Hello everybody,
I am new to the forum and also new to Androids. After years of using iPhones and finally becoming fed up Apple, I've decided to try something new (please don't judge my prior smartphone selection and start posting opinions about the 2 operating systems, I do not want this thread to turn into one of the "battle of the phones" thread that I've experienced many times on iPhone forums). My friend recently got an S3 and had no use for his Galaxy S 4g, so he gave it to me so that I could try out an Android. There was one issue though, he said that the phone would not get past the Galaxy S screen and would keep re-booting itself (stuck in a boot loop). He said if I could figure out a way to fix it then it's mine.
That being said, here's my dilemma. I've tried many different methods to get the phone out of a boot loop. The first method I tried was putting the phone into restore mode and selecting the "reinstall packages" option. After this executes I get the message:
E:Can't mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p1
(no such file or directory)
E:Can't mount SDCARD:update.zip
Installation aborted.
After some further research I discovered a nice little program called Odin I read a lot about Odin and how to properly use it. After trying at least 5 different methods to get the phone into download mode with no success, I purchased a jig. The jig did the trick and instantly put me into download mode, I was ecstatic and hopeful that I could now fix the phone with Odin. I connected the phone to my PC in download mode, but Odin still didn't recognize the phone (I tried many versions of Odin, 1.85, 1.87, and the most recent 3.07). I do have the latest drivers for this phone, which I downloaded from Samsung's website. The phone will charge through the computer but the computer does not recognize it otherwise and will not allow me access its mass storage (I am running Windows 7 64 bit). I have tried using a different USB cable, and I have tried to use a different PC, the other PC I used popped up with a message saying that Windows could not successfully download the drivers (that was after I downloaded the drivers from Samsung's webpage and plugged the phone into the computer). I've even tried transferring stock firmware onto an external SD card and loading it onto the phone from restore mode (is that even possible to do?). I have also tried running Odin in compatibility mode, still didn't detect the phone. I should probably also mention that Kies Mini also does not recognize the phone. I asked my friend if he ever tried rooting this phone and he said no, so I'm assuming this issue has nothing to do with a failed attempt to root.
I really want to get this phone working, but I have run out of options to try. I am hoping that someone on here has a solution for me from a similar experience. After reading through the forum, I have noticed that people on here are very helpful and also very friendly; something that I can say is very different from some of iPhone forums I've used. I apologize if there is already a similar thread to mine, I've read through many threads and none of the solutions have worked for me. I also apologize for my first post being so lengthy, I just wanted to state all of the methods that I've tried to fix this phone. Thanks for your replies.
Hi hubbs134
You have come to the right place.
First,
I suggest you read a little bit about this phone and how to put it in Recovery (by holding Volume Up + Volume Down + Power until you see the SGS4G splash screen) and Download modes, it will help you in the future.
You can find it all in the Wiki.
Second, use this guide to One-Click Heimdall your way to Stock KJ6 2.3.6 Gingerbread ROM (latest official ROM for this phone).
If you use this file (instead) with that guide, you will also get phone rooted, or else you will need to make another flash of a rooted kernel (as the guide suggests).
Now, if you have the official latest stock, but still want some ICS/JB lovin', if you have CWM recovery v5 (you will see the recovery info once you're in that mode), you can flash CM9/AOKP/HebMIUI/UltraGen/RemICS/CM10/Slimbin/etc. etc. etc. ROMs.
Enjoy and welcome aboard!
P.S what the @#%#$ were you doing with an iphone ?
itzik2sh said:
Hi hubbs134
You have come to the right place.
First,
I suggest you read a little bit about this phone and how to put it in Recovery (by holding Volume Up + Volume Down + Power until you see the SGS4G splash screen) and Download modes, it will help you in the future.
You can find it all in the Wiki.
Second, use this guide to One-Click Heimdall your way to Stock KJ6 2.3.6 Gingerbread ROM (latest official ROM for this phone).
If you use this file (instead) with that guide, you will also get phone rooted, or else you will need to make another flash of a rooted kernel (as the guide suggests).
Now, if you have the official latest stock, but still want some ICS/JB lovin', if you have CWM recovery v5 (you will see the recovery info once you're in that mode), you can flash CM9/AOKP/HebMIUI/UltraGen/RemICS/CM10/Slimbin/etc. etc. etc. ROMs.
Enjoy and welcome aboard!
P.S what the @#%#$ were you doing with an iphone ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply, I have read a lot about this phone and know how to get into download and recovery mode. I tried the method you mention, however, when running the command window I get errors for both roms you suggested (i attatched a screen shot of the errors I'm getting). Do you know how I can fix these errors so that I can proceed with the rest of the tutorial? Thanks.
PS I only had an iPhone because I had yet to discover how bad a** Androids are
It sounds like you can't use Odin because of a windows issue. Try installing linux. I use ubuntu
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 07:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:47 AM ----------
You can also run as live CD or in a virtual machine
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app
hubbs134 said:
Thanks for your reply, I have read a lot about this phone and know how to get into download and recovery mode. I tried the method you mention, however, when running the command window I get errors for both roms you suggested (i attatched a screen shot of the errors I'm getting). Do you know how I can fix these errors so that I can proceed with the rest of the tutorial? Thanks.
PS I only had an iPhone because I had yet to discover how bad a** Androids are
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to replace PC OS...
1. Uninstall all your Java versions and Samsung drivers and reboot.
2. Reinstall Java 1.7u..
3. Follow the guide, it should work.
When you reinstall the driver through Heimdall - it will appear as Gadget device.
Good luck !
itzik2sh said:
No need to replace PC OS...
1. Uninstall all your Java versions and Samsung drivers and reboot.
2. Reinstall Java 1.7u..
3. Follow the guide, it should work.
When you reinstall the driver through Heimdall - it will appear as Gadget device.
Good luck !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this... This should fix your driver issues.
Thanks for both of your replies. Odin detected my friends GS3 so I know it's not a Windows issue.
itzik2sh I did what you suggested and now got the command to function properly. I am going to try and finish the tutorial, I will be back soon with results. Thanks.
The phone is in download mode with Heimdall One-click 1.3.1 running and nothing is popping up in the command window. Neither is showing that the device is connected. Any suggestions? Thanks
Irish Enigma said:
I second this... This should fix your driver issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot to mention that I can here the sound that a device was just connected to the computer via USB, and a message pops up saying USB device not recognized. When I click on the message it says "One of the USB devices connected to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it."
Tried a different port? Tried second different port with a different USB cable?
itzik2sh said:
No need to replace PC OS...
1. Uninstall all your Java versions and Samsung drivers and reboot.
2. Reinstall Java 1.7u..
3. Follow the guide, it should work.
When you reinstall the driver through Heimdall - it will appear as Gadget device.
Good luck !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theraze said:
Tried a different port? Tried second different port with a different USB cable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I got the device connected and I got Zadig running, however, there is no option for "Samsung USB Composite Driver" on the drop down list, on "gadget Serial", "Gadget Serial Control (interface 0), and "1.3 HD Webcam (Interface 0)'. What should I do?
On the one-clicks, you don't actually want to use zadig. Apparently it conflicts, which is awesome for something that gets released WITH the tool.
If you're doing manual Heimdall, make sure you've told zadig to list all devices in the menus. Your phone should show up after that.
If you're using a one-click, make sure you're using a USB port on your computer where you have NOT installed zadig, Kies, or Samsung official drivers. Follow the steps in the one-click religiously, and it should cooperate.
Follow the guide %100 then Odin should work
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app
Ok I ended up getting the phone to register in Odin. I flashed it with the stock rom in Odin and it said success. The phone booted and it seemed like it was going to work but then the recovery menu came up. I posted a screen shot of what it says, what action should I take from here? Thanks
I am also in a different boot loop now, before it would load to the first screen (black screen saying samsung galaxy 4g) then restart, now it boots to past the splash screen to where it says "Samsung" and then reboots back to the screen where the pink letters roll across the whole screen. I don't need to flash bootloaders do I?
Looks like recovery is broken or the updater script on the ROM you're trying to flash is messed up. Flash a new and the proper recovery via Odin then download a new Rom and either sideload it or mount usb from recovery and push it... Or you could just use Odin XD
EDIT: Samsung's are easy to brick and hard to debrick it may take a couple of trys
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app
Irish Enigma said:
Looks like recovery is broken or the updater script on the ROM you're trying to flash is messed up. Flash a new and the proper recovery via Odin then download a new Rom and either sideload it or mount usb from recovery and push it... Or you could just use Odin XD
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK GREAT NEWS! After flashing with Odin and that screen popping up, I clicked update from SD card, which failed. I then click system reboot, which brought me into the new boot loop. I put back into download mode and re-flashed with One-Click. Same recovery menu came up as before but when I clicked reboot system it hung at the "Samsung" black screen (after the splash screen) for about 20-30 seconds and then booted up I'm afraid to turn the phone off and see if it reloads lol. Is it safe to say that it is fixed? Or should I still follow your advice and run the proper recovery in Odin and then sideload a new rom? Or take different action? Thanks for all your help guys! Everyone gets a thanks click for being so helpful and friendly on an unhappy/confused/pissed off/ now happy new Android user!
Ok I just put my Tmobile simcard in and the phone is not detecting the sim. Any suggestion?
The IMEI number and baseband both say "unknown", I'm assuming this has to do with the simcard not registering?
hubbs134 said:
The phone is in download mode with Heimdall One-click 1.3.1 running and nothing is popping up in the command window. Neither is showing that the device is connected. Any suggestions? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Heimdall package are you applying ?
After JAR package runs you are ready to go.
As I wrote, according to guide you can reinstall "Gadget" driver.
EDIT :
Enigma, if you're not an owner of an SGS 4G please stop advising.
Odin is not the common way since we have MTD ROMs and it had its problems.
hubbs134,
blank IMEI is a serious problem. without a proper IMEI your device is everything but a phone.
Try this : take battery off, press the POWER button for 10 seconds, leave device untouched for 15 minutes and then put battery back and power up.
This could bring your IMEI back to life. If not... maybe another flash will help.
P.S
The 3e recovery image you put on post #14 is a snapshot of the the stock unrooted ROM recovery.
i made a extremely poor decision and was trying to change the boot animation loader when i actually changed the boot cmd and now it boots to samsung then to download everytime,. i can get into the onboard recovery yet i cant access safestrap and none of the many many drivers ive tried i cant get the phone to show to connect, its listed as unknown device in my device manager and ive hand picked the ones im supposed to have to other ones. ADB doesnt see it either and i was wondering if there is cmd for adb to find myu device, if you help me guys i promise ill only practice on hand me down smart phones. Ty:cyclops: [email protected] SM-G870A
This may be a dumb question, but have you tried Odin? I have had situations similar to this with my Samsung devices and always thought i bricked. But as long i could get into download mode, i could Odin back to stock and start over.
MrAwesome75 said:
This may be a dumb question, but have you tried Odin? I have had situations similar to this with my Samsung devices and always thought i bricked. But as long i could get into download mode, i could Odin back to stock and start over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya but i havent even tried loading a file into odin cause it wont see my device
and i have installed the samsung drivers but after this happened my pc wont see the phone
has to be a way to get a connection between the pc and phone
I'm not an expert so I'm not sure. Do you have the correct drivers installed on PC?
---------- Post added at 06:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:30 AM ----------
Try different Odin versions. And make sure you have the proper drivers installed on the PC.
ya ive actually read that it probably doesnt have the function running to talk with the pc cause it cant boot. im all set up to reset the phoone. just need it to appear in my odin
..does kies still work?
[email protected] said:
i made a extremely poor decision and was trying to change the boot animation loader when i actually changed the boot cmd and now it boots to samsung then to download everytime,. i can get into the onboard recovery yet i cant access safestrap and none of the many many drivers ive tried i cant get the phone to show to connect, its listed as unknown device in my device manager and ive hand picked the ones im supposed to have to other ones. ADB doesnt see it either and i was wondering if there is cmd for adb to find myu device, if you help me guys i promise ill only practice on hand me down smart phones. Ty:cyclops: [email protected] SM-G870A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you boot to system
It doesn't show anything right ??
but the touch is still functioning
Sent from my GT-i9300 running cm11 using tapatalk.
when i just boot it goes to download mode and says "could not do do normal boot"
i can access recovery mode and download mode but i cant get drivers to show it, and it used to show it until i did this, can i put a file on my micro SDcard from my pc via card reader then install it in recovery mode ? like firmware or a memory wipe reset?
If you can get into recovery, I believe that would be possible. Couldn't hurt to try. As long as you can get into recovery and all the recovery functions work, I don't see why you couldn't.
fixed it!
well after two nights of reading i got my pc to discover the device by changing ports three different times to find one that seamed to like it. and also installed kies and installed the drivers from them, (figured couldnt go wrong after as many as ive used from samsung and others). so win7 pro / altered boot command and only stock options afterwards sucks big time. ty all for helping me
never let up
Bought a banged up s6 demo unit on ebay. All I want is a pocketable tablet.
The demo software keeps respawning. Even using the pass codes and resetting.
Update recovery wipe says MDM doesn't allow wipe.
I would love to just Odin a ROM but Odin doesn't recognise when plugged in download mode.
I've tried many different Odin 3.10.6 3.9 etc
Tried dev mode adb to adb push various cfroot twpr etc.
but signature not verified. I can push files like this!!
Also the USB is recognised for normal file transfer.
I can't change the recovery without root.
Can't get root without decent recovery.
What can I do? What is wrong with Odin?
Demo unit...it has antitheft measures built in to protect against theft. I'd get your money back if you can.
Just to let you know Quarzar Odin recognises my S6 demo unit. I may try to flash a custom recovery. I hope nothing goes wrong... Do I need to root first to install a custom recovery with ODIN?
quatzar said:
Bought a banged up s6 demo unit on ebay. All I want is a pocketable tablet.
The demo software keeps respawning. Even using the pass codes and resetting.
Update recovery wipe says MDM doesn't allow wipe.
I would love to just Odin a ROM but Odin doesn't recognise when plugged in download mode.
I've tried many different Odin 3.10.6 3.9 etc
Tried dev mode adb to adb push various cfroot twpr etc.
but signature not verified. I can push files like this!!
Also the USB is recognised for normal file transfer.
I can't change the recovery without root.
Can't get root without decent recovery.
What can I do? What is wrong with Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sounds like more of a driver issue than an Odin issue. What does your device show up as in device manager?
My Device samsung galaxy note edge SM-N915V (Verizon) is stuck in a bootloop, I cant get into settings to enable USB debugging so i guess the ADB install of TWRP is out( when i run the commands it just says device Null not found) What i need is a way to install TWRP through ODIN but I can't seem to get Odin AP tab to detect the IMG file for TWRP. It fails every time. I tried converting the file to a .tar.md5 with a script i found on the forums but it continues to fail no matter what I do ( switching USB ports, entering and exiting download mode etc) I am able to flash the original firmware from the phone from sammobile so I know I'm doing that at least correctly and using Odin properly but it's not fixing the boot loop issue. I was lead to believe that TWRP could be a solution to my issue by a helpful member here but he didn't tell me exactly how to use TWRP and this is above my skill level. I was lead to believe that TWRP was the direction I needed to go in but im not having much luck figuring it out on my own. Can someone guide me in the correct direction? Sorry if this is not the right place to be asking this. I'm rather new here.
Qu1nter said:
My Device samsung galaxy note edge SM-N915V (Verizon) is stuck in a bootloop, I cant get into settings to enable USB debugging so i guess the ADB install of TWRP is out( when i run the commands it just says device Null not found) What i need is a way to install TWRP through ODIN but I can't seem to get Odin AP tab to detect the IMG file for TWRP. It fails every time. I tried converting the file to a .tar.md5 with a script i found on the forums but it continues to fail no matter what I do ( switching USB ports, entering and exiting download mode etc) I am able to flash the original firmware from the phone from sammobile so I know I'm doing that at least correctly and using Odin properly but it's not fixing the boot loop issue. I was lead to believe that TWRP could be a solution to my issue by a helpful member here but he didn't tell me exactly how to use TWRP and this is above my skill level. I was lead to believe that TWRP was the direction I needed to go in but im not having much luck figuring it out on my own. Can someone guide me in the correct direction? Sorry if this is not the right place to be asking this. I'm rather new here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've enabled developer options?