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To get to the point, people DON'T UPDATE YOUR VIBRANTS and T-MOBILE HANDLES THE ISSUE HORRIBLY! Obviously this is not a universal problem, but if you do happen to be one of the lucky ones that bricks their phone with the update there is no saving it (at least with the help of T-mobile).
I just got off of the phone with tech support and they were less than helpful. After the regular punching in numbers, talking to two different people, and trying to re-boots that everyone with half a brain have tried, they informed me that they would replace the phone but I had to PAY for shipping. While I realize this is a normal policy when it comes to random malfunctions, which may or may not have been the users fault, this is absolutely ridiculous when the problem is 100% their fault. Seriously, T-mobile ships a top of the line phone that has some major flaws and inactivated software (media hub), then breaks the phone with it's official update, and somehow this is MY responsibility to pay to get fixed? The rep even asked if I at this point wanted to add insurance so next time I wouldn't have to pay for shipping and if I wanted to pay extra for expedited shipping! They were trying to make an add-on sale while fixing an issue THEY caused!
That's not even the end of it, because I was so irritated they sent me to a "loyalty specialist" (who sounded like a used car salesman). He rambled on about how he would waive the shipping fee (he made it sound like he just saved my first born child). I told him I appreciated that but it didn't fix the fact that T-Mobile was not handling the issue well. When a large number of phones break from an issue originating from the provider they should either 1) have re-furbished phones (or even set aside new phones if necessary) to replace these broken phones as they come up or 2) offer free over night shipping of the replacement phone. He told me that these options were too expensive for T-Mobile, and that if I like I could sign up for either of their two insurance plans, as they would allow me to do an in-store replacement (he later noted that one of them was only available within the first 14 days of owning the phone...). I couldn't believe they were trying to another add-on sale! The best part being, I later called around to all my local T-Mobile owned stores and none of them have the Vibrant available for in-store replacement (and never have).
So the Cliff-Notes of my rant:
1) DON'T UPDATE YOUR VIBRANT
2) If you did brick your phone, make sure to complain and they should refund the ridiculous shipping charge
3) If you don't own a Vibrant and are thinking about it consider the following (Don't let it stop you, just consider it):
- Still on 2.1, when Nexus One has been on 2.2 for months (and the Galaxy S 2.2 official ROM has been leaked so it does exist in some form.) => Meaning updates are super scarce and extremely late.
- T-Mobile is selling a good phone with many flaws, and their first attempt to fix it bricked many phones (do a google search I am not the only one).
- While it may be better than other companies, T-Mobiles customer service is FAR from flawless
P.S. My phone was completely stock (so please don't mention how I did this with a lag fix, etc.). I waited at least 15 mins before I pulled the battery, before which I had noted the T-Mobile sound starting without the animation (seems like a timing issue or something). And finally, I realize this is a duplicate post to many others but I want people to find this info (not be at the bottom of a really long thread) to get the word out how T-Mobile deals with their errors.
I hate when people mess with their phones then get angry at a company for "breaking" their phone. Im running stock rom with root and also got bricked, but, I manned up and knew I was in the wrong and accepted what happened. I didn't put the blame on TMo, because completely untouched vibrants that I was aware of had no issues with this OTA. If you added functionality to it after the fact that it wasn't originally on there before when you initially purchased it; then its YOUR fault that it bricked, NOT T-mobiles. Take some responsibility and stop crying.
Had the same problem but this is a pretty fix using Odin.
If you install an update from an OTA T-Mobile should be held responsible
I don't know about you guys but when you have been a customer for 10+ years, T-Mobile will pretty much suck your balls.
Either way, if you guys rooted it, then that takes the fault from T-Mobile to you. You changed the phone. The update was designed for a pristine un-edited Samsung Vibrant, if you changed anything in the system by rooting or flashing it is your fault for changing the equation. T-Mobile is NOT at fault for your actions.
Yeah why warranty the phone when you can just ODIN and fix it yourself? Do a xda search. If you're gonna use xda to complain at least use it to solve your own problems as well. Unless your phone is hardware locked it is 100 % fixable.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
starkiller86 said:
I hate when people mess with their phones then get angry at a company for "breaking" their phone. Im running stock rom with root and also got bricked, but, I manned up and knew I was in the wrong and accepted what happened. I didn't put the blame on TMo, because completely untouched vibrants that I was aware of had no issues with this OTA. If you added functionality to it after the fact that it wasn't originally on there before when you initially purchased it; then its YOUR fault that it bricked, NOT T-mobiles. Take some responsibility and stop crying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
P.S. My phone was completely stock (so please don't mention how I did this with a lag fix, etc.). I waited at least 15 mins before I pulled the battery, before which I had noted the T-Mobile sound starting without the animation (seems like a timing issue or something). And finally, I realize this is a duplicate post to many others but I want people to find this info (not be at the bottom of a really long thread) to get the word out how T-Mobile deals with their errors
Did you not read that part?
I bricked two stock Vibrants with the update. The second one failed during Mini-Kies update and was hardware locked.
It is a known issue according to the Tech guy that I spoke to while getting my replacement.
First phone wouldn't power on after failure, second phone was hardware locked so un-fixable.
No, no.
This happened to me, I had a rooted phone I had uninstalled the inflight internet, etc on it and hadn't overclocked or anything like that. Phone kills itself. I went to the tmo store and they only make you pay for shipping if you take the overnight option.
PROTIP - DON'T ASK FOR EXTRA SPEEDY SHIPPING AND THEY'LL PAY FOR IT.
so i guess we are just SOL for the data on the phone? I just lost an entire vacation of pictures. I had not had a chance to root this phone either. this is ****ing awesome.
dechire said:
so i guess we are just SOL for the data on the phone? I just lost an entire vacation of pictures. I had not had a chance to root this phone either. this is ****ing awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess this is just an example of "store your pictures on the external SD card"
Then if you brick it you can still get your pictures back ....
watcher64 said:
I guess this is just an example of "store your pictures on the external SD card"
Then if you brick it you can still get your pictures back ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Word. That's one of the first things I did when I got the phone and was playing with the features. Switched it from phone storage to memory card.
Sorry to hear you lost photos.
Protip: Pay the damn overnight shipping fee...it'll be deducted from your bill (flex pay) which makes it free: )
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Here is the business side
If I am T mobile every time some person has a problem and I offered free shipping, the Every moron would be shipping the device back for Any problem. Way way costly, so that is not going to happen. If you Really believe the phone is factory defective then, pay the shipping and move on. If you messed with it at all then the burden to resolve is yours and be honest about that. Remember the reason people are in here is to customize the phone and improve it. Like the XDA mantra sez.......... It is not just the result... but the journey....
Like one of the other posts stated:
If you rooted it, then that takes the fault from T-Mobile to you. You changed the phone. The update was designed for a pristine un-edited Samsung Vibrant, if you changed anything in the system by rooting or flashing it is your fault for changing the equation. T-Mobile is NOT at fault for your actions.
Gr8gorilla said:
First phone wouldn't power on after failure, second phone was hardware locked so un-fixable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a hardware lock fix now, you really should flash that before you do anything else. Yeah, you run the risk of bricking with the hardware unlock, but it's probably a safer bet than flashing away.
dechire said:
so i guess we are just SOL for the data on the phone? I just lost an entire vacation of pictures. I had not had a chance to root this phone either. this is ****ing awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you Odin it with the JI6 update, you might still be able to get a working system out of it. Worth a shot to see if you can get it without having to flash to stock first (which will wipe).
With all the time you spent with tech support, you could have found the thread that delineates how to fix your phone and update through odin. Its very easy and, frankly why be on a developers forum when you are not willing to tinker around a bit.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
dechire said:
so i guess we are just SOL for the data on the phone? I just lost an entire vacation of pictures. I had not had a chance to root this phone either. this is ****ing awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as the phone still powers on you can still use ADB Pull and save the data from the /sdcard folder. This update isn't a totally bricking the phone (at least it didn't mine) just making the display and inputs not work. To quote Billy Crystal: "He's only MOSTLY dead"
Odin was really simple to reflash the stock ROM and then I was able to do a nandroid restore from there.
The T-Mobile OTA update left my phone only booting to the vibrant screen, but it was a pretty simple fix with Odin. The hardest part was getting the proper drivers installed in windows!
Mini kies wouldnt even let me update,so I rooted and flashed bionix 1.8,works great.**** tmo.
Fyi to the people with hardware lock. I did the update on my gf's phone which was hardware locked and it failed. The phone would only boot to the vibrant screen. The good news is the ota update unlocks the hardware because her phone is able to get into recovery and download mode even thought the update failed. The point is don't worry if ota fail on you because you can just use odin to fix it since it unlocks the download mode.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
mr2t32 said:
Fyi to the people with hardware lock. I did the update on my gf's phone which was hardware locked and it failed. The phone would only boot to the vibrant screen. The good news is the ota update unlocks the hardware because her phone is able to get into recovery and download mode even thought the update failed. The point is don't worry if ota fail on you because you can just use odin to fix it since it unlocks the download mode.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the update even gets that far...
My dad's Optimus T supposedly can't boot up after he took out the battery and the device has been never rooted or anything(stock). I can't take a look at the phone to see whats wrong, but I'm preparing for the worst and want to know how to flash stock rom with kdz to maybe get it back up and running. I found the KDZ file and I am wondering what else I would need besides that? I've never done this before and looking for advice. Also, my parents never bought warranty so do you think TMO will replace it because it was never rooted and it also has the dust problem. So would they replace it since it is defective product, but then again it's been a few months since we bought it.
Thanks.
Feeshie said:
My dad's Optimus T supposedly can't boot up after he took out the battery and the device has been never rooted or anything(stock). I can't take a look at the phone to see whats wrong, but I'm preparing for the worst and want to know how to flash stock rom with kdz to maybe get it back up and running. I found the KDZ file and I am wondering what else I would need besides that? I've never done this before and looking for advice. Also, my parents never bought warranty so do you think TMO will replace it because it was never rooted and it also has the dust problem. So would they replace it since it is defective product, but then again it's been a few months since we bought it.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well to be frankily honest with you, get yourself a job and start buying your own phones so that you can get warranties and insurance on your phone's also yes check with TMO about replacing the phone, no sense in using a utility like KDZ if you know nothing about it, I cant help you with KDZ, ive never had to use it and never will, but Im pretty sure there are tons of threads that can point you in the right direction
Jrhodes85 said:
well to be frankily honest with you, get yourself a job and start buying your own phones so that you can get warranties and insurance on your phone's also yes check with TMO about replacing the phone, no sense in using a utility like KDZ if you know nothing about it, I cant help you with KDZ, ive never had to use it and never will, but Im pretty sure there are tons of threads that can point you in the right direction
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wasn't my decision to buy warranty or not and this isn't my phone. I'm using KDZ as a last resort so I'm not 100% set on it. Going to see what TMO can do first, but I don't have any hopes that they will do anything.
Feeshie said:
It wasn't my decision to buy warranty or not and this isn't my phone. I'm using KDZ as a last resort so I'm not 100% set on it. Going to see what TMO can do first, but I don't have any hopes that they will do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well good luck to you on that, if you need any help, let me know and Ill try to get some info for you on w/e you need, keep me updated as to how KDZ works for you, I have no need for it but Im to damn lazy to actually do the research for a tool I wont use, the only problem I had was one phone I "accidently" semi-bricked, but was under warranty so I got it replaced and now my second phone is rooted, customed recovery and CM7 rom on it
If you haven't had a chance to take a look at the phone yet, then maybe you can start with that and trying something simple like taking out the battery, putting it back in, connecting the charger, and trying to turn on the phone? Then you can see what's going on. Maybe you'll want to try holding Power + Vol. down + Home to go into recovery from a turned off state. Keep in mind that stock recovery immediately begins its restore which (I think - custom recoveries spoil us) wipes user content.
Jrhodes85 said:
well good luck to you on that, if you need any help, let me know and Ill try to get some info for you on w/e you need, keep me updated as to how KDZ works for you, I have no need for it but Im to damn lazy to actually do the research for a tool I wont use, the only problem I had was one phone I "accidently" semi-bricked, but was under warranty so I got it replaced and now my second phone is rooted, customed recovery and CM7 rom on it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it's strange how it happened because this phone is completely stock and my dad or I never did anything to change anything to it. I really don't think it would get bricked just by removing the battery out.. I'll just have to wait until he gets back with the phone.
UPDATE: All phones have a 1 year warranty if something wrong with the phone so TMO took the phone in and sending a new one on the way.
Wait, so did you get a chance to look at it, or did someone else take it to TMO?
maip said:
Wait, so did you get a chance to look at it, or did someone else take it to TMO?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to turn it on and it stays stuck at LG logo with the 4 buttons blinking. My dad took it to T-Mobile and gave him a replacement
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA App
My Galaxy Note (Bell) has a loose micro USB port. It can charge from the wall and is recognized by my pc however I need to prop it up on a slant in order for it to maintain pressure on the cable input, otherwise it will disconnect. It was caused by my dog knocking it off an end table while charging. It's a pain and Samsung has sent me a UPS slip to send it away.
The phone is rooted and this is my first experience with an Android. I've had a good time loading Da_G's kernel, figuring out adb, cwm, dagr8's Saurom and all the rest. However its time to send it back and I really don't know what Samsungs procedures are for a rooted phone. I've loaded the Bell kernel back to the phone but it's not the 100% solution I was looking for so I got frustrated and just went back to where I was already at with Saurom rc4 loaded up and titanium backup now doing it's thing.
Anyone with previous experiences send back a rooted phone for a hardware issue and know their policies?
Is there a step after flashing the bell kernel tar I'm missing?
Thanks
Jesso2k said:
My Galaxy Note (Bell) has a loose micro USB port. It can charge from the wall and is recognized by my pc however I need to prop it up on a slant in order for it to maintain pressure on the cable input, otherwise it will disconnect. It was caused by my dog knocking it off an end table while charging. It's a pain and Samsung has sent me a UPS slip to send it away.
The phone is rooted and this is my first experience with an Android. I've had a good time loading Da_G's kernel, figuring out adb, cwm, dagr8's Saurom and all the rest. However its time to send it back and I really don't know what Samsungs procedures are for a rooted phone. I've loaded the Bell kernel back to the phone but it's not the 100% solution I was looking for so I got frustrated and just went back to where I was already at with Saurom rc4 loaded up and titanium backup now doing it's thing.
Anyone with previous experiences send back a rooted phone for a hardware issue and know their policies?
Is there a step after flashing the bell kernel tar I'm missing?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to send my Captivate to Samsung for repair. it was rooted and they fixed it without any issues.
Most manufacturers will fix hardware issues clearly not caused by rooting. Of course, no promises.
That's the reassurance I needed. I'll get on with it and send it away tomorrow. I'll report back in a very long 2 weeks...
Sent from my SGH-I717R using XDA
Jesso2k said:
My Galaxy Note (Bell) has a loose micro USB port. It can charge from the wall and is recognized by my pc however I need to prop it up on a slant in order for it to maintain pressure on the cable input, otherwise it will disconnect. It was caused by my dog knocking it off an end table while charging. It's a pain and Samsung has sent me a UPS slip to send it away.
The phone is rooted and this is my first experience with an Android. I've had a good time loading Da_G's kernel, figuring out adb, cwm, dagr8's Saurom and all the rest. However its time to send it back and I really don't know what Samsungs procedures are for a rooted phone. I've loaded the Bell kernel back to the phone but it's not the 100% solution I was looking for so I got frustrated and just went back to where I was already at with Saurom rc4 loaded up and titanium backup now doing it's thing.
Anyone with previous experiences send back a rooted phone for a hardware issue and know their policies?
Is there a step after flashing the bell kernel tar I'm missing?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best luck.... if you were in America you could just take it to an att store. Just be on a stockish rom and turn it in and they would not notice lol, get another device that day. Idk how things go up in Canada though.
Dont Do It!!!!
I dont know WHY there are people here sending the OP off....EVERYONE KNOWS that if you root it voids your warranty...it doesnt say "It voids your warranty except for hardware issues"
Why set yourself up to be disappointed when you can just revert it back to stock and not worry at all.....people always trying to catch a fool slipping....question is who will be the fool in this scenario????
BigBrotherMotown said:
I dont know WHY there are people here sending the OP off....EVERYONE KNOWS that if you root it voids your warranty...it doesnt say "It voids your warranty except for hardware issues"
Why set yourself up to be disappointed when you can just revert it back to stock and not worry at all.....people always trying to catch a fool slipping....question is who will be the fool in this scenario????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well he should revert back to stock for sure but you can't roll back the counter. But as long as your stock they may not look at the counter and just fix the phone. It's been said before, there's no known case of Samsung voiding a warranty because of it.
Dont know how they do it up there but down here on AT&T we have a 30 day return/exchange policy I exercised yesterday in fact, plus a year warranty giving us refurbished phones if anything happens. I know you guys got it a little before us but I would check into this. Go back to stock there's a thread on how to do this in our development section and take it into your local providers store see what happens maybe you'll get lucky and they'll replace it on the spot. Say it was a hardware defect though.
BigBrotherMotown said:
I dont know WHY there are people here sending the OP off....EVERYONE KNOWS that if you root it voids your warranty...it doesnt say "It voids your warranty except for hardware issues"
Why set yourself up to be disappointed when you can just revert it back to stock and not worry at all.....people always trying to catch a fool slipping....question is who will be the fool in this scenario????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because in everyone's experience they'll generally fix hardware problems even if you're rooted. Of course they have to, but they tend to. We all said there were no guarantees.
BigBrotherMotown said:
I dont know WHY there are people here sending the OP off....EVERYONE KNOWS that if you root it voids your warranty...it doesnt say "It voids your warranty except for hardware issues"
Why set yourself up to be disappointed when you can just revert it back to stock and not worry at all.....people always trying to catch a fool slipping....question is who will be the fool in this scenario????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems like one does not simply revert back to stock. Admittedly I'm new to this but all I can find in the development forum is the Bell kernel. The full bell system doesn't seem to be up, just the At&T. After a factory reset and old kernal I still have super user loaded and all of the bell bloatware gone. I'm sure with some due diligence I could have made a back up right after my original root but I didn't. Frustrated with the mess I created I just set the phone back up with Saurom the way I liked it.
alexige said:
Dont know how they do it up there but down here on AT&T we have a 30 day return/exchange policy I exercised yesterday in fact, plus a year warranty giving us refurbished phones if anything happens. I know you guys got it a little before us but I would check into this. Go back to stock there's a thread on how to do this in our development section and take it into your local providers store see what happens maybe you'll get lucky and they'll replace it on the spot. Say it was a hardware defect though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only 14 days here. I've had it since launch on Feb 14th. Bell is synonymous for passing the buck off, contact them online and they tell you to call in, call them and they tell you go into a store, go to a store and they'll tell you to go to the original store of purchase or another another store with a repair tech on duty. Going directly through Samsung has been smooth thus far, I just hope if they have an issue they'll contact me before blowing whistles and charging my bill some erroneous fees.
Hey guys, first post, first real major issue I've encountered well rooting a phablet.
I have a ATT galaxy note, yesterday I rooted it and installed the Saurom ROM, everything was a breeze, I decided to try out ICS, I accidentally installed Criskelo onto the device before finding out it wasn't okay for the ATT note.
It hung on installing the rom itself and so I removed the battery imagining I could just revert to Saurom til I found a new ICS rom. But after I interuppted the ROM from installing, I get NO POWER! No download mode, nothing whatsoever on the screen =[ I'm ultra sad, best solution I find for the note is possibly a USB jig but I don't know if it will bring me back from this...
ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! I'm sitting here with a bricked note and a broken heart.
Don't be heartbroken just yet. This just happened to a friend of mine with his Note. I'm sending him your way. He's working today so I doubt he can get to you right away but I'm pretty sure he has the answer you need.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Have you tried accessing the phone with odin to see if it shows up there?
did you install CWM prior to flashing? try the three button combo to boot into recovery
did you backup prior to flashing ICS?
erikistehsex said:
Hey guys, first post, first real major issue I've encountered well rooting a phablet.
I have a ATT galaxy note, yesterday I rooted it and installed the Saurom ROM, everything was a breeze, I decided to try out ICS, I accidentally installed Criskelo onto the device before finding out it wasn't okay for the ATT note.
It hung on installing the rom itself and so I removed the battery imagining I could just revert to Saurom til I found a new ICS rom. But after I interuppted the ROM from installing, I get NO POWER! No download mode, nothing whatsoever on the screen =[ I'm ultra sad, best solution I find for the note is possibly a USB jig but I don't know if it will bring me back from this...
ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! I'm sitting here with a bricked note and a broken heart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some ROMs can damage the device's onboard flash. Surprisingly the Note is one of the few devices that you can actually physically break by flashing the wrong ROM.
erikistehsex said:
Hey guys, first post, first real major issue I've encountered well rooting a phablet.
I have a ATT galaxy note, yesterday I rooted it and installed the Saurom ROM, everything was a breeze, I decided to try out ICS, I accidentally installed Criskelo onto the device before finding out it wasn't okay for the ATT note.
It hung on installing the rom itself and so I removed the battery imagining I could just revert to Saurom til I found a new ICS rom. But after I interuppted the ROM from installing, I get NO POWER! No download mode, nothing whatsoever on the screen =[ I'm ultra sad, best solution I find for the note is possibly a USB jig but I don't know if it will bring me back from this...
ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! I'm sitting here with a bricked note and a broken heart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may need to contact mobile tech videos and get jtag unbricking service.
A bad flash happened to me in my first week of owning the phone so I was under the 30 day return policy with AT&T. I told them I was updating apps in the market, it got super hot, shut off, and would not power up.
They couldn't get it to turn on either, for obvious reasons, and they exchanged it no further questions asked. Hopefully your still in the return period.
Sent from my Icey G-Note Beast with XDA Premium 0_o
I done the same thing..odin should pick it up kust flash att recovery
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
I'm sorry to say you probably have a hard brick on your hands. There's more info in this thread. I did the same thing myself. studacris's answer is the only option, you'll need to send it to someone who can do a JTAG repair on it, or you need to hope it's under warranty and send it back to AT&T and tell them that it just plain broke.
All notes are under warranty from Samsung still. They are for a year of purchase date. note has not been out a year.
Normally when I've had a a phone brick on me or a friends phone when out of the 30 day period, I would call 611 and have them send me a phone and when I received the new one I would mail the bricked one. It wasn't a big issue since the phones have manufacture warranties. Now they opened a device support center near buy and you can go and get a new one that same day.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
question for the OP's question, Samsung has that flash counter on the phone, I'm assuming with a bad flash like this it doesn't go up. But does it? And it if does, would Samsung be able to tell what happened? I know Samsung has a hard stance on flashers. To OP, I did the same thing, and I resorted to getting the JTAG thing done, the few places I've came across won't charge unless they can fix it. And they only charge like $50.
I tried jtag. Waste of money. They could not save my phone, plus they charged me $30 for looking at it.
Not to mention I lost out on my shipping.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
The last resort is to try a Jig to force download mode. If that fails, you are done. You can look on your PC in the Device Manager. In there it will show you an "state" when you connect the device trying to get into Download Mode. Google that state. I am guessing you are getting the bad one which at this time is a device exchange.
Hi, I am looking for some help Rooting/Unlocking my ZTE Z990G also known as ZTE Merit.
I like so many others made the mistake of falling for Net10's good priced no contract plans and phones only to be highly unsatisfied by the time my 30 day unlimited plan was up...Now the phone is of decent quality and I do want to keep it, but I just do not feel like $50 a month is worth the horrid customer service and other issues I have had.
Basically I want to unlock my phone to use with T-Mobile, however net10 is refusing to give me the unlock code. I have made multiple calls and gotten various representatives but each one responds with the same questions when I ask "Are you meaning to unlock your phone to use with another provider? Why?" and then when I say yes (and give any reason, even that I'm going to be overseas) "Oh, I'm sorry our phones can't be unlocked. Have a good day!" First of all I know this is BS because I have seen an unlocked Merit with my own eyes and know if can be done.
So all in all, can someone help me to unlock my phone? I am willing to root if necessary, I just need it unlocked so I can use my t-mobile sim card in it. I went to unlockclient.co and it says they can unlock it but I would rather not pay $25 for something I don't know is safe...Please help!
(sorry for all the ranting)
Noob_Rooter said:
Hi, I am looking for some help Rooting/Unlocking my ZTE Z990G also known as ZTE Merit.
I like so many others made the mistake of falling for Net10's good priced no contract plans and phones only to be highly unsatisfied by the time my 30 day unlimited plan was up...Now the phone is of decent quality and I do want to keep it, but I just do not feel like $50 a month is worth the horrid customer service and other issues I have had.
Basically I want to unlock my phone to use with T-Mobile, however net10 is refusing to give me the unlock code. I have made multiple calls and gotten various representatives but each one responds with the same questions when I ask "Are you meaning to unlock your phone to use with another provider? Why?" and then when I say yes (and give any reason, even that I'm going to be overseas) "Oh, I'm sorry our phones can't be unlocked. Have a good day!" First of all I know this is BS because I have seen an unlocked Merit with my own eyes and know if can be done.
So all in all, can someone help me to unlock my phone? I am willing to root if necessary, I just need it unlocked so I can use my t-mobile sim card in it. I went to unlockclient.co and it says they can unlock it but I would rather not pay $25 for something I don't know is safe...Please help!
(sorry for all the ranting)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had the same issue, spent 2 hrs on the phone with Net10 and ZTE!
After some scouring the net on google I found this, several people on various forums and blogs report that it works great!
I'm getting ready to try this myself.
Scroll to the bottom of the list and you'll see that the Z990G IS supported!
If you try it please report back and let me know if it worked for you.
[Edit]
I was referring to this site here www.unlockclient.co
[QUOTE="droidgeek99, post: 41799617, member: 4718662"]I've had the same issue, spent 2 hrs on the phone with Ne
droidgeek99 said:
I've had the same issue, spent 2 hrs on the phone with Net10 and ZTE!
After some scouring the net on google I found this, several people on various forums and blogs report that it works great!
I'm getting ready to try this myself.
Scroll to the bottom of the list and you'll see that the Z990G IS supported!
If you try it please report back and let me know if it worked for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Id like to know the same thing. Bought mine 4 months ago, and every since Net10 activated it, its been rebooting on its own, refuses to allow connection to my 3g services 1 week into my first month. Pic msg and gps have failed since Net10 customer reps reconfigured my apn and now that they dont know what they did or why its not letting me axcess my services or we, Net10 refuses to fix it, they wont unlock it-told me they cant unlock it, they refuse to refund my $130 let alone $250 for paid for services that I cant axcess and they wont render. Top it off, this is practially a brand new phone and they want me to send it to them before they take a month to send me SOMEONE ELSES REFURBISHED PHONE. Yea i dont think so. Been a customer for 3 years and I want out.
Help me....please?
Stasi_leigh said:
Id like to know the same thing. Bought mine 4 months ago, and every since Net10 activated it, its been rebooting on its own, refuses to allow connection to my 3g services 1 week into my first month. Pic msg and gps have failed since Net10 customer reps reconfigured my apn and now that they dont know what they did or why its not letting me axcess my services or we, Net10 refuses to fix it, they wont unlock it-told me they cant unlock it, they refuse to refund my $130 let alone $250 for paid for services that I cant axcess and they wont render. Top it off, this is practially a brand new phone and they want me to send it to them before they take a month to send me SOMEONE ELSES REFURBISHED PHONE. Yea i dont think so. Been a customer for 3 years and I want out.
Help me....please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd never have stayed with them for that long, Net10 sucks
Ok, so I tried http://www.unlockclient.co/
Paid the 25 bucks and it unlocked my Merit in under a minute! Now I can use T-Mobile! As stated on their webpage if you leave a positive comment on their Youtube video they'll refund you $3. I left my review and within 25 mins paypal notified me of the refund!
Here's the video to comment on for the refund. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0HHQy0tXJQ
****Disclaimer****
If your phone was manufactured or sold to you after January 28th, 2013 it is illegal according to federal law for you to unlock it without permission from your carrier. I will not be held responsible in anyway if you break the law.
My Merit was both manufactured and purchased prior to Jan. 28th 2013.
Hopefully you can get unlocked and away from Net10 without breaking the law :good:
Are you rooted with a custom ROM? I might be able to help you fix the other issues you mentioned.
droidgeek99 said:
I'd never have stayed with them for that long, Net10 sucks
Ok, so I tried
Paid the 25 bucks and it unlocked my Merit in under a minute! Now I can use T-Mobile! As stated on their webpage if you leave a positive comment on their Youtube video they'll refund you $3. I left my review and within 25 mins paypal notified me of the refund!
Here's the video to comment on for the refund.
****Disclaimer****
If your phone was manufactured or sold to you after January 28th, 2013 it is illegal according to federal law for you to unlock it without permission from your carrier. I will not be held responsible in anyway if you break the law.
My Merit was both manufactured and purchased prior to Jan. 28th 2013.
Hopefully you can get unlocked and away from Net10 without breaking the law :good:
Are you rooted with a custom ROM? I might be able to help you fix the other issues you mentioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly, no, my phone isn't rooted though I really wish it were. I am no where near Tech savvy and afraid Id brick it if I were to do it on my own.
I did however obtain the "PUK" code for my sim card (crazy enough through Net10) she just failed to tell me how to enter it in my phone to unlock it. So Im basically back to square one. ... I like my phone and all, I just hate that it hardly has any memory at all.
Im not sure if this is the right forum for my next question, but..... is it possible to change the stock or whatever from gingerbread to something
I really do appreciate your advice else? Lol told you, not tech savvy at all.....
Still think you can help??
droidgeek99 said:
Hopefully you can get unlocked and away from Net10 without breaking the law :good:
Are you rooted with a custom ROM? I might be able to help you fix the other issues you mentioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! So I finally rooted the phone (I know, yay right!) To do so, it was suggested that I install TouchNavRecovery and DexMeritRoot, which did as said...Root achieved. Since I've installed a custom rom called Icecream Scamwhich and ran it.....(really liked this one but had a few kinks to be worked out(which I was told to wait until they were fixed before installing) and I decided to try something else)
Now, I'm running a custom rom called the blue steel that I installed last night.
Do you think that you could possibly still help me? Id so appreciate any advice when it comes to the Z990g.
Hopeful yet!!
hi
Stasi_leigh said:
Hey! So I finally rooted the phone (I know, yay right!) To do so, it was suggested that I install TouchNavRecovery and DexMeritRoot, which did as said...Root achieved. Since I've installed a custom rom called Icecream Scamwhich and ran it.....(really liked this one but had a few kinks to be worked out(which I was told to wait until they were fixed before installing) and I decided to try something else)
Now, I'm running a custom rom called the blue steel that I installed last night.
Do you think that you could possibly still help me? Id so appreciate any advice when it comes to the Z990g.
Hopeful yet!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where did you get the rom to flash it? and how did you do it??
ZTE Merit / SpeedFreak 2.0 / HotRod
mrdreamers said:
where did you get the rom to flash it? and how did you do it??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
androidarea51.com/speedfreak-us/welcome-speedfreaks!/
I'd go with that ROM. I've tried IceCreamScamWich which is a deodexed and themed version and one by StayBoogy on an overclocked kernel running at 777mhz but SpeedFreak2.0 is just amazing for this phone. You even keep more system storage through sd-ext4.
Try this kernel : androidforums.com/avail-all-things-root/525527-kernel-kernel1-0-update-apr-7-11-33-released.html
Overclocked to 864mhz and running smooth. Uncanny really. Hands down SpeedFreak2.0/HotROD is the best.
---------- Post added at 03:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------
Stasi_leigh said:
Hey! So I finally rooted the phone (I know, yay right!) To do so, it was suggested that I install TouchNavRecovery and DexMeritRoot, which did as said...Root achieved. Since I've installed a custom rom called Icecream Scamwhich and ran it.....(really liked this one but had a few kinks to be worked out(which I was told to wait until they were fixed before installing) and I decided to try something else)
Now, I'm running a custom rom called the blue steel that I installed last night.
Do you think that you could possibly still help me? Id so appreciate any advice when it comes to the Z990g.
Hopeful yet!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend you also try SpeedFreak2.0!
As for unlocking, I've tried all those ROMs and non of them include unlocking. So I also tried that unlock client.co and did get my $3 refund as well. Somehow, I ended up with an awesome unlocking app throughout my search in making the most out this phone that works flawlessly for anyone interested.
mrdreamers said:
where did you get the rom to flash it? and how did you do it??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunatly, Im not permitted to enter links or paraphrase them in the forums just yet but I do hope I can still be of some assistance (someway)
You should check out some good reads at Androidforums in the All Things Root Section for the zte merit z990g also known as the Avail. In those rooms you will find two Bloggers by OUT OF IDEAS and STAYBOGGY or you can search android forums for the TouchNavRecovery, the DexMeritRootzip, the ICS icecream scamwhich, as well as the Steel Blue Rom. All are great and wonderful just not my "fit"
as for how I did it, These zip files are fairly simple. The guys made them basically fail proof (thank goodness or Idz been up a creek wirhout a paddle & probably bricked my z990g) I just downloaded, backed up phone and user data/apps/informion.
Downloaded all those files TouchNavRecovery, DexMeritRootzip, ICS Icecream scamwhich, and Blue Steel Rom (decided to make another
Root Checker Basic and SuperUser from playstore (just so I wouldnt have to later.)
Copy TouchNav to Sd card (cant be in a folder has to be zip file)
Renamed it update.zip
Boot from recovery by turning phone off and holding down the MENU, VOLUME UP & THE POWER BUTTON down all at once until phone boots back up showing the recovery menu.
Using volume button to control cursor, I choose CLEAR DATA
Then selected INSTALL ZIP FROM SD CARD.
let it install. Once complete REBOOT
Then when phone powers back up RENAME the file RECOVERY.
(Decided to make another backup here)
Step 2:
Copy DexMeritRoot.zip to Sd
Rename update.zip
Boot from recovery
Wipe data
Install update.zip
Reboot (should be rooted by now)
Renamed Z990g_root
Then simply followed those same steps to install the ROMS
Updates MUST be renamed update.zip or they wont install. (Not sure if this rule applies each time you install a new kernel, custom rom, etc or if it only applies to when you install from stock., to be safe I renamed each one update.zip before installing and made sure to rename them before I copied another to the sd cards root and renamed it to update.zip to avoid confusion)
Im also aware it may not of been required biut I backed up everything several times.
Before I rooted with all zip files and su as well as root checker basic downloaded prior to wiping any data.
AFTER the installment of update.zip for TouchNavRecovery
AFTER installing the DexMeritRoot.zip
AFTER installing ICS icecream scamwhich
AFTER installing the Blue Steel custom ROM
oh and AFTER I installed the stayboggy overclocked Kernel for my zte z990g.
As stated, currently Im unable to post links as per xda forum rules until I reach 10post I believe it is, but I hope to of been some help to those who are also new to rooting and seeking to explore the Zte Merit Z990g at its fullest possibilities.
Im currently seeking information on su commands and how to use Android terminal emulator If you should be intrested please check over at Androidforums for more tips as they are Noob user friendly and insightful as well
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any mishaps or misfortunes if any reader should attempt the above method of rooting their device or installing a custom rom mentioned in this thread. Please note that just because these methods worked for my device DOES NOT mean that it will work for others, therefore releasing myself and the xda forum from any liability should you attempt any above zip and brick your device. stones
Flip956 said:
hxxp://androidarea51.com/speedfreak-us/welcome-speedfreaks!/
I'd go with that ROM. I've tried IceCreamScamWich which is a deodexed and themed version and one by StayBoogy on an overclocked kernel running at 777mhz but SpeedFreak2.0 is just amazing for this phone. You even keep more system storage through sd-ext4.
Try this kernel : hxxp://androidforums.com/avail-all-things-root/525527-kernel-kernel1-0-update-apr-7-11-33-released.html
Overclocked to 864mhz and running smooth. Uncanny really. Hands down SpeedFreak2.0/HotROD is the best.
---------- Post added at 03:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------
I recommend you also try SpeedFreak2.0!
As for unlocking, I've tried all those ROMs and non of them include unlocking. So I also tried that unlock client.co and did get my $3 refund as well. Somehow, I ended up with an awesome unlocking app throughout my search in making the most out this phone that works flawlessly for anyone interested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you are correct. Neiter offer a solution to unlocking the device from its network sim lock. I initally installed due to my phones over panicked kernel forcing my merit into a constant reboot until it was rendered nearly useless. Id hoped either one would stop or slow the reboots down as Im just now beginning to gain use of my merit for the first time in about 6 months or so. Frustrating as it was I bared with uit lol There for a while I figured Id bought a $130 piece of crap destined for the local electronic recycle bin
On the ROM you suggested....I'll be heading over to check it out as soon as I finish this post. And as for the unlocking app...... Id ever be so grateful and am highly interested. Please inbox me and let me know what I need to do on my part. Ive downloaded busybox and terminal emulator but as for the commands.....yea Im so lost. (Was advised I could possibly unlock that way) was also told I could install a unlocked version of the
Flip956 said:
androidarea51.com/speedfreak-us/welcome-speedfreaks!/
I'd go with that ROM. I've tried IceCreamScamWich which is a deodexed and themed version and one by StayBoogy on an overclocked kernel running at 777mhz but SpeedFreak2.0 is just amazing for this phone. You even keep more system storage through sd-ext4.
Try this kernel : androidforums.com/avail-all-things-root/525527-kernel-kernel1-0-update-apr-7-11-33-released.html
Overclocked to 864mhz and running smooth. Uncanny really. Hands down SpeedFreak2.0/HotROD is the best.
---------- Post added at 03:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------
I recommend you also try SpeedFreak2.0!
As for unlocking, I've tried all those ROMs and non of them include unlocking. So I also tried that unlock client.co and did get my $3 refund as well. Somehow, I ended up with an awesome unlocking app throughout my search in making the most out this phone that works flawlessly for anyone interested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do i flash speakfreak then the kernel? and also do you know where i can get the zte merit z990g stock rom? just incase things mess up ill flash it back to stock then reroot
i successfully flashed a custom rom ty :0)
now im needing to find the stock firmware does anyone know where i can get it? i looked everywhere even androidfourms plz help ty.
Currently working on a tut to fully flash to AT&T AVAIL and full SIM unlock.