A brick is not a brick - Nexus S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I was running the may 5 nscollab for a few days and experienced a lot of reboots, then eventually boot loops or whatever we call the reboot leaving you with backlights on and black screen. I usually pulled the battery and things were fine for a while. I was not over clocking or using bln. The last time, about a week ago, my 9020t couldn't reboot. I was able to get in to recovery, but cwr was unable to mount any partitions but /cache. All wipes failed, and so did permission fix because of this.
Next, I fired up adb. No problem there. Started fastboot and locked then unlocked but the problem remained. So I tried flashing IMgs from a stock recovery. Recovery.img worked fine. System, boot failed after 30 seconds with write errors. I also got an error on the fastboot screen that two addresses were exceeded. I didn't write them down as I don't know that they are important, having googled these.
Next came Odin with a 2.3.1 set of tars for 9020. It hung trying to flash system.img. I tried a few times with the same results.
Last, I checked what was up with adb shell. I found out I can manually mount /dev/block/mmcblk1 as /sdcard and could read and write to it. I pushed a rom zip and flashed it using cwr with no errors, but on reboot I saw it was nothing but the recovery.
Any ideas. It seems the other partitions are not mounting. Can't I just wipe everything and repartition then flash with Odin? I don't know why Odin didn't work. Do I need a pic file for the nexus s? Bah! It is frustrating that a brick is not a brick.
Really, any ideas? Sucks to have a 600 dollar phone that spontaneously combusted like this.

it seems i am missing /dev/block/platform/s3c-sdhci.0/by-name/system
and /dev/block/platform/s3c-sdhci.0/by-name/userdata
so they wont mount. Also, the mtdblock files in /dev/block aren't even listed in fstab. is there any way i can wipe this base system? Odin won't do it. Nothing I have tried can overwrite whatever is royally messed up in the filesystem. It seems that even for any recovery to work properly, the mounts must be correct!!!!

Unfortunately, sometimes as a brick is a brick. I have similar symtoms as you - I cannot mount /system and cannot get past the google splash screen. I cannot write or read to storage.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=993403
I've already called Samsung to send the phone in, just lagging putting it in the mail. I've been using my g1 for past couple of weeks.

irishrally said:
Unfortunately, sometimes as a brick is a brick. I have similar symtoms as you - I cannot mount /system and cannot get past the google splash screen. I cannot write or read to storage.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=993403
I've already called Samsung to send the phone in, just lagging putting it in the mail. I've been using my g1 for past couple of weeks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank goodness for my g1 also!
What did they say to you? I do not like the idea of having to pay. Bah!

PM's sent to both of you. I can fix this issue with JTAG...

Samsung didn't say much, just send it in. I'm hoping it won't cost anything but if it does I may consider the jtag services mentioned above.
connexion2005 said:
PM's sent to both of you. I can fix this issue with JTAG...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much for the instructions to do this? We have a device at work that the EEs use to jtag TI micro-controllers. Not sure if that would work. If Samsung gets all crazy and tries to charge me ridiculous amounts of money I may go your route.

irishrally said:
Samsung didn't say much, just send it in. I'm hoping it won't cost anything but if it does I may consider the jtag services mentioned above.
How much for the instructions to do this? We have a device at work that the EEs use to jtag TI micro-controllers. Not sure if that would work. If Samsung gets all crazy and tries to charge me ridiculous amounts of money I may go your route.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt it would work. Does it support ARM 8 architecture? YouTube search "nexus s jtag" and you can see my video.

Please let me know, either method. I can wait a little while. Thanks.

Related

[Q] Can´t boot or access sdcard/usb storage!

Okey fellow members of XDA, time to work your magic!
Been rooted and running CM ever since I gor my Nexus S, which was on the day of release. Everything has been working smoothly, until recently.
When I try to boot up my phone, I get stuck on the GOOGLE logo, and when I go into CW, it tells me that E:Can´t mount /sdcard/.
Been browsing the web and XDA, found some people with the same problem but no answers.
Help would be veeeeeery appreciated!
I had a similar Problem with a Nexus S i9020T.
But in my case i couldn't really write on the sdcard for good. I just shove some zip files onto the sdcard and the second i unmounted, everything was back to the way it was. Even formating the sdcard didn't really delete anything.
and when i did get some zip files onto the card, CWM told me they were bad..
I got the phone running again by flashing with fastboot but that didn't really make the problem go away. Dozens of FC's because the phone couldn't really access the sdcard..
So all i can suggest for you is to try to flash with fastboot
Try mounting /data/. If that didn't work, your NAND might be shot.
Sent at 88 miles per hour, powered by 1.21 jiggawatts of electricity.
litanyoffail said:
Try mounting /data/. If that didn't work, your NAND might be shot.
Sent at 88 miles per hour, powered by 1.21 jiggawatts of electricity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same happend with my phone. Where I can order memory chip for 9023 model?

Can my Nexus be fixed?

Hello all
I suspect that either my Nexus has a hardware fault (internal memory) or I bricked it somehow.
For the past few weeks the phone has been getting stuck on the google boot screen quite a lot - It takes several attempts
to start up each time so I've been trying to keep the battery from running down.
The other day while I was attempting to switch roms I put the stock img on my SD card but when I went to flash it CWM
couldnt mount my (internal) SD Card. Senior forum member Caliban2 suggested that it could be my recovery so I installed CWM 6.0.0.7 non-touch using fastboot and, like magic, the phone started up -though I suspect this may have been luck.
I rebooted the phone out of curiosity and it got stuck on the google boot screen - no amount of battery pulling and restarting could coax
it back to life, so I went into CWM again to discover that it could not mount the SD Card, I was getting the 'cannot mount' and 'E:Unable to open ums lunfile(no such file or directory)' error messages. My windows 7 PC could see the phone but said that their was non memory inserted. Out of curiosity I installed CWM 5.0.2.0 but that produced the same results.
So now my phone appears dead, is the internal memory or something related to it is broken? I have seen things on here about using an unbricking tool in Debian Linux or flashing stock using odin but I confess that I have not tried these solutions and don't fully understand them (yet).I wussed out and dropped the phone into a local repair workshop, I imagine they will be trying these same steps themselves and they say it will take them a few days to get back to me.
My problem is that I need a phone for work and I gave my backup phone (HTC Hero) to my dad recently. Should I just take the plunge
and go out today and buy a new phone? Or is there a reasonable chance that these guys can fix my nexus s, or that I might be able to?
I'm a relative 'noob' at this so I thank you all for your advice in advance, it's much appreciated.
Derek
Do a search for flashing fastboot images. Download the 4.0.4 fastboot image from google and flash it as directed through fastboot. This may sort out your problems.
Afterward, if necessary, format the /sdcard too. I would do this afterward so that maybe you can get a backup of all the stuff on it before it's gone forever.
Thanks, will do. It's in the shop at the moment, I suspect this is probably what they're doing now.
Perhaps subconsciously I'm just looking for someone to tell me it's irreparable so I can rush out
and pick up a Galaxy Nexus.
Harbb said:
Do a search for flashing fastboot images. Download the 4.0.4 fastboot image from google and flash it as directed through fastboot. This may sort out your problems.
Afterward, if necessary, format the /sdcard too. I would do this afterward so that maybe you can get a backup of all the stuff on it before it's gone forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Harbb
Just wanted to give you an update on this, got it back from the shop who said they would need to send it to Samsung for a hardware repair, didn't expect it to work but fastbooted the stock bootloader, radio and image to the device and it's now working!
I've already moved onto a Galaxy Nexus on contract but at least now I can make a bit of money back off my old phone.
Thanks again for the advice
Derek
Harbb said:
Do a search for flashing fastboot images. Download the 4.0.4 fastboot image from google and flash it as directed through fastboot. This may sort out your problems.
Afterward, if necessary, format the /sdcard too. I would do this afterward so that maybe you can get a backup of all the stuff on it before it's gone forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[q] Help Boot Loop! WIND

I don't know where to post this, I'm coming here all panicked and retarded, so I'm apologizing in advance.
I literally bought my Galaxy S 4G from WIND (Canada) this morning. From what I understood, upgrading the OS was dangerous, all I wanted to do was root... I followed this guide: ht tp ://w ww.gal axyforum s.ne t/forum/off-topic-forum/5053-rooting-tutorial-here-posted-permission-t-mobile-galaxy-s-4g-gingerbread.html (remove spaces)
which I found in a post on these forums. Someone who also was on WIND said it worked fine for them... They were rooted. I foolishly tried it, everything seemed FINE. When I load CWM it can't mount my SD card. I don't know what to do, it's stuck in T-Mobile boot screen loop if I try to exit.. I literally just stopped crying. My dad is going to KILL me if he finds out I ****ed up the new phone I just bought HOURS ago. I don't know what the **** to do, I don't know what's wrong. I need help, please. Anybody know what I can do? I don't care about rooting, I just need my device to work. Please, someone, anyone with any idea, what should I do? I can get back into download mode, and CWM. Is there anything I can do there? There's a recovery guide pinned but it says it's for the T-Mobile version, which I read is the same, can I use that to fix my phone?
This is my first Android device, I've never owned one before. I don't know ****, I shouldn't have tried anything... I just got cocky and made a mistake. I'm usually very good with this kind of stuff. Please someone tell me if there's something I can do to fix this, please!
I'm sorry if I sound stupid, I'm trying not to, I'm just really panicky and stressed right now.
I've tried searching through the forums - I still am searching through them, I'm sorry if I missed a post that can help me.
EDIT: I found someone who is also stuck in a boot loop... He seems to have SD Card issues as well, but doesn't speak English very well, so I don't thing he was able to communicate what his issue was...
Quote:
Originally Posted by GMK63
.......(---------THAT WHAT I FOLLOWED .
But I did the first part and They said i should get the stuff I store on my SD Card to pull out a file (``12) In CWM, use your volume up/down positions to navigate, scroll down to "Install Zip From SDcard". Select with a click of the power button. Navigate to where you put sms-T959V-KJ6-v0.1.1-rc1-unsigned-update.zip (in the root of your SDcard) and select with the power button. Confirm you want to install.
``)
but it doesn't give me the option to go get it on my SDcard and Now my Phone just turns on and off with the samsung galaxy S logo plus T-mobile exclusive logo . The only possitive thing about all the damage is that I can still put my phone on dowload mode and I just think if someone knows how to get my phone back to it state they will need me to put it on download mode.
Thank you in advance for your Help, for replying and offering to help.
I appriciate it. My phone is Mobillicity carrier just like wind .[/B]
Then, user bhundven replies to him saying:
Ok, this is really simple. I've explained it in quite a few threads in the Galaxy S 4G forums in General, Q&A, and the Dev forum. I'm going to explain this, but in a way to be more general. So I'm being verbose in case anyone else with a T959W happens to run across this and has not tried anything yet.
Again, I'm not good with windows at all, and I prefer it that way.
If you're on windows, check out our wiki:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki...xy_S/SGH-T959V
There is tons of help there for setting up heimdall on windows with all the right drivers and such.
Once you have heimdall setup get AntonX's latest cwm zip for his kernel.
This kernel is a BML kernel, and this guide I am giving you right now will help you get cm9 installed which is an MTD kernel. You can find out more about BML vs. MTD here.
Once you have downloaded AntonX's kernel, extract the zImage from it and open up the terminal/cmd prompt and navigate to the directory you extracted the zImage to.
Put your phone into Download Mode and type the following in the command prompt:
Code:
heimdall flash --kernel zImage
The heimdall program will flash this kernel+initramfs to the kernel partition and reboot the phone. Do not unplug the usb cable until you see the "Galaxy S" screen. When you see that screen, unplug the usb cable and remove the battery from the back.
Assuming you downloaded CM9 and put it on your sdcard already, you can get into recovery by holding the vol+ and vol-, then pressing the power button to turn the phone on. When you see the "Galaxy S" screen, let go of the buttons, and you should be in the recovery now.
This is where things get a little tricky. If you have not tried to do anything to your phone yet. This would be a great time to use the "Backup and Recovery" menu on CWM. Do a full backup.
The "assert 7" error that the previous person got was because the cwm install script (the updater-script) checks the already installed /system/build.prop's data against the "to be installed" build.prop to verify this rom can be installed. If it doesn't exist, then it moves forward.
So the first order of business is to wipe the /system partition. Go to "Mounts and Storage" and format the system partition.
Now go back to the main screen and do "Factory Reset/Wipe Data".
Now go "Install zip from sdcard" -> "choose zip from sdcard" -> and use the volume keys to select the zip file.
After the rom is installed, navigate back to the main screen and "Reboot the system now" if it doesn't reboot by itself.
When the phone reboots, because it is going from BML to MTD, it obviously can't just install the files to what would be an MTD partition if the kernel knows nothing about MTD. So it boots into the newly installed MTD kernel and continues the installation, which in the end will also reboot again.
The first boot is very slow. It is building a cache of all the pre-installed system applications. Let it sit for a while. I know it's tempting to go play with your phone right away, but resist if you can.
The next CM9 release will be on a different kernel, and albeit a much better rom.
I will also be adding OTA Asserts for SGH-T959W so that you will not have to wipe /system before installing the rom, but I do that still just for good measure. But this also means that your phone will work properly with the google play store.
If this still does not work, please let me know what went wrong and I will be happy to assist!
-Bryan
Is what Bryan is saying my solution? I don't think he understood the SD Card mount issue. Does anyone know how to fix that? I really hope to hear from you guys ASAP before my dad catches on... Please. I really need help. I'll search more in the morning, it's 1 AM here.
Okay well first of all.. GET A GRIP OF YOUR SELF
*slaps twice across the face
This phone is unbrickable so can you get in to download mode? (power off phone then when it's off hold the volume up and down buttons at the same time, while holding them down connect your phone to a usb cable)
A green android digging thing should show on your screen. Tell me when you get this far.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app
As a matter of fact, you don't entirely need a download mode screen to recover your device too. I've gotten to a pixelized colorful screen and thought my phone was done for, but Odin/Heimdall still recognized it, so I was able to recover my phone.
Calm down and as long as your phone can still be detected on your computer, you will be fine. Odin or Heimdall should be able to show that he device was "added" when you plug it in.
bkoon1218 said:
As a matter of fact, you don't entirely need a download mode screen to recover your device too. I've gotten to a pixelized colorful screen and thought my phone was done for, but Odin/Heimdall still recognized it, so I was able to recover my phone.
Calm down and as long as your phone can still be detected on your computer, you will be fine. Odin or Heimdall should be able to show that he device was "added" when you plug it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true, just make sure you have the drivers installed for the phone first and for the purpose of my method of recovery download Odin. If you did everything correctly you'll see a green light in Odin under recognized devices once you're in download mode
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app
lonoguge said:
Okay well first of all.. GET A GRIP OF YOUR SELF
*slaps twice across the face
This phone is unbrickable so can you get in to download mode? (power off phone then when it's off hold the volume up and down buttons at the same time, while holding them down connect your phone to a usb cable)
A green android digging thing should show on your screen. Tell me when you get this far.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the slaps, I needed them!
Yes! I think I am still able to get into download mode, atleast I was able to last night (After the loop issue). Also, I formatted (factory reset option or something?) my settings when I was in CWM last night assuming that would change it back to the way it was, or atleast fix the SD mount problem..I hope this doesn't cause any issues.
What should I do when I'm in download mode?
bkoon1218 said:
As a matter of fact, you don't entirely need a download mode screen to recover your device too. I've gotten to a pixelized colorful screen and thought my phone was done for, but Odin/Heimdall still recognized it, so I was able to recover my phone.
Calm down and as long as your phone can still be detected on your computer, you will be fine. Odin or Heimdall should be able to show that he device was "added" when you plug it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great news! It's nice to hear that someone who's phone was also messed was able to repair it.
lonoguge said:
That's true, *just make sure you have the drivers installed for the phone first and for the purpose of my method of recovery download Odin. *If you did everything correctly you'll see a green light in Odin under recognized devices once you're in download mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can I get these drivers? Should I download the latest version of Odin?
I'll try this as soon as I get back from taking my little sister to school.
I just want to say again, this is the SGH-T959W from WIND in Canada. It's apparently the same hardware as the SGS4G from T-Mobile, just different software. I hope this isn't a problem.
Thank you both for replying so soon. After tossing and turning in bed for the last 5 hours, barely getting any sleep, it's such a relief to read these posts!
Obviously you didn't read too much if you bought the phone and tried to mess with it the same day. You would have seen if you went to the 2nd page of here and actually read something like this, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1552119 where I clearly say, it is it different, you will get boot looped, I am working on a package to fix it, and for anyone on a wind phone to hold on and wait.
I don't have time to try and help and fix every single wind phone in the world because people get too impatient and start flashing everything in the world from the first post they read. Odin and Heimdall fail at certain parts of flashing this phone. I am trying to give the Heimdall creator as much as I can to help fix this, so everyone telling to flash this or that package, it's not going to work, it will fail. I have verified this 100 times with Heimdall.
I can't put together a 1click package that fails flashing, that's why people are ending up in this position in the first place.
I can get your phone fixed but not right this second. There is no permanant damage done, and the less you just keep flashing random stuff, the more likely the chance I can help you fix it, but I'm busy, I run my own business and my paying customers come first as does my mortgage and bills before spending an hour teamviewed into someones pc to fix this.
So hang tight, I will try later to get this fixed, it's not screwed, quit flashing anything you find.
Past what getochkn just said (and please do ignore the "advice" given by people who don't experience with a T-959W), next time you see a "helpful" post on some site that starts off "get this from [the original source]" -- please, please take the time to read the original source.
Secondly, just because your phone has the a similar "trade name" as another phone doesn't mean they are even close to the same inside. Even the model numbers don't mean much. Firmware from a T-959 generally won't work on a T-959V, and, as you have found out, T-969V firmware can make a T-959W a nice paperweight for a while.
Thirdly, I just don't "get" why people even consider flashing their phone on the first day they own it, before they have any idea what it came with and what it can do, not to mention voiding their warranty before even the buyer's remorse period has expired.
While you're waiting for someone to bail you out, you might want to take the time to download Java, the Microsoft C++ executables, and a full version of Heimdall.
getochkn said:
Obviously you didn't read too much if you bought the phone and tried to mess with it the same day. You would have seen if you went to the 2nd page of here and actually read something like this, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1552119 where I clearly say, it is it different, you will get boot looped, I am working on a package to fix it, and for anyone on a wind phone to hold on and wait.
I don't have time to try and help and fix every single wind phone in the world because people get too impatient and start flashing everything in the world from the first post they read. Odin and Heimdall fail at certain parts of flashing this phone. I am trying to give the Heimdall creator as much as I can to help fix this, so everyone telling to flash this or that package, it's not going to work, it will fail. I have verified this 100 times with Heimdall.
I can't put together a 1click package that fails flashing, that's why people are ending up in this position in the first place.
I can get your phone fixed but not right this second. There is no permanant damage done, and the less you just keep flashing random stuff, the more likely the chance I can help you fix it, but I'm busy, I run my own business and my paying customers come first as does my mortgage and bills before spending an hour teamviewed into someones pc to fix this.
So hang tight, I will try later to get this fixed, it's not screwed, quit flashing anything you find.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
I really didn't read enough, big mistake, I was just really cocky because I've modded almost every device I own (Wii, PSP, PS3, PS2 various and iDevices [mine, and friends]). Of course, they're all different (Not saying it's all the same thing! ), I just felt very confident because I've never had issues with anything before. At least this is a good learning experience, I've really been put in my pace. I always felt that bricking was something that happened to other people, it doesn't happen to me. I know that sounds stupid, but idk, that's just how I felt. I physically feel sick over this 'whole ordeal (Seriously), I'm such an idiot. >.<'
Thanks for the warning, I won't flash anything! I'm so relieved to hear that there's no permanent damage done, and to be able to speak to someone who's familiar with this specific problem and this specific model of the SGS4G, AND is willing to help me!
Do you know when you'll be able to help me? Of course, take your time, I completely understand that you have other stuff going on, I'm just wondering to see if I can maybe think of some cover up so my dad doesn't find out.
Also, I have a 14 day warranty, is it void now even though the root didn't work? I'm assuming it is.
Edit: Yup, if what jeffsf says is true, it's void.
jeffsf said:
Past what getochkn just said (and please do ignore the "advice" given by people who don't experience with a T-959W), next time you see a "helpful" post on some site that starts off "get this from [the original source]" -- please, please take the time to read the original source.
Secondly, just because your phone has the a similar "trade name" as another phone doesn't mean they are even close to the same inside. Even the model numbers don't mean much. Firmware from a T-959 generally won't work on a T-959V, and, as you have found out, T-969V firmware can make a T-959W a nice paperweight for a while.
Thirdly, I just don't "get" why people even consider flashing their phone on the first day they own it, before they have any idea what it came with and what it can do, not to mention voiding their warranty before even the buyer's remorse period has expired.
While you're waiting for someone to bail you out, you might want to take the time to download Java, the Microsoft C++ executables, and a full version of Heimdall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just very impatient sometimes. I really do enjoy doing this kind of stuff, it's fun for me. I just got really excited and wasn't thinking straight and just went out and tried rooting it. I've wanted an Android for a while now, and have always planned to root it to unlock it's full potential. I've never modded anything else day 1 (and never will again), this is the first time I've done this. I feel terrible about it.
Will do, thanks for helping, jeffsf.
If your still under 14 days return it with a stupid I don't know what happened look. If its stuck just on the tmob screen they most likely will never know what you did. Your other choice is to be a man and own up to it. Tell your dad and take your lumps. That choice is yours. Give it serious thought before you choose as it might define what type of person you end up becoming.
hechoen said:
If your still under 14 days return it with a stupid I don't know what happened look. If its stuck just on the tmob screen they most likely will never know what you did. Your other choice is to be a man and own up to it. Tell your dad and take your lumps. That choice is yours. Give it serious thought before you choose as it might define what type of person you end up becoming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel like they might know. I'm willing to try it as a last resort, I'd like to give getochkn a shot first.
I'll tell my dad what happened after it's fixed. I just can't deal with him stressing me out about it more than I already am.
I will have a package probably tomorrow that will provide as detailed instructions as I can.
getochkn said:
I will have a package probably tomorrow that will provide as detailed instructions as I can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, wow! That's much sooner than I was expecting! Thanks for taking the time to do this for me, it really means a lot. Thank you so much getochkn!
Package and instructions here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1956025
getochkn said:
Package and instructions here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1956025
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much getochkn!
I read all the instructions before attempting this. But, I have a problem. Heimdall failed to flash. It said something about failing to retrieve the PIT or something? So, I tried again. Didn't work. So, I restarted my computer, and my phone.
Phone doesn't go into download mode, instead, I end up on a screen saying "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again."
What should I do?
BagelBreath said:
Thank you so much getochkn!
I read all the instructions before attempting this. But, I have a problem. Heimdall failed to flash. It said something about failing to retrieve the PIT or something? So, I tried again. Didn't work. So, I restarted my computer, and my phone.
Phone doesn't go into download mode, instead, I end up on a screen saying "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again."
What should I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That firmware screen should detect as download mode still in Heimdall. I have gotten that and reflashed from Heimdall before. Not sure why it's trying to download the pit, it should only do that when you tell it to download pit. Flashing shouldn't trigger that. See if Heimdall will detect it in that firmware recovery mode and I guess try again, otherwise your phone is really borked.
getochkn said:
That firmware screen should detect as download mode still in Heimdall. I have gotten that and reflashed from Heimdall before. Not sure why it's trying to download the pit, it should only do that when you tell it to download pit. Flashing shouldn't trigger that. See if Heimdall will detect it in that firmware recovery mode and I guess try again, otherwise your phone is really borked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the quick reply!
It worked! I really can't thank you enough! Thanks again for taking the time to do this!
I think it may have said "Uploading Pit" because it said it again this time, but it didn't encounter a problem when it did that.
I know I have 3 choices, the one I would like to choose is ICS. Would mind pointing me in the direction of an ICS ROM that's compatible with my device? I'm afraid to use something that may not work and mess up my phone again.
EDIT: Actually, I think I'll just stick with this. I just installed the twist kernal and the modem, everything works, I'm rooted and have recovery. I'd rather not mess with it until I'm more experienced with droids.
Thanks again everyone, especially you getochkn! I'm so relieved that my phone is working again! My dad didn't notice that I wasn't using the new phone I got, so I didn't have to cover up or anything.

[Q] Help with SGH-T959W only booting into recovery

Hello, all. I hope someone can help me with my SGH-T959W. Right now I'm at the point where the phone has CWM installed, but will only boot into recovery no matter what I do. I've followed the N00b guide to Flashing/Fixing the SGS4G, but clearly I'm missing something.
I tried to follow the Windows-based procedure for the SGH-T959W, but was unable to get version 1.40 to execute, and was unable to locate version 1.31.
So, given that the SGH-T959W and SGH-T959V are the same phone except for the bootloader, I tried the Java-based Stock KJ-6 + Root. The first time I tried it, the upload failed after the PIT, and the phone was no longer able to boot into anything other than download mode. I eventually managed to get it to the point where it tried to flash the modem, but I was never able to get the modem to flash successfully. I tried both under Windows and Linux, using two different PCs and every USB cable I could find, since I know those tend to be dodgy. Still, I've never gotten past flashing the modem, though sometimes it's done worse.
But at this point, I had a phone that would dutifully boot into CWM, so I could change strategy anyway. So I grabbed the unofficial Cyanogenmod 10.1, copied it to the root of the SD card, and tried to load that via CWM. It failed the hardware check.
That's problem #1. Is it possible to modify Cyanogenmod to check for the 959W instead of only the 959V?
Now, problem #2. I decided to give Slim ICS a whirl, since it's light on requirements and a 512MB/1GHz device would probably appreciate a lighter load. The two packages claim to install, but the progress bar never reaches 100%, and when I try to boot the phone, it just boots into CWM. It's a newer version of CWM now, and the startup logo is different, so something worked, but clearly not everything.
When installing, I did mount UMMU, factory reset, wipe the cache and the Davlik cache, mount UMMU, install, then fix perms. But I still get that loop back to CWM.
So something critical didn’t take, however many times I tried (I've lost count, but I think I'm going on 10), and I don't know the architecture well enough to know where to start looking. I'm pretty comfortable with other operating systems, but this is only the second Android device I've tried to customize.
I suspect I can’t solve any other problem until I solve problem #2, regardless of which distro I end up wanting to run.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but I figured the more questions I answered up front, the better the chances of fixing this would be.
Thanks for any help you're willing to offer a n00b.
Dave F.
I think what you were doing with heimdall is the way to go except the t959w doesn't like modems and I think there's some way to leave out the modem part but eh.. I'm not that well versed. Anyway here's a link that may or may not be relevant
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1956025
Please read forum rules before posting.
Questions and request for assistance go in the Q&A section.
Thread has been moved.
Thank you for your future attention to this.
Have a great day!
dfarquhar said:
Hello, all. I hope someone can help me with my SGH-T959W. Right now I'm at the point where the phone has CWM installed, but will only boot into recovery no matter what I do. I've followed the N00b guide to Flashing/Fixing the SGS4G, but clearly I'm missing something.
I tried to follow the Windows-based procedure for the SGH-T959W, but was unable to get version 1.40 to execute, and was unable to locate version 1.31.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look here for 1.3.1.
dfarquhar said:
So, given that the SGH-T959W and SGH-T959V are the same phone except for the bootloader, I tried the Java-based Stock KJ-6 + Root. The first time I tried it, the upload failed after the PIT, and the phone was no longer able to boot into anything other than download mode. I eventually managed to get it to the point where it tried to flash the modem, but I was never able to get the modem to flash successfully. I tried both under Windows and Linux, using two different PCs and every USB cable I could find, since I know those tend to be dodgy. Still, I've never gotten past flashing the modem, though sometimes it's done worse.
But at this point, I had a phone that would dutifully boot into CWM, so I could change strategy anyway. So I grabbed the unofficial Cyanogenmod 10.1, copied it to the root of the SD card, and tried to load that via CWM. It failed the hardware check.
That's problem #1. Is it possible to modify Cyanogenmod to check for the 959W instead of only the 959V?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, not a CWM issue. Ever since TeamAcid and I started on CM9 (and I believe the last few CM7 builds) added support for T959W. Almost everyone (thankfully! ) has kanged those device trees and also support T959W. I'm sure other T959W users will chime in to tell you that 97% of all roms here work on T959W. (GB and forward)
dfarquhar said:
Now, problem #2. I decided to give Slim ICS a whirl, since it's light on requirements and a 512MB/1GHz device would probably appreciate a lighter load. The two packages claim to install, but the progress bar never reaches 100%, and when I try to boot the phone, it just boots into CWM. It's a newer version of CWM now, and the startup logo is different, so something worked, but clearly not everything.
When installing, I did mount UMMU, factory reset, wipe the cache and the Davlik cache, mount UMMU, install, then fix perms. But I still get that loop back to CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crazy mount setups shouldn't matter anymore. That was an oldschool Froyo/Early GB thing. Almost all new CWM install scripts do the right thing now.
dfarquhar said:
So something critical didn’t take, however many times I tried (I've lost count, but I think I'm going on 10), and I don't know the architecture well enough to know where to start looking. I'm pretty comfortable with other operating systems, but this is only the second Android device I've tried to customize.
I suspect I can’t solve any other problem until I solve problem #2, regardless of which distro I end up wanting to run.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but I figured the more questions I answered up front, the better the chances of fixing this would be.
Thanks for any help you're willing to offer a n00b.
Dave F.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the long posts! Especially when then they contain more detail for me to help you figure out your problem with. I'm also partial to the short posts that include logs!
TwitchyEye said:
I think what you were doing with heimdall is the way to go except the t959w doesn't like modems and I think there's some way to leave out the modem part but eh.. I'm not that well versed. Anyway here's a link that may or may not be relevant
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1956025
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@TwitchyEye you're right That is the heimdall oneclick that should be used.
@dfarquhar I think using the heimdall oneclick that @getochkn made should be the right path for you. Make sure you use the right version of heimdall. Make sure you completely remove the old version (software and drivers), use zdiag to make absolutely sure!
If all else fails, post here again! (maybe with logs )
Thanks everyone. I grabbed v 1.3.1, so I'm getting ready to try it now.
If anything goes wrong, I'll look into where the logs are stored and how to retrieve them, and I'll be back. Assuming I can't use the logs to figure it out on my own of course.
dfarquhar said:
Thanks everyone. I grabbed v 1.3.1, so I'm getting ready to try it now.
If anything goes wrong, I'll look into where the logs are stored and how to retrieve them, and I'll be back. Assuming I can't use the logs to figure it out on my own of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes, it's just the output you see on your screen is a good enough log
bhundven said:
Sometimes, it's just the output you see on your screen is a good enough log
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it working! Heimdall 1.3.1 was the key. I then turned around and flashed Slim ICS since I had it on the SD card already, and it worked. I'm debating whether to move on to Slim Bean, but maybe I need to leave well enough alone for a few days now that I have a working phone.
Thanks again,
Dave

Fastboot says it is done, phone says otherwise

* There are plenty of useless infocontext, but I feel like it may be necessary so you can tell me where I went wrong.
Okay, first of all, I've been dedicating some time to this issue already, and have searched everywhere but no solutions so far.
I have a XT1033, I gave it to my sis when I got a new phone, but now it is back in my hands, because she managed (unsurprisingly) to 'break' it, or so I thought.
First thing that came into my mind was to hard reset, oh boy, as soon as the phone starts up, when it does, i get plenty of popups saying X and Y stopped working, many, many times, gapps happens to appear 1 second after i tap OK, every time. After I managed to get into the "starter" I've seen plenty of pointless apps, which I think may be the reason behind my headache and lost weekend, easy to solve, right? Wrong.
As I went into the "Settings/Configurations", after gapps and some other stuff stopped working for the 100th time, a window prompted me to enter a pass (It was CM Security), I swear, I almost threw the phone on the ground right there, please, someone tell me why would you do that? Anyway, after some name calling she gave the pass, but then another problem arises, the "Settings/Configurations" like everything else, stops working as soon as I click it, long story short, I cannot reset from the OS or turn on USB debugging.
Oh, and I tried to uninstall an app, CM Security to be more exact, it says uninstalled but when I start the phone again there it is.
Next step, Recovery (I'll try as I type to give you accurate info), when I go into wipe data/factory reset I get this msg (I should just take a photo...)
[...]E:
blkdiscard on partition /dev/block/pla
form/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/userdata failed
E: [...]
by-name/cache failed
-- Wiping clogo...
Data wipe complete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Needless to say that nothing was erased.
Now comes the funny part, from my not so experienced reasoning, I think, hey I should flash another ROM, and that is what I try to do, I should also say that my sister lives in another city and that my brother tried to flash another ROM before I did, I don't know much but he knew NOTHING, and so he could have messed something up.
I try to downgrade it and install a 4.4.2 Stock ROM, because lollipop was not really good when I updated, and that might help in the long way, okay
(m)fastboot flash partition gpt.bin fails (preflash validation failed/remote failure) something else also failed, but I read that it is normal when you try to downgrade, and it may be true because it only went okay when I tried to flash another 5.0.2 ROM, but everything else went "Okay"
Why "Okay"? Because all the commands that had to do with 'erase' were okay but all of them were instant(0.016s), and when I turned the phone on, not only it was still lollipop, all the data was still there, and all the problems. Pretty much the same happens when I try to flash a 4.4.4 and a 5.0.2 ROM, nothing changes.
Then I think that may be something wrong with the "disk" be it the partition or the system file, I try a couple of fastboot commands, everything "Okay", but again nothing changes, still can't wipe any data.
I read that Custom Recovery might help my case, there I go, I download and flash TWRP and CWM multiples versions of each, whichever works, just to see the default recovery screen over and over.
Okay I could try to install it from the SD card, but the pc does not recognize the phone, and I can't transfer files, I also tried "BP tools" so I had a forced USB debugging, but then I just can't get it to be authorized on ADB, I followed the steps from another posts, and a only once i managed to get it to work, only for the phone screen to go blank after a dozen errors popups, so I might try it later again, not very hopeful though. Maybe I left some stuff out, but will include later if I remember/is relevant.
Edit: As soon as I turn on the phone if i go into the "Running Apps" tab(you know, the bottom right button), there is always whatsapp, facebook, and something else, I don't think that should happen when you turn on your phone, anyway, same apps, every time. Some of the names are "quoted" because my android is in another language and I am literally translating it, so things may be named differently for you.
From what you hear what would you do different, or is the phone a goner and I am wasting my time?
It sounds like you have a failed eMMC.
If that is the case, and I believe so, she'll need a new phone. It's non recoverable.
Sent from my XT1031
ATTACK said:
It sounds like you have a failed eMMC.
If that is the case, and I believe so, she'll need a new phone. It's non recoverable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... I see, I was suspecting that it could be the hardware, but saying eMMC ringed a bell,
my brother followed a guide that told him to use this command: fastboot flash aboot emmc_appsboot.mbn
Is there a possibility this caused some problems?
I choose to believe you at this point, after all the work I had, I am just looking for closure
There are many different possibilities for a failed eMMC. Typically - it's caused by flashing the phone to much, or its just a bad eMMC.
Sent from my XT1031

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