GSM Phone Maintenance and Repair Paper 2, WASSCE (SC), 2021

Question 7

 

 

A customer walks into a phone repair workshop with a phone exhibiting the symptoms of corrupt operating system.

  1. List four equipment /tools required to solve this problem
  2. Itemize the steps required to correct this problem
  3. State one risk involved in performing the steps in 7(b)
  4. State two precautions to be taken while performing the steps in 7(b).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are mobile phone symbols. Use them to answer questions 7(e) to 7(f)

(e) Identify:

  1.   Fig. 4;
  2. Fig. 5;
  3. Fig. 6;

 

(f) What does each of the symbols identified in 7(e) signify?

  1. Fig. 4;
  2. Fig. 5;
  3. Fig. 6.

 

Most candidates attempted this question and the performance was fair. Candidates were not really able to list the equipment/tools required for flashing a mobile phone, steps involved and the precautions to be taken in carrying out this operation.

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Observation

The expected answers are:


7(a)      Tools / Equipment for flashing a mobile phone

  • Computer system / laptop
  • Flashing software (e.g. odin flash, SP, infinity best, 3uTools etc)
  • USB Data cable / flash cable or / FBUS cable
  • Drivers
  • Firmware file / flash file/ stock ROM file / stock firmware
  • USB dongle / flash dongle (e.g. UMT, avengers, MX key, miracle key, sigma key, UFI e.t.c.)
  • Flashing box (e.g. miracle box, GPG dragon box, octoplus box, NCK box, Z3X box, UFS box, volcano box e.t.c.)                                        

                

       (b)   Steps involved in flashing a mobile phone

  • Switch OFF the mobile phone. Then remove SIM card and memory card (if any)
  • Run / Launch the extracted flashing software stored on the computer.
  • Locate and select the compatible phone stock ROM / firmware file stored on the computer.
  • Connect the phone to the computer using the USB data cable/boot the phone into recovery/download mode and then connect the phone to the computer using USB data cable.
  • Click on the download / flash button on the flashing software to install the new stock ROM / firmware file on the phone and then wait until the flashing process is completed.
  • Unplug the phone from the computer and allow the phone to restart / reboot. The new stock ROM / firmware file is now installed on the phone.

                                                                                        
      (c)   Risks involved in flashing a mobile phone           

  • Any data not previously backed up would be lost
  • Phone may be bricked / rendered unusable / dead
  • It voids the warranty of the phone

                                                                           
(d)   Precautions to be taken while performing flashing on a mobile phone 
Ensure:

  • that the phone stock ROM / firmware file selected is compatible;
  • that the USB data / flash cable used is in good working condition;
  • to install compatible mobile phone drivers on the computer to ease connection;
  • no interruption while the flashing process is ongoing;
  • the phone battery level is  at least 50% charged to avoid interruption during the flashing process;
  • the computer system / laptop is connected to stable external power source / supply;
  • to use the latest version of the phone flashing software;
  • to use higher version of the phone stock ROM / firmware file.                                                                      

      (e)  Identification of Figures
(i) Fig. 4: Low battery status                                                             
(ii) Fig. 5: No network / signal                                                          
(iii) Fig. 6: Active vibrate mode                                                       

 

 

       (f)  Meaning of the symbols identified in 7(e)
(i)  Fig. 4: Battery is almost empty/ low battery/ phone may go off               

(ii) Fig. 5: Calls/messages can neither be made/sent nor received OR no network service / signal is available on the phone   

                                 

 Fig. 6:  Phone will vibrate only as notification