[Q] Very bad brick situation - Galaxy S I9000 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi everyone,
I have in the past switched roms on my Galaxy S before, therefore the issue of bricking my phone is something that doesn't intimidate me too much. However, this time i'm really stumped, and I turn to the gurus here at the forums, hoping a solution can be found.
I had just gotten my phone back from getting its screen repaired (which makes this especially irritating), and my carriers had flashed my phone back to their stock version of android, meaning gingerbread with a lot of bloatware. I decided straight away that I wanted to root my phone today, although I was away from my PC. I had my laptop with me (Macbook Air), but I had never done any flashing from it before, not to mention ever using Heimdall before (I had always flashed with Odin). I downloaded everything, and then I made my first mistake: I flashed a speed mod kernel (I believe it was a froyo kernel), and after reboot my phone wouldn't go past the splash screen. I could still get into recovery and download mode. Then I decided to try playing it safe, and I downloaded stock firmware packages for Heimdall fro the forums here. I tried flashing JVS on my phone, going exactly by the instructions written in that same thread that I found the packages, but the flash didn't succeed. Instead, I got an error message saying the PIT file didn't reach the end of the transfer (or something like that...) and the phone rebooted. After that attempt, the phone went black. Nothing works anymore except for download mode. Now I thought that as long as download mode works, I'll be ok, so I tried flashing different packages through Heimdall, and eventually when I got home I tried using Odin on my PC. The problem is, my PC doesn't recognize my phone anymore (even though the drivers are installed and I never had an issue with that before), so I'm pretty much stuck with a brick for now.
I really don't want to go back to my carrier again, and hope to get my phone back in working order without paying too much. I still think there's hope as long as download mode works.
Does anybody have any suggestions what I might be able to do? Since my PC doesn't recognize my phone (and therefore Odin doesn't either), the only semi-working option left is using Heimdall somehow, but as to how to use it, I'm in the dark.
I would really appreciate any help you guys can give me. Thanks a lot!
Aaron

first try reinstalling the drivers and try again. if you can get download mode, should be repaired.

Thank you very much!!!
I knew that download mode was a good sign, but I started freaking out as soon as Odin wouldn't recognize my phone, since it never has had that problem. Reinstalling the drivers did the trick, and flashing worked.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Again, thanks a lot!

commandozzz said:
Thank you very much!!!
I knew that download mode was a good sign, but I started freaking out as soon as Odin wouldn't recognize my phone, since it never has had that problem. Reinstalling the drivers did the trick, and flashing worked.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Again, thanks a lot!
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We are here to help.

Related

[Q] help please! stuck on at&t world phone screen

okay im getting completely frantic right now, i tried to flash the newest cognition ROM from stock 2.1 rooted from recover and it all loaded fine but i kept getting force closes com.android.phone or something and then i was like okay ill just restore my last backup and did that but now it wont boot past the at&t world phone screen and i cant get into recovery. ive read other threads about this but theyre all different situations so i wanted help for my specific situation. i love all the devs help and hard work on this site and i hope my phone is not bricked because ive only had it for about 2 weeks. so please a fast response would be appreciated, i would like to have my phone fixed by tonight thanks in advance guys oh and also i am able to get into download mode i just dont know what that does.
no one knows?
nevermind everyone i got it using odin
Just reflash use this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=818439 or you can search for odin one click by DG.
Odin. You will be fine. Just search and read. Be careful what you do and try your best to understand what you are doing before you panic.
You were getting fc on cog so instead of reading and re -flashing you panicked then flashed a 2. 1 back up over 2. 2 with voodoo lagfix active. :O it is not the end of the world. I do hope you have a PC and not a MAC. Odin will flash you back to stock but you will need to search and read. Good luck
Captivate
Cog 2.2
I think I'm in a similar boat... tried to flash back to JH7 after getting tired of froyo versions that I didn't like. Now I'm stuck at the AT&T screen and nothing works... no matter what button I hold while I power the phone on, I get nothing. Any advice?
Update: I think I may have something here... found a guide talking about JTAG stuff that suggested holding both volume buttons while plugging in the USB cable... seems to have gotten me to the "downloading..." screen. That's a plus.

[Q] Help getting from Cognition2 beta5 back to stock, no Odin..

Hey there, i have searched around for a day or so and found a similar post on here but no real answers thus far. There is a ton of information out there so i may have missed it but my phone is having issues so i really need to wipe and go back to stock, then update from there...
Running Cognition v2.2 Beta5.5 UCJ16. Love the rom but i have had some issues and decided to upgrade to the new Cog rom then found out i cant without going back to stock first. Tried to do that with "Odin" but i get the USB not recognized when going into download mode, Odin will not pick up the phone. I did read the entire Odin faq and saw that other ppl have had this issue but did not really find a solution. I can get into dl mode fine and i've never ever had an issue with my cpu not picking up the phone via the USB until now. Tried the adb reboot, volume buttons, everything in the faq, it's a no go & all my drivers are up to date. So far i can't do anything and it's getting a bit frustrating lol.. I rooted with the Galaxy S One click Root by TGA_Gunnman, not sure if that helps any.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance!!
Also meant to ask, if i can't go upgrade to the new version of cognition can i flash from that one to a different rom and them maybe back to 2.1? I'm not a noob to rooting and flashing i did my last 2 phones and have rooted this one, i haven't had one single problem with anything of my phones until this one...
Try a different us port the ones on the back seem to work better
Already tried that same result, it won't recognize the device. I have to go out of town in a few days and need my phone to quit acting up lol. If i can't get it resolved by tomorrow i guess i'll just start trying to flash other roms and see if i can find one it will take and go from there..
CoolhandLocke said:
Already tried that same result, it won't recognize the device. I have to go out of town in a few days and need my phone to quit acting up lol. If i can't get it resolved by tomorrow i guess i'll just start trying to flash other roms and see if i can find one it will take and go from there..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usb debugging turned on? You have odin opened up BEFORE you put your phone in download mode? Technically you don't have to odin to stock you just have to odin to a Rom that has 2e recovery. So you could try that if you can't get one click odin to work.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Yes i tried it with de-bugging turned on and odin running before hand. Pretty much tried everything in the Odin thread and about everything else i could find with google. The phone's just acting funky and not accepting it
CoolhandLocke said:
Yes i tried it with de-bugging turned on and odin running before hand. Pretty much tried everything in the Odin thread and about everything else i could find with google. The phone's just acting funky and not accepting it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you putting your phone into download mode?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I'm getting into download mode through doing the volume up/down then inserting the usb cable with the sim and everything out. I believe it's method 3 listed in the Odin post, it does go into download mode but i still get "USB not recognized" from both the front and back ports..
Finally got it fixed! Just tried it out on my friends laptop and everything worked flawlessly. Must be a problem in my Desktops USB somewhere but it is still odd as it worked fine and still does, just didn't work with Odin. I've seen other people with the same issue hopefully someone else can learn from my mistakes....Just try another PC lol.
CoolhandLocke said:
Finally got it fixed! Just tried it out on my friends laptop and everything worked flawlessly. Must be a problem in my Desktops USB somewhere but it is still odd as it worked fine and still does, just didn't work with Odin. I've seen other people with the same issue hopefully someone else can learn from my mistakes....Just try another PC lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am glad you got it working cause I had ran completely out of ideas lol
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Not to extend the thread but in my previous post i forgot to add, Thank you to all of you who tried to help!

Soft-Bricked, No PC connectivity

Hey there, i am feeling somewhat overwhelmed with all of the advice going on out there and need someone who can give me the answer to my specific problem hardware wise without breaking a sweat...
I flashed a froyo 2.2 rom onto my phone a while ago, recently all of my apps stopped working, and i could no longer install any apps.
Couple days ago i tried openning gmail and the screen went black and gave me the bzzzzzz...............................bzzz...bzzz...
vibrating error that you usually get when an app crashes.
Now the phone continues doing that even when booted up and stuff
It starts right after the S screen and repeats until the battery is removed.
My phone can't get into download or reset mode using the 3 button method so i bought a jig off of ebay, works like a charm.
however NOW, i cannot get the computer to see the phone; both when it is on and attached and in download mode and attached. Odin can't see it, neither can Kies.
If i can get either to see it, i can look up the flashing process to make sure everything is right.... but as of yet nothing i am doing is making a difference.
Thanks for any help
Ok, I'd focus on odin so disable Kies (in task manager processes - all the kies processes).
Then I would 1) reinstall the drivers (standalone ones) 2) Have a few versions of odin to try (like 1.3, 1.7 and ez odin) 3) Clean your usb port on the phone (and computer maybe too - whats the harm?).
Usually if you are sure the drivers are Ok then you should be able to odin working with a nice clean port. They are more sensitive to dirt/moisture or whatever than they should be.
Try that and let us know...
BTW Some people think that the order is important but I've never noticed that. I always have odin open and then connect it but cant hurt to try the other way around too.
Hey thanks alot,
I am at work right now but i am optimistic about trying that out lol.
Just so i know for when the time comes and if Odin works, what files do i need to flash it? .pit, .tar and anything else specific for Bell Canada?
I only ask because you are with Bell so it is probably a very simple answer for you. Otherwise I am sure i can find it elsewhere.
Thanks,
I'll keep you updated
Josh
Download the complete jl2 rom from link I posted yesterday (search my posts) with repartition ticked, then flash the kc1 rom from stock rom link on xda or at samfirmware.com and flash without repartition if you want the latest. You could just try the kc1 step but I you need to repartition.
Sent from my GT-I9000M using XDA Premium App
Hey man,
my phone has never been sent in for repairs or replaced...
I was reading one of your other posts and you advised another member to send it in and maybe they will replace/update hardware?
I have still had my phone for less than a year so sending it in will be no problem at all...
Should i flash to the latest myself or return to stock and send it in?
I really appreciate your help.
Thanks
Well he knows his is broken as he can see that his internal memory reads 0 (which means its cooked - ask me how I know...) and he was trying to fix it in a round about way. Or there was the guy who flashed a captivate rom - that was just a big no-no.
You might just have a corrupt partition or some other corruption in the file system. I seem to get that all the time and its a pain but very fixable .
Alright, sooo
-uninstall Kies
-install drivers only
-try to connect to Odin
-If succesful flash with Odin
-dance with joy
Got it, I will update you later when i get home.
Thanks
installed drivers on my work computer (32 bit windows xp) and nothing... I've tried phone off, phone on, phone in d/l mode... It doesn't pick up anything...
I can try it on my Windows 7 comp at home and see if that works but i'm wondering what the worst case scenario is just bringing into Bell and having them fix it... Am i looking at charges, warranty voiding, etc.. etc... to have it fixed or could i BS my way out of it?
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
pretty sure i flashed the wrong firmware on my phone, when it boots up it says GT-I9000 not GT-I9000M.
It worked fine for like 6 months so i never questioned it... damn damn damn
Not to be completely devious but i got an extended warranty that replaces the phone due to water damage, theft, etc. etc...
If there is no other way should i take advantage of that?
I would hate to jump to one of those actions but i am somewhat panicking becuase i made a super-noob mistake and effed up my phone....
I9000 firmware is completely compatible. The text you see is from the kernel which are always for i9000 unless you have one of the three bell firmwares. So that's not the issue.
Sent from my GT-I9000M using XDA Premium App
RogueCow27 said:
Not to be completely devious but i got an extended warranty that replaces the phone due to water damage, theft, etc. etc...
If there is no other way should i take advantage of that?
I would hate to jump to one of those actions but i am somewhat panicking becuase i made a super-noob mistake and effed up my phone....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would keep trying. I have gotten warranty before and I was in the same predicament as you almost except I knew that the internal memory was dead. But that was also around the time when most of the I9000M models were dying. They might be checking more now.
If you get odin to flash a stock rom then you can go for it but by then you should be able to fix it.
Sent from my GT-I9000M using XDA Premium App
Alright i will keep trying.
As far as the firmware goes, my gf and i both have the same phone, but she kept heres official and i put custom roms on mine (just the 2.2 because it wasn't available)
We are both on bell canada so i asked her to boot up her phone and the beginning message on hers says GT-I9000M so it freaked me out lol
I will try on my home computer,
keep your fingers crossed for me
Alright, so Odin can now see my phone (it was the damn cord, my Win 7 comp couldnt see it but my xp work laptop can)
Which firmware would you recomend flashing? Stock gingerbread or a slight variation?
I am at work right now so i can wait a bit for a good response. It'd really help me out if you could provide links and tips to the best firmware out right now (i have no problem flashing a custom ROM if it is good).
Thanks alot,
Josh
Succesfully Flashes Gingerbread 2.3.4
Thanks for all your help!!!
how did you manage to see it in odin?
i have te same problem with restarting just after first screen (after flashing to gingerbread) but i cant see it in odin so i cant flash it again?
when i connect it when turned off, a small icon appears with usb connected sound but its still not visible.
Is it maybe my win7?
help, anyone please
Did you start in Download mod? Did you kill the Kies processes in you Win7 task manager ?
If yes, sometimes Windows takes time to install the drivers (be sure ton be connected to the internet), you should also close and relaunch Odin.
i launched download mode with sdk, and now i cant start it.
i went to another pc with xp. it installs drivers but odin cant recognize it.
Well i did it on my work XP computer becuase WIN 7 wasn't recognizing it. But it turns out the whole time the cable i was using would connect to charge, but not act as a pc connection.

HELP! Flashed Wrong Kernel Stuck at Galaxy Screen on Boot

Ok I have a stock KB2 Cappy. I used Odin to flash back to 2.1 KB1 JF6
Then I used Odin 3 to flash a kernel so I can put on CM7. I am now stuck in the Boot screen.
I have no 3 button, I cannot get into download mode (my jig is homemade should i order one?)
I tried to change usb and remove the sim card to try odin again to get back into stock.
Nothing seems to work the only thing is my jig is not good either for DL Mode. I want to get back to stock so any suggestions. I tried heimandall did not work either.
I am really stuck on this galaxy s I897 screen.
Is the jig soldered? If its not make sure you are connecting the correct pins and use some black tape or something to isolate your fingers from the resistors (might screw up the actual ohms making it to boot up normally and not in to dl mode.
The bootloop was expected, you are supposed to check that you have a working button combo both before you flash the kernel (because it will bootloop and you boot into recovery and flash whatever) and before you ever flash cm7 because that is the only way to get into download mode besides a jig on aosp roms.
so, fiddle around with your jig some more and if you get it in download mode just flash the captivate gingerbread bootloaders, that will fix your button combo and allow you to proceed flashing cm7.
Hi Guys,
I have a similar problem. I am a total noob-I've had my I896 cappy (Canadian Rogers based) for about a year now; i fiddled with it on Saturday and also got the bootloop. I freaked out, and managed to further flash (out of frustration and confusion) the cappy with another wrong ROM, the I900. I managed to get it back into DL mode and tried flashing stock eclair or 2.2 froyo via ODIN. For some reason, whenever I start the flash (press start on Odin with the froyo 2.2 file on PDA), the progress fails at the factory section. I don't know much about jigs yet, but any tips would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Chord in the back of the PC directly attached to the motherboard NO EXTERNAL HUBS, right click on Odin run as admin.
Once you have it working READ AND UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE DOING, BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE TO YOUR PHONE
This is probably the easiest guide on how to make one. Layman Jig First one I did I butchered a pare car charger to make it. You can just grab one from MobileTechVideos.com for about $8.
AlphaJ1 said:
Hi Guys,
I have a similar problem. I am a total noob-I've had my I896 cappy (Canadian Rogers based) for about a year now; i fiddled with it on Saturday and also got the bootloop. I freaked out, and managed to further flash (out of frustration and confusion) the cappy with another wrong ROM, the I900. I managed to get it back into DL mode and tried flashing stock eclair or 2.2 froyo via ODIN. For some reason, whenever I start the flash (press start on Odin with the froyo 2.2 file on PDA), the progress fails at the factory section. I don't know much about jigs yet, but any tips would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi guys,
Thanks for the link.
From what I understand, a jig is an improvised connection that allows your phone to go into DL mode. What if my phone is still capable of going into DL mode? My apologies, as I am at work.
Im not sure what you mean with your question. What the jig does is give the signal for it to go to download mode as was intended by samsung. Same theory on how your phone knows its connected to your computer, or the wall or the car charger. Its by manipulating the current between 2 pins. Keep in mind your phone should always be capable of going in to download mode assuming the hardware is working and your bootloaders are in working order.
I believe I read it on a different website that as long as your phone can go into download mode, then it is only "soft-bricked," meaning it can still be recovered using ODIN. I don't know If I was misinformed or not. I guess my question is, since my phone is still able to go into download mode, but the flash is still failing, did I DL the wrong ROM, or was the copy of Froyo 2.2 I DL'd corrupt? If so, is there a reliable source/site where I can download Froyo or Eclair?
I hope that makes more sense.
Read my post after yours...
studacris said:
Chord in the back of the PC directly attached to the motherboard NO EXTERNAL HUBS, right click on Odin run as admin.
Once you have it working READ AND UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE DOING, BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE TO YOUR PHONE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^What he said. If that fails could be a faulty cable.
AlphaJ1 said:
I believe I read it on a different website that as long as your phone can go into download mode, then it is only "soft-bricked," meaning it can still be recovered using ODIN. I don't know If I was misinformed or not. I guess my question is, since my phone is still able to go into download mode, but the flash is still failing, did I DL the wrong ROM, or was the copy of Froyo 2.2 I DL'd corrupt? If so, is there a reliable source/site where I can download Froyo or Eclair?
I hope that makes more sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct, if you can get into download mode you are not bricked. Make sure you are using the usb cord that came with your phone, plugged directly into the back of your computer. Make sure your SIM card is out, you're logged in as an administrator, and that you start odin before you plug your phone in.
If it still doesn't work, try another computer and/or another cord.
Why do people say take sim out? Ive never taken it out and had no issues. Just curious.
That is a practice from way back in the winmo days, sometimes the flash would corrupt the Sim itself. Not the case anymore for the most part. I'm with you never take mine out either.
Thanks guys, I will try this at home; hopefully it works.
prbassplayer said:
Why do people say take sim out? Ive never taken it out and had no issues. Just curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I say it because, while I've never had it screw up the SIM itself, I had a situation where I forgot to remove it and then couldn't get odin to complete a flash on several attempts, resulting in a soft brick that I couldn't flash out of. As soon as I removed the sim, Odin flashed without an issue.
Coincidence? Maybe, although I didn't change anything else. If it possibly keeps me from repeating this terrifying event, though, I'll just keep doing it
apbthe3 said:
I say it because, while I've never had it screw up the SIM itself, I had a situation where I forgot to remove it and then couldn't get odin to complete a flash on several attempts, resulting in a soft brick that I couldn't flash out of. As soon as I removed the sim, Odin flashed without an issue.
Coincidence? Maybe, although I didn't change anything else. If it possibly keeps me from repeating this terrifying event, though, I'll just keep doing it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get a red "FAIL" message on ODIN? Because thats what I got several times. My buddy also tried and he got the same thing. The green progress bar completes up till about 80 percent and gives up on me. I'll try taking out the SD and SIM cards when I get home, hopefully it works.
Hi guys, little update:
I found this on the forums and used it:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=731989
Anyways, this worked after my second try. Interestingly enough, it worked once i removed the Sim card, which is what apbthe3 suggested..great! I'm just glad my phone is no longer bricked. Minor issue though, my phone is now an AT&T phone, but unfortunately, I am a Canadian Samsung user. New problem now. My phone is no longer rooted (never was actually, but was bricked in the process), I'm happy it works, but i need to know if there are any Canadians out there that know how to revert my device back to Rogers.
Any help would be great. Anyways, the link I provided works great, so its a great resource for our American friends.
Why don't you look at Cognition 4.x.x? Froyo stock ish looking rom tweaked out the ass very fast. Good rom.
Look in development. There are a couple of threads there just for Rogers users.

Not booting past the "Galaxy S" screen...

Hey guys,
In a bit of a pickle at the moment. I grabbed an S1 off a friend to try and teach myself about rooting and flashing custom ROMs and such using Odin. With the final intent getting it to run ICS. Not a very hard challenge, but evidently it is for me.
I'll explain what I did, and if you can help without investing too much of your time I would be very grateful.
When I got it, it was running 2.3.3, all the tutorials I read told me to update it to 2.3.6 before doing anything more. I managed to root the phone easy enough, no issues there. But when I tried to put 2.3.6 on via Mobile Odin, (which I used to flash my S2 to ICS, long story) it had seemed to freeze on 'flashing flash kernel' for a good 15 or so minutes.
Being the daft monkey that I am, I exited the program...by removing the battery (don't judge me please). When I went to turn it on, it wouldn't load past the "Samsung Galaxy S" screen.
It goes into Download mode fine, and I've tried to flash an abundance of different Gingerbread ROMs onto the phone and Odin has just been getting stuck on the "setup connection" every time I've tried to flash.
I have tried using different USB ports which is readily suggested by most people and seems to work, using my laptop instead, different cords as well. No luck. Nothing happens when I press volume UP + home + lock like it used to, so I can't even factory reset or anything =\
I did find somewhere that suggested adding a PIT file to Odin and selecting repartition but every one yells at each other when 'repartition' gets mentioned, lol.
I hope this is in the right place, please bare with me if I used any wrong terminologies, I am relatively new to this.
Has anyone got some suggestions that may help me with my problem? =\
Thank you!
Taylor
sigh...here's my recovery kit, unzip, read .txt file, proceed
http://db.tt/MOGZx01S
Credits to nitr8 and chainfire
Thanks, sorry for being such a hassle...
Twinning92 said:
Thanks, sorry for being such a hassle...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problems, was teasing ya! You will end up with root and custom recovery, if you then go to slim website and read and follow installation instructions you will then have lush ics

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