Database Develop

[Q] Bricked Gnote? Need quick help, please!

Okay so..
I have to spend my days serving my time in the finnish army, so I am a bit clueless of the GNote scene from time to time. I ran Midnote LPF (?) ICS for quite some time and then tried to decrease my DPI. Unfortunately, this resulted in a bootloop, and I tried to fix it by factory reset. Whoop-de-doo. I cancelled it mid way though, if I remember correctly.
8 hours later I got my hands on a computer and tried flashing a firmware with pc-odin. Didn't work. Here's where I've gotten so far:
Flashing PIT and CWM based recovery v5.0.2.7
Flashing Kingdroid ICS Via CWM based recovery or AbyssNote causes phone to reboot at "Flashing /system"
Trying to flash stock GB via Odin hangs at "factoryfs.img"
Tried to reflash bootloader, no help.
Currently trying out flashing GB rom via CWM recovery.
I need quick help as I am going to a Battle-excercise for two weeks tomorrow and I'd really appreciate have my GNote working by that time..
Thank you very much in advance
EDIT: I can confirm that the partinioning guide in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=26285877&postcount=12 IS INDEED an effective guide to un-superbrick. The guide can be very intimidating for beginners, so bear that in mind. I ran into a faulty partition on the UMS folder, and repositioning it did the trick. Then I just rebooted recovery and installed KingDroid 7.0 GB and it opened like a charm.

Big chance you have a superbrick now, sending it to Samsung repair center is the only option. Search for "superbrick" in this forum. You'll find my name also
I had to send in my device and probably get it back on wednesday...with a new mainboard. On my device a recovery always ended at /system and a pc odin reflash always stopped at factoryfs.img
The last option without sending in your device is following a few threads here. Some posters were talking about a possible solution.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=26285877&postcount=12
Posibly meaning this.. I am trying to run this through and will post results.

Yep, that's one of the posts. This was way too complicated for me.
I've send my Note to a samsung service center and they repaired it without any costs. I only reset the binary counter to zero and (partly...because of factoryfs.img) flashed a stock rom before sending the device.

Morality said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=26285877&postcount=12
Posibly meaning this.. I am trying to run this through and will post results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a superbrick. Unless you are willing to go through the partitioning experience, I recommend sending it back.

joe2316 said:
Sounds like a superbrick. Unless you are willing to go through the partitioning experience, I recommend sending it back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not gonna lie, It was a scary as **** experience. Currently trying to install.. well.. anything.
oh
my
GOD
ITS ALIVE OH MY GOD ITS ALIVE...
the guide worked.. But definately not recommended for beginners, as the dos prompt might be quite intimidating. but the thing definately works.
I found a bad partition from UMS and just relocated it a bit. I think I lost 3gb of space (not sure, will check on that), and unfortunately it formats your INTERNAL sdcard, as i backuped my external one.. BUT WHATEVER
JESUS CHRIST IT WORKED. After following the guide, recovery needed to be rebooted and then I just installed Kingdroid 7.0 GB. The only problem that appeared was that the Samsung Logo screen lasted longer than usually when flashing new firmware. Will update OP.

What did I do wrong? N7000 bricked.

Good evening!
I've around with Androids for quite some time, and today, I finally got my N7000 to replace my I9100.
I've played around quite a lot with my I9100 and was happy with the CM9 nightlies for it.
I got my N7000 today and did the following:
1. Rooted it with this method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1501719t=1501719
2. Decided to install the latest CM9 nightly. I booted the same CWM from the tutorial above, chose install zip from SD card and... It hang. I left it for about 5 minutes and nada, nothing. I decided to shut if off and...
3. Nada. Black screen, no recovery, no battery charging, no download mode, no nada, nothing. Dead!
I'll take it this week to the nearest Samsung repair center and check how much it's gonna cost to get it fixed (if they can get it fixed at all). I don't intend to use any warranty whatsoever since I know even tough I have not voided the warranty flashing a different kernel, I did messing with it.
I just wish to know what was my mistake, so I do not do it again in the future. AFAIK I did not mess with the bootloader, so I was supposed to be safe, right?
Do I have ANY hope of getting it resurrected?
Any opinion helps!
Thanks!

marcelo.ellmann said:
Good evening!
I've around with Androids for quite some time, and today, I finally got my N7000 to replace my I9100.
I've played around quite a lot with my I9100 and was happy with the CM9 nightlies for it.
I got my N7000 today and did the following:
1. Rooted it with this method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1501719t=1501719
2. Decided to install the latest CM9 nightly. I booted the same CWM from the tutorial above, chose install zip from SD card and... It hang. I left it for about 5 minutes and nada, nothing. I decided to shut if off and...
3. Nada. Black screen, no recovery, no battery charging, no download mode, no nada, nothing. Dead!
I'll take it this week to the nearest Samsung repair center and check how much it's gonna cost to get it fixed (if they can get it fixed at all). I don't intend to use any warranty whatsoever since I know even tough I have not voided the warranty flashing a different kernel, I did messing with it.
I just wish to know what was my mistake, so I do not do it again in the future. AFAIK I did not mess with the bootloader, so I was supposed to be safe, right?
Do I have ANY hope of getting it resurrected?
Any opinion helps!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ALWAYS flash a GB Kernel or ROM BEFORE flashing a CUSTOM ICS ROM.

Okay. Lesson learned, trust me.
Now here's the part where I feel very stupid: what's a GB kernel? Why is that a requirement for ICS ROMs? Was it not for Gingergread ROMs?
And now here's the second part where I feel even stupidier: doesn't the kernel reside on the ROM/OS part of Android? Why would the kernel, which comes AFTER the bootloader, affect the boot of the Android? Wouldn't it just screw my phone, but wouldn't it still give me the chance of flashing another ROM?
Thanks for the help.

marcelo.ellmann said:
Okay. Lesson learned, trust me.
Now here's the part where I feel very stupid: what's a GB kernel? Why is that a requirement for ICS ROMs? Was it not for Gingergread ROMs?
And now here's the second part where I feel even stupidier: doesn't the kernel reside on the ROM/OS part of Android? Why would the kernel, which comes AFTER the bootloader, affect the boot of the Android? Wouldn't it just screw my phone, but wouldn't it still give me the chance of flashing another ROM?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because of an eMMC brick bug!
Anyways to round up, my way of flashing ROMS is flashing a GB Kernel called Abyss 4.2 and then reboot recovery, from then I wipe everything then flash any custom ICS Roms. I've had my Note for almost a week now and found no problems in flashing! But it did take me 2hrs to root doing heavy research but it paid off!
The guide I followed is from here take a few moments to read and understand then you will have no troubles in rooting/flashing again!

hing98 said:
Because ICS has not been officially released on the Galaxy Notes therefore we use a GB Kernel or ROM before we flash any custom ICS ROM.
Yes it was confusing at the start but to avoid bricking you must alwaysfollow the guides given by the Developer!
Anyways to round up, my way of flashing ROMS is flashing a GB Kernel called Abyss 4.2 and then reboot recovery, from then I wipe everything then flash any custom ICS Roms. I've had my Note for almost a week now and found no problems in flashing! But it did take me 2hrs to root doing heavy research but it paid off!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may want to recheck your facts....ICS has actually been officially released in many countries......
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

stoney73 said:
You may want to recheck your facts....ICS has actually been officially released in many countries......
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry was reading from another guide. Your right
---------- Post added at 01:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:23 PM ----------
hing98 said:
Sorry was reading from another guide. Your right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyways its a bug that bricks your device,
you can find more information here
Cheers

I had a galaxy S where flashing process was different Wen u flash CM9 roms and if you want to get back to GB roms only way out was PC Odin and moreover you can wipe on ICS roms and install other roms. But wen i got the note the procedure was slightly different Brickin problems and moreover wen you are in ICS you can get back to GB with GB kernel only no need for PC odin. Just keep a copy of Abyss kernel 4.2 in your sd card and be sure to flash it when changing roms.....

Doesn't Franco rev3+ solve the brick bug?
Hi all,
since you're saying we have *always* to flash a GB kernel before having a factory reset, are you talking about those having the CF/Stock kernel?
I'll make it clear: as far as I know, Franco made a kernel that should avoid the brickage since its 3rd version (thread here --> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1491428). Who installed this kernel could just wipe from ICS and install any ICS ROM. Am I wrong? If so, please explain the whys.

UNBRICKED!
I too bricked my phone but after reading this guide (ABD wouldn't recognise my device so I couldn't follow it) I understood the partitions had become messed up.
I read somewhere about the PIT files.
I ODINed the ABYSS Kernal and PIT (Q1_20110914_16GB-patched) for my 16gb n7000 ticked the repartition box. It booted into CWM recovery and I used the restore and bingo.

Can my Galaxy Note be saved?

Hey guys,
First of all, I'm new to this, so please bear with me. To cut a long story short, I attempted to install the CyanogenMod RC on my Galaxy Note N7000 today. I followed the instructions I found on the web somewhere (can't remember of it was XDA) and after attempting to wipe my device from the ClockwordMod, I appear to have bricked it.
My Note no longer gets passed the startup screen. I've tried everything I can to revive it, and I've been searching XDA all day for a solution, with little success. I've tried flashing a number of kernels, and a number of ROMs, including stock GB and stock ICS. I can still get into both Download and Recovery mode (which I'm hoping is a good sign) but when I try to flash a ROM with Odin, it gets stuck on the "factoryfs" stage.
I've tried flashing the PIT repartition file at least four or five times, but that doesn't seem to be helping at all.
Does anyone have any other ideas? I'd really just like to get back to stock ICS. I just fancied playing around with CyanogenMod for a bit, but I wish I hadn't tried. Thanks in advance for any help!

Were you on stock ICS when you did the wipe ?

Akiainavas said:
Were you on stock ICS when you did the wipe ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, downloaded via Kies.

I think you have fallen victim to the infamous eMMC "superbrick". Contact Samsung, they are well aware of this problem and will surely replace it for you as it's plaguing devices running their stock ICS. The problem is with their kernel and the eMMC chip to it doesnt even matter what were you trying to do.
When they do replace it - first, flash a GB rom via Odin, and then install CM9. CM9 kernel is safe and superbrick bug free. Whatever you do - never try doing a wipe/factory reset on stock Samsung ICS rom.

Akiainavas said:
I think you have fallen victim to the infamous eMMC "superbrick". Contact Samsung, they are well aware of this problem and will surely replace it for you as it's plaguing stock ICS devices. The problem is with their kernel and the eMMC chip to it doesnt even matter what were you trying to do.
When they do replace it - first, flash a GB rom via Odin, and then install CM9. CM9 kernel is safe and superbrick bug free. Whatever you do - never try doing a wipe/factory reset on stock Samsung ICS rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I feared that was the case. The problem is, I now have the yellow warning triangle on bootup, and my "binary count" has increased to 9. Does this mean Samsung won't replace it?
if that's the case, is there any way to reset the binary count and remove the triangle in its current state?

You might try resetting the counter with a jig. I don't know if it will work in its state, but you may not have much to lose.
Sent from a guy on a buffalOOooo.

Generally - USB Jig is the only way to reset it on a bricked device.
There is one way other way though:
http://www.mediafire.com/?5bmrc6cf81w5mya
This kernel is supposed to reset binary counter, and many users reported that it actually did the trick - mind that this kernel also causes hard brick. It's a last effort for people whose devices are already bricked.
You nees to flash it via Odin, disconnect and go into recovery. At first boot you will still see the triangle - in the recovery, select reboot. Now the triangle should disappead, and binary counter should be set to "no".
Remember that this kernel causes a hard brick. Use it only if your device is already bricked and you intend to send it to Samsung. It will work only on ICS devices.

Akiainavas said:
Generally - USB Jig is the only way to reset it.
There is one way other way though:
http://www.mediafire.com/?5bmrc6cf81w5mya
This kernel is supposed to reset binary counter, and many users reported that it actually did the trick - mind that this kernel also causes hard brick. It's a last effort for people whose devices are already bricked.
You nees to flash it via Odin, disconnect and go into recovery. At first boot you will still see the triangle - in the recovery, select reboot. Now the triangle should disappead, and binary counter should be set to "no".
Remember that this kernel causes a hard brick. Use it only if your device is already bricked and you intend to send it to Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for your help. I really appreciate it.
So do you think it's worth contacting Samsung first - before trying to reset the binary - or do you think they'll refuse to replace it once they know I tried flashing an unsupported ROM?
Thanks again!

I think you might try contacting them first, just ask all the info you need without giving them the serial numbers - before you send the phone in. They might replace it anyway - they know very well it happens because of their defective kernel/emmc chip. Although i'm afraid they might find out and refuse to fix it for free.
If they turn you down, then flash the kernel and contact them again. If you're going to do it in person and they refuse cause they "remembered you" ( shocking, but it happens... ) then simply get a friend or family to bring them your phone.
Just say that Kies messed up your phone - they'll know what the problem is
Hope they'll get it fixed for you. Let us know how it went.

Akiainavas said:
I think you might try contacting them first, just ask all the info you need without giving them the serial numbers. They might replace it anyway - they know very well it happens because of their defective kernel/emmc chip.
If they turn you down, then flash the kernel and contact them again. If you're going to do it in person and they refuse cause they "remembered you" ( shocking, but it happens... ) then simply get a friend or family to bring them your phone.
Just say that Kies messed up your phone - they'll know what the problem is
Hope they'll get it fixed for you. Let us know how it went.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I'll do that. Thanks again for all the info! I'll let you know how I get on.

kill.i.an said:
Hey guys,
First of all, I'm new to this, so please bear with me. To cut a long story short, I attempted to install the CyanogenMod RC on my Galaxy Note N7000 today. I followed the instructions I found on the web somewhere (can't remember of it was XDA) and after attempting to wipe my device from the ClockwordMod, I appear to have bricked it.
My Note no longer gets passed the startup screen. I've tried everything I can to revive it, and I've been searching XDA all day for a solution, with little success. I've tried flashing a number of kernels, and a number of ROMs, including stock GB and stock ICS. I can still get into both Download and Recovery mode (which I'm hoping is a good sign) but when I try to flash a ROM with Odin, it gets stuck on the "factoryfs" stage.
I've tried flashing the PIT repartition file at least four or five times, but that doesn't seem to be helping at all.
Does anyone have any other ideas? I'd really just like to get back to stock ICS. I just fancied playing around with CyanogenMod for a bit, but I wish I hadn't tried. Thanks in advance for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may also try manual/adb repartition method described in here to revise your phone. cheers.

kill.i.an said:
Hey guys,
First of all, I'm new to this, so please bear with me. To cut a long story short, I attempted to install the CyanogenMod RC on my Galaxy Note N7000 today. I followed the instructions I found on the web somewhere (can't remember of it was XDA) and after attempting to wipe my device from the ClockwordMod, I appear to have bricked it.
My Note no longer gets passed the startup screen. I've tried everything I can to revive it, and I've been searching XDA all day for a solution, with little success. I've tried flashing a number of kernels, and a number of ROMs, including stock GB and stock ICS. I can still get into both Download and Recovery mode (which I'm hoping is a good sign) but when I try to flash a ROM with Odin, it gets stuck on the "factoryfs" stage.
I've tried flashing the PIT repartition file at least four or five times, but that doesn't seem to be helping at all.
Does anyone have any other ideas? I'd really just like to get back to stock ICS. I just fancied playing around with CyanogenMod for a bit, but I wish I hadn't tried. Thanks in advance for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IF U CAN GET INTO RECOVERY UR NOT BRICKED OR SUPER BRICK TRUST ME I HAVE A NOTE HERE THATS BRICKED...IF INDEED ITS BRICKED U CANT GET IN ****!!! u just soft bricked it...flash stock recovery b4 tar or what ever it is
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium

forest1971 said:
You may also try manual/adb repartition method described in here to revise your phone. cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!

JB calhoun said:
IF U CAN GET INTO RECOVERY UR NOT BRICKED OR SUPER BRICK TRUST ME I HAVE A NOTE HERE THATS BRICKED...IF INDEED ITS BRICKED U CANT GET IN ****!!! u just soft bricked it...flash stock recovery b4 tar or what ever it is
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock recovery? Where would I find that?
The problem is, I cannot flash any ROM. It just hangs during the "factoryfs" process in Odin. When I try to install stuff via ClockworkMod recovery, it fails. Sometimes I get an error like "cannot mount (or access) /system."

JB calhoun said:
IF U CAN GET INTO RECOVERY UR NOT BRICKED OR SUPER BRICK TRUST ME I HAVE A NOTE HERE THATS BRICKED...IF INDEED ITS BRICKED U CANT GET IN ****!!! u just soft bricked it...flash stock recovery b4 tar or what ever it is
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true I'm afraid...
If you've damaged the eMMC chip:
- You can still get into recovery.
- You can still get into download mode.
If you did a factory reset on stock ICS kernel and can't flash "factoryfs" data because Odin gets stuck at this point, and repartitioning does not help - that's the "superbrick".
It happens because using data wipe on stock ICS kernel runs a format procedure which damages Note's defective eMMC chip. If it happened, repartitioning won't help as parts of the storage are corrupted and Odin simply cannot put data there. I seriosusly don't know how could Samsung not see that the format command introduced in ICS ( it was not present in GB, that's why GB kernels are safe ) damages the chip... didn't they test the software at all ?
Take a look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28048062
This guy managed to recover his device, but what he's left with is Note with 3-4GB less storage, and remember that once the eMMC chip is damaged, it will never be completely reliable again.
Here's a guide on how to revive superbricked Note. Bear in mind it might not work though:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=26285877&postcount=12
It's still best to try and get it replaced though. If Samsung won't replace it for free - then try reviving it.

Akiainavas said:
Not true.
If you've damaged the eMMC chip:
You can still get into recovery.
You can still get into download mode.
If you did a factory reset on stock ICS kernel and can't flash "factoryfs" data because Odin gets stuck at this point, and repartitioning does not help - that's the "superbrick".
It happens because using data wipe on stock ICS kernel runs a format procedure which damages Note's defective eMMC chip. If it happened, repartitioning won't help as parts of the storage are corrupted and Odin simply cannot put data there.
Take a look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28048062
This guy managed to recover his device, but what he's left with is Note with 3-4GB less storage, and remember that once the eMMC chip is damaged, it will never be completely reliable again.
Here's a guide on how to revive superbricked Note. Bear in mind it might not work though:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=26285877&postcount=12
It's still best to try and get it replaced though. If Samsung won't replace it for free - then try reviving it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm certainly going to speak to Samsung over the next few days. I'm going to wait a little while for my JIG to arrive and try to remove the binary count, then I'll give them a call. I don't see how they can refuse to replace it really —*it is their software that caused this (I think).
Keeping my fingers crossed.
Thanks for all the advice, guys.

kill.i.an said:
Yeah, I'm certainly going to speak to Samsung over the next few days. I'm going to wait a little while for my JIG to arrive and try to remove the binary count, then I'll give them a call. I don't see how they can refuse to replace it really —*it is their software that caused this (I think).
Keeping my fingers crossed.
Thanks for all the advice, guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JIG is probably the best thing to do. Clear the counter, get rid of triangle and send it in. As you said - it's Samsung's kernel that causes this, and they know it.
Good luck mate.

Okay, here's a surprise: Because I can still enter download and recovery mode, I decided I would try to reset the binary counter before my JIG gets here. So I downloaded the kernel from another thread, and it worked perfect. I then tried to flash the stock ICS ROM so that there was no evidence of another one, and this time it didn't get stuck on "factoryfm" in Odin.
So I now have a working Galaxy Note. I have no idea how that happened (maybe the PIT I flashed earlier kicked in), but it's working.
Now the question is, do I attempt to install CyanogenMod again, or should I just stick to a working Galaxy Note and be happy?

Stay with what you have.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

kill.i.an said:
Okay, here's a surprise: Because I can still enter download and recovery mode, I decided I would try to reset the binary counter before my JIG gets here. So I downloaded the kernel from another thread, and it worked perfect. I then tried to flash the stock ICS ROM so that there was no evidence of another one, and this time it didn't get stuck on "factoryfm" in Odin.
So I now have a working Galaxy Note. I have no idea how that happened (maybe the PIT I flashed earlier kicked in), but it's working.
Now the question is, do I attempt to install CyanogenMod again, or should I just stick to a working Galaxy Note and be happy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much capacity do you have on your internal storage? If it is less than 11GB you may have a damaged chip and just managed to unbrick it.
I think if you can flash GB with Odin you should be fine, and once you get to GB everything is (relatively) safe.
I had a similar problem when I was trying to flash GB from stock ICS using odin, it stuck at FactoryFS and I thought I had superbricked it, but it turns out I was using a dodgy USB cable and using a good USB cable I managed to flash GB again and recover it, and now I am using CM9 - Never going back to stock ICS after this.

[Q] N7000 emmc bricked can now only run GB

Hi,
I was quite happily running ICS4.0.4 (rooted) when I decided to try a different ROM (and/or JB - can't even remember any more).
After I did a wipe (I know, I know!!!) it got stuck on the boot logo screen.
I had the phone fixed by a 3rd-party repair shop, who installed ICS4.0.3 on it and, while at the shop, I used the phone a bit to make sure it was ok.
It kept crashing intermittently, so they had another go at it and now they tell me they could only install GB on it.
So, keeping in mind that the phone had the emmc bug and I tripped over it:
Is there anyway I can install ICS again on it?
I could use some of the tools floating around to detect damaged partition blocks and work around them.
What procedure should I use to go from a stock GB (non-root) to ICS?
Specifically,
- is there a safe way to root GB (given the emmc damage already), so that I can flash the other ROM/kernels (below)
- what kernel should I use
- what ROM should I use
I would greatly appreciate any help on this. I have been eating humble pie for a week now, so I hope there is no more 'why didn't you pay attention' coming my way
Cheers

You could use hydracore kernel which works with all GB and ICS ROMs and JB none Tw ROMs I be leave you can flash with PC odin to gain root and is a safe kernel
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA Premium HD app

ttibbetts83 said:
You could use hydracore kernel which works with all GB and ICS ROMs and JB none Tw ROMs I be leave you can flash with PC odin to gain root and is a safe kernel
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ttibbetts83, I will try that and see how i go

Thanks Arobase40.
I'll get a strong coffee and read your reply from top to bottom and then plan my next move.
The repair was done by people unrelated to Samsung.
I currently have GB v2.3.5, (SGN_XX_OXA_KJ1_FACTORYFS) which works well, it would seem.
I'd love to get ICS back on it but need to gather info (such as that from yourself) before I do anything.
A bit more info on the state of the emmc storage: Using 'adb shell' and executing the command DD did in fact find bad blocks in partitions 9-11 (can't recall right now exactly which ones), so there are issues there.
The partition that is in place now, __appears__ to have successfully skipped those bad blocks.
And on something slightly tangential to the current topic, I know that doing a 'WIPE DATA' from the recovery menu zaps emmc, but does that also happen when you do a factory reset from within Android? From memory, when doing so, it seems to go into recovery mode and do it, so I'd expect that it'd also damage emmc.
Cheers

arobase said:
As opposed to all alarmist and contradictory posts about eMMC bug on stock Samsung ROM : GB or ICS, I never got any issues with this so called eMMC bug and never got bricked G-Note as long as I kept at using the stock kernel, nevertheless I made various and numerous wipe whichever the ways (from recovery or the settings)...
For rooting, I always used the temporary Touch CWM to flash (which has been may be removed from XDA, I guess as it was supposed to cause bricked devices) anything : superuser, busybox, and other custom ROM... ^^
BUT when I flash a custom ROM, I always removed the custom kernel (so called "safe"), and replace it for a stock kernel and never got issues with it.
The first and last time I flashed a custom with custom kernel I got my G-Note bricked (just forgot the replace the custom kernel for a stock one... ^^) !!!
So, if you want to flash an ICS version, get one from Sammobile, and flash it with PC Odin !
You shouldn't have any problem with them !!!
Get all root and busybox files from dr Ketan, and if you can find it again use the temporary Touch CWM which has NO kernel inside : it WORKS quite fine !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately there are no high trees on XDA beause you should look for one before typing this utter personal nonsense that could brick anybody's Gnote.
Taking your own convictions for thruth is one thing, sending innocent ppl into the jungle is another...
What you are saying is: If there is a lightning storm, just go into an open field en enjoy. I cannot say it is 100% safe, but I never got struck....I think they removed the tree i used to seek shelter from the rain, but if you search real hard you might find it anyway.
---------- Post added at 10:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 AM ----------
amanmasgaman said:
Hi,
I was quite happily running ICS4.0.4 (rooted) when I decided to try a different ROM (and/or JB - can't even remember any more).
After I did a wipe (I know, I know!!!) it got stuck on the boot logo screen.
I had the phone fixed by a 3rd-party repair shop, who installed ICS4.0.3 on it and, while at the shop, I used the phone a bit to make sure it was ok.
It kept crashing intermittently, so they had another go at it and now they tell me they could only install GB on it.
So, keeping in mind that the phone had the emmc bug and I tripped over it:
Is there anyway I can install ICS again on it?
I could use some of the tools floating around to detect damaged partition blocks and work around them.
What procedure should I use to go from a stock GB (non-root) to ICS?
Specifically,
- is there a safe way to root GB (given the emmc damage already), so that I can flash the other ROM/kernels (below)
- what kernel should I use
- what ROM should I use
I would greatly appreciate any help on this. I have been eating humble pie for a week now, so I hope there is no more 'why didn't you pay attention' coming my way
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually you should be happy that they revived your Note after brick even if it's only running GB for now.
However if you are a brave person you can do the same trick on ICS.
Just read and understand the thread that is a guide on doing so.
You can root your GB without a problem, but there is no obligation for it to install ICS with odin.
However what you do need is the following (besides a lot of patience and courage) :
1. get the ICS files you want to flash including the pit file.
2. get a program called PIT MAGIC to recreate a suitable pit file
3. determine where your bad blocks are located
4. Load the pit file into the magic program and alter the stock pit file
with the values needed to ommit your bad emmc area
5. save it and then flash your note in odin with your newly created pit file and repartition ticked.

@OP: could you please check your internal storage capacity? Is it aroung 8GB?

Arobase we are not going to rediscuss this matter for another 556643 pages.
Just ask yourself : if there was no problem then why did samsung patch their JB kernels for it. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=34933643&postcount=683
Also nobody asks you to reconsider your own experience and beliefs, but the day someone follows your instructions and bricks his phone, are you going to pay for a new motherboard ?
I'll stop this discussion here, and just hope nobody will get struck under the tree.

[Q] In light of the eMMC bug, is the N7000 still worth getting?

Hi All,
Just curious how serious the eMMC bug is, and whether the N7000 is still worth getting??
1) Is the bug only present in ICS Roms, with unsafe kernels?
2) Is the phone safe using any of the GB or JB Roms, assuming it is only ICS thats at fault with the chip?
3) I've heard CWM is also dangerous to use, is there a certain one/version to use? (namely, Philz?)
4) How do you prepare the phone from ROM flash? All other Android devices I use to do Factory Reset Wipe in CWM, followed by wiping System and the Cache section. What can I do now, or cant I do... for fear of bricking?
5) Is this App [GalaxSim Unlock, by spocky] ok to unlock, does it work or can it be dangerous in light of eMMC? Or should I get a carrier unlock?
6) If using this phone normally, normal Apps... Is there a risk to bricking if the App write to write to the internal storage?? (such as saving files/settings) or is only if you attempt to wipe it?
7) Whats the absolute do's and DONT's with this device, like to stay away from....
I'm really keen to buy it, but dont want to end up with a BRICK through a silly mistake....
- sorry for all the questions, just really confused by whats ok and whats not...
Thanks, Lister

Emmc brick bug was there in ICS for sure but it is not worth trying on JB as it is no fun to see if the device gets bricked or not.
You can use GB (which has safe kernel) you can do the wipes. ICS and JB there are many custom kernel which are brick bug safe, meaning that it would not brick your phone if you have these kernel (say Philz for example) which also give you CWM and you can do wipes as many times you want without the risk of getting bricked. Philz kernel is available for all the versions.
For how to flash stock rom and list of stock roms use this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1424997
i dont have any idea about unlock, you may wait for someone to respond to that.
when using the phone normally there is no risk of brick.
Dont wipe the device on stock recovery and you are safe, to be safer always use Philz kernel. if you want to claim warranty at any time you can always flash stock rom again.

Own a note for 5 months now and this device is as good as any for the flashing of ROMs and kernels. So this is surely a safe buy. The PhilZ kernel is not particularly what i am fond of as it caused problems for the flashing of certain ROMs as the recovery is CWM based and not CWM recovery. And i do not have any info about the unlock app

Hi Treacherous_Hawk and Varad297,
Thank you both for your comments and suggestions, all this info I am picking up is very useful for me... As I may of said above, but have certainly said in other places across this board (and other sites). I'm fairly ok/confidant when it comes to Android, and the other Android hardware in my collection. (ZTE Blade, HP Touchpad, and MK802-II) Dont suffer from any kinda serious bug, and are brick free, they will never die... But I must admit, I am a little scared of this eMMC bug in N7000.
So thanks for putting my mind at rest....
If / When I do get this phone (through a mate of a mate), in October when her contract runs out. Will be locked to Vodafone UK, and I am T-Mobile UK, and I believe its currently running on Android 4.1.2 JB Stock.
However I want to flash the P.A.C. Rom to it straight away, as I have this on my ZTE Blade and HP Touchpad and love it...
So whats the best way to do it...??
1) Download Philz Recovery (and which version would I need, being that the rom its on is 4.1.2, and the rom I'll be taking it too is 4.2.2)
- I assume I copy this to SD Card, and flash in Stock Recovery, via going to Download Mode
2) What steps would I follow to clear of current rom? What wipes are safe, or are they all safe with Philz? Normally I do Factory Data wipe, and then System and Cache...
- Are these fine under Philz recovery? As from above two comments... First reply says its safe to do so, second reply says its dangerous... Just really scared about this bug, cant believe Sammy released a device like that...
3) I assume I flash it in Philz CWM, rather than ODIN? Do I need to re-flash a kernel straight after or is the one in P.A.C. (4.2.2) safe from bug?
4) I think the ROM is pre-rooted, but what should I do in case its not? Use ODIN or is there an easier method?
I assume flashing the above rom, via the above method (Philz CWM) will then result in the Yellow Triangle, and bump the count upto 1? So do I just use Triangle Away to clear and reset this, and this is again safe of bricking???
Thanks, Lister

Dude dont panic.
P.A.C. Rom is rooted and does not trigger the emmc bug.
Safe way from stock is as follows:
1.
!DO NOT WIPE ANYTHING ON STOCK!
2.
Get philz kernel for your stock version.
there are packages for flashing with either ODIN which involves connectiong a Computer or with Stock Recovery, which does not involve a computer.
The latter, which is simpler is simply a file on SD you can flash through stock recovery (when off press power+home+volup), it wont even void your warranty.
That provides you with a CWM like recovery from which you can wipe or flash other roms WITHOUT triggering the brickbug.
3.
Get your favourite Rom and flash it through cwm recovery.
BTW: Almost everyone who releases for N7000 puts something in the description that says if the rom is bricksafe.
All newer AOSP/CM based roms should be bricksafe.
Most of the customized Touchwiz Roms are also bricksafe, but watch their thread to be sure.
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EDIT:
IMO if you get the Note 1 for free or cheap its well worth getting. If you plan to buy one rather look for the Note 2 because I feel that it is better supported and has better customisation diversity.
Or if I ask myself what my next phone will be... dunno. Maybe a Nexus or Xperia Z or HTC? I cant seem to find the perfectly blended device. Might go with Jolla Sailfish device if it proves usable.
EDIT 2:
I think someone should sticky this as a simple guide for this. Also the existing stickies really need a cleanup to not confuse people with too much information out of differing times.
Does XDA pay moderators? I'd happily clean stickies and test stuff all day. (I'd also assume a neutral persona/state of mind for such activity.)

Hi Illidan Pornrage,
Thank you so much for going into great detail of the steps I need to follow, I'm starting to feel more comfortable at doing and using this now... So any ROM that says they are Brick free means there is no way to trigger it?? Not that I have ever done this, maybe when I first got my Android back in 2010 just to see what it was like... If I did Factory Data Reset in P.A.C. Rom it wont trigger the eMMC bug? (not that Im likely to ever use it... just making sure).
And with Philz CWM Recovery, I can use the Wipe Data/Factory Reset and then goto other screen and wipe the System partition, and the Cache and Davlik Cache with it all being ok... its 100% safe in Philz Recovery to not brick it??
I am so use to CWM on other devices, I am scared of using the wrong selection on the famous N7000 eMMC brick bug... lol
But with the other steps, thank you so much, such a HUGE HELP!!! and I am sure that will put other new (to N7000) users minds at rest...
-- So useful that ya know the above ROM too, as it makes it even easier/safer for me knowing all is gonna be ok with it...
Cant wait to get ROMing now... Just gotta wait till October... b*gger!! lol
Cheers, Lister

If I did Factory Data Reset in P.A.C. Rom it wont trigger the eMMC bug? Yes as often as you like. I flash cm nightlies, so I wipe very often.
And my window manager somehow always loses focus of the textbox. So I write half posts and have to edit 346243 times. Sorry.
And with Philz CWM Recovery, I can use the Wipe Data/Factory Reset and then goto other screen and wipe the System partition, and the Cache and Davlik Cache with it all being ok... its 100% safe in Philz Recovery to not brick it??
Also yes.
As for 100%. I cant assure you that nothing obscure that only happens 1 in a million times happens. But the menchanism that triggers the great evil bug is removed from philz and the mentioned roms.

Phewwww..... so this eMMC bug is no big deal then....
Only an issue if you stay on stock firmwares really, esp that of ICS??
Well thats made me feel a whole lot safer and more determined to want to get it. Had my hopes set on getting it, and then when I heard about the eMMC bug, thought is this gonna be a wise purchase or will I be spending the best part of £150 (dont know the final price yet) on a very large and heavy paper weight!! lol
Thanks so much for putting my mind at rest, great help...

Hi Illidan Pornrage,
I've only just seen/noticed your updates to my original questions, thanks for the updates.... Re: Why am I going for just the Note 1 rather than the Note 2. Is that someone a know (mate of a mate) will be upgrading her phone (she prolly gonna go back to Apple... boooo) and so hopefully she will be parting with her Note (and cheaply I hope, esp re the bug... a-haaaa)
- and couldnt agree more about tidying up the Stickies, as yes a lot of it is out of date, hence my asking and checking... To which you fully re-assured me of the steps, so think this would be useful to all...
Just to add to this, which Philz Kernel would I need??
Phone: Galaxy Note 1 / N7000
Network: Vodafone UK
Current OS: Android 4.1.2 JB Stock
Planned OS to update Too: P.A.C. 22:30 (Android 4.2.2)
So not sure what Kernel I would need from the below link, and if so, can you explain why I need THIS one? What do I need to look for in a kernel?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1901191
Also, can anyone confirm if they have a UK Note 1 on contract (esp Vodafone) as I am hearing the contract ones are unlocked by default. Its only PAYG that are locked down....
thanks, Lister

Hi Illidan Pornrage / Guys,
As per my above post, any idea what Kernel I need based on the above details...??
Thanks, Lister