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Root How to use the Bootstrapper.apk

johnlgalt

Antidisestablishmentarian
Updated 17 Sep 2011 @ 18:00 EDT

OK, first, the pre-reqs - Bootstrapper requires root.

Now that that is out of the way, here are the steps.

  1. download the bootstrapper.apk
  2. install on your phone
  3. run the app after installing
  4. You'll get a screen that looks like this:

    device-2011-09-16-032645.jpg
  5. Press the top button titled bootstrap recovery (this replaces the current recovery with the CWM-based Recovery v4.0.1.5)
  6. When you get the message that it is completed, then press the bottom button titled reboot recovery
  7. Now you're in a familiar CWM Recovery screen.
    • Use the volume up and down rocker panel to move the cursor up and down respectively, or use the menu softkey to move downand the home softkey to move up
    • use the search softkey to select items, or use the power button to select items
    • use the the back softkey to move back to the previous menu, or move the cursor to the bottom of any menu to select the go back to previous menu to go back to the previous menu

At this point I highly recommend that you make your first backup, found under backup and restore --> backup.
 
no need to - it doesn't take up very much of our 4 GB of space, and does not run unless you actually (manually) run it.

Another reason to keep it - the app is the only way to get into the bootstrapped CWM Recovery - normal methods get you a triangle --> system recovery not CWM Recovery.
 
<- Noob

So the bootstrapper's purpose is as a recovery app in case you boot loop or otherwise bust your phone?
 
Just did this and the search soft key that you said is supposed to select items insteads go back one screen. You need to use the power button to select items.
 
That's one thing that worries me. If we have to use the app to get into CWR, then what's the point of nandroid backups if we can't get to the menu without booting the system?
 
It makes the backup on you're sd card worse case you sbf our whatever its called now, then restore your backup.
And you need bootstrap and clockwork to flash just about anything.
I prefer ROM manager to backup and restore cause its let's me rename my backups to whatever took it is.
 
It makes the backup on you're sd card worse case you sbf our whatever its called now, then restore your backup.
And you need bootstrap and clockwork to flash just about anything.
I prefer ROM manager to backup and restore cause its let's me rename my backups to whatever took it is.

Can someone post a guide on how to restore a backup on a phone that is bootlooping? I don't understand how that's possible if you have to run the app to get to the recovery
 
If you Bionic is boot looping then you need to do a restore using the FXZ file and guide. This should stop the boot loop and will allow you get into your phone. Only problem is is that it is back to factory setting so you will have to root your phone again and do everything over that you did before.
 
If you Bionic is boot looping then you need to do a restore using the FXZ file and guide. This should stop the boot loop and will allow you get into your phone. Only problem is is that it is back to factory setting so you will have to root your phone again and do everything over that you did before.

Ahhhhh....I see. So essentially its lengthy and you will need a PC to do it, but its better than nothing
 
I will play dumb, if we install the bootstrap.app does rom manger work. I am coming from an OG droid and never had to deal with a bootstrap.
 
I will play dumb, if we install the bootstrap.app does rom manger work. I am coming from an OG droid and never had to deal with a bootstrap.

The Bionic is not yet included in ROM Manager. When Koush incorporates the Bionic, you will only need the Bootstrapper app the first time you access CWR (just like the DX). In other words, the two work together if you are a fan of ROM Manager.

Edit: Basically the bootstrapper app allows the device to get access to CWR.
 
I will play dumb, if we install the bootstrap.app does rom manger work. I am coming from an OG droid and never had to deal with a bootstrap.

+1 to this question.. It took me over 3 months to root my OG droid.. Alot of watching and reading..

LOL by the time i did it i had no questions to ask.

(i was a certified know it all)
 
The Bionic is not yet included in ROM Manager. When Koush incorporates the Bionic, you will only need the Bootstrapper app the first time you access CWM (just like the DX). In other words, the two work together if you are a fan of ROM Manager.

Edit: Basically the bootstrapper app allows the device to get access to CWM.


True, I went into ROM manager and the bionic isn't in there yet.
ROM manager is just my preferred method to flash its just faster and can use nighties if and when they come out.
 
To clear some things up with knowledge I have attained:

1. This bootstrapper is not for fixing bootloops. It simply allows you to get into CWR. You can make backups, but your phone needs to be able to boot in order to restore said backups.

2. In my experience on my X Rom Manager does NOT work fully on ROMS based off the stock motorola kernel. Once they get 2init working, it should work fine.

3. The primary use for Bootstrapper is that you can use CWR to flash custom roms. It is impossible to do from stock recovery.
 
The Bionic is not yet included in ROM Manager. When Koush incorporates the Bionic, you will only need the Bootstrapper app the first time you access CWM (just like the DX). In other words, the two work together if you are a fan of ROM Manager.

Edit: Basically the bootstrapper app allows the device to get access to CWM.

Im confused again. So should we wait until koush does this or will it make no difference? I'm in the same boat as a previous poster inn that I'm coming from the og Droid and the recovery system was very straight forward. Can someone clear this up for us? I understand this boot strap app lets us get to the clockwork recovery..so where does koush come in and what does he need to do for this process?
 
Im confused again. So should we wait until koush does this or will it make no difference? I'm in the same boat as a previous poster inn that I'm coming from the og Droid and the recovery system was very straight forward. Can someone clear this up for us? I understand this boot strap app lets us get to the clockwork recovery..so where does koush come in and what does he need to do for this process?

If you want to use ROM Manager to perform/manage your backups, then you will have to wait for Koush to update the app. Otherwise you can boot directly into CWR using the bootstrapper application. ROM Manager is really just an interface into CWR (and the bootstrapper application enables the interface to work with the Bionic) - you make your selections in ROM Manager, and then the device reboots and executes your selections via CWR.

Hope this explanation helps...
 
If you want to use ROM Manager to perform/manage your backups, then you will have to wait for Koush to update the app. Otherwise you can boot directly into CWR using the bootstrapper application. ROM Manager is really just an interface into CWR (and the bootstrapper application enables the interface to work with the Bionic) - you make your selections in ROM Manager, and then the device reboots and executes your selections via CWR.

Hope this explanation helps...

That makes sense! Thank you!
 
Here's the other big question: has anyone created a backup AND restorEd that backup successfully? All of this is for nothing if there is a bug with the restore process
 
I can make one right now and test, if you'd like. I'm always game for testing when I have the time lol
 
I did a backup but I don't think I want to be the first to do a restore, but I am pretty confident that it would work.
 
I can make one, and I'll then reset to factory defaults to prove it works. Might even take a video of it all :D
 
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