Database Users

For All sdcard issues

09/01/2012:
this tutorial may work for those who are having encryption issues on ics or jb roms (the error is related to mmcblk0p2(data))
well, after some months of work, here´s an tutorial about how to fix the mostly common sdcard issues.
1º Of all :***Be sure of what you´re doing,or else you can corrupt the partition table of you sdcard/brick your phone,and I´ll not be responsible of it***
2º-Do Not send me PMs, post here so everyone that have the same problem can now how to fix it.
3º-If you are an starter, you can post here your questions,but be sure that you haven´t found answers on Google or other threads.
and 4º-Read ALL topic before start and try one solution than the other,they´re in order of difficulty and risk of get an "permanent" brick.
0 - Always backup your EFS folder, maybe its not related to this thread but it´s also very important to remember.
I -If you have a folder called "voodoo" in your sdcard, you may have voodoo enabled on your ROM, so be sure of disabling it before trying a new rom or a stock rom.
if you´re on another rom already and having problems in mounting partitions, try to flash you last rom or a kernel that supports voodoo and it´s compatible with your new rom.
II-If you´re getting problems in mounting DBDATA,Download a full rom that contains DBDATA to flash with odin(or only flash dbdata,but you´ll have to do a full wipe later). To see if it haves dbdata.rfs by opening your .tar file in 7zip or others.
III-If you´re getting Can´t mount data (dev/block/mmcblkl0p2) File exists, try to flash an kernel with voodoo suport,if it still the same, format data in the menu of your recovery.
IV-If you´re getting can´t mount sdcard (/dev/block/mmcblk0p1)File exists, try to access it via ADB and send pull file command to recover your files(must have root),if you could do that, so try to format it via recovery.If not work,Download gparted, burn it on cd (it´s an CD with a tool of linux) and go to ADB shell to run this command:
su
echo /dev/block/mmcblk0 > /sys/devices/platform/s3c-usbgadget/gadget/lun1/file
now
reboot your PC in gparted and format mmcblk0p1(it´s the first partition) in FAT32.
Done
V-If you´re getting cant mount sdcard (/dev/block/mmcblk0p1) with (invalid argument) You can try the fix IV and see if it works,if not, proceed to VI.
VI-If you´re getting cant mount data(dev/block/mmcblk0p2) or can´t mount sdcard (/dev/block/mmcblk0p1) with (invalid argument) or (no such file or directory) you may have to do this:
***search on google for 'fdisk' commands first***
You MUST*¹ remake your partition table manually,so the phone have the /data partition back to boot.
*¹
In some cases you can use gparted to do this, without doing it manually,
you shoud only mount mmcblk0 before.
you can run this command line on adb shell to mount it:
echo /dev/block/mmcblk0 > /sys/devices/platform/s3c-usbgadget/gadget/lun1/file
You Will have to format it and it MUST have the partitions as said below.
YOU SDCARD MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING PARTITION TO BOOT ON AND RECOGNIZE INTERNAL SDCARD:
/dev/block/mmcblk0p1
AND
/dev/block/mmcblk0p2
Start:
Open ADB,comnect your phone and proceed.
run adb shell
su
fdisk /dev/block/mmcblk0
p (you should see your partition table,POST HERE BEFORE CONTINUING)
YOU ARE NOW ABOUT TO REMAKE YOUR PARTITIONS:
partition 1 will correspond to mmcblk0p1(SDcard) and partition 2 will correspond to mmcblk0p2 (DATA)
**DO ONLY AS I SAY HERE, UNLESS YOU MAY GOT I/O ERROR ON YOUR SDCARD AND ITS ALL OVER. I say because it happened to me and i had to dissolder the internal sdcard an use only the external.**
**********IF YOU DONT HAVE ANY IDEA OF LINUX COMANDS: DO NOT PROCEED !!!!!!!!!*************
tap on adb:
n (will create a new partition)
1 (partition number)
press enter on keyboard so it selects the first block
get a calculator and estimate the size of the partition 1.IT MUST HAVE around 2GB left.
write the block number you got in calculator(BE SURE OF WHAT YOU TAPE HERE)
t
b (partition 1 is done and formatted as fat 32)
Now again:
n
2
enter on keyboard
enter again so it select the last block
(DO NOT TYPE COMMAND "T" FOR PARTITION 2, IT BY DEFAULT SET TO LINUX EXT FORMAT)
p (you will see you new partition table)
****IT MUST HAVE 2 partitions, partition 1 is in fat 32 format and partition 2 is in linux format(AND MUST HAVE AROUND 2GB)****
w (IT WILL WRITE YOU NEW PARTITION TABLE ON YOU SDCARD,SO BE SURE IT's ALL CORRECT)
Done,
now tap:
q
fdisk /dev/block/mmcblk0
p (you should see your new partition table, if ok reboot your phone, flash an stock rom for vibrant (I sugest an T959UVJFD ROM only to correctly format your partitions),root it,backup it,and enjoy,You can put a custom rom if you want so.)
If You have an error That does not appear here and you think it may me related to you sdcard just ask. In one or two days I or others developers may post here a possible solution.
Thanks For Google and some XDA users who indirectly helped me doing this.
You can try Paragon Hard Disk Manager in place of gparted
but remember: mmcblk0p1 is FAT32 and mmcblk0p2 in EXT2 (in truth it´s not EXT2, its in rfs, but the stock rom T959UVJFD is the only that I have absolute sure that will do the conversion).
Sorry for my bad english, it´s not my native language.

Great post doiiido!
Hay doiiido, you have been thanked and this post has been added to the [REF][KERNEL] ✰ The Official Vibrant Kernel ßible Thread ✰ → 07/05/12.
Great post!

News
Original pos by: ferhanmm
link to it:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1665123
[FIX] Data wipe error or Can't mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p1
Data wipe error, Can't mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p1, or Vibrant screen boot loop even after flashing stock odin JFD phone will not boot. Phone will only boot Eugenes JK2 but internal and external storage will still list as corrupted and Lists 0.00 MB in storage.
Internal storage has been destroyed, I’ve been able to fix a phone using this technique to be mostly working. The external SD card will always have to be in the phone for this to work.
1. Partitioning the MicroSD Card
Get an 8gb(or larger) micro sd card. Class 10 would be better here. Put it into a Card Reader, then run Gparted.
Gparted (usb method is easiest) - http://gparted.sourceforge.net/liveusb.php
Using Gparted, delete everything else and create 2 partitions and :
6000mb FAT32 as PRIMARY
1607mb(remainder) Reiser as PRIMARY
2. Flash to Stock
Open up Odin flash stock JFD with pit file and repartition checked.
After phone boots completely, power off.
3. Flashing CM9
Take MicroSD out of phone an put it in pc, then copy update.zip, GAPPS, Cyanogenmod Rom all to the FAT32 partition that we created earlier. In Windows it should show up where all of your drives are listed in.
update.zip (https://www.dropbox.com/s/ju5eg5ernxcaqpt/update.zip),
GAPPS (http://www.goo-inside.me/gapps/gapps...317-signed.zip)
CyanogenMod Rom Zip(http://download.cyanogenmod.com/get/...mtd-signed.zip)
Enter recovery mode with volume buttons and power.
Reinstall packages twice.
Install zip from sd card select update-cm-9-20120520-nightly-vibrantmtd-signed.zip phone will boot loop on vibrant screen so take out the battery then enter recovery a second time installing the cm9 update again.
Then flash Gapps zip the same way.
When phone boots up camera, and gallery will not work until the next step.
4. Edit Vold.Stab file
Downlad ES File Explorer from play store.
Hit Menu button, settings, Check box for Root Explorer, Check box for mount file system, check box for Up to Root
Press Up once, you should now be at "/"
Open system directory, open etc directory, scroll to bottom and select Vol.fstab, select Text, Select ES Note Editor, update text to the following:
#internal sdcard dev_mount emmc /mnt/sdcard 1 /devices/platform/s3c-sdhci.0/mmc_host/mmc0
#external sdcard dev_mount sdcard /mnt/emmc auto /devices/platform/s3c-sdhci.2/mmc_host/mmc2
After edits, click back and click yes to save changes. Exit out of es file explorer and restart phone. Post results:
Should work with any version of CM9, newer nightlies would obviously be preferred. Will make more detailed guide soon.
Credit to these guys for providing the solution -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdMhYYdMB08
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1447303
Samsung Vibrant

News
Original post by:
draikz
Link to original post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=848737
** [GUIDE] FIX AND RESCUE YOUR VIBRICK + ODIN SUPPORT! N00b Friendly **
Fixing so-called "Bricks"/Odin Errors
This guide is open to contribution/editing/correcting
I DO REALIZE THAT MOST OF THESE LINKS ARE BROKEN, PLEASE SCAN THE THREAD TO FIND UPDATED LINK. I'M NOT VERY ACTIVE ANYMORE, SORRY!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOOT CYCLE
This is where you get the annoying Samsung Screen/Galaxy S screen.
DOWNLOAD REQUIRED (CREDITS TO JUSTANOTHERCROWD):
Quote:
Originally Posted by justanothercrowd
JFD ODIN Images from Samsung (PDA)
www.justanotherdev.slackdev.com/T959UVJFD.tar
MD5:632730f6b637f53e5b10e5cbc8b966a7
512 PIT File (PIT Extract first!)
www.justanotherdev.slackdev.com/s1_odin_20100512.rar
MD5:b5628c8e183fdd8f4c703321ca40e33a
ODIN
www.justanotherdev.slackdev.com/Odin3.rar
ALL 3 Files plues the root update.zip
http://tinyurl.com/2bc5b6r
thx to KopyKatKiller
1. Get into Download Mode (WITH THE PHONE PLUGGED IN) by following the steps below
*Turn off the phone until you get to the charging battery screen (keep in mind, your phone is currently PLUGGED IN)
*Press volume up and down, and power all at once.
*As soon as the screen turns black, release your power button.
2. Unplug phone from USB
3. Open Odin (in Administrator if you're running W7 or Vista), try one of the ones I attached to this post, at least one of them is bound to work, some don't work for me, but works for others, some doesn't work for others, but works for me, whatever floats your boat
4. Load in the files into Odin that you have downloaded from above Just load in the files corresponding to the text field.
DO NOT CHECK REPARTITION.
5. Plug in your phone with the DL mode
6. Click start and wait for the magic
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO-BOOT PHONES
This is where your phone does NOT turn on, no combo of buttons works and power button does nothing.
DO THIS ONLY WHEN YOU PLUG IN YOUR PHONE AND NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE SCREEN!!! If else, follow the steps from above.
This method is basically same as above, EXCEPT the way you get into Download Mode as your phone is HARD BROKEN.
1. Download all the files required in the "BOOT CYCLE" section of this post.
2. Remove everything from your phone (SD card, sim, battery).
3. Plug your phone into your computer WITHOUT the battery, as you have already taken it out in the last step.
4. Press and HOLD vol. up and vol. down.
5. As you are HOLDING these buttons, reattach your battery.
6. You should be in Download Mode.
7. Unplug phone from USB
8. Follow steps 4-8 from the "BOOT CYCLE" section.
Troubleshooting:
-Odin stuck at some random process?
*Switch to another odin
*Make sure you did NOT check repartition, if you did, just repeat all the steps over again, except for the downloading parts, obviously.
-Phone not responsive?
*Try "NO-BOOT PHONES"section of this guide
-Phone stuck at Galaxy S logo screen?
*Put it in to DL mode, and run Odin again, it's just a bad install.
-All three ODIN is nonfunctional, stuck or giving "FAILED" errors?
*DO NOT CLOSE ODIN ONCE IT HAS FAILED!
*Unplug your phone
*Replug in your phone, get it into DL mode
* Unplug once it is in DL mode
*Replug and ODIN should recognize your phone
*Leave all the settings the same, then click "Start" again.
-Cannot get into download mode using the method I listed? Use the method(s) below:
Soldering Method
More methods coming soon
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know how much of a pain posting in the Q/A section can be and the wait time is pretty bad, so if you need help regarding UNBRICKING and ONLY UNBRICKING feel free to post in here.
Hope you enjoy, this is my first guide, please don't flame. Any comments or suggestion is suggest, or if you have your own method I'll also post it
POST YOUR RESULTS!
-Steven
The only forums this guide should be posted on is XDA, DZ, and PHANDROID under the username DRAIKZ and EXPLOSIVE. If it helped you, feel free to donate a coke or two!

efs imei keystr problem - please help

Last week my phone developed this well known fault and the Home button does work because from Power Off I can do the 3 button press into Recovery or Download.
A few things I've done:
Wiped data/factory reset
Wiped Dalvik
Wipe Cache Partitions
Installed different ROMs including Darky 10.1, 10.2 and 11 with and without ODIN.
Tried the SGS ButtonRemapper app but it says it's not made for my I9000 phone!!
Tried the Terminal Emulator app using the commands su (enter) echo -n etc commands and then reboot but that doesn't fix it.
Copied an XDA users keystr file and map_code.dat file into the efs/emei folder but once in there the ON disappears from the file!!!
(I also have a copy in the efs folder and the ON remains in the body of the file but copied to the emie folder and it goes missing!!!)
Tried to use the Hex Editor app but once inside the efs/imie directory there are no files there !!! (jumping back to Root Explorer shows they are there!!!).
In recovery mode I went into ADVANCED and tried the KEY SET command and all keys except the Home key show a number!!!
Any help appreciated.

dm.poole said:
Last week my phone developed this well known fault and the Home button does work because from Power Off I can do the 3 button press into Recovery or Download.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easiest solution, should be a downgrade to froyo or Eclair Firmware and upgrade after recovery , cannot understand why you are trying to mess with keystr file as that is related to missing IMEI and not home key functions. maybe this may help http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=26827676&postcount=4512" if you EFS has problems

xsenman said:
cannot understand why you are trying to mess with keystr file as that is related to missing IMEI and not home key functions. maybe this may help http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=26827676&postcount=4512" if you EFS has problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because all over this forum the answer to get the Home function key back is to redo the keystr file !!! (or perhaps I've read something wrong).

[Q] Galaxy S4 i9505 Yellow window, no files in efs folder

Hello, im a new to this kind of things. Yesterday I flashed a rom and when I booted the rom up a yellow window poped up, check the attactment how the window looks like. I have tried many solutions on the internet but none of them has worked. My efs folder is also empty, and I didn't make a backup of it i just made a full backup in cwm. I'm hoping that somebody can help me because my S4 is the only phone that I have. Sorry for my bad english.

QuaTiMxi said:
Hello, im a new to this kind of things. Yesterday I flashed a rom and when I booted the rom up a yellow window poped up, check the attactment how the window looks like. I have tried many solutions on the internet but none of them has worked. My efs folder is also empty, and I didn't make a backup of it i just made a full backup in cwm. I'm hoping that somebody can help me because my S4 is the only phone that I have. Sorry for my bad english.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Efs folder is not empty.
Use root explorer or file explorer with mount option and do the following:
open file "factorymode" in efs/factoryApp directory, it probabely says "off", change to "on" (yes "on" is the correct setting to turn it off), then save
reboot
sent from my Galaxy

samersh72 said:
Efs folder is not empty.
Use root explorer or file explorer with mount option and do the following:
open file "factorymode" in efs/factoryApp directory, it probabely says "off", change to "on" (yes "on" is the correct setting to turn it off), then save
reboot
sent from my Galaxy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried both Root expolorer and root browser none of them dosen't find the files in efs, I have attached some thumbnails of the apps

QuaTiMxi said:
I have tried both Root expolorer and root browser none of them dosen't find the files in efs, I have attached some thumbnails of the apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you make a call?.
Any way use this file mansger (go to setting and enable "root explorer" and "mount system folders" ) https://play.google.com/store/apps/...t#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5yaG1zb2Z0LmZtIl0.
sent from my Galaxy

I forgot to say that the lockscreen isn't working, when I press the sleep button the phone turns black but when i press it again it won't ask for my lockscreen code. I can't make calls because the mobile network isn't functional. No luck in that file manager either

QuaTiMxi said:
I forgot to say that the lockscreen isn't working, when I press the sleep button the phone turns black but when i press it again it won't ask for my lockscreen code. I can't make calls because the mobile network isn't functional. No luck in that file manager either
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and i think that power menu is gone also...
go to efs/imei folder, and make a file called "keystr" (without " ") (it is probably missing)
open "keystr" file and write "on" (without " " ),save. set permission of the file (all ticked).
But unfortunately, i think that your efs partition is corrupted. You must make a backup for this partition after rooting.
Try to flash stock firmware, some reported that it worked
sent from my Galaxy

samersh72 said:
and i think that power menu is gone also...
go to efs/imei folder, and make a file called "keystr" (without " ") (it is probably missing)
open "keystr" file and write "on" (without " " ),save. set permission of the file (all ticked).
But unfortunately, i think that your efs partition is corrupted. You must make a backup for this partition after rooting.
Try to flash stock firmware, some reported that it worked
sent from my Galaxy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed to get the yellow text away by uninstalling the factorytest apk.
I have tried to install stock firmware trough odin no luck there to. How can I make a backup for this partition?

Now my mobile network works to, I managed to fix it by turning my simcard lock of. The only problem that is left now is the lockscreen and powermenu. I can use the keystr solution and it works but every time I reboot my phone the /efs folder gets empty. Please help me im so confused
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

Guys i've got the same problem but i dont have a backup :'(
I wanted a fully clean system so i've wiped everythimg and flashed the me8 firmware as pda in odin.
Everything works but i've got no lockscreen and no power menue.
I would be so happy if someone could help me to solve my problem.
I'm using a 9505.

benni2903 said:
Guys i've got the same problem but i dont have a backup :'(
I wanted a fully clean system so i've wiped everythimg and flashed the me8 firmware as pda in odin.
Everything works but i've got no lockscreen and no power menue.
I would be so happy if someone could help me to solve my problem.
I'm using a 9505.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root your phone and see post number 6 in this thread
sent from my Galaxy

I've tried that but it doesnt work for me. Also i've tried to flash a few firmwares but the proplem still exists.

benni2903 said:
I've tried that but it doesnt work for me. Also i've tried to flash a few firmwares but the proplem still exists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried my solutions? The only problem that is left for me is the lockscreen and powermenu But we need a solution for this problem a permanent solution!

samersh72 said:
Root your phone and see post number 6 in this thread
sent from my Galaxy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't see the link to the thread

benni2903 said:
I've tried that but it doesnt work for me. Also i've tried to flash a few firmwares but the proplem still exists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It must work, no other solution, be sure that you set "keystr" file permission when you finish
sent from my Galaxy

samersh72 said:
It must work, no other solution, be sure that you set "keystr" file permission when you finish
sent from my Galaxy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it to work! I followed all the steps and when i was done I edited the keystr file in hex editor so the values was 4f and 4e and all others 00. This solution worked but its not permanent, each time I reboot the phone I have to do the same thing again, is there any permanent solution?

QuaTiMxi said:
I got it to work! I followed all the steps and when i was done I edited the keystr file in hex editor so the values was 4f and 4e and all others 00. This solution worked but its not permanent, each time I reboot the phone I have to do the same thing again, is there any permanent solution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Save the file after editing
sent from my Galaxy

samersh72 said:
Save the file after editing
sent from my Galaxy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I save it but each time I reboot the phone the efs folder is empty again

Yeah I have followed your advice but the only way to disable the yellow window is to freeze/uninstall it :/ The permissions are all ticked (0777). Even after a reboot. Tried the solution from post 2 and 6 ...
This wouldnt be so bad but the power menue and the lockscreen are more important. I hope someone can help
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

I'm so glad... everything works again. Download the android terminal emulatir from the playstore and enter the following commands:
su
echo -n ON > /efs/FactoryApp/factorymode
sync
reboot
This was the only way I was able to get the locksceeen and power menue
Hope that helps you!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

benni2903 said:
I'm so glad... everything works again. Download the android terminal emulatir from the playstore and enter the following commands:
su
echo -n ON > /efs/FactoryApp/factorymode
sync
reboot
This was the only way I was able to get the locksceeen and power menue
Hope that helps you!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear:thumbup:
This command leads to same result posted in second post
sent from my Galaxy

Failed EFS restore

Ok, I'm officially in trouble. I have a SM-G900F rooted with towelroot, SuperSu and BusyBox installed. I tried flashing with Mobile Odin Pro the latest NG2 firmware to keep root and not trip Knox. It failed twice (or three times), both times I was able to restore the original firmware with desktop Odin (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/help/mobile-odin-pro-4-20-issues-t2834671).
Then something strange happened: I noticed that on 4G I had only data but no signal bars (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/help/help-4g-data-signal-bars-t2837031). Then I had problems connecting to Wifi and a message appeared telling me I am in "Factory Mode" and some things are limited.
It was clear that my EFS partition is corrupted. I installed Root Explorer and there is nothing in my EFS folder (still I can use the phone in 2G/3G/4G for data and 2G/3G for calls but no Wifi).
I have 2 backups for EFS: one is made using Samsung Tools (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/development/efs-samsung-tool-universal-support-t2602325) and it's an efs.img file, the other is made using some EFS backup tool and it's just a copy of exactly what was in EFS folder (a few folders and files). I tried using Samsung Tools to restore the backup but no luck. When I restart the phone, EFS folder is still empty.
I rebooted in recovery mode and it said "failed to mount /efs". That's probably why Samsung Tools can't do it's job but I'm not sure. At this moment I'm not sure of anything. I think that someone with some knowledge (knowledge that unfortunately I'm missing) can help me fix this.
I really need for some help, so any ideas are welcomed.
Thank's,
Mihai Raducan

..

fffft said:
No TWRP backup, huh? How did I know that was going to be the case? 10 demerits. Okay, you seem to have been on the right track in recognizing that your EFS partition was unmounted and therefore inaccessible in recovery mode.. but you didn't mount it? You didn't give us much detail to work with, but assuming that you have a custom recovery like TWRP, you could go to the advanced /mount menu and check the mount EFS partition. Or if you don't have that option for some reason, mount it yourself e.g.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only stock recovery, no TWRP or CWM.
I didn't mount the EFS partition before because I didn't know how. I'll follow your guide and report back.
Regarding the exact copy of EFS (efs.img): It's done with Samsung Tools but never had a chance to test it, so... I don't know. But let's take it one at a time. First problem: mount efs partition.
PS: My Windows laptop is playing tricks on me so it's going to take a while to reinstall Windows, adb, etc. But I'll be back.
Thank's.

..

Ok, I installed Adb, phone is recognized.
The first line of code
Code:
# ls -al /dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name
gave me a list with the location of efs (and more). EFS is at dev/block/mmcblk0p12.
The second line of code
Code:
# /sbin/mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p12 /efs
gives me : tmp-mksh: /sbin/mount: not found
Am I missing something?

is img of /efs partition enough for restore?
here, it says, that we need to have 3 partitions for full restore..??..: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2737448
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p12 of=/mnt/sdcard/efs.img.ext4
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p13 of=/mnt/sdcard/modemst1.bin
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p14 of=/mnt/sdcard/modemst2.bin
but Samsung tool only makes efs.img..??.. who is right who is wrong?

..

fffft said:
Personally, if an EFS backup program made an image (.img} file and it was the same size as your EFS partition I'm sure that it was an exact copy and try writing it back. It's unlikely to make anything worse. But don't blame me if it somehow goes wrong. I'm just describing an option of last resort and commenting on what I would do with my own phone.
You can check the size of your EFS partition with the cat command (EFS should be partition 12)
Code:
$ su
# cat /proc/partitions
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked the size of my efs.img and the size of the partition with the command you gave me. They are both 14MB but on a closer look, adb shows 14336 and Windows reports 14680kb. So I don't know....
fffft said:
You're using ADB instead of a terminal emulator app which is a new variable. There are a lot of ADB variants around and I have no idea what your command interpreter (mksh) or you have done with the shell environment.. which may require syntax adjustments.
Not found implies that the /system partition isn't mounted. But it could also be an ADB syntax quirk, path or symlink error, a typo or.. well, could be a lot of things. Perhaps try the syntax below. Or run the command from a terminal emulator instead of ADB shell.
Code:
$ su
# adb shell mount /system
# adb shell mount /efs
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed Android Terminal Emulator and Shell Terminal Emulator (PlayStore) but I got the same thing. What's strange is that in both of them when I run the command "adb devices" they both give me nothing while in adb shell on desktop I get a number (as it should).
I understand that the syntax is for a specific terminal emulator. Tell me please what is that terminal emulator (that you know syntax is correct) so I can try with that one.

..

fffft said:
Try this terminal emulator app.
If you have continued difficulties, you should describe step by step what you are doing. In exhaustive detail or as close as you can get to that. Then someone in the forum will have a good basis to see where you are going astray. Or alternately where I made a typo or whatever the impediment turns out to be.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is one the apps I tried with.
I'm describing step by step what I do. What I start with: SM-G900F rooted with towelroot, stock recovery, SuperSU and BusyBox installed, Knox 0x0.
I download and install https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jackpal.androidterm.
Using this app:
Code:
su
and it changes to [email protected]:/#
I enter:
Code:
# ls -al /dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name
and it gives me a list with paths to different things. EFS apears to be at /dev/block/mmcblk0p12
I enter
Code:
# /sbin/mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p12 /efs
and it says: "tmp-mksh: /sbin/mount: not found"
When I try
Code:
adb devices
it gives me no number.
I attached a file where you can see what I did.
One more thing: when I enter (stock) recovery, every time it says "Installing system update" for about 20 seconds and then enters recovery where it says "failed to mount/efs : invalid argument". The CSC part is apparently ok.

..

It doesn't work. From ADB it says "mkdir failed for /efs, File already exists".
And from terminal emulator, (with busybox) it asks for an argument (pic atached).
Is there any way of using Odin to fix this, because it seems that nothing works.

fffft said:
Who is right about what? You didn't give much of a context for your question. The OP said that his EFS was corrupt, so we have been talking about EFS which is self contained in partition 12 or exported as efs.img.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i thought there could be more to the problem, not just /efs partition, since he said it was clear to him, and not beeing 100% fact..

..

Thank's for your time. I'm flashing now the original firmware (so I can start fresh) and I'll document every step I take. I'll report back.

Ok, I tried flashing the original firmware (ANE2) and this time I can't even get pass the Samsung authentication screen (the first time you boot your phone and asks for language, Google account, etc), It asks me for the Samsung account and password that this phone was registered with) and it tries for a couple of minutes to verify the credentials (on data network) then it fails saying it is a network error.
I tried wipe cache/factory reset (from recovery) and reinstall a different firmware. Same thing. It seems now it's really messed up.

As mentioned earlier, we did not expect a firmware image to fix your EFS. And the EFS is critical to normal phone operation.
The purpose of stock firmware is so that your phone is stable, reduce variables that might interfere and facilitate fixing your EFS. So I'm not why you apparently expected it to be an outright fix in and of itself?
Having installed the stock firmware should help you achieve your remaining goals. Now you need to decide if you are going to install a custom recovery or not. A custom recovery will increment your Knox flag if it isn't already. That affects very little, but it's your decision. It may affect the private mode feature or warranty claims, however many carriers don't care about Knox and E.U. legislation bars Samsung from invalidating a warranty unless they can demonstrate that root damaged your phone.
Whether or not you install a custom recovery, you will want to try writing your 14 MB EFS backup image to your phone. I believe that you'd find it easier to do so with a custom recovery. But it can be done with a stock one too, you will just have to deal with a bit more syntax in the latter case.
.

fffft said:
As mentioned earlier, we did not expect a firmware image to fix your EFS. And the EFS is critical to normal phone operation.
The purpose of stock firmware is so that your phone is stable, reduce variables that might interfere and facilitate fixing your EFS. So I'm not why you apparently expected it to be an outright fix in and of itself?
Having installed the stock firmware should help you achieve your remaining goals. Now you need to decide if you are going to install a custom recovery or not. A custom recovery will increment your Knox flag if it isn't already. That affects very little, but it's your decision. It may affect the private mode feature or warranty claims, however many carriers don't care about Knox and E.U. legislation bars Samsung from invalidating a warranty unless they can demonstrate that root damaged your phone.
Whether or not you install a custom recovery, you will want to try writing your 14 MB EFS backup image to your phone. I believe that you'd find it easier to do so with a custom recovery. But it can be done with a stock one too, you will just have to deal with a bit more syntax in the latter case.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't expect to fix the problem, I wanted a fresh start so I can try again the adb/terminal emulator commands. But what I didn't expect was not being able to, basically, start the phone. When you first start a new phone (or after a factory reset) it asks you language, Wifi, Google account and, in my case, for a Samsung account that this phone was paired with.
If I try to connect to a Wifi network the phone reboots itself. If not, it tries via data connection. Google credentials are ok but when it tries to verify Samsung credentials it gets stuck saying that it's a network problem and it doesn't go futher. So I get stuck at this point, between booting and actually being able to use the phone. I can't install anything, I can't receive or make phone calls (like before). I can't go to USB debugging so ADB doesn't see the phone.
I don't want to install a custom recovery because my Knox is 0x0 and my warranty is intact. I live in EU but in this case, it's clear that root access is what got me in trouble and brought the phone in this state. Actually not root access got me in trouble, but what I did with root access

raducanmihai said:
I didn't expect to fix the problem, I wanted a fresh start so I can try again the adb/terminal emulator commands. But what I didn't expect was not being able to, basically, start the phone. When you first start a new phone (or after a factory reset) it asks you language, Wifi, Google account and, in my case, for a Samsung account that this phone was paired with.
If I try to connect to a Wifi network the phone reboots itself. If not, it tries via data connection. Google credentials are ok but when it tries to verify Samsung credentials it gets stuck saying that it's a network problem and it doesn't go futher. So I get stuck at this point, between booting and actually being able to use the phone. I can't install anything, I can't receive or make phone calls (like before). I can't go to USB debugging so ADB doesn't see the phone.
I don't want to install a custom recovery because my Knox is 0x0 and my warranty is intact. I live in EU but in this case, it's clear that root access is what got me in trouble and brought the phone in this state. Actually not root access got me in trouble, but what I did with root access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to get your phone to work again and gain access to networks/wifi is by installing a new motherboard if you can`t restore the old EFS folder somehow.
Next time try this method to backup and restore your EFS folder http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2737448 if you are rooted.

raducanmihai said:
I didn't expect to fix the problem, I wanted a fresh start
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry that you found it a surprise.. but if reinstalling the stock firmware eliminated your phones problems, that would make it a solution, whereas it's a stepping stone. I did try to explain this earlier, where I told you that installing the firmware would not fix your EFS. And the EFS is essential to normal phone operation.
Regardless of the surprise, you are now on a better footing to finish fixing your phone. But for clarity, your problem started when your EFS got corrupted somehow. And your EFS needs to be restored before the problem will be resolved.
On the positive side, you appear to have a EFS backup, even if the backup app won't easily restore it to you phone. If you stick with it.. you just have some minor hurdles remaining - syntax or whatever - in getting your 14 MB EFS backup restored (written) to your EFS partition.
If you want that done painlessly, then pack a case of beer and your phone into a box and ship it to me. And I'll return it fixed. As it seems unlikely that you'd do that though.. then try to provide as much info as you can here and someone will try to help you finish fixing your phone in this thread.
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[Q] N910F EFS messed up, lost network access help???

Well, first of all.... I made a clean copy of my EFS folder before having this problem but.....using the lovely and simple commands copy and paste and now the files don't have the correct permissions and owners so nothing changes when I copy them back so my question is...
Could you guys please provide me a list with all the N910F EFS files + permissions and owners?
*EDIT*
My IMEI, serial number, baseband..... are all correct.
Thanks:crying:

Have u tried flashing stock rom through odin.Many users have fixed this problem by using the method
Sent from my SM-N910G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

RISHI RAJ said:
Have u tried flashing stock rom through odin.Many users have fixed this problem by using the method
Sent from my SM-N910G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I tried 3 different stock roms, I also downgraded to stock kitkat and then flashed a stock lollipop rom and... same problem.

ANTONIOPS said:
Yes, I tried 3 different stock roms, I also downgraded to stock kitkat and then flashed a stock lollipop rom and... same problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same problem here also, except, i have original imei intact and can make calls, send sms etc. flashed original firmware through odin and through kies, no luck, efs file 0mb. I have lost finger print scan and my serial number is wrong.

I had a similar problem a while back, came across this info here, the 'dev' files mentioned are for a N910G, just type 'mount' at a terminal to see which 'dev' file the efs partition mounts on. I used Method 1, but Method 2, does essentially the same thing in the end, so which ever you find easiest. Damn saved my phone, I even bought a replacement online before I found this solutionl.
Fix screwed up EFS Partition.
-------------------------------
posted by Steve Lazarus on XDA Dev on 5th October 2013
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2471421
(Used METHOD 2 on 09-01-2015, worked a treat, RaSTuS)
(Will try METHOD 1 next time)
METHOD 1
1. Install stock Firmware via Odin then rerun autoroot (to regain root)
2. Install TWRP via Odin, reboot to recovery.
3. Install SuperSU from external SD Card.
4. Do an "adb shell" when phone is in recovery mode to run commands via TWRP.
From the ADB shell: Reset the EFS partition with the following commands:
mke2fs /dev/block/mmcblk0p13 (for N910G Note 4)
mkdir /efs
mount -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p13 /efs
Do a factory reset, reboot system
Afterwards, no more boot looping, the phone successfully registered on the
mobile network, and my IMEI is there and correct. Seems like the EFS partition
can rebuild itself now I guess...
Gotta love the XDA community !!!
METHOD 2
You can also try just running Commands via TWRP before using Odin to revert to
stock, re-rooting etc..Worked for me while I was doing some restore testing with
Jovy's modded kernel ..Just trying to save you some time..
Using TWRP Terminal Command To Complete this evolution...
1. Reboot to recovery
2. Hit "Advanced" Select "Terminal Command".
3. Hit "Select" (lower right corner) to select root (/) folder.
4. keyboard will open, type in the following commands, make sure you put the
spaces and / where they need to be, it needs to look exactly as outlined.
mke2fs /dev/block/mmcblk0p13 (for N910G Note 4)
Hit Go - The command will run.
Clear the input box, type the following command:
mkdir /efs
Hit Go - The command will run.
Clear the input box, type the following command:
mount -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p13 /efs
Hit Go - The command will run.
You can now back out of the terminal command, and follow the rest of the
directions.

rastus.rob said:
I had a similar problem a while back, came across this info here, the 'dev' files mentioned are for a N910G, just type 'mount' at a terminal to see which 'dev' file the efs partition mounts on. I used Method 1, but Method 2, does essentially the same thing in the end, so which ever you find easiest. Damn saved my phone, I even bought a replacement online before I found this solutionl.
Fix screwed up EFS Partition.
-------------------------------
posted by Steve Lazarus on XDA Dev on 5th October 2013
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2471421
(Used METHOD 2 on 09-01-2015, worked a treat, RaSTuS)
(Will try METHOD 1 next time)
METHOD 1
1. Install stock Firmware via Odin then rerun autoroot (to regain root)
2. Install TWRP via Odin, reboot to recovery.
3. Install SuperSU from external SD Card.
4. Do an "adb shell" when phone is in recovery mode to run commands via TWRP.
From the ADB shell: Reset the EFS partition with the following commands:
mke2fs /dev/block/mmcblk0p13 (for N910G Note 4)
mkdir /efs
mount -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p13 /efs
Do a factory reset, reboot system
Afterwards, no more boot looping, the phone successfully registered on the
mobile network, and my IMEI is there and correct. Seems like the EFS partition
can rebuild itself now I guess...
Gotta love the XDA community !!!
METHOD 2
You can also try just running Commands via TWRP before using Odin to revert to
stock, re-rooting etc..Worked for me while I was doing some restore testing with
Jovy's modded kernel ..Just trying to save you some time..
Using TWRP Terminal Command To Complete this evolution...
1. Reboot to recovery
2. Hit "Advanced" Select "Terminal Command".
3. Hit "Select" (lower right corner) to select root (/) folder.
4. keyboard will open, type in the following commands, make sure you put the
spaces and / where they need to be, it needs to look exactly as outlined.
mke2fs /dev/block/mmcblk0p13 (for N910G Note 4)
Hit Go - The command will run.
Clear the input box, type the following command:
mkdir /efs
Hit Go - The command will run.
Clear the input box, type the following command:
mount -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p13 /efs
Hit Go - The command will run.
You can now back out of the terminal command, and follow the rest of the
directions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that and those solutions didn't work because I'm the biggest idiot in this galaxy:laugh:, some time ago I deleted the EFS golden backup in the service menu and I think that's why it didn't rebuild after I erased the main EFS partition but the good thing is that I made a clean backup of it so I can copy the files back to the EFS folder, the thing is that I just copied and pasted them so now all files have root as the owner and I know some of them had system, radio, wifi... as owners but I can't remember which ones, I think I could fix it if I see a list with the files, permissions and owners. Thanks anyway:good::good:
*EDIT*
Oh!! also I forgot to tell you that my imei, baseband, serial number bla, bla, bla are correct.

please help guys i have same problem but my note is n910f
hello ... its my first comment here ... and i whant to ask ...if i have the same phone ...but ... its a n910f ... its working this metods ? please guys i need help ... thx ...

Hi, I have a N910C and my IMEI got changed when i flashed offical lolipop 5.1.1, and now it wont register on any network, the IMEI isn't fake or corrupted i tried imei analyzer and it says its valid but for a 2005 Phone. I tried deleting /efs entirely/ flash diff firmwares / factory reset / clean kies install, nothing worked. my .nv_data.bak/nv_data.bak is missing. Please help

N910F EFS lost
florinhrib said:
hello ... its my first comment here ... and i whant to ask ...if i have the same phone ...but ... its a n910f ... its working this metods ? please guys i need help ... thx ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm new too i'm from Algeria, i have a GN4 with no IMEI, i lost the EFS foldier, the wifi and blueth work but no finger print and no health app, please help