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Root I just want to use CWM recovery!

My Photon runs Android 2.3.4 and has build number 4.5.1A-1_SUN-198_6 (from what I gather, those are the two most important bits of info). It's rooted, but locked.

Some time ago, I tried getting CWM recovery up and running using ROM Manager. I did select the "Motorola Photon 4G" entry in ROM Manager, of course, and the app did report a successful installation. However, when I tried getting into CWM recovery (from ROM Manager), I got:

Failed to boot 2
Starting RSD mode


Now, the app didn't warn me that it could not install CWM because I was locked (quite the contrary; as I mentioned, it reported success afterward). And I've found references that say I don't need to be unlocked to install and use CWM recovery. Other sources say I do need to be unlocked. I feel like this is in idiotic question, but... Do I need to unlock before installing CWM? If not, why would I get that error?

The second question assumes that I do need to unlock. I don't feel like waiting another eon for Motorola to release an official method for unlocking (though they'll probably do so 15 minutes after I do it through other means). What does flashing derpunlock.sbf actually do? My real question is Can I unlock without losing any data? I'm not lazy. I've searched and read to the point of anger. Some people say that unlocking necessitates data loss; others say just the opposite. I'm confused.
 
Yes, you have to be unlocked to install CWM. No, you will not lose data by flashing derpunlock. Note: ROM Manager's CWM does not work properly to flash roms on the photon. You can use it, however, to flash a flashable recovery such as twrp (from team win) or jokers v3 (found at jokersax.com).
 
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