• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Root [Merit] Complete ZTE Merit Guide: Root, Flash Recovery and Install New ROM (with links)

my phone says USB storage in use but there's no dropdown menu like the instructions say there should be

edit: am I supposed to take the sd card out of my phone? if i am I don't have an adapter for it
 
Probably can't do it while sdk tools has the link. Close it & close cmd then power cycle the phone then try it.

Edited to add. Is it talking about the notification bar as the drop down menu. You can pull it down, tap on it, then turn on mass storage.
 
That is the menu in question. After the Android on your phone turns orange, go to your computer and copy the .img to the window that comes up.
 
On the Merit it says turn on mass storage.

If your PC doesn't pop up a window along you what to do then open My Computer then pick the correct drive.
 
Okay but when I click on the right drive (which is the F drive) there isn't a folder that comes up with the sd card in it or anything

Edit: I think I deleted an application on accident because when I try to open my camera it says "Sorry! the application Camera (process com.android.camera) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again.) and when I try again it still says the same message, is there any way to get it to work or do I just factory reset my phone?
 
When open F: what do you see? you may be looking at the SD card. If it only has a auto.exe file then it is the wrong drive & you need to load divers. If you see 5 or more folders like Android & Lost Dir then your probably looking at the SD card.

I'd your going to replace your Rom with the one.three Room it will have a camera app. I'm thinking of buying another phone but that will probably be down the road a month or so but I'm going to make a backup of the sick stock Rom & could get you a copy.
 
Right when I open it I see the Autoplay screen pop-up, then I go into the F: drive and these are the folders that come up, So I guess I'm looking at the sd card and just not being told what it is, and do I just copy the Recovery.img file (or folder) that I downloaded in the beginning to a certain folder? and then I get an adb shell and it gets sent to my phone?

photostream
 
Do I copy the zipped folder over or just the recovery.img file?

Edit: when I try the "flash_image recovery /sdcard/Recovery.img" it says error opening no such file or directory?
 
This guide worked for me. However I would like to clear a few things up for those that may have run into the same issues I did.

Operating System Performed on:

Lubuntu 12.04

First I installed the Android SDK.

Than navigate to the dir in terminal.

Some may have had this issue. In linux, you can't just type in adb shell.

Proper command: ./adb shell

./ tells the shell to execute.


For those that were having issues if you are using linux do your commands like this:

./adb reboot
./adb push su /system/xbin/su
./adb remount
.etc

So when the command is "adb (insert here) do ./adb (insert here)


Also another bit of clarifying you must be in the dir platform-tools/ for adb commands to work.

AND su file MUST be in the platform-tools/ dir to be pushed, putting it in the tools dir, will NOT work. At least in my case.


Hope this helped to save others from frustration. Other than that, this was a great guide, made rooting my phone very easy.

I did however forget to make a backup of my stock rom, if anyone has one, would be so kind to please upload it to sendspace.org, or elsewhere and link it here? Or PM me it please? Thanks.
 
Here is the OP's guide with the format fixes for linux operating systems :

EDIT: Someone's post made something that should've been obvious to me dawn on me: Make sure to enable USB debugging on your phone by going to Settings--->Applications--->Development. Also, you *may* have to change directory (cd) in command prompt if you have never used adb commands, after you have it seems at least for me you never have to do it again. Also, on step 14 I mistakenly say "reboot recovery" and while it won't harm anything, it isn't necessary to type/paste "recovery". Also, someone mentioned to me that they had to type "adb reboot recovery" after pasting the "...echo" command (step 13). Though you can try that if you have a problem, I really don't see how it worked since when you are in the adb shell (# in front instead of C:/... directory) it doesn't recognize "adb" as a valid command anyway.

**If you just need the commands and don't want to read thru the guide: Continue to scroll down, making sure to download the necessary files, to the button that says "show" for all of the commands you use, in order.**

Password for ROM: one.three
Attachment 34568 Superuser
Attachment 34569 Recovery
Attachment 34571 Su
ROM





BTW, for those people who say to go to mounts/unmounts and format system or wipe data/etc...I did NOT do that. Doing that screwed some things up for me personally, I don't actually suggest it. But go right ahead if you don't trust me, since I'm new.

I understand that these directions are already on this board in some form, but I've "consolidated" them, re-written them and have tried to simplify and explain better to the reader what is going on to help them learn what they are doing as well (give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day...that sort of idea) Two of the three files I mention are attached (superuser apk and Recovery.img). The ROM link is here and the password is one.three: one.three.zip

I'm attempting to give proper credit here from two of the places I consulted for my root. Otherwise I've used bits and pieces of knowledge/commands collected doing research on this phone and Android OS.

http://androidforums.com/avail-all-things-root/566407-root-zte-z990g- merit-avail-variant.html , [ROM] one.three [kernel1.0 included plus video fix] (update Apr 12)

First, I have directions for rooting. Next is how to flash the recovery. Finally, how to install a new (better) rom that is att, NOT straight talk.

TO ROOT

1. Make sure you have adb tools installed. Connect your phone and have it powered on, do not have usb storage turned on. It may be best to restart your phone completely and start fresh. Also, download the following files and unzip, placing somewhere you can keep up with them. Place the file called "su" into your adb "Tools" folder. I believe it is usually somewhere like: program files/android/android-sdk/tools
Attachment 34568
Attachment 34569
Attachment 34571

2. Open a command prompt box

[put Android SDK to your home folder]

3. To initialize everything open a terminal, type
cd android-sdk-linux/
cd platform-tools
./adb shell
press "enter"

4. You should get a dollar sign.

5. Now, you need to make two folders by copy and pasting these commands: (don't type what is in parantheses!)
mkdir /data/local/logs
(press enter)
mkdir /data/local/logs/kernel
(press enter)
*Note, if these directories already exist, it's not the end of the world. I failed the first go round due to a misunderstanding of the directions and had to do it over and got "file already exists". You can still try to do this without factory resetting. If you need to factory reset this phone, I unfortunately can't find a way to send this phone to recovery mode (which is where I *believe* factory reset is) without first rooting and then gaining root access in command prompt and typing restart recovery)

6. Paste this command and press enter. This next copy and paste command will cause a dialog box to open in on your phone's screen. If you don't see it after pasting this command, press the on button and swipe to unlock. After doing this, tap the first button that says "enable".
am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.zte.emode/.logset
press "enter"

7. Paste this command and press enter, this doesn't change anything, it just lists the filename if the file exists, if it doesn't exist it will say "file doesn't exist" and if it says that, wait a minute. It may not be created instantly.

ls -l /data/local/logs/kernel/log_kernel.txt
press "enter"

8. Paste this command and press enter (it just removes log_kernel.txt, that's all)

rm /data/local/logs/kernel/log_kernel.txt
press "enter"

9. Paste this command and press enter, it creates a symlink. If it gives you an error message, that means this all has been done before. It may say "already linked" or something similar if you've already done this and are starting over.

ln -s /data/local.prop /data/local/logs/kernel/log_kernel.txt
press "enter"

10. Paste this command and press enter. I believe that this "properties" file is created when you tap "enable" on step 6, but I'm not sure. And it may not be created instantaneously. Keep pasting and entering:

ls -l /data/local.prop
press "enter"

until you see that it no longer says "file not found" and you see that the file has been created.

11. Now, press the phone's power button again and slide the unlock button. Tap the 2nd gray button that says "disable."

12. Paste this command and press enter.

echo 'ro.kernel.qemu=1' > /data/local.prop
press "enter"


13. Paste this command and press enter

reboot
press "enter"
After it reboots, once again type adb shell into the command prompt and press enter. Then enter the following commands (copy and paste is your best bet)


14. The following commands will install "su" file:
./adb remount
press "enter"
./adb push su /system/xbin/su
press "enter"
./adb shell chown 0.0 /system/xbin/su
press "enter"
./adb shell chmod 06755 /system/xbin/su
press "enter"

15. These two commands will clean up un-needed files (rm means "remove")

./adb shell rm /data/local.prop
press "enter"
./adb shell rm -r /data/local/logs
press "enter"

16. Reboot your phone by either typing "reboot" or if that doesn't work "adb reboot". You can always manually reboot. When your phone starts back up, just go to play store and download superuser or download the apk from filestube if you want.

------------------------------------

TO FLASH RECOVERY

You must be rooted for this. I am including this because the flash recoveries that came with the clockworkmod apk (rom manager), at least the one's I tried, did not work with the merit. And the recovery that comes with the merit has absolutely no options and sucks to use! If you want to flash the version of clockworkmod into your phone, just put the Recovery.img into the root (copy the Recovery.img file to your clipboard, select copy files to/from computer from slide-down menu on phone, wait for computer to give you the option to "open folder to view files" and instead of navigating to any folder on the sd card, just paste the Recovery.img straight onto the card.) Then, open your command prompt and paste these commands:

./adb shell
press "enter"
su
press "enter"
flash_image recovery /sdcard/Recovery.img
press "enter"
reboot recovery
press "enter"

Now your phone should reboot into recovery mode.

------------------------------------

TO INSTALL NEW ROM

If you want a really cool version of gingerbread (or I think it is) on your stock Straight Talk ZTE Merit (with the bottom scrolling thing, ability to overclock with overclock program included, and of course get rid of that tracfone startup screen and music and replace with a much more appealing and silent att android splash/startup...put the file named "one.three.zip" on the root of your sd card (same way you did the Recovery.img).

Next, open up command prompt and type

./adb shell
press "enter"
reboot recovery
press "enter"

It should reboot into recovery, use side buttons to navigate to "install zip" and then choose zip to install and navigate to the option to install one.three. It will take around 5-10 minutes to do this. After it's done, it will tell you it's successful and you will be able to scroll up and down the menu with the navigation keys on the side of the phone. Just press the back arrow key, navigate to "restart" and the phone should restart with ZTE star logo then switch to the AT&T think possible logo and then an animated "Android" logo. It may stay here up to ten minutes during the first boot.

You're good to go, enjoy exploring!
Click to expand...

Again place the su file into the platform-tools/ dir NOT tools/

Hope this helps somebody
 
I went to copy the image but when I paste it and open a command prompt into won't let me flash the image and nothing shows up on my phone to copy it over or anything
 
I'm confused about what you are saying. Did you turn on mass storage & paste it in the F: window? Then turn off mass storage & go back to the SDK tools to run the commands in cmd?
 
DarkStar6697 said:
Here is the OP's guide with the format fixes for linux operating systems :



Again place the su file into the platform-tools/ dir NOT tools/

Hope this helps somebody
Click to expand...

Ya know, if you install the SDK to /usr/local/ you don't need to cd to tge directory. I run Peppermint 3 (Ubuntu 11 based) and can run adb through any user folder, and probably some root folders.

For example, I'm currently working on rewriting smali code (java). My terminal header "anthony@anthony-ACER ~/apktool $" is what I start with in the terminal. All I need to type is "adb push framework.jar /system/framework/" to push the new jar into the system.

My .bashrc only refers to ~/bin, which has my rle and boot.img tools.
 
Motorhead1991 said:
Ya know, if you install the SDK to /usr/local/ you don't need to cd to tge directory. I run Peppermint 3 (Ubuntu 11 based) and can run adb through any user folder, and probably some root folders.

For example, I'm currently working on rewriting smali code (java). My terminal header "anthony@anthony-ACER ~/apktool $" is what I start with in the terminal. All I need to type is "adb push framework.jar /system/framework/" to push the new jar into the system.

My .bashrc only refers to ~/bin, which has my rle and boot.img tools.
Click to expand...

I see what you mean, but I put the Android SDK here: /home/nerd/android-sdk-linux

That is where I like to have common dir's. Since I am not a developer I don't neccesarily need it available in every terminal location :P

Also, I use guake terminal. Irrelevant, but if you use a terminal frequently it's much easier to access it with F12 to pull it down.

You wouldn't happen to have the stock ROM by chance would you?
 
kingmt said:
I'm confused about what you are saying. Did you turn on mass storage & paste it in the F: window? Then turn off mass storage & go back to the SDK tools to run the commands in cmd?
Click to expand...

Okay I got it that time, I misunderstood your directions. Now the next step to be done on my phone is what? On the screen it shows up the wipe cache option so I did that now I'm backingup then rebooting, is that correct?
 
I wiped the cache partition & then went to advance/wipe Dalvik cache.

I suggest you do a backup at this point. Maybe stay with the stock ROM for a few days & see how you like it rooted before switching to the one.three ROM.

To backup with CWM go to Backup and Restore/Backup. Then go back to your PC and copy the file from your SD card just in case. I would like to have a copy if your willing to share since I didn't do this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom