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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.
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!
So here is my problem. I have been rooted on my Thunderbolt since I got it, though I never ended up putting on any new roms or anything (was more into it with my D1, but I regress). Anyways, today I notice my power button has crapped out on me. It still sticks out fine and I can very easily press it, but it does nothing. Currently my only way to turn the screen on and off is to unplug it, not a viable solution long term.
I decided that since I have insurance I will just take it in and have Verizon replace it for me. Which means I need to go to stock. Downloaded the PG05IMG file and placed it on the root, went through adb and got all the way to the bootloader. Except I can't select any menu options with he power button! So I was stuck. Decided to try and flash the PG05IMG file using Rom Manager, which got me back to stock but with root permissions (where I was before essentially).
So, is there some way for me to actually unroot this phone completely while avoiding the bootloader? Perhaps I downloaded a stock with root access rom instead of a normal one by mistake, but I was following exactly an unroot tutorial. Just worried, since the phone is almost unusable as a mobile device right now and it will take the Verizon guy all of 5 seconds to scroll down my app drawer and see SuperUser.
Thanks for any help, love XDA
well...
you could either take it to a local cell phone repair shop and have them fix the button....
or...
if your phone somehow got lost or stolen, there's always that route.......
õ_Ô
Have you tried using something like a pen or paperclip to press the power button? Not a long term solution but could get you back to stock if it works.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt
I have been trying with a sewing needle right now. Same idea as the paper clip, but I can't seem to find where the contact point is. Either that or it isn't the button that is bad but instead the contact. Don't know how to get around the latter problem.
Think I got it
So using adb and going into the bootloader never worked, still needed to click the power button to select the options. However, getting into the bootloader by holding volume down and doing a battery pull got me through and started the process automatically.
After it flashed I checked again and I have S-ON and no super user
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!
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Dear Whom Can Help,
My sincere apologies if this thread feels redundant, but other threads dealing with restoring this phone are starting from steps well beyond an initial, and/or are using jargon that is at opaque at best from an outsider...
To reduce to salient points:
I bought a used HTC Evo 4G LTE through Glyde.com to port it over to Ting. The previous owner must have been one of your folk, a phone modder / tinkerer / developer / what have you, because it came in an obviously altered state. (Something called Beanstalk loading, terminal apps, etc.)
I don't want any of this. I respect those that want to root and modify their phone, and as a security and a network design consultant I understand the concepts behind all of it, but I also know when and where I want to apply my time. And I don't want to spend it learning about rooting and messing with my phone. And even if I do want to root it someday, I want to root it from scratch myself, not hope that the last person to have the phone didn't put anything nefarious on it (unlikely) or just did stuff I don't understand (likelier).
So I want the phone back to a completely clean factory state. But I don't know any of the precepts and assumptions that all the "unrooting" conversations I've seen have and make. (Basically, all the unrooting stuff assumes you were the one that rooted it, and so already know the jargon.)
Here's where I'm at:
HTC Evo 4G LTE. The phone is in TMRP v2.3.1.0. There are no packages to restore. There is no external microSD card (I can certainly buy one if it's required). I cannot even reboot, as there is "No OS Installed! Are you sure you wish to reboot?"* I can connect the phone via USB to my Windows laptop, if I would need to copy files to it or something.
So, I'm looking to, whether within TWRP or copying a ROM and rebooting the phone or whatever, have the phone back to naked, like I bought it fresh and new, state.
Can someone help me do this? The other questions along these lines point to websites like shipped-roms.com that have pretty names listed like Runnymede and Puccini, but nowhere to explain that my phone is Shooter or Supersonic or what have you. And while I'm pretty computer-savvy, I don't pretend to have any idea what the referents are to statements like "Like how do I get back to fully stock? Or should I be trying to re-root to RUU again? Moonshine doesn't recognize my device in fastboot us..."
I appreciate anyone's time, so I don't have to return this phone. I have already spent a good three-plus hours trying to tackle this, and I fear when I die and my life is flashing before my eyes, this time will be the most boring of the whole lot of it.
Thanks greatly for anyone's time,
Me
* Now, I am aware that I pretty much brought the phone to a worse place, with no OS / no restore points or whatever you kids these days call them, probably while I was trying to restore it to a factory default, which I thought was going to be as simple as clicking on the factory reset option within Android. In any case, yes I made it worse. But I'm at where I'm at, and it's still the dude's fault who sold me a phone without reverting it.
Power the phone completely off. Once off, press the volume down+power button and list all the info displayed on the screen. Then we'll go from there.
If you need to get your phone up & running right now, click the last link in my sig.
Also, I've never flashed to a different carrier, but I believe your phone must be rooted to do so, so at this point you just need to get your phone up and running by flashing a ROM.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
Thanks for your insanely quick reply. Luckily, I just got this phone and haven't activated it yet or anything, so there's not a huge time pressure, though I may have to return it.
Unluckily - this is going to sound like incompetence but I swear it's not - I powered off and rebooted but it's simply hanging on the "HTC quietly brilliant" splash screen, rather than listing any system attributes. This may be because the volume down button (I've just noticed now) may not be depressing properly - up has an actual 'click' feel, but down does not.
I'll keep trying to reboot it with the volume down button depressed.
Thanks much for your response!
ACK
No problem. Click the bottom link in my sig and let's get you up and running so you actually have a working ROM on your phone.
Also, if you can get back to TWRP recovery, choose the option to reboot to bootloader, then list the info on that screen.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
FinZ28 said:
Also, I've never flashed to a different carrier, but I believe your phone must be rooted to do so, so at this point you just need to get your phone up and running by flashing a ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ting is a Sprint MVNO, and normally doesn't require rooted phones, just a Sprint-compatible one. There's a little work you have to do on the front-end to activate it with Ting, but it's usually minor. I was worried that the rooting that was done to do this phone could actually **prevent** activation with Ting, which was one reason I was looking to restore to factory state.
It shouldn't affect you being able to flash to Ting.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
FinZ28 said:
No problem. Click the bottom link in my sig and let's get you up and running so you actually have a working ROM on your phone.
Also, if you can get back to TWRP recovery, choose the option to reboot to bootloader, then list the info on that screen.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Audible sigh. No luck on the reboot - I hold power for ten seconds, screen goes black, then a vibration and the "HTC quietly brilliant" splash screen, but it stays there. Holding the Volume Down button before, during, or after seems to have no effect; again, it may be because the volume down button is bad - I can feel volume up click, but volume down is mushy. (Since it wasn't my phone until today, I don't actually know if the button was working or not.)
ACK
Once the screen goes black hold the volume down button in. If nothing happens, well, there are obviously other issues.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
FinZ28 said:
Once the screen goes black hold the volume down button in. If nothing happens, well, there are obviously other issues.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone simply reboots to the splash screen.
I guess I'll just return the phone to the seller. Thanks for your time!
softyelectric said:
The phone simply reboots to the splash screen.
I guess I'll just return the phone to the seller. Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure fastboot is UNchecked in setting->power then try again.
If fastboot is checked it won't go to bootloader
bigdaddy619 said:
Make sure fastboot is UNchecked in setting->power then try again.
If fastboot is checked it won't go to bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate that, but with all due respect I don't know what that means... there's nothing to check or uncheck. I was once in TWRP, if that's where the 'fastboot' option was, but after FinZ28's recommendation to "Power the phone completely off. Once off, press the volume down+power button and list all the info displayed on the screen", the phone simply boots to the "HTC quietly brilliant" splash screen and does nothing else. I can't re-access TWRP, or anything else, for that matter.
Thanks for your time!
Ok try this, power down let it go completely off then press the power button and vol down button release the power button after 3 seconds while still holding the vol down and see if it will boot to bootloader
bigdaddy619 said:
Make sure fastboot is UNchecked in setting->power then try again.
If fastboot is checked it won't go to bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone doesn't have a ROM installed, it seems.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
FinZ28 said:
The phone doesn't have a ROM installed, it seems.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i figured that out after reading the Op lol
bigdaddy619 said:
Ok try this, power down let it go completely off then press the power button and vol down button release the power button after 3 seconds while still holding the vol down and see if it will boot to bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I tried that / trying right right no, to no avail. I hold "power" and "volume down", let go of "power" while still holding "volume down", and it simply goes to the "htc quietly brilliant" splash screen. It stays there until the battery dies.
When the phone's battery died, and I plugged it in again, the three 'hard' buttons at the bottom did flash, but then again the phone goes to the splash screen and stays there, seemingly no bootloader / other information.
Originally Posted by FinZ28 View Post
"The phone doesn't have a ROM installed, it seems."
No ROM, I wouldn't think; there was one when I first got the phone yesterday, but clearly I inadvertently deleted it when trying to revert the phone back to a clean slate. My bad on that, though the seller should never have sold me a rooted phone with a bunch of unknown apps on it in the first place (at least without indicating it was a rooted phone, which I wouldn't have chosen to purchase in the first place).
Thanks for your time!