Desperately Need Help - Samsung SM-N960F/DS + T-mobile PUK and other issues.....

[orsonwells456]

My permissions look different from yours - and I can't see who the owner is on yours. Would you be able to take a screenshot of ls-al of those files for me please?

I need to know who the owner and group for the replace_code.dat should be.....That's the only new file I need to add.....

 

[orsonwells456]

yeah. also can you go to system/odm/ and list contents and also system/odm/omc and list its contents

I don't have a system/odm/ directory.

And remember at one point my imei number disappeared from the settings menu. I'm sure all of this is related to my issues. Not sure how it "came back".

 

[bober10113]

My permissions look different from yours - and I can't see who the owner is on yours. Would you be able to take a screenshot of ls-al of those files for me please?

I need to know who the owner and group for the replace_code.dat should be.....That's the only new file I need to add.....

root.

but the other files permissions dont look good. you should change them.

if you dont have odm then no carrier. that's a big problem

you need to flash tarp and recreate it by coping over content if CSC.md5

you need to use the tools in the onedrive link I posted earlier to extract it. but what I dont get is the Odin flash didn't flash restore it....

 

[orsonwells456]

root.

but the other files permissions dont look good. you should change them.

if you dont have odm then no carrier

Make everything owned by root user and group and set permissions for all files the same? Could you possibly send a screenshot of yours so I can make sure I do it right? Thank you.

 

[bober10113]

Make everything owned by root user and group and set permissions for all files the same? Could you possibly send a screenshot of yours so I can make sure I do it right? Thank you.

no dont massively apply.

didn't I post a picture earlier?

---------- Post added at 11:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------

Make everything owned by root user and group and set permissions for all files the same? Could you possibly send a screenshot of yours so I can make sure I do it right? Thank you.

And if no odm folder that's a good thing right? That means the phone was indeed unlocked originally, no?

no odm means something is wrong I think. if you can check contents of csc.md5 and extract the biggest file and use lz4 to extract then use image extractor to extract the actual files. it should give you an idea of what should be in odm

maybe go back to Odin and try flashing home-CSC this time.

it's the contents of odm and all files concerning carrier. if it still doesn't show up I dont know

 

[orsonwells456]

no dont massively apply.

didn't I post a picture earlier?

---------- Post added at 11:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------


no odm means something is wrong I think. if you can check contents of csc.md5 and extract the biggest file and use lz4 to extract then use image extractor to extract the actual files. it should give you an idea if what should be in odm

Yes, you posted a picture but it doesn't show the owner/group so I just wanted to make sure since on mine it says radio.

I downloaded all the files in your onedrive link and mate it looks like you have two viruses there.......You might want to check that out.

 

[orsonwells456]

The procedure I took when flashing the rom was to go into download mode, flash twrp, boot immediately into recovery mode, wipe all data, then booted back into download mode, installed the rom we discussed for MYM. If I did that incorrectly, please let me know.

 

[bober10113]

The procedure I took when flashing the rom was to go into download mode, flash twrp, boot immediately into recovery mode, wipe all data, then booted back into download mode, installed the rom we discussed for MYM. If I did that incorrectly, please let me know.

lol no it's an unsigned front end I made. since its 'home made' unsigned exe can have false positives. anyways you dint need that.

for the owner/group permissions seem ok. but the file permissions look off

---------- Post added at 11:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 PM ----------

The procedure I took when flashing the rom was to go into download mode, flash twrp, boot immediately into recovery mode, wipe all data, then booted back into download mode, installed the rom we discussed for MYM. If I did that incorrectly, please let me know.

did you format data in the wipe menu? before doing wipe and rom flash?

 

[orsonwells456]

maybe go back to Odin and try flashing home-CSC this time.

it's the contents of odm and all files concerning carrier. if it still doesn't show up I dont know

This phone was not a carrier locked phone though. It was "factory unlocked" which means there wouldn't be carrier related software installed, n'est-ce pas?

 

[orsonwells456]

lol no it's an unsigned front end I made. since its 'home made' unsigned exe can have false positives. anyways you dint need that.

---------- Post added at 11:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 PM ----------


did you format data in the wipe menu? before doing wipe and rom flash?

Ok glad I don't need it. CP/

I formatted data in the wipe menu, yes.......then I just clicked start in Odin after loading the correct files into the approiate place (BL/AP/CP/CSC)

 

[bober10113]

This phone was not a carrier locked phone though. It was "factory unlocked" which means there wouldn't be carrier related software installed, n'est-ce pas?

I guess but having a look in that csc.md5 would help to figure it out.

---------- Post added at 11:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:34 PM ----------

Ok glad I don't need it. CP/

I formatted data in the wipe menu, yes.......then I just clicked start in Odin after loading the correct files into the approiate place (BL/AP/CP/CSC)

?

that doesn't make sense. you need phone to be in download mode, then flash with Odin what ever you need to flash if it is to flash back stock AP( rom )

then when Odin finishes restart phone and let it do its thing.

now if you already back to stock and want twrp

go to dl mode again and use Odin to flash twrp. untick autoreboot in Odin so you can force phone off and then restart to twrp.

now you do format. this allows internal storage to be read and write. and reboot.

if you want to flash a custom rom boot back to twrp and factory wipe and flash rom

 

[orsonwells456]

no odm means something is wrong I think. if you can check contents of csc.md5 and extract the biggest file and use lz4 to extract then use image extractor to extract the actual files. it should give you an idea of what should be in odm

maybe go back to Odin and try flashing home-CSC this time.

it's the contents of odm and all files concerning carrier. if it still doesn't show up I dont know

Ok I extracted the largest .lz4 file and this is what I see.

 

[orsonwells456]

I guess but having a look in that csc.md5 would help to figure it out.

---------- Post added at 11:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:34 PM ----------


?

that doesn't make sense. you need phone to be in download mode, then flash with Odin what ever you need to flash if it is to flash back stock AP( rom )

then when Odin finishes restart phone and let it do its thing.

now if you already back to stock and want twrp

go to dl mode again and use Odin to flash twrp. untick autoreboot in Odin so you can force phone off and then restart to twrp.

now you do format. this allows internal storage to be read and write. and reboot.

if you want to flash a custom rom boot back to twrp and factory wipe and flash rom

Sorry for the confusion I think I did what you said. This is what I did (more clearly explained hopefully).

1. Download mode
2. Used Odin to flash to TWRP then booted into TWRP
3. Wipe, format data
4. Reboot into download mode
5. Select files for stock rom in Odin
6. Flash and auto reboot.

Sorry if I am not clear like I said I am a complete noob when it comes to this. Thanks for helping me.

 

[orsonwells456]

Ok I just realized that the odm dir is not in /system........it's just in the root dir /.

 

[bober10113]

Ok I just realized that the odm dir is not in /system........it's just in the root dir /.

yeah sorry about that I think I said system.

anyways we got that out of the way. odm is present so that's not the issue.

beginning to run out of options here...

 

[orsonwells456]

yeah sorry about that I think I said system.

anyways we got that out of the way. odm is present so that's not the issue.

beginning to run out of options here...

I tried inserting the sim after editing the mps_code.dat.......................But to no avail.

 

[bober10113]

I tried inserting the sim after editing the mps_code.dat.......................But to no avail.

carrier might have simply black listed your phones imei code.

so my link to the ifixit site might be relevant. you might simply need one of those traveler sim cards...
you might want to call your carrier back and ask them if they see a imei associated to your sim and or if they see a blocked imei that matches the one from your phone.

there are also unlock services online that you can pay.. maybe you can try that too...I just dont know anymore

but my offer still stands if you want my roaming sim cards. you provide a prepayed shipping label and email it I'll give them to you. not sure it will help but it might be worth the shot

 

[RypeDub]

Hi, I work at T-Mobile.

What I can tell you that the PUK codes are written on the SIM cards when you purchase one at T-Mobile.

If you activate a SIM card, then activate a 2nd SIM card for that same NUMBER: SIM card 1 gets permanently deactivated. If your SIM is deactivated, then there literally is nothing you can do with that SIM, you'll have to purchase a new one.

So if you are using a T-Mobile SIM, and its asking for the PUK code, you'll need to have either the SIM card tray it came on when purchased (either SIM only or device that included a SIM in box) or try having the account accessed that the voice line is on, where the SIM is active.

The customer service folks, now called Team of Experts, will ask you to verify the account, then you can request that they look up the PUK code.

A representative in either a corporate or third party retailer can also look up this info for you.

In order to use the Device Unlock app, the app would need to have been pre-installed on your phone already. So try to flash a T-Mobile variant ROM to see if you can obtain access to the app.

In order to use the app, you'll need that device IMEI activated onto a valid working SIM on an account that is current, active and in good standing for around 4 to 6 months for PostPaid accounts, and over 12 months on prepaid accounts to utilize the Permanent Unlock option.

I forget the rules to the temporary unlock button option.

No version of the Device Unlock app online actually works, I'm guessing they use some sort of network certificate in an above standard method to tie the app to specific reasons in order for it to function properly.

Following all/any of these tips should gain you an unlocked device.

Good luck!

 

[bober10113]

Hi, I work at T-Mobile.

What I can tell you that the PUK codes are written on the SIM cards when you purchase one at T-Mobile.

If you activate a SIM card, then activate a 2nd SIM card for that same NUMBER: SIM card 1 gets permanently deactivated. If your SIM is deactivated, then there literally is nothing you can do with that SIM, you'll have to purchase a new one.

So if you are using a T-Mobile SIM, and its asking for the PUK code, you'll need to have either the SIM card tray it came on when purchased (either SIM only or device that included a SIM in box) or try having the account accessed that the voice line is on, where the SIM is active.

The customer service folks, now called Team of Experts, will ask you to verify the account, then you can request that they look up the PUK code.

A representative in either a corporate or third party retailer can also look up this info for you.

In order to use the Device Unlock app, the app would need to have been pre-installed on your phone already. So try to flash a T-Mobile variant ROM to see if you can obtain access to the app.

In order to use the app, you'll need that device IMEI activated onto a valid working SIM on an account that is current, active and in good standing for around 4 to 6 months for PostPaid accounts, and over 12 months on prepaid accounts to utilize the Permanent Unlock option.

I forget the rules to the temporary unlock button option.

No version of the Device Unlock app online actually works, I'm guessing they use some sort of network certificate in an above standard method to tie the app to specific reasons in order for it to function properly.

Following all/any of these tips should gain you an unlocked device.

Good luck!

just realized the phone is a dual sim. is it possible it needs to be placed in position number 2?

he stated sim works fine in an other phone so card seems fine.

that's why I think it's his imei that is black listed or something. @orsonwells456
rhe 2nd slot in the tray has it's own imei so that might do the trick.( place the sim there)

but slot 1 might need to be populated so any random sim might need to be in there too.

so try with good sim in slot 2 only and if no joy add a random one in slot 1.

vice versa if none of this works

 

[RypeDub]

just realized the phone is a dual sim. is it possible it needs to be placed in position number 2?

he stated sim works fine in an other phone so card seems fine.

that's why I think it's his imei that is black listed or something. @orsonwells456
rhe 2nd slot in the tray has it's own imei so that might do the trick.( place the sim there)

but slot 1 might need to be populated so any random sim might need to be in there too.

so try with good sim in slot 2 only and if no joy add a random one in slot 1

The dual SIM slot 2 could be the case, I doubt his IMEI is on the blacklist.

The PUK code can be used multiple times. Its essentially the password to the SIM service, not like the SIM Lock code, which is more considered the SIM password.

So even if the SIM works in one device, you'll need to use the PUK code on the other.

Its easy to get that PUK code if you are an authorized user on the account.