xInterlopeRx
Android Enthusiast
Ok, some of you guys are really tearing it up and trying some stuff that can soft brick your Victory. A soft brick is when the device will not boot into Android OS, but will boot into either recovery or Download mode. Download mode is the screen with the yellow triangle and the digging android. Another screen you might see is the one with the error message and the computer connected to a phone. That screen just tells us that whatever was just tried failed. For our purpose though, it is the same as the download mode screen. Usually you see it after a failed flash using Odin, which we will go over in a minute. Both screen open the device up to be flashed via USB with either Odin (if using Windows) or Heimdall (if using Linux). These are tools that allow the user to install software to the device by writing the data to the proper partition.
You can usually get into Download mode by holding the volume rocker down while also holding the power button. You can escape download mode by holding the power button down for a few seconds. I do not recommend removing the battery to escape Download mode. Try the power button for a while before you chose to remove the battery.
So, now that you know what we're working with, here are some files you may want. The first files are the stock kernel and recovery. Most devices call them boot.img and recovery.img respectively, but to work with Odin they need to be contained in a .tar.
Download them before the power goes out!
Stock kernel
Stock recovery
You also want to make sure you have the right drivers for your Samsung device. When you first plugged it in, Windows might have installed some generic drivers, but that's not good enough for us, so download these drivers and install them right now even if you don't plan on flashing anything or working on your device at all.
Samsung drivers
After you install the drivers, plug the phone into the computer with your USB cord and let the install finish completely. Once that's done, you are ready for BaconMaggedon!
Next you will want to familiarize yourself with the Odin program. Get it now!
Odin 3.04
Extract the zip. Double click Odin.exe. You will see a series of "windows" in a row across the top. On the left, under the first one it says "ID:COM" The rectangle beneath the letters should turn blue when you plug in your phone. Try it now to make sure; there is no danger. This ensures the drivers are installed correctly and you are ready to fix or modify you device. Doing this now will avoid a headache later. If it does not turn blue, try using your USB in another port.
Next is the scary part. As of this writing there are only a few files you can use with the Victory. The stock kernel and recovery from above and the next one, which is a modified recovery, and a community favorite, ClockWorkMod. Download it now!!!
Victory Clockworkmod Recovery
This recovery will allow you to make a full backup of the system, data, boot and maybe some other partitions as well as wipe partitions clean. If you wipe system let me know. I have to upload a file to recover from that.
Now, to use Odin, fire it up if it's not still on. Plug the device into the computer using the USB cable. Check for the blue rectangle near ID:COM and make sure "Re-Partition" is NOT CHECKED OFF!!! I repeat NO CHECKMARK!!! Once you know the device and computer are connected properly, click the button labeled "PDA." You will now see a file explorer window. Navigate to the desired file and chose it. File explorer will disappear. If you are sure you want to proceed, click "Start" at the bottom of the program window.
In the message box, lower left corner, you will see what Odin is doing with your device. If all goes well, there will be no error messages and the device will reboot into the Android OS. If not, and you get some kind of error, this is the thread to discuss fixing your device.
Please give as much detailed information as possible about your situation in your first post. Avoid messages like "I was using Odin and messed up my phone. What do I do now?" I have no idea what happened, but want to provide the best support possible. Copy any error messages you see exactly and describe how you arrived in your situation. If you need intense help, join the IRC by clicking the link in my signature.
Happy Flashing and good fortune to all!
UPDATED LINK AGAIN!!!! I can't find any bugs, but I switched to TWRP so...let me know.
EDIT: All the links are broken because I moved the files to the new OUDHS website. You can find anything you need here:
http://www.oudhitsquad.com/android/
Some larger files, like the stock firmware, I haven't uploaded yet, but we'll be back up to speed ASAP.
You can usually get into Download mode by holding the volume rocker down while also holding the power button. You can escape download mode by holding the power button down for a few seconds. I do not recommend removing the battery to escape Download mode. Try the power button for a while before you chose to remove the battery.
So, now that you know what we're working with, here are some files you may want. The first files are the stock kernel and recovery. Most devices call them boot.img and recovery.img respectively, but to work with Odin they need to be contained in a .tar.
Download them before the power goes out!
Stock kernel
Stock recovery
You also want to make sure you have the right drivers for your Samsung device. When you first plugged it in, Windows might have installed some generic drivers, but that's not good enough for us, so download these drivers and install them right now even if you don't plan on flashing anything or working on your device at all.
Samsung drivers
After you install the drivers, plug the phone into the computer with your USB cord and let the install finish completely. Once that's done, you are ready for BaconMaggedon!
Next you will want to familiarize yourself with the Odin program. Get it now!
Odin 3.04
Extract the zip. Double click Odin.exe. You will see a series of "windows" in a row across the top. On the left, under the first one it says "ID:COM" The rectangle beneath the letters should turn blue when you plug in your phone. Try it now to make sure; there is no danger. This ensures the drivers are installed correctly and you are ready to fix or modify you device. Doing this now will avoid a headache later. If it does not turn blue, try using your USB in another port.
Next is the scary part. As of this writing there are only a few files you can use with the Victory. The stock kernel and recovery from above and the next one, which is a modified recovery, and a community favorite, ClockWorkMod. Download it now!!!
Victory Clockworkmod Recovery
This recovery will allow you to make a full backup of the system, data, boot and maybe some other partitions as well as wipe partitions clean. If you wipe system let me know. I have to upload a file to recover from that.
Now, to use Odin, fire it up if it's not still on. Plug the device into the computer using the USB cable. Check for the blue rectangle near ID:COM and make sure "Re-Partition" is NOT CHECKED OFF!!! I repeat NO CHECKMARK!!! Once you know the device and computer are connected properly, click the button labeled "PDA." You will now see a file explorer window. Navigate to the desired file and chose it. File explorer will disappear. If you are sure you want to proceed, click "Start" at the bottom of the program window.
In the message box, lower left corner, you will see what Odin is doing with your device. If all goes well, there will be no error messages and the device will reboot into the Android OS. If not, and you get some kind of error, this is the thread to discuss fixing your device.
Please give as much detailed information as possible about your situation in your first post. Avoid messages like "I was using Odin and messed up my phone. What do I do now?" I have no idea what happened, but want to provide the best support possible. Copy any error messages you see exactly and describe how you arrived in your situation. If you need intense help, join the IRC by clicking the link in my signature.
Happy Flashing and good fortune to all!
UPDATED LINK AGAIN!!!! I can't find any bugs, but I switched to TWRP so...let me know.
EDIT: All the links are broken because I moved the files to the new OUDHS website. You can find anything you need here:
http://www.oudhitsquad.com/android/
Some larger files, like the stock firmware, I haven't uploaded yet, but we'll be back up to speed ASAP.
