[Q] Has the Android ID/IMEI problem been solved? - Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I was a bit hesitant to flash originally, due to the large number of threads that talked about getting one's Android ID or IMEI wiped clean. But as I go back and scan the threads, they are all from more than a couple months ago. I never saw a definitive answer about what causes you to lose these "quite important" numbers. Did someone figure it out? Or was it just that the earliest ROM's were flashing things they weren't supposed to, and now everything is fine. Or was it something in Odin? (I have to say I'm a bit hesitant to Master Clear).
I hesitate to flash much, not knowing yet if there is still a problem that I'd have trouble recovering from. I did back up my efs folder to the computer, and supposedly that will allow me to recover things, but I'd still prefer the option that doesn't wipe out any chance of me getting the phone back to initial conditions, just in case...
Did this get solved, or is there still a vague, tiny but non-zero risk of wiping out the wrong thing in the flash process? Or can Odin always get you back if you can get into download mode?

To my knowledge it's not really an issue, as long as you backed up your efs folder, which you said you did. So you should be good to go.
Your product code will be changed if you flash an i9000 rom, but your IMEI number should still be intact. Your product code should not effect the function of your phone unless your using kies.
For some strange reason your IMEI number does change, well, that's why we have a backup of your efs folder. You'll copy over your nv_data.bin file over with root explorer or similar program, and delete .nv_data.bak, .nv_data.bak.md5 and the nv_data.bin.md5 files.
I'm still running a generic IMEI number on my phone with no issues, and do have a backup of my efs folder. Just lazy, I guess, in not restoring the original IMEI number

so where is this backup located?
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i've searched in my internal SD in the sgstoolbox folder, it's blank... most likely because i've master cleared since that backup and gone to stock, but it's gotta be somewhere, if the program is reporting so... thanks...

B-Naughty said:
so where is this backup located?
i've searched in my internal SD in the sgstoolbox folder, it's blank... most likely because i've master cleared since that backup and gone to stock, but it's gotta be somewhere, if the program is reporting so... thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those .bak files are contained within the live /efs. You should be able to use those to get back to the correct product code as they seem to have the correct captivate product ID. Make a backup immediately and move it off of the phone. The backup was probably put on your internal SD card but your master clear for sure wiped them.

z28james said:
Those .bak files are contained within the live /efs. You should be able to use those to get back to the correct product code as they seem to have the correct captivate product ID. Make a backup immediately and move it off of the phone. The backup was probably put on your internal SD card but your master clear for sure wiped them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sweet, i have the correct product code and a backup now... thanks man, thanks button hit

Soccer_Dad said:
I was a bit hesitant to flash originally, due to the large number of threads that talked about getting one's Android ID or IMEI wiped clean. But as I go back and scan the threads, they are all from more than a couple months ago. I never saw a definitive answer about what causes you to lose these "quite important" numbers. Did someone figure it out? Or was it just that the earliest ROM's were flashing things they weren't supposed to, and now everything is fine. Or was it something in Odin? (I have to say I'm a bit hesitant to Master Clear).
I hesitate to flash much, not knowing yet if there is still a problem that I'd have trouble recovering from. I did back up my efs folder to the computer, and supposedly that will allow me to recover things, but I'd still prefer the option that doesn't wipe out any chance of me getting the phone back to initial conditions, just in case...
Did this get solved, or is there still a vague, tiny but non-zero risk of wiping out the wrong thing in the flash process? Or can Odin always get you back if you can get into download mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all a pain in the ass as I am sure you have found out. Such a pain that it really isn't even worth worrying about. Close eyes, flash... maybe back something up first...

Related

[Q] Thought I understood new file-system structure

Hi guys,
I recently upgraded from 4.1 using TWRP 2.6.3.0
It was my understanding that this latest TWRP supported the newer Android file system. After the upgrade, I can see that my SDCARD has moved to the '0' directory, great.
But, now when I make new backups in TWRP, I can't see them anywhere, but from within recovery. I have searched the whole file system for "2013-12" but see only the last backup before the upgrade.
Any help would be appreciated!
ccs86 said:
Hi guys,
I recently upgraded from 4.1 using TWRP 2.6.3.0
It was my understanding that this latest TWRP supported the newer Android file system. After the upgrade, I can see that my SDCARD has moved to the '0' directory, great.
But, now when I make new backups in TWRP, I can't see them anywhere, but from within recovery. I have searched the whole file system for "2013-12" but see only the last backup before the upgrade.
Any help would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using Root Explorer, go from root to data/media/0 and scroll down to TWRP. Your new backups should be in place there.
Same vein. Why do I also have a TWRP folder with a backup under Main Storage? Can I delete one folder and gain 3gb back?
BMP7777 said:
Using Root Explorer, go from root to data/media/0 and scroll down to TWRP. Your new backups should be in place there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird, so TWRP actually created a directory here: \data\media\TWRP
In the \data\media\0\TWRP directory, are my old backups.
Should I move the stuff from the later, to the former?
Are there any other steps to take to consolidate data, and make sure there are no duplicate files? My free space seems very low, compared to what it should be.
Bikegeek said:
Same vein. Why do I also have a TWRP folder with a backup under Main Storage? Can I delete one folder and gain 3gb back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check that folder before deleting, it may have backups from a previous ROM setup, such as a 4.2 or 4.1 set up. Don't want to delete stuff you may decide you want later.
ccs86 said:
Weird, so TWRP actually created a directory here: \data\media\TWRP
In the \data\media\0\TWRP directory, are my old backups.
Should I move the stuff from the later, to the former?
Are there any other steps to take to consolidate data, and make sure there are no duplicate files? My free space seems very low, compared to what it should be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on what you are running now(4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4) and whether or not your 'old' backups would have any use for you. For example, I always keep a duplicate of my stock setup (out of the box stock) in that old folder just in case. If you decide to run an out-of the-box stock ROM i.e. 4.1.2, you will access your 'old' TWRP location. If you dump everything there, you'll be unable to access your current backups. Also, if you get yourself into a situation where you have either on purpose or by accident booted recovery to a former version, you won't be able to access your 'new' location. In that case, you'd be stuck sideloading or RUU-ing. Neither option is the end of the world, but to me convenience is everything. So, plan accordingly. If none of this makes any difference to you, and the extra space is important, do whatcha gotta do. :highfive:
BMP7777 said:
Check that folder before deleting, it may have backups from a previous ROM setup, such as a 4.2 or 4.1 set up. Don't want to delete stuff you may decide you want later.
It depends on what you are running now(4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4) and whether or not your 'old' backups would have any use for you. For example, I always keep a duplicate of my stock setup (out of the box stock) in that old folder just in case. If you decide to run an out-of the-box stock ROM i.e. 4.1.2, you will access your 'old' TWRP location. If you dump everything there, you'll be unable to access your current backups. Also, if you get yourself into a situation where you have either on purpose or by accident booted recovery to a former version, you won't be able to access your 'new' location. In that case, you'd be stuck sideloading or RUU-ing. Neither option is the end of the world, but to me convenience is everything. So, plan accordingly. If none of this makes any difference to you, and the extra space is important, do whatcha gotta do. :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks BMP.
I'm on 4.4 at the moment, with the CM11 nightlies. I may go back to a Sense ROM, but probably sticking to 4.3+.
I'm really not a fan of how the built-in storage is handled on these phones. Having windows mount it as a "media device" instead of a proper removable drive, really limits how you can interact with it. I've had all sorts of issues just trying to copy all the "SD card" data to my computer.
Is there any way to get windows to see this space? I'd like to at least be able to back up these new backups.
For me, whichever file structure I'm in for that rom shows up on my 7setup. I ve never had a problem getting at the current one,only the one not in use.
Sent from my BNTV400 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Shoot, still can't figure out how to get these backups dumped to the computer.
It seems very strange that TWRP created its directory in limbo here:
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Sent from my One using Tapatalk
Doesn't this storage usage seem odd
?
These two folders show duplicate size and file numbers. Neither appear to be a SIM link. Can't one be deleted?
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk
Anyone?
Sent from my HTC Butterfly s using Tapatalk
Still haven't found a solution.

[Q] htc one update is corrupted

So what happened is that update 5.11.401.10 rolled out today, so I went ahead and started installing the update but I didn't have enough time since I was going out to work so I cancelled the update and decided to start again once I reach the office... But when I tried to restart the update in the office I kept getting a massage saying that update is corrupted, so i restarted the phone, cleared the update cach but I still same problem.
I read somewhere that the only way to solve this is by a phone rest, and since my phone isn't rooted I cant manually go and delete the system update folder..
So is there a way to fix this..
Flash your nandroid backup & then you can start fresh.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Element x said:
So what happened is that update 5.11.401.10 rolled out today, so I went ahead and started installing the update but I didn't have enough time since I was going out to work so I cancelled the update and decided to start again once I reach the office... But when I tried to restart the update in the office I kept getting a massage saying that update is corrupted, so i restarted the phone, cleared the update cach but I still same problem.
I read somewhere that the only way to solve this is by a phone rest, and since my phone isn't rooted I cant manually go and delete the system update folder..
So is there a way to fix this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Delete the OTA file from downloads folder
Delete ota file
Delete updater app & download app data in applications
Wipe cache in stock recovery reboot
from HTC One
ghostryder12 said:
Flash your nandroid backup & then you can start fresh.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can I do a nandroid backup now and then reset...or will it backup the corrupted file and install it later??
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
SaHiLzZ said:
Delete the OTA file from downloads folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't see the ota file in the downloads folder, I am using Es file explorer.
btw I am viewing the local download folder on the phone storage..
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
It wont be in the download folder yet as you didn't finish downloading it, it will be somewhere like data/local/tmp, must be a temp folder somewhere until its completed, im surprised it doesn't give you the option to redownload if its informing you the download is corrupt.
If you don't have a nandroid from a previous Rom, you can't do one now. A nandroid is a "copy" of a Rom. Doing one now will save the screwed up Rom.
When you get your phone back working correctly, then make a nandroid. I update my nandroid at least once a week. I keep 2 nandroids on my SD card and delete the oldest after making a new one.
As far as the download folder not displaying the OTA file, do you see anything in that file?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Seanie280672 said:
It wont be in the download folder yet as you didn't finish downloading it, it will be somewhere like data/local/tmp, must be a temp folder somewhere until its completed, im surprised it doesn't give you the option to redownload if its informing you the download is corrupt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll poke around the temp folder see if I find anything, as for asking to download once press download it just shoes the same massage again doesn't matter how many tries I do... I attached a screenshot wonder if it will work..
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[Q] $ 50,- reward (real) (data loss)

Hi All,
After update to Lollipop 5.0.2 I lost some audio files.
The update to 5.0.2 was a normal "update" so I had no idea I was going to lose data, and I did not make an additional backup.
As it turns out, I'm not the only one who is missing some files. A friend of mine lost almost all downloaded MP3 songs.
For me it's not something I downloaded, but recorded. It's a few .wav files, and I really like them back!
And Yes, I'm willing to pay for it.
I have a HTC M8, but during root process, I saw it was telling me it's a M7 (???)
So, the phone is rooted.
I tried several recovery solutions (all just reading, not writing) and some can find some files, like a facebook .png that I recognise.
This means, there is still (useful) data on there.
How can I recover my files?
Is this just a HTC problem, or are there also other phone vendors who delete user data?
I hope.... and pray... and ask here
fhorst said:
Hi All,
After update to Lollipop 5.0.2 I lost some audio files.
The update to 5.0.2 was a normal "update" so I had no idea I was going to lose data, and I did not make an additional backup.
As it turns out, I'm not the only one who is missing some files. A friend of mine lost almost all downloaded MP3 songs.
For me it's not something I downloaded, but recorded. It's a few .wav files, and I really like them back!
And Yes, I'm willing to pay for it.
I have a HTC M8, but during root process, I saw it was telling me it's a M7 (???)
So, the phone is rooted.
I tried several recovery solutions (all just reading, not writing) and some can find some files, like a facebook .png that I recognise.
This means, there is still (useful) data on there.
How can I recover my files?
Is this just a HTC problem, or are there also other phone vendors who delete user data?
I hope.... and pray... and ask here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if u have root, go and download diskdigger, scan all phone, and then recovery evrything you can !
Xhemal1325 said:
if u have root, go and download diskdigger, scan all phone, and then recovery evrything you can !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I have.
I am confused with the files it finds.
A lot of files, Some corrupt, not yet of it useful data for me.
I do know quite a bit about data recovery on a normal hard drive, but almost no info how it works on NAND flash.
dr.fone also found some files:
I was not aware I had 105 times a .mov files on my phone, 3,5 GB... I did not make them, or download them.
Diskdigger "Helps".
This does find files, but also loads of files I was not aware of. (and not the files I need)
A lot of .zip files, and the strange thing is that they all seem to have the same data structure. (see zip.jpg)
Can any one tell me why I have all them .zip files and apk's?
Thanks!
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I did something extremely dumb!!!

Hopefully there is a way to fix it...
I recently installed M and I attmpted to root it but got the root partially somehow-I was able to install busybox and delete app from the system folder, however I did not have rights to write to the system folder for some reason-I was attempting to edit build.prop to hide the navigation bar and I deleted the Build.Prop in error. I have a back up of it on my phone but I am unable to push it back to the system folder.
I am afraid to reboot and try factory reset since I am at work and I cannot connect my phone to the PC here...I hope I haven't screwed it permanently.
Any help is much appreciated....
Yeah, don't reboot.
You'll need to download a rom and flash it, or a working build.prop.
Pecata said:
Hopefully there is a way to fix it...
I recently installed M and I attmpted to root it but got the root partially somehow-I was able to install busybox and delete app from the system folder, however I did not have rights to write to the system folder for some reason-I was attempting to edit build.prop to hide the navigation bar and I deleted the Build.Prop in error. I have a back up of it on my phone but I am unable to push it back to the system folder.
I am afraid to reboot and try factory reset since I am at work and I cannot connect my phone to the PC here...I hope I haven't screwed it permanently.
Any help is much appreciated....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
permanently, no. stupid, yes. you wont ever boot up without a build.prop btw. if you have it backed up on your phone, just use a root file explorer and copy/paste it back(you might need to set your SElinux to be permissive). if you reboot, youre going to have to reflash your rom. if youre stock, youll be flashing a factory image.
danarama said:
Yeah, don't reboot.
You'll need to download a rom and flash it, or a working build.prop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have my build.prop I saved in the downloads folder. I was able to push it back to system with total commander-it worked and it's now back there and it even has the line to disable the software keys. I have to reboot to test it though. I have set the permissions as -rw-r--r-- is that correct?
simms22 said:
permanently, no. stupid, yes. you wont ever boot up without a build.prop btw. if you have it backed up on your phone, just use a root file explorer and copy/paste it back(you might need to set your SElinux to be permissive). if you reboot, youre going to have to reflash your rom. if youre stock, youll be flashing a factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I have never done something that dumb...thanks for replaying...I was able to mount system as rw with total commander...it wouldn't do it with any other file manager for some reason...
Pecata said:
Yeah I have never done something that dumb...thanks for replaying...I was able to mount system as rw with total commander...it wouldn't do it with any other file manager for some reason...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive done it before, more than once. one time i even deleted all of /system/(a long time ago), lol. we learn from our mistakes
simms22 said:
ive done it before, more than once. one time i even deleted all of /system/(a long time ago), lol. we learn from our mistakes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is true-we do....
One last question are the permissions for the build.prop correct as -rw-r--r--?
Pecata said:
That is true-we do....
One last question are the permissions for the build.prop correct as -rw-r--r--?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
honestly, i have no idea. ive never ever changed any permissions(but always change files), i use root explorer. but, this is what they are set to here..
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simms22 said:
honestly, i have no idea. ive never ever changed any permissions(but always change files), i use root explorer. but, this is what they are set to here..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, it's the same-644....Thank you so much! Hopefully I will be fine to reboot...
Pecata said:
yes, it's the same-644....Thank you so much! Hopefully I will be fine to reboot...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it will, now

Folder and pictures disappeared after I tried cutting it into PC

Hi, yesterday when I was trying to back up some of my photos, which I usually cut it from internal device to PC, during the process there was a time all the folders became "empty folders" when I looked on PC screen, I thought maybe just a preview problem that needs time to load, so I directly cut some of those "empty folders" into PC, while it takes less than 1 second, but actually it contains thousands of photos. I checked the folders on PC that are empty contains nothing, but the folders were cutted out of its original place, I couldn't see them in DCIM. When I'm checking my album on my phone screen, I can still see those folders, but the cover photo becomes unavailable, and soon it disappears from my sight.
I believe those photos are still there, they were not cut out, I think maybe just the directory or index is lost, which make them unseeable. I have tried so many different recovery software to look for those photos like DiskDigger, but still couldn't find them, any suggestions on it, what should I do, is root the final solution for it?
Thanks!
The last view of a disappearing folder looks like this:
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Meh, copy not cut/paste to backup critical files.
If you need to delete the original do so after it's been successfully copied. Otherwise this will occasionally happen.
The files are there, but retrieving them may not be a doable option.
blackhawk said:
Meh, copy not cut/paste to backup critical files.
If you need to delete the original do so after it's been successfully copied. Otherwise this will occasionally happen.
The files are there, but retrieving them may not be a doable option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah you're right, I didn't expect that, usually I just make duplicates after they are moved to PC, I think I won't use cut function so careleslly anymore, copy paste would be much better.
Do you think some software offer "Deep Scan" option that only functions with rooted devices would work?
crosscar said:
Yeah you're right, I didn't expect that, usually I just make duplicates after they are moved to PC, I think I won't use cut function so careleslly anymore, copy paste would be much better.
Do you think some software offer "Deep Scan" option that only functions with rooted devices would work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been there, done that.
Are you rooted? You have more options if so otherwise it's irrelevant.
blackhawk said:
Been there, done that.
Are you rooted? You have more options if so otherwise it's irrelevant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, not yet, that's why I'm here looking for answers, if it's possible I will try to root it and see.
I have also heard something like mirror the disk to PC, and then use EasyRecovery or other tools to recover on PC side, would that be possible too?
crosscar said:
No, not yet, that's why I'm here looking for answers, if it's possible I will try to root it and see.
I have also heard something like mirror the disk to PC, and then use EasyRecovery or other tools to recover on PC side, would that be possible too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know. It's not like a stand alone flash card.
I avoid getting into this situation by keeping redundant backup hdds.
Hello crosscar, try with recuva for pc you remove the sd card you put it in a flash drive.
You open recuva will ask you what you want to do then choose the sdcard put in the flash drive launch the search.
https://www.ccleaner.com/fr-fr/recuva
meric57 said:
Hello crosscar, try with recuva for pc you remove the sd card you put it in a flash drive.
You open recuva will ask you what you want to do then choose the sdcard put in the flash drive launch the search.
https://www.ccleaner.com/fr-fr/recuva
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately it's on internal memory I believe...

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