I need help with a root gone wrong - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

I have a Mytouch 4G slide that I was attempting to root. It was my first attempt in rooting, and it was less than successful.
I tried using the All In One Toolkit, and must have missed a step, cuz ow my phone wont get past 1 of two screens. I can power it on and it will hang on the splash screen. I can get into the boot/recovery menu by holding down the volume down and power button.
It shows my device is unlocked at the top.
However, I cannot get my recover to boot up from the SD card or from USB when trying to push it through with the All In One Toolkit. I have tried to put the original rom on and boot it, but I cant get it boot. Not sure if I should be trying with it named PG59IMG.IMG or if I should keep it as a zip file. Either way, it's not working.
Any and ALL help would be appreciated.
Thanks guys!

I would have someone create a dump, using the DD applet, of a working system and boot partition then use adb to write the files to your device. If that doesn't work, you could have someone simply dump mmcblk0 and use adb to write that, I don't know for a fact that's been done before, but the theory isn't bad.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

Related

HTC Evo bootloader problem

I was in the process of following the steps outlined in the [GUIDE] How to root Android 2.2 on the EVO 4G - xda-developers thread, and once I got the phone loaded to stock 2.1 (which is about 1/2 way through the process), my phone won't boot bast the bootloader. I've searched the threads for an hour now trying to find some info on how to fix this. To add to that problem, Unrevoked won't recognize the phone (even though I've thoroughly followed all instructions) so I can't get a recovery image on it to fix it easily. It only allows me into the fastboot screen and no matter how I reboot it, power it off, remove battery, etc, it immediately boots right back to the fastboot screen. Does anyone know of a fix or thread for this issue? I would greatly appreciate any help, whether it involves me restoring it back to default, or continuing with the root.
Put a PC36IMG file on the root of your SD card. It should start loading and bootloader and you will be able to boot the phone again.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
* loading in bootloader
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Nevermind this particular post, stupid question.
By the way tsipa, that fixed the issue... You are officially awesome, I was terrified for a minute thinking I messed something up.

[Q] T-Mobile Samsung Sidekick 4G - Bricked? Halp?

So, I believe I bricked my phone. I will explain in as much detail as I possibly can as to what I had done in hopes that someone can inform me of a way to save my poor Sidekick 4G.
I have rooted and installed custom ROMs on 3 other phones (T-Mobile G1, T-Mobile MyTouch Slide 3G, and a Verizon Samsung Continuum). I'm not entirely new to the process. I got a Sidekick 4G and decided to root it and attempt to get CWM on there so I could install a custom ROM. So, here is what I had done.
I used a program I believe is called SuperOneClick to gain root access to the phone. I opened up a file managing program that was also able to see root folders. I put a modified recovery.bin on the root of my SD card and used the file manager program to move and overwrite the recovery.bin in my system/bin folder. Instead of overwriting it, it just put it in there as recovery - COPY.bin. I attempted to rename it to recovery.bin and it didn't want to do it. I attempted to move recovery - COPY.bin back to my SD card and it failed. Whatever. Time to try a different file managing program. I open a new file managing program and it asks to use Bluetooth. It hangs up for about 3 minutes, at which time I went to the home screen and went back to the app. It is still hung up trying to turn on Bluetooth. I decide I should go ahead and help out, so I go back home, go to settings, and try to turn on bluetooth. It sits there and does nothing for about 3 minutes. My phone locks up, so I pull the battery out and put it back in to restart the phone.
"Dammit, Jessica. You ruined your phone." It doesn't start back up. It starts into the standard recovery mode. None of the four options available allow my phone to go past recovery.
So, super smart girl I am decides to use ODIN and try to flash stock Sidekick OS back to the phone. ODIN stops at about 10%-15% every single time and doesn't move forward. If I try to start the phone now, I don't even get recovery.
Anyone have any ideas that don't involve me throwing my phone into a rock quarry?
check if have any kies services running, or try flash in other pc
kelvyn1995 said:
check if have any kies services running, or try flash in other pc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kies services? Excuse my ignorance, but what are those?
windows task manager, processes and search for processes who have kies in the name and close it, or just try in another pc.
can u get into download mode?
Sent from my SGH-T839 using XDA App
if u can get it into download mode u the hiemdall method its on the dev of he sidekick 4g forums
I definitely can get it into download mode. When I get home from work tonight I will try this, thank you all so much! <3
no problem glad we can help. and next time u can go to the sk4g forum and you questions there. you will get a faster answer.
Sent from my SGH-T839 using XDA App
Tried a different computer. Still failure. Gonna try the hiemdall thing here in a moment.
Hiemdall failed the first time. Then I went at it a second time by flashing the bootloaders. My phone works again. Thank you all SOOOO much. <3~~
Np
Sent from my SGH-T839 using XDA App
starlitjessi said:
So, I believe I bricked my phone. I will explain in as much detail as I possibly can as to what I had done in hopes that someone can inform me of a way to save my poor Sidekick 4G.
I have rooted and installed custom ROMs on 3 other phones (T-Mobile G1, T-Mobile MyTouch Slide 3G, and a Verizon Samsung Continuum). I'm not entirely new to the process. I got a Sidekick 4G and decided to root it and attempt to get CWM on there so I could install a custom ROM. So, here is what I had done.
I used a program I believe is called SuperOneClick to gain root access to the phone. I opened up a file managing program that was also able to see root folders. I put a modified recovery.bin on the root of my SD card and used the file manager program to move and overwrite the recovery.bin in my system/bin folder. Instead of overwriting it, it just put it in there as recovery - COPY.bin. I attempted to rename it to recovery.bin and it didn't want to do it. I attempted to move recovery - COPY.bin back to my SD card and it failed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the exact same thing up until that part. I had overwritten it, and rebooted the phone and attempted to install a custom rom. When i did so I had a robotic woman voice repeating "Convert system partition; System unavailable."
I googled that error, and found someone saying to use odin one click, and the one click I used apparently was for a different type of phone. And to make matters even worse, I unplugged my phone before it was completely finished, believing it had already finished. Now, when power is applied to my phone, (plugged into the computer, holding power button) All it does is make the screen light up a bit. I dont get a logo, i cant put it into download mode, I cant do anything, whatsoever. Any help?

Verifying my Glacier is Bricked

I have followed all of the procedures to reload my phone stuch on the splash screen, but have had no luck. Before I dispose of the phone, as it is in mint condition, I want to be sure there is no other options to update / reformat the bootloader
1. I have loaded the image for 2.2.1 AND 2.3.4 MULTIPLE TIMES
2. I have cleared the Cache's and no change
3. status on bootloader shows
GLACIAER PVT SHIP S-ON
HBOOT-09.0006
MICROP-0429
RADIO-26.13.04.19_M
eMMC-BOOT
Jul 15 2011, 16:45:17
I guess the last hope since th reloading the original images did not work is to reload / format the bootloader using ADB, but I believe that I have the wrong HBoot.
Is the phone eMMC bad and the phone bricked or is there something else to try?
johnmbailey said:
I have followed all of the procedures to reload my phone stuch on the splash screen, but have had no luck. Before I dispose of the phone, as it is in mint condition, I want to be sure there is no other options to update / reformat the bootloader
1. I have loaded the image for 2.2.1 AND 2.3.4 MULTIPLE TIMES
2. I have cleared the Cache's and no change
3. status on bootloader shows
GLACIAER PVT SHIP S-ON
HBOOT-09.0006
MICROP-0429
RADIO-26.13.04.19_M
eMMC-BOOT
Jul 15 2011, 16:45:17
I guess the last hope since th reloading the original images did not work is to reload / format the bootloader using ADB, but I believe that I have the wrong HBoot.
Is the phone eMMC bad and the phone bricked or is there something else to try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you try to flash PDwhatever.IMG, what does it tell you?
Glacier locked at Mytouch logo, without image load errors
THEindian said:
When you try to flash PDwhatever.IMG, what does it tell you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not give any errors after flashing to 2.3.4, as it loads, verifies, then asks to load. It then successfully loads all pieces of the image, only to reboot to the same Mytouch logo screen.
When I use recovery, it can't mount anything, and when I wipe the Cache, it give arror that Ext3 is not compatible.
I reboot and factory restore in recovery, and gives the Ext3 compatibility message and can't mount anything.
I never receive any image loading errors, but I cannot load the 2.2.1 image, as it never give me a chance to say 'yes' to loading it.
If it doesn't work, care to sell it? I need a back and home button for mine lol
I also think my volume buttons will be gone soon, their starting to stick
Sent from my Dark Unicorn Resurrected v.2.5 using xda premium
siloner said:
If it doesn't work, care to sell it? I need a back and home button for mine lol
I also think my volume buttons will be gone soon, their starting to stick
Sent from my Dark Unicorn Resurrected v.2.5 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is in Mint Condition, so I hoped to resurrect it if at all possible, but if it is not possible I definitely will be selling it whole or in part.
johnmbailey said:
It does not give any errors after flashing to 2.3.4, as it loads, verifies, then asks to load. It then successfully loads all pieces of the image, only to reboot to the same Mytouch logo screen.
When I use recovery, it can't mount anything, and when I wipe the Cache, it give arror that Ext3 is not compatible.
I reboot and factory restore in recovery, and gives the Ext3 compatibility message and can't mount anything.
I never receive any image loading errors, but I cannot load the 2.2.1 image, as it never give me a chance to say 'yes' to loading it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats really weird because usually if the emmc is dead, the image doesn't load completely in the bootloader. Have you tried calling tmo and telling them about your predicament? I know you are over warrenty but they might still help.
Glacier Stuck on Splash, now on StraightTalk service
THEindian said:
Thats really weird because usually if the emmc is dead, the image doesn't load completely in the bootloader. Have you tried calling tmo and telling them about your predicament? I know you are over warrenty but they might still help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am now on Straight Talk, so I no longer have a TMobile account to call about. My PAygo ended on Sunday with them.
Can I load anything from ADB with this version of the HBoot / Bootloader? Does the Ext3 mean it had a newer Rom, so I need to change to a supported type using ADB? IT almost looked like the Ext3 format was causing the problem. This also might be a red flag to support if it was not on a factory format. I inherited the phone, so I do not know the history.
Since it never finished booting, is there any way to use the original HTC.exe programs that install the RUU image?
Why are you s-on? Shouldn't you be s-off if you want to install a rom??
Have you tried rooting method again? As far as i know using the gfree method should not give you this issue,
Sent from my Arrows Z using xda app-developers app
Mytouuch 4g - stuck at splash screee
I bought phone from CL. As I suspected previous owner tried to mod the phone. It loads to splash screen. I can get into bootloader but can not select RECOVERY or FACTORY RESET. I tried the PD15IMG.ZIP but when i extracted hboot is 0.89 (and the following happens):
***LOCKED***
GLACIER PVT SHIP S-ON
HBOOT-0.90.0000
MICROP-0429
RADIO-26.13.04.19_M
eMMC-boot
PD15DIAG.ZIP
no image
PD15DIAG.nbh
no image
Main Version is older!
Update Fail!
Press<power> to reboot
I think i need the IMG that pertains to the HBOOT.
HELP PLEASE
Thank you all
Glacier is Stuch at Splash, so what are options after reloading img?
NeuroticallyYou said:
Why are you s-on? Shouldn't you be s-off if you want to install a rom??
Have you tried rooting method again? As far as i know using the gfree method should not give you this issue,
Sent from my Arrows Z using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is stuck at the splash, so what options do I have that load from SD or USB at the 'Stuck' splash or 'Bootloader'? Can I use the HTC EXE programs to reload the phone or do they require a 'fully booted' phone? Is there any way to load the engineered hboot / bootloader so that I can have ADB options?
johnmbailey said:
The phone is stuck at the splash, so what options do I have that load from SD or USB at the 'Stuck' splash or 'Bootloader'? Can I use the HTC EXE programs to reload the phone or do they require a 'fully booted' phone? Is there any way to load the engineered hboot / bootloader so that I can have ADB options?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok let's calm down and not panic, something similar happened to me when i started rooting my first MT4G, did you try to root the phone? if not i will suggest you to do that with the cyanogenmod guide HERE but before you follow the guide try to boot into bootloader by shutting the phone down, leave it off for like 10 seconds then turn it on by pressing the power button+volume down key, you will enter into bootloader usually you will see 3 androis at the bottom of the screen on skateboards if you don't see that but instead the phone keeps booting into splash screen then try again until you enter bootloader, wihle in bootloader you need to tell me what options you get and what options are enabled, since you can't mount the SD card you will have to get an adapter to download all software needed on the SD card(remember you have to remove the sd card from the phone since you can't mount it). Proceed with the guide until you install a custom rom like CyanogenMod 7.
this type of errors can be reproduced easily for example on a rooted phone wipe the phone completely and reboot, the phone will do exactly the same your phone is doing another thing is i don't know what is this HTC.exe program you are talking about everything is done with the android SDK so before doing everything in the guide you need to download and isntall the android SDK.
it seems like the previous person tried to root but instead messed up the phone system, probably corrupted? like i said i have reproduced the same behaviour on my MT4G many times and by now i don't freak out like it was the first time, the thing that have saved me is the rooting guide, i know by experience that you CAN'T install a rom or anything if you are S-ON.
Bootloader options on Glacier Stuck at bootloader
NeuroticallyYou said:
ok let's calm down and not panic, something similar happened to me when i started rooting my first MT4G, did you try to root the phone? if not i will suggest you to do that with the cyanogenmod guide HERE but before you follow the guide try to boot into bootloader by shutting the phone down, leave it off for like 10 seconds then turn it on by pressing the power button+volume down key, you will enter into bootloader usually you will see 3 androis at the bottom of the screen on skateboards if you don't see that but instead the phone keeps booting into splash screen then try again until you enter bootloader, wihle in bootloader you need to tell me what options you get and what options are enabled, since you can't mount the SD card you will have to get an adapter to download all software needed on the SD card(remember you have to remove the sd card from the phone since you can't mount it). Proceed with the guide until you install a custom rom like CyanogenMod 7.
this type of errors can be reproduced easily for example on a rooted phone wipe the phone completely and reboot, the phone will do exactly the same your phone is doing another thing is i don't know what is this HTC.exe program you are talking about everything is done with the android SDK so before doing everything in the guide you need to download and isntall the android SDK.
it seems like the previous person tried to root but instead messed up the phone system, probably corrupted? like i said i have reproduced the same behaviour on my MT4G many times and by now i don't freak out like it was the first time, the thing that have saved me is the rooting guide, i know by experience that you CAN'T install a rom or anything if you are S-ON.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 2.2.1 image does not load due to 'older version' error in the bootloader, so I renamed it so that it would stop at bootloader to test working options.
Glacier pvt ship s-on
HBOOT-0.89.0006
MICROCROP-0429
RADIO-26.13.04.19_M
cMMC-boot
Jul 15 2011, 16:45:17
HBOOT
FASTBOOT
RECOVERY
FACTORY RESET
SIMLOCK
IMAGE CRC
Fastboot of course works, as I am able to run the image load from SD card
REcovery works, but give the various mounting errors mentioned earlier
factory reset can be selected but does not change anything and it returns to the splash screen
I did not try simlock, as it looks irrelevant
image crc works and seems to check an image somewhere
When I select RECOVERY, Press UP Volume and Power to get past Triangle, it enters the recovery with all of the mount errors, and then the menu pops up
Androic System Recovery <3e>
Use volume .....
Select w Power....
Reboot System Now
Apply Update from SD card
Wipe data / Factory Reset
Wipe Cache Partition
Wiping DAta completes with Ext3 error, unable to mount anything, and unable to open errors, and returns to Recovery menu
Wiping Cache completes wipe with Ext3 error, unable to mount, unable to open and then reboots
Apply Update from SD Card also appears to fail
Rebooting by reason OEM
Cant mount
Count open
then it reboots
From what screens can you mount the 'drive' to use with ADB? When trying to run the ADB commands, I get the error device not found, so I either am not in the correct mode on the phone or I do not have the correct drivers. When coinnectd at the splash screen, my device manafer shows a Portable Device with Drive f:\ and the details show an Android Phone, but the drive is not visible or accessible by ADB.
When I start bootloader with Hboot at USB PLUG mode, the device manage on my computer changes to Android Bootloader device, but I still get 'Device Not Found' after executing the first ADB command. I then followed the info (I think) at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881324 with no success for ADB to work, so I something must be wrong.
It seems the S-ON option is not letting you go further, if it gave you a ext3 format error most likely is because the phone can't erase or rewrite the partition needed. Now I'm no expert on the hardware part but I put my small knowledge on that it have to do with the S-ON part of the phone.
Was the phone booting up properly before? If the phone can't boot to android then you can't use adb commands(for what I know) also the fact you don't have a custom recovery image will make it hard for you reinstall android.
I can probably make some time to help you but nothing is better than having the phone so I can troubleshoot. If you want we can chat on gmail to set up a remote session? Other than that I don't see how I can help you.
Sent from my Arrrows Z using xda app-developers app
FINAL Questions on Recovering Glacier MyTouch 4g stuck at Splash
NeuroticallyYou said:
It seems the S-ON option is not letting you go further, if it gave you a ext3 format error most likely is because the phone can't erase or rewrite the partition needed. Now I'm no expert on the hardware part but I put my small knowledge on that it have to do with the S-ON part of the phone.
Was the phone booting up properly before? If the phone can't boot to android then you can't use adb commands(for what I know) also the fact you don't have a custom recovery image will make it hard for you reinstall android.
I can probably make some time to help you but nothing is better than having the phone so I can troubleshoot. If you want we can chat on gmail to set up a remote session? Other than that I don't see how I can help you.
Sent from my Arrrows Z using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the phone will not go pase the splash or bootloader / hboot.....
Questions:
1. Can the original manufacturer RUU - Rom Update Utility be downloaded somewhere and if so wouldn't it just need the phone in Bootloader mode?
2. For the ADB method, will it work with thge phone at the Bootloader screen, and if so what drivers arfe needed as the Android Bootloader ones do not work that are showing. Is these another setting beyond just the driver that needs to be set to use ADB?
3. Will a program like Odin that I used to recover my samsung image from bootloader work for these phones?
4. Does anyone have any ideas or should I just part out this Mint phone?
Please refer to previous posts for the details on what has already been tried....and what it is still doing.
johnmbailey said:
Since the phone will not go pase the splash or bootloader / hboot.....
Questions:
1. Can the original manufacturer RUU - Rom Update Utility be downloaded somewhere and if so wouldn't it just need the phone in Bootloader mode?
2. For the ADB method, will it work with thge phone at the Bootloader screen, and if so what drivers arfe needed as the Android Bootloader ones do not work that are showing. Is these another setting beyond just the driver that needs to be set to use ADB?
3. Will a program like Odin that I used to recover my samsung image from bootloader work for these phones?
4. Does anyone have any ideas or should I just part out this Mint phone?
Please refer to previous posts for the details on what has already been tried....and what it is still doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know of an external app like odin that works for our phone. Also, there are no RUU's for the Glacier, only PD15IMG.zip files.
Since Mint MyTouch 4g Phone is Bricked, how much will work for Slide Version?
I saw an old post with a broken link for an RUU that was supposed to work on the Glacier called the panache. I finally found a working link and downloaded the RUU for Gingerbread, but when I ran it it gave and error that the battery was below 30%, even though fully charged and verified with my wall charger, and 2 usb chargers and 2 different batteries. I might try a powered USB hub, but this data on battery condition might have been stored on the phone somehow? If it could get the phone to work again, then a I could always reflash with a different ROM later.
If there is no hope of recovering this Mint MyTouch 4g Stuck on the splash screen, so can parts be used on the shift / slide version such as LCD / Digitizer, push buttons, or ????
It makes me sick to tear it apart.....
Any other thoughts?
Ran into similar problem
I ran into a similar problem with a message about the version number of the recovery image being wrong. This was a few weeks ago and I didn't keep a log of exactly how I fixed it but this is what I remember:
It turned out that during an attempt to root before I knew what I was doing I had changed the version number using the guide at the link below.
http://www.androidauthority.com/mytouch-4g-t-mobile-root-custom-recovery-74465/
That error message was misleading and the problem was instead due to the fact the phone was unlocked (although mine did say so on the bootloader screen.) HTC images have apparently been created to require a locked phone to successfully load. I relocked it in Fastboot USB mode with the command "fastboot oem relock" and was able to successfully load any version number after that.
Good luck.
Hello, have you tried using a different SD card?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda app-developers app

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.

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