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Help Remove Factory Binary

ProtoS

ProtoS

Lurker
I recently received a phone (Samsung Galaxy A5) which had water damage, which I didn't know about and it was causing the phone to not connect to any network. I sent it to a Samsung repair facility and they would not repair it as it did not have warranty (which i did not know). When I got it back it had Factory Binary on it which I assume is what they use to test the phone and whatnot. I am fine with it not connecting to any networks as I can simply use it as a tab of sorts but I cannot remove factory binary and get the proper Android OS back. I tried factory reset which either does not work or a serious kernel error appears and then Factory Binary is back. Is there any way to get it back to normal?
 
El Presidente said:
What do you mean by Factory Binary? What's displayed on screen when you attempt to boot it up? What happens?
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Sorry, I should have thought that pics would help. This is what appears. All open up to some sort of tests ie mic, camera, touchscreen and so on.
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Sure this is the second or third post we've had recently with rejected repairs, about this "factory binary" tool they flash during service.

In theory you should be able to flash it back to a usable ROM yourself, by downloading the correct ROM for it and using Odin.
 
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Wow, I've never seen that before.

It looks like some sort of test software their engineers use.

You could try flashing stock software via Odin, but I'm not entirely sure if it would work with the handset in its current state (my knowledge of Samsung devices is limited, sorry). If you let me know what network you are on and if the handset is branded/network locked or not, I'll see if I can dig out the correct firmware.

Despite the fact the device has water damage, I wouldn't have said it's unreasonable to expect the device back in the same condition you sent it. You could try calling Samsung and explaining what's happened, see what they say?
 
El Presidente said:
Wow, I've never seen that before.

It looks like some sort of test software their engineers use.

You could try flashing stock software via Odin, but I'm not entirely sure if it would work with the handset in its current state (my knowledge of Samsung devices is limited, sorry). If you let me know what network you are on and if the handset is branded/network locked or not, I'll see if I can dig out the correct firmware.

Despite the fact the device has water damage, I wouldn't have said it's unreasonable to expect the device back in the same condition you sent it. You could try calling Samsung and explaining what's happened, see what they say?
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I'd have to look into flashing and Odin a bit more before I attempt anything. The handset is unlocked and my network is GiffGaff. I did talk to Samsung support online but they just told me to do what I already tried, factory reset and then said there was nothing they could do other than give me the number for the repair centre my phone was sent to.
 
Well as their repair centre left the device in a worse state than they received it I would think they have a moral obligation to at least replace the OS they removed. So yeah, I'd phone them. The fact that it has no warranty (which a second-hand device often won't have, and water damage is never covered by warranty anyway) does not entitle them to mess it up further then not put things back the way they found it.

(Probably an oversight by an overworked technician, but they shouldn't have returned it in that state, as it was your property not theirs).
 
El Presidente said:
If you don't get anywhere with Samsung, you can see if the firmware is listed here: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-A500FU/

If you're Giff Gaff, it will either be unbranded or o2.

I'll have a look and see if I can find a comprehensive guide to flashing stuff with Odin.
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Alright, I will have to phone them on Monday and see what they say, although I don't see them doing much unfortunately. Thank you for your help so far though, has been incredibly helpful! I would never have thought about firmware or flashing.
 
No problem. :)

Most devices have a way of reinstalling the OS from scratch, but it's normally done when you have to send the device back to the manufacturer (after rooting etc), not when you get it back from them.....

We've a number of Odin guides, but they're older so I'll tag a Samsung genius, @ironass and see if he knows of a decent/up to date guide.
 
El Presidente said:
No problem. :)

Most devices have a way of reinstalling the OS from scratch, but it's normally done when you have to send the device back to the manufacturer (after rooting etc), not when you get it back from them.....

We've a number of Odin guides, but they're older so I'll tag a Samsung genius, @ironass and see if he knows of a decent/up to date guide.
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I spoke to them, and they said because there was water damage there is nothing they can do, or I can do and that the handset isn't going to work because of said damage, even though I told him that it was working perfectly other than the network connection which I would have been fine with. I even mentioned that I could flash it and whatnot but he still insisted there was nothing that could be done to save the phone. Worth trying to flash it anyway I guess.
 
Water damage is insidious, and often gets worse with time, so TBH I understand why they refuse to repair.

However, I don't see why they gives them the right to replace the OS with a test binary and then refuse to return the phone to its original state.

Anyway, yes, nothing to lose by trying to flash it.
 
El Presidente said:
No problem. :)

Most devices have a way of reinstalling the OS from scratch, but it's normally done when you have to send the device back to the manufacturer (after rooting etc), not when you get it back from them.....

We've a number of Odin guides, but they're older so I'll tag a Samsung genius, @ironass and see if he knows of a decent/up to date guide.
Click to expand...

Tried to starting my A5 in Download mode but it just isn't happening... Hoped @ironass would have replied with a guide or something, anything would help. If not it's just a dead phone :/
 
I would try connecting to Samsung Kies and see if it will do a firmware recovery.
 
El Presidente said:
I've just shot him a PM. :)
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Oh, do behave lads! It's P.O.E.T.S. day, here!

Wow! Looks like Samsung have already had a good go at this.

If you cannot access Download mode, I am not sure that I can be of much help. Strange that Samsung would not repair it as the U.K. has a 2 year warranty period, same as Europe, and the phone is only 9 months old. Possibly the water damage voided the warranty and that is what they meant.

You cannot, you say, enter Download Mode... how about Recovery Mode? If so, try a Factory Data Reset and cache partition wipe and we could be back in business. My gut feeling is that as they have used Factory Binary and left it on that, then this is as far as you will get with this phone.
 
ironass said:
Oh, do behave lads! It's P.O.E.T.S. day, here!

Wow! Looks like Samsung have already had a good go at this.

If you cannot access Download mode, I am not sure that I can be of much help. Strange that Samsung would not repair it as the U.K. has a 2 year warranty period, same as Europe, and the phone is only 9 months old. Possibly the water damage voided the warranty and that is what they meant.

You cannot, you say, enter Download Mode... how about Recovery Mode? If so, try a Factory Data Reset and cache partition wipe and we could be back in business. My gut feeling is that as they have used Factory Binary and left it on that, then this is as far as you will get with this phone.
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Seems recovery mode is a no go either... I would try using ABD on Windows but it won't even connect to my PC. Looks like it's dead then unfortunately. Lucky it was a gift and I didn't pay anything (other than to unlock it)...
 
ProtoS said:
Seems recovery mode is a no go either... I would try using ABD on Windows but it won't even connect to my PC. Looks like it's dead then unfortunately. Lucky it was a gift and I didn't pay anything (other than to unlock it)...
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Are you still stuck in Factory Binary Mode?
If so, you should be able to access your settings and enable USB debugging.
That Settings.About Phone and tap Build Number 10 times, go back one screen and below or above About Phone will be Developer Settings, enter that and turn on USB debugging and Enable OS Modify(if you can).
Ok, now you should be able to see your phone on your PC and give it ADB commands.
I hope you know how to do this,,,
So give it
adb reboot download

you should now be in Download Mode. Flash correct firmware with Odin.
Done.
:)
 
ok yeah so i currently bought a s8 for £85.50p and it was used.when i turned it on,it had this thing called ''factory binary'' and i took it to samsung warehouse to fix it and they couldnt fix it so can any one tell me a non computer way to fix it.
kind regards
max siwak
 
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