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Root [Verizon] Completely lost on rooting..

Z

Zealex

Member
Hello,

I am trying to root my Verizon samsung galaxy s3 but I'm rather unsuccessful.

I'm using this guide but i'm stuck on installing the ADB. I'm using the ADB guide and it's not very helpful. I went to the link provided and downloaded the SDK for windows 64 bit. It was a zip.. I then run android.bat by going into windows explorer but I don't get the screen as provided, instead I get this. I'm very confused, I'm trying to follow the guide step by step but I'm just lost. I can't get this ADP installed and it's becoming very frustrating.

Any advice? Thanks

PS I used the pre-packaged SDK package, followed the directions but when I ran command prompt with "adb devices" nothing was found, I rebooted my computer and still nothing was found..

Maybe I should try an alternative way to root my phone? I would like to root my phone to get rid of gallery and replace it with quickpic because the default gallery app is terrible. However, I still have one year manufacturer warranty on my phone and I don't want to loose that. I want to root my phone, but if I have to, restore to stock and cover up all evidence that I rooted my phone.
 
ADB is completely unneeded for rooting...its late and I'm about to fall asleep...but if someone doesn't get you on on the right track before I get back on the forums tomorrow I'll reply again...

You should start by reading the rooting guide at the top of this forum though
 
Metfanant is correct - you don't need adb. But you do need tools. In a nutshell it goes like this:

1. Download PC drivers for phone and install them.
2. Download RootDebugFS zip file, extract the files.
3. Ensure USB debugging and allowing installation of unknown sources are enabled on phone.
4. Connect phone to PC via USB cable.
5. On the PC, run RootDebugFS.bat which is in the folder to which you extracted the files in step 2. Agree to disclaimers by responding "y" to all prompts.
6. The rooting process begins. Do not unplug your phone until it completes.

That's it. This is the guide I used:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1762709
 
Glad to hear I don't need ADP because it's giving me problems and a headache! I'm unsure on rooting still, skimmed some info regarding it but I can't seem to answer my question. Can I remove all evidence of a root, in case I need to send it back to the manufacturer on warranty and if I brick my phone can I restore it back to factory settings? I had an old ipod touch 1st gen and I recall jailbreaking it.. if I "screwed" it up I could always restore it to the factory default in itunes. Rooting doesn't seem to allow that, I'm getting confused with all the kernels roms and such.

If I root will I be able to make apps use custom LED notifications? Most apps on my phone have LED but don't allow that customization option. lightflow also gave me problems.
 
Hello

I downloaded the PC drivers for my phone, downloaded RootDebugFS and enabled both unknown sources and USB debugging.. it can't root. I've ran it multiple times and it gives me different errors, what am I doing wrong? When my phone reboots it says "currently unable to download. please try again later". I'm on windows 7 64 bit, if that matters my VZW Samsung Galaxy S3 is all stock..

Rooting isn't working, any ideas?

When it tries to root it gives me an error, device not found.
 
I've merged the two different threads together to help keep all the information together. Hopefully this helps get the correct solution to the problem.

One issue that occurred to me is has the method been outdated by OTAs? Usually one of the issues updates cause is that it breaks root exploits.
 
Thanks for the reply. What does OTA stand for? Also I did update not too long ago... :/. I failed at rooting, just curious is there a chance any that some files were written on my phone that will leave any evidence that I tried to root?

Guess I'm sticking with being unrooted for a bit :/

Thanks for the help.
 
I don't think there would be any remnants. OTA stands for Over the Air, which is a shortcut for an update provided by the carrier through the internet. One way you could root, is to use odin to downgrade to an earlier firmware version, root that using the exploit, use an app called VooDoo OTA Rootkeeper to protect your root, then update back to your current version.
 
I could try that, thanks. Doesn't odin add a count to the counter? I would like to root my phone, and flash another rom and such but if I have to I'd like to be able to flash the stock rom back just in case I have to send it into the manufacturer. Basically if I have to I want to remove all evidence, know what I mean?

Greatly appreciate the help. Where could I find an earlier verison, SamMobile.com | Everything for your Samsung Mobile | SamMobile ?
 
zealex said:
I could try that, thanks. Doesn't odin add a count to the counter? I would like to root my phone, and flash another rom and such but if I have to I'd like to be able to flash the stock rom back just in case I have to send it into the manufacturer. Basically if I have to I want to remove all evidence, know what I mean?

Greatly appreciate the help. Where could I find an earlier verison, SamMobile.com | Everything for your Samsung Mobile | SamMobile ?
Click to expand...

If I recall, flashing a "factory" image doesn't touch the counter. It's only if it's a non factory image or file that it increases the counter. I'm not sure if there is a way to flash a rom and not hit the counter because in order to do so, you would need to flash a custom recovery or flash it through odin, which would trip the counter. That site would probably be a good one, just make sure that you download the correct image. You're looking for the i535 I believe. The build you're looking for is I535VRLF2. I know that's the build that my brother rooted, so that's probably the best one to use.
 
jhawkkw said:
If I recall, flashing a "factory" image doesn't touch the counter. It's only if it's a non factory image or file that it increases the counter. I'm not sure if there is a way to flash a rom and not hit the counter because in order to do so, you would need to flash a custom recovery or flash it through odin, which would trip the counter. That site would probably be a good one, just make sure that you download the correct image. You're looking for the i535 I believe. The build you're looking for is I535VRLF2. I know that's the build that my brother rooted, so that's probably the best one to use.
Click to expand...

Alright thanks I'll look for that and flash using odin. I was thinking of trying out clean rom 5.0 as well. Thanks for the help :)
 
Be careful flashing in Odin because a wrong move could leave you with a brick. Read heavily on this subject, and follow instructions exactly as told.
 
ODIN is beyond easy...just a couple mouse clicks...

Also...flashing a custom recovery or ROM DOES NOT automatically trip the flash counter...

I have a custom ROM...unlocked bootloader...custom recovery...and custom kernel and my phone reports as an official binary with a 0 flash counter...

I've flashed many different ROMs and kernels...
 
zealex said:
I feel uneasy flashing, I would like to just root my stock ICS. I don't understand why this Root Debug FS doesn't work. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1875914 says that I535VRLHE is confirmed working. I tried running Rootdebugfs as adminstartor and all it does is finish in 2 seconds and nothing happens...
Click to expand...

If you feel uneasy flashing with ODIN....then you have no business rooting...

Hate to be brutally honest like that but its really the truth...

Instead of using this root debug nonsense you could be rooted and running an official VZW build of JellyBean by now
 
Metfanant said:
If you feel uneasy flashing with ODIN....then you have no business rooting...

Hate to be brutally honest like that but its really the truth...

Instead of using this root debug nonsense you could be rooted and running an official VZW build of JellyBean by now
Click to expand...

>:o there's an official VZW build of Jellybean? I thought it was beta only.. That sounds like a good idea. I'd flash and I'll read up on it but the fact that the ADK and debug didn't work just make me nervous and I'm afraid that odin will not work as well and brick my phone..

I do want jellybean though =). Are there any roms that allow custom led editing? That's my real reason for rooting, I want to have control over my LED for any app and texting, etc.
 
zealex said:
>:o there's an official VZW build of Jellybean? I thought it was beta only.. That sounds like a good idea. I'd flash and I'll read up on it but the fact that the ADK and debug didn't work just make me nervous and I'm afraid that odin will not work as well and brick my phone..
Click to expand...

What do you mean by beta? There have been three successive VZW builds of Jelly Bean leaked thus far...

I'm currently running a ROM based on it...but have ran all three stock as well...the first one was daily driver stable..and this last one is even better...

zealex said:
I do want jellybean though =). Are there any roms that allow custom led editing? That's my real reason for rooting, I want to have control over my LED for any app and texting, etc.
Click to expand...

Don't really know how well the custom LED situation is on our phones...I know there was some issues with things like light flow...don't know if they have been reaolved
 
Metfanant said:
What do you mean by beta? There have been three successive VZW builds of Jelly Bean leaked thus far...

I'm currently running a ROM based on it...but have ran all three stock as well...the first one was daily driver stable..and this last one is even better...



Don't really know how well the custom LED situation is on our phones...I know there was some issues with things like light flow...don't know if they have been reaolved
Click to expand...

Alright, thanks. I'd like to flash Clean rom 5.0, I'm reading this and it says I have to be rooted though. Is the guide here telling that I have to flash a stock rooted rom first, and then I can flash any custom rom my heart desires?
 
zealex said:
Alright, thanks. I'd like to flash Clean rom 5.0, I'm reading this and it says I have to be rooted though. Is the guide here telling that I have to flash a stock rooted rom first, and then I can flash any custom rom my heart desires?
Click to expand...

Yes you would flash a stock rooted ROM in ODIN and then you would unlock your bootloader with an app from the market...and then you flash away
 
Alright thanks, I think I'll do this tomorrow as it's late today. I'll have to setup phone again won't I? Not that that's a big deal.. I'll post more questions if I have any.
 
It would help us help you debug if you posted what messages you're getting when RootDebugfs fails.
 
Wish I'd be able to root using the debugger.. this stock rom is taking a bit to download haha, 5+ hours. This is what I get.
vqKJG.jpg
 
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