Related
TO MINIMIZE THE CHANCE YOU LOSE YOUR IMEI, BE SURE AND ROOT/CWM USING THIS METHOD:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426
AND ONLY FLASH ROMS INTENDED FOR USE ON YOUR MODEL
**UPDATED 7/16/12**
questions we are trying to answer:
- what versions of clockworkmod, if any, are prone to causing IMEI problems?
- what rooting methods, if any, are prone to causing IMEI problems?
- what ROMs are causing imei issues, and on which models? is the rooting/cwm method related?
- where is the IMEI stored on the phone, and most importantly
- is it possible to back it up, and restore it once corrupt?
RESTORING AN /EFS BACKUP DOES NOT APPEAR TO RESTORE AN IMEI AT THIS TIME.
TO BE SAFE, USE THIS GREAT SCRIPT BROUGHT TO YOU BY DROTHENBERGER AND SFERNANDEZ:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=28528532&postcount=38
You will need Cygwin (http://www.cygwin.com/) for the script.
Original post by sfernandez detailing the partitions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=28519596&postcount=39
IF YOU HAVE THIS ISSUE, PLEASE FILL THIS OUT AND POST. THANKS PINOYMUTT:
1. CARRIER VERSION:
(ATT, TMo, Sprint, Verizon, Bell, etc.)
2. ROOT METHOD:
Exact method you used to root, please link to the thread if possible
3. CWM INSTALLATION METHOD:
Again, please be specific. Examples include the ADB/DD method, flashing via ODIN, etc.
4. CWM VERSION:
Which CWM are you using -- the Sprint version or one of the Clockwork ones?
5. ROM(s) FLASHED:
Did you flash any ROMs after the above, and how did you flash it?
6. WHEN DID YOU FIRST NOTICE IMEI WAS GONE?:
It helps if you know which step may have caused the issue
7. OTHER NOTES:
RULES
1. Please READ THE ENTIRE THREAD BEFORE POSTING. There is way too much info in here for me to summarize.
2. ALWAYS READ THE THREAD BEFORE POSTING
3. If your phone is working properly and your IMEI is intact, and the method you used to root and install CWM has already been detailed by another member, WE DO NOT NEED TO KNOW IT ALSO WORKED FOR YOU. LET'S TRY AND KEEP THE THREAD CLUTTER DOWN
4. No arguing or bickering over stupid crap. Keep that to PMs.
5. READ THE THREAD BEFORE POSTING. THANK YOU.
original post:
If you have flashed a new ROM on your phone recently and have found difficulty or impossibility in getting cellular or data service, chances are you have corrupted or deleted the file that stores your IMEI. i'll try to answer a couple of common questions and detail methods i used, and why i think they failed
What is an IMEI?
your network identifies your phone by its IMEI. once i had "lost" mine, AT&T's network would not provide service to my device, even after getting a new sim card.
How can I check if mine is corrupted?
your IMEI is a 15-digit number under your battery. dialing *#06# should display the same number under your battery. if you get a different number or something like 0 / 00, you have corrupted your IMEI.
Changing the APNs
marginally effective at best. your phone is not registering on AT&T's network as a device it should send data to, so it doesn't matter what APN you use.
flashing to stock rom
did not work for me. probably because this probably doesn't effect the /efs partition, where the IMEI is stored.
use CWM / nandroid restore
from what I can tell, a standard backup does not back up the EFS partition. you need to use something like EFS pro to backup your /efs directory (where the IMEI is stored). restoring my phone to a previously stable and working save did not restore my IMEI
editing nv_data.bin
no one has been able to find this file on the SGH-i747
using a terminal / AT interface
it looks like the IMEI is encrypted and causes a stack overflow when you try to query it. notice how i can query my IMSI (edited) fine, but querying the IMEI causes a stack overflow. pic:
http://imgur.com/uZxZL
i probably tried a few more things i can't think of right now. moral of the story is... approach unstable roms with caution, and BACK UP YOUR EFS PARTITION!!!
anyone had any luck restoring a busted IMEI? :highfive:
EFS pro has not been updated to the correct partition for i747, so currently that method to backup/restore will not work.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
thanks for the info. will copying the entire /efs directory to my extsd using root explorer work?
It's not the EFS folder but the correct block partition in the dev folder.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
thanks for filling me in on this, still an android nub compared to you guys... did some digging and found this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-1689623.html
is that info still relevant/correct?
Not sure but cant hurt to do a full backup of all the blocks until someone can confirm that it's the same with the s4 version of the galaxy s3.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
can anyone confirm if using root explorer to backup /dev safely backs up your IMEI?
how can you do a backup of all the blocks on the phone?
I have not used this yet but you should read this thread and give it a try.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746665
nunyabiziz said:
I have not used this yet but you should read this thread and give it a try.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746665
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks ill check it out
On my older captivate backing up the efs folder worked. Then if you loose the imei, restoring the folder or nvdata file fixed it. I'd backup the efs folder just in case.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
EFS Pro DO work with the S3. (I haven't try restoring my EFS, but backup went fine)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1308546
What did you to loose IMEI? What ROM did you flash or what did you do wrong to cause this? Better to learn from somebody's else mistakes then your own.
When I had the problem on my Samsung Captivate, the EFS was wiped out when I converted from a CyangonMod rom to a standard Captivate based ROM. I didn't actually lock down what caused the issue (since I could easily fix it by restoring the nvdata.bin file - which I just kept handy on my external SD card and PC as well). I think it might have been when I ran a one-click ODIN to restore back to the RFS file system to install one of the custom Captivate ROMS. The only issue I ran into was the IMEI was different than what it should have been, but no usability issues at all. So moral of the story is, it's possible it can happen any time you flash a new ROM, backup your EFS folder and keep it in a safe place (I believe it's just the NVDATA.BIN file you need because that's all I restored), and enjoy the variety of custom ROMs these developers are building (because they are great!).
That's my $.02
EDIT: Oh and the Nandroid backups don't backup the EFS folder, so don't think a CWM backup will save you.
to those of you suggesting to back up nv_data.bin... just tell me where it is and i'll be glad to. i was no able to find it anywhere in /efs or /dev
artisticcheese said:
What did you to loose IMEI? What ROM did you f
flash or what did you do wrong to cause this? Better to learn from somebody's else mistakes then your own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am pretty use it happened when i flashed redruM onto my phone like a dumbass thinking [GSM Universal] meant it would work for my device
On the Captivate flashing a 1-click ROM would fix the issue. I have the issue too, but I really do not know what to do about it, I have looked all around the /efs partition, and I'm not sure where it could be.
DemonWav said:
On the Captivate flashing a 1-click ROM would fix the issue. I have the issue too, but I really do not know what to do about it, I have looked all around the /efs partition, and I'm not sure where it could be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't mean to discourage you, but i had to get a new device.
one thing that i wanted to try but could not was to take a stable EFS backup from an SGH-i747, locate the IMEI and change it to my own, and restore my /efs folder with those files. i'm not sure if decrypting the IMEI is possible, or if even getting to that point is possible.
if anyone has any ideas on how to extract an IMEI from an EFS backup feel free to PM me. i'm interested in experimenting on my personal backup (from my second device)
Ultimately if anyone should lose their IMEI or bork the EFS partition...these guys can fix it. They are very reputable and have fixed my Captivate back in the day....they now offer fixes for this device now. Its only 30 bucks and keep them in mind instead of paying 200 for insurance claims.
NO SPRINT OR CDMA models.
http://mobiletechvideos.mybigcommerce.com/
Well I will be getting a new phone on the 10th, but until then I would really like to figure out how to restore the IMEI. Who knows, it might not be possible at this point. When I get the new phone I will definitely be backing up my /efs directory, first thing. I completely forgot to do it, and it cost me.
How are you guys backing up the efs partition? Just a simple folder copy? Or a complete cwm backup?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
I did the stupid mistake of flashing to a custom rom without backing up. Nowhere in custom rom instructions says to backup your /efs folder.
Now in "About device" Baseband version is "Unknown" IMEI is "Unknown". I've searched everywhere for a fix and nothing. I tried the following:
Flash stock rom
Format /data and /cache
On keypad, dial *#7284# ....But i dont get the "Qualcomm USB settings" option so i cant try IMEI repair tools
I tried flashing different kernels and different custom roms
Apart from the IMEI problem, the Device cant access the 16GB internal memory. The stock rom flashes with no error, but when i go to
settings > storage: under "Device memory" its full with only 182MB used by some apps. I thought the memory could be bad, but after flashing
Perseus kernel and swapping external sd card for internal memory I can use the 16GB as external memory. I cant find a fix for that either.
INTERNAL MEMORY UPDATE: it seems that internal memory is mounting read only. Still trying to find a fix
Im currently on "T889UVALK8_T889TMBALK8_TMB" rom with Perseus kernel and using "11extsd2internalsd_gs3_fat32" to swap internal to external memory.
Side note: I bought the phone from a friend 2 days ago. Its the Tmobile version and I used cellunlocker to unlock to use it with AT&T. That worked, until I started messing with ROMS. No warranty available. I am desperately looking on how to fix this since i have no spare phone. Any help is highly appreciated and thank you for your time
Eri version: Unknown???
I am having a similiar issue on t889 7105. ERI version "not available". Everything else is okay. Searched everywhere . . .not addressed. Which is strange.
this sucks
gregniel said:
I am having a similiar issue on t889 7105. ERI version "not available". Everything else is okay. Searched everywhere . . .not addressed. Which is strange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cant believe this issue hasn't been addressed
Unfortunately sir their just isnt much that can be done for you. If you read about imei loss without a backup its just about incurable. Sorry.
And the remedy for imei restoration without a backup is hit and miss at best as to whether or not it actually will restore your number. Your best bet is to use the search function and try and experiment with different ways of fixing it. Its not like there is much more damage that can be done anyways. You already screwed the pooch and basically have a functional brick.
No one is going to post a step by step guide for you though if thats what youre waiting on. This is a complicated fix and most members wont devote the time to walking you through it
And to the member that said he searched and found no Information. Well thats just not true. Ive read tons of threads and posts about it and know about SEVERAL backup and restore methods.
crap
janjannsen99 said:
Unfortunately sir their just isnt much that can be done for you. If you read about imei loss without a backup its just about incurable. Sorry.
And the remedy for imei restoration without a backup is hit and miss at best as to whether or not it actually will restore your number. Your best bet is to use the search function and try and experiment with different ways of fixing it. Its not like there is much more damage that can be done anyways. You already screwed the pooch and basically have a functional brick.
No one is going to post a step by step guide for you though if thats what youre waiting on. This is a complicated fix and most members wont devote the time to walking you through it
And to the member that said he searched and found no Information. Well thats just not true. Ive read tons of threads and posts about it and know about SEVERAL backup and restore methods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for confirming my fear, I was on denial. Im getting a new one on friday. How much do you think I can sell this one for, obviously as a tablet?
Developers need to take more responsibility around here with their threads. A simple "I'm not at fault" is sub par in my opinion. Users popping up with IMEI issues are becoming more a common thing. Didn't somebody make an app to back up your efs partition? Why is there not a link to said app in every ROM and kernel thread? This stuff blows my mind.
As there is a rampant influx of "noobs" watching YouTube videos about rooting their devices (most of which for the first time) with links to ROM threads, their needs to be an influx of responsibility taken by those who cook ROMs and feed them to the general public. The issues with the IMEIs being lost is not a small one. Your device is pretty much done for without a backup. Keep reading, keep trying, but since you had no idea that losing the ability to use your device's radios was even a possibility, not your fault.
Good luck. And sorry. You should have seen a link at the very top of the thread you downloaded your ROM from ... and this whole thing would have been avoided. Here is the link, which is always shared too late and after the fact. App is called andromizer forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2080009
This kind of thing shouldn't still be happening.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2080009
[DEV][APP][Andromizer] Android Customizing Tools (Note2 Specific Features Added)
Here's a link to one I used to backup mine. You have to pay to unlock the backup feature. It gives you way more piece of mind flashing
saseekutz said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2080009
[DEV][APP][Andromizer] Android Customizing Tools (Note2 Specific Features Added)
Here's a link to one I used to backup mine. You have to pay to unlock the backup feature. It gives you way more piece of mind flashing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you don't. The version I got here on xda, also same exact link I posted right before you -_- , allowed me to back up my efs partition with no issues
adam2508 said:
Thank you for confirming my fear, I was on denial. Im getting a new one on friday. How much do you think I can sell this one for, obviously as a tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well all is not lost. There have been reports of people restoring imei successfully.
Try and app called andromizer. If I remember right it had an efs backup and restore. Its an app
Second. Go to the tmobile galaxy s3 forum and find their thread about lost imei numbers. Use those tools and the method to try to write back your imei number. Ill try and find it
Edit. Heres the link. Try using those tools and those methods. THAT is the only method I have heard about to work AT ALL. So try it out
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801997
cobraboy85 said:
No you don't. The version I got here on xda, also same exact link I posted right before you -_- , allowed me to back up my efs partition with no issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn.. Lol I was told wrong, my bad on the repost dude
Agreed
cobraboy85 said:
Developers need to take more responsibility around here with their threads. A simple "I'm not at fault" is sub par in my opinion. Users popping up with IMEI issues are becoming more a common thing. Didn't somebody make an app to back up your efs partition? Why is there not a link to said app in every ROM and kernel thread? This stuff blows my mind.
As there is a rampant influx of "noobs" watching YouTube videos about rooting their devices (most of which for the first time) with links to ROM threads, their needs to be an influx of responsibility taken by those who cook ROMs and feed them to the general public. The issues with the IMEIs being lost is not a small one. Your device is pretty much done for without a backup. Keep reading, keep trying, but since you had no idea that losing the ability to use your device's radios was even a possibility, not your fault.
Good luck. And sorry. You should have seen a link at the very top of the thread you downloaded your ROM from ... and this whole thing would have been avoided. Here is the link, which is always shared too late and after the fact. App is called andromizer forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2080009
This kind of thing shouldn't still be happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What would happen if i copied the /efs directory from the new one to this one?
Start a thread titled
Who has restored imei successfully
janjannsen99 said:
Start a thread titled
Who has restored imei successfully
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue being you can't restore it without a backup.
---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:56 PM ----------
adam2508 said:
What would happen if i copied the /efs directory from the new one to this one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never done it. If you have a new one, just make a backup of the new one and don't mess with it. Now you know to make a backup
Curious
I would like to prevent myself from making this mistake in the future. Are you talking about the same type of back up you would do in TWRP or CWM? Like a nandroid? I've never heard about the backup your talking about, but I have been seeing a lot of people talking about losing their IMEI number and it sounds like really bad news.
Ill give it a try
janjannsen99 said:
Well all is not lost. There have been reports of people restoring imei successfully.
Try and app called andromizer. If I remember right it had an efs backup and restore. Its an app
Second. Go to the tmobile galaxy s3 forum and find their thread about lost imei numbers. Use those tools and the method to try to write back your imei number. Ill try and find it
Edit. Heres the link. Try using those tools and those methods. THAT is the only method I have heard about to work AT ALL. So try it out
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801997
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try this tomorrow, i dont think that there is no fix at all. There is a fix for everything, just not yet discovered. Even though i will be getting a new phone, i still want to dedicate some time on fixing this one. If I find a fix, I might help someone else.
advice
Corrupt0387 said:
I would like to prevent myself from making this mistake in the future. Are you talking about the same type of back up you would do in TWRP or CWM? Like a nandroid? I've never heard about the backup your talking about, but I have been seeing a lot of people talking about losing their IMEI number and it sounds like really bad news.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dude, make sure you have a back up of everything. Especially of the /efs directory. I read a few posts about people having this problem even after restoring back from CWM. I will get into conclusions that CWM does not back up the /efs directory. Anyone wants to correct me or add to this?
A little clarification
adam2508 said:
dude, make sure you have a back up of everything. Especially of the /efs directory. I read a few posts about people having this problem even after restoring back from CWM. I will get into conclusions that CWM does not back up the /efs directory. Anyone wants to correct me or add to this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any chance you could tell me where to find this? If ever lost and you have the back up, how would you restore it?
I'll be really honest
Corrupt0387 said:
Any chance you could tell me where to find this? If ever lost and you have the back up, how would you restore it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After what happened to me I haven't messed with other roms. Andromizer can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2080009 to make a backup of your /efs. I have also used Nandroid, which you can just download from the "play store". Nandroid apparently does make a backup of everything including /efs and bootloader. As to how to restore from those backups I would like to never find out if it actually works. I have flashed the perseus kernel with clockworkmod recovery and also rooted which allows me to overclock to 1800MHz and im very happy with it. I dont have the urge to flash any roms that "promise" any speed improvements. I have also got rid of the bloatware with titanium backup pro. And of course i made backup with it too just in case i removed something i did not suppose to. All backups are in my external SD card and on dropbox. Call me paranoid but after what ive gone through i call it being safe.
adam2508 said:
I did the stupid mistake of flashing to a custom rom without backing up. Nowhere in custom rom instructions says to backup your /efs folder.
Now in "About device" Baseband version is "Unknown" IMEI is "Unknown". I've searched everywhere for a fix and nothing. I tried the following:
Flash stock rom
Format /data and /cache
On keypad, dial *#7284# ....But i dont get the "Qualcomm USB settings" option so i cant try IMEI repair tools
I tried flashing different kernels and different custom roms
Apart from the IMEI problem, the Device cant access the 16GB internal memory. The stock rom flashes with no error, but when i go to
settings > storage: under "Device memory" its full with only 182MB used by some apps. I thought the memory could be bad, but after flashing
Perseus kernel and swapping external sd card for internal memory I can use the 16GB as external memory. I cant find a fix for that either.
INTERNAL MEMORY UPDATE: it seems that internal memory is mounting read only. Still trying to find a fix
Im currently on "T889UVALK8_T889TMBALK8_TMB" rom with Perseus kernel and using "11extsd2internalsd_gs3_fat32" to swap internal to external memory.
Side note: I bought the phone from a friend 2 days ago. Its the Tmobile version and I used cellunlocker to unlock to use it with AT&T. That worked, until I started messing with ROMS. No warranty available. I am desperately looking on how to fix this since i have no spare phone. Any help is highly appreciated and thank you for your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like you did a NAND erase all in Odin. Flash back to stock, use triangle away, call samsung to fix it. I had the same issue and Samsung fixed it for free.
Free?
KillaHurtz said:
It sounds like you did a NAND erase all in Odin. Flash back to stock, use triangle away, call samsung to fix it. I had the same issue and Samsung fixed it for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even without insurance? And what am I going to tell them?
Hi All,
Have just ran into something quite strange on my phone and would love to know if there is anyone else who has encountered this.
I have an N7105 running build DMB2 (Android 4.1.2). I rooted my stock ROM some time ago and everything has been travelling along nicely. With KitKat ROMs starting to show up now and my desire to avoid exposing my phone to the new stock 4.3 recovery with KNOX baked into it, I am considering flashing to a custom 4.4 and skipping 4.3 entirely.
This lead me to wanting to make an EFS backup after reading plenty of horror stories on how not doing so can ruin your day. I went and backed up my /efs folder and popped it on my PC. My natural allergy to simplicity then lead me to ask "Is it really that easy?" and found out that the nv_data.bin file stores all the important bits. My /efs folder DOES NOT HAVE an nv_data file of ANY description.
To cover bases: Yes I am rooted, I also tried 2 different file explorers (Solid Explorer and Root Explorer) to make sure it was not a visibility setting in one of them.
I always assumed that the EFS backup "apps" that you can get were just an automated means of copying the folder. Am I wrong in assuming this? Do they pull other data from elsewhere? Why is this supposedly super important file missing from my phone >.>.....
Cheers,
Sheik.
Nobody have any idea what the deal is here?
There is a thread on it somewhere. Because the n7105 has a separate chip for the lte the efs folder can't be backed up in the usual way. The thread had a tool to back up the nv_data bin. I think that's how I remember it
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Thanks for that. Nice to hear that its not some strange security trigger or me going crazy then. If anyone knows the post that sawdoctor is referring to I would love a link.
I am very hesitant to do any kind of custom ROM flashing without an IMEI backup. From what I have read, if I lose my IMEI data its possible that even flashing a factory image wont fix things is that correct? Even though I do have a Nandroid backup I am not 100% sure it contains the IMEI data in it because of the absence of a file. : \
I m using this thread to backup efs.
The only method works to back up N7105 efs.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2049155
Sent from the corner of this rounded earth (N7105 v4.3, powered by LionROM)
Thanks for confirming this. Was not sure if this would work for phones with the nv_data file missing. In the guide it does say "This will back up all your phones NV Items and save them to the QCN Backup File.". And theres a total absence of NV files on my phone. lol. But being its confirmed working by people I can only assume its looking in places that I cant/have not. Will test it after I have done all my various RL tasks for the day. If there is other people who have done a full backup and restore with this method and confirmed it functional I would love to hear from you.
Cheers.
Sheikx800 said:
Thanks for confirming this. Was not sure if this would work for phones with the nv_data file missing. In the guide it does say "This will back up all your phones NV Items and save them to the QCN Backup File.". And theres a total absence of NV files on my phone. lol. But being its confirmed working by people I can only assume its looking in places that I cant/have not. Will test it after I have done all my various RL tasks for the day. If there is other people who have done a full backup and restore with this method and confirmed it functional I would love to hear from you.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried to restore, and all there. But I tried on 4.1.2.
Has never tried to restore on 4.3
Sent from the corner of this rounded earth (N7105 v4.3, powered by LionROM)
Just to make it that little bit more interesting I am going to be restoring on 4.4 if I do at all....Will probably keep this thread posted with updates because there seems to be very little info about this.
7105 nv backup
The 7105 is not like the 7100 model it has a completely different
frame behind the screen
a different plastic intermediate case
a different mainboard
the 7105 device also stores data in internal NV RAM which is not accessable easily
it is thought that the Qualcom tools or NV-Ram backup tools can backup these internal areas
BUT
it is possible to erase or damage the NV-Ram so that you cannot talk to the Ram to RESTORE the data
even when you have a backup
as a result even when you have a full NV Ram backup there is not yet a solution which
will ensure that a damaged NV-RAM area can be 100 percent sorted back to working if you are unlucky
just make sure you NEVER clear NV-RAM from Odin on a 7105
This is the kind of thing I was afraid of. Thanks to fibreoptix for sharing that. I am just glad that there is some method for backing it up. No idea how these chip-specific tools get released to us because I have no doubt its not intentional. I am glad that there is people out there willing to take them out of the OEM space and pass them to us so we can protect ourselves from disaster.
I dont know enough about this stuff to do anything but make assumptions, but I assume that this NV RAM that you mention is physically located in the SOC and not on memory anywhere. So I doubt that this will ever get any easier in terms of achieving a backup on any upcoming devices either. I guess all we can do is pray that various individuals keep releasing these OEM tools to us. In terms of the RAM becoming physically inaccessible and broken its not that concerning providing you can flash back to stock and get a warranty job.
Hi Guys,
Some time ago my SGH-i927 turned off and refused to come back on, it was sent to a couple of repair specialists who confirmed it was dead; an ex SGH-i927; it was no more, it had shuffled off it's mortal coil......e.t.c.
....now I have splashed out on a 'for spares showing extreme wear' handset from a well know auction site, supposedly it switches on but because of a broken screen is otherwise unusable. My hope is to swap the innards of the spares into my old phone which has a decent screen in a desperate attempt to achieve a single working handset.
I have backups both NANDROID and EFS from my old phone before it passed away. I've searched on restoring the NANDROID and this would seem to be a workable proposition, however, I have found little on restoring EFS to a 'repaired' phone. There were hints that this might over write the IMEI of the donor with the IMEI of my old phone. The legalities of this would appear to be somewhat dubious. As I presumably own the rights to both IMEI's and there will still only be one phone with it, what are your thoughts ?
My old phone was network unlocked using an unlocking code based on it's IMEI - which of the 'Backups' contains this setting (I'm guessing EFS) ?,
If I just restore the NANDROID would the unlocked status be preserved or would I need the EFS too?
What other issues might I encounter if I try to restore the EFS ?
Your help with these questions would be gratefully received.
requiem_mortis said:
Hi Guys,
Some time ago my SGH-i927 turned off and refused to come back on, it was sent to a couple of repair specialists who confirmed it was dead; an ex SGH-i927; it was no more, it had shuffled off it's mortal coil......e.t.c.
....now I have splashed out on a 'for spares showing extreme wear' handset from a well know auction site, supposedly it switches on but because of a broken screen is otherwise unusable. My hope is to swap the innards of the spares into my old phone which has a decent screen in a desperate attempt to achieve a single working handset.
I have backups both NANDROID and EFS from my old phone before it passed away. I've searched on restoring the NANDROID and this would seem to be a workable proposition, however, I have found little on restoring EFS to a 'repaired' phone. There were hints that this might over write the IMEI of the donor with the IMEI of my old phone. The legalities of this would appear to be somewhat dubious. As I presumably own the rights to both IMEI's and there will still only be one phone with it, what are your thoughts ?
My old phone was network unlocked using an unlocking code based on it's IMEI - which of the 'Backups' contains this setting (I'm guessing EFS) ?,
If I just restore the NANDROID would the unlocked status be preserved or would I need the EFS too?
What other issues might I encounter if I try to restore the EFS ?
Your help with these questions would be gratefully received.
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AS i know it would preserv. if not, you wil lbe able to use old unlock code with old imei.
Be sure to backup OLD and NEW efs.
Laws here perevent to mess with radio things, and that means you are forbidden to change your imei.
Manipulating the efs may brick your phone. I would start backup efs, and restore old one, and see what happens.
bubor thankyou for your response, may I ask for clarification
Laws here perevent to mess with radio things, and that means you are forbidden to change your imei.
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Would restoring my Old 'EFS' to the transplanted / replacement motherboard constitute 'messing with radio things' ?
I ask so as to avoid breaking the law ...UK LAW
Please PM me if you do not wish to publish an answer
Further research would indicate that the WiFi MAC address may also be stored in the EFS folder, if I overwrite the EFS of the donor MOBO with my backup file would the WiFi still work ?
Can anyone confirm if the WiFi component would still work with a transplanted EFS ?
All thoughts gratefully received.
I have network problems with my phone, I have done a lot of researches and those issues may be a result of corrupt efs, I didn't do a backup so what I wanted to do is that someone share a full efs backup, I know that it contains the imei so it will be illegal but I saw that we can remove that number from a qcn backup (made with qpst) with efs professional.
What Im trying to do may help a lot of users who have the same problem as me that didn't do an efs backup, but the problem is that I don't know if it will work and if the efs backup contain more info that will make it illegal to share.
I have been like 3 months now trying to fix my phone but I can't, it has signal problems, before I flash the qcn from here that enables aws bands I had no signal at all but after I flashed it I have some signal but in some places, i think that may be that only some bands are enabled, the aws bands, I think that I screwed the efs folder because when I bought the phone the signal was incredible where I live, I had the 5 signal bars and know only 3, 2,1 and zero signal, my info of the phone is fine, I have the correct one number just the serial number is 00000000000, I restored the imei with qpst but can't do the same with the s/n.
Well I hope that you or something else can help me with my problem and think about the efs backup that I was looking for I'm not an expert but I think it could work, thanks in advance and sorry about my English since is not my native language.
If I'm asking for something illegal just erase the post.
If you are asking for an EFS folder copy from another device...then you are asking for someone to help you break the law...
It is "ILLEGAL" for anyone to give you an EFS file from a device....
Send your phone to mobiletechvideos.com
This may get expensive if sending the device from areas outside of the United States...and you would have to contact them to make arrangements...
They will JTAG your phone...
A new EFS folder will be generated....and they will repair it to contain "YOUR" IMEI number by entering it from the information found under the battery....
Please don't ask the community to give you an EFS folder....
You won't get one...
And XDA won't allow it anyway....(big violation)....
I am sorry....but backups of the folder are your responsibility....and you are obligated to understand what you are doing "BEFORE" flashing or changing your device...
Breaking the law is not what XDA is about...
Best of luck....g
Sent from my NOTE 2.750...
Courtesy of our amazing developers...
gregsarg said:
If you are asking for an EFS folder copy from another device...then you are asking for someone to help you break the law...
It is "ILLEGAL" for anyone to give you an EFS file from a device....
Send your phone to mobiletechvideos.com
This may get expensive if sending the device from areas outside of the United States...and you would have to contact them to make arrangements...
They will JTAG your phone...
A new EFS folder will be generated....and they will repair it to contain "YOUR" IMEI number by entering it from the information found under the battery....
Please don't ask the community to give you an EFS folder....
You won't get one...
And XDA won't allow it anyway....(big violation)....
I am sorry....but backups of the folder are your responsibility....and you are obligated to understand what you are doing "BEFORE" flashing or changing your device...
Breaking the law is not what XDA is about...
Best of luck....g
Sent from my NOTE 2.750...
Courtesy of our amazing developers...
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Click to collapse
Thanks for let me know that, I didn't know that thing of mobiletechvideos.com, and I apologyze for what I asked.