Root ROOTING For Dummies

[frenchy714]

Thanks.

Here's a bit more info on my Evo 4G

Supersoni EVT ship S-off
HBoot - 2.10.0001
Microp-041f
Touchpanel - ATmel C03_16AC
Radio - 2.15.00.11.19

Since I'm not in a 4G area I'm looking for the tightest, fastest, battery saving setup I can find. Way too many bits of info..... OVERLOAD !!!

Any suggestions ??

Thanks !!

I would stick w/ a Sense based ROM since you're fairly new to rooting. King's Unleased, Koni's ELITE Series, Mikfroyo 4.4-4.6, Azreal X, are all EXTREMELY fast, loaded w/ optimizations that you will definitely feel. I recommend using a Netarchy kernel, I myself have had great success with them and plenty of other forum members will agree with me when I say they're great. Netarchy's gives you the ability to overclock your phone to speed up and enhance your Evo's performance.

 

[Noozie]

THANKS !!

Now to get into it all !!!

 

[LotsaBS]

I am preparing to root my Evo 4G and have read, read and read some more! My primary reason to root is to be able to make true and full backups of my Evo. At this time I don't plan to use any custom roms etc. As much as I have read, I am still slightly confused about UnrEVOked3 and the "custom recovery" it creates during the rooting process. Is this "custom recovery" an unrooted image of my Evo prior to rooting? If that is the case why is it necessary to create a nand backup after rooting? Obviously there must be some difference between the 2. Would someone please explain the difference and explain which is used in the event I want to unroot my phone? I may want to be able to unroot temporarily if my phone has to be returned for some reason or if I want to receive an OTA software update. Thx.

 

[youdoofus]

I am preparing to root my Evo 4G and have read, read and read some more! My primary reason to root is to be able to make true and full backups of my Evo. At this time I don't plan to use any custom roms etc. As much as I have read, I am still slightly confused about UnrEVOked3 and the "custom recovery" it creates during the rooting process. Is this "custom recovery" an unrooted image of my Evo prior to rooting? If that is the case why is it necessary to create a nand backup after rooting? Obviously there must be some difference between the 2. Would someone please explain the difference and explain which is used in the event I want to unroot my phone? I may want to be able to unroot temporarily if my phone has to be returned for some reason or if I want to receive an OTA software update. Thx.

The difference between root and non-root is the s-on and s-off. You get s-off when you run unrevoked forever, and the recovery is installed via the pc36img file. I suggest amon-ra as the recovery and that's available somewhere in these threads. Im on the phandroid app so I don't have my links, but its not exactly hiding lol you can't make a recovery image without a recovery method, so you need clockwork (which comes with unrevoked) or amon-ra to make the recovery

 

[Xtremedays]

I am preparing to root my Evo 4G and have read, read and read some more! My primary reason to root is to be able to make true and full backups of my Evo. At this time I don't plan to use any custom roms etc. As much as I have read, I am still slightly confused about UnrEVOked3 and the "custom recovery" it creates during the rooting process. Is this "custom recovery" an unrooted image of my Evo prior to rooting? If that is the case why is it necessary to create a nand backup after rooting? Obviously there must be some difference between the 2. Would someone please explain the difference and explain which is used in the event I want to unroot my phone? I may want to be able to unroot temporarily if my phone has to be returned for some reason or if I want to receive an OTA software update. Thx.

The custom recovery that will be installed when your phone is rooted is a small program that runs separate from the operating system of the phone. Kind of like a restore partition on a windows pc. It allows for the wiping of different partitions, flashing zip files, and making nandroid backups among other things. These things can not be done when the phone is fully booted and running so there is need of a smaller program to accomplish this. A nandroid is basically a photo of your phone exactly as it is when the backup is made. Unrooting is actually easier than the rooting process. There are 2 zip files that need to be placed on the sdcard and flashing in a certain order.

Unrevoked does 3 things. It unlocks nand to allow for changes to your phone and backing up/restoring. It installs a custom recovery that is used to flash zip files, wipe partitions, create and restore backups. Lastly, it will root your current rom to allow you to use root only apps like Titanium Backup and Wifi Tether for Root Users.

 

[LotsaBS]

The custom recovery that will be installed when your phone is rooted is a small program that runs separate from the operating system of the phone. Kind of like a restore partition on a windows pc. It allows for the wiping of different partitions, flashing zip files, and making nandroid backups among other things. These things can not be done when the phone is fully booted and running so there is need of a smaller program to accomplish this. A nandroid is basically a photo of your phone exactly as it is when the backup is made. Unrooting is actually easier than the rooting process. There are 2 zip files that need to be placed on the sdcard and flashing in a certain order.

Unrevoked does 3 things. It unlocks nand to allow for changes to your phone and backing up/restoring. It installs a custom recovery that is used to flash zip files, wipe partitions, create and restore backups. Lastly, it will root your current rom to allow you to use root only apps like Titanium Backup and Wifi Tether for Root Users.

Once you said "kind of like a restore partition on a windows pc" the light went on. Thanks, now it makes sense! Now If I create a nandroid backup immediately after rooting (and store it in a safe place), is that backup all I will need to restore my phone back to stock if I should decide to unroot?

 

[LotsaBS]

Another question. The second reason I want to root my Evo is to be able to remove some of the pre-installed bloat. I've read about what is safe to remove and that freezing it is the safest way to do so, but that bloat can also be deleted (obviously you would need to keep backups of what you would delete). If the bloat is deleted, or frozen for that matter, will one or the other actually free up more internal memory?
Thanks again.

 

[LivingDead]

Hello all,

I am a new comer.

My hardware is:

MODEL
DESIRE (operator Orange (France))
BRAVO PVT3 SHIP S-ON

HBOOT
0.93.0001

RADIO
5.11.05.27

Android Version
2.2

Baseband Version
32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27

Kernel Version
2.6.32.15-ge2c73db
htc-kernel@and18-2#1

Build number
2.22.73.6 CL283825 release-keys

Software number
2.22.73.6

Browser version
Webkit 3.1

I ran Unrevoked3 (latest 32 version) on my ubuntu Linux 10.04. Everything seems ok but the famous message
"Error: failed to get root. Is your firmware too new?"

came up at the end.

Second thing abnormal: I verified the S-ON is still there

But I get root 'su' command is successful.
I tried as the faq suggested to factory reset but clockworkmod doesn't work either
Each selection in the clockworkmod gives me a black screen with nothing done. And I could not go back in HBOOT. I was obliged to remove the battery load to reboot.
So I am stuck. I retried to choose a recovery from the custom recovery menu item but it did not give me this ability (still grayed out item).
What should I do except living like a dead

(Sorry, for bold but it buggs and I cannot modify it even after selection)

 

[Xtremedays]

Once you said "kind of like a restore partition on a windows pc" the light went on. Thanks, now it makes sense! Now If I create a nandroid backup immediately after rooting (and store it in a safe place), is that backup all I will need to restore my phone back to stock if I should decide to unroot?

That will not return you to stock as it will be a backup of a rooted rom. The steps to unroot are in the Rooting Guide under After Rooting. It is a simple process and like I said takes less time than rooting.

Another question. The second reason I want to root my Evo is to be able to remove some of the pre-installed bloat. I've read about what is safe to remove and that freezing it is the safest way to do so, but that bloat can also be deleted (obviously you would need to keep backups of what you would delete). If the bloat is deleted, or frozen for that matter, will one or the other actually free up more internal memory?
Thanks again.

I believe that either way it frees up memory. There are custom roms that have all of the bloatware removed if you want to look into those.

 

[Xtremedays]

Hello all,

I am a new comer.

My hardware is:

MODEL
DESIRE (operator Orange (France))
BRAVO PVT3 SHIP S-ON

HBOOT
0.93.0001

RADIO
5.11.05.27

Android Version
2.2

Baseband Version
32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27

Kernel Version
2.6.32.15-ge2c73db
htc-kernel@and18-2#1

Build number
2.22.73.6 CL283825 release-keys

Software number
2.22.73.6

Browser version
Webkit 3.1

I ran Unrevoked3 (latest 32 version) on my ubuntu Linux 10.04. Everything seems ok but the famous message
"Error: failed to get root. Is your firmware too new?"

came up at the end.

Second thing abnormal: I verified the S-ON is still there

But I get root 'su' command is successful.
I tried as the faq suggested to factory reset but clockworkmod doesn't work either
Each selection in the clockworkmod gives me a black screen with nothing done. And I could not go back in HBOOT. I was obliged to remove the battery load to reboot.
So I am stuck. I retried to choose a recovery from the custom recovery menu item but it did not give me this ability (still grayed out item).
What should I do except living like a dead

(Sorry, for bold but it buggs and I cannot modify it even after selection)

First, you might want to check out the Desire forum for rooting questions.

http://androidforums.com/desire-all-things-root/

Have you tried running unrevoked again? It seems that it might have rooted your rom but failed to get s-off and flash a custom recovery.

 

[LivingDead]

First, you might want to check out the Desire forum for rooting questions.

Desire - All Things Root - Android Forums

Have you tried running unrevoked again? It seems that it might have rooted your rom but failed to get s-off and flash a custom recovery.

Thank you very much for answering .
I will post to the forum you adviced.

You resumed it perfectly! And yes I tried 10-15 times.

I get at the 2 reboot an error in my linux terminal:
"ERROR n=-1 errno 19 (no such device type)"
Meaning (errno 19) a device path was not found according to my developer knowledge.

Full log:

sudo ./reflash
[sudo] password for karim:
unrEVOked recovery reflash tool
git version: 8b5c9e4
Failed to load module: /usr/lib/gio/modules/libgvfsdbus.so
ERROR: n = -1, errno = 19 (No such device)
ERROR: n = -1, errno = 19 (No such device)

Regards

 

[LotsaBS]

That will not return you to stock as it will be a backup of a rooted rom. The steps to unroot are in the Rooting Guide under After Rooting. It is a simple process and like I said takes less time than rooting.

OK. That makes sense. For safety's sake I would like to have a backup of the original unrooted 3.70 Sprint ROM. I see places to download but am confused about the dif versions (deodexed, odexed, radios etc.). Can you point me to a link and explain exactly what I need?

I believe that either way it frees up memory. There are custom roms that have all of the bloatware removed if you want to look into those.

Between a tweaked Go Launcher and Folder Organizer, my Evo is customized just as I like it for now so I doubt I will be loading custom roms-at least for awhile. I'd just like to get rid of the useless bloatware and free up some more internal memory if posssible.

Thanks

 

[nick1313]

OK. That makes sense. For safety's sake I would like to have a backup of the original unrooted 3.70 Sprint ROM. I see places to download but am confused about the dif versions (deodexed, odexed, radios etc.). Can you point me to a link and explain exactly what I need?

Here's a link for unrooting your phone. The site has a link to the stock RUU, which I think is what you are asking for.

Here's a link discussing odex versus deodex. Basically the difference is that the majority of custom ROMs are deodexed because they were easier to customize/theme. However Aamikam (MikFroyo) has changed all that here. If you like the stock look and what a rooted odex ROM which is insane fast try this out here.

Between a tweaked Go Launcher and Folder Organizer, my Evo is customized just as I like it for now so I doubt I will be loading custom roms-at least for awhile. I'd just like to get rid of the useless bloatware and free up some more internal memory if posssible.

Thanks

I'll be honest with you, make a backup of your current setup and flash any custom ROM and I will almost guarantee you will NEVER go back to that original backup. As a matter a fact I would guess that you would delete it within the first couple of days, because you will have no need for it.

EDIT: You could also see this post over in XDA threads about unrooting.

 

[LotsaBS]

Here's a link for unrooting your phone. The site has a link to the stock RUU, which I think is what you are asking for.

Thanks for the link, but it appears to be from 6/2010. But if I understand correctly and for an up to date version, what I need to look for is something like this: RUU SuperSonic EvO 3.70.651.1 OTA - Stock - Sense - Fully Deodexed - Android Forums. Please verify that something like this is a perfectly stock rom.

Here's a link discussing odex versus deodex. Basically the difference is that the majority of custom ROMs are deodexed because they were easier to customize/theme. However Aamikam (MikFroyo) has changed all that here. If you like the stock look and what a rooted odex ROM which is insane fast try this out here.

Thanks, that helps somewhat. Looks like deodexed is the way to go if available.

I'll be honest with you, make a backup of your current setup and flash any custom ROM and I will almost guarantee you will NEVER go back to that original backup. As a matter a fact I would guess that you would delete it within the first couple of days, because you will have no need for it..

You may be right, but can you explain how I can make a backup of my current ROM pre-root? (Or do I not need to worry about it and simply keep a copy of something like this around-just in case I have to go back to stock:
RUU SuperSonic EvO 3.70.651.1 OTA - Stock - Sense - Fully Deodexed - Android Forums

Until 6 months ago, I had been a loyal Palm user for nearly 10 years. I had a fair amount of experience flashing and editing Palm roms but obviously have gone to Android (and glad I did)! I have also had prior experience tweaking and jailbreaking iOS, but Android although similar, it is different and I am trying to learn as much as I can.

Thanks for all the help, I do appreciate it.

 

[Xtremedays]

You would not be able to make a complete backup "pre-root". If for some reason you needed to unroot, there are 2 steps to it. The first turns on the security on your phone(s-on). The second would return your phone to "out of the box" condition. It would completely wipe your phone(not the sdcard) and install the original software that came on your phone.

 

[nick1313]

Thanks for the link, but it appears to be from 6/2010. But if I understand correctly and for an up to date version, what I need to look for is something like this: RUU SuperSonic EvO 3.70.651.1 OTA - Stock - Sense - Fully Deodexed - Android Forums. Please verify that something like this is a perfectly stock rom.

Actually I think you can get the stock RUU from the HTC site, but not 100% sure.

Thanks, that helps somewhat. Looks like deodexed is the way to go if available.

Actually deodexed "was" the only thing available, until amikam (mikfroyo 4.6x) figured out how to theme the odex ROMs and has pretty much made it just like a deodexed ROM. The odex version is much faster than the deodex, especially on boot up.

You may be right, but can you explain how I can make a backup of my current ROM pre-root? (Or do I not need to worry about it and simply keep a copy of something like this around-just in case I have to go back to stock:
RUU SuperSonic EvO 3.70.651.1 OTA - Stock - Sense - Fully Deodexed - Android Forums

Until 6 months ago, I had been a loyal Palm user for nearly 10 years. I had a fair amount of experience flashing and editing Palm roms but obviously have gone to Android (and glad I did)! I have also had prior experience tweaking and jailbreaking iOS, but Android although similar, it is different and I am trying to learn as much as I can.

Thanks for all the help, I do appreciate it.

Like xtreme said you can't back up a pre-rooted ROM, because you have to have root to make backups. The closest thing you can get to it is to just make a back up of your set up as soon as you root it, but like xtreme and i said really no point, because if you need to unroot you will be wiping your phone back to factory default (straight out of box). Also you will never use that setup again. You will be amazed at the size of the Custom ROMs in comparison to the backup you would make of the after rooted setup. Depending on how many apps you have, it could be pretty close to 3x as big.

I don't keep a stock one of those handy, because quite frankly don't feel the need to, and not sure why I would ever want it, but that's me. It's easy enough to boot into recovery and usb toggle and transfer one if I ever needed to, but again no idea why I would. Don't plan on unrooting my phone, unless I need to take it and if I do I would just download it then and unroot it.

 

[Rjsarich]

I have a Evo 4g that I had flashed by some guy (paid 60$) and I use it on metro PCS. If I were to fallow these steps would my phone still be able to work on Metro or are there other things I would have to do. Seems like my phone doesnt work as well as I feel it should. I get a lot of error messages and the internet is extremely slow!

Please if you have anything that will help me out can you reply to this or email me directly.
Rjsarich1@gmail.com

 

[nick1313]

I have a Evo 4g that I had flashed by some guy (paid 60$) and I use it on metro PCS. If I were to fallow these steps would my phone still be able to work on Metro or are there other things I would have to do. Seems like my phone doesnt work as well as I feel it should. I get a lot of error messages and the internet is extremely slow!

Please if you have anything that will help me out can you reply to this or email me directly.
Rjsarich1@gmail.com

What's metro PCS?

 

[Rjsarich]

Its a service provider out here in Orange County California. The Evo is used with sprint but you can flash the phone to make it work with other providers!

 

[nick1313]

Its a service provider out here in Orange County California. The Evo is used with sprint but you can flash the phone to make it work with other providers!

Well out of my area of expertise (I use that term very loosely ), sorry and good luck.

BTW..you might consider taking your email out of there so you don't get spammed.

 

[igotitiscool]

Reboot to hboot and see if you have s-off.(power off then hold volume down+power). If you have s-off, select recovery and see if loads a recovery screen or you get a triangle and exclamation point.

i got the triangle before i did the Hboot and after i did the Hboot (S-off) this is my second EVO(insurance) first was one been rooted since june 4 and i did it..... with unrevoked. is there something bout the firmware or the new phone? about the pc36img_RA2.3.zip when i rename it do i put the .zip part of the name?

 

[Xtremedays]

i got the triangle before i did the Hboot and after i did the Hboot (S-off) this is my second EVO(insurance) first was one been rooted since june 4 and i did it..... with unrevoked. is there something bout the firmware or the new phone? about the pc36img_RA2.3.zip when i rename it do i put the .zip part of the name?

Just take off everything except PC36IMG.zip. If you are doing it on a windows computer, you should not see the ".zip" but rather the folder should have a zipper on it. Unrevoked seems to have some issues with the newest hboot versions. Sometimes it doesn't get through all 3 steps though if it gets s-off, the rest can be done manually.

 

[igotitiscool]

Just take off everything except PC36IMG.zip. If you are doing it on a windows computer, you should not see the ".zip" but rather the folder should have a zipper on it. Unrevoked seems to have some issues with the newest hboot versions. Sometimes it doesn't get through all 3 steps though if it gets s-off, the rest can be done manually.

what about the triangle is that from the S-on?, and when should i use the pc36img and iam using windows 7 my first post i said s-off but s- is still on after i did the hBOOT

 

[Xtremedays]

what about the triangle is that from the S-on?, and when should i use the pc36img and iam using windows 7 my first post i said s-off but s- is still on after i did the hBOOT

You will need to run unrevoked again then. Without s-off, you can not make any changes to your phone.

 

[Vonn911]

I am successfully unrevoked as of yesterday. Only took a few minutes and 10 ounces of Mountain Dew! The Guide was key in getting me started and the encouragement from the forums was what motivated me to take the plunge. I am antsy to customize and maximize this EVO, but I am not sure what direction to take. Can somebody point me to the right thread for choosing a ROM to flash? My bad if somebody is having to repeat themselves from a previous thread, but I have been browsing and I can't seem to find the 'Rooted, now what?' thread.
I want to soar with the rest of y'all. I'm ready to see what this phone can really do. Thanks!