Nexus S not booting up - Nexus S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi
I got somehow a big problem.
I tried to update my Nexus S by mistake with the I9020A 2.3.6 Rom. It failed. At least somehow it said so.
Now i cannot load my phone normally. Sometimes I have to battery pull several times before the Nexus S boots up again. The other times it stays with a nasty "Google" on screen.
Even more strange. I cannot access the recovery submenu. It does stay at the same nasty "Google" on screen. It does no longer show up the triangle where you the can load an update.zip
What can I do?
Nexus S: GT-I9020
I9020XXXKB1
EUR
Thanks for help
Cheers
Martin

Since you said you can't access the recovery console and it gives you a google logo, I'm going to have to ask: Do you have access to the fastboot bootloader?
If so, are you rooted? If no, you have the option to take it in to get fixed or to root your phone.
If you decided to root/are already rooted, connect your phone to your computer while in fastboot, make sure all drivers are installed and use a command prompt to use the fastboot tools. The Unlockr's Nexus S rooting guide will be a huge help in guiding you where to be.
Does "fastboot devices" return anything on your computer, or is it empty?
(Sorry if you know most of this crap, but number of posts + lack of information in the OP + you saying you don't have a custom recovery = assuming you need a bot more in depth instruction.)

Thanks god I have been able to push the fastboot recovery console!
I did manage to access backup & restore and then load the stock 2.3.3 rom. I am back in business
Thanks for help. I think it is solved.
Cheers
Martin

Now make sure to make a backup.... helps save your a$$
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

Related

[Q] My Nexus S won't boot at all... Help, please

Hi
I'm facing a problem with my Nexus S, before it was working... but, unfourtunatlly i just make some modification in the system file and now my phone not working and stuck at the google logo black screen... exactly, i think the problem in the java runtime.jar file that was in the system folder, i replace it with another file and all that done since i want to add another language to the system so that it can understand it. but, the device now is not working....
I tried to enter the recovery mode and wipe all data, but nothing change. its keep the same. so i tried also to format the system (from the recovery) since, the modification done in that folder... also, its not working....
So, I think the best way right now is to return it to the default rom(official one from google) , i download it, and tried to flash it using the "fastboot" command but it keep give me error when writing for system.img file....
What can I do right know ??? I can't use my device at all...
Help me Guys, please.....
For future reference Factory wipe doesn't touch /system...just /data.
If you formatted your /system, and it actually formatted, all you can do now is restore a working system.
If you didn't make your own nandroid backup of the system (and you ALWAYS should in the future before messing with system level modifications) to have a known working configuration, then your best bet in my opinion is to go to this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884093
Download the nandroid image from there and flash it to your phone using Clockwork Recovery.
Good luck.
distortedloop said:
For future reference Factory wipe doesn't touch /system...just /data.
If you formatted your /system, and it actually formatted, all you can do now is restore a working system.
If you didn't make your own nandroid backup of the system (and you ALWAYS should in the future before messing with system level modifications) to have a known working configuration, then your best bet in my opinion is to go to this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884093
Download the nandroid image from there and flash it to your phone using Clockwork Recovery.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But, The question here is.... how can i flash it when i can't get access to the memory(since the Nexus S doesn't have sd memory slot) and to the system ??
when i enter the recovery, all i can do is use the fastboot command.... can i use it here ??
Thanks alot .....
If you boot into Clockwork, you should be able to use it's mounts menu to mount the sdcard...then use adb to push the files to your sdcard. adb should be active and working in clockwork.
If that doesn't work out for you, you could also try the Odin and "download mode" approach from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=947950
distortedloop said:
If you boot into Clockwork, you should be able to use it's mounts menu to mount the sdcard...then use adb to push the files to your sdcard. adb should be active and working in clockwork.
If that doesn't work out for you, you could also try the Odin and "download mode" approach from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=947950
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much distortedloop....
as what u said.... the mount already available in the clockwork.. but i didn't see it before.....
Now i got my Nexus S back to me again.....
Thank u soooooooooooooo much Man... I appreciate it
abd640 said:
Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much distortedloop....
as what u said.... the mount already available in the clockwork.. but i didn't see it before.....
Now i got my Nexus S back to me again.....
Thank u soooooooooooooo much Man... I appreciate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you're up and running again.
Hello guys
I have the same problem, but i guess for different reasons.
I applyed the superboot from the modaco´s forum on my nexus s, but I guess I did it with the wrong version (i had got the 2.3.4 ota before doing so and used a 2.3.3 version) and now my phone won´t boot. My rom was stock. Now, it remains on that google initial screen. I can´t get to upload anything for the device since I guess the usb debug mode is off, although when I connect the device to the computer, the system shows the usb driver. I guess my device is GT90 something, can´t say for sure. Have to check at the box.
That said, I´d like some help on what to do about it.
I´ll be forever grateful!
ectole said:
Hello guys
I have the same problem, but i guess for different reasons.
I applyed the superboot from the modaco´s forum on my nexus s, but I guess I did it with the wrong version (i had got the 2.3.4 ota before doing so and used a 2.3.3 version) and now my phone won´t boot. My rom was stock. Now, it remains on that google initial screen. I can´t get to upload anything for the device since I guess the usb debug mode is off, although when I connect the device to the computer, the system shows the usb driver. I guess my device is GT90 something, can´t say for sure. Have to check at the box.
That said, I´d like some help on what to do about it.
I´ll be forever grateful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try to boot into bootloader. root the phone n install a recovery.img, then reinstall a custom rom or the stock rom.
deeren said:
try to boot into bootloader. root the phone n install a recovery.img, then reinstall a custom rom or the stock rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is that i already have clockworkmode installed and i can access it through bootload, in fact is the only thing i can do. My problem is that i just can´t send the recovery.img from the pc to the phone. And I also think that the usb debug mode is unavailabe, so I can´t activate it.
I´m new to this thing so the only way I could move files into the phone was through windows explorer drag and drop. Honestly I´m lost without it.
Is there a different way to push it to the phone ?
I understand this forum is intended to more experienced users, and for that I apologise.
Guys I found a solution by enabling USB from clockwork! Thanks! Keep the good work!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App
Hello "ectole", could you let me know how you get out of it. I am in the same problem. I followed this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=13800735#post13800735 to root my phone, now I always boot into clockwork. I can I boot into Nexux again?
Hi guys,
I'm in a similar situation. I tried to install CyanogenMod 7 to my Nexus S (ATT), got stuck at the skating dude.
Booted back into Clockwork, and tried to flash back to the stock firmware, but I think I accidentally flashed the wrong one (for the 9020T instead of 9020A) build. Now I can't get into ClockworkMod or anything on the screen whatsoever.
Does anyone have any tips at all? I'm really screwed here, would appreciate it a lot...
J
Hey bante just go to clockwork then to mount/dismount menu and the last option should be mount USB storage. Mount it and stay there and your PC should see the sd card. Then upload what you want.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App
HELP!!! Odin bricked my Nexus S i9020a
I attempted to use odin to restore my phone. Could not get past bootloading screen. Put phone in recovery mode and used odin and grh78 firmware.
Odin went thru the whole process and said success, then my phone shut off, and will not power back on. Any ideas?
OkNewMedia said:
I attempted to use odin to restore my phone. Could not get past bootloading screen. Put phone in recovery mode and used odin and grh78 firmware.
Odin went thru the whole process and said success, then my phone shut off, and will not power back on. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which phone version you got?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
OkNewMedia said:
I attempted to use odin to restore my phone. Could not get past bootloading screen. Put phone in recovery mode and used odin and grh78 firmware.
Odin went thru the whole process and said success, then my phone shut off, and will not power back on. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By 'recovery mode', do you mean download mode? (you hold both vol up and vol down then plug in USB)
My Nexus s not boot at all
Hi
I'm facing a problem with my Nexus S, before it was working... but, unfourtunatlly i just make some modification in the system file and now my phone not working and stuck at the google logo black screen...
it doesn't entering the recovery mode. it only stucks at the google black logo screen
What can I do right know ??? I can't use my device at all...
Help me Guys, please.....
shavinder said:
Hi
I'm facing a problem with my Nexus S, before it was working... but, unfourtunatlly i just make some modification in the system file and now my phone not working and stuck at the google logo black screen...
it doesn't entering the recovery mode. it only stucks at the google black logo screen
What can I do right know ??? I can't use my device at all...
Help me Guys, please.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash either clockwork or twrp recovery via fastboot.
but how can i do this thing
jstennis1591 said:
Hi guys,
I'm in a similar situation. I tried to install CyanogenMod 7 to my Nexus S (ATT), got stuck at the skating dude.
Booted back into Clockwork, and tried to flash back to the stock firmware, but I think I accidentally flashed the wrong one (for the 9020T instead of 9020A) build. Now I can't get into ClockworkMod or anything on the screen whatsoever.
Does anyone have any tips at all? I'm really screwed here, would appreciate it a lot...
J
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you flashed i9023 software. You could try Odin. Does your computer recognize the phone?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium

[Q] In need of aid :(

Hi
Bourght a nexus s a few days ago. Today i tried to root the phone using a guide from youtube, if you search for "root nexus s" and look for the user named "Zedomax", thats the one i tried to follow.
First i unlocked it.
next thing was to:
fastboot flash boot recovery clockwork.img (shortend the name to help my self)
last thing:
fastboot flash boot rootboot.img
After this was done my phone is unable to reboot again, it just stops at a google logo with a lock under it. And at that point im unable to do anything. Only thing that works is removing the battery. Think i have killed it
Any ideas to what i could do? is it possible for me to save it yet?
best regards,
Fonain
try to use the pc software to repair it or to reinstall android.. there is no problem..
pc software? could you please tell me what software are you talking about, maybe a link to where i can download it? And do you by chance know how to reinstall android?
any help is highly appreciated
Best regards,
fonain
edit: at work atm, so might not be able to answer right away
Odin.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=94795
I have yet to use it on my NS but i used it regularly on my vibrant. You will need to get into download mode for it to work.
your link doesnt work
does anyone know where i can find the original files for nexus s so i can use em in fastboot and make my phone work again?
fonain said:
does anyone know where i can find the original files for nexus s so i can use em in fastboot and make my phone work again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which phone model do you have?
i9020 or i9023 ?
Bootloader version is I9020XXKA3
Baseband version is I9020XXKB1
dunno if those version names have been changed while i have been tampering with my phone, if not its the I9020
that looks good
if it's really a 9020 then you can use the unlocking + rooting guide for the 9020 in the general section
once you get CWR installed, you can flash to any ROM you like
Thanks ill try look deeper into that, and see if that will solve my problem.
but it is already unlocked and partly rooted...i think.
have used a clockwork img and rootboot img, and after that my phone couldnt start up again.
fonain said:
Thanks ill try look deeper into that, and see if that will solve my problem.
but it is already unlocked and partly rooted...i think.
have used a clockwork img and rootboot img, and after that my phone couldnt start up again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
those files are wrong use the mirror recovery image on the i9020 rooting topic in general http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=895545
Think i should have used that guide instead of the one i have been using the first time... looks great step by step!
But....
i still have the problem where my phone just stops loading.
1: unlocked it
2: typed: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
3: finished at 1.132 sec (no problems so far)
4: reboot my phone, then it stops.
and it stop when showing this screen.
http://i53.tinypic.com/m74byg.jpg with a lock at the bottom which is unlocked.
And it just stops there, waited for several minutes as i have seen that the startup could take up to 2 mins after tampering with the nexus s.
get to the point in the guide where it tells you to download superuser.
Hope you can see if i have done something wrong
best regards,
Fonain
EDIT: oh yes, forgot to mention that the 2 touch buttons to the left on my SNS lights up. First one glowes for a sec or two, then it turns off again. The second stays on all the time.
repeat the fastboot flash recovery recovery.img one more time
after that is done, boot into the CW Recovery
you know hold up and power
then select mount USB
then copy over a stock nandroid backup for 2.3.3 rooted
after that unmount the usb
and select the option to restore rom from backup
and choose the folder that you unzipped into your mounted SD
3 words...
you are awesome!
thanks alot!!
Best regards,
Fonain

help- bricked it, no recovery, what now?

Hey yall. I had the phone for 6 days before I bricked it. I am wondering if there is any stock recovery mode or anything or what I shsould do? I think something went wrong due to using the root toolbox pro app. I have done some backups within the ap as well as Titanium Backup but now the phone will not boot up and I dont know if/how to put it in factory recovery mode. Soft reset does nothing. The Motorola logo will show on startup but then the screen just blacks out forever, not off, just colored black.
A few details, the phone was rooted with Motofail2go, with no recovery and bootloader still locked as far as I know.
Should I take it to Sprint for a factory reset? Is this even an option? What are my other options?
Next time I will probably use the Moto unlock key so I can open the bootloader all legit like and have a recovery mode...
Try holding power button and the down volume key to power off. Once you power off press and hold them again. This should boot you into fastboot, Motorola's adb shell basically. This can take a couple tries, make sure the phone is powered down completely before hitting volume down and power button to get into fastboot. If you can boot into fastboot you can unlock using this guide: http://www.droid-life.com/2012/08/20/how-to-unlock-the-motorola-photon-q-bootloader/
Once unlocked flash the custom recovery of your choice (I like twrp). You can boot into custom recovery by holding volume up and the power button from a powered down state. Here is the link for instructions on how to flash twrp:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1887070
Then you can download one of the stock backups for the Q posted in the development section and restore them using the custom recovery. Most of the ones I have seen have been compatible with twrp.
The only way to download the stock rom backups is to remove the sd card from your phone, plug your sd card into a PC or other device with a card reader, download the stock backups, and place the stock backup rom files on your sd card. Finally place the sd card with the stock backup downloads into your phone.
These backups and information on how to go through this process can be found in this thread on page 2: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2001226
The key is to make a backup of your existing rom with twrp and then move the stock backups from your sd card to the twrp/backups/yourdeiceserial/ directory. That creates a backup directory which twrp knows to look for backups in.
Don't feel bad, I've been in that state several times since getting the Q, live and learn.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
UnicronAlpha99 said:
Try holding power button and the down volume key to power off. Once you power off press and hold them again. This should boot you into fastboot, Motorola's adb shell basically. This can take a couple tries, make sure the phone is powered down completely before hitting volume down and power button to get into fastboot. If you can boot into fastboot you can unlock using this guide: http://www.droid-life.com/2012/08/20/how-to-unlock-the-motorola-photon-q-bootloader/
Once unlocked flash the custom recovery of your choice (I like twrp). You can boot into custom recovery by holding volume up and the power button from a powered down state. Here is the link for instructions on how to flash twrp:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1887070
Then you can download one of the stock backups for the Q posted in the development section and restore them using the custom recovery. Most of the ones I have seen have been compatible with twrp.
Don't feel bad, I've been in that state several times since getting the Q, live and learn.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that does not work you could drop it in water or something. You have not officially unlocked boot loader so you still have warranty. Or you could just tell sprint it quit working and act completely clueless. At least its bricked with warranty still intact.
matt2k12 said:
Hey yall. I had the phone for 6 days before I bricked it. I am wondering if there is any stock recovery mode or anything or what I shsould do? I think something went wrong due to using the root toolbox pro app. I have done some backups within the ap as well as Titanium Backup but now the phone will not boot up and I dont know if/how to put it in factory recovery mode. Soft reset does nothing. The Motorola logo will show on startup but then the screen just blacks out forever, not off, just colored black.
A few details, the phone was rooted with Motofail2go, with no recovery and bootloader still locked as far as I know.
Should I take it to Sprint for a factory reset? Is this even an option? What are my other options?
Next time I will probably use the Moto unlock key so I can open the bootloader all legit like and have a recovery mode...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both of the methods above are very effective. When I had the first photon I bricked it and just dropped it in water and did a claim. Depending on the insurance you have that way may cost you $100. The other method should work. When I first got this phone I did the exact same thing and to go back and unlock then flash twrp and in stall a stock backup someone had posted.
Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk 2
UnicronAlpha99 said:
Try holding power button and the down volume key to power off. Once you power off press and hold them again. This should boot you into fastboot, Motorola's adb shell basically. This can take a couple tries, make sure the phone is powered down completely before hitting volume down and power button to get into fastboot. If you can boot into fastboot you can unlock using this guide: http://www.droid-life.com/2012/08/20/how-to-unlock-the-motorola-photon-q-bootloader/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. Is there anything extra extra special about getting into factory fastboot mode? I can't seem to get it done. Is there an official set of instructions anywhere? Does the phone need to be plugged into the PC? It was always my understanding (for the last week) that Power and Vol Down was the soft reset mode which reboots the phone. Therefore it always tries to reboot in normal mode. This is what keeps happening. It never powers completely down using this method.
Anyhow, once I follow your instructions, the Moto logo appears, no Sprint logo appears, the phone "powers on" but the screen is blacked out (not off). After waiting for a while at the blank/black screen, or holding down several buttons like vol or camera I get the first attachment: "Process system is not responding. Would you like to close it?" When I wait nothing happens. When I push OK nothing happens. By chance, I held down power during the notification and the power menu came up behind the ANR notice (second/third attachments). So obviously there are some things working but the main system isn't booting up. And either factory fastboot is nuked or I can't figure it out. When I power down from this accessible power menu and try to do the fastboot (Power / Vol Down) I still havent gotten it to work.
Any other ideas before I take drastic measures?
Since I bought it from Amazon would that be my best route for return or should I go thru a Sprint store?
Thanks in advance.
Hi again yall. You know once I got to thinking about it, I decided to check out the return policy on Amazon Wireless. They will accept any device under warranty for the first 30 days and it is up to Moto for the next 11 months of warranty coverage. They email me a packing label and it ships out 1 day and they ship out the new phone 1 day shipping. Hard to beat, just takes 2 days of shipping and some more fun times with my Epic, 10.1CM style, in the meantime.
Who's to say it wasnt some sort of hardware or software glitch that bricked the phone rather than my screwing around? Nobody knows and it isn't up to the consumer to prove his innocence. I bought everything legally, all the apps at the app store, and only ran the motofail2go root method. Wasn't running any custom Roms, Mods, or anything. I don't feel bad after they got me for another 2 grand for 24 months, and since I have been with Sprint for 10 years;l I have spent well over 10k or 15k with them lifetime.
If any other method pops up between now and when I ship it out I may give it a shot but if not, ah well, capitalism.
matt2k12 said:
Thanks for the response. Is there anything extra extra special about getting into factory fastboot mode? I can't seem to get it done. Is there an official set of instructions anywhere? Does the phone need to be plugged into the PC? It was always my understanding (for the last week) that Power and Vol Down was the soft reset mode which reboots the phone. Therefore it always tries to reboot in normal mode. This is what keeps happening. It never powers completely down using this method.
Anyhow, once I follow your instructions, the Moto logo appears, no Sprint logo appears, the phone "powers on" but the screen is blacked out (not off). After waiting for a while at the blank/black screen, or holding down several buttons like vol or camera I get the first attachment: "Process system is not responding. Would you like to close it?" When I wait nothing happens. When I push OK nothing happens. By chance, I held down power during the notification and the power menu came up behind the ANR notice (second/third attachments). So obviously there are some things working but the main system isn't booting up. And either factory fastboot is nuked or I can't figure it out. When I power down from this accessible power menu and try to do the fastboot (Power / Vol Down) I still havent gotten it to work.
Any other ideas before I take drastic measures?
Since I bought it from Amazon would that be my best route for return or should I go thru a Sprint store?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using adb. If your computer has drivers on it for phone you might able to get into fast boot. If that does not work I would try Sprint store first. Have locked my phone up several times while hacking wife off in progress and have used adb every time. Only time i have been truely scared is when i soft bricked my nexus 7. had to stay at work for two hours after i got off to get it to recover because i was scared of her lol.
---------- Post added at 02:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------
If you get adb to recognize device you could take chance and officially unlock boot loader. Then flash twrp. There is a thread in general section about having trouble getting official update. It has a stock recovery in it. Trick would be moving files to recovery section of twrp
I have gotten the phone to soft power down and get into fast boot and custom recovery. It's a bit tricky with timing, I usually wait for the screen to go black after soft reset, let go, and immediately hold power and volume down. If you can not boot into fastboot I honestly don't know what you can do either than return the phone.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
UnicronAlpha99 said:
I have gotten the phone to soft power down and get into fast boot and custom recovery. It's a bit tricky with timing, I usually wait for the screen to go black after soft reset, let go, and immediately hold power and volume down. If you can not boot into fastboot I honestly don't know what you can do either than return the phone.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help Unicron. I think Brandons method might be my only alternative... but you know what? I already have the box packed up to ship back to Amazon! I am still a noob; I dunno if I could go the distance on this one. I have been updating my Android SDK files since I got the phone but I never got it to recognize boot up thru ADB fastboot. disclaimer* I havent tried it in a couple days since all teh SDK updates completed.
I dunno though I am a big time DIYer when possible. If it werent for the massive amount of tape I put on the box and packing label I would already be trying this method. I can't convince myself just yet. Amazon makes it too easy. I could have the *new* phone by Friday. Then I wouldn't be wasting my remaining work week trying to hack into my personal Christmas present in order to make it function...........................................
Edit - Yes I'm impatient. My job is too demanding and I am trying to set a good precedent for 2013. Wasting the first 3 work days on a phone is not how I intend to start off the year. There is probably a valuable lesson to be learned from this as far as hacking experience and to be honest with the responses here I think I could get it to boot up from PC in SDK/ADB mode and go from there. I just didnt know if that was possible until after I made the claim with Amazon. I still have an entire day today and tomorrow if I want to indulge myself. It doesnt matter if I mail the package today or Wednesday, I can still get it by Friday. I believe this thread is still valuable because we have patterns of repeating past failures and I may find use of it when I recieve my new phone and, darn it, it mysteriously bricks as well. in the same fashion.... the only thing I was really trying to do was get all my apps on my SD card... sad huh?
Edit 2 - Opened up the box, tried fastboot and adb, nothing. Off she goes.
I don't blame you, it sounds easier to exchange in your case any way. The main suggestion I have is if you are getting into any type of build.prop or operating system tweaks that have potential to lead to boot loops or cause the phone not to boot, then unlock the bootloader and install custom recovery.
The Moto-fail method seems limited to only be able to run apps that require root. For me this has no use as I want to be able to have complete control over all aspects of the Android OS. There is not a huge mod community for the Q as yet but I believe Cyanogen will be a reality as Interloper continues working on it. I came from an Epic with Cyanogen and soft-bricked it a minimum of 50 times. CWM was very forgiving on that phone, the Q is a lot more finicky and frustrating.
If you have insurance through the carrier then you are going to pay $150 for a refurb if something goes wrong and you hard brick the phone. If you unlock bootloader and install custom recovery then you have a fail-safe in the form of nandroid backups and restores. Then you can mod away with little fear.
Good luck on the new phone and I hope you don't give up after six days of modding with the Q!
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
matt2k12 said:
Thanks for the help Unicron. I think Brandons method might be my only alternative... but you know what? I already have the box packed up to ship back to Amazon! I am still a noob; I dunno if I could go the distance on this one. I have been updating my Android SDK files since I got the phone but I never got it to recognize boot up thru ADB fastboot. disclaimer* I havent tried it in a couple days since all teh SDK updates completed.
I dunno though I am a big time DIYer when possible. If it werent for the massive amount of tape I put on the box and packing label I would already be trying this method. I can't convince myself just yet. Amazon makes it too easy. I could have the *new* phone by Friday. Then I wouldn't be wasting my remaining work week trying to hack into my personal Christmas present in order to make it function...........................................
Edit - Yes I'm impatient. My job is too demanding and I am trying to set a good precedent for 2013. Wasting the first 3 work days on a phone is not how I intend to start off the year. There is probably a valuable lesson to be learned from this as far as hacking experience and to be honest with the responses here I think I could get it to boot up from PC in SDK/ADB mode and go from there. I just didnt know if that was possible until after I made the claim with Amazon. I still have an entire day today and tomorrow if I want to indulge myself. It doesnt matter if I mail the package today or Wednesday, I can still get it by Friday. I believe this thread is still valuable because we have patterns of repeating past failures and I may find use of it when I recieve my new phone and, darn it, it mysteriously bricks as well. in the same fashion.... the only thing I was really trying to do was get all my apps on my SD card... sad huh?
Edit 2 - Opened up the box, tried fastboot and adb, nothing. Off she goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW, pressing vol down + power til it resets then pressing the camera button + power once the screen is black gets you to the Boot Mode Selection Menu, where you can start recovery, fastboot, BP tools (still not sure what that is entirely) and some others. Seems to be a fairly reliable/easy method for getting to both recovery and fastboot from any point.
befrosty8612 said:
FWIW, pressing vol down + power til it resets then pressing the camera button + power once the screen is black gets you to the Boot Mode Selection Menu, where you can start recovery, fastboot, BP tools (still not sure what that is entirely) and some others. Seems to be a fairly reliable/easy method for getting to both recovery and fastboot from any point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure wish I would have known that ahead of time. Does this work without any recovery mode and with the bootloader still locked?
matt2k12 said:
Sure wish I would have known that ahead of time. Does this work without any recovery mode and with the bootloader still locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does work without any recovery mode and I believe it still works without the bootloader being unlocked, I didn't know about this myself until after I had already unlocked it. Sorry I couldn't help out sooner.
befrosty8612 said:
It does work without any recovery mode and I believe it still works without the bootloader being unlocked, I didn't know about this myself until after I had already unlocked it. Sorry I couldn't help out sooner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, I am wanting to do the backdoor root method again but, of course, may brick it. I dont think Amazon will keep sending me new ones.... but maybe!
befrosty8612 said:
FWIW, pressing vol down + power til it resets then pressing the camera button + power once the screen is black gets you to the Boot Mode Selection Menu, where you can start recovery, fastboot, BP tools (still not sure what that is entirely) and some others. Seems to be a fairly reliable/easy method for getting to both recovery and fastboot from any point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For anyone concerned, I knew it would only be a matter of time until bricking my new device. This damn Root Toolbox Pro did it to me again, and on a simple, menial task. I am going to be working thru the motions on getting this to work.
Using the instructions quoted I did get stock recovery to work or at least flash on the screen for a split second. Seems like there is a timer on the recovery screen. I am having trouble with the fastboot prompt though on the PC. Do I do it in the "platform-tools" folder which contains fastboot or in the "tools" folder of the main SDK directory? I am really a noob, can you give me the cliff notes of how to get into ADB, fastboot, etc on the Photon Q in order to do a factory reset? I already have Android SDK installed and completely up to date so that is done. And Fastboot is installed. I'm just having trouble crossing the finish line here... I can get the fastboot page opened in the stock recovery but from there I'm lost. I dont know what to type into the command prompt, in what directory, or what.... Also when I open the command prompt in the SDK folder on the PC with fastboot in the directory and type "adb reboot bootloader" it says "device not found". Maybe (surely) that is the wrong prompt?
FWIW my phone is showing the dead android guy. I didnt do anything besides try and clear up my Play Store download list which required a reboot. The phone never started back up. I dont know how much damage was done or info was lost or whatever, but seeing as how I was rooted but still locked, I had no custom recovery. So no back ups. Is there anything to restore or am I looking at a full wipe and restore?
matt2k12 said:
For anyone concerned, I knew it would only be a matter of time until bricking my new device. This damn Root Toolbox Pro did it to me again, and on a simple, menial task. I am going to be working thru the motions on getting this to work.
Using the instructions quoted I did get stock recovery to work or at least flash on the screen for a split second. Seems like there is a timer on the recovery screen. I am having trouble with the fastboot prompt though on the PC. Do I do it in the "platform-tools" folder which contains fastboot or in the "tools" folder of the main SDK directory? I am really a noob, can you give me the cliff notes of how to get into ADB, fastboot, etc on the Photon Q in order to do a factory reset? I already have Android SDK installed and completely up to date so that is done. And Fastboot is installed. I'm just having trouble crossing the finish line here... I can get the fastboot page opened in the stock recovery but from there I'm lost. I dont know what to type into the command prompt, in what directory, or what.... Also when I open the command prompt in the SDK folder on the PC with fastboot in the directory and type "adb reboot bootloader" it says "device not found". Maybe (surely) that is the wrong prompt?
FWIW my phone is showing the dead android guy. I didnt do anything besides try and clear up my Play Store download list which required a reboot. The phone never started back up. I dont know how much damage was done or info was lost or whatever, but seeing as how I was rooted but still locked, I had no custom recovery. So no back ups. Is there anything to restore or am I looking at a full wipe and restore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As abnormal as it seems, your situation seems pretty normal... at least from my shoes. I went through the same scenario... I didn't know what adb was, or fastboot, etc. So, here's what I know
the fastboot commands work even if adb doesnt see it in the list of devices attached. Somehow it just works (as long as the phone is in fastboot mode).
If you're able to get to the fastboot mode, things should be okay. Just open a windows explorer window to the Platform-Tools, hold the shift key and right click on a blank space within the window, then click open command window here.
you should be able to pass any adb (if the phone is on and recognized) or fastboot (if phone is in fastboot mode) commands from that command prompt.
Also, if you have a stock recovery, CMW, or TWRP image, this is the folder to copy those .img files to. Once you get your phone into fastboot mode and its plugged into the computer, just type into the command prompt:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
If you're just looking to reboot the phone into recovery
If you have a CWM or TWRP recovery just replace the recovery.img with whatever the .img file that you have. Also, as a tip instead of writing the entire file name, just press the first couple letters then press the tab key within the command prompt, it should fill in the rest. keep pressing tab until you get to the .img file name you want.
To avoid doing this again, maybe I can help... what were you trying to do to begin with? From the sound of it, you were trying to root the phone with the Root Toolbox Pro but it bricked, and then you tried to reboot into recovery and then got the red android... ?
befrosty8612 said:
As abnormal as it seems, your situation seems pretty normal... at least from my shoes. I went through the same scenario... I didn't know what adb was, or fastboot, etc. So, here's what I know
the fastboot commands work even if adb doesnt see it in the list of devices attached. Somehow it just works (as long as the phone is in fastboot mode).
If you're able to get to the fastboot mode, things should be okay. Just open a windows explorer window to the Platform-Tools, hold the shift key and right click on a blank space within the window, then click open command window here.
you should be able to pass any adb (if the phone is on and recognized) or fastboot (if phone is in fastboot mode) commands from that command prompt.
Also, if you have a stock recovery, CMW, or TWRP image, this is the folder to copy those .img files to. Once you get your phone into fastboot mode and its plugged into the computer, just type into the command prompt:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
If you're just looking to reboot the phone into recovery
If you have a CWM or TWRP recovery just replace the recovery.img with whatever the .img file that you have. Also, as a tip instead of writing the entire file name, just press the first couple letters then press the tab key within the command prompt, it should fill in the rest. keep pressing tab until you get to the .img file name you want.
To avoid doing this again, maybe I can help... what were you trying to do to begin with? From the sound of it, you were trying to root the phone with the Root Toolbox Pro but it bricked, and then you tried to reboot into recovery and then got the red android... ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. So, all I have to do is: go to fastboot and flash a stock recovery image file and it will automatically wipe the phone, cache, everything, and restore the operating system? Sounds awfully easy! I found some stock files in this post : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2001226&page=2 Are these the ones you used before?
Last question: I can flash CWM or TWRP but wont be able to access them if my bootloader is locked, correct? So flashing a stock recovery will allow me to have my stock phone back again, locked and un-rooted? I guess if I cant get it to work with the stock recovery then I can unlock the bootloader and do a CWM or TWRP recovery and then flash the stock .img files?
Thanks again for your help. I already had root with the motofail2go method which I like using but seems like when I try and use some generic root feature from apps from the app store that it will crash/brick the phone cuz obviously those apps are generalized and likely to brick certain percentage of devices....
Ok what does this mean? Something with the bootlaoder obviously. Does it need to be unlocked?
Code:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>fastboot flash recover
y qrecovery1.img
(bootloader) Variable not supported!
target reported max download size of 31457280 bytes
sending 'recovery' (5962 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.479s]
writing 'recovery'...
(bootloader) Preflash validation failed
FAILED (remote failure)
finished. total time: 0.755s
C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>
And on the phone screen it says "invalid image size for partition recovery" twice for both times I tried this method.
You will need to flash the system image as well if you want those, as the recovery image will only flash the recovery. The files in that link are for twrp only... so you'll have to be able to get there first.
With the custom recoveries, I'm not 100% sure whether or not you will be able to use them without being unlocked. I would wait to see if anyone else can answer that question for you, but if you did try it without an unlocked bootloader, you at least have the stock recovery to fall back on if needed.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 09:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------
I'm thinking it could either be that your phone is full and the image you're flashing is too large to fit on the space available...
Or you're trying to flash custom software on a locked phone.
Hopefully someone is able to answer that a little better...
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
You can't alter the stock recovery (flash a custom recovery like twrp or cwm) in fastboot without having the bootloader unlocked. Your options are to unlock your bootloader, flash custom recovery, create a backup of your current setup, download one of the stock working backups, place it in the backups folder for twrp on your external sd card, and restore one of the known working backups in the development section (befrosty linked to one). Or you could use RSD lite to return to stock using a stock factory firmware flash. That involves connecting your phone to your PC and flashing the phone back to factory stock. Information on RSD Lite and links to the FXZ's can be found here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2095536
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app

One S dead after trying to flash CM11

Hi there,
i have a huge problem. As there was no warrenty left for my One S I thought about to change the firmware to CM11.
I have to admit that i don't have any experience in doing such things, but i thought, it couldnt go wrong if i follow a tutorial.
So at first i unlocked the bootloader via HTC website and istalled TWRP 2.7.1 (latest version). Everything went well, I placed the ROM into the phones root directory, started the recovery and then whiped it before choosing install and selected the file. After about 30 seconds the phone reported the step was successful and i pressed reboot. Then there was the HTC starting screen and then a black screen.
After that i had no reaction but the blinking buttons when i press the power button for a longer time. But it changes nothing. No normal boot. No access to fastboot. Only if i connect it to my PC there is an aditional device to see, but whitout any access.
I know I did wrong but i have no idea what or how to fix it. I hope you can help me.
ElDorado1993
Now i found a way to get access to fastboot again, but i dont really know what to do now.
Can you give me an detailed tutorial, for jelly bean or kitkat (dont matter) that is surely working now?
My main problem is that i can't copy my files into the root directory as i cant boot the phone.
Does it show up in computer connected devices?
If it does, download stock kernel and ROM and upload to phone and go into recovery[power +volume up while off] and flash them both kernel first.
Sent from my ZTE_N9511 using XDA Free mobile app
The problem is the phone wasnt ever shown as device on the pc (like a flash drive) since version 4.1 so I allways needed some tricks like airdroid. So i suppose i need adb commands to copy files and i dont have so much experience in doing this.
Do you know how to use adb?You don't need adb I just wanted to know to see if it shows up there and not on computer you simply need to install the drivers.Try holding down all 3 buttons to see if it powers down. Do what it says http://www.technewscentral.co.uk/enter-fastbootbootloader-mode-htc-one/id_7930 if works go into fast boot. Does it say locked or unlocked. If unlocked go herehttps://github.com/koush/UniversalAdbDriver and get the windows installer if your on windows.
Sent from my ZTE_N9511
I now found out how adb and fastboot are working, but the main problem now is, that it says the sdcard cant be mounted. I tried this tutorial http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25557817#post25850720 but i dont know how to do the first step. Du i need an extra file and where do i get it from and how to use it. As long as i dont get back this access, i couldnt install any OS. I tried also sideload. It was able to copy but cant install because of the missing sdcard access.
I hope you can help me to become my phone running again.
Go here http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xWmnHwkDrKk but first type adb devices in cmd. If it shows ur HTC type adb shell and and type mount sdcard next to the "#" once it appears although you should be using the fastboot shell not adb commands.adb should only work on a powered on device or you can use fast boot in cmd while phone is in fastboot not recovery(you did say the phone can go into fast boot right?). Just make sure you got the right drivers and both fast boot and adb. You should get Koush's Universal drivers from my previous post since some phones have multiple drivers and MAY cause problems with cmd. Also HTC one S doesn't have expandable storage correct?
Sent from my ZTE_N9511
Wow. Now I incidentally soft bricked my phone again if you would believe it and nothing works this time.
Have you been able to fix?
Sent from my ZTE_N9511
Okay, i forgot to write but adb and fastboot are working on my Mac. I use the Mac because Win 8.1 has the known driver problems.
I tried a lot now, but i recognized maybe the main problem. My phone is still S-ON in bootloader. For sure thats the problem. Do I need to get rid of it and how do I do. The tutorial i used hasn't mentioned this step, maybe the person was still S-OFF.
The first thing i try now is to flash the original recovery, lock the bootloader and execute the original signed RUU to get back the original software first. Im going on holiday on tuesday and it would be a pitty without the phone. When I get it working i will leave it, and thy it again, when I'm back. Otherwise.......****
Use this tutorialhttp://htc-one.wonderhowto.com/how-to/fix-soft-bricked-htc-one-by-flashing-new-rom-via-adb-0154361/unless its the one you used already. From boot loader you were supposed to have gone to fastboot.boot loader has to be unlocked.From fast boot you flash TWRP.IMG which happens to have a special adb side load feature under advanced options. There you upload another ROM and kernel.here is the full list of supported devices as I don't know what variant or carrier you havehttp://teamw.in/twrp_view_all_devicesAlso, a stock kernel is optional but it always seems to fix my problems.
Sent from my ZTE_N9511
Thank you. But I already did it like this. The issue is, than after using sideload successfully the installation fails because of the known "unable to mount storage" text. And i don't know what to do wrong.
Like I already said, my phone is still S-ON, but can this make a difference?
Now i got it to bring the stock ROM running again, and as I'm on holiday for a few days I'm happy it is working again.
But one thing is left. It seems like there is no 3G/HSDPA connection now, only EDGE. I dont know what went wrong. Did you hear about this problem.
By the way, my phone is the standalone version whithout any provider.
Search the forums about edge only. There is a huge thread on this.

[Completed] Recovery mode is gone, Factory mode is gone, help me XDA you're my only hope...

So here is a string of steps I've already been through in trying to save my bricked Nexus 6: [Can't post outside link yet...]
Basically I got the 'your phone is corrupt' message from google and it kept forcibly shutting down. It would not boot up so someone suggested I side load a rescue OTA. At this point recovery existed and I went through all the steps and had it installing, only to fail mid-way through (~52%) and give me a 'read error' on my command prompt. I started the whole process over again just fine and it got to 73% before 'read error' failing again. I thought no big deal, I'll just keep doing this until it gets to 100%. Nope, recovery is gone. I cannot get there anymore. I start into Fastboot mode and scroll to recovery and hit power and it just goes to a new Fastboot screen and keeps flashing every time I try to select it. The Bootloader logs give me a 'failed to validate boot image: ret=-1' message and says 'Boot up failed.'
I can't find a single guide online that doesn't require recovery mode to work. At this point I don't care about my data and just want to get this phone working again before I throw in the towel and pay Motorola $175 for a refurb. I'm just barely over a year too. The Nexus 'expert' gave up and blamed the memory and maybe he is right but I wanted to run this by you guys first. This phone was completely stock and unrooted.
The only reason why I feel there is still a chance is because when I connect USB my computer reads it as an Android Device in Device Manager with 'Android Bootloader Interface' as a sub device. If the computer can read it, isn't there a chance that some kind of software exists that can forcibly load a new bootloader onto this phone without recovery? I'm 'competent' with computers and android phones but I haven't rooted or done any custom stuff in years so I'm at a loss for what's out there.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me, even if it's to tell me I'm SOL.
Ok so far I have tried to load a custom recovery but that requires an unlocked bootloader. Then I tried using a toolkit to flash stock as a soft-bricked device but that also requires an unlocked bootloader and I can't unlock the damn bootloader. You know, I thought I was just playing it safe by leaving this phone as-is instead of playing around with it but it looks like I screwed myself by doing so.
Is this the wrong forum for this question?
JQ3 said:
Is this the wrong forum for this question?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the delay
We have a dedicated help section for your device here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/help
Ask there to receive help
Good luck

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