Help I really need help with this...

[tre288]

I've had my Samsung Galaxy S for about 2 years now. Today it decided to restart itself. The problem is, now all it does is cycle through the startup screen over and over again continuously. I've taken nothing but good care of my phone, and don't understand why it is doing this now, nor how to fix it.

 

[spagman72]

Well if you're not rooted just put your phone in download mode and connect it to your computer using Kies and try a recovery.
Or you can do the Odin approach... Download Odin... Install on your computer, make sure you have the phone usb drivers installed find a stock rom for your phone that includes a pit file.
If you don't know how to use Odin, just search your phones forum.
Either of those methods should get you up and running.
Just remember read up on the Odin first..

 

[tre288]

Well if you're not rooted just put your phone in download mode and connect it to your computer using Kies and try a recovery.
Or you can do the Odin approach... Download Odin... Install on your computer, make sure you have the phone usb drivers installed find a stock rom for your phone that includes a pit file.
If you don't know how to use Odin, just search your phones forum.
Either of those methods should get you up and running.
Just remember read up on the Odin first..

I dont know if my phone is rooted, I can't remember.

I also don't know how to put my phone on download mode if I can't use it.

As for the Odin stuff, I'm completely unfamiliar with any of what that means as well >.<

What are the risks to doing it that way, and what exactly does it do?

 

[tre288]

Also... will putting my phone in dowload mode re-format my phone, or do a factory reset or anything... or void any warranties? I can't really have any of that.

 

[goyal.sanchit]

Also... will putting my phone in dowload mode re-format my phone, or do a factory reset or anything... or void any warranties? I can't really have any of that.

If your phone is 2 years old the warranty is probably over anyway. Putting your phone in download mode would not do a factory reset but what you do after that might result in loss of data.

Try if you can enter recovery menu. Switch of your phone. After it is switched off. Press the home button+volume up button+power on button. Leave the power button when you see the animation.


For going to download mode the procedure is same but you have to use the volume down button.

 

[tre288]

If your phone is 2 years old the warranty is probably over anyway. Putting your phone in download mode would not do a factory reset but what you do after that might result in loss of data.

Try if you can enter recovery menu. Switch of your phone. After it is switched off. Press the home button+volume up button+power on button. Leave the power button when you see the animation.


For going to download mode the procedure is same but you have to use the volume down button.

I have a device protection plan which I think keeps the warranty going as long as I'm paying for it. So I need to know if doing the download mode thing or anythling like that would break a warranty. I had read somewhere that it did but I'm not sure.

But what you are saying is, that going into the download mode or recovery mode isnt the same as a factory reset? Meaning if I do it right I won't lose what I have on my phone?

 

[spagman72]

I have a device protection plan which I think keeps the warranty going as long as I'm paying for it. So I need to know if doing the download mode thing or anythling like that would break a warranty. I had read somewhere that it did but I'm not sure.

But what you are saying is, that going into the download mode or recovery mode isnt the same as a factory reset? Meaning if I do it right I won't lose what I have on my phone?

That's correct, download mode will not reset your phone like a factory reset would.
If I were you I would just download keys for your pc, and as mentioned in an earlier post try a recovery. Odin will also not void the warranty and will not erase data like a factory reset. Odin is easy to use and learn..... Just follow a "flash to stock" post for your phone. Read up a little on it... It's some cool stuff

 

[tre288]

That's correct, download mode will not reset your phone like a factory reset would.
If I were you I would just download keys for your pc, and as mentioned in an earlier post try a recovery. Odin will also not void the warranty and will not erase data like a factory reset. Odin is easy to use and learn..... Just follow a "flash to stock" post for your phone. Read up a little on it... It's some cool stuff

Interesting.

So download mode is safe to use warranty wise, and in not re-setting my phone.

I do have Samsung Kies installed, and have had it for a while already.

I will see what I can do in terms of download mode/doing a recovery, and get back to you here.

I dont fully understand what the purposes of these download mode/recovery mode things are though. If neither of them are intended to wipe my phone, what are their purposes?

*Edit: I've just placed my phone in download mode, however it doesn't seem to want to connect to Kies. Kies just says: connecting forever. My phone also says not to turn it off, so I'm not sure what to do next.

 

[spagman72]

I would uninstall old Kies.... Then re install. If you still have problems use a different usb port... Try a different phone cable... Etc

 

[tre288]

I would uninstall old Kies.... Then re install. If you still have problems use a different usb port... Try a different phone cable... Etc

So Kies SHOULD still read my phone if I do the buttom commands to enter download mode? Alright I'll try uninstalling and re-installing Kies and all of that and let you know.

From there though, would you be able to inform me on what I would be doing next or trying to do? You said enter recovery once my phoneis connected to Kies. Is that a straightforward process or are there some things to look out for.

*Edit: No dice on getting my phone connected to Kies while my phone is in download mode. Kies just tells me my phone isn't responding and I should re-boot my device. It gives me an unsuported connection mode alert.

Booting up my phone in the recovery menu also didn't do anything.

 

[spagman72]

Then Odin is the solution.
Before I didn't mean you had to enter recovery on the phone, there is a recovery action on Kies. If you would have been able to connect to keys using the Kies recovery could have fixed it.
Find Odin and a stock rom for your phone... Make sure it's for your phone... A good place to search is xda-developers forum (Google search)

 

[tre288]

Then Odin is the solution.
Before I didn't mean you had to enter recovery on the phone, there is a recovery action on Kies. If you would have been able to connect to keys using the Kies recovery could have fixed it.
Find Odin and a stock rom for your phone... Make sure it's for your phone... A good place to search is xda-developers forum (Google search)

I'm very new and nervous about diggin through and messing with things on my phone in this way. Is there any way you can Message me a direct guide to what exactly it is I'm doing, looking for, and how im fixing this problem with Odin?

What are risks to doing it this way?

 

[tre288]

Can anyone let me know about this?

Where would I find what I need for an SGH-T959D

 

[spagman72]

Google xda-developers click on forum choose device model from top right drop down box or navigate to your phone forum. Read all the stickies (rules and very informative)
Then look for stock rom and Odin posts "how to return to stock"
Follow these steps... It's pretty easy