87 replies to this topic

[Jurij]

Hello,

Today i will show you how to unbrick your Sony Xperia ZL C6502 / C6503 / C6506 and update boot. Sony Xperia ZL smartphone can be bricked because of damaged boot.

If after flash your phone is dead and you have warranty - send your phone to Sony - you will get new phone.

If after flash your phone is dead and you do not have warranty, this tutorial is for you. Remember, during this process you can damage your phone, everything you are doing on your own risk.


Bricked phone symptoms:

• can't power on after flash,
• no lcd or led reaction for power button,
• no lcd or led reaction for charger,
• no lcd or led reaction if phone is connected to PC,
• your PC can't detect your phone with vol-,
• phone does not vibrate when holding vol+ and power together.

Repair procedure:

1. Firstly connect turned off bricked phone to your PC. If phone will be detected in device manager as:

qhusb_dload device

you are lucky and this is the end of the first step for you. Just disconnect phone.

If your phone can't be detected at all, you must find testpoint. Disassemble your phone using this service manual: Sony Xperia ZL C6502 / C6503 / C6506 Service Manuals , remove battery and connect each golden point on main board one by one to metal shield and attach usb cable. If your phone will be detected in device manager as flash device or something like that - congratulations - you've found testpoint. Don't forget to take a picture of main board and mark testpoint for other sony.yt members and post it in this topic

2. Download and install the latest Gordon's Gate Flash Driver from this post:  ggsetup-3.0.0.7.exe   3.58MB   14122 downloads

3. Download and run this s1tool:  s1tool.exe   2.52MB   7231 downloads

4. Download proper APPSW firmware for your Sony Xperia ZL:

For C6502:  C6502.rar   16.12MB   1571 downloads

For C6503:  C6503.rar   16.12MB   1949 downloads

For C6506:  C6506.rar   16.12MB   1349 downloads

5. In S1tool choose S1 EMERGENCY MODE, press Flash button, select correct APPSW .sin_file_set file (or you can select whole firmware if you have it in order APPSW, FSP, Elabel - but you can't use .ftf flashtool files),

6. Press Testpoint READY button:
 

 

 

and if your phone is detected as qhusb_dload device, just attach usb cable. If not, perform all steps from point 1 (connect testpoint to GND and attach USB cable).

7. When drivers will be installed and phone will be detected, program will ask you to disconnect testpoint. Disconnect testpoint from GND and press Testpoint READY button.

8. After that phone will load emergency s1 loader, re-enumerate usb, load s1 loader, update boot in your phone and flash selected firmware.

9. Now you have to flash (if not done yet) your phone with all firmware parts (APPSW, FSP, ELABEL) using S1 FLASH MODE, phone will be fixed. Also you can flash your phone using Sony Update Service, Sony PC Companion or any other flasher like current Flashtool.

10. Time to reassembly your phone using service manual: Sony Xperia ZL C6502 / C6503 / C6506 Service Manuals


Credits: Big thanks to mr the_laser for creating this fantastic software and solution

Best regards,

Jurij
 

Tutorial worked out for Sony.yt forum - copying is prohibited.

[schecter7]

Hi Jurij,

 

I followed all your instructions, but at step 8, I got this error message on my ZL (c6502) -> "can't get S1 command header  Loader not responding" (screenshot attached). Do I have any hope left ?

 

Few things:

 

  1. I'm using win 7 64 bit

  2. My device connects as a ZEUS flash drive to PC (not as 'qhusb_dload device'). So I tried both ways - with or without test point method, still got the same error.

  3. I see only one possible candidate for test point on ZL (circled in the second picture)

  4. My phone is 100% stock - not rooted, bootlocker's not unlocked.

 

Thanks a lot for your help! Keep up the good work. 

Attached Files

•  Untitled.png   146K   78 downloads
•  DSC_2777.JPG   158.05K   72 downloads

Edited by schecter7, 21 November 2014 - 01:10.

[Jurij]

It's not a testpoint i think so. I do not have Xperia ZL so i can't find it for you. But remove those metal shields and look for another golden points. There must be a working testpoint somewhere...

However... Try to change usb port. Use usb 2.0 port attached directly to main board. Also when s1tool will ask you to remove testpoint, remove it, attach battery and then press READY button...

[schecter7]

Tried all USB ports - no luck. Took out those metal shields and I don't see anything similar to those test points on Z!! Could it be  under the sim card metal shield? That one doesn't look like removable! Or is it located on the other side of the board (second picture). That doesn't sound right! Attached few pictures

Attached Files

•  DSC_2781.JPG   208.44K   53 downloads
•  DSC_2782.JPG   145.02K   46 downloads
•  DSC_2783.JPG   170.78K   48 downloads

[Jurij]

What about those 5 points:  Xperia ZL testpoint.jpg   304.68K   170 downloads ? Did you tried that trick with battery?

[_vold_]

My Xperia ZL after update to official firmware Android 4.4.4 - DEAD. If connect phone to PC the system detect as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoad 9008 (COM 19). And i still can't locate test point one PCB. Help.

[brickzl]

Hi,

I followed your instructions but i got this error, my phone detected on device manager as qhsusb_DLOAD

 

Attached Files

•  Untitled.png   90.37K   59 downloads

[Jurij]

@ _vold_ :

 

 

My Xperia ZL after update to official firmware Android 4.4.4 - DEAD.

 

What program did you used to update your phone?

 

 

If connect phone to PC the system detect as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoad 9008 (COM 19). And i still can't locate test point one PCB. Help.

 

If phone is in DLOAD mode, you don't need any testpoint. Just connect usb cable and press Testpoint READY button.

 

@ brickzl:

 

 

I followed your instructions but i got this error, my phone detected on device manager as qhsusb_DLOAD

 

What happened that your phone become dead? If phone is in DLOAD mode, you don't need any testpoint. Just connect usb cable and press Testpoint READY button.

[schecter7]

What about those 5 points: Xperia ZL testpoint.jpg ? Did you tried that trick with battery?

Tried those five points, also the battery trick - no dice  Phone still shows up (with the battery disconnected) as ZEUS flash drive on device manager. So that's what I had at the beginning. Is there any way to change the type to 'qhusb_dload device'?

 

By the way, are you aware of any s1 tool issue with 64 bit versions of windows 7? That's the only thing I haven't tried to change yet. Thanks, mate!

Edited by schecter7, 21 November 2014 - 23:05.

[Jurij]

Well, you can try to flash your phone using testpoint and this s1tool version:  s1tool08072014.zip   3.28MB   1653 downloads . It should work perfectly on Windows 7 64-bit. Make sure, that other flash tools are disabled, also remove antiviruses, antimalware etc. Show flashing log from this s1tool version.

[_vold_]

Jurij, i use for update standard "Update center" integrated in phone. Now my results in s1tool log snapshot. May be FLASH ROM chip damaged?

 

22.11.2014 13:14:23 Welcome to S1 tool.
22.11.2014 13:14:23 That is small and crippled subset of SETOOL2 service tool.
22.11.2014 13:14:36  
22.11.2014 13:14:36 SELECT FIRMWARE PACKAGES
22.11.2014 13:14:36 YOU CAN SELECT SEVERAL PACKAGES WITH CTRL BUTTON
22.11.2014 13:14:38 CHECKING PACKAGES ...
22.11.2014 13:14:38  
22.11.2014 13:14:38 DETACH USB CABLE FROM PHONE
22.11.2014 13:14:38 REMOVE BATTERY FROM PHONE
22.11.2014 13:14:38 ATTACH TESTPOINT
22.11.2014 13:14:38 PRESS "READY", THEN ATTACH USB CABLE TO PHONE
22.11.2014 13:14:38  
22.11.2014 13:14:53 will use DLOAD protocol ... 
22.11.2014 13:14:53 0808010600900000
22.11.2014 13:14:53 0D0F50424C5F446C6F6164564552322E30
22.11.2014 13:14:53 162001000100
22.11.2014 13:14:53 17004001000100E1907100
22.11.2014 13:14:53 1801001EA8B0C1B209C88CBB3E220F0AC00F6E6520A273D516B40E7F2EAEB0E5B3DB8B
22.11.2014 13:14:53 PHONE NOT SUPPORTED IN THIS MODE
22.11.2014 13:14:53 Elapsed:17 secs.

Yes. s1tool successfully switch device to "SEMMC Flash Device", well a new error i can see, paste from s1tool log:

 

22.11.2014 17:30:11 REMOVE TESTPOINT NOW, THEN PRESS "READY"
22.11.2014 17:30:11  
22.11.2014 17:30:15 Emergency loader uploaded ...
22.11.2014 17:30:16  
22.11.2014 17:30:16 RUNNING S1_PRELOADER VER "APQ8064_39"
22.11.2014 17:30:16 LOADER AID: 0001
22.11.2014 17:30:46 can't get S1 command header
22.11.2014 17:30:46 LOADER NOT RESPONDING
22.11.2014 17:30:46 Elapsed:51 secs.

heh... ?????? to my phone, new PCB Price 6500 RUR.

[Jurij]

 

Jurij, i use for update standard "Update center" integrated in phone.

 

Well then, the first thing you should do is to send your phone on warranty repair to Sony service centre. There is absolutely no point of looking for issue by your own. Sony update must work always. If it does not - it's Sony's fault and Sony should fix that.

 

 

May be FLASH ROM chip damaged?

 

Maybe, but if you can't flash your phone with s1tool, there is nothing you can do to save this main board. Send it to Sony service.

 

 

heh... ?????? to my phone, new PCB Price 6500 RUR.

 

6500 RUR = ~145$ USD. For ~200 $ you can buy a new Sony Xperia ZL phone on eBay If Sony will not fix your phone, you can try to buy working Xperia ZL with broken LCD and swap main board...

[_vold_]

 Bought a new phone - Sony Xperia Z2.  Very pleased. I hope not to die.

[vinaytoday]

Xperia c6502 test points  2014-12-20 14.20.02.jpg   244.65K   200 downloads  20141220_141844.jpg   160.88K   136 downloads

[jmcr]

Thanks for this thread. I also have Xperia ZL that won't turn on, I am going to try this method now. Does anyone have success fixing their Xperia ZL with this method yet?

 

Xperia c6502 test points2014-12-20 14.20.02.jpg20141220_141844.jpg

Thanks for finding the points!

 

So test point are on back side of board. Which of the 4 points you circle are correct testpoint to connect to ground? Any of 4?

 

Or does picture show you bridge top point to bottom point? One of them is ground connection?

Edited by jmcr, 30 January 2015 - 03:57.

[Jurij]

I think you should connect top point and bottom and connect usb cable. If your phone will be properly detected in device manager and driver will be installed - that's it

[jmcr]

Thanks, I will try to connect those two points and see if it gets detected.

 

Since test pin is on back of PCB can I remove motherboard from phone and connect by itself to USB cable? Or does motherboard still need some flex cables from the phone connected?

 

I don't have backup of this phone though, no TA backup. Will this procedure still work or will there be a problem with the phone after doing this? Lose DRM or not able to load any firmware?

 

Do you know also how to do SIM unlock for Xperia ZL? Thanks again for help!

[Jurij]

 

Since test pin is on back of PCB can I remove motherboard from phone and connect by itself to USB cable?

 

Disassembly your phone using Sony Service Manual: http://sony.yt/topic...kcja-serwisowa/ When you have only main board in your hands (no battery), connect those two points together using testpoint wire, metal paperclip etc. and attach usb cable. Phone should be detected and driver installed.

 

 

Or does motherboard still need some flex cables from the phone connected?

 

No, just main board, testpoint wire or paperclip and usb cable.

 

 

I don't have backup of this phone though, no TA backup.

 

That's not good. If TA is damaged, this main board is a brick.

 

 

 

Will this procedure still work or will there be a problem with the phone after doing this?

 

I don't know how did you damaged your phone. Try and check

 

 

Lose DRM or not able to load any firmware?

 

No. DRM keys are lost only if you unlock bootloader using official Sony method. For now use Sony firmware. 

 

 

 

Do you know also how to do SIM unlock for Xperia ZL?

 

Yes. If your phone has at least 1 attempt left, you can purchase unlock code from operator which locked that handset. If counter is blocked, only Sony service centre can unlock such a phone.

[jmcr]

Thanks for the replies! I got this phone from somebody, he said it just doesn't turn on one morning. He never made TA backup that I know of, I don't think he flashed anything and was just running phone as stock from Sony.

 

If TA is not damaged and I do this s1tool-testpoint procedure will TA become lost? Do you think if phone just stopped working it can be fixed with this method? There is no red LED like I read people say when Xperia ZL is brick.

[Jurij]

If phone is just dead maybe it's worth to try to fix it using standard tools? I would try that:

 

1. Hold volume down button and attach usb cable. Check in device manager how that phone is detected. 

 

2. If it's not detected, try to make hard reset. Hold volume up and power, when phone will vibrate - attach usb cable. Or use that button to make hard reset:

 

 

3. Try to flash or repair firmware using PC Companion.

 

S1Tool is a good tool if your phone become a brick during flash. A few months (maybe a year) ago Sony has released new update for Xperia Z / ZL / ZR / Z1 / Z Ultra which required boot update. Flashtool and most of boxes did not updated boot during flash and because of that many phones were bricked. Now all flashers perform boot update procedure during flash so it's a rare problem in nowadays. I would try standard methods first, check how phone is detected by Windows.