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[FIX] Unbrick captivate w/o cutting up USB!

I have discovered a cheaper and less destructive way to unbrick the totally bricked captivate using only 3 resistors, THAT IS IT! No need to cut up your USB cord, JUST 3 resistors.
Below are the steps and pics:
YOUTUBE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
1. Go to your local Radio Shack and purchase a pack of 100k ohm resistors, the colors should read Brown/Black/yellow/gold (see pic 1)
2. Take 2 of the resistors and twist them together
3. Take the third resistor and twist it onto the other 2 to make a straight line of 3 resistors
4. Bend the 3 resistors into a teardrop shape (see pic 2)
5. Set down a piece of tape and place the tips as close together as possible without touching while leaving about a quarter inch of each tip exposed, this will take some patience and adjusting (see pic 3) *tip: try putting a piece of tape or two in between the tips so that they do not touch each other*
6. Once the tips are set correctly tape both sides of the tear drop so no metal is left exposed. If your skin touches the metal it reduces the resistance of the jig and will not work.
7. Remove external sd, sim card and battery. Then replace battery and DO NOT touch the power button.
8. Carefully touch the two tips of the jig to the two copper plates of the micro usb slot closest to the headphone jack for about 3 seconds (this will also take some time and patience) *tip: use the other side of the micro usb port to brace against to hold the jig in place*
9. The phone should now go directly into download mode
9a. If your phone build number is BELOW 1010 continue following this guide.
9b. If your phone build number is 1010 or ABOVE follow this guide to flash back to stock.
10. Open odin3 on your computer
11. Plug usb into your phone, after odin says "added" click start to flash the stock rom.
12. Profit!
This fix as opposed to the others only costs $.99 and uses ONLY 3 resistors, NO CUTTING OR SOLDERING. Other fixes suggest hacking up your micro USB cable to use as a connection but i found that to be unnecessary.
As snapplefish has pointed out the desired resistance for this to work is 301K ohms, not 300K. HOWEVER, I and almost everyone else here has been able to only use the 3-100K ohm resistors. IF you are having trouble getting this to work, AND you have made sure you are using 100K ohm resistors, try measuring the resistance of your jig by using a multimeter. IF your resistance is below 298 or so try adding a 1K ohm resistor to your jig and remeasure the resistance of your jig.
Thanks to everyone who came up with the 301k ohm resistor method, saved me from a $500 paperwieght!
If this has helped you please give me a thanks
Cheers and happy flashing,
Alex

Dude, this is awesome. Thanks for pointing this out.

When is the next "flashaholics anonymous meeting"? I'd like to attend too

z28james said:
Dude, this is awesome. Thanks for pointing this out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No prob, glad it was useful

Brilliant! Hopefully I never need to use it. This should go as/with/in a sticky.

I hope I don't ever need to use a jig but this is a great alternative to other methods. You do need to have the USB plugged in prior to touching the resistors correct since that is not stated? Common sense says yes but I figured I would be the idiot to ask haha

Well he's actually fishing around inside the phone's MicroUSB port to touch pins 4&5. So no, in this case...you don't need to have a USB cable plugged in.
But with other JIGs including mine, you plug the JIG into the phone.

Trying this tonight. Will update.

norcal einstein said:
Well he's actually fishing around inside the phone's MicroUSB port to touch pins 4&5. So no, in this case...you don't need to have a USB cable plugged in.
But with other JIGs including mine, you plug the JIG into the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never been able to have Odin work without it being open and having the USB plugged in when getting to download mode. How will this work if you get download mode prior to the USB being plugged in for Odin to recognize?
This is my captivate. There are many like it but this one is mine.

I frequently use my JIG to get into Download mode to flash with Odin. For me, plug a JIG in to force Download Mode. Remove JIG, connect phone to a computer running Odin. The phone should be "added" in Odin and you should be able to flash away. I actually just did this last night as well.

cmsengineer said:
Trying this tonight. Will update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No luck so far. Will keep trying.

norcal einstein said:
I frequently use my JIG to get into Download mode to flash with Odin. For me, plug a JIG in to force Download Mode. Remove JIG, connect phone to a computer running Odin. The phone should be "added" in Odin and you should be able to flash away. I actually just did this last night as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True story. This guy makes good JIGs. I was very impressed with it. Tested it a few times and threw it back in the Samsung box.
I phone--/triangle\--PC bricked my first Captivate. Odin 2.1 got stuck on "Setting PIT" and I was able to return it (had it a week and claimed it did it on an OTA update lol). I had the 3 button download disabled (probably a 1008-1010, I have a 1010 now) and couldn't get into download mode so I could've saved the first phone but no one was building JIGs yet
Anyhow, I don't *NEED* it, but I'm GLAD I have it. I'd probably not flash without one.

cmsengineer said:
No luck so far. Will keep trying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For this to work, you need to have ~300kohm of resistance across pins 4 and 5 for at least 4 seconds. You cant touch bare metal on the resistors, or you'll change the overall resistance.
Yes, this is a cheaper implementation of a JIG, but it's also a little harder to use compared to if you were to just cut up a MicroUSB plug.

cmsengineer said:
No luck so far. Will keep trying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't going to work for me. No metal has been touched, using exact resistors as described and touched pins 4+5 together. Oh well, new device should be here in 2 days.

flashman2002 said:
I hope I don't ever need to use a jig but this is a great alternative to other methods. You do need to have the USB plugged in prior to touching the resistors correct since that is not stated? Common sense says yes but I figured I would be the idiot to ask haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just opened odin, used the jig to get the phone into download mode, then plugged the phone into the computer and it worked. Make sure odin is open first before you plug it in though.
norcal einstein said:
For this to work, you need to have ~300kohm of resistance across pins 4 and 5 for at least 4 seconds. You cant touch bare metal on the resistors, or you'll change the overall resistance.
Yes, this is a cheaper implementation of a JIG, but it's also a little harder to use compared to if you were to just cut up a MicroUSB plug.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct, this is cheaper and I figured it would take me about a half an hour to cut up the usb and another 3 to 5 days to recieve another one through amazon so this was a quicker way and maybe a tad harder.
This took me a total of 5 mins on the ****ter to make and 15-20 mins of adjusting and trying until I was able to get it to work. This seems like the quickest overall and easiest way to make a download jig, but if you have more money then time just buy a pre-made jig.
cmsengineer said:
This isn't going to work for me. No metal has been touched, using exact resistors as described and touched pins 4+5 together. Oh well, new device should be here in 2 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure each tip is only touching ONE pin. They should not touch together or it will short circuit and not work. In my jig there is a small maybe 1mm or less gap in between each tip.

After messing with the spacing I was able to consistently put my phone into download mode. I also put some tape between the prongs to ensure they didn't touch.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Edited first post to clear up odin3 question

z28james said:
After messing with the spacing I was able to consistently put my phone into download mode. I also put some tape between the prongs to ensure they didn't touch.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to hear it!
I also put some tape in between the two tips but wasn't sure if it did anything.

I always do it just never would work when I wouldn't have the usb plugged in at the same time of download mode. But if it ever becomes the case I will surely give the jig a try. Thanks for the info.

Updated first post with a youtube video of myself performing the unbricking procedure.

USB connection, wear and tear

So after so many flashes of custom roms, kernels, modem, and etc.
Are you guys finding it harder for the micro-usb connector to actually get a tight fit into the phone? Mine's so loose that the slightest tug or movement will disconnect it from powering or connecting to my PC.
I slighlty fixed it with needle nose pliers , a more efficient fix anyone?

Im having the same issue
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Definitely noticed this too. I notice my usb cord after a minute of being plugged looks like it's coming out a little.

I actually don't have this issue. I don't know how much you guys flash but I am doing something daily beyond just charging. I don't move my phone around much when it is plugged in.

On my phone, thin plastic piece around the usb port is cracked and i sometimes confuse that with the sliding usb door and tries to close it until i looked down to notice that it's not the door that i'm trying to close

I've noticed this recently too (I've had mine since July). On mine, when holding the phone normally, if I push the cable toward the center of the phone and it comes loose. If I push it outward (toward the volume buttons), it doesn't really move.
If I open the usb door all the way, plug the cable in, then close the door *slightly*, it holds the cable a lot better. Not like it did when it was new though.
Has anyone diagnosed the cause of this yet?
Xstop said:
I slighlty fixed it with needle nose pliers , a more efficient fix anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly did you do? I was a little hesitant to try bend anything - I didn't want to make things worse.

tdogz said:
-What exactly did you do? I was a little hesitant to try bend anything - I didn't want to make things worse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I do not recommend doing it this way until other means are available, remember, ruin your usb connection = your screwed.
But it's the sides of the usb connection I'm trying to tighten up. Where it forms / \
Mines so loose, that if I do a simple reboot and move the wires too much it will give me the: ! to android guy pic.

If it's becoming loose its due to the plastic bezel around mini usb port. Eventually it will crack at where the door hinge has to pass through the part just before the door becomes secure when set to open position. Not sure if it's a plastic quality problem with a certain batch just order a replacement.
Secondly the usb cord supplied is not flexible at the handle for the miniusb connector. Flex it to much you will dislodge the data + - wires. Took it apart and inspected. You'll need to resolder to fix it.

MarlowXim said:
If it's becoming loose its due to the plastic bezel around mini usb port. Eventually it will crack at where the door hinge has to pass through the part just before the door becomes secure when set to open position. Not sure if it's a plastic quality problem with a certain batch just order a replacement.
Secondly the usb cord supplied is not flexible at the handle for the miniusb connector. Flex it to much you will dislodge the data + - wires. Took it apart and inspected. You'll need to resolder to fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that post
I have a question though: When you say order a replacement, do you mean a new phone or the little plastic bay that holds the charger?
I also bought this phone at launch, and I'm sure that means I am out of any kind of warranty.
UNLESS!
Is there a year warranty on hardware defects?

You're still under warranty (1 year). You'll have to deal with a AT&T DSC for replacement.

norcal einstein said:
You're still under warranty (1 year). You'll have to deal with a AT&T DSC for replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does that mean I should back up with Titanium Backup and flash back to stock?

cracks
My cappy has 2 tiny cracks on the top of it. One where you posted ( between the charging port and the back of the phone ) and another between the headphone jack and the back of the phone. They are so small no one would notice them unless looking. Returning the phone would be too much of a hassle for me ( I'm lazy ).
My idea was if the plastic began to chip or crack anywhere else I would just buy a bodyglove case and voila - no more cracks. And I didn't have to talk with an AT&Tard to fix it.

daleaf said:
So does that mean I should back up with Titanium Backup and flash back to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you actually have physical damage to your USB port to warrant a replacement phone, yes...I'd say flash back to stock.
If you're trying to address any problems you have with the USB slider door, I doubt they'll replace your phone. You'll probably have to have it sent in to Samsung for repair, and shipped back to you. Of course if your phone goes to Samsung, you had better flash stock.

norcal einstein said:
If you actually have physical damage to your USB port to warrant a replacement phone, yes...I'd say flash back to stock.
If you're trying to address any problems you have with the USB slider door, I doubt they'll replace your phone. You'll probably have to have it sent in to Samsung for repair, and shipped back to you. Of course if your phone goes to Samsung, you had better flash stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not the slider door. That is broken now too, but it isn't a problem for me. It is the USB cord won't stay in the charing port anymore. It is a bit of a hassle to wake up in the morning and my phone didn't charge.

For each usb wire that I use, I am now gently crimping the top and bottom of the usb connector to get a tighter fit. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK THOUGH
It seemed to help me to get a tighter fit and now I don't have to check if the sucker is charging or not.
But yea, I was at the point where it would not charge my phone if I did not get it right, sucks I know.

Xstop said:
For each usb wire that I use, I am now gently crimping the top and bottom of the usb connector to get a tighter fit. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK THOUGH
It seemed to help me to get a tighter fit and now I don't have to check if the sucker is charging or not.
But yea, I was at the point where it would not charge my phone if I did not get it right, sucks I know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^I also did that and it helps^^^
And, on the usb wires I use, there are little prongs, or tabs, that I gently pulled up with a tiny flathead screwdriver, actually a clean razor blade worked better... But I pulled those tabs up, and now I have a pretty snug fit.
And of course, do that at your own risk.

I started having this issue too where the lightest touch on the sides would bump it loose from the connector. In my case though I noticed that I did not have the door open completely all the way (yeah DUH). Once I pushed it completely open it fit much better.

Xstop said:
So after so many flashes of custom roms, kernels, modem, and etc.
Are you guys finding it harder for the micro-usb connector to actually get a tight fit into the phone? Mine's so loose that the slightest tug or movement will disconnect it from powering or connecting to my PC.
I slighlty fixed it with needle nose pliers , a more efficient fix anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have flashed a lot and my phone is repeatedly connected and disconnected from USB at my desk all day at work and my usb still fits snug. But about 2 weeks ago the little plastic sliding door started sticking as I was opening and closing it and yesterday it finally just fell out of my cappy. Bought on release day last July.

I had this problem too, but it was the cable, not the phone.
Got a new OEM cable off of Amazon, and now it's nice and snug. Maybe not 100% like new, but pretty close.
Because of the little metal hooks on them, Micro USB cables tend to wear out much faster than the Mini USB cables of old.

I swapped mine out last week for another refurb (number two) because of this. It got to the point that I had to make sure the cable was in precisely the right spot otherwise out wouldn't charge.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897

[Q] Juopunutbear s-off procedure without the original usb cable?

Has anyone been able to complete the Juopunutbear s-off procedure without the original usb cable?
I've tried over 20 times with a couple different paper clips in electrical tape but it's always sober.
I don't have the original. I'm wondering how "original" one off ebay will be. I wouldn't think they'd be able sneak anything special into the standard usb connector.

Lol. I s-offed my phone with a blackberry cable and a regular paperclip without insulation. It should work perfectly because I'm s-off right now.
Stock ICS ROM is required though.
Sent from my Ouya

Man, finally got it. Not sure what I was doing wrong. Not a long enough pause? Does the position on the sdcard thing matter at all? I used a large paper clip wrapped in electrical tape. Holding one end of the clip flat against the gnd with my thumb and then tapping the other end on the pin worked for me.
AndroidSupporter318 said:
Lol. I s-offed my phone with a blackberry cable and a regular paperclip without insulation. It should work perfectly because I'm s-off right now.
Stock ICS ROM is required though.
Sent from my Ouya
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

fredrick255 said:
Man, finally got it. Not sure what I was doing wrong. Not a long enough pause? Does the position on the sdcard thing matter at all? I used a large paper clip wrapped in electrical tape. Holding one end of the clip flat against the gnd with my thumb and then tapping the other end on the pin worked for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seemed like luck when i finally got s-off.
Sent from my Ouya

fredrick255 said:
Has anyone been able to complete the Juopunutbear s-off procedure without the original usb cable?
I've tried over 20 times with a couple different paper clips in electrical tape but it's always sober.
I don't have the original. I'm wondering how "original" one off ebay will be. I wouldn't think they'd be able sneak anything special into the standard usb connector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't the cable matters. I got s off with a replacement HTC cable (the original one I possess is most likely short circuited as all its internal wires are showing outside. It still could transfer data though).
For juonuputbear, the wire I used was so thin, I had to double it back on itself to make it thick enough for contact. For about 12 times, I didn't detect any change (not even wire trick fail) and then I got s off and I was like BAZINGA.
Happy to help.

S7 G930F USB Data Problem

Hi! My mother's S7 is not recognized by any PC right now. Before I order a new USB PCB I'd like to ask for some help here. The symptoms are:
- Charge and fast charge fully working
- Everything inside the phone is workin, not a single scratch
- When I plug in to any PC, no data mode transfer appears, neither under quick settings, just charging.
- Windows doesnt recognize anything when the phone plugged in, seen on device manager.

Did you install the Samsung USB drivers?

9 times out of 10 it is the USB port. This can be replaced by dismantling the phone and connection a new USB ribbon.
If you have tried this and ruled out the port, I had one where a dodgy charger had fried some components between the USB ribbon connector and the multiplexer IC. I had to replace components ZD8008, ZD8008, R8019 and R8020. These serve as input protection on the USB data lines.
Someone with microsoldering repair experience will be able to replace these for you. You be no more than 75 Euro. It does involve dismantling so may void warranty/water resistance.

BossHogg12 said:
I had a similar problem - turned out a dodgy charger had fried some components between the USB ribbon connector and the multiplexer IC. I had to replace components ZD8008, ZD8008, R8019 and R8020. These serve as input protection on the USB data lines.
Someone with microsoldering repair experience will be able to replace these for you. You be no more than 75 Euro. It does involve dismantling so may void warranty/water resistance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guessed so. Where can I find this components? Are they smds resistors, capacitors? I know microsoldering but does it deserve the effort? I mean, can I found a USB pcb replacement and just replace the whole piece?
Thank you very much!
EDIT: Like this one
EDIT2: I missunderstood your first line...I haven't already tried to replace the usb pcb. I think I'll try and if it doesn't work, well... I hope not -.-"

I draughted this reply before I saw your edit; sounds like you know what to do though: :good:
Sorry, it never occurred to me that you hadn't tried a new USB port flex yet. 9 times out of 10 it is that. Get one to try; fitting it is a pain because you have to separate the screen from the mid frame for the back/app button backlights but you can test it without removing the old one. They are very cheap and available on eBay etc.
If the new USB doesn't help, the fix is probably the microsolder repair I described above. Those components are in the main PCB so a USB daughterboard swap won't help.

BossHogg12 said:
I draughted this reply before I saw your edit; sounds like you know what to do though: :good:
Sorry, it never occurred to me that you hadn't tried a new USB port flex yet. 9 times out of 10 it is that. Get one to try; fitting it is a pain because you have to separate the screen from the mid frame for the back/app button backlights but you can test it without removing the old one. They are very cheap and available on eBay etc.
If the new USB doesn't help, the fix is probably the microsolder repair I described above. Those components are in the main PCB so a USB daughterboard swap won't help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'll do so. Or I just sell it like that, what comes first hahaha
Thanks!

Charging Problem

So before my xz premium completely stopped charging my phone used to randomly stop charging and charged very slow I used quick charge 3.0 and certified usb c cable I had to put the usb type c cable in a certain position to get my phone charging but after a while it completely stopped charging I inspected the port it was fine no bent nor broken cleaned the port but it didn’t charge after sometime I started messing with the phone so I found a way to charge it when I put pressure on the bottom of the phone from front and rear of phone where usb port and flex cable is connected it starts charging but I have to put a lot of pressure to get it to charging I don’t know about hardware so I am here If someone can guide me ty.

Is the charge manager enabled?
In this case the manager try to think at which time you disconneythe the phone from charger and stopped after a while to continue in front of disconnect (or what he think at which time it is)

No the charge manager or (Battery Care) is not enabled but I opened the device myself because I thought it might be a loose connection of charging port's flex cable but it was connected to the motherboard fine but the situation was the same I pressed the flex cable where it connects to the motherboard and the phone started charging I think it's some sort of motherboard problem as it happened with some other xz premium users as well.
P.S:Replacing the charging port didn't fixed the problem.

Hello,
I had a similar problem.
At first it only carried in certain positions or pressing the region where the flat connection. After 1 months it stopped completely.
My problem was in the motherboard charge connector, I needed to buy a new connector to replace with solder. After 30 days, everything continues to function normally.

Wawawagl said:
Hello,
I had a similar problem.
At first it only carried in certain positions or pressing the region where the flat connection. After 1 months it stopped completely.
My problem was in the motherboard charge connector, I needed to buy a new connector to replace with solder. After 30 days, everything continues to function normally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much that's the answer I was looking for one more thing can you guide where to buy the connecter for the motherboard and can you tell me how did you manage to replace it.

Update I just got mine fixed the btb connecter for the charging port on the motherboard was loose it needed to be resoldered in case it is more damaged you should get a new btb connecter I'll put the link to buy from link: https://rounded.com/sony-board-connector-btb-socket-2x10pin-1306-0093.html

can u guide me how to do it?

If u know any trusted and skilled repair person just tell him what the problem is and make sure the repair person fix it the right way as described otherwise he might end up damaging ur phone.

alrighty thankss, i'll update soonnn, i already change the port but it still the same

Hello, can you update me on this, i'm facing the same issue. Let me know if this fixed your problem.

yukikunn said:
alrighty thankss, i'll update soonnn, i already change the port but it still the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing the port won't fix the issue it can only be resolved if u change the btb connector on the motherboard.

Anyone knowing how to do it?

Hi. Stripped phone down and removed old BtB connector. How do you solder the new part to the motherboard. Is it just the four corners you solder or do all x10 pins on each side need to be soldered?
Can somebody who has changed a BtB put a step by step guide if poss?

yukikunn said:
can u guide me how to do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok update i've been trying to repair it/solder it in a couple 3rd repair (because there's no sony xperia service center here in indonesia..) and they say they can't, then i wen't to this repair shop (this one looks not promising) then i got a message after 3 day they say they can't repair it, i was hopeless, i left my phone there.., and after 1 and a half month i think, i finally went to get my phone, and when i arrives to get my phone they charge me 15$, in my head i was thinking "why they charge me? they didn't even fix it"
then the repair man said "we fix it" i was shock they didn't even message me and said it was fixed (they have to) so i pay the 15$ and check the phone its completely normal it's charging the fast charge work, but.. they reinstalled everything (factory reset) kinda strange.. but it's find ok so that's it