Root i9300 + CWM 6.0.4.6 + Archidroid 3.1.5 - Sudden bricked 'Can't mount /cache/...'

[velocitykendal]

Hi, firstly I'll say I'm a bit new to this. I've done some searching around trying to find out how I can troubleshoot this problem but I keep getting a lot of seemingly unrelated or contradictory information and I'm left somewhat confused so I thought I'd start a thread of my own...

I just attempted my first flashing of a custom ROM on my GT-i9300. I managed to flash the recovery using Odin then install Archidroid from the external SD, all seemed to be going well. It's been running mostly o.k. for a about 3-4 days then this morning I awoke to the phone stuck on the Archidroid boot screen. I tried to reboot with the power button but it wouldn't go further than the Samsung logo after that. Rebooting to CWM showed an error:

E:Can't mount /cache/recovery/command
E:Can't mount /cache/recovery/log
E:Can't open /cache/recovery/log
E:Can't mount /cache/recovery/last_log
E:Can't open /cache/recovery/last_log
E:Can't mount /cache/recovery/last_install
E:Can't open /cache/recovery/last_install

I can't seem to do anything in CWM without it failing. I've tried re-flashing the Archidroid ROM and I've tried re-flashing CWM via Odin, both failed. I'm now a bit stuck as to what to try next, can anyone help?

TIA.

 

[Jfalls63]

You might try a different recovery. TWRP works well with most S3.

https://dl.twrp.me/i9300/
Download the tar file from close to the top and flash with Odin.

What was the error message the last time you tried to flash CWM with Odin?

 

[velocitykendal]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I tried TWRP also and got the same fail in Odin:

<ID:0/009> Odin engine v(ID:3.1005)..
<ID:0/009> File analysis..
<ID:0/009> SetupConnection..
<ID:0/009> Initialzation..
<ID:0/009> Get PIT for mapping..
<ID:0/009> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/009> SingleDownload.
<ID:0/009> recovery.img
<ID:0/009> NAND Write Start!!
<ID:0/009> FAIL!
<ID:0/009>
<ID:0/009> Complete(Write) operation failed.
<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

 

[Jfalls63]

Nand Write Fail is not a good sign. You could try to flash the stock firmware for your country and Carrier. I tried to help someone a few weeks ago with same problem, could not get anything to flash successfully with Odin. Worth a read to see all that was tried.

http://androidforums.com/threads/help-with-galaxy-s3-i9300-international-unrooted.985508/
Post your country/Carrier and I'll look up the stock firmware at Sammobile

 

[velocitykendal]

Country is UK and carrier is O2. I tried downloading a stock ROM and flashing it but it failed. The ROM file is I9300XXUGNA5_I9300O2UGNA1_I9300XXUGNA8_HOME.tar.md5

 

[Jfalls63]

Did it also fail after Nand Write Start? There is one other thing I found that was not tried in other thread. It's a generic EU for 16 gig service files.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/odin-repair-files-gt-i9300-oxxgnj2-eur-t3101318

 

[velocitykendal]

I tried to flash the ROM via CWM not Odin. I got this:

E:Can't mount /cache/recovery/last_install
E:failed to open last_install: File exists
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Installing update...
Installation aborted.

 

[Jfalls63]

The rom or firmware you listed above is a tar and can only be flashed with Odin. I looked on Sammobile and looks like most current. Custom recovery can only flash zip files. If the stock firmware fails with Odin post a pic or at least where it fails.

 

[Jfalls63]

When you download from Sammobile its a zip and you have to unzip to extract the tar

 

[velocitykendal]

It was actually in a ZIP, I just pasted the TAR name before as it looked more complete. I extracted the the TAR and tried flashing with Odin; no luck.

<ID:0/009> Added!!
<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..
<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
<OSM> Please wait..
<OSM> I9300XXUGNA5_I9300O2UGNA1_I9300XXUGNA8_HOME.tar.md5 is valid.
<OSM> Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
<OSM> Leave CS..
<ID:0/009> Odin engine v(ID:3.1005)..
<ID:0/009> File analysis..
<ID:0/009> SetupConnection..
<ID:0/009> Initialzation..
<ID:0/009> Get PIT for mapping..
<ID:0/009> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/009> SingleDownload.
<ID:0/009> boot.img
<ID:0/009> NAND Write Start!!
<ID:0/009> FAIL!
<ID:0/009>
<ID:0/009> Complete(Write) operation failed.
<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

 

[Jfalls63]

Failed after Nand Write Start. What I was afraid of. If the stock firmware will not flash with Odin there is not much else to try. Op in other thread I linked to had same issue.

You could try the method in the XDA link or create XDA account and check with OP in the link. He seems to have a lot of experience with the Nand Write Fail and i9300. If your EMMC chip is toast then replacing motherboard might be best option if you want to keep phone. Sorry.

 

[velocitykendal]

From other threads I've scanned it's not looking too hopeful. Thanks for your replies thus far. I've taken a look at that XDA thread and it seems to be suggesting flash with a collection of files and re-partition and EFS clear boxes checked. I only have the one file and have been flashing the same way I did with the recovery. Should I be trying a re-partition?

 

[Jfalls63]

When you read thru the thread he list exactly which boxes to check and how to load the files in Odin. Hope it works if you decide to try.