Hi,
Does anyone here know if there is a way to fix (unlock) an encrypted/locked bootloader by shorting pins on the motherboard? I know this sort of thing is done on some computers that have a locked BIOS. I have a Verizon locked Pixel 3A that is as good as a brick to me right now because it is locked into Google spyware. I'd be willing to try some risky stuff to possibly unlock the bootloader. When I have the phone apart, maybe I'll also take out the sensors and cameras for good measure. I basically just want to turn it into a secure Linux or Graphene phone. So, taking the phone apart might be part of the solution regardless.
I don't know which chip would need to be shorted or how to short the correct chip or if this would work at all. Though I am thinking that maybe it would be Google H1C2M Titan M security chip or the STMicroelectronics ST33J2M0 ARM SecureCore microcontroller. I know it's a long shot, but I thought I'd ask to see if anyone had any insight in this matter.
Thanks.
Google pixel 3a xl, 4 xl verizon sim unlock
1. Do a full reset without a SIM card, then do not insert the SIM and do not connect to the Internet configure and do not connect to the Internet until the end of the instructions. 2. Next, enable usb debugging in the developer settings. 3. Using...
forum.xda-developers.com
Check this out. Some success reported.
Thank you. Unfortunately, the pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.work.oobconfig command only network unlocks the device and doesn't enable the OEM Unlocking option under developer settings. So the solution will probably have to be more involved.
On a somewhat related note, I was thinking the other day that maybe there would be a way to erase/reset the bootloader by doing something with the flash storage chip. SSD's are sometimes erased via by running current through them. I'll probably look more into that at some point.
Related
Hey everyone, I'm new here , and I thought I'd start with a quick question.
My HTC Universal is a bit handicapped (bought it off a friend who said it was broken, apparently the USB plug terminals weren't fully soldered, but I couldn't connect all of them and it will only charge through USB and nothing else.)
If someone has an HTC schematic or a high-res image of the motherboard, I could possibly try to revive USB transfer capabilities (but that area is a bit damaged from not having a small enough soldering iron ), *OR*, if there is a way to reflash from within the OS using a SD card, that would be great.
Hope someone knows the answer to this, thanks!
Edit: And if it's of any possibility, how much would a replacement board be? Enough to satisfy a 100% working USB connection?
No ideas? If someone can at least give me a schematic or a high-res pictures of both sides of the board then I could possibly fix the USB to 100% functionality.
If you check the WIKI for the Universal you shoul be able to find a link for downloading the Service Manual. It shows the total un-assembly-re-assembly process step by step. You may also find instructions for SD flashing there as well. I have never flashed my Uni by SD, but I have don other phones like that. Most of the HTC's are capable. There is even info in the Service manual telling you what to have on the SD and wht to name the files from proper use. Give it a search.
Thanks! I have the manual already so I'll give it a look over. I wasn't entirely sure and I thought I wouldn't see anything but I'll look more in-depth .
Just a side note, does anyone know where I can get a replacement motherboard and how much it will be? Just curious, as that option might be available if it isn't too expensive.
http://www.droid-life.com/2011/06/1...ging-full-price-of-warranty-phones-if-rooted/
Anyone know the validity of this? It is 9months old.
I've heard of that, even though I haven't been through it personally. I've also heard companies are easing up on phones being sent that are rooted so I don't know, probably just depends on the tech you get I think. Plus, only takes a couple mins to unroot your phone anyways for warranty purposes.
Generally, this is the assumed response for most carriers. Even though sales reps for some carriers are totally cool with you rooting your phone (like mine, for example), they'll still advise you unroot, since there are "no guarantees" that they can help you if you're still rooted.
In some cases you'll also have to reset the Download Mode counter (viewable by restarting your phone in Download Mode and looking at the counter on it). On certain Samsung phones (like my Epic 4G Touch), this involves using a "jig" that bridges pins 4 and 5 of a Type B Micro-USB connector with a 300-301K resistor (you can get a premade dongle for about $5 US on Amazon, or build it yourself with a Micro USB breakout board and an appropriate resistor).
If you're trying to troubleshoot something, one of the steps is to return to stock firmware/kernel/ROM/etc. and see if that fixes the problem; if it does, then a bug in your particular modification was the problem. If it doesn't fix the problem, then at least you're no longer in violation of warranty, so the manufacturer/carrier can fix it instead.
Alright, so here's the scenario: I have a Verizon Google Pixel that I have unlocked the bootloader, rooted and is currently on Android 7.1.1. I recently lost the ability to have it quick charge even though when the original charger is connected it says "charging rapidly". I have tried 5 different chargers and use Ampere on my phone to test the charger and my roomate has a Pixel with the same app and he gets way higher results than I do. I'm just getting regular USB speed, not Qualcomm 2.0 speed.
Anyway, I don't have a home ISP, I have the original $20 unlimited data plan and went through this procedure to get hotspot to work without checking with Verizon so I get it free:
1.) androiding.how/unlock-bootloader-verizon-pixel-and-pixel-xl/
2.) androiding.how/google-pixel-xl-twrp-recovery/
3.) androiding.how/root-pixel-xl-magisk/
4.) androiding.how/enable-wifi-hotspot-tethering-pixel-and-pixel-xl-verizon-sprint-others/
So, I've tried rebooting etc and can't come up with a solution to fix it. I have an extended warranty on my phone, through Verizon, and can get a new phone. I am wondering if I get the new phone if I can unlock the bootloader and if the above procedure will work or if there are any other methods to do so cause having hotspot, free, is critically important to me.
I would just prefer to fix the quick charging on my phone, but otherwise I want to know if the above process will work for a new Verizon Pixel, possibly already loaded with 8.1.
Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.
Hi,
a friend's Nexus 5 doesn't start anymore. He has some very important texts on the device and he doesn't have a backup. So the idea came to my mind that it might me possible to desolder the memory chip and either read it out with a special device or re-solder it into another Nexus 5. So my questions are:
1. Is it possible to remove the memory chip without destroying it? I won't make it by myself but would try to look for someone who has experiences with this.
2. If possible: Will I be able to read the data on the memory chip without having the hardware environment of the device since I think the data is encrypted.
3. Or, it 2 is not possible: Any chance to solder the chip into another, working Nexus 5?
4. How is the chance that the chip itself causes the overall problem so we don't have a chance at all with it?
Thanks!
emmc memory chip is extremely fragile, it's technically possible to get it off your friend's n5 and put it into another one but unless you have the (expensive) equipment for it, you won't be able to do so.
it would be easier to figure out why it does not start:
does the usb charging port work? i.e.: does the led/screen light up when charging? (if not, try the wireless charging pad)
does the phone not show up in device manager on windows or in dmesg in linux? (it may be in a special mode in case of hardware fault)?
and so on
I have a Pixel XL that's hardbricked. Took it to a GSM shop they said the charging port works but something something CPU fried. No gsm shop in our city can fix this apparently but he heard that some folks could do it in New York City.
I don't want to recover the phone, just the data on it. Do you guys know shops that can do this ?
gtech99 said:
I have a Pixel XL that's hardbricked. Took it to a GSM shop they said the charging port works but something something CPU fried. No gsm shop in our city can fix this apparently but he heard that some folks could do it in New York City.
I don't want to recover the phone, just the data on it. Do you guys know shops that can do this ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at any reasonable price point. What happened to the phone? Recovering the data from the flash devices would involve prohibitively expensive forensic data recovery, to the point of removing the flash devices from the board and interfacing with them using special tools. The people who have the means and the knowledge to do this are few and far between. Assuming there's no physical damage, someone with the Qualcomm Product Support Tool software and the appropriate binaries could potentially perform a low level reflash so the phone will boot...but again, the people who are actually able to do this are few and far between, assuming they even have the necessary files (which are not publicly available). The average repair shop will just replace the board, which means all the data is never recovered.
gtech99 said:
I have a Pixel XL that's hardbricked. Took it to a GSM shop they said the charging port works but something something CPU fried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speaking of a fried CPU, it means due to overheating CPU’s electrical components like transistors, diodes or capacitors are burned up. You will find overheating happened with some CPUs which didn’t have any fail-safe features or were overclocked by pushing high voltage. Sometimes using a faulty motherboard and faulty PSU can do this type of damage.becauseSo, you if you really ended up with a fried CPU, what is quite rare these days because, as said, modern CPUs have advanced thermal protection ( CPU will shut down automatically if it reaches a high temperature. If CPU temperature rises high due to high clock speed then it reduces the clock speed to a lower level ), you will have the worst luck to recover data from phone.
Note: it’s not possible to fix a fried CPU. Try to replace it with a new one.
V0latyle said:
Not at any reasonable price point. What happened to the phone? Recovering the data from the flash devices would involve prohibitively expensive forensic data recovery, to the point of removing the flash devices from the board and interfacing with them using special tools. The people who have the means and the knowledge to do this are few and far between. Assuming there's no physical damage, someone with the Qualcomm Product Support Tool software and the appropriate binaries could potentially perform a low level reflash so the phone will boot...but again, the people who are actually able to do this are few and far between, assuming they even have the necessary files (which are not publicly available). The average repair shop will just replace the board, which means all the data is never recovered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't done anything special with this phone. Never rooted it or installed other bootloaders, etc. It was a generic bland Pixel XL. It might have overheated a few times in the summer when I was using it in my car for Waze but otherwise nothing.
Before it shutdown for good it had some strange reboots and I think I recall there was some Pixel bug that was causing that. After doing that for a few weeks it stopped turning on completely.
Isn't a procedure like this available for the Pixel ?
https://flashfixers.com/recover-data-dead-phone-chip-off-data-recovery/
gtech99 said:
I haven't done anything special with this phone. Never rooted it or installed other bootloaders, etc. It was a generic bland Pixel XL. It might have overheated a few times in the summer when I was using it in my car for Waze but otherwise nothing.
Before it shutdown for good it had some strange reboots and I think I recall there was some Pixel bug that was causing that. After doing that for a few weeks it stopped turning on completely.
Isn't a procedure like this available for the Pixel ?
https://flashfixers.com/recover-data-dead-phone-chip-off-data-recovery/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I was referring to by removing the flash device from the PCB. You would need fairly specialized tools, incluing a reader that's able to interface with the chip, and you'd have to have significant knowledge of how to interpret the raw data as the actual file structure. If you can find someone who thinks they can do this, good luck...but if it were me, I'd be charging about $150 an hour to do it.
And, this is all assuming that the data isn't encrypted. If it is (which Android does by default) then you're SOL.
V0latyle said:
That's what I was referring to by removing the flash device from the PCB. You would need fairly specialized tools, incluing a reader that's able to interface with the chip, and you'd have to have significant knowledge of how to interpret the raw data as the actual file structure. If you can find someone who thinks they can do this, good luck...but if it were me, I'd be charging about $150 an hour to do it.
And, this is all assuming that the data isn't encrypted. If it is (which Android does by default) then you're SOL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, ok. I'd pay 300$ to have this recovered is that reasonable ? Or it might be way more than that ? Guess I need to find a shop that does this sort of thing
gtech99 said:
Ah, ok. I'd pay 300$ to have this recovered is that reasonable ? Or it might be way more than that ? Guess I need to find a shop that does this sort of thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best of luck to you, honestly I think the money would be better spent elsewhere.