Hard reset of Samsung Tab S not working.

[Android Central Question]

I wanted to reset my Samsung tab s to factory settings. I tried to set it to factory settings through settings in the tablet but this didn't work as as soon as I got the welcome screen - I put in all the details and I got the the green screen with the dogs. After this I set my wifi password got connected and the next screen I got checking connection and the tablet hangs up. Also after the cogs I got messages like - (1) process not working [wait/ok] (2) google s voice not working [ok] (3)
Google keyboard not working [ok]. etc.

Then I tried the hard reset. Press [Home][Vol Up] and [Power] buttons and tried the factory reset (wipe data etc.) . Got the welcome screen and then got the messages as above 1, 2, 3, etc. the tablet hangs up after the wifi password acceptance. Is there a software problem? Is it worth flashing the tablet? Thanks for all responses and help.

 

[belodion]

Why did you want to reset it in the first place?

 

[mustang7757]

Did you just get this device or purchased used ?

I'll leave a Link to register so you can communicate here as a guest account you can only post questions but can't reply.https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Is this the first generation Galaxy Tab S? Was it malfunctioning before the factory reset as well?

 

[CoolSM]

Below are answers to your questions:

Q1: A: I bought the Samsung Tab S (SM-T700) new.

Q2: A: The tablet was not malfunctioning before I decided to reset.

Q3: A: I wanted to reset because I had a lot of apps and the screen was freezing with memory low message. I decided to start fresh with factory settings and just install the apps I required and get rid of any redundant files and apps in the process of a hard reset; but unfortunately after the hard reset I got the messages that some on the apps were not working etc and the tablet freezes at some point in the reset process viz. when the wifi connection is checked.

Any ideas what I should do? I thought of removing the battery and then re-insert the battery after a few hours and try a reset?

 

[methodman89]

Are you sure that your reset attempt was successful? Did all of your 3rd party apps go away?

 

[B. Diddy]

I wanted to reset because I had a lot of apps and the screen was freezing with memory low message.

That kind of sounds to me like it was malfunctioning. It would've been interesting to try uninstalling apps first before doing a factory reset, but obviously it's too late for that.

Are you able to boot into Recovery and wipe the cache partition? https://www.t-mobile.com/support/de...b-s/wipe-cache-partition-samsung-galaxy-tab-s

 

[mustang7757]

Below are answers to your questions:

Q1: A: I bought the Samsung Tab S new.

Q2: A: The tablet was not malfunctioning before I decided to reset.

Q3: A: I wanted to reset because I had a lot of apps and the screen was freezing with memory low message. I decided to start fresh with factory settings and just install the apps I required and get rid of any redundant files and apps in the process of a hard reset; but unfortunately after the hard reset I got the messages that some on the apps were not working etc and the tablet freezes at some point in the reset process viz. when the wifi connection is checked.

Any ideas what I should do? I thought of removing the battery and then re-insert the battery after a few hours and try a reset?

Hi, welcome to AC!

I would try once more a factory reset in recovery

 

[CoolSM]

I had 16gb and it was nearly full up and there was always a queue for the update of the apps. I had to periodically remove some apps to make space for the updates of the apps I required. Also the hard reset was ok and the data was wiped clean before the welcome screen. I am assuming all the 3rd party apps were deleted but the problem is when the cogs in the green screen stop (Android is starting... and Starting apps) the apps loaded with the Android o/s is stopping and this is the problem just after the welcome screen. I can't figure out why the Android o/s apps are stopping.

I wiped the cache partition clean and booted in to Recovery. I got the Welcome screen and then the same problem of the Android o/s apps stopping. I can always get in to the Hard Reset by [Power] + [Vol Up] + [Home] and get the green guy etc ... but after booting to the Welcome screen the Android apps not working messages appear.

 

[mustang7757]

I had 16gb and it was nearly full up and there was always a queue for the update of the apps. I had to periodically remove some apps to make space for the updates of the apps I required. Also the hard reset was ok and the data was wiped clean before the welcome screen. I am assuming all the 3rd party apps were deleted but the problem is when the cogs in the green screen stop (Android is starting... and Starting apps) the apps loaded with the Android o/s is stopping and this is the problem just after the welcome screen. I can't figure out why the Android o/s apps are stopping.

Can you post a screen shot where its stuck ?

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=413366

 

[CoolSM]

Actually quiet a few services stopped messages appear.

 

[B. Diddy]

It might be time to reflash the firmware -- @mustang7757, is that relatively straightforward on that device?

 

[mustang7757]

It might be time to reflash the firmware -- @mustang7757, is that relatively straightforward on that device?

I would recommend trying factory reset in recovery one more time otherwise flash it

 

[CoolSM]

I retried the Recovery Factory Reset see pic but I got the same message.



I think flashing the firmware might solve this problem as factory reset deletes everything so obviously I think it's the corrupted software/firmware. What's the best way to flash the tablet?

 

[CoolSM]

After a hard reset I got error messages and the Welcome screen had error messages. I thought I’d use my Samsung S tab as frisbee but it’s too heavy and it was as good as dead. Then I decided to flash my tablet as a last resort and now to my surprise, the flash worked and it’s good as new and works perfectly.
I used the following steps to flash my Samsung S 8.4 wifi tab.
1. Make sure you have a Windows pc/laptop with all the Samsung tablet drivers.
2. You must have a data cable to connect the laptop to the tablet.
3. I searched online for a suitable site to download the flash files for the Samsung tab S and I didn’t know which site to trust. Then I came across www.sammobile.com (see pic) and decided to try to get the download but wasn’t sure. You ‘ll have to register with www.sammobile.com and there maybe a charge of about $10 but depends on what flash files you download and a basic account offers 2 free downloads, check. I got a free download of the flash files.
4. Back up all your data etc. before you perform a hard rest. Note your Android version.
5. Hard rest your tab by pressing [home]+[volume up]+[power] simultaneously.
6. When in reset mode, use volume up/down to scroll and power to select. Scroll down to wipe data factory reset, select and when finished select reboot system now. Note the android version (see pic, e.g. T700XXU1CRF1), as you will need it later when you download the flash file.
7. On the www.sammobile site (see pic), search for Samsung tab S 7 flash file. See Galaxy tab SM-T700 (three section pics, couldn’t take the pic of the whole page as had to scroll), To download the correct file choose the file you noted in 6 above. There are two choices, 1 ) slow download and 2) fast download. I downloaded the slow option and it took about 45 minutes. Before opening the .zip file, create a folder for the downloaded file and then transfer and open the .zip file in the folder as you’ll know where all the files are located.
8. There are two options for the flash files, 1) one file - .md5 file and 2) five files - AP, BL, CSC_***, Home_CSC_***. Depending on what files you get when extracted from the .zip file – On the right hand side of the download page is the two options for the instruction files. If you get one .md5 file extracted the use the bottom instructions to download the Odinv3.14.4 file in the download folder created and follow the instructions. I had the .md5 file extracted.
9. Open the Odin .exe file. See Odin pics 1 (system), 2 (hidden), 3 (pass). When you open Odin click AP and select the .md5 file. See Odin pic 1 a* and .the com port will appear below the ID:COM tab (see Odin pic 1, b). In my case 0:[COM5].
10. At this point you have to get your tablet in the ODIN mode. Press [home]+[volume down]+[power] buttons simultaneously. See pic, you will get the green android guy with message Downloading .... Do Not Turn Off Target!!!! When you reach this point connect your tablet to your laptop and then press Start on the Odin screen (pic 1). It may take about 10 minutes to complete the flash.
11. Odin (pic 2) - the green bar shows the progress of the flashing.
12. Odin (pic 3) – shows PASS! This is when the flashing is completed and your tablet should reboot to the Welcome screen. You can disconnect the tablet. Good luck, hope it works for you.

 

[B. Diddy]

Wow, that's great! Thanks for sharing the steps and screenshots.

 

[CoolSM]

Oh yeah, I think it'll be useful for anyone thinvking of flashing an android tablet using Odin or flashing an android mobile phone for that matter, I assume it's the same procedure. Cheers