Nexus 7 bootlooping and not actually wiping partitions - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

My N7 has been getting laggier recently - accepting the 5.1.x OTA updates was clearly a bad idea, and possibly the 5.0.x ones. So I have been thinking of giving it a new ROM after this past weekend.
Last night, it started bootlooping, getting to the initial 'swipe to use' main screen but not accepting any touches and then crashing to a restart after a few seconds regardless.
I long ago used the Nexus Root Tool Kit to root it and install TWRP. The most recent OTA 5.1.1 update involved an update to TWRP to version 2.8.6.0. So let's install a new ROM!
I can boot into TWRP and, while there, the NRTK will also talk to the Nexus 7 over USB.
In both of them, plus a console using fastboot commands, I can wipe and format partitions. By telling TWRP to use 'rm -rf' rather than formatting, I can also get its partition repair info to think, for a while, that the partition in question is empty. But looking again reveals that it's just as full as it used to be and indeed, whether or not the formatting, flashing and installing a .zip file appears to work - including fastboot commands reporting success - no files appear to actually change on the device. NRTK will believe it has successfully installed the latest 2.8.7.0 TWRP or any ROM, but rebooting finds the old ones still there. Even all my data is there, despite repeated wipes and reformats, including to different file systems.
What can I try next? At the moment, I am just grateful that this happened before I'd tried installing a new ROM because I'm not blaming myself for all this.

lovingboth said:
What can I try next? At the moment, I am just grateful that this happened before I'd tried installing a new ROM because I'm not blaming myself for all this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's now not powering up at all. Whatever it is, it looks terminal.
Poo.

Related

Problem getting 4.2.2 update: "Verification failed"

Hey everyone,
I'm having trouble getting my Nexus 7 to update to 4.2.2. My device is rooted, I recently performed a factory reset.
The update has never appeared in my "System updates" menu, so I looked around and saw that if you force stop "Google Services Framework" and clear its data, the update will appear in "System updates."
It did, but when it finishes downloading, it says "Verification failed."
I tried another factory reset, and I had to again force stop and clear data on "Google Services Framework" to get the update to appear, but again it downloads and say "Verification failed."
I'm stumped now. Do I have to unroot and reroot? Do I have to keep waiting for this update? Do anything with the bootloader? (I really hope not...)
Thanks everyone!
If some files in your system got changed for whatever reason, then you wont be able to update. You can flash the 4.2.1 stock rom and try ota update again.
Leonhan said:
If some files in your system got changed for whatever reason, then you wont be able to update. You can flash the 4.2.1 stock rom and try ota update again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is flashing the stock 4.2.1 rom the same thing as doing a factory reset to 4.2.1?
If it isn't, would flashing the 4.2.1 rom wipe my tablet?
Leonhan said:
If some files in your system got changed for whatever reason, then you wont be able to update. You can flash the 4.2.1 stock rom and try ota update again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If he is trying to do an OTA to 4.2.2, would it not be more straightforward to just flash the 4.2.2 factory image? The OP has already done a factory reset, so it doesn't look like he/she is particularly attached to his current setup.
Also - the language he used was vague - it sort of sounded like the OP observed "verification failed" in the main OS rather than in the recovery. Not sure.
But it doesn't matter - newbs should not be trying to use OTAs on modified /system images or tabs with altered boot images. It's just too detailed a process to describe compactly.
@Horadrius
Before you do anything further, you should back up everything on the "SD Card" to your PC. Yes, all of it. You can throw it away later if you find you didn't need it. But if you follow the instructions for the Google (factory) images install, everything gets wiped off of /data including your pseudo - SD card.
At a minimum, that will allow you to follow the SBS instructions for installing the 4.2.2 factory images, or - you can simply install a 4.2.2 Stock ROM from over in the dev forum.
Whatever you do, start getting in the habit of making backups - and at least occasionally also getting copies of those off of the tablet.
Oh boy, lot of information to digest here....and a lot of questions
it sort of sounded like the OP observed "verification failed" in the main OS rather than in the recovery. Not sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it was the main OS - Settings -> About Tablet -> System Update.
After force stopping Google Services Framework, the update showed up there, and when the download bar reached 100%, it said "verification failed." I did a factory reset, and now when I go to System Update it simply says that my system is up to date.
This makes me think I'm not "supposed" to have the update yet, and that it will arrive, eventually. Yes?
newbs should not be trying to use OTAs on modified /system images or tabs with altered boot images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, no updating the device from System Menu because I'm rooted/unlocked bootloader? I'll have to flash everything as it comes out?
@Horadrius
Before you do anything further, you should back up everything on the "SD Card" to your PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would Titanium Backup held in this regard? Or simply copy/paste the sdcard folder to my PC?
This whole process has been very frustrating. Is this the price you pay for rooting your device? Making simple system updates into a maze?
Horadrius said:
Oh boy, lot of information to digest here....and a lot of questions
Yes, it was the main OS - Settings -> About Tablet -> System Update.
After force stopping Google Services Framework, the update showed up there, and when the download bar reached 100%, it said "verification failed." I did a factory reset, and now when I go to System Update it simply says that my system is up to date.
This makes me think I'm not "supposed" to have the update yet, and that it will arrive, eventually. Yes?
So, no updating the device from System Menu because I'm rooted/unlocked bootloader? I'll have to flash everything as it comes out?
Would Titanium Backup held in this regard? Or simply copy/paste the sdcard folder to my PC?
This whole process has been very frustrating. Is this the price you pay for rooting your device? Making simple system updates into a maze?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like your download is bad if it fails at this stage. I believe it is saying the checksum of the download file doesn't match whatever is downloaded.
PS. not related to N7, why XDA use the re-captcha which I need to refresh several times to get something I can read
Horadrius said:
Yes, it was the main OS - Settings -> About Tablet -> System Update.
After force stopping Google Services Framework, the update showed up there, and when the download bar reached 100%, it said "verification failed." I did a factory reset, and now when I go to System Update it simply says that my system is up to date.
This makes me think I'm not "supposed" to have the update yet, and that it will arrive, eventually. Yes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. It means that for some strange reason, running a checksum program on the downloaded OTA file failed to produce the expected checksum. The most likely way this can happen is that the file is truncated - the download stopped short of the full file. Don't know why this is happening, but there you go. There could be other failure causes that are more rare, but it doesn't mean you are not "supposed" to have the OTA. It means that the download process is failing.
The *stock* recovery does a number of even more sophisticated checking than this; but it appears from your description that the recovery never even gets booted.
Horadrius said:
So, no updating the device from System Menu because I'm rooted/unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and No. An unlocked bootloader causes no problems at all. ANY of the following CAN or WILL cause problems:
- attempting to run an OTA with a custom recovery installed instead of the stock recovery.
- having a modified boot partition (e.g. non-stock kernel, or slightly modified boot partition)
- having altered (or removed!) files in the /system partition that are targeted for patching.
- permissions changes performed by the installer script can cause root functionality to disappear
Horadrius said:
I'll have to flash everything as it comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you are asking here, but the basic answer is that if you stay on stock you can certainly apply OTAs easily. If you start altering things, you might or might not be able to apply an OTA; there are simply no guarantees.
[size=+1]OTAs are meant for stock installations - including a stock recovery. PERIOD. While it is possible that an OTA could succeed, it is unreasonable to have the expectation that it will do so.[/size]
Horadrius said:
Would Titanium Backup held in this regard? Or simply copy/paste the sdcard folder to my PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I presume you are talking about the future here, as you said that you already did a factory reset at least twice. If you have subsequently added stuff back in, then I suppose you might be talking about the present tense.
But, yes - either TiBu or the Carbon app can be used along with a strategy where you simply back up the apps & data you are interested in, (plus any "flashable zips" that you used to customize your device in the first place), and you simply start from scratch with a factory install followed by re-rooting, and then restore your apps & data (using TiBu or Carbon).
One other thing you can do which is EASY is this: simply wait until a developer/ROM cook publishes a "Stock" flashable ROM based on the release that the OTA is upgrading to. Don't worry about the OTA, just wait a little bit. (These ROMs are already out for the WiFi-only model, BTW).
1) Take a backup as the first thing you do. It's easy and gives you some insurance.
2) Don't wipe (no "factory reset") - just install the Stock ROM over the top of your existing ROM.
that's it. If you were using a custom kernel, re-install it.
Horadrius said:
This whole process has been very frustrating. Is this the price you pay for rooting your device? Making simple system updates into a maze?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[size=+1]OTAs are meant for stock installations - including a stock recovery. PERIOD.[/size]
Interpret that as you desire. It is unreasonable for you to expect that you can diddle with your phone any way you please, and a patch install upgrade methodology will be robust in the faces of arbitrary changes on your part. You are the person creating the maze, not Google.
Moreover, it is your choice to take an upgrade - it's not mandatory. My guess is your tablet was quite pleasing to you before any OTAs started rolling out. Nobody is forcing you to do anything.
OK, one last thing. It is still possible that a manual OTA can succeed on your phone if it is lightly rooted - but there are no guarantees. The procedure does not require you to wait around until an OTA arrives on your phone, but it is not for the faint-hearted:
1) Download the appropriate Stock OTA File.
2) Re-install the stock recovery onto your tablet. You will have to dig it out of the Google full factory image for the version of the OS you are currently running. (available here)
Code:
fastboot flash recovery factory-4.2.1-recovery.img
3) Soft-boot into a custom recovery, e.g.
Code:
fastboot boot openrecovery-twrp-2.4.1.0-grouper.img
5) Using the command line and adb to communicate with the soft-booted recovery, create a recovery command file:
Code:
C:\myPCsux> adb push 6ece895ecb23.signed-nakasi-JDQ39-from-JOP40D.6ece895e.zip /cache/update.zip
C:\myPCsux> adb shell
# cd /cache/recovery
# cat > command
--update_package=/cache/update.zip
^D # ( that is a Control-D character )
# sync
# reboot recovery
This will either succeed or fail. Based on your comments though, you might just want to overflash a Stock-derived ROM over the top of your existing ROM (a "no-wipe" install).
[ROM][Factory Image][4.2.2] Nakasi -::- Odex, Deodex, Rooted -::- teshxx (02/14/13) <-- NOTE for WiFi (nakasi/grouper) ONLY
good luck with your tab.
Someone once said "Rooting is a lifestyle". There's some truth to that; it eats up your time. Perhaps it is not for you.
Thanks, bftb0.
Looking through your list of reasons for why my OTA might not work, none of them applied to me.
I didn't install any custom recovery (didn't install Clockwork Mod recovery specifically to avoid dealing with flashing roms) or kernels or modify any partitions, nor to my knowledge changed any files in the /system section.
I think I'm going to give this update a week or so to pop up on my update menu before I start tinkering again.
Don't get me wrong - I enjoy this kind of tinkering, and all the perks of rooting, but my knowledge is extremely limited, which is what makes it frustrating trying to find information. The only thing I've done before this is install Cyanogen on my HP Touchpad.
Anyway, do I need to install CWM recovery to flash (overflash?) that 4.2.2 rom you linked?
if you haven't done anything other than rooting(i.e. copying a file su to it), OTA would go through. Your problem is about the download process. It can go wrong for many reasons from the download is bad to what saved to the temp area(where the download is) is bad(rare but still possible).
chimpanzeexda said:
if you haven't done anything other than rooting(i.e. copying a file su to it), OTA would go through. Your problem is about the download process. It can go wrong for many reasons from the download is bad to what saved to the temp area(where the download is) is bad(rare but still possible).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's all I've done, root and unlock bootloader. The download only showed up when I cleared data and force stopped the "Google Services Framework" process. I reboot the system, and check for the update and nothing is there.
well, sounds like you have to flash it manually using fastboot then.
That said, I myself have no intention of doing the update any time soon as I don't find any specific problem with 4.2.1 and there isn't any specific feature i want in 4.2.2
Horadrius said:
Anyway, do I need to install CWM recovery to flash (overflash?) that 4.2.2 rom you linked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TL;DR Yes and No.
People that use toolkits seem to use hard-flashed installs of custom recoveries, as they don't really understand what goes on under the hood, even if the toolkit offers them a means to soft-boot any image the toolkit operator downloads. (I assume that the toolkits probably allow this; as I don't use them I don't know for sure.)
What I am saying is that the answer depends on your knowledge. So long as you have an unlocked bootloader, you can soft-boot any boot image you like - including custom recoveries.. (This also pre-supposes correctly-functioning device drivers, but that is a Windows/user training issue, it has nothing to do with Android).
When I say soft-boot, I mean that the image is transferred to the tablet, which then hands over control and starts executing that image - but it is not "flashed" to Flash memory, so the next time a boot occurs, the same boot images are still stored in either "boot" or "recovery".
In this configuration, the phone should be much more likely to complete an OTA as it will have the stock recovery present most of the time, and only temporarily present when you attach to your PC and kick things off with a custom recovery.
The OTA could still fail, but it probably would succeed for a very lightly rooted stock configuration (other than problems with losing root).
The only downside to this arrangement is that you can't be flashing roms or making nandroid backups or other forms of rooter activities when you are away from the PC.
For the IT-OCD or obsessive ROM hopper, that could be a good thing.
good luck... the rest is up to you.
Ok, I installed Clockwork Mod from a toolkit because going into fastboot and choosing "Recovery mode" led me to a picture of the Android guy with a red triangle on his back saying "No Command."
I'm just going to install 4.2.2 myself now. Question regarding that link - odex/deodexed - I looked up the difference but can't tell which one is appropriate for me - I'm guessing it's odex because that seems to be closer to stock.
Edit: It worked! Thanks for your assistance, everyone!
IMO, google should not ship odex image now that we have fast enough hardware. odex is just a form of 'pre-compilation' which only benefit first time load(or when the cache is cleared). Too little gain for such a complicated setup.

4.1.2 > 4.2.x

Ok. So here's the deal. I'm trying to update to 4.2.2 from 4.1.2, but in recovery I get assert failed, emmc this that and the other.
I'm currently on JZ054K trying to update to JOP40C. I am also fully stock. It's hurting my head using everything I learned from other devices.
*I don't want to do anything with the Nexus into the rooting process. I want to stay fully stock for once.
Please and thank you.
Curiousn00b said:
Ok. So here's the deal. I'm trying to update to 4.2.2 from 4.1.2, but in recovery I get assert failed, emmc this that and the other.
I'm currently on JZ054K trying to update to JOP40C. I am also fully stock. It's hurting my head using everything I learned from other devices.
*I don't want to do anything with the Nexus into the rooting process. I want to stay fully stock for once.
Please and thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "this that and the other" is the only thing which is relevant.
Post the exact error message. If you don't remember what it was, re-attempt the OTA and post a screen shot.
I'll take a photo today. I've been slacking. Away from the forums a bit.
Re: 4.1.2 > 4.2.x
That's the assert failed error. Fully stock neXus.
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
Curiousn00b said:
That's the assert failed error. Fully stock neXus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, thanks for that.
Time to come clean though - when you say "fully stock", do you mean
(a) The device has never been rooted ever, or
(b) The device was rooted at one time and then (believed to be) returned to stock.
The assert error that is occurring is a complaint that the boot partition ("LNX") fails a checksum.
This would really only happen under two or three circumstances:
(1) Somehow the boot partition got modded by a root user - eg replacement of the entire boot image such as a "new kernel" or even something tiny like a change to /default.prop, OR
(2) You developed a media (eMMC flash chip) error in your boot partition after the device left the factory, OR
(3) Google/Asus somehow screwed up either the checksum calculation or your N7 slipped out of Asus's factory with a non-standard flash of the boot partition.
Now (3) seems a little bit unlikely. There was a previous user in these forums that reported exactly this same thing happening with a stock (never rooted) device; iirc though, he had a different factory ROM than what you are reporting. So, both his case and yours could be condition (2).
The things which is strange about this possibility (2) is that if a media error occurred randomly in the boot partition, it would be in most cases be fatal to the booting of the device, and neither you nor that other user reported booting troubles. The media error would have to be in a non-critical location such as in the slack space after the end of the boot image but before the end of the partition.
The reason I mention this is because of the way that apply_patch_check() assert seems to work: note that there are 5 parameters total:
filename,length1,sha1val1,length2,sha1val2
This suggests that a successful apply_patch_check() checks the SHA1 signature of the starting file - over an exact byte count, and if that succeeds it actually performs a trial patching operation so that it can compute the SHA1 signature of the output (patched) file and verify that the patch-trial-file has the correct length. This means that partition slack space is probably not included in the first checksum.
This is an extremely conservative and excellent approach to patching things in the field. Note also that the OTA does not touch/modify a single file on your tablet unless everyone of these checks goes to completion.
Also, the stock recovery performs a signature check on the entire zip file that is downloaded by the OTA before any of these other checks begin - which means, that when a stock recovery is used it is impossible to have a bad download being responsible for the errors that you observe.
If your device was never rooted then it seems to me that the odds point towards a hardware error that occurs during the patching-test operation.
If your device is still in Warranty and truly was never rooted, I would encourage you to try and get a new replacement or RMA repair (not a refurb). You are going to have to haggle with Google and show them that assert failure image.
good luck
Re: 4.1.2 > 4.2.x
It bears mentioning that, since the OTA is a patch, it's going to error out if the system is as the OP describes it. I'm unaware of any update zip that patches 4.1.2 to 4.2.2 directly. Since he's skipped a couple updates, he's going to have to do some sideloading to catch up and get to an upgradable state.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
najaboy said:
It bears mentioning that, since the OTA is a patch, it's going to error out if the system is as the OP describes it. I'm unaware of any update zip that patches 4.1.2 to 4.2.2 directly. Since he's skipped a couple updates, he's going to have to do some sideloading to catch up and get to an upgradable state.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good catch najaboy
I didn't catch that (JZO54K -> JOP40C) reference, but oldblue910's OTA thread does list such an OTA as having been available in the past.
Plus, iirc the boot image check occurs late in the OTA installer script, possibly even the very last assert() before patching actually starts - so it is hard to imagine that all other checks would have succeeded had a mis-matched OTA been applied.
However, it is indeed odd for "back dated" OTAs to get downloaded automatically esp when more recent upgrades are available, i.e. JZO54K->JDQ39. And nowhere did the OP mention side-loading.
Looks like the OP's got some 'splainin to do...
Ok. So yes.
A. The Device is FULLY STOCK. Never touched anything on it. Brand new on Christmas day.
I've been watching QBking's videos about upgrading it, and yes. I thought the same thing. Going from 4.1.2 to 4.2.2 directly, I noticed that seemed a bit off. I've seen more than just me with this issue. A few on XDA, and few on other websites.
I have tried downloading the 4.2.1 update. I tried sideloading it once. It failed. Atleast I believe it did. I don't know if I had the right download though.
All help is appreciated. I thank you guys as well. This 4.2.2 update is just what the OTA checker keeps throwing at me. I've tried clearing the data/cache of Google Services Framework(I believe this made me redownload the update).
Curiousn00b,
I'm 99.99% positive that you were applying a valid OTA file.
For instance if you have JZO54K on your tablet, and you were going to apply a sideloaded OTA you could choose any of 3 OTAs
JDQ39 (4.2.2) from JZO54K
JOP40D (4.2.1) from JZO54K
JOP40C (4.2) from JZO54K
My comment in the prior post was only that the automatic download always seem to download the OTA update to the most recent (in this case JDQ39) release, so your mention of JOP40C ota seemed slightly off; but if there was some reason to pick an older update, sideloading should still allow that to work correctly.
Bottom line is that a fully stock, never unlocked, never rooted tablet should be capable of accepting a factory OTA, and I would thus consider your tablet to have some unknown defect.
Just to be clear (I recall that the previous person reporting your symptoms was on JRO03S), you are currently on JZO54K, correct?
I found multiple people with it via Google. Couldn't really find a fix for it.
And yes. I'm on JZ054K.
Tomorrow I'll try going to 4.2 from 4.1.2. I'm pretty sure I've tried it already. I remember seeing the C/D parts at the end of these 2 files.
Curiousn00b said:
Tomorrow I'll try going to 4.2 from 4.1.2. I'm pretty sure I've tried it already. I remember seeing the C/D parts at the end of these 2 files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the problem occurs during the initial checksum of the (currently installed) boot image, then none of the three OTAs (starting from the same JZO54K base) will succeed. If there is something very strange - say a read/write error during the trial patching operation, I suppose it is feasible that one could succeed and another not. But they all should start out looking for the identical bootloader SHA1 checksum as they should be expecting the same (jzo54k) starting condition.
Anyway, post your results.
Re: 4.1.2 > 4.2.x
This is after trying 2 of the updates.
One to 4.2 and other to 4.2.2.
The first on is 4.2.2
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
Curiousn00b said:
This is after trying 2 of the updates.
One to 4.2 and other to 4.2.2.
The first on is 4.2.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, I didn't really expect any of them to succeed.
Where to proceed from here? You really only have 3 choices:
- Use your tablet on 4.1.2 and never upgrade
- RMA for repair/refurb replacement
- Root it, fix the problem, and relock it (so that it is 100% stock again). No guarantess that some trouble won't develop down the road.
As I said before, neither you nor I have any explantion for why a never-rooted tablet would not be able to accept a valid factory OTA. Your tablet either:
(a) slipped out of the factory with an unknown bootloader variant, OR
(b) the boot partition managed to develop bit-rot that does not affect the tablet's ability to boot, OR
(c) there is some other unidentified hardware fault that occurs during the apply_patch_check() process
I would call Asus and see what they will do for you before you make a final decision. (Their warranty has a lot of weasel-words in it; they might tell you that it's not their problem.) If you want an RMA and they push back, I think you should keep repeating that the tablet is less than 3 months old.
good luck
I also noticed that I can't boot into recovery normally. I use ADB or the OTA way to reboot into recovery.
If I get into Bootloader and plug the USB in, the Nexus 7 will freeze at whatever selection I am currently on. Bootloader, Restart, Recovery, etc and nothing will happen.
When I click Recovery, I get a black screen with Google, nothing happens, plug the USB in, and still. Nothing happens. I don't know what's wrong with it.
Thanks for the help.
bftb0 said:
As I said, I didn't really expect any of them to succeed.
Where to proceed from here? You really only have 3 choices:
- Use your tablet on 4.1.2 and never upgrade
- RMA for repair/refurb replacement
- Root it, fix the problem, and relock it (so that it is 100% stock again). No guarantess that some trouble won't develop down the road.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My N7 has the same error about the boot partition. It's rooted, unlocked, and has CWM installed. I'm running 4.1.2 (JZO54K). I downloaded the JZO54K to JDQ39 zip file, and got the failure
script aborted: assert failed: apply_patch_check("EMMC:/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/LNX:5013504:c48f8e86c73fb2c2ba1794f5ec98e27c9e206ed5:5062656:af83f09e77a64ed7ede2adad2a16bd0c12d5d7fd")
when I tried to install it via CWM.
How would I fix this - I assume I need to get a copy of the 4.1.2 boot.img and flash it, but I'm not sure how to flash it. I can do it in Windows if I have to, but I'd rather use Linux if I can. I have the adb tools installed on Linux.
mvi57 said:
How would I fix this - I assume I need to get a copy of the 4.1.2 boot.img and flash it, but I'm not sure how to flash it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's right. It is easiest is to flash it with fastboot
Code:
fastboot flash boot boot.img
It can also be flashed to the block device
/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/LNX
from a root shell (say in a terminal emulator) using the "dd" utility if you are familiar with that.
A custom kernel or even a trivial re-packing of the boot image (say for a small /default.prop file change) probably is what caused the boot image to be changed from stock.
bftb0 said:
A custom kernel or even a trivial re-packing of the boot image (say for a small /default.prop file change) probably is what caused the boot image to be changed from stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't install a custom kernel, and as far as I know I didn't change default.prop either.
I reflashed the boot image, it went ok, but I still get the error trying to do the update. I guess I'll have to wipe and flash the whole 4.2.2 image to get it installed.
mvi57 said:
I didn't install a custom kernel, and as far as I know I didn't change default.prop either.
I reflashed the boot image, it went ok, but I still get the error trying to do the update. I guess I'll have to wipe and flash the whole 4.2.2 image to get it installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never mind, I flashed the bootloader-grouper-3.41.img instead of pulling boot.img from the .zip. It's working now.
mvi57 said:
Never mind, I flashed the bootloader-grouper-3.41.img instead of pulling boot.img from the .zip. It's working now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That observation is extremely counter-intuitive.
While the bootloader is responsible for booting the recovery, it is certainly not "running" after the recovery starts booting, so it's hard to understand why or how it could have any effect at all on the OTA processing.
Is it possible that the error which occurred after you re-flashed the boot image (LNX) was something different than the original error concerning the checksum on the boot partition?
You might want to consider flashing the v4.18 bootloader to the tablet if you plan on using any dev kernels.
bftb0 said:
That observation is extremely counter-intuitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Poorly worded, sorry. After I flashed the boot.img I extracted from the zip file, the update ran fine. I looked at the error message again and noticed that one of the numbers matched the size of boot.img, and then realized I flashed the wrong file. I shouldn't do this stuff when I'm tired.
Thank you for all your help!

TWRP not mount /system

I am unable at the moment with TWRP to mount my /system partition, which therefore has lead me not to have the ability to flash a custom ROM, but also at the same time I am ROMless, I have access to Recovery, at the moment, I'm attempting to sideload a Stock Rooted zip of my AT&T G2 ROM. However, I believe it won't have any progress, but I'm attempting anything at the moment in order to get my phone running.
Currently stuck on TWRP flashing a ROM and stuck on "Formatting" once again.
Any help would be appreciated. Quite frankly, I am scared out of my wit that I have bricked my phone, however there is some hope left in me with the fact that I have Recovery still running.
Kenchi* said:
I am unable at the moment with TWRP to mount my /system partition, which therefore has lead me not to have the ability to flash a custom ROM, but also at the same time I am ROMless, I have access to Recovery, at the moment, I'm attempting to sideload a Stock Rooted zip of my AT&T G2 ROM. However, I believe it won't have any progress, but I'm attempting anything at the moment in order to get my phone running.
Currently stuck on TWRP flashing a ROM and stuck on "Formatting" once again.
Any help would be appreciated. Quite frankly, I am scared out of my wit that I have bricked my phone, however there is some hope left in me with the fact that I have Recovery still running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im having the same issue too
Kenchi* said:
I am unable at the moment with TWRP to mount my /system partition, which therefore has lead me not to have the ability to flash a custom ROM, but also at the same time I am ROMless, I have access to Recovery, at the moment, I'm attempting to sideload a Stock Rooted zip of my AT&T G2 ROM. However, I believe it won't have any progress, but I'm attempting anything at the moment in order to get my phone running.
Currently stuck on TWRP flashing a ROM and stuck on "Formatting" once again.
Any help would be appreciated. Quite frankly, I am scared out of my wit that I have bricked my phone, however there is some hope left in me with the fact that I have Recovery still running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451696
I finally solved the issue, miraculously, nothing was working so I just left the phone to continuing formatting for an hour so, came back, and it seemed to have done it, I installed Custom ROM, and it booted up normally, I'm not sure what triggered the phone to accept the system mount, but I am sure as hell happy it did. I was worried I was going to have a bricked device on my hands.
Hold strong, just allow the phone to continue doing what it needs to do I guess. Leave TWRP in all STOCK settings, I tried to modify multiple settings based on Devs saying to get a faster formatting to enable RM-F but I have no clue why and what didn't work.
Anyhow, problem resolved!
On another note, I would never use the recommended method from Droid_<3er as they would completely brick your phone unless you're specifically in the situation listed in that thread. As you would put your phone into a state where you lose both access to Recovery and ROM access, rendering your phone to a piece of plastic and metal. But it's definitely worth mentioning, I just had to do some research on the method cause I had the same thinking as well.
I can confirm by using normal make_ext4fs while formatting /system is the best way to avoid this. Was afraid of having a 5.2 inch brick, but thankfully, disabling the quick way to format has fixed it and allowed /system to be remounted.
I think (<-- that's the disclaimer) that it's OK to use the fast formatting method for Dalvik Cache and Cache, but not for System.
in my opinion it's best to use rm -rf /system aka delete_recursive("/system"); than formatting
I'm having the same issue, and I'd be willing to try this one. How would I do this?
I have the same issue with CWM and now got over to twrp with the same outcome.
Right here I see solutions that worked so far, but it seems like this was rather accidentially.
I want to try some of these, but in the thread posted above
"Try this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2451696"
it says "Do it the wrong way and your phone might get nuked"
unfortunately it doesn't say what the commands in there mean...
Can anybody be of assistence which method will properly work without nuking the phone?
I have the MOTO G 2014 (2nd Gen)
It is an updated bootloader
i got the latest twrp
and some titan roms.
only stock rom will work so far,
custom roms will result in a bootloop.

Help! Marshmallow 6.0.1 ROM has been flashing for hours!

Over the weekend my Nexus 4 decided not to start. Saturday night it was working, and I hooked it up to charge. By Sunday morning it had turned off. When I restarted it, it got as far as asking for my password (encryption key), and then the four circles just danced around for hours. After letting it sit for a few days, the phone started again. But the experience made me decide it was time to update the system from Kit Kat.
So, more or less, I followed the instructions on the Team Android site. (As a new member of this forum, I'm not allowed to include the link. But Google "Update Nexus 4 to Android 6.0.1 Pure Nexus Project Marshmallow Custom ROM.") The main differences were (1) I only copied the ROM file over and (2) I used TWRP instead of CWM for the recovery. I was having trouble copying the Gapps file, so I thought it would be easier to install Marshmallow first and do the apps later.
Everything was backed up and copied around 7 PM yesterday, when I then wiped the data, did a factory reset, wiped the cache, wiped the dalvik cache, and finally started the installation. It's now almost 1 AM, and the ROM is still being flashed.
What should I do next?
Well it seems like the ROM you downloaded is a corrupt zip file.
I would like you to go to Original Development and download one of the ROMS from there, and then google opengapps, choose, ARM>6.0.1>Pico package (or any other package of your choice). I recommend Pico for your first install which is barebones google play services and Google Play store.
TWRP is perfectly compatible with most recent roms.
And for 6.0.1 , Flash the ROM and then flash GAPPS right away. After flashing, wipe dalvik/cache and then reboot.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to post them here. good luck
EDIT: If you want Vanilla android with zero modifications, get this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/development/rom-6-0-android-marshmallow-pure-aosp-t3220900
Also, if it helps, I got 4 hours of Screen On Time on this ROM, I never got it on any other ROM so it is very light and is exactly what you would be getting on a nexus device.
mohsinkhan35 said:
Well it seems like the ROM you downloaded is a corrupt zip file.
I would like you to go to Original Development and download one of the ROMS from there, and then google opengapps, choose, ARM>6.0.1>Pico package (or any other package of your choice). I recommend Pico for your first install which is barebones google play services and Google Play store.
TWRP is perfectly compatible with most recent roms.
And for 6.0.1 , Flash the ROM and then flash GAPPS right away. After flashing, wipe dalvik/cache and then reboot.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to post them here. good luck
EDIT: If you want Vanilla android with zero modifications, get this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/development/rom-6-0-android-marshmallow-pure-aosp-t3220900
Also, if it helps, I got 4 hours of Screen On Time on this ROM, I never got it on any other ROM so it is very light and is exactly what you would be getting on a nexus device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, Mohsinkhan35. I followed the link you included and downloaded the ROM and TWRP 3.0.0-0, as the site requires. (I currently have TWRP 2.7.1.0 installed.) I was unable to download the Pico Gapp from that site, since the link seems to be broken. No problem. It's available from lots of locations.
So, as I understand it, my first step should be updating TWRP. I found instructions on how to do this at PhoneArena.com. Although written for Windows users, basically one starts the phone in bootloader mode and then uses adp commands to flash the new recovery (TWRP file).
But now Android File Transfer is not connecting to the phone. I wouldn't expect it to connect if the phone wasn't booted, as the file system is encrypted. Nonetheless, I tried this way without success. Then I tried using bootloader mode, with similar results. I then booted up in RM and got into TWRP, but AFT still doesn't see the phone. This is not altogether unexpected. If the new OS has settings and drivers to connect to my computer (a Yosemite iMac), and I've wiped the old one to make way for the new install, then how can the phone communicate with the PC?
For each of these cases (normal start, bootloader, and RM), I also tried issuing "adb devices" from a command prompt, but it's also returning nothing.
So any suggestions for the next step?
Von Neumann said:
Thanks, Mohsinkhan35. I followed the link you included and downloaded the ROM and TWRP 3.0.0-0, as the site requires. (I currently have TWRP 2.7.1.0 installed.) I was unable to download the Pico Gapp from that site, since the link seems to be broken. No problem. It's available from lots of locations.
So, as I understand it, my first step should be updating TWRP. I found instructions on how to do this at PhoneArena.com. Although written for Windows users, basically one starts the phone in bootloader mode and then uses adp commands to flash the new recovery (TWRP file).
But now Android File Transfer is not connecting to the phone. I wouldn't expect it to connect if the phone wasn't booted, as the file system is encrypted. Nonetheless, I tried this way without success. Then I tried using bootloader mode, with similar results. I then booted up in RM and got into TWRP, but AFT still doesn't see the phone. This is not altogether unexpected. If the new OS has settings and drivers to connect to my computer (a Yosemite iMac), and I've wiped the old one to make way for the new install, then how can the phone communicate with the PC?
For each of these cases (normal start, bootloader, and RM), I also tried issuing "adb devices" from a command prompt, but it's also returning nothing.
So any suggestions for the next step?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NEVERMIND!!!!
Experimenting with several different USB cords and ports finally yielded a good connection! Even a native USB port on the back of the iMac didn't work, and neither did some of the ports on my USB 3.0 (2.0 compatible) hub. But finally one worked, and I ran with it. Currently reinstalling my apps on the shiny new Marshmallow system!
THANKS Mohsinkhan35!!!!!
Von Neumann said:
NEVERMIND!!!!
Experimenting with several different USB cords and ports finally yielded a good connection! Even a native USB port on the back of the iMac didn't work, and neither did some of the ports on my USB 3.0 (2.0 compatible) hub. But finally one worked, and I ran with it. Currently reinstalling my apps on the shiny new Marshmallow system!
THANKS Mohsinkhan35!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry about the late reply Von I just saw your replies, I am glad that you got it to work!!
For Future purposes, The easiest way to update TWRP is to download the .img from TWRP, put it on your phone, go to TWRP recovery, and instead of flashing .zip file, choose .img from dropdown list, then select the image file, select recovery option from the list.
Enjoy your new system! Which MarshMallow ROM did you end up flashing?
I found that MM breathe a new life into my Nexus, can't imagine going back to Lollipop, I don't know how you managed to stay with KitKat haha

[SOLVED] Cascading failures leading to bootloop and softbrick

Hello all. I am about done with this phone. Let me give you a quick timeline.
I had a bootloader error, so I flashed the NPN25.137-35 images to get it working
I used it for about 1 week, installing all of the OTA security updates
One morning, my phone had restarted (I know because "You must enter your pattern after a restart")
Over the course of this day, google apps starting force closing and opening some of them would soft reboot the phone.
The next day, random apps were doing it too
Finally, after one crash, the OS never came back up, it was bootlooping
Upon a hard restart, the phone only boots into bootloader.
This is where I am now. I have downloaded NPN...35-5, NPNS...93-10, and NPNS...92.14. Unfortunately, trying to flash any of these give me a "prevaildation failed security update downgrade" error on every partition I try to flash. The phone just bootloops when I try to restart it.
Things I have tried:
Using fastboot to manually install one of the 3 packages mentioned above.
Using a toolkit to automate the install of the 3 packages.
Using Motorola Device Manager (Never got it to launch)
Flashing the blankflash bin (No usable image file found)
Android OEM unlock setting was not set before this crash, so I cannot unlock the bootloader.
Praying to various deities.
Unzipping the packages, editing the *info.txt file into androidinfo.txt and rezipping to use as an update package (Invalid info.txt error)
I have no idea what to do next. I find it frustrating that Motorola doesn't differentiate between 32GB, 64GB, Amazon ads, no amazon ads, US, EU, or indian variant in it's model numbers! Everything is just "XT1687" and none of the update files are named with words, so knowing what the hell I'm flashing is impossible.
So, frustrations aside, does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get this phone working again. On a side note, the only thing that I can think of that would cause such a cascading failure from Stock OS is RAM or Storage corruption / failing. Any thoughts on that as well?
=~=~=~=~= SOLUTION FOUND =~=~=~=~=
This may not be a good solution for anyone else that has this issue, but recently Oreo came out and the OTA update was captured. I was able to flash the new OTA because it had a higher security level and at least got the phone bootable.
Do you know what software channel you were on? E.g. retus, retla, etc? If your phone was completely up to date with the OTA, then you can't use a firmware version of less than 92-14 or 93-14. Whether or not you use 92 or 93 depends on the channel.
Locked bootloader limits other possibilities unfortunately.
Retus. I can't guarantee it, but that looks familiar to me, like I had seen it somewhere in the "about phone" section. Is there a released Stock image that has the current security patch? I can't find it on XDA and I'm not trusting androidfixfiles.info or a link in a youtube video.
93-14 hasn't been leaked yet. So you'll be stuck for now.
Kilo__ said:
I have no idea what to do next. I find it frustrating that Motorola doesn't differentiate between 32GB, 64GB, Amazon ads, no amazon ads, US, EU, or indian variant in it's model numbers! Everything is just "XT1687" and none of the update files are named with words, so knowing what the hell I'm flashing is impossible.
So, frustrations aside, does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get this phone working again. On a side note, the only thing that I can think of that would cause such a cascading failure from Stock OS is RAM or Storage corruption / failing. Any thoughts on that as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a last resort you might try booting TWRP in fastboot mode, download and flash the TWRP flashable version of NPNS25.137-93-14. and see if that gets you back to a working phone. Just a suggestion. I don't know if it will boot when the bootloader is locked but it is worth a try.
pastorbob62 said:
As a last resort you might try booting TWRP in fastboot mode, download and flash the TWRP flashable version of NPNS25.137-93-14. and see if that gets you back to a working phone. Just a suggestion. I don't know if it will boot when the bootloader is locked but it is worth a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone was completely stock. It has the stock recovery and bootloader.
Kilo__ said:
The phone was completely stock. It has the stock recovery and bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get that. What I am suggesting is not installing TWRP, but booting it from fastboot, if it is even possible. Given your results trying to flash a ROM I would say not. But what do you have to lose by trying?
pastorbob62 said:
I get that. What I am suggesting is not installing TWRP, but booting it from fastboot, if it is even possible. Given your results trying to flash a ROM I would say not. But what do you have to lose by trying?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried that with a locked bootloader myself, it doesn't allow a non-signed image to boot. OP should give it a go as a 'hail Mary' attempt, but I wouldn't be holding my breath.
I've never heard of a phone that was fully stock with no mods or flashing ever done on it getting a bootloader error. The only bootloader error I am aware of is when the bootloader and ROM build are mismatched which doesn't happen unless the phone is being manually flashed. Was the phone on a custom ROM and you tried to return to full stock? Did you purchase the phone used?
If no to both exactly what did you see when you got the bootloader error? What was the message and what was the phone doing?
People who are on full stock with a locked bootloader don't usually flash system images so your story is a little hard for me to understand unless there is more to it. Normally a factory reset would be the logical solution when your phone is acting odd--flashing a system image seems pretty extreme and it sounds like flashing the wrong system image might be the cause of your current problems.
jhs39 said:
I've never heard of a phone that was fully stock with no mods or flashing ever done on it getting a bootloader error. The only bootloader error I am aware of is when the bootloader and ROM build are mismatched which doesn't happen unless the phone is being manually flashed. Was the phone on a custom ROM and you tried to return to full stock? Did you purchase the phone used?
If no to both exactly what did you see when you got the bootloader error? What was the message and what was the phone doing?
People who are on full stock with a locked bootloader don't usually flash system images so your story is a little hard for me to understand unless there is more to it. Normally a factory reset would be the logical solution when your phone is acting odd--flashing a system image seems pretty extreme and it sounds like flashing the wrong system image might be the cause of your current problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. :good:
While my phone was wholly stock, I am not new to phone rooting or custom ROMS. I bought the phone from someone who was trying to unlock it. They screwed something up and couldn't get the phone to boot. I bought it, flashed the NPN25.137-35 image after reading plenty of XDA posts about it. This one was the Retus / North America stock image. Flashed using the suggested guidelines that are along the lines of "fb_oem_mode ... flash oem oem.bin ... flash partition sparsechunk1.img" (Something like that). That got it running and once booted, it had many OTAs update in quick succession. After about a week the phone started having trouble. Google apps would crash frequently, then non-google apps started crashing and restarting my phone. After one said restart, the phone would only bootloop. I tried rebooting into recovery to do a factory reset and got the bootloader instead. I can go take a look at the bootloader and see if it says it's secure / oem or what
Kilo__ said:
While my phone was wholly stock, I am not new to phone rooting or custom ROMS. I bought the phone from someone who was trying to unlock it. They screwed something up and couldn't get the phone to boot. I bought it, flashed the NPN25.137-35 image after reading plenty of XDA posts about it. This one was the Retus / North America stock image. Flashed using the suggested guidelines that are along the lines of "fb_oem_mode ... flash oem oem.bin ... flash partition sparsechunk1.img" (Something like that). That got it running and once booted, it had many OTAs update in quick succession. After about a week the phone started having trouble. Google apps would crash frequently, then non-google apps started crashing and restarting my phone. After one said restart, the phone would only bootloop. I tried rebooting into recovery to do a factory reset and got the bootloader instead. I can go take a look at the bootloader and see if it says it's secure / oem or what
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try flashing just the stock recovery, as it sounds like that is corrupt. Ideally you'd want to get a recovery that was the same build as you were on after all the OTAs had installed. At least you'd hope that that would give you the factory reset option.
If that doesn't work, there's fastboot commands to erase user data, cache, which would be pretty much what a factory reset would do. Hope you had your data backed up.
Oreo OTA came out recently. Someone grabbed the update file and uploaded it. I was able to flash it and get the phone to boot. The verdict is still out on if it'll be stable.

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