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Root I've Brick my (Virgin) Volt LS740P

Ok, I've got a bit more experience with download mode now. The way you're trying to do it can be made to work but it's different than what I originally wanted you to do. Let me try to explain.

A partition can contain a filesystem, or it can contain... something else. When you format a partition on Windows, you're creating a filesystem. I didn't want you to do this.

So, normally a disk contains partitions, a partition contains a filesystem, and a filesystem contains files. What I wanted you to do was create a partition, without a filesystem, with one file written over the partition, starting at the very first sector of the partition.

What you tried to do was create a partition with a filesystem, with a file stored somewhere (we don't know where) inside the filesystem.

But, I found out that if you have a fat32 filesystem in the first partition, download mode seems to mount it automatically. So it turns out the way you were trying to do it can be acceptable. You would have to change the command like:

cat /storage/external_SD/TWRP-filename.img > /dev/block/mmcblk0p17

But... we shouldn't be doing any of this stuff. If you see a storage device from the phone when you turn it on, I think something else is happening. I don't think it's running download mode (do you see the "Firmware Update screen and circular arrows and "ROOTED" at the bottom?) If you don't see this stuff, it's not download mode, and trying to cat the recovery image like such won't work. In addition, if the phone's modem partition is showing up and it's empty, more is broken than the recovery.

I think we need to restore a whole 7.5GB image of the phone. But I think that can be done if it's showing up as a mass storage device. It's easiest to do that in linux, I think, but certain disk imaging tools should be able to do it in Windows as well.

http://hddguru.com/software/HDD-Raw-Copy-Tool/

I think what I'd like to do first is have you run this, and create an image file of your phone, then let me know the size of it in bytes so I can make sure I have a matching image that is the same size. Note: I can't run that program here so I'm not 100% sure how it works, I can't tell from the screen shot if it actually does what we need or not. Maybe we need to find a different one.

I'm about to do a test here of whether cloning an image from one phone onto a different phone will actually work and that they didn't have some kind of protection to prevent that from being done (and it doesn't do weird stuff like clone the ESN over, but I doubt this is stored in EMMC). I'll let you know how it goes soon.


I'm sure that I'm in the download mode. I attached a picture of the screen on this reply.
20160815105759.jpg

I have a computer with linux, I will try to create a partition in there this afternoon. Anyway, I've tried the command with the external_sd command without success (the photo is after doing the command, nothing changed)

About the "removable Disk" that i see on my computer, I see it without even turning on the phone (I mean, I removed the battery, inserted it again and then plugged the usb cable. I don't even need to try to turn it on. The volume of the partition that i see is 63.9 Mb. When I opened the HDD raw copy tool I see the whole memory

upload_2016-8-15_11-19-52.png



After Opening the Disk management Console I see this about the unit (full of different partitions). Sorry for the text in french...
upload_2016-8-15_11-33-21.png


I will try to re-do the cat /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 > /dev/block/mmcblk0p17 command when I will be at home with my personal computer with the linux partition.

Thanks again Brad N!! your help is really apreciated!


EDIT: I didn't see that the second step was the destination unit in the HDD raw copy tool.. I'm trying to do the copy into the SD memory... this is the progress so far
upload_2016-8-15_11-44-31.png
 
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OK, I see the LBA count in there so I don't need you to make an image from the phone, I already know it's the correct size now! (15,269,888 sectors)

As soon as I complete my test to make sure cloning a new image in will work, I can link you to an image to download. I've got it about half copied to the phone now, sorry I was distracted with some other things.

I think we have good chances here... did you happen to notice if HDD raw copy tool has a way to copy from an image file that it didn't create itself?
 
OK, I see the LBA count in there so I don't need you to make an image from the phone, I already know it's the correct size now! (15,269,888 sectors)

As soon as I complete my test to make sure cloning a new image in will work, I can link you to an image to download. I've got it about half copied to the phone now, sorry I was distracted with some other things.

I think we have good chances here... did you happen to notice if HDD raw copy tool has a way to copy from an image file that it didn't create itself?

The copy is finished. It created the sames partition on the SD, but no way to copy everything into a single file....
upload_2016-8-15_11-58-37.png



I will look on internet for an app that does the trick.

Thanks again! :)
 
My test succeeded, I'm in the process of uploading an image for you. It didn't disturb the phone's identity which is probably stored in some other hidden flash memory.

My upload says it will take about 1 hour to finish.

It seems like we might have to find another imaging tool that will take a file we provide as a raw image and write it over a drive.
 
I think either of these would work, but I can't run them in wine to make sure:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/

https://sourceforge.net/projects/dotnetdiskimager/

The win32 one is a little older and simpler, but I think it does what we want it to. They market it for writing images to usb sticks, which is essentially the same thing we're doing (the phone is acting like usb storage). And if it's for writing images like that, they must be raw images and not some special format, or what good would that tool be.

My upload is almost half done.

If you wanted to make a test by writing some usb boot image onto a usb drive and see if it's bootable, that should be a good indication if the program is working right. Just don't accidentally write something else into the phone :)
 
Upload is finished. Here's the file:

http://178.32.216.142/lglogorootedstrippedzv5-stockpartitioning.emmc

In theory you just write that as a raw image into the phone and reboot it and bam, everything's working. I picked an image that just has the basic LG boot logo (not boost mobile or virgin mobile or sprint branding).

For a slight extra measure of safety, I'd recommend rebooting the phone by holding the power button for 15 seconds if it lets you do that.
 
I think either of these would work, but I can't run them in wine to make sure:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/

https://sourceforge.net/projects/dotnetdiskimager/

The win32 one is a little older and simpler, but I think it does what we want it to. They market it for writing images to usb sticks, which is essentially the same thing we're doing (the phone is acting like usb storage). And if it's for writing images like that, they must be raw images and not some special format, or what good would that tool be.

My upload is almost half done.

If you wanted to make a test by writing some usb boot image onto a usb drive and see if it's bootable, that should be a good indication if the program is working right. Just don't accidentally write something else into the phone :)

Thanks Brad N. I downloaded both programs and they are ready to give it a try. I made sure that I disconnected the phone, I will do the tests into a sd memory... it will be safer.

Thank you! :)

Edit: I didn't see the upload before... I'm downloading it now.. I will keep you updated!
Actually I don't care about the logos... I just want to make it work again.. :)
 
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Yes if you write the image into an sd card it should show the same kind of partitions in it, and then you can be sure it's working correctly.
 
Yes if you write the image into a sd card it should show the same kind of partitions in it, and then you can be sure it's working correctly.

I've finished the download. Is it easier to write the emmc image on linux?? I will be at home in a couple of hours, so I can give it a try there... I will need another memory to make a backup of my phone (with the HDD raw copy tool) before trying on the sd...

thanks again!! :)
 
On linux you would do something like:

cat lglogorootedstrippedzv5-stockpartitioning.emmc > /dev/sdb

Assuming that sdb is the device name that linux assigned to the phone's storage. You would probably want to check dmesg right after plugging the phone in to make sure that's the name it assigned to it. If you get the name wrong you could overwrite your hard drive, and that certainly wouldn't be fun!

Also, make sure linux hasn't automatically mounted the filesystems inside it (if it has, unmount them all first). If they are mounted, it could write its own updates to the filesystems after the image gets written to that spot, and it could cause corruptions.

Easiest way to check is just running the mount command and it will list mounted filesystems. If you see anything referring to that device in there (probably toward the bottom of the list, but maybe not), you should unmount them (use the umount command - no "n" in umount).

Example, if your phone showed up as /dev/sdc and you see /dev/sdc1 mounted, you could run this to unmount it:

umount /dev/sdc1
 
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On linux you would do something like:

cat lglogorootedstrippedzv5-stockpartitioning.emmc > /dev/sdb

Assuming that sdb is the device name that linux assigned to the phone's storage. You would probably want to check dmesg right after plugging the phone in to make sure that's the name it assigned to it. If you get the name wrong you could overwrite your hard drive, and that certainly wouldn't be fun!

Also, make sure linux hasn't automatically mounted the filesystems inside it (if it has, unmount them all first). If they are mounted, it could write its own updates to the filesystems after the image gets written to that spot, and it could cause corruptions.

Easiest way to check is just running the mount command and it will list mounted filesystems. If you see anything referring to that device in there (probably toward the bottom of the list, but maybe not), you should unmount them (use the umount command - no "n" in umount).

Example, if your phone showed up as /dev/sdc and you see /dev/sdc1 mounted, you could run this to unmount it:

umount /dev/sdc1

I've tried yesterday, I didn't have the dmesg on my packages, and when I tried to install it I realized that I don't remember the root access password (I installed and abandoned it after more than 4 years) . I will try with Puppy Linux to see if it works this night... I feel pretty noob...
 
No problem, if you get puppy running it may be able to chroot into your main installation and you could reset the password... see here for instructions:

(If the kernel is too old it might not be able to do it, try something newer then)

http://www.microhowto.info/howto/reset_a_forgotten_root_password_using_a_live_distribution.html


I've tried to do the cat lglogorootedstrippedzv5-stockpartitioning.emmc > /dev/sdb thing with puppy directly without success (puppy show me directly the sdX unit when I connect the phone (not unmounted)). Once when I do the command, the unit disappear and re-appear with another letter. I will try to reset the root on my linux (I have mint 17). Thanks again!
 
I've tried to do the cat lglogorootedstrippedzv5-stockpartitioning.emmc > /dev/sdb thing with puppy directly without success (puppy show me directly the sdX unit when I connect the phone (not unmounted)). Once when I do the command, the unit disappear and re-appear with another letter. I will try to reset the root on my linux (I have mint 17). Thanks again!

Weird, maybe there is some compatibility issue with the phone's USB mode and linux, I would maybe try it with one of those two utilities in Windows.
 
Weird, maybe there is some compatibility issue with the phone's USB mode and Linux, I would maybe try it with one of those two utilities in Windows.


Good news!

Finally it worked! I used the win32diskmanager to make the copy. It was just matter of opening "all file type" (or replacing the .emmc extension to .img to "fool" the program). First try it stop at the beginning (around 7%) and then it didn't do anything (it was even more bricked). I did the second try on my XP VM and it worked. Finally it turned on.

Thank you again Brad N for your help an patience, thanks to you my Volt is alive again.

I want to start learning about Android architecture with this Volt. My project is to be able to uninstall/disable all the applications related to the phone (also the hardware if is possible) to improve speed and battery duration. I was using it as a dash cam (with CaroO Pro), gps and music player. Now I know that I can start playing and in any case I'm going to be able to do a "full back up/Restore" in any case. I will try to use the HDD Raw Copy Tool on a USB memory in any case.

Thanks again!!! have a good day!
 
Awesome, I'm glad it worked out!

You can pretty safely experiment with removing system components, as long as you make backups often in a recovery so you can restore if something breaks it. I can tell you that "Software Update", atfwd, qcrilmsgtunnel, and "LGATCMD service" are all necessary for the activation process to occur, but otherwise they can be disabled (I use an xposed "xinstaller" module to allow me to disable them in settings -> apps). A lot of other sprint stuff can be removed. The ROM included with my emmc image is zv5 based and has most of the sprint/qualcomm garbage removed, but I did try to leave everything in that provides some kind of functionality. For example, NFC is still there, widevine DRM is still there, etc.

But "Connection Optimizer" is gone, sprint zone, visual voice mail, etc. Those apps were just way too irritating for me. There was actually quite a bit of nonsense apps I got rid of. Maybe you can use it as a reference for things safe to erase; if you don't see it in this ROM, it probably doesn't need it to run.

Also look into using a program like greenify to let you hibernate apps that you don't want running, this can really make a difference if you start installing "always on" apps like facebook, coupon apps, shopping apps, etc.
 
Awesome, I'm glad it worked out!

You can pretty safely experiment with removing system components, as long as you make backups often in a recovery so you can restore if something breaks it. I can tell you that "Software Update", atfwd, qcrilmsgtunnel, and "LGATCMD service" are all necessary for the activation process to occur, but otherwise they can be disabled (I use an xposed "xinstaller" module to allow me to disable them in settings -> apps). A lot of other sprint stuff can be removed. The ROM included with my emmc image is zv5 based and has most of the sprint/qualcomm garbage removed, but I did try to leave everything in that provides some kind of functionality. For example, NFC is still there, widevine DRM is still there, etc.

But "Connection Optimizer" is gone, sprint zone, visual voice mail, etc. Those apps were just way too irritating for me. There was actually quite a bit of nonsense apps I got rid of. Maybe you can use it as a reference for things safe to erase; if you don't see it in this ROM, it probably doesn't need it to run.

Also look into using a program like greenify to let you hibernate apps that you don't want running, this can really make a difference if you start installing "always on" apps like facebook, coupon apps, shopping apps, etc.

Hello,

I live in canada, so this cellphone is useless for calling (it was its first propouse, but my cellphone background was too bad to know that didin't work when I bought it almost two years ago). I removed the activation apps. I would like to disable all phone-related apps that runs and drains power and memory on the "phone". About Greenify, I don't have apps running on background (i don't have social networks on internet). I will try to stop some (system) process that run and I don't want to. I have the "Uninstall" app to remove (and restore in any case) the apps one by one. What is the xposed Xinstaller module that you use?? I'm curious.

My project is to use this device as a car multimedia device. I used to use it as DashCam (CaroO Pro), car expenses register (aCar), some music players (one for music playlists and other for Podcasts playlists), Offline GPS (I don't decide which one yet, but I'm using it with GPS connected and GPS Status & Toolbox for stats), and an ODBD2 Reader and diagnostic (Torque). I also have Runtastic when biking and running.

I was having problems "locking" the gps, that's why I tried to modify the android and the reason why i bricked it. That's how I discovered AndroidForums.

I will be around... I want to learn more about android. I'm an electronic engineer (I work on automation). I have some programming background on windows.... but since I woke up my old laptop, I want to start learning more about Linux.


Thank you again Brad N. see you around!
 
If you search xinstaller in the xposed installer app you'll find it. It mostly does tweaks related to installing/uninstalling apps but also lets you take out per-app restrictions in the app info screen like letting you disable/uninstall apps that otherwise are locked from letting you do that.

For just backing up and removing apps, es file explorer does well but grab an old version of it from before they made it crappy with tons of ads and unneccessary components.

That's a cool idea using it for dash cam, I may want to look into that, I've got enough of these phones around :)

For GPS, if its on stock rom and wont get a lock (make sure it works on stock rom first) it may be a hardware problem. I have one volt like this that can only just barely get a lock if its got a clear view of the sky and the planets are aligned right. The other ones I tried work a lot better.
 
If you search xinstaller in the xposed installer app you'll find it. It mostly does tweaks related to installing/uninstalling apps but also lets you take out per-app restrictions in the app info screen like letting you disable/uninstall apps that otherwise are locked from letting you do that.

For just backing up and removing apps, es file explorer does well but grab an old version of it from before they made it crappy with tons of ads and unneccessary components.

That's a cool idea using it for dash cam, I may want to look into that, I've got enough of these phones around :)

For GPS, if its on stock rom and wont get a lock (make sure it works on stock rom first) it may be a hardware problem. I have one volt like this that can only just barely get a lock if its got a clear view of the sky and the planets are aligned right. The other ones I tried work a lot better.

I've got the Xinstaller... I will play with it. Thanks again.

Using this device as a car multimedia device was kind of a good idea for me. I added a Bluetooth ODB2 reader for the car, so I can check/clear the check engine messages, and it has a good display size/camera resolution to make it suitable for monitoring/recording.

This GPS takes around 5 minutes to engage, that's why i have a gps lock app... i will play with that too, I've found a post related to:
http://androidforums.com/threads/gps-conf-fix-for-lg-volt-as-of-4-9-2015.907784/

If it is a hardware problem I will have to deal with it... anyway once engaged it works without problems. I also used it to play Geocaching with it (I've stop when everyone started to walk around with their phones playing pokemon Go).
 
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