Just wanted to share my experience since you'all have been so generous to work on this project and share knowledge.
I had previously rooted my spectrum using the PlayfulGod/jcase technique (sh on linux,
http://androidforums.com/spectrum-all-things-root/637556-root-lg-spectrum-ics-ota.html). Zip file was "LG_Spectrum_ICS". The shell script needed the following fix in order to work:
1& [:~/lg/LG_Spectrum_ICS] $ diff linux-osx-install.sh linux-osx-install.sh.orig
82c82
< $adb push su /system/bin/su
---
> $adb push su /system/xbin/su
Didn't install a custom rom (shame on me!) and recently took the update to V9, which unrooted the phone.
Came here to get the latest root tool for linux, found this thread and followed the instructions here to install "Spectrum-Freedom". got repeated "rm failed" errors at the end of the script (which could be normalish), but Root Checker continued to indicate no root.
After 3 or 4 tries I found the original PlayfulGod/jcase script, and ran it. boom, root. Then, re-ran this script subsequently in the hopes that cwm would be installed. That seems to have done the trick. YMMV.
I'm not sure of the key combos to get to the recovery tool, but I was able to get to cwm using rom toolbox and make a backup. I'm having issues restoring from it but i think they are surmountable. going to spend some time tonight getting a restorable backup and then a new rom is in order. thinking i might just go for Pace4.4 KK
this phone has been behind the times for way too long.
Just want to thank you all and share the above info if others have issues (maybe V9 or possibly because it was previously rooted?)
PS I don't have the output from my original unsuccessful runs, but here was the final run after performing the original script rooting:
[*] Waiting for device...
* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
[*] Device found
[*] Rebooting...
[*] Waiting for reboot...
/system/bin/sh: cannot create /data/local.prop: Permission denied
[*] Rebooting again...
[*] Waiting for reboot...
[*] Installing root tools...
mount: Operation not permitted
failed to copy 'Files/su' to '/system/xbin/su': Read-only file system
Unable to chmod /system/xbin/su: Read-only file system
link failed File exists
failed to copy 'Files/Superuser.apk' to '/system/app/Superuser.apk': Read-only file system
failed to copy 'Files/busybox' to '/system/xbin/busybox': Read-only file system
Unable to chmod /system/xbin/busybox: Read-only file system
[*] Installing Bootloader and CWM
2630 KB/s (5486592 bytes in 2.037s)
4944 KB/s (1048576 bytes in 0.207s)
5004 KB/s (1048576 bytes in 0.204s)
4130 KB/s (1048576 bytes in 0.247s)
4626 KB/s (5242880 bytes in 1.106s)
3469 KB/s (5242880 bytes in 1.475s)
271 KB/s (1048576 bytes in 3.766s)
3915 KB/s (8706048 bytes in 2.171s)
/dev/block/mmcblk0p7: cannot open for write: Permission denied
/dev/block/mmcblk0p13: cannot open for write: Permission denied
/dev/block/mmcblk0p2: cannot open for write: Permission denied
/dev/block/mmcblk0p3: cannot open for write: Permission denied
/dev/block/mmcblk0p5: cannot open for write: Permission denied
/dev/block/mmcblk0p6: cannot open for write: Permission denied
/dev/block/mmcblk0p9: cannot open for write: Permission denied
/dev/block/mmcblk0p8: cannot open for write: Permission denied
[*] Removing Trash
rm failed for /system/etc/install-recovery.sh, No such file or directory
rm failed for /system/etc/recovery-from-boot.p, No such file or directory
rm failed for /system/etc/fota_post_boot_up.sh, No such file or directory
rm failed for /data/local.prop, No such file or directory
rm failed for /data/gpscfg/*, No such file or directory
Unable to chmod /data/: Operation not permitted
[*] Finished!!
[*] Rebooting!!
[*] Press any key to exit.