SOLVED: SP Gravely Ill: Suffered heart attack (vibrates 3 times) - Xperia SP Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I am posting this update in aid of future Xperia owners:
Problem: I seemed to have experienced the infamous Xperia "Red Light of Death". Phone vibrated 3 times continuously when charged. Screen never came on. Led was only ever RED, and only came on sometimes, sometimes solid, sometimes blinking twice. Computers were not recognizing the Xperia. Neither volume UP or DOWN button presses were ever recognized by any software on either the Win 7 or Win XP installations. However, on a couple of occasions, both computers recognized there was a device on the USB when doing a reset (reset + power). This caused them to try to install drivers. But the drivers, if installed, did not successfully allow any of the software tools to recognize the phone. Nor was the phone recognized in Device Manager, when connected, even when the UP or other buttons were pressed at connection time.
I asked for assistance on 4 or 5 of the net's biggest android forums on this... none came. So I was quickly giving up hope on the Xperia, since it seemed like there was nothing else to do. It might have taken water for all I know, when it was not in my hands, and the mobo might be quiched.
Solution: The phone is charging right now, the screen and color LEDs work fine, the original system is fully intact, and I did not need to reflash a new ROM or anything. However, I'm not exactly sure how I resolved the problem. I'll go through *some* of the steps that preceded this breakthrough. The breakthrough may (or may not) be due Sony's "PC Companion". This is an older version of what Sony now calls "Xperia Companion" (which did nothing good for me, so I went with the older software). "PC Companion" was also useless to me, since it kept insisting on not working unless you allow a connection for it to update itself. But the update always failed, with no clue as to why, despite a/v & firewall disabled. I found a comment where one user said he was able to do a bit more with PCC, once internet was disabled. So I tried that, and yeah, I could at least convince PC Companion to see if it could recognize the phone once the internet was disabled. But just like Flashtools, adb, the Sony Xperia SP drivers and all the other tools, it didn't recognize the phone was plugged in. At least, not the first few times I tried it, using various button combinations. (Up, Down & Reset/Power). Finally, I got a blue light and the PC (Win XP install) started loading drivers for the device.
I'm just not sure what triggered the change. Was it a reset/power combo operation? Was it a slight shift in the motherboard or USB connector that did it? Was it due to (the THIRD install of) PC Companion, or it would have happened with other software eventually? Its hard to say. I think these things contributed to the solution: PC Companion, the reset/power combo press, and just a lot of perseverance, most importantly. (3 days working at it in my case!). If you get this same problem with your Xperia, good luck to you.
(Trust me. You'll need it).
Lent my Sony Xperia SP (C5306) to someone, and it came back in a state where it vibrates 3 times when powering on or charging (it stops vibrating after a while, then starts again). And it won't boot or show anything on the screen, and only a RED led light comes on occasionally. So now I'm stuck on trying to flash a stock ROM on a Win7 system, using Flashtool 0.9.18.6, after installing the Flashtool drivers for "Flashmode" and the SP model, and PC Companion (PC Companion didn't fully install, because it demands updating, and fails on the update -- despite no antivirus installed, and the Windows firewall set to "enable all'). So now my problem is Flashtool won't recognize the phone on the "Please connect your device into flashmode" step, when I press Volume Down before reconnecting the USB cable. I've even tried taking the battery out for a few minutes, no dice.
At a certain point, after hitting the reset button and other buttons, Windows finally recognized there was a phone connected, and automatically installed USB drivers. Yet despite this, Flashtool still wouldn't flash the ROM. I do get 1 error in red saying "ROOT: THIS BUNDLE IS NOT VALID". Presuming this refers to the ROM, I made sure it specified it was for my model (C5306) and its even from the original carrier (Bell). In any case, it still goes beyond that error and proceeds to prepare the files for flashing.
So I'm not entirely sure what's preventing Flashtool from recognizing the phone, since it could be many things. My best guess is the soft or hard brick condition its in: since you can't power down the phone properly, and removing the battery is apparently not the same thing, its not getting to the trigger point that activates Flashtool's flashing. I'm right now trying the "rubberband trick". The idea is to keep the Volume down button depressed with a rubber band, and eventually, the battery wears down and maybe Flashtool recognizes it when it bootloops. I don't get that though, since Flashtool requires you plug the phone in via USB. And if its plugged in via USB, the battery should not ever run down, since its being charged by the USB port.
The phone was rooted, and IIRC, I think my bootloader is locked, so let's assume that. Can anyone help me along on this?

A few days ago, my Sony Xperia SP also could not start up and would keep on vibrating when connected to mains powered charger or USB port of PC. I just wish to record here my experience, hoping it will help some Xperia SP owners facing similar problems.
I tried various suggestions found in various forums but without success, gave up and bought a new phone. The very next day I did a final try. I charged it for around an hour just before I sleep and disconnected it when it was still vibrating. Next morning (yesterday), I pressed the Reset button (marked "OFF" on the back of the set with back cover removed), each lasting about 8-10 seconds. I did not felt any vibration. Anyway, I proceeded to press the power button on the side. And the set turned on! The battery status was shown as 100%. I connected it to my PC just in case drained down battery would cause it to shutdown. I saw a message indicating update was available and proceeded with update which was completed successfully. I downloaded an app and transferred my contacts to my SIM card. (Doing a backup with Xperia Companion will take many hours and I am not sure my contacts could be moved to a non-Sony phone if the Xperia SP fails again later). It has been 24 hours after my SP had revived and it has behaved normally so far.
My thought on this incident is that the problem was not due to battery or some hardware inside the phone. The problem was very likely due to incomplete software updating.

Related

Xperia SP is Dead

HELP! My Xperia SP is dead after unlocking bootloader with official way!
It won't turn on even when I tried to boot it up by connecting via usb to laptop.
I tried to charge it, but it's useless
I also tried to force restart it from restart button but it doesn't wake up
HELPP! :crying:
#UPDATE: By some miracle, the phone boots itself up and get working again. All apps are gone (like factory reset). It shut down about 2 hours then suddenly it came back to life. Still don't get it why this can be happening though. But thank God!
reynaldi3 said:
HELP! My Xperia SP is dead after unlocking bootloader with official way!
It won't turn on even when I tried to boot it up by connecting via usb to laptop.
I tried to charge it, but it's useless
I also tried to force restart it from restart button but it doesn't wake up
HELPP! :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried the OFF button on the back?
You should try to connect your phone to pc, press volume button and keep it pressed. Then without releasing the volume button, press the restart button on the back until you see the led (blue or green depending on the volume you pressed). This means you have at the same time : usb + volume + reset button on the back.
You should keep it pressed during 3 to 15 seconds. If this doesn't work, put your phone to charge (on wall charger and preferably with stock charger) during 1-2 hours and try again.
Try reflash a stock ftf
Please provide more information to the things you did. Did you use EMMA or FLASHTOOL?
TLDGames said:
Have you tried the OFF button on the back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I tried but it still doesn't work, the phone heats up while there is no sign of life. But after 2 hours it turns back on! Weird
pec0ra said:
You should try to connect your phone to pc, press volume button and keep it pressed. Then without releasing the volume button, press the restart button on the back until you see the led (blue or green depending on the volume you pressed). This means you have at the same time : usb + volume + reset button on the back.
You should keep it pressed during 3 to 15 seconds. If this doesn't work, put your phone to charge (on wall charger and preferably with stock charger) during 1-2 hours and try again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that multiple times but there was no sign of life. No led pulse, dead screen, but only warm phone. But it came back on after 2 hours
lucasgta95 said:
Try reflash a stock ftf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't since it won't connect to anything (wall charger, usb, etc). But thank God it has come to life !
Furrydaus said:
Please provide more information to the things you did. Did you use EMMA or FLASHTOOL?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use cmd since flashtool won't recognize my phone even I have install the correct driver. I read all the instructions from Sony web about unlocking bootloader and I suffer this situation. But after 2 hours it turns back on...
reynaldi3 said:
I use cmd since flashtool won't recognize my phone even I have install the correct driver. I read all the instructions from Sony web about unlocking bootloader and I suffer this situation. But after 2 hours it turns back on...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should have followed the unofficiall methods and not sony
reynaldi3 said:
I did that multiple times but there was no sign of life. No led pulse, dead screen, but only warm phone. But it came back on after 2 hours
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem now and you made my hopes up. I was on PAC rom, normally working, but when i picked up my phone, it wasn't responding, OFF button isn't doing anything and my PC even doesn't recognize the phone over USB. So i hope it will be working again later. :fingers-crossed:
Edit: 12 hours later and still no signs of life, so im' doiwnloading ftf and i'm going to try flashing it...
Make sure you have the driver installed for your phone.
1. Download, install and run the driver update utility. Here's the link where you can download it.
http://www.driverscape.com/download/xperia-sp
2. If it doesn't detect your phone, download flashtool from here:
http://www.flashtool.net/downloads.php
Make sure you have the latest ftf image in order to flash to your phone. You can download from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2311964
3. Make sure your phone is off by force shut down (clicking the OFF hard key in the back)
4. Open flashtool. Press and hold the volume down key and then connect your phone to the computer by USB.
5. The notification bar will light green indicating that it is connected in flash mode.
You can then follow instructions on how to flash through Google search. If you are able to reach step 5 and don't know how to flash, let me know.
daubh said:
Make sure you have the driver installed for your phone.
1. Download, install and run the driver update utility. Here's the link where you can download it.
http://www.driverscape.com/download/xperia-sp
2. If it doesn't detect your phone, download flashtool from here:
http://www.flashtool.net/downloads.php
Make sure you have the latest ftf image in order to flash to your phone. You can download from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2311964
3. Make sure your phone is off by force shut down (clicking the OFF hard key in the back)
4. Open flashtool. Press and hold the volume down key and then connect your phone to the computer by USB.
5. The notification bar will light green indicating that it is connected in flash mode.
You can then follow instructions on how to flash through Google search. If you are able to reach step 5 and don't know how to flash, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, i know how to flash ftf, but my phone shows no signs of life, when plugged to charger, the LED doesn't light up and i can't go to flash mode aswell. So now it seems that the only thing i can do is to take my phone to repair, as it seems there is some hardware problem...
Dead Xperia SP Also
I have same situation since 21st of December.. I left my Phone on. When I was going to bed. I woke Up and saw this fuzzy blank grey screen, then I pressed the reset button at the back of the phone thinking all will be fine, But since then I've been battling with it. First, No sign of life after plugging, then a day later after I left it connected to my PC, The LED LIGHT turned red, but dead screen. About 15MINS later it goes off, Then comes up again (LED LIGHT) I've tried connecting to PC, it recognises it for about 4seconds and it disconnects automatically, I've tried practically all the method I saw on here.. Rubber band trick,leaving it to charge all night connected to wall charger / PC..All proved abortive, I have been trying to get the MAGIC green LED LIGHT (FLASHMODE) but it never works.. I took it to a repair shop (NOT SONY) He said he only deals with HARDWARE that it wasn't hardware problem, and they then went ahead to flash it.. (I'm out of warranty) STILL NO LUCK.. I'll be glad if anyone can guide me through or come up with a Plausible SOLUTION, 'cause my BREAK has been horrible since my PHONE went M.I.A..... Thank you GUYS
So, finally I'm going to pick up my repaired SP :fingers-crossed:. They thought it was a problem caused by the reset button pushed too hard, but since they've informed me they've changed whole motherboard, the problem must have been somwhere else, maybe they'll tell me where.
(And it seems that despite the fact i've unlocked the bootloader and flashed ROM on it, they will accept it as a warranty repair, because i think they weren't able to get to know that )
My XSP must really hate me. After less than a week since i've picked it up from the repair, it's dead again (everything tried - reset button, leaving it to charge, usb) with no signs of life ... I guess there must be a much bigger problem than just motherboard That means another two weeks with my old slow LG OO. I'm gonna die without it, i've maintained almost a month without it back then, but i had a tablet borrowed for a review. Now it's worse...
Maybe they should give me another XSP instead of trying to repair this one again...
have you considered about the battery?
the battery might be dead for all we know
That may be the problem, but i must also keep in mind that it had its motherboard changed a week ago. Anyway, i took it to the service again, they also said that charger may be causing it, but battery seems more logical to me as there were no problems with charging.
So i have to wait another two long weeks and then i'll know what was it...

[Q] Bootloader gone?

I have a standard SM-N700 Galaxy Gear and had it running null. All seemed fine until one night after a notification tried to come to the watch, the screen flashed white and the watch appeared to shut down. Since then, it hasn't been able to turn on for anything. Below is the steps I've taken to try to recover my smartwatch...
Tried using multiple power supplies, no response (one power supply even caused the charging dock to become a little warm)
Tried holding power for 10 seconds, no response.
Tried repeatedly holding/pressing power (I heard sometimes this can help clear a softlocked device), no response.
Opened the watch and disconnected the battery. When the watch was reconnected, it vibrated once as if it was going to turn on, but didn't do anything further. Repeated attempts at removing the battery had no response, not even a vibrate.
Tried connecting the watch to my PC, the computer beeped that a device was connected and reported that there was no driver for "sec s5pc210 test b/d". I checked and the standard Samsung USB Drivers are installed. Tried other USB cables and USB ports, either the computer gives the beep of a malfunctioning USB device, or beeps as if something connected, but then the device seems to disappear.
I've read some resources that suggest that either the watch is completely fried, or somehow during an update to Gear Manager, it corrupted or damaged the bootloader of the watch, and after the watch attempted to reboot, it failed and got stuck in the condition it is in now. Based on these resources, there's supposed to be a way using Odin to flash a proper bootloader to the device, but since it does not appear to stay connected for more than an instant, and when it does connect it appears as this "sec s5pc210 test b/d" device, the tools I've tried to flash the bootloader have failed.
I really don't want to have to replace this device. Having a Samsung watch that still runs plain Android is not something I want to give up.

Need help with possible bricked device !

Hi, yesterday my phone hangs on using apps and won't react to anything. So i have done a hard power off with power+vol up. Next i tried to start the device again and nothing The device won't start into any mode (system/bootloader/flash) and no lights etc. So i checked some threads in net and tried to plug in charger over night. Today behaviour has changed a little bit. When connecting to pc device is detected as usb device with error in getting description. This is the only reaction of the device. Again doing a hard power off etc. won't work (also no vibration).
Has anybody had same behaviour and could fix it ?
System is unlocked and was running with cm12.1.
Before you ask: pcc etc. also won't wark cause usb-connect won't work corectly.

My phone doesn't boot

Maybe it is not the right place to ask but my phone started shutting down by itself many times during the day and also it became very hot.
So I decided to recover it through the Sony companion app. I did it many times because it never became usable but it turned black and now it doesn't show anything on the display and it isn't recognized anymore by Sony companion because it doesn't boot in download mode.
It can also be that it is dead in the middle of a recover done through Sony companion.
Now, if I connect it to the charger (or to the pc), it shows the red led for a while and it turns off. It seems that the phone “turns on internally” and then it turns off the red led.
If someone knows what is the problem and can help me, thanks.
Hi, some months ago, something similar happened to me. In that ocasion, I had to visit a technical service in order to
recover my device. They got it, although with last official version of Android. After this, I upgraded it to my choice.
Somebody told me that in these sites normally use "Emma" a flashtool for Xperia Sony. You can download it and try it.
You have to connect the phone to the computer, with Emma running in the computer, and simultaneously push power on
and volume down, if you are lucky, you´ll see that Emma recognizes the device and in the right bottom corner the official
Android for your device. Then you only have to flash the ROM. Obviouslly all data will be lost.
Luck ...

Problem handset (project)

So as my friends all like to annoy me as they know I'm a bit ocd I recently inherited what I believe is a z1 with problems. Wondered if anyone can shed light as I'm starting to think it's completely duff.
It does not appear to turn on, or charge. I assumed completely zeroed battery however long charge makes no difference. On a software repair, at the stage of hold volume down and connect USB it goes no further. I've tried ensuring it is definitely off multiple ways. However on occasion it has connected to pc companion and it says your device is locked please unlock. Still nothing on device screen.
I've tried vysor but obviously even if it's just a dead screen, USB debug isn't enabled as that's a no go to.
I've tried the yellow off button in sd/sim tray slot multiple times. It makes no audible sound itself at any point eg turning on/off, volume up/down, swiping screen etc.
The only reason I haven't given up so far as a dead screen is that it appears to not want to charge, and that even though pc companion says its on which implies a dead screen there's no sound either.
Any suggestions as I do hate to see a potentially usable phone go to the bin.
Even just data recovery would be a start but can't establish any adb or fastboot connection, again due to debug and not knowing what state the phone is in at any given time
Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Nevermind. Had the battery out....... 2.6v.......good old Sony.
Still, the no screen and dead battery but pc companion advising the phone is on and locked is interesting
Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

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