Root Smartphone ****** wants to root Gingerbread

[GTGD]

Hey guys, let me start out by saying that the Droid X is my first smartphone. Since I found out that you can get free wifi tethering, better performance/battery, and have a customized UI through ROMs, I thought it would be a good idea if I rooted.

The only problem is that I'm COMPLETELY confused by everything, even the newb friendly guides. I was wondering if anyone could offer some personalized assistance so that I can have it work, as well as understand so that in the future I won't feel so helpless.


Here goes...

After having my Droid X for the past 11 months, last week I updated to Gingerbread directly from Verizon over wireless. I saw that I can not simply root my phone now that I'm running version .596, and that I have to download the rooted OTA version of Gingerbread from the link in one of the stickies.

Now, does that mean that I have to reset my phone back to factory settings and then update using that file? If so, I would like to keep a backup of my phone as it is now in case I ever need to have Verizon repair it, or if I decide that I don't want to have it rooted anymore. So I would want to backup all of my media, contacts, apps, etc. How would I go about doing that?

I'm sorry for cluttering the forum, but I really feel helpless with all the information that is out there for a bunch of different phones and updates, all mixed together.

 

[Metfanant]

Hey guys, let me start out by saying that the Droid X is my first smartphone. Since I found out that you can get free wifi tethering, better performance/battery, and have a customized UI through ROMs, I thought it would be a good idea if I rooted.

free tethering

After having my Droid X for the past 11 months, last week I updated to Gingerbread directly from Verizon over wireless. I saw that I can not simply root my phone now that I'm running version .596, and that I have to download the rooted OTA version of Gingerbread from the link in one of the stickies.

that is correct...

Now, does that mean that I have to reset my phone back to factory settings and then update using that file? If so, I would like to keep a backup of my phone as it is now in case I ever need to have Verizon repair it, or if I decide that I don't want to have it rooted anymore. So I would want to backup all of my media, contacts, apps, etc. How would I go about doing that?

ok...

1. Apps: You're SOL on your apps and their data (saved games, settings, etc...) the only way to do that is to have root...and since you took the OTA update from Verizon you can't have that...

your paid apps will be waiting for you in the market no matter what...and SOMETIMES your free apps will sync themselves like they are supposed to...but not always...either way settings/saved data/game scores/etc are gone...

2. Media: This is stored on your SDcard...it will not be touched...pics/vids/music/etc will all be fine, no need to backup this stuff...

3. Contacts: SHOULD be synced with your Google account and come back as soon as you sign into your phone again...to be safe you can export your contacts to the sdcard and import them back if they don't sync...

4. Complete Backup: Can't do it without root, so by taking the OTA you lost this ability as well

5. Texts: can be backed up using an app like SMS Backup&Restore from the market

6. Returning to stock: There is an SBF file for Gingerbread that will return you to stock if you chose to do this at a later time...however i will remind you that rooting voids your warranty...

 

[GTGD]

Ok, I don't mind losing my settings and saved games. I plan on really cleaning it up anyway.

Just backed up my contacts and text messages. So basically if I mess up and have to unroot the phone, I'll just have to reinstall all my apps and import the contacts and text messages? I can live with that.

Is it possible to unroot my phone before bringing it to a Verizon store so that my warranty isn't voided, or is there a way they can check that I've tampered with the software?

I think I plan on doing this regardless of the warranty. If so, tell me if I'm on the right track with these steps:

1. Reset my Droid X to factory settings

2. Download the Full Stock version of the update from this link: Official DX Gingerbread 2.3.3 (4.5.596) Release Thread - Something for everyone

3. Drop the update.zip in the phone's directory, in my case it would be the H: drive I'm guessing (not in any of the folders like .blur or .android_secure or Android)

Or do I drop the update.zip in the directory BEFORE resetting to factory settings?

And then after that is done, I am rooted, correct? After that I can find a ROM/theme I like and follow the directions: here Flashing a [ROM] U D G

Then I should be set to import the stuff I've backed up and continue to use my phone as normal?

Thanks for being patient with me.

 

[Metfanant]

Ok, I don't mind losing my settings and saved games. I plan on really cleaning it up anyway.

Just backed up my contacts and text messages. So basically if I mess up and have to unroot the phone, I'll just have to reinstall all my apps and import the contacts and text messages? I can live with that.

Yes

Is it possible to unroot my phone before bringing it to a Verizon store so that my warranty isn't voided, or is there a way they can check that I've tampered with the software?

Yes there is a way to bring it back to stock so that they won't know

I think I plan on doing this regardless of the warranty. If so, tell me if I'm on the right track with these steps:

1. Reset my Droid X to factory settings

2. Download the Full Stock version of the update from this link: Official DX Gingerbread 2.3.3 (4.5.596) Release Thread - Something for everyone

3. Drop the update.zip in the phone's directory, in my case it would be the H: drive I'm guessing (not in any of the folders like .blur or .android_secure or Android)

Or do I drop the update.zip in the directory BEFORE resetting to factory settings?

And then after that is done, I am rooted, correct? After that I can find a ROM/theme I like and follow the directions: here Flashing a [ROM] U D G

Then I should be set to import the stuff I've backed up and continue to use my phone as normal?

Thanks for being patient with me.

oh i wish it was that easy

first you're going to have to SBF back to Froyo...you're on the right site though...on the left of the site your on you see where it says "SBF'ing the Droid X?"

first you're going to have to follow those directions...

once you're done with that we can take the next step...

 

[GTGD]

Ok, I'm not going to do it tonight, and I won't start it until I'm comfortable with all the directions. But those directions are straightforward.

Afterwards, do I follow the directions here?
Rooting Droid X U D G

And then I would need to go about installing the rooted Gingerbread that I downloaded?

 

[Metfanant]

Ok, I'm not going to do it tonight, and I won't start it until I'm comfortable with all the directions. But those directions are straightforward.

Afterwards, do I follow the directions here?
Rooting Droid X U D G

And then I would need to go about installing the rooted Gingerbread that I downloaded?

you got it!...you will root Froyo using z4root (1 click of a button lol)...and then the only other app you will need is the Droid 2 bootstrapper...i think its $2 on the market...but if you look hard enough online you can still pick it up for free...

and yes that was NOT a typo...you want the droid 2 bootstrapper not the droid x bootstrap...the D2 version works better with Gingerbread...

then you're going to use the bootstrap program to flash Gingerbread...

but we don't want to get ahead of ourselves...once you have successfully SBF'd back to Froyo then we will go down that path...

 

[maxbakerman]

you got it!...you will root Froyo using z4root (1 click of a button lol)...and then the only other app you will need is the Droid 2 bootstrapper...i think its $2 on the market...but if you look hard enough online you can still pick it up for free...

and yes that was NOT a typo...you want the droid 2 bootstrapper not the droid x bootstrap...the D2 version works better with Gingerbread...

then you're going to use the bootstrap program to flash Gingerbread...

but we don't want to get ahead of ourselves...once you have successfully SBF'd back to Froyo then we will go down that path...

going on with this, before you do anything, u have to sbf to FROYO, which is android 2.2, or 2.3.340. after u are on froyo, u want to install the deodexed prerooted version of gingerbread, after that, ur free to install roms. heres a guide to sbf to froyo Complete Droid X .sbf Flashing Guide

 

[GTGD]

I got impatient so I decided to do it now

So I reset it back to factory settings, got stuck in a boot loop but everything went fine after restarting it. Then I rooted it, which worked without a hitch as well.

Downloaded Bootstrat for Droid 2 V1.0.0.5!

 

[maxbakerman]

I got impatient so I decided to do it now

So I reset it back to factory settings, got stuck in a boot loop but everything went fine after restarting it. Then I rooted it, which worked without a hitch as well.

Downloaded Bootstrat for Droid 2 V1.0.0.5!

now u gotta get the 2 part deodexed GB from the sticky and do that. then ull have rooted gingerbread!

 

[GTGD]

Awsome! I backed up my data with Bootstrap and Titanium Backup, downloaded the files, and successfully installed Gingerbread! Thanks for all the help guys, you rock.

From here on out, I guess I can do whatever like find ROMs, delete garbage, etc? Not to bother you more, but are there any links to some tutorials you could post so that I can become more familiar with all this freedom? I tried deleting the blockbuster apk through Astro File Manager and it came up with an error. I took a look at the master list of stuff I can delete, so I'm gonna be careful.

Any recommendations on what apps and ROMs to get, or any more tips in general?

 

[trophynuts]

Awsome! I backed up my data with Bootstrap and Titanium Backup, downloaded the files, and successfully installed Gingerbread! Thanks for all the help guys, you rock.

From here on out, I guess I can do whatever like find ROMs, delete garbage, etc? Not to bother you more, but are there any links to some tutorials you could post so that I can become more familiar with all this freedom? I tried deleting the blockbuster apk through Astro File Manager and it came up with an error. I took a look at the master list of stuff I can delete, so I'm gonna be careful.

Any recommendations on what apps and ROMs to get, or any more tips in general?

I wouldn't delete/uninstall any of the bloat. Freeze it instead using TiBu.

There is a list of safe to freeze apk's for GB in this forum. A known yahoo apk will cause FC's in your contacts if you remove/delete/freeze it.

 

[maxbakerman]

Awsome! I backed up my data with Bootstrap and Titanium Backup, downloaded the files, and successfully installed Gingerbread! Thanks for all the help guys, you rock.

From here on out, I guess I can do whatever like find ROMs, delete garbage, etc? Not to bother you more, but are there any links to some tutorials you could post so that I can become more familiar with all this freedom? I tried deleting the blockbuster apk through Astro File Manager and it came up with an error. I took a look at the master list of stuff I can delete, so I'm gonna be careful.

Any recommendations on what apps and ROMs to get, or any more tips in general?

with apps, i would definitely get a tethering app, just because its free!
rom wise, liberty, apex, and cyanogen are great ones! i would just be careful if you are going to try out cyanogen just because it is still it beta. as far as flashing the roms, just google it. also each rom has its own directions so just follow them accordingly. =) hope u have fun with ur phone!

 

[trophynuts]

with apps, i would definitely get a tethering app, just because its free!
rom wise, liberty, apex, and cyanogen are great ones! i would just be careful if you are going to try out cyanogen just because it is still it beta. as far as flashing the roms, just google it. also each rom has its own directions so just follow them accordingly. =) hope u have fun with ur phone!

he doesn't have to google it. all the info/guides he needs are in this forum.

 

[gallandof]

one thing i highly recomend, once you get froyo rooted and all the apps you need set up, make a nandroid back up of that file so if something goes wrong you can easily nandroid back to a good starting point.

 

[cougar214]

Also if you are going to rom and theme be sure to read everything about said roms and themes. You want to make sure you use roms and themes that are compatible to each other and your OS.

It will tell you if a theme is made for a rom like Apex, BWC, Watermarked, etc. It will also tell you if the rom is made for Froyo or Gingerbread.

 

[GTGD]

So far, so good! Though I was wondering if I should switch to .595 because I heard that version doesn't have the tethering detection or data throttling like .596.

I'm looking for enhanced battery life and stability, along with a more customized theme than stock Gingerbread. Anyone have any recommendations?

And I have Bootstrap, but also downloaded Rom Manager Premium. Which is easiest to work with?

 

[GTGD]

Ok so I guess I messed up royally...

After applying the GingiBlur Blue theme to .596, I decided that I wanted to try out CM7. I followed the directions to get the Nightly 10 version up and running, however I ran into a problem: I couldn't activate my phone.

I saw somewhere that I need to be on a non-CM ROM in order to activate it, so I made a Nandroid backup of CM and tried to restore back to my GingiBlur Blue backup. I guess that was a bad move, since upon the reboot it sat there at the white Motorola logo for about 20 minutes. I eventually tired of waiting and did a battery pull, and ended up SBFing.

So now after activating it once again I'm sitting here with a fresh Droid X, and going to bed for tonight. For tomorrow, what should I do and where did I go wrong before?

I'm going to root it and install Bootstrap again, but then what? Is it safe to try and restore a nandroid backup...should I try restoring my CM7 backup straight away?