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Question

NEED SERIOUS HELP FROM PHONE PRO!!!!!!

May 1, 2017 9:12PM PDT

Ok this is complicated but I need serious help. SO I have an HTC One X at&t device that I recently smashed the screen to. Completely obliterated. Now this happened a week ago; at first, the phone would charge and turn on, however the screen was black and blue and green and all sorts of colors, but you couldn't touch operate it or see anything else. I needed to backup the files but the only computer access I had at the time was a school computer, so I could view the device but not run any programs on it. That was a week ago like I said, and at that point, the phone showed up on a computer, but all the files were lost. I was going to transfer them to a flashdrive but the files were GONE. Device was empty. And because I was on a school computer, I couldn't download and run a restoration program to get them back. Fast forward to tonight, I've gotten some down time and ability to use a computer and flashdrive so I'm ready to backup the device. The only problem is, now the phone won't charge (when connected to computer or the wall, and the usb cable works fine, I tested it on other phones), the computer WILL NOT recognize it, it legit rejects it as an unknown device that it can't install. The phone screen won't turn on at all, not even to the colors and black, it won't connect to the computer and I STILL REALLY NEED TO RESTORE AND BACK UP THE FILES TO A FLASHDRIVE. I tried downloading Dr. Fone, asoftech photo recovery, and an ADB, and none of those worked because they couldn't locate the device. My phone is not debugged, so I can't operate it through the pc I don't think, like using the mouse and keypad? I have no idea what to do to get my files back. The phone doesn't have a home push button, it's like a touch screen icon, not that the screen works anyways, so I can't manually restore or reboot it. The phone won't connect to the computer, won't turn on, the screen is hella broken, and it isn't debugged. If anyone has ANY suggestions, I'm desperate!!!! I had tons of important photos and note files that I need to get back.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
The files are likely still there
May 2, 2017 7:25AM PDT

Unfortunately though, you will have to pay for professional data recovery at this stage. It can be pricey for a student budget Sad. Do *NOT* write anything else to this phone if you truly want to recover what's there(!) Been there, done that. Sometimes this part can erase what is otherwise recoverable professionally. Use a flip phone in the meantime if that's what it takes to retain/save your important files.

There is a device that perhaps a cellular shop (even ATT) could attempt, but I am not current with their recovery charges per se. It's called a Cellebrite. Independent mobile shops have them too sometimes. They are able to move and transfer data, sometimes when other methods fail. Normal professional data recovery from memory chips, etc. is usually more expensive though since it often involves going down to the granular level vs merely re-accessing the device(s).

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Cellbrite.
May 2, 2017 7:48AM PDT

Great stuff.

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Answer
Backup is done before loss of the phone.
May 2, 2017 7:17AM PDT

You can plea on Howard's Forums and XDA as well but so far this is something you do before you break or lose a phone.

I know folk thought phones would be different from their PCs but not so. I see folk flame (get very upset) when they discover recovery is less likely than their PC.

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Answer
easy fix
May 9, 2017 6:23PM PDT

get a replacement screen from ebay or amazon