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[Q] Unrooting Before Shipping Back to VZW

Unfortunately, I've encountered a hardware defect on my phone...
...the dreaded power button is getting stuck and becoming virtually unusable. The VZW Tech Support is sending me a CLNR device which should be here on Friday. (Apparently, they got rid of free overnight shipping.)
I'm unrooting tonight so I can play around with the new OTA over the next couple of days.
Is there anything I need to do to the phone other than un-root it so that VZW doesn't know it was rooted, thereby avoiding any future headaches and $299 charges.
Thanks!
Drew

Just to remember to remove your sd card before sending it back. If left in by accident they can tell some of what you have been doing with your phone.

jett2314 said:
Just to remember to remove your sd card before sending it back. If left in by accident they can tell some of what you have been doing with your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah. That for me was a given. lol
I'm removing the SIM, SD card, battery and back battery cover.
If that's it then I should be set. Just trying to cover all of my bases. ya know?

CanesDrew said:
Oh yeah. That for me was a given. lol
I'm removing the SIM, SD card, battery and back battery cover.
If that's it then I should be set. Just trying to cover all of my bases. ya know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just make sure to follow the unroot process in the dev forums so you put your phone back to "stock". You want to make sure its back to "S-ON" but that's about it.
This post is infected with the 3D strain of Gingeritis

capflya said:
Just make sure to follow the unroot process in the dev forums so you put your phone back to "stock". You want to make sure its back to "S-ON" but that's about it.
This post is infected with the 3D strain of Gingeritis
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but this is not my first time un-rooting my phone. I got that part covered. Installing the official OTA now.
Good Lord it takes forever over 3G. lol

CanesDrew said:
Thanks but this is not my first time un-rooting my phone. I got that part covered. Installing the official OTA now.
Good Lord it takes forever over 3G. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You asked
Hope your new phone is better in regards to the power button issue. Mine seems to be OK... Except I keep finding its randomly shut itself off. If its not one thing its something else I guess lol
This post is infected with the 3D strain of Gingeritis

When your next phone arrives, consider using quickboot to restart/turn off the phone. Might help prevent you from going thru the same ordeal again.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

Wrong thread LOL.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt

capflya said:
You asked
Hope your new phone is better in regards to the power button issue. Mine seems to be OK... Except I keep finding its randomly shut itself off. If its not one thing its something else I guess lol
This post is infected with the 3D strain of Gingeritis
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually just got the new phone today and rooted it this evening. Everything works perfectly fine and the power button actually presses down now. lol
The only annoyance is that the speaker seems to crackle if above more than 1/2 volume. Thankfully, I can hear just fine if below that. But if it becomes too bad, I'll have to do another swap.

CanesDrew said:
Actually just got the new phone today and rooted it this evening. Everything works perfectly fine and the power button actually presses down now. lol
The only annoyance is that the speaker seems to crackle if above more than 1/2 volume. Thankfully, I can hear just fine if below that. But if it becomes too bad, I'll have to do another swap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I try to avoid sending in for replacements...they always have problems.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk!

Curious as to why you would bother unrooting software when hardware is the issue? Here's why I ask.
I buy all of my companies pcs and cell phones. If I wipe MSCRAP7 off the machine and it has a MB failure and I call the mfg and they send a new one i don't restore back to 7 why would you on the phone?

rcstilgar said:
Curious as to why you would bother unrooting software when hardware is the issue? Here's why I ask.
I buy all of my companies pcs and cell phones. If I wipe MSCRAP7 off the machine and it has a MB failure and I call the mfg and they send a new one i don't restore back to 7 why would you on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because rooting voids your warranty...

rcstilgar said:
Curious as to why you would bother unrooting software when hardware is the issue? Here's why I ask.
I buy all of my companies pcs and cell phones. If I wipe MSCRAP7 off the machine and it has a MB failure and I call the mfg and they send a new one i don't restore back to 7 why would you on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because if I don't, theres a strong risk I'll have to pay full retail for this replacement even though rooting didn't cause the hardware failure.
I'm guessing you're not rooted...
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

CanesDrew-
Love your signature. Care if I borrow it? I am a nursing student too.

emsrider said:
CanesDrew-
Love your signature. Care if I borrow it? I am a nursing student too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. Glad to know I'm not the only future male nurse on XDA. Lol
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

Phone works, but is completely screwed...

So I went to rooted stock herehttp://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1366041an d everything's just been screwed up every since, but I've been to busy to deal with it... now I'm sending it in for a warranty replacement and it's stuck...nothing will flash on cwm,I only get an error, Odin won't even detect it.. how can I get this back to stock? I need to send it soon cause I don't want to end up paying for 2 phones... thanks!
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

Aaustinnn said:
...nothing will flash on cwm,I only get an error, Odin won't even detect it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What error is it giving you in CWM? What version of CWM? In reference to Odin - do you have the drivers installed, usb debugging checked, etc.? Have you tried different usb cords/ports/computers?

I'm not at my phone right now but the cwm error was somethin bout a file missing from /data... I literally just rooted and flashed tweaked to the refurbed one they sent me and all is well, the old one won't be detected in any way by my computer tho n it's been doing funny **** every since I left eclipse.. I know it's not the computer or hardware, but any attempt to flash on cwm OR Odin results in failure.. should I even worry since it looks like stock anyway? Lol idk if they really check at Verizon..
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

Aaustinnn said:
I'm not at my phone right now but the cwm error was somethin bout a file missing from /data... I literally just rooted and flashed tweaked to the refurbed one they sent me and all is well, the old one won't be detected in any way by my computer tho n it's been doing funny **** every since I left eclipse.. I know it's not the computer or hardware, but any attempt to flash on cwm OR Odin results in failure.. should I even worry since it looks like stock anyway? Lol idk if they really check at Verizon..
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh yes they check. Dont you think that if you know how to do this then their techs would too. I can tell you that is the first thing they look for. If they determine your phone is rooted you WILL receive a bill for full retail price.

While I would agree is there proof of it happening irl? I personally would raise hell if they did to me. I bought the charge at full price because of the possibility of loosing unlimited. It went from flagship phone to abandoned before my contract was done. Luckily I had an upgrade to burn and got a S3 but even then they pulled the locked bootloader ****. I know why, to keep people buying devices but they really like to treat their customers like ****

Farabomb said:
While I would agree is there proof of it happening irl? I personally would raise hell if they did to me. I bought the charge at full price because of the possibility of loosing unlimited. It went from flagship phone to abandoned before my contract was done. Luckily I had an upgrade to burn and got a S3 but even then they pulled the locked bootloader ****. I know why, to keep people buying devices but they really like to treat their customers like ****
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, development is exploding as I type. They have working cm10. Lil buggy but come on 2 weeks? Bootloader is no issue to those devs. Not even irl. It's cracked.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

bairste said:
Uh yes they check. Dont you think that if you know how to do this then their techs would too. I can tell you that is the first thing they look for. If they determine your phone is rooted you WILL receive a bill for full retail price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't check every device.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

ilovesoad said:
They don't check every device.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's what I understood. I just didn't want to take the chance to. Btw, I finally figured out to busy do a restore(which I'd never done before) and it was detected good as new, flashed ep4d or p stock with the pit and everything seems good.. anything left to do now before I send it in?
Thanks everyone :]
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

HELP PLEASE! Kernel Problems

I recently flashed a new CM10 kernel called LeanKernel. At least I tried to, it did not install all the way and after I rebooted my phone did not turn on did not respond to anything. If anyone can help me that would be great. I am not to sure whether to call this a soft or a hard brick. I can't get to CWM and/or download mode. Plugging it in to my computer doesn't help it spams my computer with a format message. I don't know what to do and I appreciate any help anyone can give me.
I also forgot to say that I tried to charge it but nothing shows up on screen i dont know if it even charges. But my battery was at 65% before me phone stopped booting.
Thanks in advance.

You flashed a kernel that was not for your phone. It's brick city. Read and understand what you're doing before flashing things.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks
xcrazydx said:
You flashed a kernel that was not for your phone. It's brick city. Read and understand what you're doing before flashing things.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I accidentally flashed the wrong kernel on my computer. I feel pretty dumb doing that too. I was just hoping a possible way to fix but I think that's not really possible.

otrumbore said:
Thanks for the reply. I accidentally flashed the wrong kernel on my computer. I feel pretty dumb doing that too. I was just hoping a possible way to fix but I think that's not really possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, jtag for $50 or send to Samsung and they will probably fix it free.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks for the Reply
xcrazydx said:
Sure, jtag for $50 or send to Samsung and they will probably fix it free.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But its rooted so i don't know if they will fix it.

otrumbore said:
But its rooted so i don't know if they will fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it won't turn on they can't tell.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

otrumbore said:
But its rooted so i don't know if they will fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's hard-bricked (it is), they'll either force it into download mode and restore to stock from there, or just mail you a refurb. They'll never know.

Thanks for the replies
xcrazydx said:
If it won't turn on they can't tell.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T.J. Bender said:
If it's hard-bricked (it is), they'll either force it into download mode and restore to stock from there, or just mail you a refurb. They'll never know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the replies. Yeah i guess it makes sense to do that, but I talked to AT&T and I might have the chance to upgrade without having to pay for the early termination. I think I might pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. I don't know yet. What do you guys think, fix this phone or upgrade!

otrumbore said:
Thanks for the replies. Yeah i guess it makes sense to do that, but I talked to AT&T and I might have the chance to upgrade without having to pay for the early termination. I think I might pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. I don't know yet. What do you guys think, fix this phone or upgrade!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either way, why not send it in for warranty repair/replacement? I've got the Note 2 on pre-order and am keeping my Skyrocket, because the Note 2 is an entirely different beast.
If you're going to keep the Skyrocket (whether you get the Note 2 or not), why not warranty it? If you're going to sell the Skyrocket, you'd probably want to make sure it works before you put it on eBay, right? If you're going to throw your $600, one-year-old Skyrocket in the trash without even trying to save it, go ahead and mail it to me instead! lol

T.J. Bender said:
Either way, why not send it in for warranty repair/replacement? I've got the Note 2 on pre-order and am keeping my Skyrocket, because the Note 2 is an entirely different beast.
If you're going to keep the Skyrocket (whether you get the Note 2 or not), why not warranty it? If you're going to sell the Skyrocket, you'd probably want to make sure it works before you put it on eBay, right? If you're going to throw your $600, one-year-old Skyrocket in the trash without even trying to save it, go ahead and mail it to me instead! lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't ever throw something like that away. Especially since I know that its hard bricked, but nothing is wrong with the hardware. I will probably go through with the warranty, and use my old crappy iPhone :crying: until my Note II comes if I get it.

Why would this happen all at once?

So outta nowhere my headset speakers fail to work. I can't hear anything in a call unless I'm on speaker phone. The keys on my keyboard won't light. And the notification led doesn't light up for text or when charging anymore. I was running newsense and switched to a different rom to see if that was the problem but it wasn't.
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk 2

toast1224 said:
So outta nowhere my headset speakers fail to work. I can't hear anything in a call unless I'm on speaker phone. The keys on my keyboard won't light. And the notification led doesn't light up for text or when charging anymore. I was running newsense and switched to a different rom to see if that was the problem but it wasn't.
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do an RUU back to stock (don't do the OTA), if that doesn't work it is a hardware issue. All those problems at once? Sounds like it got wet, not saying it did, but you don't usually see that many problems pop at once without something major happening. Good luck.

bilgerryan said:
Do an RUU back to stock (don't do the OTA), if that doesn't work it is a hardware issue. All those problems at once? Sounds like it got wet, not saying it did, but you don't usually see that many problems pop at once without something major happening. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had 3 shifts ear pieces all go out the same day. All had different owners across 2 accounts. So yeah that was the end of dealing with sprint lol
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk 2

strapped365 said:
I had 3 shifts ear pieces all go out the same day. All had different owners across 2 accounts. So yeah that was the end of dealing with sprint lol
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ear piece on mine has always been kinda wonky on mine, it doesn't wanna switch between speaker and ear piece.

bilgerryan said:
The ear piece on mine has always been kinda wonky on mine, it doesn't wanna switch between speaker and ear piece.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My speedy has taken serious beatings throughout this year I've had it lol The only thing wrong with it was a wonky flex cable like 2 weeks ago, but other than that everything works like brand new. :thumbup:
Sent from my PG06100 using xda app-developers app

jesuscash said:
My speedy has taken serious beatings throughout this year I've had it lol The only thing wrong with it was a wonky flex cable like 2 weeks ago, but other than that everything works like brand new. :thumbup:
Sent from my PG06100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not as fortunate, I also have a dead spot on the top quarter of my screen and it is getting annoying rotating my screen all the time to use the basic functions of my phone, nothing against the Shift at all but I can't wait to upgrade.

bilgerryan said:
I'm not as fortunate, I also have a dead spot on the top quarter of my screen and it is getting annoying rotating my screen all the time to use the basic functions of my phone, nothing against the Shift at all but I can't wait to upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get a deadspot that comes and goes lol whenever I decide to take it to sprint it goes away and comes back a few weeks later.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

bilgerryan said:
Do an RUU back to stock (don't do the OTA), if that doesn't work it is a hardware issue. All those problems at once? Sounds like it got wet, not saying it did, but you don't usually see that many problems pop at once without something major happening. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are you saying try unrooting an re rooting again? Just wanted to make sure that's what you're saying first. And no, its hasn't been near water and I have the ottetbox case on it. This is my original shift btw, bought brand new with contract 14 months ago. Also just wanted to add, that even though the keyboard keys don't light, my shift and fn lights still work.
edit
Anyone have a different link to the ruu file? I keep getting redirected to this "Internet vs. Hollywood" crap site.. >.<
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk 2

toast1224 said:
So are you saying try unrooting an re rooting again? Just wanted to make sure that's what you're saying first. And no, its hasn't been near water and I have the ottetbox case on it. This is my original shift btw, bought brand new with contract 14 months ago. Also just wanted to add, that even though the keyboard keys don't light, my shift and fn lights still work.
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what I would do if it was my Shift

bilgerryan said:
That is what I would do if it was my Shift
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay so I was able to unroot and go back to stock but no luck with my issues. Any other suggestions? If nothing else atleast its unrooted and i can take it into sprint >.<

toast1224 said:
Okay so I was able to unroot and go back to stock but no luck with my issues. Any other suggestions? If nothing else atleast its unrooted and i can take it into sprint >.<
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you'll have to take it back, It's not a software issue if the RUU didn't fix it.

bilgerryan said:
Sounds like you'll have to take it back, It's not a software issue if the RUU didn't fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had the same issue happen to me, for some reason the Shift is a great water magnate they apparently found some " Moisture" Build up in mine, when they came to open it up during a repair, I would keep $100.00 USD On the side just in-case you have to file an insurance claim with asurion.
Ive tried to, Unroot and back to stock, ive tried rerooting .Re-Romming and Flashing the device,
a Majority of the time issues like that are caused by the wiring in the device "Moisture" Build up and or just cause the shift wants to be a little bonkers .
But then again if your not around it, you may just luck out and get a hardware defect claim and keep 100 bucks in your pocket and two days later you get a Refurbished device ^____^ yay for you.:laugh:

I said it sounded like moisture lol:sly: Anyways, good luck... Shifts are dropping like flies round here.

Don't want to start new thread so. Will try posting this here. My shift's screen started going black whenever I open or close the keyboard. It happens whether I am in the OS, bootlader, or recovery, so idk if it is the ROM. Any ideas?

junpei1337 said:
Don't want to start new thread so. Will try posting this here. My shift's screen started going black whenever I open or close the keyboard. It happens whether I am in the OS, bootlader, or recovery, so idk if it is the ROM. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen prboy post about this a ton of times but what he always suggests is to see if you hear sort of a crunching sound when you close/open the keyboard. If you do, its probably the flex cable and you can buy one and replace it yourself (if you want)
I believe you can also take it in to Sprint if its in fairly good condition and they will give you a new one no questions asked
You might wanna also take a look at the questions/posts HERE or HERE
EDIT: Just FYI, but the flex cable is what connects the keyboard to the touch screen
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium

Yeah I have seen those posts too. Wasn't sure cause it isn't making any noise. Got this refurb after the last ota killed my phone. So its in great condition. Guess I'm unrooting and heading to sprint
---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 PM ----------
EDIT: Just FYI, but the flex cable is what connects the keyboard to the touch screen
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium[/QUOTE]
Lol I figured that

junpei1337 said:
Yeah I have seen those posts too. Wasn't sure cause it isn't making any noise. Got this refurb after the last ota killed my phone. So its in great condition. Guess I'm unrooting and heading to sprint
---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 PM ----------
EDIT: Just FYI, but the flex cable is what connects the keyboard to the touch screen
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
Lol I figured that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a very good possibility that it could be the Flex Cable. But if you plan on taking it back to Sprint, RUU first. That way you kill two birds with one stone. You confirm the issue, and you prep it for going back to Sprint.

Lol I figured that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I thought you did, just wanted to make sure
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium

prboy1969 said:
There is a very good possibility that it could be the Flex Cable. But if you plan on taking it back to Sprint, RUU first. That way you kill two birds with one stone. You confirm the issue, and you prep it for going back to Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 2.3.4 ruu, can I just run that from s off or should I use sparksco's guide for unrooting? First rooted phone here

junpei1337 said:
I have 2.3.4 ruu, can I just run that from s off or should I use sparksco's guide for unrooting? First rooted phone here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a zip that you flash to go back to 2.3 stock out there, if I was at home I could upload it, sorry.

Nexus 5 BRICKED

Ok guise, I'm in some serious need of help here.
Got a new phone, flashed this and that, was trying out new ROMs and stuff, and then I accidentally flashed Faux's MAKO kernel. 028u
Now my Nexus gives no signs of life, isn't recognised via adb, can't get into fastboot with hw buttons or anything at all. What options am I left with?

0rigin said:
Ok guise, I'm in some serious need of help here.
Got a new phone, flashed this and that, was trying out new ROMs and stuff, and then I accidentally flashed Faux's MAKO kernel. 028u
Now my Nexus gives no signs of life, isn't recognised via adb, can't get into fastboot with hw buttons or anything at all. What options am I left with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sending it to Google.
Next time you should probably be more careful about what you do to a $350-$400 device, eh?

So any kind of hardware intervention wont really help me?
I won't be sending it to Google, since I'm not from the US
What can a qualified service provider(not really sure if that's the correct translation) do for me?

0rigin said:
So any kind of hardware intervention wont really help me?
I won't be sending it to Google, since I'm not from the US
What can a qualified service provider(not really sure if that's the correct translation) do for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best hope is jtag. It's a new device so it may not be available yet. Google mobiletechvideos

Wow. I didn't even think a Nexus 5 was brickable.
That's a feat right there.

Bring it to a cell repair shop.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Han Solo 1 said:
Wow. I didn't even think a Nexus 5 was brickable.
That's a feat right there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can brick most devices by flashing an incompatible kernel, same as prior nexus phones.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Introducing the new Nexus Paperweight
No jtag available yet
If anyone has another idea, please, do share!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

hotleadsingerguy said:
Sending it to Google.
Next time you should probably be more careful about what you do to a $350-$400 device, eh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are smart people out here hooking up their car coolant hoses to transmission breather ports and you expect forethought from street level smart phone users? What backup?

No hate in the thraed plz
Was flashing stuff on Nexus 4 the day before, had everything in the same folder and because of this accidentally flashed a mako kernel... Yeah **** happens. N4 is still an awesome phone though, running 4.3.1 custom makes it much more usable than N5 atm, so I can wait a bit more with ease... Any kind of suggestions/solutions won't hurt no one though

I'd rma it to Google. I wouldn't lie to them or anything. Google is pretty cool about this kind of stuff.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Take a screenshot of what your computer picks the device up as in my computer. I think your bootloader might be toasted (pre- Android bootloader). We might be able to get some kind of bootloader repair going...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

devoureddreams said:
I'd rma it to Google. I wouldn't lie to them or anything. Google is pretty cool about this kind of stuff.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
0rigin said:
I won't be sending it to Google, since I'm not from the US
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
danifunker said:
Take a screenshot of what your computer picks the device up as in my computer. I think your bootloader might be toasted (pre- Android bootloader). We might be able to get some kind of bootloader repair going...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pc does'nt recognize te phone at all. Can't get into fastboot. Can't get it to budge at all.

0rigin said:
pc does'nt recognize te phone at all. Can't get into fastboot. Can't get it to budge at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you in Windows or Linux? If Windows, is there nothing listed under "Other" devices? Also, can you try running Linux and doing an lsusb to try and find the device?

This guy (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2347060 flashed the wrong image on his n4 and was able to recover using the process he outlines in the post. Perhaps this would work for you too (it might be a long shot since your computer does recognize fastboot), but hey, worth considering. Good luck.

After a gazillion tries, managed to get my phone into fastboot.... Don't ask how, because I simply don't know...
Seems like that at least some of the time my phone was also in some sort of bootloop or sth, because 60% of my battery is gone.
Whatever it may have happened, the issues are sorted out and I can continue with flashing....the right kernels hopefully.
EDIT: tried it again and can confirm - I can only get into fastboot when all these criteria are met:
- phone is turned off
- press and hold down the both VOL buttons
- continue holding them down and plugging the phone to a PC(ADB installed of course)
Hope this might be helpful to someone.