Develop Bugs

[Q] Help I think I bricked my phone!

My phone was constantly rebooting so i went into CWM and did a factory reset and it froze while wiping and since then it wouldnt reboot. I went to this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1551901&page=11 and followed the directions for the one click recovery using odin 1.81 but it stopped updating on the data.img. I kept it connected for over an hour. I disconnected the cable and rebooted the phone. now when i turn it on it says "firmware upgrade encountered an issue please select recovery mode in kies and try again" i tried holding power and volume down and it briefly boots up but then goes to the firmware upgrade screen. Kies isnt recognizing the phone as being connected. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

you are not the first one today (yesterday) reporting the same problem. There were about 3~4 incidents reported during today. So, don't go further at this time. I hope some more Devs joining to give more helps.
During the time you are waiting, read the almost same case -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1554392
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1549382
Also, please describe the full details about what you did and how you did -
where did not download the rom, what's your rom/kernel version before installing the rom, how did you proceed to odin the rom, etc...
You mentioned that you tried to flash the rom using the one click recovery using odin 1.81. Can you please be more details about this?
Before flashing the rom, you said that your phone was constantly rebooting. What was your rom and kernel at that time? Do you think there was anything suspicious causing the rebooting?
Maybe the solution would be simple but I saw many people reported same thing, there would be common issue in here. So, we need to find out what that is....
Sorry for not giving you the suggestion at this time.

This isn't an ODIN issue. ODIN is just the messenger in this case.
There is a problem between the ICS kernels and custom recovery where it will sometimes corrupt your /data partition if you reset/wipe/restore/format/etc. Any large partition operations are suspect. Copying files seems fine. It doesn't necessarily do it every time so it'll work for some but brick others. Even if it works a couple of times, it can brick at any time.
The EMMC memory actually becomes damaged and even JTAG repair will not fix. By the time you get to ODIN the damage is already done. ODIN won't be able to write to /data even using a .pit file with repartition set, ODIN one-click won't write to it, CWM will hang writing to it, JTAG will have issues also.
Your best bet is to get a replacement.
There are multiple threads about this, which is why people suggest you go back to a GB-based kernel+CWM to do your ROM flashing.
This is one thread where the data.img corruption is discussed:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1504808

Well i tried QBKings how to unbrick video and used the stock el29 stock rom through odin. It looks like it was going to work. it finished all the way but now it just gets stuck in a boot screen loop
i get update logfile does not exist deleteing cryption meta data
#manual mode#
updating application....

Maybe try using odin to flash a kernel with recovery, and get into recovery before it reboots(or pull battery since it won't boot after odin is done doing its thing). then restore a nandroid, or flash a Rom?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

(Duplicate post - person above asked already)

sleshepic said:
Maybe try using odin to flash a kernel with recovery, and get into recovery before it reboots(or pull battery since it won't boot after odin is done doing its thing). then restore a nandroid, or flash a Rom?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think we are in synch - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1556609 (the suggestion that I provided).
Adding to this, I personally recommend to format the sdcard before installing anythig - there's a option to format sdcard.

sleshepic said:
Maybe try using odin to flash a kernel with recovery, and get into recovery before it reboots(or pull battery since it won't boot after odin is done doing its thing). then restore a nandroid, or flash a Rom?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i managed to be able to get it to boot into rogue recovery or power + down so i can flash through odin. I tried flashing a rom but it cant get past formatting system.
im going to try to restore to a previous rom now

armandosal said:
Well i managed to be able to get it to boot into rogue recovery or power + down so i can flash through odin. I tried flashing a rom but it cant get past formatting system.
im going to try to restore to a previous rom now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will never get past the data its corrupted and bricked ... There is no fixing it you should have never done anything in cwm with a ics kernel there are multiple threads that well tell you that ...read read ....you will now hope that sprint will replace your phone or you have insurance...good luck with sprint
Read this thread its what is wrong with your phone
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1504808
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

I'll add on to Epix4G's comment with another link:
How Not To Brick Your E4GT

I finally ended up getting another phone from my insurance company. Is there a way to get any of my data from the phone?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

armandosal said:
I finally ended up getting another phone from my insurance company. Is there a way to get any of my data from the phone?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope once it's data partition is screwed it's done for and not recoverable
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

Ok. Thanks. on the plus side I got Cyanogenmod 9 on my phone.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

[Q] Can't get Galaxy S3 (Tmobile) to boot

So after rooting my recent Tmobile GS3 and then attempting to flash the overclock my phone simply wont turn on. The root did fine, and I was able to install setcpu and everything but the second I installed the overclock my phone shut down. Now whenever I attempt to turn my phone it just flashes the Samsung insignia and then it shuts down. I can get to the Downloading screen (by pressing Volume down + power + home) but can I do anything about that? If someone can help me out that would be amazing. Thanks.
Also, I tried flashing a stock rom with Odin and it keeps failing. If anyone knows anything thank you.

Can you get into recovery? Volume up + home + power
If so then flash back to a nandroid backup or to a new rom or whatever.
If recovery wont boot, try again but look for blue text at the top right corner that says "booting recovery" when the sammy logo comes up. I've had it where my recovery wouldnt boot but I saw that for a split second when I tried. If this is the case, get back into download mode and flash the insecure boot + cwm again with Odin. Then you should be able to get into recovery.
If Odin fails to flash, reboot you're computer and try a different USB cable.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

If you can get to download mode, then you're probably in good shape.
There are a few tricks that can be found in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1725839
Just make sure when you odin/flash something, you are flashing the correct image for your phone/carrier.

same boat here
well I thought I'd give it a try using instructions here. and now I'm hosed. I was able to root and install the ALLINONE (Insecure Boot, CWM & Busybox) rebooted, super user showed up in apps etc. I thought everything was fine. the next thing I tried was disable boot up animation and now the phone won't boot up at all.
I can get into the recovery and download screens but whenever I try to restore I get "can't mount /sdcard/"
The toolkit no longer sees my phone either. When it's plugged in and the toolkit is active, it just cycles over and over "samsung" then "Samsung Galaxy SIII" logo then black screen repeat.
The toolkit keeps giving message either "device not found" or "Waiting for USB debugging to be enabled".
download mode/ Odin mode is working- I have downloaded the file:
Samsung-Updates.com-SGH-T999_TMB_1_20120523140229_ogindgck8z.zip
but haven't been able to get Odin to load it ... I have to be in download mode for that to work right?
Any tips are appreciated.
using TMO SGH-T999

Try flashing the same file you did to get root with Odin... then you should at least be able to get in to recovery and from there you're golden.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

andham95 said:
Try flashing the same file you did to get root with Odin... then you should at least be able to get in to recovery and from there you're golden.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that a few times to no avail and gave up. figured out that I needed to unzip the stock rom from t-mobile in order for Odin to recognize and load it. That's where I left it last night. So I'm now back to stock and reloading all my apps and settings.
I'm ok with that, this is my first go at flashing/rooting. My phone works ... and for that I'm breathing a little easier. thanks for your reply!

danfinger said:
I tried that a few times to no avail and gave up. figured out that I needed to unzip the stock rom from t-mobile in order for Odin to recognize and load it. That's where I left it last night. So I'm now back to stock and reloading all my apps and settings.
I'm ok with that, this is my first go at flashing/rooting. My phone works ... and for that I'm breathing a little easier. thanks for your reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AWESOME!
Now time to fook it up again.
You've recovered from your first fubar and now you're a root/rom veteran! :good:

CZ Eddie said:
AWESOME!
Now time to fook it up again.
You've recovered from your first fubar and now you're a root/rom veteran! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Next lesson I need to study is the full backup so I don't have to re-do everything (took about 1.5 hours) -- the hardest one was my tasker macros.

Titanium backup......nuff said.lol
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

CZ Eddie said:
AWESOME!
Now time to fook it up again.
You've recovered from your first fubar and now you're a root/rom veteran! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, I needed that. Thanks. I remember when I first screwed up my hero a long time ago and had to get help. "I'm going to stay stock for a while", I think that feeling lasted a day if that.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

blacknight1114 said:
Titanium backup......nuff said.lol
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
definitely, best tool to have. Get the paid version or its a pain to restore everything. Better than not having it but still.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

lopezpm said:
definitely, best tool to have. Get the paid version or its a pain to restore everything. Better than not having it but still.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep. That was the first thing I did after rooting. everything is nicely backed up to the internal SD as well as dropbox. Thanks! Looking forward to some really slick ROMs.

this is a post
danfinger said:
well I thought I'd give it a try using instructions here. and now I'm hosed. I was able to root and install the ALLINONE (Insecure Boot, CWM & Busybox) rebooted, super user showed up in apps etc. I thought everything was fine. the next thing I tried was disable boot up animation and now the phone won't boot up at all.
I can get into the recovery and download screens but whenever I try to restore I get "can't mount /sdcard/"
The toolkit no longer sees my phone either. When it's plugged in and the toolkit is active, it just cycles over and over "samsung" then "Samsung Galaxy SIII" logo then black screen repeat.
The toolkit keeps giving message either "device not found" or "Waiting for USB debugging to be enabled".
download mode/ Odin mode is working- I have downloaded the file:
Samsung-Updates.com-SGH-T999_TMB_1_20120523140229_ogindgck8z.zip
but haven't been able to get Odin to load it ... I have to be in download mode for that to work right?
Any tips are appreciated.
using TMO SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Blazer rom may have bricked my phone?

I'm very comfortable with flashing and using custom roms, I've been doing this since the original Droid.
I rooted my GS3 right after I got it, and it was great until the OTA updates started coming out too quickly.
I like having root use, so I decided to flash the new blazer rom, I always liked the one for the gs2.
So I download it, put it on external SD, go to clockworkmod, nandroid backup, wipe data/factory reset twice, flashed the rom.
It won't turn on. It just buzzes, shows the samsung screen and shuts off.
Fine, it doesn't work i guess. So I go to put it back in recovery. NOTHING. just buzzes a few times, that's it.when charging while off it shows the battery icon, but when i hold volup home button and power it acts like it's going into recovery, then shuts off.
I don't know what to do I've never had an issue getting any phone into recovery.
HELP!!!!

Blazer ROM didn't brick your phone, you did.
Sent from my BAKED SIII

Odin. You're not bricked.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

hdnet1 said:
Odin. You're not bricked.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 soft bricked. Use odin to reflash the custom recovery.

dragon_rckr said:
+1 soft bricked. Use odin to reflash the custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way was it blazer I've used every version. Chalk this up to use error. Odin it and try again
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

firstdirection said:
NOTHING. just buzzes a few times, that's it.when charging while off it shows the battery icon, but when i hold volup home button and power it acts like it's going into recovery, then shuts off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try unplugging the phone, pull the battery, reinstall battery and then boot to recovery? If that won't work or volume down for download mode then I would say likely bricked.

epic4GEE said:
Did you try unplugging the phone, pull the battery, reinstall battery and then boot to recovery? If that won't work or volume down for download mode then I would say likely bricked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, brick is that...a brick, does absolutly nothing, no power, no buzz, no LED, no nothing.
Soft brick, some sign of life, like they describe in OP "Samsung screen come up, then phone buzzes and shuts off".

rgregg504 said:
No way was it blazer I've used every version. Chalk this up to use error. Odin it and try again
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you notice, I followed the instructions to the exact letter. so not user error.

dragon_rckr said:
+1 soft bricked. Use odin to reflash the custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking for the file to run in odin to flash back to stock, can anyone help?

Snatched from the dev section... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1900492

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1904099
This is what you want for stock...
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

dragon_rckr said:
Snatched from the dev section... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1900492
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol thanks, I tried to odin the clockworkmod .tar, I put it in the pda section of odin, flashed, it passed. still no recovery though! I hold volup home and power until the samsung screen, there is the little blue writing in the top left corner telling me it's booting to recovery but then the screen goes dark, and tries to boot system.

firstdirection said:
lol thanks, I tried to odin the clockworkmod .tar, I put it in the pda section of odin, flashed, it passed. still no recovery though! I hold volup home and power until the samsung screen, there is the little blue writing in the top left corner telling me it's booting to recovery but then the screen goes dark, and tries to boot system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you took any OTA, Samsung patched the stock recovery to rewrite itself everytime it boots. I suggest you odin VALEN (LEN stock 100% stock), and start the rooting process all over again. Look up QBKing77's videos on youtube on how to unroot SGS3 and how to root it and you'll be back to where you want to be.

Blazer didnt brick your phone. You did by accepting the consequences of flashing a 3rd party rom on your device. the warnings are in post 1 of his thread

Overstew said:
If you took any OTA, Samsung patched the stock recovery to rewrite itself everytime it boots. I suggest you odin VALEN (LEN stock 100% stock), and start the rooting process all over again. Look up QBKing77's videos on youtube on how to unroot SGS3 and how to root it and you'll be back to where you want to be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok i flashed a few things through odin, and finally got cwm installed. I re-flashed Blazer and it still does the boot loop thing. But... CWM is still there. I'm just gonna go back to stock. I'm downloading L710VPALI3_stock_unrooted(ics)7z.crdownload and plan to odin it when my ****ty internet connection finally downloads it.

eeabelin size
stu5797 said:
Blazer didnt brick your phone. You did by accepting the consequences of flashing a 3rd party rom on your device. the warnings are in post 1 of his thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The point is that when I flashed that rom, the phone stopped working. period. I understand he isn't liable for anything that happened. but it doesn't mean his rom didn't cause the problem.
I think it's great there are people helping with the issue. You on the other hand came to point fingers. thanks?

firstdirection said:
The point is that when I flashed that rom, the phone stopped working. period. I understand he isn't liable for anything that happened. but it doesn't mean his rom didn't cause the problem.
I think it's great there are people helping with the issue. You on the other hand came to point fingers. thanks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you checked the md5 checksum of the download? You may have a bad copy downloaded.

Deleted
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

nabbed said:
Have you checked the md5 checksum of the download? You may have a bad copy downloaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think whoever said that if i had ever accepted an OTA update a few comments ago hit the nail on the head. my kids were playing with the phone and accepted it about a week ago. it didn't work obviously, but i guess it re-wrote something that is causing this issue. I'm going back to stock whenever the VPALEN stock rom is done downloading. It seems sprint or google or samsung doesn't like us to mess with the phones, and keeps putting out "fixes" for people who have rooted. it'd be nice to watch my movies on there without worrying about the drm but at this point I'd just like my too damn expensive phone back lol.

nabbed said:
Have you checked the md5 checksum of the download? You may have a bad copy downloaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly what I was about to suggest. File corruption is actually quite common and you can get a bad download just by downloading a file straight to your phone. Try re-downloading the file on PC, then transfer it to the device.

[Q] Soft bricked my phone

So this is kind of a unique issue i'm having. I have the I-747 on AT&T and flashed AOKP rom (it was taking too long to get JB). It worked for about 3 days and then got stuck in the android boot screen (used the rom feature to get rid of the pink unicorns). after that, I booted into recovery and reset my phone, and it worked again for a few more days, then it wouldnt boot again (I dont believe I changed any settings between the boots). After this time, it wouldnt let me boot into recovery and would only boot to the android start screen and stop. I used odin to flash the stock rom, which only took me to the 2nd samsung boot screen and stopped (after the AT&T splash shows up). I looked online and saw someone say try CF-root using odin, tried that and it didnt help. Then tried using a custom kernel siyah s3, and now it will only show the initial samsung splash screen before turning off again. Any suggestions here? I figured I'd stop researching since i dont want to really mess up my phone worse than it already is

mrneilix said:
So this is kind of a unique issue i'm having. I have the I-747 on AT&T and flashed AOKP rom (it was taking too long to get JB). It worked for about 3 days and then got stuck in the android boot screen (used the rom feature to get rid of the pink unicorns). after that, I booted into recovery and reset my phone, and it worked again for a few more days, then it wouldnt boot again (I dont believe I changed any settings between the boots). After this time, it wouldnt let me boot into recovery and would only boot to the android start screen and stop. I used odin to flash the stock rom, which only took me to the 2nd samsung boot screen and stopped (after the AT&T splash shows up). I looked online and saw someone say try CF-root using odin, tried that and it didnt help. Then tried using a custom kernel siyah s3, and now it will only show the initial samsung splash screen before turning off again. Any suggestions here? I figured I'd stop researching since i dont want to really mess up my phone worse than it already is
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a similar issue, someone please help

Your main issue now is that you flashed siyah. We don't have one. If you can get to download mode, you will want to flash back to stock.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium

As DeathSdoor said...flash stock.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747

d3athsd00r said:
Your main issue now is that you flashed siyah. We don't have one. If you can get to download mode, you will want to flash back to stock.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys! So I used odin to flash the stock boot loader and stock rom, but it is still hanging up on the 2nd samsung screen like it initially did (the one after the AT&T boot animation). Any other ideas on what could be the cause?

How long is the hang? Sure is just not the 1st initial boot of the new rom?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

blaker13 said:
How long is the hang? Sure is just not the 1st initial boot of the new rom?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first boot can take as long as 5 minutes sometimes. So, if you haven't waited that long, then try out some patience. Otherwise, try booting into recovery (stock now) and factory reset.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium

bump!
I have this same issue. I have restored to stock rom and it does the Samsung boot, then AT&T, then it goes to Samsung pulsating with a blue pulsating LED.
I have left it in that mode for at least 15 minutes and it never boots.
I can still get into download mode.
Thanks in advance for any help!

Has anyone tried booting into recovery after flashing the stock ROM and wiping caches then rebooting?

jethro650 said:
Has anyone tried booting into recovery after flashing the stock ROM and wiping caches then rebooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I let it run for 2 hours (left the house came back and i was still on. And phone wont boot into recovery at all ( i tried many times, but it just boots normally and skips recovery until it gets to the 2nd samsung screen, then stops there).
I dont know if this is relevant, but while the phone is off and plugged in, i can still see the battery meter and the Green LED (so i'm guessing it's still working, it just wont boot)

mrneilix said:
And phone wont boot into recovery at all ( i tried many times, but it just boots normally and skips recovery until it gets to the 2nd samsung screen, then stops there).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here!!!

jethro650 said:
Has anyone tried booting into recovery after flashing the stock ROM and wiping caches then rebooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As Jethro said clean everything and factory format in recovery. Your just not doing the buttons right to get in to recovery
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

blaker13 said:
As Jethro said clean everything and factory format in recovery. Your just not doing the buttons right to get in to recovery
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went into recovery many times before, I'm definitely hitting the buttons right but it still wont go into recovery, it just tries booting like normal. I can go into download mode easily, but that's it.
jbizz, did you start getting this error after flashing AOKP rom also? trying to figure out what could have caused the issue in the first place

I'm not really skilled on these things, but I once had a similar issue with my phone not booting and had to end up using Kies to emergency restore it. Odin wouldn't recognize my phone but kies would.
Although I think my issue with odin may be stemming from my computers usb ports...
Sent from my SGH-I747 using XDA Premium HD app

I actually flashed a bad kernel and the phone wouldn't boot after that.
What is the proper way to boot into Stock Recovery?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium

Fixed it! What I did was go into Kies software and did a firmware upgrade instead of trying to flash from odin, then put it in download mode instead of recovery, but it still worked. Thanks for all the help, guys! guess it's time to move to a CM based rom?

mrneilix said:
Fixed it! What I did was go into Kies software and did a firmware upgrade instead of trying to flash from odin, then put it in download mode instead of recovery, but it still worked. Thanks for all the help, guys! guess it's time to move to a CM based rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats bad badassness! I will try that when I get home!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium

mrneilix:
Please give me step by step what you did! Kies is being a bastard!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium

jbizz said:
mrneilix:
Please give me step by step what you did! Kies is being a bastard!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, I'm doing this largely from memory since I mostly figured it out by throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks.
Open Kies->tools->firmware upgrade and initialization->enter model name then serial number (they're behind the battery) -> put the phone in download mode and plug it in. it should take care of the rest.
Fair warning, this will fully wipe your phone, i lost all my pics (thank you google+'s instant upload or i'd be PISSED) and titanium backup (there goes my 3 stars on every level in angry birds and great scores in temple run), but at least you get a phone that can function as more than a paper weight, right?

mrneilix:
You're my new best friend and I don't even know you!!!
Thanks for the help, you're a legend!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Soft Brick!!!! Please Help

(ADDED $20 BOUNTY IF YOU HELP ME, WILL PAYPAL YOU WITHIN 24 HOURS)
Hey guys,
I've been flashing ROMS for years and this is my first real issue.
I tried to upgrade from an earlier version of CM10 to the newest one. After I flashed GAPPS this caused the phone to get stuck on reboot so I went back to CWM recovery.
ALL MY DOWNLOADED FILES WERE GONE IN CWM. Including all the roms I had, and my NANDROID backup (which I would have just reflashed right there).
I tried to Odin back to stock and it passes but gets stuck on the Samsung boot logo every time.
I've tried to scour threads on XDA and on Google. The closest thing I found was a thread where it mentioned I'd need Tmobile Bootchain commands but I can't find those either.
All help is greatly appreciated.

Have you tried to Odin using a different computer.. or redownload Odin and the files needed
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Odin the stock firmware you mean from a different comp? I don't think that is the issue since Odin shows that the flash was successful. The phone reboots itself and it gets passed the Samsung Galaxy S3 screen to the Tmobile Android 4g boot animation.
Additionally, people in the Verizon S3 forum are describing my issue exactly here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1840030)

SeanFloyd said:
(ADDED $20 BOUNTY IF YOU HELP ME, WILL PAYPAL YOU WITHIN 24 HOURS)
Hey guys,
I've been flashing ROMS for years and this is my first real issue.
I tried to upgrade from an earlier version of CM10 to the newest one. After I flashed GAPPS this caused the phone to get stuck on reboot so I went back to CWM recovery.
ALL MY DOWNLOADED FILES WERE GONE IN CWM. Including all the roms I had, and my NANDROID backup (which I would have just reflashed right there).
I tried to Odin back to stock and it passes but gets stuck on the Samsung boot logo every time.
I've tried to scour threads on XDA and on Google. The closest thing I found was a thread where it mentioned I'd need Tmobile Bootchain commands but I can't find those either.
All help is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After a successful odin flash boot into stock recovery manually and select wipe data, factory reset, then wipe cache partition. Reboot, bingo.
Sent from my SGH-T999V using xda premium

neysito said:
After a successful odin flash boot into stock recovery manually and select wipe data, factory reset, then wipe cache partition. Reboot, bingo.
Sent from my SGH-T999V using xda premium
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I can't get into stock recovery man, or any kind of recovery.Holding vol up + home + power hangs permanently after the SGS 3 boot screen, nothing happens.

Go to Doc's stickie and I think it is in the 2nd post, there is an Odin flashable version of TWRP (maybe a copy of CWR but since I don't use it I'm not sure).
Flash that and let it "try" and reboot. It won't but you can do the key combo to get into TWRP recovery and either flash a ROM, Restore or at the very least Factory Reset, which would be my first choice.
Somewhere back there in your efforts, I think you may have erased your internal and if that is where your backups were kept then that might be why they are gone. Just a thought though.

In odin, uncheck auto reboot. Flash the recovery tar in pda spot. When it says pass, pull the battery and boot into recovery with volume up, home, and power. Release the power button when u feel the vibrate. Then thank mrmako777 for teaching me this tonight
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You are the mf'in man. This is what fixed my phone. Give me your email so I can paypal you $20.
To anyone who can't get into recovery if you mess up your phone with the wrong GAPPS, this method is the only thing that worked for me.

SeanFloyd said:
To anyone who can't get into recovery if you mess up your phone with the wrong GAPPS, this method is the only thing that worked for me.
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Glad you had it all worked out.
This is exactly what was suggested to you before, since you said in your OP you had already odin back to stock. What I don't get is how come you were not able to boot into original recovery when it was just going on a boot loop. It doesn't matter. At least you fixed it. Enjoy
Sent from my SGH-T999V using xda premium

neysito said:
Glad you had it all worked out.
This is exactly what was suggested to you before, since you said in your OP you had already odin back to stock. What I don't get is how come you were not able to boot into original recovery when it was just going on a boot loop. It doesn't matter. At least you fixed it. Enjoy
Sent from my SGH-T999V using xda premium
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My bad man, I quoted the wrong reply. Here is what fixed it.
GalaxyS3Guy said:
In odin, uncheck auto reboot. Flash the recovery tar in pda spot. When it says pass, pull the battery and boot into recovery with volume up, home, and power. Release the power button when u feel the vibrate. Then thank mrmako777 for teaching me this tonight
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
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