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IMEI is 0 - Droid Ultra

VVihar

Lurker
Feb 18, 2017
5
1
Hi everyone!

Bought a second device 8 days ago and yesterday it rebooted. After the reboot it stopped making or receiving calls. I was still able to surf the web over VZWINTERNET (my sim card is installed), send messages etc.

After researching some I came to find out that my IMEI # is a lonely '0'.
In speaking with an upper level verizon tech I was told that even though I have been using the device for over a week there is barely a trace of it in my device history (on their end). It never registered and when it did show up it refuses to release it's IMEI.

Wondering what my options are. I have the idea that this device was rooted at some point...possible?

I've included some pics of what the phone is telling me.

Any help would be great.
VVihar
 

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Changing the IMEI is illegal so no one here will help you (it's against the rules of AF). Why not return it?

I bought it second hand....used. Returning is not an option and it wasn't expensive. I also wasn't asking about changing the IMEI!

I was told by the Verizon tech that he believes if I reload the original software the phone came with the IMEI will reset.

BUT, how is it possible that the phone refuses to show the IMEI number at all. Every place where that info should be it's zeros or zero.
 
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I bought it second hand....used. Returning is not an option and it wasn't expensive. I also wasn't asking about changing the IMEI!

I was told by the Verizon tech that he believes if I reload the original software the phone came with the IMEI will reset.


BUT, how is it possible that the phone refuses to show the IMEI number at all. Every place where that info should be it's zeros or zero.

That sounds plausible, because a null or invalid IMEI or MEID is often caused by a corrupted, missing or incorrect baseband firmware. And if you believe it was rooted and modified, then that's very possibly it. The IMEI itself is actually burned into the chip-set, but if the baseband isn't working then it won't show, and restoring the correct firmware should bring it back.You're certainly not trying to change it, so it's OK and legal.

For Droid Ultra firmware, try needrom.com and look in the Motorola section.
http://www.needrom.com/category/motorola/
 
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Welcome to Android Forums.

When you bought this device from this apparently unreliable source where you did not know anything about its history ... did you start with a Factory Data Reset?

What did Verizon recommend that you do? Was it possible to take it to a Verizon store and have the firmware refreshed?

You have 4.4.3 -- 21.0.138.
I have 4.4.4 -- 24,21,7 -- on my retired Maxx.


... Thom
 
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That sounds plausible, because a null or invalid IMEI or MEID is often caused by a corrupted, missing or incorrect baseband firmware. And if you believe it was rooted and modified, then that's very possibly it. The IMEI itself is actually burned into the chip-set, but if the baseband isn't working then it won't show, and restoring the correct firmware should bring it back.You're certainly not trying to change it, so it's OK and legal.

For Droid Ultra firmware, try needrom.com and look in the Motorola section.
http://www.needrom.com/category/motorola/


Thank you. I will give the site a shot today. I might be back for more instructions :)
 
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Welcome to Android Forums.

When you bought this device from this apparently unreliable source where you did not know anything about its history ... did you start with a Factory Data Reset?

What did Verizon recommend that you do? Was it possible to take it to a Verizon store and have the firmware refreshed?

You have 4.4.3 -- 21.0.138.
I have 4.4.4 -- 24,21,7 -- on my retired Maxx.


... Thom

Indeed I did a factory reset, on the spot. The phone worked just fine.
Only after making and receiving calls became impossible did it come to light that it's doing weird things.
I have no issues dropping it in the garbage as it didn't cost much BUT there is a part of me that is determined to try and fix it and make it work.
I've been using a Maxx for 3 years and I'm happy with it....The Ultra was all that was available within a stone's throw.

Interested in selling your Maxx? :)
 
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That sounds plausible, because a null or invalid IMEI or MEID is often caused by a corrupted, missing or incorrect baseband firmware. And if you believe it was rooted and modified, then that's very possibly it. The IMEI itself is actually burned into the chip-set, but if the baseband isn't working then it won't show, and restoring the correct firmware should bring it back.You're certainly not trying to change it, so it's OK and legal.

For Droid Ultra firmware, try needrom.com and look in the Motorola section.
http://www.needrom.com/category/motorola/

I'm not finding anything Droid Ultra specific rom on the site. Any idea what else would work?
 
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I keep the Maxx for testing on an old version (4.4.4).

It is peculiar that you are not on 4.4.4.

It has been a while for me ... Verizon stores used to have the ability to re-flash the ROM. I don't remember when that stopped. Bionic? Maxx/Mini/Ultra?

There was an smirch in the past that was thrown id the device was ever root-ed. There was no way to reset the switch. The issue was ... root/make a bad modification/un-root/sell the device to unsuspecting person/rip them off. I can find no reference to it for the Ultra.

I personally would never buy a phone that I really needed from an untrusted source. Buying one for compatibility testing would not be an issue.

... Thom
 
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