So this is the story, my device is broken as you know, I've been offered a repair but am sceptical.
The device contains (in text files on the sdcard) details of my bank numbers, logins, contact numbers, emails and names.
I have all of it backed up ofcourse but my concern is that Sony would go 'rooting' around on my device and find my bank details.
Is this a normal procedure for them?
Can you do a master reset before you send it back? Unless your device is bricked in which case you cannot boot to perform a factory reset. I highly doubt they're allowed to do any snooping, I wouldn't be worried if it were my device, but maybe I'm too trusting...
Thanks for the response.
I've done a factory reset from the recovery menu, but that only deletes the applications and data, not the sdcard contents.
I've had my bank broken into many times and I'm not willing to take any chances.
SWFlyerUK said:
Thanks for the response.
I've done a factory reset from the recovery menu, but that only deletes the applications and data, not the sdcard contents.
I've had my bank broken into many times and I'm not willing to take any chances.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it not possible to manually delete the files? Honestly I wouldn’t worry that much. A company like Sony won’t take the time to actually go into the setting and fix a problem. They are quick to open the device, replace a part, do complete software wipe, then refurbish the part taken out to use for future repairs. With the labor cost involved to trouble shoot it is more cost effective to replace and wipe clean.
SWFlyerUK said:
I've done a factory reset from the recovery menu, but that only deletes the applications and data, not the sdcard contents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try removing the sdcard...
Or erasing USB memory in settings...
unclespoon said:
try removing the sdcard...
Or erasing USB memory in settings...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the files are on the internal SD card and you can't get past boot screen then theres not really any way you could delete files off.
Sony techs would not generally be looking through the user-space data and would certainly not be accessing or reading individual files, so you should be fine.
When perform the factory data reset under Privacy, check the erase USB storage to clear all user data.
SWFlyerUK said:
So this is the story, my device is broken as you know, I've been offered a repair but am sceptical.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guys read with understanding!! SWFlyerUK has got bricked device, with no access to system settings, adb shell etc. I'm sure that he would not ask about 'how to delete files' in normal way..
Condi my friend, thank you for the clarification, I don't want to be impolite "on the direct German manner". Sometimes I am wondering how lazy someone is and how "special" answers are given.
But now to the "lesson learned": Important an confidential data should never stored unencrypted on a internal or external storage. Bank data, Pin numbers, credit card information and access data should always stored with a tool like password safe or comparable software.
(Yes I know, I am a clever ****! )
Bummer and concern.
obicom said:
Condi my friend, thank you for the clarification, I don't want to be impolite "on the direct German manner". Sometimes I am wondering how lazy someone is and how "special" answers are given.
But now to the "lesson learned": Important an confidential data should never stored unencrypted on a internal or external storage. Bank data, Pin numbers, credit card information and access data should always stored with a tool like password safe or comparable software.
(Yes I know, I am a clever ****! )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately this is a problem. There have been several stories of techs doing exactly what he fears.
Unfortunately there is not much you can do at this point. Have you tried plugging in your tablet to your computer and accessing the files that way?
dtaylorr; no way at all to access the files.
The other option would be to wait until ICS comes out, then buy a new Tablet from the same store (It would be the same build.prop)
Download the file into cache, (assuming that doesn't need root) then updating the zip file on my other tablet and return the one I bought, returns allowed within 14days.
I've heard some stories which is why I was being careful, I'll send it back and cancel my cards if need be.
SWFlyerUK said:
dtaylorr; no way at all to access the files.
The other option would be to wait until ICS comes out, then buy a new Tablet from the same store (It would be the same build.prop)
Download the file into cache, (assuming that doesn't need root) then updating the zip file on my other tablet and return the one I bought, returns allowed within 14days.
I've heard some stories which is why I was being careful, I'll send it back and cancel my cards if need be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You dont need new tab to get new update for your region. I could get it for you when ics will come.
Would you be able to do that condi, if I gave you my version?
Maybe you can try Android commander to access files from your pc.Everythings worth a try
Thanks, I'll give that a go.
I've not given up yet, I managed to sort my other issue out, it's not just about my bank details but also a 66£ charge LOL
Sony as a company would not allow snooping...it has a reputation to keep.
Sent from my Kindle Fire
Ask your question to sony by mail, let them reply with a statement that they would never do that.
That way when the **** might it the fan ( dont think so ) you have proof of them telling you that they dont do that.
of course
ataraxist said:
Sony as a company would not allow snooping...it has a reputation to keep.
Sent from my Kindle Fire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course the company does not allow it, that's a given. 99% of the time you are fine.
However what an employee does in the middle of a repair is hard to manage. It is more rare than common, but I don't want to be the one.
While we can not always protect everything all the time, it is wise to do the everything we can to protect ourselves.
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/07/computer_repair_1.html
http://www.metafilter.com/62716/Geek-Squad-Steals-Porn
http://www.akdart.com/priv9.html
http://www.bankersonline.com/technology/techtalk2011/techtalk111011.html
Thanks for the responss guys.
I'll wait for ICS and maybe, just maybe Condi might be able to get me the update file needed for my tablet.
A lesson learnt indeed, I thought I'd learnt from my last hicup but obviously not! lol
I wouldnt be too worried
Even if it isnt Sony that will do the actual repair, the guys repairing your unit wouldn't have the time snooping around.
The unit is probably (hopefully) sent to one of the big repair centers sourced by Sony where the operators follow a strict protocol which means troubleshoot for type x for x seconds and so on. Try repair method x (that has stipulated time as well). If not working -> Swap. Then on to the next device.
Related
Hi,
this seems to be the right place for the question, but I'm sure the answer will be applicable to other phone. Assuming there is going to be an answer
Stupidly, yours truly downloaded and installed hotfix from here http://www.htc.com/www/supportdownloadlist.aspx?p_id=140&act=sd&cat=all in the hopes of improving audio quality. Well, this apparently was not meant for CDMA (or US phones). After installing the phone rebooted and got stuck at the Touch Pro screen where it lists FW/SW versions in red towards the bottom. The phone can not get past that point no matter what I do (reset, battery remove/replace) or how long I wait (overnight). Sprint 'suggested' hard reset (thank you very much) and HTC said they have no fix for that either. Well, if you have not guessed it already, I have not backed up the data on that phone. Ever.
Not smart
The phone was running stock SF/FW before. I have not had time to mess with it.
US$64K question is: Could I retrieve the phone book? Any other data that was not on SD card (that one is safe)? Is there a chance to recover data AFTER hard reset? Anything else the smart folk out there can recommend?
Thanks a lot in advance.
try flashing via SD card
If its stuck at the bootloader mode (the tri color screen) i thing its possible to flash it via SD card.
there is plenty of info around or check out the Raphael wiki.
There is a chance it is not bricked.
(i seriouslly doubt is it because the HTC hotfix cannot do that)
Let me know if you need any more help my email me at hotmail
best regards.... Erik
The screen looks like this: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h15/cadillacjew/TP-1.jpg
with some test indicating SW/ROM etc versions in RED at the bottom. If it is important I can upload the picture of it.
Also may take you up on your offer. Need those contacts, otherwise I'm so screwed
I dunno, it sounds like you're going to need a hard reset. That will fix the problem, I'm sure. Have you tried connecting by active sync? I'm 99.999% positive it won't work, but it wouldn't hurt to at least try and see if you can pull pim.vol off of it. Also, you might download ceregeditor (just google it) and install it on your pc, and see if you can dump the registry from the phone. But I have a bad feeling you're screwed.
Is this really the end of the road?
Yes, I (and Sprint store that I went to) tried connecting the phone via usb and it was not even recognized as a device. Hard reset sounds goo, but it will erase the data. Before I take that drastic measure I'd like to make sure there is nothing else I could do.
I'm willing to pay some money to a forensics company to extract the data, but can not find one that looks trustworthy and experienced when it comes to Win mobile phones. Any recommendations, btw?
I have no clue; you might try one of the rom dumping procedures. I think that some may dump the rom and all the info on the phone; I've never done it myself (well, I've played with grab_it on another device, with little success). I believe that some will dump all the info on the phone (rom + stuff in main memory). But I can't tell you how to do it, I'm afraid, and I have no clue if it will work on your phone.
You can check these tools-maybe there's something there.
Most likely everything is gone.
I have to sadly agree. This sounds like something only a hard reset would fix.
Any possibility of data recovery after hard reset? Anybody knows of a way to that? Of course this is wishful thinking on my part, but I'm pretty desperate now.
fatherof2 said:
Any possibility of data recovery after hard reset? Anybody knows of a way to that? Of course this is wishful thinking on my part, but I'm pretty desperate now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, it seems that you are stuck. I do not know of any way to recover your data if the device is stuck on bootloader since, as you pointed out, the device does not get recognized by the computer.
Anything that you do at this point might end up making things worse if you are not careful. Just cut your losses and hard reset the device.
its not in booloader mode, dumping the ROM sounds like a good and only way to go, try it, it wont hurt you, if that dont work i'd say its pretty much dead with no way to recover it, unless the info is unrecoverable (spell?) hard reset it.....
best regards. Erik
The only issue with your suggestion is that I'm no longer in possession of the phone. I had to leave it in the Sprint store in order to walk out with working phone. I can go back to the store and try to get the data off of my old phone. They are holding it for me.
However, I need to know what to do exactly and be able to do it quickly. So if there are easy to follow instructions that you can point me to, please do so.
Also after dumping ROM what data will I have?
TIA for all your help.
your data will be gone but try putting a raphimg.nbh file on the memory card then holding power and volume down while hitting the reset button, that will flash you off the mem card. good luck. Ive had to do this several times due to bad flashes and vista issues. Oh and as an added thought start using microsoft myphone to back up your data in the future.
Thanks for your suggestion. I will try this in a week or so when I'm back in town.
Also myphone is something that should work. I actually did not know about it until this past Monday. I have not looked at any MS-based backup solutions because I'm not using their software, if I can avoid it. So while I have a Windows PC I do not have Outlook installed and thus have never given my phone a chance to sync up. Kind of silly, I know.
I had bitpm installed on another system that went bad. I've replaced it with a new one, retrieved other files and data, but forgot about Bitpm folder
So few lessons learned ...
Thanks again to all who provided feedback.
It sucks if you lost everything, but you should be able to put your phone in bootloader and connect it to your pc through usb. The only question is if you can dump the rom that way and if you can dump all the files on it with the rom. The only problem is that some of the rom dumping methods (like with pdocread, I think) require you to transfer a file to your \windows directory, which you're not going to be able to do. It's a long shot at best.
I back up my pim stuff 3 different ways-I think you want to do it in multiple ways just to be safe. My main method is using sk tools and its backup tool. You can separately back up the pim database and the messaging databases (not as important to me). You can also back up email accounts with sk tools (using the pim information tool). These are my main backups, and I keep them on my sd card, and occasionally transfer them to a hard drive (it's not that big of a deal if the hard drive backup is a month out of date to me). I also use Pimbackup 2.8, and store that on my sd card (and hard drive). I don't use it for restoring anymore, because it's pretty slow with 6.5 roms in my experience. Finally, I have a file backup mortscript that I use that backs up user data for various apps; I use it to restore the data after flashes. Anyway, included in the script is a command to copy pim.vol to my sd card. I never restore my pim files by copying pim.vol back to main memory, but I like having it saved just in case, and it doesn't take any time to run the script (FYI-all your contacts, tasks and calendar stuff is stored in pim.vol, which is on the root of your device). Anyway, I feel like my pim databases are pretty safe-it would take an awful lot of bad things to happen for them to be lost, and I'd probably be dead in half of those scenarios, lol.
You're going to lose everything. The phone will not boot and as a result, all your data is unrecoverable. Next time, use a back up solution like Google Sync.
Do a hard-reset on it and you should be good to go. Turn the phone off, hold the volume down key, the center dpad key, and then hold the power button. It'll come up to a screen with hard reset instructions. Push the volume up key here. It'll be ready to go like it's brand new out of the box.
Lost everything, but .... happy
Hi,
thanks to everyone who replied. Just wanted to post and update so we can close this thread.
As I indicated before, Sprint has replaced my phone with Touch Pro 2 when I came to them with this problem. They did it beacuse they no longer have loaner phones and because I was about to go on 10 day business trip.
After using the new phone for 2 weeks, I got to tell you that this one is a leap forward compare to the the old. So I'm happy with new device, installing software and trying to recreate my Address Book by dumping my friends and family's data via Bluetooth. Backing up using MyPhone and about to install Outlook (not going to use it for anything else but the backup)
Also, I finally went to Sprint store and asked them one more time if they can think of any other way to recover the data. I even mentioned bootloader. They did not know/could not do it. I asked them to hard reset and after few tries the phone was restored to it's original state. Not a trace of my data .
Would be nice if in the future I could save contacts (and other data) directly to SD card. IMO it will give better chance of recovery, but I'm not sure it is possible.
Again thanks to all who tried to help. Much appreciated.
Same problem sort of
I tried to load Energy Rom 28005 and now can't get pro to do any thing but restart every 15 seconds or so. any ideas on what can be done? tia.
Hello,
I'm writing this as a last refuge to console myself. I got caught up in a dangerous situation today in which I had to give up my android phone i.e. Motorola Atrix 2 in order to save my life. Since all my personal and official data was stored on the sd card, which I couldn't pull out from the phone, I had activated the factory reset - including sd card formatting - before handing it over. As luck would have it, I was pressurized to give it up before the process finished so in a bid to save the data from getting into the wrong hands, I pulled out the battery while it was erasing data from the sd card according to the dialog box. My questions is: What are the chances of the sd card getting corrupted and the data becoming inaccessible? I need to know as I'm under a lot of stress because of it and there's no chance of getting it back. I had changed my google account's password the moment I reached home (after fifteen to twenty minutes) so I also the phone would have locked out. Please respond at the earliest.
Thanks.
It probably deleted some files depending on how long the dialog was up. From my past experiences sometimes I got a corrupt card (very rare) and sometimes a few files were deleted. The only thing you can do from this point is to actually check and see it any damage was done.
lEquin0xl said:
It probably deleted some files depending on how long the dialog was up. From my past experiences sometimes I got a corrupt card (very rare) and sometimes a few files were deleted. The only thing you can do from this point is to actually check and see it any damage was done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was up for 30 seconds to a minute. May be a little more. What do you think?
How much difference does it make if I change my Google account's password?
bayhosh said:
It was up for 30 seconds to a minute. May be a little more. What do you think?
How much difference does it make if I change my Google account's password?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be a lot of data was deleted but it shouldn't be corrupt as far as I know just most likely completely formatted. So yea, tell you carrier that you don't have the phone anymore. The person who took your phone will just have to create his own Google account afterwards. Call the cops? They could trace the number and whatnot. I guess I didn't understand what I was reading the first time I read the post, you were held at life or death to give up your phone? That sounds horrifying, I'm sorry.
lEquin0xl said:
Could be a lot of data was deleted but it shouldn't be corrupt as far as I know just most likely completely formatted. So yea, tell you carrier that you don't have the phone anymore. The person who took your phone will just have to create his own Google account afterwards. Call the cops? They could trace the number and whatnot. I guess I didn't understand what I was reading the first time I read the post, you were held at life or death to give up your phone? That sounds horrifying, I'm sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being an ordinary citizen, I don't have such luxuries available in my country so I have to do pretty much everything myself. I was and it's been a terrible experience - mostly just because of my data. If he logs in from another Google account on my phone, will he be able to access my apps/contacts? I had taken the battery and sim out while it was factory resetting so he'd be asked to sign-in again, right?
Thanks a lot for your response.
bayhosh said:
Being an ordinary citizen, I don't have such luxuries available in my country so I have to do pretty much everything myself. I was and it's been a terrible experience - mostly just because of my data. If he logs in from another Google account on my phone, will he be able to access my apps/contacts? I had taken the battery and sim out while it was factory resetting so he'd be asked to sign-in again, right?
Thanks a lot for your response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really sorry to hear that!
Quite shocked as well
Well,if factory reset is complete which I believe shouldn't take upto 1 min [still,depends on your data, ]
Then,he'll have to sign in for sure!
If you've not backed up your contacts to Sd card and he doesn't know to recover it back, then you're contacts are safe!
However you should have probably tried not removing battery at that time [I know it's easier said than done, anyways I sincerely hope things go fine and also hope you are alright]
Take care
Sent from my Xperia Neo V using xda premium
Ghostfreak NB said:
Really sorry to hear that!
Quite shocked as well
Well,if factory reset is complete which I believe shouldn't take upto 1 min [still,depends on your data, ]
Then,he'll have to sign in for sure!
If you've not backed up your contacts to Sd card and he doesn't know to recover it back, then you're contacts are safe!
However you should have probably tried not removing battery at that time [I know it's easier said than done, anyways I sincerely hope things go fine and also hope you are alright]
Take care
Sent from my Xperia Neo V using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm still in shock and under a lot of stress.
Factory resetting hadn't completed and it was erasing sd card when I pulled the battery out hoping it would get corrupted. To see what happens in such a situation, I went to a friend's place today who has the same phone. We used his spare sd card of 4 gb (mine was 32gb with at least only twelve gbs free) to perform the same action. I started the factory reset with sd card formatting and pulled the battery out once it started erasing (didnt give it as much time as I had given to mine. After doing that I inserted the battery again and restarted the phone to check the sd card but it had corrupted although it didn't ask me for any gmail id. That's some relief but my card had larger storage so there are some doubts as well. *sigh*
I don't remember backing them up so I'm not sure.
I wish I could...
Thanks a lot, brothers. Do let me know what you think. Its very much appreciated.
You take care as well.
Apps and contacts data are linked to your Gmail so the guy shouldn't have access to any of your data without your Gmail account. Good news that the sd card got corrupt, at least it's safe to know there's a higher chance to know it corrupted or not.
If you backed up your contacts on sd card and he finds the vcard he will restore it into another android phone! I think the sd card will got corupted!
lEquin0xl said:
Apps and contacts data are linked to your Gmail so the guy shouldn't have access to any of your data without your Gmail account. Good news that the sd card got corrupt, at least it's safe to know there's a higher chance to know it corrupted or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know that! I agree. I'm just hoping everything and everyone remains safe...
Just to be 100% safe, I would change the password to all my major information first. Things that have to do with credit cards like PayPal or ebay. But since you factory reset the phone it also removed the pass code you had put in it (I'm almost certain it does). Just watch yourself is all I can say, watch your online activities to see if he has any of your info.
lEquin0xl said:
Just to be 100% safe, I would change the password to all my major information first. Things that have to do with credit cards like PayPal or ebay. But since you factory reset the phone it also removed the pass code you had put in it (I'm almost certain it does). Just watch yourself is all I can say, watch your online activities to see if he has any of your info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Working on that. I'm even watching my physical activities.
bayhosh said:
Working on that. I'm even watching my physical activities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's good. It sucks to have to watch your every move to avoid being treated wrongly. I hope everything goes well .
lEquin0xl said:
Well that's good. It sucks to have to watch your every move to avoid being treated wrongly. I hope everything goes well .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You bet!
*sigh*
Thanks a lot, brother! Its really appreciated.
Hello experts,
I have Samsung Galaxy S3, I was using messenger then it hanged up and then I restarted my mobile by pressing and holding the power switch. Then Galaxy S3 logo appeared after restart and again hanged up. Then I again restarted the phone, again at the same point it hanged up i.e. at the logo of Galaxy S3. Then I pulled out battery and reinsert it but after this it never started again not even blinked once. I have also checked on another battery.
I went to the mobile repairing shop then he said CMC chip is dead so its circuit will be replaced. Then I went another shop, he said I will flash the device but I don't guarantee about the data (stored in phone storage). I said him that it is not turning on then how will you flash it. He said I will do it yet.
Now, tell me experts that what should I do to get my phone data back? What should I do that it just turned on for some minutes so that I could take my data to SD card. My data is much important. Also tell me how did the shopkeeper say that he will flash the phone even it is not turning on anyhow.
Thank you.
Shayaan_Mustafa said:
Hello experts, I have Samsung Galaxy S3, I was using messenger then it hanged up and then I restarted my mobile by pressing and holding the power switch...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best bet is to post this question within the following thread.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2690307
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT VIA PM UNLESS ASKED/REQUESTED BY MYSELF.
PLEASE KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
Shayaan_Mustafa said:
Hello experts,
I have Samsung Galaxy S3, I was using messenger then it hanged up and then I restarted my mobile by pressing and holding the power switch. Then Galaxy S3 logo appeared after restart and again hanged up. Then I again restarted the phone, again at the same point it hanged up i.e. at the logo of Galaxy S3. Then I pulled out battery and reinsert it but after this it never started again not even blinked once. I have also checked on another battery.
I went to the mobile repairing shop then he said CMC chip is dead so its circuit will be replaced. Then I went another shop, he said I will flash the device but I don't guarantee about the data (stored in phone storage). I said him that it is not turning on then how will you flash it. He said I will do it yet.
Now, tell me experts that what should I do to get my phone data back? What should I do that it just turned on for some minutes so that I could take my data to SD card. My data is much important. Also tell me how did the shopkeeper say that he will flash the phone even it is not turning on anyhow.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's super important, you would've backed it up, right? Everyone I know backups their important data at least 2 times
The other shopkeeper could use a jtag to force the device into download mode (helped me to unbrick a hard bricked s4).
My 2 seconds of Googling brought me to this link.
That's what I'd assume they'd do (that's what I'd do if I was them).
As for the first one, they might be correct, or not. My strongest recommendation is to try the jtag method and if that doesn't work, I will be really surprised if they actually replace the CMC. Usually what they do is just replace the motherboard which you can do at home (there are plenty of motherboards on ebay) however, it's cheaper but your data chips would need to be transfered over to the new motherboard, which is just better to go with the CMC replacement (if they don't replace your mobo, your data is fine, if they do, it's gone with the mobo).
As for the second option regarding your data, unfortunately it's correct. However, it they get into download mode, they can flash a recovery (different partition, meaning your /data partition is safe) like twrp which they can use to make a nandroid backup and then after extracting the backup, flash new rom. Then you can restore the different apps/settings from the twrp backup file (there are plenty of tutorials on the net).
Good luck! If I helped, hit the "thanks" button
Ibuprophen said:
Your best bet is to post this question within the following thread.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2690307
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT VIA PM UNLESS ASKED/REQUESTED BY MYSELF.
PLEASE KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thank you for your reply. I am afraid, if I post my issue under that running thread then how would I get answer because that thread has already more than 200 pages. And if you are asking me to read the issue, obviously you are also a busiest person having life issues and others, you can't also read that thread and want to resolve the issue ASAP. Pardon me if I get wrong as my English is not much good.
Hi, ramiabouzahra
Thanks for your reply. Here is what I understand from your reply, I give answer below step by step.
If it's super important, you would've backed it up, right? Everyone I know backups their important data at least 2 times
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I didn't because I was thinking that mobile is working fine, I will backup after a week or two but before I do this, my mobile gone dead
The other shopkeeper could use a jtag to force the device into download mode (helped me to unbrick a hard bricked s4).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I understand from this, the shopkeeper who is asking me to bring life to the phone, would use jtag? What is jtag and how can I do it at home and what thing like cables, etc do I need for this. Further what I understand, is that by using jtag, the device is forced to go into download mode. Right?
My 2 seconds of Googling brought me to this link.
That's what I'd assume they'd do (that's what I'd do if I was them).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I understand from the given link, it is a method of flashing the device. Right? By the way, do you think that the mobile which is not turning on anyhow even by trying all methods, it will turn on by flashing the device? But again, as I read the thread that data can be gone. Again, no safety for data.
As for the first one, they might be correct, or not. My strongest recommendation is to try the jtag method and if that doesn't work, I will be really surprised if they actually replace the CMC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You recommend me to use jtag method? OK. And what is CMC? What does it stand for? How they replace it? Any tutorial?
Usually what they do is just replace the motherboard which you can do at home (there are plenty of motherboards on ebay) however, it's cheaper but your data chips would need to be transfered over to the new motherboard, which is just better to go with the CMC replacement (if they don't replace your mobo, your data is fine, if they do, it's gone with the mobo).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I can do this at home as I am aware of little bit electronics. Can you tell me which is suited for my Galaxy S3 on EBAY? Can you give the link so that I could buy? And I hope, I would able to transfer chips on the new mobo, just locate the chip for me which is to be transferred. And further I don't understand what do you mean by the line "which is just better to go with the CMC replacement (if they don't replace your mobo, your data is fine, if they do, it's gone with the mobo"
As for the second option regarding your data, unfortunately it's correct. However, it they get into download mode, they can flash a recovery (different partition, meaning your /data partition is safe) like twrp which they can use to make a nandroid backup and then after extracting the backup, flash new rom. Then you can restore the different apps/settings from the twrp backup file (there are plenty of tutorials on the net).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here the second option you mean, flashing the rom? you said in the bracket the "data partition is safe" means in this method, I can safe my data? OK, I read about twrp as per my understanding, it can get my data back? Right?
Thank you for answering me, I am a dumb. Thanks for tolerating me.
Shayaan_Mustafa said:
Hi, ramiabouzahra
Thanks for your reply. Here is what I understand from your reply, I give answer below step by step.
Unfortunately, I didn't because I was thinking that mobile is working fine, I will backup after a week or two but before I do this, my mobile gone dead
What I understand from this, the shopkeeper who is asking me to bring life to the phone, would use jtag? What is jtag and how can I do it at home and what thing like cables, etc do I need for this. Further what I understand, is that by using jtag, the device is forced to go into download mode. Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What jtag is etc can be checked out in the link below. What cables you need depend on specifically your device (it might be s3, but there are different variants of the s3).
And yes, normally that would mean that it would be forced into download mode
What I understand from the given link, it is a method of flashing the device. Right? By the way, do you think that the mobile which is not turning on anyhow even by trying all methods, it will turn on by flashing the device? But again, as I read the thread that data can be gone. Again, no safety for data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding the jtag, you can check out this great forum question and answer Keep in mind that jtag doesn't always need a controller, in my case (s4 not s3), I had to create a micro usb connector with a resistor on one of the ends and plug it into the device for it to work again
You recommend me to use jtag method? OK. And what is CMC? What does it stand for? How they replace it? Any tutorial?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really know what CMC is, maybe the guy meant SMC? SMC is a common abbreviation used in circuit board repair and stands for System Management Controller so in one word or another, a chip (correct me if I am wrong, I am not super educated in the circuit board area).
I do recommend you use the jtag method since if it doesn't work, at least you can rest a sure you've tried multiple ways to revive it and not sit and wonder after the board repair is complete if there was a more efficient way to solve the issue.
Yeah, I can do this at home as I am aware of little bit electronics. Can you tell me which is suited for my Galaxy S3 on EBAY? Can you give the link so that I could buy? And I hope, I would able to transfer chips on the new mobo, just locate the chip for me which is to be transferred. And further I don't understand what do you mean by the line "which is just better to go with the CMC replacement (if they don't replace your mobo, your data is fine, if they do, it's gone with the mobo"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure you can do it at home? It isn't normal solder, it's more of a ballpoint solder requiring to heat up the board to let the solder flow and then extract the nand chips. I cannot give you link since I don't know specifically what phone you have (you stated s3, but there are plenty of s3 variants such as the s3 lte etc all with different internals).
What I meant by that line is that since the data chips are on the motherboard, replacing the motherboard means losing your data. If they don't replace your motherboard (mobo), your data is intact/fine .
Here the second option you mean, flashing the rom? you said in the bracket the "data partition is safe" means in this method, I can safe my data? OK, I read about twrp as per my understanding, it can get my data back? Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, with twrp you can create a backup and extract from that backup apps and whatnot. So technically, your data is safe (you will wipe the phone, but you'll have a backup ). If it's photos that are the issue, you can hope that your sync was on and that you had Google Photos set up (automatically backs up your gallery).
Thank you for answering me, I am a dumb. Thanks for tolerating me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, we all gotta start somewhere amirite.
Good luck!
Aight so I have this Samsung Galaxy J7 Max that I've been trying to unlock for more than 2 years now. I of course, don't want to lose the super important data it holds. It got locked out randomly and hasn't been able to take up the pattern I had put on it till date. I'm absolutely sure no one changed its lock screen pattern and its the phone that is unable to recognize the exact same password it had before this happening. I got hold of it today and yet again, started looking for solutions on YouTube and the internet itself. After all of my research, one thing is clear. There is only one way that the pattern lock can be removed in such a condition; by deleting this system folder called gesture.key that lies within the phone itself. I am by no means a nerdy software dev or something but I do have very little knowledge about these workarounds. I used an ADB via a cmd terminal to contact my phone. But it turns out that due to my usb debugging setting not being turned on in my phone, the adb didn't have the required authorization to make any changes to the target. I then got my phone into stock recovery mode and chose the Install through ADB option there. Now when I input the command adb devices, the prompt showed me my device ID, but instead of the "unauthorized" indicator beside it, it now had the indicator "sideload". I had no idea of what had to be done when such happens, so I tried the adb shell > cd data/system > su > rm *.key [taken from an XDA forums thread] commands again. But right on the second step it displayed error this time. I have tried using a key eraser via sd card too, but it just doesn't happen, the sd card folder in the stock mode does not display the contents of the folder.
Now the phone isn't being an obstacle in my life right now, but I really hope there's a way to fix it. Early help would be appreciated. Thank You.
If the data is super important why isn't it redundantly backed up?
Having a set lock screen and storing data on the OS is a sure fire way to lose data, eventually.
Maybe you'll get lucky... is that drive encrypted?
If not it may still be corrupted and unusable.
Don't put yourself in this position again... been there, done that
@blackhawk As I said, this was an absolutely random incident, had never even thought this could've been the case someday. Its not like the phone crashed and then this happened, I turned off my phone's display and the next time I woke it up, the pattern wasn't working anymore. Furthermore, the timed attempts that happen after 5 incorrect tries wasn't existing anymore. Now it could be that someone did get the timed attempts wrong as well [it isn't my own phone]. But I really don't see any other reason to that occurrence.
About the backups, I mean cmon, I was 15 back then, a medico student even more so. I never got my hands around backing up anything. But yes, have been backing up every single bit of data within these two years.
The storage drive shouldn't be encrypted. It was a regular phone bought online that had pdfs, images, recordings and videos stored. The google account was not that of the owner either! It was my uncle's account that was being used ever since he bought it. And since there was never a problem having used his account for quite a while, we never cared to change it to a new google account. Now my uncle's google account itself handles another device, his own phone, exact same model, Galaxy J7 Max. I have tried using his account at the Google Find My Device app to locate and unlock the phone that way [I hope you know it has the three options Ring, Secure and Erase Data]. But it happens so that the Secure phone with password option only for devices that have been lost and don't have a security lock already setup, which wasn't, unfortunately, my case. So that option was greyed out.
For the data corruption, you might be correct. But that phone still does receive SMS texts, calls, whatsapp texts and other notifications. They just don't show up on the lock screen anymore. I honestly had the "Screw the data, I'll erase it anyway" thought yesterday, but during my latest tries, I found the XDA forums website to be quite helpful. Had not it been the damn USB debugging, the solution I approached from this forum would've got the job done in a couple minutes. Again, if the data might've gone corrupted, I will erase the data [I mean I would have to]. But this little glimmer of hope that I experienced yesterday is what is preventing me from doing that. I really hope there is a fix to my situation.
@Chinmay47
a phone can get booted into these modes
Normal ( AKA Android OS )
Recovery
Fastboot
Sideload
EDL
Sideload mode is used to flash OTAs and/or ROMs.
Recovery mode allows you to perform some ADB actions as e.g. pull userdata, but this reqires ADB ( read: USB debug ) got enabled.
So my guess is you can't recover phone's userdata at your own, this would have to be done by an external service who can pull out phone's internal SD-card and has the forensic tools to read it.
@jwoegerbauer Surprisingly the idea of taking the phone to a forensic service struck me yesternight too. As you mentioned, since I can't recover the phone's data myself, all tips and tweaks on the web should now be struck off of my list of solutions. I'll leave the data to some forensic services then. Let's hope the recovery is worth the hassle. The thread is still open to more suggestions though. Thanks for the replies everyone. Really appreciate it!
Chinmay47 said:
@jwoegerbauer Surprisingly the idea of taking the phone to a forensic service struck me yesternight too. As you mentioned, since I can't recover the phone's data myself, all tips and tweaks on the web should now be struck off of my list of solutions. I'll leave the data to some forensic services then. Let's hope the recovery is worth the hassle. The thread is still open to more suggestions though. Thanks for the replies everyone. Really appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It not a card they can pull. More than likely it's on a BGA chipset, the hardest kind there is to work with.
If they can't access the data on/with the mobo they will have to unsolder the chipset without damaging it then put it into a test jig or another mobo (after pulling that mobo's matching chipset).
If they can access the data on the mobo, not so bad. Otherwise not so good.
Let us know how this plays out for you.
Here's one I found showing you this complex procedure: https://flashfixers.com/recover-data-dead-phone-chip-off-data-recovery/
They may be able to help you, but I have no personal knowledge of this company.
blackhawk said:
If they can't access the data on/with the mobo they will have to unsolder the chipset without damaging it then put it into a test jig or another mobo (after pulling that mobo's matching chipset).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually thought of this idea right after a couple days from the beginning of the problem. Yes its gonna take loads of precision and patience but it does sound doable. Maybe that's what is gonna be the last option for the forensic service too in case, god forbid, they aren't able to do it the "simple" way. Can't say yet, but I'm gonna keep this thread updated with all the developments that take place.
Chinmay47 said:
Actually thought of this idea right after a couple days from the beginning of the problem. Yes its gonna take loads of precision and patience but it does sound doable. Maybe that's what is gonna be the last option for the forensic service too in case, god forbid, they aren't able to do it the "simple" way. Can't say yet, but I'm gonna keep this thread updated with all the developments that take place.
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Click to collapse
If they need to remove the chipset the chances of failure increase. Flash memory retension is generally good for 10+ years but it may be damaged in the removal process if so, snake eyes.
Get price quotes up front for the whole process.
Once they got the phone, they got you by the balls. Not saying they aren't trustworthy but feel them out. If it's a couple hundred and you get the data back, you did good.
No idea of the cost though, my guess is $400-1000+ especially if they need to pull the chipset.
That's high risk even if they do it by the book.
If their policy is no data, no charge... expect higher rates to cover their loses.
@blackhawk All of that sounds kinda terrifying if you ask me. Well I mean, there is always a first option that can be tried without any mentions of pull-aparts. Yet I will surely judge the person well before I hand my device in his hands. I would try my level best to not take it to the critical stage, but if it needs be and there is a really high chance of losing my data, I can factory reset my data at home by myself too can't I? Future shall tell I suppose.
If you factory reset it all data will be lost.
It will not be recoverable!
If you want the data you will need to use a service like I showed you. They will need physical access to the phone to recovery the data.
The phone may be scrape afterwards
@blackhawk Sure does look like it would be! But paying to get your phone reset for you is way to harsher than doing it yourself. It is only in case the data is nearly impossible to recover that I'll reset the phone myself.
Chinmay47 said:
@blackhawk Sure does look like it would be! But paying to get your phone reset for you is way to harsher than doing it yourself. It is only in case the data is nearly impossible to recover that I'll reset the phone myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reset? Most likely destroyed.
Do you really want the data?
blackhawk said:
Reset? Most likely destroyed.
Do you really want the data?
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Click to collapse
I actually do though. But well, if it ain't coming back then why wish for it. Yeah the data was really important.
Chinmay47 said:
I actually do though. But well, if it ain't coming back then why wish for it. Yeah the data was really important.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call them up and see what they say.
Since it's not physically damaged they may be able to access it none invasively.
blackhawk said:
Call them up and see what they say.
Since it's not physically damaged they may be able to access it none invasively.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll do that and report back ASAP. Thanks for the help sire!
My wife bought an S7+ from Amazon and it's been fine for a couple of months. She had a popup today which warned that the device would be locked because it was part of a trade in scheme and there was some sort of problem. I assumed some sort of malware but I was working so I didn't do much with it but now the device appears to have locked into a sort of "kiosk mode" where we just get 2 screens:
https://imgur.com/a/Z4N9TLy
All the blurb is plastered with "Samsung Electronics UK" but the domain the email is going to is "tradeinresponse.co.uk" which after some Googling seems to have been linked with some scam stuff in the past.
I've tried safe mode with the same locked screen, plugging the tablet into a PC results in it locking to the first screen.
I can get into recovery and I wanted to try a wipe, but the wife has some drawings on there she's done in Sketchbook that she would like to keep.
I'm a software developer by profession but I work with Windows/.NET and SaaS stuff so I've not got much experience with droid devices (a bit of java here and there in the past, but not so much XP with the OS itself)
So my questions are:
Does anyone know if this is any sort of official thing or is this malware/scam stuff as I suspect?
Is a factory reset likely to resolve the issue?
If I want to factory reset, can I pull files off the devices internal SD via ADB or some other tool before I do it?
Do I have any other options?
Kind of a wind up - I'd just have factory reset it by now to find out but like I said, I don't want to lose any of the wife's data if possible. If she gets anything back I'm going to make sure she sticks it in the cloud.
Any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance!
Always backup critical data redundantly to at least 2 hdds that are physically and electronically isolated from each other and the PC.
Or you will lose data eventually.
Factory reset but you will lose all data. If the drive is encrypted, you likely already have.
Sounds like ransomware. Contact Samsung and do some Google searches. See what you got and if there are any work arounds.
You may need to reload the OS completely if it's a rootkit and running on Android 8 or below.
This could be a nasty little bugger...
If it wasn't present on the device when purchased, your wife either downloaded or installed it. She needs to be more careful!!!
Maybe this will impress that onto her...
Thanks for the advice but I've already googled as much as I can. The domain doesn't go anywhere except a holding page though through reverse lookup it seems there are also other domains on the same host including some legitimate businesses that appear to do Samsung second life schemes for devices.
I've googled the actual lock message but no-one on the net seems to have seen it before.
The wife hasn't installed anything, she got the device a few weeks ago (from Amazon, supposedly new) and did a transfer from her old s6 (that has gone to my daughter) to the s7 using Smart Switch. Since then she's not installed any other applications.
It's not "critical data", per se, it's just drawings she'd like to keep, plus copying stuff onto physically disparate hard drives seems a bit overkill given she can just drop the files into a cloud storage account and have way more redundancy than you/I could ever reproduce by doing manual backups.
I'm posting in an s7 forum about an s7 so it's going to be running Android 10 at the minimum (given that's what the device ships with). Not sure why the comments about Android 8.
Anything she could have installed would have been from the Play store (and I don't believe she installed anything other than what automatically installed from what was on her old s6), plus her apps are from a reputable vendors (Autodesk etc). My son has a tablet and he installs all sorts of crap and hasn't had this issue because the OS prevents stuff like this from happening unless you allow side loading.
Is it possible to install a rootkit from the play store? I didn't think so ..?
So, either it was on there when we got it, it's legit or it's a vulnerability that exists in the OS and we are some of the first people to see it...
You can do what you want but any backup database that requires a password can be lost.
I have close to a dozen backup hdds, there's no way to I can lose my entire database.
At least use 2 OTG flashsticks to completely backup the data but hdds are still preferable.
NEVER encrypt data drives... and verify the backups are complete and readable.
As to how it happened you're going to have to sort that out or suffer the same fate possibly again in the future.
A factory reset seems inevitable at this point.
Afterwards change all passwords.
Malware has always existed on Playstore albeit not much or for long. She may have imported from your daughter's phone.
You got some potentially gigantic problems now.
Personally I would have already gone full nuke by now. It's simply not worth the risks.
In the future hawk the download folder daily for files you didn't authorize. Delete any unknowns without opening. Scrutinize all downloads and installs carefully, always. Scan as needed with Malwarebytes. Online Virustotal can be used to scan smaller files and apks.
There are also maliciously scripted jpegs too that can cause damage to any files in the same folder when opened. Be aware of any changes or strange behavior in the download folder. Vet all downloads before moving into your database.
Use a good brower like Brave and be careful what links you click, in the browser, emails and texts.
I can't even begin to estimate how many websites I backed out of, closed that tab or wiped the browser data over in the last year alone. Better safe than sorry. Zero malware infections in over 1.5 years and that's running on outdated Pie.
Almost all malware, rootkits etc are loaded by the user. Some will self install if the device's security isn't configured correctly or if not spotted on a timely basis. Androids, even ones with out of date OSs are generally very secure unless the user does something stupid... learn or get burned.
blackhawk said:
You can do what you want but any backup database that requires a password can be lost.
I have close to a dozen backup hdds, there's no way to I can lose my entire database.
At least use 2 OTG flashsticks to completely backup the data but hdds are still preferable.
NEVER encrypt data drives... and verify the backups are complete and readable.
As to how it happened you're going to have to sort that out or suffer the same fate possibly again in the future.
A factory reset seems inevitable at this point.
Afterwards change all passwords.
Malware has always existed on Playstore albeit not much or for long. She may have imported from your daughter's phone.
You got some potentially gigantic problems now.
Personally I would have already gone full nuke by now. It's simply not worth the risks.
In the future hawk the download folder daily for files you didn't authorize. Delete any unknowns without opening. Scrutinize all downloads and installs carefully, always. Scan as needed with Malwarebytes. Online Virustotal can be used to scan smaller files and apks.
There are also maliciously scripted jpegs too that can cause damage to any files in the same folder when opened. Be aware of any changes or strange behavior in the download folder. Vet all downloads before moving into your database.
Use a good brower like Brave and be careful what links you click, in the browser, emails and texts.
I can't even begin to estimate how many websites I backed out of, closed that tab or wiped the browser data over in the last year alone. Better safe than sorry. Zero malware infections in over 1.5 years and that's running on outdated Pie.
Almost all malware, rootkits etc are loaded by the user. Some will self install if the device's security isn't configured correctly or if not spotted on a timely basis. Androids, even ones with out of date OSs are generally very secure unless the user does something stupid... learn or get burned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With all due respect we aren't getting anywhere here, I don't want backup advice or malware advice, I want to know the answers to the few small questions I asked about whether this is legit and if I can access the device files or not.
You seem to be convinced it's malware, you also seem to be skim reading my posts which is fine - but I don't think your input is helping me.
I'm not going to use a different "paranoid" browser - chrome is fine, the tablet doesn't have a "security configuration" that is any different from the hundreds of thousands of other S7+ devices out there since it's a tablet and out the box it's ready to go. I'm not checking the downloads folder daily just in case some random malware has somehow "installed itself" onto my device, I'm also not keeping random flash sticks and hard drives lying about - I'll just use that geo redundant pretty solid cloud storage like most of the populace.
Yes you can put malicious content in a JPEG or a JPEG header, but it requires that there's an exploit in the OS or the app opening it (for example hiding a javascript eval in the file metadata); I don't think that's an attack vector on a tablet as far as I know given that she only browses, watches Netflix and draws using her S-pen on the device.
She's not imported "malware" from someone else's phone because if you read my post properly you'd understand that it was HER device that she transferred her data from - one that she's since given to the daughter (who has no issues). If you know how Smart Switch works you'd know that it's an unlikely vector (it just transfers data from application storage and then reinstalls the apps from the play store), plus the fact the original device doesn't have the issue...
Stop telling me to "learn or get burned". This is not a "misuse" problem. The wife is on Android 10, it's a relatively new and secure O/S and she didn't install anything she shouldn't have (she didn't actually install anything at all - it was the stock samsung application and the play store that installed the apps she ALREADY HAD on her previous device). It's not a "learn" scenario. Nothing she did should have caused this - if it is/was an OS exploit or some sort of security issue what could she have done to prevent it? Nothing.
What I have done is:
* Contacted the vendor of the device (we can still send it back if they've sent us a refurbed device instead of new as advertised)
* Sent an email to the address advertised to see what response I get (if they demand money then clearly a scam)
I've checked and the domain in the above shares a host with a company called MTR which happens to be a DCC Group company (one of the groups of companies I actually consult for) so worst case I'll speak to someone from DCC Group and see if they can shed any light.
Seems like it might be legit and quite possibly a mix up.
Do what you will... if you understand the origin of that phrase.
Anything that can't be IDed is considered malware until proven innocent
The fact that you're now completely locked out speaks volumes.
Good practices and backup are your only defenses. They apply to the future not the past... so much for flavors
Personally I think it's already too late for that device's OS load and data.
Of course I could be mistaken.
If you really want the data, take it to a data recovery specialist. They may be able to recover it.
When your at the beginning you can determine how potential data lose will end. When at the end, the outcome has already been predetermined by your actions or lack of.
You are now at the end... likely a dead end.
Been there, done that... actions have consequences.
@Charleh: if I were you, I would back up all important data and do a clean firmware flash with Odin. And a factory reset on top of that, just to be sure. Definitely sounds like you got hit by a scammer.
AnonVendetta said:
@Charleh: if I were you, I would back up all important data and do a clean firmware flash with Odin. And a factory reset on top of that, just to be sure. Definitely sounds like you got hit by a scammer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said there's not really any important data on there, just some drawings the wife would like to keep. Also, I can't backup anything since I can't access the device.
I'll probably just speak to DCC group and see if this company is one of theirs.
If the data is lost we are just talking some drawings the wife has done, there's nothing important on there, she just loses the layers (they are stored as multi page tiffs and sketchbook uses those as layers). She has all the images as flat renders on her cloud storage drive and on Instagram.
Think we just need to invest in some extra cloud storage as the free 15gb that Google give you isn't enough to store what she wants at the moment as the images are tens of megabytes each.
Worst case scenario I factory reset and flash it, best case I get someone at DCC telling me what's what.
The bit that gets me is that there are no ransom demands at this point so I can't be sure what's what. Usually by now with crypto ransom malware you are already being given demands...
We will see.
blackhawk said:
Do what you will... if you understand the origin of that phrase.
Anything that can't be IDed is considered malware until proven innocent
The fact that you're now completely locked out speaks volumes.
Good practices and backup are your only defenses. They apply to the future not the past... so much for flavors
Personally I think it's already too late for that device's OS load and data.
Of course I could be mistaken.
If you really want the data, take it to a data recovery specialist. They may be able to recover it.
When your at the beginning you can determine how potential data lose will end. When at the end, the outcome has already been predetermined by your actions or lack of.
You are now at the end... likely a dead end.
Been there, done that... actions have consequences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a big deal mate.
Stop flogging a dead horse, the most annoying thing is just that the device is unusable, regardless of me making backups or signing a pact with the devil or putting candlewax on my nips, it wouldn't have prevented this from happening..
The only reason I haven't tried a factory reset up to now is because if there's a chance I can get the drawings off the device I'd like to try it first before I nuke it.
Stop talking about my lack of actions, it's getting really boring. There's nothing I could do to forsee this happening and not my fault the wife didn't put the drawings on her cloud storage.
Go bother someone else with your multiple flash disk tinfoil hat backup routines (I bet you've got a tape drive in that routine somewhere too), stop trying to be helpful by saying "told you so" after the fact, instead try answering the questions I asked.
@Charleh: The way I see it is this:
The device's data partition/internal storage (where the drawings are stored) are encrypted by default, by Samsung. So, unless you can manage to use a MTP USB connection or ADB to make copies of them, then you're locked out and there's nothing you can do to recover them. Since they're located in an encrypted area, I highly doubt that even a professional data recovery business would be able to get them back. There are certain encryptions out there that even the US govt (NSA/CIA/FBI) can't break.
I'm assuming that you're not a l33t hax0r with uber skills, so unless you can successfully boot into Android again, your recovery chances are almost zero.
Or, maybe this company can help you out. It's worth a shot. But if I were a gambling man, I'd wager a lot of money that you will end up having to clean flash/reset, without being able to recover anything.
In the future, think about making copies of this stuff before bad things occur. As the saying goes, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, sooner or later. I rarely lose access to my data because I'm frequently backing it up.
Good luck!
AnonVendetta said:
@Charleh: The way I see it is this:
The device's data partition/internal storage (where the drawings are stored) are encrypted by default, by Samsung. So, unless you can manage to use a MTP USB connection or ADB to make copies of them, then you're locked out and there's nothing you can do to recover them. Since they're located in an encrypted area, I highly doubt that even a professional data recovery business would be able to get them back. There are certain encryptions out there that even the US govt (NSA/CIA/FBI) can't break.
I'm assuming that you're not a l33t hax0r with uber skills, so unless you can successfully boot into Android again, your recovery chances are almost zero.
Or, maybe this company can help you out. It's worth a shot. But if I were a gambling man, I'd wager a lot of money that you will end up having to clean flash/reset, without being able to recover anything.
In the future, think about making copies of this stuff before bad things occur. As the saying goes, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, sooner or later. I rarely lose access to my data because I'm frequently backing it up.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - that was a helpful answer. I suspected that droid encrypted the data - I was looking at making an ADB connection using Android tools. Might as well give it a try before I nuke.
I can't use MTP as the device auto locks when I plug in a USB cable.
Like I've said a few times it's not a massive issue if I lose the data - I work in IT, I know the importance of backing up important data. I've seen a client lose months worth of data to crypto-ransomware (they cancelled their backup solution a few months before saying they were moving to Azure soon so they didn't need it).
I've explained though, it's not my device and it's up to the wife to put her stuff on her cloud storage if she wants to keep it. She uses Google Drive for her docs etc.
Worst case scenario I complain to Amazon, wife is saying she doesn't remember the screen having a protector/film on it when she opened it and we still have time to return/exchange it since I have a Prime account.
@Charleh: AFAIK, Amazon has a 30 day no questions asked return policy for almost everything. If you're still within that return window, then I guess you just have to decide whether the loss of drawings is worth returning it, assuming all recovery efforts fail. I bought my Tab S7+ new direct from Samsung, I haven't encountered like what you describe. And your edge case is the first one I've seen.
I think it's possible that you bought a refurbished device that was preowned but sold as new. The original buyer didn't finish paying it off, returned it, it's sold to you, you get this message. It's either legitimately locked, or someone has remotely locked it and intends to scam you. Contact that company ASAP.
Another option is to find a local techie/shop that can remove this lock for a fee, preferably without data loss. They make want to see proof of purchase, if they're legit. This would at least give you the ability to use the device again. People used to bring me locked phones/tabs all the time, this is pretty much what I did for side cash. As long as they didn't outright admit they were stolen, I didn't care.
Ok speaking to Samsung support and it's legit - what's happened is that someone's returned the device to the supplier after doing a trade in with it and receiving a new device from Samsung Trade In.
Supplier has refunded us and told us to keep the device until the issue is resolved with Samsung.
Now fighting with Samsung themselves about it. Absolute pisstake.
Basically I have a brick and although Samsung have the capability to unlock the device through Knox they won't do it until a resolution is found with the supplier.
Fun-times. Sent a complaint email to Samsung as they are essentially holding the wife's artwork to ransom because of an issue they have created with the rules of their trade-in program.
I've already received the refund too - sounds like the Amazon reseller is trying to wash their hands of it.
@Charleh: So, they refunded you AND they're going to let you keep the tablet? I'd be quite happy with that.
AnonVendetta said:
@Charleh: So, they refunded you AND they're going to let you keep the tablet? I'd be quite happy with that.
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Depends if the tablet is ever going to be functional again...
Fingers crossed!
Time to reflash, ODIN or do whatever and see if you can and up with his + hers new(sort of) tablets.
Hello, some solution?
Charleh said:
Depends if the tablet is ever going to be functional again...
Fingers crossed!
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How did this end?
corb06 said:
How did this end?
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still ongoing - Amazon is trying to get hold of the original supplier but they've gone dark; I complained to Samsung and they are looking into it, just waiting for a reply.
They took almost a month to get back to me - only did so when I started complaining publicly on all social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram etc) - they don't like it when you do that.
Will update when I know more.
Charleh said:
still ongoing - Amazon is trying to get hold of the original supplier but they've gone dark; I complained to Samsung and they are looking into it, just waiting for a reply.
They took almost a month to get back to me - only did so when I started complaining publicly on all social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram etc) - they don't like it when you do that.
Will update when I know more.
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Sorry to hear it's taking so long. I'd be super pissed. Next time, buy direct from Samsung, you wouldnt have to deal with this ****. Because they wouldnt sell you a used/refurbished device unless it's clearly marked as such, and i'm pretty sure they only sell new devices anyway.
Can you post a link to the seller's Amazon page? They could be a fly-by-night op.
If you cant get your money back or an exchange, just contact your bank/card issuer and do a chargeback. This is a last resort ootion, if nothing else works. Explain the whole situation to them. Chances are, they would force the seller or someone else responsible, to give your money back. The only caveat is that if you wait too long, it might not work. i've inititated chargebacks against sellers who dont respond to support requests, it usually worked in my favor.
Edit: If you go the chargeback route and Amazon is forced to refund your money, they may retaliate by banning your account. it recently happened to a friend. Just so you know.....