[Q] How do I purposely "brick" a nexus? - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I like to "brick" my nexus 4 or make it boot loop or stuck at the google logo or in other words make it appear to be dead or defective. But also retain recovery so I can easily fix it without the need for a computer.
How do i do it?
I did it many times accidentely on different devices while flashing different roms, but never on purpose and not on the nexus 4. So i am not sure how to do it.
I was thinking maybe flashing a kernel from a different device will do it, but not sure if that would be reversible.
So before I start to blindingly tinker with the phone, what is the best way to do it?

This doesn't sound shady at all.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Why'd you do that lol?
Anyways, wipe system partition.

Biporch said:
Why'd you do that lol?
Anyways, wipe system partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, ill give it a try.
Exodian said:
This doesn't sound shady at all.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol...
Well, if you must know, I like to send my phone to a relative in another country but don't like to pay 34% costumes taxes, so if it is a "Non working phone for parts only", i can claim its value to be under the allowable value and avoid taxes altogether.
Shady??? Maybe, but if I can save $100 then why not?

ronkoni said:
Thanks, ill give it a try.
Lol...
Well, if you must know, I like to send my phone to a relative in another country but don't like to pay 34% costumes taxes, so if it is a "Non working phone for parts only", i can claim its value to be under the allowable value and avoid taxes altogether.
Shady??? Maybe, but if I can save $100 then why not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you could also remove the back plate and disconnect the battery.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Exodian said:
Well, you could also remove the back plate and disconnect the battery.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a lot of work, considering that the screws are non-standard and the back is tricky to get off. Not to mention the battery screws are REALLY easy to strip.
Just delete System, though the reason that your previous phone would bootloop was most likely a result of you not wiping System before flashing a new ROM, resulting in a corrupted System partition. I've done this a few times on my old Vibrant, back when I started using custom ROMs.
Best of Luck, keep the Update.zip file on the phone for a quick fix.

Astonishing !!!
Although, wiping just system wont help !
I may suggest you to wipe everything from FASTBOOT MODE.
Wipe even Bootloader and Radio.
It may help ! :good:

Really? Your asking how to commit fraud? Nice way to get banned.

Related

[Q] Removing ripped off message from Vegacomb?

Hi guys,
I just got a vega today and the first thing I did was install vegarom.
That message that pops up about being ripped off is horrid. Can I remove it?
Thanks
(Please don't flame me)
I don't mind switching it with the logo of the team that built vegacomb, I just don't want that nasty message there
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
I would like the same thing on my device too.
Not very appealing everytime I restart it or when someone sees that screen. I know its there to warn people to not get fooled by some Chinese rip off suppliers, but would be good to have some alternative there.
This isn't something that I really want to encourage if I'm being honest. But if you want to do this yourself, I will give one hint:
*.rle - It's in boot
newbe5
Thank you for your hint
Do you have a file, perhaps with your team logo I can replace it with?
You're welcome to pm me
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
Bayton said:
Thank you for your hint
Do you have a file, perhaps with your team logo I can replace it with?
You're welcome to pm me
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or maybe make it look a little bit nicer?
Or could it be done so that it only comes up for the first say 3 times you turn the Vega on?
It's an all-or-nothing thing I'm afraid. It was made intentionally to be very in-your-face, to stop people from missing it
Zebwen said:
It's an all-or-nothing thing I'm afraid. It was made intentionally to be very in-your-face, to stop people from missing it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats fair enough, and to be fair, it only lasts for a matter of seconds so I can live with it
Zebwen said:
It's an all-or-nothing thing I'm afraid. It was made intentionally to be very in-your-face, to stop people from missing it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, ok. Well though I'd rather replace it with your logo (or something) I can also just remove it.
I appreciate your help!
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
Can some one please PM me how to do it ? I am not quite sure where the file is located at and can't search for it using the app I have.
Many thanks
I'm also struggling to find anything. From what I've been reading there's a boot partition named mtd2 and I think, based on my limited knowledge, it could be in there.
I'm not sure if that is or could be writable, or if you have to extract the update.zip and edit it, then having to reflash the vega in order for it to go away. I can donate to anyone interested in figuring it out.
Either way, I'm determined to get it removed, it irritates me every time I turn my vega on.
It certainly doesn't help that when I adb shell into it, all I get are random letters and numbers when entering "ls" so I have no discernible way of telling where I am or what I'm doing most of the time. Oh, and debugging seems to disconnect itself from my laptop every 5 minutes, requiring a reboot to get back into it.
You need to unpack the boot.img, replace the file newbie5 said. Then repack and flash the modified boot.img
I am not going into more detail as newbie5 does not want it to be made to easy, I can see why.
You don't need to, thanks. I read it elsewhere on XDA and assumed it would also work in this case.
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
I have sorted it.. much better!
I'm not sure if something went wrong with the repacking, but I've had some random reboots since. Trying to figure out if it is related.
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
Scrap that, reboots were unrelated and have stopped
Sent from my VegaComb using Tapatalk
How big a deal is this? I don't get it.
I'm curious - how often do people reboot their Vega's? I boot might maybe a couple of times a month and then, the screen is only visible for a few seconds so it's number 657,391 on my list of things to worry about.
IMHO the value of it far outweighs a few seconds a month.
I turn mine off/on many times during the day.
If it doesn't concern you then that's fine. Move along now, there's a good chap.
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
simonta said:
How big a deal is this? I don't get it.
I'm curious - how often do people reboot their Vega's? I boot might maybe a couple of times a month and then, the screen is only visible for a few seconds so it's number 657,391 on my list of things to worry about.
IMHO the value of it far outweighs a few seconds a month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't agree more. What was your vega like out of the box? What is it like now?
Jesus, small price to pay for the the team trying to protect their VOLUNTARY work.
Good way to get rid of it? Don't use this rom.
Better way to get rid of it? Edit boot.img.
Do you hear that? It's the sound of me having my cake, and eating it too.
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
Touche'! And enjoy the cake.

Replacement evo

My wife's evo has some hardware issues with the camera. It is rooted, would you all recommend unrooting if going for a replacement?
EDIT:
Anything else to clean up other than unrooting, and removing root only apps and .apks? Do they really go digging for any related files?
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Yes
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
I thought it was an absolute yes, until I read a few threads on here where it didn't seem to matter for some.
Anything else to clean up other than unrooting, and removing root only apps and .apks? Do they really go digging for any related files?
Iv ran into this problem in the summer. My charger port was a little funky and non stop went into car mode. i was rooted and at the time was not able to unroot it. I asked for a replacement and when i had to send it in i did EVERYthing possiable so they wouldnt be able to even turn it on to see its rooted lol.
i cracked the screen badly.
shoved a screwdriver into the charger port so they couldnt charge it.
messed up the battery charging cells so no battery could power it on.
=p
Warrior 3000 said:
Iv ran into this problem in the summer. My charger port was a little funky and non stop went into car mode. i was rooted and at the time was not able to unroot it. I asked for a replacement and when i had to send it in i did EVERYthing possiable so they wouldnt be able to even turn it on to see its rooted lol.
i cracked the screen badly.
shoved a screwdriver into the charger port so they couldnt charge it.
messed up the battery charging cells so no battery could power it on.
=p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, don't think I'll go that route, but makes for a good story!
ladle3000 said:
Wow, don't think I'll go that route, but makes for a good story!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i went a little overkill but i was not able to unroot at all because my phone would not connect to any PC. It was the only other way lol! it worked though!
This question has probably been asked at least 50 times on here. The general consensus is that most sprint stores won't care if you are rooted, as long as you are on a stock rom. However, it is very possible they could flag your device and void your warranty. Since unrooting and re-rooting only takes 5 minutes, just do it to be safe.
The second part of my question is more my interest. I am aware of the general consensus.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
If you're gonna unroot (which I've never found necessary, after numerous screen and camera and speaker and bezel replacements), and remove any root related app, I'm not sure what more you could do, or what you're asking.
sent from AOKP heaven
The reason I say yes is because it's really hit or miss, it depends on the employee who is taking care of you. There are many people who've had success without unrooting and plenty who haven't.
I'm just a better safe than sorry type of guy. Rooting and unrooting only take a couple minutes anyway. Also there are enough refurb evos that most stores will take in your phone for repair and have you pick up a refurb the next day while your phone gets sent off to be repaired for the next person.
But if you plan on not unrooting then I would suggest a stock rooted rom without any root related apps and also a cleared SD card. I've heard a few stories of being turned down for repair for root related material on the SD card even after they unrooted lol.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
THREESTRIPEBRAND said:
The reason I say yes is because it's really hit or miss, it depends on the employee who is taking care of you. There are many people who've had success without unrooting and plenty who haven't.
I'm just a better safe than sorry type of guy. Rooting and unrooting only take a couple minutes anyway. Also there are enough refurb evos that most stores will take in your phone for repair and have you pick up a refurb the next day while your phone gets sent off to be repaired for the next person.
But if you plan on not unrooting then I would suggest a stock rooted rom without any root related apps and also a cleared SD card. I've heard a few stories of being turned down for repair for root related material on the SD card even after they unrooted lol.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man. Exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
ladle3000 said:
Thanks man. Exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, good luck.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
id say pull your sd card, they wont give you a new one anyway. whenever iv got a new phone it didnt include sd card or battery. They just reused my old ones.

[Q] how to save hard bricked nexus 4??

Hi all, so I went to flash Franco kernel on my n4, and I clicked on nexus 4 kernels, but somehow ended up going to the page with the gnex kernels, and flashed that instead. I didn't realize that till after I bricked my phone when I went on my friends phone and then checked the page. Idk how that happened that I was directed to the gnex kernel page, but I was. So anyway, I hard bricked my phone and wondering if There's any way to save it? It won't even boot up, or go into bootloader mode, or anything. please help?? Thanks!
Try holding volume down and then plugin your usb cable in your pc. Worked for me and mine is still hardbricked! Maybe you can get into fastboot and restore
lowtje said:
Try holding volume down and then plugin your usb cable in your pc. Worked for me and mine is still hardbricked! Maybe you can get into fastboot and restore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesnt even turn on, and i have a mac :/ i have no way to get into fastboot mode
It doesn't turn on? What did you mean? Do you see the Google logo when you press the power button? Try holding volume keys and power to get to fast boot.
Try downloading the drivers from the pdanets software. I think they have a Mac version which will enable you to use fast boot on Mac. Go to Google factory images page and download the nexus 4 image. Unzip it and use flash the boot image by using the fastboot command : fastboot flash boot boot.IMG
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Ieatnoobs said:
It doesn't turn on? What did you mean? Do you see the Google logo when you press the power button? Try holding volume keys and power to get to fast boot.
Try downloading the drivers from the pdanets software. I think they have a Mac version which will enable you to use fast boot on Mac. Go to Google factory images page and download the nexus 4 image. Unzip it and use flash the boot image by using the fastboot command : fastboot flash boot boot.IMG
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
like i mean that no matter how long i hold the power button, the phone doesnt turn on. its just a black screen. no logo, no boot anumation, nothing. i cant even boot into fastboot or recovery, so i cant do any fastboot commands
Maybe the battery is dead? Try charging it?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Melad360 said:
like i mean that no matter how long i hold the power button, the phone doesnt turn on. its just a black screen. no logo, no boot anumation, nothing. i cant even boot into fastboot or recovery, so i cant do any fastboot commands
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Leave it in the charger overnight. And try to use an high amp charger like the ipad one
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
lowtje said:
Leave it in the charger overnight. And try to use an high amp charger like the ipad one
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it was at 95% when i bricked it though, theres no way the battery is dead :/
so i called google about replacing it, they said that they will email the original buyer (my dad) to authorize an exchange, so i might be able to get a new n4
Melad360 said:
so i called google about replacing it, they said that they will email the original buyer (my dad) to authorize an exchange, so i might be able to get a new n4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to sound like an asshole or anything but to be completely honest, I kinda hope Google doesn't replace that phone of your for free. You messed it up by not double checking everything twice before clicking that confirm button when you went to flash a new kernel. You knew that if you messed up your phone is dead. But now Google has to shell out a new phone because YOU messed up, not Google.
Gonna ruin it for people that actually did get a defected device...
Melad360 said:
so i called google about replacing it, they said that they will email the original buyer (my dad) to authorize an exchange, so i might be able to get a new n4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not cool. You need to fix this yourself.
What were you thinking flashing stuff to your phone but not having the ability to use fastboot and other dev tools? If you're going to intentionally gut out the functionality of your phone, have the tools and willingness to deal with problems! This isn't Google's fault, don't leave them with the bill!
Sent from my Nexus 4
waffleman911 said:
Not to sound like an asshole or anything but to be completely honest, I kinda hope Google doesn't replace that phone of your for free. You messed it up by not double checking everything twice before clicking that confirm button when you went to flash a new kernel. You knew that if you messed up your phone is dead. But now Google has to shell out a new phone because YOU messed up, not Google.
Gonna ruin it for people that actually did get a defected device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how can i double check something that doesnt have a device model on it? it simply says "Franco.kernel nightly r-number.zip", i dont know how i managed to end up on the gnex kernel list, when i specifically clicked on nexus 4 kernels. that was beyond my control, its not like i made a stupid mistake on purpose. i double checked everything, making sure i was on the right xda page, and i downloaded a zip file not an img file, etc, i did everything i could do, yet little things slip
Melad360 said:
how can i double check something that doesnt have a device model on it? it simply says "Franco.kernel nightly r-number.zip", i dont know how i managed to end up on the gnex kernel list, when i specifically clicked on nexus 4 kernels. that was beyond my control, its not like i made a stupid mistake on purpose. i double checked everything, making sure i was on the right xda page, and i downloaded a zip file not an img file, etc, i did everything i could do, yet little things slip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Post the url you click that forwarded you to the gnex page. I'd be willing to bet that it says up top in orange, something along the line of "gnex>android development>gnex kernels"
Did you read the comments of that thread?
When you were in TWRP/CWM, the name of the file didn't hint at either gnex or nexus 4? It should have, if I'm not mistaken. There are always few ways to double check the file you downloaded.
Melad360 said:
how can i double check something that doesnt have a device model on it? it simply says "Franco.kernel nightly r-number.zip", i dont know how i managed to end up on the gnex kernel list, when i specifically clicked on nexus 4 kernels. that was beyond my control, its not like i made a stupid mistake on purpose. i double checked everything, making sure i was on the right xda page, and i downloaded a zip file not an img file, etc, i did everything i could do, yet little things slip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But this is Google's fault?
Sent from my iPad 4
k everyone calm down. I am sure all of us made that stupid mistake someday. None of us are perfect humans. We learn from mistakes. At least thats what we are suppose to do. Anyway, glad it worked out for OP.
So...it won't turn on at all? Did you someone flash a bootloader or something?
Maybe JTAG it. Hire somebody who knows how to use that technology and you could get it restored.
Melad360 said:
how can i double check something that doesnt have a device model on it? it simply says "Franco.kernel nightly r-number.zip", i dont know how i managed to end up on the gnex kernel list, when i specifically clicked on nexus 4 kernels. that was beyond my control, its not like i made a stupid mistake on purpose. i double checked everything, making sure i was on the right xda page, and i downloaded a zip file not an img file, etc, i did everything i could do, yet little things slip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously this isn't the case because the links work just fine..
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
I`m calling google to tell them not to give a free phone to that guy! He should be charged every penny for the new phone!
Not to troll the OP, but man I'm seeing these threads all the time now and it's seriously annoying and down right fraudulent!
If you buy a new car, drive it off the lot and wreck it five miles down the road while breaking every traffic law known to man, you can not bring the heap of metal and plastic back to the dealership and demand another.
YOU voided your warranty! YOU flashed third party firmware! YOU improperly flashed third party firmware and bricked your device as a result. Do not blame Google, Franco, or anyone else for YOUR mistake!
Google has no responsibility for your device now, they guarantee that it works from the factory in the condition they sold it in. Once you click 'Yes' in the bootloader to unlock your device, you're on your own should you screw up... That's what that message is telling you!
I, for one, enjoy getting a nice phone at a great price. People like you are the reason carriers and OEMs charge $600+ now! Take responsibility for breaking it... Perhaps next time you should read, then when you think you know enough, read some more!
Spoiled children...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Touchscreen Not Responding -- Possible to Remote Wipe?

My screen and digitizer were broken over the weekend, and as it turns out, I did not enable remote wipes in the Google+ Settings like I thought I had. Is there a way for me to access the Nexus 4 by USB or another way to enable a factory reset so I can sell it for parts without my data on it?
I can't remember if I have debugging enabled or not, either, and I know for a fact that the phone isn't rooted.
Is there anything I can do to wipe the phone clean without being able to use the touchscreen?
Thanks so much for your help.
Download the factory images from Google
Extract
Plug phone into pc
Run the flashall.bat
It will factory reset and erase all your data from the device
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Download the factory image and flash it on your phone with Odin3.
Of course your can't get your data off of it.
You could just buy a new display module for it. If you like the phone.
ninjosh97 said:
Download the factory image and flash it on your phone with Odin3.
Of course your can't get your data off of it.
You could just buy a new display module for it. If you like the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin work with the Nexus 4?
baseballfanz said:
Odin work with the Nexus 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. He forgot which forum he was in.
Ah dang your right! My bad.
They're right, Odin is just for Samsung phones.
With the Nexus 4 you don't need it. Just use Fastboot and the ADB.
Thank you guys so much! And part of the reason I'm not just sending it in for replacement is that many of the services are out of stock with the screen/digitizer and if I'm going to be paying around 200 anyway (LG won't quote an approximate price, either), I'll snag a brand new phone instead of a refurbished one.
Sure, hit the Thanks button if you like.
I broke the screen on my Nexus 7, and they said that a new one would cost $170. I did what you are going to to XD.
ninjosh97 said:
Sure, hit the Thanks button if you like.
I broke the screen on my Nexus 7, and they said that a new one would cost $170. I did what you are going to to XD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it's a joke really. If the screen costs 170 then they did really well getting the rest of the tablet for 30 bucks
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
I know, I thought I was going to puke when they told me it was $170.
I didn't know it was the same deal with N4.

[Q] Can I replace build.prop with Stock Recovery or Odin

Ok, I've looked around for the answer and from what I've ready, I don't think I can do this but I want to make sure I properly understand what I have read.
My phone came stock with AT&T's MF3, i was able to successfully root and debloat the phone without issues. I was very careful the entire process and everything works perfectly. But then what did I do? I modded the build.prop (it was late and I was tired... I shouldn't have done it) file without thinking "I don't have a recovery method if this fails"... I KNEW there was no MF3 firmware available for recovery in Kies, and I knew no one has found an workable solution in Odin... But these didn't cross my mind that night. So, when I rebooted my phone, it would go past the samsung boot logo but never show AT&T's logo. The screen goes black after the Samsung logo, the remains black. After about 10 - 20 seconds the LED at the top left of the phone will turn on blue and throb. If I plug my phone into a USB port, it will try to install drivers as "MTP USB Device" but fail. The longer I leave the phone the warmer it gets regardless of whether or not it's plugged in.
I can boot into Download Mode and Stock Recovery
I've tested the drivers with my wife's phone and everything works as expected
I can boot into Stock Recovery and sideload files (I tried to flash an OTA file another user hosted here, it was sent via ADB sideload but it failed due to my debloating the /system/apps folder)
I've tried using stock recovery to flash a zip file to replace build.prop, but failed (not signed by samsung)
I've successfully flashed the "MF3_BTL_FIX" file another user created to kick a person out of the yellow triangle, when Kies fails.
I've tried best buy, but the samsung specialist will not even plug my phone into their computer
I have a backup build.prop, I just can't figure out how to get it on my phone without a custom recovery.
So, is there any way to replace the build.prop file with Odin/Heimdall or flashing or sideloading something from stock recovery?
My wife has the same phone, so I can also get files from her phone if I need to.
Any help or advice (even if it's "you have to wait for MF3 to be released in kies") would be greatly appreciated.
I'd find another bestbuy and see if you have better luck there.
jd1639 said:
I'd find another bestbuy and see if you have better luck there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is my best option too, but the next closest best buy is 1.5 hours from this one.... Getting time to go there will be the hardest part for me... that's what I get for living in the middle of nowhere...
dustyhughes said:
I think this is my best option too, but the next closest best buy is 1.5 hours from this one.... Getting time to go there will be the hardest part for me... that's what I get for living in the middle of nowhere...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Road trip!
jd1639 said:
Road trip!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HAHAHA! seriously! "Come on Kids, we're going on a field trip for science... COMPUTER science!"
But really, I may be heading out there Friday. They actually have 2 full stores there and 2 "mobile" stores.... I guess I'll see if I can get someone in one of those places to help.
Did you try a factory reset in Stock recovery?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
graydiggy said:
Did you try a factory reset in Stock recovery?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, yes... It formats /data and /cache... it doesn't touch /system at all (from what I could tell), so the build.prop isn't restored to factory.
What stinks is, I believe ALL i have to do is replace that ONE file! Granted it's a major file... but still, ONE file, keeping me from booting to the OS. I've even been tempted to send it to one of the guys that does the jtag repairs, but to be honest I don't know enough about what they do to know if it would even help or if I could trust them (I assume I could from what little I've read)...
I may just have to go best buy hunting.
dustyhughes said:
Unfortunately, yes... It formats /data and /cache... it doesn't touch /system at all (from what I could tell), so the build.prop isn't restored to factory.
What stinks is, I believe ALL i have to do is replace that ONE file! Granted it's a major file... but still, ONE file, keeping me from booting to the OS. I've even been tempted to send it to one of the guys that does the jtag repairs, but to be honest I don't know enough about what they do to know if it would even help or if I could trust them (I assume I could from what little I've read)...
I may just have to go best buy hunting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you're referring to mobiletechvideos.com and I didn't use them for jtag however I used them to fix a power button and they are awesome!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
HiTideBlastoise said:
I assume you're referring to mobiletechvideos.com and I didn't use them for jtag however I used them to fix a power button and they are awesome!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I've heard of mobiletechvideos before, and I know they would be trust worthy, I've heard GREAT things about them... The other place I saw unbricking phones I ran across on youtube, they have a link to an ebay store (if you search ebay for "Unbrick Service Hard Bricked Samsung Galaxy S4 i337" you'll find them). They are actually a whole lot cheaper than mobiletechvideos, which is one of the reasons I looked into them and also why I'm suspicious. Not to discredit them at all, because I personally don't know what kind of work they do.
I don't even know if Jtag will allow them to fix my build.prop file. The ebay place says if the phone doesn't boot normally after doing a repair, they will restore the latest stock ROM and since i'm on MF3, well... They couldn't do much. It also makes me suspicious that in their ebay description it says:
------------------------------------------------------
By purchasing this auction you agree to the following.
1. Jtag service will avoid your warranty.
2. There is no guaranty 100% to fixed your phone, but we do our best.
3. If the phone can not fix, we will refund only $ 30.00, minus $5.80 for shipping cost.
4. If you claim for any problem after successful unbricked the phone, you need to send it back for inspection. Because we tested it before ship.
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I mean, some of the wording used makes me uncomfortable... I could just be paranoid, the address on the auction IS Carrollton, Texas after all
Just thought I'd update everyone... never found a fix myself, but I did drive to the next nearest best buy with my phone in the yellow triangle mode and the guy said he knew exactly what to do. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful... He even knew how to get the phone in download mode We talked a bit, he never asked about what I may have done to the phone, but during our conversation I had told him I had backed everything up and he kind of winked and said he would take care of me. It seemed like he knew what happened, but he didn't say anything, and the "head Samsung rep", his boss was right there talking with us too. He did a full restore, and I was up and running in 10 minutes. If you get a friendly and knowledgeable employee it's pretty painless.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
This is great to hear. Glad you got it fixed. That road trip was worth it
jd1639 said:
This is great to hear. Glad you got it fixed. That road trip was worth it
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Thanks! I'm really glad to get it back. The road trip was well worth it. My wife and I decided to make a date out of it, we went to a nice restaurant while we were out without the kids, something they wouldn't have enjoyed and we wouldn't normally go to with them
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

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