Develop Bugs

[Q] Problems with power button and no way to fix it, workarounds?

It seems that my power button has died on my Galaxy Nexus, which is a huge pain in the strategical locations. While I know how to turn the phone off should it shut down, I have no idea how to handle anything else. I have my friends CALL ME to be able to unlock the phone and use it.
There are some apps on Android Market that specifically state that they fix power buttons, but none of them work with the latest versions of Android according to the reviews (if there's any I've missed, let me know).
I know that the phone can be turned off using a charger, since plugging it in or out makes the screen turn on. But are there other ways to turn on the screen, since it's a phone and I'm mobile most of the time?
Is there another way to remap the keys on Android? Note that I cannot root my phone, so options like that are not good either.
Is there a way to remotely turn on Android phone with a tablet through some app? Since I'm carrying my Nexus 7 with me and it uses my phones internet connection to stay online. I tried to find an app that does this, but could not find any.
Any help is much appreciated! I do not wish to buy Nexus 4 at the moment because it isn't much of an improvement and sending it back to UK for warranty seems like a huge mess that I would rather avoid for now.
Thanks!

kristovaher said:
It seems that my power button has died on my Galaxy Nexus, which is a huge pain in the strategical locations. While I know how to turn the phone off should it shut down, I have no idea how to handle anything else. I have my friends CALL ME to be able to unlock the phone and use it.
There are some apps on Android Market that specifically state that they fix power buttons, but none of them work with the latest versions of Android according to the reviews (if there's any I've missed, let me know).
I know that the phone can be turned off using a charger, since plugging it in or out makes the screen turn on. But are there other ways to turn on the screen, since it's a phone and I'm mobile most of the time?
Is there another way to remap the keys on Android? Note that I cannot root my phone, so options like that are not good either.
Is there a way to remotely turn on Android phone with a tablet through some app? Since I'm carrying my Nexus 7 with me and it uses my phones internet connection to stay online. I tried to find an app that does this, but could not find any.
Any help is much appreciated! I do not wish to buy Nexus 4 at the moment because it isn't much of an improvement and sending it back to UK for warranty seems like a huge mess that I would rather avoid for now.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, try pgm (slide 2 wake).
Secondly, why can't you root the device? Once you have your screen on, you can turn on USB debugging, and use to it reboot to recovery or fastboot.
Third, there's some experience from users that fixed their own device's power button.
Sent from my Nexus

Buy a new power button and put it in.
For Toro & Toroplus:
http://www.etradesupply.com/oem-samsung-galaxy-nexus-sch-i515-power-button-flex-cable-ribbon.html
For everything else:
http://www.parts4repair.com/samsung-galaxy-nexus-i9250-power-flex-cable/

kristovaher said:
It seems that my power button has died on my Galaxy Nexus, which is a huge pain in the strategical locations. While I know how to turn the phone off should it shut down, I have no idea how to handle anything else. I have my friends CALL ME to be able to unlock the phone and use it.
There are some apps on Android Market that specifically state that they fix power buttons, but none of them work with the latest versions of Android according to the reviews (if there's any I've missed, let me know).
I know that the phone can be turned off using a charger, since plugging it in or out makes the screen turn on. But are there other ways to turn on the screen, since it's a phone and I'm mobile most of the time?
Is there another way to remap the keys on Android? Note that I cannot root my phone, so options like that are not good either.
Is there a way to remotely turn on Android phone with a tablet through some app? Since I'm carrying my Nexus 7 with me and it uses my phones internet connection to stay online. I tried to find an app that does this, but could not find any.
Any help is much appreciated! I do not wish to buy Nexus 4 at the moment because it isn't much of an improvement and sending it back to UK for warranty seems like a huge mess that I would rather avoid for now.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a similar problem with my Samsung Captivate a long time ago. I used WidgetLocker and enabled volume wake function. It uses volume buttons to wake the screen. I'm not sure if this feature is still available, but it's worth a try. If it is not, you can ask for a refund. There are also several apps/widgets to put the phone to sleep. I used this combo for a few months before I got a new phone. Hope this helps :fingers-crossed:

I still haven't found a solution and these apps that say they are a solution, do not work on latest versions of Android. Any other options?

kristovaher said:
I still haven't found a solution and these apps that say they are a solution, do not work on latest versions of Android. Any other options?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
download intellicover app from play store. does not require root

i think pgm is the solution, but you have to root the phone

I've managed to fix my power button recently, its a hardware problem. Do this only if you dont have warranty and are comfortable with opening up your Nexus.
Go to iFixit website and follow instructions to dissassemble the Nexus, its quite easy, a few screws and flat cable disconnects. Next, you need to remove your power button flex cable from the motherboard, do this by lifting the cable connector on the motherboard up and pulling it gently out.
Next thing is a bit tricky and you need to have pretty good sight and precision.
On the flex cable the button consists of 2 pieces, the flex cable and the button itself, which is like a black sticker sticked on the flex cable.
I've removed the sticker and the button that is glued to it with a scalpel (careful!!) and I've found actually rust and dirt on contacts (dunno how rust got there, i have expected dirt only), and then with my scalpel I've carefully scratched the dirt and rust of both parts of the button and its contacts on the flex cable. After that I've put the black sticker back on the flex as it was before (if it wont glue tape it with a small piece of tape) and return everything where it was and assemble Nexus back togeather. And voila! It works!
Keep in mind that I didn't have warranty so it was either open up and try to repair or toss a $200 device. Also, I'm not responsible for any damage that you do to your phone, this is just a brief description of my power button fix. Hope there will be more successful repairs :fingers-crossed:

I had to use volume_wake, while waiting for replacement power button. But this feature does not present on stock roms.

I believe i've read about remapping the hardware buttons; if you're interested, search google. I personally prefer and use smart screen on. I just wave over the proximity sensor and the screen turns on.

Try procedure described here: http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-nexus/700265-power-button-not-working.html#post5797688.
I was very skeptical, but it indeed worked on my phone. Power button started to act normally again! I was amazed!

Wlld1 said:
I had to use volume_wake, while waiting for replacement power button. But this feature does not present on stock roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be the easiest thing to do if you're already rooted
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

dj_chapz said:
On the flex cable the button consists of 2 pieces, the flex cable and the button itself, which is like a black sticker sticked on the flex cable.
I've removed the sticker and the button that is glued to it with a scalpel (careful!!) and I've found actually rust and dirt on contacts (dunno how rust got there, i have expected dirt only), and then with my scalpel I've carefully scratched the dirt and rust of both parts of the button and its contacts on the flex cable. After that I've put the black sticker back on the flex as it was before (if it wont glue tape it with a small piece of tape) and return everything where it was and assemble Nexus back togeather. And voila! It works! D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for this! Mine just died an hour ago and I have already fixed it in under 20 minutes.

doomed151 said:
Thank you so much for this! Mine just died an hour ago and I have already fixed it in under 20 minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to be of help :good:

Solved the same problem with dj_chapz suggestion posted here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41282390&postcount=8
After I split in half the button I found oxidized contacts with green and black scurf. Cleaned it with little amount of ethyl - works perfectly!

dj_chapz said:
I've managed to fix my power button recently, its a hardware problem. Do this only if you dont have warranty and are comfortable with opening up your Nexus.
Go to iFixit website and follow instructions to dissassemble the Nexus, its quite easy, a few screws and flat cable disconnects. Next, you need to remove your power button flex cable from the motherboard, do this by lifting the cable connector on the motherboard up and pulling it gently out.
Next thing is a bit tricky and you need to have pretty good sight and precision.
On the flex cable the button consists of 2 pieces, the flex cable and the button itself, which is like a black sticker sticked on the flex cable.
I've removed the sticker and the button that is glued to it with a scalpel (careful!!) and I've found actually rust and dirt on contacts (dunno how rust got there, i have expected dirt only), and then with my scalpel I've carefully scratched the dirt and rust of both parts of the button and its contacts on the flex cable. After that I've put the black sticker back on the flex as it was before (if it wont glue tape it with a small piece of tape) and return everything where it was and assemble Nexus back togeather. And voila! It works!
Keep in mind that I didn't have warranty so it was either open up and try to repair or toss a $200 device. Also, I'm not responsible for any damage that you do to your phone, this is just a brief description of my power button fix. Hope there will be more successful repairs :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did this repair and I have large clumbsy fingers. thank you! I just had to remove corrosion between the button contacts and around. i dabbed nail polish remover (i'm not sure if that is a bad idea or not, but it got my phone working!) and did a little bit of scraping. on my sch-i515 there was a some clear plastic folded over the back sticker part that i had to get up, then i was able to get the black part up without having to fully remove it.

[Q] Transplant Surgery - T999 mainboard into SCH-I535/SPH-L710 body

I have been looking around, but no place specifically answers this exact question.
Long story short I have a t-mobile Mainboard that I want to save from a phone with a broken screen that I have. From what I understand the other components work as well (camera, speaker and whatever else). I understand that I can purchase an LCD/digitizer with assembly and carefully place the components into there to make sure the phone works but it would cost me around $120 for the parts + whatever time it takes me to replace the components. My second option which I am asking to see if it is indeed possible, would be to take the mainboard from the T-999 and replace it with a SCH-I535/SPH-L710 that I would purchase (most likely with bad ESN - costing me the same amount) but it would mean that I would not have to deal with screen replacement and I have a higher likelihood of having a good quality screen. (I have never been happy with the quality of screen replacements from ebay). It makes no difference if it doesn't work, but someone with the experience of working with different models should be able to answer this question.

Why not buy T999 with bad ESN ?

Perseus71 said:
Why not buy T999 with bad ESN ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am trying but T999 with bad IMEI's are not only more expensive but a lot of them also have broken screens so im back where I started. I am just stating these two because I can find them cheaply and easy to find as well.

In that case, you could try taking the Display & Digitizer from those phones and put it in your phone. Don't try to transplant your motherboard into that phone unless you have a good reason to do so.

It functions but you have to use a case and...
I did this a about a week ago. Here's how it went.
I bought a SPH-L710 without realizing it did not have a sim card slot. The screen had one slight crack and everything else worked.
After receiving it, I bought a T999 with a cracked screen/ non-working digitizer and everything else worked (the seller heard sounds when it powered on.)
I disassembled both and put the T999 mainboard on the L710 screen digitizer. Most of the screws line up. The two screws that don't line up are:
1. at the bottom near the TOP of the USB port. The hole in the board and the hole in the digitizer are on opposite sides of the USB port. This cannot be remedied, where the screw goes through the board, there's no hole on the digitizer, and you can't put a hole through the mainboard to meet up with the one on the digitizer. You could try but I think there's a circuit on the board there, or not enough room.
The two holes on the SIDES of the USB port will line up only when you squeeze thee mainboard and digitizer together while installing the screws.
2. on the side near the power button, there is a screw that goes there, but on the T999 mainboard near where the screw goes, there's something that looks like a button cell battery about 3mm wide and 1.5-2mm tall. It stuck in a hole made for it in the T999 digitizer, but the L710 digitizer does not have a recess in it to fit this button cell so the T999 mainboard sticks up slightly, enough that if you put the screw in the hole in the side, then the power switch on the mainboard will not stick down far enough, and when you push the power button on the outside of the case, it won't engage the power switch on the mainboard. To remedy this, leave out the screw on the side of the mainboard.
Because the mainboard is slightly bent due to the button cell battery, you need to have a case that compresses the phone together so the power button will engage the power switch properly. I used a "waterproof" chinese knockoff case I got on e$ay for $13. It's not waterproof, but the phone didn't get ruined even thought I tested the waterproof-ness of the case before I put the phone in and it passed, so maybe a genuine otterbox case would have been better. But the case does OK to compress everything enough that the power button and power switch work all the time. With the case on, you can't tell the phone is missing screws internally.
Verdict: everything works properly except the camera doesn't focus properly, it only works in Macro focus, I don't know if I should take the camera module from the L710 and try it or if it won't move because of the stress of the mainboard being slightly bent all time due to the button cell battery. It did focus properly for the few few days I had it.
One other issue: I can't get Windows 7 to recognize it, so I can't use Odin to root it, I've tried all the drivers, I've tried all the modes. I have no idea if this is a Windows issue or if it is somehow caused by the Frankenstein's Monster-ness of the hardware.
So yes, it can be done, with a "rugged" style case and with a few issues. I have no experience with the I535 at all.
I hope this helps,
rollinns

I could not have asked for a better reply. Thanks so much!!!!

Glad I could help
I was looking for this info about 3 weeks ago and didn't really look that hard since i was pretty sure everyone would give me the same replies you got before I replied. But for my entire life I've been asking questions no one else has asked, so I'm used to just having to do stuff to get answers. In this case, it helped you too.
If I had to do it over again, I think I'd try the whole process w/o the L710 parts. Maybe the I535 will work, and I still could drill a recess into the L710 digitizer if I had a mill, but I don't have access to mine now and won't for a while, and I'm not sure I trust the drill press to not crack the digitizer.
Also - NFC is less reliable than it was with my S2, meaning it doesn't work all the time - it's harder to beam contact info to another phone, but QI wireless charging works flawlessly.
My hope is to put some NFC tags in the truck along with a wireless charger so I can listen to internet radio as I drive, i.e. - a tag to turn off wifi, turn on bluetooth, turn on the app that streams music to my JVC car stereo and turn on the "TuneIn" app. and then I can still charge my phone without worrying about wires.

[FIX] The way to fix the infamous Power Off Loop Issue

**Just to be clear, I am not responsible for anything that goes wrong with your device but actually, your phone is pretty much useless with this issue if it isn't fixed so lets just give it a shot like I did**
So I bet a couple of you guys may heard of this issue, I'll be giving the link on what this issue is about (if i can find the link).
Do note that this fix will result in damaging the exterior of your phone if you don't do this carefully. Lastly before we begin, you'll lose a power button completely and switching it on requires your phone Charger and a few button combinations
Now in order to fix this, you'll need
• A plus-tipped screwdriver
• A flat head screwdriver (bigger ones are prefered)
• Your "unusable" Galaxy W
• A whole lot of patience
1st step is easy, just disassemble your phone till you have removed the Main Board. There is a guide you can follow to do this on YouTube by the Channel L355ON5 if im not mistaken
2ndly, when you get to the main board, flip over your board such that the main camera module is faced down.
3rdly, you're gonna find your power switch. When you found it, you can see that it is made of 2 colours orange and white.
4th, heres the tricky part, use your flathead screwdriver and apply pressure and scrape off the white part of the switch COMPLETELY. Its okay if you damaged your power switch because you won't need it anyways.
To check if your phone is fixed, you can clip the Display's flex cable into the main board, and then use your battery and connect it to the 3 pin contacts. If your phone did not boot, thats good news because from Keith's post (if you can find it) we know that if you try to insert the battery in the phone, it will automatically switch on by itself and that means that you haven't fix the issue nor solve anything really.
So lets say everything went correctly as mentioned above, you can now screw the parts back together.
So to turn your phone ON, connect your Phone to youe wall plug and then quickly press the button combination keys for going to Recovery Mode upon switching on you your wall plug switch. You shld then be able to go to Recovery Mode and reboot your device
Now all of this may sound scary to you but I've done all of these steps and I got my Wonder back exactly a year after I broke it. :sly:
Galaxy W 8150 Disassembly & Assembly: http://youtu.be/ZjcucJDzfmk
How to Easily Fix Defective Power Switch/Button for the Galaxy S3: http://youtu.be/3Glllc7bEJs
These 2 videos are where you should be watching before trying in case gd luck

Replace Battery Guide and Question,

I recently had to replace my battery in the m8. I managed to find a retailor online, ordered it, came with a install tool and double sided tape to replace the one used before for the speaker covers on top and bottom.
There is so little into on this online, I followed a YouTube video on replacing the digitizer of the phone to learn how to open the phone to replace the battery. I can say from experience its pretty easy, more intimating then anything after watching the video first. After applying heat to phone, I used a hair dryer. Of cource removing the screws that are found after removing the speaker covers that are removed after placing heat. The video I saw suggested guitar pics. I had none and have no idea where to find them. So I used some old credit cards, along with gift cards. The phone was pretty easy to remove from shell after heat. Where I screwed up, and its not mentioned in any videos I saw. THERE IS A SMALL RIBBON THAT SPLICES FROM ANOTHER LARGER RIBBON NEAR OR EXACT LOCATION OF AUDIO BUTTONS ON SIDE OF PHONE. I believe that when opening the phone from frame I may have ripped this ribbon by opening it with a credit card and ever so silently pushing the card upwards to remove the phone from the frame. After replacing the battery and replacing the phone in frame, on first boot my audio buttons don't work. I removed the phone from frame and that's when I noticed the small ribbon that wraps around the side of the phone easily ripple able when using anything along the side of the phone to remove the frame. It's not mentioned in any videos I watched on YouTube, so BEWARE. I'm hoping if anyone knows if this ribbon is replace able and maybe how it might be replaced?? Also if anyone can confirm this ribbon is used for audio connection to buttons?? After noticing the F.UP, I can see how each connector is used to hit the audio up and down but am still puzzled as to why it needs this ribbon I believe. Would think that the audio connection after receiving a hit on up or down would send whatever signal thru the phone onto a much larger ribbon to the motherboard which is on top of the battery. Yes its the same as a small ribbon connection, but I don't see the reason of needing this separate ribbon that appears is just for audio, spliced from a larger ribbon. So I'm hoping that someone can confirm that this is the intenal setup and yes this ribbon is for audio. So that I can maybe replace it, or at least stop me from trying to figure out other reasons of why. But I at least wanted to warn other people of this before they tried to replace the battery themselves. Also if you do replace it and after booting phone on either side it appears that you damaged the digitizer cause maybe one or two buttons don't work on keyboard. Its most likely cause the screws on the frame under speaker covers are to tight. I did that also and thought I broke the digitizer removing the battery. But after removing screw's and enter the booting up the phone with no screw's but in frame, all keyboard functions worked. I then screwed each screw in and applied pressure , then turned phone on to make sure it wasn't to much. Just don't tighting screws with phone booted on, believe you could get a static charge and screw up phone. Hope this guide and question helps anyone replacing battery. Mine failed after using custom ROMs on 5.1.1 , phone began to not stayed charged for more then a hour, also wouldn't even accept a charge. Tried all other fixes, calibrating battery and all. After replacing phone works fine accept for audio which is a pain in the A$$ cause can't manually boot to bootloader on boot by hand.

[GUIDE] Poco m3 Deadboot TEMPORARY Fix

1. Open phone (watch disassembly vids online)
2. Unscrew top panel screws (except mi warranty sticker one, if you want to keep warranty)
3. Disconnect battery connector
4. Wait 20 secs
5. Keep power button pressed for 1 minute
6. Wait for 1 minute
7. Keep power button pressed and connect battery connector, then release power button after like 2-3 secs
8. Phone should be starting up (connect charger as battery may be low)
DO NOT EVER REBOOT OR SHUTDOWN THE PHONE OR YOU WILL GET THIS ISSUE!!
Note: There is a more permanent fix where you desolder some metal lids which cover the charging/logic ICs, but this guide is for those of us who can't/ can't afford to get that done.

(i made this account just for this)
thank you soo much , this worked multiple times for me , however would you mind telling me the steps for the "more permanent fix" , i have a friend at a repair center and if u tell me the steps i may be able to fix it

PhotonIce said:
1. Open phone (watch disassembly vids online)
2. Unscrew top panel screws (except mi warranty sticker one, if you want to keep warranty)
3. Disconnect battery connector
4. Wait 20 secs
5. Keep power button pressed for 1 minute
6. Wait for 1 minute
7. Keep power button pressed and connect battery connector, then release power button after like 2-3 secs
8. Phone should be starting up (connect charger as battery may be low)
DO NOT EVER REBOOT OR SHUTDOWN THE PHONE OR YOU WILL GET THIS ISSUE!!
Note: There is a more permanent fix where you desolder some metal lids which cover the charging/logic ICs, but this guide is for those of us who can't/ can't afford to get that done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i never reeboted the phone again (but when i go out on a hot day with my phone in my pocket , when i reach home it will be off , so i have to do this temporary fix again and again )

HI @zeon_ , the more permanent fix was something I saw in some yt vids online, you could probably find it easily there, I'll also link some at the end of this reply.
I wanted to mention that the fix I mentioned in my post worked for me about 3-4 times before my phone shut off and wouldnt turn on even with this fix, I ended up having to get it repaired, but it wasn't very expensive and it works perfectly fine now.
Just wanted to give you a heads up because this fix didn't work forever for me as I'd hoped it would.
I'm sure that if you have a friend at a repair centre he would be able to figure out what to do, but here are some videos anyways. Most of them target a small metal lid on the bottom left of the motherboard, some say to remove it completely while others say to only remove the two larger caps under it, then reinstall it. They all claim that the metal lid is somehow shorting with the power circuitry underneath, resulting in the deadboot issue. Some also recommened replacing the power ic which I believe is in the larger shielding with the hole in the top to its right (seen in 3rd video). You might also be able to find longer length videos online.
Again, I don't know how reliable these are, proceed at your own risk. I would recommend just handing your phone over to a recommended repairer in your area after backing up and removing your data from your phone.

PhotonIce said:
HI @zeon_ , the more permanent fix was something I saw in some yt vids online, you could probably find it easily there, I'll also link some at the end of this reply.
I wanted to mention that the fix I mentioned in my post worked for me about 3-4 times before my phone shut off and wouldnt turn on even with this fix, I ended up having to get it repaired, but it wasn't very expensive and it works perfectly fine now.
Just wanted to give you a heads up because this fix didn't work forever for me as I'd hoped it would.
I'm sure that if you have a friend at a repair centre he would be able to figure out what to do, but here are some videos anyways. Most of them target a small metal lid on the bottom left of the motherboard, some say to remove it completely while others say to only remove the two larger caps under it, then reinstall it. They all claim that the metal lid is somehow shorting with the power circuitry underneath, resulting in the deadboot issue. Some also recommened replacing the power ic which I believe is in the larger shielding with the hole in the top to its right (seen in 3rd video). You might also be able to find longer length videos online.
Again, I don't know how reliable these are, proceed at your own risk. I would recommend just handing your phone over to a recommended repairer in your area after backing up and removing your data from your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you very much