[Motorola Droid RAZR] LuckiestNut419:
Hello all,

Long time reader (reaping the benefits of others' work), first time posting, and boy have I done it this time.

Device: Droid RAZR

Rooted using DooMLorD v4, Safestrapped, dual boot between stock rom (JB OTA) and Avatar 3.0.1.

I was going to generously lend my phone to a friend, and wanted to (for easier UI purposes) return the phone to bone-stock w/ JB; this backfired. I got into a rush, and attempted to RSD 5.7 back to CDMA 9.8.2O... with 30% battery. I mean, hey, it's a RAZR right? Should be plenty! Got stuck at 11/16 (system.img). The phone, along with any power management software, took a nose-dive.

Now I'm stuck in Boot Failure, Low Battery, blah blah blah.

Let's clear the usual suspects for solutions, before I waste anyone's time.

Method 1)

On the last leg of battery life, re-flash using RSD Lite 5.7- halted at 6/11 (did not note which step that was).

FAILED

Method 2)

Use MATTLGROFF's utility in AP Fastboot (wipe data/don't wipe data). At first reboot, processes stop. Phone shows Low Battery. (Clearly, by this time, the power management software was gone/corrupted.) I attempted some of the suggested methods of 3-button reboots, switching from AC to USB, etc., to complete Matt's utility to no avail, and phone would still not charge.

FAILED

Method 3) At this point, I teetered between getting nothing out of the phone (regardless of power source) and getting to the Boot Menu (boot failure on every option.. whether Invalid Flash Mode, general boot failure, or complete power off, which is the case with BP Only option.) I decided to try my hand at making the DIY Factory Data Cable (as popularized by MotoCache1 over at DroidForums.net) and try tricking the phone into thinking there was adequate battery life to flash, providing the required power through USB. I consider my soldering pretty clean, and ensured to never cross wires. Using multiple USB ports, transferring between AC and USB, and even various boot menu options, I was never able to get the RAZR to display "Battery OK" utilizing the custom cable. I used a multimeter to confirm each wire and associated color (standard R/B/W/G) matched the A and B pins. Using the cable that came with my SGS III made this much easier, BTW, as pins 1, 2, 4, and 5 are all marked and have existing solder points (they're even color coded!). Pin 3 was the trickster, but not impossible.

FAILED

Method 4) I broke my own rules, and pried off the back of the phone. Exposing the +/-, I touch-charged the battery for two hours using the red and black wires from a USB cable plugged into my laptop. Phone has maintained Battery OK coming off AC, but displays Low Battery when entering boot menu on USB or standalone. Computer always recognizes device, and device will remain in failed boot as long as it's plugged in (seemingly indefinitely, if it's drawing power from the USB port).

FAILED

(However, I will consider charging the battery for longer, I'm just not willing to leave it unattended.)

I can't give enough thanks to Matt and Moto for their efforts, along with all of those involved in the development products I've pillaged over the last couple of years. I'm certain that their has been user error all along the way, but I'm having trouble isolating my mistakes. I'm afraid every step I took was like putting gas on the fire. Hindsight is 20/20, I should have reverted to Stock ROM (partition 1) and told him to ignore the SU, Safestrap, etc. Any insight that anyone could provide would be most appreciated!

(Oh, and to clarify, insurance was never an option. The RAZR took my Fascinate's place as my fun-phone.)

EDIT

Method 5) The "cocktail" method, a work-around from making a DIY factory data cable. Using a generic micro usb cable (though I feel any USB, mini, or micro would do the trick), I twisted together the black (negative) and white (acting as the ground), and twisted into a loop. I did the same with the red (positive), and screwed the wires into the PHONE contacts, while removing and isolating the battery, as shown below in scott2hot97's pictures. (Same method can be used, once the phone has successfully booted, to gain enough battery charge to unplug, return to normal connection, and plug into AC charger.) Then, by plugging into any usb port on the computer, adequate power was supplied for the phone to show "Battery OK" in AP Fastboot option. THEN, using a true OEM Motorola cable, I was able to RSD back to JB, and my phone is getting a thorough jucing with an AC charger as I type this. Many thanks to scott2hot97 for the advice on hardwiring to the phone, and thank you to the developers who provided the information for me to go back to stock to begin with. Good luck!

Success!