As far as Orange are concerned, they've told customers that it does. Of course, that only applies if the handset is actually rooted when it's returned to them....
As far as Orange are concerned, they've told customers that it does. Of course, that only applies if the handset is actually rooted when it's returned to them....
Likewise with Vodafone UK
They say if you root your phone it is "Modifying" it hence voiding the warranty with them however they were unsure if this voids the warranty with the Manufacturers of the Handset {HTC for the Hero}.
But I like Slugs suggestions
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Last edited by Carl C; November 3rd, 2009 at 08:05 PM.
By restoring the Nandroid backup you made and carefully filed away prior to rooting. You'll need to reflash the original recovery image too if you replaced it before making the backup.
Has anyone had any direct experience of a repair being refused? I seriously doubt in practice that it would be a problem unless the modification had directly caused the malfunction.
There are so many things that you can do to modify a smartphone's software - just look at all the apps that can be legitimately installed - it is like a PC manufacturer refusing to honour a hardware warranty because it didn't approve of the software setup. I would be surprised if a repair department even bothered (or had the time ) to delve into things like this. Also I have never been directly told by my provider about any exceptions to my warranty.
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Nexus S on Orange UK/ infin1ty 0.2.2 | Netarchy 1.3.0.3
HTC Hero/Elelinux-7.0.0-Hero-v2.0
I wouldn't risk it, manufacturers will look for any excuse to void your warranty!
The whole point of these phones is how you can customise the software - if anyone can show me a specific warranty exclusion in writing from Orange, then I would agree and not risk it. As I said, I wasn't told anything when I got the phone and have yet to see anything in writing either.
This isn't a perfect analogy, but it works...
Using a PC as an example... if you install windows on a PC, there will be a bunch of files put on your hard drive that understands how to make the the processor, memory, video card, etc in the PC work. This is similar to what had been done on your phone except that instead of a hard drive a solid state flash is used for persistent memory (persistent memory or ROM holds its value when powered off). This is different ROM then your SDCard.
If I take that same PC, erase everything and then install Linux, which also knows how to make all of that hardware work, the computer works, but things are different. You could say that you just "rooted" the PC as the term is used with Android.
To get back to Windows I could restore the hard drive from a backup and it would work exactly as it did before Linux was installed.
The difference is that rooting typically uses the same operating system with some tweaks to make things operate differently. If you have a backup of the old software, you can reflash the ROM and it will be back to where it was when you started. Note that you would also have to restore the SDcard to get things back to where they were... think of the sdcard as a second hard drive in your phone.
So rooting consists of optional back up an image of the flash memory in your phone and then installing some other software by flashing the ROM inside your phone. To get back you can just reinstall from your backed up ROM.
Hope this helps,
Chad
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This isn't a perfect analogy, but it works...
Using a PC as an example... if you install windows on a PC, there will be a bunch of files put on your hard drive that understands how to make the the processor, memory, video card, etc in the PC work. This is similar to what had been done on your phone except that instead of a hard drive a solid state flash is used for persistent memory (persistent memory or ROM holds its value when powered off). This is different ROM then your SDCard.
If I take that same PC, erase everything and then install Linux, which also knows how to make all of that hardware work, the computer works, but things are different. You could say that you just "rooted" the PC as the term is used with Android.
To get back to Windows I could restore the hard drive from a backup and it would work exactly as it did before Linux was installed.
The difference is that rooting typically uses the same operating system with some tweaks to make things operate differently. If you have a backup of the old software, you can reflash the ROM and it will be back to where it was when you started. Note that you would also have to restore the SDcard to get things back to where they were... think of the sdcard as a second hard drive in your phone.
So rooting consists of optional back up an image of the flash memory in your phone and then installing some other software by flashing the ROM inside your phone. To get back you can just reinstall from your backed up ROM.
Hope this helps,
Chad
Very comprehensive explanation of rooting but this doesn't really get us any closer answering the OP's original question ie is the warranty on a rooted (unrestored) phone void even if the fault is unrelated to the rooting? I would like some actual links to back this up if it is.
Last edited by phillevy; November 6th, 2009 at 11:21 AM.
Very comprehensive explanation of rooting but this doesn't really get us any closer answering the OP's original question ie is the warranty on a rooted (unrestored) phone void even if the fault is unrelated to the rooting? I would like some actual links to back this up if it is.
Sorry.... I should have stated my conclusion.
This is completely unofficial, but there shouldn't be any way for anyone to know that you have been flashing ROMs if you make a backup and then restore prior to anyone "official" seeing the phone. On the other hand, unless you are complete geek, there is probably not a reason to root the Hero, especially with 2.0 features on the horizon.
Warnings:
When flashing ROM chips, there is always a chance that something doesn't go as planned, and there is a chance of hosing up the phone if thing go bad in the wrong way. If the rooted or original ROM doesn't get back onto the chip correctly, then it is going to be difficult to explain.
You will probably not get automatic updates from Sprint if you root and you may not even be able to automatically install updates depending on what rooted ROM you install.
This is completely unofficial, but there shouldn't be any way for anyone to know that you have been flashing ROMs if you make a backup and then restore prior to anyone "official" seeing the phone. On the other hand, unless you are complete geek, there is probably not a reason to root the Hero, especially with 2.0 features on the horizon.
Warnings:
When flashing ROM chips, there is always a chance that something doesn't go as planned, and there is a chance of hosing up the phone if thing go bad in the wrong way. If the rooted or original ROM doesn't get back onto the chip correctly, then it is going to be difficult to explain.
You will probably not get automatic updates from Sprint if you root and you may not even be able to automatically install updates depending on what rooted ROM you install.
Chad
Thanks but we really need some kind of official confirmation - my take is that an unrelated hardware fault should make it unneccessary to worry about reverting back - unless someone can prove otherwise.
As far as rooting is concerned I see that there are always new things on the horizon (beyond 2.0 as well) and at the moment for no other reason it is worth it just to use APPS2SD( disregarding all the performance improvements of a custom ROM). As long as you are careful, it is very hard to brick the phone and most situations can be brought back from the brink!
A friend stated that if you need to return your phone to Orange and want a replacement unit, either report it as lost/stolen or render it un-bootable. That way it won't matter if its rooted or not.
Last edited by agent-5; November 6th, 2009 at 12:11 PM.
Thanks but we really need some kind of official confirmation - my take is that an unrelated hardware fault should make it unneccessary to worry about reverting back - unless someone can prove otherwise.
As far as rooting is concerned I see that there are always new things on the horizon (beyond 2.0 as well) and at the moment for no other reason it is worth it just to use APPS2SD( disregarding all the performance improvements of a custom ROM). As long as you are careful, it is very hard to brick the phone and most situations can be brought back from the brink!
IMO, if I were the manufacturer or carrier and you did something completely unsupported to my hardware that could go around any restrictions that I have put on a phone and allow that phone to be used on networks other then mine, I would tell you that you are on your own.
Last edited by ceiring; November 6th, 2009 at 03:37 PM.
Using a PC as an example... if you install windows on a PC, there will be a bunch of files put on your hard drive that understands how to make the the processor, memory, video card, etc in the PC work. This is similar to what had been done on your phone except that instead of a hard drive a solid state flash is used for persistent memory (persistent memory or ROM holds its value when powered off). This is different ROM then your SDCard.
If I take that same PC, erase everything and then install Linux, which also knows how to make all of that hardware work, the computer works, but things are different. You could say that you just "rooted" the PC as the term is used with Android.
Not at all. You don't replace the OS on the handset, you merely grant 'superuser' access. A better analogy imo would be a normal limited user account under Windows versus an administrator with UAC disabled. Even then you're not really close to the power of SU on a Linux-based system.
Back to the question.... my response was merely what someone else related, having asked the question of Orange CS themselves. I've no first-hand experience to offer.
IMHO, why worry if rooting voids your warranty? You've got a really great device, your contract is only going to last a maximum of about 24 months, just enjoy it while you've got it and look forward to upgrading to something better in 2 years (or less) time.
I stumbled across this and thought I'd add I wee bit to it.
Q1: Does a Root void your warrenty?
A1: Yes, I own a Hero bought out right without contract. My warrenty states that modification voids the warrenty. I beleive this is because HTC/GOOGLE have not stated that the software/firmware/hardware you may use is not going to damage it. Therefore they cannot be held to account to any damage done as a result of this modification as they have no control over it.
Q2: Is it detectable once it is restored to orginal?
A1: I have no idea but I'm sure HTC/GOOGLE have something hidden that could hold onto any information regarding the phones history.
Q1: Does a Root void your warrenty?
A1: Yes, I own a Hero bought out right without contract. My warrenty states that modification voids the warrenty. I beleive this is because HTC/GOOGLE have not stated that the software/firmware/hardware you may use is not going to damage it. Therefore they cannot be held to account to any damage done as a result of this modification as they have no control over it.
Q2: Is it detectable once it is restored to orginal?
A1: I have no idea but I'm sure HTC/GOOGLE have something hidden that could hold onto any information regarding the phones history.
I think the key question is, is it worth it.
Q3 is it worth it for HTC/Google/Orange/Tmobile to have some geek spending a lot of time working out if every returned phone has previously been rooted?
A3 very unlikely.
Last edited by wuthton; December 18th, 2009 at 05:44 PM.
Im a being silly, but would the system not hold a date that the ROM was installed so, by re installing the original ROM that date would change, thus your provider being able o tell you have played with the ROM ?
I'm sure it's very, very easy for them to check if you've messed with the ROM.
It's really a bad idea if you've just bought the phone. You get a generous 2 year warranty, and unless you reallly really think you'll benefit from a custom ROM, it just seems pointless.
And they, like any company, will do anything to get out of honouring your warranty.
To those people who say they weren't told, explicitly, by Orange that modifying a ROM voids warranty...you don't have to be told explicitly. It'll be in the small print, somewhere, either in HTC's T&Cs or in the network's T&Cs. It's always somewhere.
i'm sure it's very, very easy for them to check if you've messed with the rom.
It's really a bad idea if you've just bought the phone. You get a generous 2 year warranty, and unless you reallly really think you'll benefit from a custom rom, it just seems pointless.
And they, like any company, will do anything to get out of honouring your warranty.
To those people who say they weren't told, explicitly, by orange that modifying a rom voids warranty...you don't have to be told explicitly. It'll be in the small print, somewhere, either in htc's t&cs or in the network's t&cs. It's always somewhere.
Im a being silly, but would the system not hold a date that the ROM was installed so, by re installing the original ROM that date would change, thus your provider being able o tell you have played with the ROM ?
That's why all the guides recommend making a Nandroid (or similar) backup of the system before you mess with anything, so that you can restore your handset to pristine condition if necessary. Not necessarily for this reason, as the "secret log file" idea is imho far-fetched, but certainly for ease of recovery in case of problems.
I still maintain that unless rooting/etc was found to have actually caused a hardware fault, I would be surprised if it prevented any warranty repair being undertaken (although you may get it back reset and unrooted!). I'm still waiting for someone to show me a link to any T&Cs stating software modification can void the warranty, or indeed anyone having an actual repair refused.
unless you reallly really think you'll benefit from a custom ROM, it just seems pointless.
Sometimes the need to root is genuine and benign: like if you need to connect to an enterprise-secured wireless network on a phone like the GW620 from LG which ships with Android 1.5 and hence doesn't have the GUI to specify the necessary parameters. The only way to do it (as far as I have been able to tell) is to edit the wpa_supplicant.conf file, to overwrite which you need to have rooted the device. I don't think it would be justifiable to say that using an inbuilt capability of the OS like connecting to an enterprise-secured wifi is a "modification": it is a "configuration" and it is only unavailable to Joe Public because of an inadequate GUI and LG's failure to keep up with new OS versions.
Sorry, but I've just got this, my first Android phone, and I'm sore that LG haven't kept up with the OS, especially since I rejected the Samsung Galaxy having read that Samsung do not keep up with the OS versions!
Anyway, in the case of my example, would that count as modification (cynicism aside)?
The simplest way is simply apply the current RUU update from HTC.
Exactly. Then the date you installed it is no longer relevant, because you were just doing an update that manufacturers and mobile carriers recommend.
Bottom line.
Reinstall your default ROM, wipe everything.... then send it back.
I have been told in the past on several occasions to wipe my phones before sending them in for repair for your own privacy plus it makes their job easier.
Just go ahead and root and run your custom roms, they are awesome.
As far as Orange are concerned, they've told customers that it does. Of course, that only applies if the handset is actually rooted when it's returned to them....
Because lying is a good way to promote the Android community.. I guess it's okay to break something and return as long as you only tell them what they need to hear..
As far as Orange are concerned, they've told customers that it does. Of course, that only applies if the handset is actually rooted when it's returned to them....
Quote:
Originally Posted by skunkpbguy
I guess it's okay to break something and return as long as you only tell them what they need to hear..
I'm not concerned if I break something - I know what I'm doing and if I screw up I'll live with the consequences. What does concern me is having a hardware issue not of my making blamed on a software mod.
I went with a good friend to an at&t repair center when he needed to replace his captivate due to the fact that the newer ones have far more reliable gps and a screen that doesn't oversaturate the blue spectrum. His old captivate was rooted with a 2.2 rom on it when he handed it over to them. They gave him a fresh refurb right then and we left with working gps.
A rooted phone will void the warranty on any Sprint Device....When phones are returned to Sprint, they go thru a check list by a Tech at the receiving warehouse to determand what needs to be repaired or used as parts....If the device has been rooted, the account it was on will be charge the full amount of the Replacement Device.....
Last edited by Foxxtrot; December 31st, 2010 at 09:46 PM.
I have been Googling and some say it does, and some say it doesn't!
Could anyone give me a straight and correct answer?
Thanks.
Ok, here is the skinny for MY phone...
I have a Samsung Admire with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) so I called the company (which I suggest you do as well) and asked if rooting woild void the warranty.
Answer, yes.
Q2 Assuming everything goes perfectly, and I decided to put it back to the original OS, would they be able to tell that the phone had been rooted?
A2 No.
I hope this helps everyone.
Just remember, it never hurts to ask the Makers.
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Has anyone had any direct experience of a repair being refused? I seriously doubt in practice that it would be a problem unless the modification had directly caused the malfunction.
There are so many things that you can do to modify a smartphone's software - just look at all the apps that can be legitimately installed - it is like a PC manufacturer refusing to honour a hardware warranty because it didn't approve of the software setup. I would be surprised if a repair department even bothered (or had the time ) to delve into things like this. Also I have never been directly told by my provider about any exceptions to my warranty.
HP refused to honor my warrenty on a laptop because I installed windows 7 even though it qualified for the upgrade ...their problem was I didnt buy windows 7 through them . so it does happen.
might sound dumb but, im going in to the verizon store today to directly ask them if it voids the warranty. When I was in there to buy my razr maxx one of the workers was bragging to me about his rooted android. they seem friendly and laid back enough to be honest with me soooo.. why not? ill post what he says later today or tomorrow.
For tech lovers dreaming of a magical phone, HTC's 3rd Android Phone - the HTC Hero - seems poised to rescue the masses from mobile phone boredom. The design is a more sleek, sexy version of the HTC Dream and HTC Magic and both hardware and sof... Read More
Does rooting void your warranty?
I guess it's okay to break something and return as long as you only tell them what they need to hear.. 
