Help Note II Crashing / Freezing

[mikeyp69]

Hi - New to forum and relatively new to Android.

Have had Galaxy Note 2 for a few months, but recently has started crashing / rebooting / freezing. So right now can't rely on it.

I've deleted apps that were installed after last known stable state. Have also removed SIM / SD Card and cleaned contacts etc.

I can't work out a way to enable / view crash logs to give me a clue as to what is going on. Is this possible? How? Any tips?

Thx !

 

[DonB]

Sounds like you have done most possible, I hate to say this, but have you tried a FR that usually fixes all issues, also if you do, then I would install a few apps at a time to see if one of your apps is the culprit, report back

 

[whitecollar]

I suggest you restart in safe mode.

Then if it doesn't crash after a couple of days you know it isn't the hardware.

 

[mikeyp69]

I suggest you restart in safe mode.

Then if it doesn't crash after a couple of days you know it isn't the hardware.

Good call. How do you do that?

EDIT: Found it.

 

[mikeyp69]

There must be way to turn logging to file on...to at least allow likely cuplprits to be identified. I find it hard to believe that this isn't possible...

 

[R4nd0mJ0k3r]

Mine did this a few weeks back. Turned out I have one of the chips susceptible to SDS (Sudden Death Syndrome).

The 4.1.2 update fixes this in that it corrects the error that causes phones with this chip to die after around 4-6 months. However, the 4.1.2 version currently available in the UK (think its DMB2) causes these crashes instead. My phone however is originally French, so its now running DMB6 and this has completely fixed the issue for me so far. Its been about 3 weeks and my phone is running like a dream.

See here for more info:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2133401

If you want to check for this download eMMC Check, if it says you have 'Insane' chip, then this is most likely the cause of your problems. If this is the case, empty as much of your internal memory as you can, then download Dummy File Generator. Run this a few times (5-10 is ideal), the phone may freeze during this process (sometimes for up to 20 minutes) but it will eventually unfreeze and carry on with it. This should aleviate the crashing for a while, but for me it would still occur from time to time. However I got DMB6 about 3 weeks ago now, and so far, the updates I get usually arrive on UK phones within two months.

 

[mikeyp69]

Yes indeed, I have the "INSANE" chip and it does seem like my Note is suffering from SDS. Will send it away tomorrow and see what happens! This has been driving me nuts, and also my contacts as they can't get hold of me due to my random crashes !


R4nd0mJ0k3r - looks like you are the Saint of the month ! Thank you.

 

[evohicks]

if it says you have 'Insane' chip, then this is most likely the cause of your problems.

Its saying I have the 'Insane Chip' but to be honest I have had probably 1 or 2 crashes since last october, maybe other factors are involved also.

 

[mikeyp69]

To be honest, my problem has been getting progressively worse and worse since around end of December. Now the phone is just unusable as crashes / freezes / reboots are getting more and more frequent. I wouldn't be surprised if yours goes the same way.

 

[evohicks]

To be honest, my problem has been getting progressively worse and worse since around end of December. Now the phone is just unusable as crashes / freezes / reboots are getting more and more frequent. I wouldn't be surprised if yours goes the same way.

It would be interesting to see if everyone was willing to install the app to see if their phone had the insane chip and just clarified if they were having reboot or freeze issues also.
Come on guys and gals give it a try

 

[oldboy74]

Insane chip here, couple of freezes but i turn the screen off and on again and all good.

 

[mikeyp69]

Ok so phone needs to be sent back to a Samsung authorised repairer for new board and IMEI programming.

Takes up to 10 working days. Bummer.

Cant be without for that long so bought a new one as need it for my business. . Will sell repaired Note II on ebay.

Have gone for the LTE 4G version this time.

Shame Samsung dont have a premium repair service like apple does. Where you get sent a new one next day and they charge your card for value until faulty one is returned. They'll learn I guess.

 

[DonB]

I assume you were within the one year warranty, why not return it where you purchased it to get a replacement ??

Ok so phone needs to be sent back to a Samsung authorised repairer for new board and IMEI programming.

Takes up to 10 working days. Bummer.

Cant be without for that long so bought a new one as need it for my business. . Will sell repaired Note II on ebay.

Have gone for the LTE 4G version this time.

Shame Samsung dont have a premium repair service like apple does. Where you get sent a new one next day and they charge your card for value until faulty one is returned. They'll learn I guess.

 

[mikeyp69]

The phone is ~6 months old; too old to return to retailer for replacement. Returning to retailer will result in them sending it away to be repaired, increasing repair turnaround time. May as well cut them out.

Amazon returns cut off is 30 days, and they are one of the most generous.

I believe Samsung warranty is a generous 2 yrs.

 

[just123]

I have just installed the app and have the insane chip. But no crashes since I bought it... 6-7 months

 

[evohicks]

Yeah to be honest I had more crashes on my Galaxy S2 and that was a great phone. Not sure that this insane chip thing is a 100% killer to be honest. I'm sure Samsung would have to do a massive recall if this were the case with failing microchips, especially with the Note 2 only being around 6 months old.
I'm not denying its a problem but how it affects different handsets is the issue.

 

[Bob Cat]

I have the Sane chip.

 

[DonB]

I have one also ^^

 

[Bob Cat]

I see you have the side menu. I accidentally had it on mine and I had to ask how to remove it.

 

[DonB]

Yep, I usually have it disabled, but I was playing with it yesterday

I make a point when I discuss something is to explain how to do so so we are not asked how

to enable and disable the sidebar, simply hold down the back button from the home screen

I see you have the side menu. I accidentally had it on mine and I had to ask how to remove it.

 

[Bob Cat]

Yeah Dread told me how to do it yesterday.

That thing was annoying me.

Do we have a 'how to' or 'faq' on all the stuff this phone does?

 

[evohicks]

http://androidforums.com/samsung-ga...axy-note-2-tips-faqs-quick-access-thread.html

 

[DonB]

Yep, Evohicks Ninja'ed me

Yeah Dread told me how to do it yesterday.

That thing was annoying me.

Do we have a 'how to' or 'faq' on all the stuff this phone does?

 

[PiscesCloud]

I have the insane chip but no crashes since I bought it 5

 

[R4nd0mJ0k3r]

Its saying I have the 'Insane Chip' but to be honest I have had probably 1 or 2 crashes since last october, maybe other factors are involved also.

The thing is guys, from my research, the 'insane chip' issue can begin affecting phones anywhere between 3-12 months old.

You have to realise that if you read as having the 'insane chip' this just means that you have the POTENTIAL to be affected.

AND firmware can affect its behaviour too. It's part a hardware issue and part a software issue. On old FW (4.1.1) the phone would just die one day (on whatever day it happened to be that your chip messed up). On early builds of 4.1.2, instead of dying, the phone will just randomly freeze/restart, some believe this is the firmware actually 'repairing' the broken sectors on the disk, however I don't think this is the case. On later 4.1.2 firmwares you'll be fine.

Again, nobody seems to be entirely sure, but from the TON of research I did when my phone was doing it, this is what I gathered. Then my theory was practically confirmed when the new firmware fixed everything for me.

All I'd say is for those having problems I know how much of a pain it is, trust me I live on my phone. But at least know that from my experience and research, as and when you get the updated FW your phone will be fine again.