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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...
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 guys and girls,
I lost track of what ROM version my Nandroids are containing. I use to add the ROM version to the original file name but I couldn't do it lately.
Is there an easy way to check which ROM version a Nandroid contains?
I am posting this in the general Android forum because my question surely isn't device-specific.
I own a Motorola Defy+ and I'm running CM 7.2 at the moment but tried JellyBean lately.
Thanks!
eTaurus
Make a text file list and keep it in your /clockworkmod/backup folder. Just copy and paste the new backup folder name/date in to the text file and write a small description.
Mine's called Appendix.txt and has everything from GB to CM10. I keep a copy on my sdcard and comp - only thing is you can't read that list in cwm recovery, so you have to have an idea of what's what before you go to restore.
Sent from my phone's mind
Thank you for answering.
Your solution is as good as mine as I rename the backup folder by adding the ROM and the release date to its name. But I did some Nandroids lately without having time to rename the folder and now I don't recall what version the Nandroid contains.
I came to a "solution" by using the app "Nandroid browser". With it I can look into the files the Nandroid contains. There is an app called "HwaSettings.apk" so it has to be JellyBean because CM 7.2 doesn't have hardware acceleration.
Cheers,
eTaurus
This might be a dumb question, but I am a noob and need someone to please help me out. I just unlocked my bootloader and rooted my phone, so my question is if I perform a back up and then Flash a 4.2.2 rom in TWRP recovery can I restore back to the stock rooted 4.1.2? I searched on the forum to see if this question had been asked before, but I couldn't find anything. If someone could please answer my question asap I would greatly appreciate it.
Also if this question was posted in the wrong section feel free to move it or let me know any I will delete it and post it in the right place.
Thanks again
Yes
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4
Thanks for the response I read somewhere, that when you update to a 4.2.2 rom the 4.1.2 rom back gets deleted.
jro003 said:
Thanks for the response I read somewhere, that when you update to a 4.2.2 rom the 4.1.2 rom back gets deleted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Going to 4.2.2 moves the sdcard contents to /data/media/0 (if I remember correctly). I've seen some recommend backing up your sdcard to your computer, formatting the sdcard on the device, then restoring the contents after you flash to 4.2.2.
At any rate, everything will still be there: just somewhere else.
Thanks for the reply Simba, do know how to back up your sdcard to your computer and then format the sdcard on the device
jro003 said:
Thanks for the reply Simba, do know how to back up your sdcard to your computer and then format the sdcard on the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to get really basic, so don't be offended if it seems like I'm assuming you don't know how to do something. I always outline everything exactly for future people who find this thread. I've found countless old threads that have been a huge help because someone took the time to type everything out .
*Connect your device and access your sdcard files by opening My Computer - you should see your device*
Literally just copy all of the contents to your computer. Create a folder on your desktop (or wherever), select everything on your sdcard (ctrl + A), copy (ctrl + C), and paste it in the folder.
Then just delete everything on the sdcard after you've confirmed a successful copy. Same thing - ctrl + A, delete.
After you flash 4.2.2, connect the device again and copy/paste (or drag/drop) the contents of the folder (not the folder itself, but everything inside of it) you created to your device. You'll have all your files without dealing with them being in a different location.
There was some discussion of a way to execute a shell command that would fix the issue. I'm an experienced user; the contents of the sdcard ended up being wiped lol. Save yourself the headache.
By the way, I'm assuming you're on PC by giving those ctrl commands lol. If you're not (on Mac, I suppose), do whatever the equivalent is.
Not offended at all, I really appreciate you simpling it down for me. I have a few small quick questions for you, if I am using a Mac (I have both but Mac is my daily computer) do I just connect my phone and use something like Android file transfer or Htc sync manager to copy all the folders inside the sdcard to my computer? After flashing the 4.2.2 where on the phone do I copy the files I backed up on my computer on to? And if I erase everything off the SD card after copying it to the computer won't that effect the operating system? Especially if I chose to flash back to the 4.1.2 stock rom? Sorry to ask you so many questions but I am really new to this, and I appreciate all the help you can give me the last thing I want to do is brick my phone.
jro003 said:
Not offended at all, I really appreciate you simpling it down for me. I have a few small quick questions for you, if I am using a Mac (I have both but Mac is my daily computer) do I just connect my phone and use something like Android file transfer or Htc sync manager to copy all the folders inside the sdcard to my computer? After flashing the 4.2.2 where on the phone do I copy the files I backed up on my computer on to? And if I erase everything off the SD card after copying it to the computer won't that effect the operating system? Especially if I chose to flash back to the 4.1.2 stock rom? Sorry to ask you so many questions but I am really new to this, and I appreciate all the help you can give me the last thing I want to do is brick my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure that would work, though I have no experience with either. And typically, the directory you see on the computer is the default sdcard location. So there isn't a specific place you need to put it.
And it won't affect the operating system. At boot, Android automatically creates certain folders and files anyway. There are data files that apps use, but if they aren't there, they'll just recreate them. At the worst, a skin (or the like) won't be available if the file isn't on the sdcard. I've seen this with a calendar widget I use. Everything becomes fully functional once the files are back.
I don't really like using that verbiage - "functional," because it is perfectly safe to delete the sdcard's contents. Like I said, Android creates folders/files at boot, so they're not really necessary. Anything that affects the operating system is tucked away in a directory that requires root access :good:.
Big thanks for all the help Simba, you helped out a lot.
jro003 said:
Not offended at all, I really appreciate you simpling it down for me. I have a few small quick questions for you, if I am using a Mac (I have both but Mac is my daily computer) do I just connect my phone and use something like Android file transfer or Htc sync manager to copy all the folders inside the sdcard to my computer? After flashing the 4.2.2 where on the phone do I copy the files I backed up on my computer on to? And if I erase everything off the SD card after copying it to the computer won't that effect the operating system? Especially if I chose to flash back to the 4.1.2 stock rom? Sorry to ask you so many questions but I am really new to this, and I appreciate all the help you can give me the last thing I want to do is brick my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wouldn't want to use HTC Sync as this only transfers files like music, pictures and such. You would actually want to open up your sdcard and copy all as was told. I use Linux now so I don't have to worry about Sync, but I personally think it is a useless piece of software. It is easier to just drag and click, and you don't need a program to do that.
Congrats on entering the world of rooting and customization BTW! :good: It's addictive, be warned! :cyclops:
Okay thanks for the reply, that's actually what it did (drag and dropped to my computer) :highfive:
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!
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