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Root Total reset

bg4m3r

bg4m3r

Android Expert
I've got some odd behavior going on with my phone, including the gps being screwy, so since we have a way to root zv5 directly now, I am going to completely reset my phone. I thought I'd say something in case anyone is interested in the results, or has suggestions. Here is my planned process:

1-move apps that I want to preserve (games) completely off the phone with Link2SD. Will restore links at the end of the process. *done

2-backup contacts to ext SD. *done

3-make sure images and ringtones are on external SD. *done

4-wipe dalvik, cache, system, data, and internal storage.

5-revert back to zv3.

6-install APN fix if needed to restore carrier identification

7-OTA update back to zv5

8-root

9-restore links for apps

10-profit

Specifics on step 6 may require rooting and installing custom recovery in which case I will backup the stock recovery with Flashify and restore it before attempting to OTA update.

Of course, before anything else, I will be backing up what I have now in the event of disaster.
 
The ota's verify that apps and certain system files haven't been removed or edited. It does this by way of assert checks. Each file on the phone has a hash and the ota compares this hash to the hash set in the updates script of the ota. Even the slightest modification will changes this hash code.


So when you install the ota, the very first thing it does is the assert check. It checks the hash of all system apps and certain system files. If everything matches the update installs. If even one hash check fails due to mismatched hash or missing file, the whole update fails.
 
That's right, my z4 update failed from deleting Google books or something. But this worked out in my favor, as I didn't have to roll back to z3.
On another note, I would like some input. I have insurance on this phone, and I've been considering using it due to a cracked in the screen. Would y'all stick with the volt? Is there a better phone with a good bit of development going on? I checked the Boost forum, but not much goes on there.
I hate to quit on this phone just as it's getting fun.
 
kwknott said:
The ota's verify that apps and certain system files haven't been removed or edited. It does this by way of assert checks. Each file on the phone has a hash and the ota compares this hash to the hash set in the updates script of the ota. Even the slightest modification will changes this hash code.


So when you install the ota, the very first thing it does is the assert check. It checks the hash of all system apps and certain system files. If everything matches the update installs. If even one hash check fails due to mismatched hash or missing file, the whole update fails.
Click to expand...
Good info, thanks for that. :)
But if zv3 installs missing the carrier identification, won't that mess up the OTA update?
 
No because the files responsible for carrier branding is not checked in assert check.

And I was curious if this fix carrier branding, so I went thru the whole process. It didn't work
 
I'd like to get ahold of a system dump from a zv5 phone with carrier branding intact to compare and see what's missing when we lose branding
 
Actually I found I would need carrier directory. All you'd have to do is copy it to sdcard, zip it up and upload it.

It does look like the directory contains your phone number and zip code in a sql database so I wouldn't post a public link. You could pm me a link if you feel comfortable giving it to me.
 
All wiped, reupdated, reactivated, and rooted on zv5. I used the script that was mentioned in another post. Oddly, I never saw the SuperSU install script run, but when I rebooted it was there and I was rooted. :)

As per kwknott's caution, I did not APN fix. I had thought about making a copy of the buid.prop and then replacing it after running the fix, but didn't feel it was worth the risk.

Now to get everything set back up.
 
Spaghadeity said:
Maybe once you do this I'll attempt it myself.
Click to expand...
I already did. The downgrade and reupgrade and rooting went fine (did not use the APN fix). However, for some reason the libraries, internal and external data, and cache for the apps moved with link2sd did not get relinked/bound. Saved me having to redownload those apps, but I did lose the data. Fortunately the ones I was really concerned about had their own remote backups.
 
Spaghadeity said:
Huh. Any clue how could I keep my data? Biggest reason I haven't reset yet.
Click to expand...
You could try just using a backup app like helium or titanium. I've not used them so I don't know exactly how well they work. I know I've had issues with ultimate backup restoring properly.

With link2sd, it might have worked if I had checked that the data bindings were restored before rebooting after I relinked the apps. I also could've put the card in the computer and pulled the files off and manually restored them.
 
Couple odd things... My lockscreen wallpaper got stuck again. Trying to view or edit the mmsc menu in the data menu crashes, which is one of the things I was hoping to fix. Could that be due to the fact that I uninstall the stock messaging app?

Other than that, everything appears to be functioning properly. I redebloated and almost have everything set back up.

Haven't tested Chromecast yet either. There were some connection issues I was hoping might be corrected through this too.
 
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