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So maybe the question from the title is a little bit unclear.
The problem that i had with my phone is that one day, i got a message that a new android version appeared(4.1.2)...and obviously i clicked to download it. After the download and install when it was time to enter in my new version, a screen where a password was required appeared, saying something that my phone is encrypted, and a pass is needed to make i work...Problem is that i didn't have a previous password...
So anyway i restarted the phone...and android didn't even brought me to that screen...it just wouldn't load...So i decided to take matters in my own hands (not the best decision i made that day)...
I searched online how to do that...i found about odin..installed it ...and then tried to install android...Problem is that odin gave me errors when trying to upload the kit or something (i was in download mode with the phone)..when odin gave errors i either disconected the cable from the phone, or in some cases i got pissed off and removed the battery...
My question is...could i have broken my phone permanently by doing that ? Like i don't know...in a way..that neither an expert could fix it?
Thanks
You can scramble the NAND so badly it has to be replaced if a flash goes bad/you flash something you shouldn't be flashing (or if you do dopey things like pull a USB cable in the middle of a flash), and the way that's done is by replacing the motherboard, so you can certainly cause damage that costs money to repair, but it can pretty much always be repaired one way or another.
I seriously doubt you could bork a phone completely beyond all repair via firmware/software & without physically damaging components.
No physical damage was made to the phone...
Assuming all the alien language things that you said ...so the worst case scenario...do you have any idea how much a new motherboard would cost?
Varies widely depending on country/how much labor costs in your country. Samsung don't sell new motherboards on their own, you can either pay an authorised service centre to put a new one in (most expensive option, you normally keep your existing IMEI), or you can get a 2nd hand board from a broken/'donor' phone (How much you'll pay for one again highly variable depending on how much someone wants for their busted phone, search eBay/Google) & either swap it into your phone yourself, or if you're not confident with that sort of thing pay a local mobile repair shop to swap the boards for you (least expensive option, your IMEI will change to that of the phone the board came from).
Edit - If what I said in my PP was 'alien', I'd suggest you shouldn't have been messing with your phone in the first place & should probably avoid same when you get it fixed as well.
Teshte said:
So maybe the question from the title is a little bit unclear.
The problem that i had with my phone is that one day, i got a message that a new android version appeared(4.1.2)...and obviously i clicked to download it. After the download and install when it was time to enter in my new version, a screen where a password was required appeared, saying something that my phone is encrypted, and a pass is needed to make i work...Problem is that i didn't have a previous password...
So anyway i restarted the phone...and android didn't even brought me to that screen...it just wouldn't load...So i decided to take matters in my own hands (not the best decision i made that day)...
I searched online how to do that...i found about odin..installed it ...and then tried to install android...Problem is that odin gave me errors when trying to upload the kit or something (i was in download mode with the phone)..when odin gave errors i either disconected the cable from the phone, or in some cases i got pissed off and removed the battery...
My question is...could i have broken my phone permanently by doing that ? Like i don't know...in a way..that neither an expert could fix it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long story short, Yes your device could be "Broken" in such a way that the only option is to replace the motherboard. You atleast tried reading and doing something, dude there are several thread regarding this matter try different strategies, try out your luck, ask questions, but don't get your hopes too high.
Sorry pal, I wish you the best of all the luck in this tiny planet of ours.
Edit : sorry I was too late, I actually started the reply almost after you posted it but I went away had a coffee then completed it.
Edit: lol to actually make a phone completely unrecoverable you might need a sledgehammer, no software related issue in the world can completely damage an electronic device(unless that software was related to triggering a nuke).
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
If you are like me and can not get fastboot or recovery, you can only get into APX mode. If you want to get your device back running there is a way. There are two items you will need.
#1 a case opening tool
#2 a TF201 motherboard
First you should search around to purchase
Asus Transformer Prime TF201 Tablet Motherboard 0K0AMBA000 69NAZAM19B05 <-- that is the motherboard
Then purchase a case opening tool and watch the videos on opening the prime, it is not that hard and takes less than 5min easy.
Then swap out your old board for the one you purchased and power it up.
I did this to mine I was backup in less than 30min.
Just watch lots of videos so you are familiar with the inner parts of the 201.
I hope this helps some of you, hit me up with any questions....
Like you I also hard bricked my prime. I have taken the leap and purchased a replacement board, just wondering if it was as simple as replacing the board and booting up and you are then back to where you left off, ROM/setting wise. Or was a re flash of some sort required??
diggzzy said:
Like you I also hard bricked my prime. I have taken the leap and purchased a replacement board, just wondering if it was as simple as replacing the board and booting up and you are then back to where you left off, ROM/setting wise. Or was a re flash of some sort required??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question and I was worried about that as well. I bought my MB from a ebay seller that had a bunch and said tested. What I was told is the OS is already installed on the board, so I felt less worried that this will turn out to be a big job.
I cracked the case open.
Removed the ribbon cables that go to the display.
Removed the battery
Removed the MB
Re installed in reverse order and powered it up before closing case.
I will make a recommendation to anyone selling their units with bad screen/digitizer. Do whatever you have to to wipe the device or change all your passwords. The unit I got powered up with ICS and had the pas owners pic and files on it. It even had a the lock screen pattern enabled. I did one quick swipe and it opened I was surprised he made it so simple?
I looked around to see if there was any files I thought he might need and I was going to email him a copy, since I had all his login info for his gmail. There was nothing, just lots of porn so I wiped it.
So in a quick answer it's just a swap and power up.
copc said:
Good question and I was worried about that as well. I bought my MB from a ebay seller that had a bunch and said tested. What I was told is the OS is already installed on the board, so I felt less worried that this will turn out to be a big job.
I cracked the case open.
Removed the ribbon cables that go to the display.
Removed the battery
Removed the MB
Re installed in reverse order and powered it up before closing case.
I will make a recommendation to anyone selling their units with bad screen/digitizer. Do whatever you have to to wipe the device or change all your passwords. The unit I got powered up with ICS and had the pas owners pic and files on it. It even had a the lock screen pattern enabled. I did one quick swipe and it opened I was surprised he made it so simple?
I looked around to see if there was any files I thought he might need and I was going to email him a copy, since I had all his login info for his gmail. There was nothing, just lots of porn so I wiped it.
So in a quick answer it's just a swap and power up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I lol'ed hard "There was nothing, just lots of porn so I wiped it."
Thanks for the info, i'll post with how I get on, once the new board arrives.. I'm waiting with baited breath!
diggzzy said:
I lol'ed hard "There was nothing, just lots of porn so I wiped it."
Thanks for the info, i'll post with how I get on, once the new board arrives.. I'm waiting with baited breath!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, my wife was so freaked that the person sold his prime without wiping the data. I tried to explain to her that his digitizer/screen was bad so there was no easy way to do that.
I just could not believe I got the pattern code on the first try.
hi, thanks for the post but do you know where i can buy the motherboard? (can't find one)
also i can't access the APX mode is it a problem ?
barto93 said:
hi, thanks for the post but do you know where i can buy the motherboard? (can't find one)
also i can't access the APX mode is it a problem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best bet is to search ebay / amazon.. Motherboards are pretty hard to find as there are not a lot around. It took me a couple of days of consistently searching ebay to find one.
barto93 said:
hi, thanks for the post but do you know where i can buy the motherboard? (can't find one)
also i can't access the APX mode is it a problem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can't get into APX you might have other issues. MB are out there, not saying you will find tons nor everyday.
copc said:
If you can't get into APX you might have other issues. MB are out there, not saying you will find tons nor everyday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Allright i'll keep searching, thanks
Purchased a used Nexus 9 on Ebay factory reconditioned.
Unit's arrived with someone's email info associated with it.
Factory reset within Android seems to do not much of anything, I haven't done anything in recovery yet as I read that might require the registered owner's password.
Tried to unlock the bootloader so I could flash a fresh image but getting that permission is denied
What steps do I need to take to remove the other user, make myself the owner, unlock the bootloader, and rid myself of them? I'm about to email the person who's listed as the owner and see if they're willing to help in the event I need them to do something
Thanks!
What happens when you remove their email from Accounts in settings?
Sent from my XT1528
mildlydisturbed said:
Purchased a used Nexus 9 on Ebay factory reconditioned.
Unit's arrived with someone's email info associated with it.
Factory reset within Android seems to do not much of anything, I haven't done anything in recovery yet as I read that might require the registered owner's password.
Tried to unlock the bootloader so I could flash a fresh image but getting that permission is denied
What steps do I need to take to remove the other user, make myself the owner, unlock the bootloader, and rid myself of them? I'm about to email the person who's listed as the owner and see if they're willing to help in the event I need them to do something
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a new security feature in 5.1. You either need to get the former owner's username and password, or return it for a refund.
Ace42 said:
What happens when you remove their email from Accounts in settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I recall it didn't let me
cam30era said:
That's a new security feature in 5.1. You either need to get the former owner's username and password, or return it for a refund.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's running 5.0.1
Just talked with Google support - man they're easy to contact as a note. He said since 5.0.x didn't have the feature that locks the username and password in through a HBoot factory reset so to try it there. I'm at minute 9 of waiting for the thing to reboot to see if it worked or if it's going to ask me for a password.
We shall see however
After two hours it didn't boot. Got into recovery, factory reset doesn't seem to work, plenty of errors about trying to delete folders.
Took Google's suggestion and downloaded an image that was still in the 5.0.x range and tried flashing it ... get nothing but errors PU-FAIL
Noticed the hboot version number was for the WiFi, was sold it as an LTE/CDMA... downloaded the correct WiFi-only stuff, flashing fails.
It updates BCM, then PU-FAIL and something else on everything else.
Unit doesn't boot any more.. just sits at the spinning balls screen.
Think I got a lemon...
Managed to get it to mostly flash 5.0.2 - first part flashes fine, second part fails on .sig missing, extracted and flashed everything individually - cache failed a few times, few times it flashed fine, always throws up errors in recovery that it can't write it.
I'm beginning the believe the unit was refurbed and they missed a bad EMMC
mildlydisturbed said:
Managed to get it to mostly flash 5.0.2 - first part flashes fine, second part fails on .sig missing, extracted and flashed everything individually - cache failed a few times, few times it flashed fine, always throws up errors in recovery that it can't write it.
I'm beginning the believe the unit was refurbed and they missed a bad EMMC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Return it. Never buy electronics on ebay...there is no official warranty and after 60 days, the buyer protection of paypal terminates so you have no leverage with the seller in case of problems. Also, seller refurbished items are the worst as they repair things with no finesse and dont usually do a very good job of diagnosing the issue or replace with cheap parts. I have a lot of experience in refurbishing as I am a Samsung trained technician that works for a major Canadian retailer that has licensed repair centers across the country. I often try to make money on the side by buying broken Samsung phones and tablets and going through official channels to get replacement parts. Official replacement parts are more expensive but I get them at wholesale cost. What I have learned in my years of dealing with replacement parts is that a lot of those that use chinese replacement parts often end up with more problems than they had...you often see that in screen replacements, some of the quickest and high profit margins, using chinese parts will leave you with problems such as undercalibrated screens, low precision digitizers, backlight bleeding, and such. eBay is the biggest market for those parts and a high percentage of sellers on these channels make a living off those repairs. In any case, bad idea.
Yup, initiated a return. Wasn't what I ordered (ordered LTE/CDMA version, got WiFi), bad EMMC. as far as I can tell - I can flash 5.0.2 but always getting cache errors on clear and never able to do anything.
After a few more flashing experiences I found that I had about a 90% chance of successfully flashing a partition and about a 70% chance of getting into recovery.
These of course should have been 100%.
Thing's boxed up, sitting with a return label on it in the outgoing mailbox at work. Ah well, was interesting being a nexus owner if only for a couple of days
So, I've successfully ruined my phone...
I did this more times but I could get it back to work, I always enjoyed getting a new ROM on my phone, however i managed boldly to delete the complete freakin' OS using TWRP.
I tried odinning it back to work, but i gave up after several hours, maybe days...
Now the problem: I could use Samsung Smart Switch, but I don't have the box and... I have taken the little sticker down from behind the battery, and now I dont have the IMEI number... I know, I couldn't have mistaken any worse, but I did.
So is there any way to gather the number?
May I contact the seller? It's not dependant unfortunately.
The only thing I have is the phone itself.
Please, if you have a solution, anything, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Zalán
update: I know the IMEI number from Google Dashboard, is there a way to derive the serial number from it?
Dear all,
I've bought a second hand zenfone 8 flip. After Hard Reset I have to enter the old PIN to continue. The problem is the seller doesn't have the PIN and is not willing to take the phone back. ASUS is not willing to help because I bought it second hand.
I already flashed with raw firmware, and did a hard reset. The screen shows /data and /metadata are formatted but this is still coming up.
Any ideas?
You buy it with a MC or Visa?
Have the bank do a charge back... and return it.
Buy from trusted vendors always and only.
You can try something sent here: [Android][Guide]Hacking And Bypassing Android Password/Pattern/Face/PI | XDA Forums (xda-developers.com)
However. if none of them works you're locked out and you need the PIN of the previous possessor.
Haven't had that with my zenfone 8.
Thanks a lot!
Will give it a try.
Tried all of the methods without success.
Also tried "sudo fastboot -w" with result "erase not possible device locked"
It seems like there is some kind of the that prevents using the fone after hard/factory reset without the old pin.
One can see a lock on the top left during the setup process after factory reset.
Just strange enough my zenfone 8 didn't have that.
Any other ideas
Google it. I see a bunch of potential fixes when I do...
Any solutions beyond what you already got here will likely violate XDA's forum rules. Lots of stolen devices out there and XDA doesn't support that type of hacking. Not saying you stole it or that it was stolen, but you can see the problem this presents.
The real issue is with the vendor, personally I make them eat the device up their backside. Don't make this mistake again as you are part of the problem. Buy from trusted vendors only and always use a MC or Visa card to pay for it. Cover your six.
As I always used CM, Lineageos or other custom roms on used phones I never encountered FRP before. Thank You for the hint.
You are also right that this is strange behaviour from the seller.
As there seems to be no possibility to unlock like ZF8 I will try to return the phone although it is really nice.
Thank You for Your help