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Root new users: please read before rooting!

digdug1

Android Expert
Apr 27, 2010
1,965
309
i don't mean to flame anyone in particular, but i have seen two threads in as little as two days asking what root is or what to do after rooting. the problem with rooting becoming easier is that people can root their phone without even knowing what root is! if you use the one click methods without RESEARCHING what will you do if you get stuck at the infamous "M" or you get stuck in a boot loop cycle? there are countless other problems you could potentially encounter. of course you could always ask for help here. but lets face it if you really do screw up your phone it could require a learned skill set that you don't get from a root app found in the market.

i hate to get on my soap box but this is a valid point and not one to be taken likely.

come on people READ! the all things root sticky was labor intensive and was put in place by the mods for a reason. it was made for you to read before you root not after you encounter a problem. jeez!

http://androidforums.com/droid-all-things-root/163259-motorola-droid-all-things-root-guide-updated-october-11th-2010-11-05pm-est.html
 
though I am a 100% fan of 1 click fast root tools and think that is the way all rooting should and will go more and more as a 1 root tool is no different than all of the other tools someone made for us that makes rooting life easier post rooting (ROM Manager, SetCPU, Clockworkmod, Superuser, etc), I do agree that so many people are:

1) rooting and THEN asking now what do I do once they have root. Which is so bass akwards
2) asking about how to root when there are GREAT existing threads (dozens upon dozens) on this forum that tell you step by step - or give you 1 click options
3) asking why they would want to root when, like #2, tons of threads exist (this whole part of the forum for example) on the benefits and virtues of why to root.

my point, use the search (upper right) function and read existing threads. There is no doubt you will get all the help you need here and advice should you get into a pinch, just like I did when I first rooted and now try to give back having a pretty solid understanding of it, but man... you need to take some effort up front, just 1 day of legit research, if you have questions 1-3 as it gets kind of hard to answer the same stuff over and over.
 
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i have no problems with the one click methods i will probably use one if i decide to get the x. the problem is they require no prior research. before these methods came out you HAD to study procedures before rooting. the rooting process also provided you with tools and knowledge to bring your phone back from bricking.
anyone can download an app and push a button but maybe not so with a possible brick situation.
 
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I have been doing research on this site for months, got my first droid back in February and waited until now to root because I didn't feel comfortable doing so. I have found EVERYTHING I need in all of these threads and through searching. I absolutely LOVE this site and all the useful information on it. So far I've flashed 2 different ROM's a few Kernals and even some different themes. I know it's not much to some of you but that's a huge step for me. Anyway, I can totally see why you guys get annoyed with rooting newbs asking a million questions after they've messed their phones up...this is exactly why I waited long enough...and now that I've rooted, I can't believe I waited this long lol
 
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I have been doing research on this site for months, got my first droid back in February and waited until now to root because I didn't feel comfortable doing so. I have found EVERYTHING I need in all of these threads and through searching. I absolutely LOVE this site and all the useful information on it. So far I've flashed 2 different ROM's a few Kernals and even some different themes. I know it's not much to some of you but that's a huge step for me. Anyway, I can totally see why you guys get annoyed with rooting newbs asking a million questions after they've messed their phones up...this is exactly why I waited long enough...and now that I've rooted, I can't believe I waited this long lol

congrats! and welcome aboard!

don't get me wrong it isn't about being annoyed so much as someone possibly getting their phone to a state that they either cant or don't know how to recover from. it is virtually impossible to completely brick your phone if you know how to bring it back. even those of us who have done their research haven experienced this before and it is very scary! its not like you can take your phone back to vzw and exchange it. it does void your warranty after all.

rooting is safe and can make your phone feel like a new device. i would recommend it to anyone. just read a little:)
 
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though I am a 100% fan of 1 click fast root tools and think that is the way all rooting should and will go more and more as a 1 root tool is no different than all of the other tools someone made for us that makes rooting life easier post rooting (ROM Manager, SetCPU, Clockworkmod, Superuser, etc), I do agree that so many people are:

1) rooting and THEN asking now what do I do once they have root. Which is so bass akwards
2) asking about how to root when there are GREAT existing threads (dozens upon dozens) on this forum that tell you step by step - or give you 1 click options
3) asking why they would want to root when, like #2, tons of threads exist (this whole part of the forum for example) on the benefits and virtues of why to root.

my point, use the search (upper right) function and read existing threads. There is no doubt you will get all the help you need here and advice should you get into a pinch, just like I did when I first rooted and now try to give back having a pretty solid understanding of it, but man... you need to take some effort up front, just 1 day of legit research, if you have questions 1-3 as it gets kind of hard to answer the same stuff over and over.
All good points here, but as a new Droid owner there are tooooo many threads here that tell you how to root, and most are not written for a new user, and having so many ways to root, it's hard to know which is best. Thanks for all your efforts here to help us out.
 
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All good points here, but as a new Droid owner there are tooooo many threads here that tell you how to root, and most are not written for a new user, and having so many ways to root, it's hard to know which is best. Thanks for all your efforts here to help us out.

fair enough & a decent point and part of exactly why this topic started, but when in doubt, always check the stickies at the top of any forum...

http://androidforums.com/droid-all-...de-updated-october-11th-2010-11-05pm-est.html
 
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i have no problems with the one click methods i will probably use one if i decide to get the x. the problem is they require no prior research. before these methods came out you HAD to study procedures before rooting. the rooting process also provided you with tools and knowledge to bring your phone back from bricking.
anyone can download an app and push a button but maybe not so with a possible brick situation.

I get your greater point digdug1 and think we see mostly eye to eye on that greater point.

But the problem with part of the logic there is that once you root, apps that are vital to make the rooting experience worth while someone else wrote and did the research on and made to make our life's easier & steps and processes faster... and we did not write them or know how they work per se, we just believe in them, download them and use them. So should be with root.

my point, I am not one of the believers and ever really have been that anyone should HAVE to know the in's and out's of rooting exactly & how it works or buy into the old school method of 15 steps and 3 software downloads and nail biting unknowns. I mean, who wants to get mired down with all of that as it is, to 99% of the people rooting (and thus making a reason for root and all of the cool tools to exist) it is gibberish and makes little sense and takes to much time/effort. this does NOT mean I do not think people should research how to root, pick a method (1 click or old school), have some very general understanding, research the benefits/pros/cons, and have a reason to do so. I only mean that the days of understanding how root works.... I just do not see it as important as I do not know how ROM Manager was built, or SetCPU was built, or how a kernel is devised.. but I use them. However, you should know why your rooting and what the point is before you do it and do some simple searches around here as 99% of the time, your answer already exits with a days bit of research.
 
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All good points here, but as a new Droid owner there are tooooo many threads here that tell you how to root, and most are not written for a new user, and having so many ways to root, it's hard to know which is best. Thanks for all your efforts here to help us out.

I tend to agree with this comment. I am retired and spent many hours trying to search and read various threads to educate myself on the various aspects of rooting. I think that many are looking for the condensed, "Cliff Notes" version that has everything they need in one place. The "All Things Root" thread is very close to that but the truth is that rooting is an evolving science and methods and outcomes are changed as new stock builds are issued. There is no doubt that some folks are boarding the train without taking the time and discipline to determine exactly where it is taking them or how to get back home (i.e. stock, unrooted), if necessary.

That said, my suggestion is to show patience and do your "due diligence" in terms of research and reading to make sure you understanding where you are going and how to get there (or get back, if needed). I asked lots of noob questions in areas where I found the threads unclear or contradictory. That's okay and you will find great support and help within this forum.
 
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I get your greater point digdug1 and think we see mostly eye to eye on that greater point.

But the problem with part of the logic there is that once you root, apps that are vital to make the rooting experience worth while someone else wrote and did the research on and made to make our life's easier & steps and processes faster... and we did not write them or know how they work per se, we just believe in them, download them and use them. So should be with root.

my point, I am not one of the believers and ever really have been that anyone should HAVE to know the in's and out's of rooting exactly & how it works or buy into the old school method of 15 steps and 3 software downloads and nail biting unknowns. I mean, who wants to get mired down with all of that as it is, to 99% of the people rooting (and thus making a reason for root and all of the cool tools to exist) it is gibberish and makes little sense and takes to much time/effort. this does NOT mean I do not think people should research how to root, pick a method (1 click or old school), have some very general understanding, research the benefits/pros/cons, and have a reason to do so. I only mean that the days of understanding how root works.... I just do not see it as important as I do not know how ROM Manager was built, or SetCPU was built, or how a kernel is devised.. but I use them. However, you should know why your rooting and what the point is before you do it and do some simple searches around here as 99% of the time, your answer already exits with a days bit of research.

we do see partially eye to eye here. no one is saying that you should know the ins and outs of every step of the old school root process. but you should also not be so uninformed as to root and ask "ok now what do i do?":(
until there is a one click procedure to sbf your phone all newbs should read up and decide if the risk is worth it to them. that's all i am saying.
 
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