[Q] Am I hard bricked? - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

My phone won't boot at all. No life to the screen. I was trying to restore a stock image after a stupid app messed up my bluetooth. Odin recognizes that it is plugged in, but that's about it. It gets to the stage where it wants to install the image, but then stops. The screen never comes on, so I don't know if the phone is responding in any way. So, I don't know if there is still something I can do and I'm desperate. I really don't want to pay the extorted $200 deductible for a phone I've had 18 months.
I've been trying to find info on booting from the sd card. Is that a viable option in my situation? Or am I destined to send this thing off to the repair folks? I'm just really frustrated right now. I've been searching for info all day and have read all the stickies and main posts I can and it looks like my S3 is most certainly a goner. However, any help or direction would be helpful.

natefish said:
My phone won't boot at all. No life to the screen. I was trying to restore a stock image after a stupid app messed up my bluetooth. Odin recognizes that it is plugged in, but that's about it. It gets to the stage where it wants to install the image, but then stops. The screen never comes on, so I don't know if the phone is responding in any way. So, I don't know if there is still something I can do and I'm desperate. I really don't want to pay the extorted $200 deductible for a phone I've had 18 months.
I've been trying to find info on booting from the sd card. Is that a viable option in my situation? Or am I destined to send this thing off to the repair folks? I'm just really frustrated right now. I've been searching for info all day and have read all the stickies and main posts I can and it looks like my S3 is most certainly a goner. However, any help or direction would be helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well your phone does go to dwnload mode(as u mentiond odin) then i think there shud be no problem..dwnload the stock firmware for ur region from sammobile and flash it thru odin..or if it goes into recovery mode then u cn flash a new rom if u have a zip in ur sd card..

If ur phone does not boot into recovery/download mode or normally. It has gone into a better place. R.I.P Get a new phone or send for repair.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Give a thank if I helped you

Related

Tmobile/Samsung return possible?

Well my phone is bricked (stuck at vibrant screen) AND "Hardware Locked" (cant use button combinations to get to download mode or recovery) after trying to install a kernel that ended up not being for my firmware version..
IF at all possible i would like to be able to get into download or recovery mode but since im hardware locked i dont know how, so if anyone has any suggestions then their are more details in my previous thread.
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=788189
BUT if i can't possibly restore my phone to working order i would like to get it replaced; now i have heard that you can get a free replacement under manufacturer warranty since it is "Hardware Locked". if anyone know if this is true and/or how to go about doing this, i would be eternally in your debt
When you find out you can't enter download mode via hardware, should have stopped modding there. No offense, I am no help but just saying..
PaiPiePia said:
When you find out you can't enter download mode via hardware, should have stopped modding there. No offense, I am no help but just saying..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as i had no need to try to enter recovery or download mode through the button combos (i used easier adb) i had no idea that it was locked
Thats too bad, ununbrickable?
if your still in your first 30 days (or whatever it is in ur state) then there shouldnt be a problem. Just dont say too much, and be more carefull next time
Sent from my vib
fit333 said:
Thats too bad, ununbrickable?
if your still in your first 30 days (or whatever it is in ur state) then there shouldnt be a problem. Just dont say too much, and be more carefull next time
Sent from my vib
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I did when Odin bricked me. They replaced it right there in the store. Even the techs on the phone didn't know what was going on with it. It was kind of funny to watch actually.
On a side note, why the hell are we still using Odin to flash when it is capable of bricking so often, when we have a perfectly good means of flashing through Clockwork?? Just saying.
if you have passed the 30 day return..you can still get Tmo to repair it because you have 1 year warranty. just pretend that you don't know a thing and say the other day you turned it on...it just got stuck on the vibrant screen.
aloneinshadow said:
That's what I did when Odin bricked me. They replaced it right there in the store. Even the techs on the phone didn't know what was going on with it. It was kind of funny to watch actually.
On a side note, why the hell are we still using Odin to flash when it is capable of bricking so often, when we have a perfectly good means of flashing through Clockwork?? Just saying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Odin to flash the JI2 firmware and had no problems; it was only when (like an idiot) i used Clockwork to flash the new OC kernel without reading that its only for the STOCK rom >.<
trashcan said:
if you have passed the 30 day return..you can still get Tmo to repair it because you have 1 year warranty. just pretend that you don't know a thing and say the other day you turned it on...it just got stuck on the vibrant screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot man ill try tomorow, so no charges or anything? because i had heard that since it is Hardware Locked their will be no charge, is this right?
And yall have all been a great help!
But hey, thanks for helping to drive up the cost of phones by trying to get a replacement due to user error.
KerryG said:
But hey, thanks for helping to drive up the cost of phones by trying to get a replacement due to user error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the problem is not entirely user error, it is Samsung manufacturing these phones without an accessible recovery/download mode.
just call and pretend you know nothing.

[Q] Vibrant Galaxy S T-Mobile Desperate Help!

Hi. I ruined my phone when trying to add a new kernel (overclock 1.2).
It stayed on Vibrant/Samsung screen.
I downloaded one click odin.. LIKE AN IDIOT I DIDNT SEE IT WAS FOR CAPTIVE (AT&T) ONLY!!
NOW I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.
PLEASE HELP and link me to wherever i need to download stuff.
Before others eat you alive and flame you, look around dude. Look at the stickies.
C-4Nati said:
Before others eat you alive and flame you, look around dude. Look at the stickies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did, I couldnt find anything.
I don't think anyone has been a dumber noob than me..
ALSO it keeps just rebooting over and over and over.. I dont think it recognizes my battery idk..
MasterGGM said:
I did, I couldnt find anything.
I don't think anyone has been a dumber noob than me..
ALSO it keeps just rebooting over and over and over.. I dont think it recognizes my battery idk..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put into download mode use odin to flash back to stock all the tools you need are in the sticky that says bible in it..........
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
S4BRE2121 said:
Put into download mode use odin to flash back to stock all the tools you need are in the sticky that says bible in it..........
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download mode doesnt work
It shows AT&T and keeps rebooting.. over and over. I have no idea if they will exchange it due to it being a t-mobile phone.
Maybe Try the jig
Not sure I know enough about the real issue other than you got the wrong rom. But, there is a jig you can make 301k resistor (or combo of a few to equal that number) soldered to a usb connector on # 4 & 5 pins look it up it will unbrick the phone and get you into the phone from there I not sure what you will need to do next but that would get you into the phone. Btw the resistors and usb cord less than 5 bucks good luck
Dude, you are being childish. I usually never flame but don't say you did because you didn't Enough. Slow down and take your time. If you are doing any kind of mods you should learn how to use Odin first, but unfortunately its always after the fact.
Learn how to use Odin, in the development bible I have a video there to show you how. Doesn't get any easier than that.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
jzero88 said:
Dude, you are being childish. I usually never flame but don't say you did because you didn't Enough. Slow down and take your time. If you are doing any kind of mods you should learn how to use Odin first, but unfortunately its always after the fact.
Learn how to use Odin, in the development bible I have a video there to show you how. Doesn't get any easier than that.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are completely right. I was "trigger happy" you may say and I did it by rushing through it and ruined my phone. Luckily I have not yet sold my 3Gs and could use that until I get tmobile to exchange it.
The jig would most likely work for my case but I would need a step by step guide which unfortunately didn't find with images or video.
If I could just kill the AT&T boot logo it'd be perfect but sadly I can't.
I got the phone two days ago..so I am really sure I can get away with an exchange.
If you return the phone and it is booting with the At&t logo they will now you where messing with it and charge you the full amount of the phone which is around $400.
What you have is a soft brick. You can fix it if you bothered reading. Just follow this:
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/...r-vibrant-and-return-to-stock-phone-pc-error/
Jamison904 said:
If you return the phone and it is booting with the At&t logo they will now you where messing with it and charge you the full amount of the phone which is around $400.
What you have is a soft brick. You can fix it if you bothered reading. Just follow this:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish mine was a soft brick but it isn't. That thread was for "phone ! PC" mine is a tmo vibrant that boot loops as AT&T captive since I flashed the wrong stock kernel.
Remove battery, SIM card and the external SD card.
Connect USB cord
Hold down both volume keys and insert the battery.
I love how everyone gives the same reply. The phone WAS FULLY BRICKED.
I took it to T-Mobile and said I did an update and this is what happened and they gave me a brand spanking new one! =D
Thanks for all your help though.
MasterGGM said:
I love how everyone gives the same reply. The phone WAS FULLY BRICKED.
I took it to T-Mobile and said I did an update and this is what happened and they gave me a brand spanking new one! =D
Thanks for all your help though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pathetic, take some responsibility. Thanks for supporting a future of locked phones.

HELP!! I flashed my vibrant with update.zip and now it wont even power on!

Today I was trying to learn to flash my vibrant, i was following directions found here on xda and right after I flashed the update.zip file my phone turned off and now it wont come on at all! help! is there anything I can do to get it working again?!
Odin
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
possible fix
how about you try taking the phone and pulling the plug and taking out the battery
after you do that odin back to stock
First you want to post in q&a. Second as to your phone does it do anything. Does the bottom row of lights come on. Does it boot to any screen? Third have you read the vibrant directory (bible)? Forth have you downloaded odin?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
PM me and I'll try and walk you through.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
The phone doesnt do anything.. it was fine before i flashed the update.zip file. now i put the battery in and power it doesnt turn on at all i dont even see the samsung boot logo.. when i plug the charger in it doesnt even show that its charging.
Sgreaves23 said:
The phone doesnt do anything.. it was fine before i flashed the update.zip file. now i put the battery in and power it doesnt turn on at all i dont even see the samsung boot logo.. when i plug the charger in it doesnt even show that its charging.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check to see if your battery died somehow, but if you can't turn on your device even with a full battery, you have a real bricked phone.
Battery I fine, if I plug the charger in it doesn't charge or show that it's charging. How could this happen just from flashing a file?
Call tmobile and tell them that your phone said it was updating and once it restarted, it never came back on. They will have you check a few things and then send you a replacement for free. In the future be very careful when learning to mod your phone, ask questions when your not sure. This replacement trick will only get you a phone one time.
I was thinking to do that, only that my carrier is simple mobile, they do not offer insurance, sigh, I think I may be out of a phone
where did you get this update.zip?/
What update.zip did you flash?
Sgreaves23 said:
I was thinking to do that, only that my carrier is simple mobile, they do not offer insurance, sigh, I think I may be out of a phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No; it is unlikely that you are out of a phone. Try this method, either buying or making a USB "test jig." (You can make it if you know how to solder.)
http://board.teamwhiskey.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=209
If this does not work, there is another method that is expensive (but less than $500 for a new phone). You will need to find a technician with a "JTAG" test device who has a special bootloader software module from Samsung. The device uses an interface other than USB to access bootloader memory and downloads the bootloader file to the bootloader memory in order to boot the phone into a recovery environment.
The only way that your phone would be completely unrecoverable is if there was a hardware failure at the same time that you were playing around, which is unlikely.
Sgreaves23 said:
Battery I fine, if I plug the charger in it doesn't charge or show that it's charging. How could this happen just from flashing a file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Dude it's bricked....game over. Call tmobile and just tell them your phone doesn't turn on anymore, don't tell them how it happened, just that it stopped working. They will send you a replacement for free, if you're still under warranty it is. I bricked mine 2 weeks ago and got my replacement the next day. I tried EVERYTHING to get it back to life....but nothing. Sometimes it happens even though you follow all steps, especially if it messed around with your bootloader.
Good luck. It's no ones effen business what you say happened...most likely they do the same.
You shouldn't even be flashing the update.zip... you should be using like OCLF to do it for you. This should help:
http://androidspin.com/2010/08/09/how-to-restore-or-recover-your-samsung-vibrant/
I would STRONLGY suggest to listen what BruceElliott says, read and follow the directions carefully. In 99% cases you can recover just fine. It's very hard to truly brick vibrant...
bobbbb said:
You shouldn't even be flashing the update.zip... you should be using like OCLF to do it for you. This should help:
http://androidspin.com/2010/08/09/how-to-restore-or-recover-your-samsung-vibrant/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've got to be able to get into download mode to do that though. I think that's the problem.
I'd mess around with it for a bit and try all of the tips to get into download mode. I can't believe you'd hard brick it based on what you said. You are positive your battery is okay?
I had the same problem. It would not turn on at all. I called Samsung and they paid to send it back for warrenty repair. It takes 6 business days. They didn't even ask how it happened. I think the number was 800-samsung
Nah, you don't need a Jig just yet
I've ran into that problem MANY TIMES!! The first time it freaked me out too.
Take out the battery, take out the sim card. Leave it for about 5 minutes. Then do these steps:
- plugged the phone in without the battery
- Hold down the 2 volume buttons
- As you're holding those 2 buttons down, insert the batter
- You should be in download mode
- Proceed with Odin
Can you tell us what update.zip you used? Good luck!

[Q] Samsung Galaxy S2 bricked?

Hey,
I've recently bought Galaxy S2.
It had problems with Android 2.3.3 and batter drain so I decided to upgrade to 2.3.4. I followed the instructions and I had to re-partition. Rebooted my phone into download mode, set re-partition option, PDA and clicked start (as said in the guide). It started doing stuff but after ~40-50 minutes there was no progress - it was stuck at "SET PARTITION". After an hour and 20 minutes still nothing and the phone started heating. So I unplugged the USB and removed the battery. Left it to heat down and tried to start recovery/download mode. It couldn't even start. As if it's really dead
How could you know for sure if a phone is bricked? What should I do know?
Is there anything I can try to see if I can bring it back to life or I should go to my provider and ask him to fix it?
I would be really grateful for any suggestions
Thanks in advance,
tftd
You have a bricked phone, you will need to buy another one.
I don't know which instructions you have been following, but it is not the ones here.
Over here, we tell people not to click 2 things. CLEAR EFS, and REPARTITION.
Clear EFS, kills the IMEI, and REPARTITION kills the phone.
Since the bootloader sits in the partition, you don't have bootloader, so no download mode either.
Yup, as the poster before me mentioned; your phone is totally hardbricked. Only way to fix it is through a jtag (requires some advanced hardware) or to send it to samsung on warrantee. Thats why they say not to play with pit files/partitions in the guides.
There is someone on youtube that can fix your device since he has the necessary tools, go to youtube and search for sgs2 jtag, you should find his video where he demonstrates the process, or you can do what the other posters said.
I'm on my phone using the xda application so I can't post the link for you.
Sent from my GT-I9100
Well from what i have read, bricking is really hard even if u check repartition.
Anyway iam a noob,but just search youtube and forums iam sure u will find something.
LiFE1688 said:
You have a bricked phone, you will need to buy another one.
I don't know which instructions you have been following, but it is not the ones here.
Over here, we tell people not to click 2 things. CLEAR EFS, and REPARTITION.
Clear EFS, kills the IMEI, and REPARTITION kills the phone.
Since the bootloader sits in the partition, you don't have bootloader, so no download mode either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that's something I shall remember for the rest of my Android Phone life.
I sent my phone to customer service and hope they can fix it.
@achillies400 that dude is trained in small electronics (youtube/com /watch?v=zN7le4GmxZs) I saw what he does but I'm from Bulgaria and I'm not quite sure if the phone would get to USA and back to Bulgaria in one piece ...
For all the people coming after me:
DUDES! DON'T EVER RE-PARTITION! NEVER EVER!!!!!!
Thank you all for giving suggestions and helping me! Pretty much appreciated!
tftd said:
Hey,
I've recently bought Galaxy S2.
It had problems with Android 2.3.3 and batter drain so I decided to upgrade to 2.3.4. I followed the instructions and I had to re-partition. Rebooted my phone into download mode, set re-partition option, PDA and clicked start (as said in the guide). It started doing stuff but after ~40-50 minutes there was no progress - it was stuck at "SET PARTITION". After an hour and 20 minutes still nothing and the phone started heating. So I unplugged the USB and removed the battery. Left it to heat down and tried to start recovery/download mode. It couldn't even start. As if it's really dead
How could you know for sure if a phone is bricked? What should I do know?
Is there anything I can try to see if I can bring it back to life or I should go to my provider and ask him to fix it?
I would be really grateful for any suggestions
Thanks in advance,
tftd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MobileTechVideos have a jtag maybe they can repair.
Otherwise sent your device to an Samsung ServiceCenter!
looks like your simplest solution is the Jtag.
Is the samsung service centre offering a free repair? or are there any costs involved?
netchip said:
MobileTechVideos have a jtag maybe they can repair.
Otherwise sent your device to an Samsung ServiceCenter!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.. Still that's not an option for the moment - I live in Bulgaria .. :/
dullah said:
looks like your simplest solution is the Jtag.
Is the samsung service centre offering a free repair? or are there any costs involved?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weelll... I hope it's free... though I'm prepared for a bill..
I didn't tell them I was flashing the rom... I told them it was heating up and suddenly it stopped working. Hope that's convenient enough
Check this link out.Its a list of places where you can get your phone jtaged incase it happens again.Near the bottom there is a contact for your country.
http://www.jtagbox.com/riff-jtag-bo...-bricked-phone-riff-box-owners-list/#comments
okay, I hope it all works out
my phone has a busted up screen guys, claiming on house insurance, if i was to Clear EFS, kills the IMEI, and REPARTITION kills the phone. that would make it unbootable right??
I wouldnt give up jet
I ended up in quite a simular situation, i failed during flashing another pir, witch resulted in a non bootable phone with none ability to charge the battery. I tried to charge the battery elsewhere and was actually able to detect the phone in odin(none visual respons on the phone but stil). there should be a hope of reflashing it from here. could anyone explain why the screen goes blank even if its in downloadmode? is it related to imei/rom?
I would try this before sending in the phone. I talked to some guys in a norwegian servicecetre. If they are not able to connect it via usb to a pc and flash it they probably just change the motherboard!(EXPENCIVE) JTAG didnt seem to be the sollution of choice. changing the motherboard was rarely the sollution,but apperantly one customrom ****ed up both bootloaders(rom and imei) witch made them helpless reflashing it.
I bricked my phone because repartition was checked
I bricked my phone because I checked repartition. DO NOT CHECK BOX NEVER EVER EVER.
I sent back to t mobile and just said it would not turn on or charge and they repaired it free.
Since I have had my phone repaired I have flashed lots of custom roms with no major problems. Difference I have never once since clicked repartition and I made a backup of my EFS folder using Galaxy s unlock from android market also unlocked my s2 no probs
If you can detect it in Odin. Usually it is always able to be fixed.
But you may have to use someone else's full backup dump. But they may not want to give you their efs information of their phone.
Look online for galaxy s3 boot-loader etc.
This is for future people that need help

My Galaxy S3 looks bricked

I have the American version of the S3. It was successfully rooted, but stock rom. I was looking into CM9, and noticed that Rom Manager said they supported the SGS3 and CM9. I installed Rom Manager and chose the option for it to reboot for me. However at that point it turned off and won't come back on. NOTHING. No light when I plug it in, can't get it into download mode. I've pulled the battery, replaced it, tried CWM button combination as well as Download mode button combination. PLEASE help.
The phone had about 25-30% battery at the time. I've got it plugged in, and I'm holding out hope it may at least get into download mode once it has more juice.
Man sorry to hear that. While I've had my share of issues with Rom Manager (that's why I quit using it), I've never heard of it bricking a device. What were you having it do when this happened? Did you flash a recovery or Rom. Or were you just rebooting or rebooting to recovery. What custom recovery did you have installed?
________________
Just Flash It !!!
you might be right, cause when you got battery life lower than 50% rom manager tend to recognize it and stop flashing i think.
i bricked my t999 2 days ago because of over flashing hahaha. i flash at least 3 times a day from cm9 to cm10 to stock anything i can find. The phone still work but its got a corrupted IMEI and the IMEI show a 0 instead of the original number.i can't return it because it past 14 days. i just gotta wait for someone to find a fix i guess. Why can't i brick it before the 14 days.... sigh...
when you got your fix make sure you back up your un-corrupted EFS folder. i learned my lesson by not to. with the AT&T and T-mobile versions it tend to happen more. It is random also. so back up you efs folder and nandroid it.
well at least i can now continuing flashing and try out new roms and doesn't worry about bricking it "again".
i don't know maybe i will sell it for cheap...
anyway good luck bringing your phone back to life.
sounds like a brick to me
What does device manager show? If its QHSUSB DLOAD ur done. Otherwise post what it says.Also plug it in without a battery, bet it gets a red light.which i think also points to u bein screwed. and rom manager can brick you dont be fooled(quit using as well).
ouch, i think you might have possibly ended up flashing something for the international one? dont know much that could help you at this point, god knows if those download jigs still work for the iii if they could help you at all. You might be looking at either a jtag fix or a warrenty.
I never really saw a point to using rom manager easier to just flash cwm and look on xda for zips, not to mention it you have to pay to get like 3/4ths of the apps functionality even it seems.
I'm within 14 days of buying the phone. Can I take it back to AT&T and have them do anything?
It does have a red light if I plug it in with no battery.
I'm so scared. I bought a USB jig. Will that do anything? I can't have this be bricked.
if ur within the 14 days just go to at&t and tell them "the truth". u know how it got hot and froze and just wouldn't come back on. or how you woke up to the phone in this state. w/e works for you just play stupid and you've never heard of root before. as far as you know that's just some crazy new app that's out lmao. and no the jig is worthless here won't do anything for ya
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
billard412 said:
if ur within the 14 days just go to at&t and tell them "the truth". u know how it got hot and froze and just wouldn't come back on. or how you woke up to the phone in this state. w/e works for you just play stupid and you've never heard of root before. as far as you know that's just some crazy new app that's out lmao. and no the jig is worthless here won't do anything for ya
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To the guy within his 14 days, listen to this guy, “the phone got really hot, the screen turned off, and now the phone won't boot up.."
To the OP, sounds like your best bet is trying for a warranty claim or sending it to Samsung. Unfortunately you're the third person in two days that I've read has done this. The other two sent it to Samsung and they actually didn't charge them I believe.
Tapatalk.

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