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Help Samsung S3: Failed to mount /efs, /system, /data

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Venky128

Lurker
My Samsung S3 has been giving problems quite recently (automatically uninstalling, spontaneous reboots etc) and now it does not even boot. On entering the recovery mode, I find error messages like E: failed to mount /efs AND E: failed to mount /system.

I would like to know first and foremost if there is any way to recover the contents of the phone storage. Once that is done I can somehow try to install the stock ROMs based on suggestions I came across elsewhere.

Any help would be appreciated!
 
If the device will not bootup normally, I don't think that you will be able to access any data on it. You usually have to unlock the screen before you can transfer files to a PC.
Content on the removable SD card can be saved and viewed via a card reader if not encrypted.
What model S3 do you have?
 
Flashing a custom recovery should not delete any user data. Instead of CWM recovery which is no longer supported, I would try TWRP recovery.
https://dl.twrp.me/i9305/twrp-3.0.2-1-i9305.img.tar.html

Install the same way using Odin. I would uncheck Auto Reboot in Options and when flash is finished, unplug phone, remove battery, install battery then use the button combination to boot into recovery.
Hopefully it will be TWRP.
In TWRP, choose Wipe, Advanced, only check cache. Swipe the arrow at the bottom to initiate.
Choose Reboot, System.
Hopefully this will get it to boot normally
 
I followed your suggestions but unfortunately Odin was unable to properly transfer of the TWRP
recovery file. The error that I received was : Can't open the serial(COM) port.

I also then tried CWM recovery and the same thing happened. However I should point out that Odin did recognize the device.

Anyway, thanks for your help all the same.
 
Sorry you couldn't get it back up and running.
The S3 is my favorite Samsung. Hate to see one that can't be restored to working.
 
Venky128 said:
I followed your suggestions but unfortunately Odin was unable to properly transfer of the TWRP
recovery file. The error that I received was : Can't open the serial(COM) port.
Click to expand...
As @Jfalls63 suggested, make sure that the Samsung driver is properly loaded, even if your S3 appears to be mounted to your desktop, that isn't an absolute indicator the necessary internal parts of your phone are actually accessible by the operating system (and then by the Odin application). When your S3 is connected to your PC, double-check there's nothing flagged in the USB drivers section of your PC's Device Manager.
Also, just some general suggestions.
-- Try a different USB cable, a lot of those cheaper after-market cables often consist of lower end parts using minimal quality control.
-- Avoid using a USB hub for something like flashing your phone, plug it directly into your PC.
-- If you're plugging into a USB ver 3 port (typically has a bright blue plastic insert) try using a USB ver. 2 (usually a black plastic insert) instead.
-- Finally, try using a different version of Odin, sometimes a more recent version isn't as compatible as an earlier version.
http://odindownload.com/
 
svim said:
Also, just some general suggestions.
-- Try a different USB cable, a lot of those cheaper after-market cables often consist of lower end parts using minimal quality control.
-- Avoid using a USB hub for something like flashing your phone, plug it directly into your PC.
-- If you're plugging into a USB ver 3 port (typically has a bright blue plastic insert) try using a USB ver. 2 (usually a black plastic insert) instead.
-- Finally, try using a different version of Odin, sometimes a more recent version isn't as compatible as an earlier version.
Click to expand...

I tried all of the above but none of them worked. As for the last point, I tried versions 3.10,3.09,3.07, 3.04 and 1.85 for Odin without any success. I received the error FAIL! following NAND Write Start .

Here is another thread where users discuss facing an almost identical problem .
http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/468038-how-do-i-get-my-s3-off-boot-logo.html
Once again, I appreciate the suggestions.
 
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