Need help reinstalling OS, I think

[Ceatram23]

Samsung S9+ (SM-G965U), Mint Mobile (Verizon towers)

I was attempting to call someone, but I ran into the not uncommon issue of I can hear them but they can't hear me, so I restarted my phone, and it has been bootlooping since. It will go to the carrier screen, freeze for a few minutes, then go back through the S9+ and Samsung to stop on the carrier screen again. I have been able to get to the boot menu, and have tried both clearing the cache and optimizing apps to no avail. The recovery logs haven't been much help either, as I can't port them off the device (at least, I don't know how), nor can I find anyone with similar logs. It starts with "FATAL EXCEPTION IN SYSTEM PROCESS: main", the first line is "java.lang.RuntimeException: Failed to start service com.android.server.timezone" and next is "RulesManagerService$Lifecycle: onStart threw an exception".

My best guess is that the timezone service corrupted or isn't playing nice and needs to be reinstalled, so that's what I've been working on. I've installed Odin, SamFirm, and Frija, as recommended in this post. I've also downloaded this rom, as initially I was following a Odin + Rom guide, that didn't work as my phone wouldn't show up in the ID:COM. My main fear though is that in the reinstallation process, I might lose files/ texts /app data.

I don't know what I'm doing and am just trying to not lose a few years of data in one full swoop. Any help on how to fix this issue without reinstalling os, or a way to reinstall without losing personal files / data would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Unfortunately, this sounds like a hardware failure rather than a software failure. The S9+ is over 7 years old and probably on its last legs. It may not be worthwhile to have it repaired at this time. I'd suggest getting a quote from a repair shop and then deciding if it's worth repairing or getting a new phone.

 

[winmod21]

Samsung S9+ (SM-G965U), Mint Mobile (Verizon towers)

I was attempting to call someone, but I ran into the not uncommon issue of I can hear them but they can't hear me, so I restarted my phone, and it has been bootlooping since. It will go to the carrier screen, freeze for a few minutes, then go back through the S9+ and Samsung to stop on the carrier screen again. I have been able to get to the boot menu, and have tried both clearing the cache and optimizing apps to no avail. The recovery logs haven't been much help either, as I can't port them off the device (at least, I don't know how), nor can I find anyone with similar logs. It starts with "FATAL EXCEPTION IN SYSTEM PROCESS: main", the first line is "java.lang.RuntimeException: Failed to start service com.android.server.timezone" and next is "RulesManagerService$Lifecycle: onStart threw an exception".

My best guess is that the timezone service corrupted or isn't playing nice and needs to be reinstalled, so that's what I've been working on. I've installed Odin, SamFirm, and Frija, as recommended in this post. I've also downloaded this rom, as initially I was following a Odin + Rom guide, that didn't work as my phone wouldn't show up in the ID:COM. My main fear though is that in the reinstallation process, I might lose files/ texts /app data.

I don't know what I'm doing and am just trying to not lose a few years of data in one full swoop. Any help on how to fix this issue without reinstalling os, or a way to reinstall without losing personal files / data would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to Android Central, Ceateam23 !

Although I've flashed Android & UI updates with Odin & Frija, I typically don't know what I'm doing either ... but have you tried plugging your phone into a PC to see if your phone appears in Windows File Explorer (if you're using Windows), where, if so, you might be able to save/transfer your personal files/data?
I'm guessing it's probably not accessible via a PC, but I'd check anyways, just in case.

Nevertheless, someone here @ AC may be able to help get you sorted. Though I tend to agree with Moderator Captain Laura's wise opinion & advice ↑ (above).
But here's hoping that you are able to either recover your files/data (my dumb phone just substituted 'fingers/days'... for files/data ), or get your S9+ fully running again.

 

[Ceatram23]

Welcome to Android Central, Ceateam23 !

Although I've flashed Android & UI updates with Odin & Frija, I typically don't know what I'm doing either ... but have you tried plugging your phone into a PC to see if your phone appears in Windows File Explorer (if you're using Windows), where, if so, you might be able to save/transfer your personal files/data?
I'm guessing it's probably not accessible via a PC, but I'd check anyways, just in case.

Nevertheless, someone here @ AC may be able to help get you sorted. Though I tend to agree with Moderator Captain Laura's wise opinion & advice ↑ (above).
But here's hoping that you are able to either recover your files/data (my dumb phone just substituted 'fingers/days'... for files/data ), or get your S9+ fully running again.

Unfortunately with the S9 I've never been able to access its files from pc. Usually it would show up and just not be accessible, but so far I haven't even been able to get the computer to recognize it. The closest thing I've gotten is Smart Switch giving me a "Failed to connect to device error", only if I am in the bootloader. Same with Odin, that's the only way I've been able to get it to show up. Does the bootloader ever finish downloading or does it just say "Downloading, to not turn off target" until it receives an update? Still confused on how that works. Also, if I were to reinstall via a rom, do you know if my apps would be deleted? Main reason I ask is I have google messages, which isn't a default app, so I'd lose messages if it deleted all apps but kept files. Thanks for the help though!

 

[Ceatram23]

Unfortunately, this sounds like a hardware failure rather than a software failure. The S9+ is over 7 years old and probably on its last legs. It may not be worthwhile to have it repaired at this time. I'd suggest getting a quote from a repair shop and then deciding if it's worth repairing or getting a new phone.

Would this be board related or specific component related? I've done component-level repair before, but have only attempted board repair once when I was much less experienced. Asking because I might be able to do it on my own, and if so, save money. Regardless, would you recommend a data recovery center, phone repair, or official Samsung center for this kind of issue? Thanks!

 

[winmod21]

~ 1) Does the bootloader ever finish downloading or does it just say "Downloading, to not turn off target" until it receives an update? Still confused on how that works. — 2) Also, if I were to reinstall via a rom, do you know if my apps would be deleted? Main reason I ask is I have google messages, which isn't a default app, so I'd lose messages if it deleted all apps but kept files. ~

1) Hmmm, same here; e.g., with my S23+, the bootloader never did finish , as well, when I dwn'ld new firmware via Odin & the Frija tool. I remember thinking....'What the ....?' So I just unplugged the cable from my laptop – and apparently it had dwn'ld enough, cuz everything worked and is still working great w/Android 14 UI 6.0. Which is where I'm planning on staying – due partly to that experience, as well as to the complaints re changes within v15 UI 7.0.

2) I don't know if your apps would be deleted if you were to reinstall via a rom. Sorry to not be of more help. Though someone here will surely know.
I guess that's a good reason to backup via Google more often. Which I think I'll go do.

 

[Ceatram23]

1) Hmmm, same here; e.g., with my S23+, the bootloader never did finish , as well, when I dwn'ld new firmware via Odin & the Frija tool. I remember thinking....'What the ....?' So I just unplugged the cable from my laptop – and apparently it had dwn'ld enough, cuz everything worked and is still working great w/Android 14 UI 6.0. Which is where I'm planning on staying – due partly to that experience, as well as to the complaints re changes within v15 UI 7.0.

2) I don't know if your apps would be deleted if you were to reinstall via a rom. Sorry to not be of more help. Though someone here will surely know.
I guess that's a good reason to backup via Google more often. Which I think I'll go do.

Yeah, I'd do the same but unfortunately I've got 500mb left of google storage space, and had to quit syncing last year to keep my google account receiving emails.

 

[Ceatram23]

Side note, I wonder what would happen if I only reflashed the android partition (AP) and nothing else. Would it keep everything or corrupt the drive?

 

[winmod21]

Yeah, I'd do the same but unfortunately I've got 500mb left of google storage space, and had to quit syncing last year to keep my google account receiving emails.

Check with @mustang7757 ... as he's the resident expert on Odin / Frija / firmware dwn'lds &c.

 

[mustang7757]

Samsung S9+ (SM-G965U), Mint Mobile (Verizon towers)

I was attempting to call someone, but I ran into the not uncommon issue of I can hear them but they can't hear me, so I restarted my phone, and it has been bootlooping since. It will go to the carrier screen, freeze for a few minutes, then go back through the S9+ and Samsung to stop on the carrier screen again. I have been able to get to the boot menu, and have tried both clearing the cache and optimizing apps to no avail. The recovery logs haven't been much help either, as I can't port them off the device (at least, I don't know how), nor can I find anyone with similar logs. It starts with "FATAL EXCEPTION IN SYSTEM PROCESS: main", the first line is "java.lang.RuntimeException: Failed to start service com.android.server.timezone" and next is "RulesManagerService$Lifecycle: onStart threw an exception".

My best guess is that the timezone service corrupted or isn't playing nice and needs to be reinstalled, so that's what I've been working on. I've installed Odin, SamFirm, and Frija, as recommended in this post. I've also downloaded this rom, as initially I was following a Odin + Rom guide, that didn't work as my phone wouldn't show up in the ID:COM. My main fear though is that in the reinstallation process, I might lose files/ texts /app data.

I don't know what I'm doing and am just trying to not lose a few years of data in one full swoop. Any help on how to fix this issue without reinstalling os, or a way to reinstall without losing personal files / data would be greatly appreciated.

So you would need to be on the latest firmware to flash the stock firmware again that's on the device and install Samsung drivers also make sure you are using a known good cable for data/transfer's not just charging as this is a majority of issues when flashing then put the phone in download mode

 

[Ceatram23]

So you would need to be on the latest firmware to flash the stock firmware again that's on the device and install Samsung drivers also make sure you are using a known good cable for data/transfer's not just charging as this is a majority of issues when flashing then put the phone in download mode

I've gotten the last firmware update for my phone downloaded, I installed Smart Switch which should have installed the drivers as well, and the cable is known to be good for data transfer. It seems like the main reason it didn't show up in Odin initially is because it wasn't in download mode and I didn't have drivers. It's now showing up in Odin when I plug it in and it's in download mode.

 

[mustang7757]

I've gotten the last firmware update for my phone downloaded, I installed Smart Switch which should have installed the drivers as well, and the cable is known to be good for data transfer. It seems like the main reason it didn't show up in Odin initially is because it wasn't in download mode and I didn't have drivers. It's now showing up in Odin when I plug it in and it's in download mode.

Once you put the corresponding firmware in Odin hit start and should be no more than 15 minutes to load the firmware.

 

[mustang7757]

Extract the zip firmware and use the 4 firmware in Odin , CSC in Odin use home firmware in its slot so it doesn't factory reset

 

[Ceatram23]

Extract the zip firmware and use the 4 firmware in Odin , CSC in Odin use home firmware in its slot so it doesn't factory reset

Will it still delete my apps?

 

[mustang7757]

Will it still delete my apps?

It shouldn't but as with anything always back things up just in Case

 

[Ceatram23]

It shouldn't but as with anything always back things up just in Case

How can I do that?

 

[mustang7757]

How can I do that?

Smart switch PC make a full back up and can restore at anytime, boot the phone back up

 

[Ceatram23]

Smart switch PC make a full back up and can restore at anytime, boot the phone back up

I was attempting to call someone, but I ran into the not uncommon issue of I can hear them but they can't hear me, so I restarted my phone, and it has been bootlooping since. It will go to the carrier screen, freeze for a few minutes, then go back through the S9+ and Samsung to stop on the carrier screen again.

I can't boot the phone, that's the main issue

 

[mustang7757]

I can't boot the phone, that's the main issue

Ahh .. sorry didn't know that part
Well no choice hopefully everything goes the way it's supposed to with the flash

 

[Ceatram23]

Ahh .. sorry didn't know that part
Well no choice hopefully everything goes the way it's supposed to with the flash

It worked, kind of. Odin did its job, and reported success, but it errored out again. I managed to take a photo with a friend's phone of the recovery log and throw it into a image to text app, and got this:

RECOVERY_DBG: Exception count = 800
RECOVERY_DBG: *** FATAL EXCEPTION IN SYSTEM PROCESS: main
RECOVERY_DBG: java.lang.RuntimeException: Failed to start service com.android.server.timezone.RulesManagerService$Lifecycle: onStart threw an exception
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.SystemServiceManager.startService(SystemServiceManager.java:132)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.SystemServiceManager.startService(SystemServiceManager.java:117)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.SystemServer.startOtherServices(SystemServer.java:3067)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.SystemServer.run(SystemServer.java:900)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.SystemServer.main(SystemServer.java:726)
RECOVERY_DBG: at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Native Method)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.internal.os.RuntimeInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(RuntimeInit.java:496)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:1078)
RECOVERY_DBG: Caused by: java.lang.IllegalStateException: Apps may not schedule more than 100 distinct jobs
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.job.JobSchedulerService.scheduleAsPackage(JobSchedulerService.java:1042)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.job.JobSchedulerService$JobSchedulerStub.schedule(JobSchedulerService.java:2798)
RECOVERY_DBG: at android.app.JobSchedulerImpl.schedule(JobSchedulerImpl.java:43)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.timezone.TimeZoneUpdateIdler.schedule(TimeZoneUpdateIdler.java:86)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.timezone.PackageTrackerIntentHelperImpl.scheduleReliabilityTrigger(PackageTrackerIntentHelperImpl.java:95)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.timezone.PackageTracker.start(PackageTracker.java:157)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.timezone.RulesManagerService.start(RulesManagerService.java:135)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.timezone.RulesManagerService$Lifecycle.onStart(RulesManagerService.java:83)
RECOVERY_DBG: at com.android.server.SystemServiceManager.startService(SystemServiceManager.java:130)
RECOVERY_DBG: ... 8 more
RECOVERY_DBG:

Any ideas on where to go from here?