Hello everybody.
A few days back I managed to brick my Nexus 4 after using it for 1 day!!!! I realize that this all is a very moronic situation and there isn't a fix for my brick because a used a *Toolkit*. Well, I'm already receiving my replacement and it will be here in an hour.
I know how everyone here feels about Google paying for our mistakes but I'm so lucky they're so kind. The advice that I need is on how to NEVER be in this same position. If I were to have set up fastboot instead of a toolkit would all of this have been avoidable? Btw, CM 10.1 is how I bricked my phone....I never have had any luck with that rom.
Thanks everyone for your advice.
Almost all errors are caused by, you guessed it, users. I am skeptical when people claim the toolkit bricked their phone. Also, if cm 10.1 has been troublesome for you, why keep using it? Its the very definition of insanity: keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting different result.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Sooooo, in your professional opinion....would my brick have been less severe if I used fastboot?
Maybe you flashed the wrong cm 10.1 ROM. Perhaps, from another device?
Sent from my Nexus 4
blitzzz3434 said:
Maybe you flashed the wrong cm 10.1 ROM. Perhaps, from another device?
Sent from my Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well what happened was when I tried to flash it the first time I got a boot loop. So I restored from a backup. Then I redownloaded and when I was in my custom recovery I did a factory reset, a cache wipe and a factory wipe. Then I installed CM.
No after like 3 minutes of booting, I got to my homescreen. I think what happened was I wanted to get off CM because it wasn't working right so I tried to boot into recovery so I held down power and volume keys. I got a yellow light then a red light and now bootloader. After deliberation I figured that when I reset factory settings I got rid of the bootloader some how so I googled it. I found smirkit and tried to install a bootloader. After I did that from my phone I powered down my phone and tried to get to the bootloader but I found that I was bricked.
My excuse for all of this stupidity is that it was 6am and I hadn't slept yet. Nothing good happens for me without sleep lol. btw, thats as accurate as I remember.
Alpha-Wat3rloo said:
After deliberation I figured that when I reset factory settings I got rid of the bootloader some how so I googled it. I found smirkit and tried to install a bootloader. After I did that from my phone I powered down my phone and tried to get to the bootloader but I found that I was bricked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is smirkit? The only hits I could find on it were for the Kindle Fire. It sounds to me like you flashed a bootloader for another device, that would certainly give you a hard brick.
Sent from my Nexus 4
As I suspected, user error.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
I don't think you needed to suspect anything. I am admitting that I bricked it and it wasn't a toolkit.... What I needed you to tell me is would it have been recoverable if I used fastboot and not a toolkit. I would appreciate it if you would answer that question instead of needlessly placing blame.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Thank you you've actually helped Mr to figure out why it happened. It was super late/early. Serves me right flashing anything without proper rest.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
If you had flashed the wrong bootloader or kernel (one meant for a different device) via fastboot then you would still have a hard brick.
Using fastboot instead of a toolkit does mean you have more control over what your are doing, but you still need to make sure you are still flashing the right things.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Alpha-Wat3rloo said:
I don't think you needed to suspect anything. I am admitting that I bricked it and it wasn't a toolkit.... What I needed you to tell me is would it have been recoverable if I used fastboot and not a toolkit. I would appreciate it if you would answer that question instead of needlessly placing blame.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your original post made it sound like you used one of the toolkits made specifically for the Nexus 4 and that is what had bricked your phone. It wasn't till half way down the thread you mention you used a tookit for another device. Toolkits are not free from user error even when you use the correct one as you still have to download the correct files and place them in the correct folders. There have been a lot of newbies bricking phones because they have downloaded the incorrect files and then blame it on the developers and or phone for being defective. So this is why people are skeptical when they read these threads.
Alpha-Wat3rloo said:
I don't think you needed to suspect anything. I am admitting that I bricked it and it wasn't a toolkit.... What I needed you to tell me is would it have been recoverable if I used fastboot and not a toolkit. I would appreciate it if you would answer that question instead of needlessly placing blame.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And that`s what happens when your SMARTphone is Smarter than you.....
Related
Okey so yesterday I couldn't wait anymore and wanted to update my Nexus 7 to 4.2 but couldn't.
After restarting it did initiate the update but right after it gave me a red triangle with a (!)
And now I can't see any updates anymore. I yet I'm on 4.1.2 still
Dang it..
Sent from my Nexus 7
Download the 4.2 factory images from google and flash via fastboot.
Consider yourself lucky and stay with 4.1.2
I have the same problem as well. When I first tried to get the update, the Android had a red ! And failed the update. Now, it says no update available....
I'm not sure if I should wait until a more stable version is out, however.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Meh rootbrain is right. Jag ive been reading upp on 4.2 and i better stay on 4.1.2
Sent from my Nexus 7
It's all subjective. Some like it, while others don't. Neither opinion is the end all, be all gospel truth.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
rootbrain said:
Consider yourself lucky and stay with 4.1.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aren't there enough 4.2 bashing threads that you feel the need to take this one off-topic?
The OP asked for help not for your opinion.
Sent from Tapatalk XDA Premium
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Nexus 7
Clean ROM 3.0 - Leankernel 0.8.x
Any help would be appreciated...I want to have the latest update, not be stuck...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
yanksrock1000 said:
Any help would be appreciated...I want to have the latest update, not be stuck...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you modified, frozen, or deleted any of the stock system files? The update checks for approximately 200 files and if any aren't stock, will fail. Your best bet, as someone else said, is going to be to fastboot flashing the stock image. Be forewarned that you'd be essentially starting from scratch as it would wipe your tablet, but I'd personally find that preferable since you'd be circumventing some of the issues that are irking the most vocal of 4.2's critics.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I actually just purchased the tablet, and out of the box the first thing I tried to do was update, and it failed.
I'm not very knowlegable about flashing the factory image myself, but I've heard about updating using a "toolkit"? Is this easier?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
yanksrock1000 said:
I actually just purchased the tablet, and out of the box the first thing I tried to do was update, and it failed.
I'm not very knowlegable about flashing the factory image myself, but I've heard about updating using a "toolkit"? Is this easier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, easier. But using a command line and the android SDK/fastboot isn't all that hard... maybe your issue is just the universes way of saying you should go learn a new trick. :cyclops:
However I doubt the universe will waste any energy punishing you if you choose to go the easy route. Plus, you can always read the thorough directions for both routes and make an educated decision before you get your hands even the least bit dirty.
using Fastboot: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1907796
Wugs Windows toolkit: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1766475
najaboy said:
Have you modified, frozen, or deleted any of the stock system files? The update checks for approximately 200 files and if any aren't stock, will fail. Your best bet, as someone else said, is going to be to fastboot flashing the stock image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the same issue, but i dont want to fastboot it, what should i do? i havent rooted or anything yet. i have a 32gb no 3g version...
PenguinDroid said:
i have the same issue, but i dont want to fastboot it, what should i do? i havent rooted or anything yet. i have a 32gb no 3g version...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not, it's a safe operation.
If you're completely stock, and update fails, either try again (and again, and again), or send it to repair (slowest). Or fastboot (fastest).
issak42 said:
Why not, it's a safe operation.
If you're completely stock, and update fails, either try again (and again, and again), or send it to repair (slowest). Or fastboot (fastest).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, in that case, id rather root it and flash a custom rom, and thats probably what i am gonna end up doing... ill see, thanks for the answer
So last night I decided (against my better judgment) to install TWRP recovery and flash the OTA. I did it, then had trouble rooting it. I decided to just say screw it and then restore my Nandroid backup (which I made like a good boy). Then I got a failed message on the restore. Booted back up to a fresh boot. Brand new "please select your language" .. Wtf? So then I went back to TWRP wiped everything tried to restore again. Now... Fail. So now I can't boot up because I wiped my ROM and I'm freaking stuck all over this 4.3 update. Really?
So now I will try to wait until WUGS toolkit gets updated and see if I can use it to flash a stock 4.3 image to the device then root it. I don't know if i can even use that toolkit if I don't have a ROM on the device. Anyone had experience with such a cluster and have advice? Any thoughts on why the nandroid didn't restore?
:banghead:
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Start again, using the 4.3 factory image, and do it MANUALLY - none of this BS toolkit rubbish
EddyOS said:
Start again, using the 4.3 factory image, and do it MANUALLY - none of this BS toolkit rubbish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had any trouble with the toolkits personally and Wugs kit is very nice and easy to use. This whole mess does not stem from the use of a toolkit. Really something screwed up with TWRP I just don't know what caused it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Here's a guide made by me... It's really straight forward. And no waiting for toolkits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO7HkTrRzwM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
italia0101 said:
Here's a guide made by me... It's really straight forward. And no waiting for toolkits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO7HkTrRzwM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To follow your guide do i need to be stock or can i use flash-all.bat even if i'm on sabermod and have twrp installed?
Federico_96 said:
To follow your guide do i need to be stock or can i use flash-all.bat even if i'm on sabermod and have twrp installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep anything you want. Doesn't matter, I was on pa and matrix
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Well thanks. I will look forward to watching this. Again this will flash stock img, root, and unlock bootloader? And I don't have a rom on my device at all. Is that okay?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
jcnbama said:
So last night I decided (against my better judgment) to install TWRP recovery and flash the OTA. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could tell this was going downhill after reading this first sentence. Why would you install a custom recovery in order to flash an OTA? I don't mean to offend you but you have a lot of reading to do before you continue flashing anything.
I was in the same boat and confused as hell back in my Nexus One/Galaxy Nexus days. What I've discovered after a lot of trial and error as well as A LOT of reading, is that once you become extremely familiar with using ADB and Fastboot commands you realize how unbelievably simple this stuff really is. Even soft bricks are just small hiccups that won't stress you out anymore.
Learn how to properly use ADB/Fastboot commands through terminal (in OSX) or command prompt (n Windows) and you will realize that the toolkits are silly and do exactly the same thing.
Again, I mean this in the least offensive way possible. This is coming from someone who thought he bricked his Nexus 7 and let it sit in a drawer for 5 months before finally understanding ADB/Fastboot, pulling it out of the drawer and having it back up and running within 10 minutes...
jcnbama said:
Well thanks. I will look forward to watching this. Again this will flash stock img, root, and unlock bootloader? And I don't have a rom on my device at all. Is that okay?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is completely OK. Follow THIS guide (just one of many) to learn how to setup your computer for ADB/Fastboot. Then follow THIS guide to learn how to flash back to completely stock. No current ROM is required on your phone to do any of this.
I swear this is a nightmare. I don't have TBU or anything. I literally have to start over. I am always VERY careful to read and make back ups that's why I use TWRP it's why I make Nandroids and this just sucks. Ugh. I have to piss and moan I don't know where to start lol. Thanks for letting me vent..
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
jcnbama said:
I haven't had any trouble with the toolkits personally and Wugs kit is very nice and easy to use. This whole mess does not stem from the use of a toolkit. Really something screwed up with TWRP I just don't know what caused it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not that there is trouble using root toolkits(even though there is occasionally), it the fact that you dont learn to do things the right way. and when little issues come up, the knowledge isnt there to fix things yourself. and those little minor things turn into major headaches/issues.
simms22 said:
its not that there is trouble using root toolkits(even though there is occasionally), it the fact that you dont learn to do things the right way. and when little issues come up, the knowledge isnt there to fix things yourself. and those little minor things turn into major headaches/issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I do understand that point. It's a good one. I honestly don't know how to use ADB like I should. But at the same time it's a lot easier and if used properly can prevent mistakes. And good Devs make good money in donations so everyone is happy.. Lol :beer:
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I've been reading through other threads here on XDA about a common boot loop issue that N900T users are experiencing, but nowhere was it mentioned that the Canadian variant users had a similar problem, but I do.
I was wondering if there were any other SM-N90028 users out there that were stuck in a boot loop?
Here is my situation:
I have a Canadian SM-N900W8 (it is, also a Qualcomm LTE version) and I'm in a boot loop... it all started when I tried to restore a Stock-Rooted Rom with TWRP.
I can't, however get it out, and I've tried all of the versions of TWRP, I've also used odin like 30 times... nothing.
I successfully restored a Rooted stock ROM through TWRP, but it wasn't until I re-installed a factory un-rooted one that things got ugly..
So I was thinking about this and perhaps the cause of this is KNOX... since the first thing I did when I rooted my phone initially was uninstall KNOX and all of its files. I know these didn't carry over when I did a TWRP backup, which is perhaps why my restore of that backup worked the first time. The second time, I just went and downloaded everything stock and used Odin, and that's when the bootloop occurred.
if anyone knows of a way to solve this, I'd be forever grateful!
I really hope I will be able to fix this...
Not to sound.to xdaish...but dude seriously this topic.is all.over the n3 forums. Have a.look and you will find tons of info.
Also...good idea to.read prior to flashing..if you had you would have know not to restore with twrp since it causes bootloops.
Just trying to you some friendly advice.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using xda premium
force70 said:
Not to sound.to xdaish...but dude seriously this topic.is all.over the n3 forums. Have a.look and you will find tons of info.
Also...good idea to.read prior to flashing..if you had you would have know not to restore with twrp since it causes bootloops.
Just trying to you some friendly advice.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, but I've read them all and most are regarding the n900t, I felt it appropriate to ask about the n900w8 variant.
Also, I know that would have been better, but it's too late for that now. I just thought I'd share my experiences here with this issue so that others will know better.
So I tried a different stock ROM, and with the latest version of Odin, but it still is in a boot loop.
However there is one difference; this time it will boot past the Samsung logo and into android, but then a window will pop up saying "Process system isn't responding" and ask me to wait for it to respond or close it. Regardless of what I select, it will end up rebooting seconds later.
In the very short time that everything stays booted for, I can access the two pull-down menus from the top, but selecting anything will yield me no results.
Perhaps this can tell us more about this issue?
Did you have a read.through this....a few.guys have revived their n900w8s here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=46450690
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using xda premium
force70 said:
Did you have a read.through this....a few.guys have revived their n900w8s here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=46450690
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I checked it out and my phone is already set to those settings, so it didn't work, but I'm still trying!
c_est_la_vie said:
Thanks! I checked it out and my phone is already set to those settings, so it didn't work, but I'm still trying!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check post #350 in this thread and read forward. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2467001&page=46
this worked!
Hey guys, I'm not sure if anyone's checked this out yet, but I managed to get myself out of the boot loop!
here is the solution:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2471421
Glad your back up and running!
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using xda premium
Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I took the 4.4 update and now the device bootloops. It was never rooted and never used much at all. I think no more than ten apps were ever installed on it. It belongs to my mother so I'm not familiar with it. I'm very familiar with android as I've been rooting and installing roms on my devices for over 2 years now but I was hoping I could get a quick solution from someone here so I don't spend my whole day trying to fix it
Thanks in advanced!
imucarmen said:
I took the 4.4 update and now the device bootloops. It was never rooted and never used much at all. I think no more than ten apps were ever installed on it. It belongs to my mother so I'm not familiar with it. I'm very familiar with android as I've been rooting and installing roms on my devices for over 2 years now but I was hoping I could get a quick solution from someone here so I don't spend my whole day trying to fix it
Thanks in advanced!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now you can just flash stock firmware using fastboot.
Download the factory image from Google and flash it using fastboot.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Ben Ling said:
Now you can just flash stock firmware using fastboot.
Download the factory image from Google and flash it using fastboot.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you very much! sounds easy enough
I've hit my thanks limit for the day but hit thanks anyway :]
So I was trying to help a friend flash stock using Odin because his phone app was being a piece of crap, he was on a CM 11 nightly and, well, long story short I almost bricked his phone not knowing there is a limit on how many times you can flash a Samsung device using Odin because of the yellow triangle. I can't use triangle away because it's the CM ROM on a CM kernel, I was able to get rid of the softbrick by using a older CM ROM on his SD card, this wouldn't be a problem if his phone app was still working, his WiFi was working and if his sound was working, but it's not. So to recap and for the question, Samsung is stupid, and can anyone help?
Thanks in advanced
Sent from my awesome LG-E980
lonlyhornet said:
So I was trying to help a friend flash stock using Odin because his phone app was being a piece of crap, he was on a CM 11 nightly and, well, long story short I almost bricked his phone not knowing there is a limit on how many times you can flash a Samsung device using Odin because of the yellow triangle. I can't use triangle away because it's the CM ROM on a CM kernel, I was able to get rid of the softbrick by using a older CM ROM on his SD card, this wouldn't be a problem if his phone app was still working, his WiFi was working and if his sound was working, but it's not. So to recap and for the question, Samsung is stupid, and can anyone help?
Thanks in advanced
Sent from my awesome LG-E980
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First thing you have to do for anyone to help you is,provide which build you were on and which stock rom you were trying to flash. There are tons of people here with great knowledge if you can be real specific.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
So you wanna go to complete stock on a sprint s4?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Fairly sure there is no limit to the amount of times you can flash using Odin. There is a counter but no limit
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Sorry, Samsung isn't stupid or they wouldn't just magically be a $250+billion dollar company that has been around for 76 years.
Because you jumped in and were unsuccessful with what you were doing doesn't constitute failure on their part.
How about taking that phone - S4 back to bone stock. ALL the answers on how to do that are here. In fact in the last couple days I've personally given instructions on how to do that for a number of people here in the help section. Do some searching and reading and you'll find your answers.
It always helps to come to a manufacture's section and say how sh**y they are. Makes those of us who choose to use and support them feel ever so helpful.
Ok sorry should've been more specific, I'm not new to these forums I was just in a hurry, also seriously guys I'm just frustrated I know Samsung is not stupid you don't have to post their history, they're awesome it's just dumb that they have a limit, and yes if you install the latest stock Sprint update (the one I did before I rooted and rom'd his phone) there wouldn't be a thing such as triangle away. Anyway on Odin it says it passed when flashing stock (the firmware that comes with the phone) but it does it in 4 seconds, and when his phone boots up and it just restores CM, so far everything we've tried either softbricks it or restores CM. Is there anything that completely and I mean completely restores this phone
Sent from my awesome LG-E980
lonlyhornet said:
Ok sorry should've been more specific, I'm not new to these forums I was just in a hurry, also seriously guys I'm just frustrated I know Samsung is not stupid you don't have to post their history, they're awesome it's just dumb that they have a limit, and yes if you install the latest stock Sprint update (the one I did before I rooted and rom'd his phone) there wouldn't be a thing such as triangle away. Anyway on Odin it says it passed when flashing stock (the firmware that comes with the phone) but it does it in 4 seconds, and when his phone boots up and it just restores CM, so far everything we've tried either softbricks it or restores CM. Is there anything that completely and I mean completely restores this phone
Sent from my awesome LG-E980
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are you getting this idea there is a limit on Odin flashes?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
There is no limit, as mentioned already, with Odin.
I've used it probably a hundred times since I got my S4. I know others have used it more.
Take some time, look through the Q&A/help forum and you'll see some posts I've helped others with, in the last 24hours alone, on how to get back to stock.
Edit:
Okay read this post. It'll get you to stock. Just read the instuctions on how to do it.
Ok I'll try it thanks for tolerating me I can be hard to understand when panicking
Sent from my awsome LG-E980
leaderbuilder said:
There is no limit, as mentioned already, with Odin.
I've used it probably a hundred times since I got my S4. I know others have used it more.
Take some time, look through the Q&A/help forum and you'll see some posts I've helped others with, in the last 24hours alone, on how to get back to stock.
Edit:
Okay read this post. It'll get you to stock. Just read the instuctions on how to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it and it worked thanks man! sorry for being rude I was just worried that I may have ruined my friends phone.
lonlyhornet said:
Did it and it worked thanks man! sorry for being rude I was just worried that I may have ruined my friends phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you got it working and THANK YOU for posting back - that is what helps the community.
I understand the panic too. Especially when things are f'd up.
But if there is one valuable lesson I've learned in my half century of life; if you can just pause, relax and step back, many problems are easily resolved. And better yet more avoided by haste.
Good luck with the new phone setup.
OK one more quick thing, we flashed it successfully but now it won't boot its been over an hour after we flashed and its stuck on the Sprint logo
lonlyhornet said:
OK one more quick thing, we flashed it successfully but now it won't boot its been over an hour after we flashed and its stuck on the Sprint logo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can first boot to stock recovery (power on + volume up) and choose a 'factory reset'. That often clears stuff up pretty well
Or
Try and PC Oding a stock MK2 kernel. Then battery pull and restart after. Saw this on a few phones
I'll have to search to find it but it's here somewhere.
leaderbuilder said:
You can first boot to stock recovery (power on + volume up) and choose a 'factory reset'. That often clears stuff up pretty well
Or
Try and PC Oding a stock MK2 kernel. Then battery pull and restart after. Saw this on a few phones
I'll have to search to find it but it's here somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Factory resetting worked his phone is back on stock and ready for 4.4.2 thanks for the help LeaderBuilder!
lonlyhornet said:
Thanks! Factory resetting worked his phone is back on stock and ready for 4.4.2 thanks for the help LeaderBuilder!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great!
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app