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You know what bugs me already for years is the following...
Mobile phones, which I paid a lot for, come with poor vendor roms, which are locked. They are mostly rich in bugs and therefore poor in bugfixes, support and updates.
xda-developers mod roms, cyanogenmod, android root and so on are such great projects...
The problem with those is, that
- warranty gets lost
- not available for all phones (there are for example no mod roms for Motorola Flipout, because the bootloader has been successfully protected my Motorola and no one could hack it yet)
- the developers have to waste time with working around the protections to mod the device
It is ridiculous, you paid the full price for the phone, but never get the right to fully use it's potential.
Let's compare it with buying a normal laptop. It's also a piece of hardware and mostly there is Windows preinstalled with a loads of bloated unwanted software. This might be ok for a lot of people. And the rest? They are free to install ANY operating system they wish.
On normal laptops there are not risks when messing around with new operating systems. Of course you need some knowledge and you may lose your data, if you do not know what you are doing. But since all my messing with operating systems for PC, I never damaged the hardware, simply it is designed in a way, not to be damaged by software, it's robust.
Mobile phone vendors claim, they lock us out, because we could potentially harm the hardware. Isn't it their task, just to develop robust hardware and allow us to install any software we want?
This petition would aim for:
- open bootloader by default
- root by default
- warranty for the hardware, no matter which software you used
- free to install custom roms
- robust hardware
I'd like to start a petition and perhaps some public awareness for this issue.
So, if you want to help with anything.... Like writing a petition, a more handy text then this, for example, would be needed.
Discuss.
Installing another O/S on your laptop is not likely to break it, if it does you fix it or take it to a computer shop. A computers warenty normally only covers the junk it came with. There is already a problem with self entitled gits who dont read properly, or make an effort to understand what they are doing who download a WP7 rom, try to put it on a sensation, and expect someone to come running with a new phone. I don't believe they should try to stop people from modifying their devices in any way they want to, but they shouldnt have to cover your fumbling around either. Any modification is rightly done at your own risk.
hungry81 said:
Installing another O/S on your laptop is not likely to break it, if it does you fix it or take it to a computer shop. A computers warenty normally only covers the junk it came with. There is already a problem with self entitled gits who dont read properly, or make an effort to understand what they are doing who download a WP7 rom, try to put it on a sensation, and expect someone to come running with a new phone. I don't believe they should try to stop people from modifying their devices in any way they want to, but they shouldnt have to cover your fumbling around either. Any modification is rightly done at your own risk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this.
One of the major issues with phone ROMs is that you do have the potential to completely brick your phone if you don't know what you're doing. Unrelated hardware failures (i.e. USB port loses power while flashing a new bootloader) may hard brick your phone to a state of complete uselessness.
Having super user access and root on a phone is another issue that the vast majority of end users do not want to have to deal with. UAC is enabled by default on Windows Vista and 7 because it provides robust protection for people who DO NOT know what they are doing. For day to day usage of a computer, users do not need an account with any special access privilege. Even if you do know what you're doing, its still SAFER to be on a non-admin account for day to day computer use.
hungry81 said:
Installing another O/S on your laptop is not likely to break it, if it does you fix it or take it to a computer shop. A computers warenty normally only covers the junk it came with.
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Click to collapse
There are also computers which come without any software, just hardware. If anything goes wrong, like defect harddrive, then it will be replaced, because of warranty.
Mobile phones are very similar to computers nowadays. But there are no decent mobile phones without operating systems available. This is also what I vote vor.
hungry81 said:
I don't believe they should try to stop people from modifying their devices in any way they want to, but they shouldnt have to cover your fumbling around either. Any modification is rightly done at your own risk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, messing with software -> no more software suppprt -> but hardware warranty still ok.
Kagadar said:
One of the major issues with phone ROMs is that you do have the potential to completely brick your phone if you don't know what you're doing. Unrelated hardware failures (i.e. USB port loses power while flashing a new bootloader) may hard brick your phone to a state of complete uselessness.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that this problem does exist right now...
But only because the hardware is not robust.
As far I know, (a while ago I informed myself about a few devices) it is not possible to brick Nokia S60 v3 devices. This is because the routine to flash the device is read only and can not be changed. No matter if you lose power during flashing or usb cable loss... You can always flash again. There is NO way to brick the device while flashing.
Apart from the flash routine which is hardly built into the phone, the rest of the phones software can be updated.
That demonstrates that there are no technical limitations to deploy robust hardware.
Kagadar said:
Having super user access and root on a phone is another issue that the vast majority of end users do not want to have to deal with. UAC is enabled by default on Windows Vista and 7 because it provides robust protection for people who DO NOT know what they are doing. For day to day usage of a computer, users do not need an account with any special access privilege. Even if you do know what you're doing, its still SAFER to be on a non-admin account for day to day computer use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also agree that it is saves not to use admin account for everyday use and that it's also a good idea not to have it enabled by default.
On computers you still have the option to legally use your root account. At the other hand with mobile phones this is completely unwanted and you need some kind of hack to do it. This is the difference. And this is what I complain about.
Yeah
I think just like apps there are some absolutely amazing ROMs that run better than the vendor ROMs. I think they should allow those changes to occur whether through a "vendor verified" developer or some kind of authorized ROM download channel through the manufacturer so you can get the style and type you want the most which typically runs much smoother without voiding the warranty. Great idea!
Lmao. Hell no. Carriers and manufacturers will try to start sellings roms like theyre crack. Ringtones anybody? Cmon. Only $3.
Anyways. I think the op doesnt know what hes asking for. What you want is a blank phone and you want the manufacturer to cover hardware no matter what is done with phone. Fair enough. I guess you want them to cover the phone if you burn through all your write cycles in the flash memory used because you have to flash anything you can your digital hands on. You do realize this will cause the price of parts to go up in the long run? And prices upfront will be more because they will calculate losses due to all the warranty claims. Should i keep wondering why insurance prices keep going up? Phones are built much, much different from computers. Pc's are generally modular and a single piece if defective is claimed to oem of that part. Not necessarily hp or dell. Phones usually only have one or two boards in them with all your components. So if you somehow manage to fry your wifi because you thought could improve reception or your bandwidth or whatever with something custom and it doesnt work, that whole board, system or maybe even phone depending on how its built now needs to be replaced.
I dont want to say it, but itis fair for them to not cover your phone if you went above and beyond. True, because we have become digital crackheads we usually become beta testers for their hw/sw but we also have the power of the coin too. You cant fault them if you wanted to improve their bugs/sw. You cant go banging on your drug dealers door either when he sells you some bunk cocaine and you go mix it with drano, just hoping for something and it backfires on you.
I voided my warranty.
Some interesting opinions. If this was made legal there would likely be restrictions placed on what can be changed, and it would likely end up regulated in some way.
The result would be third-party 'illegal' roms and commercially available 'legal' ones.
People like us would likely still be flashing illegal roms with modified clock-speeds etc ; )
After I got my skyrocket, many of my friends and family also decided on the skyrocket Well, now it's up to me to make sure they're all in working order.
So one of my family members left her skyrocket in a bag of water for a while while she was at the beach, and it was completely unresponsive. I fully disassembled it (not my first time), dried out the majority of the water, then left the phone in rice for a few days. The good news is, the phone boots up and seems to work. The battery still works and it charges over USB.
The bad news is, the cellular radio does not work, IMEI comes up as unknown, bluetooth mac is "unavailable", front facing camera is also unresponsive. Really bad news: data/adb over usb does not register at all. A few more days in rice haven't helped.
The phone is completely stock. My first thought was that flashing a new radio might reset the cellular somehow, but not having cwm/odin makes that impossible. I can't seem to get the phone into download mode either because of the USB problem.
One thing that DOES work is the stock recovery. I can tell it to flash the official ATT ICS build, which contains a radio!
However when I try flashing it says.. "E: Short write of /tmp/sideload/package.zip (No space left on device) Installation aborted". Other zips "failed to verify whole-file signature"
Any ideas? My next step will be buying a used skyrocket with a cracked screen, and transplanting the working screen from this unit...
Tom
First off, please use the Q&A section for, you know, questions and answers. Don't create a new thread; I'm going to ask the mods to move this one instead.
Second, your issue is that the hardware radio is dead. The stock ROM only has a software radio included. To put it a different way, the stock ROM includes programming that tells the cell radio what to do. It can't fix the cell radio if it's broken, though. Unfortunately, based on the amount of damage you've got there, I'd say your phone is pretty much toast.
If you're completely stock, try to warranty it out. Just be up front with Sammy about what happened (because, in this instance, they will figure it out if you make up a story or play dumb), and the worst thing they can say is no. You might get a sympathetic rep who'll help you out. If they won't take it, you've already got your backup plan in the working SR.
T.J. Bender said:
First off, please use the Q&A section for, you know, questions and answers. Don't create a new thread; I'm going to ask the mods to move this one instead.
Second, your issue is that the hardware radio is dead. The stock ROM only has a software radio included. To put it a different way, the stock ROM includes programming that tells the cell radio what to do. It can't fix the cell radio if it's broken, though. Unfortunately, based on the amount of damage you've got there, I'd say your phone is pretty much toast.
If you're completely stock, try to warranty it out. Just be up front with Sammy about what happened (because, in this instance, they will figure it out if you make up a story or play dumb), and the worst thing they can say is no. You might get a sympathetic rep who'll help you out. If they won't take it, you've already got your backup plan in the working SR.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Meant to post this in Q&A, woops. Too many xda tabs open trying to figure this out. Sorry about that
I do know the difference between the hardware/software radios... My thought was that while the phone was turned on and submerged, the software radio could have become corrupt... A long shot perhaps
I'll try contacting samsung, but somehow I doubt they'll cover it. Sidenote, do you really think they have a more sophisticated way to check for water damage than the internal water-damage indicator sticker?
The question still stands though, if anyone is interested. Even without a cell radio, I'd like to be able to root it for other purposes
Thanks for the advice
Tom
dutchthomas said:
Meant to post this in Q&A, woops. Too many xda tabs open trying to figure this out. Sorry about that
I do know the difference between the hardware/software radios... My thought was that while the phone was turned on and submerged, the software radio could have become corrupt... A long shot perhaps
I'll try contacting samsung, but somehow I doubt they'll cover it. Sidenote, do you really think they have a more sophisticated way to check for water damage than the internal water-damage indicator sticker?
The question still stands though, if anyone is interested. Even without a cell radio, I'd like to be able to root it for other purposes
Thanks for the advice
Tom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, based on the amount of things going wrong, it's hardware. If the software radio was corrupt, it would be because the internal storage had been corrupted, and your phone likely would not boot.
And yes, they can find water damage beyond the sticker. They can see corrosion plain as day when they open it up and look at the internals.
You can root it without USB working. Is your wifi working? If so, download GooManager off the market, then follow the instructions in the TWRP thread to get TWRP on your phone. Download a custom ROM to your PC, then transfer it to your external SD using an adapter/card reader so you can place it on the card directly (instead of going through the USB port). Use TWRP to flash the pre-rooted ROM onto your phone and viola. Unless there's a pre-rooted stock out there (and I don't think there is for SR), a custom ROM is the only way I can think of to do it.
Be advised, though, that because of the amount of damage done to your phone's internals, there's a better-than-normal chance that something won't work and you'll brick. I'm not responsible for your decisions or for the brick if that happens.
Long story short, just get a replacement SR.
Same thing happened to my girls Atrix. She gave it a nice bath in Green Tea. After shutting it down and pulling it apart I gave it the rice treatment for 48 hours. Booted but returned a radio error. Her USB port was working so I was able to root it and install a few custom ROMs on it. No change. So I would bet you actually fried the chip. Call Sammi and get a quote to cover the repair which will be a new mobo. They pay shipping both ways and are usually pretty cheap.
hechoen said:
Same thing happened to my girls Atrix. She gave it a nice bath in Green Tea. After shutting it down and pulling it apart I gave it the rice treatment for 48 hours. Booted but returned a radio error. Her USB port was working so I was able to root it and install a few custom ROMs on it. No change. So I would bet you actually fried the chip. Call Sammi and get a quote to cover the repair which will be a new mobo. They pay shipping both ways and are usually pretty cheap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh, this is my mother's phone actually. First she ripped the screen ribbon cable on a nokia E75. Then she smashed her Atrix's screen, tried to fix it herself with a new screen, and managed to rip part of a ribbon cable... so it no longer has a working touch digitizer. Now she left her skyrocket in a bag of water. The girlfriend managed to crack her skyrocket's screen, which I replaced... I've also had to fix 2x nokia N95's, an N97, and a bunch of water damaged dumb phones over the years...
FWIW, the skyrocket seems to have the best repairability / internal layout of any of the phones I've messed with
The cracked screen skyrockets on ebay seem to be going for more than I thought, so I'll be giving sammy a call for sure
Hello ALl,
I am not a developer and do very little tinkering with my android phones. That being said, I recently shattered my Nexus 5's sreen and sent it into LG to get repaired. They sent it back as "not repairable: Epoxy Crack." I turned it on as it was still fully functional (minus the screen) when I sent it off. The phone booted up with a letterboxed version of the Nexus 4 boot screen and after going through an initial set up, I went to settings to find that the phone now says:
Android version - KeyLimePie
Baseband version - M8974A-1.0.25.0.15
Kernel version - 3.4.0-gaf7416a-00002-g97abe44 / [email protected] #1 / Thu Apr17 10:56:17 KST 2014
Build number - aosp_hammerhead-userdebug KeyLimePie / FAC140417_KRT01B PDK853385 test-keys
Also, under runtime, I can chose between Dalvik, ART, and ART Debug mode. Lastly, there are a few diagnostics apps installed on the phone.
I am not sure if any of this is helpful to any developers out there, but if it is, please let me know and I can try to pull an image of the phone for you to use.
I suspect it is some old Android image that they flash onto every phone to do repairs, but since they did not reset the phone to stock, I am happy to try and get the software to any of you if you want it.
mrfochs said:
Hello ALl,
I am not a developer and do very little tinkering with my android phones. That being said, I recently shattered my Nexus 5's sreen and sent it into LG to get repaired. They sent it back as "not repairable: Epoxy Crack." I turned it on as it was still fully functional (minus the screen) when I sent it off. The phone booted up with a letterboxed version of the Nexus 4 boot screen and after going through an initial set up, I went to settings to find that the phone now says:
Android version - KeyLimePie
Baseband version - M8974A-1.0.25.0.15
Kernel version - 3.4.0-gaf7416a-00002-g97abe44 / [email protected] #1 / Thu Apr17 10:56:17 KST 2014
Build number - aosp_hammerhead-userdebug KeyLimePie / FAC140417_KRT01B PDK853385 test-keys
Also, under runtime, I can chose between Dalvik, ART, and ART Debug mode. Lastly, there are a few diagnostics apps installed on the phone.
I am not sure if any of this is helpful to any developers out there, but if it is, please let me know and I can try to pull an image of the phone for you to use.
I suspect it is some old Android image that they flash onto every phone to do repairs, but since they did not reset the phone to stock, I am happy to try and get the software to any of you if you want it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
na, its an old pre kitkat prerelease, and has been known about for a long time. whats odd is thats what they flashed, instead of anything more recent. unless thats what their technician have, odd they didnt go with the factory img.
simms22 said:
na, its an old pre kitkat prerelease, and has been known about for a long time. whats odd is thats what they flashed, instead of anything more recent. unless thats what their technician have, odd they didnt go with the factory img.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is even more odd as I have done a factory reset before sending it in so as to ensure that my account data and info was off the phone in the case that they were to send me a new phone instead of swapping out the components of the original. It was fun looking through the random debugging and testing apps they left on the phone. Thank fully my fiancee reads and speaks Korean and she could tell me what the on screen buttons said.
Anyway, thanks. I have decided since LG won't repair the screen, I will. I ordered the screen, digitizer, and front bezel from ETradeSupply and will try to save the phone myself once the part arrives. If all goes well with the replacement, I will flash hopefully back to factory original and then upgrade to 4.4 again.
In the meantime, it looks like a few more days with the Moto G (purchased as a back up phone while sorting out the screen on the Nexus 5).
Interesting to see that the Test Version's Kernel date is 17th April 2014...
LG has two kind of firmware for their devices: FACTORY and USER. Factory image is used to test the phones hardware like bluetooth, wifi, screen etc... and enables some more options for LG testers to make it sure the phone works perfectly. The user image for nexus 5 is the same what google offers for us.
@mrfochs try to do a backup if possible. Kernel, system and radio that is what we need. Also please check the bootloader version if it somethig new then make a backup. You will have problems using LG flashtool in the future, but it can be solved easily. If you ever have to use lg flashtool to return to stock just contact me and we make your phone compatible again with LG flashtool.
While that build is technically old, like @vin4yak said, that kernel date is what's really throwing me off.
I'm on stock right now and KTU84P kernel reads it was created on March 17th, 2014
You should try and extract those troubleshooting apk's and share them with the community.
bitdomo said:
LG has two kind of firmware for their devices: FACTORY and USER. Factory image is used to test the phones hardware like bluetooth, wifi, screen etc... and enables some more options for LG testers to make it sure the phone works perfectly. The user image for nexus 5 is the same what google offers for us.
@mrfochs try to do a backup if possible. Kernel, system and radio that is what we need. Also please check the bootloader version if it somethig new then make a backup. You will have problems using LG flashtool in the future, but it can be solved easily. If you ever have to use lg flashtool to return to stock just contact me and we make your phone compatible again with LG flashtool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am happy to try and make a backup, however I haven't the slightest clue how to go about doing it (like I said in original post I=newb).
mrfochs said:
I am happy to try and make a backup, however I haven't the slightest clue how to go about doing it (like I said in original post I=newb).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock bootloader, flash twrp recovery make a backup where you select system and boot then you upload the backup somewhere.
mrfochs said:
Anyway, thanks. I have decided since LG won't repair the screen, I will. I ordered the screen, digitizer, and front bezel from ETradeSupply and will try to save the phone myself once the part arrives. If all goes well with the replacement, I will flash hopefully back to factory original and then upgrade to 4.4 again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is so strange. I have the EXACT same situation happening to me. I got my phone back from LG as unrepairable due to "epoxy crack" and now it has this testing Key Lime Pie version that is impossible to update from.
Please let me know if you're able to successfully do the repair yourself or flash back to factory original. From this thread, it seems it's not easy to.
Which part did you order from ETrade Supply?
http://www.etradesupply.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=nexus+5
There's zero reason for this to be happening except extreme incompetence on LG's service tech's part. I would get in contact with them and demand some free service because of this. It's bad enough they can't repair the phone, but it's 100x worse that they send the phone back to you in even worse condition.
No excuse for this. I would be looking for compensation, personally.
Sadly I've heard other worrying things about LG's "repair" service. They don't even seem to realize there's a final clip that needs to be engaged on the back of the phone or else NFC and Qi don't work. That's basic stuff and gives me no confidence in their tech's abilities.
LG Flashtool affects Sideloads?
bitdomo said:
LG has two kind of firmware for their devices: FACTORY and USER. Factory image is used to test the phones hardware like bluetooth, wifi, screen etc... and enables some more options for LG testers to make it sure the phone works perfectly. The user image for nexus 5 is the same what google offers for us.
@mrfochs try to do a backup if possible. Kernel, system and radio that is what we need. Also please check the bootloader version if it somethig new then make a backup. You will have problems using LG flashtool in the future, but it can be solved easily. If you ever have to use lg flashtool to return to stock just contact me and we make your phone compatible again with LG flashtool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have given up trying to get the app files off this phone as the current version of Android that is installed on here keeps crashing popping up "Google Play Services failed to load" or a handful of other popups indicating apps that have failed to launch. I set up the drivers on my computer to sideload 4.4.4 through ADB, but I keep getting "File Signature Verification Failed." Is this a result of trying to sideload the OTA while ADB is seeing a different firmware as a result of the LG Flash tool you mentioned?
I contacted LG to ask them how to get the factory software on the phone and they want me to ship the phone back to them in Fort Worth as their paperwork "doesn't indicate that anything was done to the phone." I would prefer to find a way to install stock back to the phone without having to mail my phone again (especially since I just replaced the screen).
mrfochs said:
I have given up trying to get the app files off this phone as the current version of Android that is installed on here keeps crashing popping up "Google Play Services failed to load" or a handful of other popups indicating apps that have failed to launch. I set up the drivers on my computer to sideload 4.4.4 through ADB, but I keep getting "File Signature Verification Failed." Is this a result of trying to sideload the OTA while ADB is seeing a different firmware as a result of the LG Flash tool you mentioned?
I contacted LG to ask them how to get the factory software on the phone and they want me to ship the phone back to them in Fort Worth as their paperwork "doesn't indicate that anything was done to the phone." I would prefer to find a way to install stock back to the phone without having to mail my phone again (especially since I just replaced the screen).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll fail if you're using stock recovery?
mrfochs said:
I have given up trying to get the app files off this phone as the current version of Android that is installed on here keeps crashing popping up "Google Play Services failed to load" or a handful of other popups indicating apps that have failed to launch. I set up the drivers on my computer to sideload 4.4.4 through ADB, but I keep getting "File Signature Verification Failed." Is this a result of trying to sideload the OTA while ADB is seeing a different firmware as a result of the LG Flash tool you mentioned?
I contacted LG to ask them how to get the factory software on the phone and they want me to ship the phone back to them in Fort Worth as their paperwork "doesn't indicate that anything was done to the phone." I would prefer to find a way to install stock back to the phone without having to mail my phone again (especially since I just replaced the screen).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contact me on hangouts: [email protected]
Then I will make it work to flash google's rom. Only thing you have to do is let me connect to your PC through team viewer and connect your phone in fastboot mode to your PC.
Let me provide and update and go on a rant here for a bit. For anyone who cares to listen.
It took me 1 chat, 1 failed supervisor call back, and 3 consequent phone calls ultimately escalating to a supervisor to get LG to understand they made a mistake and send me a shipping label so they can get the factory test OS removed.
Here is a copy/paste from my first uncanny chat with an LG representative:
Mariangie: Unfortunately the OS they tested is the way they use to repair the phone and since it was not responding on that mode (service mode) that's when the phone is deemed unrepairable
Mariangie: and regretfully no it cant be put back into normal (customer) OS
lifeinpictures: that makes no sense
Mariangie: My sincere apologies
lifeinpictures: controls work just fine
lifeinpictures: it worked fine before I sent it
lifeinpictures: and controls and touch work just fine now
lifeinpictures: you cannot tell me that you guys purposely send items back with a testing operating system, meant for techs and not users
lifeinpictures: at the least, I should be able to get my product in the same state I sent it in
lifeinpictures: not WORSE
Mariangie: I truly apologize again for the inconvenience this may caused, I personally understand your position. I will certainly forward your comments and dissatisfaction about this matter.
lifeinpictures: I don't need you to forward anything, I need you to fix it.
lifeinpictures: you broke it
lifeinpictures: therefore you should fix it
Mariangie: I wish i have other options available, unfortunately the phone cant be put back into normal OS. It seems to have a physical damage that result in internal part not working
Mariangie: techs try to putting the phone into service OS but it is not working
Mariangie: making it not possible to have it repair
Mariangie: and no way to put back on normal mode
lifeinpictures: Mariange, I really doubt you know enough about the testing hammerhead OS to know what you're talking about
Mariangie: My sincere apologies
raul takahashi: an OS is not reliant on physical, operating parts
lifeinpictures: I understand, you feel upset about this
lifeinpictures: I truly apologize again for the inconvenience this represent
lifeinpictures: And again I wish i could have other options to supply you with
lifeinpictures: I'm afraid no other options to provide you with
Mariangie: Sorry Mr. LifeinPictures.
lifeinpictures: this is pretty much against the law Mariange
lifeinpictures: this is like giving you my car to repair a cracked window
lifeinpictures: and you give it back to me with a broken engine, which wasn't broken before
Mariangie: My sincere apologies, Again I wish i could have other options to supply you with, I'm afraid no other options to provide you with.
It took me all evening, but I finally reached a supervisor to resolve (interestingly, it's the exact same supervisor I had escalated to just 2 weeks ago. read below if interested. He immediately accepted the mistake, and finally offered a ship label to get the phone shipped back and fixed.
I have lost complete faith in LG as a company and will do everything I can to avoid them.
Previous history, copied and pasted from Google forum thread about cracked screen:
To quickly recap my history and experience with Nexus 5.
1. Buy Nexus 5.
2. Drop it on carpet from coffee table 2 feet tall, screen completely shattered. 4 months after purchase. (Owned 12 phones in my life, all handled way more abuse)
3. Pay LG $140 to repair.
4. LG sends me refurbished unit, not my original one repaired. I'm ok with this.
5. Buy heavy duty case because apparently this thing is fragile.
6. Lunch in an outside restaurant patio. Sunny day. Table is warm to the touch, but nothing anyone notices or cares about as they eat. I put my phone face down, glass on table. Pick up phone to leave, there is a crack from side to side of the phone. Just great. Can't even handle everyday situations, less severe than a hot car (for example).
7. Crack very soon start expanding to the rest of the phone. Now entire screen cracked.
8. Send to LG for repair, again.*
9. Phone comes back as unrepairable due to "epoxy crack". (B.S. this was less severe than my 1st one and phone is fully functional, electronically and mechanically. Research proves many recent attempts by other Nexus 5 owners sending cracked phones for repair have been denied)
10. Phone comes back worse than it was when sent, with testing factory OS instead of user OS. Unable to update from.
*=Customer service: 4 days go by since LG has possession of my phone. I call to ask for status, rep says "wait until we call your or email you". Next day, I get a UPS notice that phone is being shipped back. I call to find out why, speak to 3 reps, none can tell me anything other than "it's not repairable". 4th call reaches supervisor, who tells me it's due to "damaged electronics". It's a lie, but I give up.
(My theory on these newfound lack of willingness to replace screens:
LG / Google is aware they skimped on glass quality to keep the price low. They made a (decent) business decision to first do "whatever it takes" to keep customers happy and loyal. This includes fixing screens "outside of warranty" (since they know it's impossible for customers to prove a cracked screen is manufacturer fault) for a very reasonable cost of $140 which is close to cost (parts + labor) or potentially at a loss. This keeps the majority of owners at bay. Now, Nexus 6 is on the horizon and the loss or lack of revenue from these Nexus 5 screen repairs has surpassed expectation so they have advised their repair stations to deny them. They've done their part with an acceptable level of damage control and soon everyone will get a Nexus 6, move on, and forget the Nexus 5 was a debacle.)
lifeinpictures said:
This is so strange. I have the EXACT same situation happening to me. I got my phone back from LG as unrepairable due to "epoxy crack" and now it has this testing Key Lime Pie version that is impossible to update from.
Please let me know if you're able to successfully do the repair yourself or flash back to factory original. From this thread, it seems it's not easy to.
Which part did you order from ETrade Supply?
http://www.etradesupply.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=nexus+5
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lifeinpictures said:
Let me provide and update and go on a rant here for a bit. For anyone who cares to listen.
It took me 1 chat, 1 failed supervisor call back, and 3 consequent phone calls ultimately escalating to a supervisor to get LG to understand they made a mistake and send me a shipping label so they can get the factory test OS removed.
Here is a copy/paste from my first uncanny chat with an LG representative:
Mariangie: Unfortunately the OS they tested is the way they use to repair the phone and since it was not responding on that mode (service mode) that's when the phone is deemed unrepairable
Mariangie: and regretfully no it cant be put back into normal (customer) OS
lifeinpictures: that makes no sense
Mariangie: My sincere apologies
lifeinpictures: controls work just fine
lifeinpictures: it worked fine before I sent it
lifeinpictures: and controls and touch work just fine now
lifeinpictures: you cannot tell me that you guys purposely send items back with a testing operating system, meant for techs and not users
lifeinpictures: at the least, I should be able to get my product in the same state I sent it in
lifeinpictures: not WORSE
Mariangie: I truly apologize again for the inconvenience this may caused, I personally understand your position. I will certainly forward your comments and dissatisfaction about this matter.
lifeinpictures: I don't need you to forward anything, I need you to fix it.
lifeinpictures: you broke it
lifeinpictures: therefore you should fix it
Mariangie: I wish i have other options available, unfortunately the phone cant be put back into normal OS. It seems to have a physical damage that result in internal part not working
Mariangie: techs try to putting the phone into service OS but it is not working
Mariangie: making it not possible to have it repair
Mariangie: and no way to put back on normal mode
lifeinpictures: Mariange, I really doubt you know enough about the testing hammerhead OS to know what you're talking about
Mariangie: My sincere apologies
raul takahashi: an OS is not reliant on physical, operating parts
lifeinpictures: I understand, you feel upset about this
lifeinpictures: I truly apologize again for the inconvenience this represent
lifeinpictures: And again I wish i could have other options to supply you with
lifeinpictures: I'm afraid no other options to provide you with
Mariangie: Sorry Mr. LifeinPictures.
lifeinpictures: this is pretty much against the law Mariange
lifeinpictures: this is like giving you my car to repair a cracked window
lifeinpictures: and you give it back to me with a broken engine, which wasn't broken before
Mariangie: My sincere apologies, Again I wish i could have other options to supply you with, I'm afraid no other options to provide you with.
It took me all evening, but I finally reached a supervisor to resolve (interestingly, it's the exact same supervisor I had escalated to just 2 weeks ago. read below if interested. He immediately accepted the mistake, and finally offered a ship label to get the phone shipped back and fixed.
I have lost complete faith in LG as a company and will do everything I can to avoid them.
Previous history, copied and pasted from Google forum thread about cracked screen:
To quickly recap my history and experience with Nexus 5.
1. Buy Nexus 5.
2. Drop it on carpet from coffee table 2 feet tall, screen completely shattered. 4 months after purchase. (Owned 12 phones in my life, all handled way more abuse)
3. Pay LG $140 to repair.
4. LG sends me refurbished unit, not my original one repaired. I'm ok with this.
5. Buy heavy duty case because apparently this thing is fragile.
6. Lunch in an outside restaurant patio. Sunny day. Table is warm to the touch, but nothing anyone notices or cares about as they eat. I put my phone face down, glass on table. Pick up phone to leave, there is a crack from side to side of the phone. Just great. Can't even handle everyday situations, less severe than a hot car (for example).
7. Crack very soon start expanding to the rest of the phone. Now entire screen cracked.
8. Send to LG for repair, again.*
9. Phone comes back as unrepairable due to "epoxy crack". (B.S. this was less severe than my 1st one and phone is fully functional, electronically and mechanically. Research proves many recent attempts by other Nexus 5 owners sending cracked phones for repair have been denied)
10. Phone comes back worse than it was when sent, with testing factory OS instead of user OS. Unable to update from.
*=Customer service: 4 days go by since LG has possession of my phone. I call to ask for status, rep says "wait until we call your or email you". Next day, I get a UPS notice that phone is being shipped back. I call to find out why, speak to 3 reps, none can tell me anything other than "it's not repairable". 4th call reaches supervisor, who tells me it's due to "damaged electronics". It's a lie, but I give up.
(My theory on these newfound lack of willingness to replace screens:
LG / Google is aware they skimped on glass quality to keep the price low. They made a (decent) business decision to first do "whatever it takes" to keep customers happy and loyal. This includes fixing screens "outside of warranty" (since they know it's impossible for customers to prove a cracked screen is manufacturer fault) for a very reasonable cost of $140 which is close to cost (parts + labor) or potentially at a loss. This keeps the majority of owners at bay. Now, Nexus 6 is on the horizon and the loss or lack of revenue from these Nexus 5 screen repairs has surpassed expectation so they have advised their repair stations to deny them. They've done their part with an acceptable level of damage control and soon everyone will get a Nexus 6, move on, and forget the Nexus 5 was a debacle.)
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Good on you for standing up to their B.S. as there's just no excuse for that to happen. We can't argue with their reasoning for not repairing (it's up to them to decide if they want to attempt a repair for $140, after all) but they can't be so lazy/incompetent as to not reload the proper software on there. It would take them what, a couple minutes? Similar to how they're not engaging people's NFC/Qi charger on the back of the phone which should be obvious to techs who's job it is to work with these devices.
Don't forget you can always bring your phone into an independent repair shop, they won't refuse your money though I doubt their attention to detail will be much better than your average LG tech.
remove lg version?
I have the same problem. Is it possible to root this phone and remove the LG flash version and put KitKat on there?
naparama said:
I have the same problem. Is it possible to root this phone and remove the LG flash version and put KitKat on there?
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Click to collapse
Are you the one who contacted me on email?
yes
bitdomo said:
Are you the one who contacted me on email?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, that was me, thanks.
loop after flash
naparama said:
yes, that was me, thanks.
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Click to collapse
hi, I flashed the stock android after unlocking bootloader, but now it is stuck in a boot loop. I also I noticed that when it flashed, after finishing, it said boot.sig recovery.sig system.sig werent found. when I tried to boot in the safe mode, the little green android man was on his back with a red exclamation point. any thoughts?
Hello guys
I need serious help here
This is my scenario: Day1:
I heard about this flashing custom roms so i thought it would be cool trying it with my phone. So i successfully did flash some roms and had recover many times after bootloop bcuz of nandroid.
But this time its different i try to install xposed installer and was currently using a custom rom. So i got bootlooped again but i wasn't worried cuz i have the powerful nandroid backup . So i restored my stock rom blah3x and it says successful then i reboot my phone . But the logo didnt show up so i tried to go to recovery again AND suddenly it just go back to this useless stock recovery HUHUHU :crying: idont even know why they make this useless ---- errr..
Day 2:
And this day i found this Sp flash tool blah3x . And as what i learned i need a full backup rom and obviously i don't have it and theres no link for it bcuz its very unknown and unsupported device. But luckily i got the scatter file bcuz, before i was using MDK Droid tools to do things that i dont even know how to . So i tried to flash just the recovery . The one i flashed is the TWRP that i've been using for flashing rom and it was stuck in red bar so i unplugged the cable and reboot to recovery but its still the same. And then i was pissed off , so i click the format all + download and i think i saw a text that shows it was success ful( I DID THAT BCUZ I DIDN'T EXPECT IT WILL HAPPEN). After that i cant reboot to recovery and the phone all i have now is this white light when i plug the phone to pc with/without battery. Its hard-bricked right? am i right?
But i think i have some advantage,
-Im still under warranty
-And i formatted everything in my phone as you can see in Day 2 scenario, so that means that they cant know that im rooted right? am i right?
My QUESTION IS WILL THE COMPANY'S WARRANTY SERVICE REPAIR MY PHONE? WITHOUT KNOWING ANYTHING I HAVE DONE??
Note I'M SCARED IF THEY'LL SUE ME FOR LYING ABOUT IT
SORRY FOR MY BAD ENGLISH AND NOT UNDERSTANDABLE AND A VERY LONG ONE STORY
NOTE: IM USING ALCATEL POP C7
Please someone reply it instantly bcuz i have 3 weeks remaining for my warranty to be gone
xmak17(AlcatelPopC7) said:
My QUESTION IS WILL THE COMPANY'S WARRANTY SERVICE REPAIR MY PHONE? WITHOUT KNOWING ANYTHING I HAVE DONE??
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Click to collapse
Maybe it depends. They might be able to know you did tamper with the phone.
Note I'M SCARED IF THEY'LL SUE ME FOR LYING ABOUT IT
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Click to collapse
:laugh: Seriously? Worst case scenario they'll void your warranty and ask you to pay for the repair or they will send you back the phone as is.
alray said:
Maybe it depends. They might be able to know you did tamper with the phone.
:laugh: Seriously? Worst case scenario they'll void your warranty and ask you to pay for the repair or they will send you back the phone as is.
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heheheheh xD .. do they usually do that? asking me to pay? if they know that i did something with the phone?
well if it depends , im gonna do it tomorrow, wish me luck
but first thing im gonna do is to make excuse for my dad that its an accident :'( i know its wrong but i need to do it cuz i know hes gonna be mad at me for knowing that im doing stupid things to my phone.
ahmm i'm just curious .. how will they find out that your phone is rooted anyway even if its bricked?? its ok if you won't answer that
well if it depends , im gonna do it tomorrow, wish me luck
but first thing im gonna do is to make excuse for my dad that its an accident :'( i know its wrong but i need to do it cuz i know hes gonna be mad at me for knowing that im doing stupid things to my phone.
ahmm i'm just curious .. how will they find out that your phone is rooted anyway even if its bricked?? its ok if you won't answer that
xmak17(AlcatelPopC7) said:
heheheheh xD .. do they usually do that? asking me to pay? if they know that i did something with the phone?
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Click to collapse
I don't know anything about this company's policies but in general, if your phone is bricked because you did something wrong and they can prove it, they will probably not repair it under warranty but most likely ask you to pay for the repair or they will send you back the device as is if you don't pay.
Its the same for most OEMs. If something broke under warranty, they will repair at no cost. If it break because you did something that void your warranty, they'll ask you to pay for the repair, if they can prove it (e.g. If the phone can't power on, then they can't prove anything, if the phone does power on and they can see you have flashed stuff, then they'll most likely charge you for the repair.)
alray said:
I don't know anything about this company's policies but in general, if your phone is bricked because you did something wrong and they can prove it, they will probably not repair it under warranty but most likely ask you to pay for the repair or they will send you back the device as is if you don't pay.
Its the same for most OEMs. If something broke under warranty, they will repair at no cost. If it break because you did something that void your warranty, they'll ask you to pay for the repair, if they can prove it (e.g. If the phone can't power on, then they can't prove anything, if the phone does power on and they can see you have flashed stuff, then they'll most likely charge you for the repair.)
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as what you said if they cant power on they cant prove anything .. and basically my phone cant power on so they can know right?? YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS .. So ill just make excuse to them that I dropped my phone and it cant power on again stuff like that so they will replace some hardware parts right?
BTW heres that they dont cover :
The Limited Warranty does not cover user manuals or any third party software, settings, content, data or links, whether included or downloaded in the product, whether included during installment, assembly, shipping or at any other time in the delivery chain or otherwise and in any way acquired by the end user.
In addition the Limited Warranty does not cover:
• Normal wear and tear.
• Product's serial number, the mobile accessory date code or the IMEI number has been removed, erased, defaced, altered or are illegible in any way and this shall be excluded from the warranty.
• Defects or damage caused by misuse of the product. Including not following the instructions for use or installation
• Malfunctions caused by external causes (e.g., radio interference from other equipment, power voltage fluctuations).
• Defects or alleged defects caused by the fact that the Product was used with, or connected to, any product, accessory, software and/or service not manufactured, or supplied by Alcatel or was used otherwise than for its intended use.
• Defects caused by the fact that the battery has been short-circuited or by the fact that the seals of the battery enclosure or the cells are broken or show evidence of tampering or by the fact that the battery has been used in equipment other than those for which it has been specified.
• Faulty connections resulting from unsatisfactory radio transmission or caused by the absence of radio relay coverage;
• If the Product has been opened, modified or repaired by anyone other than an authorized service center, if it is repaired using unauthorized spare parts.
• If the Product has been exposed to moisture, to dampness or to extreme thermal or environmental conditions or to rapid changes in such conditions, to corrosion, to oxidation, to spillage of food or liquid or to influence from chemical products.
xmak17(AlcatelPopC7) said:
as what you said if they cant power on they cant prove anything .. and basically my phone cant power on so they can know right?? YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS .. So ill just make excuse to them that I dropped my phone and it cant power on again stuff like that so they will replace some hardware parts right?
BTW heres that they dont cover :
The Limited Warranty does not cover user manuals or any third party software, settings, content, data or links, whether included or downloaded in the product, whether included during installment, assembly, shipping or at any other time in the delivery chain or otherwise and in any way acquired by the end user.
In addition the Limited Warranty does not cover:
• Normal wear and tear.
• Product's serial number, the mobile accessory date code or the IMEI number has been removed, erased, defaced, altered or are illegible in any way and this shall be excluded from the warranty.
• Defects or damage caused by misuse of the product. Including not following the instructions for use or installation
• Malfunctions caused by external causes (e.g., radio interference from other equipment, power voltage fluctuations).
• Defects or alleged defects caused by the fact that the Product was used with, or connected to, any product, accessory, software and/or service not manufactured, or supplied by Alcatel or was used otherwise than for its intended use.
• Defects caused by the fact that the battery has been short-circuited or by the fact that the seals of the battery enclosure or the cells are broken or show evidence of tampering or by the fact that the battery has been used in equipment other than those for which it has been specified.
• Faulty connections resulting from unsatisfactory radio transmission or caused by the absence of radio relay coverage;
• If the Product has been opened, modified or repaired by anyone other than an authorized service center, if it is repaired using unauthorized spare parts.
• If the Product has been exposed to moisture, to dampness or to extreme thermal or environmental conditions or to rapid changes in such conditions, to corrosion, to oxidation, to spillage of food or liquid or to influence from chemical products.
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Click to collapse
If it's dead and you want to make sure it really doesn't boot up you could always format it with a very strong magnet. No physical traces and every chip in your phone will be blank.. But it's also irreversible. But it could also fall under rule number 3..
Olivier V said:
If it's dead and you want to make sure it really doesn't boot up you could always format it with a very strong magnet. No physical traces and every chip in your phone will be blank.. But it's also irreversible. But it could also fall under rule number 3..
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well i believe that my phone is actually dead and cant boot up except the light turns on when you plug it to the wall ... so will they not find out?? what do you think sir?
I say you should just send it off now
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
Dudmaster said:
I say you should just send it off now
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
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you think?? ok i will try tomorrow morning .. i dont think they will charge me even if they find out.. its not like samsung brand phones right?? ok thanks everyone ill update if this case will be solved XD
and ahmm also can you/anyone give me a good excuse to cover the whole thing up??
xmak17(AlcatelPopC7) said:
you think?? ok i will try tomorrow morning .. i dont think they will charge me even if they find out.. its not like samsung brand phones right?? ok thanks everyone ill update if this case will be solved XD
and ahmm also can you/anyone give me a good excuse to cover the whole thing up??
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Click to collapse
Just play dumb.. Might be handy if you Google the most common problems with your model phone. Alcatel isn't the most reliable brand in the world..
Sent from my p4wifi using XDA Free mobile app
Olivier V said:
Just play dumb.. Might be handy if you Google the most common problems with your model phone. Alcatel isn't the most reliable brand in the world..
Sent from my p4wifi using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
so what im gonna say is my phone just turned off and it wont boot up?
xmak17(AlcatelPopC7) said:
so what im gonna say is my phone just turned off and it wont boot up?
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Click to collapse
Something like that yeah. It's up to them to figure it out, they get paid to help you, not the other way around.
Sent from my Z1 Compact
Hi Everyone. I've read a lot of posts here and elsewhere on this issue, but have been unable to solve it, and Sony phone support suggested I post a question. So here goes...
I have a Z3 (D6653) on Android 6.0.1. A month out of contract with my telcom (Telstra), I started having trouble pulling down the notification drawer. Originally it was just slow, then only possible from the home screen and within a day altogether impossible.
I reset the device to factory, but this didn't help.
I used the native diagnostic tool to test the touchscreen and it showed a narrow, very uniform unresponsive band at the top of the screen. About 2-3mm. The uniformity of the band, which suggested to me (right or wrong) that it may be a software issue, not a hardware issue.
So I tried to flash a custom ROM, but although I was able to unlock the bootloader, I was unable to access recovery mode. (I've flashed custom ROMs before, but it's not something I've ever found trouble-free.) After about 8 hours trying all the usual methods, and all the unusual ones, I gave up and started looking at recovery apps.
But recovery apps all require root, so I decided to pursue that course. But without recovery, I couldn't root the device the normal way, so I decided to try Kingroot. After a few false starts, it eventually said it had successfully rooted the device, and Root Checker said it had too. But I was still unable to install a custom recovery with an app. Which left me with nowhere to go.
And now Root Checker is saying the device is NOT properly rooted, Kingroot basically spins, and I haven't been able to unroot with SU or anything else I've tried (not many attempts).
And now at least one app (Pokemon Go) won't work because it thinks the device is rooted.
So I'm now using a floating app to pull down the notification drawer, and I've got all the apps that most often give me notifications sitting directly on my home screen, rather than in folders. I know none of this is the end of the world, but it interrupts my workflow and, thus, my overall productivity. Also plays havoc with my OCD!
Sony support said it's no longer covered by warranty because I rooted it, and although they can probably fix it, it'll take up to a month, and will cost somewhere between $50-$250. I could buy a replacement phone for not much more!
Any ideas on where to go from here? Should I just get a local mobile repair shop to replace the touchscreen? Or is my suspicion right and it's more likely to be the OS? And if the OS, how do I get to recovery?
Thanks heaps, in advance.
Cheers
Glenn
divinewrite said:
I used the native diagnostic tool to test the touchscreen and it showed a narrow, very uniform unresponsive band at the top of the screen. About 2-3mm. The uniformity of the band, which suggested to me (right or wrong) that it may be a software issue, not a hardware issue.
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Click to collapse
I just about guarantee you that it's a hardware problem, this has happened to me twice on 2 different display panels, through some research this problem happens only on sony phones.
Normally cracking the screen will trigger this problem (Even the smallest of cracks will) but in some cases it will do it on it's own. I think (correct me if I am wrong) sony purposely made this happen possibly to make money on the unfortunate ones who have cracked the screen and caused the digitiser to become slightly unresponsive or not work at all (Thus needed repair and most will go to sony to do so).
I ended up blowing up the phone (Not kidding, I put it in a old microwave and the battery exploded) because it was a pain to run AOSP/CM roms on there and it was gonna cost me quite a bit to fix again so I said fk it and happily destroyed it with a couple of mates (I don't suggest doing this I was just sharing my experience/feelings with this problem {and more}).
I'd suggest selling it (If possible) and getting a new phone, even a phone with the same specs will be better due to sony being... well... sony.
I'm quite happy with my new Moto G4 Plus that runs considerably better than my old Z3 (And the battery lasts longer too ).