Develop Bugs

[Q] need help installing gingerbread keyboard

i have installed the gingerbread keyboard file on my sd card and have rooted my phone using the visonary method but now i cant seem to get into recovery mode. I have rom manager installed and have flashed clockwork recovery mode. it said that it had sucsessfully installed.
I then flashed it again as i read somewhere that i might need to do it twice as sometimes it dosent work.
when i now click on the recovery option in rom manager all i get is the red triange with the ! in the middle.
any ideas what im doing wrong?
Have tried reading the threads but with 30 plus pages i am now completley confused

Sounds like you don't have S-OFF. What does it say in HBOOT (e.g. hold down volume down and the power button with the phone powered off) ?

steviewevie said:
Sounds like you don't have S-OFF. What does it say in HBOOT (e.g. hold down volume down and the power button with the phone powered off) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the quick reply, i think from what i have read that this s-off thing maybe the problem.
can you tell me how do this please
simple steps please as i am struggling with this

just done the hboot hing and at the top of screen it says
vision pvt ship s-on

hpsauce37 said:
thanks for the quick reply, i think from what i have read that this s-off thing maybe the problem.
can you tell me how do this please
simple steps please as i am struggling with this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a bit confusing because there is more than one way to do this. But by far the safest way is to follow the guide at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=857390
Have a good read, then if you're not sure, ask questions in that thread on the process.

steviewevie said:
Sounds like you don't have S-OFF. What does it say in HBOOT (e.g. hold down volume down and the power button with the phone powered off) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S-OFF is a completely different animal. Don't get it confused with being able to boot into recovery.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk Pro

rwcj63 said:
S-OFF is a completely different animal. Don't get it confused with being able to boot into recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't think you could flash recovery without S-OFF though ? Surely ROM Manager doesn't have the ability to write to the NAND, since the write protection will be on if you're at S-ON ?

steviewevie said:
I didn't think you could flash recovery without S-OFF though ? Surely ROM Manager doesn't have the ability to write to the NAND, since the write protection will be on if you're at S-ON ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again. S-OFF is a different issue altogether. Being able to write to NAND is a part of the rooting process. Setting security off is not a part of the rooting process. It's a totally different process for a totally different purpose. The caveat would be if unrevoked has been revised to full root and set S-OFF during the same process. I haven't used it in awhile so on that point, I'm not certain.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk Pro

rwcj63 said:
Again. S-OFF is a different issue altogether. Being able to write to NAND is a part of the rooting process. Setting security off is not a part of the rooting process. It's a totally different process for a totally different purpose. The caveat would be if unrevoked has been revised to full root and set S-OFF during the same process. I haven't used it in awhile so on that point, I'm not certain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but that's not right for the DZ/G2. I wonder if you're thinking of how it works on a different Android phone ? The security has been increased on the DZ/G2/DHD compared to, say, the original Desire.
Writing to the system and recovery partitions isn't possible until you get S-OFF. This has nothing to do with rooting, it it because of the increased security on these phones where the NAND is in a hardware write-protect mode for those partitions by default. You can appear to write to the partitions, but it's actually going to cache and is lost when you reboot, until you get S-OFF.

steviewevie said:
Sorry but that's not right for the DZ/G2. I wonder if you're thinking of how it works on a different Android phone ? The security has been increased on the DZ/G2/DHD compared to, say, the original Desire.
Writing to the system and recovery partitions isn't possible until you get S-OFF. This has nothing to do with rooting, it it because of the increased security on these phones where the NAND is in a hardware write-protect mode for those partitions by default. You can appear to write to the partitions, but it's actually going to cache and is lost when you reboot, until you get S-OFF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually yes. S-OFF on the EVO is to make sure no matter what, you're always rooted. It came about after the new stock flash would unroot the phone. With S-OFF active, you can flash any stock rom and not lose root. All you would need to do is reflash RA or Clockwork to get back to recovery and flash roms again. Unrevoked forever is the program we used to change the security setting.
So. That is only true for the EVO?
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk Pro

rwcj63 said:
Actually yes. S-OFF on the EVO is to make sure no matter what, you're always rooted. It came about after the new stock flash would unroot the phone. With S-OFF active, you can flash any stock rom and not lose root. All you would need to do is reflash RA or Clockwork to get back to recovery and flash roms again. Unrevoked forever is the program we used to change the security setting.
So. That is only true for the EVO?
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I think so.
The new HTC Desire Z and HD had "better" security from htc, basically you can't write anything to nand (/system) until you perma rooted, even then some things such as recovery needed s-off before we could write to that partition.

im going to have to give up on this
i have tried to follow the guide to get s-off but i find it too complicated. I have my phone rooted with visionary but i think thats as far as im going to get.
tried to install the adb thing and get that working but it never recognises the phone. when i remove the drivers and plug it back in then windows automatically installs the drivers again so i never have the option to manually instll them.
this is just becoming a nightmare
someone make it simple for me please....the thread is pages and pages long and even then it seems there are problems

hpsauce37 said:
im going to have to give up on this
i have tried to follow the guide to get s-off but i find it too complicated. I have my phone rooted with visionary but i think thats as far as im going to get.
tried to install the adb thing and get that working but it never recognises the phone. when i remove the drivers and plug it back in then windows automatically installs the drivers again so i never have the option to manually instll them.
this is just becoming a nightmare
someone make it simple for me please....the thread is pages and pages long and even then it seems there are problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried my guide on adb ? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865685

OK, I can use some help too
I have a DZ with stock ROM, root and s-off and CWR.
In my enthusiasm that I knew how to flash rom updates with clockwork (I am running the Godspeed 1Ghz) I downloaded the Gingerbread keyboard rom update from the G2 forum. I think I jumped off a bit too fast...
And now I am stuck in an infinite boot loop. I can get into Clockwork recovery but it just loops the "HTC Quietly Brilliant" forever including the annoying boot sound...
I tried some suggestions to download and reflash a second time, no effect.
I tried to mount /system before flashing, no effect.
Am I forced to go back to factory now?
Also, I found 2 gingerbread keyboards, one in the G2 forum and one over here.
Anyone know what the difference is? They have a different filesize..
Any help is welcome...
*edit*
OK so now I read that it is only to be flashed on a non-stock ROM... so I am now flashing Cyanogen 6.1

try wiping all the caches...

Lennyuk said:
yeah I think so.
The new HTC Desire Z and HD had "better" security from htc, basically you can't write anything to nand (/system) until you perma rooted, even then some things such as recovery needed s-off before we could write to that partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. I'm really sorry guys. I never knew that's how non evo worked. That totally sucks.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk Pro

rwcj63 said:
Wow. I'm really sorry guys. I never knew that's how non evo worked. That totally sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S'alright.
HTC really ramped up the security on these new phones, as Lenny said, with this hardware write-protection on certain partitions. But even given that, I was amazed by just how quickly the guys on the #G2ROOT IRC channel, especially Scotty2, managed to crack it !
It also looks like they've opened the phone even wider than many others before, with the "true" radio S-OFF that they achieved.
You can read up all about it in the Wiki - http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision

[Q] A few questions before rooting

Hey guys, first time poster here and a bit of a newb to rooting, Android and smart-phones in general.
I've been hanging on these forums the past 3 months researching the rooting process for a Desire and all the relevant stuff that goes along with it. So please go easy on me. I've also read all the 'similar threads' suggested to me at post-time.
I'm almost ready to begin the process but there's a few bits of information that's got me pretty scared before I go ahead. I wasn't able to find much of a concrete answer/s to these questions, from Googling around.
Well without further ado.
What is the difference between GSM & CDMA and do I need to know which my phone is before proceeding?
If I DO need to know, how do I find this out?
My phone is branded (Orange splash-screen at boot) and locked to Orange network (Newly recieved contract phone).
I've heard that I may need a goldcard to proceed with the Unrevoked process due to the branding. Is this correct?
Another guide on the net (can provide link if necessary), mentions upgrading the radio on Orange phones can permanently break the wifi OR permanently simlock your phone.
Will I need to worry about this during the Unrevoked rooting process? And will this be avoidable after installing a custom rom. (If I get that far )
I read somewhere on these forums (I forgot where exactly), something about the newest Orange OTA update causing problems with the rooting process. Is this still the case or has Unrevoked been updated to avoid that now? Also, how can I check if I have that update?
I can provide all the information about my Hboot, radio and kernel versions etc, if you need it (I guess you will), but for some reason, I keep getting a spam warning as this is my first post. I can only assume the version numbers are being interpreted as IPs...
Well sorry for the wall of text, but I greatly appreciate any help I can get regarding these issues. I'm so scared of bricking my Desire and not being able to return it, if bricking does occur.
Yours a worried root newb!

1. We use GSM phones in the UK as we use SIM cards. CDMA phones don't use SIM cards and are locked/released to one network
2. You don't need a gold card to root, no. As there isn't an Orange RUU available to go back to stock for warranty you will need one to flash a non-Orange RUU. Best to make one before starting
3. This was the case a while back but I'd wait for confirmation before changing it
4. No as the radio isn't flashed during a ROM (unless stated in the ROM thread that it does)
5. Shouldn't be an issue, just get the latest version of unrEVOked from their website before starting

Great, that's most of my questions/concerns answered. Although the below answer has brought a new question to the front
EddyOS said:
2. You don't need a gold card to root, no. As there isn't an Orange RUU available to go back to stock for warranty you will need one to flash a non-Orange RUU. Best to make one before starting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately my knowledge of RUU is almost non-existant, other than that it stands for Rom Upgrade Utility and is used to upgrade the software on my phone? Right?
And forgive me if I'm being dumb here but, if
EddyOS said:
there isn't an Orange RUU available to go back to stock for warranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and yet I
EddyOS said:
will need one to flash a non-Orange RUU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then how can I do this? Or am I totally misunderstanding you?
Do I somehow use an application without root permission to perform a procedure similar to hdd ghosting?

Basically, if you wanted to return to stock for any reason you wouldn't be able to go back to the Orange ROM as the RUU doesn't exist so you'd have to go to a generic ROM. To flash any ROM other than the originally on the phone you need a gold card
It's the same for me, if (for some strange reason) I'd want to flash a branded ROM on my Desire I'd need a gold card. Thankfully, I have an unbranded handset so I can get the stock RUU and use it without a gold card

EddyOS said:
Basically, if you wanted to return to stock for any reason you wouldn't be able to go back to the Orange ROM as the RUU doesn't exist so you'd have to go to a generic ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically if I were to screw it up, which I hopefully won't, I'm buggered as far as getting my phone fixed cos they'll see the Orange rom is no longer installed? Not too fussed about that, as I'm super-careful with my phone.
I guess my next issue would be, after rooting using Unrevoked, I'd need to gain S-OFF right? Which I understand is done via AlphaRev. Only issue there would be related to this
"Please revert to a rooted stock ROM if possible. Your /data partition is used for temporary storage of important files." If I'm reverting to a stock rom, while gaining S-OFF presumably there's a high chance that'd upgrade my radio - a potentially very bad thing.
THEN I go about choosing a rom to flash. Then Nandroid backup. Then flash the rom, hopefully love it and voila?
Also, what would you suggest as a good rom for someone like me just starting out with a fully rooted phone? I was thinking one of the official builds to lose all the crap, but then the above issue of the radio creeps up again...

I have been flashing ROM's since I got my phone rooted last year and I have never bothered to S-OFF. It's not a requirement.
I have tried a number of ROM's (it becomes a bit addictive!) there is not normally a need to flash a new radio, just leave it be. If you are worried about it and the ROM requires a new radio don't flash it. There are plenty to choose from.
As for recommendations, everyone has their own tastes and likes. That's the beauty of modding. Just flash a few ROM's and see which you like. I have tried most of them, stuck with MIUI for ages, but am now on Cyanogenmod 7 Nightly's.

There is nothing to really worry about. There is a remote chance of bricking your phone for a start, like 0.0000000001% chance. Only way of doing it is disconnecting during say an S-Off.
As for the Orange issue. I had a locked, Orange Desire with 2.2 on it (the first update) and when I rooted and S-Off'd I had no problems. I also have updated my radio to 5.14.05.17 and have no issues at all. To be honest, I found issues to do with signals and Wi-Fi are to do with the ROM you install and the kernel as well which can be frustrating but fun as well.
As for choosing a ROM, choose one, flash it then see what it's like. It's purely down to what you like most about each ROM. I've been through so many ROMs in the past few months but now I am sort of staying with 1 ROM. I will say that when I installed a custom ROM, I had to pay to unlock my sim because it was being gay and Orange wanted £20 of my hard earned cash to unlock it and send it off. So be prepared.

thetasigma3 said:
So basically if I were to screw it up, which I hopefully won't, I'm buggered as far as getting my phone fixed cos they'll see the Orange rom is no longer installed? Not too fussed about that, as I'm super-careful with my phone.
I guess my next issue would be, after rooting using Unrevoked, I'd need to gain S-OFF right? Which I understand is done via AlphaRev. Only issue there would be related to this
"Please revert to a rooted stock ROM if possible. Your /data partition is used for temporary storage of important files." If I'm reverting to a stock rom, while gaining S-OFF presumably there's a high chance that'd upgrade my radio - a potentially very bad thing.
THEN I go about choosing a rom to flash. Then Nandroid backup. Then flash the rom, hopefully love it and voila?
Also, what would you suggest as a good rom for someone like me just starting out with a fully rooted phone? I was thinking one of the official builds to lose all the crap, but then the above issue of the radio creeps up again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't bother about S-OFF at the moment, you don't need it. Just get rooted and then look into custom ROMs for now

Ok I've taken a tiny step further forward. I'm at the point of making a goldcard but one thing concerns me... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6710085&postcount=3 According to that it won't work with the 2.2 OTA update from HTC.
I know, I have 2.2 installed but this was already on the phone when I received it, so I've no idea if this was an OTA or not... So I guess I need a different method to make a goldcard now?

Use this:
http://android.modaco.com/content/software/308798/pc-application-goldcardtool/
Probably need to register to get the file, though

Hmmm tried using that tool and no joy... Get my img file downloaded, but then the tool refuses to recognise my phone, despite doing the appropriate change over to 'disk drive'. I tried re-plugging the un-mounting and re-plugging the usb cable. Still no joy.
I'm beginning to lose hope here... That tool won't work and the tutorial here says it's incompatible with 2.2...
**edit**
Been Googling around a fair bit and I can't find any information at all on downgrading a branded 2.2. Only information on people with branded handsets wanting to update to 2.2.
After a bit more searching, I found someone else with the exact same issue as me. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10370443&postcount=977
Only one difference though. He doesn't mention if he managed to flash a custom rom after his root. I'm guessing he probably wouldn't have been able to going by your post:
EddyOS said:
To flash any ROM other than the originally on the phone you need a gold card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

A gold card is only needed to flash a STOCK ROM different from your original - it's not needed to flash a custom ROM. The gold card isn't even needed to root. It's just handy to have in your case as you'd need it to go back to stock due to the lack of an Orange RUU
I'm out of ideas I'm afraid, never had to deal with a gold card as I'm unbranded

Use this:
http://android.modaco.com/content/so...-goldcardtool/
Probably need to register to get the file, though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does that work a lot better then?
I used the method posted by thetasigma3 and I can't get OTA 2.29.405.5 but I can get 2.29.405.2. To get round the problem I installed the 2.29.405.5 RUU and rooted

Anyone who's debranded will need to use the RUU as the OTA won't go through

GoogleJelly said:
I will say that when I installed a custom ROM, I had to pay to unlock my sim because it was being gay and Orange wanted £20 of my hard earned cash to unlock it and send it off. So be prepared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call me crazy, but why the heck would flashing a custom rom require you to unlock and send off? Presumably the sending off thing would've been for Orange to perform the unlock procedure?
Anyway, back to my main issue, I know I've probably tread the same ground a few times now, but I really don't wanna end up bricking, cos I overlooked a tiny element, or something.
Could someone confirm I have these points all correct please?
Goldcard NOT needed for rooting.
Goldcard NOT needed if/when I flash a custom rom.
Goldcard needed if I wanted to go back to a STOCK rom.
Only reason to flash a STOCK rom is if I need to send back to Orange for repairs etc.
Oh and thanks for the clarification on your earlier post EddyOS. About goldcards not being needed for custom roms as opposed to stock etc.
Think I'm ready to go ahead with the process now, but if I go ahead and something goes wrong, what's my safety net, so to speak? Presumably my battery would die on me long before I get a response here

What you have there is correct (point 2-5)
The unlocking issue was down to some radios causing Orange handsets to become SIM locked. If you're using an Orange SIM this isn't an issue but others who got an Orange handset but use a different SIM card found they wouldn't work.
This was earlier in the Desire's life and I don't think it's applicable now

Try using "GoldCard Helper" app from Android Market, in case you want to try and make a goldcard (as the other methods did not work for you).
As mentioned as EddyOS, all your points from 2 - 5 are correct.

Ok finally got the guts together to go ahead and run unRevoked. (Already had done the driver steps etc).
I've checked with an app from the Android Market, called 'Root Check' to verify root access. That's saying I do have it and it also asked for Root permissions on start-up, which it never did before root. So I assume that's a good sign. I also checked for the 'Superuser Permissions' app in my apps menu. Found it was present and clicked it. Started without any problems. So I guess that's another good sign.
So I guess my next set of questions are reasonable simple.
Does this seem like my phone is now 100% rooted? I think it is, but I could be wrong.
Do I need to install Busybox? Root Checker seems to like seeing it there.
Does it matter if I use Titanium Backup Pro or free? I'm guessing it won't but I'd like to be certain.
If I backup my current Orange rom with Titanium Backup will I be able to go back to that without a goldcard? My guess is no. I didn't make or use one for the root process.

1. Yes
2. For Titanium Backup, yes
3. No
4. You don't backup the ROM with TB, you boot into Recovery and do it there

kvphani said:
Try using "GoldCard Helper" app from Android Market, in case you want to try and make a goldcard (as the other methods did not work for you).
As mentioned as EddyOS, all your points from 2 - 5 are correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man, I downloaded that app and found a fairly easy looking guide on the Unlockr http://theunlockr.com/2010/03/10/how-to-create-a-goldcard/ . Just wanted to check, if I use that app plus this guide. I skip steps 1-6 right?
Ok gone ahead and done that now. Just having some trouble finding instructions on backing up my Orange rom.
Oh and now that the forum won't grumble at my phone info, here it is. Hopefully that'll shed some more light on my situation, if I need further help.
BRAVO PVT4 SHIP S-ON
HBOOT-0.93.0001
MICROP-051d
TOUCH PANEL-SYNW0101
RADIO-5.10.05.30
Aug 10 2010, 17:52:18
Android Version
2.2
Baseband Version
32.48.00.32U_5.10.05.30
Kernel Version
2.6.32.15-g29e526b
[email protected] #1
Build Number
2.17.61.3 CL274424 release-keys
Softare Number
2.17.61.3
Browser Version
WebKit 3.1
Model Number
A8181

[Q] Rooting question - software version

My DHD is brand new - just a week. It was supplied by Orange in France - who by the way are the most incompetent company I have ever dealt with - and the software number is 1.40.61.2
Now I'm thinking of rooting the phone. Partly because I understand that it will help me improve battery life (True/false??)
That I will be able to run some apps which I wouldn't otherwise be able to do
And also because I love gadgetery and fiddling around with things.
On the other hand I rely hugely on the phone. I don't want to lose it and I'm not hugely techie.
Looking around, I read that if a phone is 1.72 then it must be downgraded to 1.32
So my phone is 1.40. Where does that leave me? I have never seen any mention of this version number anywhere. I have to ask myslef also, why have I been supplied a new phone with an old version of the software.
Anyway, that's just my first question. I expect that there will be others to follow.

have a look to the Desire DHD Forum
good luck

Thanks, in fact I have temprooted with Viionary and it works OK.
I haven't done a perm-root bevause I'm very anxious.
What I don't understand is how I would then be able to return it to its original state.

lejars1 said:
Thanks, in fact I have temprooted with Viionary and it works OK.
I haven't done a perm-root bevause I'm very anxious.
What I don't understand is how I would then be able to return it to its original state.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Visionary+ can unroot your device with just one click

Yes, I saw that - but I'm still worrried. Terrible eh? Is there some way to back up my phone completely and then restore it completely if it all goes to worms?
I'm expect that it would unroot quite satisfactorily - but I found it a bit disconcerting simply to see that it says that Visionary will try to unroot.
I don't know if it is my age - over 60 but I'm really feeling my way on all of this and I look to be very sure before I do things.
Although there are lots of guides on this forum as to what to do, there aren't any guides which tell you why you have to do each step.
I'd like to know what I am achieving at each step of the rooting, flashing, s-off eng-off blah blah. Then I'll feel that I'm in control and that will give me a comfort factor.
My main objective is to improve battery life - and after that, to see if I can have some fun. (Actually, that's my objective in life too!!)

lejars1 said:
Yes, I saw that - but I'm still worrried. Terrible eh? Is there some way to back up my phone completely and then restore it completely if it all goes to worms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to completely revert your phone to stock, you can simply do a factory restore (In Settings->SD-Card & phone storage)
A Backup of your contacts, settings etc. can be done with MyBackup (I believe you can't backup everything, but almost everything). The apps can be restored from the Android Market.
lejars1 said:
I'm expect that it would unroot quite satisfactorily - but I found it a bit disconcerting simply to see that it says that Visionary will try to unroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To say the truth, there have been little to none problems with Visionary+ I know of. The "try" is there to indicate that it might, under unknown circumstances, not work. The same can be said about some stock functions though and they don't bother to mention it.
lejars1 said:
I'd like to know what I am achieving at each step of the rooting, flashing, s-off eng-off blah blah. Then I'll feel that I'm in control and that will give me a comfort factor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay let's see:
Rooting:
Root superuser in UNIX-based systems. The equivalent of the "administrator" in Windows. He can do basically everything in the system. The account is disabled in Android though.
When you root your phone, you activate this account and thus gain (almost) complete access to your system.
A TempRoot will not survive a reboot and needs to be applied every time you reboot your phone, while a Permanent Root will not be lost.
S-OFF:
S-OFF stands for Security Off. It means that you (or rather the programs you choose to use) will be able to replace the bootloader, write persistent changes to the system (like removing stock apps).
You will also be able to flash a custom Recovery (most likely ClockworkMod Recovery). Recoveries are independent of the regular operating system and allow you to flash custom ROMs, make (and more importantly restore) backups of your system, etc.
There are two types of S-OFF: Eng S-OFF and Radio S-OFF
Eng S-OFF stands for Engineered S-OFF and modifies the bootloader so it will allow you to access all the functions. It is needed if you want to flash a new radio.
Radio S-OFF on the other hand really sets the Security flag to OFF. It can easily be reversed and is the "cleaner" option.
Flashing:
Flashing is the process of overwriting some part of the system (or the whole system) with a custom replacement. It is done while in Recovery by selecting a zip file from the SD-Card and telling ClockworkMod Recovery to flash it. Really it is quite simple if you follow the developer's instructions.

It is so decent of you to take the time to do this. It is very helpful indeed.
I hope that you know now, that I am going to keep on asking you more questions. Is that OK?
I didn't realise that a factory reset will undo the permanent rotting. That is very reassuring to know. So that's a worry out of the way.
So, you do a permanent root.
When you have the superadmin rights, you can then make fundamental changes to the system.
The next thing is to turn off the security which I suppose is a bit like a firewall and allows certain programs to install at a system level. Right?
You can either do this using Eng or Radio - and what I gather from you is that it is better to use Radio. - Right? but Eng and radio are alternatives. I had gathered that you had to do both. - wrong.
Then if you are going further, you have to flash various radios - but now I'm lost. What is a radio?
(I hope that you don't regret getting into this.)
Also, at what point does it become risky - and what point can you no longer restore merely by doing a factory reset?

One small correction
2 Types of S-Off are S-Off & ENG S-Off.
Radio S-Off is a different beast.

andyharney said:
One small correction
2 Types of S-Off are S-Off & ENG S-Off.
Radio S-Off is a different beast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - but arrgh!
A bit more confused now!

lejars1 said:
Thanks - but arrgh!
A bit more confused now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC phones come nand locked. Its an extra form of security against root, so even a rooted phone cannot write to the protected parts of the nand chip (/system, /recovery /radio /misc ect) thats what s-off is for. It removes the write protection on thoes partitions
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

First time rooting in years, need some answers

Okay guys, I just have a couple of quick (I hope) questions in regards to rooting an HTC One M7 on Verizon Wireless.
I've done a lot of research and I am genuinely confused about everything and really just need a few questions answered. I've done my research and done my googling but I still need some help.
I haven't rooted a phone in probably well over 2-3 years. The last phone I rooted was a HTC Evo on Sprint which was a breeze. I've had my HTC One for a little over a year now I believe. I'm getting kind of bored of it and I saw that CyanogenMod has come a long way since I last used it. Through my research I have found that the Verizon HTC One M7 is kind of difficult and complicated to root and I apparently need to S-OFF as well, which I have no experience with. My phone has been kept up-to-date (I know that's a bad thing in this case) and I'm running Android 4.4.3, software number 5.28.605.2, baseband version 1.13.41.0702. I'm not sure what out of that information is relevant but there you have it.
What I'm wanting to do is unlock/root/whatever my phone, install CWM recovery, and CM11. Now from the research I have done it appears that if I purchase SunShine S-Off (which looks like my only option) it will s-off, root, and unlock everything that is necessary to install the custom recovery and ROM.
So my questions are this:
I'm terrified of freezing/boot-loops because this is the first phone I'd be rooting without the ability of popping the battery out for a hard restart. Is it safe to modify this phone? Are there usually any issues?
Will SunShine do everything that I need to go from a stock Verizon HTC One to being able to flash CWM and CM11?
Are there any good tutorials on doing this with the latest updated Verizon HTC One M7? A lot of the tutorials I find seem to be outdated.
If the answer to the second question is yes, then all I need to do is purchase SunShine, follow install instructions for CWM, and follow install instructions for CM11, correct?
Thanks for your time and putting up with my stupid questions.

sector2112 said:
Okay guys, I just have a couple of quick (I hope) questions in regards to rooting an HTC One M7 on Verizon Wireless.
I've done a lot of research and I am genuinely confused about everything and really just need a few questions answered. I've done my research and done my googling but I still need some help.
I haven't rooted a phone in probably well over 2-3 years. The last phone I rooted was a HTC Evo on Sprint which was a breeze. I've had my HTC One for a little over a year now I believe. I'm getting kind of bored of it and I saw that CyanogenMod has come a long way since I last used it. Through my research I have found that the Verizon HTC One M7 is kind of difficult and complicated to root and I apparently need to S-OFF as well, which I have no experience with. My phone has been kept up-to-date (I know that's a bad thing in this case) and I'm running Android 4.4.3, software number 5.28.605.2, baseband version 1.13.41.0702. I'm not sure what out of that information is relevant but there you have it.
What I'm wanting to do is unlock/root/whatever my phone, install CWM recovery, and CM11. Now from the research I have done it appears that if I purchase SunShine S-Off (which looks like my only option) it will s-off, root, and unlock everything that is necessary to install the custom recovery and ROM.
So my questions are this:
I'm terrified of freezing/boot-loops because this is the first phone I'd be rooting without the ability of popping the battery out for a hard restart. Is it safe to modify this phone? Are there usually any issues?
Will SunShine do everything that I need to go from a stock Verizon HTC One to being able to flash CWM and CM11?
Are there any good tutorials on doing this with the latest updated Verizon HTC One M7? A lot of the tutorials I find seem to be outdated.
If the answer to the second question is yes, then all I need to do is purchase SunShine, follow install instructions for CWM, and follow install instructions for CM11, correct?
Thanks for your time and putting up with my stupid questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sunshine will unlock boot loader and gain S_off. I used it on my Vzw m7, best investment I ever made. After using sunshine all u have to do is flash custom recovery and then SuperSu

xxxxxxx
bdizzle1686 said:
Sunshine will unlock boot loader and gain S_off. I used it on my Vzw m7, best investment I ever made. After using sunshine all u have to do is flash custom recovery and then SuperSu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do i flash custom recovery? any instruction / link ? tks

**subscribed**as I'm in the almost exact same scenario as OP.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2416431
Adb reboot bootloader.
Fastboot flash recovery *name-of-image*.img
Fastboot reboot (or select recovery to be in twrp from bootloader menu and press power button)
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using XDA Free mobile app

Root vs. unlocked bootloader vs. s-off

Apologies in advance for being dumb.....
I'm currently on an S4. Things are simple. I root. I install TWRP recovery. I flash whatever ROM I want. I flash back to full stock if I want to. Real easy.
I've been considering the HTC One M9, and reading up for a couple weeks now. I'm confused about some things....hoping someone can help clear things up.
First off, FYI - I'm Verizon.
I just read a page that explained the difference between root, unlocked bootloader, and s-off:
http://www.pocketables.com/2012/08/the-difference-between-root-s-offon-lockedunlocked-bootloader-in-the-htc-evo-series.html
I should clarify the *typical* reasons I don't stay stock with my S4 and previous phones:
Handful of apps I use that need root.
Benefiting from various things that custom ROMs give me - debloat, etc.
Hotspot
Now let's see if I can ask my questions correctly:
Can the HTC One M9 be rooted without unlocked bootloader and/or s-off? If for example I just wanted to be able to run apps that require root.
Unlocked bootloader - This is where I get confused with s-off. I know I can't use HTCDEV. And the folks that are shipping their phones to people with the special cards are looking to get s-off it seems. Can someone clarify if there will likely be a software method to unlock bootloader (without necessarily chasing after s-off)?
s-off: Given the reasons stated above that I typically don't stay stock, do I care about s-off? It sounds like with an unlocked bootloader I can do custom recovery and ROMs, and s-off just allows me to access additional stuff I wouldn't typically want to mess with...is this correct?
In all 3 scenarios above, is there the ability to return phone to full stock?
I'm due for an upgrade, and wanna get the phone, but worried I won't be able to do what I want with it, or be in a situation where I can't get a repair/replacement if something ever happens to it.
Thank you so much in advance for any insight someone can provide....

crackface said:
First off, FYI - I'm Verizon.
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Click to collapse
Verizon does not allow the M9 to be unlocked. In order to do anything with that device, you will need to purchase a java card or find someone with one.
Go to the Verizon M9 forum for more information.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-one-m9
You might want to check other Verizon phones, but I highly doubt that the M9 is the only phone that verizon prevents from being unlocked. So you might be in the same boat no matter which device you choose.

jollywhitefoot said:
Verizon does not allow the M9 to be unlocked. In order to do anything with that device, you will need to purchase a java card or find someone with one.
Go to the Verizon M9 forum for more information.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-one-m9
You might want to check other Verizon phones, but I highly doubt that the M9 is the only phone that verizon prevents from being unlocked. So you might be in the same boat no matter which device you choose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops! Can a mod by chance move this to the Verizon specific forum? I thought that's where I was...

Bootloader boots the os.
Root gives special permissions to allow changes to root but certain parts of the device are locked (modem, radio etc).
S-off (secure off) gives full access to root and partitions. Allows permanent changes to modem, radio etc.
Non of these are needed by the average user and this point is made clear when said average user doesn't understand and cannot get their head around it.
Htc is not like samsung. Samsung openly support flashing devices by not locking the bootloader in the first place but on the flip side samsung roms are blatanly the fastest for their devices over custom roms.
Sent from a stolen HTC M9

shivadow said:
Bootloader boots the os.
Root gives special permissions to allow changes to root but certain parts of the device are locked (modem, radio etc).
S-off (secure off) gives full access to root and partitions. Allows permanent changes to modem, radio etc.
Non of these are needed by the average user and this point is made clear when said average user doesn't understand and cannot get their head around it.
Htc is not like samsung. Samsung openly support flashing devices by not locking the bootloader in the first place but on the flip side samsung roms are blatanly the fastest for their devices over custom roms.
Sent from a stolen HTC M9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So my apologies in advance if I'm sounding like an idiot here....as with Verizon's announcement I'm now rushed to possibly purchase this phone at discounted rate.
I know with s-off I need to send it off to a friend of these forums with a donation. But I don't think I need s-off (not sure I need to flash radio and whatnot)...as I just want root and ability to flash custom recovery and a custom ROM. Can I do those things without having s-off (my reading tells me no, but want to be sure)? Or can root be acquired and ability for custom recovery without s-off? Or is there somewhere I can read that answers these questions in details?
And is there an ability to return to stock if I run into problems?
Sorry if these questions are redundant to my previous questions or prevailing answers provided.
Thanks for any info.

crackface said:
So my apologies in advance if I'm sounding like an idiot here....as with Verizon's announcement I'm now rushed to possibly purchase this phone at discounted rate.
I know with s-off I need to send it off to a friend of these forums with a donation. But I don't think I need s-off (not sure I need to flash radio and whatnot)...as I just want root and ability to flash custom recovery and a custom ROM. Can I do those things without having s-off (my reading tells me no, but want to be sure)? Or can root be acquired and ability for custom recovery without s-off? Or is there somewhere I can read that answers these questions in details?
And is there an ability to return to stock if I run into problems?
Sorry if these questions are redundant to my previous questions or prevailing answers provided.
Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your only choice is s-off. You cannot unlock your bootloader via HTC dev as Verizon blocks us. So the only way to do what you want is s-off. When I s-off someone's phone I also unlock the bootloader manually and flash twrp and supersu.
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk

dottat said:
Your only choice is s-off. You cannot unlock your bootloader via HTC dev as Verizon blocks us. So the only way to do what you want is s-off. When I s-off someone's phone I also unlock the bootloader manually and flash twrp and supersu.
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Verizon M9 S-OFF, but I could not unlock bootloader. Plz tell me how could I unlock bootloader.