yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S III General] MattBooth:
Two of my testers have tried installing my ROM without any luck at all, which is odd.

When they boot, they get no signal/IMEI unknown. IF they go back to the previous ROM, everything goes back to normal.

However, on my GF's phone, I installed my ROM and it was fine.

One is based in Norway, the other in Italy and me and my GF are in the UK.

EDIT:

Thus far they have only tried the XXEMG4 modem. I'm going to try to get them to use a previous modem BEFORE the first boot.
[Galaxy S III General] ratboy666:
hey guys i think this is right thread i updated to new firmware MG4 then flashed imperium rom and now get no network imei is 0049 i have tried fixing this with modem and other posts but have all failed i did manage to get my phone out of factory mode tho but even with a modem from MG4 it not working i have loads of efs backups from when i 1st bought phone but they r not images they are files like this http://i.imgur.com/5bpdhGi.png

i took all backups using the feature built into roms before flashing how can i fix this or isnt there a fix as the MG4 modem isnt helping would this help do u think or would it make matters worse http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=30087735&postcount=6
[Galaxy S III General] popcorn1122:
I am also stuck with this MG4.

I would rather sit with MG4 till you guys get a solution or wait for official update of my region to start reading new format of efs.
[Galaxy S III General] storm_spirit:
thanks for the post. As of now, I would stay away from MG4 :D
[Galaxy S III General] slaphead20:
This change is going to get rolled out across the board eventually so everyone will have to deal with it I guess
[Galaxy S III General] d1rekt0r:
Guys , i want to flash CM 10.2 as soon as its out , now what do i have to do exacly ?

Flash CM 10.2 over my MG4 and than flash MG4 Modem ?

(flashing cm10.2 or any other rom over MG4 will not corrupt my efs right, i just have to flash MG4 modem after?)

And could anyone direct me to flashable zip of MG4 modem , i cant find anything

Edit:

This zip linked in post below is MG4 modem ?

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=43946365&postcount=15
[Galaxy S III General] MattBooth:
This is exactly why I came down hard on the OP, for posting bollocks like this thread, it now makes others think it's unsafe.
[Galaxy S III General] d1rekt0r:
I was on MG4 , now i reverted back to 4.2.2 leak , all i have to do is flash MG4 modem and im good to go ?
[Galaxy S III General] JustArchi:
Better safe than sorry. I've already faced one guy with corrupted efs and yes, he only changed modem do mg4 but it corrupted /efs totally.

It's better to keep users informed so they can do backup and then try so in case of problems it's always possible to restore this backup, you can't deny that.
[Galaxy S III General] MattBooth:
I actually thought it was this thread I was posting in:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=44016725#post44016725

That's the OP I was talking about coming down on.

But regardless, I disagree. I've seen peoples EFS corrupt installing many ROMs. It's the risk we run installing custom ROMs, which is why it's important to back it up. IT's not unique to this firmware at all.

Also, the EFS nv_data.bin changes with each modem, from what I can gather. IT always contains some data regarding the modem in use.

I totally agree, though, we should all have a backup of the EFS folder. But I wouldn't go so far as to ward people away from this ROM simply because 0.1% experience a problem.
[Galaxy S III General] popcorn1122:
Its just matter of time that samsung would roll out new version for all various regions. There after samsung do not want users to roll back to old firmwares.

Things will be fine once we have stock firmwares with new format for our regions. UK was first to get it. I expect it to be rolled out in other regions within one month. As this is 4.1.2, i think the others also would be 4.1.2. Once the update is rolled out, Samsung may come up with 4.2.2 or 4.3 as per the rumors.
[Galaxy S III General] boomboomer:
If nothing else this upgrade may lead to more people backing up their efs folder before flashing/ota, which can only be for the better.
[Galaxy S III General] ysrini:
I agree with JustArchi,

This thread was to keep the users informed on MG4. Ofcourse Samsung is going to roll this out to all regions in course of time and all is going to be well.

At least for now when only UK has this updated firmware, its better for people to know that something like this is happening rather than they losing their IMEI and screwing things up when trying to restore things and ending up with zero.

Most people here do not spend most time in xda for them to be updated, fot them it is just a suggestion to back up EFS and keep away from MG4 for time being (until u r sure what it is happening and whats going on).

Until then there is no need to come hard on anyone, anytime.
[Galaxy S III General] geekynoob:
Calm down..! My observations..!!

I Sold off my s3 a few days back and went on for a Note 2..! I heard read and complied it from there.. its Like been there done that kind of position lol..

So.. I have this issue on Note 2 as well (I DID NOT) but read about it..!

Its the new Modem thing...!

READ IT Completely..!

There have been major changes to the working of kernel/modem/efs with the roms.

1)All the custom ROMs based on MG4 require the modems packed with the Rom MG4. Or you won't get signal.

2)The kernel will modify the efs so that only MG4 modem can read it.

3)Once you boot up with the latest kernel, the efs will be modified, and you will need to stick to MG4 modem even after changing ROMs.

4)The modems MG4 are compatible with all the kernels (even 4.1.1)

5)Modems can't be changed if you are on a rom based on MG4 (And newer Updates)

If you haven't Flashed MG4

Take a EFS Backup and keep it at a safe place inside You're PC

If however, you want to change modem later on , downgrade to a non MG4 ROM then change modem.

If you get a corrupt imei after changing modem, restore the EFS backup you made earlier.

If you have flashed MG4 . - Your EFS has been modified, No changing Modems Backup EFS anyway.

If you aren't getting signal - flash modem (MG4)

If you made a EFS backup prior to flashing MG4 based rom then downgrade to a non MG4 ROM then change modem. After reboot you won't have imei. Now restore your EFS.

Even if you do not have a previous EFS backup then try the same procedure, but don't change modem. If you get signal, then you were lucky(happens in case you flashed a custom rom or didn't flash the latest kernel).

If you don't get signal then you could try this-

1)Copy your EFS folder to a safe location.

2)Delete the EFS folder. It will way can't but don't worry.

3)Reboot. You might have factory mode (yellow colour text on screen) and no lockscreen.

4)Copy the backed up EFS folder back. (Replace All)

5)Reboot.

PLEASE Read it..! Its meant to be read...

Read it twice.. Thrice.. multiple times..!

Long story short.

Once on the new Modem u cannot go back to previous modems or else u will have a efs loss and no signal/imei..!!

my observations.. and readings thats it..!
[Galaxy S III General] SignetSphere:
I'd like to point some of your observations my friend.

---> 2)The kernel will modify the efs so that only MG4 modem can read it.

The kernel has nothing to do with the modem. it's JUST the modem that changes the efs format nothing more nothing less.

also this:

If you don't get signal then you could try this-

1)Copy your EFS folder to a safe location.

2)Delete the EFS folder. It will way can't but don't worry.

3)Reboot. You might have factory mode (yellow colour text on screen) and no lockscreen.

4)Copy the backed up EFS folder back. (Replace All)

5)Reboot.

It's not really a recommended thing to do. Just backup the EFS using the called tool called "EFS Professional" it's one of the safest method.

All of your other observations might be correct but most of it are already summarized in the OP so such long post might just confuse others more since we already narrowed it down to just the modem affecting the efs. if you have it backed up you're set if not flash the "emergency zip" by Just Archi.
[Galaxy S III General] JustArchi:
For now I strongly recommend to not touch anything linked to XXEMG4 and if you did that already I recommend immediately creating a backup of current already changed /efs partition and using my zip to stay on XXEMG4 modem unless we'll have more info.

I'm using XXEMG4 for about a few days already and don't have any problems with it so we can say that it's stable enough. Just keep in mind changes and you can use it.
[Galaxy S III General] MattBooth:
As I said, I agree up until advising people not to use it. It's quite wrong to fear monger like that when taking an EFS backup is all you need to do to be safe.

EDIT:

I've also noticed that connecting to my Wi-Fi hotspot via my PC is much, much quicker.

BUT, also, some people's EFS folder won't change when installing the ROM. They get no IMEI until they roll back to another firmware. Installing an older modem doesn't appear to help.
[Galaxy S III General] d1rekt0r:
What does that mean ?

I flashed MG4 , and than flashed CM10.2 over it , i still can make calls and everything with no problems, you think my efs is not changed by MG4 ?
[Galaxy S III General] JustArchi:
It was.
[Galaxy S III General] popcorn1122:
[MENTION=4794087]d1rekt0r[/MENTION] your cm10.2 is now using MG4 modem

can you check the baseband in about phone
[Galaxy S III General] d1rekt0r:
Well now im back on MG4 and Baseband is I9300XXEMG4.

I wish all roms start using this latest modem because its really faster
[Galaxy S III General] JustArchi:
It's not that easy. XXEMG4 is still quite risky and it'll take some time to adapt to efs V2 modems.

F.e. In ArchiDroid you have an option to choose either XXEMB6 or XXEMG4 but "Keep old modem" is default for now.
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
i make a backup on my EFS folder with EFS Profesional and when i try to restore it back,EFS Profesional told me the phone is not connected,i try to connect the phone many times and still nothing...can someone told me where is the problem please?
[Galaxy S III General] Jhusel1984:
Hi everybody,

1. The problem it's only by odin or also by KIES and OTA?

2. How I can know if my S3 can fail?

Best wishes,

JAV
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
guys i have a huge problem...

i make a restore of my EFS folder with EFS Profesional and my phone dosent want to start again,it remains o Samsung logo and after few seconds its restarting,and again restarting,and restarting forever...i make a wipe data and nothing,i reflashed XXEMG4 and still nothing,its restarting forever

in recovery mode i have this error message :

E: failed to mount /efs (Invalid argument)

and the CSC is unknown

please i need help immediately because i need my phone on work...
[Galaxy S III General] SignetSphere:
1. All of it. Once you flash MG4 and you don't have any efs backed up you're bound to stay with it's modem.

However you can try the fixes stated by JustArchi on the first post.

2. You won't have any signal and your IMEI will start with 0049.

Your efs is failing to mount but it has restored properly. Try this:

Boot into CWM and enter a few ADB commands on the PC:

Run an SU shell, then enter "mke2fs / dev/block/mmcblk0p3", then "mount-w-t ext4 / dev/block/mmcblk0p3 / efs"

However if it still fails i suggest sending it to samsung for repair.
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
can you elaborate a little more please?

after i boot my phone into CWM whats next,how can i run that SU shell?

if i flash like this ? http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=30087735&postcount=6&nocache=1&z=4300173993688076
[Galaxy S III General] Eleve11:
MG5 is released! You think it's the same problem with it?
[Galaxy S III General] slaphead20:
I must admit, reading around I'm starting to wonder if there is any involvement of the CSC with regards to those that are losing imei?
[Galaxy S III General] SignetSphere:
My apologies it appears i have suggested a method i have never tried my self. I remembered that method on the efs not mounting propely so i thought it was easy enough to do. But searching around the forums here's the most relevant thread i found: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=31803198&postcount=3

If that didn't help too then send it for repair is the most recommended thing to do.

changelist is lower same goes for the baseband/modem. So for me I'm not flashing it :D

But since the baseband is lower i think they reverted the changes present in the MG4 modem?

Can't know really since I've no plans on flashing it. Maybe wait for others :D
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
thanks but where to write that code?
[Galaxy S III General] SignetSphere:
No idea really sorry... better wait for a more experienced user about that one... sorry again :(
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
ok thanks...

i will wait for another response but i realy need my phone :(
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
I think ..you have to follow the below steps:

make sure you have all the necessary drivers installed.

Now connect your phonw to the PC using the cable.

Check the ADB Debugging option under developer options

Check if your device is being shown in your PC by running CMD and typing

adb devices

You will get a device name with some numbers, if yes, then connected

get superuser priviledges by typing

adb shell
su

Now use the code

mke2fs /dev/block/mmcblk0p3
mount -w -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p3 /efs

I hope it should work now!
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
my phone must be in recovery or download mode when i connect him to PC?
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
Your phone should be normal..Switched ON mode..if it doesn't work then try the recovery mode..
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
this was the reason for my question...my phone work only in recovery or download mode,i cant switch him ON it remain blocked on Samsung logo and then after few second restarts...again and again ...
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
Check if you can connect to adb in recovery..I my opinion it should..
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
C:\Users\AdL>adb devices

'adb' is not recognized as an internal or external command,

operable program or batch file.

:rolleyes::crying:
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
It is not a problem of your phone..adb is not properly set up on your PC..please set it up first..

The error you are receiving means that windows does not recognize it as a executable command which means that adb is not in proper path or the environment variable is not setup properly..
[Galaxy S III General] pulley06:
Does XXEMF6 also have this restructuring of EFS ? Thinking of trying black box ROM http://darksideagent.com/forums/blackbox-roms/(rom)(xxemf6)(24-jul)(aroma)(ota)-blackbox-1-2/
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
right now im reinstalling Android SDK...hope after this will work
[Galaxy S III General] SignetSphere:
No.
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
It should..
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
same thing :crying:

C:\Users\AdL>adb devices

'adb' is not recognized as an internal or external command,

operable program or batch file.
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
Okay open the Android ADK folder check whether you have adb.exe there..navigate to whichever folder it is in.. and press shift+right click...click on open command prompt here..now try..
[Galaxy S III General] Striatum_bdr:
Just to be clear it's the whole modem + Sammy Rom that changes efs structure.

Some guys reported that flashing modem alone without the Rom didn't cause any problem (see Temasek's thread) (meaning that they reverted to older modems without problem, using only aosp Rom, no Sammy Rom).

So people saying modem can't do this alone are right. It's the flashing process itself that causes the efs format change, only if performed by raw partition based apps like Odin or kies.

A cwm based Rom is probably safe to install if it exists.

It means also that the new modem is able to read old and new efs format.
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
C:\Users\AdL\AppData\Local\Android\android-sdk>adb devices

'adb' is not recognized as an internal or external command,

operable program or batch file.

C:\Users\AdL\AppData\Local\Android\android-sdk>

:mad:
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/what-is-adb-and-how-to-install-it-android/

Go here

Check if have followed all the steps
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
C:\Users\AdL\AppData\Local\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>adb devices

List of devices attached

4df169237c1f9f19 recovery

C:\Users\AdL\AppData\Local\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>adb shell

~ # su

su

/sbin/sh: su: not found

~ #

now what?
[Galaxy S III General] Brotuck:
What about mobile odin ?
[Galaxy S III General] bj4ever:
I removed modem from omega rom 43.8 EMG4 aroma script and flashed, my s3 is still on NELK2 with no network problems at all!
[Galaxy S III General] Spixe1:
any progres?

So I didn't know I have XXEMG5, I have the ZMBMA1/2 as far as my settings is concerned (i9308, Chinese model), but I guess it's the same deal, because when I flash to any ROM besides stock, i lose IMEI and EFS and baseband and the like, dead signal. The only way to get modem to work is by flashing stock rom and recovering the backed up ems (simple flash back wont even work, still have to recover). But I guess this means the firmware is XXEMG4 then?

Either way, has a solution been found to let those of us in this situation flash custom ROMs yet? Or are we still stuck with stock?
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
Try mounting the EFS partition without su.. However I don't think it will work..
[Galaxy S III General] Striatum_bdr:
Odin = Mobile Odin.
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
i mount it without SU and its worked but now my IMEI its still 0049...

and i have this window message on my display and not disappear at all
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
You will have to restore your EFS to get back the original IMEI or flash the emg4 modem and try..

I think you are in the safe mode.. Try restarting your phone.. If not then press menu+power to restart if I am not wrong
[Galaxy S III General] popcorn1122:
I am downloading thee INU INU-I9300XXEMG5-20130729161107.zip which belongs to my region.

I am on currently BTU MG4 stock. What you guys think is going to happen after i install this MG5?

Will I get network on my own official region mg5 ?
[Galaxy S III General] Spixe1:
Oh I got that yesterday, bugged the hell out of me. I did some searching on xda and found a quick fix. That window is there because somehow the phone reverted back into factory mode when the IMEI got messed up (happened to me too). The way to fix it is by using a terminal emulator (one is included in ROM toolbox pro) and simply putting in about 8 lines of code. Once you do that, your golden, factory mode is gone. But that won't fix your IMEI problem, but at least that annoying window will be gone. Hope that helps, and sorry I don't remember the exact post with the code, but a simple search on recovering or getting out of "factory mode" should bring up the answer.
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
i tried all this things and nothing new...
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
Then you are doomed my friend... Get it to a SC If restoring efs did not work
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
when i made that backup on EFS folder my phone it have XXEMF6 rom stock...i must flash that version back and then try to restore the EFS backup?

its safe to try this thing ? http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=30087735&postcount=6
[Galaxy S III General] zoot1:
Just flash the full firmware.. Don't try the pit files and then try to restore
[Galaxy S III General] popcorn1122:
Guys good news

I installed the INU and my modem was back to MG2 and there is no imei problem and my network is back. !
[Galaxy S III General] AdL2012:
can you please help me and search for that post with the code and all that stuff...im exasperated :crying:
[Galaxy S III General] Spixe1:
Meh, it really did just take a simple search with "exit" and "factory mode"... did you even try? You owe me 10 seconds of my life back. ;) Here you go:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1703175&page=6
[Galaxy S III General] alterman666:
You installed via odin or cwm recovery? Are you still rooted?

Sent from my Android device
[Galaxy S III General] SignetSphere:
http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=44094573&postcount=11
[Galaxy S III General] popcorn1122:
I downloaded it from http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=GT-I9300 - I9300XXEMG5

Installed with odlin 3.07

I had installed I9300XXEMG4 (BTU) which had the efs problem of losing imei and network when you roll back to your original roms.

Now I am on stock and non root.
[Galaxy S III General] Royalfox:
I flashed Andromed rom (XXEMG4 based) and after some days I was checking the contents of my storages, and I saw a file on the root of my external SD card named "efs.tar.gz

Now the thing is idk how it got there, probably the rom backed it up automatically.

So I wanna make sure that it's safe to restore that one so I can go back flashing other Roms.

Any help?

Thanks in advance!

Sent from my GT-I9300
[Galaxy S III General] SignetSphere:
That is the efs being automatically backed up. Most of the custom roms here do that as a fail-safe method. But to your question if that can be used as a restore file if your efs gets corrupt I've no idea since I haven't reached that point yet (and i hope i don't even reach it lol).
[Galaxy S III General] Royalfox:
Thanks, I was confused, I thought if I restored the old efs I could flash any rom. But guess I'm stuck with XXEMG4 too lol :d

Sent from my GT-I9300
[Galaxy S III General] zadusimple:
Hello

Does the newly released INU firmware has the same issue with respect to how it reads the IMEI ?

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2383365

Thank you!!
[Galaxy S III General] slaphead20:
Why don't you post in that room thread, it has nothing to do with this thread and is being discussed already......a bit of reading would have got you that information.

First think

Second read

Third think again
[Galaxy S III General] zadusimple:
wow! thanks for the reply. I know how to think , read and think..

I posted it here as the issue is related to the EFS , Modem and how it reads it, both ROMs are from the EMG series , so it will make sense if this is posted here and if the EMG series chnages the way it reads the IMEI , the title of the thread can be adjusted to somthing like "STOCK FIRMWARE(S) from EMG4 SERIES -> Changes EFS Folder" , makes sense? thank you.
[Galaxy S III General] slaphead20:
With all due respect you asked about a problem with a specific Rom, a Rom that has a dedicated thread........IF you had read then you would have seen the issue being discussed ;)
[Galaxy S III General] radixon:
If you restore the old efs you can flash any ROM. To be honest even without restoring the efs you can still flash any ROM, you just have to flash the modem from justarchi's zip to use with it.
[Galaxy S III General] popcorn1122:
justarchi's zip is a MG4 modem packed in zip file in cwm for easy installation.
[Galaxy S III General] jae1512:
i lost my imei

this happened to me i flashed to MG4 went back to EMC2/02U and now my imei has gone plus i forgot to back up my efs folder but if i go back to MG4 i get my imei back
[Galaxy S III General] jignesh4933:
i have same problem and solved easily

i have flashed xxemg4 and then i flashed custom 4.1.2 rom..but signal lost...imei showed fake......then i got solution..just flash to latest indian firmware INU XXEMG5......and solved everything........just flash inu xxemg5....when u will flash custom rom remember to take efs backup using efs professional....enjoy..
[Galaxy S III General] JustArchi:
Any XXEMG4+ will work with EFS V2 (at least for now) but pre-XXEMG4 (so XXEMF6 and older) will be unavailable to work with EFS V2.

You can either stick with old modems XXEMF6- (not recommended anymore) or stick with new modems XXEMG4+.
[Galaxy S III General] popcorn1122:
[MENTION=5161352]JustArchi[/MENTION] - A question to you....

For those who have not installed BTU MG4 modem, did a normal upgrade of INU to latest INU via kies or OTA, will they be able to roll back to their old INU with their modem working?
[Galaxy S III General] JustArchi:
If you don't have EFS backup then I'm afraid it's not possible.