Root Desperate to Root, destined to fail?

[vera]

I'm having a nightmare!

I seem to be trying lots of different things but am just going round in circles and achieving nothing more than wiping my phone!

The objective:
Gain root access and stick a Villain ROM on my unlocked/unbranded HTC Hero (GSM). Revel in the joy of such actions and never look back/keep changing to the latest ROMs, trying them all out if possible!

Where I am:
Tearing my hair out

The starting point:
I (like many others) waited for ages for the 2.1 update, only to hear of the speed benefits of 2.2, then the problems with the 2.1 OTA update and all the time read all the enlightened ones saying 'Don't wait, root! You'll thank yourself'.

I let the pre 2.1 update install, and then decided that you custom ROMers have got the right idea and now I want to do the same.

So, I have the following:
FW 1.5
Baseband 63.18.55.06JU_6.35.08.29
Kernel 2.6.27-430d1aea
Build 2.73.405.95 CL#155017 (phone came with 2.76.405.66 IIRC)
Sware version 1.0.0.A6288

I've downloaded everything I could possibly need onto my PC and have been following the "How To Root + Install Custom ROM + Backup + More" sticky.

First of all, I try running Instant Root - it runs fine, but when launching Titanium Backup, it tells me that it cannot get root access. So, I've not rooted properly - correct?

I then read a guide on xda-developers that suggests using 'Universal Androot' to get root access ([Guide] Complete Newbie Guide to Root & Install a Custom Rom [Updated 26/08] - xda-developers), but Titanium still can't acquire root access.

I read on the Villain forum that I have to start with 2.73.405.5, so I toil away trying to downgrade to that using the RUU, but even after creating a gold card, it restarts the phone with the green text at top 'RUU USB' and the android chaps on skateboards at the bottom, it counts to 100 and throws out error 171 suggesting I've disconnected the phone from the PC - but of course I'm not that daft!

Can someone help me through this, please? I've gone round the web quite a few times and I'm at the point where I'm just so confused I don't know what to do next.

Many thanks for any help in advance!

Matt

 

[nedamdam]

Well I got ROOT with the Universal Androot aplication the one click root and was on the latest OTA (2.1 update with the G-sensor).

Not sure where you are right now in your circle. And I guess this wont help you much. I have no idea about the goldcard method OR RUU with downgrading the Android which wasnt necessary in this case.

1.But installing with the Universal Root. (2x rooting even if it says WOOT to get SuperUser) Check if you have that APP. If you dont something went wrong.

2.Then titanium backup CLICK on problems!! and install busybox <<< CRUCIAL and hooray! you are there where you wanted to be. Now all should work.


optional
3.Install with for example ROM manager the Amon Ra recovery (or some other way)
4.Download stuffs ROM, Kernels, place it on your SD
5.Boot into recovery, wipe and install , done

This is how I did it . Not sure this helps or will make you more angry. Apologizing for both.

 

[Xyro]

You've tried instantroot, but did you try flashrec?

Install flashrec and tell it to backup. If it completes sucessfully it's all good, if it says 'BACKUP FAILED: Could not run command' then it's time for plan B.

Plan B: Upgrade to 2.1 and do what nedamdam said 2.1 is actually easier to root than some 1.5 firmwares.

 

[vera]

Thank you so much. After I picked up your replies last night I started the OTA 2.1 update as I'd already tried to run flashrec, so plan B was the way to go.

The 2.1 update went well and although I stayed up too late and suffered in the office today, I have nice and snappy phone with none of the problems I'd read some had with the official 2.1 ROM and Universal Androot worked this time.

It's a pity really as there's now the desire to stick with it for a little while to see how it performs and find out what's new, but I will only give it the week before settling down to try out a Villain ROM or two this weekend. I dare not risk hitting a snag during the week when I might not have time to sort it out as I use the phone with work quite a bit.

Thanks again to you both - I don't think I'd have ever tried updating to 2.1 and trying it all again unless you had suggested it! I'm sure I'd read somewhere while waiting for HTC to release 2.1 that by using it, you might make rooting impossible. Anyway, I'm so glad that wasn't true.

Cheers,

Matt

 

[Xyro]

I'm sure I'd read somewhere while waiting for HTC to release 2.1 that by using it, you might make rooting impossible. Anyway, I'm so glad that wasn't true.

We did say that yeah, because 2.1 wasn't going to be susceptible to the same rooting methods as 1.5. So we couldn't guarantee it would be possible to root it.

Turns out it was easier

 

[Slug]

I will only give it the week before settling down to try out a Villain ROM or two this weekend.

Good plan, Matt. That gives you a few days to get it configured to your taste. Then, before doing anything else, make a full nandroid backup from the recovery image. That way you've got a familiar working ROM to fall back on should you run into problems or change your mind.

 

[vera]

Thanks Slug - I hadn't been thinking that way but it does make sense.

Cheers,

Matt