Database Info

Need help wiping my phone. Secure wipe.

I need to make any information on the device unrecoverable. I need to return my S3 to the store and want no personal or professional information left on it, or recoverable from it.
Is there any way to do this?
Thanks

ancashion said:
I need to make any information on the device unrecoverable. I need to return my S3 to the store and want no personal or professional information left on it, or recoverable from it.
Is there any way to do this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to settings- backup and reset- then click the factory data reset box.

Thank you for your reply. I understood that a factory reset left data stored on the device. Data which is recoverable if someone decided to look hard enough.
Much like a format of a sdcard. You can still recover information from the sdcard, even though the file folder says it's empty.
On a side note, I wonder if encrypting the device first with the built in app and then wiping it would make the data that much harder.
I really don't have anything I need to hide, I'm just a paranoid soul.

Your paranoia greatly exceeds the amount of effort VZW would go through to get any data off of a returned phone. All they're going to do is wipe it again (possibly wiping the efs partition as well, depending on the conditions of the return and their internal requirements) and ship it off to someone else who will care even less about what was on it before than VZW does.

AlexDeGruven said:
Your paranoia greatly exceeds the amount of effort VZW would go through to get any data off of a returned phone. All they're going to do is wipe it again (possibly wiping the efs partition as well, depending on the conditions of the return and their internal requirements) and ship it off to someone else who will care even less about what was on it before than VZW does.
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How you feel about it is irrelevant. Do not project your thoughts onto my desires. I wish to wipe my phone so no data is recoverable however paranoid it makes me seem. It is my desire to do so.

ancashion said:
How you feel about it is irrelevant. Do not project your thoughts onto my desires. I wish to wipe my phone so no data is recoverable however paranoid it makes me seem. It is my desire to do so.
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I wasn't projecting anything. I was simply stating truth. I understand you're paranoid about it, just that your paranoia exceeds the effort anyone would go through.
Whether or not it's possible (something I DIDN'T comment on) is different than whether or not it's necessary from a personal security standpoint (something that's a matter of opinion) and is different than whether or not it's likely to happen based upon effort required (something I DID comment on).

ancashion said:
Thank you for your reply. I understood that a factory reset left data stored on the device. Data which is recoverable if someone decided to look hard enough.
Much like a format of a sdcard. You can still recover information from the sdcard, even though the file folder says it's empty.
On a side note, I wonder if encrypting the device first with the built in app and then wiping it would make the data that much harder.
I really don't have anything I need to hide, I'm just a paranoid soul.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The other option you have is to re install the stock firmware through odin. Just check off the boxes within odin that will delete and wipe everything. Lastly, hold vol up, home, and power, go into the recovery mode and wipe all data and cache. This is about as thorough as it gets.

Wow. Very rude. Guy helps you and then you comment like this.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

yeah no kidding. its almost as if he is trying to hide something or his wife is a tech .

AlexDeGruven said:
I wasn't projecting anything. I was simply stating truth. I understand you're paranoid about it, just that your paranoia exceeds the effort anyone would go through.
Whether or not it's possible (something I DIDN'T comment on) is different than whether or not it's necessary from a personal security standpoint (something that's a matter of opinion) and is different than whether or not it's likely to happen based upon effort required (something I DID comment on).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no way to completely do so. Any method will result in data being recoverable, albeit expensive and time consuming to do so.

chamberc said:
There is no way to completely do so. Any method will result in data being recoverable, albeit expensive and time consuming to do so.
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Writing zeroes to every bit of the /data partition, and then a pass with 1s will completely obliterate any possibility of recovering anything.
Even without doing so, the effort in doing so is exponentially higher than the value of the data unless OP is a covert CIA agent dealing with the Iranian nuclear problem.
Anything that 99.9999999999999999999999% of the cellphone using public has isn't going to be worth more than a few bucks to anyone, and the cost of recovering data from flash memory even after a simple repartition is more than most will obtain.

AlexDeGruven said:
Writing zeroes to every bit of the /data partition, and then a pass with 1s will completely obliterate any possibility of recovering anything.
Even without doing so, the effort in doing so is exponentially higher than the value of the data unless OP is a covert CIA agent dealing with the Iranian nuclear problem.
Anything that 99.9999999999999999999999% of the cellphone using public has isn't going to be worth more than a few bucks to anyone, and the cost of recovering data from flash memory even after a simple repartition is more than most will obtain.
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Click to collapse
Agreed. However for someone so paranoid, I don't think it was wise to mention both the CIA and Iran in the same sentence as that probably might have raised some flags somewhere. Oops..and now I've done it again.

AlexDeGruven said:
Writing zeroes to every bit of the /data partition, and then a pass with 1s will completely obliterate any possibility of recovering anything.
Even without doing so, the effort in doing so is exponentially higher than the value of the data unless OP is a covert CIA agent dealing with the Iranian nuclear problem.
Anything that 99.9999999999999999999999% of the cellphone using public has isn't going to be worth more than a few bucks to anyone, and the cost of recovering data from flash memory even after a simple repartition is more than most will obtain.
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Click to collapse
Incorrect. It is still recoverable.

chamberc said:
Incorrect. It is still recoverable.
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Click to collapse
Show me where data has been recovered from flash media after 2 passes.
Hell, show me where data has been recovered from flash media after just one pass.

My wife isn't a tech and I'm not hiding CIA secrets. I'm just a private person. I don't know why.
I keep a boot and nuke dvd next to my computer at all times. I take it with me on trips.
I also keep a survival kit with me at nearly all times. My jeep is basically a mobile survival kit.
Again, just a private person. I've been starting a lot of **** with Verizon lately and I have to take my phone back to them as they've deemed it DOA. I have an "in person" meeting with a manager at my local (1.5 hour drive) VZW store tomorrow.
Here's a bit of back story- Took my phone in for "in person diagnosis" since VZW tech support over the phone could do nothing over the last two weeks besides issue me new SIM cards. While I'm in there, dude ****s up my phone, refunds my money for my phone, says he's (VZW store) taken possession of said phone and supposedly gave me another one. VZW over the phone verified I am on my original phone via MEID but VZW store front wants to meet in person and view the phone directly. Meanwhile, the phone he said I was issued is missing from the stores inventory. Nobody knows where it is. To make matters worse, when they tried to contact the rep that helped me in person, he had been in a car wreck and is apparently in the hospital. I don't know if it's true or not, but, **** seems fishy about all this and I don't want to take chances. I don't keep much information on my device per-say, but it is in my email, as well as other "cloud based storage" areas. This information is sensitive to me and I don't want joe schmo getting their hands on it.
I plan on wiping the phone, but, if there was a secure way of doing it so none of my information was recoverable, by anybody at any time I would love to do it.
Alex, my apologies if you felt my comment to you was rude, but, straight up- that's how I feel. I didn't ask for peoples opinions of doing it, I asked for a "how-to." I feel like I should do it. I feel I need to cover my ass here. With everything going on, yea, my paranoia meter is off the charts. It goes back to my blackberry storm days. I received a new device from insurance. Installed Pandora and viola- all the last owners playlists popped up. Sure, it may be little information but I didn't even try. This was from a bb as well- supposedly one of the stronger secured devices of the time.
I'm considering encrypting the device via it's onboard software, then wiping it. Maybe? Not really my area here.. (provided I have one..)

OK the guy that helped you is a scumbag. tell the manager how you feel about your personal info but don't sound suspicious it may raise red flags but that tech was trying to scam the system and get a free device.IMHO it does sound fishy bit most likely just a gig trying to scam a phone and is not after your personal info. get your new device and be on your merry way. and prepared isn't paranoid.

Good paper on sanitizing flash memory.
http://static.usenix.org/events/fast11/tech/full_papers/Wei.pdf

bigmook said:
OK the guy that helped you is a scumbag. tell the manager how you feel about your personal info but don't sound suspicious it may raise red flags but that tech was trying to scam the system and get a free device.IMHO it does sound fishy bit most likely just a gig trying to scam a phone and is not after your personal info. get your new device and be on your merry way. and prepared isn't paranoid.
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Click to collapse
I agree prepared isn't paranoid but damned if that ain't what everyone calls me.
No, they aren't after my information, I'm sure of that. Every time I call Verizon's tech support they ask me if I will allow this device to be troubleshot "remotely." They *could* get whatever they wanted already.
I just don't feel comfortable doing it is all.
That Rep was an asshole. I saw the signs- just didn't put it together. His hands were trembling, he kept looking around for people behind him who could see his screen, he was quiet, really concentrating on the computer.. it was all there. Next time.

henrys01 said:
Good paper on sanitizing flash memory.
http://static.usenix.org/events/fast11/tech/full_papers/Wei.pdf
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the link man but after the first couple paragraphs I realized I was in over my head.

ancashion said:
My wife isn't a tech and I'm not hiding CIA secrets. I'm just a private person. I don't know why.
I keep a boot and nuke dvd next to my computer at all times. I take it with me on trips.
I also keep a survival kit with me at nearly all times. My jeep is basically a mobile survival kit.
Again, just a private person. I've been starting a lot of **** with Verizon lately and I have to take my phone back to them as they've deemed it DOA. I have an "in person" meeting with a manager at my local (1.5 hour drive) VZW store tomorrow.
Here's a bit of back story- Took my phone in for "in person diagnosis" since VZW tech support over the phone could do nothing over the last two weeks besides issue me new SIM cards. While I'm in there, dude ****s up my phone, refunds my money for my phone, says he's (VZW store) taken possession of said phone and supposedly gave me another one. VZW over the phone verified I am on my original phone via MEID but VZW store front wants to meet in person and view the phone directly. Meanwhile, the phone he said I was issued is missing from the stores inventory. Nobody knows where it is. To make matters worse, when they tried to contact the rep that helped me in person, he had been in a car wreck and is apparently in the hospital. I don't know if it's true or not, but, **** seems fishy about all this and I don't want to take chances. I don't keep much information on my device per-say, but it is in my email, as well as other "cloud based storage" areas. This information is sensitive to me and I don't want joe schmo getting their hands on it.
I plan on wiping the phone, but, if there was a secure way of doing it so none of my information was recoverable, by anybody at any time I would love to do it.
Alex, my apologies if you felt my comment to you was rude, but, straight up- that's how I feel. I didn't ask for peoples opinions of doing it, I asked for a "how-to." I feel like I should do it. I feel I need to cover my ass here. With everything going on, yea, my paranoia meter is off the charts. It goes back to my blackberry storm days. I received a new device from insurance. Installed Pandora and viola- all the last owners playlists popped up. Sure, it may be little information but I didn't even try. This was from a bb as well- supposedly one of the stronger secured devices of the time.
I'm considering encrypting the device via it's onboard software, then wiping it. Maybe? Not really my area here.. (provided I have one..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd suggest that if you feel that strongly about securing your data you're going to need to go beyond just asking some folks on a forum before you really feel safe considering the steps you've taken otherwise. It is time to do some reading.
Of course you're entitled to do whatever it is you want with your device. I have to wonder:
What do you have that you feel you need to take such precautions?
What do you think folks would do with whatever it is you have?
It also seems a bit odd that taking things so far at home that you'd even use a cellular network in the US and keep data on that phone. So much on these phones auto sync to storage you have no control over and frankly just traversing these fairly insecure networks that are already well integrated with wiretapping and monitoring systems... it seems an odd choice.

Rooted G2x won't get past LG logo on reboot.

Before anyone chews me out for thinking I haven't researched this here, believe me I've already spent hours over the last couple days researching XDA and tried all kinds of things and I'm just at a loss for knowing what else I can do from what's available (some download links don't work etc.), and from what I remember from way back when I first rooted the phone. I take care of my developmentally disabled sister and don't have a lot of spare time to devote to researching this. No time and always stressed from my caregiver responsibilities. Not asking for sympathy, just understanding that I can't devote a lot of research time for this. I learned how to root the phone from XDA without bothering anyone, but this just has me stumped. Tried NVflash (this will flash the images to the phone, but still can't get past LG logo), LG updater / alternate updater tool (neither will see the phone),
I'm willing to pay for either an absolute certain fix with clear instructions and download links for any software needed that work, or possibly sending the phone to someone that can get the thing working again for a reasonable price. Keep in mind I can wait for a cheap broken phone on Ebay to replace the motherboard. I also luckily had another G2x that had Froyo and not rooted, but I decided to update it to GB even though the camera sucks. I uploaded two Youtube vids to show what's happening with it. I can't post links yet, but this is the extension for part 1 at Youtube: /watch?v=ulZzWFgNosY and part 2 :/watch?v=YVV9Vzbz0dg. Just ad these to the youttube url after the .com

Nutinbutdabluz said:
Before anyone chews me out for thinking I haven't researched this here, believe me I've already spent hours over the last couple days researching XDA and tried all kinds of things and I'm just at a loss for knowing what else I can do from what's available (some download links don't work etc.), and from what I remember from way back when I first rooted the phone. I take care of my developmentally disabled sister and don't have a lot of spare time to devote to researching this. No time and always stressed from my caregiver responsibilities. Not asking for sympathy, just understanding that I can't devote a lot of research time for this. I learned how to root the phone from XDA without bothering anyone, but this just has me stumped. Tried NVflash (this will flash the images to the phone, but still can't get past LG logo), LG updater / alternate updater tool (neither will see the phone),
I'm willing to pay for either an absolute certain fix with clear instructions and download links for any software needed that work, or possibly sending the phone to someone that can get the thing working again for a reasonable price. Keep in mind I can wait for a cheap broken phone on Ebay to replace the motherboard. I also luckily had another G2x that had Froyo and not rooted, but I decided to update it to GB even though the camera sucks. I uploaded two Youtube vids to show what's happening with it. I can't post links yet, but this is the extension for part 1 at Youtube: /watch?v=ulZzWFgNosY and part 2 :/watch?v=YVV9Vzbz0dg. Just ad these to the youttube url after the .com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After going to the store to get soup and remedies for my sister (just came down with a cold... sigh), I sat down at my computer and was disappointed that I didn't even get a response let alone an offer to help -NOT EVEN FOR PAY! So I went over what I'd done the last two days and figured it out. Phone works now, but the problem was the person's instructions were terrible. So no credit and no money. Sorry, I had to work too hard to work out what was not clearly instructed. There's a lot of that here I find. The person knows what they're talking about in their mind, but they sometimes fail to convey it clearly in written form and give instructions that are not easy to follow. Anyway, a general thanks is in order for XDA. :good:

Good to hear that your phone is working C:

Nutinbutdabluz said:
After going to the store to get soup and remedies for my sister (just came down with a cold... sigh), I sat down at my computer and was disappointed that I didn't even get a response let alone an offer to help -NOT EVEN FOR PAY! So I went over what I'd done the last two days and figured it out. Phone works now, but the problem was the person's instructions were terrible. So no credit and no money. Sorry, I had to work too hard to work out what was not clearly instructed. There's a lot of that here I find. The person knows what they're talking about in their mind, but they sometimes fail to convey it clearly in written form and give instructions that are not easy to follow. Anyway, a general thanks is in order for XDA. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure a high majority of people that write the guides are in high school, so there's that.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

Hi;
Read your post; and am in the same situation. Could you PLEASE tell the rest of us "G2Xers" HOW you managed to get out of that Boot-Loop????? Quite sure your solution would be most appreciated by the rest of us!!!!!! Leave me an answer also, and thanks loads!!!

Say What?! Locked and Rooted voids Asus warrantee - Read This!!

I was playing around with disabling startup apps (to make ooodles more free RAM) after rooting my device, which is still locked mainly so I could retain the warrantee, and was searching for info on what CMClient and DMClient were and what they did, to see if I could safely and functionally disable them or not, and I ran across this post below on XDA. It states the title of this thread, ie: that Asus can void your warrantee for being rooted when you are still locked and cites the case of an XDA member who had it happen to him.
Asus Big Brother is watching your every move folks! If you've registered your device with Asus and you are rooted and didn't disable these apps they already know you are rooted and can/will void your warrantee based on being rooted alone even if you are still locked! This isn't some old thread, this was posted 08/12. Beware!!
***********************************************************************************
PS-If you are rooted you can disable CMClient and DMClient with apps like System Tuner and ROM Toolbox. But these are also the apps that make it possible to locate, shout, and wipe your remote device in case of theft but are being used by Asus in other ways for their and not our benefit. Kinda a double-edge sword.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1833442
***********************************************************************************
Also, if this is true as it appears to be [Edit: unsubstantiated], why do most of the rooting posts here on XDA claim that only unlocking voids the warrantee, and since rooting is "100% reversible", it does not. Who validates such statements?? XDA should do something about this to avoid misleading the masses who come here seeking a source for quality and valid information about their devices. I feel VERY misled by XDA after learning this. [Edit: Red underline bold removed]
Comments?

elfaure said:
Who validates such statements?? XDA should do something about this to avoid misleading the masses who come here seeking a source for quality and valid information about their devices. I feel VERY misled by XDA after learning this.
Comments?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whom do you intend to impress with red underlined bold text? Forum posts are not official XDA statements. This is a community. You should not blindly believe what you read. Not only on this forum.
What would you suggest XDA to do to ensure only correct information is provided? How did you validate the story of the one user who allegedly got his warranty rejected for rooting? Did you count how many users were rooted and got a warranty repair without issues?
Warning: This post contains false information, including this sentence.

There's nothing like a good panic attack someone else suffers. Never had I heard about rooting affecting your warranty, and as _that has alreay stated, there have been LOTS of owners having had no issues at all RMA'ing their rooted devices.
Things to take home:
1) ANYONE can post ANYTHING on the web. ANYTHING. I am confronted professionally by this kind of biased false information on a pretty much (work-)daily basis.
2) Look up a nice introductory work on statistics - it will serve you well the rest of your life. I gleefully quote Samuel L. Clemens (better known under his writer's pseudonym, Mark Twain): "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

Look, more panic-induced rubbish. What is this, the Daily Mail?
Rooting doesn't void warranty as far as I know, considering pretty much everyone here is rooted (myself not included), and quite a lot of them have had to RMA and had no issue.
Unlocking voids warranty, yes. The same way opening up any device does (which is pretty much what unlocking does in a digital sense.).
There is, however, a law in process (or has it already been pushed through?) that renders rooting illegal in the USA. About as illegal as removing the simlock used to be, and we all did that anyway, too.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2

This is probably a random nip picking from Asus support, someone at Asus decided to pick on rooting, but again this is a very small and isolated incident case if it did happen. My suggestion is to play it safe, by make sure you flash your device back to factory stock (remove root), before send it back for RMA. Problem solved!!

ShadowLea said:
There is, however, a law in process (or has it already been pushed through?) that renders rooting illegal in the USA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incorrect. The law that just took effect makes it illegal to unlock (jailbreak) a phone or tablet to use on a different carrier while you're under contract. It is not illegal to unlock or root a device for any other purpose.

_that said:
Whom do you intend to impress with red underlined bold text? Forum posts are not official XDA statements. This is a community. You should not blindly believe what you read. Not only on this forum.
What would you suggest XDA to do to ensure only correct information is provided? How did you validate the story of the one user who allegedly got his warranty rejected for rooting? Did you count how many users were rooted and got a warranty repair without issues?
Warning: This post contains false information, including this sentence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How many damn posts do I need before I can edit a post without having to wait two (2) minutes?
0. Thanks for all your feedback and constructive/destructive criticism. Exactly what I was looking for. Many different perspectives and new info on this topic. Great to find out this is seemingly an isolated incident if indeed it actually occurred at all.
1. Not looking to impress or offend anyone, simply directing your attention to the bolded items. As users scroll thru posts I want to draw their short attention span to the highlighted items so they don't miss the theme of the post and don't scroll past to the next post without mentally filing the highlighted items and to prompt them to comment if they have opinion or information. Seems to have worked well.
2. Point well taken. I know XDA can't police all threads and I did not validate the one users story. And I agree I should have posted this as more of a question than a statement. All I am seeking is the truth about this issue. I don't "blindly believe everything I read" in fact quite the contrary, hence the reason for this post. Your feedback was useful in determining that this post is not generally true for the majority of rooted members. I am very happy to learn this and I will revise my original post accordingly.
3. Good to know that many rooted users have RMA'd without issue. I now rest much easier with root. And in my opinion it should NOT void my warrantee as I am still prevented from damaging the device (can't flash custom ROMS, kernels, overclock or alter bootloader with just root; need to unlocked bootloader for these features which does understandably void warrantee)

buhohitr said:
This is probably a random nip picking from Asus support, someone at Asus decided to pick on rooting, but again this is a very small and isolated incident case if it did happen. My suggestion is to play it safe, by make sure you flash your device back to factory stock (remove root), before send it back for RMA. Problem solved!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great to hear and thanks for your feeback!

MartyHulskemper said:
There's nothing like a good panic attack someone else suffers. Never had I heard about rooting affecting your warranty
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Click to collapse
Nor had I. That is why I was shocked to run across the link in this post.

Should i RMA it?

Hey guys,
i got my TF300T now for about 4 Months. I already sent it back to asus once because my Touchscreen wasnt working correct. After i got it back my screen was okay again but all around it (not the Screen itself, the area around) is making noises. Just a little "klick Sound" and i can push the Display Glass in a few millimeters. Its really annoying when im playing Games or writing a Text on it. Im not sure... a Friend of mine sent his TF300T to Asus too (nearly the same Problem) but didnt got it yet. What would you say?
But i have another little Problem if ill RMA it; I unlocked the Bootloader 2 Day ago via the official Asus unlock app. Is it possible to relock the bootloader and get my warranty back?
Best regards
I hope you can understand what i mean, but sorry im German and only 14 years old
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app

ReMiXxXeD said:
Hey guys,
i got my TF300T now for about 4 Months. I already sent it back to asus once because my Touchscreen wasnt working correct. After i got it back my screen was okay again but all around it (not the Screen itself, the area around) is making noises. Just a little "klick Sound" and i can push the Display Glass in a few millimeters. Its really annoying when im playing Games or writing a Text on it. Im not sure... a Friend of mine sent his TF300T to Asus too (nearly the same Problem) but didnt got it yet. What would you say?
But i have another little Problem if ill RMA it; I unlocked the Bootloader 2 Day ago via the official Asus unlock app. Is it possible to relock the bootloader and get my warranty back?
Best regards
I hope you can understand what i mean, but sorry im German and only 14 years old
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like Asus had done a shoddy job repairing your touchscreen. According to a number of accounts recounted here, unlocking provides no means to relock the tab. That however, is the software part - technically unrelated to hardware - especially in light of the fact that your tab, still under warranty, had exhibited symptoms of a similar, if not the same, problem. If you decide to RMA it and encounter difficulty with Asus refusing to honor warranty, the argument would be that above, where locking or unlocking the device software-wise does not affect or create or aggravate the touchscreen issue in any way, shape, or form. Since the warranty also covers the hardware, Asus MUST take it back and fix it.

graphdarnell said:
Sounds like Asus had done a shoddy job repairing your touchscreen. According to a number of accounts recounted here, unlocking provides no means to relock the tab. That however, is the software part - technically unrelated to hardware - especially in light of the fact that your tab, still under warranty, had exhibited symptoms of a similar, if not the same, problem. If you decide to RMA it and encounter difficulty with Asus refusing to honor warranty, the argument would be that above, where locking or unlocking the device software-wise does not affect or create or aggravate the touchscreen issue in any way, shape, or form. Since the warranty also covers the hardware, Asus MUST take it back and fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright! Thanks mate
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

One thing to take note of is the "cannot unlock bootloader issue after rma"
pjc21 said:
Ok I had a search through several post on the "cannot unlock" issue after rma and found what I think is the issue if you registered your tab before an rma.
When you first register your tablet online with asus - information about your tab is sent to asus including your tab's MAC address for unlock & ota verification.
It seems that some (not all) tab's that come back after getting rma'd now have a different MAC address and so now when you run the unlock tool the tab's MAC address & the one registered with asus no longer match and cannot be veriferied so the unlock tool cannot proceed, same goes for ota's here.
If this is the case I have only found one solution which is to send it back to asus and tell them the problem is with ota & unlock.
(I assume here they reset your mac address to match what they have or vice versa)
The link aerdely posted also looks like a good way to go. It's from member "Asus_USA" from the US office who is trying to help those with this issue of not being able to unlock after rma by gathering a list of users /device info to send to HQ.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=40408537&postcount=567
Hopefully asus will be kind here and I think having your device info (serial & current mac address) they should be able to reset the mac address on there end to match your current one so you will not have to send in your device - not sure here
Hope this helps
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Click to collapse
agt7575 said:
Well, I called Asus customer service/tech support and told them about the problems I was having with the bootloader unlock app. Their response was as follows:
"Unlocking the bootloader can cause serious damage to your tablet, and is not something that Asus recommends. Therefore, we can not comment or support anything dealing with unlocking the bootloader as Asus does not want to become liable for for any damage done to anyone's tablet".
So basically, Asus has no problems supplying its customers with the unlock app, but every problem with supporting it... makes no seance to me.. ., "The first rule of fight club is you don't talk about fight club" lol
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Click to collapse

The warranty is taken as a whole: both hardware and software. Unlocking the bootloader voids the warranty, and it doesn't matter which part of the tablet is being fixed/serviced. There is a big disclaimer right when you unlock the tablet. If you unlock it and then have issues with the touchscreen down the line, we would not be able to help, unfortunately.
We provided the unlocking tool at the request of all the users. Because unlocking it opens the door for a lot of modification, and a lot of "unofficial" ROMs and such, we cannot cover the device if anything were to go wrong. It's not something we recommend, but we do understand that there are advanced users out there who know what they are doing and know the risks.
With that said, the OP does have grounds to get the RMA done. If there was an issue, and it was caused by the RMA, then we should be able to correct it for you. CALL in for the RMA and let them know the situation. The warranty is voided once the bootload is unlocked, but it's not always that cut and dry. Explain to them what was done on the previous RMA and what is happening now. They should be able to pull up the previous one and see that work was done to the display. Of course, if the issue at hand now doesn't match up to the previous RMA, then there might be an issue.

Asus_USA said:
The warranty is taken as a whole: both hardware and software. Unlocking the bootloader voids the warranty, and it doesn't matter which part of the tablet is being fixed/serviced. There is a big disclaimer right when you unlock the tablet. If you unlock it and then have issues with the touchscreen down the line, we would not be able to help, unfortunately.
We provided the unlocking tool at the request of all the users. Because unlocking it opens the door for a lot of modification, and a lot of "unofficial" ROMs and such, we cannot cover the device if anything were to go wrong. It's not something we recommend, but we do understand that there are advanced users out there who know what they are doing and know the risks.
With that said, the OP does have grounds to get the RMA done. If there was an issue, and it was caused by the RMA, then we should be able to correct it for you. CALL in for the RMA and let them know the situation. The warranty is voided once the bootload is unlocked, but it's not always that cut and dry. Explain to them what was done on the previous RMA and what is happening now. They should be able to pull up the previous one and see that work was done to the display. Of course, if the issue at hand now doesn't match up to the previous RMA, then there might be an issue.
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f you're speaking as an authorized agent of Asus, I'd like to thank you for your effort to help users with defective tablets. Your position, however, that software and hardware are the same thing when it comes to warranty is not necessarily tenable in the eye of a US court unless you can prove on a case-by-case basis that a user's act is the cause of a faulty operation in the tab – software affecting hardware and vice-versa.
Your warning having a chilling effect on people trying to cash in on their legitimate rights is ill-advised at best, unless you're from Asus's legal department and intend to equate such claims with testimonies. Again, if you don't actually represent Asus's legal position, please refrain from making sweeping statements. Believe it, you don't want your opponent to recite these should you ever find yourself in the midst of a class action.

Asus_USA said:
The warranty is taken as a whole: both hardware and software. Unlocking the bootloader voids the warranty, and it doesn't matter which part of the tablet is being fixed/serviced. There is a big disclaimer right when you unlock the tablet. If you unlock it and then have issues with the touchscreen down the line, we would not be able to help, unfortunately.
We provided the unlocking tool at the request of all the users. Because unlocking it opens the door for a lot of modification, and a lot of "unofficial" ROMs and such, we cannot cover the device if anything were to go wrong. It's not something we recommend, but we do understand that there are advanced users out there who know what they are doing and know the risks.
With that said, the OP does have grounds to get the RMA done. If there was an issue, and it was caused by the RMA, then we should be able to correct it for you. CALL in for the RMA and let them know the situation. The warranty is voided once the bootload is unlocked, but it's not always that cut and dry. Explain to them what was done on the previous RMA and what is happening now. They should be able to pull up the previous one and see that work was done to the display. Of course, if the issue at hand now doesn't match up to the previous RMA, then there might be an issue.
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Thanks for your answer. Are u an official Asus customer ?
@ the rest - is it possible to relock the bootloader ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Yes I work for Asus and i frequent these boards to see if I can offer an help or insight for our customers. In my post, I did not say the software and hardware is the same thing. I said the warranty is taken as a whole, which is true. We do not have a separate software warranty and a separate hardware warranty. When you unlock the bootloader, you forfeit the warranty. There is a disclaimer before you accept.
And really, it's not just us. If you open up any device, modify the hardware or software, or you break the seal, you void the warranty. This has been the case for a lot of manufacturers. For example, if you unlock a cellphone and the display goes out, that would void the warranty, even if the display has nothing to do with the phone being unlocked to be used with a different carrier. This is a fact because I used to work on the services side for a major US carrier. I understand every region has their own rules and policies so I can only speak the US. I think in the EU, everything that I am saying would not apply, although I could be wrong.
I also said that it is not as cut and dry, and we do take things on a case-by-case basis. With that said, the OP does have a case if they call in and explain the situation. If you want, OP, shoot me a PM if you're located in the US and let me see if I can help you because it's not possible to re-lock the bootloader.
My original intent was to give advice to ReMixxxed and to let him/her know that they are not "screwed" with this current situation. I can sit and cite policy all day long,but that's not what I'm here for. My intention is to try and help and I apologize if the post came across the wrong way.

Asus_USA said:
Yes I work for Asus and i frequent these boards to see if I can offer an help or insight for our customers. In my post, I did not say the software and hardware is the same thing. I said the warranty is taken as a whole, which is true. We do not have a separate software warranty and a separate hardware warranty. When you unlock the bootloader, you forfeit the warranty. There is a disclaimer before you accept.
And really, it's not just us. If you open up any device, modify the hardware or software, or you break the seal, you void the warranty. This has been the case for a lot of manufacturers. For example, if you unlock a cellphone and the display goes out, that would void the warranty, even if the display has nothing to do with the phone being unlocked to be used with a different carrier. This is a fact because I used to work on the services side for a major US carrier. I understand every region has their own rules and policies so I can only speak the US. I think in the EU, everything that I am saying would not apply, although I could be wrong.
I also said that it is not as cut and dry, and we do take things on a case-by-case basis. With that said, the OP does have a case if they call in and explain the situation. If you want, OP, shoot me a PM if you're located in the US and let me see if I can help you because it's not possible to re-lock the bootloader.
My original intent was to give advice to ReMixxxed and to let him/her know that they are not "screwed" with this current situation. I can sit and cite policy all day long,but that's not what I'm here for. My intention is to try and help and I apologize if the post came across the wrong way.
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Thanks ! But now i have a even bigger Problem... The right corner of my screen isnt working anymore. Now i really have to rma. Is there no way to relock the tab ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

No. What's done is done. ASUS has a permanent record of your unlock. Even if you could relock they would know.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda app-developers app

Asus RMA'd my tablet for a bad digitizer and fixed it free of charge despite it being unlocked. As previously stated, this is likely done on a case by case basis.
Just to be on the safe side, I did the following:
1. Rolled back to stock ROM just to be sure the issue was present using ASUS-issued software
2. clearly marked the places on the screen that were acting up to be sure a tech could reproduce
3. Included, in the RMA, that the tablet was unlocked but that I perceived this to be a hardware issue, not affected by unlocking.
So, there isn't much to lose by contacting them and/or sending the thing in (except for the cost of shipping). One thing to note, however, is that the problem has returned for me and that my tablet is now beyond the one year warranty. It's unfortunate as I'm more than happy with it.
Good luck.

Okay. Thank you very much, i think ill send it back to them tomorrow.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

[Completed] Locked relative out of phone :(

Hey all, firstly, sorry this is a rushed post but I'm hoping I can get some advice and pointed in the right direction. I'll start by saying I'm fairly experienced in tech and with Android.
So, a family member was having problem with her new android phone (Samsung J ... 6, 5 or something, I can find out) so I said I'd just do a factory reset - there was nothing on there she was worried about losing).
Long story short, this new security feature (if stolen) where you can't just factory reset has completely screwed me over. They are not tech orientated and can not remember the original google login they made, and barely half of the security questions to remember the original google account. I just want to cry. What was a basic factory reset has turned out to looking like I've 'bricked' their phone. I obviously haven't but it doesn't look good. I've read there's an APK to skip this google sign in step, and I feel competent to do it, but I feel like things can only get worse by this point. There is still hope to reset the google account, but what is your experience using this skip sign in APK. It sounds too easy, for would be thieves, and I don't trust it much. I'm thinking this has gone far enough, I should just tell her to take it back to the provider (EE UK) She's only had it a month. Any idea if they can do this in store or it'll be sent off. Any other words of advice with this skip sign in APK; pulling hair out, thanks
EDIT: Am I right in thinking I can't contact google any further to get the original account back?

whatsoup said:
Hey all, firstly, sorry this is a rushed post but I'm hoping I can get some advice and pointed in the right direction. I'll start by saying I'm fairly experienced in tech and with Android.
So, a family member was having problem with her new android phone (Samsung J ... 6, 5 or something, I can find out) so I said I'd just do a factory reset - there was nothing on there she was worried about losing).
Long story short, this new security feature (if stolen) where you can't just factory reset has completely screwed me over. They are not tech orientated and can not remember the original google login they made, and barely half of the security questions to remember the original google account. I just want to cry. What was a basic factory reset has turned out to looking like I've 'bricked' their phone. I obviously haven't but it doesn't look good. I've read there's an APK to skip this google sign in step, and I feel competent to do it, but I feel like things can only get worse by this point. There is still hope to reset the google account, but what is your experience using this skip sign in APK. It sounds too easy, for would be thieves, and I don't trust it much. I'm thinking this has gone far enough, I should just tell her to take it back to the provider (EE UK) She's only had it a month. Any idea if they can do this in store or it'll be sent off. Any other words of advice with this skip sign in APK; pulling hair out, thanks
EDIT: Am I right in thinking I can't contact google any further to get the original account back?
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Greetings!
Thank you for using XDA Assist.
Having the correct phone model would be helpful here because there are different methods available for fixing this issue. Google will be of no help whatsoever. You can try to bring the device to an authorized Samsung repair center, if available. Also I do recommend bringing it back to the original place of purchase.
Good luck!

Thanks for your reply and sorry for mine being so slow. I guess I'm on my own with this one, but if you can point me to the most favoured guide for a Samsung J36 (I think that is J3 (6) I would appreciate it.
The APK method seems seems easy enough but I'm really worried it has been patched out, seeing as it's a relatively new phone. The last thing I want to do is make it worse. Could you advise how safe the APK method is? usual disclaimers aside
I went into EE today and they weren't much help; they said there's not much they can do, which I don't believe, if we can prove the phone is from them, only a month ago. Thanks for your help. Stress :S

whatsoup said:
Thanks for your reply and sorry for mine being so slow. I guess I'm on my own with this one, but if you can point me to the most favoured guide for a Samsung J36 (I think that is J3 (6) I would appreciate it.
The APK method seems seems easy enough but I'm really worried it has been patched out, seeing as it's a relatively new phone. The last thing I want to do is make it worse. Could you advise how safe the APK method is? usual disclaimers aside
I went into EE today and they weren't much help; they said there's not much they can do, which I don't believe, if we can prove the phone is from them, only a month ago. Thanks for your help. Stress :S
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I haven't seen one for the J3 specifically, as there isn't a specific forum for that model on XDA. May I recommend doing a search to see what turns up. I know that official Samsung repair centers can fix this problem.

Will do, thanks. I wanted to avoid paying for a fix but if it keeps things safe, so be it. I'd have to travel so hopefully they'd do it on the spot. ty