[Q] How can I get a generic IMEI number on my SGS4G - Samsung Galaxy S (4G Model)

Hi everyone,
I just picked up a GS4G and want it to work with my Tmobile web2go account but am having some trouble. Some people simply delete the EFS folder but that doesnt work and I have been able to reset the IMEI to all 0's but that gives me problems too.
I have read some people that have a generic IMEI number (004999010640000) or something like that and was wondering how can I get that on my phone. From what I have seen, it is due to flashing a certain rom or messing with the nv_data file. So which rom can I flash to get a generic IMEI or anything else I can do?
Thanks for any help anyone can offer as I would really like to save a few bucks and keep my data plan as it is. Thanks again

the generic actually doesn't work. It won't give you service.

Ive been playing around with it but after 2 days, I am still able to make calls and connect to tmobiles 4g service with the all zero imei.
For anyone wondering, I first deleted the efs folder (dont recommend unless you have 2 backups), restarted and then it came back with a weird imei of weird characters. I was able to make calls but couldnt connect to 4g which is my primary reason of doing this. So I edited my original bin file with microsoft word and changed a few numbers around, replaced it into my efs folder, then got the all zeroes imei. Then I flashed it back to stock via odin and after this, is connected with my internet plan just fine and could make calls fine as well. I thought about leaving it like this but then flashed it with valhalla black edition and it still connects just fine with an all zero IMEI. I still would like to try it with a bin file that gives an IMEI of 004999010640000 but for now, it works for me just fine.
I pay $5 a month for data from Tmobile (Web2go/Tzones) and didnt want to upgrade and am glad I finally got it to work after a few hours of messing around. If anyone has any questions, let me know. I look forward to poking around the SGS4 threads for awhile until my next phone.

Hi mendezj666,
I just got my SGS4G today and I also have the $5 a month data plan from tmobile. Can you please share where to change on the nv_data.bin to do the trick? I appreciate that.
Thanks

pwong9 said:
Hi mendezj666,
I just got my SGS4G today and I also have the $5 a month data plan from tmobile. Can you please share where to change on the nv_data.bin to do the trick? I appreciate that.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you read up on this phone and know how to root and install roms and know how to use odin? (All very easy to do) I just dont want to get blamed if you mess up your phone and want to make sure you have at least two back ups of your nv_data.bin file (preferably on your computer as well as your sd card).
Also, just to make sure, it asks you to upgrade everytime you access the internet on 4g, right?

mendezj666 said:
Have you read up on this phone and know how to root and install roms and know how to use odin? (All very easy to do) I just dont want to get blamed if you mess up your phone and want to make sure you have at least two back ups of your nv_data.bin file (preferably on your computer as well as your sd card).
Also, just to make sure, it asks you to upgrade everytime you access the internet on 4g, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick response. I use EFS_Pro_1.4.7 to backup and restore the efs folder. I just upgraded the phone to SMS-KJ6-beta2d_Stock-Rom_with_Bootloaders-One-Click. I do have two backups of EPS folder on my PC and my sd card. I also made a CWM backup.
Correct. It asks me to upgrade my data plan which I want to stick as long as I can. It works great on 3g on my rooted ICS HD2, but I want the 4G speed.

pwong9 said:
Thanks for the quick response. I use EFS_Pro_1.4.7 to backup and restore the efs folder. I just upgrade the phone to SMS-KJ6-beta2d_Stock-Rom_with_Bootloaders-One-Click. I do have two backups of EPS folder on my PC and my sd card.
Correct. It asks me to upgrade my data plan which I want to stick as long as I can. It works great on 3g on my rooted ICS HD2, but I want the 4G speed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
K, just want to make sure. You shouldnt have any concern of bricking your phone since you're just editing one file and can always replace it but as with all flashing, just doublecheck everything. Delete the entire efs folder on your phone (you may have already done this), restart and should have a weird imei number of characters. On one of your backuped efs folders, find the nav bin file and open it with a hex editor. Then I just changed around a few of the numbers in the first lines randomly and saved it. I might have used Microsoft word to edit the bin file but both should work. then i put that nav file in the efs folder on my phone and rebooted it and put it back to stock via odin. Then when it restarted it still had the IMEI of all zeroes but could connect just fine on 4g.
This worked for me and hopefully works for me. If not, I MIGHT be willing to send you my own nav bin file that I personally use (which I wish I had at the start since it would have been much easier from the start) as long as you arent in my city. But thats a big risk since it might make my 4g stop working which would really suck

Thanks mendezj666. Please check your PM. Thanks.

airfluip1 said:
the generic actually doesn't work. It won't give you service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have a Galaxy Nexus, i have this generic IMEi number for my phone 004999010640000 i changed using a root app called doCOMO or something...i changed it frim my normal one so i could unlock the phone to any network after rooting. Now it has locked me out of every network! Is there anyway way to change it back? i really need help on this im a noob!!! please help me
thanks
Garry

This is the galaxy s4g forum. You might post your problem in the nexus forums. I have the bin file for the sgs4 that gives a working imei and works on tzones.

Related

[ROMS] Cricket-Zmod For Cricket Service Fully functional everything

First off I take no credit for these roms besides adding and removing files and settings for cricket use.
Credit goes to Avalaunch, Deathsled, tritron777, Calkulin and kingklick for there roms, settings and Amazing kernels.
You must install rom manager from the market and install AMON RA'S 1.80(if you have clockwork recovery) recovery BEFORE you install this rom Make Sure you wipe data/cache and the dalvik-cache
Open root explorer and navigate to the extra apps folder.
While in rootexplorer go to the Apnbackupandrestore folder and long press the cricket.xml file and select open in text editor. Edit the [email protected] to your number then save it.
Install Apnbackupandrestore.
Open Apn backup then delete apns.
Then restore the cricket.xml file you saved.
Also install VoiceMail notifier from the market or from the extra apps folder in your SD card.
Enjoy the Rom working fully on crickets network.
You must have the Android plan on your phone to use this
BadDroid2.2-Cricket-Zmod.zip
ftp
http://www.flashingacademy.com/ztahoez/EvoRoms/BadDroid2.2-Cricket-Zmod.zip
Calkulin's_EViO_2_ROM_v1.7.6b-Crickt-Zmod
ftp
http://www.flashingacademy.com/ztahoez/EvoRoms/Calkulin's_EViO_2_ROM_v1.7.6b-Crickt-Zmod.zip
myn-WarmTwoPointTwo--RLS-4-Cricket-Zmod
ftp
http://www.flashingacademy.com/ztahoez/EvoRoms/myn-WarmTwoPointTwo--RLS-4-Cricket-Zmod.zip
Calkulin_'s_EViO_2_ROM_v1.6.2-Cricket-Zmod
Based off of the newest OTA
ftp
http://www.flashingacademy.com/ztahoez/EvoRoms/Calkulin_'s_EViO_2_ROM_v1.6.2-Cricket-Zmod.zip
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Y82SARF4
This Rom has the htc#17 undervolted kernel included.
I am currently using this kernel that seems to be working very well.
http://kingxklick.com/kernels/KiNgxKernel-Evo-11-2.6.32.24-Flashable.zip
AvafroyoV9-Cricket-Zmod
ftp
http://www.flashingacademy.com/ztahoez/EvoRoms/avafroyov9-Cricket-Zmod.zip
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O
If you get an error trying to start the WiFi radio, install KingxKlick's kernel #10 CFS:
http://kingxklick.com/kernels/KiNgxKernel-Evo-10-2.6.32.17-Flashable.zip
*change log
added hulu fix (install flash-hex-edited.apk in the extra apps folder on your sd card and clear ALL YOUR SETTINGS in your browser then restart the phone)
battery life on this build is AMAZING
i am averaging 15 hours on heavy use
Avafroyov8-Cricket-Zmod
ftp
http://www.flashingacademy.com/ztahoez/EvoRoms/AvaFroyov8-Cricket-Zmod.zip
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QRJFMRA6
Enjoy. And as always I am not responsible for anything that happens to your phone.
P.S. i have a new addition to my household and diapers are'nt free so if you like the builds and have downloaded them for commercial flashing please click on the donate button next to my name and help me out
Wow, not one person has posted to say thank you?
Well, uh, let me be the first!!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Wow 200 views and 1 post
It's a tough crowd over here. cricKet compatibility is the last thing on their mind, unfortunately. You'd probably be better off posting this on HoFo, if you haven't already. I'll flash this to my wife's phone tonight, and see how she likes it.
17 downloads and 2 replies. Wow
Nice. Props to ya for setting it up for cricket users. Most of the people coming in this thread are looking for just another rom (for sprint). But again, I'm sure loads of people using Cricket would appreciate your work.
Been trying to get my Mms working for a while and will try out later today. Thank you. Just need to work on theme I like now.Thanks again
Great job!!! I am downloading right now!!! I will let you know if there's any bugs ... Thanks!!!!!
tzbigworm said:
It's a tough crowd over here. cricKet compatibility is the last thing on their mind, unfortunately. You'd probably be better off posting this on HoFo, if you haven't already. I'll flash this to my wife's phone tonight, and see how she likes it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the crowd probably has no idea what this is for...
Let me know if there are any issues and I will fix them
STUCK ?!?
ztahoez said:
First off I take no credit for this Rom besides adding and removing files and settings for cricket use.
Credit goes to Avalaunch, Deathsled, and triton777 for there roms and settings.
Do a full wipe before installing this Rom.
After installation. Run the Su app to update the app.
Open root explorer and navigate to the extra apps folder.
While in rootexplorer go to the Apnbackupandrestore folder and long press the cricket.xml file and select open in text editor. Edit the [email protected] to your number then save it.
Install Apnbackupandrestore.
Open Apn backup then delete apns.
Then restore the cricket.xml file you saved.
Also install PocoMail notified from the market or from the extra apps folder in your SD card.
Enjoy the Rom working fully on crickets network.
You must have the Android plan on your phone to use this
Enjoy. And as always I am not responsible for anything that happens to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
***** OKAY I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM I AM... WHEN EVER I LOOK FOR THE "EXTRA APPS FOLDER" I DO NOT FIND IT ANYWHERE BUT ON MY SD CARD?? IS THAT RIGHT ?? THEN EVERY TIME I TRIED TO SEARCH THE ROOT EXPLORE WOULD CRASH ... SO I WAS COMPLETELY STUCK WHILE WRITING THIS POST .. I DECIDED TO START GOING THROUGH ALL THE FOLDERS AGAIN ONE BY ONE ... I EVENTUALLY FOUND A FOLDER CALLED " MNT .... THEN I FOUND ONE CALLED SDCARD ... THEN I FOUND APNBACKUPRESTORE .... IN WHICH APPEARED A FEW DIFFERENT FILES ... I USED THE ONE THAT HAD A GOLD BADGE ON IT ... BUT ANYWAYS SO FAR SO GOOD ... EXCEPT I CAN'T FIND POCOMAIL ON THE MARKET OR IN EXTRA APPS FOLDER IN MY SD CARD!!! SO I AM GOING TO SEE IF EVERYTHING WORKS AS STATED ABOVE ... I WILL POST MY RESULTS
elhalish said:
the crowd probably has no idea what this is for...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably true. What does it do?
I am getting No internet No MMS No 3G ... I will contact cricKet to have them refresh my settings .. maybe update the phone on file. I found the cricket.xml file and changed it but I have nothing. I can use my wifi and my gps but not the 3G or mms. I also relash back to root stock just in case that was the problem .. update the radio .. kernal .. still nothing .. any suggestions ?? Besides calling cricKet ?
tech-9 said:
***** OKAY I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM I AM... WHEN EVER I LOOK FOR THE "EXTRA APPS FOLDER" I DO NOT FIND IT ANYWHERE BUT ON MY SD CARD?? IS THAT RIGHT ?? THEN EVERY TIME I TRIED TO SEARCH THE ROOT EXPLORE WOULD CRASH ... SO I WAS COMPLETELY STUCK WHILE WRITING THIS POST .. I DECIDED TO START GOING THROUGH ALL THE FOLDERS AGAIN ONE BY ONE ... I EVENTUALLY FOUND A FOLDER CALLED " MNT .... THEN I FOUND ONE CALLED SDCARD ... THEN I FOUND APNBACKUPRESTORE .... IN WHICH APPEARED A FEW DIFFERENT FILES ... I USED THE ONE THAT HAD A GOLD BADGE ON IT ... BUT ANYWAYS SO FAR SO GOOD ... EXCEPT I CAN'T FIND POCOMAIL ON THE MARKET OR IN EXTRA APPS FOLDER IN MY SD CARD!!! SO I AM GOING TO SEE IF EVERYTHING WORKS AS STATED ABOVE ... I WILL POST MY RESULTS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok it sounds like you where previously using deathsleds Rom and did not do a wipe data before flashing my Rom hence why you had the mnt folder that is only used by the incredible roms so try wiping the data and cache and everything should be fine. Let me know if that fixes your problem
tech-9 said:
I am getting No internet No MMS No 3G ... I will contact cricKet to have them refresh my settings .. maybe update the phone on file. I found the cricket.xml file and changed it but I have nothing. I can use my wifi and my gps but not the 3G or mms. I also relash back to root stock just in case that was the problem .. update the radio .. kernal .. still nothing .. any suggestions ?? Besides calling cricKet ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to be on the Android plan through cricket to use this Rom as it does not have the proxy settings built in if you have any problems getting the Android plan pm me with you phone number on cricket and I will fix the acct for you
whats the plan?
Hi,
What's the cricket plan? And what advantages does it have?
Thanks...
Stephanie95 said:
Hi,
What's the cricket plan? And what advantages does it have?
Thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cricket is a carrier that you can flash phones and the network accepts the esn, also we have a very nice full data package for $55 and we got 4g working on cricket! Me and ztahoez are Cricket Mafia we flash phones to work on cricket. Our primary objective is to get Talk Text MMS Web Apps and GPS fully functional on cricket with non-cricket phones. Cricket has no contracts and unlimited everything with a nice html data plan for 61.86 a month in my area. So cricket rocks for a cheap and affordable solution to your high end phones.
dwntwnall4u said:
Probably true. What does it do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a rom built for cricket users, to have full functionality.
tzbigworm said:
It's a tough crowd over here. cricKet compatibility is the last thing on their mind, unfortunately. You'd probably be better off posting this on HoFo, if you haven't already. I'll flash this to my wife's phone tonight, and see how she likes it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beg to differ, IMO this was posted here to pay respects to avalaunchmods, and with the recent Jiminy Cricket Rom this was a nice follow up. Jiminy Cricket works great but I experience better battery life and a lil speedier phone with this rom. I think you guys would be better off trying to cook up some custom roms for Cricket, Metropcs, Page Plus these roms and solutions would be worth $$$$ so keep that in mind. And on hofo it would just get taken down or possibly start a fight, my dude might have posted there about this though anyway. How's it working on the wifey's phone?
Im not going to use this rom but i just wanted to post for support towards your cause,good job man.im sure ppl are thankful just a little to busy to take 30secs to says thanks.

[Q] A question before my first flash

I've been doing a lot of reading lately and I am finally about to flash my first ROM. Below is a list of what I've done as far as backup and prep. What I want to know is if there is anything important that I missed?
Made a nandroid backup with CWM
Backed up apps with Titanium Backup
Backed up efs directory from the phone
I have a copy of settings.db on my compuer
I have Odin 1-click on my computer
I have a jig made up just in case
Also, since I am on stock 2.1(JH7), I assume I don't need to go through the odin 1-click step, right?
Thanks in advance for your help
looks like you have everything covered except one thing (maybe): if you have an unlocked phone, check the forums to learn how to get your unlock back *before* flashing
i also put a copy of my sd card onto my computer in case something goes bad, but that's just my paranoia/ocd
and you should flash at 100% battery and reset the battery stats while flashing. you can even flash while the phone is plugged into the computer or ac outlet, so the flashing process doesn't drain from the phone battery. some ppl say this is voodoo, but i always flash at 100% and reset the battery stats while changing roms because its a convenient time to reset stats
sublimaze said:
looks like you have everything covered except one thing (maybe): if you have an unlocked phone, check the forums to learn how to get your unlock back *before* flashing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, thanks. I'm glad you mentioned that. I do have it unlocked and I didn't even think about it. I have to go to Thailand in a few weeks for work so I need it unlocked.
I think I remember reading that the unlock code is located in the nv_data.bin file and can be found by searching the file with a hex editor. I'll have to read a little more and play around with that before I flash.
I have been reading a lot lately, but could not find an answer to my noob question. I was just wondering if I flash an I9000 based ROM and lose my unlock or my product code gets messed up, can I just copy the original nv_data.bin file to the new ROM or will that cause me other problems. I know there are post as to how to fix this, but they are geared toward people who didn't make a backup and copying original would be much easier and quicker. Thanks.
^^^ Any help with above question?
I also have one other question. I've been poking around with Root Explorer and I see that all the sytem apps are naturally stored in /system/app folder, but I don't see the downloaded apps in there. I see what apperar to be my downloaded apps in /data/app folder. Is this where they are stored and if so, can I just copy them out and then copy them back after I flash a new ROM? If so, is there anything else I have to do with them to make them work again (like chown through adb)? I was wondering this because I have some paid apps and I don't know if they will automatically be available for download again once I sign on to the market and I don't want to lose them. Thanks for any help.

[Q] And Help With my Null IMEI. FIXED!!

I'm on Valhalla-Final with it's stock Kernel. I had a Bad flash which resulted in my IMEI becoming 0000000000000.
My phone is working fine right now (I can't download Swype Beta. I get can't install Android Emulator Notific) on Valhalla-Final AND I have my (Pre flash) efs folder backed up on my external sdcard and my laptop.
My back up is different than my current efs folder. It has my IMEI #, ect, in it. It is Good.
I have researched and read this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=12807550
But a fix for me isn't in it.
What do I do??.. I could delete my Null efs folder and paste my back up then reboot??..
I DON"T WANT TO MESS THIS UP. To me the only thing worse than this problem is a Hard Brick.
Any Advise will be Appreciated.
I ALWAYS Give Thanks!
First take out the battery for 10mins and see if the IMEI is restored after you power it back on.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App
I've tried that twice already and I'm doing it again right now at your suggestion..
right before the battery pull I copy, pasted and rebooted my backed up efs folder to the efs folder WITHOUT deleting my current and 000000000 efs folder. That did not work.
FIXED!!!
I deleted my 00000000000 IMEI efs folder and copy and pasted my pre-flash efs back up using Root Explorer (Paid version) Then Powered down and Powered up.
My IMEI AND Wi-Fi MAC address are both restored!!..
I guess I knew what to do but wanted confirmation.. I don't have a contract and paid $500 for my phone so Mod with Caution..
If I have Your/THE answer for you I will ALWAYS give it even if I think you should know it or find it on your own.. Probably because I can only help on a few things so I'm proud to and not burnt out helping Members LOL...
Thank God I came here when there was no CWM or ROMS and it was so Dead People were EAGER to Help me. Because I knew NOTHING.. This is my first time Rooting and hacking Andriod. My first Forum..
I Love this Phone, It's Devs, Themers, Modders and Members!!
THANK YOU ALL!
Now that my IMEI is restored I just downloaded and installed Swype Beta...
If you get a " Can't Install Android Emulator" Notification check that your IMEI is not 00000000000..
Menu> Settings> About Phone> Status> IMEI.. check Wi-Fi MAC address TO

Infuse EFS Folder (Request for someone's backup)

Hi guys,
One miraculous day, my efs folder became corrupt, when it just so happened to be the week after the hard drive on my computer took a dump! What a week this has been.. I was wondering if it is possible for someone to zip their EFS folder and send it to me to see if I can't get this phone to connect back to the network again. I honestly think there are applications on androids marketplace that will wipe things if you have superuser installed.. because it was like BAM, one morning I wake up and my efs folder was deleted the day after I had installed some new apps.
So my question is - Will someone send me a backup of their EFS? If that won't conflict with their phone of course -- I would send it back to Samsung, but their 3rd tier support has no idea what I'm talking about - they just hear root and think I'm a piece of trash.
Any help would be greatly appreciated - I have not seen anything about trying someone elses efs so I thought it could be a bit experimental as well.. Thanks
-Brett
Salmiery said:
Hi guys,
One miraculous day, my efs folder became corrupt, when it just so happened to be the week after the hard drive on my computer took a dump! What a week this has been.. I was wondering if it is possible for someone to zip their EFS folder and send it to me to see if I can't get this phone to connect back to the network again. I honestly think there are applications on androids marketplace that will wipe things if you have superuser installed.. because it was like BAM, one morning I wake up and my efs folder was deleted the day after I had installed some new apps.
So my question is - Will someone send me a backup of their EFS? If that won't conflict with their phone of course -- I would send it back to Samsung, but their 3rd tier support has no idea what I'm talking about - they just hear root and think I'm a piece of trash.
Any help would be greatly appreciated - I have not seen anything about trying someone elses efs so I thought it could be a bit experimental as well.. Thanks
-Brett
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an interesting request, Brett.
I thought the efs.rfs file contains one's phone imei number/network id etc.
idk for sure...
I thought using someone else's imei is kinda like "let me borrow your ss# so i can check the ss office to see if mine is working.
I didn't know if you found this link and tried it?
http://forum.samdroid.net/f28/complete-imei-restore-how-1817/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=882039
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=953436
Fortunately for me, I had a efs backup on my hd.
I think I also saw scripts in Zeus and Doctor ROM that backs up efs also prior to flash..
good luck
I wasn't trying to steal anyone's IMEI.. I just have tried multiple techniques, but I have not tried the first link..
I've been having trouble getting a shell with adb, does it need to be in download mode?
I was trying to see if it were possible to copy someone's existing files, and use a hex editor to change things, but reading into it, the IMEI is not able to be edited easily without knowing the encyrption type.
I'm just frustrated and have been back and forth with both at&t and also samsung (Their support is a joke, no one I spoke with even knew what the EFS folder was..)
I will try this technique and will report back later when I get home from work tonight. I've been reading a lot of similar issues with the null/null IMEI in the infuses and the guy at the AT&T store said that this was the reason they stopped selling the phone in their store.
Thanks for the help, I'll let you know what happens.
-Brett
Goodluck.
From the tone of your post, I didn't suspect any malice...I had a gist of what you were trying to do.
From reading some of links, there may be some method of recovery.
I hope that you're able to get it back.
I posted one a while back. I think it was in the q&a section. I won't be at my computer for a couple of days or I'd upload it for ya. Try searching or scrolling thru there.
Edit: I just uploaded an EFS.zip, unzip and flash the included efs.tar thru Odin or heimdall.
I had the same problem but i fixed it through Odin. There is an option in odin where you can click on the side (sorry i just reformated the comp so i dont have odin installed) that says something about the EFS. Try that, it fixed it for me.
On a related note. I thought I read somewhere that typical backups such as tibu and nandroid do NOT back up the efs folder. Is this correct? Should we all be doing this manually to protect against corruption?
Try searching here or on market. I remember there was this app called "nitrality" something. This app backs up EFS that we can restore in case we mess it up.
diablo009 said:
Try searching here or on market. I remember there was this app called "nitrality" something. This app backs up EFS that we can restore in case we mess it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did try to dl that app and ran it. It didn't work for me. The app hung up the system until you fc it.
If you're versed in linux or Term emu, you can use script to back up your efs.
If you had flashed zeus or doctorz, there are scripts build in that backs up your efs.
if you had root explorer, you can find efs folder in your root. long press on the folder allows you to create zip or tar of this as well.
Any harm in just copy/paste the whole folder to external SD with root explorer? Then copy paste to windows over USB? Will permissions get messed up?
I think I've already backed it up but there have been a couple threads on this. Wonder if it should be part of superthread or a sticky...do this first :...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
rxnelson said:
Any harm in just copy/paste the whole folder to external SD with root explorer? Then copy paste to windows over USB? Will permissions get messed up?
I think I've already backed it up but there have been a couple threads on this. Wonder if it should be part of superthread or a sticky...do this first :...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no problem with copy/paste that I know of.
Being cautious, I have a zip, a tar, and the whole folder on my PC, USB and box.net.
Hypothetically,
I have access to another Infuse on the same family plan at that, if i were to copy the efs folder to mine what would that do?
I want to make sure not to have the same IMEI number on the network though, but this could save me a lot of hassle...
any thoughts?
Read the threads on the links I provided...you will get more understanding.
I have multiple times, but the first post that seemed like it would be the best fix, I have to get him to send me a fixed nv_data file and he seems to be unresponsive at the moment.
I think I'm going to root the 2nd infuse, back up her efs folder (MULTIPLE times lol) and fix it so it's generic and not an exact replica of hers..
Do you see any problems there? I'm definitely not an expert at all with this.
Salmiery said:
I have multiple times, but the first post that seemed like it would be the best fix, I have to get him to send me a fixed nv_data file and he seems to be unresponsive at the moment.
I think I'm going to root the 2nd infuse, back up her efs folder (MULTIPLE times lol) and fix it so it's generic and not an exact replica of hers..
Do you see any problems there? I'm definitely not an expert at all with this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to see what is on the root of a phone, you may need to root it.
Once rooted, you can look for the efs folder.
I haven't used z4root in a while on an unrooted phone, I don't know if this program will let you see the root folder or not. It's possible.
The efs on my phone shows several programs and folders.
One of the folder is /imei. I suppose this is where the unique id is located.
read the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1372455
as you can see, the efs contains unique id...i'm not sure of even how to make up a different imei file from using someone else's efs folder.
if your phone boots up but does not connect, if you go to settings/about phone/status
does it list the imei?
if it does, are you able to use a script in terminal emulator to back it up?
if you can't find the script, you can try flashing doctor or zeus rom, they have scripts to back up your efs folder. then try locating it on your phone.
the other thought i had was for you to call your provider to see if they can give you your previous imei number.
I'm only reasoning from what I have read...these are new territory to me.
Right, I have rooted my phone and for whatever reason the EFS folder is completely empty... The folder is there, but completley empty.
I have the IMEI number, its on the back of the phone as well as AT&T gave it to me.
The fact that my entire folder is empty, and I hadn't backed anything up because I never flashed the kernel or rom makes me think that the android marketplace does have malicious code that simply says:
if(phone==rooted){
wipe efs foler
}
continuing to pull my hair out and attempt new things, if anyone has any ideas let me know.
Salmiery said:
continuing to pull my hair out and attempt new things, if anyone has any ideas let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out Post # 5, I just edited my post.
its not simply a folder its actually a partition, on Linux you can mount drives/partitions however you like so it can appear to be under another directory and be an entirely different device.
you can make a .rfs image from the dd command through adb or terminal emulator.
if it is corrupt you "may" be able to salvage it through options of the dd command.
I gotta look up the device path and whatnot but if there is anything on there, visable or not, you might be able to recover the unique files and paste them over the files from someone else's efs backup. if not I have heard but never tried it, but I heard that fromatting the partition will cause the system to generate a generic efs, but I don't know for sure.
edit: the device location is /dev/block/stl3
you can dump it to the SD card with
dd if=/dev/block/stl3 of=/sdcard/efs.rfs bs=4096
if there are bad blocks I think but not quite sure you can add noerror to the end
dd if=/dev/block/stl3 of=/sdcard/efs.rfs bs=4096 noerror
but if the information has actually been deleted unless it was overwritten it is mostly intact. it is not well known that delete doesn't actually delete the data, even after a format data can be recovered with the right program. if the dumps come up empty there is also dd_rescue and foremost but I don't know if those commands are available on android, but you may be able to loop mount the dump on a Linux box or in cygwin and try the ddrescue or foremost commands.
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/learn-the-dd-command-362506/
hopefully you can recover something. and learn something along the way. this is also useful for recovering deleted files and securely deleting stuff you want gone for real.
i remember I lost my efs on my captivate. There are tools in the forum to get it back.
Salmiery said:
Hi guys,
One miraculous day, my efs folder became corrupt, when it just so happened to be the week after the hard drive on my computer took a dump! What a week this has been.. I was wondering if it is possible for someone to zip their EFS folder and send it to me to see if I can't get this phone to connect back to the network again. I honestly think there are applications on androids marketplace that will wipe things if you have superuser installed.. because it was like BAM, one morning I wake up and my efs folder was deleted the day after I had installed some new apps.
So my question is - Will someone send me a backup of their EFS? If that won't conflict with their phone of course -- I would send it back to Samsung, but their 3rd tier support has no idea what I'm talking about - they just hear root and think I'm a piece of trash.
Any help would be greatly appreciated - I have not seen anything about trying someone elses efs so I thought it could be a bit experimental as well.. Thanks
-Brett
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh, NO than you. My EFS folder has nothing to do with yours. Don't know how that would work...

NVData / EFS issue / already created backup, verify image?

Hi,
I have a note 3 neo, 7505 and i updated the firmware. It was all working good for a week then i was listening to soundcloud to sleep and the phone restarted, since then the phone doesn't have an imei and says to insert sim card, and of course unknown modem..
Anyway, i created a backup of the efs using twrp, i have tried gazillion ways to restore the backup and gazillion manual ways too. Going to stock recovery... trying to copy manually the nvdata and all but it doesnt resolve. The files are placed there, i can see it in the shell but the thing just wont work!
i don't know how to proceed to this, i don't know if its a hardware fault, had it been that, shouldnt have i gotten the efs corrupted or some issue? could it be that the hardware itself is damaged all of a sudden? i dont think so, i pretty much think its the efs and yet i cant restore it?
should i attach my efs folder if someone can look through hex editor or logs to suggest a possible solution?
Thanks a lot and also i have search through and proceeded with many solutions and after that created a thread. hope someone can help.
P.S. I just noticed the serial number can be seen in phone status, so apparently its reading NVdata? or is it getting it from elsewhere? how to test if its a hardware fault?
penandweb said:
Hi,
I have a note 3 neo, 7505 and i updated the firmware. It was all working good for a week then i was listening to soundcloud to sleep and the phone restarted, since then the phone doesn't have an imei and says to insert sim card, and of course unknown modem..
Anyway, i created a backup of the efs using twrp, i have tried gazillion ways to restore the backup and gazillion manual ways too. Going to stock recovery... trying to copy manually the nvdata and all but it doesnt resolve. The files are placed there, i can see it in the shell but the thing just wont work!
i don't know how to proceed to this, i don't know if its a hardware fault, had it been that, shouldnt have i gotten the efs corrupted or some issue? could it be that the hardware itself is damaged all of a sudden? i dont think so, i pretty much think its the efs and yet i cant restore it?
should i attach my efs folder if someone can look through hex editor or logs to suggest a possible solution?
Thanks a lot and also i have search through and proceeded with many solutions and after that created a thread. hope someone can help.
P.S. I just noticed the serial number can be seen in phone status, so apparently its reading NVdata? or is it getting it from elsewhere? how to test if its a hardware fault?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The point is that TWRP creates faulty EFS backups on many devices which can't be restored properly.
There are different backup solutions (e.g. EFS Pro) confirmed working which may help you prevent future issues. I prefer the manual backup using adb shell or terminal emulator:
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0pXX of=/storage/SdCard/efs.img bs=4096
(XX needs to be replaced with the model specific partition number as they use different partition tables)
Restore:
dd if=/storage/SdCard/efs.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0pXX bs=4096
thanks LS.xd, but i guess i have a pretty solid backup as i did create backup various ways, some were corrupt, but one that i working with has nvdata and every other file along with imei pretty intact....
i can open it up with winrar, and open the nvdata with hexeditor, i was wondering if i could confirm some way that the back up is actually 100% solid?
wondering if the partition's aren't aligned. I don't know for sure if EFS folder in the root directory is the same as being pointed by /mmcblkp03/platform/by-name/EFS ?
i mean they should be the same thing, its just a redirection right?
what should i be doing now? the baseband is unknown and the imei wont just work, waste the phone? or it could be done via some boxes or some other process?
there must be a starting point? isn't there some way i could use a generic imei and just any modem? then i could replace nvdata may be? right now, i'm installing various versions of stock firmware and repeatedly placing old efs data in various ways and i kind of turning hopeless. first i lost a nexus then i bought a g4 last month, gave me a bootloop just a week after, gone dead. then i bought the n3n and now this..... i mean 3 phones in a row..... i really hope this could work..
penandweb said:
there must be a starting point? isn't there some way i could use a generic imei and just any modem? then i could replace nvdata may be? right now, i'm installing various versions of stock firmware and repeatedly placing old efs data in various ways and i kind of turning hopeless. first i lost a nexus then i bought a g4 last month, gave me a bootloop just a week after, gone dead. then i bought the n3n and now this..... i mean 3 phones in a row..... i really hope this could work..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you got some non TWRP made EFS backup, too? You can list your partitions using shell:
[email protected]:/ # cat /proc/emmc
You can use the dd command once you know the layout. Backups not generated manually may only be restored with the specific app/version and are probably not compatible using other restore methods. For my OnePlus 3 EFS backup can generated fine using TWRP but restoring it screws up the partition. Manually created image works fine. As I don't have a Note 3 Neo I don't know how it behaves for your device.
any idea how would i go on about inspecting the nvdata.bin? i'm in hex editor trying to see something resembling imei but its just so much garbage except a few lines.
i can't be sure whether its corrupt or not...
in efs -> imei -> a file called mps_code.dat i open it up in hex editor, and it has only 3 characters.....
is it possible i could initially use a generic imei and modem and later on populate it with actual somehow or just keep using generic one for now until i find a better solution, using hex editor or something...?
there are some tutorials on qualcom.. none for exynos but it should happen the same way, somewhere in nvdata, you place the imei ... and it would be generic method for most exynos devices...
i wish someone could guide me to that...
also can it be restored via "boxes"?
penandweb said:
any idea how would i go on about inspecting the nvdata.bin? i'm in hex editor trying to see something resembling imei but its just so much garbage except a few lines.
i can't be sure whether its corrupt or not...
in efs -> imei -> a file called mps_code.dat i open it up in hex editor, and it has only 3 characters.....
is it possible i could initially use a generic imei and modem and later on populate it with actual somehow or just keep using generic one for now until i find a better solution, using hex editor or something...?
there are some tutorials on qualcom.. none for exynos but it should happen the same way, somewhere in nvdata, you place the imei ... and it would be generic method for most exynos devices...
i wish someone could guide me to that...
also can it be restored via "boxes"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After 3 years I had to retire my HTC One S. I flashed roms and firmwares up to 3-4 times a week without having any issues. One sunny day some update bricked then nvdata. I spent a bunch of hours trying to restore it in different ways, extracted data from stock firmware as well as using dumps from other user's phones, as some users reported this error fixed doing so. Even when the files was identical it just did not work for me. Changing the mainboard was the only possible solution so I decided to get a new device.
All I want to say is try to restore a valid backup in a way confirmed working. If you don't have a usable backup ask in your device's forum for somebody may upload it. Or spend 100 hours messing around with hex editors until you reach then point where you realize its cheaper to switch the device as wasting a year's holidays browsing the internet for some solution.

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