is the esn also located on the mother board - Hardware Hacking General

is the esn number also on the mother board or is it just on the shell of the phone? is anybody selling s3 sprint sphL710 mother boards good price? does jtag take away a bad esn number or just for bricked phone?
how do you find out the esn if you buy a mother board, just put it in phone?

ESN location.
arcolino1 said:
is the esn number also on the mother board or is it just on the shell of the phone? is anybody selling s3 sprint sphL710 mother boards good price? does jtag take away a bad esn number or just for bricked phone?
how do you find out the esn if you buy a mother board, just put it in phone?
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The ESN is hard-coded on ROM located on the main board, which also houses the system processor, ASICs and support logic.
There is no direct access to this location, as it is the 'serial number' for the phone, like the VIN is for your car, it identifies the type of phone, the RF bands it is capable of using, as well as type of coding, such as TDMA, CDMA, iDEN and so on.

AECRADIO said:
The ESN is hard-coded on ROM located on the main board, which also houses the system processor, ASICs and support logic.
There is no direct access to this location, as it is the 'serial number' for the phone, like the VIN is for your car, it identifies the type of phone, the RF bands it is capable of using, as well as type of coding, such as TDMA, CDMA, iDEN and so on.
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ok so if you have a board with a "dirty" esn is there a way to make it clean to make it good? the jtag process is just to unbrick phone that wont make a dirty esn clean?

We don't talk about it here.
But yes there is.
Try Google.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

AECRADIO said:
The ESN is hard-coded on ROM located on the main board, which also houses the system processor, ASICs and support logic.
There is no direct access to this location, as it is the 'serial number' for the phone, like the VIN is for your car, it identifies the type of phone, the RF bands it is capable of using, as well as type of coding, such as TDMA, CDMA, iDEN and so on.
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Your first statement is incorrect, but that's all I'm going to say.

Okay, maybe not in 'ROM', but the ESN is not accessible via normal programming.
Since the 1980s, I have never had the software, nor the test equipment to alter any ESN of a phone.
And those I am referring to are the Star TAC, Dyna TAC and transportable 'bag' phones by Circle-M.
Even the shops I worked for then, did not have the tools to change or alter the ESN of any phone.
While my comment might not be 100% accurate, the reason is.
This is how a carrier can disable specific phones that have been cloned, and prevent future theft of service by stopping the effects of cloned ESNs on a carrier's network. The days of cloning ended along with the AMPS phone system, which included D-AMPS also.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

I just had to investigate this issue deeper, so I dug up my collection of 1980's and '90's vintage phones, and many have the familiar 8 pin D.I.P prom, that could be programmed with the ESN as well as number storage.
I was in error with my first posting, expecting memory to carry me along, but no.
The import phones such as Audiovox, Nokia and Diamondtel Etc. Did have a prom you could alter to clone the ESN, but once the carriers started to combat this, the manufacturers followed with unalterable ESN data, to stop this fraud.
I am certain this lead to the rise of the 64K SIMs we see in current handsets.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

AECRADIO said:
I just had to investigate this issue deeper, so I dug up my collection of 1980's and '90's vintage phones, and many have the familiar 8 pin D.I.P prom, that could be programmed with the ESN as well as number storage.
I was in error with my first posting, expecting memory to carry me along, but no.
The import phones such as Audiovox, Nokia and Diamondtel Etc. Did have a prom you could alter to clone the ESN, but once the carriers started to combat this, the manufacturers followed with unalterable ESN data, to stop this fraud.
I am certain this lead to the rise of the 64K SIMs we see in current handsets.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
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You CAN change ESNs, and you CAN change IMEIs. It's extremely simple, however I won't get into it because it's a grey area on this site and in general.

Related

Ahh quick queston

What's a bad ESN_?
Probably reported stolen therefore you can not activate the phone on sprint or whatever carrier it was reported on.....some people buy the phone anyway because they activate it on a different carrier such as MetroPCs
Usually it means the phone has been reported stollen...which case sprint locks the ESN to not work on Sprint...might work with other carriers..
So in most cases you can change the ESN on the phone_?
No. In no cases you can change the esn. Built into the hardware far as I know.
chuckhriczko said:
No. In no cases you can change the esn. Built into the hardware far as I know.
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it is possible to change the esn. at least on moto razrs
brings back memories... anyways i dont think you can on heros. sorry

so is there a way to run the eris on sprint?

So I've done a bunch of researching and I want the pros opinions.can I clone my evo info(msid amd the such) to my eris and have it run? itd be a great back up phone! As usual any help or knowledge is much appreciated!
I believe Sprint is GSM and Verizon is CDMA so their networks aren't compatible so you wont be able to use the eris on Sprints network.
Oh, i could have sworn sprint was GSM, guess I should make sure of these things before I go posting them.
I don't want to sound rude but have knowledge of the subject before replying please. Sprint and verizon are cdma technologies. Att and tmobile are gsm. Hence the sim card....thankyou all the same dude....
[edit]: I saw your other post that answered my question (why would you want to when you could get an EVO or better?).
You probably can; though, it will probably require some serious effort on your part.
xdabens said:
I believe Sprint is GSM and Verizon is CDMA so their networks aren't compatible so you wont be able to use the eris on Sprints network.
Oh, i could have sworn sprint was GSM, guess I should make sure of these things before I go posting them.
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sprint is cdma atleast i believe the hero is
xdabens said:
I believe Sprint is GSM and Verizon is CDMA so their networks aren't compatible so you wont be able to use the eris on Sprints network.
where do u think some of our roms come from
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Smart a$$. Lol. Jk bro. Hey Tazz I wanted to know if you will be working on cyanogenmod 7 whenever it comes out?
Sent from my Vanilla Tazz using XDA App
Cloning phones is illegal in most places.
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
Stonent said:
Cloning phones is illegal in most places.
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
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Why is it illegal? I ask this because I personally have flashed roms from all these great devs and sometimes I get one that says Sprint even though I'm with Verizon.
xdabens said:
I believe Sprint is GSM and Verizon is CDMA so their networks aren't compatible so you wont be able to use the eris on Sprints network.
Oh, i could have sworn sprint was GSM, guess I should make sure of these things before I go posting them.
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No they are both CDMA!! You need to get your facts straight.
Stonent said:
Cloning phones is illegal in most places.
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
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The answer is, from beginning to end, changing carriers via changing ESN's is illegal in most places, and, as a result, has no real place on this forum.
I don't know if there's a section around that relates to changing ESN's for other purposes, but this kind of activity is not condoned, supported, or even allowed by posting rules to be posted here.
The Eris, technically, has all of the hardware and software necessary to run on Sprint, Cricket, and most other CDMA networks. Each network keeps close track of what Serial numbers it will allow to operate on their network. So to answer your question, yes it is possible, but no it is not legal, and the details of the procedure (which I have no idea) are not going to be easily found here, and this thread will probably be closed, bearing the introduction of such a discussion.
I'm surprised how many useless threads people start these days.
Its amazing to me that something like this would be illegal. Where has our freedom gone?
flashing to a different carrier isn't illegal. Only ESN changing is. Flashing to a different carrier is quite possible. However, its easiest when there are identical phones on two different carriers, that way you can just flash the firmware from one to another. Also, the provider has to be willing to accept it. Verizon for the most part will accept phones that aren't produced by them, same for MetroPCS and Cricket. Sprint, and Cellular South will not. I believe I covered the major CDMA carriers.
For those that are confused. Flashing to a different providers firmware on an identical phone does not change the ESN. It just provides the new providers network information and roaming list. Case in point. I used to own a Moto Q9C, I flashed it between Cricket, Verizon, and Alltel on a monthly basis, depending on where I was going and who had the best coverage plan. ESN was never changed. Since those providers openly allow outside devices.
I'm on my eris now, I would like to take it to cellular south and I know a tech that would activate it, however, I'm not smart enough to change all the correct settings to get it to operate on their towers (would be very simple if THEY sold an eris, I could just grab eris firmware from one of their devices.)
DarthMowzy said:
Its amazing to me that something like this would be illegal. Where has our freedom gone?
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We live in America. We are not free. We are slaves to the federal government and to the tax code. My $.02
viogrep said:
flashing to a different carrier isn't illegal. Only ESN changing is. Flashing to a different carrier is quite possible. However, its easiest when there are identical phones on two different carriers, that way you can just flash the firmware from one to another. Also, the provider has to be willing to accept it. Verizon for the most part will accept phones that aren't produced by them, same for MetroPCS and Cricket. Sprint, and Cellular South will not. I believe I covered the major CDMA carriers.
For those that are confused. Flashing to a different providers firmware on an identical phone does not change the ESN. It just provides the new providers network information and roaming list. Case in point. I used to own a Moto Q9C, I flashed it between Cricket, Verizon, and Alltel on a monthly basis, depending on where I was going and who had the best coverage plan. ESN was never changed. Since those providers openly allow outside devices.
I'm on my eris now, I would like to take it to cellular south and I know a tech that would activate it, however, I'm not smart enough to change all the correct settings to get it to operate on their towers (would be very simple if THEY sold an eris, I could just grab eris firmware from one of their devices.)
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Thanks, at least someone on this thread knows what they're talking about.
Changing ESNs is illegal because there's pretty much no reason to do it except to clone other people's phones (essentially stealing their accounts).
Changing ESNs would be like rewriting the magnetic strip on your credit card with someone elses.
Your problem is weather or not Sprint will let you register the ESN on their network. The phone is compatible. Verizon is keeping track of their ESNs. If a phone isn't one of their's they won't let it on thier network. I don't know about Sprit, but it's problable the same. So you are probably out of luck.
FYI, the diffence in a Rom displaying Verizon or Sprint it just in a text file. I has nothing to do with the running code. Many of the Eris 2.2 ROMs are a port from the Srint Hero. Someone just didn't update the file.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=730289&highlight=cricket
This may help if you have not seen it, I flashed my eris to MetroPCS with this.
Thanks to viogrep for bringing some sanity to this thread.
If you want to explore a little, and you have the 1.49.2000 S-OFF bootloader on your phone, see
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9878143&postcount=8
You can have your bootloader dump your "mfg" partition to your SD card for inspection with a hex editor.
I'm no carrier-flashing expert, but I think that this "mfg" partition is pivotal in storing the carrier and PRL settings.
bftb0
PS The above mentioned thread also gives instructions for custom-booting Amon_RA so that you have privilege and access to any of the other "hidden" partitions on the phone.

[Q] Bad ESN question

Does Bad ESN mean that i wont be able to use the device on a certain provider?For a excample if i buy bad esn SPRINT galaxy tab, will unlocking it make it able to be used in other providers?
chopho said:
Does Bad ESN mean that i wont be able to use the device on a certain provider?For a excample if i buy bad esn SPRINT galaxy tab, will unlocking it make it able to be used in other providers?
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If its sprint or verizon, it cannot be unlocked, its CDMA. I think. Once the ESN is bad it cannot be activated, not sure if they can be flashed to other CDMA provider.
It means that the carrier (Verizon or Sprint) has flagged the ESN in their system as either unauthorized or invalid; usually due to the unit being stolen, written-off, account was sent to collections, etc.
chopho said:
Does Bad ESN mean that i wont be able to use the device on a certain provider?For a excample if i buy bad esn SPRINT galaxy tab, will unlocking it make it able to be used in other providers?
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Yes.
At this point one it is very likely to be forced to have an ESN transplant.
I am unaware of a CDMA provider who will take the Tab.
It may be worth calling the carrier to determine if the ESN has a block or if its just not loaded. There have been situations where the device ESN or "flat file" was not loaded or loaded incorrectly into their system. If this is the case they can put in a ticket to have the ESN re-loaded or corrected... If it's blocked due to delinquent account or marked as stolen... good luck.
Also flashing the device to another CDMA carrier if virtually impossible because that "flat file" needs to be loaded in their system. If it was intended for Sprint there is no way Verizon is going to allow it to be added on their network.
chris98822 said:
If it was intended for Sprint there is no way Verizon is going to allow it to be added on their network.
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I would not say NO way...

[Q] How to use a virgin mobile intercept on Verizon Wireless?

I am looking at purchasing a Virgin Mobile Samsung Intercept because they are on sale at a local store because we don't have any Sprint towers so I am unable to use the Virgin mobile service. Is there any way I can activate this on Verizon's network? Also is there anything I should know about this phone before I buy it?
Thanks!
coco3431 said:
I am looking at purchasing a Virgin Mobile Samsung Intercept because they are on sale at a local store because we don't have any Sprint towers so I am unable to use the Virgin mobile service. Is there any way I can activate this on Verizon's network? Also is there anything I should know about this phone before I buy it?
Thanks!
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It could probably work but you'd still have to buy a verizon phone to use as ur donor phone. It wouldn't be worth it to do cause the intecept isn't really a great phone. Its kinda a stressful process converting phones to other carriers then what they were intended for.
Your needs are met, i've come to solve your problem!
The whole process is long but if you really want to "clone" the device to work on verizon, then you want to get the following software ($100.00+) called CDMA Workshop, this tool will allow you to "clone" fields for use on the VM/Sprint Samsung Intercept.
The previous post is true, I own a lot of phones, and the VM Intercept is a Piece of crap!! I too, have used this software to clone my intercept over to Verizon, but you will want the current most software update for the CDMA Workshop, drop the money, clone a cheap already active prepaid phone from verizon, and copy all iedi numbers, nam1 and nam2, and such. You will then want to call *611 and run through the activation and your phone should work, if you did it right...
You can probably google this info or if not, you can surely read a manual on the CDMA Workshop like most of us have to learn all you need to know to clone a phone from one network to another.
Happy Hunting and good luck!
***** I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHATEVER HARM YOU MAY CAUSE YOUR PHONE WITH THIS INFO, I GIVE IT TO YOU FREELY FOR PURELY KNOWLEDGE SAKES! BETTER MAKE SURE YOU BACKUP EVERYTHING IN CASE OF ACCIDENTAL BRICKING!!! *****
Second that, the Intercept leaves much to be desired. If you budget yet decent functionality I'd suggest the Optimus V which can also be modified to work on Verizon.
Good luck!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA Premium App

Nexus 6 will work on verozon out of the box

http://www.droid-life.com/2014/10/31/nexus-6-working-on-verizon-out-of-the-box/
If it has been posted already please delete.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Free mobile app
idonthavename.7 said:
http://www.droid-life.com/2014/10/31/nexus-6-working-on-verizon-out-of-the-box/
If it has been posted already please delete.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Free mobile app
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Keep in mind that this was a review unit, likely from Motorola (or possibly Google). CDMA carriers (Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular, etc.) tend to whitelist IMEI numbers that are sent to them, along with those sent directly from the manufacturer (warranty replacements, etc.), and other contractual partners (such as Google Play). (The manufacturer and contractual partners are responsible for submitting the IMEI numbers to the carrier.) Thus, when an IMEI comes in from another carrier, they know it wasn't sold by them, directly from the manufacturer, or their contractual partners, meaning it was likely sold by a competing carrier, and can deny activation.
To be clear, the Nexus 6 may or may not work this way. We simply don't know. However, there has been enough historical evidence to be wary. GSM carriers don't tend to whitelist IMEI numbers like this, so usually aren't affected.
As a review unit, it's certainly a good sign that Verizon supports it out of the box, but ultimately it doesn't PROVE that buying one from, say, T-Mobile and trying to activate it with Verizon (or any other CDMA carrier) will similarly work

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