Flashing which image triggers the decryption failure? - Sony Xperia XZ Premium Questions & Answers

I know for certain that flashing one/some .sin files make the device fail to decrypt the internal storage. Which is it/are they?

Good question! I've flashed a bunch and sometimes I've gotten the decrypt error.
It's a bit annoying but not that big of a deal for me since I always back up system+apps with Titanium Backup.
It would be nice knowing how to prevent it though. Everytime I flash I remove userdata.sin, fota_reset.ta.
I also remember having deleted cust-reset.ta, master-reset.ta but didn't notice anything different.
I tried googling but no one seems to know what they do.
cust-reset.ta seems to stand for customization reset.
According to google it's recommended to remove any .ta files because FlashTool doesn't flash these anyway.

Read this https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=73482304&postcount=357
Thats simple. PC Companion always doing full flash including fota reset and etc, but if you look better into proccess you can notice that pc companion backups your userdata and than restores them, so you need to do the same in case you need to keep userdata. Recomended is flash everything including fota reset and etc.

Related

Hard reset =/= restoring all the system files?

I am using Touch HD (BlackStone), I installed one of the hot fix from HTC and it seems causing my phone lock up with the ICR program. I did hard reset and reinstall the ICR and it still crashing all the time. I spended 2 days playing around with countless hard reset and the problem was still there. Finally I flashed my ROM and the problem seem gone now. Seems like the hot fix replaced some of the system files and the hard reset didn't restored them.
I just wondering what exactly hard reset does? Does it just delete the extra files and settings installed by users without restoring all the system files?
a hard reset restore all files of your phone (delete all contacts, messages, settings, programs....) to original parameters.
It's like a "fomat c:" for a computer !
So when I flash the ROM image into the phone, it will put it in a protected area in the flash ROM and hard reset will copy all the files from there to another portion of the flash ROM and execute from there?
when you flash a rom, it erase (or replace, it's the same) the 'older' rom !
a hard reset just delete all files ! if you hard reset your phone, it will be like you buy it, when you power on your phone at the first time !
there is no multi-partitions, one and only one OS can be flash, install and run at the same time !
I hope it's clear, and I answer your question, because my english is very bad....
Hey, if you try format c: ,you get rid of ALL datas on your disk, including OS !! So, it´s not like hard-reset Hard-reseting deletes all user-made data, but it doesn´t do anything with ROM/firmware files, so if you changed them, you can get them back only by reinstalling OS ;-)
vitavirgl said:
Hey, if you try format c: ,you get rid of ALL datas on your disk, including OS !! So, it´s not like hard-reset Hard-reseting deletes all user-made data, but it doesn´t do anything with ROM/firmware files, so if you changed them, you can get them back only by reinstalling OS ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah that explain why hard reset didn't fix my problems but re-flash the same ROM into phone did.
So there is a list of files in ROM to tell the hard reset program which are needed to keep?
thanks
sorry, it's to hard for me to explain what I think in english

Unusual recovery question

I know, I'm stupid for not ensuring I had a good backup, but it's done, I'm dealing with it.
But, I'm trying to find out if there's anything I can do to recover a file. It's a database file for an app called Time Tracker. It's a .db file.
I thought i prepared for a phone wipe to install a new rom. I did a backup to Google Drive from the program, like I've done a dozen other times. Only this time, it didn't actually back up the .db file. So, not verifying it, I went ahead and formatted the phone, complete wipe, even internal sd.
I've been looking all day trying to find a way to recover the file, so far nothing works. All recovery methods I've found only work for specific types of files like pictures, videos, office files, etc. I downloaded a couple of them and tried but like I said, they only work for specific files and .db isn't one of them.
I'm still using the phone because I have no choice, but I haven't installed anything else.
Is there any hope of recovering or am I SOL?
Oh, yes, next time I will do multiple backups and I'm looking at automated online backup for the future.

Securely wiping old Android phone IMPOSSIBLE? - NO "encrypt" option

I need to wipe two Android Phones that do not have the "encrypt" option. I am selling them very soon so this is important. One phone is running stock Gingerbread, the other is using a custom rom running ICS 4.04.
I attempted a secure wipe on the ICS phone by choosing every wipe option found in TWRP (dalvik, cache,etc), then I did 2 factory resets and flashed a NEW ROM after that. Guess what..? I used the free program "DiskDigger" on my PC and I found THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of recoverable files. FULL pictures, not just thumbnails; I found videos, I found zip files, I found voice recordings, I found music, and more!
There is no way in hell I can sell these phones until I know they are CLEAN of my information. What pisses me off is that with iPhone, it's as simple as pressing "Erase All Content And Settings". That takes maybe 5 minutes tops and it works on iPhone's as old as the iPhone 3GS! I thought custom flashing a new rom and wiping cache in TWRP would do the trick but NOPE.
Can anyone help me?
I have an idea:
Just keep copying some random worthless files over and over till your memory fulls up
then do your erase and reset, check again with your DiskDigger again th make sure only the worthless files are retrievable instead of your personal.
Luaai said:
I have an idea:
Just keep copying some random worthless files over and over till your memory fulls up
then do your erase and reset, check again with your DiskDigger again th make sure only the worthless files are retrievable instead of your personal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this really my only option? If so, that is sad and scary at same time, because results are still not guaranteed.
For comparison's sake, I ran Recuva which found 1,243 files. It found A LOT less, so I am glad I tried DiskDigger first. Still, Recuva showed a lot of pictures, and even if they were recoverable, you can see the FULL picture in the preview window!
umirin said:
Is this really my only option? If so, that is sad and scary at same time, because results are still not guaranteed.
For comparison's sake, I ran Recuva which found 1,243 files. It found A LOT less, so I am glad I tried DiskDigger first. Still, Recuva showed a lot of pictures, and even if they were recoverable, you can see the FULL picture in the preview window!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look, when erase a file from your memory it dose not actually erase it, it just hide it from gallery or file explorer and mark it on memory allocation table to be overwritten when copy other file. So your best option is to overwrite with another worthless files. Just give it a try, you wont lose any thing.
I think you might also use any safe erase application or disk utility while connecting your phone as a USB memory. Google it.
Luaai said:
Look, when erase a file from your memory it dose not actually erase it, it just hide it from gallery or file explorer and mark it on memory allocation table to be overwritten when copy other file. So your best option is to overwrite with another worthless files. Just give it a try, you wont lose any thing.
I think you might also use any safe erase application or disk utility while connecting your phone as a USB memory. Google it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that flash memory is different from magnetic drives. I say it's not guaranteed because who knows how many files I have to copy over and over to replace the old stuff.
What I need is a proper sanitizing app like DBAN, but for Android. I am going to check Google Play tomorrow and see if I can find one that still works on Gingerbread and ICS. I have checked these kinds of apps in the past and they were all garbage; I could still recover files easily.
An update for you... I downloaded these two apps and ran them on both phones. Here are the results...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pinellascodeworks.securewipe&hl=en - Secure Wipe
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aiuspaktyn.secureeraser&hl=en - Secure Eraser
On the stock Gingerbread phone, 3 photos were found by DiskDigger and I was able to preview them and recover them. Recuva found 20 files, the same 3 pictures, plus some overwritten garbage. I ran both apps AGAIN and got the same results, those same 3 photos were still there, intact. So what I then did was click on the photos in Recuva and selected "Secure Overwrite Checked". I ran the scans a THIRD time, Recuva first. It found 15 different files, 11 ignored all labelled as "unrecoverable" or "very poor". Only one photo was from before was found, but there was no preview. I recovered it, but no photo program could open it, so it looks to be successfully overwritten and corrupted.
On the phone running custom ROM ICS: I ran DiskDigger and it found 0 files; Recuva found 3 files after secure wiping. One was in "poor state" and two were in "excellent" state - a .bin file and .M file. I overwrote these files in Recuva and ran the scans a second time. DiskDigger found nothing, Recuva found 3, 14 ignored, all were "unrecoverable".
So I have some peace of mind now. Before running these Secure erase programs, DiskDigger found 99% of the contents on the phone that was running custom ROM ICS. So wiping dalvik cache, other cache, multiple factory resets, and flashing a new ROM did NOTHING!
If anyone has suggestions on other recovery programs, I will do a third check to put my mind at ease.
Wow... very surprised that there is no discussion on this. Do people not care about about the security of their devices?

Urgent help require for recovering data

Hi there,
Its been a long time using the Note 3 since 2013. It had many issue but still carried on. But few days back when weak up in the morning saw the phone was off, though it was in charge full night. When turned it on it stuck in the Samsung glowing logo and nothing after that, it keep showing the same logo until it power is gone. Don’t know what happened that night, it was installing an update by itself or not.
Then google it and no steps helps, used odin and reflash with latest firmware from sammobile but that too didn’t help. I’ve lots of data in internal storage including sms and contacts and pictures. I’ve no issue to throwing off the phone but I cant lost all data in it, it will be a huge loss as just became a father and lots of pics on my new born baby, so you can understand the value.
Can anyone suggest how can I recover the data? Check the attachment for its current state. Thanks in advance.
Is your phone rooted?
Sent from my awesome Galaxy S8+
IamVaibhav said:
Is your phone rooted?
Sent from my awesome Galaxy S8+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No nothing at all, its complete stock, only official updates installed regularly.
soumen.sam said:
No nothing at all, its complete stock, only official updates installed regularly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you tried the official update from sammobile, did you add a PIT file in addition to the stock ROM?
chosenroyal said:
When you tried the official update from sammobile, did you add a PIT file in addition to the stock ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didnt have time to to learn all this. Just followed an instruction how to solve this and did, but no where I heard about PIT file, what is its purpose? all said to flash with just the .md5 file. Please advice. Thanks
soumen.sam said:
I didnt have time to to learn all this. Just followed an instruction how to solve this and did, but no where I heard about PIT file, what is its purpose? all said to flash with just the .md5 file. Please advice. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a bit long. I copied the explanation of PIT online.
PIT stands for Partition Information Table (PIT) and as the name suggests these are files which contain partition tables for your Samsung Galaxy Android phones. The PIT file contains all the relevant information for each required partition such as Partition Name, Block Size, Block Count, and other technical information. Every device has different PIT file associated with its stock firmware. Hence a correct PIT file is needed in order to properly flash the stock firmware on your device. Also, if there are two models of a device, say 32 GB and 64 GB, then both will have a different PIT file and you cannot use the PIT of the former with the later or vice-versa.
What does the PIT file do?
ROM (Read Only Memory) is similar to a hard disk on a PC where the information is kept permanently unless changed by the user. PIT file will re-partition the ROM of your device...
---------- Post added at 12:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 PM ----------
So what's your phone's model number? Is it SM-N900? And does it have 32GB internal storage?
chosenroyal said:
This is a bit long. I copied the explanation of PIT online.
PIT stands for Partition Information Table (PIT) and as the name suggests these are files which contain partition tables for your Samsung Galaxy Android phones. The PIT file contains all the relevant information for each required partition such as Partition Name, Block Size, Block Count, and other technical information. Every device has different PIT file associated with its stock firmware. Hence a correct PIT file is needed in order to properly flash the stock firmware on your device. Also, if there are two models of a device, say 32 GB and 64 GB, then both will have a different PIT file and you cannot use the PIT of the former with the later or vice-versa.
What does the PIT file do?
ROM (Read Only Memory) is similar to a hard disk on a PC where the information is kept permanently unless changed by the user. PIT file will re-partition the ROM of your device...
---------- Post added at 12:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 PM ----------
So what's your phone's model number? Is it SM-N900? And does it have 32GB internal storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks, yes its SM-N900 32GB internal storage. All I want to fix it without formatting the internal storage. I even dont know after flashing it will clear then internal memory and reset or not. Even if I need the PIT file, then where can I get the stock PIT file? Thanks
soumen.sam said:
Hi there,
Its been a long time using the Note 3 since 2013. It had many issue but still carried on. But few days back when weak up in the morning saw the phone was off, though it was in charge full night. When turned it on it stuck in the Samsung glowing logo and nothing after that, it keep showing the same logo until it power is gone. Don’t know what happened that night, it was installing an update by itself or not.
Then google it and no steps helps, used odin and reflash with latest firmware from sammobile but that too didn’t help. I’ve lots of data in internal storage including sms and contacts and pictures. I’ve no issue to throwing off the phone but I cant lost all data in it, it will be a huge loss as just became a father and lots of pics on my new born baby, so you can understand the value.
Can anyone suggest how can I recover the data? Check the attachment for its current state. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure that you downloaded the right firmware for your country/career?
DontBrickYourPhone said:
Are you sure that you downloaded the right firmware for your country/career?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Checked all, country latest version exact model and all. Juts now trying reflash with the pit file.
If you want to cpy Data from your internal storage try tihis way
1 install official TWRP recovery
2 Reboot into recovery
3 connect your mobile to Pc annd then you can copy data from your internal storage
Hope it help you ?
you can try this method.
1.Root your phone and install twrp recovery.
2.mound and SDCard and reboot into recovery and from file manager in recovery copy all data from internal storage to SDCard by doing this your data will be safe .after that try to flash anr other rom like Resurrection Remix Or lineage to repair your phone.
Hi, if you flashed (completely) an update not compatible you lost your data, your contacts it`s recommendable to synchronise with Google if worst happen, if your data didn`t go away you can try to recover like others users recommended, first root device with this file https://download.chainfire.eu/353/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-ha3g-ha3gxx-smn900.zip, install official TWRP from Google Play and download from it correct version, go to recovery from same app and transfer to pc all that you can.
Sometime ago I tried to flash a rom with odin and result was the same, and issue was just for flashing without connection to internet, maybe help
Amh00200 said:
If you want to cpy Data from your internal storage try tihis way
1 install official TWRP recovery
2 Reboot into recovery
3 connect your mobile to Pc annd then you can copy data from your internal storage
Hope it help you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So after few days I got some time to work on it. I've already took the internal backup by TWRP like whats all etc. I did CWM Recovery and took the full backup and the format and reset. Now the phone turned on and restored the backup by CWM but again its in Boot loop. Now what to do? and yes I think its rooted now.
I only need contacts sms and action memo, thats all
raosahab said:
you can try this method.
1.Root your phone and install twrp recovery.
2.mound and SDCard and reboot into recovery and from file manager in recovery copy all data from internal storage to SDCard by doing this your data will be safe .after that try to flash anr other rom like Resurrection Remix Or lineage to repair your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I already took the backup and tried many repair fixing software but nothing helpped
SubwayChamp said:
Hi, if you flashed (completely) an update not compatible you lost your data, your contacts it`s recommendable to synchronise with Google if worst happen, if your data didn`t go away you can try to recover like others users recommended, first root device with this file https://download.chainfire.eu/353/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-ha3g-ha3gxx-smn900.zip, install official TWRP from Google Play and download from it correct version, go to recovery from same app and transfer to pc all that you can.
Sometime ago I tried to flash a rom with odin and result was the same, and issue was just for flashing without connection to internet, maybe help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed with proper firmware and when it didnt help I tried CWM recovery and took the backup, while it was taking backup I saw it took all apps those I installed. So I'm sure it didnt format the data.
soumen.sam said:
I flashed with proper firmware and when it didnt help I tried CWM recovery and took the backup, while it was taking backup I saw it took all apps those I installed. So I'm sure it didnt format the data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, we need to make things clear to try to solve this;
Assuming that you;
- Flashed correct firmware and for some reason process interrupt or apparently reached the end but device don´t boot (bad flashing)
- You took a backup from CWM nor TWRP (then you have a backup of system, data, boot, maybe recovery and probably cache. Then you can try the next:
- Put your backup ever in sdcard
- Flash some custom rom based on stock (zip format) with CWM (maybe necessary to do wipes to boot but probably you lost your data from device flashing before, but you have it in your backup)
- Now select an advanced restore, just restore data (if same native app of mms and notes are installed they took data again), reboot now and look, probably will be necessary restore also cache but let it just if needed)
- If for some reason don´t boot probably your partitions are corrupted but you can try first this. I hope help you and tell us how you go
SubwayChamp said:
Well, we need to make things clear to try to solve this;
Assuming that you;
- Flashed correct firmware and for some reason process interrupt or apparently reached the end but device don´t boot (bad flashing)
- You took a backup from CWM nor TWRP (then you have a backup of system, data, boot, maybe recovery and probably cache. Then you can try the next:
- Put your backup ever in sdcard
- Flash some custom rom based on stock (zip format) with CWM (maybe necessary to do wipes to boot but probably you lost your data from device flashing before, but you have it in your backup)
- Now select an advanced restore, just restore data (if same native app of mms and notes are installed they took data again), reboot now and look, probably will be necessary restore also cache but let it just if needed)
- If for some reason don´t boot probably your partitions are corrupted but you can try first this. I hope help you and tell us how you go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback. Yes I backup from CWM full system data and all and TWRP I took internal storage backup in PC.
I flashed with latest firmware from sammobile with Odin
I restore the backup in all way, full restore, only data and other one by one, but in all steps its unable to turn on again. I saw the internal memory data is intact but contact call log and sms r gone. I just waht these 3 things, snote is still there.
How do I know my phone is rooted? if I rood can I overwrite these data from the backup files? I installed two file manager but cant access the root. Please let me know. Thanks
soumen.sam said:
Thanks for your feedback. Yes I backup from CWM full system data and all and TWRP I took internal storage backup in PC.
I flashed with latest firmware from sammobile with Odin
I restore the backup in all way, full restore, only data and other one by one, but in all steps its unable to turn on again. I saw the internal memory data is intact but contact call log and sms r gone. I just waht these 3 things, snote is still there.
How do I know my phone is rooted? if I rood can I overwrite these data from the backup files? I installed two file manager but cant access the root. Please let me know. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If device don`t power on you need first of all flash correct firmware to repair partitions, you need to go step by step.
- Flash by odin, good level battery charged, access to internet, depending capacity of your pc don´t use many resources meanwhile flashing, if sucess reboot device completely now power off, put it in download mode
- Now, step 2 you need to root with this file, download it https://download.chainfire.eu/353/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-ha3g-ha3gxx-smn900.zip extract from zip and you have this file in .tar.md5, open odin, go to AP box, search file and flash it (download mode), this file will root device and will install TWRP (is needed to inject some scripts from supersu)
- how your backup is in CWM you need to go now to TWRP and flash CWM.img file via recovery.
- reboot in CWM and select advanced option to restore, just restore DATA, not other partitions, this overwrite your data app for your data backup, and without doing wipes try to boot. maybe system be unstable but you need now just recover some data, when you do that recommend a flash a custom rom or at least keeping root to take a backup with titanium periodically
Hi All, So with the rooted device I've managed to restore all data except call log, which I can ignore. But now the issue is, the system showing the software is not official and not supporting software upgrade and showing the system is custom. Now what to do, where can I get the exact firmware? thanks
sammobile or updato dot com or just search .

Asking for help Blu G90

Forgive if I put this in the wrong section.
Q: my father recently passed away and I'm trying to recover some data that is on his phone. I physically have his phone. Blu G90. Is there a way to bypass or disable the native pin lock?
Usb debug not enabled. Default set to charge only for pc.
Pretty sure wipe at 15 is set so can't brute force.
I have a couple of forensics applications that can see it when it goes to bootloader but then they crash as soon as I try to grab an image or mount /system.
I'm literally begging for any assistance I can get.
Thanks in advance
AntiMatter2112 said:
Forgive if I put this in the wrong section.
Q: my father recently passed away and I'm trying to recover some data that is on his phone. I physically have his phone. Blu G90. Is there a way to bypass or disable the native pin lock?
Usb debug not enabled. Default set to charge only for pc.
Pretty sure wipe at 15 is set so can't brute force.
I have a couple of forensics applications that can see it when it goes to bootloader but then they crash as soon as I try to grab an image or mount /system.
I'm literally begging for any assistance I can get.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the device is locked (bootloader locked) so the permissions to change/modifiy/copy something into phone cannot obtain the internal storage files.
Only unlocking bootloader and for it is need format phone as internal storage so the device erasing all files. The pin lock can remove with adb-fastboot commands or TWRP.
But again, with locked bootloader, without chance to have internal files.
DragonPitbull said:
Since the device is locked (bootloader locked) so the permissions to change/modifiy/copy something into phone cannot obtain the internal storage files.
Only unlocking bootloader and for it is need format phone as internal storage so the device erasing all files. The pin lock can remove with adb-fastboot commands or TWRP.
But again, with locked bootloader, without chance to have internal files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the reply. i was afraid of that. even after factory reset, if i root, theres a chance at partial data recovery? or is it completely gone?
AntiMatter2112 said:
thanks for the reply. i was afraid of that. even after factory reset, if i root, theres a chance at partial data recovery? or is it completely gone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try an official unlock. Maybe it can have some result or maybe not. Trying is the attitude.
Write Google support and try to legally show some death certificate and supporting documents over your father's phone number. Write down the situation and wait for some response from them.
The only practical way would be to try a backup of the internal partition. But it depends on your knowledge with Smart Phone Flash Tool. Also you must know how to "cut" the file in the right parts.
There would be a very small possibility of restoring the internal files with a backup of userdata or in its entirety (called ROM_1).
The next step would be to unlock the phone, install TWRP and restore the file made from userdata.
Perhaps at that point you have a 1% chance of removing the PIN and booting the device without a password.
But this should only be done if Google gives you a negative answer.
Another way is with carrier company. But I think help in nothing.
Understand that despite having a userdata file with PIN, there is encryption involved and that is what makes the whole process difficult.
I know the TWRP made for BLU G90 has active decryption. But I don't know how it will behave with a userdata file made with stock ROM.
Unfortunately there is no guarantee that files like photos, docs, etc can be in userdata as this refers to internal storage. Already userdata is in ROOT storage.
So even if there is an application or software capable of restoring files, there is also the possibility that it will not be successful or have corrupted files. This will depend on your choice and risk carrying out the process.
DragonPitbull said:
You can try an official unlock. Maybe it can have some result or maybe not. Trying is the attitude.
Write Google support and try to legally show some death certificate and supporting documents over your father's phone number. Write down the situation and wait for some response from them.
The only practical way would be to try a backup of the internal partition. But it depends on your knowledge with Smart Phone Flash Tool. Also you must know how to "cut" the file in the right parts.
There would be a very small possibility of restoring the internal files with a backup of userdata or in its entirety (called ROM_1).
The next step would be to unlock the phone, install TWRP and restore the file made from userdata.
Perhaps at that point you have a 1% chance of removing the PIN and booting the device without a password.
But this should only be done if Google gives you a negative answer.
Another way is with carrier company. But I think help in nothing.
Understand that despite having a userdata file with PIN, there is encryption involved and that is what makes the whole process difficult.
I know the TWRP made for BLU G90 has active decryption. But I don't know how it will behave with a userdata file made with stock ROM.
Unfortunately there is no guarantee that files like photos, docs, etc can be in userdata as this refers to internal storage. Already userdata is in ROOT storage.
So even if there is an application or software capable of restoring files, there is also the possibility that it will not be successful or have corrupted files. This will depend on your choice and risk carrying out the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Google was pretty useless. They told me to contact Blu and Blu said to contact Google. I successfully hard reset and root. Went through setup to try a restore from his drive backup and it wanted the unlock pin in order to restore. Google was again quite useless. Since this is a matter if his estate i served Google with a notice of preservation on the backup, since it expires pretty soon. I'm going to try next to roll back to an older version, before the unlock pin requirement to restore Google backup. Grabbed a cellebrite image earlier so I can mess around with it later tonight. I'm hoping that because of the unlock requirement that the pin file is still there after reset.

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