Develop Bugs

[REQUEST] Idiot's Guide

In the N1 General forum there was a great post done - 100% Fool Proof Guide to rooting & ROMs, and I was hoping that we could start a similar thread here.
Please feel free to comment on this post - it is my hope that we can put together a great document for newbs like me in the future. THIS thread is for suggestions on what should be in the guide, not the guide itself. I will reserve the second post for compiling suggestions over the next couple of days.
I just ordered my Desire, and it should be with me in a week or two. I am disturbed by the USB/A2SD issues being encountered by some, and so when I root I want to get it right
imHo, the guide should include:
1) Definitions of Rooting, unlocking, goldcards, generic, kernel, radio and how these relate to future OTA updates. These are concepts which I am familiar with, but feel I know just enough to be dangerous to myself/my device
2) A ballpark comparison of the unique characteristics of ROMs available today (stock-like, minimalist, sense-free, tethering, etc)
3) A step-by-step guide to the most recommended flashing updates people are using today
4) Things to bear in mind if you are a win-x64 user (I understand this is a tripping point for some)

[Reserved for collating ideas]
1) Terminology:
Rooting
Unlocking
Goldcards
Generic
Kernel
Radio
OTA updates, and how they may be affected by flashing your Desire
2) Current ROMs available and their unique characteristics
3) Guide to flashing your desire
4) Win64 users - what to bear in mind

And a big warning that this rooting process can cause unexpected pain on your bank balance if you are unlucky at the minute

I'd say to use the TinyCore method as I had nothing but issues doing it using W7 x64 - there's a guide on MoDaCo that's simple as anything - only a fool would get it wrong!!!
Find it here:
http://android.modaco.com/content/h...inux-download-and-guide-easiest-and-best-way/
And my USB still works fine, not had any issues since rooting and am now happily using an MCRr2 ROM cooked to my liking

I'd have to agree. Tiny Core Linux was so simple to use. I'd never used Linux before and even I could do it!
I did see paul's tweet saying a new safer more reliable method was coming this week hopefully. If that's the case I'll be rooting like mad again!
New, safer, more reliable root method for Legend and Desire coming up next week (all being well). #mcr 7:28 PM May 14th via Tweetie http://twitter.com/PaulOBrien

Only issues I've had was flashing the radio as part of a ROM - wouldn't have it so gonna try it on its own later this evening. Would be nice to get it all in one ROM but meh

EddyOS said:
I'd say to use the TinyCore method as I had nothing but issues doing it using W7 x64 - there's a guide on MoDaCo that's simple as anything - only a fool would get it wrong!!!
Find it here:
http://android.modaco.com/content/h...inux-download-and-guide-easiest-and-best-way/
And my USB still works fine, not had any issues since rooting and am now happily using an MCRr2 ROM cooked to my liking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u guys are getting it wrong!!!!!!
me too i was saying the same thing last week when i was reading about the bricks and stuff. i didnt have any problems till 2 days ago. well let me tell you that the unrooting process went out wonderful... nothing wrong. i even flashed all the roms possible and even started cooking and porting some roms for my own use too.
the problem is not whether the method is complex or not. the ''brick'' does not happen while you are rooting the phone. nobody actually knows what triggers the damage. some get it on 1st attempt, some after 5-6 flashes, and some like me after numerous ones.
so in my opinion, i dont think you can say this is a safe method bla bla bla and i try to discourage ppl wanting to root ''for the moment''.

deeren said:
u guys are getting it wrong!!!!!!
me too i was saying the same thing last week when i was reading about the bricks and stuff. i didnt have any problems till 2 days ago. well let me tell you that the unrooting process went out wonderful... nothing wrong. i even flashed all the roms possible and even started cooking and porting some roms for my own use too.
the problem is not whether the method is complex or not. the ''brick'' does not happen while you are rooting the phone. nobody actually knows what triggers the damage. some get it on 1st attempt, some after 5-6 flashes, and some like me after numerous ones.
so in my opinion, i dont think you can say this is a safe method bla bla bla and i try to discourage ppl wanting to root ''for the moment''.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree, I try to at least warn people that there is a fair chance they will brick their device but this thread is about the best and easiest way to root.
At the end of the day if people know the risks and still want to go for it, then they may as well come here for the easiest method

just a quick question guys as im a total noob in android and rooting, does this method also works with the desire and does not require a goldcard?

cez10 said:
just a quick question guys as im a total noob in android and rooting, does this method also works with the desire and does not require a goldcard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This method is for the desire!
If you choose to root, then you will only need a goldcard if your handset was network supplied and branded. If for example you bought it and it came in a plain box, and had no network branding on the software then you can do it without the gold card. I got mine from the Carphone Warehouse so it was unlocked and unbranded. I just rooted with the standard SD card.
The software number on my unbranded device is 1.15.405.4. Hope this helps.

Refer to this

1) Nothing is foolproof. If you're a fool, don't root.
2) Foolproof implies pragmatic. The N1 is designed (basically) to be rooted so there's a universal method for all. The Desire wasn't, so things liks different bootloaders, branded phones and goldcards makes everyone just that little bit different. I mean, the HTC memory protection mean things like Adfree don't work out of the box (causes phone to reboot) - if you create a foolproof method we're just going to get threads about "zomg why wont dis app wrk on my fone" because they expect to be spoonfed everything.

[Q]All of my G2 Root/Unroot Questions

[Extremely Nooby Questions Below]
So, I looked through the forums and didn't find anything that applied to the G2, or told me what I needed to know, so I need some help. This is my first Android
device and I like it so far.
My first question is about the "VISIONary" App. I installed this about a week ago and along with it I installed "Titanium Backup", "Shoot Me", and "SuperUser" just showed up somehow. I've been seeing many people say that "VISIONary" isn't too reliable. So, if I want to try out, the RAGE version of the temp/permaroot do I need to uninstall all of these apps? Or Just Visionary?
Also, to uninstall visionary, so I need to press the "UnRoot" button, and then uninstall, or can I just uninstall.
I also thought that, "adb" was the same thing as rooting. According to the Wiki , they aren't. So I need to do both to successfully root the G2?
Is "OverClocking" a completely different thing too?
What do I have to look out for while trying to root my phone? Any precautions to not brick my phone.
Also, I found a really good youtube turorial - /watch?v=zdmtkHkrgLE - to Root, a Droid, are these the same instructions to rooting a G2?
Thanks in advance. Oh and by the way, I didn't know whether to put this in development, (Since it was about Rooting), Or Q&A, since it had questions in it.
If I need to move it, please tell me.

I'm not trying to be mean but these questions have been answered many many times before.
You need to read and read and read some some.
I would suggest you check the wiki and look in the dev forum. There is plenty of info you have to look for it.
Follow the directions for your specific device only
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

CarlosReynoso said:
[Extremely Nooby Questions Below]
So, I looked through the forums and didn't find anything that applied to the G2, or told me what I needed to know, so I need some help. This is my first Android
device and I like it so far.
My first question is about the "VISIONary" App. I installed this about a week ago and along with it I installed "Titanium Backup", "Shoot Me", and "SuperUser" just showed up somehow. I've been seeing many people say that "VISIONary" isn't too reliable. So, if I want to try out, the RAGE version of the temp/permaroot do I need to uninstall all of these apps? Or Just Visionary?
Also, to uninstall visionary, so I need to press the "UnRoot" button, and then uninstall, or can I just uninstall.
I also thought that, "adb" was the same thing as rooting. According to the Wiki , they aren't. So I need to do both to successfully root the G2?
Is "OverClocking" a completely different thing too?
What do I have to look out for while trying to root my phone? Any precautions to not brick my phone.
Also, I found a really good youtube turorial - /watch?v=zdmtkHkrgLE - to Root, a Droid, are these the same instructions to rooting a G2?
Thanks in advance. Oh and by the way, I didn't know whether to put this in development, (Since it was about Rooting), Or Q&A, since it had questions in it.
If I need to move it, please tell me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no expert myself, just an average user who depends on the work of this awesome community to learn a little bit more about how these things work, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt.
I think all that matters for rooting purposes is removing VISIONary as the wiki states. As for how exactly to do this, not sure since I've never used it myself. Since it's just a temp root anyways, I'm pretty sure if you uninstall it and reboot at any time, it will be unrooted anyways. Titanium Backup will not even work without root, so you might as well remove it too (although not sure if you have to). I'm not sure what Shoot Me is. If you're in doubt, removing it before you root and reinstalling might help, but I doubt it's necessary.
The rooting instructions for the G2 are very specific. Do NOT use the same instructions for the Droid from that youtube video. I'd only recommend following instructions specific for the G2 you find on this site. This right here is definitely the best way I know to do it:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision#Rooting_the_G2
I'd had some experience playing around with rooting my G1, but I never needed to deal with adb and was also initially confused. It's basically a shell that you can use to communicate with your phone when its plugged in via usb to your pc, using a command prompt or terminal or something. The instructions for setting it up aren't 100% clear from the wiki, but this guide was amazingly helpful in learning how to set it up in Windows:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865685
Once you have that running, following the recommended rooting method from the wiki (rage/gfree) is seriously a breeze. Just follow it carefully and you won't brick your phone. The devs have really simplified the process for us in a short period of time.
This was also a really helpful FAQ that pretty much answered all my initial questions when it came to rooting, if you read through all of this carefully, you'll be able to figure it out pretty quickly:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=835777
Also, if you plan on installing a custom rom like cyanogenmod (highly recommended), you may want to back up your copy of swype cuz you'll lose the swype keyboard when you do it. Here are some good instructions on how to keep that:
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/10225-how-to-keep-swype/
Overclocking is a completely different game. Once rooted, you can use an app like SetCPU to speed up the clock speed on your phone's processor (stock is 800 MHz). I've seen some people able to achieve speeds of 1.9 GHz or so, but what's more common is around 1.4 GHz if i'm not mistaken. Obviously, for the increased, performance, you'll take a hit in battery life and such, you probably dont want to push your phone's cpu too far if its not necessary. Rooting gives you the option though.
Lastly, if you want to unroot, there are more complicated methods posted if you use the older rooting method which is currently not recommended. For this method, you can basically follow the instructions in this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10349347&postcount=81
from this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=835971
The PC10IMG.zip can be found in the original post of that thread. The instructions for turning S-on via gfree are also found in the wiki.
I know that's a lot, but hopefully it will answer a lot of your questions.

Small corection to the post up. Am not expert but I just did.
Set cpu will allow U slow down to 245 Your cpu or go 806. To go more then stock speed U have to flash new kernel and this metod is permanent overclock with will keep settings after reboot phone. Second metod is easy way using scripts. U can find scripts on xda. This will give U 1400.
Don't forget to setup profiles on SetCpu with save U Battery
Greetings
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Thinking about rooting and flashing CM7

I've had my phone about a month now and it's going great. No complaints or issues (proximity sensor is behaving itself nicely). I'm now thinking of rooting it and getting CM7.
A few questions:
1) Does rooting void warranty?
2) Is it possible to 'unroot' and go back to the stock rom and have the phone exactly as it was out of the box?
3) I'm on software version 1.72.405.3. I'm guessing I'm going to have to downgrade to be able to root my phone?
4) What is the likelihood of bricking my phone and is there a way to unbrick it if such a thing happens?

1. Yes. Rooting does void warranty, as fas as i know.
2. I believe you can do so by flashing official RUU package.
3. Yes, you would have to downgrade first.
4. There is a possibility of bricking, but it should not happen if you follow all the steps needed.
If i am wrong on some points, someone more experienced should correct me.

The previous points were quite right. You shouldn't be scared of rooting, just read enough and follow the instructions very carefully and you should be just fine. People tend to speak about how someone has bricked their phone etc. but these guys with bricked phones never show up anywhere so there's a kind of a paradox I'm not saying that trying to root couldn't harm your device, I'm just saying that if you do everything very carefully and "by the book" the chances of bricking are very minimal if any.
Oh and if you haven't seen this, heres a good guide to get you through http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=HTC_Desire_HD:_Full_Root_Guide

[Q] Are there any downsides to rooting ?

Hi all, I've done a fair bit of searching and reading up but not sure I can find definitive answers to whether there are any downsides to rooting my One X.
I am thinking similar to tethered jailbreaks in the iOS world, where if you run out of juice you have to cable up to get it to boot up etc.
I would like to root, so I have the freedom to use a few of the tweaks and mods on xda (such as the tweak to change the default - read too high - auto brightness levels), not sure I will actually replace my entire rom at this stage, just root so I can use some of these minor tweaks.
so, is there anything that I need to genuinely consider before making the leap, some specific questions that spring to mind are;
1. Can I always easily revert it ?
2. Read some posts where people are struggling to charge once it hits 0% ? Is this an actual problem if I just root ? I do not want to brick a phone or have to prize open the case to take batteries out etc
3. If I chose to replace ROM's in the future, are there actual apps that more or less backup all your apps and settings so you can just reload that one app after a new ROM is installed, restore a backup and I am good to go, or do you have to manually setup everything from scratch again ?
Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.
ta
Mart

The only downside to rooting is you get hooked on flashing. It's very easy to get back to stock. As long as you have proper RUU for your region that goes with your CID and all is fine.

At present, the only rooting method involves unlocking the bootloader. It can be locked again. But it's 'relocked' rather than 'locked'. So your warranty is still void in some cases.
I'm waiting for root method which doesn't require an unlocked bootloader. Or non HTCDEV Unlocked bootloader and S-OFF before I do mine, but that's just me

Sentinel196 said:
So your warranty is still void in some cases
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC will only refuse your warranty if you balls up your phone as a result of flashing roms. Everything else such as hardware defects will leave the warranty in tact.

[Q] Rooting and ROM

Hello, this is the first time posting on this forum and relatively new on the android platform after jumping ship from blackberry. So, i have afew questions i hope you guys can help me with.
1. I heard/read alot regarding rooting to bring out the full potential of an android(s4) phone. What is the full advantage of rooting my phone? How does granting administrative access affect my phone performance?
2. I often see the jargon of bloatware on this forum, what does it exactly mean?
3. What is the function of ROM?
Sorry if these qns are repeated, please direct me to the answer if it is already present in the forum. thanks

1. Ans
2. Ans
3. Ans
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Still confused between Samsung Galaxy S4 and 10 acres of land in London

Rooting your phone gives you access to do anything you want ie (Apps 2 sd) that the phone dosent permit you to do.
A ROM is just a different feel, and its a faster alternative in upgrading your android ios. (S4 has touchwiz, can change it to Htc Sense)
Bloatware is a bunch of unnecessary apps that Carriers know youll never use but have it just cause. Its annoying and it takes up space. Rooting allows you to delete these apps, cause if its not you wont be able to remove it.
I hope this helped, ask again if you have any more questions.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

I was wondering if there is a sort of rooting guide for dummies out there. I want to root my phone to get rid of some of the bloatware that I will never use, and also to delete the annoying start up and shut down sounds. Other than that, I'm happy with Touchwiz so far, but I suppose adding custom themes would be fun.
I rooted my last phone (Samsung Vibrant) over 2yrs ago and don't remember how I did it. I know I installed a custom ROM, but don't remember how to do that either. I remember following a really good guide with pictures and step by step instructions though. It's early days yet with the S4, but I really hope someone will do the same kind of guide because it's very helpful for those of us who like to customize but don't have the time or knowledge to seriously get into it. When I look at some of the threads on rooting it just seems like a foreign language to me!
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

mahgnillig said:
I was wondering if there is a sort of rooting guide for dummies out there. I want to root my phone to get rid of some of the bloatware that I will never use, and also to delete the annoying start up and shut down sounds. Other than that, I'm happy with Touchwiz so far, but I suppose adding custom themes would be fun.
I rooted my last phone (Samsung Vibrant) over 2yrs ago and don't remember how I did it. I know I installed a custom ROM, but don't remember how to do that either. I remember following a really good guide with pictures and step by step instructions though. It's early days yet with the S4, but I really hope someone will do the same kind of guide because it's very helpful for those of us who like to customize but don't have the time or knowledge to seriously get into it.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the motochopper method - the guide is pretty simple and self explanatory however if you're on latest kernel then rooting is a no go as of now
---------------------------------
Still confused between Samsung Galaxy S4 and 10 acres of land in London

nikufellow said:
Try the motochopper method - the guide is pretty simple and self explanatory however if you're on latest kernel then rooting is a no go as of now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I looked at that and it seems straightforward, but I'm concerned about what to do after the actual root. Things like how to back the phone up in case I mess it up, how to delete things, how to add things. Also I find a lot of the terminology confusing... not quite sure what all the acronyms stand for either, like ODIN or CWM, or what each thing does exactly. This is the kind of thread which would be totally useful: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=849028 (this one is for the Vibrant though, so I think a lot of it would be different on a different device?)
As far as the kernel... as far as I know nothing has been updated. I got the phone on the first day it came out so I'm assuming it doesn't have the latest kernel. How would you find out? Not even sure what the kernel is or what it does :\ I would like to find out though!

^^^then you might be on an earlier kernel version anyway trying to root by motochopper method won't brick your device even if it doesn't go successful so no worries.
ODIN is the same software that service centres use to revive your bricked device - as a matter of fact with Samsung drivers, a usb cable and stock rom downloaded from online sources like sammobile, you can revert almost any instances of soft brick. Simply saying ODIN will flash back factory/stock rom anfd make your device as it was when you bought it. And yeah flashing via ODIN and all are more or less same procedure for all Samsung devices
Cwm is a custom recovery. If you don't know what recovery means it might be worth googling for better understanding the concept as even my knowledge is limited and my explanations might fall short of your expectations
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" Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor"

with regards to rooting my s4 which is running on 4.2.2 jellybean, does motochopper actually brick my phone? In addition, can i root my phone to remove the bloatwares and afterwhich, unroot my phone again, with all the bloatwares already permanently removed? Is it possible to download the full list of softwares of the s4 online such that if i accidentally remove an important software, i will be able to restore it. As I am someone who is not into very much customization and over-clocking, i believe i dont need my phone rooted for custom ROM right? I can use stock ROM when my phone is unrooted and clear of bloatware?

Mami-dalous said:
with regards to rooting my s4 which is running on 4.2.2 jellybean, does motochopper actually brick my phone? In addition, can i root my phone to remove the bloatwares and afterwhich, unroot my phone again, with all the bloatwares already permanently removed? Is it possible to download the full list of softwares of the s4 online such that if i accidentally remove an important software, i will be able to restore it. As I am someone who is not into very much customization and over-clocking, i believe i dont need my phone rooted for custom ROM right? I can use stock ROM when my phone is unrooted and clear of bloatware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Steps
#1. Locate GS4 box, place phone inside box.
#2. Return to store and get iPhone.
Serious tho. Best thing you can do is READ. SEARCH and READ. SEARCH and READ.
If you are unsure about something, READ again. Most questions have already been asked and answered.
If you find yourself lost......SEARCH and READ. Believe me this is this most useful advice you will ever get here.
Stuff is so easy now compared to when android 1st started. I remember rooting my G1 on a terminal prompt and installing recovery with wicked long commands. Now everything is automated and the hardest (NOT) part is reading the step by step instructions provided on almost every mod and tweak.
Welcome and goodluck !