Database Develop

[Q] Bricked after upgrade attempt

Hi!
I was trying to upgrade my Galaxy Captivate following the instructions on this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=783403
First I tried the KIES option, but ended in the phone stuck on a black screen after 2 minutes of the S logo on it.
So, I then tried with ODIN using both package, first with the original, but ended getting an error "E:Can't mount /dev/block/stL10 (Invaild argument)"
And then with Richthofen's integrated package which seems like fixed that issue. indeed did it, but not fixed the original issue, after this one I ended in the same stage than with the KIES upgrade.
I can enter on recovery mode and move using the volume up and down button, however, the "power" button to select any of the option do nothing.
I tried to connect with adb and indeed see it (when is on recovery mode)
adb devices
List of devices attached
10004cb6cc04 recovery
But can't do anything on the phone, not even reboot it with adb, the process get's stuck and the phone is not rebooted.
Anyone have any idea of what I can do now? send it to Samsung is not an option since I bought this phone in USA and I live in Argentina, this phone is not available in the country yet.
Thanks in advance.

Thread moved to Captivate Q&A.

You used a rom with a kernel for Samsung Galaxy I-9000, I went through this also. The I-9000 has a "hard" home key and the kernel is telling your phone that it does also. Are you sensors acting backwards; up/down = left/right?; if so you need to flash back to stock with Odin 3 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=731989
I was able to get into download mode by using the vol key like it says but I repeatedly tapped "menu" and "Home" when the little triangle kept popping up (I mean really fast tapping) and it worked. It's really hard to brick these, thought I did more than once myself.
Follow the instructions, it works great. I've had too use it more than once.
Lesson here, don't use any package that's based on a kernel for different hardware; especially the I-9000; unless specifically stated that it has been modified specifically for your phone.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=731989 saved my life! I was so angry with me for being such an idiot!. I lost all the contents on the phone, but at least got my phone working again.
By the way, to put it in download mode what I did was, remove the battery, put it back, press volume up + down and plug the phone to USB.
Thanks a lot Tazman171

No problem, just passing on info that was passed to me by helpful people at this sight. And yep, the way you did it was right, I was thinking of the recovery menu and selecting reinstall packages option, I actually was able to do it with the way I described above.

tazman171 said:
You used a rom with a kernel for Samsung Galaxy I-9000, I went through this also. The I-9000 has a "hard" home key and the kernel is telling your phone that it does also. Are you sensors acting backwards; up/down = left/right?; if so you need to flash back to stock with Odin 3 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=731989
I was able to get into download mode by using the vol key like it says but I repeatedly tapped "menu" and "Home" when the little triangle kept popping up (I mean really fast tapping) and it worked. It's really hard to brick these, thought I did more than once myself.
Follow the instructions, it works great. I've had too use it more than once.
Lesson here, don't use any package that's based on a kernel for different hardware; especially the I-9000; unless specifically stated that it has been modified specifically for your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey right now my phone is "bricked" because of a botched JPC Froyo ROM install and I have no way of getting it into download mode. None of the methods on the "One-Click Stock ROM" work, and a few other ones suggested don't either. I'm curious as to how you did it with tapping menu and home, etc. Would you mind posting up some instructions?

Sorry about the late reply, it was recovery mode that I got into, not download mode. You might have one of the phones that won't support the 3/2 button methods of getting to the download/recovery menus. It worked for me because my phone does support that method, it was just the I-9000 had switched my buttons around.

Will not go in download mode

I was at 2.1.1 Cognition and for some stupid reason went into ROM manager and tried to apply my original backup I did when I was just Rooted and on the stock software from ATT.
It got to the data partion and couldnt access it, rebooted and now I get force close errors when it boots. I can virtually do nothing cause the errors just come one after another.
I tried to go into download mode so I could use ODIN and start over and it will NOT go in download mode. I am holding the vol up and down and then pressing power. I am holding all three until the screen goes black twice then letting go of the power. It just goes back to the little circle in the middle meaning its charging.
I am hosed....please help me get this fixed!

The force closes comes from within android...its boots up but is unusable.

gocats7 said:
I was at 2.1.1 Cognition and for some stupid reason went into ROM manager and tried to apply my original backup I did when I was just Rooted and on the stock software from ATT.
It got to the data partion and couldnt access it, rebooted and now I get force close errors when it boots. I can virtually do nothing cause the errors just come one after another.
I tried to go into download mode so I could use ODIN and start over and it will NOT go in download mode. I am holding the vol up and down and then pressing power. I am holding all three until the screen goes black twice then letting go of the power. It just goes back to the little circle in the middle meaning its charging.
I am hosed....please help me get this fixed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, for God's sake please post on the RIGHT AREA. This is not develpoment....the mods are tired of saying the same thing and I dont see why is this so hard to understand.
Turn the phone off then Hold Vol Up and Down then plug the usb while holding those.
That is the way mine goes into download mode.

My bad, feel free to move it.
As I posted, I am doing that and cant get into download mode....please help and again sorry for posting to the wrong area. Im kinda freaking out.

Appologies again, I didnt read your post well.
I tried it the way you stated as well and it goes to the charging screen only.
When I post in the future I will pay more attention to where I post, I understand the frustration.

I cant go into recovery or download either one. Am I bricked? I could really, really use some help. I know I screwed it up and it was a great lession...I just dont want it to be a costly one.

1st question - were you able to get into either download mode or recovery mode via the button combos before you installed cognition?
2nd - if you let it boot up will it boot all the way to the lock screen?

1) Yes I was able to get into download mode and recovery mode before I screwed up.
2) Yes, I can get all the way to the lock screen and if i catch it just right I can navigate the os but it is almost impossible.
The backup from within ROM Manager I applied was back to the original OS that came on the phone that was rooted and had rom manager on it.
I would bet that whatever files allow you to get into download mode, etc are gone or something along those lines.
I am about to freak out.

have you tried pulling your battery, sim card, and any external sd card, let the phone set for a minute, then put back only the battery and then try either the recovery or download button combo?

I am able to get all the way to about phone and here is what it says. I have a combination of mess....man I screwed up royally.
Build Number
ECLAIR
Kernel Verson
2.6.29
[email protected] #237
BaseBand Version
I897UCJH7
Firmware Version
2.1 -Update 1
Again, I was on 2.1.2 Cognition and went through ROM manager and applied a backup which was a snapshot of my phone the day I got it, rooted it, and added ROM Manager. Which isnt there now.
I know what I did was really stupid, I know what I should have done. I would just really appreciate any help getting this back or getting it to a point that I could send it back and not get charged for it. I got it from amazon. Do you even think they would look at the file system? I am within my 30 day window.

Yes, it boots up normally meaning not into download or recovery mode. The specific errors I am getting in the os are as follows:
The process android.process.media has stopped unexpectedly and i have to click force close. I do get a few others about browser, phone, gallery, calendar, but in the end the media one is the one that comes up over and over. Since I can get this far surely there is a way to get me back to a workable state that I can fix it.
If not, I wonder if I could connect via usb and try to wipe every file off the darn thing and send it back? Obviously I would like to avoid that but I am running out of options and frankly this is over my head.

I dont think your trying the download mode correctly with the battery out. You need to take your battery out, put the battery back into the phone, hold down BOTH the volume up and down keys at the same time by pushing in the middle of the keys and then plug the usb into your phone. This works every time.

I can get into the phones Hard drive via USB and see the folders. I see .img files within clockwork that were suppose to have applied, not that it it matters.
I wonder if I could delete anything that isnt part of the stock image and send it back and just not be an idiot again? I really dont want to do that but I dont know what to do.

I found this log file on the device and the last line was the error that I got right before it rebooted and I was hosed:
Can't mount /data/!
Failure at line 2:
restore_rom /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup/original boot system data cache sd-ext

aNdroidnut I tried it exactly as described and all I get is the lines in a circle stating that its charging then the battery charging. I have tired it the way you said and the way I had done it all the other times.
I think the problem is i have an incomplete OS since it failed in the restore process within ROM Manager because I never should have done it that way.

If you were able to get into download via button combo before you should be able to do it now with after pulling your battery, sim card and external sd card as I mentioned before.
gocats7 said:
I can get into the phones Hard drive via USB and see the folders. I see .img files within clockwork that were suppose to have applied, not that it it matters.
I wonder if I could delete anything that isnt part of the stock image and send it back and just not be an idiot again? I really dont want to do that but I dont know what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can get to this point you are not bricked and can recover. I am guessing you are connected to your computer in usb debuggin mode -- this is good as there is another way to get into download mode.
use oden3 one click here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=731989
use download method one in the odin3 instructions if you can get connected to your computer in usb debugging mode. use download method 3 if you can get into download mode via the button combo after a battery pull

i think you failed at reading the warning:
disable the lagfix before trying to use clockwork

Are you trying this with Odin already open?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

When I try what everybody else explains I too just go back to the loading circle. Then it just goes right back to my charging screen. I figured this method out by mere chance one night when tinkering. I haven't seen it posted anywhere, so hopefully this is what you need:
1) open odin
2) pull battery, sdcard, and sim card
3) plugin usb to phone and computer(NO BATTERY YET)
4) hold down vol up and vol down(NO POWER BUTTON)
5) place battery into the phone
This works every time for me no exceptions.
Hope this helps,
S4NDM4NN

OK, I have made progress thanks to the great tools these guys have and your help!
I am shaking as I type this (yea i know its just a phone). I was able via Odin to do a master clear. It rebooted and now I get into the OS and get NO errors. It seems fine but will not go into download mode no matter what I do and I have gone into it many times in the past. I went from stock (via Odin) to Cognition several times initially to really understand the process. I never had problems getting into download or recovery.
I really think, with you guys help, Im going to be ok here. I saw where you wanted me to do method 3. I have tried method 3 many times and method 2 many times.
Since I am able to get it to boot error free I was considering unrooting, rooting, downloading ROM Manager and trying to put Cognition 2.1.2 on it via Rom Manager. BUT before I do that I want advice if you would. Obviously following what I thought got me to this point to start with.

[Q] Botched Gingerbread install

So, I went to install gingerbread on my captivate, ripped from the nexus s, but I accidentally flashed the wrong thing. now my phone turns on to the att logo, then it goes away, then about 20 seconds later it comes back. I have been looking for hours on how to get to download mode, and I think that somehow I crippled my chances of using the 3 button combo. I know how to use abd to get to download mode, and my computer shows that my phone is connected when I plug it in at the att logo, but, my PC thinks its a nexus s and it can't find drivers for it. I updated my SDK but it still wont find drivers. is there anyway to install nexus s drivers or to get my phone into download mode without a jig?

Just take the battery out and plug in usb cable while holding volume up and down. (I had the same problem until someone suggested this)

that didn't do anything. if it matters, my phone wont even get to the battery charging screen with the usb cable plugged in, the spinning circle thing comes up for about 2 seconds, goes away, then comes back but its frozen the whole time, nothing else happens. My PC still sees that its plugged in, but, like I said, it thinks its a nexus s, and wont install drivers :/
PS: as to exactly what happened, I forgot to do the voodoo lagfix before trying to install the gingerbread dump from the nexus s, so I got into download mode and went back to 2.1. it was right after that when I realized that my three button combo wasnt working, so I was going to fix that by updating the bootloader, but accidentally loaded nsongs.tar instead of the tar that would fix my download mode combo, so in Odin, I had phone bootloader update checked when I flashed that

tortugasthebest said:
Just take the battery out and plug in usb cable while holding volume up and down. (I had the same problem until someone suggested this)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i had a successful install.....but my problem came when trying to revert to stock.
PC wouldn't recognize device and for the first time ever i couldn't get into download mode using method above or a 3 button method that worked for me (a slight variation to method stated above).
Finally the following worked:
1. open odin 1-click JF6
2. remove battery (and any external sd) from phone
3. plug phone into pc via USB (without battery in phone)
4. Hold Vol + / - toggle down simultaneously.
5. While holding the buttons down insert the battery. When i did this my phone entered DL mode almost immediately and i was able to use odin to get back to stock.
build 1007

I'd try the above method to get into DL mode.. if that doesn't work you can try the JIG and see if that works.
But a requirement before flashing was to verify that your buttons worked on your phone.

the buttons were working, but I didn't have a lagfix installed. I flashed back to stock and noticed that my buttons weren't working after that. I went to fix them but flashed nsongs.tar by accident, and I had the "phone bootloader update" box checked, so I'm thinking thats why my buttons aren't working now. I've tried that method above a couple times and nothings happened...

Hmm.. you can try and update using the Nexus S USB drivers.. if they are different from ours that is .. go to that forum and poke around to look for them.
At this point.. can't hurt trying anything.

Where would I find the nexus s drivers? I installed the samsung mobile phone drivers, but my computer still says "found new hardware - nexus s" anytime I plug in, and it shows up in device manager with a big yellow question mark.

avgjoegeek said:
I'd try the above method to get into DL mode.. if that doesn't work you can try the JIG and see if that works.
But a requirement before flashing was to verify that your buttons worked on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same as the poster
when i did my install my buttons were working as well....i have the 1007 build and never had any problem getting to recovery or dl using 2-button and 3-button combo's.
After the gingerbread flash was a different story though. Luckily for me the method i posted almost like jumpstarted me into DL mode....when i did that it went into DL faster than it ever had with the normal methods....the DL screen popped up almost the instant the battery connectors hit.

yea, none of the methods I've found have gotten me into download mode. Is there anyway to get the nexus s drivers so I can do this through adb? I don't have a car so getting to radioshack to buy resistors is kinda hard :/

ok, so I updated my sdk again and it now I have the drivers installed, I can use adb now, but whenever I do, adb reboot download, it reboots, but not to download mode, i goes right back to the boot loop. I was wondering if there was anyway to push a new bootloader onto my cappy using adb. that would be awesome

[Q] After using an official update threw kies my phone wont start up HELP

when i plugged my phone into kies it offered me an update from 2.2 to 2.2.1 (PDA:JS5 / PHONE:JPY / CSC: JS4). i have rooted my phone before the update using Z4root and also installed voodoo lagfix using a one click installer which was on the market. after the update the phone went into recovery mode and on kies it said something like "disconnect and reconnect usb". i didnt do this and just clicked the reboot now option on recovery mode. and now my phone boots up but the OS does not start. the tmobile boot animation is no longer played, instead it is the (i am guessing) original galaxy s boot animation. after this animation the phone vibrates once, pauses and the vibrates 3 times. if i leave it on then it will do this continously. it used to do this while the phone worked on 2.2 and it ended up force closing whatever app i was using at that time. is it force closing the OS? i can no longer get into 3 button recovery mode even though i could before. i am going to try the ADK which i am new too and if it works and i get into recovery mode what should i do? factory reset? and if doesnt how can i get it to recovery mode?
i really want to get it working again thank you in advance to everyone.
UPDATE: i have tried the adk reboot recovery but it says device not found :S

kremo123 said:
when i plugged my phone into kies it offered me an update from 2.2 to 2.2.1 (PDA:JS5 / PHONE:JPY / CSC: JS4). i have rooted my phone before the update using Z4root and also installed voodoo lagfix using a one click installer which was on the market. after the update the phone went into recovery mode and on kies it said something like "disconnect and reconnect usb". i didnt do this and just clicked the reboot now option on recovery mode. and now my phone boots up but the OS does not start. the tmobile boot animation is no longer played, instead it is the (i am guessing) original galaxy s boot animation. after this animation the phone vibrates once, pauses and the vibrates 3 times. if i leave it on then it will do this continously. it used to do this while the phone worked on 2.2 and it ended up force closing whatever app i was using at that time. is it force closing the OS? i can no longer get into 3 button recovery mode even though i could before. i am going to try the ADK which i am new too and if it works and i get into recovery mode what should i do? factory reset? and if doesnt how can i get it to recovery mode?
i really want to get it working again thank you in advance to everyone.
UPDATE: i have tried the adk reboot recovery but it says device not found :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your woes are probably because you didn't disable lagfix.
But don't worry - JS5 does not disable the 3-button modes or anything. Maybe you are just releasing the buttons at a wrong time (too early / too late)? See if you can get to download mode (Vol Dn - Power - Home). If yes, you can flash JS5 (or any other stock firmware) via Odin.

Try download mode never make customication without haveing them working!
If 3btn doesn't work built a jig then flash a FULL rom(3files +pit) using odin +repartition
Or if you want it super easy just flash darky resurrection (one file+ good rom)

Could try useind adb to grlet download mode theres guid on hear how to get three button combo useing adb
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

colindodds said:
Could try useind adb to grlet download mode theres guid on hear how to get three button combo useing adb
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adb reboot download but i think it will not work if he can't connect adb....

Try hold volup+home+power and do a factory reset.

thanks everyone for helping me out however the 3tbn recovery/download mode is not working and to top it all of my internet provider cut my internet so i cant even research into this matter. this morning i turned the phone on and left for work i'll see what happened when i get home. all i really need to do is get my p.c to recognize the device so i could use adb/odin and that doesnt seem to work. i might end up having to buy/make a jig

you wouldnt beleive the luck i had. i sent my phone of for repairs to samsung while i waited for the parts to build a jig in hope that they wldnt b able to do anything and give me a new one and instead they fixed it. for free. im so happy

[Q] Just bricked my phone...

I was flashing EZ base and not paying attention (see attachedfile).
Now my SGS doesnt even respond to the power button! Is there ANYTHING I can do??
Please help

Plug the phone into the usb port then switch on phone. Does the pc detect a device?

i think i know you mate?

I recently soft bricked my phone and couldn't get into download mode the normal way.
What worked was holding the vol down button and the home button in (not the power button) and then plugging it into USB while holding them in. The USB power basically takes the role of pressing the power button.
I hope it works, good luck!

sorry mate but i just cant figure out how you could be so clumsy... so many times it is stated that you must be very careful with odin....

that is not helping, is there anything that can be done in the situation?

mab71 said:
sorry mate but i just cant figure out how you could be so clumsy... so many times it is stated that you must be very careful with odin....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry mate, I just can't figure out why you would post a such a useless unhelpful reply. I flash my phone on a regular basis with CM7/MIUI, mistakes can happen!
To everyone else, thanks, I got it working.... no idea but I read some bricked threads and tried out something... took the battery out, kept hammering the power button whilst putting the battery in with vol down and managed to get into DL mode.
Phew!

Hope you have your efs folder backed up. The SGS is hard to brick and one of the phones that can be unbricked easily. The only problem is with the efs (the files inside the efs folder stores your product code and the imei number.)
Just wanted to bring this to your notice if you haven't done it yet.

just bricked a samsung gt-i9000. Hopefully I can get help to recover. I made several mistakes or false assumptions.
1. I could never get the phone to boot into recovery or download mode by itself. (this is my wife's phone -uh oh - as my phone I had no problem doing this). But I installed adb sdk and could reboot it into recover or download that way, so went ahead with flash.
2. I was using an older perhaps guide to flashing MIUI which had different file names that no longer seem to exist but double checked a few places and got current version numbers on MIUI and cm7 kernel and etc., but I used a newer version of ODIN 1.82 instead of the 1.7. Thought that wouldn't matter but in my bricking searches found that it may be an issue.
So now I have the icon of ..phone ! computer... and no way of getting into download mode as adb can't see the device. Hopefully there is a way - I've tried the suggestions above but they aren't working. I hope as last resort I can make the jig I've seen mentioned.. but any other methods?
/jd
[edit] these two phones were purchased at the same time and have same firmwares. I did back up efs from my phone, and in this process of flashing wife's phone had uploaded the galaxy_efs_backup file but didn't get a chance for it to work. If efs is borked, can I use the one from my phone or are they unique to each device? (assuming I can unbrick). [/edit]

hunky-d said:
just bricked a samsung gt-i9000. Hopefully I can get help to recover. I made several mistakes or false assumptions.
1. I could never get the phone to boot into recovery or download mode by itself. (this is my wife's phone -uh oh - as my phone I had no problem doing this). But I installed adb sdk and could reboot it into recover or download that way, so went ahead with flash.
2. I was using an older perhaps guide to flashing MIUI which had different file names that no longer seem to exist but double checked a few places and got current version numbers on MIUI and cm7 kernel and etc., but I used a newer version of ODIN 1.82 instead of the 1.7. Thought that wouldn't matter but in my bricking searches found that it may be an issue.
So now I have the icon of ..phone ! computer... and no way of getting into download mode as adb can't see the device. Hopefully there is a way - I've tried the suggestions above but they aren't working. I hope as last resort I can make the jig I've seen mentioned.. but any other methods?
/jd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i got the semi brick icon once
i pressed vol down, home, then power and held them together until the phone booted once, then once more, then once more (I kept holding them for about 40 seconds I guess). Then took the battery out for a minute, then while holding all 3 buttons together, put it back in (this is tricky, you need to practice or have someone else to help you) and did another 40 second loops. Finally took the battery out, put it back in and tried download mode and it worked.
But I could get download mode before I bricked it...

thanks allotrios,
Gave it a valiant try and no luck. I'm going to have to figure out the jig I guess - I can't figure out how they plug in those largish looking usb jigs into that tiny proprietary (looking) usb port on the i9000. Videos say a cheap micro usb cable but I think i may have to cut into my SGS charging/usb cable. But doesn't look like the cables on videos/pics.

hunky-d said:
thanks allotrios,
Gave it a valiant try and no luck. I'm going to have to figure out the jig I guess - I can't figure out how they plug in those largish looking usb jigs into that tiny proprietary (looking) usb port on the i9000. Videos say a cheap micro usb cable but I think i may have to cut into my SGS charging/usb cable. But doesn't look like the cables on videos/pics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hang on, one more thing you can try, worked for me just last weekend....
"Leave Odin Open. Then Plug the USB. While the USB is plugged in and Odin running press and hold volume down + Home + Power. Once the black screen comes release the Power Button. It will get to the download mode"
Worked like a charm, got it from this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=13630631#post13630631
If it works for you make sure you hit the thanks button of the guy that originally posted it
If you really need a JIG try this http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10031 with one of these http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/764289-res-301k-ohm-1-4w-1-metal-film-mfr-25fbf-301k.html
Taken from 1st post in this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=819551

Gave it a go and no luck. I was wondering if Odin v1.82 was a problem so dl'd and used Odin v1.3 (says GT-P1000 on the title bar of it) but didn't seem to matter. Tried both versions.
I had Odin running, plugged in the phone which brought up the "brick" icons, then held down the 3 buttons until it rebooted (black screen came on) and released power, still holding other two buttons. Nothing - just the icons of death. I'm very rural so have parts coming for a jig - might have them by Monday evening or mid-week. Lucky that the phone was really slow and buggy (build XXJP2) so wife didn't like it at all. She wants an iphone so was hoping to spiff this one up to curtail that move. /jd
[edit] My research says that some of these phones have a bad secondary bootloader that prevents the 3-button technique. Not sure if that is inclusive of all these methods mentioned in this thread - that they simply won't work on a phone with the bad bootloader or whether these methods have sometimes overcome that limitation. But I've found a few links to fix it if I can get the phone back from the dead..

My phone is rooted, how can find efs folder and can I save a backup my computer hard drive?
I do odin flashing, in case something goes wrong.

chablo12 said:
My phone is rooted, how can find efs folder and can I save a backup my computer hard drive?
I do odin flashing, in case something goes wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey dude just download root explorer then open it u will find the efs folder in it
presss the efs folder for a second then there will be a popup in that u will find copy
just copy it and paste it in ur sd card
then connect ur phone to pc then u will find that efs folder
then just copy it to ur pc

Just a note to add data points on the bricking from my situation.
I read somewhere that a guy got his phone in download mode by plugging it into a bluetooth headset without it plugged into the charger. He figured it had built in resistance to help detect which device it was being plugged into and voila! he got download mode. (People in that thread asked which headset and he hadn't replied at that point so I don't know which).
I misread that at first to read a guy plugged the phone into his charger so I tried it (3 button combo and variations) and of course didn't work. But I was sitting there thinking about something else holding down the buttons and all of a sudden got it into download mode. The computers wouldn't recognize it though. So no luck - figured I had a jig coming so no biggy. Pulled the battery and tried again and it worked. This time I got into a download mode that the computer recognized.
So I flashed a kernel and got a "higher level" brick - got to first boot screen with words - but it just sat there vibrating. So tried a JVH single tar file an then got a boot loop up through the boot animations and noise. So am progressing - think I will try getting back to stock Froyo from samfirmware.com and see what goes from there. /jd