Database Users

If my SGS can go into 3 button recovery mode, is it un-brickable?

Can i still mess something up, or can i always just go into recovery and re-flash?

I think the SGS is almost unbrickable because of the 3 button download mode and such. Some people aren't as lucky though since their 3 button download mode was disabled for some reason when they got it.
As long as you don't go overboard with your flash attempts and in the process seriously damage something (I was told this was possible) then you're pretty safe as long as you know what you're doing.
Do a quick google search about the firmware you're attempting to use because at times they may be corrupted or have a corrupted file (for example: DXJG4 from samsung-fimrwares I was trying to flash was actually corrupted according to many who encountered the same problem. I tried flashing several times only to get stuck at the same part each time).
Also, make sure your phone has an ample amount of battery life. A phone with damaged firmware or something might not be able to charge and once it's fully drained you won't be able to get it to even turn on to access download or recovery mode.
I say these based on experience because just recently I had a horrible experience of thinking I permanently bricked my phone. I had been attempting to flash DXJG4 (not knowing yet it was corrupted) over and over, and for each time it got stuck I removed the battery to start over (people say this is a bad idea). After doing this for several times, for some reason my phone would no longer turn on or boot into download mode. It wouldn't charge in any way, it wasn't detected by my computer either...I thought it was dead and gone but the next morning the 3-button boot worked again though it wouldn't stay on at times... I still was able to keep it on long enough to flash to a working firmware. Once my device was up and running I saw it had an almost drained battery which I guess explains a lot.
To avoid the mess of a botched flash, follow flash procedure/instructions carefully, make sure the firmware you're going to use is really working and is the correct one, and make sure your phone has an ample amount of battery life.

Singhman said:
Can i still mess something up, or can i always just go into recovery and re-flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if the 3 button combo works, then yes you can always re-flash

i ****ed up my flashing right at start (its easy, use a long usb cable and it catches too many interferences for the flashing program which has no error correction)
phone went "?" and 3 button still worked and could flash

anoneemooz said:
As long as you don't go overboard with your flash attempts and in the process seriously damage something (I was told this was possible) then you're pretty safe as long as you know what you're doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To the best of my knowledge, probably not really.. Unless you flash millions of times maybe..

[Q] [PROBLEM SOLVED] Flashing with ODIN, stalling at factoryfs.rfs, what now?

[EDIT 3] Worked fine, finally, thanks for all the help.
[EDIT 2] Yeah, I don't know how it happened or what happened, but I got a lot further. I started to get Odin failing at recovery and then remembered this thread which I found earlier: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=907261&page=2
Basically did it exactly like how the OP fixed it, and the phone is currently being flashed.
But now I have a different problem, seems I can't get a break.
http://img651.imageshack.us/i/stuck.jpg/
It's stuck there, should I just wait? Is it supposed to take a while? Or is there a problem? Been there for about an hour now.
[EDIT] So the phone works now, but Odin won't flash for me. What could the problem be if it's stuck on Initializing (or rather, Initialzing as the program puts it)? I've tried 1.61, 1.7, used the DI18 file and removed the md5 bit so that the file ends in .tar, etc
Hey, so I've been desperately trying to return my Epic to stock DI18, and I tried clockwork mod which didn't work, and then I tried doing it through Odin, and it kept hanging on Initializing.
Anyway, I keep trying with Odin, and ended up taking out my battery and putting it back in, but now the phone won't turn on. It doesn't turn on normally, not through download mode, not recovery, nothing.
Any help? What can I do? I tried searching but every result ends up being about turning on bluetooth or wifi, etc., and the few that are related to bricking talk about going into download mode to flash with Odin.

I hope you didn't take the battery out while flashing odin...
you can't turn it on in any way right?
can you charge it via usb? maybe you just ran out of power while flashing?

Uh, yeah, that's exactly what I did. Every time Odin would hang at Initializing, I'd have to remove the battery and restart the phone to try again.
God, I am so stupid, it is ridiculous.
The battery did have a decent amount of charge last time I checked though.

Hold down 1 and power and insert battery while holding them. That should get you into d/l mode. Taking out the battery while odin is stuck on initializing does not harm the phone.
Sent from my Bonzai'd Epic 4g.

I just did something like what you said leather, and I got it into download mode.
Now I'm afraid to do anything. Any reason why my flashing through Odin wouldn't work?

Odin is picky about the computer its running on. I used a laptop when i first started flashing..no issues ever.
Fixed my desktop and instantly ran into odin problems. Try changing USB ports and make sure youve got no firewalls running.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Yeah, what I don't know how it happened or what happened, but I got a lot further. I started to get Odin failing at recovery and then remembered this thread which I found earlier: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=907261&page=2
Basically did it exactly like how the OP fixed it, and the phone is currently being flashed.
But now I have a different problem, seems I can't get a break.
http://img651.imageshack.us/i/stuck.jpg/
It's stuck there, should I just wait? Is it supposed to take a while? Or is there a problem? Been there for maybe 5-6 minutes now.

The factory always takes the longest; so give it time. And do NOT pull the battery at that point. Youll have to say good bye epic :<
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

How did this end up? Did it move past FACTORY FS?

Nope, still stuck in that same exact place. Is it supposed to take this long or has something gone wrong?

Could I unplug it and try again at this point, or would that brick it? It's just stuck there, what do I do? I'd love to try different usb ports and such, but I can't if I don't stop this process, just don't know how to do it without bricking it.
And thanks for the help so far.

Did you remove the. Md5 at the end of the tar file?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

No, I put the md5 back to start from the beginning with everything as it comes from downloads and such.
What do I do about it right now though? Can I safely unplug it and restart it or...?

Seems like you have no choice but to unplug it. Removing the md5 shouldn't make a difference. Try a different USB port.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Yeah, thankfully it didn't brick. I feel like I'm walking through a minefield with this thing.
Anyway, switched ports, had the file renamed to end in .tar, made sure Odin was opened as administrator in Windows 7, and thankfully it flashed fine.
Now I'm back at vanilla 2.1, can start fresh in terms of upgrading, was having some problems earlier. Is that GPS locking problem present in 2.3? Assuming I put ClockworkMod 3 on it and have the file system reset to EXT4, can I just flash to 2.3 ROMs right away?

Such problems
Hi everyone,
Skip this first paragraph if you just want to read my steps from problems to solution:
I hope this post helps people who were in the same situation I was in.
A few days ago I just happened to read the news about the new gingerbread for the AT&T i997 Samsung Infuse. I read that it wasn't over the air. Because of what has been seeming as a bluetooth leak after trying everything to stop the leak up to hard resetting it, I figured I'd pray that gingerbread fixes it. So on went my quest in the last few days trying to get this gingerbread update as fast as I could.
1) I downloaded keys mini for the Samsung device which was needed for the upgrade. I installed it on my main pc which is windows 7 64 bit. After installation, it's first run, it automatically updated the application.
2) I plugged in my phone via usb and it said device not registered so I got in contact with a Samsung rep in chat who told me to register it and it would take 24 hours.
3) I registered on Samsung and waited about 48 hours and still no change.
4) Got impatient and read about GTG Ultimate unbrick which is supposed to return my stock phone back to it's out of box condition which eliminated what I thought as an error with my phone of it not being registered.
5) Now after plugging it in after the unbrick. I got a message stating "device already up to date". I kept getting this for the last couple days. Sigh
6) Read that I could download the new gingerbread stock ROM without being rooted. Just had to use the ODIN3 I got with the GTG Ultimate unbrick zip file and supply the ROM I997UCKL2-Homebinary.tar.md5 as the input file.
7) Follow basically same instructions as unbricking but not reformatting and just supplying the md5 file as the input for hte PDA button then clicking start.
8) Odin 3 message status window was stuck at setupconnection and I knew this wasnt right. It was stuck for over 15 minutes and it should only do that for a minute or less.
9) Unplugged usb and big error in red on Odin 3 (but didn't have a choice)
10) Tried removing battery and retrying the flash but now a bigger issue the screen was all colored specs or in other words multi colored spots. Rut roh!
11) After scratching my head and googling like crazy some others had the same issue and they mentioned removing the battery and trying again but didn't mention that the spots would remain on the screen while the items could be flashed fine.
12) Tried again this time it got past setupconnection but was stuck at initializing.
13) Thought to myself let me try it on my Windows Vista 32 laptop.
14) Voila. It worked. So don't give up if you see the colored spots on your screen. There still is a chance. I now have gingerbread. THANKS EVERYONE!
Next Morning Update:
I was too quick to be happy. It seems I am one of the small few who is having touch sensitivity issues and lag typing on the lower right side of the screen especially with the back key (backspace). I typed my first reply to an email and the third word in the backspace was completely disabled.

Glad you got it working.

Am i the only one when i saw "what now" immediately thought about that lead paint commercial ?

iSaint said:
Am i the only one when i saw "what now" immediately thought about that lead paint commercial ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GTG Ultimate unbrick zip is missing can u re-up it plz?

[Q] S4 stuck on Downloading mode..pls help

Hi guys, Last night I accidently unplugged my phone while installing ClockWORKMOD recovery. Now when I boot my device it is stuck on the Downloading screen. I tried everything including the posts here but the Odin software doesn't see my phone and removing the battery and reinstalling does nothing. I even wiped the phone and factory reset via the clockwork... No Luck. It will not install the Crash ROM either. I get error 7.
It seems like I bricked the phone but I know there is always a way back to life. At least I hope. Any help guys would be great.
thxs
Carlo

shpack said:
Hi guys, Last night I accidently unplugged my phone while installing ClockWORKMOD recovery. Now when I boot my device it is stuck on the Downloading screen. I tried everything including the posts here but the Odin software doesn't see my phone and removing the battery and reinstalling does nothing. I even wiped the phone and factory reset via the clockwork... No Luck. It will not install the Crash ROM either. I get error 7.
It seems like I bricked the phone but I know there is always a way back to life. At least I hope. Any help guys would be great.
thxs
Carlo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to properly install the correct drivers on your PC. There should be no reason that ODIN doesn't see your phone if they are installed correctly. A quick search of the forums should get you the proper drivers to install. You can also try Kies emergency recovery, but it is hit and miss. Good luck.

+1 if you can get into download you can Odin. Use the usb ports in the back of the pc. You might have to use a different computer also. For the life of me I can't get Odin on my pc to recognize the device but I have no problem with my laptop.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Wow, didn't we just fix this problem like 2-3 threads ago, IN THIS FORUM?

TheAxman said:
Wow, didn't we just fix this problem like 2-3 threads ago, IN THIS FORUM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing, these exact same types of threads just keep rolling through one after the other...people don't search and they don't read. That's the reason they are in the situation they are in to begin with and it seems they just don't learn.
Fortunately, the AT&T S4 forum has come far enough along that the sticky threads and the threads like your guide can be linked for these people to put a little time into finding a solution for themselves. Most of them don't like it (they want it done for them), but if it is all they get, they will finally have to do something the right way on their own.
Actually, a few people are thankful for being pointed in the right direction, but most are still pissed because it means they have to do what they should have done in the first place...follow XDA rules, use the search function, and read. If you don't do everything for them and hand it to them on a plate they call you names and say you are a ****, unhelpful, etc... I just laugh about it because it becomes clear why their phone is F'ed up in the first place. The thing is, sometimes you just can't help people. Just every now and then, someone comes along that needs help and is willing to do things the right way.

You can NOT have kies drivers and samsung drivers loading at the same time, I do not use kies at all, and my pc has NEVER gave me a issue yet using odin, including in my G3 days. uninstall that worthless kies and proceed. If you have to use kies, load it as needed then remove it.
And as always with the lovely microsoft windows, after you un-install anything you have to reboot, for it to work properly.
Linux is my BUD!

[Q] [Help] my GT-I9300I not start.

I had the idea of wanting to install the ROM lollipop in my GT-I9300I, but first had to install android 4.4.4. trying many times just stick with the original, as it had before, then I went back to try again, but this time, I wanted to install a rom of India, when I was using odin, the phone restarts and did not turn anymore, no meeting is no way to turn it on, try a hard brick with a good home resistances had seen online, but still does not start, can not I at least do enter some way, if anyone has any solution that can help me. Or tell me to do to fix it.
From already thank you.

mstheeduar said:
I had the idea of wanting to install the ROM lollipop in my GT-I9300I, but first had to install android 4.4.4. trying many times just stick with the original, as it had before, then I went back to try again, but this time, I wanted to install a rom of India, when I was using odin, the phone restarts and did not turn anymore, no meeting is no way to turn it on, try a hard brick with a good home resistances had seen online, but still does not start, can not I at least do enter some way, if anyone has any solution that can help me. Or tell me to do to fix it.
From already thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not start at all? Like completely nothing? Try to charge it. If < no then take it to the warranty if you dont have warranty... well sorry.

Laurisss said:
It does not start at all? Like completely nothing? Try to charge it. If < no then take it to the warranty if you dont have warranty... well sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately, does nothing, no lights will not turn even a LED, then do nothing, and I do not have warranty, I think not run if I play the rom and stuff.

If it's hard bricked, try following this guide. Don't forget to thank @usman_fareed for it. :highfive:

tmobile s8 boot loop-ish

hey all,
Saturday morning a wake up to my alarm on my phone (SM-G950U T-Mobile Stock since new) and turn off the alarm and proceed to check email and scroll social medias. A few minuted later phone turns off and starts boot looping. Occasionally it would boot to home screen and i could unlock it but then maybe 30 seconds later it would start boot loping again. Now it either just boot loops or boots straight to recovery . I have tried flashing current firmware in case it was corrupted and i have tried accessing it through ADB. I know for a fact USB debugging is on because I just used abd to pull wifi passwords 2 weeks ago, but when I try to [ abd devices] if comes up as unauthorized and I cannot proceed. I know everyone will suggest a factory reset, but I am hoping someone has a trick for extracting files. I dont care about most on my phone, but I would like to save the pics from my GF and I trip this past august. Apparently I didnt have my photo library set to sync to cloud -_-
thanks
-chip
update: it appears there is a pattern. it boot loops or boots to recovery (after a blue failed system update screen) 99% of the time. the 1% it boot fully and then crashes is only when battery is 0% . it for some reason is only trickle charging and isnt getting enough juice when it does boot fully to stay on . But if i leave it charging a while it will then only boot loop or boot to recovery. Strange...any way I had enough time this past boot to reauthorize usb debug.....wish me luck with adb
....nevermind. still shows up as unauthorized

chip102 said:
hey all,
Saturday morning a wake up to my alarm on my phone (SM-G950U T-Mobile Stock since new) and turn off the alarm and proceed to check email and scroll social medias. A few minuted later phone turns off and starts boot looping. Occasionally it would boot to home screen and i could unlock it but then maybe 30 seconds later it would start boot loping again. Now it either just boot loops or boots straight to recovery . I have tried flashing current firmware in case it was corrupted and i have tried accessing it through ADB. I know for a fact USB debugging is on because I just used abd to pull wifi passwords 2 weeks ago, but when I try to [ abd devices] if comes up as unauthorized and I cannot proceed. I know everyone will suggest a factory reset, but I am hoping someone has a trick for extracting files. I dont care about most on my phone, but I would like to save the pics from my GF and I trip this past august. Apparently I didnt have my photo library set to sync to cloud -_-
thanks
-chip
update: it appears there is a pattern. it boot loops or boots to recovery (after a blue failed system update screen) 99% of the time. the 1% it boot fully and then crashes is only when battery is 0% . it for some reason is only trickle charging and isnt getting enough juice when it does boot fully to stay on . But if i leave it charging a while it will then only boot loop or boot to recovery. Strange...any way I had enough time this past boot to reauthorize usb debug.....wish me luck with adb
....nevermind. still shows up as unauthorized
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive had similar cases happen with older models. May be time for a battery. They will do crazy **** when the battery crashes. When you flashed stock firmware you lost adb authorisation. Need to get the system back first for that.

TheMadScientist said:
Ive had similar cases happen with older models. May be time for a battery. They will do crazy **** when the battery crashes. When you flashed stock firmware you lost adb authorisation. Need to get the system back first for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you very much. my battery life was greatly suffering and the USB-c port was worn pretty bad. Ill grab a new battery and hope that works.

chip102 said:
thank you very much. my battery life was greatly suffering and the USB-c port was worn pretty bad. Ill grab a new battery and hope that works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheapest fix in my opinion. I saw another thread a guy dropped his. Now detects 9008 how to fix. More than likely a phone wont just not boot. Or lose programming unless a hardware issue. So if it was just running and quit. Not modding stuff really. More likely than not its gonna be some form of software. But hardware.

TheMadScientist said:
Cheapest fix in my opinion. I saw another thread a guy dropped his. Now detects 9008 how to fix. More than likely a phone wont just not boot. Or lose programming unless a hardware issue. So if it was just running and quit. Not modding stuff really. More likely than not its gonna be some form of software. But hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Replaced Daughter board and battery. No improvement :/ bummer

the only time i can get it back into recovery is after a "successful" flash with odin. by successful i mean that it says it worked but it just continues to boot loop or boots to recovery. attached is a picture of the info i get in recovery every time. hope someone can shed some light in the issue. im using my old phone so i dont feel pressured to call the data a loss and try a factory reset just yet....my old phone is a POS though

chip102 said:
the only time i can get it back into recovery is after a "successful" flash with odin. by successful i mean that it says it worked but it just continues to boot loop or boots to recovery. attached is a picture of the info i get in recovery every time. hope someone can shed some light in the issue. im using my old phone so i dont feel pressured to call the data a loss and try a factory reset just yet....my old phone is a POS though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea some one tried to root it using the edl safestrap thread. Only wsy to fix it is filled the steps and reflash jrkruses pie rom. One of my mother boards are in the same state. That's the only way dm verity fails. Is his rom method.
There's some easy to flash a cache wipe in Odin but I hadn't found it yet. I have 2 mother boards and one is identical. I flash this stock and lose download or recovery. but the errors you show are only from doing that edl safestrap

Ill be honest..i have no idea what you are talking about. Ive messed with the software with previous devices and never heard of safe strap. This one has been bone stock since I got it from Tmobile and i haven't attempt to flash anything until i had this issue. never tried to root it
TheMadScientist said:
Yea some one tried to root it using the edl safestrap thread. Only wsy to fix it is filled the steps and reflash jrkruses pie rom. One of my mother boards are in the same state. That's the only way dm verity fails. Is his rom method.
There's some easy to flash a cache wipe in Odin but I hadn't found it yet. I have 2 mother boards and one is identical. I flash this stock and lose download or recovery. but the errors you show are only from doing that edl safestrap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

chip102 said:
Ill be honest..i have no idea what you are talking about. Ive messed with the software with previous devices and never heard of safe strap. This one has been bone stock since I got it from Tmobile and i haven't attempt to flash anything until i had this issue. never tried to root it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/development/root-t3904613. This thread can help you at least get pie back up and running. I wouldn't mess with no more. I haven't had much luck with mine. But I did get it booting again