Swapping Motherboards to recover data - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So, here's my dilemma. I'm trying to recover photos off an AT&T Galaxy S3 with a broken LCD display. Haven't messed with it yet, as it belongs to a friend, and I haven't been able to get my hands on it yet. From what I understand, the data is stored in a chip on the motherboard. I have in my possession a Sprint Galaxy S3. I had originally planned on swapping the screens, but after watching quite a few videos on YouTube, it seems they're a little tricky to get out without cracking them. No problem if you're removing a broken screen, but I would need the Sprint screen to remain intact when I remove it, so I could put it in the AT&T phone. What I would like to do instead, is remove the motherboard from the AT&T phone and put it in the Sprint phone. That way, theoretically, I could access all of the photos saved internally on the motherboard. But I'm worried about compatibility issues. The last thing I want to do is fry her motherboard and lose her photos forever!! Anyone have any idea if this will work?? For the record, I do not care if the phone is ever able to access a cellular network again. All I want is access to the photos.
Or, is there an easier way to do this??
Her phone is locked, not rooted, and without a display there's no way to enable USB debugging, so I don't think I can access them via ADB. Is there software out there that can access data on a locked phone?? I absolutely have her permission to do this, and the photos mean a lot to her. They were taken when she studied abroad in the Czech Republic, so I really want to be able to make this work!!

Related

[Q] Bricked?

Greetings
Long time follower here.
I think my lumia 920 is bricked, while i was flashing this version of firmware RM821_059R1W5_1232.2110.1244.3011, suddenly it stopped with a failed error, without any error number or description.
Now i can't turn on my lumia anymore, also it doesn't get noticed by the computer as a hardware, and also doesn't respond to volume down + power.
is there anyway to fix it?
Thx alot
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2032888 Mine wouldn't boot after a hard reset. I think this may be your only hope to fix on your own. Nokia Care suite and the refurb option.
IM
is there anyway to know the IM number of the phone without having the box? it's not on the body of the phone, and the phone doesn't start up.
I argued that with Nokia, beacuase they swore up in down it was on the SIM tray... seems stupid to put it there, what if for some reason you lose it? Whomever you were using it on should have it. In fact, I think when I log into AT&T I believe it is there.
have the same issue right now. I'm thinking about sending it in
awagner said:
I argued that with Nokia, beacuase they swore up in down it was on the SIM tray... seems stupid to put it there, what if for some reason you lose it? Whomever you were using it on should have it. In fact, I think when I log into AT&T I believe it is there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.nokia.com/us-en/support/...pic=GUID-D4A70EFD-27A6-4D6F-A089-84BF6BAA0001
it's behind the metal frame of SIM holder (not the plastic where you put SIM card) so it's hard to lose it..if you lose the metal frame with label, your sim card even with SIM holder will be loose.
Also if you know your provided (Network carrier) and based on color - you can get your product code from below link:
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f60...ting-care-suite-download-1660094/#post9434277
Similar Problem
I have the same problem with my Lumia 920 - RM 821.
Already tried all the tools of Nokia, but without results, no vibrate and no image.
My Lumia has stopped completely and I can not fix it.

[Q] Need help regarding stolen phone

To cut a long story short, my less than one month old OnePlus One was stolen from me yesterday. I tracked it so far and then the signal went dead.
What I want to know is is it possible to know if my phone has been wiped? Would the device remove itself from device manager if it was wiped? I am yet to get my carrier to blacklist the IMEI as I am hoping that they will turn the phone on again and then I can track them. Obviously, if they have wiped the phone it is pointless.
Thanks for any help!

So I'm going to check out a used G2 tomorrow.

Found a "broken" G2 in the ads today, I might go check it out tomorrow. The seller is selling it for a very low price (somewhere around 150 USD) because the phone can't register to a network. Using my previous knowledge of other Android phones and the knowledge I acquired during my time with my own G2, I've deduced the following (ordered from least likely to most likely):
- the phone was dropped and the radio cable got detached (fairly easy fix, take the phone apart and reattach everything, the physical state of the phone can't be deduced from a single photo that's put online)
- the SIM tray is faulty because at the photo I got, a no SIM icon is visible (though that could've been taken without a SIM in the phone)
- something or someone messed up the EFS partition (I plan on checking whether the phone's bootloader root checker has been tripped, if the IMEI is okay, if it has a custom recovery, etc). The phone seems to have a stock ROM which I suspect someone flashed, or tried to factory reset the phone (which raised a suspicion described below).
But the most likely situation is that the phone was stolen. Why? Well:
- if the phone can't register to a network, its IMEI may be blacklisted
- the phone is being sold without any equipment, not even its box. The guy says it was sold to him like that, which makes me even more suspicious. I have some friends working in certain operators here, I'll snoop around once I get a hold of the phone's IMEI. If I can't get a straight story out of him, I'll try some intimidation or to knock down the price to oblivion, being that the phone might be stolen, and use it for parts, if my ways of finding its owner turn up dry.
Do you guys have any additional tips on what to check? I plan on putting my own SIM card in and trying to run some diagnostics from the hidden menus to see what's what.
robogo1982 said:
Found a "broken" G2 in the ads today, I might go check it out tomorrow. The seller is selling it for a very low price (somewhere around 150 USD) because the phone can't register to a network. Using my previous knowledge of other Android phones and the knowledge I acquired during my time with my own G2, I've deduced the following (ordered from least likely to most likely):
- the phone was dropped and the radio cable got detached (fairly easy fix, take the phone apart and reattach everything, the physical state of the phone can't be deduced from a single photo that's put online)
- the SIM tray is faulty because at the photo I got, a no SIM icon is visible (though that could've been taken without a SIM in the phone)
- something or someone messed up the EFS partition (I plan on checking whether the phone's bootloader root checker has been tripped, if the IMEI is okay, if it has a custom recovery, etc). The phone seems to have a stock ROM which I suspect someone flashed, or tried to factory reset the phone (which raised a suspicion described below).
But the most likely situation is that the phone was stolen. Why? Well:
- if the phone can't register to a network, its IMEI may be blacklisted
- the phone is being sold without any equipment, not even its box. The guy says it was sold to him like that, which makes me even more suspicious. I have some friends working in certain operators here, I'll snoop around once I get a hold of the phone's IMEI. If I can't get a straight story out of him, I'll try some intimidation or to knock down the price to oblivion, being that the phone might be stolen, and use it for parts, if my ways of finding its owner turn up dry.
Do you guys have any additional tips on what to check? I plan on putting my own SIM card in and trying to run some diagnostics from the hidden menus to see what's what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like you got it all covered! Best of luck.
Hello, even if you have a friend inside, It would do you well to use one of those online IMEI Blacklist checkers, if the phone is from a US carrier and it happens to be stolen/blacklisted theres a good chance that it will appear.
Anywho, so how will you do it? Will the seller lend you the phone for a couple of hours for you to check all these things? Or Will you be gambling for it?
Best of luck, the G2 is freaking awesome! I'm having a blast!
Definitely worth it. I bought a sprint lg g2 that was "bricked" in TWRP after they tried to OTA. Lmao got it for $40! Unlocked and am using now
Bought one recently (advertised as faulty antenna) but it had a messed up EFS. IMEI was null. Checked IMEI and it was fine. Restored IMEI and phone is flying fine.. Good luck on purchase.

[Q] IMEI Questions?

So a friend of mine found a S5 laying in the grass, the phone was in spanish and we were unable to find the owner. So he offered to sell it to me for a reallly cheap price.
Now i have questions abou this, If I reset the phone to factory I can just put the sim card in and it should be good togo, however I am assuming since they lost the phone and most likely its on a payment plan that tmobile will block the imei.
Now my questions are, Can i take an IMEI from a Galaxy S2 (no longer in use) and use the software to put that imei on this so tmobile wont block the phone? That would be ideal
If that wont work, would i be able to use the IMEI from my current galaxy S5 (that I currently use). Since it is the same phone? (well not exactly the same, mine is black the one that we found was white).
Would that screw up my current Galaxy S5 if i put the same imei on the new phone? And both being used under the same family plan?
If I use the phone as it is with the same IMEI that it has, and they wind up blocking it, would i still be able to change the IMEI after it is blocked? (I rather just change it right away to avoid it being blocked in the first place.)
So what do u guys think? Could I use the IMEI from a S2, if not could i use the IMEI from an S5 that i currently use? (IDK if they could tell if 2 IMEI is on the same network at the same time and it will block both which would really suck because I am still paying my S5 off.
Thanks
piffdaddy420 said:
So a friend of mine found a S5 laying in the grass, the phone was in spanish and we were unable to find the owner. So he offered to sell it to me for a reallly cheap price.
Now i have questions abou this, If I reset the phone to factory I can just put the sim card in and it should be good togo, however I am assuming since they lost the phone and most likely its on a payment plan that tmobile will block the imei.
Now my questions are, Can i take an IMEI from a Galaxy S2 (no longer in use) and use the software to put that imei on this so tmobile wont block the phone? That would be ideal
If that wont work, would i be able to use the IMEI from my current galaxy S5 (that I currently use). Since it is the same phone? (well not exactly the same, mine is black the one that we found was white).
Would that screw up my current Galaxy S5 if i put the same imei on the new phone? And both being used under the same family plan?
If I use the phone as it is with the same IMEI that it has, and they wind up blocking it, would i still be able to change the IMEI after it is blocked? (I rather just change it right away to avoid it being blocked in the first place.)
So what do u guys think? Could I use the IMEI from a S2, if not could i use the IMEI from an S5 that i currently use? (IDK if they could tell if 2 IMEI is on the same network at the same time and it will block both which would really suck because I am still paying my S5 off.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was further researching and i am hearing that changing the imei is illegal, and if this is the case i do not want to do it. i am not trying to break the law for a phone lmao. it is not worth it.
i looked up the number and it is infact blocked, so i guess he has nothing but a useless paperweight. I wish we were able to find the damn owner, at the very least could score some karma points.

Best way to Roam

I will be going out of my voice/data area.
I was unknowingly under the impression that everything was fine with my new U.S. Cellular's best 3Mbps Uncapped Unlimited 25GB Plus plan; nothing hidden, everything disclosed ["...and no hidden charges..." (right!? LoL)].
But, what I am finding out quickly is that not even all of CS Reps really know what's going on, and even they are not up-to-date on the details.
"The dickens is in the details!".
Unfortunately, U.S. Cellular's roaming is limited to 400MB per month, no matter what plan you are on, even if you are on their top-of-the-line plan.
Additional GB have to be purchased.
I am located in the States and on a U.S. Cellular 30-month contract.
KevinAuralee said:
I will be going out of my voice/data area.
I am located in the States and on a U.S. Cellular 30-month contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to know:
I have a 'locked' Galaxy S9+ (SM-G965U). Would it be cheaper to buy a Sim and use my phone with another carrier instead of roaming?
Is it even possible on a 'locked' phone to temporarily use a different carrier?
I'm mostly concerned about my internet data (or, really my lack thereof), and how much it would cost to buy 'roaming' data.
1.5GB or 3.5GB roaming data will cost extra; $15 or $35 respectively.
I have the choice of Global, LTE/CDMA, LTE/GSM/UMTS under Mobile Networks => Network mode.
It would seem that I could use Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T for a month and not have roaming charges through the nose.
Also, I believe U.S. Cellular's biggest roaming package is 3.5GB (vs the 25GB [Unlimited Plus] plan that I have gotten used to).
I talked to U.S. Cellular's technical support, and they said... Because there is a balance on the phone, it is locked... And because it is locked, another carrier cannot be used.
I understand, also, from reading this forum, that unlocking a Stateside S9+ is not a good idea, because it will trip Knox and void the warranty.
Unless someone knows something else, looks like I'm sunk.
Can anyone please verify my latest fears?
KevinAuralee said:
I talked to U.S. Cellular's technical support, and they said... Because there is a balance on the phone, it is locked... And because it is locked, another carrier cannot be used.
I understand, also, from reading this forum, that unlocking a Stateside S9+ is not a good idea, because it will trip Knox and void the warranty.
Unless someone knows something else, looks like I'm sunk.
Can anyone please verify my latest fears?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3 posts and I have no idea what your question really is. The Snapdragon models can't be rooted. At best, you could manage to brick your device trying. I'm also not sure what it would accomplish, given your problem.
CrazyApe18 said:
3 posts and I have no idea what your question really is. The Snapdragon models can't be rooted. At best, you could manage to brick your device trying. I'm also not sure what it would accomplish, given your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have returned from my trip to no-service (roaming) PA. I had to use local wifi while roaming. It was a very bad phone data experience. I was talking about hidden fees with US Cellular to be able to even use my phone for internet access.
I have 1-1/2 years left and will unlock this phone. I really do like the camera and the speed of the apps, etc. But since Snapdragon models cannot be rooted, what is the point of my owning this phone?
Obviously, I should probably ditch this phone or upgrade... probably selling it would be the best way to put money towards a new phone that can be rooted.
What are your suggestions?
Carriers have pro's and con's... If you are worried about having high roaming use then perhaps pick up an unlocked phone that will work on a different provider (with applicable plan through the provider) and use it as a mobile hotspot. Then connect your S9+ to the mobile hotspot and you should be ok.
TBH one of the things you should consider when your buying service through a carrier is the coverage the carrier provides as well as if/what limitations may exist. In your case if you roam a lot and the price of roaming is to much then perhaps consider a different provider when your contract is up.
KevinAuralee said:
I have a 'locked' Galaxy S9+ (SM-G965U). Would it be cheaper to buy a Sim and use my phone with another carrier instead of roaming?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is carrier/network locked which means it can only be used on the carrier you got it from. Because the phone is carrier locked you can not use any other sim card other then what is provided by the carrier.
KevinAuralee said:
Is it even possible on a 'locked' phone to temporarily use a different carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope
KevinAuralee said:
I have 1-1/2 years left and will unlock this phone. I really do like the camera and the speed of the apps, etc. But since Snapdragon models cannot be rooted, what is the point of my owning this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest you just gave 2 pro's and only 1 con over the device, which would kinda answer your question for you... But again that is the kind of question only you can answer..
IMHO if your sole purpose on having that phone is that you must have it rooted, then this phone is not the one for you. If your only trying to root the phone so you can get cheaper roaming data by using other sim cards then you probably shouldn't be trying to root the phone anyways (not that root is even possible cuz it's not... It's just better to get it carrier/network unlocked by paying it off).
On the other hand for the most part even if it was possible the device could be rooted it won't give you much outside of what you already have. Granted I have had phone(s) being samsung and other where rooting the device allowed me to get better performance and battery life. With this phone it is the first Samsung I have had that is quite snappy, battery life is surprisingly good and overall it works quite well with just the stock firmware.
About the only thing I would root the phone for (if it were possible, it's not obviously) is for nandroid backups. Still even from factory data reset to back up and running doesn't take that long anymore. Outside of that I myself have no reason to root the phone.
KevinAuralee said:
Obviously, I should probably ditch this phone or upgrade... probably selling it would be the best way to put money towards a new phone that can be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would strongly suggest you entertain/consider those notions after you paid the phone off. But just as an FYI once you get the phone unlocked (after paying it off) you can use it on T-Moble, Sprint, Verizon, AT&T... The G965U and G965U1 whether bought from samsung or the carriers themselves have the same internal hardware. The software determines what bands and carrier compatible features are active... Should be noted that carriers may have additional requirements (like AT&T not letting non AT&T S9+ use VoLTE) for specific services/features.
So if anything pay the phone off faster so you can get it carrier/network unlocked.. The phone or the fact the model isn't rootable isn't the real problem here, it's the data roaming charges your carrier has.
KevinAuralee said:
What are your suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep the phone and use it until it's paid off.. Then get it carrier/network unlocked would be my suggestion. At that point you can use a sim card with a different provider for cheaper data roaming.. Or after it's paid off and network unlocked you can just sell it (you could probably get more for it since it would be unlocked to work for any carrier).
scottusa2008 said:
IMHO if your sole purpose on having that phone is that you must have it rooted, then this phone is not the one for you.
With this phone it is the first Samsung I have had that is quite snappy, battery life is surprisingly good and overall it works quite well with just the stock firmware.
About the only thing I would root the phone for (if it were possible, it's not obviously) is for nandroid backups. Still even from factory data reset to back up and running doesn't take that long anymore. Outside of that I myself have no reason to root the phone.
I would strongly suggest you entertain/consider those notions after you paid the phone off...
...The phone or the fact the model isn't rootable isn't the real problem here, it's the data roaming charges your carrier has.
Keep the phone and use it until it's paid off.. Then get it carrier/network unlocked would be my suggestion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't like a lot of things that deal with not having root.
Google and Samsung push are trying to take over my phone, even though I have a lot of stuff disabled. I just found out my location is full on, and I always have it turned off or set to minimal.
I even had some data usage and never turned data on... am 100% running on wi-fi. And now Samsung's keyboard is active and can't be disabled.
Seems to me that I would like to stock load what I originally had when I first received the phone. I have never taken any updates and get nagged a lot.
But, like you said it isn't mine to root yet! But gimminies, I mean give me a break... I can't even side-load anymore. And that's gonna smart quite a bit.
I have entertained the idea of upgrading to a newer phone, but that would probably result in digging my hole deeper and even harder to get out of. I have 1-1/2 years left to go on my phone, or just flat buy it out while it is still worth something.
Oh, and I have never been able to back up my phone without spilling all of my information to Google or Samsung -- that's the way they like it!
So I have been running without a backup for a year now, and I don't like it. Sure, I have almost everything pics & stuff on hard drive, but my apps, text messages, phone book, etc. I don't.
I'm thinking I would like to take screen pics of my apps & contacts, etc. and start all over. If only I knew of a sure way of gaining 100% control over my phone, I would do it!
But like you say, it might make more sense to just pay it off and then sell it and be rid of it.
KevinAuralee said:
I don't like a lot of things that deal with not having root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your not the only one... but if that is the case then it would seem that samsung has pretty much gotten on the ball and took care of the exploits that would allow root. While in one sense it's a bummer for those who want to root, but in the other they are making devices that aren't as exploitable (which is actually a good thing).
KevinAuralee said:
I even had some data usage and never turned data on... am 100% running on wi-fi. And now Samsung's keyboard is active and can't be disabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you turn off roaming data? If you did then it would not have connected to the roaming data.. Mine never does unless I have it turned on. Also if your sending and recieving MMS messages this would use mobile data, so check your MMS settings for roaming auto retrieve.
KevinAuralee said:
Oh, and I have never been able to back up my phone without spilling all of my information to Google or Samsung -- that's the way they like it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This whole cloud backup thing has been around for a long time and is not a Samsung or Google thing. Microsoft Windows, Apple devices, Amazon devices all do the same thing. It's convenient for many and for those who are paranoid (or just don't want to use cloud backup) you don't have to use cloud backup services.
You can use smartswitch and make a backup of what is on the phone on your computer. You can save your contacts to the device only and you can export those contacts to a .vcf file... so you can later import them if you get a different phone (or factory data reset).
KevinAuralee said:
So I have been running without a backup for a year now, and I don't like it. Sure, I have almost everything pics & stuff on hard drive, but my apps, text messages, phone book, etc. I don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out Smartswitch
https://account.samsung.com/membership/terms/privacypolicy
I just did... their privacy policy is that I have no privacy. So I am back to square one and I feel better off NOT backing anything up both by their services and/or their software.
I have no active accounts with the goog, or samsung.
I plan on keeping it this way.
I guess my only question would be if I did a hard reset, and because I have never allowed any updates, would I be able to get back to day one when I first got the phone and be able to start from scratch?
KevinAuralee said:
I guess my only question would be if I did a hard reset, and because I have never allowed any updates, would I be able to get back to day one when I first got the phone and be able to start from scratch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you did a factory data reset your phone would erase all your data and apps from the phone and all settings restored to factory defaults. You would have to go through the setup process again and restore your data (and make what ever changes, disable what apps you need too, misc customizations) which ever way you are going to do so.
I only mention this because I do not know what firmware your running or what was on the phone when you originally bought it. This part may or may not apply in your case, but in case it does... The only thing about a factory data reset is it does not change what firmware is installed on the phone. If you have the latest android pie installed then that is what will be on the phone once the factory data reset is completed.

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