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Root Rooting is harder than Jailbreaking

Dman861

Newbie
I'm completely lost on how to root my Optimus V but I have no problem jailbreaking iphones/ipods. The software and methods for jailbreaking just seem so much easier. Sometimes all you have to do is plug in the iphone and click 1 button on the computer. But with rooting, I know absolutely 0 about it. I'm usually lost when the instructions nonchalantly say to open a command prompt and do stuff. I tried following the guide on this forum but I just don't get what he's talking about. You have to download a million files, and a lot of the time the download links don't work. Why can't there just be a blackra1n for android?

The main thing that is keeping me from attempting to root is that I cannot afford to replace my phone. So I need to know 100% Is it reversible? I read another post that said it is, but I just want to make sure. So if something happens to my phone, I can just restore it back to its original state and get it replaced under warranty.

edit: Maybe someone could write a complete, absolute morons guide to rooting for me.
 
Just watched the rooting video again, now I am even more lost than before. Here are my real time thoughts when I watched:

  • It is hard to understand the guy speaking.
  • Do people not watch their videos to make sure it's not crap before uploading?
  • Where and what did he download? (1:05)
  • Try to run what again? (1:20)
  • What the hell is he talking about? (1:25)
  • I can't understand the guy. (1:40)
  • What was a no go? (1:45)
  • If i watched the other video, i can just install it. What is it and why? (1:50)
  • SDK manager? (1:55)
  • Downloaded the android SDK? (2:12)
  • No adb.exe to be found, is that bad? (2:26)
  • Download the new platform, does that mean the Gingerbread Rom? (2:41)
  • What folder are these files located? (2:50)
  • Get a better goddamn microphone. (3:00)
  • WTF is he doing??? (3:08 - 3:47)
  • If you just woke up then make the video when you are more awake! (3:42)
  • Again what is he doing? (3:50 - 3:58)
  • Rename what file? (4:00)
  • Move to where? (4:10)
  • Do not want all of that, why? (4:20)
  • What is he clicking and why? (4:40)
  • Stop mumbling. (4:49 - 5:20)
  • What are platform pools? (5:23)
  • Whats happening from 4:58 - 13:57?
  • Should already have what in the system path? (5:37)
  • Type what? (6:10)
  • Don't want to redo the video again? Well you should because it's shit for beginners! (6:38)!
  • Should have written a better guide from 5:37 - 13:57.
  • This sucks.
 
I'm completely lost on how to root my Optimus V but I have no problem jailbreaking iphones/ipods. The software and methods for jailbreaking just seem so much easier. Sometimes all you have to do is plug in the iphone and click 1 button on the computer. But with rooting, I know absolutely 0 about it. I'm usually lost when the instructions nonchalantly say to open a command prompt and do stuff. I tried following the guide on this forum but I just don't get what he's talking about. You have to download a million files, and a lot of the time the download links don't work. Why can't there just be a blackra1n for android?

That's the main difference between iPhone and Android. iPhone's are for those who really don't understand technology, and need a dumbed down interface that is simple to use. Android is for those who prefer the freedom to do what they want with their phone, and take the time to learn how to do it.

If you want simple and easy, stick with iPhone. If you want power and customization, Android all the way!

There are three steps to installing a custom ROM:
1- obtain root, either permanent or temporary
2- flash a new recovery (use the one linked with the ROM you choose)
3- backup, wipe the old data, and install the new ROM

There are at least three methods to obtain root.
There are at least 8 recovery versions for the Optimus V
There are 9 and counting custom ROMs for the Optimus V

Jailbreaking = iPhone with the ability to sideload apps
Android Rooting and Custom ROMs = whatever your heart desires.
 
there is this app called gingerbreak. it will root your ov in one click.
its from the devs over at xda. I will try to find a link.
 
I have the Gingerbreak APK installed on my phone now but I haven't tried it yet. Are you 100% sure it works with the Optimus V? I absolutely can not afford to buy a replacement phone. Also, the one thing I've never got a clear answer about is if it is reversible. Say I damage my phone in some way and have to get it replaced. Can I completely reverse and restore back to factory so they will replace while under warranty?

My basic intentions for wanting to root are that I want a clean (no bloatware), faster, and updated version of Android. I love having latest version of all my apps.
 
Yes it works. I rooted my and other two phones with it.
Just follow the instructions posted over at xda. I used v1.1. Just use a different sdcard if possible.
I've read of some of them getting formatted.
After rooting you can make back ups of all your apps and also return to stock.

if you are not completely sure about doing it, don't. Read through more of the guides out there and just go with the one you feel more comfortable with.
 
Gingerbreak has been running for about 20 mins now on my phone, what do I do? I backed up my SD card, and turned on USB debugging like the instructions said, and have Gingerbreak installed on the phone itself. It's been rooting for at least 20 mins but the instructions said it should take about 10 mins. What should I do???

edit: 20 mins later, still running...
edit 2: Its been about 60 mins now still no progress. I decided to press the home button and go back to the home screen. I then powered off my phone and restarted. My phone isn't bricked and everything seems fine. Anybody have an idea what went wrong with Gingerbreak?
 
Now I just tried z4root. Didn't work. It gets to the "Attempting to apply root" screen, then just disappears and goes back to the home screen. Phone is a little slow after it returns to home screen and I have to restart it. What am I doing wrong?
 
I don't recommend Gingerbreak at this time, too many unaswered questions regarding it and the Optimus V.

Try using SuperOneClick, it sometimes takes several attempts to get it to give you a temp root. Once you have the temp root, you can follow the steps for permanet root.

You might try ROMTools by mmarz11, makes it a bit easier if you're not comfortable with shell commands.
 
What am I doing wrong?
Have you rooted the phone yet? Did you look at the tutorial I posted a link for twice? As JerryScript said, start with SuperOneClick, it gave me a temp root in <20 seconds. The Devs didn't know that it's one click didn't work for perm root on the OptimusV. I think they're working on fixing that now.
 
Yes it works. I rooted my and other two phones with it.
Just follow the instructions posted over at xda. I used v1.1. Just use a different sdcard if possible.
I've read of some of them getting formatted.
After rooting you can make back ups of all your apps and also return to stock.

if you are not completely sure about doing it, don't. Read through more of the guides out there and just go with the one you feel more comfortable with.

here you stated you rooted your phone using gingerbreak then you say to first use superoneclick,this is the main problem when installing these custom roms,very poor tutorials,way to many know it alls,and the simple fact that when problems arise no real help to correct it,i have to say this is why the apple ios is far more stable then android,it is controlled by a team of data writers,not a bunch of want to bee's.
 
Ok. With Romtools. Out of the 10 options on the "Welcome to ROMTools!" screen, which do I choose to just root? I don't want to put a custom rom like CM7 on yet, or maybe I do. Does "flashing a recovery" mean root? "Wipe dalvik-cache - Self explanatory." WTF is dalvik-cashe, why should i care? I don't know. Everyone of these damn tutorials are filled with jargon that I don't know yet, and it's not for lack of trying. I just want to get rid of the bloatware on my phone and maybe later upgrade to Gingerbread. Please, please, please someone help me.

And still i need to know: Is it reversible??? If i have to send my phone in to be repaired, can i restore it back to factory state so they will service it?
 
Ok. With Romtools. Out of the 10 options on the "Welcome to ROMTools!" screen, which do I choose to just root? I don't want to put a custom rom like CM7 on yet, or maybe I do. Does "flashing a recovery" mean root? "Wipe dalvik-cache - Self explanatory." WTF is dalvik-cashe, why should i care? I don't know. Everyone of these damn tutorials are filled with jargon that I don't know yet, and it's not for lack of trying. I just want to get rid of the bloatware on my phone and maybe later upgrade to Gingerbread. Please, please, please someone help me.

And still i need to know: Is it reversible??? If i have to send my phone in to be repaired, can i restore it back to factory state so they will service it?

You gotta love how nobody can answer your question if it is reversible,and like i have said in the past with installing these custom 2.3 versions Roms you could easily have more issues then i's worth.apps not working basic phone functions not working,and there is no true advantages that i have seen posted to installing it.i would easily do it if they offered a true 100% working ROM with updates i would even pay.
 
In [How-To] Root the LG Optimus V - Android Forums:
- And the file I have attached to this post. Download it, unzip it, and put the 2 files inside in your android\platform-tools folder created from installing the SDK.

Before you go any further, make sure you have downloaded/installed/updated everything in the list above, or will you not be able to complete the root.

Attached Files
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Come on. Really? Could someone just email me whatever files I need or post a direct link to them. Rooting this thing is such a pain in the ass, absolutely ridiculous...

edit: Oh yeah, and again: Is it reversible?
 
I don't mean to sound rude, but if you can't follow the steps in the thread that has been posted multiple times, then perhaps you should not root your phone.
 
I'm asking questions but nobody is answering them man. It's always "Read this shitty guide" or "Read that shitty guide". I read the shitty guide, download the 1000 files it says, and come to a point where I need more advice. I ask here and all i get is "Read this shitty guide instead". I tried running Gingerbreak and z4root, had problems, asked here, nothing. Watched the 1st video, couldn't understand the guy (plus he barely narrated what he was doing) and his written guide was complete shit. Went to the last site for its guide, download the files, now possibly 1 file away from rooting and it wont let me just download the last file. It's complete BS how much you have to do to just root, as compared to the iPhone which is usually 1 click to jailbreak (Yeah i know jailbreak isn't the same as rooting, but bear with me). With how open android is, and with all the developers out there, shouldn't there be a fool proof 1 click method for noobs like me?

I'm completely brand new to Android. The first time I ever touched or played with android was when i took my Optimus V out of the box at home. All the technical terms that are casually used in the guides are completely lost on me. As soon as i root, maybe i will realize just how easy it was and what an idiot i am. But right now I'm asking for help, I'm seriously about to give up.

AND AGAIN: Is it reversible?
 
shouldn't there be a fool proof 1 click method for noobs like me?
There is, but it currently doesn't work on the Optimus V. The "shitty guide" that I and JerryScript posted had I think 5 files to download. A zip with su and busybox, sdk, superoneclick, drivers for the phone, you'll also need java runtime if you don't have it installed already. All of this is stuff you'll need for rooting (if the one click worked, you'd need everything except for the zip). And this "shitty guide" is very well written and easy to follow. If you can't follow it, maybe more research should be done on your part or you should just not root.

I'm completely brand new to Android. The first time I ever touched or played with android was when i took my Optimus V out of the box at home.
Guess what? Me too! I read around this forum for almost 2 months before I felt comfortable rooting my phone. I had never touched an android before I got mine, I'd seen a friend hold one. But that was it.

As far as reversability, read around. There are threads on this forum about reversing rooting. There are also warning about rooting and reversing rooting.

But right now I'm asking for hel
And short of coming to your house and holding your hand while rooting. I've given you all the help. Good day sir.
 
Yes or no?
5725077236
 
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