Root Rooting UNactivated Virgin Mobile Phone

[ru4him]

Maybe you can help me.

Here is what I have:
VM670
Android Version 2.2.1
SW Version VM670ZV4

I installed root browser lite - It asks me to download some small utilities. I haven't yet.

I also installed Gingerbreak - It Asks me about my SD card and USB debugging. I haven't gone past this yet.

I have read many posts here and don't know what else I need and what order I need it in.

Below this is what I thought I should do. Am I on the right track? I don't need a brick.
1. Turn on USB Debugging (Settings - Applications - Development)

2. Copy the GingerBreak.apk to a /sdcard dir, then using a 'file manager' app (search for one in Android Market) install it like a regular app. Then run the APP. Click Root Device.

3. It can take up to 10 minutes, and will reboot automatically when complete (rooted), if attempt fails, reboot manually & run it again.

4. Download and copy the recovery image VM670NH_recovery.img (works with new & old OV screens) onto your /sdcard.
Install custom recovery image

The recovery image is an alternative bootup instead of normal Android Operating System. It allows low-level operations such as backup/restore a ROM, wipe partitions, and flash ROMs.

5. Install the Flash Image GUI app (save the .apk to a /sdcard directory, then open it with file manager). Run the app & select 'Recovery Image' option with the file above.

 

[badblue1]

What exactly are you trying to do with your phone.

Go to the sticky^ all things root guide at the top of the all things root page.
There are some great easy how to guides found there.

After reading come back here and ask questions before you do anything!
Yes it does sound like your on the right track. If you decide to root your phone, once rooted "NEVER FACTORY RESET YOUR ROOTED PHONE. "

 

[ru4him]

I would like to get rid of bloatware and maybe get a better rom and some decent storage, but not have to activate this phone. One other BIG problem I have is that every time the phone crashes and I have to take the battery out, the time goes back to January 5, 1980. With root it would sync automatically. It is an android issue.

Started here:
Android Forums > Android Phones > LG Optimus V > Optimus V - All Things Root

I went through the guides but didn't see one for an un-activated phone. I searched but didn't find any info. Most places I have looked before say you must be activated with Virgin Mobile first. But a few said they have rooted an unactivated phone. If there is no difference, can you steer me to a good guide considering I already have gingerbreak.apk and root browser lite on the phone. I am pretty android challenged, but I am ready to learn and this is the best place for it. Thanks.

 

[Phatninja55]

I would like to get rid of bloatware and maybe get a better rom and some decent storage, but not have to activate this phone.

Started here:
Android Forums > Android Phones > LG Optimus V > Optimus V - All Things Root

I went through the guides but didn't see one for an un-activated phone. I searched but didn't find any info. Most places I have looked before say you must be activated with Virgin Mobile first. But a few said they have rooted an unactivated phone. If there is no difference, can you steer me to a good guide considering I already have gingerbreak.apk and root browser lite on the phone. I am pretty android challenged, but I am ready to learn and this is the best place for it. Thanks.

Any of the guides will work. You do not have to have an activated phone to root it.

 

[badblue1]

I used the first guide, simple root+recovery +rom posted by Whyzor. Just read it thoroughly and follow it exactly how he explains it,you shouldn't have any problems.

As for roms, that's a matter of preference. Try one if you don't like it try another, it's all in what you like.

Make sure you do a nandroid backup before flashing a rom!
It's all in The guide.

 

[ru4him]

I am using Whyzor's guide. I ran gingerbreak but it said something didn't work and to reboot it. Do I just power off and power back up?

 

[ru4him]

I rebooted it ran gingerbreak again and it looks like it ran. Now I'm stuck.

I can't download the Flash Image GUI app because my phone thinks is is January 5, 1980 (part of the reason I'm rooting it.

I never heard of a "nandroid backup". I didn't see it in Whysor's guide. How do you run it? Thanks.

 

[badblue1]

Yes sometimes it takes 4 or 5 times or more to get it to work.
Check to see if you have superuser in your app drawer, if you do you should be rooted.

The backup will be in recovery menu.

 

[badblue1]

You can't rush this! You should download android file verifier from the playstore and check the Md5 sums of all files you download, like recovery, rom. Sometimes you can get a corrupt dl and brick your phone. It happened to me.

Read the guide then read it again! Don't rush it or you could have an expensive paperweight.
Please read the stickys!

 

[AndyOpie150]

another way to verify if you have root or not is to download a terminal emulator (you will need it sooner or later) and type in: su then hit enter
if you get a pop up from the Superuser app asking you to allow or deny permission, and there is a # below the su, then your rooted.

Don't forget to go to the market and update the Superuser app, and download a Busybox installer and install Busybox to the /system/xbin.

If you plan on Just putting a custom ROM on the phone right away, you don't have to install busybox. All CM7 and CM9 ROM's have it installed already.

 

[ru4him]

I do have superuser in my app drawer. I haven't opened it yet. Should I? I still haven't been able to download the Flash Image GUI app because my phone thinks is is January 5, 1980.

 

[ru4him]

Getting closer to the ROOT. Now I have gingerbreak and ran the exploit just fine. Superuser shows us in my APP drawer. I got the phone's date to 2012, accessed Google play, got the Flash Image GUI app installed. Cautiously waiting for next steps. I never heard of a Busybox installer or the /system/xbin. Thanks for all your help thus far.

 

[AndyOpie150]

Busybox has all the binaries necessary to complete a lot of rooted functions. If your just going to install a custom ROM right away don't worry about it, the custom ROM should have it already installed.
A good Busybox installer will ask you which location you want to install it to. The bin usually doesn't have enough room so it will fail trying to install it there. The xbin has plenty of room.

 

[ru4him]

Any Help Appreciated. Here is what I have done so far:


1. Downloaded and ran the gingerbreak exploit.


2. Superuser shows us in my APP drawer. I have updated it but don't know what to do next with it.


3. I have an icon that says Root Browser Lite. I don't know what to do with it.


4. Flash Image GUI app installed. I haven't done anything with it and don't know what to do with it.


5. I also have unlockroot23 showing up in the APPS folder. I don't have any idea how it got there. Possibly the gingerbreak exploit?


6. I just put VM670NH_recovery.img in the same folder called APPS.

I started to use Whyzor's guide but now am not sure what to do and what order to do it in.

7. Any advice on which Rom is best?

 

[cammykool]

for stability BACKside or harmonia

 

[AndyOpie150]

First thing's first. You need to get a root file explorer like ES File Explorer. Then you need to take the recovery.img out of the folder and just put it near the bottom of the list of folders (this is called the root directory of the sd card, or root of the sd card).
Then open up the Flash Image GUI app and select to install the recovery.

Once the recovery is installed you need to go into the recovery (you can turn the phone off then press and hold HOME+VOLUME DOWN then POWER, all at the same time until you see the LG Logo, then you can let go) and go to the backup and restore section and select the backup option.
You scroll using the up/down volume rocker and select options using the camera button.

Then go here: http://androidforums.com/optimus-v-...ry-reset-your-rooted-phone-3.html#post3263770

For a good starter Gingerbread ROM with everything working choose the Harmonia 2 , which can be found in the All Things Root Guide sticky ^ found at the top of this forum.
Once you get used to using the recovery (a backup is like a restore point on a PC) and backing up your ROM every time you make changes or get a lot of app updates(the backups are stored in a folder on the sd card entitled "clockworkmod", in the backup folder and can be deleted). Then you might try the Touch Screen recovery and one of the other ROMs in the github (they all work just fine).

 

[ru4him]

Thanks, I installed ES File Manager and have the recovery at the bottom of the list under the folders.
Question, I have the VM670NH_recovery.img
I saw two other recoverys, xioniaclockwork and bobzohme. Which one is best.
Also, should I have the zip of xioniaclockwork as well. Is there a way to backup everything on my PC first.

 

[ru4him]

First thing's first. You need to get a root file explorer like ES File Explorer. Then you need to take the recovery.img out of the folder and just put it near the bottom of the list of folders (this is called the root directory of the sd card, or root of the sd card).
Then open up the Flash Image GUI app and select to install the recovery.

Once the recovery is installed you need to go into the recovery (you can turn the phone off then press and hold HOME+VOLUME DOWN then POWER, all at the same time until you see the LG Logo, then you can let go) and go to the backup and restore section and select the backup option.
You scroll using the up/down volume rocker and select options using the camera button.

Then go here: http://androidforums.com/optimus-v-...ry-reset-your-rooted-phone-3.html#post3263770

For a good starter Gingerbread ROM with everything working choose the Harmonia 2 , which can be found in the All Things Root Guide sticky ^ found at the top of this forum.
Once you get used to using the recovery (a backup is like a restore point on a PC) and backing up your ROM every time you make changes or get a lot of app updates(the backups are stored in a folder on the sd card entitled "clockworkmod", in the backup folder and can be deleted). Then you might try the Touch Screen recovery and one of the other ROMs in the github (they all work just fine).

Thanks for getting me going again.
I have the VM670NH_recovery.img. Would I be better off using either Xioniaclockwork or Bobzohme recoveries?

 

[AndyOpie150]

The full name of the BobZohme is: BobZohme modified ClockworkMod recovery VM670NH recovery.img
I personally like the Touch Screen recovery, found in the All Things Root Guide sticky.
Note: Go here [FIX]Black screen with custom recovery and custom roms - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com
Bottom of the post you will see this:


Good luck!
Attached Files
Xionia_CWMA_12518.6_VM_Recovery-signed.zip (4.83 MB, 1700 views)

Download and put on the SD card along with the other folders (not in a folder). Leave it zipped, and forget about it until you accidently get yourself into a recovery loop.

Now go to the sticky on how to get your AAA code.

 

[ru4him]

The full name of the BobZohme is: BobZohme modified ClockworkMod recovery VM670NH recovery.img
I personally like the Touch Screen recovery, found in the All Things Root Guide sticky.
Note: Go here [FIX]Black screen with custom recovery and custom roms - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com
Bottom of the post you will see this:


Good luck!
Attached Files
Xionia_CWMA_12518.6_VM_Recovery-signed.zip (4.83 MB, 1700 views)

Download and put on the SD card along with the other folders (not in a folder). Leave it zipped, and forget about it until you accidently get yourself into a recovery loop.

Now go to the sticky on how to get your AAA code.

Is this file:

Xionia_CWMA_12518.6_VM_Recovery-signed.zip

the recovery file I use when rooting?

Do I have a AAA code if I am unactivated with VM?

Thanks AndieOpie, I am getting closer to the root.

 

[AndyOpie150]

Use the BobZohme right after rooting.
Use the Gingerbreak.apk or the EManUL3xxx Root (which uses the jcase root exploit, and is the fastest easiest way to root and get the BobZohme recovery installed on your phone).

The Xionia is just for in case you ever get yourself into a recovery loop (leave it zipped and on the root of the sd card, just in case).

This needs to be done after rooting and with Busybox installed.
You have to obtain the AAA codes off your own phone as they are unique to your phone (don't give them to anybody, just write them down in case you end up messing your phone up really good). This needs to be done after rooting and with Busybox installed.

You will need to find asadullah's thread on how to get your MSL code first (souldn't be to far back, should be on the 2nd page), then go to the sticky on the AAA code.

 

[ru4him]

Use the BobZohme right after rooting.
Use the Gingerbreak.apk or the EManUL3xxx Root (which uses the jcase root exploit, and is the fastest easiest way to root and get the BobZohme recovery installed on your phone).

The Xionia is just for in case you ever get yourself into a recovery loop (leave it zipped and on the root of the sd card, just in case).

This needs to be done after rooting and with Busybox installed.
You have to obtain the AAA codes off your own phone as they are unique to your phone (don't give them to anybody, just write them down in case you end up messing your phone up really good). This needs to be done after rooting and with Busybox installed.

You will need to find asadullah's thread on how to get your MSL code first (souldn't be to far back, should be on the 2nd page), then go to the sticky on the AAA code.

HURRAH!!! The Phone is rooted. ROM choice was Harmonia_2.09_OV.zip

But my old (pre-root) apps don't appear.

Any ideas on where to find them??????

 

[MacFett]

HURRAH!!! The Phone is rooted. ROM choice was Harmonia_2.09_OV.zip

But my old (pre-root) apps don't appear.

Any ideas on where to find them??????

Once you flash a ROM everything that was on the device is gone (unless you made the suggested nandroid backup as soon as you rooted and installed your recovery.

You can either restore your nandroid and then use a backup app like Titanium Backup to backup all of your apps to SD card and then reflash Harmonia (or restore your harmonia ROM) and use Titanium Backup or other backup app to restore all previously backed up apps.

Or you can just redownload them from the play store.

 

[AndyOpie150]

Titanium Backup has a tendency to freeze on install of some apps.
I use it to backup data on just those apps that I need to save the data (note everything, Angry Birds, etc.).
You can use App Tyrant to backup all your apps in their .apk form. This comes in handy later as it does not delete the old .apk when you get an update. If the update doesn't work just restore the .old apk. You can also use it to keep apps that you don't use that often on the sd card instead of having them installed.

I have the older version called App Uninstaller Pro (paid version that I really like).

 

[Petrah]

HURRAH!!! The Phone is rooted. ROM choice was Harmonia_2.09_OV.zip

But my old (pre-root) apps don't appear.

Any ideas on where to find them??????

As MacFett stated, they're gone. Now that you're rooted, you can use my guide to ensure that you never lose your user apps, call logs, and messages (sms & mms) ever again.

http://androidforums.com/faqs/607141-guide-titaniumbackup-tutorial.html