What to do before I root? - Desire General

How will I backup my data, apps, messages, settings e.t.c.?
Is copying the entire contents of the MicroSD card sufficient?
EDIT: Damn I just realised I need a SPARE MicroSD card so I can create a gold card
Won't be rooting today then

to back up apps, the android market will still keep links to all your apps downloaded. App information is kept on the sd card so back up the full sd card.. then sync all your telephone numbers over using htc sync.
then your ready to go..
But when reinstalling all your apps from the downloaded section of the market, make sure you dont leave that page at any time during reinstalling, as you will lose all links to the apps you had. i did that this morning, and i actually cried
JD

The most important thing you need before rooting, is to know what you're doing.
Many total newbies have been trying to follow Paul's quite clear instructions, and failing miserably because they didn't take the time to understand it. That way lies a bricked phone.
Some tips:
* Do not use a virtual machine. Burn the TinyLinux image to a CD or USB key and actually boot properly to Linux. Many people have reported nothing but problems using a VM.
* Make sure you read the mini-guide on how to install A2SD and partition your SD card.
* Don't do it if you're unsure on ANY steps. Seek clarification first or you could regret it.
* Yes, you WILL invalidate your warranty. Ask yourself if it's REALLY worth a few extra's to lose that.
* No, you can't go back to your operator's custom ROM; yet.
And finally, because this is the MOST important thing and need repeating again and again.
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

I had issues restoring a backup of existing SMS messages... They all restored, but when i replied to someone, it sent to someone else instead, and also gave me loads of grief... I just opted to re-flash the phone and start with a fresh slate, which I'm glad I did, as this time round I've had no issues at all! (even though loosing all my messages was a pain in the arse)

Paul that is definatly dangerous territory, you could end up chatting up your best mates wife hahaha

FloatingFatMan said:
The most important thing you need before rooting, is to know what you're doing.
Many total newbies have been trying to follow Paul's quite clear instructions, and failing miserably because they didn't take the time to understand it. That way lies a bricked phone.
Some tips:
* Do not use a virtual machine. Burn the TinyLinux image to a CD or USB key and actually boot properly to Linux. Many people have reported nothing but problems using a VM.
* Make sure you read the mini-guide on how to install A2SD and partition your SD card.
* Don't do it if you're unsure on ANY steps. Seek clarification first or you could regret it.
* Yes, you WILL invalidate your warranty. Ask yourself if it's REALLY worth a few extra's to lose that.
* No, you can't go back to your operator's custom ROM; yet.
And finally, because this is the MOST important thing and need repeating again and again.
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how to root it well enough. That's not an issue for me. It's just that I haven't rooted yet and want to ask for advice from anyone who may have already rooted. I amn't a Linux or Windows noob, only an Android noob (Kind of).
Rooting doesn't invalidate the warranty, I had quite a large debate on it on this forum here and it can be concluded from the warranty statement that rooting itself doesn't invalidate a warranty. A warranty only becomes void if a defect is caused as a result of rooting.
You didn't even answer my question, you just assumed I was a noob who had no idea what they were doing.

abc27 said:
Rooting doesn't invalidate the warranty, I had quite a large debate on it on this forum here and it can be concluded from the warranty statement that rooting itself doesn't invalidate a warranty. A warranty only becomes void if a defect is caused as a result of rooting..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you actually confirm this with a HTC rep?

Mokurex said:
Did you actually confirm this with a HTC rep?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent a message and received no reply.
I've rechecked the warranty statement again and again and so have some others on this forum and that is what we came up with as a conclusion. An article of the statement even says that the warranty only covers hardware and not software in any form.

Related

[REQUEST] Idiot's Guide

In the N1 General forum there was a great post done - 100% Fool Proof Guide to rooting & ROMs, and I was hoping that we could start a similar thread here.
Please feel free to comment on this post - it is my hope that we can put together a great document for newbs like me in the future. THIS thread is for suggestions on what should be in the guide, not the guide itself. I will reserve the second post for compiling suggestions over the next couple of days.
I just ordered my Desire, and it should be with me in a week or two. I am disturbed by the USB/A2SD issues being encountered by some, and so when I root I want to get it right
imHo, the guide should include:
1) Definitions of Rooting, unlocking, goldcards, generic, kernel, radio and how these relate to future OTA updates. These are concepts which I am familiar with, but feel I know just enough to be dangerous to myself/my device
2) A ballpark comparison of the unique characteristics of ROMs available today (stock-like, minimalist, sense-free, tethering, etc)
3) A step-by-step guide to the most recommended flashing updates people are using today
4) Things to bear in mind if you are a win-x64 user (I understand this is a tripping point for some)
[Reserved for collating ideas]
1) Terminology:
Rooting
Unlocking
Goldcards
Generic
Kernel
Radio
OTA updates, and how they may be affected by flashing your Desire
2) Current ROMs available and their unique characteristics
3) Guide to flashing your desire
4) Win64 users - what to bear in mind
And a big warning that this rooting process can cause unexpected pain on your bank balance if you are unlucky at the minute
I'd say to use the TinyCore method as I had nothing but issues doing it using W7 x64 - there's a guide on MoDaCo that's simple as anything - only a fool would get it wrong!!!
Find it here:
http://android.modaco.com/content/h...inux-download-and-guide-easiest-and-best-way/
And my USB still works fine, not had any issues since rooting and am now happily using an MCRr2 ROM cooked to my liking
I'd have to agree. Tiny Core Linux was so simple to use. I'd never used Linux before and even I could do it!
I did see paul's tweet saying a new safer more reliable method was coming this week hopefully. If that's the case I'll be rooting like mad again!
New, safer, more reliable root method for Legend and Desire coming up next week (all being well). #mcr 7:28 PM May 14th via Tweetie http://twitter.com/PaulOBrien
Only issues I've had was flashing the radio as part of a ROM - wouldn't have it so gonna try it on its own later this evening. Would be nice to get it all in one ROM but meh
EddyOS said:
I'd say to use the TinyCore method as I had nothing but issues doing it using W7 x64 - there's a guide on MoDaCo that's simple as anything - only a fool would get it wrong!!!
Find it here:
http://android.modaco.com/content/h...inux-download-and-guide-easiest-and-best-way/
And my USB still works fine, not had any issues since rooting and am now happily using an MCRr2 ROM cooked to my liking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u guys are getting it wrong!!!!!!
me too i was saying the same thing last week when i was reading about the bricks and stuff. i didnt have any problems till 2 days ago. well let me tell you that the unrooting process went out wonderful... nothing wrong. i even flashed all the roms possible and even started cooking and porting some roms for my own use too.
the problem is not whether the method is complex or not. the ''brick'' does not happen while you are rooting the phone. nobody actually knows what triggers the damage. some get it on 1st attempt, some after 5-6 flashes, and some like me after numerous ones.
so in my opinion, i dont think you can say this is a safe method bla bla bla and i try to discourage ppl wanting to root ''for the moment''.
deeren said:
u guys are getting it wrong!!!!!!
me too i was saying the same thing last week when i was reading about the bricks and stuff. i didnt have any problems till 2 days ago. well let me tell you that the unrooting process went out wonderful... nothing wrong. i even flashed all the roms possible and even started cooking and porting some roms for my own use too.
the problem is not whether the method is complex or not. the ''brick'' does not happen while you are rooting the phone. nobody actually knows what triggers the damage. some get it on 1st attempt, some after 5-6 flashes, and some like me after numerous ones.
so in my opinion, i dont think you can say this is a safe method bla bla bla and i try to discourage ppl wanting to root ''for the moment''.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree, I try to at least warn people that there is a fair chance they will brick their device but this thread is about the best and easiest way to root.
At the end of the day if people know the risks and still want to go for it, then they may as well come here for the easiest method
just a quick question guys as im a total noob in android and rooting, does this method also works with the desire and does not require a goldcard?
cez10 said:
just a quick question guys as im a total noob in android and rooting, does this method also works with the desire and does not require a goldcard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This method is for the desire!
If you choose to root, then you will only need a goldcard if your handset was network supplied and branded. If for example you bought it and it came in a plain box, and had no network branding on the software then you can do it without the gold card. I got mine from the Carphone Warehouse so it was unlocked and unbranded. I just rooted with the standard SD card.
The software number on my unbranded device is 1.15.405.4. Hope this helps.
Refer to this
1) Nothing is foolproof. If you're a fool, don't root.
2) Foolproof implies pragmatic. The N1 is designed (basically) to be rooted so there's a universal method for all. The Desire wasn't, so things liks different bootloaders, branded phones and goldcards makes everyone just that little bit different. I mean, the HTC memory protection mean things like Adfree don't work out of the box (causes phone to reboot) - if you create a foolproof method we're just going to get threads about "zomg why wont dis app wrk on my fone" because they expect to be spoonfed everything.

[Q] Warranty question.

Apologies if this has been covered before- searched a couple of times with no joy...
Waiting for delivery of my Defy and still not sure what mods to do...Having read about a lot of UK models having the dreaded ear-piece fault, I'm just wondering:
1. what I can do that can be undone if my phone develops this fault?
i.e. Is it possible to root the phone, remove some of the Motoblur bloatware, overclock and scale, and still be able to return it to it's original state if the earpiece goes? (or at least make any mods undetectable!)
2. From what I've read it is possible to skip the Motoblur registration. Would I still be able to use the phone portal- what apps require the Motoblur registration?
Basically I'd love to tweak the phone but am paranoid about voiding the waranty!
Thanks in advance!
Once you are rooted and have recovery installed backup your system before doing anything else. If something happens restore the backup and unroot. Only problem might be if you have some type of hardware issue and can no longer boot the phone.
There is always risk, but that will help.
rbeier1221 said:
Once you are rooted and have recovery installed backup your system before doing anything else. If something happens restore the backup and unroot. Only problem might be if you have some type of hardware issue and can no longer boot the phone.
There is always risk, but that will help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Is it the case that you can mod the phone any way you like as long as you backup, restore and unroot before returning the phone for any possible warranty claim? Would a Mototola tech be able to tell that the phone had been modded and then reset to it's original state? Just wondering if I'd be better to wait a couple of months for any possible fault to appear...Thanks again.
cwhiggs said:
...am paranoid about voiding the waranty!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's your primary concern, tweaking isn't really an option.
As soon as you start fiddling with the software, you technically void your warranty.
That said, most fiddling can be undone and if the phone were to end up in a state that you couldn't boot it to fix your fiddling, there's a fairly good chance that the engineers wouldn't be able to boot it to discover what you've done.
Not to mention, from past personal experience, a lot of front-line engineers that actually deal with faulty handsets that are sent away for repair don't really care or may not be bright enough to be able to tell that you've messed with your phone.
Thanks. Think I'll go ahead and mod it. Been reading the relevent posts/stickies and from what I can see as long as I'm carefull and follow the various steps closely and in order, I'll be unlucky to brick it. Think I'd get pissed off waiting several months for any fault to show- just wary of the earpiece going and then being told I'm screwed coz I've played with the software! Thanks again.

Thinking about rooting and flashing CM7

I've had my phone about a month now and it's going great. No complaints or issues (proximity sensor is behaving itself nicely). I'm now thinking of rooting it and getting CM7.
A few questions:
1) Does rooting void warranty?
2) Is it possible to 'unroot' and go back to the stock rom and have the phone exactly as it was out of the box?
3) I'm on software version 1.72.405.3. I'm guessing I'm going to have to downgrade to be able to root my phone?
4) What is the likelihood of bricking my phone and is there a way to unbrick it if such a thing happens?
1. Yes. Rooting does void warranty, as fas as i know.
2. I believe you can do so by flashing official RUU package.
3. Yes, you would have to downgrade first.
4. There is a possibility of bricking, but it should not happen if you follow all the steps needed.
If i am wrong on some points, someone more experienced should correct me.
The previous points were quite right. You shouldn't be scared of rooting, just read enough and follow the instructions very carefully and you should be just fine. People tend to speak about how someone has bricked their phone etc. but these guys with bricked phones never show up anywhere so there's a kind of a paradox I'm not saying that trying to root couldn't harm your device, I'm just saying that if you do everything very carefully and "by the book" the chances of bricking are very minimal if any.
Oh and if you haven't seen this, heres a good guide to get you through http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=HTC_Desire_HD:_Full_Root_Guide

[Q] Rooting, first time, questions

May have been asked before, but nothing especially new or in DZ forum that I could find, sorry if I'm being stupid and missing something, if I am just link it to me and I'll close this.
So yea, I'm finally considering rooting my phone and flashing maybe the new virtuous unity mod with sense 3.0 cause it looks stupidly nice.
My MAIN question is, can everything be undone? If I make a mistake, can I go back? If I decide I don't like it can I go back? What are risks and how big are the risks? Would you say they are worth it, and if so why? Especially if you are a user of the virtuous mod tell me about it please and thank you.
Also if you could give a link to the best guide to use especially ones that are easy to reverse that would be fantastic.
Sorry if this thread has already been done, if it has as I said link it and I'll delete this.
Thanks in advanced for any and all information you can provide!
Everything is reversible. All the partitions that get modified get backup up to your sdcard during the rooting process.
The recommended guide is from the wiki http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_Vision_.28G2.2FDZ.29_and_DHD
It's the most up to date guide.
There are hardly any risks in the rooting process, as long as you read all the instructions first and make sure you understand them and execute them correctly.
and remember, if you ever need help, just pop over to the #G2ROOT irc channel on freenode.
-Nipqer
I have rooted my phone using that wiki guide and have virtuous unity on my phone. If you follow the steps exactly, then you should be able to root you phone no problem. There is a chance that you may brick your phone and screw it up though but this is very unlikely. Remember, with great risk comes great reward
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
Nipqer said:
Everything is reversible. All the partitions that get modified get backup up to your sdcard during the rooting process.
The recommended guide is from the wiki http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_Vision_.28G2.2FDZ.29_and_DHD
It's the most up to date guide.
There are hardly any risks in the rooting process, as long as you read all the instructions first and make sure you understand them and execute them correctly.
and remember, if you ever need help, just pop over to the #G2ROOT irc channel on freenode.
-Nipqer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So like I could be able to restore my phone to exactly how it was immediately before the process? Like with all my contacts, apps, msgs, homescreens, etc? Also what exactly does getting "bricked" mean and what will it do?
noneabove said:
So like I could be able to restore my phone to exactly how it was immediately before the process? Like with all my contacts, apps, msgs, homescreens, etc? Also what exactly does getting "bricked" mean and what will it do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can restore everything if you are able to achive root with a backup application. brick is when basically the system data gets screwed up when your trying to flash something or changing things up and you cant boot your phone up. its basically stuck in the loading screen. sometimes you can recover from this but sometimes you cant

[Q] Are there any downsides to rooting ?

Hi all, I've done a fair bit of searching and reading up but not sure I can find definitive answers to whether there are any downsides to rooting my One X.
I am thinking similar to tethered jailbreaks in the iOS world, where if you run out of juice you have to cable up to get it to boot up etc.
I would like to root, so I have the freedom to use a few of the tweaks and mods on xda (such as the tweak to change the default - read too high - auto brightness levels), not sure I will actually replace my entire rom at this stage, just root so I can use some of these minor tweaks.
so, is there anything that I need to genuinely consider before making the leap, some specific questions that spring to mind are;
1. Can I always easily revert it ?
2. Read some posts where people are struggling to charge once it hits 0% ? Is this an actual problem if I just root ? I do not want to brick a phone or have to prize open the case to take batteries out etc
3. If I chose to replace ROM's in the future, are there actual apps that more or less backup all your apps and settings so you can just reload that one app after a new ROM is installed, restore a backup and I am good to go, or do you have to manually setup everything from scratch again ?
Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.
ta
Mart
The only downside to rooting is you get hooked on flashing. It's very easy to get back to stock. As long as you have proper RUU for your region that goes with your CID and all is fine.
At present, the only rooting method involves unlocking the bootloader. It can be locked again. But it's 'relocked' rather than 'locked'. So your warranty is still void in some cases.
I'm waiting for root method which doesn't require an unlocked bootloader. Or non HTCDEV Unlocked bootloader and S-OFF before I do mine, but that's just me
Sentinel196 said:
So your warranty is still void in some cases
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC will only refuse your warranty if you balls up your phone as a result of flashing roms. Everything else such as hardware defects will leave the warranty in tact.

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