Think I bought a Lemon Fascinate off Craigslist

[gadgetmom88]

I bought a Fascinate on Craigslist. I've bought and sold more than 20 phones that way, this is the first time I've been burned. Here's a list of problems with the phone, I haven't been on the Fascinate for a while, so maybe you guys can tell me there's a quick fix for all this...

1. Phone is still on 2.1update1 firmware, when I try to update, it fails.
2. I can't get ODIN to finish restoring the firmware back to stock. It fails during reboot every time. - the phone is rooted. I also can't unroot it using Z4.
3. The phone thinks it is connected to USB even when it's not. I can't power up the phone without connecting it to a power source, even when it's fully charged.
4. I'm able to use all stock apps on the phone, but I can't download any applications from the market. I have been able to sideload a few apps from other sources, but no market downloads. Download starts and then just stops. No error message.
5. Phone doesn't show the proper battery percentage. Either shows fully charged or not charged at all.
6. Can't navigate when in ClockworkModRecovery. Power button, volume buttons don't work. Otherwise, these buttons work fine.

Best part? The phone worked fine for the 10 minutes the guy showed it to me and I ran it through the paces. As soon as I gave him the money and he walked away, it magically quit working. FML.

 

[s44]

Try Odin on another USB port/cable...

 

[gadgetmom88]

Try Odin on another USB port/cable...

Thanks for the thought. I tried all 3 of the ports and 2 different cables. Odin recognized the phone and would start the process, but during reboot would fail.

 

[s44]

What do you mean during reboot? The phone shouldn't reboot until the flash is completely done.

 

[gadgetmom88]

That's been my experience as well. It looks like it's cycling through everything, says everything passed, no fails, tells me it's rebooting the phone, then says "Removed". As if something is cutting it short. For the record though, it's the fastest I've ever seen a phone go through the Odin process. So I doubt it's actually progressing as it should.

 

[TravisZ]

the first Fascinate I bought wouldn't update. when it would reboot after downloading the update it would always say "update failed". Had to send it in for a replacement.

Since the Froyo update, when I plug into AC I get the screen with the android asking if I want to connect as mass storage. When I connect to my laptop I don't get the option to connect. Did before Froyo

 

[s44]

The thread just below/above this one suggests another idea: call Samsung. If you want to unroot, use adb?

The NAND on this may have been borked or something.

 

[gadgetmom88]

I bought the phone on Craigslist, so I'm not sure I have rights to any warranty - I'll try calling Samsung though and see what they can do. Haven't tried to unroot via ADB, have only tried Odin to install the stock image. Guess I'll try that next, though I'm not sure what that will do for me beyond being able to return the phone for warranty repair.

 

[Avalanch3]

Did you use the stock samsung USB cable for Odin and install the samsung drivers to your computer?

 

[gadgetmom88]

Did you use the stock samsung USB cable for Odin and install the samsung drivers to your computer?

I did use the stock cable and installed the samsung drivers.

 

[Avalanch3]

Have you tried this:

http://androidforums.com/fascinate-all-things-root/261997-how-unroot-fascinate-no-matter-what-jan-11th-2011-update.html ?

 

[gadgetmom88]

After performing 6 factory resets, I was able to get ODIN to restore the Fascinate. I was then able to accept the OTA updates and am running 2.2. This is good. But I'm still having the weird USB issues - still says it's plugged into a USB connection when it's not. I've installed a battery widget because the stock battery indicator is off. And I still have to be plugged into a power source in order to boot up the device. A factory reset fixes these issues for an hour or two, but they come back. At this point the device is usable, but not optimal. Anyone know anything about the USB issues?

 

[tonyb81]

After performing 6 factory resets, I was able to get ODIN to restore the Fascinate. I was then able to accept the OTA updates and am running 2.2. This is good. But I'm still having the weird USB issues - still says it's plugged into a USB connection when it's not. I've installed a battery widget because the stock battery indicator is off. And I still have to be plugged into a power source in order to boot up the device. A factory reset fixes these issues for an hour or two, but they come back. At this point the device is usable, but not optimal. Anyone know anything about the USB issues?

it should be under warranty, why not try to get it replaced.

 

[gadgetmom88]

Ultimately, I will. My only thing with refurbished phones that I've gotten in the past from Verizon, is that they all have problems. I'm fairly certain that they just factory reset the phones we send back to them and send them back out... Also, I bought this phone on Craigslist so I have to go through Samsung to get the replacement. Was hoping to avoid that, but doesn't look like I'll be able to.

 

[tonyb81]

Ultimately, I will. My only thing with refurbished phones that I've gotten in the past from Verizon, is that they all have problems. I'm fairly certain that they just factory reset the phones we send back to them and send them back out... Also, I bought this phone on Craigslist so I have to go through Samsung to get the replacement. Was hoping to avoid that, but doesn't look like I'll be able to.

why would you have to go through samsung, why not just call verizon?

 

[gadgetmom88]

I've been told by Verizon reps that they don't provide replacements for phones bought on Craigslist, I have to go through the manufacturer. The warranty is still good, they just don't service it except for the original customer. Samsung requires sending it in and they send back a replacement.

 

[tonyb81]

I've been told by Verizon reps that they don't provide replacements for phones bought on Craigslist, I have to go through the manufacturer. The warranty is still good, they just don't service it except for the original customer. Samsung requires sending it in and they send back a replacement.

how would they know it was bought through craigslist? I've had phones sent to verizon for warranty replacement that i obtained that were already activated on another phone number originally.

 

[gadgetmom88]

I expect I could try. It's not a Craigslist thing per se, it's just that I was told that if I didn't originally purchase the phone, they wouldn't provide warranty assistance with it. Guess I'll try that route first and let you know.

 

[chmodx]

Verizon won't warranty service a phone purchased at Best Buy. They certainly won't honor one purchased on craigslist.

Hate to say it but the USB issue is probably a hardware issue and Samsung will be your best bet. I doubt that they will warranty it though as they'll require a proof of sale(receipt) for their warranty.

 

[grin0048]

Verizon won't warranty service a phone purchased at Best Buy. They certainly won't honor one purchased on craigslist.

Hate to say it but the USB issue is probably a hardware issue and Samsung will be your best bet. I doubt that they will warranty it though as they'll require a proof of sale(receipt) for their warranty.

The receipt is generally required in warranty situations to verify the purchase date...if Samsung refuses to honor their warranty on a phone that has been sold for less time than the length of the warranty, that would be truly pathetic. But, I think they'll honor it.

 

[tonyb81]

Verizon won't warranty service a phone purchased at Best Buy. They certainly won't honor one purchased on craigslist.

Hate to say it but the USB issue is probably a hardware issue and Samsung will be your best bet. I doubt that they will warranty it though as they'll require a proof of sale(receipt) for their warranty.

Pure bs. I've had phones purchased at Best Buy that I was able to get warrantied out by verizon. One being a fascinate.

 

[gadgetmom88]

I expect it depends on the rep you get as to whether they service it. I've had a phone replaced on warranty bought on Craigslist, had most denied. Thankfully, the person I purchased from on cRaigslist requested the replacement for me and I received it.

 

[tmarr]

Pure bs. I've had phones purchased at Best Buy that I was able to get warrantied out by verizon. One being a fascinate.

It is complete bs. My HTC Incredible was bought at Best Buy and I've had 3 replacements all done at different Verizon stores for different issues. Factory "refurbished" phones are all complete crap -- they sent me one with a blown speaker... I mean, seriously? How do they send out a broken phone..

I could see them not doing a warranty on a phone bought through Craigslist though, or any phone that has been switched to different accounts. Usually after it leaves the original account theyd tell you to do it yourself through Samsung (which costs you money for shipping & time, but thats the only downside).

Glad you got it all settled though!