Root Motorola Droid Bionic - All Things Root Guide

[HyperGig]

Quick question about factory recovery..

What is the difference between the first FXZ file and targa_cdma_targa-user-2.3.4-5.5.1_84_DBN-55-110814-Verizon-US.tar? The other one is 500 megs more but I'm not totally sure why since the firmware versions are the same. Do you cut a lot of the crap out?

This weekend I ripped out Backup Assistant (hate that application) with Titanium Backup but it caused a plethora of issues in various settings menus. After failing to restore it I decided the best thing to do was to re-flash it back to factory using the giant FXZ I mentioned above. Now I see this post and a much smaller FXZ file and I am wondering if I should do it again with the smaller file... what would I gain from it (or lose.... like freaking backup assistant).

I apologize in advance for any ignorance I may be guilty of.

Thanks

 

[tehsusenoh]

Quick question about factory recovery..

What is the difference between the first FXZ file and targa_cdma_targa-user-2.3.4-5.5.1_84_DBN-55-110814-Verizon-US.tar? The other one is 500 megs more but I'm not totally sure why since the firmware versions are the same. Do you cut a lot of the crap out?

This weekend I ripped out Backup Assistant (hate that application) with Titanium Backup but it caused a plethora of issues in various settings menus. After failing to restore it I decided the best thing to do was to re-flash it back to factory using the giant FXZ I mentioned above. Now I see this post and a much smaller FXZ file and I am wondering if I should do it again with the smaller file... what would I gain from it (or lose.... like freaking backup assistant).

I apologize in advance for any ignorance I may be guilty of.

Thanks

That id the full restore with radios and things like that that most users don't need to fix their phones. I actually list that one later on the guide if the minimal FXZ doesn't work.

Just follow the guide and you will be all good.

 

[HyperGig]

That id the full restore with radios and things like that that most users don't need to fix their phones. I actually list that one later on the guide if the minimal FXZ doesn't work.

Just follow the guide and you will be all good.

Oh ok, so your still getting all the bloatware with the minimal, bummer.

Thank you so much for your help and this guide.

 

[rovrhys]

You might need to install the latest microsoft framework. here is the link. download, install and then try again.

Download .NET for: Desktop, Server & Development | Microsoft .NET Framework

installed the framework.
no change.

 

[johnlgalt]

If an App needs the latest .NET it automatically sparks a dialog box stating that.

I think there is more to it than that - try a different USB cable and / or different USB port.

Also, uninstalling and reinstalling the Motorola Drivers would probably be beneficial, as those in this thread are brand new BETA drivers not available from Moto's website yet.

 

[rovrhys]

I did uninstall and reinstall them, also changed ports. ill try a new cable though too.

 

[johnlgalt]

It's pretty much pointing to a new cable, then, or else your phone is screwed.

it's one of the two, since you've done pretty much all of the rest.

Just as a failsafe, I'd try another computer, or, at the very least, make a new user profile on your computer and try from it, just in case something is blocking it from your current profile. With a new user profile, you will not need to reinstall drivers, nor will you need to reinstall RSDLite (if you allowed it to install for all users). If, in the new profile, you cannot find RSDLite, then be sure to reinstall it again.

Also, if you're Vista, be sure to run RSDLite as administrator

To help rovrhys along in this process, the troubleshooting of his problem continues here:

http://androidforums.com/bionic-all-things-root/415971-problem-trying-root.html

 

[OutOfPhase]

I flashed the full version, was successful. When my phone rebooted everything looked the same. It was like i install the latest rom without wiping. When i flashed the minimal it was like i wiped. Is this normal?

 

[tehsusenoh]

I flashed the full version, was successful. When my phone rebooted everything looked the same. It was like i install the latest rom without wiping. When i flashed the minimal it was like i wiped. Is this normal?

That's just... strange.

 

[johnlgalt]

I flashed the full version, was successful. When my phone rebooted everything looked the same. It was like i install the latest rom without wiping. When i flashed the minimal it was like i wiped. Is this normal?

If everything looked the same, then no, it was not successful.

 

[OutOfPhase]

Rsdlite said successful. I was trying to reset what i changed with radiocomm and every thing was back to normal.

 

[johnlgalt]

Ahh, gotchya. I supposed RSDLite lied then lol

 

[OutOfPhase]

It would not be the first time rsdlite lied.

I guess i will try it again and see what happens.

 

[tehsusenoh]

It would not be the first time rsdlite lied.

I guess i will try it again and see what happens.

 

[tehsusenoh]

Guide updated with

• Manual root method
• Redraw fix

Thanks to johnlgalt for these guides!

 

[OutOfPhase]

I did loose root. If that makes a difference.

 

[johnlgalt]

that is expected - it's a byte-by-byte replacement of everything on your phone back to complete stock.

 

[OutOfPhase]

that is expected - it's a byte-by-byte replacement of everything on your phone back to complete stock.

That's what I thought, so I was a little surprised when my home screens were all the same and I didn't have to sign in to my google account again. Could it have installed like an ota where everything in the back ground changes but what you "see" stayed the same. Just a thought. I don't know enough about what goes on in the background yet to fully understand what happens.

 

[Aaron.Lasley]

If said person were to remove bloatware (delete) and backup is nonexistent, will the recovery process restore the bloat like blockbuster, golf game, etc.? Also will the minimal do it or the large file only?

 

[johnlgalt]

Yes, recovery would restore everything - but the phone would not be connected to any accounts- this is like a Factory Reset only larger, b/c it not only wipes data and cache but restores the phone to exactly how it was when you first opened the box.

Both files should do it, but dfib reported that the large file did not work for him, whereas the minimal file did.

 

[Aaron.Lasley]

Yes, recovery would restore everything - but the phone would not be connected to any accounts- this is like a Factory Reset only larger, b/c it not only wipes data and cache but restores the phone to exactly how it was when you first opened the box.

Both files should do it, but dfib reported that the large file did not work for him, whereas the minimal file did.

Thank you for the response! No issues at this time but good to know in case I do start running into problems.

 

[bkleinkn]

Just rooted. Thanks OP!

 

[SNeitzel]

tehsusenoh,

Thanks for the post, worked like a charm!

One small thing,
Under the Backup and Restore guide, the 2nd part, the restore procedure, still has the title "How to Backup your Bionic". Should be "How to Restore your Bionic" correct?

 

[Theshape]

I havent seen this yet. But why when i reboot or battery pull i lose root?

 

[nofxdan]

Hey all, good to see that so much has been done since this phones recent release!

I just purchased mine today, and so far all my attempts at rooting have been unsuccessful. I followed the instructions, yet Pete's tool gets stuck at "SEARCHING FOR THE PHONE..."

I have USB debugging enabled, and selected Charge Only mode. The phone is charging, but I'm still hanging at this screen.

I'm running Win7 x64, and have the x64 drivers installed.

Any ideas?