Question about hardware version and software version. - EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Long-time Android user here, I have a T-mo MT3G. Rooted long ago and flashed many ROMS.
I also have a Sprint account and am eligible to upgrade so I want to buy an Evo.
The sprint online virtual store seems to be out of stock, but some of the local stores have them.
Can you please give me a strategy for going into the store and walking out with an Evo that is rootable? I read that the latest OTA update has a lock on it that prevents rooting. What should I look for to determine if the Evo they want to sell me is rootable?
Is it even possible? Will they let me boot it to check software version before buying it? Is there any other way to tell?
Also can you fill me in on Hardware versions? I read about light leak and maybe some other problems. What should I look for on the phone to tell which version it is? And what are the differences between hardware versions?
Thank you!

K, there are 3 versions really. 002's I think are all Novatec screens, 003's can either be Epson or Novatec. The Novatec's are prone to the screen separation issue that people have been complaining about and that HTC says is just cosmetic. I replaced my Novatec and happened to get a 003 Epson that did not have the latest OTA update installed.
So, what it comes down to is you ideally want an Epson without the update. There's really no way to tell if it's going to have the update or not without booting it up, and good luck with that in the store because they have to sell it once you open it. If you get one that had the update applied, it's just going to take time before it can be rooted, they're working on it as we speak, you can check out a thread in the developers forums.
The other way to tell if it's an Epson is the back of panel. Check the video to see what I'm talking about. The one on the left is an Epson. Right at 4:07 he starts talking about the "pearlies" on the back. The Epson screen models have a flatter black back, whereas the Nova's have a sort of lighter look to them. I personally like the Epson more, it also feels more "rubbery."
If you buy online, you'll likey get a phone that has the update applied. If you buy from BestBuy you're likely going to get a Nova screen. I think the Sprint stores have the latest inventory, but most of them were shipped on Monday, so today's stock are unlikely to be updated and likely to be Epsons, so that's your best bet.
I exchanged my phone yesterday, got an Epson screen without the update, so I'm happy. Hope this long and exhaustive post helps.

Sirchuk said:
K, there are 3 versions really. 002's I think are all Novatec screens, 003's can either be Epson or Novatec. The Novatec's are prone to the screen separation issue that people have been complaining about and that HTC says is just cosmetic. I replaced my Novatec and happened to get a 003 Epson that did not have the latest OTA update installed.
So, what it comes down to is you ideally want an Epson without the update. There's really no way to tell if it's going to have the update or not without booting it up, and good luck with that in the store because they have to sell it once you open it. If you get one that had the update applied, it's just going to take time before it can be rooted, they're working on it as we speak, you can check out a thread in the developers forums.
The other way to tell if it's an Epson is the back of panel. Check the video to see what I'm talking about. The one on the left is an Epson. Right at 4:07 he starts talking about the "pearlies" on the back. The Epson screen models have a flatter black back, whereas the Nova's have a sort of lighter look to them. I personally like the Epson more, it also feels more "rubbery."
If you buy online, you'll likey get a phone that has the update applied. If you buy from BestBuy you're likely going to get a Nova screen. I think the Sprint stores have the latest inventory, but most of them were shipped on Monday, so today's stock are unlikely to be updated and likely to be Epsons, so that's your best bet.
I exchanged my phone yesterday, got an Epson screen without the update, so I'm happy. Hope this long and exhaustive post helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes thank you for taking the time to answer! Now all the local stores are out of stock too.

I got one.
Very happy in my pants.
Best Buy was out on Saturday, but today they had three new ones, and I got one with software number 1.32.651.6.
I told the girl not even to open the box, she really wanted to.
When I got home and turned it on it wanted to update to the new OTA, so i said 'NO'!
Lol.
Need to root and check HW version.

NAND rooted, brutal
Wow, that was an experience. This is the third android I've rooted.
It was quite the trying experience. But got it done.
Someone needs to streamline the instructions.
Installed Damage control.
Only took about 4 hours.

Related

New phone, new OTA, should I?

So I've had a few of the problems with my 002 EVO and the RS I bought it at as a new phone for me. However, I have no way of knowing if this will come with the latest OTA update which blocks root. My question is this, should I expect that a way to root the EVO will be found and that I just have to wait for it? Or, have there been instances where the devs haven't been able to find a way to crack it?
I enjoy using the various ROMs out there, but Id like a screen that isn't lifting and a back cover that is flush. Thanks.
They well figure out out. Update just came out a couple days ago, personally id go get a new one.
Ifly
EVO fully rooted fresh
Don't do the new OTA update, as of right now, it cannot be rooted with the new OTA update.
frozndevl said:
So I've had a few of the problems with my 002 EVO and the RS I bought it at as a new phone for me. However, I have no way of knowing if this will come with the latest OTA update which blocks root. My question is this, should I expect that a way to root the EVO will be found and that I just have to wait for it? Or, have there been instances where the devs haven't been able to find a way to crack it?
I enjoy using the various ROMs out there, but Id like a screen that isn't lifting and a back cover that is flush. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your gonna get a new one, then I wouldn't wait any longer. I literally just got back from Sprint just a moment ago with my replacement EVO. I'm not sure how long they've had it but it is only updated to the very first patch that came out on launch day, where with my first evo I had to update it to the first patch. Both evos are 003. The only difference I can see so far is that the back cover is different.
I got the replacement on the 2nd and it didn't have the ota. Unfortunately I have to take this one back as well since my 4g is whacked.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

[Q] need help rooting 2.2 froyo

Ive searched and couldnt find my answer...
I made the mistake in updating my evo yesterday when I recieved it in the mail, thinking I wouldnt root it and just run launcher pro, etc. Now with the battery life and wanting to run baked snack, im lookin to root my phone. Does anybody know a method of rooting 2.2 froyo updated phone? Or do I have to take the long route and downgrade, then root? TIA
you are kind of sol right now. there has been no word of a process for rooting froyo from ota
As of right now, you just set and wait...no root for froyo yet.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Another one!
You are stuck with what you have. No known ways to root yet, and it will probably be a long wait until it's cracked.
F ME! i might do a return lol
hyphymikey said:
F ME! i might do a return lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel you on this. I received a replacement Evo in the mail (as my current one, which is rooted, has screen separation issues)... but I took the 2.2 OTA update after seeing that the replacement had an Epson screen and thinking I was going to return it and get a new replacement. I asked them to send me a new replacement, because I didn't want an Evo with an Epson panel, but they won't. So, I'm stuck with stock unless I decide to just return it and keep my current rooted one.
Here's to hoping for a 2.2 root method...hell I'll put a bounty on it if I have to!
+1 on that bounty.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
"Well... I'm with you fellas." --- bounty's not a bad idea either... Taking up a collection?
jabbawalkee said:
I feel you on this. I received a replacement Evo in the mail (as my current one, which is rooted, has screen separation issues)... but I took the 2.2 OTA update after seeing that the replacement had an Epson screen and thinking I was going to return it and get a new replacement. I asked them to send me a new replacement, because I didn't want an Evo with an Epson panel, but they won't. So, I'm stuck with stock unless I decide to just return it and keep my current rooted one.
Here's to hoping for a 2.2 root method...hell I'll put a bounty on it if I have to!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without a big debate, why don't you want the Epson screen? Just want to hear your reason I'm just being curious.
since no oen else pointed out there is no way to downgrade currently either for Evo, so yuo dont really have an option besides wait.
there has been lucks now with going to repair centers and asking them

[Q] next unrevoked release??

does anyone know when the next release for unrevoked is due? The current one is 3.3 i believe...
once a new exploit is found, they will probably release a new version.
well i know that much...i meant like any guesses or estimates at a date. anyone?
I'd tell you to go ask the Unrevoked guys, but their IRC Title is don't ask.....
sW333t11 said:
well i know that much...i meant like any guesses or estimates at a date. anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Next Tuesday at 4:13pm
I nricked my phone. Bad. Lost everything after having flashed roms for half a year on the evo. Brought it in to a Sprint store, the manager there was an ex employee of mine, who I fired. But she got a better job, so she was actually grateful. So much so that she wrote my phone off as a software issue and put me in to receive a phone in two days. I did, and anxiously pushed the ota through(it was the Friday it became available). Stupid me, I had no way of gaining root. So luckily I found out this refurbished phone had a hdmi port problem, it would not read the signal without wiggling the cord around. I called up Sprint, told them I wanted a new phone( thus was after I brought it in to two different stores to try to have it downgraded to group, unsuccessfully) and they said no problem, eight to ten days, due to a border. I NICELY asked for a new phone, not a refurbished one. Three days layer, today, I got my phone. Brand new with a manufacture date of 6/02/11. Excited but nervous, I booted up, went to hardware info, viola! Android 2.2
Back in business. Rooted a few minutes later, and am now downloading Kings newest version of 3.0
As far as waiting for unrevoked, I was willing to. I appreciate all development persons who make my phone better. So sit tight homie, or find a workaround yourself. Let those who provide us with things we can't do ourselves work on their own time. Asking for a time or date is expecting service you dont deserve. Off puttish, really...
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Lol great story.the whole reason I started this thread is because I can't find a release date anywhere. I very much appreciate what the devs do for us on the evos, my phone lasts 24 hours plus cause of them
Asking us about Unrevoked is like asking a Brick Layer about Photoshop keyboard shortcuts and the effect of color dodge on a 3 color gradient

[Q] 4.22.651.2 vs 4.24.651.1, will the update break or prevent future root-ability?

Executive Summary
I had my Evo replaced the other day and the new one came with 2.3.3 (Gingerbread), build 4.22.651.2 (with HBOOT 2.16.0001). Yesterday, the phone told me that a new OTA update was available, v 4.24.651.1.
Will updating break any future chances of root? Will it break anything else? Are there any drawbacks?
Long version
I bought an Evo on launch day, and it wound up having the screen separating problems, so I eventually got another unit from the store. This one wound up having the white spot on the B. They replaced the screen at the local store, but the new screen had a stuck pixel, a crack around the power button, and the front camera did not work. They ordered me a new phone, said it would take a while, and they'd call me. I never got their call after a month, so we did this whole song and dance again about a week and a half ago. The new phone came with Gingerbread on it. It seemed cool, seemed to give better battery life and all was happy (there was a restart option in the power menu! that was the first reason I rooted(Quick boot)!!!). Till I looked up how to root the thing. I don't like waiting It seems I'll be doing that anyways though.
So the new phone came with 4.22.651.2 (with HBOOT 2.16.0001) and yesterday, the phone told me that a new OTA update was available, v 4.24.651.1. Since I don't want to screw up my chances of rooting in the future, I am trying to find out if I should update or not. The update does contain a useful fix for me: voice search. The version I have is broken.
Since I tried to be proactive, I used Titanium backup before I got the new phone. I backed up some apps & games and my txt messages. I'm not dying without either, but it'd be nice if I could access them (read txts, copy over save game files).
As far as contributing to make root: if its an automated process, I have maybe a ton of hardware I could set up to throw at it to crunch numbers or somesuch. Mostly older equipment (p2, p3, p4), but I have some stuff newer.
i use to have an evo 4g yes it is possible for them to send an update to lock it back up and fill in the holes so to speak and for not getting root again if you have s-off you can always reflash a new rom to it. that is the way it was when i had one but you are talking a few months since i had mine now, but i imagine it's still the same. just make sure you make a backup before doing it. also to note a lot of devs will make the same rom one it's out so you don't have to worry about rerooting it later os you can wait for them to do that too.
From what it looks like that update only fixed things like Netflix, voicemail ect.... more like an addendum to the original 2.3.3 update. I don't see you having root issues(when available) unless they move to 2.3.4 maybe?
The good news is that a group of people in the Dev section seem to be getting closer to getting root.

Ota ?

Hello everyone I'm new to the samsung forum... I switched from evo 3d.
I noticed there was an over the air update available and before I accept anything I want to make sure that would not stop me from rooting my phone. Our gaining full root access.
not to compare, but with evo 3d if you took the 1st over the air update it would change your Hboot version and made it impossible to gain full root access.
Is this the case with the samsung galaxy?
My baseband version is:
S710.10 S.EG30
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Go ahead and accept it, you can still root
Here's how- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1342728
Naw, you can root after accepting OTA. Or you can just update from the ROMs around here, which come rooted and are available in their stock versions.
Ok thanks...I know with the evo, ota's prior to rooting and after were a no no. but it looks like samsung is different.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
I don't think they were saying OTA's in general were a good idea. They were saying this particular OTA has been verified OK. The future ones could do things you wouldn't like, so check back when those come out.
Always be suspicious of OTA's, but, I would be extremely surprised if Samsung decided to lock our phones up as HTC decided to. That's one of the main reasons why I returned my E3D (after being a loyal HTC buyer who was extra thrilled with his Evo4G experience).
I think Samsung is fine making their razor thin margins and letting us have our way with the hardware. We're also the same people who will toss this phone and buy a new one as soon as something better comes along so they won't be losing that 'upgrade for software update' money on us...as for the carriers? I'm not sure why they'd give a ****. Data is data. Aside from locking down chronic tetherers...but I think anyone who mods to tether probably wouldn't have paid for the service anyway and I we're such a small fraction of their customer base that even though a few bad apples go hog wild on all-you-can-eat data we're still statistically a insignificant group so far as bandwidth consumption is concerned.
But, yeah, just get your updates from here. There is no reason to take an OTA.

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