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[I9003][Help] Unknown Phone

Hey guys! After flashing to xxkpe, the phone and csc both showed "unknown". After repeated flashes the csc problem was fixed but even after flashing 5 times the phone still showed unknown and it wont recognize the sim card. any suggestions???

what did you flash? more details please...

Oh sorry i forgot to add i flashed XXKPE!!!

Is your IMEI visible

No IT IS NOT. I flashed back to xxkp9 and same problem!

Open phone and dial *#06#
If it doesn't show the imei number and you don't have the back up, your only option is samsung service center
Sent from my GT-I9003 using XDA App

1. Try flashing XXKPE twice. Use the latona file before the first flash only. Then factory reset after flashing the firmware for the first time. You probably placed the files wrong.
2. You can always try to use someone's nandroid backup of CWM and restore on your phone and test and check.
3. Service center.

how to make the back up of IMEI

tarunagg said:
how to make the back up of IMEI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup IMEI
Basically the method is almost alike. Just flashing it is an issue that I don't know how.

I think you post in wrong forum

I just used Root Explorer and copied my "/efs" folder to my external SD card (i.e copy "/efs" folder as a whole to "/mnt/sdcard/external_sd/backup").
But it sounds like you hadn't done this backup before you flashed. I think the only option is to go to the service centre and have them recover it for you. Before you go, take a Nandroid backup using CWM and a backup using TitaniumBackup. Make sure all the backups from Titanium go to the external SD card.
Also it is probably best to flash back to your original firmware (or something close from here) before giving it to them, and try to act innocent (---> "What's a firmware!?! I flashed who?!?!")
BTW @ Misledz: Here is the original post. Also contains a compressed efs attachment. Do you think it would be too complex to modify that and flash it (find the IMEI from the box and manually input)?
Cherio!

Can anyone please upload a copy of the efs folder?

[Q] small help

hi ,
i got nexus s (3g)
and i try to install a new rom, Rom fell in the middle of installation, and since my phone is not dead (no reception) after I went online I realized that what happened is a folder called EFS was deleted or changed, because it is not working, I did a backup the folder ... What can you do?
Thanks
The device is a Root

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1138873&highlight=efs

yea i saw that , but i don`t have a backup file... i need to recreate it...

orbens said:
yea i saw that , but i don`t have a backup file... i need to recreate it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your EFS folder is damaged/deleted and you have no backup, you are out of luck. I don't know of any official way to restore it.
Search in the Sense port thread where apparently EFS folders were damage, maybe some hints in there.
I read on Google some ppl got lucky restoring their IMEI etc by deleting every remaining item in the EFS folder and flashing a new ROM using a fake IMEI.
DISCLAIMER: I have absolutely NO experience with it and strongly advise to do research before taking further actions. This is a too serious issue to try&error.

any one can help me? plz..

orbens said:
any one can help me? plz..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In case you didn't get what I said, there is NO fix for that. You're phone is basically useless now.

[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...

[help needed] dead network & blank imei ???

Hello everyone, i recently buyed a used samsung galaxy r. Its in good condition.
But it has one serious issue ie, no network & blank imei number.
I browse google whole day & found that this happening becoz of corrupted efs, i checked efs folder via root explorer, there is no imei folder in it :banghead: i also tried efs backup but nothing done.
Why this issue happening, is there any one who can help me out to resolve my no network issue,
I also went to nearest service center, they told to change the board which cost around rs8500 (indian).
Help me frnds, my galaxy r is without network & blank imei ?????
My last hope is XDA!

Help ???

You cannot fix it without the original EFS. You could ask the seeker if he/she has a backup of the folder. Except restoring the backup, only SSC can fix it.
Sent from my CM10.1-powered GT-I9103

The problem is maybe with just the nv_data.bin file, you may check out this thread.
Sent from my CM10.1-powered GT-I9103

Adam77Root said:
You cannot fix it without the original EFS. You could ask the seeker if he/she has a backup of the folder. Except restoring the backup, only SSC can fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what if the person uses efs backup of any friend(say mine)?
wont he be able to recover imei..

niks_25893 said:
what if the person uses efs backup of any friend(say mine)?
wont he be able to recover imei..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i guess Both the Mobile will not work at same time....

Adam77Root said:
The problem is maybe with just the nv_data.bin file, you may check out this thread.
Sent from my CM10.1-powered GT-I9103
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for help, but will this work ?? But in my case there is no imei folder inside efs will other galaxy r efs backup will work????
I will try this & plz support me

It makes no sense to create an EFS backup of an already corrupted partition. Also, the imei folder has nothing to do with the actual imei number. It is stored in the nv_data.bin file.
Sent from my CM10.1-powered GT-I9103

Adam77Root said:
It makes no sense to create an EFS backup of an already corrupted partition. Also, the imei folder has nothing to do with the actual imei number. It is stored in the nv_data.bin file.
Sent from my CM10.1-powered GT-I9103
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually Sir, I format my system partition with odin and flashed stock gb rom 5 to 6 times while resolving my issue, and at time i accidently deleted the contents of EFS folder & reboot but still no network & imei..
So i again flash stock rom via odin & all EFS files(nav_data.bin) again automatically generated, is this normal ????? but no luck to restore my imei & n/w ..
Below is the screenshot of my phone

Yes, the file is generated automatically, but it doesn't know what to generate. So it either generates a fake IMEI or garbage I assume. We would need to know about the internals of the nv_data.bin file to fix it. You have to take it to SSC or someone who knows about the details.

Above method is not working.. any helps please..

Visit Service center of samsung. They can only help you now.

Hey, i jst wanted to know out of curosity...
when we backup thru cwm, does it also baks up the efs folder ??
if i have my prev cwm backup say of gb n if i happened to b on ics/jb and suddenly my imei vanishes.. den does gb cwm backup can restore back d imei ??
Sent from my GT-I9103 using Tapatalk 2

vipul12389mehta said:
Hey, i jst wanted to know out of curosity...
when we backup thru cwm, does it also baks up the efs folder ??
if i have my prev cwm backup say of gb n if i happened to b on ics/jb and suddenly my imei vanishes.. den does gb cwm backup can restore back d imei ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it doesnt backs up efs folder..hence we need external tool to backup..
CWM only backs up system,data,cache folder and kernel..

Thankyou all !!! Finally i got my samsung galaxy R i9103 from nearest service center, blank imei & no n/w issue is now solved. They told me that they change the motherboard of my fone to resolved imei & no n/w problem. & also got updated to 4.0.4.
Now am ready to try all awesome roms for i9103. :thumbup:
Devs, plz suggest any????
And also plz give me the link and how to do the perfect efs backup of i9103 ????
Sent from my LG-P500 using xda premium

kunnaliskinng said:
Thankyou all !!! Finally i got my samsung galaxy R i9103 from nearest service center, blank imei & no n/w issue is now solved. They told me that they change the motherboard of my fone to resolved imei & no n/w problem. & also got updated to 4.0.4.
Now am ready to try all awesome roms for i9103. :thumbup:
Devs, plz suggest any????
And also plz give me the link and how to do the perfect efs backup of i9103 ????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow this thread to backup your efs partition.
You r on ics right now, i recommend you install CWM and flash ardatdat_i9103_ics_kernel_v4.zip first.
For Awesome Rom, visit this and download latest nightly build.
Download gapps from here.
For Installation Method, visit this thread and follow Procedure II..
Happy Flashing..