Develop Bugs

[Q] Rooting confusion (LT18i, gb2.3.4, 4.0.2.A.0.62 )

Hi,
I am trying to root my phone. I have read many many guides on here but am still very confused...
I have successfuly unlocked the bootloader but I am unsure what to do next, every guide seems to be for different versions and the ones that are for the same version are too technical (I am new to the world of smartphones).
I have downloaded loads of files but I just dont know which ones I need and what to do with them...
can somebody please tell me which files I need, where do I put them and what I need to do (in plain English please).
My main reason for rooting is to remove the bloatware and get more performance/battery life for my device. I would also like to try out ICS (The update wasn't available in my country).
Thanks for any help and please dont say 'try searching', I have been reading for like 2 days now and just ended up getting more and more confused...
Thanks again.

A post from another thread...
Flash rootXperia.zip through CWM. That's it, you're rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems this is what I need to do, but how?

The easiest thing to do is find stock kernel with cwm installed and use that to flash the root.zip or you could install a custom rom?
Sent from my LT18i using xda app-developers app

So you want to root Gingerbread? Or do you want to update to ICS and then root it?
Either way, it doesn't matter. Since you already have an unlocked bootloader, it's a breeze.
Download a custom kernel with CWM and flash the superuser binary through it. If you want to root GB, make sure it's a GB compatible kernel and likewise with ICS as well.
If you want to update to ICS, have a look at the thread here. I suggest you grab the 4.0.4 Generic Global World .431fw. It's got the least bloatware and it's pretty snappy.
Update to the latest version of Flashtool. Get it here. The latest is v0.8.6.0. (Make sure that USB debugging and Unknown Sources are allowed beforehand).
Update to ICS.
Grab a custom kernel with CWM from the Development section. I use Jimbo77's ArcKnight kernel.
Get the latest superuser binary here. Place the zip file in the root of your SD card.
Hotboot the kernel using Flashtool. When the LED lights up blue, press the Back button. (If you think you're going to miss that instance, start spamming the Back button when it lights up).
There's an option to install a zip file. Browse to the superuser.zip on your SD card and flash it. That's it. When you reboot your phone, you automatically go back to the Stock kernel but you will have root access.
Cheers!

Thanks for your replies.
I figure I should stick with Gingerbread for the moment, at least til I know what I am doing...
I have a file called LT18i_4.0.2.A.0.62_Generic World UK.ftf. Is this the custom Kernel with CWM?
How do I flash it?
I have a file called rootXperia.zip, from what I understand, I need to put this onto the SD card, attach the phone in fastboot mode, open fastboot and click 'flash', is that right? Where do I put the ftf file?
Sorry for all the dumb questions, I'm quite clever really, just very new to this...

That file which you have is the fw. You need to put it in the firmware folder of Flashtool.
To flash the fw, you need to put it in flash mode i.e. holding the back button.
Get a custom kernel from the Development section. Try the appropriate DooMKernel for GB.
Use the latest superuser file I mentioned in the previous post.
For the kernel, put the phone in fastboot mode i.e. holding the menu button.
Swyped from my SE Xperia arc (LT15i) using Tapatalk 2

no dude LT18i_4.0.2.A.0.62_Generic World UK.ftf is a stock OS image file..it doesnt have custom kernel.. search in dev section..u will find one advanced stock kernel by doomlord if u want to stick to stock kernel.
u can flash ftf files using flashtools and u have to be in fastboot mode to flash custom kernel

Ok, So I have downloaded a file called ARC-advanced-Stock-v01-boot from DoomLord (I couldn't open the download for DoomKernel but he says its the same minus some features). This is in my firmwares folder
SuperUser-3.1.3-arm-signed is on my SD card.
Now I go into fastboot mode and open flashtools and click flash?
Im starting to think it might be easier and quicker to fly to India and have you do it for me....

go into fastboot mode..in flashtools click on "lightening" icon and select fastboot mode..then click on select to flash kernel..then browse and let it flash ..it will take only 1 second tats all then you are done..

Now my phone wont boot!
If I press power then it vibrates but nothing happens...
If I take the batt out then hold menu and plug in I can still get into fastboot mode, should I flash with ARCRecovery to fix it?

Only ftf files should be kept in the firmwares folder.
The kernel can be anywhere. Connect your phone in fastboot mode. (Switch off your phone, press and hold the menu button and then plug in the USB).
Press the lightning button on Flashtool and choose fastboot. Choose to hotboot a kernel and point to the kernel you downloaded. Then follow what I said about installing the zip through CWM.
Swyped from my SE Xperia arc (LT15i) using Tapatalk 2

Bricked?
So I followed all the instructions but now my phone wont switch on.
At first I was getting a boot screen that just said 'SONY', the key lights came on and I could get into the recovery menu but nothing else, it just kept rebooting.
I flashed another Kernel, thinking that somehow I had flashed the wrong one before and now I dont even get the SONY screen, just nothing. The screen backlight is on but there is no boot screen.
Any advice?

if u see sony logo then its not a kernel problem..most likely it is ROM problem...
do one thing...flash advanced stock kernel again properly. and flash a ROM called aconium 8.2...it is stock ROM with tweaks...

Mate, go grab another ftf.
This time, try ICS :fingers-crossed: LOL! Just follow the instructions I had given here.

When I select flashmode it does not show the ftf files on my computer, I also cannot drag and drop them into the flashtool window, am I misundersanding something?

drag and drop should work irrespective of whether phone is connected or not..if it doesnt allow DnD then there is some problem..

Install the drivers from the Flashtool folder again.
Swyped from my SE Xperia arc (LT15i) using Tapatalk 2

*sigh* I think I should give up, my phone is f*cked now.
Hopefully someone ina phone shop might be able to do something with it. If not then I guess Ill buy a new one and stick with having it unrooted.
Thanks for trying to help me guys, you have been very patient.

dont giveup dude..go through some tutorials and start again from scratch..
uninstall flashtools and reinstall and install drivers from here http://www.multiupload.com/0XZV1LXRVA

I just reinstalled and updated flashtools and installed all the drivers but it still wont let me drag and drop and still doesnt show ftf files in flashmode. I have restarted my computer and done everything I can think of.
Is there any possiblity that the damage to my phone is permanent (I assume that as I have only updated software then it should be reversable) and do you think that if I took it to an expert they would be able to fix it?

[Q] Installing custom ROM on Arc S

Hi guys, new here. My phone's warranty has expired and I have already rooted and unlocked the bootloader. Right now I'm on 4.0.2.A.0.62 and I want to install a custom ROM (Racing Bean). From what I know, I have to install Fusion kernel to use the ROM, I have already downloaded V3.1 Racing Bean, Arc Fusion (Version 5) and the Fusion Addons, all in RAR format. But now I'm stuck, I do not know what to do next, care to help me? I have installed Flashtool too. I need a step by step guide cause this is my only phone so if anything goes wrong (hopefully not since I root my phone myself through guides on the web), I got to fork out a sum of money to get a new phone... Also, do I need to backup 4.0.2.A.0.62 firmware so that I can use it back if there's problems with the custom ROM? X-Parts is also installed on my android. Sorry if this question has already been posted before, I know that different ROM requires different kernel and have different procedures, so I don't want to take the risk. Thanks in advance!!!

Download a stock ftf file which you can use in case anything goes wrong. Don't worry the chances of a hard brick by flashing a kernel or ROM is extremely low.
You've downloaded fusion right? Extract the boot.IMG and place it in a folder of your choice.
Backup everything on your internal memory that you need on your phone and copy over your ROM zip file to the root of your SD card. SD cards are not affected.
Switch the phone off and press the menu button while connecting it to the USB (still off). There should be a blue LED.
Press the lightning icon on flash tool, select fastboot mode, navigate to the location of your boot.IMG and press ok. The flash will start automatically and it takes about 1-3 seconds.
Disconnect your phone and boot it. After you press power button repeatedly press volume down to get into recovery mode.
In recovery, do a system wipe and a cache wipe (volume buttons to navigate, home to select). Then install your ROM from SD card. For some ROMs you'll need gapps too but racing bean has it already.
The install will take some time. After it has finished reboot the phone. If successful (for your case) you'll see the fusion logo and the "X" (nexus) boot animation. First boot takes a while so be patient.
Leave the ROM for a few hours to settle.
Btw there's loads of guides on this and everything else on xda. Next time just use the search button.
Sent from my Xperia Arc S using xda premium

*VIC* said:
Hi guys, new here. My phone's warranty has expired and I have already rooted and unlocked the bootloader. Right now I'm on 4.0.2.A.0.62 and I want to install a custom ROM (Racing Bean). From what I know, I have to install Fusion kernel to use the ROM, I have already downloaded V3.1 Racing Bean, Arc Fusion (Version 5) and the Fusion Addons, all in RAR format. But now I'm stuck, I do not know what to do next, care to help me? I have installed Flashtool too. I need a step by step guide cause this is my only phone so if anything goes wrong (hopefully not since I root my phone myself through guides on the web), I got to fork out a sum of money to get a new phone... Also, do I need to backup 4.0.2.A.0.62 firmware so that I can use it back if there's problems with the custom ROM? X-Parts is also installed on my android. Sorry if this question has already been posted before, I know that different ROM requires different kernel and have different procedures, so I don't want to take the risk. Thanks in advance!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think u should first upgrade to ics first & then followthe same steps as given
1.Download Racing Bean and a 4.1.2 kernel (recommended Fusion)
2.Place the Wi-Fi modules and Racing Bean on your SDcard
3.Flash your chosen kernel via Flashtool, then boot your phone to recovery
4.Wipe data and format /system
5.Flash Racing Bean and Wi-Fi modules
6. Reboot and have Mess around
7. Flash either usb fix OR On screen buttons addon.

[Q] General Assistance on HTC Desire A8181

I just got an HTC Desire A8181, and it is my very first time using an Android Device. The thing is that I already know that you can do a lot of things with Android devices (thats why I swapped from iOS to Android). Now here is my point, I basically need to know:
Basics about software and OS customizing for Android.
Basic things to know before do anything to my phone.
Tutorials for root the device (HTC Desire A8181)
Want to know if it is possible to make the phone work faster in terms of Manage the Processor and Ram Usage, how to do it, and understand the process.
And any other information that could be useful in order to make my phone work a lot better (take into consideration that I'm new with the OS and the phone, so there are a lot of things that I dont know about this theme.)
I also want to know if it is possible to install the latest Android Version on my HTC Desire and make it work fast.
Thanks in advance for your help!!!

The desire comes with sense 2.3 gingerbread. Sense is HTC's skin that they overlay ontop of the android operating system. Although it may look nice (doesnt really look that good to me), it is heavy and causes decreases in performance. When you s-off your device, and install a custom recovery you will be able to flash an aosp based custom rom. Aosp = android open source project, and basically means stock pure android...nothing running on top. As you can probably predict, this will result in faster speeds, less ram usage, and better battery. I think that answers the first few questions.
Next Ill move on to how to root it (make your phone good). I honestly think the term "root" is deceiving to most new users. I see people asking "how do i root my phone", but i think what they really want is to install a custom recovery and flash a custom rom. Being rooted on stock rom is pointless to me. Custom roms are where the good stuff is at.
Post your bootloader details here and ill walk you through the process. To get these details turn the phone off, then hold power + volume down until the phone boots into the bootloader. It should look similar to this. Post all of the first couple of lines at the top. The whole process summarized is this: s-off, install custom recovery, flash custom rom
There are also some other things that i would recommend doing so that you can have extra space for apps (you probably noticed you barely have any space at the moment), but ill get to that later when i give you more instructions.

Thanks for response so fast!
Chromium_ said:
The desire comes with sense 2.3 gingerbread. Sense is HTC's skin that they overlay ontop of the android operating system. Although it may look nice (doesnt really look that good to me), it is heavy and causes decreases in performance. When you s-off your device, and install a custom recovery you will be able to flash an aosp based custom rom. Aosp = android open source project, and basically means stock pure android...nothing running on top. As you can probably predict, this will result in faster speeds, less ram usage, and better battery. I think that answers the first few questions.
Next Ill move on to how to root it (make your phone good). I honestly think the term "root" is deceiving to most new users. I see people asking "how do i root my phone", but i think what they really want is to install a custom recovery and flash a custom rom. Being rooted on stock rom is pointless to me. Custom roms are where the good stuff is at.
Post your bootloader details here and ill walk you through the process. To get these details turn the phone off, then hold power + volume down until the phone boots into the bootloader. It should look similar to this. Post all of the first couple of lines at the top. The whole process summarized is this: s-off, install custom recovery, flash custom rom
There are also some other things that i would recommend doing so that you can have extra space for apps (you probably noticed you barely have any space at the moment), but ill get to that later when i give you more instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really thanks for all the information, I'll post the information you are asking me for when I go back to my house since now I'm working
But thanks for offer me your help with this, is my first Android and I would like to have fun with it, and you are right I barely have space for my apps now... Will be some other information needed in this process that I can post later on?

StheveO said:
Really thanks for all the information, I'll post the information you are asking me for when I go back to my house since now I'm working
But thanks for offer me your help with this, is my first Android and I would like to have fun with it, and you are right I barely have space for my apps now... Will be some other information needed in this process that I can post later on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, just your bootloader details for now.

Please tell me that I did not ****ed my phone
Ok so here is my problem now on, I tried to flash the CyanogenMod, but I dont know if i ****ed my phone or im just missing something...
Here is what I did:
1- I followed the instructions on another thread about the HTC_Unlock_Bootloader_Tool in order to unlock the bootloader.
2- I copied the CM-7.2.0.1-bravo.zip file into the sd card manually and also by using the "adb push" command.
But now my phone turns on, but every time that I try to access the Recovery option from the Fastboot menu just gives me an icon of the phone with a red advertise sign and then I press "Volume Up + Power" and got access to some sort of recovery options... But cannot go further than that... What can I do? Please tell me that I did not ****ed my phone?

When u unlock the bootloader u must then flash recovery via fastboot commands. In my sig ul see 4ext recovery as PB99IMG, download and extract the recovery.img and flash via fastboot. U can find a fastboot guide in bortaks troubleshooting guide (in my sig also)

Thanks for your response.
jmcclue said:
When u unlock the bootloader u must then flash recovery via fastboot commands. In my sig ul see 4ext recovery as PB99IMG, download and extract the recovery.img and flash via fastboot. U can find a fastboot guide in bortaks troubleshooting guide (in my sig also)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so here is my new actual situation, cause I went to sleep at 3.00am just to keep working with the phone...
After check within some forums and stuff I realized that there was an app called ROM Manager that can flash the Recovery and also the ROM (Cyanogenmod is the one I want to install), I started researching for another way to do it since every single time that I tried to start in FastBoot and use the recovery option in order to flash anything I just got a black screen with an icon that seems to be the same phone with a red alert sign on its corner (icon which i really did not like at all!!!), so I started checking for another way to work with this and found ROM Manager, but when the app was installed and I tried to flash the ClockworkMod Recovery but ROM Manager was giving an error related with permissions, I thought that my HTC Desire was already Rooted since it said "*** Unlocked ***" on the Fastboot menu (My fault!) but I realized that it is not Rooted after download the Root Checker app from the Store... So basically here is the case resumed: Fastboot "Unlocked" (Via easy unlocker tool), ROM Manager App (Installed but no permissions to Flash the ClockworkMod Recovery nor CyanogenMod ROM), Root Checker App (Installed and seems that my phone is not rooted)... How do I need to proceed now on???
Thanks in advance for all your help! I never thought that Android were this complicated, but I like it ****ing so much!!! So I think that it is most likely a beginner issue

StheveO said:
Ok so here is my new actual situation, cause I went to sleep at 3.00am just to keep working with the phone...
After check within some forums and stuff I realized that there was an app called ROM Manager that can flash the Recovery and also the ROM (Cyanogenmod is the one I want to install), I started researching for another way to do it since every single time that I tried to start in FastBoot and use the recovery option in order to flash anything I just got a black screen with an icon that seems to be the same phone with a red alert sign on its corner (icon which i really did not like at all!!!), so I started checking for another way to work with this and found ROM Manager, but when the app was installed and I tried to flash the ClockworkMod Recovery but ROM Manager was giving an error related with permissions, I thought that my HTC Desire was already Rooted since it said "*** Unlocked ***" on the Fastboot menu (My fault!) but I realized that it is not Rooted after download the Root Checker app from the Store... So basically here is the case resumed: Fastboot "Unlocked" (Via easy unlocker tool), ROM Manager App (Installed but no permissions to Flash the ClockworkMod Recovery nor CyanogenMod ROM), Root Checker App (Installed and seems that my phone is not rooted)... How do I need to proceed now on???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, to root it, you need to flash a Superuser zip from recovery. To flash it, you need a custom recovery. To get a custom recovery, you do what @jmcclue said 2 posts above.
StheveO said:
but I like it ****ing so much!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's " but I like it so ****ing much!!!".

More questions
abaaaabbbb63 said:
Well, to root it, you need to flash a Superuser zip from recovery. To flash it, you need a custom recovery. To get a custom recovery, you do what @jmcclue said 2 posts above.
I think it's " but I like it so ****ing much!!!".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahahaha yeah sorry about that but I'm working so it is difficult to be on the phone talking about Hard Drives and troubleshoot them, while trying to figure out whats going on with my phone hahahahaha
So Basically and if I'm not mistaken (hopefully not, let me know if I am) I need to do the following:
-Download and Flash the 4eXT Recovery as PB99IMG from the previous response: After download the file can I go to CMD and use "adb reboot bootloader" then "adb fastboot flash recovery PB99IMG.zip" (that must flash the recovery right?)
-Then I need to Flash the Superuser from a Zip file: By accessing the new Recovery Interface installed previously, wipe chache / install from sd card / install from zip (that must root my device right?)
-After that I should be able to turn on my phone as normal and use the ROM Manager in order to Flash the CyanogenMod 7.2 right?
Sorry that I bother all of you in this way with so many question and ****, but I really want not only to flash my drive but also to learn about the process and what I'm doing to my phone... Thanks for everything.

StheveO said:
Hahahahaha yeah sorry about that but I'm working so it is difficult to be on the phone talking about Hard Drives and troubleshoot them, while trying to figure out whats going on with my phone hahahahaha
So Basically and if I'm not mistaken (hopefully not, let me know if I am) I need to do the following:
-Download and Flash the 4eXT Recovery as PB99IMG from the previous response: After download the file can I go to CMD and use "adb reboot bootloader" then "adb fastboot flash recovery PB99IMG.zip" (that must flash the recovery right?)
-Then I need to Flash the Superuser from a Zip file: By accessing the new Recovery Interface installed previously, wipe chache / install from sd card / install from zip (that must root my device right?)
-After that I should be able to turn on my phone as normal and use the ROM Manager in order to Flash the CyanogenMod 7.2 right?
Sorry that I bother all of you in this way with so many question and ****, but I really want not only to flash my drive but also to learn about the process and what I'm doing to my phone... Thanks for everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my sig, you'll find a link "The PB99IMG method" under the "How to flash the 2.3 RUU" link. Use it to flash the recovery. Ignore the parts about the 2.3 RUU.

Another question...
abaaaabbbb63 said:
In my sig, you'll find a link "The PB99IMG method" under the "How to flash the 2.3 RUU" link. Use it to flash the recovery. Ignore the parts about the 2.3 RUU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so after check the other post with the PB99IMG method the phone should ask meto install something after put the zip file into the sd card and start the bootloader??? The thing is, if that doesn't happen what can I do? Because if I try to go to the Recovery option the phone gives me the Black screen with the Icon of the phone and a red alert sign... :S

StheveO said:
Ok, so after check the other post with the PB99IMG method the phone should ask meto install something after put the zip file into the sd card and start the bootloader??? The thing is, if that doesn't happen what can I do? Because if I try to go to the Recovery option the phone gives me the Black screen with the Icon of the phone and a red alert sign... :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to go to recovery for the PB99IMG method. Only bootloader.

StheveO said:
Ok, so after check the other post with the PB99IMG method the phone should ask meto install something after put the zip file into the sd card and start the bootloader??? The thing is, if that doesn't happen what can I do? Because if I try to go to the Recovery option the phone gives me the Black screen with the Icon of the phone and a red alert sign... :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes thats what you should do. If that doesnt work you would try flashing the recovery via fastboot.
When you go into recovery right now and see the red warning thing, that is normal. It is the stock recovery, which makes sense because you havent installed a custom recovery yet. Once 4ext is installed you will no longer see that screen.

Another problem
Chromium_ said:
Yes thats what you should do. If that doesnt work you would try flashing the recovery via fastboot.
When you go into recovery right now and see the red warning thing, that is normal. It is the stock recovery, which makes sense because you havent installed a custom recovery yet. Once 4ext is installed you will no longer see that screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, now here is the thing, I just used the BP99IMG method... But at the moment of go to the bootloader I just got an error message:
Main version is older!
Update Fail!
What Can I do!?

StheveO said:
Ok, now here is the thing, I just used the BP99IMG method... But at the moment of go to the bootloader I just got an error message:
Main version is older!
Update Fail!
What Can I do!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot you weren't S-off. Pardon me.
Do this:
http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-set-up-android-adb-and-fastboot-on-windows-tutorial/
Then extract the .img file from the PB99IMG zip, and put it on your C drive, do the path would be C://recovery.img.
Then, open CMD, connect your phone in fastboot mode, and use this command:
fastboot flash recovery C://recovery.img

jmcclue said:
When u unlock the bootloader u must then flash recovery via fastboot commands. In my sig ul see 4ext recovery as PB99IMG, download and extract the recovery.img and flash via fastboot. U can find a fastboot guide in bortaks troubleshooting guide (in my sig also)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:thumbup:

Here I go again!
abaaaabbbb63 said:
I forgot you weren't S-off. Pardon me.
Do this:
http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-set-up-android-adb-and-fastboot-on-windows-tutorial/
Then extract the .img file from the PB99IMG zip, and put it on your C drive, do the path would be C://recovery.img.
Then, open CMD, connect your phone in fastboot mode, and use this command:
fastboot flash recovery C://recovery.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so If I understood it is necessary to have the phone S-Off which means that the bootloader is unlocked, right??
Because my bootloader says "Unlocked" on the top of the menu... What I'm not doing right?

StheveO said:
Ok so If I understood it is necessary to have the phone S-Off which means that the bootloader is unlocked, right??
Because my bootloader says "Unlocked" on the top of the menu... What I'm not doing right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocked does not mean s-off. You are Unlocked, but S-on. Just flash the recovery through fastboot, like jmcclue originally said.

Some good news
Sello I'm glad to let you know that finally I got my phone.cpletely flashed with the CM7 and this works just great... the only thing that I were not able to do is to partition my 4Gb SD card to assign 1Gb as phone extension and the rest as external storage...
Can you help me with this last thing, I just used a previous post...
With the 4ext recovery y created a first partition of 1024Mb as the ext of the system but my phone does not sees it, it keeps saying that only have 140Mb total as internal

StheveO said:
Sello I'm glad to let you know that finally I got my phone.cpletely flashed with the CM7 and this works just great... the only thing that I were not able to do is to partition my 4Gb SD card to assign 1Gb as phone extension and the rest as external storage...
Can you help me with this last thing, I just used a previous post...
With the 4ext recovery y created a first partition of 1024Mb as the ext of the system but my phone does not sees it, it keeps saying that only have 140Mb total as internal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes thats normal. Ur partition is there doing its job, dont worry.

Rooting and flashing ROMS with T-Mobile Note 3 with KitKat

Ok. I have seen several people asking about rooting their T-Mobile Note 3. I am sure there have been posts on how to accomplish this feat. I am going to put out the steps that I took and mention a few other options and my thoughts on those. I hope to make this an all inclusive post for newbies. This method works whether you are on 4.3 or 4.4 BUT you will need to make sure the recovery and ROM you download is for the correct version of android you are using. To make this easier I am going to assume you are already on 4.4 Not everything will be clear but should be able to be easily understood. If there is something you don't understand ask and I am sure people will try to help. That or you can do a google search and probably find the answer a whole lot faster. If you did have a problem and found the solution please post it so others can use your information. I don't have the time at the moment to provide all the links but I will try to update this thread as much as I can.
I am NOT responsible for bricked devices, voided warranties or downloaded virus to your computer.
That being said rooting should be a relatively simple and easy process.
1. Download Odin 3.07 or 3.09 .zip file and install on your computer. (I have found no real difference in between the two when attempting root.) (No link provided just google it.)
2. Download the custom recovery of you choice. (I use and prefer twrp, but some people have had problems flashing ROMs and have had better luck with philz recovery) Below is the link for TWRP. If using 4.4 make sure to download the img.tar file for 2.7. There are other files but you want the one ending in img.tar! http://teamw.in/project/twrp2
3. Open Odin and connect your phone. You need to put your phone into download mode before connecting. Shut your phone off and then turn back on while holding volume down, power and home key. You will see a special screen pop up and a warning. Acknowledge the warning and the connect to the computer. If you don't get a blue bar on the left side of Odin after connecting your phone then you need to update your driver's (google search).
4. Place the .tar file that you downloaded into the PDA(3.07) or AP(3.09) section. Make sure the ONLY boxes on the left are Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time are checked (that should be the default settings)!!
5. Hit the start button. Be advised that Flashing a custom recovery WILL trip Knox.
6. You should the blue bar turn green and say "pass." You know have a custom recovery on your phone and you can disconnect your phone.
At this point you do not have root access, you just have a custom recovery. You now have a choice to make. Do you want your phone rooted or do you want to flash a custom ROM. If you want to flash a custom ROM jump to #8. If you just want root and plan on staying on stock go to #7.
7. Download the latest version of SuperSU file from http://download.chainfire.eu/396/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.94.zip and flash from your custom recovery. when you restart your phone make sure you can open the SuperSU app. If you cannot go to the play store and reinstall it from there. Congrats!!
8. If you want a custom ROM you need to download the .zip file of that ROM. I would recommend placing it on your EXTERNAL sd card.
9. Go to your custom recovery. There are some things you are going to need to back up prior to Flashing the ROM.
a. Backup your stock ROM, This could save you from some major problems. Back up-system, data and boot-to your EXTERNAL sd card.
b. Backup you EFS files (this can be done via twrp, other wise you will need to do it another way-Google search)
10. Wipe the phone. You want to wipe Data, Cache and Dalvik
11. Flash you custom ROM. Almost every custom ROM comes rooted. You just need to read the info on that ROM
12. Your phone should reboot and you are done!!
Below is some Q&A and helpful tips.
If I upgrade to 4.4 from 4.3 to get a diffent ROM can I switch back? NO
What is "Bricked"? It is a phone that will not boot and only stays on a black screen. Soft Brick is where your phone constantly reboots without opening your ROM.
What is Knox? Google it
Will tripping Knox void my warranty? Probably
How do I get into the recovery? Shut your phone off and then restart while holding the volume up, power and home key. You have to let go as soon as you see the blue letters "Recovery Booting"
There are not that many ROMS for T-mobile can I use an international ROM? Yes! I currently run an international ROM but on most of them you do loose your wifi calling feature. You also need to download a custom T-Mobile Kernel and the Wifi/BT fix.
Should I use CF Auto root or Klingo? I personally don't like the idea of Klingo. Some of the things I have seen they appear to be a little fishy and with them rooting your phone they initially have access to EVERYTHING. CF auto root does not place a custom recovery. You CANNOT flash a custom ROM without a custom recovery. I did it my way because I wanted a custom ROM and just not root.
What about the De La Vega Method? I have no idea and it seemed more work that it was worth. I did not care about tripping Knox
Tips:
Some ROMS will delete your internal memory when flashing as will wiping your phone. That is why I strongly suggest placing the backups and ROMS on your external sd card.
Some ROMS come with an Auroma set up. You will automatically be directed into it when you flash from recovery.
If you are flashing an international ROM make sure that you flash the ROM, T-mobile Kernel and Wifi Fix before choosing the reboot option. If you don't have the t-mobile kernel prior to reboot you will go into a bootloop.
I hope this helps and I will add more and clarify this post in the next few days. I just hope this can help some of you new guys out a little bit and if you found it useful especially if you obtained root please hit the thanks meter.

OK, I deleted all the information here about all the errors I made so that this won't confuse anyone. To summarize my error, I thought I had purchased Android 4.4.2 and flashed the wrong versions. After flashing the correct version, 4.3, everything worked.
The SD-card is not visible in stock recovery and the ADB method won't work without first having root, so that leaves the Odin method.
The Odin method flashes TWRP recovery successfully and when I exited it asked me if I wanted to root the device. I chose 'yes' and it worked for a while then booted into the Android OS. In Android it booted normally, then after I did something which I did not think about and don't recall, a dialog advised me that the GUI portion of the root process still needed to be applied. I allowed it to proceed and now I am rooted with TWRP. I verified the root through ADB by creating a file in the root directory.
Frank

I will try to break this down for you.
1. You need to reflash twrp via Odin to make sure it works correctly since doing auto root.
2. That screen you saw is exactly what you wanted to see. As stated in the OP when you see that screen let go of the buttons and wait, twrp will open shortly. I get the same screen so don't worry. Once you get into twrp and if you need a tutorial on twrp I would suggest looking it up on YouTube.
3. If you reflash the stock ROM via Odin it should fix everything. I am not sure about the partition problem. I will get back if I get some more info.
I would not worry about trying to reflash stock. I would just reflash twrp, boot into recovery and then proceed as listed in the OP.

Frank Westlake said:
**************************************************************************
I found my problem. I think the box, or something, was mislabeled because "About" tells me I have Android 4.3, not 4.4.2. So I flashed the 4.3 version of TWRP and booted right into it. After another reboot to make sure it's stable I'll try rooting again.
Frank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great. Yes, it did not work because 2.7 is written for the new bootloader in 4.4. Are you planning on staying stock jb or planning on flashing a ROM?
sm-n900t: Powered by X-Note V13

FFTony said:
Are you planning on staying stock jb or planning on flashing a ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock. With root I'm able to customize everything right on the device about as much as the ROM builders. But there are things I cannot do on the device so I'll be keeping an eye on the ROMs to see if anything is attractive.
After I finished this update I refreshed this page and saw that you had been commenting. The screen you saw should be there was also there when I flashed the correct TWRP, and it did move on to TWRP as you said. I'm adding the following paragraph separately so that it's easier for people to find if they need it:
After I had flashed the wrong version of TWRP (4.4 instead of 4.3) it boot-looped to the "SEANDROID NOT ENFORCING" display. To get out of that boot-loop I held the Download Mode keys (HOME-POWER-VOLDOWN) until it rebooted into the first download mode screen, the warning which says you can press VOL-DOWN to boot normally. At that point press VOL-DOWN and it will boot normally. If you press VOL-UP and continue into Download Mode then you will still be in the boot-loop when you reset the device and you will need to reboot again into the Download Mode warning screen and press VOL-DOWN to boot normally.
Thank you very much for your help with this.
Frank

FFTony said:
What about the De La Vega Method? I have no idea and it seemed more work that it was worth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung explains about Root De La Vega here: Samsungknox.com/en/blog/about-root-de-la-vega

Feel so helpless, Stuck on Sony Logo.

So I was following the Easy Root Tool instructions to root my device, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2784900
rooting was successful but when it came to installing the duel recovery, ran the .bat file, installation was successful but when the phone restarted itself it didn't boot up past the Sony logo.
Is there a way to fix this? Please!

Happy_todd said:
So I was following the Easy Root Tool instructions to root my device, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2784900
rooting was successful but when it came to installing the duel recovery, ran the .bat file, installation was successful but when the phone restarted itself it didn't boot up past the Sony logo.
Is there a way to fix this? Please!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nevermind, I just learnt about the soft reset button, I swear I did it before but it didn't do anything. Does anyone have some tips in case something like this happened again, is there anything I should backup?

Not sure if there is anything worth backing up at that point. After rooting, maybe you would want to back up apps (with their data/your settings included) by using TitaniumBackup? And to be extra safe, backing up all the files from your internal SDcard (in case it gets formatted)
Re: recovery - is it possible that you chose a recovery that was not technically for the Z1C? It's an easy mistake to grab a Z1 recovery (or in my case, a couple of times, I grabbed Z1 kernels by accident ) Which recovery did you flash exactly?
And in case you're not sure about how to get your phone back to stock - flash a stock FTF using Flashtool. If you haven't installed Flashtool yet, once you have installed it, make sure to go into the Drivers folder in your Flashtool folder and install drivers for your phone + flashmode driver + fastboot driver. If you're using Win8 or higher, you may need to reboot Win8 into a special mode where it allows you to install unsigned/unverified drivers. That should be easy to do / find via google.
I can see that there is an FTF for 4.4.4 now... and I think it can be rooted using the same method you used. Can't wait to try it.

LaZiODROID said:
Not sure if there is anything worth backing up at that point. After rooting, maybe you would want to back up apps (with their data/your settings included) by using TitaniumBackup? And to be extra safe, backing up all the files from your internal SDcard (in case it gets formatted)
Re: recovery - is it possible that you chose a recovery that was not technically for the Z1C? It's an easy mistake to grab a Z1 recovery (or in my case, a couple of times, I grabbed Z1 kernels by accident ) Which recovery did you flash exactly?
And in case you're not sure about how to get your phone back to stock - flash a stock FTF using Flashtool. If you haven't installed Flashtool yet, once you have installed it, make sure to go into the Drivers folder in your Flashtool folder and install drivers for your phone + flashmode driver + fastboot driver. If you're using Win8 or higher, you may need to reboot Win8 into a special mode where it allows you to install unsigned/unverified drivers. That should be easy to do / find via google.
I can see that there is an FTF for 4.4.4 now... and I think it can be rooted using the same method you used. Can't wait to try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never actually flashed a recovery, I installed ndr utilises as mentioned in the easy root tool instructions. If I boot holding power down it takes me to Twrp I think, but if I use the app itself to boot, it'll boot to a black screen, it doesn't seem to boot into Cwm either. I suppose I'll have to flash them?

There's a bug in the latest dualrecovery that will get you stuck on the Sony logo, same happened to me. Just install beta version 2.7.128 or older and it works fine.