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[Q] Can't access download mode and no backlight

One of my friend tried to root his phone using odin and a firmware for version 9023 while he has a Nexus S GT-i9020t. I've been looking for some hours, and I couldn't find any solution for that problems.
This post has similar symptoms, but still no answer: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1436199
Symptoms
- No backlight at all (seems to be a problem version amoled vs slcd, as I could read)
- Screen is upside down (but buttons, keyboard, etc still react correctly, only the screen display is upside down, so you get to have two phones next to each other to press the right buttons...)
- Can't get into download mode to flash using Odin and the correct firmware. When you hold both volume buttons and plug the USB cable, you get the first attached image. Green lines, nothing else.
What it can do
- Phone can get into the bootloader, but screen is very dim, as you can see in the second screenshot
- Phone can boot normally, you may take screenshots, place phone calls (while guessing numbers), receive phone calls, but the screen backlight stays off, so it's pretty hard to read anything. Tried to get to the display settings to play with the luminosity, without success.
- No problems using adb to send commands to the phone, or using fastboot to flash the device.
What i've tried
1. Downloaded original firmware image from Google, and tried flashing the device using fastboot. Tried 2.3.6 and 4.0.4 for Nexus S worldwide (i9020t) - over here: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images . Still no backlight.
2. Tried the One-Click Unbrick for Samsung devices. Installed drivers and everything, the tool return the result Success, but still can't access download mode, or fix the problem.
It looks like the graphic part of the phone is messed up, and i've got no idea on how this could be possibly fixed.
Any help would be greatly appreciated !

I think your AMOLED Screen just died or is going to die. If it is still under warranty, get it replaced. If not, look on ebay and buy a replacement screen. Its a do it yourself procedure. Or take it to a phone repair shop and they'll do it for you.

It's not under warranty anymore, it's 1 year and 2 months old.
I doubt the screen died, since problems started when he installed the wrong firmware. Can a bad firmware cause physical damage to the screen ?

Gear S2 Downloading do not turnoff target

Hi guys,
Looking for some help, I was updating my gear s2 using odin and I was not paying attention and believe I added the wrong file. Now my watch is stuck with the dreaded Downloading do not turn off target screen. The problem is I can't get the watch to do anything else. I have tried soldering the 4 usb cables and downloading the samsung drivers but odin does not recognize it.
Holding the buttons down only turns the watch off and back to the same screen. I can even let the battery sit for 3 days and the first time I plug it in, it goes back to the same screen . Its a lovely brick right now but just hoping someone with a bit more knowledge has an idea.

If not Top Secret...
Maybe tell us EXACT Model Name...
Example:
SM-R732 or SM-R730A or...
Best Regarsd

I'm in the same situation - It's actually impossible to even check the model version either.
It's stuck on downloading... Do not turn off target after a flashing to reset (inherited from my brother in law).
Can't connect via wireless anymore, nor BT (and I assume computer connection is not an option with this device?)
I'm now waiting for the power to die off on it though not holding my breath.
Any pointers as to where to go to unbrick this?

Hocus said:
Hi guys,
Looking for some help, I was updating my gear s2 using odin and I was not paying attention and believe I added the wrong file. Now my watch is stuck with the dreaded Downloading do not turn off target screen. The problem is I can't get the watch to do anything else. I have tried soldering the 4 usb cables and downloading the samsung drivers but odin does not recognize it.
Holding the buttons down only turns the watch off and back to the same screen. I can even let the battery sit for 3 days and the first time I plug it in, it goes back to the same screen . Its a lovely brick right now but just hoping someone with a bit more knowledge has an idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try to install the latest Samsung USB drivers? Do you have Samsung Kies installed? I had this problem and what helped me was uninstalling Samsung Kies and installing the latest Samsung USB drivers.

Same issue fo not understand
I have the same issue. My gear s2 is stuck on downloading... Do not turn off target. Powering off just reboots to the same screen. How can you uninstall kies or install latest drivers if the watch cant do anything with the watch? Please help me and give me a detailed procedure to follow. It would help me a lot.

@LukeSalonga
Step 1...
Identify your correct Model Name...
SM-R732 or SM-R730T or SM-R720 or SM-R730A or
Best Regards

Confused.
I cant check the model my watch cant do anything but show this screen.

Normally you can look with open eyes on your device... back cover... rear case...
Anyway... look first few seconds of this Video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQNOaZ8-BTQ
You are able to hold Power Button for few seconds to force reboot... and enter this reboot menu?
If Download wireless is possibe you can flash Firmware...
If you only can enter download aka Odin Mode... you are able to read Model Name... first line...
Code:
SM-R7[COLOR="Red"]???[/COLOR]
Best Regards

Doesnt show model
On my screen. It currently says: "Samsung gear s2. Downloading... Do not turn off target" There is no other writing on the screen. On the back there is text saying: "samsung gear s2 classic. 316L stainless steel case". There is no other writing on the watch.

samsung gear s2 classic. 316L stainless steel case". There is no other writing on the watch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S2 Classic could be SM-R732... I have this Watch I know how it looks and how it works... IMHO...
Use Flashlight or Microscope... to look into the black part of Back Cover/ Rear Case.. to confirm it is SM-R732 and no LTE Variant of it...
Attached example of SM-R720 Back Case/Rear Cover... you can Google or Ebay this... to know how to look at your own Watch... with open eyes.
Again.
Are you able to hold Power key... for few Seconds...
Other Video...
Maybe look this time WHOLE Video and try to find your way to Reboot menu...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJPhEIwgFtc
Best Regards

LukeSalonga said:
There is no other writing on the watch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a small hole in the back cover near letters "ess" in "stainless"?

Model of watch
There is a cut out hole above the 'ess' in stainless at the back of the watch, however, there is text at the back saying: "SM R732".
---------- Post added at 07:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:23 AM ----------
adfree said:
S2 Classic could be SM-R732... I have this Watch I know how it looks and how it works... IMHO...
Use Flashlight or Microscope... to look into the black part of Back Cover/ Rear Case.. to confirm it is SM-R732 and no LTE Variant of it...
Attached example of SM-R720 Back Case/Rear Cover... you can Google or Ebay this... to know how to look at your own Watch... with open eyes.
Again.
Are you able to hold Power key... for few Seconds...
Other Video...
Maybe look this time WHOLE Video and try to find your way to Reboot menu...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJPhEIwgFtc
Best Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have identified: SM R732 at the back of the watch.

Powering Off and Rebooting Problem
If I hold the power button:
1)The screen turns off
2)There is a quick vibration
3)Screen turns on again with the same thing.
No rebooting screen.

@LukeSalonga
Short summary.
Good
You have SM-R732... I have tiny experience because I have this Watch too. :good:
Bad
I still have not enough information...
A
How you reached this situation?
By accident... or randomly or like Thread Starter by doing "something"
Or you bought this Watch from Ebay and never worked?
B
Thread Starter wrote something about USB cable... with no success...
Look here what we mean with USB cable...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcLYt8S7jog
But... BAD BAD very BAD...
Maybe something like this happens:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=80602127&postcount=11
Maybe eMMC have still this DL Flag from param... and can not overwrite with new data...
No idea about your solder skills...
I have never tried IMHO to test "USB JIG" to set DL Mode without Keys... with Resistor blabla...
So if no key Combination exist to enter valid DL Mode...
you are out of luck to repair.
Best Regards

Alright here is the story of how I got to this point:
-I bought this watch off of Gumtree Australia used.
-The watch had a reactivation lock active.
-The seller didn't respond to disable the reactivation lock.
-I followed this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCDouih8QtQ&t=291s
-I was up to the step where I had to flash the 'AP' file onto the watch.
-It was installing via wireless download.
-I flashed it with the AP file: COMBINATION-FTMA_R360XXU1DQH1.tar.md5
-On the watch screen, there was a downloading progress line.
-Once it completed, it booted to the downloading screen which I am stuck at now
-After about 2 days after I was stuck at this screen the Gumtree seller removed the reactivation lock.
So that's the situation I am in. Hope this helps. Thanks for the help so far.

I flashed it with the AP file: COMBINATION-FTMA_R360XXU1DQH1.tar.md5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okidoki...
If you flashed this to the SM-R732... then clear why not work as before... IMHO.
Code:
COMBINATION-FTMA_R[COLOR="Red"][B]360[/B][/COLOR]XXU1DQH1.tar.md5
This is Combination Firmware for SM-R360... NOT for SM-R732...
Best Regards

LukeSalonga said:
-I flashed it with the AP file: COMBINATION-FTMA_R360XXU1DQH1.tar.md5
-.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a big problem, but you will need to flash it via wired connection.
In any case the "rebooting..." menu is necessary to get into download (not wireless) mode, so try to find it. It must be there. The jig does not work (for me, at least).
And you need to buy an Y-type screwdriver and a R750 charging craddle.
$5 for the both, I think...
I used to buy such watches too, have a look at the photo...

Can someone compile a list of all the ways you can get to the reboot screen so I can try all of them? Thanks.

LukeSalonga said:
On my screen. It currently says: "Samsung gear s2. Downloading... Do not turn off target"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look, this may be enough to flash the watch.
This means that the device is in download mode already and is trying to download firmware.
But you have to open it and connect a cable.

Can someone compile a list of all the ways you can get to the reboot screen so I can try all of them? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"We" have only 2 Hardware Keys...
I can remember on SM-R760 for instance it was possible with weired Key Combination to bypass some mistake with DL wireless...
Something like hold release hold relaes blabla ... timing...
Look here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/smartwatch/gear-s3/wireless-mode-enter-gear-s3-sm-r760-t3710855
But... you have killed Original Software/Firmware on device...
Code:
COMBINATION-FTMA_[B]R360[/B]XXU1DQH1.tar.md5
Kernel is wrong... param is wrong... few important Software pieces now replaced by wrong Software from wrong device...
IMHO only sboot.bin Bootloader is still from SM-R732...
You have download Link to COMBINATION-FTMA_R360XXU1DQH1.tar.md5 ?
Maybe we can check param file... because here are flags/settings for USB etc inside..
We could try to analyze SM-R360 FTMA to feel/smell what is now wrong inside your SM-R732 and if chance is low or lowER with USB cable...
Best Regards
Edit 1.
I can only find BPI1 in public:
https://shell.boxwares.com/default.aspx?DeviceModel=SM-R360&Type=All#fh5co-table

Gear 2 (SM-R380) Hangs at startup after installing new battery

Hello all,
I am trying to get my old Gear 2 working, again. It is running stock firmware (I can't find out which version), no root. It was working perfectly, but only held a charge for a couple hours, so I decided to install a new battery. It seemed like a pretty straight forward installation process, but once completed, I could not get past the "Samsung Gear 2" boot screen. It just hangs there.
I can get into the "advanced options" by rebooting, then clicking the home button 3 times. I can long click continue (gets stuck), I can long click download (more on that later), and I can long click on "power off". However, when I try to long click on "Recovery", nothing happens. It just boots and then hangs at the same screen.
I decided to try to install one of the custom ROMs to see if that would fix the issue. I followed instructions to use Odin to flash.
I downloaded and ran sdb.exe. I downloaded and installed "Samsung_USB_Driver_for_mobile_Phones". I downloaded several ROMs, including R380XXU0BNE5rootfs_root.tar (et. al), Gear2_Wear_Lolipop_5.1.1_06292015.tar, and Gear2_Wear6_Rel6
I opened Odin (tried with both 3.09 and 3.13.1), put my watch into download mode, connected to PC. Odin recognized the watch with a light blue "0:[COM4]. The only boxes "ticked" are "Auto Reboot" and "F. Reset Time" I put the file into the AP section and hit "Start". It shows that it is beginning the process, but then FAILS.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I fear i am am in similar situation
with SW-R380_EUR_XX

I have the same issue and I am quite sad as I liked my gear2
If anyone have any clue I am all ears.

Do you still have the old battery? Does it work (somewhat) with it?
It could be that the thermistor or ID wiring on the new battery is wrong.
If you're good with electronics you can use the old circuit board from the battery and a power supply to prove that the device is ok.

Only splash screen even in Android

So, first I thought my brother's A51 was water damaged because it was wet a little bit and charging was being interrupted. I left the phone turned off for the night and wanted to look at it again the next morning. The problem is that the screen or something else stopped working.
The screen works fine in Download mode, Recovery mode, or at splash screen with phone's model name, the problem begins when it's booting to Android. It's still stuck at the splash screen. no boot animation, no lock screen visible, just a model name. It's not bricked, because I can still unlock the phone (didn't have a password) and I can hear the unlock sound or charging sound (it started working again).
I tried factory reset through recovery - didn't help, flashing fresh firmware from Frija - didn't help. The only thing that changed is now the splash screen brightness goes down a bit and I noticed that until I am touching the screen so the phone can't lock itself it doesn't turn off the splash screen, but when I press the lock button it turns off the screen and I can't turn it back on, but the phone still works because I can hear charging sounds and it shows up in Device manager.
I also opened it because I wanted to see if there's any water damage, but I didn't see any water marks or burnt components. I cleaned the charging board with alcohol and let it dry but that didn't help.
I'm worried that there's something wrong with the motherboard or the charging board because it has a screen connector.
I can also see that some people here have similar issues:
Unbrick A51 - Stuck on samsung logo
Hi, My phone is stuck on A51 logo for days now it charges - I can enter download mode easily - I can sometimes enter recovery mode some other times it doesn't let me I tried flashing different stock ROMs of android 10, 11 for the phone with...
forum.xda-developers.com
black screen after splash and unable to factory reset, possibly frp?
Apologies for formatting, typing up on my phone during my break at work. To be more specific, I have a samsung a51 that recently had a black screen of death with no known cause. The samsung splash screen as well as the recovery menus alll work...
forum.xda-developers.com
I should also add that I don't have access to settings so I can't unlock OEM and flash custom recovery / ROM. I also cannot downgrade to Android 10 (duh)

I have exactly the same behaviour here.
I ordered a "defect" A51 on Ebay which was not working. I opened it an saw a water damage at the USB-C charging board. Since there was a lot of oxydated parts I ordered a replacement for this board.
After cleaning an replacing the charging board I have the same issue as szerbi. I see the charging screen (while powered off), I can enter download mode and transfering stock firmware using Odin, I can enter recovery mode. While all these states the display works well and I cannot see any damages like a broken display.
I even got it working correctly after several Odin firmware update and recovery mode / factory reset attempts and I could install some apps and set up my google account. I was very happy. But after some hours again: no screen while Android is running.
Now, when Android is running I hear the charging and the screen shot (pressing volume-down + power buttons) sounds and the phone will be visible as a storage device while connecting to a PC.
Conclusion: The display is black while Android is running. Since it was shortly active I assume either a loose contact on one of the flex cable connetions or a water damage at the displays flex board. Unfortunately latter cannot be checked without dividing the display from the display frame. I assume this is an irreversible process.

Alcatel T3 10 in Demo Mode

Hi, I bought one of these tablets 2nd hand and I overlooked when the guy said it was in Demo Mode (the moral of the story is don't ebay after "some" beer).
I have to admit I thought it would be easy, just go into developer options and turn off demo mode, but dev options flashes up and disappears.
I've found there's a demo mode app running but I can't disable it.
I got it into recovery mode where I did a factory reset and when I rebooted it did come up normally for about 30 secs then a pop up appeared saying demo mode starting which put me back to square 1.
I've been trying to find the stock firmware to flash it but I'm having no luck.
Have any of you got any ideas what to try next?
Thanks
Steve