After flashing, device stuck on `Wiping data`

[xananax]

I used the windows flash tool to get the Android/Debian/Sailfish combo on my Gemini. It worked without a hitch (although I was unable to boot into Sailfish).

After playing a bit with Linux, I decided it was not usable enough for me right now; since I had allocated most hd space to Linux, I decided to re-flash with (rooted) Android only.

Upon rebooting, Android asked me for my pass; I tried "gemini", it then proceeded to tell me that it couldn't decrypt my data and needed to wipe it

After rebooting once again, I was presented with a black terminal-like screen with the following message flashing every few seconds:

Code: [Select]

Supported API: 3
-- Wiping data
Formatting /data...
After waiting 10 minutes or so, I tried flashing again, and got an "Invalid ROM or PMT address" message in the FlashTool. Following the Wiki's instructions, I unplugged, restarted the pc and the Gemini, and managed to flash again. The process went seemingly well, with no error messages.

However, after rebooting, I am still seeing the `Formatting /data...` line above, and nothing seems to be happening.

I have a backup of my `nvram0`, but I'm not sure how to use it (or if it would be useful). Reading previous posts for different devices didn't help me understand what was happening, nor how to proceed. Any help would be welcome.

[xananax]

After many many different tests, I ended up following the advice here.

I restored the multiboot scatter file. Android and Debian worked as they did before, Sailfish booted but only showed me the loading circle after setup, and stalled there. Oh well.

Then I went to try (rooted) AndroidOnly again, and got the same message as before "enter your password to use Android". Seems like Android Only doesn't work, at least not the rooted one.

After that, I once again couldn't flash anything until I repeated the procedure above (e.g. format completely, restore with nvram). I re-flashed the multiboot, again, and it works this time. I ain't gonna touch it

[xananax]

Spoke too fast  my SIM card is not detected

[xananax]

Tried flashing standard Android, still no SIM. Tried Rooted only, I get "To Start Android, enter your password" again. Tried the original firmware, still no sim. At this stage, I'd accept anything, I just want a working device

[xananax]

I give up. Summary.

Things I've tried:

- Creating an IMEI.bak file with Mobile Uncle IMEI Write tool and restoring it with Mobile Uncle (doesn't work, clicking on "IMEI backup" in Mobile uncle gives me an error)
- Changing the IMEI with Chamelephon, which doesn't give an error, but still doesn't actually restore the IMEIs
- Changing the SIM card to make sure it it wasn't that
- Using Engineer Mode (not possible, CDS Information doesn't show)
- Using ADB shell to delete modemst1 and modemst2 as advised on some pages (files not found)
- Typing *#*#197328640#*#* (number field just empties and nothing happens, when it should've opened command mode)
- Restoring the NVRAM file through Windows Smart Phone Patch tools, both with full flashing and with unselecting everything but the nvram
- creating a "MP0B_001" file and putting it in the right place as documented here https://showmeyourcode.org/imei-android-fix-root/
- Using MTK Droid Tools, but it wouldn't detect my Gemini (after using the fix here, and patching the bat file with the fix here so I can run as admin, the software detects the Gemini, but still can't add IMEIs)
- Installing Magisk-Xposed so I could install the Xposed IMEI changer; didn't work (Magisk refused to install the Xposed module)
- Pushing my "NVRAM0" file to the device and then doing `dd if=/data/local/tmp/NVRAM0 of=/dev/nvram`
- Tried SP Maui Meta Tools, but it stalls and never connects (the Gemini also stalls on boot, so *something* is happening, but damned if I know what)
- Installing TWRP and restoring a zip file with the imeis as depicted here, it did nothing either

I've tried each of the above with the following setups:

- Rooted Android
- Rooted Android + Debian + Sailfish
- Standard Android through Partition Tool
- Standard Android Firmware downloaded from the firmware page


(obviously, I haven't tried solutions requiring root with standard android).

In all cases, I have no SIM Card, save for the "Rooted Android" one, which just asks me for a password and then proceeds to stall at "wiping data..."
I do not know if I would see a SIM in Sailfish, because it never makes it past setup. I have backed up the NVRAM before doing anything and restored it, so I shouldn't have bricked the sim, in theory?

If anyone has any solution at all, I'm taking

[Varti]

First thing that comes to my mind, reading about the problems with the SIM not being detected: when flashing the standard Android firmware, are you using the correct firmware for your model (i.e. 4G x25 or x27, not the Wi-fi only one)? Sorry if you already mentioned this in your posts above.

Varti

[xananax]

When flashing the standard Android firmware, are you using the correct firmware for your model

Good catch, I had not said so; unfortunately it can't be that; First because I was careful to select X27 (my model), second because when I flashed the first time, it worked and I had SIM access. Subsequent flashing of the same scatter file with the same firmware gave me no sim.

[Varti]

Maybe this thread might be helpful?

https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=35233

Varti

[xananax]

Thanks to Varti I discovered this thread of peeps having the same problem as me, but unfortunately, none of the solutions proposed worked for me either.

Continuation of the summary above:

- On Gemini's Support recommendation (who by the way answered super fast and were great, contrary to what I can read on this forum sometimes), I tried sending:

Code: [Select]

echo 'AT+EGMR=1,7,"XXXXX"' >/dev/radio/pttycmd1
echo 'AT+EGMR=1,10,"YYYYY"' >/dev/radio/pttycmd1
replacing XXXXs and YYYYs with my proper Imei's. Tried it as root both through termux in Android and through adb, but nothing changed

- From the thread above, I tried installing twrp and then using the baseband fix (multiple times), but also to no avail

[Ifanafi]

Can't offer advice.

Nevertheless, there are several posts herein about SIM card related difficulties, shortcomings and trial-and-error failings of triple boot Geminis.

I recall those hands-up-in-the-air folks have surrendered in disgusted disappointment to reverting / flashing their Geminis back to Android only (not rooted).

And then waiting until Planet / Jolla releases Sailfish (and updates to Linux) for prime time use on the Gemini.

Until then CAVEAT EMPTOR to all who aren't professionally experienced, comfortable and even enthusiastic with deep diving in the dark, dangerous waters of Android and Linux code.

Only then and with reluctant hesitancy MIGHT I flash Sailfish onto my Gemini... probably 60+ days afterwards given the high probability that OS will stumble out of its release box... necessitating frequent, emergency update fixes.

Ifanafi

[xananax]

I found this thread which sums up all the ways (which I've all tried).

It specifies at the top though to make sure to have a valid baseband (mine shows as "unknown"). It says to make sure of that by flashing the stock firmware. However, flashing the stock firmware did *not* restore my baseband... So I am at a loss.

The thread also says you can flash just `secro.img`, but although this file exists in both the stock and the 3 boots firmware, it is not referenced by the scatter file nor does it show up in the SP Flash Tool list. I am not savvy enough to know if this is normal or an error.

Since the post specifies the need for a working baseband, and since I am unable to restore my baseband, it makes sense that none of the methods I've tried has worked.

I'm still leaving this here in case it helps someone else

reverting / flashing their Geminis back to Android only (not rooted).

I have, many many times. That was attempts 3 to 10 of about a hundred, but unfortunately to no avail.

[xananax]

One more attempt:

Tried xposed + imei changer.

I tried installing systemless xposed through Magisk, but would always get an error that it couldn't unzip.

In the end it worked by doing:

• Installing the xposed installer from this XDA thread
• *downloading*, but not installing, the corresponding zip from Magisk > modules (in my case, it was version 25)
• flashing that zip (it downloads to [storage]/MagiskManager) through TWRP
• Opening xposed installer, going to modules, and downloading "Phone ID Changer Free" (other similar modules gave me different colorful errors)
• Rebooting

The app installed, I opened it, changed my IMEI, rebooted... But it didn't work either

At this stage, I believe I've tried just every single method I've ever heard of, no matter how obscure.