yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[HTC EVO 3D] Unknownforce:
According to the partitions you've sent me, the REAL MEID on your device, is not the same one as it thinks it has now. You got the same "bad" MEID as they did. My only guess here is that after you got the bad one on your device, sprint somehow took your info and applied it to that MEID. And now when others are getting this same MEID, it pulled that same info back from the tower when they did the activation. How this has happened, I cannot explain.

None of this makes any sense, I'm going to speak with a programmer to look at all the code I have to make sure I'm not missing anything, because again nowhere in any of my code do I specify an MEID, I read it via adb and then store that string to a variable (which does not have a "default" value, mind you) and then use that same variable to write to certain parts of the RFG_1 template. The rfg_1 template, in the places where I write that variable to, are all 0's(even the A is a 0, I did this on purpose so that if it DID fail, a person could restore their MEID manually)

I've searched through all the files several times, looking for this MEID, I've also expanded the search, looking for even the term/key word "A100" (beginning with ANY MEID) and nothing shows up.

To me, with the way this code is setup, what is happening seems theoretically impossible.

I knew this partition was extremely volatile, and if not done just right will destroy a phone, which is why I took a LOT of time developing this fix, and had several testing phases. Trust me... there's a LOT more going on in this partition than people know about. Much of which doesn't need to be disclosed, as we're already treading on thin ice here, there-in again is another reason why I was VERY careful in developing this fix and spending hours upon hours making sure it pulled all the information it needed from the device and all the important stuff was 0'd out in preparation for what was read FROM the device.

If I could explain why this is happening, I would. The good thing is that it's limited to a SINGLE MEID, and not completely screwing it up and entering in random digits or something.
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
Unknown I want to ask in the nicest way possible, are our devices screwed up for good or can this be recovered from?

EDIT: Since the problem is a single MEID, can't we somehow change that? I was also thinking if we deactivate our phones, and reactivate it with sprint would that work?
[HTC EVO 3D] jaybombz:
While I'm sorry to hear that there have been some issues I'm still thankful for all your hard work and persistence with this. Stick with it, I'm sure you're close to nailing it.
[HTC EVO 3D] masbirdies:
I was on the phone with sprint for 2 hours. If you give them the MEID that is wrong, the MSL they give you to use is incorrect. Also, so are some of the reset/activation codes.

The only way I see this working is if we can restore the MEID they have on file for our device.
[HTC EVO 3D] Unknownforce:
Yes, it is possible to restore the correct the MEID, you need your backup of partition 19 image. See the instructions I posted earlier about flashing the custom partition. You must brick via S-On'ing while on a custom hboot, and then run that command in a linux command prompt.

On a good note, my new programming "mentor" will be reviewing all the code for any/all mistakes and looking for this "phantom" MEID as well. We'll see what he comes up with.

Again, cannot apologize enough, was only trying to provide what seems to work for most!
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
Yea I saw them but I'm a little scared to try anything , I don't wanna mess things up lol..I can't say how much I appreciate this, and you don't need to apologize, I don't blame you nor should anyone but themselves
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
It ok man didn't mean any hard feelings... I know you are ultimately trying to help out your fellow 3D users and for that cannot thank you enough.

I do think I am going to take my phone into sprint today. I can't receive / make any calls / texts and I need my phone to work.

Again I apreciate all the work you do for the community, devs like you, who actually want to help other users is what I like about this forum.

Thank you very much Unknown! You did get most peoples phone back to normal which no else even attempted including the guy who started this whole mess.

When I get extra money I will be donating for your efforts in helping us, thanks..
[HTC EVO 3D] digiSal:
I didnt get that good a deal. They put me on an Upgrade Now promo so I had to pay 125 just to upgrade and then get the phone for 149. They did however give me 76 bucks for my 3d! Which I thought was a joke but it wasnt activating any. So after the rebate I will be paying about 30 for the Nexus. I had to convince them to bill me the 125 cause i didnt have all of it :(

The girl that was helping at the store was very helpful. When asked about my phone, I told her I woke up and it was this way. BUT I also told her it was a replacement phone from my original 3d. Got it from an insurance plan. So that leads her to believe it was a bad phone. The store manager, even though i never saw them, said that someone mustve cloned my phone. Another thing that I was told was my account stated that I had requested a telephone number change. Which I didnt of course.

They would have given me a new 3d but i wanted that nexus.

So my suggestion, if you dont want to wait for a fix, is restore the phone all the way back to stock and take it in. Also, try and make them activate a dummy phone so they can see its the actual phone that is messed up. Thats what finally convinced them.

Thanks again Unknown for all the help with this!! I shall be lurking the GN forums now :)
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
So if you took the new 3d they wouldn't have charged you anything correct?
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
If you have tep they wont although it will probably be a refurb..
[HTC EVO 3D] Unknownforce:
I'm going to be venturing to the corporate store in my area today. They are going to give me a free upgrade or they can take their plan and their ETF and shove it.

I have

yet another

defective refurb, this one I have done nothing other than S-OFF it and flash a custom rom to... I'm getting random reboots, lockups, hot restarts, (have tried multiple different roms and a rom that I knew worked on my last on) there's a spot on the screen that looks dimmer than the rest, just unacceptable. This is, I think, the 10th time I've had to replace a device in slightly over a year. The last time they gave me the free early upgrade (from my EVO 4G) over the phone this time they want me to go to the corporate store.

They are gonna get an earful and I'll be walking out with an SGS3 that they meet me at least half way on or they will be eating their ETF, the rest of the bills on my family plan and I'll put my 3d up for sale, and Verizon will have gained a new customer.

Between these defective refurbs and the poor service that I've had to deal with over the last 6 months while they "update their towers." I deserve nothing less and will be taking nothing less.

You just have to know how to talk to them... Just always remember, you're the customer. :)
[HTC EVO 3D] bluerjb:
This worked for me without a problem. Did what I was instructed to do and I had no problems. Thanks :D
[HTC EVO 3D] RulingCzar:
Uggh when you say it like that I'm afraid mine is all but destroyed. From my stupidity not from the tool. Only CDMA 1x will work no on network data at all. Any thoughts or suggestions? Or if you can tell me where like the reverse MEID goes, that might be a start. I know you are a busy guy and all of your hard work really is appreciated.
[HTC EVO 3D] spirithandler:
Unknownforce posted instructions a few pages back on how to reapply the 19.img in theory it should put your MEID back to the original I say Theory because I have not got it to work with any of my backups of that partition and I used my first dump of this partition from when this fiasco started.
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
Ok so I have a little update, after using the tool (yesterday) like everyone we become S-ON when it is finished. I decided in the mean time to install a custom rom while waiting for a fix to come out. In order to do that I needed to root, so I ran revolutionary became S-OFF and when I checked my data profile everything was back to my normal account settings. Just one thing didnt change and that is the MEID. Now I have a question, does the partition19 we backed up contain the original MEID? If so that would make perfect sense to fix my problem.
[HTC EVO 3D] Mexiking10:
Just chiming in, I also tried to restore my bacup 19 partition with no success. MEID is still the same as the ghost one.
[HTC EVO 3D] Will32:
@unknownforce

Hey if you have time, and I know you don't have a lot of it, I'd like to know an estimate on the man hours spent on this fix so far (just out of curiosity).

Your doing a fantabulous job here and I can't imagine the headaches you've suffered over this. As far as I can remember, you flashed the VM fw along with the rest of us, but you had a p19 backup that got you out of the mess shortly thereafter. Which means you're doing this just because... Well I don't know why you're doing this.

I'm very grateful for all you've done, I've used your downgrade to s-off 2 phones, sadly I took my 3d to sprint when I lost service completely about a month ago so I can't try your fix here. Please keep up the awesome work and let us know if you get the gs3 because that'll be what I get if you do. I want to be in the same forum section as you.
[HTC EVO 3D] jlechner:
He got it

Sent from my EVO LTE.
[HTC EVO 3D] spirithandler:
So does that mean he is done with this then?
[HTC EVO 3D] jlechner:
Doubt it

Sent from my EVO LTE.
[HTC EVO 3D] spirithandler:
I hope not! Right now I am looking into a way to manually change the MEID back! SO far it's been futile!
[HTC EVO 3D] jlechner:
It's a part of your firmware. You won't be able to change it without it being changed on your firmware. Mine is the same deal.

Sent from my EVO LTE.
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
Ok so just got back form corporate sprint store and what a ***** that was.. After arguing with them for 2 hours they told me they wouldnt do anythig with my device because,

1. My account is supposedly active on another device then my phone, they think it might be insurance fraud

2. My meid is not the same as the one under the battery

3. It says virgin mobile

4. Supposedly my phone was "swapped" yester day which is most likely from this tool and the meid issue with my account...

5. My hboot has "xs" after shooter

So I cannot get an exchange and am stuck with this device that doesnt work. My only option now is to try and restore my backup 19img and hope it works other wise I have a nice 3D paper weight...
[HTC EVO 3D] closeone:
Just hold up. The guy has been working as hard as he can for the past few weeks. I understand that you're not happy, but please don't pin it on him. If it wasn't for Unknownforce, this wouldn't even be here.

~co~
[HTC EVO 3D] Unknownforce:
The MEID itself, is stored in two places, rfg_1 and rfg_5. rfg_5 is populated when the phone goes through activation. rfg_1 is programmed to the phone by either HTC or Sprint. It is definitely possible to restore from a backup.

Here's the thing, you got it to change once, so it's most definitely possible to change it again. Keep that in mind. As soon as I get a little more time, and my friend takes a look through the code, I'll have a better understanding as to why this could be even possible in the first place and then ultimately work at a fix on it.

Mike, if worse comes to worse, I can send you a label print out to next day your device to me, and I'll next day it back when I fix it.
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
Sorry If you read it the wrong way, I apreciate evey thing Unknown and you are doing for us which I stated last page or so just explaining my situation and frustraton with sprint..

I didnt pin it on anyone. If you been around last few days and read about this meid issue you would see that my account info is attached to this meid that some people have been getting so my account is curently "activated to another device" according to sprint.
[HTC EVO 3D] Unknownforce:
I always finish what I start. I might not work on the relocked -> locked thing though... As I won't have the ability to even test it, but what I could do at that point is give someone that does have a test device the tools and knowledge on what to do to look for it.

MEID is stored in three places, rfg_1, rfg_5 and NV. The phone looks for it in this order NV -> rfg_5 -> rfg_1, if it doesn't find it in the first one, it checks the next.

rfg_5 is what's corrupted by the VM plague, which is what is cleared in this fix. rfg_1 is what I spent time to rebuild because when chad was working on the fix, he had people erasing that... which is a bad move, that should never be erased, it's the final backup for everything.

rfg_5 cannot be erased as easily (which is pretty stupid if you ask me, I think it should be the other way around... rfg_5 should be the one that should be able to be erased and rfg_1 shouldn't be... but I didn't design this stupid phone...)

Anyways... lots of useless info there, just be patient guys.
[HTC EVO 3D] seanjenks:
can i back up Partition 19 using 4ext or would it have to be CWM? ADB is tripping on my cpu..
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
So did the backup and now my phone works at least.
[HTC EVO 3D] closeone:
My apologies Mike. I didn't mean to come off as harsh as I did. I'm sorry that you had trouble on Sprint's end. But I am glad that you can make calls again from the backup.

~co~
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
The only thing about it though it not on Sprints end. This tool some how gave me this phantom meid and now my sprint account is, I guess, linked to that meid. So every one who used this tool and happened to get that meid ended up with my account on their phone..

I got random texts yesterday for a jorge, I think it was, and my friends were telling me they called my phone and someone else answered saying they had a few calls for me.. I just find it od how my info got into all this.. Then on top of that Sprint wouldn't do anything because my device is this way..

I DO very much appreciate all the work you guys do for the community!!
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
Ok weird stuff happening here, now I have the data profile of stevenmcfall04@sprintpcs.com ...I made a call to my brothers phone thinking it was working but saw the number and some unfamiliar number. This is really weird
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
Or we could always do team viewer... Just send the neccessary files over and you can do it over team viewer.. Ill do the unplugging n what not..
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
Mike I tried what you said in your pm and upon flashing the backup19 it said failed
[HTC EVO 3D] Unknownforce:
We'll work on it tomorrow when I get off work and get home... I'll be going to Sprint store to pick up my SGS3 first, and be ready for that after i get home, PM me your Gtalk info so we can chat tomorrow.
[HTC EVO 3D] spirithandler:
Unknownforce I know your catching a lot of flack about the crap that has happend in the last day.

I for one do not blame you for what has happened I am grateful you are trying to remedy the situation we are all human and make mistakes it's a fact of life!

Thank you for your time and work you have put into this. (BTW I am one of those affected by the MEID situation)

Is there an guesstimate on your buddy checking your code?

Also when flashing the 19.img in your instruction's it says ./ultimate -c fixed19.img -p 19 -u

Now does my 19.img file need to be named fixed19.img or should I rename the line to ./ultimate -c 19.img -p 19 -u ?
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
You can change ("fixed19.img") to what ever your file name is..
[HTC EVO 3D] jcfunk:
Call

Executive Services (Office of the CEO) 703-433-4401

Tell them the whole story; even how miss treated you felt at store. Fruad? you in the store trying to get it fix and they run you away.

This is highest levels of CS.

Sent from my DOWNGRADED EVO 3D
[HTC EVO 3D] Punk9:
That guy asking for Jorge was me lol. My friend did the tool fix and afterward his phone didn't do hands free activation. So he called sprint and had them activate it. And I guess he got your phone number lol. That was a test text to make sure his phone worked okay. Why's really strange is that he would text me "bro?" And I would reply just fine. (Not sure if you got the texts about when he'll he home or not) but we were having a convosation via text just fine. Then he didn't reply, then you did xD. Not sure how they (towers) decide what text goes where.

Anyway it won't be a problem anymore, he's getting a replacement today lol

Sorry for this weird texts mike xD
[HTC EVO 3D] digiSal:
That's what I was told.
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
For some reason I am unable to restore my backup19 I made. When I plug in device it says "FAILED!" and if I try again it repeats the same thing. I just wanna fix the calls/texts and could care less about the virgin mobile stuff :( :( ....
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
What steps are you doing? Make sure debugging is enabled..
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
Exactly what Unknown said to do

"Brick your device by doing the following:

First, S-OFF

Then Flash ENG HBOOT

reboot to fastboot USB

do command " fastboot oem writesecureflag 3 "

copy that file to your linux box in the same folder/directory as the ultimate tool, Pull the battery out and then run the following command with RC4

./ultimate -c fixed19.img -p 19 -u (change "fixed" to what ever your backup 19 is called)

Put the battery back in and boot up"

I am S-OFF, ENG HBOOT, USB Debugging Enabled. Im able to unbrick the device but just keep getting FAILED when flashing my backup19
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
Also make sure you sudo -s
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
When do I do that, before starting everything?
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
Yea
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
Alright I'll give that a try, one question though. I'm in roaming service right now, so is it best to wait until I'm in sprint service?
[HTC EVO 3D] Unknownforce:
Service status doesn't matter for that.
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
Sudo -s didn't make a difference, still getting failed.
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
rename your backup 19 to "backup19.img" then

./ultimate -c backup19.img -p 19 -u
[HTC EVO 3D] Unknownforce:
Just to keep everyone in the loop, I'm working with Mike to get his device restored right now. Once I get that working properly, I'll be able to get a better set of instructions.
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
Thanks unknown, I've been trying different things and been at it for 2 days and gave up..
[HTC EVO 3D] seanjenks:
can i back up Partition 19 using 4ext or would it have to be CWM? ADB is tripping on my cpu.. ( I know i asked this before but it kinda got lost in the shuffle )
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
I dont think any recovery will work. Has to be done with adb

Remember to put ./ in front of the commands

./adb shell dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p19 of=/sdcard/current19.img

./adb pull /sdcard/current19.img

never mind OP says or from custom recovery but not sure what to save or look at in the recovery save..
[HTC EVO 3D] seanjenks:
Maybe i need to re-download ADB do you have the link or the download?
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
I am pretty sure it is part of android sdk, make sure you check platform tools when installing..

http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
[HTC EVO 3D] seanjenks:
its not opening for me at all
[HTC EVO 3D] zevot:
I restored my backup 19 img and now I can't make any changes to any of the programming options. It says it can't commit changes....radio no response...etc.

Before trying this I went to a sprint store and they are shipping me a "new" one for $35. I am going to brick the phone before shipping it back, just to be safe.
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
In what condition did you take it to Sprint, like what wasn't working?

I've been trying all day to restore the partition 19 with no success, now I'm scared to do that. Thinking about taking it to Sprint..I have no replacement phone at all right now..
[HTC EVO 3D] JeepFreak:
When the device is bricked and you're "flashing" the downgraded hboot, what commands are you actually using? dd? fastboot flash? I tried to open up the downgrade script, but I see it's more than just a bash script.

Thanks in advance!

Billy
[HTC EVO 3D] digiSal:
When I took mine back I flashed the 217 firmware and the eng boot firmware from the OP. I still had S-OFF but they never went into recovery or bootloader since they could tell the phone was already hard reset.
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
I'll probably wait for an update from unknown and see if there is anything he could do to fix our phones.. if not then I'm going to see if Sprint will give me a new phone. I bought my phone off Craigslist back in January, do I need warranty or would they still give me a replacement without it?
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
Tep stays with the line so if you switch phones it should work with that phone other wise I think it like $35 or something like that for a replacement. I literally spent most of today with Unknown trying to get my phone fixed.

I am going to send him my phone tomorrow maybe he can figure out whats going on which will help other users that are in my boat..
[HTC EVO 3D] spirithandler:
Thank you for taking one for the team! I dont say that to sound heartless or anything since I am also in the same boat with you.
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
I don't have TEP, Mike doesn't your phone already work? You're able to send texts and make calls right?

---------- Post added at 09:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:53 PM ----------

Update -- @Unknownforce Was finally able to flash the backup19 with a success however there was a bunch of I/O errors before "SUCCESS!" and nothing has changed. Still on someone else's account info. Have any idea what the problem is? The reason why I got failed is because I didn't ls /mnt/sdx1 process, I skipped that and went straight to flashing the backup19 without mounting any device.
[HTC EVO 3D] jlechner:
I'm not totally sure, but if your doing it all manually you'll have to mount. I think...
[HTC EVO 3D] MikeC84:
Yea but after doing some stuff trying to fix it today with Unknown I lost my radio..
[HTC EVO 3D] Unknownforce:
The I/O Errors are the problem. it's not allowing the flash properly. I suggest to all to stop trying things. I know you're antsy and want it fixed. But you're messing with something extremely volatile. You're more likely to mess something up than fix something, not because you don't know what you're doing, but because of the instability of this emmc mode. Ultimately you could make it so that it might not be recoverable. When I say to do one thing I mean do it once, not 10 times. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work and likely won't work the next 9 times.

I'll have Mike's device this weekend and will, hopefully, be able to come up with a fix.

One of the good things here is that it didn't have any I/O errors when running it, as this has been the main cause of the problems. I'll hopefully get something this weekend.
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
That's true..I'll wait and see what will happen. The only problem is that I have no other phone and I'm just trying so bad to fix it. But like you said, I'll wait for this weekend, Luckily my radio isn't broken or anything like that, I'm still getting texts from random people since I have some other account on my phone.

Edit: wanted to add one thing, if its possible to just fix getting our normal account info back that would great. I don't mind if I have to live with virgin mobile as my banner as that is the least of my worries
[HTC EVO 3D] Unknownforce:
This is the only thing I'm focusing on at this point. VM is on the back burner for now.
[HTC EVO 3D] majid25:
Thank you so much unknownforce. Don't think I have ever seen any other developer like you
[HTC EVO 3D] sudhirkhanger:
If I run 1.13 or 2.08 Stock unrooted RUU or PG86100.zip, will it relock bootloader, bump my hboot to 1.5, wipe recovery and I will not be able to load any PG86100.zip anymore? I am currently S-OFF and 1.4 hboot.

Thanks.