Zenfone 2 issues in 2017 - ZenFone 2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
I bought a Zenfone 2 in 2015 and have loved it ever since. Back then it was simple to root, unlock the bootloader, and neither required the other.
To root, just enable ADB and run this.
To unlock the bootloader, just download this from azus.
Now, buying a phone fresh, to remove all the bloat is becoming a challenge.
To root, you need an unlock the bootloader. To unlock the bootloader, you need to downgrade to an early 5.0 image.
So I downgrade, unlock the bootloader, and root. To get back on 6, I need to upgrade to a newer version of 5.0, so I do. Root gone, bootloader still unlocked, splash screen is normal. Fine, I root again.
Finally, after upgrading to 6.0 (using adb sideload) both root and the bootloader unlock are gone. So I have to start again, and either live with unbloated 5.0, or unrooted, bloated 6.0.
As far as I can tell the only way around this is downgrade to 5.0, unlock my bootloader, then flash a pre rooted unsigned system.img.
Sadly I cannot find a recent pre rooted unsigned system.img, and have no way of knowing how to create one. If someone could help me make one I would greatly appreciate it.
Am I doing this all wrong? Is there a better way?
Because now I have a phone that I'm either stuck with a buggy 5.0 or a bloated 6.0; and the original, two year old zenfone is stuck in the bootloader because I was experimenting with various tools from around here.
I am well aware that I could just nuke the old phone with xFSTK to get out, but I refuse to. I have no such problems nuking the new one though.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, the Zenfone 2 is still a great device and is fantastic value for money, so if I can sort out all this I will happily make a full, comprehensive guide with my new knowledge to replace the errors in the outdated one here, and to add far more comprehensive knowledge about unbricking:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/general/asus-zenfone-2-flashing-recovery-mode-t3096596
Thank you all for your time

assuming you are already on MM version ww4.21.10.233... if no update to this version and download the following tool..
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B72QQTXqZSRwTDNtU1N6OEdMdmM
reboot phone in fastboot mode. now extract the downloaded zip and double click unlock.bat phone will reboot 2 times. then you will get white screen and stuck there. when you see white screen. simply turn off mobile. reboot in fastboot mode with volume plus and power button. and run restore.bat from extracted zip.
now download twrp from official twrp website version 3.1.1.0. and flash it in fastboot mode. hope you know how to ( place twrp image in adb fastboot tool and open command windows in same folder reboot phone in fastboot mode and connect to pc. run the following command
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.1.1-0-Z00A.img
then use volume button to find recovery mode and click power button to boot into twrp.
now download super su from following link use this version only as i have just tested it few minutes ago.
https://download.chainfire.eu/1114/SuperSU/SR1-SuperSU-v2.82-SR1-20170608224931.zip
place superuser zip on internal memory or sd card and click install in twrp and install super userzip. alternatively you can sideload supersu zip as well. then wipe cache and dalvik cache and reboot system. note phone may bootloop or restart 2,3 times. don't interrupt it. it will boot itself into system.
this is 100 percent safe way.
---------- Post added at 11:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 PM ----------
x86fanboy said:
Hello,
I bought a Zenfone 2 in 2015 and have loved it ever since. Back then it was simple to root, unlock the bootloader, and neither required the other.
To root, just enable ADB and run this.
To unlock the bootloader, just download this from azus.
Now, buying a phone fresh, to remove all the bloat is becoming a challenge.
To root, you need an unlock the bootloader. To unlock the bootloader, you need to downgrade to an early 5.0 image.
So I downgrade, unlock the bootloader, and root. To get back on 6, I need to upgrade to a newer version of 5.0, so I do. Root gone, bootloader still unlocked, splash screen is normal. Fine, I root again.
Finally, after upgrading to 6.0 (using adb sideload) both root and the bootloader unlock are gone. So I have to start again, and either live with unbloated 5.0, or unrooted, bloated 6.0.
As far as I can tell the only way around this is downgrade to 5.0, unlock my bootloader, then flash a pre rooted unsigned system.img.
Sadly I cannot find a recent pre rooted unsigned system.img, and have no way of knowing how to create one. If someone could help me make one I would greatly appreciate it.
Am I doing this all wrong? Is there a better way?
Because now I have a phone that I'm either stuck with a buggy 5.0 or a bloated 6.0; and the original, two year old zenfone is stuck in the bootloader because I was experimenting with various tools from around here.
I am well aware that I could just nuke the old phone with xFSTK to get out, but I refuse to. I have no such problems nuking the new one though.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, the Zenfone 2 is still a great device and is fantastic value for money, so if I can sort out all this I will happily make a full, comprehensive guide with my new knowledge to replace the errors in the outdated one here, and to add far more comprehensive knowledge about unbricking:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/general/asus-zenfone-2-flashing-recovery-mode-t3096596
Thank you all for your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you state that you have an old device which you are unable to revive with xFSTK. what error do you get? put device on charge for 5,6 hours with original charger and use the following guide. use correct gp flag value use 4 zeros not 5
https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/help/thead-bricked-phone-updating-to-mm-tips-t3452785

wow, no need to do all this... just use one of the available tool, my prefered one is this one:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/general/bl-unlock-ze551ml-toolkit-t3546293
very easy to use, to unlock, it will temporaly downgrade your boot to 5.0, unlock bootloader, then reflash boot 6.0.
Once there, just flash TWRP recovery and Magisk, from the tools.
I also had a locked ZF2 in MM 6.0 and using this tool it took less than 5 minutes to have an unlocked rooted phone, and I haven't wiped or lost anything.

Related

Cant seem to fidn the proper root guide

Its been forever sicne ive done this so i feel a bit embarrased.. but i just got a fresh nexus 7 wifi only 2013 model from amazon and looking to root it unlock and whatever i need to do else. Its has 5.0 installed and asking to update to 5.1. Can someone point me to a guide to root and install the newest twrp and unlock the bootloader? Ive seen a few but nothing new so i dont know if they would soft brick my device. Thanks for your help! I appreciate it all.
First decide if you want OTA updates because they will end if you root it.
Next, consider the already-rooted alternative.
Then we can answer your questions...
No updates, i like to do it on my own
Will One Click Bootloader Unlock, Root, Recovery Install With Wugfresh Nexus Toolkit: @ http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2381698 suffice for this 2013 nexus 7 with 5.0 installed work for all that?
Nevermind, that link is still down. So im still open to any ideas or leads lol.
unlock bootloader (#4, section "To flash a system image")
install TWRP and accept its rooting offer
install SuperSU app
Done.
Thank you. However im getting bootloop. flashed razor-lrx22g and twrp-3.00-0-flo.img when i reboot to fastboot and then to recovery it simply hangs at twrp, or if i just go for a restart it hangs at the boot screen with the multicolor balls. any suggestions?
No worries at all - it is easy to fix, but why did you flash razor-lrx22g? Didn't you want root/twrp only?
Anyway, now you have to flash the image yet again and let it boot completely to Android user interface. Then do the 3(-1) steps I posted earlier.

If you want to root and unlock your ze551ml you must downgrade!

I have now spent several days in trying to root, boot unlock and every time I get that dreadful "permission denied", if you are on any build from 179 (I think) and upwards, no rooting or unlock tool will work here, you will end up going through all kinds of recovery and even xFSTK-Downloader, and simply waste your time.
I just went through the xFSTK-Downloader process in order to get my phone back to life, it was stuck in the Fastboot loop after trying to run the restore.bat to unlock it for M builds, so I thought I would create an entry here to warn people not to attempt any rooting or unlocking until you have downgraded your build.
Good luck
LBN said:
I have now spent several days in trying to root, boot unlock and every time I get that dreadful "permission denied", if you are on any build from 179 (I think) and upwards, no rooting or unlock tool will work here, you will end up going through all kinds of recovery and even xFSTK-Downloader, and simply waste your time.
I just went through the xFSTK-Downloader process in order to get my phone back to life, it was stuck in the Fastboot loop after trying to run the restore.bat to unlock it for M builds, so I thought I would create an entry here to warn people not to attempt any rooting or unlocking until you have downgraded your build.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never had any problems with rooting or unlocking LP .184 and now there is even a guide to root and unlock the MM beta (and it works great too). Maybe if you tell us exactly what you are doing we can help you
tabletalker7 said:
I never had any problems with rooting or unlocking LP .184 and now there is even a guide to root and unlock the MM beta (and it works great too). Maybe if you tell us exactly what you are doing we can help you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you perhaps root and unlock your device prior to upgrading to build 184 initially? I have simply followed the threads to root and boot unlock, I actually did manage to root it with one of the 180 builds, but I still got permission denied, boot unlocker never worked for me and gave me lots of problems as I mentioned. If you look at the permission denied threads, I was having the same problem.
I flashed the MM beta before shakalaca ame up with the downgrade method. When you wanted to go back to LP you had to use xFSTK and the Asus Flash Tool then. That locked you down. One click unlock and method 3 for root worked on my phone. My son recently wanted xposed for youtube adaway on his zenfone 2 and his was never rooted or unlocked and the same worked on his .184 LP. You still have not mentioned in this thread what model zenfone 2 you are having trouble with - my home has 3 ze551ml 4GB/64GB phones and all 3 rooted and unlocked with no problems.

AT&T V410 Root Idea

Hey everyone,
I apologize in advance if this is breaking any forum rules or if it's a super noob question, but here goes.
I've got a stock AT&T V410 running Lollipop (had I known it would be such a hassle to root, I would've stayed on KitKat).
It's no longer under warranty so I'm thinking about rooting. Unfortunately, the only option that might work is KingRoot. Taking into consideration the possible "shadiness" of KingRoot, here is my idea:
1) Remove microSD and factory reset my V410. This is to have as little info on my V410 as possible before running KingRoot. If I can, I'll even skip adding my Google account.
2) Run KingRoot and see if the root is successful.
3) If successful, install Flashify and flash TWRP (which version should I flash?)
4) If not successful, do another factory reset and continue using my V410 like before.
5) After successfully flashing TWRP, I'll probably do another factory reset, if necessary, to have a clean OS without KingRoot.
6) With TWRP installed, I should be able to make a backup of my current V410 OS, right? I'd like to have this in case I try out CM and want to go back.
I think that's it. Assuming KingRoot can root my V410, does everything here seem viable? I know when I unlocked the bootloader on my OPO it basically did a factory reset anyway, but I want to be safe with KingRoot.
TL;DR
Will a factory reset remove KingRoot? Can I install TWRP and keep the original LG OS?
Won't work. The lollipop bootloader can't be unlocked, and I'm not aware of any exploits. TWRP won't boot. Stay on the lollipop bootloader and you're stuck with kingroot, stock rom, and stock recovery to the best of my knowledge.
I have heard of some methods to try to swap kingroot for supersu once you gain root, but I've also heard of that making a colossal mess with this tablet. Never dug into it, but I suspect supersu attempts to patch the boot image, messes up the signature, then the tab won't boot due to the locked bootloader.
The kitkat bootloader was locked too, but it was susceptible to the bump exploit that let us sign our own boot images.
If you're interested in TWRP and custom roms there is a route to downgrade back to the kitkat bootloader, but it sounds like a giant hassle.
Another random thought, there is a way to enable fastboot on this tablet (you would need root to do it). This method is for the LG G2, but it works fine on my V410. Maybe you could extract the partition images from the kdz in that thread linked above and flash them manually with fastboot instead of LG Flashtool, and get back to kitkat without making such a mess of the internal storage. Disclaimer: I haven't tried this and it could end poorly!!! :silly:
jason2678 said:
Won't work. The lollipop bootloader can't be unlocked, and I'm not aware of any exploits. TWRP won't boot. Stay on the lollipop bootloader and you're stuck with kingroot, stock rom, and stock recovery to the best of my knowledge.
I have heard of some methods to try to swap kingroot for supersu once you gain root, but I've also heard of that making a colossal mess with this tablet. Never dug into it, but I suspect supersu attempts to patch the boot image, messes up the signature, then the tab won't boot due to the locked bootloader.
The kitkat bootloader was locked too, but it was susceptible to the bump exploit that let us sign our own boot images.
If you're interested in TWRP and custom roms there is a route to downgrade back to the kitkat bootloader, but it sounds like a giant hassle.
Another random thought, there is a way to enable fastboot on this tablet (you would need root to do it). This method is for the LG G2, but it works fine on my V410. Maybe you could extract the partition images from the kdz in that thread linked above and flash them manually with fastboot instead of LG Flashtool, and get back to kitkat without making such a mess of the internal storage. Disclaimer: I haven't tried this and it could end poorly!!! :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply jason2678
Good to know that even if I could root my V410, I wouldn't be able to unlock the bootloader, which is my whole reason for rooting. And yeah, current methods to downgrade to KitKat seems like a real pain; for the time being it seems like I shouldn't mess with what works

New to HTC, just need some confirmation if i got everything right

Hey all,
so i have (hopefully) read all those "I'm new to HTC"-threads and an almost infinite amount of additional threads all around the internet and especially here on xda in the htc 10 forum. I think i have figured it out so far, coming from a Galaxy S5 it's quite confusing sometimes as there i would have to get my hands on odin, flash twrp and from there on everything is super easy.
CID/MID
The CID of my device (HTC__034) shows me my device is unbranded and the region is europe. This is like the CSC over at samsung where DBT would be an unbranded german device?
The MID is an identifier for the model, it's model specific and should be the same throughout all regions and carriers (read this on some german android wiki site). It's like SM-G900F over at samsung?
Bootloader
The bootloader is locked by default. To be able to install a custom recovery, root, flash custom roms, etc. pp. i need to unlock the bootloader either over at htcdev (where they will store the information about me unlocking the bootloader) or through sunshine which will also S-OFF my device. Once the bootloader is unlocked, no more OTA updates except installing them "by hand"
S-ON/S-OFF
S-OFF is not needed to flash custom roms, but i may be stuck on some firmware version if it won't get updated anymore. To change firmware version i would need to S-OFF my device.
Also, to flash a radio i would need S-OFF. Is this radio you are all talking about what the modem is over at samsung?
S-ON is default, S-OFF is a sunshine exclusive, XTC2Clip won't work here anymore
Custom recovery
unlock bootloader and if wanted, S-OFF, fastboot install twrp
Root
flash supersu, systemless supersu or magisk and systemless phhsuperuser through twrp
Flashing roms
unlocked bootloader and custom recovery needed, then just flash this baby
Nice work, due diligence is rare these days
You got it all very close, your shouldn't have any trouble.
don't worry about S off
create an account at the HTC Dev website
on Dev site, select unlock bootloader and follow step by step
once bootloader is unlocked, "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img"
reboot into recovery and CREATE FULL BACKUP... save it somewhere safe...
at this point you are safe and don't need to worry about bricking your phone!
you are also now done with the computer, from this point on you can switch roms as much as you like with just your phone.
to install rom, save file to your phone, wipe system, dalvik/cache, then install new file, all from within twrp
Let me know if you need any help
---------- Post added at 01:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 PM ----------
Also just to clarify, it is basically the same thing as your s5, but you are replacing Odin with fastboot and adding the one step of unlocking your bootloader first. Don't worry about rooting at first because most custom roms will have it already rooted, so installing the rom will also root... Good luck
S1CAR1US said:
You got it all very close, your shouldn't have any trouble.
don't worry about S off
create an account at the HTC Dev website
on Dev site, select unlock bootloader and follow step by step
once bootloader is unlocked, "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img"
reboot into recovery and CREATE FULL BACKUP... save it somewhere safe...
at this point you are safe and don't need to worry about bricking your phone!
you are also now done with the computer, from this point on you can switch roms as much as you like with just your phone.
to install rom, save file to your phone, wipe system, dalvik/cache, then install new file, all from within twrp
Let me know if you need any help
---------- Post added at 01:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 PM ----------
Also just to clarify, it is basically the same thing as your s5, but you are replacing Odin with fastboot and adding the one step of unlocking your bootloader first. Don't worry about rooting at first because most custom roms will have it already rooted, so installing the rom will also root... Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, thanks for the answer, just a few more questions^^
S-OFF + unlocked bootloader -> this is what i have on my S5 right now. enabling me to flash and/or **** up everything.
for example take a firmware (bootloader, modem, rom) for s7 and brick my s5 or repartition with a pitfile or whatsoever if i want to
i am able to up-/downgrade firmware from (if it's there) nougat down to marshmallow and back up to nougat
S-ON + unlocked bootloader -> will only give me the possibility to flash new system partition (aka rom), a custom recovery, gain root access and (read about this) flash a kernel. but this won't allow me to update firmware, so as long as i'm on mm, no nougat for me except i relock my bootloader and flash a nougat RUU (check for right MID and CID).
2.1 do i have this right (about the firmware up-/downgrades)?
2.2 the RUUs are basically stock firmware?
S-OFF + locked bootloader
what is up with this configuration? have read it gives me the same options as S-ON and bootloader unlocked?
S-OFF would also allow me to relock bootlader without relocked flag, so it looks as if i never unlocked the bootloader?
AOSP-roms
what configuration do i need to flash aosp roms as soon as there are mor than alpha/beta builds? is S-ON + unlocked bootloader sufficient?
peteter said:
First of all, thanks for the answer, just a few more questions^^
S-OFF + unlocked bootloader -> this is what i have on my S5 right now. enabling me to flash and/or **** up everything.
for example take a firmware (bootloader, modem, rom) for s7 and brick my s5 or repartition with a pitfile or whatsoever if i want to
i am able to up-/downgrade firmware from (if it's there) nougat down to marshmallow and back up to nougat
S-ON + unlocked bootloader -> will only give me the possibility to flash new system partition (aka rom), a custom recovery, gain root access and (read about this) flash a kernel. but this won't allow me to update firmware, so as long as i'm on mm, no nougat for me except i relock my bootloader and flash a nougat RUU (check for right MID and CID).
2.1 do i have this right (about the firmware up-/downgrades)?
2.2 the RUUs are basically stock firmware?
S-OFF + locked bootloader
what is up with this configuration? have read it gives me the same options as S-ON and bootloader unlocked?
S-OFF would also allow me to relock bootlader without relocked flag, so it looks as if i never unlocked the bootloader?
AOSP-roms
what configuration do i need to flash aosp roms as soon as there are mor than alpha/beta builds? is S-ON + unlocked bootloader sufficient?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best way is "S-OFF - LOCKED".
You have the same advantages as with "S-OFF - UNLOCKED", but with "S-OFF - LOCKED" you can go easily back to stock ("S-ON - LOCKED").
You can flash everything AND you can up-/ or downgrade your firmware. So AOSP roms are no problem for you
Never RELOCK your phone.
So the best way is: Unlock your phone with HTC Dev > Flash TWRP > Flash SuperSu > Install sunshine and choose inside the app "S-OFF - LOCKED".
If you want to go back to stock, just flash a RUU.zip and do the s-on command. Thats it.
But, if you still have a firmware version that's compatible with temp root, you don't need to unlock through HTC first. If you're going to spend the Sunshine money anyway, and if your FW version is compatible, go with Sunshine since the beginning.
Also, when you first run TWRP and it asks you if you want to make system writable, say NO. That way, you are able to backup everything untouched and get back to stock in case you want to take OTAs. There are guides that show you how to do it if you decide to stay stock + root/xposed.
Thank you all, so the way would be
download and install sunshine -> done
let sunshine run its tests (temproot etc) -> done and working
(from here on to be done)
pay 25$ and choose S-OFF + LOCKED -> done
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img -> done
i could also do this fastboot boot recovery twrp.img command and then also backup stock recovery? -> no longer available
boot up twrp, no to writable system -> done
nandroid backup (system image, boot) -> done
do what i want, flash custom-rom, aosp-rom, keep stock-rom, flash magisk and systemless phhsuperuser, flash supersu systemless or standard supersu, xposed and whatever makes me hit install in recovery -> done done done
also, never ever RELOCK in case i would S-OFF and UNLOCK
in case i missed something, please enlighten me else i'm of to gain freedom
dastinger said:
But, if you still have a firmware version that's compatible with temp root, you don't need to unlock through HTC first. If you're going to spend the Sunshine money anyway, and if your FW version is compatible, go with Sunshine since the beginning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I forgot the sunshine temproot. I got my phone from repair last week with latest firmware and it wasn't working. I had to use HTC Dev to unlock first.
peteter said:
Thank you all, so the way would be
download and install sunshine -> done
let sunshine run its tests (temproot etc) -> done and working
(from here on to be done)
pay 25$ and choose S-OFF + LOCKED
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
i could also do this fastboot boot recovery twrp.img command and then also backup stock recovery?
boot up twrp, no to writable system
nandroid backup
do what i want, flash custom-rom, aosp-rom, keep stock-rom, flash magisk and systemless phhsuperuser, flash supersu systemless or standard supersu, xposed and whatever makes me hit install in recovery
also, never ever RELOCK in case i would S-OFF and UNLOCK
in case i missed something, please enlighten me else i'm of to gain freedom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After your nandroid backup you have to reboot TWRP and allow writable system, or you can't flash anything a ROM
Not anything. You can still flash Magisk, Systemless Root, Systemless Xposed or a custom kernel. Basically, you can flash anything that doesn't mess with system. A ROM, for example, will need writable system ofc.
Once again, thanks a lot guys, installed twrp which is now asking me for a password. am i right that i have to enter my decrypt password?
EDIT: Just hit cancel worked
peteter said:
Once again, thanks a lot guys, installed twrp which is now asking me for a password. am i right that i have to enter my decrypt password?
EDIT: Just hit cancel worked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-10/how-to/psa-htc-10-s-off-s-lock-unlock-t3371264
I got OTA updates with S-OFF I understand it's the recovery that will block OTA. What I did was S-OFF and HTC DEV unlocked bootloader I have not changed either one since. What I was doing to get latest firmware(for US UNLOCKED or developer edition) was flash a stock pmewl RUU not modify it and take OTAs to get the latest firmware. If you have the m10h in the USA, your LTE is crippled. You may want to convert to TMOUS or US unlocked. LTE will turn on at that point, however you won't get the full AWS spectrum. I use WCDMA(3.5G or HSDPA+) exclusively, unless I'm somewhere it won't work, like southern Denver, even then it's crippled. I quickly came to the conclusion that I need a PME with full AWS spectrum. I did have the device converted to US unlocked and on nougat within hours, nougat at the time was not available for my device out of the box. Another thing I sometimes go into recovery and find if didn't mount data partition. Simply re-flashing encryption compatible TWRP fixes this. Either a backup or image flash from TWRP. Or re-flash TWRP using TWRP app or dd from a terminal.
From my experience, whenever TWRP asks for a password that means data did not mount! The latest TWRP from twrp.me the official one is working fine for me.
The only problems I had were in trying to return to a fully stock condition.
Which is useful to do in case you maybe sell the phone after upgrading or something. And it very much depends on where you got your phone on how successful that attempt will be. For instance, my contract allows me to upgrade every two years, but the CID they use (H3G__001), despite the phone basically being unlocked, is not supported anywhere in the form of RUU. I had to S-OFF in order to be able to change the CID to HTC__001 which is the WWE CID but you can also change a significant amount of other stuff.
The other thing that being S-OFF makes easy is updating or rolling back firmware versions and different revisions of android require different firmwares (for instance between Marshmallow and Nougat)
Although, some of it has the potential to brick your phone, which being S-ON prevents. So it depends just how far you want to go and if you'd rather have that saftey net. But beyond that, you do not need S-OFF to install and run custom roms, or recoveries, etc.
Good points. It is risky to S-OFF, last time I flashed a write value to the safety state of an HTC modem was the Evo 4g, locked to Virgin Mobile when I got it. I had to cut a small section of a wire from an ethernet cable after flashing the unlock binary. Using that cable to ground contact points(at the risk of bricking) I read how to bypass some safety and get into diag mode writing some hex value to something else using fastboot.
I got into Android(and Linux) by hacking the HTC Touch Pro 2 and a laptop to flash it with. That was a Microsoft Phone. Using Haret, and installing Android Donut system/kernel images on the sdcard, you could boot into the Android Linux kernel and everything was loaded. It was slow, no cellular connection, it booted as a proof of concept.
Unpractical for daily use, I just kept Windows with the earliest version of the Sense interface, compulsively flashing every new Energy ROM. Then came the HTC HD2, the last Microsoft Phone(before Windows Mobile), my first practical Android phone. Started off booting Froyo using the same sdcard install and Haret psuedo bootloader method. Dark Forces group eventually formatted the EEPROM of the HD2 using a Linux friendly file system and moved Android from the sdcard to the internal memory. Adopting Linux kernel and vendor sources from the HTC Desire, the XDA community hacked together a fringe device.
I had a few HD2s running Android on a foreign device. Even bricked a couple of them flashing European radios. Only to restore them by buying the same not bricked devices with busted screens on eBay.
You can do things with an HTC, not possible otherwise using other Armel hardware . I mean try writing low level binary states to the modem of an Nexus device, not only to re define the locality of where the device was manufactured to function, but even downgrade firmware versions and the respective security patches.
Won't happen, not without Jtag and a few years of bricking devices while you earn an unrequited masters in computer science, as I imagine the phreakers/developers behind Sunshine must have.
My point, if I have one, is the raw potential before the OP and the device we're taking about.
To even look up a device on XDA demands a degree of user autonomy not encouraged by many manufactures. Like those that resort exclusively to advertising and pandering to made for TV "group think" expectations and attitudes of what a device is capable of. Only what is most profitable to most manufactures will work easily on the device without risk of destruction.
End users intolerant of bloatware and advertising, or limiting personal driving, shopping, usage and locality data to services they chose or at least use and know about. Those are examples of what's outside the stock ROM box.
The communications service industry as a whole will lose profits if they don't buy the majority of these inherently open devices and tailor them to fit, for the most part, their ends. I mean yeah, KNOX is secure, and that's a great cover story to isolate open development. Groups of independent developers, builders, and users can take technology in a direction different and less predictable than what is otherwise a profitable direction.
I like to imagine this fora as a nail in the coffin of computer hardware and software development that unnecessarily limits experimentation and inflates security risks to homogenize those capable individuals under the same or similar payroll. Focusing them on profit over communal benefit, as if we can't have both.

Help! Bootloop Nightmare!

I was trying to root/custom rom/etc in a hurry and I was interrupted a million times, so I screwed up. SM-N910v. I started out on kitkat, 4.4.1. I tried this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/no...t/howto-bootloader-unlock-upgrade-to-t3398144
I odin N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVRU2CPD1_FullFirmware.tar.md5. That upgraded me lollipop 5.5.1. I then follow a guide similiar to this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/no...asy-guide-how-to-root-verizon-galaxy-t3454593
Its not the exact one, but there is several guides that are the same. I temporary rooted with kingoroot, installed TWRP. One of the guides said not to let it boot normally, so I freaked out and made sure I didn't do that. I booted back into twrp. Using this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-verizon/development/cyanogenmod-t3253973
I can't remember or find the exact guide I was on... But I flashed these files in the following order:
BETA-SuperSU-v2.71-20160331103524.zip
Emotion-TW-5.1.1-nightly-r21-RC1-SM-N910P.zip (this was really dumb)
cm-13.0-20160919-UNOFFICIAL-trltevzw.zip
I tried to boot, I left it on for atleast 30 mins, and the clockworkmod logo kept animating abnormally fast.
I then installed N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVRU2CPD1_FullFirmware.tar.md5 again (... doh ...).
Now it bootloops.... so I said.. 'ok, maybe I just need my TWRP recovery back'. Tried to install TWRP and fail....
I can boot into safe mode fine, but not normal mode. The problem with safe mode is you can't install apps.
I've tried factory reset, wipe cache, dalvik, etc etc. Nothing. I've also tried a different firmware I believe as well.. I am lost...
Current Android Info:
5.1.1
security patch level: 2015-12-01
baseband version: N910VVRU2CPD1
Kernel version: 3.10.40 Jan 20 2016
Build Number: LMY47X.N910VVRU2BPA1
The information above indicates that I am still in this version: N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVRU2CPD1_FullFirmware.tar.md5
Ok so.. I just odin this file N910VVRU2BPA1_N910VVZW2BPA1_N910VVRU2BPA1_HOME.tar.md5
Same story, I can boot into normal mode, but not safe mode.
I check my info:
5.1.1
security patch level: 2015-12-01
baseband version: N910VVRU2BPA1
Kernel version: 3.10.40 Jan 20 2016
Build Number: LMY47X.N910VVRU2BPA1
Factory reseting now... and seeing if that fixes my problem... nope... same bootloop problem...
my thinking is... if I undo "samsung_unlock_n4-fix" and that would fix my bootloop. If thats true..... I guess my biggest question is: if the boot loader is unlocked, then why can't I flash TWRP like I was able to the first time??
I appologize, I will be unaviable for the next 5 or 6 days..... any help would be much appreciated!
I followed Max Lee's guide on youtube for rooting/unlocking the bootloader I recommend downloading the files he has linked, just ensure that your phone is the SM-N910V the hardest part or more time consuming part is getting kingo root to get you that temporary root needed to unlock your bootloader/root phone. Kingo root is very unstable and your phone will freeze/restart many times, You definitely need a spare sd card, at least a 2GB from my experience and patience, set aside a few hours because your follow through is crucial. If all goes well you will be able to install TWRP. I hope this helps. Tip, if you decide to follow his method, the file titled 'samsung_unlock_n4-2' you need to rename it to say 'samsung_unlock_n4-fix' good luck!
UmbrellaTakedown said:
I followed Max Lee's guide on youtube for rooting/unlocking the bootloader I recommend downloading the files he has linked, just ensure that your phone is the SM-N910V the hardest part or more time consuming part is getting kingo root to get you that temporary root needed to unlock your bootloader/root phone. Kingo root is very unstable and your phone will freeze/restart many times, You definitely need a spare sd card, at least a 2GB from my experience and patience, set aside a few hours because your follow through is crucial. If all goes well you will be able to install TWRP. I hope this helps. Tip, if you decide to follow his method, the file titled 'samsung_unlock_n4-2' you need to rename it to say 'samsung_unlock_n4-fix' good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your post. However I don't think you quite understand whats going on.
https://galaxynote4root.com/cwmtwrp-recovery/
His site specifically states: "Verizon SM-N910V unless you have a developer’s edition phone as retail version come with locked bootloaders meaning you cannot install regular CWM or TWRP!!!"
It also shows that comment in the video. I definitely DO NOT have the developers edition.
In summary: I flashed the firmware that has the bootloader unlock vulnerability->Installed twrp->Installed CWM->Installed Firmware with bootloader vulnerability, which replaced everything I did. Now it seems like the bootloader is re-locked, and I can't boot into normal mode, which means I can't run kingo again. I can't flash TWRP, the only things I can do are: adb sideload, odin, boot any 5.1.1 in safe mode.
TouchOdeath said:
I appreciate your post. However I don't think you quite understand whats going on.
https://galaxynote4root.com/cwmtwrp-recovery/
His site specifically states: "Verizon SM-N910V unless you have a developer’s edition phone as retail version come with locked bootloaders meaning you cannot install regular CWM or TWRP!!!"
It also shows that comment in the video. I definitely DO NOT have the developers edition.
In summary: I flashed the firmware that has the bootloader unlock vulnerability->Installed twrp->Installed CWM->Installed Firmware with bootloader vulnerability, which replaced everything I did. Now it seems like the bootloader is re-locked, and I can't boot into normal mode, which means I can't run kingo again. I can't flash TWRP, the only things I can do are: adb sideload, odin, boot any 5.1.1 in safe mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not have a developers edition either, I have retail, this method makes your phone into the developer edition. This method is designed for verizons note 4. So what i'm saying is, I followed his method using a retail note 4 branded verizon and this exploit makes it into a developers edition so you may install twrp and roms. You are able to odin flash stock firmware for marshmallow and then downgrade to 5.1 to run max's method.
Ok so.. I managed to get everything working... so I'm happy. Thank you UmbrellaTakedown for invoking thought and thank you for replying, your the only person who replied, so much appreciated!
1. Boot into safe mode
2. Install app by: adb install c:\kingoroot.apk
3. At this point, its installed but the launcher needs to be refreshed for the icon to show up. I don't know how to refresh the launcher without a reboot.. so...
4. Find the kingoroot package name: adb shell 'pm list packages -f'
5. In my case it said: package:/data/app/com.kingo.root-1/base.apk=com.kingo.root So your answer is: com.kingo.root
6. Now in order to launch kingo, you need to find the activity of the package: adb shell pm dump PACKAGE_NAME | grep -A 1 MAIN
7. Start the activity: adb shell am start -n com.kingo.root/com.kingoapp.root.MainActivity
From here I was able to temp root through kingo, and run samsung_unlock_n4-fix. This time I had to only run samsung_unlock_n4-fix once. After that, TWRP installed no problem (where before it would not).
Update:
I am now officially on Jasmine ROM marshmallow. I had to copy the jasmine folder to /data/media/0/TWRP/BACKUPS/xxxx/jasmine
xxxx= you get that from adb devices
Then simply do a restore, after restore, restore the partial firmware file (it has to be done in that order or else it won't work)
TouchOdeath said:
Ok so.. I managed to get everything working... so I'm happy. Thank you UmbrellaTakedown for invoking thought and thank you for replying, your the only person who replied, so much appreciated!
1. Boot into safe mode
2. Install app by: adb install c:\kingoroot.apk
3. At this point, its installed but the launcher needs to be refreshed for the icon to show up. I don't know how to refresh the launcher without a reboot.. so...
4. Find the kingoroot package name: adb shell 'pm list packages -f'
5. In my case it said: package:/data/app/com.kingo.root-1/base.apk=com.kingo.root So your answer is: com.kingo.root
6. Now in order to launch kingo, you need to find the activity of the package: adb shell pm dump PACKAGE_NAME | grep -A 1 MAIN
7. Start the activity: adb shell am start -n com.kingo.root/com.kingoapp.root.MainActivity
From here I was able to temp root through kingo, and run samsung_unlock_n4-fix. This time I had to only run samsung_unlock_n4-fix once. After that, TWRP installed no problem (where before it would not).
Update:
I am now officially on Jasmine ROM marshmallow. I had to copy the jasmine folder to /data/media/0/TWRP/BACKUPS/xxxx/jasmine
xxxx= you get that from adb devices
Then simply do a restore, after restore, restore the partial firmware file (it has to be done in that order or else it won't work)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an FYI, you need to run the sasmung_unlock_n4 application twice. The first time, it will write your eMMC CID to the correct one, and the second time you execute, it will write the CID signature/blob to the bootloader - completing the unlock process. Glad to see you got it working.

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