Develop Bugs

Pros and cons of rooting

hey all.
Had my desire since first came out in march, not really thought about rooting till now with froyo.
So basically im scared to root due to the number of usb bricking, yet i want to root to get froyo, but with release date of June hanging around i question whether to just wait.
So be nice for a list of pros and cons of rooting, for me, and probably the other number of people who are in the same situation as me.
thanks

Well the usb bricking issues can be fixed now so that is no longer a problem.
Pros for rooting:
1.You can customise the handset till your heart is content. This includes removing sense if you don't like it, or even removing system apps that you hate. Friend stream, peep, and stocks spring to mind!
2. You will most probably get the latest firmware before the official updates are rolled out by HTC.
3. You can use apps that need root like setcpu, and titanium backup.
4. Froyo test roms are available and work extremely well with a few minor niggles/bugs.
Cons:
You invalidate your warranty.
I'm really only touching the surface with this list. If you are confident in rooting then I can see no reason to hold back!

Yer think i will have to root, new update has just confirmed, waiting for htc, then t-mobile will just annoy me!
To do with warrenty, i have insurance so if my phone breaks, i can just claim on that anyway? pay little excess and sorted surely??

socktug said:
Well the usb bricking issues can be fixed now so that is no longer a problem.
Pros for rooting:
1.You can customise the handset till your heart is content. This includes removing sense if you don't like it, or even removing system apps that you hate. Friend stream, peep, and stocks spring to mind!
2. You will most probably get the latest firmware before the official updates are rolled out by HTC.
3. You can use apps that need root like setcpu, and titanium backup.
4. Froyo test roms are available and work extremely well with a few minor niggles/bugs.
Cons:
You invalidate your warranty.
I'm really only touching the surface with this list. If you are confident in rooting then I can see no reason to hold back!
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Click to collapse
i'm not sure if its true but my friend said that even if you root your phone htc will still replace the phone for you if anything happens.
can anyone confirm this is true? or heard anything similar to this situation?

even if you root it, you can always return to a proper stock ROM and they won't notice anything, there isn't anything on the Desire that screams "I'VE BEEN ROOTED/UNLOCKED" like the N1.

sruon said:
even if you root it, you can always return to a proper stock ROM and they won't notice anything, there isn't anything on the Desire that screams "I'VE BEEN ROOTED/UNLOCKED" like the N1.
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Not necessarily true. If you root and then your phone subsequently dies, you may not be able to flash a stock ROM back again.
However, anecdotal evidence suggests that HTC don't bother to actually try to diagnose a fault in a phone, and just replace the mainboard as a matter of course.
Regards,
Dave

Im tempted to root but I've read so many horror stories surrounding bricked Desires.
What recovery is there for USB bricked Desires now? Links?

Guys i am orange uk contract and have insurance on hc desire. I have rooted desire and is working fine. lets say anything goes wrong with it. do i send to orange or htc for repair. what if i send it to htc for repair won't orange say why didn't you send it to us?. I am paying £6 per month on insurance. what do i do will orange repiar the phone even though its rooted or will they say you have broke the term of insurance?
There is no uk orange stock rom so i can revert back to. Will i be screwed if anything goes wrong?
I didn't even release how many questions i have asked in this forum. Please pardon my english.

personally I dont think they'll be to bothered if you have taken the effort to send it to them, the Orange repair centre probably even has the capability to flash the Orange ROM to it anyway. Also if its a hardware fault then they dont need to touch the software really.
Of course this is just my opinion, not fact but in this life you have to be bold to succeed and also be prepared to accept failure. @ronaldo, if you send it to HTC, Orange aren't gonna give a **** are they lol

How long does it take to root? Looked at some guides doesnt seem to take too long.
might go for it when i have a whole day spare to play with it etc...
after all, htc said when they now details about rooting, they would release a schedule, as nothing has been released yet, think it might be a while untill it comes officially.

I bricked my Orange Hero when putting a new ROM on it and they did a nxt day exchange, obv I didn't say id rooted it, just said it wouldnt switch on after rooting. Not sure they do the whole repair centre thing anymore

What are the chances to brick my desire. If i brick it is there any fix.
I am asking because I promised to my wife that this will be the last phone that I will buy. I am one step away from rooting it.

I believe there is a fix for bricking it now???
Not 100% sure though

Phil750123 said:
I believe there is a fix for bricking it now???
Not 100% sure though
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There is indeed. If you do manage to brick it, you just need to follow some simple instructions in the dev forums to bring it back.

do you need to have your phone rooted to update your radio? :s

ronaldo9_r9 said:
Guys i am orange uk contract and have insurance on hc desire. I have rooted desire and is working fine. lets say anything goes wrong with it. do i send to orange or htc for repair. what if i send it to htc for repair won't orange say why didn't you send it to us?. I am paying £6 per month on insurance. what do i do will orange repiar the phone even though its rooted or will they say you have broke the term of insurance?
There is no uk orange stock rom so i can revert back to. Will i be screwed if anything goes wrong?
I didn't even release how many questions i have asked in this forum. Please pardon my english.
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Click to collapse
I pay for insurance too. I had to send my Touch HD back 8 TIMES, YES EIGHT! I had it flashed, they never said nething... If you're worried as you pay for insurance, if it goes wrong u've lost it haven't you... Nothing to send back, plus nice new battery

Exactly. Software isn't a problem for them, so off the record they can just plug it in and reflash it with whatever firmware they want too. If we can do it, they can do it more
Just gotta be bold (and lie a little).

Just a thought on the whole insurance thing, perhaps you could tell them you lost the phone if your worried it wont be repaired. excess is usually the same or just a little bit more. (edit: just notice gunja said the same thing, great minds think alike )

step too far
diggedy said:
Just a thought on the whole insurance thing, perhaps you could tell them you lost the phone if your worried it wont be repaired. excess is usually the same or just a little bit more. (edit: just notice gunja said the same thing, great minds think alike )
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not telling them you've flashed it and sending it back to HTC to reflash it back is one thing, but pretending you've lost it and claiming on your insurance is a bit cheeky. Not to mention definitely illegal...

He he I get the hint. I went to Orange shop asked them i want unlock code for my Orange HTC desire. That guy said if you do that it will void guarantee. Is he right? I want to unlock on all network. Does that really void it?
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[Q] Rooted S-OFF warranty phone with broken sceen

I have a rooted S-OFF droid incredible with a custom ROM. It also has a completely broken screen. The verizon salesman has told me I can get it covered under warranty and it needs to be sent in. My worry is the S-OFF is going to void this warranty offer when I send it in. Anything to be worried about you think? If there is any doubt, I'd like to turn S-ON, reload stock, and do a factory reset. Anyone able to write up a guide on how to do this pretending I was blind (press down 5 times, wait 5 seconds, etc.)? I did find this guide that gets me part of the way there, but I can't see what I'm doing.
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=732497
Thanks in advance.

If the screen is busted, they won't be able to see what you ahve done. Also, it is not like you fried the phone due to something you flashed. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

I've sent 3 rooted Droids back to Verizon before I switched to the Incredible, you should have nothing to worry about

I wouldn't worry half as much. The only thing I would worry about is the fact that your gonna send it in and can't do anything to change s-off.. What if they change the screen thinking they can just perform a factory data reset and BAM! they are presented with some custom rom with superuser capability.. And then your account get's hit up with full retail ($529.99US). For some people that can be a large sum of money.
I'll pray with you that is not the case.. I hope you simply receive your replacement phone problem free. I know what it's like to have a cracked screen luckily for me it happened before I jumped the fence into the world of unrevoked forever..
In the future I would check out otterbox(.)com/htc-droid-incredible-cases/htc-droid-incredible-cases,default,sc.html

sorry 4 hijackin'.....
so is it covered under warranty to get a replacement if I dropped the phone and scuffed it up pretty bad?
(It's still operating, but the scuffs make pretty unpleasant to use)
Oh, and is it 9 months for the warranty?

nat4mac said:
sorry 4 hijackin'.....
so is it covered under warranty to get a replacement if I dropped the phone and scuffed it up pretty bad?
(It's still operating, but the scuffs make pretty unpleasant to use)
Oh, and is it 9 months for the warranty?
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Click to collapse
No. What's likely happening is that the VZW rep is referring to an Asurion claim as a warranty even though it's insurance. Warranty only covers manufacturer defects, and does not include cosmetic damage that we inflict ourselves.

najaboy said:
No. What's likely happening is that the VZW rep is referring to an Asurion claim as a warranty even though it's insurance. Warranty only covers manufacturer defects, and does not include cosmetic damage that we inflict ourselves.
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gotcha...thanks

if it's the insurance, does it even matter if it's rooted or not? can't you just pay the deductible and get the new phone. I know they told me i can run mine over with a car and essentially throw it in the river and for $90 i get a new one.

[Q] Sprint store repair

I'm going today to the Sprint store for a repair on my Evo. Do I need to unroot my phone? I'm paying for the repair since I don't have a warranty. What do you think? or should i just flash the stock Rom?

just flash a stock look, if the repair is software related then un-root

i would fro sure un-root it, most techs look and check if it has been rooted, and some will not work on it if it has been rooted. if it's softwear you will be waisting your $35 bucks if you take it in rooted

Yep. Unroot is always needed. Also take out your SD card. Some will check that for signs of rooting. Such as busybox.

Yeah, definitely wise to unroot it. Very easy and quick process to do it again once it's repaired anyway.
I'm sure glad there's a store near me where the tech has his phone rooted and also one roots other people's phones sometimes, so he's clearly cool with it!

I've had my phone repaired so many times with root. Replaced screen (2x), replaced speaker (2x), replaced camera lens (whole rear replacement) . But I always told em if they have to replace the whole damn thing or motherboard don't do it.
My splashscreen is black so as soon as they power on, they know it's root.
They just say 'at least make it look stock'. Which I always have.
No, I would not un-root for repair
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

scottspa74 said:
I've had my phone repaired so many times with root. Replaced screen (2x), replaced speaker (2x), replaced camera lens (whole rear replacement) . But I always told em if they have to replace the whole damn thing or motherboard don't do it.
My splashscreen is black so as soon as they power on, they know it's root.
They just say 'at least make it look stock'. Which I always have.
No, I would not un-root for repair
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never had a problem bring my phones in rooted either. I do flash a stock image though, like you said "at least make it look stock". I think it depends on the techs in the store. Most are cool and are rooted themselves!

Offical policy from Sprint, as of last week, is to work on rooted phones now. Does not matter if a device is rooted or not, continue work as you normally would and exchange if necessary.

It didn't matter beforehand. If the problem you're having is unrelated to root, such as hardware failure, then being rooted is a moot point.

Sprint techs weren't supposed to work on rooted device before. Lots did anyway. Last week they finally posted the offical methods and procedure document stating work on rooted devices is acceptable and continue as normal.

scottspa74 said:
I've had my phone repaired so many times with root. Replaced screen (2x), replaced speaker (2x), replaced camera lens (whole rear replacement) . But I always told em if they have to replace the whole damn thing or motherboard don't do it.
My splashscreen is black so as soon as they power on, they know it's root.
They just say 'at least make it look stock'. Which I always have.
No, I would not un-root for repair
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get your screen replaced under regular warranty? I'd like to get mine replaced too since there are some uneven light spots, but I don't have the TEP plan.

dcfella said:
Did you get your screen replaced under regular warranty? I'd like to get mine replaced too since there are some uneven light spots, but I don't have the TEP plan.
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Damn man, sorry so long. I never checked this thread back after posting.
I'm not sure, honestly. I have TEP, but don't know if it was necessary. In any case, it cost me nothing. First time they replaced it, they F'd it up, and the top 1/2' of the screen was non-responsive. when I broughtn it back in, I had them replace a bunch of the other hardware, as well. All free.
Where is this info about 'official policy', cuz that is awesome, that makes me love Sprint even more if true.

i would also like to see something official saying they work on rooted phones now. my evo overheats and restarts like crazy and i want to take it in but dont wanna have to re-root.

If it can at all be software related you def need to unroot. If your ROM/Kernel has even a remote chance of being the cause, I guarantee they will blame that.
It only takes like 10 min to unroot and less to root w/ unrevoked, esp if you already have the drivers.
I always unroot and take everything root related off my sd card (actually use a backup sd card), but they would catch me if they ever checked my purchased Market apps.

[Q] Insurance Claim Replacement Phone

It came in the mail today. It came with 2.3.3 pre-installed. It seems from searching on here that no one knows for certain if there will be a root method for this. What I've gathered from the minimal time I have spent searching on here today is I might not ever be able to root this thing. Best case is that someday maybe the devs might get a root method figured out, but no one knows if or when that will happen.
My old phone slipped out of my pocket and took a spill off my bicycle at about 20mph onto a paved road. It works fine, but the glass is shattered. I've had this phone for almost a year. I rooted it the day I brought it home from the store. I have spent a lot of time trying roms and kernels and it is set up just how I like it.
I am wondering if it would be worth it to switch out the glass from the replacement phone and put it on my old phone (I'm not sure if this is possible yet, I just thought of it) and send back the replacement phone with the broken glass from the old phone. Or should I wait and see if the devs release a rooting method? I have 14 days to decide before I get charged $500 for not returning the broken phone to the insurance company. What would you do?

I'm not positive, but I think you can still RUU a 2.3 evo back to the 3.70 software and use Unrevoked from there. Good luck

I would send back the insurance replacement (saving you $100) and take it to a repair center and have the screen fixed (which is only $35). Losing root SUCKS.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

What I've gathered from the minimal time I have spent searching on here today is I might not ever be able to root this thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There WILL be, just give it a week or two.
I am wondering if it would be worth it to switch out the glass from the replacement phone and put it on my old phone (I'm not sure if this is possible yet, I just thought of it) and send back the replacement phone with the broken glass from the old phone.
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Click to collapse
That's insurance fraud. Asurion will know what phone you send back, and when they find out, they could easily make you pay the full price for it.

MicrosoftBug said:
I would send back the insurance replacement (saving you $100) and take it to a repair center and have the screen fixed (which is only $35). Losing root SUCKS.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Exactly this!

resonance77 said:
I am wondering if it would be worth it to switch out the glass from the replacement phone and put it on my old phone (I'm not sure if this is possible yet, I just thought of it) and send back the replacement phone with the broken glass from the old phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's definitely a criminal act. I wouldn't go that route.
Does everybody have some sort of amnesia that they don't remember when the 2.2 OTA came out and a lot of people lost root? Everybody freaked out, they had to wait a couple of weeks (gasp!) and people were all worried there would never be a root method. Bounties were placed, dozens of threads were started asking the same thing. That's what prompted my signature, in fact. There was even a sticky about it, not that those do any good.
Then, there was a root method.
Just be patient. It will happen, maybe the RUU thing will already work for you. Soon, you'll feel silly for being so quick to worry. Heed the words of Tom Petty.

I just got off the phone with the Sprint repair store. They told me that as of February, they no longer fix cracked screens for $35 if the screen has more that two 1 inch cracks. They also told me that once submitted, the insurance claim cannot be undone. I could have it fixed, but it would cost me the total for repair and the $100 for the insurance claim.

I don't remember when 2.2 came out and everyone lost root. I was still sporting my blackberry. This is my first Android phone and it came with 2.2.
I'm just going to return the broken phone and just wait it out. That is what I planned to do in the first place. The threads I read made it seem like there was a good chance that the ota 2.3 was unrootable.

resonance77 said:
I just got off the phone with the Sprint repair store. They told me that as of February, they no longer fix cracked screens for $35 if the screen has more that two 1 inch cracks. They also told me that once submitted, the insurance claim cannot be undone. I could have it fixed, but it would cost me the total for repair and the $100 for the insurance claim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, that's the same experience I had. I went to TWO Sprint stores trying to replace my screen, no dice. So, I filed the claim with Asurion. Just got my phone today, and it's 2.3.3 with 4.22.651.2. Oh well, what can you do?
As everyone is saying, the root method will come out for this phone. Those with the newer phones (you, me, whoever else either just got a new Evo, did the OTA, or got an insurance replacement) will just have to patiently wait. I don't mind...it'll happen!

I was told by the insurance company that I COULD get the new phone, and have Sprint fix it with the new one.
Sprint was going to do it anyway, and replaced the screen on my wife's phone, but they didn't have any more EVO's in stock.
I have another question but didn't want to start another thread....
When I get my new phone, how can I tell if it's new, or refurbished?

When I get my new phone, how can I tell if it's new, or refurbished?
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Click to collapse
New phones will ALWAYS come in the original box with all manuals and accessories. Refurbs will usually come in a plain box with no battery or anything. Refurbs also are required to have a small sticker under the battery with the date it was refurbed.
Also, to be sure, go to the dialer and hit ##786#. Scroll down to Refurbished Date. If it says N/A, then its new. If there is any date listed there, then its a refurb.

Not sure if I should Unroot my phone...a few other questions too

I'm planning to take my Evo into the Sprint store tomorrow in hopes to get a new/refurbed phone. Right now I am rooted and using CM7 so my main question is should I unroot and flash a stock rom or just flash a stock rom and keep it rooted?
On to my next question. I've never had an issue with my Evo where I had to take it into the Sprint store as of yet. I pay the $7 a month for the TEP so I'm wondering if I go and explain my issue if I'd be covered for a free replacement or not.
Here's what I have going on:
- I've dropped it a few times and it's separating a bit between the screen and the back of the phone. And it's pretty dinged up looking on the sides
- I think because of the separation/dropping my screen doesn't always display after it wakes....If I tap the phone near the power button the screen will come back usually. Otherwise I have to pull the battery and restart it
- The kickstand barely stays down. It's always popping up and is really annoying.
- Just about every call over 30 mins will have at least one dropped call...Very annoying
- Not all of my text messages get sent out....Sometimes people get them days later
Thoughts?

I would just flash a stock ROM.
Actually, everyone should do a nandroid of their phone @ Stock immediately after rooting, just to fall back on. I use mine for Profile updates, etc.
Either way, I doubt they ever check Hboot to see if you're S-On

HipKat said:
I would just flash a stock ROM.
Actually, everyone should do a nandroid of their phone @ Stock immediately after rooting, just to fall back on. I use mine for Profile updates, etc.
Either way, I doubt they ever check Hboot to see if you're S-On
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.......what Stock Rom do you suggest? I haven't used a Sense Rom in a long time so what Rom is the closest to Stock as it gets?

There is a PC36IMG you can flash thru hboot that will completely unroot and return to stock, s-on, the whole works and it only takes like 5 min to do just incase they want to give you another phone and keep your broken one.
After that I would invest in an Otterbox lol.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

ALWAYS a good idea to unroot and flash a stock rom before taking it to sprint. As we all know, rooting voids your warranty, and if they catch it, they might not fix your phone.
However, since you say you dropped your phone a lot, and the phone has physical damage, that also voids your warranty. There is a slim chance you might get a nice rep that will get you a refurb under warranty. But I can pretty much guarantee you they will say they wont fix a phone that has been dropped so much, in which case you will need to call Asurion and pay the 100 dollar deductible to get a refurb from them.

sitlet said:
ALWAYS a good idea to unroot and flash a stock rom before taking it to sprint. As we all know, rooting voids your warranty, and if they catch it, they might not fix your phone.
However, since you say you dropped your phone a lot, and the phone has physical damage, that also voids your warranty. There is a slim chance you might get a nice rep that will get you a refurb under warranty. But I can pretty much guarantee you they will say they wont fix a phone that has been dropped so much, in which case you will need to call Asurion and pay the 100 dollar deductible to get a refurb from them.
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Click to collapse
Unless they really examined my phone they probably wouldn't even know I've dropped it. There are some scratches on the side which could be looked at as normal wear and tear....The separation is visible if you pull on the phone too.
With that said what does the TEP actually cover? I don't want to go into the store and waste my time if they can't do much for me you know? haha

Unless they really examined my phone they probably wouldn't even know I've dropped it.
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From your first post:
"- I've dropped it a few times and it's separating a bit between the screen and the back of the phone. And it's pretty dinged up looking on the sides"
That sounds pretty damaged to me. And yes, they WILL really examine it, thats the whole point.
With that said what does the TEP actually cover?
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Insurance covers everything your warranty doesnt. The warranty covers manufacturer defects for one year. I.e. if your phone has no physical or water damage, it's usually a hardware defect and will be covered under the warranty. Insurance covers everything else, if you drop/break/lose/get stolen/brick by rooting, insurance will cover with the deductible.