Database Users

Read BEFORE flashing!!

Ok, so I know this will eventually get buried in the forums but I thought I would attempt to give a little basic info here. Right now the QA section is flooded with people that have flashed and are now soft bricked (have problems but can recover) or hard bricked (have problems and cannot recover). I'm hoping that I can help some people prevent these issues to an extent.
Terminology, the differences in my opinion.
Soft brick- Your flash didn't go right, something went crazy, etc, but either way you can't boot, stuck at ATT logo, boots into recovery no matter what, boots to phone--!--pc, BUT, your hardware buttons work or ADB works and you are able to boot into DOWNLOAD mode.
Hard brick- Your flash didn't go right, something went crazy, etc, but either way you can't boot, stuck at ATT logo, boots into recovery no matter what, boots to phone--!--pc, BUT, your unlucky and hardware buttons do not allow access to DOWNLOAD mode or ADB is not downloading.
Also, after a new flash or flash to stock, it's a good idea to immediately enable USB debugging. Menu, Settings, Applications, Developement, check the box for USB debugging. It will make things easier later on.
1. First. BEFORE you flash, can you access download mode with your buttons??? Test it.
3 Methods.
Method 1: (ADB - from recovery or normally booted with usb debugging on)
Open a cmd prompt/console/shell
adb shell
adb reboot download
Method 2: (KEY COMBO)
Remove the battery, sim card, sdcard if you have one
Insert the battery
Hold Volume Up + Volume Down + Power
Method 3: (KEY COMBO)
Remove the battery, sim card, sdcard if you have one
Insert the battery
Hold both Volume buttons (from i9000 just down, don't touch the power button)
Plug in the USB cable and continue holding both Volume buttons
If not, use designgears fix. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=812434
2. Second. Download the SDK, drivers for your PC, and learn some basic ADB commands, ie, adb reboot download, adb reboot recovery, adb shell. Here's my quick guide. ADB can be used when the OS is running, when in recovery, and when stuck on ATT boot screen.
Here's what I do. After you download the sdk and unzip. There is a folder called tools. I copy that to c:
Then open a command prompt and type,
C:
CD tools
Then issue adb commands.
adb reboot, adb reboot download or whatever command you need.
Of course make sure your phone is connected via USB and debugging is enabled.
Here's another method for using adb.
1) start-> run-> sysdm.cpl
this will start the system properties. you can reach this from right clicking "My Computer" and hitting properties. Windows 7 though is different. The above method is most universal.
2) Move to Advanced Tab that pops up. From there click the "Environment Variables" button.
http://wtfokc.com/sef****/sysdm-1.gif
3) In the window that pops up, find the "PATH" area in the "System Variables" listbox at the bottom:
http://wtfokc.com/sef****/sysdm-2.gif
4) Click edit again, put in path to the AndroidSDK tools folder. Do it like shown otherwise you can biff something up. DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING. Just add a SEMICOLON ( ; ) to the last of the line that's already there, then the path to the folder.
http://wtfokc.com/sef****/sysdm-3.gif
5) If on Win7 you shouldnt have to reboot. XP however will. Then you are set. You can now just load a CMD prompt and do ADB without having to CD TOOLS.
3. Third. Install Clockwork Recovery! Root your phone and download ROM Manager from market. Install Clockwork recovery from ROM Manager. BOOT into recovery to make sure it works. You will have to choose reinstall packages from stock recovery. What ROM Manager does, it put an update.zip on the root of your SDcard, then when you choose reinstall packages from stock recovery it install update.zip. I personally leave the update.zip file on my sdcard at all times, just in case.
Once you have clockwork installed, make a Nandroid backup of a good running rom. In case something happens, if you can boot into recovery, then you can possibly restore your nandroid to at least get you up and running quickly, and without the need of a pc.
NEW Info!!! You can recover from a hard brick, maybe. Here's how to create a USB Jig to reproduce the button download mode for you folks who don't have it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=841512
Here's another thread about the USB Jig method.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=819551&highlight=USB+jig
If my captivate was one that had the missing button recovery/download out of the box, I would probably know how to make a USB jig or have one already before flashing. Even with the 3 button fixes that are out, it looks like some people are still bricking.
****Disclaimer****
This is just from personal exprience. I have flashed most roms available, and I have experienced every variation of soft brick mentioned above and have recovered.
I find that being able to get your phone into download mode and knowing how to use Odin will be your 2 biggest life savers after something bad happens.
This will not keep you from getting a bad flash or something else, but having this knowledge ahead of time may help you recover from issues more quickly and without asking a question on the forums that have been asked dozens of times.
Also, personally, if I cannot perform step 1, access download mode with buttons, I personally would be VERY cautious about flashing! ADB reboot download is nice, but if you are stuck at ATT logo or phone--!--PC mode then ADB doesn't work, YOU HAVE TO USE BUTTONS.
Just my 2 cents, take it or leave it.
Edit. Added some new info to post. Thanks for extra info guys. I'll mirror the links to the images later when not at work.

+sticky
excellent write up. a must-read for anyone even thinking about flashing

Original Post updated to add my information

bobbylx said:
ADB reboot download is nice, but if you are stuck at ATT logo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok first off something that should be added to this is always may sure you have usb debug mode Settings>Applications>Development>USB Debugging enabled on your phone. Don't take it out of debug mode. This will allow you to issue adb commands if you have.
If you are getting to the att logo screen and not beyond that and you have debug mode enabled then you can use adb to reboot into either recovery or download mode.
Steps
1: Get the command prompt up and que up the adb command you want to issue either reboot download or reboot recovery. Don't press enter yet.
2: When the att screen comes on your pc should make a notification sound that the device is connected.
3: On the second notification sound issue your adb command and the phone will reboot into the mode you selected.
Mileage may vary but should work.
This has saved me a few times.

STICKY
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Thanks for the extra info. Malfuncion, awesome write up with pics, I'll add to first post later. I always forget about adding a system variable.
Sparker366, thanks, I always thought that at the ATT screen adb didn't, but you know what, I never tried.
I figured since I'm not a dev and don't have that knowledge I would try to help start this up to contribute a bit. And honestly, if you hop over to the QA sections there are so many threads that could be solved by knowing this info ahead of time. I doubt everyone will read it, but I hope it helps the ones that do.

bulletproof1013 said:
STICKY
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
This is my first smart phone and first experience with Android. I also don't have any experience with linux. Fortunately, I was able to avoid problems when I first started by reading, reading, reading. This type of information would have been invaluable. In fact, the tip on keeping debug mode on all the time is great to know, and I never saw that before.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

This thing is getting buried in the BS posts....BACK TO THE TOP!
definitely sticky

Bump Bump Bump
Great Info

Updated original post with extra info.

Shameless bump here. New version of Cog uploaded, so that means there will be questions soon.

Thanks, great info.

FWIW........
I feel like I am of average intelligence, and would think I could nail download mode everytime by the 3 button method, but damn if it is hit and miss for me every other time.
One way I found (I didnt discover it, but read it somewhere) to nail it EVERYTIME is to remove sd and sim. Plug the usb to the phone AND THE PC, while odin is sitting and waiting. Then while holding both up and down volume buttons, insert the battery. It works every time with no fuss.
Thanks for the post, my vote for sticky as well.

+1 sticky
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Moving this to the top. More questions in QA that can be helped by reading these tips first.

I would also suggest that anyone who wants to flash actually test their phone's USB transfer ability before flashing.
The best way is to find a large file, perhaps one just under 2G in size and transfer it to the internal SD storage.
Test md5 checksums on the source and this file and make sure these match.
(you can use the 'md5sum <filename>' command from the terminal app, from Windows you can use a md5sum port for the source file win32 md5sum).
This will ensure your USB connection is stable enough for long, error free transfers to the phone.
Also important: it's useful to disable any powersave actions on your PC while using an app like ODIN.

Sorry all, moving this to the top. There are about 6 or 7 bricked phone Questions in Q & A now.

Awesome, clear and concise. Been trying to figure out how to make nandroid backups and this explained it very simply Thank you!

thanks for the reminder
there's so many steps to install a rom...
specially with download mode keycomb, i tend to not to remove sim and memory card cuz i dont want to lose or damaged my mcard. now i will remove each time!
another good reason flashing stock with odin before flashing new rom

I would also say its a good idea to back up your efs folder. Mine got all borked up when that jpc rom came out a while ago and it is a ton of work to fix. Sgs tools copies your nvdata.bin and. /nvdata.bak files to your sd card if you do a product code check. Or you can use root explorer.

[Q] New Nexus 7, Win 7, Nexus 7 Toolkit can't boot into Fastboot, "Too Many Links"

[Q] New Nexus 7, Win 7, Nexus 7 Toolkit can't boot into Fastboot, "Too Many Links"
SOLVED!
So I went ahead, tried flashing the stock recovery, no joy (no recovery menu at all - just a bad-android image). After a while, tried flashing CWM touch (via Toolkit) - and now it's working. So, everything seems good now.
----------------
UPDATE 5 - PARTIALLY SOLVED:
So, after the last couple of things, I began to suspect bad hardware, as I alluded in those updates. And I was right.
But... it wasn't the hardware you might have thought.
It was...
(this is embarrassing)
The USB cable.
Yes, the USB cable. It was the wild variations in recognizing the fastboot mode that made me suspicious. Replaced the USB cable with another one and... stability, achieved. Unlock, root, recovery program and SU program all went without a hitch. In fastboot mode, for the first time, the device serial number shows.
HOWEVER - things are not perfect. The recovery mode from the bootloader still gives the bad-android icon.
I just used the toolkit to reflash stock recovery back to the device. This completed rapidly, without error. I then tried the recovery option in the bootloader, but again, no joy.
So at this point, I point a finger partly at the tools used to flash this - they claim there is no problem, yet the flash doesn't take at all, and no error is given. As a sometimes firmware developer, I'm used to flash being followed up by a checksum or other test to verify success of the flash. Is that not being done (shame, if not). If it is, then apparently the flash works, but the software being flashed doesn't? The stock recovery???
Any ideas on how to get this back? I just did the full unlock, which wiped all user data, and proceeded from there. I now have a solid connection, but don't really know how to get things back.
Perhaps I need to manually reinstall 4.2.2?
----------------
UPDATE 4:
So, on a lark, from fastboot in Android, I selected the "Recovery" option - it starts to boot that, then gives the Android with red triangle and exclamation point. So, looks like the recovery was toasted.
This was a brand new device earlier today. It has been completely wiped twice, and none of this has gone away. Seriously: bad device?
-----------------------
UPDATE 3:
So, I thought I'd try the direct approach, as outlined here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395
Device is in Fastboot, Device Manager shows it as ok.
I run fastboot flash recovery <file> -- and IMMEDIATELY get "fastboot has stopped working" - that's right, a hard crash in fastboot. And this is repeatable.
Am I wrong in thinking this looks more and more like a driver problem? I note that fastboot is recognized as a device maybe half the time - the other half, it gets an exclamation point in Device Manger. All I do then is restart the bootloader using the bootloader menu, and usually it fixes right up. But that's obviously a huge red flag, as the device should be recognized every time.
Is this a defective Nexus? The only thing that seems dicey is anything relating to fastboot/bootloader (which is, however, unlocked - or at least it says it is).
----------------
UPDATE 2: Using the "restart bootloader" in fastboot results in slightly worse non-recognition of the device. When I do that, I get a straight "USB Device Not Recognized" from windows - the device manager doesn't even show "Android Phone" as a class of device in this case.
---------------------
UPDATE 1: I found the thread talking about missing entries in the INF file. I added these, and got a somewhat, but not entirely, stable recognition of the Nexus 7 when in fastboot mode. Basically, sometimes it is recognized, other times it is not. By "recognized", I mean that the Windows Device Manager shows the device as "Android Bootloader Interface", with no indication of a problem (which it only does in fastboot mode - it shows as a composite ADB device when booted normally).
However - it seems it fails to recognize fastboot about half the time, although it seems that that is related to reboots - that is, a fresh boot, then going to fastboot through adb seems to work. But restarting fastboot manually fails to be recognized (Windows shows a bang by the "Android Bootloader Interface", and says the device "failed to start").
So, using 4.3.5 Nexus 7 toolkit, I tried to unlock the bootloader. Windows recognized fastboot mode, but the process errored out anyway, after maybe 15 seconds, saying "Too Many Links" - the same error as before.
Again, brand new 32gb wi-fi-only Nexus 7, with 4.2.2 update and the most basic configuration only (dev mode, usb on, etc.)
Any ideas?
-------------------------------------------------------
ORIGINAL
So this is a new, out of the box nexus 7. The only setup has been to connect to wifi, update to 4.2.2, and enable developer mode and USB debugging.
Running latest paid-for toolkit - Update 29 Feb 13, version 4.3.5
Just about everything requires the insecure fastboot, but every time I try any operation that attempts it, I get:
Booting into fastboot mode
downloading 'boot.img' ...
FAILED <status read failed <Too many links>>
I basically can't do anything - in this case, I was trying to backup.
It is being done on 64-bit win7 system that had drivers, and worked for another nexus 7 a couple months ago. But, just to be safe, I uninstalled the drivers, rebooted, and installed.
However, I see this on the home page of the toolkit:
FASTBOOT MODE [If serial shows, drivers are installed]
List of Devices attached
ADB Mode
List of devices attached
<numeric code> device
From this, it seems I should expect the word "serial" to show up if the drivers are installed?
I then unplugged the Nexus, refreshed the menu, and both Fastboot and ADB show no devices.
I then plug in the nexus - I get the usual two tone "device attached" sound, no warning or error message from Windows.Checking the Windows device manager, I see a section "Android Phone" with the entry "Android Composite ADB Interface". There are no unknown devices, which would seem then that drivers are working.
So, another refresh of the main menu, and again, I see, under ADB MODE, a single device ID number, and the word "device".
I don't know what to make of this. Apparently, per the "if serial shows" message in the main menu, drivers a NOT installed. But according to Windows, they are.
This perhaps matches the fastboot failure.
Should I see "serial"?
In any case, what do I do to get the drivers to work properly if they aren't?
And if they ARE working, then what is wrong with fastboot?
At this point, I think the toolkit is broken, and worked a couple months ago.

No, you should not see "serial". Your devices serial number should be displayed under whichever path is valid at that time. If you are in the bootloader, your device serial number should be under "fastboot". If you are booted normally, your device serial number should be under "ADB".
I used this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395&highlight=guide

Erik.Leach said:
No, you should not see "serial". Your devices serial number should be displayed under whichever path is valid at that time. If you are in the bootloader, your device serial number should be under "fastboot". If you are booted normally, your device serial number should be under "ADB".
I used this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741395&highlight=guide
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've since figured that out. There was nothing at all, when in fastboot mode, only ADB. But then I found the thread describing two missing INF entries. I added those, updated the driver, and now the fastboot mode (which wasn't even recognized by windows) is now ok in the Device Manager. However, in the main menu, it shows, literally, "??????????" instead of a serial number - that is, there are question marks instead of serial number, Following that, a few spaces and then "fastboot".
Apparently, there are still inadequacies in the driver as relates to very, very new models running 4.2.2 (which this is).

BTW, I do believe I read somewhere that the stock recovery initially comes up with just the android on his back with the warning sign. You then have to hold power and tap volume up or something like that and the recovery menu becomes visible. I could be wrong, I know I had to do this on my old GNex, and those were the steps that worked.

Erik.Leach said:
BTW, I do believe I read somewhere that the stock recovery initially comes up with just the android on his back with the warning sign. You then have to hold power and tap volume up or something like that and the recovery menu becomes visible. I could be wrong, I know I had to do this on my old GNex, and those were the steps that worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I did re-flash the stock recovery, and could get that without the android image.

stickplayer said:
Interesting. I did re-flash the stock recovery, and could get that without the android image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may have been a GNex thing that I am remembering. Either way, I'm glad you got everything all straightened out. :good:
I'm still kinda new at this stuff too, but if you need any more help, feel free to hit me up. Even if I don't know the answer to the question, I'll help you find it.

Erik.Leach said:
That may have been a GNex thing that I am remembering. Either way, I'm glad you got everything all straightened out. :good:
I'm still kinda new at this stuff too, but if you need any more help, feel free to hit me up. Even if I don't know the answer to the question, I'll help you find it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Next is trying to put 4.x on a Samsung Vibrant.

[Q] Nexus 7 doesn't boot

Hello all! I'm having a problem with a Nexus 7.
This is my brother's tablet that he hasn't used in a few months. It hasn't been unlocked or rooted.
I can get to the boot screen with the android lying on it's back and the options with the volume buttons. The other info on that screen which might be pertinent:
Fastboot mode
Product name: grouper
variant - grouper
hw version - er3
bootloader version - n/a
serial number -
signing - not defined yet
lock stated - locked
When I go to recovery mode and push the power button, it says "booting failed" in the upper left. It still says Google in the middle, and has the options with the volume in the upper right, but the android is gone as is the text in the lower left.
I have adb and fastboot installed, but I can't seem to do much since the tablet is locked. I tried unlocking a few times, and it's always failed. Usually it doesn't give a reason, but one time I got this: "Failed (status read failed (Too many links))"
I've tried googling this and can't find someone with the same problem.
Anything I can try?
Thanks!

Nexus Tool Kit

rbeavers said:
Nexus Tool Kit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I have that now, but I can't get very far. I think I need to enable debugging on the device first? How can I do that in that state it's in now?

swirv81 said:
OK, I have that now, but I can't get very far. I think I need to enable debugging on the device first? How can I do that in that state it's in now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anything else I can try? Not sure if I'm missing something with the tool kit, but I nothing I tried seemed to help.

swirv81 said:
Anything else I can try? Not sure if I'm missing something with the tool kit, but I nothing I tried seemed to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can get into the Bootloader, just run the below via ADB
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
Once you unlock the Bootloader you can use the "Soft Brick" Mode in the NRT to Re-flash back to stock and see if that will allow you to boot. You do not need debugging enabled to use the Nexus Root Toolkit if you use the Soft Brick mode, but you must have an unlocked bootloader.

ariesgodofwar said:
If you can get into the Bootloader, just run the below via ADB
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
Once you unlock the Bootloader you can use the "Soft Brick" Mode in the NRT to Re-flash back to stock and see if that will allow you to boot. You do not need debugging enabled to use the Nexus Root Toolkit if you use the Soft Brick mode, but you must have an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried unlocking a few times, but after a few minutes of it saying "unlocking" it fails.

swirv81 said:
I've tried unlocking a few times, but after a few minutes of it saying "unlocking" it fails.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What says "unlocking" (computer or tablet) and are you trying to do it through the Toolkit, or via command prompt ADB? I would first make sure your computer is seeing your tablet (ie. that the drivers and Fastboot are installed correctly). Do you know that they are?

ariesgodofwar said:
What says "unlocking" (computer or tablet) and are you trying to do it through the Toolkit, or via command prompt ADB? I would first make sure your computer is seeing your tablet (ie. that the drivers and Fastboot are installed correctly). Do you know that they are?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was trying this with the command prompt. I could get fastboot to list the device when using that command. And the tablet and command prompt both say "unlocking" when doing that. I would assume that means the computer is seeing the tablet and everything is set up correctly?
I think I tried to unlock with the Toolkit, but I believe it told me that device needs to be in debugging mode.

Hey there, I'm having a similar problem.
My info is the same except my bootloader version is 4.18 and my lock state says it's unlocked. I tried to use the root kit but I'm having trouble with the fastboot device being detected. Driver solutions attempted were the google ones, and the pdanet ones. I can't really do the manual thing since that involves the device being recognized when plugged in, and since I can't enable usb debugging... anyways the automated drivers windows says were installed successfully so I don't really know what else to do.
Note: I do know the usb port on the tablet and computer work since when plugged in, it will show that its charging with the white battery icon.

Same issue here
I was in the process of upgrading manually from android 5.0 to 5.0.2 owing to the serious lag that came with lollipop. The OTA was taking longer and testing my patience as most apps were crashing due to lag.
Therefore decided to go for manual flashing of the image. I have never done this before. I was able to make the computer see my device by disabling mtp via storage under setting in the device. This is one thin I noticed to make the device visible to the computer.
After installing the device drivers my nexus was visible within the device manager but it couldn't be seen as an external storage until I played with the MTP. I had even unlocked the boot loader before all this.
So everything was going well and while I started to think all is well, I ran into this issue. From adb I tried to run 'flash-all.bat' from the new device image. Something went wrong somewhere - don't know what it is, but from then on, I am stuck in the fastboot screen or into recovery mode but when i try to boot the device bu hitting the power button - I get this message 'Booting failed'.
I am also trying to use NRToolkit but no use. When I connect my device it is seen in the device manager in my pc but cannot see it as a storage. Therefore when I now try to run the 'adb devices' command it cannot see my device. From what I saw initially, until I enable/disable mtp mode adb was not able to see my device to communicate.
Now when I tried NRT and installed the drivers once again, it is being detected in the device manager but when I run the driver test within NRT - I get a ADB device not found error. Within NRT all that it says is go into device setting>storage to enable it which I know but at the current status of my device in boot screen/recovery mode how can I go in to enable this. This is not helpful.
Somebody please suggest a workaround for this issue. I know I am close to the solution but not sure how to enable the MTP or at least made the NRToolkit to say 'ADB device found'.
My fastboot screen shows these details:
Fastboot mode
Product name grouper
Variant = grouper
HW Version – ER3
Bootloader version – 4.23
Baseband version – N/A
Serial number – 015d21d910141c0a
Signing – not defined yet
Lock State - unlocked
Please help.

Problems Reverting to Stock

I briefly took over another thread where this issue didn't belong, but since I am still having issues, I thought I would start my own thread. Okay, so I am on Sprint, sideloaded several of the updates, including most recently the Oreo Beta. I have been very happy with the beta, and was looking forward to the update due this week. However, yesterday evening I dropped the phone on the sidewalk and it cracked very badly, and as I am paying insurance with Sprint I want to bring it to a store and have it fixed. Not only is the screen badly cracked, but the keyboard is acting up a bit also.
Anyway, I was getting advice on the Oreo thread about how to do this, and as I said, I had hijacked the thread, but I was at work and didn't get to try this until tonight when I got home. Anyway, I had originally plan to just find the Ota and sideload it, but it was recommend that I use flashall and the full image file from the Essential site. I tried to do that, but when I restart the phone to get into Bootloader mode, it disappeared from the list of devices visible on my desktop and via adb. It was a bit disturbing to me as I am not used to working in Bootloader, previously did anything like this via recovery, and I wasn't sure how to exit the bootloader, but I chose power off, and saw a weird screen with what looked like a coffee cup, and eventually the phone rebooted and seems unchanged at the moment.
I still want to revert to the sprint nougat before I bring the phone in, but I admit I am a little nervous now about the best way to do this. I could use some suggestions. I hope this post is not too long-winded, but I wanted to explain as much of what has happened as possible.

maltydog said:
I briefly took over another thread where this issue didn't belong, but since I am still having issues, I thought I would start my own thread. Okay, so I am on Sprint, sideloaded several of the updates, including most recently the Oreo Beta. I have been very happy with the beta, and was looking forward to the update due this week. However, yesterday evening I dropped the phone on the sidewalk and it cracked very badly, and as I am paying insurance with Sprint I want to bring it to a store and have it fixed. Not only is the screen badly cracked, but the keyboard is acting up a bit also.
Anyway, I was getting advice on the Oreo thread about how to do this, and as I said, I had hijacked the thread, but I was at work and didn't get to try this until tonight when I got home. Anyway, I had originally plan to just find the Ota and sideload it, but it was recommend that I use flashall and the full image file from the Essential site. I tried to do that, but when I restart the phone to get into Bootloader mode, it disappeared from the list of devices visible on my desktop and via adb. It was a bit disturbing to me as I am not used to working in Bootloader, previously did anything like this via recovery, and I wasn't sure how to exit the bootloader, but I chose power off, and saw a weird screen with what looked like a coffee cup, and eventually the phone rebooted and seems unchanged at the moment.
I still want to revert to the sprint nougat before I bring the phone in, but I admit I am a little nervous now about the best way to do this. I could use some suggestions. I hope this post is not too long-winded, but I wanted to explain as much of what has happened as possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an FYI, I found that putting Oreo on the phone resulted in ADB not working 100% anymore, such as attempting to reboot into recovery/etc. It would just reboot back into the O.S..
Here is what I did to flash the stock firmware.
- download the current release you want to flash. (e.g. NMJ32F), then unzip it into a new folder.
- on your phone, verify that USB debugging and OEM unlocking are turned on in the developers menu.
- reboot your phone into the fastboot mode (power and volume down buttons)
- from your adb command line: type: fastboot flashing unlock
- This will make your phone show a new screen asking if you want to unlock the bootloader. Use the volume down to select YES, and hit the power button. It will now reboot and erase the phone. It will eventually end up booting up too request you setup the phone. (that is what it did for me.)
- reboot the phone back into the fastboot mode (power and volume down buttons)
- you should now see the bootloader listed as unlocked (vs locked)
- from your adb command line: type: fastboot devices (which should show your phones serial number and fastboot next too it.
- on your computer, using the command line, go to the unzipped folder of the NMJ32F build you downloaded
- in the folder there is a batch file you will run called flashall.bat. run it
- your phone will start flashing the NMJ32F build
- when it completes it will reboot a couple of times, erase the phone, and end up at the "lets get started" screen.
- reboot the phone back to the fastboot mode
- from your adb command line: type: fastboot flashing lock
- select the option to lock your bootloader. The phone will reboot/erase I believe, and then end up back to the "lets get started" screen.
- after you setup your phone, you can go back into the developers menu to turn off the oem unlocking
The above steps pretty much follow essentials instructions. (the essential instructions don't give some specifics.)
You are all done. (I recommend you review my instructions and the essential instructions carefully, don't copy paste commands as I may have spelled something wrong, etc.. Just wanted to give you a flow of the process.)

I was following those directions, but what happens is that though the phone appears as a device in adb before rebooting, once I reboot into fastboot mode, it is no longer listed. I also noticed that when tried to reboot the phone into bootloader mode with an adb command, instead, it did a regular reboot, and when it did that reboot, it again was no longer listed as a device, because it went into charging mode. So I'm not sure how to keep this from happening.

maltydog said:
I was following those directions, but what happens is that though the phone appears as a device in adb before rebooting, once I reboot into fastboot mode, it is no longer listed. I also noticed that when tried to reboot the phone into bootloader mode with an adb command, instead, it did a regular reboot, and when it did that reboot, it again was no longer listed as a device, because it went into charging mode. So I'm not sure how to keep this from happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason why the adb command (to go into bootloader mode) didn't work is it is broken when you installed Oreo, that is why you need to do it manually.
When you put your phone into fastboot mode (power button / volume down) plug in your phone into your computer, and from command prompt (make sure you are in the adb folder), type fastboot devices (don't type adb devices) and see if anything replies back.

kbonnel said:
The reason why the adb command (to go into bootloader mode) didn't work is it is broken when you installed Oreo, that is why you need to do it manually.
When you put your phone into fastboot mode (power button / volume down) plug in your phone into your computer, and from command prompt (make sure you are in the adb folder), type fastboot devices (don't type adb devices) and see if anything replies back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I understand now. I can't start this tonight, but I will try the again next time I have time at the desktop.

You are probably missing the phone's driver. Download this, Essential device driver for Windows machines. Supports 32/64 bit on Windows 7, 8 and 10., from the essential developer site and install it.

damn it, I read somewhere that there are problems while using adb on the current official beta. There was a command for getting connection again. But I can't find it right now.
Just to be clear. when the phone is on, you enabled USB debugging and plugged in the USB cable and checked the tickbox before you granted debugging access, right? If you don't check the box, there is no access granted after a phone reboot.
take care, I had problems getting through the initial phone setup after I did a factory reset. The Oreo beta still has some hickups. I got it to work after a few reboots. Without finishing the intial phone setup you can't enable USB debugging, you know.

emowing said:
You are probably missing the phone's driver. Download this, Essential device driver for Windows machines. Supports 32/64 bit on Windows 7, 8 and 10., from the essential developer site and install it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point on the driver, I wasn't even thinking about that.

Well, my phone was being read when I previously sideloaded updates, so I think I have the right drivers, but I will double check. Can anyone suggest why the phone keeps defaulting to charging mode rather than file transfer every time I reboot it?

maltydog said:
Well, my phone was being read when I previously sideloaded updates, so I think I have the right drivers, but I will double check. Can anyone suggest why the phone keeps defaulting to charging mode rather than file transfer every time I reboot it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's a typical android habit. charging mode is default.
did you checked the tickbox when debugging window is appearing?

iceman#1 said:
that's a typical android habit. charging mode is default.
did you checked the tickbox when debugging window is appearing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.

iceman#1 said:
that's a typical android habit. charging mode is default.
did you checked the tickbox when debugging window is appearing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I did, thanks.

F
iceman#1 said:
that's a typical android habit. charging mode is default.
did you checked the tickbox when debugging window is appearing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I did, thanks. Trying to reply and it doesn't appear. Edit: Sorry for the multiple posts,they all appeared at once.

Okay, I am back to this now, I had time today. I installed the windows drivers from the Essential site (I am running Windows 10 64 bit) and the device was recognized in fastboot devices. The phone wiped my data and restarted with a setup screen. So far, so good. So I shut down the phone again, turned it on again in fastboot mode, it was unlocked. I went into a CMD screen and typed fastboot devices, and the phone was still listed there. So I opened windows explorer and got to the folder where I had unpacked the image files and also copied the flashboot file. I right-clicked the flashall.bat file, chose run as administrator. When I did this, I got a bunch of error messages that went by so fast, they were practically impossible to read, though they seem to say something about files not found. I didn't see any log file in the folder, so I guess they are not created. I went back to the Essential site and downloaded the zip file with the correct image files again and tried a second time, with the same results. Anyway I have wiped my phone, but still have not reinstalled the Sprint nougat software I need on this phone. Any other suggestions?

Okay, I tried again, and I was able to read the error message. They all said cannot load "filename" no such file or directory. It sounds like some kind of path error, right? I expanded the file from the Essential download for build Build NMI81C into their own directory, a subdirectory of a library where I have been keeping various android files, and I copied the flashboot file into the same directory from the platform-tools download, but only that file. That seems to be what instructions specify.
Also, I notice on this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/development/stock-7-1-1-nmj20d-t3701681/page3 it mentions also using the command "fastboot flashing unlock_critical" but I do not see that elsewhere.

I was able to get flashall to run using the command prompt instead of Windows Explorer. It seemed to run okay, except a couple of items cause me some concern.
I got a message "FAILED (remote: Flashing is not allowed for Critical Partitions)" for the abl.img file.
And the other command "Did you mean to fashboot format this ext4 partition".
Are either of these a problem?

Try running the commands one at a time. Open the flash-all.sh in a text editor and copy the commands.

As I said in my last message, I was able to get Flashall to work when I ran it in the CMD prompt rather than in windows explorer (which is how it was done in the video posted on Youtube, but didn't work for me). My only concern at this point is whether I should be concerned about the two commands posted in the email.
Interestingly enough, my phone did an update to the build NMJ32F as soon as I started it up.

maltydog said:
As I said in my last message, I was able to get Flashall to work when I ran it in the CMD prompt rather than in windows explorer (which is how it was done in the video posted on Youtube, but didn't work for me). My only concern at this point is whether I should be concerned about the two commands posted in the email.
Interestingly enough, my phone did an update to the build NMJ32F as soon as I started it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did u not do the flashing unlock_critical?

Airwolf79 said:
Did u not do the flashing unlock_critical?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I didn't. It was not mentioned by anyone but me in this thread until you did.
So far I have received no error messages since I did the reversion to stock. As I said,
I did get an update almost immediately.

How I Rooted Walmart Onn Tablets (No TWRP Needed)

I'll be making a video for this with the 7 inch tablet on Nov. 29th or 30th (depending on the time I have)
General Disclaimer: I'm not responsible if you brick your tablet. This is how I did it personally as other methods here didn't work for me. I have yet to test this method on a 7 inch, also do not have access to the Surf variants. This has only been tested on the 10.1 inch with the keyboard. Will update when I test with the 7 inch.
What's Needed:
MTK Fastboot Drivers: https://online.mediatek.com/Public Documents/MTK_Android_USB_Driver.zip
Magisk Manager Canary: https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/dev-magisk-canary-channel-bleeding-edge-t3839337
Stock Boot Image: https://forum.xda-developers.com/wa...eral/stock-stock-backups-images-otas-t3998227
ADB and Fastboot: https://www.xda-developers.com/what-is-adb/
Prerequisites:
Personally, I had issues getting my PC to recognize the tablets in Fastboot mode. The drivers wouldn't install. This might be optional for some of you, but I thought I'd include it just in case.
Installing MTK Fastboot Drivers from the link above
If you plugin your device in fastboot mode and your PC doesn't recognize it, follow these steps. If it did, skip this part.
1.) Download the drivers above and unzip the Zip file somewhere on your PC (desktop or My Documents is easiest)
2.) Boot your Tablet into Fastboot Mode by holding Vol + and Power, then select Fastboot from the Menu
*NOTE* There is a bug with these tablet's that the volume buttons are mislabeled. Really dumb, but I guess that's why they were 55 bucks for the 10 inch on black friday
3.) Plug the device into your PC and open Device Manager by pressing WinKey+R and typing devmgmt.msc, hit Enter
4.) If there's an Other Device listed called Android, follow these steps. If it isn't there, follow the next set of steps
5.) Open a Command Prompt window as Admin and type the following command
Code:
bcdedit.exe /set nointegritychecks on
6.) Hit enter, then restart your PC
7.) Once the PC is restarted, make sure your tablet is connected in Fastboot mode and open Device Manager again
8.) Right click Android under Other Devices and select Update Drivers
9.) Click the Browse my Computer for driver software button and select the MTK Folder you extracted from the download link above
10.) From there, you can open command prompt, type fastboot devices and see if your tablet shows up and move on to root!
Unlocking your Bootloader
From here, you can unlock your bootloader very easily to Root your device
This will wipe all data off the tablet!
0.) Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging on the tablet by going to Settings->About and tap Build Number 7 times. From here, enter the new Developer Options that unlock and turn on OEM Unlock and USB Debugging.
1.) Boot your tablet into Fastboot mode and connect it to your PC
2.) Open a Command Prompt window and type the following command, then hit enter
Code:
fastboot flashing unlock
3.) Follow the instructions on screen to unlock your bootloader
4.) Now Boot your device and we'll move on to making a rooted Boot Image
Creating a Rooted Boot Image with Magisk Manager
0.) Make sure you already have Wifi setup and connected before the first time you open Magisk Manager on your device! Make sure it auto connects as well
1.) Download Magisk Manager Canary from the link above
2.) Install it to your device
3.) Download boot Image from the Stock Boot Image part of the Prerequisites above and put the boot.img on your devices internal memory
4.) Open Magisk Manager and select Install Magisk
5.) Select Patch File and select the boot.img from your internal storage
6.) Once its done patching the image, take magisk_patched.img from the downloads folder of your device and move it onto your PC
7.) Boot your tablet into Fastboot mode and plug it into your PC
8.) Open Command Prompt and type the following command and hit enter (make sure you know your magisk_patched.img file location)
Code:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
9.) Reboot the device and you'll be Rooted!
Optional Steps like Modules and Debloating
My basic debloat script: https://forum.xda-developers.com/wa...s-general/root-walmart-bloat-remover-t4011639
Will be testing GSI roms on the spare 7 inch and will list those here
Recommended Magisk Modules:
Viper4Android Legacy
FDE.AI
MagiskHide Props Config
Systemless Hosts
Youtube Vanced Black
Magisk Setting to Enable:
Magisk Hide
Rename Magisk Manager App (keeps app from detecting magisk root)
Credits:
Myself for this root method @byproxy for reminding me to add the steps for OEM Unlock and enabling wifi before opening Magisk Manager for the first time

I'll start this off saying i'm an amateur at this, but I cannot for the life of me get an option to show up in magisk to patch the boot image even though it's on my 7" tablet. Any thoughts?
The bootloader was unlocked and it was successful so that's not the issue.

Are you online? I had the same problem.
Xavster2 said:
I'll start this off saying i'm an amateur at this, but I cannot for the life of me get an option to show up in magisk to patch the boot image even though it's on my 7" tablet. Any thoughts?
The bootloader was unlocked and it was successful so that's not the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Xavster2 said:
I'll start this off saying i'm an amateur at this, but I cannot for the life of me get an option to show up in magisk to patch the boot image even though it's on my 7" tablet. Any thoughts?
The bootloader was unlocked and it was successful so that's not the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, been a busy few days, but make sure you're connected to Wifi, close Magisk Manager, then reopen it and you'll be good to go!

Onn 8" walmart tablet
I purchased the 8" Onn walmart tablet second hand from a store called dirt cheap. Box didnt look to be opened but it had been. The tablet had been setup with someones gmail account that i do not know. The tablet was for a 4yo girl to use to learn preschool. Is there just any simple way to remove this google FRP lock ? I dont care if i lose the info on it as its not mine. I just want her to be able to use the tablet. Any help would be much appreciated please

CoachDad said:
I purchased the 8" Onn walmart tablet second hand from a store called dirt cheap. Box didnt look to be opened but it had been. The tablet had been setup with someones gmail account that i do not know. The tablet was for a 4yo girl to use to learn preschool. Is there just any simple way to remove this google FRP lock ? I dont care if i lose the info on it as its not mine. I just want her to be able to use the tablet. Any help would be much appreciated please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forced factory reset should do it. There is small pin hole near the power button. I believe pressing this hidden button(with a Sim card ejector, or paper clip).
If pressing does not do anything. Maybe press the button then hold power button too

mrmazak said:
Forced factory reset should do it. There is small pin hole near the power button. I believe pressing this hidden button(with a Sim card ejector, or paper clip).
If pressing does not do anything. Maybe press the button then hold power button too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for responding so fast. I've boot into recovery mode /wiped everything...its back to factory. The pinhole reset button does nothing other than reboot it . Ive tried all combos to with the reset button but nothing. Also i've read that its possible to use odin? if i can get it into download mode.
Ive downloaded the stock rom posted on an sdcard wondering if i can possibly update in recovery mode? Im sorta a newb at this stuff. I've been reading for 4 days on this matter. I've practiced a root on an old tablet with success. I guess at this point unless i can sell it as is giving the customer that it has this frp lock on it. If the know how to fix it so be it. Im not sure there is a working solution for frp bypass on these tablets.

CoachDad said:
Thank you for responding so fast. I've boot into recovery mode /wiped everything...its back to factory. The pinhole reset button does nothing other than reboot it . Ive tried all combos to with the reset button but nothing. Also i've read that its possible to use odin? if i can get it into download mode.
Ive downloaded the stock rom posted on an sdcard wondering if i can possibly update in recovery mode? Im sorta a newb at this stuff. I've been reading for 4 days on this matter. I've practiced a root on an old tablet with success. I guess at this point unless i can sell it as is giving the customer that it has this frp lock on it. If the know how to fix it so be it. Im not sure there is a working solution for frp bypass on these tablets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an mtk device not Samsung. So there is no Odin or download mode. There is spflash tool, and preloader.
And if you flash firmware (with default frp partition) then frp lock is cleared.
But you will have to find that file. It maybe in the stock firmwares that are shared, I do not know.

EDIT:
i was having issues but figure it out. maybe it should be so common knowledge that it shouldn't need to be included as a step, but since i don't do this THAT often i didn't think about it and it took me a bit to figure out why i was having issues.
once you get your computer to recognize your device (mine did without needing to mess with any drivers) you need to first make sure to got into the tablet settings -> about and then tap on the build number 7 times to access developer options. then you need to go into developer options and turn on OEM Unlocking & USB Debugging.
THEN follow the guide to unlock bootloader.
then (since the tablet is factory reset once you unlock) do the above AGAIN to turn USB Debugging back on after you reboot.
also note that you need to have an internet connection on the tablet to utilize magisk. once you got all that square, then continue on with steps for full root.
hope that helps!

byproxy said:
EDIT:
i was having issues but figure it out. maybe it should be so common knowledge that it shouldn't need to be included as a step, but since i don't do this THAT often i didn't think about it and it took me a bit to figure out why i was having issues.
once you get your computer to recognize your device (mine did without needing to mess with any drivers) you need to first make sure to got into the tablet settings -> about and then tap on the build number 7 times to access developer options. then you need to go into developer options and turn on OEM Unlocking & USB Debugging.
THEN follow the guide to unlock bootloader.
then (since the tablet is factory reset once you unlock) do the above AGAIN to turn USB Debugging back on after you reboot.
also note that you need to have an internet connection on the tablet to utilize magisk. once you got all that square, then continue on with steps for full root.
hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not realize I didn't include that step. Total noob mistake when typing a tutorial up for android. I do this almost daily at work, so I forget to include it

CoachDad said:
Thank you for responding so fast. I've boot into recovery mode /wiped everything...its back to factory. The pinhole reset button does nothing other than reboot it . Ive tried all combos to with the reset button but nothing. Also i've read that its possible to use odin? if i can get it into download mode.
Ive downloaded the stock rom posted on an sdcard wondering if i can possibly update in recovery mode? Im sorta a newb at this stuff. I've been reading for 4 days on this matter. I've practiced a root on an old tablet with success. I guess at this point unless i can sell it as is giving the customer that it has this frp lock on it. If the know how to fix it so be it. Im not sure there is a working solution for frp bypass on these tablets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to remove FRP lock on one of mine by flashing the stock rom with SP Flash Tool. I used the full wipe and download selection with every partition selected including boot.

no worries! i didn't think about it either until i was having issues. thanks for the tutorial... it was super helpful!! btw it definitely works on the 8" tablet.

Hello! I'm new to all of this, but what I'm trying to accomplish is removing the Google account from this tablet and putting a new image on the ONA19TB002, ONA19TB003, ONA19TB007, Surf 7 and 10 tablets. I followed all of the steps as far as installing the drivers. I had to go through hoops to get the MediaTek Drivers installed, but I have a "warning" cone by it. I haven't been able to find any resolution to this. Any help would be appreciated. I' have a Windows 10 64-bit system that I'm using and the tablet I'm specifically working on at the moment is the ONN ONA19TB003 tablet. The tablet is not being recognized by my laptop when I run the 'fastboot devices' command in PowerShell. Is there something that I'm missing? Any help would be appreciated.

'Quis said:
Hello! I'm new to all of this, but what I'm trying to accomplish is removing the Google account from this tablet and putting a new image on the ONA19TB002, ONA19TB003, ONA19TB007, Surf 7 and 10 tablets. I followed all of the steps as far as installing the drivers. I had to go through hoops to get the MediaTek Drivers installed, but I have a "warning" cone by it. I haven't been able to find any resolution to this. Any help would be appreciated. I' have a Windows 10 64-bit system that I'm using and the tablet I'm specifically working on at the moment is the ONN ONA19TB003 tablet. The tablet is not being recognized by my laptop when I run the 'fastboot devices' command in PowerShell. Is there something that I'm missing? Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I avoid PowerShell at all costs. This kinda stuff has always just seemed to work better with CMD.exe instead of Powershell.
These tablets are kind of a nightmare for this. If you've done the mediatek drivers and still have the warning cone icon, I'm not sure what's next as I haven't hit that wall myself. All I can maybe recommend is right click delete drivers in Device Manager, then start over with the driver install
Removing the Google Account would be needing a FRP Bypass. Someone above stated "I was able to remove FRP lock on one of mine by flashing the stock rom with SP Flash Tool. I used the full wipe and download selection with every partition selected including boot. " so if you can get it recognized, try that

KaptinBoxxi said:
Personally, I avoid PowerShell at all costs. This kinda stuff has always just seemed to work better with CMD.exe instead of Powershell.
These tablets are kind of a nightmare for this. If you've done the mediatek drivers and still have the warning cone icon, I'm not sure what's next as I haven't hit that wall myself. All I can maybe recommend is right click delete drivers in Device Manager, then start over with the driver install
Removing the Google Account would be needing a FRP Bypass. Someone above stated "I was able to remove FRP lock on one of mine by flashing the stock rom with SP Flash Tool. I used the full wipe and download selection with every partition selected including boot. " so if you can get it recognized, try that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thank you! This is a shot in the dark, but in order for ADB to work, USB debugging has to be enabled. I can't do that as the tablet is locked by FRP and I have looked countless times on Google and MSN to see if it's possible. Do you have any tips for that?

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but for some reason I can't seem to get. The tablet to stay in fastboot mode. It just says waiting for device.

will this root onn 8 inch tablet running android 9

soateufel said:
I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but for some reason I can't seem to get. The tablet to stay in fastboot mode. It just says waiting for device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for late reply. Been away from home with work. When fastboot mode indicates "waiting for device," it generally means that your device is not properly communicating with your PC or laptop. This is nearly always due to missing or incorrect drivers 9n your computer. There are several comprehensive guides here on XDA for installing necessary ADB & Fastboot drivers.

installed magisk manager on onn 8 and also have img zip but win i go to patch it magisk manager crashes

when you mean patch boot img do mean to unzip file on onn 8