Fix 3-Button Combo Download & Recovery Mode In Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000

By Aatif Khan on Nov 10 2010 75 Comments

There was an unlucky batch of some Samsung GT-I9000 Galaxy S phones that cannot be put into download and recovery modes using the standard three-button combos. This poses a huge problem for the users of these phones, as they cannot literally apply any mods, leaked firmware etc whatsoever.

The problem is caused by a faulty SBL (secondary bootloader) in these devices. Luckily, a fix exists for this issue, involving flashing a custom ‘fixed’ secondary bootloader to your device, that should enable the 3-button combos once again.

Discalimer: Please note this process is highly dangerous, and can permanently brick your device if not follow properly. While the success rate is over 99%, proceed at your own risk.The instructions provided herein are ‘as is’ only, with no liability on AddictiveTips part.

Pre-requisites:

Make sure that you have:

  • Samsung drivers preinstalled (verify this by checking that Kies actually recognizes your phone)
  • ADB installed on your machine (refer to this guide here to ensure that)
  • USB Debugging mode turned on in device’s settings (go to “Settings –> Applications –> Development” menu)
  • Without plugging in the USB cable, type *#0228# in the phone dialer, and ensure that Voltage value is AT LEAST 3800 (mV). (This must be done WITHOUT plugging in the USB cable).
  • Odin3 Multi-downloader v1.3 (can be downloaded here)
  • Modified SBL tar file (Download here)
  • Removed SIM and external microSD cards

When all set, start Odin in administrator mode (or run it with an admin account). Load the downloaded TAR file as PDA, and make sure that Re-partition is UNCHECKED and Phone Bootloader Update is CHECKED.

image

Now plug the USB cable into the phone. Start a new command prompt window and navigate to the folder/directory where you have installed ADB.

Put the phone in download mode using adb method. Enter the following command:

adb reboot download

This will put your phone in download mode. Check Odin now, and if ID:COM has turned yellow, you’re good to go. (Again ensure that you have not selected any other files that the one in PDA, and that re-partition and bootloader update options are correct)

Once you’re satisfied, press the Start button on Odin. The flash will take about three seconds, after which your phone will reboot automatically.

That’s it. This should fix your download and recovery mode 3-button combo issue. You can now apply any mods with the normal procedure.

Reference:

To go in Download mode, press and hold Volume Down + Home + Power Button

For Recovery mode, press and hold Volume Up + Home + Power Button

Also check out our guide on flashing Froyo on your Samsung Galaxy S phone via Odin.

[VIA XDA]
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  • Adeyemi Lekan

    Hello There, I recently Upgrade my Samsung galaxy S Bell to gingerbread and which is wrong firmware to the phone, But after a while it started bricking. And now my phone can only enter download mode. Pls what can i do to get back a perfect firmware for my Bell phone.

    Thanks

    Lekan

  • Adeyemi Lekan

    I Recently upgrade my Phone ( Samsung Galaxy S Canada Bell) to Gingerbread which i later discorverd that it was a wrong firmware to it. Now the state of my phone is, It can only enter to Download Mode, So i tried To downgrade back to JH2 which is original firmware of Canada Bell. After using Odin PIT 215, after downgrading the phone can now it never reboot it self but it only get back to recovery mode.
    If i click reboot, it will show S logo and everything will become blank.

    Pls some one tell me what to to get my phone working perfectly.

    Thanks

  • Thomas

    Thanks man, best guide for doing this on the internet.

  • BRICKED

    LIKE MENTIONED ABOVE, DO NOT TRY THIS IF YOU JUST GOT A NEW SAMSUNG GALAXY S 4G – IT WILL HARD BRICK YOUR PHONE. YOU HAVE NOW BEEN WARNED.

  • Apolo

    EYYYYYYYYYY you just saved my phone :D thanks a lot… you are the best man

  • Juanin

    Confirmed to be working on I9000T, thank you VERY much!!! :)

  • Juanpa

    Thanks man! Worked flawlessly, you’re a genius!

  • Stanley

    I did what’s mentioned above on my GT 19003. Odin showed PASS and my phone refused to restart. Its shows a black screen and I had to remove the battery. Now, my phone doesn’t turn on!
    Help me!!!

    • henrique

      same problem here!! my phone doesn’t turn on anymore!!
      any ideas?!

  • Stanley

    This is stupid! All I got is a bricked samsung galaxy s!

    • Ompes

      @stanley: you’re so stupid, this is for galaxy S, not SL

  • Genie

    Thanks heaps! followed instructions EXACTLY and my galaxy s can now go into recovery and download with 3 buttons

    AWESOME

  • nana

    so this does not work for samsung galaxy s 4g.. or not?

  • yoyo12

    Hi folks,
    I did exactly what’s said and it worked perfectly on my Galaxy S GTi9000.
    Before, all button combinations found in the net just didn’t work…

    Thanks.

  • khalil

    can i use this on galaxy S II?

  • Kirsty S

    Thank you so much, initially had a few problems with Odin – it was turning yellow but was getting a ‘can’t open the serial com port’ message. Switched the usb cable to a port rather than the hub, got same message, so went into msconfig and switched off all start up programs and rebooted. Worked like a charm!

  • Yahya

    Thank you soooooo much

  • rafi

    Gr8!!!! its working

  • Stamper51

    Oops, just messed up my galaxy s 4g using this SBL and it will not start in any mode? HELP anyone?

  • Harry2unique

    Awesome!! Thanks a ton!!

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