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Root First time trying to root..

dwh2o13

dwh2o13

Newbie
I have recently updated the OTA JB 4.1.2 version 98.72.16XT912 and I'm really thinking hard about rooting my razr maxx for the first time. I found this video that looks good to me, but I want to make sure I don't do anything wrong:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDV_72mPt4k

The video is by: TOMsgt123... Like his video...Can someone please tell me how I can double check to make sure I have the latest drivers installed properly on my phone? Also, this video seems to be showing how to root for the version of JB leaked on Dec 24. Is the most recent OTA update the same, and if not will that require something different to root?

Any help will be much appreciated... I'm very new to this and would rather not screw things up.. Thanks very much
 
Razr Blade worked for me. It wasnt hard at all. A little weird but not hard. If you can follow directions you wont have a problem.

Like Grey said you just have to do your research. I fell into that trap door by not reading enough. I read up on everything. We not quite enough and soft bricked it. Had to wait a few days but I she sprung back to life. All the info is there just have to read and comprehend it.
 
if you can't get RazrBlade to work, and i've heard that some people have troubles, you can use DROID RAZR Utility 1.90 -- Windows + Mac + Linux (All In One!) - DroidRzr.com. it has the drivers you need, along with the "guaranteed to work*" xmas JB leak and the root method.

it's fairly dummy-proof, assuming you can follow step-by-step instructions. it wipes all your data. by wipes all your data, i don't mean it's a FDR. i mean it's a complete reinstall of the operating system. i'd also suggest using a spare microSD card, just in case - you need to throw some files on it. i'd go ON to suggest that once you're done, and you're up to date with the updates, that you do a FDR on the new OS to get rid of any residual files. then go get yourself some safestrap, it's on the same site, over in the Hashcode's Corner subforum.

*this in no way implies that the root method is guaranteed to work or that anyone other than you yourself is responsible for your phone shenanigans.

in summary:
1) get Matt's Utility 1.90
2) use a spare SD card for it, just in case
3) FDR once you're done and before you start doing apps or setup.
4) install SafeStrap recovery - it's in Hashcode's Corner on that same site
5) start enjoying the benefits of rootedness.
 
Ssith said:
if you can't get RazrBlade to work, and i've heard that some people have troubles, you can use DROID RAZR Utility 1.90 -- Windows + Mac + Linux (All In One!) - DroidRzr.com. it has the drivers you need, along with the "guaranteed to work*" xmas JB leak and the root method.

it's fairly dummy-proof, assuming you can follow step-by-step instructions. it wipes all your data. by wipes all your data, i don't mean it's a FDR. i mean it's a complete reinstall of the operating system. i'd also suggest using a spare microSD card, just in case - you need to throw some files on it. i'd go ON to suggest that once you're done, and you're up to date with the updates, that you do a FDR on the new OS to get rid of any residual files. then go get yourself some safestrap, it's on the same site, over in the Hashcode's Corner subforum.

*this in no way implies that the root method is guaranteed to work or that anyone other than you yourself is responsible for your phone shenanigans.

in summary:
1) get Matt's Utility 1.90
2) use a spare SD card for it, just in case
3) FDR once you're done and before you start doing apps or setup.
4) install SafeStrap recovery - it's in Hashcode's Corner on that same site
5) start enjoying the benefits of rootedness.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting these instructions...very helpful...as I am going to root a Razr tomorrow.

What do you mean by FDR? Factory Default Reset?
 
Factory Data Reset. but yeah, same thing. it won't wipe out the superuser app, so you won't have to re-root after the data reset.
 
the drivers are included in the link i posted earlier.

instructions from the link:


- Windows Instructions
  • Extract .zip to its own folder on the Desktop.
  • Install the required drivers. The folder with the drivers is called "Drivers [WINDOWS ONLY]" and is included in the Utility folder.
  • Anything in the folder "MOVE_TO_EXTERNAL_SDCARD" should be moved to the external sd-card. If you do not have one, get one. I mean, one came with your phone...C'mon!
  • Double click the ".bat" file. This will be called "WindowsUtility.bat" the image is just for reference.
 
I tried the razr blade utility and it failed. I'm pretty sure it's because I did not have the drivers set up correctly. Two questions: 1. I just got the OTA update for JB a month or so ago. Just want to make sure Razr Blade works with that update? 2. Guessing i need to go to the link above for the drivers.. My phone is working, but is there a problem tying to run the utility again once I try to get the drivers installed correctly?

I actually had installed the drivers from the link provided by Grey 1001 before I tried Razr Blade, so I'm not sure what went wrong.. One thing I was never able to do is enable android debugging; I couldn't get that option to appear under developer options. I only had USB debugging checked...I don't think I ever got into the ADB interface
 
darkcyber said:
I used the RazrBlade method...super, super easy. :)
Click to expand...


Hey, I'm curious. Did you have the Christmas leak or the official OTA of JB.. Also, did you have to check android debugging as well as USB debugging under Developer Options when setting up drivers? I can't seem to get that option??? Also, when running RazrBlade how long did it take? Did some parts stretch out fairly long?
 
OK.... I came here to ask basically the same questions as the OP.

I also never got the December early build of 4.1.2 and only recently received the "official" 4.1.2 update and found that I needed to root for various reasons (mostly a broken power button)... anyway...

After trying the Razr_Blade suggestion from another thread and having it fail on two tries (even after trying the latest USB drivers here: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/88481 ) I found this thread and viewed the YouTube and then I put two and two together, lol.


YES, Razr_Blade works on the recent OTA (official 4.1.2) update that was released around late March 2013. (that's what I just rooted :D)

What's not mentioned in the program directions for Razr_Blade is that you must not only ENABLE USB debugging (did that correctly)... but you must also DISABLE USB mass storage ((this was my issue))

To do this on the the new 4.1.2... once the USB is connected, pull down the notifications and select the "connected as a mass storage".. once in the menu you should be able to change it either "media device (MTP)" or "camera (PTP)". I selected "camera" and then ran Razr_Blade and it it worked perfectly. ;)

So to make it simple..
1) download Razr_Blade and extract the files = http://vulnfactory.org/public/razr_blade.zip
2) download latest USB Drivers and install = https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/88481
3) connect phone via USB
4) On your phone go to "Settings > Developer Options > enable USB Debugging"
5) On your phone now pull down the notification tray and ensure that Mass Storage is NOT selected under the "connected as" options
6) With phone still connected via USB now run the "run.bat" file in the Razr_Blade folder and follow the directions the program provides....
7) Profit??
8) Enjoy Root.


Hope this helps.
 
teknomedic said:
OK.... I came here to ask basically the same questions as the OP.

I also never got the December early build of 4.1.2 and only recently received the "official" 4.1.2 update and found that I needed to root for various reasons (mostly a broken power button)... anyway...

After trying the Razr_Blade suggestion from another thread and having it fail on two tries (even after trying the latest USB drivers here: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/88481 ) I found this thread and viewed the YouTube and then I put two and two together, lol.


YES, Razr_Blade works on the recent OTA (official 4.1.2) update that was released around late March 2013. (that's what I just rooted :D)

What's not mentioned in the program directions for Razr_Blade is that you must not only ENABLE USB debugging (did that correctly)... but you must also DISABLE USB mass storage ((this was my issue))

To do this on the the new 4.1.2... once the USB is connected, pull down the notifications and select the "connected as a mass storage".. once in the menu you should be able to change it either "media device (MTP)" or "camera (PTP)". I selected "camera" and then ran Razr_Blade and it it worked perfectly. ;)

So to make it simple..
1) download Razr_Blade and extract the files = http://vulnfactory.org/public/razr_blade.zip
2) download latest USB Drivers and install = https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/88481
3) connect phone via USB
4) On your phone go to "Settings > Developer Options > enable USB Debugging"
5) On your phone now pull down the notification tray and ensure that Mass Storage is NOT selected under the "connected as" options
6) With phone still connected via USB now run the "run.bat" file in the Razr_Blade folder and follow the directions the program provides....
7) Profit??
8) Enjoy Root.


Hope this helps.[/QUOTE

When installing drivers, did you also have to enable Android Debugging as well as USB under developer options...Before I try RazrBlade again, and I'm assuming it's okay to do that without any problems, I just want to make certain I have the necessary drivers installed properly. In the driver installation support video it suggested the ADB interface and drivers are different....just a bit confused by that video because after installing the latest drivers from Motorola I don't get the option for enabling android debugging under developer options; just USB debugging..

Anyway thanks technomedic for your post
Click to expand...
 
you need to enable USB debugging and make sure your phone is NOT on Mass Storage mode when you plug it into the computer. it's got to be in MTP or the other one (STP?) mode. this si toggled in the notification bar when you plug your phone into the computer.

the drivers are what you're installing are on the computer that allow the computer to see the phone as a phone and not just a flash drive. they're not hardly the biggest issue people run into when rooting, why do you think it's them? you've mentioned nothing but "making sure you have the right drivers" in like 4 posts.

you don't need to go into the ADB interface at all to use the razrblade root method, why are you going into it? it's literally a "download, unzip and click" root method.

droidrzr.com said:
Instructions:

Windows-
-Download the zip file and extract.
-Connect device via USB (Make sure you have the current Moto drivers FIRST!)
-Make sure USB Debug is on
-Make sure you have Smart Actions fully installed, unfrozen and unmodified
-Make sure the phone IS NOT in mass storage mode
-Double click run.bat
Click to expand...

you might want to read more on rooting and how the process works before you actually do it.
 
Ssith: don't mean to offend anyone here, I appreciate the help.. I simply did everything that has been suggested and yes, did do quite a bit of reading even though I am certainly new to rooting. I did have the phone in MTP mode when running razrblade and it failed. So something went wrong..I just thought it might have something to do with drivers on my computer since non of the files that should have been pushed in the utility seemed to go through.. That's the reason I was asking..Again, I appreciate your help and patience.. Hope you're not to inconvenienced..
 
In one of the million posts :p, one person cleared the cache in their smart actions app, and then it worked for them, good luck.
 
Grey1001 said:
In one of the million posts :p, one person cleared the cache in their smart actions app, and then it worked for them, good luck.
Click to expand...
I cleared the data on smart actions to start it over fresh, that is how it showed in the utube vid I watched, and it worked perfectly!
 
Android Debugging?.... I never saw the option or changed it so I assume I don't even have it enabled. ((not even sure where the option is TBH))

I only ensured that USB debugging was enabled and that I disable mass storage as described.

I forgot about the Smart Actions though... So yes, that needs to be unfrozen and available...

What I did notice was that each time I tried the smart actions step it would rename the battery action.... ie, Try one was "Battery", try two was "Battery 2", try three was "battery 3" etc.

I didn't clear my smart actions cache, but what I did do was to delete the previous battery action created and then I renamed the new battery action back to just "battery" (no numbers). ((also note that I can't remember the real name of the action that Razr_Blade tells you to use, but the point is to remove any extra numbers at the end))

Also... I never used my smart actions before now so clearing the cache or settings of the program might be needed if you've used it before???? I really can't speak to more than that since I'm not sure how the hack works by using the smart actions.
 
dwh2o13 said:
Ssith: don't mean to offend anyone here, I appreciate the help.. I simply did everything that has been suggested and yes, did do quite a bit of reading even though I am certainly new to rooting. I did have the phone in MTP mode when running razrblade and it failed. So something went wrong..I just thought it might have something to do with drivers on my computer since non of the files that should have been pushed in the utility seemed to go through.. That's the reason I was asking..Again, I appreciate your help and patience.. Hope you're not to inconvenienced..
Click to expand...

nah man, it's fine. just making sure you're asking the right questions and not ones that, while they may be informative, will lead you to believe that something much larger is wrong with your phone. as they say, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing =)

as posted, check smart actions. it's a thing that a lot of people don't find a lot of use for so they'll disable it, or they'll try a few things with it and then it doesn't fit their needs so they'll forget about it. it basically needs to be clean and untouched for the exploit to work. except for the power saver thing, i forget the exact name, but the rooting tool tells you what it is.

if you're still looking for the drivers and you want to be absolutely sure, i KNOW the ones that come included with DROID RAZR Utility 1.90 -- Windows + Mac + Linux (All In One!) - DroidRzr.com work, as they're the ones i used to root my own phone. you don't have to use the rest of it, you can just make use of the drivers. and, if all else fails you can always just use it to root. you lose data, but if you're frustrated enough that data loss is less important than getting it rooted (i've been there), it's got those files as well.
 
dwh2o13 said:
Hey, I'm curious. Did you have the Christmas leak or the official OTA of JB.. Also, did you have to check android debugging as well as USB debugging under Developer Options when setting up drivers? I can't seem to get that option??? Also, when running RazrBlade how long did it take? Did some parts stretch out fairly long?
Click to expand...

The phone I just rooted was on the latest OTA JB release. I used this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDV_72mPt4k and made sure the release numbers and stuff matched up...for the XT912 and JB 4.1.2. I believe the video link is the same as in the op.

1. I rooted it.
2. Installed SafeStrap
3. Installed a couple of custom ROMS and left the stock rom in case he needed to use it.
 
darkcyber: Just want to make sure I get the correct version of SafeStrap. Is this the file name for what you would recomment? Safestrap-RAZR-D4-BIO-3.11.apk
 
Ssith said:
use the link in this post. it's the official blog of the guy who wrote the app.
http://androidforums.com/razr-razr-...ou-make-nandroid-backup-razr.html#post5710401

edit add: i assume that means you got through the root ok? good job =)
Click to expand...


Thanks, been busy. But yes, I did get root access. Cleared data on smart actions and that seemed to do the trick. Thanks for the link for safestrap. That's going to be my next step. Is it best to download that directly from the phone and install, then do a back up first thing?

Oh, and one last question? After safestrap and backup, the first firmware choice for me I think might be CyanogenMod. As I'm on 4.1.2, I assume I need a particular version. Any info you might pass on would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for all your help :)
 
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