Help Is this hardware failure ? Please help.

[xenobite]

Hi, I hope someone here can help me as I've almost given up on fixing this Desire (unbranded Bravo).
It's stuck in a boot loop the phone just hangs at the HTC splash. I can get to boot loader but it won't load into recovery.
I've read all the guides.
I don't have root. So Fastboot method won't work even though it will let me send commands to the phone. ADB won't see the device at all.

I've tried the unrooting with a goldcard method (thanks Droidzone) using a PB99IMG from RUU_Bravo_Froyo_HTC_WWE_2.9.405.5 - I've tried 2 goldcards.
The PB99IMG file unzips & seems to install correctly (so this means the goldcard is good right?) & then when I reboot the phone when prompted it has the same boot loop fault. Still no recovery !
I've also tried a few other ROM's renamed as PB99IMG.zip


Some info :-

Bravo PVT1 SHIP S-ON
HBOOT-0.93.0001
MICROP-031d
Radio 5.11.05.27
Aug 10 , 2010 17:52:18

From Fastboot oem boot ..
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61941052/Desire_Bravo.JPG
I think the phone was running android 2.3.? when it crashed.


Any help with this would be greatly appreciated as I've spent quite some time on this already .
Cheers

 

[Hadron]

If you had applied the 2.3 update then you would need to re-run that RUU rather than use any other. But from your hboot it looks like you have not put official 2.3 on.

Have you tried running the RUU on the computer? Boot into fastboot mode (can select from hboot) and connect to pc, then run. If the phone was unbranded you should not even need a goldcard (debranded would be different).

 

[xenobite]

If you had applied the 2.3 update then you would need to re-run that RUU rather than use any other. But from your hboot it looks like you have not put official 2.3 on.

Have you tried running the RUU on the computer? Boot into fastboot mode (can select from hboot) and connect to pc, then run. If the phone was unbranded you should not even need a goldcard (debranded would be different).

I have tried running the RUU on my PC & it was the same result as putting the P99IMG file on the goldcard . It seemed to install but still no boot into the OS or recovery. I guess I should try one of the 2.3 based ROMs.

 

[Hadron]

You said that you are not rooted, so the only 2.3 would be the official one. But if the 2.2 RUU actually runs and it makes no difference I am not confident that 2.3 would be different.

Generally as the RUU replaces all software and does a factory reset it should solve any software problem. Can you still not enter recovery? What happens if you try?

 

[xenobite]

You said that you are not rooted, so the only 2.3 would be the official one. But if the 2.2 RUU actually runs and it makes no difference I am not confident that 2.3 would be different.

Generally as the RUU replaces all software and does a factory reset it should solve any software problem. Can you still not enter recovery? What happens if you try?

I just tried a 2.3.3 release , hboot loads the zip then when it gets to
Checking ...[PB99IMG.zip] it just returns to the hboot screen , so I'm guessing I have the wrong ROM ?
If I then choose recovery & hit the power button it just vibrates briefly as it returns to the HTC spash screen.
Do you think it's worth trying Alpharev from the boot disk ?
Or should I keep trying different ROMs until I find one that works ?

 

[SUroot]

It's not having the wrong Rom. It must be called PB99IMG.zip. no more,no less. It is also case sensitive

 

[xenobite]

Ok , I managed to get it booted with a stock Gingerbread ROM but it only boots to safe mode. Tried removing battery & restarting with the menu key held but still always goes to safe mode. I can now get it into recovery . I did a full wipe & reset & cache wipe. Still boots to safe mode. I notice the menu button doesn't work in safe mode either neither does the volume - down button, but it's otherwise fully functional. I can connect to my wifi & run apps (can't install any because of safe mode).
I can't root it or get S-OFF in safe mode.
Any one experienced this or have any ideas?
Thx

 

[Hadron]

Tried removing battery & restarting with the menu key held but still always goes to safe mode.

Bit confused - I thought that booting while pressing the menu key is how you select safe mode.

I can now get it into recovery . I did a full wipe & reset & cache wipe. Still boots to safe mode. I notice the menu button doesn't work in safe mode either neither does the volume - down button, but it's otherwise fully functional.

Try powering it off for a few minutes before rebooting, and see whether that clears it.

Otherwise, check whether any buttons or trackpad appear to be stuck. If it's trackpad got caught you may be able to pop it up. "Menu button doesn't work" is a bit worrying though, because if that button is stuck then it would indeed boot you into this mode.

 

[xenobite]

Bit confused - I thought that booting while pressing the menu key is how you select safe mode.

Try powering it off for a few minutes before rebooting, and see whether that clears it.

Otherwise, check whether any buttons or trackpad appear to be stuck. If it's trackpad got caught you may be able to pop it up. "Menu button doesn't work" is a bit worrying though, because if that button is stuck then it would indeed boot you into this mode.

Holding down the menu key whilst booting stopped it going into safe mode.
The menu key only seems to work when holding vol down .
I'm coming to the conclusion that this phone is possibly water damaged or has some other hardware damage.
Thanks for all of your help . This is a great resource!