[Q] Phone wouldn't turn on - no download mode, no recovery mode. - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have been running Siyah 1.7rc1 dual booting Omega v30 as primary and AOKP milestone 1 as secondary. I also have the 4.2 camera and keyboard mods installed. The phone has been working fine until last night.
Last night the phone was fully charged. This morning the phone was off and wouldn't turn on when I pressed the power button. Hoping it was just a depleted battery, I put the phone on the charger for a couple of hours. However, it still won't turn on. I can't get to either recovery mode or download mode with the vol_up+home+power or the vol_down+home+power.
There is no reaction from the phone to any combination of buttons. I have removed the battery a few times with the same results.
Does anyone have any ideas? I might try and see if Samsung service can fix this but wanted to know if there was any advise from XDA.

Well if you do want to go to samsung service """ you have a freaking rooted phone bro"""""",,,BTW your phone is dead.

As repair is chargeable i would first try a new battery or borrow one and a USB jig to boot to recovery mode .
jje

*sob*
Mine has gone exactly the same way.
Had it on charge. Took it off charge and checked emails then left it on my desk. Came back 30 minutes later, picked it up and phone was completely dead.
No light when plugged into a charger, phone won't power on.
Plugged it into a computer, no luck.
Different chargers, different cables, no luck.
Tried a USB jig, no luck.
I've NOT tried a new battery yet, that's next on my list. I suspect this won't make any difference either.

I suggest you send it to samsung bro.
happened to my phone too.
They won't find out you rooted/have custom ROM etc, cause this is caused by hardware failure. They'll need to replace it to get it to boot, so they can't tell if you rooted or not.

LemonPlusTea said:
I suggest you send it to samsung bro.
happened to my phone too.
They won't find out you rooted/have custom ROM etc, cause this is caused by hardware failure. They'll need to replace it to get it to boot, so they can't tell if you rooted or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
take it back to the shop first, if you havent had it too long them may just swap it out. If not then they will send it back for you and should lend you candybar phone to use if you leave them a deposit (depends on the shop though).
Sammy wont even both to check if its been rooted, they will just replace it.

Thanks both. I'm going to send it straight to Samsung as soon as I've found proof of warranty. Hopefully it won't take too long to sort out.

zaphy42 said:
Thanks both. I'm going to send it straight to Samsung as soon as I've found proof of warranty. Hopefully it won't take too long to sort out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like i said its a paid for repair .
Totally dead mobo that requires change you will probably get away with warranty .
jje

I did try using a friend's battery. No go. I saw another thread on XDA where a bunch of people seem to have hit the same problem in the last week. I am wondering if it is some time-triggerred bug?

randombrick said:
I did try using a friend's battery. No go. I saw another thread on XDA where a bunch of people seem to have hit the same problem in the last week. I am wondering if it is some time-triggerred bug?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just got round to trying a friends battery too. Likewise, no go.
I think it's probably more likely a design flaw on Samsungs part.
I wonder if they've produced a different revision of the S3 circuit board to fix it? I've heard on other threads that Samsung just replace the system board when it's sent back for warranty repair...

Well there certainly has been quite a lot of them over the last 4 weeks or so. Probably some sub-standard motherboards found their way into the production line every now and then (given the number of units produced), or a design flaw as noted above. It's going to be a reasonably expensive exercise for Samsung if they end up having to replace a lot of them though...
I just hope that the new one they put in my phone isn't going to commit suicide again in 4 months time
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

I have the exact problem.
But it was my fault in this case. Flashed an "unmatched" md5 file of WanamLite.
It booted up normally. Then i proceeded installing TiBu & restore apps. After 10mins, i came back with a dead phone.
After some googling & advice from phone shops, there's a possibility that the motherboard may be fried.
I sent to Samsung Service Centre, and within 2 working days, my S3 is alive.
Sent from my GT-I9300

Related

[Q] I believe I have made a brick.

Hi guys/girls of XDA.
I've been happily running my Galaxy S 2 with CM9 for some time.
I've just yesterday changed to the latest nightly. Had used the Battery Calibration market app, just so i can get the maximum use out of my extended battery (i still seemed to get regular usage out of the battery). Made sure the triangle was gone with Triangle Away. All was swell.
Untill today, I attempted to check out the beats audio plugin.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1525226
I flashed through CWM as you usually do for these things, once this was done, and rebooted fine, I noticed some niggling issues.
My SD card wasn't mounted. Mounted it again. Was working fine. My audiobook decided to crash on me, and the phone froze.
Thought it might be a good idea to get into Recovery and flash over the latest nightly again clearing the mess i put on my phone. SD wasn't mounted again, mounted and confirmed working.
Flashing of ROM would not work.
Sat at installing for about 10+ minutes.
Pulled battery.
Now i'm unable to get into Recovery or Download mode.
I believe I've Soft/Hardbricked. But I can't confirm it.
Any ideas?
(My sig isn't up to date, and i cbf updating it)
Try a usb jig
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
I was thinking that would be the first answer.
I don't have one, might have to check Ebay, unless there is a local seller in Aus.
Pull battery, wait for 5 minutes
huylinh said:
Pull battery, wait for 5 minutes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already tried.
Attempting to turn it on after this period has no effect, and nothing shows on the screen.
(After some time pressing the power button, it starts to get hot around the camera)
If you can't get into download mode at all/phone won't turn on your last (slim) chance is a jig. If the jig doesn't work you have two options:-
1) JTAG repair by 3rd party repairer (probably cheaper option)
2) Repair by Samsung (probably more expensive option)
But definitely try the jig before you go down that route. You never know.
I think usb jig will solve your problem and you can make your own usb jig indeed. It is just a 300k resistor which is soldered between the fourth and the fifth legs of a micro usb socket.
You can find lots of videos and schemes showing how to do it. I think it is better to
make your own usb jig then waiting your internet order.
I hope you can get your phone back soon.
Looks like i'll try a JIG asap.
Then look for a JTAG repairer in adelaide.
Will keep you guys posted.
There's a thread in General where people have offered to let other people use their jigs. Might be worth a look to see if there's someone in Radelaide who can help, would be surprised if there isn't.
Might save you waiting for jig in the post (assuming you don't already have one/aren't confident enough to make your own); if you do borrow a jig & it works you get your phone back earlier & if it doesn't work, at least you can then focus on getting it fixed.
Mingo3k said:
Looks like i'll try a JIG asap.
Then look for a JTAG repairer in adelaide.
Will keep you guys posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Mistah, i'll do that
Edit;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1495867
Nobody in Adelaide it seems.
Really ? Bugger Do a Google search along the lines of "Samsung Galaxy S2 jig eBay location Australia". That should yield you a seller within Australia which will save you a heap of postage time. I got mine from Hong Kong (relatively close) & it took 8 calendar days.
Mingo3k said:
Thanks Mistah, i'll do that
Edit;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1495867
Nobody in Adelaide it seems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google is your friend...
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?itemId=250824932765
granted you can pick these up for $2, but I don't think that's important to you right now.
I'm in Sydney, let me know if you are really stuck getting a hold of one.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
ultramic said:
Google is your friend...
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?itemId=250824932765
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's cool and all, I just purchased a couple online.
Google didn't help in my searching locally, due to desperation over the issue.
Waiting on some friends to get back to me, but i'll see how it goes.
try to make a picture from it
Well, after waiting on packages to arrive.
The phone will not respond to a USB Jig. (I ordered a couple, and none work, i'm on ICS bootloaders I believe, and it won't respond)
Have sent the phone off to http://www.themobilephoneclinic.com.au
(They do JTAG services in Melbourne)
I've found out something on the motherboard is fried, and they can't perform a JTAG on my phone.
Replacing the motherboard will cost about $275 to replace, so my dead phone is on it's way back to me, dead
Sad day.
Time to start saving for the S3 i think.

Think my S3 is hard bricked, what do?

Hi guys, my phone is flashed so I guess that will make this whole process painful...
But here is the story, I have omega version 12.1 I think (maybe 11 or 13) it has been on my phone for 1 + months now, so I am fairly certain it isn't anything to do with firmware. Phone wont turn on, wont go into download mode or anything. I have tried taking the battery out and leaving it out for 5 minutes, still nothing.
It was working fine before I went to bed, had 10 percent battery and was just on home screen when I put it on charge, not in app or anything. Then seems to be hard bricked after waking up, so happened sometime overnight.
I am not with a carrier, brought it locally outright at my local consumers electronics store (JB-HI-FI)
Since it is hard bricked to the point it wont turn on in download mode does that mean there is no way for them to know it is flashed unless they fix it (in which all is ok)?
Never done a warranty return, do I just take it into store and they send it off? How long will this take?
On top of all this I cut my old sim doown using a cutting template, and it appeared to slide in fine, but after trying to remove it today the push eject isn't working, and tips to get this out, doesn't appear to be enough room to grip it with tweesers.
Thanks.
So as we keep on saying in all posts, the next step u have to make is try with an usb jig.
U know what is that?
xopito_cc said:
So as we keep on saying in all posts, the next step u have to make is try with an usb jig.
U know what is that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, have never heard of one. Just talked to samsung live chat and they said to have a proper diagnostic to take it down to a service centre, would anyone recommend this, or try this jig thing first?
Nicholas68 said:
No, have never heard of one. Just talked to samsung live chat and they said to have a proper diagnostic to take it down to a service centre, would anyone recommend this, or try this jig thing first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since it's already harbricked, i'd say just turn it in and let Samsung fix it for you. It is under warranty, and last time i brought in my i9000 that I bricked, they just replaced the phone. the jig is ok only if you already know where to get one or how to make one, but if you have to go out of your way for it, just use the warranty.
Sent from my LG-LU6200 using xda premium
JiroPrinz8 said:
Since it's already harbricked, i'd say just turn it in and let Samsung fix it for you. It is under warranty, and last time i brought in my i9000 that I bricked, they just replaced the phone. the jig is ok only if you already know where to get one or how to make one, but if you have to go out of your way for it, just use the warranty.
Sent from my LG-LU6200 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, Think that is best, can't really go without phone for 2-3 weeks while waiting for a JIG to arrive.
Just a few questions about the service centre, do you think they will ask me if I have flashed the phone? Cause I'm afraid they will think the brick was caused by that (could be) but probably unlikely since it died during the night a month after its latest flash.
If they do get it working will they go in and check the flash counter? Then what happens?
And lastly, if they ask me if I have flashed it should I lie and say no?
Thanks for the help.
I ordered my jig from ebay from overseas but it arrived in a few days.
I am in Melbourne city btw, pm me if you are too. I can lend you mine.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
priyana said:
I ordered my jig from ebay from overseas but it arrived in a few days.
I am in Melbourne city btw, pm me if you are too. I can lend you mine.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope brisbane here, thanks for the offer though. What would the chances be of a JIG fixing it though, cause I have a feeling the mainboard has died. Kinda wish I didn't turn off the red LED charging light, apparently some others who's phones hardbricked the light still turned on showing some sign of life.
Any suggestions on sorting out the micro sim card issue now, assume I have to get it our before taking it to service centre, or just leave it in for them to fix?
priyana said:
I ordered my jig from ebay from overseas but it arrived in a few days.
I am in Melbourne city btw, pm me if you are too. I can lend you mine.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the jig work on s3? I have an old one from s2 and if I'm not wrong is not working on s3...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
ceo.mtcl said:
Does the jig work on s3? I have an old one from s2 and if I'm not wrong is not working on s3...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-it will force the S3 in download mode
BUT
-it will not reset the flash counter like with S2
Got a little bit of good news, this might help other people out with jammed sim cards, NO damage and worked like a treat.
In the top of the sim card holder down the bottom left there is a little circle around one mill wide, got a sharp thumbtack and pushed it gentelly into the sim card, the just applied a little pressure and the sim card started to slide up, was very easy, had a great grip on the sim cad and no damage done trying to grab it with needle nose pliers like I read elsewhere, now to get the phone replaced or unbricked.
Thinking about it more I think it is a hardware fault, cause I had flashed the correct version of omega for international S3, I havn't had any wrong signs like freezing or crashing, been working flawlessly for over a month, then out of the blue completely dead. So I think I will just go into the service centre and tell them I suspect the motherboard has died, or the charger port (didn't charge over night), dont have a spare battery to test with though).
http://lifehacker.com/5940308/save-a-bricked-phone-using-paper-clips-and-pencil-graphite
Just a post tyat i found today..not sure if it ll work or not.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
That video is pretty cool, don't have an old connector to try it, but seeing as my phone didn't hard brick from a flash going wrong while flashing or wrong firmware or anything I have a feeling a JIG or similar wont work. Would try it if I had the connector though.
How often do batterys and charger ports fail, cause that could be another reason I guess.
Nicholas68 said:
Ok, Think that is best, can't really go without phone for 2-3 weeks while waiting for a JIG to arrive.
Just a few questions about the service centre, do you think they will ask me if I have flashed the phone? Cause I'm afraid they will think the brick was caused by that (could be) but probably unlikely since it died during the night a month after its latest flash.
If they do get it working will they go in and check the flash counter? Then what happens?
And lastly, if they ask me if I have flashed it should I lie and say no?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. There were no problems with the flashing part, i think ypu have a hardware issue.
They didn't ask me anything really, just asked what happened prior to the phone dying.
But i was ready to lie my ass off.. lol!
Dont say anything about flashing. They wont even bother trying to flash the phone if they dont get it into download mode.
Sent from my LG-LU6200 using xda premium
JiroPrinz8 said:
Exactly. There were no problems with the flashing part, i think ypu have a hardware issue.
They didn't ask me anything really, just asked what happened prior to the phone dying.
But i was ready to lie my ass off.. lol!
Dont say anything about flashing. They wont even bother trying to flash the phone if they dont get it into download mode.
Sent from my LG-LU6200 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks for the info, I've tried everything besides a JIG to try get it into a download mode, so I doubt they will get it into download mode, Ive seen a couple of other cases where the S3 has had a mainboard issue, only other thing is in the last week I have been using the wall charger where as I normally use the computer and usb, so not sure if this could link to it though, might have got a power surge, but had no storms in months so unlikely and the fuse box is modern with pretty good protection. Ill just go in and tell them it was working one night, and dead when I woke up the next morning, which is the truth. And if they ask if its flashed, ill miss understand them and say, not the screen wasn't flashing/flickering when it died, I was asleep
Reality is though if they get the phone to a restored point to where they can see the flash counter, then I no longer need their help to fix it.
One more question. At the service centres do they try fix it while I'm there, or do they tell s to come back in a few hours, or do they ring a few days later. And if they can't get it in download mode do they normally give you a replacement there? Or do they ship it off to get parts replaced and then ship it back taking weeks/months?
Thanks
I'd give the jig a chance. Just imho.
Btw it is very likely that the jig would arrive in, like, 24-48 hours if you choose the right seller, while other users already told you it's probably gonna take more then a few days (probably from 2 weeks to a month) for samsung to "close the ticket". In my experience only with apple you'd be up and running in less then a week.
Nicholas68 said:
One more question. At the service centres do they try fix it while I'm there, or do they tell s to come back in a few hours, or do they ring a few days later. And if they can't get it in download mode do they normally give you a replacement there? Or do they ship it off to get parts replaced and then ship it back taking weeks/months?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure they will ask you to come back in a few days or even weeks. Don't think they will replace new unit for you. They will just replace the faulty part.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
I have the same issue so thought i would post here rather than starting a new thread.
Here's the story for mine. Working fine on current rom for about a month no issues at all. Today battery got to about 9% then switched off and i haven't been able to get it to turn on again, no download mode,no recovery, no charging led nothing at all.
I had to change my screen a couple of days ago, has been working fine with the broken screen for months, have i now voided my warranty?
A lot of faulty s3 i think... My s3 suddenly died last night. Battery is around 90+. Check the phone and it's not responding. Power button doesn't work. Doesn't even go to download mode or recovery mode. I'm running on stock ICS with root only. Sad part is I don't have any access for a jig right now. So can't test it. Bought this phone in SG and I'm in the Philippines right now. Warranty is good for SG only. Dec would be my next trip back to SG. By then no S3 as of now. For a phone I'm getting depressed LOL!
over the air jellybean brick my phone unrooted unflashed phone
BEWARE EVERYONE!! when updating to jellybean some do go very wrong! not all! but some do!! and it will brick your phone!! i updated over the air.. and for a few days. my phone kept on freezing! and locking up! one night i went to bed woke up and the phone was stuck on the boot screen! i thought thats weird took battery out, put back in, as ya do.. nothing took sim out and back in nothing... so only option was to reapair it through kies. put serial in and model number in it found the sortware. i downloaded it. told me to put phone in recovery mode.. so i did,kies said it was gonna install it to my phone.. but everytime it tryed to install it kept on saying it couldnt find my phone.. i tryed this all day long used different usb ports. different computers. to know avail, so my only option was to take it in for repair.. so i took it back to phones 4 u! they sent it away, i waited over 2 weeks! which was undiscrible it was like i lost my right arm with no phone! as you can imagine.. than the repair center turned round and said that the phone has been rooted! which it hadnt!! and they said this in order to brake the terms and conditions of my warentee so phones 4 u can get out of giving me a new handset. so they all save money!! i wouldnt do that to a 500 pound phone!! the phone does everything you could want from a phone! im launching a full investigation into this matter.. and have writen a formall complaint to phones 4 u headoffice, and will be contacting trading standards, ofcom, watchdog, and the ombudsman, and plaster it on all the forums ,social networking sights i can think of, to give them as much bad press as possible!! untill my problem is resolved and i will restore there name and clear it once they have done the right thing by me
I am afraid I can also report a bricked S3 here.
Rooted two weeks ago, but did not yet install a rom. Didn't Triangleaway yet aswell.
Same problem as described, I was browsing the net, and suddenly, screen went black (off). Could not get it powered on anymore. (nor in download/recovery mode)
So i brought it to the local telecom service center of my office, they could tell me the battery was fine and the buttons were working but they never saw one in this state.
So they are sending it to a samsung repair company.
This was two days ago, heard nothing yet, but I am very curious if I will get repaired or if I need to pay because of the rooting.
Will post the result if I know more.
Does anyone know if this problem also happens to people who did not root?

[Q] Bricked my S3? Does not respond to anything.

Hi,
I think I may have bricked my phone somehow.
I have an international Samsung galaxy S3 I9300.
I'm using SiyahKernel S3 v1.7rc1 for dual-boot.
ParanoidAndroid 2.51 as primary ROM and Stock Samsung JB as secondary.
I have used the battery mod that comes with the kernel to speed up charging.
Here's what happened:
I have been using this setup for quite some time without any problems, but I have noticed lately that the phone have been rebooting automatically a few times. I didn't think too much about it. Annoying, but didn't happen often. Yesterday I put my phone on charging before I went to bed, and the phone was on. When I woke up the phone had turned off (alarm didn't go off either, so I missed work..) and the green charging notification light was stuck on permanently. I couldn't turn on the phone, it didn't react at all. I took out the battery to reset it, put it back in and tried again. The charging light was gone, but still couldn't turn it on. No sign of life.
I tried my battery in a friends phone and it worked fine. Also tried his battery in my phone, but no change. So seems the battery is not the problem. I have tried to keep the battery out for some time, holding buttons to drain all power, but no change.
It doesn't respond to any cable being plugged in either (USB or charging), so can't flash anything.
I'm lost here really. The phone doesn't respond to anything any more so I have no idea what to do to fix it. And I'm guessing if I send it back for repair they're not going to accept it as it's not stock. Would really appreciate any help.
Hi,
Are you able to put your phone in download mode at least? It happened with my old Galaxy S and the only thing worked was download mode.
If download mode is possible, try to flash a new rom via odin and than install siyah kernel to remove the 2nd rom partition.
Good luck.
Cheers
ramsorriso said:
Hi,
Are you able to put your phone in download mode at least? It happened with my old Galaxy S and the only thing worked was download mode.
If download mode is possible, try to flash a new rom via odin and than install siyah kernel to remove the 2nd rom partition.
Good luck.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, can't enter download mode either
You're boned....
Unless you can enter download mode or CWM theres nothing to be done....
Send it to a Samsung Service center.
Overdriving the battery charging circuit comes with a cost. That is it and now your phone is FUBAR.
Have you tried shouting at it loudly and calling it a few names? You're out of luck, it seems (needs returning to Samsung) but at least it'll make you feel better!
Simonetti2011 said:
Send it to a Samsung Service center.
Overdriving the battery charging circuit comes with a cost. That is it and now your phone is FUBAR.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm that sucks. Back to my iPhone 1 then
But will they not be able to see that It's not stock firmware on it?
Kryten2k35 said:
Have you tried shouting at it loudly and calling it a few names? You're out of luck, it seems (needs returning to Samsung) but at least it'll make you feel better!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm usually a calm person, but I'll try that shouting and see if it makes me feel better. Don't have the money for a new S3 so shouting will have to do.
star85 said:
Hmm that sucks. Back to my iPhone 1 then
But will they not be able to see that It's not stock firmware on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they can't boot the phone, they'll simply replace the defective board, restore your original IMEI, wipe your phone and send it back to you.
At least that is what has happened to other users whose phones had the same fault as yours, and for the same reasons.
I guess your phone is still under warranty, isn`t it? If so, just get it repaired under warranty and let this be a lesson that nothing comes free, including fast-charging the battery.
Simonetti2011 said:
If they can't boot the phone, they'll simply replace the defective board, restore your original IMEI, wipe your phone and send it back to you.
At least that is what has happened to other users whose phones had the same fault as yours, and for the same reasons.
I guess your phone is still under warranty, isn`t it? If so, just get it repaired under warranty and let this be a lesson that nothing comes free, including fast-charging the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This ^
Plus, the phone is knackered, so you don't have anything to lose by trying, really!
Man: had this happen to me today as well, and now that I notice, I see LOTS of similar reports.
FWIW: Most people weren't "fast charging" their phones; there's clearly just a hardware fault somewhere.
What was your official stock firmware you were running?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Simonetti2011 said:
If they can't boot the phone, they'll simply replace the defective board, restore your original IMEI, wipe your phone and send it back to you.
At least that is what has happened to other users whose phones had the same fault as yours, and for the same reasons.
I guess your phone is still under warranty, isn`t it? If so, just get it repaired under warranty and let this be a lesson that nothing comes free, including fast-charging the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help. Yes it's still under warranty.

[Q] Sudden death!!

Something very strange, I checked the time on the phone while I was seating on my car, then I came home, and when I sat on my desk the phone was completely off. At first I though it might be an empty battery, so I plugged on the wall charger, but NOTHING happened. I tried the charger on another phone and worked, so the problem was the phone.
Took out the battery, put it back again and tried to enter recovery or download mode, none of them worked. (Even the 4 touch keys don´t light up, exactly like when you try to turn it on without a battery).
I left it charging all the night, and in the next morning, it was all the same.
About the phone
Because of the forum, its obvious that is a sgh-i777 AT&T SGSII. I changed many times of ROM, but I was running a custom one called "Alliance", wich is Touchwiz based and so stable, that I decided to keep it (flashed it maybe 3 months ago).
Regarding the installed apps, I had "RAM Manager", on the "more multitasking" preset, also had "STweaks" on the default profile, a task killer called "Speed Booster", "Next Launcher" and a bunch of games.
About the battery
I went to a store and asked to try a new one, but It didn't worked at all. The guy at the store told me that maybe it was a "Motherboard" (or something like that) issue, so I left the phone there to see if the can fix it, but they didn't have any luck. (I have to admit that it wasn't an official Samsung service center, but a friend's shop, so its probable that they dont know much about this kind of stuff). Besides, if you look closely at the phone, you cant see that the screws were untouched, so it seems that they didnt even try to repair it.
Another important thing is the battery "lifestyle" that I always used with the phone: Usage, from normal to exhaustive during the day and let it charging all night, everyday. I notice some alarming overheating when playin hard games (so hot that I quit playing and put the phone on the floor to make it cooler), this maybe has fried something inside.
I insist in the fact that I dont think that the battery is the problem because It didn't worked with a new one.
Well, the last "strage" thing that may have something to do, is that I plugged the USB cable to a "broken" car charger, causing the car fuse to burn, but I dont know if that could affect the phone somehow. (Notice that this episode ocurred 1 week earlier than the sudden death, so I dont think is a problem...)
So, this is it. Hope you can help me, because I miss my phone quite much (1 week no use...) and I would really love to have it back.
Kind regards,
Francis
P.S.: I took a lot of time writting this, try to be polite and helpful with the answers.
How are you trying to get into download mode?
Sent from my GS4 running CM11 Kandy Kane
In the moment I've tried, I did Vol Down + Power Button
Adb portable in my signature can help reboot you to download mode.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
In fact, it didnt worked, because the phone does not react when plugged, so it is not detected by the pc nor ADb. Nice try anyways
If your phone does not respond to battery, computer, or wall charger then it is what is known as a hard brick.
Your device may have been damaged by the car charger as well.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
@FranAmestoy,
If you are getting absolutely no response from the phone, and nothing you can do has any effect, then try one last thing (if you haven't already). Pull the battery and leave it out. While holding down both volume buttons, plug in the usb cable. The computer will supply the power. This will put a phone into download mode, but if there is no response to this, then at least you know for sure it is not a battery problem.
There is a difference between "hardware failure" and "hard bricked".
Technically speaking, hard bricked means a firmware problem, usually with the primitive bootloader or the primary bootloader. Such a problem can be fixed using equipment and a technique called jtag, by which the damaged bootloaders are reinstalled. This supposes that the hardware is still functioning correctly.
On the other hand, if the phone has damage to the eMMC memory, or some other hardware failure, then the only remedy is to troubleshoot and repair the hardware. This is perhaps what the technician was suggesting when he said it could be a mother board problem.
Judging from your description of the occurence, it doesn't sound like you did anything that would result in a hard brick. But then I don't know if you actually mentioned everything relevant. In order to find out, you would need to get the phone to a competent technician. The guy who owns Mobile Tech videos is highly respected here. If you wish to pursue getting it repaired, I would suggest that you call him and go over the problem with him, find out his prices, see if he thinks it is worth it, etc.
I have used MTV before and I can say their service was wonderful.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
Now this is what I call "help"
I have to say many thanks to creepyncrawly and Red_81 for giving me the kind of answer that I was looking for.
In a few minutes I will try that USB power method, and see what I get.
Regarding your suggestion, I do very appreciatte your kindness and recomendation of where to take the phone to, but my problem is that I bought the phone in the USA, and I live in Argentina, so its way out of my reach to get what you recommend. Anyway, a few minutes from home there is an official Samsung store, that apparently, offers technical assistance, so I will try luck by going there.
For now, I still say you many thanks and I will keep you informed about what I get.
Kind regards,
Francis
Red_81 said:
If your phone does not respond to battery, computer, or wall charger then it is what is known as a hard brick.
Your device may have been damaged by the car charger as well.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the car charger burned down the phone, how can be possible that it continued working during a week before the dropout? I am not saying that's not the problem, but I dont know if there are any relations with so much time in between...
FranAmestoy said:
In the moment I've tried, I did Vol Down + Power Button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, USB + both volume keys
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Donwload also didnt work...
As the title reads, I still dont have any luck.
Guess the final call will be to take it to the technical service T_T
Are those things "fixable"? Will be impossible to get a new phone if I cant sell this...
(Now Im missing it a lot...)
FranAmestoy said:
If the car charger burned down the phone, how can be possible that it continued working during a week before the dropout? I am not saying that's not the problem, but I dont know if there are any relations with so much time in between...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. I think it unlikely, but it is possible.
FranAmestoy said:
Are those things "fixable"? Will be impossible to get a new phone if I cant sell this... (Now Im missing it a lot...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hard brick repair with jtag would be around US$50.00 plus shipping. Hardware repair would be at least that much in the US unless you can do it yourself. It may be more economical to replace the phone.
When you go to the Samsung store, ask them if it is still under warranty. The phone can be sent to Samsung for repair if they can not do it at the store. I have no idea what that would cost if it is not under warranty. Here in the US we would ship it off to a Samsung repair shop somewhere after talking to them over the phone. But I've never had to do that so I have no idea.
creepyncrawly said:
Agreed. I think it unlikely, but it is possible.
Hard brick repair with jtag would be around US$50.00 plus shipping. Hardware repair would be at least that much in the US unless you can do it yourself. It may be more economical to replace the phone.
When you go to the Samsung store, ask them if it is still under warranty. The phone can be sent to Samsung for repair if they can not do it at the store. I have no idea what that would cost if it is not under warranty. Here in the US we would ship it off to a Samsung repair shop somewhere after talking to them over the phone. But I've never had to do that so I have no idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the ideas, but will be impossible, because I bought the phone through eBay and I dont have the invoice, also the phone is rooted and with a custom ROM (triangle alert appears), so the warranty is "super-voided", no chances at all to get it back to stock (remember he's dead...)
I will cross my fingers to see if the can tell me if the can fix it, and how much would it cost.
My major concern is that the failure became impossible to fix. In that case, what will I do? I just can't offer a dead phone on internet for $2... Obviously I need to make some money from him in order to get a new one... However I still have some faith in the official store
You would likely get more than a few dollars selling it on ebay for parts. The digitizer and other parts are definitely worth something. But of course it's not going to be $200.00. Anyway, good luck. I hope you find it is fixable.

[Q] S3 won't switch on, any ideas welcome.

Hi
This morning I took my phone off charge and for some reason it wouldn't switch on and the blue LED was flashing, thinking it'd just crashed I removed and re-inserted the battery but this had no effect. I have since tried the phone with two other batteries, tried to boot it into recovery mode and also download mode and also plugged it into a PC but nothing has worked. The phone has showed no signs of life (no blue LED flashing since I removed the battery this morning) through all of these processes but I have noticed the battery has been warming up.
I tried calling Samsung to get the phone repaired but alas it's now out of its 2 year warranty so I will have to pay to get it repaired. As I've been due an upgrade for a while I will get this rather than paying for it to be repaired.
But just in case has anyone any ideas of any thing else I could try to revive the phone? I heard about the USB jig method but wasn't sure if it'd be any use in my situation?
The phone is isn't rooted and running 4.3 Jelly Bean.
Any advise appreciated.
Zammo76 said:
Hi
This morning I took my phone off charge and for some reason it wouldn't switch on and the blue LED was flashing, thinking it'd just crashed I removed and re-inserted the battery but this had no effect. I have since tried the phone with two other batteries, tried to boot it into recovery mode and also download mode and also plugged it into a PC but nothing has worked. The phone has showed no signs of life (no blue LED flashing since I removed the battery this morning) through all of these processes but I have noticed the battery has been warming up.
I tried calling Samsung to get the phone repaired but alas it's now out of its 2 year warranty so I will have to pay to get it repaired. As I've been due an upgrade for a while I will get this rather than paying for it to be repaired.
But just in case has anyone any ideas of any thing else I could try to revive the phone? I heard about the USB jig method but wasn't sure if it'd be any use in my situation?
The phone is isn't rooted and running 4.3 Jelly Bean.
Any advise appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you cannot get into recovery or download mode there is not alot of hope im sorry.
Sounds like sds and the emmc chip has died.
You could try a jig as they are only a few dollars but personally I would take the upgrade.
I thought as much. I've ordered a USB jig anyhow, its only £2 so im not to bothered if it doesnt work.
The annoying thing is that when I bought the phone and there was the scare surrounding sudden death syndrome I got an app that checked my emmc chip and it said it was susceptible. However I thought the issue was fixed with a firemware update, so I never tried to get it exchanged (not that I think my carrier or Samsung would have allowed me to do this).
Zammo76 said:
I thought as much. I've ordered a USB jig anyhow, its only £2 so im not to bothered if it doesnt work.
The annoying thing is that when I bought the phone and there was the scare surrounding sudden death syndrome I got an app that checked my emmc chip and it said it was susceptible. However I thought the issue was fixed with a firemware update, so I never tried to get it exchanged (not that I think my carrier or Samsung would have allowed me to do this).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fix stopped the rom etc from corrupting it all at once and give the device longer life but as its a hardware issue its still able to die.
Darke5tShad0w said:
The fix stopped the rom etc from corrupting it all at once and give the device longer life but as its a hardware issue its still able to die.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah right, out of curiosity were Samsung allowing people with the susceptible emmc chips to exchange the phone?
Zammo76 said:
Ah right, out of curiosity were Samsung allowing people with the susceptible emmc chips to exchange the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not fully sure, atleast in my country no, only if it failed within the warranty period.
Ok thanks. Im thinking of buying a smashed s3 off of ebay and switching its main board with my phones one. Providing its emmc's chip is ok would this fix my phone?
Provided the smashed phone works fine otherwise then of course.
As an update on this.
I decided to try my luck and wrote a letter to Samsung complaining that despite taking really good care of my phone and through no fault of my own it stopped working, just 2 months out of warranty. I told them that I suspected it to be the emmc chip as this had been identified as a problem with S3's manafactured at the time I bought mine but my carrier (EE) had refused to replace it even though I had ran an app that said my phone had the susceptible chip.
Samsung amazingly agreed to repair my phone free of charge and yesterday I got it back, fully working!
The fault that was listed on the paper work was:
Replacement faulty Ic/ Pa/ Filter
I'm not really sure if that another name for the emmc chip? But regardless I'm very greateful for Sasmung excellent customer service.
Glad it worked out for you, have you run the insane chip test on your new motherboard?

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