Missing system.img / boot.img / data.img - My Solution

[Benjamin_NYC]

I may be an *****, but I solved this problem last night by noticing the following:

Once you extract (I used WinZip) the .tgz image file that you downloaded from Google, one of the files INSIDE that extracted .tgz file is another .zip file. I didn't notice this until I got the dreaded error trying to flash.

Once I extracted the contents of THAT .zip back into the Platform Tools folder, the flash went perfectly. The contents of that .zip are precisely system.img, boot.img, data.img and a few others, so that's what was missing. (I didn't use WinZip to extract that.zip - I got an error with it. I simply opened it in Windows File Explorer and copied its contents back into Platform Tools.)

I don't know if I'm some kind of *****, or how I ended up with a .zip within the .tgz, but I did, and pulling the contents out and putting them right in Platform Tools solved the problem.

Maybe this will help someone.

 

[p0nk1n]

I had the 'Missing system.img / boot.img / data.img' message aswell when I flashed my N5 with lollipop but the installation kept going and ended successfully.

 

[srkmagnus]

Good to know - thanks for sharing. How are you two liking the update?

 

[p0nk1n]

The battery life seems improved but it's a little early to tell after two days. French voice recognition is a lot improved which is a big plus for me. I got rid of a flashlight app due to the flashlight integration. I like the new keyboard style and colors. My phone seems atleast as fast as it was on kitkat. For now the only thing I hate is the new sound when you lock your phone... I disabled it since there's no way to change it. The new messenger app for sms/mms is better than hangout imo. Overall so far so good, I like it.

 

[Benjamin_NYC]

The battery life seems improved but it's a little early to tell after two days. French voice recognition is a lot improved which is a big plus for me. I got rid of a flashlight app due to the flashlight integration. I like the new keyboard style and colors. My phone seems atleast as fast as it was on kitkat. For now the only thing I hate is the new sound when you lock your phone... I disabled it since there's no way to change it. The new messenger app for sms/mms is better than hangout imo. Overall so far so good, I like it.

Funny I don't notice any battery improvement.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Benjamin_NYC]

I had the 'Missing system.img / boot.img / data.img' message aswell when I flashed my N5 with lollipop but the installation kept going and ended successfully.

After I fixed the above in my post, I still got the error, but it worked like yours.

Before, it was stopping after the error.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[firefighter1151]

Maybe I am doing something wrong. I have the same issue with the missing files. I have the files upzipped and in the platform tools folder. I have tried to sideload the files themselfs, however I am told the program can not open the file "system.img" The auto file stops when it gets to that point. I am on stock 4.4.4 I just reflashed the factory image and tried again, still nothing. Thank you for your help

 

[ptonantryloc]

This might help:

Running Into The Dreaded "missing system.img" Error Flashing Android 5.0 Factory Images? Here's How To Get Around It

It has some more details of what needs to be done.

 

[firefighter1151]

Thank you for the quick replay, I tried that yesterday. I can not manually flash the files either. States "can not open"

 

[Benjamin_NYC]

Maybe your download got corrupted. Never heard of that error. Just the one where it can't find the files. Redownload?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[firefighter1151]

I re downloaded the factory image, the same thing happens every time. Same thing with the update zip they posted here

 

[Benjamin_NYC]

I re downloaded the factory image, the same thing happens every time. Same thing with the update zip they posted here

You mean the OTA ZIP? That's VERY strange. Sounds like it would happen with the OTA then, in which case you could probably do a support chat with Google Nexus support.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[ptonantryloc]

You could try this tool:

[Toolkit] Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit v1.9.3 [U… | Nexus 7 | XDA Forums

I had to load a new stock version of Lollipop on my phone to perform its Root function (the tool doesn't like encrypted phones and that was the only way I could come up with un-encrypting it). I had no problem loading stock Lollipop with it, and once I had the un-encrypted Lollipop on it, I had no problem rooting the phone.

 

[srkmagnus]

@firefighter1151, are you downloading the latest (5.0 (LRX21O) from here: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images

If so, when you download it the next step is to unpack/unzip the download. I think it's a .tgz file. There will be several contents on the inside: bootloader-hammerhead-xxxx.img, flash-all.bat, flash-all.sh, radio-hammerhead-xxxx.img, and image-hammerhead-LRX210.zip.

Unzip the "image-hammerhead-LRX210.zip" folder and place the contents into the platform-tools folder along with the bootloader and radio files. Boot into fastboot and make sure your device is recognized by typing:

fastboot devices

If it is, then proceed with the flash of each file:

fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-hammerhead-xxxx.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash radio radio-hammerhead-xxxx.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash data data.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader

Repeat the process for all files that you have placed into the platform-tools folder then reboot the device. If I have listed any files above that are not included in your download then don't worry, I'm trying to write this from memory rather than check the files since I'm not home. Also, not sure if rebooting after each flash is necessary, but that's how I've learned to flash the update and it seems to work OK for me. Sorry if you already know this, trying to help pinpoint where the problem is occurring and help troubleshoot.

Let us know if you are having any success.

 

[firefighter1151]

That's what I did, and everytime i tried to flash the bootloader or radio or anything the system states "could not open xx.img" I have no idea

 

[srkmagnus]

That's what I did, and everytime i tried to flash the bootloader or radio or anything the system states "could not open xx.img" I have no idea

Double check that the files you are listing are exactly that of the saved files in the platform-tools folder. I like to keep the folder open as a side window and copy the file name in it's entirety, including extension (.zip or .img) and paste it into the command prompt or terminal. Try that.

 

[firefighter1151]

I retried that, same issue. I just got off the phone with google. The lady on the phone said they do not offer support with ADB or factory images. She states that it might be my phone and to wait for the OTA. If the OTA does not work then I should try to warranty the device.

 

[Benjamin_NYC]

I retried that, same issue. I just got off the phone with google. The lady on the phone said they do not offer support with ADB or factory images. She states that it might be my phone and to wait for the OTA. If the OTA does not work then I should try to warranty the device.

She has no idea what she's talking about.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Ahmed Siar]

help me please

I have HTC sensation, can anyone provide me a link to system.img