urgent help needed.. phone won't boot - AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note I717

Ok so I ran into an issue here I've never had before. While I was using my phone, it rebooted on me. Not all that uncommon, but this time, after it turned off, it started vibrating and the camera LED started flashing on every vibrate. I've never seen this before. Holding the power button did nothing, and I had to pull the battery. However, this still didn't solve the issue. As soon as I put the battery back in, it would immediately vibrate, flash the Samsung logo, and then nothing. Holding the power will not do anything. Plugging the phone in for charging will just make it continuously vibrate every second.
I'm really stuck here. This is my only phone and not much idea what is going on. I have not changed anything on my phone in months. I'm somewhat led to believe this is the stuck power button issue, since it will immediately vibrate as soon as I put the battery in. But it would seem odd as I didn't touch the power button when it originally went into that odd LED reboot sequence.
Any ideas??

I'm going to say it's a stuck power button. With your finger flick the back of the phone by the power button a bunch of times.

440bro said:
I'm going to say it's a stuck power button. With your finger flick the back of the phone by the power button a bunch of times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, I'm going to say it's amazing how problems occur for different people within a short amount of time.
Second, Thank you 440bro. My phone started acting strangely very similarly to how cgi described and I couldn't figure out what the issue was. When I went to into download mode it would shut off 5 seconds later. I'm really surprised the power button didn't unstick when I was doing that. But I flicked mine a few times and wala, working phone. I was all gearing up to buy a new phone too.

Raleran said:
First, I'm going to say it's amazing how problems occur for different people within a short amount of time.
Second, Thank you 440bro. My phone started acting strangely very similarly to how cgi described and I couldn't figure out what the issue was. When I went to into download mode it would shut off 5 seconds later. I'm really surprised the power button didn't unstick when I was doing that. But I flicked mine a few times and wala, working phone. I was all gearing up to buy a new phone too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never had the power button issue, but to me the power button clicks very strongly as it normally would. It does not feel as if it is stuck in..
And I can not get it to go any further than the samsung logo for a split second. I can't get it into download or anything.

cgibsong002 said:
I've never had the power button issue, but to me the power button clicks very strongly as it normally would. It does not feel as if it is stuck in..
And I can not get it to go any further than the samsung logo for a split second. I can't get it into download or anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, it sounds like your issue is a little different that mine. Mine acted similarly to yours minus the camera flashing. If I put in the battery, it would vibrate, I'd get the logo, then 4 or 5 seconds later it would turn off. If I put it on charger, it would just vibrate every second or so.
Try this. Take your battery out completely, then put it in while holding the vol down button only. See if the download screen pops up. If it does then it's definitely the power button. If that's it, try using a straight pin to scrape out any crud that worked its way between the case and button.

Raleran said:
Hmm, it sounds like your issue is a little different that mine. Mine acted similarly to yours minus the camera flashing. If I put in the battery, it would vibrate, I'd get the logo, then 4 or 5 seconds later it would turn off. If I put it on charger, it would just vibrate every second or so.
Try this. Take your battery out completely, then put it in while holding the vol down button only. See if the download screen pops up. If it does then it's definitely the power button. If that's it, try using a straight pin to scrape out any crud that worked its way between the case and button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds the same. However, after getting the logo, it just goes black, then nothing happens after that. On the charger it does the same as yours. It also vibrates every second if I just hold vol down.
The download screen did pop up when i did that. It came up, then went black after maybe 2 seconds.
No amount of flicking or banging this thing is knocking it free. I tried scraping but still nothing. I began to take all the screws out but can't find an easy way to pry the white casing out.

You guys wouldn't believe how many people on here have been through what you're going thru. Including me! My button clicked perfectly. It started rebooting while it was sitting on my tool box. So I couldn't imagine it was the power button. One day I stripped it down too almost nothing. While it was stripped I powered it up and decided to flick various areas with my finger. Flicking the power button fixed it! I was like wtf! It happened a couple months later. Instead of stripping, I started flicking! Cures me every time now.
---------- Post added at 12:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 PM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2547025

440bro said:
You guys wouldn't believe how many people on here have been through what you're going thru. Including me! My button clicked perfectly. It started rebooting while it was sitting on my tool box. So I couldn't imagine it was the power button. One day I stripped it down too almost nothing. While it was stripped I powered it up and decided to flick various areas with my finger. Flicking the power button fixed it! I was like wtf! It happened a couple months later. Instead of stripping, I started flicking! Cures me every time now.
---------- Post added at 12:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 PM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2547025
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Click to collapse
Well, at least it's reassuring knowing I found my culprit. What isn't so reassuring is that flicking it isn't fixing it. After watching the video for the SII replacement, I'm worried that the switch actually went bad and needs replacement. When you took it apart, how did you disassemble it once you removed all the screws? I tried prying up a bit with a mini screwdriver but I'm worried I'm going to crack the case.

Watch this video how to take it apart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RK5DhWEvc0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

wooohoooo
Got it booted back up and working again. Thanks everyone.
I really don't know exactly what the cause was. As the above poster mentioned.. I took the thing fully apart and didn't notice anything odd or stuck. The outer part of the button was fine, nothing dirty or stuck, and then the button itself appeared fine and would click seemingly normally. I just took out the outer part of the button to clean it, and just kind of wiggled around the physical button itself. Reassembled and all good so far. It just booted up now.

Related

Anyone had Issues with the Display not Turning On?

I found a couple posts about this but people seemed to just return or RMA it. Thought maybe my experience might help others and was curious if anyone else has this problem.
A few times I have picked up the Prime and hit the power button and the display would not come on. If I plugged it in I would see the green light on the power button come on and go off when unplugged. It appeared to still be attached to the WIFI. If I held the button down it would buzz, but nothing else.
I found out that if I held the button down, waited for it to buzz then continued to hold it down for another 30 secs or so (seems like it takes forever) the Prime would then reboot and I would get the Eee Pad boot screen.
I have been storing my Prime in the box to keep it clear of kids and cats until I get a case. My wife ended up picking up this cheap case from Walmart which used rubber bands around the corners, and this triggered the problem by holding down the volume up button. I have not been able to reliably reproduce it, but it seems like holding down the volume button (or combo of power and volume button) puts the device in some diagnostic mode or something that shuts off the screen.
The natural tendency to release the power button immediately after the buzz while trying to reset made the device seem like it was broken. Luckily I figured out how to start it back up so I did not return it or RMA; however I wonder how many others experienced this problem.
This appears to be a software problem and not a hardware issue. I have not had this happen since I started being cautious about the volume buttons, but have not tried to reproduce on the last firmware update.
I have had no other issues with the Prime. It runs great, WIFI works for me and I could care less about the GPS issue. However, this display thing has scared me a handful of times until I figure out how to reset it.
Anyone else have this kind of issue? I was going to wait for ICS and then see if I could reproduce it before calling ASUS, but it has not been crippling especially once I figured out that when all else failed just hold down the power button until the screen came back on.
I've had this problem as well, three or four times so far. Actually, it happened to me on the first full day I had mine, and was really freaking me out. I've been using the pinhole reboot button to get it working, but it sounds like you were more patient with the power button than I was.
I can't replicate it either, exactly, but I've noticed that it's only happened after extended periods (6+ hours) of inactivity without charging. I also looked at my battery usage last night, and saw that my device constantly is awake; maybe somethint's happening when it tries to sleep?
Anyway, I feel the same way you do - I'm waiting for it to happen on 4.0(.3?) before I really worry.
I've had this happen twice. held down the power button to reboot. I can't reproduce it either, but I don't have any problem with the device sleeping. I'm at 50 hours of uptime now (15 on current charge) and have not run into it. Mildly glad to see its not just me though.
TF201 | XDA Premium
Only once tonight. Scared me until I saw the boot screen. Interesting since it has been rock solid until this. No other problems just didn't turn on. Glad to be back working.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
never had that issue...have used it quite a lot in many different situations
This morning it didn't wake up. I got it to turn on by holding get down the power and volume down button. Hopefully it doesn't happen again.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
happened to me tonight freaked me out for a while - had to use the reset pin hole
I've had the same exact problem andthe funny thing is I also have a case from Walmart with the rubber bands. Is yours the case logic? Since reading this post, I've removed the upper left band. I wish my case would ship already!
guys if you're familiar with transformer 1 and hacking\custom ROM tegra devices power + vol up = apx mode kind of download mode blank screen, nothing wrong with the device just working like it should. now just a blank screen with sound when u plug in could be defective screen has happened to me
Awesome to know this is expected behavior.
I didn't have the original transformer, and googling has just led me to people who can/can't get into the mode, so I'll ask here: what exactly is apx mode? I get what it's for, sort of, but what is it?
also happened to me while it was in a case. maybe the power button was pressed too long or something...
this happened to me yesterday, except the screen is still off....tried everything mentioned and it wouldnt turn back on, its fully charged...i get no buuz sound or anything...
LOL, I was just searching for a thread like this.
Mine has been working flawless for the last 4 days. This morning, would not turn on. I tried every combo and button push I could think of.
No LED charging lights, nada.
I finally reverted to the paper clip in the reset hole. Booted right up.
Don't know what the issue is.
reset button wont even work for me...
Yes It happend to me yesterday twice... i think if we leave it for an extended period without out charge , the screen is getting locked somehow... both the times i have held the power button till the buzz.. then it rebooted....
Same behavior here, was fully charged in the Morning, and plugged in, when i got home Both LED's (Dock and Tab) were green but the Screen won't turn on, pressing the Power button for 10sec rebooted the device, maybe some kind of power saving feature... hopefully it will be fixed with ICS
Okay, rockstatus90's problem seems different, but the rest of us, pceasar explained that we're likely entering APX mode, right? It's designed behavior? Now I just want to know what APX mode is, and if there's an easier way to exit than rebooting.
Happened twice for me so far.
chinly43 said:
Okay, rockstatus90's problem seems different, but the rest of us, pceasar explained that we're likely entering APX mode, right? It's designed behavior? Now I just want to know what APX mode is, and if there's an easier way to exit than rebooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes this is normal. Although most other Android devices seemed to give some sort of on screen message.
It is mentioned here as a process of rooting the original TF:
http://eeepadhacks.net/transformer-hacks/how-to-root-your-eeepad-transformer/
Basically, this is a mode that outputs to your PC and is supposed to blank your screen. You are supposed to reboot afterwards, so there is no other way out.
I have not had the problem since being sensitive about pushing volume+ and power at the same time.
rockstatus90 said:
reset button wont even work for me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately it looks like return or rma is your solution. I would try to call Asus and see if they can troubleshoot it. Best case they can reset it for; worse case its dead.
Really wish you could pull the battery. Thats the sure fire reboot.

Is my Galaxy hardware fried? Question about constant reboots.

So last week my phone started acting a bit strange. The side power button began not functioning properly. Basically - when I press the button to turn the screen off it is unresponsive 90% of the time, or it will load the "Shut-Down Menu" on even the slightest touch. Furthermore, my phone will constantly just shut off. Sometimes this happens when I am using the phone or other times when I'm just trying to turn the screen off the whole phone will just shut down.
There seems to be no constant circumstance that makes the phone shut off, it happens all the time!
I have had it ROMed for the last several months and the ROM I was using at the time it started had absolutely no issues at all. I upgraded to a JB ROM a few days ago and the SAME problem is still there.
Even further, when I am in the CWM Recovery the Power Button (which is used for Enter) is a bit funky (works about half the time) and it will STILL force shut down in CWM.
Also, this happens when phone is plugged in so I don't think it's a battery thing?
Does this seem like a software or hardware problem.... thanks for the thoughts.
dsebbs said:
So last week my phone started acting a bit strange. The side power button began not functioning properly. Basically - when I press the button to turn the screen off it is unresponsive 90% of the time, or it will load the "Shut-Down Menu" on even the slightest touch. Furthermore, my phone will constantly just shut off. Sometimes this happens when I am using the phone or other times when I'm just trying to turn the screen off the whole phone will just shut down.
There seems to be no constant circumstance that makes the phone shut off, it happens all the time!
I have had it ROMed for the last several months and the ROM I was using at the time it started had absolutely no issues at all. I upgraded to a JB ROM a few days ago and the SAME problem is still there.
Even further, when I am in the CWM Recovery the Power Button (which is used for Enter) is a bit funky (works about half the time) and it will STILL force shut down in CWM.
Also, this happens when phone is plugged in so I don't think it's a battery thing?
Does this seem like a software or hardware problem.... thanks for the thoughts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears it is a hardware problem with solely the power button. When you press and hold the power button, it will reboot the system without warning, so it could be constantly "depressing" the power button.
Volcomstone000095 said:
It appears it is a hardware problem with solely the power button. When you press and hold the power button, it will reboot the system without warning, so it could be constantly "depressing" the power button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that would make sense... ughhh...
Well, I guess it's a good excuse to get the S3.
dsebbs said:
Yeah that would make sense... ughhh...
Well, I guess it's a good excuse to get the S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha quite possibly! I'd try calling AT&T and maybe see if you can get a refurb if it's under warranty.
Same thing started happening to mine. The power buttons ****ed. Yesterday, it stopped working almost completely. I'm sending it in for warranty tomorrow. It was a ***** trying to reset the phone in recovery after flashing stock, I had to press the power button repeatedly to get the click the register and it powered down a few times.
If you can't get it fixed under warranty. Do a search for power switch problems on captivate. The switch on that phone has the same problems. I have cleaned my captivate power switch a few times using contact cleaner and it works good. Sorry I'd post a link but I'm using the phone app now.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app

Help: gTablet won't turn on any more

I've installed DRH JB 4.1 successfully 2 months ago. It has been running nicely since then. Today I decided to upgrade the ADW launcher EX. It all went fine.
I left the tablet on the table. A few minutes later, I came back to find it remains off. I tried to press power button for a few seconds, w/ or w/o holding + or - down. Nothing happens. Plug in the power, nothing.
I connect it to my PC (did that as a step to install DRH JB 4.1). But nothing happens either.
What can I do now? Is it completely dead?
Thanks
I've cracked open the back and press the reset the button. It boots up but won't respond to touch screen, soft button or hard buttons. I reset it a few times and about to give up. Then I put the back cover half-on (not snapped), it somehow worked. It responds to hard button, soft buttons and touch screen.
I felt lucky but want to try more. So I reboot it. Now, it only respond to the hard buttons, but not soft buttons or touch screen. Feeling I no longer need the reset the button, I snapped the back cover on. Now it goes dead again.
Has anyone seen this before? Any loose end?
Thanks
I just had this happen to my tablet today. Installed CWM 5.0.5 (for BL 1.2), installed the new Paranoid Android ROM played with it for a few minutes, went back to install market, which worked fine, logged in to start downloading apps. Played some angry birds, exited, admired the tab for a few seconds, turned off the screen, and then set it down. plugged in to charger. unlocked screen, made sure apps downloaded, turned off screen again, set down.
10 minutes later, picked it up, tried turning on the screen and all I got was black. will not respond to any button presses or anything I do. I would rather not crack open the case as I just purchased it, but will do so if that is the only thing aside from sending it in for repair.
Hope someone has some advice or help. Did search the forums for other ideas on what to do, but it seems like the only way to make it wake up is the hard reset. Someone please prove me wrong! :silly:
camman85 said:
I just had this happen to my tablet today. Installed CWM 5.0.5 (for BL 1.2), installed the new Paranoid Android ROM played with it for a few minutes, went back to install market, which worked fine, logged in to start downloading apps. Played some angry birds, exited, admired the tab for a few seconds, turned off the screen, and then set it down. plugged in to charger. unlocked screen, made sure apps downloaded, turned off screen again, set down.
10 minutes later, picked it up, tried turning on the screen and all I got was black. will not respond to any button presses or anything I do. I would rather not crack open the case as I just purchased it, but will do so if that is the only thing aside from sending it in for repair.
Hope someone has some advice or help. Did search the forums for other ideas on what to do, but it seems like the only way to make it wake up is the hard reset. Someone please prove me wrong! :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you are having is a well known SOD that is caused by the Kernel we are using for right now. There are other options besides cracking the case and pressing the internal reset button. You can let the device drain its battery on its own. The best way I know of is to connect something that charges USB to the tablet so that the tablets power will die a lot quicker, MP3 player, Cell Phone or anything that can use a good charging up would be the quickest route. Then after plugging in almost everything and making sure that the battery is fully drained on the G tablet press and hold down the power button just to be safe and discharge what ever is left. Charge the Gtablet fully from red to green and then boot it back up and all will be good. Its a long process to take, but if you don't wish to open it up and drill the hole this is the alternative way of doing so.
redhonker said:
I've cracked open the back and press the reset the button. It boots up but won't respond to touch screen, soft button or hard buttons. I reset it a few times and about to give up. Then I put the back cover half-on (not snapped), it somehow worked. It responds to hard button, soft buttons and touch screen.
I felt lucky but want to try more. So I reboot it. Now, it only respond to the hard buttons, but not soft buttons or touch screen. Feeling I no longer need the reset the button, I snapped the back cover on. Now it goes dead again.
Has anyone seen this before? Any loose end?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. That's most likely it. Loose ends. Check the cables going to the digitizer and the soft buttons.
rajeevvp said:
Yup. That's most likely it. Loose ends. Check the cables going to the digitizer and the soft buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any diagram/photo showing where to check? Would really appreciate it.
What would be cause that the hard button does not work (power, volume)?
Thanks
redhonker said:
Is there any diagram/photo showing where to check?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For your problem, start reading from this post onwards. Pics are here.
I decided to open gTablet again. This time, things just come back to normal. I checked every wire and connector visible, but can't find anything loose. I am afraid to snap the back cover back so I am leaving it loose and put it back to the case. My plan is to drill a hole on the back cover later to get access to the reset button. But I doubt whether that will really help.
I am checking the pictures against mine. All looks normal. Checked every visible wire and connector. Nothing seems to be loose.
redhonker said:
What would be cause that the hard button does not work (power, volume)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
redhonker said:
I decided to open gTablet again. This time, things just come back to normal. I checked every wire and connector visible, but can't find anything loose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The symptoms point to a hardware problem. A visual inspection might not be enough.
Try pulling all the relevant cables out completely (at both ends), then plugging them back in again.
Then do a "Key Test" in CWM (under "advanced"). Post the key codes along with the keys pressed.
If all the keys don't show up, then get me a dmesg output:
Code:
C:\> [B]adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt[/B]
You should also check that the cables don't have any breaks in them (flex the cable while doing the Key Test) or have their insulation stripped somewhere. This latter has caused some problems before.
I tried to tighten all the connectors.
All keys passed the test.
Keeping my fingers crossed now.

Phone will only power up for 7 seconds total

Had and still have an issue today. While driving earlier yesterday, I was listening to music in my car with phone connected on headphone jack. It made a buzzing noise( that came through car audio) , I disconnected and removed battery. I replaced battery and phone will not turn back on at all, will only show both Samsung logo's then go black screen. The phone will only power up for a total of 7 seconds from initial power up vibration on any combination of buttons,or even using a JIG
which went right into download mode.
- If I plug into power source , phone will just vibrate.
- I removed battery and replace, both Samsung logo's will appear then turn off.
- If I hold volume down + power button and place battery in, it will go into download mode. In this mode I can hit volume down to restart but it will just stay on black screen. Also if I hold these buttons down and do nothing the screen will just go black after a few seconds.
- I can also put into download mode to hook up to ODIN using same method and pressing volume up, but will say downloading then shut off.
- I've tried holding down volume up+down and power and it will not go into recovery.
- Odin with recognize it for a second (say device plugged in) and start to download files then it will say device unplugged after a few seconds
I've been looking at unbricking and unrooting threads with no luck. Any help is appreciated.
I don't know about the buzzing sound, but the rest sounds like a dead battery. Are you sure it's charged or that your charger didn't die on you? I don't believe phones brick after the flash is up and running.
Really now said:
I don't know about the buzzing sound, but the rest sounds like a dead battery. Are you sure it's charged or that your charger didn't die on you? I don't believe phones brick after the flash is up and running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I'm 1000% percent sure its not a dead battery and even had it at AT&T warranty center this morning having them look at it. I was trying my luck even though its out of warranty. This issue is like none I've heard, because of the fact that phone actually powers up and I can get into download mode within those 7 seconds, but will shut off after. I've timed it till it powers off.
Really now said:
I don't know about the buzzing sound, but the rest sounds like a dead battery. Are you sure it's charged or that your charger didn't die on you? I don't believe phones brick after the flash is up and running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stuck power button? Flick back or the phone a few times
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Am having this same issue with my girlfriends phone just as of a couple hours ago. It's completely stock and just recently received an OTA update a few days ago, she showed me bragging how she can watch videos and do other things at the same time now knowing how much I want a Note lol, she's had zero issues with it other than the battery getting very hot while charging a week or so ago and seems to be very slightly bulging now that I've looked at it. Out of nowhere today as we're walking through a parking lot and she's carrying it in her hand, not even using it, she says something is wrong with her phone and hands it to me with it vibrating every couple of seconds and not reacting to any buttons. I take the battery out and when we get inside put it back in and without even pressing anything it goes to the Samsung logo, black, animated Samsung logo, then turns off and goes back to vibrating every couple seconds. I look up the button combination for recovery and download mode and all that, I try recovery and it does the same vibrate every couple of seconds but never goes to recovery, and if I take the battery out, hold down volume down, then put the battery in it comes up with the warning about installing ROMs and all that, weather I press volume down or do nothing it stays at that screen for maybe five seconds then turns off and the only way I can get to the download mode is to take the battery out then press volume down. I have the Sprint Samsung Epic 4G and the batteries aren't the same but are very similar, mine is just shorter and 1500mAh, hers is taller and 2500mAh. So for the heck of it I put hers in my phone and hold it enough to where it connects and turn on my phone without issue, it boots up and shows 70% on the battery, I now have it plugged in and charging the battery at the moment with no issues. I put my battery in her phone and held it till it connects and it does the same Samsung logo, goes black, Samsung animated logo, then turns off BUT no vibrating anymore. If I press ANY button though as long as it's being held it vibrates every couple of seconds and if I hold volume down while I connect the battery it goes to Download mode but can't do anything and it turns off after about five seconds same as before, still no recovery access either. Heard that there is a power button issue with this phone and for the heck of it I've wiggled and pressed the power button with no charger or battery connected for around half an hour just to see if I can make it better, but no luck.
Hope to hear a solution to this. I would take the back cover off and clean the power button but I'm not sure if that would void the AT&T insurance, not going to try till I know I can get away with it without them knowing because if I can't fix it it's getting sent off for repairs.
EDIT: And sort of following captemo's suggestion I took a metal box, laid a hoodie over it for a bit of padding, then moderately bounced the phone on its power button side (without letting the power button be pressed/pushed, by letting it hang over the edge of the box) for a minute or so as if thinking the power button was stuck pushed in and I was trying to knock it back out, then put its battery back in and what do you know it turns on fine now. Weirdest way I've ever had to fix a phone, but hey it works now so the girlfriend will be happy.
herqulees said:
Am having this same issue with my girlfriends phone just as of a couple hours ago. It's completely stock and just recently received an OTA update a few days ago, she showed me bragging how she can watch videos and do other things at the same time now knowing how much I want a Note lol, she's had zero issues with it other than the battery getting very hot while charging a week or so ago and seems to be very slightly bulging now that I've looked at it. Out of nowhere today as we're walking through a parking lot and she's carrying it in her hand, not even using it, she says something is wrong with her phone and hands it to me with it vibrating every couple of seconds and not reacting to any buttons. I take the battery out and when we get inside put it back in and without even pressing anything it goes to the Samsung logo, black, animated Samsung logo, then turns off and goes back to vibrating every couple seconds. I look up the button combination for recovery and download mode and all that, I try recovery and it does the same vibrate every couple of seconds but never goes to recovery, and if I take the battery out, hold down volume down, then put the battery in it comes up with the warning about installing ROMs and all that, weather I press volume down or do nothing it stays at that screen for maybe five seconds then turns off and the only way I can get to the download mode is to take the battery out then press volume down. I have the Sprint Samsung Epic 4G and the batteries aren't the same but are very similar, mine is just shorter and 1500mAh, hers is taller and 2500mAh. So for the heck of it I put hers in my phone and hold it enough to where it connects and turn on my phone without issue, it boots up and shows 70% on the battery, I now have it plugged in and charging the battery at the moment with no issues. I put my battery in her phone and held it till it connects and it does the same Samsung logo, goes black, Samsung animated logo, then turns off BUT no vibrating anymore. If I press ANY button though as long as it's being held it vibrates every couple of seconds and if I hold volume down while I connect the battery it goes to Download mode but can't do anything and it turns off after about five seconds same as before, still no recovery access either. Heard that there is a power button issue with this phone and for the heck of it I've wiggled and pressed the power button with no charger or battery connected for around half an hour just to see if I can make it better, but no luck.
Hope to hear a solution to this. I would take the back cover off and clean the power button but I'm not sure if that would void the AT&T insurance, not going to try till I know I can get away with it without them knowing because if I can't fix it it's getting sent off for repairs.
EDIT: And sort of following captemo's suggestion I took a metal box, laid a hoodie over it for a bit of padding, then moderately bounced the phone on its power button side (without letting the power button be pressed/pushed, by letting it hang over the edge of the box) for a minute or so as if thinking the power button was stuck pushed in and I was trying to knock it back out, then put its battery back in and what do you know it turns on fine now. Weirdest way I've ever had to fix a phone, but hey it works now so the girlfriend will be happy.
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Click to collapse
Sort of is about right, glad you got it going. Many will complain about the button still clicking even though button is actually stuck. Many have cited some very simple sounding instructions for cleaning power button contacts with minimal deconstruction of phone. Using swab and alcohol. Run a search in q&a, sure you will get something.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
I tried the button with no resolution. I just went ahead and jumped ship and bought Note 3. Thanks to everyone who tried to help out

[Q] Help with strange Note problem

Hi, my Note has been running happily for months now, I was running the latest version of Super Nexus before the thread closed, and I was using a custom kernel, UBER I believe, its been so long since I've had to mess with it. For the record I have never overclocked, I refuse to.
Anyway, every two or three months my phone would start to get unstable, lots of apps installed etc etc, and my screen would start to flicker when I was on the home screen, sometimes the screen wouldn't wake up from the lock screen so I'd have to hit the button a few times, random reboots every couple of days, things like that.
My phone is so stable for the first couple months though, that I never bothered to change anything, I just wiped the phone clean, wipe all the cache etc etc, then I'd reinstall the ROM, and then reinstall the kernel, and bam, it was good as new again, fast and fresh.
I've done this a few times now since May 2013 when I first got it stable.
But now it has done something weird, scary even.
Its been getting buggy lately as usual, but I've been to busy to reinstall everything, so I just kept dealing with it, its been buggy for over a month now, and tonight it randomly rebooted, but didn't boot fully.
If I take the battery out and leave it out, then put it in, it automatically buzzes once, then the Samsung logo shows up, disappears, and if the room is dark you can see the screen light up black, flicker slightly, then turn off. Pushing the power button again does nothing, it stays off.
If I plug the charger in, the battery icon shows up with a spinning circle in the center, then the screen goes dark and the phone buzzes repeatedly every 3/4 of a second, buzz buzz buzz buzz etc, seemingly endlessly.
If I hold the two volume buttons and power button down, and release when the samsung logo shows up, so I can enter into TWRP, nothing special happens, the logo shows up, disappears, screen goes dark.
BUT, I did some searching and decided to try using ODIN to go back to full stock att. So I took the battery out, hold down the volume- button, put the battery in and voila! I get into download mode! I push the volume+ button and its starts waiting for the target (or whatever its called).
BUT, then the screen goes black and its dead. So I thought maybe just the screen is turning off, so I set up ODIN, started download mode, plugged in the USB, and the computer recognized it and made the appropriate sound, but as soon as the screen went dark the computer made the 'USB disconnected' sound and said device installation failed. So I am assuming its a bigger problem than just the screen, the entire thing turns off.
Its late now and I'm frustrated and don't know what to do, any help would be gladly appreciated. Hopefully there are still people using this phone.
Thanks again,
-Tom
Stuck power button.....flick the back of your phone a few times to jar it loose. It may sound and feel normal but try anyway
Or
Check for bad battery....... Does it appear or feel swollen? Very Commons need to replace after about a year. $8 on Amazon.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
captemo said:
Stuck power button.....flick the back of your phone a few times to jar it loose. It may sound and feel normal but try anyway
Or
Check for bad battery....... Does it appear or feel swollen? Very Commons need to replace after about a year. $8 on Amazon.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your response, this makes sense. I have flicked and played with the button, it appears and sounds to be working properly, but I am going to take it apart tonight to be sure. I've had it apart before, I had to do the GPS fix, so I won'tbreak it, but thanks for the new direction to go in!
I will report back.
Also, I have 4 batteries I alternate with and they all have the same effect :/
Thanks again!
-Beastlykings
After some research on faulty power buttons specifically, I realize this this a fairly common problem, and as such I apologize for my not realizing this sooner.
But its fixed! I took it apart and got it to work by lightly tapping the button with a small screwdriver, I then did some research and learned you can sometimes clean it with rubbing alcohol. I didn't have any rubbing alcohol, but another quick search determined that vodka can be an acceptable substitute. So I poured a shot of grey goose and went to work lol. I put a small drop right on the button and clicked it lightly but repeatedly for a minute or so, then I blew it out, then dried it with 30sec or so in front of a space heater (its winter here, -19f, brr), put the battery in and voila!
Very happy now, if it acts up again I will try actual rubbing alcohol, but if that doesn't do it then their are guys on ebay who will replace the button for $15-40, so I guess thats better than nothing.
Thanks again!
-Beastlykings

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