yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] wavrunrx:
NOTICE:

the user "<removed by wavrunrx>" or, "<removed by wavrunrx>" is the one that defaced the spreadsheet.

he is a member here on XDA: this is his profile:

http://xdaforums.com/member.php?u=2919411

this is his XDA username:

yousefak

Skype Username:

<removed by wavrunrx>

this is his website:

<removed by wavrunrx>

Proof:

from about 12:44 PM PT to about 12:49 PM PT

under revision history, you can see that google user: yousefkhan125 made approximately 90 changes to the google spreadsheet.

including the phrase: " been ****in the world and nigga i aint cum yet "

see here:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled.png
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] lordmorphous:
I was just pm'ed by someone stating it was fixing permissions that lost them their IMEI. I asked him for more information to verify. That is one thing I have not done is the fix permissions option in recovery and I still have my IMEI.

I added a column to the spreadsheet to track this. I'm wondering if it's such a good idea to lock the spreadsheet down.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] mrmako777:
doesnt cm9/10 automatically fix permissions before boot? if thats the case, everyone who flashed those roms would have the issue.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] lordmorphous:
I don't know if they do or not, or maybe if they do, it doesn't hit the same directories/files as cwm does.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] swehes:
I have run fix permissions and my imei is still here. However I am still on stock Samsung ROM with root.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Maconi:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=29127490#post29127490

Interesting...
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] mrmako777:
i could be wrong, but i think most roms run a fix permissions automatically after install, but we could be on to something here...is it possible that the file that contains the imei number is still present, but without proper read permissions, the system doesnt realize it is still there?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] sabre31:
Same here and I am on stock with root and still have imei.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] wavrunrx:
yousefak ;

YOU HAVE HEREBY BEEN OFFICIALLY DOXXED.

in the future; might want to sign out of your google account *before* you deface something, that so many people have worked hard on...

just a thought buddy.;)

maybe we should deface your website ??

baahh....

no need, its already a mess.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] jethro650:
I have run fix permissions from cwm many times, flashed every version of aokp, and every version of ktoonsez kernel of which a fix permission in recovery is part of the installation. I still have my imei. Unfortunately I don't know how the phone was rooted as I bought it rooted, supersu installed and carrier unlocked. I have nandroided back to stock a few times although I'm half scared to try odining back to stock :( as I've read that has caused issues for some. Team epic version of cwm on the phone when I bought it and have since installed cwm touch from from manager.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Narcistic:
But if you notice on the spreadsheet I think everyone who lost IMEI has been on CM9/10 at one point too
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] mrmako777:
yep, i noticed...thats why im sticking with stock, rooted until this gets figured out. i really wanna flash cm10 :D
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] cwalker0906:
I fix persons multiple times per flash...before boot...after reboot...after setting up phone and installing apps....still have imei
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Narcistic:
This I think would end up being one of the best options at this point.. Seems hes got a good start.. Even though hasnt been able to repair an IMEI yet the tool does report the IMEI and other info and give options to write...
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] :
**I removed the post as it may have been partially offensive/hateful**
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Intercrew:
I just lol'z
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] wavrunrx:
IT IS YOU, the whole time who has consistently defaced the spreadsheet.

ive gone through every single revision that document has had; and look what ive found.

Screenshot Proof:

"PRANK CALL ME MY NUMBER IS 69 69 69 69 69"
[URL="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled3.png"] https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled3.png[/URL]

you modified that whole line to add 567567 etc....
[URL="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled4.png"] https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled4.png[/URL]

"ni**ers"
[URL="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled5.png"] https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled5.png[/URL]

"can i suck your **** plzzzzzzzzzz?"
[URL="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled6.png"] https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled6.png[/URL]

"NI**A i defaced YOUR MOM LOL FA**OT"
[URL="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled7.png"] https://dl.dropbox.com/u/66962/Misc/Untitled7.png[/URL]

and THAT is just a sampling.

yousefak;

IT IS YOU, the whole time who has consistently defaced the spreadsheet.

admit it and apologize.

maybe you shouldn't SPAM the work of close to 80 separate people whom are all working toward the goal of solving such a frustrating problem ?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] The Archangel:
I'm going to have to ask you too stop posting on this thread an the spreadsheet. If you continue the consequences will be worse
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] zmore:
I concur with wavrunrx. The revision history is clearly spammed with hundreds of his modifications.

VERDICT: YOUSEFAK is a lying troll who wasn't even smart enough to deface it anonymously.

SENTENCE:: Death by Snu-Snu! :)
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] kssxs:
I checked the revision logs, and it shows your account defaced the sheet on two separate occasions, multiple times.

Did you know that at most corporate workplaces, they tell you that if you leave your computer unlocked, and someone else uses your computer for nefarious purposes that can be tracked back to your ID, that YOU are responsible? Well in this case, guess what...

Fact of the matter is, only you know IF you actually did something or not, but to the rest of us, it was YOUR ID, and therefore, YOU were the one to deface the sheet. You say you have '2-step verification' on your account? Well then I guess you just pointed at yourself as the culprit. What would you expect anyone to think based on your own statement?

Considering the fact that it's supposed to be a collaborative effort to try find a solution to a common problem that affects any S3 owner that wants to MOD their phone, it's people like you that make it more difficult to find good end-solutions. Not only is it immature to commit such actions, but it completely goes against the spirit of a community like XDA, where we're all just trying to help each other.

I'm sorry to say this, but I'm going to e-mail a forum Mod and ask for an action to be taken. Your behaviour, or at least your IDs, is inexcusable.

Sorry to pull the thread in this negative direction. Can we please get back to the task at hand? :confused:
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] wavrunrx:
yes, i agree back to the original issue.

but first,

ive sent Mike Channon a PM with the following enclosed:

**edit, ive removed your skype username, your website as well as your gmail email address.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] The Archangel:
Everyone stop replying or dealing with him. I will take care of it
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] :
I do now realize that it may have very well been my roommate screwing around on my computer. If that really was the case, I would like to apologize to everyone in this thread for any interference that has been caused.

Aside from this post, I will stop posting in this thread so research can continue. I wish you all the best of luck in finding a fix for the problem that plagues your devices.

EDIT: I'd also like to apologize for any rudeness/hate in my previous posts. I'm going through some personal problems right now which are affecting my attitude.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] David Dee:
+1 here. We can get back to business now, I have no doubt that yousefak will be well taken care of in Mr.Highway's trusted hands :D
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Narcistic:
Anyways.... Back to the imei issue.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] drksilenc:
well ill tell you my situation. i was one of the testers for this and i have not lost my imei.

phone d2att

roms flashed stock to cm10 to stock by backup to cm10 and back to stock by backup.

I have yet to lose my imei. im running cwm 5.8.4.7 touch.

both roms i have double wiped then wiped cache and dalvic but i have yet to fix permissions.

both of those were done before restoring backups as well.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Artimus009:
I just sent them an email to see if they actually already successfully got it done on a AT&T and T-Mobile sgs 3 and some insight on how they do it.

stock rooted and rocking kt747 kernel...still got my imei
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] deeznutz1977:
They reflash with something similar too a riff box ,or z3x ,Samsung tools etc. That kind of stuff is not to be spoken about here I believe

Edit, btw I have a «broken» gs3 and a new one.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] wavrunrx:
excellent, i had this on my todo list for Monday morning, but ill wait to hear back for you on this. thanks.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] swa2k4:
One user reported that Samsung had to change the board on the phone after sending it in. Is it possible Samsung doesn't even know where imei is? Man they are getting my sisters phone tomorrow. I wonder what they will say! Hopefully we find how to backup and restore imei and do not need a board replacement!
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] androholic:
I was just catching up on the thread guys and it looks like it's been an eventful evening around here, way to clean house guys, lol. Anyhow, I just wanted to add some follow up to my results with twrp, now that I've been flashing. When I first mentioned that I'd flashed FreeGS3(Amazing Rom) what I'd flashed was a themed version of it. After deciding I didn't care for the theme, I downloaded & flashed the stock themed version of the rom and followed it with a wipe of cache & dalvik, fix permissions and after a reboot I had no issues. Today I had another unexpected lengthy drive to make and because I had not set up my home screens yet, I decided to restore my stock rooted backup so that I'd be familiar with where everything was while I had my eyes on the road. I did a factory reset, nandroid restore, wiped dalvik & cache, and then fixed permissions. After the reboot all is well & I'm back to my stock rooted setup. I may be flashing back to FreeGS3 tomorrow evening when I have free time to get everything set up the way I like, and I will probably flash AOKP or Cm9 just to check where the progress is at with them, and see if I'm missing any of the touchwiz functionality that I've been getting a little used too. I'll report my results afterwards, as I'm still holding onto the idea that no one's had the imei issues with twrp, so it may be the safe alternative until a solution is found. So there it is for anyone who may be interested in twrp.... So far so good, but who knows what will happen the next time I flash?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Artimus009:
I also checked their YouTube video. They restored a bricked AT&T sgs3 via jtag and mention fixing imei's as well at the end of the video.

If it's true, I'm now out of my 30day return and dnot want to mess with the warranty center.

stock rooted and rocking kt747 kernel...still got my imei
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] androholic:
This isn't a sarcastic question, but why isn't "that stuff" to be spoken about here? I think I'm in the dark about something here? (well, maybe about alot of things! ;))
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] tekhna:
Are there any known cases of this happening on an international version?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] deeznutz1977:
?? Dude told me ... my guess is because technically messing with your imei is illegal I guess Edit.. changing is illegal
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] David Dee:
@androholic: Are you using the Verizon version of twrp? If not, which version, as I recall it being mentioned that there is a version compatible with all NA phones? Would you link to the thread? Do I miss 4ext recovery..should ring a bell to those coming from HTC...hopefully one day the dev will get around to compatibility with this phone, it just rocks cwm in every way.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] androholic:
Well, I think it depends on the context of the conversation? I hope that whatever solution is found doesn't leave holes where someone can also create counterfeit imei's. There's enough info already available out there for thieves, and that would only make it easier for some of them:(
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] wavrunrx:
read this post, and let me know your answer !!

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=29183416&postcount=658
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Artimus009:
Here's the email I got...

Hi there,

I can restore the IMEI number on any LTE S III. On some though, even after restoration the 3G/LTE connectivity remains to be a problem. Until a solution for that part is found, I can only guarantee restoration of the IMEI number itself.

Please check our FAQ by clicking HERE before replying with questions that are most likely covered on that page.

Josh Groce

Site Owner / Operator

stock rooted and rocking faux123 kernel...still got my imei
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] MyronJ906:
Anyone just get a little bit more afraid? Haha I did. Maybe it's because they replace IMEI but not serial number or something strange.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] drksilenc:
the connection prbly isnt being restored. thats the problem. they can prbly apply it but that doesnt mean the os knows where its at.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Artimus009:
I did. The guy who said that Samsung had to replace the board to fix the problem seems the only way to properly fix the issue. Has to be something hardware...what you guys think?

stock rooted and rocking faux123 kernel...still got my imei
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Narcistic:
Seems to me completely software related. Having worked in the Technical and repair field before new issues always get escalated up or sent away with some bull**** reason because the "top" people don't know how to fix the issue so they will just replace the phone until a simpler resolution can be found if this becomes a common occurrence.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Artimus009:
Yup. I'm going to have to agree with you. I just got off with Samsung...1 1/2hrs being passed around. They say they need to reflash the phones software with proprietary tools...ha! I guess they don't frequent XDA!

stock rooted and rocking faux123 kernel...still got my imei
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] David Dee:
Trying to call support is a nightmare with all the OEMs. Most of the time, after being on hold for an hour, one ends up getting someone who is reading from a script, has no knowledge and tells you to reboot your phone and pull the battery.

Thanks for keeping us posted on this, I hope you get that phone up and running again soon.

---------- Post added at 09:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:18 AM ----------

Bump?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Artimus009:
I swapped out at AT&T. My new one is fine...I'm just trying to see if I get more info that can help. Want to be able to fix this so I can start flashing with no concern.:D

stock rooted and rocking faux123 kernel...still got my imei
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] David Dee:
Here is my recent post in the other IMEI thread in case any of you are not checking that one:

When Artimus009 lost his IMEI, he was still getting intermittent 3G/LTE, while others have nothing. I am no expert on phone hardware but want to put this out there:

Could we be dealing with two different problems regarding this issue:

1. Loss of IMEI with functioning LTE/3G

2. IMEI loss plus damage to either phone or radio software that kills 3G/LTE connection.

...3. I haven't seen it but wonder if anyone has come across any occurrences of lost 3G/LTE with intact IMEI?

I don't see enough detail in the spreadsheet, but the question to ask is if Atrimus009's activities up to IMEI loss differed in any way from the others? Also, did any of the others have any LTE/3G at all after loss?

To those who lost IMEI, would you please make a note in the spreadsheet if you had any LTE/3G reception after.

__________________

__________________

Phone: Samsung Galaxy S III - I747M

ROM: Stock

Tablet: Asus Transformer Pad 300

ROM: Stock Rooted

If I have helped you, please don't hesitate to hit the "Thanks" button
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] androholic:
You'll find twrp right here under Tmobile development section, it'll link you to rootzwiki where the original thread was & they say it's compatible with other carriers besides Tmo.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] zonly1:
Hey folks. Looks like I have to package up the broken phone today and send it back. Are there any last minute ideas that I can help out with?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] buvk:
i keep hearing people mention this could be a permissions thing.

any chance you can do an "ls -laR /efs"?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] zonly1:
Will do...give me a few. :)
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] henrys01:
http://pastebin.com/9zeSPLhB

This is from my phone with a zero'd out IMEI number.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] unboostedzc:
i haven't read through the 11 pages, but wanted to throw some info/questions up here.

i am on verizon and lost my IMEI & MEID sometime between last night after flashing up to CM10 (AOKP) and this morning when trying to restore a nandroid backup b/c of data issues i started having after flashing said CM10.

i was able to restore my nandroid backup from yesterday afternoon but still with no data or voice whatsoever. i reprovisioned my SIM card and was able to get 3G/LTE back but no MEID/IMEI. i odin'd back to completely stock VZW and reprovisioned my SIM card again. i've currently got my MEID back as well as all 3G/LTE/voice, but still have no IMEI.

question for you guys that have lost it; how did you handle it with your carrier? did you call and say you lost data completely, say you looked and the IMEI is 0, say it just stopped working, what? right now the phone appears to be operating fine without the IMEI; however i'm on my 2nd to last day of the 14days w/ verizon. not sure whether i should call them and say i'm having issues (even though there don't appear to be any at this moment other than an IMEI of 0 listed), take it in to the store or hold out for another day and see if there's any progress.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] zonly1:
TMO user here. I just went to the closest store and told them that my phone was stuck on Edge. They checked it out for about an hour and then sent me back to the store that I originally purchased it from. They looked at if for about 10 mins. and then warrantied it out.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] jgalan14:
Usually cdma networks don't check as much for that cause it doesn't have much troubles, but you probably won't be able to activated it in another line cause ir doesn't have IMEI the network won't be able to find it :(
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] buvk:
based on what you guys posted, and after comparing it to my /efs, i highly doubt imei is stored in /efs at all

zonly1, did you try restoring a complete device dd from your working phone to your non-working phone?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] zonly1:
I checked md5's on both the old and the new...Here are the only differences.

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=29128274&postcount=421
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] androholic:
Hey Man, I say run down to Verizon & tell them your service has been in and out, and upon investigating it you realized that the imei was not present. Play dumb, get another one, and be careful, because the phone would be useless if you tried to sell it to someone else. I'd hate to see you stuck with a phone you could never sell when you're ready to get something different. Good luck, I think they'll replace it no problem for you ;)
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] buvk:
found this in the other missing IMEI thread...

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1791291

worth checking out...
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] androholic:
Because a couple of ppl asked about where to download twrp, I just wanted to clarify the steps I use when flashing.

1) Factory Reset

2) Flash zip

3) Wipe Cache

4) Wipe Dalvik

I've never wiped system, but I've seen others that say they have. I personally like to keep all of the data that's on my internal sd storage, and I believe a system wipe may format that, idk?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] kssxs:
Can anyone with a backup of their EFS partition confirm that this fixes it for them?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] zonly1:
I will test this right now...brb
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Narcistic:
Probably not going to find many who have done this prior to losing imei..... Unfortunately..
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] mrmako777:
Its easy to test...but who has the balls to test it on their perfectly working phone? Lol
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] naturefreak85:
Not at all.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] David Dee:
The wait is killing me....
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] zonly1:
I tried this:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1791291

Well, a couple of things.

1. I'm on TMo

2. I'm on CM9

Went ahead and tried this..when I did the re-provision thing I got an error Connection problem or invalid MMI code. I assume that this is caused by being on TMo.

Bottom line, my serial # is for the correct phone, but this did not move over my IMEI from my working phone.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] zmore:
The only difference between the Verizon thread that's been linked to a few times, and the AT&T IMEI thread in the dev section, is the code he mentioned -- *2767*3855# -- to re-provision your (verizon) phone after dd'ing your backup back.

A lot of us who haven't lost our IMEI yet have already made FULL internal SDcard backups; not just that one partition. The code is probably verizon-only (and verizon is meid vs imei). Maybe there's another one for AT&T?

Also, nobody's chimed in in that Verizon thread to say it's worked either.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] buvk:
im pretty sure these codes are universal.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] zmore:
Many other codes have already proven not to be universal. Even many of the simple selftest / diagnostic codes don't work on all devices.

*#0011# - service mode

*#SELF* - test mode

*#0*# - yet another test mode

... and some others i'm forgetting (but all three of the above work on my d2att)
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] naturefreak85:
Not at all, that code is VZW specific (Maybe sprint) because of the way CDMA phones register on the network. Remember the phone is dual CDMA/GSM. AT&T/Tmobile phones just need a sim card to activate on the network. That's it.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] unboostedzc:
gave verizon a call and they're warrantying the phone out without any issues. it went straight past the CSR to the advanced tech rep. first question out of the reps mouth was whether i've changed any software or anything, which i haven't of course. :angel:

no local stores in 500mi radius have any in stock so they're 2day shipping one to me and issued an account promo credit for my hassle.

anything you guys need/want me to try before this one goes back out that might help the cause?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] buvk:
if you backed up prior to losing imei, you can try http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1791291&page=3
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] David Dee:
Even if you haven't backed up, you should pm the OP from (and post in) that Verizon thread, as he may have a Verizon backup or other files for you to try (didn't work for Tmo that way, but could partially rule out carrier difference as an issue).

Thanks for offering man!