[Q] Substitute for a USB-cable - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
Recently i've had some major issues with with my USB-cable, which i got with my SGS2 GT-I9100. The problem is that it simultaneously seems to malfunction after a small amount of time after i've had it plugged into one of the ports in my computer. I hear that "tum-tum" sound so often that it's literally getting on my nerve (you know that sound when you connect the USB to the computer and the computer recognizes device AND also unrecognizes the device).
I use my USB to copy many files between my phone and computer for safe keeping. It can sometimes go from 20MB to maybe 3.5GB worth of information (music, apps, pictures etc.).
And because i copy large files the USB was very practical, but now because it starts to act weird i cannot copy, which i really need to do. That's why i am asking for a good substitute instead to USB to copy such latge files.
If you know one, please do not hesitate to reply below.
And if you know what problem could've occured that could cause my USB-cable to "flicker" like this, please also reply about it.
Also because of my USB problems i can no longer flash ROMs and Kernels via Odin, but have to trust CWM Recovery to work flawlessly. And i like to have other options just incase and if the USB does not work i can't trust to make a Jig either. That's why if i know what problem there is with my USB, i can fix them/it or avoid the problem with another USB-cable.
Thank you very much for your time and extra thanks for replies

Related

[Q] Fascinate recognized as CD Drive not Mass Storage Drive ??

Samsung fascinate
rooted
windows 7 with Samsung 64 bit drivers installed
back to stock DL01 and then OTA DL09 about five times today.
Here is the problem, when i mount my phone, intermittantly Windows 7 doesnt give me the pop up window that lets me view my sd card files. It gives me a pop up window with 2 choices:
Option # 1. View your files - this really doesnt let me view anything except 4 files one of them being a " Bootloader file "
Option # 2. Install Bootstrap Loader exe.
I have had my phone since september and rooted, rom"ed OTA"ed all of it and today this started happening.
When i look in Drives and Printers my phone is listed as a CD Drive and not a Mass Storage Drive.
Just curious if any one else has had this issue and what might have caused it to start happening.
I installed Samsung Kies earlier this afternoon but uninstalled it since it was pretty much worthless to fascinate owners and the U.S. isnt supported.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advanced for any info.
have you tried re downloading the drivers from samsung.com? it worked for me.
This has been talked about in several places already. It is a common bug with DL09. The best solution is to flash one of adrynalyne's 1/18 test kernels found here. I hope this helps!
BTW: make sure it is one of the kernels with the cd fix
when im on 2.1 aosp, i have that same issue, to fix reboot with debugging enabled
Seems to be related to some new 'Media sync' option.
I did some playing around and the following seemed to let me 'mount'
the phones as before. ( But I dont like it. )
Hoping for some direction from Verizon tech on
a) what is media sync ?
b) how do I turn off permanently If I dont need or want to use it?
Unplug phone from usb cable.
Then on Phone... Menu...Settings..USB settings
Change to ' Ask on connection'.
then press home button.
Plug in USB cable.
When prompted...Press 'Mass storage'.
Now wait...wait..wait. Took about 30 to 45 seconds.
Annunciator bar should have usb symbol. Drag it open.
Press usb connected....Press Mount..
My laptop now recognized the SD card on E drive.
Copy files as usual.
When done...Open Anunciator bar and 'Turn Off' USB storage.
Media Sync is a mode that allows programs such as Windows Media Player and Rhapsody to access your SD card and copy over DRM protected music.
Sent from my Samsung Fascinate
Thanks for this, it worked
not sure if it helps with the problems with 2.2 but whenever i had this issue on 2.1 this is what i did, turn off your phone with the usb cable in and turn it back on with the phone still plugged in. It always seemed to work for me
From your homescreen when you hit menu go to usb settings then make sure the little radio button for mass storage device is selected. That was my problem after the latest OTA from verizon. Also it takes like 15 seconds for it to all sync up.
i have searched these forums hi and low, googled, etc. still cant find an answer....
on djo5,dl09 i was able to plug my phone into the usb port in my car, then mount my sd card, and it would automatically connect and find my music and start playing it.
on either dl30, or eb01, i cannot get it to work.
it is very frustrating. everytime i try, (all different combinations debugging on/off mass storage/ ask on connect, etc.)
i get a "device connect failed" message.
does anyone else have this issue?
has anyone been able to get this to work?
Another fix when it shows up as a CD-ROM drive is to right click and eject. Seems to work every time for me.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
zparlet said:
not sure if it helps with the problems with 2.2 but whenever i had this issue on 2.1 this is what i did, turn off your phone with the usb cable in and turn it back on with the phone still plugged in. It always seemed to work for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks your idea of reboot while still plugged in saved me. Tried every other idea with no cure.
Thanks for the post.
Just installed Superclean 2.6 and had issues. I tried ejecting the CD Rom device in Windows, but that didn't work. I changed the usb settings from Mass Storage to Ask On Connection and then tried it again. This time I received the Android guy asking to mount the drive. Yay! It worked! It does however show both a CD rom drive and the mass storage drive in Windows XP.
On another note, I found that if I plug in my phone without unlocking the password first it locks up the phone until I unplug the usb cable attached to the pc.
Make sure you are using a USB cable that has a good connection (like the original one). I bought some aftermarket cables, and while they are good enough for charging, I really think they fit too loose to keep a secure connection.
apnews said:
Seems to be related to some new 'Media sync' option.
I did some playing around and the following seemed to let me 'mount'
the phones as before. ( But I dont like it. )
Hoping for some direction from Verizon tech on
a) what is media sync ?
b) how do I turn off permanently If I dont need or want to use it?
Unplug phone from usb cable.
Then on Phone... Menu...Settings..USB settings
Change to ' Ask on connection'.
then press home button.
Plug in USB cable.
When prompted...Press 'Mass storage'.
Now wait...wait..wait. Took about 30 to 45 seconds.
Annunciator bar should have usb symbol. Drag it open.
Press usb connected....Press Mount..
My laptop now recognized the SD card on E drive.
Copy files as usual.
When done...Open Anunciator bar and 'Turn Off' USB storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4GivenByChrist said:
Another fix when it shows up as a CD-ROM drive is to right click and eject. Seems to work every time for me.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys, this combination worked perfectly for me.
Just fyi, this is due to Verizon bloatware that has been inserted I to the kernel. Adrynalyne and company managed to flush it out of the Eclair kernel, but since we don't have kernel source code for the Froyo kernel yet, there's nothing that can be done at this time. When source is available, this will be fixed by our devs.
Sent from XDA Premium on my Super Clean Fascinate

[Q] Windows complains about SD Card

Whenever I do a USB file transfer to my phone, Windows complains that there may be a problem with some files and offers to scan and fix the device. Should I let it, or just keep ignoring it?
Running CM7 on the phone and Windows7 on the pc, but it's been doing this for a while, even back on CommRom.
The reason it does that's is because either a) thereis a problem with the SD catftot b) you ate not ejecting it properly from your computer whenever you connect your phone to the PC. Most of the time the latter is the issue. You should let it run but also eject your device properly so you don't mess it up later
Dalamar1320 said:
The reason it does that's is because either a) thereis a problem with the SD catftot b) you ate not ejecting it properly from your computer whenever you connect your phone to the PC. Most of the time the latter is the issue. You should let it run but also eject your device properly so you don't mess it up later
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I learned a very interesting tidbit about a year ago. The problem with flash memory is that if the power is disconnected during a WRITE operation, it will kill it (almost definitely). However, if you are only doing a READ operation (copy from device to computer, reading a TXT file, etc), then it is safe to pull the drive at any time.
The long and short of it is that After you have copied files to your phone, Windows continues to write excess data in the background, even after the file transfer dialog has gone away. And on my old mp3 player (Cowon S9) this led to many tears for a lot of people.
So always always always tell your family members who don't know the difference b/t WRITE and READ to simply ALWAYS "safely remove" their flash media.
Thanks folx, I'll let Windows have its way with the card next time it wants to.

USB to PC: keeps disconnecting when accessing memory

Hi mates,
since this evening, my Galaxy S2 (unbranded, unrooted, with stock firmware) was connecting fine with my PC in the "kies mode". I could use kies flawlessy, and I could regularly see my phone in my windows 7 (x86) explorer, and use explorer to read and write files from and to its memory.
Then, this evening, I got a notification, from kies, that an update (of kies) was available (2.0.2.11071.182.2), and I gave my consent to the updater. It did all its dirty job but after the installation of the new version, despite the phone connects via USB, every time I try to access the phone's memory from the PC, the connection drops. It restores backafer one second or two, but then again, if I try to access the phone's memory, it drops agains. The problem appears indifferently when accessing phone's memory from kies, and when doing it from windows' explorer, and this makes me suspect of the drivers, that the new version of kies brought along.
The phone connects correctly to the PC in the direct USB mode, and I can access its memory with no problem, and this also suggests that the problem should be the drivers.
So I uninstalled everything (new kies and drivers), and rebooted the PC, then I dowloaded what I believe is the previous version of kies: 2.0.1.11053.99.3, and launched its installation. After the end of the process, I rebooted the PC, just to be safe. According to the list of the installed software in my PC (in "Control Panel > Uninstall a program"), the drivers have rolled back, as expected, to version 1.3.2410.0 (before they were 1.4.something).
At the first connection of the phone to the PC after the reboot, I got notification from windows that the device installed correctly and it is ready to use (all the tree drivers are indeed reported as installed correctly)...
The point is that all this did not solve the problem at all, and USB connection still behaves exactly as badly as before.
I tried again uninstalling and reinstalling everything, also adding a manual clean up of the windows' registry from any entry related to "samsung", checking that the phone was not set in "USB debugging" mode, and disabling the antivirus, but despite everything appears to be fine, the phone regularly keeps on refusing to maintain USB connection alive everytime I try to access its memory.
What drives me mad is the fact that until this evening, everything was working flawlessly!
What else can I try????
I've just made a test on another PC running windows XP, with latest Kies 2.0.2.11071_128 installed. It's my office PC, and although I'm not 100% sure, I seem to remember that, until yesterday, my phone was connecting fine with it, and with that version of kies. But now, all of a sudden, I have the same problem also with this PC...
So, likely, it is a problem of the phone... the MTP application restarts everytime I try to access the phone from the PC, so... what can I try on the phone, to see if I can fix this annoying issue? I DON'T WANT TO FACTORY RESET MY PHONE, PLEASE!!!!
If any of you has any suggestion, I would be more than grateful...
JuniorGG said:
If any of you has any suggestion, I would be more than grateful...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem the other day and I could not find a way to fix it, in the end I did a factory reset from Settings/Privacy and its ok now, just wiping cache did not fix it, factory reset was needed.
Dear Odia, thank you very much for replying and giving me a clue.
So... it appears that there's nothing else to do, is there? Buhahhaa!!! I want to cry!!!! I haven't made a backup and resetting the phone will be really painful... I'm already starting to feel the pain in my ass!!!
By chance, do you happen to know if I will have to buy again the apps I have already bought from the market? I have always kept both "Backup personal data" and "Automatic restore" ticked in "Settings>Privacy"... Could this be of any help?
JuniorGG said:
Dear Odia, thank you very much for replying and giving me a clue.
So... it appears that there's nothing else to do, is there? Buhahhaa!!! I want to cry!!!! I haven't made a backup and resetting the phone will be really painful... I'm already starting to feel the pain in my ass!!!
By chance, do you happen to know if I will have to buy again the apps I have already bought from the market? I have always kept both "Backup personal data" and "Automatic restore" ticked in "Settings>Privacy"... Could this be of any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always make a backup now before the reset and you will not have to buy paid apps again.
Yes but how can I backup my phone if kies will loose the connection with the phone as soon as it tries to access its memory?
Oh wait a moment, Perhaps I could use Kies air? Deos it allow to backup the phone? 'cause I can't test it now in my office, there's no wifi here...
From what I can tell, its the amount of the power that is supplied to the USB port itself that is the issue. I have the same problem when I put my i9100 on certain computers. Same thing happens to my WD MyPassport. Certain computers it works fine, and some it will power it for a bit, but once the device starts to draw too much current, it just disconnects.
This is why I try to do all my modding and flashing on a laptop, since, for me, they seem to be the most reliable in keeping devices powered up properly.
This is certainly a good point, but in my particular case, USB connection used to work up until yesterday with all the PCs I have (2 laptops and a desktop PC), whereas since yesterday, it works with none (with and without using the same USB ports). In addition if I use straight USB connection (hence not through the MTP app used by kies), it works fine.
Anyway what you have just mentioned is actually what scares me, because it would mean a hardware fault. But I'm crossing my fingers, hopefully it's (just) a software related issue and a factory reset will solve it. After all, straight connection works, so it would be really surprising if it were a hardware fault.
I will try resetting everything when I get home. Another "nice" busy evening to account to Samsung!
I guess if all samsung customers were honestly paid for every hour spent mending/fixing the issues of samsung products, the company would declare bankrupt in a matter of a few days!
Ok, I solved the issue with a drastic factory reset.
Thanks Odia for helping.
I spent 8 hours backing up and restoring everything included all the settings and personalisations. I went to bed at 3 am, eating only a quick sandwich in front of the bloody phone.
THANK YOU SAMSUNG, I wish to electrocute all your ****ing managers.
I hate when something in a device screws up all of a sudden and noboby knows why. It could happen again any time, and again I would have to spend hours mending a stupid phone instead of enjoying my life.
By the way, does anybody knows exactly what data is automatically backed up and restored on google servers by these functions?
"Settings>Privacy>Backup of personal data"
"Settings>Privacy>Automatic restore"
I always had both tiched, and I noticed that almost all the applications downloaded from the market that were installed on the phone, were automatically re-downloaded and restored on the phone at first boot after reset, but I'm not too shure I have understood what else was automatically restored.
I just read this thread for the first time, and was sympathetic to your issue when I started reading. I could see that there had been problems, but suggestions had been made and you seemed to be making good progress.
I was getting ready for offering advice and wishing you well with your problem.
Then suddenly you start to wish physical harm on Samsung employees.
Bye.
JuniorGG said:
Yes but how can I backup my phone if kies will loose the connection with the phone as soon as it tries to access its memory?
Oh wait a moment, Perhaps I could use Kies air? Deos it allow to backup the phone? 'cause I can't test it now in my office, there's no wifi here...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a simple solution try it and it will work for you the next time you face it most of the time it is a hardware issue i have been facing the same issue and nothing helped neither the factory reset nor the *#7284# procedure.
Take a pointy object like a pin or a paper and then clean your usb slot of the phone properly cuz most of the times usb pin points gets connected with each other due to the atmosphere and metal reaction. After that it will work like a charm for you. Before commenting anything negative i would appreciate if those who are facing this issue for a long time try this and then comment
Had the same problem, solved it by upgrading the phone software.
Setting > About Phone > Software update.
No need to afraid losing files. Hope that helps.
i faced the same problem on the GalaxyS sometime back. i did factory reset too. I got the same problem again. but i remembered it working on my LG TV so i did not go for factory reset. I went for re-install of samsung's USB driver for Windows. now it is working fine.
I fully agree that Samsung needs to be more responsible and responsive in resolving the such problems without causing data losses.
[email protected] said:
i faced the same problem on the GalaxyS sometime back. i did factory reset too. I got the same problem again. but i remembered it working on my LG TV so i did not go for factory reset. I went for re-install of samsung's USB driver for Windows. now it is working fine.
I fully agree that Samsung needs to be more responsible and responsive in resolving the such problems without causing data losses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could have saved a lot of hassle by installing a custom Rom and Kernel. I hate MTP mode! Mass storage mode is much better, I never had any problems with that....
Workaround - Power Management
This may be fixed, for now. However, in the future, there is a small workaround that you can use so that you're not required to wipe your phone every time this happens.
Here's what I do:
Since the device's connection is severed after the use of a certain amount of power, we can control the power management of the port that the device is connected to.
On WinXP:
Enter "Control Panel" > "System"
Click on "Hardware"
Click on "Device Manager"
Find the "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" section
Click the "+" next to that, and find the "USB Root Hub" that the device is connected to.
Right-click on the Hub, then select "Properties"
Click on the "Power Management" tab
Then, UNcheck the box that says "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
This will prevent the connection from resetting. It's a quick workaround that works pretty well for me.
However, I ought to note that the changes should be undone after you're done with syncing the device, ESPECIALLY if you're on a laptop. Otherwise, you could risk a lot of battery/power usage within a short time, even if there is no device connected to that port.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
Cheers!
-Robbie (Zecred)
Moderator please help others as this is a community problem
Archer said:
I just read this thread for the first time, and was sympathetic to your issue when I started reading. I could see that there had been problems, but suggestions had been made and you seemed to be making good progress.
I was getting ready for offering advice and wishing you well with your problem.
Then suddenly you start to wish physical harm on Samsung employees.
Bye.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't bail out because of that comment, i have been having this issue for a month and AT&T almost sold me another phone telling me it was the USB PORT.
I changed my phone setup dialing *#7284# and changed the UART to : PDA from Modem and same for USB (to PDA) modes. This helped get connected as before it would not even recognize the phone (computer would not do so).
I was am not sure if it is not the battery or charging circuitry, as others also reported, but my charging circuit is working fine and my battery charges 100% and last all day as normal. I can connect to the USB port and see my phone for a short while but it will suddenly disconnect.
But same as before it suddenly disconnects and will reconnect cycling continuously. I also believe it is the charge circuit because when it is charging, i hear the phone constanlty beeping from turning the schreen on/off. Same as when it is plugged into the usb port on computer.
Am tempted to buy a battery, but is can run the phone on the USB port without a battery in the phone. Problem continues without a battery...disconnecting and connecting to the computer.
Zecred said:
This may be fixed, for now. However, in the future, there is a small workaround that you can use so that you're not required to wipe your phone every time this happens.
Here's what I do:
Since the device's connection is severed after the use of a certain amount of power, we can control the power management of the port that the device is connected to.
On WinXP:
Enter "Control Panel" > "System"
Click on "Hardware"
Click on "Device Manager"
Find the "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" section
Click the "+" next to that, and find the "USB Root Hub" that the device is connected to.
Right-click on the Hub, then select "Properties"
Click on the "Power Management" tab
Then, UNcheck the box that says "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
This will prevent the connection from resetting. It's a quick workaround that works pretty well for me.
However, I ought to note that the changes should be undone after you're done with syncing the device, ESPECIALLY if you're on a laptop. Otherwise, you could risk a lot of battery/power usage within a short time, even if there is no device connected to that port.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
Cheers!
-Robbie (Zecred)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was plagued with this same problem, until I tried the above fix, and it works brilliantly! No more disconnects, great stuff.
It's pretty old topic but maybe someone has same issue and doesn't want to loose data. I had similar problem (couldn't connect to device, also couldn't install/uninstall any stuff because of no-space-available error).
I managed to download all pictures/documents via adb - worked pretty well. A sample command to retrieve all camera pictures:
adb pull /mnt/sdcard/DCIM

USB Problems.

Hi guys,
So it looks like my USB socket is on the way out. It'll charge the phone fine when its connected to any mains power adaptor, but wont charge at all when connected to PC, nor will it appear as a device on the PC. I've tried several known to be working USB leads, and a couple of PC's but its no-go on any of them.
Before I go ahead and take it in to be repaired, is there any chance it might be a software problem, seeing as its still charging fine from a main lead?
How would I go about backing up my stuff (given that I cant plug it into a PC) and my data (have contacts synced with Google, not sure if there's anything else that I might want to save) and completely resetting the phone to a stock state? I may as well give it a go, and see if that fixes it before sending it for repairs, yes?
Is there any need to backup my apps in Titanium Backup before it is fully reset, given that I can just download them from Google Market again?
Its my first Android phone so I'm not entirely certain of the process involved. If it makes any difference, the phone is rooted, and using XWKL1 "Frankenstein" from the Intratech thread.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Le_Petit_Lapin said:
Hi guys,
So it looks like my USB socket is on the way out. It'll charge the phone fine when its connected to any mains power adaptor, but wont charge at all when connected to PC, nor will it appear as a device on the PC. I've tried several known to be working USB leads, and a couple of PC's but its no-go on any of them.
Before I go ahead and take it in to be repaired, is there any chance it might be a software problem, seeing as its still charging fine from a main lead?
How would I go about backing up my stuff (given that I cant plug it into a PC) and my data (have contacts synced with Google, not sure if there's anything else that I might want to save) and completely resetting the phone to a stock state? I may as well give it a go, and see if that fixes it before sending it for repairs, yes?
Is there any need to backup my apps in Titanium Backup before it is fully reset, given that I can just download them from Google Market again?
Its my first Android phone so I'm not entirely certain of the process involved. If it makes any difference, the phone is rooted, and using XWKL1 "Frankenstein" from the Intratech thread.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PCs will turn off USB powering on excess current. An external power adapter however is identified as such since it has a short between the USB data lines D+ and D-. These two data lines are not shorted on a PC (of course ) as they are required for data transfer.
It is not absolutely necessary to backup Apps but you should definitely backup App data! This is best done with Titanium Backup backing up to your external SD card.
One more tip: before taking the phone to be repaired, make sure you reinstall a stock ROM and reset the custom ROM counter by using a USB Jig.
I was recommended one hack - doesn't seem to have worked for the majority from what I've seen, but it's worth a try - you've nothing to lose.
Post #5 here.
did u try connecting the phone as mass storage and see if it shows up on the pc? You can go to mass storage mode by going to settings --> Wireless and network --> usb utilities --> connect storage to pc. You need to click that and then connect the usb cable. Also after connecting it check in device manager if the phone is showing up in usb.
Seems as though the s2 has a really bad USB connector as mine has stopped working other than charging via Mains and more and more people are having the same issue. Samsung should really address this.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Also good to try is uninstalling KIES (make sure the drivers are uninstalled too) and then reinstalling. Plug your phone in AFTER the installation. If it still doesn't work, there is an option in kies somewhere to install the drivers again.
Hope this helps
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

[Q] OTG Support?

My LGOG has completely dead and nonfunctional touch screen, and it was left in charge only mode instead of something useful like MTP (and with no USB debugging on). As it stood I couldn't get any old files off of the phone, since I can't actually use the touchscreen (it otherwise functions perfectly fine, it can still receive texts and I can still see the screen, just not use it).
I figured the easiest option would just be using a mouse with an OTG cable to change the settings and then use something like Moborobo to grab the old files, but I just got the cable and I'm getting no function. Is there any known way to get OTG working? Preferably one that doesn't require me to be able to use the phone without it.
If not, does anyone have any other ideas that could help me recover the information on the internal storage (other than buying an entirely new Digitizer and replacing it?)?
If u have CWM Recovery, boot in and connect cable or use advanced/mound SD

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