Hi, I hope I've posted this in the right section.
I would like to root my Desire Z (I live in the U.K) with the sole intention of performing a mild over-clock. I am not interested in installing customs ROMS, S-OFF or anything like that as I like HTC Sense and I should be getting an update to 2.3 in August anyway.
After reading several articles on the subject, I think that I've got to downgrade from firmware version 1.72 to 1.34.707.3 and then perform a temporary root using VISIONary. So my questions are:
-Do I only need to perform a temporary root if I want to overclock?
-Can I still use VISIONary for a temporary root? (I understand that some people have had problems using it to permanently root, is temp root O.K?)
-Am I vaguely on the right track with rooting?!
Thanks very much.
To overclock you need to perm root. Temp root is lost on restart.
As far as i'm aware the problems with visionary are localised to the perm root stage but to be honest the rage method for temp rooting is really simple, clean and safer.
If i were you, and you were willing to read up on adb i would def do at least the perm root manually. You seem on the right track, downgrade firmware, then root it!
Thank you very much for your reply. I still slightly confused as to why I've got to permanently root. Can't I just overclock when it's temp rooted and repeat the whole procedure if I need to reboot my phone (which is very rare as I use Fastboot).
I could be wrong as I'm not a master of android development (been stalking these forums since I got my DZ in December), however I'm about 99% sure you'll have to flash a kernel that allows overclocking. To do that you'll need perm root.
If you're not confident on why you're doing things to your phone then I suggest doing some reading, it will make the rooting procedure less mysterious and scary: [REF] G2/Vision/DZ Links | Guides | Stickies | Recovery | Roms | Read before posting
I don't know whether visionary is safe at the moment, I've heard many bad things about it and have never tried it. (Other than a rather unsuccessful attempt to temp root on 1.72 which made my phone lag like hell until I rebooted (>.<) )
I've only rooted this one Desire Z, and I used gfree with no trouble whatsoever, so I'd reccomend that to you. I didn't flash the engineering hboot as I'm not entirely sure it's necessary for anything now that we have gfree, and it's a brick risk. (As opposed to gfree being entirely scripted so it should be mostly safe.)
I followed these instructions for rooting: XDA Wiki HTC Vision Page
Finally you'll then need to find a kernel to flash. I don't know which kernels are best for sense but I think the Virtuous ROM Kernels work for most Sense-based Froyo ROMs. You may wish to investigate this yourself, as I'm not an expert and I won't take responsibility if they don't work for you. However, if you're simply looking for the stock ROM then I would reccomend flashing Virtuous anyway, as it's essentially the stock ROM with some optimisations, and you'll definitely have some working overclocking kernels. As it's based off the stock ROM it won't be getting Gingerbread until you will in August anyway.
I myself really liked Virtuous but I'm now using MIUI as I love the interface (it feels slightly decluttered compared to sense, but still very powerful).
The great thing about having clockworkmod and perm rooting is that if you flash something you don't like you can reverse the flashing by restoring a backup.
Feel free to ask me any questions you have
Atomcracker said:
I could be wrong as I'm not a master of android development (been stalking these forums since I got my DZ in December), however I'm about 99% sure you'll have to flash a kernel that allows overclocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm 100% sure that you need to flash a custom kernel that supports overclocking, in order to overclock.
redpoint73 said:
I'm 100% sure that you need to flash a custom kernel that supports overclocking, in order to overclock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh thanks for the confirmation I'm doing okay
Atomcracker said:
If you're not confident on why you're doing things to your phone then I suggest doing some reading, it will make the rooting procedure less mysterious and scary: [REF] G2/Vision/DZ Links | Guides | Stickies | Recovery | Roms | Read before posting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your completely right, I'm very much out of my comfort zone with all of this and need to read into it a bit more to gain confidence. Thank you very much Atomcracker, elliott2705 and redpoint73 for all your assistance.
Atomcracker said:
Heh thanks for the confirmation I'm doing okay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your post was good and helpful.
Just a couple more things I want to add:
Visionary is indeed risky, if the OP is thinking about using it to perm root. Some people are still using Visionary (probably mostly those that aren't aware of the risk). But there are safer means, so why risk it?
There is a sticky up in the General forum explaining the risk of using Visionary to perm root. But basically, Visionary may corrupt the system partition of the phone, and result in an unrecoverable brick:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1025135
Also, another over-clockable kernel that works with Sense ROMs is the Godspeed kernel.
Or, as you mentioned, the OP can also flash the Virtuous custom ROM, which not only supports overclocking by default, but is also a more update version of the Sense-based Froyo ROM (1.85).
You're welcome
I just noticed that I posted the wrong thread for you to look at. While the one I posted above is a nice collection of everything you're likely to need (I'm forever referring to that thread) you may find the link below more useful in the immediate future (it's included in the guides section of the link above, but I feel this one needs special attention):
[GUIDE][DZ] EASY Rooting, Flashing, Debranding and Basic FAQs for dummies
I found this thread very helpful myself when I was learning the workings of my android, in particular I felt the FAQ section in the second post was fantastic.
Related
Although I rooted my own Desire back in May of last year, I have since moved on to a different phone and hence stopped following development etc for the Desire.
I have a work colleague who would like the benefits of a rooted, custom ROM but he has no experience in phone-modifying. He basically wants better battery life (so SetCPU would do the job for that) and more space for apps (Apps2SD the original, not Google's implementation). On top of that I'm sure he would probably enjoy the enhancements of the new Sense ROMs as well.
When I rooted my own Desire it was back in the days of fake-flash and I don't think my Desire was ever S-OFFed - I only had a moderate understanding of what I was doing, and there were a few brown trouser moments as I recall!
What I'm looking for is a complete guide start to finish of the easiest, least risky way to currently root a Desire and install custom recovery (presumably ClockworkMod & Rom Manager are standard for the Desire still?).
I've looked around the forums and found guides which explain some of it, however these threads run into 30, 40, 50+ pages which I think is a bit much reading if you don't really understand what you're reading about. Luckily I have an interest in it, but to my colleague it's just a means to an end, to get his phone working in a decent manner! Unsurprisingly, he is not interested in learning how a combustion engine works in order to drive his car either.
So, can someone write me a FOOLPROOF guide from start to finish:
1. Rooting and S-OFF (with a basic explanation of what this is),
2. Installing a custom recovery (again with an explanation of what this is, and how to use it, Nandroid backups etc)
3. Installing ROMs
I know I'm asking a bit much - I'm just trying to make it as easy as possible for my colleague without actually doing it myself, as I'm not really a good enough friend that if I did take his phone away for a couple of days, that he wouldn't mind if it came back bricked! It needs to be his decision to do it, and him doing it.
I am willing to donate if someone can put all this together for him.
This should have most of the things needed.
Don't worry about S-off since it is not needed and one of the only procedures that can really brick a phone.
Edit: Before starting with rooting, boot in to hboot and check the pvt version. If it's pvt4, the best thing to do is to use Amon_RA as a alternative recovery image. To do this just follow the guide but befoer clicking on root in Unrevoked go to "file" and select the alternative recovery.
You can use the unrevoked way which is too easy to do and if you want to S-Off, although not needed, you can visit AlphaRev
I would say for definite, forget about s-off. Not exactly sure what it is myself, but as it's completely unnecessary for the whole rooting/flashing procedure, why bother?
I rooted from a linux boot cd which sounds complicated but I think is actually easier as there's no faffing about with installing sync and then uninstalling it again.
S-Off disables NAND security on GSM phones. When you use unrevoked, it only disables it for CDMA. Also disabling the phones NAND security enables you to do further things like change the splash screen, install another Hboot, delete system apps and so on. If you think rooting gives you more freedom, S-Off gives you even more. It's there for those that need it though. It's not difficult if you do your research. But to be honest, it's an automated process with it working 99.9% of the time.
I did s off without hitch 100% safe.
Also new hboot new recovery with android flasher.
GoogleJelly said:
S-Off disables NAND security on GSM phones. When you use unrevoked, it only disables it for CDMA. Also disabling the phones NAND security enables you to do further things like change the splash screen, install another Hboot, delete system apps and so on. If you think rooting gives you more freedom, S-Off gives you even more. It's there for those that need it though. It's not difficult if you do your research. But to be honest, it's an automated process with it working 99.9% of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
S-OFF does nothing though bar mean you can delete apps without having to be in recovery. for someone who has no idea about modding it's just not worth doing. Rooting and using a custom Senes-based ROM will do the job just fine
It does way more than mean you can just delete apps. The methods for installing stuff these days are more or less 100% bug free and won't bugger up your device. Why not give it a go? Just make sure you read info and research it a little first before you start. Just don't do what I did and almost brick it
But if the OP doesn't know how to root then they're not going to need to S-OFF are they? Seems pointless
I did S-OFF for two reasons:
1) To install custom HBOOT so that I get more space in /data
2) For the hell of it.....
EDIT: I think some of the ROMs need S-OFF enabled (I'm not sure....) but, at the same time, I don't think S-OFF is absolutely necessary.
S-Off isn't necessary to have. No rom requires you to have it. It is just something that you may as well have if you root because it gives you way more freedom.
Totally disagree, it's not needed at all if you just want the phone to work. Custom ROM with A2SD+ is MORE than enough for a complete n00b
EddyOS said:
Totally disagree, it's not needed at all if you just want the phone to work. Custom ROM with A2SD+ is MORE than enough for a complete n00b
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree completely. If you want to explore custom ROM's, get A2SD etc then root. Once you're happy with the whole root/recovery/flashing thing THEN look at s-off if it is necessary to do what you want. For a lot of people it really isn't required at all, and it definitely shouldn't be the first thing you think of doing.
Hello Everyone.
I do apologize if I'm spamming the Q&A sub-forum by asking a question such as this, but do I need to flash a new HBoot in order to make use of the Virtuous 1.0.2 ROM for my T-Mobile G2?
Before, I was able to make use of Virtuous for the G2/DZ and I was able to take to it much faster than CyanogenMod 7.0.2. Overall, the best ROM I've ever used. But then my phone was bricked when I was unrooting it, then after a very heated argument with a T-Mobile customer service official, I received a replacement G2.
According to the stickies I read in the general sub-forum, I avoided using VISIONary this time and instead used the adb/gfree v0.5 method on the xda-developers wiki to gain superCID, subsidy unlock, and S-OFF. I also followed the optional procedure of flashing the engineering hboot that was on the wiki.
However, when I went to the Virtuous thread on the G2/DZ Development thread, I saw a post in the comments section that said I needed the 0.90(?) hboot to make use of Virtuous.
This incited a bit of curiosity and I couldn't find any posts in the Q&A sub-forum.
Is it true that I need a new hboot, and if so how can I go about removing the engineering hboot and flashing the one I need to make use of the ROM?
Any and all help will be greatly appreciated
Thank you for your time,
-
teh5abiking
Oh and on a side note, can anyone please tell me how I can get that list of devices that comes underneath a post by someone?
i have never flashed a new hboot to make use of ANY rom i have flashed on my tmobile g2. ive tested every rom thats been on the dev forum, and i am an avid user of virtuous. whatever someone said on the virtuous section was wrong, haha. just flash the rom like any other rom, and youll be good to go. you did root the best way with gfree so youre set on that. just make sure you have a nandroid backup, and when flashing between roms always wipe data and cache to avoid system errors, force closes, etc.
as for changing your signature, like listing what devices you have or had, that will be in the user control panel. under your profile. good luck and if you have any questions just shoot me a private message and ill help you out!
PatrickHuey said:
i have never flashed a new hboot to make use of ANY rom i have flashed on my tmobile g2. ive tested every rom thats been on the dev forum, and i am an avid user of virtuous. whatever someone said on the virtuous section was wrong, haha. just flash the rom like any other rom, and youll be good to go. you did root the best way with gfree so youre set on that. just make sure you have a nandroid backup, and when flashing between roms always wipe data and cache to avoid system errors, force closes, etc.
as for changing your signature, like listing what devices you have or had, that will be in the user control panel. under your profile. good luck and if you have any questions just shoot me a private message and ill help you out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips!
So, as for gfree, do I still retain my unlock and superCID when I flash another ROM?
I'm going to India to visit some relatives, and I have a Vodafone SIM card for travelling.
teh5abiking said:
Thanks for the tips!
So, as for gfree, do I still retain my unlock and superCID when I flash another ROM?
I'm going to India to visit some relatives, and I have a Vodafone SIM card for travelling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as long as the rom is pre-rooted. Which most are on these forums. Always make sure to read the post just to keep yourself. But roms generally don't have anything to do with the unlock etc etc etc
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA Premium App
I have read multiple guides around the internet about rooting my HTC Desire Z. Hutchinson 3UK network. I am unsure on what method to use, how to downgrade etc.
I do not want to run a risk of rooting my phone as I bought it outright for £300. I also want to know if I can unroot and perm-root.
The reason I want to root is to overclock it, is it possile to use 2.2 firmware on a root?
Could you please post or link a guide that will provide all of the information I need and that is fairly simple to understand as I am new to the whole Android/rooting business.
Many thanks.
My Android version is 2.2.1 and am hoping to use this version as I love sense but only want a root on this to overclock.
My baseband version is 12.28e.60.140fU_26.04.02.17_M2
Build number and software number is 1.72.405.2
With a 1.72 ROM you will need to downgrade before you can Root.
The instructions in the Wiki (http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Introduction) include links to the downgrade instructions.
The recommended root method uses GFREE which will SIM-Unlock the phone while you are rooting.
Yes you can unroot, the instructions for that are in the Wiki as well.
You can absolutely use a 2.2 ROM while rooted, if you are only looking to overclock you can just install an overclock friendly kernel after you are rooted, though you may want to look at a custom ROM because you will have to wipe when you downgrade from 1.72.
Good luck!
Ok, is unrooting a simple process because I am covered on warranty and do not to want to simply lose it, I need a backup. My phone is already unlocked so that is fine there.
How long does the rooting take? Because it all looks very confusing entering the code etc, am I likely to mess anything up which results in a brick?
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
The process of rooting via wiki method took me about 15 minutes, but the setup of adb and installing drivers will add additional time if you are unfamiliar with it. Usually if you enter in a wrong character in adb, the command won't go through (incorrect paths, etc), but just be careful and you will be fine. Read each step carefully.
Unrooting was a little difficult for me (I did this first to send my first G2 in for warranty) as that was my first experience tying my phone to the pc, but it is very simple and straightforward with the instructions.
Yeah i did rooting with the wiki but sometimes you'll get confused on how to do it. If u dont understand ask here or search the internet. Always happy to help ^_^!
Downgrading
It says check your INFOCID. How do I perform this check?
Sorry for not knowing anything..
the link I am asking about is provided by the wiki: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=905261
Can someone walk me through for the steps of successfully rooting my desire z ?
Thanks
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
There are so many easy places to find this information here if you just look around. Specifically the Android Development sub forum.
Cyanogenmod wiki for rooting the HTC Desire Z
The XDA wiki for rooting the HTC Vision/Desire Z
Also make sure you do not use the Visionary to do root as it has a high brick risk and don't install Clockworkmod version 5 as that has issues. Stick with Clockworkmod 3.0.2.4.
Another thing ... I suggest before you root your device, you read through a lot of the forum threads for your device so you have a better understanding of what your doing. I apologize if I'm treating you with kid gloves, but your question makes me wonder.
That guide is for 1.72 firmware though I am running on 2.42.666.8. How would I go about downgrading it?
EDIT: Also, what can you do with a rooted phone, I know you can do a lot just not the specifics.
Check the Development forum, there is a guide there for downgrading gingerbread OTA's
-Nipqer
I used this guide to downgrade my ROM.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1178912
OhAndyOh said:
That guide is for 1.72 firmware though I am running on 2.42.666.8. How would I go about downgrading it?
EDIT: Also, what can you do with a rooted phone, I know you can do a lot just not the specifics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was unaware you're phone had a later firmware on it. Yes, as you said, "can do a lot" with a rooted phone. For example you can install a custom kernel and overclock it to speed up the phone. You can install the latest version of Android on it so you know it's always up to date. I can't really think of anymore off the top of my head, but there you go. Rooting pretty much keeps your options open with your phone I guess.
It is a shame to say that I still use Android 2.2 with Kernel 2.6.32.21, Taiwan version since I bought the phone a year ago.
(Not until recently, I have decided to move on to Gingerbread because
I wanna use the the latest features in the NDK to write some C++ programs for Android.)
Without getting into trouble during/after rooting,
I tried an official OTA upgrade but it doesn't work.
I tried to ask HTC but they said they still don't have any official upgrade for my phone.
I am a newbie here in this forum,
Could anybody please kindly offer your help please?
It will be GREATLY APPRECIATED! I wanna make my App!!!
swimd
If there is no official Gingerbread for your phone (which seems odd ?) then you can flash a different official GB ROM onto your phone. But normally your phone isn't going to let you do this, because it will fail the signature checks.
What you need to do is to de-brand your phone so that it doesn't do these checks any more. I will see if I can dig out a link to a guide and edit it into my post, unless someone else beats me to it.
Sent from my Desire Z running CM7.
Steviewevie,
Thank you for your help in advance!
I can't copy and paste the link right now, but use the Search function in the Android Dev forum to find the thread called "Debranding Bell Desire Z" (it doesn't only apply to Bell phones).
Sent from my Desire Z running CM7.
Thank you for the help!
I have found that thread!
BTW, after a quick look of the thread, it seems that S-off is recommended...
Do I need to get "root" in order to do so?
Should I do that to prevent future trouble?
Always recomend rooting phones right away, if you have a custom recovery and an enginering bootloader you can save tons of headaches in the future when problems arise (as they often do) this of course is outside the fact that a rooted phone is a happy phone and certainly not an apple
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
As demkantor said, getting S-OFF is a lot better because it gives you a lot more options for the future, even if you don't use those options straight away.
IMHO the only reason to use the goldcard method and not full S-OFF is if you are really worried about voiding your warranty or the S-OFF process yourself. But there's no need to worry really, since (a) you can easily reverse the process if you need to, and (b) lots of people here can help you through getting S-OFF (the XDA Wiki explains it very well, though it can look daunting at first).
Sent from my Desire Z running CM7.
+1 to the notion of just rooting the phone. Especially since if are software developer, I would think that you would want full control over your device. And if you have these type of skill, rooting will be easy.
As mentioned, root, S-Off etc. can be removed for warranty purposes, if that is the concern.
The Wiki method is generally accepted as the safest:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_Vision_.28G2.2FDZ.29_and_DHD
demkantor and all,
Thanks!!! ok, I am least I will go for S-OFF!
But, I need to be able to fully recover my OS and Apps,
I need to do some research on stock recovery and/or custom recovery...
Well, I think there is an official update to Gingerbread thou.. But I think dont think that version is in English as it is a Hongkong version.