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Root How to Root Insignia Flex

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pcdebol

Newbie
Simple root on this tablet use Bin4ry ICS root works like a champ.

First you have to get ADB up and working. Pretty easy to do.

To get ADB up and running add these lines to the latest google usb drivers included in the SDK. Modify the android_winusb.inf file. Add the lines below to the file you should be able to figure out where if you read the file. I know these lines work on 64 bit windows should also work on 32 bit windows.

;NS-13T001
%SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_16D5&PID_8005
%CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_16D5&PID_8005&MI_01

Then in your user directory. This folder may exist. C:\Users\YourUserName\.android there be a file called adb_usb.ini. Add line below to that file then ADB can see your device.
0x16D5

If .android folder does not exist in your user directory you will have to create the .android directory using either a bat file or the command line.

Here is the code to do it.
@echo off

if not EXIST %userprofile%\.android\ ( mkdir %userprofile%\.android\ )

Then you have to create adb_usb.ini in notepad. This is all it will contain.

# ANDROID 3RD PARTY USB VENDOR ID LIST -- DO NOT EDIT.
# USE 'android update adb' TO GENERATE.
# 1 USB VENDOR ID PER LINE.

0x16D5

You may have to turn off driver signing on your computer depending on OS to install driver after modding the inf file. Use google for instructions on how to do this with your version of windows.

Link to download and instructions for Bin4rys root tool.

forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1886460



Have fun takes about 3 minutes.

I created a tool to get ADB working and check it on the Flex but can't post links yet.
 
First thing I did after rooting was install root app delete and disable the 2 update apps on mine. Pretty sure that will keep it from getting an ota update that kills root.
 
Would somebody mind creating an easier method (flash a .zip file) for us that are not that tech savvy? Using the SDK makes me nervous.
 
Actually you don't have to use the SDK. It's just the tool I used to get the current Google driver.

What I posted is nothing more than instructions to customize the standard Google USB driver so the adb command can see the device. Then you can use the ICS root tool.

Here is a link to download the modded driver there is also a bat file in there to that creates the .android folder and puts in the INI file.

http://thebolins.com/InsigniaFlexUtility.zip

Personally I can't tell enough difference between ICS and JB to loose root. I have run both on my phone and ended up putting it back to ICS because of a few issues I had running JB.

I'd bet some custom ROMs will be out for this device shortly. It is to good of a device at the price point. Should be popular.
 
I downloaded your utility. I am running windows 7 64, When I try to install the driver I am getting file not found. The adb_usb file in .android contains the following:

# ANDROID 3RD PARTY USB VENDOR ID LIST -- DO NOT EDIT.
# USE 'android update adb' TO GENERATE.
# 1 USB VENDOR ID PER LINE.
0x1949
0x16D5

I made sure to reboot with f8 to disable driver signing. Wondering if you have any thoughts.

See Screen Shot of Error message while installing driver.
 

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I ended up downloading the SDK, and using sdk mgr to download the USB driver, Then replaced the the androd_winusb.inf with the one from your zip and everything installed. I then Ran the latest Bin4rys root tool and I am rooted (had to run it twice) :)

Thanks!!
 
Not sure why you couldn't get the driver installed. The current driver from the SDK is in the zip. You have to manually point to it to install it.

The .bat file only creates the adb_usb.ini and the .android folder that has to be in place for the adb executable to see the device. It doesn't install the driver. Everything is there though.

I'll try to do a write up to explain what I did it will make it easy to understand. It will also help people with other devices so they can customize the driver from the SDK to work with their device and try known exploits.
 
pcdebol said:
Simple root on this tablet use Bin4ry ICS root works like a champ.

First you have to get ADB up and working. Pretty easy to do.

To get ADB up and running add these lines to the latest google usb drivers included in the SDK. Modify the android_winusb.inf file. Add the lines below to the file you should be able to figure out where if you read the file. I know these lines work on 64 bit windows should also work on 32 bit windows.

;NS-13T001
%SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_16D5&PID_8005
%CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_16D5&PID_8005&MI_01

Then in your user directory. This folder may exist. C:\Users\YourUserName\.android there be a file called adb_usb.ini. Add line below to that file then ADB can see your device.
0x16D5

If .android folder does not exist in your user directory you will have to create the .android directory using either a bat file or the command line.

Here is the code to do it.
@echo off

if not EXIST %userprofile%\.android\ ( mkdir %userprofile%\.android\ )

Then you have to create adb_usb.ini in notepad. This is all it will contain.

# ANDROID 3RD PARTY USB VENDOR ID LIST -- DO NOT EDIT.
# USE 'android update adb' TO GENERATE.
# 1 USB VENDOR ID PER LINE.

0x16D5

You may have to turn off driver signing on your computer depending on OS to install driver after modding the inf file. Use google for instructions on how to do this with your version of windows.

Link to download and instructions for Bin4rys root tool.

forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1886460



Have fun takes about 3 minutes.

I created a tool to get ADB working and check it on the Flex but can't post links yet.
Click to expand...

Derar sir I have followed your post explicitly my PC detects the device fine and when I do the last step it reboots my flex but still no root any update
 
So frustrated, can't figure this out for the life of me. I wish this guide was more beginner-friendly, and from the date on the last post, I really doubt I'm going to get any help at all.

- Where can I access or acquire the SDK you mentioned?
- I created the .android directory, but how do I create a .ini using notepad? I just made a document in notepad and titled it adb_usb.ini, but the file is still clearly a .txt file
- Whenever I try to update the driver in device manager it just says it's already up to date
- ADB is online, but my Flex is not recognized as a device using Bin4ry's tool. (I have debugging on)
 
dinsfire said:
So frustrated, can't figure this out for the life of me. I wish this guide was more beginner-friendly, and from the date on the last post, I really doubt I'm going to get any help at all.

- Where can I access or acquire the SDK you mentioned?
- I created the .android directory, but how do I create a .ini using notepad? I just made a document in notepad and titled it adb_usb.ini, but the file is still clearly a .txt file
- Whenever I try to update the driver in device manager it just says it's already up to date
- ADB is online, but my Flex is not recognized as a device using Bin4ry's tool. (I have debugging on)
Click to expand...

You can get the sdk here: Android SDK | Android Developers

Once you have it installed run the updater to get the USB driver, then replace it with the one you downloaded above
 
Is there any way you can make a video on how to do this or give be better steps, because im having trouble doing this. Like can you make is step by step and simpilar, thank you
 
I just used the bin4ry tool to root my Venice and it was the easiest thing ever, but I STILL can't figure out how to do it to my Flex. Jesus, this is infuriating.
 
Finally got it working! For those still having trouble, REMEMBER TO TURN OFF DRIVER SIGNING ENFORCEMENT! I thought I had done it, but it turns out I didn't, and as soon as I did, everything worked like a charm!

Here's an easy guide to doing it if you can't figure it out!
The Geek Professor
 
Just got notice there is a system update, anyone take it yet? Where u able to root again? I have supersu pro wondering if ota survival mode will work.
 
I had this thing rooted and was careless and accepted the update to Jellybean. Now I can't root this for the life of me. I've tried every tool online and no success.

I'm wondering, if I do a factory reset using the button on the back, will that take me back to ICS, so I can do an OTA root-keeper and then accept the Jellybean upgrade?

Any input is appreciated.
 
Yeah, Did the same thing your hosed. I tried every single thing on the web. The only good thing is I believe I have managed to get the device into fastboot mode. I have also found steps to compile TWRP recovery for the device. Once I get some time I am going to see if I can get a custom recovery pushed to the tablet, If I can then we will be in business. I just need to make the time to take the next steps.

*reset won't revert you back, Also the software OTA root Keeper didn't work, Used Both SuperSU and Voodoo, neither of them saved root*
 
I suppose use it at your discretion.

There's nothing odd on my computer nor is there anything odd on the tablet.

I guess it depends on how bad you want your Flex rooted ;)
 
Anyone found a better method in lieu of the Chinese option? I just picked up a Flex 8 which came with JB 4.2.2 out of the box (NS-14T002)...
 
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