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Root ROOTING For Dummies

Hi - I'm probably unfamiliar to some of you, I was away for a short while, but I started at AF here in Evo-land, so I hope you don't mind if I pitch in.

I'm not 100% current on all rooting today, I rooted my Evo 6 months ago (couldn't be happier!) - and I'll shoot you square on what I _do_ know.

Rambler358 said:
Okay, I'm just getting around to flashing the latest Sprint ROM now from XDA. I've done a ROM Manager "ROM Backup", which is a NAND backup correct?
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If you followed the procedure in Matlock's first post (I'm going to call it the OP from now on) in Section 3, Option 2, then YES - you'll get a nand backup.

BTW - just for lurkers, 'cause I'm often asked - those little, teeny "Show" glyphs in the OP are buttons - they do what they say - they show things.

I then plan on using Titanium Backup for the app and data backup. When the Titanium backup is done, I plan on using ROM Manager to flash the new ROM. And is it correct that ROM Manager will take care of wiping the dalvik cache during the ROM flashing?
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Unless they've updated it and I've not heard - NO.

It used to be that when you selected the wipe checkbox, what it really did was rely on a script in the rom to perform the wipe - no script - no wipe.

The safest thing is to do it from recovery, it's an option you can select.

If someone comes along with more recent experience than I - trust that.

In the meantime - if you choose not to do it and things get pear-shaped, then you're going to end up in recovery wiping data and dalvik-cache as your first debugging step _anyway_ -- safest to just get it right from the start.

OP Section 8, Option 1 says YES - it does wipe correctly. So, I could be wrong. If you go without wiping in recovery and use this option and anything gets screwy, what I'm about to say will help you.

[After the new ROM is flashed, then I can use Titanium Backup to restore the apps and data?
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Yes - BUT! - I highly recommend you refer to this post - http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-support-troubleshooting/141369-how-fix-froyo.html

I've got a few goodies in there for you :) :


  • How to ensure that your contacts are REALLY on Google
  • How to save and restore your current scene (desktop layout)
    • If you're like me, you've got your widgets and desktop layout just so
    • Without this, you're about to lose all of that and have to redo your desktop
    • This only works for stock rooted Sense roms - Titanium is your friend
  • In addition to whatever app backup you use - I recommend a backup of your apps with Astro File Manager
    • I use a few file managers because I've not found ONE that does everything perfectly, so even if you have a file manager and NOT Astro - this still isn't bad advice
    • Insanely friendly user interface
    • Just another backup, repeating what you did with Titanium - why?
      • Paid Titanium gives you one level of backups, paid - all you want
      • Too easy to choose the wrong Titanium option or to incorrectly add something to a backup - do this wrong and when you go to recover with the free one, you might be missing an app - Astro saves you
      • Next week, you're playing around, you delete the wrong app - it's much easier to just get one back with Astro
  • With new roms and tools, you'll still want to clear things if they get tangled - the link above will help with that, often as effective but much faster than going to recovery and clearing and restoring as a debug / fix route

If this is all correct I think I'm just about set! :)

EDIT: I was just going over the XDA thread where member SteelH posted this info about the lastest ROM:

What concerns me is this last paragraph - will I also need to flash the radio/wimax/pri/prl/hboot/nv files as they're not a part of the ROM itself? :confused: I thought I could just flash this new Sprint ROM and have everything like stock - but rooted?

I'm also curious about the differences in these ROM downloads, and not sure which one I should use now?
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For maximum stability and knowing you're safe, when using the rooted equivalent of an OTA update, you definitely want to match that with the same radio and same wimax included in the update.

Despite the fact that XDA has gotten more - I don't want to say chaotic, let's just say more active, it's seems hard to know what to trust or what to match to what.

BUT - there's a simple answer, bookmark this link, you'll always want it for reference (and it's the same as in OP Section 8, Option 1, Step 3, pp2):

HTC Supersonic/ROMs - XDA-Developers

There's a table for the stock roms - it matches roms and radio and wimax revisions. Always keep these in alignment.

These days, clicking on the 3.70 link does NOT take you to a list of the several sources of stock rooted roms at XDA. :( But - I'll address that here.

PRI (that's an eye, not an ell - that's a typo up there) / NV / HBOOT are optional and only install if you've got S-off.

Why are they packaged separately from each other, and from the rom?


  • History!
    • In earlier days before S-off, you had to chicken dance to update those things
    • Labor - then as now, one guy would do radios, another the rom, each responsible for their own packaging
  • Modularity and surety
    • I've seen posts with guys failing to operate with 3.70 and PRI 1.90 needing to go back to 1.77, others with 1.90 and no complaints

I don't know what to tell you about the right download without a link - but - all of the rom devs I've seen in the past have been crystal-clear as to which link does what, easy to understand. If he's not done that, or if you didn't read carefully - don't go there.

Maybe consider using the Sprint Lover's rom in my earlier post - two options - with and without all the extra goodies.

Hope this helps.
 
cyaiphone said:
Thanks for this thread! I been reading these pages for the past 6 hours or so! I still have a lot to learn.

When we first complete unrevoke what rom and kernal are we running? :confused:
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If you've followed the OP steps as I understand them - you're still at your original rom and kernel. (stock rooted rom)
 
PS - I'm way sorry if I'm duplicating info earlier in this thread - lots to do, was just faster to answer than search - hope this is ok until Matlock says otherwise here.

Cheers!
 
EarlyMon said:
PS - I'm way sorry if I'm duplicating info earlier in this thread - lots to do, was just faster to answer than search - hope this is ok until Matlock says otherwise here.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

No problem. As threads get bigger and more information is listed, readers often get overwhelmed by it all.

So, to all who read..

The only dumb question, is an unasked one.

No one minds in the least is something is asked multiple times. Everyone starts out as a novice. ;-) And for those who do mind.. you know where you can go..
 
Hello I'm new here been lurking for a few weeks got my brand spanking new EVO about 2 weeks ago been heasitant. Tried rooting with UnrEVOked failed.
I've been trying to keep up on Twitter
here's my phone's specs

Android Version
2.2
Baseband Version
2.15.00.09.01
Kernal Version
2.6.32.15-g59b9e50
htc-kernal@and18-2 #17
Build Number
3.30.651.3 CL272076 release-keys
Software Number
3.30.651.3

I apologize if any of the stuff i posted is superfluous and/or irrelevant i want to get the best possible answer. A lot of the info I've been finding is out dated and it's just overwhelming.

Also if i get rooted is there a way i can get rid of the shovel/bloat ware like NASCAR etc.
and also not break my 4G?

Edit:
also so i read i can't get sprint updates i was reading up about Cyanogen and he seems to be recommended a lot. Would getting Cyanogen break my 4G? and what are the steps of adding a new rom? or as a newbie would i best be happy with sprint stock rom and root access?
 
Refer to the 1st post, the teeny things saying Show are buttons, see if you're at the right revision of HBOOT, and maybe wait a few days. Chances of getting much help may be less until then.
 
Matlock,

I think that adding a Profile and a PRL update after Rom install is a good idea. This simple step fixes any number of update woes, and I believe it's a good preventative measure against post-root panics by new rooters. Apologies if in OP and I missed it.
 
EarlyMon said:
If you're feeling that adventurous, see post 619 above (and the ones after) and see how they tie into the original post.

Otherwise, ok to wait, many have, understand the feeling.

Oh - almost forgot: Welcome to the forums!
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Thanks for the welcome!!
Any particular recommendations once i become rooted? As far as a kick ass roms and keeping up with updates and little tweaks

Edit:
Sorry if i'm bombarding you with questions searched google, XDA, and even youtube most are from a time before the back door patch. I already understand the state of my phone just want a nice rom I've seen and heard nice things about Cyanogen i just want Nascar, NFL, mobile, HTC Twitter, HTC Face book, calulator, and stock Voice mail gone (Viva Google Voice)
 
Ookami_EVO said:
Also if i get rooted is there a way i can get rid of the shovel/bloat ware like NASCAR etc.
and also not break my 4G?

Edit:
also so i read i can't get sprint updates i was reading up about Cyanogen and he seems to be recommended a lot. Would getting Cyanogen break my 4G? and what are the steps of adding a new rom? or as a newbie would i best be happy with sprint stock rom and root access?
Click to expand...

You can delete bloatware easily once rooted. Ask back after you are rooted and you've learned about the ins and out of rooting tools like Titanium Backup (with a nod to MyBackup Root, I've not tried it yet).

The successful and happy path to rooting is to take it nice and slow, one step at a time.

Don't try to eat the apple with one bite. :) Just go slow, step by step.

I always personally recommend sticking with the stock rooted rom until you're comfortable with making nandroid backups, backing up those to your PC, playing with root apps and tricks, nandroid restores.

Get comfortable. A day, a week, whatever, you'll know.

Then, going to a custom rom will be a cinch, it'll take you a few minutes only, and you'll be doing it with uber confidence.

Myself and others - like the stock rom enough that we stick with it. Cyanogen is better - but - it's just a personal preference I'm feeling today (and have felt since I rooted 6 months ago).

If I change my mind, 10 or 15 minutes of doodling around, and I can switch.

Rooting means not being boxed in or living with phone fear.

Ookami_EVO said:
Thanks for the welcome!!
Any particular recommendations once i become rooted? As far as a kick ass roms and keeping up with updates and little tweaks
Click to expand...

You're welcome for the welcome!

Trust me, wait until you've finished the process before asking for more than Matlock's already suggested.

Not because your questions are invalid - but because those may or may not continue to be your top questions once rooted. It's different for everyone.

Edit - Happy holiday, I'll check back in a few days. ;)
 
Is there anyway i can be pointed in the direction to mod my Hero? the downgrade app stops and tells me i'm not connected i keep searching and keep getting pointed to the same downgrade method :/

Sorry for going off topic orz
 
HAPPY.................

Ashura 5th
St. Nicholas Day 6th
Bodhi Day 8th
Virgin of Guadalupe 12th
Santa Lucia Day 13th
Las Posadas 16th - 25th
Hanukkah 21st - 28th
Christmas 25th
Boxing Day 26th
Kwanzaa 26th


Hope I didn't miss anyone!!!!! :D
 
Went ahead and took the plunge (got tired of waiting for Unrevoke). Steps are pretty straight forward. Took awhile to get .ZIP file but new one has SprintLovers ROM with the new build (3.70).

Went ahead and loaded Fresh 3.5 ROM, what I was using with the HERO. But may go back to SprintLovers seems like there was more free system memory with it.

tritchie said:
I was successfully able to root my EVO using the walkthroughs here:

[ROOT][GUIDE] HBoot 2.02 S-OFF - Fresh Like Pine Cones Edition - Updated 12/08/10 - xda-developers

Bit more detail here:

[ROOT][GUIDE] HBoot 2.02 S-OFF - Fresh Like Pine Cones Edition - Updated 12/08/10 - Page 120 - xda-developers


I have nand backups (Working) of both DamageControl 3.6 and Cyanogen 6.1 stable running with no issues.

Caveats:
- Can't use ROM Manager to manage reboots into recovery.. the phone burps all over itself and dies..
- Can un-root pretty easily.. two steps and you are back to stock.

I moved from CM 6.1 back to Damage Control for now.. don't like some of the things that are missing from CM at this time (besides 4G)
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i am wanting to root my buddys evo but he has hboot 2.10 somthing no go yet with root????

if not is there any eta that anyone knows of???
 
cookie_monster said:
i am wanting to root my buddys evo but he has hboot 2.10 somthing no go yet with root????

if not is there any eta that anyone knows of???
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The very first post of this thread would answer your question. Since its xmas, it can only be rooted by the manual method found at xda.

Now regarding an eta for unrevoked... nobody knows what the eta is. Trust me when I tell you this, the day unrevoked releases an update for the new hboots this forum will blow up.
 
The method I used above has a workaround for 2.10 detailed in the steps. But be sure to read through it several times before attempting. Actually from what I read seems like 2.10 is easier than 2.02.

cookie_monster said:
i am wanting to root my buddys evo but he has hboot 2.10 somthing no go yet with root????

if not is there any eta that anyone knows of???
Click to expand...
 
Been having some issues while editing the Thread to make room for new Sections and rearranging old sections. Please bare with me until this is corrected.

Also, if you see any references to sections that were renamed or moved that I didn't change, please PM me and let me know where it is, thanks!!
 
EarlyMon said:
I'm not 100% current on all rooting today, I rooted my Evo 6 months ago (couldn't be happier!) - and I'll shoot you square on what I _do_ know.
Click to expand...
Thanks EarlyMon for all the info! What I think I'll do is wait for Unrevoked to come out with the new EVO update. When that's ready I'll just "un-root" to bring back to stock, then apply the new Unrevoked. I only use root for WiFi tether and a few apps anyway.
 
I know this is the EVO forum but I thought I'd ask anyway. Unrevoked also shows it will work on the HTC Hero and wondered if anyone has any information on could this method be used on a Sprint Hero ver 2.1. I poked around on the Hero forum and really did not find much mention of unrevoked although I did see something on the XDA site that suggested it.

Thanks in advance.
 
jamesdean said:
I know this is the EVO forum but I thought I'd ask anyway. Unrevoked also shows it will work on the HTC Hero and wondered if anyone has any information on could this method be used on a Sprint Hero ver 2.1. I poked around on the Hero forum and really did not find much mention of unrevoked although I did see something on the XDA site that suggested it.

Thanks in advance.
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You can use my guide to Root your Hero. Works the exact same way as the Evo. From what I understand though, it only offers a 'soft root'. Which means once you reset your phone, you'll have to Root it again. Which is no biggie. It only takes 5 minutes to root anyway. And you can root as many times as you want.

Hope this helps ya.
 
Matlock said:
You can use my guide to Root your Hero. Works the exact same way as the Evo. From what I understand though, it only offers a 'soft root'. Which means once you reset your phone, you'll have to Root it again. Which is no biggie. It only takes 5 minutes to root anyway. And you can root as many times as you want.

Hope this helps ya.
Click to expand...

Thanks, just to clarify you will only lose root on a reset not a reboot?
 
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