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Hi,
I have managed to lose my IMEI and empty my /efs folder. I was using the Gingerbread Beta 2 ROM provided by Whitehawkx on my Samsung Vibrant. Everything was great for me, I was loving it and was using it as daily driver. Until one day, my cell was in my pocket and I realized it was overheated. I removed it from my pocket and saw that it was frozen and had the double rainbow screen. I removed the battery to switch it off and restarted.
Since that moment, I lost all the files under my /efs folder and also lost my IMEI. As a result my phone does not recognize any SIM card. I can use all other functions like wifi, bluetooth, etc. but cannot use any phone functions like calling, sms, etc.
Please please please help me out to resolve this problem. I do not have backup of my /efs folder. I do have nandroid backups of my JFD, JI6 and KA6 ROMs. (if that helps in any way)
I have already tried going back to Stock JFD with clear efs checkbox checked using odin but no luck...
Please Help & Very Thanks in advance...
P.S. Let me know if you need any more details...
This is tricky, but it can be done, I am not sure how much your phone is jacked up. But here is a link explaining how to do this, read carefully a few times before you proceed:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881162
Good luck
oka1 said:
This is tricky, but it can be done, I am not sure how much your phone is jacked up. But here is a link explaining how to do this, read carefully a few times before you proceed:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881162
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks oka1,
But before your reply I did something because of which I am screwed even more
While trying out everything, I flashed my Vibrant with the International Samsung Galaxy S ROM - 'I9000DDJF2'. I also used the CSC file that came with it.
This did not solve my IMEI problem but then now I can't go into Download mode or recovery mode as we do not have the home key that International Galaxy S has.
Please help me get in Download mode or Recovery mode so that I can get back to Vibrant ROM.
we do have a home button. use that to go to DL mode.
how come did that messed up your eds? was it told that you need to backup your efs folder?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Got lucky, managed to get into Download mode. Found this post 'http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728698', the key was - "If you still can't enter download mode, you may want to try holding down the volume key + the power button. Plugging in your USB cable may also aid your efforts to enter download mode."
But this does not solve my lost IMEI and /efs problem. I did not know about backing up the /efs folder :-(
I am trying my hardest to try and restore my IMEI...
just get a replacement. that's the easiest way I think.
is your phone unlocked?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Hey Im looking now through some old threads, might have a fix.
I did that too, but luckily, after that, i bricked.
Backing up /efs will avoid any problems like this?
Potential Fix
I attached a screenshot of the files that should be in your efs folder. When I unlocked my phone, it required deleting all of the nv files besides the log, which leaves -
The .android folder is empty
The .imei file contains your imei number (found under your battery - put it in without slashes)
The imei folder which contains bt.text with your bluetooth mac address and a code file with the word XEN
I would recommend ODIN back to stock, root, set up this file structure (leaving out the nv files), then download the sgs unlock tool, and run it. People have reported success using the unlock tool to rebuild nv_data.
If this fails try reading through this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=879189&page=3
Thanks guys for helping out...
@iynfynity - My phone is unlocked. I can't get replacement since I am not in US. I bought it from ebay.com.
@pvspencer22 - I will try the way that you have mentioned. I thought since I am not in US, I can request someone from US to share their /efs folder contents. A nice guy from xda was ready to do that but then he was not comfortable :-(
Ya I wasn't to comfortable with it. It just doesn't seem safe for me to give someone else my IMEI. And plus I dont think it would work on your phone anyways, because the efs file wouldn't match your phone
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
pvspencer22 said:
I attached a screenshot of the files that should be in your efs folder. When I unlocked my phone, it required deleting all of the nv files besides the log, which leaves -
The .android folder is empty
The .imei file contains your imei number (found under your battery - put it in without slashes)
The imei folder which contains bt.text with your bluetooth mac address and a code file with the word XEN
I would recommend ODIN back to stock, root, set up this file structure (leaving out the nv files), then download the sgs unlock tool, and run it. People have reported success using the unlock tool to rebuild nv_data.
If this fails try reading through this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=879189&page=3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried these ways, no luck :-( Seems that the only possible way to resolve this is if someone agrees to share the contents of /efs folder of a working spare vibrant phone. But then no one is ready to do this...
Wonder if it could be possible for YOU to give your information from your phone & battery to someone on here that could make edits to their files with your info and send it to you??
jmcghee1973 said:
Wonder if it could be possible for YOU to give your information from your phone & battery to someone on here that could make edits to their files with your info and send it to you??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a bad idea
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
My original IMEI was 351801041232857.
My phone model is TMo Samsung Vibrant, I bought it from ebay.com.
Not sure what other details would be required as the only thing different is the IMEI, rest would be just as any other Vibrant phone.
Currently I am on stock JFD (downloaded from xda) and my /efs folder is completely empty.
Guys, please let me know if any other information is needed. I would be more than obliged to provide it. I am just trying out all possible ways to resolve the problem and I deeply appreciated each and every message coming my way... This is what makes xda so special...
As I have said, my handicap is that I am not in US, else I could have easily asked T-Mobile to solve this problem for me...
FATEOWNZYOU said:
Ya I wasn't to comfortable with it. It just doesn't seem safe for me to give someone else my IMEI. And plus I dont think it would work on your phone anyways, because the efs file wouldn't match your phone
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have nothing against you mate, you were just trying to help... I have completely understood your concern...
About the second part whether it would work or not, we need to try it first to figure out whether it works out or not. That is why we are here... trying to help each other out...
Guys, someone please help me out with /efs folder contents of a spare Vibrant phone...
kisfit2000 said:
Guys, someone please help me out with /efs folder contents of a spare Vibrant phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
reply if you still need help. I got a solution as long as you have the backup efs folder.
iynfynity said:
reply if you still need help. I got a solution as long as you have the backup efs folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats the main problem, i do not have backup of my efs folder. My efs folder is empty and hence I am requesting someone to share their efs folder contents :-(
I need a vounteer helper who can share his efs folder contents...
Please...
Ok,now let me do it simple....I had the same bledy prob with my sgs2.
As I searched the net,it was almost impossible to fix that prob...
I was advised to bring my phone to the service center.
Anyway, don't worry as there is a way to fix it.But, i'm not giving you guys any link here because i'm currently posting this from my phone and it's not easy.
First,get the Android root explorer from the market.Then find the folder called " efs " in your root.Open it and find for the file " nv_ data.bin " and " nv_data.bin.md5 " now look at the date below it.and if i'm not mistaken, that's the date you ruined your devise.Ok,now look at the date of the file with the same name above but with and extension of " .bak " ...the .bak file must have an earlier date compared to the original one(if the date is not in an earlier state,i don't think it's possible to fix your phone).
This files are basically the backup of your IMEI...
Next, fine any apps to recover your efs folder...ive pasted the link below
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1138873
Once u got the folder,go in and delete the " nv_data.bin.md5 " " nv_data.bin "
Now rename both the bak file with the name above...
Thatd it...now restore the efs back to your phone...and,done...you've done it..
If that method doesnt work, you need to format your efs before restoring the modified files...
I'm really really sorry I can't give you the links...i really had it fixed easily with the method I used...
I spent almost a month to figure out the way to fix this ****...So just decided to share it with you guys...Sharing is caring...
Hi,
I am using a Nexus S. The phone had a short circuit on the board. I got that fixed.. but post that I am facing the same problem. The IMEI and the baseband version have been wiped out!
I did try your approach. i.e I renamed that .bak to .bin and deleted the .bin. Then rebooted the cellphone.. Things remain the same. Am i missing some step here?
Could u please clarify the following lines from ur post:-
"Thatd it...now restore the efs back to your phone...and,done...you've done it..
If that method doesnt work, you need to format your efs before restoring the modified files...
"
1 - What do u mean by restoring the efc back to my phone?
2 - What do u mean by formatting your efs before restoring the modified files.
Please help me out!
Then why have you posted in the SGS2 forum ? Try again here.
surjain said:
Hi,
I am using a Nexus S.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought my Note a week ago and swore I wouldn't flash any roms until the stock ICS version came out (was told it was supposed to come out in 3 weeks). Still couldn't resist rooting it and freezing the bloatware, but now I'm itching to try some of the ICS roms that have been released lately. I just can't resist.
I come from the Captivate and remember that a good time after I started flashing roms it was announced that backing up the nv_data.bin file in the EFS folder was something we should have all done before flashing.
Is it the same thing with this phone? I don't see a nv_data.bin file but it's entirely possible that there may be something similar that I'm not spotting.
Thanks.
No input? Though the files in the /efs folder don't look like they hold any information that can't be lost I've archived it anyway.
Does anyone know if there's any other information I should save that would be unrecoverable after I flash a different rom?
I used Efs Pro.
Get some SDK tools correct for your system here. http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html Also some .net frame work 4.0 from possibly here http://www.softpedia.com/get/Programming/Other-Programming-Files/Microsoft-NET-Framework-Client-Profile.shtml Finally the business end of it, Efs pro from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1308546 Thanks to lyriquidperfection. At least this is what i have done. Hope all goes well.
Raleran said:
No input? Though the files in the /efs folder don't look like they hold any information that can't be lost I've archived it anyway.
Does anyone know if there's any other information I should save that would be unrecoverable after I flash a different rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only the EFS folder and, if u want to, take a screenshot of Settings/about Phone
Raleran said:
No input? Though the files in the /efs folder don't look like they hold any information that can't be lost I've archived it anyway.
Does anyone know if there's any other information I should save that would be unrecoverable after I flash a different rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maniele856 said:
Only the EFS folder and, if u want to, take a screenshot of Settings/about Phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the same initial thought and also archived the EFS folder. Screenshots of my APN settings (always, saves headaches) and various other settings. Upon looking around the forum, surprisingly found little mention or info in regards. So the best i could come up with, i tried, worked. Backed up as a .img and as a .tar . Overkill perhaps, but felt safer in doing so. Then posted above. (Sorry for the crude/improper use of links?)
Hi There!
I'm new here, so sorry in advance if I do something wrong.
I've a i9100 SII, but the imei and baseband are unknown. I've found a tutorial to get them back (forum.gsmhosting. com/vbb/f777/samsung-i9100-galaxy-sii-no-imei-unknown-baseband-solution-1490783/) and I followed the steps.
But at "6. Go to Repair GSII tab, follow the steps." I get a problem. at the last step in the tab, it says "delete nv_data.bin and repair it with bak files" when I let the app do this, it say "You don't have .nv_data.bak and his md5 files, canceled".
I think if have to get those files from anywhere?
Or what must I do?
In the downloaded archivement files was this:
flash:
I9100XEKDB.rar
└ CODE_I9100XEKDB_CL161513_REV02_user_low_ship.tar.m d5
GT-I9100 modem Release Note_KDH.xlsx
GT-I9100_PDA_ReleaseNote_I9100XEKDB.xls
GT-I9100_Release_Note_OXE.xls
GT-I9100-MULTI-CSC-OXEKD9.tar.md5
Important.htm
KERNEL_I9100XEKDB_CL161513_REV02_user_low_ship.tar .md5
MODEM_I9100XXKDH_REV_02_CL995882.tar.md5
Odin3 v1.85.exe
Odin3.ini
Tsar3000 Free Toolbar
u1_02_20110310_emmc_EXT4.pit
root:
XWKDD_insecure.tar
└zImage
Maybe the answer is in there? Hope someon can help me, because I am quite a noob with this stuff :silly:
TheBigBen said:
Hi There!
I'm new here, so sorry in advance if I do something wrong.
I've a i9100 SII, but the imei and baseband are unknown. I've found a tutorial to get them back (forum.gsmhosting. com/vbb/f777/samsung-i9100-galaxy-sii-no-imei-unknown-baseband-solution-1490783/) and I followed the steps.
But at "6. Go to Repair GSII tab, follow the steps." I get a problem. at the last step in the tab, it says "delete nv_data.bin and repair it with bak files" when I let the app do this, it say "You don't have .nv_data.bak and his md5 files, canceled".
I think if have to get those files from anywhere?
Or what must I do?
In the downloaded archivement files was this:
flash:
I9100XEKDB.rar
└ CODE_I9100XEKDB_CL161513_REV02_user_low_ship.tar.m d5
GT-I9100 modem Release Note_KDH.xlsx
GT-I9100_PDA_ReleaseNote_I9100XEKDB.xls
GT-I9100_Release_Note_OXE.xls
GT-I9100-MULTI-CSC-OXEKD9.tar.md5
Important.htm
KERNEL_I9100XEKDB_CL161513_REV02_user_low_ship.tar .md5
MODEM_I9100XXKDH_REV_02_CL995882.tar.md5
Odin3 v1.85.exe
Odin3.ini
Tsar3000 Free Toolbar
u1_02_20110310_emmc_EXT4.pit
root:
XWKDD_insecure.tar
└zImage
Maybe the answer is in there? Hope someon can help me, because I am quite a noob with this stuff :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well the files u have downloaded isof the stock firmware , insecure kernel to root and odin for flashing stock rom and the pit file for repartitioning ..
the nvdata file is found in the root of ur phone and the imei no is stored in that basically if u say u have lost it then perhaps u wont b able to get ur imei back.. u shud always backup ur efs folder ...
do u haave a backup of efs done earlier ?
is ur phone in warranty>?
Unless it's the 'temporary/intermittent IMEI disappearing' thing that seems to be happening a lot lately, if you don't have an EFS backup you're unlikely to be able to fix this yourself easily without the right equipment/the knowledge to use it. Better off paying someone who does/has the experience to do it, will be cheaper than paying an authorised repairer to fix it, put it that way.
neerajganga said:
well the files u have downloaded isof the stock firmware , insecure kernel to root and odin for flashing stock rom and the pit file for repartitioning ..
the nvdata file is found in the root of ur phone and the imei no is stored in that basically if u say u have lost it then perhaps u wont b able to get ur imei back.. u shud always backup ur efs folder ...
do u haave a backup of efs done earlier ?
is ur phone in warranty>?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If have no back up from my efs as var I know...
I brought the phone on a site like ebay, but then the dutch version of that. So it has no warranty.
MistahBungle said:
Unless it's the 'temporary/intermittent IMEI disappearing' thing that seems to be happening a lot lately, if you don't have an EFS backup you're unlikely to be able to fix this yourself easily without the right equipment/the knowledge to use it. Better off paying someone who does/has the experience to do it, will be cheaper than paying an authorised repairer to fix it, put it that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it not possible to copy a file from a other i9100, and just change the imei number?
Other ways I will send the phone to a repaircenter...
TheBigBen said:
Is it not possible to copy a file from a other i9100, and just change the imei number?
Other ways I will send the phone to a repaircenter...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i doubt if the service center repairs imei.. and changing of imei is illegal ..
Yes, changing a device's IMEI is illegal in most countries. If you take it to a service centre, they'll 're-write' the IMEI to the phone, if you ask around local mobile shops (who aren't authorised Samsung repairers), you may be pleasantly surprised to find out they can also fix your phone (and probably much cheaper than an authorised repairer).
The other way you could do it (and this would be a ridiculous way to fix an issue like this given the other options) would be to replace the motherboard with one from a 'donor' phone (a phone with a smashed screen that's otherwise OK, for example), you'd then end up with the IMEI from that phone.
Sooooo, you can either take your chance with a service centre (might want to unroot your phone/remove all traces of same first) & act like you have no idea what happened, and they might just fix it under warranty (assuming the warranty is still good), tho obviously IMEI's tend to only disappear when people 'mess' with their phones like you have, so they'd be within their rights to make you pay for repair. Or you could do the local mobile shop/non-authorised repairer thing as I mentioned above.
How to restore Imei
If found some efs filles in "sdcard0" (I think its the internal storrage?)
The folder "EFSProBackup" with has inside: "EFS_2013422_21555.img", "GT-I9100_2013422_22418.tar.gz" and a (empty) folder named "temp".
Also there are two other files with EFS in there name just in the "sdcard0" folder: "efsbackup.tar.gz" and "efsdev-mmcblk0p1.img.gz"
It looks that more folders contains EFS backups, such as the folders: "GalaxSimUnlock", "GSII_repair", "speedsoftware" and "sgstools".
Are this the back-up where I am looking for? How to restore the folders?
There is a multitude of threads on this subject here. Search.
It looks like he already has EFS backups!! Why not find a way to restore any one of them?
"To err is human, to forgive is divine"
Sent from my SGS II
TheBigBen said:
If found some efs filles in "sdcard0" (I think its the internal storrage?)
The folder "EFSProBackup" with has inside: "EFS_2013422_21555.img", "GT-I9100_2013422_22418.tar.gz" and a (empty) folder named "temp".
Also there are two other files with EFS in there name just in the "sdcard0" folder: "efsbackup.tar.gz" and "efsdev-mmcblk0p1.img.gz"
It looks that more folders contains EFS backups, such as the folders: "GalaxSimUnlock", "GSII_repair", "speedsoftware" and "sgstools".
Are this the back-up where I am looking for? How to restore the folders?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well that looks like a efs backup..
use ktool from market to restore ur efs backup
ktool:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.hellcat.droiddev.ktool&hl=en
neerajganga said:
well that looks like a efs backup..
use ktool from market to restore ur efs backup
ktool:https:// play. google .com /store/apps/details?id=net.hellcat.droiddev.ktool&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ktool looks in the map sdcard, and on my phone the storrage is on sdcard0. How can I fix that?
Can I just change the name? Or can you create a new folder?
TheBigBen said:
ktool looks in the map sdcard, and on my phone the storrage is on sdcard0. How can I fix that?
Can I just change the name? Or can you create a new folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try copying it there
Hi all
I want to explain my problem, and first thing i tell you that i'm an italian guy so excuse me for my bad english..
So.
What's happend.
I have my Galaxy S3 (i9300) by 2 weeks and i like flash roms. The efs folder problem is not new to me 'cause i got this problem few weeks ago with a note 2 but all gone good thanks to a Backup of this folder.
This time is not going so well like last. The first thing i've done before flashing the 4.2.2 update was back up the efs folder.
I haven't back up with a program but i just copied it on my pc using root browser. Obviusly i checked if the files was good in the inside of the folder.
All ok, last night i flashed the update and obviusly (My fortune :') ) my efs was corrupted.
I simply copied my backed up efs folder on my pc on the storage and then replaced with the original "recreated by system" efs (imei 0049..)
This last time worked with my note 2. But with sgs3 seems the opposite.
I tried everything, just copying, replacing only nv_data.bin, trying to find the imei on hex editor..everything.
But i observed that when i copy the "right efs backed up" replacing the " recreated by system efs".. when i reboot i find another time a "recreated by system efs".. i know that 'cause when i copy and replace the efs the files on the inside shows the data (h/m/s) that is not the same as when i reboot..
So i ask to you, is there another solution?
I searched on the web few hours and all of the solutions explained on the web doesn't work for me..
So i ask to you:
1- Why my backed up efs folder is every time replaced by "system recreated efs"?
2- Is there a method for find the IMEI on the nv_data.bin so i can see if the back up i done is good and not corrupted?
3- Maybe doing a flashable zip of /efs folder will solve this?
4-Is there a method to write on nv_data.bin my IMEI?
Thanks to all, you are my unique chance to save my phone.
makavelitheboss said:
Hi all
I want to explain my problem, and first thing i tell you that i'm an italian guy so excuse me for my bad english..
So.
What's happend.
I have my Galaxy S3 (i9300) by 2 weeks and i like flash roms. The efs folder problem is not new to me 'cause i got this problem few weeks ago with a note 2 but all gone good thanks to a Backup of this folder.
This time is not going so well like last. The first thing i've done before flashing the 4.2.2 update was back up the efs folder.
I haven't back up with a program but i just copied it on my pc using root browser. Obviusly i checked if the files was good in the inside of the folder.
All ok, last night i flashed the update and obviusly (My fortune :') ) my efs was corrupted.
I simply copied my backed up efs folder on my pc on the storage and then replaced with the original "recreated by system" efs (imei 0049..)
This last time worked with my note 2. But with sgs3 seems the opposite.
I tried everything, just copying, replacing only nv_data.bin, trying to find the imei on hex editor..everything.
But i observed that when i copy the "right efs backed up" replacing the " recreated by system efs".. when i reboot i find another time a "recreated by system efs".. i know that 'cause when i copy and replace the efs the files on the inside shows the data (h/m/s) that is not the same as when i reboot..
So i ask to you, is there another solution?
I searched on the web few hours and all of the solutions explained on the web doesn't work for me..
So i ask to you:
1- Why my backed up efs folder is every time replaced by "system recreated efs"?
2- Is there a method for find the IMEI on the nv_data.bin so i can see if the back up i done is good and not corrupted?
3- Maybe doing a flashable zip of /efs folder will solve this?
4-Is there a method to write on nv_data.bin my IMEI?
Thanks to all, you are my unique chance to save my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go through the link under my signature. this thread will be closed soon.
sriram231092 said:
go through the link under my signature. this thread will be closed soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I watched your thread and maybe my problem is that i have an efsv2 but my firmware is EMC2 (march 2013 rev2) so it can't read efsv2 folders.
I'm downloading an EMG4 firmware.
I will tell you if it works.
If it works i have to do you a favor!
Mod Edit
Please use the threads in the stickies
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