Root New? START HERE BEFORE ASKING!!!! (The mostly noob proof guide....) UPDATED

[fixitpete]

Nice thread! Can you delete the associated odex files as well?

 

[asadullah]

search for auto deodexer it'll do it for you

 

[nomorefear]

hey asadullah, do you mean: this?

and I would totally appreciate finding the correct person to nag so we can get this thread stickied so that we can most likely have some newb-age questions answered....

oh and thanks again to everyone out there because I am super grateful to have such awesome cyber friends

 

[jabbawest]

I appreciate the terminology quick hits and I do understand that NAND flash memory is my phone's hard drive but what data/system state info would I be restoring from a backup?

Courtesy of NAND Memory definition (Phone Scoop)

A newer type of flash memory that is generally less expensive than traditional NOR flash memory.

"NAND" is the logic operator for "not and".

Thanks

 

[nomorefear]

I appreciate the terminology quick hits and I do understand that NAND flash memory is my phone's hard drive but what data/system state info would I be restoring from a backup?

Courtesy of NAND Memory definition (Phone Scoop)

Thanks

Literally everything... Just like a save state of zelda or fallout for example- you dont boot up a saved game to an empty inventory.... the nand backup will put you right back where you started

best way to put it is like its a cryogenic freeze for your phone

 

[omgbossis21]

..

 

[jabbawest]

Would be nice to have this updated, stickied and maybe include a link to the http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-all-things-root/314401-video-tutorials.html created by asadullah along with a few other pertinent links.

 

[nomorefear]

I made this post and can update but how do I sticky it?

 

[jabbawest]

I made this post and can update but how do I sticky it?

That would be up to the moderators but If it's a full and concise posting, with regards to all things root for the LG Optimus M, I'm pretty sure they'd consider making it a sticky.
Personally, I like all in one informative posts and you have a really good start with yours.
Too many n00bs, like myself, have to search through so much to find all the nomenclature, usually scattered hither and yon, needed to understand what it is that we're about to get into.

 

[thunderkiss65]

I have started this thread so that I can relieve the forum of senseless noob Q and A.

FLASH WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY ON THIS PHONE DO NOT ASK PLEASE
The reason this being is that an ARM6 processor (our phone has this) will not allow Flash to function properly without ruining your phone. The Droid Eris community (which I was a part of not too long ago) got this to work with an ARM6 but it was BAD BAD news. The only proper processor is an ARM7.

1- Dictionary

ADB- Android Developers Bridge: The program used to talk to your phone and give it commands (USE IT ONLY IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE LEARNING)

Root/Rooting- Getting the administrative control i.e, "hacking", "jailbreak", etc, etc...... Root is also defined as the base folder of your SD card. If you are told to place a file into root then this is what is meant. REMEMBER-root/rooting-admin control OR base folder on SD card. Please re read instructions you find in the forums throughly so that you may be able to save yourself some time and heartache.

Superuser- program which gives authority for another program to have Root access. Program examples are "setcpu", "terminal emulator", "auto killer memory optimizer"

Recovery- a useful tool that allows root users to flash roms, reinstall backups, and do many other fantastic things to help keep your phone from becoming a brick.

Flash/flashing- the action of "installing" a file that isnt normally installed by conventional means i.e. flashing a rom, flashing a radio, flashing a kernel, etc etc

Brick- making a device useless so that it is rendered a mass of uselessness i.e. PWNED

Terminal Emulator- a program which simulates ADB and basically is a way to communicate with the phone and provide a command language that is for upper eschelon (1337) users to helm.

Nand backup- In your recovery terminal there is an option to make a "Nand backup". This is a restore point or in gaming terms a save point. As most of us gamers know, if you save before you go further in the game and you make a poor choice then you can reset and go back to where you started. This is the same thing but for your phone

2- Rooting
Google search for "z4 root.apk" or use this nice little link: [APP] z4root - xda-developers

First step I do to install any program I find on the net to get onto my phone is to use "androzip" (found on marketplace) to browse my sd card and find the .apk file I put (usually just place something where you can find it).
Use the permanent root option and you should have a new rooted phone!


YOU MAY SKIP STEPS 3 AND 4 BUT IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU DO STEP 3 AT LEAST SO YOU HAVE A WAY TO FIX YOUR PHONE!!!!



3- Recovery Menu
Please see the link below for the recovery menu. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN PUTTING MODS ON YOUR PHONE

http://androidforums.com/getitnowmarketing/256286-custom-recovery-ms690-optimus-m.html

(NAND)- Please make a Nand backup as soon as you have this recovery terminal so that you can start messing with your phone and have a restore point in case you noob up your phone

4-Installing a Rom
This is so easy that your cat can do it while playing SEGA!!!

TO INSTALL A ROM (clean install)
/!\ WARNING: flash at your own risk and make sure you have over fifty percent battery and do not interrupt the flashing procedure. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!

-Place the .zip folder in the root folder on your SD card.
-Turn phone off
-Press Vol down+ Home +Power and release at LG Logo
-When in the Recovery menu use the volume down key to navigate onto "flash zip from sd card", use the button on the face of your phone that has the two boxes icon on it (the left most button) to make your selection
-Use the volume down key to find your .zip file and use the leftmost button again to select
-Let phone run its job. Phone should return to normal startup screen

Please visit the links below so that you may enjoy the works of our handy Developers (please give them thanks and be nice since they are the ones who gives us all the nifty things we enjoy)

Asadullah
http://androidforums.com/lg-optimus-m/256095-rom-zero-1-0-a.html

edodonnell (rom) and joneidy (for the method)
http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-all-things-root/279318-root-2-2-1-get-data-working.html

Gingerbread CyanogenMod 7 ROM from Joneidy here

5-Modifications

These apps can safely be removed from the LG Optimus M. (Big Thanks to edodonnell for this list)

Just because an app is listed here does not necessarily mean that it is useless or that you will want to remove it. It only means that it can safely be removed without damaging anything else.

If you remove an .apk, then you can also remove the corresponding .odex. Not all apps will have an .odex.

I (nomorefear) delete only the .apk files after backing up the files up on my computer so that I may reinstall them if need be.

Apps safe to remove:
AnalogClockWidget.apk - Analog Clock widget
Boingo_Wi-Fi.apk - Boingo WiFi
Calculator.apk - Calculator
Calendar.apk - Calendar App
CalendarProvider.apk - Supports the calendar. Remove only if Calendar.apk and CalendarWidget.apk have been removed.
CalendarWidget.apk - Calendar Widget
CarHome.apk - Car Home - Remove CarHomeLauncher.apk if this is removed.
CarHomeLauncher.apk - Car Home Launcher - Linked to CarHome.apk
ClockWeatherWidget.apk - Clock Weather Widget
DeskClock.apk - Clock app
DigitalAlarmWidget.apk - Alarm Clock widget
DualClockWidget.apk - Dual Clock widget
Email.apk - Email app - Safe to remove if you use Gmail or some other email app
GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk - Google Search widget and app
Homeselector.apk - Home Selector - Will not work if LGHome.apk is removed
LG-MS690_MetroBackup_1.27_PRODBuild_10082010.apk - MetroBackup
[/I][/B]
LGMS690_MetroNavigator_4.9.1_Build_57_10222010_rel _signed_PROD.apk - MetroNavigator
LGMS690_MetroPCS_EasyWiFi_V4.0.90.apk - EasyWiFi
LiveWallpapers.apk
LiveWallpapersPicker.apk
Loopt_Android_2.4.1_Oct.13.2010.apk - Loopt
MagicSmokeWallpapers.apk
Metro411.apk - Metro411
metroappstore-v1.3a.apk - MetroPCS App Store
MobileBanking.apk - Mobile Banking
MobilePosse.apk - MyExtras
Mocospace-1.2.4.apk - Moco Space
MPCS-MobileIM-0.4.24.2.apk - MobileIM
Music.apk - Music Player
MVC.MetroPCS.android02.apk - Virtual Card
PEX-3.1.1.1-metro-rc.apk - Pocket Express
PGA_Android.apk - Free Games
Protips.apk - Tips widget
RSSViewerWidget.apk - RSS Reader
SNS.apk - LG Facebook and Twitter app
thinkdroid.apk - Think Free Office
UNO_DEMO_LG_MS690_EN_NONIGP_MetroPCs_TS_307.apk - UNO Game
YouTube.apk - YouTube video player
z7-android2x.apk - Mail@Metro


These apps SHOULD NOT be removed:
Browser.apk - MetroWEB - Required for Android Market
Phone.apk - Phone app/dialer
Settings.apk - Settings menu
Talk.apk - Google Talk
LGHome.apk - Home app (NONONONO dont delete!!!)


6-Reverting back to whence you came

Stuck on 2.2.1? Wanna just go back to a regular phone? Downgrade for some odd reason sound good to you?
andyo70 has made a valid point in a post below so I am going to post his suggestion since its an awesome one... So go:

here and here


These two links are the methods proven to get you back to square one. After learning all that you have in this post, I am sure you can follow directions.

HOW TO GET YOUR PARTITION OFF THE SD CARD!!!!
Get "terminal emulator" from the market
type the word su then press enter then these commands:

parted /dev/block/mmcblk0 (press enter after each command)

rm 1 (deletes partition number 1)
rm 2 (deletes partition number 2)
rm 3 (if needed. keep going till all partitions are removed)


HELPFUL HINTEROONIE- If you have a file that you have to put on the sd card first and use adb to install it then do yourself a favor and try using the TERMINAL EMULATOR and place the commands as shown.... This is a hint for those who have overcome their newbness

I would like to make the blanket THANK YOU to all of our Devs first and foremost and a thank you to all of our testers for taking the risks to make this community what it is.

Feel free to email me at suffering_fortune@hotmail.com if you have any questions, concerns, or any other matter please. Thank you!
-nomorefear

lol i literally started laughing when you said WHEN YOU NOOB UP YOUR PHONE lol

 

[nomorefear]

@thunderkiss- I hope you enjoy this guide because I like being a bit funny while being informative. If you notice at the bottom of that post when I edit it I usually try to be funny as well like this: Last edited by nomorefear; June 1st, 2011 at 04:32 AM. Reason: how to remove partition off sd card bitches!

 

[thunderkiss65]

I have started this thread so that I can relieve the forum of senseless noob Q and A.

FLASH WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY ON THIS PHONE DO NOT ASK PLEASE
The reason this being is that an ARM6 processor (our phone has this) will not allow Flash to function properly without ruining your phone. The Droid Eris community (which I was a part of not too long ago) got this to work with an ARM6 but it was BAD BAD news. The only proper processor is an ARM7.

[SIZE="3"]1- Dictionary[/SIZE]

ADB- Android Developers Bridge: The program used to talk to your phone and give it commands (USE IT ONLY IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE LEARNING)

Root/Rooting- Getting the administrative control i.e, "hacking", "jailbreak", etc, etc...... Root is also defined as the base folder of your SD card. If you are told to place a file into root then this is what is meant. [COLOR="Magenta"]REMEMBER[/COLOR]-root/rooting-admin control OR base folder on SD card. Please re read instructions you find in the forums throughly so that you may be able to save yourself some time and heartache.

Superuser- program which gives authority for another program to have Root access. Program examples are "setcpu", "terminal emulator", "auto killer memory optimizer"

Recovery- a useful tool that allows root users to flash roms, reinstall backups, and do many other fantastic things to help keep your phone from becoming a brick.

Flash/flashing- the action of "installing" a file that isnt normally installed by conventional means i.e. flashing a rom, flashing a radio, flashing a kernel, etc etc

Brick- making a device useless so that it is rendered a mass of uselessness i.e. PWNED

Terminal Emulator- a program which simulates ADB and basically is a way to communicate with the phone and provide a command language that is for upper eschelon (1337) users to helm.

Nand backup- In your recovery terminal there is an option to make a "Nand backup". This is a restore point or in gaming terms a save point. As most of us gamers know, if you save before you go further in the game and you make a poor choice then you can reset and go back to where you started. This is the same thing but for your phone

[SIZE="3"]2- Rooting[/SIZE]
Google search for "z4 root.apk" or use this nice little link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833953

First step I do to install any program I find on the net to get onto my phone is to use "androzip" (found on marketplace) to browse my sd card and find the .apk file I put (usually just place something where you can find it).
Use the permanent root option and you should have a new rooted phone!


[SIZE="3"][COLOR="Magenta"][/SIZE]YOU MAY SKIP STEPS 3 AND 4 BUT IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU DO STEP 3 AT LEAST SO YOU HAVE A WAY TO FIX YOUR PHONE!!!![/COLOR]



[SIZE="3"]3- Recovery Menu[/SIZE]
Please see the link below for the recovery menu. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN PUTTING MODS ON YOUR PHONE

http://androidforums.com/getitnowmarketing/256286-custom-recovery-ms690-optimus-m.html

(NAND)- Please make a Nand backup as soon as you have this recovery terminal so that you can start messing with your phone and have a restore point in case you noob up your phone

[SIZE="3"]4-Installing a Rom[/SIZE]
This is so easy that your cat can do it while playing SEGA!!!

TO INSTALL A ROM (clean install)
[COLOR="Red"]/!\[/COLOR] [COLOR="Red"]WARNING[/COLOR]: flash at your own risk and make sure you have over fifty percent battery and do not interrupt the flashing procedure. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!

-Place the .zip folder in the root folder on your SD card.
-Turn phone off
-Press Vol down+ Home +Power and release at LG Logo
-When in the Recovery menu use the volume down key to navigate onto "flash zip from sd card", use the button on the face of your phone that has the two boxes icon on it (the left most button) to make your selection
-Use the volume down key to find your .zip file and use the leftmost button again to select
-Let phone run its job. Phone should return to normal startup screen

Please visit the links below so that you may enjoy the works of our handy Developers (please give them thanks and be nice since they are the ones who gives us all the nifty things we enjoy)

[COLOR="Black"]Asadullah[/COLOR]
http://androidforums.com/lg-optimus-m/256095-rom-zero-1-0-a.html

[COLOR="Black"]edodonnell (rom) and joneidy (for the method)[/COLOR]
http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-all-things-root/279318-root-2-2-1-get-data-working.html

[COLOR="Black"]Gingerbread CyanogenMod 7 ROM from Joneidy[/COLOR] here

[SIZE="3"]5-Modifications[/SIZE]

These apps can safely be removed from the LG Optimus M. (Big Thanks to edodonnell for this list)

Just because an app is listed here does not necessarily mean that it is useless or that you will want to remove it. It only means that it can safely be removed without damaging anything else.

If you remove an .apk, then you can also remove the corresponding .odex. Not all apps will have an .odex.

I (nomorefear) delete only the .apk files after backing up the files up on my computer so that I may reinstall them if need be.

Apps safe to remove:
[COLOR="Blue"]AnalogClockWidget.apk[/COLOR] - Analog Clock widget
[COLOR="blue"]Boingo_Wi-Fi.apk[/COLOR] - Boingo WiFi
[COLOR="blue"]Calculator.apk[/COLOR] - Calculator
[COLOR="blue"]Calendar.apk[/COLOR] - Calendar App
[COLOR="blue"]CalendarProvider.apk[/COLOR] - Supports the calendar. Remove only if [COLOR="blue"]Calendar.apk[/COLOR] and [COLOR="blue"]CalendarWidget.apk[/COLOR] have been removed.
[COLOR="blue"]CalendarWidget.apk[/COLOR] - Calendar Widget
[COLOR="blue"]CarHome.apk[/COLOR] - Car Home - Remove CarHomeLauncher.apk if this is removed.
[COLOR="blue"]CarHomeLauncher.apk[/COLOR] - Car Home Launcher - Linked to CarHome.apk
[COLOR="blue"]ClockWeatherWidget.apk[/COLOR] - Clock Weather Widget
[COLOR="blue"]DeskClock.apk[/COLOR] - Clock app
[COLOR="blue"]DigitalAlarmWidget.apk[/COLOR] - Alarm Clock widget
[COLOR="blue"]DualClockWidget.apk[/COLOR] - Dual Clock widget
[COLOR="blue"]Email.apk[/COLOR] - Email app - Safe to remove if you use Gmail or some other email app
[COLOR="blue"]GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk[/COLOR] - Google Search widget and app
[COLOR="blue"]Homeselector.apk[/COLOR] - Home Selector - Will not work if LGHome.apk is removed
[COLOR="blue"]LG-MS690_MetroBackup_1.27_PRODBuild_10082010.apk[/COLOR] - MetroBackup
[/I][/B]
[COLOR="Blue"]LGMS690_MetroNavigator_4.9.1_Build_57_10222010_rel _signed_PROD.apk[/COLOR] - MetroNavigator
[COLOR="blue"]LGMS690_MetroPCS_EasyWiFi_V4.0.90.apk[/COLOR] - EasyWiFi
[COLOR="blue"]LiveWallpapers.apk[/COLOR]
[COLOR="blue"]LiveWallpapersPicker.apk[/COLOR]
[COLOR="blue"]Loopt_Android_2.4.1_Oct.13.2010.apk[/COLOR] - Loopt
[COLOR="blue"]MagicSmokeWallpapers.apk[/COLOR]
[COLOR="blue"]Metro411.apk[/COLOR] - Metro411
[COLOR="blue"]metroappstore-v1.3a.apk [/COLOR]- MetroPCS App Store
[COLOR="blue"]MobileBanking.apk[/COLOR] - Mobile Banking
[COLOR="blue"]MobilePosse.apk[/COLOR] - MyExtras
[COLOR="blue"]Mocospace-1.2.4.apk[/COLOR] - Moco Space
[COLOR="blue"]MPCS-MobileIM-0.4.24.2.apk[/COLOR] - MobileIM
[COLOR="blue"]Music.apk[/COLOR] - Music Player
[COLOR="blue"]MVC.MetroPCS.android02.apk[/COLOR] - Virtual Card
[COLOR="blue"]PEX-3.1.1.1-metro-rc.apk[/COLOR] - Pocket Express
[COLOR="blue"]PGA_Android.apk[/COLOR] - Free Games
[COLOR="blue"]Protips.apk[/COLOR] - Tips widget
[COLOR="blue"]RSSViewerWidget.apk[/COLOR] - RSS Reader
[COLOR="blue"]SNS.apk[/COLOR] - LG Facebook and Twitter app
[COLOR="blue"]thinkdroid.apk[/COLOR] - Think Free Office
[COLOR="blue"]UNO_DEMO_LG_MS690_EN_NONIGP_MetroPCs_TS_307.apk[/COLOR] - UNO Game
[COLOR="blue"]YouTube.apk[/COLOR] - YouTube video player
[COLOR="blue"]z7-android2x.apk[/COLOR] - Mail@Metro


These apps [COLOR="Red"]SHOULD NOT[/COLOR] be removed:
[COLOR="DarkOrange"]Browser.apk[/COLOR] - MetroWEB - Required for Android Market
[COLOR="DarkOrange"]Phone.apk[/COLOR] - Phone app/dialer
[COLOR="DarkOrange"]Settings.apk[/COLOR] - Settings menu
[COLOR="DarkOrange"]Talk.apk[/COLOR] - Google Talk
[COLOR="DarkOrange"]LGHome.apk[/COLOR] - Home app (NONONONO dont delete!!!)


[SIZE="3"]6-Reverting back to whence you came[/SIZE]

Stuck on 2.2.1? Wanna just go back to a regular phone? Downgrade for some odd reason sound good to you?
andyo70 has made a valid point in a post below so I am going to post his suggestion since its an awesome one... So go:

here and here


These two links are the methods proven to get you back to square one. After learning all that you have in this post, I am sure you can follow directions.

HOW TO GET YOUR PARTITION OFF THE SD CARD!!!!
Get "terminal emulator" from the market
type the word su then press enter then these commands:

parted /dev/block/mmcblk0 (press enter after each command)

rm 1 (deletes partition number 1)
rm 2 (deletes partition number 2)
rm 3 (if needed. keep going till all partitions are removed)


[COLOR="Lime"]HELPFUL HINTEROONIE[/COLOR]- If you have a file that you have to put on the sd card first and use adb to install it then do yourself a favor and try using the TERMINAL EMULATOR and place the commands as shown.... This is a hint for those who have overcome their newbness

I would like to make the blanket THANK YOU to all of our Devs first and foremost and a thank you to all of our testers for taking the risks to make this community what it is.

Feel free to email me at suffering_fortune@hotmail.com if you have any questions, concerns, or any other matter please. Thank you!
-nomorefear

Seriously though I think what you have posted is great
My phone was all noobed up at one time. Thanks to a few on here and my patients I am on cm7 and love the performance of the phone. When I was all noobed up I just wish I would have seen this. What you have posted is great.

 

[nomorefear]

I wanted to make a post that anyone can go to and use so they can become a better user. Some people on here dont like to read however....

 

[itsjperez]

Do I have to keep the flash_image, custom recovery, rom files I downloaded inside of my sd card for everything to stay working? Or Can I just delete them cause they're taking up alot of room and it's bugging me. Thaaaanks.

P.s. I know I must keep the nand backup files I made, but do I need to keep them ON the sd card, too? Or do they really need to be on it for me to use in case anything were to happen?

 

[nomorefear]

you can take flash_image off but keep nand on just in case. that is your save file....

 

[itsjperez]

you can take flash_image off but keep nand on just in case. that is your save file....

Okay, and what about the recovery file and rom I'm using? Those take up quite some space. (I only have a 2gb memory card -__-) Thank you for the quick reply

 

[nomorefear]

Delete them but if you tinker with your phone like a lot of us then you might wanna keep the rom on the sdcard

 

[Jrdroid]

Hey guys, I'm getting an Optimus M in about a day or two, I was just wondering If I follow this guide, will everything work correctly??

I really just want to remove the bloatware that comes with the phone and that's really it. Once the phone is rooted, should I do a Nand backup before I DELETE anything?

Also, once i do delete the bloatware off the phone, and I use the NAND backup to restore the phone that should bring the phone back to STOCK right?

Sorry for the dumb questions...

 

[Darnell0216]

Hey guys, I'm getting an Optimus M in about a day or two, I was just wondering If I follow this guide, will everything work correctly??

I really just want to remove the bloatware that comes with the phone and that's really it. Once the phone is rooted, should I do a Nand backup before I DELETE anything?

Also, once i do delete the bloatware off the phone, and I use the NAND backup to restore the phone that should bring the phone back to STOCK right?

Sorry for the dumb questions...

There are two ways to go about it:
Deletion: Using this method, you HAVE to make a NAND backup because system files don't always play nice when trying to get them back onto the phone. Factory Reset will not restore deleted files so you will need the NAND backup to return the phone to stock.

Freezing: This method only involves rooting at the least. You can use Titanium Backup Pro to disable/freeze bloatware. As long as you only freeze what you're allowed to, you won't have any problems. You can Factory Reset at will using the standard button commands.

 

[Jrdroid]

There are two ways to go about it:
Deletion: Using this method, you HAVE to make a NAND backup because system files don't always play nice when trying to get them back onto the phone. Factory Reset will not restore deleted files so you will need the NAND backup to return the phone to stock.

Freezing: This method only involves rooting at the least. You can use Titanium Backup Pro to disable/freeze bloatware. As long as you only freeze what you're allowed to, you won't have any problems. You can Factory Reset at will using the standard button commands.

Okay, that makes much more sense. Also lets say I want to unroot the phone later down the road. Does the NAND backup restore the phone how it was before it was rooted, or how it was when it was first rooted?

 

[marip71]

Hello, Just rooted my Dell Streak 7 (wi-fi) with Gingerbreak and it looks like I did it. How do I get the market to see it as Honeycomb. Sorry if this is a repeat question. Thanks!!!

 

[Darnell0216]

Okay, that makes much more sense. Also lets say I want to unroot the phone later down the road. Does the NAND backup restore the phone how it was before it was rooted, or how it was when it was first rooted?

Yes you can unroot and return the phone to stock with either option, you'll just have a little more to do with the NAND route.

Hello, Just rooted my Dell Streak 7 (wi-fi) with Gingerbreak and it looks like I did it. How do I get the market to see it as Honeycomb. Sorry if this is a repeat question. Thanks!!!

This is the Optimus M forum. You'd have better luck here: Dell Streak (Mini 5) - Android Forums

 

[sandpipershore]

I hope someone can help.
I'm on osx, if that matters.
I have been working on trying to create a safe recovery point, and after following a few times through reading carefully, I entered the six lines of command into terminal, following to the letter (and spaces) the instructions provided in the post explaining how to install joneidy's custom recovery menu.
After holding down power, home and vol. down, I have a completely reset system, with superuser in my apps, but the whole thing is just box-fresh.
What is going on, and what can I do to get this rooted and keep on moving with using my phone?

 

[Darnell0216]

Follow the Custom Recovery instructions in either this thread: http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-...nally-custom-recovery-2-2-1-stock-phones.html
or this thread: http://androidforums.com/getitnowmarketing/330813-all-one-recovery-thread.html

If your phone factory resets, Custom Recovery isn't installed or failed to install properly. The link above is still for the original 2.2 stock phones which no new buyers are getting.

 

[sandpipershore]

thanks for your quick reply, Darnell - see, those are two of the guides I followed, and did so to the letter. Which was a clusterfluff since, when in terminal, entering in all the code for Joneidy's custom menu was a civil war between my phone and I. I managed to enter in all the lines without problem, except with the second line [ cat /sdcard/flash_image > /system/bin/flash_image ], which got me the message 'cannot be found/error', or something close to that. The same message came in response to the 'mv/system', etc, but that, as it says under joneidy's post, should not be a problem.

I have a mac with osx, and I do not have access to my old windows xp dell, so I do not have access to c:// or run. This should be possible, rooting, custom recovery and annihilation of all bloatware/custom rom, using mac/osx, I am fairly positive.

I can list (as specifically as possible) the steps I took, the programs I put onto my sd, and why for the life of me I do not still understand what 'must be on device not sd' means... I can also link you (or anyone who chooses to respond to this, to which... thank you ... ), to all the pages and threads I've been reading.

If anyone has questions of me that might help them explain to me what is happening here, or how I can fix this, please don't hesitate. I really do thank you and anyone (Darnell, thanks already, again) for anyone who might have helped in the end.

Good news, all of my contacts are still here, as are my custom ringtones (great gig in the sky!!), but all of my apps and settings, as I was warned at some point, were kaput. That is fine, I can fix that in good time.

Ok, that was the fallout, and those were some issues I had. Using Gingerbreak 1.20.apk, flash_image.zip, joneidy's custom recovery for 2.2.1 (I have the out of box froyo for metro pcs), recovery optm-ra-gnm, and recovery_thunder are all on my sd. I don't know what it means, or at least, how to move them to my device, or, in other cases where it says, to the root of my sd, how to do that either. I know what it is to move to the root, which is, as the dictionary above states, is the most base or 'most open' folder, right?

Ok, that's more than enough for now. Thanks a lot (really ...) for taking your time to read this.