Root Advice needed: root and which ROM?

[jessica19087]

Hello, party people,

So here's my deal. I was generally happy with my Rezound until Verizon pushed the 4.0.3 update, which disabled Flash and broke Tasker's ability to toggle GPS (I do think I used SecureSettings to do this). I don't know what version I was on previously ...

You may ask why I'm upset about Flash...I design web-based training and the output is Flash. I need to be able to check links and such from my Rezound.

Anyway, nutshell: I like Sense and was happy enough with whatever version of Android it was that I had before the update. I guess I'm pretty much asking to simply go back to when everything worked. From what I read, rooting seems to be my only option. Right?

Thoughts?

Thanks!
--jess

 

[Prinny]

Hello, party people,

So here's my deal. I was generally happy with my Rezound until Verizon pushed the 4.0.3 update, which disabled Flash and broke Tasker's ability to toggle GPS (I do think I used SecureSettings to do this). I don't know what version I was on previously ...

You may ask why I'm upset about Flash...I design web-based training and the output is Flash. I need to be able to check links and such from my Rezound.

Anyway, nutshell: I like Sense and was happy enough with whatever version of Android it was that I had before the update. I guess I'm pretty much asking to simply go back to when everything worked. From what I read, rooting seems to be my only option. Right?

Thoughts?

Thanks!
--jess

Hey jess, sorry about the issues. Rooting might not be the end all option, but its fun but I would try a different browser, really. Some coding may have broken the stock one. I'm not sure about the GPS toggle, though. Sorry about that. But perhaps some devs/more knowledgeable folks can shed light on that.

 

[jessica19087]

Thanks, Prinny. Don't know why I didn't think to try another browser....I use Firefox on my Samsung Galaxy Tab because their TouchWiz version stinks. I'll have to see if Firefox Flash works on my Rezound.

Would still like to hear from others on their rooting suggestions. I have toyed with rooting for several years now (since the original Droid, really), and have customized the lockscreen with WidgetLocker, made a few Tasker do-dads, but I guess I'm kind of afraid to root without someone holding my hand...or at least a resource that can try to help me if I screw it up. And up until the latest update, I was able to overlook little things that bugged me or find work arounds. Now, no such luck.

Again, thanks all. Can't wait to hear your opinions.

--jess

 

[scotty85]

i personally would htcdev unlock,then do the s-off process. that way you can go backwards in fimrware if you need to(htcdev wont allow it).

htcdev is in general,a PITA if youd like to flash roms with any frequency,and s off is in all ways better,as long as you are able to use cuation and discretion about what you flash s-off also has the advantage of turning the "relocked watermark back to locked so all visual signs of having ever unlocked or rooted are gone,if you need to turn the phone in for warranty.

the following ling are a good start:

http://androidforums.com/rezound-al...ys-noob-friendly-root-guide-start-finish.html

http://androidforums.com/rezound-all-things-root/587430-s-want-flash-roms-read.html

http://androidforums.com/rezound-all-things-root/550408-s-off-guide-info-return-stock.html

just post here or in those threads if you have any questions

 

[esmith818]

scotty85 is a GREAT resource, but if you have never rooted a phone prior to the Rezound, you might find the process a tad overwhelming. I know I have rooted several phones in the past but touching a paperclip to the hardware of this phone to purposely "soft brick" it was not something I relished. With your recent OTA though, I think S-OFF will be necessary if you want to downgrade -- just make sure you read a lot and have plenty of time.

 

[jessica19087]

So, um, stupid question, but can you just root and not install any kind of custom ROM? Root just to allow for things you want to manipulate, e.g., allow Lookout and Navigation to turn on GPS?

 

[Prinny]

So, um, stupid question, but can you just root and not install any kind of custom ROM? Root just to allow for things you want to manipulate, e.g., allow Lookout and Navigation to turn on GPS?

You don't have to do a custom Rom if you root. Though, I can't speak about changing other things like hboot and whatnot. But you can root and just delete things

 

[scotty85]

scotty85 is a GREAT resource, but if you have never rooted a phone prior to the Rezound, you might find the process a tad overwhelming. I know I have rooted several phones in the past but touching a paperclip to the hardware of this phone to purposely "soft brick" it was not something I relished. With your recent OTA though, I think S-OFF will be necessary if you want to downgrade -- just make sure you read a lot and have plenty of time.

just a lil bit of clarification to ease your mind... the wire trick performed during juopunut bears s-off procedure is often thot to be creating a "soft brick" via a "short circuit" but these 2 things are not really happening. despite the panic some folks feel when the tool fails the first few times and their phone is unbootable,the tool is not corrupting any partitions,or doing anything that could make the phone unusable.

the wire trick,is not shorting any part of the phone. it is merely completing a circuit that puts the processor into a special download mode. its just like flipping a light switch... all electrical circuits are compelted by letting the current get back to ground. the only real danger is the bit about built up static from your hands if using an uninsulAted wire. or possibly touching the wrong pins... i guess that may be bad as well

defiantely not discrediting any of your advice or comments,i just wanted to clear up the s-off process a lil.

So, um, stupid question, but can you just root and not install any kind of custom ROM? Root just to allow for things you want to manipulate, e.g., allow Lookout and Navigation to turn on GPS?

not a stupid question at all. as prinny stated,you certainly can root without installing a rom. following the process in the noob friendly root guide leaves you with exactly that... a rooted stock rom

however,i cant comment exactly on wether youd be able to do anything to fix the particular issues youre having simply by rooting. what you can do,if youre leery of s-off,is simply flash a rom thats based on the software you want to be running(3.14.605.12). unless the firmware itself(newer radios and hboot) is preventing things from working somehow,installing a rom on the prior ruu should get you back to where you want to be.

just make sure to fastboot boot your recovery as described in the second link,and you shouldnt have any prollems flashing it.

You don't have to do a custom Rom if you root. Though, I can't speak about changing other things like hboot and whatnot. But you can root and just delete things

htcdev only unlocks system,boot,and recovery. you cannot change any firmware,unless its a special package signed by htc,and even then you cant go backwards. an s on phone is still doing plenty of security checks,even when unlocked.

the bad news is that you cant change splash screens or other partitions,and you cant go backwards in build numbers,even with signed by htc files. you also cannot write to boot from a permanetly installed recovery.

however,there is some good news,if you do want to stay s-on: since htcdev is protecting the bootloader and radios,it is next to impossible to hard brick an s-on device :smokingsomb:

 

[thornev]

Jessica, Let us know if trying different browsers solves your Flash problem (I use Dolphin mini-browser and Flash seems to work). Dolphin is available in the Google "Play Store" app from your phone. Firefox and Chrome are also available.

 

[scotty85]

id highly recomend chrome,if you use it on your desktop/laptop as well. you can sync it,and have access to all your PC bookmarks,as well as a seperate set of mobile book marks.you can even open the same pages/tabs that you left open on your running PC at home-an extremely useful feature to me! :smokingsomb: