flash boot mode fix!

[geoff101]

Originally Posted by PaulieP

That is absolutely incorrect. Any Sprint Q with MOL3 that you use as your Good Q will generate a message from the Mot updater that you are up to date, and no update/firmware will be downloaded. Verified with 3 Q's with MOL3. Two are separate good units and one is the one stuck at bootloader (was already MOL3 before it failed). Repeatable on different machines on XP and Vista.

So, you need an OLD version Q to force it to pull the update and start that process.

Unless someone can find the DLL/INI/registry key that controls the version check, and hack that, that would do wonders.

It is correct, done it a dozen times...if you force the good one into bootloader, it will bypass the check and will allow it to update...but it has to be put into bootloader first, otherwise it will say it's already been updated...try it, it works...


if you take a known good q, and force it into flash mode, then plug it in, the updater wont know what version it's on and will default to "it needs an update"

[madrabbitt]

Thats how i've tricked a few into working.
HOWEVER. If its bricked and stuck in bootloader, then likely this wont work.

Originally Posted by geoff101

It is correct, done it a dozen times...if you force the good one into bootloader, it will bypass the check and will allow it to update...but it has to be put into bootloader first, otherwise it will say it's already been updated...try it, it works...


if you take a known good q, and force it into flash mode, then plug it in, the updater wont know what version it's on and will default to "it needs an update"

[PaulieP]

Originally Posted by geoff101

It is correct, done it a dozen times...if you force the good one into bootloader, it will bypass the check and will allow it to update...but it has to be put into bootloader first, otherwise it will say it's already been updated...try it, it works...


if you take a known good q, and force it into flash mode, then plug it in, the updater wont know what version it's on and will default to "it needs an update"

No sir, untrue. The FW version of your handset matters.

I have now tried on my fourth machine, my work Dell D620 laptop running XP SP2 and Activesync 4.5. Plugging in a good Sprint Q in flash mode DOES NOT trigger the update when the good Q is a MOL3 unit, at least in all the cases I have tried over the last 72 hours. With all machines, XP or Vista, and the 3 handsets I have, whether good or bad Q the result is the same - when you plug them into the cable (it is the OEM Mot cable that comes with the Q's) with the latest/current MSU (C01.11.08) running and the phones in Flash Mode, you get the same exact message from MSU:

"Your mobile device already has the latest available software...etc"

Thus, there is a version check which is NOT being bypassed consistently by your method. I can even film it on my camera if you like. Connecting a good q in flash mode will not automatically make the updater do anything except say you have the latest firmware, if it sees you are already at MOL3.

What version bootloader does your Good Q show when in Flash mode?

Again, the only real way to make the POS MSU program do what we need it to do, is to hack the version checking out of it.

[geoff101]

Originally Posted by PaulieP

No sir, untrue. The FW version of your handset matters.

I have now tried on my fourth machine, my work Dell D620 laptop running XP SP2 and Activesync 4.5. Plugging in a good Sprint Q in flash mode DOES NOT trigger the update when the good Q is a MOL3 unit, at least in all the cases I have tried over the last 72 hours. With all machines, XP or Vista, and the 3 handsets I have, whether good or bad Q the result is the same - when you plug them into the cable (it is the OEM Mot cable that comes with the Q's) with the latest/current MSU (C01.11.08) running and the phones in Flash Mode, you get the same exact message from MSU:

"Your mobile device already has the latest available software...etc"

Thus, there is a version check which is NOT being bypassed consistently by your method. I can even film it on my camera if you like. Connecting a good q in flash mode will not automatically make the updater do anything except say you have the latest firmware, if it sees you are already at MOL3.

What version bootloader does your Good Q show when in Flash mode?

Again, the only real way to make the POS MSU program do what we need it to do, is to hack the version checking out of it.

are you starting the updater first, then pluggin the q in while it's searching for the device? if I put the q in boot mode, then start the updater,then plug it in it works fine...bootloader version BOOT_C_03.05.00R_MPAP

[groucho]

Originally Posted by geoff101

Well I contacted Motorola a coupla times and they dont really understand what Im talking about so here's the fix....

you will need a few things, the main being a known good motoq, which might be tough.

What you need is:
1) both q's
2) a fully charged battery (should be able to do this with the good q)
3) windows xp
4) high speed internet connection
5) data cable
6) activsync 4.5

1)on your pc, download the sprint motorola update from motorola.com
2) install the update
3) open it up
4) take the 'good' q and force it into flash mode. (Start with the q turned off, then act as if you are turning it, but immediately hold down the "A" and "enter" buttons on the q) it should go right into flash mode, the difference is pulling the battery and powering back on will launch normally, your q wont)
5) open the update on your pc
6) while in flash mode, take the good q and plug it into the pc.
7) Activesync should launch and say connected and the updater should say connected. click through the update until it goes to the second circle (checking for updates).
8) it should now download about 45 megs from the internet (approx 20 mins or so) just let it run.
9) WHILE IT'S DOWNLOADING, UNPLUG THE 'GOOD' Q, AND PLUG IN THE BAD Q.
10) after approx 20 mins or so it will then want you to click through a window or two, and the updater will then move to the 'update' circle....this will take approx 15 mins or so....just let it run (make sure the battery in the q is fully charged, if it bombs during the update it can fry it
11)that should do it.

*** if after the update, you boot up the bad q and the screen stays black until it gets to the 'motorola acid trip splash screen' then force it back into boot mode and repeat the above steps. Instead of forcing the good q into flash boot, force the bad q into it and reflash it using the above steps, the sprint splash screen will come back and all will be good...lemme know how it works for ya...

as far as finding another q, you may be able to borrow one from asprint store?

This worked for me. The only difference is that it wouldn't work with the good Q in flash mode. I had to just sync it in normal mode for it the updater to recognize it (it said no update needed in flash mode). Thanks!!! Saved alot of headache.

I was using a cheap external flash card and also had limited Ram available while charging for the night. Are these similar to any other crashes???

[rasmith3530]

Originally Posted by geoff101

Well you definitly dont wanna use the sprint flash...what happens when you try to use the motorola update from thier website using verizon's updater?

OK, why don't you want to use the Sprint flash? Is the hardware all that different, or is it just an issue of the ESN not being in Sprint's database?

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by rasmith3530

OK, why don't you want to use the Sprint flash? Is the hardware all that different, or is it just an issue of the ESN not being in Sprint's database?

For one thing, the Sprint Q doesn't have MMS capability.

You'd also lose any of your carrier's customizations (on Verizon, that would be Wireless Sync, the Home screens, etc.). You may be able to get those some other way, but I don't know what hidden things you might lose (like Internet access).

Steve

[CrissyQ]

HELP! So what's the fix for a Verizon Q? I take it we don't want to use the Sprint update per Guru Pony's post above...

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by CrissyQ

HELP! So what's the fix for a Verizon Q? I take it we don't want to use the Sprint update per Guru Pony's post above...

I'd try the same fix, but using the Verizon ROM and a good Verizon Q.

Steve

[igotaq]

Originally Posted by CrissyQ

HELP! So what's the fix for a Verizon Q? I take it we don't want to use the Sprint update per Guru Pony's post above...

Verizon should be easy since the firmware is downloaded with the MSU client.

Plug in your phone (without running MSU)
Go into device manager, Do you see Motorola Flash interface?
Does it have a yellow ! mark on it? if it does, right click and click uninstall.

*Unplug the phone
* turn the phone off (pull the battery and put it back in, turn it on)
*Put it in Flash Mode: Press and hold A and Enter at the same time (if its not already in flash mode) while inserting the USB cable.

*It will then ask you to install Motorola Flash Interface.
Continue with the installation... You might get the Yellow ! mark again in device manager, (Dont worry!)
*uninstall it again
*Unplug Q
*Hook it up again. (Keep phone in flash mode)
*The Motorola Flash interface should now install properly.

*Then Open motorola software update tool
and Pick Verizon as your service provider and Q as the device.

Follow the instructions to start upgrade..