[Q] Fixing a Vibrant that won't boot fully - Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

After flashing Macnut R12 and Eugene's a13 kernel, my Vibrant will only boot to the "Galaxy S I9000" screen, but nothing further. The screen doesn't go black and no buttons flash, the phone just doesn't boot past that screen. I can enter recovery and download mode, and can use clockwork mod recovery, but I'm not sure what my next steps should be. Should I attempt to use Odin (Bricked my first Vibrant with that, though that one was HW-Locked), or is there some other way to fix this?

Scratch that, now my Vibrant boot-loops (Boots to galaxy S I9000 screen then restarts), and I can't enter recovery. Starting to freak out a bit, hoping download mode works... Any help would be appreciated.

Generic112 said:
Scratch that, now my Vibrant boot-loops (Boots to galaxy S I9000 screen then restarts), and I can't enter recovery. Starting to freak out a bit, hoping download mode works... Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gmail me [email protected]
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Here is a couple of methods to get into download mode. Once you get to download mode, follow the directions later in my post...
First Method
1) Pull the battery, sim card, and sd card.
2) Reinsert battery but do not press any buttons.
3) Plug into usb that is connected to your computer. If something shows up on the screen (charging logo) then you should be golden.
4) Hold the vol up, vol down, and power until the screen comes on, immediately release the power button but not the other two. You should be in dl mode.
Second Method
1) Another method that seems to work for some people is to pull the battery, sim, sd card.
2) Reinsert battery and hold both volume buttons but do not press power button.
3) Then plug in usb. The phone should boot into download.
Third Method
1) You will need the samsung ADB drivers installed for your phone and ADB.
Samsung Drivers for 32 bit Windows: http://files.androidspin.com/downlo...=SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones_x86.exe
Samsung Drivers for 64 bit Windows: http://files.androidspin.com/downlo...ung/vibrant/&file=usb_drivers_GalaxyS_x64.zip
2) Remove sim card and sd-card. Remove the battery.
3) Hold buttons vol up, vol down, and power.
4) While holding down those 3 buttons put the battery back in and keep holding all 3 buttons until the vibrant disappears and reappears. Once it reappears, release all 3 buttons.
5) Now connect your phone to your pc via USB cable.
6) Open a cmd prompt and navigate to the folder with ADB and type "ADB REBOOT DOWNLOAD" caps are not necessary.
7) Your phone will reboot into the download mode.
Once in download mode
Download the files in the linked thread and follow the directions there or the ones below.
Odin and Files Needed Available Here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=734475
1) Open Odin and verify that one of the Com ports shows a device connected. If it doesn't try using a different usb port.
2) Load the .pit and pda files. It should be pretty obvious how to do that once you are in Odin.
3) Make sure that the option to partition is unchecked. The other two options should be checked.
4) Hit start and wait.
5) Your phone will restart when Odin is done and you will be good to go.
Also, you might have to build the usb jig. It is guaranteed to get you into download mode. Here is a link to that thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=819551
Also, if you would like I can use remote log in to your computer and do it for you. Send me a pm or email: [email protected]

Ok, Download mode (Via Volume + and - and plugging in usb) works flawlessly, but I'm still unsure of how to go about using Odin to fix this problem. Should I go the "Froyo that doesn't brick" downgrading route, or should I just flash JFD? And to the above poster, I won't have access to the internet for a couple hours after this post, so I can't email you right away. If I can't fix the problem later today, I will certainly contact you for some assistance.

Thanks for the guide, I'm just worried about what to flash. I've seen people praise Eugene's downgrading method for fixing most any problem (Froyo that doesn't brick to JFD), but I'm very much an Odin novice, and I'd hate to let it tear the life out of yet another phone (Though thankfully this one isn't HW-Locked). Also, does flashing JFD through Odin touch the SBL or anything that could affect my phone's ability to access recovery/download mode through hardware methods? I've heard that the JI6 OTA update fixes the 3-Button mode, but I'm unsure of whether or not JFD breaks that (Though I assume it doesn't). Anyway, thanks for the help, sorry if I don't post back soon, have to leave the house for a few hours, and I'm stuck with my old phone until I can fix my Vibrant.
One last question, should I use the Odin in the link, or an updated version (If one exists, I believe Odin3 1.70 is the latest and I don't know used in that thread)? Last time I used Odin it froze and killed my HW-Locked Vibrant.

Generic112 said:
Thanks for the guide, I'm just worried about what to flash. I've seen people praise Eugene's downgrading method for fixing most any problem (Froyo that doesn't brick to JFD), but I'm very much an Odin novice, and I'd hate to let it tear the life out of yet another phone (Though thankfully this one isn't HW-Locked). Also, does flashing JFD through Odin touch the SBL or anything that could affect my phone's ability to access recovery/download mode through hardware methods? I've heard that the JI6 OTA update fixes the 3-Button mode, but I'm unsure of whether or not JFD breaks that (Though I assume it doesn't). Anyway, thanks for the help, sorry if I don't post back soon, have to leave the house for a few hours, and I'm stuck with my old phone until I can fix my Vibrant.
One last question, should I use the Odin in the link, or an updated version (If one exists, I believe Odin3 1.70 is the latest and I don't know used in that thread)? Last time I used Odin it froze and killed my HW-Locked Vibrant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for pointing out that the linked thread has the old Odin. I attached the new Odin 1.7 in this post. The other files (pit and pda) in that thread will work fine. Once you get booted into that ROM (Stock JFD) just re-root, install CWM recovery and reflash with a ROM of your choice.

Just wanted to say that Odin ran successfully for me, and I now have my Vibrant back in working order. Thanks for the help (and that nifty little guide).

Generic112 said:
Just wanted to say that Odin ran successfully for me, and I now have my Vibrant back in working order. Thanks for the help (and that nifty little guide).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are welcome. Glad you got it working again...

Related

HELP!! bricked vibrant?! :(

I googled how to reset my phone back to factory settings and they gave me this link
"[STOCK ROM] Odin3 One-Click Downloader"
(cant link links)
i misread that it was for the captivate, and i went through with all the directions.
now my phone keeps flashing an AT&T bootscreen and i cant get it in recovery mode..
help?
same here... that odin thing isn't working. Im just stuck at the vibrant boot screen. I know how to get into download mode but my pc or ODin doesnt recognize that i have my phone in. it's suppose to light up yellow or something. the tar files and all of that stuff is so confusing.
nevermind, i found the Odin program for the samsung vibrant and re did it.. but i still have BOTH at&t boot screen at the tmobile vibrant boot screen.. anyone know how to get rid of that? it would be much appreciated thanks!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=741027
where did u find it.. please share..
Edit: NVM..
stepinmyworld said:
same here... that odin thing isn't working. Im just stuck at the vibrant boot screen. I know how to get into download mode but my pc or ODin doesnt recognize that i have my phone in. it's suppose to light up yellow or something. the tar files and all of that stuff is so confusing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may have tried this but these are the steps that eventually worked for me.
1. Put your phone in download mode by plugging it in and then holding Vol Up+Down and Power. As SOON as the screen goes black release power but NOT Vol Up+Down.
2. Launch Odin
3. Unplug your phone.
4. Load the pit and pda files into odin.
5. Plug your phone back in. You should now see one of the small blocks turn yellow and show you the com port. If not, something is wrong with your drivers.
6. Click start. If it flashes, great. If it hangs at File analasys then repeat 1-5.
6a. If Odin hangs at cache.rfs then move on to 6b.
6b. Unplug your phone (Odin will say it was removed) and remove the battery. DO NOT SHUT DOWN ODIN!!!!!!
6c. Put the battery back in and plug it back into your computer and put it back into download mode using step 1.
6d. Press start on Odin and it should now flash.
Again, this worked for me, it may have been a fluke and I'm not willing to try it again. Good luck!!!
Does not boot!
What if the phone does not boot. All happened after I tried to flash the kernel back to the stock one. USB plugged in, battery is fully charged- still no sign of life. Any solution for that? No recover or download mode!
setzer715 said:
You may have tried this but these are the steps that eventually worked for me.
1. Put your phone in download mode by plugging it in and then holding Vol Up+Down and Power. As SOON as the screen goes black release power but NOT Vol Up+Down.
2. Launch Odin
3. Unplug your phone.
4. Load the pit and pda files into odin.
5. Plug your phone back in. You should now see one of the small blocks turn yellow and show you the com port. If not, something is wrong with your drivers.
6. Click start. If it flashes, great. If it hangs at File analasys then repeat 1-5.
6a. If Odin hangs at cache.rfs then move on to 6b.
6b. Unplug your phone (Odin will say it was removed) and remove the battery. DO NOT SHUT DOWN ODIN!!!!!!
6c. Put the battery back in and plug it back into your computer and put it back into download mode using step 1.
6d. Press start on Odin and it should now flash.
Again, this worked for me, it may have been a fluke and I'm not willing to try it again. Good luck!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am completely lost when it comes to ODIN. I need to know the exact program to use. I have Odin Multi Downloader v4.03.. but it keeps giving me file path error and stuff. I have the right drivers i think because it does recognize my phone. im just so confused with this rar tar stuff. I would pay someone 20 dollars through paypal if they can walk me through this.
stepinmyworld said:
i am completely lost when it comes to ODIN. I need to know the exact program to use. I have Odin Multi Downloader v4.03.. but it keeps giving me file path error and stuff. I have the right drivers i think because it does recognize my phone. im just so confused with this rar tar stuff. I would pay someone 20 dollars through paypal if they can walk me through this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want your money, but if you PM me I will try to type up a detailed how to.
mffu said:
What if the phone does not boot. All happened after I tried to flash the kernel back to the stock one. USB plugged in, battery is fully charged- still no sign of life. Any solution for that? No recover or download mode!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What have you done to put it in download mode? You should power off your phone, plug it into your computer. It should then enter the charge mode where you see a picture of your battery being charged (or if you were like me and screwed up somewhere you may see a little picture of a phone, computer and yellow triangle in between them). If you get either of those then press and hold all three VOL up, VOL down and power. AS SOON AS the screen goes black release ONLY Power and it should go into download mode.
If you plug your phone into your computer (powered off) and nothing happens then you just be bricked. Call TMO and play dumb and hopefully get a replacement.
Ok,
The_Chrome_Coyote really helped me!!!! Thank you so much and im back up and running. There was something missing from the original tutorial, not that we should be spoon fed but I didn't have the WinRAR program on my pc and didn't know I needed to extract anything. I was looking for exe. for it to be a program and just open it. It's a little more complicated than that. I added my additions in BOLD
The_Chrome_Coyote's Original post to me:
Odin isnt that hard, its just REALLY picky about working.
Firstly you need to download the Samsung drivers for your OS which can be found:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728929
added:
Second you need to make sure you download WinRAR x86 (32 bit) 3.93 (google it and you should be able to get it) otherwise if your pc doesn't have a program to recognize rar and tar files, you are out of luck.
then read this thread from JAC:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=734475
1. Now, Extract ODIN from its .rar and place the .exe on your desktop
2. Extract the .pit file from its.rar and place that on your desktop
3. Place the JFD .tar file on your desktop but DO NOT EXTRACT
Now you can use ODIN
4. Start ODIN Odin3. [Android + SLP], through ODIN select the .pit file
5. Hit "PDA" button, and through ODIN select the .tar file
6. Plug your TURNED OFF PHONE into the USB cable
7. Wait for the Battery/ charging indicator to start
8. HOLD VOL UP+ VOL DOWN+ POWER, as soon as the screen goes black RELEASE POWER, and continue to HOLD VOL UP+ VOL DOWN Until it enters download mode. Which should happen quickly and looks like a men at work highway sign.
9. If a COM port has turned Yellow in ODIN, then the device has been recognized. If it hasnt, unplug and plug your phone back in.
10. Dont select any options other than whats set at default.
11. Hit Start and be patient, takes me maybe 5 minutes to get back up and running.
NOTE: If you do not see a blue progress bar on the phone's screen after a minute;
11a. Turn your phone off by pulling the battery.
11b. CLOSE ODIN
11c. Start at step 4 again.
ODIN needs to be open and ready to flash before the phone is plugged in, in my experience. Its very picking about this, and not everyone has this issue, but I did and following all these steps helped me flash my phone more times than I can count the other day haha.
Hope this helped! and your $20, donate it to Wes, JAC, or Eugene to keep them making great stuff for our phone.
Reply With Quote
Thank you thank you thank you
mffu said:
What if the phone does not boot. All happened after I tried to flash the kernel back to the stock one. USB plugged in, battery is fully charged- still no sign of life. Any solution for that? No recover or download mode!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing happened to mine when i tried odin. Now all i get sometime when it come on. are 7 rows of text that seems to be a code on screen in amber. Ishipped back 2 samsung. Since t-mobile won't take it after 14 days.
ok I screwed up guys.
I installed ROM manager from the market, flashed clockwork, it asked me if I wanted to partition and I said yes.
Now I just get a black screen at boot. I've managed to run odin and it says success. But I still just get a black screen after boot.
Little help?
I do have to say that if YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO EXTRACT A COMPRESSED FILE (RAR, ZIP,ETC) YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS FLASHING YOU'RE PHONE!! Odin or otherwise.
I am not being mean but at least stick to update.zip files flashed through recovery and make sure you read reviews of other users first, and understand the instructions completely.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
daddysays said:
I do have to say that if YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO EXTRACT A COMPRESSED FILE (RAR, ZIP,ETC) YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS FLASHING YOU'RE PHONE!! Odin or otherwise.
I am not being mean but at least stick to update.zip files flashed through recovery and make sure you read reviews of other users first, and understand the instructions completely.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First: everyone was a noob at one time, so simmer down.
Second: Pleast post an update.zip that will make my phone work.
Cannot get past Galaxy S boot screen
I was using clockwork recovery installed through an update.zip file on my sd card. everything was working fine for about a day and then when i powered my phone off the next day and powered it back on it would not boot up past the Galaxy S screen. it goes to the Galaxy S screen and then goes blank but my hard keys stay lit up while my lcd is completely blank. I tried using the Odin method described in this thread and it seemed like it was going to work but i still cannot get past the boot screen. please help. willing to donate if needed
jmoney1017 said:
I was using clockwork recovery installed through an update.zip file on my sd card. everything was working fine for about a day and then when i powered my phone off the next day and powered it back on it would not boot up past the Galaxy S screen. it goes to the Galaxy S screen and then goes blank but my hard keys stay lit up while my lcd is completely blank. I tried using the Odin method described in this thread and it seemed like it was going to work but i still cannot get past the boot screen. please help. willing to donate if needed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can see the samsung logo you are fine. Load up recovery and try a full wipe first. If that fails then you can odin back to stock and root again.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
1. If you have questions, there is a q and a forum for this device!!!!!!
2. THIS IS THE DEV PART OF THE FORUM. IE FOR DEVS POSTING STUFF FOR THE PHONE!!!!!
3. Learn how to Google. Not that hard. Example, you don't know what the *.rar extension is. GOOGLE IT!! Google knows everything.
4. If you don't have basic android or computer skills, don't try anything stupid. You do have a chance to brick your phone, even the pros like cyanogen have bricked their phones.
5. Don't offer cash for someone to fix your phone. Keep it in qna and some one will help you. Save your cash for the development that work hard on making these things work.
6. Can a mod please move this thread to qna.
7. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. USE THE SEARCH FINCTION BUILT ONTO THE FORUMS. IT WILL SAVE YOU TIME AND THEN YOU WILL NOT LOOK LIKE NOOBS THAT JUST GOT THIS PHONE BECAUSE IT HAD AVITAR IN THE BOX!!!!!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
cache.fs problem in odin
setzer715 said:
What have you done to put it in download mode? You should power off your phone, plug it into your computer. It should then enter the charge mode where you see a picture of your battery being charged (or if you were like me and screwed up somewhere you may see a little picture of a phone, computer and yellow triangle in between them). If you get either of those then press and hold all three VOL up, VOL down and power. AS SOON AS the screen goes black release ONLY Power and it should go into download mode.
If you plug your phone into your computer (powered off) and nothing happens then you just be bricked. Call TMO and play dumb and hopefully get a replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I FOUND A SOLUTION TO THE CACHE.RFS PROBLEM!!
http://www.fractionalphones.com/?p=121

Stuck at Vibrant Boot Screen

Hello everyone. I have a question about the current state of my Vibrant. Coming from a G1, I just upgraded to the Vibrant and have been loving since. I rooted my device, installed Clockwork Recovery, and flashed a new Rom. I decided to switch back to the stock rom but now when I turn on my Vibrant, it just sits at the Vibrant Samsung boot screen... Here are the steps I did up until this point:
1. Starting from the Stock T-Mobile rom, I applied Root update zip but booting into Recovery Mode (Holding down the volume Up/Down buttons and then pressing the Power button).
2. Installed Clockwork Recovery, and then did a Nandroid Backup.
3. Using Clockwork, I installed Eugene's Vibrant7 rom (I left create ROM Backup and Wipe Data options checked)
4. Vibrant7 rom flashed successfully but decided to switch back. So I used Clockwork to boot into manual recovery mode, selected Nandroid and then Restore
After it finished the Restore, it now sits at the Vibrant Samsung boot screen everytime I power it up... I'm thinking I should have not have used the Nandroid Restore to revert back to the stock ROM (unless I'm totally mistaken, I never used Clockwork Recovery before and have flash roms before with my G1).
At this point, could I just reflash back to the stock firmwire using ODIN (Directions from this thread [ROM] OFFICIAL T-Mo Vibrant JFD ODIN/Nandroid Backup Images 7/29/10 (Tested/Working) in the Vibrant/Android Development section). Would that take care of my problem or is my phone currently 'bricked' or SOL?
Thanks in advance for any help or clarification
yeah just odin back to stock... Read the directions carefully
this exact same thing is happening to me. I have tried to follow the instructions to odin. but when I hold volume down and power it just keeps rebooting to the vibrant page. but if I hold volume up and down and power I can get into recovery but non of the options fix my problem. Am I screwed or am I doing something wrong.
i'm having the same problem...stuck on boot screen
i'm on the bell network, are there instructions on how to use odin to fix my phone?
Try this,
1. Take out simcard ms and battery
2. Make sure you have the right drivers for your os
3. Open odin
4. Put your battery back in
5. Hold both volume up and volume down, using two fingers,
just to make sure your not missing a button.
6. Slowly... SLOWLY... put the usb into your phone while doing step 4
7. Continue to hold,
8. Should be in dl mode
If your not take out the battery and repeat 4-7. If odin doesn't recognize your phone, try unplugging the usb wire and reconnecting it.
flashed a sgh t959 with a galaxy s i9ooo kernel oops
​hi im stuck in manual mode and when i try to boot the screen shows two different galaxys s screens then goes back to manual mode and i cant get into down load mode it just goes back two manual mode was trying to root used wrong file i think im screwed i flash with oden and used i9000xxxhph tar file
Same with me, I think I soft bricked my vibrant, so I tried to restore to stock rom using odin. Odin detects it and runs stock rom just fine, but once it was restarting, the phone would not still boot up and would stay stuck at the vibrant samsung screen. I tried other roms such as froyo no brick, and i9000 stock rom also, would not boot also, just stuck at the samsung screen. What do I do? Odin works through the process fine though......why isnt it fixed?
Daddy_617 said:
Try this,
1. Take out simcard ms and battery
2. Make sure you have the right drivers for your os
3. Open odin
4. Put your battery back in
5. Hold both volume up and volume down, using two fingers,
just to make sure your not missing a button.
6. Slowly... SLOWLY... put the usb into your phone while doing step 4
7. Continue to hold,
8. Should be in dl mode
If your not take out the battery and repeat 4-7. If odin doesn't recognize your phone, try unplugging the usb wire and reconnecting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG MAN!!! i love you! this did it for me, i even went and bough AND made a jig but none worked, didnt boot up into dl mode, just stayed stuck at vibrant boot screen, this did it for me, thx man, saved me hours of stress
yes yes yes! your mistake was using the power button! Lol.
FUTURE NOTE: if you upgrade to any gingerbread roms.... new bootloaders are required. If your JIG didnt get you into download mode before...... then it isn't working right. Once your into the the new Bootloaders for gingerbread, the sequence is........ HOLD VOL UP and POWER until you trigger DL mode. No USB required.... DO NOT FLASH NEW BOOTLOADERS WITHOUT A WORKING JIG IN YOUR POSSESION. TEST IT BEFORE YOU FLASH. I had...... an experiance.... lol
Not working
ParaMount33 said:
OMG MAN!!! i love you! this did it for me, i even went and bough AND made a jig but none worked, didnt boot up into dl mode, just stayed stuck at vibrant boot screen, this did it for me, thx man, saved me hours of stress
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried all the instruction still stuck on Vibrant logo if i connect cable the Loader pix cums but doesnt load or show me battery image what to do now? also Odin doesnt recognize neither i can go to download mode!!!!!
If you can get in DL mode you are halfway there, next make sure you have correct drivers. Uninstall current drivers and reinstall correct drivers. Odin can be funny sometimes, you might need a new USB cable, try every USB port as well.
You can also use the All In One (AIO) program to get drivers and back to stock. If you are having issues with Odin try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=11358713
sent from the depths of helly bean
hi,
Once i gt a prob restoring. But then I re-flashed the ROM which the nandroid backup was taken and then in CWM selected advance and gave restore data option(as i remember).. (it was not full restore with system..b/c I flashed system separately)
You can go back to stock using ODIN .. as mentioned by Daddy_617 previously.
tc
Also if Odin doesn't work for you try Heimdall. I've seen post where this has worked for others.
Vibrant stuck on "Vibrant Samsung"
Daddy_617 said:
Try this,
1. Take out simcard ms and battery
2. Make sure you have the right drivers for your os
3. Open odin
4. Put your battery back in
5. Hold both volume up and volume down, using two fingers,
just to make sure your not missing a button.
6. Slowly... SLOWLY... put the usb into your phone while doing step 4
7. Continue to hold,
8. Should be in dl mode
If your not take out the battery and repeat 4-7. If odin doesn't recognize your phone, try unplugging the usb wire and reconnecting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this but the say thing keeps happening ... really need help

[Q] I think i bricked...

First off i'd like to say im not new to android, im not a dev or anything but i know how to work myself around my phone. But unfortunately i think think i might have possibly semi-bricked my phone. After installing frankin twiz final rom with JAC kernel w/voodoo, i was then informed that the official JI6 update was released. After i disabled the voodoo lag fix I tried odining back to stock vibrant so i can hopefully get the OTA update. It appeared to have flashed correctly. But once i booted up my phone it booted through the samsung vibrant screen then the galaxy screen, then just stayed there for awhile and turned black. I have tried to enter download mode but i believe i have a hardware locked phone(i've tried over and over again but with no avail) so i don't think i can odin flash again. So i have no clue what to do anymore. Please help. thanks.
Can you get into recovery by holding down the +/- buttons and power button? If you can, you can boot into Clockwork recovery and use ADB to see if mount /data works and what file system is formatted.
Also if you can use the buttons to boot into recovery these are the steps you should follow to get into download mode and have ODIN recognize your phone properly.
1.) Unplug your phone from the usb cable
2.) Remove your battery, sdcard, and sim card
3.) Open ODIN
4.) Plug in your usb cable to the phone and computer
5.) Hold down the volume +/- buttons
6.) While still holding the volume buttons insert the battery.
7.) The phone should now be in download mode with the big yellow icon
8.) Odin should recognize that your phone has been connected
9.) Flash the JFD firmware following the instruction in JAC's JFD thread
Thanks silow for the reply, but i've tried that and it failed. Even before i bricked the phone i couldn't access the recovery nor download mode by the hardware button i had to either enter through ROM manager or through terminal. Any other suggestions? thanks again.
If you can't get into recovery using the hardware buttons you should return and exchange your phone because that is consider a defect.
Being unable to get into recovery or download mode when you have a "soft-brick" is dangerous business.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

having trouble with miui 2.3.7

hey guys i'm having serious trouble with this miui 2.3.7. I flashed the rom, and everything was (kind of, the rom was buggy, but working) so i wanted to flash another one after a couple weeks so when i did, it gave me an error while flashing, then i tried to reboot, and i was on a boot loop with the vibrant and platypus screen. I tried reflashing the miui rom now (at the advice of someone else) and now My phone is just stuck on the vibrant screen and i can't even get into recovery. Please help if anyone can.
vballrkc said:
hey guys i'm having serious trouble with this miui 2.3.7. I flashed the rom, and everything was (kind of, the rom was buggy, but working) so i wanted to flash another one after a couple weeks so when i did, it gave me an error while flashing, then i tried to reboot, and i was on a boot loop with the vibrant and platypus screen. I tried reflashing the miui rom now (at the advice of someone else) and now My phone is just stuck on the vibrant screen and i can't even get into recovery. Please help if anyone can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try holding only the bottom button and power to get into recovery.
You might have to odin to stock. This is an one click too.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=954509
To get into download mode unplug your phone, take out your battery. Put the cable into your computer, hold the vol - and +, plug into your phone then insert the battery. (Put battery case on too so it does not fall out.)
It will revert you back to factory. Root it using it as well (using the tool), and then download miui from rom manager.
Let me know if you need anymore help.
I made this MIUI install guide for my GF at the time it's broken down in the simplest terms humanly possible so if the guide sounds like it's mocking you, well it's not it's just designed for people who have no idea what there doing, aka My ex lol follow it to A T starting with Odining to stock. Links to all files needed are embedded in the document itself.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14xGkh3BuU1OYR6eYY0XAk6BoRHsQAPWEHeVSJ1HcioI/edit
Note about odin it's reasonably self explanitory
open the program check ONLY these boxes
Repartition
Auto-Reboot
Reset Time
Select the "pit" button choose
512.pit
select the "PDA" button Choose
T959UVJFD.tar
turn phone off
press and hold Vol+ and Vol- now plug in usb that should enter you into Download mode and odin should find the device press start and wait for the phone to finish the process
now follow the guide on installing MIUI.
boystuff said:
I made this MIUI install guide for my GF at the time it's broken down in the simplest terms humanly possible so if the guide sounds like it's mocking you, well it's not it's just designed for people who have no idea what there doing, aka My ex lol follow it to A T starting with Odining to stock. Links to all files needed are embedded in the document itself.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14xGkh3BuU1OYR6eYY0XAk6BoRHsQAPWEHeVSJ1HcioI/edit
Note about odin it's reasonably self explanitory
open the program check ONLY these boxes
Repartition
Auto-Reboot
Reset Time
Select the "pit" button choose
512.pit
select the "PDA" button Choose
T959UVJFD.tar
turn phone off
press and hold Vol+ and Vol- now plug in usb that should enter you into Download mode and odin should find the device press start and wait for the phone to finish the process
now follow the guide on installing MIUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin out of it as said above, you need to get your partitions right. If you come back flash straight from a 2.2 rom like (bionix)
yeah i would love to do that but unfortunately when i go open oden and go into download mode the computer can't recognize my phone due to the drivers being changed to the nexus 1 drivers (that's what i've gathered from doing research). And I can't find anywhere to download the nexus 1 drivers....
vballrkc said:
yeah i would love to do that but unfortunately when i go open oden and go into download mode the computer can't recognize my phone due to the drivers being changed to the nexus 1 drivers (that's what i've gathered from doing research). And I can't find anywhere to download the nexus 1 drivers....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These should work for you.
http://code.google.com/p/android-roms/downloads/detail?name=android_usb_windows.zip&can=2&q
ok as of now, all i can do is get into download mode or get to the samsung screen, can't get into cwm. when i get into download mode, the computer won't recognize the phone due to the driver issue, i tried installing the drivers that the above poster suggested and they won't install when i go to device manager. any thoughts?
Install Samsung Kies (To get Drivers).Then, try my guide (link in signature).
Sent from my SGH-T959 (Samsung Vibrant)
ok downloading now....will keep you posted on progress
ok great news, the samsung kies worked and now i'm back to stock, but now i can't get into recovery....I'm assuming i'm still rooted? am i?
Now that you are back on stock you are no longer rooted. Now follow my guide on flashing MIUI. It has everything you need from flashing instructions to all compatible custom kernels for MIUI.
Sent from my SGH-T959 (Samsung Vibrant)
yeah sorry, i had a bone head moment. i re rooted the phone and now i'm good. thanks to everyone for all their help!!

[Q] Soft Brick?

Hello All,
First, let me say how much I've enjoyed reading this Forum and how much I LOVED my TMobile Samsung Vibrant 3G. While it worked for a long time running Froyo 2.2 with a Bionix Next-Gen V2 ROM, it was fantastic, but lately the microphone had been dying (I sounded more and more muffled no matter what I did). So I flashed up to ICS and installed Chimera to see if that might help. While the phone ran beautifully except for several apps that were rather wonky, I was getting more and more muffled.
So the other day I decided to restore my Nandroid backup, however when I flashed back I got stuck on the Vibrant boot screen. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get to Recovery.
How do I get back to Recovery from this? I have never used Odin, the only time I've ever hooked the phone up to the computer was when I originally flashed from Eclair to Froyo many moons ago. So please let me know if I'm missing something.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
You made a mistake when you tried to restore a 2.2 based backup from ICS base ROM. Now you must Odin to stock, its not that hard. First you will need to download the Odin program. I'm assuming you have device drivers on your PC but double check. Next you need 2 files, the 512 pit and jfd firmware file. Once you have those files you need to get in download mode.
I will link a thread with files and directions. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9375927
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samsgun357 short and sweet as always
samsgun357 said:
You made a mistake when you tried to restore a 2.2 based backup from ICS base ROM. Now you must Odin to stock, its not that hard. First you will need to download the Odin program. I'm assuming you have device drivers on your PC but double check. Next you need 2 files, the 512 pit and jfd firmware file. Once you have those files you need to get in download mode.
I will link a thread with files and directions. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9375927
I approve this message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I installed Odin and the necessary files and drivers, I plugged in the phone, but when I try to turn it on into Download Mode the Vibrant doesn't respond. There's just the little spinning light in the center of the screen. Odin doesn't recognize the phone either.
Anything else I can do?
Odin won't recognize unless you are in DL mode. I linked a video, I know it says captivate. Don't worry about the mod etc just follow it to get in download mode.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXMqLpnTPh0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I approve this message.
If this won't play just search download mode vibrant on YouTube.
samsgun357 said:
Odin won't recognize unless you are in DL mode. I linked a video, I know it says captivate. Don't worry about the mod etc just follow it to get in download mode.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXMqLpnTPh0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I approve this message.
If this won't play just search download mode vibrant on YouTube.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK watched the video, but 2 things:
-when I try to boot into Recovery it gets stuck on the Vibrant Samsung initial splash screen and never moves, even when holding down the 3 buttons;
-this video assumes I can access the phone to install the fix or anything else. I can't, it just stays stuck in the splash screen;
-I tried holding down the 3 buttons and simultaneously plugging in the USB cable, and still nothing but the splash screen;
-is there any way to turn on the device while hooked into the computer so Odin or something else can use the necessary files to turn it on and make it accessible?
Thanks all for your patience and advice, it's much appreciated. I LOVE this little phone and really want to heal her!
Hi,
I think you have tried to go to recovery mode using 3 button combo. But in order to use ODIN device has to be in DOWNLOAD MODE which can be done using following steps
1)start off with phone turned off
2)press down volume up, and volume down at same time, and never let go until you get into download mode. DON'T touch the power button
3) while holding down both volume buttons get your usb cable which is connected to your computer
4)plug in the usb cable into your phone, while you still hold down both up/down volume buttons at same time. Don't touch the power button.
5)As soon as you plug your usb cable into your phone, the phone will instantly go into Download mode.
6)You may now release the volume buttons
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hope this will help you to go on
tc
NOTE: here is a link I found. Just take a look http://www.ithinkdiff.com/how-to-access-download-and-recovery-mode-in-samsung-vibrant/
OK we are trying to get download mode not recovery. Your phone must be off for download mode. If it flashes vibrant screen you have gone to far and something is wrong. I specifically said pay no attention to the mod in video. Regardless I think you might need a jig to get in download mode.
I approve this message.
OK, noob error (smacks head), I kept saying Recovery Mode when what I needed was DL Mode, my sincerest apologies.
I got into DL Mode finally by holding down the Volume buttons (not the Power button), then plugging in the USB cable. The Vibrant promptly went into DL mode. Odin recognized the phone and off we went. It's now back to Stock Eclair (yuck).
So next question: am I rooted or do I have to do that all over again? And if so, what's the fastest way to do it so I can flash to the ROMs I knew and loved?
Lastly, a great big THANK YOU to samsgun357 & haarsh for all your assistance, you guys ROCK! :good:
No you are not rooted after using Odin to go back to stock. Glad you got it buddy! Now use this guide to get root and cwm recovery. Option b is probably what you want
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9375927
I approve this message.
Glad you are successfully ODINed and you are in perfect position to make things BETTER
Still the device is not rooted as samsgun357 said. but no worries it is a simple process to get rooted and go ahead. I will post an video and hope it will also ease up your task
tc and its a pleasure to help you
Happy Flashing :good:
Yep, got it rooted and flashed Cyanogen7, then flashed up to an ICS ROM (started with Chimera but it's a tad wonky so flashed over to Euphoria, we'll see how that goes).
That said, the microphone is still sounding very muffled, so I think it's a hardware issue. I was due for an upgrade anyway so I picked up the Samsung 4G Blaze (nice since the Vibrant I had was the 3G). So right now I'm just having fun exploring Android on the Vibrant while I read up on how to root and improve the Blaze.
I will miss this little phone though, it was light and super fast and agile, perfectly sized, especially compared to the mini-tablets coming out lately like the Samsung SIII and LG L9 or HTC One. I prefer smaller phones, so the Blaze fits the bill right now even though it's heavier than my old Vibrant.
Thanks again for everyone's assistance, VERY much appreciated! :good:
Hey guys,
I'm having the same problem w/ my phone (see img).
I can't get out of the little loading pinwheel.
I've tried all the prescribed methods in this thread.
Thoughts?
Sorry, also, I can't get to DL or the splash page. When I turn the phone on, it goes directly to the spinning pinwheel.
check this thread : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=848737
Gingerbread Bootloaders
Key Maps
For Recovery - Lower Volume Key + Power Button
For Download - Upper Volume Key + Power Button
Froyo Bootloader
Key Maps
For Recovery - Both Volume Keys + Power Button
For Download - Both Volume Keys and Connect USB Cable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tc
hoss9009 said:
Sorry, also, I can't get to DL or the splash page. When I turn the phone on, it goes directly to the spinning pinwheel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download mode IS what you need to use Odin a get back to stock.
The above post shows the button combo for DL mode and recovery based on which bootloaders you're running (thanks haarsh). If you haven't flashed GB boots, you have froyo boots.
Now make sure you have the correct Odin files and drivers on your PC.
The goal here is to get power to the phone, while holding button combo, from the PC.
Do a battery pull/replace. Plug USB into computer
While holding your button combo (see above) plug the phone in.
Hopefully you see DL mode
Also try pulling battery, plug USB in PC and phone
While holding button combo, pop the battery back in.
This can be tricky sometimes so don't give up.
OK. Let me backup and give you more info.
So sorry...
I rooted, but was unable to download ROM manager from the Store (im assuming bc it was running Froyo).
I was able to get CMW to install via update.zip. Once installed the phone was going directly into recovery when asked (3 button method). It would go into the Anroid recovery, first and then from continually installing CMW, go into CMW.
From there i installed a CM10 nightly.
Install went fine, but no mobile data connection. I went back to CMW and restored the original ROM, rebooted and am stuck w/ the pinwheel.
I can't get into to download mode AT ALL. I've tried the various button methods with no luck.
From what I did, I can assume that 2.1 IS installed on the phone.
Thoughts?
Thank you so much for the help.
Well the issue you have was caused by going back to a 2.1 or 2.2 build from cm10 through cwm. You should have used Odin to get back to stock.
If you can't get in DL mode manually you will need to buy a DL jig. You can get them from www.mobiletechvideos.com also from amazon I think. You can also make one yourself, just search USB download jig, you should find it.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
samsgun357 said:
Well the issue you have was caused by going back to a 2.1 or 2.2 build from cm10 through cwm. You should have used Odin to get back to stock.
If you can't get in DL mode manually you will need to buy a DL jig. You can get them from www.mobiletechvideos.com also from amazon I think. You can also make one yourself, just search USB download jig, you should find it.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok.. nothing at against your advice, but do they really work?
Yes they do. Look them up, I'm sure there are testimonials.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium

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