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[Q] Ugh...phone won't stay in Download Mode

Okay, so I wanted to flash back to stock 2.2 in order to get a fresh start, that and my battery levels are a tad messed up after wiping my battery status following a PnP rom flash(switches from about 50% to 15% after only a reboot), and I wanted to just set things back to normal. So, I begin doing the usual procedure in ODIN, but this time my phone will not stay in Download Mode unless the battery is in, even with the USB plugged in to my computer. I don't know if this has anything to do with my gimped battery stats or not, but ODIN was working just fine until now. Does anybody have a clue as to what's going on? If not, is it absolutely necessary to take out the battery before flashing?

You may want to uninstall/reinstall drivers for phone. If usb is not staying connected it may kick the phone out of DL mode. That may not be the cause but it can hurt.
If that doesn't do it try different usb ports or a different cable if you have one. May wanna try this one first now that I think about it as it is probably easier.
Tap-a-Talked

Unfortunately those ideas didn't work. I even tried different computers as well as ports and cables, and reinstalling the drivers didn't do the trick, either . Thanks for the extremely quick response, though!
To provide a little more information for those reading: ODIN recognizes my phone and everything when the battery is IN and the phone is in Download Mode, but when I yank out the battery it turns off. It seems really strange, but if anyone else has some more suggestions, it would be awesome!

I have seen this happen when:
1. Not using samsung usb cable
2. Plugging the usb cable into a usb hub
Try using the cable that came with the phone and plug it in directly into the computer.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Yeah, I'm using the stock cable and plugging straight into my computer. I even borrowed the one from my brother's Mesmerize as well in order to make sure mine wasn't faulty. This makes me think that it's my phone itself that is messing things up. :\ Should I try restoring to one of my phone's backups and then see what happens, perhaps?
EDIT: Alright, so I restored a backup from a couple months ago; not exactly stock as it had a different kernel installed, but oh well. I was able to get things rolling and flash CM7, except now I have data issues, so it looks like I'm going to try Heinz 57 and see how that works, haha. This couldn't be more difficult...it would still be nice to use ODIN for when I really need it, but this will have to do for now.

Um well yeah data didn't work for me either on cm7. As for Odin.... are you...
1. Remove battery
2. Start Odin
3. Press & hold dn volume
4. Insert usb cable
That's the method that'll work. If you just tell it to reboot into download mode, you'll need to leave the battery in and everything, and just start Odin, plug it in, and go.
Hope this helps!
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Yeah, that's the method I'm doing, and the phone doesn't respond at all. I've done this before, it's just that now the phone won't go into Download Mode/turn on unless there's a battery in it. I'm probably pretty much screwed, but I guess as long as I don't make some fatal error while flashing one of these times I should be fine...

btoast777 said:
Yeah, that's the method I'm doing, and the phone doesn't respond at all. I've done this before, it's just that now the phone won't go into Download Mode/turn on unless there's a battery in it. I'm probably pretty much screwed, but I guess as long as I don't make some fatal error while flashing one of these times I should be fine...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do an Odin flash with the battery in. It won't hurt anything but there have been places I've seen where Odin won't finish the process. Also make sure you uncheck for it to reboot automatically if you don't want it to. No idea what the problem is though.

akellar said:
You can do an Odin flash with the battery in. It won't hurt anything but there have been places I've seen where Odin won't finish the process. Also make sure you uncheck for it to reboot automatically if you don't want it to. No idea what the problem is though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks akellar, that's good news, then! I was wondering why everyone says the battery has to be in, but it's good to know I won't screw up anything if I do. Anywho, I finally got CM7 working, I had to flash the 1.5 OTB kernel instead of the 1.2 one, and I'm loving it so far! So, for now, all is well.

I do NOT recommend trying this until others who actually know about it have posted, but.... Everyone always says how we don't fully understand how Odin works, and that Heimdall is a better alternative.
So, more as a question to the experts instead of a suggestion to btoast (at least for now), what about him using Heimdall here...?

Sounds like the procedure being used is the issue. Take the battery out and plug it in (after you've started odin and have the files loaded in the appropriate slots) hold down on volume once you've plugged it in - that will take you to download mode. Don't worry about the battery at all - flash the rom and when it's done it will shut the phone off - then put the battery in to reboot after you've pulled it off the cable again.
Sounds to me like people are putting the battery back in after the phone goes into download mode - this is not something i've ever done nor would suggest, there's no reason to have your battery in because you can simply put it in and turn the phone on after odin is done....however If for some reason you really want that battery in while you're using odin, you should use adb (or QTadb) and you can set the phone into download mode with the battery still in, while you have it hooked to the computer. With adb the command is "adb reboot download" with qtadb you click the "shell" button and simply type "reboot download" this will put the phone into download with the battery still in it.

bdemartino said:
Sounds like the procedure being used is the issue. Take the battery out and plug it in (after you've started odin and have the files loaded in the appropriate slots) hold down on volume once you've plugged it in - that will take you to download mode. Don't worry about the battery at all - flash the rom and when it's done it will shut the phone off - then put the battery in to reboot after you've pulled it off the cable again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See, that's the problem I'm having. Now for some reason my phone *will not* turn on and go into Download Mode when holding volume down and all that without the battery in. When I take the battery out while in Download Mode (with the cable plugged in and everything set) my phone turns off.

Honestly it sounds like power is not being sent over the usb cable. I could be completely wrong on this but that's just how it sounds.
Tap-a-Talked

That is what it sounds like, which is weird because all of the cables I used connect just fine when the phone is on (I have two available), and I want to move stuff to SD, etc. I guess it apparently doesn't feel like working when there is no battery shoving power through it:\.

Here's an idea. Plug your phone into your charger with battery out and see if you can get into DL mode. If it does just unplug and it will go away. If this works then it is something in the pc. If not it is in phone/cable
Tap-a-Talked

As a related issue my phone won't go into d/l mode using the battery pull method, however Odin reads the phone when plugged in. I'm using the cable that came with the phone and when the phone is on it connects just fine. When I reboot into d/l mode it works battery in and all, but I'm unsure how Odin will affect my phone. I'm running heinz 5/7/11 otb v.1.3 with shake n bake theme (not sure if that helps)
Ok as a guinea pig I decided to try using Odin with the battery in. As mentioned I have Heinz 5/7/11 otb v.1.3 with shake n bake theme. I'm also running Times_infinity's cwr 3.x. OK..here's what I did. I made sure lagfix was DISABLED. I rebooted into download mode from recovery (from what I understand 2.5 doesn't offer that option, 3.x does) with battery in I odin'ed in one of dfgas's bootsplashs. My phone rebooted up and everything seems to be peachy. I even went in afterward and enabled lagfix to make sure everything was running smooth. I'm not sure if rebooting into download mode will work when rebooting from a theme option menu. I hope this helps.

scarmon25 said:
Honestly it sounds like power is not being sent over the usb cable. I could be completely wrong on this but that's just how it sounds.
Tap-a-Talked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, as soon as you plug the phone in with no battery and hold the volume key down, it should go into download mode and be powered through the usb cable. If not, then I'd imagine there is something wrong with hardware. In all my months of flashing and different states of "brick" I've never not been able to get into download mode through the steps I've stated here - so I'm lead to believe it isn't a software/firmware issue.

yeah thats why I was curious if it would go into download mode with the charger plugged in. I accidentally did this one time and remembered it here. If he plugs in his charger with battery out and it will go into download mode. then somethings up with the PC's USB port. But if it wont, then well the issue can only be in the phone at that point.

You said before you were plugging directly into your computer and not a USB hub. So, maybe that means your computer isn't powering, or isn't supplying enough power, to its USB ports?
If you're willing to drop a little cash, here's a possibility... pick up a Powered USB hub (i.e. one that has an AC adapter), and try Odin with the hub plugged into the computer, the phone plugged in and nothing else. Experts, please debunk if you theorize this wouldn't work for any reason, I'm just going from an "insufficient USB power" approach.
Sent from my Mesmerize running MIUI using XDA App

Here's a question. Does Odin see your phone when you pull the battery and plug it into your computer? Even if your phone doesn't display that its in download mode. I realize that sounds ridiculous but my phone does this and perhaps its happened to you. The only way I can get my phone to display that its into download mode is to reboot from recovery.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App

Tablet unplugged during NVFLASH

So my tablet got unplugged during the NVFLASH process shortly after formatting the partitions. It is now stuck in NVFLASH. Is there anyway I can reboot it or do I need to wait for the battery to drain and for it to die.
I have been having problems with my power button not responding when pressed so I filed for an RMA. They said to send it back but I wanted to flash back to stock before sending it. Could I send it to them like this ans say that it just stopped working or do I need to reflash to stock. Its a B50 so I know it can be fixed I just dont want to waste time waiting.

If you still have service on your tf they will repair your power button , i don't know if they flash new software files because of your button. What i do know they have to test your button and then they will see that it won't boot.
So with a bit of luck they will flash new files bcause of the whole startup problem with the power button.
Good luck

Let the battery drain, and NVFlash to stock. It will seriously help if you don't want to deal with any crap if they see you were rooted.

You don't have to let the battery drain.
When I bricked mine, my battery was low when I started the nvflash process, then the process failed b/c I forgot to put the files where they were needed, so I unplugged my transformer, let it charge for a little bit more so the battery wouldn't die while I found the files needed, then I plugged it back into my laptop and did a reboot into nvflash and let it do it's thing.

So I am having a weird issue with nvflash; it randomly quits mid-process. Sometimes nvflash stops when initializing the boot loader while other times it starts formatting the partitions and then stops. A few times it has even kicked my tablet out of apx mode.
Has this ever happened to anyone?

Is your cable bad? That's all I could think of, try several different USB ports as well.

Thing O Doom said:
Is your cable bad? That's all I could think of, try several different USB ports as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried multiple usb ports on two different computers. My macbook running ubuntu and a windows pc both have the same issue. I will try using another cable but dont know if that will help.
If I send the tablet back in this condition (no OS and NVFLASH not working), will they say its user error?

So I was never able to get the tablet to boot up. I am not sure what the issue was but I believe that the battery was almost dead but not quite. This left the tablet in nvflash mode, unable to charge. When I tried to transmit data however, it created too much of a load on the tablet and it would fail. I sent the tablet to asus as is and I just got a notification that they fixed everything and are sending it back to me. In case somebody is in the same situation as me it seems they did not care that all the partitions were formatted blank, just that there was no custom rom installed.

Good that it was resolve, and that they didn't give you any trouble.

yet another "computer can't find phone" thread

this is the 3rd bricked g2x i've had and the others worked great. this one however isn't as easy.
here is what the phone does:
-power and volume down lets me in to cwm. i cleared and reset everything and tried to load a rom via sd but it keeps saying no files found.
-just power takes me to white lg then to blue lg and nothing else
-no battery and both volume buttons held, plugged into computer yields nothing.
i've tried numerous computers/drivers, as well as cables to no avail

nm. didn't notice until now that theres a small piece missing on the phone where the usb plugs in. wasn't making a good connection.
alls well now :good:

well the phone is having the same problem. it charges via usb to my computer but it doesn't come up as seeing it?
i know drivers are installed because it sees my g2x. and i know its not the cable cause again, it sees my phone with the same cable

blackbeasst said:
well the phone is having the same problem. it charges via usb to my computer but it doesn't come up as seeing it?
i know drivers are installed because it sees my g2x. and i know its not the cable cause again, it sees my phone with the same cable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would help if you posted what ROM and and kernel you are running.

cyansky_1 said:
It would help if you posted what ROM and and kernel you are running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
doesn't matter. this son beach is going back to t-mo and another will be here tomorrow.

[Q] Odin won't recognize phone after botched flash

So I'm stumped... I've flashed my Charge many times, no problems until now.
I wanted to flash back to stock ROM and had my Samsung drivers installed and Odin recognizing the phone and everything was good, but then Odin was taking WAAAAAAY too long. In the past this usually took about 20 mins. This time, after 45 mins and the progress bar hanging in the same place for 30+ mins on factory.rfs I disconnected the phone (I know this is where I screwed up). Now Odin won't recognize the phone at all. It does get into download mode, but Odin won't pick it up.
Same computer, same cable, and same USB ports as I've had when flashing this phone many times before. I don't know what my options are now. I don't think I can flash either the ROM or PIT without Odin at least recognizing the phone. What can I do now?

So I've done some more tinkering - trying different cords, multiple computers, uninstall/reinstall different drivers... What I've noticed on more than one computer is that Odin doesn't recognize the phone when it's in download mode ONLY.
If I power on the phone Odin is able to detect it and windows detects it as a Samsung USB device (even though the phone hangs on the Samsung logo). When I put it into download mode both the computer and Odin don't recognize it.

dragonlady726 said:
So I've done some more tinkering - trying different cords, multiple computers, uninstall/reinstall different drivers... What I've noticed on more than one computer is that Odin doesn't recognize the phone when it's in download mode ONLY.
If I power on the phone Odin is able to detect it and windows detects it as a Samsung USB device (even though the phone hangs on the Samsung logo). When I put it into download mode both the computer and Odin don't recognize it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW, I've also noticed a simple computer reboot fixes it....

jco23 said:
FWIW, I've also noticed a simple computer reboot fixes it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I neglected to mention in my OP that I was going through the right protocol with driver uninstall/reinstall and rebooting each time. I rebooted again for good measure after seeing your post but I still get the same.
It's the same result from two different computers, one with Win7 and the other XP (I read in another thread that XP had worked better for some). If the phone is powered on, even though it doesn't successfully boot, Odin and Windows recognize it properly. If it's in download mode neither one recognize it, windows says the device failed to start and shows either unrecognized device or "Gadget Serial" (which would be a great name for a band, but google searches for it aren't much help).
I don't think it's a driver problem because it's recognized when the phone is powered on. But could there be a specific driver out there for the phone when in download mode only? I've flashed this phone dozens of times and never had a problem until now. I'm on the verge of forking over the $50 and sending it to JTAG if no one can suggest something else to try. Please help

did you make sure your phone is in debugging mode?... i forget who flashed what... or where I read something about flashing and it turned off their debugging mode...so check that first...and try reinstalling Odin on your computer... i don't think jtag is necessary on a Droid charge... if your phone is being recognized then it seems your missing a step...like maybe pulling your battery before hooking up the usb... or reinstalling the battery after going in download mode... and last of all check and make sure your not accidentally making mistakes when setting up your Odin before flashing... and last efforts to get a working phone would be going into cwm... volume up... home... and power button... hold while powering up and releasing on the second Samsung logo...and install your last back up...or reflash your rom with cache and dalvik wipes
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium

curious, when you are/were performing the Odin process, were you still using the computer (web-surfing, e-mail, etc.)? in my experience, whenever I tried to multi-task on my computer while running Odin on my phone, Odin freezes. this has happened on more than one occasion. also, my toddler daughter even pressed the power button while Odin was running - so on three separate occasions, I've had a reflash interrupted. however, I've clearly been able to recover.
the key was using the right cord in the right port. I had one cord working fine for awhile, but then when I switched cords, it worked again.
also, some folks have had better success when removing the battery during the process.
finally, what are your steps exactly when flashing - and which guide are you using?

lukegman said:
did you make sure your phone is in debugging mode?... i forget who flashed what... or where I read something about flashing and it turned off their debugging mode...so check that first...and try reinstalling Odin on your computer... i don't think jtag is necessary on a Droid charge... if your phone is being recognized then it seems your missing a step...like maybe pulling your battery before hooking up the usb... or reinstalling the battery after going in download mode... and last of all check and make sure your not accidentally making mistakes when setting up your Odin before flashing... and last efforts to get a working phone would be going into cwm... volume up... home... and power button... hold while powering up and releasing on the second Samsung logo...and install your last back up...or reflash your rom with cache and dalvik wipes
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't actually get the phone to boot (doesn't get past Samsung logo) so I don't know how I can tell if it's in debugging mode or how to change it if it's not.
Going in to download mode I've tried both battery in and out, using multiple USB ports and cables and can't get any version of Odin to detect it. I've tried v1.82 and 1.85 of Odin. I get the same result for both - Odin does not detect the phone when in download mode, but will detect it if it's powered on or just connected to the computer with battery in to "charge." But afaik I can't flash it when it's NOT in download mode
It won't boot into into recovery either... It never gets past Samsung logo no matter how long I hold the buttons... I've used recovery before, so I'm sure I'm giving the android 3-finger salute correctly.
I'm thinking maybe I got unlucky because the whole key to flashing is having Odin recognize the phone in download mode and that's the only time that Odin won't recognize it.
jco23 said:
curious, when you are/were performing the Odin process, were you still using the computer (web-surfing, e-mail, etc.)? in my experience, whenever I tried to multi-task on my computer while running Odin on my phone, Odin freezes. this has happened on more than one occasion. also, my toddler daughter even pressed the power button while Odin was running - so on three separate occasions, I've had a reflash interrupted. however, I've clearly been able to recover.
the key was using the right cord in the right port. I had one cord working fine for awhile, but then when I switched cords, it worked again.
also, some folks have had better success when removing the battery during the process.
finally, what are your steps exactly when flashing - and which guide are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't actively multitasking during the bad flash, although I may have had email running in the background. Since then I've been rebooting and only had Odin running in the foreground when trying. I did use multiple usb ports/cables and try going into download with battery in/out.
As far as guides go, I had been using trparky's awesome guide for years until he took it down and lately went to the one in the dev forum here on xda: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1160580
Like I said, I'm thinking maybe I got unlucky because Odin recognizes the phone when plugged into the computer EXCEPT when it's in download mode and without that I don't know what else to do.

dragonlady726 said:
I can't actually get the phone to boot (doesn't get past Samsung logo) so I don't know how I can tell if it's in debugging mode or how to change it if it's not.
Going in to download mode I've tried both battery in and out, using multiple USB ports and cables and can't get any version of Odin to detect it. I've tried v1.82 and 1.85 of Odin. I get the same result for both - Odin does not detect the phone when in download mode, but will detect it if it's powered on or just connected to the computer with battery in to "charge." But afaik I can't flash it when it's NOT in download mode
It won't boot into into recovery either... It never gets past Samsung logo no matter how long I hold the buttons... I've used recovery before, so I'm sure I'm giving the android 3-finger salute correctly.
I'm thinking maybe I got unlucky because the whole key to flashing is having Odin recognize the phone in download mode and that's the only time that Odin won't recognize it.
I wasn't actively multitasking during the bad flash, although I may have had email running in the background. Since then I've been rebooting and only had Odin running in the foreground when trying. I did use multiple usb ports/cables and try going into download with battery in/out.
As far as guides go, I had been using trparky's awesome guide for years until he took it down and lately went to the one in the dev forum here on xda: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1160580
Like I said, I'm thinking maybe I got unlucky because Odin recognizes the phone when plugged into the computer EXCEPT when it's in download mode and without that I don't know what else to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, are you sure you have enough battery juice? To make sure, leave it plugged in to a wall outlet for about 30 min to an hour.
tappin' that....

Finally fixed - Bad USB port
Just to close out the thread, I did finally get my phone fixed. The issue was a bad USB port that decided to fail during flash. This is according to Josh from MobileTechVideos, who is a great guy with amazing customer service.
Longer version: I sent it off to MobileTechVideos/JTAG and after a week I got a call back saying the JTAG process didn't work and as a last resort they could try replacing the USB port itself. Josh told me that it was either the port or the controller, that the port was a known failure point on the Charge, and if replacing the port didn't work it meant the USB controller had failed and I'd be out of luck. He also said that if the port replacement didn't fix the issue he wouldn't charge me and refund my original payment (which impressed the hell out of me given the time he had already put into it and there was no guarantee that the extra work would fix it). This was late afternoon on Valentine's Day... he said that he'd get to swapping out the port the next day but an hour later called back to tell me that he replaced the port and flash was successful. I wish everyone was as straightforward in communication and dedicated to their job.
So yeah, MobileTechVideos is legit, Josh is a rock star, and send those guys your phone if something really screwy happens. They will take the time and go above and beyond if necessary to fix it, and you will absolutely get your money's worth.
Hoping that no one else is "lucky" enough to have their USB port fail mid-flash, but if your symptoms look like mine a bad port might be your problem.

I've heard nothing but good things about them. I've never used them myself, but I have directed a couple of people to them and heard nothing but glowing reviews.

Cool I managed to finally back up my sd card after a few attempts with a bad port (went out after a month of having the phone). I've been on a rotating batteries off a wall charger system, but need to odin because everytime I get down to 110-120 ish mb of internal memory my charge says low memory blah blah, I clear cache, play store , etc.
Needless to say people have said resorting back to stock ep4 etc with Odin should work, but I'm afraid mid flash something will happen. I have to jam the cord in, wrap extremenly tight while holding the phone at a perfect angle and sometimes it still will beep like being disconnected.

I have no idea if this would be possible for you, but I wonder if Mobile Odin could help you?

[Q] Vibrant 4g keeps going into download mode

I have a weird problem with my galaxy s 4g T959V. 80% of the time when I do a battery pull (or if phone goes completely dead), the phone will boot back up into Download mode. I have to hold the power button down for awhile before it will boot regularly. sometimes it will boot back up after 2 or three power loops. Other times it may take 1 to 2 minutes of continuously holding the power button for it to boot normally. I plan on se.lling this phone, so I would like to find a fix for this.
It am running stock rooted 2.3.6 flashed through Heimdall one click, but i had the problem before rooting. I had hoped flashing back to stock would fix the problem.
Anyone have any idea why problem is happening, or if there is any suggestions on how to fix it. I tried searching for solutions, but all I found were people having problems getting into download mode. That obviously is not a problem for me.
If anyone can help, I would appreciate it. Thanks

Is it doing this when there is no USB cord plugged in? It sounds like the phone thinks that the data pinouts are engaged. Even then it shouldn't boot to DL mode unless your holding the volume rockers as well. Do you have any apps installed like quickboot? If so start by clearing the caches on those apps.

Thanks for the reply. It is Stock, so only the stock apps are loaded. It does it both plugged and unplugged. I have 3 batteries, and have tried each. Thought it might be a battery issue, but it is not. If I remember correctly, the problem happened after I used odin to flash to stock the first time I wanted to root it. On a side note, I ended up with 00000000000 under about phone. The phone still works fine, and my correct imei is still listed when I check in the service menu. I don't know if the problems are related.

Maybe your usb jack is messed up so it thinks a jig is plugged in. Have you tried to blow it out or clean it with alcohol?

TwitchyEye said:
Maybe your usb jack is messed up so it thinks a jig is plugged in. Have you tried to blow it out or clean it with alcohol?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may be right. I just tried booting with the usb plugged in. Download mode. I wiggled the usb cable while holding power. Once it powered down and tried to boot again, it started up just fine. I guess I may have a usb issue.

Now I am almost positive it is something to do with usb port. i have been spending the last 20 min trying different scenarios. There is one that will boot boot right every time.
1)pull battery
2)insert usb cable
3)replace battery while usb cable is plugged in
I don't have any alcohol handy to try and clean it, but i will try that as soon as I get some. I hope cleaning fixes it. I don't think I have the skills to try a usb replacement. I tried it once with an LG Quantum, and it didn't go so well.
I appreciate the help and suggestions