Hey yall. I had the phone for 6 days before I bricked it. I am wondering if there is any stock recovery mode or anything or what I shsould do? I think something went wrong due to using the root toolbox pro app. I have done some backups within the ap as well as Titanium Backup but now the phone will not boot up and I dont know if/how to put it in factory recovery mode. Soft reset does nothing. The Motorola logo will show on startup but then the screen just blacks out forever, not off, just colored black.
A few details, the phone was rooted with Motofail2go, with no recovery and bootloader still locked as far as I know.
Should I take it to Sprint for a factory reset? Is this even an option? What are my other options?
Next time I will probably use the Moto unlock key so I can open the bootloader all legit like and have a recovery mode...
Try holding power button and the down volume key to power off. Once you power off press and hold them again. This should boot you into fastboot, Motorola's adb shell basically. This can take a couple tries, make sure the phone is powered down completely before hitting volume down and power button to get into fastboot. If you can boot into fastboot you can unlock using this guide: http://www.droid-life.com/2012/08/20/how-to-unlock-the-motorola-photon-q-bootloader/
Once unlocked flash the custom recovery of your choice (I like twrp). You can boot into custom recovery by holding volume up and the power button from a powered down state. Here is the link for instructions on how to flash twrp:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1887070
Then you can download one of the stock backups for the Q posted in the development section and restore them using the custom recovery. Most of the ones I have seen have been compatible with twrp.
The only way to download the stock rom backups is to remove the sd card from your phone, plug your sd card into a PC or other device with a card reader, download the stock backups, and place the stock backup rom files on your sd card. Finally place the sd card with the stock backup downloads into your phone.
These backups and information on how to go through this process can be found in this thread on page 2: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2001226
The key is to make a backup of your existing rom with twrp and then move the stock backups from your sd card to the twrp/backups/yourdeiceserial/ directory. That creates a backup directory which twrp knows to look for backups in.
Don't feel bad, I've been in that state several times since getting the Q, live and learn.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
UnicronAlpha99 said:
Try holding power button and the down volume key to power off. Once you power off press and hold them again. This should boot you into fastboot, Motorola's adb shell basically. This can take a couple tries, make sure the phone is powered down completely before hitting volume down and power button to get into fastboot. If you can boot into fastboot you can unlock using this guide: http://www.droid-life.com/2012/08/20/how-to-unlock-the-motorola-photon-q-bootloader/
Once unlocked flash the custom recovery of your choice (I like twrp). You can boot into custom recovery by holding volume up and the power button from a powered down state. Here is the link for instructions on how to flash twrp:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1887070
Then you can download one of the stock backups for the Q posted in the development section and restore them using the custom recovery. Most of the ones I have seen have been compatible with twrp.
Don't feel bad, I've been in that state several times since getting the Q, live and learn.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that does not work you could drop it in water or something. You have not officially unlocked boot loader so you still have warranty. Or you could just tell sprint it quit working and act completely clueless. At least its bricked with warranty still intact.
matt2k12 said:
Hey yall. I had the phone for 6 days before I bricked it. I am wondering if there is any stock recovery mode or anything or what I shsould do? I think something went wrong due to using the root toolbox pro app. I have done some backups within the ap as well as Titanium Backup but now the phone will not boot up and I dont know if/how to put it in factory recovery mode. Soft reset does nothing. The Motorola logo will show on startup but then the screen just blacks out forever, not off, just colored black.
A few details, the phone was rooted with Motofail2go, with no recovery and bootloader still locked as far as I know.
Should I take it to Sprint for a factory reset? Is this even an option? What are my other options?
Next time I will probably use the Moto unlock key so I can open the bootloader all legit like and have a recovery mode...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both of the methods above are very effective. When I had the first photon I bricked it and just dropped it in water and did a claim. Depending on the insurance you have that way may cost you $100. The other method should work. When I first got this phone I did the exact same thing and to go back and unlock then flash twrp and in stall a stock backup someone had posted.
Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk 2
UnicronAlpha99 said:
Try holding power button and the down volume key to power off. Once you power off press and hold them again. This should boot you into fastboot, Motorola's adb shell basically. This can take a couple tries, make sure the phone is powered down completely before hitting volume down and power button to get into fastboot. If you can boot into fastboot you can unlock using this guide: http://www.droid-life.com/2012/08/20/how-to-unlock-the-motorola-photon-q-bootloader/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. Is there anything extra extra special about getting into factory fastboot mode? I can't seem to get it done. Is there an official set of instructions anywhere? Does the phone need to be plugged into the PC? It was always my understanding (for the last week) that Power and Vol Down was the soft reset mode which reboots the phone. Therefore it always tries to reboot in normal mode. This is what keeps happening. It never powers completely down using this method.
Anyhow, once I follow your instructions, the Moto logo appears, no Sprint logo appears, the phone "powers on" but the screen is blacked out (not off). After waiting for a while at the blank/black screen, or holding down several buttons like vol or camera I get the first attachment: "Process system is not responding. Would you like to close it?" When I wait nothing happens. When I push OK nothing happens. By chance, I held down power during the notification and the power menu came up behind the ANR notice (second/third attachments). So obviously there are some things working but the main system isn't booting up. And either factory fastboot is nuked or I can't figure it out. When I power down from this accessible power menu and try to do the fastboot (Power / Vol Down) I still havent gotten it to work.
Any other ideas before I take drastic measures?
Since I bought it from Amazon would that be my best route for return or should I go thru a Sprint store?
Thanks in advance.
Hi again yall. You know once I got to thinking about it, I decided to check out the return policy on Amazon Wireless. They will accept any device under warranty for the first 30 days and it is up to Moto for the next 11 months of warranty coverage. They email me a packing label and it ships out 1 day and they ship out the new phone 1 day shipping. Hard to beat, just takes 2 days of shipping and some more fun times with my Epic, 10.1CM style, in the meantime.
Who's to say it wasnt some sort of hardware or software glitch that bricked the phone rather than my screwing around? Nobody knows and it isn't up to the consumer to prove his innocence. I bought everything legally, all the apps at the app store, and only ran the motofail2go root method. Wasn't running any custom Roms, Mods, or anything. I don't feel bad after they got me for another 2 grand for 24 months, and since I have been with Sprint for 10 years;l I have spent well over 10k or 15k with them lifetime.
If any other method pops up between now and when I ship it out I may give it a shot but if not, ah well, capitalism.
matt2k12 said:
Thanks for the response. Is there anything extra extra special about getting into factory fastboot mode? I can't seem to get it done. Is there an official set of instructions anywhere? Does the phone need to be plugged into the PC? It was always my understanding (for the last week) that Power and Vol Down was the soft reset mode which reboots the phone. Therefore it always tries to reboot in normal mode. This is what keeps happening. It never powers completely down using this method.
Anyhow, once I follow your instructions, the Moto logo appears, no Sprint logo appears, the phone "powers on" but the screen is blacked out (not off). After waiting for a while at the blank/black screen, or holding down several buttons like vol or camera I get the first attachment: "Process system is not responding. Would you like to close it?" When I wait nothing happens. When I push OK nothing happens. By chance, I held down power during the notification and the power menu came up behind the ANR notice (second/third attachments). So obviously there are some things working but the main system isn't booting up. And either factory fastboot is nuked or I can't figure it out. When I power down from this accessible power menu and try to do the fastboot (Power / Vol Down) I still havent gotten it to work.
Any other ideas before I take drastic measures?
Since I bought it from Amazon would that be my best route for return or should I go thru a Sprint store?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using adb. If your computer has drivers on it for phone you might able to get into fast boot. If that does not work I would try Sprint store first. Have locked my phone up several times while hacking wife off in progress and have used adb every time. Only time i have been truely scared is when i soft bricked my nexus 7. had to stay at work for two hours after i got off to get it to recover because i was scared of her lol.
---------- Post added at 02:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------
If you get adb to recognize device you could take chance and officially unlock boot loader. Then flash twrp. There is a thread in general section about having trouble getting official update. It has a stock recovery in it. Trick would be moving files to recovery section of twrp
I have gotten the phone to soft power down and get into fast boot and custom recovery. It's a bit tricky with timing, I usually wait for the screen to go black after soft reset, let go, and immediately hold power and volume down. If you can not boot into fastboot I honestly don't know what you can do either than return the phone.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
UnicronAlpha99 said:
I have gotten the phone to soft power down and get into fast boot and custom recovery. It's a bit tricky with timing, I usually wait for the screen to go black after soft reset, let go, and immediately hold power and volume down. If you can not boot into fastboot I honestly don't know what you can do either than return the phone.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help Unicron. I think Brandons method might be my only alternative... but you know what? I already have the box packed up to ship back to Amazon! I am still a noob; I dunno if I could go the distance on this one. I have been updating my Android SDK files since I got the phone but I never got it to recognize boot up thru ADB fastboot. disclaimer* I havent tried it in a couple days since all teh SDK updates completed.
I dunno though I am a big time DIYer when possible. If it werent for the massive amount of tape I put on the box and packing label I would already be trying this method. I can't convince myself just yet. Amazon makes it too easy. I could have the *new* phone by Friday. Then I wouldn't be wasting my remaining work week trying to hack into my personal Christmas present in order to make it function...........................................
Edit - Yes I'm impatient. My job is too demanding and I am trying to set a good precedent for 2013. Wasting the first 3 work days on a phone is not how I intend to start off the year. There is probably a valuable lesson to be learned from this as far as hacking experience and to be honest with the responses here I think I could get it to boot up from PC in SDK/ADB mode and go from there. I just didnt know if that was possible until after I made the claim with Amazon. I still have an entire day today and tomorrow if I want to indulge myself. It doesnt matter if I mail the package today or Wednesday, I can still get it by Friday. I believe this thread is still valuable because we have patterns of repeating past failures and I may find use of it when I recieve my new phone and, darn it, it mysteriously bricks as well. in the same fashion.... the only thing I was really trying to do was get all my apps on my SD card... sad huh?
Edit 2 - Opened up the box, tried fastboot and adb, nothing. Off she goes.
I don't blame you, it sounds easier to exchange in your case any way. The main suggestion I have is if you are getting into any type of build.prop or operating system tweaks that have potential to lead to boot loops or cause the phone not to boot, then unlock the bootloader and install custom recovery.
The Moto-fail method seems limited to only be able to run apps that require root. For me this has no use as I want to be able to have complete control over all aspects of the Android OS. There is not a huge mod community for the Q as yet but I believe Cyanogen will be a reality as Interloper continues working on it. I came from an Epic with Cyanogen and soft-bricked it a minimum of 50 times. CWM was very forgiving on that phone, the Q is a lot more finicky and frustrating.
If you have insurance through the carrier then you are going to pay $150 for a refurb if something goes wrong and you hard brick the phone. If you unlock bootloader and install custom recovery then you have a fail-safe in the form of nandroid backups and restores. Then you can mod away with little fear.
Good luck on the new phone and I hope you don't give up after six days of modding with the Q!
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
matt2k12 said:
Thanks for the help Unicron. I think Brandons method might be my only alternative... but you know what? I already have the box packed up to ship back to Amazon! I am still a noob; I dunno if I could go the distance on this one. I have been updating my Android SDK files since I got the phone but I never got it to recognize boot up thru ADB fastboot. disclaimer* I havent tried it in a couple days since all teh SDK updates completed.
I dunno though I am a big time DIYer when possible. If it werent for the massive amount of tape I put on the box and packing label I would already be trying this method. I can't convince myself just yet. Amazon makes it too easy. I could have the *new* phone by Friday. Then I wouldn't be wasting my remaining work week trying to hack into my personal Christmas present in order to make it function...........................................
Edit - Yes I'm impatient. My job is too demanding and I am trying to set a good precedent for 2013. Wasting the first 3 work days on a phone is not how I intend to start off the year. There is probably a valuable lesson to be learned from this as far as hacking experience and to be honest with the responses here I think I could get it to boot up from PC in SDK/ADB mode and go from there. I just didnt know if that was possible until after I made the claim with Amazon. I still have an entire day today and tomorrow if I want to indulge myself. It doesnt matter if I mail the package today or Wednesday, I can still get it by Friday. I believe this thread is still valuable because we have patterns of repeating past failures and I may find use of it when I recieve my new phone and, darn it, it mysteriously bricks as well. in the same fashion.... the only thing I was really trying to do was get all my apps on my SD card... sad huh?
Edit 2 - Opened up the box, tried fastboot and adb, nothing. Off she goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW, pressing vol down + power til it resets then pressing the camera button + power once the screen is black gets you to the Boot Mode Selection Menu, where you can start recovery, fastboot, BP tools (still not sure what that is entirely) and some others. Seems to be a fairly reliable/easy method for getting to both recovery and fastboot from any point.
befrosty8612 said:
FWIW, pressing vol down + power til it resets then pressing the camera button + power once the screen is black gets you to the Boot Mode Selection Menu, where you can start recovery, fastboot, BP tools (still not sure what that is entirely) and some others. Seems to be a fairly reliable/easy method for getting to both recovery and fastboot from any point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure wish I would have known that ahead of time. Does this work without any recovery mode and with the bootloader still locked?
matt2k12 said:
Sure wish I would have known that ahead of time. Does this work without any recovery mode and with the bootloader still locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does work without any recovery mode and I believe it still works without the bootloader being unlocked, I didn't know about this myself until after I had already unlocked it. Sorry I couldn't help out sooner.
befrosty8612 said:
It does work without any recovery mode and I believe it still works without the bootloader being unlocked, I didn't know about this myself until after I had already unlocked it. Sorry I couldn't help out sooner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, I am wanting to do the backdoor root method again but, of course, may brick it. I dont think Amazon will keep sending me new ones.... but maybe!
befrosty8612 said:
FWIW, pressing vol down + power til it resets then pressing the camera button + power once the screen is black gets you to the Boot Mode Selection Menu, where you can start recovery, fastboot, BP tools (still not sure what that is entirely) and some others. Seems to be a fairly reliable/easy method for getting to both recovery and fastboot from any point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For anyone concerned, I knew it would only be a matter of time until bricking my new device. This damn Root Toolbox Pro did it to me again, and on a simple, menial task. I am going to be working thru the motions on getting this to work.
Using the instructions quoted I did get stock recovery to work or at least flash on the screen for a split second. Seems like there is a timer on the recovery screen. I am having trouble with the fastboot prompt though on the PC. Do I do it in the "platform-tools" folder which contains fastboot or in the "tools" folder of the main SDK directory? I am really a noob, can you give me the cliff notes of how to get into ADB, fastboot, etc on the Photon Q in order to do a factory reset? I already have Android SDK installed and completely up to date so that is done. And Fastboot is installed. I'm just having trouble crossing the finish line here... I can get the fastboot page opened in the stock recovery but from there I'm lost. I dont know what to type into the command prompt, in what directory, or what.... Also when I open the command prompt in the SDK folder on the PC with fastboot in the directory and type "adb reboot bootloader" it says "device not found". Maybe (surely) that is the wrong prompt?
FWIW my phone is showing the dead android guy. I didnt do anything besides try and clear up my Play Store download list which required a reboot. The phone never started back up. I dont know how much damage was done or info was lost or whatever, but seeing as how I was rooted but still locked, I had no custom recovery. So no back ups. Is there anything to restore or am I looking at a full wipe and restore?
matt2k12 said:
For anyone concerned, I knew it would only be a matter of time until bricking my new device. This damn Root Toolbox Pro did it to me again, and on a simple, menial task. I am going to be working thru the motions on getting this to work.
Using the instructions quoted I did get stock recovery to work or at least flash on the screen for a split second. Seems like there is a timer on the recovery screen. I am having trouble with the fastboot prompt though on the PC. Do I do it in the "platform-tools" folder which contains fastboot or in the "tools" folder of the main SDK directory? I am really a noob, can you give me the cliff notes of how to get into ADB, fastboot, etc on the Photon Q in order to do a factory reset? I already have Android SDK installed and completely up to date so that is done. And Fastboot is installed. I'm just having trouble crossing the finish line here... I can get the fastboot page opened in the stock recovery but from there I'm lost. I dont know what to type into the command prompt, in what directory, or what.... Also when I open the command prompt in the SDK folder on the PC with fastboot in the directory and type "adb reboot bootloader" it says "device not found". Maybe (surely) that is the wrong prompt?
FWIW my phone is showing the dead android guy. I didnt do anything besides try and clear up my Play Store download list which required a reboot. The phone never started back up. I dont know how much damage was done or info was lost or whatever, but seeing as how I was rooted but still locked, I had no custom recovery. So no back ups. Is there anything to restore or am I looking at a full wipe and restore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As abnormal as it seems, your situation seems pretty normal... at least from my shoes. I went through the same scenario... I didn't know what adb was, or fastboot, etc. So, here's what I know
the fastboot commands work even if adb doesnt see it in the list of devices attached. Somehow it just works (as long as the phone is in fastboot mode).
If you're able to get to the fastboot mode, things should be okay. Just open a windows explorer window to the Platform-Tools, hold the shift key and right click on a blank space within the window, then click open command window here.
you should be able to pass any adb (if the phone is on and recognized) or fastboot (if phone is in fastboot mode) commands from that command prompt.
Also, if you have a stock recovery, CMW, or TWRP image, this is the folder to copy those .img files to. Once you get your phone into fastboot mode and its plugged into the computer, just type into the command prompt:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
If you're just looking to reboot the phone into recovery
If you have a CWM or TWRP recovery just replace the recovery.img with whatever the .img file that you have. Also, as a tip instead of writing the entire file name, just press the first couple letters then press the tab key within the command prompt, it should fill in the rest. keep pressing tab until you get to the .img file name you want.
To avoid doing this again, maybe I can help... what were you trying to do to begin with? From the sound of it, you were trying to root the phone with the Root Toolbox Pro but it bricked, and then you tried to reboot into recovery and then got the red android... ?
befrosty8612 said:
As abnormal as it seems, your situation seems pretty normal... at least from my shoes. I went through the same scenario... I didn't know what adb was, or fastboot, etc. So, here's what I know
the fastboot commands work even if adb doesnt see it in the list of devices attached. Somehow it just works (as long as the phone is in fastboot mode).
If you're able to get to the fastboot mode, things should be okay. Just open a windows explorer window to the Platform-Tools, hold the shift key and right click on a blank space within the window, then click open command window here.
you should be able to pass any adb (if the phone is on and recognized) or fastboot (if phone is in fastboot mode) commands from that command prompt.
Also, if you have a stock recovery, CMW, or TWRP image, this is the folder to copy those .img files to. Once you get your phone into fastboot mode and its plugged into the computer, just type into the command prompt:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
If you're just looking to reboot the phone into recovery
If you have a CWM or TWRP recovery just replace the recovery.img with whatever the .img file that you have. Also, as a tip instead of writing the entire file name, just press the first couple letters then press the tab key within the command prompt, it should fill in the rest. keep pressing tab until you get to the .img file name you want.
To avoid doing this again, maybe I can help... what were you trying to do to begin with? From the sound of it, you were trying to root the phone with the Root Toolbox Pro but it bricked, and then you tried to reboot into recovery and then got the red android... ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. So, all I have to do is: go to fastboot and flash a stock recovery image file and it will automatically wipe the phone, cache, everything, and restore the operating system? Sounds awfully easy! I found some stock files in this post : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2001226&page=2 Are these the ones you used before?
Last question: I can flash CWM or TWRP but wont be able to access them if my bootloader is locked, correct? So flashing a stock recovery will allow me to have my stock phone back again, locked and un-rooted? I guess if I cant get it to work with the stock recovery then I can unlock the bootloader and do a CWM or TWRP recovery and then flash the stock .img files?
Thanks again for your help. I already had root with the motofail2go method which I like using but seems like when I try and use some generic root feature from apps from the app store that it will crash/brick the phone cuz obviously those apps are generalized and likely to brick certain percentage of devices....
Ok what does this mean? Something with the bootlaoder obviously. Does it need to be unlocked?
Code:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>fastboot flash recover
y qrecovery1.img
(bootloader) Variable not supported!
target reported max download size of 31457280 bytes
sending 'recovery' (5962 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.479s]
writing 'recovery'...
(bootloader) Preflash validation failed
FAILED (remote failure)
finished. total time: 0.755s
C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>
And on the phone screen it says "invalid image size for partition recovery" twice for both times I tried this method.
You will need to flash the system image as well if you want those, as the recovery image will only flash the recovery. The files in that link are for twrp only... so you'll have to be able to get there first.
With the custom recoveries, I'm not 100% sure whether or not you will be able to use them without being unlocked. I would wait to see if anyone else can answer that question for you, but if you did try it without an unlocked bootloader, you at least have the stock recovery to fall back on if needed.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 09:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------
I'm thinking it could either be that your phone is full and the image you're flashing is too large to fit on the space available...
Or you're trying to flash custom software on a locked phone.
Hopefully someone is able to answer that a little better...
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
You can't alter the stock recovery (flash a custom recovery like twrp or cwm) in fastboot without having the bootloader unlocked. Your options are to unlock your bootloader, flash custom recovery, create a backup of your current setup, download one of the stock working backups, place it in the backups folder for twrp on your external sd card, and restore one of the known working backups in the development section (befrosty linked to one). Or you could use RSD lite to return to stock using a stock factory firmware flash. That involves connecting your phone to your PC and flashing the phone back to factory stock. Information on RSD Lite and links to the FXZ's can be found here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2095536
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
Basically I was using TWRP to wipe my TF700T and I wiped the OS. Luckily I made a recovery on my SD, but the problem is that I can't get it to boot back into TWRP in order to run it. All the Power + Volume Down does is just cause the device to rumble. Powering on the device just lets it sit in the bootscreen. If I can get into the bootloader I can basically fix the machine. Problem I have remaining is that I can't seem to get into the bootloader.
The device calls itself APX when plugged into my computer now, if that means anything. I'm gonna try to drain the battery by leaving it on over night without the flash card. Maybe that'll do something.
Any suggestions on how to unbrick this thing? Or did I just succeed in turning a very expensive tablet into a very expensive paperweight?
JunoZXV said:
Basically I was using TWRP to wipe my TF700T and I wiped the OS. Luckily I made a recovery on my SD, but the problem is that I can't get it to boot back into TWRP in order to run it. All the Power + Volume Down does is just cause the device to rumble. Powering on the device just lets it sit in the bootscreen. If I can get into the bootloader I can basically fix the machine. Problem I have remaining is that I can't seem to get into the bootloader.
The device calls itself APX when plugged into my computer now, if that means anything. I'm gonna try to drain the battery by leaving it on over night without the flash card. Maybe that'll do something.
Any suggestions on how to unbrick this thing? Or did I just succeed in turning a very expensive tablet into a very expensive paperweight?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im having exactly the same problem, did you find a solution to this?
So far no results yet. I tried hitting the reset button on the side but all that did was lead me back to the boot screen. I read something about undoing the the hard boot using a series of override programs. But the problem is the documentation is so cluttered that I can't fathom the instructions (I'll try it again just in case.)
Bump update: So I called Asus and it turns out it's gonna cost 288$ to get the thing fixed by them. So I'm not doing that. I'm looking into other ways of recovery. I've got other multiple options I'm exploring at the moment. Like looking for a recycling program or a way to use the technology in a new way.
UPDATE X2
So I talked to a friend and the very fact that it sits at APX was a tipoff. Basically it means the recovery is shot but the Bootloader is OK. Meaning that the device isn't as bricked as I thought. What needs to be done is to download the android ADT bundle (google it) and from there get into the platform tools under command prompt, type "adb" then "adb devices" and finally "adb reboot recovery"
if it works the recovery should reflash and then using the backup restore the OS.
Granted I'm having trouble getting my comptuer to say "APX has been connected" due to a faulty data cable but I should be home free after this
JunoZXV said:
UPDATE X2
So I talked to a friend and the very fact that it sits at APX was a tipoff. Basically it means the recovery is shot but the Bootloader is OK. Meaning that the device isn't as bricked as I thought. What needs to be done is to download the android ADT bundle (google it) and from there get into the platform tools under command prompt, type "adb" then "adb devices" and finally "adb reboot recovery"
if it works the recovery should reflash and then using the backup restore the OS.
Granted I'm having trouble getting my comptuer to say "APX has been connected" due to a faulty data cable but I should be home free after this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately if you can only get to APX mode and you don't have nvflash specific blobs for your device you are hard bricked...
Luckily I make a recovery file in my SD card wayy back when I did my first Cromi mod. It should still work if the forced recovery restores TWRP. Otherwise, yes, I might be hard bricked.
My friend, however, thinks there might be another way to force a OS past this block though. I'll have to see how this plays out.
JunoZXV said:
Luckily I make a recovery file in my SD card wayy back when I did my first Cromi mod. It should still work if the forced recovery restores TWRP. Otherwise, yes, I might be hard bricked.
My friend, however, thinks there might be another way to force a OS past this block though. I'll have to see how this plays out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry it really doesn't look good, Maybe i can corrected but the device will fallback to APX mode if the bootloader is corrupted, without a bootloader you cant install/fix a recovery and without NvFlash blobs you cant fix the bootloader. Your two options are buy a new motherboard and replace it yourself or send it in for repair with Asus
JunoZXV said:
Luckily I make a recovery file in my SD card wayy back when I did my first Cromi mod. It should still work if the forced recovery restores TWRP. Otherwise, yes, I might be hard bricked.
My friend, however, thinks there might be another way to force a OS past this block though. I'll have to see how this plays out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As JTR says I'm pretty sure you can't fix this without replacing the hardware now. I don't think your friend really understands what APX mode is. YOu can't access the bootloader nor recovery. Without NVflash backup blobs you can't recover anything, there is no way to get your TWRP backups back on to the device and even if you could you have no working bootloader......
Please can someone help me to flash the stock rom on my phone - LG spirit 4G (H440n) - Hutchison Three UK?
Reason: Cannot go into settings on phone.
Symptoms: "Unfortunately, settings has stopped"
The icon for "settings" in the application area has changed to "com.android.settings.Settings".
Background: The phone has been well cared for, not a scratch on it, and no dubious apps (that I am aware of) have been installed, and certainly no .apk's have been installed. It has worked for many months without issue. The settings issue seemingly came from nowhere.
The basic stuff that I have tried: Factory reset has been done on the phone. Still cannot access settings, not even in safe mode. I have general use of the phone but cannot change settings.
From then on: I have ran the lg support tool (the alternative - lg bridge, is not relevant to my phone), and ran upgrade recovery. It downloads the kdz which I have made a copy of (H440N10G_00.kdz). It finishes the download, starts the upgrade process, gets to 9%, switches my phone off completely, and prompts me to restart the process. It can't go any further than this using this method. I also have to battery pull to switch the phone back on. Holding the power button for 20 seconds doesn't achieve anything here at this point.
After reading, it seems that I should be able to flash the image using adb and/or fastboot. These are installed on my system, as are the android USB drivers found in the android SDK.
Where I am getting stuck: I can boot into fastboot mode no problem. On the pc "fastboot devices" shows the device no problem, but none of the fastboot commands do anything. They print on my phones screen, but they do nothing at all. The phone installed fine without issue in the device manager. I can also boot into download mode, but the issue in this mode is that it comes up with "boot certification verify" which stays on for a few seconds and then the phone switches off. I am watching the device manager during this, and it doesn't detect or show in the device manager. Consequently "adb devices" on the pc produces nothing, as the phone doesn't stay on long enough to detect.
On my LG G4 spirit (H440n), it's the down-button as plugging usb to get into fastboot, and it's the up-button on plugging usb to get to download mode. This doesn't need checking. I know what i'm doing at least this much. Also, any responses need not mention about changing settings on my phone. It cannot be done! Not even after a factory reset. Not even in safe mode after a factory reset. Accessing settings is the very issue, so any solutions given that involve changing settings will not work, because settings will absolutely not run in any thus-far tried scenario.
Where can I go next, and what can I try? I wish to avoid sending to lg because I need the phone. I have not tried to root this and have no intention of rooting it until my warranty is up.
If there is a solution to this, I aim to keep it tidy for the benefit of others, so I will not be posting this on any other forums, or making duplicate posts. I am asking here, because I believe this to be the best possible forum that could potentially help me (and others) resolve this issue.
I hope you guys can help, so thanks in advance, and if you can't, thanks for looking into it.
Mark
Good evening folks. Over the Past week, for some reason, people who downloaded the new Samsung update for A51 have had their phones bricked. FOR SOME REASON, this seems to only be happening here in South Australia. I haven't seen anywhere reporting on this issue other than local news. I have had three A51 phones come into my IT store, all with the same problem.
here is a link to one article talking about it: https://7news.com.au/technology/sam...ng-priceless-photos-vital-contacts--c-9340963
Upon installing the update, their phone will restart then it will not progress past the SAMSUNG logo. I have been able to get each and every phone into recovery mode however I when I try and reboot the phones into bootloader, they simply say "entering fast boot" and then don't progress any further.
Since I have been unable to boot the phone to bootloader I don't have many solutions in front of me, I can either factory reset the phone which has been proven to work, or I can try some alternative method. Simply put, I refuse to take the simple way out and simply factory reset the phone, I don't want my customers to go through the trouble of losing their photos.
The only real option I see is using ADB to install either a new update or new firmware, however, I have had ALOT of trouble finding the necessary software. I have been able to get ADB to detect the devices with a USB connection, so I tried installing some firmware, I found for my device. I didn't trust that this was the correct software, but it couldn't hurt to see if it worked.
Using a515fxxu5gvk6, I was able to find a website where I could download Firmware https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-A515F/TEL I don't believe this to have the correct software but it was the only option I could find that didn't require money or an account.
upon extracting the zip file and typing ADB sideload <file name> it would start the process of installing the software however, it would only install for a single second and then stop working. I would be greeted with the messages: "footer is wrong", "update package took 0.3s", and "signature failed". I believe this means I have either grabbed the wrong software or I have tried installing the software wrong
I really don't know where to find the correct software, and I don't even know if I will be able to update the phone using ADB since I never was able to enable developer tools.
I have already spent quite a few hours on this, and it's starting to drive me insane. I have gone down so many rabbit holes researching different options only to come back up empty-handed. Im lost and really don't know where to turn.
any help would be literally amazing, if someone could even point me in the right direction that's all I need. even if you tell me there is nothing that can be done and I need to factory reset the phone I can at least go to sleep knowing I god damn tried.
Well, one thing you should know is that Samsung doesn't use fastboot to flash software like many other brands. It's unfortunate to say that a lot of the guides you read online are just copy-paste of guides that do use fastboot. Adb doesn't really flash software without elevated permissions afaik.
You can flash firmware using Odin for Samsung devices. There should be plenty of guides online on how to use it, your main goal right now is figuring out how to boot into download mode for Samsung.
What I would do is try to turn the phone off completely if you've been able to boot to recovery. After that, hold both the volume buttons and while you're holding them, connect your phone to a PC. This should force the phone to boot to download mode. Read the screen as it may ask you to press VOL + to proceed.
After that, you can flash the files
AP_XXXX
BL_XXXX
CP_XXXX
HOME_CSC_XXXX (Use HOME_CSC instead of CSC_ so that the phones don't lose any data)
And after that, you should be able to flash firmware
ShaDisNX255 said:
Well, one thing you should know is that Samsung doesn't use fastboot to flash software like many other brands. It's unfortunate to say that a lot of the guides you read online are just copy-paste of guides that do use fastboot. Adb doesn't really flash software without elevated permissions afaik.
You can flash firmware using Odin for Samsung devices. There should be plenty of guides online on how to use it, your main goal right now is figuring out how to boot into download mode for Samsung.
What I would do is try to turn the phone off completely if you've been able to boot to recovery. After that, hold both the volume buttons and while you're holding them, connect your phone to a PC. This should force the phone to boot to download mode. Read the screen as it may ask you to press VOL + to proceed.
After that, you can flash the files
AP_XXXX
BL_XXXX
CP_XXXX
HOME_CSC_XXXX (Use HOME_CSC instead of CSC_ so that the phones don't lose any data)
And after that, you should be able to flash firmware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your reply. I have spent the past few hours setting up Odin and installing the firmware.
I have run into another problem, I select all the firmware I wish to install then click start. It loads for two seconds then says "PASS!". However the phone is still stuck in a boot loop
I believe this is because I haven't turned in USB debugging, since I can't get into the phone I can't turn it on even if I want to.
Is there another option?
USB debugging isn't needed when flashing through Odin. You're most likely just missing the Samsung dev drivers. Try and installing them: https://developer.samsung.com/android-usb-driver
Hi all,
Im in a desperate and urgent need of help.
My Mrs pixel 7 pro is stuck in a boot loop that restarts 5 seconds after the google writing appears when starting. I wasn't home when it happened but she doesnt really make sure her phone has some battery before turning it on, as soon as she sees 2% she starts it, so im guessing maybe she bricked it while the phone was trying to apply an update when turning it on as she said that the external battery didnt have any juice left inside.
Anyway,
I know i can wipe the phone from recovery mode and make it into a factory reset phone. The issue here is we have over 6000 photos and videos of our son in that phone that she hasnt copied to the external hard drive i gave her for months due to her not liking that her little laptop is slow.
I tried recovery mode Reboot, i tried going into safe mode (no luck as it will go straight into fastboot mode). She doesnt care about a lot of things and obviously she never unlocked the developer setting or bootloader so device state is also locked.
I am begging you, anything any info or advice on how i can get those pictures out of the phone. Is there any way i can flash the stock firmware just to make the phone start and copy them after?
Any possibility or chance or retrieval?
I am willing to pay anyone that can guide me in the right direction as there are over 6 months worth of photos and memories.
Thanks in advance and may the luck be on my side.
andyysk said:
Hi all,
Im in a desperate and urgent need of help.
My Mrs pixel 7 pro is stuck in a boot loop that restarts 5 seconds after the google writing appears when starting. I wasn't home when it happened but she doesnt really make sure her phone has some battery before turning it on, as soon as she sees 2% she starts it, so im guessing maybe she bricked it while the phone was trying to apply an update when turning it on as she said that the external battery didnt have any juice left inside.
Anyway,
I know i can wipe the phone from recovery mode and make it into a factory reset phone. The issue here is we have over 6000 photos and videos of our son in that phone that she hasnt copied to the external hard drive i gave her for months due to her not liking that her little laptop is slow.
I tried recovery mode Reboot, i tried going into safe mode (no luck as it will go straight into fastboot mode). She doesnt care about a lot of things and obviously she never unlocked the developer setting or bootloader so device state is also locked.
I am begging you, anything any info or advice on how i can get those pictures out of the phone. Is there any way i can flash the stock firmware just to make the phone start and copy them after?
Any possibility or chance or retrieval?
I am willing to pay anyone that can guide me in the right direction as there are over 6 months worth of photos and memories.
Thanks in advance and may the luck be on my side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can enter recovery mode try to sideload the same exact ota package of the rom she's running, maybe that can help. Good luck!
andyysk said:
Hi all,
Im in a desperate and urgent need of help.
My Mrs pixel 7 pro is stuck in a boot loop that restarts 5 seconds after the google writing appears when starting. I wasn't home when it happened but she doesnt really make sure her phone has some battery before turning it on, as soon as she sees 2% she starts it, so im guessing maybe she bricked it while the phone was trying to apply an update when turning it on as she said that the external battery didnt have any juice left inside.
Anyway,
I know i can wipe the phone from recovery mode and make it into a factory reset phone. The issue here is we have over 6000 photos and videos of our son in that phone that she hasnt copied to the external hard drive i gave her for months due to her not liking that her little laptop is slow.
I tried recovery mode Reboot, i tried going into safe mode (no luck as it will go straight into fastboot mode). She doesnt care about a lot of things and obviously she never unlocked the developer setting or bootloader so device state is also locked.
I am begging you, anything any info or advice on how i can get those pictures out of the phone. Is there any way i can flash the stock firmware just to make the phone start and copy them after?
Any possibility or chance or retrieval?
I am willing to pay anyone that can guide me in the right direction as there are over 6 months worth of photos and memories.
Thanks in advance and may the luck be on my side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As @acuicultor said;
Here's Googles official OTA updates and instructions etc.
From what i've read briefly and as far as i can gather (still running a stock pixel 7 pro - for the first phone in god knows how long, so i'm not well read on this device but...) if you can sideload the latest OTA update via sideload then you should in theory be able to save the data and boot again. But if you flash full firmware then your device will be wiped in the process (if that's even possible with a locked bootloader).
Very best of luck
EDIT: hmm thinking about it, you won't have enabled USB debugging in dev options, hang on, i'll reboot direct to recovery to see if i can get the device recognised without USB debugging enabled. Sorry to be vague (hopefully someone more experienced with this device will chime in with more advice), like i say, i'm not rooted, flashed with custom rom - nothing, just plain old stock so i've not read up much on proceedures for this device. Bare with me!!
Had another thought, do you or have you been using Google photos to view your images on the device. If so, did you enable backup photos online when you first set the app up? If so, they could be backed up automatically...
Edit: my bad..
Try this link
If that fails just Google 'Google photos sign in'
Just tried from recovery to run some adb cmd's, no joy without enabling debugging 1st
There may be hope... If your photos aren't backed online already from above link...
EDIT:
1. From power off state (make sure the device is charged before apply any ota update) Press vol down and power together. As soon as it boots to google logo, let go of vol down, then power. That will put you in fastboot mode where you use the vol up/down to navigate to Recovery mode and power button to select.
2. Then when you have the screen that says 'no command', press power button and CLICK vol up (releasing vol up straight away but keeping power pressed). That'll take you a blue menu at top of screen.
3. Use vol buttons to navigate to 'apply update from adb'. I have checked using 'adb devices' and 'adb reboot sideload' cmd's on PC and the device is now recognised...
Will write further instructions shortly. (no guarantees this will work tho without losing data...or even if it'll work at all - i suspect the OTA update with just fail to transfer)
OR there is another option, using the same instructions above (1) in fastboot mode use the volume buttons to navigate the menu, power button to select Rescue mode. Then contact your service center for support who will advise/offer support - hopefully, which may end up having to send the device in and still offers no guarantee of preserved data
reg66 said:
@acuicultor said;
Here's Googles official OTA updates and instructions etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Following the link it's all explained there:
- no USB-Debugging needed
- booting recovery by key combo
- no loss of any data when using the OTA files
Also turning on USB-Debugging in developer options is not necessary for the recovery. It's enabled by default and moreover the recovery doesn't consider any system settings like disabled/enabled USB-Debugging.
WoKoschekk said:
Following the link it's all explained there:
- no USB-Debugging needed
- booting recovery by key combo
- no loss of any data when using the OTA files
Also turning on USB-Debugging in developer options is not necessary for the recovery. It's enabled by default and moreover the recovery doesn't consider any system settings like disabled/enabled USB-Debugging.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh cool. I obviously didn't read much of it! Dunno what's happened to the chap, maybe his wife has killed him lol
reg66 said:
Ahh cool. I obviously didn't read much of it! Dunno what's happened to the chap, maybe his wife has killed him lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, maybe...
FYI: Stock recovery only uses a minimal adbd with a very limited set of commands. That's why some known ADB commands won't work.
minadbd