How to brick an android tablet - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

hi folks, so I recently smashed my tablet screen lcd while playing soccer and now certain parts of the display are unresponsive. As the tablet has no more warranty and there is no point for me to repair it since it is a old model, I want to render it completely dead.
However, i have to return it back, and hence i do not want to mess with it physically like taking it apart and doing anything. I want to completely HARD brick it. I need to do this as I have some really important personal and work (business) information on it. I do not want it to be able to boot up or ever be recovered. Essentially, I want a paperweight. My Tablet is the Lenovo TB3-710F (Tab 3 7 Essential). It is unrooted and is running Android 5.0. I have already enabled usb debugging, unlocked the bootloader and tried the following.
1. flashed a boot.img not meant for the tablet
2. flashed a radio.img not meant for the tablet
3. tried using fastboot erase bootloader in adb. (command was unknown and failed)
4. tried using fastboot erase aboot, fastboot erase boot in adb.(commands were unknown and failed)
However, none of the methods that I have tried seem to brick the device. Does anyone know of the easiest and most efficient way of bricking this tablet that I have? Thanks!

sixzoseven said:
hi folks, so I recently smashed my tablet screen lcd while playing soccer and now certain parts of the display are unresponsive. As the tablet has no more warranty and there is no point for me to repair it since it is a old model, I want to render it completely dead. Like I want to completely HARD brick it. I need to do this as I have some really important personal and work (business) information on it. I do not want it to be able to boot up or ever be recovered. Essentially, I want a paperweight. My Tablet is the Lenovo TB3-710F (Tab 3 7 Essential). It is unrooted and is running Android 5.0. I have ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just have to burn your device , get some fuel , some matches and BOOOOOOOM ! ( Never do this , the battery may explode and seriously harm you )
Before opening up your device , make some search on how to do it properly, because it can be dangerous.
More seriously, if you don't want anyone to know what on your internal memory, (before doing this you can get your SD card out of the tablet if you have one) open up your device ( do it carefully , remove all screws and take care of your device, the battery can be really harmful if you break it )
Then remove all other hardware pieces carefully and brake them in two parts .
Those can be recycled so don't put them to the trash immediately , make some search if your country provide recycling solution.
Hope this isn't stupid , if someone has a reason not to do that , feel free to explain why it's stupid and maybe give an alternative solution

Takes maybe 10-15 mins to disassemble a tablet, you just want to damage the motherboard so remove the battery for a start get the mobo out and if you are really paranoid use a heat gun on the chips for around 45-60 seconds directly per chip the solder joints will melt easily as it's only tin solder. Chips will be rendered useless if the heat didn't destroy then being separated from the board did

RaiZProduction said:
You just have to burn your device , get some fuel , some matches and BOOOOOOOM ! ( Never do this , the battery may explode and seriously harm you )
Before opening up your device , make some search on how to do it properly, because it can be dangerous.
More seriously, if you don't want anyone to know what on your internal memory, (before doing this you can get your SD card out of the tablet if you have one) open up your device ( do it carefully , remove all screws and take care of your device, the battery can be really harmful if you break it )
Then remove all other hardware pieces carefully and brake them in two parts .
Those can be recycled so don't put them to the trash immediately , make some search if your country provide recycling solution.
Hope this isn't stupid , if someone has a reason not to do that , feel free to explain why it's stupid and maybe give an alternative solution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your suggestion! Sorry I wasnt clear in my post but I do not want to destroy it in any way physically as I have to return it and hence I do not want to take it apart. (i have edited my post already)

TonyUK1985 said:
Takes maybe 10-15 mins to disassemble a tablet, you just want to damage the motherboard so remove the battery for a start get the mobo out and if you are really paranoid use a heat gun on the chips for around 45-60 seconds directly per chip the solder joints will melt easily as it's only tin solder. Chips will be rendered useless if the heat didn't destroy then being separated from the board did
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your suggestion! Sorry I wasnt clear in my post but I do not want to destroy it physically as I need to return it.

Related

[Q] Xperia x10 motherboard problem

The problem:-
1- restarts many times.
2-randomly shut down when i open Wi-Fi or apps or use it for more than 5 mins.
3-can't turn on sometimes and can't turn on using charger , only pc companion.
4-Burning Smell.
i know there's another thread talks about this problem but pleaese it's a serious common problem , i bought the mobile yesterday and i can't replace it , i've seen this post in SE forms : -
............................................................................................................
It cost about more than 2 hours,and i sat near the engineer looked at what he was doing,everything.
1. He said before this one,he has fix 4 x10 with the same problem.He checked my phone and told me he must take the phone to parts,i agreeed.
2.The restart problem is neither a software problem nor briefly hardware problem.The reason most likely is welding procedure .Between X10's CPU and the chassis on the M/B there is no bayonet(i'm not sure it's the right word), so the closeness of them only depends on colophony(another word i use google to translate it) and solder (the third one).He said when x10 is koncked or bumped,fissure or something others may appear,and when CPU runs at a high level,the ammeter shows a number above 200mA,you can think its fever.Because goods expand with heat and contract with cold,here comes the flexibility.It may influence the contact between cpu and chassis.So the restart happens. He get the CPU off M/B,clear and rebuilt solder on them very carefully,and packed everything back.THIS COST TWO HOURS.
3.When parts became back to a phone,I push sim card,sd card back,truned it on,it booted successed.Then i run the Backup and Restore app,no problem.Before repaired erverytime i run it, the phone restarted.view www web use the brower by 3G, opened servel windows,no problem;Played Asphalt 5 for 10 mins,the phone became hot,still no problem.So i paid for it and left.That cost fuxk 500RMB,nearly 100$!!!!!!!!!!
4.When the engineer was soleing it, i talked to him,he said G7 also has a lot of problem,G7 use the smae CPU as x10,it also may restart.
............................................................................................................
anyone tried this?????
please if anyone has fixed this problem (i know i can change the motherboard but it cost alot , I need Electric solve) . and it's not a software problem at all and n ot in the battry .
this is the best forms for PPC's so i don't have to post this in every site so better sign up and replay please maybe someone can help...
64 views and no answer -,-
and btw the phone works well when it's cold but it shut down when it's worm or using Wi-Fi or Calling . so to re-operate it you need to put it in air conditioner then but the battery back and switch on
So far no problem.
By the way the phone had no warranty?
yea , i bought it used and it looks that someone bought it from china and sell it here so the warranty doesn't cover my country.
thanx for telling me that x10 doesn't have another factory problems.
i send it today to one of those small repair places , they said the IC's are burned because of short circuit or something like that so we'll see what will happen tomorrow.
it cost me around 100$ but it doesn't matter as long it work.
sorry to say it but you buy cheap, you get cheap. might have to shell out for some repair work or ditch it and buy a new one. hard luck man.
hemo1001 said:
The problem:-
1- restarts many times.
2-randomly shut down when i open Wi-Fi or apps or use it for more than 5 mins.
3-can't turn on sometimes and can't turn on using charger , only pc companion.
4-Burning Smell.
i know there's another thread talks about this problem but pleaese it's a serious common problem , i bought the mobile yesterday and i can't replace it , i've seen this post in SE forms : -
............................................................................................................
It cost about more than 2 hours,and i sat near the engineer looked at what he was doing,everything.
1. He said before this one,he has fix 4 x10 with the same problem.He checked my phone and told me he must take the phone to parts,i agreeed.
2.The restart problem is neither a software problem nor briefly hardware problem.The reason most likely is welding procedure .Between X10's CPU and the chassis on the M/B there is no bayonet(i'm not sure it's the right word), so the closeness of them only depends on colophony(another word i use google to translate it) and solder (the third one).He said when x10 is koncked or bumped,fissure or something others may appear,and when CPU runs at a high level,the ammeter shows a number above 200mA,you can think its fever.Because goods expand with heat and contract with cold,here comes the flexibility.It may influence the contact between cpu and chassis.So the restart happens. He get the CPU off M/B,clear and rebuilt solder on them very carefully,and packed everything back.THIS COST TWO HOURS.
3.When parts became back to a phone,I push sim card,sd card back,truned it on,it booted successed.Then i run the Backup and Restore app,no problem.Before repaired erverytime i run it, the phone restarted.view www web use the brower by 3G, opened servel windows,no problem;Played Asphalt 5 for 10 mins,the phone became hot,still no problem.So i paid for it and left.That cost fuxk 500RMB,nearly 100$!!!!!!!!!!
4.When the engineer was soleing it, i talked to him,he said G7 also has a lot of problem,G7 use the smae CPU as x10,it also may restart.
............................................................................................................
anyone tried this?????
please if anyone has fixed this problem (i know i can change the motherboard but it cost alot , I need Electric solve) . and it's not a software problem at all and n ot in the battry .
this is the best forms for PPC's so i don't have to post this in every site so better sign up and replay please maybe someone can help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my friend I am sorry but there is no quick fix for something like this. To repair SMT type circuit boards you need a clean room environment and also some very expensive equipment. My advice is to get a new handset, there are a few people on here that need some parts for their phones and you can off set the cost of a new handset that way.
thanx for the advice , i'll replace it with one that works and with a warranty . this will be my last time buying cheap S***, i really like it and i hope they release android 2.0 soon for it.
hemo1001 said:
thanx for the advice , i'll replace it with one that works and with a warranty . this will be my last time buying cheap S***, i really like it and i hope they release android 2.0 soon for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said there are people who need parts, so it will not be a total loss!
where are you located? I need a few bits.
Tomorrow i'll sell it with around 150 dollar, i'll replace it with another X10 but with WARRANTY this time
just found this thread and it seems to describe my problem with my x10. If the crashing is heat related would using a cpu underclock help?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=831658 for more info
my phone doesnt charge the battery, but charging animation is playing, gave to service centre,they told motherboard replacement,but that told we dont do for the handsets without warranty.... pls help how can i sort this prob.
I don't agree with the first post, I had this problem too, and the problem was bad, but as soon I as I flashed with the latest firmware, that problem seems to have been fixed, gone by 2 days without any restarts.
i also have this problem.
The worse is now my charged battery will become red low batt at first and recharge itself back to normal without plug in power...i think i just solve the world energy problem here.
May have fixed the problem, for a bit.
I bought one of these used (x10a), I basically got ripped off by some guy that must have known about the issue. Anyway, I tore the phone apart down to the screen, I left that intact. I cleaned the housing, motherboard and sound jack with compressed air (lightly), cleaned contacts that looked a little dull. I noticed the foil covering the CPU and other components was a little askew and there were some heat bubbles forming. I used a mini spatula as a squeegee and got rid of the bubbles, cleaned up the edges around the foil to insure they didn't contact their neighbors and put the thing back together.
Before this I could use the phone for a call for longer than 2 minutes, the second I ended the call it would crash/reboot. Same with playing games and listening to music at the same time. Movies, forget it. I don't want to curse it because it has only been a day, but no crashes yet and I'm doing/running everything I can to try and get this thing to crash. If it was the bubbles contacting other metal in the chassis then they will probably return sometime in the future.
Who knows.
For now, I say it's fixed. I hope.
I downloaded the schematic and disassembly, reassembly instructions off the net.
UPDATE: Cleaning did not work, I really didn't think it would but it was worth a try. I did however rebake the main board in my convection oven for 10 minutes at 210 degrees Celsius and it worked. I have uploaded videos to youtube. If you're like me, no warranty and don't mind tearing things apart. Check out my videos on youtube, do a search for MrSpywhite.
I had the same problem and SE replaced the motherboard.
spywhite said:
UPDATE: Cleaning did not work, I really didn't think it would but it was worth a try. I did however rebake the main board in my convection oven for 10 minutes at 210 degrees Celsius and it worked. I have uploaded videos to youtube. If you're like me, no warranty and don't mind tearing things apart. Check out my videos on youtube, do a search for MrSpywhite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like good news, I have a friend with a similar problem, but his phone has the same behaviour faster than yours... did really work? any problems after the bake? (mic, speaker) ?
Sorry for bumping in a old thread but I am also facing the same problem i guess. Anyone got it to work ?
The motherboard is costing me Rs.8000 ( 160$ approx ) and its a 2 yr old phone. Cant spend that much now on such an old phone.
This solution might help on that cases, as main reason for such things are Pb free soldering (small balls between CPU and MB).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=37819145&postcount=12
Of course you do it on your own risk...

S3 self-bricked lying around on table... Need help on diagnosis

Hi XDA Community,
slight problem with my S3:
(16GB EU edition, Android 4.02, rooted, superSU)
Phone was laying on table, half-way charged, when the info LED fired like a new msg arrived, but when I wanted to unlock my device I realized it just bricked completely for no obvious reason.
Screen is black, device seems off. Now there is no reaction to any button presses, USB cable, another battery and longtime charging do not bring any results either.
Now I wonder what type of brick this, if it is know and what a possible workaround / way to diagnose exact error is available?
Can send the phone in for expensive repairs but I could do it myself (no warranty anyways) if I knew what parts to replace
Thanks!
mx2k
A Jtag cable might unbrick it, or might not. No way to diagnose a dead phone.
If Jtag doesn't work then you have no chance of fixing anything yourself, unless you are confident in replacing the whole motherboard.
If I were going to spend that kind of money I'd pay a few more £ and have an expert do it for me and enjoy the warranty afterward.
edit - just noticed the Android 4.0.2 comment , if you've been running on ICS for a long period then don't bother with a Jtag, the motherboard is certainly toast.

Help > I9100G enter bootloop suddenly n dead

the phone on like usual , put aside.. when want to use take it and saw it in boot screen.., wait quite long still stuck there.. take off battery and put back in straight cant turn on.. any idea to revive it?
download/cwm mode both not working... tried press 3 together and insert battery also no respond.. charge no respond too... is it mobo dead symtom?
EDIT: Charge it will hot but no respond
Same advice as this thread (I.E try the things I suggested to that person); though in your case it's 99.999999% likely you're going to need a motherboard replacement if you intend to keep the phone.
MistahBungle said:
Same advice as this thread (I.E try the things I suggested to that person); though in your case it's 99.999999% likely you're going to need a motherboard replacement if you intend to keep the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i cant find usb jig over here...
the person sttill able to go downlad or cwm.. this phone unable to turn on.. tried jump start by holding 3 button and insert battery do not work..
can i know how long should i hold the 3 button? as the post say too many people release early..
if the mobo really spoilt, will it affect the internal memory? for example i sell it to faulty phone shop, do they able to recover? if not maybe sell it and get a new phone
1) You hold the buttons as long as you have to - if it hasn't booted into download mode having held the buttons for twenty seconds, it won't be ever.
2) You can order a jig on eBay; you don't have to find one 'over here'.
3) Nobody can access your internal memory (including you). It's probably dead anyway.
If you decide to keep the phone, you get a motherboard replacement. If you sell it as is, expect to get very little money for it (the only part useful to someone else will probably be the screen).
MistahBungle said:
1) You hold the buttons as long as you have to - if it hasn't booted into download mode having held the buttons for twenty seconds, it won't be ever.
2) You can order a jig on eBay; you don't have to find one 'over here'.
3) Nobody can access your internal memory (including you). It's probably dead anyway.
If you decide to keep the phone, you get a motherboard replacement. If you sell it as is, expect to get very little money for it (the only part useful to someone else will probably be the screen).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it will turn hot when i plug charger on it.. so it considered death too?
planning to sell it out but only concern people have chance revive it back and get data inside..
Correct. Heat at the back + no boot = one or more components on the motherboard have died. It is impossible to read the data off an EMMC in these situations
As I said in my PP, if you sell it, the only thing which be useful for whomever buys it is the screen, assuming they don't replace the motherboard & get the phone working again, and as the EMMC is on the motherboard, new board = new EMMC.
Nobody is going to access your data if you sell it (and even if they could, why would they ? You're paranoid/read too much of the hysteria the tech media push as 'journalism'); it's gone (and I'm not saying this again, twice is my limit).
MistahBungle said:
Correct. Heat at the back + no boot = one or more components on the motherboard have died. It is impossible to read the data off an EMMC in these situations
As I said in my PP, if you sell it, the only thing which be useful for whomever buys it is the screen, assuming they don't replace the motherboard & get the phone working again, and as the EMMC is on the motherboard, new board = new EMMC.
Nobody is going to access your data if you sell it (and even if they could, why would they ? You're paranoid/read too much of the hysteria the tech media push as 'journalism'); it's gone (and I'm not saying this again, twice is my limit).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
credit card data etc.. the phone is my bro 1.. i just asking... yesterday he told be that he bring to phone shop for last time before purchase.. the phone repair people say IC dead,, replace cost less than 100.. but dont know which IC, data depend on which IC...
You can replace the entire motherboard for around the same price. We've seen a number of posts over the past 12 mths or so with this 'replace power IC' fix suggested, but nobody has posted after saying the repair was carried out successfully.
It involves replacing an individual component on the motherboard, these components are tiny, and Samsung service centres/almost all other repairers won't even attempt such a repair. If this repair is unsuccessful, you will end up having to pay for a motherboard replacement + the cost of the failed repair.
So if the plan is to keep the phone, insist on motherboard replacement. You can source a 2nd hand one online yourself & pay a mobile repair shop to do the replacement (and many mobile repair shops may even be able to source one for you), and as I said in my first para, this will cost you not a lot more than what you've been quoted for this dubious repair, but you will pretty much guarantee to fix the phone first time unless there's other components not working.
By all means choose the option you've been given (replacing the individual component), but be aware there's a fair chance it may not work, and if this is the case you'll end up with extra expense if you end up needing the motherboard replaced.
If it was me, I'd want it fixed right the first time.
Anyways, this is my last post to this thread. Nothing personal, but I've given you the options, up to you/your brother to decide what you want to do, no amount of further to-ing/fro-ing in this thread is going to change that.

Hard brick ?

Hi guys,
My phone seems to be hard bricked: black screen, nothing happens when trying to charge it, not possible to put it in DL mode, and even usb jig is not working.
Now I'm fully aware of the risks that go with a bad flash, but what is weird in my case is that it happened out of nowhere: I was on stock rom, phone was suffering from a bad case of slowdowns/random freezes/etc so I decided to put CM 11 on it. Like a phoenix my phone rose from his ashes, battery was holding for a full day instead of the usual 3 hours, no more freezes... but then after 2 days of working like a charm, I just found it plain dead on my desk.
Has it ever happened to anyone, suffering that kind of brick a few days after flashing but not during the actual procedure ? Does anyone has a potential solution other than replacing the MB ? (not really worth it on a 2 years old phone IMO, since there is little chance that I will stumble upon a free MB, and I'm not even sure that it would solve anything anyway)
Thanks for your help !
Nothing to do with the flash. Fact - electronics fails/dies. All the time. All electronics. Often without warning & for no apparent reason other than that's the nature of electronics. I don't know why people are so surprised when this type of thing happens.
Motherboard replacement or new phone - a motherboard replacement will fix the phone; one or more components on the motherboard have obviously died.
http://www.parts4repair.com/categories/Samsung-Repair-Parts/ seems to stock reconditioned motherboards for the S2......double figure prices rather than mid triple figure prices for a new phone.....you do the math.......
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right

Hard Bricked S3 - recover or delete internal storage?

Hi,
My S3 screen doesn't come on even with new battery and have tried loads of apps on my laptop - there used to be sound and could see leds's but that has now stopped.
I tried Kies and samsung drivers amd wondershare but it is not recognised on PC. I have someone who wants to borrow it just for its physical appearance but in case my personal date can be recovered by someone else is there a way to permanently damage the internal flash storage so that it is impossible to recover? Which part do I need to damage once opened up?
Many thanks.
After looking into this I think it is the EMMC chip which is the flash storage so I need to remove this I think which contains my gmail and contacts and whatsapp msgs. Can anyone confirm this is correct?
It would be easier to change the password on your accounts..
Before you write it off, remove the battery, plug it into a reliable charger and try holding vol+/- and home while tapping power for 1 second. It must be done WITHOUT the battery in. Try different key combo's. It matters not which combo's, you're just after a response in any form.
If you don't get a response from it then you wont need to worry. The phone will be unrecoverable in its current state, meaning that if anyone wants to waste a lot of time to break into the emmc your data must be worth A LOT of cash. I highly doubt you're hiding government secrets so I doubt anyone would waste time on a "no mark" (no offense intended).
If you were planning on removing the emmc with a soldering iron you might find it much easier to just dismantle the shell of the phone and ship it to the person who wants it, keeping the hardware.
Beamed in by telepathy.
Thanks for the reply. Tried button combo as you stated but no response. Will try remove the emmc.

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