Root Help for dead USB port?

[uminchu]

Hello, I have a fully rooted Evo running Kings Unleashed GB. Yesterday I lost the use of my USB port, and can no longer charge the battery by plugging the phone in. That in itself is not fatal; I have an external charger. The bigger problem is that I've also lost the data connection, so I can't flash or RUU back to stock in order to swap the phone out under warranty.

Can anyone help with restoring a dead USB port? I understand that rooting was my choice at my own risk, voided warranty, etc. I accept complete responsibility without complaint if this is an unrecoverable issue. But if anyone can please help or guide me through repairing the port, I would be very grateful. TIA.

 

[EarlyMon]

I've moved your post over here to the root section because it's sounding like more like a root issue than a hardware one - if it's correlating to something you did with the rom.

Remember - always more than one way to skin a cat.

First - were you a good rooter and make a nandroid backup? If so, you can restore to whatever was working before the new rom sent things south.

Next - nobody's perfect - so if you don't have a nandroid backup, you can still change roms or kernels: put the rom image on your pc and then xfer it to your phone wirelessly using Astro or EStrongs file manager, or an ftp app like AndFTP.

Finally - never overlook the possibility that it's just the usb cable that decided it was time to die - this happens more than I can understand, but it definitely happens.

Oh - I rooted with a recovery image to get me out of trouble if the day comes - I've never used it, so I won't advise on that - one of the reasons I put your post over here.

Best luck!

 

[ocnbrze]

not sure why it does it but my windows 7 laptop does the same thing from time to time. what seems to work for me is that i shut down my laptop, wipe cache and dalvik cache, turn my computer on and wait for it to finish booting up, plug the usb cable in first to the computer then my phone. out of everything else that i have tried that has worked for me.

 

[EarlyMon]

(Sorry ocnbrze! In my mind I totally moved your post here with his - many thanks for the catch and your re-post!) :embarrased:

 

[ocnbrze]

(Sorry ocnbrze! In my mind I totally moved your post here with his - many thanks for the catch and your re-post!) :embarrased:

no worries early mon, i just appreciate that you are on top of things here, well at least most of the time. lol

 

[uminchu]

I've moved your post over here to the root section because it's sounding like more like a root issue than a hardware one - if it's correlating to something you did with the rom.

Remember - always more than one way to skin a cat.

I'm pretty sure I posted in the root forum, although I'm sure it's a hardware issue. Another mod may have moved it earlier. I've been very happy with the functionality and speed of this ROM; I've been running it for over a month, the longest I've ever stuck with any one ROM. I've connected to my desktop, laptop, a wall and a car charger. Once in awhile I can jiggle it and get the LED to light, but only for a minute or so and it's gone. It definitely did not charge overnight.

First - were you a good rooter and make a nandroid backup? If so, you can restore to whatever was working before the new rom sent things south.

Always.

Next - nobody's perfect - so if you don't have a nandroid backup, you can still change roms or kernels: put the rom image on your pc and then xfer it to your phone wirelessly using Astro or EStrongs file manager, or an ftp app like AndFTP.

1) I've never been able to to get a suitable BT connection for file transfer, and
2) If I could get a proper connection, could I use it to RUU?

Finally - never overlook the possibility that it's just the usb cable that decided it was time to die - this happens more than I can understand, but it definitely happens.

As stated above, I've tried four different connections and cables. I'm convinced it's a hardware issue with the phone.

Oh - I rooted with a recovery image to get me out of trouble if the day comes - I've never used it, so I won't advise on that - one of the reasons I put your post over here.

Best luck!

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm pretty sure this a hardware problem, but I very much appreciate your taking the time to post some good ideas.

Assuming I'm correct and it's the USB port, is this something I can fix myself, or get fixed for far less cost than a replacing it without insurance? If not, I can get by with the external charger until my upgrade comes up next month, and wait to find out if the 3D releases with an encrypted bootloader. If it does, there's always the NS4G (Sense is ok, but I'm perfectly happy running AOSP also), or I might hold out for the SGII.

 

[9to5cynic]

If you are sure it's not a software issue, you could backup your current settings and restore a previous nandroid just for certainty.

And, I've heard that the sprint techs are fine dealing with hardware issues on rooted phones, but that's a pretty big risk I'd say.

 

[EarlyMon]

Can RUU via file xfer so far as I know.

Forget BT for file xfer - just use wifi if it's available.

Nandroid to previous working rom does not clear this issue?

You may not be able to RUU - but you may be able to just put a stock rom on it and lose root that way.

There was a package at XDA that included a new HBOOT, PRI (not L) and radios - look under "Sprint Lovers" Evo over there - I dig up the link if it doesn't re-appear - then use the master rom listing to pair the underbelly with a stock rom (although, many of those that used be zips now point to exe files (grrrr!)).

Not much for ya - hope this helps.

 

[uminchu]

Can RUU via file xfer so far as I know.

Forget BT for file xfer - just use wifi if it's available.

Nandroid to previous working rom does not clear this issue?

You may not be able to RUU - but you may be able to just put a stock rom on it and lose root that way.

There was a package at XDA that included a new HBOOT, PRI (not L) and radios - look under "Sprint Lovers" Evo over there - I dig up the link if it doesn't re-appear - then use the master rom listing to pair the underbelly with a stock rom (although, many of those that used be zips now point to exe files (grrrr!)).

Not much for ya - hope this helps.

After reading through the Broken USB port thread in the hardware forum, I'm thinking that even if I could RUU or flash an unrooted stock ROM, they'd just call it wear and tear and blow me off anyway, as this is a launch day Evo, hardware 002.

I'll try the suggestion to try an old nand, though I think that's likely to be a dead end and confirm it's the port. Always good to be sure, though. I'll have to wait until later to run the nand, then report back. Thanks a bunch for everyone's help.

 

[EarlyMon]

This just in - I can't type and some days I'm an idiot for not proof-reading (see what I did there? )

Can NOT do RUU via file xfer, so far as I know.

Best luck, keep us posted.

 

[Mr. Ed]

i have had this issue with several gb roms. battery will not show it is charging and the device doesnt connect via usb. i was only able to get everything working by flashing the sprint lovers rom....once the problem started usb would no longer work on any nandroid backups that i had. only flashing sprint lovers worked

 

[uminchu]

This just in - I can't type and some days I'm an idiot for not proof-reading (see what I did there? )

Can NOT do RUU via file xfer, so far as I know.

Best luck, keep us posted.

The bad news: Definitely a hardware issue. Restored an old MynWarm ROM, always reliable. The USB port is not only still dead, it's scary loose, rocks left and right, and now wants to pull out of the phone altogether.

The good news (though ironic): My screen has a couple of hot spots, much brighter than the rest. That's good news because if I can flash a stock, unrooted ROM, I may be able to exchange it based on that problem, which is not a wear and tear issue, rather than get blown off for just the faulty USB port alone.

Many thanks for the rooted ROM suggestion. I'll make sure I can swap my phone before actually unrooting with a crippled USB port and no access or ability to reroot it.

 

[uminchu]

i have had this issue with several gb roms. battery will not show it is charging and the device doesnt connect via usb. i was only able to get everything working by flashing the sprint lovers rom....once the problem started usb would no longer work on any nandroid backups that i had. only flashing sprint lovers worked

Really. Ok, I'll try the Sprint Lovers then. But I still think the port is toast. I've been running GB for over a month and I've never had a charging or connectivity problem until last night. The battery was almost dead, and the port is clearly, physically loose.

 

[Mr. Ed]

Really. Ok, I'll try the Sprint Lovers then. But I still think the port is toast. I've been running GB for over a month and I've never had a charging or connectivity problem until last night. The battery was almost dead, and the port is clearly, physically loose.

If the port is that loose then I bet it is hardware.

sadly..I woke to mine acting up again on Koni's elite 3

I do believe my issue is the sprint extended battery at this point. If I put the stock battery in everything is fine. What's crazy is that even though the phone and any other method I use to track the battery's status show no charging, no drain ...nothing.....it's still charging. a battery pull and restart show the battery is fully charged

wiping battery stats has no effect.

I wish you luck! glad you can get a stock rom flashed. You really shouldn't have any issues as long as you take it in to a sprint repair store

 

[evomattnc]

So use a card reader to transfer the s-on tool and the PC36IMG for your hboot to your sd card and flash them both. Flash the S-on tool then go back to hboot and flash the PC36IMG that will rewrite all your partitions to default and s will be on...unrooted, stock...

Or blue tooth them over, however you wish to get them back on your sd card...

Check here http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/194918-rooting-dummies.html to get the pc36img for your hboot its in the unrooting section. The s-on tool is in there too.

RUU is rom update utility and it runs from the PC to rewrite all the partitions, Flashing the equivalent PC36IMG in hboot will do the same thing

 

[uminchu]

So use a card reader to transfer the s-on tool and the PC36IMG for your hboot to your sd card and flash them both. Flash the S-on tool then go back to hboot and flash the PC36IMG that will rewrite all your partitions to default and s will be on...unrooted, stock...

Or blue tooth them over, however you wish to get them back on your sd card...

Check here http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/194918-rooting-dummies.html to get the pc36img for your hboot its in the unrooting section. The s-on tool is in there too.

RUU is rom update utility and it runs from the PC to rewrite all the partitions, Flashing the equivalent PC36IMG in hboot will do the same thing

Ok, Sprint CSR guy says the USB port is a documented issue with hardware 002, they'll replace the phone. I flashed a rooted stock ROM. Thank you for the card reader suggestion, never thought of that, great idea. Should I uninstall the SU app before flashing S-on and hbooting PC36IMG? Anything else?

 

[evomattnc]

Ok, Sprint CSR guy says the USB port is a documented issue with hardware 002, they'll replace the phone. I flashed a rooted stock ROM. Thank you for the card reader suggestion, never thought of that, great idea. Should I uninstall the SU app before flashing S-on and hbooting PC36IMG? Anything else?

Nah just unfreeze anything you have frozen in titanium first and go with it. Yeah its an issue I've seen more than once s far as hardware is concerned.

 

[uminchu]

Questions before starting the unroot. I think with no USB port, I'll only get one crack at this, so I need to get it right the first time:

1. My HBoot version is 0.76. The versions in the unroot section of the Rooting for Dummies guide begin at 0.97. Do I need to upgrade HBoot first? If so, which version?

2. I rooted my phone manually (Toastcfh method) the first month, long before Unrevoked or other automated tools emerged. I've never used the S-off tool. HBoot says:

SUPERSONIC EVT2-2 ENG S-OFF
HBOOT-0.76.2000 (PC3610000)

Do I still need to flash S-on?

3. The PC36IMG files in the unroot section are have names like "PC36IMG_SuperSonic_S_Sprint_WWE_3.70.651.1_Radi..zip". Do I need to rename it to simply PC36IMG with a .zip suffix before flashing with HBoot?

Thanks again.

 

[uminchu]

Safely unrooted, S-off, cleaned root stuff off of an old SD card, ready to exchange. Sincere thanks for all the helpful advice, tips and knowledge.

 

[evomattnc]

Safely unrooted, S-off, cleaned root stuff off of an old SD card, ready to exchange. Sincere thanks for all the helpful advice, tips and knowledge.

hey i responded in your other thread but what did ya end up doing? upgrading hboot or the method over on xda for eng bootloader?

 

[uminchu]

hey i responded in your other thread but what did ya end up doing? upgrading hboot or the method over on xda for eng bootloader?

I saw your post and found the thread. Went just like the guy said; left it in 0.76 and flashed S-on about 5 times, but it still said S-off. HBooted PC36IMG and it came up in 0.97, S-on. I had a custom splash screen that I was worried would tip a tech to the root (couldn't get rid of it without a data connection), but it even fixed that. Major thanks for all of your bang on suggestions.

I took it to the Sprint store, and the tech didn't check for root. He checked the port and just said yeah, he'd exchange it, but he wouldn't have one until next week. Then he says wait a second and calls a corporate store not even a mile down the street. I'd called that store earlier this morning and they didn't have any Evos, but all of a sudden they had exactly one.

I head over there, hand the phone to the tech, and she goes over it with a fine tooth comb looking for water damage and for root. She even checked the SD card looking for traces. Fortunately, I'd swapped back to the old card that came with the phone, free of root files or apps.

So I have the new phone, and it's definitely due to the all the timely help I received here. Time to root it and flash GB. Deepest thanks to all who helped me out. You guys rock.

 

[ocnbrze]

thanx for the update. so the PC36IMG for hboot .97 worked for you?

 

[evomattnc]

I saw your post and found the thread. Went just like the guy said; left it in 0.76 and flashed S-on about 5 times, but it still said S-off. HBooted PC36IMG and it came up in 0.97, S-on. I had a custom splash screen that I was worried would tip a tech to the root (couldn't get rid of it without a data connection), but it even fixed that. Major thanks for all of your bang on suggestions.

I took it to the Sprint store, and the tech didn't check for root. He checked the port and just said yeah, he'd exchange it, but he wouldn't have one until next week. Then he says wait a second and calls a corporate store not even a mile down the street. I'd called that store earlier this morning and they didn't have any Evos, but all of a sudden they had exactly one.

I head over there, hand the phone to the tech, and she goes over it with a fine tooth comb looking for water damage and for root. She even checked the SD card looking for traces. Fortunately, I'd swapped back to the old card that came with the phone, free of root files or apps.

So I have the new phone, and it's definitely due to the all the timely help I received here. Time to root it and flash GB. Deepest thanks to all who helped me out. You guys rock.

Cool man glad it all worked out. Enjoy...

 

[uminchu]

thanx for the update. so the PC36IMG for hboot .97 worked for you?

Yes. Flashed S-on in .76 several times, but HBoot still said S-off. Flashed PC36IMG from .76 and .97 came up in S-on. Unfortunately, the new phone came with HBoot 2.10. Oh well.

 

[evomattnc]

Yes. Flashed S-on in .76 several times, but HBoot still said S-off. Flashed PC36IMG from .76 and .97 came up in S-on. Unfortunately, the new phone came with HBoot 2.10. Oh well.

Yeah I just wasn't sure if they would notice the hboot change, glad they didn't