How can I boot my Nexus S with a broken power button? Can only boot to "Do not turn off target"

Question

My Nexus S power button has stopped working and Samsung will not honor the warranty. The farthest I've gotten is to the Downloading screen with the yellow work ahead sign, that says "Do not turn off target" and USB Control Init USB Control Init End.

My computer does not find the device via the Android SDK.

I looked up this post Turn phone on with ADB or Fastboot? and others outside of this forum (eg: removing and inserting battery with charger connected), but it does not work for me.

Once I boot it I can use it by plugging a battery charger or cable to turn on the screen.

Is there a way I could boot it?

Answer 1

All the methods you've tried, and the ones I've been reading for the past hour, exploit a circuit "bump" that shouldn't even happen in the first place.

If they don't work with your phone, be happy, your phone is not suffering from further defects. Some I'm referencing are:

• Plug your phone to your computer using the USB cable. Remove and add the battery several times to make the phone start booting: This video or this video.
• Gently flick (tap) the back of the phone, right under the lens, with a finger.

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What you should actually do is to repair the phone, it costs a certain amount, but at least you get the problem fixed by professionals and can take preventive measures to prevent this from happening again.

1. To repair, you can use Nexus S Power Button Repair or other near you.

2. As a preventive measure, to avoid degrading the power button, you can use an app to lock/unlock the phone. With it, you'll give less use to your power button, and in turn it may last longer.

   Even if it gets broken again, with an app, you still have alternative methods of controlling your phone (lock/unlock).

   Fix Broken Power Button by Destil available from Google Play Store.

   

   Note: An app installed on your phone CANNOT power it on. So, if the power button breaks again, be sure to not let your phone's battery get empty.

Answer 2

I experienced the same problem with my Nexus S phone after many years of usage. The power button no longer works, and I believe it is due to wear and tear in my case. One android app I use is Button Savior. It provides soft power and volume keys. Try it if it fixes your problem.

Another option is if you had rooted the phone already, you can remap the keys by modifying the layout files. I remapped the following kl files. I mapped the search button at the bottom of the screen to go power off or go to airplane mode. And mapped one of the volume rocker to wake up the phone, as the soft button cannot wake up the screen.

The files modified are /system/usr/keylayout/cypress-touchkey.pl and /system/usr/keylayout/mxt224_ts_input.kl. Here are the contents.

mxt224_ts_input_input.kl

key 158 BACK   WAKE
key 139 MENU   WAKE
key 217 ASSIST WAKE
key 102 HOME   WAKE

cypress-touchkey.kl

key 139 MENU   VIRTUAL
key 102 HOME   VIRTUAL
key 158 BACK   VIRTUAL
key 217 POWER  VIRTUAL WAKE

I believe I can squeeze a few many years of usage from this phone with this change. Finally, saving money to get a new cel phone is the most viable option for me in the long run. :-)