Database Users

[FIX] For those that haven't been able to get to Download Mode

If you are having problems getting to download mode, Use the Stock Captivate Cable Only when trying to access Download mode!
Story:
I have struggled with 2 captivates now to get into download mode. I have read tons of arguments back and forth from people that say it is easy to get into download mode, and people who say that it is impossible with their phones.
Well, for some history...On my first captivate, I bricked it and it refused to go into download mode...PERIOD. I proceeded to exchange it(I was within my 30 days), and didn't think much more about it. Well, I installed Cognition 2.2 recently and in the process realized that my new phone would go into download mode just fine by doing the standard process of:
1)remove battery, sim, microsim
2)reinserting battery only
3)holding down both volume buttons
4)inserting usb cable
No problems right? Well, I ended up "bricking" my phone by accidentally deleting my framework-res.apk file(don't ask) and lo and behold, I suddenly could not get it to go back into download mode. I was really pissed at this point and spent all night trying everything all over again.
Well, I decided to give up for the night and go to bed. As I was laying in bed a thought crossed my mind. I had purchased a second usb cable(from ATT) to use with the captivate, and the one time that download mode had worked, I was using the standard captivate cable that came in the box. However, every time it wasn't working I was using my second USB cable. So I got up out of bed to try the stock cable and, lo and behold, it works flawlessly every time.
I would venture to guess that this is what the problem is with most everyone else that can not get their captivates to go into download mode. So, if you haven't tried it give it a shot. And certainly tell everyone you know to use the stock cable only.
I just want to reiterate that the spare cable that would NOT work was purchased from ATT and is the cable that they recommend you purchase as a spare. It wasn't like I got it from ebay or something.

Using a usb cable I got from ebay, monoprice, htc, motorola, and stock samsung cable, I was able to get into download mode everytime...
... also, shouldn't this be in general and not in development?

No USB Hubs or Extenders
RECOMMENDED: Use your stock USB cable that came with the phone.
IMPORTANT: Plug the USB cable into your computers native motherboard USB port (the back of your computer). Plugging the cable into USB switches, extenders or external ports, does not allow the phone to enter download mode correctly.

Aerimus said:
I just want to reiterate that the spare cable that would NOT work was purchased from ATT and is the cable that they recommend you purchase as a spare. It wasn't like I got it from ebay or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm, although i found this out a whilllllle ago, just didnt think much of it lol

Just so you know. I found that in some cases certain USB cables just will not work with some devices. This has to do with the quality of the cable. I would avoid overly thin or flat cables because they tend to be cheaply made and won't be able to provide a stable power flow. The shorter the cable the better.

shinji257 said:
The shorter the cable the better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The cable he/I bought from AT&T is shorter the the cable that comes in the box, and doesnt work, so im not sure if shorter is better

kkeo said:
Using a usb cable I got from ebay, monoprice, htc, motorola, and stock samsung cable, I was able to get into download mode everytime...
... also, shouldn't this be in general and not in development?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can recreate this over and over again. The reason I put this here and not in general is because I, like many others, have struggled over and over with odin, and people had the attitude of "it works every time, you're just doing something wrong." The reality is that you're trying to prove that I'm just "doing something wrong" because all your cables work. I can recreate this over and over again. What do you want me to do, make a video of it in order for you to believe that there is an actual issue?
I think it's important for people to see this when trying all the roms and mods that are in the development section. In fact, I think it would be REALLY helpful if designgears would add this to the "how to get to download mode" section on the Odin thread. I can't tell you the amount of hours I have spent trying to get into download mode. It is incredibly frustrating to do everything right, and have others telling you that you are not doing it right.
I searched google endlessly looking for a solution to get into download mode, and no where did I see this as a possible solution. Also, as an FYI, when I plug in the other cable, it just goes straight to the battery screen no matter what I press. I can hold down the power and volume buttons to go into recovery mode, but it's impossible to get to download mode.

I have plugged mine into a usb port in the front of my computer as well as in my monitor. I have never had a problem with download mode or anything else.

Aerimus said:
I can recreate this over and over again. The reason I put this here and not in general is because I, like many others, have struggled over and over with odin, and people had the attitude of "it works every time, you're just doing something wrong." The reality is that you're trying to prove that I'm just "doing something wrong" because all your cables work. I can recreate this over and over again. What do you want me to do, make a video of it in order for you to believe that there is an actual issue?
I think it's important for people to see this when trying all the roms and mods that are in the development section. In fact, I think it would be REALLY helpful if designgears would add this to the "how to get to download mode" section on the Odin thread. I can't tell you the amount of hours I have spent trying to get into download mode. It is incredibly frustrating to do everything right, and have others telling you that you are not doing it right.
I searched google endlessly looking for a solution to get into download mode, and no where did I see this as a possible solution. Also, as an FYI, when I plug in the other cable, it just goes straight to the battery screen no matter what I press. I can hold down the power and volume buttons to go into recovery mode, but it's impossible to get to download mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While this is good to know...It is quite possible you got a faulty second cable, and some of the cables that do come in the box are faulty as well..
It's always a good reminder to try changing out cables if your having an issues. Same for downloading different things that work for a-lot of people and not for you/me..same too for hooking into the back of the computer and bypassing the external hub....Sometimes you get lucky and find the problem right away..sometimes you don't....It's called a process of elimination...
FWIW..I've never trusted cheap ass cables..in anything. Never have..Never will..but..JSYK..expensive cables go bad from time to time too
Thanks for the reminder
Mac

jromney said:
RECOMMENDED: Use your stock USB cable that came with the phone.
IMPORTANT: Plug the USB cable into your computers native motherboard USB port (the back of your computer). Plugging the cable into USB switches, extenders or external ports, does not allow the phone to enter download mode correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the external ports on the front of my case without a problem...

jromney said:
RECOMMENDED: Use your stock USB cable that came with the phone.
IMPORTANT: Plug the USB cable into your computers native motherboard USB port (the back of your computer). Plugging the cable into USB switches, extenders or external ports, does not allow the phone to enter download mode correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also noticed that, on my PC at least, my front case USB ports don't always reliably work with this procedure. I've been plugging the USB cable since into the USB ports on the motherboard.

Mac11700 said:
While this is good to know...It is quite possible you got a faulty second cable, and some of the cables that do come in the box are faulty as well..
It's always a good reminder to try changing out cables if your having an issues. Same for downloading different things that work for a-lot of people and not for you/me..same too for hooking into the back of the computer and bypassing the external hub....Sometimes you get lucky and find the problem right away..sometimes you don't....It's called a process of elimination...
FWIW..I've never trusted cheap ass cables..in anything. Never have..Never will..but..JSYK..expensive cables go bad from time to time too
Thanks for the reminder
Mac
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing that throws me off is that this cable works for EVERYTHING else. Data transfer, media syncing, recovery mode, charging, etc... There was never anything that would indicate any issue with the cable. I just want to make sure everyone knows this, because when I was struggling to get into download mode, I didn't see anyone suggest that it could be the cable, even though the cable worked for everything else.

OP - thanks for posting this! It is at least another thing to keep in mind when troubleshooting. I was actually considering getting another cable to keep at work.....
P.S. would we get in trouble for quoting Michael Scott's favorite joke in response to post #6? Yea, I know. Little too obvious right. I'll restrain. Already made myself chuckle anyways

terrigan said:
I've also noticed that, on my PC at least, my front case USB ports don't always reliably work with this procedure. I've been plugging the USB cable since into the USB ports on the motherboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um.. not true - Although I did use the stock USB Cable - I was flashing the night away (trying to recover my bricked phone) on my Win7 box using a USB hub that had a few other devices hooked into it.
Never had an issue getting to D/L mode.. and it found the phone again and again and again and again.... (go on for infinity).
I think it has more to do with the hardware your connecting it to and how the USB drivers loaded (i.e. XP=****e) and what type of OS your running more than anything. I had terrible luck with my work's XP rig... but my Win7 x64 rig found the device while in d/l mode - found the drivers?!?! and I was good to go.
Although - it is always a good rule of thumb IF you can't get the device to recognize on your computer to use the original cable and hook to the best source of power for your USB which is the back of your computer.
So.. this isn't a [FIX] - just a good tip. If you can't get into D/L mode by holding the volume button and jamming in the USB or using ADB -> Reboot Download command.. your pretty much fux0red.

I need original USB cable
I just wanted to throw in my $0.02 I needed to use the original USB cable and a port directly on my motherboard. The usb cable I bought from newegg does not work with my MSI X58 motherboard and my capitavate. The original cable does not work if I use a front usb port on my Antec P183 case. Strangly an identical usb cable from newegg that I ordered at the same time does work with my work computer, Dell X38 motherboard.

Ive had the same problem... only way i get it to download mode is via Terminal:
su
reboot download
I really cant get it to work no other way :s

jromney said:
RECOMMENDED: Use your stock USB cable that came with the phone.
IMPORTANT: Plug the USB cable into your computers native motherboard USB port (the back of your computer). Plugging the cable into USB switches, extenders or external ports, does not allow the phone to enter download mode correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
honestly, i have my phone cord that came into the box, connected to an extender cable, that's connected into a usb port hub so i don't agree with what you're saying here
mine works every single time

This method has been known for some time now, reading really helps...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=731989

designgears said:
This method has been known for some time now, reading really helps...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=731989
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate all your hard work on everything. I read through that post and tried to search it several times... Believe me, I spent hours pouring through the pages looking for something that would work.
No where did I see anyone say to make sure you were using the stock cable because other cables might not work? Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong...there are a lot of pages after all.
Furthermore...I'm sorry to be new to Android and to flashing roms, but we are all new at some point. No one is born an expert.
edit: I'm guessing you misunderstood the post? I wasn't posting about the method...just about the fact that many usb cables, including the micro usb cable that ATT sells, do not work for getting to download mode. If I'm wrong about what you were posting, feel free to correct me. If i'm correct, your post is quite ironic

The first captivate I had WOULD NOT GO INTO DOWNLOAD mode regardless of cable or usb port. I tried every port and every cable including the stock one that came with the phone.
The replacement captivate ALWAYS goes into download mode regardless of cable or port.
It's a tip and thank you for the. But if your phone is one of those that does not have 3 button recovery then it will likely not work with the 2 button download trick either.

sd card wont connect to computer

So when I plug in my phone to the computer it won't connect, it just charges. Last time this happened I had to format myy sd card but I can't afford to do that now. This really is annoying and its making me dislike the phone more and more. Any help anyone? Thanks.

I guess first things first, you try a diffrent cable, diffrent port?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

austin420 said:
I guess first things first, you try a diffrent cable, diffrent port?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This does sound like a charge-only cable is being used.

No the cable worked well on my evo and it worked on my epic after i rooted it. Yesterday i installed the syndicate rom, then i switched back to epic experience, which was updated so installed the update. And now it doesn't want to connect to the computer. I had this problem when i first got the epic, i just formatted the SD card and that fixed it.

I've always had this problem. What I did is just unplug the cord from the phone and computer as well. Then plug the usb into a different port and then plug it into the phone and hit mount. If that doesn't work, id suggest rebooting the phone and trying again.
Sent through the Matrix

Having this exact problem right now.. I thought it was cause I was using 64 bit on my PC.. so I went to the office to try a 32 bit there.. I also wiped the phone, cleared the memory, rebooted the phone, tried different drivers, etc etc.. Nothing worked.
Then I realized that if I held the cable into the phone a certain way, it worked for a quick min.. so I realized the USB port was busted..
I went to the sprint store and they confirmed the USB port is bad.. so now I need to wait for a refurbed phone.. Which I am pissed about as I just bought this $500 phone 60 days ago, and now I have to get a refurb cause I didnt know my USB was messed up till now. Spent 3 hours on the phone with Sprint and 2 hours in the store, but since I am passed the 30 days, I am screwed and can only get a used phone back instead of a new one.

HEY
i had the same problem i had samsung check my computer remotely from were they located an they see my phone was defected an the guy say i need to turn it in to them so now im waiting on it they about to reflash it with a new software an rom an fix gps an wifi issues for me for free your phone have to have warranty go to the samsung website an check its all free shipping and handling an free service

Yesterday my Phone became an unrecognized USB device

After months of no problems yesterday I plugged my phone in for its nightly charge and noticed that it did not trigger the usual USB mount prompt.
I assumed it was Windows, but I have a bunch of machines and operating systems so I checked and they all has the same result. I switched out cords and did a complete power reset (taking battery out) no change.. The Phone charges through the USB but the computers say "unrecognized usb device" and cannot mount the phone as a drive and the phone does not offer the option as it used to???
I don't recall getting any sort of update that might have related to this?
This is the original T-mobile version

This happens to me all the time. However a restart of my phone and computer solves the issue.

DarkAgent said:
This happens to me all the time. However a restart of my phone and computer solves the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither of those things worked for me. There's gotta be something else to it.

jrocka01 said:
Neither of those things worked for me. There's gotta be something else to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go over changes you made to your phone recently.

only flashing another ROM worked for me... try reflash ur ROM, and wipe stuff if it doesnt work

DarkAgent said:
Go over changes you made to your phone recently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This all started when I manually installed 2.3.4. Everything else works fine. I'm not the only one with this problem.

roshga said:
only flashing another ROM worked for me... try reflash ur ROM, and wipe stuff if it doesnt work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you do that without USB connectivity?

It is very frustrating, maybe a hardware fail? I see just enough post relating to the issue that makes me know it is real but not sure how to resolve,, Do we have to go to Best Buy? or is there a direct Samsung route?

This too happens to me. Whenever I plug it into my laptop on the top USB slot, it doesn't recognize it. If I plug it in on the bottom USB slot, it does. Not sure why. This, however, is only the case if I'm using a different USB cable than the one that came with the phone itself. Once again, not sure why.
Perhaps you are using an alternative USB? Or plugging in on the top? Not sure how I can help you more than that, sorry. Hope you find a fix!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Have you tried a different USB cable?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

unforgiven512 said:
Have you tried a different USB cable?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using official OEM cable that came with the phone. And, again, USB worked fine until I manually installed 2.3.4.

Well It is off to Samsung for repair
After time on phone with them and a factory reset belief is that the usb connector is defective. BTW Best Buy just hands off to Samsung 1-800 #
So Back to a barely functional G-1 for a while, glad I could find it!

DarkAgent said:
This happens to me all the time. However a restart of my phone and computer solves the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recently started happening to me, needed to transfer some files off, had to resort to dropbox etc.. rebooted phone+computer ,still not working.
Came good a few days later using same equipment, same cable,
Mysteriously fixed itself ?

Nexus S USB connection issue.

Last week when I plugged my USB cable into my phone, it acted normal. The screen where it asks me if I want to connect USB came up, and I said yes. Everything was normal. It was baller.
Today, that doesn't happen. The screen doesn't come up and all the USB cable does is charge my phone, much like the wall plug does.
I've tried to install USB drivers, but they always require me to find "Android" in Device Manager, and it's never in there. The USB cable is doing nothing but charging my phone.
I managed to add a few mp3s over wifi, just to make sure that was actually working.
The phone is not rooted, (I was actually just going to try to do that) and everything is stock aside from a few apps.

I would really like some insight on this, please.
Do I need to get the phone replaced? Am I doing something wrong?

OK, I new to this, but thought I'd comment. If USB debugging is turned on, my seems to do that.
Settings -> Applications -> Developement -> USB Debugging
Beowins said:
I would really like some insight on this, please.
Do I need to get the phone replaced? Am I doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Did you change your kernel recently?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App

sagech said:
Did you change your kernel recently?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've done nothing to the phone. Only installed a few random apps.

sorry to hi-jack your thread!
mine does exactly the same, but all i've done is manually update to 2.3.4 and my usb hasn't worked since, like you i've tried installing the drivers and that's done nothing and its also in usb debugging.
i don't know what to do or how to get it to work again, all my searching on here and via Google don't bring up much

Beowins said:
Last week when I plugged my USB cable into my phone, it acted normal. The screen where it asks me if I want to connect USB came up, and I said yes. Everything was normal. It was baller.
Today, that doesn't happen. The screen doesn't come up and all the USB cable does is charge my phone, much like the wall plug does.
I've tried to install USB drivers, but they always require me to find "Android" in Device Manager, and it's never in there. The USB cable is doing nothing but charging my phone.
I managed to add a few mp3s over wifi, just to make sure that was actually working.
The phone is not rooted, (I was actually just going to try to do that) and everything is stock aside from a few apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put your phone into bootloader mode and try whether it detect or not?
And also, see if there is two line of words written
USB init start
USB init end ;-)
Sent from my Google Nexus S using XDA Premium App

Try another usb cord, and especially if you're using the samsung cord.
I had the same issue but when I switched to my Htc cord and my blacbkberry cord, everything worked as it should.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

plmiller0905 said:
Try another usb cord, and especially if you're using the samsung cord.
I had the same issue but when I switched to my Htc cord and my blacbkberry cord, everything worked as it should.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive just tried my works blackberry usb cable and it works fine now! very odd! thanks for your help

onslack said:
sorry to hi-jack your thread!
mine does exactly the same, but all i've done is manually update to 2.3.4 and my usb hasn't worked since, like you i've tried installing the drivers and that's done nothing and its also in usb debugging.
i don't know what to do or how to get it to work again, all my searching on here and via Google don't bring up much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, this is my post, verbatim. Any ideas or fixes?

plmiller0905 said:
Try another usb cord, and especially if you're using the samsung cord.
I had the same issue but when I switched to my Htc cord and my blacbkberry cord, everything worked as it should.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, you're right. My HTC cord worked. Thanks a lot.

I have had this happen on to me and have determined that a) the long cable that came with the NS4G is unreliable when used for USB connectivity with my PC. Shorter cables (even the shorter Samsung cable that came with my Epic) work consistently. I am guessing that this is a USB Bus power issue and some people will have better mileage than others using the stock cable, depending on their PC.
b) on a few occasions, it seems I've somehow borked the PC's USB controller and the PC wouldn't recongnize anything until I rebooted it.

window7 said:
Put your phone into bootloader mode and try whether it detect or not?
And also, see if there is two line of words written
USB init start
USB init end ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am getting the
USB control init
USB control init end
when in bootloader and when doing the i press vol up and vol down (triangle with android in it" with downloading below).
I would like to flash my phone to factory using Samsung Simple downloader for NS4G.
Background, installed Ice Cream but didn't have radio.img so used an SU to downgrade back to 2.3, did that but no mobile network. Then the phone updated to 2.3.6 and now getting that error. Any help will be appreciated.
I searched a few times on this forum and on google.com no luck. tried to adding a recovery file manually and zip it as update.zip and install from bootloader no luck. (use file explorer and dropbox to get files on to phone).
Thanks
Amar Bar

i had this issue a few months ago, turns out the usb port on the phone got defective so i could only charge it but not use the mass storage function, had to get it replaced under warranty! hope this isnt the issue with you guys

innisdb said:
i had this issue a few months ago, turns out the usb port on the phone got defective so i could only charge it but not use the mass storage function, had to get it replaced under warranty! hope this isnt the issue with you guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was your phone rooted at any point before the issue? Not sure if they would fix it under warranty for me. I will call Samsung and see.

Thanks, I tried that but no luck. Still need to tried other cords. Also.

My phone developed this problem a couple days ago. I haven't done much to troubleshoot it...figured the port must be damaged.
(Not using the Samsung cable, btw)

AardvarkAdventure said:
My phone developed this problem a couple days ago. I haven't done much to troubleshoot it...figured the port must be damaged.
(Not using the Samsung cable, btw)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might be the port. I will have to get a samsung cable and try it, but i doubt it will help. Plus i can tell Samsung I tried everything. (I looked a ticket, but they said get a samsung cord, they don't trust the Palm Pre cord i am using).
I had to downgrade to the HTC Hero until i get the phone fixed.

Cannot get phone to mount as mass storage anymore

Well pretty much as the title says. I have never had a issue with it before, but as of today it will not for the life of me mount. I sometimes (after many tries) get the windows 7 pc to the mass storage device but when I click on it it just loads forever before freezing up and failing to load any files from the phone. Then after being disconnected and reconnected I cant even get it to let me mount the device.. When I click mass storage it goes to the confirm mount page, but when i try to mount it again it just clicks but nothing happens.
I have no idea what is up. I have ordered a new usb cable but im not sure thats the problem.
Has anyone else had this issue? What was the sollution you came across that fixed it for you. Any help is appreciated.

Plug it in and go to device manager. Delete it from device mgr if it shows up. Reboot.... plug it back in after reboot and see if it recognizes it. Should reinstall itself and recognize.
Let me know......
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Had the same issue about the time I first moved to GB, turned out to be the cable but the timing of when it happened had me pretty twisted.

gregory15 said:
Plug it in and go to device manager. Delete it from device mgr if it shows up. Reboot.... plug it back in after reboot and see if it recognizes it. Should reinstall itself and recognize.
Let me know......
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can once again see the device (drive H but when i click to view or explore it completely locks up the window. So its unable to access the device but it does however know its there. I can access my device with adb as i tried it to see if I can atleast get it to communicate.. but have no way of accessing the sdcard via mass storage :-(
*update* Well I really wanted to get some files (audiobooks) sent over.. so I gave the kies air a go... That seems to be a decent temp fix.. and over a gigabit connection to my wireless N phone the transfer speeds are probably on par if not faster than usb... atleast it seems so.

prolly the cable
happened to me before
the sdcard can be read through an sdcard reader, just not through the phone.
The usb cable would charge the phone but it wouldnt connect for NOTHING. I would tap connect, it would press but then unpress as if nothing happened. just following the motion of my finger.
Found a BB cable a couple weeks later after i lost my stock one, and my phone was picked up by odin,adb, sd card, blah blah blah
it was so funny cuz i was blaming my pc for it instead of the cable cuz it worked so well for me before until i plugged my phone in on a friends comp and it didnt pick it up, but when i used his HD2 cable, it went through without a hitch.
TL;DR
Kies air will do till your new cable comes in.

Are they any issues or quirks with the phone reading the sd card? We've had a rash of epics come in lately where the sd card port has gone bad. Just making sure it's not that (but it's a very easy fix, the port is actually removable and we get them shipped to us as a new part.)
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

I get this on froyo, can't connect, every once in a blue moon it does, when it dosnt I use dropbox, kies air works good also. But on GB it works everytime, same cable, go figure