Related
Alright... well I flashed aokp from Roman today. And I lost my imei. I have never had this problem before. I did a nandroid restore and nothing works. I have a back up from titanium back up and installed all my system data but still nothing...
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
also I can't get anything but edge. If I'm lucky...
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Ouch, you might be out of luck man, might need to get a new phone as theres no real known "way" of restoring the backups of /efs folders or nvdata.bin etc on this phone yet , give this thread a read http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1753833 its a known issue that can occur after flashing a rom on this phone... good luck.
edit, usually to save this kind of stuff you need to backup your efs folder, meaning that a nandroid backup nor a tibu backup can't help you with this; it needs to be done separately.
MacTheRipperr said:
Alright... well I flashed aokp from Roman today. And I lost my imei. I have never had this problem before. I did a nandroid restore and nothing works. I have a back up from titanium back up and installed all my system data but still nothing...
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you lived here in California I would help you restore your imei
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
unleashed12 said:
Ouch, you might be out of luck man, might need to get a new phone as theres no real known "way" of restoring the backups of /efs folders or nvdata.bin etc on this phone yet , give this thread a read http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1753833 its a known issue that can occur after flashing a rom on this phone... good luck.
edit, usually to save this kind of stuff you need to backup your efs folder, meaning that a nandroid backup nor a tibu backup can't help you with this; it needs to be done separately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of curiosity, how do you backup those files separately?
Powered by the SGSIII
ThC23 said:
Out of curiosity, how do you backup those files separately?
Powered by the SGSIII
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your rooted use a root enabled file explorer (I use Root Explorer) and open it up to /. There should be a folder called “efs". Simply copy that folder and place it on your internal or external sd, then for safe keeping place it on your laptop/computer
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
fergie716 said:
If your rooted use a root enabled file explorer (I use Root Explorer) and open it up to /. There should be a folder called “efs". Simply copy that folder and place it on your internal or external sd, then for safe keeping place it on your laptop/computer
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been nervous about flashing anything else since I've read about 4 cases like this. I'm so freakin happy I found this thread! I've found the efs folder your referring to, but I don't know if I should copy the efs folder to my external storage or open it & just copy the IMEI folder to my external storage? Your help would be so very much appreciated.
Maybe someone should put this in general and try to get it stickied, as it seems like a necessary preventive maintenance?
Edit: I just backed up the whole folder to be safe, and I'm going to make a general post referring to this problem.
Hello. I recently lost 4G data but do have Edge. My IMEI shows 0. I wasn't aware of backing up the /efs folder before flashing any ROMs for the first time on each device. I had Odin'ed back to stock before i found out about IMEI relation to /efs. I have uploaded a couple of screenshots of my /efs and imei folder in which someone might be able to tell me if there is data i may be missing in either folder to recover my IMEI? Thanks in advance.
Se7eN43 said:
Hello. I recently lost 4G data but do have Edge. My IMEI shows 0. I wasn't aware of backing up the /efs folder before flashing any ROMs for the first time on each device. I had Odin'ed back to stock before i found out about IMEI relation to /efs. I have uploaded a couple of screenshots of my /efs and imei folder in which someone might be able to tell me if there is data i may be missing in either folder to recover my IMEI? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its a known problem right now with no apparent fix. [see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1753833 ] the lte galaxy s 3's are missing the needed nv_data.bin in the efs folder which is normally used to recover the imei. you're only solution would be to find a shop that can restore your imei or try and get a replacement device.
Where is nv_data.bin located? I still can't find it but my IMEI is not corrupted (I don't think. Got 3G, can make phone calls, send sms/mms etc)
But it's not in my /efs folder
There is no known location. Mine is corrupted as well. I have heard people just flashing cwm sometimes get corruption issues as well. When I get my new device on Monday I'm starting stock until this is solved.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
MacTheRipperr said:
There is no known location. Mine is corrupted as well. I have heard people just flashing cwm sometimes get corruption issues as well. When I get my new device on Monday I'm starting stock until this is solved.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea good call. I'm really paranoid now lol. Because I did loose 3G for an hour or so a few days ago but updating my Profile solved that (on Sprint Variant)
But I'm assuming one will know if their /efs folder and/or nv_data.bin is corrupted? An obvious sign being not being able to make calls or having 3G?
Oh, for the OP, here is a screenshot of my entire /efs folder. I'm sure these are not universal across all variants so maybe someone with a TMO can help more
Yeah me and op talked earlier. And the only way to fix it is with to it with what I think is an illegal method using octopus box. But you need to have special hardware to do. Like I said best bet is to stay stock.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
MacTheRipperr said:
Yeah me and op talked earlier. And the only way to fix it is with to it with what I think is an illegal method using octopus box. But you need to have special hardware to do. Like I said best bet is to stay stock.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh wow, I honestly am not familiar with any of the IMEI bricks or /efs corruption. Yea I'm real nervous to even flash anything anymore lol. But I guess this is expected on a new device. As time passes hopefully more info will be available to prevent this. I know when I had my NS4G you could add a few lines to an updater- script to auto backup your /efs folder to your sd card before the zip package extracts. Probably would just need the correct mount points for /efs and anyone making a flashable zip could just add that to their script
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
mine also
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
There is a known location it is in a partition not directly accessible.. take s look at efspro which runs on your PC and backs up this partition. It backs it up as an image.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Hello everyone, I've got a big problem... I have been using my SGSIII with CM10 and siyah kernel, and everything was fine. however, 2 days ago my phone froze and i had to pull the battery. after restarting i wasnt able to get a connection... i tried reflashing, rebooting, resetting and everything, but nothing worked. after looking around I saw that my device says Baseband: unknown and IMEI nothing... so i checked my efs folder with root explorer - and see it is empty. fortunately i've got a EFS backup! So i tried to recover it with HC-kTool - it says success however the efs folder ist still empty and stil cant connect. when I try to move the backed up files into the efs folder manually, it tells me that no space is free..?
I also checked "mount" in the terminal, and saw that the /efs partition is NOT mounted... so I remounted it manually with
Code:
mke2fs /dev/block/mmcblk0p1
mount -w -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p1 /efs
after doing this i can restore my backup and there are loads of files in the /efs folder! however, after a reboot everything is gone and /efs is not mounted anymore
does anyone know what i need to do? the phone is running stock ALE8 rooted.
Cheers
Efs is located in block 3, not 1
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
I think siyah and cm10 are nonstable combination for efs you are nhot first whit efs problem
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spocky12 said:
Efs is located in block 3, not 1
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so which would that be?
/dev/block/mmcblk2p1 or /dev/block/mmcblk3p1 or /dev/block/mmcblk0p3?
muhamet said:
I think siyah and cm10 are nonstable combination for efs you are nhot first whit efs problem
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i think so... switched back to stock!
So does anyone have an Idea what I should do now?
This information might be of use to you, but the restore without an *.img file (assuming you don't have one) probably won't be.
The last one (0p3)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
actually I have an .img file... called
Code:
efsdev-mmcblk0p1.img
which is around 4MB... thats an efs-backup made by SiyahKernel about a month ago.
I'll try it with this one!
That sounds like a plan
Don't do it ! Efs partition size is 20mb and is called 0p3.
If you do it, you'll screw up your efs partition (assuming it's still there).
Just try to mount 0p3 to /efs.
If it doesn't work and you don't have a 20Mb backup of 0p3, I'm afraid there's nothing more you can do to restore efs.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
spocky12 said:
Don't do it ! Efs partition size is 20mb and is called 0p3.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should be 20Mb but some of the backups I have taken in the past show 0p1 and some show 0p3.
nobnut said:
It should be 20Mb but some of the backups I have taken in the past show 0p1 and some show 0p3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're not sure about what is really your 0p1 backup, send it to me and I'll have a look at it when I come back home.
spocky12 said:
If you're not sure about what is really your 0p1 backup, send it to me and I'll have a look at it when I come back home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not in need of one, my EFS is ok.
I was pointing out to Fekle in my earlier post that the EFS partition is 0p3.
ok, Thanks everyone, I just did it before it worked well, the efs folder is now "normal" again, my baseband is recognised and I can see my IMEI again, however it differs from the one written onto the device under the battery -___- my "real" imei is 3531..... but the device says 004999010640000 now in the settings
I think this is something like a stock fallback imei or sth like that.. any Idea how I can change that to my real imei?? that has to be possible somehow.. !
greets
This imei is generated when NV data is corrupted (meaning efs did NOT restore correctly). Do you want me to have a look at your 0p3 backup ?
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spocky12 said:
This imei is generated when NV data is corrupted (meaning efs did NOT restore correctly). Do you want me to have a look at your 0p3 backup ?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think sharing EFS data is a good idea. In most countries changing IMEI info is illegal - - access to someone elses EFS backup would probably allow you to do that.
Upto the OP though if he/she still wants to share it.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
yes, that would be awesome... I just found a newer backup which is called ...0p3.. and is about 20 mb in size.. however restoring it doesnt work :/
I'll send it to you via pm!
cheers
seltaeb said:
I don't think sharing EFS data is a good idea. In most countries changing IMEI info is illegal - - access to someone elses EFS backup would probably allow you to do that.
Upto the OP though if he/she still wants to share it.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sharing publicly efs is indeed a bad idea, but not being able to use your phone anymore due to a corrupted efs is worse IMO. Anyway, I've build an app to sim unlock gs3, many users trusted me before and sent me their corrupted efs folder for me to have a look (which doesn't mean he has to ), so if I ever wanted to use another imei, I'd have plenty already
spocky12 said:
Sharing publicly efs is indeed a bad idea, but not being able to use your phone anymore due to a corrupted efs is worse IMO. Anyway, I've build an app to sim unlock gs3, many users trusted me before and sent me their corrupted efs folder for me to have a look (which doesn't mean he has to ), so if I ever wanted to use another imei, I'd have plenty already
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... done!
have you gotten my PM?
whats about this solution: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801997
does anyone thing this or something similar could work with the international galaxy S3?
cheers
spocky12 said:
Sharing publicly efs is indeed a bad idea, but not being able to use your phone anymore due to a corrupted efs is worse IMO. Anyway, I've build an app to sim unlock gs3, many users trusted me before and sent me their corrupted efs folder for me to have a look (which doesn't mean he has to ), so if I ever wanted to use another imei, I'd have plenty already
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi, would you be able to tell me the right contents of the /efs/imei folder? what files should be in it? i have a backup efs folder but i'm trying to figure out if it's a usable backup... and also, could you verify for me if /efs and /factory contain identical files? thanks a lot!
I would like someone to help me understand what exactly efs is.
A friend of mine will give me a rooted galaxy s2. I am currently a nexus s owner.
I know root and flashing stuff but i don't know what exactly efs is. I have heard that i need to back it up before doing anything to my phone.
How can missing efs harm my phone? Not to boot up? Does nandroid, back up efs too? How can i backup / restore it? I have also heard about an app that does that work but what if my phone doesn't boot?
Please, help me understand it.
(sorry for bad English if there are any mistakes)
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2
Read here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1068193. This explains what is EFS and why/how to backup it.
Sent from my digital submersible hovercraft.
NickName98 said:
I would like someone to help me understand what exactly efs is.
A friend of mine will give me a rooted galaxy s2. I am currently a nexus s owner.
I know root and flashing stuff but i don't know what exactly efs is. I have heard that i need to back it up before doing anything to my phone.
How can missing efs harm my phone? Not to boot up? Does nandroid, back up efs too? How can i backup / restore it? I have also heard about an app that does that work but what if my phone doesn't boot?
Please, help me understand it.
(sorry for bad English if there are any mistakes)
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well EFS is the folder on ur phones memory wher all the smartphone data like WIFI, Bluetooth Mac address and the phones IMEI no are stored.
so a mess up with the same and ur phone will not wrk normally ie to say , No wifi connection or Blutooth devices connection or even no netwrk (if IMEI no is messed up).
So its always important to Back up ur 'EFS' Folder once u root ur phone and start using Custom ROM/Kernel etc.
Also Some Custom Kernel's like Siyah, Dorimanx etc will 'Auto backup' ur 'EFS' folder if u install the same
U can also BKP using 3rd party apps from play store
So that u can utilize this backup to restore all the imp data, if ur phone gets messed up for some reason
Hope this is clear for u
Sun90 said:
Well EFS is the folder on ur phones memory wher all the smartphone data like WIFI, Bluetooth Mac address and the phones IMEI no are stored.
so a mess up with the same and ur phone will not wrk normally ie to say , No wifi connection or Blutooth devices connection or even no netwrk (if IMEI no is messed up).
So its always important to Back up ur 'EFS' Folder once u root ur phone and start using Custom ROM/Kernel etc.
Also Some Custom Kernel's like Siyah, Dorimanx etc will 'Auto backup' ur 'EFS' folder if u install the same
U can also BKP using 3rd party apps from play store
So that u can utilize this backup to restore all the imp data, if ur phone gets messed up for some reason
Hope this is clear for u
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much.
So, a missing efs folder can't cause bootloop, right?
Can i backup that folder by simply making a copy on my pc?
If i use a 3rd party app to backup efs and switch to another rom, i just reinstall the same app and, if there is a problem, restore the folder?
Which app do you suggest? is kTool good?
If i don't make a backup and i find a problem coming from efs, can it be fixed?
i would also like to ask something else...
on my nexus s i always boot into cwm recovery an flash whatever i want (roms, kernels...)
but i read that many people are using odin. i am not very used to this app so, is it safe to do it "my" way?
please answer my previews post, too
Somebody please help...
Don't bump the thread....you can find that answer with google or mere observation.
Check any stock ROM thread and you'll see.
Sent from the little guy
gastonw said:
Don't bump the thread....you can find that answer with google or mere observation.
Check any stock ROM thread and you'll see.
Sent from the little guy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't be a jerk. If you're not going to help him fine... But your response was unnecessary on a developers forum where we are all here to learn and spread knowledge.
As for the question, your way is fine as well.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Quis89 said:
Don't be a jerk. If you're not going to help him fine... But your response was unnecessary on a developers forum where we are all here to learn and spread knowledge.
As for the question, your way is fine as well.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is q&a.
Who are you again?
Answers are a privilage, not a right.
Sent from the little guy
Quis89 said:
Don't be a jerk. If you're not going to help him fine... But your response was unnecessary on a developers forum where we are all here to learn and spread knowledge.
As for the question, your way is fine as well.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the support. And I'm sorry if i caused problem. I am just very nervous about my future galaxy s2.
Can you please answer my post 4 questions?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2
You didn't cause any problems, don't worry.
Sent from the little guy
I am gonna write my questions again... Help me if you know the answers...
A missing efs folder can't cause bootloop, right?
Can i backup that folder by simply making a copy on my pc?
If i use a 3rd party app to backup efs and switch to another rom, i just reinstall the same app and, if there is a problem, restore the folder?
Which app do you suggest? is kTool good?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2
EFS folder can make your device unusable.
Ktool is a good app to back up EFS.
It's always good to save a backed EFS folder in your computer plus another back up saved in your device.
Sent from the little guy
Hello! I need help so bad , my phone doesn't recognize any SIM Card and my IMEI is empty.
I followed this guide with no success.http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1264021 What am I doing wrong?
I have a lot of EFS backups, so I don't know what's the problem. I even tried to copy my EFS backup content to the root EFS manually, but it didn't work. I even used the HC-kTool to make a restore... but everything seems useless. Is there something I am missing here?
I have a disable symbol instead of signal bar (/) I manage to take it away one time but it came back. I don't know what to do, I'm so desperate:crying:
I found this alternative http://www.unlocksamsungonline.nl/in...?page=download but I don't know if this works, what do you guys think?
I'm sorry for my bad english and thank you so much in advanced!!!
Have a nice day.
opticon107 said:
Hello! I need help so bad , my phone doesn't recognize any SIM Card and my IMEI is empty.
I followed this guide with no success.http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1264021 What am I doing wrong?
I have a lot of EFS backups, so I don't know what's the problem. I even tried to copy my EFS backup content to the root EFS manually, but it didn't work. I even used the HC-kTool to make a restore... but everything seems useless. Is there something I am missing here?
I have a disable symbol instead of signal bar (/) I manage to take it away one time but it came back. I don't know what to do, I'm so desperate:crying:
I found this alternative http://www.unlocksamsungonline.nl/in...?page=download but I don't know if this works, what do you guys think?
I'm sorry for my bad english and thank you so much in advanced!!!
Have a nice day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this
Christiaan91 said:
Try this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the same link I said I followed its instructions. It didn't worked.
I had the same problem, the only tool I needed was root explorer to fix.
Begin by selecting one of the compressed files in your EFS_BACKUP on your external SD.
Pick anyone but ensure it's one from before you began to have your IMEI problem.
Copy this file to your PC then expand, place the expanded file and its contents in a place you will remember on your external SD card
Now as a precaution before you start making any changes, take note of the permissions of the original efs folder on the root of your phone,
and make a copy and place in a safe place even thou it could be corrupt.
Now Open root explorer option change root explorer from Read Only to Read Write
Now you can delete your corrupted efs folder and replace it with the copy from your EFS_BACKUP folder from your external SD card
Now reboot and fingers crossed you should be back on network good luck, I hope this helps
How did you loose it? What was you doing? Do a nandroid restore?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Ok, I have done this so far... and I got my SIM detected and my IMEI back. BUT!!! I can't unlock my device anymore, I tried with GalaxSIM, Galaxy S2 unlock, Galaxy S2 Sim Unlock.
With GalaxSIM I did the unlock procedure and restarted, went back to the app and it showed that my phone was unlocked, but it wasn't. And then My IMEI is gone again... What is happening? why my IMEI is coming and going ?
Thank you for the help!
ansrewwrightt said:
How did you loose it? What was you doing? Do a nandroid restore?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I lost mine after flashing a rom.
Look in cwm advanced to see if your efs folder is mounted?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
opticon107 said:
Ok, I have done this so far... and I got my SIM detected and my IMEI back. BUT!!! I can't unlock my device anymore, I tried with GalaxSIM, Galaxy S2 unlock, Galaxy S2 Sim Unlock.
With GalaxSIM I did the unlock procedure and restarted, went back to the app and it showed that my phone was unlocked, but it wasn't. And then My IMEI is gone again... What is happening? why my IMEI is coming and going ?
Thank you for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mate I would say your current efs is corrupt.
strictly.mobile said:
Mate I would say your current efs is corrupt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But how it shows me mi original IMEI ???
As I I mentioned I have a lot of EFS but they aren't in the same format.
efsbackup.tar.gz
efs_05Mar2013-1109.tar.gz
efs_11Jan2013-0222.tar.gz
efs_backup.tar.gz
efs_save_for_sgsII.tar.gz
and this...
nv_data.bin.unlocked
Do you think it's ROM related? I'm trying with CM10 ...Which ROM do you recommend me to make the unlock?
How I restore those backups, because when I restore some, I don't see any changes at all.
opticon107 said:
But how it shows me mi original IMEI ???
As I I mentioned I have a lot of EFS but they aren't in the same format.
efsbackup.tar.gz
efs_05Mar2013-1109.tar.gz
efs_11Jan2013-0222.tar.gz
efs_backup.tar.gz
efs_save_for_sgsII.tar.gz
and this...
nv_data.bin.unlocked
How I restore those backups, because when I restore some, I don't see any changes at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK you can use efs_11Jan .tar.gz
Connect your phone to your PC, copy the efs file over to PC
UNCOMPRESS that file and follow instructions I have already posted
Go with 11 Jan as had no problems then? Do that through odin.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 08:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 PM ----------
I'm a stay outa this lol
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ansrewwrightt said:
Go with 11 Jan as had no problems then? Do that through odin.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin ???
I've already posted detailed instructions, no mention of odin anywhere
Tar file? One reason I said il leave you to it is I can see you got this so I said petty much I'm gone. Don't use odin myself as not needed to but some would fine it easier I think. Over to you.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
ansrewwrightt said:
Tar file? One reason I said il leave you to it is I can see you got this so I said petty much I'm gone. Don't use odin myself as not needed to but some would fine it easier I think. Over to you.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mate my point is there is nothing to flash, it's simply copy paste, expand file, goto root delete old file and replace with uncompressed file.
When you uncompress the .tar do this in a folder on your desktop and you will see the contents for yourself,
NOTE you are not installing anything onto your PC you're just uncompressing a file in a folder oh and don't forget to remove the compressed file.
Wasn't being funny. Hope you don't think I was to sm.
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ansrewwrightt said:
Wasn't being funny. Hope you don't think I was to sm.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at all no dramas.
strictly.mobile said:
I had the same problem, the only tool I needed was root explorer to fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can X-Plore file manager with root permissions do the trick ??
ansrewwrightt said:
Go with 11 Jan as had no problems then? Do that through odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I do it via Odin?
opticon107 said:
Can X-Plore file manager with root permissions do the trick ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so as you're not able to check file permissions.
I used https://play.google.com/store/apps/...wiY29tLnNwZWVkc29mdHdhcmUucm9vdGV4cGxvcmVyIl0.
You can find a free apk out there on the tinterweb, I would always recommend purchasing but it's up to you
Oh and FORGET about Odin you don't need it and it will not help you READ my instructions