[SOLVED][Q] Home button faulty - Can't boot into recovery - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi guys,
Got a bit of a problem. My home button stopped working, completely stopped. Definitely a hardware fault. So I wanted to reflash a stock ROM, use "triangle away" and clear the stats so I can send it to the vendor for a warranty claim.
So I used Odin, flashed the stock rom as per usual.
It installed ok, then when the phone rebooted it got stuck in a boot loop at the Samsung logo.
Now usually I'd cure that by going into CWM (or even stock recovery) and clear the cache etc. and it will boot normally.
But, because the home button doesn't work, I can't use the power+home+volume button keys to get into recovery mode.
I have a USB jig to get me to download mode. I've tried flashing various "Recovery's" (CWM, Touch, Stock etc) and I've tried flashing various stock ROMS. Nothing will get passed the boot loop.
My questions:
Is there a way to force recovery mode without having to use the home button?
Is there a USB jig that will force recovery mode like the one that forces download mode?
Or, is there a way to get to recovery mode from download mode?
Any help would be appreciated...I've exhausted everything I know and don't really want to pay $300+ to have it repaired when I know it's just the home button.
Cheers.

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Can't think of anything... sorry

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rootSU said:
Can't think of anything... sorry
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Click to collapse
Enlight me about one thing ... if he flashes custom recovery from odin would it boot for it afterwards?
Sent From My Galaxy S III Using XDA Premium 4

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Ver3go said:
Enlight me about one thing ... if he flashes custom recovery from odin would it boot for it afterwards?
Sent From My Galaxy S III Using XDA Premium 4
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Click to collapse
I'm guessing not, because he has flashed various recoveries presumably via Odin anyway.
How is he getting into download mode without Home?

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rootSU said:
I'm guessing not, because he has flashed various recoveries presumably via Odin anyway.
How is he getting into download mode without Home?
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Click to collapse
With adb ... custom recovery wipe data let it boot ... root with framaroot ... triangle away ... we ask someone to make stock recovery odin flashable hell flash it and then use framaroot to unroot
Sent From My Galaxy S III Using XDA Premium 4

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Ver3go said:
With adb ... custom recovery wipe data let it boot ... root with framaroot ... triangle away ... we ask someone to make stock recovery odin flashable hell flash it and then use framaroot to unroot
Sent From My Galaxy S III Using XDA Premium 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adb won't work in download mode, so he has to hope adb will work during a bootloop. You think this likely?

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You are not understanding mate.
Let him flash phiz from odin ... i almost certain it will boot to recovery afterwards
He wipe data
Phone will boot
Hell enable usb debugging
Then use framaroot to get root access
Reset counter
Use adb to get into download mode
Flash stock again
Its hard but can be done
Sent From My Galaxy S III Using XDA Premium 4

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Ver3go said:
You are not understanding mate.
Let him flash phiz from odin ... i almost certain it will boot to recovery afterwards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He says in OP he has flashed various recoveries.

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rootSU said:
He says in OP he has flashed various recoveries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then he is screwed he would need usb debugging on by default
Sent From My Galaxy S III Using XDA Premium 4

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rootSU said:
How is he getting into download mode without Home?
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Click to collapse
Just to answer that, I'm using a USB jig to initiate download mode.
I wish there was something similar to get into recovery mode.
I also saw some time ago a dev had created a file for Odin to clear data and cache on Galaxy S(Epic 4G) or similar...that would be handy if someone was clever enough to make one for S3. Unfortunately can't use that old one because the partitioning etc. is different.
And yes I have tried ADB...but sadly it doesn't work in bootloop.
Not looking good tbh. Might have to bite the bullet and pay full price to have the glass removed to get the home flex cable replaced.
*sigh*

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[SOLVED]
Ok, so I've sorted it.
What I ended up doing was wiring a micro switch I had in my workshop into the metal tabs that contact the home switch on the flex cable.
(See attached pic) So it was in effect taking the place of the built home button.
I held down that switch and the other 2 as per usual and voilà! It loaded recovery mode.
So, I cleared the cache and data. Rebooted. And wouldn't ya know, it now boots in the stock ROM.
Have since run ADB, (rooted, recovery etc.) Ran "Triangle away" and cleared the binary counter. Installed stock recovery. Unrooted.
Cleaned it all up and it looks as stock as a rock.
Off to the vendor tomorrow for warranty claim!
Thanks for trying to help guys. Much appreciated.
Hopefully this thread may be of use to someone in the future.
Feel free to email me if you want specifics to sort yours out.
Cheers.:good:

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Good work
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I would like to point out though, you must have opened the back cover for this.
Cost of replacing the home button is so small that it is worthless to ship it off for warranty.
Also, your warranty is now void because you wired other things onto the motherboard.
The best thing is though, you know it is still functional :good:
Good job and much praise for your huevos.

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wangdaning said:
I would like to point out though, you must have opened the back cover for this.
Cost of replacing the home button is so small that it is worthless to ship it off for warranty.
Also, your warranty is now void because you wired other things onto the motherboard.
The best thing is though, you know it is still functional :good:
Good job and much praise for your huevos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I did have to open the back to access the terminals. However I was careful and as I mentioned, I cleaned it up so there were no marks or prints etc.
And you're right, the cost of a button (in this case, the flex circuit cable + button) is very low, only a few $ off eBay. However, to replace the button and cable, the glass has to be removed. To do this, they have to heat the glass and separate it from the chassis/LCD/digitizer, replace the parts, replace the adhesive and refit the glass. (not the best design from Samsung to access a simple switch, otherwise I would have just done it myself) Not a job that I want to attempt myself with limited tools.
I've been quoted anywhere from $100-$300 to do this...most of the cost is labour.
Also, with Samsung repairing under warranty, if they happen to break the glass or LCD etc. it's not my problem.
Anyway, it's all a moot point. The warranty claim was accepted and I will have the phone back in 5-10 working days fully repaired for free.
Definitely pays to have huevos at times. ;
Cheers.:good: