Root [How To] Root 2.3.4/downgrade and Get S-off

[RewindByChance]

So I guess this depends on whether I can get access to my SD card or not? I'm not completely sure if I have a micro SD adapter or not.

I can't thank you enough for the advice and kind words. I'll keep working on this thing and update you in every way I can.

 

[scotty85]

Still a connection error, I guess debugging isn't turned on... Should I resort to going back to gingerbread?

it just doesnt make sense... actually i believe the drivers for the .exe ruus are contained within the download. not to mention,that if GB sees your phone,the drivers on your PC should let it see froyo as well. i dont understand why one would work and not the other.

it could be a bad download of the froyo RUU. i did have trouble one time... i forget the error,but redownloading the ruu fixed it.

if youre feeling adventureous,there are other ways you can do this. we can change the firmware that the ruu is about to flash,so you can run the GB ruu,then sneek the froyo PB31IMG into it at the last second.

you can also use fastboot to flash the PB31IMG file,and watch what its doing in the command window.

if you want to try either of those i could provide some directions.

 

[iowabowtech]

I have definitely had some people fail the RUU without the windriver. If you're stuck for the night, try downloading HTC sync here:
HTC Mobile Phone Support - DROID INCREDIBLE by HTC (Verizon) - Downloads

It can't hurt. Once you have it downloaded, start running it, then close right back out of it before doing anything within the program. You don't actually run anything, it just comes packaged with the driver and you'll be good after that for phone recognition.

After that, restart the 2.2 RUU and cross fingers.

 

[scotty85]

and with that... im off to bed. 6am comes early ill check in in the am and see how things are going

 

[RewindByChance]

it just doesnt make sense... actually i believe the drivers for the .exe ruus are contained within the download. not to mention,that if GB sees your phone,the drivers on your PC should let it see froyo as well. i dont understand why one would work and not the other.

it could be a bad download of the froyo RUU. i did have trouble one time... i forget the error,but redownloading the ruu fixed it.

if youre feeling adventureous,there are other ways you can do this. we can change the firmware that the ruu is about to flash,so you can run the GB ruu,then sneek the froyo PB31IMG into it at the last second.

you can also use fastboot to flash the PB31IMG file,and watch what its doing in the command window.

if you want to try either of those i could provide some directions.

I tried redownloading the froyo update, still no luck. I'm surely down for an adventurous try at this, though.

I have definitely had some people fail the RUU without the windriver. If you're stuck for the night, try downloading HTC sync here:
HTC Mobile Phone Support - DROID INCREDIBLE by HTC (Verizon) - Downloads

It can't hurt. Once you have it downloaded, start running it, then close right back out of it before doing anything within the program. You don't actually run anything, it just comes packaged with the driver and you'll be good after that for phone recognition.

After that, restart the 2.2 RUU and cross fingers.

Tried this, didn't work unfortunately. Funnily enough, now the gingerbread version doesn't work either.

 

[iowabowtech]

Wow that is strange. Maybe try a reboot of phone and pc, then retry in various usb slots if need be. Otherwise I'm back to blind flashing 2.2 from the SD card. Sounds like you may be needing to locate an adapter if it comes to that however.

 

[RewindByChance]

Pulled the battery and pulled it back in. Windows installed some new drivers and it now works. So update, then what?

 

[iowabowtech]

So you're saying you have now run the 2.2 RUU successfully?

If so, your display should be working again afterward. Goto Menu > Settings > About phone and maybe software info (can't remember how it's layed out in 2.2) and verify that you have Android Version 2.2. If so, are you wanting to root and apply s-off now or what do you have in mind as your end goal?

 

[RewindByChance]

Yes, I'm in the process of updating the ROM image.

Edit: My phone just lit up with the words htc and a green progress bar... I'm guessing that's a good sign.

 

[iowabowtech]

If so, your display should be working again afterward. Goto Menu > Settings > About phone and maybe software info (can't remember how it's layed out in 2.2) and verify that you have Android Version 2.2. If so, are you wanting to root and apply s-off now or what do you have in mind as your end goal?

Cool. While we're waiting, answer the above question if you would. What are you wanting in the end? s-off? Froyo or GB with root? Custom rom?

 

[RewindByChance]

I would like to have root access and s-off and probably run a custom ROM. I'm not completely sure what ROM right now, though. I was hoping there's an easy way to either test a few ROMs or at least watch a few examples via youtube or some other way.

Edit: Just verified that I am running 2.2.

 

[iowabowtech]

I would like to have root access and s-off and probably run a custom ROM. I'm not completely sure what ROM right now, though. I was hoping there's an easy way to either test a few ROMs or at least watch a few examples via youtube or some other way.

Very first step is get that PB31IMG file off your SD card ASAP.

Next step is to uninstall HTC sync from your computer. The driver will probably show up seperately, leave that installed. Then, go here and download Unrevoked3 and run it. This time there's no trickery involved. Just let it do it's thing and it will root you and turn s-off all in one shot.
http://unrevoked.com/#inc

To be on the safe side, I might load Rom Manager from the market next. I'm not sure how updated they keep the Unrevoked tool in terms of Clockwork versions. So get Rom Manger, then choose the upper most option to reflash recovery and note the version you start out/end up with. You should now have the newest clockwork version available. Do this multiple times if it doesn't work right off the bat.

I would personally recommend running a rooted Gingerbread Rom to start with. Everything works in them and you can find one at XDA here:
Droid Incredible Android Development - xda-developers

I would particularly recommend this one which is the new, stock Gingerbread in rooted form. No frills but a great starting point that will be very stable:
[Rom] Official Inc OTA 4.08.605.2 [Updated:22Nov2011] New build is Ready! - xda-developers

Scroll down to the "download new build here" and download to your PC. Then place it on your sd card. Then use the steps to flash in clockwork I mentioned near the top of this page.

Got Titanium Backup? If not, I'd recommend it if you're going to move forward as a rom flasher. If you'd like some tips on this app, here you go:
http://androidforums.com/incredible-all-things-root/233251-how-titanium-backup-tips.html

 

[RewindByChance]

Can't thank you enough man. I'll move on with what you told me to do and hopefully all goes as planned without any delays. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[iowabowtech]

Can't thank you enough man. I'll move on with what you told me to do and hopefully all goes as planned without any delays. I'll let you know how it goes.

Anytime man. Scotty is the real brains behind this outfit though so thank him before me. I just slip in here once in awhile to fill in the cracks since I've owned this phone since the beginning of time. Or at least it seems that way.

Take care and happy flashing.

 

[RewindByChance]

*sigh* It seems that I am stuck on the white "htc incredible" screen. Turning off the phone and attempting to get into hboot gave me those infamous 5 vibrations I hear so much about.

 

[rebajr]

wish i could be of more help,but i have no idea.

what happened when you tried it with no sd card? same thing?

a couple other thots:
-it wouldnt hurt to try z4root.
-it also wouldnt hurt to try unrevoked 3.22,since it worked for you on GB(right?). it may not give you s-off right away,but if it at least installs clockwork,your in forever patch can easily be flashed in recovery.

I had thought about unrevoked 3.22. I'm happy to have froyo back and a working phone again! but I keep getting that OTA request to update to gingerbread! Would like to update to gingersense or something to get rid of that. I don't think I understand your last line about "forever patch can easily be flahed in recovery"??

Will need to research a little more about z4 since unrevoked seems to be the most popular and credible.

This just seems wrong.... why does it work for everyone else? It has to be my computer and I'm just not sure what to shut off so it doesn't interfere. I run Win7 with 64bit. And yeah, same result when I removed sd card.

 

[scotty85]

*sigh* It seems that I am stuck on the white "htc incredible" screen. Turning off the phone and attempting to get into hboot gave me those infamous 5 vibrations I hear so much about.

try rerunning the froyo ruu,or run a froyo PB31IMG. alot of folks have reported prollems until running the froyo PB31IMG a second time.

there is a fix for the 5 vibes of death,but lets take it 1 step at a time and see if we can get your phone up and running and s-offed first

glad the RUU worked out for you

I had thought about unrevoked 3.22. I'm happy to have froyo back and a working phone again! but I keep getting that OTA request to update to gingerbread! Would like to update to gingersense or something to get rid of that. I don't think I understand your last line about "forever patch can easily be flahed in recovery"??

the "forever" patch is simply a .zip file thats flashed in recovery that turns your radio secure flag to s-off. if you can use any root method to gain clockwork recovery,all you have to do is flash the .zip and youl be s-off,and have achieved your goal

more info here: public:forever [RootWiki]
Will need to research a little more about z4 since unrevoked seems to be the most popular and credible.

This just seems wrong.... why does it work for everyone else? It has to be my computer and I'm just not sure what to shut off so it doesn't interfere. I run Win7 with 64bit. And yeah, same result when I removed sd card.

 

[gkinsella2]

Scotty, Iowa,

Noob here...I haven't seen anyone else post that they've attempted this on a Mac, which is what I'm on. I've been reading this thread for the past week and reading others to see how some of these instructions translate to Mac. My question is this: I'm guessing your unrevoked 3.22 file is the Windows version - is there a way to obtain the Mac version, or should I just follow your zergRush instructions to bypass running 3.22 altogether?

Thanks!

 

[sdrawkcab25]

Scotty, Iowa,

Noob here...I haven't seen anyone else post that they've attempted this on a Mac, which is what I'm on. I've been reading this thread for the past week and reading others to see how some of these instructions translate to Mac. My question is this: I'm guessing your unrevoked 3.22 file is the Windows version - is there a way to obtain the Mac version, or should I just follow your zergRush instructions to bypass running 3.22 altogether?

Thanks!

Don't believe we have access to the Mac version, I'd go with zergRush or use bootcamp to emulate windows on your desktop if you can.

 

[RewindByChance]

try rerunning the froyo ruu,or run a froyo PB31IMG. alot of folks have reported prollems until running the froyo PB31IMG a second time.

there is a fix for the 5 vibes of death,but lets take it 1 step at a time and see if we can get your phone up and running and s-offed first

glad the RUU worked out for you

Alright so after trying to run the RUU again, I got a connection error. I pulled the battery and turned the phone on, and the hboot screen randomly came up. Should I try reflashing the gingerbread ROM iowa suggested?

Edit: I should mention that my problems came after installing the gingerbread ROM. Foyo loaded fine, it wasn't until after I installed the .zip file that I had this problem.

 

[iowabowtech]

Alright so after trying to run the RUU again, I got a connection error. I pulled the battery and turned the phone on, and the hboot screen randomly came up. Should I try reflashing the gingerbread ROM iowa suggested?

Edit: I should mention that my problems came after installing the gingerbread ROM. Foyo loaded fine, it wasn't until after I installed the .zip file that I had this problem.

If you can access recovery from hboot and if when you do so it opens Clockwork mod, then I would try to flash that rom or another. Hopefully you are doing a full wipe in clockwork beforehand and checking MD5's.

I've never seen the need for this but if you want to be on the ultra-safe side and follow the generally accepted XDA superwipe, do this in clockwork:

1. Clear data:
Wipe user data/factory reset
Mounts and Storage - format /system, format /boot, format /data, format /datadata, format /cache
Advanced - Wipe Dalvik

2. Select Install zip file from SD Card, browse to the ROM zip file, select it with touch pad to install.

 

[RewindByChance]

I can now access hboot after I pull the battery when it gets stuck on the htc boot screen. Another attempt at flashing the ROM yielded the same result. The md5 sum was checked and I followed all directions you provided near the top of the page. I'll try this extra safe wipe and see what happens.

Edit: I am now S-OFF with root access and running 2.3.4. Thanks so much for you help guys.

So to flash the mods given on the xda page, I do the same thing as I did with the ROM?

 

[iowabowtech]

After flashing this rom, the initial boot time may be quite high. Don't be surprised if it takes 10 minutes or more to boot. If you're pulling the battery b/c it seems to be hanging, wait it out.

 

[RewindByChance]

Okay so now... I keep getting an error when trying to send a text. I had some problems receiving texts after I initially installed the 2.3.4 update which is what really pushed me to try and root this thing, but the problem was getting texts, everyone could see the ones I sent just fine. And is it weird that the older white keyboard is still around? I would think it would be updated to the new black Gingerbread keyboard.

 

[iowabowtech]

Okay so now... I keep getting an error when trying to send a text. I had some problems receiving texts after I initially installed the 2.3.4 update which is what really pushed me to try and root this thing, but the problem was getting texts, everyone could see the ones I sent just fine. And is it weird that the older white keyboard is still around? I would think it would be updated to the new black Gingerbread keyboard.

It's still the white one. Give it some time, I think you're good now. It took awhile for all the dust to settle when I loaded up GB too. It's somewhat resource intensive and it seems to take a few hours to catch it's groove. After that, you're golden. Let us know.

edit: also if you haven't updated your PRL in awhile, this would be a good time to do so. Dial *228 and select option 2.