Database Users

Nexus 4 Rooting Help

I need some help on a specific problem for rooting the N4.
I'm trying to use the Nexus 4 Root Kit to root my N4 and for some reason the Nexus 4 Root Kit is not recognizing my device when it's plugged in. I went to device manager and I saw that my N4 is under:
- Portable Devices
- Nexus 4
In all the video examples it's put under as an Android device instead of a Nexus 4. Is that what the problem is? Anyways I'm just trying to install the PdaNet driver for my N4 using the root kit and I keep getting:
Android Phone not Detected (Error = 103).
Help please?

Have you enabled developer mode (tap "build number" 7 times under phone info)?
Then within developer options, enable USB debugging.

I have enabled USB debugging.
For whatever reason, my computer continues to install the "portable device - nexus 4" driver instead of Android ADB :/

Have you tried the steps listed here?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1992345

I downloaded those drivers and it worked as in my device manager now shows android device --> android composite ADB interface.
However on the Nexus Root Toolkit, when I press unlock and it's checking the ADB status I get:
"ADB device was not found"
Any further help please?

Try restarting your computer.
---------- Post added at 02:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 PM ----------
Other solutions that come up are:
- Make sure you're using the cable that came with your phone
- Make sure your firewall or anti-virus isn't blocking ADB

Unfortunately that didn't work haha. Well, thanks for the help! I've decided to just give up on rooting since this is not nearly worth the trouble I'm going through lol.

PC no longer recognizes Nexus 4: USB driver failure

Problem: USB driver failure for Nexus 4. The android composite USB driver loads. Portable device driver (MTP) does not.
I have the latest v7 Google USB drivers in the extras 4.2.2 SDK folder, and pointing the driver install to this folder has worked in the past. Now, I never get the portable device MTP to install. I have both windows 7 and windows 8 machines that used to recognize the phone. I suspect my phone USB firmware is corrupted ( or something else software related?), but don't know how to find or make a zip file I can flash via custom recovery to test my theory.
I've tried multiple USB cables, all which have worked in the past. Simultaneously, I can only charge at USB rate. This all started occurring a week ago.
Any recommendations?
LG-E960

A different Nexus 4 connects fine, mine has no response to USB. It will charge off the PC, but no adb device found, no fastboot device found, no portable device MTP. I think something is wrong with my USB firmware on the phone.
LG-E960

Are you sure usb fast charge is not on?

User failure in this case, install these drivers from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1998650. Delete all excisting usb drivers and then reconnect to usb and prevent/stop windows from installing drivers. Open device manager in windows and select the N4 and install the 0.72 drivers and you`re done.

gee2012 said:
User failure in this case, install these drivers from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1998650. Delete all excisting usb drivers and then reconnect to usb and prevent/stop windows from installing drivers. Open device manager in windows and select the N4 and install the 0.72 drivers and you`re done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same problem, ADB, MTP none of it works, I've tried every method including yours. Worst part of it is that nothing happens in the device manager when i plug in Nexus 4 so i can't update drivers manually too. It used to work great with both MTP, ADB etc. Stopped working all of a sudden...Help please anyone. The phone is pretty much useless without MTP or ADB for me.

I too,, have tried to clear all old drivers and use the universal driver, but nothing works. I went through the tedious windows 8 advanced startup to allow unsigned drivers.
LG-E960

This sucks. I still cant resolve this, and 4.3 is coming. Maybe I'll try Ubuntu.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Still sucks
LG-E960, Tapatalk b4

Problem with Nexus 4
Any updates about this?
I'm going through the same thing with my Nexus 4.
No response to USB, except charging.
No ADB, No Fastboot, No MTP nothing at all, it's as if the system detects only a device that uses power from the USB port and nothing else.
---------- Post added at 03:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:27 PM ----------
muzicfreako said:
I'm having the same problem, ADB, MTP none of it works, I've tried every method including yours. Worst part of it is that nothing happens in the device manager when i plug in Nexus 4 so i can't update drivers manually too. It used to work great with both MTP, ADB etc. Stopped working all of a sudden...Help please anyone. The phone is pretty much useless without MTP or ADB for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any updates about this?
I'm going through the same thing with my Nexus 4.

Adeelx said:
Any updates about this?
I'm going through the same thing with my Nexus 4.
No response to USB, except charging.
No ADB, No Fastboot, No MTP nothing at all, it's as if the system detects only a device that uses power from the USB port and nothing else.
---------- Post added at 03:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:27 PM ----------
Any updates about this?
I'm going through the same thing with my Nexus 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was a hardware problem at my end. My nexus 4 wasn't detected at all in any computers.

muzicfreako said:
It was a hardware problem at my end. My nexus 4 wasn't detected at all in any computers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still have the same problem as you.
LG-E960

Resolved
muzicfreako said:
It was a hardware problem at my end. My nexus 4 wasn't detected at all in any computers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was the same with my phone. Wasn't detected on other computers too.
Here's what led to the problem resolution (kinda):
1. Formatted /system, /data, /cache, and flashed CM 10.1.2: http://get.cm/get/jenkins/34261/cm-10.1.2-mako.zip
2. Restarted the phone, then I came upon this forum post which mentioned that Trickster MOD Kernel Settings should be used to test for fast charge.
3. To install Trickster Mod I had to have Play Store (and thus the GApps package), so I rebooted into recovery.
4. After flashing the GApps package and rebooting the phone got detected and I was back in business.
5. Immediately flashed the factory image JDQ39 (it was the one I had available at the time.
6. Received the 4.3 OTA update about an hour ago and the phone is again back to not functioning on USB.
(Worth mentioning here that before this fiasco started, I was on CM 10.1.2, linked above.)
-- Update --
Rebooted a few times, phone appears on USB now and is there consistently, I'm beginning to think this is a hardware issue but I cannot apply for a warranty claim until the problem is consistent enough.

I've been having the same problem the last few weeks. I am on v4.3 stock. The phone is not being detected in any computer i've tried. I've used several USB cords and none of them work. The phone can be charged, but only in USB mode, so charging is slow, even when using AC charger.
I think this problem was triggered by charging on a cheap car charger. The Nexus 7 also can get into this state from what i've been reading.
I haven't come across a fix yet, so I think I'm going to RMA it before the warranty runs out.. its to bad though, I think this is a software problem related to 4.3. I used a lot of cheap chargers without this problem coming up before upgrading to 4.3.

Just go to storage settings and just try uncheck and re check the option of USB connection . It worked !! for me
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

krishnan.sri92 said:
Just go to storage settings and just try uncheck and re check the option of USB connection . It worked !! for me
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried that. I also replaced the USB flexible circuit card ($25 amazon) and nothing changed. I'm glad their are people like xDA member, enfrant, that provides zip files for updating the phone, else I'd be stuck with a non- updateable nexus 4, which would be a nightmare for a flash junkie.
LG-E960

Very basic step but I've seen it being missed before:
- Go to Settings
- Storage
- Menu > USB computer Connection
- Check Media Device(MTP)
If this was not checked, checking it will make your computer download the necessary drivers if not present already.

MTP not detected Nexus4
jigarbond said:
Very basic step but I've seen it being missed before:
- Go to Settings
- Storage
- Menu > USB computer Connection
- Check Media Device(MTP)
If this was not checked, checking it will make your computer download the necessary drivers if not present already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There, i faced same problem. No matter what i did, still my XP could not detect my Nexus 4 storage. ( I must have deleted all drivers..samsung..nexus..android..from my device Manager when trying to install Nexus driver with WUGs Nexus Toolkits.) .BEST solution.."Restore System " to the date when everything was running fine.....walla.........problem solved:good::good::good:

krishnan.sri92 said:
Just go to storage settings and just try uncheck and re check the option of USB connection . It worked !! for me
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much - it worked for me as well!

[Q] Windows doesn't recognize my A500 through usb

Ok so I think I've searched well enough to conclude no one has my particular problem. When I plug in my A500 into my computer that has windows 7 windows recognizes that something was plugged in but not what it is. It says USB device not recognized, unknown device, and so on. I've tried installing the drivers from the acer website, I've tried installing the drivers from the link in the ics rooting thread, I've tried using the google android drivers and none have worked. I've even tried reinstalling windows but that had nothing to do with this it was a different thing that made me do it. Nothing has worked and I've become a bit frustrated with the tablet. Any suggestions on what to do?
Thanks

SolomonAiel said:
Ok so I think I've searched well enough to conclude no one has my particular problem. When I plug in my A500 into my computer that has windows 7 windows recognizes that something was plugged in but not what it is. It says USB device not recognized, unknown device, and so on. I've tried installing the drivers from the acer website, I've tried installing the drivers from the link in the ics rooting thread, I've tried using the google android drivers and none have worked. I've even tried reinstalling windows but that had nothing to do with this it was a different thing that made me do it. Nothing has worked and I've become a bit frustrated with the tablet. Any suggestions on what to do?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What state are you connecting it in (recovery, fastboot, normal boot)?

Moborobo test program

Sorry forgot to say, it's stock rom not rooted and is being connected in normal boot.

SolomonAiel said:
Sorry forgot to say, it's stock rom not rooted and is being connected in normal boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tick the usb debugging

and that is on. Forgot to mention that as well. I forget about details quite often when i'm explaining something.

SolomonAiel said:
and that is on. Forgot to mention that as well. I forget about details quite often when i'm explaining something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moborobo, download the program and try it. Ami has worked with me many android devices
---------- Post added at 06:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:26 PM ----------
Moborobo, download the program and try it. to me has run many android devices. sorry for my English

Your computer isn't detecting it at all, or is there an error while trying to identify it? Make sure you have the proper drivers for your device on your computer.

It's an error identifying it. I do have the correct drivers the a500 drivers from either the rooting guide or the Acer website neither has worked.

Moborobo does not work with the a500. I tried it and it still says to connect my device. which it is but it's just unrecognized.

If you have installed the driver correctly, AND you had administrator rights when you installed, should be no reason why you can't get the PC to recognize the device.
First, I would advise using a good USB cable. It's been known in the past, that some folks try to use a printer cable, and sometimes it doesn't work. If changing cables doesn't work, then do the following
1. In Device Manager, try loading the drivers manually. You should be able to have it search the windows system for the drivers. If it doesn't find it, then windows is being stupid. Try installing it manually (ignore the warning it may not be compatible,.....)
2. If that doesn't work, then you can use the Google USB drivers
http://www.redmondpie.com/android-u...r-samsung-htc-asus-sony-lg-and-other-devices/
Generally, we install the Android SDK first;
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
And again, have Device manager look to that directory and manually select.
Either way, this should get you up and running.
And one more thing, turn on USB Debugging in your tablet's system properties.
MD

I've tried that. Didn't seem to work as windows would still not recognize the a500. And the usb debugging has been on since the beginning.

Okay i've gotten windows to the point of being able to install the drivers from the device manager but there is no clear option to choose. Here are the choices:
acer android communications port
acer android modem
acer hs-usb android diag
acer hs-usb diagnostics
acer composite adb interface
acer fastboot interface
acer picasso usb boot-recovery driver (google driver)
android bootloader interface (google driver)
So any suggestions cause I've tried installing the adb interface, fastboot interface and the android bootloader interface and haven't gotten any good results.
Thanks

Did you try a second PC? Sometimes a machine can get wonky if you've been using for years. Using a second machine or reinstalling Windows freshly would greatly increase the chances of detection.

Yep tried about 3 machines.

SolomonAiel said:
Yep tried about 3 machines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same issue with a bricked A500 I bought on ebay
Windows just recognizes it as an MTP USB device and fails to install the drivers
I have another A500 that comes up fine as an A500 on the same PC.

Try disabling the USB debugging in developer options I have the same issue with my Win 7 x64 system

[Q] Windows Code 43

Hey,
today I tried to flash stock android 4.4.2 via WugFresh Nexus Root Toolkit. The rom was installed without a problem. But when I tried to root my nexus 4 with the toolkit, I've checked USB-debugging and plugged it to my PC (windows 8.1) but there was no question for the RSA fingerprint on my device, then I startet ADB to see if it can identify my N4 but, nope. So I used the toolkit to reinstall the N4 driver. But the problem was stilll there. Then I tried another reinstall of the driver. But then I had another problem: I could only connect my device for charging, in the device manager from windows was nothing to see that my nexus was connected. After a long time of charging, windows opened a ballon with the message: unknown device and in the device manager was an unknown device listed in USB-controller with the error code 43.
I've tried different things:
-plugged in another PC (windows 7, windows 8.1, Xubuntu)
-used different USB-Ports
-different USB-cable
If anyone has an idea, how I'm able to connect my Nexus to my PC again please tell me.
Ask if you need another information.

Cewar said:
Hey,
today I tried to flash stock android 4.4.2 via WugFresh Nexus Root Toolkit. The rom was installed without a problem. But when I tried to root my nexus 4 with the toolkit, I've checked USB-debugging and plugged it to my PC (windows 8.1) but there was no question for the RSA fingerprint on my device, then I startet ADB to see if it can identify my N4 but, nope. So I used the toolkit to reinstall the N4 driver. But the problem was stilll there. Then I tried another reinstall of the driver. But then I had another problem: I could only connect my device for charging, in the device manager from windows was nothing to see that my nexus was connected. After a long time of charging, windows opened a ballon with the message: unknown device and in the device manager was an unknown device listed in USB-controller with the error code 43.
I've tried different things:
-plugged in another PC (windows 7, windows 8.1, Xubuntu)
-used different USB-Ports
-different USB-cable
If anyone has an idea, how I'm able to connect my Nexus to my PC again please tell me.
Ask if you need another information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...cognised/6a2a5531-8b80-4798-9aa6-ee2dcb705c7f
Sent from my Nexus 7 (2013)
---------- Post added at 05:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 AM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1766475
Sent from my Nexus 7 (2013)
---------- Post added at 05:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:29 AM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588979
Sent from my Nexus 7 (2013)

thank you for your reply
but it didn't solve my problem, but I've forgotten to write that even if my nexus is identified as unknown device, there is no message on the nexus that it is connected to the pc. (sorry that I forgot about it)
In my opinion there is something wrong with my N4.

[Q] softbrick

hello,
I have recently been playing with roms and stuff on my n4. (did it on other devices, and never had any problem i couldnt fix)
but right now I kinda screwed up so bad, that I need some help.
I kinda wiped all the data on my phone from the cwm recovery.
and I'm stuck with this situation:
I can boot to bootloader + recovery
I can't boot to any rom (because there is none)
I can't connect to any pc because they won't recognize he's there (forever alone... ) (and yes i've tried all kinds of drivers)
I can't connect with adb because I can't turn on usb debugging mode.
So right now I'm stuck
I've come to the conclusion that i probably need to use fastboot fix this, but like I said before, no computer will recognize my n4. (not showing up in device manager)
also tried about 6 different usb cables - no luck
different computers ( ubuntu - mac - windows) - no luck
So is there any smart guy out there who can help me?
greetings, Julian

honorguard said:
hello,
I have recently been playing with roms and stuff on my n4. (did it on other devices, and never had any problem i couldnt fix)
but right now I kinda screwed up so bad, that I need some help.
I kinda wiped all the data on my phone from the cwm recovery.
and I'm stuck with this situation:
I can boot to bootloader + recovery
I can't boot to any rom (because there is none)
I can't connect to any pc because they won't recognize he's there (forever alone... ) (and yes i've tried all kinds of drivers)
I can't connect with adb because I can't turn on usb debugging mode.
So right now I'm stuck
I've come to the conclusion that i probably need to use fastboot fix this, but like I said before, no computer will recognize my n4. (not showing up in device manager)
also tried about 6 different usb cables - no luck
different computers ( ubuntu - mac - windows) - no luck
So is there any smart guy out there who can help me?
greetings, Julian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I apologise for potentially getting your hopes up, but I am in the exact same situation. I am very much interested in this thread.

Google 15 second adb drivers xda. You probably need to get adb and fastboot setup for the pc to recognize your device. In order to fix it you'll meet to use fastboot or adb commands
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

honorguard said:
hello,
I have recently been playing with roms and stuff on my n4. (did it on other devices, and never had any problem i couldnt fix)
but right now I kinda screwed up so bad, that I need some help.
I kinda wiped all the data on my phone from the cwm recovery.
and I'm stuck with this situation:
I can boot to bootloader + recovery
I can't boot to any rom (because there is none)
I can't connect to any pc because they won't recognize he's there (forever alone... ) (and yes i've tried all kinds of drivers)
I can't connect with adb because I can't turn on usb debugging mode.
So right now I'm stuck
I've come to the conclusion that i probably need to use fastboot fix this, but like I said before, no computer will recognize my n4. (not showing up in device manager)
also tried about 6 different usb cables - no luck
different computers ( ubuntu - mac - windows) - no luck
So is there any smart guy out there who can help me?
greetings, Julian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to delete all your driver files from your pc and start over.
There is no reason for you to not be able to connect via fastboot.
Find a clean win7 machine and start over, installing the fastboot drivers before connecting your phone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

nicknc said:
You need to delete all your driver files from your pc and start over.
There is no reason for you to not be able to connect via fastboot.
Find a clean win7 machine and start over, installing the fastboot drivers before connecting your phone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Going to try that now.

Hi both
I've tried installing the drivers but whilst the drivers claim to have installed correctly, my phone is still not recognised by my computer in Device manager. I've tried uninstalling all previous drivers before trying this.
Before we go on - should I be trying to connect my phone to the computer when turned off, in bootloader or in recovery?

Ihsahn_ said:
Hi both
I've tried installing the drivers but whilst the drivers claim to have installed correctly, my phone is still not recognised by my computer in Device manager. I've tried uninstalling all previous drivers before trying this.
Before we go on - should I be trying to connect my phone to the computer when turned off, in bootloader or in recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone needs to be on, doesn't matter if it's in fastboot or recovery. You're going to need to use fastboot do I'd try it there
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
The phone needs to be on, doesn't matter if it's in fastboot or recovery. You're going to need to use fastboot do I'd try it there
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Is fastboot essentially bootloader? I've tried in the initial bootloader menu and I've tried having clicked 'start' from the bootloader.
In the bootloader it tells me fastboot is enabled, btw.

Ihsahn_ said:
Hi
Is fastboot essentially bootloader? I've tried in the initial bootloader menu and I've tried having clicked 'start' from the bootloader.
In the bootloader it tells me fastboot is enabled, btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you're in the bootloader you can run fastboot commands. With your device plugged into the pc, from a command prompt opened on the same folder as fastboot.exe, run the command fastboot devices. Does fastboot return your device info? If so you're good to go running fastboot and flashing a factory image
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
When you're in the bootloader you can run fastboot commands. With your device plugged into the pc, from a command prompt opened on the same folder as fastboot.exe, run the command fastboot devices. Does fastboot return your device info? If so you're good to go running fastboot and flashing a factory image
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But my problem is that fastboot Will never work if my pc wont even know my n4 is there (and also with adb/fastboot devices golving no response Either ) or am I wrong here?

jd1639 said:
When you're in the bootloader you can run fastboot commands. With your device plugged into the pc, from a command prompt opened on the same folder as fastboot.exe, run the command fastboot devices. Does fastboot return your device info? If so you're good to go running fastboot and flashing a factory image
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at the moment. I have had this appear in the past but this is the point I'm trying to get back to. Unfortunately I can't work out how to get it to appear here. My device is in the bootloader.
---------- Post added at 10:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:13 PM ----------
Brief update - I think. My computer began installing the drivers again, but told me the device suddenly 'disconnected'. I think it's a hardware issue and that the port isn't seated properly. I'm going to replace the USB port and see if that helps.

honorguard said:
But my problem is that fastboot Will never work if my pc wont even know my n4 is there (and also with adb/fastboot devices golving no response Either ) or am I wrong here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you do a clean install?
Have you used a different USB cable? Some cables are charging-only, with no indication otherwise. Internally damaged cables can also turn into charging only cables. Ironically, I just replaced one hooked into my daughter's phone today that would only charge intermittently.
There is no reason that wiping partitions in recovery would prevent your phone from being recognized by your PC at all.
Try a clean install of the drivers on a fresh pc with a different cable.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 07:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 PM ----------
Ihsahn_ said:
[Brief update - I think. My computer began installing the drivers again, but told me the device suddenly 'disconnected'. I think it's a hardware issue and that the port isn't seated properly. I'm going to replace the USB port and see if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is typical when you connected the phone to the PC before installing the drivers. Windows will sometimes install a generic driver when you hook up the phone, preventing it from detecting the need for adb and fastboot drivers
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

nicknc said:
---------- Post added at 07:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 PM ----------
[/COLOR]
This is typical when you connected the phone to the PC before installing the drivers. Windows will sometimes install a generic driver when you hook up the phone, preventing it from detecting the need for adb and fastboot drivers
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried uninstalling all drivers, including in USBDeview before running 15 second drivers then trying to connect my phone in fastboot/bootloader mode, with various cables and various ports. Nothing happened!
I've bought another USB cable which should be arriving soon. I've also bought a new charging/USB port to replace that inside the phone.

If it Works with that cable please give me a headsup
Verstuurd vanaf mijn ST25i met Tapatalk

Ihsahn_ said:
I tried uninstalling all drivers, including in USBDeview before running 15 second drivers then trying to connect my phone in fastboot/bootloader mode, with various cables and various ports. Nothing happened!
I've bought another USB cable which should be arriving soon. I've also bought a new charging/USB port to replace that inside the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Well, I had similar issues when I bought this phone (coming from a HTC one s) connecting to fastboot.
What I did was:
Delete all drivers related to adb/fastboot/android (use a software to completely clean the files).
Booted my phone into fastboot mode.
Connect to PC and wait for windows to show the new hardware dialog.
Install the correct drivers (which i had downloaded and extracted) using the dialog box.
Profit.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Free mobile app

The onlY difference is that the new hardware dialog doesnt come up
Verstuurd vanaf mijn ST25i met Tapatalk

honorguard said:
The onlY difference is that the new hardware dialog doesnt come up
Verstuurd vanaf mijn ST25i met Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try on a different PC, installing the adb and fastboot drivers before connecting the phone for the first time?
Have you tried a different USB cable?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

A brief update
I remembered I have a second Android phone knocking around. I plugged this in with one of the cables from earlier - perfect installation with all drivers, etc. This has further convinced me that the hardware of the USB port on the phone is the issue.
Thanks for all help - I'll update again if the hardware change works, or doesn't.

ok, ive installed a new windows and installed all the drivers and then i connected the phone.
Nothing.
i'm getting desperate here..