[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] jcarmi04:
Hi bigdawgr6, all-

As of this moment, I think you’re screwed. I’ve recovered some pretty large files (mov, jpg, etc), but think they’re mostly/all crap. (HOPEEEEEEE I’m wrong though...and that the crap is actually gold.)

Am using this post to tell my story and then the next with any process updates that Warticker can take/leave.

Windows 7. Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

I’d been having 4G connection problems with my 4G UNrooted LOCKED (read: stock) Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus at my rural USA home – worked everywhere else. Could get email data, but no phone nor text. Additionally the phone wouldn’t switch to 3G, so I was S.O.L.

Called Verizon for the 4th or 5th time and the Tier 2 tech went through their normal (I’m-so-smart-and-can-fix-anything) spiel. This particular tech thought it was the phone itself, even though the other Nexus in the house had had the same issues (and both worked everywhere else). Tech proposed a “Factory data reset” to which I questioned if ALL my stuff would be backed-up. She assured me all would be, aside from SMS texts and even had me download an app through the Play Store…which backed the friggin things to the internal memory…

All of which was erased and not backed-up, as she had assured me.

(I’m including the Verizon blasts because – while I (i) should have my stuff backed-up anyway and (ii) can/should have read the fine print – I attribute it to the same amount of trust one takes as going through driver’s ed or something similar. Yeah, I instinctually think or definitely know better, but you’re paid to have the CORRECT answers.)

Anyway, I’ve called multiple times and they won’t recover it for me. Samsung will not recover it for me. Samsung used a legal, privacy excuse and Verizon jumped on their back.

As part of the troubleshooting, Verizon sent a new phone (no surprise, same 4G issues), which I have held both old and new and have been going through a series of recovery efforts (with the new phone – the old one has been off since my data that “would be backed-up” never showed up).

What I’ve found is that the FDR appears to wipe too many 0s to the internal memory to be recovered – think it would be essentially the same for those of you who unlock your phones to root them. Sorry, but am posting now (instead of when I raise the white flag in hopes that someone has some savvy recovery techniques … or another method to access the Nexus internal memory).

Before I ramble on more, BIG thanks to Wartickler for this GREAT fix, thanks to scandiun for keeping an eye on the thread and the great suggestions to all, and the OGs that have shared (via this thread and what I’ve included) their information, fixes, and resources!!!!

I currently have two of Verizon’s Nexus phones and a third one on the way (same fix suggested: new phone). Seriously, can’t make this ^&&$#*&#%* stuff up. Sooooo, if anyone wants me to test anything for them or has suggestions for me, post to the thread and I’ll get back at ya.

Trials (on 2nd phone):

-This post verbatim --- Results: Thumbs, junk

-Pushing BusyBox to the phone WITHOUT unlock or root --- Results: 53KB file stating permission denied. *Original source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_bVC0x4l-g

-ROOTING phone via this method and UNLOCKING phone via this method on phone that had ALL DATA --- Results: All pictures, hit-or-miss luck with movies, no SMS backup * Original sources: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1894717 & https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.segv11.bootunlocker&hl=en

-Factory data reset and ROOT as per above and UNLOCK as per above --- Results: Thumbs, junk, largest real photo was background image

-ROOTING phone as per above --- Results: All pictures, hit-or-miss luck with movies, no SMS backup

-Factory data reset and ROOT as per above --- Results: Thumbs, junk, largest real photo was background image

*All trials not listed and phone was used (content loaded, downloaded, etc) in between trials

My tweak for future users is suggested in next post.

---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:30 PM ----------

1.	Root phone via this method: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1894717 It works and while most might come to this thread for help due to screwing their phone up in the root process, this seems to be the least invasive and most effective method if your phone is LOCKED. *If need help with these steps from me, I will only follow Wartickler’s thread.

2.	Wartickler’s steps: BusyBox – USB Debugging.

3.	Skip VHD as not necessary. Can open the “RAW” file with tools like: WixHex or Zero Assumption Recovery.

a.	WinHex. Open. Open mmcblk0p12.raw. Either (i) Tools: Disk Tools:File Recovery by Type (200KB? max recovery per file with trial) or (ii) Specialist:Refine Volume Snapshot (With full version)

b.	ZAR. Image Recovery (Free). More functions…Load image file. Dropdown: All files. Open mmcblk0p12.raw. Select 28-29GB file in menu. Next. Select files. Next. Choose location. Start copying the selected files.

4.	Smile or weep.

5.	Thanks again, Wartickler, scandiun, efrant, et al!