Related
People that can't get the roms beyond stock to work, are your phones activated?
Is it possible to use the Pac Man Rom or CM10 on an unactivated phone?
I'm having similar issues to others trying to flash Pac Man and CM10.2. The first boot was fine and I can access everything on the phone fine, including settings. I rebooted and the activation screen (which I skipped as this phone doesn't have service) always pops up but I would like to use it without putting it on a cell network. I can skip the screen fine (until I decide to disable it) but then have issues like the keyboard (physical and touch), systemUI or NAV Bar crashing with a constant message pop up telling me it has crashed. I have returned to stock using RSD and reflashed Pac Man and CM10.2 MANY (15+?) times, doing a clean install 99% of the time but also trying a couple dirty installs to cover my bases. I should also note that I flashed the phone to Cricket but have no plans to activate it anytime soon.
Another thing to note is that I had issues getting the custom roms to boot at all as the initial setup would take hours. One time I though it was a boot loop but I left it on all night and it had booted in the morning. I believe it has something to do with the file check at boot (with my 32GB low speed class SD card) but that seems to be resolved and I can get the custom roms to boot fine (on the first boot) even with my 32GB (witch is fine and has no errors nor is generic, before you ask.) I also have tried 2 4GB cards and a 2GB card, all different brands, with no change in behavior.
I have done everything below multiple times and in different orders.(If needed I can give a direct breakdown step by step but if you could do it with the files below, I have probably tried it)
Wipe the phone (including all storage internal and external SDs included)
Using RDS v6.15
RDS asanti_c_sprint-user-4.1.2-9.8.2Q-122_XT897_FFW-5-6-release-keys-cid9.xml.zip (Works 100% of the time and never has issues. I keep reverting back to this if I actually need to use the phone)
RDS ClockworkMod, TWRP, and Open Recovery without TWRP (Tried different versions when available)
Then used each recovery to install Pac Man or CM10.2 (tried 10.1 once but had the same issues and I didn't see the need to troubleshoot a rom people seemed to not want to develop for. So 10.1 was only tried once but has the same issues)
Installed GApps at this point but I also tried alternate versions of GApps and not installing it at all. All have the same effect and don't seem to be contributing to the problems at all.
A few installed I tried wiping the phone again or installing each zip multiple times. I also verified the zips were good when on the device to make sure there was no corruption at transfer.
I also tried multiple (confirmed working) SD cards and installing from the internal storage.
I have tried installing arrrghhh's Kernel too.
The issue ether seems to be boot loop (if it's doing a file check) or more often it works until I get one of the said crashes after a reboot.(blame Tyler message is getting SO old...) The time I see the errors seems to be accelerated if I mess with the settings a lot but I don't believe it is directly related to the settings.
My next recourse is to try and flash it back to Sprint (maybe check my Cricket settings) and see if that helps, without it being activated.
On a separate note.
If people need help I can help get you back to stock easily. The instructions/guides on here are all but useless if you don't know what you are doing already. I have seen down to "USE RDS" or "DELETE LINE MD5" like people would just know what that means. I understand RDS Lite is a standard tool for flashing phones but it's nigh impossible to find real explanations on what stuff does in context. I understand the basics though, so if anyone has any questions I can walk you through it.
To start with if you are stuck in a loop at the start of a new rom and it loops between the 'Welcome' Screen (Select your Language) and Activation screen just skip the initial setup by tapping the corners on your screen in a clockwise manor when on the 'Welcome' screen to skip the setup there is a video to explain it here
pocketnow(can't post links )com/how-to/android-quick-tip-how-to-bypass-touch-the-android-to-begin-video
Without doing this or activating the phone it seems to loop between those 2 screens forever (might indicate part of the problem with customs roms....)
I hope this is enough info to go off of I can give you a play by play with the actual files if you need. Maybe a video if needed and I'm feeling extra fancy.
Thanks for your time.
Hey buddy,
If you're trying to make a guide, make sure you call it what it is properly - RSD Lite.
Also, maybe clean up your post a bit so it's a proper guide (as you point out, it's needed) and make a separate thread for your question.
To answer your question, the unactivated phone shouldn't be an issue in of itself - you'll just get the nag screen like you were talking about.
I know there is an issue some are having with rebooting the 4.3 ROM's. Have you tried any 4.2.2 versions of anything? Carbon, CM10.1?
I wonder if your "flash" to Cricket is causing issue, I'm not sure. Let me know about 4.2.
Edit - I missed this part on my first read of your PM. Taking hours to boot is NOT normal. Perhaps remove the SD card entirely, flash using the internal SD... I've never heard of that. Anything over say 20 minutes is probably cause for concern.
Thanks for taking time to answer me.
In no way was I trying to make a guide yet but I guess I could. I just hate posting stuff without useful content so I figured throwing that in was better than nothing. I'll clean it up and set up some links later today. It's frustrating to try and make a full guide before I can post links that would be needed for it. You are totally right though! (complain about crappy guides and kind of make one... )
Part of my point there was that I can't post out of Q and A and this wasn't really a question so I made a question out of it and that's how my post ended up.
I have flashed many phones before but like I said I'll try and put it back on Sprint later today (probably will be a few hours) as I backed up the settings the phone came with. I know it was a wall of text and not the easiest to read so you probably missed it but I also said in my first post that I tried the internal SD card many times and the taking hours to boot isn't the standard and doesn't seem to happen at 99% of the time. It seems to be related to the recovery software I use as it happened a lot more when I was testing TWRP and none when I use clockwork.
What Recovery do you recommend? I swear they aren't made equal...
I tested CM10.1 once and it had the exact same issues as CM10.2 and Pac Man so I didn't test it further but if you want me to test it I can. I just didn't want the Rom.
I don't want Carbon either but I'll test that and AOKP next. It's just annoying that the stock rom works perfect but I can't get these to function at all. I almost wish I didn't get Pac Man to work at all. I'm very particular about my settings and NEED these features after I tried them Pac Man is AMAZING.
Thank you for the help and I hope I can get this worked out.
PS I saw that you were frustrated about working on a rom you don't have a device for. I hope you don't let a little thing like that stop you as, for the little time I have used it, it's all I want. Thanks again.
Blasz said:
What Recovery do you recommend? I swear they aren't made equal...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, OpenRecovery has probably the most work done for this device specifically. I liked TWRP, but it seems lately it has been unstable - you're not the first who has reported issues lately. I don't think CWM has been updated, unfortunately - but perhaps that's a good thing, it's stable that's for sure.
Blasz- I was just about to start a thread when I found yours, and it very accurately describes the issues I've been having. Here's my progress so far.
I got my Photon Q with Sprint and used it for a few months before Sprint started finding creative ways to take my "$79.99" bill and make it more like $140 a month. Naturally, I refused to pay. So I had a Photon Q with no cell service. This is fine, as I only need it to work on WiFi, not 2G/3G and there is no 4G in the area. Anyway.
At the time, I had Ice Cream Sandwich on it, using the (latest?) ICS firmware from Motorola. This worked very well, but I later tried to use a newer firmware, and all the custom ROMs had shown up while I hadn't been looking. All of these seemed to be based on JellyBean. First off, I tried CyanogenMod 10.2. Worked amazing well! I had literally no problems at all. However, while I was experimenting with different software for the phone, and wanted to see if "Arrrgghh"(sp?)'s kernels would give me some decent overclocking capability. Turns out, the kernel I picked wasn't compatible with the JB firmwares (I probably picked an older one by mistake.) Needless to say, it now wouldn't boot. It'd go to the "Unlocked bootloader" screen and stay there all night (literally, I tried that.)
So, I went back into CWM, which is the recovery I have installed. I erased /data, /cache and /system, and also the dalvik cache and battery stats for good measure. I also formatted /pds and /modem, I believe, which was probably dumb of me since I'm not sure what those do. Then I tried re-installing CM 10.2 from CWM. The installation went fine, and it works gorgeously. However, there's two weird issues:
1) WiFi and Bluetooth don't even BEGIN to work! Neither does Cell, as far as I can tell, because where CM used to be unable to make calls or access the internet (of course, I've not been paying my bill), it now shows an empty signal bar or "No Signal" (the little red X) in the notification bar ... When I try to turn on WiFi using the slider in Settings, it moves to "ON" (stays gray) and pauses for a few secs, then goes back to OFF. Same thing for BT. If I open the WiFi menu where you select an AP, it tells me to turn on WiFi. I do, using the slider up top, and the same thing happens. WiFi and BT simply won't turn on. Tried fiddling with every setting I can find.
Before this misadventure with the kernel/reinstall, WiFi worked great. I connected to a local AP and was surfing the net and downloading apps.
2) The system takes a VERY long time to boot up. It sits at the "Unlocked Bootloader" screen for up to a whole minute. Then it goes to the Cyanogen screen for about 30 seconds. Then it gets to the homescreen. It's fine so long as you let it boot up, but this doesn't seem normal.
Next I tried other ROMs thinking that might help. I installed AOKP, PacMan, CM1.0, Carbon, SlimBean, and I think a few others without results-- they all work but WiFi and BlueTooth are dead. PacMan is the only exception-- it boots up and then endlessly gives me "Blame Tyler" errors until I force the machine to shut off.
I also tried an older ROM, since these are all JellyBean ROMs and I wanted to get back to ICS (I'm not that fond of JB's interface) anyway. I was unable to find any ZIPs I could install through CWM of the stock firmware. I found some IMGs that it looks like I could install via Fastboot, but I don't currently have a PC with admin priveleges (it's not mine) so I can't install the drivers to use Fastboot or any part of the SDK. (I can, however, put files on my SD card, that doesn't require privleges.) The closest ROM I found to stock was "TwistedAsanti" beta-1 or whatever it's called. That installs fine, but again, it takes about 2 straight minutes to boot and it's useless after that:
It gets stuck at "Starting Services..." and will sit there forever, even left there all night. Behind this, a dialog pops up saying no cell networks were found and asking if I want to switch to GSM. (i've been trying GSM and CDMA ROMs all this time, I don't need cell access so I doubt it matters which I use. I'm in the USA.) You can pull down the notification bar and get into the Settings, and even launch a couple programs, but I can't find ANY way to get to a homescreen. Task manager shows Circles is running, which is a widget on the homescreen, so where the heck is that screen? .. I try, again, to turn on WiFi or BT without success. The friggin thing just won't turn on.
Did I eff it up by erasing the "PDS" or "modem" partition? Am I missing something obvious or is my phone just possessed?
In a few days I should have access to a computer where I can hopefully use Fastboot and see about installing a stock firmware (wish me luck). Until then, does anyone have a ZIP file I can flash from CWM to get back to an ICS firmware? I managed to find a copy of the stock firmware, in the form of a dump done from TWRP (in .win files). But as far as I know the only way to install TWRP is using Fastboot, and I've explained why I can't do that. I don't know a way to install TWRP from CWM. Maybe I can do it from CM10.2, if I can put APKs or something on my SD card. I can't get it on the network, so I have to copy all the files manually. Needless to say, it's a pain.
After my frenzy of ROM installing, I got frustrated and decided to see if TwistedAsanti would do SOMETHING if I let it sit at "Starting Services" overnight. To my mistake, I left it under my pillow and the system was quite toasty, and the battery had run dead. Plugging it back into the charger, it made a few worrying clicking noises from the speaker, then the green LED came on. This LED seems to mean "I'm charging, but the battery is too dead to turn on for a while." After it sits there a while, the green LED turns off and it just goes black. Or it goes to BOOTLOADER UNLOCKED and bootloops, or goes to black untilyou fiddle with the power button some more. I can once in a blue moon get to CWM. Sometimes it gets to the homescreen. It will charge up to about 4-7% and no further (battery got damaged by the heat?) It doesn't reliably work when plugged in, it likes to shut off at random anyway.
So now I'm stuck with a phone I can't seem to charge, or turn on reliably, and if I *do* get it to boot up, there's no way to connect it to a network.
Needless to say I'm pretty darn frustrated..
Thanks for any advice.
Epicenter714 said:
So now I'm stuck with a phone I can't seem to charge, or turn on reliably, and if I *do* get it to boot up, there's no way to connect it to a network.
Needless to say I'm pretty darn frustrated..
Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try to use RSD Lite and flash the device back to stock?
arrrghhh said:
Did you try to use RSD Lite and flash the device back to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently, I have no PC to use that has Admin priveleges, so I can't install the USB drivers or RSDLite. I also can't use fastboot to install TWRP to use the TWRP .win backups I found.
I did get a roommate to let me use his laptop for 10 minutes to try RSD Lite, but I had this result: Loaded the ".xml.zip" file for the 4.0.4 and 4.1.2 firmwares (after removing the 'getvar' line that causes problems) and it says the phone reported "FAIL". No further details. MiniRSD gives no info from the phone other than the model (it all stays blank), is that supposed to happen? I have the phone in "AP Fastboot" mode so I don't see the problem.
The guy who let me use his PC momentarily is computer-illiterate and thinks anything will break it, so he only let me use it momentarily, and won't let me touch it because I accidentally left an icon on his desktop. I'll have to ask someone else, I think I may know somone..
If I do, how do I get around this error in RSD Lite? Will keep doing research on my own .. thanks!
Epicenter714 said:
Currently, I have no PC to use that has Admin priveleges, so I can't install the USB drivers or RSDLite. I also can't use fastboot to install TWRP to use the TWRP .win backups I found.
I did get a roommate to let me use his laptop for 10 minutes to try RSD Lite, but I had this result: Loaded the ".xml.zip" file for the 4.0.4 and 4.1.2 firmwares (after removing the 'getvar' line that causes problems) and it says the phone reported "FAIL". No further details. MiniRSD gives no info from the phone other than the model (it all stays blank), is that supposed to happen? I have the phone in "AP Fastboot" mode so I don't see the problem.
The guy who let me use his PC momentarily is computer-illiterate and thinks anything will break it, so he only let me use it momentarily, and won't let me touch it because I accidentally left an icon on his desktop. I'll have to ask someone else, I think I may know somone..
If I do, how do I get around this error in RSD Lite? Will keep doing research on my own .. thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well remember - if you are on JB and you are downgrading to ICS, there are additional lines to remove.
Other than that, not sure why it would fail. Make sure 'fastboot devices' works in the command line before doing RSD perhaps.
arrrghhh said:
Well remember - if you are on JB and you are downgrading to ICS, there are additional lines to remove.
Other than that, not sure why it would fail. Make sure 'fastboot devices' works in the command line before doing RSD perhaps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying to wipe the device clean and install ICS. Are there any other lines I need to remove? ..
As for Fastboot.. I did 'Fastboot Devices' and got no devices listed. How come it shows up in MiniRSD? .. I have the drivers installed, Windows says it installed an ADB device successfully. What are some reasons that might not work? Is there any sort of guide for this? Thank you
---------- Post added at 05:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:29 PM ----------
Oh, as far as the weird booting problem, it seems the battery is fine and the charger died coincidentally at the same time as the overheating did. So my only problem is software now.. thanks.
Epicenter714 said:
I'm trying to wipe the device clean and install ICS. Are there any other lines I need to remove? ..
As for Fastboot.. I did 'Fastboot Devices' and got no devices listed. How come it shows up in MiniRSD? .. I have the drivers installed, Windows says it installed an ADB device successfully. What are some reasons that might not work? Is there any sort of guide for this? Thank you
---------- Post added at 05:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:29 PM ----------
Oh, as far as the weird booting problem, it seems the battery is fine and the charger died coincidentally at the same time as the overheating did. So my only problem is software now.. thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no clue what MiniRSD is - you mean RSD Lite?
If it doesn't show up in fastboot devices, sort that out before trying to use RSD.
As I stated previously, if you were on JB and going down to ICS you have additional lines which are needed to remove.
Yes, RSD Lite. I don't know where I got MiniRSD from.
I got it to show up in fastboot devices, but adb devices doesn't show it. Weird. Is that OK?
I was able to flash TWRP to the phone with Fastboot. RSD Lite was unable to find the phone. However, I opened the XML file and was able to figure out the flash commands to enter from a command prompt, so I did that:
I got these results... all of the files flashed successfully to stock, except for two. I forget the first, haven't got it in front of me, but here's the big one: SYSTEM! (Important, no?) Here's the error from fastboot:
>> fastboot flash system system.img.ext4
fastboot said:
target reports max download size 31457280 bytes
Invalid sparse file format at header magi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(then, Fastboot crashes.)
Does anyone know how to fix that? Also, the system image is way bigger than 31.4 MB. What is it talking about?
Thanks!
Epicenter714 said:
Yes, RSD Lite. I don't know where I got MiniRSD from.
I got it to show up in fastboot devices, but adb devices doesn't show it. Weird. Is that OK?
I was able to flash TWRP to the phone with Fastboot. RSD Lite was unable to find the phone. However, I opened the XML file and was able to figure out the flash commands to enter from a command prompt, so I did that:
I got these results... all of the files flashed successfully to stock, except for two. I forget the first, haven't got it in front of me, but here's the big one: SYSTEM! (Important, no?) Here's the error from fastboot:
>> fastboot flash system system.img.ext4
(then, Fastboot crashes.)
Does anyone know how to fix that? Also, the system image is way bigger than 31.4 MB. What is it talking about?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would NOT recommend entering those fastboot commands in the XML file manually unless you KNOW what you are doing.
Sort out why RSD isn't working. adb and fastboot are two different things. If fastboot devices shows the device, RSD Lite should work fine. Try again.
Hi.
I own a TF700T and seems to have bricked it. Last status was: I had the latest stock ROM with root running and wanted to get a CM11 based 4.4.2 image from here. I downloaded it and used rom manager to get it installed. But the install script failed at some point and I thought the recovery might be outdated. So I used ROM Manager to update recovery... I tried CWM and TWRP option. Finally I booted up into recovery trying again to install those damn rom - I used the option to wipe all data / settings from the main menu and tried again to install the ROM which again failed (I do not remember the error message clearly). I gave up. I used the "reboot" option.
Now:
- Powering up gets me into the screen with the ASUS logo (left upper corner says "the device is unlocked"). Here it is stuck forever.
- Power + Vol-Down is same as just Power - I do not get into flashboot with those 3 small icons... I just get the ASUS logo and nothing else happens. Reset hole does not change situation. The device is pretty much "always on" now (till battery is exhausted) as long-press Power turns off and immediately on again
- Only thing that seems to work: Power + Vol-Up ends up in APX mode - my computer recognizes the device via USB at this point
Unfortunately I never did any set up to nvflash.
Do I have any chance to get this thing alive again?
Thanks a lot in advance,
q2.
Quentin2 said:
Hi.
I own a TF700T and seems to have bricked it. Last status was: I had the latest stock ROM with root running and wanted to get a CM11 based 4.4.2 image from here. I downloaded it and used rom manager to get it installed. But the install script failed at some point and I thought the recovery might be outdated. So I used ROM Manager to update recovery... I tried CWM and TWRP option. Finally I booted up into recovery trying again to install those damn rom - I used the option to wipe all data / settings from the main menu and tried again to install the ROM which again failed (I do not remember the error message clearly). I gave up. I used the "reboot" option.
Now:
- Powering up gets me into the screen with the ASUS logo (left upper corner says "the device is unlocked"). Here it is stuck forever.
- Power + Vol-Down is same as just Power - I do not get into flashboot with those 3 small icons... I just get the ASUS logo and nothing else happens. Reset hole does not change situation. The device is pretty much "always on" now (till battery is exhausted) as long-press Power turns off and immediately on again
- Only thing that seems to work: Power + Vol-Up ends up in APX mode - my computer recognizes the device via USB at this point
Unfortunately I never did any set up to nvflash.
Do I have any chance to get this thing alive again?
Thanks a lot in advance,
q2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately ROM Manager does not work with the TF700 and you are not the first one to find out the hard way...
If you cannot find a way to boot into the bootloader to have fastboot, there's nothing you can do anymore without the NVflash blobs.
Did you try holding Vol - and then pressing the reset button in that little pinhole on the side of the tablet?
If you have ADB drivers installed on your PC you could try if you can establish an ADB connection at any point. If you did, you could issue the command: "adb reboot bootloader", which would enable you to flash a recovery and/or bootloader. This probably won't work since you need to be in the recovery or have Android booted for ADB to work, but worth a try anyway...
Admittedly these are very thin straws - but what have you got to loose?
Also: Just a few days ago a user here was stuck on a bootloop to recovery and couldn't get out of it. He left it alone overnight and all the sudden the bootloop sorted itself out... I have no explanation for it and it is unlikely to happen in your case, but you never know...
Good luck!
Thanks for replying.
Yes, I did keep Vol-Down (means Vol-Left) pressed while pinching the reset button. It did not help.
I will experiment a bit more. It's not really a boot "loop" - it gets stuck at the ASUS logo and this does not change anymore. Not overnight.
So far I could only see it being recognized as USB device in APX mode. Can you give me a bit background here? I have nvflash here. The blobs are not available anywhere on the net? Or why is that all a big fuzz? I used to have a Notion Ink Adam and APX saved my life several times, but the blobs were available to everybody. Nobody has the blobs here? Or are they device-specific?
I cannot believe that a today's device with a non-bricked bootloader and working APX is totally lost and even the manufacturer will only offer a costly RMA to replace the whole mainboard!?
Best regards,
q2.
Quentin2 said:
Thanks for replying.
Yes, I did keep Vol-Down (means Vol-Left) pressed while pinching the reset button. It did not help.
I will experiment a bit more. It's not really a boot "loop" - it gets stuck at the ASUS logo and this does not change anymore. Not overnight.
So far I could only see it being recognized as USB device in APX mode. Can you give me a bit background here? I have nvflash here. The blobs are not available anywhere on the net? Or why is that all a big fuzz? I used to have a Notion Ink Adam and APX saved my life several times, but the blobs were available to everybody. Nobody has the blobs here? Or are they device-specific?
I cannot believe that a today's device with a non-bricked bootloader and working APX is totally lost and even the manufacturer will only offer a costly RMA to replace the whole mainboard!?
Best regards,
q2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the TF700 the nvflash blobs are device specific - sorry.
Damn. That was the only answer I didn't want to read
Thanks a lot. So chances are gone, only RMA could help... I will ask friendly at Asus what costs they will charge...
q2.
Update:
Reply is here.
They only want to exchange mainboard. They of course know (and it seems that this is the only thing they know) that my bootloader was unlocked, therefore this is no case of guarantee for them. I know, I wrote to them that I just want to know how much they wanna charge me to fix this issue.
But: they don't want to tell me how much. They say they do not even know which revision and what hardware is inside my tablet, not even from my serial number. And I must first send them my tablet and they will charge me 95 Euro to check what's going on. And then they will tell me how much it will cost (and according to other threads I saw prices of over 400 Euro for a mainboard change - the TF701 successor model cost 450 Euro new in store)...
I somehow feel the need to reply that if they would've put only half the energy the put into logging who has unlocked the bootloader into the fact of making APX usable as a emergency recovery (as obviously not even Asus is able to generate a working blob for my device), they would have higher customer satisfactory statistics. I still just cannot believe a today's device lacks of all recovery options after a bootloader fails for some reason - as well as I cannot understand why Koush did not display a warning in ROM manager if problems are known to the community with this specific device (I mean the problem did not arise last week and ROM manager had tenths of updates since then).
I know that in the end all was my fault. And all flashing is done on our own risk. I will have to deal with it.
Phew...
Unlucky. It should be be stickied here somewhere that ROM Manager bricks the TF700 but then there is no guarantee it would be read. It is well known on this forum but that doesn't help people that don't visit frequently.
You can replace the mainboard yourself fairly easily. Watch the you tube vids on how to do it,. That is what I would do if I was in your position.
berndblb said:
For the TF700 the nvflash blobs are device specific - sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to backup my blobs before I leave all stock then?
Thanx! Zeddock
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
zeddock said:
Is there a way to backup my blobs before I leave all stock then?
Thanx! Zeddock
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2455925&highlight=nvflash
Any Solution?
Quentin2 said:
Hi.
I own a TF700T and seems to have bricked it. Last status was: I had the latest stock ROM with root running and wanted to get a CM11 based 4.4.2 image from here. I downloaded it and used rom manager to get it installed. But the install script failed at some point and I thought the recovery might be outdated. So I used ROM Manager to update recovery... I tried CWM and TWRP option. Finally I booted up into recovery trying again to install those damn rom - I used the option to wipe all data / settings from the main menu and tried again to install the ROM which again failed (I do not remember the error message clearly). I gave up. I used the "reboot" option.
Now:
- Powering up gets me into the screen with the ASUS logo (left upper corner says "the device is unlocked"). Here it is stuck forever.
- Power + Vol-Down is same as just Power - I do not get into flashboot with those 3 small icons... I just get the ASUS logo and nothing else happens. Reset hole does not change situation. The device is pretty much "always on" now (till battery is exhausted) as long-press Power turns off and immediately on again
- Only thing that seems to work: Power + Vol-Up ends up in APX mode - my computer recognizes the device via USB at this point
Unfortunately I never did any set up to nvflash.
Do I have any chance to get this thing alive again?
Thanks a lot in advance,
q2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I'm stuck in same boat I tried to wipe out settings completely and clockwork mode was stuck and I was able to wipe recovery with TWRP or so I thought tried to reboot into recovery got stalled and now stuck on asus screen. I'm not opposed to buying a new motherboard but I find it very hard to believe that no one has come up with a solution to flashing the mainboard with the original firmware. I'm tempted to ask asus but I know the bill will be more then the tablet. Did you find an easier solution or do I just have to swap out the mainboard?
sbdags said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2455925&highlight=nvflash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx, but it seems like to backup blobs I have to do the very thing that will risk me needing backup of my blobs? ... install a custom bootloader before I have a backup?
Is this right?
Is this a safer method?
zeddock
zeddock said:
Thanx, but it seems like to backup blobs I have to do the very thing that will risk me needing backup of my blobs? ... install a custom bootloader before I have a backup?
Is this right?
Is this a safer method?
zeddock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's correct. You have to flash a modified bootloader and recovery. Done correctly this is not risky at all. But if there is a single line in the instructions you are not sure you understand, you are not quite ready.
There are quite a few tutorials on flashing in fastboot on this forum. Read them.
But generating your nvflash blobs you have to do without a safety net. It's worth it though! I have become much more adventurous with my tablet since I have the blobs squared away...
berndblb said:
Done correctly this is not risky at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you define risk?
Flashing a bootloader (without having nvflash access) is always risky by my definition, it *can* permabrick your tablet if something goes wrong at the wrong moment. But it's the best we have.
Pixel not powering on, I flashed TWRP 3.2.1.2 and tried to flash superuser 2.82 SR5. Superuser never installed but the phone seemed to be working fine, I went back into twrp a few times and everything seemed fine. So i was trying to bootback into twrp one more time to try and install supersu from otg usb drive and just after selecting recovery mode it shut down and now it will not power back on?? any help from anyone, I tired plugging it into the wall and it does not seem to power on at all or even charge. Thanks in a advance for any help!
I had an issue like this. Hold down the power button and down volume button at the same time. Keep holding it down. It took 20-30 seconds for me.
By the way, what version of Android are you on? SuperSU won't work on Android 8.1. You have to use Magisk. You can use the latest Magisk but if you want to use @Chainfire's FlashFire app, you have to use Magisk v14.2.
I think flashing SuperSU is what broke your ****. Try flashing SuperSU uninstaller and then reboot into recovery and flash magisk
KittyRgnarok said:
I think flashing SuperSU is what broke your ****. Try flashing SuperSU uninstaller and then reboot into recovery and flash magisk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
His phone won't turn on lol
shagbag913 said:
His phone won't turn on lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He didn't give any details as to what he means by won't turn on. To me that means system isn't working and bootloader and recovery are intact. Your phone doesn't need to boot properly to flash a zip
KittyRgnarok said:
He didn't give any details as to what he means by won't turn on. To me that means system isn't working and bootloader and recovery are intact. Your phone doesn't need to boot properly to flash a zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He said his phone will not power on. He also said he plugged it in and It still wouldn't power on. It sounds to me that his phone won't power on lol.
shagbag913 said:
He said his phone will not power on. He also said he plugged it in and It still wouldn't power on. It sounds to me that his phone won't power on lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at you being helpful and contributing to the thread. Would you rather me suggest literally nothing like you or assume that he is under recoverable circumstances and provide a potentially simple fix? He has not indicated whether he has tried to boot fastboot or recovery.
KittyRgnarok said:
Look at you being helpful and contributing to the thread. Would you rather me suggest literally nothing like you or assume that he is under recoverable circumstances and provide a potentially simple fix? He has not indicated whether he has tried to boot fastboot or recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"So i was trying to bootback into twrp one more time to try and install supersu from otg usb drive and just after selecting recovery mode it shut down and now it will not power back on??"
---------- Post added at 11:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:47 PM ----------
Aphex^ said:
Pixel not powering on, I flashed TWRP 3.2.1.2 and tried to flash superuser 2.82 SR5. Superuser never installed but the phone seemed to be working fine, I went back into twrp a few times and everything seemed fine. So i was trying to bootback into twrp one more time to try and install supersu from otg usb drive and just after selecting recovery mode it shut down and now it will not power back on?? any help from anyone, I tired plugging it into the wall and it does not seem to power on at all or even charge. Thanks in a advance for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would try holding the power button for a good 5 mins, some say that can turn it back on. If that doesn't work plug it into a PC and look to see what its name is on your PC. If it says "Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008", unfortunately its hard bricked.
Actually
KittyRgnarok said:
Look at you being helpful and contributing to the thread. Would you rather me suggest literally nothing like you or assume that he is under recoverable circumstances and provide a potentially simple fix? He has not indicated whether he has tried to boot fastboot or recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your actually are talking about the problem I just did a couple of hours ago...I was so mad...Like WTH did I do wrong. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
Hello everyone,
If you are trying to flash TWRP to an android oreo 8.1 google pixel, it will not work, so DON'T ATTEMPT IT! I have tried this before and your best bet as of now is to flash the bootloader back to stock. If you need to use it for whatever reason just fastboot into it.
Also, SuperSU doesn't work with Android 8.1 Oreo, as it isn't compatible. The new method is using Magisk Manager.
If you can't turn on your phone, then this means your bootloader is completely damaged and you will need to replace your phone.
mcbeat257 said:
Hello everyone,
If you are trying to flash TWRP to an android oreo 8.1 google pixel, it will not work, so DON'T ATTEMPT IT! I have tried this before and your best bet as of now is to flash the bootloader back to stock. If you need to use it for whatever reason just fastboot into it.
Also, SuperSU doesn't work with Android 8.1 Oreo, as it isn't compatible. The new method is using Magisk Manager.
If you can't turn on your phone, then this means your bootloader is completely damaged and you will need to replace your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You definitely can flash twrp on an 8.1 pixel. I have it right now. Also, most of the time that does mean it is hard bricked, but sometimes these phones can trick you. If you think your phone is bricked because the screen is off and there is no response, hold the power button down for 1 to 2 minutes, SOMETIMES it can come back on.
I had a similar issue where the phone would not turn on after I was loading TWRP via Fastboot. I went to sleep that night thinking I had bricked it. Held every button down for at least 90 seconds and every combination of buttons. Woke up in the morning to try it one more time before I gave up and it easily booted up but only had 1% battery. I had charged it fully before trying to load TWRP. I plugged it in and charged it and was good to go including Fastboot booting into TWRP and then flashing SuperSu and the Xposed framework. Both work fine. Rooted and using Xposed modules.
I came here to see if I could flash TWRP to the phone. Apparently I can, but would love to know what the steps are so as not to screw anything up or mess up which partition, etc.
What the freak did I just read. Seems to me the issue is not twrp but whatever people are trying to flash using twrp. @mcbeat257 TWRP works just fine. Been running the latest for several months now. Works on 8.1 both stock and custom roms, even on Android P DP2. So If you can't make it work while several others users have then I would say you're not eligible to give advice as to say "do not attempt it!". You must be doing something wrong. Please stop spreading false information. I'd be happy to help you out if you describe the procedure you've been going about to flash it to make it work.
As to the OP, try as shagbag913 told you to do. Press the power button for some minutes. Or try power-button+volume down (See if you manage to get into the bootloader menu). If it doesn't work then connect your device to your computer and see if it's recognized. If it's flat dead and won't turn on then motherboard might be toast. If it's recognized as shagbag913 said as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 then it's hardbricked.
---------- Post added at 01:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 PM ----------
724A said:
I had a similar issue where the phone would not turn on after I was loading TWRP via Fastboot. I went to sleep that night thinking I had bricked it. Held every button down for at least 90 seconds and every combination of buttons. Woke up in the morning to try it one more time before I gave up and it easily booted up but only had 1% battery. I had charged it fully before trying to load TWRP. I plugged it in and charged it and was good to go including Fastboot booting into TWRP and then flashing SuperSu and the Xposed framework. Both work fine. Rooted and using Xposed modules.
I came here to see if I could flash TWRP to the phone. Apparently I can, but would love to know what the steps are so as not to screw anything up or mess up which partition, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an entire thread for twrp and how to flash: https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel/development/twrp-alpha1-pixel-devices-t3500314
Hi everyone,
I'm having an issue with my 7 pro (1911). This is my 1st Oneplus as I used a Mi 5 before, the flash procedure was much easier without this A/B mess.
So I somehow messed up a new install of pixel experience with blu_spark kernel and twrp and found myself with the qualcomm crash error. Trying to get back into fastboot with the button combination (was able to save it once in it) the phone restarts and got stuck in edl mode. I noticed it's recognized as 9008 in the PC so I said okey this is nothing I'll just use the MSMTool to get it back on again.
Went through the xda Mega thead procedure, had no problem getting the phone to connect to the tool, however, first unexpected thing I encounter is the fact it stops with a SHA256 doesn't match error, and fails to send op2.img. I verified the ops file to make sure it has no errors and it was good. I then checked "disable sha256" box and it goes normally with the flash this time. Except in the end instead of restarting into the system it restarts into edl mode again and if the cable is still attached starts flashing again. This loop keeps going on forever.
I checked everywhere the only other thing I found that hints at a possible solution was doing an SMT download (based on this thread from OP6). Having an EFS backup already in one of my TWRP backups I went ahead with the procedure. Everything goes normally with the sha256 box disabled. it takes longer than upgrade mode (it flashes also to b slot), it finishes fine till the end. I disconnect the phone to boot it but it's still stuck in EDL mode!!! pressing any combination of button only keeps restarting the phone in EDL; when connected to the pc you see it going off then on in device manager.
The only idea I have left is waiting for battery to die, which could take forever and I have no idea if that'll work
Things I tried/used :
Qualcomm drivers are the latest from microsoft server v2.1.2.2. Tried some other ones but no change.
Pressing any combination of buttons (up + down + power, up + power, down + power) for multiple minutes doesn't change anything (it only hurts your fingers lol)
Before the issue the phone was at around 40%, I don't think the problem was battery charge, but I still tried connecting to official charger for some time but no boot.
I tried using multiple cables, ports (usb 3 and 2 from front of pc), tried on a laptop with both usb 2 and 3, all give me the same results, sha256 fails, without the check it flashes but no boot or response.
I redownloaded the MSMTool multiple times from both the Mega thread and newer one with oos 10 images, even the chinese image, all of them give the exact same issue. The only one that didn't work was the TMobile image, saying it's the wrong image (tried it just to be sure my phone wasn't originally a TMO converted, as it's 2nd hand).
Tried starting a normal flash in MSMTool and leaving it on that loop (flash, finish, restart again in EDL, flash...) all night but still found it flashing in the morning, never booted to system.
I found some people in the forums having the same symptomes (but quite rare compared to others), only 2 said they found a solution:
OP7P (this guy fixed the issue by charging his phone) https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=80329855&postcount=83
OP6T (this guy discharged his phone completely then connected it and it booted) https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79079192&postcount=5
OP7 https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=81183765&postcount=41
OP7 https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=81185793&postcount=43
OP6 https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=81308571&postcount=88
OP6 https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79445923&postcount=203
I'm making this thread maybe someone who had the same issue can show me how he solved it, or if not and my last resort works (complete battery discharge) hopefully stays as a helpful history to someone else.
Thanks.
Hi again,
Updating my thread with what I could do lately:
I opened the phone up, anxious to try disconnecting the battery and seeing if it makes any difference. To my surprise that also did no change at all.
After some time working with NerdgOd56 from the Reddit Discord we tried many things, among them reading back the memory using MSM Tool. There was also a python script that enabled reading a provision xml file that's used by the tool to flash everything. This file mentions where in the OPS file each image is. So after some fiddeling with the OPS using a hex editor, I found that there are quite some differences with the images I read from the phone, this hints at a possible flash memory corruption. Though this needs to be confirmed by someone who has a clean phone, whether the images are supposed to be exactly the same or probably they're encrypted when transfered to the phone.
So right now I'm starting a search for a motherboard locally, hoping to find something.
Thanks to all the guys from discord who gave their time to my cause NerdgOd56, DarkPhoenix and the others on the OP7 channel.
Hi again,
Updating my thread with what I could do lately:
I opened the phone up, anxious to try disconnecting the battery and seeing if it makes any difference. To my surprise that also did no change at all.
After some time working with NerdgOd56 from the Reddit Discord we tried many things, among them reading back the memory using MSM Tool. There was also a python script that enabled reading a provision xml file that's used by the tool to flash everything. This file mentions where in the OPS file each image is. So after some fiddeling with the OPS using a hex editor, I found that there are quite some differences with the images I read from the phone, this hints at a possible flash memory corruption. Though this needs to be confirmed by someone who has a clean phone, whether the images are supposed to be exactly the same or probably they're encrypted when transfered to the phone.
So right now I'm starting a search for a motherboard locally, hoping to find something.
Thanks to all the guys from discord who gave their time to my cause NerdgOd56, DarkPhoenix and the others on the OP7 channel.
EDIT: Sorry for the accidental double post
Charnet3D said:
Hi again,
Updating my thread with what I could do lately:
I opened the phone up, anxious to try disconnecting the battery and seeing if it makes any difference. To my surprise that also did no change at all.
After some time working with NerdgOd56 from the Reddit Discord we tried many things, among them reading back the memory using MSM Tool. There was also a python script that enabled reading a provision xml file that's used by the tool to flash everything. This file mentions where in the OPS file each image is. So after some fiddeling with the OPS using a hex editor, I found that there are quite some differences with the images I read from the phone, this hints at a possible flash memory corruption. Though this needs to be confirmed by someone who has a clean phone, whether the images are supposed to be exactly the same or probably they're encrypted when transfered to the phone.
So right now I'm starting a search for a motherboard locally, hoping to find something.
Thanks to all the guys from discord who gave their time to my cause NerdgOd56, DarkPhoenix and the others on the OP7 channel.
EDIT: Sorry for the accidental double post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you say you was able to get to fastboot mode if so jus boot twrp image then flash twrp image.zip from the xda. Then do a full wipe then download download a ota zip from xda and flash it. That's how I got out of edl mode.
ANY NEWS>?
i also have an OP6T
used MsmDownloadTool V4.0_factory_mcl_op1_patched
with
rev_OverSeas_181226_1920_release_disable_OTA-BLOCK_Signed_fp1812260627_cve2018-12-01_ufs_9.0.11
and
fajita_41_O.18_181226.ops
phone was stock.
Proceeded to flash custom rom etc.
Now since then i decided i wanted stock again to try new custom rom etc. and,
i booted twrp and just wiped everything like a mad man.
i have had this happen before.
Currently, it will and can boot into any mode such as fastboot recovery(TWRP) edl and device state/secureboot are both unlocked/enabled
TRY TO LET IT DIE AND PUT RUBBERBANDS OLONG THE PHONE SO THE VOLUME AND POWER BUTTONS ARE HELD DOWN GOOD AND LET IT SIT FOR A DAY TO DIE.
After you do that let it sit for a bit and its dead. take off the bands and let it sit for another half a day and redo the bands to make sure its been reset and is indeed complete dead. repeat, whatever.
when its surely dead and been reset, THE ONLY thing you can try is
plug it in and almost at the same time (not simultaneously, but sequentially)
YOU NEED TO HOLD VOLUME UP+DOWN at the same time RIGHT AFTER YOU PLUG IT IN LITTERALLY. And, it should display the 1plus logo briefly and boot into fastboot mode.(i had to do this after wiping rom etc via twrp an became stuck in edl mode)
from there i booted twrp
(was my reccovery still)
mind that i wiped everything like a mad man and i lost my ADB AND FASTBOOT AND AS WELL AS MY EDL MODE PRIVILEGES(2 PCs, a couple cables tried and the phone is still not being recognized in any of the mentioned modes ), and after doing what i mention if you can get into fastboot mode you may be in luck, however if you can get back into any other mode.(Or fastboot flash a stock rom, adb sideload etc)
im still here waiting my usb otg type c because the usb wont recognize with the adapter to micro usb. Now ive never had a usb otg type c adapter before, but i know i could never get the micro usb (universal) to adapt my otg with a, "type C" type adapter and see the storage device(usb) being recognized by android. So i will reply when it arrives and i can attempt to flash stock again via otg twrp with oos zip. (THIS HAS TO BE AN A10 ISSUE WITH TWRP BEING FAIRLY RECENT IN RELEASES AND CAUSING IT TO NOT BE RECOGNIZED AFTER PERFORMING A, "FULL WIPE")
hopefully the otg for usb c is going to be recognized by twrp still.
if all else fails and your still under contract warranty, just light the **** on fire and run it over and pay the $40 deductable and take it as a $40 lesson and have them send you a new one(or upgrade depending on eligibility etc.)
---------- Post added at 10:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 PM ----------
billyt1 said:
Did you say you was able to get to fastboot mode if so jus boot twrp image then flash twrp image.zip from the xda. Then do a full wipe then download download a ota zip from xda and flash it. That's how I got out of edl mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree
im using a tmoblie variant with msm from above
---------- Post added at 10:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:06 PM ----------
https://twitter.com/NTAuthority/status/1115496145051164672
billyt1 said:
Did you say you was able to get to fastboot mode if so jus boot twrp image then flash twrp image.zip from the xda. Then do a full wipe then download download a ota zip from xda and flash it. That's how I got out of edl mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No still stuck in EDL mode.
Johndoesmoked said:
TRY TO LET IT DIE AND PUT RUBBERBANDS OLONG THE PHONE SO THE VOLUME AND POWER BUTTONS ARE HELD DOWN GOOD AND LET IT SIT FOR A DAY TO DIE.
After you do that let it sit for a bit and its dead. take off the bands and let it sit for another half a day and redo the bands to make sure its been reset and is indeed complete dead. repeat, whatever.
when its surely dead and been reset, THE ONLY thing you can try is
plug it in and almost at the same time (not simultaneously, but sequentially)
YOU NEED TO HOLD VOLUME UP+DOWN at the same time RIGHT AFTER YOU PLUG IT IN LITTERALLY. And, it should display the 1plus logo briefly and boot into fastboot mode.(i had to do this after wiping rom etc via twrp an became stuck in edl mode)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if you saw my last comment but I had even opened the phone up to disconnect the battery ribbon, hoping that would get it out of EDL but it didn't. However I didn't do the trick with the buttons when connecting it, I'll try this after disconnecting the battery. Also if that didn't work I'll leave it on rubber bands like you said, nothing to lose anyway. Thanks for the tips. I'll let you know what's up.
How did you know when the phone was dead while on rubber bands, do you verify if it still gets detected on the PC ?
Yeah i had did the rubberbands for a lil more than couple days and like i said i let it sit for about a day without the bands on after i had a good 20+ hours with em on then reapplied bands for about 20 hours.my phone was completely discharged during that process( OP6T).
Upon doing this i lost access to my recovery img.
Phone only boots fastboot (even if i choose recovery, it was previously working)
So now i still cant recognize in fastboot or edl.
GOT my OTG type c and put oos on usb, but as i said now my twrp isnt booting, so i shouldnt have depleted the battery as now i have no possible recovery access modes . Aside from that, im trying to figure out more info on the device and will reply in a day with what i may come to find out.
My phone did get detected because it started up as soon as i plugged into pc.
battery seems un-accessible but may have to take this apart.
I am figuring this out and i will get back to you. I need more tech assistance from a friend in the repair industry to disassemble without destroying it tomorrow or sometime friday.
This is going to have to be some sort of an intricate process to diagnose this supposed "HARD BRICK"
:Have to correct myself
talked to my brody at tmobile to see wassup with the warrenty etc.
basically its not covered under warrenty when you mess with software, blah blah i figured anyway, and he basically advises (OR more so "i didnt tell you anything like that!"- laughing) to literally run it over with your car or just smash the screen, and file the claim without issue...
BUT THE ISSUE IS ITS GONN COST YOU $99 to get a new OP6T via Assurant
your device might be the same, or even more costly,
i would prefer to avoid all costs, spending more money, not trying to..
Charnet3D said:
Hi again,
Updating my thread with what I could do lately:
I opened the phone up, anxious to try disconnecting the battery and seeing if it makes any difference. To my surprise that also did no change at all.
After some time working with NerdgOd56 from the Reddit Discord we tried many things, among them reading back the memory using MSM Tool. There was also a python script that enabled reading a provision xml file that's used by the tool to flash everything. This file mentions where in the OPS file each image is. So after some fiddeling with the OPS using a hex editor, I found that there are quite some differences with the images I read from the phone, this hints at a possible flash memory corruption. Though this needs to be confirmed by someone who has a clean phone, whether the images are supposed to be exactly the same or probably they're encrypted when transfered to the phone.
So right now I'm starting a search for a motherboard locally, hoping to find something.
Thanks to all the guys from discord who gave their time to my cause NerdgOd56, DarkPhoenix and the others on the OP7 channel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if you've managed to solve your problem. I have the same error SHA256 on Oneplus 7 Pro
Lefren said:
I wonder if you've managed to solve your problem. I have the same error SHA256 on Oneplus 7 Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
facing same issue with oneplus 7 pro 1910, tf is wrong with this cursed series lol
thedeadfish59 said:
facing same issue with oneplus 7 pro 1910, tf is wrong with this cursed series lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah so sad, probably the internal memory has a slight % chance it gets corrupted or something...
Since my story in the OP I bought a used 1913 that's a bit cheaper coz of external scratches and took its motherboard for my cleaner original phone. It's been working like a charm since.
hi everyone last night i plug my phone for charging after a while i came back and see crash dump mode i switch off the and try to unbrick via msm tool 1st attempt everything fine auto reboot after progress complete it stuck in oneplus logo after that i tried to redo all thing now i faced this error on MSM TOOL PLEASE HELP ME I CHANGED THE CABLE USB PORTS DRIVER REINSTALL BUT STUCK AT THIS POINT. when i uncheck sha256 downloading start but it does not stop again and phone did not auto reboot help please
Hi all,
I recently imported a used Japanese Pixel 4a (I wanted the jp-exclusive "Barely Blue" model), and immediately upon receiving it, installed LineageOS 19 on it.
The phone originally came in with some form of android 12 (I didn't check that very precisely unfortunately, could have been 12.0 and not 12.1)
Installing LineageOS went mostly fine, the phone managed to boot and I was able to use it for a few hours ... then wifi and mobile data stopped working. I thought rebooting would fix that, so I tried rebooting, but the phone never rebooted completely.
I've tried a lot of things to get it back to a working state :
Flash LineageOS again
Flash Google's Factory Image for the last 12.1
both via the online tool AND the flash-all.sh script
both on slot A and B
also tried the very old 10.0.0 JP-carrier-specific image
with a different USB cable
on a different USB2 port on my computer
on a USB3 port on my computer
Flash Google's Full OTA Image for the last 12.1
by using fastboot to boot into lineageos's recovery image
At one point in my attempts at making it work it even displayed the "Your device is corrupt" error message (it's now gone btw).
My phone is now in a state where I can reach fastboot, but everytime I try booting up any ROM (Google or LineageOS), it shows the boot animation for something like 2 seconds then shuts down.
Any help you guys could provide would be awesome
Stepland said:
Hi all,
I recently imported a used Japanese Pixel 4a (I wanted the jp-exclusive "Barely Blue" model), and immediately upon receiving it, installed LineageOS 19 on it.
The phone originally came in with some form of android 12 (I didn't check that very precisely unfortunately, could have been 12.0 and not 12.1)
Installing LineageOS went mostly fine, the phone managed to boot and I was able to use it for a few hours ... then wifi and mobile data stopped working. I thought rebooting would fix that, so I tried rebooting, but the phone never rebooted completely.
I've tried a lot of things to get it back to a working state :
Flash LineageOS again
Flash Google's Factory Image for the last 12.1
both via the online tool AND the flash-all.sh script
both on slot A and B
also tried the very old 10.0.0 JP-carrier-specific image
with a different USB cable
on a different USB2 port on my computer
on a USB3 port on my computer
Flash Google's Full OTA Image for the last 12.1
by using fastboot to boot into lineageos's recovery image
At one point in my attempts at making it work it even displayed the "Your device is corrupt" error message (it's now gone btw).
My phone is now in a state where I can reach fastboot, but everytime I try booting up any ROM (Google or LineageOS), it shows the boot animation for something like 2 seconds then shuts down.
Any help you guys could provide would be awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you walk us through the steps you took to initially flash LOS?
Also, have you tried flashing versions other than 12.1 of Google's factory images?
Can you boot into recovery? Did you root LOS?
How did you import the device? Are you sure it was a trusty site/seller? Could they have tinkered something with the device to not make it work?
Could you walk us through the steps you took to initially flash LOS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The very first time I flashed LineageOS I just followed these "official" installation instructions from the LineageOS website. The only mistakes I remember making were :
I forgot to really check that the phone actually was on the latest stock 12.1, the phone may have been on 12.0 or an older 12.1 prior to flashing LOS
I forgot to reboot between flashing LineageOS and GApps (MindTheGapps in my case), noticed my mistake, rebooted then flashed GApps again
After I saw things weren't working, I double checked the version numbers and the sha256 hashes of everything I had downloaded and they were all correct
Also, have you tried flashing versions other than 12.1 of Google's factory images?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes,
I tried flashing factory images of
10.0.0 (Android 10) QD4A.200805.001 (6583866) (JP carriers and Verizon)
12.1.0 (SP2A.220405.003, Apr 2022)
12.1.0 (SP2A.220505.002, May 2022)
12.1.0 (SQ3A.220605.009.A1, Jun 2022)
12.1.0 (SQ3A.220705.003.A1, Jul 2022)
13.0.0 (TP1A.220624.014, Aug 2022)
Can you boot into recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
Did you root LOS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No
How did you import the device? Are you sure it was a trusty site/seller? Could they have tinkered something with the device to not make it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By asking a person who's used to proxying things, this phone was from a listing on rakuten, it came from this seller. Since it came in with stock 12 (or 12.1, don't remember), I think it's unlikely they tinkered with it
Stepland said:
I forgot to really check that the phone actually was on the latest stock 12.1, the phone may have been on 12.0 or an older 12.1 prior to flashing LOS
I forgot to reboot between flashing LineageOS and GApps (MindTheGapps in my case), noticed my mistake, rebooted then flashed GApps again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These likely have nothing to do with the issue you're facing.
Since you're able to boot into recovery, would you be open to try to flash literally any custom ROM (with the provided custom recovery), and see if that works?
You can flash whatever you like, since you said you wanted to go for LOS, I'd recommend you flash PixelExperience, since it's the closest to that (I think). You can download the regular or the plus edition, doesn't really matter. Make sure you not only download the build (flashable zip), but also the recovery image.
I assume you're familiar with the process of flashing custom ROMs. Should you be unfamiliar, I followed this guide when I first flashed a custom ROM on my 4a.
(If you don't feel like watching a video made for newbies, here are some notes I took a while back, just so I can know I never skip a step):
Spoiler: Flashing steps
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot devices
fastboot flash --slot all boot <img_name>.img (i think this can be skipped?)
use power buttons to enter recovery mode
apply update
apply update over adb
adb sideload <zip_name>.zip
*/ if you don't want to root, you can skip everything below /*
reboot recovery (to change to active slot so that magisk flash goes to correct slot)
apply update over adb
adb sideload <magisk_name>.zip
Oh my GOD thank you SO much I'm finally getting somewhere !
I tried flashing PixelExperience, both recovery and the ROM itself, the flashing part went well.
Then I rebooted and the following things happened in order :
static google screen
phone reboots (before the animated G even appeared)
PixelExperience screen that warns "your data may be corrupt you may need to perform a factory reset"
I chose the factory reset / wipe data option
phone reboots
boot animation that lasts WAY longer than in any of my previous attempts, goes as far as 3/4 of the progress bar
phone reboots before reaching the welcome screen
PHONE SUCCESFULLY REACHES THE SETUP/WELCOME SCREEN ON THE NEXT BOOT
phone seems to freeze for a moment
"Bluetooth keeps stopping" message pops up
phone reboots + reaches welcome screen a few times
phone reboots, reaches welcome screen, then plays the "charging" chime (didn't hear it before even though it was plugged in the whole time)
It has now been a solid 10 minutes and my phone is showing the welcome screen and hasn't crashed !?!
What should I do to troubleshoot what caused the crashes ?
Thank you SOOOOOO much for your help so far !
Stepland said:
PixelExperience screen that warns "your data may be corrupt you may need to perform a factory reset"
I chose the factory reset / wipe data option
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Ah, yeah, my mistake. You are supposed to perform a factory reset whenever you flash a different ROM. Step can only be skipped when performing a dirty flash.
Stepland said:
It has now been a solid 10 minutes and my phone is showing the welcome screen and hasn't crashed !?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by "showing the welcome screen"? Can you use your device? Can you log in to your Google account and set it up? If we don't take Bluetooth crashing into account, would you be able to use your device regularly?
Stepland said:
"Bluetooth keeps stopping" message pops up
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Stepland said:
[...]the phone managed to boot and I was able to use it for a few hours ... then wifi and mobile data stopped working.
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See, these malfunctions you get regardless of the OS makes me think somebody tinkered with your phone/gave you a faulty unit to begin with.
You could try to flash any / of / these kernels to see if they stop the "bluetooth crashed" notification. If you do flash a new kernel, I'd suggest you do another factory reset after the kernel has been flashed (and before you boot your device up). Just to make sure nothing stays in cache and no configurations remain that could cause this error again.
If that doesn't help, for starters, I would suggest you flash radio.img provided by Google on this site. Make sure you download the one corresponding to your build number (which you can find out by going to Settings -> About phone -> Build number (it will be at the very bottom of the page)).
You can flash this downloaded radio.img using "fastboot flash radio radio.img"
If that doesn't help either, I would try to use the Android Flash Tool. I assume the PixelExperience you downloaded is A12.1, so I would choose the latest 12.1 version in the Flash Tool. Be sure you have the "Wipe Device" and "Force Flash all Partitions" boxes ticked!!
Lada333 said:
What do you mean by "showing the welcome screen"?
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It reached the setup assistant you are presented with the first time you power on a phone, without crashing
Lada333 said:
Can you use your device? Can you log in to your Google account and set it up? If we don't take Bluetooth crashing into account, would you be able to use your device regularly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no :
Wi-Fi doesn't work
I can access the Wi-Fi menu in the settings, I can "turn it on" but it never finds any network. My other phone is doing just fine on my home wi-fi so it's not just that there's no network reachable
my SIM card is not recognized
Not much to say, I placed it in and the phone says it has no SIM card inserted, even after I reboot
it takes many attempts to successfully boot the phone
Last reboot took 8 tries
Surprisingly, Bluetooth seems to be working just fine ? I was able to connect to a bluetooth speaker and play some sounds
Lada333 said:
You could try to flash any / of / these kernels to see if they stop the "bluetooth crashed" notification. If you do flash a new kernel, I'd suggest you do another factory reset after the kernel has been flashed (and before you boot your device up). Just to make sure nothing stays in cache and no configurations remain that could cause this error again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried blu_spark, exact same problems :
Takes many attempts before a "successful" boot
Wi-Fi broken
Can't detect my SIM card
Lada333 said:
If that doesn't help, for starters, I would suggest you flash radio.img provided by Google on this site. Make sure you download the one corresponding to your build number (which you can find out by going to Settings -> About phone -> Build number (it will be at the very bottom of the page)).
You can flash this downloaded radio.img using "fastboot flash radio radio.img"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That worked almost perfectly !
fastboot was refusing to flash radio when the phone was on fastbootd, regular fastboot worked just fine, I also flashed with --slot all because ... why not ?
After that the phone booted just fine on the FIRST TRY ! Wifi and mobile data both work !
Unfortunately it's still a bit unstable, after the first boot the phone shut down after about 10 minutes (while I was playing back a youtube video, if that's of any importance ?). It rebooted just fine without crashing even once, and it's now been running for half an hour without a problem.
If that doesn't help either, I would try to use the Android Flash Tool. I assume the PixelExperience you downloaded is A12.1, so I would choose the latest 12.1 version in the Flash Tool. Be sure you have the "Wipe Device" and "Force Flash all Partitions" boxes ticked!!
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Well actually it was 13, so I tried flashing 13. it all went fine ! The phone rebooted fine on the first try, wifi and mobile data both work ... I'm speechless, I don't even understand what I did that made it work ... but it works !
I'll try using the phone for a few days and report back any problems if I don't forget about it.
Thank you so much for your help ! I owe you big time
Well uh, the joy was short-lived. The phone lasted a couple hours before shuting down and going back into a short series of failed boot attemps, but now every failed boot attempt gets noticeably "further" in the boot animation than they did at the time of my initial post.
The phone managed to boot yet again, wifi + data + bluetooth still work.
Keeping an eye on it for now
Stepland said:
Well uh, the joy was short-lived. The phone lasted a couple hours before shuting down and going back into a short series of failed boot attemps, but now every failed boot attempt gets noticeably "further" in the boot animation than they did at the time of my initial post.
The phone managed to boot yet again, wifi + data + bluetooth still work.
Keeping an eye on it for now
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Click to collapse
I honestly don't have any experience with custom ROMs on Pixels, but if you want to return to bone stock, you can use the Android Flash Tool. Since you've been using custom firmware, make sure you check the Force flash all partitions option.
Otherwise, you can refer to my guide to flash the factory firmware and root using Magisk.
Yup, that's what I did to get it to its current state.
The phone is still unstable, it rebooted itself twice just this morning.
If this is a hardware issue, how do I diagnose it ?
Stepland said:
Yup, that's what I did to get it to its current state.
The phone is still unstable, it rebooted itself twice just this morning.
If this is a hardware issue, how do I diagnose it ?
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Click to collapse
If you tried a stock rom, a custom ROM , with all the same results it's probably a hardware issue, have you noticed excessive heat coming from the phone? You could always trade it in for a 6a and get 300.00 credit as long as the screens good and it turns on.
hammered58 said:
have you noticed excessive heat coming from the phone?
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Yes in fact I have ?! How did you guess that, that's weirdly specific ?
It was heating up a bit, at least enough to be noticeable and to feel abnormal but not uncomfortable. I can't remember if it got warm while it was doing its updates or before. I would have guessed it was just working pretty hard if it had been happening during some updates. Weirdly enough now that it's doing nothing it's not warm anymore
hammered58 said:
You could always trade it in for a 6a and get 300.00 credit as long as the screens good and it turns on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, that's good to know. I think I'll pass tho, I chose the 4a specifically because it's small and lightweight while not being a completely out-dated phone, the 6a would take me back to more or less the same size and weight as my current phone (xiaomi vince) which I find too big and heavy. Oh the things I'd do for a flagship phone that's like, actually small
Stepland said:
Well uh, the joy was short-lived. The phone lasted a couple hours before shuting down and going back into a short series of failed boot attemps, but now every failed boot attempt gets noticeably "further" in the boot animation than they did at the time of my initial post.
The phone managed to boot yet again, wifi + data + bluetooth still work.
Keeping an eye on it for now
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Click to collapse
As the others have pointed out as well, it is likely a hardware malfunction. Your radio partition (?) was likely corrupt, so we got rid of that, but if random reboots still happen PLUS your device overheats, it's 99% not a software issue.
Not sure about the RMA process, since you imported the device from overseas. Try contacting your POS?
Stepland said:
Yes in fact I have ?! How did you guess that, that's weirdly specific ?
It was heating up a bit, at least enough to be noticeable and to feel abnormal but not uncomfortable. I can't remember if it got warm while it was doing its updates or before. I would have guessed it was just working pretty hard if it had been happening during some updates. Weirdly enough now that it's doing nothing it's not warm anymore
Hmm, that's good to know. I think I'll pass tho, I chose the 4a specifically because it's small and lightweight while not being a completely out-dated phone, the 6a would take me back to more or less the same size and weight as my current phone (xiaomi vince) which I find too big and heavy. Oh the things I'd do for a flagship phone that's like, actually small
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Click to collapse
Your right though,, it's the size and weight of the 4a that brought me here in the first place so I can see your point in not switching, good luck!!
You seem really ticked off, I'm sorry if my answer came out as snarky or something ? that really wasn't the intent
Nevermind, completely misread your answer, non-native english speaker moment
Hm, just when I was about to post that the phone seemed to be working fine because it hadn't rebooted for 30+hours ... it just rebooted again.
And yeah it also got warm again while I was installing some apps ... so uh ... no luck
Stepland said:
And yeah it also got warm again while I was installing some apps
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Click to collapse
That's not necessarily an issue. Installing apps uses the CPU, which, in term, generates heat.
What we and hammerhead meant by 'the phone heating up' is it randomly becoming inexplicably hot.
Like for example when it's just sitting on your desk, not doing anything. No notifications popping up constantly, no music/video playback, nothing. Just when it's supposed to be in deep sleep.
This app is rather outdated and you need to type in 3 adb commands for the advanced stats to show up, but it still works perfectly for finding out if any apps are draining the battery in the background and to see if you have any wakelocks.
You could give it a shot, install it, enable in settings -> general "App Usage," "Device Usage Access" and "Record History," and wait a few days, see if you have any apps misbehaving.
Again, I'm still leaning toward it being a hardware issue, but hey, worth a try.
I give up, it just has to be a hardware defect.
Since with stock 13 it looked like the phone was almost stable (it would only reboot every 10 hours or so) I tried using it for a day, unfortunately it quickly went back to the exact same state it was in when I created this thread : the phone won't boot, it crashes two seconds into the boot animation.
Still, massive thanks to everyone who helped me through this !
I ordered a replacement.
If anyone wants the broken one my DMs are open