Root ROOTING For Dummies

[evo4gderek]

I'm thinking of rooting for the main reason of getting swype beta back on my device since the version preloaded on evo sucks!

wondering if unrevoked makes this possible?

Thanks a ton!

 

[chantilly man]

I am considering rooting my Evo, but I have a few questions.

Im considering root for a variety of reasons, mainly; terrible battery life(contemplating throwing my phone at the wall), sluggish UI, boring UI.

I want to root my phone but I am not sure about a few things.

1: if I install a custom ROM, is it necessary for me to flash a new kernel/radio etc? Or can I just use the custom Rom by itself?

2: how frequently do I need to update my Rom?

I want to root my phone with a custom Rom but i don't want any Rom that is crazy, I just want something that is better than the stock Rom. Could someone please guide me to which Rom would be best for a "basic" user?

Thanks everyone!!!!

 

[nick1313]

I'm thinking of rooting for the main reason of getting swype beta back on my device since the version preloaded on evo sucks!

wondering if unrevoked makes this possible?

Thanks a ton!

Well it's not really unrevoked that gives you a swype KB, it just roots your phone. I don't use swype but all the Custom ROMs I've used have had one and if you use MikFroyo they have some pretty sweet skinned swype keyboards here.

 

[nick1313]

I am considering rooting my Evo, but I have a few questions.

Im considering root for a variety of reasons, mainly; terrible battery life(contemplating throwing my phone at the wall), sluggish UI, boring UI.

I want to root my phone but I am not sure about a few things.

1: if I install a custom ROM, is it necessary for me to flash a new kernel/radio etc? Or can I just use the custom Rom by itself?

2: how frequently do I need to update my Rom?

I want to root my phone with a custom Rom but i don't want any Rom that is crazy, I just want something that is better than the stock Rom. Could someone please guide me to which Rom would be best for a "basic" user?

Thanks everyone!!!!

1. You don't have to flash a different kernel if you don't want to but it will improve you battery life exponentially. Most custom ROMs say you need to flash the current radios, it's not difficult to do.

2. By update, what do you mean?

If you go back one page you will see my suggestions.

 

[chantilly man]

1. You don't have to flash a different kernel if you don't want to but it will improve you battery life exponentially. Most custom ROMs say you need to flash the current radios, it's not difficult to do.

2. By update, what do you mean?

If you go back one page you will see my suggestions.

Thanks Nick,

How often do I need do I need to update the radio version?, because I'm afraid that I may not keep up with the updating. and as for updating the Rom, I meant how long will it be before a Rom would become "outdated"?

Thanks!

 

[nick1313]

Thanks Nick,

How often do I need do I need to update the radio version?, because I'm afraid that I may not keep up with the updating. and as for updating the Rom, I meant how long will it be before a Rom would become "outdated"?

Thanks!

Well I updated the radio's when I first flashed a custom ROM in January because it called for it and haven't done it since. I don't think there are any new ones out there, but I'm not sure.

I don't know that the ROMs really ever get "outdated" necessarily, unless of course there's a new OTA released (which I think will happen when the evo 3d comes out) and if that happens just go back to the place you got your custom ROM from and see if they have a newer version. Many of the ROM developers release "new" versions of their ROMs periodically, but just read the changelog and see if it's worth changing. That's one of those up to you kind of things, if you are happy with what you've got going on and don't want to update then don't worry about updating.

Personally I'm a flashaholic and flash a different ROM or add something different to my current ROM, probably once a week .

 

[Xtremedays]

I am in the same boat as far as flashing. The current version of radio is 2.15.00.11.19. There has not as yet been an update released since December I believe. I am sure they will release a new one with the 2.3.3 release likely to hit in June or so when the Evo 3d goes on sale.

 

[slammer21]

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.

Ok that helps alot but still rather confusing, it changes some things on the phone that i dont really 1. Notice or 2. Dont know what it is. BUT i did get Titanium and backed up my apps and made a "recovery Flash" with Clockwork so this might be fun after all

 

[ocnbrze]

mikfroyo 4.61 is kind of an interesting idea. there is two versions of it. there is an and a de-odexed version. odexed versions are just packed together differently to save space so that there is more internal space for things like apps and memory. most of the roms out there are de-odexed. they are packed so that theming is easily done.

with mikfroyo 4.61 odexed yo can flash a bunch of mods that can change the look and function of the rom. i believe i remember seing on his website that you can even remove sense if you want to. here is the link theMikMik.com • View forum - v4.6x

 

[dmagicp]

Ok I have 2 questions. I currently have a Droid X that still has stock rom and is rooted. The only reason I use root is to use the wifi tether app. I also have Z4 Root installed. Now I did the long root method on my Droid X first, and I only use Z4 Root to temporarily unroot the Droid so that I can get OTA updates, then I reroot it permanently again. I am switching to the EVO 4G and would like to do the same thing. Just keep stock rom, use wifi tether, and install Z4 Root for temporary unrooting for OTA updates. My questions are: If i'm only going to use the root for wifi tethering, how far do I have to go with unrevoked? and can you use Z4 Root on an Evo? Thanks for all the help!

 

[slammer21]

Ok I have 2 questions. I currently have a Droid X that still has stock rom and is rooted. The only reason I use root is to use the wifi tether app. I also have Z4 Root installed. Now I did the long root method on my Droid X first, and I only use Z4 Root to temporarily unroot the Droid so that I can get OTA updates, then I reroot it permanently again. I am switching to the EVO 4G and would like to do the same thing. Just keep stock rom, use wifi tether, and install Z4 Root for temporary unrooting for OTA updates. My questions are: If i'm only going to use the root for wifi tethering, how far do I have to go with unrevoked? and can you use Z4 Root on an Evo? Thanks for all the help!

This is the same reason why I rooted my Evo with unrEvooked because I wanted thetether ability as well and its an easy process to take away the root and Im running stock Rom

 

[nick1313]

mikfroyo 4.61 is kind of an interesting idea. there is two versions of it. there is an and a de-odexed version. odexed versions are just packed together differently to save space so that there is more internal space for things like apps and memory. most of the roms out there are de-odexed. they are packed so that theming is easily done.

with mikfroyo 4.61 odexed yo can flash a bunch of mods that can change the look and function of the rom. i believe i remember seing on his website that you can even remove sense if you want to. here is the link theMikMik.com • View forum - v4.6x

There is only one version of 4.61 and that is odexed. Mik is no longer making de-odexed based ROMs.

 

[nick1313]

Ok I have 2 questions. I currently have a Droid X that still has stock rom and is rooted. The only reason I use root is to use the wifi tether app. I also have Z4 Root installed. Now I did the long root method on my Droid X first, and I only use Z4 Root to temporarily unroot the Droid so that I can get OTA updates, then I reroot it permanently again. I am switching to the EVO 4G and would like to do the same thing. Just keep stock rom, use wifi tether, and install Z4 Root for temporary unrooting for OTA updates. My questions are: If i'm only going to use the root for wifi tethering, how far do I have to go with unrevoked? and can you use Z4 Root on an Evo? Thanks for all the help!

This is the same reason why I rooted my Evo with unrEvooked because I wanted thetether ability as well and its an easy process to take away the root and Im running stock Rom

There is no reason to unroot your phone just to get an OTA update. Just flash a custom ROM and wait for the developer to get the OTA update and release a new version.

I have heard of people using z4 for the Evo, as a matter a fact if you go back one page you will see a post about it.

 

[nick1313]

Ok that helps alot but still rather confusing, it changes some things on the phone that i dont really 1. Notice or 2. Dont know what it is. BUT i did get Titanium and backed up my apps and made a "recovery Flash" with Clockwork so this might be fun after all

Change to Amon_RA recovery before you get too deep into flashing custom ROMs. Many of the devs will recommend that as a recovery option because it does a better job than CW.

It all depends on what Custom ROM you flash as to what it will change on your phone.

 

[Baze]

you can get amon ra 2.3 from ref#1 in my sig. first you need to rename the file. just erase the amon ra part of the name so that it is named PC36IMG. if you are using windows do not put a ".zip" to the name as windows hides extensions.

transfer the file to the root of your sd card (not in any folder)

power off then press and hold power+vol down

once in hboot (bootlaoder) it will automatically scan for it. just make sure you press vol up for yes when it asks to update.

I followed those instructions TO A TEE!!!!
...and it didn't work. It scans for the file but never finds it, I guess. I checked and it's named correctly and I didn't add .ZIP. I also have ROM Manager and tried to switch to RA from Clockwork and it says I switched, but it didn't. When I go to HBOOT, the options are FASTBOOT, RECOVERY, CLEAR STORAGE, SIMLOCK and HBOOT USB. When I go to RECOVERY, it gives the options, BOOTLOADER, REBOOT, REBOOT BOOTLOADER and POWER DOWN.

Any ideas how to get RA running?


HTC Supersonic
Rooted with Unrevoked 3
S-OFF
HBOOT 2.10.0001
RADIO 2.15.00.11.19
Android 2.2
Kernel: 2.6.32.17
Software 3.70.651.1

 

[nick1313]

I followed those instructions TO A TEE!!!!
...and it didn't work. It scans for the file but never finds it, I guess. I checked and it's named correctly and I didn't add .ZIP. I also have ROM Manager and tried to switch to RA from Clockwork and it says I switched, but it didn't. When I go to HBOOT, the options are FASTBOOT, RECOVERY, CLEAR STORAGE, SIMLOCK and HBOOT USB. When I go to RECOVERY, it gives the options, BOOTLOADER, REBOOT, REBOOT BOOTLOADER and POWER DOWN.

Any ideas how to get RA running?


HTC Supersonic
Rooted with Unrevoked 3
S-OFF
HBOOT 2.10.0001
RADIO 2.15.00.11.19
Android 2.2
Kernel: 2.6.32.17
Software 3.70.651.1

If it tells you it switched it should have...You need to go into recovery to see what recovery you have not just boot loader..so select recovery and you should see supersonic v2.3.

Did you put the file in the root of your sdcard?

 

[Baze]

If it tells you it switched it should have...You need to go into recovery to see what recovery you have not just boot loader..so select recovery and you should see supersonic v2.3.

Did you put the file in the root of your sdcard?

When I go to RECOVERY, it gives the options, BOOTLOADER, REBOOT, REBOOT BOOTLOADER and POWER DOWN but still on a white page just like HBOOT.

Did you put the file in the root of your sdcard?

Yes, and it's named correctly.

 

[nick1313]

When I go to RECOVERY, it gives the options, BOOTLOADER, REBOOT, REBOOT BOOTLOADER and POWER DOWN but still on a white page just like HBOOT.

Yes, and it's named correctly.

Well you aren't in recovery yet. You are in bootloader.

Ok, try this, go back to Rom manager and select flash clockwork recovery at the top. Once that completes close Rom manager and open it back up and scroll to bottom and select flash alternative recovery. Once that is done, boot back to bootloader and select the recovery option. It should say supersonic v 2.3. You do have s-off right?

 

[nick1313]

When I go to RECOVERY, it gives the options, BOOTLOADER, REBOOT, REBOOT BOOTLOADER and POWER DOWN but still on a white page just like HBOOT.





Yes, and it's named correctly.

Hold on. Does it have the .zip at the end? It needs it there. He was just saying don't add it again because Windows will sometimes hide the ext of known file types.

 

[Baze]

Hold on. Does it have the .zip at the end? It needs it there. He was just saying don't add it again because Windows will sometimes hide the ext of known file types.

ok, I flashed Clockwork, went into bootloader, went to recovery and NOTHING!!!
It keeps sending me to the FASTBOOT page with the options, BOOTLOADER, REBOOT, REBOOT BOOTLOADER and POWER DOWN showing on the screen.

Now I'm concerned. Why would it not even take me into Clockwork Mod?

 

[evomattnc]

You were rooting? Sometimes unrevoked won't give you a recovery it stops 2/3 through. Or you lost recovery, it happens. Just get a recovery zip and name it PC36IMG and go to hboot and itwill flash it. If it doesn't you have it named wrong, in the wrong place, or don't have s off. Try toggling zip, if you had it remove it, if you didn't, add it, and for good measure use all caps.

You do have s off right?

 

[Baze]

You were rooting? Sometimes unrevoked won't give you a recovery it stops 2/3 through. Or you lost recovery, it happens. Just get a recovery zip and name it PC36IMG and go to hboot and itwill flash it. If it doesn't you have it named wrong, in the wrong place, or don't have s off. Try toggling zip, if you had it remove it, if you didn't, add it, and for good measure use all caps.

You do have s off right?

I must have lost recovery. I do have S-OFF, and I've been able to get into recovery and back up twice since I rooted but now I can't even get into recovery.
I even tried changing to ClockworkMOD 3.0.0.5 in ROM Manager and tried to reboot to recovery through RM and it still took me to the FASTBOOT menu.

I have the zip. I named it correctly in all caps. I go to HBOOT and something quickly pops up about PC36IMG (too fast to read) but it never asks me about it AND, it doesn't even go to Clockwork. In fact, when I select RECOVERY in the HBOOT menu, it takes me to the FASTBOOT screen. When I select FASTBOOT, it does the same thing. I think I have lost recovery.

What do you mean when you say toggling zip?

What do you suggest? Do I need to unroot and do it again? Is there another option?

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

 

[ocnbrze]

when you into hboot, it automatically programmed to scan for the PC36IMG file. if it does not see it then something is wrong. either it is not named correctly, in the wrong spot, or it could be a bad download. so try this re-download another recovery file, rename it, and put onto the root (not in any folder, just the top level of the sd card) and try again.

 

[nick1313]

I'm pretty sure you need to have the .zip at the end of it, so make sure you have that.


EDIT:
Have you followed the guide here?

 

[Baze]

I've tried all of that. Rename, download new copy, through ROM Mgr., through HBOOT, etc.

I can't get into recovery AT ALL.
I can't flash ANYTHING.
I can't try a new ROM or anything.
I'm sure the problem is I lost recovery.

So now the question is, to start from scratch to try to get this right & a clean version, should I just run Unrevoked again or do I need to UNROOT before I run Unrevoked again?