Develop Bugs

Solving "damage SD Card error"

Hi all,hope this could be a solution? After lots of hour wasted, I accidentally managed to overcome this problem: repeatedly pull out and reinsert the card, until the error message disappear.
Automagically of Android
Sent from my HTC Hero using XDA App

apad said:
Hi all,hope this could be a solution? After lots of hour wasted, I accidentally managed to overcome this problem: repeatedly pull out and reinsert the card, until the error message disappear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another idea is to try reformatting it first in a digital camera, then reformat it again either in the phone or via computer. This has worked for me several times, especially with cards older than 1 year old.
Someone more geekish can explain why digi cameras are able to force-format deeper than other sources.

Somehow I doubt that will be a permanent fix...

If it is still under warranty I will suggest you send it to the manufacturer right away. Chip might be damaged already

Yes, I definitely send for warranty (if any)
Sent from my HTC Hero using XDA App

[Q] What do DEVS think about this? "Selling used Android phones poses huge risks"

[Q] What do DEVS think about this? "Selling used Android phones poses huge risks"
So does anyone want to shed some light on this for me... Is there any truth to this?
http://www.bgr.com/2012/03/30/selli...s-poses-huge-identity-theft-risk-expert-says/
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tech-savvy-protecting-identity-20120329,0,457782.story
http://wirelessandmobilenews.com/2012/03/android-iphone-balckberry-security.html
http://www.mobilemag.com/2012/03/30/factory-resetting-an-android-phone-is-not-100/
http://www.technobuffalo.com/compan...roid-phone-still-leaves-personal-info-behind/

I read the bgr article and while that may be true using the built in wipe data from setings might not wipe everything, im pretty sure thats nothing a root user couldnt handle with an odin flash.

Yes but I am also wondering if the articles premiss is valid and that it is a flaw of android and not an issue with bb and ios... Also is there a tested or testable way to insure that all private data is securely and permanently deleted
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

I found this article after searching a bit more on the topic
http://www.androidcentral.com/securely-wiping-your-android-phone-makes-it-just-fine-sell-fud

I'm not a dev, but I do have a fair amount of experience recovering data.
Those articles are pretty misguided and all are sourcing from the same guy, who happens to work for Mcafee that, OH LOOK, just happens to have an app that will help you! The fact that this guy also tries to single out XP machines just discredits him even more. As AndroidCentral points out, it's all down to the file system and how it's managed.
People need to understand that:
1) A factory reset does not (nor has it ever) equal a wipe. It merely clears all the user made changes.
2) A format does not (nor has it ever) equal a wipe. It merely clears the drives "pointer information".
Recovery software is actually not that hard to come by, I have a recovery suite on a bootable CD on my desk right now. I've used it to recover data from drives that were formated several times and even used it to recover pictures from near dead SD cards.
There are several secure wiping tools out there (there's even on built into Windows XP/Vista/Win7 that not too many people know about). After seeing what I could recover with that software, I never sell/give away any of my old drives/memory cards without wiping it first.
What a wipe does is very simple: it writes random data to every block on the drive. This is done in "passes". One pass is one write of random data. Through the testing, I've found that one pass is enough to make data unrecoverable by publically available recovery softwares. I believe five passes is the DOD standard to competely "sanitize" a drive (this takes FOREVER, since it's basically writing random data to the ENTIRE drive five times)
A very simple way to "wipe" the memory in your phone is to format it and then record a video on it until it's out of space. That basically equals a "one pass" wipe.

andygallo said:
I'm not a dev, but I do have a fair amount of experience recovering data.
Those articles are pretty misguided and all are sourcing from the same guy, who happens to work for Mcafee that, OH LOOK, just happens to have an app that will help you! The fact that this guy also tries to single out XP machines just discredits him even more. As AndroidCentral points out, it's all down to the file system and how it's managed.
People need to understand that:
1) A factory reset does not (nor has it ever) equal a wipe. It merely clears all the user made changes.
2) A format does not (nor has it ever) equal a wipe. It merely clears the drives "pointer information".
Recovery software is actually not that hard to come by, I have a recovery suite on a bootable CD on my desk right now. I've used it to recover data from drives that were formated several times and even used it to recover pictures from near dead SD cards.
There are several secure wiping tools out there (there's even on built into Windows XP/Vista/Win7 that not too many people know about). After seeing what I could recover with that software, I never sell/give away any of my old drives/memory cards without wiping it first.
What a wipe does is very simple: it writes random data to every block on the drive. This is done in "passes". One pass is one write of random data. Through the testing, I've found that one pass is enough to make data unrecoverable by publically available recovery softwares. I believe five passes is the DOD standard to competely "sanitize" a drive (this takes FOREVER, since it's basically writing random data to the ENTIRE drive five times)
A very simple way to "wipe" the memory in your phone is to format it and then record a video on it until it's out of space. That basically equals a "one pass" wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there an app tat can perform a wipe on android.... can putting 16 gb of music on it and then formatting do the same thing?

neverends said:
Is there an app tat can perform a wipe on android.... can putting 16 gb of music on it and then formatting do the same thing?
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Click to collapse
I guess I should have clarified on my method.
If you put 16GB of music on it, then yes, the data you PREVIOUSLY had on there probably cannot be recovered. BUT that 16GB of music CAN be recovered.
But if you record a video, set it lens side down and let it go until the video file fills up the memory, then the only thing recoverable is a huge video file of nothing. Altho, you probably want to put it under a pillow or somewhere quiet so that no sound is recorded.

Don't steal my identity bro
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

When I bought my sgs1 (used) I ran some basic, free data recovery software against it. Got loooooaaaaddddsss of info/pics on the previous owner. Formatting and refilling the memory with data is good enough. The video mentioned above works, when I went to swap my e4gt I had a little more fun and wrote a script that took a picture (a not very friendly one), added random qtys of data and a random filename. If anyone recovers...I feel sorry for them
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

I actually wiped my Inter.al as card. I had a little over 10 gigss of files on there. When I recovered them I also recovered the previous persons photos
Sent from my BAD A$$ EPIC TOUCH 4G

[Q] The device deleted all of my storage on its own..

Hello everybody.
This retarded phone..deleted all of my files that were in storage. That includes, photos,music. ebooks etc..i have no idea why it would do that ! it is not the first time this happens. the phone was connected to my computer, then i transferred some files to it, and after i disconnected i saw that my storage was empty sans the files i just transferred.
does anyone have an ideas why did it happen or how to prevent a situation like this in the future ?!

The PC term is "phones with disabilities".
Reboot your phone and I bet it is working properly again. Something about mounting computer storage search blah rabble.

WiredPirate said:
The PC term is "phones with disabilities".
Reboot your phone and I bet it is working properly again. Something about mounting computer storage search blah rabble.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for replying, but i don't think you understood me. the phone is working normally, and the storage is mounted properly and recognised by the computer. the problem is that all of my data that was on the device got deleted by itself, by the phone ! as absurd as this sounds..

aschlon4 said:
Thanks for replying, but i don't think you understood me. the phone is working normally, and the storage is mounted properly and recognised by the computer. the problem is that all of my data that was on the device got deleted by itself, by the phone ! as absurd as this sounds..
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Click to collapse
I got that you were implying that, but I didn't think you seriously thought that was the case. Plus I've experienced the same thing when unmounting from the comp, a reboot fixes it. I mean if your storage isn't holding data you must have a hardware issue right? Or you keep your phone next to a powerful magnet or something. Your options are limited in that case. Warranty it or buy a new device. The only other thing I can think of is you recently updated to JB and are confused by the /0/ partition.

WiredPirate said:
I got that you were implying that, but I didn't think you seriously thought that was the case. Plus I've experienced the same thing when unmounting from the comp, a reboot fixes it. I mean if your storage isn't holding data you must have a hardware issue right? Or you keep your phone next to a powerful magnet or something. Your options are limited in that case. Warranty it or buy a new device. The only other thing I can think of is you recently updated to JB and are confused by the /0/ partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, a reboot didn't work for me..the data is still deleted. you mentioned unmounting from the computer..in MTP mode there is no actual unmounting right ?! its just plug and play..
couldn't the problem be software wise ? this has happened both in android 4.1 and 4.2..

aschlon4 said:
Well, a reboot didn't work for me..the data is still deleted. you mentioned unmounting from the computer..in MTP mode there is no actual unmounting right ?! its just plug and play..
couldn't the problem be software wise ? this has happened both in android 4.1 and 4.2..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope not! There shouldn't be any software that wipes your sdcard w/o you wanting it to. I mean, I guess for you I would hope that's the case since you wont be out the hardware, but personally I am unaware of any software that functions like that. Can you replicate it? If you download a song or a picture or something right now and plug your phone up to the comp, will everything be wiped again?

WiredPirate said:
I hope not! There shouldn't be any software that wipes your sdcard w/o you wanting it to. I mean, I guess for you I would hope that's the case since you wont be out the hardware, but personally I am unaware of any software that functions like that. Can you replicate it? If you download a song or a picture or something right now and plug your phone up to the comp, will everything be wiped again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No..it is totally random.
the only thing that i could possibly think about is that i sent an app to be installed from the Play Store while the phone was connected to the PC..maybe that caused some kind of interference ?!
I wish it was that easy sending the phone for repairs. it is still under warranty but i bought it abroad, which means i would be left without a phone for a month or two and will have to deal with customs.
Unfortunately, nobody but you seem to be able to help me. i appreciate you trying to help, thank you.

[Q] I was stolen.. need information

Hi guys, not a good day, i really need information.
My phone was stolen yesterday, I had some serious private information on my phone, and im concerned.
Can the thief find a way to use my phone again? It has password to access it, so in theory, he wont use it. But if he find someone that can do something, is there a way?
My phone has cerberus, but aparently the guy turned the device off... or.. the sim card...
well im worried mainly because there was info open in my microsd card

Your phone is safe because he will or already factory reset to prevent tracking and removed the sim. You sd card is definitely in danger though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Android The Greek said:
Your phone is safe because he will or already factory reset to prevent tracking and removed the sim. You sd card is definitely in danger though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how the hell will he do it without accessing the phone?
thanks

You do not need a phone to open a micro sd card. Just an adapter
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Android The Greek said:
You do not need a phone to open a micro sd card. Just an adapter
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the factory reset i meant

That does not touch the micro sd
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

you can do that/ factory reset by go to setting and tick factory reset. seriously most every phone has factory reset symbian,brew,android,unown chinese phone. it wipes data and restore the system as if it were new phone
---------- Post added at 08:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 PM ----------
and you can go to recovery mode to wipe data and cache. or even install custom rom. in samsung by pressing vol up+power+menu in the same time

edgarzin said:
Hi guys, not a good day, i really need information.
My phone was stolen yesterday, I had some serious private information on my phone, and im concerned.
Can the thief find a way to use my phone again? It has password to access it, so in theory, he wont use it. But if he find someone that can do something, is there a way?
My phone has cerberus, but aparently the guy turned the device off... or.. the sim card...
well im worried mainly because there was info open in my microsd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your data is almost certainly compromised. As for your phone, make sure you report it stolen. Hopefully you live in one of the countries which respect the IMEI blacklist so the phone will be deactivated.

Android The Greek said:
Your phone is safe because he will or already factory reset to prevent tracking and removed the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you assume a thief or someone that finds a lost Android phone is also an enthusiast and aware of tracking mechanisms and ways to avoid them? I wouldn't make that assumption and would almost guarantee anyone who finds a lost/stolen phone that doesn't plan to return it is going to go through what's on it. Hopefully what's on OP's phone isn't too compromising.
FloatingFatMan said:
Your data is almost certainly compromised.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^^^
This.
Everyone should at a minimum register their Samsung phones with "Find my Mobile" as part of setting them up. If it's out of your possession, even before you decide it's really missing, you can lock it remotely which would prevent it from being hard reset as well as protect your personal information. It also displays a message on the locked home screen which can include a reward and allows the phone to dial out to one number you designate so the person who found it can call you. You can always unlock it if it's returned or do a complete wipe if it's not. Obviously it has to be on a mobile network (not necessarily yours) or Wi-Fi to continue to access it and it has to be charged.

Any data on the sd card will definitely be compromised. What's on the phone is hard to say. If they went into the stock recovery and did a hard reset then it's been wiped. This is the more likely scenario. If they know Android well they can flash a custom recovery and keep the internal data intact while resetting the phone but it's unlikely that a regular thief is going to do that. Most likely they'll just do a normal reset and either sell it or use it.
If you had rooted and installed Cerberus as a system app you'd still have some security under this scenario. It persists over hard resets so you'd still have some control over the device once it gets reconnected to the Internet. They'd have to flash a new firmware or specially delete cerberus from the system directory to get rid of it.
Sent from my GT-N7100

dr.m0x said:
If they know Android well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What percentage of thieves do you think fall in to that category? I'd guess it's not the majority. We on XDA are kind of jaded when it comes to our views on technology in general. I'd bet less than 10% of my friends and acquaintances have the knowledge to hard reset an iOS or Android device unless told to do so by support staff.
In the U.S., a TV network did an expose on TSA (government airport security) workers stealing iPads from security check points. Even after is was on the national news how they used Apple's mobile tracking s/w to find the stolen iPads TSA workers continued to steal them and get caught exactly the same way. An XDA'r that steals phones has skills and knowledge that I'd bet the masses don't come anywhere close to.

dr.m0x said:
Any data on the sd card will definitely be compromised. What's on the phone is hard to say. If they went into the stock recovery and did a hard reset then it's been wiped. This is the more likely scenario. If they know Android well they can flash a custom recovery and keep the internal data intact while resetting the phone but it's unlikely that a regular thief is going to do that. Most likely they'll just do a normal reset and either sell it or use it.
If you had rooted and installed Cerberus as a system app you'd still have some security under this scenario. It persists over hard resets so you'd still have some control over the device once it gets reconnected to the Internet. They'd have to flash a new firmware or specially delete cerberus from the system directory to get rid of it.
Sent from my GT-N7100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are saying that if my device was rooted cerberus would still installed, even after system wipe?

edgarzin said:
You are saying that if my device was rooted cerberus would still installed, even after system wipe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it would, provided it is installed to /system/app.
Sent from my GT-N7100

My friend is a police officer and he said that thieves have found a way to change IMEI. Im trying to track my phone by IMEI.. what are the chances these MF change the IMEI??

dr.m0x said:
Yes it would, provided it is installed to /system/app.
Sent from my GT-N7100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must read XDA more !

edgarzin said:
I must read XDA more !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Avast Mobile Security is a free alternative.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4

edgarzin said:
Hi guys, not a good day, i really need information.
My phone was stolen yesterday, I had some serious private information on my phone, and im concerned.
Can the thief find a way to use my phone again? It has password to access it, so in theory, he wont use it. But if he find someone that can do something, is there a way?
My phone has cerberus, but aparently the guy turned the device off... or.. the sim card...
well im worried mainly because there was info open in my microsd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have sensitive info on your phone and or sd card theres an option under settings/security to encrypt your device and external sd. The encryption will survive a no wipe flash which means it remains safe. If the scum theif wants to use your device he would have to do full wipe which would erase your sensitive data which means no access. This goes for your sd card aswell. You should also let your provider know your phones been stolen and let them block imei rendering the phone useless until with some slight luck you may get it back.
GT N7105 with XDA Premium......that is all......

amerkiller1995 said:
Avast Mobile Security is a free alternative.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Avast Anti-Theft just got an update. Now it has two versions Premium and Free
Premium version has some mind blowing features

[email protected] said:
Avast Anti-Theft just got an update. Now it has two versions Premium and Free
Premium version has some mind blowing features
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good thing is that the Premium features are new, all the free features remain free. :laugh:

Since the device is off use SMS commands instead of cerberusapp.com. That way if the sim is changed or when the thief starts up the phone you will be notified and/or will be able to wipe the internal and external storages.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Storage encrypted suddenly

Hi everyone
I have a strange problem with my xperia M. Somewhen today the Play Store and some other apps crashed so I decided to reboot. The last reboot is about thre days ago. After startup i got a starnge screen asking me for a password to unlock the storage. I have absoltely no idea what this screen is as I have never seen it before. I attatched a screenshot of the phone.
I have never entered a password to encrypt the data on that device. After trying around a bit I called the sony support. They told me to reset the phone using the sony software. But doing this will delete all my data
What I can do to get my data back? And why is my phone suddenly encrypted?
I use Stock ROM think it was 4.2.1 or something. Locked Bootloader not rooted.
Rgds
gentooMueLLe
edit:The time shown on the password screen is not my local time. this is also a litlle bit strange to me

I think, you might have messed up in "Encrypt your phone".
I don't see any way to get out of it, still wait for some expert to give a solution.

Are you really sure that nobody accidentally encrypted your phone? This are bad news, as far as I know, unless you discover that password, the only way to fix that will be wiping your device =/

Hi folks
thanks for your replies. I am absolutely sure that I have not actively encrypted the device. I think the process of encryption takes several hours what I should have recognized.
Is it possible that some kind of virus has encrypted the device?

gentooMueLLe said:
Hi folks
thanks for your replies. I am absolutely sure that I have not actively encrypted the device. I think the process of encryption takes several hours what I should have recognized.
Is it possible that some kind of virus has encrypted the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i know, it is impossible or really hard to get a virus on a phone
Sent from my C2004 using xda app-developers app

paper13579 said:
As far as i know, it is impossible or really hard to get a virus on a phone
Sent from my C2004 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats also my oppinon. for that reason I dont have virus protection software or something similar on my device. As I even have not installed anything since the last reboot I cant imagine that there is a virus on my phone.
Is it possible to encrypt the device remote. I think my google account was hacked, as my password was not valid anymore....
I have never thougt about encryption, so I dont know much about this topic.
Thanks for your help

is there any solution yet?
I know this thread almost 3 years posted, but I really need to know about how to decrypt it. My friend has an encrypted C2004 and I'm interested to make her phone be mine. Do you guys here have any idea? thx in advance.

It is a faulty nand memory, solution is replacing the board