What caused the soft brick? - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Ok, I sold my S4 i9505 (rooted and stock firmware 5.0.1) on evilbay and it was working perfectly when I sent it. 10 days after it got to the buyer they say it won't boot and want to return the phone. I'm extremely suspicious and would like to know if it is possible to find out if they have installed something they shouldn't have. A phone doesn't suddenly soft brick itself or does it?

schnurrbidurr said:
Ok, I sold my S4 i9505 (rooted and stock firmware 5.0.1) on evilbay and it was working perfectly when I sent it. 10 days after it got to the buyer they say it won't boot and want to return the phone. I'm extremely suspicious and would like to know if it is possible to find out if they have installed something they shouldn't have. A phone doesn't suddenly soft brick itself or does it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does he mean with wont boot. The phone doesnt even turn on or he gets bootloop at samsung logo etc..?

obol2 said:
What does he mean with wont boot. The phone doesnt even turn on or he gets bootloop at samsung logo etc..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume bootloop, because she said it was "constantly stuck in re-boot" . She apparently managed to get into Recovery Mode. I haven't got the phone back yet, but wanted to make sure I got all the info beforehand.

schnurrbidurr said:
I assume bootloop, because she said it was "constantly stuck in re-boot" . She apparently managed to get into Recovery Mode. I haven't got the phone back yet, but wanted to make sure I got all the info beforehand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you done a full wipe before you give it away? Maybe wiped the system partition?

aboodyaiman said:
Have you done a full wipe before you give it away? Maybe wiped the system partition?
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Click to collapse
I did a full factory reset and did a quick test boot afterwards - all was ok. I may have wiped the cache partition but I'm pretty certain that that I didn't delete the system partition.

Does it has guarantee? When yes how long it left.
If you get the phone back I would flash a stock rom from sammobile with Odin, reboot and if it comes to the setup wizard you can give it her back .

obol2 said:
Does it has guarantee? When yes how long it left.
If you get the phone back I would flash a stock rom from sammobile with Odin, reboot and if it comes to the setup wizard you can give it her back .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ultimately that's what I'll do, but I won't be sending it back to her. I'm already £££s out of pocket.
Honestly, I think she played about with it and messed it up. It took her 10 days to contact me. And since I booted the phone to the setup screen before I shipped it and it was working fine.
But I would like to know if it's possible to find out if and what she did and subsequently prove that

Related

I cant wipe, I cant re ROM, What to do?

So, I have a backup of my rom from another device that I installed. What I need to do is change the sync account, but it says I can not remove it. Fine, so I try to add another and it says google can not establish a reliable connection.
If I factory reset the device, it will sit at the boot logo and keep crashing until I restore from backup.
If i install a new rom, only one actually worked but it seemed to be an older one (Different icons, missing the Hubs)
What can I do? I already completely bricked one device trying to get this fixed. I really gotta get this going, how can I either wipe it all out completely so I can set it up new again, or find the stock USA/Canada Rom?
Thanks!!
Ps, here is the thread I already have where i speak about bricking my other phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1175098
Dude please stop whatever you're doing. You seems to be getting yourself in a mess.
First do some reading on how to flash with Odin and then flash a stock firmware to the device and do a cache wipe and factory reset in the recovery menu. When you boot into the device do a hard reset and then stop messing with the device.
Intratech said:
Dude please stop whatever you're doing. You seems to be getting yourself in a mess.
First do some reading on how to flash with Odin and then flash a stock firmware to the device and do a cache wipe and factory reset in the recovery menu. When you boot into the device do a hard reset and then stop messing with the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is, if i do a factory reset, it will not boot for some weird reason :/
Thats all I am trying to do, I just need to get back to stock then i'm sitting there. The only thing that actually seems to work is the backup I have on it right now, but I can not reset any of the settings to actually be able to start using the thing
this is the second one you've messed up? use one of the other 2 but don't try to do a restore just download all your apps manually. and send me one of the messed up ones.
boondoc said:
this is the second one you've messed up? use one of the other 2 but don't try to do a restore just download all your apps manually. and send me one of the messed up ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, haha
I have a Jig on the way, ill see how that goes
Well I would also like to change the sync account, which it will not let me ://
I just reflashed like 8 times in the last hour trying different roms, none are working
Stop.
There is a bug when you wipe, which stops boot...
Affects older stock roms.
Newer ones should be OK, as should custom ROMs
pulser_g2 said:
Stop.
There is a bug when you wipe, which stops boot...
Affects older stock roms.
Newer ones should be OK, as should custom ROMs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what can I do?
I also cant even find any Stock USA roms, which is weird
I just got it to finally boot with another rom
The only thing different is it by default has some widgets added, and the Messaging app has a different icon. All the hubs are also intact
*Roots, makes a backup*
bncplix said:
So what can I do?
I also cant even find any Stock USA roms, which is weird
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's because it hasn't been released here yet. seriously... send me one of those babies.
boondoc said:
that's because it hasn't been released here yet. seriously... send me one of those babies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All seems to be working now. Woo whoo!
I have 4 And 2 of the 10.1 tabs
I am working closely with Samsung on one of their new marketing projects, which is why I get all of these
So, factory resetting this image screws up too.
But its okay, as I got a blank backup now with no accounts. So I'm all set
Also, just got the email confirmation that my jig shipped out.
You should probably donate one of the "b0rk3n" device to a dev.

[Q]Bricked S4. How to get to ADB if it S4 wont boot

I got my phone rooted, and wanted to try the Per app PDI using Xposed framework. Unfortunately upon installing the framework, my phone will not boot any more (stuck at ATT logo). I saw on the Xposed framework that I can try copying /system/bin/app_process.orig back to /system/bin/app_process, but can't seem to get into ADB. Can someone help please?
tvu815 said:
I got my phone rooted, and wanted to try the Per app PDI using Xposed framework. Unfortunately upon installing the framework, my phone will not boot any more (stuck at ATT logo). I saw on the Xposed framework that I can try copying /system/bin/app_process.orig back to /system/bin/app_process, but can't seem to get into ADB. Can someone help please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You dun goofed. Try rebooting into recovery mode by holding down Vol up+Home before the Samsung logo comes up, and hit "wipe data/factory reset", but if it was a framework mod, then it's likely a problem with the /system/ partition. In that case, you're out of luck until we have an Odin-flashable factory image prepared.
breakingspell said:
You dun goofed. Try rebooting into recovery mode by holding down Vol up+Home before the Samsung logo comes up, and hit "wipe data/factory reset", but if it was a framework mod, then it's likely a problem with the /system/ partition. In that case, you're out of luck until we have an Odin-flashable factory image prepared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory Reset worked in recovery.
Thanks!!!
tvu815 said:
Factory Reset worked in recovery.
Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woot woot, but be a tad more careful next time
After trying Xposed, I couldn't enable the framework, I got the same issue of the phone hanging at the AT&T logo, and tried a factory reset. Now I get "Unfortunately, Settings has failed to load." after completing the setup wizard. USB debugging is no longer enabled due to the reset. Any way around the setup wizard or suggestions?
wtd966 said:
After trying Xposed, I couldn't enable the framework, I got the same issue of the phone hanging at the AT&T logo, and tried a factory reset. Now I get "Unfortunately, Settings has failed to load." after completing the setup wizard. USB debugging is no longer enabled due to the reset. Any way around the setup wizard or suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People need to quit trying to install Xposed?
Looks like for you, it's a system issue. Try performing another factory reset (you never know), and clear the cache.
Are you able to access anything after you complete the setup wizard?
breakingspell said:
You dun goofed. Try rebooting into recovery mode by holding down Vol up+Home before the Samsung logo comes up, and hit "wipe data/factory reset", but if it was a framework mod, then it's likely a problem with the /system/ partition. In that case, you're out of luck until we have an Odin-flashable factory image prepared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey i had the same issue but when i went into factory reset i just get an error :crying::crying::crying: is there any way to get a zip file out of the system? i have access to a fully stock SGS4 that has not been touched
ericos123 said:
hey i had the same issue but when i went into factory reset i just get an error :crying::crying::crying: is there any way to get a zip file out of the system? i have access to a fully stock GS4 that has not been touched
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What error do you get when the factory reset fails? As for a zip file, we don't have any flashable system images yet, our devs are working on it, but when it's ready, you'll be able to use Odin to repair your device.
On a side note, I live 5 miles away from the national Samsung warranty repair facility in Richardson, TX, and they sell accessories at their front desk, so I went today to get a super cheap MicroSD card (32gb for $18.99). I chatted it up with a technician that works there, he's serviced my old Nexus S and Galaxy Note, and he mentioned that while they have a system image for the S4s, it's only for the international model, they're not expecting any fubar S4s until next week
breakingspell said:
What error do you get when the factory reset fails? As for a zip file, we don't have any flashable system images yet, our devs are working on it, but when it's ready, you'll be able to use Odin to repair your device.
On a side note, I live 5 miles away from the national Samsung warranty repair facility in Richardson, TX, and they sell accessories at their front desk, so I went today to get a super cheap MicroSD card (32gb for $18.99). I chatted it up with a technician that works there, he's serviced my old Nexus S and Galaxy Note, and he mentioned that while they have a system image for the S4s, it's only for the international model, they're not expecting any fubar S4s until next week
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Click to collapse
it only wipes the data, when going to wipe the cache it pops up with no command and the android laying on his back with a red triangle it does not actually give an error code tried to wipe the cache by itself but can not do that
could i root the other phone i have access to make a rom backup and them flash it using the stock recovery? can just rename it update.zip?
ericos123 said:
it only wipes the data, when going to wipe the cache it pops up with no command and the android laying on his back with a red triangle it does not actually give an error code tried to wipe the cache by itself but can not do that
could i root the other phone i have access to make a rom backup and them flash it using the stock recovery? can just rename it update.zip?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately that won't work, the flash will fail. The stock recovery can't accept any packages that aren't signed by Samsung. If we had an unlocked bootloader, we could have a custom recovery, and ergo, the ability to install custom packages, but at the moment, there's no purpose for recovery aside from performing a factory reset .
On that note, if your cache is failing to wipe just by hitting factory reset, try wiping it using the separate option, but it looks like your device is currently out for the count regardless. Thems the breaks, sorry
breakingspell said:
Unfortunately that won't work, the flash will fail. The stock recovery can't accept any packages that aren't signed by Samsung. If we had an unlocked bootloader, we could have a custom recovery, and ergo, the ability to install custom packages, but at the moment, there's no purpose for recovery aside from performing a factory reset .
On that note, if your cache is failing to wipe just by hitting factory reset, try wiping it using the separate option, but it looks like your device is currently out for the count regardless. Thems the breaks, sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried wiping just the cache and it starts to wipe says error and the phone reboots but stays on a blank screen
ericos123 said:
tried wiping just the cache and it starts to wipe says error and the phone reboots but stays on a blank screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it's surely a problem with your /system directory. Just keep posted until we have a solution, I'm sure you're not the only one with a shiny $200 paperweight
breakingspell said:
So it's surely a problem with your /system directory. Just keep posted until we have a solution, I'm sure you're not the only one with a shiny $200 paperweight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so frustrating now no cell phone ..... ohhh well it will take a bit of time but at least its only soft bricked
ericos123 said:
so frustrating now no cell phone ..... ohhh well it will take a bit of time but at least its only soft bricked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely you've got a backup phone? I never get rid of my old phones, in case my daily driver gets lost or stolen, I have a Galaxy Note and a Nexus S (my last two phones) to substitute
breakingspell said:
Surely you've got a backup phone? I never get rid of my old phones, in case my daily driver gets lost or stolen, I have a Galaxy Note and a Nexus S (my last two phones) to substitute
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i can use the gf's old phone but when i got this i gave my old cell to my mom hers was ancient, how long did it take them to get roms working on the international version of the S4?...... also i was reading the I337 and I337m are identical is this true? because if it is samsung released the kernel source
ericos123 said:
i can use the gf's old phone but when i got this i gave my old cell to my mom hers was ancient, how long did it take them to get roms working on the international version of the S4....... also i was reading the I337 and I337m are identical is this true? because if it is samsung released the kernel source
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Roms were available almost right away due to the unlocked bootloader of the GT-i9500/5, but At&t and Verizon decided that they want to rile some people up.
As for the i337m, it's the Virgin mobile version. While it contains the same processor and chipset, the bootloaders are different, and thus, flashing anything for the i337m would screw the device up even more
breakingspell said:
Roms were available almost right away due to the unlocked bootloader of the GT-i9500/5, but At&t and Verizon decided that they want to rile some people up.
As for the i337m, it's the Virgin mobile version. While it contains the same processor and chipset, the bootloaders are different, and thus, flashing anything for the i337m would screw the device up even more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i thin i know what the issue is with the phone it was the build.prop when i was playing with it on reboot things got wonky..... i did save a backup on the device, is there anyway i can adb into the phone pull that backup and replace the modded file with the original?
Does factory reset unroot the phone? I'm thinking of returning it. Just so much lag for me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
silkshocker said:
Does factory reset unroot the phone? I'm thinking of returning it. Just so much lag for me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it does not
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
silkshocker said:
Does factory reset unroot the phone? I'm thinking of returning it. Just so much lag for me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This haha...gotta love when new devices come out
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Phone reboots or restarts randomly?

i have the sprint version, bought it brand new and did not root or anything at all of that nature but if changing songs or on youtube the phone will reboot for no reason, happens up to six times a day, two being the least. Is there a way i can fix it myself?
Tylerthatruth said:
i have the sprint version, bought it brand new and did not root or anything at all of that nature but if changing songs or on youtube the phone will reboot for no reason, happens up to six times a day, two being the least. Is there a way i can fix it myself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usually random reboots is a kernel issue. But since you have not rooted/flashed anything (I assume) than I would either take the phone back to where you bought it and try to get a re-flash or replacement. If taking it back in is not an option I would do a factory reset on the phone and run it full stock (try not to install any apps/themes) for a day or so and see if the reboots happen. You could also try flashing back stock image via Odin. If none of that works it might be hardware issue.
i have already reset more than 5 times and waited for a while only using apps already on the device, so where would i get the stock image?
Tylerthatruth said:
i have already reset more than 5 times and waited for a while only using apps already on the device, so where would i get the stock image?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I originally followed this thread when i had bricked my phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2277480
shotty53 said:
I originally followed this thread when i had bricked my phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2277480
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same issue
l3et9jwh2000 said:
I have the same issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my phone wont let me wipe the cache partition either, help?

Bootloader Loop problem

Hi, my phone acted weird today, been running custom room for over couple months without any problem, but then when i resart my phone today it got to the bootload screen and stuck there ever seen. I can able to go into custom recover and did a full wipe but nothing change, could anyone help me out? I have loki also. Using S4 ATT version.
Try wiping cache in your recovery
i did that, always do that after install a new rom, don't know why my phone is soft bricked now...
akahimaro said:
i did that, always do that after install a new rom, don't know why my phone is soft bricked now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you've done a full wipe and tried either re-flashing your rom or restoring a nandroid and neither was successful, you may need to consider going back to stock via odin and starting over.
i've never seen a phone run on the same rom and kernel settings for months and then just shut down and softbrick without something having been changed recently.
xBeerdroiDx said:
if you've done a full wipe and tried either re-flashing your rom or restoring a nandroid and neither was successful, you may need to consider going back to stock via odin and starting over.
i've never seen a phone run on the same rom and kernel settings for months and then just shut down and softbrick without something having been changed recently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, i'm doing that right now, thanks for the tips, i had that happen to my s2 before. Really weird...
Before ODIN'ing back to MDL/MDB...
akahimaro said:
yes, i'm doing that right now, thanks for the tips, i had that happen to my s2 before. Really weird...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What recovery image are you running? You are not the only one that had this problem. I am trying to piece this together.

Freezing and other issues. Please help.

Running an Australian N9005.
I was running Temaseks unofficial CM11 build just fine. Got bored and wanted to go back to a more Samsung styled phone.
Decided to flash X-Note. As I'd used it before CM11. It worked fine then.
Attempted to flash X-Note but it wouldn't boot, stuck at initial screen with the Kernel warnings at the top of the screen. Was told it was because I hadn't got the new 4.4 bootloader.
I was told to follow the instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=46223545&postcount=2
Which I did.
Using these download links and instructions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49931269
That fixed the boot issue. I suppose I'm not on the 4.4 bootloader.
However when I booted up the stock Polish ROM, the initial Samsung Setup Wizard would crash at the end of the setup and force me back to the start of the setup. Tried ignoring it and just flashing the custom recovery and then XNote. Same issue, the setup wizard in XNote crashes as well.
Someone then told me I should try repartitioning the device using a PIT. I don't know what that is, but it was suggested.
Using this ROM: https://mega.co.nz/#!QVwlVDgJ!QyAxmDMcsIA-56cX_28Ua2aPZLcJATVvdM07LOs0V10
And this PIT: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50614669&postcount=77
Completes successfully.
Same issue............... That being a third separate ROM (official? at that)....
Samsung Setup Wizard crashes...
I even tried flashing XNote and removing the setup wizard just to get past it. That fixes it for about 10 minutes or so. After about 10 minutes of use the phone freezes and I have to hold the power button to force it to restart. If I leave the phone off, it still freezes, as soon as I try to unlock it it freezes and need to force restart.
I really don't know what to do now... Any help guys? I'm trying my best here...
Please, if you need any more information, please ask.
Might not help, but have you wiped your phone clean using custom recovery ( data,cache, dalvik, internal sd ) before flashing xnote or factory reset on recovery when on stock?
Do you have reactivation lock enabled?
Sent from my fingers to your face using my Samsung Galaxy Note 3!
hey_joe said:
Might not help, but have you wiped your phone clean using custom recovery ( data,cache, dalvik, internal sd ) before flashing xnote or factory reset on recovery when on stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
nicholaschum said:
Do you have reactivation lock enabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
This has puzzled me, not sure why it's still acting up especially after re-partitioning and flatlining everything.
radicalisto said:
This has puzzled me, not sure why it's still acting up especially after re-partitioning and flatlining everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes indeed. I'm very confused...
So... I don't want to get ahead of myself, but my phone seems to have sorted itself out...
I decided to just send it back to the carrier to get it replaced. So I decided to just flash the official Firmware again. (I accidentally left repartition ticked)
Once it started I thought... Oh ****... But I was sending it back anyway so who cares. (the carrier said they will just swap it for me if they can see it not working)
So I let it finish and turn it on to see what happens, run through the setup to make sure it still crashes at the same spot so I can show them... and it doesn't crash... wtf?
So I flash the custom recovery and XNote... And it seems to be working now. Now freezing, no nothing... I... I don't know...
Crazy, least it appears somewhat sorted lol
radicalisto said:
Crazy, least it appears somewhat sorted lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far, yeah... I think I got the runt of the litter or something... Haha
Reynbow said:
So far, yeah... I think I got the runt of the litter or something... Haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just out of curiosity, as I see you have an AU model, did you buy it from Kogan? -- Reason I ask is that they used HK firmware on some models and HK models have issues flashing normal firmware (similar to the issue you had)
radicalisto said:
Just out of curiosity, as I see you have an AU model, did you buy it from Kogan? -- Reason I ask is that they used HK firmware on some models and HK models have issues flashing normal firmware (similar to the issue you had)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not from Kogan, no. From Optus. Pretty standard.

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