Root Complete Newbie's Guide to rooting and flashing Evo V 4G ROMs/Kernels using fastboot

[jerofld]

does the stock recovery allow flashing of superuser.zip? o:

No, you need a custom recovery for that.

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Also, with all the feedback being positive, I'm going to remove WIP status and put up the wire trick for S-OFF and 4EXT as confirmed.

Seriously, 4EXT is highly recommended!

OK, what does it mean to have S-on or S-off? This is after all a thread for newbies!

Just added the definition to the guide in the S-OFF section

S-OFF means that bootloader security is off. This allows you to flash images to the /boot partition. Simply put: It lets you flash whatever you want without using fastboot or specially enabled recoveries. It makes things much easier to do but it also takes away the security that keeps you from bricking your device. If you do S-OFF (it is recommended), remember to check everything that you're about to flash and make sure it's for the Evo V.

 

[Darkencypher]

So 4ext basically automates everything for after HTCdev unlock and root?

 

[TheBritton]

Okay, so HTC unlock is all I would need to run "root-only" apps? S-off is not needed for running things like Root Explorer? I guess I am understanding right?
Also, S-off is not needed for flashing roms?

Forgive me, I've never owned an HTC phone. I've always used Gingerbreak. Haha..

 

[agentc13]

Okay, so HTC unlock is all I would need to run "root-only" apps? S-off is not needed for running things like Root Explorer? I guess I am understanding right?
Also, S-off is not needed for flashing roms?

Forgive me, I've never owned an HTC phone. I've always used Gingerbreak. Haha..

You need to unlock, flash a custom recovery, then flash superuser or SuperSU binaries (a flashable zip) through recovery in order to root it. You don't need s-off for root.

 

[TheBritton]

You need to unlock, flash a custom recovery, then flash superuser or SuperSU binaries (a flashable zip) through recovery in order to root it. You don't need s-off for root.

Okay, thanks!

 

[agentc13]

You can also flash ROMs without s-off after taking the steps listed.

Really the difference between the HTCdev unlock and s-off (from an end user standpoint) are that you cannot flash basebands/radios (but there may be a work around for this, there are on some phones) and you can't flash the boot.img with the ROM (although you can do it with fastboot). It's possible that there are a couple other differences that I left out (I just got done with a birthday party for my daughter and a couple of her cousins and the kids all exhausted me and I can't think straight ).

 

[jerofld]

So 4ext basically automates everything for after HTCdev unlock and root?

Yes. If you ever used ROM Manager w/ Clockwork recovery, you'll feel right at home with 4EXT Recovery Control. It's similar, but more useful (IMO).

You can also flash ROMs without s-off after taking the steps listed.

Really the difference between the HTCdev unlock and s-off (from an end user standpoint) are that you cannot flash basebands/radios (but there may be a work around for this, there are on some phones) and you can't flash the boot.img with the ROM (although you can do it with fastboot). It's possible that there are a couple other differences that I left out (I just got done with a birthday party for my daughter and a couple of her cousins and the kids all exhausted me and I can't think straight ).

4EXT and Dumlock (a TWRP 2 variant) can flash kernels without fastboot on S-ON/unlocked devices. But radios/bootloaders and other firmware are impossible to flash without S-OFF or by relocking and flashing the RUU.

 

[TheBritton]

Yes. If you ever used ROM Manager w/ Clockwork recovery, you'll feel right at home with 4EXT Recovery Control. It's similar, but more useful (IMO).

So after unlocking, just use 4EXT as a custom recovery.

Also, is the reason some roms say the kernel must be flashed separately related to S-off or would that be unnecessary with 4EXT?

Thanks guys for explaining the basics.

 

[wigginst]

Stuck at the sdk-tools command prompt. I am getting to where it says

c:\sdk-tools but when I type in fastboot I get that it is not a recognizable command. Where have I gone awry??

"Clearly putting the New in Newbie..."

Missing gingerbreak right about now :^)

 

[TheBritton]

This is when I really wish minus5253 would pop in with a YouTube video

 

[agentc13]

The hardest part is getting the SDK stuff setup, well if you do the full Android SDK install, I haven't tried the mini-SDK. After that it is pretty easy. It's definitely more than a "one click root" type procedure, but it isn't too bad really.

 

[agentc13]

Stuck at the sdk-tools command prompt. I am getting to where it says

c:\sdk-tools but when I type in fastboot I get that it is not a recognizable command. Where have I gone awry??

"Clearly putting the New in Newbie..."

Missing gingerbreak right about now :^)

You unzipped the sdk-tools.zip into c:\sdk-tools correct? And installed the drivers from HTC sync?

Spoiler

I have a full sdk setup on my PC, but I downloaded the mini-sdk to test it a bit. All you have to do is have the phone drivers (from HTC Sync) and then unzip that download. If you unzip it in c:\sdk-tools, then it should work from there.

 

[wigginst]

That is where I unzipped the sdk-tools to. Assuming I have the HTC drivers as the HTC Sync is working between the phone and computer but might have missed something in there.

Redid the unzipping of sdk-tools. Still getting the fastboot error so I am guessing somehow the drivers did not download correctly (although HTC sync is working fine between the phone and computer).

OK so I don't see a zip file of drivers from HTC. Am I missing this? In my program files there is an HTC folder that has an HTC Drivers folder in it.

Giving up for now.

 

[agentc13]

When you look in the sdk-tools folder there is a file named fastboot.exe?

 

[wigginst]

Yes

 

[agentc13]

The command prompt is "c:\sdk-tools>" then you get the error when typing "fastboot"?

Spoiler

Just making sure that I have it straight.

 

[wigginst]

That is correct. It says fastboot is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Just to be sure I should be in the C:\windows\cmd.exe window correct? First thing that comes up there is C:\Users\myusername>

 

[jmz]

That is correct. It says fastboot is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Just to be sure I should be in the C:\windows\cmd.exe window correct? First thing that comes up there is C:\Users\myusername>

Then type "c:\sdk-tools" without quotes. Then try fastboot command

 

[agentc13]

That is correct. It says fastboot is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Just to be sure I should be in the C:\windows\cmd.exe window correct? First thing that comes up there is C:\Users\myusername>

Type "cd\"
Then "cd c:\sdk-tools"
Then type "fastboot"

Hitting enter after each command.

 

[wigginst]

Still getting that same error message.

 

[agentc13]

Still getting that same error message.

Is your phone connected and in fastboot mode (from the Bootloader)?
I think it shouldn't matter, but I could be wrong.

 

[wigginst]

Put it in Fastboot mode. Tried it again, still same error.

 

[agentc13]

Try doing a full sdk install, instead of the mini-sdk.

 

[wigginst]

Downloading it now. We'll see what happens.

Alright downloaded and installed JDK and the full SDK. I see the folder in my files. But following the directions the Android SDK manager never opened like it said it would. The SDK manager also shows up in my start up menu but it doesn't open there either.

Beginning to take this as a sign that I am not supposed to root this phone.....

 

[Darkencypher]

Downloading it now. We'll see what happens.

Alright downloaded and installed JDK and the full SDK. I see the folder in my files. But following the directions the Android SDK manager never opened like it said it would. The SDK manager also shows up in my start up menu but it doesn't open there either.

Beginning to take this as a sign that I am not supposed to root this phone.....

No its not that. The sdk is really annoying to use.