[Verizon] Broken Screen -> copy SD -> Factory Restore

[qualm]

Galaxy Nexus LTE
Stock 4.2.2 (I believe)

I broke the screen about a month and a half ago and I have a warranty that will repair/replace/refund my phone. I am pretty sure that I will have to send it in. I was hoping that I could copy my SD drive and then do a factory reset before I send it in. So I was searching and reading and came across this

Phone fell down -> Won't boot -> Need pics&vids from internal memory - Page 2

and this

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1365152

I was hoping that I could use ADB to do this. I should point out that I have never done any rooting or any of this stuff before.

Does anyone think they can walk me through this? Is it possible? Can I use my PC as my screen? Should I post somewhere else?

Thanks IA,
Qualm
​

 

[colchiro]

Why can't you just plug it into your computer and copy the files over to your PC? Go to "My Computer" and the drive should be there.

 

[qualm]

Why can't you just plug it into your computer and copy the files over to your PC? Go to "My Computer" and the drive should be there.

This does not work, as you need a functioning screen in order to unlock and select an option, as to how you want the phone to connect, after you plug in the usb.

 

[jmar]

Hey there qualm,

I wish I knew how to resolve this for you. Since I don't I'm gonna contact some friends of mine to see if they may be able to lend a hand.

Best of luck,

jmar

 

[mrpnut]

Try using android commander and from there you can pull anything you want from your phone to pc without being rooted, let us know if you got it.

Edit: Here you go dl and install on pc follow directions really easy.
http://androidcommander.com/

 

[scary alien]

qualm,

Granite1 kindly gave me a heads-up re. your issues here and I have a few questions:

1. My GNex is running stock (but rooted) and when I connect it up to my computer, I don't have to answer anything on the phone itself--Windows Explorer (on my PC) just pops-up with an AutoPlay window asking if I want to Sync digit media files to the device or Open device to view files or Import pictures and videos. I know my older devices required the pull-down thing where you had to select Charge only or Mount as external, etc., but this is not done for the GNex (due to MTP?).

Does yours not behave this way?

2. If you've not previously turned on USB debugging, you won't be able to use adb to pull files from your device.

3. If your bootloader is unlocked, you could soft-boot a modified boot.img that already has USB debugging turned on and allow you to recover your files.

Unfortunately, if your bootloader is already locked, unlocking it will wipe your files.

4. Prior to ICS (Android 4.0), you could remote install an app and have it auto-run and do something useful like start another app like WiFi File Explorer, etc. However, Google changed the behavior of the remote install on 4.0 and later to require that you have previously launched an app in order for the triggering mechanism (an intent that the app listens for) to be received. Obviously JellyBean has this loop closed (which is what I'm guessing you are running).

So, this rules-out my AF Rescue apps being useful to you here .

~ ~ ~

Part of the reason I leave my devices unlocked and with USB debugging on is top keep these avenues of recovery open to me.

That's all I have for the moment...I wish I had some better news for you, but I look forward to your replies in case you have any other information that might help us help you out.

 

[Granite1]

Thanks Scary, I was really hoping your AF Rescue app would work here.

You're right about JB and a PC connecting the device immediately. I think that was introduced with JB and MTP. It "should" allow PC access to the internal memory partition upon connection. I'm stumped.

 

[qualm]

I don't think I turned on USB Debugging and I am pretty sure that my bootloader is locked. I Never really did anything but use the phone and update it when it asked. The phone was already just running stock Android so I never really want to change anything.

When I plug in the USB the Galaxy shows up but you can not access anything. The screen is locked, you need to unlock this before the computer will see the files.

 

[qualm]

Androidcommander does not work.

 

[scary alien]

When I plug in the USB the Galaxy shows up but you can not access anything. The screen is locked, you need to unlock this before the computer will see the files.

Ah, yes! You are, of course, correct, qualm....apologies for my silliness for missing that vital point .

Hmm, I'm not sure what else you could try other than a digitizer replacement...

I suppose you could ask VZW if they'll simply repair your device by fixing only the screen / digitizer, etc. so that you don't lose your data, but you'd have to take some pretty extraordinary measures to ensure they agree to it and that all of the techs that touch it will not reset / wipe it on you (not even really that hopeful that they would agree, but you could alwalys ask).

 

[qualm]

Is there any way something else could function as a screen?

Is there a way to just wipe it then? I don't want to just send it in. If they can bypass my screen lock, I am probably logged into my email, bank, and others I just want to feel safe that they can not access anything.

 

[scary alien]

Is there any way something else could function as a screen?

Is there a way to just wipe it then? I don't want to just send it in. If they can bypass my screen lock, I am probably logged into my email, bank, and others I just want to feel safe that they can not access anything.

They usually wipe it anyway from what I understand...but I get what you mean...I had to return an unresponsive (just didn't turn back on after a reboot) GNex to VZW for a warranty replacement without having the opportunity to wipe the stuff on it--another reason why folks want to have a removable SD card.

I might call and ask them what the protocol is...that would go a long way towards making you feel better that your data will be cleared.

 

[qualm]

So I can flash it back to stock though correct?

Using fastboot and Gnex toolkit?

 

[scary alien]

So I can flash it back to stock though correct?

Using fastboot and Gnex toolkit?

I would assume so (I've never used Wug's toolkit--always done my flashing, etc. from the command-line).

I don't think there are any requirements for you to interact with the screen during the return-to-stock process (I don't remember although I've manually flashed back to stock more than 20 times, LOL -- but it's been a while).

I would assume that Wug's toolkit would invoke the same commands and have the same delays / pauses necessary for you to know that the next step is ready. Although, issuing the "fastboot oem unlock" will get you most of the way where you want to be (it will wipe your data).

Not sure that returning fully back to factory is totally necessary, but it certainly wouldn't hurt for you to go through that process.

 

[jmar]

qualm,

How is this all going?

Hope things are sorted.

 

[teddyearp]

So I can flash it back to stock though correct?

Using fastboot and Gnex toolkit?

Now I'm confused, I though you said it was stock?

Also, I just plugged my LTE Gnex into my PC without unlocking the screen and was able to access my files without unlocking the screen.

 

[qualm]

qualm,

How is this all going?

Hope things are sorted.

I am still trying to figure it out. I have been trying to use GNEX ToolKit, but I can not get it to see my device. So I am trying to get it to see my device.

Now I'm confused, I though you said it was stock?

Also, I just plugged my LTE Gnex into my PC without unlocking the screen and was able to access my files without unlocking the screen.

It is stock, I just want to erase everything on it before I send it in, if I can not get anything off of it.

I am pretty sure you can not access your files without unlocking your screen I have tried and so have others. It needs to be unlocked.

 

[teddyearp]

Also, I just plugged my LTE Gnex into my PC without unlocking the screen and was able to access my files without unlocking the screen.

I am still trying to figure it out. I have been trying to use GNEX ToolKit, but I can not get it to see my device. So I am trying to get it to see my device.



It is stock, I just want to erase everything on it before I send it in, if I can not get anything off of it.

I am pretty sure you can not access your files without unlocking your screen I have tried and so have others. It needs to be unlocked.

I can tell you that you do not need to be able to unlock the screen to access your device. What you are having is driver issues. What operating system are you running on your pc?