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Root [HOW-TO] Simplified Root + Recovery + Custom ROM

I screwed up. Step six states....

6. Copy the unextracted ROM .zip that you wish to install to the /sdcard dir. Also if installing a CyanogenMod Gingerbread ROM, the unextracted gapps.zip version 20110828, also needs to be placed in the same dir to flash right after the ROM .zip.

And step 10 states....

10. Install the custom ROM.zip from sdcard and gapps.zip too if going to a CyanogenMod ROM

...but I didn't realize BACKside-IHO-VM670-05022012.zip was indeed a CyanogenMod Gingerbread ROM, so I didn't download/install gapps.zip. My phone is up and running, and I don't know what difference this file makes, but am I able to go back and do this?

Also, I noticed I don't have the Google Play store now. Is that related to the mistake I made above? If not, how do I download apps????

Much thanks.
 
Just download the Gapps.zip and flash from recovery.
Yes. The Google PlayStore is part of the Gapps (Google applications).

Note: The flash_image.bin and the recovery.img are the only things that need to be flashed from the root of the SD card.
I keep all my ROM stuff (ROM zips, kernel zips, Gapps zips, patches, fixes, themes, etc.) in one folder I named all_ROM_stuff. With the recovery I just navigate to the folder, then select whatever I want to flash.
 
Errr... I spoke too soon. There is no "Play Store", just "Market." Pre-root, whenever I did a factory reset on my phone, that would be one of the first things to update (from "Market" to "Play Store", that is). Also, when I attempt to use BacksideUpdater, it keeps telling me "The application BacksideUpdater V3.3. (process com.Backside.BacksideUpdater) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again."

My instinct tells me to go back and repeat steps 7, 9, 10, and 11. Would that be safe? Maybe breaking up the two .zip installations left some sort of gap?
 
When you click on market it should update itself to the playstore, it will ask you with a pop-up.

As for backside updater, it doesn't work anymore because the dev signed out, no more updates for this rom.
 
The Market is just the version that was in the Gapps before the updated PlayStore came out. It will update when you sign in and use it.

If it where me, I would just re-wipe and format everything but SD card after backing up all apps and their data with Titanium Backup.
Then re-flash the ROM and Gapps.

Note: The latest MiRaGe ROM is now the fastest, smoothest, most stable for the V. Been with it for a few months now and it beats the BACKside in all category's.
 
Yes, I understand the bit about Market being the predecessor to Play Store. That's what I was saying in my previous post - it just wasn't updating, nor would it download apps. But no matter - I like the sound of this MiRaGe ROM. I really have no experience with this sort of thing before yesterday, so I'll take your word for it. :) I found it here and am downloading it as I type. And since I've not yet been able to install any apps, I don't even need to worry about backing them up. I think I now how to proceed. Thanks for the info. I'll let you know how it goes.
 
You guys are badasses. Flashed the MiRaGe ROM along with Gapps, and everything is working beautifully now. Stock, this phone and all its bloatware was frustrating the hell of out me. How I love sticking it to the man. :D Much thanks.
 
WOW, this was a whole lot easier than expected. I thought my old optimus V was useless, but it might be faster than my new merc now, lol
Thanks for the tutorial!!
 
Hellooo I was wondering if anyone could help me! I've read through this whole post but didn't see anyone having this problem.

I can't get past the first step! I downloaded the GingerBreak, (V2), opened it on my phone. It's in a zip file and the zip contains GingerBreak.c, and then its I think like GingerBreakV1.c and GingerBreakV2.c (something like that) and a ReadMe. I can't get any of them to work. I can open them all and read them? If I try to run it is an .APK and install it it says it can't "parse the package" which from what I understands probably means the file is corrupt. I've tried downloading on the computer and putting it on my phone with the USB, and I've tried downloading it directly from my phone, but it does the same thing every time. And I've tried downloading it a couple times thinking maybe it didn't download completely making it a corrupt file.

I've had my phone almost 2 years so its and older model, its running 2.2.1 and its a ZV4.

If anyone could point me in the right direction that'd be great. I'm not sure if I should just keep trying to download it, or maybe the file is just old and really is corrupt, or if my phone is just soooo old and crappy it won't work lol.

Thanks guys!
 
Gingerbreak could take between 5 to 10 times before it works, keep trying!

Let it run, after 5 minutes or so if it don't work pull the battery and try again, rinse and repeat, it will work.
 
What are you using to extract the zip?
Use AndroZip from the PlayStore.

Make sure you move the Gingerbreak.apk zip to /sdcard, which is called the root of the SD card (not in any folder). Long press, then select the "extract" option.
Then tap (don't long press) to see the install option.
Once install is done select done. Then go back to the app drawer and run from there.

Note: You must have the USB debugging option in settings/applications/development checked.
This could work first try or on the tenth (just the way it's designed, but it's completely safe and will not harm phone).
If after 10 minutes the phone does not auto-reboot pull battery and try again.
On every failed attempt you must reboot phone (pulling battery/inserting battery/powering on, counts as a reboot).
This V took five attempts, my spare....less than a minute.

You must have patience. It will indeed work. Both of my phones are 2.2.1 ZV4 V's.

Edit: Ninja'd by badblue1
 
Before rooting go to the All Things Root Guide sticky. Read: How to install a flash_image; flash a recovery, ROM, or theme.
The ZenGarden recovery is now the best recovery for our phone and the latest MiRaGe ROM is the best ROM for our phone. Reboot the ROM twice before doing anything to it.

Go to CyanogenMod settings/Performance/CPU settings and choose the Interactive governor, 480MHz min, 768MHz max, and check the "set at boot" box.
This is where you will get the best performance and battery off charge times. Never change the 480MHz min setting, but you can bump the max setting up.

Note: Download the entropy_n_rngd-tool. Use the entropy.zip for the MiRaGe ROM if you choose the MiRaGe ROM.
Go to the PlayStore and download the "Check Rand Entropy Avail" app.
Check entropy value. Will probably be below 500.
Then go to recovery and flash the entropy.zip (no need to wipe anything).
After fully booted into ROM open and close a few apps, scroll back and forth between screens, then open up Check Ran Entropy Avail app. The entropy value should now have soared to near 3600 (this is a very good thing indeed).

Any Questions? Ask before doing. We here have made all the mistakes so you don't have to.
 
Where is the entropy. zip, is it the vm670 agfs kernel patch, cause i don't see entropy. zip anywhere on the first page?

Thanks.
 
Thanks bud, I've been trying to read the whole thread, but didn't get that far,that's a lot of reading!

Thanks again tli!
 
The fix didn't work for me. Entropy value below 200, Flashed the entropy tool and my value went up to over 3600.

This is why I posted what I posted. Expetience.

badblue1: Download "Check Rand Entropy Avail" from the market. If value is way below 3600 as was the case with me, then flash the appropriate zip. Look in ATR Guide/ Tweaks,
 
AndyOpie150 said:
The fix didn't work for me. Entropy value below 200, Flashed the entropy tool and my value went up to over 3600.

This is why I posted what I posted. Expetience.

badblue1: Download "Check Rand Entropy Avail" from the market. If value is way below 3600 as was the case with me, then flash the appropriate zip. Look in ATR Guide/ Tweaks,
Click to expand...

Will do Andy, Thanks guys for clearing that up.
 
Just F.Y.I. ... Entropy value is 3591 i take it that is a good thing.

Update : Still playing around with my backup of MiRaGe, turns out if i charge my phone with the car charger ( fits snuggly in charging port) no reboots, still testing some other things, but i haven't had a reboot in over a week.

Seems all is working good, if this continues, i'm going to do a fresh clean flash with the updated rom and kernel, got my fingers crossed!

Thanks guys for the helpful info!
 
I'm having a similar problem to jhpatte37, I downloaded the .zip file. I used androzip (and astro file manager when andro didn't work) to extract the files. I get the same four files jhpatte37 got, but when I click on them with either androzip or astro file manager, I do not get an install option.

Currently I have the .zip file extracted to the sdcard root folder, I have 'allow installation of non-market applications' and 'USB debugging' checked.

When I click on GingerBreakVc., GingerBreakV1.c or GingerBreakV2.c with astro file manager, I can open with androzip text reader, file editor or htmlviewer.

When I click on GingerBreakVc., GingerBreakV1.c or GingerBreakV2.c with androzip, I get a variation of the options presented when using astro file manager.

I do not get, "Then tap (don't long press) to see the install option.
Once install is done select done. Then go back to the app drawer and run from there."
 
Put it on the root of your sdcard, "not in any folder".

Read post 463 again and follow instruction.
 
teachmehow2raj said:
I'm having a similar problem to jhpatte37, I downloaded the .zip file. ...
Click to expand...

You guys are downloading the source files instead of the APK executable file that is needed for rooting version 2.2.1 of the OV. The needed GingerBreak v1.2 can be downloaded from the link in the 2nd post of that referenced XDA thread. No need to unzip...
 
tli said:
You guys are downloading the source files instead of the APK executable file that is needed for rooting version 2.2.1 of the OV. The needed GingerBreak v1.2 can be downloaded from the link in the 2nd post of that referenced XDA thread. No need to unzip...
Click to expand...


So I tried your suggestion and when I download it to my sd card and look at it on my phone, it is still a .zip file. I downloaded the v1.2.apk and also tried extracting the files, but nothing was executable.

I did just notice in your quote that it is rooting version 2.2.1 and I have 2.2.2. I thought it worked for 2.2.2, am I mistaken?


@badblue re: #472, I should have just said it was on the sd card, not in any folder.
 
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