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I have a P6810 that was imported from Hong Kong by Expansys. My warranty is valid until August 25, 2013. The screen has a problem where it sometimes intermittently flashes dark lines on the screen. Full screen vertical lines. It's really just like those columns of pixels aren't being lite up to the same degree as the others, and not as brightly as they should be.
It doesn't do it all the time, but it has become more frequent, and it appears in all applications as far as I can tell. I have not yet reloaded the firmware because personally it seems like more of hardware problem. Either the LCD or the LCD driver is failing.
The only place that seems to be willing to work on it is Samsung Warranty Repair in Hong Kong, and they do not accept devices that have been shipped to them for repair. All warranty repair work there must be hand delivered. I'm in Hawaii and that is not an option. Expansys is of no use. They just said contact Samsung Hong Kong Warranty Repair.
Is there anybody that works on the P6810 state side? How much does it cost to replace the LCD or the motherboard? Does anybody know? It will cost me at least $60 just to ship the thing back to Hong Kong anyway, so I'm willing to investigate other options, but I don't know what they are for a specialty item like the P6810.
me too on p6800..
i have the same issue here but i am not sure if it is really hardware fail as i am using custom erobot rom v2.3
Thank you for the response
Salamonti said:
me too on p6800..
i have the same issue here but i am not sure if it is really hardware fail as i am using custom erobot rom v2.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. With only 2 of us responding so far it's hard to know if its just because a Super AMOLED of this size is a new technology, and there were still some bugs not worked out in the processing, or if it is as you say, and as I'm hoping, just a software issue.
My P6810 hasn't done it at all for about 2 weeks now. I'm hoping that when Ice Cream Sandwich is pushed out, that it will solve the problem once and for all.
My findings were that since mine is a p6810, it won't be fixed under warranty, and Samsung won't fix it even if I pay for it, unless I hand deliver it to Hong Kong. If I'm confident that the problem is the hardware (I'm not), then I have to buy a used p6800 on eBay and try to fix it myself. I'm not going to do that.
If yours is a p6800 couldn't it have been fixed under warranty in the U.S.? I wonder if your erobot rom 2.3 is using the same graphics driver code as Jelly Bean? In other words, was erobot rom v2.3 a custom ground up recode of everything, or did they cannibalize Jelly Bean for sections of code?
I love my p6810. I'm in Hawaii and don't have TV. I read on it every morning and watch movies on it almost every night. It's the perfect 7" tablet in my opinion, but that display issue drives me crazy.
I guess one of the morals of the store is to not trust Expansys if they tell you that they have a grey market item that is fully covered under the manufacturers warranty. They told me that, but it was not true.
i am not in US and my tb is not covered by warranty either (as i am in Egypt)
my custom rom is built on JB 4.1.2
but i know nothing about display driver so i cant figure it out
Thanks
Salamonti said:
i am not in US and my tb is not covered by warranty either (as i am in Egypt)
my custom rom is built on JB 4.1.2
but i know nothing about display driver so i cant figure it out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response. When Ice Cream Sandwich comes out, I will reply about whether or not it fixes the problem.
Arobase40 said:
Some clues you may investigate on...
On the technical aspects :
- You can try to do a factory reset and see if that solve your display issue.
- Try to flash any official ROM : HC or ICS even though this is a European version.
- If the display issue is still there, then you can consider this as a hardware failure. I don't know how Law works in your country, but you could try to find a non profit organization specialized in juridical procedures which could help you in forcing Expansys to support the warranty procedure... ^^
---------- Post added at 11:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 PM ----------
Unless you are a good developer or a very good modder and you like to play dice, don't even try to use the eRobot rom with your P6810...
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Click to collapse
Thanks Arobase40.
I will probably wait until ICS comes out and then factory reset and install/upgrade to ICS immediately.
On Expansys, just as a matter of justice, I wish I could force them to do something, but my warranty expired on 8/22/13. They wouldn't answer their phone and only responded to one of several emails, saying "Contact Samsung". I think the most effective thing I can do is just let other members of xdadevelopers know what happened to me relative to Expansys.
Thanks for your input Arobase40, I appreciate your suggestions.
Arobase40 said:
I don't really understand your position about your GT 7.7 ???
As you were talking about P6810, I assumed you were talking about the International version, right ???
Then, as I said you could flash a European firmware with PC Odin as I don't think Samsung will deliver any further updates/upgrades... ^^
But whatever, and again you could simply do a factory reset to see if that solve your issue...
But if you already used a Cyanogen firmware, then just forget everything about what I said, and forget about your warranty as well... ^^
I don't understand what the members of xdadevelopers could do for you relative to Expansys, except suggesting you to contact your local non profit organization, if there is one (should be existing) ?!?!?!
Which Expansys is it ? A US one or any others ???
You have to write them an official letter as "Registered Letter with Acknowledgement of Delivery" to make things official so the warranty will be extended "indefinitely" until Expansys solve your problem...
But again, get informed yourself about your local rules or laws !!!
I got a similar problem with ASUS, as my TF101 returned 3 times in their repair center and the last time they "lost" it (it was stolen on the way to the Repair Center)... ^^
ASUS accepted to pay me back the price I paid for it but refused to compensate the prejudice as they awaited a very long time (about a month) before they just started to investigate on what happened to my device... ^^
I first wanted to go on trial with ASUS, but I tried first an official transaction with the help of a retired judge (as member of a non profit organization)...
So they finally accepted to compensate an additional 250 € of the initial 540 € price I paid (got a 60 € discount from official price)... So I got 790 € and didn't pay anything for a lawyer or for the Trial procedure...
On the other hand, if we were going to a Trial, ASUS knew they will loose and would have to pay MUCH MUCH more...
YOU are the only one to know if you want to take your chance...
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Click to collapse
Thanks Arobase40,
Yes I am talking about a Hong Kong version. It arrived default in Mandarin(?).
The only ICS 4.2.2 version I could find was P6810XXLPL_CSC_XEU with is the United Kingdom version. I’ve downloaded it. My preference is to use this one so that my P6810 defaults into English. I do plan to use Odin for this (probably this weekend).
My planned strategy is to do a factory reset to positively flush everything out, and then use Odin to update to ICS 4.2.2. My preference is to do everything at once, and only once, because even though I have Titanium Backup installed and running, my experience with my Nook was it still took several hours to get everything setup correctly after a factory reset.
I don’t have Cyanogen firmware installed, as my goal in getting at P6810 was to buy the best, and therefore not have to spend much time mod’ing it. I have rooted though so that I could install fonts with diacritical marks.
In terms of alerting xdadevelopers to Expansys policies, the best way to get Expansys to change their policies is enough people give them feedback during the purchasing process. If I had been able to read a post like this prior to my purchase of my P6810, I would have asked more questions and made a few phone calls, and I would have been better informed and wouldn’t have purchased from Expansys unless that had been able to give me some kind of further assurance that they would stand behind the product if it was required.
Yes it was the Expansys in the U.S. It’s the one you find on the internet when Googling within the U.S..
Thanks for the suggestion on the “Registered Letter with Acknowledgment of Delivery”.
Part of the problem is that for the past month, my P6810 hasn’t displayed the problem. I’m confident that it’s coming back sometime in the future, and probably worse, but intermittent problems are tricky to demand repairs on. If the “Registered Letter with Acknowledgment of Delivery” would get me an indefinitely extended warranty though, it could be worth it. It kind of boils down to a question of how much time would it take me versus other options. I’ll have to think about it. In any case, thanks for your suggestions.
I will try to go ahead and factory reset, then update to ICS 4.2.2 this weekend and see what happens. Actually, interestingly, my P6810 tells me that it has ICS 4.2.1 installed right now, as of early July. That surprised me when I saw it yesterday because I don’t remember that happening. I certainly didn’t do it. But maybe that’s why the screen problem went away?
Arobase40 said:
GOTCHA !!!
Sounds like there are many confusions with your explanations... ^^
1) ICS is Android 4.0.x !!!
2) 4.1.2 or 4.2.2 are Jelly Bean Android versions !!! NONE of them are available for P6810 yet and will probably never be... ^^ Yes I know, I'm very defeatist and somewhat negative in my position, but Sammy will maybe prove I was wrong...
3) If your device tells you have ICS 4.2.1, then there is something wrong somewhere !!! ^^
This is the first thing you'll have to investigate on...
4) NO ONE as P6800 or P6810 owners got a 4.2.2 Android versions, and we will most probably never get such versions... ^^
5) On Expansys policies and responsibilities concerns : have you fully been informed they would send you a H.K version when you bought this device ??? Check at this when you ordered it and what your delivery and invoice mentions/forms...
6) There may be a slight chance, but go on the Samsung US website to find out the Phone number or the mail address by which you can contact them and described your issue (after you're fully sure about the real Android version you have...) and ask them for help/support and/or a RMA to send your device for repair. They will tell you if they accept to take your device under warranty to a US repair center... ^^
In Europe, we are probably better protected against juridical aspects compared to the US, but we obtain less as damages when we win while in the US you can get MUCH MUCH more if you can afford a Trial...
7) But before going that far : backup up all your internal storage (including the Titanium Backup folder) onto your hard disk computer or an external USB HDD...
8) Optionally, use Kies to backup up all your data and apps.
9) Make sure your battery is fully charged.
10) Get into your Settings and in the Backup and Reinit tab option and select "Re establish default param" (I'm unsure about the real words, as I don't have a US/English firmware version, but you should find out...
It shouldn't be that long before it'll reboot and ask you to reconfigure your Tab.
11) Don't reinstall anything and take awhile and your time to check & assure that solve your display issues. Update your default apps with Google Play and see if that's still good...
12) Finally you'll have 2 options : restore everything with Kies or copy back the Titanium Backup folder from your backup place to the internal storage, download TB and restore everything.
If after the restore you encounter the same display issues again, then you'll know you must not do a full restore, but just your apps... ^^
13) Before you try to update/upgrade or flash anything, make sure which firmware version you're downloading and installing !!! LOL
Good luck !
EDIT : when you buy anything anywhere better is to read the terms and conditions of the Online retailers... ^^
http://www.expansys-usa.com/terms/
In the European or French Expansys website, they can't do what they want as European/French rules & laws better protect customers against such illegal restrictions !!! ^^
I guess you should have consumers organizations as the ones I was referring earlier at your place, when needed...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Arobase40,
1) You're right. I've just checked and its 4.0.4 installed. ICS was an update I made shortly after I purchased the unit. Since there will be no JB for the P6800/P6810, there's no point in my waiting for it.
5) There was no indication that an HK version would be sold/shipped. Also it does not indicate that anywhere on the receipt. I knew it would be a non-U.S. version, because Samsung only sells the P6800 within the U.S.
6) I tried asking Samsung's U.S. warranty repair center if they could repair it, but they go by model numbers, and the P6810 is not one that they will touch. Same thing with the U.K. Samsung Warranty Repair Center, they said that the serial # indicated that it wasn't made in the U.K., so they could not work on it. I couldn't even find anyone in the U.S. who sells parts (i.e. LCDs) for it, it's such a speciality item.
7 - 13) Thanks for the detailed steps. Since I realize now that I was completely confused about the version of my firmware, I realize that for sure, I'm going to have to do one or all of the steps you have outlined.
Thanks again!
My SGS3 is currently running Cyanogenmod 10.x. Lately, I've been having massive problems with this device, as it randomly reboots and occasionally goes into boot loops, for sometimes as long as 20 minutes. I've looked into figuring out what was wrong with my install of Cyanogenmod, but I have hit only dead ends. I want to switch to something else... and NOW, because I use my phone daily and this has reached the point of crippling. Can anyone explain to me how to move from Cyanogenmod to Slim Rom? I tried going to Liquid (something or other) about a month ago, but it would always bootloop when I finished the setup... so I gave up on that one. I'm looking for a non-stock ROM that is stable (at least as far as the random reboots go). I'd prefer LP since I can have multiple user accounts on it, and will eliminate the need for multiple android devices for me (for the time being, anyway). Thanks in advance! I appreciate any and all help I'm able to get here.
@CPUnltd: I don't understand: there's only 1 Slim-LP-ROM, easy to find, stable, up to date, recommendable.
I use it since months and, after trying other LP-ROMs, came always back. I use it without GApps and elephants as FB, Whatsapp... I never created a 2nd user.
With this slim layout I get no FCs, sometimes a lag.
It's personal, so try.
What I'm asking about involves the fact that what I have is not in I9300. The galaxy s3 that I own is an i515, which is the US Cellular version. I've been burned in the past when I didn't get a room that was specific to my phone by model number. If this one is generic and works for all galaxy s3 models then there's no issue. Thank you for the link that you provided. I will look into what options are available via that link. What I really like is confirmation that someone's been able to use that one on my specific model phone. But I will likely give it a try sometime this week after I have backed up my files.
@CPUnltd: that's late info. I recommend to ask the dev @mcgi5sr2 before damaging anything.
CPUnltd said:
What I'm asking about involves the fact that what I have is not in I9300. The galaxy s3 that I own is an i515, which is the US Cellular version. I've been burned in the past when I didn't get a room that was specific to my phone by model number. If this one is generic and works for all galaxy s3 models then there's no issue. Thank you for the link that you provided. I will look into what options are available via that link. What I really like is confirmation that someone's been able to use that one on my specific model phone. But I will likely give it a try sometime this week after I have backed up my files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The i515 is the Galaxy nexus, so this rom will not work on it
Sch-r530u is my model number. Sorry. Posted right before falling asleep and was going of of memory.
CPUnltd said:
Sch-r530u is my model number. Sorry. Posted right before falling asleep and was going of of memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found the device, and no I'm afraid the Rom I build will not run on your device.
Me gustaría q la actualizaran para el moto g 4G
Hello, my mom really wanted a new phone fast because right now she uses an old samsung and it's has some problems but for her phone is in need because of work... So in eBay we found an awesome deal! OnePlus One auction, and we won that phone only for 37 pounds. Phone has to come tomorrow, but I was scrolling through eBay and I wanted to read some feedbacks on seller again so I went to OPO information and then I readed that phone doesn't pick up any network. So, I know that mother will kill me because network will not work. So I wanted to ask, is there any way fix that fast without any parts changing? Just change something in settings and it will work?
Are you serious dude?
Ever heard of "If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is"?
If it was that easy to fix then it would have been sold for far more than £37. Basically, no chance of fixing it in settings I'd guess, but you could try flashing a factory ROM image and praying lots.
Not sure until you actually get the phone and see what's wrong with it.
Soo, phone came and any sims doesn't work on him. So we took it to the repair, they told that they will see if they can fix it. So we waited until next day, they told that they will try to fix it until today. We came to the repair and they told that they changed the sim tray and problem still exist and they said to us to wait until tomorrow if phone gets any better they will call us. But my mom wanted to know, can be that problem can't be fixed at all?
Does the phone show IEMI in Settings/About Phone/Status/IEMI Information? "do not post your IEMI" just let know if does.
For the price you've paid inc the repair you could have got a Nexus 5 in good condition on Ebay.
stylez said:
Does the phone show IEMI in Settings/About Phone/Status/IEMI Information? "do not post your IEMI" just let know if does.
For the price you've paid inc the repair you could have got a Nexus 5 in good condition on Ebay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think so that it shows IMEI, I can't check right now because phone is teardowned and I saw that antenna was corrupted so we gonna changed it on Thursday and what about nexus 5, we could get it but only 16gb but my moms needs more memory so .
And more about IMEI, last time when I checked IMEI was in place but I don't know what about last time when I restored the phone after flashing ROMs .
If you have TWRP installed try backing up the EFS partition. That's where the IMEI is stored.
There's no more problems after antenna change, thanks everyone who tried to help!
Hello folks, I guess I need help with this one :
Not a big Samsung fan but found a good deal on a S7 (craigslist) and got the phone without much homework.
After getting it home, see a few things that I don't like :
back plate says is 'Galaxy S7' and looks legit to me
power up screen also says 'Galaxy S7'
and displays t-mobile logo (supposed to be a tmobile phone)
but settings > about phone >model says 'SM-G920T'
Which turns out is NOT a model for S7 from what I can google.
Also - looks very thin on apps, as in hardly any at all, but has something called 'kingroot' which looks rather strange to me. Samsung including this on their phones ?
So, what the hell is this thing ? Is there a way to tell if it's been played with software or hardware wise ?
Any help from the connoisseurs of all things Samsung Galaxy greatly appreciated. And I know I', in the right forum for that, so thanks in advance.
BTW - not putting a SIM card or connecting this to any private wifi till I have some idea what it is I'm looking at.
Thanks
Sounds like a s6 from the model number, is there a space to put in an sdcard? If not then its an s6.
Yes, there's a tray holding the nano-sim+microSD card. Need to eject with a pin of some sort, in this case was a paperclip.
I know - search results point to S6, but that doesn't look right either.
Why I'm wondering what this thing is
Hope the experts will chime in.
Please post pictures of all sides. Also check image and video resolution and if the camera on the back has working image stabilization (open camera and move device while watching camera, it should stabilize itself)
Sounds like a fake to me
Try putting the phone in Download or Recovery Mode and see what it says.
Vol-Down + Home + Power on for download mode, Vol-up + Home + Power on for recovery.
It's probably a fake phone. Checking what the baseband version is in the Settings menu may help too.
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
Some more info following your advice (thanks all !!!)
baseband : G930FVPU1APV5
there's no IMEI on the back that I can see/identify
recovery mode stops at a dead android screen saying 'no command' (that stopped my heart too for a sec ) , then the home button goes to recovery menu that says
system recovery <3e>
LMY47I test-keys
and a lot more that mostly does nothing - no ROM anywhere I looked
Apply update from sdcard/cache - no go
reboot to boot loader did not work either, unclear why and no time now to play with this
The good news : it is a working phone, the seller was using it and took out his sim and sd card after using it.
Bad news : still no clue what I got, some kind of frankenphone.
I will try to upload pics - only I don't know how yet
Whatever this is, since can't trust it in current state, what ROM should I put on before trying to do something with it . And if I install another ROM, would this be safe to use - assuming it does what I want it to do ?
Thank you all for the replies, will keep digging and still hope some expert will weigh in.
Your help greatly appreciated.
I'll never understand how can someone buy used thing without your own personal inspection of device from your hands. Sorry but you're dumb for doing this
alm0 said:
LMY47I test-keys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The s7 never came with lollipop, sounds like you got one of those s7 clones.
Download https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cpuid.cpu_z&hl=en and post pics of what it says on https://imgur.com/
alm0 said:
Some more info following your advice (thanks all !!!)
baseband : G930FVPU1APV5
there's no IMEI on the back that I can see/identify
recovery mode stops at a dead android screen saying 'no command' (that stopped my heart too for a sec ) , then the home button goes to recovery menu that says
system recovery <3e>
LMY47I test-keys
and a lot more that mostly does nothing - no ROM anywhere I looked
Apply update from sdcard/cache - no go
reboot to boot loader did not work either, unclear why and no time now to play with this
The good news : it is a working phone, the seller was using it and took out his sim and sd card after using it.
Bad news : still no clue what I got, some kind of frankenphone.
I will try to upload pics - only I don't know how yet
Whatever this is, since can't trust it in current state, what ROM should I put on before trying to do something with it . And if I install another ROM, would this be safe to use - assuming it does what I want it to do ?
Thank you all for the replies, will keep digging and still hope some expert will weigh in.
Your help greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry mate but it seems that either the os is custom or the phone is fake
t-shock said:
Sorry mate but it seems that either the os is custom or the phone is fake
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why not both
avatar_ro said:
why not both
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably
If we had pictures, we would be able to recognise the phone better
---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:14 PM ----------
avatar_ro said:
why not both
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably
If we had pictures, we would be able to recognise the phone better
avatar_ro said:
why not both
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so I'm dumb getting a phone I know nothing about from a stranger. Your point is??
So got into bootloader and got jiggy with it and it says it's a 930f.
And assume it will be good enough for what I need.
I'll go full geek on it and find a good rom.
Anything that has the fm radio app?
alm0 said:
Okay, so I'm dumb getting a phone I know nothing about from a stranger. Your point is?��
So got into bootloader and got jiggy with it and it says it's a 930f.
And assume it will be good enough for what I need.
I'll go full geek on it and find a good rom.
Anything that has the fm radio app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey dude, I did not called you dumb but pretty sure what you did was not smart. why don't you send us some pictures of the phone? especially from the sides and back and we can quickly see if it's a ripoff or not.
No, I'm dumb and manly enough to admit it.
Did not do my homework so is my fault and paying for it.
In better news looks like I may have something I can work
with.
As long as I can get a rom I like. What's on it now is definitely debilitated, hardly anything there but don't trust it.
That and don't have a nano sim yet.
Waiting for rom recommendation, preferably with fm radio included.
Thanks again all!
I don't think you understand. Alot of people here believe you have a counterfeit phone. If you do, then you have something that may have 1/4 the screen resolution, 1/4 the power and 1/5 the camera quality of the S7. Get the IMEI (settings > about phone) and check on swappa to confirm if you have a S7. Also, If you have a black image, does the screen off or does it have a slight glow (OLED screen should be off when a black image is on screen). If you do have a counterfeit, no rom on this forum will work with your phone. The other thing to check would be to try to boot to download mode, as only authentic samsungs have it. It's important as most rooting/custom roms involve you first flashing something in download mode via Odin.
Here are instructions for entering download mode:
Switch off your smartphone completely.
Press and hold Volume Down, Home and Power buttons simultaneously.
Release these buttons when the Warning screen pops up.
I also fell for a counterfeit a few months ago. I spent ~$600USD on a white S7 from ebay. Fortunately, Ebay's seller protections were able to allow me to return the phone for a full refund.
"I also fell for a counterfeit a few months ago. I spent ~$600USD on a white S7 from ebay. Fortunately, Ebay's seller protections were able to allow me to return the phone for a full refund. "
I also fell for some fake headphones from eBay. Broke after 4 mos, sent them to Shure for warranty, came back "counterfeit". Found out Paypal has a 180 day refund policy. Notified them and had a full refund from the seller in about 5 min. Just an FYI.
Looks like either:
1. A cheap Chinese clone
2. A rooted Galaxy S6 (which is what the kingroot app is AFAIK).
Get your SN and restore it through Samsung Switch in Windows. This way you will find your phone back to a stock rom and not custom rom.
OK gang, is a clone s7. Big disappointment. But got to pay the price when I'm stupid.
Any one here needs one of these, can cut you a good deal
No clue what to do with it, ideas ?
(please don't say paperweight or doorstop, already thought of those)
alm0 said:
OK gang, is a clone s7. Big disappointment. But got to pay the price when I'm stupid.
Any one here needs one of these, can cut you a good deal
No clue what to do with it, ideas ?
(please don't say paperweight or doorstop, already thought of those)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you show us pics? So we see the fake.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I need help from someone a lot smarter than me. First time poster, but no stranger to rooting. (If I break some protocol, please correct me, I want to be a good citizen.)
Background (can be skipped)
I bought a Note 20 Ultra 5G (model #SM-N9860F) from a guy for a steal of a deal. Now I know why. Before buying we started it up and made a phone call, so I figured most everything else would be fine. Took it home and started messing with it, only to find it laggy and exhibiting other odd behaviors. So I went to check for updates before loading it up with my stuff.
But there was no Update button. I tapped "Software Info" and the next thing I saw made me read it three times. It showed, "Android version: 5.1."
Issues
So...
The phone functions but with lag and issues. SIM is recognized, then unrecognized. SIM cannot be used for data (though wifi is fine).
Not kidding, Kingo Root says it was able to root this Snapdragon phone. Root Checker Basic confirms it as rooted.
Using all the various key combinations posted all over the Internet, I cannot get into Download mode. I've tried for days.
Rebooting into Recovery shows Chinese options. (After many days of messing with it I finally found a way for it to show the English list...happy to share how I got there if anyone cares.)
The phone does connect to a Windows PC successfully via USB and can share files to internal and external memory.
Interestingly, the 500GB of internal memory only shows a fraction of it as available. Wondering if Android 5.1 just can't recognize that much space.
Bottom line
I am unable to get into Download mode. When I do get to where I think Download mode should be, the green Android guy is lying down with the words "No command" underneath. Therefore I can't use Odin, or a paid service, or Samsung Smart Switch...even tried the old Kies, since it has Android 5.1 on it. ALL of them require me to get into Download mode, and it just won't go.
Plan B?: I've heard repeatedly that rooting a Note 20 Ultra is (nearly?) impossible. Since multiple apps on my device insist I successfully rooted it, I was hoping I could use the TWRP app (it's installed) to flash something that could help. But I don't know what that would be, or if it would help at all. TWRP doesn't recognize the .zip, .tar, or any other files I've found and copied to the device. Maybe it's looking for a .img? I'm just not sure, and I don't even know what to look for.
Additional info
I've attached a few screen shots and photos.
I'd be ever so grateful for anyone's guidance. Again,
How can I get into Download mode? Seems that would get me back on the paths I know better.
And/or what can I flash using TWRP on what appears to be a rooted device? Would that even help?
Thank you!
kbtraveler said:
I need help from someone a lot smarter than me. First time poster, but no stranger to rooting. (If I break some protocol, please correct me, I want to be a good citizen.)
Background (can be skipped)
I bought a Note 20 Ultra 5G (model #SM-N9860F) from a guy for a steal of a deal. Now I know why. Before buying we started it up and made a phone call, so I figured most everything else would be fine. Took it home and started messing with it, only to find it laggy and exhibiting other odd behaviors. So I went to check for updates before loading it up with my stuff.
But there was no Update button. I tapped "Software Info" and the next thing I saw made me read it three times. It showed, "Android version: 5.1."
Issues
So...
The phone functions but with lag and issues. SIM is recognized, then unrecognized. SIM cannot be used for data (though wifi is fine).
Not kidding, Kingo Root says it was able to root this Snapdragon phone. Root Checker Basic confirms it as rooted.
Using all the various key combinations posted all over the Internet, I cannot get into Download mode. I've tried for days.
Rebooting into Recovery shows Chinese options. (After many days of messing with it I finally found a way for it to show the English list...happy to share how I got there if anyone cares.)
The phone does connect to a Windows PC successfully via USB and can share files to internal and external memory.
Interestingly, the 500GB of internal memory only shows a fraction of it as available. Wondering if Android 5.1 just can't recognize that much space.
Bottom line
I am unable to get into Download mode. When I do get to where I think Download mode should be, the green Android guy is lying down with the words "No command" underneath. Therefore I can't use Odin, or a paid service, or Samsung Smart Switch...even tried the old Kies, since it has Android 5.1 on it. ALL of them require me to get into Download mode, and it just won't go.
Plan B?: I've heard repeatedly that rooting a Note 20 Ultra is (nearly?) impossible. Since multiple apps on my device insist I successfully rooted it, I was hoping I could use the TWRP app (it's installed) to flash something that could help. But I don't know what that would be, or if it would help at all. TWRP doesn't recognize the .zip, .tar, or any other files I've found and copied to the device. Maybe it's looking for a .img? I'm just not sure, and I don't even know what to look for.
Additional info
I've attached a few screen shots and photos.
I'd be ever so grateful for anyone's guidance. Again,
How can I get into Download mode? Seems that would get me back on the paths I know better.
And/or what can I flash using TWRP on what appears to be a rooted device? Would that even help?
Thank you!
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Sounds like you got what you paid for, it's probably a fake Note20 Ultra.
From what I can tell, the model & build numbers conflict, they're from different models of the Note 20 Ultra, that's why I think it's a fake.
Even the model number doesn't look right, it has a hybrid Chinese/European model number........
KOLIOSIS said:
Sounds like you got what you paid for, it's probably a fake Note20 Ultra.
From what I can tell, the model & build numbers conflict, they're from different models of the Note 20 Ultra, that's why I think it's a fake.
Even the model number doesn't look right, it has a hybrid Chinese/European model number........
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Hi Koliosis,
Yeah, thanks, that has crossed my mind, and that's why I posted those images. If it's fake it's a really good one, but I am aware I could have to chalk that up to experience.
Still, why in the world would a fake have Android 5.1 on it? And it works(-ish)! Isn't that still bizarre? Anything that can be done to force it into Download mode or to flash something with TWRP to at least get an OS from the modern era?
Thanks again...
kbtraveler said:
Hi Koliosis,
Yeah, thanks, that has crossed my mind, and that's why I posted those images. If it's fake it's a really good one, but I am aware I could have to chalk that up to experience.
Still, why in the world would a fake have Android 5.1 on it? And it works(-ish)! Isn't that still bizarre? Anything that can be done to force it into Download mode or to flash something with TWRP to at least get an OS from the modern era?
Thanks again...
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There should be several threads/tutorials here that show how to flash firmware using Odin (& of course,includes how to get into download mode).
Before you try that out,have you tried to use Samsung's Smart Switch program on your PC?
Given the information you've posted,it's difficult to determine which model you have,which makes matters worse since we don't want to make a bad situation worse.
I'd start with the Samsung Smart Switch, hopefully it'll be able to determine the make of your phone & flashing stock firmware should be a breeze. (If it's indeed a genuine Samsung Device).
KOLIOSIS said:
There should be several threads/tutorials here that show how to flash firmware using Odin (& of course,includes how to get into download mode).
Before you try that out,have you tried to use Samsung's Smart Switch program on your PC?
Given the information you've posted,it's difficult to determine which model you have,which makes matters since we don't want to make a bad situation worse.
I'd start with the Samsung Smart Switch, hopefully it'll be able to determine the make of your phone & flashing stock firmware should be a breeze. (If it's indeed a genuine Samsung Device).
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Yes sir, and that's my problem. I've rooted and changed ROMs on a dozen devices or more in the past (thanks to XDA!!), always using Odin. But this phone simply will not go into Download mode at all. Using every key combination I can find I either wind up with the Chinese recovery selections I mentioned or I get that "No command" screen with the Android lying on its back.
So far I've tried these PC apps:
Odin (several versions)
Smart Switch
Kies
FixPPO (https://android.imyfone.com/android-issues/android-no-command-error/)
DroidKit (https://www.imobie.com/android-system-recovery/fix-android-no-command-error.htm)
Some, like Odin and the paid options, require Download mode - which isn't working for me - so those apps can even tell I've plugged a phone into the USB port.
Just to put it out there, when the phone is booted into the OS and attach it to the PC, Windows recognizes it's connected but Smart Switch does not. That supports your point that it may not be a Samsung device, but I wondered if it could also have something to do with Smart Switch coming after 5.1 was old.
I just wondered if somebody who didn't know what they were doing somehow downgraded this phone to Android 5.1 before I accept it as a full loss. Still hoping...
kbtraveler said:
Yes sir, and that's my problem. I've rooted and changed ROMs on a dozen devices or more in the past (thanks to XDA!!), always using Odin. But this phone simply will not go into Download mode at all. Using every key combination I can find I either wind up with the Chinese recovery selections I mentioned or I get that "No command" screen with the Android lying on its back.
So far I've tried these PC apps:
Odin (several versions)
Smart Switch
Kies
FixPPO (https://android.imyfone.com/android-issues/android-no-command-error/)
DroidKit (https://www.imobie.com/android-system-recovery/fix-android-no-command-error.htm)
Some, like Odin and the paid options, require Download mode - which isn't working for me - so those apps can even tell I've plugged a phone into the USB port.
Just to put it out there, when the phone is booted into the OS and attach it to the PC, Windows recognizes it's connected but Smart Switch does not. That supports your point that it may not be a Samsung device, but I wondered if it could also have something to do with Smart Switch coming after 5.1 was old.
I just wondered if somebody who didn't know what they were doing somehow downgraded this phone to Android 5.1 before I accept it as a full loss. Still hoping...
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Makes since you tried Kies (given the stated Android version).
Can you download/sideload any apps that may help identify the phone (& check for Knox 0x0) such as this one:
Phone INFO+ (SAM) - Apps on Google Play
All-in-one INFO and TOOLS for Samsung devices.
play.google.com
AIDA64 - Apps on Google Play
Hardware and software information utility for Android devices
play.google.com
I wish I had more to offer,it's been years since I've dealt w/a rooted Samsung (Note 5).
Hopefully,others will chime in & offer a solution.
FWIW,Definitely following this thread, I'm interested in how things work out, hopefully for the better.
Aah i made an account just to respond to you
i had an iPhone 7 Jet Black replica with android 5.1 once upon a time, same symptoms- 8GB actual storage but will show 128GB when connected to PC
So here are my two cents: These devices won't be recognized by samsung tools as they are not having motherboards made by samsung. I would recommend that you check actual specs from AIDA64 and you will find out which company has made the motherboard or device, mine had strange MediaTek processor though. And hopefully you will find some chinese websites where people are talking about how to flash firmwares in these phones but i recommend not to do that, i had to lose my device as it got bricked.
Well, that's exactly why I come here. I'd never come across that AIDA64 app, and I've attached screen shots. I've never heard of a "Kirin," but sure enough, it's Huawei. Dang it!
@priteshsolanki, hate to hear about your experience. Thanks for the heads up.
So...does Huawei have a Smart Switch equivalent, lol? And by the way, even if I got this working, would Huawei have enough hardware in this bugger to be able to listen in and send data back to Mother China?? I don't know how that kind of thing works...
kbtraveler said:
Well, that's exactly why I come here. I'd never come across that AIDA64 app, and I've attached screen shots. I've never heard of a "Kirin," but sure enough, it's Huawei. Dang it!
@priteshsolanki, hate to hear about your experience. Thanks for the heads up.
So...does Huawei have a Smart Switch equivalent, lol? And by the way, even if I got this working, would Huawei have enough hardware in this bugger to be able to listen in and send data back to Mother China?? I don't know how that kind of thing works...
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This is strange, i think The AIDA64 app is being fooled here too! To find which company has made it, Its gonna be same experience as finding father of an orphan child which just had permanent memory loss
Its not Kirin, its not huawei.. why?-
So its showing ARMv7 32bit processor, which is definitely not Kirin 1020. because kirin 1020 is a high end processor itself too and uses 5nm technology and Cortex A78 architecture! (While yours is showing stone age 28nm with Cortex A7)
Then there is Platform MT6799. When i look up for that, its again showing totally different company- MediaTek chipset "Helio X30 (MT6799)" which is a deca core processor but what we got here in your details is a Quad core processor.
What we know about your processor:
- its Cortex A7 @1301 MHz and has 28nm manufacturing process
(can't be 5G at any cost)
- From above details it seems like an ancient processor which came out somewhere around 2012, probably thats why its running 5.1.
- The performance is equivalent to high end Android Jellybean device, but definitely not suitable for using in 2022
- The storage and RAM amount shown there are just to fulfill fantasies, dont expect it to be reliable. Its probably a 1 or 2GB Ram with 4 or 8GB storage.
- The software in the phone is really fantastic, i have never thought that a clone can be so perfect that even Apps like AIDA64 will have a hard time finding the facts!
Now coming to the main questions:
1) Can it be upgraded?
90% no based on research i have done in google, this phone is totally non existent for google. for remaining 10% you can expect the rom maker to contact you in DMs after seeing your thread here and offer you an upgrade lol
2) Should you use any file syncing tools with it?
Quick answer: Syncios app is your best bet to sync data between phone and back, but only luck can help you find actual firmware of the device
Slightly long answer: So according to our findings all these data shown in phone settings fake, and syncing apps back in 2011-12 i think its going to give you hard time finding a working one. Android 5.1 in todays time is not something you should be using as daily driver for sure. I suggest you to just treat it like a toy.
About my iPhone 7 back in the day, i bought that one for some 60USD but it was worth it, had some kind of apple music app which never required login but was able to stream any songs for free. so ive used that one out for music only.
I really wish there was a better way to put it, but you can try one last dry hope at needrom website to see if they have any details about this device.
kbtraveler said:
But there was no Update button. I tapped "Software Info" and the next thing I saw made me read it three times. It showed, "Android version: 5.1."
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Like has been said, sounds like you got a fake, Software info is one of the first things I would have checked before buying, not after you have bought it and then start having issues. Unfortunately you only really have yourself to blame. like is quite often said if the deal "seems to good to be true" there are reasons why.
@samorgs60, you are very right. I've taken many chances like this one on many electronic devices, and to my recollection, this is the first time I got burned. It's kind of like speeding: I don't always obey the speed limit to the letter (number?), so in the past when I got what I believe was an unfair speeding ticket - I was accused of going faster than I was - I dealt with it my accepting it as a balance in the universe for all the times I should have been busted.
@priteshsolanki, what a catch! Wow. That is kinda amazing, and would explain why it has 5.1 on it. I'm actually astonished at the quality of the device in every way, other than the obvious.
So I hate to ask this, but...isn't it true that carriers (I won't mention mine by name here) make offers for value against a new phone if your current phone simply 1) turns on and 2) does not have a cracked screen? That kinda seems to describe what I've got right now. Not interested in misleading on purpose, but what is the likelihood this would qualify as a trade-in? If they took it initially, what's the likelihood of it coming back to haunt me (the carrier contacting me about it not being a Samsung)?
Really appreciate the help, guys!
It sucks that you got a fake. If you paid with PayPal or Credit, I'd file a claim/dispute and try to return for a refund. Carriers usually log the IMEI of trade ins and if it doesn't match the model or is blacklisted in any way, the trade will be denied.