yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Minimalist360:
Newer phones working again?

I had a captivate dated 8-11-2010 that ended up bricked with no 3-button. I went back to where I got it and went through a pile of returns with the guy. I found and older one from July that the 3-button works on, the other 8-11s they have there were all 3-button disabled.

Has anyone gotten a newer one where the mode is re-enabled? Or is this a thing where they're doing this to disable the rooting/tethering abilities so they can make more dirty cash and the US population isn't loud enough to get a fix?

The guy said he'd get me a newer one, but I'm at the end of my 30 days next week and i'm sick of screwing around. I'd rather move to another carrier if AT&T has no intention of fixing things.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] shamelin73:
Just got off the phone with Samsung USA and the said that the would not issue a RMA as they are working on this issue. They would not say if there was an update scheduled but did say that a fix will be out soon.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DemonWav:
Could it be possible that the bad "batch" of phones is actually just 08-11-2010 - Now? What if Samsung was lying, or was to lazy to actually fix the bad "batch" of phones. If your phone is above 08-11-2010, and it does have the three button combo, please post!

I think I'm gonna do that, probably better than going to the AT&T store.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Kaik541:
linkified

also, as stated in that thread, it was a fix released BY SAMSUNG through Kies (meaning firmware update, probably of just the bml file).

now, their method will NOT work with our phones (that would just be too simple), but if Samsung has found a way to fix this for them and are aware of it's problem on other phones (including the i9000, vibrant, and captivate) a fix for ours should be available eventually. that is a release for an unbranded phone, though samsung's is specifically for the bell vibrant i9000m

I'm sure if your phone doesn't have the option now, if you sit tight it should soon (ideally sooner rather than later)
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] peachpuff:
My cal date is 2010.7.3 and i can't get into recovery mode using the 3 button trick.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] pokedoke:
Mine is 8.7.2010... Looks like we have a new starting date. I'll retry usb plug-in method with volume up and down when I get home to verify disability.

UPDATE: Yes, does not work... though I just noticed the guy above me making my first sentence moot.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] WalMarx:
Is there ANY way to flash back to stock without using DL mode/ODIN? That would help those of us who got dicked with the 3 button method immensely.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] pokedoke:
As far as I know, no.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Zilch25:
Depends on how dicked you are. If you're caught in a bootloop you should still be able to use adb to invoke download mode by installing adb (if you havent already) attaching your phone to USB and typing: adb reboot download

If your phone is trapped pre-boot or at a black screen/phone-computer screen then yes, you're totally an utterly boned
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DemonWav:
I didn't realize I could do that. Never thought that my phone might still be connected to my computer. Well, it's to late, hopefully tomorrow when I get my new Captivate, I can find one that has the 3 button combo. But even if I do, I still would really like a fix for this to be found/Samsung make a fix, because I know exactly how those people without the combo feel. :(
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Zilch25:
Just depends on where it's locked, sometimes the phone hangs up in a bootloop where it continues to show the ATT logo or the S while it fails to find a file it needs to init. During that time the phone can still be contacted via USB, and adb is able to invoke a recovery or download mode reset. It all depends on where your hangup occurs
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kylelipp:
With my first brick I had Unleash the Beast tool flashed for a couple of days before I stupidly flashed SRE w/o using ODIN first.

How risky is it to try to flash roms/root/lagfixes with out the 3 button method?
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] veedub1991:
my RF CAL DATE is 07-29-2010, and my 3 button mode does not work. I've tried 3 and 2 button way and neither work.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bobbylx:
Wow, these dates are going all over the place now. So, there was either something messed up with one of their factories or it's just completely random. Right now the earliest date is 7-3-2010 and latest 8-24-2010. But not all in that range are bad, mine is 7-11-2010 and works fine.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] failboats:
I'm at 2010.7.5 and I've been able to flash. Running SRE 1.2.3 c. Used the two button USB method and it worked fine.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] xtremekilla09:
I want to confirm the above stated method works for me also.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I really mean it. You sir are my Hero!

This is my third brand new captivate (yes third!) and this method worked for me. I bought my first one on Sept 7, then got it replaced because I bricked it and could not get into recovery. Then this morning I was doing a factory reset using the option in the privacy settings and it gave me the blank screen. Naturally, I got that replaced.

So now here I am sitting with my brand new cappy and I thought to my self there has to be a way to get into the recovery. So, I start reading this thread from the beginning and what do I have at Post#9, only the best way to get into recovery. (Oh, by the way, I made sure my RF cal date was before 8-11-2010, I did this in-store by telling the rep that samsung instructed me to do so)

My RF cal date is 8-2-2010

If anyone wants to know more information about this, I would be glad to share, so we can get a better understanding.

Once again, XDA to the rescue.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] xtremekilla09:
Forgot to mention in the last post, but the timing was the most crucial thing in my point of view. So, all of you who are having the same problem, should try to give it a shot.

Again,

1) Power off phone.

2) Hold volume down and up, then hold power.

3) As soon as you see the At&t splash screen, let go of the power button only.

4) 2-3 seconds later let go of the volume rocker.

5) The At&t splash screen will stay on for a few seconds and then the recovery menu should show up.

I really hope this works for you guys as well. I know it sounds like I am beating the same old drum, but I believe timing was the key.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DemonWav:
Since yours is working, go over here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=785201 and see if you can help out. There isn't a fix up for the Captivate yet, but if you could give the OP some dump file (not sure what it is) he might be able to work one out. Just go and ask if you can help out, please.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ianwood:
Tried this exactly as you described. Results in a normal boot for me. No recovery menu.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] xtremekilla09:
damn, sorry to hear that
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] XanderCorp:
The traditional 3 button method does not work on my Captivate. 8-13-2010. Poopy.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] toawkanavngthded:
same for me.... close but no cigar.... ggggrrrrrr
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kamce:
Until this morning, I have been struggling to get into download mode but I have been always been able to get into recovery mode. So after reading through this thread, I decided to try a new approach.

My RF cal date is 7-21-2010.

Here is what is working for me:

Power off phone

Enter recovery mode via 3-button

From within recovery mode, Select Reboot system now.

Right after selecting reboot now, hold down the Volume up/down until it enters Downloading mode

Hopefully this will work for others who are able to get into recovery mode but not download mode via 3-button.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tazman171:
I noticed after the I-9000 kernel completly screwed my phones power button; as well as the tilt sensors, speaker, microphone, bluetooth, proximity sensor, light sensor... well you get it; that vol down after pulling the battery and replacing it wo go to download mode every time. My build is 7-18-2010 though.

Alternativly, you could go here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=775154 for Fr4ggor's SGS Tools. It lets you make shortcuts for reboot, recovery and download and put them where ever you want along with a lot of other info and tools. Been using it since v 3.0 and he just added it to the markert at v 3.6.2. It might help you out, did for me.

Oh yeah, great support and totally free/ no ads.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dwmoss:
rf cal date of 8/2/10 3 button combo works
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] hollowayXDA:
Like someone else in this topic, I managed to completely brick my phone trying to undo a lagfix. It just gets the white AT&T screen, flashes back to black for a second, then goes to the AT&T screen again... over and over and over.

Tried every variation of every method to get it to do anything, and nothing at all works. Still just loops the AT&T boot screen. No idea what my RF cal date is, I never checked it.

I guess I'll try to take my phone to the AT&T store today to see if I can get it replaced...
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] xtremekilla09:
Yup, that's what happened to me.

I think you should be able to replace it.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] hollowayXDA:
Just got a new Caprivatr from the AT&T store with zero hassle. This one has an rf cal date of 8.20, and so far no luck on getting into recovery with button combos. At this point i strongly doubt its a "bad batch" or a mistake. Seems deliberate on someone's part to dissuade hackers.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dave1977nj:
I hope someone makes a fix for this for us who that the 3 button disabled :cool:
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] loserskater:
I just got my captivate yesterday and the 3/2 button combo wasn't working for me, but the SGS tools from the market works. Just add the recovery reboot widget.

EDIT: Cal date is 8-23
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] hollowayXDA:
Sure, there are plenty of ways to boot into recovery if your phone isn't already borked. :)
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tazman171:
Well maybe SGS tools might keep that from happening as much in the future, you can look at it in that perspective. This has been a known issue since the day after cappys with those dates and up were released. If someone still decides to play knowing that info, they got to know the risk are high that their phone could get "borked"

Even if some comes out with an actual rewrite of the hardware routines, the borked phone will still be a borked phone. For now there a people writing the software work- arounds to this issue and that a step towards putting it together. If it's fubar'd now, it will be then too. LOL, sick thought, imagine the graveyard of Galaxy S's already, parts for replacement now and barely hours old.. :(
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DemonWav:
That's not going to help you if you brick your phone, unfortunately.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nuwayman:
just got a captivate a week ago. the 3 button combo worked to get into recovery mode. just checked my rf date too. it is 8/11/2010.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] AW794:
8-15 here 3 button not working

Edit: Think this is something that might be fixed in 2.2? Or is it completely separate
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dave1977nj:
I would like to play around with firmwares but without my 3-button working im not going to even try... my turn my phone into a paper weight
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dave1977nj:
I talked to them today got a RMA and sent it in try to call again. It may depend on who you talk to also. I told them that It was not working and I was afraid if i get an over the air update and something goes wrong I can not do a backup. They said 2 days to get to them 2 days to process the phone reflash and test 2 days back so im figuring by monday because UPS dosen't deliver on sundays. I will post back my results when I get it and the RF CAL date.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DemonWav:
Funny how they allot 2 days for each step when they could do it in an hour...
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] C3P0LOL:
My RF date is 8-12. I called Samsung about the problem, and they told me they couldn't help me out. I tried to give them the excuse about being afraid if something happens with an update yada yada yada. I explained that samsung canada seemed to acknowledge the issue, and released a fix. The lady basically told me no dice...
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] xtremekilla09:
I think it is safe to say that all captivates with a RF cal date of Aug 11 or after have no button combos.

I have read about people with RF cal dates in June, that also dont work. So, its all over the place. Sheeeesh!! Samsung is really inconsistent here.

BTW, My RF Cal date is Aug 2 - combos work!
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] malfuncion:
You need to call again. I was able to setup an RMA for my second device I had before trying to swap at an AT&T store. I had to get to a level 3 "technician". He stepped me through and no dice. After a 20 minute conversation I asked about an RMA, he originally said its not an RMA'able problem after arguing it was, he then put me on hold and came back to say an RMA was able and they would reflash my device at the factory. I told him I was a dev and needed the download/recovery modes for wiping cache and for flashing the firmwares for testing when they are released from Samsung. YOU MUST BE FIRM WITH THEM. Don't let them tell you it isnt capable of RMA, it is! Watch what you say and how you say it, its all about social engineering your way into an RMA :)

Well, that isnt so true. I have an RF date of 8.14.2010 and mine works. This is my 4th Cappy. My first three where 8.2, 8.11, and I dont remember the third but it was 8 something. This last phone however does work flawlessly and is good to go with an 8.14. I was able to take all mine into AT&T stores saying I already called samsung and they suggested I go to an AT&T for a swap. I told the guy in the store I was a dev and needed the recovery mode for that reason- I also stated it was an ABSOLUTE MUST that it worked. I showed them the floor model which worked perfect and said it has to do that (they wont know what recovery or download mode is unless you show them). I had the guy bring otu 3 boxes and luckily on the first one we got a winner. Good luck to all my no-3-button cappy brothers, hopefully Samsung US will own up to the "problem" like Samsung Canda did and offer a fix- however not so sure it will fix with a firmware flash. I think the problem lies lower than this in the Samsung Recovery (2e) part. Think bios on a pc, however I'm not a true dev so I am only making an educated guess.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] C3P0LOL:
If I can talk them into an RMA, do I need to reflash to stock and remove root?
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bobbylx:
It would probably be a good idea to do that. But if your buttons don't work for you be VERY careful flashing.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] C3P0LOL:
Will they not even look at it if I don't unroot it? it still has the original ROM on it, it's just rooted so I could sideload and get rid of the ATT crap.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] shamelin73:
Does the new ATT update fix this?
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] paincorp:
what new att update?
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ianwood:
I have not tried the official AT&T update but there is nothing about a 3 button recovery fix in the release notes. And since it goes by the same JH7 identifier as the leaked ROM being tested by many here, I think it is safe to say that it is most likely NOT fixed in this update.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] unsekure:
My phone never had the 3 button thing working and I bricked it a few times (the phone computer icon too). I just remove all battery and charger, then plug the usb cable with the power + volume down buttons pressed. And it goes into downliaf mode, no problem. I dont ubderstand all the "zomg, no 3 button = world is lost" thing. Please enlighten me if i am missing something.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bobbylx:
Most call it 3 button or whatever, but it is the procedure you did. Hold Vol up + Vol dwn or any combination of those to access recovery or download. Some phones this does not work at all, either by accident or on purpose from samsung. The people that have these phones have been running into problems after modding, normal boot loops and stuff, but cannot get into download mode to reflash because buttons are completely disabled. These are the first real bricks so far.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] shamelin73:
My phone will not go into either of the modes. The only way for me to envoke the DL or recovery is though ADB.

I have already exchanged it once at Costco but the second one is the same. Samsung said I can send it in for reflash but I cant be without a phone for a week.

ATT said I can do a warranty exchange but dont want a refreb phone as I just bought this thing.

Please let me know that this will be fixed.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] paincorp:
i'm on the phone with samsung right now, they've put me on hold and transfered me to the people to tell me where and how to send the phone to them for them to fix it.

and then i was denied since i wasn't the initial purchaser....
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DemonWav:
Just run Odin 1-click, and you will be good.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mike_terror:
Is it possible to have this fixed by a developer in the future without going through RMA?

As of right now there is no solution huh?
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DemonWav:
People are working on it.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mike_terror:
demonwav, did you end up returning your captivate that didnt work with the 3 button hardware, or are did you keep it?
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jeepsdaddy:
Just bought a Captivate cal date 8.24.10 ....

Recovery 3 button combo worked.... I think its in the art of how you do it.

I tested 8.21, 8.10, 8.17, & 7.21 in the store and they all worked. The representative thought I was insane but was willing to learn for future customers. Pretty cool. I love walmart...
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jeepsdaddy:
Also for those who don't know....

Go to the odin one click forum... You will see combinations for getting into download mode if bricked.....
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mike_terror:
Mine is 8.20 ;(

Btw, what is the "art" that you use in getting yours to boot up recovery / download mode. I've tried almost everything, must use adb.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DemonWav:
I returned it after I bricked it but the AT&T person refused to let me check the phone first...
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ianwood:
Yes but what is being worked on now is a workaround and not a fix. The difference being that workaround doesn't protect against issues that occur very early in the boot sequence so you can still end up with a brick in some scenarios. You can also accidentally undo the workaround.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mike_terror:
what about you ianwood, did you end up exchanging ur captivate for one that has a working 3 button recovery/download?

I'm wondering if I should exchange mine, already went through 3, this one is the best minus the 3 button recovery. Manufactured in 8/20/10, afraid the newer ones will all be the same
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] acardinale:
2010.8.9 - 3 button works.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] shamelin73:
Just exchanged the for my third.

This one is dated 8.4.2010

all modes work as they should
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] scott2ride:
The method you used doesnt work for me. but this DOES WORK.

Slight variation....

1) Power off phone.

2) Hold volume down and up, then hold power.

3) Keep all 3 buttons pressed even when you see the At&t splash screen.

4) Screen will go black for a few seconds then let go of the power button after AT&T appears the second time.

4) 2-3 seconds later let go of the volume buttons.

5) The recovery menu should show up in a few seconds.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mike_terror:
Tried this exactly as you said, but still no dice :/
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ianwood:
Exactly the same for me too. 3rd one. I will likely exchange it tomorrow (last of my 30 days). Easy to check if the replacement supports 3 button but not so easy to check if it will shut itself off several times a day as my old one did. Here's to hoping I get one without any issues.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] C3P0LOL:
The new OTA update fixes the issue. I now have the three button recovery. I get update failed at 100%, but when the phone reboots I have JH7 and the ability to go into three button recovery.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] brafrog:
Have exchanged two, 3rd one works with RF CAL DATE 8.19.2010 :)
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] paincorp:
can anyone confirm this?
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Uncle Irish:
Confirmed

It does enable the 3 finger salute
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mike_terror:
Wait wait wait.... so the new AT&T OTA will allow the 3 button recovery/download to work for people who can't before?

What if you end up flashing to a different ROM in the future, and then brick your phone from there. How will the OTA still be there to allow the 3 button recovery.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] C3P0LOL:
Someone should test that.....

Not me...
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] paincorp:
well if it's applied as deep in the system as it should be that shouldn't be an issue, at least from my understanding...
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] driike:
thats funny that the ota fixes this problem when its what bricked my 2nd one lol. guess i'm off to att in the mornin
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Chargerdude70:
+1

applied OTA this morning on my stock, non 3 button recovery phone and lord and behold.... 3 button.... yaaaa..... hoooooo
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] qwertyaas:
Does anyone know if this is in the FW or it applies it deep in the system files so even when flashing another FW, the 3 button recovery will still be there?
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] n19htmare:
Well finally got mine working. here's my story (yes it's been posted in other threads).

I did the root when I got the phone. I cancelled the original OTA update for reasons I don't know.

then I tried 3 button combo and IT DIDN'T WORK!

I tried to do the update again and kept getting communications error .

I tried to flash the JH7 ROM, that still didn't fix it.

Used Odin3 to go back to stock and try to update, this time it downloaded the update but crashed at 50%, JH7 never installed (said JM6 in about). But low an behold, that 50% somehow fixed the 3 buttom combo!

went back and flashed Cog 2.1 and 3 button still works!!!

ANYWAYSS, my question is that I have clockwork recovery install but when I do the three button, it ALWAYS goes to stock recovery? Is this normal?
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ootz0rz:
I've got a captivate where the 3 button recovery nor the download mode would work out of the box. I've updated it to JH7 via Kies and no dice - they still don't work.

*edit* Note: I haven't applied any mods, didn't root, nothing. It's just JH7 with a few apps I've downloaded from Market.
[Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Joe1981AL:
SWEET, tried all other methods listed in other post... this is the one that worked for me into download mode...

I can only enter download mode with the steps below.

Phone off

Remove battery, sim, microsd

Hold volume buttons

Plug in USB

Plug in battery