morning geeks
you have a phone, which is not able to :
show the display
use the touchscreen
but the hardware is still able of these features :
usb mtp device, as a usb key
wifi network
cell network
and so on..
so you are here, somebody gave you a smartphone, running android, locked, but you can't neither see display or use touchscreen;
but its starting anyway, you can hear the ringer if you call on it;
how would you do, without usb debugging enabled, to use this electronic technology as a specific usage, like a wifi AP or a usb key?
in an other words, what is the method to restore it and to take the control of it?
you just have a usb mouse can be connected on it. but no display.
[this is mainly destinated to avoid throwing several android hardware to bin, cause it can still poweron.]
Related
Hello, I have been turning mad lately since my Optimus 3D began acting weird once I connected it to my PC to transfer large amounts of data in USB MASS STORAGE mode.
In the beginning, the transfer was ok and connection didn't show any problem. However, at a given (arbitrary) point, it just connected and disconnected by itself several times in just few seconds.
I thought it was the usb cable, so I changed it, but that didn't fixed it. Then I tried it with several other computers, and that happened randomly on all of them.
Then I thought it could be the micro-usb connector being damage, but as I closely analysed it in the computer side, I found that the phone was connecting ok, but was recognised the wrong way. (drivers were ok, as I reinstalled everything several times)
In fact, the LG update recognised the phone's model and connection. It simply didn't worked as a mass storage usb device.
I spent hours searching the web for answers about this issue, but the only thing I could found was one guy telling to remove the battery for 10 minutes in order really reset the phone's usb mode.
I did it and it worked! HOWEVER, the issue reapeared quickly once I connected the phone to the PC via USB. (it took several minutes to happen, but happened)
I finally found this forum and read a lot of complaints about LG phones.
However, it seemed to be a software error, not a hardware one. Wich was good news.
I was thinking to send the phone to LG for repair, but I had little hope they would even check such an arbitrary issue with usb connection and I thought they would simply say it's my computers fault, so I kept searching.
I finally found a similar issues with Galaxy S2 on the forums, and someone fixed it accessing the "PhoneUtil" hidden app in that phone.
This app don't exist in LG phones, but there IS a hidden menu to fix this, but you will have to install a free shortcut creator app form the market place in order to access it:
- download "ANY CUT" from the market place
- run it and create a NEW shortcut
- select ACTIVITY
- scroll down and tap on: com.lge.hiddenmenu.port_setting.PortSetting
- give the shortcut a short name like "Port Setting"
now you have created a new shortcut in your home screen (somewhere)
Once you tap on it, a menu will pop and let you choose the type of connection to be used by the USB port.
By default, "NO RETENTION" is selected.
If you want to force the phone to use the usb connection for data transfer with your PC, then select AP USB
(if you check the "retain AP USB after reboot" it will freeze your phone and you will have to long press the power button to shut it down, but it will actually work and will be set this way until you change it again)
Voila! That fixed my LG P920 Optimus 3D USB transfering issues.
If you need to make a software upgrade at some point instead of using it for USB transfer, just change the setting to "NO RETENTION" again and check the "reatin after reboot" option.
I just wanted to share this, as I found no fix for my problem in the net and I think this should be happening to someone else.
Feedback is very welcome! (even needed, just in case this is braking something)
By the way, it's a good idea to activate the "Debugging mode for USB" in settings/applications since it seems to make a more robust conection with the phone for mass storage transfer.
As why this entire issue is happening, it seems the USB conection can handle multiple transfer modes. One of those is USB Mass Storage mode (like every pendrive out there) but the other one is a LG propietary comunication mode that I suppose was done in order to have full access to the phone firmware through the computer.
The bug appears in the moment when the phone have to decide if it should engage on mode or the other.
I have noticed (since I forced the port setting to AP USB) that the phones screen will turn itself on randomly once connected and that it don't stay active even if you specifically check that option in the development menu.
I suppose the original bug is still there in someway, but at least it will not ruin the data transfers.
Ok, just in case you don't want / can't make the shortcut for the hidden menu, you can use this method to access the full hidden menu right out of the box without any external app:
push the button to make a call,
now enter the number:
3845#*920#
This will redirect you to the full hidden menu. Once there, you can go to the PORT SETTINGS menu and set it to AP USB.
And if you want to upgrade with the LG software, you must set this to AP USB and make it stay. Then when you are upgrading, you must stay vigilant and press (and keep pressed) the volume up button in the moment it reboot the phone (or before it reboots, just to be sure)
This way, a white screen with red text "factory upload" will show and upgrades will have no problems.
(this mode normally only happens when you press the volume up button with the phone off, and then connect it to the usb port and there is an LG software commanding the phone via usb)
Most things on this CM build seem to be working correctly but there are a few issues when running on my XT1540.
USB Media Device does not function: When I plug the phone into my Linux Laptop - the USB device is recognized but no Media Device is presented on the Laptop. (It was working fine with the stock ROM and works fine over fastboot and TWRP. When choosing the Media Device option from the USB menu on the phone, it can be difficult to enable it. Sometimes the check box will stay ticked and sometimes it wont, it will revert to photo device. It still wont make any updates to the dmesg log on the laptop.
When the phone is unlocked, neither picking up the phone, nor waving a hand over the front will enable the display of notifications. Now this might be something to do with Llama keeping the device unlocked but I don't know. I am not using smart lock.
Also - an irritation - it is far too easy to create the double twist gesture with CMActions. The camera often starts when I take it out of my pocket. Not so with the stock ROM.
Anyone else seeing these issues?
I've been keeping my battery alive by using Battery Pro app but you have to monitor it 24/7. So I bought a couple of CHARGIE devices - a hardware controller that goes between the cord and charge block to turns charging on and off via an app.
My phone connected to the device only once during many tests. I've been trying various settings and suggestions by the company. They insist it will work with Android v6 so maybe the phone is the problem. Device requires bluetooth "ble" so I turned on full location options (GPS, Wi-fi, bluetooth, cellular networks). I turned on setting to display all ble devices - shows a printer from a neighbour's house but not a Chargie 2 feet away! Ideas or information welcome...
Bluetooth is required for basic communication with the Chargie device, but if your particular phone's Bluetooth doesn't work, you can use another phone to configure Hardware Limiter and use it on the 1st phone without the app. Location Access is unfortunately required by Android's device scan library. Chargie doesn't use it (no purpose). iOS doesn't request that, for example.
If that particular Chargie doesn't work at all, on any phone, please contact [email protected] and it will be replaced for free.
Thank you so much for the info. The Chargies work (I have 3), just not reliably or quickly. I can plug in my phone right beside the Chargie and the app says it isn't in "range". Or it continually says the BLUE Chargie isn't in range even when plugged into the RED one! I had all radios including GPS on during the testing but GPS isn't needed. Still not sure how Airplane mode with Bluetooth turned on affects it. BTW my Oneplus One has Bluetooth 4.0.
Getting the phone connected takes so long, it's hardly worth the time to figure out the "hardware limiter" option with a Windows laptop. Not much documentation on it. I certainly don't want to leave my phone beside the device while charging. I was getting some answers via email until I asked how to return the devices. I may have to just accept that the device works 'sometimes'.
I'm trying to help a relative with a broken screen Samsung who did NOT enable Developer options USB debugging.
I searched over 200 XDA threads with the same problem set, where the answer seems to be always the same.
If you didn't turn on USB debugging, you can't turn it on after the fact
However... I'm a firm believer that there is (almost) always a workaround...
For example, what happens if you connect Android to Linux over USB?
I don't have Linux but someone out there might who can run this test and answer the question.
Q: Can you access Android storage from Linux even if you did NOT turn on USB Debugging?
what should happen? same as in windows - nothing. you might have better luck connecting it to TV
My Samsung A30 has a broken screen, I’m attempting to transfer all my files unfortunately the phone does not have the file transfer mode enabled so when I plug it in to my PC it’s recognised as a modem.
I’ve attempted to use https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy to display my phone so I can perform transfer operations unfortunately it requires USB debugging enabled which I don’t have.
I’ve also attempted connecting my phone to my TV via a USB hub though the phone model does not support HDMI output.
The phone is running as it is receiving calls with it vibrating.
Any thoughts on anything else I can attempt? I’ve already bought a new phone so not too keen on getting the screen replaced especially given there could be other issues.
AHuss123 said:
My Samsung A30 has a broken screen, I’m attempting to transfer all my files unfortunately the phone does not have the file transfer mode enabled so when I plug it in to my PC it’s recognised as a modem.
I’ve attempted to use https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy to display my phone so I can perform transfer operations unfortunately it requires USB debugging enabled which I don’t have.
I’ve also attempted connecting my phone to my TV via a USB hub though the phone model does not support HDMI output.
The phone is running as it is receiving calls with it vibrating.
Any thoughts on anything else I can attempt? I’ve already bought a new phone so not too keen on getting the screen replaced especially given there could be other issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the screen is broken and you did not have USB debugging enabled before it was broken, there is nothing you can do to retrieve your data except repair the screen or find a tech shop that has the tools and the knowledge to pull your data directly from the hardware chip itself.
You will not solve this yourself using only software.
Use a USB Type C to HDMI cable to your TV.
The Samsung A30 apparently supports it.
HDMI Alt Mode doesn't go through a hub.
Enable ADB and download.
@Droidriven thanks, fair enough, I've ordered a screen and will attempt to replace it myself.
@Renate To enable ADB I need to enable USB debugging. Also doesn't seem like Samsung A30 supports HDMI output https://www.samsung.com/au/support/mobile-devices/connect-samsung-device-to-tv-via-hdmi/
Oh, sorry, my bad. The internet will give you an answer to any question, usually wrong.
Is there any chance that you can find the hardware serial console on internal test points?
Then you just need to:
Code:
# settings put global adb_enabled 1
If your ADB was previously enabled, then you won't have to deal with the invisible acceptance screen.
If not you'll have to echo the public key into /data/misc/adb/adb_keys
(I just did this on my B&N Glow '21 when it factory reset and it blocked me with a mandatory OOBE setup.)
Renate said:
Oh, sorry, my bad. The internet will give you an answer to any question, usually wrong.
Is there any chance that you can find the hardware serial console on internal test points?
Then you just need to:
Code:
# settings put global adb_enabled 1
If your ADB was previously enabled, then you won't have to deal with the invisible acceptance screen.
If not you'll have to echo the public key into /data/misc/adb/adb_keys
(I just did this on my B&N Glow '21 when it factory reset and it blocked me with a mandatory OOBE setup.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For one, your solution is not a software solution, which is what I said, that they would not solve this with software alone. That is true and that is all I was saying.
Second, this solution is a hardware approach that the typical user has no experience with, which is why I didn't present them with an option that I am certain they are not comfortable with or experienced enough to attempt, as demonstrated by their attempts with software and unsupported HDMI and then stopping there to ask for help. An answer that more than likely seems more like a risk to them than a solution, isn't really helpful to them. I've helped with users dealing with this issue for years, I've learned that the vast majority of them are not comfortable with resorting to solutions that people like you and I would. With most of them, you may as well be telling them that they can solve their issue by biting a tiger on his ear, they are afraid of the solution. But, I understand, you have a proven, working solution, so you posted it, that is actually good, thank you.
That is why I said to repair the screen or take the device to a tech shop that has the experience and the tools(which requires opening the device to implement a hardware solution, as your posted solution also requires opening the device to implement a hardware solution) to retrieve the data for them(if repairing the screen is not their preferred solution, which obviously isn't). Also, Samsung isn't as simple as B&N hardware, Samsung has some tricky stuff when it comes to hardware, especially their Qcom versions, such as Qfuse(on some nodeld)and other tricky hardware designed to make tampering a real pain or even kill the device with built in components intended to kill the device if triggered. Their bootloader is pretty hard to get past without breaking into the hardware itself also.
Yeah, I know about Samsung, which is why I don't buy it.
In any case, if it's booted to Android, then Android generic solutions will work.
I don't have any idea if a serial port is accessible, but if it were, that would be an easy option.
thanks for the advice guys, @Renate your solution is probably probably beyond my expertise though thanks for your comment, hopefully I can understand it better in future. I'm hoping to use this screen replacement as an entry point into mobile phone repair.