Tuesday, October 9, 2012

IMEI Problems, Backup, Restore, No service etc

IMEI Problems, Backup, Restore, No service etc

What is IMEI?
source:wikipedia
The International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI (play /ˈm/) is a number, usually unique,[1][2] to identify3GPP (i.e., GSMUMTS and LTE) and iDEN mobile phones, as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone. It can also be displayed on the screen of the phone by entering *#06# into the keypad on most phones.

Checking valid IMEI and other info?

http://www.imei.info/

Three parts :
  • Backing up IMEI of your MTK phones
  • Restoring your IMEI
  • No Service Problem/Invalid IMEI

Backing up IMEI of your MTK phones
Credits:cybermaus

On Mediatek based phones (MT6516, MT6513, MT6573, MT6575 and MT6577) when flashing using flash tool, sometimes people loose their IMEI number.

Luckily, putting the IMEI back is not hard on Mediatek based smart phones. Though better yet is to back up your IMEI first. To backup, there are in fact several options:

Method 1) Use RootExplorer to copy file /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MPOB_001 to your external SD card. (or if that folder does not exists, try /nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MPOB_001)

Personally, I would backup the entire /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/* just in case. I believe your WiFi and BT MAC are in there too, maybe some other stuff. I advise to have the entire directory snugly in a zipped file on your SD card!

Method 2) Back up using Mobile Uncle utility (actually, that did not work for me)

Method 3) Write them on a piece of paper. Very low tech, and very reliable
You need to first locate your IMEI of course:
IMEI 1 can be found inside battery compartment. It can also be found in menu Settings->About->Status->IMEI (ICS) or Settings->Status (GB). Or it can be found be entering *#06# into the phone.
IMEI 2 is sometimes listed alongside IMEI 1, but sometimes it is a bit harder. It may be visible from the phone's FACTORY bootup menu, if it has one. On my P700 based phone, it was also shown with *#06#
Also, some phones have the same IMEI for 1 and 2, and it may work, especially if the two SIM's are from different providers. It is my hope that in the posts following this one, people will be kind enough to post where to find IMEI 2 on their specific brands and models

Note that if you use someone else's IMEI, you will not benifid, your call cost *do not* magically appear on his account. All that will happen is that your phone may disconnect every time he turns on his phone. Additionally some countries like India block all 'made up' IMEI numbers. And some providers may push settings based on what they think is your brand/model phone based on its IMEI. So best to stick to the number that you were given!

Restoring your IMEI

Method 1) Use RootExplorer to copy back that backup MPOB_001 file from your external SD card into folder /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/. (or if that folder does not exists, maybe /nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/.)
Afterward, set permissions to 0660 or rw-rw----

Method 1b) You can also generate your own MPOB_001 file on a PC, using this set of programs created by some clever russians called f_mulder & pvsurkov, and copy that file to above location. Generate using these commands on a PC:
Code:
imei.xxx <15digit_IMEI_1> <15digit_IMEI_2>
Method 2) Restore using Mobile Uncle utility (actually, that did not work for me)

Method 3) Install a cli terminal app, for example Android Terminal Emulator, and enter these commands:
(replacing IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 with the actual IMEI of course)
Code:
su
echo 'AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1"'> /dev/pttycmd1
echo 'AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2"'> /dev/pttycmd1
Method 4) If you have ADB running, the same as above, from windows adb:
(replacing IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 with the actual IMEI of course)
Code:
adb shell
su
echo 'AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1"'> /dev/pttycmd1
echo 'AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2"'> /dev/pttycmd1
No Service Problem/Invalid IMEI

1. Make sure you have rooted your mobile and have root explorer installed or similar in your mobile phone.

2. Next download this tool
3. Open a command prompt
---------------------
-Press windows key + R
-In the run box type in cmd
-press enter
-A black window will appear with writing

-Enter the following text:

imei.exe <15digit_IMEI_1> <15digit_IMEI_2>

You can use a valid IMEI or IMEI generator to generate random IMEI's using this tool


(eg: imei.exe 123456789111111 123456789111111)


Press Enter          



If both IMEI you gave are in correct format the file named MP0B_001_NEW will 

be created. Now you can put it on the sd and insert that in to the phone.

Run root explorer

Copy it to - system need r/w need to be on: 
/data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MP0B_001
and make sure you rename the file "MP0B_001_NEW" to " MP0B_001"

And finally REBOOT your phone.

Done.

30 comments:

  1. I have galaxy s3 i9300 but i cant finf this file MP0B_001 on my phone

    I thought IMEI is in efs forder nv_data file??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi this is only for china clones..not original s3...

      Delete
    2. ahh ok
      u allways make all more difficult :)

      Delete
  2. Hi and thank you for all of these important informations.
    I checked my imei on the website you suggested...
    it belogs to another device, an old htc smartphone with windows mobile.
    Can this be a problem for my signal problem? Maybe my carrier
    tries to give me the service as I had that crappy phone model?
    Thanks in advance.

    ReplyDelete
  3. the last method did not work for me. i followed the steps exactly and imei.exe did create MP0B_001 of my imei, i replaced it with original file data/nvram/.../ and set the right permission and restarted the phone. even after doin this im still getting Invalid IMEI message. plz help.

    ReplyDelete
  4. all ok, I have IMEI, but my phone now he can't detect card sim.
    when there is no IMEI phone sim card sees. and when it is not seen.
    what do I do?
    sorry for my english.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I DID IT! Who wants to help please post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Tomasz I want you to help. I wrote u a message on google+. pls reply

      Delete
    3. i need help.. i have inew v8 android mtk 6592 ... i had did everything but not help for me... the sim card shows no service ... please help

      Delete
  6. hello,

         I have a mtk6577 S3 clone, but the network signal is very weak ... just being at home and the network signal disappears ... Is this normal? is there anything I can do to get more signal? thank you

    ReplyDelete
  7. I used your method 1b to replace my MP0B_001 file. But my phone always shows "No Service" even though it shows both the IMEIs if I dian *#06#. Please let me know what to do. My phone is Micromax A25.

    ReplyDelete
  8. i tried to copy the file that i created but it says cant do it cause is file system is read only, how can i copy it pls, i need to repair this phone, iphone 4 s clone

    ReplyDelete
  9. i have a i9300 Mtk6577 but i tried changed the imei and it was succesfull but still says NO SERVICE. not mobile network detected.. what could it be?

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I do the step: "No Service Problem/Invalid IMEI". Is all correct, but after restarting the problem continues.

    Help meee please.

    ReplyDelete
  12. i do the same thing.. but nothing happens....

    plzzz.. help

    ReplyDelete
  13. same here. i replaced the file and still invalid imei error
    tried with engenerring mode , and the same invalid imei

    help wanted

    ReplyDelete
  14. can we fix this?
    I was using CWM 6.0.1.5, then i have decided to switch to TWRP, some idiot posted wrong recovery.img of TWRP 2.5.0.0
    I have installed the TWRP recovery using my PC, and then when the phone rebooted I lost my dual sim networks.
    getting Invalid IMEI for both the SIM's, Unknown baseband.
    SIM's are only working with STOCK ROM, If i try to flash any other custom ROM SIM's are not working.
    I am now using twrp recovery. It works but only with stock ROM. If I port any other custom ROM getting invalid imei and unknown baseband
    I am working on stock ROM, As soon as I switch to another custom ROM i loose IMEI and BaseBand...
    Please help.

    ReplyDelete
  15. THANK YOU!!!!!! I HAVE MY H9008 BACK ON LINE WILL TEST. THANKS AGAIN

    ReplyDelete
  16. Use MTKdroid tools for writing imei the best way give it a try

    ReplyDelete
  17. any solution for unknown baseband?

    ReplyDelete
  18. hi plz help after falasing castom rom my wifi and bluetooth are not working...

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm getting "'imei.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operation program or batch file." when following the directions for the INVALID IMEI directions. Any thoughts on what i'm doing wrong? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  20. i dont have nvram or nv_data. can somebody help me to create it? please help

    ReplyDelete