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Root Is there a set of instructions for newbs?

PHP87

Android Enthusiast
Nov 30, 2012
369
48
A Burger King bathroom...
I keep reading "How to" threads that start off with "Install the correct drivers" and such.

How does one install the drivers, and how do they know which are correct?

Many of the "How to" threads assumes the reader has an Intermediate or Expert level of knowledge, when in fact, many of us are still at the learning stage.

I don't want to be hand-held or spoon-fed, but would like some ambiguities cleared up.

When writing an instructional, one should write to an audience of users of all levels, not just advanced users.

I've done the same on other Tech forums and helped people out. Unfortunately, I'm finding a different experience here.

After reading for hours, I still have no idea how to install drivers as when I click on the .exe on my PC, the app will hang about 80% of the way thru the progress bar, so I'm obviously doing something wrong.

Is there a thread that has a list of terms with explanations for newbs?

This is getting extremely frustrating, and no one seems to want to take the time to answer a simple question that I posted weeks ago in the "I found a Root" thread.

Is there a tutorial thread? Anything? Or do we just guess until we brick our phones and say "I guess that's not the way to do it"

Thanks.
 
I do not understand how you're having trouble with installing the drivers, do you know how to install anything on your computer? (this is not meaning to be derivative just merely a question) if you're having issues with installing things on your computer it just may be a problem with your computer...

As for what the terms mean and whatnot...did you check out the http://androidforums.com/motion-4g-all-things-root/609954-lg-motion-4g-all-things-root-guide.html thread?

and i understand how you're having issues....but from the questions you are asking....are you sure you want Root?....you seem like a low level user...Root is typically for people who like to mess with their phones on a higher level...

you are having issues with installing an apk...which makes me think you do not need root...you can accidentally mess up your phone big time if you have root if you do not know what you're doing...which, you do not...

once again, I am not trying to be mean or derivative, i am merely coming to conclusions based on my observations....if you cannot install drivers on your computer and cannot install an apk on your phone...you should not root your phone for your own safety
 
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I have been on the forums for a year and a half now. For 1 month I was a lurker, trying to figure this New stuff out. One thing you must do is READ to keep up with the times. And tomorrow READ the posts/threads since the last time you READ and things will start to make sense.
I dont know how to theme, compile/decompile, or none of that sh. I can follow directions. I can ask questions here.
Now I am able to fix some of my probs, and help some others with theres. I am alright with my progress.
Now....If you READ some of this information and still have a prob Buddy ask on. Someone will help you.
 
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What you will find here is information at many levels, from the greenest "newb" (we don't really like that term as it can have some negative connotations) to veteran developers, and everything in between. Sometimes it can be a bit daunting trying to find the information that is relevant to your specific situation.

You will find the more knowledgeable members in the development threads and "All things root" sections and the beginners and hobbyists is the general sections, but no one is limited to any specific area. Everyone is pretty much free to post in any forum. I did just look at your question from several weeks ago and i see it was ignored. Sorry about that. Sometimes they get glossed over or missed and as they drop down in the thread there's less of a chance someone will reply to it. If that ever happens again or you just aren't getting the response you want, just contact any staff member directly and we'll take a look into it.

Now, let me see if I can answer some of your questions.

First, the drivers. These are like any other drivers you install on your PC for a hardware device like a video card or external disk drive. They allow the PC to communicate with the device and provide the necessary code to do so. Some hardware will be generic enough that the Microsoft drivers already with Windows will work, but some require manufacturer supplied drivers that you get by either downloading them directly from the manufacturer's website or by installing their sync'ing software. If you are having issues with the installer, you might need to run the file as administrator if you are on Vista or Windows 7.

Every phone is rooted a little differently. Some as simply as using a one-click utility, other's you need to type in long command line strings with complicated parameters. From the look of the motion it might be a little bit of the latter, but someone has put together a batch file to automate most of it.

Now, I don't have the Motion so I can't personally help you with that, but If you'd like I can see If I can find somebody to walk you through it.
 
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I've done some "hacking" in my time from Sat TV to jailbreaking iPhones.

I'm running WXP SP3, and when I run the "LGUnitedMobileDriver_S4981MAN37AP22_ML_WHQL_Ver_3.7.2.exe" app, the progress bar reaches about 80% and then just hangs.

Same result with both "LGUnitedMobileDriver_S4981MAN38AP22_ML_WHQL_Ver_3.8.1.exe"
And
"LGUnitedMobileDriver_S4981MAN37AP22_ML_WHQL_Ver_3.7.1.exe"

This happens whether the Phone is connected via USB to the PC or not, so I'm wondering, what am I missing?

If I plug the phone into the PC with the USB cable, Windows displays the "Found new Hardware" window.

What is the proper driver and procedure to install the driver?

Also, when I first connected the phone to the PC, I was able to see the installed Micro SD card that I installed in the phone and was able to drag and drop *mp3 files onto the Micro SD card in Windows Explorer, but the Micro SD card no longer shows up, so one can understand my confusion.

Any help would be appreciated, especially a "Guide for beginners" or similar, if one exists.

I've been reading the forum and numerous threads since buying the LG Motion at the end of October, as indicated by my join date of November, 2012

Thanks.
 
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When you install the driver you have to make sure your phone is disconnected from the PC and wait for the driver says complete then you proceed too connect it to the PC and then a window should pop up and say found new hardware. Let it do its thing and make sure it stays connected.


The problem is that the progress bar never seems to exceed about 85% or so, no matter how long I wait.

IDK what's up with this month-long nightmare. Installshield shouldn't just hang indefinitely at around 85% or so, even with all AV and Firewall turned off, yet it does on every version of software I've tried numerous times.

"LGUnitedMobileDriver_S4981MAN37AP22_ML_WHQL_Ver_3 .7.1.exe"
"LGUnitedMobileDriver_S4981MAN37AP22_ML_WHQL_Ver_3 .7.2.exe"
"LGUnitedMobileDriver_S4981MAN38AP22_ML_WHQL_Ver_3 .8.1.exe"

Anyone else?

I'll let it sit on the Installshield installer overnight with the progress bar at about 85%.

It will likely still be there at 85% 8 hours from now...
 
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Tried all of the above. Eventually, the Installshield fails and generates this dialog box:

"Unhandled Exception"

Error Number: 0x80040708
Description: (0x8004005) Unspecified Error

Setup Will Now Terminate

(OK)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clicking "OK" closes the dialog box.

I've tried with the three versions files listed above, have re-downloaded them, they are not presently in "Add/Remove Programs" and I have rebooted my PC and have even shut it down, waited for a few minutes, then rebooted.

I'm running WXP SP3 with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and 3.5 GB of RAM and plenty of free space on drive C:/

No other programs running during install.
 
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Tried all of the above. Eventually, the Installshield fails and generates this dialog box:

"Unhandled Exception"

Error Number: 0x80040708
Description: (0x8004005) Unspecified Error

Setup Will Now Terminate

(OK)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clicking "OK" closes the dialog box.

I've tried with the three versions files listed above, have re-downloaded them, they are not presently in "Add/Remove Programs" and I have rebooted my PC and have even shut it down, waited for a few minutes, then rebooted.

I'm running WXP SP3 with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and 3.5 GB of RAM and plenty of free space on drive C:/

No other programs running during install.

Just to be sure you are downloading these from the LG website?

I just booted up an old XP laptop that is also running SP3 with only 2 GB ram and I was able to install the drivers (3.8.1). I even installed an old version of the drivers first to see if old drivers (3.6) would conflict with the new install. I didn't have any problems, so I am going to conclude that there is something with your PC that is causing the problem.

That error is pretty generic, but it could be indicative of a memory error. You can try a few things. First try booting into safe mode and see if the drivers will install that way. All you have to do is get the driver files installed once under any account on XP and you should be good. If you get the same error in safe mode, then I would pull the ram and put it back one bank at a time. Try booting with only 1 gb or 2, depending on your configuration. If you still get the error, then swap the ram with whats left and try again.

Other than that, it really depends how much you want to mess with this, because an easier method would be to use a different PC. If you have a friend with a laptop, it should be simple to install the drivers, root and then take everything off in an hour or so.
 
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Were you able to try another computer?

I think Shabby's idea of trying linux (no drivers required is valid). You can go to Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora etc and download the iso image to burn a live CD (bootable) and just run that on your PC long enough to root. It will probably be slow, but it should work unless your problems stem from some sort of hardware failure. Then you really only have the option to use a different PC.
 
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Were you able to try another computer?

I think Shabby's idea of trying linux (no drivers required is valid). You can go to Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora etc and download the iso image to burn a live CD (bootable) and just run that on your PC long enough to root. It will probably be slow, but it should work unless your problems stem from some sort of hardware failure. Then you really only have the option to use a different PC.

a live usb would be better as live cd wouldnt have adb
 
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i understand what he is saying this stuff has me ilke omg where do i start. i would love love love a guide for silly heads like me who are like omg. you guys seem sooooo smart but you use your own lingo that i'm having a hard time understanding will some one help a scatter brain like me or am i to helpless.:rolleyes::thinking::):D:(:eek:!!!! they are sooo cute sitting in a row like that right!

The problem is that there are just too many options and variables. Let's start with phones .... each model is rooted a little differently, and while we do have how-to's in most of the device forums, it does require a bit of reading and background if you are going to try without assistance. Yeah, it's technical and jargon enter's into it, but it's not rocket surgery. ;)

Once rooted, there are many different ways to flash phones. Sure, the common ways like CWM or TRWP or ODIN all work PRETTY much the same way, but each device has its nuances which could make or break the whole thing if done wrong. So to try and get a universal how-to it would have to be 800,000 lines long to try and account for each option. You'd go batty by step 3.

The BEST way to learn to root your phone and flash a custom rom is to come here and get a little one-on-one so we can walk you through your specific device and troubleshoot anything specific to you. Don't worry about not understanding. Simply say so and we'll try to explain it to you without making anyone feel foolish or stupid. We're not like that (although other forums are). So whether you want the "Transmagraphical Compendium on interdimensional Phone rooting" or "See spot root, root spot root" versions we'll be happy to do our best.
 
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Were you able to try another computer?

I think Shabby's idea of trying linux (no drivers required is valid). You can go to Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora etc and download the iso image to burn a live CD (bootable) and just run that on your PC long enough to root. It will probably be slow, but it should work unless your problems stem from some sort of hardware failure. Then you really only have the option to use a different PC.

I don't have another PC and I shouldn't have to download and burn another O/S that I know nothing about to simply drag and drop some *.mp3 files to my Micro SD card.

I've spend hours swapping RAM, rebooting, rebooting into Safe Mode and everything else I could think of.

Everything works except the LG Software. Process of elimination points at the software, not the PC or the O/S

I'm going to put in a call to TechSup tomorrow and rip them a new one as I've spent over 18 hours trying to get my PC to install their stupid drivers.

Plug and Play my azz.:mad:

I guess I'll have to carry my old iPhone with me along with my LG Motion just so I can listen to music.

Freakin' POS
 
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I don't have another PC and I shouldn't have to download and burn another O/S that I know nothing about to simply drag and drop some *.mp3 files to my Micro SD card.

I've spend hours swapping RAM, rebooting, rebooting into Safe Mode and everything else I could think of.

Everything works except the LG Software. Process of elimination points at the software, not the PC or the O/S

I'm going to put in a call to TechSup tomorrow and rip them a new one as I've spent over 18 hours trying to get my PC to install their stupid drivers.

Plug and Play my azz.:mad:

I guess I'll have to carry my old iPhone with me along with my LG Motion just so I can listen to music.

Freakin' POS

Do you have any other LG drivers installed? Drivers for other LG phones? Do you have other LG programs installed? If so, can you try uninstalling it all and then rebooting and installing this driver? The driver does not seem to be the issue, it seems that something on your computer is preventing the driver from being installed.
 
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Do you have any other LG drivers installed? Drivers for other LG phones? Do you have other LG programs installed? If so, can you try uninstalling it all and then rebooting and installing this driver? The driver does not seem to be the issue, it seems that something on your computer is preventing the driver from being installed.

No, I haven't been able to install any LG Drivers nor do I have any LG Programs on my Computer.
 
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Have you tried setting your phone to "charge only", under USB connection type in the connectivity settings? Then once the phone is plugged into your computer it should be treated as a USB drive. At least it works like that for me with Windows 7. I'm not sure if it will work the same with Windows XP though. It has been a long time since I used XP. You could also experiment with the other USB settings on the phone to try to get your computer to recognize the phone without installing the LG drivers.
 

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