Samsung Galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

[pawsaddiction]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

Thank you very much for helping me GSDer! Great username btw.

Got it on the backup. I hadn't had a chance to figure out the S3 .... hadn't even gone thru the process of setting up all of my email accounts again b/c I was a bit leary since the first time this happened. And of course I'm kicking myself for not learning my lesson and also for trusting Verizon. I was using my iPhone primarily but when I updated its OS, it became super hillbilly. Now it's nearly useless.

I am on the refurbished S3 now. The battery seems to be draining really fast. Keeps asking me to update the software. I'm not doing jack with either S3 until you tell me to.

I may have updated the software, I probably did if I saw the popup screen I'm seeing on the refurb S3. But then this refurb phone looks very different.... I did very little personalizing on the frozen S3 after the factory reset.

Honestly, based on my experience with Verizon, I wouldn't doubt if they sold me a returned phone or the floor model. Probably not a good idea for me to post to their forums at the moment. I know I will lose it on their cs staff who are obviously based in another country. Have you seen their forums? It's a joke. .... round and round and round.

I trust you guys - you aren't simply saying what I want to hear to appease me, and you have nothing to gain by helping out another. (Which I am very grateful for)

It's sounds like there's hope that I'll be able to save my pics? Maybe a little hope?

Yesterday while researching what to do,
I found another forum that I think is for the eMMC check program (which checks to see if the S3 has an insane chip - the culprit of SDS). You responded to a post that referenced it:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...your-hel-greatly-appreciated.html#post2881805


Should I download and install it on my frozen S3 when it is up and running? Or would that be a waste of time since I'll hopefully be updating and resolving the issue?

Or is my frozen S3 not experiencing sudden death syndrome at all?

I really do appreciate your help. I'm patient and am happy to wait until you are sure what advice to give. So when you get the chance...

 

[pawsaddiction]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

Sorry meyerweb! I keep getting you and GSDer confused.

Thank YOU, thank you both!!

 

[emmietee]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

paws, know you're not alone. I'm following the replies closely too as I'm experiencing the exact same thing right now. Have been told by the phone shop and Samsung that the only thing I can do is factory reset. I can't bear to do that and need to believe there's another option! Mine froze when I tried to install the update last night and the battery was low and charging (apparently this can cause problems). Currently leaving it on the glowing Samsung screen in the hope it will magically come alive again...

 

[meyerweb#CB]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

Sorry meyerweb! I keep getting you and GSDer confused.

Thank YOU, thank you both!!

No worries. The Verizon forum I linked you to is here on Android Central. It's not an official Verizon site, just one frequented by people with Verizon phones.

That thread on the insane chip thing I believe only applies to the international version of the S3. The North American version has different hardware and wasn't affected by that issue. So no, don't bother downloading that.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

I just had a new thought. Have you tried to boot in safe mode? I don't think I saw that in any of your posts, but might have missed it. I think it unlikely, but on the chance that some app is trying to load at startup, and freezing the whole phone, safe mode could get around that. To boot into safe mode, see this page: Samsung Galaxy S III - Enable and Disable Safe Mod... - Mobile Product Support Forums I would pull the battery first to make sure the phone is truly powered completely off.

Assuming that doesn't work.....

Like I said, I have little knowledge of Verizon phones. I can see two possibilities for fixing this without losing all your files. Both I would rate risky, but with at least some chance of working. If your phone was booting, I'd call these low risk, but since we really don't have any idea why your phone isn't booting, it's impossible to assess what might happen. There is a possibility these could brick your phone. But even if they do, you're really not much worse off than you are now.

I'm also waiting to hear from someone over on XDA who might have some better advice for me, so we'll hold off on actually doing anything yet.

Anyway:

Option 1: I have a copy of the official Verizon update.zip file for the Verizon S3. You should be able to copy this to a micro SD card (using a PC or another phone), put the SD card into your borked S3, then boot into recovery and flash the file. This will replace the kernel / bootloader, the ROM, and the modem. So if it's a system software problem, this will replace ALL of your system software. If safe mode didn't fix it, and this doesn't fix it, I have to believe it's a hardware issue. The downside: if it doesn't work, there's no way at all to fix it, even if you're willing to do a factory reset. Eventually there will be a 4.3 .tar file you could flash in Odin to restore the phone, but who knows when. And if we really bork it, even that my not work.

Disclaimer: I have no way to test or validate this file to ensure it's a clean download and a valid update.

2. I think this is somewhat less likely to work, and I'll need to learn a lot more about Verizon S3s first. Given where it's getting stuck, I think the kernel / bootloader is probably OK. So you could try to use Odin to root the device and flash another valid ROM, either a stock Samsung 4.1.2 or a custom ROM. A stock ROM, if we can identify one, is probably a safer bet since you don't want to factory reset. Again, it's possible the phone could freeze completely while trying to root or flash a ROM. But here, you'd at least have a chance of using Odin to start from scratch, but that would delete all your data.

 

[GSDer]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

Sorry I wasn't paying attention to this thread - been busy trying to figure out what the story is with the Verizon 4.3 update.

Anyway, since the 'original' phone is actually recognized by Windows when you connect it to the PC, try downloading the Kies software. We may get lucky and find out that Kies will recognize it (even though the phone is in swirly mode).

After installing the Kies software, run it once and it'll automatically update itself. Check Help -> Kies information when it's done and it should show v2.6.1.13105_7. If it doesn't, select Help -> Check for updates and it should update to the latest version.

Once you have Kies updated, connect the phone to the PC and then turn it on. Hopefully Kies will recognize the phone and show you the phone status (firmware version, etc). If that works then you should be able to backup the pictures.

Sent from my rooted, debloated, deodexed Sinclair ZX-80 running CM 10.2 using Tapatalk 4

 

[emmietee]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

I have connected to Kies and entered model number etc.
It has come up with this message "This device can be initialized to its original settings. All settings and data will be deleted and the latest software version will be installed. Do you want to proceed with this firmware upgrade and initialization?"
Does this mean it will do a factory reset and I will lose all my photos??

 

[GSDer]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

pawsaddiction,
This is what we're hoping for.

Sent from my rooted, debloated, deodexed Sinclair ZX-80 running CM 10.2 using Tapatalk 4

 

[emmietee]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

This is what we're hoping for. (Oops, forgot to remove phone number)

Sent from my rooted, debloated, deodexed Sinclair ZX-80 running CM 10.2 using Tapatalk 4

Sorry, it that a reply to my question? I'm not sure what to do, don't want to update software and lose all my photos etc...

 

[emmietee]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

My phone is not recognised. It says please connect a device. (MTP driver has failed too) But it did accept the model no etc.

I'd be really grateful if someone could advise on what to do next...

 

[GSDer]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

Sorry, it that a reply to my question? I'm not sure what to do, don't want to update software and lose all my photos etc...

Aack!
No, sorry, that reply was intended for pawsaddiction - I didn't see your newest post.
Do NOT continue along that path or you will probably lose your pictures!

Sent from my rooted, debloated, deodexed Sinclair ZX-80 running CM 10.2 using Tapatalk 4

 

[emmietee]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

Ah ok, thank you. Will installing the MTP driver make any difference? If I can find it anywhere. My model number is GT-I9300

 

[GSDer]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

Will installing the MTP driver make any difference?

I don't know what 'MTP' driver you're referring to - all I ever did was install Kies, it installed a bunch of drivers, and everything has worked.

When you're running Kies (without the phone connected) and then connect the phone and turn it on, what happens when the swirly screen on the phone comes up? Does Kies recognize the phone as in the screenshot I provided in post #68? Or does it just show 'Connecting'?

Edit: I sent you a PM.

Sent from my rooted, debloated, deodexed Sinclair ZX-80 running CM 10.2 using Tapatalk 4

 

[emmietee]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

It just shows connecting



This is the problem with the MTP driver: http://www.suggest-a-fix.com/index.php?/topic/180-windows-wont-install-samsung-mtp-driver/

 

[GSDer]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

emmietee,
Have you also tried removing the SIM card and SD card, and then booting the phone?
Have you tried Safe mode?

Sent from my rooted, debloated, deodexed Sinclair ZX-80 running CM 10.2 using Tapatalk 4

 

[emmietee]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

The sim is out, don't have an sd card (wishing I did right now!). By booting you mean vol up + power + home? Done that several times.

What is safe mode?

 

[GSDer]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

By booting you mean vol up + power + home?

No, Volume Up + Home + Power takes you to Recovery mode. I meant just turning the phone on normally (press the Power button for about three seconds until the phone vibrates).

Does your phone actually boot into Recovery mode? (There's a special menu there that allows you to clear the system cache and perform a Factory Reset.)

What is safe mode?

Another special way to boot the phone that prevents 3rd party software from running. With the phone completely off, press and hold the Volume Down rocker, then press the Power button like you're doing a normal boot. Continue holding the Volume Down rocker all the while until you see the Safe mode login screen.

Sent from my rooted, debloated, deodexed Sinclair ZX-80 running CM 10.2 using Tapatalk 4

 

[pawsaddiction]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

I just had a new thought. Have you tried to boot in safe mode? I don't think I saw that in any of your posts, but might have missed it. I think it unlikely, but on the chance that some app is trying to load at startup, and freezing the whole phone, safe mode could get around that. To boot into safe mode, see this page: Samsung Galaxy S III - Enable and Disable Safe Mod... - Mobile Product Support Forums I would pull the battery first to make sure the phone is truly powered completely off.

Assuming that doesn't work.....

Like I said, I have little knowledge of Verizon phones. I can see two possibilities for fixing this without losing all your files. Both I would rate risky, but with at least some chance of working. If your phone was booting, I'd call these low risk, but since we really don't have any idea why your phone isn't booting, it's impossible to assess what might happen. There is a possibility these could brick your phone. But even if they do, you're really not much worse off than you are now.

I'm also waiting to hear from someone over on XDA who might have some better advice for me, so we'll hold off on actually doing anything yet.

Anyway:

Option 1: I have a copy of the official Verizon update.zip file for the Verizon S3. You should be able to copy this to a micro SD card (using a PC or another phone), put the SD card into your borked S3, then boot into recovery and flash the file. This will replace the kernel / bootloader, the ROM, and the modem. So if it's a system software problem, this will replace ALL of your system software. If safe mode didn't fix it, and this doesn't fix it, I have to believe it's a hardware issue. The downside: if it doesn't work, there's no way at all to fix it, even if you're willing to do a factory reset. Eventually there will be a 4.3 .tar file you could flash in Odin to restore the phone, but who knows when. And if we really bork it, even that my not work.

Disclaimer: I have no way to test or validate this file to ensure it's a clean download and a valid update.

2. I think this is somewhat less likely to work, and I'll need to learn a lot more about Verizon S3s first. Given where it's getting stuck, I think the kernel / bootloader is probably OK. So you could try to use Odin to root the device and flash another valid ROM, either a stock Samsung 4.1.2 or a custom ROM. A stock ROM, if we can identify one, is probably a safer bet since you don't want to factory reset. Again, it's possible the phone could freeze completely while trying to root or flash a ROM. But here, you'd at least have a chance of using Odin to start from scratch, but that would delete all your data.

Thank you meyerweb! (and GSDer too!)

Ok, I will try to boot into safe mode - I have not tried that yet, had no idea I could. How cool would that be if it worked?!

Speaking of software.... I forgot to mention that I disabled google play before both borks (assuming borked means frozen but not as bad as bricked??). The phone worked fine for 2 weeks or so after disabling google play before it froze both times. It *would* lag for several seconds in the middle of doing something just before the pop up "sorry, google play has stopped" or similar, but then it ran fine again. ... til it froze.

Considering the S3 runs on google software, could disabling a key component (google play) be the possible culprit? Google Play was annoying as hell, kept popping up and redirecting me on the internet.

Hopefully disabling it is irrelevant.

If I am unable to boot into safe mode, I will download kies onto my laptop, plug the phone in, and hope and pray for success.

If that doesn't work, I will come back to your two options and the other suggestion from GSDer. I need to read through both of your suggestions again.

I'm typing now on the refurbed S3. It just synced and backed up automatically. Where did it back up to? Is it possible the borked S3 backed up somewhere? Don't tell me... it's a function of Google Play? Rrrrrrrrr

 

[pawsaddiction]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

Sorry I wasn't paying attention to this thread - been busy trying to figure out what the story is with the Verizon 4.3 update.

Anyway, since the 'original' phone is actually recognized by Windows when you connect it to the PC, try downloading the Kies software. We may get lucky and find out that Kies will recognize it (even though the phone is in swirly mode).

After installing the Kies software, run it once and it'll automatically update itself. Check Help -> Kies information when it's done and it should show v2.6.1.13105_7. If it doesn't, select Help -> Check for updates and it should update to the latest version.

Once you have Kies updated, connect the phone to the PC and then turn it on. Hopefully Kies will recognize the phone and show you the phone status (firmware version, etc). If that works then you should be able to backup the pictures.

Sent from my rooted, debloated, deodexed Sinclair ZX-80 running CM 10.2 using Tapatalk 4

Thanks GSDer! I am going to first try to boot into safe mode. If that doesn't work, I'm going to dl and install (and update) kies, connect the phone... and pray!

All paws crossed!!

See my last post above... could disabling google play be the problem?

I'll post back with an update asap.

I hope there won't be an issue having the refurbed phone connected to the laptop - I need it to access the internet in order to dl/install kies. ?? I hope I don't create a can of worms....

 

[pawsaddiction]

Re: Samsung galaxy S3 frozen on start screen... HELP PLEASE!

Unable to boot into safe mode (vol down rocker and power button at same time). I tried several times, held til my fingers got weak... several minutes each time. Nothing but swirly flashing circles and the 'tick' or quick vibrate every 20-30 secs or so.

Here is what happens when I press and hold the power button 3 secs to turn the phone on:

- tick (quick vibrate)
- black screen with Samsung in white letters
- black screen with Samsung Galaxy SIII in white letters
- start up tone/music and black screen with the blue oval and Samsung in white letters
- 4g lte graphics and bright swirly circles flashing in repetitive motion. ... little Verizon logo to the lower right.

Then it freezes. It'll stay frozen til the battery drains out. Gets very warm.

The phone ticks or quick vibrates every 20-30 secs or so and when it does, the circle repition slows down to a crawl, then picks up speed again. It really wants to boot up.

I have to crash. I am in Pacific time - 3:50am. I will wait to hear from either one of you before I download kies to my laptop using the refurbed phone. I need to tether it (USB, not Tether program) and I don't want to screw up my chances by having the refurbed phone being the one that's recognized by kies on my laptop. ... Being that I have to have the SIM card in it to have internet access. Not sure if that matters or not.... if kies will update any S3 or what. ? If it matters, then I will find another way... McDs wifi. ;-)

Hopefully I still make sense?