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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.
I been going round here and the web wondering how to do this. I have
hboot 0.83.0001
I made a gold card which seems to have worked out fine so far but no idea where to go from here about updating my phone from 2.1 3 network branded to a non branded firmware. I am not interested in any custom firmware or anything I don't care about extra apps I just want stable 2.2.
I was in exactly the same position as yourself, had a 3 branded desire with same bootloader.
I made a goldcard also but found I didn't need it, I used unrevoked3 to root the phone and install clockwork mod from which I installed a update.zip patch and then a rooted untouched 2.2 Rom and now the phone is still rooted, unbranded and running 2.2 like a charm. Sorry if this explanation is a bit vague.
The Rom I used was 2.09.405.8-update-bravo-stock-rooted-busybox-withradio-signed.zip
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Boot your phone is rooted something I am not interested in really as I want Offical 2.2 unbranded. If I have to root temp to get there I don't mind going hrough the process providing its safe enough. I just don't see the point of rooting as the cons outweight the goals as some apps are starting to detect rooted phones now and refusing to boot.
Go here:
http://shipped-roms.com/shipped/Bravo/
username:shipped
password:shipped
and download this file to your PC:
RUU_Bravo_Froyo_HTC_WWE_2.10.405.2_R_Radio_32.44.00.32U_5.09.05.30_2_release_142828_signed.exe
Once downloaded, connect your Desire to your PC and make sure HTC Sync says it's connected. Then run the RUU file you've just downloaded.
If your Gold card is correct it will allow you to flash the stock 2.2 ROM - you'll also need the gold card for future updates (either OTA or RUU)
Vhero said:
I just don't see the point of rooting as the cons outweight the goals as some apps are starting to detect rooted phones now and refusing to boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which apps? I've not heard of this issue.
BTW - you should edit your thread title, because your use of the word "Vanilla" implies that you want to try a non-Sense ROM which would require you to root.
Regards,
Dave
foxmeister said:
Which apps? I've not heard of this issue.
BTW - you should edit your thread title, because your use of the word "Vanilla" implies that you want to try a non-Sense ROM which would require you to root.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
blizzard authenticator can detect if your phone is rooted and will not boot Blizzard say its for security reasons but I read on net it's not just this app that refuses to boot if it detects a root.
Go here:
username:shipped
password:shipped
and download this file to your PC:
RUU_Bravo_Froyo_HTC_WWE_2.10.405.2_R_Radio_32.44.0 0.32U_5.09.05.30_2_release_142828_signed.exe
Once downloaded, connect your Desire to your PC and make sure HTC Sync says it's connected. Then run the RUU file you've just downloaded.
If your Gold card is correct it will allow you to flash the stock 2.2 ROM - you'll also need the gold card for future updates (either OTA or RUU)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this will probably try later I don't understand why I will need the gold card for future updates though??
You'll need your gold card because your phone is a branded phone - the CID code won't pass checks without the gold card, even though you've 'debranded' the handset
Thank you all for this most informative thread, and apologies for the minor hijack.
I have a tmobile branded desire and would also like to be running the stock 2.2 with sense.
Will the above process work for me ?
I was hoping to get the OTA updates OTA however, is there a way of doing this ?
Also, are there any benefits to removing the carrier sim lock even though I have no intention of using an alternative carrier sim ?
Thanks for your time.
edit: I have read a bit more, and, now knowing the warranty issues, I will not be attempting to modify the CID
EddyOS said:
You'll need your gold card because your phone is a branded phone - the CID code won't pass checks without the gold card, even though you've 'debranded' the handset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your link didnt work anyway once you click download theres an error as the sites been taken over.
Hi -
I'm wanting to install a generic stock froyo rom on my phone to replace my Orange branded rom (mainly to rid it of bloatware). I'm wondering if it matters what radio version I use? I found the following two:
RUU_Bravo_HTC_Europe_1.15.405.1_Radio_32.30.00.28U _4.05.00.11_release_121684.exe
RUU_Bravo_HTC_Europe_1.15.405.3_Radio_32.30.00.28U _4.05.00.11_release_121865.exe
Which one would I install? Also - would I lose root access if I restore a stock rom?
Thanks.
I would use RUU_Bravo_HTC_Europe_1.15.405.3_Radio_32.30.00.28U _4.05.00.11_release_121865.exe since it seems to be the newer of the two.
If you're going to just bebrand your phone don't use either of them as they're OLD...use either 2.10.405.2 or 2.29.405.2. Those 2 RUUs you posted up are the ORIGINAL 2.1 RUUs
And yes you will lose root as flashing an RUU restores the phone to stock. Make sure you have your gold card in the phone as flashing anything other than an Orange RUU without it will fail
Why would I need a goldcard if I'm flashing a stock rom? Do I need a goldcard to flash custom roms? This rom doesn't come with radio:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=741775
Why do I have t install radio separately? Can I not just keep the existing radios on there.
This is quite confusing.
It all depends on what ROM your phone originally came with. If you have always been unbranded (as in always been on an x.xx.405.x ROM version) then you don't need a gold card to flash a ROM of the same version. A gold card is needed if you have a branded phone and want to flash a different ROM version, e.g. you are on T-Mobile and want to flash a stock WWE ROM
Custom ROMs don't need a gold card as it's all done via the custom recovery that is flashed when you root using unrEVOked. Custom ROMs tend not to have a radio included so you flash them yourself. Stock RUUs are an 'all-in-one' package and flash everything
In your case, you are on Orange so if you wanna flash any RUU you will need a gold card as there isn't an Orange RUU available. If you want a stock unbranded ROM then download the one in my signature (click it as it's a link to the RUU)
stats101 said:
Hi -
I'm wanting to install a generic stock froyo rom on my phone to replace my Orange branded rom (mainly to rid it of bloatware). I'm wondering if it matters what radio version I use? I found the following two:
RUU_Bravo_HTC_Europe_1.15.405.1_Radio_32.30.00.28U _4.05.00.11_release_121684.exe
RUU_Bravo_HTC_Europe_1.15.405.3_Radio_32.30.00.28U _4.05.00.11_release_121865.exe
Which one would I install? Also - would I lose root access if I restore a stock rom?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup..Very, very old.. Will surely brick your phone if SLCD!
EddyOS said:
It all depends on what ROM your phone originally came with. If you have always been unbranded (as in always been on an x.xx.405.x ROM version) then you don't need a gold card to flash a ROM of the same version. A gold card is needed if you have a branded phone and want to flash a different ROM version, e.g. you are on T-Mobile and want to flash a stock WWE ROM
Custom ROMs don't need a gold card as it's all done via the custom recovery that is flashed when you root using unrEVOked. Custom ROMs tend not to have a radio included so you flash them yourself. Stock RUUs are an 'all-in-one' package and flash everything
In your case, you are on Orange so if you wanna flash any RUU you will need a gold card as there isn't an Orange RUU available. If you want a stock unbranded ROM then download the one in my signature (click it as it's a link to the RUU)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted using unrevoked - so already have the custom recovery installed. Surely I can just use that to flash the stock rom? I know there is a process where you 'debrand' the phone, which requires a gold card, but didn't realise it needed a gold card when flashing through root.
stats101 said:
I rooted using unrevoked - so already have the custom recovery installed. Surely I can just use that to flash the stock rom? I know there is a process where you 'debrand' the phone, which requires a gold card, but didn't realise it needed a gold card when flashing through root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to flash a rooted Stock-based (but not actually stock) ROM, sure, you can use recovery.. But if what you want is to take it for warranty, you would need to remove the custom recovery flashed during the rooting process. So you need an RUU, or a PB*.zip file based on the RUU (latter can be flashed without a pc). A goldcard is needed for any change of RUUs-branded->unbranded and viceversa..
droidzone said:
If you want to flash a rooted Stock-based (but not actually stock) ROM, sure, you can use recovery.. But if what you want is to take it for warranty, you would need to remove the custom recovery flashed during the rooting process. So you need an RUU, or a PB*.zip file based on the RUU (latter can be flashed without a pc). A goldcard is needed for any change of RUUs-branded->unbranded and viceversa..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So based on what you're saying, if I installed something like this (rooted stock):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=741775
I wouldn't need a gold card? basically I don't want to install a custom rom - I just want to install a clean froyo rom without the orange bloatware. It doesn't matter to me whether it is rooted ot not rooted (which if it is the case, I prob will root again anyway).
So the quickest way from what I can gather for me to achieve that is to flash a rooted froyo rom? do i need to update the radio aswell, or can i keep my current radio version?
That should do, what radio are you on at the mo?
EddyOS said:
That should do, what radio are you on at the mo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's 5.10.05.30
stats101 said:
So based on what you're saying, if I installed something like this (rooted stock):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=741775
I wouldn't need a gold card? basically I don't want to install a custom rom - I just want to install a clean froyo rom without the orange bloatware. It doesn't matter to me whether it is rooted ot not rooted (which if it is the case, I prob will root again anyway).
So the quickest way from what I can gather for me to achieve that is to flash a rooted froyo rom? do i need to update the radio aswell, or can i keep my current radio version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm..What you want is to get rid of the Orange bloatware.. You don't actually care about having root access..
You can:
[A] Flash a new generic (WWE-Worldwide English) RUU (Rom Upgrade Utility), a program designed by HTC to upgrade ROMs. Generic RUU gives you everything that HTC designed to be on the phone with no crap from Orange. This does not give you root access. You basically get an unbranded phone like the ones released by HTC elsewhere in the world. This does need goldcard right now, since you're debranding the phone.
[B] Root the phone and install a custom stock ROM like the one you posted the link too. You can install whichever ROM you like, and since rooting process gives you a recovery ROM, you can change ROMs any time you want just by adding a file to your sdcard and rebooting the phone and choosing an option. This option too removes bloatware. For rooting process, you dont need a goldcard.
Later
But, if you later want to take the phone back for warranty purpose at any time (after using method B), at that point you might (most likely) or might not (depending on the method used) need the goldcard to flash an RUU since Orange RUUs are not available right now (though there is a method posted on XDA which helps unroot Orange phones). If Orange RUUs become available at a later date, then you may not need a goldcard.
Believe me, creating a goldcard is the least of your worries. It's nearly effortless (not at all something major like rooting or unrooting) and gives you freedom from worry, since it means you can in 98% cases, recover from a softbrick if something goes wrong. Even if you dont create a goldcard, download this goldcard tool, connect your phone and choose the first button (Get CID) after connecting your goldcard. Once the CID is read, you should store it in a text file. You can then complete the rest of the steps later. But this is not recommended since goldcard creation does not work for all memory card types and makes.
droidzone said:
Hmm..What you want is to get rid of the Orange bloatware.. You don't actually care about having root access..
You can:
[A] Flash a new generic (WWE-Worldwide English) RUU (Rom Upgrade Utility), a program designed by HTC to upgrade ROMs. Generic RUU gives you everything that HTC designed to be on the phone with no crap from Orange. This does not give you root access. You basically get an unbranded phone like the ones released by HTC elsewhere in the world. This does need goldcard right now, since you're debranding the phone.
[B] Root the phone and install a custom stock ROM like the one you posted the link too. You can install whichever ROM you like, and since rooting process gives you a recovery ROM, you can change ROMs any time you want just by adding a file to your sdcard and rebooting the phone and choosing an option. This option too removes bloatware. For rooting process, you dont need a goldcard.
Later
But, if you later want to take the phone back for warranty purpose at any time (after using method B), at that point you might (most likely) or might not (depending on the method used) need the goldcard to flash an RUU since Orange RUUs are not available right now (though there is a method posted on XDA which helps unroot Orange phones). If Orange RUUs become available at a later date, then you may not need a goldcard.
Believe me, creating a goldcard is the least of your worries. It's nearly effortless (not at all something major like rooting or unrooting) and gives you freedom from worry, since it means you can in 98% cases, recover from a softbrick if something goes wrong. Even if you dont create a goldcard, download this goldcard tool, connect your phone and choose the first button (Get CID) after connecting your goldcard. Once the CID is read, you should store it in a text file. You can then complete the rest of the steps later. But this is not recommended since goldcard creation does not work for all memory card types and makes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks for clearing that up. All makes sense now. Think I already have a Gold Card from a previous unenergetic debranding attempt. Will hunt that out and keep in a safe place.
Best thing is to make your day to day card your gold card as you can just leave it in the phone and forget about it. Updates will also install correctly as you'd need the gold card to do an OTA update
Sorry to butt in
droidzone said:
Hmm..What you want is to get rid of the Orange bloatware.. You don't actually care about having root access..
You can:
[A] Flash a new generic (WWE-Worldwide English) RUU (Rom Upgrade Utility), a program designed by HTC to upgrade ROMs. Generic RUU gives you everything that HTC designed to be on the phone with no crap from Orange. This does not give you root access. You basically get an unbranded phone like the ones released by HTC elsewhere in the world. This does need goldcard right now, since you're debranding the phone.
I am very new to android but am in exactlty the same position. I just want to get rid of all the orange crap.
I understand option A is probably my best option but have read elsewhere that this will sim lock my phone and I will then need to unlock it is this true.
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DO NOT FLASH A NEW RUU OR OFFICIAL ROM IMAGE UNLESS YOU *REALLY* KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING !
Sorry for shouting, but this is very important. Thanks to the mods for making this sticky.
The latest official RUU that has been released - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=870369 - has been found to break the existing methods of rooting and getting full S-OFF.
This shouldn't be a big suprise, because when HTC saw that the amazing devs on XDA had cracked the existing security, we should expect them to put something even tougher in later releases.
So flashing any later release, whether that's an official RUU or just the ROM image (PC10IMG.zip) is a very dangerous thing to do until it has been fully tested and "cleared" by the devs here. i.e. your previously rooted and S-OFF'd phone might lose root and go back to S-ON, and be unable to be rooted and S-OFF'd again.
It's of course fine if your phone came with a particular ROM release to flash that *exact same* release back onto the phone if you want to return to stock. What I'm referring to is flashing a brand new release that isn't the one that came with your phone.
It's fine to flash custom ROMs of course, because those have already been tested out. In general, it's probably best to steer very clear of new official releases, and wait till the devs have pulled them apart and put any cool new stuff into a custom ROM. Then you know it'll be safe to flash.
Currently I don't think it's entirely clear what just flashing a new *radio* on its own will do, as opposed to the entire ROM/RUU. That's still being worked on. But steer clear of even that if you're not sure what you're doing or dont' want to take any chances of losing root/S-OFF.
Thanks for reading
Thanks for the heads up.
I flashed the ROM you mentioned.
For those who want to try:
Just remember to get REAL S-OFF using gfree before flashing it.
This provide you a medicine for regret. You can get back to WWE ROM using WWE RUU and root/recover your old ROM.
What is RUU? What is it to do with ROMs? Did HTC provide a change log for newer Radio? Or does anyone know what changes are , in the latest Radio?
Just to be clear. Don’t flame me for this please. I’m still learning just like many others in here.
androidtoy09 said:
What is RUU? What is it to do with ROMs? Did HTC provide a change log for newer Radio? Or does anyone know what changes are , in the latest Radio?
Just to be clear. Don’t flame me for this please. I’m still learning just like many others in here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We don't have a changelog, no.
RUU is ROM Update Utility. It's a program to run on Windows (.exe) which flashes your new ROM for you, and holds your hand through the process. It's possible to extract just the ROM zip file from the exe so you can flash it yourself if you want.
The thing about the RUU and stock ROMs is that they will flash pretty much *everything* on your phone. So as well as a new system partition (the main stuff for Android), you'll probably get a new hboot, new radio, new recovery. Those *might* all have increased security which is a lot more difficult to crack. So generally you should not flash it until we know it's "safe" to do so, i.e. it can be re-rooted and S-OFF'd etc.
steviewevie said:
We don't have a changelog, no.
RUU is ROM Update Utility. It's a program to run on Windows (.exe) which flashes your new ROM for you, and holds your hand through the process. It's possible to extract just the ROM zip file from the exe so you can flash it yourself if you want.
The thing about the RUU and stock ROMs is that they will flash pretty much *everything* on your phone. So as well as a new system partition (the main stuff for Android), you'll probably get a new hboot, new radio, new recovery. Those *might* all have increased security which is a lot more difficult to crack. So generally you should not flash it until we know it's "safe" to do so, i.e. it can be re-rooted and S-OFF'd etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks for clearing it up. So, RUU is pretty much similar to the method RIM uses to flash its OS on the Blackberries.
Im a little confused here.. So just to clear some things up i hope someone will answer these questions i have.
I have the software on my Desire Z that it came with (1.34.405.5), which i've rooted, S-off'ed and installed another kernel for OC porpuses. This is working fine, but lets say that i wanted to try another rom .. After some time i decide to go back to the stock software and then update to the newest software, would that be a problem? And has HTC released some newer software than the one iam using?
If you flashed back to stock, that would be fine. But if you flashed a new official update (e.g OTA), then you run the risk of installing something that you can't root/S-OFF.
It is best to steer clear of any official upgrades until they've been checked by the devs here and been given the all-clear.
Given that the phone came with certain areas write-protected, and the devs managed to crack that, we should be expecting HTC to release an even more secure update.
Yes, there is a new ROM out, at the moment for Egypt, that seems to have increased security. It would not be a suprise if HTC rolled out similar security as an OTA update for all existing ROMs. Right now there is something in that Egypt ROM (probably the hboot, at the minimum) which mean existing permanent root and S-OFF methods fail. It may be this is easily cracked again, or maybe it will take some time, who knows.
Bottom line - don't apply any official updates to your phone if it is rooted/S-OFF or you plan to root/S-OFF.
Sent from my HTC Desire Z
perm-rooted g2 stock tmobile rom s-off
ok, my question is....i perm-rooted my g2 and have s-off, does this mean that i cant except the new gingerbread OTA update? ive had my fill of flashing roms with my old windows phone.. att tilt, tmobile touch pro 2, and tmobile hd2. im not looking to flash my g2 with a new rom...no offense to the chefs. love there work. but i only rooted the g2 to get rid of the bs apps that tmobile and google added to the phone. and i thought i heard that wen u root the phone tmobile cant tell wen u tether, so there for no more throttle b/s but thats not true...i must have miss read. but i would like to stay w/the stock rom and still b able to install the Gingerbread OTA. please someone provide an answer for me or point me in the right direction. thank you in advance.... sorry if the answer is already provided somewhere and i over looked it, i tend to do that a lot.
blitz69 said:
ok, my question is....i perm-rooted my g2 and have s-off, does this mean that i cant except the new gingerbread OTA update? ive had my fill of flashing roms with my old windows phone.. att tilt, tmobile touch pro 2, and tmobile hd2. im not looking to flash my g2 with a new rom...no offense to the chefs. love there work. but i only rooted the g2 to get rid of the bs apps that tmobile and google added to the phone. and i thought i heard that wen u root the phone tmobile cant tell wen u tether, so there for no more throttle b/s but thats not true...i must have miss read. but i would like to stay w/the stock rom and still b able to install the Gingerbread OTA. please someone provide an answer for me or point me in the right direction. thank you in advance.... sorry if the answer is already provided somewhere and i over looked it, i tend to do that a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The trouble is, HTC/T-Mobile don't want you to root and/or S-OFF your phone, because it's a lot easier to end up bricking the phone if you don't know what you're doing. They put greatly increased security on the G2/DZ/DHD when they came out, in order to help prevent this.
Now this security has been cracked, we can expect HTC/T-Mobile to try and increase security even further (e.g. closing loopholes that let our current methods of root/S-OFF work) in future updates.
So if you accept any future OTA, you run a high risk of accepting something that will lock you out of root and S-OFF, at least temporarily, and possibly permanently (depending on how good a solution they come up with).
If you are not bothered about root/S-OFF, then that's fine of course.
This doesn't mean that you necessarily have to switch to a custom ROM to get updates though. If you stay with the stock ROM (and I'm still on a stock ROM too right now), then just do not accept the update when an OTA comes out, and keep checking these forums to see when the devs say that they can root/S-OFF with the new version. When they say it's ok then you know you can apply the update and still get root/S-OFF.
This already happened with the G2. Very soon after release, but after rooting had been achieved, there was an OTA. Most people here decided to wait until the OTA had been looked at, and sure enough there was a small adjustment needed to the rooting method. But of course this OTA was before HTC had a chance to respond to the cracking of the security, so as I said, any future updates may well require a lot more time and effort from the devs to investigate and crack again.
Ok. Thank you very much
Will this muff up my phone if I factory reset it by using the Power+Volume Down option?
Ok,there is a new gfree method to get root and S-Off.
And gfree can now also be used to set radio S-ON.
But what about the backup "part7backup-1291675121.bin"
which gfree created at my sdcard?
No longer needed?
And with the new root and S-Off method,is it now possible to
to flash stock RUU 1.34.405.5 to get all original?
Because with old UBERROOT method this doesn`t work!
Ganii said:
Ok,there is a new gfree method to get root and S-Off.
And gfree can now also be used to set radio S-ON.
But what about the backup "part7backup-1291675121.bin"
which gfree created at my sdcard?
No longer needed?
And with the new root and S-Off method,is it now possible to
to flash stock RUU 1.34.405.5 to get all original?
Because with old UBERROOT method this doesn`t work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean with gfree?
Is my waranty broken When i execute radio s-off?
Is it possible to make it radio s-on?
Yes,warranty is broken,but with the new gfree method
you can go back to S-ON:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_G2
ericjosepi said:
Will this muff up my phone if I factory reset it by using the Power+Volume Down option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do a factory reset then I think you'll lose root, but you can get it back again easily enough. The issue for this thread is flashing new updated stuff from HTC etc.
Ganii said:
Ok,there is a new gfree method to get root and S-Off.
And gfree can now also be used to set radio S-ON.
But what about the backup "part7backup-1291675121.bin"
which gfree created at my sdcard?
No longer needed?
And with the new root and S-Off method,is it now possible to
to flash stock RUU 1.34.405.5 to get all original?
Because with old UBERROOT method this doesn`t work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might still need that backup, e.g. if you don't know what your old CID was and you want to un-do that bit too. I would keep it.
Sorry I don't think I understand your last question though, or why you say the uberroot method (I'm personally not keen on that name, it's just the usual method using Visionary/rage with gfree, not a new method) doesn't work.
Ok,so I can go back to S-ON with gfree commands from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_G2
If you are only interested in permanent root you only need radio S-OFF and then it is sufficient to use
# ./gfree -s off
instead of
# ./gfree -f
in the following commands.
And gfree can now also be used to set radio S-ON by using the "-s on" option and to change the CID back to the original value be using i.e. "-c T-MOB010" if you want or have to go back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But for CID (you mean SuperCid right?) I need the backup?
And with the last question which you don`t understand,I mean
with flashing the HTC RUU 1.34.405.5 I don`t go back to S-ON
and original CID whether I use UBERROT method or this from here:
(Rooting the Vision (G2/DZ) and DHD)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_G2
Thanks for the advice, I will stick myself with the current rom for a while
Ganii said:
Ok,so I can go back to S-ON with gfree commands from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_G2
But for CID (you mean SuperCid right?) I need the backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I mean to go from your SuperCID back to your regular CID. You might not know what your original CID was.
And with the last question which you don`t understand,I mean
with flashing the HTC RUU 1.34.405.5 I don`t go back to S-ON
and original CID whether I use UBERROT method or this from here:
(Rooting the Vision (G2/DZ) and DHD)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_G2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you flash a stock ROM then it won't affect your S-OFF and CID status (or SIM unlock). These are stored in your radio configuration partition, and not in any of the partitions which are overwritten by the ROM flash.
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