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Root Rooted, still on very early bootloader, coverage awful, need suggestions

J

JerkyChew

Newbie
Hi all,

First, please bear with me as I'm struggling with the learning curve here and probably will ask some dumb-ass questions.

I bought the Evo 4G LTE when it first came out. Almost immediately after purchasing it, I rooted it via the instructions and batch file at HTC Evo Hacks! - Best HTC Evo 4G, Evo 3D, Evo 4G LTE Hacks. My phone is and has always been very temperamental - It reboots itself randomly (though usually at night), and the cell coverage is terrible. I've never had great Sprint coverage but where my previous phones (Evo 4G, Treo Pro, Treo 800 etc) worked somewhat ok around my house, my 4G LTE doesn't work at all. If I can actually establish a call from my house, chances are it won't last very long because I'll either be disconnected or the other party won't be able to hear a word I'm saying. I usually use Google Voice on my PC or laptop to make calls from home.

Jumping into the bootloader, I'm told that I'm running the following:
Hboot-1.12.0000
Radio-1.02.12.0427
And then in the OS I'm running:
Android 4.0.3
HTC Sense 4.0

So, here's are some assumptions - From what I understand, the ROM is more or less the OS of the device, while the NAND is similar to the BIOS. Being a computer guy, I know that the BIOS of a computer is the core foundation that everything stands on.My feeling is that perhaps a lot of my issues may have been resolved with updates to the phone, and I'm thinking the NAND is more important because it's the direct link to the hardware.

And now, my dumb questions - What's the best way to update this thing that could possibly help my coverage issues? Are my assumptions correct or would a newer version of Android play nicer with some of the core network pieces? If un-rooting and running all the OTA updates is what I have to do to actually use this thing as a phone, I'm willing to do it.
 
Welcome to the forums!! :)

OK, first off, don't use any more stuff from that other site. Bad juju. Things are regularly outdated , or just plain wrong.

Next, updating your firmware will give you newer radios. You might see better coverage with these, you may not. Either way, you'll want to update the firmware to the latest. ;)

The last piece of info we need for your phone is from the bootloader. Is your phone S-on, or S-off?

I'll assume it's S-on, with just an unlocked bootloader. If this is the case, you'll either need to update via OTA, and re-unlock your bootloader; or go for full S-off and update your firmware manually.

Here is a guide that will explain the process of updating the firmware: http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-lte-all-things-root/689274-guide-evo-4g-lte-firmware-guide.html

I highly recommend trying to get full S-off. This way your phone is able to be updated manually, and you'll be able to flash kernels, firmware updates, etc.

For obtaining full S-off follow this guide: http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-lte...g-dummies-guide-racun-babyracun-unlocked.html

I know I've thrown a lot of stuff at you, but please take your time and read the guides I linked above. Knowledge is power, and with great power comes unlocked bootloaders. :D

If you have any questions, please let us know, we're here to help. :)
 
JerkyChew said:
Hi all,

First, please bear with me as I'm struggling with the learning curve here and probably will ask some dumb-ass questions.

I bought the Evo 4G LTE when it first came out. Almost immediately after purchasing it, I rooted it via the instructions and batch file at HTC Evo Hacks! - Best HTC Evo 4G, Evo 3D, Evo 4G LTE Hacks. My phone is and has always been very temperamental - It reboots itself randomly (though usually at night), and the cell coverage is terrible. I've never had great Sprint coverage but where my previous phones (Evo 4G, Treo Pro, Treo 800 etc) worked somewhat ok around my house, my 4G LTE doesn't work at all. If I can actually establish a call from my house, chances are it won't last very long because I'll either be disconnected or the other party won't be able to hear a word I'm saying. I usually use Google Voice on my PC or laptop to make calls from home.

Jumping into the bootloader, I'm told that I'm running the following:
Hboot-1.12.0000
Radio-1.02.12.0427
And then in the OS I'm running:
Android 4.0.3
HTC Sense 4.0

So, here's are some assumptions - From what I understand, the ROM is more or less the OS of the device, while the NAND is similar to the BIOS. Being a computer guy, I know that the BIOS of a computer is the core foundation that everything stands on.My feeling is that perhaps a lot of my issues may have been resolved with updates to the phone, and I'm thinking the NAND is more important because it's the direct link to the hardware.

And now, my dumb questions - What's the best way to update this thing that could possibly help my coverage issues? Are my assumptions correct or would a newer version of Android play nicer with some of the core network pieces? If un-rooting and running all the OTA updates is what I have to do to actually use this thing as a phone, I'm willing to do it.
Click to expand...

welcome to AF!!!!!!!!!!

so like granite said be careful with that other website. now i'm not saying this to pimp our site, but rather because, i have seen members who come here from there get misinformed.

now like you said a rom is like the os of the phone, but recovery is more like bios. we use the term nandroid rather nand. a nandroid backup is a complete snapshot of your phone. it is kind of like a save point in a video game. if you mess up or if something goes wrong, you can always nandroid restore back to a previous point......just remember this...nandroid backups are your friend.

also like granite mentioned.....firmware is one way to update your phone. it comes with many things including your radios. it does not update your software which is basically your rom. you can flash any of the custom roms we have that has the ota cooked in.

here is a guide about firmware:
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-lte-all-things-root/689274-guide-evo-4g-lte-firmware-guide.html

hope this helps and keep the questions coming if you have them.
 
I will third that suggestion to stay away from that site. I've messed up my phone by using that site. You're on h-boot 1.12, which is fantastic for getting s-off. That's the easiest h-boot to get s-off. I highly recommend doing it because it makes literally everything on your phone easier. Plus it will give you true TOTAL control of your phone.
 
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the time you've taken to help me out. Granite1 is right... I'm rooted but still at S-on. (Which is confusing as all hell but now it's starting to make sense). I'll take everyone's advice and a) avoid that site and b) S-off first, after reading up on all the scary details. I'll report back soon.

Thanks!
 
JerkyChew said:
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the time you've taken to help me out. Granite1 is right... I'm rooted but still at S-on. (Which is confusing as all hell but now it's starting to make sense). I'll take everyone's advice and a) avoid that site and b) S-off first, after reading up on all the scary details. I'll report back soon.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It's really not as bad as it seems. :)

Everything we've come across so far is recoverable, and there are a few really good Linux folks around here to help.

You've got the idea, read up and get your ducks in a row first. If you don't understand something, ask away. We'll help you get there. ;)
 
Ok, so I've been reading the guide, and I would like to go the S-off and manual update route (or, "root", har har har). Since I'm on 1.12 it looks like LazyPanda would work for me. However, when I try to go to http://unlimited.io/lazypanda.htm it just redirects me to the root of unlimited.io.

Can I use DirtyRacun or BabyRacun instead of LazyPanda? And if not, how do I get ahold of LazyPanda?
 
JerkyChew said:
Ok, so I've been reading the guide, and I would like to go the S-off and manual update route (or, "root", har har har). Since I'm on 1.12 it looks like LazyPanda would work for me. However, when I try to go to http://unlimited.io/lazypanda.htm it just redirects me to the root of unlimited.io.

Can I use DirtyRacun or BabyRacun instead of LazyPanda? And if not, how do I get ahold of LazyPanda?
Click to expand...

yes you can use dirty racun. team unlimited drop support for lazypanda. basically follow dirtyracun and skip baby racun.
 
Ok, thanks to all your help, last night I achieved S-off via DirtyRacun. I had to google a couple things (Like wtf "Fast Boot" is), and more than once not running a command with sudo bit me (hangs on "waiting for device") but overall it wasn't a bad process. Luckily my DVR is MythTV on Ubuntu so I had a Linux box ready to go. :)

However, I'm a little lost again. When I go into recovery mode, I'm S-off but it no longer says **UNLOCKED**, and attempting to run Titanium Backup and SuperSU both fail because they can't get root access.

If I am to assume a few things, I think that part of the wipe and reload gave me S-off but took Root away. Is this accurate? I do plan on updating to the latest useful firmware and then grabbing a custom ROM (The HTC One with Sense 5 looks nifty), but before I do anything else I wanted to ask for input from you guys. Do I now need to go through a rooting process?

Thanks in advance, you guys are super helpful.
 
JerkyChew said:
Ok, thanks to all your help, last night I achieved S-off via DirtyRacun. I had to google a couple things (Like wtf "Fast Boot" is), and more than once not running a command with sudo bit me (hangs on "waiting for device") but overall it wasn't a bad process. Luckily my DVR is MythTV on Ubuntu so I had a Linux box ready to go. :)

However, I'm a little lost again. When I go into recovery mode, I'm S-off but it no longer says **UNLOCKED**, and attempting to run Titanium Backup and SuperSU both fail because they can't get root access.

If I am to assume a few things, I think that part of the wipe and reload gave me S-off but took Root away. Is this accurate? I do plan on updating to the latest useful firmware and then grabbing a custom ROM (The HTC One with Sense 5 looks nifty), but before I do anything else I wanted to ask for input from you guys. Do I now need to go through a rooting process?

Thanks in advance, you guys are super helpful.
Click to expand...

dirty racun is designed to alter the hboot a little so that it will not say unlocked....the key is having s-off which is what you want.

so to answer your question, no that is not accurate.....LOL

as long as you have s-off you are partly rooted. to finish the root process you need to have a custom recovery and either flash a custom rom or flash the superuser file.

did you follow the: http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-lte...g-dummies-guide-racun-babyracun-unlocked.html?
 
Yes, I followed that guide and I must be missing something. Part 1 of the guide ends at the DirtyRacun method, which I believe I've done because I'm now S-off. But then Part 2 assumes I'm rooted, which I guess I'm not. So I'm missing a step somewhere.
 
No you need part 2 to get fully rooted. So install the recovery as per the guide then finish with part 3 by flashing the su file or flash a custom rom
 
How do I get TWRP? The guide says how to use TWRP but no mention of how to actually install it. I googled it and tried booting into recovery mode but that wiped my system and now I'm at the stupid set-up-your-phone wizard again.
 
JerkyChew said:
How do I get TWRP? The guide says how to use TWRP but no mention of how to actually install it. I googled it and tried booting into recovery mode but that wiped my system and now I'm at the stupid set-up-your-phone wizard again.
Click to expand...

in step 2 of the guide it goes over how to install twrp. there is another "show" button that you click on to get the directions.

here it is if you need it....taken directly from the guide:
step 2 How to get Recovery
The next step is to get a custom recovery. The recovery is where the magic happens. It is where we can wipe the phone clean, install roms, kernels, tweaks, mods and themes. Just remember that as long as you have recovery all is not lost. It is also where we can backup the phone by making a nadroid backup (more to come on it later on) so if anything goes wrong you can always go back with your backup. Remember that nandroid backups are your friend.

so here is how you do it:
1.go to openrecovery-twrp-2.4.1.0-jewel.img to download the file.
2.move the file into the android folder you created earlier when you unlocked your bootloader.
3.on your phone you should be in the bootloader menu screen, select the fastboot option. if you are not in the bootloader menu then power off the phone and then press and hold power+vol down.
4.on your computer press and hold shift while right clicking the android folder.
5.select open command window here option (windows 7)
6.enter command:
Code: 
fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-2.4.1.0-jewel.img
7.from the bootloader menu reboot the phone.
congrats!!!!!!
Click to expand...
 
If you open the guide in the link you priovided click on the Hide tag below DirtyRacun[S-OFF]&HTCdev Unlock Methods[S-ON]


There are two methods shown, you will use
Method #1: DirtyRacun:

Click on the hide tag below that heading and you'll see
step 2 How to get Recovery

Click on the Hide tag below that heading, and you'll see what Ocn posted above. :)

You can follow that method and flash the recovery via Fastboot.

Since you're S-off you can flash files through the bootloader, but it seems the latest recovery file on TWRPs site for this is version 2.3.1. :(
 
Ok, thanks for all the help. I'm now rooted and TWRPed, and I just updated my firmware to 3.15.651.16 JellyBean OTA. Am I correct in assuming that this update brings the latest radios with it, so if there were updates that would help my connectivity issues, they'd be in this firmware? I'm still at the original ROM and may update to get all the UI goodness but what I really want to figure out first is if my Sprint coverage improves.

Also, I'm trying to find something that corresponds with that version number now that I'm booted back into the phone and so far I can't. Is that normal? The phone says I'm at Android version 4.0.4 an Software version 2.13.651.1 710RD.
 
JerkyChew said:
Ok, thanks for all the help. I'm now rooted and TWRPed, and I just updated my firmware to 3.15.651.16 JellyBean OTA. Am I correct in assuming that this update brings the latest radios with it, so if there were updates that would help my connectivity issues, they'd be in this firmware? I'm still at the original ROM and may update to get all the UI goodness but what I really want to figure out first is if my Sprint coverage improves.

Also, I'm trying to find something that corresponds with that version number now that I'm booted back into the phone and so far I can't. Is that normal? The phone says I'm at Android version 4.0.4 an Software version 2.13.651.1 710RD.
Click to expand...

Software version 2.13.651.1 is still older......you might need to see if you can upgrade again....you want 3.15.651.3 which is the latest version.....what is your baseband(radio). you can find it in the bootloader.....just report back what your bootloader says.
 
I just booted into the bootloader and it said o press vol-up to update... I figured that perhaps something had gone wrong last time so I went ahead and let it update again, but everything stayed the same as far as the versions went. I am now in the bootloader and once again it asked if I want to update, so I'm thinking that it will ask that every time it finds the zip file in the root of the sd card.

The Radio is RADIO-1.12.11.1119.
 
JerkyChew said:
I just booted into the bootloader and it said o press vol-up to update... I figured that perhaps something had gone wrong last time so I went ahead and let it update again, but everything stayed the same as far as the versions went. I am now in the bootloader and once again it asked if I want to update, so I'm thinking that it will ask that every time it finds the zip file in the root of the sd card.

The Radio is RADIO-1.12.11.1119.
Click to expand...

That is still the older radio. You want 1.12.11.1210.
 
you probably have a PJ75IMG file still on your card. if so then you need to either rename it or delete from the card. once it is gone you will not have the bootloader ask you to update anymore.

and yes like granite here mentions you need to accept one more ota to be up to date.
 
Thanks, I'll check the root of the card and try again. What do you mean by "Accept one more OTA"? I thought accepting an OTA update with a rooted phone was bad?
 
Ok, I have to be doing something wrong. I just tried upgrading the firmware again via the following process:

1) Downloaded PJ75IMG_Jewel_3.15.651.16_Firmware.zip from the link at this page
2) Renamed the file to PJ75IMG.zip and copied it to the root of my sd card
3) Booted into the bootloader, which is DirtyRacun, HBOOT-1.19.2222 and has S-OFF
4) When it asked if I wanted to start the update I hit the volume up button.
5) Update succesful, pressed power to reboot.

However, I'm still at software version 2.13.651.1 710RD and radio version 1.12.11.1119. So, what am I missing?
 
JerkyChew said:
Ok, I have to be doing something wrong. I just tried upgrading the firmware again via the following process:

1) Downloaded PJ75IMG_Jewel_3.15.651.16_Firmware.zip from the link at this page
2) Renamed the file to PJ75IMG.zip and copied it to the root of my sd card
3) Booted into the bootloader, which is DirtyRacun, HBOOT-1.19.2222 and has S-OFF
4) When it asked if I wanted to start the update I hit the volume up button.
5) Update succesful, pressed power to reboot.

However, I'm still at software version 2.13.651.1 710RD and radio version 1.12.11.1119. So, what am I missing?
Click to expand...

you have to be s-off to use PJ75IMJ files. so the only way to update your phone is to re-lock the bootloader, accept the ota, unlock the bootloader again, install twrp recovery, and finally either flash the su file or flash a custom rom.

read the http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-lte-all-things-root/689274-guide-evo-4g-lte-firmware-guide.html for more info on the process.

if you get s-off then updating your firmware will be much easier.
 
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