[TUTORIAL] IDIOT-PROOF Root Guide! No ADB, no fuss!
OK GUYS: Full guide is up on xda! Get it while it's hot! I will be posting it here in a new topic later on because I will have to cut it up to separate posts due to limitations here.
After the positive response I got from my Swype guide, I decided to do one for root too. I have found that Toast's guide goes way over the head of a lot of new users (Using adb to copy and rename files? C'm on, Toast!), and I want to simplify things down for them.
In this guide, I will provide a way for you to backup your phone in case you have any vital programs, and I will take you all the way through getting back to the rooted stock image and restoring your apps (from there, you will be on your own!). This DOES work with Sprint's latest OTA (ends in .6).
Please let me know if there are any errors or any omissions (something like Titanium Backup not working with unrEVOked; I haven't tested this). Also, if someone wants to take some screenshots of the recovery stuff or just has images of the steps, just let me know, and I can add them.
1. First things first, if you don't want to backup your apps, skip to step #14.
SECTION I: BACKING UP YOUR APPS
2. Go to the settings menu, and select Applications.
3. Check the box next to "Unknown Applications" and accept the warning.
4. Go to your web browser and navigate to unrevoked .
5. Click the logo to download the file, as it says.
6. Once the file is done downloading, click it.
7. Click the install button, and hit "open" when it is done installing.
8. Click Start!
9. When you get the "Done." message, navigate to the Market and find Titanium Backup. I HIGHLY recommend the donate version, but you need to donate to the dev via PayPal to get a license file, and it could take him up to a day to email it to you.
10. Click "open" after it is done installing and click the "Problems?" tab at the bottom.
11. Click "yes" to install BusyBox.
12. When Titanium Backup restarts, press Menu and select "Batch."
13. Backup all of your apps here.
SECTION II: ROOTING FOR THE FIRST TIME
14. Plug in your phone's USB cable and connect it to your computer. You should get a prompt in the notification bar that the phone is connected. Open the notification bar and select where it says "charge only."
15. Change the type to "disk drive" and select "Done."
16. Download this file, and save it to your desktop.
17. Since your phone is connected as a disk drive, navigate to My Computer and you will see it as "Removable Disk." Drag and drop the file you just downloaded to the icon.
18. At this point, we are about to flash the debug image. YOUR DATA WILL ALL BE WIPED AFTER THIS POINT!
19. Hold down "power" to bring up the following menu. Select "Power off."
20. Select "Ok."
21. At this point, I don't have any screen shots, but I will post toast's exact words that you should follow to the letter:
Quote:
- Hold volume down while powering the phone on. continue to hold volume down until you see the WHITE bootloader screen.
- After a few seconds it will begin to checking for files, and find PC36IMG.zip. while its doing this it will show a blue progress bar while its checking. (this takes 30 - 60 seconds to finish)
- It will then list all the images in the zip and ask you if want to flash. SAY YES
- When its finished it will ask you if you would like to reboot. AGAIN... SAY YES
- At this point it will boot into a rooted rom.
Essentially, you just have to hold the volume down button as you press the power button, and the phone will do the rest. Just accept any prompts you get.
22. You are now rooted! Congratulations! However, this debug ROM will not show protected apps in the Market, so we're going to install a rooted version of the stock ROM now.
23. After everything is booted, reconnect your USB cable and enter disk drive mode as described before.
24. Navigate to the PC36IMG.zip file and rename it however you want. This prevents it from running when ever you reboot. After this file is renamed, disable "disk mode" the same way you enabled it.
SECTION III: INSTALLING A CUSTOM RECOVERY
NOTE: Steps 25 - 28 may not work for you! You may just want to skip them and go straight to step #29, which contains the fix if these steps do not work. Some users have reported different results, so if these steps do or don't work for you, please let me know!
25. Go to the Market and download ROM Manager free (or donate if you want!). Open it.
26. Select Flash ClockworkMod Recovery.
27. Select your device.
28. Confirm that it downloads successfully. If you get a force close the first time or two, just ignore them and try again. Same goes for download errors. Sometimes his servers can be slow.
29. If ROM Manager just won't work for you, download this file, rename it to "update.zip," and copy it to the root of your SD card just like we did with the debug image before.
SECTION IV: INSTALLING A CUSTOM ROM
30. At this time, we will download the rooted stock ROM. Get it here and save it to your desktop. Also note, you can replace this stock ROM with any custom ROM that you please, but I am just using the stock for demonstration purposes. Follow the exact same steps but with any ROM you want.
31. Copy it to your SD card exactly like we did before with the first ROM. Make sure you re-enable disk mode so you can copy files again.
32. Now I also don't have pictures for this part, but I will give you the exact words from Koush on how to boot into recovery:
Quote:
When you want to launch the recovery image
* Turn on your device with 'volume down' pressed and select 'Recovery'
* When the exclamation mark appears, press and hold 'volume up' then press 'power'
* Select the second option, 'Apply sdcard:update.zip
* That's it, ClockworkMod recovery should launch!
Just like before, we turn off the phone and hold the volume down key as we power on the device. However, this time we will select "Recovery" from the menu (move down with the volume button and select it with the power button). Now you will see a screen with an exclamation mark. Press and hold the volume up button and press the power button. Select the "apply update.zip" option, and you will be in recovery mode.
33. First, wipe the cache partition and the user data by selecting their respective menu options. From here, select "install zip from sdcard." Now select "choose zip from sdcard" and navigate to the stock ROM .zip file that we downloaded.
The full recovery menu will read as follows:
Quote:
-reboot system now
-apply sdcard: update.zip -wipe data/factory reset -wipe cache partition -install zip from sdcard
-nandroid
-partitions menu
-advanced
- *****Go Back*****
Select the bolded in the items in the order in which they appear. After all is wiped, select -install zip from sdcard then pick -choose zip from sdcard and finally navigate to the zipped ROM that you want to install.
34. After the ROM is done installing, pick "reboot system now" from the menu.
35. Congratulations again! You are now running a rooted version of the stock ROM. You can restore your apps with Titanium Backup or you can get another custom ROM and flash it exactly the same way that you flashed the stock ROM. I highly recommend Fresh ROM, which can be found in this topic. In fact, ANY custom ROM can be flashed in the same manner that is described in steps 30-34.
What is the point of the steps after the first rooting method. I did that then flashed clockwork right after with no problem....
Which steps would those be? After you flash the custom recovery I show you how to install custom ROMs, which are fairly important since the debug ROM used to root doesn't show protected apps in the Market.
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Sent from my HTC EVO 4G using Tapatalk Pro.
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i need help!! i did this and have been sucessful up until step 32-33 when i go to the reboot screen and i have to do the -reboot system now
-apply sdcard: update.zip -wipe data/factory reset
-wipe cache partition
-install zip from sdcard
-nandroid
-partitions menu
-advanced
- *****Go Back*****
i only have down to the wipe cache option nothing else...and i run the apply sdcard: update.zip and i get nothing just a abort fail message stating there is no such file or directory????
i need help!! i did this and have been sucessful up until step 32-33 when i go to the reboot screen and i have to do the -reboot system now
-apply sdcard: update.zip -wipe data/factory reset
-wipe cache partition
-install zip from sdcard
-nandroid
-partitions menu
-advanced
- *****Go Back*****
i only have down to the wipe cache option nothing else...and i run the apply sdcard: update.zip and i get nothing just a abort fail message stating there is no such file or directory????
yes but what about the remaining steps? the rom install? like fresh and the stock rooted rom? do i install those from sd card per the rom manager app?
Yes, you'll have to look around for ROM's and copy them to the SD card. Then all you have to do is run the ROM Manager and tell it to "Install from SD Card".
Last edited by billsmed; June 13th, 2010 at 12:17 AM.
Wow.... off topic, but Bill is alive on this forum agajn
Well, still alive and kicking anyway! I found this tutorial very helpful for overcoming a problem with the ROM Manager.
Edit: htc, which ROM are you using now? I have one last problem... I'm using RvU_1.3.2.zip and now the camera doesn't work, but it was supposed to with that ROM.
Last edited by billsmed; June 13th, 2010 at 12:17 AM.
Well, still alive and kicking anyway! I found this tutorial very helpful for overcoming a problem with the ROM Manager.
Edit: htc, which ROM are you using now? I have one last problem... I'm using RvU_1.3.2.zip and now the camera doesn't work, but it was supposed to with that ROM.
Was on rvu (camera worked for me though)... everthing was working but i wanted to try fresh rom... apparently fresh rom isnt allowing me to watch flash videos on _ÿ??_??,???,?. so i might need to find anotherrom
Was on rvu (camera worked for me though)... everthing was working but i wanted to try fresh rom... apparently fresh rom isnt allowing me to watch flash videos on _ÿ??_??,???,?. so i might need to find anotherrom
I might try that one myself if I can figure out how to download it.
lovely detailed tutorial, i got hung up on step 32, wouldnt let me apply sdupdate
and Rom manager isnt responding, i even select option to Install rom from SD, says it will reboot but doesnt
do nothing
got passed that, had to download and rename clockwork to update manually.
Now In Clock Recovery, try to install Fresh Rom from "install zip" it trys to open and does nothing.
Last edited by nitty917; June 13th, 2010 at 12:51 AM.
lovely detailed tutorial, i got hung up on step 32, wouldnt let me apply sdupdate
and Rom manager isnt responding, i even select option to Install rom from SD, says it will reboot but doesnt
do nothing
That's the same problem I had. I had to go back to step 29 and do everything from there on.
yeh. not too sure why. btw, bill... can you check tudou.com and see if you can play any videos in the RVU rom that your using? Thanks
htc, whenever I try to run any of those videos, they don't work. There's a message box that comes up saying something about Flash.
I've had a heck of a time. I just had to wipe everything and start over, because after everything was done, the camera wouldn't work. Whatever I did had no affect on it, so I had to start over. Right now I'm running RvU 132 and everything seems to be okay. Don't know what to tell you about your videos, though.
htc, whenever I try to run any of those videos, they don't work. There's a message box that comes up saying something about Flash.
I've had a heck of a time. I just had to wipe everything and start over, because after everything was done, the camera wouldn't work. Whatever I did had no affect on it, so I had to start over. Right now I'm running RvU 132 and everything seems to be okay. Don't know what to tell you about your videos, though.
looks like the site updated the flash. can't seem to load it anymore. sucks
Device(s): Sprint HTC Hero, HTC EVO 4G, HTC EVO 3D, Motorola XOOM WiFi
Thanks: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EvO_DyNasty
got everything done now cant flash any custom roms. just gets into recovery
E: cant open/ cache/recovery/command
ok nmind, got it to work.
what did you do to fix it? i am stuck with my rom manager not doing anything when i click install from sd card
What is with people just saying "it works" "got it to work" tell us what you did to solve the problem or you aren't helping anyone and your posts are pointless.
I followed all the steps, and I've repeated steps 30-34 three times now, I downloaded the fresh evo rom and when I select that on my sdcard I somehow end up with stock rom on my phone again.
Any idea's what I'm missing or messing up?
Edit: I got it, it was the radio update. Make sure to download and install the Radio Baseband 1.39.00.05.31.
Last edited by flukeSG2; June 13th, 2010 at 03:56 AM.
this is a good guide...but OP should have a warning before the meat and potatoes that rooting and flashing rooms is not for beginners. I have read thru so many guides and how to root posts/threads...and most folks are missing the mark.
I have also noticed that between this guide and the one I used there are differences in the rom flash.
Please remember that rooting, flashing custom roms...flashing radios are NOT a noob friendly thing...and one should do as much research as possible to have the knowledge to deal with the process.
I updated the guide with photos of the recovery method, but since AndroidForums won't let me include more than 30 images, you have to view the thread at XDA for the full steps! Sorry!
Excellent write-up! I have been using Titanium Backup with unREVOked and am having serious problems with it. I switched to MyBackup and it works flawlessly.
Should you be able to open PC36IMG.ZIP to "explore" it on your PC?
I've downloaded it numerous times from numerous different links and I can't open it (says it's an INVALID ZIP FILE). When I try to install it from the recovery screen all I get is a wiped unrooted ROM.
Should you be able to open PC36IMG.ZIP to "explore" it on your PC?
I've downloaded it numerous times from numerous different links and I can't open it (says it's an INVALID ZIP FILE). When I try to install it from the recovery screen all I get is a wiped unrooted ROM.
You shouldn't have to touch it after you download it from the supplied link. No renaming and no need to explore. Here is the page with the original link:
It shouldn't be corrupted or anything. As far as I know, you can open it on a PC, but I wouldn't mess with it.
Also, would everyone who has an issue and suddenly overcomes it please post 1) the issue you had (include the step number for easy reference), and 2) how you overcame it (please be detailed; did you misread, did you skip a step, was something confusing?). All of your input can be used to improve the guide. Thanks!
You shouldn't have to touch it after you download it from the supplied link. No renaming and no need to explore.
Yes, I understand all that.
The problem is I believe the current link to PC36IMG.ZIP has a corrupt file. Since it is a ZIP file you SHOULD be able to open it and look at it just like UPDATE.ZIP and all the ROM zips I have downloaded but I am not. I get an "invalid file" message.
This leads me to believe the downloaded file is corrupt so I would like someone who already has it on their PC to see if it can be viewed in Windows. If they CAN open it than the file I have tried to download 15x is BAD where it is being hosted (or I am having a weird PC problem downloading it) but if they can't open it I have to look elsewhere to solve the problem I am having.
I'm pretty familiar with ROOT (I had a MyTouch3G) and never had a problem but for some reason the PC36IMG.ZIP file is not being applied. All I am getting is a CLEAN WIPED UNROOTED EVO when I try to apply it.
The problem is I believe the current link to PC36IMG.ZIP has a corrupt file. Since it is a ZIP file you SHOULD be able to open it and look at it just like UPDATE.ZIP and all the ROM zips I have downloaded but I am not. I get an "invalid file" message.
This leads me to believe the downloaded file is corrupt so I would like someone who already has it on their PC to see if it can be viewed in Windows. If they CAN open it than the file I have tried to download 15x is BAD where it is being hosted (or I am having a weird PC problem downloading it) but if they can't open it I have to look elsewhere to solve the problem I am having.
I'm pretty familiar with ROOT (I had a MyTouch3G) and never had a problem but for some reason the PC36IMG.ZIP file is not being applied. All I am getting is a CLEAN WIPED UNROOTED EVO when I try to apply it.
What you can do is simply click on your PC36IMG.ZIP file (assuming you have had it for a few days) on a windows computer and see if it opens so you can see it's contents. If it does that means more than likely the file has become corrupt SINCE YOU DOWNLOADED IT and that anyone downloading it now will have a corrupt file as I seem to have.
I'm going to try downloading it on another computer and see if that works.
Edit: It still says "invalid file" on the other computer.
Last edited by MisterEd; June 13th, 2010 at 12:49 PM.
What you can do is simply click on your PC36IMG.ZIP file (assuming you have had it for a few days) on a windows computer and see if it opens so you can see it's contents. If it does that means more than likely the file has become corrupt SINCE YOU DOWNLOADED IT and that anyone downloading it now will have a corrupt file as I seem to have.
I'm going to try downloading it on another computer and see if that works.
Edit: It still says "invalid file" on the other computer.
I'll get back to you. I'm on vacation, so my EVO is my only source of internet, and the download will take quite a while.
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Sent from my HTC EVO 4G using Tapatalk Pro.
I have a couple questions in regards to this method.
Is the Clockworkmod ROM Manager section doing the exact same thing as the using the evo-recovery.zip method (for recovery)? Just one is more automatic while the other requires ab shells?
I only found a free version of the titanium backup - does the dev still have the paid version?
I know that Flips Fresh ROM is putting all the bloatware onto the SD card; will the titanium backup end up putting all the bloatware back onto the phone's internal memory?
Device(s): Sprint HTC Hero, HTC EVO 4G, HTC EVO 3D, Motorola XOOM WiFi
Thanks: 16
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterEd
What you can do is simply click on your PC36IMG.ZIP file (assuming you have had it for a few days) on a windows computer and see if it opens so you can see it's contents. If it does that means more than likely the file has become corrupt SINCE YOU DOWNLOADED IT and that anyone downloading it now will have a corrupt file as I seem to have.
I'm going to try downloading it on another computer and see if that works.
Edit: It still says "invalid file" on the other computer.
I just unzipped it on my desktop and it worked fine. I would upload it for you but I'm in a hotel and have terrible connection.
Also, you said you are getting a clean unrooted evo after reboot, which sounds like my problem I had this morning and I had to download the radio update and run it like you do the rom files. I applied both the radio update and the rom at the same time and all seems to be working now.
Last edited by flukeSG2; June 13th, 2010 at 04:27 PM.
When Sprint announced their first ever 4G handset at CTIA in March 2010, they dropped a bombshell on the mobile world. The HTC Evo 4G is a device that introduces a lot of firsts when compared to other North American handsets. This is the first Andr... Read More
[TUTORIAL] IDIOT-PROOF Root Guide! No ADB, no fuss!
