Root [GUIDE] Rooting Procedure Step by Step

[jabbawest]

This is a step by step procedural guide for anyone wanting to root their phone.
Follow this and you'll be happy. Skip a step and you might be posting HELP ME!!!!
Every link provided has an abundance of information that must be read thoroughly.
THIS ONE WARNING CANNOT BE POSTED ENOUGH
http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-all-things-root/352401-do-not-use-clockwork-mod-rom-manager.html
Now, lets proceed.

1. Since you will be needing to connect your LG Optimus M to a computer, lets start by downloading and installing the drivers for your phone.
http://www.lg.com/us/support/mc-support/drivers/LGMS690.zip


2. Root your phone using http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-all-things-root/336196-1-click-root-optimus-m-gingerbreak.html

3. Install AnReboot from Android Market https://market.android.com/details?id=net.londatiga.android.anreboot&feature=search_result and put a shortcut to it on your phones home screen. DO NOT DO ANYTHING WITH IT YET!!

4. Immediately install a Custom Recovery.
This following recovery will work on various phones and various Android versions.
http://androidforums.com/getitnowmarketing/330813-all-one-recovery-thread.html
Once that is successfully installed you can NOW click on AnReboot and choose Reboot Recovery.
Once recovery is loaded, use your volume down key to scroll to - Backup/Restore.
Hit your phones Menu key.
Then scroll down to - Nand Backup + .android_secure and hit your Menu key to confirm.
This NAND backup will be your system restore point and will save your butt if you make a mistake later.

5. Now install two applications from the market. Root Explorer and Titanium Backup (TiBu).
There are pro versions of both and it is highly recommend that you purchase them. These two applications will serve you well from here on and are well worth the expense.

6. Open TiBu and tap Problems then tap Get Busy Box, after that is done, tap Problems again and Upgrade SuperUser.
Next, hit the far left key on your phone (aka Menu), tap More, tap Create "update.zip" then scroll down to and tap Create "update.zip"...
Now, lets make your first application backup with TiBU.
While still in TiBu, tap the Menu key on your phone and tap Batch, then tap Run Backup all user apps + system data.
Congrats, you have just about idiot proofed your phone.
Those were the basics. More can be found here. HomePage : Titanium Backup - Wiki

7. These instructions are for those that do not plan on installing Custom ROMS but would still like to be rid of the MetroPCS "bloatware". Custom ROMS will be devoid of the MetroPCS annoyances.
Skip this step if you plan to install Custom ROMS.
Open TiBU again and tap Backup/Restore. Here you will see the list of applications installed on your phone.
Now, Hit the Menu key and tap Legend and learn then hit the back button to close it.
Read this:
http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-all-things-root/253523-list-apps-safe-remove.html\
AND THIS:
http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-...e-asking-mostly-noob-proof-guide-updated.html
Now you are ready to FREEZE or DELETE any Metro PCS that is in the safe lists.
Freezing will do just that and is a safe way to keep any MetroPCS stuff from bugging you or running down your battery. You can thaw them at anytime.
Deleting will permanently remove the applications, although you do have a NAND backup and a TiBu backup to save you if you make a mistake.
Select the application you wish to FREEZE or DELETE by tapping on it and making your choice.

8. Open Root Explorer. You should be in the root directory of your phone. Scroll down and you'll see sdcard, tap on that and you'll see its contents. You will probably be using Root Explorer later once your familiarize yourself with it and your phone. For right now, just close it and move on.

9. Flashing/Installing ROMS. ONE MORE TIME: http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-all-things-root/352401-do-not-use-clockwork-mod-rom-manager.html
For those of you that have decided to take the plunge and install a Custom ROM, congratulations. You can now be confident that, if anything goes wrong, you have covered your butt by following the steps outlined previously.
KNOW THY PHONE before choosing a ROM. Some ROMS are Android version specific.
Before installing a ROM make sure you have read the entire thread/conversation about the ROM. You'll see the install procedure and be warned of any bugs.
If it says BETA in the title, be prepared to suffer through a few more quirks or bugs.
These are links to video tutorials that will help you see the process of flashing a Custom ROM.
http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-...-video-how-flash-custom-roms-nand-backup.html
AND
http://androidforums.com/optimus-m-all-things-root/314401-video-tutorials.html
Watch them carefully.
After installing a Custom ROM it is time once again to do a NAND backup. DO IT NOW!
Now you have two. One to get you back to the very beginning and this one to help get you back to this point if you do something silly.
Once you've reach this point and are happy with your progress, it's also a good idea to backup the contents of your sdcard onto your computer. In fact just create a folder on your computer to store sdcard backups AND all of the tools you've acquired up to this point.

I won't go into overclocking at this time because I'm going to assume that, once you gotten here, you've gotten curious about it and have read enough to decide whether or not you want to play with that flame.

These steps, if followed in order, will bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment.
If you skip a step or fail to read a thread thoroughly, then you may eventually have a sense of failure and dread.

Hope this helps and I am open to any suggestions for additions to this informational posting.

A gentle reminder for those of you new to rooting and want it to happen RIGHT NOW!!
It can only take ONE click to screw up your phone but it will probably take hours, if not DAYS to fix it.
Be patient grasshopper.

 

[unnamedny]

It is nice guide. Thank you. Just add the differences between 2.2 and 2.2.1 so no one gets confused.

 

[justrandyman]

Hi im new to this and am trying to do step 4 "Immediately install a Custom Recovery.
This following recovery will work on various phones and various Android versions.
All In One Recovery Thread
Once that is successfully installed you can NOW click on AnReboot and choose Reboot Recovery.
Once recovery is loaded, use your volume down key to scroll to - Backup/Restore.
Hit your phones Menu key.
Then scroll down to - Nand Backup + .android_secure and hit your Menu key to confirm.
This NAND backup will be your system restore point and will save your butt if you make a mistake later."

im lost is there a app to install to? there is no step by step on how to install a custom recovery.

please help

 

[jabbawest]

All In One Recovery Thread

im lost is there a app to install to? there is no step by step on how to install a custom recovery.

please help

Click on the link and you will see the process of installing recovery.
There is no app. I put this together as a timeline or directional guide for what to do step by step.
I considered putting together a step by step with every thing included but there are too many variables which would lead to some people getting tired head.

 

[edgchacon]

here are the insctructions after you download the file you need. in that OP

Below can be done via adb shell or terminal emulator on phone via root # shell not a $ shell
Note do not type the # or $ as they are for reference only!
Code:
$ su # mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 (your device /system path) /system # cat /sdcard/flash_image > /system/bin/flash_image
# chmod 755 /system/bin/flash_image
# mv /system/etc/install-recovery.sh /system/etc/install-recovery.sh.bak # flash_image recovery /sdcard/(your device recovery.img name)
# sync


Thats the actual install.

 

[Incognegro8290]

here are the insctructions after you download the file you need. in that OP

Below can be done via adb shell or terminal emulator on phone via root # shell not a $ shell
Note do not type the # or $ as they are for reference only!
Code:
$ su # mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 (your device /system path) /system # cat /sdcard/flash_image > /system/bin/flash_image
# chmod 755 /system/bin/flash_image
# mv /system/etc/install-recovery.sh /system/etc/install-recovery.sh.bak # flash_image recovery /sdcard/(your device recovery.img name)
# sync


Thats the actual install.

After I enter the 2nd line of cat /sdcard.flash_image > /system/bin/flash_image I get a "cannot create /system/bin/flash_image: read-only file system"
Can someone help me with this?

 

[Darnell0216]

After I enter the 2nd line of cat /sdcard.flash_image > /system/bin/flash_image I get a "cannot create /system/bin/flash_image: read-only file system"
Can someone help me with this?

The instructions tell you to alter words to fit your phone and image.

$ su
# mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock5 /system
# cat /sdcard/flash_image > /system/bin/flash_image
# chmod 755 /system/bin/flash_image
# flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery-RA-optm-2.2.1-GNM.img

The line # mv /system/etc/install-recovery.sh /system/etc/install-recovery.sh.bak does not apply to our phone and can be skipped, as we have not gotten over the air updates and do not have the file.

 

[stpx88]

After I click Reboot > Recovery, I just get a black screen. I thought I followed the directions to a tee. Does anyone know whats goin on?


***EDIT***
Nevermind I got it. Thanks alot man!!

 

[xspxbudweiser]

There a partition thread??

 

[tovida]

Someone sticky this thread. It will help so many new people. I wish I had it a week ago when I got my phone. The only think that I would add is the differences between 2.2.2, 2.2.1 and 2.2. I had to downgrade 2.2.2 to 2.2.1, so I can root my phone. From what I know there is no way to root 2.2.2 yet.