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Hi all,
So I'm on O2 UK with a branded (and I assume locked) Desire.
HBOOT: 0.80
Firmware version: 2.1-update1
Rom version: 1.20.207.3
Bottom line is, I want to root before O2 push out their 2.2 update which will inevitably increase my HBOOT version. I'm a actually a software developer by trade, but I'm scared and want to take this whole rooting process slowly.
I've already created a goldcard but I've also set up my PC ready for the Unrevoked method, so I'll probably end up using that. So my main question is:
- Once I've rooted with unrevoked, do I HAVE to install a custom ROM that very minute or can I simply reboot my phone and use the stock ROM until I feel I'm ready to reflash?
Thank you! (my first post, be gentle please!)
-L
... delete
Good evening lodger. I was in the same place s you, o2, new desire and first time boot.
I used the unrevoked method, it took 5 mins and have not needed a gold card.
I have flashed another ROM straight away however my phone re booted in to the original Rom and I could continue to use it with the original o2 Rom but just with root access.
Hope this is of some help.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Thank you for the quick replies!
So please correct me if my understanding is wrong, I run the unrevoked process and I get a new recovery rom that lets me perform nandroid backups and flash custom roms but nothing more (yet)?
So if I were to just take a nandroid backup at this point and boot the phone normally, I would see no difference until I actually flashed a custom rom with root access?
I'm actually unsure as to whether the phone is actually locked as I've been with O2 for a looooong time and never had a locked phone from them and unfortunately I don't have another sim card to try in it. The only branding is the O2 boot screen, nothing else. So if anyone could confirm the thing about needing an unlock code that would be great.
Sorry for all of the questions, I'd just like to understand the process a little better before applying it to my pride and joy
-L
L0dger said:
Thank you for the quick replies!
So please correct me if my understanding is wrong, I run the unrevoked process and I get a new recovery rom that lets me perform nandroid backups and flash custom roms but nothing more (yet)?
So if I were to just take a nandroid backup at this point and boot the phone normally, I would see no difference until I actually flashed a custom rom with root access?
I'm actually unsure as to whether the phone is actually locked as I've been with O2 for a looooong time and never had a locked phone from them and unfortunately I don't have another sim card to try in it. The only branding is the O2 boot screen, nothing else. So if anyone could confirm the thing about needing an unlock code that would be great.
Sorry for all of the questions, I'd just like to understand the process a little better before applying it to my pride and joy
-L
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of unrevoked version 3.0 it will root your desire and install a custom recovery.
So you'll have a stock Rom that's rooted, then you can nandroid backup and install a custom Rom when ever you want.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
I can confirm the first reply you got was wrong. Unrevoked is the easiest and best method to use. It WILL root your phone as well as install a custom recovery. You can then continue to use the stock rom with the benefits of root.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
You won't require an unlock code for an o2 branded phone.
O2 phones are normally locked, but iirc you can use Orange sim cards in there too.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
The only people who need an unlock code are Orange users.
As for unrEVOked, it will give you root. The handset will be perfectly usable as soon as unrEVOked is finished. You can then choose to stay as you are or play with all the roms in the dev forum.
Personally I'd jump straight into the dev section and download like a geek on speed
Thank you everyone. You've helped clarify thing no-end and given me the confidence to go ahead and join you all in root land Ok, one last round of questions:
So once I'm rooted, I can jump straight onto the market and download titanium backup and get all my stuff backed up, then I'm pretty much good to go right? (I'll feel a LOT happier once I have a backup!)
Any recommendations as to which rom I should go with first? There are a LOT out there and as a newbie to all of this, sifting through them is a tad daunting.
What's the deal with radio updates? Is there anything I should be aware of when applying them? Should they be applied first, before the OS rom or the other way around?
Having already created a goldcard, is it worth hanging onto it? I hear they do come in handy.
Again, sorry for all the questions but I figure it's best to ask them now rather than get stuck further down the line.
Thanks again
-L
Update: I'm rooted! nandroid backup is running now! Phew!
Thank you again everyone!
-L
It depends what your looking for in a rom. If you want froyo with sense you could try ones by pays, or the leedroid one. If you want plain android, I'd go for defrost by richard trip, or opendesire by adamg.
You will need the latest radio for the new froyo roms for stability and to ensure no echo during calls. The radio is the baseband that you see listed in about phone. It will also increase your wifi and mobile network strength.
When flashing the radio your phone will reboot twice. It is extremely important that you do not interrupt the flashing process and if it looks like it's frozen or whatever, just leave it, and be patient. The radio flash is perfectly safe, but if you do interrupt it you will have an unrecoverable brick!
Titanium will work as soon as you have root, I'd get the paid version if you have a lot of apps, as the free version requires you to confirm each app install one by one, paid version is fully automatic.
Finally, if you want to put your apps to sd card, then the froyo one is rubbish! Most if not all the custom roms use oldschool a2sd which is far better but requires an ext3 partition to be made on your card. To make the ext3 partition use either the custom recovery you have from unrEVOked or download rom manager from the market. The process of creating the partition will ddelete your sd card though so take a backup if needed.
Hope this helps you a bit, and good luck. Once you have tried a few roms you will love it
socktug said:
The only people who need an unlock code are Orange users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is wrong, Orange users must use a compatable radio meaning there's no need to unlock.
As for you, if your phone is locked then you will need to flash a compatable radio like orange users. I'm not sure which radio versions o2 uses so it may be worth googling or checking which radio your running. In future when flashing a custom firmware use one that doesn't have a radio file bundled with it.
kirbz said:
This is wrong, Orange users must use a compatable radio meaning there's no need to unlock.
As for you, if your phone is locked then you will need to flash a compatable radio like orange users. I'm not sure which radio versions o2 uses so it may be worth googling or checking which radio your running. In future when flashing a custom firmware use one that doesn't have a radio file bundled with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless something has changed you are incorrect. Any radio updated away from the stock one locked orange handsets. No other networks are affected.
All froyo roms require the latest radio. This is not optional.
Something has changed because I have a locked orange desire, with the latest radio running the latest open desire firmware and have not had a sim lock message.
I wouldn't of said what I did if I wasn't sure
Best custom rom is neophyte 1.6 if you want sense froyo
Well I guess the only way to find out will be to pop a different sim in and see what happens. I haven't yet seen anyone with an O2 branded phone with problems flashing to froyo on my forum travels, but I guess its worth finding out for sure. I'm prepared to pay for an unlock code if need be.
So would I be better off using clockworkmod to flash to 2.2 or Rom manager? I assume I have the choice now?
I've taken a titanium backup so now all I have to do is put the radio and os roms on the root of my SD card, flash, *pray* then restore my apps after it reboots?
Thank you again to all. I wouldn't have done any of this if it wasn't for you guys taking the time to help me understand this whole process. I prefer to know more than just "Follow these steps and this happens".
-L
Well I finally grew a pair and flashed neophyte 1.6 and i'm proper impressed! Thank you to everyone again for your help and advice.
For the record, I didn't need an unlock code. I just flashed the latest radio and rom straight after each other in clockwork and rebooted. That first boot is a loooong scary one but it was all good in the end
Thanks everyone!
-L
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Good stuff!! See it wasn't that bad was it?
Well,you remind me of myself when I tried to root my Hero...The whole process had scared the **** out of me!Well,until VillainRom booted that is!
I haven't rooted my Desire yet as I was stupid enough to install the 2.2 OTA,but will do something soon enough...UnrEVOked can't do anything with the new HBOOT,can it?
sbdags said:
Good stuff!! See it wasn't that bad was it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was by far the scariest thing I've done this year!
Only thing I seem to be having a problem with is Juice Defender + Ultimate Juice (if anyone uses it?). When Juice Defender disables mobile data depending e.g. when the screen is locked, it keeps coming back on by itself which just adds to the battery drain. I've scoured setting after setting in case there's something forcing mobile data back on after JD disables it but found nothing. This used to work perfectly before I switched roms and it's kinda frustrating.
I'll probably have to try a couple of roms until I find one that works well with all my apps.
No, UnrEVOked doesn't work with a HBOOT > 0.80. From what I've read, there is a way to downgrade your HBOOT to 0.80 but with very mixed success rates.
Right, first of all, I've tried searching and have found LOADS of really helpful information. But nothing seems to clearly answer my query which should hopefully be a quick one for someone to answer.
I previously had a G1 and have rooted/flashed a custom rom onto that, so I am familiar with the whole process. My only concern is that things seem a bit different with the Desire.
To set the scene, I have a T-Mobile branded Desire with default 2.1 ROM (Build 1.15.110.11). There is no specific T-Mobile software other than the boot animation. But I've read that this build of the OS is specific to T-Mobile, so I assume it is branded...
I currently have no need to unlock the phone to allow for other networks as I'm in my contract for the long haul! My questions are:
Do I need to have my phone unlocked in order to root?
Secondly, to root and install a custom rom, do I need to use a gold card if I am going to use unrevoked? Or is the unrevoked method an alternative to the gold card method?
And lastly, is there a specific radio image that I need to use for T-Mobile?
Any additional tips specific to T-Mobile handsets are appreciated!
Thanks in advance for any help, and let me know if I've missed off anything important.
Apologies for the length of the post, I just wanted to make you sure I got all the details down.
Hi Mate
1: No you dont
2: No gold card for root but I think yes for custom rom or you get the endless reboot prob.
3: I don't think so but wouldn't like to say for sure.
i have a UK TMobile phone and I always use the recommended radio that goes with the customer ROM.
I am currently running LeeDroid 1.8 with radio 32.43.00.32U_5.09.00.20
Thanks for your reply. I've managed to root it with unrevoked, even easier than I expected. But your comment on the gold card is well timed as I was going to put a rom on in the next couple of hours, without a gold card!
I'll hang fire and see if anyone else can confirm whether I need one or not...
Cheers
to be honest mate for how easy they are to create you may as well have one even just as a safe guard for the future
MajorTomUK said:
Right, first of all, I've tried searching and have found LOADS of really helpful information. But nothing seems to clearly answer my query which should hopefully be a quick one for someone to answer.
I previously had a G1 and have rooted/flashed a custom rom onto that, so I am familiar with the whole process. My only concern is that things seem a bit different with the Desire.
To set the scene, I have a T-Mobile branded Desire with default 2.1 ROM (Build 1.15.110.11). There is no specific T-Mobile software other than the boot animation. But I've read that this build of the OS is specific to T-Mobile, so I assume it is branded...
I currently have no need to unlock the phone to allow for other networks as I'm in my contract for the long haul! My questions are:
Do I need to have my phone unlocked in order to root?
Secondly, to root and install a custom rom, do I need to use a gold card if I am going to use unrevoked? Or is the unrevoked method an alternative to the gold card method?
And lastly, is there a specific radio image that I need to use for T-Mobile?
Any additional tips specific to T-Mobile handsets are appreciated!
Thanks in advance for any help, and let me know if I've missed off anything important.
Apologies for the length of the post, I just wanted to make you sure I got all the details down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was in exactly the same boat as you. i unlocked my phone cos is was visiting germany for a while. you dont need to unlock but you do need to debrand i.e flash a non branded ROM to the phone to root.
follow this guide:
http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Other-Off-Topic/Debranding-Unlocking-an-HTC-Desire/td-p/23317
once debranded you can run unrevoked to root the desire. after this point you have a decision to make: which ROM to flash through clockwork recover(what unrevoked installs so you can flash ROMs).. if i were you i would make sure you flash a ROM that doesnt upgrade the hboot to 0.92( you can downgrade but its a pain in the ass!).
so to answer you questions:no, yes and no. no specific radio image needed for t mobile as in order to root you need to debrand anyway so any operator specific radio is redundant. i used the sd card that cam with my phone to make the goldcard( copy the contents of the card to your PC, format the card, make goldcard, once you have made the goldcard you can put all the stuff back on the sd card, the card will remain a goldcard until its formatted again).
its all pretty simple really, i was hesitant but half an hour late was wondering what i was so worried about.!
good luck
bob dylan said:
you dont need to unlock but you do need to debrand i.e flash a non branded ROM to the phone to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted my Virgin Media branded phone with unrevoked without flashing a debranded rom
I used the goldcard method to root my T-Mo UK Desire that had 2.1 on, but now you can just use Unrevoked to install a recovery image and then use recovery to flash the ROM of your choice, easy as pie
Thanks for all the replies guys. I'll do a gold card in a bit.
Unrevoked ran ok and ClockworkMod is installed ok, so I assume I didn't need to de-brand in any way?
I think I might go with LeeDroid, but I'll let you know how I get on.
Cheers!
jamesmcuk said:
I rooted my Virgin Media branded phone with unrevoked without flashing a debranded rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you rooted with unrevoked you debranded! unrevoked flashes a custom recovery( ie a non branded recovery.
bob dylan said:
if you rooted with unrevoked you debranded! unrevoked flashes a custom recovery( ie a non branded recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am quite sure thats not correct. Debranding removes the operator logos and software - rooting modifies the bootloader to install the custom recovery
I used unrevoked and still had all branding in place. I have now debranded and no Virgin Media stuff remains
Hi there,
I installed the LeeDroid rom earlier today.
This was installed on a debranded orange phone. I rooted first with Unrevoked then used the clockwork recovery to install the associated zip files for the rom.
In post one of the thread LeoDroid makes the comment "everyone needs an ext3 partition on there SD" so I made sure I had this in place before starting.
During the process of making the EXT3 partition I formatted my SDcard then used this card to install the rom. So during the installation I didn't use a gold card.
Everything is working great.
Hope this helps.
Matt
jamesmcuk said:
I am quite sure thats not correct. Debranding removes the operator logos and software - rooting modifies the bootloader to install the custom recovery
I used unrevoked and still had all branding in place. I have now debranded and no Virgin Media stuff remains
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really? weired, i used unrevoked and it removed my operator logos and software.
odd.
maybe its different depending on who branded the phone there seems to be much variation in the software which is one aspect in which the iphone does win out. The only one mind you lol
Right, gold card done just in case. Just copying everything back onto the SD card. I definitely still have a T-Mobile boot screen which shows after the HTC logo after I've used unrevoked, although maybe this will disappear when I flash a custom rom?
Regarding an ext3 partition, I thought this was only necessary if I wanted the old style A2SD? I don't run a massive amount of apps as I've managed fine up to now, so the Froyo implementation should be fine for me. I'm dual booting to Ubuntu, so may be worth setting up a 1gb ext3 partition just in case as it won't take long to do...
Again, thanks for all your help!
Mine is T-Mobile UK too. I'm moving between 3 ROMs to test something temporarily but I'm running the stock HTC 2.2 with root. You don't need a goldcard to use these stock ROMs. Just root and then flash.
Flash the correct radio image before the ROM to avoid many potential problems (install zip from SD card through recovery).
-----------------------------------
- Sent via my HTC Desire -
th3 said:
Mine is T-Mobile UK too. I'm moving between 3 ROMs to test something temporarily but I'm running the stock HTC 2.2 with root. You don't need a goldcard to use these stock ROMs. Just root and then flash.
Flash the correct radio image before the ROM to avoid many potential problems (install zip from SD card through recovery).
-----------------------------------
- Sent via my HTC Desire -
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers mate, literally just about to do this. Latest radio is now on and working ok with stock 2.1. Now to flash rom! Also decided to use HTC 2.2 with root, and take it from there I reckon.
As you said in your opening post T Mobile has for a change not put a whole load of rubbish on the phone and the main thing appears to be the splash screen.
I debranded my phone after unlocking & rooting as it is a quick and simple thing to do and just in case there was something lurking that I was not aware of
wgg said:
As you said in your opening post T Mobile has for a change not put a whole load of rubbish on the phone and the main thing appears to be the splash screen.
I debranded my phone after unlocking & rooting as it is a quick and simple thing to do and just in case there was something lurking that I was not aware of
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, after I flashed a custom rom, even the T-Mobile logo has disappeared from the boot/splash screen. So no branding anywhere now!
All that's left is the pink circle when I first power the phone on, which looks T-Mobile'ish! That'll be contained in the HBOOT won't it?
I have absolutely no T Mobile branding, would go straight to HTC when using a stock rom.
(RESOLVED!!)
Ok, so keeping it as short as possible. Brand new HTC desire on Orange UK. Full of all that Orange junk. Unrevoked root on it, all dandy. Spend at least an hour trying to figure out (I know google is my friend) why all the E:Can't nonsense was happening any time I tried making a back-up or flashing a ROM.
I moved onto alpha rev S-off solution at this point. Ran it, worked fine till part 3 then got the 'failed but don't worry it's not bricked'. Turn it back on and I've got a white HTC screen with black lines on normal startup, but POWER + VOL D works ok, but still S-on and and all the "E:Can't..." nonsense.
At this point I'm sitting in my onesie with a massive headache having not moved since about 1800 04/12/10, and now 12 hours later I've finally learnt my lesson, research as much as I can (thankyou google) and then ask any questions you cant find answers for before I plunge/stumble into another barbed and bear trapped solution.
So question is if I follow the recovery method used by Bubach28 and a few others, using .zips of the ROM the desire shipped with will it all go grand? My concern is that I didn't unbrand my desire. It's rooted but I didn't bother unbranding it. So now will I be able to use any old stock ROM or am I scuppered because I cant find an Orange specific zip or an Orange RUU?
I blame Oranges stupid 2.****e F-yo(u) version of Sense and my own stupidity equally on this one. Help and advice MUCH appreciated, otherwise I have a nice shiny new alternative for the spork I've always wanted.
Sorry for double posting this. I thought I'd make a new post as the one I had it in is quite off the original topic after 150 pages, and this being specific to orange based folks like me it wouldn't be of much use to many others.
(RESOLVED and happy as a pig in ****e for it!!)
Well as you said your phone is branded, therefore if you intend to run a non-orange RUU you will have to use a goldcard, then you can literally flash any ruu you want and you wont have any problems ... so for instance you could flash a WWE RUU and then start the rooting process again.
(Search the forum abit for how to create a goldcard)
The Orange RUU has never been released but I know someone who might be about to change all that...its a harsh lesson but it's another example of needing to research before jumping blindly into something they don't understand
Sleep... finally!
EddyOS;9598864its a harsh lesson but it's another example of needing to research before jumping blindly into something they don't understand[/QUOTE said:
Not as harsh a reply as my bear head thought it was when i first read it. Lol. Only just awake. 7 hours sleep is very refreshing. Unfortunately I didn't read far enough ahead to realised that S-off worked on only very specific PVT4 Desires. Ah well. At least I'm not all lost. Let the Goldcard research commence! I'll post back when I sort it out.
Thanks RaymondErasmus and EddyOS.
Out of curiousity EddyOS, who could change that? And is it already available or a work in progress? I'm going to go down the goldcard route regardless as I don't want to be staring at Oranges bloaty demo and charged apps all the time, but somebody migght find it useful yet.
Ta again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know someone who is apparently (and don't hold me to this) getting the RUU off of an Orange techy. I'll post it when, and if, I ever see it
Getting places
Ok, so I took it a bit easier today. Slept well and nursed my flu ridden fiancee, but pottered away over the day at goldcard etc. So from what i've been able to gather so far is that on orange the only thing I can really start with is an early version of the standard sense ROM, anything with 1.15 on it because anything later causes major hassle with the radio bit.
I've searched around and again Bubach28 has had the same issue so her entries have helped alot. Problem is now I can't get a decent .zip with an early ROM on it. Bubach28 used one off shipped-roms .com but the only one I'm able to download is a much later release from early november, and even when I do try and flash it as the PB99IMG.zip it comes back with the error...
CID incorrect!
Update Fail!
Do you want to reboot device?
<VOL UP> Yes
<VOL DOWN> No
... and every other one wont complete the download. They all time out or freeze. It's probably my internet connection but anyway. Does anyone have any files that are stable and useable? The CID error made me think I'd messed up the goldcard bit but I redid it a few times and on a few different cards, including the one that came in the Desire (which most people said was the only one that worked for them, although i read other posts that said that micro sdhc didn't work at all so that was confusing too as the one you get is a samsung 4gb micro sdhc) and besides based on the tutorial on the unlockr it should be fine.
So anyway, does anybody have a torrent or an upload on rapidshare of something like PB99IMG_Bravo_HTC_WWE_1.21.405.2_Radio_32.36.00.28U_4.0
6.00.02_2_release_126984_signed.zip or something earlier? Should I be using a specific md5 checksum for downloading these .zip files? Or equally is there anyway to run the RUU.exe whilst limited to bootloader and recovery? I've tried a few different ways and searched a fair bit for solutions but I can't quite find the answer.
Idea? I'm sorry if the answer is staring me in the face or if I've missed that one thread in my flicking between them too quickly.
Ive recently flashed the following WWE RUU successfully.
This was done after the latest Orange OTA upset my rooted phone.
Run the RUU with the phone in the fastboot menu.
http://shipped-roms.com/download.ph...9.00.32U_5.11.05.27_release_151783_signed.exe
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
BHBoyg said:
Ok, so I took it a bit easier today. Slept well and nursed my flu ridden fiancee, but pottered away over the day at goldcard etc. So from what i've been able to gather so far is that on orange the only thing I can really start with is an early version of the standard sense ROM, anything with 1.15 on it because anything later causes major hassle with the radio bit.
I've searched around and again Bubach28 has had the same issue so her entries have helped alot. Problem is now I can't get a decent .zip with an early ROM on it. Bubach28 used one off shipped-roms .com but the only one I'm able to download is a much later release from early november, and even when I do try and flash it as the PB99IMG.zip it comes back with the error...
CID incorrect!
Update Fail!
Do you want to reboot device?
<VOL UP> Yes
<VOL DOWN> No
... and every other one wont complete the download. They all time out or freeze. It's probably my internet connection but anyway. Does anyone have any files that are stable and useable? The CID error made me think I'd messed up the goldcard bit but I redid it a few times and on a few different cards, including the one that came in the Desire (which most people said was the only one that worked for them, although i read other posts that said that micro sdhc didn't work at all so that was confusing too as the one you get is a samsung 4gb micro sdhc) and besides based on the tutorial on the unlockr it should be fine.
So anyway, does anybody have a torrent or an upload on rapidshare of something like PB99IMG_Bravo_HTC_WWE_1.21.405.2_Radio_32.36.00.28U_4.0
6.00.02_2_release_126984_signed.zip or something earlier? Should I be using a specific md5 checksum for downloading these .zip files? Or equally is there anyway to run the RUU.exe whilst limited to bootloader and recovery? I've tried a few different ways and searched a fair bit for solutions but I can't quite find the answer.
Idea? I'm sorry if the answer is staring me in the face or if I've missed that one thread in my flicking between them too quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enter fastboot in hboot ... the computer should be able to pick up the device and then you will be able to run the normal RUU.exe or you could do the PB99IMG flash method. It doesnt really matter ... use the method that you feel more comfortable with!
As far as trying to go as far back as 1.21 ... this isnt really necessary and might even cause problems ... you can load the latest WWE 2.29 ... As a RUU flashes Radio, Kernal everything. (Seeing as you say you have a working goldcard i see no real reason why you cant do this )
Ta-da!
Right, so I'm all done and dusted and very happy.
I honestly couldn't tell you where I went wrong so many times with the gold card business but here's how I did it in the end.
After trying the unlockr method and various others (all using the Android SDK) I found a very useful program called GoldCardTool (find it at hxxp://android.modaco.com/content/software/308798/pc-application-goldcardtool/)
Tried with a 2gb sandisk but couldn't get it going, so like many people have said I just went for the stock samsung 4gb sdhc that came with the phone, and it worked first time. I opted for the PB99IMG.zip (I can't for the life of me remember where I got the .zip and it's renamed now but the .txt file tells me it's a 2.29.405.2 rom) method as opposed to running the RUU.exe as I had been having trouble with that before it ever got to a point where it mattered if my goldcard was done right or not.
Also, anyone worrying about Orange radio bit making your phone lock, i've not had any problems yet, so as RaymondErasmus said, just go for the latest one.
Very happy to be free of all the orange bloatware.
Thanks to RaymondErasmus, EddyOS and mikep99. Legends!
Excellent. Make sure you keep hold of the PB99.img file for in the future. You never know when it might come in handy.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Hey guys, first time poster here and a bit of a newb to rooting, Android and smart-phones in general.
I've been hanging on these forums the past 3 months researching the rooting process for a Desire and all the relevant stuff that goes along with it. So please go easy on me. I've also read all the 'similar threads' suggested to me at post-time.
I'm almost ready to begin the process but there's a few bits of information that's got me pretty scared before I go ahead. I wasn't able to find much of a concrete answer/s to these questions, from Googling around.
Well without further ado.
What is the difference between GSM & CDMA and do I need to know which my phone is before proceeding?
If I DO need to know, how do I find this out?
My phone is branded (Orange splash-screen at boot) and locked to Orange network (Newly recieved contract phone).
I've heard that I may need a goldcard to proceed with the Unrevoked process due to the branding. Is this correct?
Another guide on the net (can provide link if necessary), mentions upgrading the radio on Orange phones can permanently break the wifi OR permanently simlock your phone.
Will I need to worry about this during the Unrevoked rooting process? And will this be avoidable after installing a custom rom. (If I get that far )
I read somewhere on these forums (I forgot where exactly), something about the newest Orange OTA update causing problems with the rooting process. Is this still the case or has Unrevoked been updated to avoid that now? Also, how can I check if I have that update?
I can provide all the information about my Hboot, radio and kernel versions etc, if you need it (I guess you will), but for some reason, I keep getting a spam warning as this is my first post. I can only assume the version numbers are being interpreted as IPs...
Well sorry for the wall of text, but I greatly appreciate any help I can get regarding these issues. I'm so scared of bricking my Desire and not being able to return it, if bricking does occur.
Yours a worried root newb!
1. We use GSM phones in the UK as we use SIM cards. CDMA phones don't use SIM cards and are locked/released to one network
2. You don't need a gold card to root, no. As there isn't an Orange RUU available to go back to stock for warranty you will need one to flash a non-Orange RUU. Best to make one before starting
3. This was the case a while back but I'd wait for confirmation before changing it
4. No as the radio isn't flashed during a ROM (unless stated in the ROM thread that it does)
5. Shouldn't be an issue, just get the latest version of unrEVOked from their website before starting
Great, that's most of my questions/concerns answered. Although the below answer has brought a new question to the front
EddyOS said:
2. You don't need a gold card to root, no. As there isn't an Orange RUU available to go back to stock for warranty you will need one to flash a non-Orange RUU. Best to make one before starting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately my knowledge of RUU is almost non-existant, other than that it stands for Rom Upgrade Utility and is used to upgrade the software on my phone? Right?
And forgive me if I'm being dumb here but, if
EddyOS said:
there isn't an Orange RUU available to go back to stock for warranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and yet I
EddyOS said:
will need one to flash a non-Orange RUU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then how can I do this? Or am I totally misunderstanding you?
Do I somehow use an application without root permission to perform a procedure similar to hdd ghosting?
Basically, if you wanted to return to stock for any reason you wouldn't be able to go back to the Orange ROM as the RUU doesn't exist so you'd have to go to a generic ROM. To flash any ROM other than the originally on the phone you need a gold card
It's the same for me, if (for some strange reason) I'd want to flash a branded ROM on my Desire I'd need a gold card. Thankfully, I have an unbranded handset so I can get the stock RUU and use it without a gold card
EddyOS said:
Basically, if you wanted to return to stock for any reason you wouldn't be able to go back to the Orange ROM as the RUU doesn't exist so you'd have to go to a generic ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically if I were to screw it up, which I hopefully won't, I'm buggered as far as getting my phone fixed cos they'll see the Orange rom is no longer installed? Not too fussed about that, as I'm super-careful with my phone.
I guess my next issue would be, after rooting using Unrevoked, I'd need to gain S-OFF right? Which I understand is done via AlphaRev. Only issue there would be related to this
"Please revert to a rooted stock ROM if possible. Your /data partition is used for temporary storage of important files." If I'm reverting to a stock rom, while gaining S-OFF presumably there's a high chance that'd upgrade my radio - a potentially very bad thing.
THEN I go about choosing a rom to flash. Then Nandroid backup. Then flash the rom, hopefully love it and voila?
Also, what would you suggest as a good rom for someone like me just starting out with a fully rooted phone? I was thinking one of the official builds to lose all the crap, but then the above issue of the radio creeps up again...
I have been flashing ROM's since I got my phone rooted last year and I have never bothered to S-OFF. It's not a requirement.
I have tried a number of ROM's (it becomes a bit addictive!) there is not normally a need to flash a new radio, just leave it be. If you are worried about it and the ROM requires a new radio don't flash it. There are plenty to choose from.
As for recommendations, everyone has their own tastes and likes. That's the beauty of modding. Just flash a few ROM's and see which you like. I have tried most of them, stuck with MIUI for ages, but am now on Cyanogenmod 7 Nightly's.
There is nothing to really worry about. There is a remote chance of bricking your phone for a start, like 0.0000000001% chance. Only way of doing it is disconnecting during say an S-Off.
As for the Orange issue. I had a locked, Orange Desire with 2.2 on it (the first update) and when I rooted and S-Off'd I had no problems. I also have updated my radio to 5.14.05.17 and have no issues at all. To be honest, I found issues to do with signals and Wi-Fi are to do with the ROM you install and the kernel as well which can be frustrating but fun as well.
As for choosing a ROM, choose one, flash it then see what it's like. It's purely down to what you like most about each ROM. I've been through so many ROMs in the past few months but now I am sort of staying with 1 ROM. I will say that when I installed a custom ROM, I had to pay to unlock my sim because it was being gay and Orange wanted £20 of my hard earned cash to unlock it and send it off. So be prepared.
thetasigma3 said:
So basically if I were to screw it up, which I hopefully won't, I'm buggered as far as getting my phone fixed cos they'll see the Orange rom is no longer installed? Not too fussed about that, as I'm super-careful with my phone.
I guess my next issue would be, after rooting using Unrevoked, I'd need to gain S-OFF right? Which I understand is done via AlphaRev. Only issue there would be related to this
"Please revert to a rooted stock ROM if possible. Your /data partition is used for temporary storage of important files." If I'm reverting to a stock rom, while gaining S-OFF presumably there's a high chance that'd upgrade my radio - a potentially very bad thing.
THEN I go about choosing a rom to flash. Then Nandroid backup. Then flash the rom, hopefully love it and voila?
Also, what would you suggest as a good rom for someone like me just starting out with a fully rooted phone? I was thinking one of the official builds to lose all the crap, but then the above issue of the radio creeps up again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't bother about S-OFF at the moment, you don't need it. Just get rooted and then look into custom ROMs for now
Ok I've taken a tiny step further forward. I'm at the point of making a goldcard but one thing concerns me... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6710085&postcount=3 According to that it won't work with the 2.2 OTA update from HTC.
I know, I have 2.2 installed but this was already on the phone when I received it, so I've no idea if this was an OTA or not... So I guess I need a different method to make a goldcard now?
Use this:
http://android.modaco.com/content/software/308798/pc-application-goldcardtool/
Probably need to register to get the file, though
Hmmm tried using that tool and no joy... Get my img file downloaded, but then the tool refuses to recognise my phone, despite doing the appropriate change over to 'disk drive'. I tried re-plugging the un-mounting and re-plugging the usb cable. Still no joy.
I'm beginning to lose hope here... That tool won't work and the tutorial here says it's incompatible with 2.2...
**edit**
Been Googling around a fair bit and I can't find any information at all on downgrading a branded 2.2. Only information on people with branded handsets wanting to update to 2.2.
After a bit more searching, I found someone else with the exact same issue as me. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10370443&postcount=977
Only one difference though. He doesn't mention if he managed to flash a custom rom after his root. I'm guessing he probably wouldn't have been able to going by your post:
EddyOS said:
To flash any ROM other than the originally on the phone you need a gold card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A gold card is only needed to flash a STOCK ROM different from your original - it's not needed to flash a custom ROM. The gold card isn't even needed to root. It's just handy to have in your case as you'd need it to go back to stock due to the lack of an Orange RUU
I'm out of ideas I'm afraid, never had to deal with a gold card as I'm unbranded
Use this:
http://android.modaco.com/content/so...-goldcardtool/
Probably need to register to get the file, though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does that work a lot better then?
I used the method posted by thetasigma3 and I can't get OTA 2.29.405.5 but I can get 2.29.405.2. To get round the problem I installed the 2.29.405.5 RUU and rooted
Anyone who's debranded will need to use the RUU as the OTA won't go through
GoogleJelly said:
I will say that when I installed a custom ROM, I had to pay to unlock my sim because it was being gay and Orange wanted £20 of my hard earned cash to unlock it and send it off. So be prepared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call me crazy, but why the heck would flashing a custom rom require you to unlock and send off? Presumably the sending off thing would've been for Orange to perform the unlock procedure?
Anyway, back to my main issue, I know I've probably tread the same ground a few times now, but I really don't wanna end up bricking, cos I overlooked a tiny element, or something.
Could someone confirm I have these points all correct please?
Goldcard NOT needed for rooting.
Goldcard NOT needed if/when I flash a custom rom.
Goldcard needed if I wanted to go back to a STOCK rom.
Only reason to flash a STOCK rom is if I need to send back to Orange for repairs etc.
Oh and thanks for the clarification on your earlier post EddyOS. About goldcards not being needed for custom roms as opposed to stock etc.
Think I'm ready to go ahead with the process now, but if I go ahead and something goes wrong, what's my safety net, so to speak? Presumably my battery would die on me long before I get a response here
What you have there is correct (point 2-5)
The unlocking issue was down to some radios causing Orange handsets to become SIM locked. If you're using an Orange SIM this isn't an issue but others who got an Orange handset but use a different SIM card found they wouldn't work.
This was earlier in the Desire's life and I don't think it's applicable now
Try using "GoldCard Helper" app from Android Market, in case you want to try and make a goldcard (as the other methods did not work for you).
As mentioned as EddyOS, all your points from 2 - 5 are correct.
Ok finally got the guts together to go ahead and run unRevoked. (Already had done the driver steps etc).
I've checked with an app from the Android Market, called 'Root Check' to verify root access. That's saying I do have it and it also asked for Root permissions on start-up, which it never did before root. So I assume that's a good sign. I also checked for the 'Superuser Permissions' app in my apps menu. Found it was present and clicked it. Started without any problems. So I guess that's another good sign.
So I guess my next set of questions are reasonable simple.
Does this seem like my phone is now 100% rooted? I think it is, but I could be wrong.
Do I need to install Busybox? Root Checker seems to like seeing it there.
Does it matter if I use Titanium Backup Pro or free? I'm guessing it won't but I'd like to be certain.
If I backup my current Orange rom with Titanium Backup will I be able to go back to that without a goldcard? My guess is no. I didn't make or use one for the root process.
1. Yes
2. For Titanium Backup, yes
3. No
4. You don't backup the ROM with TB, you boot into Recovery and do it there
kvphani said:
Try using "GoldCard Helper" app from Android Market, in case you want to try and make a goldcard (as the other methods did not work for you).
As mentioned as EddyOS, all your points from 2 - 5 are correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man, I downloaded that app and found a fairly easy looking guide on the Unlockr http://theunlockr.com/2010/03/10/how-to-create-a-goldcard/ . Just wanted to check, if I use that app plus this guide. I skip steps 1-6 right?
Ok gone ahead and done that now. Just having some trouble finding instructions on backing up my Orange rom.
Oh and now that the forum won't grumble at my phone info, here it is. Hopefully that'll shed some more light on my situation, if I need further help.
BRAVO PVT4 SHIP S-ON
HBOOT-0.93.0001
MICROP-051d
TOUCH PANEL-SYNW0101
RADIO-5.10.05.30
Aug 10 2010, 17:52:18
Android Version
2.2
Baseband Version
32.48.00.32U_5.10.05.30
Kernel Version
2.6.32.15-g29e526b
[email protected] #1
Build Number
2.17.61.3 CL274424 release-keys
Softare Number
2.17.61.3
Browser Version
WebKit 3.1
Model Number
A8181
Hi all,
I have just registered today after spending a week or so reading and digesting what I can.
I have an 'Orange' branded handset and would like to flash the device with a generic HTC image.
My current build number is 2.50.61.3. and would like to know if it's possible to flash this... RUU_Ace_Gingerbread_S_HTC_WWE_2.50.405.2_Radio_12.54.60.25_26.09.04.11_M2_release_199042_signed.exe
From what I can make out... That RUU is the same version as my current build but is a HTC rom rather than an Orange butchered version. Is that right?
Hi,
I also have an Orange branded handset, but a couple weeks ago rooted using Advanced Ace Hack Kit and since have flashed quite a few ROMS. I would suggest you do the same and flash Android Revolution HD. You get all the stock Sense 3.0 freshness with root privelages and there are a ton of mods to make it even better!
Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I'm a bit closer to where I want to be.
Although... I do want to keep my phone as stock as possible and want to flash my handset with an untouched HTC version of the 2.3.3 rom.
I read about using Gingerbreak to root and unlock my handset... I liked the sound of using that because it didn't seem to do anything other than make the necessary changes in order to flash the required RUU. Am I right in saying that?
tbh, you'd be better off using the Advanced Ace Hack Kit... then getting it to return you to 'un-branded stock' after you let it run its initial course. It will remove ROOT and will revert it to an unbranded HTC rom.
Unbranding your phone manually requires creating a goldcard, which the AAHK does seamlessly as part of its process.
Its a pain to do it manually, and an added pain to flash a stock WWE RUU.
AAHK will do what you need in a couple of button presses...
JUST MAKE SURE U READ THE EFFEN MANUAL!!! ^_~
...in fact, it literally won't run unless you read it... >_< LOL!
geehay008 is spot on, I had and orange uk branded DHD and the Advanced ace hack worked smoothly. just read it carefully (as annoying as it sounds it is important to do so to avoid messing it up).
It took me over a year to build up the courage to root and flash my DHD but it really is worth it. some of the roms out there are fantastic.
Just remain calm and take your time.
webbet said:
geehay008 is spot on, I had and orange uk branded DHD and the Advanced ace hack worked smoothly. just read it carefully (as annoying as it sounds it is important to do so to avoid messing it up).
It took me over a year to build up the courage to root and flash my DHD but it really is worth it. some of the roms out there are fantastic.
Just remain calm and take your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you tell me how did acehack kit detect you're phone? coz acehack is unable to detect my phone in Bootloader or even in factboot ...
I've got the correct drivers but i'm unable to find why acehack kit isn't finding the phone ...