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Root Want to root...but scared

L

lizm

Android Enthusiast
I've had this phone for 5 months or so, it's my second Droid. I'm very happy with the performance of the stock rom. I like my apps, I have a big sd card, everything is peachy.

But lately, more than before, I've been hitting the space wall and I've gotten to the point that i don't want to delete any more apps.

I'm a bit of a computer geek. I wrote my papers in college on a computer running DOS. I've had every Windows version and most of the early Mac OS' too. I've written small programs. I've been a web and database developer for 15 years.

Why, every time that I consider rooting, do I read what i need to gather and do and get totally overwhelmed and (virtually) walk away? I know to RTFM, and I have, but it still seems like a lot to do - go here, download that, go there, download this, get them all together, do everything in the right order or brick your phone...

I think I need a little "you can't possibly screw up your phone that works wonderfully except for this space issue" pep talk.

Anyone?
 
lizm said:
I've had this phone for 5 months or so, it's my second Droid. I'm very happy with the performance of the stock rom. I like my apps, I have a big sd card, everything is peachy.

But lately, more than before, I've been hitting the space wall and I've gotten to the point that i don't want to delete any more apps.

I'm a bit of a computer geek. I wrote my papers in college on a computer running DOS. I've had every Windows version and most of the early Mac OS' too. I've written small programs. I've been a web and database developer for 15 years.

Why, every time that I consider rooting, do I read what i need to gather and do and get totally overwhelmed and (virtually) walk away? I know to RTFM, and I have, but it still seems like a lot to do - go here, download that, go there, download this, get them all together, do everything in the right order or brick your phone...

I think I need a little "you can't possibly screw up your phone that works wonderfully except for this space issue" pep talk.

Anyone?
Click to expand...

If yourself gingerbread there really isn't a way to screw it up. Just run the application and your done.
 
Lizm, you are doing what I did. You are not one of the ones that is diving in blindly without reading anything, you are *over* thinking it.

I could screw up a brick. my phone is rooted with no problems.

I don't think you can brick your phone from just rooting. I think it either takes or it doesn't.

If I can do it, you can do it. I am old and untrainable ;p
 
Thanks :)

So the best approach here is to

1. Do the Gingerbread root

and

2. Install link2SD or or that other "something"2SD? Move2SD?

Will doing the Gingerbread root give me a route to put everything back the way it was if I screw up?

Also...I have Go Launcher, lots of apps (many on SD)...do I need to uninstall these before starting this?
 
Oh--and when you go to partition the sd card, use Minitool and let it do everything (including formatting).

Easy-peasy.
 
Gingerbread sounds better... Gingerbreak sounds like you will definitely break something... I'm in the same boat, been debating it for 6 months. Is there a way to stop the new Market from updating itself if I root? I've managed to keep my apps at bay with 40mb free... but I really hate this new Market.... probably root this weekend.
 
Remember, ginger break will root and ital superuser, you will download and install busybox from the market. Also, if you a custom rom you will need to install the flash_image file and a custom recovery. Look at the "How to root without a computer" thread for more info.
 
mkbkr1 said:
Remember, ginger break will root and ital superuser, you will download and install busybox from the market. Also, if you a custom rom you will need to install the flash_image file and a custom recovery. Look at the "How to root without a computer" thread for more info.
Click to expand...
the thread can be found here http://androidforums.com/optimus-v-...ide-rooting-without-computer.html#post2985787
It won't hurt to read the posts below mkbrk1's initial post. Just skip over the first 12 and start from there(it's was just me being my over thinking,worry wart self) It will show that if they can do it(I did it too), Anybody can do it.
Plus it will give you further insight on what to expect(fear of the unknown can stop anybody in there tracks)
It will also help to direct further questions on the subject of rooting,recovery's,ROM's and kernel's to the "All Things Root" section as there will be more members there who will be better able to help you accomplish you goal. Not to say that your not getting the best advice now. The forum likes to keep an established order to better help the members find the right advice,with less hunting and waiting.
 
Thanks for this info and links, going to try it this weekend. A couple questions:

1. Will I have to format the existing SD card, or can I leave the 7gb of "stuff" on it (has 7gb of free space)? I read somewhere to format your SD card with partitions to use link2SD, seems you'd need to do that before starting this.
2. I have GO Launcher, will my screens all remain, or will I need to reset everything up after? (I'll have its config file backed up)
3. Is "Androzip" important? I use "File Expert" installed which zips and unzips files.
4. Where does the "back-up" go? (I assume a new folder on the SD card, named "back-up"?)

I'll back my SD card up to my PC 1st, but just wondering what I'll expect to lose.
 
Your file manager should work fine, try it and see if extracts the linked files. The backup will go in a folder on your sd card named clockworkmod. If you look in there you another folder named backup, in there will be your backup(saved with a date/time stamp) for the file name.

Occasionally, gingerbreak has been known to format the sd card. If you still have the original card that came with your phone, it may better to use it.
As for your apps and launcher, just rooting will not affect any of that.

However, when you install a new rom you will need to format data, cache, dalvik cache(under advanced), and under mounts and storage format boot, system, system, data and cache. This will erase all user data from the phone. It will be just like when turned your phone on for the first time, only with your custom rom. You will need to log back into your google account, and reload all your apps.

It is a good idea to use Titanium Backup or My Backup Root to backup all your user apps prior to flashing a new rom, then you can restore your apps to your new rom. Just do not try restore any system apps or settings as this will likely cause problems and force closes.

Any problems or questions, please feel free to ask. We have a huge crowd of helpful people here.
 
I just finished rooting using gingerbreak [and flashed the backside rom and green machine theme :) ] and it didn't format my SD card, I'm using an 8gb sandisk. Once I took the time to read over everything (and take notes) it was fairly easy...the worst part was waiting for the 63mb backside rom to download lol
 
tcat007 said:
Thanks for this info and links, going to try it this weekend. A couple questions:

1. Will I have to format the existing SD card, or can I leave the 7gb of "stuff" on it (has 7gb of free space)? I read somewhere to format your SD card with partitions to use link2SD, seems you'd need to do that before starting this.
2. I have GO Launcher, will my screens all remain, or will I need to reset everything up after? (I'll have its config file backed up)
3. Is "Androzip" important? I use "File Expert" installed which zips and unzips files.
4. Where does the "back-up" go? (I assume a new folder on the SD card, named "back-up"?)

I'll back my SD card up to my PC 1st, but just wondering what I'll expect to lose.
Click to expand...
The exploit doesn't like any card over 4G. If you can find the stock(this is what i had to do)2g card reformat it back to default settings and use that to download everything on.
Once your rooted and have made a backup, then reinstall the the larger sd card. Rooting will not do anything to your current set up,as long as you put your larger sd card back in.
Also you will need to install a terminal emulator from the market before begining. Once you are done with the rooting and recovery process then you can go into you new recovery and partition your sd card.
I would make a backup of your sd card on your PC if you cant find the stock 2G. If you get an error message with the large sd card then you can try and reformat it using the phone. If you still get an error message then it doesn't like your sd card and you will have to find a smaller one
Adrozip was just one he knew would work to unzip and move the whole contents of the zip file to the root of the sd card all at once,instead of having to move each individual file one at a time
Any backups you make of your system will be in clockworkmod/backup. You can also download ROM Manager and use it to delete,rename(instead of the date stamp)without having to go into your recovery. It also has a fix permission option.
Don't use "Install a ROM from sd card" unless you are only installing an update or patch to a currently installed ROM. This option will only allow you to wipe Cache partition and Dalvik cache. When installing any new ROM you have to wipe everything and format most of everything
You can flash the CWM recovery v3.2.0.1 from it as long as ROM Manager is v4.3.2.4 or higher.
Hopefully that answers your questions. Please remember to direct any further questions to the appropriate thread in the "All Things Root" section that way you will be helped sooner and get the best answers to you questions EDIT: I'm so slow typing two other members got there posts in sooner(not one, but two).
 
Thanks! Very helpful. I do have my 2gb card, will use it. So nothing is needed from that card once I'm rooted (I can just put my 16gb card back in)?

Can I leave all the data on my 16gb card, mount it to my PC, and use something like Partition Wizard to partition it from free space? (this is after I root)

I really only want to free up app space, get rid of cr@p that keeps opening that I don't use, and maybe prevent the new Market from auto installing (don't have high hopes for that one).
 
I am a huge root fan. I try not to be pushy about it. But if someone shows a little interest in it I will push them. All I have to say is dooooooooooooo eeeeeet. You won't regret it.

I followed a now archaic tutorial (back in April) so I could use Move2SD. A great program, but it isn't the fix for the space issue. I used this because I couldn't get Link2SD to work.

I at first thought rooting was going to be the magical solution to my internal space problems. It wasn't, the magical solution is Link2SD plain and simple. It puts a short cut in the internal memory but puts the meat and potatoes of the app on a 2ndary partition on your uSD. Apps load a tiny bit slower and the phone boots a lot slower. I have never noticed any app performance issues once they've started.

I'm glad to hear everyone recommending my tutorial and to know it is helping people.

If I wasn't rooted I would totally use the gingerbreak (to me it makes me think of a moshing ginger, or someone tenderly breaking something) option. In fact I am thinking about getting my wife an Optimus V for our anniversary because she always gets my hand-me-down tech and I hate doing that to her and if I do get her one I'll gingerbreak it for her.

The root method I used took longer to get everything set up than the actual rooting did. Which was a let down, I was hoping for a half hour of entering code and such into the phone.

He who controls the root, controls the universe.
 
tcat007 said:
Thanks! Very helpful. I do have my 2gb card, will use it. So nothing is needed from that card once I'm rooted (I can just put my 16gb card back in)?

Can I leave all the data on my 16gb card, mount it to my PC, and use something like Partition Wizard to partition it from free space? (this is after I root)

I really only want to free up app space, get rid of cr@p that keeps opening that I don't use, and maybe prevent the new Market from auto installing (don't have high hopes for that one).
Click to expand...
You can partition the sd card in your recovery. For more answers to that question you might try the "All Things Root" sub-forum and MacFett has a great tutorial on that very subject in that sub-forum EDIT: man I'm really slow, I guess MacFett beat me to it. That's all right. He's the man in the know.
 
@tcat to address a couple things for you. I haven't tried this, but it may work. You can uninstall the market updates and then there is a process running called update.market.com I am unsure if this is what updates the market app OR if this is what allows the market to update other apps. Either way, you can try and free it with titanium and see. If it doesn't allow any app to update, well then you have to unfreeze it. If it keeps the market from updating you then just need to find an APK of the market before this newest update and install that.

you can backup what is on the current uSD card and install link2SD with that without formating your data. But make sure you follow my instructions very closely! I have done the process 3 times and have never had to format a card except to find the steps for that for someone. But please, please, please make sure your back up your data first, use titanium backup. Just in case you run into a problem or your computer messes something up causing a loss of data. If that does happen you can go into your titanium backup and restore.

If you have any questions about the link2sd process use the tutorial thread in my signature. I try and check the forums at least once a day, more if I know someone is trying to get link2sd working.
 
tcat, with the help of these guys I got my phone rooted last weekend, the recovery installed, a backup of my rom and best of all Link2sd installed. Was well worth it.
 
Ok was going to "do it" tonight... Bad start: I unmounted my SD Card and put the 2gb in. Now none of the apps on my dock (or app drawer) work. At least the ones I need (like File Expert). Did I have to move all apps (that I need) back onto internal memory first? I'd rather "experiment" with my 2gb, than my 16gb card.
 
tcat007 said:
Ok was going to "do it" tonight... Bad start: I unmounted my SD Card and put the 2gb in. Now none of the apps on my dock (or app drawer) work. At least the ones I need (like File Expert). Did I have to move all apps (that I need) back onto internal memory first? I'd rather "experiment" with my 2gb, than my 16gb card.
Click to expand...
yes they need to be on the phone.

It wouldn't hurt to download andozip It really is one of the best for allowing you to extract the entire contents of a zip file to another location.

Once your rooted you might think about keeping androzip and checking out all that Super Manager can do(Look in the file explorer at the scrollable tool bar).
Don't forget to download a terminal emulator.
 
Thanks, couple more questions:
1. Is 27mb enough free space on phone?
2. the .zip unzipped into folder called "root files", should those files actually be at root (not in the folder)?
3. Where is MacFett's "the link2sd process use the tutorial thread in his signature", I don't see a signature.
4. also in the text:
su(return)
mount_-o_remount,rw_-t_yaffs2_/system_/system(return)
cat_/sdcard/flash_image_>_/system/bin/flash_image(return)
chmod_755_/system/bin/flash_image(return)
flash_image_recovery_/sdcard/vrecovery.img(return)
reboot_recovery(return))

I know the red are spaces, I assume the black are underscores. "Return" is just the return key, right, or are the (return)'s typed? And there's an extra ) at the end?
 
tcat007 said:
Thanks, couple more questions:
1. Is 27mb enough free space on phone?
2. the .zip unzipped into folder called "root files", should those files actually be at root (not in the folder)?
3. Where is MacFett's "the link2sd process use the tutorial thread in his signature", I don't see a signature.
4. also in the text:
su(return)
mount_-o_remount,rw_-t_yaffs2_/system_/system(return)
cat_/sdcard/flash_image_>_/system/bin/flash_image(return)
chmod_755_/system/bin/flash_image(return)
flash_image_recovery_/sdcard/vrecovery.img(return)
reboot_recovery(return))

I know the red are spaces, I assume the black are underscores. "Return" is just the return key, right, or are the (return)'s typed? And there's an extra ) at the end?
Click to expand...

1. Not sure about the memory issue, try it. If it doesn't work, try to free up some more memory.
2. Correct, place the files at root of the sd card, not in a folder.
3.http://androidforums.com/optimus-v-all-things-root/364833-link2sd-you-tutorial.html
4. Red underscores are spaces, black underscores are typed, (return) means press the return key, typo on the parenthesis (corrected now, thanks)
 
tcat007 said:
Thanks, couple more questions:
1. Is 27mb enough free space on phone?
2. the .zip unzipped into folder called "root files", should those files actually be at root (not in the folder)?
3. Where is MacFett's "the link2sd process use the tutorial thread in his signature", I don't see a signature.
4. also in the text:
su(return)
mount_-o_remount,rw_-t_yaffs2_/system_/system(return)
cat_/sdcard/flash_image_>_/system/bin/flash_image(return)
chmod_755_/system/bin/flash_image(return)
flash_image_recovery_/sdcard/vrecovery.img(return)
reboot_recovery(return))

I know the red are spaces, I assume the black are underscores. "Return" is just the return key, right, or are the (return)'s typed? And there's an extra ) at the end?
Click to expand...
The Root of the sd card means they need to be put somewhere near the bottom of the list of file folders on the sd card)
Return in parentheses means to hit the enter key. Red underscores are definitely spaces and black are under scores.
I really don't know if 27MB is enough or not. It won't hurt to delete the big MB apps that you can download for free(just make a note of which ones),and try and get you internal memory up past 50MB's


The first line gives you superuser rights.
the second line mounts the sd card with read/write privileges so you can flash the flash_image and the recovery.img from it.
The third line flashes the flash_image to the /system/bin from the sd card.
the forth line changes the permission on the flash_img to rwxr-xr-x.
the fifth line flashes the recovery from the sd card to the system.
the sixth line......obvious.
Edit: I really need to learn to type faster
 
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