Related
First off, I want to thank the wonderful amount of knowledge and help here at XDA! Not to be impolite to anyone else, but through all my searching, I have yet to find anything like this forum (and I come from a number of forums); but none have had quite the caliber of kind, knowledgeable, and often humorous: people. So thank you all. Also, another disclaimer is that I've only been on Android for about a month and half, so please bear with me as I might (and probably) misuse vernacular and/or might not completely understand some of the technical lingo' (at least the first time through, but I have spent much time here reading through help guides and threads).
Alright, here's the problem: I cannot get a computer to recognize the Vibrant. Installed all the drivers I have found thus far, followed a number of guides from here at xda, and have tried a number of different computers (two Win7 machines, a Vista, and even two XP machines); all of which recognize my personal Vibrant without a hick-up. Here is perhaps the biggest, and main, problem: the computers/odin won't even recognize it in Download Mode. That is what is stumping me..
If you do not care to know about how I got to where I am, please jump to the 'Question:' part.
Here is the back-story:
I bought a used Samsung Vibrant that came with the JI6 build. This was the second vibrant I had purchased as it was for my sister; and for the most part (other than it being horribly slow on the 'stock' build) it was running, and perfectly functioning.
However, I did notice that it was not able to connect it to a computer; usb debugging, mounting sd, and all the guides I found for troubleshooting just didn't seem to do the trick. Still no connection to the pc. I eventually educated myself on Download and Recovery mode, both of which I could execute without really any problems.
But since I wanted to run a faster OS (And I had already successfully flashed my personal Vibrant to Froyo (Build 21VE) (Here)) I decided to flash my sister's vibrant as well. And since I was unable to connect via usb to use odin to flash to the JFD build (per highly suggested here on xda), I used a nandroid image to flash the stock JFD build from Samsung (I can't find the link at the moment, but it was here from the xda forum). All went well, I was on JFD. I then used the above link to flash the Froyo21VE build via clockwordMod; again, it went smoothly. Only one problem persisted at this point: the wifi would not work.
My brother had experienced a similar issue with his Vibrant's wifi a few weeks previous, but had resolved it by flashing a different Froyo build. Naturally I thought I might do the same. This is where things went South.. Perhaps I was multi-tasking too much at the time, or possibly I just wasn't paying attention, but after a quick google search I found this Froyo build here on xda: [ROM] Froyo (RS)JP5 - "K9" [25/11/2010]. Moved it onto the internal sd card; flashed via clockworkMod; and then it froze on its boot-up after installation. Not cool..
Unfortunately, I was not aware that the build was for the Galaxy S i9000 rather than a Vibrant branded Galaxy; once realized though, my gut sank.. As now I am wondering if I completely tanked this Vibrant; or perhaps it had a problem from the bigging in that the usb wasn't connecting?
Question:
First and foremost, is there an 'advanced' way of connecting via usb from a computer, or some other way of doing it? I have tried numerous usb cables (as I've read a couple different people were having success with that) on several different computers (all of which, though, seem to be working perfectly on my personal vibrant, just not this one). Or is there a special driver that allows for just the 'Download Mode' on the Vibrant to communicate to the pc? But from my understanding, it seems as though the 'download mode' is pretty much as basic as you can get, am I correct in that assumption? Additionally, would using the android sdk help at all? (Or again, doesn't it have to be able to be recognized from the computer first?)
And lastly, just in case I thought it wasn't complex, when I had a functioning OS on the Vibrant: when I plugged in the usb, the Vibrant would show that it recognizes the pc; I even could 'mount the sd', but the computer still wouldn't recognize it apart from a few times that it would show it as 'unknown device' and would not seem to load any drivers; and I was having difficulty locating the device in Device Manager. (But that only seemed to work when I had a functioning OS, now that it only can go into ClockworkMod or Download Mode, I have yet for the computer to acknowledge its presence)
Alright, there it is. Please let me know if I missed something, or if more information would be helpful. Again, I want to thank anyone who would be able to help me out, or give suggestions. I really am at a loss for ideas; and the past week of analyzation is hardly showing any signs of improvement.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
EDIT: it occurred to me that I didn't mention that I am unable to load any *.zip files while in ClockworkMod (thus being able to flash a different build). It continually gives a 'No File Found' or Error/Wrong command. I believe that was caused by the i9000 firmware messing up the file system on the Internal_sd, does that seem logical?
Have you installed kies from samsung? I tried installing just the drivers on my win 7 pc and they wouldn't take either. I then downloaded kies and installed and it seemed to properly install the needed drivers.
Sent from my Axura injected voodoo possessed Vibrant.
I believe I have installed it twice now, but I will try again. Thanks for the suggestion, I'm pretty much all ears at this point.
EDIT: Well I installed the Samsung Kies mini Apllication and it did its update thing and now I have v1.0.0.10104_1. Doesn't appear to have helped the drivers out..
Question: would anyone think that this particular Vibrant has a defective usb port? I realize that's a long-shot, as well as I would definitely not like hearing that.. but any thoughts?
shalom24 said:
I believe I have installed it twice now, but I will try again. Thanks for the suggestion, I'm pretty much all ears at this point.
EDIT: Well I installed the Samsung Kies mini Apllication and it did its update thing and now I have v1.0.0.10104_1. Doesn't appear to have helped the drivers out..
Question: would anyone think that this particular Vibrant has a defective usb port? I realize that's a long-shot, as well as I would definitely not like hearing that.. but any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears that you have a defective USB port on the phone.
Do you have an access to a Linux box? If a current linux distro cannot see your phone via USB it will confirm the DOA USB port on the Vibrant.
Thanks for the reply lqaddict, although it's somewhat sad to hear.. Forgive my ignorance, but by 'Linux Box' you are referring to a Linux machine, correct? If so, then I do not have access to one. Again, forgive me for not knowing, but would running linux (possibly via a bootable Linux cd) on a computer be equivalent?
Since I purchased it used (through Craigslist about three weeks ago (which he said he had purchased two weeks previous)) do you think I might be able to retrieve the receipt from the original owner and perhaps Samsung would be able to help with some sort of warranty?
Thanks again for your response.
EDIT: Well I am running Live CD of Ubuntu 10.10 on another one of my pc's, however, I'm not quite sure I know how to 'check' to see if usb port is properly functioning (sorry I'm not very familiar with Linux, but I imagine I will become increasingly more accustomed to it in the near future). Any ideas for trying out connectivity on Linux?
shalom24 said:
Thanks for the reply lqaddict, although it's somewhat sad to hear.. Forgive my ignorance, but by 'Linux Box' you are referring to a Linux machine, correct? If so, then I do not have access to one. Again, forgive me for not knowing, but would running linux (possibly via a bootable Linux cd) on a computer be equivalent?
Since I purchased it used (through Craigslist about three weeks ago (which he said he had purchased two weeks previous)) do you think I might be able to retrieve the receipt from the original owner and perhaps Samsung would be able to help with some sort of warranty?
Thanks again for your response.
EDIT: Well I am running Live CD of Ubuntu 10.10 on another one of my pc's, however, I'm not quite sure I know how to 'check' to see if usb port is properly functioning (sorry I'm not very familiar with Linux, but I imagine I will become increasingly more accustomed to it in the near future). Any ideas for trying out connectivity on Linux?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you connect your phone via USB, does a USB connected symbol show up on your phone? Does the battery start charging?
You can issue the following command in the terminal window - should be in Applications->Accessories on Ubuntu (it resembles MS-DOS window under Windows OS)
Code:
lsusb
If the Samsung device shows up the USB port on your phone should be working, if however it is not showing up you might have a bigger problem with your phone
Thanks again lqaddict, I'll give it a try..
EDIT: Alright, to answer your first question: yes when I plugged it in while off, it does give the battery charging icon, as well as it does give juice to the battery.
Additionally, I ran the suggested "lsusb" in the Linux Terminal while the Vibrant was in Download Mode, and I didn't seem to get too much in the way of interest of the Vibrant except this line:
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would that possibly be the Vibrant? Does "Linux Foundation" refer to a Linux device? Then again, I just ran it another time without the Vibrant plugged in, and it yielded the same results.. So, most likely.. dead usb port?? Or perhaps is this just a weird phenomena? Thanks again, for all the suggestions and comments; hopefully I'll be able to one day return the favours to others here on xda.
Sorry, looks like you have a faulty usb port on your phone
Sent from my Nero powered Vibrant
Thanks for helping troubleshoot that, however unfortunate it was to hear... Perhaps one last question though, as I would like to make sure I 'cover my basis', so to speak, would anyone have suggestions as to what to do when I talk to Samsung? Or would anyone know what the procedure is like; I have dealt with a faulty iPone 3gs before and basically all I did was wait for the replacement in the mail, and ship the faulty one in the same packaging. I realize I will need to contact them, but would anyone know what information they might need from me? (as in would it be a problem that I might not have an original receipt? (I contacted the seller about that, and have yet to hear back))
Simply put, while I have had Samsung products in the past (and have been for the most part very satisfied with said products); I would, however, like to make sure I don't mess something up within the warranty process for the Vibrant (at least in consideration that I wasn't the first purchaser; then again, I would hope that they would cover the 'basic' quality issues of their products for at least the normal 90 days.. but what do I know..).
Whatever the case my be, I greatly appreciate the help I've received here; if for nothing else, perhaps it will be useful in someone else's mishaps in their Android journey. Thanks again, and I will be exceedingly grateful for any further suggestions on the matter.
shalom24 said:
Thanks for helping troubleshoot that, however unfortunate it was to hear... Perhaps one last question though, as I would like to make sure I 'cover my basis', so to speak, would anyone have suggestions as to what to do when I talk to Samsung? Or would anyone know what the procedure is like; I have dealt with a faulty iPone 3gs before and basically all I did was wait for the replacement in the mail, and ship the faulty one in the same packaging. I realize I will need to contact them, but would anyone know what information they might need from me? (as in would it be a problem that I might not have an original receipt? (I contacted the seller about that, and have yet to hear back))
Simply put, while I have had Samsung products in the past (and have been for the most part very satisfied with said products); I would, however, like to make sure I don't mess something up within the warranty process for the Vibrant (at least in consideration that I wasn't the first purchaser; then again, I would hope that they would cover the 'basic' quality issues of their products for at least the normal 90 days.. but what do I know..).
Whatever the case my be, I greatly appreciate the help I've received here; if for nothing else, perhaps it will be useful in someone else's mishaps in their Android journey. Thanks again, and I will be exceedingly grateful for any further suggestions on the matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contact Samsung what have you got to lose? The phone comes with 1 year manufacturer warranty, and it has been on the market since mid July 2010, so it is not even 6 month old.
Yea, I don't mean to be too non-committal, I just don't want to mess up a warranty; if that makes any sense. And hopefully the ~210 people who have viewed this thread thus far will find a conclusion of the situation somewhat helpful. I'll update this thread once some of the dust settles.. I'm most definitely a fan of xda! Thanks for all the help everyone!
EDIT: Contacted Samsung, and after listening to the 'did you check this list' for about five minutes, I received a free shipping label and they said it was covered by the 'repair warranty'. I'm optimistic that something good will come of it...
EDIT_2:
Well, what do you know, just got the package/phone a little under an hour ago. First of all, compliments to Samsung! Fantastic communication and customer service! I really thought that the Vibrant was unrecoverable and that I would most likely have to pay for a new one; but I was wrong! Opened the sealed package with the original Vibrant (I knew it was mine since I had already but a BestSkinsEver skin on it) and plugged it into the computer at, Wohla!, Odin recognized, Windows/drivers recognized, and I'm up and rolling!
Thank you once again everyone for the comments and helpful input! And know that Samsung rocks! (I won't be going back with apple products anytime soon..)
Ok, before everyone jumps to conclusions on multiple accounts let me get this out there.
1. I am not a noob when it comes to forums and no how to search ie my search results:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=989241
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1067003
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=913958
2. I am not a noob when it comes to android devices and would call myself moderately knowledgable in the subject and really cant think of any other ideas also google nor sprint is not helping in the slightest ( and honestly I dont expect them too).
3. The story below is true and i DID NOT STEAL or receive a STOLEN phone, nor am i some jealous boyfirend. I am doing this for a friend, so here it goes.
My coworkers son commited suicide and has asked me to look at his phone to see if i can find away to unlock it so he can either know if anybody knew this was happening or most likely i think for closure of this whole ordeal. When given to me he had already given the phone to many gestures and gives me the google account lockout screen. the father just wants to see the latest messages on the phone as well as anything that might have come up. now this is what i have done so far:
PHONE: EVO 4G
Status: Stock AKA NOT ROOTED
1. I have taken out the SD card to see if i can grab anything off of there but the last time the text messages were backed up were on 7-31-2011, so that really doesn t help me there. I cant think of any other folders to look in in order to find anything else.
2. The phone was never set to USB debugging so there is no chance of rooting the phone (although i am not sure this would even unlock the phone at this point)
3. His father does not know the gmail account and I have only found a few other accounts through facebook and odd random searches that you can scarely do on the internet. After reading some other posts though I am not sure i could do what i was thinking with this because it only updates the computer and not the password on the phone.
4. Tried calling the phone. The phone doesnt even register as if someone is calling. The father said he didnt turn off the phone yet, and it makes since as i am creepily getting text messages as we speak.
So this is where i am at. I cannot think of too much more. Like i said i dont want the phone, it isnt stolen, and i am really just trying to help the guy out. Google told him becaus ethe kid is older then 18 ther eis nothing they can do and if that is there policy then that is BS especially in this situation. and sprint told him they can do a factory reset on the phone. so those are out of the question.
If you're positive that usb debugging is off, then there's not much you can do.
If you can reset the password to his Google account, and the phone has an internet connection, then inputting the new Google information should unlock the phone. I'm not sure if a connection is automatically created during this process. If you'd like, I can test the theory on my own Evo if you can't get any further.
Most people use the same password for everything. If you can find a password for anything, it's likely that's the password for his Google account. Check his computer as well. If he has saved his login information in his web browser, you should be able to pull that information.
Unfortunately you would have many more options if the phone was rooted. You could do a nandroid backup then sift through the data.img. I'm not sure if the stock recovery allows for anything that will help you. When you get into the stock recovery, it looks like you don't have any options. I believe holding both volume buttons simultaneously on the screen with the red triangle/exclamation point will give you a list of options.
If you cannot get into the phone, the SD card is probably going to be your best source of information - though it's unlikely that you'll get much. Browse through all of the directories. He could've switched SMS Backup apps and the information could be stored in a less obvious location. Try /sdcard/data and /sdcard/android/data.
If I can think of anything else I will post it. Both ADB and MyPhoneExplorer (I'm not positive that's the name) would be helpful in this situation, but without usb debugging on I don't think you'll be able to use them. Research further into enabling usb debugging without access to the OS.
I'm sorry for your friend's (and your) loss. I hope that in some way, even if not through the phone, he can find closure.
Sent from my Evo + MIUI using Tapatalk!
Thanks for the response good ideas, and I will try them. Turns out this kid never had a computer and in talking with the friends they only had his other email accounts so I will think of someway to get around that, but anyways thanks again.
Your best bet would be something like the Cellebrite UFED that was getting some attention a few months ago. There are other mobile forensics utilities - I'm not sure if they can be purchased by a single person or if there are guidelines these companies must follow before selling the devices. I'm also sure that they're not cheap, so unless you or your friend are very well off, you probably couldn't buy one yourself anyway.
I took a Computer Forensics course and we spent a week on mobile forensics. This was before Android was popular, and I believe that we used the device on a BlackBerry. The device (I don't remember the name) made an image of the contents which we then looked through using Forensic Toolkit or something similar.
If you know anyone in a computer program, ask if they have access to a similar device. We were allowed to use whatever tools were available during specified times (mainly for lab work, but we could use them for other reasons), so this would be your best bet for getting information off of the phone. Other places, like repair shops (and police departments) may have access to similar technology. If you can find someone empathetic to your situation with access to mobile forensics tools then you may be able to get somewhere.
It's a long shot, but I had the thought & wanted to bump your thread for you in hopes that someone with more knowledge could help you out.
If the device happens to have wifi on & is connected, you can also hack into it over the network. If this is the case and you need more information, shoot me a pm and I'll give you what information I know on ways to do so.
Sent from my Evo + MIUI using Tapatalk!
thanks for sharing.................
iwhenever i bootup my phone turns into colors then turns white and my computer wont recognize it. i am running blackstar x and am rooted. if anyone can help me i'd appreciate it. oh and i cant go into recovery but can access odin.
So just flash a rom with odin.
rangercaptain said:
So just flash a rom with odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed....
and once the new image is pushed over to the device, you will need to boot once, then reboot into recovery and wipe all caches and data.
Otherwise, you will have dirty flashed, and you will have stability issues....g
I've never used odin I am reading up on it now as far as I can tell you can't flash zip files so do you know any good roms I can use for my galaxy note?
izdabombest1 said:
I've never used odin I am reading up on it now as far as I can tell you can't flash zip files so do you know any good roms I can use for my galaxy note?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin is used to push stock image files...
And they can be found in the super thread, at the top of the general section.
concentrate on getting a stock build running properly first, then we can worry about custom builds later.
Edit:
This is the thread, and inside will be the file you need:
Read carefully, and take your time on this...g
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1506330
gregsarg said:
Odin is used to push stock image files...
And they can be found in the super thread, at the top of the general section.
concentrate on getting a stock build running properly first, then we can worry about custom builds later.
Edit:
This is the thread, and inside will be the file you need:
Read carefully, and take your time on this...g
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1506330
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well I ran loading and it came up with firmware upgrade in encounter in issue please select recovery mode in kies and try again so I will do the next I guess. but I can never get kies and the phone to connect.
can't get kies and phone to connect and i followed all the steps. what gives?
update: after 16 hours with kies decided to give odin one more shot on a different computer. she's back up and running! now to decide with what rom to go with. LOL. thanx guys for the help.
Kies is a fickle pig. Sometimes you're using the wrong cable or usb port.
rangercaptain said:
Kies is a fickle pig. Sometimes you're using the wrong cable or usb port.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow this is unbelievable when it went to reboot and never came back on and it makes the Microsoft Windows keep asking you need to format a disk in drive D before you can use it so itslight turning itself on in 3 seconds in 3 to 4 second intervals. then the computer started loading drivers for a Qualcomm CDMA technologies MSM now where would that come from?
evidently from what i have gathered through many hours of reading and studying, i have hard-bricked my device. like i reported in previous post my computer will recognize it in short intervals. it continues to attempt to download drivers for Qualcomm CDMA.....but disconnects before finishing installing. one time ofter unplugging it left an icon that read.....oh i forget but i immediately looked it up and all reports from xda says that means a hard brick. called service provider and they are sending out new one but what happens when they recieve it and see that it has been rooted? i would really like to keep trying to save the phone i have. any suggestions?
If you are using files from our section, you must have the SGH-I717 device.
You mentioned CDMA. And although present in the chipset, this version of the note is a GSM device, and runs on the following networks respectively.
AT&T, BELL, ROGERS, TELUS, STRAIGHTALK, and carriers in far eastern countries....
Please link us the information on the Odin file you used to repair the device.
It appears you may have inadvertently pushed the wrong image. Perhaps for the N7000 ???
If that's the case, then the device will be hard bricked, and can be repaired using a JTAG repair service.
After you post the rom information, we will know for sure.
A general search for JTAG information will link you to several threads that talk about the service.
I'm sorry you are in this predicament, but for $50 U.S. dollars the device can be repaired.
I do not condone sending the device back under warranty, as it technically is not a defect, and is not the fault of Samsung or the carrier.
Good luck to you Sir.....g
gregsarg said:
If you are using files from our section, you must have the SGH-I717 device.
You mentioned CDMA. And although present in the chipset, this version of the note is a GSM device, and runs on the following networks respectively.
AT&T, BELL, ROGERS, TELUS, STRAIGHTALK, and carriers in far eastern countries....
Please link us the information on the Odin file you used to repair the device.
It appears you may have inadvertently pushed the wrong image. Perhaps for the N7000 ???
If that's the case, then the device will be hard bricked, and can be repaired using a JTAG repair service.
After you post the rom information, we will know for sure.
A general search for JTAG information will link you to several threads that talk about the service.
I'm sorry you are in this predicament, but for $50 U.S. dollars the device can be repaired.
I do not condone sending the device back under warranty, as it technically is not a defect, and is not the fault of Samsung or the carrier.
Good luck to you Sir.....g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first off I would like to say thank you for all of your guys help.how do I send a link from the Odeon file that I used?and I am pretty positive that it is hard brick.I do not want to be dishonest in I want to resolve this on my own.oops I mean with your help of course.
Simply copy/paste the link into your next reply.
then we can see the source for the file.....g
okay i took your advice and sent the replacement back. your right if i can't spend $50 to save my $600 phone i shouldn't start on this road. however as thorough as i usually am i am not very organized. i started installing upgrades and little modifications for my friends and family as a little hobby. then other people started asking me for this and that, so i would help them. so, i have downloaded a LOT of things to my computer (ROM's, MOD's,, etc.) for different android phones and from different forums (now i only use software from xda) and i rarely delete or uninstall anything. needless to say my computer started to look like a teenagers bedroom. i have now started to organize things so i can get a better grip on what i'm doing so i can take this more serious. with that being said i can't remember exactly what file i used to flash with Odin. is there some kind of log that is automatically kept by Odin?.....i have decided to try to use a phone jig to get my phone to at least turn on. is that a wise move? i am studying all there is available on the ins and outs of phone jigs. if that fails i will send off to be JTAG'd. if there is any advise or info that you feel i could use please send my way. thank you.
oh one more thing i do not own any windows phone software or cdma software, but i was connected to my friends nokia lumia 822 hot spot when i flashed my phone. and that's when it went dead and popped up as a cdma devise. could that have anything to do with it? sounds farfetched but so does alot of things that we are capable of doing nowadays.
The jig doesn't work for the note 1, so it's off to the JTAG guy.
ouch! can u plz send me a link i cant seem to find any. thank you.
www.mobiletechvideos.com
izdabombest1 said:
okay i took your advice and sent the replacement back. your right if i can't spend $50 to save my $600 phone i shouldn't start on this road. however as thorough as i usually am i am not very organized. i started installing upgrades and little modifications for my friends and family as a little hobby. then other people started asking me for this and that, so i would help them. so, i have downloaded a LOT of things to my computer (ROM's, MOD's,, etc.) for different android phones and from different forums (now i only use software from xda) and i rarely delete or uninstall anything. needless to say my computer started to look like a teenagers bedroom. i have now started to organize things so i can get a better grip on what i'm doing so i can take this more serious. with that being said i can't remember exactly what file i used to flash with Odin. is there some kind of log that is automatically kept by Odin?.....i have decided to try to use a phone jig to get my phone to at least turn on. is that a wise move? i am studying all there is available on the ins and outs of phone jigs. if that fails i will send off to be JTAG'd. if there is any advise or info that you feel i could use please send my way. thank you.
oh one more thing i do not own any windows phone software or cdma software, but i was connected to my friends nokia lumia 822 hot spot when i flashed my phone. and that's when it went dead and popped up as a cdma devise. could that have anything to do with it? sounds farfetched but so does alot of things that we are capable of doing nowadays.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A clean and reliable PC environment is at least as important as the proper files.
Maintenance is king on any file structure...
And while I feel badly that your device was damaged, I applaud your choice in sending back the replacement device.
People forget that when these phone manufacturers take back damaged product under warranty, they increase the price of new devices to maintain the same profit margin.
We pay at the register for others mistakes.
Again, thank you for your honesty, and integrity in this matter.
And don't worry, the device will return quickly, and will run like new.
We are always willing to assist users here through the lessons we have learned, and it becomes much more gratifying when we know the caliber of the user we help.
You have earned high marks for your choices today, and stand with the most reputable Members of XDA ....IMHO
Should you need anything upon the return of your device, consider it done ...g
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA Premium HD app
Hi, I can see that this has been a problem for many users but darned if I can find anywhere that the question has been answered. The one answer that I did find said to download the Android Messaging app from the Playstore. I immediately went to do just that only to see that the app doesn't handle mms anymore. My phone is not rooted, and I'm really terrified to do that. I don't think I can root it anyway, see issue number 3 below.
I bought this phone Christmas 2012 and went with Verizon. We've recently moved and I changed my provider to Cricket. I went to a general cell phone store and they flashed the phone. Since then I've had a few issues. I'm really afraid to root my phone and would rather not have to go that route. Even though this phone is giving me problems, it's still far better than my previous phone, a Huawei Ascend.
First, I can't send pictures. I can receive them just fine, but when I try to send pictures the whole text fails to send, not just the pics. Also, I have to keep any text messages basically within the little window that you type in. If my message is longer than that (I don't know how many characters) then the receiver only sees what has been described as jibberish. So, even though it drives me batty, I have to send texts like "R U NE were near us? Hw mch longer will U B?" Or, instead of "I wanted to go to Kroger but had to got o Walmart instead" I write "at Wally's, hate it here!" arg.... I'm a word/grammar/English nut, shortening my words like that is really irritating.
I've tried the regular stock messaging app, GoSMS, Chomp, Handcent and something else, I can't remember off the top of my head what it was. Apparently it's not the app that's causing the issue. I've tried turning off wifi and just using the cell data, which didnt work.
Second, I am constantly getting a popup message that basically says Please wait while we prepare this application for it's first use. I can't get out of it while it's doing that, I just have to wait for the error message to appear.
Third, for some reason I can not connect my phone to my laptop so that I can back it up. My phone will charge while it's plugged into the USB port, so I know it's connected, but I can't see the phone on my laptop or the laptop on my phone. I've installed, uninstalled and re-installed the Samsung SIII drivers for Windows. I've tried Kies on my desktop, but it wont connect, neither by USB nor wireless. I can get to Kies Air, but I can't figure out how to do a backup from that angle. I've also tried Helium, which tells me to connect my device. This issue is a little worrisome, because sooner or later, I'm really going to wish I had my backed up!
I also have 2 questions ... since I'm not on Verizon any longer, are there any of the Verizon stock apps that I can safely uninstall, without damaging my phone? And, an sd card. I remember on my Ascend I could take out the sd card (at least, I think that's what it was!!) and put it into an adapter thing I bought, then plug that into my computer and do backups, etc that way. I can't figure out if this phone even has an sd card that I can take out like that. I dont see that any of my apps are available to move to the sd card, and the option to mount the sd card is greyed out, so do I even have one?
In spite of these problems, I really do love this phone. It is so much better than my previous phone, a Huawei Ascend. It sure would be nice if these issues could be fixed though, so here I am. Your help is appreciated, thank you in advance!!!
~Ky
There's been some views but no replies. It's only been a day and we're heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, so perhaps people have other things to do that are keeping them away from the forums. I'm moving back to San Diego this weekend, so I completely understand being busy! I'll keep checking back, cuz if there's one thing that I know, I am not gonna stump xda-developers. Y'all are heralded at every Android help forum I've ever visited. Patiently waiting .... lol
~Ky
It's not that we're stumped but the WOT is detracting. First, are you sure you actually have an i9300 international model? (The product number under the battery)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
My guess would be judged by the OP this may be in the wrong forum .
txheart0711 said:
There's been some views but no replies. It's only been a day and we're heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, so perhaps people have other things to do that are keeping them away from the forums. I'm moving back to San Diego this weekend, so I completely understand being busy! I'll keep checking back, cuz if there's one thing that I know, I am not gonna stump xda-developers. Y'all are heralded at every Android help forum I've ever visited. Patiently waiting .... lol
~Ky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heres your answer:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2504097
Sent from Sprint Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk
Okay, so it's a bit of a long story but there's a woman I work with who had her virtually-new Samsung Galaxy S3 stolen by her recently-split husband last year. We all knew it was him, but we had virtually no evidence, other than it's disappearance. Anyway, so this woman recently was in his now-separated husband's flat & was rooting around. She found a Samsung Galaxy S3, smartly took a picture of the IMEI & left it. She knew it was hers, but wanted to be 100% sure. She went home, checked the box, & of course they did match. The next day, she went back to his house & manipulated the situation so that she could find enough time on her own to go take the phone back without him knowing. So she brings it into work with her the next day. The problem is, the phone now has a password lock on it. She then spent the night trying to guess the password, but to no success.
So, me being the tech guy that I am, she asked me to try to get into it. I said, the easiest way would be for me to wipe it & factory reset it, but that she would lose all of her information. She doesn't want me to do that. She wants to get pictures & stuff of her / their kids off the phone, as well as look into who her ex-husband had been talking to / see who knew about him stealing the phone. So, I said it should be possible. However, I'm not a hugely great phone guy. I'm good with computers, but not so much phones.
So, we spent the day trying various exploits found on Google or YouTube but to no success. There was one method where we had a little success where we turned the phone on > Emergency Call > Emergency Contact > Press Home > Press Power > Unlocked home screen in then meant to appear. It never did. Although we could get it to quickly flash whatever was on the home screen (which was a picture of her / their kids, which she'd set to the phone before it was taken).
So without any of those methods working, I'm tasked with now getting into the phone at home. I have no idea whether USB debugging is enabled, I would assume not. We are unable to reset the password via Google Recovery or anything because we're never offered the option. As I say, she doesn't want me to wipe the phone. But there has to be a way to get into it otherwise, either through brute force, or one of those other password cracking methods possibly?
There was a technique I found on Google at work, something about connecting the phone to your computer via USB then trying to do some stuff from command line or through a Linux distro, which I need to re-find & try.
But alas, does anyone here have any methods or know any ways that I could get around this password lock?
I have to say though, I'm glad it's not that simple (atleast it appears so, anyway) to get around one of these passwords. Makes me feel a little safer for my own Galaxy S3! haha
Hey
You said u tried the Google account method right?
If that's not working try to flash philz recovery and from that you can access the contents of the internal SD card..
U can also TRY to use the custom back up option offered by his recovery and then custom restore the data..
I can't assure you that it will work but you can try it..
Best of Luck
-tchindalia
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
We did not try a Google account method, I don't think? Think we tried to log in to the ex-husband's Google account on my iPad for some reason (can't remember why now tbh) but we could not guess his password. He's apparently changed it since they split.
Won't flashing the phone wipe everything that's on it?
Hey
Not if your just flashing a recovery..
Just youtube for some videos on this...
I had see one some time back..
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Benaholic said:
Okay, so it's a bit of a long story but there's a woman I work with who had her virtually-new Samsung Galaxy S3 stolen by her recently-split husband last year. We all knew it was him, but we had virtually no evidence, other than it's disappearance. Anyway, so this woman recently was in his now-separated husband's flat & was rooting around. She found a Samsung Galaxy S3, smartly took a picture of the IMEI & left it. She knew it was hers, but wanted to be 100% sure. She went home, checked the box, & of course they did match. The next day, she went back to his house & manipulated the situation so that she could find enough time on her own to go take the phone back without him knowing. So she brings it into work with her the next day. The problem is, the phone now has a password lock on it. She then spent the night trying to guess the password, but to no success.
So, me being the tech guy that I am, she asked me to try to get into it. I said, the easiest way would be for me to wipe it & factory reset it, but that she would lose all of her information. She doesn't want me to do that. She wants to get pictures & stuff of her / their kids off the phone, as well as look into who her ex-husband had been talking to / see who knew about him stealing the phone. So, I said it should be possible. However, I'm not a hugely great phone guy. I'm good with computers, but not so much phones.
So, we spent the day trying various exploits found on Google or YouTube but to no success. There was one method where we had a little success where we turned the phone on > Emergency Call > Emergency Contact > Press Home > Press Power > Unlocked home screen in then meant to appear. It never did. Although we could get it to quickly flash whatever was on the home screen (which was a picture of her / their kids, which she'd set to the phone before it was taken).
So without any of those methods working, I'm tasked with now getting into the phone at home. I have no idea whether USB debugging is enabled, I would assume not. We are unable to reset the password via Google Recovery or anything because we're never offered the option. As I say, she doesn't want me to wipe the phone. But there has to be a way to get into it otherwise, either through brute force, or one of those other password cracking methods possibly?
There was a technique I found on Google at work, something about connecting the phone to your computer via USB then trying to do some stuff from command line or through a Linux distro, which I need to re-find & try.
But alas, does anyone here have any methods or know any ways that I could get around this password lock?
I have to say though, I'm glad it's not that simple (atleast it appears so, anyway) to get around one of these passwords. Makes me feel a little safer for my own Galaxy S3! haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If he lets her into the house so easily then:
1- HE didn't steal the phone because he felt no need to hide it
2- The "woman" is invading the guy's privacy and checking personal info without consent
3- Seeing who he talked to is a typical behaviour pattern of someone who is invading someone's privacy for ill intentions
4- the "woman" can always request for the guy to share the kid's photos and other stuff. No need to snoop around
To the OP:
If you do help this person break into the phone and turns out it wasn't hers, then you are aiding in a possibly criminal activity.
If he did steal, then all the best to you. Otherwise; Beware of the LAW.
~ RazorMC
RazorMC said:
If he lets her into the house so easily then:
1- HE didn't steal the phone because he felt no need to hide it
2- The "woman" is invading the guy's privacy and checking personal info without consent
3- Seeing who he talked to is a typical behaviour pattern of someone who is invading someone's privacy for ill intentions
4- the "woman" can always request for the guy to share the kid's photos and other stuff. No need to snoop around
To the OP:
If you do help this person break into the phone and turns out it wasn't hers, then you are aiding in a possibly criminal activity.
If he did steal, then all the best to you. Otherwise; Beware of the LAW.
~ RazorMC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP alr said the imei matched so the phone is the woman's. Unless tat was a lie.
To the OP, have u tried samsung's "find my mobile"?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
JellyYogurt said:
OP alr said the imei matched so the phone is the woman's. Unless tat was a lie.
To the OP, have u tried samsung's "find my mobile"?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said, if it was indeed stolen, then I wish the OP luck.
I'm just curious why the person never approached the police with proof of ownership instead of trying to bypass the security.
Cheers :good:
~ RazorMC
RazorMC said:
Like I said, if it was indeed stolen, then I wish the OP luck.
I'm just curious why the person never approached the police with proof of ownership instead of trying to bypass the security.
Cheers :good:
~ RazorMC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't remember the reason she believed the phone was stolen, to be honest. The reason she had access to his house, was because they have kids together. She had gone to go drop the kids off, or pick them up. For some bizarre reason, I don't know why, he left her in the house alone after he went to take them to school (telling her to lock the door when she leaves). She took that opportunity to look around the house for the phone, as he'd never previously admitted to taking it but she was sure he did.
She found the phone, took a picture of the IMEI, went home to match to the IMEI on her box & it saw that they were the same. She's shown me the picture as well. confirming that it was indeed her phone, she then went back to her ex's flat the next day (because he was going to come along to their daughter's birthday). Just as they were about to leave, she says she needs the toilet. So, she runs back upstairs & grabs the phone without him knowing.
I think the reason why she never went to the police about it is because he was trying to get citizenship to remain here in the country, & she didn't want something like this to jeopardize whether she's in a relationship with him or not; they do still have kids together. Sending him back to Kenya over a phone wouldn't do anyone any good.
JellyYogurt said:
OP alr said the imei matched so the phone is the woman's. Unless tat was a lie.
To the OP, have u tried samsung's "find my mobile"?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which "Find my mobile" thing are you on about?
---------------------------------------
I appear to have found a way to bypass the lock screen via the ADB, but I think it only works for a lock pattern. Anyone know or have any ideas what to do for a password?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2237382
For hours now I've been trying alsorts of stuff, from doing things via terminal, trying to do things through recovery, & alsorts to no success. However, I did find one solution that worked:
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f77...-pin-reset-no-root-no-usb-debug-free-1722271/
Was posted here on XDA Developers as well, but the thread was closed. Many virus programs do immediately notify that the program contains viruses / trojans, but not sure if they're false positives? Anyway, disabled AVG & it worked like a charm! So, if anyone else needs similar help, maybe try this?
Alas, suppose this thread can be closed now.
^^ That malware had stopped working and that is why it was closed on other site as well.
~ RazorMC