[DISASTER RECOVERY][v3.6] Getting your Z1/ZU/Z/ZL back to life!

[[NUT]]

Sony Dock Charger arrived today and its been on charge for roughly 4 hours and still nothing. Its really frustrating i can't actually think what else it can be? Do you think i should just constantly leave it on charge in the hope it turns on?

Thanks

Okay, it seems that your kernel is currently causing the problem you are facing... which package did you install to get CWM back?

Assume your battery has been charged sufficiently now, the problem with the battery has been fixed, so lets get to step 2:

If you press power and hold it for like 5 seconds, does your phone vibrate?

 

[rm83855]

Dead Xperia Z

No the phone does not respond to the power button, or any soft/hard resets. However after being on charge for sometime the Red LED blinks about 3 times and goes off when i remove the Xperia. The Device didn't do this before i used the dock. The package was just the CWM zip file version 6.XXXXX or something.

Thanks

 

[[NUT]]

No the phone does not respond to the power button, or any soft/hard resets. However after being on charge for sometime the Red LED blinks about 3 times and goes off when i remove the Xperia. The Device didn't do this before i used the dock. The package was just the CWM zip file version 6.XXXXX or something.

Thanks

Where did you get that file and where can i download the one you used? How did you install it?

I want to check the file for anything silly...

I'm starting to get an idea about what happened

 

[rm83855]

Dead Xperia Z

I'm not exactly sure however i have the file on my laptop so i can send you it once i get home from work. I imagine it was from the xda website as i wouldn't download from anywhere dodgy. I want to say it was from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2167381 but I'm really not sure. Ill let you know when i get home. (i do realise the above CWM recovery link does say its for stock firmware now that I've looked at it, I'm not sure this is the file i used though so dont bite my head off!)

 

[[NUT]]

I'm not exactly sure however i have the file on my laptop so i can send you it once i get home from work. I imagine it was from the xda website as i wouldn't download from anywhere dodgy. I want to say it was from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2167381 but I'm really not sure. Ill let you know when i get home. (i do realise the above CWM recovery link does say its for stock firmware now that I've looked at it, I'm not sure this is the file i used though so dont bite my head off!)

I never bite

But it's essential to get the right file from you... otherwise it won't be much of a source to research to me...

 

[rm83855]

Dead Xperia Z

It is the cwm6023touch.zip file i used.

Mod Edit: Please do not attach something which maybe harmful to other users devices

 

[[NUT]]

It is the cwm6023touch.zip file i used. I have attached the file!

This recovery was not EVER intended for use on a Sony mobile (where ever you got it, it was the wrong forum thread!!) ... it flashed (a part of) a recovery partition to your primary bootloader, which is responsible for your ability to flash your phone in both flash- and fastboot modes...

Your XZ is ready to be served up, it's dead and done

The only thing you can try is to put on a pokerface and return it to Sony, but be prepared for a repair fee...

Sorry man, no more things to try...

Lesson learned... I may hope?

 

[rm83855]

Dead Xperia Z

I cant believe i've killed my Xperia :crying: YES lesson learned! I will have to make do with stock Sony from now on! I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to give up though, i CAN get the phone into flashmode but flashtool doesn't seem to work. Also tonight the phone responds to the power button, although this is just 3 flashes of the red LED, it didn't do this before...

 

[[NUT]]

I cant believe i've killed my Xperia :crying: YES lesson learned! I will have to make do with stock Sony from now on! I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to give up though, i CAN get the phone into flashmode but flashtool doesn't seem to work. Also tonight the phone responds to the power button, although this is just 3 flashes of the red LED, it didn't do this before...

There are only a hand full of partitions you can restore using flashtool, the primary and secondary bootloaders are not among them AFAIK... sorry dude

 

[MattJaO3D]

Fair play to NUT , you know your stuff, not many people prepared to help out like you have , nice change to see , slightly off topic I know , but good to have you about, if I ever have a disaster I'll come straight here .

Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

 

[rm83855]

Dead Xperia Z

So theres no hope? Would one partition not give me the option to even get the phone to boot?

 

[[NUT]]

So theres no hope? Would one partition not give me the option to even get the phone to boot?

Eventhough the XZ has 2 bootloaders, they both have a specialized task... If the first does not run, the second will never be called in action, the first on its turn is not able to bootstrap the kernel without the second bootloader...

Like I said, if you still have warranty, put on a pokerface and send it to Sony or bring it to a service centre...

Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

 

[swooc]

hey nut, i've got symptoms of a soft-brick. only problem is that my phone is new and it happened straight out of the box. don't know which version of the firmware it is running so i don't know which stock kernel to re-flash with. plus, i think my battery is dead.

i posted this thread on the zl sub-forum if you want more detail.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=46185177#post46185177

any suggestions?

 

[[NUT]]

hey nut, i've got symptoms of a soft-brick. only problem is that my phone is new and it happened straight out of the box. don't know which version of the firmware it is running so i don't know which stock kernel to re-flash with. plus, i think my battery is dead.

i posted this thread on the zl sub-forum if you want more detail.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=46185177#post46185177

any suggestions?

Yes, first of all, i have to agree with @maclancer on that thread... take it back to the shop and claim a DOA (dead on arrival) ASAP.

It's the safest option you have right now.

 

[swooc]

^reason why i want to try and fix it myself is because shipping it back to the store will cost me a good $200. but from the looks of it, it seems to be inevitable.

i'm tempted to flash the kernel through fastboot using the stock firmware that originally comes with the z/zl (i'll have to google and find out which one that is). i'm guessing this is a huge gamble as the kernel version needs to be exactly from the firmware that's currenty on the phone now? or can i get aways with using any version of the firmware and just flash using the kernel provided in the firmware?

 

[[NUT]]

^reason why i want to try and fix it myself is because shipping it back to the store will cost me a good $200. but from the looks of it, it seems to be inevitable.

i'm tempted to flash the kernel through fastboot using the stock firmware that originally comes with the z/zl (i'll have to google and find out which one that is). i'm guessing this is a huge gamble as the kernel version needs to be exactly from the firmware that's currenty on the phone now? or can i get aways with using any version of the firmware and just flash using the kernel provided in the firmware?

200 dollar for shipping?! Wtf?

No, as your phone is new, you can grab any FTF for your phone and use flashtool to flash the kernel and everything else...

Are you sure there isn't any service centre near? You can omit the shop that way...

Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

 

[swooc]

i know right. restrictions in the export of lithium batteries means that my shipping options are limited to fedex or dhl.

there is probably an authorised service center near me. but it won't be repaired under warranty because it's not local stock. having dealt with the local sony before, chances are i'll have to pay a non-refundable deposit of $150 for assessment lol.

if it's any stock ftf then that would make it easier. my fingers are itching to do it, but i'm still not sure. though my symptoms are the same, the cause for it i would think was different. what are the chances of a corrupted ta partition straight out of the box haha?

 

[[NUT]]

@swooc

If your TA would have been corrupted, you wouldn't even see the Sony logo...

Just give it a try...

Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

 

[swooc]

yeah, i don't see the sony logo at all. the symptoms is exactly as you've described. only difference is the cause. if it isn't the attempt of unlocking/re-locking the bootloader then it has to be the other right (that is the ta partition being corrupted).

but i've given up and decided to send it back. i was going to attempt flashing the kernel but for some reason the phone enters cpu mode now when i connect it to the pc. i think it's truly ****ed haha.

 

[[NUT]]

yeah, i don't see the sony logo at all. the symptoms is exactly as you've described. only difference is the cause. if it isn't the attempt of unlocking/re-locking the bootloader then it has to be the other right (that is the ta partition being corrupted).

but i've given up and decided to send it back. i was going to attempt flashing the kernel but for some reason the phone enters cpu mode now when i connect it to the pc. i think it's truly ****ed haha.

Actually and truthfully: I really think it's the best choice you could have made: I know it sucks to send back a new device you just got, but if something is broken the first time you get it, it's better to return it to the shop you got it from as a DOA, this will (in most if not all countries by law) allow you to return it and get a brand new device free of shipping charges without the lengthy repair process. You will have to pay for the return shipping fees if you bought it in a webshop though, no way around that unfortunately.