Root ROOTING For Dummies

[OstrichSaK]

Well and I answered your question about resetting your phone. If you just run unrevoked it will not reset your phone, unless you do the "optional" factory data reset. I assume that you have read the OP, right?

That's cool man, you don't have to run a custom ROM if you don't want to, to each there own.

As for stability and functionality and sense you won't lose any of that and quite honestly it will get much better/stable/faster with a custom ROM. I've ran CM6.1, Myn, Fresh, Baked Snacks, and MikFroyo and a couple others that really aren't worth mentioning. All them have a lot of great things with them and are very stable. You like sense, so do I, so flash a ROM that is based on sense, ie MikFroyo, Myn. MikFroyo, IMO, is far more stable and much faster than any ROM I have run, including stock.

But like I said, to each their own my man. Just do the unrevoked and you will be nand unlocked and have superuser rights.

Alright, so if I don't clear and only do Unrevoked3 as it shows in this video it won't reset my device, it will only create a backup and root, correct? That's what I was thinking but I got confused when someone started talking about needing to get temporary to back up files first before going full root. The post was just in regards to if I wanted to do a full reset prior to rooting.. that makes sense now. I may do all this later and may even opt for a custom ROM but for now I have a few little issues I want to take care of and don't have tons of time to devote. I appreciate you telling me there are ROMs that will keep the UI Sense because that helps me to realize I may want to do this once again.. just not right now. If I could find a ROM that was like what I have now w/the battery percentage on the battery, made it so that the LED could be adjusted or simply disabled when charging (annoying when on dock at night) and a few other simple things w/o losing 4G or stability then I'm interested.

 

[nick1313]

Alright, so if I don't clear and only do Unrevoked3 as it shows in this video it won't reset my device, it will only create a backup and root, correct? That's what I was thinking but I got confused when someone started talking about needing to get temporary to back up files first before going full root. The post was just in regards to if I wanted to do a full reset prior to rooting.. that makes sense now. I may do all this later and may even opt for a custom ROM but for now I have a few little issues I want to take care of and don't have tons of time to devote. I appreciate you telling me there are ROMs that will keep the UI Sense because that helps me to realize I may want to do this once again.. just not right now. If I could find a ROM that was like what I have now w/the battery percentage on the battery, made it so that the LED could be adjusted or simply disabled when charging (annoying when on dock at night) and a few other simple things w/o losing 4G or stability then I'm interested.

Well I don't know what video you are looking at, but if you follow the guide and just don't do the step (section 1: Prerooting) where it asks you to factory reset your phone you will be fine. Just start at Section 2 of the guide, however I would highly recommend reading over it all, if you haven't.

MikFroyo hands down will give you everything your little heart could desire and probably much, much more. Trust me when I tell you this, you will save yourself much more time in the long run if you just factory reset and flash a custom ROM with all the settings you like from the get go. Just my 2 cents though, I'll say it again to each their own. That's the beauty of our phones, so many options. Here's the link to MikFroyo and the link to his thread on xda is here.

Enjoy and if you have any other questions along the way feel free to post, many here willing to help. Also if you haven't read the OP, be sure to read it.

 

[nick1313]

Nick is correct i was referring to being able to just reload your apps instead of downloading them again from appbrain. Also it would save your app data doing it that way like game scores and settings which appbrain will not do.

I am a big proponent of full root its easy and unlocks a world of potential for your phone. So why not?

Having said that z4 is a temp root used by some people to use apps that require root access like people that just want to wireless tether. Z4 is one click and goes away after you reboot your phone. Running root apps is about all you can do with it since it just roots your current rom and doesnt unlock nand or provide a custom recovery, just sayin it is an option, and is certainly an option for making titanium back ups of apps before you do a full root.

That's a good way to do it, I didn't know of z4 when I rooted my phones, but I'm also not much of an app freak, so I didn't have too many to dl/install. Also did it on my wifi network so they downloaded lickety split!

 

[evomattnc]

That's a good way to do it, I didn't know of z4 when I rooted my phones, but I'm also not much of an app freak, so I didn't have too many to dl/install. Also did it on my wifi network so they downloaded lickety split!

yeah i never used z4 either, just aware of its existence as a lot of people ask because it seems easier, we always suggest full root.

The one caveat with rooting and backing up your apps is that sometimes if unrevoked has a hiccup, usually with newer hardware to my knowledge, a reset is suggested, if you do run into this hiccup and need to do a reset then you would lose your apps, its not the normal. Some apps can interfere with rooting and thats where the reset comes in, dont know why they do but they do...you may root fine without having to reset but there is always a chance which is why we like to back up apps first...

 

[nick1313]

yeah i never used z4 either, just aware of its existence as a lot of people ask because it seems easier, we always suggest full root.

The one caveat with rooting and backing up your apps is that sometimes if unrevoked has a hiccup, usually with newer hardware to my knowledge, a reset is suggested, if you do run into this hiccup and need to do a reset then you would lose your apps, its not the normal. Some apps can interfere with rooting and thats where the reset comes in, dont know why they do but they do...you may root fine without having to reset but there is always a chance which is why we like to back up apps first...

That's good knowledge there, I actually didn't really know why reset was suggested other than it "could" cause issues if you don't. I assumed it might have to do with some custom system settings etc, which I suppose it kind of does. Anyway I did it once without factory reset and had issues, so I unrooted and re-rooted with factory reset and had no problems.

 

[OstrichSaK]

Well I don't know what video you are looking at, but if you follow the guide and just don't do the step (section 1: Prerooting) where it asks you to factory reset your phone you will be fine. Just start at Section 2 of the guide, however I would highly recommend reading over it all, if you haven't.

MikFroyo hands down will give you everything your little heart could desire and probably much, much more. Trust me when I tell you this, you will save yourself much more time in the long run if you just factory reset and flash a custom ROM with all the settings you like from the get go. Just my 2 cents though, I'll say it again to each their own. That's the beauty of our phones, so many options. Here's the link to MikFroyo and the link to his thread on xda is here.

Enjoy and if you have any other questions along the way feel free to post, many here willing to help. Also if you haven't read the OP, be sure to read it.

Sorry, I meant I was looking at this video:

YouTube - How to root the HTC Evo on Android 2.2 using Unrevoked 3.2.1 (Better Quality)

I did read the how to on page one but going off of this video it's much more streamlined if I'm not looking to do a custom ROM. I realize that custom ROMs have lots of settings but that's why I'm not wanting to go custom ROM at this point. Just too much extra fluff to learn and adjust at this point which I'm really not looking to invest to time in. I've had rooted phones with many, many, MANY custom ROMs so I know what they can and can't do I'm just wanting to do it at this moment. If I do I will make a Ti backup of my apps/settings, reset my device and flash a new ROM but for now... as I stated.. I'm just looking to delete a few things that are bothering me and make a few basic changes that are easily done once rooted.

 

[sellout007]

I would say just flash a different ROM, maybe. Do you have the current radio's?

You are on Mikfroyo right? I don't think it has to do with that particular ROM, but maybe more your setup. Try this, redownload and reflash the custom ROM you are on and don't do anything else to it. Just log into your accounts and let your contacts sync up and reboot. Then use your phone for a day or so without restoring any apps or making any other changes and see how that works. And if that fixes it then do one thing at a time and see if you can isolate your issue. Be sure when/if you restore apps with Titanium Backup to only restore apps, no system data.

See how that goes.

Hmmm that might be something to look into. Everytime I restore with TB I do apps + sys data.

What is included in the sys data?

 

[OstrichSaK]

Well I don't know what video you are looking at, but if you follow the guide and just don't do the step (section 1: Prerooting) where it asks you to factory reset your phone you will be fine. Just start at Section 2 of the guide, however I would highly recommend reading over it all, if you haven't.

MikFroyo hands down will give you everything your little heart could desire and probably much, much more. Trust me when I tell you this, you will save yourself much more time in the long run if you just factory reset and flash a custom ROM with all the settings you like from the get go. Just my 2 cents though, I'll say it again to each their own. That's the beauty of our phones, so many options. Here's the link to MikFroyo and the link to his thread on xda is here.

Enjoy and if you have any other questions along the way feel free to post, many here willing to help. Also if you haven't read the OP, be sure to read it.

I should note that I'm now watching videos and reading info on MikFroyo and I may go custom ROM after all. Ugh. The suggestion saved me lots of ROM research though so I may do the Z4 suggestion to backup all my apps/settings then do a wipe and clean start w/MikFroyo. Stay tuned...

 

[Baze]

I tried CryanogenMod & you're right, it did fix the problem. I want to try Mikfroyo now but I'm a little stuck.

I tried to switch to Amon Ra through Rom Manager & I keep getting an error that won't let me do it. Any suggestions on switching another way?

Do I have to use a new kernel with Mikfroyo? If so, which one (name & version) do you use/suggest?

MikFroyo gave me the same problems so I...

1. Unrooted
2. Did a factory reset
3. Still had the problem
4. Formatted the SD Card
5. Problem Solved.

I'm not able to install/update apps & it's showing apps that are on the SD card again!

It seems like that Apps2SD Patch I used caused the whole problem.

So now I'm rooted again and looking for an A2SD route to take that I can get the most benefit from.
Does anybody have any recommendations?
Darktremor?
A2SDFroyo?
Move2sd Enabler?
None?
Others?

 

[Xtremedays]

MikFroyo gave me the same problems so I...

1. Unrooted
2. Did a factory reset
3. Still had the problem
4. Formatted the SD Card
5. Problem Solved.

I'm not able to install/update apps & it's showing apps that are on the SD card again!

It seems like that Apps2SD Patch I used caused the whole problem.

So now I'm rooted again and looking for an A2SD route to take that I can get the most benefit from.
Does anybody have any recommendations?
Darktremor?
A2SDFroyo?
Move2sd Enabler?
None?
Others?

If you are running MikFroyo or one of the list of compatible roms, Dark Tremor is the way to go. 2.2 comes with Froyo apps2sd which is similar to Dark tremor except part of the app is left in the internal memory where DT runs them entirely from the SD card other than a link so the phone knows where to find the app. You will need a new sdcard though. Class 4 or better is recommended. Most of us on here have gone with Patriot 16gb class 10 cards and have had good luck with them.

Here is the link to DT: [Script][A2SD]Darktremor 2.7.5.3 Beta 04 [Evo] (01/29/2011) - xda-developers

 

[Baze]

If you are running MikFroyo or one of the list of compatible roms, Dark Tremor is the way to go. 2.2 comes with Froyo apps2sd which is similar to Dark tremor except part of the app is left in the internal memory where DT runs them entirely from the SD card other than a link so the phone knows where to find the app. You will need a new sdcard though. Class 4 or better is recommended. Most of us on here have gone with Patriot 16gb class 10 cards and have had good luck with them.

Here is the link to DT: [Script][A2SD]Darktremor 2.7.5.3 Beta 04 [Evo] (01/29/2011) - xda-developers

I'm totally clear on the fact that DT runs totally from the card & that's what I'm going for. I still have the stock 2.2 Rom. Haven't made a decision about a new Rom. I don't see the difference from MikFroyo & stock. (Maybe I need to read more on it.)
I'm using a PNY Class4 16GB Card.

So basically the questions are:
1. Is DT the app you suggest for A2SD?
2. Can I run DT with the stock 2.2Rom?
3. What Rom do you suggest? I've already tried Cryanogen & MikFroyo.

BTW...this thread is the BEST!!!! I have learned more from this thread in the last week than I did on several forums/sites/videos in months!!!

 

[nick1313]

I'm totally clear on the fact that DT runs totally from the card & that's what I'm going for. I still have the stock 2.2 Rom. Haven't made a decision about a new Rom. I don't see the difference from MikFroyo & stock. (Maybe I need to read more on it.)
I'm using a PNY Class4 16GB Card.

So basically the questions are:
1. Is DT the app you suggest for A2SD?
2. Can I run DT with the stock 2.2Rom?
3. What Rom do you suggest? I've already tried Cryanogen & MikFroyo.

BTW...this thread is the BEST!!!! I have learned more from this thread in the last week than I did on several forums/sites/videos in months!!!

The darktremor is built into MikFroyo, Mikfroyo 4.6x as it is right now is a stock odexed ROM that has many, many options of theme's/mods/tweaks/etc. Here is a guide for installing/using A2SD on MikFroyo. I suggest MikFroyo, obviously.

I ran A2SD for awhile and quite honestly, for me, wasn't that big of a benefit, but I'm not a big app guy.

 

[nick1313]

I should note that I'm now watching videos and reading info on MikFroyo and I may go custom ROM after all. Ugh. The suggestion saved me lots of ROM research though so I may do the Z4 suggestion to backup all my apps/settings then do a wipe and clean start w/MikFroyo. Stay tuned...

Good choice. I responded to you on XDA.

 

[Baze]

The darktremor is built into MikFroyo, Mikfroyo 4.6x as it is right now is a stock odexed ROM that has many, many options of theme's/mods/tweaks/etc. Here is a guide for installing/using A2SD on MikFroyo. I suggest MikFroyo, obviously.

I ran A2SD for awhile and quite honestly, for me, wasn't that big of a benefit, but I'm not a big app guy.

I know you're a MikFroyo Advocate, Nick! You're the one who suggested it when I tried it last week. Thanks again!

I was surprised to see that the look of MikFroyo is just like the stock ROM. Can you give me the "quick & dirty" on what you lose & gain by going with MikFroyo since it obviously has nothing to do with the look? Clearly one thing is Darktremor, and I believe you can cut out some bloatware, right? Anything else to lose/gain?

Also, I have a bunch of apps running from my card right now. So if I switch to MikFroyo, do I need to move all my Apps back to the card and/or uninstall them before I put on MikFroyo and re-install them AND/OR move them back to the card to move them with Darktremors? My understanding is, I have to reformat the card to create the partition before I move them so I'm assuming I have to wipe everything and start from scratch. I'm not totally against that. I just want to know the best way to handle it.

Thanks as always!!!

 

[slammer21]

this is probley a SUPER NOOB question, but after reading for a good couple of days(and yes i have rooted my phone using unrEVOked) I dont know WHAT A ROM is EXACTLY....like when i use to jailbreak my Itouches i would install new "themes" and such.....is that all a Custom ROM is??? a Theme?? like with alt wallpapers and unique apps and such?? if so how do i even know which ones for me when i look at all these different types of ROMS and they dont tell you EXACTLY what they are gonna do...im confused here

 

[Matlock]

My Poor EVO took a dive with me a few days ago.. Me and this bad-boy have been through so much.. It hurts to have to send him back to HTC.. OH WHY! OH WHY!

But.. all Dark clouds have a Silver lining.. BWUAHAHAHA..

1) Used my Insurance Coverage to get a new EVO.
2) Filied it with Asuron for $100 on Friday about 6:00 PM..
3) Went to the NHRA Drag Racing in Baytown Texas for the first time in my Life on Saturday Morning.. Got burnt to hell by the sun (will post pictures probably of the Race)..
4) Got the new EVO around 9:50 AM through FeDEx ($20 to have it on Satuday).
5) Went to Sprint, activated this Bad Boy!! Oh.. Did I mention I bought a Otterbox Defender Series Protector Case.. I wish I had gotten this a long time ago. It rocks!

Now... the main Question is.. To Root.. Or not to Root.. Hmmmm.... *Downloads unrevoked.. just in case*

 

[OstrichSaK]

this is probley a SUPER NOOB question, but after reading for a good couple of days(and yes i have rooted my phone using unrEVOked) I dont know WHAT A ROM is EXACTLY....like when i use to jailbreak my Itouches i would install new "themes" and such.....is that all a Custom ROM is??? a Theme?? like with alt wallpapers and unique apps and such?? if so how do i even know which ones for me when i look at all these different types of ROMS and they dont tell you EXACTLY what they are gonna do...im confused here

A ROM is more like the operating system of the phone. A theme is separate and is colors and icons and such to 're-skin' or change the general appearance of the phone but the functionality of the ROM remains the same. If you're new to ROMs check out the MikFroyo link posted above and do some reading through the various threads. It will give you more insight and MikFroyo v4.61 is based off of the stock ROM and feels/looks very similar. You can then install Titanium Backup and make a backup of ALL of your phone's apps, apps settings & phone settings & info. On top of that use Titanium to freeze all the apps you don't use or didn't install (bloatware) and not only will they not run but you won't even see them in the app tray anymore. Pretty cool stuff.

 

[akazabam]

My Poor EVO took a dive with me a few days ago.. Me and this bad-boy have been through so much.. It hurts to have to send him back to HTC.. OH WHY! OH WHY!

But.. all Dark clouds have a Silver lining.. BWUAHAHAHA..

1) Used my Insurance Coverage to get a new EVO.
2) Filied it with Asuron for $100 on Friday about 6:00 PM..
3) Went to the NHRA Drag Racing in Baytown Texas for the first time in my Life on Saturday Morning.. Got burnt to hell by the sun (will post pictures probably of the Race)..
4) Got the new EVO around 9:50 AM through FeDEx ($20 to have it on Satuday).
5) Went to Sprint, activated this Bad Boy!! Oh.. Did I mention I bought a Otterbox Defender Series Protector Case.. I wish I had gotten this a long time ago. It rocks!

Now... the main Question is.. To Root.. Or not to Root.. Hmmmm.... *Downloads unrevoked.. just in case*

Dang, sorry to hear that, matlock. Glad you got another one so quickly.

 

[nick1313]

I know you're a MikFroyo Advocate, Nick! You're the one who suggested it when I tried it last week. Thanks again!

I was surprised to see that the look of MikFroyo is just like the stock ROM. Can you give me the "quick & dirty" on what you lose & gain by going with MikFroyo since it obviously has nothing to do with the look? Clearly one thing is Darktremor, and I believe you can cut out some bloatware, right? Anything else to lose/gain?

Also, I have a bunch of apps running from my card right now. So if I switch to MikFroyo, do I need to move all my Apps back to the card and/or uninstall them before I put on MikFroyo and re-install them AND/OR move them back to the card to move them with Darktremors? My understanding is, I have to reformat the card to create the partition before I move them so I'm assuming I have to wipe everything and start from scratch. I'm not totally against that. I just want to know the best way to handle it.

Thanks as always!!!

Well it's only stock at first start, you can change everything about the phone/look that you want, just check out this link here I posted over in xda for all the links to different themes/mods/etc and also explaining the stock look.

Yes you will be able to get rid of all the bloatware that you don't use.

As for A2SD, honestly, I'm not well versed in that, however if you follow that guide I linked you, you should be good to go. I don't think you need to do anything when flashing, but I'm not 100% sure because I don't use it. I do know when you make a nand backup you need to be sure to backup your ext partition with it. I'm not sure what version of A2SD you use, is it DT? Again, just to be clear, I really don't know much about A2SD, I installed it when I got my 16gb class 10 card and used it for a couple of days but really didn't see much benefit in it, so I uninstalled it. You would probably be better asking in the DT thread or posting a question over at themikmik.com, those guys are a lot of help.

I think you would be best starting from scratch, just so that you get a clean start. Sorry it took so long to respond, had a busy weekend.

 

[OstrichSaK]

I'm glad I let you talk me into rooting my Evo w/MikFeoyo now. I've also rooted my wife's phone now and she's running the pink theme & I'm running the blue one. I've also successfully edited the options available in the notification power toggle bar.

Now, my next question is about Rosie's. If I pick one from the mikmik forum and install it do I need to do anything else? Will it just shift my existing icons & Widgets around to make room for the 5th row or if I do nothing will it actually be the exact same 4x4 as it is now? If I'm reading right I have to download the 4x5 Widgets to be able to take advantage to the extra row or ?? I'm still not completely sure how the Rosie thing works or how it all comes together.

 

[nick1313]

I'm glad I let you talk me into rooting my Evo w/MikFeoyo now. I've also rooted my wife's phone now and she's running the pink theme & I'm running the blue one. I've also successfully edited the options available in the notification power toggle bar.

Now, my next question is about Rosie's. If I pick one from the mikmik forum and install it do I need to do anything else? Will it just shift my existing icons & Widgets around to make room for the 5th row or if I do nothing will it actually be the exact same 4x4 as it is now? If I'm reading right I have to download the 4x5 Widgets to be able to take advantage to the extra row or ?? I'm still not completely sure how the Rosie thing works or how it all comes together.

LOL...Well I wasn't really, necessarily trying to talk you into it, but just wanted you to see the options. Happy you like it though.

The rosie, if 4x5, will give you the 4x5 workspace, and then you will have to flash the 4x5 widgets so they will match up.

However if you like the blue theme, I would highly recommend just flashing this theme instead. It comes with all that included and runs VERY smooth! When I run the blue theme that's what I use. He also made a red theme that I use.

To answer your question the Rosie basically gives you the 4x5 workspace and the 4x5 widgets resize the widgets for you. See this post here.

 

[OstrichSaK]

LOL...Well I wasn't really, necessarily trying to talk you into it, but just wanted you to see the options. Happy you like it though.

The rosie, if 4x5, will give you the 4x5 workspace, and then you will have to flash the 4x5 widgets so they will match up.

However if you like the blue theme, I would highly recommend just flashing this theme instead. It comes with all that included and runs VERY smooth! When I run the blue theme that's what I use. He also made a red theme that I use.

To answer your question the Rosie basically gives you the 4x5 workspace and the 4x5 widgets resize the widgets for you. See this post here.

I like the blue theme but I'm not sure I like that one. Also, whatever I do on my phone I want to be able to do on my wife's phone & she liikes the pink theme. So you're saying that 4x5 Widgets isn't an actual set of Widgets but something that changes the Widgets that I have? For instance I use the News & Weather 4x1 widget & a 4x1 oval widget then 2 rows of 1x1 icons & widgets. Can I still use all of these plus have one extra row?

 

[nick1313]

I like the blue theme but I'm not sure I like that one. Also, whatever I do on my phone I want to be able to do on my wife's phone & she liikes the pink theme. So you're saying that 4x5 Widgets isn't an actual set of Widgets but something that changes the Widgets that I have? For instance I use the News & Weather 4x1 widget & a 4x1 oval widget then 2 rows of 1x1 icons & widgets. Can I still use all of these plus have one extra row?

The 4x5 widgets is what changes all the sizes to the widgets that you are currently using. I think there are like 12 of them or so. We really should take this discussion over to the mikmik forums so that we don't clutter this thread with this stuff. Try out the theme I linked you. Just nand your current setup and flash it and if you don't like it just restore your nand.

 

[OstrichSaK]

The 4x5 widgets is what changes all the sizes to the widgets that you are currently using. I think there are like 12 of them or so. We really should take this discussion over to the mikmik forums so that we don't clutter this thread with this stuff. Try out the theme I linked you. Just nand your current setup and flash it and if you don't like it just restore your nand.

PM sent.

 

[Baze]

Ok first thing you need to do is flash the alternative recovery option within ROM manager so that you are using Amon Ra and not Clockwork, BTW dalvik cache in clockwork is in the advanced menu. I highly suggest you use Amon Ra though, much better recovery options.

Do you know how I can install Amon Ra besides ROM Manager? It won't let me install it that way. I don't know anything about the ADB or SDK stuff either.

BTW, I can't even download anything on the XDA site. Any suggestions so I can get the correct version (2.2) of Amon Ra?