[Q] Is it possible to create an RUU from the phone? - One (M8) Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Disclaimer, I'm not a developer, just doing some searching to find a safety net before I try converting to full GPE using this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2708589
After reading the thread, some have been able to flash back to Sense ROM, but others have had trouble. As of date, there's no sure way to get back to a Sense ROM until an RUU is released for the Sense ROM by HTC
So I did a little bit of searching and found this: https://sites.google.com/site/htcthunderboltstuff/creating-a-system-ruu
Obviously, the guide was written for the HTC Thunderbolt and not the HTC One M8
Again, I'm not a developer. I'm just curious if it is possible to create an RUU from a bootable Phone and use that to get back to a Sense ROM after a GPE Conversion.
I was wondering if one of the many developers on this forums can take a look at it and share some knowledge?

I've never heard of that before. An RUU isn't special though, it's essentially just an image of the partitions and the flashing tools wrapped in an installer (and then cryptographically signed by HTC).
I did
fastboot boot recovery.zip
and took a backup of the stock partitions before fastboot flash whatever. I don't know how well it worked because I haven't tried to restore it, but it should be good to go.

Check here for some info. A nandroid backup is almost the same as a ruu. It just does not contain the firmware/bootloader info. And it doesn't come with an automated installer.
Your backup should work fine indeed Ben.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2701376

I appreciate the replies.
From what I read in the thread for the full GPE conversion, the issues is when you covert to GPE, the system partition gets changed (it gets smaller). The system partition size for a Sense Nandroid backup is larger and when you try to restore from a nandroid backup, it fails.
So I was hoping there was a way to build an RUU from my current phone that would restore needed System partition size for the Sense ROM.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

kman79 said:
I appreciate the replies.
From what I read in the thread for the full GPE conversion, the issues is when you covert to GPE, the system partition gets changed (it gets smaller). The system partition size for a Sense Nandroid backup is larger and when you try to restore from a nandroid backup, it fails.
So I was hoping there was a way to build an RUU from my current phone that would restore needed System partition size for the Sense ROM.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do it. I did for my Aussie htc_039 phone.
You need s-off.
Before you flash the GE ruu created by GrafixNYC open it in 7 zip and take note of the images it has. You can dump these images as they are on your phone using dd and create another ruu like the GE one but with your dumped partitions. I found a spreadsheet created by SneakyGhost that has the partition maps. Be careful but yes it's doeable.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

kman79 said:
Disclaimer, I'm not a developer, just doing some searching to find a safety net before I try converting to full GPE using this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2708589
After reading the thread, some have been able to flash back to Sense ROM, but others have had trouble. As of date, there's no sure way to get back to a Sense ROM until an RUU is released for the Sense ROM by HTC
So I did a little bit of searching and found this: https://sites.google.com/site/htcthunderboltstuff/creating-a-system-ruu
Obviously, the guide was written for the HTC Thunderbolt and not the HTC One M8
Again, I'm not a developer. I'm just curious if it is possible to create an RUU from a bootable Phone and use that to get back to a Sense ROM after a GPE Conversion.
I was wondering if one of the many developers on this forums can take a look at it and share some knowledge?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can convert back pretty easy, but if you are asking this question anyway, why not just flash a gpe rom. Its the same thing. Your not missing out on anything except ota updates which they are released probably faster than you would have received it on your device anyway.

Related

Is the RUU necessary when just flashing custom ROMs?

Hi there,
I completely understand how flashing custom ROMs works and the like, however I'm not too familiar with HTC devices so I'm not entirely sure how important RUUs are.
My girlfriend owns an unlocked One X (CID: HTC_102, 1.29.401.11 (WWE)). If I were to flash Android Revolution HD 8.1, it would technically be following the X.XX.401.XX update tree, right? If we were to keep her One X updated along with ARHD, would we need to worry about flashing RUUs? I think most people use the RUUs to update things like their baseband version, kernel and boot image - but if the custom ROM is taking care of things like the kernel and boot image, couldn't I just flash the updated basebands? I've been trying to Google my answers, but I'm really coming up with nothing.
It's always best to have a ruu handy incase you need to go back to near stock, or something messes up and a ruus the only way of sorting it
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
So basically the RUU is a way of restoring to stock if you, for some reason, do not have a Nandroid backup?
Yes. If you can't get one then proceed at your own risk
For the most part you will never need an ruu.
It returns the device completely to stock.
It differs from custom ROMs because it also flashes the protected partitions like Hboot
It is also the only way to get your phone to load after relocking your boot loader (for warranty purposes)
Better chance of been fixed if you send it back as stock as possible
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Ah, so if I keep the RUU for the current stock ROM I have now on hand (I believe I've found it in the Endeavor Shipped ROM Collection thread) for a 'just in case' situation, I should be all good? Sure is handy that the CID matches the WWE RUUs, they're easy to find.
Thanks for your help, guys.

So I've managed to remove the whole OS...

Hey guys, please help me out. I tried reverting back to stock AT&T HTC One M8 but I seem to have managed to remove the entire OS. I was following a guide on here on how to revert back but whatever I did in RUU, it completely ruined the phone so far. I can't load past the HTC logo. I'm able to install a custom recovery program but I don't know how to get back to anything at this point. I'm going to try to flash a custom ROM and see if that works but ultimately I'd like to go back to completely stock ROM. Thank you for the responses in advance.
First, flash a ROM in recovery to get it working again. Secondly, read the guides on going back to stock more thoroughly and make sure you understand what you're actually doing before trying to go back to stock again (the same is true before you even think about unlocking the phone - why do something when you have no idea what to do if something goes wrong?!?!).
I know my response may sound harsh but if you'd read up on everything first before doing anything then this question wouldn't have to be asked over and over again by multiple people every day...
EddyOS said:
First, flash a ROM in recovery to get it working again. Secondly, read the guides on going back to stock more thoroughly and make sure you understand what you're actually doing before trying to go back to stock again (the same is true before you even think about unlocking the phone - why do something when you have no idea what to do if something goes wrong?!?!).
I know my response may sound harsh but if you'd read up on everything first before doing anything then this question wouldn't have to be asked over and over again by multiple people every day...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the response, appreciate it! I do read almost everything before flashing my devices, I like to see what problems people encounter before I attempt to mess with my phone. But I just found my mistake I ran into. The guide I was reading was about going from GPE to Sense Stock (I had maybe 4hrs of sleep in my defense on being brain dead). I did flash back to a custom ROM for now, I'll just do some more further research on going back to stock sense. Is it just as simple as getting the ROM and flashing like the custom ROMs?
Jayanyway said:
Thank you for the response, appreciate it! I do read almost everything before flashing my devices, I like to see what problems people encounter before I attempt to mess with my phone. But I just found my mistake I ran into. The guide I was reading was about going from GPE to Sense Stock (I had maybe 4hrs of sleep in my defense on being brain dead). I did flash back to a custom ROM for now, I'll just do some more further research on going back to stock sense. Is it just as simple as getting the ROM and flashing like the custom ROMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, were you running a GPe ROM or a Sense ROM? If you were running a Sense ROM you just need to restore a backup to get it back to stock. What software build was the phone on when you bought it new?
EddyOS said:
So, were you running a GPe ROM or a Sense ROM? If you were running a Sense ROM you just need to restore a backup to get it back to stock. What software build was the phone on when you bought it new?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was on a Sense ROM. Android Revolution to be exact. And if you're talking about this number: 1.54.401.5 then I was that?
So just find a backup and restore to it? And that'll allow me to grab OTA updates too?
Jayanyway said:
I was on a Sense ROM. Android Revolution to be exact. And if you're talking about this number: 1.54.401.5 then I was that?
So just find a backup and restore to it? And that'll allow me to grab OTA updates too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your phone was on 1.54.401.5 when you first got it (or before you flashed a custom ROM), and if you're S-OFF, you can follow the guide in my signature to go back to 100% stock
EddyOS said:
If your phone was on 1.54.401.5 when you first got it (or before you flashed a custom ROM), and if you're S-OFF, you can follow the guide in my signature to go back to 100% stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now what if I'm not 100% sure what build number I was before messing with my phone? Good chance of bricking? And one last question I promise, If I do go back to stock Sense ROM, can I still be rooted. S-Off, bootloader unlocked and still receive OTA updates? Or would I have to lock down again? I did read your guide, I was just wondering if I would still receive em before I decide to do all this work again lol
I really appreciate the quick responses. You're awesome.
Jayanyway said:
Now what if I'm not 100% sure what build number I was before messing with my phone? Good chance of bricking? And one last question I promise, If I do go back to stock Sense ROM, can I still be rooted. S-Off, bootloader unlocked and still receive OTA updates? Or would I have to lock down again? I did read your guide, I was just wondering if I would still receive em before I decide to do all this work again lol
I really appreciate the quick responses. You're awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're not sure on the original build then I wouldn't follow my guide. Do you know the CID of your phone? to check, run the following fastboot command:
fastboot getvar all
And post the results (blanking out the S/N and IMEI)
EddyOS said:
If you're not sure on the original build then I wouldn't follow my guide. Do you know the CID of your phone? to check, run the following fastboot command:
fastboot getvar all
And post the results (blanking out the S/N and IMEI)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I recently changed my CID to that 11111111 CID but here's what I got from that command:
Jayanyway said:
Well I recently changed my CID to that 11111111 CID but here's what I got from that command:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like an AT&T model to me.
Something that is not clear to me: Did you convert your phone to GPE or not? The partiton sizes are different so, if you did a GPE conversion you would need to convert your firmware partitions back.
If you didn't convert to GPE, you should just be able to restore a CWS__001 backup from the stock backups thread in the general section, flash stock recovery and download/install the OTA.
exad said:
Looks like an AT&T model to me.
Something that is not clear to me: Did you convert your phone to GPE or not? The partiton sizes are different so, if you did a GPE conversion you would need to convert your firmware partitions back.
If you didn't convert to GPE, you should just be able to restore a CWS__001 backup from the stock backups thread in the general section, flash stock recovery and download/install the OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I have an AT&T HTC One M8. As far as I know, I never converted to GPE. Here's a history of what I've done as far as flashing goes.
Unlocked bootload, rooted, went S-Off, flashed Android Revolution, flashed Viper ROM, went back to Android Revolution then tried to go back to stock and broke my phone. Now I'm back on Android Revolution. I did a whole bunch of factory resets/dalvik wipes and such so maybe that's why it looks confusing?
exad said:
If you didn't convert to GPE, you should just be able to restore a CWS__001 backup from the stock backups thread in the general section, flash stock recovery and download/install the OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
Same Problem?
Hey folks!
I have the same question I think and I don't want to open a new thread.
I flashed SinlessRom over ViperOne without converting to GPe and now I'm stuck in a bootloop...
Can I restore a CWS__001 backup from the stock backups thread, flash stock recovery and I'm good to go?
Edit: Ok, my m8 is working now after flashing ViperOne, because it fixed the partitions
Edit2: There is still no information about the os when I'm booting into the bootloader
Does nobody know, why there is no firmware version?
Missing OS in HBOOT resolution
Finally got the answer I was looking for!
Download the modified TWRP from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=54054835
You are going to have to flash your current firmware first before installing it for the OS info to show up again in HBOOT. You can use the Flashify app to install it or else just do it the PC/ADB way using command prompt like I did. It totally worked for me, so go ahead and try it!!
If you have questions on how to flash anything, lemme know.
RockStar2005
Lintux_ said:
Does nobody know, why there is no firmware version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deleted.
Sorry didn't see your post @RockStar2005
Disregard this message!!
HTCNerdYoda said:
Deleted.
Sorry didn't see your post @RockStar2005
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yoda,
Hey........ disregard my previous message. That version of TWRP DOES work (fixing "Blank OS" issue), HOWEVER........ I created a new backup using it and then tried to restore it over the weekend........... IT DIDN'T WORK! I think something is corrupted with it. So anyone who clicked on that link and got that version of twrp, delete it and ANY BACKUPS YOU CREATED WITH IT immediately. They are corrupted and useless.
Fortunately though, I was able to find a fully-operational version of TWRP over the weekend that has no issues and it too fixes the "Blank OS" problem too. Here you go:
http://themikmik.com/showthread.php?16278-SPRINT-RECOVERY-TWRP-Recovery-(UNOFFICIAL)-v2-7-0-4 (Control + F this: "Downloads TWRP Recovery 2.7.1.0 (DH) | Mirror (AFH) - build date: July 13, 2014". I downloaded from the Mirror link.)
Don't worry about it saying Sprint...... the dev CONFIRMED it works for all variants/carriers. So after creating a new backup using the standard twrp, I went back to stock recovery, re-flashed my most recent firmware (2.22.401.5), and then switched over to that new version of twrp........ created a new backup and then restored it using that new version. Worked like a charm!! And the "blank OS" issue........... gone! I highly recommend it!!
So please delete that old twrp and any backups you created using it, and you should be good to go!
P.S. My thanks to Midasgalp and also Captain Throwback!!
RockStar2005
Thanks.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
Thanks.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app[/QUOTE]
Anytime buddy!
RockStar2005

[Q] Best way to preserve Sense for easy switching between GPE and Sense

Hi All,
I just pulled the trigger on a M8 this morning and have been reading up how to root, s-off etc.
I intend, pretty much right off the bat, to flip over to the GPE. My reasoning for this is that its what i've ended up running on whatever phone i've had ever since i got my HTC desire way back.
But - just in case - i'd like to take a nandroid of the sense ROM and store in on my PC should i ever wish to go back - because - tinkering
My intention is to first root and install TWRP on the phone then backup before moving the backup to my PC.
At this point i'll S-OFF, full wipe, then convert to the GPE edition.
Now here is where things get a little muddy for me. My understanding according to the reversion thread here is that I can then flip between GPE and Sense via backup should i wish.
To quote that thread - "This does not apply if you have installed a GPE ROM. You can flash as normal through recovery. (using instructions of new rom)"
First off - is that correct? If so when do the partitions get resized to the point that you need to follow the instructions in that thread?
Is it when installing a non GPE AOSP ROM like Cyanogenmod etc - that doesn't feel correct to me?
I guess what im asking is - during what process do the partitions get resized to the point that I'd need to follow the instructions in the reversion thread linked above?
Hello Raja,
I would use SunShine to S-Off. Even if it cost 25$, it will unlock the bootloader during the process aswell. This way HTC won't know that you ever unlocked if it should come to warranty issues. On the other Hand the preload folder will be wiped by the HTCDev unlock process and thus you won't have the stock calculator as well as the stock flashlight installed, after doing the unlock with HTCDev.
After this you could
first: rund the "fastboot getvar all" command
second: download stock firmware for the show version-main in the output given by the above mentioned command
third: install the knewest TWRP 2.8.0.1 and perform a backup of the Sense ROM.
fourth: follow the RUU GPE conversion thread to perform a full GPE conversion (including Firmware!!)
fifth: follow this thread to get back to Sense
HTCNerdYoda said:
Hello Raja,
I would use SunShine to S-Off. Even if it cost 25$, it will unlock the bootloader during the process aswell. This way HTC won't know that you ever unlocked if it should come to warranty issues. On the other Hand the preload folder will be wiped by the HTCDev unlock process and thus you won't have the stock calculator as well as the stock flashlight installed, after doing the unlock with HTCDev.
After this you could
first: rund the "fastboot getvar all" command
second: download stock firmware for the show version-main in the output given by the above mentioned command
third: install the knewest TWRP 2.8.0.1 and perform a backup of the Sense ROM.
fourth: follow the RUU GPE conversion thread to perform a full GPE conversion (including Firmware!!)
fifth: follow this thread to get back to Sense
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On point 3, does TWRP make backup of stock recovery now? I haven't used TWRP for a while now, it won't boot for me and I'm not going to flash it just to check that...
If it doesn't make a backup of stock recovery it would probably be better for him to rather BOOT Philz and make backup of device including stock recovery BEFORE he flashes a custom recovery. That is of course assuming that he has a version which isn't available in the collection thread.
HTCNerdYoda said:
Hello Raja,
I would use SunShine to S-Off. Even if it cost 25$, it will unlock the bootloader during the process aswell. This way HTC won't know that you ever unlocked if it should come to warranty issues. On the other Hand the preload folder will be wiped by the HTCDev unlock process and thus you won't have the stock calculator as well as the stock flashlight installed, after doing the unlock with HTCDev.
After this you could
first: rund the "fastboot getvar all" command
second: download stock firmware for the show version-main in the output given by the above mentioned command
third: install the knewest TWRP 2.8.0.1 and perform a backup of the Sense ROM.
fourth: follow the RUU GPE conversion thread to perform a full GPE conversion (including Firmware!!)
fifth: follow this thread to get back to Sense
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Im not bothered about HTC warranty as the phone i'm buying is a refurbished one from eBay so the warranty is long gone other than the one given by the seller (who has around 1.7M feedbacks (yes that's million)).
Regarding your method above - whilst helpful, it doesn't answer the question i posed in my post which actually links to the thread given above - when does the partition sizes change so that i have to follow that thread to return to sense? As that thread seems to suggest that I DON'T need to do it if i convert to GPE, see the quote posted above.
Also, why do i need to download the firmware for the version shown in the version-main output if i backup in step 3? Just so i have a copy?
Thanks for your help though. :good:
BerndM14 said:
On point 3, does TWRP make backup of stock recovery now? I haven't used TWRP for a while now, it won't boot for me and I'm not going to flash it just to check that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The newest version doesn't make a backup of stock recovery. Thus I wrote him to download the full firmware for his devise, as the stock recovery is integrated in that
TheBlueRaja said:
Regarding your method above - whilst helpful, it doesn't answer the question i posed in my post which actually links to the thread given above - when does the partition sizes change so that i have to follow that thread to return to sense? As that thread seems to suggest that I DON'T need to do it if i convert to GPE, see the quote posted above.
Also, why do i need to download the firmware for the version shown in the version-main output if i backup in step 3? Just so i have a copy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The partition sizes are changed during the ruu installation,in my first link thus you would have to change time back to go back to Sense. This is explained in my second link, as no Sense based ROMs can be installed after the ruu process.
The backup done by TWRP is just the ROM (OS) backup. But the firmware, such as hboot, recovery, radio and so on are not included, which is why you should run this command first and download the stock HTC firmware first. Following this way, you got a full backup of all needed files to revert back to Sense.
Mit Tapatalk von meinem One M8.
Great - thanks for the info.

[Q] Quick RUU question

Recently I converted to GPE for lollipop, now I'm looking to switch back to Sense. Is it possible to just run an RUU to restore phone to stock and reformat the data partition back to the proper Sense size or do I need to just follow one is of the GPE to Sense conversion guides? I'm not worried about data like as or anything like that.
The Chosen Bum said:
Recently I converted to GPE for lollipop, now I'm looking to switch back to Sense. Is it possible to just run an RUU to restore phone to stock and reformat the data partition back to the proper Sense size or do I need to just follow one is of the GPE to Sense conversion guides? I'm not worried about data like as or anything like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you should run an RUU. It's the best way to re-format.
xunholyx said:
Yes, you should run an RUU. It's the best way to re-format.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should be but I almost think I saw a couple of guys saying it didn't work straight out with the RUU, they still had to flash the firmware with splash first for the partitioning and then run the RUU.
Would be much simpler with just RUU, I converted to GPE twice but both times I flashed the firmware first then flashed the m8splash then restored(first)/ran RUU(second time). Worked either way... maybe they're just doing something wrong somewhere then
BerndM14 said:
Should be but I almost think I saw a couple of guys saying it didn't work straight out with the RUU, they still had to flash the firmware with splash first for the partitioning and then run the RUU.
Would be much simpler with just RUU, I converted to GPE twice but both times I flashed the firmware first then flashed the m8splash then restored(first)/ran RUU(second time). Worked either way... maybe they're just doing something wrong somewhere then
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The splash is 1.54.401.5 I believe. Running a newer RUU will save a few steps, plus I've answered tickets at VenomRoms' website where there were issues after flashing the splash, then updating with a firmware zip, instead of just flashing the full RUU package. The splash is to re-partition and flash Sense firmware, The RUUs contain all of that stuff and more. But they do give your device a complete wipe. Flashing the splash would save all of your data.
I used the 3.28.401.9 RUU but I did use the 1.54 FW package in the back to Sense thread first to be on the safe side. No idea if it's needed or not, though
EddyOS said:
I used the 3.28.401.9 RUU but I did use the 1.54 FW package in the back to Sense thread first to be on the safe side. No idea if it's needed or not, though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answer, I ended up having to use the 1.54 then running RUU, failed when I tried the RUU before the firmware, which I should have expected.
At least it confirms that it needs to be done

Converting back to Sense from GPe RUU (already followed steps from the thread within

I need some serious help here folks. So I've been bouncing back & forth between Sense & GPe (conversion) for awhile so clearly I know what I'm doing. But I tried going back to Sense earlier today from the GPe RUU using the steps here, which I've memorized already. When I go to flash the sense firmware in RUU mode, then go back to bootloader, flash TWRP, format data, then restore from external sd card but it always fails. It never did that before, just wondering, what gives? Also another thing I noticed, on GPe you get 26.19GB of free storage but on Sense it's about 24.xx, don't know the exact amount, but anyway - after flashing the firmware in RUU mode then booting back into TWRP I notice my storage is in the 26.xx range instead of 24.xx as if flashing the firmware didn't do anything.. HALP.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Please? Anyone.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Normally anything that's not GPE takes up that much for "system" partition and that's also normally why it's such a chore to convert back from GPE to SENSE.
RUU firmware than RUU Dev edition and that's what works for me
Sent from my HTC One M8 using Tapatalk

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