Root S-OFF and ROOT on HTC Merge - US Cellular

[aofarrell2]

After working on my US Cellular Merge for many months, I think I have finally found a way to gain s-off and root on HTC Merge phones upgraded to USC's latest 2.3.4 update, which no other USC 2.3.4 root methods seem to work on. I have had no success with downgrading, so I have been working on the opposite: UPGRADING.

So here's what I've done up to this point with my Merge:

- Unlocked bootloader. Necessary to overwrite recovery partition (a must) and install hacked hboot (optional)
- I have been able to run Verizon's merge firmware temporarily, not flashed on device, required a PC hooked to the phone all the time to do this, but no rooting success with the Verizon firmware, so that hack failed to allow me to gain access to the root filesystem on the Merge.
- I tried buffer modification of the kernel to allow root, I have done this on several Linux systems with success, so it was worth a try, but didn't work.
- i have gotten CWM Recovery flashed to device successfully WITHOUT root, and here is where it all begins

EDIT: Only a modified CWM Recovery image will flash properly. I will post a link with the modified version. NOTE: Once this modified version is flashed, it is impossible to remove it or downgrade it unless a RUU is used to reflash the device, so proceed at your own risk!!

Now that I have CWM recovery on it, I just need to flash HBOOT with a hacked HBOOT, then I should be able to flash CM9 to the device, and from there I should either have or be able to gain root access.

Note: I have not used a goldcard through the whole process. I do not believe this to be needed to flash a new ROM, even on US Cellular.

I will post more as things come along.

 

[scotty85]

Just wanted to point out with an unlockd bootloader you can easily install recovery and root,then simply follow the guide to downgrade to exploitable vzw firmware(you will need the gold card).

Just holler if you have any questions

 

[Sands207]

I have been trying to do this on my htc merge for two weeks with no success. I am running gingerbread. Can someone show me an UPDATED way to do this please?

 

[scotty85]

I used an application like Locale for Symbian S60 on my Nokia N95 and I liked it a lot. It was called miniGPS by Psiloc. The biggest problem I had was that it didn't actually use the GPS, it used cell tower triangulation so the areas were pretty large in order to work effectively. I have a couple of apps that I am working on now but I think I would like to try this one a little later.

See my reply above. All you need to do to gain root access is unlock the bootloader,install recovery and superuser. You can then downgrade to vzw firmware. I've been meaning to create an "htcdev" downgrade guide,but my pc time is limited.

Most of the info you need is in the other thread,si post there if you have any questions and I'll be happy to help you.

http://androidforums.com/index.php?threads/434029/

 

[Sands207]

See my reply above. All you need to do to gain root access is unlock the bootloader,install recovery and superuser. You can then downgrade to vzw firmware. I've been meaning to create an "htcdev" downgrade guide,but my pc time is limited.

Most of the info you need is in the other thread,si post there if you have any questions and I'll be happy to help you.

http://androidforums.com/index.php?threads/434029/

@scotty85 thank you for getting back to me, i appreciate that! My stumbling block right now is that i have created my gold card and i have my minimal merge folder and adb working and i am following your how-to and i placed what i think is the correct file on my sd. i have zergerush pushed to data/local/ and it runs but fails with the output being 83 herlings and i can't seem to find the correct updated zergerush file that will work on 2.3.4 apparently and when i try the htc unlock from thier website it tells me i must upgrade my rom, and hboot more importantly. I've rooted a few phones but i must be doing this wrong. Fastboot and adb maybe i am not using correct files. I am using the us cellular version. I really need to unlock this phone