Soft or hard bricked? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I was playing real racing 3, suddenly my phone screen went black.
I couldn't enter recovery or boot.
I tried this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/help/guide-fix-unflashable-soft-bricked-gsii-t1457458
I flashed a firmware (4.1.2) from odin (samfirmware), it booted up, but then again black screen.
I flashed again an other firmware (4.1.2), same.
I can get into recovery now, but I can not flash any rom (it crashes again).
I didn't OC/UV, so it shouldn't harmed my hardware.
What to do?

tried gingerbread. still does the same. Boots up. crashes

3 part firmware from Hopper8's 'Odin troubleshooting' thread stickied in General, flash it (will wipe your phone).

MistahBungle said:
3 part firmware from Hopper8's 'Odin troubleshooting' thread stickied in General, flash it (will wipe your phone).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried flashing hopper8's Odin troubleshooting cleanup files.
Flashed gingerbread.
I can get into recovery and download mode.
When trying to flash through recovery, it crashes. Just like booting.
Seeing this error after flashing gingerbread through odin: Can't access to '/system/csc/XEN/system/'.
this means nothing I guess. samsungs stuff not organized..

is my nand chip dead? (as myself said in carbon thread?)

Help please?
Any fix or do I have to buy a new phone?

What help do you want that hasn't already been suggested to you ? There's no easy fix. Either you keep trying the stuff that's been suggested & hope it's a case of perseverance fixing it, you replace the motherboard, or you get a new phone.

MistahBungle said:
What help do you want that hasn't already been suggested to you ? There's no easy fix. Either you keep trying the stuff that's been suggested & hope it's a case of perseverance fixing it, you replace the motherboard, or you get a new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay then.
Just want to be sure what piece is bricked.

You have no way of knowing exactly what is wrong hardware-wise (and neither do we); to do that you need to have experiencing with diagnosing electronics like that, and you clearly don't have that experience because you already would have diagnosed it if you could. But it's fairly obvious the NAND is stuffed unless you're missing or not doing something really obvious when flashing that neither you nor us have picked up (and if you've done everything in Hopper's thread, the chances of that are pretty much zero).
Take it to a local mobile repair shop, but beware...Some in some countries lately seem to be flogging people this 'I can replace the 'power IC' fix', and I don't think I've seen a single case where people say they've been offered this as a fix and it's actually worked (they haven't posted here afterwards saying so at least). If you want it fixed first time guaranteed (assuming there's nothing else wrong with hardware) without having to pay extra labour/parts for a fix that won't work, you replace the motherboard.

hmm, problem is that I can't find parts easily in my country.
Taking it to a store will eat my money.
So I guess I'll look for a cheap s3 (the GT-I9300) (about 200 euro). And still run my fav rom on it (carbon)

I'm not familiat with GS2 but if Nand is dead but you can access recovery it may be possible to install ROM on SD as in several other phones...

GreekBlood said:
I was playing real racing 3, suddenly my phone screen went black.
I couldn't enter recovery or boot.
I tried this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/help/guide-fix-unflashable-soft-bricked-gsii-t1457458
I flashed a firmware (4.1.2) from odin (samfirmware), it booted up, but then again black screen.
I flashed again an other firmware (4.1.2), same.
I can get into recovery now, but I can not flash any rom (it crashes again).
I didn't OC/UV, so it shouldn't harmed my hardware.
What to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you dont have tries this then take a look
im assuming you are windows user
1.download and install mini partition tool
2.take a memory card and format it as ext4 using mini Pt
3.now flash cwm on your sg s2
4.insert memory card and flash any rom via cwm recovery like cm11
5.if still doesnt boot try to flash official fw from samsung but sd card should be inserted
sorry for bad english

black0000 said:
if you dont have tries this then take a look
im assuming you are windows user
1.download and install mini partition tool
2.take a memory card and format it as ext4 using mini Pt
3.now flash cwm on your sg s2
4.insert memory card and flash any rom via cwm recovery like cm11
5.if still doesnt boot try to flash official fw from samsung but sd card should be inserted
sorry for bad english
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, not sure if this will help, but I think nand is dead.
I'll try it, otherwise I'll have to buy a new phone.
Also, how to get on EXT4 on windows? (copying files to sd formatted in EXT4) I tried once because it is better, but my system (win 8) only recognizes the card, but can't read it.

GreekBlood said:
Hmm, not sure if this will help, but I think nand is dead.
I'll try it, otherwise I'll have to buy a new phone.
Also, how to get on EXT4 on windows? (copying files to sd formatted in EXT4) I tried once because it is better, but my system (win 8) only recognizes the card, but can't read it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
connect your memory card to pc and open mini partition tool and then select your memory card and right click on it and select format now choose ext4 format from dialogue box appeared
done
now insert formated (blank) memory card to your phone go through usual process of flashing
dont let your hope down best of luck

black0000 said:
connect your memory card to pc and open mini partition tool and then select your memory card and right click on it and select format now choose ext4 format from dialogue box appeared
done
now insert formated (blank) memory card to your phone go through usual process of flashing
dont let your hope down best of luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My battery is 100% charged. I flashed cwm, but it can't enter.
Now when I enter download mode, it says "LOW BATTERY!! CAN'T DOWNLOAD!!"
But when I connect to pc and go to download mode (like it is charging), odin flash fail.

GreekBlood said:
My battery is 100% charged. I flashed cwm, but it can't enter.
Now when I enter download mode, it says "LOW BATTERY!! CAN'T DOWNLOAD!!"
But when I connect to pc and go to download mode (like it is charging), odin flash fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you inserted ext4 formatted sd card?
if yes then just POWER on device normally and tell me what happen
e.g boot normally or boot loop or stuck at boot logo
---------- Post added at 12:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 PM ----------
GreekBlood said:
My battery is 100% charged. I flashed cwm, but it can't enter.
Now when I enter download mode, it says "LOW BATTERY!! CAN'T DOWNLOAD!!"
But when I connect to pc and go to download mode (like it is charging), odin flash fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you inserted ext4(primary partition) formatted sd card?
if yes then just POWER on device normally and tell me what happen
e.g boot normally or boot loop or stuck at boot logo

black0000 said:
did you inserted ext4 formatted sd card?
if yes then just POWER on device normally and tell me what happen
e.g boot normally or boot loop or stuck at boot logo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see Samsung bootlogo with the yellow triangle, but then it powers off (black screen)

GreekBlood said:
I see Samsung bootlogo with the yellow triangle, but then it powers off (black screen)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/2675-heimdall-advanced-how-to-debrick-hard-bricks-with-no-jtag/

black0000 said:
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/2675-heimdall-advanced-how-to-debrick-hard-bricks-with-no-jtag/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try it. Hope I can recover my s2.
I don't have boot.bin and sbl.bin
Where to get it? (right rom and stuff)

GreekBlood said:
I'll try it. Hope I can recover my s2.
I don't have boot.bin and sbl.bin
Where to get it? (right rom and stuff)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
google it

Related

It's broken hasn't it...

What a start to the day....
Sg2 would not turn on. Tried loads and then left it. Suddenly a few mins later
it came on but was hung on the boot screen. Now its turning on but just hangs
a frozen boot screen.
So thought I would use ODIN to wipe it and start a fresh. Odin also just hangs
at the start at NAND WRITE START cache.img and goes no futher ever.
I tried to do a restore in CWM but again hung and eventually failed with cant find file error messages.
Seems like internal memory is screwed or something any ideas?
Can you get into download mode (power/home/volume down) ?
technotika said:
What a start to the day....
Sg2 would not turn on. Tried loads and then left it. Suddenly a few mins later
it came on but was hung on the boot screen. Now its turning on but just hangs
a frozen boot screen.
So thought I would use ODIN to wipe it and start a fresh. Odin also just hangs
at the start at NAND WRITE START cache.img and goes no futher ever.
I tried to do a restore in CWM but again hung and eventually failed with cant find file error messages.
Seems like internal memory is screwed or something any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried booting into download mode (as stated above), or using a jig? They cost a few dollars from Ebay, but they're a life saver in these such situations.
Have you tried to flash a different ROM? Maybe the cache.img is a dud or possibly corrupted?
can get into download mode but because a flash failed CWM is gone and just get "firmware update encountered an error".....just tried a different firmware download in odin..again hangs on NAND WRITE START....
read other threads with same error , not looking good
I think a JTAG repair will probably be cheaper for you than paying Samsung to fix it. Do a search on here/Google to find a JTAG repairer close to you. If you can't find one near you, there's at least one that I know of you can post your phone to, have them repair it & they'll post it back.
technotika said:
can get into download mode but because a flash failed CWM is gone and just get "firmware update encountered an error".....just tried a different firmware download in odin..again hangs on NAND WRITE START....
read other threads with same error , not looking good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the phone already is in "has to be sent in anyways" state, I think this quallifies for the "last resort", only do this as last step before packing it in for sending to service.
Try an Odin flash with a .PIT file and "[X] Repartition" checked.
But be very carefull with that, double check and tripplecheck everything is perfectly set up (correct stock ROM for your model, USB connection could sustain an earthquake, PC will not crash or loose power.... all that stuff) because this could totally kill it when something goes wrong.
Well, once the preflight is done, hit the mighty "Start" button and start to pray.
Well tried ext option and hangs on setting partition. I'm worried the phone is actually proper broken since its not flashing or rom issues that was the original problem. Just went off, wouldnt turn on, left it a while...suddenly on but hanging on boot everytime..then the flashing attempts to realise more broken than ever! Will service fix that?, im with vodafone UK and they will be arsy if they find custom rom flashes etc? Can I send direct to samsung...? thanks for ur help peeps!
technotika said:
Well tried ext option and hangs on setting partition. I'm worried the phone is actually proper broken since its not flashing or rom issues that was the original problem. Just went off, wouldnt turn on, left it a while...suddenly on but hanging on boot everytime..then the flashing attempts to realise more broken than ever! Will service fix that?, im with vodafone UK and they will be arsy if they find custom rom flashes etc? Can I send direct to samsung...? thanks for ur help peeps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using a single file when your trying to flash? I had an issue where it was stuck on the nand part, then I flashed using three files, PDA, Modem, Csc, and it was successful.
But seeing that you've tried repartition and that didn't work, you may be screwed.
Well, if it's that broken that nothing boots, nothing shows, nothing even flashes, I doubt they can see you got a custom ROM on it (Samsung could, but would very likely not bother checking).
So just tell them it failed during updating with KIES.
Since KIES is "teh craps" and everybody know that, they will likely go "oh yah, another one"
Are you using the original Samsung data/USB cable when you are trying to flash with Odin ? If not, do it.
ultramic said:
Are you using the original Samsung data/USB cable when you are trying to flash with Odin ? If not, do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I tried to use a data cable that came with an HTC once. For some odd reason, it didn't work.
I've had Odin flashes go.wrong before and almost always fixed it by rebooting or restarting Odin. Maybe even try on a different PC. For me a 3 part file with pit + repartition has always done the trick.
However it does seem like your problem may be hardware related.
Sent from my GT-I9100T
ultramic said:
Are you using the original Samsung data/USB cable when you are trying to flash with Odin ? If not, do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think I ever used the original lol have been flashing like crazy for the last 6 months fine?
HellcatDroid said:
Well, if it's that broken that nothing boots, nothing shows, nothing even flashes, I doubt they can see you got a custom ROM on it (Samsung could, but would very likely not bother checking).
So just tell them it failed during updating with KIES.
Since KIES is "teh craps" and everybody know that, they will likely go "oh yah, another one"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a very good tip, thanks lol, popping into a store at diner time.......
##update## actually download mode loads with custom rom count (24) oops and very new firmware so dont think can get round that?
If they check that you might be in a bit of trouble warranty-wise. Or you might be lucky. If you can wait a few days or however long it takes to get a jig, might be worth getting one.
technotika said:
This is a very good tip, thanks lol, popping into a store at diner time.......
##update## actually download mode loads with custom rom count (24) oops and very new firmware so dont think can get round that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
technotika said:
I dont think I ever used the original lol have been flashing like crazy for the last 6 months fine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regardless, please try the original cable, you have nothing to lose.
For the first few months, I was flashing ROM's fine with an el cheapo usb cable from ebay then suddenly, Odin would always hang. Reverted to original cable and everything has been fine ever since. I have also noticed that the file transfers and Kies Backups are noticeably quicker on the original cable.
Given you can access download mode, I'm crossing my fingers for you that its only a soft brick. Also, try plugging in the usb cable to a port directly on the motherboard (ie not one of those front panel extensions), also try different computers.
I thought jigs didnt work after a certain firmware or are they're new jigs available?
thanks
Depends on what version firmware you have on your phone/what you tried to flash. Do you remember either/both of those ?
technotika said:
I thought jigs didnt work after a certain firmware or are they're new jigs available?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
technotika said:
I thought jigs didnt work after a certain firmware or are they're new jigs available?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't work the new bootloader, but if you got your ROMs from Intratech's thread, most of them have the bootloaders replaced with the old one.
You could also try to flash the old-bootloader-only .tar that is also in Intratech's thread if the jig doesn't work, maybe it at least manages to flash that one so you can reset the counter.
well it's officially knackered
tried original samsung cable - same problem
different computer - pit and 3 files plus single files , same problem
cant even flash any old bootloaders to reset the jig!
so gutted it ran my life for me schedules, to do, all sorts, oh well
goosed - thanks anyway

Hard bricked my cousin's Note and want to know why?

First time I have hard bricked a Samsung phone and would like to know where I went wrong. All we were trying to accomplish was to root the stock rom and change the revovery to CWM Touch. There was no attempt to upgrade to anything other than the stock rom. Here are the steps I followed:
Powered off phone
Inserted USB Jig (which powers on phone in Download Mode)
Started up Odin 1.85
Loaded cwm-touch-i717-120414.tar.md5 in the PDA slot
Plugged in phone (recognized as Com7)
Flashed
Phone rebooted after the flash and I let it sit until it timed out just to make sure everything seemed okay.
Powered off phone
Inserted USB Jig (which powers on phone in Download Mode)
Started up Odin 1.85
Loaded att_note_root.tar in the PDA section
Plugged in phone (recognized as Com7)
Flashed
Phone rebooted after the flash and seemed okay. On this boot a couple of things asked for root permission but I cant remember which apps. I attached the running phone to my computer and connected using USB Mass Storage. I copied flash_counter_reset_att.zip to the root of the SD card. Checked the MD% hash after copying to the phone. I powered off the phone.
Powered on the phone holding the Vol +/Vol-/Power to boot into CWM recovery
Chose install zip from sdcard
Chose install zip from internal sdcard
Chose flash_counter_reset_att.zip
Chose yes to flash
After the flash completed I went back and chose reboot system now
Here is where all hell broke loose. It was just a black screen and not recognizable by Odin. The phone is now on it's way to MobileTechVideos to get JTAG unbricked.
So my big question is what went wrong or what step did I miss?
WheresWaldo said:
First time I have hard bricked a Samsung phone and would like to know where I went wrong. All we were trying to accomplish was to root the stock rom and change the revovery to CWM Touch. There was no attempt to upgrade to anything other than the stock rom. Here are the steps I followed:
Powered off phone
Inserted USB Jig (which powers on phone in Download Mode)
Started up Odin 1.85
Loaded cwm-touch-i717-120414.tar.md5 in the PDA slot
Plugged in phone (recognized as Com7)
Flashed
Phone rebooted after the flash and I let it sit until it timed out just to make sure everything seemed okay.
Powered off phone
Inserted USB Jig (which powers on phone in Download Mode)
Started up Odin 1.85
Loaded att_note_root.tar in the PDA section
Plugged in phone (recognized as Com7)
Flashed
Phone rebooted after the flash and seemed okay. On this boot a couple of things asked for root permission but I cant remember which apps. I attached the running phone to my computer and connected using USB Mass Storage. I copied flash_counter_reset_att.zip to the root of the SD card. Checked the MD% hash after copying to the phone. I powered off the phone.
Powered on the phone holding the Vol +/Vol-/Power to boot into CWM recovery
Chose install zip from sdcard
Chose install zip from internal sdcard
Chose flash_counter_reset_att.zip
Chose yes to flash
After the flash completed I went back and chose reboot system now
Here is where all hell broke loose. It was just a black screen and not recognizable by Odin. The phone is now on it's way to MobileTechVideos to get JTAG unbricked.
So my big question is what went wrong or what step did I miss?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Friend I'm so sorry to see this from you I really do feel bad for you I hope your phone turns out alright once it get's fixed I do not want to see anyone phone brick this is serious problem
Good Luck To you.......
What carrier version of the phone was it?
All Will Be Well
WheresWaldo said:
First time I have hard bricked a Samsung phone and would like to know where I went wrong. All we were trying to accomplish was to root the stock rom and change the revovery to CWM Touch. There was no attempt to upgrade to anything other than the stock rom. Here are the steps I followed:
Powered off phone
Inserted USB Jig (which powers on phone in Download Mode)
Started up Odin 1.85
Loaded cwm-touch-i717-120414.tar.md5 in the PDA slot
Plugged in phone (recognized as Com7)
Flashed
Phone rebooted after the flash and I let it sit until it timed out just to make sure everything seemed okay.
Powered off phone
Inserted USB Jig (which powers on phone in Download Mode)
Started up Odin 1.85
Loaded att_note_root.tar in the PDA section
Plugged in phone (recognized as Com7)
Flashed
Phone rebooted after the flash and seemed okay. On this boot a couple of things asked for root permission but I cant remember which apps. I attached the running phone to my computer and connected using USB Mass Storage. I copied flash_counter_reset_att.zip to the root of the SD card. Checked the MD% hash after copying to the phone. I powered off the phone.
Powered on the phone holding the Vol +/Vol-/Power to boot into CWM recovery
Chose install zip from sdcard
Chose install zip from internal sdcard
Chose flash_counter_reset_att.zip
Chose yes to flash
After the flash completed I went back and chose reboot system now
Here is where all hell broke loose. It was just a black screen and not recognizable by Odin. The phone is now on it's way to MobileTechVideos to get JTAG unbricked.
So my big question is what went wrong or what step did I miss?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the "ONLY" thing you did (wrong?) was the att flash counter zip -Eliminate the Att step - there is a rooting method that does not cause the flash counter to be tripped (i believe it's non touch cwm - then flash the touch cwm - then flash Roms to your Heart's desire) I'm not really sure the flash counter issue really matters - At&t only cares if there is physical damage to the phone because I believe they just re-flash the phone and sell it again.
I'm Mostly responding to say that JTAG is Beastly and your phone will be better than brand new when you get it back - the status of your order won't change until they ship it back (which for me was 7 days), but don't panic (like I did) they are Good & Fast - So relax it cost you $50 & A week, but Hell the phone cost $700 so All Will Soon be well.
Also double check that it was the correct zip files for the Note - I bricked my Skyrocket because I flashed a Note Rom by accident (Thanks JTAG ) - I've got Too Many Samsung Devices - Hope This Helps.
bigdaddy4u said:
I believe the "ONLY" thing you did (wrong?) was the att flash counter zip -Eliminate the Att step - there is a rooting method that does not cause the flash counter to be tripped (i believe it's non touch cwm - then flash the touch cwm - then flash Roms to your Heart's desire) I'm not really sure the flash counter issue really matters - At&t only cares if there is physical damage to the phone because I believe they just re-flash the phone and sell it again.
I'm Mostly responding to say that JTAG is Beastly and your phone will be better than brand new when you get it back - the status of your order won't change until they ship it back (which for me was 7 days), but don't panic (like I did) they are Good & Fast - So relax it cost you $50 & A week, but Hell the phone cost $700 so All Will Soon be well.
Also double check that it was the correct zip files for the Note - I bricked my Skyrocket because I flashed a Note Rom by accident (Thanks JTAG ) - I've got Too Many Samsung Devices - Hope This Helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no issues with MobileTechVideos as I bought one of the first USB jigs when I got my day one Captivate. I am sure it will come back solid.
I did double check that I was using files specific to the Note, but I must say, you Note users have one finicky phone. I will stick with my Skyrocket. I'll look over the instruction for the non counter increasing root in the forums when the phone gets back.
Thanks
You didn't mention if you were able to get back to Clockwork. If you hold volume up and down while pressing power, it takes you straight into Clockwork regardless of the black screen. If so then you aren't bricked. Or if you still want to use Odin, hold volume down and power to get to download mode which is also Odin mode. Did you try these commands using physical button combinations and they did not work? If you didn't try them then you may be spending unnecessary money. If you did try all these things, then maybe you were hard bricked. Of all the Android phones I've owned and I've rooted all of them, I've never been unable to recover. I've only seen one hard brick from a coworker that had a galaxy s on tmobile that would not power on or charge after trying to root.
why did you even need a jig? turn on phone while holding down volume button.
madman604 said:
why did you even need a jig? turn on phone while holding down volume button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. I'm so confused now. Maybe he tried to unbrick it first, then the phone turned hard bricked.
The flash counter is kind of a joke, isn't it? I mean, if the tech is looking to see if you flashed something, he cares that you flashed something, not how many times you flashed it.
I think the jig added another variable to the equation, and was unnecessary. None of the threads for rooting required one.
Also, i'd check to see if a MD5 is available for the files you used for the flash. Check the files you used and see if that was the issue.
If the note is new, and really is hardbricked, he's hopefully within the 30 day window. Just take it back for an exchange and tell them it stopped booting.
There is a thread started by ncoder in the international note general forum that has been near the top for a long time. You are not alone. Samsung actually responded!
Edit: Samsung desperately needs a stock failure. Maybe they would fix your phone for free so they could do a JTAG core dump that matches their sources etc.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
jordant2 said:
You didn't mention if you were able to get back to Clockwork. If you hold volume up and down while pressing power, it takes you straight into Clockwork regardless of the black screen. If so then you aren't bricked. Or if you still want to use Odin, hold volume down and power to get to download mode which is also Odin mode. Did you try these commands using physical button combinations and they did not work? If you didn't try them then you may be spending unnecessary money. If you did try all these things, then maybe you were hard bricked. Of all the Android phones I've owned and I've rooted all of them, I've never been unable to recover. I've only seen one hard brick from a coworker that had a galaxy s on tmobile that would not power on or charge after trying to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would not go into Clockwork Recovery or Odin with any key combination, simply a black screen.
madman604 said:
why did you even need a jig? turn on phone while holding down volume button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jig is much faster, and works everytime, nuff said.
babymatteo said:
+1. I'm so confused now. Maybe he tried to unbrick it first, then the phone turned hard bricked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, started with a working phone and after applying the counter reset, which works beautifully on the SkyRocket BTW, that's when it bricked.
PaulF8080 said:
There is a thread started by ncoder in the international note general forum that has been near the top for a long time. You are not alone. Samsung actually responded!
Edit: Samsung desperately needs a stock failure. Maybe they would fix your phone for free so they could do a JTAG core dump that matches their sources etc.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info.
Jamesyboy said:
The flash counter is kind of a joke, isn't it? I mean, if the tech is looking to see if you flashed something, he cares that you flashed something, not how many times you flashed it.
I think the jig added another variable to the equation, and was unnecessary. None of the threads for rooting required one.
Also, i'd check to see if a MD5 is available for the files you used for the flash. Check the files you used and see if that was the issue.
If the note is new, and really is hardbricked, he's hopefully within the 30 day window. Just take it back for an exchange and tell them it stopped booting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am beginning to agree that the counter seems irrelevant and wholly unnecessary.
Jig simply puts any Samsung phone that is off into Download mode, it is the same as the key combination only easier.
I always check MD5 hashes after I copy to the internal SD card.
I'm with the others on this... Flash counter reset was designed to work on ICS and not GB, I do believe that's where things went bad.
WheresWaldo said:
I am beginning to agree that the counter seems irrelevant and wholly unnecessary.
Jig simply puts any Samsung phone that is off into Download mode, it is the same as the key combination only easier.
I always check MD5 hashes after I copy to the internal SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WheresWaldo said:
Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no clue if the info applies to you. I just was hoping you still had possibly useful data in your phone. Saving face with your cousin was a side benefit.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
the only other step you forgot is to create a backup after flashing cwm
WheresWaldo said:
Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have same problem
WheresWaldo said:
First time I have hard bricked a Samsung phone and would like to know where I went wrong. All we were trying to accomplish was to root the stock rom and change the revovery to CWM Touch. There was no attempt to upgrade to anything other than the stock rom. Here are the steps I followed:
Powered off phone
Inserted USB Jig (which powers on phone in Download Mode)
Started up Odin 1.85
Loaded cwm-touch-i717-120414.tar.md5 in the PDA slot
Plugged in phone (recognized as Com7)
Flashed
Phone rebooted after the flash and I let it sit until it timed out just to make sure everything seemed okay.
Powered off phone
Inserted USB Jig (which powers on phone in Download Mode)
Started up Odin 1.85
Loaded att_note_root.tar in the PDA section
Plugged in phone (recognized as Com7)
Flashed
Phone rebooted after the flash and seemed okay. On this boot a couple of things asked for root permission but I cant remember which apps. I attached the running phone to my computer and connected using USB Mass Storage. I copied flash_counter_reset_att.zip to the root of the SD card. Checked the MD% hash after copying to the phone. I powered off the phone.
Powered on the phone holding the Vol +/Vol-/Power to boot into CWM recovery
Chose install zip from sdcard
Chose install zip from internal sdcard
Chose flash_counter_reset_att.zip
Chose yes to flash
After the flash completed I went back and chose reboot system now
Here is where all hell broke loose. It was just a black screen and not recognizable by Odin. The phone is now on it's way to MobileTechVideos to get JTAG unbricked.
So my big question is what went wrong or what step did I miss?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi all
i have the same problem , i flash a wrong file and phone is hard bricked
now i want to send to MobileTechVideos , i am in Kuwait so my question is
is it safe to send them or any one other in the region to whom i can send?
please suggest me what i should do
My Device is N7000
thanks
deleted...
I was under the impression that the jig didn't work with the note, I recall someone else bricked their phone using one a while back
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
jimmer411 said:
I was under the impression that the jig didn't work with the note, I recall someone else bricked their phone using one a while back
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I have never even read of using a jig except for unbricking. Coincidence maybe but i wouldnt risk it again if you get a replacement
Sent from a big ass phone

Who can fix my hard hard hard bricked s2, $100 for him/her

I have a I9100t, flashed to Ressurection Rom, rooted
It has been stable and smooth for months, one day when I was texting it reboots and stuck at siyah logo screen. I forced turn off and can't be turn on anymore.
Tried usb jib, riff box, 3rd party fix, no luck.
So I am going to get a new phone, just wanna see who is interested to fix this brick, it's in Sydney and the one who is able to fix it I'll pay him/her $100 aud by paypal or cash (if in sydney).
Thank xda genius!
Tried getting a new and full battery and forcing a flash with ODIN with a .PIT etc?
seems such operation won't cause hard brick, try change a battery with full power, change another usb wire
Phone can't be detected by computer even with another stock battery
cimmicola said:
seems such operation won't cause hard brick, try change a battery with full power, change another usb wire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wired change tried
Use another usb port.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
try this -clean install Win 7 and then install drivers and try
Or on your current setup up reboot PC and try again
Can you enter cmw. Do you have backup. If not get someone with s2 to make cwm backup and use or other phone to install it on SD card and restore. I did that once on my x8
Or use cwm to install new siyah kernel cwm zip the same way
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
bombaybadboy said:
Can you enter cmw. Do you have backup. If not get someone with s2 to make cwm backup and use or other phone to install it on SD card and restore. I did that once on my x8
Or use cwm to install new siyah kernel cwm zip the same way
cannot get into cwm recovery, as it cannot be detected from pc or turn on, it doesn't work
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Qwerty123 \m/ said:
try this -clean install Win 7 and then install drivers and try
Or on your current setup up reboot PC and try again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried on xp and 7
ephraim033 said:
Use another usb port.
tried even another pc
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try this and reply back
eminemkh said:
I have a I9100t, flashed to Ressurection Rom, rooted
It has been stable and smooth for months, one day when I was texting it reboots and stuck at siyah logo screen. I forced turn off and can't be turn on anymore.
Tried usb jib, riff box, 3rd party fix, no luck.
So I am going to get a new phone, just wanna see who is interested to fix this brick, it's in Sydney and the one who is able to fix it I'll pay him/her $100 aud by paypal or cash (if in sydney).
Thank xda genius!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
listen and follow carefully (i hope this helps)
1. Remove the battery from your phone
2. With the battery removed , press and hold POWER + VOLUME DOWN + HOME BUTTON.
3. keep holding above mentioned buttons , and have someone else insert the batter for you.
if you see download mode
4. connect to PC and start odin, if detected. FLASH STOCK FIRMWARE.
eminemkh said:
I have a I9100t, flashed to Ressurection Rom, rooted
It has been stable and smooth for months, one day when I was texting it reboots and stuck at siyah logo screen. I forced turn off and can't be turn on anymore.
Tried usb jib, riff box, 3rd party fix, no luck.
So I am going to get a new phone, just wanna see who is interested to fix this brick, it's in Sydney and the one who is able to fix it I'll pay him/her $100 aud by paypal or cash (if in sydney).
Thank xda genius!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your phone is hardbricked, there is not much you can do if you are not able to turn it on at all - not even download mode.
if:
-You can go into download mode and maybe in recovery
-When you try to wipe data in recovery the phone gets stuck and reboots eventually
-Flashing a firmware through odin doesn't do any good even when the flash was a success
-During the Flash through odin it may get stuck at data.img or fastoryfs depending on the firmware you're trying to flash
Then your phone might be soft bricked.
If you can:
-Put your phone into Download Mode
-Flash the modified pit using odin, NOTHING ELSE
-After pit flash, the phone will try to reboot, and will get stuck. Remove the battery
-Go into Download Mode.
-Flash a clean, unmodified, samsung firmware (like KI4) WITHOUT PUTTING ANY PIT FILE
-Reboot in stock recovery, do a factory reset
-Reboot phone
-Format internal sdcard
-You should be good to go
information found at : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1760107
Goodluck
Wouldn't matter if you offered $1,000,000. Only thing that's fixing it is a motherboard/emmc replacement. Absolutely zero chance of fixing it any other way.
denemga said:
If your phone is hardbricked, there is not much you can do if you are not able to turn it on at all - not even download mode.
if:
-You can go into download mode and maybe in recovery
-When you try to wipe data in recovery the phone gets stuck and reboots eventually
-Flashing a firmware through odin doesn't do any good even when the flash was a success
-During the Flash through odin it may get stuck at data.img or fastoryfs depending on the firmware you're trying to flash
Then your phone might be soft bricked.
If you can:
-Put your phone into Download Mode
-Flash the modified pit using odin, NOTHING ELSE
-After pit flash, the phone will try to reboot, and will get stuck. Remove the battery
-Go into Download Mode.
-Flash a clean, unmodified, samsung firmware (like KI4) WITHOUT PUTTING ANY PIT FILE
-Reboot in stock recovery, do a factory reset
-Reboot phone
-Format internal sdcard
-You should be good to go
information found at : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1760107
Goodluck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can't go to download mode by battery out-in three button trick...
salmanslick said:
listen and follow carefully (i hope this helps)
1. Remove the battery from your phone
2. With the battery removed , press and hold POWER + VOLUME DOWN + HOME BUTTON.
3. keep holding above mentioned buttons , and have someone else insert the batter for you.
if you see download mode
4. connect to PC and start odin, if detected. FLASH STOCK FIRMWARE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the three button trick... tried:crying:
I thought my t989 was done for!
mobiletechvideos.com
Fixed it in 1 day
Sent from my SGH-T999 using XDA Premium HD app
MistahBungle said:
Wouldn't matter if you offered $1,000,000. Only thing that's fixing it is a motherboard/emmc replacement. Absolutely zero chance of fixing it any other way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
If a JIG doesn't get your phone to DL mode, all is left is a JTAG.
Perhaps somehow the eMMC got affected by the MMC_CAP_ERASE command even though it's disabled in Siyah...
1.Youve tried everything...and nothing.
2.Mistahbungle has hit the nail on the head-read and digest.
3.Why throw more good money after bad.
4.Cut your losses and stick it on eBay(eg theres a bird on there wanting £250 for a phone maybe same problem as yours lol).
Sent from my GT-I9100
Phistachio said:
This.
If a JIG doesn't get your phone to DL mode, all is left is a JTAG.
Perhaps somehow the eMMC got affected by the MMC_CAP_ERASE command even though it's disabled in Siyah...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
theunderling said:
1.Youve tried everything...and nothing.
2.Mistahbungle has hit the nail on the head-read and digest.
3.Why throw more good money after bad.
4.Cut your losses and stick it on eBay(eg theres a bird on there wanting £250 for a phone maybe same problem as yours lol).
Sent from my GT-I9100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably I would try the mobile tech.. In sydney I tried two shops, one called MPR, another is Xtreme communication.
Time to announce the winner: one of my friend is working in Vodafone dealer shop sent it to Samsung Warranty and post as outright phone from his shop with extension warranty (dunno how he did it anyway).
The phone came back clean, replace external case (which has no problem) and main board.
$100 to him =]

My galaxy won't turn on- Optimist

Ok guys so something really weird happens to me.
1st details about my i9100
Rom: pilotx rom jb 2.3 ,works like 3 weeks.
Lately I had a lot of screen freezes and stucks.
So I just wanted to backup the system before I flash a new rom
Entered to rom manager pro and click backup.
That's it my phone try to restart himself and what's comes it just a weird flickering lights on the screen.
What did I try:
Hard reset with long press home+power= try to restart- this time Samsung logo shows at first and after same weird flickering lights
Recovery= can't access
Download mode= ok
Also try 2 take out the battery for 5 minutes= nothing!!
Have to bold that I have this brick bug so...
Thanks for all of you...
You say you can get into Download mode?
So flash with Odin a non emmc bug firmware. Am I wrong?
liransh said:
Ok guys so something really weird happens to me.
1st details about my i9100
Rom: pilotx rom jb 2.3 ,works like 3 weeks.
Lately I had a lot of screen freezes and stucks.
So I just wanted to backup the system before I flash a new rom
Entered to rom manager pro and click backup.
That's it my phone try to restart himself and what's comes it just a weird flickering lights on the screen.
What did I try:
Hard reset with long press home+power= try to restart- this time Samsung logo shows at first and after same weird flickering lights
Recovery= can't access
Download mode= ok
Also try 2 take out the battery for 5 minutes= nothing!!
Have to bold that I have this brick bug so...
Thanks for all of you...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know for sure that you have the insane chip (it's a piece of HW) ?
Try to get in touch with mobile through Odin PC before you begin to cry
If success getting access through Odin, then try to flash a stock 4.0.3 firmware.
If you still can't flash it properly AND you indeed have the eMMC bug ... you might still be able to flash stock 4.0.3 firmware at the cost of some lost SD memory (search XDA ...)
Odin doesn't recognize my device, so I am afraid that I have this brick bug...
So how exactly I going to flash the stock rom
liransh said:
Odin doesn't recognize my device, so I am afraid that I have this brick bug...
So how exactly I going to flash the stock rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get into Download Mode but Odin doesn`t recognize your phone?
Have you installed the USB Drivers?
Scarface1991 said:
You can get into Download Mode but Odin doesn`t recognize your phone?
Have you installed the USB Drivers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thing I have them cause I have kies
liransh said:
I thing I have them cause I have kies
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can get into Download Mode then:
- Disconnect phones USB cable
- Kill any KIES process
- Start Odin
- Restart phone and go into Download Mode
- Connect cable
- Wait a minutes until Odin show it is connected
- Flash away
On XDA there is a lot of guides showing how to do this
This one might help you Fix an unflashable or soft bricked GSII :good:
It's NAND rw corruption, you don't have a kernel what can perform read/write action, you have formatted /system. Find Phistachio guide how to recover your phone. Good luck.
P.S. I've got same trouble :'(
liransh said:
Ok guys so something really weird happens to me.
1st details about my i9100
Rom: pilotx rom jb 2.3 ,works like 3 weeks.
Lately I had a lot of screen freezes and stucks.
So I just wanted to backup the system before I flash a new rom
Entered to rom manager pro and click backup.
That's it my phone try to restart himself and what's comes it just a weird flickering lights on the screen.
What did I try:
Hard reset with long press home+power= try to restart- this time Samsung logo shows at first and after same weird flickering lights
Recovery= can't access
Download mode= ok
Also try 2 take out the battery for 5 minutes= nothing!!
Have to bold that I have this brick bug so...
Thanks for all of you...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK you cant use Rom Manager on our GS2 so sounds like you tried to flash a kernel via it first and now system wont boot.
Just simply go into download mode and flash latest Siyah kernel and it should boot after that.
bkjugg said:
It's NAND rw corruption, you don't have a kernel what can perform read/write action, you have formatted /system. Find Phistachio guide how to recover your phone. Good luck.
P.S. I've got same trouble :'(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bkjugg tnx,
I use the pistachio guide as u said and now my phone back to live....
I really afraid of this brick bug...I just download the "got brick bug" app and its says that my phone is known to have the brick bug.

[Q] Symptons of SdS

Hello friends,
I have a Galaxy S3 - i9300 and it seems that I was luck enough to get a good half sds, I am no expert so I can be sure of nothing...
Here are the symptoms:
In the last weeks I had a few resets and freezes but they were so unnusual that I simply did not care.
My S3 is 4.0.4 if I am not wrong, I only rooted it after buying back on september 2012 and did not update afterwards.
Overnight something happened to my phone, when I woke up it was in a constant loop: the "Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300" kept appearing and disappearing over and over again.
Sometimes it goes beyond that message up to the classic "Samsung" animation but then the company name keeps shinning and nothing else happens.
I can get to clockwork recovery mode, but once it starts I get a few messages telling me that it cannot mount /cache and another one telling me it cannot open /cache.
I can navigate through all menus of recovery mode but all "format" options seems to freeze the phone, I can get to download mode without any issues.
By using Download mode + Odin I tried to install a Stock ROM I got from Sammobile, in fact I tried 3 different roms, all of them seem to get stuck at "Write NAND". During the "Writing NAND" my phone shows the classic blue progress bar completly full but I get no update from neither Odin or my phone.
It's curious to note that the bar get instantly to 100%.
I tried using GT-I9300_mx_20120220.pit / GT-I9300_mx_20120329.pit and desperatly mx.pit All of them got perfectly applied to my phone but did not help.
Yes, I tried to install all 3 roms after each .pit change and I did restart my computer.
No Kies proccesses were running during any of these steps I have taken.
I am desperate.
Not "Oh my god what should I do with my life" desperate. Something more like "My freacking 500 bucks!!"
I dont know if that is allowed or not but I am willing to donate a beer or two to whoever helps me recover my phone. If the person would prefer charity I can buy and donate some clothes to some local institution and send a picture of my action taken with my recovered phone xD
Thank You in advance.
If you have not flashed anything besides OFFICIAL ROMs (I.E: CF-Root or similar) that increases your binary counter (red little mark on the left top corner of screen) yo haven't voided your warranty, so you can send it back to Samsung tecchies
worf_1977 said:
If you have not flashed anything besides OFFICIAL ROMs (I.E: CF-Root or similar) that increases your binary counter (red little mark on the left top corner of screen) yo haven't voided your warranty, so you can send it back to Samsung tecchies
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, my counter is actually on five, I do recall in my "Hey, a new toy!" week I have tried different custom firmwares but then I got all crazy about it and got back to a Official ROM, the counter was already on 5 by the time I returned to stock, if I somehow get samsung to take my phone I don`t believe they would take my word and restore my phone, nor I can prove to anyone that its a stock ROM that I have on it...
Anyway, I will try to contact Samsung tomorrow but my phone is the internacional one, I bought it in the USA but I live in Brazil... I am not counting on their support and my counter does me no good on that quest...
EDIT:
My custom recovery is, by what I can see, not formatting my internal SD, but maybe, just maybe, I can prove I was using a Stock ROM if they look at my files... Or even better, my phone did daily backups to dropbox using Titanium Backup, sure there is something there that proves that my firmware was a official one...
Who am I kidding, this is not a court...
Mortar2142 said:
Hello friends,
I have a Galaxy S3 - i9300 and it seems that I was luck enough to get a good half sds, I am no expert so I can be sure of nothing...
Here are the symptoms:
In the last weeks I had a few resets and freezes but they were so unnusual that I simply did not care.
My S3 is 4.0.4 if I am not wrong, I only rooted it after buying back on september 2012 and did not update afterwards.
Overnight something happened to my phone, when I woke up it was in a constant loop: the "Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300" kept appearing and disappearing over and over again.
Sometimes it goes beyond that message up to the classic "Samsung" animation but then the company name keeps shinning and nothing else happens.
I can get to clockwork recovery mode, but once it starts I get a few messages telling me that it cannot mount /cache and another one telling me it cannot open /cache.
I can navigate through all menus of recovery mode but all "format" options seems to freeze the phone, I can get to download mode without any issues.
By using Download mode + Odin I tried to install a Stock ROM I got from Sammobile, in fact I tried 3 different roms, all of them seem to get stuck at "Write NAND". During the "Writing NAND" my phone shows the classic blue progress bar completly full but I get no update from neither Odin or my phone.
It's curious to note that the bar get instantly to 100%.
I tried using GT-I9300_mx_20120220.pit / GT-I9300_mx_20120329.pit and desperatly mx.pit All of them got perfectly applied to my phone but did not help.
Yes, I tried to install all 3 roms after each .pit change and I did restart my computer.
No Kies proccesses were running during any of these steps I have taken.
I am desperate.
Not "Oh my god what should I do with my life" desperate. Something more like "My freacking 500 bucks!!"
I dont know if that is allowed or not but I am willing to donate a beer or two to whoever helps me recover my phone. If the person would prefer charity I can buy and donate some clothes to some local institution and send a picture of my action taken with my recovered phone xD
Thank You in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, afaik about sds, you can't get into recovery or download mode at all...
Looks like you've tried all options, it could be bootloader related...idk its worth a try.
Try flashing this through cwm: Click Me
masterex567 said:
Hmm, afaik about sds, you can't get into recovery or download mode at all...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not necessarily
masterex567 said:
Hmm, afaik about sds, you can't get into recovery or download mode at all...
Looks like you've tried all options, it could be bootloader related...idk its worth a try.
Try flashing this through cwm: Click Me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To do this I would have to get access to the internal sd to copy that file, if my phone wont go past boot how could I do that?
Mortar2142 said:
To do this I would have to get access to the internal sd to copy that file, if my phone wont go past boot how could I do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get your external sd card, and use a micro-sd card adapter to copy the file over..
masterex567 said:
Hmm, afaik about sds, you can't get into recovery or download mode at all...
Looks like you've tried all options, it could be bootloader related...idk its worth a try.
Try flashing this through cwm: Click Me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
masterex567 said:
Get your external sd card, and use a micro-sd card adapter to copy the file over..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, just tried it:
I got again to cwm without any issues, selected "install zip from sdcard", then "choose zip from sdcard".
It started to update, and then a bunch of fast messages and REBOOT, it all happens pretty fast after the "Update in process" appear.
Mortar2142 said:
Ok, just tried it:
I got again to cwm without any issues, selected "install zip from sdcard", then "choose zip from sdcard".
It started to update, and then a bunch of fast messages and REBOOT, it all happens pretty fast after the "Update in process" appear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, you mean it starts the "Optimizing apps" message?
Did you try restoring your efs backup?
Check in ur ext sd card if you have an efs backup...
masterex567 said:
Wait, you mean it starts the "Optimizing apps" message?
Did you try restoring your efs backup?
Check in ur ext sd card if you have an efs backup...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry, the message I am talking about is within the cwm. If I got the optimizing apps message I would be in a bar celebrating...
My phone does not have external sd card, I just used my roommate one to try this.
Another curious fact, I cannot access my INTERNAL sd card, every time I try to navigate its folders to search for a zip file I get a freeze and the reboot cycle starts again, just like when I try to format cache or do a factory reset...
I am starting to think this may be an internal sd problem...
Mortar2142 said:
I am sorry, the message I am talking about is within the cwm. If I got the optimizing apps message I would be in a bar celebrating...
My phone does not have external sd card, I just used my roommate one to try this.
Another curious fact, I cannot access my INTERNAL sd card, every time I try to navigate its folders to search for a zip file I get a freeze and the reboot cycle starts again, just like when I try to format cache or do a factory reset...
I am starting to think this may be an internal sd problem...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm...
Yes, it is probably a internal memory problem..
because, your odin stops at writing nand, well best solution is to take it up to sammy.
masterex567 said:
Hmm...
Yes, it is probably a internal memory problem..
because, your odin stops at writing nand, well best solution is to take it up to sammy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the best solution but not the ideal... Lets wait up and see if someones come with a super efficient solution, in the meantime I will try finding any local assistance that may solve my problem.

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