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

[Jamie Rez]

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

Lee,
The problem with using Odin is that unless you're loading the correct firmware for your model/carrier you're still going to end up with problems.
What model/carrier do you have?
Which firmware did you use (please include a link to the file)?

A better alternative may be to use the Kies software on your PC to reload the stock firmware. Here's an overview of what to do:
- if you don't already have the Kies software installed on your PC, download it (just search Google) and install it. The first time it runs it'll update itself to the latest version so make sure you run it once before proceeding.
- put your phone in Download mode: with the phone completely off, press and hold the Volume Down and Home and Power buttons simultaneously, and release them all when you see the Samsung splash screen
- connect the phone to your PC with the USB cable that came with the phone
-- if you've never had the phone connected to your Windows-based computer before, you'll see messages about installing drivers, etc - just wait until this is done (may take 5 or 10 minutes) [I don't know what happens if you have a Mac - it probably just works]
- in the Kies software, select the second item in the Tools menu and just follow the prompts to enter the model number (in CAPS) and IMEI/Serial Number (both found under the battery - it's ok to remove the battery at this point)
- the Kies software should start downloading the correct firmware for your phone from the Internet; once that's done (depending on your Internet connection speed) it'll begin downloading that to the phone (this probably takes 10 minutes or so)

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

hello.. is this applicable also for rooted phone? thanks..

 

[GSDer]

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

is this applicable also for rooted phone?

If you use the Kies software to reload the stock firmware then your phone will be returned to factory condition (not rooted). You could certainly re-root it again if that was your preference.

And note that in Download mode it may appear that the phone is 'frozen' - it's just sitting there waiting for a download to begin. The only way to get out of Download mode is to pull the battery.

Finally, if you have the correct (rooted) ROM for your model/carrier you can just use Odin to reload the ROM.

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

 

[Jamie Rez]

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

If you use the Kies software to reload the stock firmware then your phone will be returned to factory condition (not rooted). You could certainly re-root it again if that was your preference.

And note that in Download mode it may appear that the phone is 'frozen' - it's just sitting there waiting for a download to begin. The only way to get out of Download mode is to pull the battery.

Finally, if you have the correct (rooted) ROM for your model/carrier you can just use Odin to reload the ROM.

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

Hi GSder thanks for responding... I have done everything you say but everytime i connect my phone in kies air it always say my device is not responding..im thinking it also hang. everytime i connect my phone on my pc it always install the drive even tough i already done it.. what could possibly wrong? thanks..

 

[GSDer]

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

1. I'm not sure what Kies Air has to do with the current situation - you can't download firmware using Kies Air.
2. It shouldn't matter if the Kies software says 'not responding' - just follow the instructions (be sure to select the 2nd item in the Tools menu) and you should get prompted for the model number and IMEI/Serial Number.
3. I'm not sure what you mean, but whenever you connect the phone to your PC via USB, the PC will beep (and may pop-up a dialog about a drive that's found - just close that).

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

 

[megamind2712]

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

hello , i have exactly the same problem, and i tried everything u just said and after i pressed reboot it would agin freeze at logo please help and i cant afford to carry out factory reset

 

[Mohini Patel]

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

Thank you very much I tried out what you said about holding all 3 buttons at the same time and it worked for me. I was going to take the phone to get it repaired, but I don't have to this really worked for me. Thank you very much I got my phone back after a week.

 

[Manny Cabral Courtemanche]

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

Hi, I just started on this site so i have no idea how to make a thread, BUT my Galaxy Q just randomly stopped working and it got stuck on its samsung start screen and i after receiving memory errors, anyways my recovery screen wont boot so is this phone ****ed?

 

[GSDer]

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

Manny,
It takes quite a bit to bork one of these phones - the fact that the screen comes on is hopeful.

You'd get better help if you could find the Galaxy Q forums (Edit: nevermind, that forum doesn't have any recent updates.) , but we'll try to help. Can you boot into Download mode? With the phone completely off, press and hold the Volume Down and Home and Power buttons simultaneously, and release them all once you see the Samsung splash screen. If that works, you can try reloading the stock firmware using the Kies software on your PC - see the instructions below. (To get out of Download mode just pull the battery, otherwise it'll stay there until the battery runs out.)

Here's an overview of what to do:
- if you don't already have the Kies software installed on your PC, download it (just search Google) and install it. The first time it runs it'll update itself to the latest version so make sure you run it once before proceeding.
- put your phone in Download mode: with the phone completely off, press and hold the Volume Down and Home and Power buttons simultaneously, and release them all when you see the Samsung splash screen
- connect the phone to your PC with the USB cable that came with the phone
-- if you've never had the phone connected to your Windows-based computer before, you'll see messages about installing drivers, etc - just wait until this is done (may take 5 or 10 minutes) [I don't know what happens if you have a Mac - it probably just works]
- in the Kies software, select the second item in the Tools menu and just follow the prompts to enter the model number (in CAPS) and IMEI/Serial Number (both found under the battery - it's ok to remove the battery at this point)
- the Kies software should start downloading the correct firmware for your phone from the Internet; once that's done (depending on your Internet connection speed) it'll begin downloading that to the phone (this probably takes 10 minutes or so)

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

 

[t_ellis8]

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

Hi, i just started having problems with my galaxy s3 getting stuck on the start up screen where the colors splash, I've tried removing the battery, and i've cleared the cache and done the factory reset. I did root my phone but I haven't had any problems with it until today, i don't know if i "bricked" my phone somehow or not but any tips you guys have would be much appreciated! also I'm using the verizon model SCH-I535

 

[pawsaddiction]

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

If he can boot into download mode, it's not sudden death. When that happens, the phone is completely dead, and won't power up at all.

You may be able to find the original ROM here: Firmwares | SamMobile Type i9300 in the search box. You need to make sure you download the version for your exact model, country and carrier (O2). I'm not sure exactly how to use Kies to load the ROM, but if you search you should be able to find instructions. The Sammobile site has forums, too, so you might want to look there for help on how to install their files.

Just spent 35 mins blabbling on about my issue, pos iPhone 4 freakin crashed!! Starting my post over....

I think this is where I need to post - I have the same issues as Maddie - frozen at start up screen, only I am able to get into both recovery and download modes. Does this *really* mean I do not have an insane chip?

Please hold off on calling me queen dumba$$ for not backing up my data - call me whatever you want later... I deserve it - this is the 2nd time my brand new Galaxy S3 has locked up at the start screen. I lost over 1,000 pics and vids the first time and a$$hat at Verizon assured me it would never happen again. Here I am.

Now there are over 1200 pics and vids and I don't know that I can handle losing these. (My father passed suddenly 1 1/2 weeks ago, pics are of entire family at the beach before he died.)

I have wiped the cache and rebooted several times. I then let the battery drain like SuaX did a few msgs down. It is now off and on the charger.

Will someone please help me, stupid as I am to not have backed up? At least I don't think I did?

Bought the phone on Nov 24, 2013. It froze on the start up screen 18 days later, 4 days after Verizon's return period. They sent me a refurbished phone but I have not activated it. I bought a new phone and that's what I want.... I don't want a pos refurbished phone with someone else's problems. I boxed it up to send it back.

I did replace the battery on the factory resetted phone. That's where I'm at. Obviously a software issue, not a battery issue.

Cannot get past the stupid swirly start up screen.

Also, is there anyway to recover pics I lost from before the factory reset that Verizon did?

I am praying I do not have to do a factory reset again. I will be absolutely crushed.

Note: in the event I need to download software - I do not have internet access via PC or laptop. (my crackhead iPhone is for work and they have blocked hotspot service)

Thank you in advance!

(I hope your wrist feels better MeyerWeb)

 

[GSDer]

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

pawsaddiction,
Welcome to the forums!

You should try this - power the phone off; remove the SIM card and SD card (if present) and turn it on. Let it sit for five minutes at the swirly screen to give it a chance to boot normally.
- of course, if it does boot normally, connect it to your PC and backup your pictures/videos using Kies or Windows Explorer or whatever you normally use. Then power it off and reinsert the item(s) that you removed and power it on again - hopefully it boots normally.
- if it doesn't boot normally, remove the battery for a few minutes and then repeat the power on process.


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

 

[GSDer]

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

Also, is there any way to recover pics I lost from before the factory reset that Verizon did?

The short answer - no, sorry. (The long answer is also no, sorry. Even if your phone was booting normally, whatever pictures you originally had on there were overwritten after the Factory Reset by the new pictures/videos.)

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!

Double thank you GSDer. I will try that ..... remove SIM card then leave it sitting at the swirly screen for 5 mins and see what happens. It may take a minute to post the result as I have to remove the battery from this one (decided to activate the refurbished S3.... doofus iPhone is a total pita)

 

[pawsaddiction]

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

PS I'm not able to turn the phone off with*the power button, have to pull the battery. However, I am able to turn it on.... just freezes at the swirlies. It also quick vibrates every 30 secs to a min or so while the swirly circles are stuck in repetitive cycles.

I plugged it into my laptop and it recognized the device and asked if I wanted to install the back up assistant software. I tried to, not sure it did anything. I was not able to see any data files (pics, vids, etc).

 

[pawsaddiction]

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

Nope, didn't help. Left it sitting for 19 mins.

I started a new thread but needs to be approved. .......

Can I use a memory card to install the original software? Download it to the card using the refurbished phone, then put the card in the frozen phone and go into download mode??

 

[meyerweb#CB]

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

Hi, i just started having problems with my galaxy s3 getting stuck on the start up screen where the colors splash, I've tried removing the battery, and i've cleared the cache and done the factory reset. I did root my phone but I haven't had any problems with it until today, i don't know if i "bricked" my phone somehow or not but any tips you guys have would be much appreciated! also I'm using the verizon model SCH-I535

If the phone lights up and displays anything, it's not hard bricked, and can most likely be recovered.

Are you running the stock ROM, and what version of Android is it (4.1.2, 4.3....)?

Can you boot into recovery? What recovery are you running (CWM, TWRP....)?

Do you have an external SD card and a way to read/write to it on a PC?

 

[meyerweb#CB]

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

Please hold off on calling me queen dumba$$ for not backing up my data - call me whatever you want later... I deserve it - this is the 2nd time my brand new Galaxy S3 has locked up at the start screen. I lost over 1,000 pics and vids the first time and a$$hat at Verizon assured me it would never happen again. Here I am.

Now there are over 1200 pics and vids and I don't know that I can handle losing these. (My father passed suddenly 1 1/2 weeks ago, pics are of entire family at the beach before he died.)

I did replace the battery on the factory resetted phone. That's where I'm at. Obviously a software issue, not a battery issue.

Cannot get past the stupid swirly start up screen.

Also, is there anyway to recover pics I lost from before the factory reset that Verizon did?

I am praying I do not have to do a factory reset again. I will be absolutely crushed.

Note: in the event I need to download software - I do not have internet access via PC or laptop. (my crackhead iPhone is for work and they have blocked hotspot service)

Thank you in advance!

(I hope your wrist feels better MeyerWeb)

Nope, didn't help. Left it sitting for 19 mins.

I started a new thread but needs to be approved. .......

Can I use a memory card to install the original software? Download it to the card using the refurbished phone, then put the card in the frozen phone and go into download mode??

Dang. I'm not very hopeful here. Was your phone stock, and unrooted?

Can you boot into recovery?

Download mode require a PC connection, it won't read off the card. Even if it would, I think it would wipe your pictures. But if you're still on Android 4.1.2 you might be able to load the 4.3 update that Verizon has just released to an SD card, and then flash that from recovery. I don't know if anyone has managed to save the Verizon update.zip yet, but I'll search and see if I can find it.

And thanks (about the wrist). I just got the cast off. Have to undergo PT, but it's already an improvement.

 

[pawsaddiction]

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

Can you tell me how to find out what version of Android my Galaxy S3 is? It was factory reset 3 weeks ago and I have not rooted it.

I replaced the battery with a new one.

I cannot get past the start up screen with the (now very annoying) pretty colors and swirly circles. It 'ticks' or quick vibrates every 30 secs or so while flashing the repetitive flashy circles. It wants to boot.

It seems I am able to control the speed of the circles or change the repetitive cycle of the circles using the volume up/down button. Maybe I'm just hypnotized.

I am able to get into both recovery and download modes.

I have reset the cache and rebooted several times.

I have let the S3 sit in the swirly screen to drain the battery, then recharged completely.

I have removed the SIM card, powered on, and let it sit on the swirly circles for 19 mins. Did not boot, just got hot.

My laptop recognized the Verizon device even while stuck on stupid swirly circles. Could not view any files outside of what I think are 5 or 6 update assistant exe files. I think they were just general files, not S3 specifically.... but my point in mentioning it is b/c I have never connected it to the laptop before, or any other pc for that matter.

I have an SD card (not in it, isn't the issue).

I now have access to a pc and the internet thru the pc.

If not this pc, I'll use my laptop and access the internet via the refurbished S3.... or McDs wifi if the SIM card has to be in the frozen phone.

I am sorry if I am hijacking the thread and/or being repetitive.

Thanks for any help!

 

[pawsaddiction]

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

Oh please be hopeful, I'll love you furever, I promise!!

I'm not sure if it's my 'newness' but I can't seem to post a reply to individual posts... they are all at the end of the thread.

Phone is stock, unrooted... reset 3 weeks ago. I do not recall updating anything but I may have.

Yes, I am able to boot into both recovery and download modes.

I have a pc.... with internet access.

I have backed up the pics from sd card, I'm ok with erasing or reformatting it if needed. It's the pics on my S3 that I'm getting teary eyed all over again for. I know they are just pictures, love and true memories are kept in the heart and blah blah blah, but they're the last pics of my family all together before my dad made his way....

:-/

Thank you for your help! Happy your wrist is on the mend. Must feel weird that your skin can breathe again?!

 

[meyerweb#CB]

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

(New posts always go to the end of the thread. If you want to make it clear what you're replying to, choose the "reply with quote" button.

OK, if there haven't been any updates in 3 weeks, then you're almost certainly on 4.1.2, which is probably a good thing. As is the fact you can boot into recovery. I have no prior experience with Verizon phones, unfortunately, so I need to do a bit of reading before I offer any real advice. But hang in there, I understand about the pictures. I've got 20 or 30,000 on my computer, with multiple backups. (In the future, set your phone to save pictures to the SD card, and then copy them to dropbox, or a PC, or something regularly.)

Oh, speaking of Verizon, if you haven't done it already you might want to post this summary in the Verizon sub-forum, too:

http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon-galaxy-s-iii/