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Root ROOTING For Dummies

For now I'm just trying to get it to boot past the htc logo and not feel like I have a brick. Is there a way to start from scratch some how and just flash a custom rom in the current state?

So I'm the Android system recovery<2e> and it says E: Can't open /cache/recovery/command
any tips on how to get a custom rom flashed and from where do I flash it from, because as stated before it goes into fastboot and starts loading pc36dia6.zip then says no image , loading pc36diag.nbh, no image or wrong image! loading pc36im.zip
hboot
parsing...(sd zip)
(1) boot -ok
(2) bootloader - bypassed
(3) microp - ok
(4) radio_v2 - fail-PU ( then vibrates a few times during this update
(5) recovery - ok
(6) splash1 - ok
(7) system - ok
(8) tp (blank)
(9) tp -ok
(10) userdata - ok
(11) wimax- ok
Partition update fail!
Update Fail!
Do you want to reboot device?

Then I'm at the Evo start up logo, and goes nowhere.
Please help!

Question are you recovering or flashing your new rom?

If recovering, did you partition your SD card before making your nandroid? If flashing a new rom did you clear your caches and factory reset?

Edit: You should try Rom Manager Premium makes things hella easy you can save a dollar donating through pay pal
 
On a happy note i flashed CM6 successfully though i didn't see how to get 4G working so i just re flashed back to stock. But everything is working fine, once rooted and following the instructions this is MUCH easier than i thought. Same for my HTC hero though there's shit all for roms besides the nightlies.
 
I notice this is primarily written for Windows users. I see Mac instructions sprinkled in there, but has anyone done a Mac-focused step-by-step for idiots like myself? I'd be using unrevoked 3.31.
I was in the same boat and found a pleasant surprise!
I downloaded 3.31 the mac version. Clicked on it.... it does the rest!!
it will prompt you when to plug in the eve... the rest is 100% hands off... it was great... even tells you when its done
 
For now I'm just trying to get it to boot past the htc logo and not feel like I have a brick. Is there a way to start from scratch some how and just flash a custom rom in the current state?

So I'm the Android system recovery<2e> and it says E: Can't open /cache/recovery/command
any tips on how to get a custom rom flashed and from where do I flash it from, because as stated before it goes into fastboot and starts loading pc36dia6.zip then says no image , loading pc36diag.nbh, no image or wrong image! loading pc36im.zip
hboot
parsing...(sd zip)
(1) boot -ok
(2) bootloader - bypassed
(3) microp - ok
(4) radio_v2 - fail-PU ( then vibrates a few times during this update
(5) recovery - ok
(6) splash1 - ok
(7) system - ok
(8) tp (blank)
(9) tp -ok
(10) userdata - ok
(11) wimax- ok
Partition update fail!
Update Fail!
Do you want to reboot device?

Then I'm at the Evo start up logo, and goes nowhere.
Please help!

What pc36img are you using?
 
wrapkgb does your 4G still work with cyanogen mod? i might reflash it but i wanna be sure it'll work since i'm paying an extra 10 for it
 
CM doesn't have 4g just yet... its in alpha testing right now. It should be released in the coming days with CM7 nightly's :)
 
Now that i'm rooted i can't accept sprint OTAs right? I was wondering how i'd update my radios and such, also when i was using cyanogen the android market had it's old look. How do i fix my radio concerns?
 
First off, thanks, it appears to be successfully rooted.

It appears that this step to check for the RSA keys isn't working:


Type grep RSA /dev/mtd/mtd0. This will flow this on the Screen.


That, and I have a "required" software update from Sprint about visual voicemail that I am afraid to install (actually I don't want it, either way) because I am now rooted. How do I deal with it?

Anyway, thank you
 
Now that i'm rooted i can't accept sprint OTAs right? I was wondering how i'd update my radios and such, also when i was using cyanogen the android market had it's old look. How do i fix my radio concerns?

You can't accept an OTA while rooted. You either have to unroot, accept the OTA, then reroot (which I'll never recommend) or you have to manually update your radios, then flash a ROM based on 3.70. You can find the radios here:

[ Radios ][ 12-17 ] All EVO Radio, WiMAX, PRI, NV & HBoot versions - xda-developers

You can find a list of ROMs here:

HTC Supersonic/ROMs - XDA-Developers

You just need one from that list that is based on 3.70.651.1 (4th column). The best order (it doesn't matter *that* much) is the flash the ROM of your choice, then flash the radios (either the combo update, or separately). See the OP for instructions on flashing ROMs. Always make a nandroid backup first.

EDIT: note that if you flash the radios, then try to boot into a ROM based on anything other than 3.70 with a stock HTC kernel, it won't boot.
 
First off, thanks, it appears to be successfully rooted.

It appears that this step to check for the RSA keys isn't working:


Type grep RSA /dev/mtd/mtd0. This will flow this on the Screen.


That, and I have a "required" software update from Sprint about visual voicemail that I am afraid to install (actually I don't want it, either way) because I am now rooted. How do I deal with it?

Anyway, thank you

1) Are you getting an error when you try to run that grep command? Did you:

a) Type su first to get root (prompt changes to #)
b) Install busybox

2) It won't harm anything to accept that update while you're rooted. In fact, I don't think you can even make it go away. I don't use it, so I just accepted it, and never opened it. Even on a custom ROM, though, I still got that notification.
 
You can't accept an OTA while rooted. You either have to unroot, accept the OTA, then reroot (which I'll never recommend) or you have to manually update your radios, then flash a ROM based on 3.70. You can find the radios here:

[ Radios ][ 12-17 ] All EVO Radio, WiMAX, PRI, NV & HBoot versions - xda-developers

You can find a list of ROMs here:

HTC Supersonic/ROMs - XDA-Developers

You just need one from that list that is based on 3.70.651.1 (4th column). The best order (it doesn't matter *that* much) is the flash the ROM of your choice, then flash the radios (either the combo update, or separately). See the OP for instructions on flashing ROMs. Always make a nandroid backup first.

EDIT: note that if you flash the radios, then try to boot into a ROM based on anything other than 3.70 with a stock HTC kernel, it won't boot.

before i even bother is it required at any point i update my radios? They work fine and I'm experiencing no problems
 
Yes, the kernel (Netarchy 4.3 cfs more havs) I'm using has increased my performance/battery life. I am not using the collin_ph battery tweak, however, I'm using this kernel in conjunction with SetCPU to over/underclock and currently get on average 48 hours off one charge.

Before using using na 4.3 cfs more havs, I was using na 4.2.1 cfs more havs and experiencing similar battery life.

What setcpu settings do you use? I'm still not quite sure how to use setcpu.
 
before i even bother is it required at any point i update my radios? They work fine and I'm experiencing no problems

Some do, some don't. The thing is, the software version and kernel of an OTA have been designed to work with particular radio versions. I can tell you right now that if you tried to use the updated radios with an older stock HTC kernel it would not work. That being said, some people leave their radios on older versions and update to newer ROMs anyway. Technically, you might see some instability if you do. Most problems seem to be related to the phone never sleeping and things kind of like that. You're welcome to try it; just make a nandroid backup first (you should do that no matter what, anyway). Also, keep in mind that if you suspect a problem with a radio update, you can always downgrade.
 
akazabam, quick question:

I'm rooted and I have HBOOT 2.02, Build #3.30.651.3, baseband 2.15.009.01, and I am thinking about flasshing Fresh 3.5. I see from the link to the roms at xda, that Fresh is based on 3.70...so, I think the process is to flash the combo to the 3.70, then the Fresh Rom, after making a nandroid, of course. Do I have this right?

Then, however, will my nandroid be useless after running the later versions of radio and software? I suspect that that will revert to the 3.30 when restoring the nandroid, but not sure.

Sorry, this stuff can get very confusing, as the Hero seemed to be much easier to root and rom. Thanks!
 
akazabam, quick question:

I'm rooted and I have HBOOT 2.02, Build #3.30.651.3, baseband 2.15.009.01, and I am thinking about flasshing Fresh 3.5. I see from the link to the roms at xda, that Fresh is based on 3.70...so, I think the process is to flash the combo to the 3.70, then the Fresh Rom, after making a nandroid, of course. Do I have this right?

Then, however, will my nandroid be useless after running the later versions of radio and software? I suspect that that will revert to the 3.30 when restoring the nandroid, but not sure.

Sorry, this stuff can get very confusing, as the Hero seemed to be much easier to root and rom. Thanks!

Here's the order I went in, and what I would recommend:

1) Make a nandroid backup (always start with this, since you know your phone works now.

2) Flash Fresh or any ROM based on 3.70. Follow the normal flashing process, of course (wipe data/cache/dalvik - the usual)

3) In the same recovery session, flash the combo radio update. The reason I say this is because:

a) If you currently have a 3.30 or under based rom, and a stock HTC kernel, if you flash the radios first, then try to boot up, you'll end up in a bootloop. The only way that combination will work is if you flash a different kernel (anything not stock HTC, like netarchy). Also, you'd need to keep your PRI at 1.77.

b) If you flash the rom first, then boot up, it will probably work, but you could have some instability. Some people choose to do this, but a lot of people do this without understanding the complications.

4) Once you've flashed those two things, you can go ahead and boot up. Make sure the phone stays stable, and everything works. As long as it does, make another nandroid backup at this point.

5) Should you want to go back to a 3.30 ROM, you cannot simply nandroid restore. Nandroid backups do not include radios. It's the same with ROMs - almost none of them include radio updates (though a few do here and there). Anyway, the proper procedure for restoring would be to restore your nandroid backup, then do one of the following:

a) Flash a custom kernel in the same recovery session, or you won't be able to boot up, then downgrade at least your PRI to 1.77.

b) Downgrade your radios back to the previous versions and boot back up.


Sorry if that was more information than you need, but hopefully I answered your questions.

EDIT: Just to make things clear, your nandroid backups are never useless unless you:

1) Switch phones
2) Switch recovery (RA to CW or CW to RA)
3) Upgrade hboot

If you follow the above steps, you will not upgrade hboot. Some people think it's fine to unroot, accept the OTA, then reroot, but I will never recommend a method that involves changing your hboot version.
 
1) Are you getting an error when you try to run that grep command? Did you:

a) Type su first to get root (prompt changes to #)
b) Install busybox

2) It won't harm anything to accept that update while you're rooted. In fact, I don't think you can even make it go away. I don't use it, so I just accepted it, and never opened it. Even on a custom ROM, though, I still got that notification.

So I'm using Android Terminal application (see here: Android Terminal Emulator - Android app on AppBrain)

when I type in that command I get grep:not found. I'm definitely a superuser, I got a popup asking me if i wanted to be the superuser after typing in su and I also have the # in the command line.

Installing BusyBox helped get the grep command to work. I now definitely have my 4g key! So this worked. thanks.
 
Here's the order I went in, and what I would recommend:

1) Make a nandroid backup (always start with this, since you know your phone works now.

2) Flash Fresh or any ROM based on 3.70. Follow the normal flashing process, of course (wipe data/cache/dalvik - the usual)

3) In the same recovery session, flash the combo radio update. The reason I say this is because:

a) If you currently have a 3.30 or under based rom, and a stock HTC kernel, if you flash the radios first, then try to boot up, you'll end up in a bootloop. The only way that combination will work is if you flash a different kernel (anything not stock HTC, like netarchy). Also, you'd need to keep your PRI at 1.77.

b) If you flash the rom first, then boot up, it will probably work, but you could have some instability. Some people choose to do this, but a lot of people do this without understanding the complications.

4) Once you've flashed those two things, you can go ahead and boot up. Make sure the phone stays stable, and everything works. As long as it does, make another nandroid backup at this point.

5) Should you want to go back to a 3.30 ROM, you cannot simply nandroid restore. Nandroid backups do not include radios. It's the same with ROMs - almost none of them include radio updates (though a few do here and there). Anyway, the proper procedure for restoring would be to restore your nandroid backup, then do one of the following:

a) Flash a custom kernel in the same recovery session, or you won't be able to boot up, then downgrade at least your PRI to 1.77.

b) Downgrade your radios back to the previous versions and boot back up.


Sorry if that was more information than you need, but hopefully I answered your questions.

EDIT: Just to make things clear, your nandroid backups are never useless unless you:

1) Switch phones
2) Switch recovery (RA to CW or CW to RA)
3) Upgrade hboot

If you follow the above steps, you will not upgrade hboot. Some people think it's fine to unroot, accept the OTA, then reroot, but I will never recommend a method that involves changing your hboot version.

Thank you for this great explaination! OK, I think I got it, just a clarification...IF I ever need or want to restore to the Nandroid I will make before flashing a Custom ROM and combo radio update....I need to either:

1. Restore the Nandroid, then flash a custom kernel in the same recovery session (The custom kernel would update the PRI?) then downgrade to PRI 1.77

or

2. Restore the Nandroid, then flash the 2.15.00.09.01 radio (which is what I have now)

So, as I see it, the easiest way (option 2) to be sure to be able to restore to the Nandroid, is to have a downloaded and saved copy of my current radio (2.15.00.09.01), along with the Nandroid. Guess I could save them both in a folder on my laptop together.
 
Thank you for this great explaination! OK, I think I got it, just a clarification...IF I ever need or want to restore to the Nandroid I will make before flashing a Custom ROM and combo radio update....I need to either:

1. Restore the Nandroid, then flash a custom kernel in the same recovery session (The custom kernel would update the PRI?) then downgrade to PRI 1.77

or

2. Restore the Nandroid, then flash the 2.15.00.09.01 radio (which is what I have now)

So, as I see it, the easiest way (option 2) to be sure to be able to restore to the Nandroid, is to have a downloaded and saved copy of my current radio (2.15.00.09.01), along with the Nandroid. Guess I could save them both in a folder on my laptop together.

1) Right, you would need to restore your nandroid, then flash a custom kernel unless you already have a custom kernel when you make the nandroid backup. It's only a problem if you have a stock HTC kernel. As for PRI, no it has nothing to do with the kernel. I'm just saying that you need to use PRI 1.77 with sw version 3.30 as a lot of people have problems using PRI 1.90 with sw version 3.30.

2) Right, but you should probably flash the older versions of the radio, pri, and nv, at least. I doubt wimax would make a difference. So, just keep a flashable zip of those things handy in case you need them.
 
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