[Q] SGH-I747 won't boot past splash screen. Can I save my files? - AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus Samsung Galaxy S III

My wife's SG3 SGH-I747 will show the white "Samsung" logo, then the white Samsung Galaxy S3 logo, then it goes black. Pulled the battery several times, no luck. I'm assuming this was caused by a failed update.
I can get it into download mode, I have cleared the Cache and rebooted with no luck.
I'm not a complete rookie at this, but I haven't done it for years and I'm afraid of losing the data on the phone.
How would you suggest I proceed to save the data? (Pictures and movies)
install a previous stock rom via the download mode? Or odin? I don't have a custom recovery installed.
Will the unbrick method work in my situation? If so will it wipe the phone?
I've searched the forum and can't find anyone saying if the data is salvageable.
I know it's my fault for not backing up her data, but she's in tears over losing pictures of the kids. Please help if you can.
Thanks,

Installing a ROM via Odin may require you to do a factory reset before it boots.
Boot into download mode and look at the screen. Do you see anything about a warranty bit?

I just get the download screen. (See attached picture) Nothing about a warranty
Options are:
Reboot system now
apply update from external storage
wipe data/factory reset
wipe cache partition
apply update from cache
Then it shows:
#MANUAL MODE#
--APPLLYING MULTI-CSC...
APPLIED THE CSC-CODE : ATT
SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED MULTI-csc.
.

That is the recovery mode, not download mode. To get into download, press the home button, volume down, and power button. Once the phone starts to boot, release the power button and hold the other two until you see the download message and press volume up to continue.

You were right. In download mode it says:
ODIN MODE
product name: sgh-i747
CURRENT BINARY: CUSTOM
SYSTEM STATUS: CUSTOM
QUALCOMM SECUREBOOT: ENABLE
WARRANTY BIT: 1
BOOTLOADER AP SWREV: 3
DOWNLOADING....
DO NOT TURN OFF TARGET!!

Since the warranty bit is 1, this tells me you have at least a 4.3 bootloader on your phone.
The only thing I can think of to get the files would be to flash twrp onto your phone in download mode. Then mount the drive, connect the phone to your computer, and use Windows Explorer (assuming you're on a Win machine) to copy the files off the phone.

audit13 said:
Since the warranty bit is 1, this tells me you have at least a 4.3 bootloader on your phone.
The only thing I can think of to get the files would be to flash twrp onto your phone in download mode. Then mount the drive, connect the phone to your computer, and use Windows Explorer (assuming you're on a Win machine) to copy the files off the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a new rom would wipe the phone?

The last full firmware AT&T released was 4.1.1. The AT&T 4.3 and 4.4.2 ROMs were only released as OTA updates for an existing stock ROM and stock recovery on a phone.
If you want to flash a 4.3 or 4.4.2 ROM, you need to use a version found on XDA to to this. Trying to flash a 4.3 ROM onto a 4.4.2 bootloader and modem could brick your phone. In fact, any flashing procedure can result in a brick or a loss of user data.
Even if you successfully flash a ROM, the ROM may not boot without wiping the cache and all user data first.

Good to know, Thanks a BUNCH for the help.
You are awesome!
Now...let's pray this works!

If you install a custom recovery, you can create a backup of the existing ROM even if the ROM doesn't boot.

Cool,
Odin 3.07 sees the phone, i downloaded openrecovery-twrp-2.6.3.0-d2att.tar. Is it is loaded through the pda option?
Thanks again for your help.

Yes, flash it via the PDA section. Do not check anything except F.Reset time.
Flash TWRP, when you see the word Reset in the status windows, remove the USB cable, remove the battery, replace the battery, boot into recovery, create a backup of the rom, preferably to an external SD card. When the backup is complete, attach phone to computer, mount the partitions, locate files on the phone you want to save.

Done with install, backing up to SD now.

Ok, TWRP worked, I was able to safe the files (THANK YOU!!!). I used the file manager to find and copy the files to the sd card, then did a full backup. It never did mount to the computer, even after the drivers were installed.
It saved the backup with the file name: 1970-01-01--00-18-57 KOT49H.I747UCUFNJ1 so I'm guessing that is the build number it was trying to update to (KOT49H.I747UCUFNJ1). I can get to recovery mode and download mode, how should I go about making this phone work again?
I'm not sure how to check what version of bootloader I have. You scared me about the "bricking it" warning about flashing the wrong rom with the wrong bootloader.

If your are sure you saved the necessary files in two different places, boot into recovery and wipe cache , dalvik, and reboot. If it still won't boot, wipe cache, dalvik, and data in recovery, reboot.

Another option may be to use adb to pull files from the phone, you can even pull entire directories. I will work from recovery mode. There are tutorials on installing the toolkit for adb w/o installing all of the platform development tools. I use Linux so I can not verify how to do this on Windows, but it looks as simple as it was for me. Once adb is present on the PC, boot the phone into recovery, and in a command prompt window enter the command
Code:
adb shell pull /path/to/picture/directory C:\path\to where\you\want\it
and example may be
Code:
adb shell pull /sdcard/DCIM/camera C:\recoveredphotos
Check that I did my Windows path correctly

Related

[Q] CleanROM + error flashing zip = facedesking. Need help please. Info inside.

Ok so here is what I have done so far:
1.) I rooted via this method:
Step 1: Download Odin v3.07 and CF root (for non-AT&T variants, find the root file for your phone and plug that in for this CF root link. The rest of this guide should work for you). After you do that, right-click and extract the files to somewhere easily accessible (like your desktop).
Step 2: Go to Settings>Developer Options>turn developer options on>turn on USB debugging
Step 3: Make sure your phone is not connected to the computer at this point. Open up Odin, select PDA, navigate to CF-Auto-Root-....tar.md5
Step 4: Put your phone in download mode (turn off phone, then hold VolDown+Home+Power to boot - if it asks you to press a button to continue, press the listed button (in this case volume up)
Step 5: USB connect your phone to your computer and in Odin make sure Repartition is not checked. Leave everything else alone. Click the Start button and wait for your phone to reboot twice.​
2.) installed goomanager and ran the script that installs twrp for you and ran a recovery
3.) booted into twrp, cleared cache/d-something cache, did factory reset, and the system reset (forgot the exact name)
4.) tried to install cleanrom (had it on my internal SD card) and got the "error flashing zip" line
I've looked around reading everyone's solutions and it's come down to
a.) i need to reinstall/redownload and try again. Thing is, idk how to remove all this crap (my backup was created after doing the twrp stuff) so that I can reinstall
b.) twrp is the issue and i need to use CWM. again, not sure how to remove twrp before installing CWM and the guides that I've come across to install CWM aren't simple enough for me (im new to this)
Any insight would be great. I've been loading back into my backup trying to start over and I'm afraid if I keep messing around I will brick my phone which is why I have come to you guys. Trust me I've been looking stuff up for hours and I still can't seem to figure it out
I would do that, but it's just me.
-I would boot in recovery , wipe cache, dalvik, factory reset, and system.
-Boot in Download mode, flash the appropriate stock rom.
-Let it boot in stock rom.
What i do to root and install twrp.
- I boot in download I run cf-Autoroot through odin, then let it boot
- I boot in downaload again and run twrp through odin again let reboot (you need the correct twrp file to flash with odin).
You now have a freshly rooted and clean install of everything. Check Md5 or redownload CleanRom.
When i install cleanrom i reboot in recovery,I wipe cache, dalvik, factory reset and system, then i install the rom and reboot to system, i never had issues doing everything this way. I believe its the correct and clean way to do.

tmobile sgh-t999 s3 wont boot completely need help

Hello everyone. I have a tmoble s3 that was once rooted and then updated with kies and ran on stock firmware. The phone was updated to the latest firmware but I had lost root. I left it alone and all was well for many months. The other day after charging the phone it was unable to complete the boot. I can boot to recovery and to download mode but it wont safe boot or normal boot it hangs up at the last phase. I took the phone in to a samsung rep and he tried to load the firmware on the phone he did a home recovery but the phone still doesnt complete the boot. I had already tried factory reset before taking it in and it failed. I am not sure how to fix it since it isnt rooted any ideas on how to fix the phone? Is it possilbe to fix this phone or is it just a paperwieght now? Can you odin a pre rooted rom on a phone that isnt rooted and wont boot in order to enable usb debugging or developer options? I have no idea how to proceed so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance
To quickly check the phone's functionality, I suggest the following:
1) download Odin 3.07 from here: https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...07763241,d.dmo
2) download the tar version of TWRP 2.8.6.0 from here: https://dl.twrp.me/d2tmo/
3) download the latest cm12.1 for the phone from here ( http://www.cmxlog.com/12.1/d2tmo/) and save it to a micro SD card;
4) download the version of cm12.1 gapps you want from here (https://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Google_Apps) and save it to the same sd card where you saved CM12.1;
5) place the micro SD card into the phone;
6) boot the phone into download mode;
7) open Odin 3.07 and uncheck everything except f. reset time;
8) click on PDA and browse to the tar TWRP file and select it;
9) connect the phone and it should show up as a com port in Odin;
10) flash TWRP;
11) when you see the word RESET in the status window, remove the USB cable, remove the battery, replace the battery, use the button combination to get into recovery which should now be TWRP;
12) perform a full wipe of system, data, and cache;
13) flash CM12.1 and gapps from the micro SD card;
14) reboot and enjoy

Galaxy Note 8 (GT-N5110) PC Connection Problems - Boot Loop - SOLVED by ME

NO ONE?????
ODIN --> Flash Stock Recovery (AP) with NAND Erase All Option Checked (because it seemed to make sense) + Auto Reboot + F. Time Reset --> Reboots to Stock Recovery (did not work before) --> Reboot into Recovery --> Wipe Data/Cache and Dalvik just to be safe (this crashed it before) --> Reboot. THE END
TL/DR: I am currently stuck on recovery/update mode. Any attempt to wipe data or clear dalvik crashes it. any attempt to access data through TWRP crashes it. Flashing stock rom or custom rom does not help. Somethings wrong with /data? It thinks it has root from the CF Auto Root, but does not really? Something wrong with partitions? Should I wipe the nand with ODIN 3.10? Repartition? ugh ... Please help ...
I have searched the forums and found nothing that describes this issue precisely. I have also tried to apply various suggestions to repair, which, for the most part seems to have made it worse. I am hoping that people still look at this forum.
PC - Windows 7
Initially @4.2.2 ---> Touchwiz debloated stock ROM which I rooted. It worked for a couple years, but the device crashed frequently. I do not recall much about the installation, but believe that I used CWM/TWRP at the time. After installing the ROM, I ran triangle away (out of the box, it had 4.1.2, i recall)
I decided to upgrade to the most recent stock ROM (4.4.2). In order to do so, I used an easy installer I found else where on XDA. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2773712 ---ODIN One Click exe). The device was not initially recognized, so I reinstalled the official driver package (said that they already existed, but I installed again anyway). Ran 1-click and it appeared to work.
Initially, the device booted (long startup) and seemed to function. It also preserved all data and programs (presumably did not touch the internal memory - 16 GB) and possibly root /data.
I then tried to root through most recent ODIN with CF auto root. This appeared to work and rebooted (again, showing the updating android apps screen before fully booting).
The only thing that i could find that had changed was the wallpaper (showed on lock screen but not on home screen). I could no longer find the image, so tried to go to /data/data to find it with root explorer equivalent. This is where it started to act weird.
NOTE: I did not clear anything (system cache, etc. at any point)<--a lie (see below)
It showed the root folder fine, but when I clicked on /data it took a while and could not access it. It either rebooted itself or I rebooted, but this time it was stuck in a boot logo loop. I entered download mode and flashed TWRP through ODIN. I set it to not reboot automatically so that the bootloader was not overwritten automatically (thus losing recovery). TWRP came up. The computer recognized it as a Media Device after I mounted USB storage. Just in case, I copied all of the important files from the internal SD Card to my computer. I then tried to go to the file explorer to copy the wall paper and it forced a reboot. At this point it was stuck on a logo screen boot loop again. I was able to enter Download mode and reflash TWRP. This allowed me to enter recovery again, however, now it would only boot directly into recovery (or Download mode if I did the button combo). The interesting thing was that it would reboot two or three times before successfully entering TWRP.
I believe I tried to reflash the stock ROM at this point, which might have worked but made no difference.
I was also having a lot of problems getting Windows to properly recognize the device. I had to reinstall the drivers a couple times. I tried Kies after the problems started and it tried to connect by failed. The diagnose connection did not work either. I was not able to get Kies to connect though I tried several times throughout the attempted repair
I downloaded a stock-rooted 4.4.2 ROM from here and tried to flash it. It failed.
I also tried to flash via Heimdall, but initially could not find any stock ROMs for Heimdall for the Galaxy 8. (The driver utility that is included helped to get the phone recognized by Windows sporadically).
I decided to switch over to CWM touch recovery, which I flashed via ODIN (I was having issues with TWRP again and also could not get windows to recognize the device as a media device when I mounted USB storage). This worked after a couple tries and I was able to enter CWM. I attempted to flash the stock ROM but it failed. Either at that point or when I tried to mount data it returned an error that device did not have root. Again, it would only boot into CWM (on its own) or Download mode (with key combo). At some point around here I cleared the cache and dalvik (error) after it returned an error saying insufficient space when trying to flash ROM.
I dissected the .exe from the autoflash used in the beginning (stock unrooted 4.4.2) and used the contents (system.img, cache.img, hidden.img, tz.img, recovery.img and one other I do not remember) in Heimdall to create a Heimdall package. At this point I figured out I did not need to create the package, but just specify the individual files. I flashed. It appeared to complete System.img successfully and then failed. Tried again with the same result.
Now when I rebooted, it would enter download mode with the Key combo, but otherwise it booted instantly to an error screen to the effect that a firmware installation had failed and to use the repair function in Kies to fix. Kies still did not recognize it.
At this point, I figured I should stop. Currently I can get to the download screen or the error screen. The computer recognizes it but intermittently fails to install driver. Zadig.exe sees it as Gadget Serial. Sometimes Windows just sees it as SAMSUNG_Android, in which case drivers fail. Once or twice I got it to recognize it as Samsung USB Composite Device, but Kies would still not work.
That's all i have for now. If more information is needed, let me know and I will update the post when I get home from work tonight (this is from memory).
Thank you
UPDATE: last night I went home and was able to get it back to the point where I could flash TWRP or CWM recovery. If I try to flash Stock Recovery, it fails. A minor problem is that I cannot turn it off - it just turns it self on again, so the battery keeps running down.

Accidentally wiped everything in recovery, No OS installed

I made a very noob mistake today. I was going to factory reset my Oneplus 3 in TWRP (recovery) and flash back to the stock rom but I accidentally checked off everything to be erased... which erased my current operating system, along with the stock rom I was going to install :crying:
Now im stuck with no OS, phone won't boot, can only get into recovery etc etc
I tried connecting it to the computer and clicking MOUNT in recovery, my PC detects it, but when I try to drag and drop the stock rom it just hangs there and the file transfer progress bar doesnt move.
What are my options ?
The phone is rooted
You can use sideload from twrp. Or you can put the zip you want to flash in a usb and flash it via otg.
613BulletProof said:
I made a very noob mistake today. I was going to factory reset my Oneplus 3 in TWRP (recovery) and flash back to the stock rom but I accidentally checked off everything to be erased... which erased my current operating system, along with the stock rom I was going to install :crying:
Now im stuck with no OS, phone won't boot, can only get into recovery etc etc
I tried connecting it to the computer and clicking MOUNT in recovery, my PC detects it, but when I try to drag and drop the stock rom it just hangs there and the file transfer progress bar doesnt move.
What are my options ?
The phone is rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put the OOS you want to install on a flash memory and use it as OTG from TWRP
As mentioned above, sideload is the easiest way.
Simply follow the steps here:
https://twrp.me/faq/ADBSideload.html
You can transfer data from a pc in twrp so you have loads of options
Push it with ADB
Ex- "adb push (input_file_name) /sdcard/(output_file_name)"
I will try adb sideloading, i had tried that method a while back for installing a rom and had issues, i have windows 10.
Skinpipe said:
You can transfer data from a pc in twrp so you have loads of options
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
already tried that it wont let me. it detects the phone on my pc, but when dragging and dropping it wont transfer and throws an error saying device could not be found.
613BulletProof said:
already tried that it wont let me. it detects the phone on my pc, but when dragging and dropping it wont transfer and throws an error saying device could not be found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try reflashing twrp from fastboot
I had the same problem when I was trying to upgrade to OOS 4.0. The phone was stuck at bootscreen. I powered it off by holding power button for 10 seconds. I turned it on again and booted in recovery mode. Then I connected my OP3 to PC and I was able to copy the .zip file into the TWRP folder. In recovery mode I installed the latest firmware from the .zip file.
Maybe I should mention that the OS I'm using is Arch Linux. My PC instantly recognized my phone.

Samsung Nexus GT-i9250 stuck on X screen with colours changing DATA IMPORTANT HELP!!

I have a GT-i9250 its stuck on the X boot screen with the colours changing.
I think the bootloader is unlocked when you turn it on it shows the unlocked padlock.
The phone charges and usb is being detected by PC.
When I connect in bootloader mode computer detects ADB.
How do I get this phone to turn on fully WITHOUT WIPING MY IMPORTANT DATA?
Board Name : tuna REV 9
Board REV : HSPA - 9
Boot Type : USB MMC1
Device Type : HS
Build Date : Nov 16 2011 16:29:36
FASTBOOT MODE
PRODUCT NAME - tuna
VARIANT - maguro
HW VERSION - 9
BOOTLOADER - VERSION - PRIMEKK15
BASEBAND VERSION - I9250XXLH1
CARRIER INFO - NONE
SERIAL NUMBER -
SIGNING - production
LOCK STATE - UNLOCKED
Thankyou
Which are those important data?
Which ROM version is installed?
Have you got an OTG cable for connect a USB stick?
As first simple step, enter in recovery and wipe only cache and dalvik, than reboot.
Stuck on the multicoloured X on startup for long time.
Important Data is Phone Numbers Pictures Videos Messages.
I went into recovery done wipe cache phone restarted but same problem still same problem stuck on the multicoloured cross.
For recovery mode when the green android appeared I had to hold the power button and volume up button to get options.
I have an OTG cable and USB stick.
I believe it may be a software problem.
I need to try to flash this GT-i9250 without deleting any data on the phone surely there must be a non wipe firmware method I do have a non wipe file but I dont dare try it just waiting for more feedback and see what happens.
Im not sure what ROM ive got on here right now baseband and rest of the details are above it may be 4.2.2 not sure can you tell from details above?
Appreciate your reply Kerpert.
Thank you.
Snipergti said:
Important Data is Phone Numbers Pictures Videos Messages.
I went into recovery done wipe cache phone restarted but same problem still same problem stuck on the multicoloured cross.
For recovery mode when the green android appeared I had to hold the power button and volume up button to get options.
I have an OTG cable and USB stick.
I believe it may be a software problem.
I need to try to flash this GT-i9250 without deleting any data on the phone surely there must be a non wipe firmware method I do have a non wipe file but I dont dare try it just waiting for more feedback and see what happens.
Im not sure what ROM ive got on here right now baseband and rest of the details are above it may be 4.2.2 not sure can you tell from details above?
Appreciate your reply Kerpert.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your bootloader is unlocked. You could boot it into bootloader/fastboot mode, flash TWRP recovery, then reboot into recovery and save your photos and videos at least.
Snipergti said:
Important Data is Phone Numbers Pictures Videos Messages.
I went into recovery done wipe cache phone restarted but same problem still same problem stuck on the multicoloured cross.
For recovery mode when the green android appeared I had to hold the power button and volume up button to get options.
I have an OTG cable and USB stick.
I believe it may be a software problem.
I need to try to flash this GT-i9250 without deleting any data on the phone surely there must be a non wipe firmware method I do have a non wipe file but I dont dare try it just waiting for more feedback and see what happens.
Im not sure what ROM ive got on here right now baseband and rest of the details are above it may be 4.2.2 not sure can you tell from details above?
Appreciate your reply Kerpert.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you a custom ROM? Which one and which version?
If you have lock state unlocked, flash the twrp recovery, download it from
https://dl.twrp.me/maguro/
Copy the custom recovery into the directory where you have kept the adb and fastboot files,
type the following command to install the custom recovery image onto your Nexus device
fastboot flash recovery <recovery_image_file.name>
fastboot reboot-fastboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
connect the pendrive via OTG cable
use up/down volume to select recovery mode and press power
in recovery mount all the partitions,
go into backup
select system, boot, data
set storage to USB-OTG
start backup
Unmount the usb and disconnect from the phone
connect the stick to the pc and check if the files have been all copied.
create a folder C:\backup\
connect the Nexus via USB cable to the PC, in the prompt window type
adb pull /sdcard/ C:\backup\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now you have to reflash the same existing ROM from recovery, wipe only cache and dalvik at the end, reboot.
Hi Kerpert Im not sure what the current firmware of my phone is I think its 4.2.2 can you tell what rom I have got from the build date with the details above?
Please can you tell me exactly what to do in BABY STEPS lol so its 100% clear so I cant make a mistake! PLEASE I cant lose my IMPORTANT DATA!
I need step by step detail e.g Which version TWRP etc... and so on!
Mr Rahim Ali thank you for your response!
I really appreciate your time and effort Kerpert in trying to help me!
Thank you!
Sorry I can't understand which ROM you are using from the information upon.
Wait someother of expert that know it and maybe can give better suggests.
My idea is to do a nandroid backup and save it on pc and only after this try to bring back to life the phone, firstly by flashing the same rom you have installed (but need to identify it exactly), if it will boot, you could try with Titanium Backup to restore what you need but I'm not 100% sure it will work (you could also try to restore with TWRP, but dunnot if you can select only some apps).
Avoid to wipe DATA and INTERNAL STORAGE.
It would be very easy to find out current ROM information once you have flashed TWRP recovery. Just boot into recovery, mount system and then make a copy the file build.prop from the /system folder to USB OTG or directly to your PC. Open the file with Notepad or any other text editor. It should contain the required information.
What is the best way to flash TWRP which version maguro?
Hi Rahim or Kerpert
What is the best way to flash TWRP which version Maguro?
How do I flash it in which version ODIN or other command method?
In download mode or do I use fastboot method?
Please can I have basic steps to perform one of these tasks?
I want to make sure I dont make any mistakes!
Once I have flashed TWRP and got access to TWRP recovery Im sure we will be on the right track!
Thank you!
Snipergti said:
Hi Rahim or Kerpert
What is the best way to flash TWRP which version Maguro?
How do I flash it in which version ODIN or other command method?
In download mode or do I use fastboot method?
Please can I have basic steps to perform one of these tasks?
I want to make sure I dont make any mistakes!
Once I have flashed TWRP and got access to TWRP recovery Im sure we will be on the right track!
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should have Android SDK Platform Tools installed. You can download from here.
Download the latest recovery from here or here and copy it to your hard drive e.g. in a folder called c:\maguro
You should have Universal Naked Drivers installed which you can get here.
Reboot your phone into fastboot/bootloader mode and connect it to your PC.
Provide the location where you extracted the universal naked drivers if Windows needs to install drivers.
Give the command
Code:
fastboot flash recovery c:\maguro\twrp-3.2.3-0-maguro.img
and you're done!
@Snipergti, any luck?
I Have TWRP Recovery Access!
Hi Rahim Ali
I have followed your instructions and flashed TWRP Recovery!
I just need to find out what firmware I've got via build prop file!
Once I have found out I need to some how get my phone to fully turn as normal and not stay stuck on the multicoloured Cross and need all my information to be still intact i.e contacts messages call logs etc...
Please let me know what are the next steps clearly!
You have been very helpful so far!
Thank you!
Snipergti said:
Hi Rahim Ali
I have followed your instructions and flashed TWRP Recovery!
I just need to find out what firmware I've got via build prop file!
Once I have found out I need to some how get my phone to fully turn as normal and not stay stuck on the multicoloured Cross and need all my information to be still intact i.e contacts messages call logs etc...
Please let me know what are the next steps clearly!
You have been very helpful so far!
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that you do have TWRP installed, the very first thing you should do is take a full Nandroid backup and store it in a safe place that is NOT your phone, i.e., your PC or on a USB OTG drive.
The second thing you should do, if you haven't done so already, is to boot into TWRP, connect to your PC (or plug in the above-mentioned USB OTG device) and move your DCIM and/or Download (and any other pertinent) folders from your internal storage to said backup device.
Now, to proceed...
Boot into TWRP, hit the Mount button then select/check system. It is checked off/unmounted by default
then go back, hit the Advanced button and then File Manager
Browse to /system where you should see build.prop
select it, then copy to any location on your internal storage. connect to PC while still in recovery and copy the build.prop file from internal storage of phone where you pasted it to your PC
open the file in any text editor like notepad
now begins the guesswork part
slowly go through the text file and see if you can spot which version of Android you have installed.
IMM76I and IMM76K are 4.0.4
JRO03O is 4.1.1
JZO54K is 4.1.2
JDQ39 is 4.2.2
JWR66Y is 4.3
Hope this helps.

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