Develop Bugs

[Q] Broken Volume Keys - Cannot unlock bootloaders (Solved)

I recently received my phone back from Samsung. It was send in to replace external speaker that stopped working for no reason. Samsung fixed the speaker (or replaced it) however my volume keys don't work anymore.
I can get by using any widget or volume slider control to adjust the volume but the problem is I booted into bootloader mode (adb) and tried unlocking bootloader. By default option "No" was highlighted and in order to toggle between "Yes" or "No" volume keys are required and I don't have those working.
Is there any other way to achieve the same control functionality using touch screen to highlight "Yes" or "No" option on the unlock bootloader screen?
Any help would be appreciated. I want to explore some ideas before sending it back to Samsung again or try opening the phone and replace or fix keys myself.
(by the way, I am in US and it took 2+ months for my phone to come back after first repair because expansys-us had to send it back to Samsung UK to get it repaired.)
________________________________________________
Updates:
I wanted to post a quick update on this thread to help out anybody who might run into a similar situation.
So I received my phone back and the note from my shipper (expansys-usa) says that phone couldn't be fixed because the volume key ribbon is ripped off the main board. Now funny thing is that either Samsung or Expansys-USA opened up my phone to repair the external speaker (reason it went out the first time) and when I received it back the volume keys were not working. So much for getting your device repaired by the OEM.
Only way to repair this sort of problem is to change the board which is technically possible but not possible because your motherboard carries information like IMEI etc . They never offered to send me a new phone or anything but just a note saying that ... can't repair. Also, to make things worse, they flashed Yakjuxw (samsung) image on my phone to restore it back to stock. Which killed the updates for me.
Anyways, I kept looking and ran into a post where chainfire posted a thread with roms packaged into ODIN. Now most important thing about this sort of thing is that it unlocks your bootloader in the process. Once I got that things started getting better and better.
I got the ODIN rom. Used the USB jig to initiate download mode, from there I flashed the rom package. Once I got the rom flashed and bootloaders unlocked. I downloaded Gnex toolkit from the main development thread and flashed custom touch recovery.
Well after having custom recovery I was back in the game and the rom flashing game started again. Only difference is that I have to be now very careful before flashing anything because if any rom fails to boot then I am stuck and can't do anything other than to just to break out my USB jig and fire up ODIN and start from zero ... all the way to JB 4.2.
Hope this helps anybody who is or will be facing the same problem (which I hope not).

No, there is no way to unlock the bootloader without the volume and power keys.
But you can still root if you are running 4.0.1 or 4.0.2. See link in my sig.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Thanks efrant for the suggestion. I tried looking into that method but my rom is already updated to the patched kernel version.
So, I have sent it out again for repair. Let's see if Samsung can fix it without giving me anymore trouble.

enaybee said:
Thanks efrant for the suggestion. I tried looking into that method but my rom is already updated to the patched kernel version.
So, I have sent it out again for repair. Let's see if Samsung can fix it without giving me anymore trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Demand they pay for shipping, or depending how long you've had your device, that they send you a new one.
Supposedly, its 14 days and they'll ship you a new device as long as you provide credit card info and ship the old one back. I was 21 days in, the power buttons stopped working, and all they could offer me was a repair. Idiots at Samsung (not reps, the ones that tell them what to do/say) told me to call T-Mobile to give me a "loaner" phone while Samsung fixes it.
I immediately said "One, I bought this phone without a contract, so they have no obligation. And two, why should T-Mobile have to deal with me for your faulty device?". Then I told them I would just sell it as is and get the HTC One S since HTC phones don't have these issues, and the rep immediately passed me over to where they set up a warranty phone.
Again, this depends on how long you've had it. Rules say a Max of 14 days, they bent it only a week more for me. I wouldn't expect any more than that.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

enaybee said:
Thanks efrant for the suggestion. I tried looking into that method but my rom is already updated to the patched kernel version.
So, I have sent it out again for repair. Let's see if Samsung can fix it without giving me anymore trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I haven't tested it out, this may work for you:
On the Nexus One, we were still able to flash signed images, even with a locked bootloader. If this holds true for the Galaxy Nexus, you can flash an older version of the stock images (say 4.0.2), then you can root, and once you have root, we have figured out how to unlock the bootloader without the physical keys. I can guide you through it all if you want.

efrant said:
Although I haven't tested it out, this may work for you:
On the Nexus One, we were still able to flash signed images, even with a locked bootloader. If this holds true for the Galaxy Nexus, you can flash an older version of the stock images (say 4.0.2), then you can root, and once you have root, we have figured out how to unlock the bootloader without the physical keys. I can guide you through it all if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This signed images tidbit is intriguing. Not that its needed anymore on gnex anyway but who knows when that may come in handy again. Good to know.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

ian42086 said:
This signed images tidbit is intriguing. Not that its needed anymore on gnex anyway but who knows when that may come in handy again. Good to know.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I finally tried it and It doesn't work on the GNex.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I mainly figured for a future phone model or a friends phone or something it may come in handy. Thanks for response tho sir.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

You actually don't need fastboot or volume buttons to unlock the bootloader this way: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41612401#post41612401. HTH!

[Q] Galaxy Nexus i9250 lost your IMEI

I have a big problem.
My Gnex i9250 lost your IMEI.
I have already taken the unit on technical assistance and said they would try to rewrite the IMEI but failed.
In my research I learned I should have done a backup of file containing the IMEI (nv_data.bin), is it correct ?
I don't have any backup.
Please help me friends.
NOTE: Sorry for my terrible english.

Not to assume, but it would appear at first glance that you purchased a stolen phone....
Also, pretty sure anything related to writing or creating IMEI is against XDA rules.

Is this a new or used phone? Do you not have the original box with your IMEI on it? And inside the battery compartment as well?

martonikaj said:
Is this a new or used phone? Do you not have the original box with your IMEI on it? And inside the battery compartment as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Brazil but I bought this phone in NY.
It's a new phone and the IMEI number on the box matched the number in the battery compartment.
I bought the phone in december but I only had problems recently.
I traveled to a place where I couldn't get any signal and I turned off the phone.
After one day I turned it on and it stopped working.

lmrbrazil said:
I live in Brazil but I bought this phone in NY.
It's a new phone and the IMEI number on the box matched the number in the battery compartment.
I bought the phone in december but I only had problems recently.
I traveled to a place where I couldn't get any signal and I turned off the phone.
After one day I turned it on and it stopped working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you buy it new or used?
There could be a chance perhaps it was a stolen unit maybe from a store or such that when it was discovered gone, the IMEI was disabled.
I just don't see otherwise how the IMEI could just stop being valid.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

uoY_redruM said:
Did you buy it new or used?
There could be a chance perhaps it was a stolen unit maybe from a store or such that when it was discovered gone, the IMEI was disabled.
I just don't see otherwise how the IMEI could just stop being valid.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought this phone brand new.
I saw that in some cases the IMEI can be corrupted, but I don't know how can i repair this file.

This its a known issue.. The efs folder gets corrupted.. Go to galaxy s2 forum and try the several fixes for it there.. If your lucky it will work..
If not.. Well there's not a fix for it yet on Nexus.. Theres several ppl around here waiting for this solution.. As currently they just have a really nice music players Hehe..
Cheers
Nexus Cm9 + Franco

Its not the efs folder like it was on the nexus s etc.
Your imei data is stored in the factory folder on the gnex.
Sounds like it got corrupted.
I lost my imei on my nexus s and ended up being stuck with a generic one, it still worked though.
Maybe you can find a way to do that.

nodstuff said:
Its not the efs folder like it was on the nexus s etc.
Your imei data is stored in the factory folder on the gnex.
Sounds like it got corrupted.
I lost my imei on my nexus s and ended up being stuck with a generic one, it still worked though.
Maybe you can find a way to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you change your IMEI on your Nexus S ?

The IMEI can be changed/repaired on this phone using samsung pro tools. In Brazil it is legal to change the IMEI to whatever you like, in UK it is only legal to repair the IMEI to the original IMEI. There are some IMEI Nazis on xda that don't want to empower users with the ability to change the IMEI, so they won't tell you how to do this, even if it is for the legal reason of repair only. And, will probably get xda to delete this post and/or close the thread, like they are uk police shills or paid subverts or maybe just do-gooders (the latter is the worst).
This page describes repairing the IMEI of the Galaxy Nexus that had generic IMEI (which can be caused by corrupt MD5 hash for nv_data.bin) using SPT box
An SPT Box cost about $200, but you can usually find this service on ebay or google for about $30, they will resotre the imei to the sticker under the battery. You must pay shipping to and from as well. This place might offer such service: http://www.fonefunshop.co.uk.

I had my IMEI disappear, the "about phone' just had "unknown" for my IMEI. My Nexus GSM was only a week old and purchased from the Play Store. The only reason I checked is because I was on the phone with Google Wallet support and they needed to know. Surprisingly, I was on the phone on T-Mobile network, but with an "unknown" IMEI.
I did a battery pull to reset the phone and it was back. The number on the screen matched the inside, the number on the box, and the number on my receipt. I called support back (again, on the same phone) and they fixed the problem once I gave them my IMEI.
I was a little freaked out that it disappeared like that, but at least the battery pull fixed it.
Good luck with yours.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Same problem
lmrbrazil said:
I have a big problem.
My Gnex i9250 lost your IMEI.
I have already taken the unit on technical assistance and said they would try to rewrite the IMEI but failed.
In my research I learned I should have done a backup of file containing the IMEI (nv_data.bin), is it correct ?
I don't have any backup.
Please help me friends.
NOTE: Sorry for my terrible english.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey.. I am facing this same .. I am from India, i bought from google play store.. If you get to know of any fix for this, do let me know too.. i tried the 9 step recover process given in xda for s2, but that did not work for me.
---------- Post added at 11:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:32 AM ----------
b177y said:
I had my IMEI disappear, the "about phone' just had "unknown" for my IMEI. My Nexus GSM was only a week old and purchased from the Play Store. The only reason I checked is because I was on the phone with Google Wallet support and they needed to know. Surprisingly, I was on the phone on T-Mobile network, but with an "unknown" IMEI.
I did a battery pull to reset the phone and it was back. The number on the screen matched the inside, the number on the box, and the number on my receipt. I called support back (again, on the same phone) and they fixed the problem once I gave them my IMEI.
I was a little freaked out that it disappeared like that, but at least the battery pull fixed it.
Good luck with yours.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, even i bought from playstore and i have this same issue. Can you tell me how your issue was fixed ? i realize that the imei is printed on the phone just beneath the battery. But how does it reset the phone ?

Ok soo first of all this is common problem for samsung smartphones - and it has nothing to do with stolen phone. I have the same issue as well - IMEI just got lost one day. Getting factory resets or flashing orginal stock from google page dosn't work.
I just hope that it's not a hardware issue - still waiting for solution for nexus. It's crap cause i bought from google play store while being in US - now when i got back to EU it stopped working - sending it back is very costfull...
So only because it's never happend to you don't say it must have been stolen or something!

Papi1986 said:
Ok soo first of all this is common problem for samsung smartphones - and it has nothing to do with stolen phone. I have the same issue as well - IMEI just got lost one day. Getting factory resets or flashing orginal stock from google page dosn't work.
I just hope that it's not a hardware issue - still waiting for solution for nexus. It's crap cause i bought from google play store while being in US - now when i got back to EU it stopped working - sending it back is very costfull...
So only because it's never happend to you don't say it must have been stolen or something!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am facing the issue after wiping everthing(CACHE,SYSTEM,XLOADER,...)..

abhishek_ab said:
i am facing the issue after wiping everthing(CACHE,SYSTEM,XLOADER,...)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue here, anyone please have a solution!?
All the best,
Mark

Yep one more for me :/

Same here
I'm facing this same problem. Any solution to it yet?

Same for me
I am having the same problem after formatting /factory. Is there any solution?

Wether flashing the factory image recovers that???
Sent from my CyanogenMod powered Galaxy Nexus

varadparulekarofficial said:
Wether flashing the factory image recovers that???
Sent from my CyanogenMod powered Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no, but you can try.
I have the worst luck, my GNex lost its iMEI and II tried to recover it for 6 months.
Then, one day I got the IMEI back (did a backup of the nv data files and deleted them from the system folder)
So look at this: I did a backup on the nv_data files and put it in the Internal Storage
Then, I wanted to revert back to full stock (no root, locked bootloader)
So I flashed the stock (ps: this wiped the internal storage, so I lost the backup files).
When the cellphone booted I didn't have the IMEI again, so I rooted my phone and deleted the NV Data files FOREVER.
So basically there is NO way to recover the files, I lost my IMEI forever.
But for anyone who is having this issue, backup the files (save it in your computer :silly: ) and delete the nv data files from the system. Try everything related to that. (but be sure to have a backup, hahaha :silly: )

[Q] Bricked Note 2

I've been having power issues with my AT&T Note 2 (draining battery when completely off, wouldn't start after changing batteries without first plugging into USB). I swapped the USB charging port with no luck. Reverted to old backup I took which didn't solve the problem either. And lastly, I started to wipe it and revert to a factory image. Aftering wiping data, system, cache, etc. my phone is stuck on the battery logo screen (no animation). It won't boot into download or recovery. I tried a homemade jig which isn't working.
I have about a year left on contract. It was refurbished and has no warranty left. I have a couple questions:
1. Should I try a jig from amazon? I'm not seeing any specifically stating they'll work with the Note 2.
2. If I've hosed bootloader or have a hardware issue, what's the chance a new mainboard will fix it? (is the internal memory part of the mainboard?)
3. Should I see if I can find a repair shop that will use jtag or something similar to salvage it?
4. Do I sell it for parts (hoping I'd get ~$200 since the display and glass are in good condition) and buy a nexus 5?
5. Any other suggestions?

kevingt01 said:
I've been having power issues with my AT&T Note 2 (draining battery when completely off, wouldn't start after changing batteries without first plugging into USB). I swapped the USB charging port with no luck. Reverted to old backup I took which didn't solve the problem either. And lastly, I started to wipe it and revert to a factory image. Aftering wiping data, system, cache, etc. my phone is stuck on the battery logo screen (no animation). It won't boot into download or recovery. I tried a homemade jig which isn't working.
I have about a year left on contract. It was refurbished and has no warranty left. I have a couple questions:
1. Should I try a jig from amazon? I'm not seeing any specifically stating they'll work with the Note 2.
2. If I've hosed bootloader or have a hardware issue, what's the chance a new mainboard will fix it? (is the internal memory part of the mainboard?)
3. Should I see if I can find a repair shop that will use jtag or something similar to salvage it?
4. Do I sell it for parts (hoping I'd get ~$200 since the display and glass are in good condition) and buy a nexus 5?
5. Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Send it to ...
Mobiletechvideos.com
And have them fix it...(Google their website for info..)
Then ....when the device comes back...
Read the process of rooting and flashing at least 100 times ...so you can remember the proper steps...because after seeing your post...it is quite apparent that you don't know what you are doing....???
I don't mean to sound harsh...but dang dude...you've messed it up pretty good...
We see countless users get excited and jump in head first trying every possible mod under the sun...
Only to realize that the wrong steps were taken and the wrong software was used..
Each user has a personal responsibility to learn and understand the basics before asking for help or advice ..
Remember ...this is a development site that lives on the edge of code modification...and if not used with some prudence and wisdom ends up costing a lot of time and money...
I can't tell you what to do...only you can decide that...but honestly...you need to learn the basics "before" jumping in and toasting a $700.00 device...IMHO ...g
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

gregsarg said:
Send it to ...
Mobiletechvideos.com
And have them fix it...(Google their website for info..)
Then ....when the device comes back...
Read the process of rooting and flashing at least 100 times ...so you can remember the proper steps...because after seeing your post...it is quite apparent that you don't know what you are doing....???
I don't mean to sound harsh...but dang dude...you've messed it up pretty good...
We see countless users get excited and jump in head first trying every possible mod under the sun...
Only to realize that the wrong steps were taken and the wrong software was used..
Each user has a personal responsibility to learn and understand the basics before asking for help or advice ..
Remember ...this is a development site that lives on the edge of code modification...and if not used with some prudence and wisdom ends up costing a lot of time and money...
I can't tell you what to do...only you can decide that...but honestly...you need to learn the basics "before" jumping in and toasting a $700.00 device...IMHO ...g
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 on that bro

It seems the repair shop is the only way
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

RoninTPD said:
+1 on that bro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is hope, you can take the shoot.bin from the update and put it in a tar file with the files from the old stock tar and flash it. I had the same problem and did this for the sprint version and completely downgraded, boot loader and all. You can find the info on the sprint version. You can email me at keithgordon66 @gmail.com and I'll give you my number so you can call me and I can talk you through it, its easy.
Sent from my A501 using xda app-developers app

I was finally able to get it into download mode by removing the battery, plugging it into my laptop via USB, and doing the normal 3 button combo. Flashed the stock ROM with these instructions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2275844 (what I was trying to do when it apparently died on me).

[Q] imei problem on gnex

my phone imei has changed
Someone has a solution?

Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Misledz said:
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did it but to no avail

Don't you have an older nandroid backup somewhere?
.

Ed V said:
Don't you have an older nandroid backup somewhere?
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sorry:crying:

What is the IMEI that it's showing? Is it the generic IMEI of 004999010640000? If so, this means that somehow the real IMEI has been corrupted. This happened to me and without a backup I have found that it's nearly impossible to fix easily. From what I have learned you need some specialized hardware and software in order to rewrite the partition that stores the IMEI data on the phone. In my area at least, I could not find a repair shop that had the hardware / software combo needed in order to fix this. In the end, as a last ditch effort I called Samsung to see if there was anything they could do. They ended up fixing my phone for free, and they paid shipping costs both ways. The process took less than 3 weeks total, and my phone is actually being delivered back to me today so I'm excited to get it back.
If you can't find someone in your area who is ale to fix it, give Samsung Support a call at 888-987-HELP.

generic IMEI 004999*

I recently changed networks, its was only then that I discovered that at some point in the last 2 years my IMEI had reset to the default, most likely due to me deleting something I shouldn't have.
I know its a log shot but does anyone have a back up of the following directorys?:
/efs
/factory
/data/radio
these are what are missing from my phone, I believe that the /efs is the most important in getting my phone back to normal.
Thank you

try to restore it using ****docomo app..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I tried the ***docomo app, the option to restore was blanked out.
joesalve said:
try to restore it using ****docomo app..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Sorry to see another victim. You are not alone - I'm stuck with this same generic IMEI problem with no backups to restore to.
Have you seen these threads?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2508320
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2583872
Using someone else's backup of the nv_data files will give you their IMEI number. Not sure anyone is willing to do that unless they have a Gnex just collecting dust and they don't care.
I'm considering this option: http://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7554
With the cost of the special USB cable and software totaling about $40, you get one shot at repairing your IMEI. I haven't tried it yet....

wallygator4life said:
Sorry to see another victim. You are not alone - I'm stuck with this same generic IMEI problem with no backups to restore to.
Have you seen these threads?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2508320
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2583872
Using someone else's backup of the nv_data files will give you their IMEI number. Not sure anyone is willing to do that unless they have a Gnex just collecting dust and they don't care.
I'm considering this option: http://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7554
With the cost of the special USB cable and software totaling about $40, you get one shot at repairing your IMEI. I haven't tried it yet....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also very tempted by that but I have just been bitten by one such SRS service that could not deliver what they promised (efs fix) and am now having a paypal dispute with them. Who know how long it will take for the cable to turn up and I am getting a new phone next month