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HELP: Phone locks up and dies at random

I've been having a weird issue for the past few weeks where my phone will lock up and the screen won't turn on anymore. Often, it happens with the phone in standby in my pocket. I'll feel a vibration (sometimes just 1 vibration, sometimes followed by the usual 3 fast vibrations of a force close) and then the phone is gone. I have to hold all 3 buttons to reset it and then it boots up fine like nothing is wrong. I've had this same issue on various roms I've used lately (Serendipity, Firefly, Cog4, etc.) and on my last flash I've even done the full flash to stock and master clear. Is anyone else having any issues like this?
I'm guessing this is 1 of 3 things:
1) I have a hardware problem with my phone and need a new one.
2) This is an issue with custom kernels with lagfix and I have to live with it or use a stock kernel. I know some custom kernels have had charging death issues (I've seen that happen to me also but idk if its from charging or the same thing as when its in my pocket)
3) Some app I installed is causing this. I have a hard time believing this can be the problem only because any app issues I've seen in the past just show up as a FC and don't take out the entire phone. If this is in fact an app issue, IDK how I'll ever figure out which one is causing it since it just dies and I don't get a chance to see a FC message or anything like that.
Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated as I really don't know what to do at this point. My next step is probably going to run pure stock froyo for a few days to see if I still have the issue but I suspect I will since its been present on every rom config I've used. Whats even worse is, if it happens and I don't notice for a while, when I finally reboot it the battery is severely drained. Its like something gets in an infinite loop and kills the battery depending on how long I leave it like that (the phone also warms up when its been in this state for a while).
Thanks in advance for any help!

Sounds like a warranty replavement to me.
Caution swyping! Read at your own risk.

TheSopranos16 said:
I've been having a weird issue for the past few weeks where my phone will lock up and the screen won't turn on anymore. Often, it happens with the phone in standby in my pocket. I'll feel a vibration (sometimes just 1 vibration, sometimes followed by the usual 3 fast vibrations of a force close) and then the phone is gone. I have to hold all 3 buttons to reset it and then it boots up fine like nothing is wrong. I've had this same issue on various roms I've used lately (Serendipity, Firefly, Cog4, etc.) and on my last flash I've even done the full flash to stock and master clear. Is anyone else having any issues like this?
I'm guessing this is 1 of 3 things:
1) I have a hardware problem with my phone and need a new one.
2) This is an issue with custom kernels with lagfix and I have to live with it or use a stock kernel. I know some custom kernels have had charging death issues (I've seen that happen to me also but idk if its from charging or the same thing as when its in my pocket)
3) Some app I installed is causing this. I have a hard time believing this can be the problem only because any app issues I've seen in the past just show up as a FC and don't take out the entire phone. If this is in fact an app issue, IDK how I'll ever figure out which one is causing it since it just dies and I don't get a chance to see a FC message or anything like that.
Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated as I really don't know what to do at this point. My next step is probably going to run pure stock froyo for a few days to see if I still have the issue but I suspect I will since its been present on every rom config I've used. Whats even worse is, if it happens and I don't notice for a while, when I finally reboot it the battery is severely drained. Its like something gets in an infinite loop and kills the battery depending on how long I leave it like that (the phone also warms up when its been in this state for a while).
Thanks in advance for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What kernel are you running? And are you OC/UV?
If so, try a different kernel (like speedmod k13e) that doesn't have OC/UV option. Black screen is usually a UV setting problem.
If it's not the case, warranty?
EDIT: Have you flashed over different ROM with lagfix/ OC/UV enabled?

Right now I'm running lastest Cog 4 with the included kernel (which doesn't support UV). I was OC but once I had this issue I reset the clocks to stock but then it happened again. Before I installed Cog 4 I flashed stock and master cleared...

1. Did u restore any data using TiBu when u flashed the ROM? Did u happen to restore any system data?
2. Did u put on any kind of under volting?
Flash any ROM, say Firefly, and use it for a day or two without restoring any of ur apps, and see if the issue is coming up again.
If yes, try changing kernel, say to onix, and keep on for a day or two see if the issue is recurring.
Just to be sure, can u do this:
1. Revert to stock
2. Format internal SD (similar to master clear to clear out SD card; I never did a master clear so far, only this)
3. Copy the ROM u want to use to SD
4. Flash Firefly 3.0 (this formats all system partitions, so no need to master clear)
Firefly has hardcore's kernel by default, and this kernel does not apply lagfix by default. Same with onix kernel too, and this is the reason I am recommending this combination of ROM and kernels. I use onix cos I have some wifi issues on hardcore's kernel.
5. Do NOT restore of ur data or apps

I did restore data using TiBu but only app data. The only system stuff I restored was bluetooth pairings and wifi access points. Other than that only app data. I don't have any UV right now...

TheSopranos16 said:
I did restore data using TiBu but only app data. The only system stuff I restored was bluetooth pairings and wifi access points. Other than that only app data. I don't have any UV right now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would NOT recommend ANY system data, except for contacts storage. This is the only one system data I personally found not to cause any issues.
Its easier to connect BT and wifi again, than go through the pain restoring this data sometimes creates. I faced issues with my phone not being paired to my car when I tried to restore bluetooth settings. It shows my car, but doesn't pair. I had to restart phone, delete the connection, and then reconnect. I found it easier to add back, than restore and go through all this trouble.
This time, pls try to refrain from restoring any of ur data from TiBu and a day's run for the ROM and see how it goes. If it goes well, u can restore data. But, before u restore data, I would recommend taking a nandroid backup just in case restoring apps starts creating issues again. This could save some time by getting u back to current state with no apps, instead of flashing all over again.

Before doing any of those things, I would check out your IMEI number and compare it to the one in this link,
http://www.captivateforums.com/sams...random-shutdown-issues-on-att-captivate-1272/
I dont pay for any warranty through AT&T, but I brought my phone in to a device replacement center and they replaced mine with a brand new phone!
Its worth a shot if you ask me.

SK4G Software FLAWED!

What the hell is going on. I tried resetting and everything, even exchanged the device and the new one is doing the same thing! Also vibrating and force closing it is getting on my nerves! The followig seems to happen after a while I am TIRED of having to turn of my phone and turn it back on! ~ I go to play a .mp3 it says " FIle type not supported"...My .mp3 ringtone does not work the phone just vibrates the selected ringtone doesnt work. I got too take a picture or record video it says "Camera Failed"....I get a visual voicemail....the "play" button is grayed out and I have to turn off phone turn it BACK On just to check my voicemail. Also occassioally my sms wont work either. I turn my phone off and on every morning and throughout day I notice this and its getting REAL annoying !

Well first off, this isn't a software flaw, this is specific to you, as we have many users here including myself who are using these phones daily without the issues you are describing.
You had said that the issue was with an mp3, can you upload that somewhere for us to test on our phones?
As far as the camera and visual voicemail, I've never heard of that issue before, perhaps you ended up with a bad phone again?

I am getting the frequent force close with messaging. I also have had problems with the camera and idk about the mp3 stuff I haven't put any ringtones on the phone yet. This is getting really annoying I agree.

I don't have any issues with mine? Have you guys done anything like rooting or flashing anything?

Nope, completely stock. The most I have done is take a screen shot lol.

hmm maybe some have a defect? It's not all SK4g's though, as some of us have no issues at all. I would suggest getting it replaced by T-Mobile, as this is a factory defect. not sure why that happened to you guys. has anyone else had these issues and found any fixes?

That's kinda tough the hearest t-mobile is like 4 hours from here /:
One of my friends who went with me on the trip to get the SK also got one and he says he's never gotten a force close so you may be right. But could it have anything to do with the amount of texts I send/receive? Because I have to admit it is pretty excessive. The failing to send messages when I am receiving one simultaneously is expected, but not the force closes in my opinion.

It shouldn't force close on you. I know mine fails to send every once in a while too, as I text a lot (kinda the reason I got the phone). failing to send isn't as big of a deal, as it notifies you and you just have to click resend. Not entirely sure why it's force closing though? I wonder if a logcat might help? if you have adb installed, you can try adb logcat and see what shows up when you force close? if we can find the issue there, it might be fixable from our end. all depends on where the flaw lies/if it's just a bad apk somehow or if there's an actual hardware issue or something.

I'll do a log next time there is a fc, I'm having another issue or it may be related, but this one is with WidgetLocker I believe. Sometimes when I go to unlock the phone it'll freeze up and then I dont know how to explain it, but it almost seems like it resets but it really doesnt. The phone will blackout for a little then the homescreen will pop up and service will gone for a while until the cards are read just like if I rebooted.

That might be a function of WidgetLocker, I used it on my old G1 and it always hung and black screened at me.

sduvick said:
That might be a function of WidgetLocker, I used it on my old G1 and it always hung and black screened at me.
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Click to collapse
Yeah I know it does that from time to time, but on my previous phone it wouldn't do that reboot thing where it would lose connection then resend my latest text messages once it reconnected.

I'm not sure why it's doing that. My guess would be that the issues are caused because the SK4G doesn't use a normal lock screen. widgetlocker uses some modification of the system file for the lock screen, and perhaps it's not sure what to modify? just my 2 cents.

sduvick said:
I'm not sure why it's doing that. My guess would be that the issues are caused because the SK4G doesn't use a normal lock screen. widgetlocker uses some modification of the system file for the lock screen, and perhaps it's not sure what to modify? just my 2 cents.
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Click to collapse
That's what I was thinking too, I'm gonna uninstall it for a bit and see if anything changes.

is anyone else having an issue with notification volume? everytime i reboot my SK, my notification volume gets pushed all the way down to nothing, so i don't get a sound notification for texts, emails, etc, until i move the notif. volume back up in my settings. i did root with the one-click for the Epic 4G.

This is a new UI so alot of the apps i.e. widgets you may put on will cause issues. If you like certain apps contact the dev so your device is supported correctly. Still to new to get mad at it till sum of the bugs get worked out. I did notice a couple of times when I left screen on in pocket on accident that when I go to use it again it doesn't respond to any touch but can move courser around till rebooted then its ok. If some don't already know the sk4g is almost the same as the epic. The sk4g is still a badass phone for 100bucks.

Same as the OP
I know this is a little old, but I've experienced the same problem as the OP so it seems they are not alone with this problem.
I actually tried two different newly formatted SD cards (because I thought it may have been the SD card), and still would have the problem. Then I actually did swap phones about a month ago and it seemed the problem would now take several days to resurface instead of several hours. And I could deal with that.
Since the OTA update about 2 weeks ago, the phone has been back on it's original BS as the OP posted and it's driving me nuts. I actually missed some emergency calls last night because the mp3 ringtone didn't work so I'm finding a solution to this issue today or trashing this phone.
My belief is that there is something interfering with the phone's ability to read the SD card for media. Because other apps I have that save to the SD card or read from it work fine. So I'm going to master reset it and not download any of my apps and see what happens when I set an mp3 ringtone. If it makes it through the day with no hiccups, I'll slowly add back one app at a time until hopefully I can find the culprit.
bipoler if you'd like, we can exchange via PM what apps we both have downloaded and see if we have some in common that may be problems.
I'll post back with any progress.

I've been having the problem with ringtones not working, just getting silence when I get a call. for me it seems to happen when I set a ringtone from the app Zedge, I don't think it happens when I use ringtones from the Android System, which would make sense if the issue is related to reading the sdcard. gonna go back to a system ringtone and see what happens today.

Yeah my phone had all those problems, but I installed the Lightning rom and all those problems went away, except for the ones about messages failing...I text A LOT

Lightning ROM
Thanks for that info on the Lightning Rom. I will check that out. Phone has been working flawlessly all day with the mp3 ringtone and no extra apps besides the master reset. I might give it until the morning before I start putting them back on.

On stock id install so many apps that ran on the background that id get delay from opening closing swiping and turning onthe phone.. so I wiped it installed a custom rom and just kept the essentials.. havnt had a problem since... well.. occasionly ill have to odi but that's on purpose
Sent from my SK4G

Disappearing Icons

I've had a few android phones, but so far I have not run into this issue with any of them. I am running stock + root (though the issue was happening before root) and every once in a while I'll notice an icon is missing from one of my home screens.
Typically, it's been my Scrabble icon that goes missing. Sometimes it will be TouchDown or Words With Friends that disappear, or it will be a widget. Has anyone encountered this?
I've tried doing a reset of the phone, but still run into the same thing after a few days. I have checked to make sure that an update was not done to the app, turned off auto-updates for any of the affected programs that I've noticed so far, but still I find that the icon disappears.
I'd appreciate any input as to a way to find out when/how the icon was deleted from the screen. Since I'm the only one that uses my phone, I don't think it's being dropped accidentally by someone else. I do know that I have used an app's icon before going to bed, but when I wake up the next day, it or one of the others that was there is gone.

Have you moved any of these apps to the SD card?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA App

Nope, not running anything from the SD card. I use it mainly for moving music and the occassional movie between two different devices.

That was happening to me too on stock 2.3.6 but after I flashed sky ics ROM it fixed it

onearmedscissor said:
That was happening to me too on stock 2.3.6 but after I flashed sky ics ROM it fixed it
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Click to collapse
it has happened on every single rom. including skyics....skyics does it the least out of any ROM I've used...but it still does it...i have 155 apps installed...every other reboot I end up with 150 or less....
and I could reboot again...and lose more apps...i have to reinstall them...sometimes they will all come back after a reboot
NONE are moved to SD, default install location.
this is the only droid that has done that...it's really weird.

[Q] My screen has blacked out. What can I do?

OK, so tonight I decided to install the Atrix 2 Blaze mod. It installed without any issues.
After installing and verifying that everything worked, I then decided to use Titanium Backup to batch restore my apps. This appeared to work, and at the end of the process it told me to reboot. So I did.
Once it booted back up, I was greeted with the lock screen, as you'd expect -- but when I unlocked the phone, all I saw was a black screen and the notification bar on top. No wallpaper, no icons, no widgets, nothing. I could open the task drawer, I could make the soft keyboard appear, I could bring up the "open apps" window... but I can't actually do anything because the screen is freaking black.
But because the notification bar works, I can tell there are things going on. I see my phone checking for email. I see my phone battery decreasing. I see notifications when my google+ or twitter apps detect people are replying to threads I've been on. In other words, the phone appears to be working in every way except that there's nothing on the screen for me to interact with.
Has anyone seen this before? Is there a way to fix it? I hope?

Your best bet is probably just to flash the 2.3.5 Stock FXZ and start from scratch.
Sent from my MB865 using XDA

try re-flashing ?
looks like you loose your home launcher ..

I had the EXACT same problem, everything below the notifications bar was blacked out, i could bring up recent apps, but i couldn't even bring up the emergency dial pad at the unlock screen. Only difference is mine happened when i froze Go Launcher using Titanium Backup. I could tell it was still trying to run Go Launcher coz i could auto-rotate the screen.Sadly, the only option i had was to reset the phone and loose everything. I couldnt even backup my files coz i set USB mode to charge only so it never popped up on PC.
I reckon you restored an app that has a missing component/data and so it crashes at startup, maybe a home launcher, locker etc. Try making a backup then resetting your phone

Same problem here Ill try the fxy method,
any of you had solve the problem?

New ROM w/o Reset

I have been running CleanROM Seven for sometime without any problem or issues. In the last few weeks it has been glitching something awful! The screen blinks whenever I try to load an app or really do anything at all. Sometimes it blinks between the old and the new screen (like when swiping from page to page I'll see the page I was on and the page I am going to back and forth very quickly). Other times I see vertical stripes that alternate from the screen and black bars.
Restarting the phone worked for a while and then it stopped working, so I reflashed the ROM and that worked for a week or so and now it's back. I really, really, really want to avoid any kind of reset that involves the removal of my contacts or anything of that nature (I always back up before a reset, and I always end up missing stuff like contacts that I had). Either a fix to this problem or a ROM that I can flash without having to reset would be great.

Pard68 said:
I have been running CleanROM Seven for sometime without any problem or issues. In the last few weeks it has been glitching something awful! The screen blinks whenever I try to load an app or really do anything at all. Sometimes it blinks between the old and the new screen (like when swiping from page to page I'll see the page I was on and the page I am going to back and forth very quickly). Other times I see vertical stripes that alternate from the screen and black bars.
Restarting the phone worked for a while and then it stopped working, so I reflashed the ROM and that worked for a week or so and now it's back. I really, really, really want to avoid any kind of reset that involves the removal of my contacts or anything of that nature (I always back up before a reset, and I always end up missing stuff like contacts that I had). Either a fix to this problem or a ROM that I can flash without having to reset would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't really flash a new ROM without wiping because then you'd face a whole new set of issues.
If you're missing contacts, back them all up to Google through settings/accounts/Google/check contacts. That will help you avoid anything with contacts.
For apps, back them up with titanium backup, but only backup user apps and data. Do not backup system data or apps as this will cause issues as well.
My suggestion would be to do these things I've suggested, then nandroid backup, then wipe and flash bonestock. Its probably the stablest ROM around. Also the developer is really awesome and keeps up with most of the stuff.
Outside of that stuff, I can't really help you. Unfortunately there's not a safe way to flash without wiping.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4
If I've helped, please hit the thanks button

Just wipe all roms recommend it for a reason dont be lazy
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 4

Pard68 said:
I have been running CleanROM Seven for sometime without any problem or issues. In the last few weeks it has been glitching something awful! The screen blinks whenever I try to load an app or really do anything at all. Sometimes it blinks between the old and the new screen (like when swiping from page to page I'll see the page I was on and the page I am going to back and forth very quickly). Other times I see vertical stripes that alternate from the screen and black bars.
Restarting the phone worked for a while and then it stopped working, so I reflashed the ROM and that worked for a week or so and now it's back. I really, really, really want to avoid any kind of reset that involves the removal of my contacts or anything of that nature (I always back up before a reset, and I always end up missing stuff like contacts that I had). Either a fix to this problem or a ROM that I can flash without having to reset would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the reason why we recommend that you wipe the device is that one rom might have features that won't work on another rom. there are other things that end up happening.