Root Universal Eris Root for Dummies!

[GJW419]

Have you tried downloading to your PC and transferring over to the phone from there? I regularly have issues with the stock browser downloading files (though that surely is a small download.)

You could also try downloading to a PC and emailing to an account that you have on your phone and see if that works if tethering, for some reason, is something that you don't want to do.

Thanks. You're right at the end. I am trying to do it by phone and avoid using my PC.

Also: I am not familiar with that process. I have been doing everything eliminating my PC. I read through SCENARIO 4 OLD SCHOOL and there's THIS paragraph:
If you have a rooted phone, have the Android SDK installed, and are proficient / knowledgeable about using adb and flash_image, then you can follow these steps (note: I am purposely omitting some details that those familiar with this process should not need--if you need it, you probably shouldn't be using this):

So, without every step, I'm not attempting this. I just downloaded gscript again. I tried to open it even before I attempted to move it to SD and continue. It reads "NULL". For some reason, this file will just NOT come through to my phone (or open).

 

[erisuser1]

I downloaded the link given in the OP.

It is correct and complete.

gscript.zip

MD5 sig: 92796a8c6e61e8f1ee36e315c0acae7d

3,915,189 bytes


Probably you should get in the habit of checking MD5 signatures of files you download. (That is why the value is provided in the OP - so you have something to check against). You can use scary aliens' free market app "AFV" (Android File Verifier) for that.

Note BTW that if you previously used the dummies method, you probably have the files you need already unpacked in the /sdcard/gscript folder.

You will need to replace the copy of the recovery.img file with scary alien's trackball-free version... make sure to check that file's length and/or MD5 checksum as well.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

eu1

 

[erisuser1]

I just downloaded gscript again. I tried to open it even before I attempted to move it to SD and continue. It reads "NULL". For some reason, this file will just NOT come through to my phone (or open).

You could try a different browser, say Opera Mini. I was using my phone with the stock 2.1 ROM (July OTA) and the stock browser when I did the download check (above), and didn't have any troubles.

 

[GJW419]

I downloaded the link given in the OP.

It is correct and complete.

gscript.zip

MD5 sig: 92796a8c6e61e8f1ee36e315c0acae7d

3,915,189 bytes


Probably you should get in the habit of checking MD5 signatures of files you download. (That is why the value is provided in the OP - so you have something to check against). You can use scary aliens' free market app "AFV" (Android File Verifier) for that.

Note BTW that if you previously used the dummies method, you probably have the files you need already unpacked in the /sdcard/gscript folder.

You will need to replace the copy of the recovery.img file with scary alien's trackball-free version... make sure to check that file's length and/or MD5 checksum as well.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

eu1

LOL. I have his app. I went into his app while downloading. I did the MD5 checksum.

 

[doogald]

Thanks. You're right at the end. I am trying to do it by phone and avoid using my PC.

Also: I am not familiar with that process. I have been doing everything eliminating my PC. I read through SCENARIO 4 OLD SCHOOL and there's THIS paragraph:
If you have a rooted phone, have the Android SDK installed, and are proficient / knowledgeable about using adb and flash_image, then you can follow these steps (note: I am purposely omitting some details that those familiar with this process should not need--if you need it, you probably shouldn't be using this):

So, without every step, I'm not attempting this. I just downloaded gscript again. I tried to open it even before I attempted to move it to SD and continue. It reads "NULL". For some reason, this file will just NOT come through to my phone (or open).

I'm not talking about using adb at all. Download the file with your PC. Then, you have a few choices. Connect the phone to your computer by cable. This should trigger a notification asking if you want to charge only or connect as a disk (which is the option you want.) This will open a new drive on your computer. From explorer on your computer, drag this .zip file from where you downloaded it to the \gscript folder on your phone. When the copy is done, use the USB notification in your system tray on windows to eject the disk, as you would with a thumb drive, and you can either turn off disk drive mode on your phone or just restart it.

Or, you can email yourself the file as an attachment and save the attachment to your SD card.

Or you can sign up for a free account on dropbox.com, install the Android dropbox app, then download the file using dropbox on the phone - dropbox will tell you definitively if you have a successful or unsuccessful download.

There are probably other ways.

If you are going to keep trying on your phone, erase what you have from the /downloads folder on your SD card and then try to download it again. It could be that the browser thinks that you've already downloaded the file so just uses what's in the browser cache. I think that there's an option in settings in the browser on the phone to clear cache - do that before you try to download the file again.

Still, I think that your best best is to download with a PC browser and copy it over to the phone.

 

[GJW419]

Or you can sign up for a free account on dropbox.com, install the Android dropbox app, then download the file using dropbox on the phone - dropbox will tell you definitively if you have a successful or unsuccessful download.
-----------------------
That, is exactly what I am going to do right now. I don't use IE I use Chrome and when I connect my USB to my comp/phone I do not get that prompt to open a new drive. There is more involved. This sounds like an excellent alternative. Thank you very much!

 

[erisuser1]

LOL. I have his app. I went into his app while downloading. I did the MD5 checksum.

I'm not sure what you are saying here - that you checked the file's MD5 signature, and found that it was correct, but then all file explorers that you used failed anyway?

Really the only way that could happen is if you left the file explorer running in such a way that it still had the original (corrupted file) held open. The way that Linux/Unix/Android works, is that if a program has a file open, and some other process deletes the file or over-writes it at the same location in the filesystem (that is, the same file name and directory), the process holding the file open still has access to the original file. It doesn't disappear completely until the process holding it open closes it.

Having said that, if a 3rd process comes along and tries opening the same file (after the 2nd process has over-written it), it will get a copy of the new file, not the old one.

In any event, if you are still trying to figure out what went wrong, close all the relevant apps with a task manager (browser, file explorers, MD5 checkers, etc), and then re-start your browser, clear it's cache, and re-download the file to see if anything changes. If that doesn't work, reboot your phone and try again.

And if that doesn't work, use a different method. The problem is not "something about the file".

 

[doogald]

Or you can sign up for a free account on dropbox.com, install the Android dropbox app, then download the file using dropbox on the phone - dropbox will tell you definitively if you have a successful or unsuccessful download.
-----------------------
That, is exactly what I am going to do right now. I don't use IE I use Chrome and when I connect my USB to my comp/phone I do not get that prompt to open a new drive. There is more involved. This sounds like an excellent alternative. Thank you very much!

The Dropbox app will download any files that you choose (long press on their name in the dropbox app to get the download choice) into a folder called /dropbox on the SD card. Probably the best thing to do is to use Astro File manager to copy that file to /gscripts and then unzip the file there.

Good luck and let us know if it's still not working.

BTW, I use Chrome as well. That really should have nothing to do with any problems copying to the phone, for what that's worth.

 

[Bob Cat]

I'm not talking about using adb at all. Download the file with your PC. Then, you have a few choices. Connect the phone to your computer by cable. This should trigger a notification asking if you want to charge only or connect as a disk (which is the option you want.) This will open a new drive on your computer. From explorer on your computer, drag this .zip file from where you downloaded it to the \gscript folder on your phone. When the copy is done, use the USB notification in your system tray on windows to eject the disk, as you would with a thumb drive, and you can either turn off disk drive mode on your phone or just restart it.

Or, you can email yourself the file as an attachment and save the attachment to your SD card.

Or you can sign up for a free account on dropbox.com, install the Android dropbox app, then download the file using dropbox on the phone - dropbox will tell you definitively if you have a successful or unsuccessful download.

There are probably other ways.

If you are going to keep trying on your phone, erase what you have from the /downloads folder on your SD card and then try to download it again. It could be that the browser thinks that you've already downloaded the file so just uses what's in the browser cache. I think that there's an option in settings in the browser on the phone to clear cache - do that before you try to download the file again.

Still, I think that your best best is to download with a PC browser and copy it over to the phone.

The phone is the only way I go. I've been meaning to install this just so when my trackball goes to crap. I think Scary told me in a post to use #3 and I used dummies method. So you say I may not need the zip. I've already downloaded it and moved it to my SD card. I'm at work now but I'm going to give this a try when I get home.

 

[GJW419]

The Dropbox app will download any files that you choose (long press on their name in the dropbox app to get the download choice) into a folder called /dropbox on the SD card. Probably the best thing to do is to use Astro File manager to copy that file to /gscripts and then unzip the file there.

Good luck and let us know if it's still not working.

BTW, I use Chrome as well. That really should have nothing to do with any problems copying to the phone, for what that's worth.

Well, for some reason when I click on a file when my phone is connected the box will not pop up (in Chrome). It tries but all that happens is I get a box that keeps literally flashing on my screen but never opens. I just created a seperate account on my computer using IE.......and now everything is working properly. My phone is connected, the box comes up and opens, and well, I'm on my way to solving my problem. Don't know why it does what it does in Chrome, but everything is smooth right now. Thanks.

 

[doogald]

Well, for some reason when I click on a file when my phone is connected the box will not pop up (in Chrome). It tries but all that happens is I get a box that keeps literally flashing on my screen but never opens.

No reason to answer this if you don't want to, but I have no idea what you mean by this. Which "box" is not popping up? Does this box pop up when your phone is not connected?

Do you mean that when you click on a file to download in the Chrome browser that there is no box that pops up to ask you where to save the file? If you click on the wrench icon on the far right of the address bar/omni bar on Chrome, and then choose options, and then go to "Under the hood", under "Downloads" do you have checked "Ask me where to save each file before downloading" or is it set to save to a specific location? If it is set to save to a specific location, all downloads should go to that place on your disk automatically, but there will still be a placeholder on the bottom of the Chrome window that lets you get to that file.

 

[scary alien]

Ohh Scary where art thou.

Sorry guys...been working nights since last Friday (big implementation here at work)...am incredibly busy at times and can only flit-about re. answering posts.

GJW419, you are in most-excellent hands...just take your time and read the instructions carefully...(after you figure-it all out, you're gonna do the "V8" thing ).

Good luck and cheers!

 

[GJW419]

Sorry guys...been working nights since last Friday (big implementation here at work)...am incredibly busy at times and can only flit-about re. answering posts.

GJW419, you are in most-excellent hands...just take your time and read the instructions carefully...(after you figure-it all out, you're gonna do the "V8" thing ).

Good luck and cheers!

I had to walk away earlier. Too frustrating and I spent too much time on it. I have to use the phone only method, but I still can not get the updated version on my phone. I always get "bad zip file". Everything has been so easy since I came on here. Everything has been a breeze once I caught on. I've been testing ROMS, did a NAND restore, been playing with themes, custom icons, but I have hit a a road block for the time being.

 

[offanairplane]

Just realized I never gave props to this rooting method.

I used this method on my Eris a few weeks ago. Fortunately my trackball works fine.
And I had no issues at all. Not being confident in what I was doing, I stuck to the directions pretty strictly, and it worked flawlessly.

Thanks, erisuser1!

 

[bnmorgan]

That wen't amazingly easy considering my ineptitude.
<RETRACTED>one trouble: the actual telephone isn't working. Flashed with xtrROM: Suggestions?
Reboot fixed it.
I am getting a Eris Update notification now, 13.4 i think it said. Should I allow it?

 

[erisuser1]

That wen't amazingly easy considering my ineptitude.
<RETRACTED>one trouble: the actual telephone isn't working. Flashed with xtrROM: Suggestions?
Reboot fixed it.
I am getting a Eris Update notification now, 13.4 i think it said. Should I allow it?

If you are sure that you have a custom recovery installed (Amon_RA), then the update will fail if you press the "accept" button, so I wouldn't worry about it.

If your rooting attempt did not succeed, then you could press the accept button, and the OTA update would succeed - and I wouldn't worry about that either, because other users have already proven that the new ROM can be rooted just as easily as the former ones.

So, I guess that means "don't worry about it."

If you are paranoid, boot into the custom recovery and make a Nandroid backup - you need to get in the habit of making those anyway. Then re-boot, and prove to yourself that the OTA update will not succeed by clicking on the "accept" button. The phone will end up booting back into the Amon_RA recovery - where it will fail immediately without changing anything on your phone.

eu1

 

[bnmorgan]

If you are sure that you have a custom recovery installed (Amon_RA), then the update will fail if you press the "accept" button, so I wouldn't worry about it.

If your rooting attempt did not succeed, then you could press the accept button, and the OTA update would succeed - and I wouldn't worry about that either, because other users have already proven that the new ROM can be rooted just as easily as the former ones.

So, I guess that means "don't worry about it."

If you are paranoid, boot into the custom recovery and make a Nandroid backup - you need to get in the habit of making those anyway. Then re-boot, and prove to yourself that the OTA update will not succeed by clicking on the "accept" button. The phone will end up booting back into the Amon_RA recovery - where it will fail immediately without changing anything on your phone.

eu1

Alright, how then do i make it stop popping up every 5 min to update??
As i write this, my wife demands that I root her phone too so that it'll run good now like mine

 

[erisuser1]

Alright, how then do i make it stop popping up every 5 min to update??
As i write this, my wife demands that I root her phone too so that it'll run good now like mine

If you have a rooted phone with Amon_RA's recovery on it, "accepting" the update will cause the phone to reboot into the recovery, but the update install will fail.

After that, when you boot into the normal OS, that nag message will not appear any longer.

 

[offanairplane]

If you are paranoid, boot into the custom recovery and make a Nandroid backup - you need to get in the habit of making those anyway.

Does that backup everything?

For example if I do a nand backup now, then flash a new rom, install different apps, use different wallpapers, change a bunch of settings, etc. And I do a nand recovery, will all of my changes be undone, and every minute detail back to the way it was when I did the backup? Is there anything it doesn't backup?

 

[doogald]

Does that backup everything?

It depends on which Recovery you are using. If you are using the default Amon's Recovery (1.6.2, I think), which almost every Eris user has, it backs up everything in internal storage on the phone except for the /cache partition. When you restore, the initial boot will take a while as the Dalvik cache is rebuilt.

There is also an Nandroid:ext which will back up any ext partitions on your SD card, which you might have if you activated apps2sd or cache2sd. If you are not using those features, there is no reason to backup ext, but if you are, this will make sure that it brings back all of your apps when you restore. Otherwise, Nandroid on Amon's Recovery does not back up anything on your SD card.

I believe that the trackball optional version of Amon's that Scary Alien created does back up the /cache partition.

For example if I do a nand backup now, then flash a new rom, install different apps, use different wallpapers, change a bunch of settings, etc. And I do a nand recovery, will all of my changes be undone, and every minute detail back to the way it was when I did the backup?

Yes.

Is there anything it doesn't backup?

I think I already answered that, but, just to add to what I said, if you are running a Froyo or GB ROM and use the native apps2sd feature in those ROMs, it stores these apps in a hidden folder on your SD card called .android_secure. Amon's Recovery does not back up or restore that folder. If you have apps in that folder and you format your SD card, I am pretty sure that a restore of Amon's will not bring them back.

 

[caarterr]

when i try to extract the gscript.zip from the sd card it says "bad zip file" Im reffering to fig 10-12. Please help? been trying to figure this out all day. did the 1st steps perfectly

 

[scary alien]

when i try to extract the gscript.zip from the sd card it says "bad zip file" Im reffering to fig 10-12. Please help? been trying to figure this out all day. did the 1st steps perfectly

It sounds like you might have a bad (partial?) download of the gscript.zip file...did you double-check / verify the MD5 sum of the file?

You can easily do this on your phone via something like Astro File Manager (long-press the filename, select Details, and the MD5 checksum will be displayed after a few seconds). You can also use my AFV app (free in the Market) for this too.

We've seen (and I've experienced too) partial / incomplete downloads from Megaupload sites. You could also try using an alternate web browser like Opera Mini instead of the stock browser (it seems to "play nicer" with these type of downloads, in my experience).

Let us know.

 

[caarterr]

this worked! when using opera, the countdown for the megauploads page would not count down. probably having to do with them decompressing the sites. so i had to let it count down in the default web browser then complete the download action using opera! on to the next steps!! thanks for your quick response!!

 

[scary alien]

this worked! when using opera, the countdown for the megauploads page would not count down. probably having to do with them decompressing the sites. so i had to let it count down in the default web browser then complete the download action using opera! on to the next steps!! thanks for your quick response!!

No problem .

Even doogald and erisuser1 need to get at least one hour of sleep a day.

Cheers and good luck...you are in the right thead that has served a lot of folks very well.

 

[Bob Cat]

Just picked up another eris from a friend for free. I'm about to root it and use it for a test phone.