore, don't tell them how it happened, just that it stopped working. They will send you a replacement for free, if you're still under warranty it is. I bricked mine 2 weeks ago and got my replacement the next day. I tried EVERYTHING to get it back to life....but nothing. Sometimes it happens even though you follow all steps, especially if it messed around with your bootloader.
Good luck. It's no ones effen business what you say happened...most likely they do the same.
You shouldn't even be flashing the update.zip... you should be using like OCLF to do it for you. This should help:
http://androidspin.com/2010/08/09/how-to-restore-or-recover-your-samsung-vibrant/
I would STRONLGY suggest to listen what BruceElliott says, read and follow the directions carefully. In 99% cases you can recover just fine. It's very hard to truly brick vibrant...
bobbbb said:
You shouldn't even be flashing the update.zip... you should be using like OCLF to do it for you. This should help:
http://androidspin.com/2010/08/09/how-to-restore-or-recover-your-samsung-vibrant/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've got to be able to get into download mode to do that though. I think that's the problem.
I'd mess around with it for a bit and try all of the tips to get into download mode. I can't believe you'd hard brick it based on what you said. You are positive your battery is okay?
I had the same problem. It would not turn on at all. I called Samsung and they paid to send it back for warrenty repair. It takes 6 business days. They didn't even ask how it happened. I think the number was 800-samsung
Nah, you don't need a Jig just yet
I've ran into that problem MANY TIMES!! The first time it freaked me out too.
Take out the battery, take out the sim card. Leave it for about 5 minutes. Then do these steps:
- plugged the phone in without the battery
- Hold down the 2 volume buttons
- As you're holding those 2 buttons down, insert the batter
- You should be in download mode
- Proceed with Odin
Can you tell us what update.zip you used? Good luck!

Odin flash help

I downloaded the 2.3 rom on my tmobile vibrant. Well, i messed it up. It was for like international phones and stuff. So i decided to odin back to stock 2.2. It did it, but now my phone gives me a black screen and i cant do anything. It wont even turn on. Last time this happened i had to send my phone to samsung and get a new one. Someome please help, i dont want to wait for a new phone again.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App
kevho00 said:
I downloaded the 2.3 rom on my tmobile vibrant. Well, i messed it up. It was for like international phones and stuff. So i decided to odin back to stock 2.2. It did it, but now my phone gives me a black screen and i cant do anything. It wont even turn on. Last time this happened i had to send my phone to samsung and get a new one. Someome please help, i dont want to wait for a new phone again.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you able to get in download mode @ all ? ?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
Take out battery, run odin, plug usb into computer, plug usb into phone, hold volume up and down but not the power button, replace battery at same time as you hold the two buttons. You really can't kill this phone.
Sent from my Vibrant/ GT9000
get/make a jig as long as your battery still has juice this will force your phone into download mode, from there odin back to stock 2.1 (JFD) i have had the least issues when odining back to JFD
What is a jig? This is op on friends account
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App
rickdossantosjr said:
What is a jig? This is op on friends account
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A usb jig is a micro usb connector with 301k ohm resistance e across two specific connections ( don't rmr which two connections) that rocks the phones circuitry into pushing the phone into download mode, if I recall correctly instructions on the formation of a jig can be found in the vibrant general section
Sent from my AXURA powered voodoo infused Categorically Worthless Vibrant
The guide on making a jig saids that it wont help me
I really need to get my phone in download mode.
Taking out the battery was no help
kevho00 said:
The guide on making a jig saids that it wont help me
I really need to get my phone in download mode.
Taking out the battery was no help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it would help you get into download mode, but aside from that when you press the power button do you see the home keys turn on? if you do id imagine a jig would help. However if not even that helps you probably need to send the phone in.
No, not even the home keys light up.
Crap dont tell me i have to turn it in :/
you try the jig first, its like 5 dollars worth of parts and can only help. Give it a shot, who knows you may get lucky, it could also be that your battery is just drained try charging it in a friends vibe or captivate and see what happens. but at this point it sure looks like you might have to turn it in
This is the second time this happens to me.
Ill just tell Samsung that my phone wont turn on again. Thats what i did when i was rooted and decided to flash my phone to froyo via kies. I didnt get charged $400, so look like they never got it back on either.
did you end up sending it in? this exact same thing just happened to me
^ can you see Anything? Battery charging, cutting it on, trying recovery or download? If so, you are fine. If not, removebattery, wait a while, try again still nothing? Brick likely. What did you do, very hard to brick this phone.
just like the OP said. upgraded to 2.3..didnt like it, tried to go back to 2.2 using odin. it said passed! and has not booted up since..no d/l, no recovery, just black...no nothin
Are the buttons at the bottom lit? Or is it like your phone is just dead? If not the latter, try Eugene's froyo that doesn't brick.
it's like the phone is dead. i cant get anything
Doesn't sound good if you can't see anything. I've seen some say they've removed the battery avg let some time pass and then they were able to get it working, but that seems crazy to me.
unfortunately, i'm not one of those people. i left the battery out for 8+ hrs. and tried again..to no avail....

Nothings working!! True hard brick! Help me??

I had simply honey 3.3 installed and I was trying to flash a gb bootloadrr to get rid of the rainbows at boot and when I got into dl mode and the whole odin process it was going well until I got the BIG RED FAIL!!! SO I unplugged it thinking it would be ok since Ive done it before. But now my phone doesn't turn on at all doesn't charge tried 3 button combo tried everything!! Except the jig! Can someone help me please?? Im... one sad panda..:-( using my girlfriends phone.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
i hard bricked a few month ago when odin froze, i thought id just get the phone ! pc screen like i did first time it froze so i unplugged but it wouldnt do anything apart from get quite hot when it stayed plugged in
i tried everything for like a week but still nothing, i tried a home-made jig aswell but that didnt do anything either (probably just bad making skills, cos it didnt work when i soft bricked other day) anyway in the end i just took it to a phone shop and they fixed it
wasnt expensive though and it took them like a day
You're sol until you can get to a shop with jtag. You know the risks with bootloader flashing and got bit. Phone is dead if you did in fact have a bad bootloader flashed. You can try removing battery, external as, and sim then replacing them and try to get back into download mode. Unlikely though.
try this:
turn the phone on until the battery runs out.
repeat
repeat
repeat
pull the battery.
volume up and down, put the battery in, plug in the USB cable (at no point do you touch the power button on the phone).
Launch ODIN on your computer.
Your phone at the Phone!PC screen?
ODIN look like it's connected?
Try to flash in ODIN just like that.
I flashed a new 2.2 image to my phone from the phone!PC screen before, not realizing that it was actually in download mode, just didn't look like it.
Thanks for your replies. The phone doesn't turn on period. Gonna look around for a phone I guess. Im actually at T-Mobile looking for a new phone.. I had good times with this phone... :'(
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
i got mine fixed for £15 thats like $25
dont know how much it will be wherever you can get it fixed though
FYI - for those reading this -
If you get an error from flashing the boot loaders don't reboot / turn off phone!. You also remembered to uncheck auto reboot right?
If you get a fail you need to unplug / replug and try again while in download mode.
per the bootloader OP:
"Its not a problem really... Disconnect and reconnect your phone, in the same Download mode, restart ODIN and reflash the tar file. Please do not turn off your phone, or change mode or remove battery. It might not return to life. This is the sole reason why I have asked you to uncheck Auto-reboot."
Pm sent. I can repair this with JTAG. Anyone else in a similar issue just PM me for help...
Moped_Ryder said:
FYI - for those reading this -
If you get an error from flashing the boot loaders don't reboot / turn off phone!. You also remembered to uncheck auto reboot right?
If you get a fail you need to unplug / replug and try again while in download mode.
per the bootloader OP:
"Its not a problem really... Disconnect and reconnect your phone, in the same Download mode, restart ODIN and reflash the tar file. Please do not turn off your phone, or change mode or remove battery. It might not return to life. This is the sole reason why I have asked you to uncheck Auto-reboot."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow! this is genius!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Farewell vibrant... We had a good run. :,)
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

[Q] Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant SGH-T959 stuck at PC-exclamationMark-MobilePhone icon

Alright. let us get this straight. I have searched in countless number of forums for solving my issue but I'm NOT able to fix it.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant T959. It currently seems to be "soft-bricked" (I always see a mobile connected to a computer and an exclamation icon in between). So to reset it, I have left almost not stone unturned. But no luck so far
As far as I remember, I happened to land it in trouble while I was trying to flash some secondary bootloader using ODIN.
I also tried the micro-USB JIG method by building a 300k-Ohm USB JIG on my own (using three 100k-Ohm resistors), but even that is not working for me. Whenever I connect my phone to my computer, it starts up and shows those three icons. The same happens when I remove the battery, insert it back and start the phone up again. The same happens for each of the numerous key sequences mentioned online for download/recovery mode. So literally NOTHING is working for me. I also tried OneClick.jar, Heimdall. None of them are making me lucky as the phone is not getting detected.
I believe there has to be a way to reset it somehow (although I seem to have screwed something seriously) but nothing seems to work for me. What can I possibly do now?
Attached images show the micro-USB jig that I made and the icon on my phone I see.
From my experience if you can get that far you don't need a jtag. But you did say that you flash bootloader. So you ether need to get the right combo to get to download mode or you are done with out working bootloader. The only other thing that I can think of would be to do the unbrickable mod.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Thanks jrongi1 for the reply.
>> So you ether need to get the right combo to get to download mode or you are done with out working bootloader.
I have tried many, many combos for getting the download mode but no luck so far Can you suggest some if you are aware of one?
The only other thing that I can think of would be to do the unbrickable mod.
>> I tried to know about this but I did not understand what this exactly means? I believe this involves some sort of hardware rework. Can you please point me to steps to do this? Are you referring to this procedure? If yes, I don't believe it's a solution since that procedure is just a preventive measure and not a solution (that's what I understand after reading that whole thing out).
Try that.
reboot computer, turn off phone, take out battery, put the battery back, hold volume up and down buttons and then plug in usb.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
This is from N00B_IN_N33D's MIUI guide stickied at the top.
"SOFT" BRICKED WHILE USING ODIN?
If you are getting a "Phone.. ! ..Computer" image (seen above) when booting phone, yes, you are bricked but it is reversible! Just follow these steps...
Make sure you have ODIN OPEN with admin privileges!
1.) Take off your back cover, remove your sim & mirco sd card.
2.) Remove your battery.
Make sure you have the USB plugged into your PC but NOT your phone!
3.) Hold the volume buttons.
4.) Put the battery in.
5.) Put the USB in.
You don't necessarily need the download mode image to be present. As long as you are getting the COM ID to light up yellow in ODIN, just flash back to stock like normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes the key combo can be a bit precarious and the timing needs to be precise. I know that when I have taken my Vibes back to stock, it takes me more than a few tries to get it right. You've said you have tried the key combos several time, I think you should keep trying them and get your timing right. I would hate for you to screw up your phone when doing the Unbrickable hardware mod, when it could be something as simple as a timing thing.
As the other guys said work with the buttons and only try the unbrickable mod as a last resort.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Thanks guys for responses.
testomat/Woody, I tried as per your steps almost 8-10 times, but that does not work either
jrongi1,
I do not wish to go for Unbrickable mod either. Anyway, I have contacted a local repairs guy for this issue. He said he can fix this issue using JTAG interface. That costs me 1500INR. That's the only solution I have I guess.
Good luck with the repair I hope that you can get going soon.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Thank you so much again!
Woody said:
This is from N00B_IN_N33D's MIUI guide stickied at the top.
Sometimes the key combo can be a bit precarious and the timing needs to be precise. I know that when I have taken my Vibes back to stock, it takes me more than a few tries to get it right. You've said you have tried the key combos several time, I think you should keep trying them and get your timing right. I would hate for you to screw up your phone when doing the Unbrickable hardware mod, when it could be something as simple as a timing thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked for me.....Many thanks

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