I am not trying to put words in Tmo's mouth, but I did a live chat earlier today about not being able to boot into recovery mode since this does affect my phone.
She claims twice in the chat that issue should be fixed with the update.
Here is a copy of the chat I had.
You have been connected to Tmo Agent.
Tmo Agent: Hi * , welcome to T-Mobile live Chat. I’m * and I will be happy to assist you. Please give me a moment to review your question.
Me: Ok thank you.
Tmo Agent: Please allow me a few moments to review the information provided.
Tmo Agent: I do see that today you are inquiring about a phone problem, is that correct?
Me: Yes. It is a Samsung Vibrant. I have a few issues with it.
Tmo Agent: I can understand why that would be important to you to have your phone working properly, I want to get this figured out.
Tmo Agent: *, what exactly do you mean by "I can't boot into recovery mode"?
Me: To do a factory reset there is a button combination that you are supposed to do while the phone is booting to allow you to wipe the phone and reset everything the way it was when it was new.
Tmo Agent: Thank you.
Tmo Agent: Have you tried to do a reset through the regular menu?
Me: Yes, but my concern was if I needed to do a reset when I cannot access the regular menu if the phone gets messed up somehow. I know there is supposed to be an update coming out for this phone and if something goes wrong during the update I would like to have a way to get my phone running again.
Tmo Agent: I completely understand, the update that should be released soon should resolve most of these issues for you.
Tmo Agent: The Vibrant automatically updates its software using over-the-air (OTA) updates. You cannot perform a software update manually. When new software is available, the device displays a prompt asking you to update the system.
Me: I understand that it should resolve the GPS and compass, but will it also allow me to boot to recovery?
Tmo Agent: Please allow me a moment to look into this further for you.
Me: Thank you.
Tmo Agent: *, it does appear that this is one of the issues the new update should resolve. I am sorry, I do not have a release date for the software as of yet, but you can always watch the forums for information at t-mobile.com/support.
Me: Ok thank you for the help.
Tmo Agent: Is there anything else we can assist you with today?
Me: One more question. I did read somewhere that if the phone doesn't boot into recovery that T-Mobile was considering it a defect and will replace the phone with one that will work correctly.
Tmo Agent: If the new software that is supposed to resolve this issue does not, at that point we may look into replacing it under the manufacturer warranty once all troubleshooting on the device has been exhausted.
Tmo Agent: Are there any other questions?
Me: That is all I needed to know. I wanted to be sure that if something did happen to my phone during the update that I would be covered and not left with a $500 paper weight. Thank you for your time.
Tmo Agent: Thank you for contacting T-Mobile Chat, have a great day!
"hardware" locked... there is no such thing as a "software" update for this... and fyi, if your phone is hardware locked it is considered a defective device, you can send it in and get a replacement that isn't hardware locked, i know, i did this
oh and FYI, online chat reps are all from India, in other words, they don't really know much and read from a script... they also have no authority at all (as far as waving charges etc.) if you want a real rep, call them up, those reps are in America and do have authority
ookas said:
"hardware" locked... there is no such thing as a "software" update for this... and fyi, if your phone is hardware locked it is considered a defective device, you can send it in and get a replacement that isn't hardware locked, i know, i did this
oh and FYI, online chat reps are all from India, in other words, they don't really know much and read from a script... they also have no authority at all (as far as waving charges etc.) if you want a real rep, call them up, those reps are in America and do have authority
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahaha true!!
How do you know if your device is hardware locked?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
sTyLeSz said:
How do you know if your device is hardware locked?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I don't even know what that locked
Thanks, I will try calling. I did not know that the chat was based in India and couldn't do anything about issues like this.
I don't want to play Devil's Advocate, but Samsung has -in fact- released an update for Canadian Vibrants to remove the "hardware lock" on those devices.
Hardware lock CAN be fixed with a software update - a firmware update.
The phone doesn't magically know that the keys are down. Something has to check, and it does this with something similar to a BIOS is a computer (otherwise you wouldn't be able to get into the Computer's setup before the system is fully booted, ya know!).
TL;DR: Yes, the Hardware lock can be fixed by a firmware update. They have already done it, in Canada (Google is you friend).
EDIT: Also, yes, it's classified as a defect and T-Mobile will replace the device. I'd try to get more info on whether or not that is in the update. If so, then I'd wait because unless you're getting you replacement from insurance and they're on backorder - you run the risk of getting a refurbished device that is in worse condition than your (new?) device. Insurance claim devices on backorder are almost always brand new since they come straight from the factory to your house.
N8ter said:
I don't want to play Devil's Advocate, but Samsung has -in fact- released an update for Canadian Vibrants to remove the "hardware lock" on those devices.
Hardware lock CAN be fixed with a software update - a firmware update.
The phone doesn't magically know that the keys are down. Something has to check, and it does this with something similar to a BIOS is a computer (otherwise you wouldn't be able to get into the Computer's setup before the system is fully booted, ya know!).
TL;DR: Yes, the Hardware lock can be fixed by a firmware update. They have already done it, in Canada (Google is you friend).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
considering both hardware locked and non-hardware locked phones have the same EXACT firmware... this is a hardware problem, not a software problem, and is not fixable through a firmware update
tornado76 said:
Thanks, I will try calling. I did not know that the chat was based in India and couldn't do anything about issues like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup, just give them a call and tell them you want a replacement, if they say they want to charge you $10 for 5 day shipping, complain and tell them the phone has been defective since you bought it and you shouldn't be paying at all for replacing a defective phone that they sold you and it should of been checked by them before selling to you... they will waive the fee and actually send it with the $20 2 day shipping for free =)
ookas said:
considering both hardware locked and non-hardware locked phones have the same EXACT firmware... this is a hardware problem, not a software problem, and is not fixable through a firmware update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then please tell me why the Hardware locked Canadian Vibrants were fixed with a firmware update.
It's not to be snobbish. Just an honest question.
If they flashed a bad firmware to the device when it was manufactured, then it could exibit these issues, and the fact that all of them aren't manufactured on the same assembly line can explain why some are "hardware locked" and some aren't.
Also, hardware locked is just a nice term used to describe that the device is locked out of entering recovery/download mode via the hardware keys.
It doesn't mean the hardware is defective.
If the buttons were defective, then the phones probably wouldn't work correctly.
It's a firmware issue, I'm almost sure of it. It is not mapping the key combinations to any phone functions (like you computer bios not allowing your keyboard key to enter setup - the key works, but the BIOS is faulty and can be fixed by updating it via a flash update).
The phones are classified as defective because they are supposed to allow the user to enter recovery mode using those key presses. The phone is defective. The hardware in the phone, not necessarily.
P.S. I have done some firmware development, and I have seen similar issues to this one. Yes, it sucks to have one of those phones. A particularly puzzling example I've seen is that which made CD-ROM drive eject keys not function until the firmware in the device was updated. The button worked, but...
ookas said:
"hardware" locked... there is no such thing as a "software" update for this... and fyi, if your phone is hardware locked it is considered a defective device, you can send it in and get a replacement that isn't hardware locked, i know, i did this
oh and FYI, online chat reps are all from India, in other words, they don't really know much and read from a script... they also have no authority at all (as far as waving charges etc.) if you want a real rep, call them up, those reps are in America and do have authority
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The hardware buttons not working as they should can definitely be considered a defect...but the problem is a software one, one found in the BML4 secondary bootloader on Vibrants as well as other world phones apparently. There are software fixes for this for other phones, so it's safe to assume a software fix can be made for the Vibrant...
This is real and it is a defect.
You have to insist...nicely...and demand...softly, that you transfer to 2nd teer PDA/SMARTPHONE tech support, they are based in the USA.
The exact conversation in the OP is what I did with the USA support, with one exception.
They actually went through the recovery process and it didnt work everytime, of course i humored them and did over and over.
I told them I tried to install a game (gameloft) and it FCC all over the place and I lucked out by hitting settings reset, privacy and reset the phone before the SD card scan was finished...Say you researched this and indeed alot of Vibrants especially re-furb have had the no recovery - DO NOT MENTION DOWNLOAD MODE!!
The will 100% get you a new one
But you have to go through the motions!
I thought I read somewhere that this may be fixable with an update. I will try to call tomorrow and see what I can find out about a replacement.
I did the JI5 update the other day and want to go back to stock because of some issues but the only way I can access recovery or download mode is through ADB and if the phone bricked I didn't want to be SOL.
ookas said:
"hardware" locked... there is no such thing as a "software" update for this... and fyi, if your phone is hardware locked it is considered a defective device, you can send it in and get a replacement that isn't hardware locked, i know, i did this
oh and FYI, online chat reps are all from India, in other words, they don't really know much and read from a script... they also have no authority at all (as far as waving charges etc.) if you want a real rep, call them up, those reps are in America and do have authority
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As other people have mentioned, Samsung Canada has successfully fixed the 3-button issue with a software update.
Another thing, T-Mobile does not use online chat reps from India, believe it or not they are all US based. This is why I love T-Mobile.
SamsungVibrant said:
As other people have mentioned, Samsung Canada has successfully fixed the 3-button issue with a software update.
Another thing, T-Mobile does not use online chat reps from India, believe it or not they are all US based. This is why I love T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile better fix this problem in their next update.
And even though the customer support never saw the recovery fix in the update's feature list, maybe it is actually included and Samsung kept it secret.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
PSP_Hacker said:
T-Mobile better fix this problem in their next update.
And even though the customer support never saw the recovery fix in the update's feature list, maybe it is actually included and Samsung kept it secret.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well supposedly Canadian customers got it fixed, I wonder how successful it truly was.
Related
Can anybody tell me how there repairs went with a unlocked bootloader..I've been holding out but I'm REALLY tempted to flash CM 5.0
UK HTC sound like they are on the ball - I'm hoping its true.
Mine went in for failed Haptic response out the box - it was also Bootloader Unlocked. Got an email from HTC today saying simply "Your device is being returned to you." My heart sank as it seemed to be saying what I feared, that they'd take one look, see the unlock, and send it back doing nothing. However, as I understand HTC terms, even if its out of warranty, they ring you to say that, then say how much it will cost to repair and ask if you agree to the charge or want it shippping back unrepaired.
So I called HTC - if your device is with them - keep on top constantly as they have always been very helpful for me. - Spoke to a guy called John and told him I was worried that the email meant I was getting my old device back after being told I'd get a DOA replacement. He checked up on the ticket, and told me there were two serial numbers listed, so it looked likely I was indeed getting a replacement, as that was what the ticket has always advised. He said it would likely be sent out today or tomorrow and should be with me by Friday. Again, there was no mention of the bootloader state. In fact the only time it came up was on my initial call and I had to mention it myself, to which the response (admitedly from someone who didn't really know what I meant by Unlocked Bootloader??) was to say that unless there was third party software ON THE DEVICE, this wouldn't be an issue.
I have JUST as i type this recieved a shipping email - it has a Serial number (not from my old device) and IMEI (not from my old device) so HURRAH i seem to have a replacement device. I've also been sent a tracking number for UPS
Will let you know the state of the replacement when it arrives - My original device had no screen clicks and no dust - just my luck I'll get a replacement with Dust and clicks LOL But hoping not xxx
Dayz - feeling optimistic xxx
Dayzee said:
UK HTC sound like they are on the ball - I'm hoping its true.
Mine went in for failed Haptic response out the box - it was also Bootloader Unlocked. Got an email from HTC today saying simply "Your device is being returned to you." My heart sank as it seemed to be saying what I feared, that they'd take one look, see the unlock, and send it back doing nothing. However, as I understand HTC terms, even if its out of warranty, they ring you to say that, then say how much it will cost to repair and ask if you agree to the charge or want it shippping back unrepaired.
So I called HTC - if your device is with them - keep on top constantly as they have always been very helpful for me. - Spoke to a guy called John and told him I was worried that the email meant I was getting my old device back after being told I'd get a DOA replacement. He checked up on the ticket, and told me there were two serial numbers listed, so it looked likely I was indeed getting a replacement, as that was what the ticket has always advised. He said it would likely be sent out today or tomorrow and should be with me by Friday. Again, there was no mention of the bootloader state. In fact the only time it came up was on my initial call and I had to mention it myself, to which the response (admitedly from someone who didn't really know what I meant by Unlocked Bootloader??) was to say that unless there was third party software ON THE DEVICE, this wouldn't be an issue.
I have JUST as i type this recieved a shipping email - it has a Serial number (not from my old device) and IMEI (not from my old device) so HURRAH i seem to have a replacement device. I've also been sent a tracking number for UPS
Will let you know the state of the replacement when it arrives - My original device had no screen clicks and no dust - just my luck I'll get a replacement with Dust and clicks LOL But hoping not xxx
Dayz - feeling optimistic xxx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually if they sent it back to you because the warranty was void they would charge you for shipping both ways. It probably means they fixed the issue and are returning the device or maybe another unit.
Interesting indeed. It would be great if they have decided to fix obvious hardware defects now. Hopefully it's not just an isolated incident.
My new handset is back and on initial close examination, there is no dust or screen clicks - Hope that condition remains.
I DID get a replacement handset but I've no idea if its refurb or not - it looks as new (and I've examined it meticulously) and the Haptic/vibrate is working. Its also locked - in that it hasn't got an unlock - Obviously I expected a replacement to be stock and bootloader locked.
With regard to the unlocked status of my original handset - at the HTC end, it was NEVER mentioned at all. I brought it up initially, as I wondered if they might refuse to take it in fo exchange if they knew. The rep I spoke to clearly had no idea what I was taklking about - he asked me who unlocked it and I explained I had unlocked it myself using the programming on the phone. He then said it's not an issue, unless you have third party software on it. I replied there wasn't (It was returned to stock before I sent it, except for unlocked bootloader which i couldn't change) and he said the UPS label would be emailed to me and I should get it ready for return pick up on Monday. From that time, the bootloader was never asked about, or mentioned at all.
My theory though isn't that they are accepting Unlocked bootloader handsets anyway, but that they just aren't fully clued up yet, either in the UK repair centre or on the UK Rep Customer Service lines, and so the presence of that tell tale Lock symbol wasn't really an issue. Its quite possible and likely that as the reps and engineers become more familiar, that Unlocked bootloaders will be at least questioned, if not refused warranty. I consider myself very lucky to be honest.
Dayzee
so did you unlock again right away? or is your sig from the one you sent in?
glad it went well for you...i unlocked the phone as soon as i had it in my hands and have not had any issues at all...but good to know htc isnt looking to close at the locked/unlocked bootloader
Nope haven't unlocked again, though I will be doing - going to let it settle in a bit before I do it - was really stressful getting a hardware problem so early on a new device and having voided the warranty... I'm not keen for that again.
Hey guys,
I recently sent in my N1 for repair because it was randomly rebooting. It's definitely a hardware issue as it occurred on many versions of Froyo, 2.1 and CM. I was under the impression that it was a written rule that rooted = not in warranty. I was already set on the fact that I would likely be paying $200 for a new motherboard.
Spoke to an HTC rep today to see what the status of my repair was and as it turns out she dealt with escalation, aka she was one of the "higher ups".
She informed me that rooted = not in warranty is NOT true. They have 4 checks for their warranty:
1) Physical damage
2) Water damage
3) Tampering with the warranty sealed parts of the phone
4) Testing the phone's integrity with a software "test"
In short, even if your phone is rooted, if it passes test #4, and the problem remains, it is deemed a hardware issue and your phone will be repaired free of charge.
I may be wrong, but this is what the rep told me today. If anyone has any confirmation negating this information, feel free to share.
All I know is that I'm extremely happy about the prospect of saving the $230 or so it would've cost me!
Does this also include unlocked bootloaders?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
cmcm said:
Does this also include unlocked bootloaders?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to set myself up here, but I'm 99.9999999999% sure that you can only root by unlocking the bootloader (aside from the tricks that have recently become available for us).
So, yes, I was referring to unlocked bootloaders as well. In HTC's sense (no pun intended) I'm sure that by root they imply unlocked bootloader.
Not sure about item 4
4) Testing the phone's integrity with a software "test"
I sent mine in and they wanted to hit me with a new motherboard. They were insisting that I had a third party ROM installed and when I asked for evidence, they sent me a picture of my unlocked boot loader.
Prior to sending it in, i had re-flashed back both my recovery and ROM to stock. Was even able to receive the OTA update.
If they did such a software "test", they should have shown that evidence to me instead of a photo of my unlocked boot loader.
bullyfrog said:
Not sure about item 4
4) Testing the phone's integrity with a software "test"
I sent mine in and they wanted to hit me with a new motherboard. They were insisting that I had a third party ROM installed and when I asked for evidence, they sent me a picture of my unlocked boot loader.
Prior to sending it in, i had re-flashed back both my recovery and ROM to stock. Was even able to receive the OTA update.
If they did such a software "test", they should have shown that evidence to me instead of a photo of my unlocked boot loader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear that. Like I said, this is all from the rep's mouth. I have no idea if she's being truthful, but that's exactly what she said.
Yep i hear you. Anyway you were very fortunate they repaired it FOC for you
Well we're talking about different countries' HTC service centers here. Could be different sets of SOPs.
So users in one country may face fantastic service while users in another are screwed by the service there.
OK I badly need help because I bought this off of eBay a couple months back since I live in the US and couldn't buy this straight from Bell.
I can get into download mode but that's it.
My phone was running just fine on Eclair and recently I upgraded to Froyo. Phone was not rooted nor was there any lag fixes installed.
2 Days after the Froyo upgrade my phone started vibrating for no reason and then froze. I did a battery pull and now all I can do is get stuck in a boot loop.
I've kinda messed around with Odin but I'm a complete noob with Odin, and hopefully I'm just using it worng.
Anywhoo please help! I can't send this back to Bell and I'm stuck without a phone.
Will definite donate a case of beer money to anyone that can get me back on my feet. Please help because I am open to all suggestions with my bricked device!
Sorry man, sounds like you've fallen victim to the faulty internal SD problem affecting many i9000m phones. The (sort of) good news is that Samsung is starting to acknowledge the problem. You can send your phone to a Samsung repair center in Canada without a receipt.
See this thread for more details:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=871592
Another option: supercurio (a really really smart dev) has just posted that he MAY have a workaround for this problem. If you've got a couple of days, follow this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=882822
Who knows what will come of it?
frandromeda said:
Sorry man, sounds like you've fallen victim to the faulty internal SD problem affecting many i9000m phones. The (sort of) good news is that Samsung is starting to acknowledge the problem. You can send your phone to a Samsung repair center in Canada without a receipt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well don't know if this proves that it's internal SD but I just flashed "I9000UGJH2" on my phone with Odin.
It went into the recovery screen on it's own and I noticed this on the bottom "e can't mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p1"
I still chose reboot and now I can make it to the Samsung "S" with startup audio but now the phone stays black on the screen and the "menu" and "back" buttons stay lit up...
That's happened to others. Try this number 1-888-751-4078 for direct support.
CASz said:
That's happened to others. Try this number 1-888-751-4078 for direct support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By any chance do you know if that number is for US residents that bought this phone secondhand?...
Any other US residents stuck in the same situation?
OK This is where I'm at called Samsung Canada 1-800-726-7864 but their number redirects me to a US Representative.
They basically know that their is a problem. However since you get a US Rep they keep sticking by that "US users haven't been approved to get Froyo yet so it's not Samsung's fault", Keeping my cool I explained that it's a Bell phone, I'm an AT&T user yada yada yada...
But they are unable to help me because they are USA support and I need Canada support. They don't have an 800 number to give because it just redirects back to the US and since the phone is not a US phone they will not support it.
Finally still keeping my cool and stating the obvious to them I finally had enough and requested escalation. Senior level was baffled that I found a way to get Froyo. It truly blew their mind. They were supposed to call me back but still haven't.
I'll give them till tomorrow and try again.
Anyone else have any help/suggestions for me?
I would greatly appreciate it since I'm stuck borrowing a loaner phone through this mess.
Seriously if anyone has any suggestions please speak up, thanks...
ccrows said:
Well don't know if this proves that it's internal SD but I just flashed "I9000UGJH2" on my phone with Odin.
It went into the recovery screen on it's own and I noticed this on the bottom "e can't mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p1"
I still chose reboot and now I can make it to the Samsung "S" with startup audio but now the phone stays black on the screen and the "menu" and "back" buttons stay lit up...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The /dev/block.mmcblk0p1 error is actually the way the system tells you that the SD card has gone bad. Which means you need a new motherboard (new phone), since the card is built into it. Your only option is to send it into Samsung to get repaired/replaced. Regardless of what you did to your phone, its besides the point. The phone is defective and they should repair it free of charge. But Samsung is still denying they produced a lemon phone to begin with. In truth they should be all giving us refunds as no fix I have heard of has permanently fixed this phone.
Yeah, got the same issue as all of you....
and Yeah... I'm at the US and Called SAMSUNG CANADA SUPPORT....
They just told me they won't fix it cause i'm using it at the US...
so what know? any suggestions on how to send this freaking phone to repair?
I hate this... I'm a freaking mad customer... I hate SAMSUNG and both CANADIAN and US support centers.... FAIL FAIL FAIL....
Don't buy Samsung... if it fails... they won't help you....
I do sympathize with those Americans who have this problem (I had a dead phone also), but look at it through Samsung's eyes. They sell different products to different countries. The U.S. version of the phone does not have FroYo yet, so when a customer calls saying that their phone dies when they update to FroYo, they say, "how can this be our problem when we have not released FroYo to the states yet?"
Here is a direct # to the service center here in Montreal, 1-514-738-8333
Samsung - Service Absolut
3391 Griffith Street,
St. Laurent, Quebec,
H4T 1W5
Call them (Not collect) and tell them you bought the phone from a Bell store and paid Bell for an unlock code. Tell them you updated through Kies a couple of days before the phone died.
Tell them you want to send the phone back directly to them. Or, ask them if you can send the phone to someone in Montreal and if they can bring it in for you (I'll be happy to do it for you).
I have a stock version of JL2 if you want to try to flash it with Odin. I have read that some people have had some success with JL2 reviving their phones. This is the ROM Kies downloaded when I upgraded through Kies, so it is bone stock.
Here is the file if you want to try it.
Ian
Hey w98seeng thanks for your help, I have been trying the direct "easy" way by calling Samsung at Canada but no luck after 25 calls. They just keep sending me to US support, Bell Support, or any other number... like (TV support) just to get rid of me...
Well I must recognize on my previous post I was really mad and frustrated, now I've got a new phone... Yeah... Resignation all the way... so now I might be able to think clearly what to do next.
I'm going to start trying to fix it on my own with the posts I've seen on this forum, starting with the Rom you (w98seeng) provided me to see if anything of this may work... Also calling the Montreal service repair center...
Also I understand about the difference between products, but my product is Canadian... they should be able to help me if I'm calling them at Samsung Canada, I already told them I'll pay the shipment... I have a Canadian IMEI, I don't really understand why are they restricting this only through bell if it's not exclusively sold on bell, I got it from somewhere else.
I mean...
My geographic location shouldn't be something that matters... I'm a Samsung Canada Customer... What if I moved to the US?, What if I'm on a long trip?...
The problem is that SH Support is following procedures and if we don't fit into those they just let us down...
I'm not giving up...
I'm fixing this Samsung i9000m vibrant phone... One or other way.
I'll keep you posted...
Your phone is dead.
I've been through 9 of them with the same problem.
Take it back to Bell and they will give you a new phone and take your old one for free.
My personal suggestion is
Call montreal services center directly
I will be interested to see the resolution to this as I am a US resident with two I9000M's in the household. Both are 100% fine atm but if I ever have this problem I would like to know how US folks can get this fixed.
Best of luck to OP!
If any of you guys want a phone in order to service it through your Bell subscription or through Samsung Canada please http://bit.ly/eygnOb.
Thanks.
At least my conclusion is that it is broken. If at any point one of you thinks I did something wrong or there is something I can do to fix the issue, feel free to let me know.
I bought my evo sometime last year, I believe around September. I did not purchase sprint's TEP, I was content with the standard warranty and $35 repair fee if the time came. It only took me about two weeks to decide I wanted to root my phone, which I did successfully with unrevoked3. I removed bloatware with titanium backup, used setcpu, etc. and the phone worked great for a long time. I discovered rom manager soon after and tried some roms, including fresh, caulkins, cm6. I stuck with cm612 for a while and I loved it. I always cleared data before a new rom, and once I got used to the clockworkmod interface I used the cache/dalvik clear tools, as well as return the phone to factory specs feature.
Now, for as long as I remember, the phone rebooted itself unexpectedly, although it was very infrequent at first. Until about the beginning of Jan., it rebooted itself only a handful of times. It has progressed to the point where now I can't use it for more than 5 minutes without it rebooting. It will power cycle loop on the evo 4g POST screen, before android even loads. Sometimes, it will do this and stop power cycling, and simply vibrate 5 times and be unresponsive. The only way to stop this loop or the unresponsive state is the take the battery out and re-insert.
I troubleshooted as much as I could, before deciding that the issue was probably hardware related. Using the how to unroot your phone guide <http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=780141> I unrooted the phone successfully (s-on), and loaded the original stock rom just fine. The phone still exhibited the same behavior with the stock software, so I took it to a store in Chicago a few days ago (I live in so. CA but was on vacation in Il). Anyway, I was foolish as I did not run the OTA updates to 3.7 and the tech lady told me it was happening because the phone wasn't updated. OK, my fault, even though that was a bs response.
I messed with it some more, it's still broken. So today I brought the phone to a sprint store here in CA, fully UNrooted, stock rom, updated all system updates. OTA 3.7xx, newest radios, pri, prl, profile. It is acting worse than it ever has before. I dropped the phone off and came back an hour later and the guy tells me that they reset the device and it should work now, and that I shouldn't root it as it voids my warranty. I said, how do you know it's been rooted? He replied with "our guys are really good."
So I took the phone to lunch right next door, fully stock again, and as I am logging into my google account to access the market it reboots itself again. And loops. I take it back to the sprint store and tell them look, its doing the same thing, you have completely reset it, it's not rooted, this is a problem.
Next they tell me they can't get me a replacement phone (for the $35 repair fee) because it has been rooted. I ask them to show me how they know it has been rooted, and he goes OK. He boots up my phone and one of their evos into recovery, and mine scans for the PC36IMG file and finds it. So ok, my bad again, but I say hold on a second. I took my SD card out and give the phone back. I ask them to prove to me that the phone is rooted, they try the same thing again and of course there is no difference between the phones in how they boot to recovery. Basically I press the issue further, the tech gives me some bull**** about how they can tell, if you root the phone EVER it leaves files on the phone forever. I can feel that they are lying to me, and they only know because I [foolishly] left my SD card in it as I dropped it off.
After spending about 30 minutes talking to their representatives and then about ten with the tech behind their repair center glass, he told me my only option is to talk to HTC to try and get a new phone. Mine has been red-flagged at sprint stores now for having been rooted, even though I NEVER GAVE THEM A ROOTED PHONE TO LOOK AT.
If you can't tell, i'm extremely frustrated, as my very expensive phone, on stock software and unrooted is completely useless.
Any opinions/ideas as to if 1) how I can get a replacement phone, or 2) what I have done wrong or what I can do to potentially remedy the phone?
Colin
Wow that sucks man. I know a lot of Sprint reps and almost all of them are rooted and running custom roms. I would delete the img file off of the sdcard and take it to a different Sprint store. It really depends on who you are dealing with, so try taking it to a different Sprint store if you can. If not, try to find a day where that guy isn't working lol. I'm sorry about your luck, but some people are just ridiculous.
Take to a different sprint store with a clean SD card and hope there aren't notes on the account?
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
I was told that my phone has been red flagged, and it will show up as having been rooted at other sprint stores.
cjh6386 said:
I was told that my phone has been red flagged, and it will show up as having been rooted at other sprint stores.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but you don't know that to actually be the case or just a scare tactic. I still say go to another store and try.
If they start talking about it being flagged on your account for being rooted, your best bet is to play dumb.
cjh6386 said:
I was told that my phone has been red flagged, and it will show up as having been rooted at other sprint stores.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really doubt that, I bet that is more of a scare tactic. Try what the others have said then take it to another store, you'll be fine.
So because your phone had a PC36IMG on your storage card that automatically means its been rooted? That's BS. I would call Sprint and talk to them. I would tell Sprint that you only had the file on your SD card because the phone wouldn't boot and you were trying to fix it since the store wouldn't help (the first store). When calling sprint its all in who you talk to and I always start off as nice as possible.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G!
zone23 said:
So because your phone had a PC36IMG on your storage card that automatically means its been rooted? That's BS. I would call Sprint and talk to them. I would tell Sprint that you only had the file on your SD card because the phone wouldn't boot and you were trying to fix it since the store wouldn't help (the first store). When calling sprint its all in who you talk to and I always start off as nice as possible.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, I never had a problem with Sprint CS as long as you are calm, nice and reasonable.....
zone23 said:
So because your phone had a PC36IMG on your storage card that automatically means its been rooted? That's BS. I would call Sprint and talk to them. I would tell Sprint that you only had the file on your SD card because the phone wouldn't boot and you were trying to fix it since the store wouldn't help (the first store). When calling sprint its all in who you talk to and I always start off as nice as possible.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Like I said, I then removed my SD card and gave the phone back and asked him to show me that it has been rooted. He didnt even try, he just told me that "they know now" and that once you root "there are always files left behind" and they can always tell. I knew it was BS but they weren't giving me an inch. I was indeed very polite the whole time, while also pressing the issue.
I am pretty livid and I am almost to the point where I'd rather cancel my account then give them any more money for service.
cjh6386 said:
Yes. Like I said, I then removed my SD card and gave the phone back and asked him to show me that it has been rooted. He didnt even try, he just told me that "they know now" and that once you root "there are always files left behind" and they can always tell. I knew it was BS but they weren't giving me an inch. I was indeed very polite the whole time, while also pressing the issue.
I am pretty livid and I am almost to the point where I'd rather cancel my account then give them any more money for service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I have told the computer when I first call and its asks why I'm calling I say cancel account. That will get you to someone who can actually do something. No TEP is a real downer in this case. Got another store around?
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G!
@zone
yes, there are several other stores around me with repair centers. They aren't uncommon in orange county.
Another thing I forgot to mention, at the very end of the debate with the repair tech, after he told me "there are always files left behind that we can check" after it has been rooted, I asked him to explain these files to me and if he could show me, he told me no and that "he's not allowed to tell customers that."
LOL. I don't like how the sprint representatives think they can screw with their customers like that.
To expand a little more and how different stores are. I called the store and asked what their policy was on rooted phones. They said as long as it wasn't software they didn't care. So after they couldn't fix the phone (bad ear piece) they ordered another one and told me they could only give me the replacement if I brought mine back in the original unrooted state. So that's what I did. Some of these stores just seem to have some real asses working.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G!
Of course with all that said I can somewhat understand where the stores are coming from. With all these SBC kernels and overclocking they probably think you damaged the processor. I'm not taking their side I'm just saying there are all kinds of people. The problem with rooting is you could absolutely damage the phone. Again I'm not saying this is the case just looking at it from another prospective that may help you negotiate a replacement phone.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G!
Not sure if this will work but try rerooting then flash caulkins "format all" then reload a rom then flash new kernel and new radios, without 1.90 pri and nv see if that helps the reboot issue. i'd recommend Azreals stock turbo 3.70 rom. Had a friend with the axact same problem, this fixed it. I also reformatted his sd card while i was at it.
these techs know when a phone has been rooted. and yes they will flag your account for a rooted phone. my advice is to pay the fee they are asking.
Sorry to hear about your visit to the Sprint store...
1. It isn't illegal to root your phone any more. They passed a law not to long ago:
http://www.knowyourcell.com/news/548133/new_law_makes_jailbreaking_and_unlocking_legal.html
2. There is no way to tell if a phone was rooted. They are assuming that because you left the PC36IMG on your SD card. If the technician paid attention and seen you had it set in the off position, but that doesn't prove anything either.
3. Sounds like you got a guy that gets off being a jerk. Not the customer service type of person that Sprint needs working for them. Common sense says if you have the stock firmware back on the phone and it still is acting up, that the phone is defective. Not to endorse fraud, but if you nuked your phone or ran over it with your car and brought the pieces in, you would have been better off then being honest.
4. Your phone should still be under manufacturers warranty since the phone came out June 4th, so no way that have owned an EVO for a year yet.
5. I have found E-mailing to [email protected] seems to get results. Corporate wants to make things right, and they have the power to get things done.
Wish you the best of luck!
@zone
I can see where they are coming from as well. For morality's sake though, I can truthfully say I have never experimented with voltage modifying kernels or SBC kernels, etc. Only a few popular roms.
@ifly
If tomorrow I am still unsuccessful I will try more software options, although I am 95% positive it is a hardware issue. This is coming from a network engineer who is very familiar with hardware systems.
@fixxer
I was perfectly happy to pay them the $35 repair fee in order to get my replacement. I never said that I wouldn't. In fact at one point a sprint representative offered to do that, I said good, that is exactly what I came in for. She came back and said nevermind, I can't because it is rooted.
@weidnerj
Thanks for the link, and it sounds like we are on exactly the same page. Thanks for the contact, I will see what I can do with Dan.
I plan on trying another sprint store tomorrow to see if the phone is actually flagged.
Even if it is flagged I would tell them the phone wasn't rooted and hell I don't even know what that means. I have no idea were the other store even got that idea. Little white lie.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G!
weidnerj said:
Sorry to hear about your visit to the Sprint store...
1. It isn't illegal to root your phone any more. They passed a law not to long ago:
http://www.knowyourcell.com/news/548133/new_law_makes_jailbreaking_and_unlocking_legal.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooting still voids your sprint warranty & contract. that law only applies to unlocking phones to work on various gsm networks. jailbreaking isn't technically legal either on iphones.
fixxxer2008 said:
rooting still voids your sprint warranty & contract. that law only applies to unlocking phones to work on various gsm networks. jailbreaking isn't technically legal either on iphones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We are adults we know rooting technically void the warranty. It's generally posted at the top of every ROM thread.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G!
i had a thread in generals, but figured it was the wrong place so i moved the post to here. c/p from OP
Hi all, I'm new to XDA so hopefully someone can help me. I purchased a brand new unlocked note 3 N9000W8 in canada from a cellphone store on Monday Morning. The phone was great and worked without a hitch and had android 4.3 on it.
Later on during the day, there were numerous news headlines regarding a 4.4.2 was officially released. So i decided to do the software update. With failed attempts with the message "Your device have been modified, Software updates are not available"
I checked my Settings > about device > status > device status and it states custom or modified. I am unsure how this is possible thinking it was a brand new phone. After some in depth reading i powered off the phone and check the android download mode (power, home button vol down key combo).
It states device status: custom, firmware: custom, knox 0x1 (which meant my warranty was gone essentially). I proceeded to call the shop i purchased the phone at, and the manager said they buy the phones from the distributor which unlocks them before it gets in their hands. so it must have been rooted prior to me receiving the phone.
Long story short...i know its been quite the reading already my appologies. I used samsung KIES to backup the phone and it updated it back to the stock firmware 4.4.2. I was prepared to loose the root as i dont need it. More concerned about the warranty. With the device and firmware status back to original i can now do OTA updates, however
Problem i have now is after the factory firmware upgrade to stock, my sim no longer works on the network. Seems as if the device has a sim lock, but it never asked for one. A local cellphone shop in st.catharines said there might be an issue with the baseband after the official update.
before the update, i tried all the suggestions such as unmounting the sd card, wiping cache, using supersu to unroot.
Can anyone chime in on what the problem may be? I go to school here, so if all else fails i will have to go back to toronto where i purchased it, and have them figure it out. just a hassle for me to get there without a car.
Seems that the phone was software unlocked while it was rooted. Un rooting the device will simply lock the phone back up. Have you tried entering your carriers APN settings under mobile network?
You have a couple of options, you can root your phone again and software unlock your phone using "CF Region Lock Away" (I've heard that it worked on 4.3 (N900W8) not sure if it'll work with 4.4.2.
2nd option is to get a hardware unlock code from a retailer who unlocks phones.
If I were in your position, I'd try and return the USED phone back to the person you bought it from as it was clearly tampered with. You bought a phone which has KNOX 0x1 which VOIDS your warranty. You were under the assumption that the phone you bought was brand new in the box, FALSE ADVERTISING.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
tedmonddo said:
i had a thread in generals, but figured it was the wrong place so i moved the post to here. c/p from OP
Hi all, I'm new to XDA so hopefully someone can help me. I purchased a brand new unlocked note 3 N9000W8 in canada from a cellphone store on Monday Morning. The phone was great and worked without a hitch and had android 4.3 on it.
Later on during the day, there were numerous news headlines regarding a 4.4.2 was officially released. So i decided to do the software update. With failed attempts with the message "Your device have been modified, Software updates are not available"
I checked my Settings > about device > status > device status and it states custom or modified. I am unsure how this is possible thinking it was a brand new phone. After some in depth reading i powered off the phone and check the android download mode (power, home button vol down key combo).
It states device status: custom, firmware: custom, knox 0x1 (which meant my warranty was gone essentially). I proceeded to call the shop i purchased the phone at, and the manager said they buy the phones from the distributor which unlocks them before it gets in their hands. so it must have been rooted prior to me receiving the phone.
Long story short...i know its been quite the reading already my appologies. I used samsung KIES to backup the phone and it updated it back to the stock firmware 4.4.2. I was prepared to loose the root as i dont need it. More concerned about the warranty. With the device and firmware status back to original i can now do OTA updates, however
Problem i have now is after the factory firmware upgrade to stock, my sim no longer works on the network. Seems as if the device has a sim lock, but it never asked for one. A local cellphone shop in st.catharines said there might be an issue with the baseband after the official update.
before the update, i tried all the suggestions such as unmounting the sd card, wiping cache, using supersu to unroot.
Can anyone chime in on what the problem may be? I go to school here, so if all else fails i will have to go back to toronto where i purchased it, and have them figure it out. just a hassle for me to get there without a car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro.....
Meet me at the store you bought this from in T.O, I will get you a refund in 5 minutes.
Not even slightly kidding.
You were RIPPED OFF bud!! Do not allow that to go down. Tell them to switch it for another one, until you get one that has a warranty.
Seriously, my offer stands. If you want to meet down there sometime this week I would be glad to do so, I live about an hour outside the GTA but I don't give a ****. If there is anything I can do to help you in this situation I'll do it.
I have tried registering it on the fido network without any luck. Even the local cellphone shop was tinkering with it for 30minutes trying to help me out. They weren't able to do anything either. From my understanding, a software unlock only works for europe phones (based on what i have read) even the local guys said its usually just a pin unlock.
Update: The retailer that i bought it from said he ordered me a new white note 3 unlocked as well to replace my problematic one. When i go again i have to make sure its not rooted. IS there such thing as a Factory unlocked/unbranded samsung note 3 from samsung themselves?
djnoicatse said:
Seems that the phone was software unlocked while it was rooted. Un rooting the device will simply lock the phone back up. Have you tried entering your carriers APN settings under mobile network?
You have a couple of options, you can root your phone again and software unlock your phone using "CF Region Lock Away" (I've heard that it worked on 4.3 (N900W8) not sure if it'll work with 4.4.2.
2nd option is to get a hardware unlock code from a retailer who unlocks phones.
If I were in your position, I'd try and return the USED phone back to the person you bought it from as it was clearly tampered with. You bought a phone which has KNOX 0x1 which VOIDS your warranty. You were under the assumption that the phone you bought was brand new in the box, FALSE ADVERTISING.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The manager is more than willing to help me by getting me a new device. As mentioned in the previous post, i do hope that this one is unmodified/unrooted out of the box. Anything to look out for besides the software download information screen?
May i ask where you got your device? maybe i can go there and get mine. I might take you up on that offer, and I can swing by to get you. I live on the border of milton/oakville so you're not that far out.Go to school in st.catharines. It seems you're much more knowledgeable about this that i was at first.
appreciate the help
nexxusty said:
Bro.....
Meet me at the store you bought this from in T.O, I will get you a refund in 5 minutes.
Not even slightly kidding.
You were RIPPED OFF bud!! Do not allow that to go down. Tell them to switch it for another one, until you get one that has a warranty.
Seriously, my offer stands. If you want to meet down there sometime this week I would be glad to do so, I live about an hour outside the GTA but I don't give a ****. If there is anything I can do to help you in this situation I'll do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tedmonddo said:
The manager is more than willing to help me by getting me a new device. As mentioned in the previous post, i do hope that this one is unmodified/unrooted out of the box. Anything to look out for besides the software download information screen?
May i ask where you got your device? maybe i can go there and get mine. I might take you up on that offer, and I can swing by to get you. I live on the border of milton/oakville so you're not that far out.Go to school in st.catharines. It seems you're much more knowledgeable about this that i was at first.
appreciate the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I traded a Red Nexus 5 I had at the time for a Black Unlocked Note 3 +$200 cash on Kijiji. Came with a Spigen Slim Armor too.
There are tons of decent deals on Kijiji, you NEED to know how to spot fakes, check IMEI's, look for defects, etc.
I can help you find something if you'd like, just say the word. I will still help you deal with the other guy as well. I'll bring an SD card with .apk's on it like CPU-Z to make sure it's legit. The IMEI we just type in protectyourdata.ca on my phone or tethered laptop to make sure it isn't blacklisted. Checking for unlock is easy too, as long as we have multiple sims from different companies (I have 2, we might have 3 with yours).
I'll make sure you walk out of there with a fully legitimate Note 3. 100%.
If I can help a fellow XDA'er, a Canadian to boot, I will do it in a heartbeat.
Sometimes I come off like a **** (especially to n00bs, I am really mean now and then...) but I am always willing to help.
I watched a few videos on how to spot fake devices and this one was legit for sure. I plan to go saturday to get this sorted out once and for all. The problem is i require the knox to be 0x0 as my part time job requires me to have a phone that is enterprise capable, for the byod. In the event he only has rooted unlocked phones, i will get my money back because i need a legit clean phone.
as mentioned i really appreciate the help, Can you send me a PM with your phone number? If you have a few hours to spare on saturday im more than willing to swing by and get you, in hopes to figure out my phone problem.
nexxusty said:
I traded a Red Nexus 5 I had at the time for a Black Unlocked Note 3 +$200 cash on Kijiji. Came with a Spigen Slim Armor too.
There are tons of decent deals on Kijiji, you NEED to know how to spot fakes, check IMEI's, look for defects, etc.
I can help you find something if you'd like, just say the word. I will still help you deal with the other guy as well. I'll bring an SD card with .apk's on it like CPU-Z to make sure it's legit. The IMEI we just type in protectyourdata.ca on my phone or tethered laptop to make sure it isn't blacklisted. Checking for unlock is easy too, as long as we have multiple sims from different companies (I have 2, we might have 3 with yours).
I'll make sure you walk out of there with a fully legitimate Note 3. 100%.
If I can help a fellow XDA'er, a Canadian to boot, I will do it in a heartbeat.
Sometimes I come off like a **** (especially to n00bs, I am really mean now and then...) but I am always willing to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tedmonddo said:
I watched a few videos on how to spot fake devices and this one was legit for sure. I plan to go saturday to get this sorted out once and for all. The problem is i require the knox to be 0x0 as my part time job requires me to have a phone that is enterprise capable, for the byod. In the event he only has rooted unlocked phones, i will get my money back because i need a legit clean phone.
as mentioned i really appreciate the help, Can you send me a PM with your phone number? If you have a few hours to spare on saturday im more than willing to swing by and get you, in hopes to figure out my phone problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally understand. Knox containers, etc. hehe.
Will PM you my number. Just to let you know though, I'm NOT a small guy. I hope you don't have a Smart Car or something... lol.
6'4, 330 lbs here.
Talk soon.
no smart car here. will wait for pm
nexxusty said:
I totally understand. Knox containers, etc. hehe.
Will PM you my number. Just to let you know though, I'm NOT a small guy. I hope you don't have a Smart Car or something... lol.
6'4, 330 lbs here.
Talk soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse