[How to] Factory Restore (or Fix a Bricked Phone)

[aerospacial]

Tried that too, but leaving the pit file out doesn't work either. Thanks though!

 

[ragnarokx]

I just added a troubleshooting section at the end of the guide. See if any of those methods help. I would start by re-downloading the files.

 

[aerospacial]

Thank you so much for your help, but it still won't work. I have no clue as to what is going on. I have downloaded the file various times. I double checked they were the correct ones and still have the same issue. This is a great community to get help. Unfortunately today I have a very expensive paperweight in my office and I will have to use my ipod touch's 3.5in screen rather than the beautiful epic screen for my daily angry birds fix

 

[aerospacial]

Odin doesn't work for me either. Is there another program that can be used?

 

[ragnarokx]

Why don't you walk me through step by step the way you are trying to flash with Odin. I'll see if I can pick anything out that's wrong.

 

[ragnarokx]

Odin doesn't work for me either. Is there another program that can be used?

Actually there is. There a look at the 1st post in this thread towards the bottom - it's called Heimdall. It's not as easy to use as Odin, and I can't offer you any support because I've never used it, but it is an alternative.

 

[aerospacial]

Sadly, I've been using the same steps as the guide. There is not much else to tell.
It really boggles my mind as to why it's not working. I've searched all over and it looks to work with everyone except my phone. What other variables can there be? I will try the other method later on and will report back.

Thank you again!

 

[ragnarokx]

No problem. And good luck!

If you get Heimdall to work, take a couple notes of the process and I'll add the procedure to the 1st post in case others are having the same problem with Odin as you. This is optional of course, but would be appreciated.

 

[aerospacial]

UPDATE:

I have used two different computers, followed the instructions to the letter, and Odin is still not working for me. I'm thinking it could be a USB port issue, but on two different computers????

Anyways, I have been playing around with Heimdall. I am a complete noob but being that I have a bricked phone and i didn't have time to go to Sprint to have it fixed, I went for it. Before saying what I have done so far, I used heimdall and my phone now actually boots up!!! No phone to computer logo...sprint logo pops up, then the samsung galaxy S logo pops up... then... black screen ... I am able to go to recovery mode now, before i couldn't and i get the following error: "E:Can't mount /dev/block/stl11 (Invalid Argument)" any ideas????

I am still playing around with Heimdall and I will update with any further news.

 

[ragnarokx]

I didn't see it mentioned in the last few posts, but did you try using a different USB cable?

 

[aerospacial]

I haven't tried using a different cable :O.

I don't have a spare with me right now, tomorrow I can find one.

However I doubt it is the cable, since with Heimdall I am able to actually do something with the phone. Still getting black screen though....

 

[aerospacial]

IT WORKS! I was able to do it with Heimdall!
Where do I start...

Downloaded the files from: Heimdall – Glass Echidna
*** Just in case, extract all files to one folder... extract both the heimdall folder and the ROM folder as well.
At the bottom of the page you will find latest software package. Package includes:
1 folder: includes a program to install specific drivers for this program
4 files: including heimdall - frontend which has a user interface (the one I used to run)
1 txt file: help guide pretty simple.

I recommend heimdall for those that are having many issues or don't get Odin to work (like me). Odin is much simpler.
To use heimdall with epic follow the instructions on the txt file:

These instructions were written for Windows Vista / Server 2008 however the producedure
should be essentially the same for all supported versions of Windows (XP onwards).

Driver Installation Instructions:

1. Put your Samsung Galaxy S into download mode and plug it in.

2. Run zadig.exe included in the Drivers subdirectory.

3. From the menu chose Options -> List All Devices.

4. From the USB Device list chose "Samsung USB Composite DEvice".

5. Press "Install Driver", click "Yes" to the prompt and if you receive
a message about being unable to verify the publisher of the driver
click "Install this driver software anyway".

6. Done

Once done with these steps, follow the following:
Flashing Firmware with Heimdall Frontend:

1. Fully charge your device (use the wall charger as it's faster).

2. Download a decrypted Samsung Galaxy S ROM and extract it to a directory.

3. If the ROM is provided as one of more archives (nested or otherwise),
extract them all to the same location.

NOTE: If you want to use the CSC then extract it last.

3. Open Heimdall Frontend.

4. Put your Galaxy S device into download mode and plug it in.

5a. For each file you wish to flash use "Browse" to select the file. (These file can be extracted from the .tar files, match the files to the ones being asked for)

5b. IF YOUR PHONE IS BRICKED (like mine was) the field for data needs to use a different file, use the one found here: RapidShare AG, Cham, Switzerland

5c. Also the .pit file was not necessary either.

6. Press "Start".

7. Heimdall Frontend will display the progress and inform you when the
flash is complete.

If all goes well then it should work. It worked for me. (If you get some type of error but still boots, try going into recovery mode and doing a factory erase/swipe.)

Hopefully this isn't a mess. If you need some help reply back. I'm done for the day. I don't learn from my mistakes so tomorrow I will be trying to put Froyo on my phone and get the gps to work (which was the reason why I bricked my phone)

Have a good night to all and I hope this helps!

 

[ragnarokx]

Thanks for that step-by-step, I added it to the first post

I'm very glad you got it to work - good luck with Froyo!

 

[gdubmedia]

Only way to return to stock

So is the method outlined above the only way to return to stock on the Epic? I would like to upgrade to DK28 and switch to a FroYo ROM, but the Windows laptop I have access too won't recognize my phone for some reason (the drivers don't work and I don't know why). I have a Windows running in VM Ware on my mac, but the moment I go to Download mode, VMW stops recognizing the phone, and I'm unable to go the Bootcamp route. If there is another way (besides Heimdall...doesn't work for some reason for me) to return to stock, that would be awesome.

Otherwise...I'm stuck on Syndicate and 2.1 (which is a great ROM).

 

[ragnarokx]

As you'e mentioned, you have two options - Odin and Heimdall. Since you're on a Mac, you can either try to get Heimdall to work (which is OSX native), or install Windows using Bootcamp and use Odin. I would not recommend using virtualization software for Windows. If you don't have a Windows installation disc for Bootcamp, then try and find a friend with a Windows computer.

 

[gdubmedia]

As you'e mentioned, you have two options - Odin and Heimdall. Since you're on a Mac, you can either try to get Heimdall to work (which is OSX native), or install Windows using Bootcamp and use Odin. I would not recommend using virtualization software for Windows. If you don't have a Windows installation disc for Bootcamp, then try and find a friend with a Windows computer.

I have a Windows disc, but not an OSX disc for Bootcamp access. I'm usually pretty good with running things in Terminal, but the instructions outlined for the Heimdall-Frontend were extremely confusing. I'm fairly sure I have to use Terminal to run it, but then again I could be wrong. I thought the Frontend file was supposed to be a GUI app (to be run like Odin)? If so, it doesn't open at all on my mac. :/

I love this stuff, but God....it can be @#@$!>@ frustrating sometimes. ha ha

 

[bmac417]

After hours of trying to put2.1 back on my phone...it finally got it to work....but my battery died in the middle of it...not I cant get it to charge at all....HELP!!! Am I SCREWED

 

[btgoodlin]

Derp: I cannot get into download mode. All my phone will do when I put my battery in is boot into ClockworkMod Recovery and it tells me "E:Can't open /cache/recovery/log"

and I get those types of cannot find this folder errors when i try to restore.

Is there a way to disable clockwork from within clockwork?

 

[ragnarokx]

So holding "1" on the physical keyboard while holding power does not take you to download mode?

 

[btgoodlin]

So holding "1" on the physical keyboard while holding power does not take you to download mode?

This is true, it boots up into the CWM screen. It doesn't seem to matter what combo of buttons I push, it still only boots into the CWM screen. I've searched online and there are a few other options for booting into download, probably for different variants of the Galaxy S, but I tried.