Stumbled upon this a bit ago, a company called Mobile Tech is offering an "unbricking" service on all versions of the Galaxy Tab. At the time of this writing they charge $50. I have not used this service, am not in any affiliated with this company and cannot vouch for their work, so beware. Just thought someone out there might use this when other options aren't available.
They have a nifty video up on youtube showing how they do it:
it will be a good help for those who brick their tab because they ain't follow the steps .. thanks for sharing this out
I can actually vouch third party for this service. Have had two friends use it and the device was returned within a few days. If I'm not mistaken, the guy lives in the southern US, but can arrange international he says.
Sent from my "better than an iPad" tab... Running Overcome GINGERBREAD!!!
This is cool, but I would recommend trying to go through Samsung first if you are still under warranty. I screwed up my primary bootloader and contacted them. They took care of shipping costs, fixed it up, and sent it back in about a week and a half. If Samsung hadn't fixed it I would defiantly have payed the $50 here though.
WOW, that seems like a lot of work for $50.
Thanks for the info, should I ever screw something up its nice to know there are people out there who can clean up my mess!
spacemoose1 said:
a company called Mobile Tech is offering an "unbricking" service on all versions of the Galaxy Tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi spacemoose1
Thanks for link and as always, thanks for honeycomb port. I would like to ascertain the definition of BRICK? with your help, if I may.
(disclaimer: pls forgive my wrong terms or exagerated explanation, but most importantly, pls correct me if I'm wrong)
BRICKed = software total lost, must use JTAG to force revive it, Samsung has it, or buy from web supplier around 300 USD ??? 500 USD ???
JTAG is a device to push software into all newly borned IC. I.E. when factory make IC, it's empty software inside, hence has a special device to push voltage into all sections of the IC, then force the code in.
Another term is ???CRASH??? or ???HANG???, (I don't know) anyway is not BRICKed, hence a reflash can recover it.
Samsung uses proprietary method a lot, not follow conventional, make usb driver very complex. USB driver install EXE around 15MB to 28MB depends on version, ALL work the same.
but, when the device = sgt7 in different state/condition, the driver must RE-ESTABLISH again, or else cannot work.
I.E.
state 1 = "OPERATIONAL"device in android operation, normal use, surf web, phone call etc
state 2 = "SLEEP" device powered off, show battery big icon charging when powered by charger
state 3 = RECOVERY mode
state 4 = DOWNLOAD mode - this is one of the way to FORCE flash to recover, as long as bootloader and something still intact
state 5 = PHONE-!-PC mode
stage 6 = "COMA" device powered off, NO show of battery big icon, even when charger supplied. Don't panic, let it charge fully 4 hours from 2 amperes supply, 10 hours from PC 500mA. It will start again !!!. Battery big icon will appear around 30% battery charged, I know because that's what I saw. I didn't check when it's in 10% or 20%. The 1st time I check was already 30% up from no-boot or no respone.
User need to plug device into PC during each of the state above at least once, in order for various flashing functions to work.
i.e. when it's a newly arrived device, usually install the usb driver 1st, with device state in android OS running properly, then plug in to USB and see "new device detected" installing, pls wait. Finished.
But when flashing via Odin using state 4 = DOWNLOAD mode, user may experience no connection, no COM3 or something. Because device must be unplugged in USB, power-up in state 4 = DOWNLOAD mode, plug in USB, "new device detected" installing = RE-ESTABLISH, done. UNPLUG USB, replug in usb, then COM3 appears FLASH will be succesfull.
same goes for other state.
p.s. many users reported BRICKed but then recovered WITHOUT JTAG is misleading beginners, hence should rename the term to ???CRASH??? or ???HANG???. although some previously use "SEMI-brick", which is acceptable.
stage 3 = ClockWorkMod flashing (super convenient, especially on the move without PC)
stage 4 = Odin / Heimdall both works (still convenient and easy )
stage 5 = Odin / Heimdall both works (still convenient and easy )
???CRASH??? or ???HANG??? or "SEMI-brick" is usually SUCCESFULLY recovered via restock+PIT
(final disclaimer, incase above is correct and help and is copied, pls correct whatever mistakes found, feel free.)
*** Thanks for all those who taught me my mistakes *** devs and fellow forumers
ManticoreX said:
This is cool, but I would recommend trying to go through Samsung first if you are still under warranty. I screwed up my primary bootloader and contacted them. They took care of shipping costs, fixed it up, and sent it back in about a week and a half. If Samsung hadn't fixed it I would defiantly have payed the $50 here though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, warranty repair is always a better choice. But sometimes you've already voided the warranty, lol.
I guess, if u change factory installed rom/kernel warranty gonna be history
thanx for the post ... it might gonna be the last resort...
cx5 said:
Hi spacemoose1
Thanks for link and as always, thanks for honeycomb port. I would like to ascertain the definition of BRICK? with your help, if I may.
(disclaimer: pls forgive my wrong terms or exagerated explanation, but most importantly, pls correct me if I'm wrong)
BRICKed = software total lost, must use JTAG to force revive it, Samsung has it, or buy from web supplier around 300 USD ??? 500 USD ???
JTAG is a device to push software into all newly borned IC. I.E. when factory make IC, it's empty software inside, hence has a special device to push voltage into all sections of the IC, then force the code in.
Another term is ???CRASH??? or ???HANG???, (I don't know) anyway is not BRICKed, hence a reflash can recover it.
Samsung uses proprietary method a lot, not follow conventional, make usb driver very complex. USB driver install EXE around 15MB to 28MB depends on version, ALL work the same.
but, when the device = sgt7 in different state/condition, the driver must RE-ESTABLISH again, or else cannot work.
I.E.
state 1 = "OPERATIONAL"device in android operation, normal use, surf web, phone call etc
state 2 = "SLEEP" device powered off, show battery big icon charging when powered by charger
state 3 = RECOVERY mode
state 4 = DOWNLOAD mode - this is one of the way to FORCE flash to recover, as long as bootloader and something still intact
state 5 = PHONE-!-PC mode
stage 6 = "COMA" device powered off, NO show of battery big icon, even when charger supplied. Don't panic, let it charge fully 4 hours from 2 amperes supply, 10 hours from PC 500mA. It will start again !!!. Battery big icon will appear around 30% battery charged, I know because that's what I saw. I didn't check when it's in 10% or 20%. The 1st time I check was already 30% up from no-boot or no respone.
User need to plug device into PC during each of the state above at least once, in order for various flashing functions to work.
i.e. when it's a newly arrived device, usually install the usb driver 1st, with device state in android OS running properly, then plug in to USB and see "new device detected" installing, pls wait. Finished.
But when flashing via Odin using state 4 = DOWNLOAD mode, user may experience no connection, no COM3 or something. Because device must be unplugged in USB, power-up in state 4 = DOWNLOAD mode, plug in USB, "new device detected" installing = RE-ESTABLISH, done. UNPLUG USB, replug in usb, then COM3 appears FLASH will be succesfull.
same goes for other state.
p.s. many users reported BRICKed but then recovered WITHOUT JTAG is misleading beginners, hence should rename the term to ???CRASH??? or ???HANG???. although some previously use "SEMI-brick", which is acceptable.
stage 3 = ClockWorkMod flashing (super convenient, especially on the move without PC)
stage 4 = Odin / Heimdall both works (still convenient and easy )
stage 5 = Odin / Heimdall both works (still convenient and easy )
???CRASH??? or ???HANG??? or "SEMI-brick" is usually SUCCESFULLY recovered via restock+PIT
(final disclaimer, incase above is correct and help and is copied, pls correct whatever mistakes found, feel free.)
*** Thanks for all those who taught me my mistakes *** devs and fellow forumers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pretty much agree, but I might refine:
BRICK= Unit does not power up, visibly charge, reach a boot-screen of any kind including a service or "download" screen. A device in this state requires service from the manufacturer or an individual equipped with the proper tools. There is no other way to recover a device in this state.
SOFT-BRICK= Unit powers up, reaches a "download" or service screen, visibly charges but does not boot into an OS. Crashing, hanging etc. all apply here. It is easy to recover a device from this state so long as one has access to a firmware that was designed for the device and the ability to flash said firmware.
SEMI-BRICK= See soft-brick above
JTAG= Provides access to system hardware by applying the correct voltage to the correct pins in order to push software via an external program.
In regards to the usb drivers, there are only actually 4 states
1. Active userspace
2. Serial gadget mode
3. Recovery
4. USB storage mode
And there is a separate driver for each of these (except recovery) in the Samsung driver package that should install automatically when the device is plugged in during normal use on a stock rom, or with the installation package available on the web.
The rest of it you've got pretty much correct.
Money seems right, but the amount of work that guy has to go thru is amazing, so much to tare it apart, and reassemble. Then again when it is put back toether, he checks it, what if it did not take the fix... all over again.
Hardbricked Tab Save by Mobile Tech
I hardbricked my galaxy tab bought in Cambodia. My little brother open the tab trying to take the battery off and put it back on, thus void the warranty, found him on the Samsung vibrant forum, sent the tab to him got it back good as new. This person is professional, honest and good communication with his customers, you'll be happy with his work, if he can't fix it you get your money back (minus shipping and diagnosis)...Glad he is arround to help...
spacemoose1 said:
I pretty much agree, but I might refine:
BRICK= Unit does not power up, visibly charge, reach a boot-screen of any kind including a service or "download" screen. A device in this state requires service from the manufacturer or an individual equipped with the proper tools. There is no other way to recover a device in this state.
SOFT-BRICK= Unit powers up, reaches a "download" or service screen, visibly charges but does not boot into an OS. Crashing, hanging etc. all apply here. It is easy to recover a device from this state so long as one has access to a firmware that was designed for the device and the ability to flash said firmware.
SEMI-BRICK= See soft-brick above
JTAG= Provides access to system hardware by applying the correct voltage to the correct pins in order to push software via an external program.
In regards to the usb drivers, there are only actually 4 states
1. Active userspace
2. Serial gadget mode
3. Recovery
4. USB storage mode
And there is a separate driver for each of these (except recovery) in the Samsung driver package that should install automatically when the device is plugged in during normal use on a stock rom, or with the installation package available on the web.
The rest of it you've got pretty much correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should post this in Q/A thread on its own as its very helpful and maybe it will stop the 1% of people saying help my phone is bricked comments ... the other 99% don't read anyway otherwise they would discover their phone isn't bricked and if they read properly it would not have gotten to the state in the first place .. and no I never posted something like that myself >:¬}
but well done on this..
alexgogan said:
You should post this in Q/A thread on its own as its very helpful and maybe it will stop the 1% of people saying help my phone is bricked comments ... the other 99% don't read anyway otherwise they would discover their phone isn't bricked and if they read properly it would not have gotten to the state in the first place .. and no I never posted something like that myself >:¬}
but well done on this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
Nice find. For that amount of effort disassembling, and reviving, $50 is a very realistic price. I'll keep these guys in mind if I run into issues with my tab.
$50 for that much work is an absolute bargain! I wish I didn't live in a country where you get charged $200/hr for someone to pick their nose.
It's actually not that much more difficult than popping an OS install CD into a hosed computer and pressing 3 keys to let it run through the installation after flashing a corrupt motherboard BIOS. Yes, it takes familiarity with the software and hardware, but it's by no means a feat that requires a special skillset.
Granted, few people have JTAG stuff handy, so $50 is definitely worth it if you've hosed your device, but don't make it sound like he's sweating and coding the bootloader by hand, strenuously manipulating micro tools to disassemble the tablet and flipping DIP switches to restore the bootloader. You spend 5 minutes taking apart the tablet, you attach the JTAG cable, run the supplied software on your computer, and sit there recording the screen with your video recorder while the progressbar moves from 0 to 100.
Again, it's worth $50 simply because not everyone and their mother has JTAG hardware sitting around, but by no means is it hard. It's the same reason I can get away with charging $100 to clean viruses off of a computer. People either don't have the tools or don't know how to use them. That being said, I don't know a damn thing about using JTAG to restore a corrupt bootloader, nor do I have the right hardware, so I'd pay $50 if I were ever in the situation.
Edit: And yes, $100 for a virus clean is a lot, but people generally change their mind when I explain to them why they got viruses, as well as installing proper antivirus software and then instructing them on how to avoid infection in the future. I rarely get repeat business from the same customer but I get A LOT of referrals ;p They're happy paying that much when the person educates them instead of cleaning, not installing/explaining, then having to bring the computer in again two weeks later for another wallet-gouge, which most other computer 'repair people' gladly do over and over.
Everything in this world is rinse and repeat... The money comes from time spent learning to use the hardware properly, micro soldering skills (which isn't easy, no matter who you are), confidence enough to offer it as a service, not to mention the couple hundred bucks for the jtag software and hardware.
Now, the fact that if you have your device in a bricked state you likely voided the warranty, it's a 600 dollar brick if your samsung tech recognized it... 50 bucks is a steal to not deal with samsung anyway.
Try to be less pompous next time oh savoir of the hundred bone virus... Your poop stinks too, promise.
Sent from my "better than an iPad" tab running Overcome Hermes.
LycaonX said:
It's actually not that much more difficult than popping an OS install CD into a hosed computer and pressing 3 keys to let it run through the installation after flashing a corrupt motherboard BIOS. Yes, it takes familiarity with the software and hardware, but it's by no means a feat that requires a special skillset.
Granted, few people have JTAG stuff handy, so $50 is definitely worth it if you've hosed your device, but don't make it sound like he's sweating and coding the bootloader by hand, strenuously manipulating micro tools to disassemble the tablet and flipping DIP switches to restore the bootloader. You spend 5 minutes taking apart the tablet, you attach the JTAG cable, run the supplied software on your computer, and sit there recording the screen with your video recorder while the progressbar moves from 0 to 100.
Again, it's worth $50 simply because not everyone and their mother has JTAG hardware sitting around, but by no means is it hard. It's the same reason I can get away with charging $100 to clean viruses off of a computer. People either don't have the tools or don't know how to use them. That being said, I don't know a damn thing about using JTAG to restore a corrupt bootloader, nor do I have the right hardware, so I'd pay $50 if I were ever in the situation.
Edit: And yes, $100 for a virus clean is a lot, but people generally change their mind when I explain to them why they got viruses, as well as installing proper antivirus software and then instructing them on how to avoid infection in the future. I rarely get repeat business from the same customer but I get A LOT of referrals ;p They're happy paying that much when the person educates them instead of cleaning, not installing/explaining, then having to bring the computer in again two weeks later for another wallet-gouge, which most other computer 'repair people' gladly do over and over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got to call you out on this one. Mis-connecting or shorting any wires will lead to a damaged PCB and an un-resurrectable TAB. I'm also a Systems Admin for a living so I understand where you are coming from. You must realize that I solder at levels of .1mm in spacing on the Captivate, Vibrant and Nexus S. Electrical engineers and technicians have first hand talked with me about the difficulty of doing this and is NOT something that anyone can do. You'd think twice when you burn up a phone or two valued at $500 a pop trying to JTAG them. There is more skill involved than you would think. Not to mention the liability when dis-assembling the device. JTAG software is decent but it's not fully automated. There are TCK frequencies, RTCK frequencies different PBL partition sizes, full dcc loader read/writes and the requirement of EXACT voltage from an external power supply that are needed in MANY cases. Plus, there is little to no support when fixing a device. This means that if you can't figure it out, nobody else is going to for you. I'm not trying to brag but yet point out that this isn't like plugging in your phone for an ODIN flash. I've taken hundreds of hours of time and 1000's of dollars to create what I feel is the most trusted JTAG authority online ANYWHERE. I greatly appreciate having the opportunity to help the community and enthusiasts in this community. If this was as easy as you are claiming, you could get JTAG hardware and a manual at Best Buy. I have to say you put it best when you said you don't know anything about JTAG... Ok end of rant I was just a bit bothered by your post.
Ok with that being said, thanks for the personal testimonies and compliments. I will be here whenever anyone needs JTAG assistance in the future or around the forums to help answer Q&A when it doesn't require JTAG. Here is a Nexus S promo to realize how tiny some of these things are
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecp8jKmm48k
i would love to learn more on how to do stuff like this if i had moneyz. the .1mm ext.
not just for android but to make my own ish.
thanks for the awsome videos.
Thanks for the link, hope I won't need it ;-)
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
I have two Galaxy S gt-i9000m both with Bell and I live in Newfoundland which is the 850mhz radio as well.
One phone became bricked few months ago when I started getting random reboots I changed rom, it converted fs from rfs to ext4 and recovery gave some screens to go through but at this time I was only new, I messed up and my internal sd started causing issues. It was when gingerbread first arrived
I used odin to flash a number of firmwares, but now I feel I was not doing odin correctly, regarding bootloader and partitioning, anyway what ended up making the actual "BRICK" was when I flashed a vibrant rom and rebooted, now its a perm black screen.
If I have a fully charged battery and leave in, it dies overnight, If i plug usb in, the motherboard heats up very noticably, but no sound, no connection through device manage, nothing at all, no matter what tricks or buttons I try.
So not I have another identical phone that works perfectly. I have been researching if there was a way using my good phone to flash a chip, or solder something together could I fix it but I could not find any relevant info.
So I am left with the jtag/riffbox.
Can someone do this service for me, I dont want to actually buy one just to use it once, or can someone help me fix my bricked galaxy s, I will pay you for info that helps as well as put videos up, etc.
Please I have been last 4 months trying when I have free time, someone that knows how to help me, please do!!!
Thanks,
Dave Husk
709.764.7890
**EDIT**
I would love to work with someone, I attached pictures of my phone's internal parts including chip shots, and i also took a picture of my sim card writer, which is a serial to usb device and I'm sure somehow I can solder together to make a device to help unbrick our SGS's, I am even willing to send free of charge to the next person in need, and pay for shipping to continue the good will as every bricked SGS owner deserves HELP!
**EDIT 2**
I also already have a Download mode jig, the 301k resistor here as well
Does the download jig do anything?
If not your into specialized territory with the jtag stuff. I would add to an existing thread on that and hope someone is still watching it.
G
There are jtag shops in TO that can do it (on xda somewhere) and you could likely ship it to them and get the service.
Hello
I was trying to flash the official android L on my note 3 n900w8. I believe I hard bricked the phone because the phone is not responsive. It does not turn on at all. Does not charge. No signs of life! Only when I plug the phone into my pc, the pc recognizes it under the name QC BULK.
I researched a lot about this problem and I found the SD card method. Tried it, and still does not work.
There is another method where you open the phone and find a resistor located near the camera, but I can't seem to find that resistor.
I bought a ''jig'' piece hoping that it will boot the phone up, but still no response. DEAD!
The only solution left is to ''Jtag'' it, but before I pay 60-70 dollars, do you guys have any ideas/solutions??
please please help!!:crying:
Thanks!:highfive:
xhamadeex said:
Hello
I was trying to flash the official android L on my note 3 n900w8. I believe I hard bricked the phone because the phone is not responsive. It does not turn on at all. Does not charge. No signs of life! Only when I plug the phone into my pc, the pc recognizes it under the name QC BULK.
I researched a lot about this problem and I found the SD card method. Tried it, and still does not work.
There is another method where you open the phone and find a resistor located near the camera, but I can't seem to find that resistor.
I bought a ''jig'' piece hoping that it will boot the phone up, but still no response. DEAD!
The only solution left is to ''Jtag'' it, but before I pay 60-70 dollars, do you guys have any ideas/solutions??
please please help!!:crying:
Thanks!:highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, SM-n900w8 don't have OFFICIAL android L atm. I don't know what you flashed :silly:
xhamadeex said:
Hello
I was trying to flash the official android L on my note 3 n900w8. I believe I hard bricked the phone because the phone is not responsive. It does not turn on at all. Does not charge. No signs of life! Only when I plug the phone into my pc, the pc recognizes it under the name QC BULK.
I researched a lot about this problem and I found the SD card method. Tried it, and still does not work.
There is another method where you open the phone and find a resistor located near the camera, but I can't seem to find that resistor.
I bought a ''jig'' piece hoping that it will boot the phone up, but still no response. DEAD!
The only solution left is to ''Jtag'' it, but before I pay 60-70 dollars, do you guys have any ideas/solutions??
please please help!!:crying:
Thanks!:highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I agree with Joku1981, do you even know which file have you flashed?
Everything you said has "brick" written all over it...
Can you get into the download/recovery mode?
If download or recovery mode is accessible, there may be a solution... Just don't ruin your phone by opening it and not knowing how to assemble it back afterwards...
Cheers!
unfortunately I cant access recovery mode nor download mode.
The phone would not even turn on.
I flashed the n9005 which should work on n900A phones. I dont think this is important now since the phone would not even turn on. If only there is a way to access download mode, I will be able to fix it.
As I said, the computer recognises the phone as QC BULK!!
xhamadeex said:
unfortunately I cant access recovery mode nor download mode.
The phone would not even turn on.
I flashed the n9005 which should work on n900A phones. I dont think this is important now since the phone would not even turn on. If only there is a way to access download mode, I will be able to fix it.
As I said, the computer recognises the phone as QC BULK!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you own a beatiful PAPERWEIGHT, sorry :silly:
Joku1981 said:
I think you own a beatiful PAPERWEIGHT, sorry :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about Jtag????
Hi guys!
So while using my phone halfway, it suddenly powered off and died. At first I thought it was something small and tried to power it on again, but unfortunately it seems to be a much bigger problem. I am unable to do anything with the phone at all. It's become a literal brick.
I have not done any rooting nor have I dropped the phone into the water. I dropped my phone a couple of times, but it was with a proper phone cover.
When I tried to charge my phone, the charging light did not come on. I have tried the battery in an external charging kit and it works fine, therefore I do not believe that it is a battery problem.
The lucky thing is that my phone is still under warranty. However, I was told that the SOP for servicing the phone is to remove all personal data during the recovery process.
Unfortunately, I didn't back up the files in my phone because I didn't see any signs that the phone was gonna die on me, so I was wondering if there was any other way to save my data.
I read online that it may be worth trying to use a USB jig to try to force the phone into download mode. Is this possible? Does anyone know where I may be able to purchase one?
Unfortunately, I do not know which specific model my carrier sells, but it's a Qualcomm 2.7 KHz 4G+ note 4. Can't remember the exact firmware it was running on, but it should be the latest stock firmware.
Would greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks!
Is there anyone here who has any advice for me?
royaloyalz said:
Is there anyone here who has any advice for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jig is basically a 300K ohm resistor across pins 4 and 5, so searching for brand names/judging by marketing descriptions won't help. It can only fix soft bricks for you, specifically it lets you enter download mode where you can use odin to flash stuff you want. It wont help you in any other way.
Now that we are clear, the cheapest ones I could find are these:
http://www.amazon.com/SainSonic-Dongle-Samsung-Captivate-Vibrant/dp/B0053H73JQ
http://www.amazon.com/Download-adapter-Samsung-Galaxy-Unbrick/dp/B008THL0V4
Buy whichever you like
And if its a hard brick, off to the service center you go!
PS: i have no idea about any way to backup from download mode, maybe someone else can help you on that part.
If you are able to dirty flash a rom and get it booting then you can backup all you want. Hope that works for you.
Thanks for the advice!
Unfortunately because I wasn't able to power up the device I had to send it into the service center. They replaced the motherboard and the charging point for me and I got back my phone 4 hours later.
Lesson learnt, always backup your data every day.
Guys, Need your help. You are my last hope !
Just bought an i9505 to a guy, via internet... I know it's risky... The guy was saying the phone got stuck after he had a power cut (his PC shut down) during a Kies update., but that the phone was able to go to download mode.
So I thought it would be easy to flash.
The bad surprise was when I received the phone : nothing happens, no sign of life. No sign when pluging the charger, no sign when trying to boot whatever mode I select, no vibration, no sound, no nothing... I even tried a Jig USB dongle that I had purchased a few years ago for my i9000 : nothing.
I contacted the seller who pretends I broke it as he checked again the download mode before sending me the phone.
I tend to believe he is saying the truth as he could simply have not responded.
Is there any experiment I should do ? I read that getting the battery off and pressing Power for 30 sec might help... Did not work either...
Any other ideas ???
Thanks
Edit: oops sorry, this thread should have been created in the "Q&A, Help and Troubleshooting" section... Moderator... could you please move it there ? Sorry...
aymelis said:
Guys, Need your help. You are my last hope !
Just bought an i9505 to a guy, via internet... I know it's risky... The guy was saying the phone got stuck after he had a power cut (his PC shut down) during a Kies update., but that the phone was able to go to download mode.
So I thought it would be easy to flash.
The bad surprise was when I received the phone : nothing happens, no sign of life. No sign when pluging the charger, no sign when trying to boot whatever mode I select, no vibration, no sound, no nothing... I even tried a Jig USB dongle that I had purchased a few years ago for my i9000 : nothing.
I contacted the seller who pretends I broke it as he checked again the download mode before sending me the phone.
I tend to believe he is saying the truth as he could simply have not responded.
Is there any experiment I should do ? I read that getting the battery off and pressing Power for 30 sec might help... Did not work either...
Any other ideas ???
Thanks
Edit: oops sorry, this thread should have been created in the "Q&A, Help and Troubleshooting" section... Moderator... could you please move it there ? Sorry...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plug it in to the wall charger for a while and see if any thing happens, I've had a battery dead flat before and it took a couple of minutes before it started charging.
ph0n3n3rd said:
Plug it in to the wall charger for a while and see if any thing happens, I've had a battery dead flat before and it took a couple of minutes before it started charging.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ph0n3n3rd. Trying right now, but not real hope as I have another S4 with a fully charged battery which I already tried with no success.
I also have tried charging the original battery for hours today both from my laptop and from and external battery (branded Anker) which usually charges even faster than the wall charger...
Also one of the first things I tried when I received the phone without being able to boot it was to try the other way : the new phone's battery in the old S4. And it booted. The new phone's battery was about 40%...
aymelis said:
Thanks ph0n3n3rd. Trying right now, but not real hope as I have another S4 with a fully charged battery which I already tried with no success.
I also have tried charging the original battery for hours today both from my laptop and from and external battery (branded Anker) which usually charges even faster than the wall charger...
Also one of the first things I tried when I received the phone without being able to boot it was to try the other way : the new phone's battery in the old S4. And it booted. The new phone's battery was about 40%...
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Ok. Just a thought . Then I think you have been conned with a dead phone.
ph0n3n3rd said:
Ok. Just a thought . Then I think you have been conned with a dead phone.
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Yep... I read a RIFF box could help... Do you know what it is ?
BTW, the wall charger did not help (i got it plugged for about 10 minutes).
type in google some like "repair boot i9505 via sd card"
If the pc can recognize the phone then this might be useful.
GDReaper said:
If the pc can recognize the phone then this might be useful.
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Hi GDReaper, thanks for the link. I had actually seen it yesterday. I have installed (this was not easy as I was getting an error when try to install the .inf files) the QHUSB drivers... in the hope that this would help the PC not only recognize, but detect (!) the phone. Indeed the phone is not even detected by windows : no sound, no "drivver installation message", nothing that I can see in the Device Manager. And the phone too does not show any sign of connection to the PC...
THe guy who sold me this phone keeps telling me he could go to download mode just before sending it to me. He is even getting pissed off and pretends i'm a liar...
aymelis said:
Hi GDReaper, thanks for the link. I had actually seen it yesterday. I have installed (this was not easy as I was getting an error when try to install the .inf files) the QHUSB drivers... in the hope that this would help the PC not only recognize, but detect (!) the phone. Indeed the phone is not even detected by windows : no sound, no "drivver installation message", nothing that I can see in the Device Manager. And the phone too does not show any sign of connection to the PC...
THe guy who sold me this phone keeps telling me he could go to download mode just before sending it to me. He is even getting pissed off and pretends i'm a liar...
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Unless it somehow got damaged during transport, then he is the one who is most probably lying.
You will have to take it in for service if you can't get a refund. I doubt it can be fixed without any specialized equipment.
bes1de said:
type in google some like "repair boot i9505 via sd card"
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Hi bes1de, thanks. I can only find this one : http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f777/hot-hot-easy-repair-boot-samsung-s4-i9500-via-sd-card-1693343/ for now but this is for i9500.
BTW... I realize the phone does not seem to be an i9505 but an i9515 ! I got confused because of this : View attachment 3654348
As you can see, the sticker shows i9515 but the "housing" is i9505...
The SIM card reader also shows i9505 : View attachment 3654337
And... the charge flex cable shows i9500 (yet another S4 model !) : View attachment 3654338
Do you think Samsung uses parts from different phones like that ? Or that the seller kind of rebuilt a "phone" from various parts found here and there ?
I'd like to be able to test the parts of this dead phone to see if I can sell it as parts.
I was thinking to tear down my own personal S4 (i9505 perfectly working) and use its motherboard to test the dead phone's screen.
I read that the LCD is different...
Do you think I might break my i9505 motherboard trying to connect it to the i9515 display ?...
Edit: OK I did it ! Installed my personal S4 motherboard into the dead one in order to check the display, the buttons (incl. touch ones) and the USB/charge port : all is fine. The PC detects ad recognizes it, so the USB connector and its flex cable are fine.
I could now swap the cameras, the proximity sensor, the SIM and SDcard readers and see if they are OK...
Edit 2: Loud speaker works fine too.
Thanks and regards !
GDReaper said:
Unless it somehow got damaged during transport, then he is the one who is most probably lying.
You will have to take it in for service if you can't get a refund. I doubt it can be fixed without any specialized equipment.
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Yep, I fear you are right... thanks
Edit: Anyone used the SBoot clip here ?
As far as I understand it only works with Exynos phones, so not for my i9515. Any information about that ?
Thanks