Hey guys,
I have a buddy who has a Nexus S (GSM on Tmo) on 4.0.4 and he has never rooted. I'm vary familiar with the process of rooting/installing ROMs as I have a Galaxy S (Captivate).
Here's the problem. He recently upgraded to 4.0.4 from 4.0.3. After about a few weeks of doing so, his power button just stopped working. I've been looking around and this has been reported to be possible a hardware issue. We've seen some reports that this has happened to a few other people after upgrading to 4.0.4.
Now, one of the possible/temporary fixes people have mentioned would be to clear the dalvik cache. Well, we cannot do this as the power button is broken.
Really, I'm just trying to find a way to unlock the bootloader and or root it without using a power button. There was a guide that was feasible when using 4.0.3 as their was a one-click root without using the power button. That doesn't seem to be the case for 4.0.4, at least what I've seen.
So, in short. Is there a way to root or unlock the bootloader without a power button? Or is it possible to remap the power button to the search button in 4.0.4 so you can use it in recovery? I know this may be a longshot as the software to remap is in the Android OS and wouldn't be running when in recovery.
I'm starting to run out of ideas... hoping someone might be able to chime in and get us going in the right direction.
Thank you.
When my power button gave out I downloaded FIX BROKEN POWER BUTTON and TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. Neither one remedied the issue (had to send it in to get main circuit board replaced), but by using the combination of both apps together, I was able to turn on and off my screen easily at least
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1589251
That being said, I had a similar problem, and ended up having to send my phone to Samsung for a repair, so maybe it IS a hardware problem?
take a look at this,http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1524858 you can find solutions to do lot of tasks that require the power button, including remaping the search key to be your power button.
TheUnlockr.com (appears to be not working right now) has a great guide specifically for the Nexus S. You can use fastboot/adb commands to reboot into fastboot mode, unlock the phone using fastboot, root, flash, etc.. Just search fastboot commands on google. All you have to do is install the android sdk, download the platform-tools, and install PDA-Net driver.
If you remove the battery, the phone will shut off. Once you replace the battery can you turn on the phone with the power button? That's how you'll find out if it's a hardware issue. Of course if it is, you won't be able to power it back up.
Poriotis said:
If you remove the battery, the phone will shut off. Once you replace the battery can you turn on the phone with the power button? That's how you'll find out if it's a hardware issue. Of course if it is, you won't be able to power it back up.
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Click to collapse
Lol! if i put the battery back it gets on automatically
mayankchopra said:
Lol! if i put the battery back it gets on automatically
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Click to collapse
I have the same problem...
Now what? When I load into bootloader it gets stuck so I cant reflash using the toolkit.
Same problem for me, around the internet seems that many people have this issue. I don't think this is a hardware bug because my phone sometimes open itself the menu without long press the button and if i select "turn off" the phone doesn't do it and the screen goes blocked so I have to remove the battery and once I replace it the phone goes on. I am rooted with stock rom and kernel, does anyone have this problem with a mod rom? strange that google doesn't say anything about that, there are too many people's with the same problem...
I am also having the same problem but my phone is already rooted. How can I unroot so I can send back to Samsung?
Unrooting is as easy as just downloading an app called ES file explorer, enabling root permissions in settings, and then deleting superuser under system/app/superuser.apk and also delete the su binaries under system/bin/su and also che k in xbin as well.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Related
Hey guys,
I wondering if anyone could help me out?
My problem is that my phone isn't allowing me to start into Recovery mode. I take out the battery and re-insert it, then hold the Volume down + Power button, but it just normally boots the phone. What's frustrating me is that the first couple times I attempted it, it worked, and now all of a sudden it doesn't. I've had other Android phones, and I've never had a problem like this. So, any help would be grealy appreciated. Thanks!
Can you get in recovery from ROM manager?
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
I dont know if the same thing that happened to you, but but I was having the same issue. I'm used to my G1 just barely holding down home and power, with the Sensation I had to hold down vol and power for like 15 secs.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Gregree said:
Hey guys,
I wondering if anyone could help me out?
My problem is that my phone isn't allowing me to start into Recovery mode. I take out the battery and re-insert it, then hold the Volume down + Power button, but it just normally boots the phone. What's frustrating me is that the first couple times I attempted it, it worked, and now all of a sudden it doesn't. I've had other Android phones, and I've never had a problem like this. So, any help would be grealy appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go into Settings -> Power and disable the Fastboot option. That is what is preventing you from booting into Recovery. You also will want to enable ADB Debugging under Settings -> Applications -> Development
You could also try the other way by going into the bootloader then into the recovery.
Whilst the phone is on, reboot the phone. Once the screen turns off, hold the volume down button for a while until the bootloader screen pops up. Select the option to load recovery. I've been doing it this way.
Now that I think about it, maybe there's a way to skip straight to recovery instead of bootloader =\
It worked! Thank you guys for your help!
Damn, I used to know all this stuff, too. I didn't think it's been that long since I've tried to mess with any Android device. Errr
But anyways, thanks, again!
@ op, glad ppl helped u bt u should prolly hit 'em thanks buttons when u get help
Sent by my feau gee
Well I have a problem. My SNS's power button broke as if its getting pressed down all the time (powers on when i put in battery). Anyway I thought it might be a software problem so i was going to install a CM9 rom just seeing what that would do. I load up ClockworkMod via rom manager and use the search button instead of the broken power button and do a complete wipe of eveything. Once i was done and was going to install CM9 Clockworkmod said something like "search button disabled" so i couldn't select anything. Anyway I thought if I Remove the batttery and put it back in would be a good idea and then load up Clockworkmod and flash CM9.... but it wasnt. I forgot my power button is broken so i cant do anything at the Fastboot screen, I cant even use the Volume Buttons. So my next choice was use the Android SDK and hopefully flash a rom with adb. Sadly that wont work becuase my coputer will not recognise my phone at all. so im stumped on a phone stuck on either google screen or a frozen fastboot. Any ideas?
Take phone apart and try to free up the power button?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
Rem3Dy said:
Take phone apart and try to free up the power button?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The button isnt stuck. Its broken. It still clicks when i press it down but the phone recognises it as always pressed down. And taking it apart is pretty darn complicated because I need to take the screen off aswell.
Hello..
Any idea I can use volume button as power button??
My power button now broken..
I already tried anyunlock and fix power button broken but It cant solve my problems..maybe not compatible with ICS I think...
I want to flash CM9 but I cant root my phone without using power button...
anyone???
Try to open the cm9.zip with rom manager
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
devgee said:
Try to open the cm9.zip with rom manager
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then??after that???
The rom pre installation dialog will come up and ask you for various options like wipe dalvik cache
And then just click OK
But I can't guarantee you that this will work!!
How did you broke your power button
Sent from my Full Android on Crespo using xda premium
I know of a method to remap your Power key to one of the volume keys, and one of the volume keys to the Search key. However, this remapping only sticks when the phone is booted into ICS. AFAIK the remapping won't help you once you're in the bootloader and trying to access recovery. It also requires root, which you said you don't have...
If you're still interested in this, PM me, and I'll edit this post with the aforementioned method.
devgee said:
The rom pre installation dialog will come up and ask you for various options like wipe dalvik cache
And then just click OK
But I can't guarantee you that this will work!!
How did you broke your power button
Sent from my Full Android on Crespo using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh??I dont know....woke up from sleep...I cant use anymore..so sad..nexus s super fast phone
mine just crapped out too! what rom/kernel were you using? I recently installed pixie's and glados. The weird thing is that I can turn on the phone using the power button, but once on the power button does nothing.
vroomr4 said:
mine just crapped out too! what rom/kernel were you using? I recently installed pixie's and glados. The weird thing is that I can turn on the phone using the power button, but once on the power button does nothing.
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Click to collapse
all just stock....
use all wake apps from market to wake your phone using volume button..
to turn off your phone use screen off from market..
my problems right now how can I root my phone with broken power button??
al_madd said:
all just stock....
use all wake apps from market to wake your phone using volume button..
to turn off your phone use screen off from market..
my problems right now how can I root my phone with broken power button??
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Click to collapse
seems like my button just died completely. I was using stock for a while and the power button was acting up. Then I rooted and went with pixie, and this solved the power button issue. Then just yesterday it acted up again and today it was really erratic. and now it's pretty much dead. if you google "nexus s power button" you will see many people affected by this in the past few days.
i have the same problem, my power button is broken also cant bring it to the repair centre because i imported my phone. But as long as you already have clockwork recovery working properly, you can do pretty much anything: installing custom roms etc etc, in normal usage i use the app "fix broken power button" and that works flawleslly even on ICS.
and if you havent got clockwork recovery, i think there was a way to install it via adb fastboot, not sure how though....
Any idea how to root without power button??
Anyone willing to help me??
I can help
I too have a broken power button, and for me fastboot does not even work!
I have found a solution a made a script that all you need to do is launch with your PC! (credits to saurik for the exploit)
Hope this will help you
All you need to do, is run the script! Then, plug-in your phone (needs to be on with USD ADB DEBUG ON) and done!
You can download it here: http://www.mediafire.com/?qhefhtgs20fdtsd
This will root your phone, and then you can afterwards flash ClockworkMod from the market and then reboot into recovery =)
A work of advice though, make sure to install CyanogenMod7 which has an option to unlock with volume button!
Peace be with you
Hey community! I have my girlfriend's MT4GS in hand. She wants to factory reset it but cannot remember the pin code for the factory reset. She called me to ask for help and I tried to walk her through the volume down+power method of reaching hboot to factory reset from there. It wasn't happening and I figured user error. The next day I tried it myself and it isn't working. I used to own the MT4GS and have used this method over a hundred times quite literally. I have been to Youtube just to be certain I was doing it right since it has been over a year since I personally owned a Slide.
It isn't working. I'm thinking maybe something is wrong with the power button although the power button functions otherwise. The volume down button functions otherwise as well. I am stumped.
My question is, is there a software method to enter hboot? The phone is stock GB, it is not rooted and I assume it is S-ON.
Any help? Much, much thanks in advance to all the geniuses in the community! I hope there is an answer.
adb reboot bootloader
or in a terminal
reboot bootloader
might need to grant superuser permissions in terminal cant remember... so yeah...
Did you pull the battery before trying the volume down+power combo?
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk 2
Superuser permissions means you're already rooted right. Like I said, this phone is not. That adb method can't be used without root can it?
As for pulling the battery, I have done tried it many times now. The problem lies elsewhere.
Hmm...any other ideas? Can I answer any questions to clarify anything. I'm stumped.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Yeah terminal reboot you need to be rooted but you don't with adb, just turn debbuging on
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Thanks friend! I will try that when home from work!
Ok, adb worked to access the bootloader. You can't factory reset from the bootloader until it is unlocked. I tried to unlock it but the damn power button has foiled me again. I get to the point in the booloader unlock process where you must select "Yes" or "No" to unlock the bootloader and then confirm that by pressing the power button. The power button press doesn't seem to be working (consistent with the problem of the power button not working to enter the bootloader). Is there a known workaround to unlocking the bootloader without pressing the power button. This seems a stretch to me, but I thought I'd ask.
I'm in adb with the entire process done with the exception of this power button press to continue part which I cannot do apparently. Might it be useful to disassemble the phone and mess with the power button?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
so power button functions as it should all the rest of time? then opening it up to clean may not do much but unfortunately i cant think of any other way to select an option in the bootloader screen nor a work around to the unlocking process.
well maybe if you boot to download mode and follow the debricking process? just a suggestion i have no idea if it will help as ive never done it but i believe you can flash over current bootloader hopefully fixing your issue, that is if its firmware and not hardware causing the problem
SEE HERE
Can you access recovery? Can you use adb reboot recovery I think in stock recovery or cwm you can use the trackpad to factory reset
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk 2
did you try to turn off fast boot?
Running CM 10.1, 06/08 Nightly
I did search the threads and google, but could not find any posts about a phone that works normally except for download and recovery.
Problems:
1. Can't boot into recovery (via apps, power menu, or manually). It gets to the boot logo, and then blank screen and resets. It will keep resetting trying to go into recovery (a battery pull will put it back to normal).
2. Can't stay in download mode. When I put the phone in download mode, it turns off after a couple seconds. I can't ODIN it if it keeps turning off.
3. Power button doesn't work properly (sometimes it works, most of the times it doesn't). Example: I press the power button to close the screen. No response. A few minutes later I might press it, and the screen will close, but come back on and this time with power menu. I took out the button to verify that it wasn't stuck, and tried pressing the actual button inside the phone with the stick. I can feel it click, but it still has the same problems. Pretty sure it's not a stuck button.
What's working:
-Everything else. If I let the phone boot normally, it loads perfectly fine and into cyanogenmod. No issues with voice/data, any apps, or instability. No battery issue. No lag. No crashes. The only issue is with the power button, and my inability to boot into recovery or go into download mode.
History:
-I was experiencing a random reboot problem (and power button issue) from an earlier nightly, and I waited a couple months for a more stable version. The CWM recovery for some reason only worked sometimes. When I did get it to work, I flashed RC5 (format and wipe data, dalvik, cache, factory reset, etc.), which fixed my reboot problem, but not my power button.
-I came across this thread: at plus.google(.com)104277415207525128383/posts/iAVpVPYqMtM and updated the radio, even though the RC5 fixed my random reboot.
-I did try flashing CWM, TWRP, and Stock recoveries (the latest ones, and from CWM/EZ recovery apps), but have not tried CWM Touch. It doesn't seem to matter, it won't boot into recovery.
Perceived Solution:
-I have a plan with Best Buy - I am considering smashing the phone and getting it replaced with a refurb, but would like to avoid that if possible.
Anyone have any ideas? I am okay with the phone as is, but I would like to be able to update CM or to another ROM in the future
Thanks for helping me out!
Can you get into recovey just long enough to do a system wipe?
Sent from my Rooted Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 using xda premium
DarkMenace said:
Can you get into recovey just long enough to do a system wipe?
Sent from my Rooted Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for responding; It doesn't boot into recovery at all. Right after holding Vol. Up, Menu + Power, I get the screen with the small text in the corner, so you know it's going to enter recovery. Then the logo appears, except after that the phone either hangs with a blank screen, shuts off, or resets itself.
I think something got corrupted, but I'm not sure how to find out what, or what steps I could take to fix it.
phospholipid1 said:
Thanks for responding; It doesn't boot into recovery at all. Right after holding Vol. Up, Menu + Power, I get the screen with the small text in the corner, so you know it's going to enter recovery. Then the logo appears, except after that the phone either hangs with a blank screen, shuts off, or resets itself.
I think something got corrupted, but I'm not sure how to find out what, or what steps I could take to fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately if you can't get into the recovery mode or the Odin mode then you would need to replace the phone. It's bricked.
DarkMenace said:
Unfortunately if you can't get into the recovery mode or the Odin mode then you would need to replace the phone. It's bricked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response.
Yeah, that's what I thought. I've never really heard or seen someone with a "functionally bricked" phone, so I'm not sure what to do.
Before I go ahead and smash it for the insurance replacement, I want to see if anyone else has any ideas..
Like I said, the phone boots normally just fine. Is there some kind of app that can flash files? Or maybe some commands I can enter in the terminal emulator?
phospholipid1 said:
Thanks for the response.
Yeah, that's what I thought. I've never really heard or seen someone with a "functionally bricked" phone, so I'm not sure what to do.
Before I go ahead and smash it for the insurance replacement, I want to see if anyone else has any ideas..
Like I said, the phone boots normally just fine. Is there some kind of app that can flash files? Or maybe some commands I can enter in the terminal emulator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried Odin Mobile Pro? I've never used it myself, but I've heard a lot of good things about from some friends.
It sounds to me like a faulty power button, it isn't hardbricked because your phone is able to boot into recovery and download mode. But If for some reason your power button is stuck in the on position, it will skip booting into recovery and eventually boot out of download mode. Just because the power button physically moves and clicks doesn't mean it can't get stuck, there's obviously something funny going on with it that isn't rom/kernel regulated.
You can try terminal emulator to see if it will work, but I honestly wouldn't do anything in any menu because your phone has the potential to reboot during a process and destroy your phone. Commands are:
su
reboot recovery
su
reboot download
If it's a power button issue, best buy should replace it anyways, you shouldn't have to smash it. Samsung will also fix it under your manufacturer warranty despite it being rooted.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks for responding, guys
rellomar said:
Have you tried Odin Mobile Pro? I've never used it myself, but I've heard a lot of good things about from some friends.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I did. This brings me back into download mode, at which the phone just turns off.
BadUsername said:
It sounds to me like a faulty power button, it isn't hardbricked because your phone is able to boot into recovery and download mode. But If for some reason your power button is stuck in the on position, it will skip booting into recovery and eventually boot out of download mode. Just because the power button physically moves and clicks doesn't mean it can't get stuck, there's obviously something funny going on with it that isn't rom/kernel regulated.
You can try terminal emulator to see if it will work, but I honestly wouldn't do anything in any menu because your phone has the potential to reboot during a process and destroy your phone. Commands are:
su
reboot recovery
su
reboot download
If it's a power button issue, best buy should replace it anyways, you shouldn't have to smash it. Samsung will also fix it under your manufacturer warranty despite it being rooted.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the commands; they ended up just shutting the phone off.
Yeah, I did ponder the idea that even though the power button "clicked," it might not necessarily be working. I google searched "galaxy s 3 broken power button" and there was a video with a description where the guy mentioned something about the circuit always being switched "on"
But his phone experienced different symptoms than mine (because the circuit was always switched on, the phone actually restarted itself while in normal operation. This hasn't happened to me).
Is there an app for me to definitely determine which buttons are being registered as they are pressed? Similar to programs that tell you what buttons you're pressing on your keyboard.
I would take it back to Best Buy, but I just don't want to give them any reason to say it was my own fault since I rooted and put a custom ROM on it.
Haha, I'll dunk it in salt water in favor of smashing it
Thanks again for your suggestions and ideas :cyclops: