[Q] Flashing custom ROM, cant root - Desire General

Hello all,
I have decided to go ahead and flash a custom ROM without all the sense stuff on it. Not sure which one though.
Anyhow, I know that the fist step is to root. I tried to use the unrevoked way, but I cannot.
I have installed the drivers and the program finds it ok, but once the program makes my desire reboot, the desire just goes into a reboot loop!
I need to remove the battery to make it stop. Sometimes, even once it fully boots up, the phone reboots again while it is syncing itself!
Is there another way to root the phone for those of us with the random reboot problem?
Oh, I have the latest OTA update.

Here, grab the 3.21 version instead. It seems to work a lot better than newer versions.

Thanks. I will try that.
Do I really need this S-OFF stuff? I dont even really want the root, but as i understand it, I must have root to install one of the unofficial ROMS.

You have to ROOT in order to flash custom ROM's but S-OFF is not necessary, its for more advanced users.
When you download ROM of your like, be sure its made for Stock HBOOT (it should say in first post), if its for Oxygen or CM7 HBOOT then you need S-OFF and flash custom HBOOT or you will end up with bootloop.

S-Off isn't needed to run custom roms, just rooting is needed. S-Off is for those that want that extra and understand the consequencies of when something goes wrong.

sounds...complicated I was going to try Oxygen or CM7, or perhaps insertcoin.

roms apps2sd+ versions don't require s-off
insertcoin comes in two flavours if i read write - one for s-on (apps2sd stock hboot) and one for s-off (cm7 hboot)

It's not complicated. All you do is use a utility that you burn to a CD/USB and boot off of it. You go through the utility and it runs and unlocks your NAND. Simple.
The next stage after this is all done is to flash a custom hboot, this take little more than 5 mins to setup and takes about 1 min (less prob) to get it to flash fully.
People tend to say to avoid it if you don't know what your doing. The reason being is that during the process of S-Off'ing your device it requires a custom hboot being flashed. When flashing the custom hboot messes up then you **** your phone up basically and it will be completely bricked.

Well..I at least got the root part working. now I just need to figure out which ROM and HBOOT combo to go with.

Related

[Q] unrevoked root with s-on

I just rooted my HTC Desire using unrEVOked 3.21. Everything was fine. I had superuser permission and so on.
Than i had a sudden reboots. After reboot the N1 gallery crashed. N1 gallery might have cause the reboots. So i remove it and everything is fine till now.
I wanted to load a custom rom. I boot in to bootloader and notice that its s-on.
My question is can I load custom roms with s-on. How come I'm s-on and I have root access. If everything is fine, than what does this s-on do. I'm new at all this, so please bare with me.
Thank you.
harvin23 said:
I just rooted my HTC Desire using unrEVOked 3.21. Everything was fine. I had superuser permission and so on.
Than i had a sudden reboots. After reboot the N1 gallery crashed. N1 gallery might have cause the reboots. So i remove it and everything is fine till now.
I wanted to load a custom rom. I boot in to bootloader and notice that its s-on.
My question is can I load custom roms with s-on. How come I'm s-on and I have root access. If everything is fine, than what does this s-on do. I'm new at all this, so please bare with me.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S-Off = Full root ( Not really necessary unless you want to write to system and stuff while in Android. you can also change your splash screen if you would like)
S-On with root by unrevoked = Flash custom roms, radios, kernels, etc..
S-On is Sercurity On which means that the System files are only Read-Only.
S-Off uses AlphaRev's Hboot as this removes S-On. Its the Only way to get S-Off. I just S-Offed myself yesterday. It was scary at first but i really think its a good thing as you can use Metamorph/NinjaMorph or stuff.
I'd recommend just keep this information and when you get used to clockworkmod recovery then S-Off.
Remember that to get into recovery you must boot into Bootloader then scroll to Recovery with the volume up and down buttons then press the power down.
Oh, and to scroll between the clockworkmod menu, just use the trackpad. I also would not ecommend using Rom Manager as i remember the first time i used it and booted into recovery i was scqred to death as it brought me to a attention thing. I was scared to death.
Have Fun
shockem said:
S-Off = Full root ( Not really necessary unless you want to write to system and stuff while in Android. you can also change your splash screen if you would like)
S-On with root by unrevoked = Flash custom roms, radios, kernels, etc..
S-On is Sercurity On which means that the System files are only Read-Only.
S-Off uses AlphaRev's Hboot as this removes S-On. Its the Only way to get S-Off. I just S-Offed myself yesterday. It was scary at first but i really think its a good thing as you can use Metamorph/NinjaMorph or stuff.
I'd recommend just keep this information and when you get used to clockworkmod recovery then S-Off.
Remember that to get into recovery you must boot into Bootloader then scroll to Recovery with the volume up and down buttons then press the power down.
Oh, and to scroll between the clockworkmod menu, just use the trackpad. I also would not ecommend using Rom Manager as i remember the first time i used it and booted into recovery i was scqred to death as it brought me to a attention thing. I was scared to death.
Have Fun
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much.. That was really usefull information bro... you mention that my system files are read only with unrEVOked... yday i used root explorer to change some system files... could that be the cause my device rebooted...
another thing i want to know is that i want to install busybox.. do i need s-off to do this... if i ever hard/soft reset will the busybox also be removed...
and i also removed some stock applications... will they also be reinstalled if i reset my HTC desire...
You dont need S-OFF to install busybox. Dont worry about S-OFF. Most power users dont need it. It's more a liability.
Stock apps may be reinstalled with choosing to install a ROM which includes them. Most ROMS have addon files with stock apps. Or you may choose and pick from a ROM Kitchen.
harvin23 said:
Thank you so much.. That was really usefull information bro... you mention that my system files are read only with unrEVOked... yday i used root explorer to change some system files... could that be the cause my device rebooted...
another thing i want to know is that i want to install busybox.. do i need s-off to do this... if i ever hard/soft reset will the busybox also be removed...
and i also removed some stock applications... will they also be reinstalled if i reset my HTC desire...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem Last time when i rooted without S-Off, i tried copying things around the system folders and it never worked. That might and should have been the cause of your reboots. The rest of it has been answered by Droidzone
thanks guys for all the information... i just download a new custom rom and was going to flash it... but there is something bothering me... its the radio... the custom rom has different radio... will the radio change once i install the custom... is there any complications...
what is the things i need to consider before flashing a rom... im really sorry guys but this phone cost RM2000 (Malaysian Ringgit)... i dont want screw it... just taking precautions...
thanks for all the help guys...
harvin23 said:
thanks guys for all the information... i just download a new custom rom and was going to flash it... but there is something bothering me... its the radio... the custom rom has different radio... will the radio change once i install the custom... is there any complications...
what is the things i need to consider before flashing a rom... im really sorry guys but this phone cost RM2000 (Malaysian Ringgit)... i dont want screw it... just taking precautions...
thanks for all the help guys...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a ROM is not a big deal. If something happens to go wrong, you can always revert to the Nandroid restore. Custom ROMs often come with different Radios. Just install whichever Radio the developer recommends, and it should go smoothly.
At times a ROM may have different Radios for different functions. Like, if you want the phone running faster, use one radio. If you want more battery life, use another and so on.
If you've already rooted, flashing a new ROM wont create any more trouble than you're already in. Just dont be that hasty to do S-OFF. It's S-OFF that often leads to softbricks (usually).
droidzone said:
Flashing a ROM is not a big deal. If something happens to go wrong, you can always revert to the Nandroid restore. Custom ROMs often come with different Radios. Just install whichever Radio the developer recommends, and it should go smoothly.
At times a ROM may have different Radios for different functions. Like, if you want the phone running faster, use one radio. If you want more battery life, use another and so on.
If you've already rooted, flashing a new ROM wont create any more trouble than you're already in. Just dont be that hasty to do S-OFF. It's S-OFF that often leads to softbricks (usually).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^
but ussually i dont really do nandroid restore's because i keep lots of Roms for backup in case one does go wrong. Its best to do both

[Q] Flashing a ROM, it's been a while...

Hi, I have posted this before but it got deleted because I very stupidly posted it in the wrong place.
My question has been answered before due to searching but no one else happens to be in my EXACT situation and I don't want to mess up my phone.
Basically my Desire HD is rooted etc and I want to flash the Android Revolution ROM, but I havent flashed any ROM's since my OLD G1 and now everyone talks about S-OFF etc and I don't understand these, on my G1 it was simply rooting and flashing a Recovery and then flashing a ROM, so basically what do I need to flash this ROM
My situation:
I am running the stock ROM (permroot on 1.32.405.6)
I have stock radio
I have Clockwork mod 3.0.0.6
and Buzz Sense 1.3 + OC (OC'd 1.6Ghz) kernel.
(+Ever since I downgraded from 1.72 I have lost wi-fi, it connected to my wi-fi but I get no internet access through it, its definitely a problem with the phone and nothing else because I have tested my router etc, all my other devices have connectivity through my router)
We all were in your exact situation. The Desire HD employs an extra level of security to prevent users messing with their handsets, S-ON.
You need to turn this off, Ideally ENG (Engineering) S-OFF, before you can make persistent changes to your system.
Have a read through the very helpful guides in the Dev section. They also contain the tools you need. Turning S-OFF should be a one time process only, i.e once you've done it there is no need to repeat it to flash another ROM.
Hope that helps.
andyharney said:
We all were in your exact situation. The Desire HD employs an extra level of security to prevent users messing with their handsets, S-ON.
You need to turn this off, Ideally ENG (Engineering) S-OFF, before you can make persistent changes to your system.
Have a read through the very helpful guides in the Dev section. They also contain the tools you need. Turning S-OFF should be a one time process only, i.e once you've done it there is no need to repeat it to flash another ROM.
Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I forgot to mention that I have SHIP S-OFF and I'm unable to get ENG S-OFF because when I used the Easy S-OFF tool it can only give me SHIP S-OFF for some reason, I cant do anything now since its incompatible with my kernel as well. Can I flash a ROM with just SHIP S-OFF? I don't want to flash any radios because I bricked my G1 about 4 million times when flashing radios.
It you run a 1.32 WWE RUU and revert back to stock you can then reapply ENG S-OFF. A bit of a ball ache I know.
Most ROMs will work just fine with SHIP S-OFF but ENG is usually preferred.
To flash a radio you need Radio S-OFF another beast entirely. However there is a very good too to do it with. No bricks so far and your DHD will then have super CID and be SIM unlocked.
didge3 said:
Sorry I forgot to mention that I have SHIP S-OFF and I'm unable to get ENG S-OFF because when I used the Easy S-OFF tool it can only give me SHIP S-OFF for some reason, I cant do anything now since its incompatible with my kernel as well..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tick the "I have radio s-off" box and it becomes compatible with everything.
follow my guide in the sig and skip to eng s-off and radio s-off part, or skip to whatever comes next if you've already done them
Tried that, I get a "Connection Error", I have made sure its fully connected as "Disk Drive" and I allow the Super User request when I do it, but it still doesn't work, plus the radio tool just says "Incompatible kernel" - or something like that.
I mainly want to know, can I flash Android Revolution in my current situation, can I flash with just SHIP S-OFF and my current kernel, or do I have to go back to stock kernel, flash the ROM and then flash my kernel back?
and why should I have ENG S-OFF, if it makes a lot of difference I will give it ago, but I mainly want to just flash this ROM to see if it fixes my wifi issue and my camera doesn't drop so many frames! (known issue in 1.32, fixed in 1.7X)
Disk Drive. Yeah, read the guide again more carefully, mate... And change the tool, why are you using easy radio tool!? It won't give you ENG S-OFF. My ENG S-OFF tool will give you that. And it most definitely will not say incompatible kernel if you just tick the box I talked about.
You can flash ARHD now. Do not mess around with it's kernel after flashing, because it comes with the best kernel out there. The kernel has been made to fit ARHD's needs.
jkoljo said:
Disk Drive. Yeah, read the guide again more carefully, mate... And change the tool, why are you using easy radio tool!? It won't give you ENG S-OFF. My ENG S-OFF tool will give you that. And it most definitely will not say incompatible kernel if you just tick the box I talked about.
You can flash ARHD now. Do not mess around with it's kernel after flashing, because it comes with the best kernel out there. The kernel has been made to fit ARHD's needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the same as every other time, downloads the Easy S-OFF tool, "Pushing stuff to SD" Phone says "Unknown has been granted su access" and then the tool says "Error: Connection Problem!" - I get this every time, I have tried re-downloading this software every time, removing the "Unknown" in super user and then re-allowing it when it asks, I still get the same error...
Does it matter that I'm using Windows 7 64-bit?
EDIT: I think I've done it now, I downloaded the latest 2.3 SDK (I had 2.2) which updated my ADB drives, I didn't get the error this time, will boot into H-BOOT and check now.
Are you still using that disk drive mode? Because you should not.
THANKS
I have thanked everyones post, I can confirm my H-BOOT Now says PVT ENG S-OFF, one last thing, I'm all good to flash now? I can just put the ROM (sense version) on my SD card and flash it in CWM, with my current kernel, even though it will over write it with the one included for Android Revolution, I dont have to go back to stock kernel or anything first right?
Thanks again
Have you flashed ClockworkMod Recovery yet? If not download ROM Manager from the Market and flash it from there.
Once that is complete, download ROM, put on SD Card, Recovery, Wipe, Flash, Enjoy.
didge3 said:
Hi, I have posted this before but it got deleted because I very stupidly posted it in the wrong place.
My question has been answered before due to searching but no one else happens to be in my EXACT situation and I don't want to mess up my phone.
Basically my Desire HD is rooted etc and I want to flash the Android Revolution ROM, but I havent flashed any ROM's since my OLD G1 and now everyone talks about S-OFF etc and I don't understand these, on my G1 it was simply rooting and flashing a Recovery and then flashing a ROM, so basically what do I need to flash this ROM
My situation:
I am running the stock ROM (permroot on 1.32.405.6)
I have stock radio
I have Clockwork mod 3.0.0.6
and Buzz Sense 1.3 + OC (OC'd 1.6Ghz) kernel.
(+Ever since I downgraded from 1.72 I have lost wi-fi, it connected to my wi-fi but I get no internet access through it, its definitely a problem with the phone and nothing else because I have tested my router etc, all my other devices have connectivity through my router)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
andyharney said:
Have you flashed ClockworkMod Recovery yet? If not download ROM Manager from the Market and flash it from there.
Once that is complete, download ROM, put on SD Card, Recovery, Wipe, Flash, Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note the very first post "Clockword mod 3.0.0.6" so in answer, yes.
Your good to go then, happy flashing.

[Q] Should I s-off my phone?

I have a HTC Desire, (PVT4 SLCD, Erasesize 40000)
I have rooted my phone for almost 4 months. I already know a lot about flashing etc, but never researched s-off. It seems kind of risky to me, as i have the latest desire. Correct me if i'm wrong. I have a few questions.
1.Is it worth to s-off my device
2.If so why?
3.How big is the chance of bricking my phone
4.If i s-off which rom should i be on, as i saw that heavy sense 3.0 roms can make it difficult, AOSP like oxygen or just stock 2.2
Thanks in advance.
1. Yes
2. you can modify system files while booted, not just via ADB. Also you can change HBOOT partitions - so you can use the NAND memory efficiently.
3. If you follow all instructions for the procedure, then there is 1% chance of bricking it. just stick to the info/guide.
4. Some of those ROMs do have problems with s-off. I managed to S-OFF mine on insertcoin's Froyo data++ ROM (2.0.1). But literally most of the ROMs should work. I'd go with something lighter with - e.g. CM7/MIUI/Redux/GV/Oxygen
I'm going to try it today, i think..
Wish me luck
TopGear63z said:
I have a HTC Desire, (PVT4 SLCD, Erasesize 40000)
I have rooted my phone for almost 4 months. I already know a lot about flashing etc, but never researched s-off. It seems kind of risky to me, as i have the latest desire. Correct me if i'm wrong. I have a few questions.
1.Is it worth to s-off my device
2.If so why?
3.How big is the chance of bricking my phone
4.If i s-off which rom should i be on, as i saw that heavy sense 3.0 roms can make it difficult, AOSP like oxygen or just stock 2.2
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
re 4.
after you're done with S-OFF you can run your favourite ROM again, it is just that while you're doing this, you need a "simple ROM". what I did:
* nandroid backup (so you keep your favorite ROM, settings etc)
* flash pre-rooted stock ROM
* S-OFF your device
* nandroid restore (restore the backup you made before).
hope this helps.
With revolutionary one will get rooted and s-off in step.
Swyped from Oxygen with Transparent XDA App
You can follow this guide at http://wiki.rootzwiki.com/index.php/HTC_Desire for S-OFFing with Revolutionary. It's better detailed than Revolutionary's own wiki.
You may not have to do the Installing Superuser and su step if you're rooted already, mine stayed rooted when I S-OFF'd today.
Big advantage of S-OFFing is I could start using the Oxygen r2 HBOOT from Alpharev.nl site, making the system partition drastically smaller (250mb is wasted space for custom roms that aren't bloated Sense) that way I could use more of /Data for apps. It's apparently better for battery life not having apps load off the sdcard with the various apps2sd and dalvik2sd workarounds when using an sd-ext partition.
I did need to move fastboot.exe to the folder adb.exe is in in order to flash a new partition image (instructions on alpharev.nl; scroll down to "modified partition tables") as I got an error about AdbWinApi.dll being missing. They've changed things around in the Android SDK installer so adb.exe needs an additional download via SDK Manager.
p.s. Also I restored my backup of Sense before S-OFFing, just to be on the safe side, Alpharev.nl recommended this but the other guides made no mention of it. It was probably best as my current ROM, Oxygen, has apps2sd implemented and apparently this can interfere with the flashing process.
Another thing, i don't have time this week because of a wedding, but is it crucial to make a nandroid as i can't restore one(amonra 2.0.0), i'll try revolutionary when i do it.

[Q] HTC unlocked HBOOT, 2.00.0029

Okay, so I flashed the 1.32 RUU to be able to upgrade my DHD up to 3.12.405. so that I could install the unlockable HBOOT.
According to HTC this unlocked HBOOT should let you flash custom ROMs.
I went to to htcdev.com and followed their steps to unlock my bootloader, which worked flawlessly..
Except when i flash custom ROMs the phone hangs on splashscreen. I've tried full wipe and clean install, I've even tried restoring backed up ROMs.
Any one else have simlar problems? or a solution?
anything that may help?
Since I don't read anything about it, I'm gonna ask you: Did you flash a recovery?
Yes sorry for not managing to provide that info before :-/
I have ClockworkMod 5.0.2.0
And do you also know that after flashing a custom ROM the first boot might take a loooong time?
OFC. I've waited over 20 minutes for the thing to boot but nothing happens.
Only thing i can think of is that it might be that it is S-ON and not S-OFF.
also i can recover the backed up stock ROM.
_____________________________________________________________________________
I got Advanced ACE Hack Kit to degrade it so now I'm able to S-OFF, super CID and everything again
All I had to do was to relock the bootloader and run the AAHK
Thank for the responses.
Moderators may close this now.

Updating HBoot WITHOUT S-OFF... How??

Hi all,
So long story short, I lost my Sensation in Thailand and am holding off buying a new phone until the One XL is released. In the mean time, I'm trying to recondition my Desire. It is rooted, but doesn't have S-Off. It is running HBoot 0.80.0000.
I want to flash a Data++ Hboot, as the low storage space warnings used to drive me crazy!
I want to use Revolutionary to obtain S-Off. but it only supports HBoot 0.93.0001 and upwards. I have no idea how to update my HBoot without having S-Off.
Tried the alpharev iso method, (which doesn't seem to care about the HBoot version) but it fails at step 3 (seems to boot loop). Thankfully it didn't brick!
So my question is:
How can I get S-Off?
Cheers.
Did you tried to flash the official 2.3 GB and then S-OFF?
It should change your hboot to 1.02.0001.
k3lcior said:
Did you tried to flash the official 2.3 GB and then S-OFF?
It should change your hboot to 1.02.0001.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems like the most logical answer.
Download this http://www.htcdev.com/process/legal_download/152
Then use revolutionary.
You'll only need the Data++ HBoot if the ROM you intend to use requires it. Make sure you pick the ROM you want first and flash the HBoot that applies to it, otherwise you'll have to flash downgrade and flash new Hboot all over again, making more work for yourself.
Thanks for the feedback all.
Ended up having to give up cos the phone keeps randomly boot looping. Sometimes it will boot, other times it reboots as soon as sense loads and then goes into a reboot loop.
I somehow managed to flash a stock ROM and remove root, yet it still randomly boot loops, so I'm suspecting it's hardware related, which totally sucks!
Would you agree with this assessment? If not, what else could be causing it to randomly reboot?
Cheers!
Try underclocking the phone's CPU and try it again. Also, try flashing to Cyanogenmod 7.1 ROM, run that on my Desire and I have no stability issues, unlike older ROMs.
stephendt0 said:
Try underclocking the phone's CPU and try it again. Also, try flashing to Cyanogenmod 7.1 ROM, run that on my Desire and I have no stability issues, unlike older ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubt it'd help. Boot cycling happens outside of the actual ROM.
An update on the S-Off process...
I successfully flashed the Gingerbread ROM and then got S-Off using Revolutionary. I flashed the Data++ HBoot and then flashed Leedroid HD v3.3.3-R5 Data++ build. Worked first boot and I was able to install a few apps and work the phone. Rebooted to see what would happen and then got boot loops (sometimes got as far as displaying the unlock screen before restarting but often rebooted whilst displaying the custom Leedroid boot animation).
Seems If I leave it off for a while it will successfully boot off a cold start, but once it's been on a while it boot loops. Overheating CPU??
If this is not hardware related, I'm out of troubleshooting ideas...
At this point, the phone is well and truly out of warranty, so I'm happy to tinker with it. Would it be worth taking it apart? Is it possible to add thermal paste to the CPU?
Would love some suggestions!

Categories

Resources